Parliamentary questions

Preschool Services

Michael Lowry

299. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will clarify his comments made regarding the cutting of child benefit; if he will make his intentions clear with regards to the future of child benefit; if child benefit will be cut in order to fund additional free pre-school care; if he will clarify the current status of these proposals and if costings have been undertaken; if his attention has been drawn to the distress, fear and upset being caused as a result of these reports; if his attention has been drawn to the importance of child benefit in assisting families in keeping their heads above water; if he will give an assurance that child benefit will not be cut any further; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23067/13]

Child Benefit Payments

Michael Lowry

378. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will make her intentions clear regarding the future of child benefit; if child benefit will be cut in order to fund additional free preschool care; if her attention has been drawn to the distress, fear and upset being caused as a result of these reports; if her attention has been drawn to the importance of child benefit in assisting families in keeping their heads above water; if she will give an assurance that child benefit will not be cut any further; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23066/13]

Firearms Licences

Michael Lowry

480. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will confirm the timeframe it takes to process an application for a firearm certificate and the timeframe after the application has been lodged that it actually takes to issue the licence/certificate; if he will further confirm if out of date certificates are being issued in respect of applications which are taking in excess of 12 months to process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22742/13]

General Practitioner Services

Michael Lowry

680. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Health if he will detail the reasons general practitioner cards have not been provided to those with a long term illness as set out in the Programme for Government; the reason for the ongoing delay in delivering on this commitment; the reason the deadlines set out for deliverance on this issue have continually been broken; the current status of the plans to extend the GP card scheme to those with long term illness; if his attention has been drawn to the hardship being caused to those with a long term illness who are forced to pay for free GP care at present; if free GP care will be extended to all members of the public as stated in the Programme for Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22809/13]

Better Energy Homes Scheme Expenditure

Michael Lowry

137. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if his attention has been drawn to the ongoing issue with regards to the non-payment of a community based organisation (details supplied) which has been carrying out insulation works under the warmer homes scheme; if his attention has been drawn to the difficulties that this is causing for the organisation in question; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that jobs will be lost if this payment is not advanced as a matter of urgency; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that this action jeopardises the future of this scheme in the county and subsequently adversely impacts on older and vulnerable people; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21606/13]

Departmental Funding

Michael Lowry

214. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will provide a guarantee that her Department will continue providing funding for the maintenance of MABS offices nationwide; if she will further guarantee that no reduction of this funding will be allowed; if she will ensure that the current disagreements between MABS and citizens information does not jeopardise the operations of any MABS office; if she will detail the steps being taken to resolve this conflict; if her attention has been drawn to the vital importance of MABS offices; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21329/13]

Fodder Crisis

Michael Lowry

338. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will extend the transport subsidy scheme for the importation of fodder in view of the continued difficulties being faced by farmers; if he will extend this scheme to cover marts and private merchants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21346/13]

Cancer Screening Programme

Michael Lowry

415. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Health if he will consider removing the age limits in place for the free smear test under the National Cervical Screening Programme in view of the incidence of this cancer in younger women; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21550/13]

Mortgage Interest Rates Issues

Michael Lowry

95. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Finance if he will intervene to prevent the future increase in mortgage interest rates as announced by a number of named banks earlier this week (details supplied); if his attention has been drawn to the hardship and distress these increases will have on strained mortgage holders; his views on whether this increase will drive further mortgages into arrears; his views on whether increases are beneficial for the economy as a whole; the steps he wil take to lessen this burden; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20734/13]

Banking Sector Remuneration

Michael Lowry

101. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Finance if he will, in view of the information that has come to light in the past week, take definitive steps to cap the salaries being received by senior officials in the banks that have received State capitalisation; if he will provide a guarantee that these payments will be clamped down on; his views on whether the current salaries and payments being received are fair in view of the funds provided to these banks by the Irish taxpayer; the reason he did not exercise his vote against approving such a payment in an individual case in the past week; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20821/13]

HSE Funding

Michael Lowry

229. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Health if he will rescind the decision taken by the Health Service Executive to withdraw core funding for the Irish Society for Quality and Safety in Healthcare; his views on whether the HSE is accountable and transparent without the oversight of the ISQSH; if he will confirm where these funds have gone; if they have been returned to his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20571/13]

HSE Health Insurance Claims

Michael Lowry

263. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Health the steps being taken to collect outstanding moneys owed to the Health Service Executive by health insurers; the total sum outstanding; the progress made to date in ensuring doctors complete paper work within a set period of time; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20822/13]

Medicinal Products Prices

Michael Lowry

264. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Health the progress that has been made to date in cutting the drugs spend in the State; the steps that will be taken to encourage health care professionals to prescribe generic drugs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20823/13]

Fodder Crisis

Michael Lowry

463. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will sanction emergency funding to assist farmers facing a fodder crisis at present; if emergency funds cannot be made available, if he will ensure an advance single farm payments/disadvantaged payments; if his attention has been drawn to the desperation and despair being felt by farmers as a result of this crisis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19803/13]

Tourism Industry Issues

Michael Lowry

611. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if will intervene and take steps to prevent the closure of Nenagh tourist information office, further to the decision made by Fáilte Ireland to withdraw; if his attention has been drawn to the importance of this office in promoting the town and surrounding area; if he will provide an assurance as to the future of this office; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20009/13]

Student Grant Scheme Eligibility

Michael Lowry

269. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will consider altering the definition of a dependent student for the purposes of the student grant; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the definition in its current form leads to unfairness when those under the age of 23 years receive no financial support from their parents/legal guardians; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18564/13]

Passport Application Refusals

Michael Lowry

178. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will detail the reasons a new passport will not be issued to an individual who has changed their name (details supplied) in County Tipperary; the legality of such; if his attention has been drawn to the hardship, distress and financial impact caused as a result of this; if an exemption will be made in this case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16389/13]

Primary School Statistics

Michael Lowry

420. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will confirm the number of two, three and four teacher schools in County Tipperary; if he will provide a guarantee that these schools will be protected and maintained into the future; if his attention has been drawn to the vital role played by these schools in rural areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16634/13]

Student Grant Scheme Appeals

Michael Lowry

427. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will provide information on the status of a student grant application in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Tipperary; the current status of this payment; the reason for the conflicting information being received by the person; if his attention has been drawn to the hardship and distress being caused as a result; if he will ensure payment of this application; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16699/13]

Naturalisation Applications

Michael Lowry

964. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if his attention has been drawn to an application for permission to remain in the State, Stamp 4, in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Tipperary; the current status of this application; if he will confirm whether this individual can take up work experience as prescribed by their college course; when a decision will be reached in this matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17630/13]

Organic Farming

Michael Lowry

1032. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if grant aid is available under the organic farming scheme to assist farmers in purchasing machinery; the reason this does not cover the purchase of tractors or cattle trailers; if he will consider the extension of this scheme to purchase essential machinery such as trailers and tractors; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16811/13]

Departmental Staff Redeployment

Michael Lowry

1041. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will confirm the number of redeployment vacancies that currently exist and the associated grades, for public services employees in his Department in Portlaoise, County Laois [16964/13]

Agri-Environment Options Scheme Applications

Michael Lowry

1073. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his attention has been drawn to an application submitted under AEOS 3 in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Tipperary; when a decision will issue in this case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17632/13]

Property Taxation Exemptions

Michael Lowry

223. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide information on the number of households in unfinished estates in County Tipperary that are exempt from the household charge in 2012; the reason for the disparity between these figures; if he will confirm if all outstanding issues in the unfinished estates that have been removed from the list have been resolved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15567/13]

Naturalisation Applications

Michael Lowry

249. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the position regarding a naturalisation application in respect of a person (details supplied); the current processing times for such applications; when a decision will be reached in this case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15478/13]

Naturalisation Applications

Michael Lowry

250. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the position regarding a naturalisation application in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny; the current processing times for such applications; when a decision will be reached in this case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15479/13]

Student Grant Scheme Applications

Michael Lowry

239. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Education and Skills if his attention has been drawn to the fact that a number of applicants to Student Universal Support Ireland were incorrectly informed that they were eligible for grant aid, only to be later informed that they were in fact ineligible or entitled only to a lower amount; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that many of these were subsequently forced to drop out of college; his views on whether this is fair; if he will offer some redress for these persons who relied on the incorrect information to their detriment; if he will confirm the number of applicants nationally and in County Tipperary who received such letters; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14804/13]

Community Employment Schemes Eligibility

Michael Lowry

336. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will confirm the criteria for eligibility for Tús positions and Tús supervisor posts; the reason the Tús scheme and Tús supervisor positions are closed to those on FÁS schemes; if her attention has been drawn to the the hardship and distress caused as a result; if she will consider opening this scheme and supervisor posts to those whose FÁS scheme is nearing completion; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15152/13]

Guthrie Cards Retention

Michael Lowry

538. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Health if he will detail the steps that have been taken to notify those living abroad of the destruction of heel prick/Guthrie tests for those born between 1984 and 2002; if he is satisfied that due notification has been given both nationally and abroad; if he will ensure that any move to destroy these tests is postponed until due notification is given; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14881/13]

Vaccination Programme

Michael Lowry

523. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Health the steps being taken by his Department to redress the damage done as a result of the administration of the black leg vaccine (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13917/13]

State Examinations Issues

Michael Lowry

211. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Education and Skills the reasons that reasonable accommodation has not been made available to a leaving certificate student (details supplied) in County Tipperary; if his attention has been drawn to the circumstances at play in this case; if he will review this decision; if he will ensure that reasonable accommodation is made for this student; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12536/13]

Teacher Redeployment

Michael Lowry

223. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Education and Skills if his attention has been drawn to the fact of an ongoing redeployment issue for a person (details supplied) in County Tipperary; if his attention has been drawn to the hardship caused as a result of this redeployment; if he will take steps to alleviate the hardship caused in this case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12731/13]

Mining Industry

Michael Lowry

388. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his views on whether the current use of the former tailing pond site in Silvermines, County Tipperary, is safe and poses no health risk to residents or animals; if he will detail his long-term plans for the site; if he will provide a guarantee that this site will be safely maintained into the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13090/13]

Driving Licence Issues

Michael Lowry

674. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his attention has been drawn to the effect of the new credit card style of driving licence on photo ID professionals; if he will put in place a system whereby those applying for a licence can obtain a scanned photo from photo ID professionals for use on their licence; the steps being taken to preserve jobs in this industry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12561/13]

Mobility Allowance Numbers

Michael Lowry

560. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Health the number of persons in County Tipperary in receipt of mobility allowance and motorised transport grant. [11431/13]

Student Grant Scheme Appeals

Michael Lowry

117. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Education and Skills the reasons for the on-going delay in processing a student grant appeal application in respect of a person (details supplied) with Student Universal Support Ireland; the steps being taken to tackle this delay; when a decision will issue in this case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10510/13]

Rural Social Scheme Applications

Michael Lowry

179. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Social Protection her plans for the rural social scheme for 2013 and 2014; and if she will provide a guarantee that this scheme will be continued in its current form. [10533/13]

Naval Service Promotions

Michael Lowry

193. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Defence if his attention has been drawn to an ongoing delay with regards to a Naval Service promotion in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cork; the reasons for the delay in this case; the steps being taken to tackle this issue; if he will immediately address this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9010/13]

Graduate Medicine Programme Places

Michael Lowry

315. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the looming problems regarding a shortage of medical intern places (details supplied); the steps being taken to tackle this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7781/13]

Garda Recruitment

Michael Lowry

524. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will commence the recruitment of additional gardaí in view of dwindling numbers; if he will recommence training in Templemore, County Tipperary, for this purpose; if he will give an indication as to when the next intake of Garda trainees will commence in Templemore; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7169/13]

Child Care Services Provision

Michael Lowry

609. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she will sanction funding to allow the continuation of the vital work of the childminding development worker (details supplied) in County Tipperary; the reason for the cessation of funding for this post; the cost saving made by such; if her attention has been drawn to the impact this will have on childminders in County Tipperary; if she will confirm what will happen to the programmes and activities put in place by this worker in County Tipperary; if an alternative support will be made available; if she will confirm if childminders will be compelled to undertake Garda vetting; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7237/13]

Student Grant Scheme Eligibility

Michael Lowry

74. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Education and Skills if his attention has been drawn to a student grant application in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Tipperary; if he will confirm if maintenance is payable in this instance; if he will confirm the correct position with regards to the payment of maintenance for those on long-term back to education allowance; the reason for the mix-up in this instance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6469/13]

Flood Prevention Measures

Michael Lowry

83. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if his attention has been drawn to an ongoing project by the Office of Public Works to tackle a flooding issue (details supplied) in County Tipperary; the current status of this project; if agreement has been received from all parties to allow works to commence; if he will provide a timeframe for the completion of this project; if he will confirm if sluice gates have been manufactured for this site and area ready for installation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6529/13]

Tax Collection

Michael Lowry

252. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Finance if his attention has been drawn to a case relating to stamp duty and the transfer of farming land (details supplied) in County Tipperary; if he will make an exemption in this case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4137/13]

Health Services Staff

Michael Lowry

672. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Health the steps he will take to tackle the treatment of non consultant hospital doctors; if he will put an end to the illegal long working hours being forced on such doctors; if his attention has been drawn to the detrimental impact of these long working hours have on these persons; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3902/13]

Hospital Services

Michael Lowry

705. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Health if he will ensure that funding is provided for the provision of bilateral cochlear impacts for children in the State; the reason this treatment has not been provided to date; if his attention has been drawn to the long term negative effects for children arising from an inability to access this treatment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4249/13]

Medicinal Products Expenditure

Michael Lowry

211. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Health if he will fund Kalydeco for the treatment of cystic fibrosis patients; if this drug will be approved and sanctioned for the Irish market; when this drug will be made available to patients here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3682/13]

Garda Deployment

Michael Lowry

185. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of members of An Garda Síochána stationed in County Tipperary in 2010, 2011 and 2012 respectively; if he will provide a breakdown of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3346/13]

Student Grant Scheme Applications

Michael Lowry

260. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Education and Skills the reason an application to Student Universal Support Ireland was rejected in respect of a student (details supplied) in County Tipperary; if his attention has been drawn to the discrepancy created in this case; if his further attention has been drawn to the hardship caused by this discrepancy; if he will review this decision; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2910/13]

Sports Capital Programme Applications

Michael Lowry

230. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the reasons that an application from County Tipperary under the sports capital programme for 2012 was deemed to be invalid (details supplied); if he will confirm the maximum funding amount available through this programme; if he will confirm the county budget as alluded to; if he will reconsider this application; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2269/13]

Fuel Rebate Scheme

Michael Lowry

99. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Finance if he will clarify the terms of the fuel rebate as introduced in Budget 2013; if this rebate will apply to passenger transport companies as well as hauliers; if his attention has been drawn to the hardship being caused as a result of this uncertainty; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57926/12]

Student Grant Scheme Delays

Michael Lowry

301. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of students in County Tipperary who are still awaiting payments of their student grant through the Student Universal Support Ireland system; the reason for the backlog in same; the current turnover time for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1316/13]

Mental Health Services Provision

Michael Lowry

1015. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Health the current waiting times in place for persons in County Tipperary seeking to avail of child and adolescent mental health services with the Health Service Executive; if his attention has been drawn to the hardship and distress being caused as a result of these delays; the steps being taken to tackle this backlog; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1082/13]

Mental Health Services Funding

Michael Lowry

1043. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Health if she will provide a timeframe for the provision of additional staff to mental health services as she guaranteed to put in place by early 2013; if she will detail the exact number of staff to be allocated; if she will provide a guarantee that all these staff will be provided without delay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1257/13]

Emergency Works Scheme Applications

Michael Lowry

207. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Education and Skills if his attention has been drawn to an application for emergency works for a school (details supplied) in County Tipperary; the reasons this application was refused; if his attention has been drawn to the health and safety issues in the school arising from this decision; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56422/12]

Capitation Grants

Michael Lowry

231. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will provide information on the availability of emergency funds for primary schools who are under severe financial pressure at present and cannot maintain basic day to day costs; if there is a mechanism to assist such schools; and if so, the way schools can access same. [56638/12]

Garda Transport Provision

Michael Lowry

491. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of Garda patrol vehicles available to An Garda Síochána in each district of the division of Tipperary; the number of vehicles that were available to these districts in 2010 and 2011 respectively; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56940/12]

Legal Aid Application Numbers

Michael Lowry

137. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the current waiting times for Legal Aid Board services in County Tipperary; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56109/12]

Respite Care Services

Michael Lowry

124. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of persons in County Tipperary in receipt of the respite care grant for the years 2010, 2011 and 2012 respectively. [55926/12]

Special Educational Needs Staffing

Michael Lowry

21. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Education and Skills the reason a resource teacher has not been allocated to a school (details supplied) in County Tipperary; if his attention has been drawn to the hardship, distress and upset being caused to the affected children and their families; if he will provide a timeframe for when this post will be filled; if he will prioritise this case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54871/12]

Student Grant Scheme Delays

Michael Lowry

300. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of students in County Tipperary that are still awaiting payments of their student grant through the Student Universal Support Ireland system; the current turnover time for same; the total number of applications received from County Tipperary; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52485/12]

Family Income Supplement Application Numbers

Michael Lowry

408. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of family income supplement applicants and renewals submitted from persons in Co. Tipperary since June 2012; the number of these applications still awaiting a decision; the average turnover time for such applications; the steps being taken to tackle these cases; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52799/12]

Forestry Grants

Michael Lowry

561. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the position regarding the reconstitution grant for repair works to damaged forestry; if his attention has been drawn to the hardship being caused due to the lack of funding for this scheme; if funds will be made available for the continuation of this grant aid in 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52329/12]

Single Payment Scheme Appeals

Michael Lowry

199. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the position regarding a single payment appeal in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Tipperary; the reason for the delay in reviewing this case; when a decision will issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50571/12]

Subsidiary Protection Applications

Michael Lowry

509. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the position regarding an application for subsidiary protection in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Tipperary; the reason for the delay in processing this case; and when a decision will issue. [50159/12]

Student Grant Scheme Delays

Michael Lowry

363. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Education and Skills if his attention has been drawn to the on-going delays in the processing of grant applications by Students Universal Support Ireland; if he will provide figures on the current number of cases with SUSI; the number of applications that have been processed to date; the average processing time for same; the way these figures compare to the previous system; if his attention has been drawn to the difficulties applicants are having in securing accurate information on the status of their application and the hardship these delays and inaccurate information are causing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48322/12]

Single Payment Scheme Applications

Michael Lowry

877. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason for the delay in processing a single farm payment for 2011 in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Tipperary; the steps being taken to resolve this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47711/12]

Health Services Staff Issues

Michael Lowry

1179. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to a redundancy issue in respect of a person from the Health Service Executive (details supplied) in County Tipperary; the reasons for the delay in the processing of this application; if he is aware of the hardship and financial impact this delay has on this person; if he will ask the HSE to rectify the situation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48651/12]

School Transport Provision

Michael Lowry

70. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Education and Skills if his attention has been drawn to the ongoing post primary school transport case (details supplied) in County Tipperary; the reason for the delay in processing this application for grant aid; if his further attention has been drawn to the hardship being caused as a result of this delay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46926/12]

School Transport Provision

Michael Lowry

220. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Education and Skills if his attention has been drawn to the impact of the changes to the post primary school transport scheme on a school (details supplied) in County Tipperary; if his attention has been drawn to circumstances of this school and the subsequent detrimental effect of these changes; his views on whether this school is particularly impacted; the reasons for the delay in responding to written queries from this school and from South Tipperary VEC from his office and his Department; if his attention has been drawn to the fact was supplied to these bodies; when a substantive response will issue in this case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45885/12]

Rural Development Programme Funding

Michael Lowry

411. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide information on an application for funding in respect of an organisation (details supplied) in County Tipperary, when a decision will issue on this matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45649/12]

Departmental Correspondence

Michael Lowry

529. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his attention has been drawn to a case (details supplied) in County Tipperary; the reasons the Solicitor in his Department has failed to respond to written queries relating to this case over the past 18 months; the steps being taken to resolve this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45682/12]

Single Payment Scheme Payments

Michael Lowry

257. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when payments will issue in respect of a transfer of entitlements application for a person (details supplied) in County Tipperary; the reason for the delay in processing this case; if his attention has been drawn to the hardship being caused as a result of this delay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45263/12]

Family Income Supplement Waiting Times

Michael Lowry

134. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Social Protection if her attention has been drawn to the delay by her Department in processing reviews of family income supplement payments and the impact this is having on low income families that are already stretched to the last (details supplied); her plan to address this issue; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43568/12]

Medical Card Eligibility

Michael Lowry

239. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Health when the decision was made not to automatically qualify cancer patients for a medical card (details supplied); if he will advise the Health Service Executive consultants of this change; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43578/12]

General Medical Services Scheme Administration

Michael Lowry

249. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact that some general practitioners are now charging individuals for issuing letters which are required to confirm their medical conditions when applying for a social welfare payment; her views on whether she considers this a fair practice on the part of some G.Ps; if she will intervene to place a cap on such charges in view of the fact that these are persons applying for a social welfare payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43663/12]

Disability Allowance Appeals

Michael Lowry

564. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on the interim arrangements in place for the office of disability appeals and the position of the disability appeals officer; when all completed determinations and reasons for decisions reports from the office of disability appeals officer will be made available for public inspection, including any reports from the former disability appeals officer; the amount he has spent on legal costs in relation to the office of disability appeals officer since these interim arrangements were put in place; his views on whether the independent functions of the office of disability appeals officer has been compromised by being situated in his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41869/12]

Education and Training Boards Issues

Michael Lowry

65. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will provide some information on the categorisation of VEC’s, further to Circular 24/2012; if he will detail the criteria used for this categorisation; if he will detail the way in which this criteria was applied to North Tipperary; if this categorisation impacts negatively on the staffing structure for the new Education and Training Board; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40737/12]

Garda Deployment

Michael Lowry

137. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the reasons for the delay in replacing the crime prevention officer in the Tipperary division; the length of time this position has now been vacant; if other crime prevention officers have been replaced in other divisions; the reason such a position can be immediately replaced in one division and not another; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40787/12]

Defence Forces Recruitment

Michael Lowry

146. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Defence if he will provide clarification on the reasons a specific individual was deemed ineligible to join the Defence Forces; if he will provide clarification on the illness and conditions that would prevent a successful application to the Defence Forces; if there is a register or list of such; if a specific named condition will render a person ineligible for enlistment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40941/12]

School Transport

Michael Lowry

142 Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will review the decision made to refuse subsidised post primary school transport to a student (details supplied) in County Tipperary despite the fact that this school is the closest school of the chosen ethos and beliefs of that student and family; if he will provide information on the cost saving made by refusing subsidised transport in this case; if he will clarify the reason the distance to the school was calculated based on walking route; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[34561/12]

School Transport

Michael Lowry

145 Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will review the decision to refuse subsidised post-primary school transport to a person (details supplied) in County Tipperary despite the fact that this school is the chosen school of that family; if he will review the decision regarding the minimal difference in distance of two schools, the fact that elder family members are already attending the students chosen school and the fact that the pick-up point for the eligible school is 4km from the family home; if he will provide information on the cost saving made by refusing subsidised transport in this case; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[34587/12]

Single Payment Scheme

Michael Lowry

653 Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine he will review the penalties imposed on a person (details supplied) in County Tipperary further to an on-farm inspection in relation to single farm payment; his views on the fairness of the imposition of such; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[34594/12]

Driving Tests

Michael Lowry

687 Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if will provide the following information in respect to the four driver testing centres in County Tipperary, Nenagh, Thurles, Clonmel and Tipperary Town; the current waiting times in all four test centres; the numbers of drivers who were tested in each centre for the year 2011; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[31640/12]