Parliamentary questions

Trade Missions Participation

Micheál Martin

238. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Jobs; Enterprise and Innovation if he has made arrangements to ensure that he includes within his official delegation on future trade missions persons who can represent the scientific community here. [40269/12]

Media Mergers

Catherine Murphy

239. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Jobs; Enterprise and Innovation his views on the fact that the recommendations of the 2008 Advisory Group on Media Mergers, which called for a more robust and sophisticated defence of the importance of diverse ownership and content, have not yet been implemented; if he intends to follow the recommendation that there should be a reduction in the role of the Competition Authority in relation to media ownership; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35516/12]

Media Mergers

Catherine Murphy

240. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Jobs; Enterprise and Innovation if the proposed Consumer and Competition Bill, which was promised for early 2012, will be published; if not, if he will consider publishing the provisions relating to media mergers in advance of the completion of the Bill; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35517/12]

Job Creation Targets

Richard Boyd Barrett

241. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Jobs; Enterprise and Innovation if he has targets for creating jobs so as to reduce unemployment over the coming year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39029/12]

IDA Portfolio

Brendan Smith

242. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Jobs; Enterprise and Innovation further to Parliamentary Question No. 305 of 19 July 2012, if he will clarify his statement that the Industrial Development Agency had assured him that it would consider opportunities to utilise its property portfolio in County Cavan to attract other non-traditional type of investments to the region which do not fall under the general remit of the IDA or Enterprise Ireland; if he will outline the range of such non-traditional type investments the IDA have in mind; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42014/12]

Economic Competitiveness

Bernard Durkan

243. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Jobs; Enterprise and Innovation the extent to which he and or his Department has monitored or identified possible issues affecting competitiveness in the manufacturing or services sectors; the extent to which costs have been reduced or otherwise in this area in each of the past three years to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42052/12]

Job Losses

Bernard Durkan

244. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Jobs; Enterprise and Innovation if he will indicate the most recently quoted reasons for job losses in the various regions throughout the country in each of the past three years to date; the action taken to address any such issues; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42053/12]

Economic Growth Initiatives

Bernard Durkan

245. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Jobs; Enterprise and Innovation if he will indicate the factors deemed most likely to affect economic growth and as a result job opportunities in the coming year in view of the experience of the past two years and previous projections for the period; if it is intended to take any particular action to specifically focus on issues likely to affect job retention and or creation and commercial activity; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42054/12]

Job Creation

Bernard Durkan

246. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Jobs; Enterprise and Innovation the extent to which innovation has featured in the creation and or retention of jobs in the manufacturing and services sectors in each of the past three years to date; if he expects to take particular action to address any obvious issues; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42055/12]

Work Permit Application Numbers

Bernard Durkan

247. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Jobs; Enterprise and Innovation if he will indicate the number of applications for work permits received in his Department in each of the past four years to date; the number of such applications which met the criteria to qualify; the number of applications granted, refused or pending; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42056/12]

Work Permit Criteria

Bernard Durkan

248. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Jobs; Enterprise and Innovation the extent to which the criteria affecting the approval of application for work permits in the course of the past three years have altered in this or other EU countries; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42057/12]

Job Creation

Bernard Durkan

249. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Jobs; Enterprise and Innovation the number of jobs created arising through innovation in the manufacturing and the services sectors in each of the past three years to date; the perceived potential in this area in the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42058/12]

Job Creation Data

Bernard Durkan

250. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Jobs; Enterprise and Innovation the total number of service jobs created indigenously in each of the past three years to date; the specific area or areas in respect of which growth is most obvious; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42059/12]

Job Creation Data

Bernard Durkan

251. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Jobs; Enterprise and Innovation the total number of manufacturing jobs created indigenously in each of the past three years to date; the specific area or areas in respect of which growth is most obvious; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42060/12]

Upward Only Rent Reviews

Bernard Durkan

252. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Jobs; Enterprise and Innovation the extent to which upward only rent reviews have been recorded as a factor causing job losses in the commercial or retail sectors in each of the past three years to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42061/12]

Economic Policy

Bernard Durkan

253. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Jobs; Enterprise and Innovation the extent to which Irish firms continue to access and benefit from innovation and technology assistance directly or indirectly; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42062/12]

Economic Competitiveness

Bernard Durkan

254. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Jobs; Enterprise and Innovation if he will indicate arising from any discussions he has had with employers the extent to which he is in a position to provide incentives for employers in the services sector to increase their labour force in the near future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42063/12]

Economic Competitiveness

Bernard Durkan

255. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Jobs; Enterprise and Innovation the extent to which various costs continue to act as a disincentive to job expansion in existing enterprises in the manufacturing and services sectors; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42064/12]

Departmental Staff Rehiring

Luke 'Ming' Flanagan

256. Deputy Luke 'Ming' Flanagan asked the Minister for Jobs; Enterprise and Innovation if he will list all the current positions, where the appointment was made by his Department held by retired senior civil servants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42669/12]

Supplementary Welfare Allowance Appeals

Bernard Durkan

257. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason an oral hearing was not granted in respect of an application for supplementary welfare allowance in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41229/12]

Disability Allowance Applications

Bernard Durkan

258. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection in respect of an application for disability allowance in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare, the reason a letter was sent to the applicant on 13 September 2012 stating that their application had been refused, despite a letter being issued from her office on 11 September 2012 stating that the application would be considered in due course; if she will review this case; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41230/12]

Rent Supplement Scheme Eligibility

Finian McGrath

259. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding rent supplement in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 5. [41246/12]

Financial Services Regulation

Michelle Mulherin

260. Deputy Michelle Mulherin asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason financial brokers are excluded from participating as advisers in providing free independent financial advice for borrowers in mortgage distress under the Mortgage Arrears Information and Advice Service; the criteria used to decide that only accountants could offer such advice; if she will consider including financial brokers who have the appropriate knowledge and experience to the service; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41276/12]

Rent Supplement Scheme Eligibility

Catherine Murphy

261. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Social Protection if there has been a change in policy in 2012 in respect of housing applicants who have been approved for rent assistance and where the social housing needs assessment has post dated the commencement of the tenancy, sometimes by months; if a change has been made to refuse to pay arrears; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41295/12]

Carer's Allowance Applications

Gerry Adams

262. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will provide an update on a carer's allowance application in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Louth; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41297/12]

Child Benefit Payments

Gerry Adams

263. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will provide clarification on the requirements which must be met in order to qualify for qualified child dependent, with specific regard to whether or not the applicant must be in receipt of child benefit payment to qualify; if so, the steps that must be undertaken by an applicant to transfer payment of same from one parent to another; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41299/12]

Carer's Allowance Applications

John O'Mahony

264. Deputy John O'Mahony asked the Minister for Social Protection when a decision will be made on an appeal for home help in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Roscommon; the reason this case has been refused; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41303/12]

Employment Support Services

Catherine Murphy

265. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Social Protection if consideration is being given to add any additional categories to the job activation initiatives including those who are available for work but not entitled to a payment that will give them access to internship's or other upskilling opportunities; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41307/12]

Invalidity Pension Applications

Bernard Durkan

266. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection if and when an application for invalidity pension will be determined in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41310/12]

Domiciliary Care Allowance Appeals

John Perry

267. Deputy John Perry asked the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding a domiciliary care allowance appeal in respect of a person (detailed supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41312/12]

Back to Education Allowance Eligibility

Catherine Murphy

268. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Social Protection in situations where a candidate does not fulfil the eligibility criteria for back to education allowance, if there is any flexibility to use previous periods of unemployment; if any change is being considered to the guidelines; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41316/12]

Exceptional Needs Payments

Billy Kelleher

269. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of persons that have been awarded assistance in the County Cork area following the recent flooding; if she will provide a breakdown by affected areas; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41323/12]

Carer's Allowance Eligibility

Bernard Durkan

270. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection if half rate carer's allowance will be backdated to December 2011 in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41324/12]

Insolvency Payments Scheme Applications

Jerry Buttimer

271. Deputy Jerry Buttimer asked the Minister for Social Protection if the 1980 EU Insolvency Directive is applicable to a person (details supplied) in County Cork; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41357/12]

Social Welfare Appeals Status

Noel Harrington

272. Deputy Noel Harrington asked the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding an appeal for respite care grants for 2011 and 2012 in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cork; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41367/12]

Insolvency Payments Scheme Applications

Jerry Buttimer

273. Deputy Jerry Buttimer asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will outline the pension entitlements of a person (details supplied) in County Cork; if the 1980 EU Insolvency Directive is applicable to the person; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41368/12]

Free Travel Scheme Administration

Thomas P. Broughan

274. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Social Protection if it is anticipated that all free travel passes will contain photo ID in view of the security concerns raised by some senior citizens; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41377/12]

Jobseeker's Allowance Applications

John Halligan

275. Deputy John Halligan asked the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding leeway in the means testing of jobseeker's allowance (details supplied). [41398/12]

Severe Weather Events Response

Brian Stanley

276. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Social Protection the amount of financial humanitarian assistance allocated as a result of severe flooding last autumn that has been allocated on a national and county wide basis; the amount of the average allocation; and if an appeal mechanism exists to challenge unsatisfactory allocations. [41399/12]

Departmental Staff Allowances

Michael Creed

277. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will publish details of all allowances paid to staff in her Department; the business case made by her Department in respect of these allowances to the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform; the cost of each individual allowance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41419/12]

Farm Assist Scheme Appeals

Michael Colreavy

278. Deputy Michael Colreavy asked the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding an appeal for farm assist in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cavan; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41423/12]

Supplementary Welfare Allowance Applications

Brendan Griffin

279. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Social Protection her views on supplementary welfare allowance (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41436/12]

Carer's Allowance Applications

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

280. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin 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 Monaghan; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41440/12]

Rent Supplement Scheme Applications

Seán Ó Fearghaíl

281. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will review the case of persons (details supplied) in Kildare whose rent allowance was approved from a date six months after they had taken up occupancy of a residential unit and in a situation in which their father has been continuously included on the council's assessment of need since 2008; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41453/12]

Insolvency Payments Scheme Applications

Billy Timmins

282. Deputy Billy Timmins asked the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding minimum notice and holiday pay in respect of a person (details supplied in County Carlow; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41455/12]

Invalidity Pension Eligibility

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

283. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of persons in receipt of invalidity pension at the present time; the number of persons in receipt of invalidity pension since January 2011 who have been notified that they are no longer eligible for the payment on foot of a review by his Department's medical assessor. [41485/12]

Financial Services Regulation

Paul Connaughton

284. Deputy Paul J. Connaughton asked the Minister for Social Protection if financial advisers will be allowed to administer advice under the mortgage advice scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41505/12]

Rent Supplement Scheme Applications

John Lyons

285. Deputy John Lyons asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will provide an up-to-date position on an application for rent supplement in respect of a person (details supplied). [41507/12]

Departmental Expenditure

Pearse Doherty

287. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will provide in tabular form social protection spending both as a percentage of gross domestic product and in nominal terms by year from 1992 to 2011. [41522/12]

Carer's Allowance Application Numbers

John O'Mahony

288. Deputy John O'Mahony asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of applications received each month for the years 2011 and to date in 2012 for carer's allowance; the number of applications on hand waiting to be processed; the reason for the delay in processing these applications; the steps that are being taken to reduce the waiting times; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41681/12]

Social Welfare Appeals Status

John O'Mahony

289. Deputy John O'Mahony asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of appeals received each month for 2011 and to date in 2012 for appeals to her Department; the number of appeals on hand waiting to be processed; the reason for the delay in processing these applications; the steps that are being taken to reduce the waiting times; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41682/12]

Insolvency Payments Scheme Payments

John McGuinness

290. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Social Protection if a payment from the insolvency fund will be approved in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny; and if the payment will be expedited. [41686/12]

Financial Services Regulation

Éamon Ó Cuív

291. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason for her proposal that the new advisory service for mortgage holders in difficulty is to be confined to accountants; the reason financial brokers regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland are not included; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41709/12]

Carer's Allowance Appeals

Tom Fleming

292. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Social Protection when a decision will issue on an appeal for carer's allowance in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry. [41719/12]

Social Welfare Code Review

Pat Deering

293. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will examine the social welfare system for self-employed, including payment of PRSI contributions, as the fear of not being entitled to any social welfare payments is a deterrent to many entrepreneurs who are afraid to take the risk of starting a business or working for themselves. [41724/12]

Social Welfare Appeals Status

Jack Wall

294. Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding a social protection appeal in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41728/12]

Disability Allowance Appeals

Jack Wall

295. Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding a disability allowance appeal in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41730/12]

Mortgage Arrears Proposals

Dominic Hannigan

297. Deputy Dominic Hannigan asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason financial brokers were excluded from the recently announced advisory service for mortgage holders; if there will be a review prior to the June 2013 review; if not, will there be an opportunity for an evaluation of a small number of cases to ensure that the service is working and does not need any additional professions to be included; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41745/12]

Mortgage Arrears Proposals

Dominic Hannigan

298. Deputy Dominic Hannigan asked the Minister for Social Protection if the Professional Insurance Brokers Association were consulted at any point prior to the launching of the new advisory service for mortgage holders; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41746/12]

Carer's Allowance Applications

John O'Mahony

300. Deputy John O'Mahony asked the Minister for Social Protection when a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will receive a decision on an application for carer's allowance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41749/12]

Carer's Allowance Applications

Peter Mathews

301. Deputy Peter Mathews asked the Minister for Social Protection her plans to address the delays in processing carer's allowance applications; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41815/12]

Jobseeker's Allowance Appeals

Finian McGrath

302. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding jobseeker's allowance in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 5. [41827/12]

Financial Services Regulation

Robert Troy

303. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will reverse the decision that has been made to confine the new advisory role for mortgage holders in difficulty to accountants; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41848/12]

Community Employment Schemes Places

Eric J. Byrne

304. Deputy Eric Byrne asked the Minister for Social Protection the procedures in place for parents of school going children who are offered a place on the TÚS scheme, but, cannot take up the offer of a place due to the fact that they cannot afford or source within their own family adequate childcare cover; if this will impact their entitlement to a Department of Social Protection payment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41860/12]

Disability Allowance Appeals

Mary Lou McDonald

305. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason an appeal for disability allowances was refused in respect of a person (details supplied) [41888/12]

Financial Services Regulation

Michael Creed

307. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason she is excluding mortgage brokers from acting on behalf of distressed mortgage holders in the new advisory service; her views on whether this profession which is regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland and is already undertaking this role in a private capacity, is adequately qualified and appropriately regulated to merit inclusion in this advisory service; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41892/12]

Supplementary Welfare Allowance Applications

Robert Dowds

308. Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for Social Protection the circumstances in which a person in receipt of supplementary welfare allowance, who has no other household income, is eligible for fuel allowance. [41895/12]

Illness Benefit Appeals

Bernard Durkan

309. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding illness benefit/disability allowance in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41918/12]

Social Welfare Code

Peadar Tóibín

310. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Social Protection the social welfare supports available for a former self employed citizen who is sinking into poverty. [41919/12]

Disability Allowance Applications

James Bannon

311. Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding an application for disability allowance in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Longford; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41934/12]

Disability Allowance Appeals

James Bannon

312. Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding an application for disability allowance in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Westmeath; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41936/12]

Rent Supplement Scheme Payments

Thomas P. Broughan

313. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will consider legislation to impose rent control on residential properties in view of the fact that using limits on rent supplement is a blunt mechanism and impacts harshly on some families in need of housing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41940/12]

Social Welfare Schemes

Jim Daly

314. Deputy Jim Daly asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason a weekly payment from a payment protection insurance policy to a person out of work due to ill health does not qualify for income disregard noting if the person was well enough to work and earned the exact same amount from employment it would qualify for income disregard; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41946/12]

Invalidity Pension Appeals

Pat Breen

316. Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Social Protection when a decision on invalidity pension will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Clare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41962/12]

Carer's Allowance Application Numbers

Pearse Doherty

317. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Social Protection the average waiting time to process carer's allowance applications; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42007/12]

Modernisation Projects Expenditure

Pearse Doherty

318. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Social Protection the financial cost of the major service delivery modernisation project recently undergone in her Department; her assessment on the impact this project has had in the reduction of waiting times for social welfare payments; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42008/12]

Carer's Allowance Appeals

Pearse Doherty

319. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Social Protection of the 1628 appeals on medical grounds submitted for carer's allowance in 2011, the number awaiting a decision on 1 January 2012; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42009/12]

Carer's Allowance Applications

Pearse Doherty

320. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Social Protection of the 17259 applications received for carer's allowance in 2011, the number of these awaiting a decision on 1 January 2012; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42010/12]

Guardian's Payment Appeals

John McGuinness

321. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Social Protection if guardians payment will be expedited in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Carlow [42051/12]

Carer's Allowance Eligibility

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

322. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will use the upcoming Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumer Affairs Council meeting to try to make progress to abolish the habitual residence condition for carers returning from abroad to care for a family member. [42078/12]

Departmental Staff Rehiring

Luke 'Ming' Flanagan

323. Deputy Luke 'Ming' Flanagan asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will list all the current positions, where the appointment was made by her Department held by retired senior civil servants; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42671/12]

Turbary Rights

Michael P. Kitt

324. Deputy Michael P. Kitt asked the Minister for Arts; Heritage and the Gaeltacht if changes in turf cutting in the designated areas of County Galway will be made next year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41826/12]

Jaunting Car Operators

Brendan Griffin

325. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Arts; Heritage and the Gaeltacht if he will reassure Jarveys in Killarney, County Kerry who have concerns regarding the new penalty points system, that they will be treated reasonably and fairly by National Parks and Wildlife Service officials, in view of the fact that they are anxious to comply and not incur penalty points; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41315/12]

Turf Cutting Compensation Scheme Payments

Pat Breen

326. Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Arts; Heritage and the Gaeltacht when payment of bog compensation will issue to persons (details supplied) in County Clare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41356/12]

Turf Cutting Compensation Scheme Payments

Pat Breen

327. Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Arts; Heritage and the Gaeltacht further to Parliamentary Question No. 928 of 18 September 2012, when payment of bog compensation will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41363/12]

Departmental Staff Allowances

Michael Creed

328. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Arts; Heritage and the Gaeltacht if he will publish details of all allowances paid to staff in his Department; the business case made by his Department in respect of these allowances to the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform; the cost of each individual allowance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41407/12]

Harbours and Piers Funding

Clare Daly

329. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Arts; Heritage and the Gaeltacht if his attention has been drawn to the ongoing refusal by Waterways Ireland to engage in with the barge dwellers at the Marina in Lowtown, Naas, County Kildare, with regards to the future development of the area where they currently reside. [41713/12]

Inland Waterways Maintenance

Clare Daly

330. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Arts; Heritage and the Gaeltacht the nature of changes proposed by Waterways Ireland to the Canals Act, 1986 (Bye-Laws), 1988. [41714/12]

National Raised Bog Management Plan

Luke 'Ming' Flanagan

331. Deputy Luke 'Ming' Flanagan asked the Minister for Arts; Heritage and the Gaeltacht in view of the publication of the National Raised Bog SAC Management Plan, Proposed Approach if he will make available the EU's reasoned opinion and his reply to same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41874/12]

Turf Cutting Compensation Scheme Relocation Options

Denis Naughten

332. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Arts; Heritage and the Gaeltacht the number of alternative bogs that have been sourced for the relocation of turf cutters; the locations and number of turf cutters that can be accommodated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41941/12]

Turf Cutting Compensation Scheme Application Numbers

Denis Naughten

333. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Arts; Heritage and the Gaeltacht the number of applications for compensation or relocation of turf cutters yet to be processed; the number of applications decided upon which are awaiting the issue of a letter of refusal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41942/12]

Commonage Framework Plans

Seán Kyne

334. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Arts; Heritage and the Gaeltacht his plans for a complex (details supplied) in County Galway in terms of restocking and compensation measures in 2013. [41987/12]

Special Areas of Conservation Designation

Seán Kyne

335. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Arts; Heritage and the Gaeltacht if appeals processes will be enacted on particular special areas of conservation/natural heritage areas when concerns appear over the criteria used to designate lands; his views on whether such a process would be well received in many communities where concerns exist on the fairness of original designations. [41991/12]

Irish Language Issues

Éamon Ó Cuív

336. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Ealaíon; Oidhreachta agus Gaeltachta cén líon daoine a lorg an pacáiste tacaíochta faoin scéim Ag Tógáil do Pháiste le Gaeilge, briste síos de réir contae, Gaeltachta agus iar-Ghaeltachta; agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina thaobh. [42038/12]

Courts Service Issues

Seán Kyne

337. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Arts; Heritage and the Gaeltacht if he has been consulted by the Courts Service in relation to plans for court services in the Connemara Gaeltacht considering the importance of ensuring a continued court service through the medium of An Ghaeilge and also given the acceptance and commitments contained within the twenty year strategy on the Irish language. [42073/12]

Turbary Rights

Seán Kyne

338. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Arts; Heritage and the Gaeltacht the legal position of his Department regarding cutting domestic turf on National Heritage Areas; if these sites are entirely under the jurisdiction of his Department; the role the EU has in relation to the NHAs in the context of said activity and where relocation to an National Heritage Areas from an Special Area of Conservation bog which is closed would be permitted. [42074/12]

Departmental Staff Rehiring

Luke 'Ming' Flanagan

339. Deputy Luke 'Ming' Flanagan asked the Minister for Arts; Heritage and the Gaeltacht if he will list all the current positions, where the appointment was made by his Department held by retired senior civil servants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42660/12]

Broadcasting Service Provision

Dominic Hannigan

340. Deputy Dominic Hannigan asked the Minister for Communications; Energy and Natural Resources if any contact has been made with RTÉ regarding the possibility of RTÉ being made available abroad in territories in which it is currently not available through tv receptions or satellite networks to help with the promotion of the Gathering; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41909/12]

Broadband Services Provision

Tom Fleming

341. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Communications; Energy and Natural Resources his policy regarding the provision of uncongested high speed broadband to industry as in some areas where large scale employers are located (details supplied) and in view of the fact that these companies have not got required Mbps speeds; and if he will examine these two locations as pilot areas [41952/12]

Broadband Services Provision

Tom Fleming

342. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Communications; Energy and Natural Resources if he will in conjunction with the Industrial Development Agency and Enterprise Ireland participate in the National mapping exercise being conducted in the National Broadband Plan to identify priority areas for upgrading to uncongested high speed broadband where currently there are existing employers whose businesses are severely hindered by deficiencies in existing service. [41953/12]