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]