Parliamentary questions

National Monuments

Pearse Doherty

258. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will initiate a project to promote and protect the structure of Doe Castle, ancient home of Clann Mac Suibhne, considering the vastness and beauty of this ancient building; his views that the Office of Public Works has failed to upkeep the grounds and promote tourism at Doe Castle; his further views that a project should be undertaken to have this building promoted considering the history, heritage and culture this building provides; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33475/13]

Departmental Schemes

Pearse Doherty

279. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Social Protection the guidelines that apply to State bodies, such as vocational education committees, when hiring JobBridge applicants; the measures in place to ensure the system is not abused by, for example, a VEC rehiring a different JobBridge applicant each term; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32868/13]

Children in Care

Pearse Doherty

11. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number of children in care who now have an allocated social worker; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32601/13]

Youth Unemployment Measures

Pearse Doherty

27. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the measures and strategies she is considering, including in conjunction with other Departments and-or State agencies to help address the issue of youth unemployment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32583/13]

IBRC Liquidation

Pearse Doherty

71. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance if the special resolution filed in the Companies Office on 18 February, which sets out that the sole member of the company, shall be entitled at any time by notice in writing to the company to suspend any or all of the powers of the directors of Irish Bank Resolution Corporation, in special liquidation, under the Companies Acts and under the articles of association, has been activated; and if he will provide details of any such notice serviced on IRBC and which directors powers under the Companies Act or the articles of association that have been suspended. [32750/13]

Companies Law Issues

Pearse Doherty

72. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance the obligations and duties a special liquidator has under the Companies Act. [32751/13]

Companies Law Issues

Pearse Doherty

73. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance the rights under the Companies Act or other relevant Acts a creditor has when a company is in special liquidation. [32752/13]

IBRC Liquidation

Pearse Doherty

74. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance if it is intended that the provision of the Irish Bank Resolution Corporation Act 2013 is to have retrospective legal effect and override the specific provisions of the Companies Act that existed prior to the appointment of the special liquidator. [32753/13]

IBRC Liquidation

Pearse Doherty

75. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance if the special liquidator at Irish Bank Resolution Corporation has filed a statement of affairs; and if not, the reason. [32754/13]

IBRC Liquidation

Pearse Doherty

76. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance the action being taken to ensure the filing of a statement of affairs for Anglo Irish Bank as at the date of the appointment of the special liquidator required under the Companies Act. [32755/13]

IBRC Liquidation

Pearse Doherty

77. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance with regard to the announcement of proceedings by the special liquidator against the former directors of Irish Nationwide Building Society, the position on taking similar civil proceedings against former directors of Anglo Irish Bank who served at executive and non-executive level-up to the collapse of the bank. [32756/13]

IBRC Liquidation

Pearse Doherty

95. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance the remuneration paid to the special liquidator and the firm of KPMG in fees to date arising out of the liquidation of Irish Bank Resolution Corporation. [32757/13]

IBRC Liquidation

Pearse Doherty

96. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance the budget for the expected total remuneration for the special liquidator at Irish Bank Resolution Corporation. [32758/13]

IBRC Liquidation

Pearse Doherty

97. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance if he will confirm that professional fees due to various firms including (details supplied) at the date of the appointment of the special liquidator have been paid and the amounts; and if he will confirm that any such professional fees due and unpaid at the date of the appointment of the special liquidator in February 2013 will rank with other creditors as unsecured. [32759/13]

IBRC Liquidation

Pearse Doherty

98. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance if he will disclose the details and amount of all creditors paid in six months to the date of the appointment of the special liquidator at Irish Bank Resolution Corporation in February 2013. [32761/13]

IBRC Liquidation

Pearse Doherty

99. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance the number of legal cases the special liquidator is involved in as a plaintiff; if he will quantify the number of cases and the amount involved; and the financial provision that has been made to cover the special liquidator's legal costs in taking these cases. [32762/13]

IBRC Liquidation

Pearse Doherty

100. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance the number of legal cases the special liquidator is involved in as a defendant; if he will quantify the number of cases and the amount involved; and the financial provision that has been made to cover the special liquidator's legal costs in defending these cases. [32763/13]

IBRC Legal Cases

Pearse Doherty

101. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance the person who signs off on and authorises the continuation of all legal proceedings and the issue of new proceedings from the date of the appointment of the special liquidator at Irish Bank Resolution Corporation. [32765/13]

IBRC Legal Cases

Pearse Doherty

102. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance the way court awards against the special liquidator will be funded. [32766/13]

IBRC Legal Cases

Pearse Doherty

103. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance the way any court awards in favour of the special liquidator will be allocated and applied. [32767/13]

IBRC Liquidation

Pearse Doherty

104. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance the tender process that exists for legal and professional services for the special liquidator. [32768/13]

IBRC Liquidation

Pearse Doherty

105. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance the amount of unsecured creditors at the date of liquidation of Irish Bank Resolution Corporation in February 2013. [32769/13]

IBRC Liquidation

Pearse Doherty

106. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance if he will confirm the special liquidator's assertion that due to the level of insolvency of Anglo Irish Bank there will be no distribution to any unsecured creditors. [32770/13]

IBRC Liquidation

Pearse Doherty

107. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance the amount due to creditors arising out of professional fees as at the date of the appointment of the special liquidator at Irish Bank Resolution Corporation in February 2013. [32771/13]

IBRC Liquidation

Pearse Doherty

108. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance the expected cost for professional fees for the special liquidation of Irish Bank Resolution Corporation for third party fees from the date of the appointment of the special liquidator. [32772/13]

IBRC Liquidation

Pearse Doherty

109. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance if he will provide an update on the actual level of legal fees incurred from the date of the appointment of the special liquidator to May 2013. [32773/13]

IBRC Liquidation

Pearse Doherty

110. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance his views on the solvency of the Anglo Irish Bank pension scheme at the date of the appointment of the special liquidator in February 2013. [32774/13]

IBRC Liquidation

Pearse Doherty

111. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance the value of the Anglo Irish Bank pension fund at the date of the appointment of the special liquidator in February 2013. [32775/13]

IBRC Legal Cases

Pearse Doherty

140. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if he will confirm if section 286 of the Companies Act 1963 in regard to legal rules pertaining to any payments made in favour of any creditor in the six months leading up to the appointment of the special liquidator were complied with by Anglo Irish Bank. [32760/13]

Hospital Waiting Lists

Pearse Doherty

263. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the delays in outpatient waiting lists at Letterkenny General Hospital; if his further attention has been drawn to the delays in a number of departments where significant numbers of patients are waiting in excess of one year; the actions he will take to reduce the waiting lists; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32682/13]

Hospital Waiting Lists

Pearse Doherty

268. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the delays in outpatient waiting lists at Letterkenny General Hospital; if his attention has been further drawn to the delays in a number of departments where significant numbers of patients are waiting in excess of one year: his plans to reduce the waiting lists; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32746/13]

Special Educational Needs Services Provision

Pearse Doherty

23. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will provide assurances that the allocation of an additional 500 resource teachers to meet the increase in the percentage of children with special needs who are attending school from September 2013 onwards will result in funding being withdrawn from the overall education budget; if he will confirm that he has no plans to increase the pupil-teacher ratio. [32216/13]

Third Level Funding

Pearse Doherty

28. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will respond to objections raised by staff of Dublin Institute of Technology regarding the provision of Shell funding towards the new visual arts degree in Erris, County Mayo, which is being offered by DIT and Mayo County Council. [32217/13]

Tax Code

Pearse Doherty

72. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance further to Parliamentary Question No. 82 of 26 June, if he will outline the effective tax rate effect for income earners whose tax credits were phased out with a reduction of half the credits between €100,000 and €150,000; three quarters of the credits between €150,000 and €200,000; and abolished over €200,000; based on the current tax rates; but also setting out a table of what the effective rate would be if a new third tax rate of 48% was introduced on income over €100,000. [32381/13]

Tax Collection

Pearse Doherty

73. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance further to Parliamentary Question No. 82 of 26 June 2013, if he will set out the additional average tax paid by employees in the categories mentioned if the employees were also subject to a new third rate of tax of 48% on income earned in excess of €100,000. [32382/13]

Tax Code

Pearse Doherty

74. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance the revenue that would be raised if personal and not employee tax credits for high income earners were phased out with a reduction of half the credits between €100,000 and €150,000, three quarters of the credits between €150,000 and €200,000, and abolished over €200,000; the impact that would have on the average tax take from salary earners in that category; and the impact that would have on income earners in those categories if they were also subject to a new third rate of tax of 48% on income earned over €100,000. [32383/13]

Tax Code

Pearse Doherty

75. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance further to his Parliamentary Question No. 85 of 26 June 2013, if he will set out the average additional tax take paid by taxpayers earning over €100,000 if tax credits were abolished; the average additional tax take that would be paid if these taxpayers also incurred a new third rate of tax of 48% on the income earned in excess of €100,000; and what the effective tax rate with the credits abolished under either the current rate, or with the new tax rate, for average income earners at €125,000, €150,000, €175,000, €200,000, €300,000, and €500,000. [32384/13]

National Monuments

Pearse Doherty

146. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if his attention has been drawn to the current state of national monuments DG025-029001, DG025-029003, DG025-029006, DG025-029004, DG025-029005,  DG025-029002, and their grounds and access roads at present; if he will ensure that access to these national monuments is upgraded and the vicinity in which they stand is enhanced; if he will provide an undertaking to have signage and information on the history of this national monument erected in the vicinity of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32419/13]

Hospital Waiting Lists

Pearse Doherty

232. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health when a patient who is under the care of a consultant (details supplied) in County Donegal since November 2012 was informed that their surgery will not be carried out; the reason this is the case, and if he will reassure this patient that they will receive the necessary care; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32460/13]

Hospital Waiting Lists

Pearse Doherty

233. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health when a patient (details supplied) in County Donegal whose case has been regarded as a priority may expect to be called for elective hip surgery in view of the fact that the patient is in severe pain; the number of elective hip replacements carried out at this hospital last year and the expected number for 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32461/13]

IBRC Staff

Pearse Doherty

63. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance if he regrets continuing to employ persons (details supplied) in a State-owned bank; and the actions he took to ensure they were fit to hold these positions after revelations that were recently published in the media. [32191/13]

Bank Codes of Conduct

Pearse Doherty

66. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance the reason, at a time of still increasing mortgage arrears, he is allowing banks, through a revised code of conduct on mortgage arrears, to deal more aggressively with struggling home owners including by removing the 12 month moratorium, lifting the limit of three contacts per month and supporting the reversal of the Dunne judgment. [32192/13]

IBRC Account Holders

Pearse Doherty

117. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance his views on the issue of the losses accrued by credit unions because of the liquidation of Irish Bank Resolution Corporation; the way these losses will affect members of the credit union movement; and if he is in contact with the credit union movement to discuss these losses. [31876/13]

Irish Nationwide Report

Pearse Doherty

122. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance the reason he has not published the Irish Nationwide report to date; and if a banking inquiry is established, whether he will be forwarding the report to the inquiry team. [31862/13]

Departmental Staff Numbers

Pearse Doherty

150. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Taoiseach the number of senior staff in his Department that were in the Department at the time of the banking guarantee in 2008; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31965/13]

Departmental Staff Numbers

Pearse Doherty

151. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Taoiseach the number of senior staff in his Department, who were there at the time of the banking guarantee that are in the same positions they held at the time. [31967/13]

Departmental Staff Numbers

Pearse Doherty

152. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Taoiseach in view of his statements regarding the banking guarantee, in which he stated that there were no files of any import held in his Department regarding events at that time, if he has asked officials in his Department for oral or written recollections of what happened at that time. [31968/13]

Property Taxation Collection

Pearse Doherty

183. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance the payment options available to a person wishing to pay the local property tax with no current account and whose only income is jobseeker's benefit; and if he will consider allowing persons in such cases to pay by standing order, as it is the cheapest option. [31585/13]

Tax Code

Pearse Doherty

186. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance if he will consider developing a mechanism whereby new contractors setting up businesses may avail of a reduced rate of relevant contracts tax similar to that of existing contractors; his views that such a provision would be conducive to the creation of employment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31637/13]

Tax Credits

Pearse Doherty

187. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance the revenue that would be raised for the Exchequer if tax credits for a person's earnings were capped at €100,000, and of every €2 earned after €100,000, €1 in tax credits was lost. [31665/13]

Mortgage Arrears Rate

Pearse Doherty

191. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance the date on which the end of quarter two figures for mortgage resolutions targets will be published. [31709/13]

Tax Yield

Pearse Doherty

193. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance the amounts of VAT, excise duty or other indirect taxes taken as a proportion of income tax, for example, for every €1 taken in income tax, €1.20 is taken in VAT. [31717/13]

Universal Social Charge Exemptions

Pearse Doherty

195. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance the cost of abolishing the additional 3% universal social charge on income for self-employed earners over €100,000. [31721/13]

Universal Social Charge Yield

Pearse Doherty

196. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance the revenue that would be raised for the Exchequer by increasing the top rate of USC paid by PAYE workers by an additional 3% on income over €100,000, similar to that charged to self-employed top earners. [31727/13]

Tax Yield

Pearse Doherty

211. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance the total taxable profits of companies here in 2012 and the corporation tax paid that year, in value and as a percentage. [31756/13]

Tax Yield

Pearse Doherty

212. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance if he has considered setting a minimum threshold for profits to be retained here for corporation tax purposes, if the company is incorporated here and or resident for tax purposes. [31757/13]

Banking Sector Regulation

Pearse Doherty

218. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance if it is the practice of all Irish banks to make recordings of internal land line phone calls; and if these recordings are kept within the banks or are provided to the Central Bank of Ireland. [31763/13]

Banking Sector Regulation

Pearse Doherty

219. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance if it is the practice of Irish banks to keep records of phone calls between banks and if these recordings are provided to the Central Bank or Ireland. [31764/13]

Banking Sector Issues

Pearse Doherty

220. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance if the special liquidator is in possession of all recordings-transcripts of phone calls made at Anglo Irish Bank-Irish Bank Resolution Corporation until its liquidation, as well as minutes of meetings; and, if not, if the Central Bank holds this information or if it has been submitted to the Garda as part of its ongoing investigation. [31765/13]

Banking Sector Investigations

Pearse Doherty

221. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance if any of the auditors assigned to Anglo Irish Bank-Irish Bank Resolution Corporation, or the Garda investigation team into the bank and potential fraud, have identified any gaps in the minutes of meetings held in the run up to the guarantee and subsequently, or in recordings of phone calls. [31766/13]

Banking Sector Issues

Pearse Doherty

222. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance following the revelations made by a national newspaper regarding internal recorded phone calls in Anglo Irish Bank, if his attention has been drawn to the way those tapes came to be in possession of that newspaper. [31767/13]

Banking Sector Issues

Pearse Doherty

223. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance if he or anyone in his Department issued a request to Anglo Irish Bank for copies of recorded phone calls between bank employees prior to the release of such tapes by a national newspaper. [31768/13]

Banking Sector Investigations

Pearse Doherty

224. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance if he is satisfied that his Department has issued all material held by it to the gardaí investigating potential fraud at Anglo Irish Bank. [31769/13]

Banking Sector Investigations

Pearse Doherty

225. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance if the former Government appointee to Anglo Irish Bank (details supplied) was aware of the existence of recorded phone conversations at Anglo Irish Bank which appeared to reveal a concerted attempt to defraud the Irish State by bank employees; and if so, if he alerted the previous or the current Government to the existence or content of these tapes. [31770/13]

Banking Sector Issues

Pearse Doherty

226. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance if he has made inquiries regarding the existence of other recorded phone calls in existence in the other State owned, or proportionately owned State banks, around the time of the guarantee; and if he has sought such information. [31771/13]

Irish Nationwide Report

Pearse Doherty

227. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance when he plans to publish the report into Irish Nationwide, commissioned in 2009. [31773/13]

Banking Sector Investigations

Pearse Doherty

228. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance his views that the auditors working for Anglo Irish Bank at the time of the banking guarantee, who gave it a clean audit and have since been found to have a prima facie case to answer even by their own regulatory body, the Chartered Accountants Regulatory Board, have supplied all of their relevant material, from phone call recordings, minuted meetings, emails and so on to the Garda investigation team on Anglo Irish Bank, and/or to his Department; and if this material has been requested. [31774/13]

Tax Code

Pearse Doherty

234. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance the revenue lost to the Exchequer as a result of tax free lump sums allowed upon retirement; and the way these lump sums are treated for tax purposes. [31806/13]

Tax Credits

Pearse Doherty

235. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance the cost to the Exchequer of increasing the PAYE tax credit by €5 per week for all income earners below €60,000 per annum. [31807/13]

Fuel Laundering

Pearse Doherty

236. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance the money that could be saved for the Exchequer if fuel dyeing was discontinued. [31808/13]

National Treasury Management Agency Remuneration

Pearse Doherty

242. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance if any bonuses were paid to National Treasury Management Agency staff in 2011 and 2012, and if so, to whom and the amount of each bonus. [31828/13]

Fuel Laundering

Pearse Doherty

245. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance the cost to the Exchequer each year as a result of diesel laundering. [31940/13]

Fuel Laundering

Pearse Doherty

246. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance if he has considered ending the process of dyeing diesel and instead offering a rebate to farmers, transport firms, hauliers and so forth, to compensate for accessing the more expensive diesel type. [31941/13]

Departmental Staff Numbers

Pearse Doherty

248. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance the number of senior staff in his Department who were in the Department at the time of the banking guarantee in 2008; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31964/13]

Departmental Staff Numbers

Pearse Doherty

249. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance the number of senior staff in his Department, who were there at the time of the banking guarantee and who are in the same positions they held at the time. [31966/13]

Fuel Laundering

Pearse Doherty

252. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance if he has considered the introduction of one excise duty for all diesel including green diesel, with a rebate system for agricultural and other users of green diesel; and if he will set out the financial ramifications of such a move. [32002/13]

Companies Law Issues

Pearse Doherty

259. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance if the Irish Government made information regarding yearly profits and tax payments by corporations including subsidiaries available to the public or is the Government planning to do so before the end of 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32040/13]

Companies Law Issues

Pearse Doherty

260. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance if the Irish Government made information regarding the beneficial owners of companies including subsidiaries, trusts and foundations available to the public or is the Government planning to do so before the end of 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32041/13]

Companies Law Issues

Pearse Doherty

261. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance if the Irish Government is requiring multinational companies including subsidiaries to provide an annual report on their turnover, number of employees, subsidies received, profits and tax payments on a country by country level for all countries in which they operate, or is the Government planning to introduce such reporting before the end of 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32042/13]

Mutual Assistance Requests

Pearse Doherty

262. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance the number of requests for information regarding tax matters that the Irish Government has received from non-OECD countries in each of the years 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32043/13]

Mutual Assistance Requests

Pearse Doherty

263. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance the number of the requests for information regarding tax matters received from non-OECD countries in each of the years 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012 which were sent from one of the least developed countries (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32044/13]

Mutual Assistance Requests

Pearse Doherty

264. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance the number of cases the information requested by a non-OECD country was provided by the Irish Government to the non-OECD country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32045/13]

Mutual Assistance Requests

Pearse Doherty

265. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance the number of cases in which information was requested by one of the least developed countries and was provided by the Irish Government to the LDC; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32046/13]

Mutual Assistance Requests

Pearse Doherty

266. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance the number of requests for information regarding tax matters the Irish Government has received from OECD countries in each of the years 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32047/13]

Mutual Assistance Requests

Pearse Doherty

267. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance the number of cases for which information was requested by an OECD country and was provided by the Irish Government to the OECD country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32048/13]

Student Grant Scheme Delays

Pearse Doherty

305. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of students per county who are currently awaiting payment of the Student Universal Support Ireland grant; the date on which these outstanding payments will be made; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31621/13]

Student Grant Scheme Application Numbers

Pearse Doherty

306. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of students who applied for Student Universal Support Ireland grants to pursue a course of study outside the State; the number of these who were erroneously informed by the Department that they would receive a grant to cover the course fees; the steps he has taken to adequately compensate any students in this situation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31622/13]

Student Grant Scheme Administration

Pearse Doherty

307. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will provide details of the preparations made by his Department to resolve the issues with the Student Universal Support Ireland grant system; his views on whether the system will be effective in the coming academic year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31623/13]

Student Grant Scheme Eligibility

Pearse Doherty

308. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Education and Skills the reasons supplementary welfare allowance is not considered as a qualifying payment for the special rate of maintenance grant for third level study; if he will reconsider his position in respect of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31624/13]

Special Educational Needs Services Provision

Pearse Doherty

309. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Education and Skills the actions that have been taken by him to implement the 2010 framework for action for the inclusion of children with special needs in early childhood education settings to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31625/13]

Harbour Authorities Expenditure

Pearse Doherty

596. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 786 of 11 June 2013, the reasons the audit of financial statements of the fishery harbour centres are not up to date; his views on whether it is acceptable that these accounts have not been completed since 2007; if he will provide the unaudited amounts for the years 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31635/13]

Aquaculture Development

Pearse Doherty

597. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 798 of 11 June 2013, if he will provide in tabular form the 91 bays-estuaries subject to appropriate assessment under EU rules; the current stage of the assessment for each bay-estuary; the likely timeframe for the completion of the assessment in each case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31636/13]

Special Educational Needs Services Provision

Pearse Doherty

652. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health if detailed consideration has been given to the 2010 Framework for Action for the Inclusion of Children with Special Needs in Early Childhood Education Settings in determining the future of specialist preschools in County Donegal; if he is satisfied that the decision to close St. Agnes' preschool and his lack of commitment to retain the specialist preschool in Ballaghderg is consistent with the policy recommendations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31627/13]

Primary Care Centres Provision

Pearse Doherty

655. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question Nos. 541 of 30 April 2013 and 531 of 12 February 2013, if he will now consider allocating the proposed grant for primary health care centre in Dungloe under the PPP programme to the capital programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31674/13]

Hospital Procedures

Pearse Doherty

670. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health if he will list the number of hip replacement operations carried out on public patients at a hospital (details supplied) in County Donegal for the past three years; the number of operations that have been carried out to date in 2013; the number planned; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31832/13]

Hospital Procedures

Pearse Doherty

671. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health if he will list the number of hip replacement operations carried out on private patients at a hospital (details supplied) in County Donegal for the past three years, the number of operations that have been carried out to date in 2013; the number planned; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31833/13]

Hospital Procedures

Pearse Doherty

672. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health if he will provide details in tabular form on the number of operations carried out by a hospital (details supplied) in County Donegal per department on public patients for 2011, 2012 and to date in 2013. [31834/13]

Hospital Procedures

Pearse Doherty

673. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health if he will provide details in tabular form on the number of operations carried out by a hospital (details supplied) in County Donegal per department on private patients for 2011, 2012 and to date in 2013. [31835/13]

Roads Maintenance

Pearse Doherty

714. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to provide funding to Donegal County Council to allow it make a provision for funding or resources to citizens whose roads are not maintained by Donegal County Council; if his attention has been drawn to the number of roads in the county that are not maintained by the council; the serious condition of these roads; if he has discussed this issue with the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31803/13]

National Roads Authority Expenditure

Pearse Doherty

62. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to ensure safety standards on the M50 while avoiding increases in tolls and forcing drivers into residential or built up areas. [31033/13]