Parliamentary questions

Human Rights Issues

Kevin Humphreys

16. Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the action he plans to take after the passage of the anti-homosexuality bill in Uganda; if he will consider withdrawing our foreign aid that goes into the country; his plans to withdraw our ambassador or close the Embassy in Kampala; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10809/14]

NAMA Operations

Kevin Humphreys

31. Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Minister for Finance further to Parliamentary Question No. 82 of 19 February 2014, the price that National Assets Management Agency realised for the site of five acres on the Merrion Road beside Booterstown Nature Reserve when it sold it in March 2012, and what was the value of the underlying loan on the property at the time; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10424/14]

Flood Prevention Measures

Kevin Humphreys

130. Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform when he expects work to start on increasing the attenuation capacity of the Tymon Park ponds to address flood issues on the River Poddle; the reason for the delay in the works; when part 8 planning permission will be sought; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10451/14]

Heritage Centres

Kevin Humphreys

211. Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht in regard to the proposed cultural and heritage centre for College Green, the person who will be responsible for operating the centre; the person who will be responsible for the provision of historical content; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10577/14]

Heritage Centres

Kevin Humphreys

212. Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht in regard to the proposed cultural and heritage centre for College Green, if there will be any new positions created and will they be publicly advertised; the person who will be responsible for these positions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10578/14]

Water and Sewerage Schemes Funding

Kevin Humphreys

266. Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the position regarding the funding provided to Dublin City Council for a brief for the appointment of consultants to prepare a preliminary report for the Pembroke-Rathmines drainage scheme; the amount of funding made available in 2013 for same; if he will arrange for the procurement process set in train by the city council for the appointment of consultants to be continued immediately under Irish Water; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10429/14]

Tobacco Control Measures

Kevin Humphreys

415. Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Minister for Health his plans to ban the use of e-cigarettes indoors and in public places due to the untested short and long-term health effects of the emitted vapour; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10518/14]

HSE Properties

Kevin Humphreys

416. Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Minister for Health the reason for the demolition of several buildings on the campus of the old Meath hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10519/14]

Hospital Services

Kevin Humphreys

417. Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Minister for Health his or the Health Service Executive's plans for Baggot Street hospital; if he will confirm that it is not suitable for use as a primary care centre; his plans to dispose of the building; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10520/14]

Hospitals Building Programme

Kevin Humphreys

418. Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Minister for Health when he expects planning and then construction work respectively to begin on the new National Maternity Hospital building at the Elm Park campus of St. Vincent's; the amount of money he has budgeted for this project in 2014 in the Health Service Executive service plan; and if he will arrange for quarterly updates to local Deputies on project progress; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10521/14]

Primary Care Centre Provision

Kevin Humphreys

419. Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on the plans for primary care centres at locations (details supplied); the specific location address for each; if a lease has been entered into; how advanced the proposals are for each and the amount of money his Department has made available for each in capital costs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10522/14]

Capital Expenditure Programme

Kevin Humphreys

6. Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will provide a breakdown of the amount spent on and nature of the stimulus projects introduced since 2011; their importance for the national economy; the breakdown at local and-or regional level of the various projects; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9306/14]

Public Sector Reform Implementation

Kevin Humphreys

26. Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will outline the next phase of the proposed financial management shared services project for the Civil Service, defence and justice sectors; the savings and efficiencies expected; the proposed location for the financial management shared services centre; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9305/14]

Medical Card Eligibility

Kevin Humphreys

666. Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Minister for Health the position regarding the facilitation of better access to medical cards for patients with primary immunodeficiencies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9249/14]

Medicinal Products Availability

Kevin Humphreys

667. Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Minister for Health the position regarding enabling the self-possession of emergency medications to patients with C1 inhibitor deficiency hereditary angioedema, as is common practice in most European countries; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9250/14]

Medicinal Products Availability

Kevin Humphreys

668. Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Minister for Health the position regarding the access and equity of access to immunoglobin for patients with primary immunodeficiencies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9251/14]

Rare Diseases Strategy Implementation

Kevin Humphreys

669. Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Minister for Health the position regarding the provision for primary immunodeficiencies in the national plan for rare diseases; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9252/14]

Flood Risk Insurance Cover

Kevin Humphreys

27. Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Minister for Finance in the event of insurance companies not providing flood cover to home owners and businesses where flood defences have been built with State funds, following a voluntary memorandum of understanding between the Office of Public Works and the insurance industry for the sharing of information regarding these defences, if he will introduce regulations or conditions on their operating licence by legislation or regulation through the Central Bank of Ireland to ensure homes can get cover; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8245/14]

Flood Risk Insurance Cover

Kevin Humphreys

43. Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Minister for Finance if he will consider the State becoming the insurer of last resort for homeowners who cannot get flood insurance for their properties due to market failures; if he will consider whether such an insurance scheme could be achieved with a levy similar to the Flood Re scheme in the UK, or the scheme proposed by the National Flood Forum whereby a combination of State support and a recurring contribution from owners of uninsurable homes could form a fund to provide a capped contribution to homes that are flooded again; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8246/14]

NAMA Property Sales

Kevin Humphreys

82. Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Minister for Finance the price the National Asset Management Agency realised for the site of five acres on the Merrion Road beside Booterstown nature reserve when the agency sold it in March 2012; the value of the underlying loan on the property at the time; if it was sold on the open market; the reason the offer from Dublin City Council and Dún Laoghaire County Council were not taken into consideration in view of its potential as a social dividend; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that it is for sale again at a multiple of the price realised by NAMA; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8441/14]

Water Charges Yield

Kevin Humphreys

137. Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide in tabular form a breakdown by local authority and town council of the amount collected in 2012 and 2013 commercial water charges; the arrears rate for each local authority in those years; if he will confirm that these figures have been provided to Irish Water; the plans there are to collect arrears; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8440/14]

Water and Sewerage Schemes Status

Kevin Humphreys

146. Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the current status of the Rathmines and Pembroke drainage scheme; when the consultants to access the scheme will be appointed; if Irish Water will be moving on this without delay; if he will provide an update on current plans to ensure this urgently needed work is done; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8552/14]

Local Authority Functions

Kevin Humphreys

141. Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Taoiseach if he will provide a list of all specific new powers or functions conferred on local authorities by legislation under his area since June 2009 and a reference to the specific section or regulation in each case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7472/14]

VAT Exemptions

Kevin Humphreys

173. Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Minister for Finance if he will exempt flood gates for private homes from VAT to assist homeowners to protect their properties from flooding; if he will consider introducing a tax incentive scheme for private home owners to assist them in protecting their property from flooding with the construction or purchase of non-return valves, flood defences, renovations and flood barriers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7688/14]

Insurance Coverage

Kevin Humphreys

300. Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform when he expects the memorandum of understanding to be agreed with insurance companies that are licensed here to provide flood cover to home owners and businesses where flood defences have been built by the State; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7689/14]

Back to Education Allowance Eligibility

Kevin Humphreys

373. Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Minister for Social Protection further to Parliamentary Question No. 90 of 5 February 2014, when the person concerned will be contacted regarding a back to education allowance by officials in her Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7668/14]

Heritage Projects

Kevin Humphreys

428. Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if he will intervene with Waterways Ireland to prevent the Naomh Éanna docked in Grand Canal basin from being sent for scrap for a period of six months in order that a proposal (details supplied) can be considered and developed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7698/14]

National Monuments

Kevin Humphreys

445. Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if he will provide an update on the development of the 1916 national monument on Moore Street; if there have been discussions or briefings with the owners of the site (details supplied) regarding the condition of the buildings and future plans; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8374/14]

National Monuments

Kevin Humphreys

446. Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the resources that have been set aside for a survey and any required works to ensure the structural integrity of the buildings at the 1916 national monument on Moore Street; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8375/14]

National Monuments

Kevin Humphreys

447. Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if any surveys have been carried out in recent months to define and record the extent, quality and integrity of the 1916 national monument on Moore Street; and if he will provide any information he has on the site and any interaction with the owners over recent months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8376/14]

Local Government Reform

Kevin Humphreys

492. Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the steps proposed to implement the terms of section 48 of the Local Government Reform Act 2014; if he will clarify whether, in the case of a council that does not have municipal districts, it is intended that the corporate policy group will include at least one member from each local electoral area and, if so, the mechanism to achieve this in view of the fact that section 133(1)(c) of the Local Government Act 2001, as inserted by section 48 of the 2014 Act, refers only to municipal districts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7692/14]

Firearms Licences

Kevin Humphreys

580. Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will provide an explanation for the delay and procedural roadblocks for the renewal of a firearms licence in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 4; if he will endeavour to ensure fair and transparent procedures are put in place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8182/14]

Local Authority Functions

Kevin Humphreys

43. Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will provide a list of all specific new powers or functions conferred on local authorities by legislation under his area since June 2009 and a reference to the specific section or regulation in each case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7032/14]

Local Authority Functions

Kevin Humphreys

51. Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Minister for Finance if he will provide a list of all specific new powers or functions conferred on local authorities by legislation under his area since June 2009 and a reference to the specific section or regulation in each case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7031/14]

Local Authority Functions

Kevin Humphreys

69. Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will provide a list of all specific new powers or functions conferred on local authorities by legislation under his area since June 2009 and a reference to the specific section or regulation in each case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7029/14]

Local Authority Functions

Kevin Humphreys

84. Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will provide a list of all specific new powers or functions conferred on local authorities by legislation under his area since June 2009 and a reference to the specific section or regulation in each case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7036/14]

Local Authority Functions

Kevin Humphreys

88. Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if he will provide a list of all specific new powers or functions conferred on local authorities by legislation under his area since June 2009 and a reference to the specific section or regulation in each case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7034/14]

Local Authority Functions

Kevin Humphreys

95. Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will provide a list of all specific new powers or functions conferred on local authorities by legislation under her area since June 2009 and a reference to the specific section or regulation in each case; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7037/14]

Local Authority Functions

Kevin Humphreys

114. Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if he will provide a list of all specific new powers or functions conferred on local authorities by legislation under his area since June 2009 and a reference to the specific section or regulation in each case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7025/14]

Local Authority Functions

Kevin Humphreys

117. Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will provide a list of all specific new powers or functions conferred on local authorities by legislation under his area since June 2009 and a reference to the specific section or regulation in each case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7027/14]

Local Authority Functions

Kevin Humphreys

127. Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide a list of all specific new powers or functions conferred on local authorities by legislation under his area since June 2009 and a reference to the specific section or regulation in each case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7030/14]

Local Authority Functions

Kevin Humphreys

152. Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will provide a list of all specific new powers or functions conferred on local authorities by legislation under his area since June 2009 and a reference to the specific section or regulation in each case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7035/14]

Local Authority Functions

Kevin Humphreys

162. Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Minister for Defence if he will provide a list of all specific new powers or functions conferred on local authorities by legislation under his area since June 2009 and a reference to the specific section or regulation in each case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7028/14]

Local Authority Functions

Kevin Humphreys

169. Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide a list of all specific new powers or functions conferred on local authorities by legislation under his area since June 2009 and a reference to the specific section or regulation in each case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7024/14]

Local Authority Functions

Kevin Humphreys

183. Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she will provide a list of all specific new powers or functions conferred on local authorities by legislation under her area since June 2009 and a reference to the specific section or regulation in each case; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7026/14]

Early Childhood Care Education

Kevin Humphreys

184. Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the reason the age limit cut-off for the early childhood care and education scheme forces children born after 1 July to wait another year; her plans to amend the eligible age range so that children born in July and August can access same (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7108/14]

Local Authority Functions

Kevin Humphreys

207. Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Minister for Health if he will provide a list of all specific new powers or functions conferred by legislation on local authorities under his remit since June 2009 and a reference to the specific section or regulation in each case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7033/14]

Local Authority Functions

Kevin Humphreys

233. Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide a list of all specific new powers or functions conferred on local authorities by legislation under his area since June 2009 and a reference to the specific section or regulation in each case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7038/14]

Government Bonds

Kevin Humphreys

136. Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Minister for Finance the plans by the National Treasury Management Agency to issue Sharia-compliant Sukuk, also known as Islamic bonds; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6177/14]

Stock Exchange

Kevin Humphreys

137. Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Minister for Finance the measures in place to encourage Islamic finance here; the number of such funds that are listed on the Irish Stock Exchange; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6178/14]