Parliamentary questions

Water Charges Exemptions

Brendan Griffin

536. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if long-standing individual waivers agreed by local authorities on water charges will be honoured by Irish Water; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37851/14]

Domiciliary Care Allowance Applications

Brendan Griffin

49. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if a decision has been made on an application for domiciliary care allowance in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37439/14]

Greenways Development

Brendan Griffin

18. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his Department will consider ways to offer incentives and compensation to farmers for any loss or inconvenience caused by allowing greenways or walkways through their lands, in view of the societal and economic potential that such infrastructure may bring; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36639/14]

Nursing Homes Support Scheme Applications

Brendan Griffin

121. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health when funding will be released for a nursing home scheme application in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37333/14]

Beef Genomics Scheme

Brendan Griffin

240. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if a decision has been made on an application for the beef genomics scheme in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36629/14]

Medical Register Administration

Brendan Griffin

377. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health if a decision has been made on an application for Medical Council approval in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36735/14]

Hospital Appointment Status

Brendan Griffin

437. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health if an orthopaedic appointment will be provided in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37043/14]

Student Grant Scheme Eligibility

Brendan Griffin

544. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Education and Skills if a student (details supplied) in County Kerry is entitled to a student field trip grant; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37169/14]

Medical Aids and Appliances Provision

Brendan Griffin

202. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health if an insulin pump will be provided to a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36253/14]

Garda Station Refurbishment

Brendan Griffin

74. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if a kitchenette will be provided for a Garda station (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36101/14]

Forestry Grants

Brendan Griffin

84. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will increase the forestry grant per acre rate for farmers beyond the current rate in the draft plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36102/14]

GLAS Establishment

Brendan Griffin

85. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if GLAS payments will commence on 1 January 2015; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36103/14]

Hospital Services

Brendan Griffin

143. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health if a date will be provided for an operation in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36031/14]

Planning Issues

Brendan Griffin

179. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the avenues available to a person who wishes to dispute a planning decision which directly affects their property; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35972/14]

Driver Licences

Brendan Griffin

214. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on a matter (details supplied) regarding the National Driver Licence Service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36144/14]

Agreements with Members

Brendan Griffin

47. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Taoiseach if details exist in his Department of negotiations and arrangements with Independent Deputies in exchange for support between 1997 and 2011; if details exist of the demands made by Deputies for State board appointments, the creation of allowances and more; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35509/14]

Pension Provisions

Brendan Griffin

81. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if lifelong carers will be afforded contributory pension recognition; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35299/14]

Foreshore Licence Applications

Brendan Griffin

480. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if a copy of a foreshore licence application will be returned in respect of a club (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35244/14]

Motor Tax Rates

Brendan Griffin

486. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the new regulations in relation to motor tax for commercial vehicles; the measures that must be taken to get such a vehicle taxed, such as a crew cab; if a person needs to be an employer of at least three people; if the law is being applied by all local authorities equally across the country or if the level of implementation differs; if this process is audited; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35278/14]

Rent Supplement Scheme Eligibility

Brendan Griffin

37. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if rent allowance will be paid in respect of a family member who is occupying a property owned by the parents; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34878/14]

JobsPlus Scheme

Brendan Griffin

43. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if she has reviewed the possibility of including farm and fish assist recipients for eligibility in the JobsPlus scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34982/14]

Pension Provisions

Brendan Griffin

51. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if long-term carers will be given future contributory pension entitlements in view of the huge savings to the State due to the work of these individuals; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35034/14]

VAT Rate Reductions

Brendan Griffin

76. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Finance if he will be keeping the 9% rate of VAT on tourism services in place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34947/14]

Budget 2015

Brendan Griffin

77. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Finance his views on taxation policies in budget 2015 to assist job retention and creation in the pub sector; his views on ways of easing the tax burden for this heavily labour intensive wing of the alcohol sales industry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34948/14]

Budget 2015

Brendan Griffin

78. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Finance his views on taxation policies in budget 2015 to assist job retention and creation in the construction industry, such as the application of a 9% rate of VAT for the construction of residential properties; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34949/14]

Universal Social Charge Application

Brendan Griffin

79. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Finance the immediate costs to the Exchequer of raising the point of entry for universal social charge eligibility; if he will provide examples in tabular form of threshold increases; the number of taxpayers who would be affected and the costs involved; his views that action on this would be an effective way of easing the tax burden for the lowest paid workers in the State; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34950/14]

Tax Data

Brendan Griffin

80. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Finance the immediate costs to the Exchequer of lowering the standard and higher rates of income tax; if he will provide examples in tabular form of decreases by 0.5%, 1%, 1.5% and 2%; the number of taxpayers who would be affected and the costs involved; his views that action on this would be an effective way of easing the tax burden for workers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34951/14]

IMF Loan

Brendan Griffin

81. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Finance the amount he expects the Government to save per annum as a result of paying off the State’s bailout loans early; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34984/14]

Motor Industry

Brendan Griffin

82. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Finance the increased yield to date in 2014 compared to the same period last year and in 2012 in taxes and Government charges related to the sale of new motor vehicles; the anticipated end of year increase in revenue; his views that this increase in revenue will be continued in 2015; if he views increasing vehicle sales as a positive economic indicator; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34990/14]

Flood Prevention Measures

Brendan Griffin

86. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will provide additional funding for flood prevention repair works for County Kerry, as the current budget is almost exhausted with many outstanding works; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34977/14]

Flood Relief Schemes Funding

Brendan Griffin

87. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will provide additional funding to assist embankment repair works at a location (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34979/14]

Flood Relief Schemes Funding

Brendan Griffin

88. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his plans to address flooding problems at a location (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34980/14]

Drainage Schemes Expenditure

Brendan Griffin

89. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will allocate additional funding to ensure the repair of an embankment at a location (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34981/14]

Departmental Funding

Brendan Griffin

90. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will ensure that the Department of Health will be allocated an adequate budget for 2015, following the now clearly inadequate budget for 2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34983/14]

Parliamentary Party Allowances Reform

Brendan Griffin

91. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if the newly vouched leader's allowance continues to be paid to Independent Deputies and Senators; if so, the amount that has been claimed to date by each Member under both vouched and unvouched conditions since the general election in 2011; if receipts must now be provided for all claims or if receipts are only sought from Members selected for audit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34985/14]

Flood Relief Schemes Funding

Brendan Griffin

92. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his plans to address flooding problems at a location (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34986/14]

Flood Relief Schemes Applications

Brendan Griffin

93. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his plans to address flooding problems at a location (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34987/14]

Job Losses

Brendan Griffin

99. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation his views on job losses in the pub sector, if he will implement measures to help this sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34964/14]

Seaweed Harvesting Licences

Brendan Griffin

103. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to develop the seaweed industry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34967/14]

Green Low-carbon Agri-environment Scheme

Brendan Griffin

106. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on the concerns of commonage farmers in respect of the 50% consent requirement for participation in GLAS, if he will address those concerns; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34937/14]

Forestry Sector

Brendan Griffin

107. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the position regarding a forestry plantation appeal in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34938/14]

Milk Prices

Brendan Griffin

108. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the measures he can take to protect milk prices; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34958/14]

Coillte Teoranta Lands

Brendan Griffin

109. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will engage with Coillte about developing public access to a forest trail at a Coillte plantation (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34988/14]

Firearms Licences

Brendan Griffin

129. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Justice and Equality whether there is an upper age limit for an applicant for a firearm licence; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34883/14]

Garda Station Refurbishment

Brendan Griffin

136. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if a kitchenette will be provided for a Garda station (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34975/14]

Community Care Provision

Brendan Griffin

188. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the need for extra beds to be opened at West Kerry Community Hospital; if he will assist in ensuring that the Health Service Executive provides adequate funding in the 2015 service plan to allow for extra beds to open so that older people in west Kerry can remain in their community; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34952/14]

Community Care Provision

Brendan Griffin

189. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the mental health day care centre at the new Kenmare Community Hospital remains empty and unused; if he will assist in ensuring that the Health Service Executive provides adequate funding in the 2015 service plan to allow for this centre to open so that older people in south Kerry can avail of its use; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34953/14]

Special Educational Needs Service Provision

Brendan Griffin

190. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health if the multidisciplinary therapy services at a special school, details supplied, in County Kerry have improved for the 2014-15 academic year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34969/14]

HSE Staff Remuneration

Brendan Griffin

191. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health the reason two Health Service Executive employees, details supplied, are being paid at point 1 on the pay scale instead of point 7; if their proper level of pay, including back pay, will be reinstated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34970/14]

National Lottery Funding Disbursement

Brendan Griffin

192. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health if national lottery funding will be provided to a facility, details supplied, in County Kerry to ensure its survival, in view of the vital role it serves; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34971/14]

National Lottery Funding Disbursement

Brendan Griffin

193. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health if national lottery funding will be provided to a facility, details supplied, in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34972/14]

National Lottery Funding Disbursement

Brendan Griffin

194. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health if national lottery funding will be provided to a facility, details supplied, in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34973/14]

School Facilities

Brendan Griffin

217. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Education and Skills if funding will be allocated to a school (details supplied) in County Kerry for improved and safer drop-off and collection facilities; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34961/14]

Teacher Data

Brendan Griffin

218. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Education and Skills further to requests since early 2012, if she will include severe geographic isolation and impossibility of amalgamation with another school because of distance, as a grounds for appealing a mainstream teacher allocation for two, three and four teacher schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34962/14]

Leader Programmes Expenditure

Brendan Griffin

235. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the way a person may obtain details of all grant allocations by a LDC to private companies, which were below the threshold for needing Ministerial approval; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34963/14]

Broadband Service Speeds

Brendan Griffin

253. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will formulate a map of Kerry showing the speeds and types of broadband currently available and the service providers involved; if the planned and promised improvements and their anticipated availability dates would be included on a map of the county; his views that in relation to broadband roll-out, we are only as good as our slowest connection; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34955/14]

National Broadband Plan Implementation

Brendan Griffin

254. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his views on concerns surrounding the discontinuation of the national broadband scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34956/14]

Energy Infrastructure

Brendan Griffin

255. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his plans to assist the Shannon liquefied natural gas project progressing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34968/14]

Coast Guard Services

Brendan Griffin

259. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans for the Coast Guard radio stations here; if he will safeguard the future of Valentia Coast Guard radio station in view of its strategic importance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34942/14]

Road Projects

Brendan Griffin

260. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on the inclusion of the N21 Ballyvourney to Macroom road improvement scheme in any upcoming capital investment plan, possibly a PPP bundled with the Dunkettle interchange; his further views on the many benefits that the construction of this section of road would bring, including improving Kerry’s chances of outside investment, cutting journey times to Cork for all motorists, including commuters and patients attending CUH, opening up the Cork jobs market to Kerry residents, making Kerry more accessible for tourists, making the road safer for all users; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34945/14]

Public Service Obligation Services

Brendan Griffin

261. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the position regarding the tender for the Kerry-Dublin and Donegal-Dublin PSO flights; the level of interest that has been expressed on both routes; if he envisages that the Dublin connections to both airports will continue beyond the expiry of the current contracts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34946/14]

Road Improvement Schemes

Brendan Griffin

262. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if the National Roads Authority will repair the bad bumps on the N72 between Barraduff and the Lissivigeen roundabout, Killarney, before a vehicle goes out of control; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34954/14]

Wild Atlantic Way Project

Brendan Griffin

263. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the data that exists to measure the success of the Wild Atlantic Way; his views on the anecdotal evidence that the Wild Atlantic Way has so far been an enormous success; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34959/14]

Wild Atlantic Way Project

Brendan Griffin

264. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if data exists for the number of car rentals per annum; if 2014 has seen an increase; if this increase can be attributed wholly or partly to the development of the Wild Atlantic Way; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34960/14]

Road Network

Brendan Griffin

265. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will examine ways of funding the completion of the final phase of the Dingle relief road; his views on the traffic problem suffered by Dingle, particularly during the summer months, because this road remains unfinished; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34965/14]

Road Network

Brendan Griffin

266. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the position regarding progress on the Kenmare inner relief road, County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34966/14]

Tourism Project Funding

Brendan Griffin

267. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will support an event (details supplied) in County Kerry in 2015; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34976/14]

Wildlife Protection

Brendan Griffin

280. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if she will address the problem of farmers being at a loss because of lands being sterilised because of the hen harrier; if she will engage directly with the concerned farmers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34939/14]

Heritage Sites

Brendan Griffin

281. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if she will facilitate a site (details supplied) in County Kerry becoming a UNESCO world heritage site; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34941/14]

Seirbhísí Leathanbhanda

Brendan Griffin

282. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Brendan Griffin den Aire Ealaíon, Oidhreachta agus Gaeltachta cad iad na pleananna atá aici chun an tseirbhís leathanbhanda a fheabhsú sa Ghaeltacht; an bhfuil sí ar an eolas faoin iliomad fadhbanna sa Ghaeltacht de dheasca easpa seirbhíse leathanbhanda; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [34943/14]

Seirbhísí Tacaíochta Teanga

Brendan Griffin

287. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Brendan Griffin den Aire Ealaíon, Oidhreachta agus Gaeltachta cad iad na pleananna atá aici chun an méid Gaeilge a úsáideann daoine go laethúil i gCill Airne, Co. Chiarraí, a mhéadú; an bhfuil a fhios aige go bhfuil an Ghaelscoil sa bhaile ag fás go tapa, go bhfuil suim mhór sa teanga sa bhaile agus gur mhór an chabhair don tionscal turasóireachta níos mó Gaeilge a bheith á labhairt ann; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [34944/14]

Household Benefits Scheme

Brendan Griffin

161. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if she will permit recipients of carer's benefit to receive the household benefit package; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34738/14]

Pension Provisions

Brendan Griffin

202. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Finance his views on increasing revenue from the approved retirement fund (details supplied). [33258/14]

Flood Risk Assessments

Brendan Griffin

346. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his plans to address flooding problems at a location (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34978/14]

Criminal Law

Brendan Griffin

648. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Justice and Equality her views on a matter regarding legal protection in place to defend home owners (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34037/14]

Cancer Screening Programmes

Brendan Griffin

828. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health his plans to extend BreastCheck to 65 to 70 year olds; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33181/14]

Cancer Screening Programmes

Brendan Griffin

901. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health if he will introduce a prostate cancer screening programme similar to the BreastCheck programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33417/14]

Hospital Appointments Status

Brendan Griffin

960. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health if a date for an appointment for a MRI scan will be provided to a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33716/14]

Teachers' Remuneration

Brendan Griffin

1286. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Education and Skills her views on a matter (details supplied) regarding teachers' pay conditions; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33562/14]

Water Charges Exemptions

Brendan Griffin

1504. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will introduce additional domestic free water allowances for students over the age of 18 in full-time education; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33318/14]

Local Authority Charges Application

Brendan Griffin

1506. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if local authorities have the authority to charge rates on vacant commercial premises; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33375/14]

Departmental Funding

Brendan Griffin

1549. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the payments of public moneys that were made to An Taisce in 2013; the purpose of these payments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34069/14]

Fáilte Ireland Funding

Brendan Griffin

1681. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if a festival (details supplied) in County Kerry will be made eligible for national festival funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33180/14]

Departmental Budgets

Brendan Griffin

1746. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if the 2015 Údarás na Gaeltachta capital budget will be returned to €12 million and if the Foras na Gaeilge budget will be protected (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34039/14]

Human Rights Issues

Brendan Griffin

44. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the efforts made to help free the Al Jazeera journalists imprisoned in Egypt; if the Egyptian ambassador has been summoned regarding the issue; his plans on this matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32360/14]

Foreign Conflicts

Brendan Griffin

45. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the efforts made to help stop the Israeli bombardment of Gaza; if his attention has been drawn to the murder of innocent children and adults in Gaza during these bombardments; if the Israeli ambassador has been summoned regarding the issue; his future plans on this matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32361/14]

Undocumented Irish in the USA

Brendan Griffin

46. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the efforts to help the undocumented Irish in the USA; if he will outline any recent positive developments in this area; his future plans on this matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32362/14]

Garda Operations

Brendan Griffin

57. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Finance the street value of illicit and counterfeit cigarettes seized nationwide over each of the past ten years; if a breakdown of Garda districts exists for these seizures; the amount he estimates the street value of unseized products to be; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32368/14]

Garda Operations

Brendan Griffin

58. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Finance the street value of illicit and counterfeit alcoholic beverages seized nationwide over each of the past ten years; if a breakdown of Garda districts exists for these seizures; the amount he estimates the street value of unseized products to be; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32369/14]

Garda Operations

Brendan Griffin

59. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Finance the street value of illicit and counterfeit CDs and DVDs seized nationwide over each of the past ten years; if a breakdown of Garda districts exists for these seizures; the amount he estimates the street value of unseized products to be; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32370/14]

Garda Operations

Brendan Griffin

60. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Finance the at-the-pump value of laundered fuel seized nationwide over each of the past ten years; if a breakdown of Garda districts exists for these seizures; the amount he estimates the street value of unseized products to be; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32371/14]

Tax Code

Brendan Griffin

79. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Finance if he will consider reviewing the rate of DIRT tax to incentivise persons to invest; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32281/14]

Banking Operations

Brendan Griffin

84. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Finance his views that a bank (details supplied) in County Kerry is treating a person fairly following recent representations by this Deputy to his Department; if there has been any progress on this case [32341/14]

VAT Rate Reductions

Brendan Griffin

85. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Finance if he will reconsider reducing the rate of VAT payable by ice cream parlours to 9% in recognition of the labour intensive nature of the business and the heavy dependency that such businesses have on tourism; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32356/14]

GDP-GNP Levels

Brendan Griffin

86. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Finance if illegal trade in counterfeit and illicit alcohol, cigarettes, fuel, CDs and DVDs will be included in overall GDP figures, if so, the impact their inclusion will have; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32372/14]

GDP-GNP Levels

Brendan Griffin

87. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Finance if black market construction activity will be included in overall GDP figures; if so, the impact the inclusion will have; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32373/14]

Schools Building Projects Status

Brendan Griffin

229. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding the construction of the new primary and secondary schools in Milltown, County Kerry; the timeframe and completion dates for the projects; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32347/14]

School Transport Applications

Brendan Griffin

263. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Education and Skills if an application for a school bus service (details supplied) in County Kerry will be reviewed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32621/14]

Leader's Allowance

Brendan Griffin

292. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will provide in tabular form the unvouched amounts paid to Independent TDs under the heading of leaders’ allowance from their election to the 31st Dáil to 1 July 2014; if these payments were entirely tax free; the changes now put in place to stop unvouched claims under this heading and to reduce claims; if every eligible current Independent TD claimed the absolute maximum available under the leaders’ allowance until the Government changes were enforced; if any eligible current Independent TD ever returned any of the money involved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32339/14]

Leader's Allowance

Brendan Griffin

293. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the gross amount a PAYE worker would need to earn in a year to take home the cumulative amounts paid to Independent TDs under the heading of leaders’ allowance from their election to the 31st Dáil to 1 July 2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32340/14]