Parliamentary questions

Hospital Services

Mattie McGrath

228. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health the reason there has been no orthoptist services available in Our Lady's Hospital Cashel, County Tipperary since December 2012; when will the previous orthoptist be replaced in Cashel; where are patients who have been on the priority list being treated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32454/13]

Banking Sector Issues

Mattie McGrath

277. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Finance the way AIB and Permanent TSB can advertise for business and investment when it is accepted that they are insolvent institutions with no capacity to offer secure liquidity; the exact extent of the insolvency-liquidity crisis in the above named institutions; his views on the way this will impact on the interest of those taxpayers who might respond to advertised business offers from insolvent institutions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32187/13]

Special Educational Needs Staffing

Mattie McGrath

333. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will provide a definitive statement on the proposed cuts to special needs assistants' working hours and resource teaching allocations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31939/13]

Departmental Websites

Mattie McGrath

87. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Finance the person responsible for the management of the Revenue website; the person directly responsible for the updating of the VAT code section of the Revenue website; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30959/13]

Services for People with Disabilities

Mattie McGrath

255. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Skills if there are special grants available for transport to and from third level education where a student has a physical disability and is unable to find suitable accommodation near the college; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30231/13]

NAMA Board Recruitment

Mattie McGrath

102. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Finance the way his Department can stand over the transparency, integrity and expertise of the original board of National Assets Management Agency when only 36 names from a pool of more than 800 applications emerged without any interview, notwithstanding the fact that the Department publically advertised for expressions of interest on the 3 of November 2009; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29329/13]

School Transport Eligibility

Mattie McGrath

117. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Skills his views on school transport arrangements (details supplied) in County Tipperary; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28730/13]

School Transport Eligibility

Mattie McGrath

121. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Skills the way decisions are being made to establish the nearest school for a student under the terms of the post-primary school transport scheme when schools are the same distance apart or where there is less than 1 km in distance of a difference; if it is true that Google Maps is the programme used to establish the distance; the timeframe spent assessing each application using this programme; the amount of discretion allowed in this regard if a student does not attend their chosen school when the distance is the same particularly when one school is more suitable for the needs of the student; if he will examine if this is the best use of resources; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28780/13]

Civil Registration Legislation

Mattie McGrath

191. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Social Protection the authority under which the Registrar General acted to set aside the powers vested by legislation in the Supreme Court of the land to appoint a commissioner for oaths to take any affidavit, affirmation, statutory or other declaration, acknowledgment, examination and attestation, for the purposes of any court in this jurisdiction or for the registration of any instrument, when the Registrar General refuses to allow the Commissioner for Oaths to take a solemn declaration from both parties to a civil marriage; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29325/13]

Qualified Child Increase Payments

Mattie McGrath

242. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Social Protection further to Parliamentary Question No. 445 of 11 June 2013, what is the position where the child is normally resident with each parent for an equal amount of time, that is, where a child spends Sunday to Saturday, week on/week off with each parent; the way the child can be considered to be normally resident with one parent over the other in this case where the child is equally resident with each parent; if the payment can be split between both parents in this situation; if the payment cannot be split where the child is normally resident with each parent for an equal amount of time, is it not the case that one parent is being unfairly treated in view of the fact that they would be without a payment when the child is living with them and that this would not be in the best interests of the child; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29153/13]

Schools Building Projects Applications

Mattie McGrath

85. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Skills the reason a school (details supplied) in County Tipperary was not approved and or considered for a major funding grant in the latest round of funding investing in infrastructure and jobs; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that this school has been in temporary accommodation for almost 20 years and has now been granted planning permission to progress to the building stage; if he will reconsider this school for funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28252/13]

Rental Accommodation Scheme Payments

Mattie McGrath

129. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Social Protection if her attention has been drawn to the fact that her decision to cut rent allowance rates throughout the country will directly result in homelessness, especially for single persons and couples with one child; the basis on which her decision was made to cut the rate in south Tipperary, where a very strong private rental market exists and where it is simply not possible for those listed above to find suitable accommodation at the newly reduced rates; if her Department discussed the new rates with local rent officers who are experiencing first-hand the difficulties in trying to implement such rates; how she expects a single person in south Tipperary to source accommodation with €12 per week less; if she will reverse this decision and carry out a real review of how lower rates will directly lead to homelessness; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28353/13]

Property Taxation Application

Mattie McGrath

135. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Finance if voluntary housing organisations such as Foscadh are entitled to pass on the local property tax charge to their tenants through an increase in their rent; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26696/13]

School Transport Provision

Mattie McGrath

236. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Skills when and where E-tenders for school transport for 2013 were advertised; if he will indicate the deadline for pre-qualification; if this deadline was earlier than previous years; the date of the deadline for submission of tenders in 2012; the number of contractors that were informed by e-mail; the number of other contractors who are not current contractors that were made aware of the closing date; his views on whether all contractors were given sufficient notice regarding the closing date for submission of tenders; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26664/13]

Student Grant Scheme Eligibility

Mattie McGrath

251. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Skills the supports, if any, available for students studying in performing arts/musical theatre courses abroad [26826/13]

Student Universal Support Ireland Administration

Mattie McGrath

254. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Skills the improvements that have been carried out in the Student Universal Support Ireland office to ensure that first year students do not experience the same delays experienced in 2012; the guarantees he will provide that students will not go the entire college year without payment as has been the case for many students in 2013; when he expects all payments to be made to students; if he will guarantee that information that is submitted will be kept on file and will not be sought on a number of occasions as has been the case for many students this year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26839/13]

Qualified Child Increase Payments

Mattie McGrath

445. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Social Protection in cases of joint custody arrangement where a child spends an equal amount of time with each parent, how her Department decides which parent will be paid the child dependant allowances; if child dependant allowances may be split between both parents where there is an official custody arrangement in place; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27536/13]

Performing Arts

Mattie McGrath

486. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if there are any supports available for students studying in performing arts-musical theatre courses abroad; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26825/13]

Criminal Injuries Compensation Tribunal Funding

Mattie McGrath

744. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the reason the Criminal Injuries Compensation Tribunal does not have sufficient funding to give immediate payment following an award that has been made to a person (details supplied) in County Tipperary; when payment will issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27776/13]

Departmental Records

Mattie McGrath

229. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if records of Garda briefings to him or the Department concerning members of the Oireachtas are recorded and archived by his Department. [26578/13]

Garda Operations

Mattie McGrath

230. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he has requested a report from the Commissioner on an incident (details supplied) under section 41 of the 2005 Garda Síochána Act. [26580/13]

Property Tax Administration

Mattie McGrath

143. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Finance when the local property valuation bands are increased every €50,000, the reason there are no bands of 0-€50,000 and €50,000- €100,000; the option available to a person when their property is valued significantly below €100,000, that is, where a house is valued at €25,000, 0.18% would mean that the home owner should be paying €45 per annum but because there is no band of 0- €100,000, the home owner is expected to pay €90 per annum; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25057/13]

Residential Institutions

Mattie McGrath

216. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Skills the specific status in terms of access to financial compensation by the State for former inhabitants of the Bethany House Homes under the Residential Institutions Redress Act 2002; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25587/13]

Mobility Allowance Decision

Mattie McGrath

207. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health if details are available for the new scheme which is to replace the mobility allowance scheme; if those who are currently in receipt of the mobility allowance will transfer automatically to the new payment; the date on which applications will be accepted for the new scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24850/13]

Third Level Courses Availability

Mattie McGrath

356. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of CAO applications for BSc honours computing and creative multimedia courses at Limerick Institute of Technology; the number of these applicants who have applied to the LIT Clonmel campus; the direct cost of educating such students at the LIT Clonmel campus; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24328/13]

Institutes of Technology Staff

Mattie McGrath

357. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of Limerick Institute of Technology staff specifically supporting the Clonmel campus of LIT Tipperary as defined under shared services; the total salary cost of staff at the Clonmel campus of LIT Tipperary; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24329/13]

Exceptional Needs Payment Eligibility

Mattie McGrath

438. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Social Protection if an elderly or disabled person who requires work to their home would be considered for an emergency needs payment when the local authority is no longer accepting applications for housing aid for older people or housing adaption grants and where works are necessary; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24272/13]

Special Housing Aid for the Elderly

Mattie McGrath

472. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will consider the reintroduction of the special housing aid for the elderly scheme to assist the elderly and disabled who require works to their home and where the local authority is no longer accepting applications for housing aid for older people or housing adaption grants due to their lack of funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24274/13]

Employment Support Services

Mattie McGrath

161. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Social Protection her views on correspondence (details supplied) regarding the Tús scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23464/13]

Property Taxation Administration

Mattie McGrath

176. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Finance if his attention has been drawn to the difficulties being experienced by householders who have not received their local property tax return form and who do not have Internet access; if he will extend the deadline for paper returns to the 27 May to ensure that all householders making an effort to pay and who do not have access to the Internet are not put under undue pressure when they have not received the form (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22175/13]

Emergency Works Scheme Applications

Mattie McGrath

285. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Skills if consideration has been given to an application for emergency works funding in respect of roof repairs for a school (details supplied) in County Tipperary; if funding will be granted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22827/13]

National Asthma Programme

Mattie McGrath

641. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health when the first phase of the national asthma programme will be implemented; and the initial actions that will be taken in order to implement the programme and the deadlines for these actions. [22518/13]

National Asthma Programme

Mattie McGrath

642. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health the reason implementation of the national asthma programme was not prioritised in the 2013 Health Service Executive Services Plan with more than one person a week dying from asthma and 470,000 people here living with this respiratory disease that is particularly prevalent in children, with one in five Irish children suffering from the disease; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22519/13]

Patient Transport Provision

Mattie McGrath

225. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health the assistance available towards the cost of transport to and from hospital appointments and where the patient is not in a position to pay for a taxi; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22023/13]

Inland Fisheries Issues

Mattie McGrath

136. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the reason for the change in the by-laws which have been introduced recently to prohibit the use of worms, prawns and shrimp when fishing for salmon and sea trout on the River Suir; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21620/13]

FÁS Training Programmes

Mattie McGrath

169. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Skills further to Parliamentary Question No. 588 of 16 April 2013, the avenue available to a person who is unemployed or disabled and not in receipt of a social welfare payment to engage in a training course when they have been advised by their local FÁS office that they are not entitled to participate in any course because they are not in receipt of a social welfare payment; if FÁS must provide training courses to those who are disabled and not in receipt of a payment due to a spouse's income and where this training course would be beneficial to their rehabilitation and well-being; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21212/13]

Non-Principal Private Residence Charge Collection

Mattie McGrath

265. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government further to Parliamentary Question No. 784 of 16 April 2013, the reason the full rate of non-principal private residence charge is being charged for 2013 when those properties are also liable for the local property tax in view of the fact that this constitutes double taxation of the one property; the reason the NPPR was not at least reduced to 50% to correspond with the introduction of 50% of the local property tax; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21229/13]

Inland Fisheries Issues

Mattie McGrath

328. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his attention has been drawn to the fact that repair works to a fallen bridge on the border of south Tipperary and Waterford is being delayed until August-September by the Inland Fisheries; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that this road is closed and will remain closed until August-September unless these works are carried out and that this is causing inconvenience to the road users in the area; if permission will be granted to allow works be carried out in the coming weeks; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21145/13]

Disadvantaged Areas Scheme Payments

Mattie McGrath

330. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason a disadvantaged area payment has not been made to a person (details supplied) in CountyTipperary; when payment will issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21169/13]

Road Maintenance

Mattie McGrath

420. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his attention has been drawn to the fact that repair works to a fallen bridge on the border of south Tipperary and Waterford is being delayed until August-September by the Inland Fisheries; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that this road is closed and will remain closed until August-September unless these works are carried out and that this is causing inconvenience to the road users in the area; if permission will be granted to allow works be carried out in the coming weeks; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21146/13]

Water and Sewerage Schemes Provision

Mattie McGrath

191. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government further to parliamentary question No. 186 on 18 April 2013, if he will provide the information sought in the second part of the question, specifically, if the residents of this area who are subjected to using bottled water due to the condition of their water will be exempt from water chargeswhen they are introduced;; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19361/13]

Respite Care Services

Mattie McGrath

619. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health the reason the Health Service Executive has now imposed charges of €170 per week for respite care in hospitals; if he will reverse this decision in view of the fact that it places a massive burden on the families who are providing care to loved ones and who require respite; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18737/13]

Water and Sewerage Schemes Status

Mattie McGrath

186. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the current position with the Burncourt Regional Water Treatment System in South Tipperary; if the residents of this area who are subjected to using bottled water due to the condition of the water will be exempt from water charges; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18125/13]

Property Taxation Collection

Mattie McGrath

218. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Finance his views with the level of information on the property tax form relating to payment options; his views on the fact that while the information surrounding option five cash payments is clear, there is no option to make payment in full by cash; the reason there is no reference made to An Post as a payment service provider; his views on whether this information is clear for the elderly or those without Internet access who are most likely to use An Post to make their payments and who are referred to the Revenue website to find information on the service providers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16120/13]

Banking Sector Regulation

Mattie McGrath

356. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Finance if the Central Bank of Ireland and the Financial Service Regulatory Authority of Ireland is aware of discrepancies between Allied Irish Bank's Annual Financial Report of 2008 and documents filed by Allied Irish Bank with the Company Registration Office in 2008 in relation to a first floating charge placed in favour of the Central Bank over all of AIB's right, title, interest and benefit, present and future in and to eligible securities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17626/13]

Banking Sector Regulation

Mattie McGrath

357. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Finance if a charge by way of a first floating charge placed in favour of the Central Bank of Ireland over all of Allied Irish Bank's right, title, interest and benefit, present and future is in and to each of the eligible securities or is in and to certain segregated securities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17627/13]

School Closures

Mattie McGrath

426. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Skills the exact criteria which will govern the decisions to leave open or close the many hundreds of rural schools throughout the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16690/13]

Household Benefits Scheme

Mattie McGrath

568. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason an illness benefit is not considered as a qualifying payment for the household benefits package; if there is any assistance that can be provided to a person who is unable to work due to a serious illness such as cancer and who is struggling to meet household bills; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15981/13]

FÁS Training Programmes Eligibility

Mattie McGrath

588. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Social Protection further to Parliamentary Question No. 309 of 12 March 2013, the avenue available to a person who is unemployed or disabled and not in receipt of a social welfare payment to engage in a training course when they have been advised by their local FÁS office that they are not entitled to participate in any course because they are not in receipt of a social welfare payment; if FÁS must provide training courses to those who are disabled and not in receipt of a payment due to a spouse's income and where this training course would be beneficial to their rehabilitation and well-being; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16327/13]

Property Taxation Collection

Mattie McGrath

784. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if the non-principal private residency charge will be abolished following the introduction of the local property tax in view of the fact that it represents a double taxation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16517/13]

Unfinished Housing Developments

Mattie McGrath

792. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if all unfinished housing estates that are not exempt from the local property tax will now be taken in charge by their relevant local authorities; if public lighting, finished roads and so on will now be provided in these estates; if not, the services that will be provided to these estates; if no extra services will be provided, the reason these estates are not exempt from the local property tax in view of the fact that they are not receiving any public services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16651/13]

Building Regulations Application

Mattie McGrath

847. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if local authorities made efforts to communicate the new housing regulations to landlords; and the efforts that have been made to communicate these new regulations and their implications to tenants who might be affected by them. [17501/13]

Building Regulations Application

Mattie McGrath

848. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the rights that tenants have when their accommodations is below the new standards for housing regulation. [17502/13]

Building Regulations Application

Mattie McGrath

849. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government when a local authority finds that bed-sit accommodation which does not meet the new housing regulations is still being tenanted, the action that will be taken and the way in which the tenure of the current tenants will be affected. [17503/13]

Building Regulations Application

Mattie McGrath

850. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the guidance that has been provided by him in relation to tenants about procedures to identify and avoid any risk of homelessness. [17504/13]

Building Regulations Application

Mattie McGrath

851. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the number of housing units that have been upgraded, that will be upgraded and that might be withdrawn from the private rented sector as a result of the new housing regulations. [17505/13]

Building Regulations Application

Mattie McGrath

852. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the discussions that he has had with the Department of Social Protection regarding the increased demands on rent supplement as non-working tenants of bed-sits seek more expensive accommodation as a result of the new housing regulations; and the procedures that will be put in place to support vulnerable tenants in making this transition. [17506/13]

Building Regulations Application

Mattie McGrath

853. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he has a target date by which all inspections of housing will be completed and that all below-standard bed-sits are withdrawn from the housing market. [17507/13]

Water Fluoridation

Mattie McGrath

1230. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health if, despite the fact that our national water supply has been artificially fluoridated for the past 49 years, there has been any testing of the chemicals for their safety on human health; if so, when this took place; if not, the reason for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16692/13]

Medical Card Reviews

Mattie McGrath

1287. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health the reason when carrying out medical card reviews, particularly in the case of the elderly, that is, those in receipt of a State pension, the Health Service Executive cannot simply send a letter asking whether or not the medical card holder's circumstances have changed rather than expecting the medical card holder to complete the review form and gather all necessary information again as in such cases, circumstances are unlikely to have changed and these review letters can cause stress and anxiety to the elderly while sending a change of circumstances letter would significantly reduce administration in the medical card office; if he will ask the HSE to examine this matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17148/13]

Departmental Programmes

Mattie McGrath

1324. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health when the first phase of the national asthma programme will be implemented; the initial actions that will be taken by him in order to implement the programmer; and the deadlines for these actions [17519/13]

Departmental Programmes

Mattie McGrath

1325. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health the reason implementation of the national asthma programme was not prioritised in the 2013 Health Service Executive services plan with more than one person per week dying from asthma and 470,000 people here living with this respiratory disease that is particularly prevalent in children, with one in five children here suffering from the disease; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17520/13]

Property Taxation Exemptions

Mattie McGrath

398. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the criteria that was used when deciding which housing estates were exempt from the local property tax; the category of unfinished housing estates that were included on this list; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15341/13]

Orthodontic Services Waiting Lists

Mattie McGrath

576. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the orthodontic treatment waiting list in the South East is currently dating back to August 2009; the reason for this delay; the efforts being made to address this backlog and the options available to patients who are waiting for treatment since 2009/2010 almost three years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15156/13]

Tourism Promotion

Mattie McGrath

615. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when the Tourist Office in Cahir will open for the summer; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15118/13]

Leader Programmes Expenditure

Mattie McGrath

164. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the way savings will be made by his proposals to streamline the LEADER programmes under local authorities as part of the alignment process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14366/13]

Registered Employment Agreements

Mattie McGrath

288. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the reason the registered employment agreement is being challenged in the High Court; and if he will indicate the present status of the agreement. [14107/13]

Road Network

Mattie McGrath

365. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the amount of money that has been spent on the purchase of land for future roads projects in every county council in the south east region each year for the past three years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13704/13]

Road Traffic Legislation

Mattie McGrath

398. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Defence if he will clarify the advice given on the way in which blue flashing lights should be used on vehicles by the Civil Defence when attending to emergency events on motorways; if he will further clarify regarding the implementation of the Road Traffic Act 2011; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13803/13]

Nursing Homes Support Scheme

Mattie McGrath

460. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health the number of applicants awaiting approval for the fair deal scheme in County Tipperary; of these applicants, the number currently in acute beds in hospital; the number of applicants waiting more than one month for approval for the scheme from the time of application; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14147/13]

Property Taxation Exemptions

Mattie McGrath

50. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Finance the position in relation to liability for the property tax where a person lives above a pub or shop and is paying rates on the entire building; if he will clarify whether or not they are liable for the property tax; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13195/13]

Fuel Rebate Scheme

Mattie McGrath

58. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Finance if he plans to extend the fuel rebate recently amended in Finance Bill 2013 to include road hauliers and coach companies to the Association of Farm Contractors in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13374/13]

Local and Community Development Programme

Mattie McGrath

142. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government when he will release the budget to the local development companies here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13288/13]

Tax Reliefs Application

Mattie McGrath

184. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Finance if he will amend section 469 (1)(f) of the Taxes Consolidation Act (1997) to delete the words, "or similar treatment prescribed by a practitioner", and to leave the word, "Physiotherapy", to ensure that extra costs are not imposed on physiotherapy patients who have not been referred by their general practitioner, hospital accident and emergency or medical consultant and to ensure that his commitment to the provision of health care in the primary care setting is protected and to ensure that they meet their goal of meeting 90% of health care needs through the primary care setting; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12904/13]

Public Sector Pensions Issues

Mattie McGrath

247. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if the pension related deduction is ever going to be refunded to those with salaries of less than €30,000 as originally stated when the pension related deduction was introduced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12595/13]

Community Employment Schemes Eligibility

Mattie McGrath

309. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Social Protection the avenue available to a person who is unemployed or disabled who wishes to pursue a community employment or FÁS training course and so on but who is not in receipt of a payment due to the income of their spouse and where such a course would be beneficial to their rehabilitation and well-being; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12486/13]

Tax Code

Mattie McGrath

643. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health if he will have the Department of Finance amend Section 469 (1)(f) of the Taxes Consolidation Act (1997) to delete the words, "or similar treatment prescribed by a practitioner", and to leave the word, "physiotherapy", to ensure that extra costs are not imposed on physiotherapy patients who have not been referred by their general practitioner, hospital accident and emergency or medical consultant and to ensure that the Government's commitment to the provision of health care in the primary care setting is protected and to ensure that it meets its goal of meeting 90% of health care needs through the primary care setting; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12903/13]

Banking Sector Regulation

Mattie McGrath

62. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Finance if Allied Irish Banks, in which he is the shareholder of 99.8% of the shares, will meet the Central Bank of Ireland licensing criteria as set out in the Licensing and Supervision Requirements and Standards for Credit Institutions. [11728/13]

Banking Sector Regulation

Mattie McGrath

63. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Finance if Permanent TSB, in which he is the shareholder of 99.5% of the shares, can meet the Central Bank of Ireland licensing criteria as set out in the Licensing and Supervision Requirements and Standards for Credit Institutions. [11729/13]

Banking Sector Regulation

Mattie McGrath

64. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Finance if Bank of Ireland, in which he is the shareholder of 15% of the shares, will meet the Central Bank of Ireland licensing criteria as set out in the Licensing and Supervision Requirements and Standards for Credit Institutions. [11730/13]

Banking Sector Regulation

Mattie McGrath

65. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Finance if Ulster Bank Ireland will meet the Central Bank of Ireland licensing criteria as set out in the Licensing and Supervision Requirements and Standards for Credit Institutions. [11731/13]

Banking Sector Regulation

Mattie McGrath

66. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Finance if Danske Bank will meet the Central Bank of Ireland licensing criteria as set out in the Licensing and Supervision Requirements and Standards for Credit Institutions. [11732/13]

Banking Sector Regulation

Mattie McGrath

67. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Finance if ACC Bank will meet the Central Bank of Ireland licensing criteria as set out in the Licensing and Supervision Requirements and Standards for Credit Institutions. [11733/13]

Banking Sector Regulation

Mattie McGrath

68. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Finance if KBC Bank Ireland will meet the Central Bank of Ireland licensing criteria as set out in the Licensing and Supervision Requirements and Standards for Credit Institutions. [11734/13]

Tús Scheme

Mattie McGrath

129. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason a participant of a community employment scheme is ineligible from applying for a position as a Tús scheme supervisor when a Tús participant is eligible to apply; the grounds on which a community employment participant is prevented from applying; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11862/13]

Water Meters Installation

Mattie McGrath

346. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the reason that there is a requirement for an average annual turnover of €400,000 to qualify under the water metering qualification system for the subcontractor panel; the reason for such a high turnover; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that this will limit the ability of small businesses to qualify to tender; if he will clarify exactly the way 25% of the water metering jobs are going to be given to small local businesses, graduates and the unemployed when such a requirement exists; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11180/13]

Carbon Tax Exemptions

Mattie McGrath

100. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Finance if he will amend the Finance Act 2013 to ensure that all registered agricultural contractors and FCI member contractors will be entitled to claim carbon tax relief against their income tax as farmers can currently claim this relief but agricultural contractors can not; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10678/13]

Hospitals Capital Programme

Mattie McGrath

268. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health the reason the acute hospital budget for hospitals in the south east is significantly lower than the budgets in all other regions which stands at just €565 per capita compared to an average per capita spend of €691; the basis on which the acute hospital budget allocation is made; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10482/13]

Sports Capital Programme Applications

Mattie McGrath

281. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the reasons an application for funding under the sports capital grant could be made invalid; where these conditions are published; the way an application can be deemed invalid for reasons that they were not made aware of prior to submission of the application and for reasons that were not published with the application form; the appeals process available where an application is deemed invalid for unfair reasons; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10451/13]

Unfinished Housing Developments Data

Mattie McGrath

436. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government , further to Parliamentary Question No. 456 of 12 February 2013, the reason an estate in south Tipperary which had been classed in category three unfinished estates by South Tipperary County Council in 2011 has not been included in his Departments list of unfinished estates for household charge purposes; if his Department has received requests from South Tipperary County Council to correct the omission of this estate (details supplied); if he will have this estate included in the list; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9671/13]

Garda Transport Data

Mattie McGrath

516. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Justice and Equality further to Parliamentary Question No. 129 of 7 February 2013, of the 31 patrol vehicles allocated to the Tipperary division if he will provide a breakdown by district of the number of these cars that are operated by the traffic corps within their division; the number that are used solely for patrol purposes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10139/13]

Departmental Funding

Mattie McGrath

702. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health where funding for an organisation (details supplied) comes from for their residential and outreach services; if the organisation receives State funding; the amount of funding the organisation has received each year for the past five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10136/13]

Teachers' Remuneration

Mattie McGrath

109. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Skills further to Parliamentary Question No. 156 of 6 June 2012 his views on whether the position adopted by his predecessor and outlined in that letter was varied in the case of six individuals mentioned in the reply to Question No. 156; if he will provide the names of those six persons and the name of the person who authorised the deviation from the former Minister's position; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9528/13]

IBRC Liquidation

Mattie McGrath

263. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Finance the hourly rate and the amount that has been paid to date to the Joint Special Liquidators appointed by him to liquidate the Irish Bank Resolution Corporation, formerly Anglo Irish bank under the provisions of the Irish bank Resolution Corporation Act 2013; the way this hourly rate compares with other countries in the EU; his views on the often exorbitant rates of pay charged by liquidators, examiners and receivers; if he has considered introducing legislation or regulation to ensure that the State is not ripped off by such persons; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8357/13]

Financial Services Ombudsman

Mattie McGrath

287. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Finance if he will provide a breakdown of levies paid by each credit institution to the Financial Services Ombudsman in 2010, 2011 and 2012 [8799/13]

Financial Services Ombudsman

Mattie McGrath

297. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Finance if he will provide a breakdown of fines imposed on each credit institution, including compensation awards, by the Financial Services Ombudsman in 2010, 2011 and 2012. [8987/13]

Social and Affordable Housing Provision

Mattie McGrath

518. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the number of loans that have been provided to and agreed directly with approved housing bodies by the Housing Finance Agency in the provision of new finance for social housing; and the number of homes that have been completed with such finance to date in view of the fact that almost 100,000 households are in need of social housing. [8644/13]

Sentencing Policy

Mattie McGrath

575. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Justice and Equality his views on the current indefinite detention of a person (details supplied); the circumstances of their detention; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8674/13]

Prison Committals

Mattie McGrath

576. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of business persons jailed for contempt of court for each of the past five years. [8675/13]

Departmental Expenditure

Mattie McGrath

577. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the costs to the State of the jailing of persons for contempt of court. [8676/13]