Parliamentary questions

Property Taxation Administration

Willie Penrose

142. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Finance if, in the context of the local property charge, he will have more than one eligible property to make a paper based return by way of a number of forms being made available to such persons on request, rather than compelling such persons to resort to online returns, which might not be available to such persons; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20119/13]

Local and Community Development Issues

Willie Penrose

404. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to the concerns being expressed by local development companies in relation to the alignment proposals, especially as to the way this might affect much needed development youth work that is taking place and has been ongoing for a number of years; if note will be taken thereof to ensure the development youth work initiatives are not hived off; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20121/13]

Army Barracks Closures

Willie Penrose

458. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Defence if he will indicate with respect of Columb Barracks, Mullingar, County Westmeath, if any party has expressed an interest in acquiring or leasing same on a long term basis; if he will confirm if he has received an application for the leasing of same on a long-term basis from Westmeath county GAA board, which wishes to put in place a centre of excellence or if same will be disposed of to Westmeath county board which plays a pivotal role in providing leisure activities for a huge population of people across the county which deserves a community dividend; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20389/13]

Youth Work Projects Funding

Willie Penrose

506. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if, in the context where youth work in communities across the country is of invaluable importance she will take steps to reverse the position whereby expenditure on youth work has decreased by more then 25% since 2008, which is six times the rate of cut in Government expenditure; the steps she will take to ensure that a youth service (details supplied) in County Longford which has only been in existence since 2005, is allocated an appropriate budget commensurate with its programme of increased activities; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20120/13]

Hospital Procedures

Willie Penrose

582. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Health the number of women who underwent symphiostomies at Mullingar Hospital, County Westmeath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20350/13]

Orthodontic Services Waiting Lists

Willie Penrose

590. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Health if he will ensure that a person (details supplied) in County Westmeath is given an orthodontist appointment as soon as possible; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20513/13]

Property Taxation Administration

Willie Penrose

69. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Finance if he will outline the deferral arrangements that are in place for persons who have less than €25,000 per year in income, mainly comprised of invalidity or disability payments and who wish to defer the payment of the local property tax; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19691/13]

Post-Leaving Certificate Courses

Willie Penrose

289. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will take steps to provide additional post leaving certificate places to cater for the increasing educational needs in County Westmeath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19066/13]

Mortgage to Rent Scheme

Willie Penrose

423. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the position in relation to the mortgage to rent schemes; if same is being employed by local authorities around the country; if he will indicate if this scheme which is to assist people at risk of losing their homes, has been operated by Longford County Council; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18263/13]

Food Industry Development

Willie Penrose

552. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the procedures put in place by his Department to deal with Clostridium Esterthetitm which is an agent of spoilage in meat one of the causes and agents of blown pack spoilage, which represents a significant commercial loss to meat processors; and if there is an established framework put in place, which can deal with such outbreak; if there is a particular body or person, who industry personnel can contact; if he will indicate the level of losses associated with such incidences; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19024/13]

Schools Building Projects Status

Willie Penrose

90. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Education and Skills the current position in relation to the construction of a new school at a location (details supplied) in County Westmeath; if he will indicate a firm timeframe when such school should be constructed and ready for occupation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18054/13]

Living City Initiative

Willie Penrose

367. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Finance his views on extending the living city initiative (details supplied) to other areas needing regeneration, such as Mullingar, County Westmeath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17709/13]

Schools Designation

Willie Penrose

404. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Education and Skills the eligibility criteria that apply in respect of a secondary school to be designated a DEIS school in the context in which the school is taking in a considerable number of pupils from DEIS designated primary schools; if an application for this designation for the secondary school can now be accommodated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16479/13]

Urban Renewal Schemes

Willie Penrose

780. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will confirm that he has received submissions from Westmeath County Council in respect of the regeneration of areas (details supplied); if same will be expedited in view of the fact that the council is ready to proceed with the refurbishment works; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16478/13]

Commercial Rates

Willie Penrose

834. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will indicate that community childcare providers, which operate on a not for profit basis and which are clearly commercial enterprises and would not be sustainable to continue their operation without Exchequer funding are exempt from the application of commercial rates by local authorities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17202/13]

Thalidomide Victims Compensation

Willie Penrose

1295. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Health the steps that are being taken to deliver upon the commitment in the programme for Government to ensure that justice is delivered in respect of survivors of thalidomide and thereby enable them to achieve access to the appropriate medical services and appropriate compensation in accordance with that to which all other citizens who suffer personal injury are entitled; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17203/13]

Services for People with Disabilities

Willie Penrose

118. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Education and Skills the reason a child, who has Down's syndrome, does not qualify for a special needs assistant in school, and therefore does not qualify for the necessary supports to enable the child to fully participate in the school; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15959/13]

Social and Affordable Housing Applications

Willie Penrose

175. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if in the context of the purchase of affordable housing, it is his intention to reform the claw-back provision, which was put in place, in order to prevent persons selling the house within a specified period of time as otherwise the difference in value would have to be repaid back to the council; and if in view of the significant decline in house prices, that this clause could now be discontinued in total. [15960/13]

Departmental Expenditure

Willie Penrose

483. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Health if there has been a reduction negotiated in the past two years in respect of medical costs associated with medical treatment provided by medical personnel; his policy regarding same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14221/13]

EU Funding

Willie Penrose

570. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if, in the context of making submissions for the next round of EU structural funding for the period 2014 to 2020, he will take steps to include Killucan Station, County Westmeath as the first station on entering the BMW region on the County Sligo railway line, and the first station to be reinstated under the new fund, as it would be in a position to cater for the significant population increase in the east Mullingar area, which would willingly utilise the facility; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13730/13]