Parliamentary questions

Beef Industry

Mattie McGrath

32. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the steps he is taking to protect the interests of beef farmers in view of the deep concern felt in the sector relating to the manipulation of the buying of prime heifers and steers by the meat industry and factory industry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13931/14]

Army Personnel

Mattie McGrath

142. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Defence if he will give a complete assessment of the future of Kickham Army Barracks, Clonmel, County Tipperary; if there are plans to relocate Clonmel Garda station to the barracks; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13801/14]

Appointment of Receivers

Mattie McGrath

269. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Finance the number of receivers appointed in each of the past five years for each of the following, receivers appointments as recorded by the Companies Registration Office, receivers appointments recorded by the Central Bank of Ireland for financial institutions it regulates for commercial loans and residential loans, the banks in State control and the numerical number of receiver appointments for commercial loans and residential loans and the numerical amount of court appointed receiver (details supplied). [14148/14]

Property Tax Administration

Mattie McGrath

270. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Finance if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the Revenue service in Ennis, County Clare, has a section set up to deal with returns from receivers for property tax for residential homes; the numbers of returns received from receivers by the Revenue Commissioners for each county; and the total value of money received to date (details supplied). [14149/14]

NAMA Receivers

Mattie McGrath

271. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Finance the number of receivers appointed by the National Assets Management Agency to family homes and commercial properties; and the money spent to date on receivers by NAMA (details supplied). [14150/14]

Oireachtas Members' Remuneration

Mattie McGrath

408. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will provide an individual breakdown of any allowances or payments that are provided to the Whips' offices of the Fine Gael Party, the Fianna Fáil Party and the Dáil Technical Group; the exact amount of remuneration that each Whip individually receives; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13970/14]

School Curriculum

Mattie McGrath

752. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Justice and Equality further to Parliamentary Question No. 399 of 11 March 2014, if and when same sex marriage is passed, if demominational schools will still be allowed to teach that marriage is between one man and one woman only; if they will be forced to teach that same sex marriage is equally legitimate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13250/14]

Severe Weather Events Response

Mattie McGrath

114. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if financial aid is available for businesses that experienced damage during the recent storms; if so, the way the businesses would apply for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12238/14]

Political Reform

Mattie McGrath

1. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Taoiseach if he will provide an assessment of the implementation of his Department's strategy statement 2011-2014 and in particular the strategic aims regarding reform of the political system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5037/14]

Same-sex Marriage

Mattie McGrath

399. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Justice and Equality further to Parliamentary Question No. 24 of 27 February 2014, if religious schools will be obliged to teach a version of marriage that is at odds with their beliefs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11597/14]

Same-sex Marriage

Mattie McGrath

400. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Justice and Equality further to Parliamentary Question No. 24 of 27 February 2014, if parishes will be forced to rent out their halls to same-sex couples for their wedding receptions as distinct from the ceremonies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11598/14]

Same-sex Marriage

Mattie McGrath

401. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Justice and Equality further to Parliamentary Question No. 24 of 27 February 2014, if Christian professionals like wedding photographers will be forced to work at same-sex marriages if asked; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11599/14]

Hospital Charges

Mattie McGrath

567. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health if he will instruct the Health Service Executive to abolish the practice of charging grieving families of those who have died in road traffic accidents a €100 fee; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12083/14]

Hospital Charges

Mattie McGrath

568. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health the amount the Health Service Executive has raised through the practice of charging families or next of kin of loved ones who have died in road traffic accidents €100 since 2011; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12084/14]

Water Charges Administration

Mattie McGrath

122. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the amount water will cost and according to what measure under the newly established Irish Water; the rate of VAT that will be charged for water bills; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11017/14]

Building Regulations Application

Mattie McGrath

124. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will clarify whether under Building Control (Amendment) Regulation (SI 9 of 2014) a person will be prohibited from building his or her own home; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11024/14]

Water and Sewerage Scheme Grants

Mattie McGrath

125. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the specific conditions under which applications may be made under the enhanced group sewage scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11034/14]

Irish Water Staff

Mattie McGrath

297. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if the acting South Tipperary county manager (details supplied) is employed on any contractual basis or in any way, either part time or full time, with Irish Water; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10972/14]

Taxi Regulations

Mattie McGrath

507. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will review the current situation whereby a taxi cannot act as a taxi if the vehicle is older than 15 years, while no such rule exists for buses or other public services vehicles; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that this causes huge financial hardship for taxi drivers who own safe and roadworthy vehicles as it is an unfair and discriminatory ruling which has driven full time taxi drivers out of their own taxis and into the unregulated rented market, or even worse, into unemployment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10400/14]

Civil Partnership Legislation

Mattie McGrath

24. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Justice and Equality his plans regarding the introduction of same sex marriage; if he will provide robust provisions for the protection of religious institutions so that they will not be compelled to betray their particular ethos by being forced to accommodate the performance of such arrangements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5038/14]

Job Creation

Mattie McGrath

121. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the efforts his Department and IDA Ireland are making to attract a new company to the vacant Moy Isover facility in Ardfinnan, County Tipperary; if he is confident that a new company can be sourced for the factory which has been closed since November 2008; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10300/14]

Tax Compliance

Mattie McGrath

51. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Finance the reason he has never raised at European level the consistent calls from the farm contractors of Ireland's for a invoice system for farm-agriculture contract work in an effort to combat the so-called black economy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9812/14]

Water and Sewerage Schemes Status

Mattie McGrath

149. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government when the contract will be signed to enable work to begin on the Fethard-Burcourt water treatment works; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9746/14]

Schools Building Projects Status

Mattie McGrath

129. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding the works promised for a school (details supplied) in County Tipperary; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9096/14]

Education Schemes

Mattie McGrath

154. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Skills further to Parliamentary Question No. 218 of 11 February 2014, if he will further elaborate on the way the denial of funding to some book rental schemes can be considered fair or reasonable; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9097/14]

Schools Health and Safety

Mattie McGrath

273. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will carry out a review of the impact that vending machines are having on the health of secondary school children; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9122/14]

School Curriculum

Mattie McGrath

274. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will respect the outcome of the 27,000 second-level teachers who will be balloted on non-co-operation with new junior cycle proposals this March; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9123/14]

Equine Industry

Mattie McGrath

578. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the position regarding existing by-laws whereby a town or county council agent can enter private property and remove horses from private forestry land; the fact that there seems to be an anomaly in that Carlow and Kilkenny have by-laws in place allowing this to happen and that north and south Tipperary (details supplied) do not; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9003/14]

Electricity Transmission Network

Mattie McGrath

130. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources when he will publish the exact terms of reference for the independent commission he proposes to establish in regard to EirGrid's Grid Link and Grid West projects; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8443/14]

Electricity Transmission Network

Mattie McGrath

131. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will guarantee that members of the independent commission on EirGrid will be fully independent and will under no circumstances be selected if they have had prior contractual or consultative roles with EirGrid; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8444/14]

Electricity Transmission Network

Mattie McGrath

132. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will publish the criteria by which he is to select membership of the EirGrid independent commission; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8445/14]

Electricity Transmission Network

Mattie McGrath

133. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if a person (details supplied) who has been nominated to the independent commission investigating EirGrid's proposals was previously engaged in any way by EirGrid; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8458/14]

Garda Recruitment

Mattie McGrath

153. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Justice and Equality in relation to the recruitment campaign for An Garda Síochána, if those who are unsuccessful at stage two are they going to be removed from the recruitment process or ranked accordingly and asked to progress to stage three should the need occur at a future date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8448/14]

Garda Recruitment

Mattie McGrath

154. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Justice and Equality in relation to Garda recruitment, those within band one who are successful right to the end of the process, if there is going to be a panel drawn up to service the needs over the next three years with just band one members; it was recently announced that this campaign would be for the next three years; for those that are within band two and three will they ever progress to stage two of the campaign; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8449/14]

Motorised Transport Grant Applications

Mattie McGrath

186. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health the status of the alternative scheme announced by his Department on 26 February 2013 that the motorised transport grant scheme was closed to new applicants and that an alternative scheme was being devised to replace it; when he expects it to come into force; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8436/14]

Driver Licences

Mattie McGrath

121. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide a full and complete assessment of the reasons the National Driver Licensing Service driving licence renewal process is in utter chaos and is now in the hands of three different companies; the way this can be seen as a cost saving and efficient measure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7792/14]

Household Benefits Scheme

Mattie McGrath

408. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will carry out an immediate poverty impact assessment with respect to the changes from a unit based approach to a monetary value based approach in the home benefit package's support for recipients of ESB heating; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8205/14]

Broadband Service Provision

Mattie McGrath

452. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the efforts that have been made to implement plans to have fibre-optic cables which will allow speeds 100 Mpbs and greater, using fibre-to-the-home technology delivered to rural areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7551/14]

Firearms and Ammunition Security

Mattie McGrath

549. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the position regarding the proposals submitted to him by An Garda Síochána seeking new legislation to ban almost all handguns which are currently licensed, including centre fire and most of those .22 calibres which are on the Garda Commissioner’s list of unrestricted handguns; and the proposals which seek the banning of all pump action and semi-automatic shotguns which are capable of holding more than three rounds and all semi-automatic centre fire rifles. [7554/14]

Firearms and Ammunition Security

Mattie McGrath

550. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if his attention has been drawn to the fact that if he accedes to the Garda proposals a very large number of firearms which are currently licensed will be banned and licence holders will be required either to sell them in what will then be a non-existent market or have them destroyed, as under the Garda proposals there will be no scheme of compensation for the effective confiscation of property and no compensation for licence holders who were required by the State to expend significant amounts of money in enhanced security arrangements at their homes to licence these firearms; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7555/14]

Courts Service

Mattie McGrath

581. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the circumstances under which it was justifiable to increase the fee for Supreme Court appeals from €138 to €250; the person who proposed the increase; his plans to reverse same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8200/14]

Rural Transport Programme

Mattie McGrath

799. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will give renewed consideration to the difficulties being experienced by an organisation (details supplied) in its delivery of rural transport under the proposed amalgamation of rural transport services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7803/14]

Roads Maintenance

Mattie McGrath

800. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will request a company (details supplied) to complete its sub-standard drainage works on the M8 at Cahir, south County Tipperary which is causing dangerous levels of water pooling; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7804/14]

Rural Transport Programme Funding

Mattie McGrath

824. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport will he intervene directly with the National Transport Authority in order for it to allocate funding to Bus Éireann for the provision of bus shelters in rural areas like Bansha, County Tipperary; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7793/14]

Services for People with Disabilities

Mattie McGrath

185. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to include narcolepsy as a category of disability which would warrant additional teaching hours under his Department's policy in this area; if he will provide a breakdown of the medical and psychological conditions which are included as categories of disability which warrant additional teaching hours under his Department's policy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6228/14]

School Textbooks Rental Scheme

Mattie McGrath

218. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Skills the reason school book rental scheme funding will not be allocated to schools that have worked hard to provide this provision independently; if he will reverse this decision; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6710/14]

Pensions Legislation

Mattie McGrath

234. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the terms of pension-related deduction which were introduced as part of the Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Act 2009; if he plans to refund those on salaries under €30,000 as promised; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6179/14]

Judicial Appointments

Mattie McGrath

43. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will undertake a review of the Judicial Appointments Advisory Board so as to further ensure its complete independence from political interference; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5254/14]

Proposed Legislation

Mattie McGrath

45. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Justice and Equality his plans to introduce the Scrap and Precious Metals Bill 2013 as a matter of public urgency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5253/14]

Court Procedures

Mattie McGrath

141. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will provide for the inclusion of deaf persons as members of coroners courts juries; if such an exclusion to date has made Ireland de facto in breach of the European disability law specifically in terms of social inclusion; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5756/14]

Coroners Service

Mattie McGrath

142. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will undertake a review of the Coroner's Act 1962 specifically those aspects of the Act which allow members of An Garda Síochána to conduct the empanelling process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5757/14]

Civil Legal Aid

Mattie McGrath

143. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will review his decision to implement statutory instrument SI 346 of 2013, Civil Legal Aid Regulations 2013, particularly his decision to increase the minimum financial contribution for legal advice and his increase in the minimum financial contribution for legal aid representation from €50 to €130; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5758/14]

Water and Sewerage Schemes Provision

Mattie McGrath

106. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the exact status of the Fethard Burncourt water treatment scheme; if he will provide a commitment that work will begin on the project as soon as possible; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4928/14]

Local Government Reform

Mattie McGrath

107. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the reason that, even though the report of the working group on active citizenship is imminent, the working group did not carry out any consultation with the community sector, those involved with community work or community groups; the reason his Department also bypassed the structures established by the State itself, including the community and voluntary pillar, when establishing the membership of the working group, disregarding the normal arrangement for participation, transparency and accountability in the drafting of the Local Government Reform Bill 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4929/14]

Commercial Rates

Mattie McGrath

447. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the proposal contained in the Local Government Bill 2013 to apply a 50% rates burden on all vacant property throughout the State rather than just in urban areas such as those managed by the City Councils of Cork, Dublin and Limerick, as is currently the case, will have a devastating impact on rural business regeneration; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53730/13]

Irish Water Staff

Mattie McGrath

469. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the number of staff from South Tipperary County Council, Clonmel Borough Council, North Tipperary County Council and other town councils in Tipperary that have been seconded or transferred to Irish Water to date in 2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5379/14]

Northern Ireland Issues

Mattie McGrath

533. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Justice and Equality when he will issue a reply to the victims of the Omagh bomb and in particular to the issues raised by the report submitted to Government by the Omagh victims' support group in July 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53731/13]

Departmental Reports

Mattie McGrath

588. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the composition of the expert group on repossessions; the terms of reference; the key findings to date; if he intends to publish a report and recommendations from the group; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4006/14]

Health Services Access

Mattie McGrath

750. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health his plans to include treatment for Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, EDS, under the treatment abroad scheme; his further plans to provide for the treatment of EDS here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4050/14]

Commercial Rates Valuation Process

Mattie McGrath

18. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the measures that have been taken to enact and implement the Valuations Bill in order to accelerate the revaluation of properties for commercial rates purposes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53730/13]

School Patronage

Mattie McGrath

138. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Skills his views on whether the forum for patronage report was far too narrow in scope and centred much more around the religious education curriculum rather than any meaningful understanding of whole school ethos; his views on whether the forum report's philosophy will impose restrictions on Roman Catholic schools in respect of the way religious education is taught in Roman Catholic schools, on the way the religious artefacts are displayed, on the way prayer-life is conducted and the way the Christian ethos is lived; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2313/14]

Pension Provisions

Mattie McGrath

150. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Skills if any of the two primary and second level teachers on his Department's payroll who retired between 1 February 2009 and 29 February 2012 and who had the salary increase of 2.5% payable from 1 September 2008 withheld when their gratuity and pension entitlements were being calculated because they continued to be paid by payable order have now transferred to electronic payment; if so, has the 2.5% increase now been applied to their current pensions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2312/14]

Tax Code

Mattie McGrath

199. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Finance if he will ensure that all registered VAT agri-contractors and FCI members will be entitled to claim back the carbon tax against their income tax as this tax is double taxation (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2456/14]

Tax Code

Mattie McGrath

200. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Finance if he will ensure that all invoices carry a VAT number or PPS number for moneys claimed against income tax and that if a sole trader does not have this then that payment should go down to personal drawings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2457/14]

SOLAS Training and Education Programmes Provision

Mattie McGrath

235. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will reverse the new fees applicable to trainee apprentices in view of the undue hardship this fee will impose on some of the lowest earners in the State; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2371/14]

HSE Investigations

Mattie McGrath

587. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health the position regarding the inquiry which was established in November 2012 into allegations of improper and illegal advice given to pregnant women in various State-funded Irish Family Planning Association clinics; the reason the investigation has been downgraded to an audit; the reason, despite assurances in July 2013 that a report would be published in seven to eight weeks, that there is still no report available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2326/14]

Proposed Legislation

Mattie McGrath

14. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Finance the reasons for his opposition to the introduction of a mandatory invoicing system for all work carried out by farm contractors; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1555/14]

Proposed Legislation

Mattie McGrath

16. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Finance if he will introduce an amendment to the Finance Act to mandate for the requirement of all farm contractors to produce a receipt to match payment made by cheque or other monetary means and so eliminate the ongoing threat to registered farm contractors posed by unregistered operators in the so called black economy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1554/14]

VAT Rate Application

Mattie McGrath

132. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Finance further to Parliamentary Question No. 160 and response, if it is appropriate for the Revenue Commissioners to continue to provide a VAT rates section to their website; if he will confirm that the recipient of the VAT invoice is entitled to an input credit at a higher rate as this is the amount that Revenue intends to collect from the issuer of the invoice; if he will confirm that it is policy to advise individual limited companies, if requested in writing, of the risks that have been indicated or other information that has warranted intervention; if he will further indicate whether, in cases where risk indicators are present but not actioned in any way by the Revenue Commissioners as a result of available resources, it is appropriate to penalise the limited company with further penalties and interest; if he will indicate the legislative basis for distinguishing between supply of immovable goods or construction services for immovable goods; and if he will further elucidate his definition of immovable goods and immovable property and their basis in legislation or revenue policy. [1161/14]

Garda Reserve

Mattie McGrath

541. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will amend the relevant legislation in relation to deleting the provision scrapping the €400 contribution which was payable to self-employed members of the Garda Reserve by the Garda Commissioner; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1443/14]

Medical Card Reviews

Mattie McGrath

780. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health the reason, contrary to Government policy, medical cards are being reviewed after a period of only six months when it has been clearly stated that this would not occur. [55497/13]

Driver Licences

Mattie McGrath

916. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the reason the application and renewal of driver licences was withdrawn from local authorities and awarded to the Road Safety Authority; the criteria under which the RSA obtained this contract; the reason the offer by An Post to deliver the service was rejected; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55223/13]

Driver Licences

Mattie McGrath

930. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the exact involvement of a company (details supplied) in County Kildare in the roll-out of the new national driver licence service; the submissions the company made to the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55503/13]

VAT Rate Application

Mattie McGrath

160. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Finance further to the VAT rates section of the Revenue Commissioner's website which contains a subpage with respect to the supply and fit of cow mats, if he will provide details of when this subpage was published; the contents of this initial subpage; the changes that have been made to this subpage since it was initially published; the person who requested each one of these changes and the date of same; the person who approved these changes; the grade of the approving official; if there have been any requests for any of the details requested above by any Revenue district offices; when any such requests were made; the person who requested this information; if this information was provided on his behalf; and who is tasked with the responsibility of maintaining this critical and very important document. [53027/13]

VAT Rate Application

Mattie McGrath

161. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Finance if he will indicate the way in which the Revenue Commissioners determine that a supplier invoice specified the reduced 13.5% VAT rate incorrectly and the standard 23% VAT rate was in fact applicable, that it is irrelevant whether the supplier invoice specified 13.5% if the applicable VAT rate is 23% and that the Revenue Commissioners consider the invoice to be charged at 23%, that VAT is calculated on the gross total and thereby the supplier has a liability for the difference between the lower rate included in the supplier's annual returns and the higher rate which the Revenue Commissioners deem the invoice to be charged at, proceedings are commenced to collect; if the person to whom the invoice was made out is also entitled to assume that the gross amount of the invoice included the 23% VAT; and if, where the invoiced person is a registered farmer for VAT purposes, they are they entitled to a further VAT rebate for the difference in the lower and the higher VAT rates. [53028/13]

VAT Rate Application

Mattie McGrath

162. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Finance if the Revenue Commissioners' practice or interpretation is that agricultural buildings' non-residential immovable goods are subject to the two thirds rule for VAT purposes; and if the Revenue Commissioners implement this position in practice. [53029/13]

Teachers' Remuneration

Mattie McGrath

200. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of serving teachers on his Department's payroll; the number of retired teachers on his Department's payroll; the number of serving departmental staff to whom moneys due to be paid in September, October and November 2013 are still awaiting payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52928/13]

Commemorative Events

Mattie McGrath

293. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the funding that he has provided to celebrate the 2014 millennium commemorations of the Battle of Clontarf. [52740/13]

Water Services Provision

Mattie McGrath

114. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the position regarding Burncourt regional water supply; when will works be completed; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that many customers in this area are on a boil water notice for around four years; his views on whether this is a satisfactory level of service for customers; the reason for the delay in completing the works; if he will provide assurance that these works will be completed prior to the amalgamation of north and south Tipperary county councils to avoid any further confusion or delays; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52146/13]

National Internship Scheme Placements

Mattie McGrath

187. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Social Protection who is the person responsible for ensuring that JobBridge participants are not taken advantage of and that participants are employed on their stated projects; the avenue available to those who have taken up a JobBridge placement and who have found they are not gaining the experience promised to them; the total number of persons currently in employment on a JobBridge placement; the number of JobBridge placements that are employed in the public sector where a moratorium on employment exists and where no full time employment can be offered; the number of JobBridge participants that have gained full time employment from their employer following their placement; the number of JobBridge placements which have failed prior to completion of the nine month period; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [51852/13]

Medical Card Eligibility

Mattie McGrath

442. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health the reason for the decision, by the Health Service Executive, not to assess the over 70s medical card applications on medical grounds; the way a person over 70 can be expected to submit an application form as a person aged under 70 and be assessed as such; where is it published that over 70s, with medical circumstances, must submit a MC1 application form; when this change in policy was taken; and his views on whether this significant change in policy will mean those over 70 with medical issues are not being granted discretionary medical cards. [51735/13]

Hospital Appointment Delays

Mattie McGrath

634. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health the reason up to 100 operations and-or appointments were cancelled in the eye clinic in Waterford Regional Hospital in the past few weeks; the reason for the cancellations; when will these appointments be rescheduled; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50598/13]

Rural Transport Programme

Mattie McGrath

696. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport in view of the change in boundaries in the rural transport programme, the area or group that now has or will have responsibility for rural transport in the Bohernabreena area, Dublin 24; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50715/13]

Single Payment Scheme Payments

Mattie McGrath

173. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason a person (details supplied) in County Waterford has not received their single farm payments; when this person will receive their payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49820/13]

Single Payment Scheme Payments

Mattie McGrath

600. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a person (details supplied) in County Tipperary will receive their single farm and disadvantaged area payments; the reason for the delay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49379/13]

Electricity Transmission Network

Mattie McGrath

3. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if there has been any risk-benefit analysis carried out regarding the impact that the EirGrid grid link project will have on the agricultural economy of south Tipperary; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that south Tipperary has a thriving beef and dairy industry with major companies having long established businesses there; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48462/13]

Taxi Regulation Review Report Implementation

Mattie McGrath

529. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the exact progress of the local hackney scheme for rural areas; the way in which and when he envisages rolling the scheme out; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48251/13]

Air Services Provision

Mattie McGrath

5. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans for the State's stake in Aer Lingus; if he considers it is of any strategic value to the State; the role the State gains from its stake; the financial benefit it is returning to the State; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47289/13]

Orthodontic Services Waiting Lists

Mattie McGrath

165. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health the action he will take to address the crisis in obtaining orthodontic treatment for children in the south east who on average are waiting three and a half years before they are seen; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47225/13]

Diplomatic Representation

Mattie McGrath

130. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the recourse or assistance available to the family of an Irish passport holder who is found dead in a foreign country and whose manner of death as outlined by that country's police is contradicted by a highly regarded and competent investigator; if there are any requirements on the Irish Government to take up the case on a government to government basis and insist on a new and impartial investigation into the entire circumstances of the Irish citizen's death; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47055/13]

Regional Aid

Mattie McGrath

408. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation his position regarding the designation of the south east NUTS 3 region for regional state aid since the region clearly meets both the GDP and unemployment eligibility criteria as outlined under the European Commission's new guidelines on regional state aid for 2014-2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46962/13]

JobBridge Programme

Mattie McGrath

470. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason a person on JobBridge is not entitled to fuel allowance when the income is low (details supplied); if she will consider extending this payment to those on JobBridge; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45833/13]

Registration of Deaths

Mattie McGrath

580. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Social Protection her plans to amend the Civil Registration Act Part 5 in order that the death of an unborn child or children can be registered where their death has occurred and has been confirmed by a registered medical practitioner to be as a direct result of the death of the mother. [47036/13]

Electricity Transmission Network

Mattie McGrath

656. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his views on the impact of the proposed pylons and overhead power lines on the environment and wildlife in south Tipperary in view of the fact that south Tipperary is the stronghold of the barn owl in Ireland and that this endangered species has been declared in need of habitat protection by the South Tipperary Biodiversity Action Plan V5; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the lower slopes of the Galtees are one of the only places in Ireland where endangered nightjars breed and, these being nocturnal birds like the barn owls, could well be wiped out by the power lines; if his Department has made a submission to the EirGrid Grid Link project consultation process expressing concerns about the impact on wildlife in south Tipperary; if his Department will be making a submission on the matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45829/13]

Garda Recruitment

Mattie McGrath

828. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Justice and Equality his plans to review the application process for members of the public to join An Garda Síochána to prioritise those members of the Garda Reserve whose members are fully attested and have completed their two year probation period. [47039/13]

Electricity Transmission Network

Mattie McGrath

869. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on the impact of the proposed pylons and overhead powerlines on the agriculture, livestock and blood stock industry in south Tipperary in view of the numerous studies highlighting the negative impact of overhead lines on these industries where bloodstock in particular are well known to react negatively in the vicinity of such lines; if his Department has made a submission to the Eirgrid's Gridlink project consultation process highlighting the possible negative impact on these important industries; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45825/13]

Single Payment Scheme Payments

Mattie McGrath

901. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a single farm payment and disadvantaged area payment will issue in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Waterford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46365/13]

Medical Card Reviews

Mattie McGrath

1153. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact that it is taking almost two months for the medical card office to complete a review of a decision; if his attention has been further drawn to the difficulties that this is causing persons with medical needs; the efforts he has made to address these waiting times; if he will ensure that a satisfactory turnaround time is adhered to by the medical card office; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46457/13]

Health Services Provision

Mattie McGrath

1227. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health the measures being taken to implement the national asthma programme in 2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46876/13]

Electricity Transmission Network

Mattie McGrath

1259. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on the impact of the proposed pylons and overhead power lines on the tourism industry in south Tipperary in view of the fact that Ireland's scenery has been a cornerstone of international tourism marketing campaigns for decades, and a Fáilte Ireland visitor attitudes survey in 2007 showed that 80% of overseas holiday makers to Ireland rated scenery as an important reason for their trips, followed by the natural unspoilt environment at 74%; his views regarding the future direction of tourism in Ireland and County Tipperary should pylons and overhead power lines be erected; his views on whether such actions will have a massive negative impact on walking tours within Ireland which are an important aspect of tourism in County Tipperary; if his Department has made a submission to EirGrid's gridlink project consultation process highlighting the possible negative impact on these important industries; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45826/13]