Parliamentary questions

Flood Relief Schemes Applications

Michael P. Kitt

334. Deputy Michael P. Kitt asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his proposals for drainage works on the Cregclare River, Ardrahan, County Galway, in view of the fact that families are marooned in their houses due to the flooding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9278/14]

Ambulance Service Provision

Michael P. Kitt

232. Deputy Michael P. Kitt asked the Minister for Health if he will provide the priority list for ambulance bases, staffing and vehicles in the counties of Galway, Mayo and Roscommon for the past five years and in the next three years; the population catchment in the north Galway-south Mayo catchment area for the provision of a 24-hour ambulance in Tuam, County Galway, and for the other ambulance bases in the three counties mentioned to be approved and staffed this year; the figures for the population in these catchment areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8671/14]

Rent Supplement Scheme Applications

Michael P. Kitt

117. Deputy Michael P. Kitt asked the Minister for Social Protection if a person (details supplied) will be re-considered for a rent allowance for their current accommodation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8446/14]

Housing Issues

Michael P. Kitt

509. Deputy Michael P. Kitt asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if funding of €400,000 will be provided under his Department's special needs projects to complete a housing project for the elderly (details supplied). [7969/14]

Disabled Drivers Grant

Michael P. Kitt

182. Deputy Michael P. Kitt asked the Minister for Health when the review of the mobility allowance scheme and the motorised transport grant scheme will be completed; if details will be provided on the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5821/14]

Homeless Persons Data

Michael P. Kitt

477. Deputy Michael P. Kitt asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his plans for dealing with the increased numbers of homeless persons, particularly in Dublin; the number of social housing units to be built this year in each county and each city borough; if he will indicate any other proposals he may have to provide extra housing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5526/14]

Animal Welfare

Michael P. Kitt

174. Deputy Michael P. Kitt asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his attention has been drawn to issues surrounding the welfare of abandoned and stray horses in County Galway; if he will confirm the subsidy per horse; the amount of funding provided via subsidies to both Galway County Council and Galway City Council in 2013; the savings to be made in the new scheme to be produced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4666/14]

Oifig an Choimisinéara Teanga

Michael P. Kitt

4. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Michael P. Kitt den Aire Ealaíon, Oidhreachta agus Gaeltachta cén uair a cheapfar Coimisinéir Teanga nua, an mbeidh an coimisinéir neamhspleách; agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina thaobh. [4110/14]

Straitéis 20 Bliain don Ghaeilge

Michael P. Kitt

14. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Michael P. Kitt den Aire Ealaíon, Oidhreachta agus Gaeltachta an bhfuil sé sásta pobal na Gaeilge agus na Gaeltachta a aithint mar gheallsealbhóirí i gcur i bhfeidhm na Straitéise 20 Bliain don Ghaeilge ó dheas agus na Straitéise don Ghaeilge ó Thuaidh; agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina thaobh. [3996/14]

Maoiniú Chomhlachtaí Stáit

Michael P. Kitt

18. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Michael P. Kitt den Aire Ealaíon, Oidhreachta agus Gaeltachta an féidir leis stad a chur le haon laghdú eile ar bhuiséad Udarás na Gaeltachta, Fhoras na Gaeilge agus Roinn na Gaeltachta agus tosú ar na buiséid sin a mhéadú de réir a chéile chun obair na Straitéisí agus eile a chur i gcrích; agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina thaobh. [3997/14]

Jobseeker's Allowance Eligibility

Michael P. Kitt

411. Deputy Michael P. Kitt asked the Minister for Social Protection if a person (details supplied) in receipt of jobseeker's allowance will be affected if they were to take part in a community employment scheme for six months; if they will be entitled to jobseeker's allowance after six months until retirement age; if the jobseeker's allowance would cease after a certain period; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4059/14]

Fallen Animal Collection Scheme

Michael P. Kitt

680. Deputy Michael P. Kitt asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if there has been a review of the charges for disposal of dead animals; when it was decided to increase the charge by €5 per animal; his views on the implications of the increase in charges; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1519/14]

Departmental Properties

Michael P. Kitt

103. Deputy Michael P. Kitt asked the Minister for Education and Skills the reason a club premises on schools grounds (details supplied) was closed in late 2010; if the club will be allowed to re-open; if not, the future plans for these premises as the building is deteriorating, leading to anti-social behaviour; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54677/13]

Inland Waterways Development

Michael P. Kitt

119. Deputy Michael P. Kitt asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the cost of reopening the Ulster Canal; the number of phases involved; if an application has been made to the EU for funding; if matching funding will be made available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53443/13]

Water and Sewerage Schemes Status

Michael P. Kitt

339. Deputy Michael P. Kitt asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the progress that is being made on the sewerage scheme for Kinvara town, County Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52925/13]

National Monuments

Michael P. Kitt

377. Deputy Michael P. Kitt asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if he has received a request from the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport offering to transfer the Thoor Ballylee Tower House, County Galway to his Department; if he will consider the re-opening of the tower house; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49231/13]

Children's Rights Referendum

Michael P. Kitt

619. Deputy Michael P. Kitt asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs with reference to the referendum on children's rights held some several months ago, if she will provide an update on implementation and if the relevant legislation is now in place; the sections that have been implemented to date; when the section allowing adoption of long time fostered children will be signed into force; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49098/13]

National Monuments

Michael P. Kitt

98. Deputy Michael P. Kitt asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if he will investigate the acquisition, for the State, of Tullira Castle, Adrahan, County Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48444/13]

Banking Sector Issues

Michael P. Kitt

64. Deputy Michael P. Kitt asked the Minister for Finance if he has received a proposal that the State buy ACC Bank from Rabobank Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47659/13]

Tax Reliefs Eligibility

Michael P. Kitt

82. Deputy Michael P. Kitt asked the Minister for Finance if he will clarify the issue of entitlement to tax relief on dental and-or medical expenses on services fully carried out outside the State; if he will confirm this is so; the reason it is allowed, as, in the case of dental services available here, it is putting Irish dentists at risk in their employment; if he will consider changes to same and make a distinction between medical dental treatments available in the State and others only available abroad; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45080/13]

Homelessness Strategy

Michael P. Kitt

152. Deputy Michael P. Kitt asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide a progress report on the Government's commitment to ending long-term homelessness by 2016; the framework and funding in place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44925/13]

Straitéis don Ghaeilge

Michael P. Kitt

56. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Michael P. Kitt den Aire Ealaíon, Oidhreachta agus Gaeltachta cad é an dul chun cinn atá déanta maidir le húsáid na Gaeilge a spreagadh ar fud na tíre; cén cúnamh atá á thabhairt ag Roinn na Gaeltachta agus ag Údarás na Gaeltachta le haghaidh imeachtaí Bhliain na Gaeilge 2013; agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina thaobh. [44629/13]

Waterways Ireland Remit

Michael P. Kitt

308. Deputy Michael P. Kitt asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht when it is proposed to reopen the walkway which spans the weir on the River Shannon in Meelick, County Galway; if funding has been provided for this work; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that this is an important local and tourist amenity; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44424/13]

National Partnership Agreements Implementation

Michael P. Kitt

313. Deputy Michael P. Kitt asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if he will honour the agreement with farming organisations on the Review of Implementation of the Habitats Regulations 1997; if retrospective payments will be made as happened in the corncrake areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44426/13]

Private Rented Accommodation Provision

Michael P. Kitt

380. Deputy Michael P. Kitt asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he has considered introducing a residential rental scheme similar to the model used in some European countries where, legally, rents can only vary or increase in line with inflation or the consumer price index; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44894/13]

Disadvantaged Areas Scheme Payments

Michael P. Kitt

308. Deputy Michael P. Kitt asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when the remaining payments under the disadvantaged areas scheme will be paid in counties Galway and Roscommon, as well as in the other counties; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43019/13]

Mental Health Services Funding

Michael P. Kitt

393. Deputy Michael P. Kitt asked the Minister for Health if an independent review will be put in place on the scoring system for comparisons between Ballinasloe and Roscommon as centres for acute psychiatric beds in the Health Service Executive west PCCC; when the proposed resources will be made available in the community; if it will be done before any decisions are made; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43046/13]

Natural Gas Grid

Michael P. Kitt

451. Deputy Michael P. Kitt asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the position regarding the provision of natural gas to the town of Athenry, County Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41012/13]

Cabinet Committee Meetings

Michael P. Kitt

132. Deputy Michael P. Kitt asked the Taoiseach the number of times the Cabinet committee on Social Policy has met since the formation of this Government; if it has met, the date on which those meetings have taken place. [39128/13]

Foras na Gaeilge

Michael P. Kitt

4. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Michael P. Kitt den Aire Ealaíon, Oidhreachta agus Gaeltachta cén líon daoine atá fostaithe ag Foras na Gaeilge faoi láthair, cé mhéad post in earnáil dheonach na Gaeilge atá maoinithe ag Foras na Gaeilge faoin gcóras bunmhaoinithe reatha, agus cé mhéad post a bheidh le maoiniú faoin múnla maoinithe nua atá beartaithe a theacht i bhfeidhm an 1 Iúil 2014; agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina thaobh. [38600/13]

Flood Relief Schemes Funding

Michael P. Kitt

434. Deputy Michael P. Kitt asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the position regarding the flood relief programme on the Clare River at Claregalway, County Galway; the amount of funding for this project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37819/13]

Enterprise Support Schemes

Michael P. Kitt

490. Deputy Michael P. Kitt asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation his proposals to obtain markets for Irish manufacturing and professional service companies in the Middle East and North Africa; if engineering and infrastructure investment has increased in these areas in recent years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36917/13]

Tourism Industry

Michael P. Kitt

1596. Deputy Michael P. Kitt asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if there are proposals to re-open Thoor Ballylee, County Galway; if he will indicate the amount of money spent to date on improvements on this project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38418/13]

Garda Investigations

Michael P. Kitt

921. Deputy Michael P. Kitt asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he has any information on the theft of six valuable oil paintings from a church (details supplied) in County Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35177/13]

Social and Affordable Housing Applications

Michael P. Kitt

154. Deputy Michael P. Kitt asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the proposals he has to deal with the increased number of applicants for housing; the work of housing organisations and the National Asset Management Agency in housing regeneration projects; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34021/13]

Patient Statistics

Michael P. Kitt

218. Deputy Michael P. Kitt asked the Minister for Health the number of patients residing in psychiatric hospitals and units during the period 2006 to 2011; the number discharged; the number who went into community mental health care services and the number who went home; the number of patients still residing in psychiatric hospitals and units; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32388/13]

Road Projects Issues

Michael P. Kitt

247. Deputy Michael P. Kitt asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the position regarding the commencement of the Gort to Tuam motorway; the cost involved as a Public Private Partnership scheme; the costing for the by-pass of Tuam, County Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31135/13]

Equine Industry Issues

Michael P. Kitt

6. Deputy Michael P. Kitt asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the steps he will take to encourage the slaughter of surplus horses; the way he intends to encourage the slaughter of surplus young horses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29376/13]

Fodder Crisis

Michael P. Kitt

60. Deputy Michael P. Kitt asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the total expenditure incurred by his Department on the fodder transport scheme and the emergency assistance issued by the District Veterinary Office; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29343/13]

Television Reception

Michael P. Kitt

140. Deputy Michael P. Kitt asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if his attention has been drawn to the difficulties in re-broadcasting TG4 across the North of Ireland and, in particular, in parts of the greater Belfast area; if other areas on the island of Ireland are affected in terms of their reception of TG4; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29529/13]

Mental Health Services Provision

Michael P. Kitt

219. Deputy Michael P. Kitt asked the Minister for Health the number of psychiatric patients who have been moved from psychiatric hospitals to community care settings since 2006, when A Vision for Change was published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28553/13]

Mental Health Services Provision

Michael P. Kitt

220. Deputy Michael P. Kitt asked the Minister for Health the number of patients who are still in psychiatric institutional care; the reasons for this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28554/13]

Disadvantaged Areas Scheme Appeals

Michael P. Kitt

790. Deputy Michael P. Kitt asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a decision will be made on an appeal of disadvantaged area payment in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Galway whereby medical evidence was supplied in November 2011 as a reason for not meeting stocking density; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26772/13]

Údarás na Gaeltachta Issues

Michael P. Kitt

39. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Michael P. Kitt den Aire Ealaíon, Oidhreachta agus Gaeltachta cén beartas agus cé na pleananna atá ann chun níos mó post a chur ar fáil sa Ghaeltacht; agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina thaobh. [26107/13]

Tax Yield

Michael P. Kitt

153. Deputy Michael P. Kitt asked the Minister for Finance if he has an estimate of the amount of funds to be raised through a levy on texting on mobile phones; and the estimated amount to be raised through a 1 cent levy per text for the past five years. [25241/13]

Special Educational Needs Service Provision

Michael P. Kitt

227. Deputy Michael P. Kitt asked the Minister for Education and Skills if the maximum allocation of resource hours will be provided to children with Down's syndrome, and whether they will be recognised in their entirety and in their own right by his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25097/13]

Water and Sewerage Schemes Funding

Michael P. Kitt

495. Deputy Michael P. Kitt asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he has received a proposal to provide funding for an extension to a sewerage scheme (details supplied) in County Galway. [24061/13]

Trade Missions

Michael P. Kitt

36. Deputy Michael P. Kitt asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the trade missions he has planned for the remainder of 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23191/13]

Coillte Teoranta Harvesting Rights Sale

Michael P. Kitt

31. Deputy Michael P. Kitt asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of meetings he has had with the Irish Timber Council in relation to the proposed sale of the forest crop of Coillte; the result of these discussions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21492/13]

Local Authority Housing Provision

Michael P. Kitt

141. Deputy Michael P. Kitt asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will make funding available to the North Tipperary County Council for the provision of social housing (details supplied) in County Tipperary; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21601/13]