Parliamentary questions

Special Areas of Conservation Designation

Joan Collins

53. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht further to his announcement last December of his intention to designate the area around Rockabill to Dalkey Island as a special area of conservation, if he has discussed the implications of this with the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government and the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources in view of their recent granting of foreshore and exploration licences to a company (details supplied) to drill an oil well just 6 km from the Dublin coastline. [4517/13]

Community Welfare Services

Joan Collins

125. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Social Protection if the community welfare offices (details supplied) in County Dublin are being closed and staff services being centralised to Parnell Road and Bishops Square, social welfare offices; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4270/13]

Employment Support Services

Joan Collins

129. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Social Protection if she is planning to bring in a JobBridge-type scheme to take thousands of unemployed persons into local authorities on internships; her views on this type of scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3913/13]

Local Authority Housing Provision

Joan Collins

510. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide in tabular form by local authority the number of inspections on local authority houses in relation to condensation and or dampness. [3756/13]

Property Taxation Collection

Joan Collins

206. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Finance in relation to the Finance (Local Property Tax) Bill 2012, Part 14, Offences and Penalties section 146, other than by court action whether Revenue has the authority to collect a penalty arising from (a) or (b) of section 146. [2287/13]

NAMA Bonds

Joan Collins

45. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Finance if he will confirm that the recent bond sales by the National Treasury Management Agecny will, in fact, increase by a significant amount the annual debt interest payments required to be paid by the state on its borrowings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1990/13]

Unemployment Levels

Joan Collins

49. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Finance if he will confirm that according to his Department's own projections that there will a 0% increase in the net level of unemployment by the end of 2013 and that even if his projections are realised unemployment will drop by in the region of 2% by the end of 2015; if he will respond to the projections of the Nevin institute that unemployment may even rise over that period; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1989/13]

Disabled Drivers Grants

Joan Collins

219. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Finance if the tax relief for disabled drivers and disabled passengers scheme is planned on being increased from the current figure of €15,875 in line with the increase in purchase costs, conversion costs and maintenance costs (details supplied) and if he will confirm that the tax relief is over two years and will remain so. [1963/13]

National Internship Scheme Numbers

Joan Collins

523. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will investigate a company (details supplied), which is a participant in the JobBridge programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1694/13]

Local Authority Finances

Joan Collins

427. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government further to Parliamentary Question No.1131 of the 18 September 2012, if he has considered the report of the independent financial consultant engaged by Sligo County Council to review its critical financial position; the response of his Department to the recommendations made by the independent consultants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56358/12]

Local Government Reform

Joan Collins

428. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the names of the members of the Local Government Workforce Planning Group; the terms of reference of the group; the dates of meetings of the Group since it was established; the funding that is provided for the group; the source of the funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56361/12]

Local Government Reform

Joan Collins

429. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the names of the members of the Local Government Efficiency Review Implementation Group; the terms of reference of the group; the dates of meetings of the group since it was established; the funding that is provided for the group; the source of the funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56362/12]

Local Authority Staff Issues

Joan Collins

430. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide in tabular form the total number of staff employed by Sligo County Council on 1 January 2012; the grade and job title of every staff member; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56363/12]

Local Authority Funding

Joan Collins

446. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to the fact that in the local government auditors statutory report on the accounts of Sligo County Council for the year ended 31 December 2011, the Sligo County Manager states that the council's 2012 budget was agreed on the assumption that a sum of €4 million income in the draft budget would arise through effective savings by way of redeployment or voluntary transfer opportunities and from a significant voluntary redundancy package; the county manager further stated that because of the exceptional nature of these matters it was decided to show the financial impact as income rather than for the €4 million to be reduced from budgeted payroll charges across all programmes; if at any time in advance of the council's draft budget being published in December 2011 his Department stated that a significant voluntary redundancy package would be introduced in 2012; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the Sligo County Manager has stated that the 2012 financial outturn for the council is projected to be a deficit of approximately €2.5 million; if his Department has any role in ensuring that local authorities prepare realistic, achievable budgets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56835/12]

Social Welfare Benefits Waiting Times

Joan Collins

93. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will publish the waiting times for applications for social welfaree payments and the waiting times for arrears to be paid for each social welfare payment; her views on the waiting times in general; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [56054/12]

Child Abduction

Joan Collins

159. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the measures and systems in place to restrict children travelling from Ireland, who are restricted from doing so by family court orders without the permission of the second parent or guardian, in particular to the UK where a passport is not a requirement for entry. [55847/12]

Pyrite Remediation Programme Issues

Joan Collins

57. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if, noting that the HomeBond company which led house purchasers to believe they were insured against major structural damage, has shown surplus funds of €25 million which will not be called upon for major structural damage for houses built before HomeBond negotiated backing by a real insurance company in 2008, he will ensure that these funds are used to remediate HomeBond guaranteed housing damaged by heave inducing pyrite. [54253/12]

Court Orders

Joan Collins

124. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the measures and systems in place to restrict children travelling from Ireland, who are restricted from doing so by family court orders without the permission of the second parent or guardian, in particular to the UK where a passport is not a requirement for entry. [53870/12]

Local Authorities Management

Joan Collins

372. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide in tabular form a list of all companies or persons providing an external professional service to the Local Government Management Services Board in 2010 such as legal advice, advertising, project management and including any other external professional service not listed; the amount invoiced by each company; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53882/12]

Local Authority Funding

Joan Collins

373. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government further to Parliamentary Question No. 1131 of 18 September 2012, if he has considered the report of the independent financial consultant engaged by Sligo County Council to review its critical financial position; his response to the recommendations made by the independent consultant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53883/12]

Local Authority Staff Issues

Joan Collins

374. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the workforce planning group has recommended that between two and three directors of service in addition to a head of finance is optimal for level five local authorities which includes Sligo County Council; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that Sligo County Council currently has two directors of service, in addition to two acting directors of service plus a head of finance; the proposals in place to ensure that Sligo County Council complies with the recommendation of the workforce planning group regarding the number of directors of service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53886/12]

Petroleum and Gas Exploration

Joan Collins

5. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his views on whether the current process of granting exploration licences complies with the EU Directive 2003/4/EC on access to information on the Environment and EU Directive 2003/35/EC on public participation in environmental decision making and access to justice; and his views in relation to the granting of the licence to a company (details supplied) to drill in Dublin Bay. [53546/12]

Departmental Agencies Expenditure

Joan Collins

151. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the Local Government Management Services Board paid a lump sum of €2,178 to a Dublin law firm (details supplied) in 2008 to provide a guest speaker at a training conference; the location at which this conference took place; the persons that attended the conference; the other speakers that addressed the conference and the fees they were paid; the purpose of the conference; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52106/12]

Departmental Agencies Expenditure

Joan Collins

152. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide in tabular form a list of all companies or persons providing an external professional service to the Local Government Management Services Board in 2009 such as legal advice, advertising, project management and including any other external professional service not listed; the amount invoiced by each company; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52107/12]

Water and Sewerage Schemes Status

Joan Collins

160. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to the fact that earlier this year Sligo County Council received tenders for the work for the Grange, Strandhill and Tubbercurry sewerage schemes waste water treatment plants upgrades; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the Strandhill scheme is currently overloaded and that the upgrading works are urgently required on all three schemes; the date on which he will approve funding for the schemes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51751/12]

Local Authority Funding

Joan Collins

161. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to the fact a letter of the 2 November 2012 to the Sligo County Manager, his Department indicated that it was willing to provide approval for the conversion of Sligo County Council’s existing €7.5 million overdraft on its revenue account to a term loan; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the Sligo County Manager told the meeting of Sligo County Council on the 5 of November that the Council would seek the €7.5 million loan from the Housing Finance Agency; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the HFA’s function is to advance loan finance to local authorities and the voluntary housing sector to be used by them for purposes authorised by the Housing Acts, 1966-2009, and the Agency is also empowered to lend funds to local authorities for water, waste and environmental capital projects under the terms of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 2002; if it is a function of the HFA to lend funds to local authorities to reduce or replace overdrafts on revenue accounts; if the HFA is empowered to lend funds to local authorities to reduce or replace overdrafts on revenue accounts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51752/12]

Local Authority Funding

Joan Collins

162. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to the fact that Sligo Council’s overall Revenue Account Debt at the end of 2011 was €12.9 million and that the Council’s Capital Debt was €73 million and that the Council’s revenue account debt continues to increase; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the Councils bank refused to increase the Councils overdraft above €7.5 million despite the fact that his Department gave approval for €11 million earlier in 2012; his views on whether Sligo County Council has failed to address, during the course of 2012, the difficulties that arose as a result of councillors adopting the Council’s 2012 budget which was recommended by the County Manager; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51753/12]

Tax Yield

Joan Collins

24. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Finance his views on whether a 10% super-tax on all incomes in excess of €100,000 would yield more than €2 billion; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50524/12]

Departmental Expenditure

Joan Collins

161. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide in tabular form a list of all companies or persons providing an external professional service to the Local Government Management Services Board in 2008 such as legal advice, advertising, project management and including any other external professional service not listed; the amount invoiced by each company; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50582/12]

Local Authorities Management

Joan Collins

163. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will supply the name of the Chairperson of the Finance and Audit Committee of the Local Government Management Agency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50586/12]

Jobseeker's Allowance Payments

Joan Collins

376. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Social Protection if her attention has been drawn to the problems encountered by persons on jobseeker's allowance benefit who fill in casual workers weekly employment information forms; particularly as it relates to cash flow issues being paid fortnightly or monthly and weekly by social welfare [49787/12]

Local Authority Funding

Joan Collins

459. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if it has been brought to his attention that the Sligo County Manager placed an item on the agenda issued on the 30 October, for the November meeting of the Council seeking approval to borrow a sum not exceeding €7.5 million by way of a loan for 20 years to replace the existing overdraft borrowings of €7.5 million and seeking approval to continue with a temporary overdraft of €4 million for the period up to 31 March 2013; if it has been brought to his attention that the County Manager received a letter on 2 November from an official in his Department (details supplied) stating that the Department is willing to provide approval for the conversion of the Council’s existing €7.5 million overdraft to a term loan and further stating that the said loan would reduce the Council’s banking costs and provide an opportunity for the Council to reduce its overall debt levels; if it has been brought to his attention that at the Council meeting on the 5 of November the County Manager changed his recommendation and sought approval from the Council to borrow a sum not exceeding €7.5 million by way of a long term loan with the existing €7.5 million overdraft staying in place; if it has been brought to his attention that by a majority of one the Council voted to accept the County Managers recommendation; if he will approve the proposed €7.5 million loan in view of the fact that the terms for the loan approval from his Department have been ignored and the existing overdraft is being maintained; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49936/12]

Missing Children

Joan Collins

573. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the date on which the 116000 phone line will be operational; if it will be set up before or after the children's referendum; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49591/12]

Health Services Provision

Joan Collins

9. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on the planning application of the Simon Community, Usher's Quay, Dublin, in relation to a transfer of services from the Rowan ward in Cherry Orchard, Dublin; if he is satisfied with the way the transfer of services has gone to this point; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48745/12]

Labour Court Recommendations

Joan Collins

18. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Health his plans to ensure that there are standard contracts with detailed terms and conditions for workers in the home help sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41678/12]

Consultancy Contracts Issues

Joan Collins

128. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide details in tabular form for the years 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012 inclusive, of the arrangements entered into by the Local Government Management Service Board, for the obtaining of advice from a senior or junior counsel and or a firm of solicitors; the subject matter for which advice was sought; the names of the barristers' and solicitors' firms concerned and the fees paid; the nature of the work concerned; if in each case the matter was advertised for competitive tender; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48800/12]

Consultancy Contracts Issues

Joan Collins

129. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide in tabular form a list of all companies or persons providing an external professional service to the Local Government Management Services Board for the years 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012 inclusive, such as ICT, legal advice, advertising, project management and including any other external professional service not listed; the amount invoiced by each company; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48801/12]

Consultancy Contracts Issues

Joan Collins

130. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide details in tabular form for the years 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012 inclusive the total amount of expenditure on consultancy by the Local Government Management Services Board; the names of the consultancy companies awarded contracts; the nature of the work concerned; the fees paid to each consultant; if the matter was advertised for competitive tender; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48802/12]

Departmental Bodies

Joan Collins

131. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the role and function of the Finance and Audit Committee of the Local Government Management Agency; the persons who are members of the Finance and Audit Committee of the Local Government Management Agency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48803/12]

Local Government Management Agency Remit

Joan Collins

132. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the newly established Local Government Management Agency claims that it will be a national centre of excellence providing, procuring and coordinating a range of service supports, required in the local government sector; the person who is the Chairperson of the Local Government Management Agency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48804/12]

Local Authority Staff Issues

Joan Collins

133. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the number of permanent and temporary staff employed by Kilkenny Borough Council in 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 and to date in 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48805/12]

Home Help Service Provision

Joan Collins

216. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to concerns being raised by home helps with regard to their lack of contracts and conditions of employment; his plans to take action regarding same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41679/12]

Regeneration Projects Funding

Joan Collins

726. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the amount of regeneration funding provided in the current year for the replacement of windows and doors and remedial works on local authority houses in an area (details supplied) in County Sligo; if any proposal has been made by Sligo Borough Council to use Regeneration funding for similar remedial works on private houses in the estate and if private households in the estate will be offered the opportunity to avail of a 50/50 scheme where certain approved remedial/refurbishment works are 50% funded from regeneration funds; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48443/12]

Foreshore Licences Applications

Joan Collins

76. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government with regards to the recent Foreshore Licence granted to Providence Resources to drill an exploratory well just six kms from the Dublin coastline, if he is satisfied that no Environmental Impact Assessment was required under EU Directive 85/337/EEC; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46182/12]

Foreshore Licences Applications

Joan Collins

105. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government with regards to the recent Foreshore Licence granted to Providence Resources to drill an exploratory well just six kms from the Dublin coastline, if he has satisfied himself that there is no threat to the safety and welfare of the people of Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46184/12]

Proposed Legislation

Joan Collins

612. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Health if there is any proposed legislation to deal with the administering by dentists of anaesthetic to vulnerable adults and their ability to consent to treatment. [45890/12]

Harbour Authorities Appointments

Joan Collins

3. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport further to Parliamentary Question No 1939 of 18 September 2012, if he will report on his following up of these issues with the chairman of Dun Laoghaire Harbour Company; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45203/12]

Water Services Funding

Joan Collins

183. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the Sligo County Manager has informed the members of Sligo County Council that the county council is incapable for providing the 15% matching funds required for the Sligo city water mains rehabilitation scheme and that he has requested 100% funding for the scheme from his Department; if he is prepared to provide 100% funding for such schemes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45502/12]

Local Government Reform

Joan Collins

184. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the recent financial appraisal of Sligo County Council carried out by consultants Grant Thornton confirms that Sligo County Council is experiencing an increased deficit of substantial amounts year on year and that Sligo Borough Council is balancing its budget; if his further attention has been drawn to the fact that the elected members of Sligo Borough Council have refused to accept recommendations to borrow millions of euro for various projects which the county manager was promoting; if is attention has been drawn to the fact that elected members of Sligo Borough Council are opposed to a merger of the borough council with the county council; if he will ensure that a merger does not take place and that the finances and resources of the borough council remain under the control of the borough council; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45503/12]

Public Transport Subsidies

Joan Collins

258. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will explain the ambiguity between his statement of 24 July regarding the €36 million cash injection to CIE in which he said it was for CIE to remain adequately funded for the immediate future so it can continue to provide a sufficient service to the travelling public with your most recent statement in which you appear to be setting preconditions in advance of providing the funding; if he will give an assurance to the six thousand bus workers in CIE who's earnings match that of the average industrial wage that his policy or intervention will not contribute to the undermining of their ability to continue to provide for their families at a time when the reduction in subvention, rising fuel costs and falling passenger numbers has served to have a severe financial impact on the company. [45532/12]