Parliamentary questions

Home Help Service Provision

Sandra McLellan

646. Deputy Sandra McLellan asked the Minister for Health if he will reconsider the Health Service Executive's decision not to provide home help to a person (details supplied) in County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54310/12]

Seirbhísí Leathanbhanda sa Ghaeltacht

Sandra McLellan

51. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Sandra McLellan den Aire Cumarsáide, Fuinnimh agus Acmhainní Nádúrtha an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ar na bearta atá tógtha ag an Rialtas chun fostaíocht san earnáil TCF a mhealladh go dtí an Ghaeltacht; agus cén dul chun cinn atá déanta ó thaobh clúdach leathanbhanda a leathnú chun cabhrú leis an bhfostaíocht sin a mhealladh. [52972/12]

VAT Rates Application

Sandra McLellan

55. Deputy Sandra McLellan asked the Minister for Finance if he will consider changing the VAT system so that the VAT is paid by companies and not passed on to the consumer; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53405/12]

Respite Care Services

Sandra McLellan

230. Deputy Sandra McLellan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if there is any respite support available for a single parent of four children ranging in ages from four years to 10 years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53397/12]

Turbary Rights

Sandra McLellan

5. Deputy Sandra McLellan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if he will provide details of the levels of engagement he has had with the European Commission regarding the issue of rights, the compensation scheme, and the potential for relocation or re-designation where relocation or compensation are not an option; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that this is an important issue for turf cutters here and that the Turf Cutters Association are seeking re-designation as a resolution to this issue for their members; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53117/12]

Departmental Staff Remuneration

Sandra McLellan

25. Deputy Sandra McLellan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if he will provide in tabular form, the number of staff in his Department, or in bodies which fall under the remit of his Department, whose annual remuneration including salary, pension and benefits at 31 December 2011 fell into bands of €400,000 and above, between €300,000 to €399,999, between €200,000 to €299,999 and between €150,000 to €199,000; and if he will provide a breakdown of the positions held by the staff in the relevant pay brackets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53054/12]

Tuarastail Rannach

Sandra McLellan

46. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Sandra McLellan den Aire Ealaíon, Oidhreachta agus Gaeltachta an gcuirfidh sé tábla ar fáil a léiríonn an líon foirne atá ina Roinn, nó i gcomhlachtaí atá faoi scáth na Roinne, a raibh a luach saothair bliantúil, ar an 31 Nollaig 2011, lena n-áirítear tuarastal, pinsean agus sochair, os cionn €400,000, idir €300,000 agus €399,000, idir €200,000 agus €299,999, idir €150,000 agus €199,000, agus an dtabharfaidh sé miondealú ar na poist a bhí ag na daoine sna bandaí thuas [52975/12]

Medical Card Applications

Sandra McLellan

215. Deputy Sandra McLellan asked the Minister for Health if he will approve and expedite a medical card application in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53090/12]

Mobility Allowance Eligibility

Sandra McLellan

235. Deputy Sandra McLellan asked the Minister for Health the reason a mobility allowance was discontinued in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cork; if he will reinstate same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53286/12]

Prisoner Rehabilitation Programmes

Sandra McLellan

94. Deputy Sandra McLellan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his attention has been drawn to the fact that both Wheatfield and Mountjoy Prisons now have teams that participate in the Big Issue street leagues; his views on the value for money in terms of its returns and its value to the wider society in view of the positive outcomes for recovering addicts, homeless young men and ex-prisoners; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52860/12]

Sports Capital Programme Applications

Sandra McLellan

130. Deputy Sandra McLellan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the efforts he has made to secure funding for sports in view of cuts in spending in this area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52684/12]

Sports Capital Programme Applications

Sandra McLellan

152. Deputy Sandra McLellan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the efforts he has made to ensure that the sports capital programme will run in 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52685/12]

Special Educational Needs Staff Remuneration

Sandra McLellan

315. Deputy Sandra McLellan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the reason permanent special needs assistants do not receive pay for public holidays; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52892/12]

Health Services Provision

Sandra McLellan

711. Deputy Sandra McLellan asked the Minister for Health the reason podiatry services were withdrawn in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cork; and if he will reinstate same [53068/12]

Public Procurement Tenders

Sandra McLellan

16. Deputy Sandra McLellan asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the steps he has taken to increase access by the small and medium enterprises sector to Government procurement. [51885/12]

Credit Availability

Sandra McLellan

21. Deputy Sandra McLellan asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation in view of the fact that the loan balance of the banking system in Ireland has been shrinking since the Government has come to power,his views on whether the credit provisions created by his Department are sufficient. [51886/12]

School Curriculum

Sandra McLellan

79. Deputy Sandra McLellan asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will introduce more mandatory subjects for leaving certificate along with English, Irish and Math; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51953/12]

Higher Education Courses Provision

Sandra McLellan

80. Deputy Sandra McLellan asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will consider introducing more career specific colleges similar to teacher training colleges or business schools, covering a wider range of careers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51954/12]

Television Licence Fee Payments

Sandra McLellan

139. Deputy Sandra McLellan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will consider reducing the cost of TV licences; the reason the national broadcaster does not cover the licence fee in view of the huge amount of money they receive through advertising; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51957/12]

Long-Term Illness Scheme Eligibility

Sandra McLellan

186. Deputy Sandra McLellan asked the Minister for Health if he will include the condition lupos as a long term illness in the medical card scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51942/12]

Oireachtas Members' Remuneration

Sandra McLellan

45. Deputy Sandra McLellan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he intends to reduce the annual salary paid to Deputies, Senators and Ministers. [51544/12]

Social Welfare Appeals Status

Sandra McLellan

326. Deputy Sandra McLellan asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will approve and expedite an appeal in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Waterford; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50837/12]

Social Welfare Appeals Delays

Sandra McLellan

329. Deputy Sandra McLellan asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will approve and expedite an appeal in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cork; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50841/12]

Household Charge Exemptions

Sandra McLellan

463. Deputy Sandra McLellan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if a person who inherited a derelict house with no running water or electricity is exempt from the household charge; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51604/12]

HSE Funding

Sandra McLellan

578. Deputy Sandra McLellan asked the Minister for Health if he will retain the current funding level for a foundation (details supplied) in budget 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50957/12]

Tourism Promotion

Sandra McLellan

652. Deputy Sandra McLellan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the reason Ireland is not being promoted as a tourist destination on the ground at major Irish festivals in places such as Maryland, Catskills and Pittsburgh; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50838/12]

Banking Sector Remuneration

Sandra McLellan

40. Deputy Sandra McLellan asked the Minister for Finance the number of staff that are on a total remuneration package including pension payments, allowances and benefits of between €100,000 and €200,000, between €200,000 and €300,000, between €300,000 and €400,000 and the number with more than €500,000 at Allied Irish Banks. [50510/12]

Banking Sector Remuneration

Sandra McLellan

63. Deputy Sandra McLellan asked the Minister for Finance with regard to the ongoing review into bankers' remuneration, the date on which the review will be completed; the cost of the review to date; the estimated final cost of the review; the level of engagement by his Department in this review in terms of the numbers of meetings and estimated staff time allowed for this purpose; the terms of reference of the review; and if any consideration is being given to an increase in the cap. [50509/12]

Teacher Training Provision

Sandra McLellan

108. Deputy Sandra McLellan asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will consider the retention of home economic teacher training at St. Angela's Campus, Sligo, and if he will provide St. Angela's and NUIG an opportunity to demonstrate their capacity to fulfil the vision of the ITE report in the most cost effective manner possible; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50600/12]

Pupil-Teacher Ratio

Sandra McLellan

118. Deputy Sandra McLellan asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will retain the pupil-teacher ratio in budget 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50706/12]

Undocumented Irish in the USA

Sandra McLellan

12. Deputy Sandra McLellan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his plans to discuss immigration reform with the American Government regarding the status of the illegal Irish in America. [50105/12]

Student Grant Scheme Delays

Sandra McLellan

113. Deputy Sandra McLellan asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will ensure that college students will not incur late penalties on their fees while waiting for the grants to be finalised; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50203/12]

Student Grant Scheme Applications

Sandra McLellan

119. Deputy Sandra McLellan asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will expedite a grant application in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50339/12]

Student Grant Scheme Applications

Sandra McLellan

120. Deputy Sandra McLellan asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will expedite a grant application in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50340/12]

Rent Supplement Scheme Eligibility

Sandra McLellan

130. Deputy Sandra McLellan asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will bring forward her rent limits review scheduled to take place in June 2013 in view of reports of increases in rents since the start of 2012. [49839/12]

Social Welfare Appeals Issues

Sandra McLellan

144. Deputy Sandra McLellan asked the Minister for Social Protection if her attention has been drawn to the findings of the FLAC report, Not Fair Enough, making the case for reform of the social welfare appeals system; if she has discussed the findings with the social welfare appeals office; her response to the findings and the steps she will take on foot of the report. [49841/12]

Household Charge Exemptions

Sandra McLellan

465. Deputy Sandra McLellan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the reason persons who are either exempt, deceased or who have actually paid the household tax are being sent letters reminding them to pay the tax; his plans to deal with this error; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50000/12]

Medical Card Applications

Sandra McLellan

647. Deputy Sandra McLellan asked the Minister for Health if he will expedite a medical card application in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49981/12]

Services for People with Disabilities

Sandra McLellan

20. Deputy Sandra McLellan asked the Minister for Health his plans for the future of St. Raphael's Centre in Youghal, County Cork, in the context of the implementation of the Time to Move On congregated setting report published in June 2011; the timeframe for the introduction of his plans; its impact on residents; its impact on staff and the future service provision for adults with an intellectual disability he intends providing at the St. Raphael's site in Youghal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48957/12]

HSE Properties

Sandra McLellan

58. Deputy Sandra McLellan asked the Minister for Health if he will advise on all enquiries made or consideration being given to the disposal or sale, either in full or in part, of St. Raphael's Centre in Youghal, including the associated buildings and lands; the status now of any of the above; if he will give any details of his Departments or the Health Service Executive proposals or plans regarding the sale in full or in part of the said entity; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48956/12]

Tax Code

Sandra McLellan

188. Deputy Sandra McLellan asked the Minister for Finance if he will ensure greater equity in pension tax arrangements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48688/12]

Student Grant Scheme Applications

Sandra McLellan

288. Deputy Sandra McLellan asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will expedite a higher education grant in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cork; his views on whether it is acceptable that students are accumulating debts while waiting for their grants to be processed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47432/12]

Student Grant Scheme Applications

Sandra McLellan

299. Deputy Sandra McLellan asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will expedite a higher education grant in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47561/12]

Education Schemes

Sandra McLellan

343. Deputy Sandra McLellan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the reason a four day Saorview course can be accredited with a Fetac level 5 qualification; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48145/12]

Pensions Reform

Sandra McLellan

438. Deputy Sandra McLellan asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will initiate pension reform; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48688/12]

Carer's Allowance Applications

Sandra McLellan

461. Deputy Sandra McLellan asked the Minister for Social Protection when a decision will issue on a carer's allowance application in respect of a person (details supplied) in Cork; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47461/12]

Supplementary Welfare Allowance Eligibility

Sandra McLellan

566. Deputy Sandra McLellan asked the Minister for Social Protection if a person (details supplied) in County Waterford on bail and with no means, awaiting a court trial is entitled to any benefit from her department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48171/12]

Carer's Allowance Applications

Sandra McLellan

568. Deputy Sandra McLellan asked the Minister for Social Protection when arrears for carer's allowance will issue in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cork; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48188/12]

Pension Provisions

Sandra McLellan

598. Deputy Sandra McLellan asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will guarantee that no cuts will be made to State Pension Contributory and noncontributory to prevent pensioners from the risk of poverty considering that the average pensioner is just above the poverty line with the current provision; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48687/12]

Legislative Programme

Sandra McLellan

700. Deputy Sandra McLellan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if the Climate Bill will be ready for publication by the fourth quarter of 2012; the date on which in the fourth quarter of 2012 he will issue the heads of a Climate Bill to the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht; if the Climate Bill will contain legally binding emission reduction targets for 2050 and 2020 and interim targets in the form of five year carbon budgets adopted by Dáil Éireann; if it ensure that these targets will be met domestically without buying offset credits overseas; if it will establish an independent climate change commission that advises Government and has the power to publish its own reports; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47941/12]

Health Services Provision

Sandra McLellan

1012. Deputy Sandra McLellan asked the Minister for Health the reason a person (details supplied) in County Cork is finding it difficult to have their consultant complete an E112 form for them to have treatment in Poland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47466/12]

Departmental Submissions

Sandra McLellan

1122. Deputy Sandra McLellan asked the Minister for Health if he will work in conjunction with Feileachan the stillbirth organisation to organise a national stillbirth remembrance day; if he will advice the organisation on the way to to set this up and for his input and support; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48204/12]

Children in Care

Sandra McLellan

36. Deputy Sandra McLellan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the extent of aftercare provided; the length of same to young persons who have been resident in high support and special care unit residential places up to their eighteenth birthday; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46759/12]

Asylum Seeker Accommodation

Sandra McLellan

36. Deputy Sandra McLellan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality his views on whether it is acceptable for asylum seekers and their children to be housed in reception centres which lack adequate facilities for any meaningful recreational activity; if he accepts that it is imperative that children and young persons have access to open spaces and sports areas irrespective of their parents' status; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45120/12]

Student Grants Data

Sandra McLellan

69. Deputy Sandra McLellan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of higher education grants that have been paid to people to date this year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46672/12]

Student Grant Scheme Applications

Sandra McLellan

70. Deputy Sandra McLellan asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will expedite a higher education grant in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46673/12]

Defence Forces Recruitment

Sandra McLellan

213. Deputy Sandra McLellan asked the Minister for Defence if a person with only one kidney is automatically disqualified from joining the army; the reason there are no specific criteria or guidelines for applicants to see if they qualify before going through an entire process only to be informed after a medical that they are not eligible; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46670/12]

Local Government Reform

Sandra McLellan

64. Deputy Sandra McLellan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the ratio of councillors per head of population that will be deployed in municipal districts; and the ratio that will be for Cork city, Cork county, Galway city and in the four local authorities in Dublin. [46079/12]

Traveller Accommodation

Sandra McLellan

84. Deputy Sandra McLellan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his plans to meet with leaders of the traveller community and local authorities to discuss the damaging effects of cuts to funding for traveller accommodation. [46198/12]

Student Grant Scheme Eligibility

Sandra McLellan

252. Deputy Sandra McLellan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the reason a person (details supplied) in County Cork did not receive a college maintenance grant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46148/12]

Local Government Reform

Sandra McLellan

428. Deputy Sandra McLellan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government when the independently chaired Reorganisation Implementation Group will be established to produce an implementation plan for the reorganisation process and dual management arrangements of Waterford city and county; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45999/12]

Medical Card Applications

Sandra McLellan

640. Deputy Sandra McLellan asked the Minister for Health when a decision will be reached on a medical card application in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46143/12]

Sports Funding

Sandra McLellan

49. Deputy Sandra McLellan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport in view of the recent success of Special Olympics Ireland, his plans to assist the organisation to develop at local and regional level; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45119/12]

Tourism Industry Issues

Sandra McLellan

55. Deputy Sandra McLellan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the plans he has to redress the east west imbalance in tourism development; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45117/12]

Undocumented Irish in the USA

Sandra McLellan

24. Deputy Sandra McLellan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if there has been any recent discussions in relation to immigration reform between the Irish and American Governments, specifically regarding the status of the illegal Irish in the United States. [44825/12]

Foreign Conflicts

Sandra McLellan

59. Deputy Sandra McLellan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will provide further details of his recent trip to the Syrian refugee camps in Jordan; the scale of the problem on the ground; the way that Ireland has helped to date; and his plans for future assistance. [44812/12]

Social Welfare Code

Sandra McLellan

161. Deputy Sandra McLellan asked the Minister for Social Protection further to Parliamentary Question No. 340 of 9 October 2012, the formula set out in legislation used to calculate means for a property; if he will provide an example of what the means of a property valued at €145,000 would be subject to and another for a property valued at €175,000; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45079/12]

Irish Language Issues

Sandra McLellan

193. Deputy Sandra McLellan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he is satisfied with the level of Irish language advertising on RTÉ and TV3; his plans to increase the level of advertising as Gaeilge; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45060/12]

Services for People with Disabilities

Sandra McLellan

271. Deputy Sandra McLellan asked the Minister for Health if he will ensure that no further cuts to funding or services be applied to an organisation (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44993/12]

Tourism Promotion

Sandra McLellan

323. Deputy Sandra McLellan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport in view of the fact that the European Commission has launched a new call for a proposal (details supplied), his plans to develop the specific area of eco tourism; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35428/12]

Tourism Promotion

Sandra McLellan

324. Deputy Sandra McLellan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to boost employment in the tourist industry; if he plans to introduce a national cultural tourism policy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42034/12]

Tourism Promotion

Sandra McLellan

325. Deputy Sandra McLellan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to develop cultural tourism in fishing communities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42031/12]

Mortgage Arrears Proposals

Sandra McLellan

66. Deputy Sandra McLellan asked the Minister for Social Protection if her attention has been drawn to the AA home insurance and Irish Times commissioned research which found that the average weekly cost of running a home bought in the boom is €920; if she is concerned regarding the inadequacy of social welfare payment levels for this and other categories; and her plans to ensure that families experiencing unemployment are not pushed into poverty and further debt. [44556/12]

Child Care Services

Sandra McLellan

87. Deputy Sandra McLellan asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will provide an update in the delivery of the bankable commitment to childcare that she promised would precede the lowering of the lone parent payment cut off age; and the recent discussions she has had with the Department of Children and Youth Affairs and the Department of Education and Skills regarding increasing the availability of affordable after-school care. [44555/12]

Hospital Appointments Administration

Sandra McLellan

634. Deputy Sandra McLellan asked the Minister for Health the position regarding an appointment in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cork [44334/12]

Media Mergers

Sandra McLellan

34. Deputy Sandra McLellan asked the Minister for Communications; Energy and Natural Resources his plans to introduce legislation to prevent one person from having a large percentage ownership of Irish media; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43733/12]

Hospital Facilities

Sandra McLellan

204. Deputy Sandra McLellan asked the Minister for Health if capital investment is to be given to St. Patrick's Hospital, Fermoy, County Cork, to upgrade the facilities to bring the hospital up to standard for the new Health Information and Quality Authority changes which are to be implemented in 2015; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43937/12]

Third Level Admissions Reform

Sandra McLellan

57. Deputy Sandra McLellan asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will provide an update on the progress that has been made in achieving the goal set out in the Programme for Government to double the number of international students studying here particularly attracting students from India, China and the Middle East; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43108/12]

Education and Training Boards Issues

Sandra McLellan

117. Deputy Sandra McLellan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the date on which he expects the new Qualifications and Quality Assurance Authority to commence accepting applications for accreditation of new providers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43107/12]

Social Welfare Code

Sandra McLellan

340. Deputy Sandra McLellan asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will change legislation so property/capital will be disregarded as means for jobseeker's allowance if the person in question is not in receipt of any income from it; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42907/12]

Pilot Training Colleges

Sandra McLellan

702. Deputy Sandra McLellan asked the Minister for Transport; Tourism and Sport if he will outline his position with regard to the Waterford Pilot Training course; if they will cover the costs for the pilots to continue their training with another airline; and if he will enforce stricter regulations within the Irish Aviation Authority to ensure disasters like this never happen again; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42832/12]

Tax Yield

Sandra McLellan

38. Deputy Sandra McLellan asked the Minister for Finance the amount of money that would be raised in a full year by limiting the business and agriculture reliefs for Capital Acquisitions Tax by reducing the level of discount on market value before tax is calculated from 90% to 50% and by introducing a €3 million ceiling on the qualifying amount; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42279/12]

Universal Social Charge Payments

Sandra McLellan

41. Deputy Sandra McLellan asked the Minister for Finance the amount of money that would be raised in a full year by extension of the Universal Social Charge to all capital gains, whether liable to Capital Gains Tax or not; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42280/12]

Cultural Policy

Sandra McLellan

2. Deputy Sandra McLellan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the efforts he has made to address the fact that Dublin is suffering loss of competitive position against other major European city competitors due to lack of coordination of marketing efforts; the engagement he has with various stakeholders; his plans to establish a statistical data base to track the number of theatres, galleries, libraries, museums, venues, festivals and cultural spaces in Dublin as per the World Cities Culture Report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42256/12]

Abbey Theatre

Sandra McLellan

22. Deputy Sandra McLellan asked the Minister for Arts; Heritage and the Gaeltacht if additional capital funding will be allocated to the national theatre for its redevelopment on Eden Quay, Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42023/12]

Straitéis 20 Bliain don Ghaeilge

Sandra McLellan

34. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Sandra McLellan den Aire Ealaíon; Oidhreachta agus Gaeltachta maidir leis an sprioc a luadh sa Straitéis Fiche Bliain don Ghaeilge go mbeadh 250,000 duine ag labhairt Gaeilge go laethúil roimh 2020, cén líon daoine atá ag labhairt Gaeilge go laethúil anois agus conas a bhainfidh an Rialtas an sprioc sin amach. [41971/12]

Microenterprise Loan Fund Applications

Sandra McLellan

68. Deputy Sandra McLellan asked the Minister for Jobs; Enterprise and Innovation when the first loans will be made available from the Micro Enterprise Fund. [41604/12]

Cross-Border Co-operation

Sandra McLellan

69. Deputy Sandra McLellan asked the Minister for Jobs; Enterprise and Innovation his views on the level of cooperation between him and the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Investment in the north of Ireland. [41603/12]

Drugs Payment Scheme Administration

Sandra McLellan

530. Deputy Sandra McLellan asked the Minister for Health if he will reverse the decision to exclude glucosamine, Omega 3 triglycerides, gluten free products and Orlistat also known as Xenical from medical card cover and drugs payment schemes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41465/12]

Hospital Services

Sandra McLellan

12. Deputy Sandra McLellan asked the Minister for Health the position regarding the Framework for Smaller Hospitals; the location and by whom is it being drawn up; if there is consultation with the smaller hospitals concerned; if there will be public consultation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40993/12]

Hospital Bed Data

Sandra McLellan

29. Deputy Sandra McLellan asked the Minister for Health the reason 22 beds remain closed at the Hospital of the Assumption, Thurles, County Tipperary; the efforts he is making to ensure that these beds are re-opened at the earliest opportunity; the date on which they will be re-opened; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40994/12]

Local Authority Housing Rents

Sandra McLellan

286. Deputy Sandra McLellan asked the Minister for the Environment; Community and Local Government if he will provide a list of all local authorities who take foster care allowance into consideration as means when calculating rent; if it is acceptable to do so when foster care allowance is paid to the foster carers for the benefit of the foster child and is not an income or an income support; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40322/12]

Free Travel Scheme Administration

Sandra McLellan

107. Deputy Sandra McLellan asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will guarantee not to withdraw free travel passes for old age pensioners in Budget 2013 and future budgets, in view of their importance in everyday life in the community; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39826/12]

Fuel Allowance Applications

Sandra McLellan

109. Deputy Sandra McLellan asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will change the qualifying conditions for fuel allowance eligibility, to allow persons who have been named dependants on a social welfare payment who had to leave the family home with their children and start a claim in their own name be eligible for fuel allowance; if she will confirm whether the time a person spent as dependant on a claim will qualify towards eligibility for fuel allowance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39834/12]

Hospital Appointments Administration

Sandra McLellan

258. Deputy Sandra McLellan asked the Minister for Health if he will expedite an appointment in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cork to see an orthopaedic doctor at Cork Mercy Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39938/12]

Local Authority Housing Rents

Sandra McLellan

149. Deputy Sandra McLellan asked the Minister for the Environment; Community and Local Government if a local authority is permitted by law to take foster care allowance into account as means for rent calculation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39535/12]

Local Authority Housing Maintenance

Sandra McLellan

72. Deputy Sandra McLellan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his plans to increase funding for social housing maintenance works in budget 2013. [39065/12]

Departmental Expenditure

Sandra McLellan

902. Deputy Sandra McLellan asked the Minister for Arts; Heritage and the Gaeltacht the updated figures for expenditure savings as outlined in last years budget; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36981/12]

Departmental Expenditure

Sandra McLellan

903. Deputy Sandra McLellan asked the Minister for Arts; Heritage and the Gaeltacht the figures for any potential savings in his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36982/12]

Heritage Council Funding

Sandra McLellan

934. Deputy Sandra McLellan asked the Minister for Arts; Heritage and the Gaeltacht the funding available for a person in Cobh, County Cork who wishes to start up an Edwardian style catering service tying in with the Titanic period in Cobh; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38812/12]