Parliamentary questions

Rent Supplement Scheme Payments

Bernard Durkan

144. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will review the maximum level of rent support in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9457/13]

Child Benefit Payments

Bernard Durkan

145. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will ensure no loss of child benefit in respect of the seven days a person (details supplied) in County Kildare was out of the country to seek medical attention; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9459/13]

Exceptional Needs Payments

Bernard Durkan

146. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection if dietary allowance or exceptional needs payment will be made payable in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9460/13]

State Pension (Contributory) Eligibility

Bernard Durkan

147. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the total number of contributions recorded to date entailing ultimate eligibility for old age pension in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9461/13]

Illness Benefit Applications

Bernard Durkan

148. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the current entitlement in respect of illness benefit or disability allowance in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9462/13]

Community Welfare Services

Bernard Durkan

149. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will ensure the continued location of a community welfare officer in the Derrinturn/Carbury/Johnstownbridge area of North West Kildare having particular regard to the need to provide such a service adjacent to a very large rural community including a large urban conurbation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9463/13]

Disability Allowance Applications

Bernard Durkan

150. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection when a disability allowance will be approved in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9464/13]

State Properties

Bernard Durkan

151. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the position regarding the possible sale of title or ground rent in respect of Old Canal Side, CIE Properties; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9433/13]

Scéim na bhFoghlaimeoirí Gaeilge

Éamon Ó Cuív

152. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Ealaíon, Oidhreachta agus Gaeltachta cad é an líon measta scoláirí a n-íocfar deontas ina leith sa mbliain 2013 faoi scéim na bhfoghlaimeoirí Gaeilge; agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina thaobh. [9381/13]

Scéimeanna Teanga

Éamon Ó Cuív

153. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Ealaíon, Oidhreachta agus Gaeltachta cad é líon na scéimeanna teanga a daingníodh gach bliain ó tháinig Acht na dTeangacha Oifigiúla, 2003 i bhfeidhm go dáta; agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina thaobh. [9382/13]

Exploration Licences Approvals

Finian McGrath

154. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will confirm if any applications for an extension of the existing onshore licensing options have been received by his Department and the closing date for same. [9325/13]

Exploration Licences Approvals

Finian McGrath

155. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if the office of the Minister of State has been delegated powers to grant Onshore Exploration Licences. [9326/13]

Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Scheme

Seán Kyne

156. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his plans to create a mandatory registration scheme for oil technicians in order to ensure the highest safety standards in guarding against carbon monoxide poisoning; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9500/13]

Rural Development Programme Funding

Michelle Mulherin

157. Deputy Michelle Mulherin asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the status of a grant application to Mayo North East LEADER Partnership Company Teoranta by an enterprise (details supplied) in County Mayo; when a decision will be made; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9286/13]

Planning Issues

Catherine Murphy

158. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if there is an obligation upon local authorities to comply with the provisions set out in Department Circular PL07/12 regarding telecommunications antennae and support structures guidelines; if so, the penalties that exist for non-compliance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9307/13]

Water Meters Installation

Robert Troy

159. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will outline the training and qualifications required to install water meters when the water charges scheme is rolled out; and if he will clarify if persons hired for the positions by the sub contractors must be qualified plumbers. [9320/13]

Housing Data

Catherine Murphy

160. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide an up to date list of the number of people on local authority waiting lists for each local authority broken down by the length of time spent on each list according to the following time patterns: up to three months, three to six months, six to twelve months, one to two years, two to three years, three to four years, four to five years, five to seven years and more than seven years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9336/13]

Building Energy Rating Compliance

Dominic Hannigan

161. Deputy Dominic Hannigan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the action a householder may take when their house was once declared fully compliant with building regulations but it is then deemed not to be and the builder has gone into receivership so is not in a position to fix it; if there are avenues they can go down to receive funding to repair the home and bring it up to standard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9349/13]

Voluntary Housing Sector

Brendan Smith

162. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the State supports currently available under the two schemes to voluntary housing bodies; the relevant legislation under which this is available; the details of the relevant schemes and the category of bodies/clients availing of them and specifically, in relation to the funding of family homes as provided by voluntary bodies, if he will outline his policy in relation to providing a sale scheme option for tenants; the number of schemes this option has been introduced to date; the legislative provision under which same was allowed; his plans to bring equity to the system and allow families in long term voluntary housing estates to purchase their homes; his views on the matter and in all cases if he will provide the legislative framework under which the various aspects are covered; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9410/13]

Water Charges Introduction

Brendan Smith

163. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his plans to introduce domestic water meters; the way this will be done with apartment blocks/multiple occupancy units; if each apartment owner/occupier will have a separate metering system or if it will be done using a single supply with a management company collecting the charge from each owner; if an option will be given to pay separately if a democratic decision amongst apartments owners can be made; the way waivers or reduced charges will be allocated to pensioners and persons of limited means if charges were done in bulk through a management company; if he will clarify issues for concerned residents of apartment and multi occupancy units; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9411/13]

Water and Sewerage Schemes Provision

Bernard Durkan

164. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the budget available from his Department to the local authorities in County Kildare under each for group water schemes, group sewerage schemes or small schemes; the number of applications received to date or pending in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9439/13]

Departmental Schemes

Terence Flanagan

165. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide details of the international good practice that the national standards as proposed in the Keeping Communities Safe proposal is following; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9483/13]

Fire Service

Terence Flanagan

166. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his views on whether there are less firefighters per head of population here compared to the UK; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9486/13]

Housing Adaptation Grant Application Numbers

Róisín Shortall

167. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the number of grants awarded respectively under each of the grants available under the housing adaptation grant schemes for older people and people with a disability in each of the years since November 2007; the total amount allocated to local authorities by his Department for these schemes in each of these years broken down by local authority; the total amount in matching funds by local authorities in each of these years with a breakdown by local authority where these figures are readily available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9489/13]

Planning Issues

Seán Kyne

168. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government whether the review (details supplied) into claims of planning irregularities at seven local authorities across the country including Galway County Council will be published; and if so, when this might be. [9499/13]

Naturalisation Applications

Thomas P. Broughan

169. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of new Irish citizens that retain passports of their native country or other countries; his views on holders of multiple passports with Irish passports following naturalisation; if he will indicate if the majority of new Irish citizens since 2008 hold dual nationality; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9299/13]

Naturalisation Applications

Brendan Griffin

170. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the position regarding an application for naturalisation in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9314/13]

Naturalisation Applications

Brendan Griffin

171. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the position regarding an application for naturalisation in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9315/13]

State Agencies

Maureen O'Sullivan

172. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality his views on reports (details supplied) that the selection committee for the new Commission of the Human Rights and Equality Commission lack urgency and are engaged in a process of head hunting the Chief Commissioner, a process that would breach the requirements in the UN Paris Principles in relation to such an appointment; and the action he will take to resolve same. [9347/13]

Garda Resources

Andrew Doyle

173. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the resources available to Garda Stations (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9350/13]

Garda Deployment

Brendan Griffin

174. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will provide details of Garda plans to provide cover to residents of the Beara Peninsula; if he will assure people of acceptable response times on a 24/7 basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9361/13]

Garda Transport Data

Brendan Griffin

175. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the total expenditure on the Garda motor fleet in 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9362/13]

Garda Transport Data

Brendan Griffin

176. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the total number of new vehicles purchased for the Garda motor fleet in 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9363/13]

Garda Transport Data

Brendan Griffin

177. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the total expenditure budgeted for new Garda vehicles in 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9364/13]

Garda Transport Data

Brendan Griffin

178. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the total number of new vehicles that will be added to the Garda motor fleet in 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9365/13]

Garda Transport Data

Brendan Griffin

179. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the total number of old vehicles that will be withdrawn from the Garda motor fleet in 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9366/13]

Garda Transport Data

Brendan Griffin

180. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Justice and Equality when he anticipates that the new Garda vehicles will be added to the Garda motor fleet in 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9367/13]

Garda Deployment

Brendan Griffin

181. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of Gardaí assigned to a station (details supplied) in County Kerry since 2002; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9368/13]

Departmental Contracts

Brendan Griffin

182. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the total cost of the cleaning service at a Garda station (details supplied) in County Kerry since 2002; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9369/13]

Road Traffic Legislation

Thomas P. Broughan

183. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the criteria for a member of an Garda Síochána or medical personnel attending the scene of a serious or fatal collision for forming an opinion that a preliminary breath test is not required after a serious or fatal collision; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9372/13]

Crime Levels

Michael Healy-Rae

184. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Justice and Equality his views on the fact that crime figures for County Galway, where 10 of the 100 Garda stations closures have taken place, shows an increase in burglaries and drug seizures and in general raids are up 16% since the stations closed the action he will take regarding same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9380/13]

Garda Deployment

Éamon Ó Cuív

185. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of Garda based in the Claremorris, County Mayo, Garda district at present; the number based there in 2008; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9391/13]

Prison Accommodation Provision

Éamon Ó Cuív

186. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the refurbishment that is proposed for Harristown House, Castlerea, County Roscommon, under the prison implementation plan 2012-2015; his plans to house prisoners with life sentences for murder there; the supervision that will be provided in this open prison, outside the prison walls; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9397/13]

Garda Stations Closures

Michael Healy-Rae

187. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Justice and Equality in view of the information that is now coming through that five vans are proposed to replace the 100 Garda Stations that have recently closed and it is believed that these vans are going to be mobile Garda offices and they will be assigned to areas where Garda stations have closed, the way he expects five vans to replace 100 Garda stations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9404/13]

Citizenship Applications

Pat Breen

188. Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will provide an update on an application in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Clare. [9409/13]

State Agencies

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn

189. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Justice and Equality his views on recent reports that the Equality Authority and the Irish Human Rights Commission have had significant staff and budget reductions since 2009 and are failing to operate effectively as a result; the exact staff reductions and budget cutbacks experienced by these bodies since 2009; the way he intends to ensure that the merged Human Rights and Equality Commission will operate more effectively, efficiently and cohesively as he committed to in September 2012 when this merger process began in view of the weakened state of both bodies currently. [9412/13]

Legal Aid Service Reform

Brian Walsh

190. Deputy Brian Walsh asked the Minister for Justice and Equality his plans for further reform of criminal legal aid under the proposed Legal Aid Bill; and if the introduction of means testing will be considered in the context of the Bill. [9428/13]

Garda Communications

Brian Walsh

191. Deputy Brian Walsh asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will provide details of the contract for the provision of Tetra digital radios to An Garda Síochána, including the number of radios supplied to the force and the cost of same. [9429/13]

Family Reunification Applications

Bernard Durkan

192. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality further to Parliamentary Question No. 163 of 31 January 2013, if he will arrange for the re-issue of a letter directly to the applicant in the case of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 15; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9465/13]

Naturalisation Applications

Bernard Durkan

193. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the progress made to date in the determination of eligibility for naturalisation in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9466/13]