Parliamentary questions

Hearing Tests

Maureen O'Sullivan

576. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health the system that is in place for testing newborns for deafness and for children acquiring hearing loss within the first 12 months; the policy implemented by Health Service Executive and supporting agencies for support for these children and their parents in the early years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44700/13]

Hearing Tests

Maureen O'Sullivan

577. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health the position regarding community waiting lists for basic hearing tests of children up to 24 months and access to supporting routine hearing services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44701/13]

Cochlear Implants

Maureen O'Sullivan

578. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health the policy of his Department on the potential benefits and value of a policy to support the fitting of bilateral both-ear implants for babies who have been discovered to be deaf; if he recognises that the bilateral both-ear implants could have a positive impact on speech perception, integration into mainstream education and general quality of life; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44702/13]

Hearing Tests

Maureen O'Sullivan

579. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health the position regarding his target to ensure that there is a universal hearing test for all newborns at all maternity hospitals by 2014; the specific elements of the Health Service Executive care pathways for a newborn, from the initial hearing test to the process of fitting a hearing aid for a baby; if he will identify where there are current gaps in the delivery of this service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44703/13]

Hare Coursing

Maureen O'Sullivan

142. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if he will consider removing the text which states that coursing leads to some mortality each year but management of coursing reserves has also been shown to be beneficial to hares leading to higher hare densities, as this text is misleading and inaccurate without substantial evidence to support the claim; the evidence used to support this claim; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44076/13]

Hospital Staff Recruitment

Maureen O'Sullivan

223. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health in view of the fact that renal failure is one of the top causes of death for children with spina bifida, the reason since 2009, when spina bifida care was transferred to Temple Street University Hospital, there has not been a paediatric urologist established in the hospital to carry out routine monitoring tests such as blood test for kidneys, renal ultrasound, DMSA scan, bladder function assessment, video urodynamic study and spinal MRI which may prevent fatal kidney failure; the reason the recent vacancy for a paediatric urologist by the HSE has not been filled yet and when the appointment will be made; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44041/13]

Inland Waterways Maintenance

Maureen O'Sullivan

59. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if he will identify the parties concerned with the operation of the lifting bridge which occupies the site of the original first lock on the Royal Canal Newcomen Bridge, Dublin 1; the factors that contribute to the status of the lifting bridge; if he will convene a meeting of interests concerned with the operation of the lifting bridge with a view to devising a management and operational system that is less hostile to the use of the waterway as it is an impediment and discouragement to navigation on the Royal Canal and an obstacle to navigation-communication between the Royal Canal and River Liffey and between Royal Canal and Grand Canal at their eastern reaches; and if he considers the lifting bridge could be re-engineered as a dropping bridge. [43743/13]

Water Fluoridation

Maureen O'Sullivan

127. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health if he will explain the discrepancy of the CAS number of natural fluoride being 16984-48-8 while the product specification of fluoride used in our water is different 16961-83-4 (details supplied); the reason natural fluoride is not being used in our water supply; the organisation that has approved the fluoride as detailed in the product specification as being fit for human consumption; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43734/13]

Public Transport Provision

Maureen O'Sullivan

175. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide for the rehabilitation of the Scherzer Bridge also known as the Rusty Bridge, Sheriff Street, Dublin 1 and the opening up of that point to full Royal Canal navigation as a means of animating the canal line, consistent with the objectives of the Spencer Dock to Newcomen Bridge greenway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43744/13]

Public Transport Provision

Maureen O'Sullivan

176. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will direct the parties to the Dublin city centre transport study, the National Transport Authority, Dublin City Council, CIE and Waterways Ireland, to include in their considerations issues regarding the Royal Canal-CIE lifting bridge, North Strand, Dublin 1, and the Scherzer Bridge, Sheriff Street, Dublin 1, in the joint report which is to be prepared for the purposes of a public consultation process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43745/13]

Consular Services Remit

Maureen O'Sullivan

12. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will engage on a political level with his political counterpart in Greece in relation to a person (details supplied); if he will speak to the Greek ambassador to Ireland; the formal steps he will take to raise the concerns of the Irish family involved in this case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43528/13]

Flood Risk Insurance Cover

Maureen O'Sullivan

93. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the position regarding the discussions between the Office of Public Works and the Insurance Federation of Ireland on insurance for homes that flood or are risk of flooding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43457/13]

Housing Assistance Payments Administration

Maureen O'Sullivan

208. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government in view of recently announced changes to rental assistance and the transferring of both the assessment and payments to local authorities, if he will outline the new local housing allowance restrictions and guidelines; if these changes will impact on all claimants immediately; if there will be any additional support given to those who are hardest hit through a discretionary payments fund or through his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43526/13]

Housing Assistance Payments Administration

Maureen O'Sullivan

209. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government in view of recently announced changes to rental assistance and the transferring of both the assessment and payments to local authorities, if there will be changes planned for direct payments of local rental allowance to landlords; if direct payments to landlords will be allowed in the social rented sector; the way housing costs will be calculated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43527/13]

Haulage Industry Regulation

Maureen O'Sullivan

217. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport further to Parliamentary Question No. 628 of 1 October 2013, if he intends to introduce maximum vehicle height restrictions in the form of secondary legislation; if not in the form of primary legislation; if this is currently under consideration; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42817/13]

NAMA Portfolio Issues

Maureen O'Sullivan

137. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Finance if he will publish a schedule, or have the National Assets Management Agency, NAMA, publish a schedule identifying by address each property owned or under the control of NAMA with a postal address in Dublin 1 and Dublin 7; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41999/13]

Universal Social Charge Application

Maureen O'Sullivan

161. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Finance further to Parliamentary Question No. 53 of 13 March 2013, if he will describe in detail the poverty traps mentioned in the programme for Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41990/13]

Universal Social Charge Application

Maureen O'Sullivan

162. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Finance in view of the fact that the universal social charge was introduced in budget 2011 to replace the income levy and health levy, the reason for both these levies and if this reason or purpose has changed with the amalgamation and change of name in budget 2011; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41991/13]

Social Welfare Code Issues

Maureen O'Sullivan

299. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Social Protection if the living alone allowance is deemed a core social welfare payment within her Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41844/13]

NAMA Social Housing Provision

Maureen O'Sullivan

393. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if any work has been done by his Department, by the National Asset Management Agency, by Dublin City Council, or by all three, working jointly, to identify NAMA owned/controlled properties in Dublin 1 and Dublin 7 that have particular potential for such community and social uses as adult education, community arts, resources for persons with disabilities, resources for community development, sports, family support and so on; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42000/13]

Private Rented Accommodation Sector

Maureen O'Sullivan

416. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if and when legislation will be brought forward which seeks to address ongoing issues in the private rental accommodation sector, including landlord-tenant relations, waste management and substandard accommodation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42433/13]

Local and Community Development Issues

Maureen O'Sullivan

417. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government when he will re-establish the Inner City Partnership in Dublin, as this has been promised repeatedly for a number of years and opportunities to tackle unemployment especially amongst youth in disadvantaged areas of the inner city are being threatened without this partnership mechanism; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42436/13]

Animal Welfare Expenditure

Maureen O'Sullivan

504. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine in view of the reinforcement by UK officials to have dogs travelling between here and the UK to have a rabies vaccination, if he will consider the increased funding needs of animal rescue centres in the country arising as a result of rabies vaccination costs; if he will extend the family pet 2015 derogation from the rabies vaccination to include rescue dogs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42434/13]

Child Care Services Provision

Maureen O'Sullivan

510. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs further to Parliamentary Question No. 19 of 19 September 2013, the extent of the reduction in hours for child care staff in residential care homes funded by the Health Service Executive and in the voluntary sector and the number of closures in that sector. [42023/13]

Substance Misuse

Maureen O'Sullivan

601. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health in view of the increasing diversity of illicit drugs and prescribed drugs being abused in deprived parts of cities and towns and increasingly in conjunction with increased consumption of cheap alcohol and consequent damage to persons, families and communities, the way he will work with communities in facing the challenges of addiction and health resulting from these patterns of poly-drug use among varying age groups; if he is committed to a local integrated solution based approach; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42435/13]

Water Fluoridation

Maureen O'Sullivan

222. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health if he will have the Irish Medicines Board carry out a test to determine if fluoride is safe for human consumption and have the results made available to the public; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41605/13]

Human Rights Issues

Maureen O'Sullivan

67. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the extent of his engagement with the relevant authorities in Northern Ireland and England on the human rights of prisoners in Maghaberry Prison, particularly in relation to those imprisoned and where due process is not being followed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41053/13]

Millennium Development Goals

Maureen O'Sullivan

73. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade as co-chair of the forthcoming UN summit on the future of the millennium development goals, if he will seek to make decent work one of the main targets of the post-2015 development era; his views on whether decent and safe labour and environmental standards are a fundamental right that must be fought for throughout the rapidly industrialising global south; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41054/13]

Prisoner Welfare

Maureen O'Sullivan

165. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if his attention has been drawn to the fact that an Irish citizen (details supplied) has been in prison for three years in Northern Ireland during which the person has not been questioned by the PSNI or charged with a crime; that the person has not had a parole hearing, to which prisoners are entitled annually, for more than two years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40984/13]

Climate Change Policy

Maureen O'Sullivan

176. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if his attention has been drawn to Oxfam's latest report, Growing Disruption: Climate Change, Food and the Fight against Hunger, which provides up to date links between climate change and causes of hunger, particularly the threat on food security arising from a reduction in crop production; his position regarding climate change links to world hunger and if he will take on board recommendations outlined by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change - IPCC AR5 - working group I report released shortly; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41073/13]

HIV-AIDS Programmes

Maureen O'Sullivan

177. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade further to Parliamentary Question No. 153 of 24 September 2013, when he will publish the strategy statement guide on HIV-AIDS in his development programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41074/13]

Commemorative Events

Maureen O'Sullivan

416. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the funding that has been made available to the decades committee in relation to the celebration of historic events; the procedures for groups to apply for this funding; to whom funding has already been allocated and on what basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40461/13]

Private Rented Accommodation Standards

Maureen O'Sullivan

458. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government when he will introduce housing legislation on private accommodation that will address enhancing accountability of landlords in housing standards and waste management; the main issues that will be covered in the Bill; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40418/13]

Haulage Industry Regulation

Maureen O'Sullivan

628. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his policy on overheight trucks and the reason behind the derogation for overheight trucks on public roads to 31 October 2013; if he intends to extend the derogation beyond the set date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40488/13]

National Substance Misuse Strategy

Maureen O'Sullivan

17. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health his plans for the implementation of the recommendations of the steering group report on the national substance misuse strategy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40064/13]

Drug Rehabilitation Clinics

Maureen O'Sullivan

62. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health the number of dedicated drug recovery beds in Dublin north city Health Service Executive; their location and the way the issues of density of drug recovery/supported housing accommodation are addressed within the area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40065/13]

Animal Disease Controls

Maureen O'Sullivan

211. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if DEFRA UK has informed his Department of its intention to enforce pet passport regulations for animals being transported to the UK, including the enforcement of rabies vaccinations, micro-chipping of animals, and issuing of passports; if his attention has been drawn to the possible impact this will have on the resources of Irish Rescue centres for costs of vaccinations, costs for animals for 21 days before transportation after vaccination, if he will call for an exemption to the rabies vaccination taking into account that Ireland and the UK are rabies free; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40175/13]

National Drugs Strategy Issues

Maureen O'Sullivan

256. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health the number of times the Oversight Forum on Drugs Committee and the Drugs Advisory Group have met in the past year since September 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40282/13]

National Drugs Strategy Issues

Maureen O'Sullivan

257. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update in the review of the structures of the National Drugs Strategy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40283/13]

Prison Drug Treatment Services

Maureen O'Sullivan

3. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the institutions that have drug-free units currently operating; the number of spaces in each drug-free unit; the number of prisoners currently in each drug-free unit; the number of vacancies in each drug-free unit; the type of treatment and programmes available to those in addiction in prison; the number entering prison drug-free that leave addicted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39935/13]

Diplomatic Passports

Maureen O'Sullivan

58. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the procedure and criteria by which diplomatic passports are issued; when they may be used; the number of current serving Members of the Oireachtas who hold diplomatic passports; if former members are entitled to retain and use diplomatic passports; if there has been misuse of these passports and the actions taken; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39971/13]

Private Rented Accommodation Provision

Maureen O'Sullivan

146. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will consider including in legislation that those in receipt of rent allowance will not be discriminated against in the private rented sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39915/13]

Court Accommodation Provision

Maureen O'Sullivan

147. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the arrangements he intends to make in order to make holding cells in courthouses subject to inspection by an independent inspection body, as recommended by the Inspector of Prisons; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39939/13]

Prison Inspections

Maureen O'Sullivan

148. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality in view of the findings of the Inspector of Prisons Report dated 16 June 2012, where the inspector sets out in detail the concerns, including weak management, inattention to human rights norms and very disturbing incidents of non-compliance with best practice and breaches of the fundamental rights of prisoners, informing his recommendation that St. Patrick's be closed forthwith and the very name consigned to history, if he is satisfied with the performance of the St. Patrick's Institution Prison Visiting Committee and satisfied that the Prison Visiting Committee model generally is one in which prisoners and the public generally should repose confidence; and as a model that is fit for purpose; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39940/13]

Inspector of Prisons Reports

Maureen O'Sullivan

149. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will report on the new complaints procedures of Irish prisons in November 2012; if he will further report on the composition on the panels of independent investigators and on the way panel members were recruited; if he will also report on the number of Category 1 complaints received by the panels of independent investigators to date and the number resolved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39941/13]

Prison Visiting Committees Appointments

Maureen O'Sullivan

151. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of appointments he has made to prison visiting committees; the number of those appointees who lived within 50 km of the relevant prison or detention centre; the number of appointees who are not political party members or activists; the aggregate sum expended in 2012 in expenses and other costs to members of the Prison Visiting Committees; the aggregate number the costs were awarded to; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39972/13]

Non-Consultant Hospital Doctors Working Conditions

Maureen O'Sullivan

194. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health how he intends to address the demands of non-consultant hospital doctors in view of the planned strike; if he will address the lack of progress the Health Service Executive in restructuring rosters in a fair manner; if he is committed to implementing a retention plan to prevent high emigration of Irish doctors to other countries in search of fairer working conditions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40103/13]

Drug Rehabilitation Implementation Programmes

Maureen O'Sullivan

195. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health the way persons are assessed for accommodation placement from low to medium to high thresholds with respect to their own recovery from drugs and rehabilitation care plans; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40104/13]

VAT Rates Application

Maureen O'Sullivan

211. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Finance the social policy objectives of this Government and of the State, in the context of sustainable home heating, that are advanced by imposing a VAT rate of 23% on solar panels while a 13% levy is imposed on bituminous coal, a contributor to climate change; if this indicates a need for a rebalancing of VAT rates generally, in order to achieve co-ordination with social policy objectives; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39684/13]

Youth Services Funding

Maureen O'Sullivan

5. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she will outline the cuts in the previous budgets to youth services; if her attention has been drawn to the impact of these cuts on the youth communities where these services are based; and the way she intends to prevent further cuts in budget 2014. [38915/13]