Parliamentary questions

Postcode Implementation

Ann Phelan

306. Deputy Ann Phelan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the proposed timeline for the introduction of a new post code system; the benefits this is expected to bring to the national and local economies; the implications for businesses, particularly for small and medium enterprises, jobs and opportunities for postal services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11759/14]

Action Plan for Jobs

Ann Phelan

307. Deputy Ann Phelan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will outline the areas under his remit that have experienced growth through the Action Plan for Jobs 2013; the areas identified for further supports and investments under his remit in the Action Plan for Jobs 2014; the core implications for the communications systems, energy requirements and natural resources; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11760/14]

Local Government Reform

Ann Phelan

386. Deputy Ann Phelan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the way the LDC alignment process will affect the roll-out of the Tús programme; the stakeholders and elected members that will be represented on the LDCs and on the LEOs; the way this will be decided and by whom; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12118/14]

Housing Adaptation Grant Funding

Ann Phelan

389. Deputy Ann Phelan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will clarify if his Department is willing to reduce the age limit to 60 years for the HOPS grants for applicants solely reliant on DSP payments such as invalidity pension and disability payments to assist those most vulnerable and most in need; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12160/14]

Personal Insolvency Act

Ann Phelan

422. Deputy Ann Phelan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the justification for not having an independent arbitrator in the insolvency process to act on behalf of debtors, when one party to the process, that is, the financial institution, is allowed a clear veto; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11984/14]

Insolvency Service of Ireland

Ann Phelan

423. Deputy Ann Phelan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality his views on whether lenders forcing debtors into the minimal standards of living set out by the insolvency service are sustainable solutions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11985/14]

Capital Expenditure Programme

Ann Phelan

40. Deputy Ann Phelan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will provide a breakdown of the amount spent on stimulus projects since 2011 in the areas of health, education, transport, child care infrastructure and so on; their importance for the national economy; a breakdown at local and-or regional level of the various projects; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9407/14]

Building Regulations Compliance

Ann Phelan

492. Deputy Ann Phelan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government regarding the building control amendment regulations, which are due to be enacted in March 2014, if he will consider amending SI 9, which currently states that a certificate of compliance on completion must be signed by a principal or director of a building company, to state that it is to be signed by the builder or home owner, thus making it legal for the home owner to sign the certificate, a circumstance which does not exist at present; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9476/14]

Personal Insolvency Act

Ann Phelan

543. Deputy Ann Phelan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of persons, on a county basis, who have engaged, so far, with the Personal Insolvency Service under the three separate headings outlined by the Personal Insolvency Act; the number of debt relief notices that have been issued since the Act’s inception; the number of debt relief arrangements that have been entered into; the number of personal insolvency arrangements that have been struck; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9478/14]

Inter-Country Adoptions

Ann Phelan

624. Deputy Ann Phelan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the reason dossiers are not being sent to India, as per the US-Mexico model, for those couples who have been approved by the Health Service Executive to adopt from India, despite that country being closed to Ireland for adoptions; if the declarations and extensions will be extended beyond two years for declarations and one year for extensions of declarations; when she expects an accredited agency will be set up for adoption from India; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9367/14]

Hospital Staff Recruitment

Ann Phelan

699. Deputy Ann Phelan asked the Minister for Health in respect of Waterford Regional Hospital, there are two part-time consultants in post and one ophthalmic surgeon, there are three permanent vacancies, one of which is currently being advertised and it is proposed that a second post will be filled from the panel, however, approval has been sought in respect of a third post; if approval has been given, when is it expected that the posts in question will be filled; if it is expected that as a result of filling these positions cataract operations will be increased in Waterford Regional Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9511/14]

Road Tolls

Ann Phelan

743. Deputy Ann Phelan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport regarding the HGV Road User Levy Act 2013, which will be brought into law in April, in the UK and Northern Ireland, that will impose a levy of £10 sterling on all HGVs entering the UK and Northern Ireland, the implications of such a charge being levied on the fleet of HGVs which regularly service Northern Ireland from the Republic will have a very serious impact on a sector that is already suffering, and it will have a very detrimental effect on employment within the industry; if he will negotiate a deal with the Northern Ireland Assembly that will see HGVs from the Republic exempt from this levy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9477/14]

Diplomatic Representation

Ann Phelan

36. Deputy Ann Phelan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his plans to expand Ireland’s network of embassies further; and if an analysis of these embassies will be undertaken as part of the review of the Irish foreign policy consultation process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7998/14]

Residency Permits

Ann Phelan

151. Deputy Ann Phelan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will investigate the case of a person (details supplied) in County Carlow who applied over one year ago for a visa in order to remain in the State based on their parentage of an Irish citizen child, in view of the financial and personal hardship this is causing this parent; if he will clarify the stage this application is at and when it is expected that this application will be assessed and completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8407/14]

Military Medals

Ann Phelan

168. Deputy Ann Phelan asked the Minister for Defence the reasons no service medal was struck for soldiers of the National Army who served during the Civil War period, 1922-24, and then discharged; if these soldiers are the only ones who have not received a service medal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8516/14]

Departmental Investigations

Ann Phelan

640. Deputy Ann Phelan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the position regarding the case of a farmer (details supplied) in County Kilkenny; where this case currently is; the action his Department proposes to take in respect of this case; the avenues open to this farmer now; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8173/14]

Mortgage Arrears Proposals

Ann Phelan

158. Deputy Ann Phelan asked the Minister for Finance the position regarding mortgage arrears and the process of repossession being pursued by the banks here if those deemed unsustainable for the mortgage arrears resolution process can requalify for the process if their circumstances change. [5523/14]

Mortgage Arrears Proposals

Ann Phelan

184. Deputy Ann Phelan asked the Minister for Finance the position regarding mortgage arrears and house repossessions in view of the banks here taking a harder line toward mortgage arrears; the reason his Department's monthly figures on arrears are unaudited; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5516/14]

Mortgage Arrears Proposals

Ann Phelan

185. Deputy Ann Phelan asked the Minister for Finance the position regarding repossessions of homes by Irish banks in view of the fact there are discrepancies and doubt over what are the correct figures for repossessions carried out by the banks here; the audits the Central Bank of Ireland conduct of bank repossession figures; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5517/14]

Mortgage Arrears Proposals

Ann Phelan

186. Deputy Ann Phelan asked the Minister for Finance in view of his recent comments regarding repossessions, if he will ensure that the issue is addressed by way of regulation or by including it in a code of conduct; and if so, in what code of conduct will he include same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5518/14]