Parliamentary questions

State Pension (Non-Contributory) Eligibility

Bernard Durkan

151. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection if a person (details supplied) in County Kildare has an entitlement to a non-contributory State pension; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32310/13]

Departmental Staff Numbers

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

152. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of staff of her Department who were assaulted by members of the public or other members of staff in the past year; the number of prosecutions taken against the perpetrators of these assaults; if she will provide details of supports available for staff who are victims of assault. [32315/13]

Housing Issues

Éamon Ó Cuív

153. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Social Protection when a decision will be made on an application for a relocation grant lodged by a person (details supplied) in County Galway; the reason for the delay in issuing this payment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32316/13]

Social Welfare Benefits Numbers

John Lyons

154. Deputy John Lyons asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of casual or part-time employees in receipt of social welfare payments such as jobseeker's allowance, jobseeker's benefit and family income supplement, grouped by the 20 largest private sector employers and occupation type; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32340/13]

National Internship Scheme Placements

Dara Calleary

156. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding persons approaching the end of their nine-month JobBridge placement; if she will outline the timeframe involved for such persons being eligible to secure a further placement and-or FÁS scheme placement; the options that are available to such persons; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32437/13]

Social Insurance Issues

Michael Creed

158. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Social Protection further to Parliamentary Question No. 363 of 25 June 2013, if her Department has a mechanism of tracking employees who have switched from direct employees to C2 operators without any intervening period of unemployment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32448/13]

Departmental Funding

Brendan Ryan

159. Deputy Brendan Ryan asked the Minister for Social Protection if her attention has been drawn to the fact that Vantastic have had to introduce a flat rate charge for passengers on their hospital routes in Dublin Fingal; if her Department has reduced its funding to Vantastic; if this is a result of a reduction of funding from her Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32458/13]

Social Welfare Replacement Rates

Brendan Griffin

160. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will provide in tabular form the current respective replacement rates for the most common scenarios in the social protection system. [32485/13]

Free Travel Scheme Applications

Sean Fleming

161. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Social Protection when a companion travel pass will be approved in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Laois; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32540/13]

Mobile Telephony

Seán Kenny

162. Deputy Seán Kenny asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the arrangements put in place by the regulatory authorities to prevent exorbitant roaming charges being imposed on customers by mobile phone operators in the Border areas between here and Northern Ireland. [32322/13]

Information and Communications Technology Issues

Stephen Donnelly

163. Deputy Stephen S. Donnelly asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will reassure Dáil Éireann as to the security of the e-mail systems in his Department subsequent to recent reports of US intelligence agencies accessing e-mail and other digital content; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32537/13]

Library Projects

Paudie Coffey

164. Deputy Paudie Coffey asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will confirm that provision of capital funds has been made for the construction of a public library (details supplied) in County Waterford; if he will confirm that there is adequate co-ordination and liaison between both Departments; if he will outline what this co-ordination entails so that the project is delivered and constructed as soon as possible; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32335/13]

Water and Sewerage Schemes Provision

Martin Ferris

165. Deputy Martin Ferris asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the position regarding the proposed new sewerage schemes for areas (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32373/13]

Leader Programmes Funding

Timmy Dooley

166. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the reason approved Leader funding is being withheld for the development of a sports ground (details supplied) in County Clare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32392/13]

Irish Water Establishment

Willie Penrose

167. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if, in the context of the establishment of Irish Water, liabilities incurred by local authorities in the provision of public water supplied to communities will be transferred to Irish Water; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32428/13]

Leader Programmes Funding

Robert Troy

168. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government further to a previous Parliamentary Question, if he will confirm the information that has been requested from Kildare Leader partnership in respect of the Geraldine Hall project. [32430/13]

Homeless Persons Supports

Gerry Adams

169. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide a breakdown of the funding provided by his Department to agencies dealing with the issue of homelessness in County Louth in 2010, 2011 and 2012; the amount that has been allocated for 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32443/13]

Domestic Violence Policy

Gerry Adams

170. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide a breakdown of the funding provided by his Department to agencies dealing with the issue of domestic violence in County Louth in 2010, 2011 and 2012; the amount that has been allocated for 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32444/13]

Road Improvement Schemes

Bernard Durkan

171. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will clarify the basis on which Kildare County Council carried out improvements, upgrading and maintenance on a regular basis on the road serving the properties of persons (details supplied) in County Kildare while now maintaining that the road in question is not taken in charge and citing a requirement under the 2009 Act to the effect that the residents involved are required to obtain a court order to continue to enjoy the rights and entitlements they have enjoyed since the 1970s; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32463/13]

Road Improvement Schemes

Bernard Durkan

172. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will clarify the position regarding the road (details supplied) in County Kildare with particular reference to when responsibility for maintenance was undertaken by Kildare County Council in view of the fact that the local authority has provided such services there since the 1970s and the requirements now being pursued under the 2009 Act affecting rights of way, easements and/or profit à prendre; if it is recognised and accepted that rights and entitlements have been established more than 20 years ago by an original land holder part of whose property has since been disposed of to the aforementioned including rights and entitlements envisaged under the 2009 Act but prior to the passage of the Act; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32465/13]

Rural Development Policy

Michael McNamara

173. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will apply to the appropriate national and European bodies to amend the rural development programme so that the Cnoc na Gaoithe project in Tulla, County Clare and other projects which similarly aim to promote culture and heritage conservation are no longer subjected to the de minimis rule when this is not required by Article 107 3 (d) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32478/13]

Diplomatic Representation Issues

Andrew Doyle

174. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the parameters of the Minister of State's recent address to the International Conference on Nuclear Security in Vienna, Austria on 30 June and 1 July; if he will detail the bilateral engagements and other meetings he had at the conference; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32482/13]

Waste Water Treatment Inspections

Andrew Doyle

175. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government further to Parliamentary Question No. 191 of 27 June 2013, and the recently signed Domestic Wastewater Treatment Systems (Financial Assistance) Regulations 2013, when he expects grants to be made available for the upgrading of households whose septic tanks and other domestic wastewater treatment systems are deemed to require remediation following an inspection; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32492/13]

Waste Water Treatment Inspections

Billy Timmins

176. Deputy Billy Timmins asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the position regarding the new septic tank grant €4,000 if a person sells a house; will the new purchaser be entitled to claim the grant for upgrading the septic tank; if there is a time limit on the application and or work . [32538/13]

Garda Vetting of Personnel

Gerry Adams

177. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Justice and Equality when a person (details supplied) in County Louth will receive Garda vetting which has been applied for and which is essential for them to gain work experience which they are required to do as part of FETAC level 5 course they have undertaken; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32308/13]

Garda Stations Refurbishment

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

178. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of Garda stations around the country that are not wheelchair accessible; and the measures being taken to address this issue. [32311/13]

Garda Stations Refurbishment

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

179. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will take the necessary measures to make Crumlin Garda station, Dublin, accessible to members of the public who must use a wheelchair. [32312/13]

Immigration Status

Gerry Adams

180. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the procedures used by An Garda Síochána when establishing the marital status of a Brazilian citizen living here who proposes to get married in this State; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32318/13]

Criminal Investigations

Mattie McGrath

181. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if his attention has been drawn to the presence of the Anglo Irish Bank tapes; the date on which he was made aware of their presence; the action he has taken since being made aware of their presence; the actions that have been taken by the Garda on foot of these recordings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32328/13]

Legal Aid Applications

Éamon Ó Cuív

182. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the reason that there are delays in giving new appointments to persons seeking the assistance of the Legal Aid Board; his plans to provide extra resources to eliminate these waiting lists; the average waiting time for an appointment from the board; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32330/13]

Criminal Law Matters

Finian McGrath

183. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will investigate the legality of a mosquito device and clarify if there is any breach of Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act (details supplied) [32452/13]

Immigration Status

Gerry Adams

184. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the procedures used by An Garda Síochána when establishing the marital status of a Filipino citizen living here who proposes to get married here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32456/13]

Rights of Way

Bernard Durkan

185. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will clarify the basis on which the legal representatives of Kildare County Council have informed persons (details supplied) in County Kildare to the effect that rights in respect of access by way of public road to their property is being restricted notwithstanding the fact they have enjoyed such rights and entitlements since the 1970s; if it is recognised the situation emerging seriously undermines their ability to enjoy the full amenities of their property and any future sale of the said properties; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32462/13]

Juvenile Offenders

Michael McNamara

186. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Justice and Equality when all teenage offenders will be taken out of St Patrick's Institution; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32479/13]

Juvenile Offenders

Michael McNamara

187. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Justice and Equality when extra specialised training should be offered to staff in facilities housing juvenile offenders, when extra personnel trained to deal with young offenders will be employed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32480/13]

Garda Vetting Process

Andrew Doyle

188. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if a person should receive confirmation when he or she has passed the vetting process by the Garda central vetting unit; if a person may request the confirmation from the employer or organisation that requires the Garda vetting; if a person may request a certificate or other comparable form of confirmation of vetting from the central vetting unit to prove he or she has passed Garda vetting; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32489/13]

Garda Vetting Process

Andrew Doyle

189. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the steps that have been taken to date on the setting of up an the e-vetting system; the way the process would work for both approved employers/organisations and persons to be vetted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32490/13]

Prison Committals

Michael McGrath

190. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Justice and Equality in the situation where a person receives a custodial sentence and in the absence of a specific direction for the judge, the person who decides in which prison the convicted person will serve his or her sentence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32524/13]

Criminal Investigations

Michael McGrath

191. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will provide details of each of the separate investigations currently underway by An Garda Síochána into the banking collapse; the subject matter being investigated; if he will provide an update in respect of each investigation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32529/13]

Criminal Investigations

Michael McGrath

192. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if An Garda Síochána has launched an investigation into the leaking of certain tapes of Anglo Irish Bank telephone calls; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32530/13]

Human Trafficking

Joe McHugh

193. Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will update Dáil Éireann on European Council dialogue in respect of trafficking; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32541/13]

Naturalisation Applications

Luke 'Ming' Flanagan

194. Deputy Luke 'Ming' Flanagan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the reason a person (details supplied) in County Galway who has lived here for 13 years and is married to an Irish citizen has to pay €980 for an Irish passport; his views on whether this is a very exclusionary fee and would limit those with limited resources to gain an Irish passport; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30654/13]

Sugar Industry

Michael Healy-Rae

195. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the steps he proposes to take to ensure the re-establishment of the sugar industry here (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32371/13]

EU Directives

Paudie Coffey

196. Deputy Paudie Coffey asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if new legislation will be required to implement required standards for the testing and use of agricultural sprayers in accordance with European Directive 2009/128/EC; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32366/13]

EU Directives

Paudie Coffey

197. Deputy Paudie Coffey asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when standards for the testing and use of agricultural sprayers here in accordance with European Directive 2009/128/EC will be published; the way these standards will be enforced and if sanctions will apply where required standards are not reached; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32367/13]

EU Directives

Paudie Coffey

198. Deputy Paudie Coffey asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the testing facilities and certification systems that are currently in place here to ensure that the testing and use of agricultural sprayers are in compliance with European Directive 2009/128/EC; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32368/13]

Agri-Environment Options Scheme Conditions

Martin Ferris

199. Deputy Martin Ferris asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the flexibility that is applied in relation to agri-environment options scheme 3 applications by farmers in disadvantaged areas, particularly where the farm is 22.06 ha in size. [32417/13]

Forestry Management

Michael Creed

200. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will account for the discrepancy in respect of the calculation on the size of a forestry plantation as determined by the Forest Service in both March 2008 and again in respect of the same plantation in early 2013 in view of the fact that the Forest Service used maps digitised by his Department in its initial calculation; the extent to which this issue is replicated in other cases and the negotiations if any which his Department is having with the company which carried out the digitising process in respect of redress for the errors involved; the number of forestry plantations with problems arising from these digitising errors; if his Department has taken advice as to the liability of individual land owners in respect of his Department's request for recoupment of over payment of premiums and overpayment of plantation grants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32425/13]

Missing Children

Joe McHugh

201. Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she will update Dáil Éireann as to recent EU dialogue about Finland's position on the EU missing children help line; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32541/13]

School Completion Programme

Charlie McConalogue

202. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she is committed to retaining funding for the school completion programmes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25499/13]