Parliamentary questions

European Council Meetings

Simon Harris

684. Deputy Simon Harris asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the formations of the EU Councils of Ministers on which he sits; the number of meetings of that Council held from 9 March 2011 to date in 2012; the number of those meetings he attended; the number attended by a Minister of State; the number attended by an Irish official; and if he will provide the names of those who attended in tabular form. [56555/12]

National Internship Scheme Numbers

Simon Harris

233. Deputy Simon Harris asked the Minister for Social Protection the progress that has been made to put in place a national graduate and apprentice internship scheme as outlined in the Programme for Government 2011; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [55076/12]

Jobs Initiative

Simon Harris

262. Deputy Simon Harris asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the actions being taken to overcome the issue of unemployment within the construction sector; if there are any supports in place for young apprentices; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54113/12]

National Internship Scheme Places

Simon Harris

306. Deputy Simon Harris asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of young people aged 18-25 who are availing of the JobBridge scheme; the metrics in place to measure the success of this scheme in tackling youth unemployment and in young people leaving the scheme upon completion to take up paid employment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [54109/12]

Youth Unemployment Data

Simon Harris

307. Deputy Simon Harris asked the Minister for Social Protection if the pathways to work scheme is successful in targeting youth unemployment; if it is being used by young people; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [54110/12]

Work Placement Programme

Simon Harris

308. Deputy Simon Harris asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of young graduates who have taken part in the work placement programme; if they have been successful in gaining further employment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [54111/12]

Employment Support Services

Simon Harris

309. Deputy Simon Harris asked the Minister for Social Protection the incentives are available for employers who hire a young unemployed person, currently receiving Social Welfare benefits; if there is an inclination for employers to use these incentives; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [54114/12]

Garda Vetting of Personnel

Simon Harris

440. Deputy Simon Harris asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the way a person who is self employed and who works with persons under 18 years of age can obtain Garda vetting; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53858/12]

Mental Health Services Provision

Simon Harris

540. Deputy Simon Harris asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if the Family Support Agency or any under agency under her remit provides funding to ensure that lower income families may avail of services such as psychotherapy and counselling; the level of funding available for same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53900/12]

General Medical Services Scheme Administration

Simon Harris

569. Deputy Simon Harris asked the Minister for Health the progress that has been made on advancing the commitment in the Health Service Executive Service Plan 2012; if he will enhance access to psychotherapy and counselling services for those eligible for the GMS; the level of funding set aside in the health budget for this purpose; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53751/12]

General Medical Services Scheme Administration

Simon Harris

575. Deputy Simon Harris asked the Minister for Health the progress that has been made on advancing the commitment in the Health Service Executive Service Plan 2012; if he will enhance access to psychotherapy and counselling service for those eligible for the GMS; the level of funding set aside in the health budget for this purpose; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

General Medical Services Scheme Administration

Simon Harris

579. Deputy Simon Harris asked the Minister for Health the way psychotherapists apply to provide subsidised therapy to patients eligible for the medical card; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53823/12]

Water Fluoridation

Simon Harris

585. Deputy Simon Harris asked the Minister for Health if he has given consideration to studies and reports regarding the fluoridation of water supplies and the way the fluoridation of water here differs from other countries; if he has a view or recommendation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53865/12]

Property Services Regulation

Simon Harris

171. Deputy Simon Harris asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if there is a central database or register of estates under the management of management companies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53527/12]

Medicinal Products Supply

Simon Harris

250. Deputy Simon Harris asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the issues around the provision of generic anti-epileptic drugs; the action he intends to take to implement the recommendations of the 2010 Moran report regarding AEDs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53526/12]

Health Services Provision

Simon Harris

244. Deputy Simon Harris asked the Minister for Health when a package of supports will be put in place for families whose children have been affected by unique narcolepsy disorder arising from vaccination with pandemrix; if he will give details of this package of supports; when this package of supports will be delivered; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53346/12]

Health Services Provision

Simon Harris

245. Deputy Simon Harris asked the Minister for Health the implementation status of the final report of the National Narcolepsy Study Steering Committee; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53347/12]

Overseas Development Aid Oversight

Simon Harris

175. Deputy Simon Harris asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will provide details of all countries whose Governments receive overseas aid from Ireland; the amount of aid each of these Governments received in 2011 and to date in 2012 from the Irish State; the specific purposes of aid funding provided to each of these countries; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52476/12]

Overseas Development Aid Oversight

Simon Harris

176. Deputy Simon Harris asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the amount of the Irish overseas aid budget provided in direct aid to foreign Governments; the amount provided to non-governmental organisation; the factors that are considered when deciding which funding stream is more appropriate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52477/12]

Overseas Development Aid Oversight

Simon Harris

177. Deputy Simon Harris asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the amount of Irish overseas aid that was provided in development aid in 2011 and to date in 2012; the amount that was provided in emergency aid in 2011 and to date in 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52478/12]

Overseas Development Aid Oversight

Simon Harris

178. Deputy Simon Harris asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade when he expects the €4 million in overseas aid which was misappropriated in Uganda to be returned to the Irish taxpayer; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52479/12]

Overseas Development Aid Oversight

Simon Harris

179. Deputy Simon Harris asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views on whether that the misappropriation of overseas aid from Ireland which occurred in Uganda could not happen again and has not happened in other countries to which Ireland provides overseas aid; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52480/12]

Human Rights Issues

Simon Harris

180. Deputy Simon Harris asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views on whether it is appropriate that Ireland continue to provide overseas aid directly to Governments such as the Ugandan Government which continue to propose laws that attach a person's human rights based on their sexuality; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52481/12]

Overseas Development Aid Oversight

Simon Harris

181. Deputy Simon Harris asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will provide details of all the non-governmental organisations that received overseas aid funding from Ireland in 2011 and to date in 2012; the amount each NGO received and the specific purposes for which this overseas aid was provided; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52482/12]

Banks Recapitalisation

Simon Harris

230. Deputy Simon Harris asked the Minister for Finance the number of meetings officials in his Department have had with public interest directors of Irish Banks in 2011 and to date in 2012; when the next such meetings are due; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52475/12]

Special Educational Needs Services Provision

Simon Harris

299. Deputy Simon Harris asked the Minister for Education and Skills when the review of the criteria for receiving an Irish exemption in schools will be concluded; if he envisages this review extending the criteria to include special needs such as autistic spectrum disorder and asperger's syndrome; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52483/12]

Youth Unemployment Data

Simon Harris

350. Deputy Simon Harris asked the Minister for Social Protection the strategies in place to address youth unemployment; if she is considering any further initiatives in this area; if she has had discussions at a European level in relation to this issue; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52484/12]

Childhood Obesity

Simon Harris

601. Deputy Simon Harris asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if her attention has been drawn to the growing problems with child nutrition here, particularly a recent study by the Food Safety Authority of Ireland showing that babies here are having fizzy drinks, cakes and so on at ages of less than six months old; his plans to address issues regarding child nutrition and to support families; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52474/12]

Obesity Levels

Simon Harris

649. Deputy Simon Harris asked the Minister for Health his plans to tackle obesity here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52469/12]

Obesity Levels

Simon Harris

650. Deputy Simon Harris asked the Minister for Health the statistics available to him in relation to obesity here; the number of Irish adults that are now obese; the number that are men; the number that are women; the way the figures compare to other countries; the level of increase in obesity here in the past 10 years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52470/12]

Obesity Levels

Simon Harris

651. Deputy Simon Harris asked the Minister for Health if there is a specific strategy in place to tackle child obesity; the number of Irish children that are obese; the way this compares to 10 years ago; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52471/12]

Hospital Procedures

Simon Harris

652. Deputy Simon Harris asked the Minister for Health the number of weight loss operations that have been carried out by the health service here in 2010, 2011 and to date in 2012; the number of hospitals here providing these operations; the waiting list for such an operation; the number of persons currently waiting on an operation for weight loss; the amount of funding in place for such operations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52472/12]

Hospital Services

Simon Harris

653. Deputy Simon Harris asked the Minister for Health the number of patients accessing weight management services in hospitals here; the amount of funding that was provided to these services in 2010, 2011 and to date in 2012; the number of persons on a waiting list to access these services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52473/12]

Special Educational Needs Services Provision

Simon Harris

246. Deputy Simon Harris asked the Minister for Education and Skills the way that he oversees the operation of autism spectrum disorders units; the supports and training provided for staff in these units; the standards and best practice models being utilised to ensure these ADS units are maximised to their potential; the number of ASD units currently in place in primary and secondary schools and the number of children enrolled at both primary and secondary level; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51156/12]

Special Educational Needs Staff Remuneration

Simon Harris

248. Deputy Simon Harris asked the Minister for Education and Skills if consideration for children with special needs should be incorporated in the enrolment policy of primary schools; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51170/12]

Carer's Allowance Applications

Simon Harris

173. Deputy Simon Harris asked the Minister for Social Protection if it is correct that a directive has been given to the carer's allowance section whereby two teams have been set up, one to deal with all carer's allowance applications from August 2012 and the second to deal with all applications received prior to August 2012; is it correct that applications from August 2012 will be dealt with quicker than applications in the system pre August; if this is the case, if she will explain the rationale behind such a directive and the reason applicants who have been waiting the longest are not having their applications processed first; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50428/12]

State Examinations Issues

Simon Harris

286. Deputy Simon Harris asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will outline the criteria in place for a student to avail of a smaller exam centre in a State exam and also for a student to have a person read the exam questions during the junior or leaving certificate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49868/12]

Carer's Allowance Applications

Simon Harris

404. Deputy Simon Harris asked the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding the backlog for carer's allowance payments; the number of outstanding applications; the average length of time each new claim takes to process from initial application to payment; the number of staff allocated to deal with new claims; the steps she take to reduce the backlog; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50114/12]

School Staffing

Simon Harris

290. Deputy Simon Harris asked the Minister for Education and Skills the current staffing schedule in respect of a school (details supplied) in County Wicklow for the current and previous school years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47451/12]

Homelessness Strategy

Simon Harris

682. Deputy Simon Harris asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the amount of funding given by his Department to assist projects to address homelessness in County Wicklow, in 2010, 2011 and to date in 2012; the organisation or local authority to which these funds were given; and the specific projects for which each tranche of funding was used; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47729/12]

Water and Sewerage Schemes Status

Simon Harris

175. Deputy Simon Harris asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his plans for the provision of a new sewerage treatment plant (details supplied) in County Wicklow; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46656/12]

Customs and Excise Controls

Simon Harris

165. Deputy Simon Harris asked the Minister for Finance the number of customs enforcement officers allocated to combat illegal cigarette smuggling here; the locations at which they are based; the number in each location; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44154/12]

Programme for Government Implementation

Simon Harris

123. Deputy Simon Harris asked the Taoiseach if he will outline in tabular form the commitments in the Programme for Government pertaining to his ministerial portfolio; the current status of these commitments in terms of implementation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42886/12]

Economic Management Council Meetings

Simon Harris

125. Deputy Simon Harris asked the Taoiseach when the chief executives of each bank which the State effectively owns or have large share holdings in, have last met with the Economic Management Council; when they are next due to attend such a meeting. [43206/12]

European Council Meetings

Simon Harris

127. Deputy Simon Harris asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will be attending the EU Foreign Affairs Council on 15 October 2012; if he expects the issue of a ban on Israeli goods to be discussed; his views on this matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42613/12]

Programme for Government Implementation

Simon Harris

130. Deputy Simon Harris asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will outline in tabular form the commitments in the Programme for Government pertaining to his ministerial portfolio; the current status of these commitments in terms of implementation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42880/12]

Bank Debt Restructuring

Simon Harris

139. Deputy Simon Harris asked the Minister for Finance if he has satisfied that the banks are utilising public funds which were given to them for the purpose of mortgage write down. [43206/12]

Programme for Government Implementation

Simon Harris

155. Deputy Simon Harris asked the Minister for Finance if he will outline in tabular form the commitments in the Programme for Government pertaining to his ministerial portfolio; the current status of these commitments in terms of implementation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42879/12]

Banking Sector Staff Issues

Simon Harris

172. Deputy Simon Harris asked the Minister for Finance if he will provide a list of all public interest directors that he appointed to bank boards; the role of these public interest directors; the number of times they report to him; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43204/12]

Banks Recapitalisation

Simon Harris

173. Deputy Simon Harris asked the Minister for Finance the amount of taxpayers' money that has been given to AIB for the purpose of writing down mortgages; the amount that has been used by this bank for that purpose; if he has satisfied himself that the bank is utilising such public funds for the purpose they were given; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43205/12]