Parliamentary questions

Construction Contracts

Gerry Adams

204. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if the panel of adjudicators has been nominated and the code of conduct for adjudicators established, as set out in the Construction Contracts Act enacted last July; if not, the action he will take to protect subcontractors in the absence of the adjudication process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20075/14]

Job Assist Scheme Eligibility

Gerry Adams

255. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Social Protection if her attention has been drawn to situations whereby persons who are unemployed but who are not in receipt of social welfare payments are effectively being excluded from accessing Department schemes and initiatives such as community employment schemes, JobBridge and so on; if she will consider amending the criteria for such schemes to allow those who are unemployed, but not in receipt of social welfare payments to access same; the supports available for persons who are in this situation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20199/14]

Hospital Waiting Lists

Gerry Adams

374. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Health the steps being taken to progress the health situation of a person (details supplied) in County Waterford who has been on a waiting list for a gastric bypass since 2008; the length of time they will be expected to wait for this procedure; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that this person also needs a hip replacement but their orthopaedic surgeon is delaying the operation until they receive a gastric bypass; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20034/14]

Planning Issues

Gerry Adams

477. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the action he will take in respect of officials in Donegal County Council or others, involved in wrongdoing, in view of the High Court order of 14 June 2013 in the judicial review case (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19146/14]

Planning Issues

Gerry Adams

478. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government further to the independent assessment announced on 14 June 2013, of planning procedures and practices in six local authorities that were the subject of a planning review report, the terms of reference of the assessment; the persons tasked to carry it out; when the results will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19147/14]

Foreshore Licence Applications

Gerry Adams

641. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine in relation to the significant build up of silt in Annagassan harbour, County Louth which has been problematic for at least two years and which presents a dangerous health and safety issue for fishermen, and has altered the coastal line, the actions he will take to address this problem; the steps he has taken to introduce a foreshore licence which will allow Louth County Council to remove the silt; the timeframe for when this foreshore license will be introduced; if he will consider compensation for the fishermen concerned including the payment of harbour dues that have been paid even though the fishermen have not had use of the harbour; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19173/14]

Social Workers Register

Gerry Adams

790. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Health when CORU, which regulates health and social care professionals in Ireland, began to charge persons who did not study in the Twenty-six Counties €410 for their qualification to be recognised and a further €100 to register to become a social worker; if he will consider reducing this fee for those persons who study social work in other universities, particularly for those Irish citizens who study social work in universities in the North; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18937/14]

Northern Ireland Issues

Gerry Adams

192. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will implement the recommendations of the final report of the Joint Committee on Justice, Equality, Defence and Women’s Rights on the report of the independent commission of inquiry into the murder of Seamus Ludlow in March 2006. [18458/14]

Northern Ireland Issues

Gerry Adams

193. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he intends to implement the recommendation of the final report of the Joint Committee on Justice, Equality, Defence and Women’s Rights on the report of the independent commission of inquiry into the murder of Seamus Ludlow that a commission of investigation be established to investigate the following: if the evidence collected at the scene of the murder of Seamus Ludlow in 1976 was available in 1979; if not, the reason; the reason credible leads given to the Garda by the Northern Ireland police force were not followed up; the reason the four named suspects were not interviewed; if there was a policy in existence not to interview suspects in Northern Ireland for crimes committed in this jurisdiction; if a decision was taken not to actively pursue the investigation of the murder of Seamus Ludlow; and if so, the person who took that decision and the reason for same. [18459/14]

Crime Prevention

Gerry Adams

138. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the position regarding co-operation between the PSNI, An Garda Síochána and the revenue agencies on the island of Ireland; if he is satisfied with the level of co-operation; and his plans to increase co-operation. [18205/14]

Climate Change Policy

Gerry Adams

2. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee on climate change and the green economy last met. [2240/14]

Climate Change Policy

Gerry Adams

3. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Taoiseach the number of times the Cabinet committee on climate change and the green economy has met in the past 12 months. [2241/14]

Climate Change Policy

Gerry Adams

5. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Taoiseach if the Cabinet committee on climate change and the green economy has met since Christmas. [8948/14]

Tax Clearance Certificates

Gerry Adams

151. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Finance if he will instruct local property tax offices to furnish written confirmation of non-liability in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Louth; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17550/14]

Fuel Laundering

Gerry Adams

153. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Finance the total number of fuel laundering plants uncovered in the past five years, by county and by year. [18011/14]

Fuel Laundering

Gerry Adams

154. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Finance the estimated capacity of each fuel laundering plant uncovered in the past five years; and the total estimated capacity of all fuel laundering plants per annum for the past five years. [18012/14]

Fuel Laundering

Gerry Adams

155. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Finance the estimated loss to the Exchequer per annum of the fuel laundering plants uncovered. [18013/14]

Fuel Laundering

Gerry Adams

156. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Finance the estimated loss to the Exchequer of the supply of illegal fuel per annum for the past five years. [18014/14]

Fuel Laundering

Gerry Adams

157. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Finance if he will provide details of a new product produced to identify illegal rebated fuel. [18021/14]

Fuel Laundering

Gerry Adams

158. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Finance when the new product to identify illegal rebated fuel will be introduced into the system. [18022/14]

Fuel Laundering

Gerry Adams

159. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Finance the position regarding co-operation between the PSNI and An Garda Síochána and the Revenue Commissioners' agencies on the island of Ireland; if he is satisfied at the level of co-operation; and if there are plans to increase co-operation. [18023/14]

Fuel Laundering

Gerry Adams

160. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Finance if he plans to introduce new legislation to strengthen the penalties available to the courts against those involved in the illegal trade of fuel laundering. [18024/14]

Fuel Laundering

Gerry Adams

161. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Finance the number of filling stations that have been closed by the Revenue Commissioners for breaches of licensing conditions each year and for the past five years. [18025/14]

Fuel Laundering

Gerry Adams

162. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Finance the number of filling stations closed by the Revenue Commissioners for breaches of the licensing conditions per county. [18026/14]

Third Level Qualifications Recognition

Gerry Adams

239. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Education and Skills if his attention has been drawn to the problem faced by Irish graduates who seek employment in the Middle East because the parchment issued on graduation only states that they have received a BSc and does not state the discipline-field of study; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that because of this omission the parchment, as it is written, is not recognised in any part of the Middle East meaning graduates are unable to secure employment, where available; his plans to address this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17618/14]

Jobseeker's Allowance Appeals

Gerry Adams

326. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Social Protection her views regarding the decision to substantially reduce a weekly personal rate of jobseeker's allowance in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Louth, noting that the decision has had serious financial implications on the household; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17409/14]

Water Charges Introduction

Gerry Adams

411. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the adjustments that will be made to personal allowances for persons with significant health issues, for example, colostomy bags and associated toiletry needs, in respect of water allowances and the proposed introduction of water taxes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17586/14]

Fuel Laundering

Gerry Adams

452. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the estimated cost of cleaning up each illegal plant; and the total cost per annum for the cleaning up of illegal fuel laundering plants. [18015/14]

Fuel Laundering

Gerry Adams

453. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the current arrangements for the cost of clean-ups; the person who pays; and to whom they pay for the clean-up of fuel laundering plants. [18016/14]

Fuel Laundering

Gerry Adams

454. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the number of illegal fuel-sludge dumps that have been uncovered in the past five years; per annum; and by county. [18017/14]

Fuel Laundering

Gerry Adams

455. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the level of human and environmental damage and danger posed by fuel laundering plants and by illegal sludge dumps. [18018/14]

Fuel Laundering

Gerry Adams

456. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the amount that has been paid to clean up fuel sludge dumps per annum, per county. [18019/14]

Fuel Laundering

Gerry Adams

457. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if there are plans to change the process of paying for the clean-up of fuel laundering plants and diesel and fuel sludge. [18020/14]

Crime Investigation

Gerry Adams

464. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if the independent examination of the report of the Garda serious crime review team relating to the death of Fr. Niall Molloy, by Dominic McGinn SC, will involve speaking to the family of Fr. Niall Molloy. [17299/14]

Crime Investigation

Gerry Adams

465. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if the independent examination of the report of the Garda serious crime review team relating to the death of Fr. Niall Molloy will involve interviewing a journalist (details supplied) who has carried out extensive investigative work relating to this case. [17300/14]

Crime Investigation

Gerry Adams

466. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if the independent examination of the report of the Garda serious crime review team relating to the death of Fr. Niall Molloy, by Dominic McGinn SC, will involve speaking to any witnesses who gave statements to the Garda serious crime review team. [17301/14]

Hospital Consultants Contract

Gerry Adams

567. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Health the number of public patients that were seen by each of the consultants on public contracts in St. Vincent's Hospital, Dublin, in each of the past five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17321/14]

Accident and Emergency Department Waiting Times

Gerry Adams

568. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact that accurate figures for those patients in the accident and emergency unit of St. Vincent's Hospital, Dublin, waiting to be allocated a bed, were not provided over recent months due to the practice of excluding from the numbers patients who may potentially be allocated a bed later in the day; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17322/14]

Medical Card Administration

Gerry Adams

585. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Health the medical and social factors that present on applications for medical cards that are considered when deciding whether to approve a medical card on grounds of undue hardship; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17493/14]

Banks Recapitalisation

Gerry Adams

83. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Finance his views on the lack of progress at the Brussels EU summit meeting on direct bank recapitalisation of Irish banks; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14772/14]

Single Resolution Mechanism

Gerry Adams

84. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Finance his response to the agreement on the single resolution mechanism reached in the recent Brussels EU summit meeting; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14771/14]

Homeless Accommodation Funding

Gerry Adams

396. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the context of the national directive in respect of section 10 funding for homeless and related services which has resulted in a 75% cut in funding for Dundalk women's refuge; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16630/14]

Homeless Accommodation Funding

Gerry Adams

397. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide in tabular form the Government funding under section 10 homeless and related services for local councils across the State for each year from 2009; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16631/14]

Homeless Accommodation Funding

Gerry Adams

398. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide in tabular form his Department’s funding for women’s refuges across the State for each year from 2009; the basis on which this funding was allocated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16632/14]

Domestic Violence Policy

Gerry Adams

515. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the funding allocated by her to services aimed at tackling domestic violence in County Louth, including women's refuges; the funding for these services in 2009 to 2013, inclusive, and the amount in 2014. [16545/14]

Domestic Violence Policy

Gerry Adams

516. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the impact that budget cuts in budget 2014 will have on the provision of services aimed at tackling domestic violence in County Louth including women's refuges; if she will provide a breakdown of the funding allocated by him to these services; the funding for these services in 2009 to 2013, inclusive, and what it will be in 2014; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16546/14]

Health Services

Gerry Adams

687. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Health the reason a person (details supplied) in County Louth suffering from locked-in syndrome was refused funding from the Health Service Executive to be allowed return home from Beaumont Hospital, Dublin, considering the fact the HSE would save approximately €168,000 per annum if this request was accepted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16757/14]

Middle East Issues

Gerry Adams

7. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Taoiseach if he discussed the issue of the Middle East peace process on his Gulf visit. [2233/14]

Middle East Issues

Gerry Adams

8. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Taoiseach if he discussed the humanitarian crisis in Syria with his Gulf hosts during his visit. [2234/14]

Middle East Issues

Gerry Adams

9. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Taoiseach if he discussed with his Gulf hosts the issue of alleged human rights violations and the alleged absence of democratic norms that exist in the region. [2235/14]

Middle East Issues

Gerry Adams

10. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Taoiseach if he will report on the outcome of his recent visit to the Gulf states. [2236/14]

Middle East Issues

Gerry Adams

11. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Taoiseach if he discussed with the leaders of Qatar the issue of migrant workers and their treatment. [2237/14]

Middle East Issues

Gerry Adams

12. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Taoiseach if he discussed with the Government of Saudi Arabia the treatment of women. [2238/14]

Middle East Issues

Gerry Adams

13. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Taoiseach if he discussed with the Government of the United Arab Emirates the issue of human rights and allegations of curtailment of democratic rights, including the vote in elections and arbitrary arrest. [2239/14]

Middle East Issues

Gerry Adams

14. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Taoiseach if he will report on his recent visit to the Gulf states. [2280/14]

International Relations

Gerry Adams

147. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will report on the policy of sanctions agreed at the Brussels EU summit meeting in respect of Russia; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14766/14]

International Relations

Gerry Adams

148. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will set out the circumstances under which the Government will support increased sanctions against Russia; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14767/14]

International Relations

Gerry Adams

149. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if any of those Russian citizens against whom sanctions have been applied by the European Union are known to have interests here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14769/14]

Office of Public Works Projects

Gerry Adams

234. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if his attention has been drawn to the fact that a number of subcontractors who were employed to carry out the River Dargle, County Wicklow, flood relief scheme remain unpaid for their work; the action he will take to resolve the issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15052/14]

Cross-Border Enterprise Initiatives

Gerry Adams

242. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation in view of the economic stress facing the Border counties, if he will consider raising additional initiatives to support cross-Border economic development at the next North-South Ministerial Council. [12760/14]

Cross-Border Enterprise Initiatives

Gerry Adams

243. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation in view of the adverse impact of the Border on economic development of communities, if he will consider promoting the establishment of a Border development zone at the North-South Ministerial Council. [12761/14]

Cross-Border Enterprise Initiatives

Gerry Adams

244. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation his views regarding establishing a Border development zone which could play a key role in promoting greater North-South co-operation for mutual benefit. [12762/14]

Mortgage Interest Supplement Scheme Eligibility

Gerry Adams

305. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Social Protection her views on whether it is acceptable that her Department has continuously failed to make a decision on the application made in 2009 by a person (details supplied) for mortgage interest supplement; if she will instruct her Department to provide a decision in this case; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15341/14]

Construction Industry Register Ireland

Gerry Adams

135. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the purposes the €600 annual registration fee of construction companies to the Construction Industry Federation will be used for; the reason this registration fee is on an annual basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14247/14]

European Council Meetings

Gerry Adams

1. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Taoiseach the discussions he had at the European Council meeting on 19 December 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55561/13]

European Council Meetings

Gerry Adams

2. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Taoiseach the discussions he had at the European Council meeting on 19 December 2013 on European defence capability and common security and defence policy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55562/13]

European Council Meetings

Gerry Adams

3. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Taoiseach the discussions he had at the European Council meeting on 19 December 2013 on economic and monetary union and economic and social policy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55563/13]

European Council Meetings

Gerry Adams

4. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Taoiseach if he met German Chancellor Angela Merkel at the European Council meeting on 19 December 2013; and if he discussed with her economic and monetary union, economic and social policy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55564/13]

European Council Meetings

Gerry Adams

5. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Taoiseach the discussions he had German Chancellor Angela Merkel at the European Council meeting on 19 December 2013 regarding bank recapitalisation, the ESM and the timetable for any progress on this matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55565/13]

European Council Meetings

Gerry Adams

6. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Taoiseach the discussions he had at the European Council meeting on 19 December 2013 on enlargement, migration and energy policy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55566/13]

European Council Meetings

Gerry Adams

7. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Taoiseach if he had discussions with the British Prime Minister at the European Council meeting on 19 December 2013 regarding the issue of legacy matters and the way these might be addressed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55570/13]

European Council Meetings

Gerry Adams

8. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Taoiseach if the issue of US National Security Agency bugging of EU Governments was discussed at the 19 December 2013 meeting; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55571/13]

European Council Meetings

Gerry Adams

9. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Taoiseach if the disaster in the Philippines was raised during the European Council meeting of 19 December 2013; the aid Europe is providing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55572/13]

European Council Meetings

Gerry Adams

17. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Taoiseach if he will report on his meetings with European Council leaders prior to Christmas. [2228/14]

European Council Meetings

Gerry Adams

18. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Taoiseach if he discussed the exit of the Irish State from the EU-IMF bailout programme with European Council leaders during the meeting of the European Council on 19-20 December. [2229/14]

European Council Meetings

Gerry Adams

19. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Taoiseach if he discussed the issue of the retrospective recapitalising of Irish banks with his European partners in the European Council meeting on 19 and 20 December. [2230/14]

European Council Meetings

Gerry Adams

20. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Taoiseach if he discussed the impact of the European Union’s commitment to strengthening its common security and defence policy on Irish neutrality with his European partners during the European Council meeting of 19 and 20 December. [2231/14]

European Council Meetings

Gerry Adams

27. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Taoiseach his plans to meet the European Commission President José Manuel Barroso. [8952/14]

European Council Meetings

Gerry Adams

29. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Taoiseach if he will report on his meeting with EU leaders in Brussels on the Russia-Ukraine crisis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12754/14]

European Council Meetings

Gerry Adams

30. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Taoiseach the bi-laterals he had while attending the EU summit on the crisis in Ukraine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12755/14]

European Council Meetings

Gerry Adams

31. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Taoiseach if he met the German Chancellor at the EU summit on the Russia-Ukraine crisis in Brussels; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12756/14]

European Council Meetings

Gerry Adams

32. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Taoiseach if he will report on his meeting with the German Chancellor in Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12764/14]

European Council Meetings

Gerry Adams

33. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Taoiseach if he raised with the Spanish Prime Minister the recent positive development in the Basque country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12765/14]

Inland Waterways Development

Gerry Adams

590. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if he has considered the negative effects the new changes to by-laws dealing with access, fees and permits for the waterways in this State will have; the reason these changes are being made; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13556/14]

Inland Waterways Development

Gerry Adams

591. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if the locations where boats will be able to moor have been identified; if he will outline them; the annual mooring charge for each of the mooring locations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13557/14]

Coroners Service

Gerry Adams

765. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Justice and Equality in view of the TV3 programme "A Search for Justice: Death in Bray" broadcast on the evening of 10 March 2014 (details supplied) and the clear criticism of the conduct of the Coroner for East Wicklow, if he will re-consider his refusal to direct an inquiry into the conduct of the Coroner, pursuant to section 15 of the Coroners Act 1962; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13416/14]

Joint Policing Committees Remit

Gerry Adams

778. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Justice and Equality when his Department, together with the Garda authorities and the Department of Environment, Community and Local Government will outline the outcome of the review process of the role of the joint policing committees in the context of the Programme for Government commitment to build on existing community policing partnerships; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13657/14]

Child and Family Agency Expenditure

Gerry Adams

951. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs to explain the reason funding of Rape Crisis Network Ireland is due to cease at the end of March; the tendering process that will be involved; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13253/14]

Hospital Waiting Lists

Gerry Adams

1032. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Health if the clinical review of all patients waiting for bariatric operations has been completed as part of the transition from St. Colmcille's to St. Vincent's Hospital; if the position of a person (details supplied) in County Waterford has changed as a result of this review; the number of bariatric surgeries that he expects to take place in St. Vincent's Hospital each month; the number of persons on the list for a gastric bypass; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13238/14]

Medical Card Reviews

Gerry Adams

1041. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Health the reasons a discretionary medical card was withdrawn from a person (details supplied) in County Louth; if he will consider directing client services to review the decision, being cognisant of this person's complicated medical issues; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13277/14]

Medical Card Eligibility

Gerry Adams

1043. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Health if he will consider issuing a discretionary medical card to a person (details supplied) in County Meath, taking into consideration the fact that prior to a review in September 2013 this person held a discretionary medical card and the person’s income remains largely unchanged; if he will clarify changes made to the assessment of discretionary medical cards on the grounds of undue hardship and outline the alternative supports available to assist those who are affected; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13284/14]

Medical Card Data

Gerry Adams

1044. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Health the number of persons who have had discretionary medical cards withdrawn to date since 2013; the number of persons engaged in the process of appealing a decision to withdraw a medical card; the length of time persons have to wait to receive a decision on their appeal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13285/14]

Medical Card Eligibility

Gerry Adams

1047. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Health the current guidelines in place when assessing persons who exceed income guidelines for a medical card; the social and-or personal factors which may result in undue hardship that are taken into account when assessing such an applicant; if his attention has been drawn to the number of persons who have had medical cards withdrawn and who are facing unwarranted stress and ill-health as a result of not being able to access services and treatments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13286/14]

Services for People with Disabilities

Gerry Adams

1148. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Health the way a residential placement for a young person is decided upon by Health Service Executive disability services; if input from parents or guardians and current service providers is considered during the decision-making process; if budgetary limits are applied; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13836/14]

Disability Services Funding

Gerry Adams

1149. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Health the funding that was made available for residential placements in respect of young persons assisted by the National Association of Housing for Visually Impaired in the years 2011, 2012 and 2013; the funding that is to be allocated for 2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13837/14]

Rail Network

Gerry Adams

1228. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on the reopening of Dunleer railway station; if he has received many representations calling for the station to be reopened; the amount it would cost to reopen Dunleer train station; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12794/14]

Care of the Elderly Provision

Gerry Adams

229. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Health the number of residential places for the elderly that are available in County Louth. [12501/14]

Care of the Elderly Provision

Gerry Adams

230. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Health the location and number of residential places for the elderly in County Louth. [12502/14]

Health Services

Gerry Adams

231. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Health the number of residents in the Cottage Hospital, Drogheda. [12503/14]

Health Services

Gerry Adams

232. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Health the current plans for the Cottage Hospital, Drogheda. [12504/14]