Parliamentary questions

Nursing Home Accommodation Provision

Seán Kyne

709. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Health if the Health Service Executive has identified the reasons some 1,200 nursing home beds are unoccupied, as confirmed by a survey conducted by Nursing Homes Ireland, which also confirmed the existence of 178 vacancies at 23 nursing homes in County Galway; and if so if the HSE has compiled the actions that need to be taken urgently so as to reduce pressure on acute hospital facilities [1760/15]

Hospital Staff Data

Gabrielle McFadden

710. Deputy Gabrielle McFadden asked the Minister for Health the number of locum consultants currently attached to Portiuncula Hospital, County Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1764/15]

Hospital Staff Data

Gabrielle McFadden

711. Deputy Gabrielle McFadden asked the Minister for Health the type of locum consultants who are currently attached to Portiuncula Hospital, County Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1765/15]

Hospital Staff Data

Gabrielle McFadden

712. Deputy Gabrielle McFadden asked the Minister for Health if he will provide in tabular form the amount it currently costs the Health Service Executive on an annual basis to employ locum consultants at Portiuncula Hospital, County Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1766/15]

Hospital Staff Data

Gabrielle McFadden

713. Deputy Gabrielle McFadden asked the Minister for Health the amount it would cost on an annual basis to employ full-time consultants filling the same roles at Portiuncula Hospital, County Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1767/15]

EU Directives

Brendan Smith

714. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Health if he will provide in tabular form the number of EU directives which remain to be implemented within his Department; the name of these directives; the timeframe for the implementation of these directives; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1795/15]

Medical Card Applications

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn

715. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Health his views on the refusal of a medical card in respect of a person (details supplied) [1801/15]

Medical Aids and Appliances Applications

Michael Healy-Rae

716. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Kerry will receive a hearing aid; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1802/15]

Legislative Programme

Micheál Martin

717. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Health if he will provide in tabular form the number, name and date of Bills initiated in his Department that have been subject to the pre-legislative scrutiny procedure in the Oireachtas. [1816/15]

Legislative Programme

Micheál Martin

718. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Health if he will provide in tabular form the number, name and date of Bills initiated in his Department since September 2013. [1831/15]

Departmental Staff Data

Barry Cowen

719. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Health the number of secondments from his Department to external private firms in 2010 to 2014, inclusive, and to date in 2015; the firms involved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1845/15]

Departmental Staff Data

Barry Cowen

720. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Health the number of secondments based in his Department from external private firms in 2010 to 2014, inclusive, and to date in 2015; the firms involved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1859/15]

Departmental Staff Data

Barry Cowen

721. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Health if his Department has a policy regarding secondments from and within his Department to external firms; when the policy was initiated and last updated; the details of the policy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1873/15]

Trade Relations

Tom Fleming

722. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will provide a list of the memorandums of understanding with China; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49495/14]

Departmental Agencies

Patrick O'Donovan

723. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the number of agencies quangos or other bodies within, funded by or established by his Department which have been scrapped, merged or reduced since this Government was formed; the amount saved in each case; the reduction in staff as a result; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1015/15]

Decentralisation Programme Data

Patrick O'Donovan

724. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the agencies or sections from his Department that were decentralised during the period 1997 to 2011; the travel costs and expenses incurred by decentralised personnel travelling to their base Department in that period. [1030/15]

Foreign Policy

Finian McGrath

725. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will follow up on changes in Cuba and US relations with priority to be given to ending the economic blockade; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1052/15]

Departmental Expenditure

Dara Calleary

726. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the total moneys paid by his Department to external consultants, professional companies or advisers under the Action Plan for Jobs in each year since and including 2012; if he will provide in a tabular form the list of those organisations who received money; his Department's procurement policy regarding this work; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1138/15]

Departmental Staff Training

Brendan Smith

727. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the programmes or schemes his Department currently funds to maintain or increase the number of Irish citizens who gain work experience or full-time employment in the United Nations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1150/15]

Consular Services Provision

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

728. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the extent of support and assistance, including financial assistance and in what circumstances, that his Department and the Irish consular service globally provides to Irish families in the event of a tragedy abroad and especially when a loved one's remains are to be repatriated to Ireland; if there is an accessible service and fund to assist families in such challenging circumstances; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1335/15]

Consular Services Provision

Seán Kenny

729. Deputy Seán Kenny asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his plans to open an office of the Consulate General in Melbourne, Australia; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1381/15]

Inniúlacht sa Ghaeilge sa Státseirbhís

Éamon Ó Cuív

730. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Gnóthaí Eachtracha agus Trádála bunaithe ar an treoir a thug an Roinn Caiteachas Phoiblí agus Athchóirithe do gach Roinn, cad é líon agus cad iad gráid na bpost dá mbeidh státseirbhísigh atá inniúil sa Ghaeilge agus sa Bhéarla ag teastáil; cad é líon na bpost sin a bhfuil duine leis an gcumas cuí Gaeilge agus Béarla iontu cheana féin, arna bhriseadh síos de réir gráid; cén cháilíocht Ghaeilge atá riachtanach do na poist sin; i gcás nach bhfuil an treoir ón Roinn Caiteachais Phoiblí agus Athchóirithe comhlíonta, cad é údar na moille agus cén uair a dhéanfar an scrúdú; agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina thaobh. [1432/15]

Departmental Expenditure

Barry Cowen

731. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will provide in tabular form the total photography costs for his Department per annum in 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014; the costs incurred from use of the Ministerial allowance; a list of occasions for which photographers were booked; the photographers used; a breakdown of costs associated with each occasion that a photographer was used; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1442/15]

Departmental Contracts Data

Barry Cowen

732. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will provide in tabular form the use of external public relations firms employed by his Department per annum in 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014; a list of uses of the external public relations firm; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1450/15]

Passport Applications

Pearse Doherty

733. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the information required for a person (details supplied) to obtain a passport; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1550/15]

Departmental Contracts

Tom Fleming

734. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will provide details of all consultancy firms engaged by his Department during 2014; if he will also provide details of all the relevant fees paid to those firms during the period; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1668/15]

Diplomatic Representation

Brendan Smith

735. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade further to Parliamentary Question No 166 of 11 December 2014 if there have been any further developments in the provision of assistance for the proprietors of the company (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1715/15]

Religious Persecution

Brendan Smith

736. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the outcome of discussions at recent EU Foreign Affairs Council meetings regarding the persecution of Christians; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1762/15]

Religious Persecution

Brendan Smith

737. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the outcome of discussions at recent EU Foreign Affairs Council meetings regarding the persecution of religious minorities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1763/15]

Northern Ireland

Brendan Smith

738. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the outcome of the Stormont talks involving the Irish and British Governments and the five Northern Ireland Executive parties; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1772/15]

Northern Ireland

Brendan Smith

739. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the position regarding the proposal to establish a Bill of Rights for Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1773/15]

Northern Ireland

Brendan Smith

740. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the position regarding the proposed Irish Language Act for Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1774/15]

Northern Ireland

Brendan Smith

741. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the position regarding the proposal to re-establish the Northern Ireland Civic Forum; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1775/15]

Consular Services Provision

Brendan Smith

742. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his plans to extend the diplomatic network; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1781/15]

Religious Persecution

Brendan Smith

743. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the measures being taken at a national and an EU level to address the persecution of Christians across the world; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1782/15]

Human Rights

Brendan Smith

744. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the measures being taken at a national and an EU level to address the persecution of women and the abuse of female human rights across the world; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1783/15]

EU Directives

Brendan Smith

745. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will provide in tabular form the number of EU directives which remain to be implemented within his Department; the name of these directives; the timeframe for the implementation of these directives; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1794/15]

Legislative Programme

Micheál Martin

746. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will provide in tabular form the number, name and date of Bills initiated in his Department that have been subject to the pre-legislative scrutiny procedure in the Oireachtas. [1815/15]

Legislative Programme

Micheál Martin

747. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will provide in tabular form the number, name and date of Bills initiated in his Department since September 2013. [1830/15]

Departmental Staff Data

Barry Cowen

748. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the number of secondments from his Department to external private firms in 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014 and to date in 2015; the firms involved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1844/15]

Departmental Staff Data

Barry Cowen

749. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the number of secondments based in his Department from external private firms in 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014 and to date in 2015; the firms involved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1858/15]

Departmental Staff Data

Barry Cowen

750. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if his Department has a policy regarding secondments from and within his Department to external firms; when the policy was initiated and last updated; the details of the policy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1872/15]

School Transport Expenditure

Brian Stanley

751. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Education and Skills if the school special transport grant will be paid at the end of each school term instead of the end of the school year. [49436/14]

Vocational Education Committees Accounts

John McGuinness

752. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Education and Skills if the accounts of Cork County Vocational Education Committee for 2011 are completed; if there is a reason these accounts have not yet been laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49450/14]

Broadband Service Provision

Tom Fleming

753. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Education and Skills if she will ensure that all small primary schools are retained and enhanced and that high speed broadband is installed in all these schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49456/14]

School Transport Provision

Michael Lowry

754. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Education and Skills further to Parliamentary Question No. 390 of 9 December 2014 the additional mileage that would be incurred by Bus Éireann if it altered the route as requested; the cost of same; and if in view of the health and safety concerns in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Tipperary it will consider making this alteration. [49475/14]

Broadband Service Provision

Tom Fleming

755. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Education and Skills if she will provide in tabular form by county the schools that did not apply for broadband connection; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49479/14]

Schools Building Projects Applications

Charlie McConalogue

756. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Education and Skills if she will provide an update on plans for a new school (details supplied) in County Donegal; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49500/14]

Student Grant Scheme Applications

Sandra McLellan

757. Deputy Sandra McLellan asked the Minister for Education and Skills if she will approve and expedite a Student Universal Support Ireland grant in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cork; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49516/14]

Momentum Programme

Richard Boyd Barrett

758. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Education and Skills regarding the use of MOMENTUM courses and the progression rates of persons getting work from these courses, the reason there is no extra payments for the purpose of public transport or child care for participants in these courses; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49531/14]