Parliamentary questions

Garda Retirements

Michael Healy-Rae

214. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the reason he waived the normal retirement age for Garda Commissioner Martin Callinan to ensure that the Commissioner received an extension of two years past the normal retirement age of 60, in view of details supplied; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26464/13]

Prisoner Numbers

John Deasy

215. Deputy John Deasy asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the current number of persons incarcerated in Irish prisons; and the number for each of the last five years. [26484/13]

Prison Staff

John Deasy

216. Deputy John Deasy asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of prison officers employed by the State for each of the past five years. [26485/13]

Garda Retirements

John Deasy

217. Deputy John Deasy asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of retirees from the Garda Síochána from all ranks in each of the past five years. [26486/13]

Garda Deployment

John Deasy

218. Deputy John Deasy asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of gardaí deployed to the traffic corps in each of the past five years. [26487/13]

Asylum Applications

Bernard Durkan

219. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the extent to which application for residency or eligibility for naturalisation has been established in the case of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 2; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26514/13]

Naturalisation Applications

Bernard Durkan

220. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the position regarding determination of residency/eligibility for naturalisation in the case of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 24; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26515/13]

Naturalisation Applications

Bernard Durkan

221. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the position and progress made to date in the determination of eligibility for residency or naturalisation in the case of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 8; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26519/13]

Naturalisation Applications

Bernard Durkan

222. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the position regarding the determination of eligibility for residency in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Carlow; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26520/13]

Immigration Status

Bernard Durkan

223. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the position regarding entitlement to residency in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Westmeath who has worked in insurable employment here for more than five years but who appears to have no proper residency status; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26521/13]

Immigration Status

Bernard Durkan

224. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the current or indicated residency status in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Westmeath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26523/13]

Naturalisation Applications

Bernard Durkan

225. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the position regarding an application for naturalisation in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26524/13]

Naturalisation Applications

Bernard Durkan

226. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the position regarding an application for naturalisation in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26526/13]

Naturalisation Applications

Bernard Durkan

227. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the residency status and entitlement to naturalisation in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26531/13]

Departmental Budgets

Sean Fleming

228. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he has received any indicative figure from the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform regarding the fiscal adjustments his Department will be asked to make in 2014 and 2015; the size of those adjustments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26552/13]

Departmental Records

Mattie McGrath

229. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if records of Garda briefings to him or the Department concerning members of the Oireachtas are recorded and archived by his Department. [26578/13]

Garda Operations

Mattie McGrath

230. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he has requested a report from the Commissioner on an incident (details supplied) under section 41 of the 2005 Garda Síochána Act. [26580/13]

Fodder Crisis

Seán Ó Fearghaíl

231. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Defence if grass cut on lands at Baldonnel, County Dublin, or any lands under the control of is Department, will be made available to farmers, whose animals are suffering as a result of the shortage of fodder; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26400/13]

Defence Forces Properties

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

232. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Defence further to Parliamentary Question No.180 of 23 May 2013, the exact current location of the plaques and the details of the relevant contact person. [26425/13]

Departmental Budgets

Sean Fleming

233. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Defence if he has received any indicative figure from the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform regarding the fiscal adjustments his Department will be asked to make in 2014 and 2015; the size of those adjustments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26545/13]

Suckler Welfare Scheme Payments

Brendan Griffin

234. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when payment will issue on a suckler welfare scheme in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26301/13]

Animal Welfare

Dara Calleary

235. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the criteria adopted by local authorities when dealing with stray horses; the timeframe involved from a local authority taking a stray horse to the local authority putting down that animal; if this rule also applies to horses in foal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26326/13]

Beef Slaughtering Plants

Dara Calleary

236. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of cattle slaughtered in the period from January to May 2012 compared to that in the period of January to May in 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26349/13]

Animal Disease Controls

Patrick O'Donovan

237. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the availability of a vaccine to the farming sector (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26388/13]

Suckler Welfare Scheme Applications

John O'Mahony

238. Deputy John O'Mahony asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a person in County Mayo will receive their payment for cow suckler welfare scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26391/13]

Common Agricultural Policy Negotiations

Andrew Doyle

239. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will give details of the developments on a range of policy areas, with his ministerial colleagues, made at the 26-28 May 2013 informal meeting of Agriculture and Fisheries Council held in Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26415/13]

Disadvantaged Areas Scheme Applications

Éamon Ó Cuív

240. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a disadvantaged area scheme payment will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26449/13]

Bovine Disease Controls

Éamon Ó Cuív

241. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason compensation is not paid to farmers who have to dispose of calves that test positive for BVD; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26450/13]

Bovine Disease Controls

Éamon Ó Cuív

242. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the requirements on farmers who have calves that test positive for BVD; where and the way they must dispose of such calves; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26451/13]

Disadvantaged Areas Scheme Applications

Éamon Ó Cuív

243. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a farmer who is in REP scheme 4 will receive their 2012 disadvantaged areas scheme payment; the reason for the delay in making this payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26452/13]

Fodder Crisis

Denis Naughten

244. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to a topical issue of 22 May 2013, the progress made, if any, regarding the importation of fodder by ship from the Netherlands; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26453/13]

Fodder Crisis

Denis Naughten

245. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to topical issue if 22 May 2013, the progress made, if any, on facilitating the release of financial support and-or credit for farmers to allow them to purchase fertiliser; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26454/13]

Fodder Crisis

Denis Naughten

246. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will extend the closing date for the fodder subsidy scheme in view of the rainfall experienced in west of Ireland on the night of 26 May last; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that there still remains significant demand for fodder in the region; if he will visit the region to experience the problems first hand; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26467/13]

Disadvantaged Areas Scheme Payments

Denis Naughten

247. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the total savings in 2012 disadvantaged areas scheme payments solely due to the changes in the stocking rates; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26477/13]

Fodder Crisis

Denis Naughten

248. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will reduce below seven months the holding period for animals under the 2013 disadvantaged areas scheme and revise down the stocking rates in view of the impact that this may have on animal welfare due to the current and projected fodder shortage; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26478/13]

Fodder Crisis

John Deasy

249. Deputy John Deasy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the amount of aid that has been distributed per county for animal fodder in 2013. [26498/13]

Common Agricultural Policy Negotiations

John Deasy

250. Deputy John Deasy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the timetable for Common Agriculture Policy negotiations over the coming days. [26499/13]

Sugar Industry

John Deasy

251. Deputy John Deasy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the estimate for the overall capital cost costs involved in building a manufacturing plant for the production of sugar. [26500/13]

Fodder Crisis

Brendan Smith

252. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will extend the imported fodder transport scheme for at least a further two weeks in view of the difficulties facing the farming community particularly in areas such as counties Cavan and Monaghan where very unfavourable weather conditions continue to prolong and intensify the fodder crisis and farm income problems; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26533/13]

Departmental Budgets

Sean Fleming

253. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he has received any indicative figure from the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform regarding the fiscal adjustments his Department will be asked to make in 2014 and 2015; the size of those adjustments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26541/13]

School Enrolments

Bernard Durkan

254. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the availability of a school place in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26530/13]

Proposed Legislation

Thomas P. Broughan

255. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she is intending to amend the forthcoming Children First legislation to extend the scope of the guidelines to include childminders on the list of persons to whom the Children First legislation is applicable because of the large number of children who are cared for by childminders either in the childminder's home or elsewhere. [26363/13]

Foreign Adoptions

Thomas P. Broughan

256. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she will outline her Department's engagements, if any, with families who have adopted children born in Mexico and who have subsequently been unable to have these adoptions recognised or registered here; and if she will report on the extent to which her Department is working with families affected to come to a resolution of their difficulties. [26365/13]

Children in Care

Thomas P. Broughan

257. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if he will provide in tabular form, by the name of institution and its location, the various institutions in which children detained under a special care order granted by the High Court have been placed in facilities outside the State since January 2013 up until the present date. [26366/13]

Child Care Reports

Terence Flanagan

258. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if inspection reports of creches will be added to her website; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26413/13]

Departmental Budgets

Sean Fleming

259. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she has received any indicative figure from the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform regarding the fiscal adjustments her Department will be asked to make in 2014 and 2015; the size of those adjustments; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26543/13]

Youth Work Projects Funding

Willie Penrose

260. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she will ensure that the organisations that are involved in youth work, for which funding is vital, and for which funding has already been cut by 30%, should not be subject to further and additional expenditure adjustments in light of a reduction of 10% forecast for 2014; if her attention has been drawn to the fact that if Big Brother, Big Sister programme, which is an extremely important youth mentoring programme, incurs further funding losses, it will eventually close, despite being an extremely cost-effective programme which is volunteer led; if she will ensure that no further cuts are implemented in 2014; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26584/13]

Health Services

Dara Calleary

261. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Health if he will provide a commitment to the long-term future of a school (details supplied) in County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26557/13]

Health Services

Dara Calleary

262. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Health if he will provide a commitment to the long-term future of a school (details supplied) in County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26558/13]

Hospital Staff

Billy Kelleher

263. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health his views on claims made by the Irish Association for Emergency Medicine of an expected significant worsening of the current, very precarious medical staffing levels in emergency departments here, that evidence from around the country currently indicates that staffing deficits will worsen significantly from July 2013 and that it is likely that many departments will have difficulty filling medical staff rosters with inevitable cuts in services and more prolonged waits for patients; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26287/13]

Hospital Services

Thomas P. Broughan

264. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Health the status of catering services at Beaumont Hospital, Dublin; his views on whether there are plans to outsource the provision of catering services at Beaumont Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26288/13]

Tobacco Control Measures

Thomas P. Broughan

265. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Health if he will provide the number of prosecutions initiated by the Office of Tobacco Control or the Health Service Executive under the Public Health Tobacco Acts, in tabular form, for each year since 2004. [26289/13]

Hospital Equipment

Thomas P. Broughan

266. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Health if the health insurance management system is currently live at Beaumont Hospital, Dublin. [26290/13]

Cancer Screening Programmes

Thomas P. Broughan

267. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Health his plans to remove the upper age limit for eligibility, which is currently 64 years of age, for testing under the national breast screening programme, BreastCheck. [26291/13]

General Practitioner Services

Niall Collins

268. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Health the existing legislation or guidelines that permits a general practitioner to levy a charge of €20 for the provision of a prescription; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26298/13]

Treatment Abroad Scheme

David Stanton

269. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Health if persons suffering from Ehler’s Danlos syndrome are eligible for the treatment abroad scheme; if such treatment is available in both public and private hospitals abroad; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26299/13]

Treatment Abroad Scheme

David Stanton

270. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Health the number of patients with Ehler’s Danlos syndrome who have travelled to foreign hospitals or clinics for specialist services under the treatment abroad scheme each year for the past ten years, respectively; if he will provide details of where such treatment was accessed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26300/13]

Nursing Homes Support Scheme Applications

Robert Troy

271. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health the reason funding for the fair deal scheme is suspended; when it will reopen and the timeframe that he envisages approved applicants will have to wait for necessary funding. [26305/13]

Mobility Allowance Decision

Robert Dowds

272. Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on plans for a replacement for the motorised transport and mobility grants for disabled persons, following the recent decision to close the existing schemes because they were operating unlawfully. [26309/13]

Long-Term Illness Scheme Coverage

Patrick O'Donovan

273. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Health his plans to include Addison's disease as one of the qualifying medical conditions under the long-term illness scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26315/13]

Mental Health Services Provision

Peter Mathews

274. Deputy Peter Mathews asked the Minister for Health the facilities in place, for those diagnosed with mental health problems including Asperger's syndrome, for those between 16 and 18 years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26329/13]

Home Help Service Provision

Finian McGrath

275. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Health if he will advise on the rights of home help care companies that do not want to amalgamate and are being forced to do so by the Health Service Executive; the impact on service level agreements; and if they can be compelled to do so by the HSE. [26338/13]

Health Services Staff

Denis Naughten

276. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health the number of staff required to be on duty at any one time in each acute psychiatric facility in the Health Service Executive west region; the grades of those staff; the acceptable staff to patient ratio for each of those facilities; if there are staff shortages in any facility; if he is satisfied that the staffing levels currently available in each facility are sufficient; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26341/13]

Nursing Staff Provision

Denis Naughten

277. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health his views on whether there are adequate nursing staff employed within acute psychiatric facilities across the country; the vacancies which currently exist; the steps he is taking, if any, to ensure the safety of staff employed in such facilities where there may be staff shortages; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26342/13]

Hospital Accommodation Provision

Denis Naughten

278. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health the bed capacity of each psychiatric facility in the Health Service Executive west region; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26343/13]

General Practitioner Services

Dara Calleary

279. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Health when free general practitioner care as outlined in the programme for Government will be introduced; the timeframe for same; the illnesses or disabilities to be covered under the new provision; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26347/13]

Hospital Waiting Lists

Heather Humphreys

280. Deputy Heather Humphreys asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny will receive an appointment for hip replacement surgery; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26392/13]

Counselling Services

Robert Troy

281. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health if a person (details supplied) in County Westmeath is entitled to free counselling and support services. [26399/13]

Mobility Allowance Decision

Michael Healy-Rae

282. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health further to the abolition of the mobility allowance and the motorised transport grant, if he will ensure that there is an immediate way of supporting the persons who are affected by this basic right, which is to be mobile and which at present is being jeopardised; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26410/13]

Cancer Screening Programmes

Michael Healy-Rae

283. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the reason women, who may be in danger of developing breast cancer, have to wait 18 months for a proper diagnosis in many instances; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26411/13]

Nursing Homes Support Scheme Applications

Jack Wall

284. Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Kildare will receive confirmation of funding under the nursing home support scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26418/13]

Medical Card Drugs

Billy Timmins

285. Deputy Billy Timmins asked the Minister for Health the position regarding medication not covered under the medical card in respect of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26427/13]

Health Services

Denis Naughten

286. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health if he will request an immediate audit of staffing and services at a unit (details supplied) in view of recent incidents involving both staff and patients that give rise to serious concern; the steps that have been taken following these incidents to ensure both the safety of staff and patients; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26446/13]

Accident and Emergency Department Closures

Michael Healy-Rae

287. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health his views regarding the proposed closure of the accident and emergency unit at Bantry Hospital, County Cork, from 8 p.m. until 8 a.m.; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26469/13]

Dental Services Provision

Michael Healy-Rae

288. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the reason a dentist is only available on Mondays and Tuesdays at Kerry General Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26471/13]

Medical Card Data

John Deasy

289. Deputy John Deasy asked the Minister for Health the number of medical cards issued to persons by county in 2012. [26488/13]

Medical Card Data

John Deasy

290. Deputy John Deasy asked the Minister for Health the number of general practitioner cards issued to persons by county in 2012. [26489/13]

Health Services Access

Bernard Durkan

291. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the extent to which diagnostic and support services are being made available to a person (details supplied) in Dublin 24; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26517/13]

Medical Card Reviews

Bernard Durkan

292. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health when a medical card review will be concluded and updated in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26532/13]

Departmental Budgets

Sean Fleming

293. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Health if he has received any indicative figure from the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform regarding the fiscal adjustments his Department will be asked to make in 2014 and 2015; the size of those adjustments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26550/13]

Ambulance Service Provision

Sandra McLellan

294. Deputy Sandra McLellan asked the Minister for Health if any of the new intermediary care vehicles will be located in the east Cork area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26563/13]

Hospital Appointment Delays

Billy Timmins

295. Deputy Billy Timmins asked the Minister for Health if a hospital appointment will be brought forward in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Carlow; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26574/13]

Hospital Procedures

Dan Neville

296. Deputy Dan Neville asked the Minister for Health if he will address the issues regarding the delay in having neurosurgery carried out at Cork University Hospital due to the neurological service having had 45% of it's routine operating list cut since January 2012; if he will address the issue of more than 12 patients waiting more than nine months for neurological surgery; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26575/13]

Hospital Waiting Lists

Willie Penrose

297. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Health the steps he will take to have a person (details supplied) in County Longford admitted to Midland Regional Hospital, Tullamore; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26582/13]

Primary Care Reimbursement Service Payments

Willie O'Dea

298. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Health the reason arrears due to a medical practice (details supplied) in County Limerick have not yet been paid pertaining to secretarial subsidies owed since 2009 and nursing subsidy due since 2012; the reason general practitioners are being penalised while providing medical services to the public under the PCR services; when the arrears payments will issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26586/13]

Tourism Capital Investment Programme

Thomas P. Broughan

299. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will report on the strategic investments his Department plans to make under the tourism capital investment programme; and if he will outline the way the funding provided for this programme will be spent. [26292/13]

Taxi Regulations

Dessie Ellis

300. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the reason people who sit the SPSV knowledge test are not being provided with information on the specifics of their results in terms of area and route knowledge therefore making it difficult to improve on their weak points. [26420/13]

Taxi Regulations

Dessie Ellis

301. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will consider introducing taxi licences specific to certain large urban and suburban areas to recognise the difference between the knowledge requirements for drivers in areas (details supplied). [26421/13]

Rural Transport Programme

Michael Healy-Rae

302. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on correspondence (details supplied) regarding the rural transport scheme. [26466/13]

Departmental Budgets

Sean Fleming

303. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he has received any indicative figure from the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform regarding the fiscal adjustments his Department will be asked to make in 2014 and 2015; the size of those adjustments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26555/13]

Road Projects Status

Charlie McConalogue

304. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the position regarding a road project (details supplied) and if the project will be given precedence under any European stimulus project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26559/13]

Disability Allowance Payments

Michael Colreavy

10. Deputy Michael Colreavy asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will maintain disability allowance at its current rate in budget 2014. [25723/13]

Work Placement Programmes

Jim Daly

11. Deputy Jim Daly asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will provide an update on her Department's work in introducing a work placement initiative to allow the unemployed to work within local authorities. [25640/13]

Rent Supplement Scheme Expenditure

Thomas P. Broughan

12. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will report on her Department's spending in 2012 and to date in 2013 on rent supplement; the number of persons currently in receipt of the payment; and her views on the effect of rent supplement levels on rent rates, particularly in the greater Dublin area. [25705/13]

Family Income Supplement Eligibility

Peadar Tóibín

13. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will consider reducing the income thresholds used to assess qualification for family income supplement. [25715/13]

Social Welfare Code Review

John Halligan

15. Deputy John Halligan asked the Minister for Social Protection the benefits of the jobseeker's transition payment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25870/13]

Social Welfare Code Review

Brendan Griffin

16. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Social Protection if she is satisfied that the current social protection system possesses sufficient flexibility for the fluid movement of people between employment and unemployment in view of the fact that many retailers have expressed frustration that they cannot fill temporary seasonal staff positions because of the difficulties and delays that they would encounter re-registering for social protection payments; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25861/13]

Maternity Benefit

Robert Troy

17. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Social Protection the total amount spent on maternity benefit in 2010, 2011, 2012 and to date in 2013; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25815/13]

Domiciliary Care Allowance Review

Peadar Tóibín

18. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Social Protection the plans she has for changes to the domiciliary care allowance and disability allowance; and the date on which she intends to make any changes. [25714/13]

Habitual Residency Conditions

Sandra McLellan

19. Deputy Sandra McLellan asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will direct her Department to catalogue information on the number of returning Irish emigrants who applied for but were refused a social welfare payment on the basis of not fulfilling the habitual residency condition. [25719/13]