Parliamentary questions

School Uniforms

Michael McCarthy

245. Deputy Michael McCarthy asked the Minister for Education and Skills the follow-up regarding her Department's reducing costs to parents of school uniforms under Circular No. 63/2013; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38985/14]

School Uniforms

Michael McCarthy

246. Deputy Michael McCarthy asked the Minister for Education and Skills the findings of her Department's reducing costs to parents of schools uniforms Circular No. 63/2013; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38986/14]

School Uniforms

Michael McCarthy

247. Deputy Michael McCarthy asked the Minister for Education and Skills if she will provide an update on action taken by her Department to address school uniform costs; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38987/14]

School Funding

Michael McCarthy

248. Deputy Michael McCarthy asked the Minister for Education and Skills the strategy to address the issue of voluntary contributions in primary and secondary schools here; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38988/14]

Student Grant Scheme Eligibility

Michael McCarthy

249. Deputy Michael McCarthy asked the Minister for Education and Skills the financial supports available for a mature student working full time; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38989/14]

Tourist Accommodation

Michael McCarthy

379. Deputy Michael McCarthy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to expand the traditional remit for a tourist enterprise, as set down in the Fógra Fáilte Ireland Act 1955, so as to ensure that tourist attractions such as one (details supplied) in County Cork, which currently does not fit the template for approval, receives the appropriate support and promotion it requires; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39171/14]

Heritage Sites

Michael McCarthy

391. Deputy Michael McCarthy asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht her plans to protect the heritage of a site (details supplied) in County Cork and develop it as a cultural site, in view of the fact that it has significant heritage tourism potential for the locality; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38998/14]

Broadband Service Speeds

Michael McCarthy

264. Deputy Michael McCarthy asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if his attention has been drawn to the poor standard and quality of broadband in many areas throughout the country; the action he will take to address the situation in pockets of County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38799/14]

Disadvantaged Areas Scheme Payments

Michael McCarthy

91. Deputy Michael McCarthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason a second deduction is being made on a 2013 disadvantaged area scheme payment in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38442/14]

Forestry Premium Payments

Michael McCarthy

92. Deputy Michael McCarthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when payment of a forestry premium-headage payment will be made in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38443/14]

School Accommodation

Michael McCarthy

166. Deputy Michael McCarthy asked the Minister for Education and Skills further to Parliamentary Question No. 281 of 15 July 2014, when departmental officials will make contact with the school concerned regarding both its immediate and long-term accommodation needs; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38354/14]

Excise Duties Yield

Michael McCarthy

149. Deputy Michael McCarthy asked the Minister for Finance to outline his views on correspondence (details supplied) regarding excise duty on alcohol; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37678/14]

Registration of Nurses

Michael McCarthy

308. Deputy Michael McCarthy asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to concerns regarding a decision by the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland to increase the annual retention fee for 2015; the action that will be taken to address these concerns; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37660/14]

Road Safety

Michael McCarthy

523. Deputy Michael McCarthy asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his views on the need for a lollipop person to be in place for a school (details supplied) in County Louth; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38253/14]

Child Care Qualifications

Michael McCarthy

127. Deputy Michael McCarthy asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs in relation to child care and early childhood education facilities, the minimum qualifications required for service being provided by individuals or teachers to children; if there are grants available for child care providers to obtain the necessary qualifications; the advice available to a person (details supplied) in County Cork who was recently informed that their qualifications are no longer recognised; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37590/14]

Speech and Language Therapy Provision

Michael McCarthy

129. Deputy Michael McCarthy asked the Minister for Health if he will review speech and language therapy in respect of children (details supplied) in County Cork; his views on the considerable distance that these children must travel daily to access a specific speech and language disorder class; if she will examine if this is the best use of resources; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37425/14]

Speech and Language Therapy Provision

Michael McCarthy

173. Deputy Michael McCarthy asked the Minister for Education and Skills if she will review speech and language therapy in respect of children (details supplied) in County Cork; her views on the considerable distance that these children must travel daily to access a specific speech and language disorder class; if she will examine if this is the best use of resources; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37424/14]

Budget 2015

Michael McCarthy

185. Deputy Michael McCarthy asked the Minister for Finance with regard to the forthcoming budget and the outcome of the agri-taxation review if consideration will be given to the introduction of a tax deposit scheme to manage income volatility; and if further consideration will be given to the retention of the pay and file deadline of 31 October for self-assessed income tax returns and the simplification of income tax returns for farmers with a low turnover. [36445/14]

Budget 2015

Michael McCarthy

186. Deputy Michael McCarthy asked the Minister for Finance with regard to the forthcoming budget and the promotion of on-farm investment, encouraging new entrants, increasing land mobility and tackling volatility if consideration will be given to the retention of the 90% agricultural relief and capital gains tax retirement relief to support the transfer of viable family farms; if further consideration will be given to the relaxation of the CGT retirement relief maximum 15 year leased land requirement in exceptional circumstances; and if consideration will also be given to the introduction of a phased transfer partnership model providing tax relief to farm holders during the period of transfer of farm assets, the extension of the land leasing income tax exemption scheme to include incorporated farm companies and the removal of the requirement for qualifying lessors to be aged over 40 and the retention of stamp duty consanguinity relief for transfers between family members for non-residential transfers. [36446/14]

Tax Yield

Michael McCarthy

193. Deputy Michael McCarthy asked the Minister for Finance the amount of moneys accrued to date from the 2009 windfall tax; his assessment on its economic impact; the revenue earned to date in 2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36699/14]

Health Services Staff Remuneration

Michael McCarthy

349. Deputy Michael McCarthy asked the Minister for Health his views on reviewing the pay for graduate nurses and restoring pay parity to all nurses on the new graduate nurses scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36594/14]

Broadband Service Provision

Michael McCarthy

601. Deputy Michael McCarthy asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his views surrounding the discontinuation of the national broadband scheme; if a new subsidy will be introduced to help keep down the cost of broadband services for rural dwellers in rural areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36855/14]

Broadband Service Provision

Michael McCarthy

602. Deputy Michael McCarthy asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources in view of the concerns surrounding the lack of broadband in rural areas if he will provide an update on the mapping process currently being undertaken as part of the national broadband plan; and the timeline for completion of this. [36856/14]

Broadband Service Provision

Michael McCarthy

603. Deputy Michael McCarthy asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the position regarding the roll out of high speed broadband to rural areas of County Cork; the steps he will take to compel private broadband service providers to significantly improve broadband coverage in this area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36857/14]

Departmental Funding

Michael McCarthy

166. Deputy Michael McCarthy asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the amount of funding a resource centre (details supplied) in County Meath received in 2012, 2013 and to date in 2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36355/14]

Disabilities Data

Michael McCarthy

213. Deputy Michael McCarthy asked the Minister for Health the total number of persons registered with an intellectual disability in County Louth; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36357/14]

Farm Assist Scheme Payments

Michael McCarthy

53. Deputy Michael McCarthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if she will maintain the funding for farm assist in the forthcoming budget; if she will give due consideration to restoring income and child disregards to pre-budget 2013 levels under farm assist, with means tests reflective of current income positions; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36127/14]

VAT Rate Application

Michael McCarthy

58. Deputy Michael McCarthy asked the Minister for Finance his views to keep the VAT rate at 9% to ensure that Ireland continues to maintain a strong, vibrant and competitive tourism industry; if he will maintain this reduced VAT rate for the hospitality sector following on the very positive implications this reduction has had on the industry in creating and maintaining employment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36133/14]

Budget Submissions

Michael McCarthy

65. Deputy Michael McCarthy asked the Minister for Finance his plans to introduce a graduate entry medicine loan tax relief scheme in view of the huge costs associated with the course, the cost of living and the fact that the intensity of this work excludes the opportunity for part-time work; if he or his Department has examined a proposal involving a tax-based mechanism of relieving the burden of these debts on non-consultant hospital doctors and making the repayments more realistic; the benefits for the country of giving non-consultant hospital doctors a tax incentive to stay in the public health care service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36030/14]

VAT Rate Application

Michael McCarthy

69. Deputy Michael McCarthy asked the Minister for Finance if consideration will be given to extending the 9% tourism VAT rate beyond 2014 so as to ensure that Ireland continues to maintain a strong, vibrant and competitive tourism industry; if he will maintain this reduced VAT rate for the hospitality sector following on the very positive implications this reduction has had on the industry in creating and maintaining employment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36134/14]

Flood Relief Schemes Applications

Michael McCarthy

70. Deputy Michael McCarthy asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will provide an update with regard to the Skibbereen flood relief scheme; the commencement and completion dates; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35997/14]

Flood Relief Schemes Applications

Michael McCarthy

71. Deputy Michael McCarthy asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will provide an up date with regard to the Clonakilty flood relief scheme; the commencement and completion dates; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35998/14]

Flood Relief Schemes Applications

Michael McCarthy

72. Deputy Michael McCarthy asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will provide an update with regard to the Bandon flood relief scheme; the commencement and completion dates; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35999/14]

GLAS Establishment

Michael McCarthy

87. Deputy Michael McCarthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will give due consideration to a proposal to commence contracts for the new agri-environmental GLAS scheme in early 2015, with 30,000 farmers allowed into the scheme in its first year and payments disbursed in 2015; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36122/14]

Targeted Agricultural Modernisation Scheme

Michael McCarthy

88. Deputy Michael McCarthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he has examined proposals that €30 million be allocated for on-farm investment programmes across all sectors through the TAMs scheme in 2015; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36123/14]

Departmental Expenditure

Michael McCarthy

89. Deputy Michael McCarthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine in the context of the upcoming budget if he will give consideration to increasing the capital funding allocations for the horticulture, forestry and aquaculture sectors to achieve output targets and employment growth; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36124/14]

Departmental Expenditure

Michael McCarthy

90. Deputy Michael McCarthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine in the context of the upcoming budget if he will give consideration to increasing funding to compensate for losses incurred and income foregone under the national animal health TB, BVD and Johne's disease programmes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36125/14]

Beef Industry

Michael McCarthy

91. Deputy Michael McCarthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on the current beef price levels and the difficulties experienced by farmers as a direct result of pricing levels; the action he will take to provide sustainable incomes and living standards for farmers in the beef sector in view of the ambitious targets set out under the Harvest 2020 strategy; if he will provide serious consideration to appointing a national independent regulator to the beef sector with responsibility in areas of enforcement and investigation in a bid to help curb the price spiral in the industry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36136/14]

Nursing Homes Support Scheme Administration

Michael McCarthy

153. Deputy Michael McCarthy asked the Minister for Health if he has given due consideration to a cap on the maximum percentage charge that can be applied to productive assets in the means assessment for the fair deal scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36126/14]

Public Services Card Authentication

Michael McCarthy

75. Deputy Michael McCarthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if she will report on the introduction of the public services card; the steps that her Department has taken to date to ensure that this new facility does not give rise to any data protection or identity theft concerns; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35258/14]

Supplementary Welfare Allowance Appeals

Michael McCarthy

101. Deputy Michael McCarthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if she will provide an update with regard to an appeal for supplementary welfare allowance in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cork. [35532/14]

VAT Registration

Michael McCarthy

170. Deputy Michael McCarthy asked the Minister for Finance his views on raising the current VAT registration threshold given that it places a significant financial burden on new small independent retailers. [35709/14]

Proposed Legislation

Michael McCarthy

318. Deputy Michael McCarthy asked the Minister for Justice and Equality her plans for legislation on prostitution following the publication of the Joint Committee on Justice and Equality report on prostitution here. [35612/14]

Student Grant Scheme Eligibility

Michael McCarthy

432. Deputy Michael McCarthy asked the Minister for Education and Skills with regard to the means assessment used by Student Universal Support Ireland the reason net income is not the basis of the eligibility decision; the way she will address the fact that tens of thousands of young people are being priced out of higher education due to their parents' income being only slightly above the threshold to qualify for grants; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35248/14]

Broadband Service Provision

Michael McCarthy

530. Deputy Michael McCarthy asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the number of homes that will now require State intervention under the national broadband plan. [35710/14]

Education Services

Michael McCarthy

219. Deputy Michael McCarthy asked the Minister for Education and Skills the education services that are available for persons with mental health difficulties between the ages of 12 and 18; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35004/14]

State Examinations

Michael McCarthy

220. Deputy Michael McCarthy asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of students that did not sit the State examinations in 2012 due to mental health issues; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35005/14]

State Examinations

Michael McCarthy

221. Deputy Michael McCarthy asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of students that did not sit the State examinations in 2013 due to mental health issues; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35006/14]

State Examinations

Michael McCarthy

222. Deputy Michael McCarthy asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of students that did not sit the State examinations in 2014 due to mental health issues; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35007/14]

State Examinations

Michael McCarthy

223. Deputy Michael McCarthy asked the Minister for Education and Skills the procedures that are in place for a student with mental health difficulties to take State exams; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35008/14]