Parliamentary questions

State Examinations

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin

539. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Education and Skills if students who have received conditional offers from foreign universities but whose leaving certificate results are likely to be received after the expiry of the deadline for submission will be able to obtain early access to their results; and the policy measures she plans in order to assist students with overseas offers in retaining these places. [18936/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin

540. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Education and Skills the policy responses proposed or being examined to meet the increased pressure and demand on guidance counsellors in view of the impact of the Covid-19 global pandemic; if her Department has allocated enhanced resources and hours for guidance counsellors; and her views on the appropriate response of her Department to the increased support students will need from guidance counsellors to help them through the impact of the pandemic on career guidance, mental health and social counselling in addition to curricular and educational counselling. [18951/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin

544. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Education and Skills the policy responses being planned or examined to meet the increased pressure and demand on guidance counsellors in view of the impact of the global Covid-19 pandemic; if enhanced resources and hours have been allocated for guidance counsellors; her views on the appropriate response to the increased support students will need from guidance counsellors to help them through the impact of the pandemic on career guidance, mental health, social, curricular and educational counselling. [19046/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin

583. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the reason a person (details supplied ) is on the lower rate of pandemic unemployment payment in view of income exceeding the €200 threshold; her views on the policy issues raised by the circumstances of the case; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18168/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin

626. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the reason a person (details supplied) is on the lower rate of pandemic unemployment payment in view of the fact that their income exceeds the €200 threshold; her views on the policy issues raised by the circumstances of the case; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18932/20]

Brexit Issues

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin

774. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if her attention has been drawn to the situation of persons (details supplied) residing and working here as European Economic Area, EEA, family members in cases in which qualifying EEA family member is a UK citizen and that after 31 December 2020 and they are no longer the spouse of an EEA family member and will be unable to reside and work here; her views on such cases; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18353/20]

Housing Policy

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin

2. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if a review of the strategic housing development process is under way by his Department; his views on the structure of such a review; and if a report will be prepared on the matter. [17677/20]

Shared Accommodation

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin

7. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if the guidelines on shared accommodation are under review in view of the Covid-19 pandemic; and his views on same. [17649/20]

Land Development Agency

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin

8. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the details of the land transferred to the Land Development Agency for the development of residential units; and the projects being considered by the agency for development, detailing the partners, the number of expected units, the stage of the process and targeted completion dates. [17650/20]

Departmental Reviews

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin

34. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if there is a review of the strategic housing development process under way in his Department; his views on the structure of such a review; and if he will prepare a report on the matter. [17653/20]

Planning Data

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin

54. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the strategic housing developments which have been granted permission since July 2017; the number that have had commencement orders granted to them; the number of these permissions that have been completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17652/20]

Land Development Agency

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin

139. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the number of sites in the remit of the Land Development Agency (details supplied); the partners involved in the projects; the numbers of expected units; the breakdown of the types of units; the stage of the process and targeted completion dates; and the discussions that have taken place to provide shared facilities such as kitchens under the 2018 shared accommodation standards on these sites. [17671/20]

Local Authority Members

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin

140. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to the strongly held views of local authority elected members regarding comments in the Moorehead report on their work and role as members of local authorities; and if he will engage with organisations (details supplied) as appropriate representative bodies on the matter. [17672/20]

Rental Sector

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin

141. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if he will provide a terms of reference for the cross-Departmental working group on cost rental; the membership of the group; and the expected date for delivery of its findings. [17692/20]

Rental Sector

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin

142. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the progress of the cost-rental project at Enniskerry Road; the projected rental cost of each on-site unit; and the position on the roll-out of further cost rental projects nationally. [17693/20]

Schools Building Projects

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin

380. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Education and Skills if she will report on the provision of a new school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16681/20]

Student Accommodation

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin

382. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Education and Skills if her attention has been drawn to reports that a third level institution (details supplied) is not refunding prepaid rent for campus accommodation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16706/20]

Land Development Agency

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin

96. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the projects under consideration by the Land Development Agency; the co-living and-or shared accommodation projects that are under consideration; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16393/20]

Employment Rights

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin

14. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation his plans to address the defects identified in legislation relating to the making of sectoral employment orders following the recent High Court judgment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15993/20]

School Textbooks

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin

662. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Education and Skills if she will report on the proposed free book pilot scheme due to commence in September 2020 as announced in budget 2020 and referenced in the programme for Government; and the 50 schools that will be availing of this free book scheme in September 2020 in tabular form. [15848/20]

Universal Social Charge

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin

167. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Finance the annual cost of the removal of the 3% USC surcharge on incomes over €100,000 for the self-employed. [14114/20]

School Transport

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin

419. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Education and Skills the status of school bus services and on reports of the cancellation of services by Dublin Bus for a number of schools including a school (details supplied). [14111/20]

School Textbooks

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin

420. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Education and Skills the estimated cost of the free schoolbooks pilot scheme scheduled for September 2020; and the additional estimated budget that would be required to expand the scheme to schools nationwide. [14112/20]

School Funding

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin

421. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Education and Skills the estimated value of voluntary contributions to the education sector; and the estimated required increase in the capitation grant to reasonably replace voluntary contributions for most schools. [14115/20]

Departmental Programmes

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin

422. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Education and Skills the functions of the proposed new education research and policy section within her Department; the effect such a body will have on the way in which education policy is directed; and the way in which the function is currently conducted. [14116/20]

School Facilities

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin

177. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Education and Skills if approval will be given by for the installation of six Portakabins for a school (details supplied) due to there being no room for 52 children to commence school in September 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12035/20]

Election Monitoring Missions

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin

21. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the persons appointed to the 2018 Irish Aid election observation roster. [8573/20]

Wage Subsidy Scheme

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin

60. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Finance if he will report on the exclusion of persons and businesses (details supplied) from the temporary wage subsidy scheme due to administrative errors caused by staff turnover in cases in which the payment dates of wages would otherwise have fallen within the remit of the scheme. [8580/20]

Teacher Training Provision

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin

167. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Education and Skills the level of CPD completion by teachers on the recent changes at junior cycle; and when he plans to formally dissolve the junior cycle for teachers. [8432/20]

Physical Education

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin

168. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Education and Skills when the NCCA designed senior cycle physical education application will be made available to schools, teachers and students to commence teaching the new senior cycle physical education curriculum; and if the new cycle is scheduled to commence in September 2020. [8433/20]

Third Level Education

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin

169. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Education and Skills if his attention has been drawn to difficulties for professional masters of education in primary school teaching students of a college (details supplied) in completing an alternative Gaeltacht placement due to the prevalence of mature students with families, the Covid-19 pandemic and the coinciding requirements to complete academic work in April 2020; and the steps he plans to take to engage with students from the college in order to achieve a resolution. [8434/20]

School Staff

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin

180. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Education and Skills the guidance school principals can expect on processes and procedures to deal with anticipated increased need for substitute teachers due to ongoing self-isolation protocols associated with respiratory symptoms or close contacts with Covid-19 cases. [8574/20]

Crime Prevention

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin

333. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he has raised the establishment of a north side crime task force with the Garda Commissioner, which was previously committed to. [8435/20]

Garda Stations

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin

350. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he has raised the progress on the development of the new Garda station at Northern Cross, Dublin 17 previously committed to by An Taoiseach in June 2019. [8570/20]

Childcare Services

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin

1004. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if her attention has been drawn to the fact that a childcare provider has indicated that no provision of physical comfort to children will be a condition of returning to its childcare service; her views on such guidance; if such advice has emanated from her Department; and her views on the effect such provision would have on the children being cared for. [8595/20]

Research and Development

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin

218. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Education and Skills if his attention has been drawn to the serious disruption to research activity due to Covid-19; if his attention has further been drawn to the requirement for additional investment to allow research programmes to be extended; if his attention has been drawn to the proposal for a research and innovation fund with €80 million per year extra to support investment in third-level research, researchers and renewal of outdated research equipment and infrastructure; and his views on the need for such a fund. [6008/20]

Third Level Education

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin

219. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Education and Skills if his attention has been drawn to the proposal by an association (details supplied) for the establishment of a transformation fund to support an enhanced skills development programme to provide sustained investment in digital infrastructure and to provide capacity for the known demographic growth in student numbers over the next decade; and his views on the assessment that €180 million of an annual investment will be required in addition to the capital investment proposed for third level in Project Ireland 2040. [6009/20]

Third Level Education

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin

220. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Education and Skills if his attention has been drawn to the proposal by an association (details supplied) for a stability fund to provide targeted support for students and their families in the aftermath of the Covid-19 crisis focused on enhanced access programmes, improved SUSI grants and well-being supports; and his views on establishing such a fund. [6010/20]

Home Tuition Scheme

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin

225. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Education and Skills the steps taken or procedures investigated to support the resumption of home tuition for students whose needs are best served in person rather than by remote learning. [6067/20]

Home Tuition Scheme

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin

303. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Education and Skills the steps taken or procedures investigated to support the resumption of home tuition for students whose needs are best served by in person rather than through remote learning. [6479/20]

State Examinations

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin

304. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Education and Skills the steps he plans to take to facilitate external students such as mature students taking the leaving certificate to allow them access to primary school teaching or students whose first language is not taught in their school taking a language exam in their mother tongue or students self-studying mathematics to satisfy career or study requirements none of whom will be able to avail of predictive grades in view of the cancellation of the leaving certificate. [6480/20]

Third Level Admissions

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin

305. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding steps being taken to ensure that students applying for third level through the CAO with leaving certificate results from different years are not advantaged or disadvantaged compared with students with predictive results from 2020. [6482/20]

Third Level Education

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin

358. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will request QQI, CORU and other relevant bodies to review the requirement for 800 hours of unpaid placement to be completed by social care work students before graduation in view of the exceptional circumstances surrounding Covid-19; if alternative mechanisms can be found to allow sufficiently competent students to graduate and progress to paid employment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6713/20]

Special Educational Needs

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin

362. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Education and Skills if his attention has been drawn to a recent survey and report (details supplied); and his views on the recommendations of same. [6734/20]

School Therapy Services

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin

370. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Education and Skills the steps he will take to make therapy resources available using virtual or remote technology to support children with disabilities tying in with the pilot inclusion model, the NCSE and in partnership with the HSE. [6796/20]

Hospital Services

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin

787. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Health if St. Michael's Ward in Beaumont Hospital is planning to resume providing inpatient detoxification and stabilisation services in 2020; and the stage of the Covid-19 restrictions at which the HSE plans to reopen inpatient detox and stabilisation services. [6712/20]

Animal Welfare

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin

912. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his attention has been drawn to the fact that there are particular difficulties for dog owners and animal welfare caused by lack of access to dog grooming services; the steps he plans to take to assist such services in resuming; and his views on which stage of the 5 stage Roadmap for Reopening Society and Business is appropriate for dog grooming to resume. [6836/20]

Medicinal Products Availability

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin

1150. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Health if he intends including omacor as medication covered under the medical card scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32926/14]

Water Charges Administration

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin

479. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will detail the water metering situation for persons living in apartments; the way each person's water supply will be read; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31037/14]

Departmental Agencies Reports

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin

833. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if he has received the Health Service Executive review of preschool inspection reports which commenced following a broadcast (details supplied) in an effort to identify patterns of non-compliance among service providers; if he has received the report; his views on same; when it will be available for publication; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31602/14]

Hospital Accommodation Provision

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin

546. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Health the measures he has taken, with the Health Service Executive, to establish a long term unit for Cystic Fibrosis suffers in Beaumont Hospital in view of the fact that there is no such facilities on the northside of Dublin for those suffering from the long term illness; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28318/14]

Home Renovation Incentive Scheme Eligibility

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin

68. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Finance if he will provide the rationale behind the criteria for the building renovation scheme, specifically in relation to who qualifies for the scheme, as well the established bands of the scheme in view of the fact that it disproportionately benefits higher earners; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27522/14]

Rent Supplement Scheme Data

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin

93. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will provide in tabular form the number of persons currently in receipt of rent allowance broken down by county. [27427/14]

Direct Provision System

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin

480. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if she will provide in tabular form the number of residents housed in each direct provision centre; if the figure could be broken down by gender; if the number of minors in each centre could be identified; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27143/14]

Medical Card Reviews

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin

178. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Health if any consideration has been given to allowing those currently in receipt of a medical card over the age of 90 being exempted from the medical card review for over 70s medical cards; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26222/14]

Disease Incidence

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin

732. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Health if he will provide in tabular form the number of registered cases of persons with a disease (details supplied) per hospital across the State at present. [26011/14]

Middle East Issues

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin

34. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he has been in communication with the Israeli Government requesting it to cease its policy of administrative detention under its obligations under the Fourth Geneva Convention; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24855/14]

Motor Tax Exemptions

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin

103. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if there is any leniency to allow persons to retrospectively declare their vehicle off the road within the parameters of the new legislation regarding motor tax; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24878/14]

Nursing Education

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin

149. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Health if there will be a review of the changes to the payment for fourth year nursing students; if a return of old rates is being considered in view of the valuable input made by trainee nurses in our hospital systems; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24869/14]

Mother and Baby Homes Inquiries

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin

178. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs in view of recent revelations regarding the discarding of approximately 800 children's bodies in a septic tank at the Bon Secours mother and baby home in Tuam, County Galway, if the interdepartmental review being co-ordinated by his Department will consider a full public inquiry into all mother and baby homes that existed in the State; if the review will seek to establish any wrongdoing by the State; if the reasoning for any decisions it comes to will be fully disclosed to the general public; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24882/14]

Foreign Adoptions

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin

180. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if he has personally been in touch with the relevant authorities in Russia since his appointment last month to get an up-to-date position regarding ongoing bilateral negotiations regarding inter-country adoption; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24837/14]

Tax Collection

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin

190. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Finance if he will confirm that the Revenue Commissioners are in the process of winding up the company (details supplied) to satisfy outstanding arrears of tax and PRSI due to the Revenue Commissioners. [24670/14]

Tax Collection

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin

191. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Finance if he will confirm that the Revenue Commissioners will wind up a company (details supplied) to satisfy outstanding arrears of tax and PRSI due to the Revenue Commissioners; and the time frame for the wind up. [24671/14]

Integrated Ticketing

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin

974. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when he expects the scholar rate to be available via Leap card; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22510/14]

Child Care Services Funding

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin

994. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if his attention has been drawn to that due to a cut in funding to an aftercare service for children with special needs in a club (details supplied) the service was forced to close as a result; if the possibility of continuing the service has been considered by his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22348/14]

European Banking Sector

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin

162. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Finance the dates of the bank holidays which result in the euro payments clearing and settlement system being closed and thus cause delays in credit and debit transfers within the Irish banking system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20837/14]

European Banking Sector

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin

163. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Finance if, on future dates that the euro payments clearing and settlement system is closed due to bank holidays, the public sector payroll could be brought forward by a day to ensure workers are paid on time; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20838/14]

Water Fluoridation

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin

179. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Health when the report on fluoride in the public water supply commissioned by his Department will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20388/14]

Motor Tax Collection

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin

225. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if the Ballymun motor tax office is being considered for closure; if so, the reason for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20612/14]

University Legal Fees

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin

182. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will provide, in tabular form, the amount of money NUIG has spent on legal fees in dealing with employee issues from 2008 to date in 2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20106/14]

Passports Data

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin

42. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the reason the renewal date for a new passport is not the date following on from the expiry date but rather the date from which you apply; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19687/14]

Small and Medium Enterprises Supports

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin

269. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if he will provide, in tabular form, the number of applications that have been granted under the credit guarantee scheme, CGS, since the last quarterly report on 30 September 2013; the amount in euro that has now been approved in total under auspices of the CGS; if he will enact policies to improve the level of take-up in respect of the CGS; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19251/14]

Small and Medium Enterprises Supports

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin

270. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if he will provide, in tabular form, the number of loans that have been approved under the microenterprise loan fund scheme since Microfinance Ireland last published results at 31 December 2013; the total amount, in euro, that has been approved for lending under this scheme; the current total number of approved or declined applications under this scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19252/14]

Citizenship Applications

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin

561. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the reason the cost of obtaining Irish citizenship for EEA residents is so excessive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18829/14]

Medical Card Administration

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin

918. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Health the reason after a medical card holder is given a prescription in a hospital, they then have to ask their doctor to get the prescription put on their medical card before they can go to a chemist for their prescription; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19689/14]

Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin

964. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the reason upon retirement, a taxi driver cannot transfer their plate directly to a family member; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19688/14]

Taxi Regulations

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin

170. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if there are specific guidelines or legal requirements for taxis in dealing with persons with physical disabilities such as wheelchair users and facilitating their use of the taxi system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18140/14]

Waste Disposal

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin

408. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he has conducted an analysis and-or evaluation of the private waste collection sector in terms of cost and service delivery; if his attention has been drawn to any local authority conducting the same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17545/14]

Human Trafficking

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin

436. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will provide in tabular form the number of persons of all nationalities that have been detected by the Garda as victims of trafficking for forced labour between 2008 and March 2014. [16350/14]

Human Trafficking

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin

437. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will provide in tabular form the number of persons of all nationalities who have been charged with offences and who have been detected by the Garda as victims of trafficking for forced labour between 2008 and March 2014. [16351/14]

Departmental Staff Recruitment

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin

80. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the number of posts that will be filled by the recent competition for administrative officers in the Civil Service; if he will provide in tabular form the numbers appointed in each stream and the numbers expected to be appointed from each stream. [14613/14]

Public Sector Staff Recruitment

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin

426. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if non-EEA nationals are eligible to apply for posts in the Civil Service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13116/14]

Water Meters

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin

709. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the way in which water meters will be managed and operated in private estates, whose maintenance are under the direction of a management company and not a local authority; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13762/14]

Tax Code

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin

88. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Finance the legality of charging DIRT at 41% on children's savings in credit unions despite them not having a tax number; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11793/14]

Water Meters

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin

348. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if householders will be able to read their water meters so that they can monitor their usage; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11734/14]

Water Meters

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin

349. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the provision that has been put in place for homes with a shared water supply, so as to ensure that each individual residence is only billed for their own usage and as such is not billed additionally for the usage of the residence with which they share the supply; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11735/14]

Medicinal Products Prices

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin

524. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Health the practical actions his Department has taken to try and reduce the cost of the drug (details supplied) for those suffering from Addison's disease; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11695/14]

Medicinal Products Expenditure

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin

547. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Health the reason there is no difference between the cap for a single person and a couple on the monthly cost for medication for medical card holders; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11975/14]

Noise Pollution

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin

251. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if his Department has conducted an audit of aircraft noise levels in an area (details supplied) in Dublin 5; if so, if he deems these levels to be too high for a residential area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10763/14]

Nursing Staff Remuneration

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin

458. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Health if there are situations where graduate nurses are earning a starting salary which pays below the minium wage when divided over the number of hours they work; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10765/14]

Drugs Payment Scheme Coverage

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin

468. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Health if it is his intention to include a drug (details supplied) on the list to be covered for payment for persons with medical cards [10794/14]

Prescription Charges

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin

682. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Health if he will provide in detail, any changes in prescription charges for medical card holders, specifically in relation to charges pertaining to generic, non-generic drugs since budget 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9331/14]

School Curriculum

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin

102. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding the NCCA draft leaving certificate politics and society course; when he plans to roll it out to schools; the way it will relate to the revised CSPE programme at junior cycle; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8406/14]

Schools Building Projects Status

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin

297. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Education and Skills to set out the number of new school buildings that are at or near completion; the position of replacement of prefabs throughout the country; the future plans in meeting the demographic demands; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8378/14]

Housing Issues

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin

495. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide in tabular form the number of known vacant apartment units in the city of Dublin, either finished units or partly finished units; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7776/14]

Crime Investigation

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin

565. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the measures that have been put in place to combat the number of break-ins in an area (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7882/14]

Child and Family Agency Remit

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin

187. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the timeline her Department envisages for broadening the representation on Túsla, the Child and Family Agency, to include a full range of services, including public health nursing, as recommended by the task force on the establishment of a child and family agency in 2012; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7171/14]

Child and Family Agency Remit

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin

188. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the role that will be played by Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, in helping to deliver on the Youth Justice Action Plan 2014-2018 to tackle and prevent youth crime; if she envisages a preventative role for Tusla in the proposed national anti-crime strategy; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7172/14]

Public Transport

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin

661. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the reason second level students, upon reaching the age of 18 but remaining in full-time secondary education, no longer qualify for school child DART fares; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6518/14]

Departmental Funding

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin

121. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the reason there is a delay in the project (details supplied) being approved by his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5928/14]