Parliamentary questions

Common Agricultural Policy Reform

Éamon Ó Cuív

156. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he regrets the exclusion from the young farmers provisions of the Common Agricultural Policy 2013-2020 of young farmers who have been farming for more than five years; the reason this was not left to national discretion in the regulations; his plans to rectify this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6626/15]

Aquaculture Development

Noel Harrington

157. Deputy Noel Harrington asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to create a compensation scheme under European Union maritime funding rules, through the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund, to assist mussel producers in west Cork and Kerry who have been forced to halt harvesting for most of the winter because of biotoxins in the water in order to protect consumer safety and guarantee the highest standards and image abroad for Irish seafoods; if he will recognise the call by the Irish Farmers Association to provide immediate support to the many family businesses who are facing closure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6628/15]

Drugs in Sport

Mick Wallace

158. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if shops selling tonics and other legal substances for greyhounds are being monitored to ensure that they are only selling substances that comply with Bord na gCon guidelines; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6674/15]

Aquaculture Development

Seán Kyne

159. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he and his Department have considered the use of close-containment systems in fish production to meet targets in aquaculture, in view of the many advantages of these systems over traditional fish farming systems; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6622/15]

Live Register Data

Peadar Tóibín

160. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Taoiseach if the 2,635 jobseekers who have commenced on a Momentum programme in 2014 are included in the Central Statistics Office's live register activation programme figures; the scheme under which they are classified; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6827/15]

Live Register Data

Sean Conlan

161. Deputy Seán Conlan asked the Taoiseach the number of persons in County Monaghan and County Cavan who have signed off the live register since 2011; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7134/15]

Mental Health Awareness

Colm Keaveney

162. Deputy Colm Keaveney asked the Taoiseach if he will consider flying the Amber Flag from his Department buildings, on a chosen day, in order to raise awareness of the Amber Flag Programme, which works to raise awareness of mental health issues within second level schools, sports clubs and youth organisations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6438/15]

Commissions of Investigation

Niall Collins

163. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Taoiseach when the interim report of the Fennelly commission will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6377/15]

Commissions of Inquiry

Micheál Martin

164. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Taoiseach if he will provide, in tabular form, the number of times a draft motion on setting up a commission of inquiry has been circulated to a legal firm prior to or after the Government agreeing same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6630/15]

Commissions of Inquiry

Micheál Martin

165. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Taoiseach the number of times a draft motion on setting up a commission of inquiry has been requested by legal firms to his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6631/15]

Commissions of Inquiry

Micheál Martin

166. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Taoiseach the protocol in place in his Department to deal with requests from legal firms for draft motions on setting up commissions of inquiry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6632/15]

Commissions of Inquiry

Micheál Martin

167. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Taoiseach the number of requests he has received directly from Members of Dáil Éireann requesting draft motions on setting up a commission of inquiry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6633/15]

Jobs Data

Bernard Durkan

168. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Taoiseach the number of jobs lost or gained in County Kildare in each of the past six years to date. [6559/15]

Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements

Thomas P. Broughan

169. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Taoiseach his plans to meet the new Greek Prime Minister, Mr Alexis Tsipras. [6695/15]

National Flag

Seán Crowe

170. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Taoiseach further to Parliamentary Question No. 173 of 3 February 2015, the reason the national flag was not flown at half-mast over Government Buildings on the occasions of the deaths of the President of Malawi, Mr. Bingu wa Mutharika, the Prime Minister of Ethiopia, Mr. Meles Zenawi, and the President of Zambia, Mr. Michael Sata, all of whom died in office, as Ireland has close connections with these countries through the provision of Irish Aid and through having embassies assigned to them. [6824/15]

Dáil Reform

John McGuinness

171. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Taoiseach the number of times Dáil Éireann has sat on a Friday since Friday sittings were introduced by the Government; the number of Bills introduced during Friday sittings; the number of these Bills that were accepted by the Government and their status at present; the number of these Bills voted down by the Government; the number of these Bills that have passed all stages; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7048/15]

National Postcode System Expenditure

Michael Colreavy

172. Deputy Michael Colreavy asked the Taoiseach the projected cost to his Department of converting to using Eircode; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7637/15]

Tax and Social Welfare Codes

Pearse Doherty

173. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the extra revenue that would accrue to the State if working proprietary company directors were categorised as class A for the purpose of pay related social insurance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6597/15]

Tax and Social Welfare Codes

Pearse Doherty

174. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the amount of pay related social insurance that has been paid by employers, for proprietary company directors, in 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014 and 2015 to date. [6598/15]

Tax and Social Welfare Codes

Pearse Doherty

175. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection her plans on reviewing pay related social insurance payable by proprietary company directors; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6599/15]

Free Travel Scheme

Finian McGrath

176. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the reason for non-payment of moneys to a bus operator (details supplied) who was recently admitted to the free travel scheme for bus service here; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7079/15]

Invalidity Pension Appeals

Brian Walsh

177. Deputy Brian Walsh asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection when a decision will be made on an appeal in respect of an invalidity pension for a person (details supplied) in County Galway; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6649/15]

Social Welfare Fraud Investigations

Brian Walsh

178. Deputy Brian Walsh asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the number of tip-offs received from members of the public relating to suspected cases of fraud in 2014; the number of these that resulted in confirmation of fraudulent activity upon investigation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6660/15]

Domiciliary Care Allowance Appeals

Pat Breen

179. Deputy Pat Breen asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection when a decision on a domiciliary allowance review will issue in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Clare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6662/15]

Community Employment Schemes Eligibility

Michelle Mulherin

181. Deputy Michelle Mulherin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection her views on extending the eligibility of community employment schemes to persons over 60 years of age who have been unemployed for up to three years and who are not entitled to a social welfare payment, but are signing for credits; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6691/15]

Fuel Allowance Expenditure

Seán Kenny

182. Deputy Seán Kenny asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the estimated cost of increasing the fuel allowance from €20 to €25 per week; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6726/15]

Social Welfare Overpayments

Paul Connaughton

183. Deputy Paul J. Connaughton asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the options available to a person to challenge an overpayment that has already been paid. [6735/15]

Jobseeker's Allowance Applications

Bernard Durkan

185. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the way means of €54 have been assessed against a person (details supplied) in County Kildare in respect of the person's jobseeker's allowance payment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6760/15]

Social Welfare Offices

Derek Keating

186. Deputy Derek Keating asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection further to Parliamentary Question No. 49 of 24 September 2014, if she will provide an update regarding a dedicated social welfare office in the Lucan area of Dublin for the provision of Intreo services; the efforts the Office of Public Works has made; and when this matter will come to a satisfactory conclusion. [6761/15]

Carer's Benefit Appeals

Brian Walsh

187. Deputy Brian Walsh asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection when a decision will be made on an appeal for a carer's benefit in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Mayo; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6766/15]

Disability Allowance Appeals

Olivia Mitchell

189. Deputy Olivia Mitchell asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection when a date for an oral hearing to hear an appeal on a disability allowance in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 18 will be finalised; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6803/15]

Rent Supplement Scheme Data

Mary Lou McDonald

190. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if she will provide, in tabular form, the number of recipients of rent supplement on 1 April 1989, 1993, 1996, 1999, 2002, 2005, 2008, 2011, 2013 and 2014. [6808/15]

Jobseeker's Benefit Applications

Willie O'Dea

191. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if an exception will be made in respect of an application for a jobseeker's allowance from a person (details supplied) in Dublin 22, as the reason the claim was closed was due to dockets being submitted late, even though her Department was informed that the dockets would not always be on time from the employer; if the original claim will be re-opened, or if the new claim will be expedited; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6838/15]

School Meals Programme

Charlie McConalogue

193. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if she will continue to provide funding towards school lunches in respect of a school (details supplied) in County Donegal; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6850/15]

Youth Guarantee

Fergus O'Dowd

194. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the number of jobseekers under 25 years of age in County Louth, who to date have been offered and completed a personal progression plan as part of the youth guarantee; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6853/15]

Social Welfare Appeals Status

Brian Walsh

195. Deputy Brian Walsh asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection when a decision will be made on an appeal for a non-contributory State pension in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Galway; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6863/15]

Domiciliary Care Allowance Eligibility

Colm Keaveney

197. Deputy Colm Keaveney asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the reason a child (details supplied) in County Galway, who was awarded a domiciliary care allowance in 2008, is not now regarded as a qualified child, in view of the fact that the child's medical condition has deteriorated over the years; when the child's parent will receive a decision on a domiciliary care allowance for a second child; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6921/15]

Carer's Allowance Appeals

Finian McGrath

198. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the position regarding an appeal in respect of a carer’s allowance for a person (details supplied) in Dublin 13; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6940/15]

Departmental Investigations

Peadar Tóibín

199. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection further to Parliamentary Question No. 41 of 14 January 2015, if a decision has been made; if so, when the decision was made; and the nature of the decision. [6946/15]

Redundancy Payments

Denis Naughten

200. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the effect parental leave has on calculations for redundancy; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7001/15]

Disability Allowance Appeals

John McGuinness

202. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if she will expedite an appeal for a disability allowance in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny. [7064/15]

Youth Unemployment Data

Tom Fleming

205. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if she will provide, in tabular form, the statistics for youth unemployment in each county as at 31 December 2014; the number of persons that received a youth guarantee offer in 2014; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7150/15]

Jobseeker's Allowance Data

Tom Fleming

206. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if she will provide, in tabular form, the number of recipients of jobseeker's allowance and jobseeker's benefit in each county on 31 December 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7152/15]

National Postcode System Expenditure

Michael Colreavy

207. Deputy Michael Colreavy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the projected cost to her Department to convert to using Eircode; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7610/15]

Promissory Notes

Róisín Shortall

208. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Finance further to the statement made during questions to An Taoiseach on 27 January 2015 (details supplied), the basis upon which the €50 billion figure is arrived at; if he will provide a full breakdown of the figure; the period over which the €50 billion changes are calculated; and the actual savings that arise from these changes [6823/15]

Promissory Notes

Mick Wallace

209. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Finance if he will confirm that there have been savings of €50 billion on the promissory note and sovereign bond deal of February 2013; if he will provide, in tabular form, and by comparison with the original promissory note schedule, using reasonable assumptions on future interest rates, the way in which, and where, those savings have been made; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6926/15]

Primary Medical Certificates Eligibility

Brendan Smith

210. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Finance his plans to modify the requirements for the primary medical certificate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7007/15]

Carbon Tax Implementation

Sean Conlan

211. Deputy Seán Conlan asked the Minister for Finance if he will review the carbon tax, in view of the competitive disadvantage suffered by suppliers in the southern Border counties, in comparison to their northern counterparts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6655/15]

Tax Collection

Finian McGrath

212. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Finance if he will provide an update on cases of tax evasion, in particular, those cases involving persons who had accounts in the HSBC Bank in Switzerland, and who had circumvented tax laws here by not declaring these accounts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6688/15]

Capital Allowances

Noel Grealish

213. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Finance if, in the event of a person over 70 years of age returning to Ireland from the United States of America, there is a cap on the capital funds transferred here; if there is a tax liability on same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6729/15]