Parliamentary questions

Medicinal Products Expenditure

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

188. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health the reason this State is the most expensive country in northern Europe to buy on-patent medicines; the efforts he is making to address the cost of on-patent medicines here; the progress made to date; the timeline and expected savings from same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41142/12]

Medicinal Products Expenditure

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

189. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health the reason generic medicines often cost as much as 12 times more in this State than in Britain; the efforts he is making to address the cost of off-patent and generic medicines here; the progress made to date; the timeline and expected savings from same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41143/12]

Primary Care Centres Provision

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

190. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health if he will detail the exact criteria which were used to identify the 35 priority primary care centres announced as part of the stimulus package on 17 July 2012; if he will detail the process which led to this decision; the criteria which was used by the Health Service Executive to draw up the original long list of some 200 potential locations; if he will provide both lists and in rank order; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41144/12]

Primary Care Centres Provision

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

211. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health if he will provide the full list of 200 primary care centres identified following analysis of current and future needs for primary care centres throughout the State and referred to in a publication (details supplied); the order in which those centres appeared in the list; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41201/12]

Primary Care Services Provision

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

212. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update in relation to primary care teams as of 21 September 2012; the number of PCTs; the location of same; the number and percentage of general practitioners working as part of PCTs; the number and discipline and category of staff employed in each PCT [41202/12]

Primary Care Centres Provision

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

213. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health the number and location of all of primary care centres opened since 2001; if he will provide a breakdown of same based on tenancy type and cost to the State of accommodation [41203/12]

Children in Care

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

2. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number of children who have sought aftercare on leaving the care system during each of the last seven years; the number of children who have received aftercare on leaving the care system during each of the last seven years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41028/12]

Children in Care

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

5. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number of children currently receiving special care in overseas facilities; the facilities in which they are placed; the cost of providing treatment in each of these facilities; her plans to ensure that children with special care needs receive this care within this State. [41029/12]

Children in Care

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

40. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs her plans to introduce a statutory right to aftercare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40705/12]

Local Authority Housing Rents

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

285. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for the Environment; Community and Local Government if he will provide a list of local authorities which regard foster care allowance as reckonable income when calculating rent; the length of time this has been the practice and the number of foster families affected; if he will immediately instruct them to cease this practice; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40277/12]

Inter-Country Adoptions

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

382. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if comments she made in Topical Debates earlier this year (details supplied) will mean that upon the pending signing of an agreement on intercountry adoption between Ireland and Vietnam, Vietnamese-born children with special needs will not be afforded the full protections, safeguards and rights as set out under the terms of the Hague Convention on Protection and Co-operation in Respect of Intercountry Adoption [40403/12]

Nursing Home Beds

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

446. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health the number of public nursing home beds closed in 2012 up to the end of August; the number closed since March 2011; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40362/12]

Medicinal Products Supply

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

450. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health if Oesteoeze is covered by the medical card and drug payment scheme; if he will commit to ensuring that it is, in view of the relative expense and clinical importance of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40381/12]

Medical Card Eligibility

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

451. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health if she will provide in detail the changes to the medical card eligibility criteria during the period 2011-2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40382/12]

Health Services Provision

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

454. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health the extent to which language barriers affect public health service delivery here; the amount of money spent on translation services for frontline medical services for non-English speaking patients/staff; if technological services (details supplied) have been considered in addressing this need; [40404/12]

Hospital Appointments Administration

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

472. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will receive an appointment at Cork University Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40608/12]

Health Services Expenditure

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

477. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health the total cost of taxi services and other private transport services paid for by the Health Service Executive for the years 2010, 2011 and 2012; if he will provide a breakdown of same based on year, HSE region and reason for service [40725/12]

Health Services Expenditure

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

478. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health the total expenditure by his Department and the Health Service Executive on room and venue hire for the years 2010, 2011 and to date in 2012; and if he will provide a breakdown of same by year, HSE region and event type [40726/12]

HSE Staff Responsibilities

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

479. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health the number of administration, clerical and management staff employed by the Health Service Executive and his Department on 1 June 2012; and if he will provide a breakdown of same based on HSE region, grade and work location [40727/12]

Health Services Expenditure

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

480. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health the total cost of rents paid by the Health Service Executive and his Department for the period 2010 to 2012 inclusive; if he will provide a breakdown of same by year, HSE region and purpose of expenditure [40728/12]

Competition Authority Investigations

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

63. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Jobs; Enterprise and Innovation if his attention has been drawn to an acquisition (details supplied); the implications of this for the independent booksellers and publishers industry here; the efforts he has made to protect and enhance the independent booksellers and publishers industry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39724/12]

Crime Data

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

29. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will provide details of the number of armed robberies in each county for each of the years 2009, 2010, 2011 and to date in 2012; and his plans to resource gardaí to combat these in future. [39336/12]

Policing at Concerts

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

38. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the cost per Garda of policing concerts and the proportion of this that is reimbursed by concert promoters and organisers. [39337/12]

Children Services Committees

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

194. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if the Health Service Executive children and adolescent mental health service is represented on the children services committees at a local authority level or on the national children's strategy implementation group at a national level; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39628/12]

Child and Family Support Agency Remit

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

195. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs her plans to proceed with the recommendation of the task force on the Child and Family Support Agency to include children and adolescent mental health service within the new agency; the way this will deliver better inter-agency co-operation between HSE, CAMHS and the child welfare and protection services; the way this might be addressed in the Child and Family Support Agency Bill; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39629/12]

Mental Health Services Funding

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

204. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health the position regarding ringfenced funding of €35 million for mental health service provision; if the money is still ringfenced for mental health services; the way the funds will be used; the timeframe for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39507/12]

General Practitioner Services

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

219. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health when the promised provision of free GP care to long-term illness patients will be in place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39654/12]

Departmental Expenditure

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

220. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health the date on which he approved the €130 million further cuts to the 2012 health budget, including the proposed cuts to personal assistance services for the disabled, the home care cuts and the home help cuts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39655/12]

Medical Card Drugs

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

221. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health if he will reverse the decision to cease the provision of gluten-free products on prescription for medical card patients with coeliac disease; and if he will provide equivalent alternative supports or measures for coeliac patients, in view of the excessive cost of gluten-free products; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39656/12]

Mental Health Services Funding

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

222. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health the position regarding the €35 million allocated in 2012 for the development of community mental health services; the number of posts filled; the number of posts remaining to be filled; if this sum is still ring-fenced for this purpose; if he will give a guarantee that it will not be used for other purposes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39657/12]

Hospital Services

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

223. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health if he will instruct the Health Service Executive to reverse the decision to cease emergency and cardiology services at Nenagh Hospital, County Tipperary; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39658/12]

Hospital Services

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

224. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health if he has ascertained from the Health Service Executive the reason it was decided to cease emergency and cardiology services at Nenagh Hospital, County Tipperary even though the critical care unit in the Limerick Regional Hospital is not yet fully opened or fully operational; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39659/12]

Consultancy Contracts Issues

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

225. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health the total sum spent by the Health Service Executive and his Department in 2011 and to date in 2012 for consultancy services other than medical/clinical consultants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39660/12]

Asylum Seeker Accommodation

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

1292. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will reverse his decision to close Lisbrook direct provision centre for refugees in Galway city. [39260/12]

Translation Services

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

1604. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health the total cost of translation services by his Department and the agencies operating under his aegis for the years 2010 to 2012, inclusive; if his attention has been drawn to a translation service (details supplied); his opinion on the merits of this service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37144/12]

Hospital Waiting Lists

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

1605. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health the waiting time for colonoscopy examinations in the public health system for the years 2008 to 2012, inclusive; the number of patients waiting for colonoscopies during the same period; if he will provide a breakdown of same per Health Service Executive region; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37145/12]

Cancer Screening Programmes

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

1606. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health his plans to ensure that adequate capacity is in place to facilitate the roll-out of the national cancer screening programme in 2012; that the bowel cancer screening programme is extended to people aged 55 to 74 years; that multi-annual funding is in place to support the programme by the end of 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37146/12]

Hospital Accommodation Provision

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

1608. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health the reason 22 beds remain closed at a hospital (details supplied) in County Tipperary; the efforts he is making to ensure these beds are reopened at the earliest opportunity; the date on which they will be reopened; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37148/12]

Drug Treatment Programmes Availability

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

1648. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health the efforts he is making to support the Anna Liffey drug project in Dublin; his position on supervised injection sites in this State; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37686/12]

Health Services Staff Issues

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

1712. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health if he will give details of the savings made through the employment of agency staff, both nursing and clerical, as against their Health Service Executive directly employed co-workers, in each of the years 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2011; if he will advise of any changes in terms of employment or levels of remuneration that were introduced specific to the recruitment agencies and when said changes came into effect; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38164/12]

Health Services Staff Issues

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

1763. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health the safeguards that are in place to ensure that those contracted by the Health Service Executive to provide residential care and home care are fully compliant with all employment legislation and regulations and that the statutory rights of their employees are fully vindicated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38560/12]

Employment Rights Issues

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

1764. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health if he will raise with the Health Service Executive the serious concerns raised by employees in a company (details supplied) regarding their working conditions, their rights as employees and the treatment of them by their employer. [38561/12]

General Practitioner Services

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

1812. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health when free general practitioner visits will be extended to long-term illness card holders; and if he will expedite the measure. [38942/12]

Drugs Payment Scheme Administration

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

1813. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health if he will immediately reverse the decision to cease support for medical card holders with coeliac disease to obtain gluten-free products on prescription. [38943/12]

Health Service Staff

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

727 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health the total health spend on agency staff; the number of whole time equivalent this equates to; and the details for same for the years 2008 to 2012 inclusive; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[36253/12]

Ambulance Service

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

728 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health if there is a full-time ambulance located in Ashbourne, County Meath; if he will provide the ambulance cover for that town; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[36254/12]

Hospital Staff

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

729 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health if he will provide the number and grade of all hospital consultants in the State; the total, highest and lowest person and the average spend on same; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[36255/12]

Health Service Staff

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

730 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health the salaries and expenses of all Health Service Executive allied health professionals receiving more than €100,000 per annum.
[36256/12]

Turbary Rights

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

28 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the efforts he has made to resolve the outstanding issues in relation to turf cutting; the engagement he and his Department have had with the TCCA and with other stakeholders and with officials at a European level; and the way he proposes to bring the situation to a successful conclusion; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[35432/12]

Deontais faoi Údarás na Gaeltachta

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

35

D’fhiafraigh Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin den Aire Ealaíon, Oidhreachta agus Gaeltachta sonraí a thabhairt faoi líon na ndeontas caipitil, fostaíochta, taighde agus forbartha agus staidéar féidirtheachta ina n-iomláine agus iad a bhriseadh síos de réir gach réigiúin Gaeltachta.
[35030/12]

Health Service Executive Staff

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

352 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health the salaries and expenses of all Health Service Executive executives and managers receiving more than €100,000 per annum.
[35746/12]

Health Service Expenditure

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

353 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health the savings to the Exchequer which would be made by applying charges based on the full economic cost for the use of beds in public and voluntary hospitals in the State for the purposes of private medical practice.
[35747/12]

Health Service Expenditure

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

354 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health the estimated savings which would be made by implementing a full programme of generic substitution and reference pricing of medicines.
[35748/12]

Prescription Charges

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

355 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health the amount collected in prescription charges for medical card prescriptions in 2011 and the amount collected in 2012.
[35749/12]

Health Service Expenditure

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

356 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health the total Health Service Executive spend on the hiring of agency staff between June 2011 and June 2012.
[35750/12]

Health Service Expenditure

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

357 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health the total cost of over-time payments by the Health Service Executive between June 2011 and June 2012.
[35751/12]

Hospital Staff

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

358 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health the current total annual cost of payments to hospital consultants under the various consultants’ contracts, broken down by category of contract.
[35752/12]

Community Employment Schemes

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

31 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Social Protection when the community employment consultation seminar referred to by her will take place; and who will be invited.
[34949/12]

Rent Supplement Scheme

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

58 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Social Protection her views on the decision to transfer responsibility for the provision of rental assistance to persons with a long term housing need from her Department currently provided through rent supplement to housing authorities using a new housing assistance payment from 1 January 2013; if she will provide an outline of this new HAP; the way it will function; and the way it will differ from rent supplement.
[34948/12]

Bullying in Schools

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

180 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Education and Skills if his attention has been drawn to the bullying and suicide prevention programme (details supplied); his views on the merits of the programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[35304/12]

Voluntary Housing Sector

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

458 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he has given approval to Monaghan County Council and a housing association (details supplied) to seek planning permission for the development of a group home for women with physical and sensory disabilities at Drummond Otra, Carrickmacross, County Monaghan; the projected timeframe for the completion of this project; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[34698/12]

Medical Negligence Cases

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

601 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Justice and Equality in cases of deaths caused by gross medical negligence that require a full ECHR Article 2 type investigation and noting the restrictions imposed on a coroner by section 30 and 31 of the Coroners Act 1962 and also noting that it is not in the Health Information and Quality Authority’s remit to investigate individual cases, if he will confirm the manner in which the State fulfils its investigative obligations pursuant to Article 2 in order to identify those responsible and to establish if there has been systemic failures leading to the death; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[35203/12]

Medical Negligence Cases

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

602 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the reason the Coroners Bill 2007, a purpose of which is to take into account the jurisprudence of our courts and the European Courts of Human Rights, has not been enacted; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[35204/12]

Hospital Waiting Lists

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

737 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will receive an ear, nose and throat appointment in Waterford Regional Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[34434/12]

Hospital Services

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

742 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health the latest figure for the number of persons occupying hospital beds in Tallaght hospital in the delayed discharge category; the average length of time for a patient in Tallaght hospital to be in this category, awaiting a rehabilitation or other step-down or short-term or long-term care place; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[34450/12]

Hospital Services

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

743 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health if he will urge the Health Service Executive to expedite the transfer to rehabilitation at Peamount Hospital or another rehabilitation placement of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 12: if he will ascertain when such a transfer will occur; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[34451/12]

Creative Arts Therapies

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

840 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to representations from the Irish Association of Creative Arts Therapists seeking statutory registration and recognition of creative arts therapies; if he has considered the inclusion of Creative Arts Therapists in the statutory registration scheme as provided for under section 4 of the Health and Social Care Professionals Act 2005; if he will outline his commitment to creative art therapies; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[35277/12]

Hospital Accommodation

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

760 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health the number of public residential care beds closed in the period January to June 2012; the number closed in the period June 2011 to January 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[34605/12]

Medical Cards

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

763 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health when a decision will issue on a medical card application in respect of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[34634/12]

Mental Health Services

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

786 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to a potential mental health facility proposed by Wexford Mental Healthcare Alliance (details supplied); his view on the merits of this proposal; if he will meet representatives of the Wexford Mental Health Alliance to discuss same; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[34812/12]

Patient Transport

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

835 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the regional discrepancies which exist with regard to the eligibility to access non-emergency patient transportation; the standards and guidelines that are in place in relation to accessing these services; the method of application for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[35250/12]

Suicide Prevention

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

845 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the bullying and suicide prevention programme (details supplied); his views on the merits of the programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[35303/12]

Pilot Training Colleges

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

882 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the steps he and his Department have taken to address the situation that has arisen for a significant cohort of Irish trainee pilots in the United States as a result of falldown on the part of Waterford based Pilot Training College, a business with a substantial public investment through Enterprise Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[35249/12]

Cross-Border Enterprise Initiatives

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

36 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation when he will conclude the consideration of the cross Border studies report and proposals for a border development zone.
[33864/12]

Research and Development

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

43 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the target date for the achievement of 3% of gross domestic product spent on research and development in view of recent assessments of growth.
[33863/12]

Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance Scheme

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

118 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Social Protection when a decision will be made on a back to school allowance application in respect of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter.
[34037/12]

Children’s Rights Referendum

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

19 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the date on which she plans to publish legislation to facilitate the holding of a referendum on children’s rights; when she will advise opposition spokespeople of the wording of her amendment; the date on which the referendum will be held; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33710/12]

Court Proceedings

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

22 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the date on which she will introduce regulations to amend the in camera rule in courts. [33318/12]

Child Care Services

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

35 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the date on which she will introduce legislation to provide a statutory right to aftercare for children leaving the care system; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
[33319/12]

Graduate Medicine Programme

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

142 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Education and Skills the complete range of financial supports available for students entering the graduate medicine programme
[33661/12]

Graduate Medicine Programme

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

143 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of students who have undertaken and are currently undertaking the graduate medicine programme; the locations at which this course is available; the respective course fees; the degree to which this programme has achieved its stated purpose; and the way he will ensure that entry to these courses is not determined by ability to pay.
[33663/12]

Back to Education Allowance

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

288 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason the back to education allowance is not available to students undertaking the graduate medicine programme in view of the fact that the issue of displacement does not arise; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
[33662/12]

Foreign Adoptions

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

440 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the timeframe within which the bilateral agreement between Russian and Irish adoption authorities will be completed; when the agreement will be signed and when adoptions from Russia will recommence; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
[33627/12]

Ambulance Service

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

488 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health the pre-hospital emergency cover, including ambulance services, for the town of Skibbereen, County Cork on the 3 July 2012; if he will ensure that there is a full return of ambulance cover for Skibbereen and surrounding areas immediately; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[33237/12]

Food Safety Standards

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

506 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health if he will confirm that any proposed changes to the terms and remit of safe food will be taken forward with the agreement of the North South Ministerial Council; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[33434/12]

Food Safety Standards

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

507 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health the agreements reached with the Northern Minister for Health with regard to changes in the operation of safe food; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[33435/12]

Food Safety Standards

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

508 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health to detail the input his Department made to Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety review of the operation of safe food; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[33436/12]

Food Safety Standards

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

509 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health his views on the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety review of safe food with regard to changes that it proposes into the operation of safe food’s all Ireland programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[33437/12]

Food Safety Standards

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

510 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health if he will confirm that his Department remains committed to an all Ireland approach as developed by safe food and in particular the roll out of an all Ireland public information campaigns on nutrition; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[33438/12]

Long-Term Illness Scheme

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

520 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health if the long-term illness scheme covers hospitalisation costs relating to the condition; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[33588/12]

Long-Term Illness Scheme

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

521 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health if a young patient suffering from asthma and type 1 diabetes, covered by the long-term illness scheme, is entitled to free hospital care.
[33589/12]

Financial Services Regulation

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

10 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Finance if he is satisfied with the current legislation governing the operation of illegal money lenders; his plans to amend the Consumer Credit Act to increase penalties on illegal money lenders; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32745/12]

Credit Unions Regulation

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

29 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Finance if he will provide an update on the forthcoming legislation on the regulation of credit unions; when he expects the legislation to be brought before Dáil Éireann; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[32746/12]

Medical Cards

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

144 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health when a decision will be made on a medical card appeal in respect of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[32865/12]

Health Service Staff

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

145 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health if he will set out the manner in which the public service recruitment embargo is applied in the Health Service Executive; if he recognises, for example, that public advertisement for recruitment to posts within the HSE which are only open to existing HSE staff is unfair to otherwise qualified potential applicants; if suitable applicants from within the HSE are not found, the stage in the process applications from non-HSE staff are sought; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[32876/12]

Domiciliary Care Allowance

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

382 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Social Protection the date on which a decision will be made on the oral hearing of a domiciliary care allowance appeal in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Monaghan; when notification of same will be made; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
[32407/12]

Domiciliary Care Allowance

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

383 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Social Protection the average and longest length of waiting times for domiciliary care allowance appeals, from the time of oral hearing to the notification of decision; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
[32408/12]

Medical Negligence Cases

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

504 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the way the State would fulfil its obligation to hold an Article 2 (ECHR) type investigation in the event of a death caused by medical negligence in a public hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[32214/12]

Medical Negligence Cases

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

505 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he is satisfied that the Coroners Act 1962 complies with the terms of the European Convention on Human Rights in relation to the State’s obligations of investigation in cases of deaths caused by medical negligence in public hospitals; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[32215/12]

Children in Care

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

564 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs further to Parliamentary Question No. 224 of 22 February 2012, when the figures for 2011 will be available and the details of same.
[31662/12]