Parliamentary questions

Tax Code

Michael McCarthy

11. Deputy Michael McCarthy asked the Minister for Finance if he will report on the situation whereby a semi-State employee's travel expenses may be subject to various deductions by the Revenue Commissioners; the number of persons affected by this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35861/15]

Public Sector Staff Recruitment

Michael McCarthy

15. Deputy Michael McCarthy asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform when he expects the public sector recruitment embargo to be completely lifted; the extent to which he expects recruitment to take place across the public sector in 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35862/15]

Basic Payment Scheme Payments

Michael McCarthy

102. Deputy Michael McCarthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when payment under the area of natural constraint scheme will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Cork. [35215/15]

Building Regulations

Michael McCarthy

437. Deputy Michael McCarthy asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the position regarding the review of building regulations; if he will further clarify the wider consultation his Department undertook with stakeholders in the industry regarding same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35612/15]

Energy Production

Michael McCarthy

452. Deputy Michael McCarthy asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources for an update on the ongoing consultation process on payment mechanisms for micro-generators exporting their surplus power from solar panels; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35481/15]

Harbours and Piers Funding

Michael McCarthy

79. Deputy Michael McCarthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if funding will be made available for a project (details supplied) in County Cork; when work will commence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35014/15]

Bus Éireann Services

Michael McCarthy

227. Deputy Michael McCarthy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on correspondence (details supplied) regarding Bus Éireann fares; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35081/15]

National Children's Hospital

Michael McCarthy

148. Deputy Michael McCarthy asked the Minister for Health his views on correspondence (details supplied) regarding the national children's hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34891/15]

Schools Building Projects Status

Michael McCarthy

673. Deputy Michael McCarthy asked the Minister for Education and Skills for an update on the status of a school building (details supplied) in County Cork; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34664/15]

Schools Building Projects Status

Michael McCarthy

674. Deputy Michael McCarthy asked the Minister for Education and Skills her plans to approve an extension to a secondary school (details supplied) in County Cork; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34665/15]

Free Travel Scheme

Michael McCarthy

50. Deputy Michael McCarthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the action she will take to ensure that the senior citizens and disabled travellers who use the free travel scheme do not suffer a reduced public transport service, given the change of policy regarding the tendering of public transport routes; if her Department will ensure that any bus company awarded a public service obligation route will continue to accommodate persons on the free travel pass scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33467/15]

Rural Development Programme

Michael McCarthy

159. Deputy Michael McCarthy asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government regarding the recently announced investment package for rural Ireland to increase the attractiveness of rural towns and villages as places to live and work, and to promote their position as local commercial and social centres, if he will provide details of the application process for same; if an island (details supplied) in County Cork may apply under this scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33475/15]

Carer's Benefit Payments

Michael McCarthy

168. Deputy Michael McCarthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if she will provide an assurance that carers will not be subject to further cuts in the upcoming budget; that income supports will be protected for those in receipt of a carer's allowance, a carer's benefit, a half rate carer's allowance and a respite care grant in budget 2016; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32780/15]

Carer's Benefit Payments

Michael McCarthy

169. Deputy Michael McCarthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the conditions or criteria required for a person to qualify for credited contributions while in receipt of a carer's allowance or a carer's benefit; the actions, to date, to protect long-term and older carers in relation to their pension entitlements and to ensure that carers are not disadvantaged due to extended periods of caring; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32781/15]

Carer's Benefit Payments

Michael McCarthy

170. Deputy Michael McCarthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection her plans to review the habitual residency condition for the carer's allowance, in view that it acts as a barrier to persons returning here to care for a loved one. [32782/15]

Social Welfare Payments Waiting Times

Michael McCarthy

171. Deputy Michael McCarthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the action her Department has taken to reduce and streamline processing times for social protection payments with a view to minimising hardship on those awaiting the outcome of applications; if she will support a system of automatic notifications between the Revenue Commissioners and her Department once a payment has been awarded, rather than self declaration; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32783/15]

Carer's Benefit Payments

Michael McCarthy

172. Deputy Michael McCarthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection her views on exempting the carer's allowance from means assessment; and the measures in place to assist family carers to avail of education and employment opportunities during their caring years to help and support them in re-entering the workforce, when their caring role ends. [32784/15]

Carer's Benefit Payments

Michael McCarthy

173. Deputy Michael McCarthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection her plans for the future of the respite care grant; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32785/15]

Carer's Benefit Payments

Michael McCarthy

174. Deputy Michael McCarthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if she will consider granting a pro rata respite care grant payment to carers, whose role concludes before the completion of a 12 month period; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32786/15]

Bereavement Grant

Michael McCarthy

175. Deputy Michael McCarthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection her views on the reintroduction of the bereavement grant; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32787/15]

Carer's Benefit Payments

Michael McCarthy

176. Deputy Michael McCarthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection her plans to introduce measures to assist with the transition out of long-term caring responsibilities, in particular the extension of the grace period following the death of a caree, from six weeks to six months, and the introduction of a similar grace period for carers whose full-time caring role has come to an end, following the admission of their caree to residential care. [32788/15]

Free Travel Scheme Administration

Michael McCarthy

177. Deputy Michael McCarthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection her views on extending the free travel scheme to all carers in receipt of the respite care grant in order to enhance access to services and reduce social isolation, particularly for carers living in rural areas; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32798/15]

Respite Care Grant Applications

Michael McCarthy

222. Deputy Michael McCarthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the position regarding an application for a respite care grant by a person (details supplied) in County Cork; when a decision will be made; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33428/15]

Disabled Drivers Grant Eligibility

Michael McCarthy

230. Deputy Michael McCarthy asked the Minister for Finance in respect of the disabled drivers and disabled passengers (tax concessions) regulations 1994, if due consideration will be given to streamlining and modernising the scheme, particularly in reference to the six-point assessment for the primary medical certificate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32800/15]

Property Tax Exemptions

Michael McCarthy

241. Deputy Michael McCarthy asked the Minister for Finance the number of unfinished housing estates approved for exemption from the local property tax; if he will provide clarification in relation to the charge in respect of an unfinished estate (details supplied) in County Cork. [32983/15]

Property Tax Exemptions

Michael McCarthy

242. Deputy Michael McCarthy asked the Minister for Finance the reason a person (details supplied) in County Cork, who previously gained exemption from the Revenue Commissioners for the local property tax, has now received correspondence from the Revenue Commissioners demanding payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32984/15]

Proposed Legislation

Michael McCarthy

354. Deputy Michael McCarthy asked the Minister for Justice and Equality her views on reducing the bankruptcy period to one year; the examination carried out by her Department on the impact of such a proposal; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32755/15]

Children and Family Services Provision

Michael McCarthy

393. Deputy Michael McCarthy asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if he will provide an update on the implementation and advancement of the recommendations outlined in the Study of Young Carers in the Irish Population; his views on developing a national framework of supports and policy guidelines for young carers in the education system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32795/15]

Nursing Staff Recruitment

Michael McCarthy

406. Deputy Michael McCarthy asked the Minister for Health if he will provide details of a new campaign to recruit nurses working in the United Kingdom and elsewhere to work here; the relocation packages available; the closing date for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32763/15]

Respite Care Services Availability

Michael McCarthy

410. Deputy Michael McCarthy asked the Minister for Health his plans to undertake an audit of respite services to identify gaps in existing service levels and to assess current and future needs for these services; to provide increased access to planned respite breaks for dependents of full-time carers; to develop flexible in-home respite services for carers and dependants with no access to residential respite services; to provide additional emergency respite beds when carers are unable to carry out their duties on a short-time basis, such as when a carer takes ill; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32789/15]

Hospital Services

Michael McCarthy

411. Deputy Michael McCarthy asked the Minister for Health his views on the feasibility of developing a national discharge summary and care plan for all persons leaving hospital care to share with their respective carers. [32790/15]

Home Help Service Provision

Michael McCarthy

412. Deputy Michael McCarthy asked the Minister for Health if he will ensure there are no cuts to home help services, given the severe difficulties that this will cause service users and their families; what steps he will take to ensure sufficient levels of home help are made available to support carers, including the provision for more flexibility for weekend and night cover, and that the number of home help packages are sustained in an equitable divide, countrywide. [32791/15]

Care Services Provision

Michael McCarthy

413. Deputy Michael McCarthy asked the Minister for Health his views on the provision of a training plan or courses for family carers similar to those provided to health care professionals in the practicalities of care such as patient moving and handling, the use of aids and appliances, nutrition and personal care; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32792/15]

Home Help Service Provision

Michael McCarthy

414. Deputy Michael McCarthy asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an overview of the current provision of State-funded home help services; his views that extra State-funded home helpers are needed to provide support, including the addition of provisions for a more flexible service, including more weekend and night time cover; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32793/15]

Respite Care Services Availability

Michael McCarthy

415. Deputy Michael McCarthy asked the Minister for Health if he is aware of concerns regarding the possible closure of local respite and nursing home services (details supplied) in County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32794/15]

National Carers Strategy Implementation

Michael McCarthy

416. Deputy Michael McCarthy asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on the implementation of the national carers' strategy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32801/15]

Springboard Programme

Michael McCarthy

531. Deputy Michael McCarthy asked the Minister for Education and Skills her plans to increase the number of courses that are available in Cork south west to persons seeking to participate in the Springboard initiative; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33109/15]

Housing Adaptation Grant Funding

Michael McCarthy

568. Deputy Michael McCarthy asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the action he is taking to ensure that adequate funding is provided to local authorities to deal with the demand for the housing aid for older persons scheme, the mobility aids housing grant scheme and the housing adaptation grant for persons with a disability; to reduce and streamline application processing times; and if he will review the current means test for these schemes, given that the current system places an unfair financial burden on applicants. [32796/15]

Seniors Alert Scheme

Michael McCarthy

569. Deputy Michael McCarthy asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide assurances that funding will be maintained for the seniors alert scheme which provides safety and security to vulnerable person living in the community, at a nominal monitoring charge; his views on extending the scheme to include assistive technology devices such as motion sensors, GPS tracking devices, etc., which will provide additional security for persons who have physical or cognitive difficulties and are living at home. [32797/15]

Rural Transport Services

Michael McCarthy

615. Deputy Michael McCarthy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will ensure that the existing rural transport scheme and the Cancer Connect service in west Cork are maintained, as these services are invaluable resources for carers in the area where public transport is inaccessible to many; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32799/15]

Carer's Allowance Applications

Michael McCarthy

52. Deputy Michael McCarthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the position regarding an application for a carer's allowance by a person (details supplied) in County Cork; when a decision will be made; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32510/15]

Naturalisation Applications

Michael McCarthy

124. Deputy Michael McCarthy asked the Minister for Justice and Equality when a person (details supplied) in County Cork will receive a decision on an application for Irish citizenship; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32560/15]

Health Services Funding

Michael McCarthy

158. Deputy Michael McCarthy asked the Minister for Health if he will consider the allocation of funding to the Asthma Society's advice line; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32574/15]

Carer's Allowance Applications

Michael McCarthy

170. Deputy Michael McCarthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if she will provide an update with regard to an application for carer's allowance by a person (details supplied) in County Cork; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30826/15]

Carer's Allowance Applications

Michael McCarthy

206. Deputy Michael McCarthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the position regarding an application for carer's allowance in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cork; when a decision will be made in respect of same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31262/15]

VAT Rate Application

Michael McCarthy

294. Deputy Michael McCarthy asked the Minister for Finance if he will support calls to keep the VAT rate at 9% to ensure that Ireland continues to maintain a strong, vibrant and competitive tourism industry; if he will maintain this reduced VAT rate for the hospitality sector following on from the very positive implications this reduction has had on the industry in creating and maintaining employment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31167/15]

VAT Rate Application

Michael McCarthy

327. Deputy Michael McCarthy asked the Minister for Finance if consideration will be given to extending the 9% tourism VAT rate beyond 2015 in order to ensure that Ireland continues to maintain a strong, vibrant and competitive tourism industry; if he will maintain this reduced VAT rate for the hospitality sector following on from the very positive implications this reduction has had on the industry in creating and maintaining employment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31168/15]

Mortgage Interest Rates

Michael McCarthy

356. Deputy Michael McCarthy asked the Minister for Finance the assistance or advice that is available to Permanent TSB mortgage holders who were not offered or were prevented from switching to a tracker mortgage; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31544/15]

Flood Relief Schemes Status

Michael McCarthy

426. Deputy Michael McCarthy asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will provide an update with regard to planned flood relief schemes (details supplied) in County Cork; the commencement and completion dates for each scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31500/15]

Teagasc Rationalisation Programme

Michael McCarthy

516. Deputy Michael McCarthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on correspondence (details supplied) regarding Teagasc; his plans to approve the hiring of further advisers by Teagasc; if he will provide funding for them; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31360/15]