Parliamentary questions

Garda Investigations

Luke 'Ming' Flanagan

590. Deputy Luke 'Ming' Flanagan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if an investigation by a person (details supplied) into the theft of cannabis by gardaí based at Henry Street Garda Station, County Limerick and Roxborough Garda Station, County Limerick, has resulted in a file being sent to the Director of Public Prosecutions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8866/13]

Legal Aid Service Expenditure

Tony McLoughlin

591. Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the total cost of providing free legal aid to persons who have been convicted of one or more previous convictions for the years 2011 and 2012 within the District Courts and Circuit Courts here; and the number of persons in total that availed of aid within the aforementioned categories. [8870/13]

Garda Deployment

Patrick O'Donovan

592. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if Members of the Northern Ireland Executive, who travel to or through this State for official functions and transit purposes receive Garda escorts from and to the Border; if escorts are provided to Northern Ireland Executive Ministers, whether the escort costs borne by this State; if he will provide details of the escort costs for Northern Ireland Executive Members in 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8907/13]

Defence Forces Review

Sandra McLellan

593. Deputy Sandra McLellan asked the Minister for Defence if he will raise the age limit for joining the Navy and Army to at least 30 years old, in view of the fact that this would give young persons who have been made redundant the opportunity to gain meaningful employment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8179/13]

Ministerial Appointments

Shane Ross

594. Deputy Shane Ross asked the Minister for Defence the details of all appointments made by him to all State agencies, commercial bodies and all other appointments made by him since taking office, including the State owned banks and the Judiciary. [8116/13]

Ministerial Appointments

Shane Ross

595. Deputy Shane Ross asked the Minister for Defence the details of the qualifications of all the appointees made by him to all State agencies, commercial bodies and all other appointments made by him since taking office including the State owned banks and Judiciary for the appointments they have accepted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8134/13]

Ministerial Appointments

Shane Ross

596. Deputy Shane Ross asked the Minister for Defence the number of appointees and the percentage of appointments made by him to all State agencies, commercial bodies and all other appointments made by him since taking office including the State owned banks and the Judiciary that were subject to a public applications process. [8152/13]

Departmental Expenditure

Thomas Pringle

597. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Defence if he will outline in tabular form the total cost of all conferences and seminars attended by his Department in 2012 including a breakdown of the purpose of each conference/seminar; the location; the number of delegates that attended from his Department/agencies or otherwise that were represented and the total cost of each conference/seminar; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8301/13]

Defence Forces Training

David Stanton

598. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Defence the arrangements in place between the Defence Forces and third level institutions regarding education, training and accreditation of members of the Defence Forces; if he will provide a list of the institutions, courses and costs involved in same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8401/13]

Defence Forces Retirement Scheme

Regina Doherty

599. Deputy Regina Doherty asked the Minister for Defence if pre-retirement programmes and or advice and support are given to members of the Defence Forces prior to their retirement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8417/13]

Overseas Missions

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

600. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Defence the number of Defence Force deployments, involving personnel, there were to Cyprus, Lebanon, Kosovo and Bosnia since 1 January 2000; and of those deployments, the number of personnel of Private and NCO ranks involved, after eliminating double counting for those who served on more than one tour. [8885/13]

Overseas Missions

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

601. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Defence the number of Defence Force deployments involving personnel, there were to Eritrea, East Timor, Liberia and Chad since 1 January 2000; and of those deployments, the number of personnel of Private and NCO ranks were involved, after eliminating double counting for those who served on more than one tour. [8886/13]

Disadvantaged Areas Scheme Appeals

Dara Calleary

602. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a person (details supplied) in County Mayo may expect to have a decision on their disadvantaged area scheme appeal; if he will expedite this appeal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8063/13]

Ministerial Appointments

Shane Ross

603. Deputy Shane Ross asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the details of all appointments made by him to all State agencies, commercial bodies and all other appointments made by him since taking office, including the State owned banks and the Judiciary. [8112/13]

Ministerial Appointments

Shane Ross

604. Deputy Shane Ross asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the details of the qualifications of all the appointees made by him to all State agencies, commercial bodies and all other appointments made by him since taking office including the State owned banks and Judiciary for the appointments they have accepted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8130/13]

Ministerial Appointments

Shane Ross

605. Deputy Shane Ross asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of appointees and the percentage of appointments made by him to all State agencies, commercial bodies and all other appointments made by him since taking office including the State owned banks and the Judiciary that were subject to a public applications process. [8148/13]

Ownership of Coillte Lands

Michael McCarthy

606. Deputy Michael McCarthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his Department is in the process of selling forestry land (details supplied) in County Louth; the reason for any such sale; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8167/13]

Rural Environment Protection Scheme Payments

Paul Connaughton

608. Deputy Paul J. Connaughton asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when persons (details supplied) in County Galway will receive their REP scheme payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8184/13]

Agri-Environment Options Scheme Payments

Noel Harrington

609. Deputy Noel Harrington asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the position regarding the agri-environment options scheme and disadvantaged area payment in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8190/13]

Disadvantaged Areas Scheme Payments

Timmy Dooley

610. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a person (details supplied) in County Clare will receive their disadvantaged area based payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8255/13]

Rural Environment Protection Scheme Payments

Timmy Dooley

611. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a person (details supplied) in County Clare will receive their REP scheme payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8256/13]

Single Payment Scheme Application Numbers

Tom Fleming

612. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of single farm payment applications received for County Kerry in 2012; the number awarded; the number disallowed; the number awaiting decision-under appeal; the value of these; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8258/13]

Single Payment Scheme Application Numbers

Tom Fleming

613. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the total number of single farm payment applications received in 2012; the number awarded; the number disallowed; the number awaiting decision-under appeal; the value of these; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8259/13]

Disadvantaged Areas Scheme Application Numbers

Tom Fleming

614. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of disadvantaged area scheme applications received for County Kerry in 2012; the number awarded; the number disallowed; the number awaiting decision-under appeal; the value of these; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8260/13]

Disadvantaged Areas Scheme Application Numbers

Tom Fleming

615. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the total number of disadvantaged area scheme applications received in 2012; the number awarded; the number disallowed; the number awaiting decision-under appeal; the value of these; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8264/13]

Agri-Environment Options Scheme Payments

Billy Kelleher

616. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the position regarding an agri-environment option scheme grant in respect of a person (details supplied); when payment will issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8265/13]

Disadvantaged Areas Scheme Payments

Pat Breen

617. Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 866 of 16 January 2013, when payment will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Clare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8349/13]

Harbours and Piers Expenditure

Noel Harrington

618. Deputy Noel Harrington asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide an update on the restoration works to the Bulls Nose Pier on Cape Clear Island, County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8412/13]

Single Payment Scheme Payments

Noel Harrington

619. Deputy Noel Harrington asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if the land entitlements of a person (details supplied) in County Cork will be restored to the 2011 totals, following the inspection by an official from his Department to the farm last week in order that they may receive the correct payments for the single farm payment, the agri-environment option scheme payment, and that they will be within the permitted nitrates levels; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8436/13]

Semi-State Bodies Privatisation

Michael Creed

620. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the position regarding his proposals to privatise Coillte; if a shortlist of purchasers has been identified; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8452/13]

Suckler Welfare Scheme Payments

Noel Harrington

621. Deputy Noel Harrington asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a person (details supplied) in County Cork will receive their suckler premium payment following the submission of additional information; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8456/13]

Agri-Environment Options Scheme Applications

Charlie McConalogue

622. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the position regarding an application under the agri-environment option scheme 3 in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8457/13]

Rural Environment Protection Scheme Payments

Éamon Ó Cuív

623. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when 2012 REP scheme payment will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Mayo; the reason for the delay in issuing payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8527/13]

Hare Coursing

Maureen O'Sullivan

624. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his attention has been drawn to the monitoring reports from the National Parks and Wildlife Service which document hare hits, injuries, kills and hares having to be put down due to injuries for the 2011-2012 coursing season; if he is concerned that hares continue to be injured and killed, despite muzzling; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8636/13]

Departmental Appointments

Brendan Griffin

625. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a position (details supplied) will be filled; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8652/13]

Student Grant Scheme Reform

Seán Ó Fearghaíl

626. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the concerns raised in correspondence (details supplied) regarding third level grants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8671/13]

Animal Disease Controls

Martin Ferris

627. Deputy Martin Ferris asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the steps being taken in relation to prevention of the Schmallenberg virus taking hold here. [8686/13]

Disadvantaged Areas Scheme Payments

Timmy Dooley

628. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a person (details supplied) in County Clare will receive their disadvantaged area payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8748/13]

Sheep Census

Jack Wall

629. Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will confirm the numbers of Galway sheep recorded last year; the breakdown of the number of females in the total number; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8763/13]

Disadvantaged Areas Scheme Payments

Timmy Dooley

630. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a person (details supplied) in County Clare will receive their disadvantaged area payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8771/13]

Agri-Environment Options Scheme Payments

Colm Keaveney

631. Deputy Colm Keaveney asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a person (details supplied) in County Galway may expect to receive payment of their agri-environment option scheme grant for 2012 now that further information has been submitted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8781/13]

Garda Investigations

John McGuinness

632. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 167 of 27 June 2012 regarding the Garda investigation into the cause of the dioxin crisis, if he will confirm the actions taken by his Department to date to resolve the issue and the status of the Garda inquiry. [8804/13]

Farm Inspections

Thomas P. Broughan

633. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if any tests are being carried out on prepared Irish meat products for the presence of the drug phenylbutazone; if so, if he will indicate the tests being carried out; the number of tests that have been carried out to date; the results of the testing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8830/13]

Disadvantaged Areas Scheme Payments

John O'Mahony

634. Deputy John O'Mahony asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will receive their disadvantaged area payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8881/13]

Aquaculture Licences Applications

Brendan Griffin

635. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 426 of 15 May 2012 and 204 of 7 March 2012, the progress that has been made on the issue of a licence for mussel farming to a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8888/13]

Food Labelling

Martin Ferris

636. Deputy Martin Ferris asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the level of monitoring that takes place of fish produce and labelling. [8905/13]

Fish Sales

Martin Ferris

637. Deputy Martin Ferris asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on the discrepancy between the volume of cod landed here and the volume of cod sold through retail and catering outlets and bought by public institutions such as hospitals and prisons. [8910/13]

Agriculture Schemes Payments

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

638. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide, in tabular form, the number of persons in County Meath in receipt of payments in 2011; and if he will provide a breakdown of same by scheme (details supplied). [8950/13]

Adoption Records Provision

Sandra McLellan

639. Deputy Sandra McLellan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she will ensure that persons who spent time in Bessborough House in Cork and other such institutions around the country be given access to their records for the time they spent there; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8687/13]

Early Child Care Education

Catherine Murphy

640. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she will confirm that, regarding the early childhood care and education scheme, there is currently nothing in legislation to prevent a child being removed early by a childcare service provider from its programme whilst allowing the service provider to claim a capitation fee in respect of the child for up to another month; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8708/13]

Legislative Programme

Seán Ó Fearghaíl

641. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the position regarding the child and family support agency Bill; if the integrity of the family resource centres' programme will be preserved; if funding for this programme will be ringfenced; if it is intended that the family resource centres will have representations on the new board and if their views will be taken on board in the finalisation of the legislation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8055/13]

Ministerial Appointments

Shane Ross

642. Deputy Shane Ross asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the details of all appointments made by her to all State agencies, commercial bodies and all other appointments made by her since taking office, including the State owned banks and the Judiciary. [8114/13]

Ministerial Appointments

Shane Ross

643. Deputy Shane Ross asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the details of the qualifications of all the appointees made by her to all State agencies, commercial bodies and all other appointments made by her since taking office including the State owned banks and Judiciary for the appointments they have accepted; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8132/13]

Ministerial Appointments

Shane Ross

644. Deputy Shane Ross asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number of appointees and the percentage of appointments made by her to all State agencies, commercial bodies and all other appointments made by her since taking office including the State owned banks and the Judiciary that were subject to a public applications process. [8150/13]

Employment Rights

Mary Lou McDonald

645. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs following the recently published Migrant Rights Centre Ireland Report December 2012 Part of the Family, which illustrates the way the unregulated au pair system is being used to facilitate cheap child care and that leaves au pairs without basic protections, her plans to address the issue of au pairs here; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8224/13]

Child Care Services Provision

Alan Farrell

646. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number of parents who have availed of the community child care subvention programme in 2012; the cost of this service to the Exchequer in 2012 and the estimated cost in 2013; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8430/13]

National Lottery Funding Applications

Eric J. Byrne

647. Deputy Eric Byrne asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the position regarding an application for a grant in respect of an organisation (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8719/13]

Departmental Funding

Seán Kyne

648. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs when a funding programme will be finalised and ready to accept applications from youth organisations such as youth cafes. [8986/13]

Hospital Staff

Michael Healy-Rae

649. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health his views on correspondence (details supplied) regarding the shortage of intern places; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8098/13]

Local Drugs Task Forces Review Report

Jerry Buttimer

650. Deputy Jerry Buttimer asked the Minister for Health the outcome and results of the review of local drugs task forces; the details of any changes to their funding which is being considered; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8219/13]

Blind Person's Pension Applications

Eric J. Byrne

651. Deputy Eric Byrne asked the Minister for Health if he will review an application for blind welfare allowance in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 12. [8528/13]

National Substance Misuse Strategy

Seán Ó Fearghaíl

652. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Health the concerns raised in correspondence (details supplied) regarding Festival sponsorship; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8673/13]

Misuse of Drugs

David Stanton

653. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Health if he is concerned about the abuse of prescription drugs by drug users; if his attention has been drawn to the types of prescription drugs commonly abused in this way; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8822/13]

Hospital Staff

Andrew Doyle

654. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Health if there are any changes proposed to the working time directive as it applies to non-consultant hospital doctors who are in training; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8050/13]

Mental Health Services Funding

Robert Troy

655. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health if he will outline the position regarding the 2012, €35 million ring fenced allocation for community mental health; the amount spent in community mental health during 2012; the number of the promised professionals who have been hired to date; provide a clear commitment that any unspent moneys will be spent together with the 2013 €35 million allocation this year; his plans for this year and a time frame for implementation of same. [8066/13]

Home Care Packages

Finian McGrath

656. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Health the position regarding a long term home care package in respect of persons (details supplied) in Dublin 9; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8072/13]

Health Services

Finian McGrath

657. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Health the position regarding a long term care plan in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 3. [8073/13]

Medical Card Eligibility

Tom Fleming

658. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Health if he will issue a discretionary medical card in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8075/13]

Suicide Incidence

Finian McGrath

659. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on the rates of suicide amongst the Traveller community and the support available for families in the Traveller community who are affected by suicide. [8076/13]

Nursing Homes Support Scheme Eligibility

Finian McGrath

660. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Health the reason the elderly and those who are ill in the Traveller community have been targeted disproportionately financially than any other category of citizens in the nursing home support scheme. [8077/13]

Nursing Homes Support Scheme Eligibility

Finian McGrath

661. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Health if he will clarify the situation regarding rental income and sale of property in relation to the nursing homes support scheme fair deal scheme (details supplied). [8078/13]

Medical Card Applications

Brendan Griffin

662. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health when a decision will issue on an application for a medical card in respect of persons (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8083/13]

Hospital Staff

Tom Fleming

663. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Health if he will address the current deficit of intern places to medical graduates as the State's investment in undergraduate medical education will be squandered due to these graduates being unable to obtain an intern position; if he will take into consideration information (details supplied) and the fact that completing the intern year is a legal requirement in order for graduates of Irish medical schools to practise here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8094/13]

Patient Redress Scheme

Clare Daly

664. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Health if he will meet with the victims of former consultant Michael Neary as a matter of urgency in order to deal with his commitment to resolve their outstanding issues and quest for justice. [8102/13]

Ministerial Appointments

Shane Ross

665. Deputy Shane Ross asked the Minister for Health the details of all appointments made by him to all State agencies, commercial bodies and all other appointments made by him since taking office, including the State owned banks and the Judiciary. [8121/13]

Medical Card Application Numbers

Tom Fleming

666. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Health the number of medical card applications received in 2010, 2011 and 2012; the number allowed; the number refused; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8129/13]

Ministerial Appointments

Shane Ross

667. Deputy Shane Ross asked the Minister for Health the details of the qualifications of all the appointees made by him to all State agencies, commercial bodies and all other appointments made by him since taking office including the State owned banks and the Judiciary for the appointments they have accepted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8139/13]

Home Care Packages

Tom Fleming

668. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Health the number of home care package applications received in 2010, 2011 and 2012; the number allowed; the number refused; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8147/13]

Ministerial Appointments

Shane Ross

669. Deputy Shane Ross asked the Minister for Health the number of appointees and the percentage of appointments made by him to all State agencies, commercial bodies and all other appointments made by him since taking office including the State owned banks and the Judiciary that were subject to a public applications process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8157/13]

Medicinal Products Supply

Shane Ross

670. Deputy Shane Ross asked the Minister for Health if he will engage with the relevant authorities to assess the potential benefits of Ampligen to M.E patients; if he will work to ensure that Ampligen is made available to M.E patients here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8174/13]

Health Services

Gerry Adams

671. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Health if in this State the standard practice is to fit deaf children with only one cochlear implant; if he will give consideration to changing this practice and move towards bilateral implantation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8175/13]

Hospital Staff

Eamonn Maloney

672. Deputy Eamonn Maloney asked the Minister for Health the measures he is taking to address the anticipated shortage of intern places for both EU and non-EU graduates of Irish medical schools this summer; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8177/13]

Medical Card Eligibility

Tom Fleming

673. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Health if he will issue a discretionary medical card as a matter of urgency in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8178/13]

Hospital Staff

Michael P. Kitt

674. Deputy Michael P. Kitt asked the Minister for Health the plans, if any, in place to deal with the shortage of intern places for both EU and non-EU graduates of Irish medical schools, arising as a consequence of the increased number of medical school graduates; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8180/13]

Hospital Staff

Derek Nolan

675. Deputy Derek Nolan asked the Minister for Health if due to an increase in the number of medical school graduates this year there will be a shortage of intern places for both EU and non EU graduates of Irish medical schools; the plans in place to deal with this situation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8181/13]

Prescription Charges

Robert Troy

676. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health if he will explain the anomaly which exists between monthly prescription charges for families in which no family member has a medical card and monthly prescription charges for families when one member has a medical card on medical grounds, if no family member has a medical card, that family pays a maximum of €144 per month for prescription charges, if one member of that family has a medical card on medical grounds then the family pays the €144 monthly prescription charge plus €1.50 per item in the medical card prescription; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8188/13]

HSE Staffing

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

677. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health the number of posts in the Health Service Executive currently filled using the jobbridge scheme; if he will identify the posts in question; if he will state the numbers so employed in 2011 and 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8191/13]

Medical Card Drugs

Robert Troy

678. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health if he will continue to cover the cost of the drug, Dispamine 250g per month on the medical card of a person (details supplied); the reason the drug is being removed as a permanent item on the medical card payment items list; and the reason Wilson's disease is not being recognised as a long term illness by his Department. [8192/13]

Health Services

Colm Keaveney

679. Deputy Colm Keaveney asked the Minister for Health if he will provide a commitment that a residential unit (details supplied) in County Galway will continue in its current use and provide a commitment that medical staff there, in line with the ethical guidelines of their professions, should not be intimidated out of speaking publicly to defend the welfare of their patients by Health Service Executive west management as is now being attempted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8197/13]

Hospital Services

Robert Dowds

680. Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for Health the reasons the epilepsy units at Beaumont Hospital, Dublin, and at Cork University Hospital have not yet been opened; and when he expects to be able to open them in full. [8204/13]

Treatment Abroad Scheme

Robert Dowds

681. Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for Health if persons with epilepsy who require specialised treatment are eligible to seek treatment abroad under the treatment abroad scheme while the opening of the epilepsy units at Cork University Hospital and at Beaumont Hospital, Dublin, is pending. [8205/13]

Hospital Waiting Lists

Finian McGrath

682. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Health if he will support the need for access to neuro-rehabilitation services in view of the fact that there are unacceptably long waiting lists to see a neurologist; and if he will end cuts to this vital support service. [8208/13]

Health Services

Noel Harrington

683. Deputy Noel Harrington asked the Minister for Health the services available to young self employed persons, who have been diagnosed with Alzheimer's Disease and unable to work anymore; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8212/13]

Health Services Expenditure

Michelle Mulherin

684. Deputy Michelle Mulherin asked the Minister for Health the funding from the Special Delivery Unit that has been allocated to County Mayo to date; the details of such funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8218/13]

Hospital Staff

John Paul Phelan

685. Deputy John Paul Phelan asked the Minister for Health the measures he will put in place to ensure that the current deficit of intern places for medical graduates which has come about as a result of the State's funding of additional medical school places, without the corresponding increase in intern places, will not lead to medical graduates having to leave the country to fully qualify; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8222/13]

Health Services Expenditure

Pearse Doherty

686. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health the new criteria recently announced for the funding of day centres; the considerations his Department has given to sparsely populated areas and rural isolation of the elderly in formulating this criteria; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8239/13]

Hospital Staff

Michael McGrath

687. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Health if he has any concerns that there may not be sufficient intern places for both EU and non-EU graduates of Irish medical schools later this year; if there are any plans in place to deal with the matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8250/13]

Hospital Staff

Michael Creed

688. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact that there is due to be a shortage of intern places available to both EU and non-EU graduates of medical schools here as of July 2013, as identified in the second interim report of the reform of the interim year, and the policy his Department intends to pursue in order to address this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8251/13]

Hospital Staff

Tom Fleming

689. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Health when will the promised podiatry post at Kerry General Hospital be filled; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8263/13]

HSE Correspondence

Pearse Doherty

690. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 227, 228, 229, and 230 which were referred to the Health Service Executive on 23 January 2013, when the replies to these questions from the HSE will be forthcoming. [8266/13]