Parliamentary questions

Flood Prevention Measures

Nicky McFadden

421. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the steps being taken by the Office of Public Works to ensure greater coordination between all relevant parties, including local authorities, Government agencies, local communities, insurance industry and other community organisations, when working to reduce flood risk and improve flood prevention measures; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13023/14]

Work Placement Programmes

Nicky McFadden

486. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of persons in Counties Westmeath and Longford who have so far participated in the Gateway local authority work placement scheme; if there are plans to expand the number of Gateway positions in the local authorities in the coming months; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13021/14]

Disability Allowance Appeals

Nicky McFadden

556. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Social Protection if the disability allowance appeal of a person (details supplied) in County Westmeath has been received by the appeals office; and when a decision will be reached on the appeal. [14026/14]

Inland Waterways Development

Nicky McFadden

594. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the position regarding proposed canal by-laws; if inland waterways will remain open and accessible all year round; if he will ensure that any proposed by-laws do not negatively impact on the tourism industry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14047/14]

Broadband Service Provision

Nicky McFadden

601. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if there are alternative options available to households in rural areas that are not eligible to receive unlimited broadband; if he will acknowledge the difficulties some businesses operating from rural areas are experiencing as a result of slow broadband connection; if further steps will be taken to improve broadband connection in rural areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12910/14]

Social and Affordable Housing Provision

Nicky McFadden

648. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government when the current examination of proposals received from all local authorities for funding for construction of new housing developments will be completed; if there is a timeframe for shortlisting the projects for inclusion in the programme of new house construction over the 2014-16 period; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12903/14]

Building Regulations Amendments

Nicky McFadden

703. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if the criteria for supervising engineers and architectural technologists will be widened under the Building Control Regulations (SI 9/2014) 2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13712/14]

Legislative Programme

Nicky McFadden

736. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if there is a timeframe in place for the completion of the current review of criminal legislation on prostitution and for a policy decision to be taken; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12803/14]

Inter-Country Adoptions

Nicky McFadden

938. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she will provide an update regarding the establishment of inter-country adoption bilateral agreements with Russia; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13022/14]

Drugs Payment Scheme Coverage

Nicky McFadden

1151. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the trial drug Fampyra is no longer available free of charge to patients diagnosed with MS (details supplied); if the drugs payment system or the long-term illness scheme could contribute to the cost of the drug; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13840/14]

Proposed Legislation

Nicky McFadden

403. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Health the reason for the proposed introduction of legislation to provide for an advance healthcare directive; the way the legislation will assist in developing patient-centred care at the end-of-life; when the legal framework is expected to be introduced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10402/14]

Flood Risk Insurance Cover

Nicky McFadden

174. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Finance if his attention has been drawn to the evidence recently given by the British Insurance Brokers' Association to the British Government's Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Select Committee (details supplied); if he will investigate the four options suggested by BIBA in relation to future policy on flood provision and examine the way options might be adopted here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9173/14]

Court Accommodation Provision

Nicky McFadden

533. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Justice and Equality to set out the position regarding the use of Athlone District Court, County Westmeath; if cases involving persons who are being held in custody will continue to come before the court in Athlone; his views on whether cases should be dealt with in the area where the alleged offence occurred; the future use of Athlone District Court; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9356/14]

Employment Support Services

Nicky McFadden

136. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Social Protection the current options available to formerly self-employed persons in relation to accessing the State's re-training and job activation measures; if a more inclusive system could be introduced to ensure that persons are not excluded from job activation programmes when they do not qualify for jobseeker's allowance or jobseeker's credits; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8759/14]

Adoption Legislation

Nicky McFadden

223. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the position on the rights of adopted persons to access their birth certificate and adoption files on turning 18 years of age; if access to this information could be made available to the adopted person; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8755/14]

Student Grant Scheme Applications

Nicky McFadden

279. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Education and Skills if a student grant application in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Westmeath will be approved in view of the fact that the applicant has provided proof of independent residence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7976/14]

School Curriculum

Nicky McFadden

220. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will consider the introduction of education seminars in secondary schools and third level institutions in order to raise awareness of the issue of sex trafficking and prostitution; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6735/14]

Flood Risk Assessments

Nicky McFadden

250. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will provide an update on the Shannon Catchment Flood Risk Assessment and Management Study report; when the report will be completed and recommendations implemented; if he will acknowledge the urgency of completion of the report in view of the flooding along the River Shannon in the past week; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6760/14]

Flood Relief Schemes Expenditure

Nicky McFadden

277. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Social Protection if a funding scheme is available specifically for persons affected by recent flooding who have not been able to get house insurance since previous floods; the other schemes for which persons without insurance may apply; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6794/14]

Flood Relief Schemes Expenditure

Nicky McFadden

322. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Social Protection the schemes available in her Department to assist households affected by flooding; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6785/14]

Passport Applications Fees

Nicky McFadden

146. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will consider introducing a provision which would allow a reduced cost for old age pensioners applying for passports and passport renewals, similar to the provision of passports for under three year olds (details supplied). [5097/14]

Tax Reliefs Availability

Nicky McFadden

165. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Finance his views on permitting PAYE workers to claim back tax on charitable donations, particularly with respect to encouraging persons to donate to community initiatives; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5091/14]

Summer Works Scheme Applications

Nicky McFadden

201. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Education and Skills if the summer works application from a school (details supplied) in County Westmeath has been received by his Department; when a decision will be announced on summer works applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4939/14]

Emergency Works Scheme Applications

Nicky McFadden

202. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Education and Skills if the emergency works application from a school (details supplied) in County Westmeath has been received by his Department; when a decision will be announced on emergency works applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4940/14]

Voluntary Sector Funding

Nicky McFadden

475. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if, in conjunction with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, he will consider a cash limited scheme to address the issue of the capacity of the community and voluntary sector to pay enhanced redundancy payments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5511/14]

Tax Credits

Nicky McFadden

190. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Finance if alternatives for financial support are available to single parents who have been affected by the replacement of the one-parent family tax credit with the single person child care credit; if he will provide further information on the option to allow the credit to be used by a non-primary carer in situations where the primary carer has no tax liability; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3704/14]

Student Grant Scheme Administration

Nicky McFadden

263. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Education and Skills the measures he will take to improve the performance of Student Universal Support Ireland in dealing with grant applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3820/14]

Local Authority Housing

Nicky McFadden

527. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will consider allocating funding to support the construction of local authority homes to reduce reliance on the private rented sector and to reduce the number of people on social housing waiting lists at present; if his Department will continue to work with the National Asset Management Agency to identify and provide suitable social housing from its residential properties; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3781/14]

Family Reunification Policy

Nicky McFadden

571. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Justice and Equality when the new policy guidelines on family reunification will be brought into law; if it is possible to apply for family reunification before the new law is put in place; if persons who have ongoing applications for subsidiary protection are also permitted to apply for family reunification; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3576/14]

Road Traffic Legislation

Nicky McFadden

796. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will consider a derogation for trailer loads of straw and hay from the current 4.65 m height restriction on trailers which is having a huge impact on the transportation of fodder for farmers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3548/14]

Road Safety Strategy

Nicky McFadden

670. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if a renewed focus will be placed by his Department on road safety to reduce the number of deaths and serious injuries in 2014; the measures he will take to address the problem of drug driving; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2297/14]

Road Safety

Nicky McFadden

671. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if the recommendations of the speed limits review will be implemented in 2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2299/14]

Immigration Policy

Nicky McFadden

236. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will consider the proposal made by the Justice for the Undocumented group in relation to the introduction of an earned regularisation scheme to give undocumented migrants and their families living here the opportunity to come forward and earn their way to permanent residency status; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54803/13]

Education Schemes

Nicky McFadden

172. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Education and Skills if a review of the scope and governance of the ICT action plan will be carried out to encompass all sources of ICT skills supply and ensure clarity of responsibilities for the overall co-ordination and implementation of actions, as recommended in the Forfás report, Addressing Future Demand for High-Level ICT Skills, November 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53946/13]

School Curriculum

Nicky McFadden

214. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Education and Skills the measures undertaken by his Department to develop and improve the ICT skills of students at primary and secondary level; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53944/13]

Education Schemes

Nicky McFadden

215. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Education and Skills if additional iterations of the NFQ level 8 conversion programme will be run in 2014 as a strategic response to meeting ICT skills demand, as recommended by the Forfás report, Addressing Future Demand for High-Level ICT Skills, November 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53952/13]

Jobs Data

Nicky McFadden

308. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Social Protection if the jobseeker register data could be mined to identify and inform suitable candidates of conversion opportunities in ICT; if her Department, as recommended in the Forfás report of November 2013 on addressing future demand for high-level ICT skills, could draw on international best practice, including the IT 50 plus initiative in Denmark and the Nokia Bridge Programme in Finland; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53954/13]

Broadband Service Provision

Nicky McFadden

354. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the measures undertaken by his Department in relation to improving fibre connections as a percentage of broadband access network; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53943/13]

Disease Management

Nicky McFadden

574. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Health the current diagnosis and treatment facilities available here for Lyme disease; if there is a national strategy in relation to Lyme disease; if an awareness campaign to highlight symptoms of the disease will be pursued by the Health Service Executive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53935/13]

Primary Care Centre Provision

Nicky McFadden

575. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Health when the new primary care centre in (details supplied) in County Westmeath will be operational; the full range of services to be based at the facility; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53936/13]

Departmental Expenditure

Nicky McFadden

263. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Social Protection the amount of overall estimated spending of €1.08 billion on community employment, Tús and JobBridge that is expected to be allocated to counties Longford and Westmeath in 2014; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52751/13]

Property Taxation Administration

Nicky McFadden

336. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the percentage of the local property tax revenue paid in County Westmeath that will go towards funding services within the county; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52823/13]

Temporary Release of Prisoners

Nicky McFadden

365. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the current policy adopted by the Irish Prison Service in relation to temporary release as a means of dealing with over-capacity; if greater focus could be placed on non-custodial options for non-violent and less serious offenders; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52781/13]

Hospital Consultants Contract Issues

Nicky McFadden

494. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Health if the establishment of hospital groups will assist in addressing the issue of non-consultant hospital doctors' working hours and conditions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52706/13]

Hospital Staff Recruitment

Nicky McFadden

509. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Health when a consultant psychiatrist will be recruited and put in place in the midlands area for children aged nought to 18 years with a disability; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52774/13]

Hospital Waiting Lists

Nicky McFadden

152. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Health the measures being taken by the Health Service Executive and hospital management to improve waiting times for public patients seeking hip and knee operations in hospitals in the midlands; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51104/13]

Jobseeker's Allowance Appeals

Nicky McFadden

357. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding a jobseeker's allowance application in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Westmeath; if an appeal is necessary; if it will be heard as soon as possible in view of the severe financial pressures the applicant is under; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50340/13]

Rural Development Programme Funding

Nicky McFadden

168. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the position regarding the delivery of 50:50 national co-financing to complement the EU rural development funding; if the income concerns of farmers who depend significantly on pillar II rural development payments will be adequately addressed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49722/13]

School Meals Programme

Nicky McFadden

423. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Social Protection where the additional 100 breakfast clubs, as announced in budget 2014, will be located; the way the scheme is administered generally; if schools may apply to be included in the scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45706/13]

Wind Energy Guidelines

Nicky McFadden

614. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if an independent and verifiable impact study on the environmental, economic, social and heritage effects of wind energy developments will be carried out prior to the publication of the national renewable energy export policy and planning framework, which will guide An Bord Pleanála when considering any proposals of a significant scale for wind energy export projects; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46057/13]

Renewable Energy Exports

Nicky McFadden

615. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will ensure transparency in the process of developing a national renewable energy export policy and planning framework; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46059/13]

Housing Adaptation Grants Funding

Nicky McFadden

663. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the amount of funding that will be provided to local authorities in counties Westmeath and Longford for housing adaptation grants as a result of the announcements made in budget 2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46063/13]

Irish Sign Language

Nicky McFadden

729. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if Irish sign language will be given legal recognition in accordance with the UN Human Rights Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities 2007; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45649/13]

Preschool Standards

Nicky McFadden

980. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs when the new national pre-school quality standards will be launched; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45673/13]

Preschool Standards

Nicky McFadden

981. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she will provide detail on the increase in minimum qualification requirements for childcare staff; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45674/13]

Preschool Standards

Nicky McFadden

982. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs when the new pre-school laws to establish statutory registration of preschool services and new powers of inspectors to ensure standards are met will be introduced; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45656/13]

Cochlear Implants

Nicky McFadden

1031. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on progress in relation to the proposed business plan by the Health Service Executive and Beaumont Hospital to introduce a bilateral cochlear implant programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45651/13]

Special Educational Needs Policy

Nicky McFadden

184. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Education and Skills if a clear definition exists to describe the role and responsibilities of special needs assistants; if this definition is clearly articulated to principals, teachers, parents and SNAs; how SNA support is managed within schools in order to ensure the best possible support and outcomes for students; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44360/13]

Medical Aids and Appliances Provision

Nicky McFadden

524. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Health the Health Service Executive's position on the provision of community funding for sequential compression biomechanical devices, or art assist devices, to suitable patients; if he will acknowledge the cost-effectiveness of providing the devices for home use and avoiding costly hospital stays; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44352/13]

Student Grant Scheme Administration

Nicky McFadden

51. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Education and Skills the steps taken to date in this academic year to improve the processing of student grants through Student Universal Support Ireland; if an improved system of collecting and recording documentation has been implemented; if the rate of processed applications has improved this year on the same period last year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43111/13]

Closed Circuit Television Systems

Nicky McFadden

253. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if further funding will be made available to Granard Town Council for CCTV projects; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43106/13]

Ambulance Service Response Times

Nicky McFadden

399. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Health the way ambulance response times are currently assessed by the Health Service Executive; if an assessment of ambulance response times will be carried out nationally; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43072/13]

School Meals Programme

Nicky McFadden

124. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of schools nationally operating the school meals programme; the number of those schools that are in counties Longford and Westmeath; the way the school meals programme is administered; if it will be extended in order to ensure children receive the necessary nutrition; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42610/13]

Family Income Supplement Expenditure

Nicky McFadden

128. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Social Protection if the family income supplement scheme will continue to be administered in order to provide financial support to those on low wages; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42644/13]

Early Child Care Education Issues

Nicky McFadden

178. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the progress being made in relation to the development of a national early years strategy, regarding the provision of affordable childcare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42643/13]

Literacy and Numeracy Strategy

Nicky McFadden

199. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Education and Skills the progress being made since the 2011 roll out of the new national literacy and numeracy strategy; if data is collected on the number of children leaving school with the necessary literacy and numeracy skills; the way success of the strategy is monitored; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41862/13]

Third Level Participation

Nicky McFadden

215. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will ensure that any decisions made in relation to third level education in budget 2014 will protect equality of opportunity; that financially vulnerable students will be adequately supported; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41980/13]

Freedom of Information Legislation

Nicky McFadden

272. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if details held by the Garda on those persons guilty of sex offences and who are subject to the requirements of the Sex Offenders Act 2001 will be made subject to freedom of information legislation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42031/13]

Companies Law Issues

Nicky McFadden

284. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if the current requirement for companies, which otherwise could avail of the audits exemption to complete two years statutory audits where annual return filings have been submitted late to the Companies Registration Office, will be removed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41850/13]

Social Welfare Code Issues

Nicky McFadden

301. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Social Protection the extent to which volunteering is promoted within social welfare offices here; if all social welfare officers are encouraged to promote volunteering as an option available to jobseekers and to make jobseekers aware of volunteering services available in their locality; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41864/13]

Social Welfare Code Issues

Nicky McFadden

302. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Social Protection if current internal guidelines in social welfare offices for the voluntary work option will be updated to ensure that no anomalies occur between deciding social welfare officers; if public guidelines will be updated to ensure that job seekers can clearly find eligibility criteria for the voluntary work programme and examples of suitable roles and acceptable levels of voluntary work; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41868/13]

Social Welfare Code Review

Nicky McFadden

332. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Social Protection the number and location of social welfare offices currently delivering the full Intreo service; the locations of the expected 43 offices to be delivering the service by the end of 2013; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42356/13]

National Strategy on Volunteering

Nicky McFadden

383. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if a national policy or strategy on volunteering will be developed in order to address barriers to volunteering and to set objectives and goals to ensure that volunteering is measured and valued; to provide for consistent and sustainable nationwide supports for volunteering; if he will provide strategy and direction for the existing volunteering infrastructure to deliver national priorities at a local level; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41889/13]

Motor Tax Collection

Nicky McFadden

396. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if an extension will be made to the initial deadline for registering the non-use of motor vehicles, particularly in view of the large queues present at motor tax offices recently and the possibility that some persons may have not had the opportunity to register on time; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42080/13]

Garda Vetting Applications

Nicky McFadden

427. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the efforts made to date to reduce waiting times for applications made to the Garda vetting unit; if improvements will be made as soon as possible to facilitate volunteers who wish to work with and for young persons and vulnerable adults here; if he will ensure that waiting times will no longer act as a barrier to volunteering; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41886/13]

Sex Offenders Notification Requirements

Nicky McFadden

444. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the information provided to the Garda upon conviction of a sexual offence; if sex offenders are supervised after release; the way sex offenders from other jurisdictions are monitored here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42029/13]

Intreo Service

Nicky McFadden

335. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of Intreo offices currently in operation in counties Westmeath and Longford; if further offices will open in counties Westmeath and Longford this year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40448/13]

Non-Consultant Hospital Doctors Working Conditions

Nicky McFadden

575. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Health the progress being made to reduce the number of hours worked by non-consultant hospital doctors in order to ensure compliance with the EU working time directive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40443/13]

Air Ambulance Service Provision

Nicky McFadden

576. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Health the current position regarding the air ambulance service operating from Custume Barracks, Athlone; if the service will continue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40444/13]

Carer's Allowance Payments

Nicky McFadden

130. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Social Protection if the half rate carer's allowance will be protected; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40176/13]

VAT Rate Application

Nicky McFadden

145. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Finance if the VAT rate of 9% for restaurant and catering services, hotel and holiday accommodation, admissions to cinemas, theatres, certain musical performances, museums and art gallery exhibitions, fairgrounds or amusement park services, the use of sporting facilities, hairdressing services, and printed matter will be maintained; if he will acknowledge the significant role this VAT rate plays in developing the food, tourism and hospitality sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36797/13]

Banking Sector Regulation

Nicky McFadden

211. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Finance if a system of auditing banks is in place to ensure that they are delivering on lending promises and targets; the body that oversees such an audit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37901/13]

Services for People with Disabilities

Nicky McFadden

381. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he has considered the policy recommendations set out by the National Council for Special Education in its Policy Advice Paper on the Education of Deaf and Hard of Hearing Children in Ireland, November 2011; how many of the main recommendations relating to early intervention and school age years have been adopted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38275/13]

Public Procurement Regulations

Nicky McFadden

452. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the measures taken by his Department to reform regulations and procedures in relation to public procurement in order to make it easier for Irish small and medium enterprises to gain access to public contracts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37904/13]

Proposed Legislation

Nicky McFadden

458. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform when a register for all lobbyists will be introduced; the way the introduction of such a register will contribute to a more open and transparent Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38274/13]

Small and Medium Enterprises Supports

Nicky McFadden

484. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if targeted measures will be introduced to increase working capital in small and medium enterprises; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36854/13]

Job Creation Data

Nicky McFadden

517. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the number of new jobs that have been created in the digital gaming sector here in 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37900/13]

Jobseeker's Allowance Eligibility

Nicky McFadden

540. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Social Protection the measures taken by her Department to allow those who avail of temporary work opportunities to return to social welfare protection in a timely manner; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36819/13]

Arts Plan

Nicky McFadden

750. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the measures taken by his Department in conjunction with the Arts Council to protect the State's investment in regional arts infrastructure, particularly in the midlands region; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38272/13]

Post Office Network

Nicky McFadden

801. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he has considered the Irish Postmasters' Union 2012 Report on The Future of the Post Office Network in Ireland; the measures that can be taken at Government level to support the continuation of the post office network here; if he has consulted with the Board of An Post on potential service contracts that might be available to the post office network; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37909/13]

Register of Electors

Nicky McFadden

921. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if a voter registration drive will be launched nationally in conjunction with local authorities and community groups in order to promote active citizenship; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37906/13]

Unfinished Housing Developments Data

Nicky McFadden

922. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will outline, in tabular form, the amount of funding that has been allocated to local authorities in counties Westmeath and Longford to date to address urgent public safety issues on unfinished housing estates; the number of developments in each county that have had safety works carried out; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37907/13]

Unfinished Housing Developments Data

Nicky McFadden

923. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the number of unfinished housing developments in counties Longford and Westmeath that have had issues resovled and have had site resolution plans drawn up since the establishment of the national co-ordination committee; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37908/13]

Fire Service

Nicky McFadden

924. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide a timeframe for the roll-out of a new computer-aided mobilisation project system for handling fire service emergency calls; the way the system will improve the fire service's call-taking and mobilisation service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37912/13]

Social and Affordable Housing Provision

Nicky McFadden

925. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the number of leasing arrangements that have been established between Westmeath County Council, Longford County Council and the National Asset Management Agency to make properties available for the purpose of social housing; the number of persons in counties Westmeath and Longford that have been adequately housed as a result of these agreements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37914/13]

Waste Management

Nicky McFadden

947. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide an update on progress being made in implementing the resource opportunity waste management policy, particularly in relation to keeping costs down for the consumer and waste enforcement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38276/13]

Garda Operations

Nicky McFadden

990. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will outline the number of Garda CCTV systems and community-based CCTV systems currently operational in counties Longford and Westmeath; if funding will be made available for the installation of further CCTV systems in the midlands; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36804/13]

Prisoner Rehabilitation Programmes

Nicky McFadden

1092. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will outline the range of rehabilitative programmes, counselling and psychology services available in the prison service to sex offenders; if participation in and completion of such programmes are mandatory; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37902/13]

Immigration Policy

Nicky McFadden

1093. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the progress being made to reform the immigration, residency and asylum systems, particularly in relation to introducing a statutory appeals system and improving transparency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37952/13]

Residency Permits

Nicky McFadden

1112. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of subsidiary protection and leave to remain applications that were approved in July and August 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38422/13]