Parliamentary questions

One-Parent Family Payment Application Numbers

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

378. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Social Protection the total number of persons in receipt of the one parent family payment; the number in receipt of the one parent family payment who are under 25 years of age; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50426/13]

Departmental Websites

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

380. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of registered users of her Department's Career Directions website; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50428/13]

National Internship Scheme Administration

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

381. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will outline the whistleblowing provisions for JobBridge; the way in which a person with concerns about a JobBridge opportunity and/or the JobBridge scheme may report their concerns; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50429/13]

National Internship Scheme Administration

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

382. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will provide a dedicated whistleblowing feedback page on the JobBridge website to facilitate persons with concerns; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50430/13]

National Internship Scheme Administration

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

383. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Social Protection the total number of intern advertisements that have been placed since the start of the JobBridge scheme; the total number of advertised vacancies that have not been filled; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50431/13]

Rent Supplement Scheme Administration

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

418. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will identify accommodation in Ashbourne or Ratoath, County Meath available to rent suitable for a couple/one parent family with three children for €650 as of today; if she will provide the same for a couple/one parent family with two children for €600; if she will acknowledge that there is a serious discrepancy between the rent supplement threshold and the actual cost of rent in these towns; if she will immediately address this situation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50854/13]

Rent Supplement Scheme Administration

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

420. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will identify accommodation in Ashbourne or Ratoath, County Meath, that is available to rent and suitable for a couple or one parent family with three children for €650 as of today; if she will provide the same for a couple or one parent family with two children for €600 and a couple or one parent family with one child for €550; if she will acknowledge that there is a serious discrepancy between the rent supplement threshold and the actual cost of rent in the towns in question; if she will immediately address this situation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50861/13]

National Lottery Funding Applications

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

570. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs when a decision will be made on the lottery grant fund application in respect of a group (details supplied) in County Meath. [50403/13]

Alcohol Sales Legislation

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

617. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health his plans to publish the heads of the public health (alcohol) Bill prior to publication of the legislation; when he plans to do so; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50436/13]

Alcohol Sales Legislation

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

618. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health his plans to implement the decision of Government on October 24 last concerning structural separation of alcohol products in mixed trading premises; the timeframe for replacing the current voluntary code with a statutory code under section 17 of the Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2011; if he will be engaging in consultation with public health bodies on the development of a statutory code; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50437/13]

HSE Staff Issues

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

620. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health the current policy regarding the payment of the injury at work grant; if it is now the case that paramedic staff must exhaust sick leave before receiving social welfare only; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50453/13]

HSE Transport Service

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

635. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health the process employed by the Health Service Executive for allocating private transport contracts, including patient transport contracts, in the Roscommon area; if he will provide, in tabular form, the amount spent on these services in 2011, 2012 and to date in 2013; the contractors employed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50630/13]

Taxi Regulations

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

677. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the process for acquiring a taxi licence for Dublin Airport; the specific criteria that apply; the number of such licences that have been newly allocated in 2011, 2012 and to date in 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50404/13]

Youth Guarantee

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

109. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Social Protection from where the €200 million funding for the youth guarantee is coming; from where the third of this as an Irish contribution is coming in view of the fact that we have only budgeted €14 million this year for the youth guarantee; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49623/13]

Youth Guarantee

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

124. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Social Protection if the youth guarantee funding from the EU will be subject to macroeconomic conditionality; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49778/13]

Prescription Charges

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

193. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health if it is the case that those patients on the long-term illness scheme and with a medical card are liable for the prescription charge fee; if there have been recent changes regarding same; the date on which this came into effect; the position regarding a person (details supplied) in County Meath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49682/13]

Rent Supplement Scheme Data

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

341. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of persons in County Meath in receipt of rent supplement, the number in each rate category and their place of residence. [49187/13]

HSE Properties

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

669. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the building which has, since 1979, been home to the Kilmuckridge Family Resource Centre in County Wexford is currently for sale on the open market; if he will immediately intervene to reverse the decision by the Health Service Executive to sell the building; if he will provide assurances that the future of Kilmuckridge Family Resource Centre is secure; the steps he will take to ensure that this is the case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49182/13]

Medical Card Eligibility

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

686. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health if he will provide, in tabular form, the number of persons over 70 years who will lose their full medical cards as a result of the measures announced in budget 2014; the number that will have their medical card replaced with a GP only card; and a breakdown of same by county. [49365/13]

HSE Waiting Lists

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

687. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health if he will provide in tabular form, waiting times for occupational therapy, speech and language therapy and psychology therapy services for children; and a breakdown of same by Health Service Executive area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49366/13]

Social and Affordable Housing Maintenance

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

123. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the policies and protocols which govern the management of local authority houses; the factors which influence a decision to keep individual properties boarded up for an extended period of time; his views on the current situation in an estate (details provided) in County Meath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48673/13]

Hospital Services

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

2. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health his views on the letter from the CEOs of the Mater, St. James's, Tallaght and Crumlin children's hospitals, Dublin, stating that the health cuts are unsustainable and a threat to the safety and quality of patient services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48146/13]

HSE National Service Plan

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

6. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health when the Health Service Executive service plan for 2014 will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48067/13]

Symphysiotomy Report

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

21. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health the progress he has made since 26 September in ensuring justice and truth for the survivors of symphysiotomy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48068/13]

Medicinal Products Prices

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

28. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health the reason, despite the recent introduction of generic substitution and reference pricing, the Health Service Executive is still paying up to four times as much as the NHS for some of the most commonly prescribed medicines; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48066/13]

Medical Card Reviews

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

34. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health the way the budget 2014 figure of €113 million, under the heading of probity savings for medical cards, was reached; the way he expects this cut to be made; if he has estimated the number of full, general practitioner only and discretionary medical cards that will come under this heading; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48064/13]

Ambulance Service Provision

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

37. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health if he will carry out an immediate review of the adequacy of ambulance cover in the north east region and across the State in view of the recent incident when a stroke victim in Navan, County Meath, had to wait 40 minutes for an ambulance and a similar recent incident in County Cavan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48065/13]

Mental Health Services Provision

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

161. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health in regard to the 477 multidisciplinary staff for community mental health services promised for 2013, the number that are currently in post; if all of the 477 staff for 2013 will be hired in 2013; if he will provide a breakdown of the 477 staff for 2013 by discipline and by region; if he will provide a breakdown of the 477 staff in terms of the allocation to adult mental health services, CAMHS, intellectual disability, old age and forensic services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48390/13]

Children in Care

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

10. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs her response to the taking into care, and subsequent early return to their families, of children from Roma families in Dublin and Athlone; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48045/13]

Child Care Services Provision

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

13. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs her response to the Health Information and Quality Authority report into Rath na nÓg high support unit; her future plans for the unit; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48046/13]

Budget 2014

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

15. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she will provide the full year effect of all expenditure reductions for her Department as set out in the expenditure report 2014 as was provided for in the expenditure report 2013; the areas in which cuts are to be effected; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47827/13]

Child and Family Agency Remit

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

28. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the planned governance and administration of family resource centres and the role of the child and family agency in same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47828/13]

Preschool Services

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

35. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she will provide an update on the implementation of all strands of the preschool quality agenda; the timeline for completion; the additional resources needed for same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47825/13]

Child Detention Centres

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

37. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she will provide an update on the transition from St. Patrick's Institution to the Oberstown campus, including management and governance structures, staffing, training and rostering arrangements at Oberstown; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47826/13]

Inter-Country Adoptions

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

39. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the measures taken to assist those prospective adopters who have been in the process of finalising arrangements to adopt a child from Russia and who had pre-2010 declarations but found themselves in the distressful situation of not being able to conclude the process due to a decision of the Russian authorities that came into effect on 3 July 2013; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47824/13]

Mortgage Arrears Rate

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

113. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Finance the number of persons in County Meath in mortgage arrears; the extent, in months, to which this is the case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48359/13]

Special Educational Needs Services Provision

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

124. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will review the special needs assistant supports provided to a person (details supplied) in County Mayo; his views on whether the supports provided to date are adequate; the date on which additional supports will be made available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47822/13]

Social Welfare Appeals Status

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

204. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Social Protection when the Social Welfare Appeals Office will issue a decision relating to the appeal submitted by a person (details supplied) in County Cavan; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48015/13]

Rent Supplement Scheme Payments

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

228. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of persons in County Westmeath in receipt of rent supplement; the number in each rate category; and their place of residence. [48355/13]

Appointments to State Boards

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

243. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the role he has in the appointment of members to the board of EirGrid, including the appointment of the chairperson and directors of the board; the appointments he has made to the board of EirGrid since he assumed office; the criteria employed to select members of the board; if his attention has been drawn to any changes in board membership to date in 2013; when he will be appointing new directors and-or chairperson to the board of EirGrid; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47775/13]

Housing Statistics

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

258. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the number of new houses commenced in County Meath in the years 2011, 2012 and to date in 2013; the number of these that are social houses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48360/13]

Social and Affordable Housing Provision

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

287. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the total social housing stock in County Meath. [48279/13]

Social and Affordable Housing Provision

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

289. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the number of persons on the social housing list in County Meath broken down by area; his plans to address the lengthening waiting lists; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48354/13]

Pyrite Issues

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

290. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the approach that will be taken in deciding those houses to benefit from the €10 million funding announced for pyrite resolution; his plans for future funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48358/13]

Housing Management Companies

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

334. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the legislation which underpins the regulation and governance of housing estate management companies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48357/13]

Health Services Reports

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

478. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health to provide information on the investigations into the care provided for a person (details supplied) in County Roscommon which are in train and scheduled; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48220/13]

Jobseeker's Benefit Payments

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

255. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Education and Skills the additional weekly payment a young jobseeker aged 23 to 24 and aged 25 will receive under the proposed new rates for jobseeker's allowance if they participate in VTOS; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45797/13]

Jobseeker's Benefit Payments

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

256. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Education and Skills the additional weekly payment a young jobseeker aged 23 to 24 and aged 25 will receive under the proposed new rates for jobseeker's allowance if they participate in the local training initiative scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45800/13]

Springboard Programme Issues

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

279. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Education and Skills the reason only 6% of participants on Springboard courses are under 25 years of age; if he is concerned at this low number; the actions he will take to increase this number in view of the high level of youth unemployment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45823/13]

Youth Unemployment Measures

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

280. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Education and Skills further to the announcement in budget 2014 that 2,000 places would be ring-fenced for young jobseekers under 25 years in the successor to the Momentum programme; when this new scheme will be announced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45824/13]