Parliamentary questions

Services for People with Disabilities

Bernard Durkan

683. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the assistance and local support that is available to persons (details supplied) in County Kildare who have four children under the age of ten years, two of whom have special needs, who were previous recipients of home help; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7516/14]

Health Services Provision

John McGuinness

684. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health if an early date for a hip operation will be arranged in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Carlow; and if he will outline the timeframe involved and the numbers on the waiting lists for such operations at Cappagh and WRH. [7542/14]

Medical Card Applications

John McGuinness

685. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health if a medical card will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny. [7543/14]

Services for People with Disabilities

John McGuinness

686. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health if a wheelchair has been provided for a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny; if he will outline the status of this case; and if he make a statement on the matter. [7544/14]

Orthodontic Service Provision

John McGuinness

687. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health if orthodontic treatment will be provided in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny; and if he will expedite a response. [7545/14]

Health Services Provision

John McGuinness

688. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health the total cost to date incurred by the Health Service Executive in its dealings in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny relative to a human resource issue; if the matter has been fully resolved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7546/14]

Hepatitis C Compensation Payments

Clare Daly

689. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Health the reason various figures outlined in Parliamentary Question No. 238 of 6 February 2014 contradict published accounts on the hepatitis C website; if he will explain the way payments figures were treated in the two accounts held by his Department; and if he will request a comprehensive, independent audit of the hepatitis C tribunal with particular reference to a fictitious surplus built up over two years. [7550/14]

Hospital Staff

John Halligan

690. Deputy John Halligan asked the Minister for Health if he will confirm the number of persons currently employed at Waterford Regional Hospital under the JobBridge scheme; the type of positions they hold; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7556/14]

Medical Card Appeals

Tom Fleming

691. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Health if he will request the medical assessment unit to re-examine a medical card appeal in respect of persons (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7579/14]

Symphysiotomy Reports

Thomas Pringle

692. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Health if he has received the report on women who have undergone surgical symphysiotomies; if he will outline its content; the action he will take on foot of this report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7580/14]

Hospital Services

Micheál Martin

693. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Health if he will reiterate his previous commitment that no plans will be put in place to charge for emergency services in James Connolly Memorial Hospital in view of recent funding cuts announced in the acute services divisional plans, or through any reorganisation of services in the new Dublin North East Hospital Group area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7597/14]

Health Services Provision

Billy Kelleher

694. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the reason a three and a half year old child (details supplied) is still awaiting assessment; the reason for the delay; if he will ensure that further early intervention is not missed out on; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7606/14]

Departmental Staff Career Breaks

Barry Cowen

695. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Health if he will provide in tabular form the number of staff in his Department currently on a sabbatical or career break broken down into categories of zero to six months, six to 12 months, one year to two years, two to three years, four to five years and five years plus; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7630/14]

Departmental Staff Sick Leave

Barry Cowen

696. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Health if he will provide in tabular form, the total number of uncertified sick days taken by employees in his Department and the average uncertified sick days per employee taken; the total certified sick days taken by employees; the average certified sick days per employee; the total sick days taken by employees; the average total sick days and median overall sick days per employee in 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012. [7646/14]

Medical Card Applications

Dominic Hannigan

697. Deputy Dominic Hannigan asked the Minister for Health if he will have information corrected on a medical card in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Meath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7685/14]

Orthodontic Service Provision

Dominic Hannigan

698. Deputy Dominic Hannigan asked the Minister for Health the reason a person (details supplied) in County Meath has been waiting four years for orthodontic treatment in Navan Hospital, County Meath; when the person will receive the treatment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7686/14]

Ambulance Service Provision

Michael Healy-Rae

699. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health with regard to the ambulance service in Kerry and north Cork, if the Health Service Executive will revert to the original level of cover until such time as the proposed GPS system is up and running and proven to work; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7687/14]

Mental Health Services Provision

Seán Fleming

700. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Health when the new psychiatric admissions unit in Beaumont Hospital will be opened and fully commissioned; the number of staff who will be available there; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7690/14]

Long-Term Illness Scheme Coverage

Michael McCarthy

701. Deputy Michael McCarthy asked the Minister for Health his plans to include ulcerative colitis, which is a chronic incurable condition, on the list of qualifying ailments for a long-term illness medical card; and if not, the reason in view of the circumstances of the condition and the potential medical costs involved. [7696/14]

Medicinal Products Prices

Michael McCarthy

702. Deputy Michael McCarthy asked the Minister for Health the specific reasons for the variation in medication costs between Ireland and neighbouring European countries; his views on the discrepancy in the price of a product (details supplied); the way he intends to address this matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7697/14]

Services for People with Disabilities

Terence Flanagan

703. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Health if he will deal with a matter regarding rents in St. Michael's House (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7699/14]

Health Services Provision

Billy Kelleher

704. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health if the payments regarding the Health Service Executive initiative for the outsourcing of the adult hearing aid services were front-loaded; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7701/14]

Health Services Provision

Billy Kelleher

705. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health in relation to the initiative for the outsourcing of the adult hearing aid services, if the contract was completed within the agreed timeframe for the testing and fitting of a hearing aid and the follow-up assessment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7702/14]

Drug Trials

Terence Flanagan

706. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Health the position regarding the trial of a drug (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7703/14]

Ambulance Service Staff

Sandra McLellan

707. Deputy Sandra McLellan asked the Minister for Health if a person (details supplied) in County Cork will be considered for a job in the ambulance service as the person has already done the training; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7706/14]

Health Services

Brendan Griffin

708. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health his view on correspondence (details supplied) regarding the health service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7734/14]

Nursing Home Accommodation

Billy Kelleher

709. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health following the announcement that a county nursing home (details supplied) will not meet the Health Information and Quality Authority physical environment standards by the authority's deadline of July 2015, if the facility will have to get a dispensation from the national quality standards or if it is planned to revise the HIQA physical environment standards; if he considers this the best use of taxpayers' money in view of the fact that the €11 million plus for refurbishment to provide 80 to 85 single rooms would instead build a 120-bed new private nursing home according to Nursing Homes Ireland; if he will publish the schedule of other refurbishment works that are planned for 2015-16; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7740/14]

Hospital Services

Bernard Durkan

710. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the quality of service likely to become available to a person (details supplied) in Dublin 10; when a full assessment and diagnosis will be completed; if this will be done before they are discharged from hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7746/14]

Hospital Waiting Lists

Brendan Griffin

711. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the increased demand for STI services at Kerry General Hospital; if his attention has been drawn to the six-week wait for an appointment; if he will investigate establishing a full-time service there, thereby reducing pressure on the Cork team that visits every fortnight; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7753/14]

Alcohol Pricing

Terence Flanagan

712. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Health his plans to deal with below cost selling of alcohol; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7763/14]

Hospital Procedures

Seán Ó Fearghaíl

713. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Health if he will arrange for an urgent surgical procedure in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7775/14]

Tobacco Control Measures

Brendan Griffin

714. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health his plans to prohibit smoking in cars where children are passengers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7811/14]

Medical Card Eligibility

Bernard Durkan

715. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health if he will review eligibility for a medical card in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare who has been wheelchair bound for 25 years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7834/14]

Autism Incidence

Seamus Kirk

716. Deputy Seamus Kirk asked the Minister for Health the steps needed in relation to getting a child tested for autism; if he will state the waiting list for children with autism to be tested; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7839/14]

Autism Incidence

Seamus Kirk

717. Deputy Seamus Kirk asked the Minister for Health the number of persons diagnosed with autism and Asperger's syndrome; if he will provide a breakdown by county; the treatment available through the Health Service Executive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7840/14]

Autism Incidence

Seamus Kirk

718. Deputy Seamus Kirk asked the Minister for Health the budget available for the treatment of autism in children and young adults; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7841/14]

Ambulance Service Provision

Pat Deering

719. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Health the ambulance cover for Carlow town and county; if this is sufficient service for the population of the county; and the way this compares with the service provided to other towns and counties of similar size and population. [7842/14]

Health Services

Sandra McLellan

720. Deputy Sandra McLellan asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 670 of 2 February 2014, the other options available to a person in County Cork who lives next door to two unused buildings and a yard owned by the same person who refuses permission to allow an exterminator access to blocked up areas where rodents are entering the property (details supplied). [7849/14]

Mobility Allowance Review

Michael Moynihan

721. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Health when he will open a new scheme to replace the now discontinued mobility allowance and motorised transport grant schemes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7850/14]

Medical Card Data

Billy Kelleher

722. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health if discretionary medical cards are being awarded for primary immunodeficiencies, PID, patients; if he will provide in tabular form the number of PID patients who have been awarded discretionary medical cards over the past five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7851/14]

Security Checks

Noel Harrington

723. Deputy Noel Harrington asked the Minister for Health if any of his departmental or ministerial offices have been swept for electronic or any other type of surveillance or bugging equipment since coming to office in March 2011; the reasons for this check; the results of this check; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7895/14]

Mental Health Services Provision

Seán Kenny

724. Deputy Seán Kenny asked the Minister for Health the number of the 890 additional posts announced in the community mental health service over the past number of years that have been filled to date; when he expects all outstanding posts to be filled; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7907/14]

Medical Card Applications

Billy Kelleher

725. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health if the hospital fees incurred by a cancer patient (details supplied) in County Cork during the lengthy processing time for a medical card application which was successful will now be cleared by the Health Service Executive; if so the timeframe for same as the pressure is causing tremendous stress to the person who is currently undergoing extensive treatment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7917/14]

Hospital Staff Recruitment

Andrew Doyle

726. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Health if consideration will be given to the appointment of a urologist to Temple Street hospital; and if he will provide a timeframe for the appointment. [7918/14]

Hospital Waiting Lists

Tony McLoughlin

727. Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Minister for Health the reason a person (details supplied) in County Leitrim is waiting over three years for a knee replacement operation; when the person will be seen by a consultant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7924/14]

Disability Support Services

Tony McLoughlin

728. Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Minister for Health if he is satisfied with the transition of governance at Cregg House, Sligo between Wisdom Services, Sisters of Wisdom, and the Health Service Executive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7925/14]

Departmental Bodies Establishment

Seán Fleming

729. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Health if he will list any new organisations-agencies established in his Department since 9 March 2011; the role and functions and the annual operating budget for these organisations-agencies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7946/14]

Primary Care Centre Provision

Robert Dowds

730. Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for Health if he will arrange for the leaks in the windows and roof in the Ballyfermot-Palmerstown primary care and mental health centre to be fixed; and any other remedial works necessary to be undertaken. [7963/14]

Ambulance Service Response Times

Robert Dowds

731. Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for Health the number of ambulances being delayed for more than 20 minutes at each of the Dublin hospitals (details supplied) because the ambulances are waiting for their trolleys to be returned; the figures for the most recent three months for which data are available; and the length of time each ambulance has been delayed. [7964/14]

Hospital Appointment Delays

Billy Kelleher

732. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health if it is the case that some patients waiting long periods for outpatient appointments are no longer appearing on official waiting lists but are being placed on a separate review list; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7971/14]

Hospital Appointments Administration

Billy Kelleher

733. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the number of public patients on outpatient lists since the start of 2013 that have been transferred to private hospitals for appointments; the cost of this over the timeframe; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7972/14]

Hospital Appointments Administration

Billy Kelleher

734. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health if it is the case that persons on outpatient waiting lists have been written to and asked if they still wanted an appointment; if they are removed from the lists if they do not reply within a three day timeframe; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7973/14]

Nursing Homes Support Scheme Oversight

Róisín Shortall

735. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health if he will direct the Health Service Executive to examine the charging of a monthly flat fee for extras on top of a person's (details supplied) fair deal contribution; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7984/14]

Hospital Equipment

Michael Colreavy

736. Deputy Michael Colreavy asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the serious risk posed to cardiac patients due to the lack of a catheterisation laboratory in Sligo Regional Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8011/14]

Home Help Service Provision

Bernard Durkan

737. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health if home help will be facilitated in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare who is wheelchair bound and needs urgent assistance in this respect; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8025/14]

Patient Safety Agency Establishment

Patrick O'Donovan

738. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on the establishment of an advocacy-patient safety authority; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8027/14]

Nursing Home Accommodation

Mary Mitchell O'Connor

739. Deputy Mary Mitchell O'Connor asked the Minister for Health if he will consider using a number of hotels that are currently held under the National Asset Management Agency to be reassigned as low-dependency nursing homes (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8032/14]

Speech and Language Therapy

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

740. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health the position regarding adult speech and language therapy service in Waterford city; the impact this is having on patients there including neurology patients; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8038/14]

Nursing Staff Provision

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

741. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health if seven nursing staff intended to deliver the national epilepsy care programme at Cork University Hospital have yet to be deployed; if he will outline the services intended to be provided at that facility and those currently in place; his plans to address this situation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8039/14]

Health Insurance Prices

Patrick O'Donovan

742. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Health his plans to reduce the fees paid or to introduce revised fee structures to consultants operating in public hospitals in an effort to address the growing cost of private health insurance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8040/14]

Hospital Charges

Patrick O'Donovan

743. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Health if he will provide in tabular form the amounts currently being charged in public hospitals for basic inpatient overnight accommodation in public, semi-private and private beds; if there are different pricing structures for those patients availing of private health insurance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8041/14]

Hospitals Data

Patrick O'Donovan

744. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Health if he will provide details in tabular form by hospital for 2011, 2012 and 2013 of the amounts of bad debts resulting from unpaid hospital bills; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8042/14]

Hospitals Data

Patrick O'Donovan

745. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Health if he will provide details in tabular form by public hospital of the amounts of uncollected revenue from private health insurance companies for the years 2011, 2012 and 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8043/14]

HIQA Issues

Patrick O'Donovan

746. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on the proposed introduction of measures that will lead to the establishment of minimum standards, qualifications and inspection regimes for private and public providers of home care for elderly persons and vulnerable adults in their own homes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8051/14]

Health Services

Brendan Griffin

747. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health the health cover options available to non-citizens planning to retire here (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8068/14]

Home Help Service Provision

Finian McGrath

748. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Health the position regarding home help in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 9; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8078/14]

National Lottery Funding Applications

Jim Daly

749. Deputy Jim Daly asked the Minister for Health the reason an application for capital funding (details supplied) in County Cork was not recommended for funding by his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8082/14]

Medical Card Appeals

Bernard Durkan

750. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the progress to date in respect of an appeal for a medical card in the case of the son of a person (details supplied) in County Mayo; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8086/14]

Mobility Allowance Review

Michelle Mulherin

751. Deputy Michelle Mulherin asked the Minister for Health the progress being made to reintroduce a motorised transport grant scheme and a mobility allowance for persons with severe mobility problems; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8135/14]

Mental Health Services Provision

Michael Colreavy

752. Deputy Michael Colreavy asked the Minister for Health the position regarding the closing of Raheen Day Centre in Sligo town; if the closure of the centre will be in line with the Health Service Executive policy document A Vision for Change which promotes the provision of such community services; and if he will make a statement on the matter.' [8137/14]

Hospital Waiting Lists

Jack Wall

753. Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Kildare will receive a date for knee replacement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8140/14]

Medical Card Reviews

Heather Humphreys

754. Deputy Heather Humphreys asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Cavan may expect to have a decision made on their medical card review; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8145/14]

National Treatment Purchase Fund

Finian McGrath

755. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Health the position regarding financially assisting a person seeking treatment abroad (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8161/14]

Health Insurance Community Rating

Seamus Healy

756. Deputy Seamus Healy asked the Minister for Health if he will review the risk equalisation scheme currently in operation having regard to the fact a significant proportion of the elderly are now insured by companies other than the VHI; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8162/14]

Respite Care Grant Eligibility

Seán Ó Fearghaíl

757. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Health the reason the Health Service Executive has not yet provided either day care or respite service to a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8184/14]

Hospital Waiting Lists

Brendan Griffin

758. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health the number of persons waiting for a kidney transplant here at present; the average waiting time; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8191/14]

Medical Card Applications

Michael Healy-Rae

759. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the position regarding a medical card in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8202/14]

Hospital Appointment Status

Joe Carey

760. Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Health the position regarding a hospital appointment in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Clare. [8203/14]

Disability Support Services

Seán Fleming

761. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Health the current resource and staffing levels for speech and language therapists working in the disability service early intervention and school age teams in Laois and Offaly; the timescale for children waiting for this service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8210/14]

Disability Support Services

Seán Fleming

762. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Health the current resources and staffing levels of occupational therapists and psychologists working in the disability service early intervention and school age teams in Laois and Offaly; the waiting time for children to be seen by the occupational therapist; the maximum waiting time a child is currently on this waiting list; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8211/14]

Generic Drugs Substitution

Seán Fleming

763. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Health if he will introduce a protocol for the use of generic prescriptions here similar to that applied by the National Health Service in the UK which results in approximately 70% of all prescriptions being for generic medicines; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8235/14]

Maternity Services

Michael McGrath

764. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Health his views on the option for pregnant women of having a home birth; if there is a national policy in place governing the issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8236/14]

Services for People with Disabilities

Maureen O'Sullivan

765. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health further to the Disability Federation of Ireland's recent paper Promises, Commitments, and Delivery: Mid-Term Review of the Programme for Government, his views on the recommendations including the appointment of a Minister with dedicated responsibility for disability inclusion; prioritising the funding of disability services in line with pre-election commitments; and the implementation of agreed measures, targets and timelines for disability. [8258/14]

Hospital Staff

Eoghan Murphy

766. Deputy Eoghan Murphy asked the Minister for Health his plans to tackle the emerging hospital consultant recruitment crisis. [8264/14]

Mental Health Services Provision

Dessie Ellis

767. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for Health the reason only one Calpa van covers the entire State in view of the potential for Calpa vans to decrease delays in picking up patients who have mental health issues and in some cases also save Garda time. [8277/14]

Hospital Staff

Denis Naughten

768. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health the hospitals which have yet to comply with the European working time directive; if these hospitals face financial sanctions for non-compliance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8331/14]

Hospital Services

Brendan Griffin

769. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health when a proper urology care team will be put in situ in Temple Street children's hospital for children with spina bifida; the reason it has taken so long for this to happen; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8332/14]

Medical Card Applications

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

770. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Health the position regarding a medical card in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 10. [8351/14]

Mental Health Services Provision

Dominic Hannigan

771. Deputy Dominic Hannigan asked the Minister for Health if the Meath child and adolescent mental health services are fully staffed; if not, the positions that are vacant; when he expects them to be filled; the way a child or young person in County Meath can access the services; and the services a child or young person may expect to receive. [8377/14]

Departmental Staff Remuneration

Michael McGrath

772. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Health if he will clarify whether all branches of the Civil Service in his Department are applying Department policy that staff progress or incremental salary scales on the basis of a single point per annum; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8684/14]

Departmental Bodies

Shane Ross

773. Deputy Shane Ross asked the Minister for Health as far as he is aware if any official bodies under the aegis of his Department subscribe to the daily inflation data for Ireland collected by a company (details supplied); if so, the cost of this service; if the data will be made available to the public; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8700/14]

Heritage Sites

Sandra McLellan

774. Deputy Sandra McLellan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to invest in and upgrade national heritage sites to make them attractive to the domestic and international tourist markets. [7910/14]

Departmental Programmes

Andrew Doyle

775. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the proposed budget for the centralised computerisation of the shipping and seafarers' registries. [8087/14]

Roads Maintenance

Patrick O'Donovan

776. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if local authorities can invoke section 76 of the Roads Act 1993 to remove water from public roads, removing the risk of flooding to private property; if he will confirm the section allows a local authority to take such action without the need to serve notice on the landowner in whose property the water may be discharged on or through; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8090/14]

Legislative Measures

Clare Daly

777. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he argued for any extra provisions to be made in the forthcoming legislation on protection of whistleblowers to protect any employees of airlines or companies associated with the provision or operation of aircraft or flight crew, who may wish to disclose information which they consider to be of significance to protecting the safety of the travelling public; and in view of some serious incidents which have occurred in the aviation sector. [7996/14]

Vehicle Height Limits

Denis Naughten

778. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will introduce a derogation to the new HGV height restriction for vehicles transporting bulky agricultural products such as hay and straw; if his attention has been drawn to the financial implications for the transport of such products with the current height restriction; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8435/14]

Driver Licence Renewals

Robert Dowds

779. Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the action he will take to protect the rights of a person (details supplied) whose driver licence application to the National Driver Licence Service to use the Irish language version of the name on the licence, as the person has done before, has been refused on the grounds all documentation which holds the PPSN has the English language version of the name; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7594/14]

Transport Infrastructure

Micheál Martin

780. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide details of his meetings with the European Investment Bank, the EU Commission and the Trans-European Transport Network, TEN-T, Executive Agency on the construction of the DART underground project as outlined at the Shift2Rail briefing on 16 December 2013; and if he will outline his Department's estimated timeframe and costs to the Exchequer for progressing this project. [7598/14]

Cycling Facilities Provision

Micheál Martin

781. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide details of the section of the Royal Canal towpath which will be upgraded at a cost of €750,000 as part of the €32.5 million funding for sustainable transport projects in the greater Dublin area. [7599/14]

Cycling Facilities Provision

Micheál Martin

782. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if the section of the Royal Canal towpath between Castleknock and Porterstown was considered for inclusion in the recently announced €32.5 million funding for sustainable transport projects in the greater Dublin area, and if he will provide a timeframe for when this investment can be expected as part of the longer-term proposal to develop a greenway across Ireland, alongside the Royal Canal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7600/14]