Parliamentary questions

Property Taxation Administration

Willie Penrose

142. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Finance if, in the context of the local property charge, he will have more than one eligible property to make a paper based return by way of a number of forms being made available to such persons on request, rather than compelling such persons to resort to online returns, which might not be available to such persons; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20119/13]

Local and Community Development Issues

Willie Penrose

404. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to the concerns being expressed by local development companies in relation to the alignment proposals, especially as to the way this might affect much needed development youth work that is taking place and has been ongoing for a number of years; if note will be taken thereof to ensure the development youth work initiatives are not hived off; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20121/13]

Army Barracks Closures

Willie Penrose

458. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Defence if he will indicate with respect of Columb Barracks, Mullingar, County Westmeath, if any party has expressed an interest in acquiring or leasing same on a long term basis; if he will confirm if he has received an application for the leasing of same on a long-term basis from Westmeath county GAA board, which wishes to put in place a centre of excellence or if same will be disposed of to Westmeath county board which plays a pivotal role in providing leisure activities for a huge population of people across the county which deserves a community dividend; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20389/13]

Youth Work Projects Funding

Willie Penrose

506. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if, in the context where youth work in communities across the country is of invaluable importance she will take steps to reverse the position whereby expenditure on youth work has decreased by more then 25% since 2008, which is six times the rate of cut in Government expenditure; the steps she will take to ensure that a youth service (details supplied) in County Longford which has only been in existence since 2005, is allocated an appropriate budget commensurate with its programme of increased activities; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20120/13]

Hospital Procedures

Willie Penrose

582. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Health the number of women who underwent symphiostomies at Mullingar Hospital, County Westmeath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20350/13]

Orthodontic Services Waiting Lists

Willie Penrose

590. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Health if he will ensure that a person (details supplied) in County Westmeath is given an orthodontist appointment as soon as possible; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20513/13]

Property Taxation Administration

Willie Penrose

69. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Finance if he will outline the deferral arrangements that are in place for persons who have less than €25,000 per year in income, mainly comprised of invalidity or disability payments and who wish to defer the payment of the local property tax; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19691/13]

Post-Leaving Certificate Courses

Willie Penrose

289. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will take steps to provide additional post leaving certificate places to cater for the increasing educational needs in County Westmeath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19066/13]

Mortgage to Rent Scheme

Willie Penrose

423. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the position in relation to the mortgage to rent schemes; if same is being employed by local authorities around the country; if he will indicate if this scheme which is to assist people at risk of losing their homes, has been operated by Longford County Council; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18263/13]

Food Industry Development

Willie Penrose

552. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the procedures put in place by his Department to deal with Clostridium Esterthetitm which is an agent of spoilage in meat one of the causes and agents of blown pack spoilage, which represents a significant commercial loss to meat processors; and if there is an established framework put in place, which can deal with such outbreak; if there is a particular body or person, who industry personnel can contact; if he will indicate the level of losses associated with such incidences; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19024/13]

Schools Building Projects Status

Willie Penrose

90. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Education and Skills the current position in relation to the construction of a new school at a location (details supplied) in County Westmeath; if he will indicate a firm timeframe when such school should be constructed and ready for occupation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18054/13]

Living City Initiative

Willie Penrose

367. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Finance his views on extending the living city initiative (details supplied) to other areas needing regeneration, such as Mullingar, County Westmeath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17709/13]

Schools Designation

Willie Penrose

404. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Education and Skills the eligibility criteria that apply in respect of a secondary school to be designated a DEIS school in the context in which the school is taking in a considerable number of pupils from DEIS designated primary schools; if an application for this designation for the secondary school can now be accommodated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16479/13]

Urban Renewal Schemes

Willie Penrose

780. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will confirm that he has received submissions from Westmeath County Council in respect of the regeneration of areas (details supplied); if same will be expedited in view of the fact that the council is ready to proceed with the refurbishment works; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16478/13]

Commercial Rates

Willie Penrose

834. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will indicate that community childcare providers, which operate on a not for profit basis and which are clearly commercial enterprises and would not be sustainable to continue their operation without Exchequer funding are exempt from the application of commercial rates by local authorities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17202/13]

Thalidomide Victims Compensation

Willie Penrose

1295. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Health the steps that are being taken to deliver upon the commitment in the programme for Government to ensure that justice is delivered in respect of survivors of thalidomide and thereby enable them to achieve access to the appropriate medical services and appropriate compensation in accordance with that to which all other citizens who suffer personal injury are entitled; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17203/13]

Services for People with Disabilities

Willie Penrose

118. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Education and Skills the reason a child, who has Down's syndrome, does not qualify for a special needs assistant in school, and therefore does not qualify for the necessary supports to enable the child to fully participate in the school; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15959/13]

Social and Affordable Housing Applications

Willie Penrose

175. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if in the context of the purchase of affordable housing, it is his intention to reform the claw-back provision, which was put in place, in order to prevent persons selling the house within a specified period of time as otherwise the difference in value would have to be repaid back to the council; and if in view of the significant decline in house prices, that this clause could now be discontinued in total. [15960/13]

Departmental Expenditure

Willie Penrose

483. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Health if there has been a reduction negotiated in the past two years in respect of medical costs associated with medical treatment provided by medical personnel; his policy regarding same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14221/13]

EU Funding

Willie Penrose

570. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if, in the context of making submissions for the next round of EU structural funding for the period 2014 to 2020, he will take steps to include Killucan Station, County Westmeath as the first station on entering the BMW region on the County Sligo railway line, and the first station to be reinstated under the new fund, as it would be in a position to cater for the significant population increase in the east Mullingar area, which would willingly utilise the facility; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13730/13]

Driving Licences

Willie Penrose

148. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport in view of the threat, facing the professional ID market, and the possibility of a loss of jobs in the printed photographic industry, if the Road Safety Authority is reviewing an element of the process to see if there is a role of scanned photographs within the SAFE 2 process, which would permit a resolution of this difficulty and allow the photographic industry to coexist with SGS thus protecting the welfare of this industry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13532/13]

Carer's Allowance Appeals

Willie Penrose

105. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding an appeal for carer's allowance in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Westmeath; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13320/13]

School Transport

Willie Penrose

241. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Education and Skills further to Parliamentary Question No.113 of 29 November 2012, if the shortfall due to the family (details supplied) has been paid out to the said family; if not, the steps he will take to expedite the payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12967/13]

Wind Energy Strategy

Willie Penrose

376. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will take steps to initiate and undertake a strategic environmental assessment of Ireland's overall onshore wind energy strategy similar to that which was initiated in 2011 which undertook an assessment of the likely significant environmental effects of implementing Ireland's offshore wind energy plans; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12507/13]

Farm Safety

Willie Penrose

526. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his attention has been drawn to the fact that gypsum is now a very prominent form of animal bedding being used by farmers in slatted units and other holding facilities; his views regarding the promotion of such material for this purpose, due to the toxic gases therefrom when it is broken down; if in this context he will implement a ban on the use of same for this purpose in view of the fact that it has been banned in other jurisdictions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12788/13]

Garda Vetting Applications

Willie Penrose

200. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if his attention has been drawn to the delays in processing Garda vetting applications, notwithstanding the efforts of the bureau to deal as quickly as possible with the significant volume it receives, in view of the fact that the delays being experienced are having serious implications both for prospective employees and employers as these persons cannot commence their employment until Garda vetting has been completed; the steps he will take to allocate additional staff to deal with the backlog; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12021/13]

Health Services Provision

Willie Penrose

582. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Health if resources will be provided to enable the implementation of the neuro rehabilitation strategy which was published in 2011; if he will take steps to protect funding for the not for profit organisations that provide neuro rehabilitation support; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11584/13]

Proposed Legislation

Willie Penrose

298. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the date on which he plans to publish the Houses of the Oireachtas (Inquiries, Privileges and Procedures) Bill, in order to facilitate a banking inquiry into the activities of banking institutions in respect of 2001 to 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10302/13]

Proposed Legislation

Willie Penrose

499. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Justice and Equality when the Civil Court of Appeal, which has been promised for the past two years, will be introduced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9927/13]

Property Taxation Exemptions

Willie Penrose

103. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Finance if he will outline in detail the categories of exemption from the property tax as recently set out in the Finance Bill 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9219/13]

Labour Court Recommendations

Willie Penrose

248. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Health if the Labour Court has made its final recommendation in relation to the home helps in a case which has been brought by SIPTU to address issues in relation to the contractural situation for home helps throughout the country and when the final recommendations will be brought forward by the 14 January 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9218/13]

Media Mergers

Willie Penrose

385. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation when the necessary legislation will be brought forward to implement the recommendations of the advisory group on the media mergers which was published in January 2009 and in this context since the Government approved the draft heads of the Bill in July 2012, which indicated that the responsibility for carrying out the public interest test would transfer to the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources; if he will now give a definitive date for the publication of the Bill; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8811/13]

Prescription Charges

Willie Penrose

692. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Health if there are any proposals or provisions permitted which would accommodate persons who are experiencing financial hardship as a result of the prescription charge; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8288/13]

Hospital Waiting Lists

Willie Penrose

338. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Health if he will take steps to ensure that a person (details supplied) in County Westmeath is admitted to St. James's Hospital, Dublin, for an urgent procedure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7918/13]

Hospital Staff

Willie Penrose

222. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Health the steps he is taking to deal with the significant increase in the number of medical school graduates for 2013 such that is anticipated that in July 2013 there will be a shortage of intern places for both EU and Non-EU graduates at Irish medical schools; if steps are being taken to implement the recommendations for an increase in intern posts as set out in the NCCMET Report; if he will outline the plans if any which are in place to deal with this important issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7597/13]

Speech and Language Therapy

Willie Penrose

223. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Health the steps he will take to ensure that a person (details supplied) in County Westmeath, has a psychological assessment carried out and further that speech therapy will be afforded to this young person; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7598/13]

Online Business Voucher Scheme

Willie Penrose

436. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will take the steps to instruct the telecommunications regulator, ComReg, to reject the attempt by Eircom to discriminate against rural dwellers by reducing the price of telephone line rental by €4 per month specifically for customers in cities and towns as part of their broadband roll-out plans; if he will ensure that the same reduction will be afforded to rural dwellers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7187/13]

Health Services Staff

Willie Penrose

704. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Health if, in the context of the forthcoming voluntary scheme as proposed for employees in the health service, he will outline the categories of such employees who will be permitted to participate in the said scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7186/13]

Special Educational Needs Staffing

Willie Penrose

75. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he has given any consideration to expanding the role of special needs assistants in schools throughout the State; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6490/13]

HSE Properties

Willie Penrose

204. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Health if undertreated asbestos has been uncovered at a hospital (details supplied) in County Westmeath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6519/13]

Garda Stations Closures

Willie Penrose

93. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will indicate, the policy of the Office of Public Work regarding Garda stations that have been closed in recent weeks; if, in this context, he will take steps to have a barracks, at a location (details supplied) in County Westmeath, handed over to the local development association who wish to acquire same in order to utilise it for community purposes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6110/13]

Garda Stations Refurbishment

Willie Penrose

150. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the steps he will take to ensure that a Garda station (details supplied) in County Westmeath is immediately refurbished and appropriate maintenance afforded to it, such as painting and decorating; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6111/13]

Schools Building Projects Status

Willie Penrose

341. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding the provision of a new secondary school (details supplied) in County Westmeath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5785/13]

Schools Building Projects Status

Willie Penrose

342. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding the provision of a new school (details supplied) in County Westmeath; if same will be expedited; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5786/13]

Foreign Direct Investment

Willie Penrose

372. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if he will outline in comprehensive detail, the number of Industrial Development Agency sponsored visits to Mullingar, Athlone, County Westmeath and County Longford on an annual basis since 2010 by potential investors; if he will further outline the number of these visits that ultimately led to a positive decision by the visiting industrialists to locate an industry in any of the foregoing towns; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4426/13]

Passport Applications

Willie Penrose

56. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade when an application for a passport in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Westmeath will be dealt with pursuant to the provisions of the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 2004; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3478/13]

Invalidity Pension Appeals

Willie Penrose

127. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Social Protection when an appeal in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Westmeath in respect of a claim for invalidity pension will be determined by the Social Welfare Appeals Office, as same was submitted in July 2012; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3610/13]

Water and Sewerage Scheme Grants

Willie Penrose

156. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will outline in comprehensive detail the supports which are available for persons who wish to put in place a group sewerage scheme, including the financial assistance by way of grant aid that is available from his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3639/13]

Property Taxation Collection

Willie Penrose

164. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Finance the position regarding a property which is held in trust for two children with special needs who live in the property with their parents, is it the case that this property will be exempt form the property tax; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1504/13]

Disability Allowance Appeals

Willie Penrose

508. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Social Protection when a social welfare appeal hearing will be held in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Westmeath regarding an application for disability allowance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1499/13]