Parliamentary questions

Eurozone Issues

Colm Keaveney

176. Deputy Colm Keaveney asked the Minister for Finance his views on whether the eurozone is an optimal currency area; if there are criteria that make for an optimal currency area in which he believes the eurozone is deficient; the actions he believes necessary to address those deficiencies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25859/14]

Turf Cutting Compensation Scheme Payments

Colm Keaveney

398. Deputy Colm Keaveney asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht when a person (details supplied) in County Galway will receive their 2014 compensation under the cessation of turf cutting compensation scheme; if such payment is being refused, the reason for same; if he will order a re-inspection of the site; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25622/14]

Domestic Violence Policy

Colm Keaveney

580. Deputy Colm Keaveney asked the Minister for Justice and Equality in view of the continuing prevalence of violence against women and domestic violence here, when she will sign the Council of Europe Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence; when she proposes to address the constitutional difficulties in respect of Article 52 of the convention; her views on Ireland’s position as one of a minority of countries yet to sign the convention; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25685/14]

Mental Health Act Review

Colm Keaveney

690. Deputy Colm Keaveney asked the Minister for Health further to a Parliamentary Question of 18 September 2013 which stated that the expert group’s review of the Mental Health Act 2001 was expected before the end of 2013, if he will forward details of the report; if not already published, if he will provide the date on which the report will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25775/14]

Health Services Staff Recruitment

Colm Keaveney

694. Deputy Colm Keaveney asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 610 of 23 April 2014, if all of the posts listed in the response have now been filled and if any remain to be filled; when he expects the recruitment process to be completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25824/14]

Primary Care Services Provision

Colm Keaveney

712. Deputy Colm Keaveney asked the Minister for Health the position regarding a person (details supplied) in County Galway can no longer access prostigmin using his or her r medical card; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25883/14]

Employment Support Services

Colm Keaveney

112. Deputy Colm Keaveney asked the Minister for Social Protection in view of the importance of increasing participation in employment for persons with a disability, if she will consider opening up all labour activation programmes to persons on some disability payments; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24111/14]

Employment Support Services

Colm Keaveney

120. Deputy Colm Keaveney asked the Minister for Social Protection the initiatives her Department has undertaken since April 2011 to increase the participation in employment of persons with a disability; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24112/14]

Education and Training Boards Staff

Colm Keaveney

203. Deputy Colm Keaveney asked the Minister for Education and Skills concerning the recent appointment of several staff to positions within Galway and Roscommon Education and Training Board, including manager of the Roscommon sub-office, head of buildings, head of corporate services, human resources manager and head of IT, if he will confirm that these positions were advertised; when interviews took place for each of the five positions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24139/14]

Education and Training Boards Staff

Colm Keaveney

204. Deputy Colm Keaveney asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will confirm that a person (details supplied) has now been appointed director of schools at Galway and Roscommon Education Training Board on a permanent rather than an interim basis; the date on which position was made permanent; if this position was advertised; when interviews were held; the difference in the remuneration package attached to the new position of director of schools at GRETB compared with the position of acting CEO of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24140/14]

Education and Training Boards Staff

Colm Keaveney

205. Deputy Colm Keaveney asked the Minister for Education and Skills following the formation of the Galway and Roscommon Education and Training Board, headquartered in Athenry, County Galway, and given the understanding that his Department issued a circular stating all acting CEOs in the old VECs would return to their positions as school principals, if he will confirm that this has not happened in the case of the City of Galway VEC, and that the acting CEO was appointed director of schools in the new GRETB; if this was a newly created position; if it was sanctioned by his Department, and if so, the date of same; if the position was advertised; when the selection process took place; the salary scale of the new position; whether it is for a fixed term; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24141/14]

Mother and Baby Homes Inquiries

Colm Keaveney

598. Deputy Colm Keaveney asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if he will initiate an investigation into the circumstances of the death and burial of an estimated 800 children, who had been residents of the Tuam mother and children home run by the Bon Secours order; if he will make funding available from his Department in order to raise a suitable memorial over the site; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24093/14]

Education and Training Boards Staff

Colm Keaveney

55. Deputy Colm Keaveney asked the Minister for Education and Skills if a person (details supplied) in County Galway is entitled to a redundancy agreement signed on 10 June 2013 following an offer letter dated 7 June 2013 from City of Galway VEC; if this person still has a contract of employment with the VEC; the details of the gratuity and pension entitlements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23771/14]

Special Educational Needs Staff

Colm Keaveney

19. Deputy Colm Keaveney asked the Minister for Education and Skills his response to the alarm and disquiet that has been provoked by his Department's recent Circular 0030/2014 on special needs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23371/14]

School Guidance Counsellors

Colm Keaveney

28. Deputy Colm Keaveney asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will address the ongoing concerns regarding the impact of guidance counselling cuts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23372/14]

Hospital Appointment Status

Colm Keaveney

113. Deputy Colm Keaveney asked the Minister for Health when children (details supplied) in County Galway may expect to receive urgent medical appointments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23422/14]

Invalidity Pension Appeals

Colm Keaveney

450. Deputy Colm Keaveney asked the Minister for Social Protection when a person (details supplied) in County Galway may expect a decision on their invalidity pension application; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23053/14]

European Court of Justice Rulings

Colm Keaveney

642. Deputy Colm Keaveney asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the implications she believes that the recent judgment of the Court of Justice of the European Union (details supplied) will have for Irish law; her views on whether any legislative change will be required; her views on the potential impact of the judgment on freedom of expression; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22725/14]

Garda Transport Provision

Colm Keaveney

658. Deputy Colm Keaveney asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of vehicles allocated to the Loughrea district on 31 March 2012 and on 31 March 2013; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22391/14]

Ambulance Service Response Times

Colm Keaveney

725. Deputy Colm Keaveney asked the Minister for Health when Tuam ambulance base will receive 24-7 cover; pending same, his plans to ensure that the people of the area can expect an adequate response time; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22196/14]

Mental Health Services Provision

Colm Keaveney

819. Deputy Colm Keaveney asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 4 of 14 May 2014, if he will provide details of the contents of the March 2014 memorandum issued by the national director of mental health services to all relevant managers, re-emphasising the requirements in relation to the reporting of sudden unexplained deaths; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22715/14]

Mental Health Services Provision

Colm Keaveney

820. Deputy Colm Keaveney asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 623 of 13 May 2014, if he will provide details of the difficulties with the previous NSUE model referred to in his response; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22716/14]

Mental Health Commission Reports

Colm Keaveney

4. Deputy Colm Keaveney asked the Minister for Health the actions he has taken following the findings of recent audits into the compliance of the notification and investigation of incidents of sudden, unexplained death of persons in community mental health services with legislative requirements and Health Service Executive policy and procedures; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21599/14]

Medical Card Eligibility

Colm Keaveney

31. Deputy Colm Keaveney asked the Minister for Health if he will reconsider his policy on discretionary medical cards in respect of children with Down's syndrome; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21120/14]

Mental Health Services Provision

Colm Keaveney

53. Deputy Colm Keaveney asked the Minister for Health to set out the actions taken following the findings of recent audits into the compliance of the notification and investigation of incidents of sudden unexplained death of persons in community mental health services along with associated legislative requirements and the Health Service Executive policy and procedures; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21119/14]

Foreign Policy

Colm Keaveney

145. Deputy Colm Keaveney asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he has initiated any study or briefing paper into the likely consequences for Ireland if Scotland should vote for independence in the referendum to be held on 18 September 2014; if he will provide details of same; the consequences Scottish independence would have for Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21350/14]

Human Rights Issues

Colm Keaveney

151. Deputy Colm Keaveney asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade in view of the ongoing severe persecution of Christian communities in Syria, Egypt, Iraq and other parts of the Middle East, the measures he has taken, as part of a unilateral initiative by Ireland and-or working with our European partners, to address this issue; if he has considered offering asylum here to those affected; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21349/14]

Flood Prevention Measures

Colm Keaveney

310. Deputy Colm Keaveney asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the studies that have been carried out since 2008 by the Office of Public Works into flooding in the townland of Pollaturick, Miltown, Tuam, County Galway, following works carried in the townland in connection with the Miltown group water scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21311/14]

Health Services Staff Recruitment

Colm Keaveney

581. Deputy Colm Keaveney asked the Minister for Health the number of the 477 posts for community mental health services committed to in the Health Service Executive National Service Plan 2013 that have been filled; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20938/14]

Medical Aids and Appliances Provision

Colm Keaveney

617. Deputy Colm Keaveney asked the Minister for Health if he will reconsider the decision of the Health Service Executive not to grant a person (details supplied) in County Galway who has arthritis a chair in order to make daily life more comfortable; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21314/14]

Medical Card Eligibility

Colm Keaveney

618. Deputy Colm Keaveney asked the Minister for Health his plans to amend the medical card scheme to allow the local property tax and water charges to be included as allowable expenses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21322/14]

Medical Card Eligibility

Colm Keaveney

619. Deputy Colm Keaveney asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the mileage allowance included in the allowable expenses of the medical card scheme is 18 cent per km; the date on which that rate was determined; the reasoning or methodology used to determine that rate; if he will consider amending that rate in view of contemporary circumstances; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21323/14]

Medical Card Data

Colm Keaveney

620. Deputy Colm Keaveney asked the Minister for Health if he will provide in tabular form for the average number of visits to a general practitioner by medical card holders in each year from 2009 to 2013 inclusive, broken down into age cohorts of zero to five years, six to 18 years, 19 to 35 years, 35 to 69 years and over 70 years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21326/14]

Mental Health Services Funding

Colm Keaveney

621. Deputy Colm Keaveney asked the Minister for Health in respect of the €35 million ring-fenced for mental health in budget 2012 and budget 2013, the amount of the €35 million ring-fenced for 2012 that was spent in that year; the amount that was carried forward; of the portion carried forward from 2012 into 2013; the amount that remains unspent; the amount of the €35 million ring-fenced for 2013 that was spent in that year; the way the moneys were spent in all cases; if the programme for Government committed the Government to ring-fence €35 million in each and every budget of its term; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21327/14]

Medical Card Data

Colm Keaveney

622. Deputy Colm Keaveney asked the Minister for Health the number of children aged five or under who currently are holders of a medical card or of a GP-only card; the proportion of the total national population this represents; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21330/14]

Mental Health Services Provision

Colm Keaveney

623. Deputy Colm Keaveney asked the Minister for Health if he remains committed to the role of the national service user executive, established under recommendation 3.5 of A Vision for Change, in informing the national mental health service directorate and the Mental Health Commission on issues relating to user involvement and participation in planning delivering, evaluating and monitoring services including models of best practice; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21331/14]

Health Services Staff Recruitment

Colm Keaveney

624. Deputy Colm Keaveney asked the Minister for Health if he will provide details of how of the 477 additional staff, committed to under the Health Service Executive national service plan 2013 to fulfil the objectives of further development of forensics and community mental health teams for adults, children, older persons and mental health intellectual disability, have been filled in each of the HSE areas; when all the posts will be filled; of those filled, the number that are currently in receipt of any remuneration from the HSE; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21332/14]

Hospitals Expenditure

Colm Keaveney

626. Deputy Colm Keaveney asked the Minister for Health if he will provide a financial breakdown of the current budgetary performance of every hospital providing acute services within the Health Service Executive; the budgeted target for each acute hospital; the projected outturn for each acute hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21335/14]

Special Educational Needs Staffing

Colm Keaveney

57. Deputy Colm Keaveney asked the Minister for Education and Skills if there has been any change in the standard number of hours for a full-time equivalent special needs assistant since January 2011; if so, when and what was the change in the standard number of hours; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20630/14]

Medical Card Applications

Colm Keaveney

204. Deputy Colm Keaveney asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Galway will receive a medical card; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20645/14]

Mental Health Services Provision

Colm Keaveney

207. Deputy Colm Keaveney asked the Minister for Health further to the closure of St. Ita's Hospital, Portrane, in September 2011, the amount that has been spent by Health Service Executive north Dublin on private beds for public patients in the mental health service since that date; the amount that was spent on same in each year from 2009 to 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20669/14]

Home Care Packages

Colm Keaveney

181. Deputy Colm Keaveney asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Galway will receive a response to an application for the home care package based on urgent medical need; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20379/14]

Nursing Homes Support Scheme Applications

Colm Keaveney

182. Deputy Colm Keaveney asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) may expect a decision on an application to participate in the fair deal scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20380/14]

Flood Prevention Measures

Colm Keaveney

205. Deputy Colm Keaveney asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform when the installation of the sanctioned scheme, referenced Scheme F: OPW Investigation of the Flooding Problems in the Gort Ardrahan Area of South Galway, final report 1998, will commence; when the Office of Public Works will carry out a local inspection and identify the swallow holes that can be reinstated to improve the local drainage; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20180/14]

Fiscal Policy

Colm Keaveney

85. Deputy Colm Keaveney asked the Minister for Finance if he will provide an estimate for the current size of the output gap; his views on the implications on same for taxation policy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19183/14]

Energy Prices

Colm Keaveney

86. Deputy Colm Keaveney asked the Minister for Finance with reference to the technical assumptions made on page 5 of the Stability Programme April 2014 update, his estimate of the year-on-year percent change for both real GDP and real GNP if oil were to be $110 per barrel for each year from 2014 to 2018, inclusive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19184/14]

Garda Transport Data

Colm Keaveney

549. Deputy Colm Keaveney asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of vehicles assigned to the Garda station in Craughwell, County Galway during the month of March 2012, March 2013, and March 2014 respectively; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18721/14]

Dental Services Provision

Colm Keaveney

833. Deputy Colm Keaveney asked the Minister for Health if he will provide details, in tabular form, of the waiting lists for children with a disability for dental services for each Health Service Executive region; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19182/14]

Agri-Environment Options Scheme Payments

Colm Keaveney

205. Deputy Colm Keaveney asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a person (details supplied) may expect to receive their agri-environment options scheme grant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18297/14]

Hospital Appointments Status

Colm Keaveney

167. Deputy Colm Keaveney asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Galway will receive an appointment for an occupational assessment and for a hearing assessment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18238/14]