Parliamentary questions

Fuel Laundering

Seamus Kirk

125. Deputy Seamus Kirk asked the Minister for Finance his plans to introduce a new dye for agricultural diesel, in the effort to combat diesel laundering; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17189/15]

Further Education and Training Programmes Provision

Seamus Kirk

445. Deputy Seamus Kirk asked the Minister for Education and Skills her Department's policy on second-chance education; the budget allocated for same; her plans to develop this policy in rural areas; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17210/15]

Commission for the Economic Development of Rural Areas

Seamus Kirk

518. Deputy Seamus Kirk asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government to set out the current status of the Commission for the Economic Development of Rural Areas report; the amount of funding that will be put aside for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17208/15]

National Spatial Strategy

Seamus Kirk

522. Deputy Seamus Kirk asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government to set out his plans to re-introduce the national spatial strategy, focusing on gateways and hubs in rural areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17206/15]

Regional Development Funding

Seamus Kirk

523. Deputy Seamus Kirk asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government to set out his plans to develop economic regions within the island of Ireland; the amount of money put aside for this and the direct economic benefit to the State for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17207/15]

Rural Transport Programme

Seamus Kirk

587. Deputy Seamus Kirk asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to reopen the rural transport programme; if he will discuss the direct benefit to the rural economy for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17209/15]

Carer's Allowance Eligibility

Seamus Kirk

47. Deputy Seamus Kirk asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if consideration will be given to extending the carer's allowance scheme to community houses which provide social support programmes for the elderly through the community or community employment schemes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17061/15]

Social Enterprise Sector

Seamus Kirk

67. Deputy Seamus Kirk asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation his Department's strategy in relation to social enterprise; if he has a strategic plan for this sector; the number of jobs created by social enterprises over the past five years; the net impact of these jobs on the economy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16909/15]

Dormant Accounts Fund

Seamus Kirk

128. Deputy Seamus Kirk asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the amount of money which is in dormant accounts from the years 2011 to 2015; if he will provide a breakdown on the expenditure of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16907/15]

Dormant Accounts Fund

Seamus Kirk

129. Deputy Seamus Kirk asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide an estimate on the amount held in dormant accounts at present; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16908/15]

Proposed Legislation

Seamus Kirk

155. Deputy Seamus Kirk asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the status of the Construction Contracts Act 2013; when this will come into force; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16382/15]

Tuberculosis Incidence

Seamus Kirk

189. Deputy Seamus Kirk asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his attention has been drawn to the concern of farmers regarding the prevalence of tuberculosis in livestock in the mid-Louth area; if his attention has been further drawn to the significant population of wild deer in the general area that are suspected of being carriers of the disease; if a deer cull is required; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16771/15]

Public Sector Staff Data

Seamus Kirk

88. Deputy Seamus Kirk asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will provide a breakdown of the number of State and Government employees, by Department and by county; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16124/15]

Local Authority Rates

Seamus Kirk

322. Deputy Seamus Kirk asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will clarify his position regarding sports clubs which have an occasional licence for bar facilities; the way the rates liability is calculated in these circumstances; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15729/15]

Departmental Funding

Seamus Kirk

184. Deputy Seamus Kirk asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the status of a grant of €3.5 million to Alverno Heights and Alverno Court in Laytown in County Meath, which was set aside under his Department's 2014 social housing investment programme, to carry out a range of measures to improve the standard and quality of the housing stock in both estates; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14990/15]

Driver Licence Data

Seamus Kirk

199. Deputy Seamus Kirk asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of Irish drivers who have received an international driving permit in each of the past four years; the costs associated in awarding these permits; the most popular countries for which Irish drivers have obtained an international driving permit; his views on the security features in the international driving permit; if he is satisfied with the corresponding use of international driving permits here by non-European Union drivers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15004/15]

Garda Deployment

Seamus Kirk

407. Deputy Seamus Kirk asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of gardaí per Garda district; the number and location of each Garda station in each district and their opening hours, including the number of gardaí stationed at each station; if she will provide a breakdown for the years 2011 to 2014 of gardaí stationed in each station; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14893/15]

Student Grant Scheme Eligibility

Seamus Kirk

162. Deputy Seamus Kirk asked the Minister for Education and Skills if she will examine an anomaly in the higher education grants scheme whereby an applicant who is fostered will be assessed on that person's own income position, while an applicant who is in guardianship will be assessed on that person's guardian's income; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13545/15]

UK Referendum on EU Membership

Seamus Kirk

190. Deputy Seamus Kirk asked the Taoiseach his plans to develop a strategic position for Ireland in the event of the United Kingdom withdrawing from the European Union; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13083/15]

Tax Exemptions

Seamus Kirk

74. Deputy Seamus Kirk asked the Minister for Finance his plans to re-activate the disabled drivers and disabled passengers (tax concessions) scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12461/15]

Legislative Measures

Seamus Kirk

289. Deputy Seamus Kirk asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to review the legislation on tree-felling, in view of recent court decisions on personal injury awards; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7847/15]

Apprenticeship Programmes

Seamus Kirk

561. Deputy Seamus Kirk asked the Minister for Education and Skills if she has finalised the respective roles for SOLAS and institutes of technology for the apprenticeship implementation plan; if she will examine this matter; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8298/15]

Public Service Obligation Levy Application

Seamus Kirk

607. Deputy Seamus Kirk asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his plans to reduce the public service obligation levy on charities and sporting organisations due to the increased costs in the public service obligation levy, which directly impact sporting bodies and charities nationwide; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7848/15]

Autism Support Services

Seamus Kirk

184. Deputy Seamus Kirk asked the Minister for Health the current waiting time for an assessment of a child with autism; the number of persons who are currently waiting for an assessment; and his plans to increase funding for same [7356/15]

Special Educational Needs Staff

Seamus Kirk

202. Deputy Seamus Kirk asked the Minister for Education and Skills her plans to cut special needs assistants in schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7354/15]

Special Educational Needs Staff

Seamus Kirk

203. Deputy Seamus Kirk asked the Minister for Education and Skills if she will provide a breakdown of the number of special needs assistants employed from 2011 to 2014, on a county basis. [7355/15]

Food Harvest 2020 Strategy

Seamus Kirk

287. Deputy Seamus Kirk asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the position at the end of 2014 regarding the targets for growth set for each sector in Food Harvest 2020, published in July 2010; the estimated number of jobs created in each sector following expansion; the increase in production and export growth for each sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7154/15]

Fishing Industry Development

Seamus Kirk

288. Deputy Seamus Kirk asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the progress made in implementing the Bord Iascaigh Mhara strategy 2010 to 2012, Delivering on the Potential of Irish Seafood, and the Irish seafood national programme 2007 to 2013; the level of investment in the sector under these programmes; the number of jobs created; the growth in exports of seafood products; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7155/15]

Asylum Support Services

Seamus Kirk

468. Deputy Seamus Kirk asked the Minister for Education and Skills her plans to develop third level education and training for asylum seekers in various direct provision centres around the country; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7083/15]

Tax Reliefs Eligibility

Seamus Kirk

112. Deputy Seamus Kirk asked the Minister for Finance his views on raising the age limit of 35 years to 40 years for stamp duty relief for young farmers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5219/15]

Data Protection

Seamus Kirk

255. Deputy Seamus Kirk asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the position regarding the exchange of information between the Revenue Commissioners and Irish Water regarding the registration for property tax and registration for water charges; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5182/15]

Employment Data

Seamus Kirk

159. Deputy Seamus Kirk asked the Taoiseach the number of persons employed in County Louth from 2007 to 2014, in the manufacturing industry, including agribusiness, multinationals and small and medium enterprises; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3751/15]

Teachers' Remuneration

Seamus Kirk

428. Deputy Seamus Kirk asked the Minister for Education and Skills if her attention has been drawn to the anomaly which has arisen regarding allowances paid to primary teachers who achieved degree qualifications during the 2011-12 academic year, with apparently a condition that a teacher would have to have been teaching on 5 December 2011 to qualify for the increased allowance (details supplied); if the rule will be re-examined; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3326/15]

Illegal Dumping

Seamus Kirk

507. Deputy Seamus Kirk asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to the toxic dumping into the Dundalk, County Louth, water supply; if there will be immediate intervention from the Environmental Protection Agency; if he has figures in relation to the amount of toxic dumping which is being dumped into the Fane river; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3549/15]

Energy Prices

Seamus Kirk

126. Deputy Seamus Kirk asked the Minister for Finance if his Department has endeavoured to quantify the benefit to the economy of the reduction in cost of Brent crude oil; and if he will provide figures for same. [49434/14]

Deposit Interest Rates

Seamus Kirk

170. Deputy Seamus Kirk asked the Minister for Finance the position regarding the announcement of a DIRT refund for first-time buyers, announced in budget 2015; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1709/15]

TAMS Payments

Seamus Kirk

314. Deputy Seamus Kirk asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if in view of the dire predictions for cashflow for dairy farm incomes for 2015, he will consider extending the completion dates for projects approved under the TAMS scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1189/15]

Fuel Prices

Seamus Kirk

964. Deputy Seamus Kirk asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources due to the decrease in the value of natural resources, including oil and gas, if this reduction will be passed on to domestic customers of fuel, including for home heating; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1710/15]

Economic Data

Seamus Kirk

197. Deputy Seamus Kirk asked the Minister for Finance the GNP value of the current total workforce here on an hourly basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47702/14]

Installation Aid Scheme Eligibility

Seamus Kirk

100. Deputy Seamus Kirk asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when he will introduce an installation aid scheme for young farmers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47586/14]

Direct Payment Scheme Eligibility

Seamus Kirk

101. Deputy Seamus Kirk asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the arrangements for young farmers to access entitlements; if the arrangements are finalised; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47587/14]

Fuel Prices

Seamus Kirk

582. Deputy Seamus Kirk asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if petrol and diesel prices are being monitored having regard to the significant decrease in crude oil prices; if retail prices are reflecting this trend; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46184/14]

Animal Diseases

Seamus Kirk

229. Deputy Seamus Kirk asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine in view of the recent Supreme Court decision on the appeal by a number of farmers in the Cooley Peninsula, County Louth, regarding the level of compensation paid for de-stocking during the foot and mouth outbreak, if compensation paid to other farmers will now be reviewed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44936/14]

Children in Care

Seamus Kirk

297. Deputy Seamus Kirk asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the steps regarding special care units for children; if an application is refused if there is a right to appeal; the criteria for this right to appeal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45251/14]

Children in Care

Seamus Kirk

298. Deputy Seamus Kirk asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number of children who are in special care units here; the cost per annum for these children; if he will provide a breakdown by county on the number of children in care; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45252/14]

Tobacco Control Measures

Seamus Kirk

348. Deputy Seamus Kirk asked the Minister for Health if the proposal on cigarette packaging has been assessed to determine its impact on black market sales; if he will make the conclusions of the assessment available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45066/14]

Renewable Energy Generation

Seamus Kirk

552. Deputy Seamus Kirk asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if his attention has been drawn to the fact that Electric Ireland has announced that it will no longer buy electricity from residential properties generating electricity from renewable sources such as solar and wind, which will impact residential customers who will lose 9 cent/kWh export tariff; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43047/14]

Garda Station Refurbishment

Seamus Kirk

128. Deputy Seamus Kirk asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the position regarding the proposed upgrade of Dromad Garda station, County Louth; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42586/14]

Health Services Provision

Seamus Kirk

756. Deputy Seamus Kirk asked the Minister for Health the position in relation to a discovery of a vaccine against Ebola; if the EU is contributing to the research project; if so the amount Ireland is contributing to this research fund; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41870/14]

Third Level Facilities

Seamus Kirk

858. Deputy Seamus Kirk asked the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding an application for an extension to a school (details supplied) in County Louth; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41156/14]

Property Tax Exemptions

Seamus Kirk

1014. Deputy Seamus Kirk asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his views on waiving the interest and penalties on the non-principal private residence charge for home owners who can demonstrate inability to pay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41354/14]

Road Projects Status

Seamus Kirk

1091. Deputy Seamus Kirk asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the timeframe for the commencement of the western bypass of Ardee, County Louth, the N52; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41154/14]

Crime Investigation

Seamus Kirk

94. Deputy Seamus Kirk asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his attention has been drawn to the serious crisis with livestock rustling across the country but particularly in the Border area, and if he is proposing a co-ordinated strategy with his counterpart North of the Border; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40756/14]

Organ Donation

Seamus Kirk

142. Deputy Seamus Kirk asked the Minister for Health if there is a bilateral arrangement between Ireland and the United Kingdom regarding waiting lists for heart donations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40772/14]

Vaccination Programme

Seamus Kirk

434. Deputy Seamus Kirk asked the Minister for Health the reason the vaccination for chicken pox is not part of the routine childhood vaccination programme; and his plans for it to be included in the programme. [40176/14]

Planning Issues

Seamus Kirk

467. Deputy Seamus Kirk asked the Minister for Health if he will confirm the existence of a ministerial order in relation to the Health Service Executive owned lands at Currabeg, Ardee, County Louth, with the order confirming the land is to be secured for industrial usage; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40404/14]

Water Services Funding

Seamus Kirk

572. Deputy Seamus Kirk asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will confirm if 5% of car tax and 2% of VAT goes towards water production; if he will confirm that Irish Water is a limited private company; and the percentage of local property tax that is spent on water production. [40177/14]

Water Services Registrations

Seamus Kirk

211. Deputy Seamus Kirk asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his views on the registration process for Irish Water; his plans to simplify this process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39597/14]

Sugar Industry

Seamus Kirk

36. Deputy Seamus Kirk asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the position regarding the reactivation of the sugar beet industry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39332/14]

Registration of Nurses

Seamus Kirk

165. Deputy Seamus Kirk asked the Minister for Health if he will consider reducing the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland registration fees for nurses and midwives; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38964/14]

Public Sector Staff Recruitment

Seamus Kirk

155. Deputy Seamus Kirk asked the Minister for Education and Skills if her attention has been drawn to the potential crisis in the area of recruitment for tutors and teachers in SOLAS and the VECs because of the moratorium on recruitment; the way the foregoing are restricted in the number of courses they can organise because of the recruitment embargo; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38361/14]

National Monuments

Seamus Kirk

242. Deputy Seamus Kirk asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if St. Michael's Monastic Grange, Duleek, County Meath, is listed as a national monument; if so, the plans the National Monuments Service has to ensure it fulfils its obligation to protect and preserve the site; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38528/14]

Fuel Oil Specifications

Seamus Kirk

165. Deputy Seamus Kirk asked the Minister for Finance the measures that are being put in place to counteract petrol stretching fuel contamination; if his attention has been drawn to the serious financial implications for drivers who unwittingly purchase the product; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37915/14]

Medicinal Products Licensing

Seamus Kirk

400. Deputy Seamus Kirk asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to a cult know as Genesis II Church and its targeting of parents of autistic children on the basis that it has a cure for autism; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35822/14]

VAT Exemptions

Seamus Kirk

242. Deputy Seamus Kirk asked the Minister for Finance if he has received a copy of the recent report for Fáilte Ireland, An Analysis of the Impact of the VAT Reduction on Irish Tourism and Tourism Development; if he has noted its content; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the report published by Fáilte Ireland outlined that the lower VAT rate of 9%, which was introduced to give the tourism sector a boost in 2011 and which has been maintained ever since, is continuing to have significant benefits for the economy; if he has noted that since its introduction more than 30,000 jobs have been added to the sector as a result of the measure being in place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33733/14]

Beef Industry

Seamus Kirk

468. Deputy Seamus Kirk asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if in view of the serious income crises in the beef sector, he will consider bringing forward payment of the single farm payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34228/14]

Redundancy Payments

Seamus Kirk

547. Deputy Seamus Kirk asked the Minister for Defence his plans for a redundancy package for civilians employed at Army barracks; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32944/14]

Local Authority Funding

Seamus Kirk

1529. Deputy Seamus Kirk asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if funding has been approved for remedial works at a location (details supplied) in County Meath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33779/14]

Local Authority Funding

Seamus Kirk

1530. Deputy Seamus Kirk asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the position regarding Meath County Council's submission for a comprehensive remedial works scheme for a housing estate (details supplied) in County Meath; if and when approval for same will be given; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33780/14]

Tenant Purchase Scheme Eligibility

Seamus Kirk

1555. Deputy Seamus Kirk asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the timeframe for the introduction of a tenant purchase scheme as provided for in legislation earlier this year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34128/14]

VAT Rate Reductions

Seamus Kirk

1696. Deputy Seamus Kirk asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he has received a copy of the recent report for Fáilte Ireland, An Analysis of the Impact of the VAT Reduction on Irish Tourism and Tourism Development; if he has noted its content; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the report published by Fáilte Ireland outlined that the lower VAT rate of 9%, which was introduced to give the tourism sector a boost in 2011 and which has been maintained ever since, is continuing to have significant benefits for the economy; if he has noted that since its introduction more than 30,000 jobs have been added to the sector as a result of the measure being in place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33737/14]

Food Harvest 2020 Strategy

Seamus Kirk

550. Deputy Seamus Kirk asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the position on the targets set for each sector in the Food Harvest 2020 Strategy published in July 2010; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32378/14]

Unemployment Data

Seamus Kirk

359. Deputy Seamus Kirk asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection her plans to tackle the high unemployment statistics in County Louth; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31469/14]

Live Register Data

Seamus Kirk

398. Deputy Seamus Kirk asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if she will provide a breakdown by month since March 2011 of the number of persons who are on the live register in County Louth; including the number of persons who are short-term and long-term unemployed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31470/14]

Local Development Companies Administration

Seamus Kirk

503. Deputy Seamus Kirk asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will reconsider his decision to subsume Leader partnerships into the new local authority structure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31409/14]

Medicinal Products Licensing

Seamus Kirk

417. Deputy Seamus Kirk asked the Minister for Health when the current review of the advanced prostate cancer drug enzalutamide by the national cancer control programme will take place to determine its future availability here; if there is an approximate timescale available for the roll-out of said drug; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29989/14]

Good Friday Agreement

Seamus Kirk

11. Deputy Seamus Kirk asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the action that needs to be undertaken in order to implement all outstanding aspects of the Good Friday Agreement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28249/14]

Good Friday Agreement

Seamus Kirk

33. Deputy Seamus Kirk asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views that some aspects of the Good Friday Agreement, which have yet to be implemented, can be progressed at an early date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28248/14]

Grant Payments

Seamus Kirk

343. Deputy Seamus Kirk asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his plans to introduce a grant scheme for rain water harvesting; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28446/14]

Live Exports

Seamus Kirk

365. Deputy Seamus Kirk asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the initiative he is taking with his counterpart in Northern Ireland to develop the live export of cattle in Northern Ireland and the UK; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28483/14]

Veterinary Regimes Harmonisation

Seamus Kirk

366. Deputy Seamus Kirk asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the progress that is being made on the harmonisation of the veterinary regimes on the island of Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28484/14]

Respite Care Services

Seamus Kirk

449. Deputy Seamus Kirk asked the Minister for Health the number of respite beds here; if he will provide a breakdown by county of the different type of respite-bed and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27835/14]

Passport Services

Seamus Kirk

53. Deputy Seamus Kirk asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his plans to open a passport office in Dundalk, County Louth, to cater for the northern half of the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27632/14]

Accident and Emergency Services Provision

Seamus Kirk

34. Deputy Seamus Kirk asked the Minister for Health the way the Health Service Executive will improve the environment for patients and staff in accident and emergency departments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27075/14]

Ambulance Service Provision

Seamus Kirk

61. Deputy Seamus Kirk asked the Minister for Health if he will ensure increased resources for the national ambulance service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27076/14]

Free Travel Scheme Eligibility

Seamus Kirk

298. Deputy Seamus Kirk asked the Minister for Social Protection if persons with epilepsy who are able to show that they would be refused a driving licence had they applied for one will be granted an entitlement to free travel; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27191/14]

Garda Reserve

Seamus Kirk

450. Deputy Seamus Kirk asked the Minister for Justice and Equality her plans to award members of the Garda Reserve as well as members of the Garda a medal for long-term service; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27192/14]

Long-Term Illness Scheme Coverage

Seamus Kirk

631. Deputy Seamus Kirk asked the Minister for Health his plans to expand the long-term illness programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27193/14]

Departmental Records

Seamus Kirk

102. Deputy Seamus Kirk asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if it is the case that 52 files have been taken from the National Archives pertaining to the treatment of mothers and children in State care in mother and baby homes across the country; if copies have been made of these files in order that the information contained therein may be accessed during their absence; when it is expected that the files will be returned; if over 40 files from 1992 which were previously removed have still not been returned; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26391/14]

Driver Licence Applications

Seamus Kirk

781. Deputy Seamus Kirk asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his attention has been drawn to the serious delays for driver licence applicants at the South Gate office, Drogheda, County Louth; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25997/14]

Foreign Direct Investment

Seamus Kirk

281. Deputy Seamus Kirk asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the number of persons directly employed in FDI companies here; the number of persons employed in service companies feeding into such companies on a regional basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24101/14]

Foreign Direct Investment

Seamus Kirk

89. Deputy Seamus Kirk asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the number of persons directly employed in FDI companies here; if he will provide information on the number of persons employed in service companies feeding into such companies on a regional basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23822/14]

Common Agricultural Policy Reform

Seamus Kirk

98. Deputy Seamus Kirk asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his attention has been drawn to the severe implications for intensive cereal growers from the greening proposal in the next phase of the Common Agricultural Policy; if he is contemplating any changes to the payment regime; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23559/14]

HSE Expenditure

Seamus Kirk

113. Deputy Seamus Kirk asked the Minister for Health if it is the intention of the Health Service Executive to outsource laundry services in the north east and, in the process, terminate the existing arrangement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23560/14]

Broadband Service Provision

Seamus Kirk

431. Deputy Seamus Kirk asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources on foot of the recent announcement regarding the rural broadband scheme, his plans for the type of broadband for the Annagassan area in County Louth; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21092/14]

Broadband Service Provision

Seamus Kirk

432. Deputy Seamus Kirk asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will provide a full breakdown of all areas in County Louth who will have access to fibre optic broadband; the date set for the roll-out of this scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21093/14]

Leader Programmes Administration

Seamus Kirk

454. Deputy Seamus Kirk asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the position regarding Leader companies across the country; his plans for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21067/14]

Tenant Purchase Scheme Administration

Seamus Kirk

455. Deputy Seamus Kirk asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he is considering introducing a tenant purchase scheme in the near future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21072/14]

Driver Licences

Seamus Kirk

686. Deputy Seamus Kirk asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will examine the complaint regarding the issuing of driving licences (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21512/14]

Sports Capital Programme Applications

Seamus Kirk

687. Deputy Seamus Kirk asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the position regarding the assessment of the sports capital grant in respect of a club (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21513/14]