Parliamentary questions

Medical Card Eligibility

Brendan Ryan

1040. Deputy Brendan Ryan asked the Minister for Health further to the recently announced changes in the income limits of the over 70s medical card, the reason the change has been disproportionately larger for married couples, down to €900 from €1,200, as opposed to €500 from €600 for a single person; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45705/13]

Medical Aids and Appliances Expenditure

Brendan Ryan

1111. Deputy Brendan Ryan asked the Minister for Health if he will provide a breakdown on VAT income detailing the amount generated from the following pieces of medical equipment (details supplied). [46207/13]

Medical Card Data

Brendan Ryan

1179. Deputy Brendan Ryan asked the Minister for Health if he will provide a figure for the savings his Department made in 2013 from persons who held discretionary medical cards which were revoked by the Health Service Executive when they were up for renewal but which were then reinstated on review and or appeal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46713/13]

Rail Services

Brendan Ryan

1272. Deputy Brendan Ryan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of real time passenger information display units that have been placed in Fingal since March 2011; the locations of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46283/13]

Public Transport Provision

Brendan Ryan

1273. Deputy Brendan Ryan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of bus shelters that have been placed in Fingal since March 2011; the locations of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46284/13]

Proposed Legislation

Brendan Ryan

219. Deputy Brendan Ryan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government when the pyrite remediation enabling legislation will be brought forward; if he will expedite same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43120/13]

Proposed Legislation

Brendan Ryan

220. Deputy Brendan Ryan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the date on which the Pyrite Resolution Board will accept applications for remediation; if this date will be expedited in view of the fact that many homeowners have paid in excess of €500 to have their homes assessed and are now waiting to pursue the next steps towards remediation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43121/13]

Hospital Accommodation Provision

Brendan Ryan

429. Deputy Brendan Ryan asked the Minister for Health when the beds in Carndonagh Hospital, County Donegal which were closed this year, will be reinstated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43431/13]

Non-Principal Private Residence Charge Administration

Brendan Ryan

168. Deputy Brendan Ryan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government in relation to the abolition of the non-principal private residence tax next year, if late payment fees will continue to accrue following the abolition of the tax; if legislation will be required to deal with this matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40170/13]

Public Liability Insurance

Brendan Ryan

203. Deputy Brendan Ryan asked the Minister for Finance the average cost of public liability insurance here as compared to the average cost across the European Union; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37797/13]

Driver Licences

Brendan Ryan

1650. Deputy Brendan Ryan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide an update on any arrangements between Ireland and Quebec, Canada regarding driving licences; if he will detail the current arrangement between the two; if he will detail any proposed changes in arrangement between the two; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37701/13]

Renewable Energy Projects

Brendan Ryan

431. Deputy Brendan Ryan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources when he expects to publish the offshore renewable energy develoment plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35968/13]

Domiciliary Care Allowance Payments

Brendan Ryan

653. Deputy Brendan Ryan asked the Minister for Social Protection in respect of recipients of domiciliary care allowance, what the process is when the child in respect of whom payment is made reaches sixteen years of age; if the recipient will automatically qualify for carer's allowance if an application is made; if the child will automatically qualify for disability allowance if an application is made; if there are circumstances under which a parent receiving domiciliary care allowance might fail to qualify for carer's allowance for the child in respect of whom payment is made; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35376/13]

Medical Card Eligibility

Brendan Ryan

1134. Deputy Brendan Ryan asked the Minister for Health the position on the proposed self-assessment review forms for medical card holders. [35374/13]

Medical Card Eligibility

Brendan Ryan

1135. Deputy Brendan Ryan asked the Minister for Health when the proposed self-assessment review forms will be issued to medical card holders as standard practice; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35375/13]

Asylum Applications

Brendan Ryan

184. Deputy Brendan Ryan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will provide a breakdown of the numbers of persons who have been granted leave to remain annually for the years 2008 to 2012, inclusive, and to date for 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34132/13]

Medical Card Reviews

Brendan Ryan

229. Deputy Brendan Ryan asked the Minister for Health the reason a medical card was withdrawn on review in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Dublin despite there being no change in this person's medical condition and a decrease in their income since the card was issued; if he will have this medical card application re-examined; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33986/13]

Medical Card Numbers

Brendan Ryan

230. Deputy Brendan Ryan asked the Minister for Health if he will provide statistics for the number of medical cards awarded on a discretionary basis where the application exceeded the means test for the years 2011, 2012 and the first half of 2013. [33987/13]

Public Transport Provision

Brendan Ryan

254. Deputy Brendan Ryan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide details on the most recent proposals for timetable changes for a Dublin bus route (details supplied); if this proposal was accepted; if consideration is being given to organising the timetable to coincide with the train timetable; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34015/13]

Public Transport Provision

Brendan Ryan

255. Deputy Brendan Ryan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide details of the most recent proposals for a Dublin bus route (details supplied) in order to meet capacity requirements at peak times; if he will provide an update on plans for this route; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34016/13]

Departmental Funding

Brendan Ryan

159. Deputy Brendan Ryan asked the Minister for Social Protection if her attention has been drawn to the fact that Vantastic have had to introduce a flat rate charge for passengers on their hospital routes in Dublin Fingal; if her Department has reduced its funding to Vantastic; if this is a result of a reduction of funding from her Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32458/13]

Office of Public Works Properties

Brendan Ryan

409. Deputy Brendan Ryan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the number of vacant Office of Public Works units and properties there are in Fingal, County Dublin; and if he will provide a list of said vacant buildings. [31599/13]

Local Authority Charges Collection

Brendan Ryan

404. Deputy Brendan Ryan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will confirm that the non-principal private residence tax will no longer be charged after 2013; the way outstanding NPPR charges will be collected after 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30201/13]

Motor Tax Collection

Brendan Ryan

406. Deputy Brendan Ryan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if a person (details supplied) in County Dublin will receive a refund on their car tax due to their vehicle being stolen; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30293/13]

Housing Statistics

Brendan Ryan

414. Deputy Brendan Ryan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the number of social housing units that were constructed here between January 1993 and May 1997; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30155/13]

Invalidity Pension Eligibility

Brendan Ryan

133. Deputy Brendan Ryan asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason the criteria for invalidity pension requires an applicant to have been incapable of work for at least 12 months and be likely to be incapable of work for at least another 12 months, or be permanently incapable of work, and the reason applicants are not just assessed on the permanently incapable of work condition, as seems to be the case for many applicants; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29600/13]

Invalidity Pension Eligibility

Brendan Ryan

134. Deputy Brendan Ryan asked the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding invalidity pension decisions, the number of decisions that were made on the grounds of being incapable of work for at least 12 months and be likely to be incapable of work for at least another 12 months; the number of decisions that were made on the grounds of being permanently incapable of work for the years 2012 and for the period January to May 2013; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29601/13]

Home Help Service Provision

Brendan Ryan

499. Deputy Brendan Ryan asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the Health Service Executive's failure to comply with a Labour Court recommendation regarding home help workers in voluntary agencies (details supplied) due to lack of funds; if additional funds will be provided by his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29293/13]

Tax Exemptions

Brendan Ryan

212. Deputy Brendan Ryan asked the Minister for Finance if the exemption on deposit interest retention tax available to groups entitled to charitable exemption from tax will be extended to other voluntary and community groups. [28003/13]

Hospital Waiting Lists

Brendan Ryan

924. Deputy Brendan Ryan asked the Minister for Health his views on the waiting list in the orthopaedic Department of a hospital in County Galway; if he will examine with specific reference to the long waiting time experienced by a person (details supplied) in County Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26759/13]

Beef Industry Irregularities

Brendan Ryan

203. Deputy Brendan Ryan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine in respect of the investigation into the contamination of Irish beef products with horsemeat, the current status of the investigation; if its findings will be published; the potential consequences for parties found to be responsible; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26170/13]

Army Barracks Closures

Brendan Ryan

182. Deputy Brendan Ryan asked the Minister for Defence in relation to the recently closed army barracks at Slaugh Hall, Swords, County Dublin, the plans in place for the future use or sale of the barracks; if there will be an opportunity for the premises to be made available for community use; if it will be leased to a new tenant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24966/13]

One-Parent Family Payment Applications

Brendan Ryan

286. Deputy Brendan Ryan asked the Minister for Social Protection further to an application for one parent family payment in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Dublin, if she will confirm the deductions that will be made from the arrears payment; if an explanation will be provided for any deductions made; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19755/13]

Local Authority Services

Brendan Ryan

430. Deputy Brendan Ryan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide the figures for the numbers of visitors from 1 January 2012 to 31 December 2012 to the libraries in each of the following towns in County Dublin, Balbriggan, Skerries, Rush, Malahide and Swords. [18496/13]

Hospital Waiting Lists

Brendan Ryan

239. Deputy Brendan Ryan asked the Minister for Health the average waiting time for a patient referred by their general practitioner to the Phlebotomy Department of Beaumont Hospital, Dublin 9, for an ordinary blood test to take place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17798/13]

Hospital Charges

Brendan Ryan

240. Deputy Brendan Ryan asked the Minister for Health the cost of an ordinary blood test in the Phlebotomy Department of Beaumont Hospital, Dublin 9, for a non-medical card holder; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17799/13]

An Bord Pleanála Appeals

Brendan Ryan

816. Deputy Brendan Ryan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the number of planning appeals to An Bord Pleanála that were refused against the recommendation of the Board's own Inspector, for the Fingal region from January 2011 until 4 April 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16981/13]

Peace Commissioners

Brendan Ryan

875. Deputy Brendan Ryan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will provide a list of Peace Commissioners registered in the Fingal area of County Dublin. [16152/13]

General Practitioner Services

Brendan Ryan

1273. Deputy Brendan Ryan asked the Minister for Health the progress that has been made towards making the holders of long-term illness cards eligible for free general practitioner care; the legislative timetable for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17017/13]

National Internship Scheme Numbers

Brendan Ryan

132. Deputy Brendan Ryan asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of 18 to 24 year olds currently active on the JobBridge scheme; the impact an increase of €50 a week would have on her Department's budget and if there is any plan to rationalise JobBridge payments; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15871/13]

HSE Properties

Brendan Ryan

294. Deputy Brendan Ryan asked the Minister for Health if the Health Service Executive is continuing to pay rent for a premises (details supplied) in County Dublin despite the discontinuation of the service there; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15651/13]

Mortgage Arrears Proposals

Brendan Ryan

186. Deputy Brendan Ryan asked the Minister for Finance if a lender (details supplied) will be included as one of the main lenders being set targets by the Central Bank to tackle the mortgage arrears problem as announced last week; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14838/13]

Mortgage Arrears Proposals

Brendan Ryan

187. Deputy Brendan Ryan asked the Minister for Finance if he will provide a list of lenders that will be set targets by the Central Bank to tackle the mortgage arrears crisis as announced last week; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14839/13]

School Accommodation

Brendan Ryan

240. Deputy Brendan Ryan asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will provide an update on the application for increased accommodation for a school (details supplied) in North County Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14809/13]

Driving Licence Issues

Brendan Ryan

607. Deputy Brendan Ryan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if a company has been granted the contract to process photographs for the new driving licences being rolled out this year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14974/13]

Driving Licence Issues

Brendan Ryan

608. Deputy Brendan Ryan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if there was any consultation with stakeholders on the provision of passport photos, who previously provided photos for driving licences, before or during the rolling out of the new driving licences; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14975/13]

School Transport Provision

Brendan Ryan

272. Deputy Brendan Ryan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the schemes his Department runs or supports to provide school transport to students with special needs in north County Dublin. [13991/13]

Electricity Generation

Brendan Ryan

351. Deputy Brendan Ryan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will provide an update on the operation of the Eirgrid interconnector in Rush, County Dublin; if all testing of the line has been completed and all acknowledged localised issues been dealt with; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13996/13]

Property Taxation Exemptions

Brendan Ryan

357. Deputy Brendan Ryan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government regarding his review of unfinished estates, if his Department is compiling a list of unfinished estates; if so, the stage this process is at and when it will be completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14155/13]

Property Taxation Exemptions

Brendan Ryan

358. Deputy Brendan Ryan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if the up to date list of unfinished estates will be used as a tool to identify houses that qualify for an exemption from the local property tax; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14156/13]