Parliamentary questions

Universal Health Insurance Provision

Terence Flanagan

239. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Health if the prospect of universal health insurance is no longer feasible in view of the fact that the population with health insurance fell from 52% to 45% in recent years, with the real expectation that it will fall to 40%; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45371/13]

Health Insurance Cover

Terence Flanagan

240. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Health if he has increased the public health budget to allow for the 75,000 persons that will move across to the public system as they cancel their health insurance policies this year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45372/13]

Rail Services

Terence Flanagan

271. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he has held any discussions with Iarnród Éireann regarding the substantial problems that commuters have been experiencing with reduced carriage services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45373/13]

Rail Services

Terence Flanagan

272. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on whether it would be justified for Iarnród Éireann to increase its fares by up to 10.3%, as has been apparently approved by the National Transport Authority, in view of the poor service that commuters have been subjected to as a result of fewer carriages being made available at peak times; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45376/13]

Property Taxation Administration

Terence Flanagan

94. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Finance if improvements will be made to the local property tax department in the Revenue Commissioners to ensure that any concerns regarding payment are responded to quickly and efficiently (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45300/13]

Local Authority Charges Yield

Terence Flanagan

160. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the number of companies here that are paying €500,000 and over in rates per annum; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45085/13]

National Archives

Terence Flanagan

84. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the amount of funding allocated to the National Archives, Bishop Street, Dublin for 2012 and 2013. [44257/13]

Pension Provisions

Terence Flanagan

145. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Finance the position regarding a pension in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 3; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44584/13]

Schools Building Projects Status

Terence Flanagan

175. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding school prefabs in respect of a school (details supplied) in Dublin 3; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44176/13]

Freedom of Information Legislation

Terence Flanagan

214. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the position regarding the Freedom of Information Bill (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44693/13]

Supplementary Welfare Allowance Eligibility

Terence Flanagan

229. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Social Protection if a person (details supplied) in Dublin 3 is entitled to any supplementary benefit; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44123/13]

Hydraulic Fracturing Policy

Terence Flanagan

341. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will provide an update regarding the fracking process here (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44341/13]

Planning Issues

Terence Flanagan

351. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will consider introducing legislation restricting high tree growth to address ongoing difficulties with lack of light and loss of light for affected householders; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44287/13]

Pyrite Remediation Programme Issues

Terence Flanagan

356. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide an update on the pyrite remediation scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44432/13]

Garda Recruitment

Terence Flanagan

385. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality his plans to employ additional gardaí; and if members of the Irish Army will be deployed to help gardaí with their duties. [44137/13]

Cochlear Implants

Terence Flanagan

558. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Health if funding will be allocated this year for bilateral cochlear implants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44583/13]

Rent Supplement Scheme Administration

Terence Flanagan

62. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will review eligibility for rent supplement to include issues such as the need not to participate in anti-social behaviour; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43137/13]

Commercial Rates Valuation Process

Terence Flanagan

151. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide in tabular form the net effect of the commercial rates revaluation on each local authority; if compensation will be given to local authorities who lose income as a result of the revaluation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43920/13]

Proposed Legislation

Terence Flanagan

154. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the timeline for his introduction of an updated child sex offenders Bill; if he will ensure this legislation provides that convicted sex offenders are not able to reside within a certain radius of schools; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43916/13]

Early Child Care Education Issues

Terence Flanagan

190. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the timeline for publication for the early years strategy which is currently being prepared by her Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43947/13]

Hospice Services

Terence Flanagan

209. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update regarding the delay in opening the 24-bed unit in Blanchardstown hospice; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44010/13]

Special Educational Needs Staffing

Terence Flanagan

22. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Education and Skills if more special needs assistants are being employed to assist with the increase in the number of children with a disability enrolling in mainstream and special schools; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43800/13]

Psychological Assessments

Terence Flanagan

23. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the steps he is taking to ensure that more educational psychological assessments are available for children to help them access educational supports (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43806/13]

Labour Activation Projects

Terence Flanagan

52. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Social Protection her plans to make more of the labour market activation programmes available to person with a disability; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43801/13]

Broadband Services Speeds

Terence Flanagan

64. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the position regarding poor broadband speeds (details supplied) in Dublin 5; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43805/13]

Services for People with Disabilities

Terence Flanagan

96. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the steps he is taking to ensure that more persons with disabilities have opportunities to gain employment (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43799/13]

Primary Care Services Provision

Terence Flanagan

142. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Health the position regarding a grant in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 13; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43750/13]

Services for People with Disabilities

Terence Flanagan

144. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Health the steps being taken to ensure that the 763 children who have been waiting six months or more for an assessment of need under the Disability Act will be assessed as soon as possible; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43757/13]

Primary Care Services Provision

Terence Flanagan

145. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Health the actions being taken by his Department to reduce waiting times for children to be assessed by a primary care occupational therapist (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43758/13]

Services for People with Disabilities

Terence Flanagan

149. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact that persons with an intellectual disability and or autism have been hit by a number of accumulated cuts over the past five years; his views on the importance of ensuring that those with an intellectual disability and or autism should be supported by the Government, especially during these difficult economic times (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43762/13]

Congregated Settings Report

Terence Flanagan

164. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Health when the recommendations of the congregated settings report, to remove people from congregated, segregated institutions, will be implemented; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43807/13]

Speech and Language Therapy

Terence Flanagan

167. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Health the action being taken by his Department to ensure that the 34,617 persons awaiting speech and language therapy, 6,500 of whom are waiting longer than a year, will receive the services required as soon as possible; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43859/13]

Property Taxation Administration

Terence Flanagan

14. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Finance the reason property tax is not being deducted from the pension of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 5; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43163/13]

Property Taxation Administration

Terence Flanagan

15. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Finance the reason local property tax has not been deducted from a pension of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 5; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43165/13]

Pupil-Teacher Ratio

Terence Flanagan

49. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he recognises the importance of maintaining smaller class sizes in primary schools as they allow children to have more space physically; if he will provide children with greater access to resources; if he will allow them more time to speak and more direct contact with their teachers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43076/13]

Capitation Grants

Terence Flanagan

50. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Education and Skills if his attention has been drawn to the problems that schools are experiencing following cuts to capitation from €200 per child to €176 per child; if he will ensure that no further cuts to capitation will take place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43077/13]

Special Educational Needs Staffing

Terence Flanagan

53. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding a special needs assistant in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 13; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43162/13]

School Enrolments

Terence Flanagan

54. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will confirm the automatic feeder secondary school for a primary school (details supplied) in Dublin 3; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43184/13]

School Management

Terence Flanagan

68. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Education and Skills his views on primary school children (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43424/13]

Community Work Initiatives

Terence Flanagan

144. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Social Protection her plans to introduce a Tús training budget so that persons may expand their skills to progress in the labour market while taking part in the scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43257/13]

Youth Guarantee

Terence Flanagan

145. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Social Protection her plans to roll out the youth guarantee scheme in local communities where unemployment is exceptionally high; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43264/13]

Supplementary Welfare Allowance Expenditure

Terence Flanagan

169. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Social Protection if her Department assists with secondary school costs for twins, other than the clothing and footwear allowance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43505/13]

Priory Hall Development

Terence Flanagan

229. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will address concerns expressed in relation to Priory Hall (details supplied) in Dublin 13; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43265/13]

General Medical Services Scheme Administration

Terence Flanagan

403. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Health if he will address concerns regarding the availability of smoking patches (details supplied) in Dublin 5; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43164/13]

Judicial Pay

Terence Flanagan

88. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the total salaries and benefits paid to judges in each court; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42889/13]

Courts Service Issues

Terence Flanagan

159. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will provide a breakdown of the running costs for the courts over the past five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42888/13]

Courts Staff

Terence Flanagan

160. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of judges appointed to each court and the total hours the courts sit for annually; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42889/13]

Professional Fees

Terence Flanagan

185. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Health the reduction of payments to health professionals that has been made by his Department over the past year; his plans to reduce further payments made by his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42788/13]

Tax Code

Terence Flanagan

68. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Finance the reason a divorced person is classified as self-employed for tax purposes (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42698/13]

Supplementary Welfare Allowance Payments

Terence Flanagan

135. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Social Protection her plans to reduce the amounts available for social welfare recipients to claim for kitchen appliances and household furniture; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42692/13]

Heritage Council Funding

Terence Flanagan

139. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if he will ensure there are no further cuts to the budget of the Heritage Council in 2013; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the council is seeking an increase in its budget this year of €1 million, to benefit communities across Ireland, following a decrease in the council's budget of 66% from 2008 to 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42693/13]

Accident and Emergency Departments Waiting Times

Terence Flanagan

196. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Health the maximum permissible time that a person will be left on a trolley at Beaumont Hospital accident and emergency department; the maximum recorded time that a person has been left on a trolley at Beaumont accident and emergency department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42694/13]

Hospital Waiting Lists

Terence Flanagan

197. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Health the number of persons on each waiting list to see each speciality at Beaumont Hospital; the average time spent on the list waiting to see a specialist; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42695/13]

Hospital Waiting Lists

Terence Flanagan

198. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Health the target accident and emergency waiting time at Beaumont Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42696/13]

Hospital Waiting Lists

Terence Flanagan

199. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Health the current average waiting time for patients waiting to be treated in Beaumont Hospital accident and emergency; the steps being taken to reduce the waiting times; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42697/13]

School Uniforms

Terence Flanagan

103. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to ensure parents have access to generic school uniforms; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42148/13]

Bullying in Schools

Terence Flanagan

122. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will provide an update on the work of his Department on tackling bullying; the timetable for the delivery of the action plan from the working group on bullying; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42144/13]

VAT Payments

Terence Flanagan

148. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Finance the way his Department ensures that it receives its complete entitlement of VAT from online sales; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41909/13]

Pensions Levy Issues

Terence Flanagan

169. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Finance if he will address concerns raised by a person (details supplied) in Dublin 13 regarding pension levy funds; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42109/13]

Flood Prevention Measures

Terence Flanagan

274. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the position regarding measures to prevent flooding from the River Wad in Donnycarney (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41992/13]

Employment Appeals Tribunal

Terence Flanagan

285. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation his plans to bring in legislation to deal with the gap in the law (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42106/13]

Motor Fuels Issues

Terence Flanagan

379. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the regulations that are in place to check the quality of diesel before it is sold to the consumer; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41858/13]

Nursing Education

Terence Flanagan

514. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Health if he is concerned that nurses are emigrating because of the additional training years included in the Haddington Road agreement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42078/13]

Prescription Charges

Terence Flanagan

517. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Health his plans to abolish prescription fees for medical card holders when they reach 80 years of age; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41799/13]

Services for People with Disabilities

Terence Flanagan

532. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Health the position regarding cuts to Prosper Fingal (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41908/13]

Vaccine Damage Compensation Scheme

Terence Flanagan

533. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Health the position regarding the introduction of a vaccine damage compensation scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41910/13]

Public Transport Initiatives

Terence Flanagan

605. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the position regarding a public transport walking initiative in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 13; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41873/13]

VAT Rate Reductions

Terence Flanagan

51. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Finance if he will re-think his plans to increase the VAT rate from 9% to 13.5% in view of the negative effect this will have on employment in the hospitality sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41482/13]

Litter Pollution

Terence Flanagan

162. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the cost of cleansing in the aftermath of Arthur's Day; if he will ensure that local authorities recoup costs for private sponsored events; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41648/13]

Garda Vetting of Personnel

Terence Flanagan

167. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the procedure carried out by authorities to vet workers employed in the child care industry; the waiting time for Garda clearance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41602/13]

Garda Vetting of Personnel

Terence Flanagan

168. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if a yearly Garda clearance certificate could be produced for those working in the child care industry and that there be a legal obligation on an employer when recruiting a new member of staff to check that the certificate is valid; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41603/13]

Garda Vetting of Personnel

Terence Flanagan

169. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the new measures he has adopted to streamline the issuing of Garda clearance for those workers who need clearance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41604/13]

Early Child Care Education Issues

Terence Flanagan

217. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she has plans to extend the early childhood care and education scheme so that children can avail of two years as opposed to one; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41622/13]

HSE Data

Terence Flanagan

235. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Health the accident and emergency numbers in the aftermath of Arthur's Day; if he will ensure that hospitals recoup costs for private sponsored events; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41649/13]

Mortgage Interest Relief Application

Terence Flanagan

196. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of persons to whom her Department is paying mortgage interest supplement; the minimum mortgage interest supplement amount per month paid to a person; the maximum mortgage interest supplement amount per month paid to a person; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41282/13]

Garda Operations

Terence Flanagan

216. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the cost and the number of extra gardaí that were employed to police Arthur's Day; if he will be billing the promoter of the event; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41252/13]

Garda Operations

Terence Flanagan

217. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the cost and the number of extra gardaí that were employed to police the All-Ireland finals this year; if the GAA is billed for the event; the amount of policing costs which is recouped for concerts in general, across the various stadia throughout the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41253/13]

Rail Network

Terence Flanagan

80. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to upgrade the western rail corridor; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40884/13]

Tourism Promotion

Terence Flanagan

133. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the steps he is taking to support tourism in the regions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40883/13]

Tax Code

Terence Flanagan

205. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Finance if he will consider reversing excise duty increases on wine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40771/13]

Third Level Fees

Terence Flanagan

277. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will clarify the fees status in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 5; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40796/13]

Referendum Expenditure

Terence Flanagan

292. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the budgeted cost for the two forthcoming referendums with a breakdown regarding the staff costs and other costs and to state the budgeted and actual cost of the children's referendum with a breakdown in costs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41099/13]

State Bodies Abolition

Terence Flanagan

300. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the position regarding plans to reduce the number of quangos; the number of quangos that have been abolished to date; his future plans to reduce the number; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41081/13]

Tourism Employment

Terence Flanagan

314. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the steps he is taking to ensure that trained Irish chefs are provided with opportunities to work in this country (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41022/13]

Priory Hall Development

Terence Flanagan

452. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will follow up on the commitment given during the Order of Business on 19 September that a formal reporting process be put in place to keep all local public representatives and the residents' committee of Priory Hall updated on all developments with the various interested parties such as the banks, Dublin City Council and the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government in relation to resolving the Priory Hall debacle; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40431/13]

Garda Vetting of Personnel

Terence Flanagan

504. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the position regarding Garda vetting (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40987/13]

Judicial Appointments

Terence Flanagan

508. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the way the judges for the new court of appeal will be appointed if the referendum on the matter is passed (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41021/13]

Harbour Authority Properties

Terence Flanagan

544. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide an update on the introduction of paid parking in Howth, County Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41024/13]

Haulage Industry Regulation

Terence Flanagan

639. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will confirm the derogation for overheight trucks on public roads here will not be extended beyond 31 October 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40802/13]

Non-Consultant Hospital Doctors Working Conditions

Terence Flanagan

7. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Health the steps he is taking to deal with the shortage of non-consultant hospital doctors; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39925/13]

Hospitals Discharges

Terence Flanagan

21. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Health the steps he is taking to address delayed discharges from acute hospitals in the Dublin region; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39924/13]

Seed Capital Scheme Eligibility

Terence Flanagan

74. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Finance if he will consider providing a concession in the upcoming Finance Bill regarding the conditions of the seed capital scheme (details supplied) in Dublin 3; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40169/13]

Mobility Allowance Decision

Terence Flanagan

259. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Health his plans to remove the mobility grant and replace it with a new scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40285/13]

Garda Investigations

Terence Flanagan

23. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will have the case of the murder of Garda Richard Fallon on 3 April 1970 independently reviewed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39610/13]

Tax Reliefs Application

Terence Flanagan

94. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his views on correspondence (details supplied) regarding a taxsaver ticket; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40120/13]

Priory Hall Development

Terence Flanagan

136. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will follow up on the Taoiseach's commitment given during the Order of Business on 19 September that a formal reporting process be put in place to keep all local public representatives and the residents' committee of Priory Hall, Dublin 13, updated on all developments with the various interested parties such as the banks, Dublin City Council and his Department, in relation to the situation at Priory Hall; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39978/13]

Medical Card Eligibility

Terence Flanagan

196. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Health his plans to provide medical card for children suffering from serious illnesses that require ongoing treatment, regardless of parents' income; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40125/13]

Air Services Provision

Terence Flanagan

207. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he supports the amendment tabled to EU air passenger rights legislation to affirm the right of passengers to carry an extra bag without fear of financial penalty on all airlines; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39980/13]

Live Exports

Terence Flanagan

54. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the steps he is taking to support a live cattle trade; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39442/13]

VAT Rates Reductions

Terence Flanagan

205. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Finance if he will keep the 9% VAT rate for the tourism industry in budget 2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39633/13]