Ceisteanna Parlaiminte

Renewable Energy Generation Issues

Robert Troy

304. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources following the close of submissions under the first phase of public consultation towards the development of an export policy for renewable energy on 22 November, the number of submissions received; the process which will be followed by his Department in the review of all submissions to ensure balance and transparency and to assuage an already sceptical public; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52565/13]

Electricity Generation

Robert Troy

305. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will indicate Ireland's target figure for electricity exports in megawatts, which is central to the UK-Ireland intergovernmental agreement under development (details supplied). [52566/13]

Child Care Qualifications

Robert Troy

457. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the selection criteria that was used when awarding a €900,000 training fund; the number of training agencies that were approached regarding this fund; if a cost benefit analysis was carried out on the successful agencies; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52627/13]

Medical Card Delays

Robert Troy

486. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health if he will ensure a person (details supplied) is granted a medical card without further delay. [52642/13]

Departmental Reports

Robert Troy

40. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if his Department's Annual Report for 2012 has been published yet. [52273/13]

Departmental Reports

Robert Troy

88. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Education and Skills if his Department's annual report for 2012 has been published yet. [52270/13]

Departmental Reports

Robert Troy

103. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if his Department's annual report for 2012 has been published yet. [52277/13]

Departmental Reports

Robert Troy

109. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if his Department's annual report for 2012 has been published yet. [52275/13]

Departmental Reports

Robert Troy

116. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Social Protection if her Department's annual report for 2012 has been published yet. [52278/13]

Departmental Reports

Robert Troy

134. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if his Department's annual report for 2012 has been published yet. [52266/13]

Departmental Reports

Robert Troy

140. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if his Department's annual report for 2012 has been published yet. [52268/13]

Waste Management

Robert Troy

151. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the additional green charges being proposed by him; and if his attention has been drawn to the fact that indirect taxes have disproportionate effects on those least able to pay. [52232/13]

Departmental Reports

Robert Troy

176. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if his Department's annual report for 2012 has been published. [52276/13]

Departmental Reports

Robert Troy

196. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Defence if his Department's annual report for 2012 has been published. [52269/13]

Departmental Reports

Robert Troy

199. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his Department's annual report for 2012 has been published. [52265/13]

Departmental Reports

Robert Troy

210. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if her Department's annual report for 2012 has been published. [52267/13]

Departmental Reports

Robert Troy

217. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health if his Department's annual report for 2012 has been published. [52274/13]

Departmental Reports

Robert Troy

250. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his Department's annual report for 2012 has been published. [52279/13]

Social Insurance

Robert Troy

68. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Social Protection when the initiative introduced in July 2011 to reduce the PRSI liability for employers hiring employees up to €365 per week will expire; if she has carried out any analysis on the impact this will have on employment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52030/13]

HSE Staffing

Robert Troy

156. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health the number of therapists employed, in psychology, occupational therapy, physiotherapy and speech and language, for children with disabilities in each of the four Health Service Executive regions; the waiting times for each service by region; the number of children on the waiting list for each service by region; if he will provide clarification on the HSE's budget for home support hours for children for 2011, 2012 and to date in 2013 in each of the four HSE regions. [52032/13]

Cash for Gold Trade

Robert Troy

290. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Justice and Equality further to Parliamentary Question No. 388 of 10 July 2012, if any developments, legislative or otherwise, have been made regarding the cash for gold business following consideration of the report published in summer 2012. [51549/13]

Hospital Appointments Administration

Robert Troy

459. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health if he will expedite a hospital appointment in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Longford. [51887/13]

Road Safety

Robert Troy

181. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the reason the section regarding the Civil Liabilities Act 1961 was never brought into law; what makes local authorities liable for road conditions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51106/13]

Property Taxation Collection

Robert Troy

57. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Finance if he will ensure that persons who opted to pay their property tax by visa debit are not penalised and forced to pay 2015 tax in 2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51100/13]

Hospital Appointment Status

Robert Troy

212. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health the position regarding a hospital appointment in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Longford. [51074/13]

Teaching Council of Ireland

Robert Troy

218. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Education and Skills the length of time before a teacher without practical experience will be de-registered from the Teaching Council. [50260/13]

Natural Heritage Areas Designation

Robert Troy

428. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if the ownership of Nure bog, County Westmeath has transferred from individual ownership to State ownership; the position regarding persons who wish to harvest turf in this bog from 2014 onwards; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50780/13]

Early Child Care Education

Robert Troy

566. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs to set out the mechanism with which she intends to roll out the mentoring programme for preschool years as announced in budget 2014; the timeframe for same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50255/13]

Early Child Care Education Standards

Robert Troy

567. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the changes she proposes to make to the child care or preschool regulations; and the timeframe in which these changes will be implemented. [50257/13]

Preschool Services

Robert Troy

568. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she will clarify the new fee structure for registration of preschool services; if this new fee will replace the existing fee; the current level of funding from existing fee and the projected level of funding; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50258/13]

Departmental Contracts

Robert Troy

572. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the procurement policy her Department undertook in awarding the €900,000 training fund contract; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50634/13]

Hospital Waiting Lists

Robert Troy

594. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health the reason a person (details supplied) in County Longford has had their operation for a hip replacement at MRH Tullamore postponed on three separate occasions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50256/13]

Property Taxation Application

Robert Troy

52. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Finance if a person has to pay a property tax on a second property (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49969/13]

Student Grant Scheme Applications

Robert Troy

64. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding a student grant in respect of a person (details supplied). [49839/13]

General Medical Services Scheme Administration

Robert Troy

204. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health if he will allow the medical card to cover Flexiseq, a pain medication ointment. [49862/13]

Student Grant Scheme Payments

Robert Troy

238. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will expedite a Student Universal Support Ireland grant payment in respect of a person (details supplied). [49093/13]

Schools Building Projects Status

Robert Troy

245. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Education and Skills his plans for a school (details supplied) in County Westmeath. [49190/13]

Student Grant Scheme Applications

Robert Troy

246. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will ensure a person (details supplied) is granted a special rate of Student Universal Support Ireland grant payment. [49263/13]

Special Educational Needs Service Provision

Robert Troy

247. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Education and Skills if adequate support will be offered to persons in a school (details supplied) in County Longford in terms of special needs assistants; and his views on whether this is acceptable and needs to be addressed straight away by providing the school with additional support. [49270/13]

Child Care Services Expenditure

Robert Troy

618. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the reason an IT system failure has resulted in child care education support scheme payment due to providers from 21 October to 1 December being delayed; when this problem will be rectified; and when service providers will receive payment. [49034/13]

Hospital Appointment Status

Robert Troy

675. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health the position regarding a hospital appointment in respect of a person (details supplied). [49247/13]

Garda Vetting Applications

Robert Troy

130. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will expedite Garda clearance in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Westmeath. [48602/13]

Youth Justice Strategy

Robert Troy

158. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs when she intends to publish a successor strategy to the National Youth Justice Strategy 2008-10; the reason no successor strategy has been published to date; her assessment of the impact of the 2008-10 strategy; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48467/13]

Child Care Services Inspections

Robert Troy

9. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number of additional inspectors for child care services that have been appointed since the end of May this year; the areas of the country where these appointments have been made; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48033/13]

Early Years Strategy Publication

Robert Troy

12. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs to explain the reason the issue of child care affordability was not considered in the recent expert group report on early years strategy; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48034/13]

Child Protection

Robert Troy

21. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she has received a report from the Health Service Executive regarding the recent incidents involving children in the Roma community; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47840/13]

Early Years Strategy Implementation

Robert Troy

26. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she intends to adopt the recommendations of the expert group report on the early years strategy; when the early years strategy will actually be published; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47844/13]

National Youth Strategy

Robert Troy

33. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs when the youth policy framework will be developed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47842/13]

Maternity Benefit Issues

Robert Troy

34. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the level of engagement she had with the Department for Social Protection regarding the changes in maternity benefit announced in budget 2014; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47843/13]

Children's Rights Referendum

Robert Troy

38. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the measures she is putting in place to underpin the result of the referendum on children's rights, which result has been upheld in the High Court; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47841/13]

Overseas Development Aid Issues

Robert Troy

55. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the projects that have developed or the differences that have occurred in Ireland's programme countries as a result of direct foreign aid by Ireland (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48246/13]

Universal Social Charge Application

Robert Troy

93. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Finance the reason a person's rate of universal social charge has not been lowered despite requesting twice that the Revenue Commissioners review same. [48028/13]

National Internship Scheme Data

Robert Troy

176. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will provide, in tabular form, the exact number of persons who signed up for the JobBridge scheme in County Westmeath; the exact number of persons who received employment from these internships in County Westmeath; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47954/13]

National Internship Scheme Data

Robert Troy

177. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will provide, in tabular form, the exact number of persons who signed up for the JobBridge scheme in County Longford; the exact number of persons who received employment from these internships in County Longford; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47955/13]

Departmental Expenditure

Robert Troy

392. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the reason that current net Voted expenditure in her Department was €29 million, 8% behind profile at the end of October 2013; if she expects this underspend to continue to the end of 2013; if any unspent allocation will be available for any other programmes in 2013; if she anticipates that any underspend in 2013 will be greater than the level of cuts her Department made in 2013; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47906/13]

Departmental Expenditure

Robert Troy

393. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the reason that capital net Voted expenditure in her Department was €12 million, 46.1% behind profile at the end of October 2013; if she expects this underspend to continue to the end of 2013; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47907/13]

State Bodies Issues

Robert Troy

400. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs her views regarding the sharing of administrative facilities for the Information Commissioner and the Office of the Ombudsman for Children; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48226/13]

Child Care Services Provision

Robert Troy

401. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she will examine the case of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 5 in respect of the welfare of the children. [48263/13]

Nursing Home Services

Robert Troy

446. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health if he will ensure that the double bariatric bed, shower chair and zimmer frame are transferred to Portiuncula Nursing Home without further delay as a person (details supplied) in County Westmeath is waiting to be admitted to this nursing home as their fair deal and actual bed is now in doubt due to the long delays. [47981/13]

Medical Aids and Appliances Provision

Robert Troy

487. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health the reason a person (details supplied) in County Longford was forced to pay for equipment associated with their care. [48288/13]

Capital Programme Expenditure

Robert Troy

9. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will outline the proposed quantum of money to be assigned to the sports capital programme and the road capital programme, including maintenance and construction, in view of the revenue raised from the sale of the national lottery; if he intends to allocate the sports capital and road capital money prior to the 2014 local and European elections; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47173/13]

Budget 2014

Robert Troy

16. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will outline in detail the way the reduction of €12.9 million in revenue allocation for the tourism section from his Department will impact on that sector in 2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47141/13]

Student Grant Scheme Delays

Robert Troy

102. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will expedite a Student Universal Support Ireland application in respect of a person (details supplied). [47449/13]

Garda Vetting of Personnel

Robert Troy

166. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the reason it takes in excess of six months for Garda clearance here when a request can be posted, processed and returned within one week from England (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47414/13]

Rail Services

Robert Troy

225. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his attention has been drawn to the fact that people are now sitting for up to three hours on train floors on route Sligo-Dublin 17.05, 07.26 as there are no seats; a family have also reportedly been forced to sit on the ground of the toilets on the 7.26 train as there were no seats, once these trains reached Maynooth there is serious overcrowding; the issue remains that the carriages have been shortened from six to four to save fuel; his views on whether this new system is a breach of health and safety standards; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47439/13]

JobBridge Internship Scheme Eligibility

Robert Troy

427. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Social Protection the reasons persons in receipt of farm assist are not considered eligible for inclusion in the JobBridge scheme. [45730/13]

Household Charge Exemptions

Robert Troy

655. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will exempt the residents of an estate (details supplied) in County Westmeath from paying the household charge under the unfinished estates category. [45766/13]

Adoption Issues

Robert Troy

1004. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if legislation will be amended, retrospectively, to allow families who hold declarations of eligibility and suitability to adopt issued prior to 31 October 2010, and who already have referrals of children in the Russian Federation, to proceed with their stalled Russian adoptions, as previously indicated. [47038/13]

Medical Aids and Appliances Provision

Robert Troy

1052. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health if he will ensure that a person (details supplied) is granted a swivel chair for their vehicle as they suffer mobility problems. [45832/13]

Hospital Waiting Lists

Robert Troy

1219. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health the position regarding a hospital appointment in respect of a person ( details supplied) in County Longford; and if he will expedite same. [46860/13]

Mobility Allowance Review

Robert Troy

1244. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health when the replacement scheme for the mobility allowance scheme will be announced; and when this replacement programme will be in place to accommodate those who were so heavily reliant on the previous scheme. [47045/13]

Wind Energy Guidelines

Robert Troy

18. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the date on which new guidelines for the planning of onshore wind farms will be published; if he is concerned that wind energy companies may seek to submit their planning proposals in advance of new planning guidelines; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44965/13]

Tax Credits

Robert Troy

58. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Finance if he will consider making adjustments to the single parent tax credit to allow an element of tax planning whereby the spouses could elect which spouse claims the credit or the credit could be split in the most tax efficient way by the Revenue Commissioners (details supplied). [45469/13]

Tax Credits

Robert Troy

59. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Finance if he will clarify the position regarding which parent would be allowed the single parent tax credit in the case of one child living with his or her mother and a second child living with its father, which is a common situation. [45470/13]

Legislative Process

Robert Troy

196. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Justice and Equality asked if the provisions of the Criminal Justice (Withholding of Information on Offences Against Children and Vulnerable Persons) Act 2012 require the making of a ministerial order in order to commence; and if such an order has commenced. [45349/13]

Child Care Qualifications

Robert Troy

219. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she will examine opening up internships in the quality control area for childcare especially for those with a level 8 BA early childhood care and education degree or similar; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45457/13]

NAMA Portfolio Issues

Robert Troy

13. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide a breakdown by county of the number of the National Asset Management Agency properties identified by NAMA for social housing; the number identified by local authorities as being suitable; the number transferred to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44850/13]

Rural Recreation Policy

Robert Troy

26. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his plans for the development of rural recreation in 2014; the increase or decrease in funding available from his Department for this purpose; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44881/13]

School Uniforms

Robert Troy

101. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Education and Skills the reason some post-primary schools are requesting students to purchase expensive school blazers as part of the uniform that are only to be worn to and from school (details supplied). [45058/13]

Bord na Móna Operations

Robert Troy

137. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will prevent the downgrading of Bord na Móna at Boora works, Leabeg, Tullamore, County Offaly (details supplied). [44991/13]

Appointments to State Boards

Robert Troy

66. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht when he intends to fill vacancies at the Censorship of Publications Board, the Irish Museum of Modern Art, the Chester Beatty Library and the Arts Council; the reason for the delay in these appointments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44485/13]

Tax Reliefs Application

Robert Troy

144. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Finance if he will reintroduce tax deductions for charitable donations made by the self-employed. [44545/13]

Carer's Allowance Applications

Robert Troy

228. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will expedite an application for carer's allowance in respect of a person (details supplied) under financial grounds. [44097/13]

Youth Cafés Provision

Robert Troy

467. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she will approve an application for funding under the capital programme made in respect of the Mullingar youth cafe. [44096/13]

Hospital Waiting Lists

Robert Troy

523. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health if he will ensure a person (details supplied) in County Longford receives an appointment as a matter of urgency. [44345/13]

Appointments to State Boards

Robert Troy

20. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Social Protection the procedure that is followed by her Department when appointing members of the public to State boards or other agencies under the aegis of her Department; if she will outline all appointments made by her to all boards or agencies since March 2011; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43329/13]

Student Universal Support Ireland Administration

Robert Troy

84. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will expedite a Student Universal Support Ireland application in respect of a person (details supplied); and if he will expedite this application. [43955/13]

Naturalisation Applications

Robert Troy

171. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will expedite the naturalisation application in respect of a person (details supplied). [44079/13]

Special Educational Needs Staffing

Robert Troy

20. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Education and Skills the change in criteria for allocating resource teachers; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that these changes have resulted in resource teachers being split between schools and spending considerable time travelling from place to place instead of working. [43756/13]

School Staffing

Robert Troy

27. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Education and Skills if there are any legacy teaching posts within his Department; and if so, the number and the cost to his Department. [43857/13]

Departmental Expenditure

Robert Troy

125. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the amount it costs to run education and welfare boards. [43858/13]

Ambulance Service Provision

Robert Troy

151. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact that since the ambulance service closed in the Enfield area, County Meath and relocated to Dublin the Baconstown first responders group in the area have not been receiving calls; if he will ensure that they are kept informed by emergency services in the area as they provide an invaluable service and must be respected. [43775/13]

Medical Card Data

Robert Troy

152. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health if he will provide the exact figures of the number of discretionary medical cards that have been issued in the past year in the Dublin mid-Leinster region; and the number that were issued in the same region in 2012. [43778/13]

Disabilities Services Funding

Robert Troy

153. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health if he will ensure that there are no more budget cuts to the intellectual disability budget this year as this sector is simply unable to withstand further cuts and needs to be protected and supported. [43779/13]

Tax Collection

Robert Troy

32. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Finance the reason Revenue has backdated tax in respect of a person (details supplied). [43377/13]

Legislative Programme

Robert Troy

115. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Social Protection when the legislation requiring mandatory naming of a child's father on a birth certificate will be brought forward. [43001/13]

Household Benefits Scheme

Robert Troy

116. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will confirm that people currently with a free television licence will receive a waiver from the new broadcasting fee. [43003/13]

Household Benefits Scheme

Robert Troy

117. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will confirm her commitment to protect the household benefit package as this package is of critical importance to the recipients. [43006/13]

Carer's Allowance Appeals

Robert Troy

118. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will expedite a carer's allowance appeal in respect of a person (details supplied). [43008/13]

Social and Affordable Housing Eligibility

Robert Troy

211. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government further to Parliamentary Question No. 478 of 01 October 2013, if he will clearly state whether he will make provisions for local authorities to use their discretion when dealing with applicants who are separated and for cost and legal reasons are still named as a joint property owner; and if he will allow local authorities to consider cases such as these for social housing. [42987/13]