Parliamentary questions

Hospital Services

Dessie Ellis

62. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact that lamp treatment facilities for psoriasis patients are not in use in Beaumont Hospital, Dublin, because of non-deployment of staff; if he will address this as a matter of urgency with the Health Service Executive and the hospital in order that this treatment can be made available to the patients who need it; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13777/13]

Hospital Trusts

Dessie Ellis

150. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for Health if he will detail plans for hospital groups in respect of all hospitals in the Health Service Executive Dublin North East area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13773/13]

Regeneration Projects

Dessie Ellis

355. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the position regarding Ballymun shopping centre, Dublin; and the future plans that are in place in view of the fact that it is in the National Assets Management Agency's control. [14096/13]

Social and Affordable Housing Provision

Dessie Ellis

371. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the number of persons in social housing or awaiting social housing in the areas of Ballymun and Finglas, Dublin, respectively. [13973/13]

Medical Card Eligibility

Dessie Ellis

447. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for Health his plans to increase the income threshold for those applying for medical cards. [13875/13]

Rail Services

Dessie Ellis

560. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the reason for decreasing the length of DARTs being run at peak hours resulting in services at rush hour periods being cramped to a very uncomfortable and possibly unsafe degree. [14099/13]

Taxi Regulations

Dessie Ellis

561. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if taxi drivers will be able to apply decal branding to their taxis which is bilingual; or if they will be able to affix one in English and one in Irish on either side. [14100/13]

Scéimeanna Teanga

Dessie Ellis

30. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Dessie Ellis den Aire Ealaíon, Oidhreachta agus Gaeltachta cé mhéad eagras stáit nách bhfuil scéimeanna teanga faoi Acht na dTeangacha Oifigiúla daingnithe ag an Roinn dóibh; cad atá déanta ag an Aire faoi seo; agus an bhfuil sé i gceist aige treoir a thabhairt do na heagraíochtaí seo scéimeanna teanga a dhaingniú. [13102/13]

Social and Affordable Housing Provision

Dessie Ellis

421. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide an update on his Department's pursuit of the use of social housing bonds to develop more permanent social housing units particularly those in public ownership. [12956/13]

Homelessness Strategy

Dessie Ellis

422. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his views on whether the development of sustainable, permanent social housing owned by local authorities is an important part of the drive to end long term homelessness. [12957/13]

Local Authority Housing Provision

Dessie Ellis

423. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his plans for measures to ensure that local authorities properly draw down funding allocated to them to provide for the needs of local people to whom they are responsible, especially in the case of Traveller specific accommodation. [12958/13]

Local Authority Housing Rents

Dessie Ellis

424. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will make a commitment to local authority tenants that their rents will not increase or other services be cut as a result of the levying of the property tax on local authority properties. [12959/13]

Pyrite Remediation Programme Implementation

Dessie Ellis

425. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide an update on the removal of pyrite from affected homes; the numbers that have successfully been completed in targets for 2013; and when the remediation scheme proposed will be operational. [12960/13]

Unfinished Housing Developments

Dessie Ellis

426. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide an update on works to an estate (details supplied) in County Longford including the specific works that have been carried out; the timetable for future works; and any additional funding which may be available or needed. [12961/13]

Local Authority Housing Waiting Lists

Dessie Ellis

427. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide a breakdown on a Dáil constituency basis of the number of persons on social housing waiting lists, specifying numbers waiting five years and more and ten years and more. [12962/13]

Community Development Initiatives

Dessie Ellis

428. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the measures he is taking to ensure better community relations between the Traveller and settled communities, particularly in areas which have experienced difficulties with this in the past. [12963/13]

Housing Statistics

Dessie Ellis

429. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the number of publicly owned social housing units that were delivered in 2011 and 2012, respectively; and the targets for same in 2013. [12964/13]

Local Authority Housing Maintenance

Dessie Ellis

430. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the measures he is undertaking to ensure an improved system of social housing maintenance in local authorities with faster reaction times to serious maintenance issues and less stop gap measures to deal with recurring problems. [12965/13]

Local Authority Housing Provision

Dessie Ellis

431. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide a breakdown based on local authority area of the current average turnaround time for local authority housing that has become vacant; the current number of vacant public housing units; and the number that have been vacant for six months and more and one year and more, respectively. [12966/13]

Taxi Regulations

Dessie Ellis

684. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will make any allowance for persons who hold an SPSV licence who recently replaced their vehicle but are now found to be in contravention of new regulation such as those on tinted windows and are unable to pay to replace these windows at this moment in time (details supplied). [12897/13]

Croke Park Agreement Issues

Dessie Ellis

19. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will provide information on the implications arising from the loss of supervision and substitution payments for teachers arising from the pending Croke Park two agreement, particularly in relation to employment rights for staff who may lose their right to a lunch break. [11755/13]

State Examinations Issues

Dessie Ellis

51. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for Education and Skills the way many leaving certificate students received an exemption from Irish from 2008 to 2012; the number of those students who studied another language other than Irish and English; the stage at which the review of the 12/96 circular announced in 2006 is at; and the efforts made by his Department between 2008 and 2012 to reduce the number of students receiving an exemption from Irish. [11754/13]

Departmental Contracts

Dessie Ellis

38. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the measures his Department or An Garda Síochána have taken to ensure that any private companies contracted by them to carry out work on behalf of the State are compliant with employment rights legislation. [11570/13]

Free Travel Scheme Administration

Dessie Ellis

114. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for Social Protection the provision being made for persons who had been availing of the free travel scheme under Bus Éireann, but because of the removal of these routes and the subsequent replacement by alternative providers cannot avail of free travel; and if the route is not new but is with a different provider will an amnesty be made to allow these persons to avail of the scheme. [11371/13]

Community Employment Schemes Review

Dessie Ellis

115. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for Social Protection the future of community employment schemes; the way the CE schemes and the Tús programme are being integrated in communities alongside each other and if there has been any feedback of an overlap; if she has plans to integrate these schemes in the future; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11379/13]

Homelessness Strategy

Dessie Ellis

340. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if there are any plans to close a facility (details supplied) in Dublin 8; if yes, the reason for the closure of this youth homeless facility; and where the young persons currently availing of this facility will be placed. [11021/13]

Rail Network

Dessie Ellis

605. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his attention has been drawn to a report into the embedded block system failure in the LUAS; the works that were required and carried out; if any further works are required and planned; and if a fund is in place to pay for same. [11499/13]

Rail Network

Dessie Ellis

606. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if any risk assessment has been carried out to establish potential for danger to users of the LUAS due to embedded block system failure which has been identified. [11500/13]

Credit Unions

Dessie Ellis

61. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for Finance the total volume of Irish Credit Union deposits or bonds in the former Irish Bank Resolution Corporation and if he will outline the impact of the liquidation of IBRC on credit unions. [10576/13]

IBRC Staff

Dessie Ellis

69. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for Finance the terms under which the senior executives of Irish Bank Resolution Corporation are being rehired on short contracts to assist the special liquidator; if the executives are receiving the same monetary terms as their old contracts; and the number being rehired. [10577/13]

Postal Services

Dessie Ellis

163. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his plans to introduce post codes across the State. [10817/13]

Local Authority Housing Provision

Dessie Ellis

172. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide a breakdown of the number of local authority bedsits that there are in the State listing them by local authority area. [10816/13]

Fuel Rebate Scheme

Dessie Ellis

89. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for Finance if he will provide an update on plans to extend tax rebates on fuel to other industries which rely on road transport and for which fuel makes up a significant part of their overheads. [8577/13]

Social and Affordable Housing Expenditure

Dessie Ellis

212. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the total cost of social housing leasing initiatives for the years 2011 and 2012 respectively; and the projected cost for 2013. [10485/13]

Rental Accommodation Scheme Expenditure

Dessie Ellis

428. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the total cost of the rental accommodation scheme for the years 2011 and 2012 respectively; and the projected cost for 2013. [10486/13]

Job Creation Data

Dessie Ellis

56. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the number of jobs created by Industrial Development Agency Ireland that require foreign language skills at native speaker level over the past two years. [9064/13]

Northern Ireland Issues

Dessie Ellis

65. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he has raised the continued detention by the British authorities of a person (details suppied), who is a qualifying prisoner under the terms of the Good Friday Agreement and the Weston Park Agreement; and if he has requested the immediate release of this person. [8958/13]

Foreign Conflicts

Dessie Ellis

69. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if his attention has been drawn to the recent demolitions of Palestinian homes by the Israeli military in the Jordan Valley; his views that the demolitions are unlawful and amount to a grave breach of the Fourth Geneva Convention; and if he has raised the issue with the Israeli authorities. [8858/13]

Taxi Regulations

Dessie Ellis

102. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the discussions he has had with the Department of Justice and Equality and experts on the Good Friday Agreement over the course of the drafting of the Taxi Regulation Bill in view of the devastating effect its measures may have on former political prisoners related to the conflict on this island; the reason for not including any recognition of the terms of the agreement on relation to reintegration of former prisoners into the jobs market; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8964/13]

Waste Management

Dessie Ellis

154. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to reopen Dunsink Lane linking Finglas to Castleknock, Dublin, in view of the resolution of many of the issues which resulted in its closure. [8576/13]

Local Authority Housing Provision

Dessie Ellis

499. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government in view of the Pullen and others versus Dublin City Council section 62 Judgement, when he intends to bring forward legislation to facilitate local authorities in refusing to house applicants who are involved in drug dealing and severe anti-social behaviour. [8293/13]

Local Authority Housing Waiting Lists

Dessie Ellis

500. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the number of persons currently on the housing waiting list for the Ballymun and Finglas area of Dublin city. [8295/13]

Local Authority Housing Waiting Lists

Dessie Ellis

501. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the number of persons currently on housing waiting lists for local authorities across the State; the reason they were assessed as having a housing need; and if he will provide a breakdown by local authority and the number of applicants currently waiting over five years and over ten years respectively. [8296/13]

Hospital Waiting Lists

Dessie Ellis

732. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for Health the reason a person (details supplied) in Dublin 9 will have to wait until 10 October 2014 to see a consultant respiratory physician at Beaumont Hospital, Dublin, despite their persistent respiratory difficulties. [8729/13]

Taxi Regulations

Dessie Ellis

751. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his attention has been drawn to the serious problems taxi drivers are having with registration on the new taxi portal site and the worrying failure of the phone helpline or email service to properly explain the process exacerbated by many phone calls going unanswered and emails bouncing back not received. [8965/13]

Prescription Charges

Dessie Ellis

6. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact that there is a double charging of the prescription charge on medical card holders where the prescription item, as prescribed by the general practitioner, is not available in the milligram dosage prescribed, for example, 15mg of a given tablet available only in 10mg and 5mg, 7.5mg of a given tablet available only in 5mg and 2.5mg, that is each of the examples shown the patient concerned was charged €3 rather than the €1.50 per prescription item; if he will clarify the situation and instruct the pharmacy sector to charge only per item as prescribed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7454/13]

Hospital Services

Dessie Ellis

43. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for Health the reason the new epilepsy monitoring unit at Cork University Hospital and the redevelopment unit at Beaumont Hospital, Dublin, remain unopened, in view of the completion of the units in the autumn of 2012 at an estimated spend of €900,000; if he will address this situation in the interest of epilepsy patients here; the timeframe for the opening of these facilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7452/13]

Child Care Services Provision

Dessie Ellis

32. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number of places currently available on the after school scheme that was announced in budget 2013; the timeline for availability of the proposed 6,000 places; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7305/13]

Hospital Procedures

Dessie Ellis

654. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for Health the reason a person (detailed supplied) in Dublin 11 will have to wait two years to see a neurologist in Beaumont Hospital, Dublin, despite his experience of continuing unexplained seziures and MRI and EEG results which show an abnormality on the left side of his brain. [6805/13]

Green Paper on Defence

Dessie Ellis

37. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for Defence the date on which the Green Paper on Defence will be published. [6125/13]

Prison Visiting Committees Remit

Dessie Ellis

15. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for Justice and Equality his plans to review the existing functions and powers of the Prison Visiting Committees. [5994/13]

Prison Inspections

Dessie Ellis

54. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for Justice and Equality his plans to make the Inspector of Prisons accountable to the Oireachtas; and his plans to put the inspector's standards on a statutory footing and introduce a binding mechanism for the implementation of recommendations [5993/13]

Pyrite Issues

Dessie Ellis

129. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the position regarding the development of primary legislation for dealing with the levies required to resolve the problems being experienced by families in pyrite contaminated homes; when a fully appointed resolution board will be in place; and if it will include a representative of the Pyrite Action Group in order to best address these continuing problems causing much hardship and concerns to the persons affected. [6050/13]

Homeless Persons Supports

Dessie Ellis

143. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the measures he is taking to provide affordable housing specifically for those moving out of homelessness and emergency accommodation in view of the large numbers who are stuck in emergency accommodation due to a shortage of housing. [5557/13]

Local Authority Housing Maintenance

Dessie Ellis

145. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the action he is taking to help local authorities to work to prioritise the retrofitting of their housing stock to improve insulation and energy conservation focussing on older homes and those designated for senior citizens. [5559/13]

Anti-Social Behaviour

Dessie Ellis

551. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the action he is taking as part of the Programme for Government commitment to tackle anti-social behaviour in all housing tenures and if he will outline any successes or initiatives already in operation. [5112/13]

Local Authority Housing Provision

Dessie Ellis

552. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the number of families in Ballymun, Dublin, that are still waiting to be rehoused as part of the regeneration project and the details of when these families will be re-housed. [5113/13]

Traveller Accommodation

Dessie Ellis

574. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to the plight of six families currently residing adjacent to a halting site (details supplied in Dublin 15 one of whom has been there for 18 years; and the actions he will take to help the local authorities to accommodate them [5471/13]

Driver Licence Applications

Dessie Ellis

887. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the reason a person (details supplied) in Dublin 14 who applied for a category A full motorbike licence and passed his test was denied a class A licence despite having applied and passed his test as well as submitting his certificate before 19 January 2013 [5472/13]

Telecommunications Services Provision

Dessie Ellis

35. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his view on a mobile telephone company blocking the use of Skype on its devices; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4684/13]

Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Incidence

Dessie Ellis

44. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the number of incidents involving carbon monoxide in homes that were reported in the past 12 months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4685/13]

Rent Supplement Scheme Administration

Dessie Ellis

154. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for Social Protection the changes she intends to make to the rent supplement scheme in view of the strain that recent changes are putting on families and persons in Dublin in particular who cannot find properties within the rent limits. [4065/13]

Social Welfare Code

Dessie Ellis

155. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for Social Protection if she still intends to proceed with the introduction of the single working age payment concept, announced by her to the Troika in March 2011; and if a decision has been made to exclude carers, those in receipt of one parent family, disability and invalidity payments. [4064/13]

Student Grant Scheme Applications

Dessie Ellis

304. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for Education and Skills if his attention has been drawn to the student grant application in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 11 who is due back to college on 14 February and is struggling to make ends meet. [3827/13]

Pyrite Remediation Programme

Dessie Ellis

523. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide an update on the works completed, currently underway and planned over the next six months for pyrite affected homes. [3980/13]

Pyrite Remediation Programme

Dessie Ellis

524. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government when residents of the Coldrick's Pass estate, Dunshaughlin, County Meath, may expect reparative work on pyrite affected homes in the estate to get under way. [3981/13]

Regeneration Projects Funding

Dessie Ellis

526. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the way the regeneration funding for estate regeneration has been reduced from €145 million in 2012 to €111.4 million; and the projects that will be affected by these cuts. [4126/13]

Regeneration Projects Funding

Dessie Ellis

527. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the regeneration projects that are being funded in 2013; and the amount that will be allocated to them. [4127/13]

Small and Medium Enterprises Supports

Dessie Ellis

26. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the views of representatives of the small to medium sized enterprise sector regarding his plans to develop LEOs merged with local authorities. [3241/13]

Literacy Levels

Dessie Ellis

140. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will provide a progress report on his literacy and numeracy strategy; the numbers of teachers and principals who are currently participating in professional development courses for teachers that are seen as essential for the development of the strategy. [2680/13]

Higher Education Institutions

Dessie Ellis

160. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for Education and Skills his views on the findings of a document published by the Higher Education Authority, which recommends the number of third-level colleges in the State should be cut from 39 to 24. [2679/13]

Regeneration Projects Funding

Dessie Ellis

444. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide a breakdown in tabular form of the funding cuts to the Ballymun Regeneration Project, Dublin, since 2012 outlining in detail where exactly these cuts were and are to be made; the projects that will not be finished and the way it will impact on the completion of the regeneration of the area. [2540/13]

Regeneration Projects Funding

Dessie Ellis

445. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government when will the remaining eight storey block on Silloge Road, Ballymun, Dublin, be demolished; it is out to tender at the moment and was due for demolition in 2012. [2541/13]

Regeneration Projects Funding

Dessie Ellis

446. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his plans for all the empty spaces within the regeneration area in Ballymun. [2542/13]

Regeneration Projects Funding

Dessie Ellis

447. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will outline the expected date that BRL will finish completion of projects on in Ballymun. [2543/13]

Tax Reliefs Application

Dessie Ellis

25. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for Finance if he will set out by year for 2010, 2011 and 2012, the total of any tax allowance clawbacks sought and the total actually obtained by the Revenue Commissioners pursuant to Section 23 of Chapter 11 of Part 10 of the Taxes Consolidation Act, 1997. [1787/13]

Bank Guarantee Scheme Losses

Dessie Ellis

59. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for Finance the process undertaken to redeem subordinated and junior bonds at the covered institutions (details supplied); and specifically the way the haircut offers were derived. [1786/13]

Middle East Peace Process

Dessie Ellis

32. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views on whether Israel should fully implement the 2005 Agreement on Movement and Access, to give the stagnant economy of Gaza an opportunity to revive itself, and to pave the way for the creation of a viable Palestinian State in the West Bank and Gaza by providing and allowing transport links between the West Bank and Gaza. [1660/13]

Middle East Peace Process

Dessie Ellis

35. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if his attention has been drawn to any progress that has been made with regard to opening the crossings and facilitating the movement of people and transfer of goods in and out of Gaza as provided for in the cease-fire agreement of 21 November 2012; and if he has discussed the issue with the Israeli authorities and his colleagues in the EU. [1678/13]

State Examinations Issues

Dessie Ellis

260. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for Education and Skills the reason a person (details supplied) in Dublin 11 has not been assigned a reader for their leaving certificate despite having had one in the junior certificate. [58127/12]

Health Services Provision

Dessie Ellis

991. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for Health if he will outline cuts to funding for the Wellmount Health Clinic, Finglas, Dublin, in 2010, 2011, 2012 and planned cuts in the 2013 period [58129/12]

Health Services Provision

Dessie Ellis

992. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for Health if a poverty impact assessment was carried out in the run up to decisions on cuts to health clinics, particularly Wellmount Clinic in Finglas, Dublin, which operates a methadone dispensary [58130/12]

Driving Licence Renewals

Dessie Ellis

1138. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his attention has been drawn to the fact that if a persons drivers licence is out of date their insurance is invalid; if he will ask that the Road Safety Authority to notify licence holders of an approaching expiration date of their licence. [58020/12]

Taxi Regulations

Dessie Ellis

2. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he has met with the Department of Justice or An Garda Síochána to discuss the enforcement of taxi regulations and to aid in the crackdown on illegal drivers, cloned licences and other such offences. [57239/12]

Taxi Ranks

Dessie Ellis

40. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the work he is doing to ensure the best integration of taxis into the Dublin transport network in advance of the development of the LUAS BXD project, including ensuring sufficient ranks are provided especially during construction stages. [57242/12]

Ambulance Service Provision

Dessie Ellis

45. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for Health if he will rule out call-out charges for ambulance services in view of the imposition of a call-out charge for the fire service by Dublin city Council; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57010/12]

Nursing Home Services

Dessie Ellis

53. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for Health the Health Service Executive funding or other resources allocated to or paid for services to a nursing home (details supplied) in County Wicklow in each of the past five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57011/12]

RAPID Programme

Dessie Ellis

436. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if there are any planned cuts to the RAPID scheme emanating from Budget 2013 or any cuts planned in the future. [56480/12]

Social Workers Register

Dessie Ellis

588. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for Health his plans to reduce the registration charge for social workers in view of its very high rate when compared with other professionals. [56606/12]

Hospital Services

Dessie Ellis

640. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for Health the reason a person (details supplied) in Dublin 11 has not had an urgent operation [56829/12]

Regeneration Funding

Dessie Ellis

143. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his plans to make cuts to the funding for the Ballymun regeneration project, Dublin and any other cuts he plans for other regeneration projects. [55779/12]

Local Authority Housing Provision

Dessie Ellis

146. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to the case of a person (details supplied) who lost their council house to fire on the 30 November 2012, the council has failed to offer accommodation which is suitable to the person's age and health and is refusing to find them alternative accommodation, making the the person homeless. [55843/12]

Traveller Community Issues

Dessie Ellis

57. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for Justice and Equality his plans to introduce legislation to recognise Traveller ethnicity; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54485/12]

Proposed Legislation

Dessie Ellis

66. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for Justice and Equality his plans to introduce comprehensive family law reforms that will provide for children being parented by lesbian or gay couples. [54486/12]

Ministerial Remuneration

Dessie Ellis

221. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the amount former Minister Roisín Shortall TD was paid in severance when she stood down as Minister. [55629/12]

Road Projects Contracts

Dessie Ellis

549. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide an update in the motorway maintenance and renewals contract put out to tender by the National Roads Authority in April 2012; when the successful companies will be announced; the number of companies that will be given contracts under the tender; if successful companies employ sub contractors to carry out works; if companies erect tolls on roads they are maintaining; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55529/12]

Public Bike Schemes

Dessie Ellis

551. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the time frame for the roll out of the Dublin bike scheme in the Dublin 11 and Dublin 9 areas and the details of the scheme in those areas. [55566/12]

Pyrite Remediation Programme Issues

Dessie Ellis

59. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the actions he is now putting in place as a result of his meetings with the construction industry insurance, quarries and banks with a view to levying these industries as was recommended by the pyrite panel; if he was successful in his discussions with these groups and an agreement has been reached or if he will seek to impose a solution. [54547/12]

Unfinished Housing Developments

Dessie Ellis

105. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his plans to evacuate residents of an estate (details supplied) in County Longford while works are being carried out; if he is seeking to source any more funds to help with necessary works; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54240/12]

Free Travel Scheme Administration

Dessie Ellis

300. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for Social Protection her plans to continue to provide free travel to those currently eligible into the future and to implement measures to better ascertain usage of this service such as a swipe card. [52666/12]