Parliamentary questions

Fuel Rebate Scheme

Tom Fleming

118. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Finance if he will extend the Budget excise rebate on diesel to passenger transport companies to ensure the survival of these companies that have been negatively impacted upon and many jobs shed in recent years due to the high cost of diesel and which is a huge proportion of overhead costs; and if he will facilitate the rebate to this industry in the context of the Finance Bill (details supplied). [58116/12]

School Funding

Tom Fleming

254. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will intervene in a health and safety issue at a school (details supplied) in County Kerry in view of the fact that the board of management have alerted and provided a full engineering report on the extreme necessity to carry out the electrical replacement and also the critical ESB recommendation and in the interest of general safety and compliance with electrical standards; if he will act immediately; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58073/12]

Student Grant Scheme Applications

Tom Fleming

274. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Education and Skills when a decision will issue in relation to a student grant application in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1054/13]

Student Grant Scheme Applications

Tom Fleming

275. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Education and Skills when a decision will issue on a student grant application in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1055/13]

Student Grant Scheme Appeals

Tom Fleming

276. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Education and Skills when a decision will issue in relation to a student grant appeal in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1056/13]

Student Grant Scheme Delays

Tom Fleming

282. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Education and Skills when a student grant will issue in respect of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1152/13]

Student Grant Scheme Appeals

Tom Fleming

306. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding a student grant appeal in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1386/13]

Student Grant Scheme Payments

Tom Fleming

307. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Education and Skills when a student grant will issue in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 8; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1387/13]

Student Grant Scheme Delays

Tom Fleming

330. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will expedite a student grant in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1701/13]

Student Grant Scheme Payments

Tom Fleming

331. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Education and Skills when a decision will issue on a student grant application in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; if he will expedite the matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1703/13]

School Transport Provision

Tom Fleming

334. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Education and Skills If he will assist with the cooperative initiative by both St. Michael's College and the Presentation Secondary School, Listowel, County Kerry which is in compliance with his Department's Directive, these schools are 2.5km apart and the imposition of full transport costs on the students and their families would be detrimental to the progress of this scheme and based on and information (details supplied) if he will examine this viable proposition with a view to subsidising the ongoing costs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1725/13]

One-Parent Family Payment Appeals

Tom Fleming

459. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Social Protection when a decision will issue on a one-parent family appeal in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1036/13]

Carer's Allowance Appeals

Tom Fleming

463. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Social Protection when a decision will issue on a carer's allowance appeal application in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1058/13]

Invalidity Pension Appeals

Tom Fleming

478. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Social Protection when a decision will issue on an invalidity pension appeal in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1187/13]

Television Licence Fee Payments

Tom Fleming

589. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the position regarding a TV licence refund (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58136/12]

Social and Affordable Housing Eligibility

Tom Fleming

634. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will review the Social Housing Assessment Regulations 2011 whereby separated persons who are the joint owners of properties are currently deemed ineligible for social housing support unless they are separated under an order of a court of competent jurisdiction or by a deed of separation in view of the fact that this regulation is too restrictive and makes it very difficult for certain separated persons with a housing need to access social housing supports; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58093/12]

Security of the Elderly

Tom Fleming

714. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will reverse a decision to cut the seniors alert scheme previously known as the community support for older people scheme that will now only be open to people over 65 who live alone (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1856/13]

Aquaculture Licences Applications

Tom Fleming

880. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will expedite the procession of applications for aquaculture licences in Castlemaine harbour, County Kerry; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that these delays are hindering job creation and investment in this important industry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1206/13]

Medicinal Products Expenditure

Tom Fleming

949. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Health if he will investigate the outcome of the Trinity College Dublin researchers' findings in which savings of more than 50% can be made on the five most common medicines by prescribing similar but cheaper versions of the drugs and where their findings also state that the ten most prescribed medicines were on average 2.7 times more expensive here than in the UK; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57821/12]

Medical Card Applications

Tom Fleming

1006. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Health when a decision will issue on a medical card application in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry [1010/13]

Hospital Waiting Lists

Tom Fleming

1009. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Health the number of patients on the outpatients waiting lists at Kerry General Hospital; the way these figures compare to the previous three years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1021/13]

Health Services Staff Issues

Tom Fleming

1029. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Health if he will fill the post of domestic cook/cleaner at a care centre (details supplied) in County Kerry on a 39 hour week basis in view of the fact that the current situation is not acceptable and is a great inconvenience to service users who attend the centre from all parts of mid Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1181/13]

Hospital Waiting Lists

Tom Fleming

1031. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Health if he will arrange an appointment at the earliest possible date in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1184/13]

Hospital Staff Issues

Tom Fleming

1082. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Health when will the rheumatoid specialist be appointed to Kerry General Hospital in view of the fact that there is immediate urgency due to increasing demand by patients in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1600/13]

Hospital Staff Issues

Tom Fleming

1083. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Health if he will engage with unions representing nurses and midwives to explore ways of achieving significant savings in the Health Service Executive agency spend without imposing a further salary reduction of 20% on this year's newly qualified graduates; his views on whether the engagement of nurses and midwives through agencies is on average 30% more expensive than direct employment; his further views on whether the HSE could save up to €23 million if they directly converted currently employed agency staff into direct employment and if they employed the newly qualified graduates on the correct salary scale of €27,211, then the HSE would save 54% of their current costs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1611/13]

Medical Card Applications

Tom Fleming

1086. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Health if he will review a medical card application in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1627/13]

Hospital Waiting Lists

Tom Fleming

1092. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Kerry will be called for surgery; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1695/13]

Student Grant Scheme Applications

Tom Fleming

102. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Education and Skills when will a student grant issue in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57365/12]

Money Advice and Budgeting Service Issues

Tom Fleming

144. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will urgently proceed with opening the proposed Money Advice and Budgeting Service office in Killarney to provide reasonable access on a geographical basis to all of County Kerry to facilitate the growing demand for the Money Advice and Budgeting Service in County Kerry, which currently is being serviced by Tralee Money Advice and Budgeting Service office which is inundated with increased numbers availing of the essential services and assistance it provides. [57456/12]

Motor Tax Collection

Tom Fleming

190. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will allow vehicle tax Budget 2013 increases commencement date to be introduced on 1 January 2013, as it is standard to allow vehicle owners to pre tax vehicles on the rate at start of prior month; if he will allow the rate at start of December and issued throughout December be the charge for new tax discs issued for 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57453/12]

Disadvantaged Areas Scheme Payments

Tom Fleming

244. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will urgently issue payment under the 2012 disadvantaged areas scheme to a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57457/12]

Health Services Staff Issues

Tom Fleming

299. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Health if he will appoint additional psychologists to address the waiting lists for children with autism in County Kerry, particularly for children in the age bracket of six years and over who are waiting the longest; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57507/12]

Health Promotion Issues

Tom Fleming

329. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Health if he will investigate the regulating of the salt content in foods in view of the fact that medical experts say it would help reduce the number of high blood pressure fatalities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57684/12]

Hospital Bed Data

Tom Fleming

332. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Health the number of cystic fibrosis beds available at St. Vincent's University Hospital, Dublin; if he will provide a detailed up to date report on the new cystic fibrosis unit at Cork University Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57700/12]

Tourism Promotion

Tom Fleming

348. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to drive tourism through local authorities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57474/12]

Tourism Promotion

Tom Fleming

350. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will request Fáilte Ireland to support and provide funding to Puck Fair and Summerfest festivals in County Kerry, if he will ask Fáilte Ireland to take into consideration the importance of these festivals to tourism in the county and the very special effort that they are making for the Gathering in 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57496/12]

Tourism Promotion

Tom Fleming

351. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to introduce an Irish language-Gaelic tourism strategy for County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57502/12]

Road Improvement Schemes

Tom Fleming

352. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide funding in 2013 for the Kenmare relief road, County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57503/12]

Tourism Promotion

Tom Fleming

353. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to introduce a singular tourism strategy for County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57504/12]

Property Taxation Collection

Tom Fleming

88. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Finance if he will review the proposal in the Finance (Local Property Tax) Bill 2012 for having a property tax levied on non-profit housing associations (details supplied) in view of the fact that the imposition of a property tax on housing associations providing accommodation will limit the financial ability of these associations to raise private finance, which will result in reduced social housing supply and people ion the waiting lists longer for the offer of social housing; if he will take into consideration the fact that many of these organisations are run by full time volunteers and are finding it increasingly difficult to fundraise; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57167/12]

Student Grant Scheme Delays

Tom Fleming

98. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Education and Skills the steps that he has taken to address the delays in the processing of student grant applications; the number of student grant applications that has been received by Student Universal Support Ireland; the number that have been processed, awarded, refused or are awaiting decision to date; the number of applications that were received from County Kerry and the number of these that have been processed, awarded, refused, awaiting decision to date; if he will reassure all applicants and their families that all fully completed applications will be processed by Christmas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57126/12]

Garda Recruitment

Tom Fleming

143. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Justice and Equality If he will consider lifting the embargo on new Garda recruits in view of the fact that persons and families are now living in fear in rural, isolated areas and the fact that a large number of Gardaí retired in the recent past, the recent closure of rural Garda stations and the proposed closure of additional Garda stations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57132/12]

Youth Services Provision

Tom Fleming

162. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she will reverse a decision (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [57313/12]

Irish Language Issues

Tom Fleming

246. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Education and Skills if in view of its being moved into the aegis of the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment, An Chomhairle um Oideachas Gaeltachta agus Gaelscolaíochta will continue to be facilitated in conducting all business through Irish and the ongoing research pertaining to the teaching of Irish as a first and second language will continue to be facilitated; if he envisages any curtailment of services or research otherwise undertaken by the COGG; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56756/12]

Student Grant Scheme Applications

Tom Fleming

254. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Education and Skills when a decision will issue on a student grant application in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56843/12]

Disability Allowance Appeals

Tom Fleming

334. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Social Protection when a decision will issue on a disability allowance appeal in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [56539/12]

Farm Assist Scheme Appeals

Tom Fleming

339. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Social Protection the measures she has taken to address the unacceptable waiting lists for farm assist appeals, the timeframe to process these appeals; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [56584/12]

Farm Assist Scheme Appeals

Tom Fleming

340. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Social Protection the measures she taken to address the unacceptable waiting lists for invalidity pension appeals; the timeframe to process these appeals; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [56585/12]

Invalidity Pension Applications

Tom Fleming

341. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Social Protection the measures she has taken to address the unacceptable waiting lists for invalidity pension applications; the timeframe to process these applications; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [56586/12]

Farm Assist Scheme Appeals

Tom Fleming

343. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Social Protection the measures she taken to address the unacceptable waiting lists for domiciliary care allowance appeals; the timeframe to process these appeals; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [56588/12]