Parliamentary questions

Rail Services

James Bannon

613. Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the discussions he has had with Irish Rail to ensure sufficient numbers of carriages are available on the Dublin to Sligo route at peak times, particularly at weekends, in the interest of passenger safety; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28202/14]

Search and Rescue Service

James Bannon

614. Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will make provision for additional funding for search and rescue units and clubs in the midlands to modernise their equipment to support the rescue operations which they provide on a voluntary basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28204/14]

Road Network

James Bannon

615. Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide an update on the N4 motorway from Mullingar to Rooskey, as this project is crucial for Longford, Westmeath and the wider region; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28205/14]

Redundancy Payments

James Bannon

91. Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will clarify a situation in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Longford in respect of employment law and entitlements; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27553/14]

Hospital Waiting Lists

James Bannon

187. Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Health the reason a person (details supplied) in County Longford had at least eight appointments for treatment cancelled and in view of the seriousness of the treatment required if the person will be provided with an early appointment. [27554/14]

Emergency Works Scheme Eligibility

James Bannon

191. Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Education and Skills if his attention has been drawn to a letter about funding under the emergency works scheme advising that funding was granted to a school (details supplied) in County Westmeath which was subsequently withdrawn with an apology for the error; the steps the school can take to appeal this funding decision; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26692/14]

Departmental Expenditure

James Bannon

202. Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will provide a breakdown by year since 2011 of the financial savings and the value for money in the decision to locate the vocational education committee headquarters in Mullingar rather than in Longford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26902/14]

Departmental Expenditure

James Bannon

204. Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will provide a breakdown by year since 2011 of the financial savings and the value for money in the decision to locate the VEC headquarters in Mullingar, County Westmeath rather than in County Longford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26924/14]

Special Educational Needs Service Provision

James Bannon

226. Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Education and Skills if his attention has been drawn to the changes made to the criteria for special class provision for a school (details supplied) in County Longford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27322/14]

Job Creation

James Bannon

245. Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation his plans to increase the number of manufacturing jobs in County Longford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26704/14]

Job Creation

James Bannon

246. Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation his plans to increase the number of manufacturing jobs in County Westmeath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26705/14]

Microenterprise Loan Fund Applications

James Bannon

247. Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the number of small businesses in County Longford that have availed of the microfinance scheme for small business since it was set up in 2012; the total numbers and amounts of loans approved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26706/14]

Casual Trading Regulations

James Bannon

250. Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation when he proposes to update the guidelines and by-laws for casual trading; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26925/14]

Disability Allowance Payments

James Bannon

271. Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason a person (details supplied) in County Longford who is in receipt of disability benefit receives €191 per week only and not the full amount; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26707/14]

Carer's Allowance Appeals

James Bannon

286. Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Social Protection when a decision on a review of carer's allowance will issue in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Longford; if she will expedite the matter; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26929/14]

Inland Waterways Development

James Bannon

317. Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht when will Government funding be provided to assist in the reopening of the old harbour at Market Square, Longford, in order to promote tourism in County Longford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26808/14]

Inland Waterways Development

James Bannon

327. Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if sources of funding will be available in the 2014-15 budget for the development of the Longford spur of the Royal Canal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26932/14]

Burial Grounds

James Bannon

380. Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government when funding will become available to acquire and develop land to extend the existing graveyard at Clondra village, County Longford. [26814/14]

Closed Circuit Television Systems

James Bannon

465. Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Justice and Equality in view of the recent drugs seizure by members of An Garda Síochána in the village of Newtownforbes, when she will provide security cameras in the village to dispel the fears of the residents. [26813/14]

Community Policing

James Bannon

473. Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if she will provide details of funding and supports provided to groups setting up community alert schemes and neighbourhood watch in counties Longford and Westmeath for years 2011, 2012 and 2013; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26931/14]

Nursing Home Accommodation

James Bannon

541. Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Health the reason for the delay in providing a nursing home bed at St. Joseph's care centre Dublin Road, Longford, in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Longford who is a long stay patient at the Midland Regional Hospital, Mullingar; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26693/14]

Medical Card Reviews

James Bannon

581. Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Longford may expect to receive a decision on a medical card review; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26926/14]

Medical Card Applications

James Bannon

582. Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Health to set out the reason an application for a medical card has not been approved in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Longford; and if he will expedite the matter. [26927/14]

Medical Card Applications

James Bannon

583. Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Health to explain the reason an application for a medical card has not been approved in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Longford; if he will expedite the matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26928/14]

Hospital Transfers

James Bannon

653. Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to public concerns that a ward remains closed at St. Joseph's Care Centre, Dublin Road, Longford, while there is a backlog of patients awaiting transfers from the Dublin mid-Leinster regional hospitals to respite care in their home county of Longford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27321/14]

Medical Card Applications

James Bannon

654. Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Health his views on correspondence regarding a medical card in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Westmeath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27323/14]

National Lottery Licence Sale

James Bannon

275. Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the position regarding the reinstatement of the national lottery licence to sell lottery tickets following the refurbishment of premises in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Westmeath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25381/14]

Family Income Supplement Eligibility

James Bannon

314. Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Social Protection her plans to reform family income supplement to ensure that more low income self-employed families can qualify; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25382/14]

Rent Supplement Scheme Administration

James Bannon

316. Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Social Protection her plans to reform the rent and mortgage interest supplement to pay the owner rather than the tenant; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25384/14]

Community Employment Schemes Eligibility

James Bannon

319. Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason a person (details supplied) in County Longford who is in receipt of casual jobseeker's allowance is ineligible to qualify for a FÁS scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25395/14]

Carer's Allowance Payments

James Bannon

321. Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will protect carer's allowance from further cuts in the forthcoming budget; and if she is committed to helping carers in the community of counties Longford and Westmeath by introducing travelling expenses in rural areas [25407/14]

Turf Cutting Compensation Scheme Applications

James Bannon

394. Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the position regarding outstanding bog compensation payments in respect of person (details supplied) in County Longford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25388/14]

Leader Programme Administration

James Bannon

435. Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the position regarding an outstanding Leader approved grant for a development committee (details supplied) in County Westmeath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25396/14]

Library Projects

James Bannon

436. Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide funding in the 2015 budget for the construction of a new library for Edgeworthstown, County Longford on a site provided by Longford County Council; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25400/14]

Leader Programme Applications

James Bannon

437. Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if additional funding will be provided to Longford-Westmeath for projects approved under the Leader programme before the end of 2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25401/14]

Hospital Waiting Lists

James Bannon

639. Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Health if he will expedite an appointment in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Longford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25389/14]

Medical Card Eligibility

James Bannon

640. Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Westmeath will be reissued with a discretionary medical card. [25390/14]

Medical Card Eligibility

James Bannon

695. Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Health the position regarding a discretionary medical card in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Longford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25834/14]

Medical Card Eligibility

James Bannon

737. Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Health the position regarding a discretionary medical card in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Longford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26072/14]

Medical Card Applications

James Bannon

738. Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Health if a medical card will issue to a child (details supplied) in County Westmeath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26081/14]

Youth Services Funding

James Bannon

787. Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if he will provide details of proposed funding for a youth project (details supplied) in County Longford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25402/14]

Commemorative Events

James Bannon

76. Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the commemorative activities he will undertake in September 2014 to mark the centenary of the passage into law of the Home Rule Act on 18 September 1914. [24865/14]

Student Grant Scheme Appeals

James Bannon

249. Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Education and Skills the reason a Student Universal Support Ireland grant has been denied in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Longford. [24651/14]

Jobseeker's Allowance Payments

James Bannon

334. Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Social Protection her plans to approve an application for jobseeker's in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Longford; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24504/14]

Medical Card Eligibility

James Bannon

522. Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Health the reason for the refusal of a medical card-GP visit card in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Westmeath; if he will review this case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24450/14]

Hospital Appointment Status

James Bannon

527. Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Health the position regarding a delayed appointment with an eye specialist in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Longford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24487/14]

Medical Card Applications

James Bannon

528. Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Health if he will review an application for a medical card, general practitioner card on medical grounds for a person (details supplied) in County Westmeath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24488/14]

Medical Card Eligibility

James Bannon

531. Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Health the position regarding entitlement to a medical card for a person (details supplied) in County Longford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24497/14]

Carer's Allowance Applications

James Bannon

367. Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will provide an update on a carer's allowance application in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Longford who is still waiting to receive correspondence on their application. [22274/14]

Medical Card Reviews

James Bannon

384. Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Health the progress to date in respect of a medical card review application in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Longford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20110/14]

Medical Card Applications

James Bannon

385. Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Health if and when a medical card will issue in the case of persons (details supplied) in County Longford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20111/14]

Medical Card Reviews

James Bannon

386. Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Health the progress to date in respect of a medical card review application in the case of persons (details supplied) in County Westmeath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20112/14]

Medical Card Reviews

James Bannon

387. Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Health the progress to date in respect of a medical card review in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Longford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20113/14]

HSE Expenditure

James Bannon

388. Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Health if he will provide details of the Health Service Executive transport bill, including taxis, for counties Longford and Westmeath for each of the past three years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20114/14]

Autism Support Services

James Bannon

389. Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Health if he will provide details of autism facilities in counties Longford and Westmeath including his plans for improving and ensuring the rights of persons with autism; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20115/14]

Care of the Elderly Funding

James Bannon

390. Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Health his plans on potential national funding streams for senior citizen community organsiations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20116/14]

Medical Card Eligibility

James Bannon

391. Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Health the position regarding entitlement to a medical card in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Meath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20117/14]

Vehicle Registration

James Bannon

56. Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Finance the tax arrangements that apply in respect of a 32 year old vintage tractor (details supplied) in County Longford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18749/14]

Student Grant Scheme Eligibility

James Bannon

130. Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Education and Skills if an application for refund of field trip expenses for the academic year 2013-2014 will be reviewed in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Longford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18726/14]

Motor Tax Collection

James Bannon

452. Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the tax arrangements that apply in respect of a 32 year old vintage tractor (details supplied) in County Longford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18750/14]

Common Agricultural Policy Reform

James Bannon

648. Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will take into consideration the views-proposals of a person (details supplied) in County Longford regarding the distribution of Common Agricultural Policy funding 2014-20; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18723/14]

Agriculture Scheme Eligibility

James Bannon

649. Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he has given further consideration to his proposals to exclude young farmers (details supplied) who were farming pre-2013 from the reserve; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18724/14]

Medical Card Eligibility

James Bannon

761. Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Health the progress to date in the determination of eligibility for a medical card in respect of a child (details supplied) in County Longford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18760/14]

Disability Allowance Appeals

James Bannon

370. Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will expedite the appeal for disability allowance review in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Longford; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17999/14]

Non-Principal Private Residence Charge Exemptions

James Bannon

400. Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if farmers' children, particularly a person (details supplied) in County Longford, will be required to pay a second property tax for a non-principal private residence that is an old house deemed to be derelict or uninhabitable; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17978/14]

Visa Applications

James Bannon

498. Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the procedure to be followed in order to obtain Irish visas for the children of an Irish citizen (details supplied) in County Westmeath who are anxious to comply with all necessary regulations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17981/14]

Agriculture Scheme Payments

James Bannon

536. Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason a person (details supplied) in County Longford is not in receipt of their entitlements to disadvantaged areas payments and single farm payments in respect of lands to which their family has had commonage entitlements for more than four generations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18001/14]

Agriculture Scheme Payments

James Bannon

537. Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason a person (details supplied) in County Longford did not receive their entitlements to single farm payments or disadvantaged areas payments for 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18002/14]

Youth Services Funding

James Bannon

557. Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the full extent of allocations for youth services in 2013 paid out in County Longford; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17996/14]

Medical Card Reviews

James Bannon

664. Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Health to set out the position regarding the renewal of a medical card in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Longford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17979/14]

Medical Card Reviews

James Bannon

665. Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Health to set out the position regarding the renewal of a medical card in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Longford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17980/14]

Hospital Waiting Lists

James Bannon

667. Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Health to detail when a person (details supplied) in County Longford will receive an appointment for a procedure at Beaumont Hospital, Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17998/14]

Revenue Commissioners Investigations

James Bannon

159. Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Finance if the Revenue Commissioners will reconsider a case (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16744/14]

Visa Applications

James Bannon

467. Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will expedite an application for a de facto visa in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Longford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16720/14]

Hospital Appointment Status

James Bannon

627. Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Longford will receive an appointment for a hip replacement procedure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16395/14]

Hospital Appointment Status

James Bannon

628. Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Westmeath will receive an appointment at the Midland Regional Hospital Tullamore to have a hip replacement carried out; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16396/14]

Medical Card Eligibility

James Bannon

629. Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Health if he will expedite and award a full medical card in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Longford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16402/14]

Hospital Waiting Lists

James Bannon

685. Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Health the period patients in Longford and Westmeath must wait for hip replacement operations at the Midland Regional Hospital Tullamore; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16741/14]

Sports Capital Programme Applications

James Bannon

703. Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the numbers of applications he has received from counties Longford and Westmeath under the sports capital grant for the development of sporting or amenity projects in both counties; when an announcement will be made; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16224/14]

Road Safety

James Bannon

705. Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to encourage the National Roads Authority to develop lay-bys on the M4 and other motorways for tired drivers to pull into a safe place and rest; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16271/14]

Road Projects Status

James Bannon

711. Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when the motorway from Mullingar to Rooskey in County Longford will be constructed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16397/14]

Road Improvement Schemes

James Bannon

712. Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will consider providing a capital grant for the upgrading of the N55 route between Granard, County Longford and Ballykiernan, County Westmeath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16398/14]

Sports Capital Programme Applications

James Bannon

713. Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when the sports capital grants for 2014 will be announced and allocated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16399/14]

Traffic Statistics

James Bannon

714. Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide an update on the most recent traffic statistics survey undertaken on the N4 route between Mullingar and Longford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16400/14]

Tourism Promotion

James Bannon

715. Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport in view of the tourist potential of the Corlea archaeological settlement and biodiversity project at Keenagh, County Longford, which includes the existing facility at Corlea visitors centre that presents and interprets an iron age bog road built in the year 148 BC across the boglands to the River Shannon; as this trackway is the largest of its kind to have been uncovered in Europe, if he will facilitate the marketing of this tourism facility in all national and international tourism brochures; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16401/14]

Sports Capital Programme Applications

James Bannon

737. Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide an update on the application in respect of sports funding (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16721/14]

Sports Capital Programme Applications

James Bannon

738. Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide an update in the application in respect of sports capital funding (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16722/14]

Cycling Facilities Provision

James Bannon

741. Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans for the development of the banks of the Royal Canal from Mullingar to Clondra in County Longford for cyclists; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16742/14]

Broadband Service Provision

James Bannon

159. Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the actions he is taking to provide and improve the roll out of broadband services in rural areas of Longford-Westmeath where it is non-existent at present; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15472/14]

Job Creation

James Bannon

247. Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation following his visit to Longford town late last year if he will provide an update on his efforts to create new jobs in County Longford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15213/14]

Job Creation

James Bannon

248. Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if he raised the issue of Longford-Westmeath's high unemployment rate with IDA Ireland and, if so, the measures it plans to improve the employment situation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15238/14]

Job Creation

James Bannon

249. Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if he will target assistance towards the small and medium enterprises sector in Longford-Westmeath for job creation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15248/14]

Money Advice and Budgeting Service Funding

James Bannon

268. Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Social Protection the funding provided for the Money Advice and Budgeting Service for the years 2011, 2012 and 2013 on a county basis; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14829/14]

Water and Sewerage Schemes Funding

James Bannon

350. Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide a funding grant in 2014 for the construction of the extension to the Ballinalee group sewerage scheme in County Longford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14828/14]

Water and Sewerage Schemes Funding

James Bannon

352. Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the position regarding the promised funding for the construction of the Legan group sewerage scheme in County Longford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14927/14]

Planning Issues

James Bannon

355. Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will consider designating Longford town as a strategic development zone for the midlands under the management of Longford County Council; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14946/14]

Tenant Purchase Scheme Administration

James Bannon

359. Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government when he proposes to introduce a new tenant purchase scheme; if it will accommodate tenants on long-term social welfare payments who believe they have been discriminated against on previous tenant purchase schemes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15053/14]

Water Charges Administration

James Bannon

367. Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will announce the free allowance per house and if will there be a waiver system in place for the less well-off on low incomes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15163/14]

National Housing Survey

James Bannon

368. Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide information by means of the national housing survey or otherwise on the numbers of houses, apartments, and commercial units that are empty in counties Longford and Westmeath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15165/14]

Urban Renewal Schemes

James Bannon

369. Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his plans for supporting the regeneration of towns such as County Longford and other midlands towns hit by recession where a large percentage of businesses are closed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15195/14]