Ceisteanna Parlaiminte

Special Educational Needs Service Provision

Pat Deering

357. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Education and Skills the extra resources, in terms of hours and facilities, he will allocate to deal with the upsurge in autism nationally, and in County Carlow in particular. [13639/14]

Planning Issues

Pat Deering

670. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if live planning applications can be deferred or suspended when judicial reviews regarding such planning matters are underway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13269/14]

Planning Issues

Pat Deering

698. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will legislate so that all planning applications for wind farms, including those already submitted, can be put on hold until such time as the new guidelines are agreed and in place. [13609/14]

Motor Tax Collection

Pat Deering

701. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the reason it is not possible to tax a vehicle such as a combine harvester or forage harvester for three months rather than a full year, as these machines have a very limited season. [13666/14]

Hospital Appointment Delays

Pat Deering

987. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Health the reason a person (details supplied) has to wait a year for an ultrasound in Tallaght Hospital. [12890/14]

Medical Card Delays

Pat Deering

1052. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Health if an application for a full medical card will be expedited in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Carlow; the reason for delay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13303/14]

Medical Card Delays

Pat Deering

1053. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Health if an application for a full medical card will be expedited in respect of persons (details supplied) in County Carlow; the reason for delay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13304/14]

Medical Card Delays

Pat Deering

1054. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Health if an application for a full medical card will be expedited in respect of a person (details supplied) in Carlow; the reason for delay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13305/14]

Medical Card Delays

Pat Deering

1055. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Health if an application for a full medical card will be expedited in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Carlow; the reason for delay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13306/14]

Medical Card Delays

Pat Deering

1056. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Health if an application for a full medical card will be expedited in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Carlow; the reason for delay as it is an urgent case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13307/14]

Medical Card Delays

Pat Deering

1069. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Health if an application for a full medical card will be expedited in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Carlow; the reason for the delay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13405/14]

Flood Prevention Measures

Pat Deering

85. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform following the recent heavy rainfall and subsequent swelling and overflowing of many rivers, if he will consider a flood alleviation scheme and the necessary funding required to allow limited dredging of the Rivers Barrow and Slaney. [12472/14]

Seniors Alert Scheme

Pat Deering

152. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the outcome of his discussions with community alert organisations; and if he will put in place a process that the current pendant alert system can work without the use of a land line. [12566/14]

Sick Pay Scheme Reform

Pat Deering

145. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of both primary and post-primary teachers who have exceeded the number of sick days as per the latest guidelines and as a result are no longer being paid by his Department when they are absent; if he can provide a breakdown of the figures per county; if the revised sick leave guidelines for teachers have resulted in less absenteeism in recent years; the number of teachers who have been referred to Medmark in the past three years; and the number of those teachers who have left the profession as a result of these referrals. [11892/14]

Electricity Transmission Network

Pat Deering

316. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will confirm that the expert panel set up to look at pylons and their use will look at the existing Moneypoint to Kilcullen line, to see the impact the pylons have had in the areas of tourism, environmental impact, property values, health and agriculture. [11962/14]

General Practitioner Services

Pat Deering

253. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Health the process he has put in place for consultation-negotiation of proposed new contracts between the Irish Medical Organisation and the Health Service Executive-Department of Health. [11362/14]

Taxi Regulations

Pat Deering

198. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when local authorities will be briefed on the local area hackney licence; if there will be a template for the needs analysis provided; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11073/14]

Road Safety

Pat Deering

524. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport further to Parliamentary Question No. 243 of 123 February 2014, in respect of weight restrictions for agriculture tractor and trailers, if he will accept submissions before the statutory instrument is signed into legislation; and if he will give due consideration to the fact that both tractors and trailers are ever increasing in size and weight and the consequent reduction in the pay load as a result of a cap on the gross weight. [10878/14]

Electricity Transmission Network

Pat Deering

141. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources when the expert panel set up to look at the pylon issues will decide on its terms of reference; and when its work will commence. [9844/14]

Electricity Transmission Network

Pat Deering

142. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if submissions from community groups or persons will be accepted by the expert panel set up to look at the pylon issues. [9845/14]

Post Office Network

Pat Deering

143. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources when his plan for the future of post offices will be published. [9846/14]

Election Management System

Pat Deering

338. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform when a company (details supplied) in County Carlow will be paid for storage of election equipment. [9558/14]

Medical Card Reviews

Pat Deering

675. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Health when persons (details supplied) in County Carlow will have a decision on their medical card review. [9282/14]

Driver Licence Applications

Pat Deering

749. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will consider setting up an online tracking system for driving licence applications similar to that used by the Passport Office. [9559/14]

Road Tolls

Pat Deering

750. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will discuss with his Northern Ireland counterpart the possibility of a derogation for Irish hauliers on the daily charge to enter Northern Ireland under the HGV Road User Levy Act 2013. [9560/14]

Tax Credits

Pat Deering

50. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Finance if he will launch an information campaign for the income tax credit on home renovations as very few persons seem to be aware of the scheme. [8666/14]

Residency Permits

Pat Deering

187. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Justice and Equality when a decision will be made on an application seeking permission to remain in the State in respect of a person (details supplied) who is experiencing financial hardship while awaiting the decision and in the circumstances if he will expedite a decision. [8665/14]

Family Income Supplement Eligibility

Pat Deering

387. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason community employment scheme workers are prohibited from receiving family income supplement even though they are working the minimum hours required to qualify and their income is below the threshold. [7843/14]

Community Employment Schemes Data

Pat Deering

388. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Social Protection if she considers the work done and the skill required to efficiently carry out the necessary duties performed by warmer homes scheme employees has been adequately rewarded by topping up their social welfare payments by €20 per week. [7844/14]

Community Employment Schemes Review

Pat Deering

389. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Social Protection if all warmer home scheme employees involved in the fitting and installation receive the same top-up to their social welfare payments; and that bonuses and additional incentives are not offered by some companies. [7845/14]

Inter-Country Adoptions

Pat Deering

664. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if the valid timeframe for declarations to adopt a child from a country will be extended to allow enough time for the whole process to be completed. [7847/14]

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]

Vehicle Height Limits

Pat Deering

812. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the progress made to get an exclusion from the new load height restrictions for trailers transporting agricultural fodder. [7956/14]

Community Involvement Scheme

Pat Deering

813. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he has completed his review of the community involvement scheme; and whether a further allocation will be made for 2014. [7957/14]

Property Tax Application

Pat Deering

173. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Finance the reason it is possible for the Revenue Commissioners to deduct local property tax liabilities from jobseeker's payments as with other welfare payments. [6769/14]

School Accommodation

Pat Deering

225. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Education and Skills the total number of prefabs replaced in County Carlow schools, primary and post-primary; and the total amount of money spent on replacing these prefabs in the past three years. [6771/14]

Industrial Development

Pat Deering

272. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the number of IDA Ireland site visits to County Carlow in the past three years; and his views on whether it is satisfactory to meet the needs of the county. [6772/14]

Leader Programmes Funding

Pat Deering

365. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government when he will announce the next round of Leader funding for 2014-20; the total amount available; and if co-funding will be set at the corresponding 46% announced recently for other Pillar 2 moneys. [6770/14]

Compensation Awards

Pat Deering

418. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Justice and Equality further to Parliamentary Question No. 583 of 28 January 2014, if he will provide a more specific answer as the individual concerned has received the same reply twice each year for five or six years; and if he will indicate when the tribunal will be established. [6241/14]

Unfinished Housing Developments

Pat Deering

463. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the implications, legally, financially and insurance-wise, for the directors of a management company set up to manage the common areas of a multi-unit residential complex. [6767/14]

Legislative Measures

Pat Deering

464. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Justice and Equality his plans to introduce legislation to ban or restrict some or all handguns which are currently licensed and unrestricted. [6776/14]

Animal Welfare Expenditure

Pat Deering

515. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the total money allocated to each local authority, in tabular form, for the control of stray horses, in the past three years. [6773/14]

Primary Care Centre Provision

Pat Deering

632. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Health if he will provide a progress report on the primary care centres announced in 2012. [6774/14]

Primary Care Centre Provision

Pat Deering

633. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Health if he will provide a progress report on the primary care centre announced in 2012 for Tullow, County Carlow; when work will commence; and when he expects the centre to be in use. [6775/14]

Carer's Allowance Appeals

Pat Deering

311. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Social Protection further to Parliamentary Question No. 333 of 26 November 2013, where it was acknowledged that an appeal in respect of a person (details supplied) for carer's allowance was not acted on promptly, when a decision will issue. [4954/14]

Invalidity Pension Appeals

Pat Deering

344. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Social Protection when a person (details supplied) in County Carlow will receive a decision on their invalidity appeal; and if she will expedite a response. [5389/14]

Personal Injury Claims

Pat Deering

583. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Justice and Equality when a tribunal will be set up to examine and adjudicate a criminal injuries board incident in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Carlow. [3809/14]

Agricultural Colleges Places

Pat Deering

637. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the educational opportunities available to a young farmer who is currently in full time off farm employment and who wishes to qualify for incentives under the new Common Agricultural Policy and return to full time farming; and they are unable to attend full time or block release programmes. [4094/14]

Invalidity Pension Appeals

Pat Deering

378. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Social Protection when a person (details supplied) in County Carlow will receive a decision on their invalidity pension appeal; and if she will expedite a response. [2793/14]

Medical Card Applications

Pat Deering

594. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Carlow will receive a decision on their application for a medical card [2388/14]

Passport Applications

Pat Deering

34. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the position regarding a passport application submitted more than 12 months ago in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Carlow. [55226/13]

Rural Development Policy

Pat Deering

486. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government when the Commission for Economic Development of Rural Areas report will be launched. [55283/13]

Sports Capital Programme Applications

Pat Deering

10. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when the next round of the sports capital programme will be opened up for applications. [54254/13]

Public Transport

Pat Deering

54. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he is concerned about over crowding and the safety of passengers on Irish Rail train services; if he will ensure that a regular number of carriages are capable of facilitating the number of passengers wishing to use the service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54253/13]

Invalidity Pension Appeals

Pat Deering

304. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Social Protection when a person (details supplied) in County Carlow will receive a decision on an invalidity appeal; and if she will expedite an answer. [53882/13]

Departmental Investigations

Pat Deering

493. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of persons employed in the special investigation unit in his Department; the amount of money that has been allocated to this unit in the past three years in tabular form; if he will provide a detailed job specification for the investigators and training they have been given to help them perform their duties; the number of cases investigated in the past three years.; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54067/13]

Health Services Expenditure

Pat Deering

591. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Health the amount of funding allocated for Alzheimer's care in the past years, in tabular form, showing the breakdown between home care and community care. [54068/13]

Early Child Care Education Issues

Pat Deering

74. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Education and Skills if pupils attending a pre-school ASDl class for three to five year olds should be added on to the register in primary schools; if pupils attending pre-school ASD classes are to be included in the NEWB returns; and his plans to issue a circular regarding pre-school ASD classes clarifying such matters and also including length of day. [53603/13]

Exceptional Needs Payment Applications

Pat Deering

261. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Social Protection when a person (details supplied) in County Carlow will receive a reply to their application for an exceptional needs payment; and if she will expedite the matter. [52709/13]

Personal Public Service Numbers

Pat Deering

269. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Social Protection when a person (details supplied) will receive a response to their application for a PPS number; and if she will expedite an answer. [52844/13]

Subsidiary Protection Applications

Pat Deering

358. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Justice and Equality when a person (details supplied) will receive a response to their application for leave to remain. [52616/13]

Rent Supplement Scheme Administration

Pat Deering

118. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Social Protection the action a person who cannot rent a house for the maximum rate allowed can take to secure a rented home. [52304/13]

Invalidity Pension Appeals

Pat Deering

75. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding an application for an invalidity pension in respect of a person (details supplied). [52055/13]

Medical Card Applications

Pat Deering

157. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Carlow will receive a decision on their medical card application. [52033/13]

Property Taxation Administration

Pat Deering

48. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Finance if he will ensure that homeowners who wish to pay their local property tax but have not received their renewal notice, with ID and PIN number, will not face any kind of sanction or prosecution. [51560/13]

National Internship Scheme Placements

Pat Deering

163. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Social Protection the current number of JobBridge placements; the number there have been since the scheme was introduced on a county basis in tabular form; and the number of applicants who have secured permanent employment in their sponsor companies. [51419/13]

National Gas Grid

Pat Deering

223. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will commission an independent cost benefit analysis for the Grid Link project, exploring fully the underground and over ground options taking all health, social and economic factors into consideration. [51418/13]

Appointments to State Boards

Pat Deering

224. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the procedure that was followed for the selection of the new chairman of EirGrid. [51420/13]

Departmental Bodies Board Remuneration

Pat Deering

225. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the expenses paid to the board of EirGrid over the past five years in tabular form under the headings, fees, travel and subsistence collectively and on an individual basis. [51421/13]

Unfinished Housing Developments Data

Pat Deering

242. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will list the 40 unfinished housing estates that are to be demolished. [51422/13]

Departmental Bodies Board Remuneration

Pat Deering

243. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the expenses paid to the board of An Bord Pleanála over the past five years in tabular form, under the headings, fees, travel and subsistence, collectively and on an individual basis. [51423/13]

Electoral Reform

Pat Deering

268. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will extend voting rights to all EU citizens. [51839/13]

Rural Development Policy

Pat Deering

329. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he has considered Macra na Feirme's proposal for the reintroduction of the installation aid scheme for young farmers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51424/13]

Rural Development Programme Funding

Pat Deering

330. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he has considered the 50:50 co-financing for the Common Agricultural Policy rural development plan and the importance of such a scheme in helping farmers meet their Food Harvest 2020 targets. [51425/13]

Disability Support Services

Pat Deering

401. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Health his proposals regarding the deterioration of the early intervention service for children with special needs in Carlow, in terms of physiotherapy, speech therapy and occupational therapy (details supplied). [51432/13]

Social Welfare Appeals Delays

Pat Deering

329. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Social Protection when a person (details supplied) in County Carlow will receive a decision on their social welfare appeal; and if she will expedite same. [50192/13]

Carer's Allowance Appeals

Pat Deering

333. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Social Protection when a person (details supplied) in County Carlow will receive a decision on a carer's allowance appeal. [50248/13]

Leader Programmes Funding

Pat Deering

469. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the amount of money to be reallocated for Leader projects; the way it will be allocated; and when will it be announced. [50462/13]

Poultry Industry

Pat Deering

543. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of registered turkey producers here. [50459/13]

Poultry Industry

Pat Deering

544. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the total number of turkeys imported into the State and exported from the State in the past three years. [50460/13]

Equine Identification Scheme

Pat Deering

545. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the progress being made on the amnesty for unregistered horses. [50461/13]

Rent Supplement Scheme Applications

Pat Deering

106. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Social Protection when a person (details supplied) in County Carlow will receive an answer to their rent allowance application; and if she will expedite same. [49908/13]

Invalidity Pension Appeals

Pat Deering

92. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Social Protection when a person (details supplied) in County Carlow will receive a decision on their invalidity appeal; and if she will expedite an answer. [48646/13]

Medical Card Reviews

Pat Deering

166. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Health when persons (details supplied) in County Carlow will receive an answer to the review of their medical card; and if he will expedite an answer. [48400/13]

Medical Card Applications

Pat Deering

167. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Health when persons (details supplied) in County Carlow will receive an answer to their medical card application; and if he will expedite an answer. [48401/13]

Medical Card Reviews

Pat Deering

168. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Carlow will receive an answer on their medical card review; and if he will expedite an answer. [48402/13]

Social Welfare Appeals Status

Pat Deering

181. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Social Protection when a file will be released to the appeals office in order that an appeal can be decided upon in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Carlow; and if she will expedite an answer. [47720/13]

Health and Social Care Professionals Registration Fee

Pat Deering

431. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Health the reason there is a 16 to 20 week delay in registration with CORU, the umbrella body for the statutory regulation of health and social care professionals; the steps he is taking to reduce this to a more practical period in view of the fact that graduates cannot get a job interview without being registered; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47808/13]

Sports Capital Programme Applications

Pat Deering

41. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when he expects to invite applications for the next round of the sports capital programme; and if there will be changes to the terms and conditions of the programme and the application process from the last round. [46899/13]

Property Taxation Collection

Pat Deering

37. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Finance the reason it is necessary for persons who wish to pay their local property tax for 2014 by one lump sum postal order or cheque must do so immediately; if tax for 2014 will be only paid in 2014; and if he considers it unfair to expect persons to pay this tax twice in 2013. [47249/13]

Seniors Alert Scheme Issues

Pat Deering

111. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide an update on the senior alert scheme following the recent budget announcement that the telephone allowance will be discontinued from January 2014; and the provision that will be made to cater for areas where mobile coverage is limited or non-existent. [47251/13]

Schools Building Projects Status

Pat Deering

293. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Education and Skills if there are any short to medium term plans to provide an Educate Together secondary school in Carlow. [46109/13]

Invalidity Pension Appeals

Pat Deering

572. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Social Protection when a person (details supplied) in County Carlow will have a decision on their invalidity appeal; and if she will expedite an answer. [46943/13]

Community Policing

Pat Deering

786. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will make the necessary resources available to provide a dedicated phone line in both the Tullow and Carlow 24 hour Garda Stations for use by the pinpoint text alert system set up by many concerned communities. [46293/13]

Bullying in Schools

Pat Deering

177. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Education and Skills the reason the word "allegedly" or a word with a similar meaning was not used in the templates for the anti-bullying procedures for primary and post-primary schools in circular 0045/2013 and if the principle of being innocent until proven guilty has been ignored when drawing up this circular and associated templates; if schools have any options to modify template 1 and include words such as "allegedly" or "inappropriate behaviour"; if he will indicate the person involved in drawing up this particular circular; and if he will consider withdrawing this circular pending wider consultation and alternative wording. [44199/13]

Schools Building Projects Expenditure

Pat Deering

196. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Education and Skills the total amount of money allocated and the total amount drawn down for prefab replacements, new build, and upgrade, refurbishment and extension to Carlow schools, both primary and post-primary, on a school-by-school basis for 2011, 2012 and to date in 2013. [44564/13]

Social Welfare Fraud Data

Pat Deering

134. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of personnel employed in fraud investigation in her Department; the number at the same time in 2010; and the amount of money that has been generated from January to September 2013 as a result of these investigations and for the same period in 2010 on a county basis. [43153/13]

Disability Allowance Appeals

Pat Deering

142. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Social Protection when a person (details below) in County Carlow will receive a decision on their appeal for disability allowance; and if she will expedite the matter. [43237/13]

Vehicle Registration Issues

Pat Deering

224. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the way a tractor owner, who imported a tractor from the UK seven years ago and used it only for off-road purposes and now wishes to sell it or use it on the road, can regularise the situation if they do not have a tax book or an Irish registration. [43154/13]

Defence Forces Pension Provisions

Pat Deering

294. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Defence the reason the monthly payment date for retired army personnel pension is being changed from the 20th of each month to the 30th over a five month period; and if he has given consideration to the affect this will have on bank transaction dates such as mortgage repayments and-or other direct debit payments and considering the age profile of many of these pensioners the paperwork and stress involved in changing these payment dates. [43152/13]