Parliamentary questions

Service Medals

Derek Keating

113. Deputy Derek Keating asked the Minister for Justice and Equality in view of the fact that a large number of members of An Garda Síochána and the Irish Prison Service served during the emergencies that had been declared as a result of the period here known as the Troubles, maintaining the peace in this State, a number of whom made the ultimate sacrifice, comprising some nine members of An Garda Síochána and one member of the Irish Prison Service, if consideration will be given to awarding a service medal to those who gave service to the State during that time, from 1968 to 1998; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15006/15]

Homeless Accommodation Provision

Derek Keating

780. Deputy Derek Keating asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide a comprehensive report on the measures that have been undertaken to deal with the issue of homelessness, particularly in view of the increase in homelessness as a consequence of the rising cost of rented sector accommodation, allied to the increase in the numbers of persons sleeping rough, and furthermore, given the change from the winter season, which of these measures will remain in place, and the supports available to assist in the prevention of homelessness, when encountered with unreasonable rent increases. [14233/15]

Road Traffic Legislation

Derek Keating

196. Deputy Derek Keating asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number and proliferation of rickshaws that have been plying for hire in Dublin and other cities over the past number of years, in view of the fact that these vehicles have neither registration, insurance or public service vehicle identification and are operated for reward by unqualified persons; and these vehicles, which have been the subject of media comment, are being driven often overloaded, with no regard for road traffic legislation, and operate in pedestrian-only areas and footpaths, with disregard for other road users and pedestrians and often in contravention of the road traffic legislation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13544/15]

National Awards Scheme

Derek Keating

1. Deputy Derek Keating asked the Taoiseach his plans to establish a national awards scheme; if he will now bring forward his plans for a national awards scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46775/14]

National Awards Scheme

Derek Keating

2. Deputy Derek Keating asked the Taoiseach further to Parliamentary Question No. 9 of 25 October 2011, during which he committed to write to the party leaders and representatives on the establishment of a national civil award, if he will report on the responses received; the views expressed by those party leaders and representatives; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3280/15]

Defence Forces Veterans

Derek Keating

402. Deputy Derek Keating asked the Minister for Defence in view of the fact that those who have served in the Defence Forces at home and in international United Nations service are often likely to suffer family breakdown and homelessness the specific services that are available to homeless former members of the Armed Forces and the outreach services that are available to ensure that those who served this country well are looked after following their return to civilian life. [11789/15]

Light Rail Projects Status

Derek Keating

594. Deputy Derek Keating asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport in view of the fact that the Luas project Lucan, line F1, was part of Government plans since the publication of A Platform for Change in 2000 and was at the environmental impact statement stage when work was suspended due to the downturn in public finances, his plans for resuming this project at the earliest opportunity; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8741/15]

Rail Services

Derek Keating

597. Deputy Derek Keating asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport in view of the fact that Irish Rail has spent a number of million euro on the construction of Kishogue railway station, as part of the Kildare route project, and that this station was to be opened in 2009 and, furthermore, as the station is adjacent to the location of a large number of high profile multinational companies that have invested heavily in the area and could, with proper park-and-ride facilities, help to provide a solution to the traffic problems in Dublin mid-west, his plans for the opening of this railway station, with adequate car parking facilities, at the earliest possible opportunity; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8766/15]

School Accommodation Provision

Derek Keating

189. Deputy Derek Keating asked the Minister for Education and Skills further to Parliamentary Question No.174 of 24 September 2014, regarding the shortfall of 200 school places in the Lucan area of County Dublin, for second level education for September 2015, if she will provide the results of the analysis of the latest demographic data, specifically in relation to the examination of the Lucan area; and the arrangements that will be made to make accommodation available where it is needed. [7640/15]

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]

Criminal Prosecutions

Derek Keating

314. Deputy Derek Keating asked the Minister for Justice and Equality in view of the fact that a police certificate was issued in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Dublin, which shows two criminal convictions, and in view of information supplied pursuant to section 4 of the Data Protection Act 1988 and 2003, reference number 14/342719, which shows one conviction, and other charges dismissed pursuant to section 1(i) of the Probation of Offenders Acts 1907, and that these offences occurred up to 38 years ago, if she will ensure that a police certificate is issued which records one criminal conviction as a matter of urgency, due to the person’s pending visit to Australia; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6904/15]

School Accommodation Provision

Derek Keating

447. Deputy Derek Keating asked the Minister for Education and Skills further to Parliamentary Question No. 174 of 24 September 2014, in which she responded that her Department was at that time analysing the latest demographic data on a nationwide basis to determine where additional school accommodation may be needed from 2015 onwards and in which she gave an undertaking that, when that exercise had been completed, arrangements would be made to make accommodation available where it is needed, the outcome of this study in relation to the Lucan area; and the arrangements being put in place to alleviate the problem; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6817/15]

Tax Rebates

Derek Keating

245. Deputy Derek Keating asked the Minister for Finance if VRT paid on cars in 2009, which had been imported from the UK throughout 2008 and kept in storage never having been driven on Irish roads and eventually both scrapped, can be refunded. [4564/15]

Schools Building Projects Status

Derek Keating

549. Deputy Derek Keating asked the Minister for Education and Skills the progress made on funding for a school extension in respect of a school (details supplied) in County Dublin; if she will prioritise this outstanding issue; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2843/15]

Unemployment Data

Derek Keating

116. Deputy Derek Keating asked the Taoiseach the percentage of the labour force in Dublin Mid-West that is officially unemployed in 2014 compared with each of the past ten years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46932/14]

Home Care Packages

Derek Keating

116. Deputy Derek Keating asked the Minister for Health the position regarding the availability of home care packages in Dublin mid-west (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43385/14]

Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland

Derek Keating

117. Deputy Derek Keating asked the Minister for Health the costs of external consultants and legal fees incurred by the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland for the year 2013 to include the hourly and daily rates paid and other costs incurred on the activities of the board to external consultants and legal practitioners; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43393/14]

Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland

Derek Keating

135. Deputy Derek Keating asked the Minister for Health the reason the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland has voted to increase the annual retention fee from €100 to €150 for 2015 in view of the fact that the same fee increased by 12.5% from 1 January 2014 and is not proportionate when compared with other allied health professionals, where fees are set at €100 and in the case of teachers where the retention fee was reduced to €65 per annum; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43441/14]

Garda Resources

Derek Keating

504. Deputy Derek Keating asked the Minister for Justice and Equality in view of the sharp rise in break-ins, particularly in homes and business premises, and an armed robbery at Saggart post office on 18 October 2014, if she will ensure that sufficient Garda resources are available to a Garda station (details supplied) to deal with such eventualities; her plans to increase resources in the area to ensure that homes and businesses are protected; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41110/14]

Medical Card Eligibility

Derek Keating

129. Deputy Derek Keating asked the Minister for Health if expenses for water charges and local property taxes will be included in calculating the eligibility criteria for general practitioner visit cards; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40557/14]