Parliamentary questions

Child Care Services Inspections

Robert Dowds

228. Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if it is the case that only public health nurses are eligible to apply for work as inspectors of child care facilities; and if so, if he will consider allowing other persons with relevant qualifications to apply for these positions in the future. [21708/14]

Garda Deployment

Robert Dowds

585. Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of community gardaí based in Clondalkin station, Dublin 22 for each of the past five years; the latest available numbers; his plans to increase the numbers of community gardaí in Clondalkin. [19335/14]

Health Services Provision

Robert Dowds

805. Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for Health if he will provide a response to the stroke survivors survey launched on 7 April 2014 by the Irish Heart Foundation. [19017/14]

Health Services Provision

Robert Dowds

806. Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for Health his views on the findings of the stroke survivors survey launched by the Irish Heart Foundation on 7 April 2014, that only 11% of the stroke survivors had access to psychological services, just half had access to speech and language therapy and only two thirds had access to physiotherapy; and the Government's response to this issue [19018/14]

Respite Care Services

Robert Dowds

819. Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for Health if he will provide details of the respite services that are available in south County Dublin. [19087/14]

Respite Care Services

Robert Dowds

820. Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for Health his plans for new or increased respite services in south County Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19088/14]

Child Care Services Funding

Robert Dowds

539. Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the subsidies available for child care for working couples in severe mortgage negative equity; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17756/14]

Neuro-Rehabilitation Services Provision

Robert Dowds

594. Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for Health the position regarding the progress of the 2011 national strategy and policy for the provision of neurorehabilitation services; and his views on the recent report on the Neurological Alliance of Ireland's survey findings that 42% of respondents have found it more difficult to access speech and language therapy services over the past three years, 45% of respondents have found it more difficult to access respite care over the past three years, 46% of respondents have found it more difficult to access appropriate day services over the past three years, and 47% of respondents have found it more difficult to access aid for specialist appliances or equipment over the past three years. [17556/14]

Universal Health Insurance Provision

Robert Dowds

598. Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an indication of the average premium for health insurance under the universal health insurance system; if this premium will be in the order of €3,000 per annum; if the State will provide subsidies for persons who currently are not eligible for a medical card; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17598/14]

Universal Health Insurance Provision

Robert Dowds

599. Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an overview of the UHI system; the way it will operate; his views on whether those who are currently health insurance holders will benefit from or be disadvantaged by its introduction; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17599/14]

Public Transport

Robert Dowds

696. Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the efforts made to ensure public transport is accessible to those with neurological difficulties or reduced mobility; his views on the recent report on the Neurological Alliance of Ireland's survey findings that 24% of respondents reported difficulty in accessing public transport and 13% reporting having to turn down a service due to lack of transport. [17557/14]

Employment Rights

Robert Dowds

78. Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if, in addition to the form published by the Workplace Relations Commission for lodging a complaint with the Equality Tribunal, a specific form or a number of forms have been provided for complaints of discrimination in employment where such complaints must be made in the first instance to a body other than the Equality Tribunal in accordance with section 77(7) of the Employment Equality Act; and where those forms are published. [17021/14]

Tax Code

Robert Dowds

152. Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for Finance if he is considering revising the way first-time home buyers are treated in terms of stamp duty following the expiry of the exemption; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16602/14]

Sports Fraud

Robert Dowds

173. Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if there is criminal justice legislation which provides for a definition of what constitutes sports fraud, which can involve match fixing or other related behaviour; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15546/14]

Sports Fraud

Robert Dowds

174. Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if there is criminal justice legislation currently in place to tackle sports fraud, which can involve match fixing or other related behaviour; and if not, his views on whether such legislation should be brought forward. [15547/14]

Sports Fraud

Robert Dowds

175. Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the powers gardaí currently have under the law to bring forward prosecutions of those involved in sports fraud, or match fixing of sporting events; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15548/14]

Garda Operations

Robert Dowds

414. Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if phone calls made to Garda stations are or have ever been recorded; if this was done in accordance with the law; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15098/14]

Public Procurement Contracts

Robert Dowds

413. Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the extent to which building projects for the State or school building projects can have a provision for a percentage of local labour to be appointed. [12857/14]

Children in Care

Robert Dowds

965. Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if the working time directive, No. 2003/88/EC, is being adhered to in respect of staff in residential care facilities who stay overnight; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13643/14]

General Practitioner Services

Robert Dowds

989. Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on plans to introduce free general practitioner care for children under six years of age. [12858/14]

Primary Care Services Provision

Robert Dowds

1036. Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for Health his plans to renovate and expand the local health centre at a location (details supplied) in Dublin 22. [13254/14]

Residential Institutions

Robert Dowds

1113. Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for Health if the working time directive, 2003/88/EC, is being adhered to in respect of staff in residential care facilities who stay in these facilities overnight; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13642/14]

Trade Missions

Robert Dowds

40. Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if he will provide a full account of the first joint trade mission by Ireland and Britain to the Singapore Air Show; his plans for further joint trade missions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7990/14]

Offshore Exploration

Robert Dowds

302. Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the number of offshore drilling licences at present; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11688/14]

Offshore Exploration

Robert Dowds

303. Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the amount it costs on average for an oil-gas exploratory drill. [11689/14]

Public Sector Staff Redeployment

Robert Dowds

158. Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for Social Protection if persons currently on permanent panels of relief porters in county councils will be eligible to apply for service officer posts in her Department, which are to be filled by redeployment. [10368/14]

EU Membership

Robert Dowds

47. Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if in the interests of prudence, his Department has prepared or is preparing a report on the consequences for Ireland in the event that the United Kingdom votes to leave the European Union in the next five years; and if no such report has or is being prepared, his views on having such a report prepared in the near future. [10073/14]

Departmental Reports

Robert Dowds

48. Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if in the interests of prudence, his Department has prepared or is preparing a report on the consequences for Ireland in the event that Scotland votes to become an independent country in September 2014; and if no such report has or is being prepared, his views on having such a report prepared in the near future. [10074/14]

Child and Family Agency Staff

Robert Dowds

237. Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs her views on the circumstances leading to the resignation of the national lead on psychology for the Child and Family Agency this month; and if the post will be re-advertised in the near future. [10113/14]

Open Government Partnership

Robert Dowds

13. Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the preparations for Ireland’s hosting of a European-level Open Government Partnership conference in 2014; the date and venue of the said conference; the purpose and benefits set to accrue from hosting this conference; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9427/14]

Public Sector Reform Implementation

Robert Dowds

353. Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will summarise the recommendations of the public service reform plan; the progress to date in delivering the previous reform plan; if he will identify areas that require particular focus; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9429/14]

Child Protection Guidelines

Robert Dowds

617. Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she will ensure that sporting organisations follow the Children First guidelines and other best practice for ensuring the rights of children are respected. [8966/14]

General Medical Services Scheme Administration

Robert Dowds

638. Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for Health the number of persons covered by the GMS scheme in each of the Dublin postcodes according to the latest available figures. [8964/14]

Mental Health Services Provision

Robert Dowds

639. Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for Health the reason there are 56 posts in child and adolescent mental health services which were sanctioned last year and have not been filled, and 15 posts which were sanctioned in 2012 which have not been filled, according to a recent Health Service Executive report. [8965/14]

Sports Organisations

Robert Dowds

728. Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if any person-body has oversight over sporting organisations' implementation of Children First guidelines and other Government policy which affects voluntary organisations. [8967/14]

Scottish Independence

Robert Dowds

44. Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his assessment on the implications of Scottish independence for Irish foreign policy and for the Northern Ireland peace process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7989/14]

Summer Works Scheme Administration

Robert Dowds

276. Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for Education and Skills if funding will be available to schools for summer works programmes in 2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7962/14]

Homeless Persons Data

Robert Dowds

498. Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the number of persons known to be homeless here at present. [7865/14]

Homeless Persons Data

Robert Dowds

499. Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the cost to the State of housing homeless persons in hotels. [7871/14]

Homeless Persons Data

Robert Dowds

500. Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his plans to tackle the housing crisis, specifically homelessness, and to build more social housing. [7873/14]

Primary Care Centre Provision

Robert Dowds

730. Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for Health if he will arrange for the leaks in the windows and roof in the Ballyfermot-Palmerstown primary care and mental health centre to be fixed; and any other remedial works necessary to be undertaken. [7963/14]

Ambulance Service Response Times

Robert Dowds

731. Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for Health the number of ambulances being delayed for more than 20 minutes at each of the Dublin hospitals (details supplied) because the ambulances are waiting for their trolleys to be returned; the figures for the most recent three months for which data are available; and the length of time each ambulance has been delayed. [7964/14]

Driver Licence Renewals

Robert Dowds

779. Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the action he will take to protect the rights of a person (details supplied) whose driver licence application to the National Driver Licence Service to use the Irish language version of the name on the licence, as the person has done before, has been refused on the grounds all documentation which holds the PPSN has the English language version of the name; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7594/14]

Family Income Supplement Eligibility

Robert Dowds

134. Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for Social Protection the degree to which family income supplement is paid to persons supporting families who live abroad. [7229/14]

Social Welfare Offices

Robert Dowds

137. Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will provide an update on the provision of Intreo offices in Clondalkin, Dublin 22, and Lucan, County Dublin. [7244/14]

Defence Forces Deployment

Robert Dowds

214. Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for Defence if he would be willing to ask the Defence Forces to review new rules removing the possibility of exemption from the age limits for foreign deployment. [7230/14]

Hospitals Funding

Robert Dowds

240. Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for Health if he will provide figures on the amount of public money provided to St. Vincent's Private Hospital, including the salaries of staff who may be working in the public and private hospitals; if the State pays for treatment in the private hospital; if any State grant money is going toward the hospital, or any other public money; and, if so, the purpose for which it is being given. [7227/14]

Educational Disadvantage

Robert Dowds

223. Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for Education and Skills the criteria that are considered when deciding whether to award a school DEIS status, either band 1 or band 2. [5112/14]

Educational Disadvantage

Robert Dowds

224. Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will consider reviewing the schools that are granted DEIS status and potentially granting it to additional schools. [5113/14]

National Educational Welfare Board Staff

Robert Dowds

184. Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number of staff, in terms of whole-time equivalents, employed at the National Education Welfare Board as education welfare officers nationally and within the city and county of Dublin; and her views on whether the numbers are adequate. [4700/14]

Child and Family Agency Staff

Robert Dowds

185. Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if reports in the press by the Children's Rights Alliance earlier in the year that there are no child psychologists employed by the new Child and Family Agency are correct; and her plans to change same. [4701/14]

Small and Medium Enterprises Supports

Robert Dowds

332. Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if he will support the introduction of a support scheme for small businesses where the Government would employ a person to look after the accounts and payroll for several small new businesses, thus encouraging more entrepreneurs to start their own businesses and help job creation. [3780/14]

Public Services Card Provision

Robert Dowds

443. Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for Social Protection the measures put in place and progress to date in dealing with the high volume of applicants for the public services card; the number of hits on the new work ready reckoner; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4316/14]

Foreign Conflicts

Robert Dowds

19. Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his response to recent events in South Sudan. [1486/14]

Employment Support Services

Robert Dowds

385. Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for Social Protection the type of work to be done under the new Intreo scheme. [1424/14]

Employment Support Services

Robert Dowds

386. Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for Social Protection the way the Intreo programme is being rolled out across the country. [1425/14]

Garda Recruitment

Robert Dowds

601. Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for Justice and Equality when the first intake of Garda recruits will be ready for duty; and the number that will be included in that intake. [1741/14]

Garda Recruitment

Robert Dowds

602. Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of new Garda recruits he expects to come into the force in each of the years 2015 to 2017, inclusive. [1742/14]

Garda Retirements

Robert Dowds

603. Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of gardaí he expects to retire in each of the years 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2017. [1743/14]

Speech and Language Therapy

Robert Dowds

188. Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for Health when the Health Service Executive expects to approve the funding to fill the vacancy left by the resignation of a speech and language therapist working for an organisation (details supplied) in, Palmerstown, Dublin 20, and which has resulted in the cutting of speech and language services for young children in the area who are badly in need of such treatment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53215/13]

Company Registration

Robert Dowds

228. Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if he will consider introducing legislation to create a public register of companies which would contain details on the identity of the true owners of each company operating in the State, as is set to be introduced in the UK; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52940/13]

Medical Card Eligibility

Robert Dowds

500. Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for Health the reason the threshold for the over 70s medical card is not doubled for a couple in view of the fact that many other tax credits and allowances are doubled for a couple; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52714/13]

Tax Exemptions

Robert Dowds

29. Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for Finance if a person who has been in receipt of one-parent family payment for a period in excess of 15 months, and who is seeking to work full time in their own business, will be eligible to avail of the start your own business scheme which allows for a two-year exemption from income tax for certain persons who set up their own businesses. [52035/13]

School Equipment

Robert Dowds

102. Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for Education and Skills if his Department will examine publishing material suitable for classroom posters as pdf files for free download in order to assist schools with managing costs. [51414/13]

Rent Supplement Scheme Data

Robert Dowds

178. Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for Social Protection the amount being spent on rent supplement and the numbers of households being supported by this payment, on a county basis, in tabular form. [51609/13]

Property Taxation Application

Robert Dowds

235. Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if local authorities are obliged to charge their tenants for the property tax due for the house in which they reside, in view of the fact that the local authority has to pay the Revenue Commissioners the property tax due on each of the houses which it owns; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51300/13]

Social and Affordable Housing Provision

Robert Dowds

247. Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will contact county councils requesting the following information in tabular form, namely, numbers of their social housing stock; numbers on the housing list; and numbers of tenants in the rental accommodation scheme. [51605/13]

Social and Affordable Housing Provision

Robert Dowds

248. Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the number of social housing units being planned, by county, in tabular form. [51606/13]

Housing Data

Robert Dowds

249. Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the number of families and single persons in hostel accommodation, by county, in tabular form. [51607/13]

Private Rented Accommodation Provision

Robert Dowds

250. Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the number of private landlords registered with the Private Residential Tenancies Board in each of the years 2010, 2011, 2012 and to date in 2013. [51608/13]

Commencement of Legislation

Robert Dowds

285. Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will provide update on work to commence Part 2 of the Criminal Justice Act 2011; and when it will be possible to complete same. [51415/13]

Children and Family Services

Robert Dowds

149. Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs her plans for improved children's services in the Clondalkin, Dublin 22 area. [51199/13]

Children and Family Services

Robert Dowds

150. Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs her plans for improved children's services in the Lucan, County Dublin area. [51200/13]

HSE Expenditure

Robert Dowds

163. Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for Health if he will request of the Health Service Executive a list of all the bodies that receive section 39 funding in the current year and the amounts that they receive [51198/13]

HSE Expenditure

Robert Dowds

638. Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for Health if he will provide, in tabular form, a breakdown of the petrol and diesel costs incurred by Health Service Executive staff in the Dublin mid-Leinster region for the past ten years. [50646/13]

Closed Circuit Television Systems

Robert Dowds

150. Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will consider the installation of CCTV cameras in Garda stations and in holding cells to ensure the safety of Garda officers and those in custody; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49677/13]

Garda Equipment

Robert Dowds

151. Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will consider introducing, on a trial basis, the placement of mini-cameras on the uniforms of gardaí, as is being trialled in police forces in the UK, to assist gardaí in prosecuting criminals and to ensure the safety of both gardaí and the members of the public with whom they deal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49678/13]

Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission Remit

Robert Dowds

152. Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will consider strengthening the powers and impartiality of the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49679/13]

Northern Ireland Issues

Robert Dowds

87. Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade when he last met the British Prime Minister, David Cameron; the extent to which he made him aware of the destabilising impact of marches and violence in Northern Ireland; and if the British Prime Minister and his Cabinet issued any response to these problems. [41829/13]

Sentencing Policy

Robert Dowds

314. Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for Justice and Equality his view on whether Ireland has adequate legislation in terms of prosecuting white collar crime; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47978/13]

Sentencing Policy

Robert Dowds

315. Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the sanctions that can be imposed on persons found guilty of white collar crime; and the length of sentence that can be imposed. [47979/13]

Sentencing Policy

Robert Dowds

316. Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will clarify which white collar offences are civil and which are criminal. [47980/13]

Office of Public Works Properties

Robert Dowds

357. Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will provide a breakdown of the cost per Civil Service employee of office space; and the way this compares to similar figures in the private sector. [46371/13]

Office of Public Works Properties

Robert Dowds

358. Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will provide figures for the past three years for which data are available of the occupancy rate of property owned by Departments. [46372/13]

Social Insurance Rates

Robert Dowds

412. Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will confirm the employer PRSI at the lower rate will return to 8.5% from January 2014 at the expiry of the special rate of 4.25%. [46373/13]

Community Welfare Services

Robert Dowds

526. Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for Social Protection in relation to the centralisation of community welfare officers in Intreo offices, if the new offices will provide space for private discussion between a local resident and a community welfare officer. [46374/13]

Energy Resources

Robert Dowds

608. Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the reasons energy resources lying within the territory of the State, including its territorial waters, cannot be nationalised and exploited by the State itself for the benefit of the Irish people as is the practice in other European states; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45672/13]

Cash for Gold Trade

Robert Dowds

787. Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he is considering mandating identification checks on persons selling items at cash for gold outlets, following on from his Department's report on this issue last year. [46370/13]

Rail Services

Robert Dowds

1294. Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the conditions for carriage of bicycles on Irish Rail, both DART and Intercity services; and if the conditions could be loosened on intercity services in order to facilitate cycle tourism. [47054/13]

Office of Public Works Properties

Robert Dowds

119. Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will provide a list of all the properties leased or rented on behalf of the State which are not fully occupied; the extent to which these are not fully occupied; and the rent being paid by the State for the unoccupied space by building. [45338/13]

Local Authority Housing Waiting Lists

Robert Dowds

177. Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the number of families on the housing list in each of the local authorities (details supplied). [45364/13]

Local Authority Housing Waiting Lists

Robert Dowds

178. Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the number of private rented accommodation units that are available in each of the local authorities (details supplied). [45365/13]

Local Authority Housing Waiting Lists

Robert Dowds

179. Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the extent to which private landlords are excluding families on local authority housing lists from consideration for housing in each of the local authorities (details supplied). [45366/13]

Local Authority Housing Provision

Robert Dowds

180. Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his views on whether there is a growing housing crisis in the greater Dublin area especially for those on council housing lists; the extent of the problem and the way he will emerge from this problem. [45367/13]

Illicit Trade in Tobacco

Robert Dowds

124. Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for Finance the actions taken to block the illegal entry of cigarettes and tobacco into the Irish market. [44206/13]

Illicit Trade in Tobacco

Robert Dowds

125. Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for Finance if he will provide an update on what is being done to disrupt trafficking of cigarettes and tobacco into Ireland. [44207/13]

Illicit Trade in Tobacco

Robert Dowds

126. Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for Finance the amount of illegal tobacco and tobacco products that has been seized by the Garda and customs officers in each of the years 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44208/13]

Illicit Trade in Tobacco

Robert Dowds

127. Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for Finance the number of persons that have been either fined or jailed for illegal trafficking of cigarettes or tobacco in each of the years 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44209/13]

Work Placement Programme

Robert Dowds

299. Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will provide an update on JobBridge; the extent of the scheme; and the numbers moving from JobBridge into permanent positions. [44683/13]

Work Placement Programme

Robert Dowds

300. Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will carry out an in-depth investigation into the operation of JobBridge, especially in financially successful companies, to ascertain the extent of abuse of the scheme in private companies; the numbers that move from JobBridge to permanent employment within the same company; and if there is evidence of those companies using the talents of those on JobBridge without it leading to permanent positions [44684/13]