Parliamentary questions

Proposed Legislation

Derek Nolan

564. Deputy Derek Nolan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if the Residential Tenancies (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2012 will make it illegal for a tenant to withhold rent while in dispute with a landlord; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5311/13]

Vaccination Programme

Derek Nolan

823. Deputy Derek Nolan asked the Minister for Health the reason that newborn children in County Galway do not receive the BCG vaccination; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that every other area in the country gives the vaccination; the actions that he is taking to address the problem; if he has considered running monthly clinics to provide the vaccination; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5467/13]

Illegal Immigrants

Derek Nolan

474. Deputy Derek Nolan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the reason 2,260 persons were refused entry into the State at the Irish border in 2012; if he will provide a breakdown of nationalities refused and of the categories for this refusal of leave to land; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2412/13]

Hospital Waiting Lists

Derek Nolan

609. Deputy Derek Nolan asked the Minister for Health the way his targets for in-patient and out-patient waiting times for orthopaedic treatment will affect Galway Hospital Group; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2580/13]

National Internship Scheme Numbers

Derek Nolan

450. Deputy Derek Nolan asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will consider extending the JobBridge scheme to other institutions in the public service, such as Met Éireann, to enable people with the relevant qualifications to get work experience; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [58180/12]

Planning Issues

Derek Nolan

716. Deputy Derek Nolan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will outline the steps taken to grant planning permission for a wind farm development (details supplied) in County Galway; if the general public were given an opportunity to engage in consultation on the issue; the kind of environmental impact audits that were undertaken; if there is a procedure in place to allow the public to make comments in relation to the development; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1896/13]

Disease Classification

Derek Nolan

993. Deputy Derek Nolan asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 648, if he will consider reviewing the guidelines from the International Lyme and Associated Diseases Society, rather than the guidelines of the IDSA, which Ireland currently follows in view of the fact that the two sets of guidelines make for different reading in dealing with lyme disease; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58149/12]

Disease Classification

Derek Nolan

996. Deputy Derek Nolan asked the Minister for Health if, following information received from Tick Talk Ireland in March, a response will be issued to them about the problems they identified in testing for and diagnosing Lyme disease; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58154/12]

Tax Rebates

Derek Nolan

172. Deputy Derek Nolan asked the Minister for Finance if he will consider extending the proposed diesel rebate scheme to other transportation sectors, such as the marine transportation sector, in order to help businesses create sustainable transportation options; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56831/12]

Health Services Provision

Derek Nolan

648. Deputy Derek Nolan asked the Minister for Health if there is a national strategy in relation to tackling Lyme Disease here; the treatment available here for the disease; if his attention has been drawn to the distress caused to sufferers of the disease; his plans to pursue any type of awareness campaign for the symptoms of Lyme Disease; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56861/12]

Aquaculture Licences Applications

Derek Nolan

116. Deputy Derek Nolan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason the environmental impact statement for the proposed salmon farm in Galway Bay was carried out by Bord Iascaigh Mhara the agency proposing the scheme and not by independent qualified consultants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55023/12]

Aquaculture Licences Applications

Derek Nolan

117. Deputy Derek Nolan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will instruct Bord Iascaigh Mhara to provide the additional background material to the Environmental Impact Statement for the proposed salmon farm in Galway Bay, as requested by a club (details supplied); the reason this material was not provided when requested several times previously; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55024/12]

Better Energy Homes Scheme Applications

Derek Nolan

461. Deputy Derek Nolan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his plans to extend the free home insulation scheme or make home heating grants more accessible to middle income earners who are often very financially stretched; his plans to allow home owners insulate their homes and pay off the bills over a number of years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52939/12]

Citizenship Applications

Derek Nolan

499. Deputy Derek Nolan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the reason there has been a delay in the processing of an application for citizenship in respect of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52209/12]

Vaccination Programme

Derek Nolan

197. Deputy Derek Nolan asked the Minister for Health his plans to propose a package of supports for children and families affected by Narcolepsy after vaccination with Pandermrix; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52056/12]

Commercial Rates Calculations

Derek Nolan

164. Deputy Derek Nolan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the measures he has proposed for Galway City Council to levy rates on vacant properties; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51793/12]

Nursing Homes Support Scheme

Derek Nolan

631. Deputy Derek Nolan asked the Minister for Health when the results of the review of the fair deal scheme will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51490/12]

Overseas Development Aid Provision

Derek Nolan

54. Deputy Derek Nolan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will provide an update on the implementation of the Africa strategy which was announced last year; the measures in place to ensure that this strategy will work to its full potential; if any Irish business has expressed an interest in engaging with the strategy; if it will just apply to Irish Aid programme countries; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50231/12]

Non-Consultant Hospital Doctors Working Conditions

Derek Nolan

254. Deputy Derek Nolan asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 1137 if he will confirm the details of the annual leave agreement regarding holiday entitlements for non consultant hospital doctors between the Health Service Executive and the Irish Medical Organisation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50309/12]

Residency Permits

Derek Nolan

490. Deputy Derek Nolan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the position regarding an application for residency in respect of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49766/12]

Schools Building Projects Status

Derek Nolan

313. Deputy Derek Nolan asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will provide an update on a school (details supplied) in County Galway; if clarity from the lease holders of the site has been received; if it will progress to architectural planning stage; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47744/12]

Local Government Reform

Derek Nolan

685. Deputy Derek Nolan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government in view of the recent local government reform proposal; the representation the social partners will have in new local government structures; what will replace the county and city development boards; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47741/12]

Public Sector Allowances Review

Derek Nolan

1135. Deputy Derek Nolan asked the Minister for Health the position regarding the allowance being paid to general practitioner trainees for out of work hours in lieu of overtime who, unlike other non consultant hospital doctors are paid a flat rate salary and this allowance; the reason there is a delay in the payment of this allowance even though it has been confirmed that it is being maintained; if he will expedite the payment of this allowance to those who are entitled to it; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48323/12]

Hospital Staff

Derek Nolan

1137. Deputy Derek Nolan asked the Minister for Health the standard annual leave entitlements for non consultant hospital doctors; if a solution has been found for the dispute between the Health Service Executive and non consultant hospital doctors regarding these annual leave entitlements; if non consultant hospital doctors will be compensated for the fact that they may be rostered to work weekends and bank holidays; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48326/12]

Refugee Legal Services

Derek Nolan

487. Deputy Derek Nolan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of judicial review proceedings, in which the Refugee Appeals Tribunal was a respondent, in 2010, 2011 and the first six months of 2012 that were successful, unsuccessful and were settled by the parties prior to being heard by the High Court; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45888/12]

Community Employment Schemes Places

Derek Nolan

342. Deputy Derek Nolan asked the Minister for Social Protection if the Labour Court recommendation that community employment scheme supervisors will be entitled to a pension at the age of 66 will be implemented; if not, the age at which CE supervisors will be entitled to a pension; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44688/12]

Nursing Home Services

Derek Nolan

602. Deputy Derek Nolan asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update in relation to a nursing home (details supplied) in County Galway; the rationale behind the temporary closure of day care services there; if there are any plans to address the empty beds and staffing shortages; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42841/12]

Credit Ratings

Derek Nolan

129. Deputy Derek Nolan asked the Minister for Finance the progress made to date on setting up a Central Credit Register; when legislation on the matter will be published; when the register will be up and running; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41566/12]

Personal Insolvency Act

Derek Nolan

129. Deputy Derek Nolan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if financial brokers will be able to act as personal insolvency practitioners when the forthcoming Personal Insolvency Bill is enacted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40761/12]

Mortgage Resolution Processes

Derek Nolan

186. Deputy Derek Nolan asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason the new mortgage advisory service is confined to accountants; her plans to open up the service to financial brokers in view of the fact that they are specifically qualified to provide financial advice and are open to scrutiny by the Central Bank of Ireland; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40759/12]

Medical Card Eligibility

Derek Nolan

210. Deputy Derek Nolan asked the Minister for Health the conditions that a person needs to satisfy to qualify for a discretionary medical card; if a person with Fibromyalgia whose income is in excess of the standard income guidelines could qualify in view of difficult personal circumstances; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39532/12]

Taxi Regulations

Derek Nolan

653. Deputy Derek Nolan asked the Minister for Social Protection if she has ever operated a scheme that provided lump sums to taxi drivers towards the purchase of licences or the operation of taxi business; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37220/12]

Film Industry Development

Derek Nolan

190 Deputy Derek Nolan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the position regarding the regional support fund for the film industry here; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[35646/12]

Film Industry Development

Derek Nolan

194 Deputy Derek Nolan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the specific policy that exists for the development of the film industry outside of Dublin/Wicklow; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[35767/12]

Taxi Regulations

Derek Nolan

369 Deputy Derek Nolan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if, like full-time taxi drivers, part-time taxi drivers will be required to provide a yearly tax clearance certificate; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[35647/12]

Taxi Regulations

Derek Nolan

382 Deputy Derek Nolan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if consideration has been given to reducing the number of speculators in the taxi industry by limiting any person’s ownership of a licence to one; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[35648/12]

Taxi Regulations

Derek Nolan

383 Deputy Derek Nolan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if consideration has been given to using funds recently transferred to the National Transport Authority from the taxi regulator to reducing the number of taxi drivers through a licence buy back scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[35649/12]

Taxi Regulations

Derek Nolan

384 Deputy Derek Nolan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he is satisfied that his proposal to prevent the transferring of taxi licences from one owner to another is legally sound; if there is an issue to do with legitimate expectation in view of the fact that purchasers are expected to be able to resell the licences when they purchased; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[35650/12]

Schools Building Projects

Derek Nolan

153 Deputy Derek Nolan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the progress made to date on the new school proposed for Claregalway, County Galway; if a patron for the school has been agreed upon; if a site has been identified for the new school; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[34766/12]

Local Authority Charges

Derek Nolan

328 Deputy Derek Nolan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if the non-principal private residence charge applies to persons who are living abroad; the exemptions in place in relation to paying this charge; if owners who now find themselves unemployed are liable to pay the charge; his plans to review the stipulations on this charge; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[33402/12]

Child Care Services

Derek Nolan

422 Deputy Derek Nolan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number of social workers she intends to take on as a result of the Children First guidelines; the number that will be taken on nationally and locally; when they will be taken on; the locations at which they will be based; the number of positions that will be filled; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
[33254/12]