Parliamentary questions

Trade Missions Participation

Micheál Martin

238. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Jobs; Enterprise and Innovation if he has made arrangements to ensure that he includes within his official delegation on future trade missions persons who can represent the scientific community here. [40269/12]

Media Mergers

Catherine Murphy

239. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Jobs; Enterprise and Innovation his views on the fact that the recommendations of the 2008 Advisory Group on Media Mergers, which called for a more robust and sophisticated defence of the importance of diverse ownership and content, have not yet been implemented; if he intends to follow the recommendation that there should be a reduction in the role of the Competition Authority in relation to media ownership; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35516/12]

Media Mergers

Catherine Murphy

240. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Jobs; Enterprise and Innovation if the proposed Consumer and Competition Bill, which was promised for early 2012, will be published; if not, if he will consider publishing the provisions relating to media mergers in advance of the completion of the Bill; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35517/12]

Job Creation Targets

Richard Boyd Barrett

241. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Jobs; Enterprise and Innovation if he has targets for creating jobs so as to reduce unemployment over the coming year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39029/12]

IDA Portfolio

Brendan Smith

242. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Jobs; Enterprise and Innovation further to Parliamentary Question No. 305 of 19 July 2012, if he will clarify his statement that the Industrial Development Agency had assured him that it would consider opportunities to utilise its property portfolio in County Cavan to attract other non-traditional type of investments to the region which do not fall under the general remit of the IDA or Enterprise Ireland; if he will outline the range of such non-traditional type investments the IDA have in mind; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42014/12]

Economic Competitiveness

Bernard Durkan

243. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Jobs; Enterprise and Innovation the extent to which he and or his Department has monitored or identified possible issues affecting competitiveness in the manufacturing or services sectors; the extent to which costs have been reduced or otherwise in this area in each of the past three years to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42052/12]

Job Losses

Bernard Durkan

244. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Jobs; Enterprise and Innovation if he will indicate the most recently quoted reasons for job losses in the various regions throughout the country in each of the past three years to date; the action taken to address any such issues; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42053/12]

Economic Growth Initiatives

Bernard Durkan

245. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Jobs; Enterprise and Innovation if he will indicate the factors deemed most likely to affect economic growth and as a result job opportunities in the coming year in view of the experience of the past two years and previous projections for the period; if it is intended to take any particular action to specifically focus on issues likely to affect job retention and or creation and commercial activity; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42054/12]

Job Creation

Bernard Durkan

246. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Jobs; Enterprise and Innovation the extent to which innovation has featured in the creation and or retention of jobs in the manufacturing and services sectors in each of the past three years to date; if he expects to take particular action to address any obvious issues; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42055/12]

Work Permit Application Numbers

Bernard Durkan

247. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Jobs; Enterprise and Innovation if he will indicate the number of applications for work permits received in his Department in each of the past four years to date; the number of such applications which met the criteria to qualify; the number of applications granted, refused or pending; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42056/12]

Work Permit Criteria

Bernard Durkan

248. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Jobs; Enterprise and Innovation the extent to which the criteria affecting the approval of application for work permits in the course of the past three years have altered in this or other EU countries; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42057/12]

Job Creation

Bernard Durkan

249. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Jobs; Enterprise and Innovation the number of jobs created arising through innovation in the manufacturing and the services sectors in each of the past three years to date; the perceived potential in this area in the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42058/12]

Job Creation Data

Bernard Durkan

250. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Jobs; Enterprise and Innovation the total number of service jobs created indigenously in each of the past three years to date; the specific area or areas in respect of which growth is most obvious; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42059/12]

Job Creation Data

Bernard Durkan

251. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Jobs; Enterprise and Innovation the total number of manufacturing jobs created indigenously in each of the past three years to date; the specific area or areas in respect of which growth is most obvious; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42060/12]

Upward Only Rent Reviews

Bernard Durkan

252. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Jobs; Enterprise and Innovation the extent to which upward only rent reviews have been recorded as a factor causing job losses in the commercial or retail sectors in each of the past three years to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42061/12]

Economic Policy

Bernard Durkan

253. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Jobs; Enterprise and Innovation the extent to which Irish firms continue to access and benefit from innovation and technology assistance directly or indirectly; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42062/12]

Economic Competitiveness

Bernard Durkan

254. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Jobs; Enterprise and Innovation if he will indicate arising from any discussions he has had with employers the extent to which he is in a position to provide incentives for employers in the services sector to increase their labour force in the near future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42063/12]

Economic Competitiveness

Bernard Durkan

255. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Jobs; Enterprise and Innovation the extent to which various costs continue to act as a disincentive to job expansion in existing enterprises in the manufacturing and services sectors; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42064/12]

Departmental Staff Rehiring

Luke 'Ming' Flanagan

256. Deputy Luke 'Ming' Flanagan asked the Minister for Jobs; Enterprise and Innovation if he will list all the current positions, where the appointment was made by his Department held by retired senior civil servants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42669/12]

Supplementary Welfare Allowance Appeals

Bernard Durkan

257. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason an oral hearing was not granted in respect of an application for supplementary welfare allowance in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41229/12]

Disability Allowance Applications

Bernard Durkan

258. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection in respect of an application for disability allowance in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare, the reason a letter was sent to the applicant on 13 September 2012 stating that their application had been refused, despite a letter being issued from her office on 11 September 2012 stating that the application would be considered in due course; if she will review this case; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41230/12]

Rent Supplement Scheme Eligibility

Finian McGrath

259. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding rent supplement in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 5. [41246/12]

Financial Services Regulation

Michelle Mulherin

260. Deputy Michelle Mulherin asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason financial brokers are excluded from participating as advisers in providing free independent financial advice for borrowers in mortgage distress under the Mortgage Arrears Information and Advice Service; the criteria used to decide that only accountants could offer such advice; if she will consider including financial brokers who have the appropriate knowledge and experience to the service; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41276/12]

Rent Supplement Scheme Eligibility

Catherine Murphy

261. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Social Protection if there has been a change in policy in 2012 in respect of housing applicants who have been approved for rent assistance and where the social housing needs assessment has post dated the commencement of the tenancy, sometimes by months; if a change has been made to refuse to pay arrears; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41295/12]

Carer's Allowance Applications

Gerry Adams

262. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will provide an update on a carer's allowance application in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Louth; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41297/12]

Child Benefit Payments

Gerry Adams

263. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will provide clarification on the requirements which must be met in order to qualify for qualified child dependent, with specific regard to whether or not the applicant must be in receipt of child benefit payment to qualify; if so, the steps that must be undertaken by an applicant to transfer payment of same from one parent to another; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41299/12]

Carer's Allowance Applications

John O'Mahony

264. Deputy John O'Mahony asked the Minister for Social Protection when a decision will be made on an appeal for home help in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Roscommon; the reason this case has been refused; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41303/12]

Employment Support Services

Catherine Murphy

265. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Social Protection if consideration is being given to add any additional categories to the job activation initiatives including those who are available for work but not entitled to a payment that will give them access to internship's or other upskilling opportunities; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41307/12]

Invalidity Pension Applications

Bernard Durkan

266. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection if and when an application for invalidity pension will be determined in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41310/12]

Domiciliary Care Allowance Appeals

John Perry

267. Deputy John Perry asked the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding a domiciliary care allowance appeal in respect of a person (detailed supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41312/12]

Back to Education Allowance Eligibility

Catherine Murphy

268. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Social Protection in situations where a candidate does not fulfil the eligibility criteria for back to education allowance, if there is any flexibility to use previous periods of unemployment; if any change is being considered to the guidelines; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41316/12]

Exceptional Needs Payments

Billy Kelleher

269. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of persons that have been awarded assistance in the County Cork area following the recent flooding; if she will provide a breakdown by affected areas; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41323/12]

Carer's Allowance Eligibility

Bernard Durkan

270. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection if half rate carer's allowance will be backdated to December 2011 in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41324/12]

Insolvency Payments Scheme Applications

Jerry Buttimer

271. Deputy Jerry Buttimer asked the Minister for Social Protection if the 1980 EU Insolvency Directive is applicable to a person (details supplied) in County Cork; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41357/12]

Social Welfare Appeals Status

Noel Harrington

272. Deputy Noel Harrington asked the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding an appeal for respite care grants for 2011 and 2012 in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cork; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41367/12]

Insolvency Payments Scheme Applications

Jerry Buttimer

273. Deputy Jerry Buttimer asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will outline the pension entitlements of a person (details supplied) in County Cork; if the 1980 EU Insolvency Directive is applicable to the person; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41368/12]

Free Travel Scheme Administration

Thomas P. Broughan

274. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Social Protection if it is anticipated that all free travel passes will contain photo ID in view of the security concerns raised by some senior citizens; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41377/12]

Jobseeker's Allowance Applications

John Halligan

275. Deputy John Halligan asked the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding leeway in the means testing of jobseeker's allowance (details supplied). [41398/12]

Severe Weather Events Response

Brian Stanley

276. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Social Protection the amount of financial humanitarian assistance allocated as a result of severe flooding last autumn that has been allocated on a national and county wide basis; the amount of the average allocation; and if an appeal mechanism exists to challenge unsatisfactory allocations. [41399/12]

Departmental Staff Allowances

Michael Creed

277. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will publish details of all allowances paid to staff in her Department; the business case made by her Department in respect of these allowances to the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform; the cost of each individual allowance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41419/12]

Farm Assist Scheme Appeals

Michael Colreavy

278. Deputy Michael Colreavy asked the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding an appeal for farm assist in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cavan; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41423/12]

Supplementary Welfare Allowance Applications

Brendan Griffin

279. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Social Protection her views on supplementary welfare allowance (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41436/12]

Carer's Allowance Applications

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

280. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Social Protection when a decision will issue on a carer's allowance application in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Monaghan; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41440/12]

Rent Supplement Scheme Applications

Seán Ó Fearghaíl

281. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will review the case of persons (details supplied) in Kildare whose rent allowance was approved from a date six months after they had taken up occupancy of a residential unit and in a situation in which their father has been continuously included on the council's assessment of need since 2008; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41453/12]

Insolvency Payments Scheme Applications

Billy Timmins

282. Deputy Billy Timmins asked the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding minimum notice and holiday pay in respect of a person (details supplied in County Carlow; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41455/12]

Invalidity Pension Eligibility

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

283. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of persons in receipt of invalidity pension at the present time; the number of persons in receipt of invalidity pension since January 2011 who have been notified that they are no longer eligible for the payment on foot of a review by his Department's medical assessor. [41485/12]

Financial Services Regulation

Paul Connaughton

284. Deputy Paul J. Connaughton asked the Minister for Social Protection if financial advisers will be allowed to administer advice under the mortgage advice scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41505/12]

Rent Supplement Scheme Applications

John Lyons

285. Deputy John Lyons asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will provide an up-to-date position on an application for rent supplement in respect of a person (details supplied). [41507/12]

Departmental Expenditure

Pearse Doherty

287. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will provide in tabular form social protection spending both as a percentage of gross domestic product and in nominal terms by year from 1992 to 2011. [41522/12]

Carer's Allowance Application Numbers

John O'Mahony

288. Deputy John O'Mahony asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of applications received each month for the years 2011 and to date in 2012 for carer's allowance; the number of applications on hand waiting to be processed; the reason for the delay in processing these applications; the steps that are being taken to reduce the waiting times; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41681/12]