Parliamentary questions

Direct Provision System

Derek Nolan

922. Deputy Derek Nolan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will provide a yearly breakdown, from 2003 to date in 2013, of the number of persons who have committed suicide while resident in a direct provision centre here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35362/13]

Direct Provision System

Derek Nolan

923. Deputy Derek Nolan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will provide a yearly breakdown, from 2003 to date in 2013, of the number of persons who have been sexually assaulted while resident in a direct provision centre here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35363/13]

Official Travel

Derek Nolan

958. Deputy Derek Nolan asked the Minister for Defence if he is confident that all overseas travel undertaken by staff in State agencies is necessary; if the agencies ensure a robust business is case submitted before travel is sanctioned; if the agencies ensure the objective of the travel cannot be achieved through other means; if, on their return, the staff have to submit a report on the work carried out while they were on agency business overseas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36042/13]

Official Travel

Derek Nolan

1006. Deputy Derek Nolan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he is confident that all overseas travel undertaken by staff in State agencies is necessary; if the agencies ensure a robust business case is submitted before travel is sanctioned; if the agencies ensures the objective of the travel cannot be achieved through other means; if, on their return, the staff have to submit a report on the work carried out while they were on agency business overseas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36038/13]

Official Travel

Derek Nolan

1032. Deputy Derek Nolan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she is confident that all overseas travel undertaken by staff in State agencies is necessary; if the agencies ensure a robust business case is submitted before travel is sanctioned; if the agencies ensure the objective of the travel cannot be achieved through other means; if, on their return, the staff have to submit a report on the work carried out while they were on agency business overseas; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36040/13]

Mental Health Services Provision

Derek Nolan

1035. Deputy Derek Nolan asked the Minister for Health his views on the adequacy of mental health support services for direct provision residents; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35360/13]

Mental Health Services Provision

Derek Nolan

1036. Deputy Derek Nolan asked the Minister for Health if he will provide a yearly breakdown, from 2003 to date in 2013, of the number the persons in direct provision centres who have availed of mental health services and-or support; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35361/13]

Hospital Waiting Lists

Derek Nolan

1129. Deputy Derek Nolan asked the Minister for Health if he will provide a detailed yearly breakdown in tabular form of the average waiting times for outpatient services for the Galway Roscommon Hospital Group, University Hospital Galway and Merlin Park Hospital for the years 2010 to date in 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35354/13]

Hospital Waiting Lists

Derek Nolan

1130. Deputy Derek Nolan asked the Minister for Health if he will provide a detailed yearly breakdown, in tabular form, of the average waiting times for surgery for the Galway Roscommon Hospital Group, University Hospital Galway and Merlin Park Hospital for the years 2010 to date in 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35355/13]

Hospital Waiting Lists

Derek Nolan

1131. Deputy Derek Nolan asked the Minister for Health if he will provide a detailed yearly breakdown, in tabular form, of the average waiting times for the emergency department for the Galway Roscommon Hospital Group, University Hospital Group and Merlin Park Hospital for the years 2010 to date in 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35356/13]

Official Travel

Derek Nolan

1154. Deputy Derek Nolan asked the Minister for Health if he is confident that all overseas travel undertaken by staff in State agencies is necessary; if the agencies ensure a robust business case is submitted before travel is sanctioned; if the agencies ensure the objective of the travel cannot be achieved through other means; if, on their return, staff must submit a report on the work carried out while they were on agency business overseas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36047/13]

Tax Code

Derek Nolan

142. Deputy Derek Nolan asked the Minister for Finance his plans to extend the 9% VAT rate for the tourism industry into 2014 and beyond; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33067/13]

Office of Public Works Properties

Derek Nolan

252. Deputy Derek Nolan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his plans for a closed public building located in a town (details supplied) in County Galway; if there is a plan for it to have a public amenity value; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33114/13]

Asylum Policy

Derek Nolan

429. Deputy Derek Nolan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality when and why the decision was taken for Ireland not to participate in the recast asylum procedures directive, which was successfully negotiated under his chairmanship; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33321/13]

Asylum Policy

Derek Nolan

433. Deputy Derek Nolan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of persons who have been detained following a refusal of leave to land here in 2011, 2012 and the first six months of 2013; their length of detention, place of detention, their nationality and if they were subsequently removed from the State; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33440/13]

Asylum Policy

Derek Nolan

434. Deputy Derek Nolan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of persons, and the nationality of those persons, who, in 2011, 2012 and the first six months of 2013, after attempting to enter here, have been transferred or returned to the UK by the Irish authorities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33441/13]

Regulation of Sunbed Use

Derek Nolan

475. Deputy Derek Nolan asked the Minister for Health when he intends to introduce legislation for the regulation of sunbeds; the reason there has been a delay in introducing this legislation; if he will provide a time line for the introduction of this legislation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33603/13]

Money Laundering

Derek Nolan

81. Deputy Derek Nolan asked the Minister for Finance if he supports the fact that publicly accessible Government registries of beneficial owners of companies, trusts and foundations be agreed as a part of the revised anti-money laundering directive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31781/13]

Money Laundering

Derek Nolan

136. Deputy Derek Nolan asked the Minister for Finance if he supports the fact that tax crimes be made a predicate offence of money laundering and that this be agreed as part of the revision of the third anti-money laundering directive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31782/13]

National Grid

Derek Nolan

483. Deputy Derek Nolan asked the Minister for Communications; Energy and Natural Resources the number of persons who have availed of the offers in relation to the Gate 3 project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32139/13]

National Grid

Derek Nolan

484. Deputy Derek Nolan asked the Minister for Communications; Energy and Natural Resources if there is a timescale for persons to take up the offers in relation to the Gate 3 project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32141/13]

National Grid

Derek Nolan

485. Deputy Derek Nolan asked the Minister for Communications; Energy and Natural Resources when Gate 4 project offers will occur; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32142/13]

EU Funding

Derek Nolan

278. Deputy Derek Nolan asked the Minister for Education and Skills if there is any European educational fund which members of the European Union can avail of through his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30530/13]

Microenterprise Loan Fund Application Numbers

Derek Nolan

331. Deputy Derek Nolan asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if he will specify the breakdown of the numbers of females and males who have acquired finance under the microfinance loan fund; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30287/13]

General Medical Services Scheme Administration

Derek Nolan

595. Deputy Derek Nolan asked the Minister for Health if he will revisit the possibility of having new medical stoma appliances and accessories made available through the GMS; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30524/13]

Emergency Works Scheme Appeals

Derek Nolan

103. Deputy Derek Nolan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the reason a school (details supplied) in County Galway was unsuccessful in its appeal for emergency funding; if there are any other possibilities for it to receive an extension or temporary accommodation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29584/13]

Immigration Policy

Derek Nolan

158. Deputy Derek Nolan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if his Department has ever carried out surveys, polling or information gathering, on the perception of the Irish immigration and asylum system in countries or places outside Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29474/13]

Departmental Bodies Expenditure

Derek Nolan

179. Deputy Derek Nolan asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if he will provide, in tabular form, the total cost of providing interpreters to the Labour Court, per year, from 2007 to the most recent year readily available; if he will provide, in tabular form, the representative bodies or persons with the highest number of requests for the provision of said services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29005/13]

Departmental Bodies Expenditure

Derek Nolan

180. Deputy Derek Nolan asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if he will provide, in tabular form, the total cost of providing interpreters to the Equality Tribunal, per year, from 2007 to the most recent year readily available; if he will provide, in tabular form, the representative bodies or persons with the highest number of requests for the provision of said services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29006/13]

Pensions Legislation

Derek Nolan

89. Deputy Derek Nolan asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will reassess social welfare policy and associated legislation pertaining to women who gave up work by virtue of the marriage bar and now no longer qualify for full pension entitlement on reaching the age of 66 years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28462/13]

Broadband Service Provision

Derek Nolan

106. Deputy Derek Nolan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will indicate a timeframe within which schools in County Galway will be connected to high-speed broadband; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28463/13]

Broadband Service Provision

Derek Nolan

107. Deputy Derek Nolan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the timeframe within which schools in County Galway will be connected to high-speed broadband; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28483/13]

Common Agricultural Policy Negotiations

Derek Nolan

175. Deputy Derek Nolan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to protect rare sheep breeds; if he will include them in Common Agricultural Policy negotiations and-or any other scheme administered by his Department in order to ensure rare breed survival; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28486/13]

Parking Regulations

Derek Nolan

231. Deputy Derek Nolan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will consider extending the disabled parking places for the benefit of those reliant on them in circumstances where mothers with disabled children have difficulty in getting rollators and associated equipment open in such confined spaces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28415/13]

Mobility Allowance Decision

Derek Nolan

214. Deputy Derek Nolan asked the Minister for Health the amount the new mobility allowance and motorised transport grant scheme will cost if the alternative scheme is put in place before the present mobility allowance and motorised transport grant scheme is rescinded; if it will be available to persons over 65 years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28204/13]

EU Presidency Issues

Derek Nolan

371. Deputy Derek Nolan asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation his position on the proposal for fuller country by country reporting for all large European countries which will expand on the recent agreement on the EU accounting and transparency directives; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27896/13]

EU Presidency Issues

Derek Nolan

372. Deputy Derek Nolan asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if he will use Ireland's Presidency of the EU to ensure that fuller country by country reporting for all European countries is followed through on; the form this fuller reporting will take; the way it will be monitored and regulated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27897/13]

National Internship Scheme Eligibility

Derek Nolan

475. Deputy Derek Nolan asked the Minister for Social Protection her plans to allow persons who have been claiming social welfare payments for less than six months to obtain a position on the JobBridge scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28027/13]

Proposed Legislation

Derek Nolan

551. Deputy Derek Nolan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his plans to regulate funeral businesses and ancillary services relating to this primary activity; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27743/13]

Direct Provision System

Derek Nolan

697. Deputy Derek Nolan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the measures that have been taken to open competition for contracts for direct provision per the recommendations of the Value for Money Report 2010; the reason the awarding of these contracts is not governed by European Communities (Award of Public Authorities’ Contracts) Regulations 2006 (SI 329/2006); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26866/13]

Public Procurement Contracts Tenders

Derek Nolan

757. Deputy Derek Nolan asked the Minister for Defence the reason a business (details supplied) in County Galway lost its public contract; if the company should have been entitled to prior notification of losing the contract; the reason it was not made aware of the public tender prior to the new company being granted the tender; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26895/13]

Diabetes Strategy

Derek Nolan

1038. Deputy Derek Nolan asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update in relation to the funding provided for the recruitment of diabetes nurse specialists (details supplied) in County Galway; when he envisages the posts being filled; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27908/13]

Road Improvement Schemes

Derek Nolan

1106. Deputy Derek Nolan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will reintroduce the local road improvement scheme for the benefit of roads in rural areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27745/13]

Public Procurement Regulations

Derek Nolan

122. Deputy Derek Nolan asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if he will reconsider the nature of Government contracts relating to stipulations, particularly pertaining to pension schemes, which must be utilised in order to satisfy the requirements of that contract; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26030/13]

National Internship Scheme Eligibility

Derek Nolan

130. Deputy Derek Nolan asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will consider extending the JobBridge scheme to the not-for-profit sector; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26032/13]

Natural Gas Grid

Derek Nolan

156. Deputy Derek Nolan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his plans to connect a town (details supplied) in County Galway to the natural gas scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26036/13]

Public Procurement Regulations

Derek Nolan

166. Deputy Derek Nolan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will examine the possibility of a support local business clause being inserted in a percentage of business transactions or dealings undertaken by local authorities and or the municipal authorities to be set up. [26033/13]

Common Agricultural Policy Negotiations

Derek Nolan

197. Deputy Derek Nolan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will seek funding for rare animal breeds under the Common Agricultural Policy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26031/13]

Animal Welfare

Derek Nolan

198. Deputy Derek Nolan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans for disowned horses located on commonage area (details supplied) in County Galway; and if he will statement on his intentions for the horses in the longer term. [26035/13]

Adoption Agency Funding

Derek Nolan

207. Deputy Derek Nolan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs when funding will be made available to adoption agencies such as ARC Adoption in Dublin to allow them move forward with their research and development into working with the various adoption agencies in the USA; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26034/13]

Retail Sector

Derek Nolan

317. Deputy Derek Nolan asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if there is any support for those engaged in retail start ups here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25094/13]

Naturalisation Applications

Derek Nolan

524. Deputy Derek Nolan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of citizens per year, in each of the years from 2002 until 2012 inclusive, who have renounced their Irish citizenship, by declaration of alienage or otherwise; the broad reasons for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25342/13]

Naturalisation Applications

Derek Nolan

525. Deputy Derek Nolan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of citizens per year, for each of the years from 2002 until 2012 inclusive, who have had their Certificate of Naturalisation revoked by him; the broad reasons for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25343/13]

Banking Sector

Derek Nolan

171. Deputy Derek Nolan asked the Minister for Finance if his attention has been drawn to the fact that banking institutions and the post office are unwilling to accept travellers cheques; his views that this is appropriate; if his attention has been further drawn to the fact that this is having a detrimental impact on the tourism economy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24010/13]

School Staffing

Derek Nolan

251. Deputy Derek Nolan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the total cost to his Department from substitutes and lost hours as a result of the Irish Primary Principals Network Conference, which takes place during the school term time (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22326/13]

Immigration Status

Derek Nolan

457. Deputy Derek Nolan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the opportunities for appeal or reconsideration of an application, either within his Department or through the courts, that exist for a person (details supplied) who has been issued with a deportation order; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22151/13]

Immigrant Investor Programme

Derek Nolan

461. Deputy Derek Nolan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will outline the facilities for acquiring visas or citizenship for persons from outside the EU who want to invest here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22320/13]

Charities Regulation

Derek Nolan

481. Deputy Derek Nolan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if the Charities Act covers the regulation of Irish charities' clothing banks; the way he intends to combat the increased amount of criminal activity connected to charity clothing collections and clothing banks; if the introduction of a charities regulatory authority could address this area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22758/13]

Inter-Country Adoptions

Derek Nolan

569. Deputy Derek Nolan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she will indicate a timeframe within which Irish couples through the Adoption Authority will be formally able to adopt a child from the USA; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22692/13]

Citizenship Applications

Derek Nolan

157. Deputy Derek Nolan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the position regarding an application for citizenship in respect of a person (details supplied); the time-frame for conclusion of the same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21664/13]

NAMA Debtors

Derek Nolan

149. Deputy Derek Nolan asked the Minister for Finance if the income of developers who are now being paid by National Assets Management Agency can be used towards reducing their insolvency debt; if the new personal solvency service will affect NAMA's dealing with debtors in any way; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21412/13]

Banking Sector Remuneration

Derek Nolan

153. Deputy Derek Nolan asked the Minister for Finance his plans to further address the issue of maximum salaries for bank executives; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21445/13]

NAMA Portfolio Issues

Derek Nolan

144. Deputy Derek Nolan asked the Minister for Finance if it can be confirmed that the National Asset Management Agency pay management fees for properties within its possession in unfinished estates; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20284/13]

Income Statistics

Derek Nolan

151. Deputy Derek Nolan asked the Minister for Finance the number of income tax payers, total income and the total tax paid for each of the following income tax bands (details supplied) based on the most recent data available. [19815/13]

School Patronage

Derek Nolan

216. Deputy Derek Nolan asked the Minister for Education and Skills if, in view of the outcome of the recently completed surveys of primary school patronage, in which parents in 20 of the locations surveyed expressed a preference for the establishment of a primary school under the patronage of Educate Together, he intends to carry out a similar survey for post primary schools, in order that the growing demand for post primary schools under the patronage of Educate Together can be assessed and provided for; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19759/13]

Social Welfare Payments

Derek Nolan

321. Deputy Derek Nolan asked the Minister for Social Protection the numbers of persons in reciept of social welfare payments in a town (details supplied) in County Galway, between 2007 and 2012, inclusive; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20271/13]

Asylum Support Services

Derek Nolan

334. Deputy Derek Nolan asked the Minister for Social Protection the legislative basis for payments to asylum seekers in direct provision accommodation; the effect on these payments, if any, of the Social Welfare and Pensions (No.2) Act 2009, which precludes asylum seekers from being granted habitual residency status; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20353/13]

Human Rights Issues

Derek Nolan

162. Deputy Derek Nolan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade in the context of the upcoming Universal Periodic Review of Colombia in the Human Rights Council, if he intends to press the Colombian Government on the security and protection of human rights defenders and trade union workers operating in Colombia; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19096/13]

UN Security Council Resolutions

Derek Nolan

163. Deputy Derek Nolan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will consider supporting the implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 1325 in Colombia, in the context of Ireland's National Action Plan and its membership of the UN Human Rights Council; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19097/13]

Tax Code

Derek Nolan

250. Deputy Derek Nolan asked the Minister for Finance if he will consider exempting women who do not receive a salary top-up from their employer when on maternity leave from the tax on maternity benefit; if he acknowledges the fact that not all employers pay a top-up payment and many women could have a significantly reduced income when on maternity leave;; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18919/13]

Local Government Reform

Derek Nolan

457. Deputy Derek Nolan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide an update on current proposals to realign local development companies; his views that their role will be overtaken by county socio-economic committees; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18925/13]

Proposed Legislation

Derek Nolan

482. Deputy Derek Nolan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality when he expects the Oireachtas Committee's report on Ireland's prostitution laws to be published; the reason for the delay in publishing the report in view of the fact that it was due to be published in 2012; if he expects to introduce legislation to deal with the issues in this area on foot of this report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18494/13]

Youth Services Provision

Derek Nolan

219. Deputy Derek Nolan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the reasons a club (details supplied) in County Galway suffered a 10% cut in funding from her Department; if her attention has been drawn to the potential impacts of this funding cut on young people and youth projects; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17750/13]

FÁS Training Courses

Derek Nolan

402. Deputy Derek Nolan asked the Minister for Education and Skills his views on whether it a good use of money to provide funding to further education institutions, such as FÁS, who employ private contractors to carry out training courses in view of the fact that the private contractors make huge profits; if he will consider re-investing the funds into further education institutions which reinvest the money into their own development; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16459/13]

National Procurement Service Framework Agreements

Derek Nolan

536. Deputy Derek Nolan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he has considered the effect that companies being part of a larger purchasing group when tendering for NPS contracts is having on individual small and medium enterprises; the way he intends to address this problem; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17245/13]

Small and Medium Enterprises Supports

Derek Nolan

537. Deputy Derek Nolan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if his attention has been drawn to the problem that small and medium enterprises are having in being unable to tender for contract because of protocol stating that they must have a turnover of at least €3 million even in situations where they are supplying the product at a cheaper price; his views on whether this process is supportive to SMEs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17324/13]

Alcohol-Related Illnesses

Derek Nolan

291. Deputy Derek Nolan asked the Minister for Health the total figure being spent nationally in treating patients for diseases and illnesses that are attributed to alcohol consumption; if he will provide a county breakdown of the same figure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15648/13]

Underage Drinking

Derek Nolan

292. Deputy Derek Nolan asked the Minister for Health if there is a programme in place nationally to educate adults about the dangers of excessive alcohol consumption; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15649/13]

Underage Drinking

Derek Nolan

293. Deputy Derek Nolan asked the Minister for Health the action his Department is taking in primary, secondary and third level schools in terms of alcohol awareness education; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15650/13]

Tax Code

Derek Nolan

183. Deputy Derek Nolan asked the Minister for Finance his views on whether the total exemption from CAT on inter-spousal gifts under s70/71 CATCA 2003 remains appropriate, in view of the high profile instances in which it has been abused by certain individual borrowers to frustrate the claims of creditors; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14778/13]

EU Directives

Derek Nolan

125. Deputy Derek Nolan asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if he will provide an update on discussions surrounding the EU accounting and transparency directive in Brussels; if he will clarify his position on the issue; his views on whether this Directive will be brought to a conclusion during the Irish Presidency of the EU; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14548/13]

Pension Provisions

Derek Nolan

218. Deputy Derek Nolan asked the Minister for Finance his plans to introduce a pension levy for AIB management; if there will be any reduction in their pensions or increases in contributions to their pension fund; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13822/13]

Aquaculture Licences Applications

Derek Nolan

519. Deputy Derek Nolan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the cost incurred by Bord Iascaigh Mhara of producing and distributing a flyer entitled Deep Sea Fish Farm, Galway - Telling Our Story as circulated in a local Galway newspaper on 28 February 2013; his views on the appropriattness of such in view of the fact that the period of public consultation on this proposal is now over; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12608/13]

Bus Éireann Services

Derek Nolan

676. Deputy Derek Nolan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on whether the number of licences issued by the NTA for tourist day tours from Dublin to the West is excessive, in view of complaints by local businesses in the West that such trips do not result in a financial benefit to the local economy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12647/13]

IDA Site Visits

Derek Nolan

260. Deputy Derek Nolan asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the visit made by the Industrial Development Agency to a town (details supplied) in County Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11491/13]

Departmental Staff Redeployment

Derek Nolan

149. Deputy Derek Nolan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will outline the public services procedure, terms and conditions for offering employees access to the redeployment scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10507/13]

Broadband Services Provision

Derek Nolan

234. Deputy Derek Nolan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the time frame within which schools in County Galway will be connected to high speed broadband; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9776/13]

Planning Issues

Derek Nolan

473. Deputy Derek Nolan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if there is a clause in the Galway County Development Plan that only allows local persons, particularly in Barna, County Galway, to apply for planning permission; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10354/13]

Sheep Census

Derek Nolan

547. Deputy Derek Nolan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of flocks of sheep in County Galway that were recorded in 2012 and of these flocks, the number of female sheep that were recorded; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9547/13]

Overseas Development Aid Oversight

Derek Nolan

220. Deputy Derek Nolan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will ensure that Irish Aid, through funding and diplomacy, will guarantee safe spaces for community organisations, leaders and local people to advocate for their rights in Irish Aid's priority countries; if he will establish independent review mechanisms to assess the effectiveness of Government systems when it comes to preventing or dealing with threats against civil society space; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8975/13]

NAMA Portfolio Value

Derek Nolan

261. Deputy Derek Nolan asked the Minister for Finance the number of properties currently under the remit of the National Asset Management Agency in Galway city; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8340/13]

NAMA Portfolio Value

Derek Nolan

262. Deputy Derek Nolan asked the Minister for Finance the strategy or guidelines the National Asset Management Agency has in place to deal with the units currently under its remit in Galway city; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8341/13]

IBRC Staff

Derek Nolan

296. Deputy Derek Nolan asked the Minister for Finance in view of the liquidation of Irish Bank Resolution Corporation, the steps he will take to ensure that IBRC workers' rights under previous agreements are protected; if the value of their severance terms will be retained; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8978/13]

Hospital Staff

Derek Nolan

675. Deputy Derek Nolan asked the Minister for Health if due to an increase in the number of medical school graduates this year there will be a shortage of intern places for both EU and non EU graduates of Irish medical schools; the plans in place to deal with this situation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8181/13]

Primary Care Centre Provision

Derek Nolan

726. Deputy Derek Nolan asked the Minister for Health the progress made in advancing potential primary care centres (details supplied) in County Galway having regard to agreements between the Health Service Executive and general practitioners for operation of same and further to particularise locations of each centre having regard to suitability and availability of sites; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8670/13]

Departmental Contracts

Derek Nolan

279. Deputy Derek Nolan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the basis on which the contract for inspecting direct provision accommodation centres was awarded to a company (details supplied); the duration of this contract; if the contract was subject to the EU public procurement regulations; if so, if it was publically advertised per the directive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8005/13]

Site Acquisitions

Derek Nolan

270. Deputy Derek Nolan asked the Minister for Education and Skills when the site purchase for a school (details supplied) in County Galway is expected to go through; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6890/13]

Asylum Support Services

Derek Nolan

485. Deputy Derek Nolan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the checks in place to ensure that those in the asylum and refugee process, whose deportation orders have been revoked on the basis of a judicial review, are actually informed of such (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6688/13]

Overseas Development Aid Provision

Derek Nolan

227. Deputy Derek Nolan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views on whether the overseas aid budget will be protected in the forthcoming EU Budget; if he will lobby European leaders to ensure the protection of overseas development funding during budgetary negotiations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5910/13]

Property Taxation Exemptions

Derek Nolan

233. Deputy Derek Nolan asked the Minister for Finance if there will be any exemptions for persons paying management fees to property management companies in the forthcoming Local Property Tax Bill; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5911/13]