Questions and answers published after July 2012 can be viewed here. Viewing by Government Department is possible by term or specific dates from March 2016 onwards. Written answers are published as received from departments. To see parliamentary questions published before July 2012, search in Dáil debates.
Questions and answers for specific dates
Page 1 of 22
Wed, 14 Jan 2015
oral
Defence Forces Personnel
Seán Ó Fearghaíl
1. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Defence if the Defence Forces have succeeded in recruiting the required number of doctors; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1391/15]
Wed, 14 Jan 2015
oral
Overseas Missions
Seán Crowe
2. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Defence if he will confirm plans to send Irish Defence Forces personnel to the Indian Ocean to tackle piracy; the number of personnel who will be involved; and the possible timeframe for deployment. [1394/15]
Wed, 14 Jan 2015
oral
Overseas Missions
Clare Daly
3. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Defence whether he will acknowledge the serious mistake and breach of our neutrality by successive Governments in sending Irish troops to Afghanistan, making us complicit in war crimes and torture; the reason that mistake is now being compounded by the continued presence of Irish troops since the ending of the International Security Assistance Force, ISAF, mission; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1318/15]
Wed, 14 Jan 2015
oral
Defence Forces Personnel
Seán Ó Fearghaíl
4. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Defence if he will provide an update on any discussions or plans to revise the 21-year rule with regard to service in the Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1392/15]
Wed, 14 Jan 2015
oral
Defence Forces Reserve
Seán Ó Fearghaíl
5. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Defence his plans for the development of the Reserve Defence Force; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1216/15]
Wed, 14 Jan 2015
oral
Defence Forces Properties
Clare Daly
6. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Defence if a stock-take of unused Defence Forces property has been conducted; the amount of property that has been disposed of by transfer to other State bodies or by way of private sale; the plans that exist for the remainder; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1205/15]
Wed, 14 Jan 2015
oral
Defence Forces
Clare Daly
7. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Defence in view of the fact that only two officers were ever retired under section 47(2) of the Defence Act 1954, as prescribed by Regulation A15 paragraph 18(1)(f) in the interests of the service, the only clause denying a court martial or right to make a defence, which was removed in 1985, if he will initiate a full independent inquiry into those cases, in the interests of natural justice. [1204/15]
Wed, 14 Jan 2015
oral
Overseas Missions
Mick Wallace
8. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Defence the position regarding the decision to approve the participation of seven members of the Defence Forces in the resolute support mission in Afghanistan in view of it clearly not being a peacekeeping or humanitarian mission; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1219/15]
Wed, 14 Jan 2015
oral
Defence Forces Records
Denis Naughten
9. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Defence when he will commence recruitment into the Army bomb disposal units; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1203/15]
Wed, 14 Jan 2015
written
Defence Forces Equipment
Paul Murphy
10. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Defence the measures that are in place to ensure that the technologies developed following co-operation between the Defence Forces and companies and research institutions involved with the research and development of military capabilities are not used in the violation of human rights. [1222/15]
Wed, 14 Jan 2015
written
Defence Forces Reserve
Timmy Dooley
11. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Defence if he has considered legislative employment protections of members of the Reserve Defence Force, in order to allows a clear framework through which a reservist could be protected from employment termination due to the demands of carrying out their national duties; his views on the nature of poor retention rates of reservists compared to other countries; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1209/15]
Wed, 14 Jan 2015
written
Defence Forces Medicinal Products
Seán Ó Fearghaíl
12. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Defence regarding the deployment by the Defence Forces of one doctor and three medical NCOs to Sierra Leone if Lariam is being prescribed as an anti-malarial drug for these personnel; the other nations that are sending personnel on this mission; the anti-malaria medication that is being prescribed for personnel from other nations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1218/15]
Wed, 14 Jan 2015
written
Defence Forces Operations
Clare Daly
13. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Defence the number of occasions and cost of Defence Forces personnel being involved in aid to the civil power, ATCP, duties at Shannon airport in 2014; his plans to change same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1207/15]
Wed, 14 Jan 2015
written
Overseas Missions
Clare Daly
14. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Defence in view of the human suffering and human rights abuses taking place in Darfur and in Congo DRC, if this is an area where Irish troops could make a real difference in terms of peace-keeping missions. [1206/15]
Wed, 14 Jan 2015
written
Defence Forces Strength
Bernard Durkan
15. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Defence the extent the strength of the Defence Forces at all levels remains sufficient to meet any and or all requirements of a security nature now and in the future; if provision continues to be made for emergency situations which might arise in the event of a natural disaster or a threat of terrorism; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1201/15]
Wed, 14 Jan 2015
written
White Paper on Defence
Seán Ó Fearghaíl
16. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Defence when the White Paper on Defence will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1214/15]
Wed, 14 Jan 2015
written
Defence Forces Remuneration
Clare Daly
17. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Defence the position regarding the promised review of pay and remuneration for the Defence Forces; and if improvements are likely in the near future. [1208/15]
Wed, 14 Jan 2015
written
Air Corps Operations
Denis Naughten
18. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Defence his plans to expand the operational roles of the Air Corps; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1202/15]
Wed, 14 Jan 2015
written
Defence Forces Personnel
Bernard Durkan
19. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Defence the extent to which discussions are ongoing or agreement reached in respect of members of the Defence Forces due to retire on completion of a specific number of years service; if he is satisfied that all options in this regard have been fully examined and satisfactorily resolved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1200/15]
Wed, 14 Jan 2015
written
Military Aircraft Landings
Mick Wallace
20. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Defence the position regarding the effectiveness of his Department's interaction with the Departments of Justice and Equality and Foreign Affairs and Trade regarding the oversight of foreign military aircraft on Irish territory in relation to our neutrality; if recent interdepartmental discussions have taken place on this matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1220/15]
Wed, 14 Jan 2015
written
Military Neutrality
Paul Murphy
21. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Defence his views on a change to the State's policy on military neutrality in the White Paper on Defence; his further views that the United States use of Shannon Airport, the commitment to increase military capacity under the Lisbon treaty and support for French intervention in its former colonies indicate a move away from the policy on military neutrality; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1221/15]
Wed, 14 Jan 2015
written
Overseas Missions
Seán Ó Fearghaíl
22. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Defence if he will provide a progress report on the Defence Forces’ participation in the UNDOF mission in the Golan Heights; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1215/15]
Wed, 14 Jan 2015
written
Action Plan for Jobs
Finian McGrath
23. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the reason the Action Plan for Jobs is being cut each year and highly skilled workers are not being followed up on having completed various State-funded courses, and recruiters for public sector jobs are not targeting those who are on the live register as the information is readily available for the Government on their skills and training experiences; the reason recruitment agencies (details supplied) are being used when there are many on the live register who are well qualified; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49466/14]
Wed, 14 Jan 2015
written
European Court of Human Rights Rulings
Michael McGrath
24. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if the decision of the European Court of Justice in April 2013 has a wider implication beyond the case of the former Waterford Crystal workers; if the application of the finding relates to other pension schemes here; if he will provide a list of such schemes; the period over which such schemes may be affected by the ruling; if he will provide details of the State's response; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49563/14]
Wed, 14 Jan 2015
written
Property Tax Administration
Clare Daly
25. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if she will ensure that weekly local property tax reductions from payments are synchronised with those payments to avoid extra weeks deductions being made at the year's end. [1041/15]
Wed, 14 Jan 2015
written
Citizen Information Services
Jerry Buttimer
26. Deputy Jerry Buttimer asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if she will introduce the community visitors programme in 2015, in partnership with Inclusion Ireland and other stakeholders; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1517/15]
Wed, 14 Jan 2015
written
Domiciliary Care Allowance Applications
Jack Wall
27. Deputy Jack Wall asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the position regarding an application for a domiciliary care allowance in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49438/14]
Wed, 14 Jan 2015
written
Disability Allowance Appeals
Tom Fleming
28. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if she will examine and expedite a disability allowance appeal in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49441/14]
Wed, 14 Jan 2015
written
Education and Training Provision
John McGuinness
29. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the courses available through her Department or agencies in County Kilkenny to assist those wishing to upskill or return to work; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49453/14]
Wed, 14 Jan 2015
written
Mortgage Interest Supplement Scheme
Finian McGrath
30. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the position regarding mortgage interest supplement in respect of persons who are long term unemployed (details supplied); the way she plans on assisting 11,200 persons who are currently on mortgage interest supplement to obtain permanent employment; if she will provide the job creation and mortgage support schemes that the Government proposed to introduce; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49465/14]
Wed, 14 Jan 2015
written
Departmental Offices
Clare Daly
31. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection when she will have an Intreo office fully operational in Swords, County Dublin. [49471/14]
Wed, 14 Jan 2015
written
Jobseeker's Allowance Appeals
Sandra McLellan
32. Deputy Sandra McLellan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if she will approve and expedite an appeal for jobseeker's allowance in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cork; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49515/14]
Wed, 14 Jan 2015
written
Disability Allowance Appeals
John McGuinness
34. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if she will expedite an appeal for a disability allowance in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny. [49523/14]
Wed, 14 Jan 2015
written
Social Welfare Appeals
John McGuinness
35. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if an appeal claim for benefit will be expedited and approved in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny; and if she will expedite the matter. [49528/14]
Wed, 14 Jan 2015
written
Momentum Programme
Richard Boyd Barrett
36. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the difficulties persons may have being forced onto MOMENTUM courses while not being able to afford the cost of getting to class for the placement; if she will indicate the use of these courses in the Dún Laoghaire area, the practice of the Department of Social Protection Intreo centres and local employment services having to meet targets and quotas to fill these places; and the number of persons in the Dún Laoghaire constituency currently in placements in MOMENTUM courses; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49532/14]
Wed, 14 Jan 2015
written
Disability Allowance Appeals
Tom Fleming
37. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if she will examine a refusal for disability allowance in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry in view of the fact that additional information has been forwarded to the appeals section; if she will expedite the review; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49537/14]
Wed, 14 Jan 2015
written
Community Services Programme
Michael McCarthy
38. Deputy Michael McCarthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the position regarding Pobal funding in respect of an organisation (details supplied) in County Cork; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49540/14]
Wed, 14 Jan 2015
written
Fuel Allowance Payments
Colm Keaveney
39. Deputy Colm Keaveney asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection in view of the failure of the wholesale and retail markets in home heating oil to pass on the significant decreases in crude oil prices to consumers, and the continuing hardship that many households experience in affording to heat their homes, her views on restoring the fuel allowance back to the previous payment period of 32 weeks from the current level of 26 weeks; her further views on the restoration of other cuts to fuel and energy supports in respect of elderly persons; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49561/14]
Wed, 14 Jan 2015
written
Departmental Funding
Finian McGrath
40. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if she will support a matter (details supplied) regarding funding; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49565/14]
Wed, 14 Jan 2015
written
Departmental Investigations
Peadar Tóibín
41. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the date by which the scope section of her Department plan to complete its investigation into allegations regarding the Kishoge site in Lucan, County Dublin. [49619/14]
Wed, 14 Jan 2015
written
Citizen Information Services
Fergus O'Dowd
43. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection when she will commence section 5 of the Citizens Information Act 2007, which establishes the personal advocacy service; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49655/14]
Wed, 14 Jan 2015
written
Exceptional Needs Payment Data
Denis Naughten
44. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the number of applications for exceptional needs payments excluding ENP5 applications by county for the years 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014; the number of those applications that were refused by county in each of the aforementioned years; the number of those refusals that were successful both on review and on appeal by county in those years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49660/14]
Wed, 14 Jan 2015
written
Social Welfare Code
Ruth Coppinger
45. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection further to Parliamentary Question No. 140 of 9 December 2014 her views on a change to the current legislation and rules in relation to income earned on a once off basis as a polling clerk being deducted in a means test for a couple in receipt of carer's allowance and jobseeker's allowance. [49661/14]
Wed, 14 Jan 2015
written
Back to Work Allowance
Michael Creed
46. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection further to Parliamentary Question No. 171 of 16 December if she will clarify the final paragraph of her reply wherein she makes reference to the second year of a business plan; if there is an entitlement to a jobseeker's payment in the first year of the back to work enterprise allowance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49673/14]
Wed, 14 Jan 2015
written
Defined Benefit Pension Schemes
Peadar Tóibín
47. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if her attention has been drawn to the fact that a profitable company (details supplied) in County Meath has not provided for its employees’ pension scheme; and if she will amend legislation to place an obligation on profitable employers to fulfil pension-related commitments to their employees. [49722/14]
Wed, 14 Jan 2015
written
Rent Supplement Scheme Payments
Tom Fleming
48. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if she will review the current rent supplement limits and revise same, with a view to flexibility on the limits for tenants who are at risk of homelessness; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49723/14]
Wed, 14 Jan 2015
written
Social Welfare Benefits Eligibility
Michael Fitzmaurice
49. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection her views that persons who have earned through their contributions an entitlement to a widow's-widower's contributory pension should not be denied the benefit of their entitlements because they are working on a community employment scheme on which they continue making contributions; in the interests of justice and fairness her plans to remove the widow's-widower's contributory pension from section 39(1) of the Act; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49724/14]
Wed, 14 Jan 2015
written
Rent Supplement Scheme Payments
Terence Flanagan
50. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if she will address a matter (details supplied) regarding rent supplement; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49746/14]
Wed, 14 Jan 2015
written
Carer's Allowance Applications
Bernard Durkan
51. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the position regarding carer's allowance in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare who has submitted all recent documentation requested, including bank statements; if a decision will be made in the near future with particular reference to the ongoing poor health of the caree; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49747/14]
Wed, 14 Jan 2015
written
Rent Supplement Scheme Payments
Peadar Tóibín
52. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the average period of time that persons in County Meath currently spend in receipt of rent allowance and the percentage of these persons who are on the housing list for more than three years. [49748/14]