Questions and answers published after July 2012 can be viewed here. Viewing by Government Department is possible by term or specific dates from March 2016 onwards. Written answers are published as received from departments. To see parliamentary questions published before July 2012, search in Dáil debates.
Questions and answers for Dáil or Seanad term
Page 8 of 14
Thu, 30 Jan 2014
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Child and Family Agency Staff
Robert Dowds
185. Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if reports in the press by the Children's Rights Alliance earlier in the year that there are no child psychologists employed by the new Child and Family Agency are correct; and her plans to change same. [4701/14]
Tue, 28 Jan 2014
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Small and Medium Enterprises Supports
Robert Dowds
332. Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if he will support the introduction of a support scheme for small businesses where the Government would employ a person to look after the accounts and payroll for several small new businesses, thus encouraging more entrepreneurs to start their own businesses and help job creation. [3780/14]
Tue, 28 Jan 2014
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Public Services Card Provision
Robert Dowds
443. Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for Social Protection the measures put in place and progress to date in dealing with the high volume of applicants for the public services card; the number of hits on the new work ready reckoner; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4316/14]
Wed, 15 Jan 2014
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Foreign Conflicts
Robert Dowds
19. Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his response to recent events in South Sudan. [1486/14]
Wed, 15 Jan 2014
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Employment Support Services
Robert Dowds
385. Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for Social Protection the type of work to be done under the new Intreo scheme. [1424/14]
Wed, 15 Jan 2014
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Employment Support Services
Robert Dowds
386. Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for Social Protection the way the Intreo programme is being rolled out across the country. [1425/14]
Wed, 15 Jan 2014
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Garda Recruitment
Robert Dowds
601. Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for Justice and Equality when the first intake of Garda recruits will be ready for duty; and the number that will be included in that intake. [1741/14]
Wed, 15 Jan 2014
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Garda Recruitment
Robert Dowds
602. Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of new Garda recruits he expects to come into the force in each of the years 2015 to 2017, inclusive. [1742/14]
Wed, 15 Jan 2014
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Garda Retirements
Robert Dowds
603. Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of gardaí he expects to retire in each of the years 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2017. [1743/14]
Wed, 11 Dec 2013
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Speech and Language Therapy
Robert Dowds
188. Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for Health when the Health Service Executive expects to approve the funding to fill the vacancy left by the resignation of a speech and language therapist working for an organisation (details supplied) in, Palmerstown, Dublin 20, and which has resulted in the cutting of speech and language services for young children in the area who are badly in need of such treatment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53215/13]
Tue, 10 Dec 2013
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Company Registration
Robert Dowds
228. Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if he will consider introducing legislation to create a public register of companies which would contain details on the identity of the true owners of each company operating in the State, as is set to be introduced in the UK; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52940/13]
Tue, 10 Dec 2013
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Medical Card Eligibility
Robert Dowds
500. Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for Health the reason the threshold for the over 70s medical card is not doubled for a couple in view of the fact that many other tax credits and allowances are doubled for a couple; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52714/13]
Wed, 4 Dec 2013
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Tax Exemptions
Robert Dowds
29. Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for Finance if a person who has been in receipt of one-parent family payment for a period in excess of 15 months, and who is seeking to work full time in their own business, will be eligible to avail of the start your own business scheme which allows for a two-year exemption from income tax for certain persons who set up their own businesses. [52035/13]
Tue, 3 Dec 2013
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School Equipment
Robert Dowds
102. Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for Education and Skills if his Department will examine publishing material suitable for classroom posters as pdf files for free download in order to assist schools with managing costs. [51414/13]
Tue, 3 Dec 2013
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Rent Supplement Scheme Data
Robert Dowds
178. Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for Social Protection the amount being spent on rent supplement and the numbers of households being supported by this payment, on a county basis, in tabular form. [51609/13]
Tue, 3 Dec 2013
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Property Taxation Application
Robert Dowds
235. Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if local authorities are obliged to charge their tenants for the property tax due for the house in which they reside, in view of the fact that the local authority has to pay the Revenue Commissioners the property tax due on each of the houses which it owns; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51300/13]
Tue, 3 Dec 2013
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Social and Affordable Housing Provision
Robert Dowds
247. Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will contact county councils requesting the following information in tabular form, namely, numbers of their social housing stock; numbers on the housing list; and numbers of tenants in the rental accommodation scheme. [51605/13]
Tue, 3 Dec 2013
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Social and Affordable Housing Provision
Robert Dowds
248. Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the number of social housing units being planned, by county, in tabular form. [51606/13]
Tue, 3 Dec 2013
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Housing Data
Robert Dowds
249. Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the number of families and single persons in hostel accommodation, by county, in tabular form. [51607/13]
Tue, 3 Dec 2013
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Private Rented Accommodation Provision
Robert Dowds
250. Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the number of private landlords registered with the Private Residential Tenancies Board in each of the years 2010, 2011, 2012 and to date in 2013. [51608/13]
Tue, 3 Dec 2013
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Commencement of Legislation
Robert Dowds
285. Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will provide update on work to commence Part 2 of the Criminal Justice Act 2011; and when it will be possible to complete same. [51415/13]
Thu, 28 Nov 2013
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Children and Family Services
Robert Dowds
149. Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs her plans for improved children's services in the Clondalkin, Dublin 22 area. [51199/13]
Thu, 28 Nov 2013
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Children and Family Services
Robert Dowds
150. Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs her plans for improved children's services in the Lucan, County Dublin area. [51200/13]
Thu, 28 Nov 2013
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HSE Expenditure
Robert Dowds
163. Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for Health if he will request of the Health Service Executive a list of all the bodies that receive section 39 funding in the current year and the amounts that they receive [51198/13]
Tue, 26 Nov 2013
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HSE Expenditure
Robert Dowds
638. Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for Health if he will provide, in tabular form, a breakdown of the petrol and diesel costs incurred by Health Service Executive staff in the Dublin mid-Leinster region for the past ten years. [50646/13]
Wed, 20 Nov 2013
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Closed Circuit Television Systems
Robert Dowds
150. Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will consider the installation of CCTV cameras in Garda stations and in holding cells to ensure the safety of Garda officers and those in custody; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49677/13]
Wed, 20 Nov 2013
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Garda Equipment
Robert Dowds
151. Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will consider introducing, on a trial basis, the placement of mini-cameras on the uniforms of gardaí, as is being trialled in police forces in the UK, to assist gardaí in prosecuting criminals and to ensure the safety of both gardaí and the members of the public with whom they deal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49678/13]
Wed, 20 Nov 2013
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Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission Remit
Robert Dowds
152. Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will consider strengthening the powers and impartiality of the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49679/13]
Tue, 19 Nov 2013
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Northern Ireland Issues
Robert Dowds
87. Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade when he last met the British Prime Minister, David Cameron; the extent to which he made him aware of the destabilising impact of marches and violence in Northern Ireland; and if the British Prime Minister and his Cabinet issued any response to these problems. [41829/13]
Tue, 12 Nov 2013
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Sentencing Policy
Robert Dowds
314. Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for Justice and Equality his view on whether Ireland has adequate legislation in terms of prosecuting white collar crime; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47978/13]
Tue, 12 Nov 2013
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Sentencing Policy
Robert Dowds
315. Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the sanctions that can be imposed on persons found guilty of white collar crime; and the length of sentence that can be imposed. [47979/13]
Tue, 12 Nov 2013
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Sentencing Policy
Robert Dowds
316. Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will clarify which white collar offences are civil and which are criminal. [47980/13]
Tue, 5 Nov 2013
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Office of Public Works Properties
Robert Dowds
357. Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will provide a breakdown of the cost per Civil Service employee of office space; and the way this compares to similar figures in the private sector. [46371/13]
Tue, 5 Nov 2013
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Office of Public Works Properties
Robert Dowds
358. Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will provide figures for the past three years for which data are available of the occupancy rate of property owned by Departments. [46372/13]
Tue, 5 Nov 2013
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Social Insurance Rates
Robert Dowds
412. Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will confirm the employer PRSI at the lower rate will return to 8.5% from January 2014 at the expiry of the special rate of 4.25%. [46373/13]
Tue, 5 Nov 2013
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Community Welfare Services
Robert Dowds
526. Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for Social Protection in relation to the centralisation of community welfare officers in Intreo offices, if the new offices will provide space for private discussion between a local resident and a community welfare officer. [46374/13]
Tue, 5 Nov 2013
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Energy Resources
Robert Dowds
608. Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the reasons energy resources lying within the territory of the State, including its territorial waters, cannot be nationalised and exploited by the State itself for the benefit of the Irish people as is the practice in other European states; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45672/13]
Tue, 5 Nov 2013
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Cash for Gold Trade
Robert Dowds
787. Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he is considering mandating identification checks on persons selling items at cash for gold outlets, following on from his Department's report on this issue last year. [46370/13]
Tue, 5 Nov 2013
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Rail Services
Robert Dowds
1294. Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the conditions for carriage of bicycles on Irish Rail, both DART and Intercity services; and if the conditions could be loosened on intercity services in order to facilitate cycle tourism. [47054/13]
Thu, 24 Oct 2013
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Office of Public Works Properties
Robert Dowds
119. Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will provide a list of all the properties leased or rented on behalf of the State which are not fully occupied; the extent to which these are not fully occupied; and the rent being paid by the State for the unoccupied space by building. [45338/13]
Thu, 24 Oct 2013
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Local Authority Housing Waiting Lists
Robert Dowds
177. Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the number of families on the housing list in each of the local authorities (details supplied). [45364/13]
Thu, 24 Oct 2013
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Local Authority Housing Waiting Lists
Robert Dowds
178. Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the number of private rented accommodation units that are available in each of the local authorities (details supplied). [45365/13]
Thu, 24 Oct 2013
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Local Authority Housing Waiting Lists
Robert Dowds
179. Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the extent to which private landlords are excluding families on local authority housing lists from consideration for housing in each of the local authorities (details supplied). [45366/13]
Thu, 24 Oct 2013
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Local Authority Housing Provision
Robert Dowds
180. Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his views on whether there is a growing housing crisis in the greater Dublin area especially for those on council housing lists; the extent of the problem and the way he will emerge from this problem. [45367/13]
Tue, 22 Oct 2013
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Illicit Trade in Tobacco
Robert Dowds
124. Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for Finance the actions taken to block the illegal entry of cigarettes and tobacco into the Irish market. [44206/13]
Tue, 22 Oct 2013
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Illicit Trade in Tobacco
Robert Dowds
125. Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for Finance if he will provide an update on what is being done to disrupt trafficking of cigarettes and tobacco into Ireland. [44207/13]
Tue, 22 Oct 2013
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Illicit Trade in Tobacco
Robert Dowds
126. Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for Finance the amount of illegal tobacco and tobacco products that has been seized by the Garda and customs officers in each of the years 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44208/13]
Tue, 22 Oct 2013
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Illicit Trade in Tobacco
Robert Dowds
127. Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for Finance the number of persons that have been either fined or jailed for illegal trafficking of cigarettes or tobacco in each of the years 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44209/13]
Tue, 22 Oct 2013
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Work Placement Programme
Robert Dowds
299. Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will provide an update on JobBridge; the extent of the scheme; and the numbers moving from JobBridge into permanent positions. [44683/13]
Tue, 22 Oct 2013
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Work Placement Programme
Robert Dowds
300. Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will carry out an in-depth investigation into the operation of JobBridge, especially in financially successful companies, to ascertain the extent of abuse of the scheme in private companies; the numbers that move from JobBridge to permanent employment within the same company; and if there is evidence of those companies using the talents of those on JobBridge without it leading to permanent positions [44684/13]