Parliamentary questions

Hospital Acquired Infections

Nicky McFadden

343. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Health the current preventative measures taken by hospitals to limit the spread of hospital acquired infections; if the regulatory regime could be strengthened to incorporate the monitoring of private hospitals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7955/13]

Health Services Reform

Nicky McFadden

344. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Health the progress being made towards the eventual introduction of universal health insurance and the elimination of the current two tier system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7964/13]

Telecommunications Services Provision

Nicky McFadden

140. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will comment on the principle of universality of utility services and the precedent that line rental charges would be the same for all homes, that no differentiation between the price of line rental is made between urban and rural; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7637/13]

Parking Regulations

Nicky McFadden

145. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if new national guidance on car parking and smart travel will be provided to local authorities in order to ensure that shoppers have adequate access to car parking in town centres and that parking is not too expensive for shoppers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7640/13]

Public Services Card

Nicky McFadden

364. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Social Protection if the necessary provisions in relation to identification are made available to people who are not in possession of a driver's licence or passport; if a national roll-out of public service ID cards will take place; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6701/13]

Crime Prevention

Nicky McFadden

479. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will outline the possibility of introducing a Purple Flag initiative, similar to those established in Britain and Northern Ireland, to recognise excellence in management of town and city centres at night; if such an initiative could contribute to crime reduction and community safety; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6729/13]

Garda Youth Diversion Projects

Nicky McFadden

511. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will outline the rationale for the Garda youth diversion projects; if these projects operate in counties Longford and Westmeath; the way these projects are assessed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7012/13]

Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission Issues

Nicky McFadden

512. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of arrests that have been made as part of Operation Quest so far in 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7015/13]

National Cycle Network

Nicky McFadden

733. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he is in a position to provide further information on work on route alignment and design for a Dublin to County Galway cycle route; if further details of the proposed routes are available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6654/13]

IDA Site Visits

Nicky McFadden

85. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the number of industrial development agency visits which were made to Mullingar in 2012; the number so far proposed for 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6452/13]

Enterprise Support Schemes

Nicky McFadden

87. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if he will outline the number of businesses in County Westmeath that have so far applied for and availed of the microfinance scheme, the credit guarantee scheme and the development capital scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6454/13]

Social Welfare Code Reform

Nicky McFadden

97. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Social Protection if she has considered the Free Legal Advice Centres report on the reform of the social welfare appeals system; if the recommendations are being considered by her; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6455/13]

Upward Only Rent Reviews

Nicky McFadden

123. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if the application of upwards only rent clauses will be reviewed in view of the recent appointment of an examiner to B&Q and the possible closure of its store in Athlone, County Westmeath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6444/13]

Garda Transport Expenditure

Nicky McFadden

125. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will outline on a county basis the amount of money invested by his Department to purchase Garda vehicles in 2012 and to date in 2013; the number of vehicles that were purchased; if he will outline the equipment and technology those vehicles are equipped with; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6456/13]

Ambulance Service Provision

Nicky McFadden

148. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Defence when the assessment of the air ambulance service at Custume Barracks, Athlone, County Westmeath, will take place; if he will acknowledge the serivce it has provided since its launch in June 2011; if the service will be continued; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6461/13]

Primary Care Services Provision

Nicky McFadden

201. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Health if he will ensure that health centres in the Dublin-mid Leinster region, including Athlone, Moate and Ballymahon will continue to operate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6463/13]

Tourism Promotion

Nicky McFadden

210. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will outline the way training programmes for tourism businesses in the areas of ecotourism and environmental policy may contribute to the local economy and job creation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6464/13]

Overseas Development Aid Provision

Nicky McFadden

220. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will provide information on the countries that receive overseas aid from Ireland; the amount of aid provided to each of those countries; if he will outline the programmes on which aid money is spent in each country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5455/13]

Local Enterprise Offices Remit

Nicky McFadden

376. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if he will ensure that the structure of local enterprise offices established to support business startups and enterprise will include representation from the local business community; if the services provided by LEOs will be judged using clearly stated indicators; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5064/13]

Consumer Protection

Nicky McFadden

386. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if the Directive 2011/83/EU on consumer rights will be implemented in relation to consumer purchases over the internet; if the issue of excessive payment charges and hidden charges will be dealt with in the Directive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5816/13]

Child Care Services Provision

Nicky McFadden

390. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will provide an update on the policy to provide more than 6,000 after-school childcare places in primary schools for children of low-income parents who are taking up employment or training; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5810/13]

Job Initiatives

Nicky McFadden

391. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Social Protection when the plus one initiative will come into effect in place of Revenue job assist; if she will outline the details and eligibility for the new initiative; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5811/13]

Social Welfare Code Review

Nicky McFadden

496. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Social Protection if she is in a position to provide an update on possible reform of the child benefit system; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5809/13]

Youth Unemployment Measures

Nicky McFadden

498. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Social Protection if the possibility of introducing a youth guarantee scheme in order to provide young persons with a quality offer of employment or training within four months of leaving school or becoming employed is being considered; if the scheme could be supported on an EU level by the European Social Fund; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5827/13]

EU Directives

Nicky McFadden

662. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if the proposed Directive on minimum standards for victims of crime will be brought into national law; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5815/13]

EU Directives

Nicky McFadden

663. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Justice and Equality when the Directive to consolidate all family leave legislation will be implemented in a Bill; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5825/13]

Child Poverty

Nicky McFadden

754. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the way the further €2.5 million allocated to her Department for the area-based child poverty initiative will be utilised; if areas in the midlands will be included in the initiative; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5813/13]

Health Services Staff

Nicky McFadden

853. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Health his views on the suggestion made by the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation that the direct conversion of currently employed agency staff into direct employment would potentially save the Health Service Executive up to €23 million; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5808/13]

General Practitioner Services

Nicky McFadden

854. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Health if he will provide a timeframe for the introduction of free general practitioner services for those who are entitled to free drugs under the long-term illness scheme and for those in the high tech drugs scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5812/13]

Army Barracks Closures

Nicky McFadden

159. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Defence if plans are being made for an alternative use of Columb Barracks Mullingar, County Westmeath; if he is in a position to outline those plans; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4617/13]

Anti-Racism Measures

Nicky McFadden

294. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Education and Skills if the existing anti-racist educational programmes targeting school children will be introduced to all educators, possibly through the reformed Junior Certificate syllabus; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3752/13]

Social Welfare Code

Nicky McFadden

382. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will outline the rights generally of the Roma Community in Ireland in relation to access to Social Protection supports such as job seeker's allowance and rent supplement. [3755/13]

Ministerial Responsibilities

Nicky McFadden

406. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason the carer's allowance falls under the remit of her Department; if it could be transferred to the Department of Health in view of the the savings that carers bring to the health service; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4027/13]

Social Welfare Code

Nicky McFadden

407. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Social Protection if in the event of the death of a person who had been cared for by a person (details supplied) in County Longford, that the person who had been in receipt of carer's allowance could access Social Protection supports through a means other than job seekers' allowance; if the payment could be made directly to the person through the post office instead of the Social Welfare Office; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4028/13]

Garda Ethnic Liaison

Nicky McFadden

550. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will outline some of the collaboration currently taking place in the midlands between the Gardaí and migrant communities through the Garda Racial and Intercultural Office; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3751/13]

Health Services Provision

Nicky McFadden

675. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Health if the services of a personal assistant will be provided for persons over the age of 65 years and who are generally most in need of this valuable service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3973/13]

Health Services Staff

Nicky McFadden

678. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Health if the concerns of non-consultant hospital doctors in relation to working hours will be addressed; if the European Working Time Directive will be implemented; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3985/13]

Education Policy

Nicky McFadden

82. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Education and Skills the steps he will take to narrow the skills gap which occurs as a result of oversupply of graduates in some areas of the labour market and undersupply in other areas; if he can identify the areas in which jobs need to be filled; and if the education system can address these labour needs through training. [3586/13]

Education Schemes

Nicky McFadden

86. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Education and Skills if the concept of business ideas generating workshops could be developed in secondary schools in tandem with the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, in order to promote creativity and entrepreneurship for the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3630/13]

Action Plan for Jobs

Nicky McFadden

94. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the initiatives that may be taken to develop further co-operation and joint projects between private and public bodies working with businesses in order to support local job creation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3559/13]

Community Development Initiatives

Nicky McFadden

97. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if he will examine the potential of social economy projects that could create sustainable jobs in local areas, for example, within women's community projects; if resources will be made available to local community and voluntary agencies to stimulate and support this objective; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3633/13]

Enterprise Support Services Provision

Nicky McFadden

98. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if a national written policy for small and micro-enterprise development will be put in place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3634/13]

Crime Prevention

Nicky McFadden

161. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the initiatives taken by the Gardaí to tackle rural crime, particularly burglaries of homes and farmyards; if there are specific initiatives to protect the elderly in their homes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3501/13]

Crime Prevention

Nicky McFadden

166. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Justice and Equality in view of the increasing prevalence of cash for gold businesses, the sale of scrap metal and the impact on burglaries and thefts, when the metal theft forum is due to report and develop a prevention and reduction plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3556/13]

Crime Prevention

Nicky McFadden

167. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if a metal compliance scheme will be introduced in order to reduce the level of rural metal theft; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3557/13]

Youth Unemployment Measures

Nicky McFadden

189. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the way Ireland's EU Presidency programme can contribute to creating solutions to tackle the issue of youth unemployment; if she will expand on the concept of the role of youth work in supporting youth employment and the importance of quality standards in youth work; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3492/13]

Mental Health Services Report

Nicky McFadden

203. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Health the way funding to improve mental health services will be targeted in 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3552/13]

Cycling Facilities

Nicky McFadden

224. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will consider developing plans to create and improve walking and cycle routes in the midlands, with particular focus on canal and river pathways, to attract more tourists to the midlands; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3638/13]

Environmental Policy

Nicky McFadden

161. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if the hedge cutting season will be extended into April in view of the fact that a large amount of hedge cutting on roadsides and in fields could not be carried out due to bad weather; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3503/13]

Control of Dogs

Nicky McFadden

431. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if, in view of recent serious dog attacks on sheep, the introduction of compulsory micro-chipping for all dogs will be considered for traceability purposes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2284/13]

Proposed Legislation

Nicky McFadden

520. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if homeless young persons and women who are vulnerable to sexual exploitation and abuse will be offered stronger protection through prostitution legislation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3003/13]

Common Agricultural Policy Review

Nicky McFadden

531. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide an update on progress being made in relation to agreement on the Multi-Annual Financial Framework to allow for a deal to be made on the Common Agricultural Policy; if a deal on CAP could be finalised before the end of Ireland's EU Presidency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2285/13]

Student Grant Scheme Applications

Nicky McFadden

343. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding a student grant application in respect of person (details supplied) in County Westmeath; when a decision may be expected on this application; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1812/13]

Student Grant Scheme Applications

Nicky McFadden

344. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding a student grant application in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Westmeath; when a decision on the application will be expedited; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1813/13]

Naturalisation Applications

Nicky McFadden

810. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will consider a waiver in relation to the requirement for period of residence outside the State under the Irish Nationality and Citizen Act 2004, in view of the person's (details supplied) employment with the United Nations; if their employment as an Irish citizen will be considered as public Service on an exceptional basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1818/13]

Family Support Services

Nicky McFadden

904. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if the level of services and focus of the work of family resource centres will continue regardless of the make-up of the new Child and Family Support Agency; if the Family Resource Centre National Forum will have representation at board level within the new agency; if the ethos and culture of the FRC programme will be maintained; if funding for the FRC programme will be ring-fenced; if the position held by FRCs in the delivery of community based universal services and early intervention services/programmes will be maintained; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [57770/12]

Student Grant Scheme Applications

Nicky McFadden

230. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding a student application grant in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Westmeath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56626/12]

Household Charge Exemptions

Nicky McFadden

445. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if an estate (details supplied) in County Westmeath will be reclassified as a category three or four unfinished estate; if officials from his Department have examined the possibility of reclassifying the estate; if he will outline the criteria for determining each category; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56728/12]

Vaccination Programme

Nicky McFadden

233. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Health if he will consider the introduction of the MenB vaccine into the immunisation schedule when licensed early in the new year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55789/12]

Medicinal Products Expenditure

Nicky McFadden

238. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Health if anti-epilepsy drugs will be exempt from generic substitution in the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Bill 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55841/12]

Student Grant Scheme Applications

Nicky McFadden

155. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Education and Skills if the allocation for the student assistance fund in 2012-2013 will be adequate to support the needs of students; if there are figures available to show the number of students that will require the support of the student assistance fund in the current academic year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55067/12]

Turf Cutting Compensation Scheme Payments

Nicky McFadden

275. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht when the turf compensation will be delivered to a person (details supplied) in County Westmeath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55309/12]

Illicit Trade in Tobacco

Nicky McFadden

133. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Finance if a mandatory minimum fine will be introduced under the Finance Act on conviction of cigarette smuggling and illegal cigarette selling; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53773/12]

International Agreements

Nicky McFadden

438. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will sign and ratify the Council of Europe convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence, the Istanbul Convention; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53776/12]

Taxi Regulations

Nicky McFadden

687. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if, in relation to the taxi review and new regulation, he will defer the introduction of branding to allow the taxi representative group to make referrals to the advisory committee on small public service vehicles as per Action 34 of the review report and as recommended by the taxi review board; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54307/12]

Broadband Services Provision

Nicky McFadden

146. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will summarise the results achieved for those of the 2011 applicants noted in Parliamentary Question No. 991 of 18 September 2012 by county and by delivery platform dsl, fwa, mobile, satellite and so on, the number, if any, of applicants now remaining in the rural broadband scheme; the position regarding these applicants; the measures that will be taken on behalf of these applicants and when these measures will take place. [53574/12]

Teacher Training Provision

Nicky McFadden

274. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will consider the retention of home economics teacher education at a campus (details supplied) in County Sligo; if he will provide the campus and NUI Galway an opportunity to demonstrate their capacity to fulfil the vision of the initial teacher education report in the most cost efficient manner possible; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52196/12]

Child Benefit Rates

Nicky McFadden

357. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Social Protection if child benefit payments in relation to multiples will be maintained; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52255/12]

National Dementia Strategy Publication

Nicky McFadden

615. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Health if a national dementia strategy will be published in 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52172/12]

Health and Social Care Professionals Registration Fee

Nicky McFadden

623. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Health if the new annual fee for Health and Social Care Professionals to commence from 31 May 2013 can be reduced; if he will acknowledge that the set annual registration fee of €295 is significantly higher than the fees required of similarly paid and qualified professionals, that the registration fee would be a significant burden on social care staff; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52208/12]

VAT Exemptions

Nicky McFadden

57. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Finance if he will consider making defibrillators zero-rated or VAT-exempt items; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51720/12]

Literacy Levels

Nicky McFadden

78. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Education and Skills the policies, programmes and practices in place to address the findings of the last international survey on adult literacy that showed one in four Irish adults have significant literacy difficulties; if he has considered the recent reports undertaken by Economic and Social Research Ireland and National Adult Literacy Agency on literacy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51718/12]

Employment Rights Issues

Nicky McFadden

109. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if the rights of domestic workers will be protected by the ratification of the Domestic Workers’ ILO Convention, if Irish laws will be brought in line with international standards; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51688/12]

School Transport Eligibility

Nicky McFadden

235. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Education and Skills if waivers are available within the school transport scheme for families (details supplied) in County Westmeath who do not have the financial means to pay school transport costs; if he acknowledges that some students attend for viable reasons a particular school that is not the closest one to their home; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50941/12]

Child Benefit Rates

Nicky McFadden

350. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will ensure that the child benefit payments for multiples will not be cut; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50955/12]

Hospital Staff Issues

Nicky McFadden

572. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Health the reason a promised podiatry post at Mullingar Hospital, County Westmeath, sanctioned in April 2012, will now not be filled; if he will acknowledge the importance of having the post as part of the national foot care programme to tackle the increase in diabetes related foot ulcers and amputations; the date on which the post will be filled; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50920/12]

Defence Forces Personnel

Nicky McFadden

511. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Defence if members of the Defence Forces will be included in any redundancy package announcements for public service workers in the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49618/12]

Road Projects Contracts

Nicky McFadden

676. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if funding will be approved for a bridge (details supplied) in County Westmeath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49423/12]

Mobility Allowance Appeals

Nicky McFadden

187. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Health when a decision will issue on the mobility allowance appeal in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Westmeath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48763/12]

Mortgage Arrears Proposals

Nicky McFadden

518. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Social Protection the sector of professionals who will be permitted to advise mortgage holders as part of the new advisory service; if financial brokers will be permitted to advise clients in this area of mortgage arrears; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47731/12]

Domiciliary Care Allowance Appeals

Nicky McFadden

537. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Social Protection when a decision on the domiciliary care allowance appeal will be determined in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Westmeath; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47823/12]

Homelessness Strategy

Nicky McFadden

689. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will outline his existing commitment to tackling homelessness; if he will provide an update on the progress of the implementation of the housing strategy; if current funding levels for homelessness will be maintained; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47750/12]

Household Charge Cost

Nicky McFadden

696. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if a person (details supplied) in County Weatmeath will be granted a discretionary waiver from paying the household charge; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47859/12]

Home Help Service Expenditure

Nicky McFadden

232. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Health the position regarding funding of home care and home help packages; if he acknowledges the contribution these packages make in assisting vulnerable older people to live independently in their own homes; if he will ensure that direct patient care will not be compromised; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46557/12]

Tax Code

Nicky McFadden

196. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Finance if the tyre traders industry will be added to the list of cash businesses to be targeted by the Revenue Commissioners due to a risk of non-compliance with regulations for VAT, tax and waste disposal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44386/12]

Carer's Allowance Applications

Nicky McFadden

303. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will outline the average waiting times for carer's allowance applications to be processed; the measures that can be taken by her Department to reduce current waiting times; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44262/12]

Defence Forces Reserve Strength

Nicky McFadden

490. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Defence if he will provide an update on the current situation regarding recruitment to the Reserve Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44378/12]

Carer's Allowance Payments

Nicky McFadden

623. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Health if figures are available in relation to the amount of money saved by the Health Service Executive annually as a result of the almost 52,000 people in caring roles and in receipt of carer's allowance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44264/12]

Respite Care Services

Nicky McFadden

233. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Health when a decision on the application for the respite care grant scheme through National Lottery grant scheme funding can be expected in respect of an organisation (details supplied) in County Westmeath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43545/12]

Carer's Allowance Applications

Nicky McFadden

357. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Social Protection if the habitual residence form of a person (details supplied) in County Westmeath in respect of a carer's allowance application has been approved; when a decision will issue; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43194/12]

Building Regulations Application

Nicky McFadden

419. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for the Environment; Community and Local Government if he will provide an update on the matter of architectural technologists in relation to the Building Control Act; if architectural technologists (details supplied) will be permitted to certify building works without registering as architects or building surveyors; if he will meet with members of the Chartered Institute of Architectural Technologists; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42861/12]

Refugee Status Applications

Nicky McFadden

443. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if there are alternative options available in terms of identification to those whose applications for asylum are refused and their photo IDs are removed from their possession; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42692/12]

Citizenship Applications

Nicky McFadden

444. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will clarify the rights afforded to a baby born here to parents who are waiting on decisions on their applications for asylum; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42695/12]

Asylum Seeker Accommodation

Nicky McFadden

448. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if companies who operate asylum accommodation here are subject to central guidelines or rules in terms of day-to-day running of those centres; if individual companies operate their own management rules; if conditions vary in accommodation centres; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42731/12]

Deportation Orders Data

Nicky McFadden

449. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the current procedure used to notify asylum seekers of deportation orders; the amount of notice that is given to the person concerned; if information is provided to them in relation to an appeals process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42733/12]

Asylum Support Services

Nicky McFadden

458. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he has considered the Irish Refugee Council's report, Roadmap for Asylum Reform; if any of the recommendations in the report are being progressed in policy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42867/12]

Common Agricultural Policy Negotiations

Nicky McFadden

491. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Agriculture; Food and the Marine if he will provide an update on Common Agricultural Policy Budget 2014-2020 negotiations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42628/12]

Tax Code

Nicky McFadden

508. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Agriculture; Food and the Marine if taxation incentives relating to supporting farm transfer, land mobility and farm investment will be retained; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42904/12]

Misuse of Drugs

Nicky McFadden

571. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Health if he has considered the findings of the latest National Advisory Council on Drugs report; if new policies to tackle alcohol abuse are being developed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42627/12]

Sports Capital Programme Applications

Nicky McFadden

709. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Transport; Tourism and Sport when a decision will issue on the application for sports capital funding in respect of an organisation (details supplied) in County Westmeath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43285/12]