Parliamentary questions

Departmental Staff Expenses

Barry Cowen

401. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Defence if he will provide, in tabular form, the total amount spent in each of the years 2011 to 2014, inclusive, and in 2015 to date on staff subsistence payments and staff taxi payments; if his Department has been audited for tax compliance on these payments and other benefits in kind; if these processes have been revised, in view of the Revenue Commissioners concerns over practises in other State bodies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23678/15]

Consultancy Contracts Data

Barry Cowen

402. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Defence if he will provide, in tabular form, by year, all external consultant reports commissioned by his Department since March 2011; the costs per report; the company involved; the title of the report; and publication date. [23694/15]

Garda Recruitment

Barry Cowen

445. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if a candidate who sat a stage 3 Garda trainee competition test in the Public Appointments Service in Dublin in the specialised Irish stream but took ill on the day during the test, could be afforded the opportunity to re-sit the test; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23269/15]

Departmental Staff Career Breaks

Barry Cowen

458. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if she will provide, in tabular form, the number of staff in her Department currently on a sabbatical or a career break, broken down by zero to six months, six months to 12 months, one year to two years, two years to three years, four years to five years and five years or more; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23408/15]

Departmental Expenditure

Barry Cowen

459. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if she will provide, in tabular form, by year, the total photography costs for her Department since coming into office, inclusive of costs incurred from use of the ministerial allowance; if she will provide the list of occasions for which photographers were booked; the photographers used; the breakdown of costs associated with each occasion that a photographer was used; and if there is a policy regarding the booking of photographers within her Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23424/15]

Consultancy Contracts Data

Barry Cowen

460. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if she will provide, in tabular form, by year, the use of external public relations firms employed by her Department since coming into office; if she will provide the list of uses of the external public relations firm and internal Department policy with regard to employing external groups; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23440/15]

Consultancy Contracts Expenditure

Barry Cowen

461. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the total amount spent on external information technology consultants by her Department in each of the years 2010 to 2014 and in 2015 to date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23456/15]

Consultancy Contracts

Barry Cowen

464. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if her Department has renegotiated external information technology consultancy contracts and costs since March 2011; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23573/15]

State Bodies

Barry Cowen

465. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if she will provide in respect of State boards under her Department's remit, the number of appointments to State boards; the number of vacancies in State boards; the number of vacancies in State boards publically advertised; and the number of appointments to State boards drawn directly from the public advertisement process, in period March 2011 to 2015 to date. [23589/15]

Freedom of Information Requests

Barry Cowen

468. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if she will provide, in tabular form, for each year from 2009 to 2014 and for 2015 to date, the total number of freedom of information requests received by her Department; the total refused; granted; part-granted; successful appeals; part-successful appeals; and refusals of appeals; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23612/15]

Departmental Staff Expenses

Barry Cowen

472. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if she will provide, in tabular form, the total amount spent in each of the years 2011 to 2014 and in 2015 to date on staff subsistence payments and staff taxi payments; if her Department has been audited for tax compliance on these payments and other benefits in kind; if these processes have been revised, in view of the Revenue Commissioners concerns over practices in other State bodies; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23685/15]

Consultancy Contracts Data

Barry Cowen

473. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if she will provide, in tabular form, by year, all external consultant reports commissioned by her Department since March 2011; the costs per report; the company involved; the title of the report; and publication date. [23701/15]

Departmental Staff Career Breaks

Barry Cowen

512. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if he will provide, in tabular form, the number of staff in his Department currently on a sabbatical or career break, broken down by zero to six months, six months to 12 months, one year to two years, two years to three years, four to five years and five years or more; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23399/15]

Departmental Expenditure

Barry Cowen

513. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if he will provide, in tabular form by year, the total photography costs for his Department since coming into office, inclusive of costs incurred from use of the ministerial allowance; if he will provide the list of occasions for which photographers were booked; the photographers used; breakdown of costs associated with each occasion that a photographer was used; if there is a policy regarding the booking of photographers within his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23415/15]

Public Relations Contracts Data

Barry Cowen

514. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if he will provide, in tabular form by year, the use of external public relations firms employed by his Department since coming into office; if he will provide the list of uses of the external public relations firm, and internal Department policy with regard to employing external groups; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23431/15]

Consultancy Contracts Expenditure

Barry Cowen

515. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the total amount spent on external information technology consultants by his Department in each of the years 2010 to 2014 and in 2015 to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23447/15]

Consultancy Contracts Data

Barry Cowen

518. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if his Department has renegotiated external information and technology consultancy contracts and costs since March 2011; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23564/15]

Appointments to State Boards

Barry Cowen

519. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if he will provide in respect of State boards under his Department's remit the number of appointments to State boards; the number of vacancies in State boards; the number of vacancies in State boards publically advertised; and the number of appointments to State boards drawn directly from the public advertisement process in the period March 2011 to 2015 to date. [23580/15]

Freedom of Information Requests

Barry Cowen

520. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if he will provide, in tabular form for each year from 2009 to 2014 and for 2015 to date, the total number of freedom of information requests received by his Department; the total refused; granted; partly granted; successful appeals; partly successful appeals; and refusals of appeals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23603/15]

Departmental Staff Allowances

Barry Cowen

523. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if he will provide, in tabular form, the total amount spent in each of the years 2011 to 2014 and in 2015 to date on staff subsistence payments and staff taxi payments; if his Department has been audited for tax compliance on these payments and other benefits-in-kind; if these processes have been revised in view of the Revenue Commissioners' concerns over practices in other State bodies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23676/15]

Consultancy Contracts Data

Barry Cowen

524. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if he will provide, in tabular form by year, all external consultant reports commissioned by his Department since March 2011; the costs per report; the company involved; the title of the report; and publication date. [23692/15]

Hospital Appointments Status

Barry Cowen

540. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on the case of a person (details supplied) in County Offaly; and on when the person can expect an appointment with the consultant paediatrician (details supplied) at Our Lady's Children's Hospital, Crumlin, Dublin 12. [22989/15]

Departmental Staff Career Breaks

Barry Cowen

606. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Health if he will provide, in tabular form, the number of staff in his Department currently on a sabbatical or a career break, broken down by zero to six months, six to 12 months, one to two years, two to three years, four to five years and five years or more; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23406/15]

Departmental Expenditure

Barry Cowen

607. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Health if he will provide, in tabular form and by year, the total photography costs for his Department since coming into office, inclusive of costs incurred from the use of the ministerial allowance; if he will provide the list of occasions for which photographers were booked; the photographers used; the breakdown of costs associated with each occasion that a photographer was used; if there is a policy regarding the booking of photographers within his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23422/15]

Consultancy Contracts Data

Barry Cowen

608. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Health if he will provide, in tabular form and by year, the external public relations firms employed by his Department since coming into office; if he will provide the list of uses of the external public relations firm and internal Department policy with regard to employing external groups; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23438/15]

Consultancy Contracts Expenditure

Barry Cowen

609. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Health the total amount spent on external information technology consultants by his Department in each of the years 2010 to 2014 and in 2015 to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23454/15]

Consultancy Contracts Expenditure

Barry Cowen

612. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Health if his Department has renegotiated external information and technology consultancy contracts and costs since March 2011; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23571/15]

Appointments to State Boards

Barry Cowen

613. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Health if he will provide in respect of State boards under his Department's remit the number of appointments to State boards; the number of vacancies in State boards ; the number of vacancies in State boards publicly advertised; and the number of appointments to State boards drawn directly from the public advertisement process, in the period March 2011 to 2015 to date. [23587/15]

Freedom of Information Requests

Barry Cowen

615. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Health if he will provide, in tabular form, for each year from 2009 to 2014 and for 2015 to date, the total number of freedom of information requests received by his Department; the total refused, granted or partly granted; the total number of successful appeals, partly successful appeals and refusals of appeals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23610/15]

Departmental Expenditure

Barry Cowen

624. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Health if he will provide, in tabular form, the total amount spent in each of the years 2011 to 2014 and in 2015 to date on staff subsistence payments and staff taxi payments; if his Department has been audited for tax compliance on these payments and other benefits in kind; if these processes have been revised in view of the Revenue Commissioners' concerns over practices in other State bodies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23683/15]

Departmental Reports

Barry Cowen

625. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Health if he will provide, in tabular form, by year, all external consultant reports commissioned by his Department since March 2011; the costs per report; the company involved; the title of the report; and publication date. [23699/15]

Departmental Staff Career Breaks

Barry Cowen

678. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will provide, in tabular form, the number of staff in his Department currently on a sabbatical or career break, broken down by zero to six months, six months to 12 months, one year to two years, two years to three years, four years to five years and five years or more; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23405/15]

Departmental Expenditure

Barry Cowen

679. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will provide, in tabular form, by year, the total photography costs for his Department since coming into office, inclusive of the costs incurred from use of the ministerial allowance; if he will provide the list of occasions for which photographers were booked; the photographers used; the breakdown of costs associated with each occasion that a photographer was used; if there is a policy regarding the booking of photographers within his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23421/15]

Departmental Expenditure

Barry Cowen

680. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will provide, in tabular form, by year, the use of external public relations firms employed by his Department since coming into office; if he will provide the list of uses of the external public relations firm and internal Department policy with regard to employing external groups; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23437/15]

Consultancy Contracts Expenditure

Barry Cowen

681. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the total amount spent on external information technology consultants by his Department in each of the years 2010 to 2014 and in 2015 to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23453/15]

Consultancy Contracts Expenditure

Barry Cowen

684. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if his Department has re-negotiated external information technology consultancy contracts and costs since March 2011; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23570/15]

Appointments to State Boards

Barry Cowen

685. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will provide in respect of State boards under his Department's remit, the number of appointments to State boards; the number of vacancies on State boards; the number of vacancies on State boards publically advertised; and the number of appointments to State boards drawn directly from the public advertisement process in the period March 2011 to date. [23586/15]

Freedom of Information Requests

Barry Cowen

686. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will provide, in tabular form, for each year from 2009 to 2014 and for 2015 to date, the total number of freedom of information requests received by his Department; the total refused, granted, part-granted, successful appeals, and part-successful appeals; and refusals of appeals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23609/15]

Departmental Staff Allowances

Barry Cowen

689. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will provide, in tabular form, the total amount spent in each of the years 2011 to 2014 and in 2015 to date on staff subsistence payments and staff taxi payments; if his Department has been audited for tax compliance on these payments and other benefits in kind; if these processes have been revised, in view of the Revenue Commissioners concerns over practices in other State bodies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23682/15]

Consultancy Contracts Expenditure

Barry Cowen

690. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will provide, in tabular form, by year, all external consultant reports commissioned by his Department since March 2011; the costs per report; the company involved; the title of the report; and publication date. [23698/15]

Departmental Staff Career Breaks

Barry Cowen

713. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Education and Skills if she will provide, in tabular form, the number of staff in her Department currently on a sabbatical or career break, broken down by zero to six months, six months to 12 months, one year to two years, two years to three years, four years to five years and five years or more; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23402/15]

Departmental Expenditure

Barry Cowen

714. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Education and Skills if she will provide, in tabular form, by year, the total photography costs for her Department since coming into office, inclusive of the costs incurred from use of the ministerial allowance; if she will provide the list of occasions for which photographers were booked; the photographers used; the breakdown of costs associated with each occasion that a photographer was used; if there is a policy regarding the booking of photographers within her Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23418/15]

Public Relations Contracts Data

Barry Cowen

715. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Education and Skills if she will provide, in tabular form, by year, the use of external public relations firms employed by her Department since coming into office; if she will provide the list of uses of the external public relations firm, and the internal Department policy with regard to employing external groups; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23434/15]

Consultancy Contracts Data

Barry Cowen

716. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Education and Skills the total amount spent on external information technology consultants by her Department in each of the years 2010 to 2014 and in 2015 to date. [23450/15]

Consultancy Contracts

Barry Cowen

721. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Education and Skills if her Department has renegotiated external information technology consultancy contracts and costs since March 2011; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23567/15]

Appointments to State Boards

Barry Cowen

722. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Education and Skills if she will provide, in respect of State boards under her Department's remit, the number of appointments to State boards; the number of vacancies in State boards; the number of vacancies in State boards publically advertised; and the number of appointments to State boards drawn directly from the public advertisement process in period March 2011 to 2015 to date. [23583/15]

Freedom of Information Requests

Barry Cowen

724. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Education and Skills if she will provide, in tabular form, for each of the years 2009 to 2014 and for 2015, to date the total number of freedom of information requests received by her Department; the total number refused, granted, part-granted; successful appeals, part-successful appeals and refusals of appeals; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23606/15]

Departmental Staff Expenses

Barry Cowen

728. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Education and Skills if she will provide, in tabular form, the total amount spent in each of the years 2011 to 2014 and in 2015 to date on staff subsistence payments and staff taxi payments; if her Department has been audited for tax compliance on these payments and other benefits-in-kind; if these processes have been revised in view of the Revenue Commissioners concerns over practices in other State bodies; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23679/15]

Consultancy Contracts Data

Barry Cowen

729. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Education and Skills if she will provide, in tabular form, by year, all external consultant reports commissioned by her Department since March 2011; the costs per report; the company involved; the title of the report; and publication date. [23695/15]

Departmental Staff Career Breaks

Barry Cowen

780. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide, in tabular form, the number of staff in his Department currently on a sabbatical or career break, broken down by zero to six months, six months to 12 months, one year to two years, two years to three years, four years to five years and five years or more; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23403/15]

Departmental Expenditure

Barry Cowen

781. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide in tabular form, by year, the total photography costs for his Department since coming into office, inclusive of the costs incurred from use of the ministerial allowance; if he will provide the list of occasions for which photographers were booked; the photographers used; the breakdown of costs associated with each occasion that a photographer was used; if there is a policy regarding the booking of photographers within his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23419/15]

Public Relations Contracts Expenditure

Barry Cowen

782. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide in tabular form, by year, the use of external public relations firms employed by his Department since coming into office; if he will provide the list of uses of the external public relations firm and the internal Department policy with regard to employing external groups; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23435/15]

Consultancy Contracts Data

Barry Cowen

783. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the total amount spent on external information technology consultants by his Department in each of the years 2010 to 2014 and in 2015 to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23451/15]

Consultancy Contracts Data

Barry Cowen

786. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if his Department has renegotiated external information technology consultancy contracts and costs since March 2011; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23568/15]

Appointments to State Boards

Barry Cowen

787. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide in respect of State boards under his Department's remit, the number of appointments to State boards; the number of vacancies in State boards; the number of vacancies in State boards publicly advertised; and the number of appointments to State boards drawn directly from the public advertisement process, in the period March 2011 to date in 2015. [23584/15]

Freedom of Information Requests

Barry Cowen

789. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide in tabular form, for each year from 2009 to 2014 and for 2015 to date the total number of freedom of information requests received by his Department; the total refused, granted, partially granted, successful appeals, partly successful appeals and refusals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23607/15]

Departmental Expenditure

Barry Cowen

794. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide, in tabular form, the total amount spent in each of the years 2011 to 2014 and in 2015 to date on staff subsistence payments and staff taxi payments; if his Department has been audited for tax compliance on these payments and other benefits in kind; if these processes have been revised, in view of the Revenue Commissioners concerns over practices in other State bodies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23680/15]

Consultancy Contracts Data

Barry Cowen

795. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide, in tabular form, by year, all external consultant reports commissioned by his Department since March 2011; the costs per report; the company involved; the title of the report; and publication date. [23696/15]

Departmental Staff Career Breaks

Barry Cowen

824. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will provide, in tabular form, the number of staff in his Department currently on a sabbatical or career break, broken down by zero to six months, six months to 12 months, one year to two years, two years to three years, four years to five years and five years or more; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23400/15]

Departmental Expenditure

Barry Cowen

825. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will provide, in tabular form, by year, the total photography costs for his Department since coming into office, inclusive of costs incurred from the use of the ministerial allowance; if he will provide the list of occasions for which photographers were booked; the photographers used; breakdown of costs associated with each occasion that a photographer was used; if there is a policy regarding the booking of photographers within his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23416/15]

Departmental Expenditure

Barry Cowen

826. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will provide, in tabular form, by year, the use of external public relations firms employed by his Department since coming to office; if he will provide the list of uses of the external public relations firm, and the internal Department policy with regard to employing external groups; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23432/15]

Consultancy Contracts Data

Barry Cowen

827. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the total amount spent on external information technology consultants by his Department in each of the years 2010 to 2014 and in 2015 to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23448/15]

Consultancy Contracts Data

Barry Cowen

830. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if his Department has re-negotiated external information technology consultancy contracts and costs since March 2011; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23565/15]

Appointments to State Boards

Barry Cowen

831. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will provide in respect of State boards under his Department's remit, the number of appointments to State boards; the number of vacancies in State boards; the number of vacancies in State boards publically advertised; and the number of appointments to State boards drawn directly from the public advertisement process in the period March 2011 to 2015 to date. [23581/15]

Freedom of Information Requests

Barry Cowen

832. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will provide in tabular form for each year from 2009 to 2014 and for 2015 to date, the total number of freedom of information requests received by his Department; the total refused, granted or part-granted; the number of successful appeals, part-successful appeals and refusals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23604/15]

Departmental Staff Expenses

Barry Cowen

835. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will provide in tabular form the total amount spent in each year from 2011 to 2014 and in 2015 to date on staff subsistence payments and staff taxi payments; if his Department has been audited for tax compliance on these payments and other benefits in kind; if these processes have been revised, in view of the Revenue Commissioners concerns over practises in other State bodies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23677/15]

Consultancy Contracts Data

Barry Cowen

836. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will provide in tabular form by year all external consultant reports commissioned by his Department since March 2011; the costs per report; the company involved; the title of the report; and publication date. [23693/15]

Departmental Staff Career Breaks

Barry Cowen

885. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide in tabular form the number of staff in his Department currently on a sabbatical or career break, broken down by zero to six months, six months to 12 months, one year to two years, two years to three years, four years to five years and five years or more; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23412/15]

Departmental Expenditure

Barry Cowen

886. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide in tabular form and by year the total photography costs for his Department since coming into office, inclusive of the costs incurred from the use of the ministerial allowance; if he will provide the list of occasions for which photographers were booked; the photographers used; the breakdown of costs associated with each occasion that a photographer was used; if there is a policy regarding the booking of photographers within his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23428/15]

Departmental Expenditure

Barry Cowen

887. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide in tabular form and by year data on the use of external public relations firms employed by his Department since coming into office; if he will provide the list of uses of the external public relations firm as well as the internal Department policy with regard to employing external groups; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23444/15]

Departmental Expenditure

Barry Cowen

888. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport to outline the total amount spent on external information technology consultants by his Department in each of the years 2010 to 2014 and in 2015 to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23460/15]

Departmental Contracts

Barry Cowen

894. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his Department has re-negotiated external information technology consultancy contracts and costs since March 2011; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23577/15]

Appointments to State Boards

Barry Cowen

895. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide in respect of State boards under his Department's remit, the number of appointments to State boards; the number of vacancies in State boards; the number of vacancies in State boards publically advertised; and the number of appointments to State boards drawn directly from the public advertisement process in period March 2011 to 2015 to date. [23593/15]

Freedom of Information Requests

Barry Cowen

896. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide in tabular form for each year from 2009 to 2014 and for 2015 to date the total number of freedom of information requests received by his Department; the total refused; granted; part-granted; the number of successful appeals; part-successful appeals; and refusals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23616/15]

Departmental Expenditure

Barry Cowen

906. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide in tabular form the total amount spent in each of the years 2011 to 2014 and in 2015 to date on staff subsistence payments and staff taxi payments; if his Department has been audited for tax compliance on these payments and other benefits-in-kind; if these processes have been revised in view of the Revenue Commissioners concerns over practices in other State bodies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23689/15]

Departmental Contracts Data

Barry Cowen

907. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide in tabular form and by year all external consultant reports commissioned by his Department since March 2011; the costs per report; the company involved; the title of the report; and publication date. [23705/15]

Departmental Staff Career Breaks

Barry Cowen

920. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if she will provide, in tabular form, the number of staff in her Department currently on a sabbatical or career break, broken down by zero to six months, six months to 12 months, one year to two years, two years to three years, four years to five years, and five years or more; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23398/15]

Departmental Expenditure

Barry Cowen

921. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if she will provide, in tabular form, by year, the total photography costs for her Department since coming into office, inclusive of the costs incurred from the use of the ministerial allowance; if she will provide the list of occasions for which photographers were booked; the photographers used; the breakdown of costs associated with each occasion a photographer was used; if there is a policy regarding the booking of photographers within her Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23414/15]

Public Relations Contracts Data

Barry Cowen

922. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if she will provide, in tabular form, by year, the use of external public relations firms employed by her Department since coming into office; if she will provide the list of uses of the external public relations firms and the internal Department policy with regard to employing external groups; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23430/15]

Departmental Contracts Data

Barry Cowen

923. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the total amount spent on external information technology consultants by her Department in each of the years 2010 to 2014 and in 2015 to date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23446/15]

Departmental Contracts Data

Barry Cowen

926. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if her Department has renegotiated external information technology consultancy contracts and costs since March 2011; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23563/15]

Appointments to State Boards

Barry Cowen

927. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if she will provide, in respect of State boards under her Department's remit, the number of appointments to such boards; the number of vacancies on State boards; the number of vacancies on State boards publically advertised; and the number of appointments to State boards drawn directly from the public advertisement process, in the period March 2011 to 2015 to date. [23579/15]

Freedom of Information Data

Barry Cowen

928. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if she will provide, in tabular form, for each year from 2009 to date in 2015, the total number of freedom of information requests received by her Department; the total refused, granted and part-granted; the total number of successful appeals; the total number of part-successful appeals; the number of refusals; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23602/15]

Departmental Staff Allowances

Barry Cowen

933. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if she will provide, in tabular form, the total amount spent in each of the years 2011 to 2014 and in 2015 to date on staff subsistence payments and staff taxi payments; if her Department has been audited for tax compliance on these payments and other benefits-in-kind; if these processes have been revised in view of the Revenue Commissioners' concerns over practices in other State bodies; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23675/15]

Departmental Reports

Barry Cowen

934. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if she will provide, in tabular form and by year, all external consultant reports commissioned by her Department since March 2011; the costs per report; the company involved; the title of the report; and the publication date. [23691/15]

Building Regulations

Barry Cowen

4. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government to outline his views on the supply of housing; and on whether regulatory costs imposed since the introduction of the new Building Control (Amendment) Regulations 2014 are responsible for dampening construction activity in the private housing sector. [22632/15]

Irish Water Establishment

Barry Cowen

8. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the timeframe for the announcement of the EUROSTAT market corporation test of Irish Water result; if he will outline the impact an adverse ruling would have on Government deficit and general Government balance; and to outline if any contingency plans are being put in place to protect against the impact of an adverse ruling on the deficit and the general Government balance. [22330/15]

Social and Affordable Housing Provision

Barry Cowen

15. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government how the social housing targets for 2015-2017 are to be met; in particular, how many of these new social housing units will be new builds and how many will be leased from the private rental market; and his views on whether the funding being made available to local authorities will be adequate to meet these targets. [22326/15]

Private Rented Accommodation Price Controls

Barry Cowen

21. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the Government's plans to deal with the spiralling cost of rents in the private rental sector around the country. [22329/15]

Housing Inspections

Barry Cowen

32. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his views on the recent finding (details supplied) that of the 3,427 dwellings Dublin City Council inspected in 2014, only 924 passed the regulatory requirements to allow the property to be rented; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22328/15]

Rent Supplement Scheme Payments

Barry Cowen

35. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his views on the decision by the Minister for Social Protection to maintain the current rate of the rent supplement despite clear evidence that limits are too low for persons to secure accommodation; the measures that are being put in place to address the homelessness crisis arising from the mismatch between rents and rent supplement rates; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22327/15]

Hospital Appointments Status

Barry Cowen

161. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on the case of a person (details supplied) in County Offaly; and when the person can expect an appointment with the consultant orthopaedic surgeon in the Midland Regional Hospital in Tullamore, County Offaly. [22783/15]

Local Authority Housing

Barry Cowen

186. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide details on the State's response in the case of a complaint by the International Federation for Human Rights (details supplied) on behalf of the residents of 20 local authority housing estates, alleging that Irish law and policy on local authority housing breaches tenant rights under the European Social Charter; and if, in view of the fact that no national survey of housing conditions has been undertaken for over a decade, he will provide a commitment that his Department will undertake a national survey of housing conditions in 2015. [22515/15]

Housing Data

Barry Cowen

187. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide, in tabular form, the number of new construction project completions and new construction project commencement notices lodged in each of the years 2012 to 2014 and in 2015 to date; and if he will provide a breakdown on the number of these that are single dwellings and the number that are multi-unit dwellings. [22521/15]

Constitutional Convention Recommendations

Barry Cowen

16. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Taoiseach his plans to hold a referendum on whether to insert general economic, social, and cultural rights, and especially a right to housing, in the Constitution, as recommended by the Constitutional Convention in 2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9017/15]

Bord na gCon

Barry Cowen

499. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if the Irish Greyhound Board ever returned a positive test for prohibited substances for a greyhound (details supplied); if so, the illegal substance identified in the test; the penalty applied to the trainer and to the owner of the greyhound; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22500/15]

Hospital Appointments Status

Barry Cowen

673. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Offaly will receive an appointment for an MRI scan at the Midland Regional Hospital, Tullamore, County Offaly. [21423/15]

Hospital Appointments Status

Barry Cowen

674. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Offaly will receive an appointment in the Royal Victoria Eye and Ear Hospital, Dublin 2. [21424/15]

Primary Care Centres

Barry Cowen

703. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Health the number of primary care centres currently in operation; the number currently planned to be opened; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21640/15]

HSE Staff

Barry Cowen

704. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Health the number of public health nurses who have left their posts in each year since 2011; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21641/15]