Parliamentary questions

Charities and Voluntary Organisations

Seamus Kirk

15. Deputy Seamus Kirk asked the Minister for Finance if he is satisfied that all registered charities are fully exempt from the local property tax in respect of properties used in carrying out their charitable activities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2013/13]

Foreign Conflicts

Seamus Kirk

10. Deputy Seamus Kirk asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the additional steps he and his EU counterparts have taken to address the Syrian conflict; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1581/13]

Tobacco Smuggling

Seamus Kirk

200. Deputy Seamus Kirk asked the Minister for Finance further to his reply of 21 November 2012, if he will outline by county or by region, the number of investigations carried out to combat criminal activity in the sale or smuggling of counterfeit, laundered and illegal products, under the following headings: oil / fuel, tobacco, counterfeit goods; and if he will list in tabular form the comparable figures for the previous three years; if he feels enough is being done to protect the Exchequer from this criminal activity; if he will outline any proposals that he is considering to protect retailers from the damage of this illegal activity; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1836/13]

Medical Card Eligibility

Seamus Kirk

26. Deputy Seamus Kirk asked the Minister for Health the postion regarding the supply of medical cards to cancer patients; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57068/12]

Children's Rights Referendum

Seamus Kirk

94. Deputy Seamus Kirk asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs her response to the unanimous Supreme Court judgement that her Department acted in breach of the Constitution during the recent Children’s Referendum; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [56698/12]

Dairy Sector

Seamus Kirk

1. Deputy Seamus Kirk asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the advantage to milk producers of the milk quality assurance scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55818/12]

Common Fisheries Policy Negotiations

Seamus Kirk

17. Deputy Seamus Kirk asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the progress made to date on the renegotiation of the Common Fisheries Policy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55982/12]

Suckler Welfare Scheme Extension

Seamus Kirk

45. Deputy Seamus Kirk asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the changes made to the suckler cow welfare scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55965/12]

European Council Meetings

Seamus Kirk

16. Deputy Seamus Kirk asked the Minister for Defence the agenda for the recent meeting of the EU Foreign Affairs Council with Ministers of Defence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54792/12]

Tax Yield

Seamus Kirk

135. Deputy Seamus Kirk asked the Minister for Finance the amount of VAT and excise duty collected on agricultural diesel for each of the past three years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55315/12]

Local Government Reform

Seamus Kirk

69. Deputy Seamus Kirk asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the timeframe for legislation for the implementation of Putting People First; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54192/12]

Water Meters Installation

Seamus Kirk

83. Deputy Seamus Kirk asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government when the contracts for the roll out of water metering will be issued; the number of contracts involved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54191/12]

School Enrolments

Seamus Kirk

185. Deputy Seamus Kirk asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will outline the minimum and maximum number of pupils required in order for future second level schools to be built in a parish in the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53807/12]

School Enrolments

Seamus Kirk

186. Deputy Seamus Kirk asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will outline in detail the primary school population in the parish of Duleek/Bellewstown, County Meath, that is served by schools (details supplied); the current second level capacity that covers this catchment area and the projected growth in second level requirements over the coming years; if he envisages a necessity for a new second level school in the area to meet education needs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53808/12]

Unfinished Housing Developments

Seamus Kirk

404. Deputy Seamus Kirk asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the names of unfinished housing estates in County Meath and the category in which each is classed; if he will list the estates that have not been taken in charge by the council; if Meath County Council is providing street-lighting maintenance and or other services in these estates; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54332/12]

Telecommunications Services Provision

Seamus Kirk

35. Deputy Seamus Kirk asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will consider approaching Eircom regarding the longer term utilisation of their building at the Ramparts, Dundalk, County Louth, to help create employment there as a call centre or other related use. [53118/12]

Commemorative Events

Seamus Kirk

20. Deputy Seamus Kirk asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the work undertaken by the all-party commission on the decade of commemorations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53020/12]

The Gathering Expenditure

Seamus Kirk

108. Deputy Seamus Kirk asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide a progress report on the Gathering project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52652/12]

Business Regulation

Seamus Kirk

26. Deputy Seamus Kirk asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the way he proposes to reduce costs for businesses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51850/12]

Public Private Partnerships Data

Seamus Kirk

12. Deputy Seamus Kirk asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the demand he sees for participation in public private partnerships; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51638/12]

Organised Crime

Seamus Kirk

55. Deputy Seamus Kirk asked the Minister for Finance if he has studied the presentation by the former Assistant Garda Commissioner Tony Hickey at the Joint Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation on 15 November 2012 relating to the scale of the problem from the smuggling of tobacco and the laundering of fuel and the stated involvement of criminal gangs in this area and the incredible sums of money that these criminal gangs are defrauding the State of on a weekly basis; his views on whether enough is being done in this area to tackle the problem and to ensure the Exchequer is protected from it; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51699/12]

Organised Crime

Seamus Kirk

56. Deputy Seamus Kirk asked the Minister for Finance if his attention has been drawn to the contents of the Retail Ireland report, Tackling the Black Market and Retail Crime, which sets out proposals to protect legitimate retailers from the activity of criminal gangs involved in the smuggling of cigarettes, fuel and counterfeit goods, which according to the report costs the taxpayer €861 million per annum; if the Minister shares the concerns relating to the need to introduce measures to allow for greater enforcement to tackle those involved in the smuggling of cigarettes, the laundering of fuel and the sale of counterfeit goods; if he has prioritised this area for immediate action; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51702/12]

Crime Prevention

Seamus Kirk

172. Deputy Seamus Kirk asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he has studied the presentation by the former Assistant Garda Commissioner Tony Hickey at the Joint Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation on 15 November 2012 relating to the scale of the problem from the smuggling of tobacco and the laundering of fuel and the stated involvement of criminal gangs in this area and the incredible sums of money that these criminal gangs are defrauding the State of on a weekly basis; his views on whether enough is being done in this area to tackle the problem; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51697/12]

Crime Prevention

Seamus Kirk

173. Deputy Seamus Kirk asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if his attention has been drawn to the contents of the Retail Ireland report Tacking the Black Market and Retail Crime, which sets out proposals to protect legitimate retailers from the activity of criminal gangs involved in the smuggling of cigarettes, fuel and counterfeit goods, which according to the report costs the taxpayer €861 million per annum; if he shares the concerns relating to the need to increase penalties for those involved in the smuggling of cigarettes and the laundering of fuel; if he has prioritised this area for immediate action; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51701/12]

Rail Services

Seamus Kirk

220. Deputy Seamus Kirk asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the position regarding train fares and the disproportionate fare charged by Iarnród Éireann for commuters in and out of Laytown train station, County Meath, compared to Balbriggan, County Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51727/12]

Teacher Training Provision

Seamus Kirk

120. Deputy Seamus Kirk asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will publish a detailed implementation plan for the training of teachers from now until the beginning of the first phase of the new junior certificate cycle in 2014; if he will outline the details of the cost and savings associated with the new junior certificate cycle; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51318/12]

Bullying in Schools

Seamus Kirk

124. Deputy Seamus Kirk asked the Minister for Education and Skills when he expects to publish the report of the working group on tackling bullying; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51302/12]

Tax Reliefs Availability

Seamus Kirk

172. Deputy Seamus Kirk asked the Minister for Finance if he will consider extending tax breaks for philanthropists who will make capital investment to particular health projects; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51134/12]

Planning Issues

Seamus Kirk

434. Deputy Seamus Kirk asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his views on whether planning legislation is adequate to deal with persistent and vexatious planning objections and complaints; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50868/12]

Pension Provisions

Seamus Kirk

19. Deputy Seamus Kirk asked the Minister for Finance if he is considering introducing legislative provisions along the lines of a public service pension deduction in the case of pensions being paid to senior executives in State supported banks whose pension funds have also received substantial transfers since State support commenced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50494/12]

EU Presidency Expenditure

Seamus Kirk

32. Deputy Seamus Kirk asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the budget for the Irish Presidency of the EU Council; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50177/12]

Hospital Staff Recruitment

Seamus Kirk

261. Deputy Seamus Kirk asked the Minister for Health the position regarding the proposed podiatry post at Our Ladys Hospital, having regard to the fact that similar positions have been filled in Dublin, Galway and Limerick; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50338/12]

Crisis Pregnancy Services

Seamus Kirk

609. Deputy Seamus Kirk asked the Minister for Health if his Department is investigating recent media reports (details supplied) in relation to advice given at the Dundalk office of Irish Planning Association; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49622/12]

Care of the Elderly

Seamus Kirk

11. Deputy Seamus Kirk asked the Minister for Health the total number of patients that have been staying in acute hospitals for more than three months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48928/12]

Hospital Consultants Remuneration

Seamus Kirk

62. Deputy Seamus Kirk asked the Minister for Health the latest developments regarding hospital consultants' working practices; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48943/12]

Social and Affordable Housing Maintenance

Seamus Kirk

245. Deputy Seamus Kirk asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if the repairs in lieu of rehousing scheme is still in operation and if allocations are being given to the various local authorities around the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49341/12]

Severe Weather Events

Seamus Kirk

107. Deputy Seamus Kirk asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the effect the bad weather of 2012 has had on the potato and horticultural industry; the steps he proposes to take to assist the industry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48276/12]

Farm Inspections

Seamus Kirk

134. Deputy Seamus Kirk asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of farm inspections that have taken place this year on a monthly basis under the single farm payment regime; the number that took place each month in 2011; the number of farmers that have been penalised under the scheme each month in 2011 and 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48277/12]

Energy Conservation

Seamus Kirk

317. Deputy Seamus Kirk asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will consider making it mandatory for boards of management to factor in water harvesting facilities for all new school builds; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47760/12]

Skills Shortages

Seamus Kirk

419. Deputy Seamus Kirk asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation his plans to introduce a technology visa; if so the timeframe in which this may occur; and if he will outline the benefits the technology visa will be to the IT sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47445/12]

Enterprise Ireland Investments

Seamus Kirk

429. Deputy Seamus Kirk asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if Enterprise Ireland are planning to financially support the new milk processing unit, Belview County Waterford, in view of the significant job creation potential of this project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47761/12]

Restorative Justice

Seamus Kirk

799. Deputy Seamus Kirk asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the position regarding restorative justice in relation to community offenders; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48097/12]

Beef Industry Issues

Seamus Kirk

909. Deputy Seamus Kirk asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to enhance and develop the beef industry in lieu of the attractiveness of dairy farming; the steps he is taking to preserve and protect the beef market here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48098/12]

Departmental Bodies Reports

Seamus Kirk

1006. Deputy Seamus Kirk asked the Minister for Health if he will outline the membership for the Implementation Group on Generic Substitution; if he will also outline the organisations involved within this working group; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47446/12]

Cross-Border Co-operation

Seamus Kirk

1034. Deputy Seamus Kirk asked the Minister for Health if he will outline the areas in which hospitals north and south will cooperate with each other; the potential services which will be operated on a cross border basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47759/12]

Cross-Border Projects

Seamus Kirk

1200. Deputy Seamus Kirk asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the position regarding the Narrow Water Bridge Project; the financial arrangements for the Narrow Water Bridge Project from Omeath, County Louth, to Warrenpoint, County Down; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47541/12]

Adoption Legislation

Seamus Kirk

28. Deputy Seamus Kirk asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs her plans regarding the Adoption (Information and Tracing) Bill; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46718/12]

Health Reports

Seamus Kirk

37. Deputy Seamus Kirk asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the action she proposes to take arising from the survey on Young People's Body Image; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46723/12]

Household Charge Exemptions

Seamus Kirk

165. Deputy Seamus Kirk asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if the estate known (details supplied) in County Meath is exempt from paying the household charge, due to the fact that the estate is unfinished and the developers are in receivership; if he will outline the estates in Laytown, County Meath which are not eligible to pay the household charge; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46553/12]

Immigration Policy

Seamus Kirk

182. Deputy Seamus Kirk asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if a quota arrangement exists for entry into Ireland from recently joined EU States; the detail of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46551/12]

Property Taxation Application

Seamus Kirk

67. Deputy Seamus Kirk asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his views on the impact of differing property tax rates on the revenue base of local authorities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46164/12]

Nitrates Usage

Seamus Kirk

407. Deputy Seamus Kirk asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will introduce a more flexible system in relation to the farm slurry spreading period, having regard to the erratic weather over the past year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46552/12]

Drugs Payment Scheme Administration

Seamus Kirk

614. Deputy Seamus Kirk asked the Minister for Health if epilepsy and epilepsy medication will be exempt from the Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods Bill, taking into account the fact that a change to a generic medication may impact negatively on persons who suffer from epilepsy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45913/12]

Epilepsy Incidence

Seamus Kirk

615. Deputy Seamus Kirk asked the Minister for Health the number of epilepsy sufferers here, by county, age and gender; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45914/12]

State Airports

Seamus Kirk

9. Deputy Seamus Kirk asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide an update in his plans for the separation of State airports; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45183/12]

Forestry Sector

Seamus Kirk

210. Deputy Seamus Kirk asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the measures that will be taken regarding the threat of chalara found in imported ash trees; the measures he is taking to deal with the issue, having regard to the serious economic impact of such threat; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45542/12]

EU Enlargement

Seamus Kirk

32. Deputy Seamus Kirk asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the discussions that have been held with Albania on the accession talks with the EU; the outcome of the talks; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44892/12]

Middle East Peace Process

Seamus Kirk

46. Deputy Seamus Kirk asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the steps the EU has agreed to help achieve progress in the Israeli - Palestinian conflict; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44901/12]

Social Welfare Code Issues

Seamus Kirk

82. Deputy Seamus Kirk asked the Minister for Social Protection the proposals, if any, she has to provide adequate social welfare supports to the self-employed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44412/12]

School Staffing

Seamus Kirk

63. Deputy Seamus Kirk asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he has any concerns regarding the casualisation of the teaching profession at post primary level and the high numbers of second level teachers who are on short term temporary contracts; the measures he will take to address this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43068/12]

School Accommodation

Seamus Kirk

261. Deputy Seamus Kirk asked the Minister for Education and Skills in respect of post primary schools in Dundalk, County Louth, the maximum student accommodation; if he will provide a breakdown of the number of pupils in each school; the gender numbers of each school; the projected accommodation need for the years 2015, 2017, 2019 and 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43316/12]

House Sales

Seamus Kirk

31. Deputy Seamus Kirk asked the Minister for Finance his views on whether the continued low level of transactions in the housing market reflects a failure to communicate to potential first time buyers the impending end of mortgage interest relief for owner occupiers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42303/12]

Stocking Densities

Seamus Kirk

173. Deputy Seamus Kirk asked the Minister for Agriculture; Food and the Marine if he will outline the current minimum stocking density requirements under the disadvantaged areas scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42082/12]

Departmental Expenditure

Seamus Kirk

15. Deputy Seamus Kirk asked the Minister for Health the position regarding the deficit in the health budget following the €130 million in cuts announced recently; if there will be any further cuts before Budget 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40963/12]

Prescription Charges

Seamus Kirk

62. Deputy Seamus Kirk asked the Minister for Health his plans to increase the 50 cent prescription charge; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40976/12]

Milk Quota Purchases

Seamus Kirk

67. Deputy Seamus Kirk asked the Minister for Agriculture; Food and the Marine his plans to ensure that there will be adequate processing capacity to process the increased milk output expected after the ending of the quota regime in 2015; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40439/12]

Single Payment Scheme Payments

Seamus Kirk

75. Deputy Seamus Kirk asked the Minister for Agriculture; Food and the Marine the number of farmers who receive more than €1,000 per hectare under the single farm payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40438/12]

Public Procurement Contracts Tenders

Seamus Kirk

163. Deputy Seamus Kirk asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if his attention has been drawn to the impact which the managed Print Services Framework will have on 300 Buisnesses which are excluded from the tendering process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40552/12]

Garda Reserve

Seamus Kirk

312. Deputy Seamus Kirk asked the Minister for Justice and Equality his plans to put in place a rank structure for the Garda Reserve; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40310/12]

Garda Recruitment

Seamus Kirk

313. Deputy Seamus Kirk asked the Minister for Justice and Equality his plans for a new recruitment drive for An Garda Síochána; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40311/12]

Garda Deployment

Seamus Kirk

314. Deputy Seamus Kirk asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of active Gardaí at the moment and a breakdown per county on the numbers of the Gardaí in each area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40312/12]

Tax Code

Seamus Kirk

359. Deputy Seamus Kirk asked the Minister for Agriculture; Food and the Marine having regard to the targets set out in Harvest 2020, if his attention has been drawn to the disincentive if land ownership transfers to family members, under the stamp duty and gift and inheritance framework; if he has any plans to bring this matter up with the Department of Finance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40553/12]

Long-Term Illness Scheme Budget

Seamus Kirk

456. Deputy Seamus Kirk asked the Minister for Health the number of persons who are partaking in the long term illness programme; if he will provide a full patient breakdown in relation to diseases and the total cost to the Exchequer of running the programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40461/12]

General Practitioner Services

Seamus Kirk

457. Deputy Seamus Kirk asked the Minister for Health the position regarding free general practitioner visit announced in Budget 2012, for persons who are under the long term illness programme; the date on which this will commence and the total cost to the Exchequer; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40462/12]

Judicial Appointments

Seamus Kirk

14. Deputy Seamus Kirk asked the Minister for Justice and Equality his plans to review the judicial appointments system; the timeframe for such a review; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39100/12]

Tax Reliefs Availability

Seamus Kirk

58. Deputy Seamus Kirk asked the Minister for Finance if, in view of the expected expansion of the dairy industry in Ireland post-2015, he will consider modifying the capital allowance period for farm buildings from seven years to three years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39519/12]

Local Authority Charges Application

Seamus Kirk

61. Deputy Seamus Kirk asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the impact he anticipates the future property tax will have on local authority revenue; if the revenue raised will go directly to the local authorities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39003/12]

Food Labelling

Seamus Kirk

1350. Deputy Seamus Kirk asked the Minister for Agriculture; Food and the Marine if he will outline the timescale for the implementation of new food information regulations and the implications for the agri-food sector. [36972/12]

Radio Spectrum

Seamus Kirk

10 Deputy Seamus Kirk asked the Minister for Communications; Energy and Natural Resources if he intends issuing an instruction to ComReg, as he is empowered to do under the acts to lay down the minimum coverage requirements for any new mobile licences; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35823/12]

Departmental Expenditure

Seamus Kirk

348 Deputy Seamus Kirk asked the Minister for Health the total cost of the Mental Health Tribunal section of the Mental Health Commission each year since 2007 and a breakdown of the expenditure for the last year for which such figures are available; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[35659/12]

Mental Health Services

Seamus Kirk

364 Deputy Seamus Kirk asked the Minister for Health if the Health Service Executive have any psychiatric patients in accommodation outside this jurisdiction; if so the number of same; if it is short term or long term and the annual cost.
[35881/12]

School Curriculum

Seamus Kirk

143 Deputy Seamus Kirk asked the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to include a new computer studies course on the second level curriculum, in view of improvements in the IT sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[34567/12]

Departmental Expenditure

Seamus Kirk

144 Deputy Seamus Kirk asked the Minister for Education and Skills the annual budget on IT and innovation in the education sector; if he will give a full breakdown of the costs; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[34568/12]

Information and Communications Technology

Seamus Kirk

222 Deputy Seamus Kirk asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation his strategy in relation to IT, IT development here, and job creation in the IT sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[34565/12]

Information and Communications Technology

Seamus Kirk

223 Deputy Seamus Kirk asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the value of the IT sector in Ireland; the number of jobs created in this area; if he will provide a breakdown by county in relation to value and jobs; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[34566/12]

Public Sector Staff

Seamus Kirk

680 Deputy Seamus Kirk asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if, having regard to the potential of agriculture in Ireland, he will consider relaxing the recruitment embargo, in areas including research, advice and entertainment; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[35279/12]

Single Payment Scheme

Seamus Kirk

681 Deputy Seamus Kirk asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine in view of the inclement weather and the negative impact on farm incomes, if he will consider bringing forward the single farm payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[35280/12]

Pork Exports

Seamus Kirk

682 Deputy Seamus Kirk asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will summarise the export market for pork products; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[35282/12]

Pigmeat Sector

Seamus Kirk

683 Deputy Seamus Kirk asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will outline the financial support to the pig industry to develop new products within the industry; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[35283/12]

Pigmeat Sector

Seamus Kirk

684 Deputy Seamus Kirk asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will outline the grant aid available to pig farmers who are obliged to change their sow accommodation to comply with animal welfare guidelines.
[35284/12]

Primary Care Services

Seamus Kirk

756 Deputy Seamus Kirk asked the Minister for Health if he will investigate the delay in optical treatment applications for medical card holders; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[34557/12]

Enterprise Support Services

Seamus Kirk

17 Deputy Seamus Kirk asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the actions he has taken to assist small and medium-sized enterprises increase access export markets; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[34021/12]

Public Sector Allowances

Seamus Kirk

13 Deputy Seamus Kirk asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the discussions he has had with the union representatives in respect of reducing the cost of public sector allowances; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[32491/12]

Schools Building Projects

Seamus Kirk

249 Deputy Seamus Kirk asked the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding a school (details supplied) in County Louth in view of their extension plans; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[32183/12]

Job Initiatives

Seamus Kirk

307 Deputy Seamus Kirk asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if he will consider a strategy initiative to increase the potential of call centre development here; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[31926/12]

Job Initiatives

Seamus Kirk

308 Deputy Seamus Kirk asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the number of persons employed in the call centre industry here; the value of this industry; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[31927/12]

Employment Support Services

Seamus Kirk

352 Deputy Seamus Kirk asked the Minister for Social Protection her plans to reduce the qualifying time in the JobBridge scheme from six months to three months in order that industries, including labour intensive areas, may hire additional staff; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
[31928/12]

Energy Prices

Seamus Kirk

402 Deputy Seamus Kirk asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if his attention has been drawn to concerns regarding an increase in natural gas prices to the consumer; if he will examine same; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[32180/12]

Electricity Transmission Network

Seamus Kirk

416 Deputy Seamus Kirk asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the position regarding the completion time of the interconnector between Ireland and the UK; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[32179/12]

Renewable Energy

Seamus Kirk

417 Deputy Seamus Kirk asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will outline the strategy position for the development of renewable sources of energy; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[32182/12]