Parliamentary questions

Consultancy Contracts Issues

Joan Collins

130. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide details in tabular form for the years 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012 inclusive the total amount of expenditure on consultancy by the Local Government Management Services Board; the names of the consultancy companies awarded contracts; the nature of the work concerned; the fees paid to each consultant; if the matter was advertised for competitive tender; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48802/12]

Departmental Bodies

Joan Collins

131. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the role and function of the Finance and Audit Committee of the Local Government Management Agency; the persons who are members of the Finance and Audit Committee of the Local Government Management Agency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48803/12]

Local Government Management Agency Remit

Joan Collins

132. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the newly established Local Government Management Agency claims that it will be a national centre of excellence providing, procuring and coordinating a range of service supports, required in the local government sector; the person who is the Chairperson of the Local Government Management Agency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48804/12]

Local Authority Staff Issues

Joan Collins

133. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the number of permanent and temporary staff employed by Kilkenny Borough Council in 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 and to date in 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48805/12]

Home Help Service Provision

Joan Collins

216. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to concerns being raised by home helps with regard to their lack of contracts and conditions of employment; his plans to take action regarding same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41679/12]

Regeneration Projects Funding

Joan Collins

726. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the amount of regeneration funding provided in the current year for the replacement of windows and doors and remedial works on local authority houses in an area (details supplied) in County Sligo; if any proposal has been made by Sligo Borough Council to use Regeneration funding for similar remedial works on private houses in the estate and if private households in the estate will be offered the opportunity to avail of a 50/50 scheme where certain approved remedial/refurbishment works are 50% funded from regeneration funds; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48443/12]

Foreshore Licences Applications

Joan Collins

76. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government with regards to the recent Foreshore Licence granted to Providence Resources to drill an exploratory well just six kms from the Dublin coastline, if he is satisfied that no Environmental Impact Assessment was required under EU Directive 85/337/EEC; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46182/12]

Foreshore Licences Applications

Joan Collins

105. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government with regards to the recent Foreshore Licence granted to Providence Resources to drill an exploratory well just six kms from the Dublin coastline, if he has satisfied himself that there is no threat to the safety and welfare of the people of Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46184/12]

Proposed Legislation

Joan Collins

612. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Health if there is any proposed legislation to deal with the administering by dentists of anaesthetic to vulnerable adults and their ability to consent to treatment. [45890/12]

Harbour Authorities Appointments

Joan Collins

3. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport further to Parliamentary Question No 1939 of 18 September 2012, if he will report on his following up of these issues with the chairman of Dun Laoghaire Harbour Company; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45203/12]

Water Services Funding

Joan Collins

183. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the Sligo County Manager has informed the members of Sligo County Council that the county council is incapable for providing the 15% matching funds required for the Sligo city water mains rehabilitation scheme and that he has requested 100% funding for the scheme from his Department; if he is prepared to provide 100% funding for such schemes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45502/12]

Local Government Reform

Joan Collins

184. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the recent financial appraisal of Sligo County Council carried out by consultants Grant Thornton confirms that Sligo County Council is experiencing an increased deficit of substantial amounts year on year and that Sligo Borough Council is balancing its budget; if his further attention has been drawn to the fact that the elected members of Sligo Borough Council have refused to accept recommendations to borrow millions of euro for various projects which the county manager was promoting; if is attention has been drawn to the fact that elected members of Sligo Borough Council are opposed to a merger of the borough council with the county council; if he will ensure that a merger does not take place and that the finances and resources of the borough council remain under the control of the borough council; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45503/12]

Public Transport Subsidies

Joan Collins

258. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will explain the ambiguity between his statement of 24 July regarding the €36 million cash injection to CIE in which he said it was for CIE to remain adequately funded for the immediate future so it can continue to provide a sufficient service to the travelling public with your most recent statement in which you appear to be setting preconditions in advance of providing the funding; if he will give an assurance to the six thousand bus workers in CIE who's earnings match that of the average industrial wage that his policy or intervention will not contribute to the undermining of their ability to continue to provide for their families at a time when the reduction in subvention, rising fuel costs and falling passenger numbers has served to have a severe financial impact on the company. [45532/12]

Petroleum and Gas Exploration

Joan Collins

38. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Communications; Energy and Natural Resources if, in view of a possible oil find in Dublin Bay, if his attention has been drawn to the pamphlet, produced by Dublin Shell to Sea Campaign, Liquid assets: Ireland's oil and gas resources and how they can be managed for the people's benefit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43748/12]

Exploration Licences Approvals

Joan Collins

41. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Communications; Energy and Natural Resources with regard to the exploratory licence recently granted to a company (details supplied), when the drilling in Dublin bay is due to commence [43744/12]

Services for People with Disabilities

Joan Collins

3. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Health the reason the Health Service Executive is still using the medical model of disability assessments; the reason occupational therapists are in total control of budgets and decisions for wheelchair repairs and replacements; the reason the HSE has not moved to a consultative model with the patient when it comes to these matters; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41146/12]

Hospital Staff Issues

Joan Collins

54. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Health if he will confirm that all agency workers in hospital are being paid the agreed rates; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41010/12]

Gas and Electricity Disconnections

Joan Collins

111. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Communications; Energy and Natural Resources the basis on which the Energy Regulator passed on a further 1% over the requested 7.5% increase by Bord Gáis; the persons the Energy Regulator consulted with in their public consultation; his views on the matter in view of the already lowered living standards of persons in recent years, in particular the rise in fuel poverty; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41080/12]

Local Authority Staff

Joan Collins

117. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for the Environment; Community and Local Government if he will provide, in tabular form, a list of the city and county managers who have retired since 1996 to the end of February 2012; the local authority from which they retired; their age on retirement; the number of added years they received on retirement; the amount of the special severance gratuity payment received on retirement; the lump sum received and annual pension payment. [41039/12]

Rail Services

Joan Collins

508. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Transport; Tourism and Sport his views on a matter (details supplied) regarding the Luas lines; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40457/12]