Parliamentary questions

General Practitioner Services

Tom Fleming

568. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Health his plans to roll out free general practitioner care for all by 2015; the way it will be funded; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53749/12]

Health Services Provision

Tom Fleming

574. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Health if he will roll out nationally the Ulysses pain management programme that began in Tallaght hospital, Dublin, in 2002 and has helped dramatically improve the lives of persons with this condition; if he will take into consideration the latest figures that claim that chronic pain costs the economy millions of euro every year in treatment costs and lost productivity; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53813/12]

Hospital Waiting Lists

Tom Fleming

614. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Health if he will address the waiting lists for ear nose and throat services at Kerry General Hospital where currently 739 adults and 427 children are on the waiting list; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that following a validation exercise the figures for County Kerry have increased significantly; if he will ensure that the County Kerry public receive the service they deserve; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53990/12]

Medical Card Appeals

Tom Fleming

629. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Health the reason it takes an average four to six weeks for a medical card file that has been refused by the PCRS in Dublin to reach appeals in County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54120/12]

Addiction Treatment Services

Tom Fleming

637. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Health if he will make provision in Budget 2013 for adequate capital funding to enable the proposed extension to the Talbot Grove Addiction Treatment Centre, Castleisland, County Kerry, to proceed, and ensure that the facility can continue to provide and enhance the existing service it has provided to thousands of people; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54262/12]

Hospital Staff Issues

Tom Fleming

638. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Health the required complement of radiographers to satisfy the needs of Kerry General Hospital; the cost of employing each radiographer on a fixed term contract directly per annum by the Health Service Executive at the bottom of the scale versus the cost at which the HSE is paying to agencies for the same grade radiographers per annum at Kerry General Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54263/12]

Medical Card Applications

Tom Fleming

639. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Health the position regarding a medical card application in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54265/12]

Consultancy Contracts Issues

Tom Fleming

66. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Finance the costs of consultants hired by the Revenue Commissioners in 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 and up to the end of October 2012; the name of the consultancy firms hired by Revenue; the Departments to which they were assigned; and the total cost per year of each of these consultancy firms. [53565/12]

Medical Card Appeals

Tom Fleming

241. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Health if he will expedite a decision on a medical card appeal in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53460/12]

Mental Health Services Provision

Tom Fleming

260. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Health if he will ensure that the promise to invest €35 million annually in community mental health service is honoured in Budget 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53630/12]

Bus Éireann Services

Tom Fleming

273. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will request Bus Éireann to provide a bus shelter in Killorglin town, County Kerry, as a matter of urgency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53522/12]

Sports Capital Programme Applications

Tom Fleming

276. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will allocate capital sports grant funding to a club (details supplied) in County Kerry to allow for the development of their new playing pitches and facilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53561/12]

Sports Capital Programme Applications

Tom Fleming

277. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will allocate capital sports grant funding to a club (details supplied) in County Kerry who need to upgrade their existing playing pitches as they are catering for a huge catchment area. [53562/12]

Arts Council Funding

Tom Fleming

144. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if he will acknowledge the role played by Siamsa Tíre, Tralee, County Kerry and ensure that there are no further cuts to the Arts Council budget; if he will acknowledge the benefit of the Arts to Tralee town and surrounding areas; if he will ensure that Siamsa Tíre is adequately funded in order that they can continue to run their vibrant and professional programme of events; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53280/12]

Medical Card Appeals

Tom Fleming

220. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Health when a decision will issue on a medical card appeal in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53135/12]

Arts Funding

Tom Fleming

445. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if he will acknowledge the role played by communities and individuals involved in the Arts throughout the country and ensure that there are no further cuts to the Arts Council budget; if he will ensure that a film festival (details supplied) is adequately funded to enable them to continue to run their vibrant and professional programme of events; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52341/12]

Irish Language Issues

Tom Fleming

448. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht when will the scheme for families who wish to raise their children through Irish, Clar Tacaiochta Teaglaigh, be rolled out in County Kerry; the number of many families that have availed of this scheme in each Gaeltacht area to date; his views on whether the scheme should be made more attractive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52890/12]

Cancer Screening Programmes

Tom Fleming

680. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Health If he will consider extending the rapid access clinics that were rolled out to help early detection of prostate cancer to other acute hospitals across the country; if he will take into consideration the success of the new clinics where one in three men referred for rapid assessment of prostate cancer were diagnosed with the disease, thus ensuring that these men are having their cancer diagnosed and treated earlier, which should lead to better outcomes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52761/12]

Bovine Disease Controls

Tom Fleming

172. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will consider increasing the age limit from 18 to 24 months in respect of heifers requiring a brucellosis pre-movement test; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52021/12]

Disadvantaged Areas Scheme Eligibility

Tom Fleming

174. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will ensure that no genuine farmers are excluded under the unfair retrospective 0.3u/ha stocking rate criteria in respect of the disadvantaged area scheme and that the appeals system works effectively and that no payments are held up; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52024/12]

Disadvantaged Areas Scheme Payments

Tom Fleming

175. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of applications that have been approved, refused, under consideration or appeal in respect of the disadvantaged area scheme in 2012; the amounts of funding involved; the figures for County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52030/12]

Disadvantaged Areas Scheme Payments

Tom Fleming

176. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of applications that have been approved, refused, under consideration or appeal in respect of the single farm payment scheme in 2012; the amounts of funding involved; the figures for County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52031/12]

Medical Card Applications

Tom Fleming

193. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Health if he will expedite a medical card application in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52009/12]

Farm Safety

Tom Fleming

107. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if the farm safety campaign will be extended to include school children and older farmers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51694/12]

Live Exports

Tom Fleming

189. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine If he will restore the live trade to Libya, Egypt and the Lebanon which will provide vital price competition and outlets for stock; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51691/12]

Farm Household Incomes

Tom Fleming

190. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to assist farmers, where in some sectors their incomes will be down as much as 30% as a result of the bad weather, rising feed costs, rising fertiliser costs and rising fuel costs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51693/12]

Commonage Framework Plans

Tom Fleming

540. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will reject out of hand the policy document on the future management of commonage land here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51292/12]

Student Grant Scheme Payments

Tom Fleming

113. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will review the qualification criteria currently being applied and process all student grant applications as a matter of urgency; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that more than 66,000 applications have been received by Student Universal Support Ireland, SUSI, and to date only 18,000 have been processed, 9,000 of these have been approved, a further 9,000 have been refused, leaving 48,000 to be processed and finalised; if he will review the qualification guidelines being applied by SUSI in the current economic climate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50636/12]

Teacher Training Provision

Tom Fleming

122. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will intervene in any efforts by the Higher Education Authority to remove home economics initial teacher education from a campus (details supplied) in County Sligo and relocating same to NUI Galway campus; if he acknowledges that the college has a highly reputable international standing within home economics and home economics teacher education with regard to research and academic subject expertise; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50771/12]

Tourism Promotion

Tom Fleming

260. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will support the development of the Irish Cultural-GAA Museum at Fitzgerald Stadium, Killarney, County Kerry; if he acknowledges the potential this €3 million project has for tourism in the county; if he will request Fáilte Ireland to support and provide funding for this project in 2013 that has the potential to be one of Ireland's greatest tourist attractions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50827/12]

Hospital Appointments Administration

Tom Fleming

274. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Health if he will arrange an appointment with the audiology department in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50552/12]

Health Services Staff

Tom Fleming

277. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Health if he will direct the Health Service Executive to appoint a replacement doctor to the dispensary in Sneem, County Kerry even on a temporary basis of two mornings and two evenings a week in view of the fact that the discontinuation of this service in the dispensary over the past 12 months has caused much inconvenience to local residents; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50566/12]

Sports Capital Programme Applications

Tom Fleming

286. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will examine an application in respect of a pre-school (details supplied) in County Kerry. [50565/12]

Domiciliary Care Allowance Appeals

Tom Fleming

366. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Social Protection when a decision will issue on a domiciliary care allowance appeal in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49700/12]

Home Help Service Provision

Tom Fleming

655. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Health the number of elderly persons in the region of 80 years of age living alone, with serious illness, who had their home help hours reduced by more than two hours per week in the most recent cutbacks in each of the following areas in County Kerry, Tralee, Killarney, Kenmare, Rathmore, Castleisland, Dingle, Listowel and Killorglin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50071/12]

Hospital Staff Issues

Tom Fleming

659. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Health when the promised podiatry post at Kerry General Hospital that was sanctioned in April 2012 be filled; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50080/12]

Tourism Promotion

Tom Fleming

686. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will request Failte Ireland to support and provide funding to four festivals in County Kerry (details supplied); if he will ask Failte Ireland to take into consideration the importance of these festivals to tourism in the county and the very special effort that they are making for the Gathering in 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49760/12]

Student Grant Scheme Applications

Tom Fleming

137. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of student grant applications that have been received by Student Universal Support Ireland; the number that have been processed, awarded, refused or awaiting decision to date; the number of applications received from County Kerry; the number of these that have been processed, awarded, refused or awaiting decision to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49105/12]

Medical Card Applications

Tom Fleming

348. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Health the position regarding an emergency medical card in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49353/12]

Aquaculture Licences Applications

Tom Fleming

178. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will expedite the processing of applications for aquaculture licences in Castlemaine harbour, County Kerry; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that these delays are hindering investment in the industry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48843/12]

Rural Environment Protection Scheme Applications

Tom Fleming

179. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will investigate the delay in the processing a REP scheme application in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48852/12]

Agriculture Schemes Expenditure

Tom Fleming

89. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on the way that the various farm schemes will be funded in 2013 in view of the challenges (details supplied) facing many farmers. [48448/12]

Overseas Development Aid Oversight

Tom Fleming

182. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will provide a detailed breakdown of all moneys allocated to Irish aid for overseas development during the past five years; if he is satisfied that all moneys went to the projects for which they were intended; if all this funding was spent appropriately and accounted for; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48735/12]

Special Educational Needs Services Provision

Tom Fleming

336. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will assign full special needs assistants hours in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48073/12]

Invalidity Pension Appeals

Tom Fleming

578. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will expedite a decision on an invalidity pension appeal in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48321/12]

Energy Conservation

Tom Fleming

621. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will review a decision on a Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland grant application under the better energy communities pilot 2012 scheme in respect of an organisation (details supplied) in County Kerry that was recently declined; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48180/12]

Television Reception

Tom Fleming

637. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will intervene and ensure that all households in County Kerry receive the quality television reception they deserve at the earliest possible date; has his attention been drawn to the fact that many households in County Kerry are now without a television reception due to the digital switchover to Saorview; if he will address this very difficult situation for hundreds of households in the county; his views on it being unfair to proceed with the switchover without in the first instance guaranteeing that all households would receive coverage; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47978/12]

Television Reception

Tom Fleming

643. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will provide statistics regarding the progress of Saorview since its introduction on 24 October 2012 and in relation to areas of County Kerry where the existing TV transmission masts were decommissioned on that date; the number of residents in those areas where Saorview is not functioning, and saorsat option is on viable due to weather factors; if he will, in conjunction with RTÉ, address the deficiencies in the infrastructure and upgrade a retrofit of existing masts in these problematic areas. [48116/12]

Local Authority Housing Provision

Tom Fleming

675. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the number of council housing loans that have been approved by each local authority in 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 and to date in 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47697/12]

Local Authority Housing Rents

Tom Fleming

676. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the number of council tenants that were in arrears in each local authority in 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 and to date in 2012; the total number that were in arrears for each year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47700/12]

Local Authority Housing Rents

Tom Fleming

677. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the number of council tenants that were in arrears in each local authority in 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 and to date in 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47701/12]

Local Authority Housing Rents

Tom Fleming

678. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the number of households that acquired council housing loans that were in arrears in each local authority in 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 and to date in 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47702/12]

Local Authority Housing Provision

Tom Fleming

686. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the number of council houses that were constructed in each local authority in 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 and to date in 2012; the total number that were constructed each year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47718/12]

Local Authority Housing Provision

Tom Fleming

687. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the number of houses that were purchased in each local authority in 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 and to date in 2012 for social housing; the total number that were purchased each year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47720/12]

Local Authority Housing Rents

Tom Fleming

690. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the number of households with council housing loans that were in arrears in each local authority in 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 and to date in 2012; the total number that were in arrears for each year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47713/12]

Rental Accommodation Scheme Application Numbers

Tom Fleming

695. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the number of families or persons on the rental accommodation scheme in each local authority area for each year since the scheme was first introduced; the cost of the scheme to each local authority; the total cost of operating the scheme each year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47858/12]

Local Authority Leases

Tom Fleming

697. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the number of contracts signed and the number of houses that were leased to qualified housing applicants in each local authority in 2011 and to date in 2012; the total number of properties leased; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47853/12]

Commercial Rates Calculations

Tom Fleming

720. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the commercial rate payable in tabular form for each of the following, county councils, city councils and town councils; the average rate for each county including city and town councils where applicable; the average rate for all county and city and town councils in the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48294/12]

Local Authority Housing Provision

Tom Fleming

730. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the number of qualified housing applicants in each local authority for social housing; the total number of housing applicants; the measures he will take to address the housing crisis here; when the National Assets Management Agency properties will be released to local authorities; the format that this will take; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48558/12]

Local Authority Housing Provision

Tom Fleming

760. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the measures he proposes to take to address the housing situation in County Kerry; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that there are almost 5,000 qualified housing applicants between the three town councils and Kerry County Council; if his further attention has been drawn to the fact that his Department has informed Kerry County Council that they will only receive funding to construct three local authority houses over the next three years; when the National Assets Management Agency properties will be released to local authorities; the format this will take; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48732/12]

Local Authority Housing Provision

Tom Fleming

761. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the discussions and negotiations he has had with the National Management Agency regarding the release of National Assets Management Agency properties for social housing; when Kerry County Council and the three town councils will be informed of their allocation as there is now a housing crisis in the county with almost 5,000 qualified housing applicants on the waiting lists; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48733/12]

Garda Stations Closures

Tom Fleming

828. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will refrain from closing additional Garda stations in rural areas; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the elderly and those living alone are now living in constant fear and are feeling increasingly isolated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48736/12]

Hospital Services

Tom Fleming

1029. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Health the steps he proposes to take to address concerns (details supplied) in respect of Kerry General Hospital where as a result of cuts up to 500 surgical operations were cancelled over the summer period and a further 300 cancellations are planned between now and the end of the year; if he will reassure the County Kerry public that this hospital will not be downgraded; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47669/12]

Hospitals Building Programme

Tom Fleming

1071. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Health if he will provide a detailed progress report on the new Kenmare, Community Hospital, County Kerry; when the new hospital will be ready to open; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48029/12]

Medical Card Applications

Tom Fleming

1125. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Health if he will investigate the medical card review in respect of a person (details supplied). [48220/12]

Hospital Waiting Lists

Tom Fleming

1134. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Health when a hospital appointment will ssue for surgery in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48320/12]

Medical Card Applications

Tom Fleming

1149. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Health when a decision will issue on a medical card renewal application in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48371/12]

Medical Card Appeals

Tom Fleming

1158. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Health when a decision will issue on a medical card appeal application in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48422/12]

Voluntary Sector Funding

Tom Fleming

1186. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Health if he will look at the budget for an organisation (details supplied) as a special case; if he will acknowledge the tremendous work that this organisation is carrying out and the truly great success story that it is; if he will reverse the 5% cut to their budget next year that equates to €400,000 in cuts to vital services; his views on whether such a cut, if implemented, will send special needs services in County Kerry back decades; if he will make a special case for special needs services in the county; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48731/12]

Health Insurance Cost

Tom Fleming

1187. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Health if he will introduce a health insurance scheme that is fair and affordable for families and persons at an early date in view of the fact that thousands can no longer afford the rising costs of existing policies that are to be the subject of further increases in the new year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48734/12]

Mobility Allowance Eligibility

Tom Fleming

1188. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Health if persons who are genuinely entitled to the mobility allowance and who have been deprived of what has always been rightfully theirs are now going to be put into payment; if their payments will be backdated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48737/12]

Proposed Legislation

Tom Fleming

1206. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when the new Road Safety Bill that includes roadside tests for drug drivers will be introduced and made law; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47649/12]

Sports Capital Programme Applications

Tom Fleming

1220. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide a sports capital grant for the provision of an allweather playing pitch with lights in respect of a club (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48142/12]

Sports Capital Programme Applications

Tom Fleming

1232. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide a sports capital grant in respect of an organisation (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48535/12]

Road Projects Contracts

Tom Fleming

1243. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he and the National Roads Authority will clarify the uncertainty in relation to the M20 County Cork to County Limerick motorway project as it has added to the delay with the N21 Adare bypass that was recently refused planning permission by an Bord Pleanála and is a major blow to business and tourism in County Kerry; if his attention has been drawn to the impact the major bottleneck of traffic in Adare is having on tourism and job creation in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48730/12]

Agri-Environment Options Scheme Conditions

Tom Fleming

193. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will review the exclusion of hedgerows in the new agri envoirnment option scheme in view of the fact that these hedge rows are part of the traditional landscape of rural Ireland and are compatible with the priority items for eligibility in the EU environmental schemes for example the Rep schemes. [46943/12]

Ministerial Meetings

Tom Fleming

243. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Health when she will meet with a delegation representing patients, families, staff, community and the Iveragh Mental Health Association in respect of the proposed closure of a hostel (details supplied) in County Kerry and also in respect of plans for the development of mental health services in south Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46996/12]

Foreign Direct Investment

Tom Fleming

83. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the current status of the vacant unoccupied premises in County Kerry which were formerly operated by foreign direct investment companies and the location of each of these premises; the number of premises; the number of these premieses that are privately owned and the number owned by local government authorities and the location of advance factory premises in County Kerry; the efforts being made to attract jobs into each of the above mentioned premises in County Kerry; the unoccupied premises that have been visited by interested investors within the past three years and the progress made to attract jobs to these locations. [46785/12]

Fuel Allowance Applications

Tom Fleming

99. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Social Protection if a person on jobbridge who applies for the fuel allowance does not have the required 390 days on jobseeker's to qualify, if he will allow for the shortfall in days to come from the length of time a person has spent on jobbridge so as to allow these applicants qualify; his views on whether there is discrimination against all applicants in this situation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46739/12]

Rural Social Scheme Data

Tom Fleming

113. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Social Protection the total amount of persons participating in the rural social scheme countryside; the number of participants in each county by year since the introduction of the scheme; the numbers of eligible applicants currently on the waiting list in each county for the scheme; and due to the continuing success of the scheme if he will extend the number of places to cater for those on the waiting lists. [46787/12]

Film Industry Development

Tom Fleming

161. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the plans in place to promote County Kerry as a suitable destination for making films; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46677/12]

Medical Card Applications

Tom Fleming

251. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Health if he will examine a medical card renewal application in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry [46786/12]

Road Improvement Schemes

Tom Fleming

268. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will consider reintroducing some form of local improvement scheme funding in the budget 2013; his views on whether suspending this scheme was yet another blow to rural Ireland; if he will take in consideration that a drainage works and surface dressing was carried out by the local authority with a contribution from residents and land owners; his views on the fact that the cost now involved makes it impossible for many families and persons to have their roads resurfaced; if his attention has been drawn to the fact there are hundreds of such roads in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46581/12]

Strategic Investment Bank Establishment

Tom Fleming

146. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Finance the position regarding the setting up of a national reconstruction bank that was originally included in the Programme for Government and was to contribute to the rebuilding of the economy by lending to business and by surrendering a hold on private debts which are not going to be repaid; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45895/12]

Mortgage Arrears Proposals

Tom Fleming

147. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Finance the position regarding the €7.5 billion that was made available to the banks last year to deal with distressed mortgages; the reason it has not been passed on to borrowers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45918/12]

Mortgage Interest Rates

Tom Fleming

149. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Finance the reason the banks are allowed to continue to increase their variable mortgage rates at the same time as the European Central Bank reduces its own rates; if he will intervene on behalf of tax payers who bailed out the banks and on behalf of hard pressed households, many of whom are now finding it increasingly difficult to pay their mortgages; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45934/12]

Bank Charges

Tom Fleming

151. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Finance the reason banks are allowed to continue to increase charges and interest rates whilst at the same time refusing to lend to viable businesses; if he will intervene in this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45937/12]

School Accommodation

Tom Fleming

273. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Education and Skills when he expects to have approval granted to commence the construction of permanent buildings to replace the existing prefabricated units in a school (details supplied) in County Kerry, as the prefabs are in a seriously deteriorated condition and are a health and safety hazard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46453/12]

Flood Prevention Measures

Tom Fleming

288. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform in respect of homes that have been and are at risk of flooding from the Cullavaw River in Rathmore, County Kerry, if he will make the necessary funding available to protect the homes of these families that are at risk; if officials from the Office of Public Works have investigated the problem on the ground; if he will do everything possible to ensure that the OPW carry out emergency works so as to avoid a further flooding incident; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46335/12]

Budget 2013

Tom Fleming

367. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will examine a Budget submission (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46336/12]

Disadvantaged Areas Scheme Applications

Tom Fleming

569. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when disadvantaged area scheme payment will issue in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46406/12]

Medical Card Appeals

Tom Fleming

620. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Health if he will examine a medical card appeal application in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45943/12]

Medical Card Applications

Tom Fleming

627. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Health the position regarding a medical card application in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46004/12]

Birth Rates

Tom Fleming

661. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Health the birth rate for County Kerry for each year since 2000 up to the end of 2011; the number born in Kerry General Hospital; the numbers born in hospitals outside the county and home births; and if he will approve the appointment of the vacant obstetrician post in Kerry General Hospital as a matter of urgency. [46268/12]

Hospital Waiting Lists

Tom Fleming

662. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Health the current waiting list for ear, nose and throat services at Kerry General Hospital, for adults and children; his plans to address this list; and if he will make resources available to urgently expedite the current waiting time. [46270/12]

Irish Coast Guard Issues

Tom Fleming

714. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will retain Valentia coastguard station in County Kerry; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that Valentia responds to two thirds of the mayday calls around the coast and is responsible for saving hundreds of lives over many years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46275/12]

Tourism Industry Issues

Tom Fleming

88. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will investigate the potential to develop a National Heritage Coastal Trail based on the Wales Coast Path (details supplied). [35513/12]

School Staffing

Tom Fleming

111. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Education and Skills if a permanent teaching post will be offered to a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45424/12]

Hospital Appointments Administration

Tom Fleming

295. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Health if he will arrange an appointment at the earliest possible date in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45247/12]

Credit Availability

Tom Fleming

221. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Finance the number of loans that have been sanctioned to small to medium six businesses during the past 12 months; the number of these that were new businesses; the total value of these loans; the number that were refused loans during the same period; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44781/12]