Parliamentary questions

Medical Card Data

Robert Dowds

572. Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for Health if he will consider putting a person's photograph on medical cards, or requiring that photo identification be shown with the medical card in order to avoid abuse of the medical card; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44685/13]

Community Employment Schemes Places

Robert Dowds

172. Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for Social Protection her policy regarding community employment placements focusing on child care; if she has a national policy of consolidating the provision of these placements under a reduced number of dedicated child care sponsors; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43536/13]

Community Employment Schemes Places

Robert Dowds

173. Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for Social Protection the safeguards that are in place for community employment schemes in circumstances where a scheme's child care places are redistributed to a different sponsor and this renders the original scheme non-viable due to a lack of numbers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43537/13]

Hydraulic Fracturing Policy

Robert Dowds

350. Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources in view of the fact that the agricultural and food sector is worth over €24 billion to Ireland's economy and in view of the widely documented detrimental effects of hydraulic fracturing or fracking seen in other countries, his views on the potential future ramifications of fracking on the Irish agricultural industry and Ireland's economy as a whole. [41969/13]

Hydraulic Fracturing Policy

Robert Dowds

351. Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources in view of the importance of a clean and viable water supply to Ireland's environment and economy, and in view of the widely documented detrimental effects of hydraulic fracturing or fracking on water supplies seen in other countries, his views on the potential future ramifications of fracking with regard to the environment and Ireland's economy as a whole. [41970/13]

Hydraulic Fracturing Policy

Robert Dowds

352. Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources in view of the value of the tourism sector to Ireland's economy and in view of the well documented detrimental effects of hydraulic fracturing or fracking on water supplies, health, landscape and ecology seen in other countries, his views on the potential future ramifications of fracking on the Irish tourism industry, Ireland's image as a tourist destination and Ireland's economy as a whole. [41971/13]

Hydraulic Fracturing Policy

Robert Dowds

353. Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources in view of the highly toxic nature of many of the chemicals used in the hydraulic fracturing or fracking process which has been documented in other countries, and in view of the widely documented evidence of the migration of chemicals into local and national water supplies causing irreversible water contamination, his views on the potential future ramifications of fracking for the country's health. [41972/13]

Hydraulic Fracturing Policy

Robert Dowds

356. Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources in view of the widely documented and detrimental effects of hydraulic fracturing or fracking seen in other countries on local and national water supplies, health, agriculture and environment including climate change, his views on the potentially catastrophic effects of fracking here. [41973/13]

Climate Change Policy

Robert Dowds

384. Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his response to the recent UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change report, and its implications for Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41890/13]

Social Welfare Benefits Issues

Robert Dowds

394. Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for Social Protection the social welfare payments that are made to persons living overseas; and the reasons for making the payment to an overseas resident in the case of each payment. [40969/13]

Human Trafficking

Robert Dowds

502. Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for Justice and Equality his plans to introduce legislation to address human trafficking for the purposes of prostitution. [40970/13]

Road Signage

Robert Dowds

786. Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources in view of the fact that the road signs across the State refer to Derry City as Derry if he will clarify the policy of the Ordnance Survey of Ireland regarding the name of County Derry and the City of Derry in Northern Ireland when producing Irish Government maps; if he will clarify the policy of the Irish Government more generally on this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37350/13]

Tax Compliance

Robert Dowds

68. Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for Finance if, in cases where some old age pensioners have inadvertently underpaid tax due to a failure of communication between the Department of Social Protection and the Revenue Commissioners, the normal interest and penalties which arise in such circumstances are payable. [35648/13]

Noise Pollution Issues

Robert Dowds

745. Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide clarity about the obligations of local authorities with regard to noise pollution emanating from road traffic which is impacting on the lives of those living in nearby areas. [34338/13]

Property Taxation Administration

Robert Dowds

149. Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for Finance with regard to deferral of property tax, the reason the rate of interest stands at 4%, nearly twice the current bank interest rate. [32952/13]

Property Taxation Application

Robert Dowds

150. Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for Finance in terms of deferral of property tax, if the same deferral conditions apply when the person involved is availing of the fair deal programme. [32953/13]

Property Taxation Administration

Robert Dowds

151. Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for Finance if there is any redress for owners who have over-assessed the value of their dwellings. [32955/13]

Property Taxation Application

Robert Dowds

152. Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for Finance in respect of the local property tax, the position regarding the deferral rule where a house is willed to someone who is unable to pay due to unemployment. [32956/13]

Job Initiatives

Robert Dowds

291. Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for Social Protection the position with regard to the national roll-out of Intreo offices; if she is satisfied with the progress the Office of Public Works is making on the programme; and if she will provide the general schedule for the roll-out covering 2013 and 2014. [32949/13]

Exceptional Needs Payments

Robert Dowds

294. Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for Social Protection the circumstances in which an exceptional needs payment may be made and the amount of flexibility which a community welfare officer or other responsible person has in this regard. [32965/13]

Jobseeker's Allowance Payments

Robert Dowds

322. Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for Social Protection if there has been a change to the receipts issued by local offices to claimants; and if receipts still display the next date on which the person must attend the local office to sign on. [33374/13]

Motor Tax Collection

Robert Dowds

366. Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the use being made of car tax receipts in 2013; and the use which will be made of it in subsequent years. [32954/13]

Nursing Homes Support Scheme Eligibility

Robert Dowds

489. Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on the fair deal scheme, including means testing and the fair deal scheme, and the difference in relation to the fair deal scheme if private or public nursing homes are involved. [32957/13]

Regulation of Sunbed Use

Robert Dowds

531. Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on his work on the public health (sunbeds) Bill; and when this Bill will be introduced. [33334/13]

Tobacco Smuggling

Robert Dowds

237. Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for Finance if he will provide an update on the number of tobacco seizures in each month since January 2011; and the amount of cigarettes and tobacco seized in each month since January 2011. [31811/13]

School Enrolments

Robert Dowds

297. Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for Education and Skills in relation to the planned changes to enrolment policy, if he will ensure that Gaelscoileanna at both primary and secondary level are able to give priority to children who come from households where Irish is in use. [31502/13]

Public Sector Staff Career Breaks

Robert Dowds

637. Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for Health if it is the case that staff who have worked for the Health Service Executive for at least two years may apply for paid leave of absence for a period of up to three years at a rate of €12,000 per year, and, if this is the case, the reason for same. [31501/13]

VAT Exemptions

Robert Dowds

87. Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for Finance in view of the decision of the British Government not to impose VAT on debt management or insolvency services, in line with EU law on VAT, if VAT will be charged on the services of personal insolvency practitioners here; if so, the rate at which such VAT will be charged; if VAT will be charged on persons who, while not being official personal insolvency practitioners, are providing a debt management service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31294/13]

Personal Insolvency Practitioners

Robert Dowds

195. Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for Justice and Equality when he expects the first personal insolvency practitioners to be formally operating as envisaged under the personal insolvency legislation. [31451/13]

Legislative Programme

Robert Dowds

474. Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will provide an update on his progress with promised immigration, residence and protection legislation; the way this legislation is likely to affect people already in the immigration system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30673/13]

Mental Health Services Provision

Robert Dowds

475. Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will give further consideration to the true costs of the direct provision system for asylum seekers, including health care, social welfare and legal costs; and if the direct provision system is still cheaper than providing for asylum seekers in the community when these costs are taken into account. [30674/13]

Asylum Seeker Accommodation

Robert Dowds

476. Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the mental health care provided for asylum seekers and persons seeking leave to remain who are living in direct provision; and if data are collected regarding the number of persons with serious mental health problems in the direct provision system. [30675/13]

Immigration Policy

Robert Dowds

477. Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for Justice and Equality his views regarding the issue of asylum seekers and permission to work. [30684/13]

Asylum Applications

Robert Dowds

478. Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for Justice and Equality his views on leave to remain for asylum seekers who have been in the system for a long time. [30685/13]

Asylum Applications

Robert Dowds

479. Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the way he is dealing with the backlog of applications for asylum. [30686/13]

Garda Resources

Robert Dowds

45. Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the funding available to An Garda Síochána for white collar crime in view of (details supplied). [28221/13]

Repatriation of Money

Robert Dowds

98. Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Taoiseach the amount of money being repatriated from here to Poland; its sources; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26354/13]

Repatriation of Money

Robert Dowds

99. Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Taoiseach the amount of money being repatriated from here to Nigeria; its sources; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26355/13]

Tobacco Seizures

Robert Dowds

137. Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for Finance if he will provide an update on tobacco seizures in the four Dublin local authority areas for the years 2009 to 2012. [26815/13]

Tax Exemptions

Robert Dowds

143. Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for Finance if he will provide consideration to revising the exemptions and rebates on corporation tax, such as the facility to carry forward losses and to move losses between trades; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27117/13]

Tax Code

Robert Dowds

144. Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for Finance the rules governing the amount each director of a company may take out of a company's reserves as a lump sum at retirement, without attracting capital gains tax, income tax or universal social charge; and if he will consider amending the legislation which covers same. [27118/13]

Departmental Staff Redeployment

Robert Dowds

146. Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for Finance if additional staff have been assigned to audit, investigation and compliance tasks in the Revenue Commissioners since the commissioners' comprehensive expenditure review in 2011, which stated that additional staffing in these areas could yield up to €100 million per year in additional income. [27119/13]

Universal Social Charge Application

Robert Dowds

147. Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for Finance if he has given further consideration to increasing the universal social charge levied on earnings of more than €100,000 for employees since this was raised with him last year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27120/13]

Tax Code

Robert Dowds

151. Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for Finance his plans to implement the OECD/IMF/World Bank recommendation that OECD countries conduct individual spill-over analysis of their tax policy to ensure that it is not adversely affecting developing countries; and if he will give a reassurance that tax policy here is not being exploited to the detriment of developing countries. [27228/13]

Social Welfare Benefits Eligibility

Robert Dowds

391. Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for Social Protection the rules regarding social welfare benefits for persons who are forced to retire aged 65 years; and if persons in this category have to prove that they are seeking work in order to avail of jobseeker's benefit or allowance. [27230/13]

Property Taxation Collection

Robert Dowds

631. Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government further to Parliamentary Question No.182 of 30 May 2013, if he will answer the question posed in relation to local property tax. [27755/13]

EU Conventions

Robert Dowds

647. Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he intends to sign the Council of Europe Convention on Preventing and Combatting Violence against Women and Domestic Violence CETS No. 210; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27227/13]

Family Reunification Policy

Robert Dowds

659. Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will outline the rules regarding joint spouse/joint parent visas for persons who are resident here on Stamp 4 visas; and if permission for family reunification will be granted in such a case if the person resident here was earning over the family income supplement level for their family size. [27129/13]

Crime Statistics

Robert Dowds

670. Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of Vietnamese nationals that were charged with the offence of cannabis cultivation under the Misuse of Drugs Act from 2010 and to date in 2013; and if trafficking for forced labour was identified by An Garda Síochána in any of these cases. [27229/13]

Garda Deployment

Robert Dowds

741. Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of community gardaí in Clondalkin Garda station in June 2011; in June 2012; and in June 2013; the number of community gardaí in Ronanstown Garda station in June 2011; in June 2012; and in June 2013; the number of community gardaí in Rathcoole Garda station in June 2011; in June 2012; and in June 2013; the number of community gardaí in Lucan Garda station in June 2011; in June 2012; and in June 2013; the number of community gardaí in Ballyfermot Garda station in June 2011; in June 2012; and in June 2013. [27756/13]

Garda Deployment

Robert Dowds

742. Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for Justice and Equality his policy in terms of the provision of community gardaí. [27757/13]

Road Traffic Offences

Robert Dowds

1081. Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will outline the rules concerning the ban on heavy goods vehicles on certain roads; and the number of penalty points a driver breaking these rules can receive. [26814/13]

Foreign Conflicts

Robert Dowds

45. Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if any consideration has been given by the United Nations or European Union to imposing a no-fly zone over Syria to prevent the bombing of civilians by the Syrian regime; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26356/13]

Property Tax Collection

Robert Dowds

65. Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for Finance if he will clarify the length of time persons, particularly pensioners, qualifying for a deferral of the local property tax on income grounds will continue to avail of the deferral, assuming their income remains constant. [26357/13]

Property Tax Collection

Robert Dowds

182. Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if there is a mechanism for local authorities to collect property tax from council tenants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26353/13]

Mobility Allowance Decision

Robert Dowds

272. Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on plans for a replacement for the motorised transport and mobility grants for disabled persons, following the recent decision to close the existing schemes because they were operating unlawfully. [26309/13]

Departmental Funding

Robert Dowds

173. Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the State money that was given to the Simon Community in relation to an organisation purchasing and occupying a building (details supplied) in Dublin 20. [26179/13]

Departmental Funding

Robert Dowds

174. Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if any conditions were placed on the Simon Community in relation to the moneys it was granted in terms of the way a building (details supplied) in Dublin 20 was to operate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26180/13]

Garda Investigations

Robert Dowds

513. Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for Justice and Equality his views regarding whether the Garda has sufficient resources to tackle white collar crime in view of the marked decline in the number of convictions for white collar crime offences since 2003, and in view of the Garda Commissioner's response to this Deputy's question on this matter when he appeared before the Dáil Committee of Public Accounts recently; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25143/13]

Overseas Missions

Robert Dowds

544. Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for Defence the extent of Irish United Nations involvement in Syria at present; the numbers of personnel involved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25122/13]

Fodder Crisis

Robert Dowds

548. Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for Defence if, in view of the current fodder crisis, he will consider giving the cut grass from the lands around Baldonnel Aerodrome, Dublin, to local farmers. [25937/13]

Youth Work Projects Funding

Robert Dowds

594. Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she has given consideration to maintaining financial support for the Big Brother, Big Sister programme run by the Foróige organisation, which seeks to ensure that vulnerable young people receive the help and support of a mentor which will help them overcome their own difficulties; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25142/13]

Live Exports

Robert Dowds

226. Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will consider implementing a ban on the live exports which exceed eight hours in duration, and if he has concerns about the treatment of animals exported from Ireland to Libya or the Middle East once the animals have reached their destination. [23069/13]

HSE Expenditure

Robert Dowds

249. Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for Health if he will provide details of the volume and cost of transport fuel petrol and diesel purchased by the Health Service Executive for use in HSE vehicles in the years 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012, broken down by each HSE region; HSE Dublin Mid Leinster, HSE Dublin North East, HSE South and HSE West [23070/13]

Ministerial Meetings

Robert Dowds

57. Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will provide a report on his visit to Northern Ireland on 30 April 2013. [21702/13]

Domiciliary Care Allowance Review

Robert Dowds

121. Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will provide an update on the review of domiciliary care allowance and disability allowance in the 16 to 18 age group. [21698/13]

Waste Management Issues

Robert Dowds

145. Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the plans, if any, he has to tackle the problem of dioxins from waste which are seeping into our atmosphere, if on land, in the air or in the water. [21700/13]

Waste Management Issues

Robert Dowds

146. Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the plans there are, at European Union level, to tackle the problem of dioxins from waste which are escaping into the atmosphere, if on land, in the air or in the water. [21701/13]

Crime Statistics

Robert Dowds

162. Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if the criteria for recording of burglary offences for purposes of national crime statistics has been altered in the past four years; and if so, in what way have they been altered and the rationale for the alteration. [21703/13]

Garda Operations

Robert Dowds

163. Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the reason for the 22% reduction in the number of Garda summonses in the first three months of 2013 compared to the first three months of 2012. [21704/13]

Garda Remuneration

Robert Dowds

201. Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for Justice and Equality in view of the fact that the proposals of the Croke Park extension has been rejected by the trade union movement, if he will give consideration to amending the proposed changes in the pay and conditions of members of An Garda Síochána to better reflect the anti-social hours of work which Gardaí must do, the danger that Gardaí put themselves in to protect the public and to help bolster morale amongst Gardaí; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19314/13]

Asylum Applications

Robert Dowds

188. Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the position regarding former asylum seekers who has been given leave to remain but is unable to present a valid passport through no fault of their own; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17765/13]

Credit Availability

Robert Dowds

204. Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for Finance his views on banks engaging in constructive refusal of credit for small businesses by means of not replying to requests for credit; his views on whether this is a significant hindrance to job creation; and the measures he is taking to ensure that banks are not engaging in constructive refusal of credit. [16846/13]

Credit Availability

Robert Dowds

205. Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for Finance if he will provide, in tabular form, figures from the last year for which they are available for the total number of loan applications made by small and medium enterprises to each Irish financial institution; the number of loan applications from small businesses which were refused by each Irish financial institution; the number of loan applications which were approved by each Irish financial institution; and the number of loan applications which did not get to a stage where they were either approved or refused at each Irish financial institution. [16847/13]

Banking Sector Remuneration

Robert Dowds

270. Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for Finance in the context of the recently published Mercer report, his views on whether lower paid bank workers working for State owned banks should be treated differently from higher paid bank executives; if the Mercer report was a fair reflection on the pay and conditions of low paid workers; and if he will commit to ensuring that low paid bank workers in State-owned banks will be treated fairly in any discussions on remuneration in view of the difficult and stressful circumstances in which they are working. [16516/13]

Tax Compliance

Robert Dowds

361. Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for Finance the action he proposes to take to further tackle tax fraud, in view of the findings of an investigation by the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists that between 50 to 60 Irish addresses are listed as being connected to secret offshore bank accounts with a total estimated value of €16-25 trillion and further in view of the European Commission's response to the findings of this investigation, which was to call on member states, including Ireland, to do more to tackle tax fraud in view of the fact that the cost of tax fraud to member states is an estimated €1 trillion per year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17682/13]

Schools Building Contractors

Robert Dowds

384. Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will provide an update on the tendering for the construction of new schools and extensions to schools in Lucan, County Dublin; if he will indicate which bidders have been successful in their bids to construct the various projects; and if the successful bidder is under any obligation to employees or sub contractors based locally. [16101/13]

Building Regulations Amendments

Robert Dowds

797. Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he intends to amend the Building Control Regulations to provide for the physical inspection of a new building to ensure that it has been built according to the plans for which a fire safety certificate was issued; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16742/13]

Garda Remuneration

Robert Dowds

860. Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will give consideration to amending the proposed changes in the pay and conditions of members of An Garda Síochána to better reflect the anti-social hours of work which Gardaí must do, the danger that Gardaí put themselves in to protect the public and to tackle the ongoing problem of poor morale amongst Gardaí; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16523/13]

Asylum Seeker Accommodation

Robert Dowds

918. Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will provide an update on the commitment in the Programme for Government to review the system of direct provision for asylum seekers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17014/13]

Asylum Complaints Mechanism

Robert Dowds

919. Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he has considered instituting an independent complaints mechanism for asylum seekers living in the direct provision system, for example through the Ombudsman's office; and if complaints relating to direct provision regarding children will fall under the remit of the Ombudsman for Children as part of the extension of her remit by the Ombudsman (Amendment) Act 2012. [17015/13]

Health Insurance Regulation

Robert Dowds

1347. Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for Health the measures that have been considered by his Department to prevent health cost inflation which is likely to occur as a result of the planned introduction of Dutch-style mandatory universal health insurance as laid out in the Programme for Government (details supplied) [17718/13]

Property Taxation Exemptions

Robert Dowds

203. Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the reason an estate (details supplied) in County Dublin was not exempt from the local property tax on the basis that it is an unfinished estate. [15390/13]

Property Taxation Exemptions

Robert Dowds

204. Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the reason an estate (details supplied) in County Dublin was not exempted from the property tax on the basis that it is an unfinished estate. [15391/13]

Industrial Relations Issues

Robert Dowds

302. Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if there is legislation planned to reform the law on collective bargaining to ensure compliance with recent European Court of Human Rights judgements, as was mentioned in the Programme for Government. [15115/13]

Cancer Incidence

Robert Dowds

569. Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for Health the number of cases of breast cancer detected in each of the Health Service Executive regions for the past three years for which data is available. [15113/13]

Cancer Incidence

Robert Dowds

570. Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for Health the number of cases of all cancers detected in each of the Health Service Executive regions in the past three years for which data is available. [15114/13]

Local Authority Housing Maintenance

Robert Dowds

80. Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the current funding for remedial works schemes in respect of council housing; and the future of this programme. [13483/13]

Road Maintenance

Robert Dowds

145. Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the reason South Dublin County Council received a lower amount of funding than Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council under the local and regional road maintenance initiative, despite the fact that south Dublin is geographically larger than Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13464/13]

Water Meters Expenditure

Robert Dowds

156. Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will be making regulations, or if there will be any specifications regarding the pricing structure for the installation for water meters; if there will be any maximum amount which can be spent on various aspects of the installation, such as digging up a footpath, when taking into consideration that different houses will require different amounts of digging to install water meters. [12056/13]

Banking Sector Regulation

Robert Dowds

153. Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for Finance his views on the need for greater transparency over the profits and taxation of banks as part of the implementation of the Basel III accord in the European Union, which is currently under discussion, in view of the recent experience here of what a lack of transparency in banking can lead to; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11312/13]

International Agreements

Robert Dowds

154. Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for Finance in view of the manipulation of a double tax convention between Ireland and Zambia by Zambia Sugar to avoid paying withholding taxes in either jurisdiction, if he will consider following the example of the Netherlands and Denmark and reviewing all such tax treaties with developing countries to ensure they are fit for purpose, thereby preventing such manipulation. [11313/13]

International Agreements

Robert Dowds

155. Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for Finance if he follows certain clear principles when negotiating double tax treaties with developing countries; and if he will outline what those principles are. [11314/13]

International Agreements

Robert Dowds

156. Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for Finance his plans to introduce automatic sharing of information concerning the manipulation by companies for tax purposes of double tax agreements between Ireland and developing countries, as recommended by the OECD, and which could assist in protecting the tax base of both Ireland and the developing country. [11315/13]

Tax Code

Robert Dowds

84. Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for Finance if VAT is charged on the purchase of a second-hand touring coach where the coach has previously been registered here. [10844/13]

Tax Code

Robert Dowds

85. Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for Finance the reason the operators of coach touring companies here cannot register for VAT, and therefore cannot apply to reclaim VAT in the normal way. [10845/13]

Community Employment Schemes Review

Robert Dowds

187. Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for Social Protection the financial consideration that is given to community employment scheme sponsors that entered contracts with suppliers prior to the reduction of the materials grant in order to allow them to fulfill the terms of the contracts. [10683/13]

Community Employment Schemes Funding

Robert Dowds

188. Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for Social Protection the criteria under which a community employment scheme sponsor may qualify for a top-up materials grant, as announced by her in 2012. [10684/13]

Community Employment Schemes Review

Robert Dowds

189. Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will give consideration to any measure which could reduce the cost currently circa €1,500 of annual audits to community employment scheme sponsors, which are limited companies. [10685/13]

Illicit Trade in Tobacco

Robert Dowds

169. Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for Finance if records are kept of which brands of tobacco are included in smuggled or illegally sold tobacco which are intercepted by law enforcement; if so, if he will provide data on which brands have been found in illegal shipments or sales in the past year for which data is available; and the percentage of confiscated tobacco that is accounted for by each brand. [10204/13]