Written answers
Wednesday, 11 June 2014
- Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht
- Departmental Agencies Staff Remuneration
10. To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the reason for the delay in the publication of the salaries of CEOs and directors in receipt of grants directly from his Department;...
- Invasive Plant Species
11. To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the progress that has been made in removing rhododendron from the oak woods of Killarney National Park. [24474/14]
- Arts Funding
12. To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the extent to which grant aid continues to be made available from his Department directly or through other agencies for the promotion...
- Special Areas of Conservation Designation
15. To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the reason no compensation was paid to land designated as a special protection area for the hen harrier despite the fact that...
- Architectural Heritage
16. To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the reason the preservation and restoration of the historical site of the last headquarters of the 1916 leaders at 14-17 Moore Street...
- Seirbhísí Aeir Fóirdheonaithe
18. To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht cén chomhairle atá tugtha ag Ernest &Young le muintir Oileán Árann agus le fostóirí ar...
- Heritage Council Funding
19. To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if he envisages funding for his Department will be maintained for the year 2015 at the same levels as the year 2014; the funding...
- Architectural Heritage
20. To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if funds will be made available to save St. Columba's church in Swords, in view of its important history to the area and nationally....
- National Parks and Wildlife Service Staff
21. To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht his plans to increase the numbers of National Parks and Wildlife Service officers to protect wildlife. [24282/14]
- Foras na Gaeilge
24. To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht an bhfuil sé sásta leis an bpróiseas inar roghnaigh Foras na Gaeilge sé cheanneagraíocht le freastal ar...
- National Parks and Wildlife Service Remit
25. To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if he will outline the work his Department is doing in regard to the biodiversity crisis in Ireland as was highlighted by National...
- Cruthú Fostaíochta
29. To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht cén dul chun cinn atá déanta maidir le fostaíocht a chruthú sa Ghaeltacht; agus an ndéanfaidh sé...
- National Cultural Institutions
30. To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if he will provide an update on his plans to reform the governing structures of the national cultural institutions; if he is satisfied...
- Legislative Programme
31. To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht when he will introduce the Official Languages (Amendment) Bill 2014; if he has consulted with the Irish language community on this...
- Natural Heritage Areas Designation
32. To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if he has sought a report into the recent actions of the National Parks and Wildlife Service pertaining to turf cutting on Knockarasar...
- National Monuments
33. To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the circumstances in which the Lia Fáil monument was vandalised in County Meath; if it will be possible to fully restore this...
- Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
- Middle East Issues
34. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he has been in communication with the Israeli Government requesting it to cease its policy of administrative detention...
- Department of Finance
- Tax Credits
36. To ask the Minister for Finance if an amendment to the current single person child tax credit will be brought forward to lead to a fairer situation for all; and if he will make a statement on...
- Mortgage Arrears Rate
37. To ask the Minister for Finance if the Central Bank of Ireland has any data on the split of the mortgage arrears between mortgage customers on a tracker interest rate and standard variable...
- Revenue Commissioners Audits
38. To ask the Minister for Finance the number of Revenue Commissioner audits carried out in respect of self employed contractors, including those that operate through a company structure in 2013...
- Central Bank of Ireland Staff
39. To ask the Minister for Finance the number of employees at the Central Bank of Ireland; the number of posts currently being recruited; the number of staff who have been offered voluntary...
- Mortgage Interest Rates
41. To ask the Minister for Finance the number of persons in the covered institutions, by institution, on a variable rate mortgage; if he has spoken to any of the public interest directors in...
- Tax Reliefs Availability
42. To ask the Minister for Finance his views on correspondence (details supplied) regarding tax relief; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24888/14]
- Banking Sector Staff
43. To ask the Minister for Finance the position regarding AIB banks review of the service department; the need to ensure employees jobs and rights are protected; and if he will make a statement...
- Tax Code
44. To ask the Minister for Finance further to Parliamentary Question No. 62 of May 2014, the position of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry who was adversely affected by the changes to...
- Property Taxation Application
45. To ask the Minister for Finance if he will provide the form specified by the Revenue Commissioners in respect of a notification to be sent to them under section 21 arising from a resolution...
- Department of Education and Skills
- Schools Building Contractors
46. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if his attention has been drawn to the new pyrite scandal affecting a newly built school in Balbriggan, County Dublin, that may have to be...
- Ministerial Correspondence
47. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he will follow up on correspondence (details supplied). [24822/14]
- Education and Training Boards
48. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the reason a club (details supplied) in Dublin 12 has been informed that they may not allow anyone who holds a leaving certificate applied to do...
- Mental Health Awareness
49. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the way schools are implementing well-being in post-primary schools; if an audit-evaluation has been undertaken on this; and if he will make a...
- Schools Building Projects Applications
50. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding an application for a school extension in respect of a school (details supplied) in County Wexford; and if he will make a...
- Summer Works Scheme Expenditure
51. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the value of the funding granted to each school under the summer works scheme in 2014. [24928/14]
- Student Grant Scheme Applications
52. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if a third level student grant will be paid in respect of a student (details supplied) in County Laois; and if he will make a statement on the...
- Department of Public Expenditure and Reform
- Legislative Programme
53. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the reason the Construction Contracts Bill has not been implemented three years after the Government promised to do so; and if he will...
- Harbours and Piers Funding
54. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will review all budgets to see if funding can be found to fix the pier at An Blascaod Mór, County Kerry, in view of the large...
- Coastal Protection
55. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the projects approved this year by his Department for coastal protection and flood defences in County Galway; the location of each...
- State Properties
57. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his views on correspondence (details supplied) regarding access for disabled persons; and if he will make a statement on the matter....
- Public Sector Staff
58. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the options open to a public servant when they are ordered to carry out a direction that they know is morally and ethically wrong; and if...
- Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation
- Enterprise Support Services Expenditure
59. To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the maximum financial assistance that can be given to any one enterprise at any one time by the local enterprise offices; and if he...
- EU Regulations
60. To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the implementation process for Ireland in adopting the new general block exemption regulation; the assessment process; the effect to...
- Work Permit Appeals
61. To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if he will review a decision to refuse a work permit in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make...
- Department of Social Protection
- Back to Education Allowance Eligibility
62. To ask the Minister for Social Protection if a person who has a level 4 major award can repeat another level 4 under a new scheme, (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the...
- Social Welfare Benefits
63. To ask the Minister for Social Protection if she will increase the living alone allowance for pensioners in view of the huge financial pressure of running a household on one income; and if...
- Carer's Allowance Appeals
64. To ask the Minister for Social Protection if she will expedite a carer's allowance appeal in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if she will make a statement on the...
- Child Benefit Appeals
68. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the reason for the delay in finalising a child benefit appeal in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cavan; and when a decision will be...
- Rent Supplement Scheme Applications
69. To ask the Minister for Social Protection if she will arrange for the immediate restoration of rent support in the case of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 6; and if she will make a...
- Farm Assist Scheme Appeals
70. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding an oral hearing for farm assist in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if she will make a statement on...
- Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht
- Inland Fisheries
73. To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht further to Parliamentary Question No. 127 of 8 May 2014, which states that responsibility for protecting the freshwater pearl mussel...
- Commemorative Events
74. To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht his commemorative plans to mark the centenary of the passage into law of the Home Rule Act on 18 September 1914; and if he will make a...
- Special Areas of Conservation Designation
79. To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the scientific evidence available to prove afforestation affects the breeding grounds of the hen harrier; and if he will make a...
- Turf Cutting Compensation Scheme
81. To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the total number of traditional turf cutters with whom agreement has been reached arising from SACs or NHAs throughout the country and...
- Heritage Sites
83. To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the number and location of heritage sites, buildings or historical locations brought to his attention and deemed to be at risk over...
- Special Areas of Conservation Designation
84. To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the total acreage of lands protected under SACs or NHAs currently; the extent to which any new areas are pending; the degree to which...
- Arts Funding
85. To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the extent to which the various forms of the arts continue to be supported and encouraged notwithstanding the economic downturn; if...
- Waterways Ireland Remit
90. To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the extent to which he has monitored the situation in respect of canal dwellers and the ongoing dialogue between Waterways Ireland and...
- Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources
- Inland Fisheries
91. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he is satisfied with the utility and the environmental soundness of Inland Fisheries Ireland continuing the practice of...
- Inland Fisheries Ireland
92. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources further to Parliamentary Question Nos. 438 and 439 of 13 May 2014, if his reply, which raises very serious questions for...
- Inland Fisheries
93. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he is satisfied that best practice is being followed by Inland Fisheries Ireland in their policy of allowing the...
- Inland Fisheries Ireland
95. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if Inland Fisheries Ireland used public moneys to engage a firm of communications consultants to advise on IFI’s...
- Inland Fisheries
96. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources further to Parliamentary Question No. 110 of 16 April 2014 and the subsequent provision of a list of research projects...
- Inland Fisheries Ireland
97. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he is satisfied that all employees of Inland Fisheries Ireland are fully compliant with the IFI’s code of...
- Energy Schemes Issues
98. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if his Department has grant aided schemes available to businesses to reduce their energy costs; and if he will make a...
- Alternative Energy Projects
99. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if Waste-To-Energy or Energy-From-Waste plants are being considered by his Department as part of the wider solution to...
- National Broadband Plan Implementation
100. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will provide an update as to the way the implementation of the national broadband plan has improved the provision...
- Inland Fisheries
101. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources further to Parliamentary Question No. 424 of 13 May 2014, if some form of stocking will take place at a lake in County...
- Department of Environment, Community and Local Government
- Motor Tax Exemptions
103. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government if there is any leniency to allow persons to retrospectively declare their vehicle off the road within the parameters of...
- Housing Issues
104. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government his plans to amend the Planning and Development Act 2000; if consideration will be given to assisting families who need to...
- Dormant Accounts Fund Deposits
105. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government the total amount of moneys accumulated to date in the dormant accounts fund since its inception; the amount available in...
- Pyrite Issues
106. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to 30 newly constructed houses that have already been identified to be demolished because...
- Political Funding
110. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government if as per section 89 of the Electoral (Amendment) (Political Funding) Act his consent has been obtained for the Standards...
- Water Charges Exemptions
111. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government his views on whether householders with septic tanks, whose outflowing water does not go back into the public sewer mains...
- Electoral Reform
112. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government his plans to reduce or limit the use of election posters for future elections or referendums; if he has considered the...
- Department of Defence
- Defence Forces Medicinal Products
113. To ask the Minister for Defence if there is any issue with a drug Larium having serious consequences on Irish troops serving abroad; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24870/14]
- Air Ambulance Service Provision
114. To ask the Minister for Defence the annual cost to his Department of the operation of the air ambulance service at Custume Barracks, Athlone; and if he will make a statement on the matter....
- Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine
- Disadvantaged Areas Scheme Applications
115. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the position regarding payment for area aid and AEOS schemes in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Donegal; and if he...
- Agri-Environment Options Scheme Appeals
116. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason a person (details supplied) in County Galway has not received their 2013 AEOS payment considering that they had two...
- Agriculture Schemes Eligibility
117. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a response to representations will issue in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Limerick; and if he will make a...
- Harbours and Piers Development
118. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the plans for the development of Howth Harbour, County Dublin; if he will consider having a report carried out on the potential of...
- Grassland Sheep Scheme Discontinuation
119. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on correspondence (details supplied) regarding the abolition of the sheep grassland scheme; and if he will make a statement...
- Single Payment Scheme Eligibility
121. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if a person (details supplied) in County Kerry is entitled to increased entitlements now that they are milking and have moved away...
- Single Payment Scheme Payments
122. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 585 of 4 February 2014 and 292 of 19 December 2013, if he will furnish the corresponding...
- Turbary Rights
123. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will supply a copy of the Q3 agreement in respect of turbary rights from the Irish Land Commission in respect of a person...
- Single Payment Scheme Payments
124. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when payment under the 2013 single payment scheme will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Mayo; the reason for the delay...
- Department of Justice and Equality
- Asylum Applications
125. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the progress to date in determination of an application for asylum in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Meath and his family; and...
- Courts Service
127. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality if she will discuss with the board of the Courts Service its threat to close the Tallaght court house; if she will convey to the board the...
- Residency Permits
128. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the extent to which a person (details supplied) in Dublin 7 can be facilitated to regularise by way of work permit or otherwise their residency...
- Garda Investigations
129. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality if the coroner has received any communications from members of the gardaí, as required by section 18(3) of the Coroner's Act 1962 in regard...
- Magdalen Laundries
130. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality if she will ensure that there are no additional delays or interruptions on the Magdalen implementation plan especially by supporting the...
- Equality Issues
132. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality if there is a need for a referendum on marriage equality as Article 40.1. of the Constitution states that all citizens shall be treated equally;...
- Garda Investigations
133. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality her views on correspondence (details supplied) regarding an alleged non-investigation of a crime by An Garda Síochána; and if she will...
- Department of Health
- Ambulance Service Provision
134. To ask the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to an incident (details supplied); if he will request a response from the Ambulance Control Centre on the reason the ambulance...
- Health Services Staff
135. To ask the Minister for Health his views on correspondence regarding employment issues in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 3; and if he will make a statement on the matter....
- HSE Reports
136. To ask the Minister for Health if the Health Service Executive has received internal audits into two section 39 organisations (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the...
- Long-Term Illness Scheme Eligibility
137. To ask the Minister for Health if a long-term illness card will be made available to a person (details supplied) in County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24826/14]
- Medical Card Applications
138. 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. [24830/14]
- Medical Card Application Numbers
139. To ask the Minister for Health the number of medical cards that have been issued per capita in each county. [24832/14]
- Medicinal Products Availability
140. To ask the Minister for Health his future plans to make adequate provision for the potential life-saving availability of an epipen without prescription in emergency situations with...
- Hospital Waiting Lists
141. To ask the Minister for Health if he will expedite knee surgery in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24841/14]
- Medicinal Products Availability
142. To ask the Minister for Health the reason a person (details supplied) in Dublin 12 cannot access a drug called Daxas, a very effective medication for their chronic obstructive pulmonary...
- Medical Card Eligibility
143. To ask the Minister for Health if persons with spinal cord injury will be included on the list of disabilities that qualify a person for the medical card; and if he will make a statement on...
- Water Fluoridation
144. To ask the Minister for Health the membership of the Irish Expert Body on Fluorides and Health; the dates of its past five meetings; when it last provided advice to his office on the...
- Hospital Waiting Lists
145. To ask the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Kildare will receive an appointment date for quadruple bypass; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24858/14]
- Drugs Payment Scheme Coverage
146. To ask the Minister for Health when his Department and the Health Service Executive will allow reimbursement for Fampyra now that the NPS programme has ceased and the drug is commercially...
- Home Care Packages
147. To ask the Minister for Health the position regarding a home care package in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 5; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24867/14]
- Autism Support Services
148. To ask the Minister for Health the position regarding services for autism in respect of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24868/14]
- Nursing Education
149. To ask the Minister for Health if there will be a review of the changes to the payment for fourth year nursing students; if a return of old rates is being considered in view of the valuable...
- Home Help Service Provision
150. To ask the Minister for Health his policy regarding the provision of temporary cover for home help workers while they are absent due to annual leave; and if he will make a statement on the...
- Nursing Education
151. To ask the Minister for Health if he will consider offering grant assistance for nurses to specialise in certain areas in view of the fact that we have a shortage of specialised nurses thus...
- Mother and Baby Homes Inquiries
152. To ask the Minister for Health the records he has with respect to the recently discovered mass grave at Tuam, County Galway; the details contained in these; if similar sites exist here; if...
- Medical Card Applications
153. To ask the Minister for Health the position regarding a medical card in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24897/14]
- Hospital Waiting Lists
154. To ask the Minister for Health the position regarding a hip operation in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24901/14]
- Long-Term Illness Scheme Eligibility
155. To ask the Minister for Health if the illness sarcoidosis will be added to the list of long-term illnesses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24902/14]
- Hospital Services
156. To ask the Minister for Health his plans for the staffing and ongoing funding for the new special assessment and epileptic unit at Cork University Hospital; the number of patients on the...
- Medical Card Appeals
157. To ask the Minister for Health the progress to date in respect of an appeal for a medical card in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement...
- Air Ambulance Service Provision
159. To ask the Minister for Health the annual cost to his Department of the operation of the air ambulance service at Custume Barracks, Athlone; and if he will make a statement on the matter....
- Health Services Expenditure
160. To ask the Minister for Health the annual cost of the operation of the Westdoc base and staffing in Roscommon town; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24942/14]
- Ambulance Service Provision
161. To ask the Minister for Health the annual cost of operating a 24-7 ambulance and crew; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24943/14]
- Medical Aids and Appliances Provision
164. To ask the Minister for Health in respect of the Health Act 1970 the provision of ophthalmic services for children where there is a requirement for a higher specification of lenses or frames...
- Hospital Staff Recruitment
165. To ask the Minister for Health the number of anaesthetists who work in our health services; his plans to recruit more; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24970/14]
- Maternity Services
167. To ask the Minister for Health if the Mayo General Hospital maternity services along with other hospitals in the west are under review; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24972/14]
- Tattooing and Body Piercing Regulation
168. To ask the Minister for Health if he will take measures to regulate the tattoo and piercing industry; his views that regulation is required to protect the health and safety of customers and...
- Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport
- Insurance Costs
169. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his attention has been drawn to the extraordinarily high car insurance quotations being given to many of our citizens who are...
- Tourism Promotion
170. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will consider including Cromane, Killorglin, County Kerry, in the Wild Atlantic Way route as this unique, unspoilt picturesque area...
- Driver Licences
171. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the procedure when a newly issued driving licence is lost in the post because of an error by the National Driver Licence Service in the...
- Road Projects Expenditure
172. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if there are ways to finance the completion of the Dingle inner relief road; if he will bundle the project with future planned works on...
- Sporting Events
173. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide an up to date position on efforts to bring the Rugby World Cup 2023 to Ireland; if he sees potential for Killarney...
- Sports Capital Programme Applications
174. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when he expects to be able to announce allocations under the 2014 sports capital programme; and if he will make a statement on the...
- Road Projects
175. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if funding will be provided by the National Roads Authority for a road (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a...
- School Transport Administration
176. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of different versions of the report into corruption in Bus Éireann's administration of the school transport contract did...
- Department of Children and Youth Affairs
- Mother and Baby Homes Inquiries
178. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs in view of recent revelations regarding the discarding of approximately 800 children's bodies in a septic tank at the Bon Secours mother...
- School Completion Programme
179. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if he will make no further cuts to the school completion programme funding this year 2014/2015; if he will restore funding to 2008 level...
- Foreign Adoptions
180. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if he has personally been in touch with the relevant authorities in Russia since his appointment last month to get an up-to-date position...
