Parliamentary questions

Schools Building Projects Status

Éamon Ó Cuív

231. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Education and Skills further to Parliamentary Question No. 40 of 20 September, the number of the 27 schools listed that are in band rating 2.1 and are not included in the five year plan and have rented portacabins that have sites that have been assessed by his Department as being ready to build on; the names and roll numbers of these schools; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12884/13]

Schools Building Projects Status

Éamon Ó Cuív

232. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Education and Skills further to Parliamentary Question No. 40 of 20 September 2012, the number of the 27 listed schools that are in band rating 2.1 and are not included in the five year plan and have rented portacabins that have more then 50% of the pupils being taught in portacabins; the names and roll numbers of these schools; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12885/13]

Schools Building Projects Status

Éamon Ó Cuív

233. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Education and Skills further to Parliamentary Question No. 40 of 20 September 2012, the number of the 27 listed schools that are in band rating 2.1 and are not included in the five year plan and have rented portacabins that have learning support and resource teachers working in rooms that are not considered adequate in size for such work; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12886/13]

Schools Refurbishment

Andrew Doyle

234. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Education and Skills the schools in counties Wicklow and Carlow that were provided for under his Department's additional accommodation scheme and emergency works approval to date in 2013; the precise amount of funding that has been allocated to each; the specific project in each school; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12887/13]

Departmental Staff Remuneration

Andrew Doyle

235. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of persons on the payroll of his Department, both departmental employees and teachers in schools nationwide; the number of physical payslips that his Department processes each month; the percentage of these that are sent to payees in the post; the breakdown in the overall cost of physical payslips and postage per year for the years 2009 to 2012; if payees have the option of switching to online payslips; if he will implement online payslips in the near future; if he has considered the savings this would make; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12888/13]

Teacher Redeployment

Joe McHugh

236. Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for Education and Skills with reference to new applicants for panel rights at primary teacher level including applicants who previously applied in 2012, if a person (details supplied) in County Donegal who has worked in a temporary capacity for seven years in two separate dioceses, will be in a position to secure a place on the 2013-14 panel. [12900/13]

Library Services

Peter Mathews

237. Deputy Peter Mathews asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will provide in tabular form, in respect of library services in university libraries, the percentage of total spend allocated to the library services broken down by institution and year for each institute of technology and university for each year from 2005 to date; the number of persons and the full time equivalent in each grade in library, academic and administrative positions for each institute of technology and university for each year from 2005 to date; the names and student enrolment of modules or courses taught by part time or sessional lecturers or any staff not in the full time employment of the institution for each institute of technology and university for each year from 2005 to date and the percentage of FTE student numbers this represents; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12909/13]

School Curriculum

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin

238. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Education and Skills further to the social, personal and health education programme currently run in second level schools as a compulsory part of the curriculum, his plans to maintain this as a mandatory subject; and if he has any plans to reform the said programme. [12931/13]

School Patronage

Eoghan Murphy

239. Deputy Eoghan Murphy asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will provide an update on plans to set up an Educate Together primary school in the Sandymount-Ringsend area of Dublin. [12952/13]

Residential Institutions Redress Scheme

Eoghan Murphy

240. Deputy Eoghan Murphy asked the Minister for Education and Skills his views on correspondence (details supplied) regarding inclusion for the consideration of the Residential Institutions Redress Board. [12953/13]

School Transport

Willie Penrose

241. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Education and Skills further to Parliamentary Question No.113 of 29 November 2012, if the shortfall due to the family (details supplied) has been paid out to the said family; if not, the steps he will take to expedite the payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12967/13]

Cóiríocht Scoile

Éamon Ó Cuív

242. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Oideachais agus Scileanna cé mhéad bunscoil agus iarbhunscoil, faoi seach, atá i gcóiríocht shealadach agus cé mhéad díobh sin gur scoileanna lán-Ghaeilge iad; cad iad ainmneacha agus uimhir rolla na scoileanna sin [13005/13]

School Enrolments

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

243. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will outline secondary school options available for children in Ashbourne, County Meath; if he will detail plans for the new secondary school; the pupil capacity and enrolment procedure for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13070/13]

School Enrolments

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

244. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will outline primary school options available for children in Ashbourne, County Meath; if he will outline the measures he is taking to ensure appropriate and adequate access to primary school places for all children in the locality into the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13071/13]

Schools Building Projects Status

Joanna Tuffy

245. Deputy Joanna Tuffy asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will provide an update on a school (details supplied) in County Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13072/13]

Third Level Fees

Terence Flanagan

246. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding the free fees scheme application in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 13; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13074/13]

Public Sector Pensions Issues

Mattie McGrath

247. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if the pension related deduction is ever going to be refunded to those with salaries of less than €30,000 as originally stated when the pension related deduction was introduced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12595/13]

Croke Park Agreement Issues

Mary Lou McDonald

248. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform in view of the severity of the Croke Park II proposed cuts to low and middle income pay, following significant reductions in take home pay for public sector workers since 2009, and his decision to implement the new cuts in pay and pensions eight months before the Public Service Agreement 2010 concludes, his views that the LRC sought and agreed by management proposals in effect enact Clause 1.28 of the Croke Park agreement which states the implementation of this agreement is subject to no unforeseen budgetary deterioration. [12351/13]

Croke Park Agreement Issues

Mary Lou McDonald

249. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will provide in tabular form, the number of public sector employees who will be subject to the provisions of the Croke Park II agreement whose salary and allowances fall into the following bands less than €65,000; €65,000 to €150,000; €150,000 to €185,000 and more than €185,000 together with the estimated pre-Croke Park II 2013 gross salaries and allowances, 2013 net salaries and allowances after tax and deductions and the post-Croke Park II 2013 gross salaries and allowances, 2013 net salaries and allowances after tax and deductions. [12352/13]

Croke Park Agreement Savings

Mary Lou McDonald

250. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will estimate by year in each of 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2016 the gross savings arising from changes in the Croke Park II to overtime arrangements whereby overtime will be paid at time and half at the first point of the scale for those on less than €35,000; time and a quarter at the individual’s scale point for those over €35,000 and those public servants currently on 39 hours will provide an unpaid hour of overtime. [12354/13]

Croke Park Agreement Savings

Mary Lou McDonald

251. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will estimate by year in each of 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2016 the gross savings arising from changes in the so-called Croke Park II to twilight payments and reduced rate of time and three quarters for Sunday pay. [12355/13]

Croke Park Agreement Savings

Mary Lou McDonald

252. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will estimate by year in each of 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2016 the gross savings arising from changes in the Croke Park two from freezing increments for those earning more than €65k; between €35k and €65k; and less than €35k. [12356/13]

Croke Park Agreement Savings

Mary Lou McDonald

253. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will estimate by year in each of 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2016 the gross savings arising from changes in the Croke Park II to those at the maximum of their scales from measures intended to balance with changes to increments for those who are not at the maximum of their scales. [12357/13]

Croke Park Agreement Savings

Mary Lou McDonald

254. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will estimate by year in each of 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2016 the gross savings arising from changes in the Croke Park II from the elimination of supervision and substitution payments in the education sector. [12358/13]

Departmental Expenditure

Robert Troy

255. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the costs of providing hardware and software to his home and the home of Ministers of State in his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12372/13]

Departmental Expenditure

Robert Troy

256. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the costs of providing telephone in the homes of Ministers and Ministers of State in his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12390/13]

Departmental Expenditure

Robert Troy

257. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the cost of telephones and ICT provided to constituency offices including monthly phone bills of Ministers and Ministers of State in his Department since March 2011; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12409/13]

Departmental Expenditure

Robert Troy

258. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if any additional costs other than telephones, ICT and monthly phone bills are being paid to constituency offices by his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12427/13]

Departmental Expenditure

Robert Troy

259. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the number of mobile phones in use by him, Ministers of State and politically appointed staff; the total costs of the mobile phones since March 2011; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12445/13]

Departmental Expenditure

Robert Troy

260. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the cost of drivers of each vehicle assigned to him and Ministers of State in his Department since March 2011; the mileage and other costs claimed in respect of each since March 2011; the overall yearly costs of ministerial cars in 2010; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12463/13]

Departmental Expenditure

Robert Troy

261. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the number of credit cards issued to staff and Ministers in his Department; the total costs of each card since March 2011; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12482/13]

Public Sector Staff Recruitment

Terence Flanagan

262. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if the moratorium on public sector recruitment has been lifted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12503/13]

National Procurement Service Framework Agreements

Peadar Tóibín

263. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the way the multi-supplier framework agreement for the supply of monochrome and colour printers and multi-function devices is consistent with the Action Plan for Jobs 2013 commitment 206, to prioritise the reduction of barriers to entry for small and medium enterprises in competing for procurement opportunities; and the reason no social clauses have been considered as part of the process despite his commitment to promote such clauses. [12553/13]

National Procurement Service Framework Agreements

Peadar Tóibín

264. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will review the current managed print services framework to include the annual turnover requirements, to ensure that it is fully consistent with his recent commitments to promote small and medium enterprise involvement in procurement and reflective of social clauses. [12554/13]

National Procurement Service Framework Agreements

Peadar Tóibín

265. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform in view of his commitment to promote social clauses and small and medium enterprise take up of Government procurement, the steps being taken to design tender documents and evaluation criteria that reflect these commitments. [12555/13]

Croke Park Agreement Issues

Michael Healy-Rae

266. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his views on correspondence (details supplied) regarding the revised Croke Park agreement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12607/13]

National Lottery Licence Sale

Nicky McFadden

267. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if the 6% retail agents' margin will be ringfenced in the National Lottery Bill 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12659/13]

Flood Relief Schemes Funding

Jim Daly

268. Deputy Jim Daly asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will confirm the way money has been allocated to Clonakilty Town Council and-or Cork County Council to carry out minor works in Clonakilty in the aftermath of the 28 June flood of 2012; the amount of these funds that has been spent by the council to date; if the Office of Public Works will consider further applications for funding of minor flood relief works at Clonakilty; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12717/13]

State Properties

Luke 'Ming' Flanagan

269. Deputy Luke 'Ming' Flanagan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will outline the circumstances in which Ballyhoura Estates Limited, consisting of a substantial house, outbuildings and more than 130 acres of land, which was vested in and held in trust by the Minister for Finance under the 1954 State Property Act on 1 September 1972 for the statutory 20 years, was conveyed to a person (details supplied) on 5 April 1979, and then on 6 April 1979, was conveyed to the person's daughter in part house, outbuildings and 17 acres of land, of which the person, sold 6.315 acres on 11 January 1984; if he will explain the way, almost two years later, on 6 October 1986, the Minister for Finance sold in fee simple sale absolute to the person who had acquired the property seven years earlier, while the property was vested in the Minister for Finance; if this transaction was ever examined as to its propriety, the steps that were taken by his Department to safeguard the property interests of the State in such transactions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12759/13]

Croke Park Agreement Issues

Mary Lou McDonald

270. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if the changes to redeployment arrangements as proposed in Croke Park II has extended the 45 km radius to 90 km; and the reason the new proposals have removed the original provision that in making redeployment decision regard will also be had to reasonable daily commute time. [12798/13]

Public Sector Staff Remuneration

Finian McGrath

271. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will confirm the premium payment under the retired Garda pension scheme which relates to the number of unsociable hours worked during time of service will be cut as part of the Labour Relations Commission proposal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13021/13]

Croke Park Agreement Issues

Michael Healy-Rae

272. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform in view of the fact that full premium payments have been restored to permanent fire fighters and prison officers, the reason nurses, gardaí and paramedics are going to have their premiums cut; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13035/13]

Farm Safety

Tom Fleming

273. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation his views on the use of gypsum CsS04 for under bedding farm animals in view of the fact that it a highly toxic gas when it is eventually washed into and stored in the slurry tank of slatted units and on the release of hydrogen sulfides H25 it has fatal consequences for farm workers; and if will he take note of the fact that it is banned for this use in Northern Ireland, Scotland and England. [12786/13]

Departmental Expenditure

Robert Troy

274. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the costs of providing hardware and software to his home and the home of the Ministers of State in his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12370/13]

Departmental Expenditure

Robert Troy

275. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the costs of providing telephone in the homes of Ministers and Ministers of State in his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12388/13]

Departmental Expenditure

Robert Troy

276. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the cost of telephones and ICT provided to constituency offices including monthly phone bills of Ministers and Ministers of State in his Department since March 2011; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12407/13]

Departmental Expenditure

Robert Troy

277. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if any additional costs other than telephones, ICT and monthly phone bills are being paid to constituency offices by his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12425/13]

Departmental Expenditure

Robert Troy

278. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the number of mobile phones in use by him, Ministers of State and politically appointed staff; the total costs of the mobile phones since March 2011; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12443/13]

Departmental Expenditure

Robert Troy

279. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the cost of drivers of each vehicle assigned to him and Ministers of State in his Department since March 2011; the mileage and other costs claimed in respect of each since March 2011; the overall yearly costs of ministerial cars in 2010; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12461/13]

Departmental Expenditure

Robert Troy

280. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the number of credit cards issued to staff and Ministers in his Department; the total costs of each card since March 2011; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12480/13]

Foreign Direct Investment

Nicky McFadden

281. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the way the intellectual property protocol here contributes to the country's attractiveness as a location for foreign direct investment, particularly in the areas of ICT and research and development; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12579/13]

Departmental Schemes

Andrew Doyle

282. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the schemes available for persons taking voluntary redundancy in the public sector who wish to start their own business and create employment; if he intends to put any schemes in place as part of the Action Plan for Jobs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12600/13]

Work Permit Applications

Jim Daly

283. Deputy Jim Daly asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the position regarding a work permit in respect of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12655/13]

Joint Labour Committees Abolition

Nicky McFadden

284. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if he has considered the recommendation of Retail, Grocery, Dairy and Allied Traders Association to abolish the retail grocery JLC, the assertion that independent grocers should be subject to the same minimum wage rates and employment conditions as all other retailers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12660/13]

Gambling Sector

Eoghan Murphy

285. Deputy Eoghan Murphy asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the reason Enterprise Ireland does not support companies that operate in the gambling sector including high-tech companies that earn their revenues from online betting, betting exchange, gambling, competitive social gaming and tipping markets. [12947/13]

Gambling Sector

Eoghan Murphy

286. Deputy Eoghan Murphy asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the reason that companies that earn their revenue from supplying products and services that operate in the gambling sector are not supported by Enterprise Ireland. [12948/13]

Gambling Sector

Eoghan Murphy

287. Deputy Eoghan Murphy asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if he will consider changing the remit of Enterprise Ireland to facilitate Irish initiated or Irish based tech companies that operate in online betting, betting exchange, gambling, competitive social gaming and tipping markets or companies that earn their revenue from supplying products and services that operate in the gambling sector. [12949/13]

Enterprise Support Schemes

Arthur Spring

288. Deputy Arthur Spring asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the level of support that will be provided for Kerry Technology Park's collaborative programmes, Young Entrepreneurial Programme, Junior Entrepreneur Programme, Coder DoJo camps, in view of the disbandment of Shannon Development; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13041/13]

Enterprise Support Schemes

Arthur Spring

289. Deputy Arthur Spring asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the level of support that will be provided for Kerry Technology Park's collaborative programmes, Young Entrepreneurial Programme, Junior Entrepreneur Programme, Coder DoJo camps, in view of the disbandment of Shannon Development; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Carer's Allowance Appeals

James Bannon

290. Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding an appeal for carer's allowance in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Longford; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13023/13]

Child Benefit Appeals

Jack Wall

291. Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding a child benefit appeal in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12293/13]

Disability Allowance Appeals

Kevin Humphreys

293. Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Minister for Social Protection when a decision on an appeal for on disability allowance will issue in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 4; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12301/13]

Carer's Allowance Appeals

Kevin Humphreys

294. Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Minister for Social Protection when a decision on an application for carer's allowance will issue in respect of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12303/13]

Social Welfare Code Issues

Finian McGrath

295. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of hours a person on a welfare payment may work per week without losing their benefits. [12312/13]

Jobseeker's Allowance Appeals

Seán Kenny

296. Deputy Seán Kenny asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason a person (details supplied) in Dublin 9 had their jobseeker's allowance cut off before Christmas 2012; and when payment will be restored. [12323/13]

Departmental Expenditure

Robert Troy

297. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Social Protection the costs of providing hardware and software to her home and the home of Ministers of State in her Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12373/13]

Departmental Expenditure

Robert Troy

298. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Social Protection the costs of providing telephone in the homes of Ministers and Ministers of State in her Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12391/13]

Departmental Expenditure

Robert Troy

299. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Social Protection the cost of telephones and ICT provided to constituency offices including monthly phone bills of Ministers and Ministers of State in her Department since March 2011; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12410/13]

Invalidity Pension Appeals

Jack Wall

300. Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding an appeal against the decision to refuse their application for invalidly in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12414/13]

Departmental Expenditure

Robert Troy

301. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Social Protection if any additional costs other than telephones, ICT and monthly phone bills are being paid to constituency offices by her Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12428/13]

Illness Benefit Eligibility

Bernard Durkan

302. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the options available to a person (details supplied) in County Laois at the end of their term of receipt of partial disability payment in the event that they are not in a position to continue in employment; their entitlement to revert to disability and-or invalidity pension; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12432/13]

Departmental Expenditure

Robert Troy

303. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of mobile phones in use by her, Ministers of State and politically appointed staff; the total costs of the mobile phones since March 2011; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12446/13]

Departmental Expenditure

Robert Troy

304. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Social Protection the cost of drivers of each vehicle assigned to her and Ministers of State in her Department since March 2011; the mileage and other costs claimed in respect of each since March 2011; the overall yearly costs of Ministerial cars in 2010; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12464/13]

Child Benefit Appeals

Jack Wall

305. Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding a child benefit in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12467/13]

Jobseeker's Allowance Appeals

Bernard Durkan

306. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason for the continued delay in the awarding of jobseeker's allowance in the case of persons (details supplied) in County Dublin; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12468/13]

Rent Supplement Scheme Eligibility

Bernard Durkan

307. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason for the continued delay in the awarding of rent support in the case of persons (details supplied) in County Dublin; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12469/13]

Departmental Expenditure

Robert Troy

308. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of credit cards issued to staff and Ministers in her Department; the total cost of each card since March 2011; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12483/13]

Community Employment Schemes Eligibility

Mattie McGrath

309. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Social Protection the avenue available to a person who is unemployed or disabled who wishes to pursue a community employment or FÁS training course and so on but who is not in receipt of a payment due to the income of their spouse and where such a course would be beneficial to their rehabilitation and well-being; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12486/13]

Domiciliary Care Allowance Appeals

Dara Murphy

310. Deputy Dara Murphy asked the Minister for Social Protection if a decision has been made on a domiciliary care allowance appeal in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cork; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12525/13]

Community and Employment Schemes

Ciaran Lynch

311. Deputy Ciarán Lynch asked the Minister for Social Protection if there is a resolution available to the anomaly that prevented a person (details supplied) in Cork from pursuing an appropriate supervisory position with TÚS because of participation in a less appropriate community employment scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12556/13]

Ministerial Meetings

Nicky McFadden

312. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will provide detail on the recent EU EPSCO Council meeting and the agreement reached on an EU youth guarantee; the way a guarantee scheme will provide young persons with better labour market prospects; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12557/13]

Rural Social Scheme Applications

Colm Keaveney

313. Deputy Colm Keaveney asked the Minister for Social Protection the current position of the rural social scheme; if she will provide details of the likely changes that may be made to the scheme in the coming year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12562/13]

Community Welfare Services

Joan Collins

314. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Social Protection if the community welfare offices currently in Curlew Road, Limekiln Road and Cashel Road are being moved into Parnell Road; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12585/13]

Disability Allowance Appeals

Robert Troy

315. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will expedite a disability allowance appeal in respect of a person (details supplied). [12593/13]

Child Care Services Inquiry

Terence Flanagan

316. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will re examine increasing the number of child care places, currently 6,000, in order to allow for help for one parent families who face a cut in payment from July; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12596/13]

Invalidity Pension Eligibility

Bernard Durkan

317. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding entitlement to invalidity pension in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12606/13]

Departmental Strategies

Catherine Murphy

318. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will detail the clear, controlled targets used within her Department for clearing backlogs in applications and appeals for illness schemes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12611/13]

Illness Benefit Applications

Catherine Murphy

319. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of full-time medical assessors who are or have been employed by her Department to oversee illness scheme applications and appeals currently and in each year for the past five years; the number of medical assessors who have been or are employed on a part-time basis; if there is scope to hire new assessors; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12612/13]

Departmental Strategies

Catherine Murphy

320. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Social Protection the way in which backlogs for illness scheme applications and appeals are prioritised; if there is a defined triage-type protocol to determine and deal with the need of the individual applicant; if she will detail this protocol; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12614/13]

Departmental Strategies

Catherine Murphy

321. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Social Protection if a more permanent solution to handling social welfare assistance applications and appeals is being looked at instead of allowing backlogs to habitually develop and addressing them by redeploying staff temporarily; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12615/13]

Departmental Equipment

Catherine Murphy

322. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Social Protection the IT cataloguing system used by her Department to accept and process illness benefit claims and appeals; the procedure from initial application through to final decision after appeals have been exhausted; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12616/13]

Community and Employment Schemes

Pat Breen

323. Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Social Protection her plans to change the criteria for a scheme (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12639/13]

Invalidity Pension Appeals

Seán Ó Fearghaíl

324. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will ensure that an oral hearing is given in respect of an appeal against a decision to refuse an application for an invalidity pension in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12668/13]

Social Welfare Code Issues

Eric J. Byrne

325. Deputy Eric Byrne asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason a myriad of self-employed people are deemed to have underpaid in respect of their PRSI and social welfare contributions between 1988 and 1991; if she will outline any particular reason these years should be deemed problematic as accountants have been advising their clients of this period; if she will clarify the position; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12674/13]

Family Income Supplement Appeals

Patrick O'Donovan

326. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding an appeal for family income supplement in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Limerick; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12713/13]

Community and Employment Schemes

Dara Murphy

327. Deputy Dara Murphy asked the Minister for Social Protection if it possible for a person (details supplied) in County Cork to accept a job on the Tús scheme having in the past 12 months been on a community employment scheme, which although is not jobseeker's is still a payment from her Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12716/13]

Jobseeker's Allowance Eligibility

Róisín Shortall

328. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Social Protection the basis on which the imputed annual income has been determined in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 9; if her attention has been drawn to the fact that the applicant disputes this figure and has provided evidence of this to her Department; and if she will instruct her Department to take action so that the two figures are reconciled and the case is properly reviewed. [12720/13]

Household Benefits Scheme

Terence Flanagan

329. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Social Protection if the new broadcasting charge will be covered under the household benefits package in the same way that the TV licence currently is; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12728/13]

Jobseeker's Allowance Eligibility

Róisín Shortall

330. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason a claim for jobseeker's allowance in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 9 was suspended; and the reason this person was not notified prior to this action. [12735/13]

Jobseeker's Allowance Eligibility

Paschal Donohoe

331. Deputy Paschal Donohoe asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will give consideration to a proposal whereby persons on the live register and in receipt of jobseeker's payments can avail of a social welfare holiday for a time limited period in order to allow them seek employment overseas and whereby on their return they would still have the same benefits available to them; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12752/13]