Written answers
Thursday, 20 November 2014
- Department of Social Protection
- Domiciliary Care Allowance Appeals
2. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding back-dated domiciliary care allowance from April 2010 which has now gone to appeal and a respite care grant for 2010 in respect...
- Exceptional Needs Payment Applications
4. To ask the Minister for Social Protection if an exceptional needs payment will issue in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the...
- Social Welfare Overpayments
6. To ask the Minister for Social Protection if she will consider waiving the collection of alleged overpayment of child benefit in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare in...
- One-Parent Family Payments
7. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the correct level of one parent family payment payable in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement...
- Departmental Budgets
8. To ask the Minister for Social Protection if the cost to her Department of the €100 payment in respect of water charges will be met partially or in full by expenditure cuts elsewhere...
- Personal Public Service Numbers
9. To ask the Minister for Social Protection if personal public service numbers will be required by her Department to administer the €100 payment in respect of water charges; and if she...
- Rent Supplement Scheme Data
10. To ask the Minister for Social Protection if she will provide in tabular form by local authority the number of recipients of rent supplement; the number transferred to the housing assistance...
- Skills Development
11. To ask the Minister for Social Protection her plans for reskilling the long-term unemployed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44713/14]
- Departmental Staff Data
12. To ask the Minister for Social Protection if she will provide in tabular form, the number of staff in her data protection office; if she has a specified data protection officer; and if she...
- Department of Finance
- Tax Code
13. To ask the Minister for Finance when a final response will issue regarding correspondence (details supplied) sent to his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44570/14]
- Vehicle Registration
15. To ask the Minister for Finance further to Parliamentary Question No. 68 of 8 October 2014 the position regarding the application of a transfer of residence in respect of a person (details...
- Property Taxation Collection
16. To ask the Minister for Finance the percentage compliance rate with the local property tax for 2013; the number of liable persons that had their property tax deducted involuntarily by the...
- Central Credit Register
17. To ask the Minister for Finance when the central credit register will be fully operational; the steps that have been taken thus far in its implementation; the reason for the delay in bringing...
- Credit Availability
18. To ask the Minister for Finance when and the way small and medium enterprises may access low interest loans from the Strategic Banking Corporation of Ireland. [44635/14]
- Tax Collection
19. To ask the Minister for Finance the Revenue Commissioners' position regarding the sale of a public house (details supplied) in County Cork; if the Revenue Commissioners have reached an...
- Fiscal Policy
20. To ask the Minister for Finance if he expects Irish Water to pass the market test to be off the State’s balance sheet based on the revised structure for water charges; and if he will...
- Property Taxation Collection
22. To ask the Minister for Finance the reason a surcharge has been issued on a property tax bill in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 3; and if he will make a statement on the...
- Mortgage Book Sales
23. To ask the Minister for Finance if consideration is being given to a proposal to allow the owners of mortgaged properties bid for the sale of their distressed mortgage at a lower value when...
- Departmental Staff Data
24. To ask the Minister for Finance if he will provide in tabular form, the number of staff in his data protection office; if he has a specified data protection officer; and if he will make a...
- Department of Public Expenditure and Reform
- Haddington Road Agreement Implementation
25. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the position regarding the Haddington Road agreement and career breaks (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter....
- Departmental Staff Data
26. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will provide in tabular form, the number of staff in his data protection office; if he has a specified data protection officer; and...
- Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation
- Construction Contracts
27. To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the date on which the Construction Contracts Act 2013 will commence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44601/14]
- Employment Rights
28. To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the definition of an enterprise-level agreement under the Industrial Relations (Amendment) Bill 2014. [44602/14]
- Departmental Staff Data
42. To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if he will provide in tabular form, the number of staff in his data protection office; if he has a specified data protection officer;...
- Job Creation
43. To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the extent to which his Department has monitored possible obstacles to job retention and job creation; if any specific measures are...
- Work Permit Criteria
44. To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the extent to which holders of work permits over a number of years may be facilitated to address any voids in their continuity with...
- Enterprise Support Services Provision
45. To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the number of indigenous enterprises promoted or assisted by way of grant aid in each of the past five years to date; the number of...
- Foreign Direct Investment
46. To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the number of enterprises through foreign direct investment to have qualified for grant aid in each of the past five years to date; the...
- Job Trends
47. To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the most commonly identified cause of job losses in the manufacturing and services sectors here in each of the past five years to date;...
- Economic Competitiveness
50. To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the extent to which this country continues to remain competitive and attractive for foreign direct investment and indigenous...
- Commercial Rent Reviews
51. To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the extent of any evidence of continued upward only rent reviews; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44746/14]
- Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine
- Animal Feedstuffs
52. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on correspondence (details supplied) regarding health and safety; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44735/14]
- Agriculture Schemes Payments
53. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when payment will issue under the 2014 disadvantaged areas based scheme and single farm payment scheme in respect of a person (details...
- Agri-Environment Options Scheme Payments
55. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will receive their agri-environment options scheme payment. [44583/14]
- Single Payment Scheme Payments
56. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason €548 has been deducted from the 2014 single payment scheme payment in respect of a person (details supplied) in...
- Disadvantaged Areas Scheme Payments
57. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason a payment of only €260 has issued under the 2014 disadvantaged areas based payment to a person (details supplied) in...
- Single Payment Scheme Applications
58. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will review the application for single farm payment and disadvantaged areas aid payment in respect of a person (details...
- Agriculture Schemes Penalties
59. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of hectares a person (details supplied) was deemed to be over-claiming; the penalty that ensued; the deduction that was...
- On-farm Investment Schemes
60. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will review an application for a grant for a compressor in respect of a person (detail supplied) in County Limerick; and if he...
- Single Payment Scheme Payments
61. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will take steps to have a person’s (details supplied) in County Westmeath entitlement to single farm payment which has...
- Poultry Industry
62. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the additional measures that have been put in place following the confirmation of the incidence of bird flu H5 virus in Holland and...
- Departmental Staff Data
63. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide in tabular form, the number of staff in his data protection office; if he has a specified data protection officer;...
- Agriculture Schemes Payments
64. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will arrange to issue disadvantaged and single farm payments in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cork; and if he...
- Department of Defence
- Defence Forces Retirement Scheme
65. To ask the Minister for Defence the number of members of the Defence Forces who were retired in the interests of the service by the President of Ireland exercising his powers under section...
- Departmental Staff Data
66. To ask the Minister for Defence if he will provide in tabular form, the number of staff in his data protection office; if he has a specified data protection officer; and if he will make a...
- Department of Justice and Equality
- Maternity Leave Issues
67. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality if the necessary time required for the hospital care of pre-term babies will be excluded from the standard period of paid maternity leave. [44633/14]
- Departmental Policy Reviews
68. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality if she has considered and will propose the establishment of a commission on men's/fathers' rights; and if she will make a statement on the matter....
- Garda Recruitment
69. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality if she will provide an update on the recruitment plans for An Garda Síochána; and the timeframe for such recruitment. [44574/14]
- Prison Regulations
70. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality if there has been a policy change to discontinue the practice of spiritual comfort visits in prisons as a result of overcrowding. [44575/14]
- Immigration Status
71. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality if she will confirm that the notice issued in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cork is withdrawn in view of the circumstances...
- Private Security Authority Remit
72. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the oversight mechanism in her Department for the board appointed to the Private Security Authority and if she is satisfied that the board is...
- Deportation Orders
73. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality further to Parliamentary Question No. 111 of 23 October 2014, in view of the fact that the mother of two Irish born citizen children is to be...
- Naturalisation Eligibility
74. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the position regarding eligibility for naturalisation in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 7; and if she will make a statement on...
- Residency Permits
75. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the position regarding residency status in the case of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 15; and if she will make a statement on the matter....
- Citizenship Applications
77. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the current and expected residency status in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Carlow; and if she will make a statement on the...
- Residency Permits
78. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the procedure to be followed to regularise residency status in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Westmeath; and if she will make a...
- Naturalisation Eligibility
79. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the position regarding residency status/eligibility for naturalisation in the case of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 1; and if she will...
- Asylum Applications
80. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the position regarding residency in the case of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 2; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44665/14]
- Family Reunification Applications
81. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality further to Parliamentary Question No. 127 of 23 October 2014, if an application for family reunification has been refused in respect of a person...
- Residency Permits
82. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the position regarding residency in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter....
- Immigration Policy
83. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the steps she is taking to tackle long waiting queues regarding immigration queries; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44715/14]
- Proposed Legislation
84. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality her plans to reform the firearms legislation; if her attention has been drawn to the concerns held by those who use firearms for sport with regard...
- Legal Services Regulation
85. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality if she is satisfied with the current operation of legal services with regard to probate; if her office has received complaints or has been made...
- Departmental Staff Data
86. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality if she will provide in tabular form, the number of staff in her data protection office; if she has a specified data protection officer; and if she...
- Garda Misconduct Allegations
87. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality if her attention has been drawn to the case outlined by a person (details supplied) in County Clare; her views on this matter; if she will take...
- Department of Children and Youth Affairs
- Mother and Baby Homes Inquiries
88. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if the terms of reference for the inquiry into mother and baby homes will include an investigation into the Bethany Home in County Dublin,...
- HSE Staff Responsibilities
89. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs further to Parliamentary Question No. 255 of 12 June 2014 if he will provide the expenses claimed by members of staff attending Health...
- Youth Services Provision
90. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs his plans for introducing new youth facilities in Dublin in 2015; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44712/14]
- Departmental Staff Data
91. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if he will provide in tabular form, the number of staff in his data protection office; if he has a specified data protection officer; and if...
- Department of Health
- Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland
92. To ask the Minister for Health his views on the registration fees for nurses charged by the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland in view of the fact that the fee has gone up from €88...
- Medical Card Data
93. To ask the Minister for Health if he will provide in tabular form, for October 2013 and October 2014 for each local health area, the number of medical cards in circulation; the number of...
- Drugs Payment Scheme Coverage
94. To ask the Minister for Health if he will review the decision not to include the multiple sclerosis drug Fampyra under the drugs payment scheme. [44582/14]
- Hospital Waiting Lists
95. To ask the Minister for Health the position regarding a surgery appointment in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 10. [44587/14]
- Hospital Appointment Delays
96. To ask the Minister for Health if he will review a hospital referral in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44598/14]
- Nursing Homes Support Scheme Applications
97. To ask the Minister for Health if he will examine a fair deal application in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44599/14]
- Medical Aids and Appliances Provision
98. To ask the Minister for Health if he will be heeding recommendations from experienced doctors in the field regarding the setting up of a national review process for the provision of...
- Hospital Waiting Lists
100. To ask the Minister for Health when a date for an operation will be provided in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44622/14]
- Nursing Home Inspections
101. To ask the Minister for Health the position regarding reports that up to 60% of State run nursing homes risk sanctions up to and including closure unless the Government complies with an...
- Health Services
102. To ask the Minister for Health if there are any special provisions or supports for parents and their pre-term babies where significant hospital care is required. [44634/14]
- Respite Care Services
103. To ask the Minister for Health if he will examine the urgent need for respite in respect of a child (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44640/14]
- Health Services
104. To ask the Minister for Health the care plan in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 1 who is currently receiving care abroad which is coming to an end, taking into account the...
- Medical Card Applications
105. To ask the Minister for Health if and when a medical card will issue in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Carlow; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44660/14]
- Health Services Staff Recruitment
106. To ask the Minister for Health the position regarding the post of consultant psychiatrist at the child and adolescent mental health service in the Health Service Executive south Lee...
- Obesity Strategy
107. To ask the Minister for Health his plans to ensure manufacturers reduce sugar content in sports drinks; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44714/14]
- Departmental Staff Data
108. To ask the Minister for Health if he will provide in tabular form, the number of staff in his data protection office; if he has a specified data protection officer; and if he will make a...
- Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
- Diplomatic Representation
109. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the current address of the chancellery of the Embassy to the Holy See; the current address of the residence of the Irish ambassador to the...
- Military Aircraft Landings
110. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade further to Parliamentary Question No. 484 of 21 October 2014 if he will correct his response that Hercules C130 registration number 16/8073...
- Diplomatic Representation
111. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will confirm that the report in a newspaper article (details supplied) is accurate in stating that his Department's report found that...
- European Council Meetings
112. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the issues discussed at the recent EU Foreign Affairs Council; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44678/14]
- Departmental Staff Data
114. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will provide in tabular form, the number of staff in his data protection office; if he has a specified data protection officer; and if...
- Department of Education and Skills
- School Transport Eligibility
115. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if a person (details supplied) in County Kildare is entitled to free school transport; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44556/14]
- Skills Development
116. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the degree to which the educational skills and requirements of the workplace continue to be met in line with workplace requirements; the extent...
- Schools Refurbishment
117. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she will ensure funding is provided for a primary school (details supplied) in County Cork to carry out essential works in the playground area...
- Special Educational Needs Service Provision
118. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the assistance available to help the provision of an autistic spectrum disorder unit in the case of a school (details supplied); and if she will...
- Parent and Student Charter
119. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills with regards to the development of a parents and students charter, when the charter will be available to parents associated with schools under...
- Student Grant Scheme Eligibility
120. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the reason a third level grant has not been granted in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare. [44589/14]
- School Transport Eligibility
121. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills further to Parliamentary Question No. 182 of 2 October 2014 if she will review the application for transport assistance as the person is...
- Disadvantaged Status
122. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding her Department's designation of a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44600/14]
- Residential Institutions
123. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding plans for a monument to commemorate the survivors of residential institutions; if a decision has to be made as to the...
- Residential Institutions Redress Scheme
124. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills her plans to review the requirement that a survivor of abuse in residential institutions must have gone through the redress board in order to...
- Schools Building Regulations
127. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if her attention has been drawn to cases where the minimum floor space guidelines for classrooms are being breached; if she will provide a list...
- Student Grant Scheme Payments
128. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she will take steps to have a student grant paid out to a person (details supplied) in County Westmeath who originally sent in the completed...
- Student Grant Scheme Eligibility
129. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the options that are available in respect of a person (details supplied) for a Student Universal Support Ireland grant; and if she will make a...
- Departmental Staff Data
130. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she will provide in tabular form, the number of staff in her data protection office; if she has a specified data protection officer; and if...
- Departmental Programmes
131. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she will provide details of programmes run by her Department for school-going children to educate them and raise awareness of issues around...
- Minor Works Scheme Restoration
132. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills her plans to reintroduce the minor works scheme in view of the fact that it has been an essential support for schools to maintain and improve...
- Department of Environment, Community and Local Government
- Climate Change Policy
133. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government regarding the forthcoming climate Bill, if he will consider incorporating the principles of climate justice and the...
- Water Supply Infrastructure
134. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government the legal distance that must be maintained between the water mains and gas meters; and if he will make a statement on the...
- Coastal Erosion
135. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government the plans for protection against ongoing and serious coastal erosion; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44631/14]
- Local Authority Housing Provision
137. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government the extent to which Kildare County Council has sought funding for specific housing proposals to alleviate the urgent and...
- Local Authority Finances
138. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government in view of the €323,102,783 cash balance of development contributions held by local authorities but which has not...
- Environmental Policy
139. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide an update on his Department's review of international developments on potential health effects of...
- Local Authority Finances
140. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government if local authorities are still restricted in accessing cash balances of development contributions held by them; if he is...
- Local Government Fund
141. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government if the moneys formerly paid in respect of the since-abolished borough and town councils from the local government fund and...
- Local Government Reform
142. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government if he will ensure that the important work carried out by the Barrow Drainage Board in ensuring drainage for the River...
- Building Regulations Qualifications
143. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government the progress that is being made in the area of ensuring agreement for a grandfather clause for architects who have worked...
- Local Authority Housing Waiting Lists
144. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide in tabular form the number of local authorities that operate a transfer list for social housing. [44702/14]
- Irish Water Staff
147. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government if Irish Water has appointed a data protection officer; the number of staff in its data protection office; and if he will...
- Departmental Staff Data
148. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide in tabular form, the number of staff in his data protection office; if he has a specified data...
- Local Authority Functions
149. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government if it has been drawn to his attention that it is a reserved function of the elected members to adopt a council budget; and...
- Local Authority Finances
150. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government if he received a request from the cathaoirleach and members of Sligo County Council to meet with the elected...
- Planning Issues
151. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide an update on progress being made and an expected publication timeframe for planning guidelines...
- Local Authority Housing Bonds
152. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government if any development contributions in respect of water services or wastewater services have been attached to planning...
- Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources
- Wind Energy Generation
153. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the status of the intergovernmental discussions on the development of wind energy for export; if all work on this project...
- Broadband Service Speeds
154. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources when broadband services will be updated in the area of Donadea/Rathcoffey, County Kildare, to facilitate the requirements...
- Electricity Generation
155. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources further to Parliamentary Question No. 248 of 6 November 2014 in view of the fact that a decision has yet to be made on...
- Inland Fisheries
156. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources further to Parliamentary Question No. 559 of 11 November 2014, if Inland Fisheries Ireland has a protocol in place to get...
- Broadband Service Provision
157. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his plans to address the issue of the serious lack of adequate broadband services on Arranmore off the coast of County...
- Electricity Transmission Network
158. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will provide an update on the work to date of the expert panel reviewing the Grid Link project; if it has appointed...
- Departmental Staff Data
161. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will provide in tabular form, the number of staff in his data protection office; if he has a specified data...
- Electricity Transmission Network
162. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the current position regarding EirGrid's right to access private lands; the legislation that governs these powers; and if...
- Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport
- Rail Services
163. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views that Irish Rail is in serious financial difficulties and that if the company does not receive a major injection of capital...
- National Car Test
164. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will postpone the introduction of on-the-spot fine and penalty points until the current national car test backlog is addressed; and...
- Driver Licences
165. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if recognition of a full clean driving licence issued by the authorities in Mauritius qualifies for recognition here and throughout the...
- Road Safety
166. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to introduce a drug testing law; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44711/14]
- Departmental Staff Data
167. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide in tabular form, the number of staff in his data protection office; if he has a specified data protection officer; and...
- National Car Test
168. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the current waiting time for having a national car test in the test centre Westport, County Mayo; and if he will make a statement on the...
- Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht
- Special Areas of Conservation Designation
170. To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the coastal monitoring and conservation plans and objectives for the special area of conservation of Murrough wetlands between...
- Commemorative Events
171. To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the cost of the 1916 commemoration video; the person who approved its content; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44620/14]
- Departmental Staff Data
175. To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if she will provide in tabular form, the number of staff in her data protection office; if she has a specified data protection...
