Parliamentary questions

Water Fluoridation

Terence Flanagan

1838. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Health his views on a matter (details supplied) regarding water fluoridation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39133/12]

Expert Group on the A, B and C v. Ireland Judgment

Terence Flanagan

1839. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Health when he is expecting the expert group to report to him regarding the ABC case; if the judgments handed down by the European Court of Human Rights are legally binding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39134/12]

Tax Code

Terence Flanagan

1840. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Health his plans to raise the price of a packet of cigarettes to cover the cost to the health service of patients with smoking related illnesses who use hospitals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39140/12]

Appointments to State Boards

Anne Ferris

1841. Deputy Anne Ferris asked the Minister for Health the steps he is taking to ensure that State boards have at least 40% of each gender, as provided for in the programme for Government; the percentage at present; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39155/12]

Health Promotion Issues

Seán Kenny

1842. Deputy Seán Kenny asked the Minister for Health his plans to have a TV, radio and national print advertisement campaign to raise awareness of the D-Doc service; if the Health Service Executive sets the call-out charges; if not, if the HSE will give approval if there is an increase in the call-out charge; the locations at which the vehicles that are allocated for this services are located; the number of GPs involved; and if that number will be increased. [39187/12]

Medical Card Applications

Tom Fleming

1843. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Health if he will grant a discretionary medical card application as a matter of urgency in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39194/12]

Medical Card Drugs

Brendan Griffin

1844. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health if he will reinstate cardiac drugs for medical card holders in view of the life threatening implications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39197/12]

Drugs Payment Scheme Administration

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn

1845. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Health his plans to reverse the removal of gluten free products from the medical card; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39202/12]

Hospital Waiting Lists

Sandra McLellan

1846. Deputy Sandra McLellan asked the Minister for Health if he will expedite a surgical procedure in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39208/12]

Dental Services Provision

Richard Boyd Barrett

1847. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health if he will review the case of a person (details supplied) in County Dublin regarding dental surgery. [39216/12]

Health Services Provision

Richard Boyd Barrett

1848. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health if he will review the case of a person (details supplied) in County Dublin. [39217/12]

Health Services Provision

Richard Boyd Barrett

1849. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health if he will review the case of a person (details supplied) in County Dublin. [39218/12]

Health Services Provision

Paul Connaughton

1850. Deputy Paul J. Connaughton asked the Minister for Health when a procedure will be arranged in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39225/12]

Croke Park Agreement Savings

Jerry Buttimer

1851. Deputy Jerry Buttimer asked the Minister for Health the reforms and savings within his Department and the Health Service Executive which have been delivered under the Croke Park agreement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39234/12]

Patient Transport Provision

Michelle Mulherin

1852. Deputy Michelle Mulherin asked the Minister for Health the support the Health Service Executive offers to persons who live a considerable distance from a hospital, and who have no means of transport to take them to regular appointments at the hospital; the criteria used to decide a patient's eligibility for any support from the HSE; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39238/12]

HSE Funding

Billy Kelleher

1853. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health his views on the budget overrun in Beaumont Hospital, Dublin 9; the action he will take; the services that will be impacted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39252/12]

Thalidomide Victims Compensation

Finian McGrath

1854. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Health if he will support the Thalidomide Survivors in 2012 and 2013 in relation to compensation. [39256/12]

Child Care Services Provision

Billy Kelleher

1855. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health to verify the reports of parents in north Dublin that public health nurses dealing with children between six months and 24 months have informed them that there is currently no public hearing testing service available for these children; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39258/12]

Departmental Properties

Terence Flanagan

1856. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Health if he will provide the details surrounding the Health Service Executive health centre (details supplied) in County Wicklow; the ownership of the centre, land and property; the length of contract if the centre is currently being rented; the amount it is costing per annum for rental purposes or if the property is owned by the HSE and any other relevant provisions in the contract and status of the site; the persons envisaged to take over the site once the planned new primary care centre opens at another site in the town or if it will be sold after the opening of the new primary care centre; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39262/12]

National Children's Hospital Status

Terence Flanagan

1857. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Health when he expects to make a decision regarding the national children's hospital; if the Mater site is still the favoured site; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39263/12]

Health Services Staff Issues

Billy Timmins

1858. Deputy Billy Timmins asked the Minister for Health the position regarding the moratorium on recruitment in the Health Service Executive and the effect this is having on dental services in Wicklow (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39269/12]

Health Services Provision

Pat Deering

1859. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Health when it will be accepted that Long Q - T Syndrome is a disability that requires parents and carers of young persons with this syndrome to give extra care and attention to their child. [39294/12]

Home Help Service Provision

Joanna Tuffy

1860. Deputy Joanna Tuffy asked the Minister for Health if he will review the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny with regard to a reduction in their home help hours; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39300/12]

Services for People with Disabilities

Bernard Durkan

1861. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health if he is satisfied that he has succeeded in ensuring that persons with disabilities can be assured of the availability of personal assistance in the future, having particular regard to the recent announcements which caused great anxiety and stress to people with disabilities; if he will ensure that such matters will not arise in the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39307/12]

National Children's Hospital Location

Bernard Durkan

1862. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the extent to which the future location of the children's hospital remains to be decided; if the concerns of the general public and the recommendations of the various stakeholders are being adequately examined and weighed against the need to ensure that the location of the hospital and the quality and the extent of services to be provided there are in line with children's needs and those of their parents; if he will ensure that the hospital will be located so as to present the easiest possible access from all vantage points; if he will indicate when he expects to be able to make a decision and-or announcement on the issues; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39309/12]

Ambulance Service Provision

Bernard Durkan

1863. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the possible curtailment of the ambulance services throughout County Kildare arising from the need for budgetary constraints; if he is aware of a reduction in the extent of services available in north Kildare; if he will address the issue of reduced cover arising with the view to ensuring the continuation of an adequate and reliable service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39310/12]

Nursing Home Accommodation

Bernard Durkan

1864. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health if he is satisfied that the community based and supported services at Crooksling Nursing Home, County Dublin, will continue in the future; if he will ensure that the patients who have traditionally been accommodated there will continue to have their requirements met in the future and that notwithstanding the proposal to take overflow of patients from Tallaght hospital, Dublin, he will ensure that the buildings requiring some minor refurbishment will be upgraded in order to accommodate the full complement of patients in accordance with tradition and thereby maximising the efficiency and patient-staff ratios; if he will ensure that the ambulance service is fully restored and that day care facilities are maximised in accordance with his principles of community based and primary care; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39311/12]

Hospital Services

Bernard Durkan

1865. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the extent to which he can give his assurance that the full scale of services at Naas hospital, County Kildare, will continue to be provided at the maximum, that use and efficiency of theatres and all services are provided and fully utilised thereby contributing to the efficiency and efficacy of the general health service system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39312/12]

Nursing Home Accommodation

Mary Mitchell O'Connor

1866. Deputy Mary Mitchell O'Connor asked the Minister for Health the nursing home facilities that are available to persons under 65 years who are suffering dementia; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39365/12]

State Bodies Numbers

Sean Fleming

1867. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Health the number of State bodies that have been set up since 9 March 2011; the rationale behind these decisions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39998/12]

Land Acquisition

Pearse Doherty

1868. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health if he will provide a list of the payments made by the State to private landowners in 2010 and 2011 to acquire land for use in the public capital programme. [40011/12]

Ministerial Adviser Appointments

Sean Fleming

1869. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Health the names of special advisers for whom salary increases have been requested; the amount requested; the details of those granted increases and the amount by which the salary was increased; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40023/12]

Appointments to State Boards

Ged Nash

1870. Deputy Gerald Nash asked the Minister for Health the number of appointments that have been made to positions available on the boards of semi-State companies and statutory agencies following public advertisement; if he will provide details of the names of persons who have been appointed under this initiative and the agencies on which they now sit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40035/12]

Irish Coast Guard Issues

Michael Healy-Rae

1871. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Transport; Tourism and Sport the position regarding a radio station (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37713/12]

Road Traffic Offences

Thomas P. Broughan

1872. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Transport; Tourism and Sport if a learner driver who is involved in a serious or fatal collision while driving unaccompanied is fully compliant with the terms of their insurance policy; the implications for other road users if they may not be; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39170/12]

Parking Provision

Eoghan Murphy

1873. Deputy Eoghan Murphy asked the Minister for Transport; Tourism and Sport further to Parliamentary Question No. 33353/12, if he will consider the possibility of indenting footpaths where practicable to allow more space for cars to park, without disrupting the traffic flow on a road and still allowing the use of footpaths. [37008/12]

Penalty Points System

Timmy Dooley

1874. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Transport; Tourism and Sport the date on which he intends to bring forward proposals in relation to changes to the penalty point regime; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37229/12]

Sports Capital Programme Applications

Timmy Dooley

1875. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Transport; Tourism and Sport the position regarding the sports capital programme; when he expects to announce details of successful applicants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37230/12]

Dublin Bus Services

Timmy Dooley

1876. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Transport; Tourism and Sport the share and number of Dublin buses compliant with the real time information displays; the number of complaints received regarding the system; if he is satisfied with the performance of the system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37231/12]

Capital Programme Expenditure

Timmy Dooley

1877. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Transport; Tourism and Sport if he will list in tabular form all capital projects cancelled by his Department since he came to office; the associated projected cost of each project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37232/12]

Vehicle Clamping

Timmy Dooley

1878. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Transport; Tourism and Sport if he will refuse any application to raise clamping charges in view of the increased pressures already felt by motorists; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37233/12]

Taxi Regulations

Dessie Ellis

1879. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for Transport; Tourism and Sport if his attention has been drawn to the fact that taxi drivers renewing their licence are being stopped from working for extended periods due to delays in producing the new licence despite already having confirmed Garda clearance and received a receipt for payment from the National Transport Authority. [37234/12]

Taxi Regulations

Dessie Ellis

1880. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for Transport; Tourism and Sport if his attention has been drawn to the fact that taxi drivers renewing their licence are being told by the National Transport Authority that the Carriage Office will give them documentation clearing them to drive while their new licence is being produced despite the fact that the Carriage Office deny this practice. [37235/12]

Driving Licence Applications

Brendan Griffin

1881. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Transport; Tourism and Sport if he will consider extending driving licences to five years for persons over 70 years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37236/12]

Taxi Regulations

Maureen O'Sullivan

1882. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Transport; Tourism and Sport the reason for the delay in issuing taxi ID to a person (details supplied) in Dublin 7 when all background checks and paperwork with the Garda have been successful; the reason for the delay nationwide in issuing taxi ID to taxi drivers; his views on whether these delays may cause drivers to be out of work for a number of weeks; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37237/12]

Departmental Bodies Expenditure

Dara Calleary

1883. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Transport; Tourism and Sport the number of agencies, authorities, boards, committees, working groups, tribunals, council services, task forces, agencies or other quangos set up by his Department since February 2011; the number abolished since then; the extra cost of quangos which were established; the savings from the abolition of quangos; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37253/12]

Departmental Bodies Expenditure

Dara Calleary

1884. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Transport; Tourism and Sport the estimated cost of each quango in his Department; the amount expected to be saved from the mergers of quangos in his Department; the basis for this figure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37269/12]

Departmental Expenditure

Dara Calleary

1885. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Transport; Tourism and Sport the total amount spent on taxis by his Department since February 2011; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37333/12]

Departmental Staff Data

Dara Calleary

1886. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Transport; Tourism and Sport the number of press officers in his Department; the number of press officers in each agency under his auspices; the total cost of press officers in his Department and in agencies under his auspices; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37349/12]

Appointments to State Boards

Dara Calleary

1887. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Transport; Tourism and Sport the total number of board appointees he has made since he came to office; the names, salaries and expenses of each; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37365/12]

Departmental Expenditure

Dara Calleary

1888. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Transport; Tourism and Sport if he will detail, in tabular form, the total photography costs for his Department since coming to office inclusive of costs incurred from use of the ministerial allowance; the occasions for which photographers were booked; the photographers used; the breakdown of costs associated with each occasion that a photographer was used; if there is a policy regarding the booking of photographers within his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37381/12]

Departmental Expenditure

Dara Calleary

1889. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Transport; Tourism and Sport if he will detail in tabular form, the total cost of providing entertainment for his Department since coming to office inclusive of costs incurred from use of the Ministerial allowance; the occasions for which entertainment was provided; the entertainers used; the breakdown of costs associated with each occasion; if there is a policy regarding the booking of entertainers within his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37453/12]

Departmental Expenditure

Dara Calleary

1890. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Transport; Tourism and Sport the amount spent on food and drink by his Department; if he will provide a breakdown of what this involved; the occasions on which food and drink was provided; those present; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37469/12]

Departmental Expenditure

Dara Calleary

1891. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Transport; Tourism and Sport the amount spent on hair and make-up by his Department since he came to office; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37485/12]

Ministerial Adviser Appointments

Sean Fleming

1892. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Transport; Tourism and Sport the number and names of all special advisers, special press advisers, or any other type of ministerial adviser in his Department; the name of the Minister / Minister of State to whom he reports; the salary of each adviser now; the salary of each adviser at the time they were appointed; if any salary increase was asked for; if this was granted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37501/12]

Consultancy Contracts Issues

Sean Fleming

1893. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Transport; Tourism and Sport if he will provide detail in tabular form of the names of all external public relations and consultancy persons and organisations used by his Department for the years 2011 and 2010; the amount paid to each; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37517/12]

Ministerial Expenditure

Sean Fleming

1894. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Transport; Tourism and Sport the gross annual salary costs for his private and constituency offices at present; the same figures for this time last year; the same figures for any Ministers of State in his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37534/12]

Consultancy Contracts Issues

Sean Fleming

1895. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Transport; Tourism and Sport if he will detail in tabular form the amount paid on external public relations and communications consultants since February 2011; the reason for the payment; the name of each organisation used; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37550/12]

Consultancy Contracts Issues

Sean Fleming

1896. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Transport; Tourism and Sport if he will detail in tabular form the amount paid to consultants since February 2011; the name of each organisation used; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37566/12]

Ministerial Advisers

Sean Fleming

1897. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Transport; Tourism and Sport the political activities of each special adviser, special press advisers, or any other type of ministerial adviser in his Department; if any of them were members of a political party; if so the parties to which they belonged; if any of them are or have been elected local authority members; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37582/12]

Ministerial Transport

Sean Fleming

1898. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Transport; Tourism and Sport the amount spent by his Department on drivers and ministerial transport since February 2011; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37598/12]

Consultancy Contracts Issues

Sean Fleming

1899. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Transport; Tourism and Sport the total amount spent since February 2011 on external reports commissioned by his Department, including payments from ministerial allowances, details of the consultants employed and costs of each; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37630/12]

Rail Services

Michael Healy-Rae

1900. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Transport; Tourism and Sport his plans to resolve the situation regarding the lack of audible announcement on both DART and inter city rail services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37655/12]

Road Traffic Offences

Thomas P. Broughan

1901. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Transport; Tourism and Sport the number of times in 2010, 2011 and to date in 2012 that penalty points will not be applied after a road traffic violation because the motorist involved did not hold an Irish driving licence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37682/12]

Road Improvement Schemes

Peter Mathews

1902. Deputy Peter Mathews asked the Minister for Transport; Tourism and Sport when money will be provided to Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council to enable the Blackglen Road widening scheme to proceed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37691/12]

Rail Services

Finian McGrath

1903. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Transport; Tourism and Sport if he will support a mattter (details supplied). [37694/12]

Public Service Obligation Services

Nicky McFadden

1904. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Transport; Tourism and Sport when a decision will be made on the issue of Ireland's public service obligation services; the services that will be put out to tender among private bus companies; if he will comment on the possible savings for the State if PSO contracts were to be tendered to private companies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37705/12]

Labour Court Recommendations

Sean Fleming

1905. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Transport; Tourism and Sport if he will supply a list of all Labour Court recommendations that have been issued in respect of his Department and organisations under his aegis that have not been complied with in full; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37761/12]

Irish Coast Guard Issues

Tom Fleming

1906. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Transport; Tourism and Sport if he will acknowledge the work carried out over many years by both Valentia and Malin Coast Guard marine rescue coordination centres by confirming that both stations remain open and operational and fully resourced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37779/12]

Cycling Facilities

Sean Fleming

1907. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Transport; Tourism and Sport if he will outline his policy under the Sustainable Transport Office in relation to the development of inter urban cycle routes and his views if these should be considered along bypassed national primary routes and the plans for County Laois under this plan and routes proposed to link midland towns to towns in Munster; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37783/12]

Rail Services

Éamon Ó Cuív

1908. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Transport; Tourism and Sport if he intends to re-open the Athenry to Tuam Railway line to passenger traffic; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37803/12]

Rail Services

Éamon Ó Cuív

1909. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Transport; Tourism and Sport if he intends to open the Athenry to Claremorris railway line to freight traffic in view of the recently announced plans for the Port of Foynes and the potential for freight carriage on this line; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37804/12]

Departmental Staff Recruitment

Sean Fleming

1910. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Transport; Tourism and Sport the position regarding recruiting persons with a disability; the number of persons currently employed in his Department; the number of persons with a disability that have been employed since 1 January 2011 to date in 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37845/12]

Stadium Projects

Paudie Coffey

1911. Deputy Paudie Coffey asked the Minister for Transport; Tourism and Sport in view of the proposed bid by the Irish Rugby Football Union for Ireland to host the Rugby World Cup in 2023 and in view of the fact that County Waterford has transportation links with the UK and the passenger port in Rosslare, County Wexford, which is linked to France is also in the region and the region has strong road and rail links between County Waterford and County Cork and Dublin, if there are any proposals to develop a sports stadium facility in the gateway city in the south east so that it would be part of such a bid and so that the south east region will not be the only region in the country to be excluded from such a bid; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37994/12]

Tourism Promotion

Paudie Coffey

1912. Deputy Paudie Coffey asked the Minister for Transport; Tourism and Sport if he will indicate the initiatives and events that will be taking place in Waterford next year as a result of his Department's initiative The Gathering in order to attract and boost numbers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38037/12]

Regional Airports

Paudie Coffey

1913. Deputy Paudie Coffey asked the Minister for Transport; Tourism and Sport the plans he has in place to ensure that Waterford Regional Airport is utilised to its fullest potential in order that as many tourists as possible will use it throughout 2013 as part of The Gathering initiative; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38038/12]

Haulage Industry Regulation

Seán Ó Fearghaíl

1914. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Transport; Tourism and Sport if he will consider the very genuine concerns raised in correspondence (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38152/12]

Rail Services

Peter Mathews

1915. Deputy Peter Mathews asked the Minister for Transport; Tourism and Sport his views on a matter (details supplied) regarding the subvention made to CIÉ; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38168/12]

Company Takeovers

Finian McGrath

1916. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Transport; Tourism and Sport his views on a matter (details supplied). [38287/12]

Driving Tests

John Paul Phelan

1917. Deputy John Paul Phelan asked the Minister for Transport; Tourism and Sport the arrangements in place or planned to ensure that the same standards are implemented by driver testers across the country to ensure that the large differences in test outcomes throughout the country do not continue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38367/12]

Tourism Industry Issues

Peter Mathews

1918. Deputy Peter Mathews asked the Minister for Transport; Tourism and Sport if any funding is available to a person (details supplied) who has set up a company to promote heritage sites, national monuments and architectural wonders here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38448/12]

Departmental Staff Training

Gerry Adams

1919. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Transport; Tourism and Sport the amount of money spent on an annual basis on education and training of staff in 2011 and to date in 2012; the number of staff who availed of each course; if he will provide a list of the courses staff undertook and the cost of each course per person. [38493/12]

Penalty Points System

Thomas P. Broughan

1920. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Transport; Tourism and Sport his plans to include penalty points for learners driving unaccompanied in the Road Traffic Bill being drafted at present; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38541/12]

Penalty Points System

Thomas P. Broughan

1921. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Transport; Tourism and Sport his plans to include penalty points for learners driving without L plates in the Road Traffic Bill being drafted at present; the number of points that he plans to introduce; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38542/12]

Road Traffic Offences

Thomas P. Broughan

1922. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Transport; Tourism and Sport his plans to enact section 54(c) of the 2010 Road Traffic Act giving learners only one point for driving unaccompanied, three points if contested in court, and no points for learners driving without L plates; if so, if he will explain the way this will work without first enacting section 44 of the Road Traffic Act 2010 which will ensure that the current loophole does not continue whereby drivers are getting their cases struck out in court by claiming that they did not receive their notice of fine and points in the post; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38543/12]

Penalty Points System

Thomas P. Broughan

1923. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Transport; Tourism and Sport his plans to introduce penalty points for learners in the current Bill, in line with the system in Northern Ireland that is three points if driving without a qualified driver and three points for non display of L plates; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38544/12]

Driving Licence Applications

Thomas P. Broughan

1924. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Transport; Tourism and Sport if he will report on the Road Safety Authority's role as the national driver licensing authority; if the local authorities now have no function in driver licensing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38587/12]

Penalty Points System

Thomas P. Broughan

1925. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Transport; Tourism and Sport the progress made of legislation to implement a full graduated driving licence system; the timetable for publishing this legislation; when he expects the new licensing system to be fully operational; the main heads of the Bill; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38588/12]

Anti-Social Behaviour

Thomas P. Broughan

1926. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Transport; Tourism and Sport if he is considering any new measures in terms of enhanced security to protect commuters and staff on public and private transport services in view of the vulnerable position, in particular, of staff; and if he is considering any new legislative measures to make it a specific offence to target public and private transport operators. [38589/12]

Taxi Regulations

Bernard Durkan

1927. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport; Tourism and Sport if his attention has been drawn to the concerns of taxi drivers/owners arising from the proposed charges affecting the sector; his plans to alleviate concerns that taxi drivers/owners have in regards to such plans; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38637/12]

Sports Capital Programme Applications

Charlie McConalogue

1928. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Transport; Tourism and Sport the date on which he will announce the beneficiaries of the sports capital grant programme 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38719/12]

Tourism Promotion

Paul Connaughton

1929. Deputy Paul J. Connaughton asked the Minister for Transport; Tourism and Sport the resources available for community organisations aiming to organise a Gathering in their locality. [38828/12]

Appointments to State Boards

Dominic Hannigan

1930. Deputy Dominic Hannigan asked the Minister for Transport; Tourism and Sport if he will outline, in tabular form, both the number and the percentage of women and men on State boards under the aegis of his Department in each of the past ten years; if he will provide the most up-to-date figures available regarding the number and percentage of women and men on State boards under the aegis of his Department in 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38865/12]

Railway Stations Upgrade

Robert Dowds

1931. Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for Transport; Tourism and Sport if he will provide an update on plans to open Kishogue railway station, Lucan, County Dublin. [39050/12]

Vehicle Clamping

John Lyons

1932. Deputy John Lyons asked the Minister for Transport; Tourism and Sport if he will provide an update on proposed legislation to regulate the vehicle clamping industry; the date on which this legislation will be introduced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39051/12]

Air Services Provision

Terence Flanagan

1933. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Transport; Tourism and Sport if his attention has been drawn to concerns that the European Aviation Safety Agency is advocating longer working / flying hours limits for pilots and crew in the development of new legislation and in doing so is ignoring scientific research it had commissioned, the findings of which were published in the Moebus report in January 2009, which pointed to tightening the limits on the amount of time a pilot should be able to fly; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39143/12]

Haulage Industry Regulation

Robert Dowds

1934. Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for Transport; Tourism and Sport if the legal responsibility for ensuring that a truck or goods vehicle is not overloaded rests with the driver of the vehicle, the operator, or both; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39145/12]

Appointments to State Boards

Anne Ferris

1935. Deputy Anne Ferris asked the Minister for Transport; Tourism and Sport the steps he is taking to ensure that State boards have at least 40% of each gender, as provided for in the programme for Government; the percentage at present; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39161/12]

Departmental Programmes

Seán Kenny

1936. Deputy Seán Kenny asked the Minister for Transport; Tourism and Sport if he will list all projects planned under the Transport 21 programme; the projected and actual cost of each project and if each project was delivered. [39185/12]

Taxi Regulations

Brendan Griffin

1937. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Transport; Tourism and Sport his views on the penalties that the Taxi Regulator imposes on taxi drivers for relatively minor offences; his plans to review the workings of the Taxi Regulator; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39215/12]