Ceisteanna Parlaiminte

Commemorative Events

Maureen O'Sullivan

3. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the extent of consultation made in relation to the celebration and commemoration of the historical events of 1912-1922; the remit of the Decades Committee in the Dáil; the extent of its work to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24540/14]

National Monuments

Maureen O'Sullivan

5. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if he will prescribe an oversight mechanism in his Department and under his remit to ensure consistency in local authority local development plans for the protection of historically important sites, monuments or buildings of architectural importance as local authority treatment of important areas and sites is done in a case-by-case manner; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24541/14]

Commemorative Events

Maureen O'Sullivan

17. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if he is satisfied that plans to date to commemorate and celebrate the centenary of the 1916 Rising are such as will be fitting for such a momentous occasion; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24287/14]

Heritage Council Funding

Maureen O'Sullivan

19. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if he envisages funding for his Department will be maintained for the year 2015 at the same levels as the year 2014; the funding priorities he envisages for the new year; if funding for the Heritage Council will be maintained; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24284/14]

National Parks and Wildlife Service Remit

Maureen O'Sullivan

25. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if he will outline the work his Department is doing in regard to the biodiversity crisis in Ireland, as was highlighted by National Biodiversity Week; the way the National Parks and Wildlife Service is addressing biodiversity concerns in our national parks such as a potential population decrease in badgers due to badger culling and the return of an invasive form of rhododendrons in national parks as seen in Killarney National Park among other growing biodiversity concerns; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24285/14]

Magdalen Laundries

Maureen O'Sullivan

130. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if she will ensure that there are no additional delays or interruptions on the Magdalen implementation plan especially by supporting the completion of pending legislation and the expeditious payment of pensions. [24948/14]

Magdalen Laundries

Maureen O'Sullivan

131. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if she supports the broader interpretation of Justice Quirke's recommendations on health care which will afford all women, regardless of place of residence, full health care equal to the holders of the HAA card. [24949/14]

Rent Supplement Scheme Payments

Maureen O'Sullivan

92. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Social Protection in view of the fact that persons on rent allowance are finding it very difficult to find accommodation to suit the caps on rent allowance and where a family might be expected to move from their local community, the reason she will not consider implementing caps on the amount the landlord is allowed to charge for the rental property; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24125/14]

Social Welfare Code

Maureen O'Sullivan

119. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Social Protection in respect of Members' inquiry lines, when a Deputy puts a query into a social welfare section for example on carer's allowance and repeatedly checks for an update to the query with the consent of the constituent, do regulations stipulate that a decision on a case can no longer be given to the Deputy directly or to his or her staff until her Department has written to the constituent; if this is the case, when was this regulation brought into effect; and if so, the way a Deputy's office can continue to represent a constituent on their behalf in relation to social welfare queries; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24124/14]

Animal Welfare

Maureen O'Sullivan

396. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the local government authority pounds that rehome dog breeds legislated under the Control of Dogs Act 1998 regulations, and which do not; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24510/14]

Social and Affordable Housing Provision

Maureen O'Sullivan

110. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the way the Construction 2020 plan will contribute to the social housing needs; the way the plan will stimulate construction of social housing units in order to alleviate the housing crisis, particularly in Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23829/14]

Autism Support Services

Maureen O'Sullivan

22. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Education and Skills further to Parliamentary Question No. 243 of 4 February 2014, his views on the way his Department's early intervention preschools, set up to support children with a diagnosis of autism, are functioning; if there has been engagement with the primary school teachers and special needs assistants working in these preschool classes as to their capacity, ability, skills and training to work with children with autism and children with challenging behaviour; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23291/14]

Teacher Redeployment

Maureen O'Sullivan

23. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Education and Skills his views on whether June is too late for the appeals board to sit in relation to teachers from primary schools; if he will consider bringing it forward; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23292/14]

Northern Ireland Issues

Maureen O'Sullivan

3. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will outline his engagement with Northern Ireland and British authorities regarding prisoner issues in Northern Ireland; his views on the concerns of those who see these matters as threatening peace and stability; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23287/14]

Foreign Policy

Maureen O'Sullivan

5. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he has made or will make representations to the United States authorities on the continued unjust incarceration of three of the Cuban five, in view of revelations regarding the undercover construction of a mobile phone message system by the United States with the goal of overthrowing the Cuban Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23288/14]

Workplace Safety

Maureen O'Sullivan

9. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will raise at European level the International Labour Organization's Decent Work campaign and Turkey's refusal to sign the ILO convention, in view of the recent mining accident which saw the deaths of 301 persons and in view of the fact that many are still unaccounted for; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that mining accidents account for 10% of workplace accidents in Turkey, which is higher than death rates for miners in China; if he will address at European level the questionable privatisation policies of resource industries in Turkey and the shortfall in investment in maintaining work safety in privatised mines; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23177/14]

Overseas Development Aid Expenditure

Maureen O'Sullivan

11. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade in view of the conclusions in the 2014 annual report to the European Council on EU development aid targets at the Foreign Affairs Council meeting in Brussels on 19 May 2014, his views on another significant shortfall in the EU's collective overseas development aid, ODA, which, despite an increase from €55.3 billion in 2012 to €56.5 billion in 2013, remains at 0.43% of EU GNI; his views on the way Ireland will contribute to the EU's goal of 0.7% of GNI by 2015; the preparation the Government is making in advance of a possible failure to meet the 2015 goals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23178/14]

Humanitarian Aid

Maureen O'Sullivan

16. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will use his diplomatic channels and membership of the Human Rights Council to persuade the Angolan Government urgently to address the deteriorating humanitarian situation in that country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23181/14]

Middle East Issues

Maureen O'Sullivan

22. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if his attention has been drawn to the latest report by Defence for Children International - Palestine, published on 12 May 2014, which details the alarming rise in numbers of Palestinians being subjected to solitary confinement; his views on whether solitary confinement solely for interrogation purposes amounts to torture; if he will condemn Israel's use of solitary confinement against Palestinian children; if he will make representations to the Israeli Government, which is a signatory to the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and the UN Convention Against Torture, in order to raise this issue and press Israeli authorities to cease this degrading treatment of Palestinian children held in Israeli custody; if he will call for the release of the imprisoned members of the Palestinian Legislative Council, including Marwan Barghouti; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23179/14]

Universal Social Charge Application

Maureen O'Sullivan

14. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Finance the rationale behind the suggestion of increasing the universal social charge by 7% when assurances were given that the USC was only a temporary measure; his view on whether the taxpayer can afford this increase on top of the upcoming water charges; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23045/14]

Death of Russian Politician

Maureen O'Sullivan

15. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Finance if he will act in support of a range of countries around the world that are experiencing debt distress by raising their cases through Ireland's membership of the World Bank and IMF and through relevant regional banks which lend to those countries; if he will pay particular attention to the Caribbean region where this month the Caribbean Community, CARICOM, called for debt cancellation and wider economic justice measures for the region, which experienced an average debt-to-GDP ratio of 70% in 2012, increasing to more than 90% for the Eastern Caribbean Currency Union; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23046/14]

Overseas Development Aid Oversight

Maureen O'Sullivan

68. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the specifics of the new initiative he launched at the meeting of the Global Partnership for Effective Development Co-operation, through which Ireland, Mozambique, Finland and Switzerland will work together to strengthen the quality and co-ordination of development co-operation in Mozambique and to bring new donors, such as China and Brazil, and civil society organisations into aid co-ordination and planning; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23192/14]

Foreign Conflicts

Maureen O'Sullivan

69. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade in view of the recent national commemoration of the Irish Famine, and Ireland's experience with famine, if he will address the ongoing failure of the international community to deliver aid to those starving to death in Syria as caused by the Assad's regime policy of starve or surrender; if he will insist that aid is delivered across Syria's borders to hundreds of thousands of Syrians in need of food; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23193/14]

Insurance Levy

Maureen O'Sullivan

145. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Finance if he will provide an update on the Government's potential levy charge on insurance companies and its potential contribution to a distress fund for home owners without flood cover; the amount of funds that will go towards the Office of Public Works flood relief schemes to increase insurability of homes in certain areas; the amount that will go towards home owners who cannot afford to purchase insurance schemes due to persistent high costs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16811/14]

NAMA Portfolio

Maureen O'Sullivan

155. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Finance if he will direct the National Asset Management Agency to publish its property portfolios in its entirety in order to make vacant properties visible and possibly available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19454/14]

Family Income Supplement Applications

Maureen O'Sullivan

470. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Social Protection the current average length of time for a family income supplement application to be processed in her Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23303/14]

Cóid Phoist

Maureen O'Sullivan

498. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan den Aire Cumarsáide, Fuinnimh agus Acmhainní Nádúrtha cén fáth go bhfuil neamhaird á tabhairt ar an nGaeilge agus na postchóid nua á gcinneadh; céard atá á dhéanamh aige chun a chinntiú nach gcuirfear deireadh le seoltaí i nGaeilge. [23189/14]

Election Management System

Maureen O'Sullivan

508. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will clarify the legal requirements for printed election material, including leaflets, newsletters and posters, in relation to imprint law and the inclusion of information including the name, address of the printer and publisher by all political parties and-or candidates in all elections, whether local, national, European or presidential; if the same legal requirements apply to all printed matter or just election material relating to the candidate seeking election; if his attention has been drawn to the inclusion on some election material of false addresses for the printer and publisher; if any fines have been given in relation to this breach; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22687/14]

Motor Tax Collection

Maureen O'Sullivan

544. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will consider restructuring commercial vehicle road tax in the South of Ireland in line with comparable costs in Northern Ireland; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that a local haulier in Ireland pays an average of €3,500 per annum per truck to the local authority or Department, while a local haulage operator in Northern Ireland pays an average of £640 per truck per annum; if he will establish a working group with the Irish Road Haulage Association within his Department in order for these issues to be addressed in time for budget 2015; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22685/14]

Control of Dogs

Maureen O'Sullivan

545. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the reason a growing number of local authorities are increasingly not rehoming or releasing dogs to rescue centres and instead directly euthanase dog breeds currently listed under the Control of Dogs Act 1998 regulations; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the current legislation incentivises councils to euthanase rather than taking the risk of releasing them for fear of legal prosecution; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22689/14]

Proposed Legislation

Maureen O'Sullivan

681. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality further to Parliamentary Question No. 155 of 14 May 2014, if she will respond specifically in relation to last week's judgment of the European Court of Justice in Case C 604/12 H. N. v. Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, Ireland, Attorney General; if she will be considering introducing a single procedure for international protection by way of statutory instrument or amending legislation in advance of the Immigration, Residence and Protection Bill; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22834/14]

Garda Vetting Applications

Maureen O'Sullivan

703. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the action open to a person (details supplied) in Dublin 1 who has Garda clearance since 1994 and has worked with vulnerable persons but recently had false information about them on file flagged when they applied for Garda clearance for another position; the procedures in place for this person who suspects their name was used by another person or by someone with the same name; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23334/14]

Medical Card Administration

Maureen O'Sullivan

811. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health if he will confirm that a private company (details supplied) in Dublin 3 has been contracted to assess medical card applications here; the level of training they have for assessing medical cards; if he will specify their background in social care work; if they have Garda clearance; the level of access they have to computerised systems involving medical card information, previous company; if the medical card helpline is also run by a private company; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22686/14]

Rail Network

Maureen O'Sullivan

981. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide an update on the plans in respect of the DART interconnector; if funding has been secured; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22799/14]

Ports Policy

Maureen O'Sullivan

15. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the extent of consultation with stakeholders-employers in Dublin Port to date regarding future development plans for the port; his role in the master plan for Dublin Port; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21292/14]

National Transport Authority

Maureen O'Sullivan

48. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he has made available a copy of his decision or order giving effect to the National Transport Authority Integrated Implementation Plan 2013-2018; and if not, the reasons it is not available to members of the public and public representatives; the funding for the plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21291/14]

Tobacco Control Measures

Maureen O'Sullivan

17. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health his reasons for banning a smoking cessation aid which has been effective for long-term smokers trying to cease tobacco smoking; if there have been tests on electronic cigarettes and electronic vapour devices which determined his decision; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21152/14]

Drug Treatment Programmes Policy

Maureen O'Sullivan

52. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health in respect of the national substance misuse strategy 2009-16 review published in March, if he will outline the policy level activities carried out in response to rising polydrug use here and the actions carried out so far under the research and information pillar, supply pillar and prevention pillar in respect of polydrug use; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21151/14]

Tax Credits

Maureen O'Sullivan

64. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Finance the position regarding a reduction in tax credits in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 7; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21674/14]

Legislative Measures

Maureen O'Sullivan

152. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality in respect of the European Commission on 30 January 2014 adopting the implementing Regulation (EU) No. 118/2014 which outlines the rules for application of the Dublin III regulations, when a statutory instrument will be introduced to amend or replace the 2003 order to give full effect to the new EU regulations; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21679/14]

Legislative Measures

Maureen O'Sullivan

153. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality in respect of the European Commission implementing Regulation (EU) No. 118/2014 which relates only to the previous Dublin II regulations, the way her Department in practical terms will operate the order in relation to the Dublin III which became effective on 1 January 2014; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21680/14]

Legislative Measures

Maureen O'Sullivan

154. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if her Department is currently making determinations in accordance with the regulations as to which member states are responsible for processing applications for international protection; if the current practice is conforming to EU law; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21681/14]

Immigration Policy

Maureen O'Sullivan

155. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality following this week's judgment of the European Court of Justice in Case C 604/12 H. N. v. Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, Ireland, Attorney General, if she is considering introducing a single procedure for international protection by way of statutory instrument or amending legislation in advance of the immigration, residence and protection Bill; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21682/14]

Inter-Country Adoptions

Maureen O'Sullivan

108. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if he will provide an update on a Russian bilateral agreement in relation to adoption, an update he indicated would likely be due at the end of April; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21009/14]

Young People’s Facilities and Services Fund

Maureen O'Sullivan

113. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs further to previous parliamentary question replies relating to the monitoring of the young people's facilities and services fund, if he will provide a follow up based on the previous reply; if a date has been set for a meeting of the national assessment committee, NAC; if he agrees there is a need for NAC to monitor the funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21010/14]

Illicit Trade in Tobacco

Maureen O'Sullivan

161. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Finance his views on tobacco companies' exaggerating tobacco smuggling statistics especially in relation to the recent report, The Illicit Tobacco Trade Review 2013, by Japan Tobacco International and its campaign against plain packaging; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21174/14]

Company Law

Maureen O'Sullivan

212. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Finance if the Companies Registration Office is aware of a matter regarding property transactions (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21435/14]

Company Law

Maureen O'Sullivan

213. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Finance if the Companies Registration Office is aware of a matter regarding property transactions (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21436/14]

Education and Training Boards

Maureen O'Sullivan

280. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will clarify the position regarding the redundancy and work contracts of employees in community training centres, CTCs, since the transition from FÁS to education and training boards; if his Department will intervene to clarify the conditions of employment in light of the communication breakdown between the Department of Education and skills, the education and training boards, CTC managers and the employees; if he will ensure that all CTC workers experience a seamless transition from FÁS to education and training boards by ensuring the latter honour previous employment contracts under FÁS in order that employees may enjoy continuity during the transition and continue their work with high-risk individuals and in complex situations without the fear of job insecurity; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21554/14]

Company Registration

Maureen O'Sullivan

316. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if he will instruct the Companies Registration Office to explain the irregular manner in which it conducted business with a company (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21432/14]

Company Registration

Maureen O'Sullivan

317. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if he will instruct the Companies Registration Office to explain its conduct with a company (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21433/14]

Company Registration

Maureen O'Sullivan

318. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if he will instruct the Companies Registration Office to explain its conduct with a company (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21434/14]

Tobacco Industry Lobbying

Maureen O'Sullivan

603. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health his plans to counteract the lobbying force of tobacco companies and their spreading of misinformation about the tobacco industry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21174/14]

Neuro-Rehabilitation Policy

Maureen O'Sullivan

613. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health if reform of neuro-rehabilitation care here is included as part of the universal health insurance; if it will address the long waiting lists, including up to a year for patients in comas or semi-responsive states, and the fact there are only seven rehabilitation centres when the Neurological Alliance of Ireland states the country needs 26; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21139/14]

Bord na gCon Remit

Maureen O'Sullivan

3. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his attention has been drawn to the fact that 90% of the Irish Coursing Club's funding is provided by dog registration fees; if he will propose a complete transfer of the function of greyhound registration from the ICC to Bord na gCon; if he will amend existing legislation governing the greyhound industry to include this transfer of powers; his views that the hard-pressed track racing industry would benefit greatly if Bord na gCon were to become a registering body for greyhounds here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20572/14]

Animal Welfare

Maureen O'Sullivan

122. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the reasons the National Parks and Wildlife Service issued the licensed killing of an individual pine marten; the reason no other non-lethal alternative was applied to this animal; where this killing took place and in which county; the other licences for the killing of pine martens that have been granted in the past five years by the NPWS; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20798/14]

Drugs Payment Scheme Administration

Maureen O'Sullivan

229. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health if he will outline the regulations regarding pharmacy conduct around processing the drugs payment scheme; if controls are in place to ensure that a pharmacy cannot sell more than it has ordered from its suppliers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20797/14]

Hare Coursing

Maureen O'Sullivan

170. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if testing for illegal substances was carried out at all the smaller hare coursing events leading up to the grand final at the national coursing meeting; if not, if he will extend drug testing to all greyhounds at all hare coursing events and consider carrying out testing for banned substances at hare coursing events; if his Department will conduct its own investigation into the incident of the six greyhounds that tested positive for banned substances at the national coursing meeting, separate from the internal Irish Coursing Club inquiry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20578/14]

Animal Welfare

Maureen O'Sullivan

171. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the regulations as prescribed by his Department for dog training schools and for dog trainers themselves; the procedures in place for complaints of any abuse of animals made by trainers in these training schools; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20579/14]

Animal Welfare

Maureen O'Sullivan

172. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason the National Parks and Wildlife Service's licensing unit for the granting of licences to kill pine martens comes under the remit of the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht and not under that of his Department; the level of communication and information sharing that exists between the two Departments in respect of animal issues; his views on whether his Department should oversee all animal welfare issues as emphasised in the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20580/14]

Animal Welfare

Maureen O'Sullivan

173. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his attention has been drawn to the cramped and filthy conditions that animals, including tigers are forced to live in at some circus encampments here; if circus encampments are regularly checked by animal welfare officers; the monitoring carried out to ensure that high standards of animal welfare are maintained in the animal entertainment industry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20581/14]

Departmental Schemes

Maureen O'Sullivan

174. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to better target public money towards the protection of the environment in his Department's agri-environment schemes and as called for by the Irish Wildlife Trust's submission under the rural development programme; if his Department has plans to undergo a formal assessment and evaluation of the mistakes made in respect of the REP scheme, such as the lack of environmental targets and generic measures applied across all farms; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20582/14]

Building Energy Rating Compliance

Maureen O'Sullivan

303. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the number of buildings that must have a display energy certificate displayed as per the legislation; the number that currently have a valid DEC issued by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20221/14]

Housing Issues

Maureen O'Sullivan

19. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will consider incentives to reduce the number of vacant housing units in Dublin such as a tax placed on any property left vacant/derelict for more than one year in the region of €10,000 or more; his proposals to initiate a social housing building programme to ease the housing crisis and provide employment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19454/14]

Dormant Accounts Fund Management

Maureen O'Sullivan

23. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government further to Parliamentary Question No. 348 of 1 April 2014, the current position on the new dormant accounts disbursement scheme which was approved by Government in December 2013 in accordance with the Dormant Accounts (Amendment) Act 2012 and laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas on 18 December 2013; if he will confirm whether this was his first public mention of this fact; the reason that there was no announcement of same on 18 December 2013; if he will now place the new dormant accounts disbursement plan on the record of Dáil Éireann; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19453/14]

Drugs in Prisons

Maureen O'Sullivan

9. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the funding for the training and retraining of dogs used in detecting drugs in the prison system; if he is committed to maintaining this service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19276/14]

Proposed Legislation

Maureen O'Sullivan

24. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if progress has been made on drawing up the legislation necessary to cover health insurance for the ladies of the Magdalen laundries; the reasons for the delay; and if he will engage directly with the Department of Health on same. [19275/14]

Departmental Websites

Maureen O'Sullivan

447. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he is satisfied that his Department’s website www.environ.ie and related microsites that is ruralireland.ie meet or exceed all relevant web content accessibility guidelines and standards; if the accessibility of the Department's main website has ever been independently evaluated; if he is personally satisfied the website meets the needs of its users; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18697/14]

Departmental Websites

Maureen O'Sullivan

448. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his plans to redesign the website of his Department to make it more appealing and user friendly; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18698/14]

Road Safety

Maureen O'Sullivan

502. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will commit to ensuring that gaps in legislation regarding quad bikes will be addressed from the perspective of open parks; if he supports extending the legislation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17983/14]

National Monuments

Maureen O'Sullivan

3. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht in view of the fact that a survey by three structural engineers concluded that 18 Moore Street is pre-1916, if he will commit to seeking independent expert advice on the status of the structure of 18 Moore Street and all 1916 buildings in the GPO-Moore Street area, described as the most important site in modern Irish history by the National Museum of Ireland. [18132/14]

Hare Coursing

Maureen O'Sullivan

14. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if he will impose time limits for hare coursing monitoring teams to report back to the National Parks and Wildlife Service in order for hare coursing reports to be drafted and published in a timely manner; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17982/14]

Commemorative Events

Maureen O'Sullivan

21. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the funding available for groups and communities undertaking projects to commemorate the centenary of the 1916 Easter Rising the procedures and criteria for applying; the decision making process on the applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17984/14]

Animal Welfare

Maureen O'Sullivan

23. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the reason behind the National Parks and Wildlife Service's licensing unit granting licences to kill the pine marten; the reason non-lethal options, such as the trap and release of the animal, are not available in view of the fact that the pine marten is a protected species and Ireland's rarest mammal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17993/14]

Adoption Services Provision

Maureen O'Sullivan

226. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she will address the issue that Thai social workers may be unaware of six applicants pulling out of the adoption process from Ireland and which may be holding up the process for everyone else on the list meaning an additional wait of up to two or three years if this is not communicated; if she will direct the Adoption Authority of Ireland to make representations to the Thai officials indicating the current active files pending for adoption; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18374/14]

Rent Supplement Scheme Administration

Maureen O'Sullivan

10. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Social Protection if her attention has been drawn to the increasing difficulties in which tenants on rent allowance are finding themselves when having to negotiate rent with their landlords after rent has risen; if her attention has been further drawn to the discrimination by landlords against tenants on rent allowance and the difficulties tenants are having in finding alternative accommodation as a result of same; if there are exceptional circumstances where her Department can assist tenants financially or otherwise when they are having difficulties negotiating rent with landlords; if it is a fair situation that a tenant on rent allowance should be left to negotiate rent when rent has risen and rent allowance has been cut; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17647/14]

Rent Supplement Scheme Payments

Maureen O'Sullivan

40. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Social Protection in view of considerable lack of affordable private rental accommodation in Dublin due to rent increases and a decrease in rent allowance, her plans to co-ordinate a multi-pronged approach to tackle the issue of Dublin's accommodation crisis in terms of raising rent allowance or social welfare supports; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17646/14]

Freedom of Information Legislation

Maureen O'Sullivan

75. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the reasons section 16 of the Freedom of Information Act 1997, which requires public bodies to publish and make available the criteria they use for making decisions, has been excluded in the current Freedom of Information Bill 2013 and replaced by section 8; if his attention has been drawn to transparency issues in section 8 of the new Bill with regards to the publication schemes which seek to replace the original Act's section 16, giving power to public bodies to decide themselves what information will be made public and in addition granting power to him to decide what information is made public and to revise such information as he sees fit; his views on whether the new Bill will enhance arbitrary decision-making as opposed to transparent decision-making; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18166/14]

Freedom of Information Legislation

Maureen O'Sullivan

76. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will publish the code of practice and guidelines as cited by him, in relation to the Freedom of Information Bill 2013 which have still not been published nine months after the publication of the Bill; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18167/14]

Hare Coursing Regulation

Maureen O'Sullivan

145. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to the six greyhounds that participated in this year's national hare coursing festival testing positive for banned substances, if he will have the Irish Coursing Club extend drug testing of greyhounds to all hare coursing events; his views on having his Department initiate its own drug testing at these events; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18183/14]

Youth Guarantee

Maureen O'Sullivan

151. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she will ensure voluntary youth organisations are involved in the roll out of the Youth Guarantee; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18154/14]

Enterprise Support Schemes

Maureen O'Sullivan

104. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the process of engagement between Enterprise Ireland and Dublin Business Innovation Centre when an investor ready business plan has been produced by DBIC and a project promoter; if an adviser from DBIC is present during these engagements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17415/14]

Enterprise Ireland Funding

Maureen O'Sullivan

115. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if his attention has been drawn to any issues in relation to the evaluation of applications to the Enterprise Ireland competitive start fund; if he will confirm that all applications are thoroughly evaluated before awards are granted and that all scoring and evaluation is done in an open and transparent manner; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17414/14]

Job Creation Data

Maureen O'Sullivan

292. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the number of persons, companies or projects Enterprise Ireland referred to the Dublin Business Innovation Centre in the years 2012 and 2013; the number of persons, companies or projects that were referred to Enterprise Ireland by DBIC in the years 2012 and 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17419/14]

Job Creation Data

Maureen O'Sullivan

293. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the number of persons, companies or projects that were referred to Enterprise Ireland by the Dublin Business Innovation Centre and received feasibility grant funding in the years 2012 and 2013 and his views on whether it is appropriate that a number of entities performing the evaluation of high-tech CSF applications do not have websites; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17420/14]

Enterprise Support Schemes

Maureen O'Sullivan

294. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the total funding provided by Enterprise Ireland to the Dublin Business Innovation Centre for the years 2011, 2012 and 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17421/14]

National Monuments

Maureen O'Sullivan

372. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if a date has been set for his meeting with relatives of the signatories to the 1916 Proclamation as agreed at the 2011 Easter Rising GPO Commemoration. [18027/14]

NAMA Social Housing Provision

Maureen O'Sullivan

423. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the number of vacant housing units that are in the National Asset Management Agency portfolio for Clongriffin-Belmayne, Dublin 13; if there are plans for these NAMA housing units to be released and used to relieve the housing crisis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17679/14]

Commemorative Events

Maureen O'Sullivan

509. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Defence if he has responded to the issues raised in a recent correspondence, details supplied, in relation to the 1916 commemoration in Arbour Hill; if he will outline changes made by his Department in relation to the way the commemoration is carried out since he took office; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17680/14]

Neuro-Rehabilitation Services Provision

Maureen O'Sullivan

612. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health if reform of neurorehabilitation care will be included as part of universal health insurance; if it will address the long waiting lists, including up to a year for patients in comas or semi-responsive states, and the fact there are only seven rehabilitation programmes when the Neurological Alliance of Ireland states the country needs 26; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17678/14]

Flood Risk Assessments

Maureen O'Sullivan

27. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if at the Office of Public Works flood risk management conference being held next week, he will relay the points made by public attendees and community stakeholders, to flood insurance companies in any future negotiations between the Government and those companies in order that the full impact flooding has had on communities will be communicated directly to them; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16810/14]

Immigration Policy

Maureen O'Sullivan

133. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will provide an update on the Immigration, Residence and Protection Bill 2010; if his Department will publish a new amended Bill; if he can identify the general aspects to the Bill that will be amended or confirm if the new Bill's main aspects will be similar to that of the 2010 legislation; if the publication of a new Bill will mean a delay in the enactment of the legislation; if so, if he will ensure the new amended Bill will be carried out in a timely manner so as to achieve maximum potential reform in the area of immigration law as soon as possible; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17166/14]

Substance Misuse

Maureen O'Sullivan

201. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health his response to statements made recently on behalf of the drinks industry leaders calling for a collaborative approach in addressing alcohol consumption levels here; if he will provide an update on the progress on its priorities for tackling alcohol abuse here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17164/14]

Mental Health Awareness

Maureen O'Sullivan

206. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health if he will address the reasons mental health promotion is not mentioned in the White Paper under health and wellbeing services; if he will ensure that primary care mental health services such as counselling services, as referred by GPs, will be included; if he will ensure that medical card holders will not lose their existing access to counselling through primary care services; if he will clarify whether mental health promotion, which focuses on protective factors and prevention reducing hospital costs in the long run will be included in publicly-funded health and well-being services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17178/14]

Road Traffic Offences

Maureen O'Sullivan

228. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when will on-the-spot fines be enforced for cyclists; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17077/14]

School Curriculum

Maureen O'Sullivan

35. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the way he will deal with concerns of teaching unions on the proposed plans for the junior certificate cycle reform; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16432/14]

Social Welfare Benefits Eligibility

Maureen O'Sullivan

290. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Social Protection to outline the social welfare supports that are available to those who are working with zero hour contracts; the supports these persons are entitled to in the event that they fall ill or need to go on maternity leave and are not entitled to either sick or maternity leave; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16216/14]

Northern Ireland Issues

Maureen O'Sullivan

9. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the extent of his recent engagements with the Northern Ireland Minister for Justice and the British Secretary of State in Northern Ireland over security and prisoner issues in Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15372/14]

Human Rights Issues

Maureen O'Sullivan

34. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will engage with the American authorities in supporting the call for the release of the remaining Cuban five prisoners who have been imprisoned in the United States for over 15 years; if he will view this as a step in improving and opening relationships between Cuba and the United States; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15373/14]

Ambulance Service Provision

Maureen O'Sullivan

117. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health the Health Service Executive's plans to remove the Dublin Fire Brigade ambulance service; the reasons for possible removal of the service; if the reasons involve the issue of cost and Health Information and Quality Authority oversight; if his attention has been drawn to the vital work that the 800 highly skilled and committed firefighter-paramedics and advanced paramedics currently do in protecting over 1 million civilians in Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14696/14]