Parliamentary questions

Office of Public Works Properties

Eric J. Byrne

368. Deputy Eric Byrne asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his plans for a programme of restoration to the historical Magazine Fort which occupies a commanding location within the Phoenix Park but which is empty, unused and derelict; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34146/14]

Trade Agreements

Eric J. Byrne

379. Deputy Eric Byrne asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if the EU, Colombia, Peru free trade agreement requires ratification by all member state parliaments before it is transposed into law; if so, when it will be brought before the Dáil for final ratification into Irish law; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34348/14]

Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission Investigations

Eric J. Byrne

684. Deputy Eric Byrne asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the position regarding a complaint made to the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 8; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34627/14]

Hospital Appointments Administration

Eric J. Byrne

1128. Deputy Eric Byrne asked the Minister for Health when a surgical appointment will take place in respect of a person (details supplied); if this appointment will be expedited; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34744/14]

Overseas Development Aid Provision

Eric J. Byrne

1194. Deputy Eric Byrne asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will provide in tabular form the number of projects, groups and other bodies that have been funded so far this year by Irish Aid under the Development Education and Civil Society Section; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33703/14]

Voluntary Sector Funding

Eric J. Byrne

1477. Deputy Eric Byrne asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government to outline the position regarding the funding of an organisation (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33053/14]

Visa Applications

Eric J. Byrne

195. Deputy Eric Byrne asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the position regarding visa approval in respect of a child (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31734/14]

Education Fees

Eric J. Byrne

291. Deputy Eric Byrne asked the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding a fee waiver in respect of an organisation (details supplied) in Dublin 1; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29800/14]

Public Services Card Authentication

Eric J. Byrne

113. Deputy Eric Byrne asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason PPS numbers are shown on free travel passes; in view of the personal nature of these numbers, if this practice will be stopped in the future; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25034/14]

Back to Education Allowance Eligibility

Eric J. Byrne

62. Deputy Eric Byrne asked the Minister for Social Protection if a person who has a level 4 major award can repeat another level 4 under a new scheme, (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24835/14]

Education and Training Provision

Eric J. Byrne

208. Deputy Eric Byrne asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will clarify a situation regarding the teaching of a course (detail supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24162/14]

Community Employment Schemes Supervisors

Eric J. Byrne

399. Deputy Eric Byrne asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will arrange to have the issue of a community employment supervisor being recruited by an organisation (details supplied) resolved; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22512/14]

Special Educational Needs Staffing

Eric J. Byrne

189. Deputy Eric Byrne asked the Minister for Education and Skills the status of a recent circular from his Department (details supplied) regarding the provision of special needs assistants; if he will address the concerns raised by parents; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20200/14]

VAT Rate Application

Eric J. Byrne

127. Deputy Eric Byrne asked the Minister for Finance if VAT on defibrillators (details supplied) will be removed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19723/14]

Freedom of Information Legislation

Eric J. Byrne

234. Deputy Eric Byrne asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will clarify a situation regarding freedom of information and a proposal from a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19234/14]

Proposed Legislation

Eric J. Byrne

550. Deputy Eric Byrne asked the Minister for Justice and Equality his views on assisted decision making; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18732/14]

Spent Convictions Legislation

Eric J. Byrne

582. Deputy Eric Byrne asked the Minister for Justice and Equality when the Criminal Justice (Spent Convictions) Bill will come before Dail Éireann and be debated and voted on; his view on spent convictions and ways to deal with this matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19281/14]

Garda Recruitment

Eric J. Byrne

131. Deputy Eric Byrne asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the options the Garda Reserve and full-time Garda recruits training in Templemore have in swearing allegiance to the State; if they may affirm; if they must use the Bible; the position in relation to non-Christian and non-religious members of the force; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18122/14]

Tax Clearance Certificates

Eric J. Byrne

168. Deputy Eric Byrne asked the Minister for Finance the position regarding a tax clearance certificate in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 12; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17383/14]

Living City Initiative

Eric J. Byrne

176. Deputy Eric Byrne asked the Minister for Finance if he will clarify a situation regarding the Living City initiative (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17543/14]

Chaplaincy Services Provision

Eric J. Byrne

258. Deputy Eric Byrne asked the Minister for Education and Skills the process whereby the Government issues a policy statement to the effect that all chaplains, that is, those of faith groups as well as those of secular beliefs, be equally accommodated in all respects in Government Departments where chaplains operate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17865/14]

Prison Religious Services

Eric J. Byrne

493. Deputy Eric Byrne asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the process whereby the Government issues a policy statement to the effect that all chaplains, that is, those of faith groups, as well as those of secular beliefs, are equally accommodated in all respects in Government Departments where chaplains operate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17864/14]

Defence Forces Personnel

Eric J. Byrne

510. Deputy Eric Byrne asked the Minister for Defence the process whereby the Government issues a policy statement to the effect that all chaplains, that is, those of faith groups as well as those of secular beliefs, are equally accommodated in all respects in Government Departments where chaplains operate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17867/14]

HSE Documents

Eric J. Byrne

643. Deputy Eric Byrne asked the Minister for Health if he will provide a document entitled, terms of reference Health Service Executive review of Roman Catholic chaplaincy services in partnership with the Catholic Healthcare Commission May 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17863/14]

Chaplaincy Services Provision

Eric J. Byrne

644. Deputy Eric Byrne asked the Minister for Health the process whereby the Government issued a policy statement to the effect that all chaplains, that is, those of faith groups as well as those of secular beliefs, be equally accommodated in all respects in Government Departments where chaplains operate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17866/14]

Deposit Interest Rates

Eric J. Byrne

82. Deputy Eric Byrne asked the Minister for Finance the reason the 2014 rate of 41% DIRT is not just applicable from January 2014 but rather can be applied to savings schemes set up in 2013 or earlier years and which become payable in 2014 thereby penalising persons who may have signed up for savings schemes when the DIRT was at a lower rate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15990/14]

Bank Debt Restructuring

Eric J. Byrne

113. Deputy Eric Byrne asked the Minister for Finance the options available to persons (details supplied) in Dublin 8 regarding a write down; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16304/14]

Election Monitoring Missions

Eric J. Byrne

32. Deputy Eric Byrne asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade in view of the rapidly moving developments in Ukraine and the commitment of the OSCE to engage in both an observatory capacity and an election-monitoring capacity, the reason his Department is sending one long-term observer to Ukraine for the forthcoming presidential elections; if he will reconsider this position as the monitoring of these elections will probably constitute the most important and difficult election monitored by the OSCE to date and, in view of the historical importance of the outcome to that election, proper oversight will be vitally important; if he will confirm his intention to send a substantial delegation of short-term observers to monitor this election; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15374/14]

Employment Support Services

Eric J. Byrne

129. Deputy Eric Byrne asked the Minister for Social Protection further to Parliamentary Question No. 476 of 25 March 2014, if she will outline the budget allocation for each centre; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15459/14]

International Relations

Eric J. Byrne

144. Deputy Eric Byrne asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the position regarding the Ireland-Russia Joint Economic Commission; his views on same and the upcoming meeting in April; if it is envisaged that this meeting will go ahead in view of the unfolding events in Ukraine; the persons who are the members of the Ireland-Russia Joint Economic Commission; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14986/14]

Carer's Allowance Appeals

Eric J. Byrne

304. Deputy Eric Byrne asked the Minister for Social Protection further to Parliamentary Question No. 109 of 26 March 2014, when the appeal decision will be made; the length of time this process will take; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15329/14]

Carer's Allowance Appeals

Eric J. Byrne

109. Deputy Eric Byrne asked the Minister for Social Protection when a decision will be taken on an appeal for carer's allowance in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 12; if this matter will be dealt with as urgently as possible; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14293/14]

Employment Support Services

Eric J. Byrne

476. Deputy Eric Byrne asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will provide in tabular form for 2013 and 2014 information regarding jobs clubs funded by her Department (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12791/14]

Marriages of Convenience

Eric J. Byrne

787. Deputy Eric Byrne asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if his attention has been drawn to the number of arranged marriages taking place here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13754/14]

Departmental Correspondence

Eric J. Byrne

791. Deputy Eric Byrne asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if any dialogue has occurred between the different religious groups and his Department regarding arranged marriages of girls under the age of 17; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13809/14]

Carer's Allowance Appeals

Eric J. Byrne

108. Deputy Eric Byrne asked the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding carer's allowance in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 12; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12535/14]

Foreign Conflicts

Eric J. Byrne

54. Deputy Eric Byrne asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade in view of the rapidly moving developments in the Ukraine and the commitment of the OSCE to engage in both an observatory capacity and an election monitoring capacity and in view of the fact that the Tánaiste as a former chairman-in-office of the OSCE, the reason his Department is sending one long-term observer to Ukraine for the forthcoming presidential elections; if he will reconsider this position as the monitoring of these elections will probably constitute the most important and difficult election monitored by the OSCE to date and in view of the tremendous historical importance of the outcome to that election, proper oversight of this election will be vitally important; if he will confirm his intention to send a substantial delegation of short-term observers to monitor this election; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12090/14]

Pension Provisions

Eric J. Byrne

239. Deputy Eric Byrne asked the Minister for Social Protection the benefits and payments due to a community employment supervisor working for the past 20 consecutive years if he or she was to retire or be made redundant; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11692/14]

Local and Community Development Programme Planning

Eric J. Byrne

267. Deputy Eric Byrne asked the Minister for Social Protection in view of the possibility of local development companies losing the contract to deliver the local community development programme and Leader and becoming unsustainable as result, what contingency plans, if any, have been put in place for the continued delivery of Department of Social Protection programmes currently delivered by LDCs, that is, Tús, rural social schemes, community employment, local employment services, jobs club; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12037/14]

Mountain Access Schemes

Eric J. Byrne

287. Deputy Eric Byrne asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if his attention has been drawn to the land erosion on traditional walking paths on the mountain ranges here; if he will confirm that it is his intention to establish proper developed pathways in order to prevent the erosion from the increased footfall of hill walkers and in particular the use of bikes, motorbikes and quad bikes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12099/14]

Mountain Access Schemes

Eric J. Byrne

288. Deputy Eric Byrne asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht in view of the increase in participation by walkers using for recreational purposes the magnificent mountain ranges of the Dublin and Wicklow mountains, if he is satisfied that he has sufficient funds to develop pathways to alleviate the erosion that is occurring on this mountain range; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12104/14]

Local Authority Housing

Eric J. Byrne

360. Deputy Eric Byrne asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to persons living in Dublin who are on the local authority housing list and who cannot obtain private rented accommodation and if they have to move outside the city outside of their council area, they are obliged to have their name removed from the council list and reapply in the new council area where they are renting; his views that this is unsatisfactory as many of the applicants would be many years on the housing list and through no fault of their own have to rent accommodation outside their local authority area resulting in them having to reapply and as a consequence lose their place on the council list; his views that this is unfair; if he will address the situation as a matter of urgency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11841/14]

Local Authority Housing

Eric J. Byrne

361. Deputy Eric Byrne asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will review the situation whereby persons who have been assessed and gone through all processes, vetting and so on to get on a local authority housing list, who if they move to rental accommodation outside their local authority area must start this whole reassessment again thereby creating unnecessary duplication of work by two different local authorities; if he will review the situation and be satisfied that once a person has cleared their name and been accepted onto a local authority housing waiting list that there would be no need to go through the rigours of the process a second time; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11842/14]

Local and Community Development Programme Project Funding

Eric J. Byrne

376. Deputy Eric Byrne asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will clarify the position regarding a local and community development project procurement (details supplied); and if those involved will make a statement on the request. [12003/14]

Mountain Access Schemes

Eric J. Byrne

384. Deputy Eric Byrne asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to the land erosion on traditional walking paths on the mountain ranges here; if he will confirm that it is his intention to establish proper developed pathways in order to prevent the erosion from the increased footfall of hill walkers but in particular the use of bikes, motorbikes and quad bikes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12098/14]

Mountain Access Schemes

Eric J. Byrne

385. Deputy Eric Byrne asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government in view of the increase in participation by walkers using for recreational purposes the magnificent mountain ranges of the Dublin-Wicklow mountains, if he is satisfied that he has sufficient funds to develop pathways to alleviate the erosion that is occurring on this mountain range; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12103/14]

Mountain Access Schemes

Eric J. Byrne

438. Deputy Eric Byrne asked the Minister for Defence if his attention has been drawn to the land erosion on traditional walking paths on the mountain ranges here; if he will confirm that it is his intention to establish proper developed pathways in order to prevent the erosion from the increased footfall in hill walkers but in particular the use of bikes, motorbikes and quads; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12097/14]

Mountain Access Schemes

Eric J. Byrne

439. Deputy Eric Byrne asked the Minister for Defence in view of the increase in participation by walkers using for recreational purposes the magnificent mountain ranges of the Dublin-Wicklow mountains, if he is satisfied that he has sufficient funds to develop pathways to alleviate the erosion that is occurring on this mountain range; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12102/14]

Education Policy

Eric J. Byrne

89. Deputy Eric Byrne asked the Minister for Education and Skills his policies for faith based schools and the way they deal with new communities and persons of different religious or tribal backgrounds to that of the school they are attending; the procedures in place for dealing with conflicts between these new communities; the training given to teaching staff for dealing with these issues; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10599/14]

Public Procurement Contracts

Eric J. Byrne

131. Deputy Eric Byrne asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the amount of Fairtrade public procurement by the Government in the most recent available year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10505/14]