Parliamentary questions

Mobility Allowance

Joe McHugh

571. Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for Health with reference to the mobility supports, if the new scheme will be operational when current schemes discontinue; the impact of the discontinuation on persons with disabilities who will start third level education in September 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11496/13]

Road Network

Joe McHugh

599. Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide an update on his commitment to the development of the N2 A5 link between the north-west and Dublin. [11319/13]

Commercial Rates Valuation Process

Joe McHugh

23. Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will provide an update in the revaluations process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10191/13]

Construction Contracts

Joe McHugh

57. Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his strategy for supporting construction subcontractors; the progress that has been made in this strategy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10232/13]

Prison Committals

Joe McHugh

479. Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of males and the number of females who have been committed in the past 12 months for the non-payment of fines; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9574/13]

Garda Expenditure

Joe McHugh

490. Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the cost to the State in 2012 of posting payslips to members of An Garda Síochána; the number of gardaí who are not paid via paypath; the number of gardaí who do not have access to internal email; if he envisages reform in this area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9794/13]

Live Exports

Joe McHugh

596. Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide an update in the renewed trade of live cattle to Libya. [10217/13]

Sheepmeat Sector

Joe McHugh

598. Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on current sheep prices; the work that he is doing to improve prices; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10222/13]

Health Services Reports

Joe McHugh

649. Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for Health with reference to the Fottrell Report 2006, the NCMET Report, and the Second Interim Report on the Implementation of the Reform of the Intern Year April 2012, his views on the health service's usage of available talent; if he envisages improved returns on State investment in medical education; his further views on the impact of the intern year process on the personal welfare of medical graduates; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9692/13]

National Children's Hospital Location

Joe McHugh

705. Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for Health further to his announcement that the National Children's Hospital will be located at St James' Hospital, Dublin, if his Department and the management of St James' Hospital will engage with Dublin Bus, the Coach Tourism and Transport Council, and Bus Éireann with a view to establishing park and ride services linking the Children's Hospital and Bus Áras or Dublin Airport; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10140/13]

Undocumented Irish in the USA

Joe McHugh

7. Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will provide an update on his recent engagements with American Senators in respect of resolution for Irish citizens who live without documentation in the USA; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8735/13]

Undocumented Irish in the USA

Joe McHugh

47. Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his strategy for securing immigration resolution for Irish citizens who live without documentation in the USA. [8736/13]

Departmental Staff Data

Joe McHugh

115. Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will provide information on staffing resources (details supplied) each December from 2002-2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9003/13]

Student Grant Scheme Appeals

Joe McHugh

132. Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will seek an urgent review of a student grant (details supplied) in view of the affected family's difficult financial situation and if he will communicate directly with the person. [9200/13]

Garda Transport Expenditure

Joe McHugh

186. Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will provide a breakdown by division of the €5 million to be distributed for the purchase and fit-out of Garda transport in 2013. [9186/13]

Tourism Industry

Joe McHugh

146. Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport in view of the fact that it is ten years since the publication of the last tourism policy document, New Horizons, if he will develop a new policy; if so, if he will provide details of the way he intends to do so; if he will refer specifically to new policy objectives for the British market; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8383/13]

Marine Safety

Joe McHugh

151. Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his efforts to improve safety at sea; the consultations that he has had with the Department of Agriculture and Marine in this area; the consultations he has had with his Ministerial counterparts in Stormont and at Westminster; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8382/13]

Public Procurement Regulations

Joe McHugh

369. Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the envisaged impact of the public procurement process on the school supply sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8803/13]

Carer's Allowance Payments

Joe McHugh

388. Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for Social Protection the supports that are provided to carers who do not live in the home of the persons for whom they care; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8169/13]

Student Support Schemes Issues

Joe McHugh

392. Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for Social Protection the supports that are available to Irish students who completed leaving certificate examinations in 2012 and who are studying a course (details supplied) at the Northwest Regional College in Derry City. [8100/13]

Merchandising of Coal

Joe McHugh

496. Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide an update on changes in the merchandising of all coals from 1 May 2013; the way these changes will impact on different merchants with different sized turnover and different distribution methodologies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8267/13]

Wastewater Treatment Issues

Joe McHugh

524. Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the date on which Lough Foyle was first designated as coastal waters for the purposes of the EC Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive; and the guidelines that were used at that time; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8833/13]

Wastewater Treatment Issues

Joe McHugh

525. Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government with reference to the identification of the outer limits of estuaries in Ireland as a subject of a report by the Environmental Protection Agency to his Department in 1995 in which the UK guidelines were accepted in defining Lough Foyle as coastal waters, and with reference to the UK's sea classification for the Severn and Humber estuaries which was overruled in a judicial review in January 1996 against the UK Department of the Environment and ruled that the proposals were not within the spirit of the directive, the reason the EPA has not revised the classification of Lough Foyle from coastal waters back to the very proper and historically accepted estuarine waters, despite the requests of concerned residents in the Lough Foyle area to do so. [8834/13]

Wastewater Treatment Issues

Joe McHugh

526. Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his views on whether, if the current classification of Lough Foyle as coastal waters is not revoked immediately and returned to estuarine/transitional waters, this contentious classification and therefore the looser environmental protection of the Foyle estuary associated with it, will be subsumed into the Water Framework Directive in May of this year; if he will outline the measures that he will take to ensure this will not happen; if he will ensure that the relevant officials take immediate action to reclassify Lough Foyle as estuarine waters, prior to final submission for inclusion in the WFD in May this year. [8835/13]

Wastewater Treatment Issues

Joe McHugh

527. Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government with reference to the Ramsar designation for the entirety of Lough Foyle as a recognised and desired objective by the Ramsar Convention and its implications for such designation for both the Lough and its surrounding communities, the action he will take to assist in obtaining this designation for Lough Foyle. [8836/13]

Wastewater Treatment Issues

Joe McHugh

528. Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government with reference to the ongoing discussions between the UK and Irish governments on the question of jurisdiction over the Foyle and Carlingford estuaries, if the communities around these Estuaries will be assured that rules of environmental protection are built in to any contemplated agreement which will protect against use of these estuaries for polluting discharges, when open water is adjacent, and in particular from diverting polluting discharges away from open water and into the estuarine waters under any circumstances. [8837/13]

Garda Strength

Joe McHugh

560. Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the personnel strength of the Donegal Division of An Garda Síochána that obtained on 31 December in each of the years 2002-2012; if he will declare the distributions by station and District that obtained in the pertinent years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8416/13]

Accident and Emergency Departments Waiting Times

Joe McHugh

44. Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for Health the actions taken to tackle overcrowding and the use of trolleys in the accident and emergency department in Letterkenny Hospital, County Donegal; the impact of these measures; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7566/13]

Tax Reliefs Application

Joe McHugh

229. Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for Finance with reference to the Finance Bill, his views on the findings by Compecon Consultants, which estimates that a rebate of 15 cents per litre for bus and coach companies would cost the Exchequer between €2.202 million and €3.79 million per annum; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6908/13]

Bullying in Schools

Joe McHugh

295. Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for Education and Skills with reference to the first National Action Plan on Bullying, if he envisages a role for the Health Service Executive within the implementation group; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7228/13]

Proposed Legislation

Joe McHugh

329. Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform with reference to the Valuation (Amendment) Bill 2012, if he will advise as to the likely date for enactment of this legislation; and if he will make a statement regarding the envisaged role of evaluation officers and the envisaged format of revaluations. [7023/13]

Garda Transport Data

Joe McHugh

483. Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the deployment issues that are arising due to the high mileage on Garda cars including cars in the fleet in County Donegal. [6584/13]

Prison Committals

Joe McHugh

505. Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will declare the percentage of female prisoners in prisons here who are serving time for the non-payment of fines; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6904/13]

Garda Policing Plans

Joe McHugh

547. Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for Justice and Equality further to Parliamentary Question No. 149 of 6 February 2013 if he will describe the engagements between An Garda Siochána and MI-5; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7431/13]

Tax Code

Joe McHugh

58. Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for Finance his views regarding the international guidelines that govern online firms in respect of corporation tax; if this matter is a subject of discussion at the European Council; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6489/13]

Cross-Border Co-operation

Joe McHugh

149. Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for Justice and Equality his views on whether the cross-Border policing strategy acts as a deterrent to rural crime in Border counties and in the greater Dublin area. [6098/13]

North South Ministerial Council

Joe McHugh

218. Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the work that is ongoing at North-South Ministerial Council level in respect of the northwest gateway initiative; the date when the issue is likely to be next discussed by the North-South Ministerial Council; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5339/13]

Undocumented Irish in the USA

Joe McHugh

230. Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade with reference to US President Barack Obama's speech regarding immigration reform which was delivered on 29 January at Las Vegas, Nevada, if he will provide an update on his continuing work to support Irish citizens who live without documentation in the USA. [5975/13]

Parliamentary Questions Numbers

Joe McHugh

438. Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for Social Protection the total number of Parliamentary Questions that were received by her Department in 2012; the number where a direct reply was issued to a Deputy in advance of the question being answered by her and the Deputy subsequently withdrew the question; the number that were answered in full by her within the usual timeframe; the number that were not possible to answer within the usual timeframe but where a reply was subsequently sent to the Deputy; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5392/13]

Crime Levels

Joe McHugh

652. Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of crimes that were committed in County Donegal in the period July 2012-January 2013 that involved cross-Border movement by the perpetrators; if he will provide the equivalent figures for counties Leitrim, Cavan, Monaghan, Louth, Dublin, Meath and Longford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5604/13]

Freedom of Information Requests

Joe McHugh

879. Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will release any correspondence between the Marine Survey Office and a company (details supplied) in County Donegal, arising from the inspection of a boat that is owned by a company; if he will release any correspondence that may be relevant to the boat; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5179/13]

Services for People with Disabilities

Joe McHugh

883. Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to provide for all people with a disability in his Department's sectoral plan. [5341/13]

Unfinished Housing Developments

Joe McHugh

136. Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will clarify if estates may be subjects of developers' bonds and simultaneously not be classified on the list of unfinished estates for the purpose of the household charge; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4897/13]

Unfinished Housing Developments

Joe McHugh

137. Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will clarify if estates may be classified on the list of unfinished estates for the purposes of the household charge and simultaneously remain subjects of developers' bonds; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4898/13]

Broadband Services Provision

Joe McHugh

495. Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will comment on Údarás na Gaeltachta's annual report, which notes that access to high-speed broadband is still a challenge for companies in some Gaeltacht areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3856/13]

Broadband Services Provision

Joe McHugh

496. Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources with reference to Údarás na Gaeltachta's annual report, which notes that access to high-speed broadband is still a challenge for companies in some Gaeltacht areas, if he will indicate his strategy for addressing this electronic infrastructure issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3857/13]

National Children's Hospital

Joe McHugh

710. Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for Health if he will engage with the Northern Ireland Minister for Health in respect of the maximising the utility of the planned National Children's Hospital; if he will use the Altnagelvin Radiotherapy Unit model as a basis for such engagement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4327/13]

Hospital Services

Joe McHugh

712. Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on the planned new radiotherapy unit at Altnagelvin Hospital, which will serve patients from both Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. [4336/13]

National Children's Hospital

Joe McHugh

716. Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for Health if he will consider establishing a singular paediatric muscular unit as part of the planned national Children's Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4357/13]

National Children's Hospital

Joe McHugh

717. Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for Health if he will consider providing an opportunity for paediatrics specialists to meet with their Northern Ireland counterparts, to discuss potential mutual arrangements for shared services at the planned new Children's Hospital [4358/13]

Cross-Border Co-operation

Joe McHugh

718. Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for Health his plans for cross border synergies in health following recent meetings with Minister Edwin Poots; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4359/13]

Diabetes Strategy

Joe McHugh

194. Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for Health the numbers of children who are paediatric diabetes patients of each public hospital here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3497/13]

Prison Building Programme

Joe McHugh

332. Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will provide an update on a prison (details supplied). [55370/12]

Garda Investigations

Joe McHugh

335. Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will update Dáil Éireann on the protocol that is in place for an Garda Síochána in circumstances where its members are dealing with situations of sudden death, homicide, suicide and deaths in suspicious circumstances. [55458/12]

Departmental Reports

Joe McHugh

103. Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport with reference to the review of the Marine Survey Office and Irish Coastguard Services, if he will provide an update on his ongoing work on these issues; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52696/12]

Departmental Reports

Joe McHugh

134. Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide an update on the review of the Marine Survey Office and Irish Coastguard Services. [52695/12]

Economic Data

Joe McHugh

261. Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for Finance the value of imported products (details supplied); if all such items on the Irish market are imported; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52989/12]

Long-Term Illness Scheme Eligibility

Joe McHugh

707. Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for Health if there is scope for designation of a condition (details supplied) as a long-term illness, for its inclusion in the relevant scheme; his view of the span of the illness for its sufferers [52962/12]

Motor Industry Issues

Joe McHugh

430. Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government with reference to motor trade plates which cost €330, his views on the status of Republic of Ireland trade plates in Northern Ireland and on confiscations in Northern Ireland of cars with legitimate Republic of Ireland trade plates; if in view of the fact that motor trade in this State can involve travel through Northern Ireland; if he will raise this matter at an upcoming meeting of the North-South Ministerial Council; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51101/12]

Equine Industry Issues

Joe McHugh

503. Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine with reference to Irish Horse Register registration charges and in view of increases in the size of the national horse population and shifting market trends in certain categories of the Irish equine industry, if he will consider the creation of a temporary horse registration waiver scheme for factory horses that would be obtainable only at the factory gate; his views on whether such a scheme would deliver animal welfare and market benefits; if he will comparatively discuss the current market value of the Irish factory horses and prices that pertained when current Irish Horse Register registration charges were established; his views on whether factory horses registration fees are currently prohibitive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51078/12]

Commonage Division

Joe McHugh

207. Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine with reference to implementation of the Commonage Framework Plans, the way his Department intends to overcome absenteeism and dormancy in securing total agreement between commonage stakeholders; the way stocking requirements will be fulfilled on commonage areas where there is high absenteeism or dormancy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50768/12]

Commonage Division

Joe McHugh

210. Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine with reference to implementation of the commonage framework plans, the role that he will play in securing collective agreement regarding document and fencing issues, including in commonage areas where there are instances of dormancy and absenteeism. [50793/12]

Children in Care

Joe McHugh

212. Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number of children in foster care on a county basis; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50704/12]

Health Services Staff Numbers

Joe McHugh

213. Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number of social workers per head of population on a county basis; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50705/12]

Diplomatic Representation Expenditure

Joe McHugh

155. Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Taoiseach if he will provide an update on developments arising from the joint statement on the future relationship between Ireland and Britain made by him and the British Prime Minister, Mr. Cameron, at Downing Street on 12 March 2012. [49391/12]

Irish Communities Abroad

Joe McHugh

167. Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade with reference to the assertion in Fresh perspective: A Needs Analysis of the Irish Community in London, October 2012 that 25.8% of the London Irish community suffer poor health and that isolation may contribute to this poor health, the work his Department is undertaking to address causes and results of isolation within the Irish community in London; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50054/12]

Irish Communities Abroad

Joe McHugh

168. Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade with reference to the assertion in Fresh Perspectives: A Needs Analysis of the Irish Community in London, October 2012 that 94.7% of recent Irish migrants to London report poor or moderate levels of perceived social suppor,; the work his Department is undertaking to engage supports for recent migrants. [50063/12]

Irish Communities Abroad

Joe McHugh

169. Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the engagement by his Department with the British social services in respect of vulnerable elderly Irish citizens who live in the greater London area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50065/12]

Motor Tax Exemptions

Joe McHugh

245. Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for Finance with reference to the Treaty of Rome, Chapter 1, The Customs Union Article 25 (ex Article 12), his views on the Vehicle Registration Tax (Permanent Reliefs) Regulations 1993 and section 134(1) of the Finance Act 1992; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50034/12]

Illicit Trade in Tobacco

Joe McHugh

246. Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for Finance the work being carried out by the Revenue Commissioners to combat the sale of illicit cigarettes here; if he will compare the quantities of seizures of cigarettes for 2010, 2011 and to date in 2012; if he will outline with reference to the 2009 Revenue and Office of Tobacco Control estimate, the up to date estimate proportion of cigarettes consumed here which are illicit; the communication between his Department and the Revenue Commissioners regarding enhancing pursuit of illicit trading; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50042/12]

Student Grant Scheme Applications

Joe McHugh

269. Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for Education and Skills his views on the efficacy of an agency (details supplied) of his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49602/12]

Job Creation Issues

Joe McHugh

327. Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the number of new jobs that were created in County Donegal in 2011 quarter 2, quarter 3, quarter 4 and to date in 2012 by American multinational companies which are clients of the Industrial Development Agency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49526/12]

Road Tolls

Joe McHugh

679. Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on the proposed introduction in the United Kingdom of the Eurovignette system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49515/12]

VAT Rates Application

Joe McHugh

40. Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for Finance the impact on the tourism industry in 2012 of the temporary reduction to the VAT rate that applies to tourism products; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48909/12]

Services for People with Disabilities

Joe McHugh

62. Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will update Dáil Éireann on the role of his Department and associated agencies in educating and creating awareness amongst employers regarding the needs of persons with Spina Bifida and persons with Hydrocephalus. [48771/12]

Services for People with Disabilities

Joe McHugh

98. Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will provide an update on the role of her Department and associated agencies in educating and creating awareness amongst employers regarding the needs of persons with Spina Bifida and persons with Hydrocephalus [48770/12]

Mobile Telephony

Joe McHugh

124. Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources further to his statement on 30 May 2012 welcoming the formal decision on that date by the EU Competitiveness Council regarding data roaming costs, if he will update Dáil Éireann on the implementation to date of that decision; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48904/12]

Broadband Services Provision

Joe McHugh

125. Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will provide an update on the implementation of the Next Generation Broadband Programme to-date; if he will outline his plans for enhancing broadband coverage in rural areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48905/12]

Mobile Telephony

Joe McHugh

126. Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will comment with reference to Article 14 (4) and Article 5 (5) of the European Parliament resolution on roaming on public mobile communications networks within the Union, May 2012, on Ofcom's assertion in its Communications Market Report 2012 that 91% of Northern Ireland mobile phone users have picked up Republic of Ireland networks when in Northern Ireland; if he will outline his strategy for addressing inadvertent roaming charges on Republic of Ireland mobile phone users for phone usage in this State; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48916/12]

Visa Applications

Joe McHugh

154. Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the position regarding the visa waiver programme; the uptake of the programme to date; the tourism dividend from residents of countries to which the visa waiver programme pertains; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48994/12]

Trade Missions Numbers

Joe McHugh

180. Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide an update on Irish agricultural and seafood trade with China; if he will provide an overview of the April 2012 trade mission to China that he led; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48906/12]

Aquaculture Licences Applications

Joe McHugh

182. Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the position regarding the planned development of certified organic salmon production units at deep sea sites off the Irish coast; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48997/12]

Health Services Provision

Joe McHugh

202. Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an overview of paediatric nursing services here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48900/12]

EU Directives

Joe McHugh

203. Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on ongoing work at European Council level to advance the EC Patient Mobility Directive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48901/12]

Health Services Provision

Joe McHugh

205. Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on Health Service Executive clinical programmes in stroke, epilepsy, neurology and rehabilitation for 2013; if he will outline the funding streams that are in place for assisting voluntary and community organisations that support citizens of this state who have neurological conditions and who rely on pertinent services for support, specialist rehabilitation and respite; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48913/12]

Tourism Promotion

Joe McHugh

221. Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the role of the Irish Open in stimulating the tourism industry here; his plans to develop Irish golf tourism; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48996/12]

Inland Fisheries Issues

Joe McHugh

622. Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will update Dáil Éireann on the condition of fishery sites (details supplied) and the impact of a separate oyster fishery on the condition of these sites; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48650/12]

Citizenship Applications

Joe McHugh

801. Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will update Dáil Éireann regarding the citizenship application process; if he will advise the nature of systematic correspondence from his Department to applicants; his plans to improve the levels of communication with applicants while applications are being processed; his views on whether the current system in some instances is constrictive for applicants in that lack of information prevents applicants from travelling abroad because of potential summons at short notice to ceremonies for example; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48129/12]

Hospital Services

Joe McHugh

1177. Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for Health if he will update Dáil Éireann on the deliveries to date by public hospitals of targets that were set out by the Special Delivery Unit which he established following his appointment as Minister for Health; if he will update Dáil Éireann on the rewards system that may apply in respect of the delivery or surpassing of targets set out by the Special Delivery Unit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48644/12]

Long-Term Illness Scheme Coverage

Joe McHugh

243. Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for Health his plans to update the long-term illness benefit scheme to take account of the withdrawal of a product (details supplied) from the market; if the scheme will incorporate replacement products; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46695/12]

Bullying in Schools

Joe McHugh

226. Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for Education and Skills the work carried out to date of the working group on bullying; if he will report on its findings and actions to date; if he will update Dáil Éireann on its current membership; if he will advise Dáil Éireann of the working group's envisaged work programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45945/12]

Community Employment Schemes Review

Joe McHugh

338. Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will update Dáil Éireann on her reforms of community employment schemes; if she envisages any criteria changes that would facilitate participation of persons who are currently in receipt of PRSI credits including persons who took voluntary redundancy from the public sector in line with the Croke Park Agreement in 2010 and 2011 in CE schemes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45946/12]

Property Valuations

Joe McHugh

140. Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will appoint valuation officers to each local authority; if he is taking action to address delays in valuations and ultimately in the collection of rates; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45144/12]

Social Welfare Fraud Cost

Joe McHugh

158. Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will update Dáil Éireann on savings that have been made in the social welfare budget through detection of fraud; if she will provide this information on a district basis and in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45030/12]

Local Authority Expenditure

Joe McHugh

206. Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide a cumulative total for the energy bills of all local authorities including public lighting; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45148/12]

National Drugs Strategy Publication

Joe McHugh

288. Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for Health if he will update Dáil Éireann on the support he will provide in 2013 to an organisation (details supplied); if he will advise Dáil Éireann on his Department's commitment to supporting young parents who are overcoming addiction; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45086/12]

Ferry Services Provision

Joe McHugh

319. Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on the importance of cross-channel ferries to the Irish transport network and to the Irish tourism industry; his views on differentials in north European ferry route prices for car passengers and foot passengers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45353/12]

Back to Education Allowance Eligibility

Joe McHugh

72. Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for Social Protection her plans with respect to including flexibility into the back to education allowance eligibility criteria; if she will consider in this context, the impact of current eligibility criteria on applicants whose jobseeker's allowance does not meet the 187 day requirement because applicants completed level five qualifications via the Department of Education and Skills job initiative programme; if she will contemplate improving the back to education allowance scheme to accommodate the progression in education of unemployed construction workers; if she will consider a specific example (details supplied) as exemplary of this inflexibility [44097/12]

Back to Education Allowance Eligibility

Joe McHugh

76. Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for Social Protection her plans with respect to including flexibility into the back to education allowance eligibility criteria; if she will consider in this context, the impact of current eligibility criteria on applicants whose jobseeker's allowance does not meet the 187 day requirement because applicants completed level five qualifications via the Department of Education and Skills job initiative programme; if she will contemplate improving the back to education allowance scheme to accommodate the progression in education of unemployed construction workers; if she will consider a specific example (details supplied) as exemplary of this inflexibility; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44096/12]

School Staffing

Joe McHugh

241. Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he envisages any changes to the criteria that govern panel rights status for temporary part-time primary level teachers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44213/12]