Parliamentary questions

Regional Aid

Arthur Spring

384. Deputy Arthur Spring asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the total amount of regional aid money given to the Mid-East Regional Authority for start-up of small, medium and large businesses during the present regional aid map 2007-2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8664/13]

Media Mergers

Willie Penrose

385. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation when the necessary legislation will be brought forward to implement the recommendations of the advisory group on the media mergers which was published in January 2009 and in this context since the Government approved the draft heads of the Bill in July 2012, which indicated that the responsibility for carrying out the public interest test would transfer to the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources; if he will now give a definitive date for the publication of the Bill; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8811/13]

Job Creation Data

Charlie McConalogue

386. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if he will provide a yearly breakdown of the new jobs created in County Donegal by the Industrial Development Agency over the past five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8815/13]

Job Creation Data

Charlie McConalogue

387. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if he will provide a yearly breakdown of the number of Industrial Development Agency sponsored visits to County Donegal over the past five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8816/13]

Carer's Allowance Payments

Joe McHugh

388. Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for Social Protection the supports that are provided to carers who do not live in the home of the persons for whom they care; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8169/13]

Disability Allowance Eligibility

Bernard Durkan

389. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding determination of eligibility for disability allowance in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8070/13]

Disability Allowance Applications

Pat Deering

390. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Social Protection when a person (details supplied) in County Carlow will receive a decision on their application for disability; and if she will expedite the matter. [8089/13]

Rural Social Scheme Applications

Paul Connaughton

391. Deputy Paul J. Connaughton asked the Minister for Social Protection her future plans for rural social schemes in view of the positive impact they are having on many rural communities; her views on whether there is scope for further places on these schemes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8090/13]

Student Support Schemes Issues

Joe McHugh

392. Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for Social Protection the supports that are available to Irish students who completed leaving certificate examinations in 2012 and who are studying a course (details supplied) at the Northwest Regional College in Derry City. [8100/13]

Jobseeker's Allowance Eligibility

Bernard Durkan

393. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the current weekly entitlement in respect of basic payment in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; when it is expected their application for jobseeker's allowance will be determined; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8108/13]

Illness Benefit Appeals

Bernard Durkan

394. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection further to Parliamentary Question No. 130 of 22 November 2012, the current position in respect of entitlement to illness benefit in the case of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 6 whose employer and general practitioner have previously deemed them unfit for work; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8109/13]

Ministerial Appointments

Shane Ross

395. Deputy Shane Ross asked the Minister for Social Protection the details of all appointments made by her to all State agencies, commercial bodies and all other appointments made by her since taking office, including the State owned banks and the judiciary. [8125/13]

Ministerial Appointments

Shane Ross

396. Deputy Shane Ross asked the Minister for Social Protection the details of the qualifications of all the appointees made by her to all State agencies, commercial bodies and all other appointments made by her since taking office including the State owned banks and judiciary for the appointments they have accepted; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8143/13]

Disability Allowance Eligibility

Noel Harrington

397. Deputy Noel Harrington asked the Minister for Social Protection the services available to young self employed persons in their early 50s who are diagnosed with Alzheimer's Disease and who are no longer able to work; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8146/13]

Ministerial Appointments

Shane Ross

398. Deputy Shane Ross asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of appointees and the percentage of appointments made by her to all State agencies, commercial bodies and all other appointments made by her since taking office including the State owned banks and the Judiciary that were subject to a public applications process. [8161/13]

Disability Allowance Eligibility

Pat Deering

399. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Social Protection when a person (details supplied) will have their disability allowance granted and if she will expedite the matter. [8168/13]

Back to Education Allowance Eligibility

Olivia Mitchell

401. Deputy Olivia Mitchell asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will review the decision to disallow back to education allowance in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 12; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8198/13]

Farm Assist Scheme Appeals

Michelle Mulherin

402. Deputy Michelle Mulherin asked the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding a farm assist appeal in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Mayo; if the appeal will be expedited; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8202/13]

Carer's Allowance Application Numbers

Finian McGrath

403. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding an application for carer's allowance in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Sligo. [8206/13]

Home Help Service Eligibility

Thomas P. Broughan

404. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding the exemption of home help income earned from the Health Service Executive prior to Budget 2012; if a person was assessed for a social welfare payment prior to Budget 2012 and if their HSE home help income was included in this assessment are they eligible to apply for arrears; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8217/13]

Employment Rights

Mary Lou McDonald

405. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Social Protection following the recently published Migrant Rights Centre Ireland Report December 2012 Part of the Family, which illustrates the way the unregulated au pair system is being used to facilitate cheap childcare and that leaves au pairs without basic protections, her plans to address the issue of au pairs here; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8223/13]

Domiciliary Care Allowance Applications

Pearse Doherty

406. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Social Protection the current waiting times for the processing of domicilary care allowance applications; if she will provide in tabular form, for the past five years, the number of claims awarded on first application; the number of claims refused; and the number of claims received; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8235/13]

Domiciliary Care Allowance Appeals

Pearse Doherty

407. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will provide in tabular form for the past five years the number of domiciliary care allowance appeals submitted to her Department; the number of these refused; and the number granted. [8236/13]

Community Welfare Services

Pearse Doherty

408. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Social Protection the criteria used by her Department to determine the level of demand for community welfare clinics in County Donegal in view of the fact that the exact numbers of persons who have accessed each community welfare clinic in County Donegal is not available; if she will provide a breakdown of the staff employed in the Community Welfare Service in County Donegal, differentiating between those responsible for making payments and those with supervisory or administrative roles, over the past five years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8237/13]

Invalidity Pension Appeals

Jack Wall

409. Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding an invalidity pension appeal in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8243/13]

Social Welfare Appeals Delays

Pearse Doherty

411. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Social Protection when a decision on a social welfare appeal will issue in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 22. [8269/13]

Social Welfare Appeals Delays

Bernard Durkan

412. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection when a decision in respect of an appeal is likely to made in the case of a person (details supplied); if he will confirm if the file has been sent to the social welfare appeals officer; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8271/13]

Invalidity Pension Appeals

Pat Deering

413. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Social Protection when a person (details supplied) in County Carlow will receive a decision on an appeal for invalidity as it has been assigned to an Appeals Officer for final decision and if she will expedite a reply. [8278/13]

Rent Supplement Scheme Applications

Patrick Nulty

414. Deputy Patrick Nulty asked the Minister for Social Protection if an application for rent supplement will be expedited in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 15; the reason for the delay; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8338/13]

Farm Assist Scheme Eligibility

Éamon Ó Cuív

415. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Social Protection if a farmer or fisherperson in receipt of farm assist and fish assist has to be available for employment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8339/13]

Rent Supplement Scheme Payments

Bernard Durkan

416. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the progress to date in respect of a review of a rent supplement payment in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8346/13]

Disability Allowance Payments

Joanna Tuffy

417. Deputy Joanna Tuffy asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will consider opening up more schemes to those on disability payments including the new social employment scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8398/13]

Exceptional Needs Payments

Bernard Durkan

418. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection if an exceptional needs payment will issue in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8415/13]

Invalidity Pension Applications

Bernard Durkan

419. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the progress to date in respect of an application for invalidity pension in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Offaly; when the application is likely to be awarded; if he will outline exactly the stage this application is at and the stages yet to be proceeded with; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8422/13]

Disability Allowance Appeals

Tom Fleming

420. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Social Protection when a decision will issue on a disability allowance appeal in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8445/13]

Pension Provisions

Peter Mathews

421. Deputy Peter Mathews asked the Minister for Social Protection if an information campaign will be launched to make persons aware of the changes to the transition pension from 2014 onward; the steps those who are unprepared take; if there will be any discretion given to persons who must retire at 65 years and will have no income until 66; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8446/13]

Invalidity Pension Appeals

Michael McGrath

422. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding an invalidity pension appeal in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cork. [8453/13]

Farm Assist Scheme Applications

Sean Fleming

424. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Social Protection when a decision will issue on the current application for farm assist in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Laois; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8518/13]

Invalidity Pension Appeals

Paul Connaughton

425. Deputy Paul J. Connaughton asked the Minister for Social Protection when a decision will issue on an appeal for invalidity pension in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Galway; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8519/13]

Social Welfare Appeals Status

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

426. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Social Protection when a decision will issue from the social welfare appeals office in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Louth; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8613/13]

Carer's Allowance Applications

James Bannon

428. Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will provide an update on an application for carer's allowance in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Longford; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8626/13]

Disability Support Services Provision

Bernard Durkan

430. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection if she has examined the budgetary requirements of the employability service in County Kildare which handles the administration and placement of employment for people with a particular or special needs requirement in the context of their employment, if her attention has been drawn to the need for continuity of funds for the provision of the services required with particular reference to the changeover from FÁS-Department of Enterprise Trade and Employment to her Department; if she will arrange to liaise with the service providers with a view to contract update and renewal and the need for dependability and reliability of the backup funding service now the responsibility of her Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8693/13]

Carer's Allowance Payments

Pat Breen

431. Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Social Protection when a decision on a carer's allowance will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Clare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8699/13]

Carer's Allowance Applications

Pat Breen

432. Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Social Protection when a decision on a review of carer's allowance will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Clare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8701/13]

Jobseeker's Allowance Appeals

Ciaran Lynch

434. Deputy Ciarán Lynch asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will review a decision to discontinue jobseeker's allowance to a person (details supplied) as participation in a FÁS community employment scheme is contingent on being in receipt of this payment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8706/13]

Illness Benefit Applications

Bernard Durkan

435. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the entitlement to illness benefit in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8709/13]

Carer's Allowance Appeals

Brendan Griffin

438. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Social Protection when a decision will issue on a carer's allowance application in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8727/13]

Carer's Allowance Applications

Michelle Mulherin

439. Deputy Michelle Mulherin asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason a person (details supplied) in County Mayo has been refused carer's allowance when the person being cared for had been assessed for carer's benefit as being in need of full-time care in August 2012 and has had no improvement in their condition; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8750/13]

Supplementary Welfare Allowance Eligibility

Sandra McLellan

440. Deputy Sandra McLellan asked the Minister for Social Protection further to Parliamentary Question No. 359 of 12 February 2013, if she will change the rule to allow persons on social welfare allowance to travel for medical treatment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8751/13]

Pension Provisions

Marcella Corcoran Kennedy

442. Deputy Marcella Corcoran Kennedy asked the Minister for Social Protection if there has been any agreement in relation to putting in place the provision of a gratuity or pension payment for retiring job club leaders; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8824/13]