Parliamentary questions

Medical Card Drugs

David Stanton

741. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Health if he has concerns regarding medical card fraud particularly in relation to prescription drugs; the estimated cost to the State of such fraud annually; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8821/13]

Hospital Staff

Jim Daly

742. Deputy Jim Daly asked the Minister for Health his plans to deal with the current deficit of intern places to medical graduates (details supplied) within the Health Service Executive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8825/13]

Ambulance Service Provision

Tom Fleming

743. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Health if ambulances from a private company (details supplied) in Kildare will now be used in assisted admissions in respect of mental health patients in County Kerry; the implications in the event of an emergency if the ambulance is located in Kildare; the cost implications of out sourcing this service; if he will provide a detailed breakdown of all costs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8829/13]

Departmental Agencies Staff Remuneration

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

744. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health if he will provide in tabular form the total amount paid out in salaries to VHI staff in 2011 and separately in 2012; the total amount paid out in bonuses to VHI staff in 2011 and separately in 2012; the total number of employees who received more than €80,000 from the VHI in 2011, including bonus payments; the total number of employees who received more than €100,000 from the VHI in 2011, including bonus payments; the total number of employees who received more than €150,000 from the VHI in 2011, including bonus payments; the total number of employees who received more than €175,000 from the VHI in 2011, including bonus payments; the total number of employees who received more than €200,000 from the VHI in 2011, including bonus payments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8865/13]

Medical Card Appeals

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

745. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Health the reason a medical card was revoked in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 12. [8908/13]

Medical Card Eligibility

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

746. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Health the limits for savings and the formula used to assess it against the qualifying criteria for an over 70s medical card. [8909/13]

Vaccination Programme

Seán Kyne

747. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Health if, in view of the recent incidence of tubercolosis, the policy of administering the BCG vaccine to newborns, which is currently the practice in all regions of the State except of the west of Ireland, will be extended nationwide. [8981/13]

Vaccination Programme

Seán Kyne

748. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an assurance that in the event that cost is a prohibiting factor in the extension of the administration of the BCG vaccine to newborns in the west of Ireland that additional funding will be provided from his Department and the Health Service Executive. [8982/13]

Proposed Legislation

Seán Kyne

749. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Health his plans to introduce regulations to govern private home care-givers in view of the benefit this would have for practitioners and the public alike; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8984/13]

Smarter Transport

Catherine Murphy

750. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will confirm the way in which the design manual for streets objective referred to in the Smarter Travel policy document has progressed since his taking office; if the National Transport Authority has identified city and town-specific models to achieve an optimal sustainable travel pattern in urban centres around the State; if he will provide this information; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8733/13]

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]

Alcohol Advertising

Timmy Dooley

752. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on sports sponsorship by alcohol companies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8969/13]

Road Projects Contracts

Robert Troy

753. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the position regarding the upgrade of the N4 between Mullingar, County Westmeath and Rooskey, County Roscommon. [8053/13]

Ministerial Appointments

Shane Ross

754. Deputy Shane Ross asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the details of all appointments made by him to all State agencies, commercial bodies and all other appointments made by him since taking office, including the State owned banks and the judiciary. [8127/13]

Ministerial Appointments

Shane Ross

755. Deputy Shane Ross asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the details of the qualifications of all the appointees made by him to all State agencies, commercial bodies and all other appointments made by him since taking office including the State owned banks and judiciary for the appointments they have accepted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8145/13]

Ministerial Appointments

Shane Ross

756. Deputy Shane Ross asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of appointees and the percentage of appointments made by him to all State agencies, commercial bodies and all other appointments made by him since taking office including the State owned banks and the Judiciary that were subject to a public applications process. [8163/13]

Rural Transport Services Provision

Brendan Smith

757. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will ensure that full consultation is carried out with all stakeholders, particularly the existing rural transport providers, in relation to the establishment of new structures for the delivery of rural transport; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8195/13]

Road Traffic Legislation

Jerry Buttimer

758. Deputy Jerry Buttimer asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on whether in the interests of safety of road users, it is necessary to implement new regulations governing the use of horses and sulkies on public roads; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8220/13]

Public Service Obligation Services

Eoghan Murphy

759. Deputy Eoghan Murphy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the way costs are apportioned by the National Transport Authority to companies operating Public Service Obligation routes such as Dublin Bus and CIE, and the process used to decide the amount of money that goes to each company. [8228/13]

Public Service Obligation Services

Eoghan Murphy

760. Deputy Eoghan Murphy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of times CIE companies have not met the quality benchmarks in their Public Service Obligation contracts. [8229/13]

Public Service Obligation Services

Eoghan Murphy

761. Deputy Eoghan Murphy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide a breakdown of the amount of the subvention paid to each of the publicly financed transport companies by the service they offer for example how much of the public service obligation goes to each of the routes in each company and the way this is determined. [8230/13]

Public Service Obligation Services

Eoghan Murphy

762. Deputy Eoghan Murphy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if a private operator were to propose to operate a fully commercial service when an existing public sector obligation subvention service is operated, if the National Transport Authority will consider withdrawing the PSO support for the existing service. [8231/13]

Public Service Obligation Services

Eoghan Murphy

763. Deputy Eoghan Murphy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the way financial performance of the CIE companies are monitored to ensure that they are able to deliver on their Public Service Obligation requirements for the duration of their contracts. [8232/13]

Departmental Funding

Pearse Doherty

764. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide in tabular form the level of Departmental funding allocated to SITT rural transport service for 2007-2013 inclusive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8238/13]

Public Transport Provision

Mattie McGrath

765. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will request Bus Éireann to reinstate the the discontinued bus service at Raheen/Burncoat/Kilbehany along the Cork to Dublin bus route due to the considerable inconvenience caused to rural users of that service. [8244/13]

Driver Licences

Róisín Shortall

766. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on the concerns of the pharmacy sector in respect of the loss of driver photo ID business arising from the awarding of a contract to the National Driver Licence Service; if he will explain the process involved in the awarding of the contract and the reason pharmacies were not allowed to tender for it in view of the fact that many have made a significant investment in equipment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8257/13]

Driver Licences

Finian McGrath

767. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on a submission (details supplied) regarding phorographic ID services. [8290/13]

National Car Test

Sandra McLellan

768. Deputy Sandra McLellan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the amount of revenue generated annually from national car testing since its introduction; the amount generated from re-tests; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8320/13]

Air Services Provision

Alan Farrell

769. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the level of his engagement and consultation with the European Union Regulators on the proposed Ryanair bid for Aer Lingus; the influence he will have on its decision; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8324/13]

Fáilte Ireland Issues

Peter Mathews

770. Deputy Peter Mathews asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to assist an organisation (details supplied) with their international festival on 24 and 25 May 2013; if funding will be made available to assist with transportation costs for the visiting choirs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8327/13]

Taxi Regulations

Seán Kenny

771. Deputy Seán Kenny asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of permits that the Dublin Airport Authority issued to taxi drivers to pick up fares at Dublin Airport for the years 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012; the criteria required by taxi drivers in order to obtain a permit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8355/13]

Rail Services

Patrick O'Donovan

772. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if tickets can now be purchased on-line for all Irish Rail services; if the on-line option is not available on all services, when same will be available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8399/13]

Tourism Promotion

Patrick O'Donovan

773. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide details of Greening events (details supplied) on St Patrick’s day to promote Irish tourism; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8400/13]

Railway Stations Upgrade

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin

774. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if the issue of the lack of availability of electronic ramps in Irish rail stations can be addressed; if his attention has been drawn to the difficulty it is causing for persons with disabilities particularly in the DART stations in Clontarf and Killester which are in the vicinity of the Central Remedial Clinic which accommodates a significant number of wheelchair users who require public transport. [8409/13]

Railway Stations Upgrade

Michael Colreavy

775. Deputy Michael Colreavy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when the job of caretaker at a train station (details supplied) in County Sligo will be filled; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8447/13]

Railway Stations Upgrade

Michael Colreavy

776. Deputy Michael Colreavy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when a ticket machine will be put in place at a train station (details supplied) in County Sligo. [8448/13]

Road Improvement Schemes

Joe Carey

777. Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will report on progress regarding the development of the N17 - N18 Gort to Tuam motorway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8451/13]

Air Services Provision

Terence Flanagan

778. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views regarding Flybe's agreement with Ryanair to assist in its bid for Aer Lingus; if his attention has been drawn to concerns that the selling off of Irish regional routes to Flybe could lead to the destruction of the Irish aviation industry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8516/13]

Coast Guard Services

Tom Barry

779. Deputy Tom Barry asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will acknowledge the work of Coast Guard volunteers; if he will continue to maintain support for them and other volunteer rescue units; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8524/13]

The Gathering Initiatives

Andrew Doyle

780. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide an update on the Gathering 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8525/13]

Tourism Promotion

Patrick O'Donovan

781. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide details of Greening events on St. Patrick's Day to promote tourism here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8618/13]

Road Traffic Accidents Data

Alan Farrell

782. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide a county breakdown of road fatalities from 2002 to 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8648/13]

Road Safety Strategy

Alan Farrell

783. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide details of when the next road safety strategy will be published; the measures he intends to include; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8649/13]

Tourism Promotion

Alan Farrell

784. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will outline details of the promotion of Ireland, at home and abroad, during the period of the St. Patrick's Day Festival; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8650/13]

Road Traffic Accidents Data

Tony McLoughlin

785. Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide a county breakdown of road fatalities in 2012; if he will provide comparable figures for each of the past ten years; and if he will concede that improvements on major motorway infrastructure is a contributory factor in the reduction in fatalities on our roads. [8654/13]

Road Safety

Tony McLoughlin

786. Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his attention has been drawn to the serious safety concerns locally regarding the N4 stretch from Castlebaldwin to Colooney, County Sligo; if he is prepared to state that this road is a priority for the National Roads Authority and his Department when funding becomes available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8655/13]

Aviation Issues

Arthur Spring

787. Deputy Arthur Spring asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of passengers that travelled through Kerry Airport in each of the following years: 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012. [8660/13]

Public Transport Provision

Micheál Martin

788. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will address the bus service to users of the Nitelink which has been reduced to three per night (details supplied); the consequent public order issues arising from a large number of people waiting hours for a nitelink; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8681/13]

Public Transport Provision

Micheál Martin

789. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will request Dublin Bus to revert to the Trinity College / Townsend Street location for the Nitelink service from the D'Olier Street location in view of the public order issues arising at the current location; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8682/13]

Road Traffic Offences

Thomas P. Broughan

790. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he received a submission from an organisation (details supplied) dated 7 February 2013 in relation to the penalty points system and Section 63 of the 2010 Road Traffic Act; and his views on the submission. [8724/13]