Written answers

Wednesday, 28 May 2014

  • Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
    • Human Rights Issues
      7. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the actions he is taking with his counterparts to address ongoing human rights violations in Burma, including the reported...
    • Undocumented Irish in the USA
      13. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the progress made to date on resolving the issue of undocumented Irish in the US; and if he will make a statement on the...
    • Northern Ireland Issues
      14. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if his attention has been drawn to the increasing tensions in Maghaberry Prison arising from the fact that the agreement...
    • Passport Services
      15. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the improvements that have accrued in processing times and overall customer service with the introduction of an...
    • Humanitarian Aid
      16. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will use his diplomatic channels and membership of the Human Rights Council to persuade the Angolan Government...
    • Foreign Conflicts
      17. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views on whether the most recent EU sanctions against Russia are sufficient; the further sanctions that will be...
    • Syrian Conflict
      18. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the way Irish Aid allocated to the crisis in Syria has been spent over the past two years; if he will provide an update on...
    • Human Rights Issues
      19. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views on the abduction by the terrorist group Boko Haram of 276 girls from their school in Chibok, Borno State,...
    • Consular Services Provision
      21. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he or his Department has received any complaints relating to the operation of Irish embassies or consulates abroad from...
    • Middle East Issues
      22. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if his attention has been drawn to the latest report by Defence for Children International - Palestine, published on 12 May...
    • Consular Services Representations
      23. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the contact he has had with the Egyptian authorities in order to secure the release of an Irish citizen (details supplied);...
    • Boston College Archives
      24. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he has made any approaches to acquire the Boston tapes archives from Boston College and secure them under a...
    • Foreign Conflicts
      25. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will provide an update on the EU's engagement in the Ukrainian crisis; and if he will make a statement on the matter....
    • Humanitarian Aid
      28. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if his attention has been drawn to reports that South Sudan is at risk of a famine unless the conflict there is resolved,...
    • Human Rights Issues
      29. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the extent to which the EU and-or UN have co-operated in identifying the ten most serious locations worldwide wherein...
    • Syrian Conflict
      31. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views on the continuing deterioration of the situation in Syria; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23208/14]
    • Diplomatic Representation
      32. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the progress that is being made on the reopening of the Irish Embassy to the Holy See; and if he will make a statement on...
    • Northern Ireland Issues
      35. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the degree to which he intends to liaise with the authorities in Northern Ireland and the UK with a view to addressing...
    • Middle East Issues
      37. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the extent to which prisoners are held or detained by the Israeli authorities, Fatah or Hamas, if their detention complies...
    • Undocumented Irish in the USA
      38. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the extent to which progress is being made to regularise undocumented Irish in the US; and if he will make a statement on...
    • Human Rights Issues
      39. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the areas throughout the world wherein serious abuses of human rights are known to continue; the extent to which the...
    • Middle East Peace Process
      40. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the extent to which the international community continues to exert pressure on the various parties in the Middle East peace...
    • Colombian Peace Process
      41. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the extent to which the peace process continues in Colombia, whether concerns expressed by the international community are...
    • Middle East Peace Process
      42. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the extent to which the international community continues to support calls for the release of Marwan Barghouti; the extent...
    • Humanitarian Aid
      43. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the extent to which the situation in South Sudan continues to be monitored by the EU and UN, with particular reference to...
    • Human Rights Issues
      44. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the extent to which the EU and UN are engaged with the various authorities throughout Africa with a view to protection of...
    • Western Balkans Issues
      45. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the degree to which the situation in the western Balkans continues to be monitored by the international community with...
    • Semi-State Bodies
      46. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the current credit rating of all commercial semi-State bodies operating under the aegis of his Department; and if he will...
  • Department of Finance
    • Vehicle Registration
      47. To ask the Minister for Finance the steps he will take to streamline the registration process for camper vans; if his attention has been drawn to the difficulties and delays being faced by...
    • Household Charge Administration
      48. To ask the Minister for Finance the action that has been taken against those who did not pay the household charge; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23449/14]
    • Public Sector Staff
      49. To ask the Minister for Finance if there have been any reports or incidents of applicants for competitions for posts in the Revenue Commissioners obtaining advanced access to tests; and if he...
    • Strategic Banking Corporation of Ireland
      50. To ask the Minister for Finance if and when the Strategic Banking Corporation of Ireland will receive a banking licence. [23456/14]
    • IBRC Liquidation
      51. To ask the Minister for Finance if he will confirm the arrangement for customers of Irish Bank Resolution Corporation who have partial draw-down of funding remaining on contracted mortgages;...
    • Central Bank of Ireland
      52. To ask the Minister for Finance if he will set out in tabular form the dividend received by the State from the Central Bank of Ireland in each year from 2005 to 2013; and if he will make a...
    • Semi-State Bodies
      53. To ask the Minister for Finance the current credit rating of all commercial semi-State bodies operating under the aegis of his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter....
    • Tax Credits
      54. To ask the Minister for Finance if consideration has been given to extending joint assessment for tax credits to cohabiting couples with dependants; and if he will make a statement on the...
  • Department of Education and Skills
    • Autism Support Services
      55. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the State's current statutory obligations in relation to the provision of educational services for children and young adults clinically diagnosed...
    • Schools Building Projects Status
      56. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the current position regarding the proposed building project for a school (details supplied); if his Department has signed off on the designs for...
    • School Enrolments
      57. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the reason his Department has failed to cater for the increased demand at a school (details supplied) in County Sligo for places at infants class,...
    • School Staffing
      58. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if his attention has been drawn to a school (details supplied) in County Wexford which has been without a principal for more than two years; if...
    • School Enrolments
      59. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the reason a person (details supplied) in County Cork cannot enrol in their local school; if the decision will be reviewed; and if he will make a...
    • Third Level Fees
      60. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the basis of the fees that are required to be paid by persons who are involved in an official apprenticeship scheme and are required to attend a...
    • Emergency Works Scheme Eligibility
      61. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he will respond to a query (details supplied) regarding emergency funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23505/14]
    • Semi-State Bodies
      62. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the current credit rating of all commercial semi-State bodies operating under the aegis of his Department; and if he will make a statement on the...
    • Pupil-Teacher Ratio
      63. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the number of pupils needed in a school to have two mainstream teachers; the changes made to this pupil-teacher ratio in each of the past five...
    • School Transport Eligibility
      66. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he will arrange for the necessary school transport or taxi escort service for a child with autism to a school (details supplied) in County...
  • Department of Public Expenditure and Reform
    • Legislative Measures
      68. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform when the emergency legislation, Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Acts, will be restored; and if he will make a...
    • Semi-State Bodies
      69. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the current credit rating of all commercial semi-State bodies operating under the aegis of his Department; and if he will make a...
    • Flood Relief Schemes Applications
      70. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform when a decision will issue on an application for funding submitted by North Tipperary County Council for the purpose of cleaning the...
  • Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation
    • Trade Agreements
      71. To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the extent to which Irish interests are likely to be observed in the context of European-US trade discussions; if it is expected that...
    • Semi-State Bodies
      72. To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the current credit rating of all commercial semi-State bodies operating under the aegis of his Department; and if he will make a...
  • Department of Social Protection
    • Social Welfare Appeals Status
      74. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding a social welfare appeal in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Westmeath; if same will be expedited; and if she...
    • Death Certificates Issues
      75. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the reason a person (details supplied) in County Donegal has yet to be furnished with a death certificate; and if she will make a statement on the...
    • Work Placement Programmes
      76. To ask the Minister for Social Protection her plans to review the situation where persons who are unemployed but do not qualify for a qualifying payment cannot take up a position on...
    • Labour Activation Measures
      77. To ask the Minister for Social Protection if her attention has been drawn to any inequality where a long-term unemployed person is prevented from engaging in labour market activation schemes...
    • Social Welfare Code
      79. To ask the Minister for Social Protection if she considers women to be primarily home makers, in view of their status as qualified adults on their partners' job seeker's allowance or benefit...
    • Semi-State Bodies
      82. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the current credit rating of all commercial semi-State bodies operating under the aegis of her Department; and if she will make a statement on the...
    • National Parks Projects
      84. To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if his attention has been drawn to a report compiled by a group of volunteers (details supplied) regarding rhododendrons in Killarney...
  • Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources
    • Broadband Services Provision
      85. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if broadband will be rolled out to the areas of Leamore, Leabeg and Boora in County Offaly as part of the new broadband...
    • Semi-State Bodies
      86. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the current credit rating of all commercial semi-State bodies operating under the aegis of his Department; and if he will...
  • Department of Environment, Community and Local Government
    • Water and Sewerage Schemes Status
      87. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide an update regarding the Dungloe sewerage scheme, with reference to the concerns of local residents...
    • Property Taxation Exemptions
      88. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide the full criteria for exemptions to the local property tax for unfinished estates; and if he will make a...
    • Water Meters Installation
      89. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government the position regarding water meters (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23447/14]
    • Irish Water Administration
      90. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government if the protocol and memorandum of understanding between Irish Water and local authorities on the taking in charge of...
    • Semi-State Bodies
      91. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government the current credit rating of all commercial semi-State bodies operating under the aegis of his Department; and if he will...
    • Library Projects
      92. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government when funding will be provided to a library (details supplied) in County Offaly; and if he will make a statement on the...
    • Fire Service
      93. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government if he will list the 21 new service delivery units following the realignment of the fire service structures; if he will list...
  • Department of Defence
    • Semi-State Bodies
      94. To ask the Minister for Defence the current credit rating of all commercial semi-State bodies operating under the aegis of his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter....
  • Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine
    • Agri-Environment Options Scheme Payments
      95. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when an agri-environment options scheme payment will issue in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Limerick; and if he...
    • Animal Welfare
      97. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of horse pounds that are in operation here; the number of horses that were impounded in each county in 2011, 2012, 2013 and...
    • Animal Welfare Bodies
      98. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his attention has been drawn to the fact that horse rescue organisations are struggling to continue with their work due to the fee...
    • Animal Welfare Expenditure
      99. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the amount of funding that is provided for the animal welfare helpline; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23437/14]
    • Severe Weather Events Response
      100. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide money from his Department's funds for the rebuilding of the pier at the East End, Inishbofin, County Galway, which...
    • Semi-State Bodies
      101. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the current credit rating of all commercial semi-State bodies operating under the aegis of his Department; and if he will make a...
  • Department of Justice and Equality
    • Courts Service
      102. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality if she will provide information on the number of digital audio recordings requested by litigants in 2013 and the revenue derived from those...
    • Legal Services Regulation
      105. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality if she will consider making it easier and less expensive to access digital audio recordings in order to protect citizens' legal rights and simply...
    • Garda Complaints Procedures
      107. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality her views on correspondence (details supplied) regarding an assault. [23431/14]
    • Garda Recruitment
      108. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality her views on correspondence (details supplied) regarding the Garda Reserve; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23502/14]
    • Semi-State Bodies
      109. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the current credit rating of all commercial semi-State bodies operating under the aegis of her Department; and if she will make a statement on...
    • Commission of Inquiry
      110. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality if she will include in the external expert review of the performance, management and administration of her Department, to be completed before the...
  • Department of Health
    • Medical Card Eligibility
      112. To ask the Minister for Health the rate of interest on savings used to assess earnings for the purpose of medical card applications and-or reviews; and the way this rate is calculated [23421/14]
    • Hospital Appointment Status
      113. To ask the Minister for Health when children (details supplied) in County Galway may expect to receive urgent medical appointments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23422/14]
    • Obesity Strategy
      114. To ask the Minister for Health the work his Department is undertaking to deal with obesity here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23425/14]
    • Autism Support Services
      115. To ask the Minister for Health the State's current statutory obligations in relation to the provision of psychological, psychiatric and all other relevant services for children and young...
    • Proposed Legislation
      118. To ask the Minister for Health his plans in relation to accepting the provisions outlined in the Autism Bill 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23442/14]
    • Medical Card Applications
      120. To ask the Minister for Health if he will expedite a medical card application in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23448/14]
    • Medical Card Eligibility
      121. To ask the Minister for Health if he will review the refusal of a medical card in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Tipperary in view of the fact that their condition is...
    • General Practitioner Services
      122. To ask the Minister for Health the position regarding a refund in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Limerick; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23459/14]
    • Health Services Provision
      123. To ask the Minister for Health the position regarding hydrotherapy in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23475/14]
    • Home Care Packages
      124. To ask the Minister for Health the position regarding a home care package application in respect of persons (details supplied) in Dublin 9; and if he will make a statement on the matter....
    • Medical Aids and Appliances Provision
      126. To ask the Minister for Health the position regarding equipment in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 5; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23479/14]
    • Medical Card Eligibility
      127. To ask the Minister for Health if he will consider lifting the discrimination against persons with mental and psychiatric illnesses who apply for medical cards, especially persons who have...
    • Medical Card Reviews
      128. To ask the Minister for Health if he will intercede with the Health Service Executive to ensure that all cards that are under review will not be cancelled while the review is ongoing and the...
    • Disease Awareness
      129. To ask the Minister for Health if he will highlight the issue of Lyme disease, of which Ireland has the second highest rate in Europe, with the west having the highest number of cases in the...
    • Medical Card Applications
      130. To ask the Minister for Health the position regarding a medical card in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23503/14]
    • Semi-State Bodies
      131. To ask the Minister for Health the current credit rating of all commercial semi-State bodies operating under the aegis of his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter....
  • Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport
    • Motor Tax Collection
      132. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his attention has been drawn to the fact that many people are not receiving their automatic notification to renew their motor tax from...
    • Public Service Obligation Services
      133. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of contracts currently with Bus Éireann and Dublin Bus routes which will be subject to tender by private operators, with...
    • Semi-State Bodies
      135. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the current credit rating of all commercial semi-State bodies operating under the aegis of his Department; and if he will make a...
    • Public Service Obligation Services
      136. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the projected allocations of the public service obligation for each year from 2015 to 2019; and if he will provide a breakdown of the...
  • Department of Children and Youth Affairs
    • Preschool Services
      137. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if his attention has been drawn to plans to close the crèche in Tallaght hospital; the way this will affect parents and children who...
    • Semi-State Bodies
      138. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the current credit rating of all commercial semi-State bodies operating under the aegis of his Department; and if he will make a statement...
    • Departmental Funding
      139. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the actions that will be taken by his Department in conjunction with an organisation in serious financial difficulties (details supplied)...