Parliamentary questions

Unfinished Housing Developments

Mattie McGrath

792. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if all unfinished housing estates that are not exempt from the local property tax will now be taken in charge by their relevant local authorities; if public lighting, finished roads and so on will now be provided in these estates; if not, the services that will be provided to these estates; if no extra services will be provided, the reason these estates are not exempt from the local property tax in view of the fact that they are not receiving any public services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16651/13]

Building Regulations Application

Mattie McGrath

847. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if local authorities made efforts to communicate the new housing regulations to landlords; and the efforts that have been made to communicate these new regulations and their implications to tenants who might be affected by them. [17501/13]

Building Regulations Application

Mattie McGrath

848. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the rights that tenants have when their accommodations is below the new standards for housing regulation. [17502/13]

Building Regulations Application

Mattie McGrath

849. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government when a local authority finds that bed-sit accommodation which does not meet the new housing regulations is still being tenanted, the action that will be taken and the way in which the tenure of the current tenants will be affected. [17503/13]

Building Regulations Application

Mattie McGrath

850. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the guidance that has been provided by him in relation to tenants about procedures to identify and avoid any risk of homelessness. [17504/13]

Building Regulations Application

Mattie McGrath

851. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the number of housing units that have been upgraded, that will be upgraded and that might be withdrawn from the private rented sector as a result of the new housing regulations. [17505/13]

Building Regulations Application

Mattie McGrath

852. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the discussions that he has had with the Department of Social Protection regarding the increased demands on rent supplement as non-working tenants of bed-sits seek more expensive accommodation as a result of the new housing regulations; and the procedures that will be put in place to support vulnerable tenants in making this transition. [17506/13]

Building Regulations Application

Mattie McGrath

853. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he has a target date by which all inspections of housing will be completed and that all below-standard bed-sits are withdrawn from the housing market. [17507/13]

Water Fluoridation

Mattie McGrath

1230. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health if, despite the fact that our national water supply has been artificially fluoridated for the past 49 years, there has been any testing of the chemicals for their safety on human health; if so, when this took place; if not, the reason for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16692/13]

Medical Card Reviews

Mattie McGrath

1287. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health the reason when carrying out medical card reviews, particularly in the case of the elderly, that is, those in receipt of a State pension, the Health Service Executive cannot simply send a letter asking whether or not the medical card holder's circumstances have changed rather than expecting the medical card holder to complete the review form and gather all necessary information again as in such cases, circumstances are unlikely to have changed and these review letters can cause stress and anxiety to the elderly while sending a change of circumstances letter would significantly reduce administration in the medical card office; if he will ask the HSE to examine this matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17148/13]

Departmental Programmes

Mattie McGrath

1324. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health when the first phase of the national asthma programme will be implemented; the initial actions that will be taken by him in order to implement the programmer; and the deadlines for these actions [17519/13]

Departmental Programmes

Mattie McGrath

1325. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health the reason implementation of the national asthma programme was not prioritised in the 2013 Health Service Executive services plan with more than one person per week dying from asthma and 470,000 people here living with this respiratory disease that is particularly prevalent in children, with one in five children here suffering from the disease; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17520/13]

Property Taxation Exemptions

Mattie McGrath

398. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the criteria that was used when deciding which housing estates were exempt from the local property tax; the category of unfinished housing estates that were included on this list; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15341/13]

Orthodontic Services Waiting Lists

Mattie McGrath

576. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the orthodontic treatment waiting list in the South East is currently dating back to August 2009; the reason for this delay; the efforts being made to address this backlog and the options available to patients who are waiting for treatment since 2009/2010 almost three years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15156/13]

Tourism Promotion

Mattie McGrath

615. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when the Tourist Office in Cahir will open for the summer; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15118/13]

Leader Programmes Expenditure

Mattie McGrath

164. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the way savings will be made by his proposals to streamline the LEADER programmes under local authorities as part of the alignment process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14366/13]

Registered Employment Agreements

Mattie McGrath

288. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the reason the registered employment agreement is being challenged in the High Court; and if he will indicate the present status of the agreement. [14107/13]

Road Network

Mattie McGrath

365. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the amount of money that has been spent on the purchase of land for future roads projects in every county council in the south east region each year for the past three years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13704/13]

Road Traffic Legislation

Mattie McGrath

398. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Defence if he will clarify the advice given on the way in which blue flashing lights should be used on vehicles by the Civil Defence when attending to emergency events on motorways; if he will further clarify regarding the implementation of the Road Traffic Act 2011; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13803/13]

Nursing Homes Support Scheme

Mattie McGrath

460. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health the number of applicants awaiting approval for the fair deal scheme in County Tipperary; of these applicants, the number currently in acute beds in hospital; the number of applicants waiting more than one month for approval for the scheme from the time of application; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14147/13]

Property Taxation Exemptions

Mattie McGrath

50. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Finance the position in relation to liability for the property tax where a person lives above a pub or shop and is paying rates on the entire building; if he will clarify whether or not they are liable for the property tax; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13195/13]

Fuel Rebate Scheme

Mattie McGrath

58. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Finance if he plans to extend the fuel rebate recently amended in Finance Bill 2013 to include road hauliers and coach companies to the Association of Farm Contractors in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13374/13]

Local and Community Development Programme

Mattie McGrath

142. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government when he will release the budget to the local development companies here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13288/13]

Tax Reliefs Application

Mattie McGrath

184. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Finance if he will amend section 469 (1)(f) of the Taxes Consolidation Act (1997) to delete the words, "or similar treatment prescribed by a practitioner", and to leave the word, "Physiotherapy", to ensure that extra costs are not imposed on physiotherapy patients who have not been referred by their general practitioner, hospital accident and emergency or medical consultant and to ensure that his commitment to the provision of health care in the primary care setting is protected and to ensure that they meet their goal of meeting 90% of health care needs through the primary care setting; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12904/13]

Public Sector Pensions Issues

Mattie McGrath

247. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if the pension related deduction is ever going to be refunded to those with salaries of less than €30,000 as originally stated when the pension related deduction was introduced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12595/13]

Community Employment Schemes Eligibility

Mattie McGrath

309. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Social Protection the avenue available to a person who is unemployed or disabled who wishes to pursue a community employment or FÁS training course and so on but who is not in receipt of a payment due to the income of their spouse and where such a course would be beneficial to their rehabilitation and well-being; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12486/13]

Tax Code

Mattie McGrath

643. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health if he will have the Department of Finance amend Section 469 (1)(f) of the Taxes Consolidation Act (1997) to delete the words, "or similar treatment prescribed by a practitioner", and to leave the word, "physiotherapy", to ensure that extra costs are not imposed on physiotherapy patients who have not been referred by their general practitioner, hospital accident and emergency or medical consultant and to ensure that the Government's commitment to the provision of health care in the primary care setting is protected and to ensure that it meets its goal of meeting 90% of health care needs through the primary care setting; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12903/13]

Banking Sector Regulation

Mattie McGrath

62. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Finance if Allied Irish Banks, in which he is the shareholder of 99.8% of the shares, will meet the Central Bank of Ireland licensing criteria as set out in the Licensing and Supervision Requirements and Standards for Credit Institutions. [11728/13]

Banking Sector Regulation

Mattie McGrath

63. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Finance if Permanent TSB, in which he is the shareholder of 99.5% of the shares, can meet the Central Bank of Ireland licensing criteria as set out in the Licensing and Supervision Requirements and Standards for Credit Institutions. [11729/13]

Banking Sector Regulation

Mattie McGrath

64. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Finance if Bank of Ireland, in which he is the shareholder of 15% of the shares, will meet the Central Bank of Ireland licensing criteria as set out in the Licensing and Supervision Requirements and Standards for Credit Institutions. [11730/13]

Banking Sector Regulation

Mattie McGrath

65. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Finance if Ulster Bank Ireland will meet the Central Bank of Ireland licensing criteria as set out in the Licensing and Supervision Requirements and Standards for Credit Institutions. [11731/13]

Banking Sector Regulation

Mattie McGrath

66. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Finance if Danske Bank will meet the Central Bank of Ireland licensing criteria as set out in the Licensing and Supervision Requirements and Standards for Credit Institutions. [11732/13]

Banking Sector Regulation

Mattie McGrath

67. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Finance if ACC Bank will meet the Central Bank of Ireland licensing criteria as set out in the Licensing and Supervision Requirements and Standards for Credit Institutions. [11733/13]

Banking Sector Regulation

Mattie McGrath

68. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Finance if KBC Bank Ireland will meet the Central Bank of Ireland licensing criteria as set out in the Licensing and Supervision Requirements and Standards for Credit Institutions. [11734/13]

Tús Scheme

Mattie McGrath

129. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason a participant of a community employment scheme is ineligible from applying for a position as a Tús scheme supervisor when a Tús participant is eligible to apply; the grounds on which a community employment participant is prevented from applying; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11862/13]

Water Meters Installation

Mattie McGrath

346. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the reason that there is a requirement for an average annual turnover of €400,000 to qualify under the water metering qualification system for the subcontractor panel; the reason for such a high turnover; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that this will limit the ability of small businesses to qualify to tender; if he will clarify exactly the way 25% of the water metering jobs are going to be given to small local businesses, graduates and the unemployed when such a requirement exists; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11180/13]

Carbon Tax Exemptions

Mattie McGrath

100. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Finance if he will amend the Finance Act 2013 to ensure that all registered agricultural contractors and FCI member contractors will be entitled to claim carbon tax relief against their income tax as farmers can currently claim this relief but agricultural contractors can not; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10678/13]

Hospitals Capital Programme

Mattie McGrath

268. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health the reason the acute hospital budget for hospitals in the south east is significantly lower than the budgets in all other regions which stands at just €565 per capita compared to an average per capita spend of €691; the basis on which the acute hospital budget allocation is made; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10482/13]

Sports Capital Programme Applications

Mattie McGrath

281. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the reasons an application for funding under the sports capital grant could be made invalid; where these conditions are published; the way an application can be deemed invalid for reasons that they were not made aware of prior to submission of the application and for reasons that were not published with the application form; the appeals process available where an application is deemed invalid for unfair reasons; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10451/13]

Unfinished Housing Developments Data

Mattie McGrath

436. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government , further to Parliamentary Question No. 456 of 12 February 2013, the reason an estate in south Tipperary which had been classed in category three unfinished estates by South Tipperary County Council in 2011 has not been included in his Departments list of unfinished estates for household charge purposes; if his Department has received requests from South Tipperary County Council to correct the omission of this estate (details supplied); if he will have this estate included in the list; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9671/13]

Garda Transport Data

Mattie McGrath

516. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Justice and Equality further to Parliamentary Question No. 129 of 7 February 2013, of the 31 patrol vehicles allocated to the Tipperary division if he will provide a breakdown by district of the number of these cars that are operated by the traffic corps within their division; the number that are used solely for patrol purposes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10139/13]

Departmental Funding

Mattie McGrath

702. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health where funding for an organisation (details supplied) comes from for their residential and outreach services; if the organisation receives State funding; the amount of funding the organisation has received each year for the past five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10136/13]

Teachers' Remuneration

Mattie McGrath

109. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Skills further to Parliamentary Question No. 156 of 6 June 2012 his views on whether the position adopted by his predecessor and outlined in that letter was varied in the case of six individuals mentioned in the reply to Question No. 156; if he will provide the names of those six persons and the name of the person who authorised the deviation from the former Minister's position; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9528/13]

IBRC Liquidation

Mattie McGrath

263. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Finance the hourly rate and the amount that has been paid to date to the Joint Special Liquidators appointed by him to liquidate the Irish Bank Resolution Corporation, formerly Anglo Irish bank under the provisions of the Irish bank Resolution Corporation Act 2013; the way this hourly rate compares with other countries in the EU; his views on the often exorbitant rates of pay charged by liquidators, examiners and receivers; if he has considered introducing legislation or regulation to ensure that the State is not ripped off by such persons; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8357/13]

Financial Services Ombudsman

Mattie McGrath

287. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Finance if he will provide a breakdown of levies paid by each credit institution to the Financial Services Ombudsman in 2010, 2011 and 2012 [8799/13]

Financial Services Ombudsman

Mattie McGrath

297. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Finance if he will provide a breakdown of fines imposed on each credit institution, including compensation awards, by the Financial Services Ombudsman in 2010, 2011 and 2012. [8987/13]

Social and Affordable Housing Provision

Mattie McGrath

518. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the number of loans that have been provided to and agreed directly with approved housing bodies by the Housing Finance Agency in the provision of new finance for social housing; and the number of homes that have been completed with such finance to date in view of the fact that almost 100,000 households are in need of social housing. [8644/13]

Sentencing Policy

Mattie McGrath

575. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Justice and Equality his views on the current indefinite detention of a person (details supplied); the circumstances of their detention; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8674/13]

Prison Committals

Mattie McGrath

576. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of business persons jailed for contempt of court for each of the past five years. [8675/13]

Departmental Expenditure

Mattie McGrath

577. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the costs to the State of the jailing of persons for contempt of court. [8676/13]