Written answers

Wednesday, 2 October 2013

  • Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
    • Human Rights Issues
      11. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views regarding the hosting of the 2014 Winter Olympics in Russia; his views on the human rights legislation currently...
    • Overseas Development Aid Provision
      12. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the current situation is respect to the commitment to overseas development aid. [41066/13]
    • Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership
      13. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the progress to date in the trade talks between the EU and the US; in view of the trade remit of his Department the...
    • Undocumented Irish in the USA
      14. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the discussions he held in the US recently regarding legislative reforms to assist the undocumented Irish; the current...
    • Diplomatic Representation Issues
      16. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the number of ambassadors to Ireland that have called to his office since taking office to register an official complaint;...
    • International Relations
      18. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if his attention has been drawn to the protests in Catalonia on 11 September for self-determination; if he supports the...
    • Overseas Development Aid Issues
      19. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if his attention has been drawn to the independent audit by the Compliance Advisor Ombudsman published in February 2013 of...
    • Human Rights Issues
      20. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will restate the position on the alarming increase in violence, discrimination and ill-sentiment against LGBT persons...
    • Overseas Development Aid Issues
      21. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he has read the World Bank-IMF Watch 2013 report from the Debt and Development Coalition Ireland; his views on the...
    • US Surveillance in EU Institutions
      24. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the reason the European External Action Service still has not received clarification from the United States authorities in...
    • Ministerial Travel
      25. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the official foreign visits he or his Ministers of State have planned to the end of 2013; the proposed dates for these...
    • Departmental Expenditure
      27. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the costs incurred by his Department in using VIP services at Irish airports during Ireland’s chairmanship of the...
    • Foreign Conflicts
      28. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will condemn the closure of Gaza from both the Israeli and Egyptian sides, which has resulted in a severe shortage of...
    • Human Rights Issues
      29. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the extent to which he in conjunction with his EU and UN colleagues may encourage the new administration in Iran towards a...
    • Foreign Conflicts
      30. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if his attention has been drawn to the recent deaths of Palestinian civilians and Israeli soldiers in the West Bank in...
    • Northern Ireland Issues
      31. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if his attention has been drawn to the loyalist violence which erupted during July in Belfast; if he has discussed this...
    • Human Rights Issues
      32. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his position in relation to the case of former Prime Minister of Ukraine, Ms Yulia Tymoshenko; the steps that are being...
    • Overseas Development Aid Provision
      33. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will provide further details on his Department’s recent pledge of €3 million in funding to mother and...
    • International Relations
      34. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the engagement he has had in efforts to improve relations between Iran and the United States; if he has any particular...
    • Human Rights Issues
      35. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if his attention has been drawn to the continued widespread human rights abuses by the Bahraini regime; the recent...
    • Diplomatic Representation Issues
      36. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views on Israel’s accusation that European diplomats, including the deputy head of Ireland’s diplomatic...
    • Syrian Conflict
      38. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the extent to which it has been found possible, together with the international community, to convince the authorities in...
    • Humanitarian Aid
      39. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will provide further details on his Department’s recent pledge of €2 million in emergency assistance...
    • International Agreements
      40. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will work at EU level to impose the Chemical Weapons Convention on the Middle East. [41176/13]
    • Humanitarian Aid
      41. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the progress he has made in positioning Ireland, in particular Shannon airport, to be established as an international hub...
    • Human Rights Issues
      42. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if his attention has been drawn to the disappearance of Sombath Somphone, a prominent activist for sustainable...
    • White Paper on Defence
      43. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views on the recently published Green Paper on defence; if he foresees any policy changes relating to the 'triple lock'...
    • Diplomatic Representation Issues
      44. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he has met with the Syrian Ambassador to Ireland this year and the discussion that took place. [41063/13]
    • International Terrorism
      45. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his response to the recent terrorist attack on Nairobi’s Westgate mall in Kenya; if he has liaised with Irish Aid...
    • Millenium Development Goals
      46. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will provide more details on the UN special event on the millennium development goals that he attended in New York;...
    • Departmental Appointments
      47. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the number of honorary consuls he has appointed; the names and occupations of the honorary consuls appointed; where these...
    • Humanitarian Aid
      48. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the proposals he has to provide additional humanitarian aid to Syria and adjoining countries; and if he will make a...
    • Foreign Conflicts
      49. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if his attention has been drawn to the fact that a large sewage treatment plant being constructed in Gaza with funding from...
    • United Nations Issues
      50. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will provide an update on the work his Department has done with Ireland’s seat on the UN Human Rights council;...
    • Human Rights Issues
      51. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he has contacted the Russian Government and if not, if he will give a commitment to contact the Russian Government...
    • Foreign Conflicts
      52. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views on whether a U.S. military strike on Syria will bring further hardship on its citizens; and if he would advocate...
    • Northern Ireland Issues
      53. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the proposals he has to have further discussions with the Northern Ireland Secretary of State and members of the Northern...
    • Overseas Development Aid Issues
      55. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the Danish Government is publishing a strategic framework for Danish...
    • Northern Ireland Issues
      56. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will provide an update on his Department's engagements with Richard Haass in September 2013; and if he will make a...
    • Foreign Conflicts
      58. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views on the plight of the five fishermen (details supplied) who have been sentenced to one year imprisonment by an...
    • EU Directives
      61. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the progress he has made in creating a mechanism across Government to accelerate implementation of European directives,...
    • Foreign Conflicts
      62. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if the ongoing conflict in the Congo has been discussed at recent EU Foreign Affairs Council meetings. [41215/13]
    • Human Rights Issues
      63. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the steps he will take in response to the statement from the Council of Europe's human rights chief, Nils Muiznieks, on 11...
    • Passport Application Fees
      64. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if the decreased cost in producing the new passports will result in a reduction in the cost for citizens; and if he will...
    • Syrian Conflict
      65. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will provide further details on his commitment to provide Irish funding for the destruction of chemical weapons in...
    • European External Action Service
      66. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views on the recent publication of Review 2013 by the European External Action Service, EEAS, two years after the...
    • Overseas Development Aid Issues
      68. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will outline the proportion of Irish Aid which is directed towards efforts to combat climate change, the effects of...
    • Trade Missions Participation
      69. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will provide details of his recent four day political and trade mission to China; the discussions he had with Chinese...
    • Military Neutrality
      72. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he has read the recently published Red C Poll, commissioned by PANA, which details Irish persons attitudes to neutrality...
    • Northern Ireland Issues
      75. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the proposals he has had to have further discussions with the Northern Ireland Secretary of State and members of the...
    • Humanitarian Aid
      77. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will provide further details on his Department’s recent pledge of €700,000 in humanitarian aid to Mali;...
    • Undocumented Irish in the USA
      78. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the progress to date of the immigration reform bill in the US Congress; the plans he has to advance this initiative with...
    • EU Enlargement
      81. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will set out the ongoing progress in respect of European enlargement; the degree to which any particular obstacles...
    • Syrian Conflict
      84. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the steps taken by the European Union, United Nations and the worldwide community to intervene in a positive way in the...
    • Conflict Resolution
      85. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the extent to which he and his EU/UN colleagues continually monitor the situation in the horn of Africa with particular...
    • EU Membership Issues
      86. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade about the extent to which he and his EU colleagues have discussed the implications for this country, Northern Ireland, the...
    • Colombian Peace Process
      87. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the extent to which the peace process in Colombia remains on course; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41387/13]
    • Foreign Conflicts
      88. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the degree to which the international community has been in a position to intervene in the various conflict zones where...
    • Undocumented Irish in the USA
      89. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the extent to which he continues to be in a position to engage with the US authorities in the context of the regularisation...
    • Middle East Peace Process
      90. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the degree to which the Middle East peace talks continue to be actively supported by the EU and other interests; and if he...
    • Overseas Development Aid Issues
      92. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the extent to which overseas aid continues to be monitored with a view to ensuring that such aid reaches those for whom it...
    • Trade Data
      93. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the degree to which the potential for growth in trade has been noted between this jurisdiction and African, American and...
    • Consultancy Contracts Expenditure
      95. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the consultants, if any, he has contracted since 1 January 2013 to advise on the possible sale of any assets; the current...
  • Department of Finance
    • Budget Submissions
      96. To ask the Minister for Finance further to the SIMI proposal for a swappage scheme, if he will do his best to help our motor industry and the employment that it creates by putting in place a...
    • Financial Services Regulation
      97. To ask the Minister for Finance his plans to liaise with the Australian authorities in order to facilitate the acquisition of mortgages from financial institutions here by Irish citizens who...
    • IBRC Mortgage Loan Book
      98. To ask the Minister for Finance the number of residential PDH and buy-to-let mortgages currently on the books of Irish Bank Resolution Corporation now in special liquidation; the plans the...
    • Tax Code
      99. To ask the Minister for Finance if he has or will put in place a tax break for families who have outgrown their current home or have had to move in order to work (details supplied); if there...
    • Disabled Drivers and Passengers Scheme
      100. To ask the Minister for Finance if he will consider the inclusion of the blind pension in the primary certificate criteria and assessment for disabled drivers' tax concessions; and if he...
    • Budget 2014 Issues
      101. To ask the Minister for Finance if he will provide in tabular form the carry over to Budget 2014 in respect of the local property tax, changes to the maximum allowable pension fund for tax...
    • Universal Social Charge Yield
      102. To ask the Minister for Finance the yield from increasing from 5% to 10% the universal social charge surcharge on income covered by property related reliefs; and if he will make a statement...
    • Excise Duties Yield
      103. To ask the Minister for Finance the yield from increasing the excise duty on a packet of 20 cigarettes by 20c, 50c and €1 respectively; and if he will make a statement on the matter....
    • Tax Collection Forecasts
      107. To ask the Minister for Finance the additional income tax payable by a single person earning €60,000 who makes a pension contribution of 10% of gross salary if pension tax relief was...
    • VAT Rate Reductions
      126. To ask the Minister for Finance in view of the decision to reduce the VAT rate from 13% to 9% and the significance of this reduction to the tourism sector in County Kerry and throughout the...
    • Tax Collection Forecasts
      127. To ask the Minister for Finance the yield from increasing betting duty to 1.25% and 1.5% respectively while also extending it to online bets; and if he will make a statement on the matter....
    • Social Insurance Rates
      128. To ask the Minister for Finance if he will provide favourable consideration to reducing employer PRSI as it will greatly assist in maintaining existing jobs and in creating thousands of new...
    • Budget 2014 Issues
      129. To ask the Minister for Finance the current working estimate of the quantum of new net budgetary measures that would be required in budget 2014 to meet the troika target of 5.1% of GDP for...
    • Consultancy Contracts Expenditure
      130. To ask the Minister for Finance the consultants, if any, he has contracted since 1 January 2013 to advise on the possible sale of any assets; the current situation; the advice given and the...
    • European Council Meetings
      131. To ask the Minister for Finance if he will be raising the issue of Ireland's debt burden at the October meeting of the European Council; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40921/13]
    • EU-IMF Programme of Support Issues
      132. To ask the Minister for Finance if he intends to contact Chancellor Merkel following her recent comments regarding Ireland's economic performance. [40917/13]
    • European Financial Stability Facility
      133. To ask the Minister for Finance if he has raised the issue of the retrospective recapitalisation of Irish banks in any of the discussions he has had with German Chancellor Angela Merkel...
    • International Tax Issues
      134. To ask the Minister for Finance his views on the concerns the European Commission has regarding the double Irish taxation system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39136/13]
    • Corporation Tax
      135. To ask the Minister for Finance if he is concerned about Ireland's corporation tax rate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39137/13]
    • Budget 2014 Issues
      136. To ask the Minister for Finance if he has had meetings with officials from the Department of An Taoiseach on the forthcoming budget; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39048/13]
    • Fuel Smuggling
      137. To ask the Minister for Finance the steps that have been taken to tackle illicit fuel smuggling in the Border region; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39600/13]
  • Department of Education and Skills
    • School Transport Provision
      138. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the amount of money refunded to his Department following the investigations into corruption and/or irregularities in the Limerick office of Bus...
    • Departmental Staff Recruitment
      142. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he is satisfied that the recruitment process for the appointment of a position (details supplied) was carried out in an open and transparent...
    • School Transport Applications
      143. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills when a person (details supplied) in County Kildare will receive their school bus ticket; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41333/13]
    • Disadvantaged Status
      144. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if there are any specific provisions in place within schools to provide books and other materials for disadvantaged students; and if he will make...
    • Third Level Expenditure
      145. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the amount spent by institution, in each year since 2008, on rebranding or brand repositioning for each university and institute of technology...
    • School Services Staff
      146. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills his views on whether it was reasonable to enforce a 5% cut under the Financial Measures in the Public Interest Act 2009 on persons who are not...
    • School Patronage
      147. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he will invite submissions from all boards of management and parents' associations of all schools on the subject of school patronage to ensure...
    • Book Rental Scheme
      148. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he will provide a list of schools in County Galway that have a book rental scheme in place; and if he will make a statement on the matter....
    • Student Grant Scheme Rates
      149. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he will protect the student maintenance grant in budget 2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41305/13]
    • Student Voluntary Contributions
      150. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he will not under any circumstances increase the student contribution charge; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41306/13]
    • Student Assistance Fund Issues
      151. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he will put in place a proper and fairer postgraduate loan scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41307/13]
    • Departmental Staff Remuneration
      152. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the number of payable orders issued by his Department in the month of August 2013; the number of these issued to serving teachers, retired...
    • Institutes of Technology Issues
      155. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if his attention has been drawn to the significant contribution of money that has been paid by the Roman Catholic Church to the Dublin Institute...
    • Special Educational Needs Staffing
      156. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills of those special needs assistants who have recently been made redundant, the number on the panel established by his Department. [41369/13]
    • Teaching Council of Ireland
      157. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if the pay of a person (details supplied) whose membership of the Teaching Council lapsed over the summer due to a change of address, will be...
    • Special Educational Needs Services Provision
      158. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to correct the current imbalance in general allocation model-English as an additional language, GAM-EAL, support, based on gender,...
    • School Staffing
      159. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the circumstances in which academic staff are permitted to return to paid teaching duties following retirement; the oversight mechanism there is;...
    • Schools Building Projects Status
      160. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding the new location of a school (details supplied) in County Meath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41415/13]
    • State Examinations Issues
      164. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills when the leaving certificate rechecks will be completed; if he will put a system in place to ensure that they will be dealt with at an earlier...
    • Consultancy Contracts Expenditure
      165. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the consultants, if any, he has contracted since 1 January 2013 to advise on the possible sale of any assets; the current situation; the advice...
  • Department of Public Expenditure and Reform
    • Commercial Semi-State Bodies
      166. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if the €100 million extra in dividends from State companies provided for in budget 2013 represents a permanent change in the...
    • Departmental Staff Data
      167. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform further to Parliamentary Questions Nos, 459, 460, 461 and 462 of 18 September 2013, if he will provide a breakdown by number of hours of...
    • Departmental Expenditure
      168. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform further to Parliamentary Questions Nos 459, 460, 461and 462 of 18 September 2013, if he will provide a breakdown of the costs incurred...
    • Commercial Semi-State Companies
      171. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform further to Parliamentary Question No. 94 of 12 June 2013, if he will provide the net income for the years 2010, 2011 and 2012 for the...
    • Public Sector Pensions Issues
      172. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the current situation regarding the public service pension reduction as it relates to combined or aggregated pensions and the...
  • Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation
    • Health and Safety Inspections
      173. To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the reason pre-1979 service stations are being inspected; the reason unreasonable requests are being asked of them from a...
    • Departmental Correspondence
      174. To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the way a memo dated 20 March 2002 from the Department and the facts therein, which had been the subject of numerous parliamentary...
    • Industrial Relations Issues
      175. To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation his views on correspondence (details supplied) regarding the termination of employment in respect of a person in County Cork. [41489/13]
    • Job Creation
      176. To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if he will provide in tabular form on a county basis for 2011 and 2012 each job created and or sustained by each county enterprise...
    • Consultancy Contracts Expenditure
      177. To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the consultants, if any, he has contracted since 1 January 2013 to advise on the possible sale of any assets; the current situation;...
  • Department of Social Protection
    • Budget 2014 Issues
      178. To ask the Minister for Social Protection if she will ensure the back to education allowance is not cut in budget 2014; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41304/13]
    • Social Insurance Yield
      179. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the yield that would be achieved from increasing employers PRSI to 12%, 13%, 14% and 15% respectively for the portion of salary over...
    • Jobseeker's Allowance Appeals
      182. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the rationale behind a decision not to award a payment to a person (details supplied); if this decision may be reviewed; and if she will make a...
    • Disability Allowance Appeals
      183. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding a disability allowance in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Mayo; if same can be expedited; and if she will...
    • Carer's Allowance Appeals
      184. To ask the Minister for Social Protection when a decision on a carer's allowance appeal will issue in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Tipperary; and if she will make a...
    • National Internship Scheme Administration
      185. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the number of meetings of the JobBridge steering group to date; if she will provide a breakdown of all costs associated with the steering group...
    • Local Authority Work Placement Programme
      189. To ask the Minister for Social Protection further to Parliamentary Question No. 111 of 25 September, the timeframe that is intended for placements to last, the rate of payment the...
    • Labour Activation Projects
      191. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the consideration given to immediately offering ECDL, manual handling, first aid and safe pass courses to those recipients of jobseeker's allowance...
    • Property Taxation Collection
      192. To ask the Minister for Social Protection if Tús scheme participants are having the property tax deducted from their allowance; if so, if they have been informed of these deductions;...
    • Labour Activation Projects
      193. To ask the Minister for Social Protection if she will provide an update on the progress made in delivering targets under Pathways to Work; and if she will make a statement on the matter....
    • Free Travel Scheme Administration
      194. To ask the Minister for Social Protection in view of the policy position of the National Transport Authority to tender the provision of the bus service both nationally and in Dublin, the...
    • Pensions Regulation
      195. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding the ESB occupational pension scheme; the date on which the description of this scheme was changed to a defined contribution...
    • Mortgage Interest Relief Application
      196. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the number of persons to whom her Department is paying mortgage interest supplement; the minimum mortgage interest supplement amount per month paid...
    • Farm Assist Scheme Appeals
      197. To ask the Minister for Social Protection when a decision will issue on a farm assist appeal in respect of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41329/13]
    • Consultancy Contracts Expenditure
      199. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the consultants, if any, she has contracted since 1 January 2013 to advise on the possible sale of any assets; the current situation; the advice...
  • Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources
    • Garda Investigations
      201. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if there has been any investigation by Irish authorities regarding the dealings of a former prominent senior executive...
    • Renewable Energy Generation Targets
      202. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the timescale for a new national renewable energy programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41488/13]
    • Consultancy Contracts Expenditure
      203. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the consultants, if any, he has contracted since 1 January 2013 to advise on the possible sale of any assets; the current...
  • Department of Environment, Community and Local Government
    • Non-Principal Private Residence Charge Yield
      204. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government the yield that would be achieved from retaining the non-principal private residence tax in 2014 at €200 for...
    • Commercial Rates Issues
      205. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government on behalf of early childhood Ireland, regarding commercial rates which are of serious concern and stress for the services...
    • Postal Voting
      206. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government the position regarding postal votes for persons who are working here but away from home on shift work and not able to get...
    • Referendum Expenditure
      207. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government the way temporary staff were hired to work as polling tellers and clerks for the upcoming Seanad and court of appeal...
    • Leader Programmes Applications
      208. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government if he will give approval at an early date for the allocation of funds through the West Cork Development Partnership in...
    • Planning Issues
      209. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government the assistance provided to a person (details supplied) in County Kildare who is having issues with a property next door to...
    • Water Services Provision
      210. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government further to Parliamentary Question No. 383 of 24 September 2013, if a house owner or the local authority is responsible for...
    • Mortgage Arrears Proposals
      212. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government his views on correspondence regarding eviction (details supplied). [41526/13]
    • Consultancy Contracts Expenditure
      213. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government the consultants, if any, he has contracted since 1 January 2013 to advise on the possible sale of any assets; the current...
  • Department of Justice and Equality
    • Naturalisation Applications
      214. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will examine and expedite a naturalisation application in respect of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the...
    • Garda Stations Expenditure
      215. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the position regarding the acquisition of a new premises for a Garda Station (details supplied) in County Cork; and if he will make a statement...
    • Garda Operations
      216. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the cost and the number of extra gardaí that were employed to police Arthur's Day; if he will be billing the promoter of the event; and if...
    • Land Repossessions
      218. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the reason despite the 2009 Land Conveyancing and Law Reform Act having abolished the powers of the sheriff under section 133, which states that,...
    • Criminal Assets Bureau
      219. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of persons employed by the Criminal Assets Bureau in each year from 2008 to date 2013. [41322/13]
    • Deportation Orders Re-examination
      222. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will re-examine the case of a person (details supplied) in County Longford in respect of whom a deportation order has been made but whose...
    • Passport Applications
      223. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will set out the procedural requirements in order to qualify for an Irish passport in the case of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 15;...
    • Garda Investigations
      224. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality if there has been any investigation by Irish authorities regarding the dealings of a former prominent senior executive editor in Irish media...
    • Consultancy Contracts Expenditure
      225. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the consultants, if any, he has contracted since 1 January 2013 to advise on the possible sale of any assets; the current situation; the advice...
  • Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine
    • Animal Slaughtering Standards
      227. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if the Food Safety Authority of Ireland has undertaken research to determine the risk to public health from the use of animal...
    • Disadvantaged Areas Scheme Payments
      228. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a disadvantaged area scheme payment will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement...
    • Consultancy Contracts Expenditure
      230. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the consultants, if any, he has contracted since 1 January 2013 to advise on the possible sale of any assets; the current situation;...
  • Department of Children and Youth Affairs
    • Child and Family Support Agency Expenditure
      231. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she will confirm that the new payroll system for the Family and Child Agency will be fully operational by 1 January 2014; the current...
    • Child Care Qualifications
      232. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs her views on a pre-budget submission by Early Childhood Ireland that a training transformation fund should be provided, which would support...
    • Child Care Services Provision
      236. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs on behalf of Early Childhood Ireland if she will ensure data from the inspection report countrywide are located and analysed; and if she...
    • Child Care Services Inspections
      238. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she will include early childhood specialists within inspection teams to build an existing expertise within the sector; and if she will...
    • Consultancy Contracts Expenditure
      240. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the consultants, if any, she has contracted since 1 January 2013 to advise on the possible sale of any assets; the current situation; the...
  • Department of Health
    • Haddington Road Agreement Issues
      241. To ask the Minister for Health the reason sections 38 and 39 funded voluntary organisations were included in the savings required by the Haddington Road agreement and the impact this will...
    • Special Educational Needs Staffing
      242. To ask the Minister for Health his views on correspondence on behalf of Early Childhood Ireland (details supplied) seeking that special needs assistants be provided to pre-schools to ensure...
    • Nursing Home Services
      243. To ask the Minister for Health the practical and financial assistance that will be given to residents of a home (details supplied) in County Dublin in finding alternative accommodation...
    • Medical Card Applications
      244. To ask the Minister for Health when a medical card will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Carlow; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41237/13]
    • Medical Card Eligibility
      245. To ask the Minister for Health the reasons persons who have life threatening serious illnesses are not granted a medical card for life (details supplied). [41239/13]
    • Health Services Reform
      246. To ask the Minister for Health if a full assessment has been carried out on the possible impact on the health services as a result of the FEMPI measures being implemented, if he will detail...
    • General Medical Services Scheme Payments
      247. To ask the Minister for Health if health expenses will be reimbursed to a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41263/13]
    • National Treatment Purchase Fund Waiting Times
      248. To ask the Minister for Health the position regarding orthopaedic surgery cancellations (details supplied); the reason that the budget for the National Treatment Purchase Fund running low...
    • Ambulance Service Provision
      249. To ask the Minister for Health in view of the fact that the Health Information and Quality Authority do not receive or publish key performance indicators on a regional basis regarding the...
    • Hospital Services
      250. To ask the Minister for Health if he will confirm the commitment given by the Health Service Executive at the meeting of the Dublin North East Health Forum on 23 September 2013 that the...
    • Nursing Home Accommodation
      252. To ask the Minister for Health if he will give a commitment to include the €9 million in budget 2014 following on from the commitment given to provide a new 100-bed unit at St....
    • Health Services Staff Data
      253. To ask the Minister for Health if he will provide details of the number of specialist palliative care home care nurses nationally, whole time equivalents, and in each Health Service...
    • Medical Card Appeals
      254. To ask the Minister for Health the actions being taken to address the backlog in the medical card appeals office; the actions being taken to speed up the length of time it takes the appeals...
    • Hospital Procedures
      255. To ask the Minister for Health the number of hip replacement operations that have been carried out in the past three to nine months on public patients at Letterkenny General Hospital; and if...
    • Respite Care Services
      259. To ask the Minister for Health if an extra six hours of respite care will be approved in the case of a person (details supplied); if he will expedite the matter [41293/13]
    • Hospital Appointment Status
      260. To ask the Minister for Health when a hospital appointment will become available in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter....
    • Cochlear Implants
      261. To ask the Minister for Health his plans to introduce a bilateral cochlear implant programme in 2014 [41326/13]
    • Primary Care Centres Provision
      262. To ask the Minister for Health the position regarding the primary care centre projects announced on 17 July 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41327/13]
    • Services for People with Disabilities
      263. To ask the Minister for Health his views the implications of the funding cut to St. Michael's House, as outlined by its directors, including the reduction in staffing across the organisation...
    • National Lottery Funding Applications
      264. To ask the Minister for Health if his Department has received an application for a national lottery grant from an organisation (details supplied) in County Cork; and when a decision will be...
    • Home Help Service Provision
      265. To ask the Minister for Health if he will investigate the case of a person (details supplied) in County Dublin; and if he will consider launching an inquiry into the way the home help...
    • Medical Card Appeals
      266. To ask the Minister for Health the position regarding a medical card appeal in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Limerick; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41397/13]
    • Hospital Services
      267. To ask the Minister for Health the position regarding an operation in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 5. [41523/13]
    • Disability Support Services Issues
      269. To ask the Minister for Health the position regarding the reduction in funding to disability services (details supplied) in County Wicklow; if his attention has been drawn to the impact this...
    • Services for People with Disabilities
      270. To ask the Minister for Health if he will ensure that the funding provided for disability services in Budget 2014 will be ring fenced and protected at 2013 levels; and if he will make a...
    • Hospitals Funding
      271. To ask the Minister for Health if it is now the case that the expected savings, in 2014, from the measures contained in the Health (Amendment) Act 2013 in relation to the increased charges...
    • Consultancy Contracts Expenditure
      273. To ask the Minister for Health the consultants, if any, he has contracted since 1 January 2013 to advise on the possible sale of any assets; the current situation; the advice given and the...
  • Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport
    • Sports Funding
      274. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on a pre-budget submission on behalf of Irish Sport that €1 per person in addition to the funding be channelled into a...
    • Alcohol Advertising
      275. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he has met with the alcohol industry or individual alcohol producing companies with regard to prohibiting sponsorship of sporting or...
    • Road Projects Status
      276. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the position regarding the Slane bypass; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41376/13]