Questions and answers published after July 2012 can be viewed here. Viewing by Government Department is possible by term or specific dates from March 2016 onwards. Written answers are published as received from departments. To see parliamentary questions published before July 2012, search in Dáil debates.
Questions and answers for Dáil or Seanad term
Page 58 of 60
Tue, 21 Jun 2016
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Olympic Games Qualification
Róisín Shortall
546. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he is aware of the case of a person (details supplied) who has been excluded from the Irish Olympic team; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17180/16]
Thu, 16 Jun 2016
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Residency Permits
Róisín Shortall
50. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality when she will normalise the residency status of a person (details supplied); and if she will put temporary arrangements in place to facilitate the person in resuming employment while she is processing the application. [16448/16]
Thu, 16 Jun 2016
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Visa Applications
Róisín Shortall
54. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality to review decisions made under the Syrian humanitarian admission programme to refuse family reunification visas (details supplied); the number of such visas she has issued since the programme began; and if she is satisfied that the guidelines are being applied consistently. [16495/16]
Thu, 16 Jun 2016
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School Admissions
Róisín Shortall
120. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will publish or otherwise set out his understanding of the legal advice available to his Department in respect of repealing section 7(3)(c) of the Equal Status Act 2000, further to a contribution by a former Minister for State (details supplied) in the debate on the Equality (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2013 in Dáil Éireann on 2 December 2015. [16486/16]
Thu, 16 Jun 2016
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School Admissions
Róisín Shortall
121. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Education and Skills his policy in relation to the repeal of section 7(3)(c) of the Equal Status Act 2000 or the addition of an amendment to this subsection so that it does not apply to schools in receipt of State funding or public money. [16487/16]
Thu, 16 Jun 2016
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Seanad Reform
Róisín Shortall
130. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government her plans to give legislative effect to the constitutional change in 1979, facilitating the extension of voting rights to Seanad Éireann; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16494/16]
Thu, 16 Jun 2016
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Waste Disposal
Róisín Shortall
134. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government to introduce amendments to Statutory Instrument No. 24 of 2016 to prevent excessive service charges being applied by domestic waste collection companies and to ensure the polluter-pays-principle as required by the same instrument is observed. [16484/16]
Thu, 16 Jun 2016
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Waste Disposal
Róisín Shortall
135. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he is aware of the case of a waste management company (details supplied) which is changing its charging regime to allow for far higher service charges for many customers, especially older persons, resulting in much higher bills for those concerned before any use of the same bins; and if he will review Statutory Instrument No. 24 of 2016 in view of this practice which means those with the lowest use of waste collection services will see the biggest increase in bills. [16485/16]
Thu, 16 Jun 2016
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Defined Benefit Pension Schemes
Róisín Shortall
208. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health further to a recent parliamentary question, if he has received an alternative proposal from the Central Remedial Clinic on a pension scheme involving 47 employees and his response. [16449/16]
Thu, 16 Jun 2016
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Patient Safety
Róisín Shortall
210. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the legislation on the disclosure of medical mistakes in the Health Service Executive and his plans to update it or to publish new legislation. [16454/16]
Wed, 8 Jun 2016
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Job Initiatives
Róisín Shortall
321. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of persons who have been selected for participation in the JobPath scheme in each geographical area where it is in operation; the criteria used for the selection of this group; the length of time current and past participants have spent unemployed by bands of three months; the time participants spent working with JobPath providers broken down by week before employment was secured; the number of those participants who have maintained this employment broken down by bands of one month; if he will supply details of his payments to JobPath providers for assisting in securing and sustaining employment for participants who have found work on the basis of the four 13-week payments per calendar year; the number of persons he sanctioned for failing to engage with these companies for each geographical area in tabular form, in each instance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14686/16]
Thu, 2 Jun 2016
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Gaelscoil Issues
Róisín Shortall
167. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Education and Skills how he will accommodate the demonstrated significant demand for a Gaelscoil in an area following a recent decision by his Department (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14056/16]
Thu, 2 Jun 2016
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Teaching Council of Ireland
Róisín Shortall
176. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Education and Skills his views on and rationale in relation to a proposal (details supplied) including its adverse impact on special needs children; the implications for the 1,300 teachers registered under the regulation and for teachers who trained outside Ireland and who wish to secure employment here; if he will reopen the consultation process for this proposal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14160/16]
Thu, 2 Jun 2016
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National Drugs Strategy
Róisín Shortall
238. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health if the issue of alcohol misuse will form a comprehensive part of any successor to the National Drugs Strategy 2009 to 2016. [14053/16]
Tue, 31 May 2016
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Home Renovation Incentive Scheme
Róisín Shortall
238. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Finance the funding or tax reliefs available to a person to deal with the continuous blockage and overflow of sewerage pipes in a private garden. [12548/16]
Tue, 31 May 2016
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Approved Housing Bodies
Róisín Shortall
376. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the role of his Department in regard to a proposal (details supplied); if contracts have been signed; his proposals to consult with the local community; the guidelines his Department is now working to regarding social mix in new developments; if these guidelines vary according to the size of the development; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12941/16]
Tue, 31 May 2016
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Arts Funding
Róisín Shortall
598. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if she will comment on the fact that according to Council of Europe data from 2012, Ireland spent just 0.11% of GDP on culture and the arts compared to a European average of 0.6% of GDP; the steps she will take to address this under investment; her plans to publish the Culture 2025 strategy document; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12940/16]
Tue, 31 May 2016
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Tobacco Control Measures
Róisín Shortall
711. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health if, with respect to the plans in the programme for Government to make Ireland tobacco free by 2025 and the December 2015 ECJ ruling dismissing challenges to the legislation, he will provide an update on the plans to introduce plain tobacco packaging; if he will commit to not extending the wash-out period for branded tobacco beyond 20 May 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13225/16]
Thu, 26 May 2016
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Nursing Home Services
Róisín Shortall
185. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health to set down in tabular form the number of nursing home places by community health care organisation. [12299/16]
Thu, 26 May 2016
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Nursing Homes Support Scheme Data
Róisín Shortall
186. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the number of fair deal cases, by community health care organisation, in tabular form. [12300/16]
Thu, 26 May 2016
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Hospital Services
Róisín Shortall
216. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the waiting times for respiratory specialists in a hospital in Dublin 1 (details supplied) and the cover provided when staff are on extended or maternity leave, in tabular form; the options open to the parents of a person who has been waiting for an appointment with no indication of when they might receive one. [12482/16]
Wed, 25 May 2016
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VAT Exemptions
Róisín Shortall
83. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Finance further to Parliamentary Question No. 156 of 6 April 2016, and the commitment in the programme for Government to seek a reduction of the VAT applied to defibrillators, if he will undertake to seek a reduction of the rate of VAT applying to motorcycling helmets and other compulsory safety equipment. [11924/16]
Wed, 25 May 2016
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Hospitals Funding
Róisín Shortall
256. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the legislative basis for a public hospital (details supplied) to outsource debt collection to a private company; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12000/16]
Tue, 24 May 2016
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Departmental Administrative Arrangements
Róisín Shortall
62. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Taoiseach to re-orient the focus of the newly established Departments in order# to bring environmental, climate change and natural heritage functions under the remit of a single Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11717/16]
Tue, 24 May 2016
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Legislative Programme
Róisín Shortall
78. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality her plans to draft and implement hate crime legislation, given the recent recommendations contained in Ireland's United Nations' universal periodic review, and recognising that Ireland is among a small number of member states of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development without it; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11449/16]
Tue, 24 May 2016
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Tax Code
Róisín Shortall
106. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Finance his proposals to reduce the tax burden on so-called accidental landlords; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11442/16]
Tue, 24 May 2016
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Ireland Strategic Investment Fund Investments
Róisín Shortall
107. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Finance to introduce legislation to direct Ireland's strategic investment fund to invest only in carbon neutral and carbon negative energy funds and to ban its future investment in fossil fuel extraction or burning; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11447/16]
Tue, 24 May 2016
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Student Grant Scheme Eligibility
Róisín Shortall
163. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Education and Skills his plans in respect of grant assistance (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11446/16]
Tue, 24 May 2016
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Teachers' Remuneration
Róisín Shortall
164. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to end pay discrimination against newly qualified teachers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11448/16]
Tue, 24 May 2016
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Student Grant Scheme Eligibility
Róisín Shortall
168. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Education and Skills to meet with a group (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11486/16]
Tue, 24 May 2016
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Health Services Staff Recruitment
Róisín Shortall
399. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health when a sanctioned health care professional (details supplied) will commence a posting in Dublin North West. [11213/16]
Tue, 24 May 2016
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Disability Support Services
Róisín Shortall
454. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health his plans to reduce the unacceptable waiting list for children to access a service (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11444/16]
Tue, 24 May 2016
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Hospital Waiting Lists
Róisín Shortall
457. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the current waiting times for a for a procedure (details supplied) in a hospital in Dublin 1; the steps are being taken to reduce the waiting times; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11471/16]
Tue, 24 May 2016
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Irish Airlines Superannuation Scheme
Róisín Shortall
588. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport to outline his proposals to compensate the Irish Airlines (General Employees) Superannuation Scheme pensioners for the extraordinary losses they suffered from the decisions of previous Ministers. [11443/16]
Tue, 24 May 2016
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Employment Rights
Róisín Shortall
615. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation her plans to update employment laws to properly regulate the employment of au pairs in line with best international practice; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11445/16]
Thu, 19 May 2016
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Garda Reports
Róisín Shortall
34. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the reason for the delay in publishing the O'Higgins report; her views that the report was obviously leaked in advance of publication; the actions she proposes to take to establish how this important report was leaked; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11059/16]
Tue, 17 May 2016
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Ireland Strategic Investment Fund Investments
Róisín Shortall
172. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Finance to mandate the Ireland Strategic Investment Fund to divest itself of fossil fuel investments; if maintaining these investments is counter to the Government's recent commitment to the Conference of the Parties 21 Agreement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9397/16]
Tue, 17 May 2016
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Ireland Strategic Investment Fund Investments
Róisín Shortall
173. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Finance the companies that the Ireland Strategic Investment Fund has invested in which are involved in fossil fuel extraction or burning; the amount the fund has invested; and the return on this investment by year. [9398/16]
Tue, 17 May 2016
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Disability Support Services
Róisín Shortall
498. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Social Protection why he ceased funding to an organisation (details supplied) in County Louth; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9375/16]
Tue, 17 May 2016
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Defence Forces Contracts
Róisín Shortall
1213. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the options open to persons (details supplied) who wish to leave the Defence Forces to pursue an alternative career. [9475/16]
Wed, 4 May 2016
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Fuel Allowance Payments
Róisín Shortall
37. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection to restore the winter fuel allowance for a period to acknowledge the reality that many older persons are finding it difficult to heat their homes during the recent cold spell; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9113/16]
Wed, 4 May 2016
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Commissions of Inquiry
Róisín Shortall
111. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Justice and Equality to accede to a request by persons for a commission of inquiry into the disappearance of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8854/16]
Thu, 28 Apr 2016
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Hospitals Funding
Róisín Shortall
116. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health his progress in disentangling St. Vincent's University Hospital, a publicly funded hospital, from the St. Vincent's Healthcare Group; if the Health Service Executive proceeded with its proposal to employ forensic accountants for this purpose; the outcome of this exercise; and the steps he is taking to ensure full transparency and accountability in the operation and governance of this public hospital. [8753/16]
Thu, 28 Apr 2016
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National Maternity Hospital
Róisín Shortall
117. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the main elements of the 2012 agreement reached with St. Vincent's Healthcare Group in respect of relocating the National Maternity Hospital to the Elm Park campus in County Dublin; if he will provide a clear undertaking on behalf of the taxpayer that the publicly funded National Maternity Hospital will retain its independent governance structure in its new location; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8754/16]
Wed, 27 Apr 2016
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Mental Health Services Staff
Róisín Shortall
51. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the rationale for allocating time -related savings on the recruitment of mental health staff to other services and the reason these cannot be retained for other mental health services of investment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8592/16]
Tue, 26 Apr 2016
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Property Registration
Róisín Shortall
182. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the ownership of a plot of land (details supplied) in Dublin 9, given the ongoing issue regarding right of way on the land. [8052/16]
Tue, 26 Apr 2016
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International Agreements
Róisín Shortall
218. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if, with regard to the recent European Union-Turkish migration agreement, she considers Turkey a safe third country for migrants to seek refuge in, given Turkey's human rights record, the recent condemnation of the agreement by the Council of Europe and the backlog of 200,000 asylum applications that the Turkish Government is currently processing; to state her views on the guarantees given to the European Commission by the Turkish Government that migrants' rights will be respected; to state whether the three migration experts seconded from her Department have arrived in Turkey; to state whether she will provide an update on the request for Ireland to contribute personnel to Frontex as part of the agreement; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8319/16]
Tue, 26 Apr 2016
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Nursing Homes Support Scheme Administration
Róisín Shortall
307. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the specific legislative basis that allows the Health Service Executive to request payment from the estate of a deceased person, in circumstances where an overpayment was assessed after the death of a person in respect of the level of support awarded to the deceased person under the nursing home support service scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8286/16]
Wed, 20 Apr 2016
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Parental Leave
Róisín Shortall
81. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection how she allows for force majeure in circumstances, other than late claims, where the claimant was unable to fulfil all of the qualifying criteria for a genuine force majeure reason. [7679/16]
Wed, 20 Apr 2016
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Maternity Leave
Róisín Shortall
82. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if she will review and address the anomalous position relating to the qualifying criteria for maternity benefit where current rules can mean that a mother who has to end their employment very early in their pregnancy due to a pregnancy related illness is denied entitlement to maternity benefit, as the rules do not make any allowance for such an illness when calculating if she satisfies the criteria for the minimum number of weeks since employment; if this matter has been raised with her Department previously; and if so, the rationale for not allowing force majeure allowances in such circumstances or providing specific amendments to legislation to deal with this scenario. [7692/16]