Parliamentary questions

Voluntary Sector Funding

Joe Higgins

123. Deputy Joe Higgins asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his views on the funding for Volunteer Ireland and the Fingal volunteer centre for 2014; and if he will give an assurance that there will be no reduction in the budget. [11020/14]

Taxi Licences Renewals

Joe Higgins

196. Deputy Joe Higgins asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to revoke lapsed taxi plates; if there will be provision for drivers to maintain lapsed plates following examination of their individual circumstances. [11033/14]

Seanad Elections

Joe Higgins

290. Deputy Joe Higgins asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the total number of graduates registered, the number of new graduates registered; and the number of graduates removed, from the Seanad Éireann electoral registers for the National University of Ireland and University of Dublin that are due to come into effect on 1 June 2014. [10900/14]

Mental Health Services Provision

Joe Higgins

456. Deputy Joe Higgins asked the Minister for Health his views on the ongoing delays regarding the opening of the psychiatric unit in Beaumont Hospital; and when same will open [10734/14]

Special Educational Needs Service Provision

Joe Higgins

87. Deputy Joe Higgins asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will ensure resource teaching hours are maintained in respect of a child (details supplied) in Dublin 15. [10084/14]

Speech and Language Therapy

Joe Higgins

250. Deputy Joe Higgins asked the Minister for Health if a child (details supplied) in Dublin 15 will be prioritised for speech and language therapy and occupational therapy. [10084/14]

Speech and Language Therapy

Joe Higgins

264. Deputy Joe Higgins asked the Minister for Health if a person (details supplied) in Dublin 15 will be prioritised for speech and language therapy, physiotherapy and paediatric services; and his views on the matter of speech and language services. [10192/14]

West-Link Toll Bridge

Joe Higgins

287. Deputy Joe Higgins asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide information on the way the fines for the M50 toll are calculated. [10242/14]

Ministerial Appointments

Joe Higgins

2. Deputy Joe Higgins asked the Taoiseach if he has made any board appointments recently; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9025/14]

State Visits

Joe Higgins

6. Deputy Joe Higgins asked the Taoiseach if he will report on meetings he has had with Japanese Government officials during his recent visit to Japan. [53717/13]

Official Engagements

Joe Higgins

13. Deputy Joe Higgins asked the Taoiseach if he will report on his recent meeting with the US Vice President; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53718/13]

Mortgage Debt

Joe Higgins

5. Deputy Joe Higgins asked the Minister for Finance if he will devise a scheme to provide a solution to protect the home ownership of the 13,000 Irish Bank Resolution Corporation mortgage holders whose accounts are being offered for sale to venture capitalists; if he will prevent that sale. [8480/14]

Banking Sector

Joe Higgins

6. Deputy Joe Higgins asked the Minister for Finance his view on the future treatment of mortgage customers following the announcement by Ulster Bank to move its arrears support unit to Scotland, with the loss of 110 jobs here; and if he will report on any recent meetings with Royal Bank of Scotland, RBS, or Ulster Bank executives. [8274/14]

National Debt

Joe Higgins

15. Deputy Joe Higgins asked the Minister for Finance the total national debt in absolute figures and as a percentage of GDP for the years 2007 to 2013, inclusive; and the total interest paid in each of these years. [8276/14]

IBRC Mortgage Loan Book

Joe Higgins

38. Deputy Joe Higgins asked the Minister for Finance his views on passing on a write-down to mortgage customers with loans formerly with the Irish Nationwide Building Society rather than sell the loans on the international market. [8275/14]

Corporation Tax Regime

Joe Higgins

46. Deputy Joe Higgins asked the Minister for Finance his views on the research conducted by a person (details supplied) that indicates a 2.2% effective rate of corporation tax in 2011; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8483/14]

Inland Waterways Maintenance

Joe Higgins

145. Deputy Joe Higgins asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the reasons for the early closure of the 14th lock on the Grand Canal near Sallins, County Kildare, by Waterways Ireland on 24 January 2014 in contravention of Marine Notice 5/2014; his views with reference to the inconvenience faced by a number of boat users; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8670/14]

Departmental Bodies Board Remuneration

Joe Higgins

163. Deputy Joe Higgins asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will outline the salaries paid to, and salary structures of, the members of the board of Uisce Éireann and the head of the transition office. [8667/14]

Cabinet Committee Meetings

Joe Higgins

3. Deputy Joe Higgins asked the Taoiseach when was the last time the Cabinet committee on mortgage arrears and credit availability met; and when it is scheduled to reconvene. [7497/14]

Cabinet Committee Meetings

Joe Higgins

9. Deputy Joe Higgins asked the Taoiseach the last time the Cabinet committee on health met; and when it is scheduled to reconvene. [7496/14]

Official Engagements

Joe Higgins

12. Deputy Joe Higgins asked the Taoiseach if he will report on his recent meeting with Mr. Bill Clinton; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7495/14]

Education and Training Boards Staff

Joe Higgins

283. Deputy Joe Higgins asked the Minister for Education and Skills his views on the contradiction between the reply to the parliamentary question (details supplied) where it was indicated that the maximum point on the pay scale at which resource persons were employed by the City of Dublin Education and Training Board was point three. [8143/14]

Deportation Orders Data

Joe Higgins

557. Deputy Joe Higgins asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of deportation orders that were issued in 2011, 2012 and 2013; if all deportation orders were issued to the last known address of the person subject to an order; and if not, the number that were not issued to the last known address in the years 2011, 2012 and 2013. [7727/14]

Speech and Language Therapy

Joe Higgins

14. Deputy Joe Higgins asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the long delays in assessment and access in respect of speech and language therapy in Dublin 15; the measures he will take to resolve same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6797/14]

Speech and Language Therapy

Joe Higgins

52. Deputy Joe Higgins asked the Minister for Health the measures he will take to ensure that a child (details supplied below) in Dublin 15 will receive immediate access to speech and language therapy in view of the fact that the application was first made in 2011. [6798/14]

Departmental Funding

Joe Higgins

11. Deputy Joe Higgins asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she will ensure the continued funding of Rape Crisis Network Ireland as scheduled for the end of March, in view of the essential specialist research and support it provides for rape crisis centres. [5327/14]

Departmental Funding

Joe Higgins

21. Deputy Joe Higgins asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she will ensure that funding will be made available for Rape Crisis Network Ireland, which provides rape crisis centres with vital specialist research and support and whose closure is imminent due to the fact that its current funding is scheduled to be terminated on 31 March 2014. [5328/14]

Referendum Campaigns

Joe Higgins

2. Deputy Joe Higgins asked the Taoiseach if he plans to propose any referenda in 2014. [53722/13]

Property Tax Data

Joe Higgins

153. Deputy Joe Higgins asked the Minister for Finance the number of home owners who have paid the 2014 property tax in full; and the number who have agreed payment arrangements with the Revenue Commissioners. [6538/14]

Property Tax Data

Joe Higgins

154. Deputy Joe Higgins asked the Minister for Finance the number of home owners who have their property tax bills deducted without their consent from their wages, social welfare payments or other income. [6539/14]

Employment Rights

Joe Higgins

273. Deputy Joe Higgins asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if he will intervene in the dispute at a supermarket (details supplied) in County Limerick so the workers may secure all pay and redundancy payments and receive full assistance in gaining further employment. [6777/14]

Property Tax Administration

Joe Higgins

376. Deputy Joe Higgins asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the way the local property tax will be set by local authorities; if it will be a function of the manager to propose a rate in the annual budget; and what power councillors will have. [6369/14]

Water Services Provision

Joe Higgins

390. Deputy Joe Higgins asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the public funds that have been earmarked for the installation of household water meters. [6542/14]

Water Services Provision

Joe Higgins

391. Deputy Joe Higgins asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the public funds that have been earmarked for the institution of Uisce Éireann, excluding the installation of household water meters programme. [6543/14]

Child Abduction

Joe Higgins

437. Deputy Joe Higgins asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if his attention has been drawn to a case of abduction of a child (details supplied); if he considers that the State has a responsibility to ensure that the mother's right to primary care of her child is upheld in view of the fact that the flight risk was communicated to the social worker in advance of the abduction; and the actions he or State bodies are taking to ensure this right is upheld. [6423/14]

Deportation Orders

Joe Higgins

129. Deputy Joe Higgins asked the Minister for Justice and Equality his views on the deportation order for a person (details supplied) who supplied information to Irish Nationalisation and Immigration Service on 16 July 2013 that indicated they were not in the State a number of years prior to a deportation order being issued; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5910/14]

Deportation Orders

Joe Higgins

130. Deputy Joe Higgins asked the Minister for Justice and Equality his views on the process of verification of deportation orders prior to them being issued; the process in place for revoking orders should information be supplied that indicates there was an error made in issuing an order; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5911/14]

Deportation Orders Data

Joe Higgins

131. Deputy Joe Higgins asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of deportation orders that were revoked by him in the years 2011, 2012, 2013 and to date in 2014; if he will provide information on the number of these that were due to deportation orders being issued to persons already outside the State; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5912/14]

Seanad Reform

Joe Higgins

4. Deputy Joe Higgins asked the Taoiseach if he intends to propose reforms to Seanad Éireann; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50126/13]

Irish Water Establishment

Joe Higgins

86. Deputy Joe Higgins asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his views on the research paper written by Professor John Fitzgerald and Dr. Edgar Morgenroth for his Department in relation to the establishment of Irish Water; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5339/14]

Community Employment Schemes Data

Joe Higgins

331. Deputy Joe Higgins asked the Minister for Social Protection the action an employer may take at an organisation where community employment workers are employed (details supplied) if overtures are made to the CE workers by a representative of another organisation to switch their CE placement to that organisation. [5195/14]

Waterways Ireland Remit

Joe Higgins

367. Deputy Joe Higgins asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if he will support the proposal from Waterways Ireland to increase the cost of the annual mooring permit, houseboat permits, and the introduction of fixed penalty notices and District Court fines for those unable to pay; his views on the matter with particular reference to the impact on tourism; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4902/14]

Electricity Transmission Network

Joe Higgins

3. Deputy Joe Higgins asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the way the concerns of residents will be accommodated in the plans for the new EirGrid pylon network; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4495/14]

Water Charges Exemptions

Joe Higgins

118. Deputy Joe Higgins asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will support the granting of a generous free allowance of water in the water charging scheme for those with Crohn's disease and other conditions that require the use of additional water; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4351/14]

Rental Accommodation Scheme Expenditure

Joe Higgins

135. Deputy Joe Higgins asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the amount paid nationally by local authorities to private landlords under the rental accommodation scheme; and if he will list the amounts by each local authority area. [4516/14]

Northern Ireland Issues

Joe Higgins

2. Deputy Joe Higgins asked the Taoiseach if he has recently met Dr. Richard Haass; and if he will report on the matter. [45917/13]

Northern Ireland Issues

Joe Higgins

21. Deputy Joe Higgins asked the Taoiseach if he has discussed with the Northern Ireland First Minister, Mr. Peter Robinson, and Deputy First Minister, Mr. Martin McGuinness, the outcomes of discussions with Dr. Richard Haass. [2211/14]

Job Initiatives

Joe Higgins

111. Deputy Joe Higgins asked the Minister for Social Protection if she is concerned that a company (details supplied) has advertised for 28 positions through the JobBridge scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3589/14]

National Internship Scheme Administration

Joe Higgins

137. Deputy Joe Higgins asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will consider prohibiting the use of the JobBridge scheme for posts aimed at PhD holders; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3590/14]

Youthreach Programme Staff

Joe Higgins

260. Deputy Joe Higgins asked the Minister for Education and Skills the criteria used by the Education Training Boards in the county of Dublin, city of Dublin, Limerick, Clare and city of Cork for deciding the starting incremental point for a resource person on the resource person's salary scale. [3800/14]

Youthreach Programme Staff

Joe Higgins

261. Deputy Joe Higgins asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of newly appointed resource persons who were employed in Youthreach centres of education, between 2005 and to date in 2014, by the Limerick and Clare Education and Training Board; the number of newly appointed resource persons who started on point one of the resource persons' incremental scale during the period; the number of newly appointed resource persons who started above point one of the resource persons' incremental scale during the period; and the highest increment that was awarded to a newly appointed resource person, during the period, by the Limerick and Clare Education Training Board. [3801/14]

Youthreach Programme Staff

Joe Higgins

262. Deputy Joe Higgins asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of newly appointed resource persons that were employed in Youthreach centres of education, between 2005 and to date in 2014, by the City of Cork Education and Training Board; the number of newly appointed resource persons who started on point one of the resource persons' incremental scale during the period; the number of newly appointed resource persons who started above point one of the resource persons' incremental scale during the period; and the highest increment awarded to a newly appointed resource person, during the period, by the City of Cork Education Training Board. [3802/14]

Higher Education Institutions

Joe Higgins

273. Deputy Joe Higgins asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will provide information on the reasons the Dún Laoghaire Institute of Art, Design and Technology is not participating in the current higher education restructuring discussions with the Tallaght and Blanchardstown institutes of technology and DIT; and his views on the future of the Dún Laoghaire institute in the overall scheme of higher education restructuring. [3921/14]

Higher Education Institutions

Joe Higgins

274. Deputy Joe Higgins asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will guarantee that the Dún Laoghaire Institute of Art, Design and Technology will not be privatised; his views on private funding interests for the institute. [3922/14]

Higher Education Institutions

Joe Higgins

275. Deputy Joe Higgins asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will provide details of the staff pension fund in the Dún Laoghaire institute and give a guarantee that the staff pension fund is safe. [3923/14]

Youth Unemployment Measures

Joe Higgins

373. Deputy Joe Higgins asked the Minister for Social Protection her plans in respect of youth unemployment following the British-Irish Council. [53720/13]

Departmental Investigations

Joe Higgins

174. Deputy Joe Higgins asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will establish an inquiry into the events surrounding the death of a person (details supplied) in County Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3274/14]

School Textbooks Rental Scheme

Joe Higgins

63. Deputy Joe Higgins asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will reverse the decision not to allow schools that have already initiated a rental book scheme to gain access to the book rental grant, especially as far as newly established schools are concerned, such as a school (details supplied) in Dublin 15; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3009/14]

Programme for Government Implementation

Joe Higgins

2. Deputy Joe Higgins asked the Taoiseach if he will report on the implementation of the Programme for Government. [45915/13]

Northern Ireland Issues

Joe Higgins

7. Deputy Joe Higgins asked the Taoiseach if he has recently met representatives of the Northern Ireland Executive. [45916/13]

Northern Ireland Issues

Joe Higgins

17. Deputy Joe Higgins asked the Taoiseach if he will report on the recent North-South meeting in Armagh. [53719/13]

Northern Ireland Issues

Joe Higgins

18. Deputy Joe Higgins asked the Taoiseach if he will report on his visit to the Messines and the Menin Gate in December; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53721/13]

SOLAS Training and Education Programmes Provision

Joe Higgins

232. Deputy Joe Higgins asked the Minister for Education and Skills if his Department has estimated the potential drop out rate by apprentices from courses they have undertaken with FÁS/SOLAS arising from the introduction of fees for those courses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2333/14]

Job Assist Scheme

Joe Higgins

373. Deputy Joe Higgins asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of persons that have taken part in the JobBridge scheme in Fingal, South Dublin, Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown and Dublin City Council areas. [2766/14]

Youth Guarantee

Joe Higgins

374. Deputy Joe Higgins asked the Minister for Social Protection the amount she will invest in the youth guarantee in 2014 and 2015. [2767/14]

Irish Water Expenditure

Joe Higgins

426. Deputy Joe Higgins asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will reveal the names of the consultants that Irish Water used in 2013; and if he will provide a breakdown of the fees each of them received. [2303/14]

Ministerial Meetings

Joe Higgins

3. Deputy Joe Higgins asked the Minister for Finance if he will report on his meetings in 2013 with representatives and lobbyists from the financial services industry, the tobacco industry, the property industry and any other industry representative groups. [1756/14]

Middle East Issues

Joe Higgins

38. Deputy Joe Higgins asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the representations he has made to the Israeli and Egyptian authorities to lift the blockade on Gaza following the severe flooding in northern Gaza. [55313/13]

Middle East Issues

Joe Higgins

39. Deputy Joe Higgins asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the assistance he is giving to the people of Gaza following the recent severe flooding in northern Gaza. [55314/13]

Education and Training Boards Staff

Joe Higgins

198. Deputy Joe Higgins asked the Minister for Education and Skills further to Parliamentary Question No. 43 of 4 December 2013 if he will instruct the city of Dublin and county of Dublin education and training boards to provide the information sought. [55478/13]

Apprenticeship Programmes

Joe Higgins

209. Deputy Joe Higgins asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will intervene in order that institutes of technology do not levy the student charge of approximately €833 on apprentices undertaking a ten week course in the institutes. [55548/13]

Back to Education Allowance Eligibility

Joe Higgins

344. Deputy Joe Higgins asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will extend the back to education allowance scheme to those students undertaking the professional masters in education programme in Dublin City University. [55335/13]

Social Partnership Meetings

Joe Higgins

6. Deputy Joe Higgins asked the Taoiseach if he has met any of the social partners since the July recess; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40869/13]

Education and Training Boards Staff

Joe Higgins

216. Deputy Joe Higgins asked the Minister for Education and Skills further to Parliamentary Question No. 43 of 4 December 2013, if he will instruct the City of Dublin and County of Dublin Education and Training Boards to provide the information sought. [53973/13]

Aquaculture Licences

Joe Higgins

486. Deputy Joe Higgins asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if a company (details supplied) in County Galway is operating with a current proper licence for fish farming in Cill Chiaráin harbour, Connemara, County Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53948/13]

Private Rented Accommodation Standards

Joe Higgins

131. Deputy Joe Higgins asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the number of tenants of local authorities currently residing in one room bedsits which have been in violation of the Housing Regulations of 2008 since 1 February 2013; and the amount of funds being allocated to the renovation of these properties. [53400/13]

Building Regulations Compliance

Joe Higgins

132. Deputy Joe Higgins asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the number of enforcement orders intended to achieve compliance with the building regulations fire safety issued by fire safety authorities against non-compliant builders and developers since he became Minister. [53419/13]

Pyrite Remediation Programme Issues

Joe Higgins

133. Deputy Joe Higgins asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the measures he proposes to adopt to recover the €10,000,000 allocated in the capital budget for remedial works to houses suffering major damage caused by pyrite from the quarry and construction industry and the HomeBond organisation. [53420/13]

Pyrite Remediation Programme Issues

Joe Higgins

134. Deputy Joe Higgins asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will confirm if the HomeBond technical staff that inspected homes in the Dublin West constituency (details supplied) and incorrectly found that structural damage was not due to pyrite will not be involved in auditing building condition assessments under IS398-1. [53421/13]

Middle East Issues

Joe Higgins

32. Deputy Joe Higgins asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if his attention has been drawn to the recent Amnesty International report on the humanitarian crisis in Gaza that outlines the impact of the Israeli blockade on the health, sanitation and power supply of the people of Gaza; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53269/13]

Middle East Issues

Joe Higgins

33. Deputy Joe Higgins asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the representations that he has made to the Israeli authorities regarding the blockade on Gaza. [53270/13]

Middle East Issues

Joe Higgins

34. Deputy Joe Higgins asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the representations that he has made to the Egyptian authorities regarding the closing of crossings from Egypt to Gaza. [53271/13]

Middle East Issues

Joe Higgins

35. Deputy Joe Higgins asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views on whether the Israeli blockade of Gaza amounts to collective punishment. [53272/13]

Government-Church Dialogue

Joe Higgins

4. Deputy Joe Higgins asked the Taoiseach if he will report on any recent meetings he has held with religious leaders. [40868/13]

Health Services Provision

Joe Higgins

488. Deputy Joe Higgins asked the Minister for Health if a child (details supplied) in Dublin 15 will be given access to a neural psychologist, behavioural therapist and occupational therapist in the public health system and receive necessary treatment. [52684/13]

Education and Training Boards Staff

Joe Higgins

43. Deputy Joe Higgins asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of newly appointed resource persons employed in Youthreach Centres of Education since 2005 to date by the City of Dublin ETB; the number of these newly appointed resource persons during this period who started on point 1 of the resource persons incremental scale; the number of newly appointed resource persons during this period who started above point 1 of the resource persons incremental scale; and the highest increment awarded to a newly appointed resource person during this period by the City of Dublin ETB. [51980/13]

Discussions with European Leaders

Joe Higgins

3. Deputy Joe Higgins asked the Taoiseach if he will report on the meetings he had with other Heads of State since the adjournment of Dáil Éireann in July. [39139/13]

Discussions with European Leaders

Joe Higgins

4. Deputy Joe Higgins asked the Taoiseach if he will report on meetings he had with other European leaders since the adjournment of Dáil Éireann in July. [39140/13]

Industrial Disputes

Joe Higgins

110. Deputy Joe Higgins asked the Minister for Education and Skills his views on the industrial action being taken by secondary school teachers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42510/13]

Industrial Disputes

Joe Higgins

124. Deputy Joe Higgins asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he has met, or is planning to meet, representatives of the Association of Secondary Teachers in Ireland. [42511/13]

National Lottery Licence Sale

Joe Higgins

277. Deputy Joe Higgins asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his views on allegations of tax avoidance by a company (details supplied) which has been awarded the joint operation of the national lottery as covered recently in the British Press. [50393/13]

Jobseeker's Allowance Eligibility

Joe Higgins

364. Deputy Joe Higgins asked the Minister for Social Protection if her Department will reconsider the requirements contained in the new form issued by her Department to allow those who are unemployed on certain days to claim jobseeker's benefit by indicating the days which they were not at work in view of the fact that it is causing difficulties for certain categories of workers (details supplied). [50395/13]

Animal Welfare

Joe Higgins

541. Deputy Joe Higgins asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will reconsider signing into law regulations to be made under sections 16 and 17 of the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013 allowing for tail docking and dew claw removal of dogs and that they may be performed by non-registered persons, namely, persons other than registered veterinary practitioners, using no anaesthesia or pain relief as per representations that have been made to his office by the Irish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and the Dogs Trust in Ireland. [50394/13]

Health Services Staff Remuneration

Joe Higgins

614. Deputy Joe Higgins asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 580 of 1 October 2013 the reason medical students on placement in the hospitals for the years 2009 to 2011, inclusive, were not paid; the reason this payment has still not been received, for example, by third level biomedical students in DIT; and the action he or the Health Service Executive is taking to ensure that the payments are passed on to students. [50396/13]

Public Sector Staff Remuneration

Joe Higgins

5. Deputy Joe Higgins asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if his Department has any plans to use the provisions of the Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Act 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49780/13]

Cabinet Committee Meetings

Joe Higgins

3. Deputy Joe Higgins asked the Taoiseach the number of times the Cabinet committee on EU affairs has met since the summer recess. [45920/13]

Cabinet Committee Meetings

Joe Higgins

6. Deputy Joe Higgins asked the Taoiseach the number of times the Cabinet committee on Irish and Gaeltacht has met since the summer recess. [45921/13]

Departmental Staff Remuneration

Joe Higgins

254. Deputy Joe Higgins asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will restore the €10,243.09 withheld from a person's (details supplied) redundancy payment on the basis that his Department claims that the person was overpaid by this amount over an 11 year period between 2003 and 2013 through no fault of their own; if he will instruct his Department to make available the basis of their calculations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49447/13]

Political Reform

Joe Higgins

6. Deputy Joe Higgins asked the Taoiseach his plans and the timeframe to proceed with Dáil reform. [40870/13]

National Internship Scheme Data

Joe Higgins

214. Deputy Joe Higgins asked the Minister for Social Protection if she is aware that contractors receiving funds from the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government to install water meters across the State ostensibly so that they can employ people to install said meters can simultaneously obtain workers on the JobBridge scheme funded by the Department of Social Protection leading to a situation where contractors can retain more profit from the funds that they receive from the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government. [48187/13]