Parliamentary questions

Respite Care Services Availability

Terence Flanagan

204. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Health the action being taken to address the lack of respite beds at an organisation (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9713/15]

Respite Care Services Availability

Terence Flanagan

225. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Health the number of Health Service Executive beds vacant in Dublin for respite care; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9848/15]

Fire Service

Terence Flanagan

254. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will commit to undertaking a risk assessment in relation to the Keeping Communities Safe document and the impact these changes will have on the safety of firefighters and other persons; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9707/15]

Social and Affordable Housing Provision

Terence Flanagan

264. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide an update regarding the number of social housing units to be delivered in 2015; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9846/15]

Private Rented Accommodation Provision

Terence Flanagan

265. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the measures he will introduce to bring certainty to the housing rental market; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9847/15]

Aer Lingus Sale

Terence Flanagan

270. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on the International Airlines Group, IAG, bid for Aer Lingus; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9845/15]

Private Rented Accommodation Standards

Terence Flanagan

42. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his plans to reform the rental housing market; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8875/15]

Homelessness Strategy

Terence Flanagan

47. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his plans to end long-term homelessness by 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8874/15]

Apprenticeship Programmes

Terence Flanagan

125. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Education and Skills if she will provide an update on the apprenticeship Bill; if she is reviewing the educational content that currently exists for apprentices in this Bill; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8734/15]

Special Educational Needs Service Provision

Terence Flanagan

128. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Education and Skills if she will ensure that adequate resource support hours are provided for children with Down syndrome; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8735/15]

Universal Social Charge Application

Terence Flanagan

194. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Finance his plans to abolish the universal social charge; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8856/15]

Tax Code

Terence Flanagan

206. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Finance if he will address a matter (details supplied) regarding taxation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8968/15]

Tax Code

Terence Flanagan

207. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Finance if he will address a matter (details supplied) regarding income; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8969/15]

Property Tax

Terence Flanagan

208. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Finance his plans to link the rate of local property tax to a household's earnings and ability to pay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8977/15]

Tax Code

Terence Flanagan

221. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Finance his plans to reduce capital gains tax (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9220/15]

Universal Social Charge Exemptions

Terence Flanagan

222. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Finance if he will reduce the rate of employer universal social charge; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9229/15]

Public Sector Reform Implementation

Terence Flanagan

233. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will address a matter (details supplied) regarding the Civil Service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8978/15]

Legislative Programme

Terence Flanagan

252. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation when the Construction Contracts Bill will be enacted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9241/15]

Beef Exports

Terence Flanagan

294. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide an update regarding Irish companies exporting beef to jurisdictions (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9282/15]

Health Services

Terence Flanagan

357. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Health the reason support is not available in respect of a child (details supplied) in Dublin 13; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8723/15]

Medical Card Eligibility

Terence Flanagan

399. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Health if he will address a matter (details supplied) regarding medical cards for children; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8986/15]

Prescriptions Charges

Terence Flanagan

401. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Health if he will address a matter (details supplied) regarding prescription charges; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9001/15]

Departmental Funding

Terence Flanagan

432. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Health if grants are available from his Department for an organisation (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9278/15]

Departmental Funding

Terence Flanagan

433. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Health if changes will be made to capitation fees (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9279/15]

Departmental Funding

Terence Flanagan

434. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Health if funding is available from his Department towards housing for an organisation (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9280/15]

Departmental Funding

Terence Flanagan

435. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Health the position regarding sleepover rates (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9281/15]

Special Educational Needs Staff

Terence Flanagan

504. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding special education needs organisers (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9233/15]

Housing Adaptation Grant

Terence Flanagan

538. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if funding support is available to adapt houses to meet the urgent medical needs in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 17; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8743/15]

Road Projects

Terence Flanagan

619. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on correspondence (details supplied) regarding the M50; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9230/15]

Road Traffic Offences

Terence Flanagan

620. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on correspondence (details supplied) regarding modified cars; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9238/15]

Consular Services Expenditure

Terence Flanagan

31. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the cost of maintenance and repair work in the top ten Irish embassies for the past five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8088/15]

Overseas Development Aid Oversight

Terence Flanagan

35. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will provide an update regarding Irish Aid's spend for 2014; the checks and controls in place to ensure there is no fraud and that value for money is achieved for the taxpayer; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8087/15]

House Prices

Terence Flanagan

77. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Finance his views on house prices in Dublin and the new mortgage rules introduced by the Central Bank of Ireland recently; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8706/15]

Tax Reliefs Abolition

Terence Flanagan

78. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Finance his views on tax breaks lost for those who purchased hotels in 2009 and the scrapping of tax reliefs in 2015; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8715/15]

Garda Deployment

Terence Flanagan

148. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if she will prioritise the deployment of more gardaí on the northside of Dublin in view of a 20% increase in burglaries there in 2014; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8707/15]

Property Services Regulation

Terence Flanagan

149. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the regulation which obtains in respect of estate agents; her plans for new regulation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8711/15]

Garda Deployment

Terence Flanagan

150. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if she will ensure that more gardaí are deployed in an area (details supplied) in Dublin 3 in view of the number of break-ins; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8713/15]

Sentencing Policy

Terence Flanagan

151. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality her plans to review the sentencing laws in this country, and introduce mandatory sentences; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8714/15]

Health Services Funding

Terence Flanagan

198. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Health the amount of funding available for organisations (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8705/15]

Local Authority Housing Provision

Terence Flanagan

238. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his plans to tackle the housing crisis in Dublin; the new funding that is being provided to tackle social housing lists; the number of homes he expects to be built in 2015; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8708/15]

Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme

Terence Flanagan

239. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his views on local partnership amalgamations (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8709/15]

Litter Pollution

Terence Flanagan

240. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if consideration has been given to a matter (details supplied) regarding dog fouling; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8716/15]

Primary Care Centres Data

Terence Flanagan

23. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update regarding his plan to roll out primary care centres throughout the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8003/15]

Accident and Emergency Departments

Terence Flanagan

39. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Health if he will provide details of his plan to tackle the accident and emergency crisis in Beaumont Hospital, Dublin 9; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8002/15]

JobsPlus Scheme

Terence Flanagan

65. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if she will address a matter (details supplied) regarding employers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8354/15]

Prisoner Transfers

Terence Flanagan

109. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the reason there was no armed escort with a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8371/15]

Youth Services Funding

Terence Flanagan

156. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs his plans for greater investment in community youth clubs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7748/15]

National Carers Strategy

Terence Flanagan

163. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs his assessment of the level of support that is currently available for young carers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7749/15]

State Pension (Contributory) Eligibility

Terence Flanagan

182. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection her views that long-term family carers are not eligible for the contributory State pension (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7819/15]

Respite Care Grant Payments

Terence Flanagan

183. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if consideration will be given to increasing the respite care grant; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7821/15]

Property Tax Exemptions

Terence Flanagan

228. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Finance if consideration has been given to providing a property tax exemption to households where a high level of care is required; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7817/15]

Tax Credits

Terence Flanagan

233. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Finance the position regarding a tax allowance in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 5; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7937/15]

Carer's Benefit Eligibility

Terence Flanagan

269. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the steps he will take to make employees aware of their entitlement to carer's benefit and carer's leave; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7813/15]

Workplace Relations Services

Terence Flanagan

270. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if consideration will be provided to implementing an initiative, similar to the Carer Positive initiative in Scotland, which recognises employers who offer support to working carers and encourages them to allow working carers the flexibility they need to balance employment with their caring responsibilities at home; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7814/15]

Fishery Harbour Centres

Terence Flanagan

292. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide an update regarding the action his Department is taking to fill vacant properties on Howth pier, County Dublin, and the reason these properties are vacant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7967/15]

Tourism Promotion

Terence Flanagan

293. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he has held any meetings with the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport regarding opportunities to promote, and increase, tourism in Howth, County Dublin. [7968/15]

Harbours and Piers

Terence Flanagan

294. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the main findings of the most recent annual Howth Harbour users' forum undertaken by his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7969/15]

Harbours and Piers

Terence Flanagan

296. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his attention has been drawn to the Howth public realm assessment currently being undertaken by Fingal County Council, and its aim to better integrate the Howth Harbour area in County Dublin with the rest of the village and peninsula; if his Department will assist Fingal County Council in any way with the work in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7997/15]

Missing Persons

Terence Flanagan

334. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality her views on a matter (details supplied) regarding missing persons; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8055/15]

Missing Persons

Terence Flanagan

335. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality her views on a matter (details supplied) regarding missing persons here; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8056/15]

Child Care Services Funding

Terence Flanagan

355. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if he is satisfied with the current level of Government investment in child care; his views that this investment is one of the lowest in the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7700/15]

Child Care Services Funding

Terence Flanagan

356. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if consideration will be given to re-instating the early childcare supplement funding levels of 2009 (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7701/15]

National Carers' Strategy

Terence Flanagan

358. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the support that is available for young carers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7815/15]

National Carers Strategy Implementation

Terence Flanagan

412. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on the implementation of the national carers' strategy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7809/15]

National Carers Strategy Implementation

Terence Flanagan

413. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Health his assessment of the level of support that his Department is providing to carers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7810/15]

Mental Health Act Review

Terence Flanagan

414. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Health if the Mental Health Act will be amended to require health professionals to involve the carers of mental health patients in their treatment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7811/15]

Mental Health Services Provision

Terence Flanagan

415. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on the introduction of community mental health teams; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7812/15]

Patient Data

Terence Flanagan

447. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Health if he will indicate the current location of data for patients of the former hospital Mount Carmel Hospital, and the way in which these patients can access these data; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7938/15]

Hospital Consultant Contracts

Terence Flanagan

460. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Health his plans to reduce consultants fees, and pay, within the public sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5719/15]

Schools Mental Health Strategies

Terence Flanagan

522. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the steps she is taking to increase awareness of young carers in the education system, so as to ensure that young persons who are under pressure, with caring responsibilities at home, are fully identified, and supported in school; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7816/15]

Housing Adaptation Grant Funding

Terence Flanagan

572. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the amount of funding that has been allocated for the housing adaption grant scheme in 2015; the amount that has been allocated to Dublin City Council and to Fingal County Council to fund the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7818/15]

Postal Voting

Terence Flanagan

604. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will change the requirements for postal voting (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8216/15]

Stardust Fire

Terence Flanagan

12. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if she will consider a new inquiry into the Stardust tragedy; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6968/15]

Garda Resources

Terence Flanagan

13. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality her plans to increase recruitment of new gardaí to the Garda Síochána; if she will modernise the use of new technology in the Garda Síochána; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6969/15]

Departmental Investigations

Terence Flanagan

60. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if her Department will carry out an investigation of the management of the IASS pension fund in recent years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7619/15]

Pension Provisions

Terence Flanagan

61. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection her plans to increase the State pension (contributory) and the State pension (non-contributory); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7623/15]

Home Repossessions Rate

Terence Flanagan

72. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Finance his views on the increase in the number of homes being repossessed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7629/15]

Income Data

Terence Flanagan

73. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Finance his views on income inequality as outlined recently by the Think-tank on Action for Social Change; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7631/15]

Job Initiatives

Terence Flanagan

85. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation his views on a matter (details supplied) regarding start-ups; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7633/15]

Parking Regulations

Terence Flanagan

123. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the laws that are being broken when persons park their cars on council green areas; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7625/15]

Garda Operations

Terence Flanagan

124. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality her plans to deal with gun crime; her views on the first gun murder of 2015; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7632/15]

Disability Services Provision

Terence Flanagan

131. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Health the position regarding potential changes proposed in the Progressing Disability Services for Children and Young People Programme (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7411/15]

Nursing Homes Support Scheme

Terence Flanagan

162. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Health the position regarding the fair deal scheme; if participant costs will be increasing soon; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7622/15]

General Practitioner Services

Terence Flanagan

163. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Health the position regarding the roll-out of free general practitioner care for children under six years of age; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7628/15]

Student Grant Scheme Eligibility

Terence Flanagan

173. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the reason the income details of a person's parent are being requested by Student Universal Support Ireland, when that person is a mature student (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7420/15]

Quality and Qualifications Ireland Accreditation

Terence Flanagan

176. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the qualifications of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 5, that are recognised under the recognition of prior learning programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7452/15]

School Accommodation Provision

Terence Flanagan

186. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding the location of a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7620/15]

Schools Building Projects Status

Terence Flanagan

187. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding capital works in respect of a school (details supplied) in Dublin 3; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7621/15]

Litter Pollution

Terence Flanagan

203. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he has new policy plans regarding tackling dog fouling; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7624/15]

Private Rented Accommodation Costs

Terence Flanagan

204. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his plans for a rent cap in view of rent prices soaring; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7630/15]

Irish Airlines Superannuation Scheme

Terence Flanagan

222. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if consideration has been given to carrying out an investigation, regarding the management of the Irish airlines superannuation scheme, IASS, pension fund in recent years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7618/15]

Road Traffic Legislation

Terence Flanagan

223. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to reduce the speed limit in housing estates; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7627/15]

Easter Rising Commemorations

Terence Flanagan

8. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Defence the role the Defence Forces will play in the 1916 commemorations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6800/15]

White Paper on Defence

Terence Flanagan

37. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Defence if he will provide an update on the White Paper on Defence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6801/15]

Harbours and Piers Development

Terence Flanagan

134. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans for Howth Harbour; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6676/15]

Fishery Harbour Centres

Terence Flanagan

155. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide an update on the implementation of the recommendations for fishery harbours in the Comptroller and Auditor General's report entitled Financial Management and Reporting; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6677/15]

Banking Operations

Terence Flanagan

218. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Finance the reason Allied Irish Banks, as a State-owned bank, was allowed to increase its variable mortgage prices, when the European Central Bank was lowering its rates (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6845/15]

Departmental Legal Cases

Terence Flanagan

220. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Finance if his Department has set aside funds to defend any future legal challenges in relation to the Public Health (Standardised Packaging of Tobacco) Bill 2014; if his Department or any Government agency has made an estimate of the likely costs involved in defending such a case; if his Department or any Government agency has made an estimate of the possible compensation that might be paid out in the event of a successful legal challenge against the legislation; if his attention has been drawn to the comments made by the former Minister for Health, Deputy James Reilly, that the tobacco industry could sue for the equivalent of our gross domestic product (details supplied), if this Bill is enacted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6908/15]

Insurance Industry Regulation

Terence Flanagan

232. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Finance if he will address a matter (details supplied) regarding insurance providers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7078/15]

National Lottery Funding Disbursement

Terence Flanagan

243. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will provide details of national lottery grants that are administered by his Department or by other Government Departments or agencies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7097/15]