Ceisteanna Parlaiminte

Criminal Law Review

Róisín Shortall

225. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the reason persons are still being imprisoned for non-payment of fines; the reason their fines are not being deducted at source by either the Revenue Commissioners or the Department of Social Protection; and the way he intends to end the situation where significant numbers of prison places are taken up by fine-defaulters. [10467/13]

Foster Care Provision

Róisín Shortall

258. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the action she is taking on foot of the Health Information and Quality Authority report inspection of the Health Service Executive Dublin north west local health area fostering service in the Health Service Executive Dublin north east region; and the way she proposes to ensure that the action plan is fully implemented. [10728/13]

Foster Care Policy

Róisín Shortall

259. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs further to Parliamentary Question No. 572 of 22 January 2013, the target date for the finalisation of a national register of foster parents who are deemed unsuitable and no longer have children placed with them. [10729/13]

Driving Licence Issues

Róisín Shortall

285. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport further to Parliamentary Question No. 791 of 19 February 2013, if he will establish with the Road Safety Authority the tendering process which was used to award the contract to the National Driver Licence Service; and the reason pharmacies were excluded from this process. [10681/13]

Tax Credits

Róisín Shortall

180. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Finance if he will outline the treatment of tax credits following the bereavement of a separated spouse; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9579/13]

Tax Collection

Róisín Shortall

208. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Finance if he will provide an analysis of outstanding unpaid corporation tax for the past five consecutive years; and if he will provide information as to the corporations liable for the outstanding sums. [9847/13]

EU Regulations

Róisín Shortall

213. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Finance his views on recent media reports that he is introducing regulations that will entitle the EU/ECB to extend the period during which they may review the taxation and expenditure decisions of our national parliament; and the reason he is doing this. [10103/13]

Student Grant Scheme Eligibility

Róisín Shortall

245. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Education and Skills the reason a higher education grant was not awarded to a person (details supplied) in Dublin 11; if he will address the points raised by this applicant that this student is totally independent of their parent but fail to qualify for higher education grant assistance based on their means; if the regulations governing the grant assessment and payment are wholly unfair in this case; if there are exceptions to the provision; and if a grant will be awarded to this person. [9846/13]

Household Benefits Scheme

Róisín Shortall

331. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will review the arrangement whereby a person (detail supplied) in receipt of disability allowance has been cut off the household benefit package as they live with their child whose income is derived solely from a jobseeker's payment; if she will take steps to address this anomaly whereby qualifying for one benefit results in disqualification for another; and if her attention has been drawn to the financial hardship which this anomaly places on families. [9842/13]

Water Charges Introduction

Róisín Shortall

431. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government further to Parliamentary Question No. 259 of 14 February 2013, his views on the principle that householders should get a basic free allowance of water and that charges should only apply for usage above that allowance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9583/13]

VAT Rate Application

Róisín Shortall

83. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Finance his estimate of the loss to the State of VAT revenue arising from the below-cost selling of alcohol. [9488/13]

Housing Adaptation Grant Application Numbers

Róisín Shortall

167. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the number of grants awarded respectively under each of the grants available under the housing adaptation grant schemes for older people and people with a disability in each of the years since November 2007; the total amount allocated to local authorities by his Department for these schemes in each of these years broken down by local authority; the total amount in matching funds by local authorities in each of these years with a breakdown by local authority where these figures are readily available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9489/13]

Speech and Language Therapy

Róisín Shortall

259. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 261 of 29 November 2012, if he will provide details of the numbers on waiting lists in respect of assessment and treatment for speech and language therapy, physiotherapy, and occupational therapy with a breakdown by therapy and by duration on the waiting list and by area and by age category. [9490/13]

Drug Treatment Programmes Funding

Róisín Shortall

260. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the amount allocated and the outturn in respect of local schemes, that is drugs schemes, in each of the past five years with a breakdown by its constituent parts. [9491/13]

Departmental Strategies

Róisín Shortall

261. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the reasons for the delay in the development of a national sexual health strategy and his target month in 2013 for the publication of same. [9492/13]

Carer's Allowance Appeals

Róisín Shortall

160. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding an appeal for a carer's allowance in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 9. [9163/13]

Local Authority Funding

Róisín Shortall

176. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government further to Parliamentary Question No. 512 of 29 January 2013, when funding will be allocated to local authorities for the housing adaptation grant schemes for older persons and persons with a disability; the level of funding that will be allocated to each local authority and if he will ensure that funding levels for the previous year will be maintained; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9215/13]

HSE Staff Remuneration

Róisín Shortall

254. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the position regarding the case of a Health Service Executive employee (details supplied); if he will outline this person's pension rights; the supports available to assist with recouping lost salary and pension payments following a serious illness prior to their return to work in 2011; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9246/13]

Marriages of Convenience

Róisín Shortall

558. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Justice and Equality when he intends to address the issue of marriages of convenience by way of legislation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8406/13]

Driver Licences

Róisín Shortall

766. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on the concerns of the pharmacy sector in respect of the loss of driver photo ID business arising from the awarding of a contract to the National Driver Licence Service; if he will explain the process involved in the awarding of the contract and the reason pharmacies were not allowed to tender for it in view of the fact that many have made a significant investment in equipment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8257/13]

Property Taxation Exemptions

Róisín Shortall

127. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Finance if he will clarify whether or not a pensioner couple will be permitted either an exemption or a deferral of the local property tax in circumstances where they have a nominal income which is in excess of the threshold to allow for a deferral of the local property tax but who are availing of the nursing home support scheme under which the pension income of the nursing home patient is reduced by 80%, thereby significantly reducing their net income and rendering the local property tax unaffordable; and the action he is taking to ensure that some kind of discretionary element is built into the local property tax regime so that exceptional cases may be examined. [7881/13]

Tax Compliance

Róisín Shortall

148. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Finance the number of reviews of taxpayers that have been undertaken by the Revenue Commissioners in each of the years since the self-assessment system was adopted; the number of these where a discrepancy was identified; the amount recovered from such cases; if he will outline the way the Revenue Commissioners are minimising the risk of fraud and error arising from the self-assessment method; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7979/13]

Hospital Equipment

Róisín Shortall

149. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Finance if the use by hospital consultants of public health facilities for work for which they charge private patient fees is taxable as a benefit-in-kind and, if not, the reason for same and his estimate of the yield that would arise if it were. [7980/13]

Water Charges Introduction

Róisín Shortall

259. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will outline the exemptions to paying the water charge and the criteria to determine same. [7977/13]

Graduate Nursing Scheme

Róisín Shortall

346. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the action he proposes to take to ensure the recruitment of 1,000 directly employed nurses in 2013 in view of the very low take up of his graduate nurses scheme. [7973/13]

Graduate Nursing Scheme

Róisín Shortall

347. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the total average monthly cost of an agency nurse and the reason he will not recruit graduate nurses on the standard pay-scale. [7974/13]

Drugs Payment Scheme Coverage

Róisín Shortall

348. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the position in relation to the approval of the drug ampligen as a reimbursable drug under the GMS in Ireland. [7975/13]

HSE Agency Staff

Róisín Shortall

349. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health when agency workers employed by the Health Service Executive in a company (details supplied), will receive their full entitlement under the Agency Workers Directive; and when back payments will be made. [7976/13]

Home Care Packages

Róisín Shortall

350. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the reason for the delay in processing an application for a home care package in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 11; and if he will expedite a reply. [7978/13]

Special Educational Needs Service Provision

Róisín Shortall

75. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding a special education needs organiser who was assigned to a person (details supplied) in Dublin 11 in view of the fact that this person is currently on extended leave; the efforts that have been made to find a replacement or a referral to assist this person; if he will expedite this matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7612/13]

School Enrolments

Róisín Shortall

84. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding a request for additional funding to address acute capacity concerns in respect of a school (details supplied) in Dublin 11; in view of increasing enrolment numbers and the fact that in the coming 2013-14 school year the school will not have a classroom to accommodate an additional allocated teacher, if he will outline the assistance available to address concerns regarding the overall infrastructural needs of the school; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7703/13]

Hospital Staff

Róisín Shortall

206. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health in view of the widespread concern among NCHDs, if he will request HIQA to investigate compliance with the EU Working Time Directive on the grounds of patient and doctor safety; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7600/13]

Hospitals Funding

Róisín Shortall

218. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health if he will provide details of the budget allocations to each hospital in the State in 2013, and in each case the basis for the reduction or increase vis-à-vis the 2012 budget allocation. [7530/13]

Tax Code

Róisín Shortall

245. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Finance the cost to the Exchequer of allowing tax relief at the marginal rate in respect of income protection policies. [7354/13]

Tax Reliefs Availability

Róisín Shortall

246. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Finance if he will detail all tax reliefs currently available to taxpayers at their marginal rate of tax. [7355/13]

Invalidity Pension Appeals

Róisín Shortall

411. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will provide an update with regard to an application for invalidity pension in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 11; and if she will expedite a decision on this application in view of the financial hardship that this delay is causing this person. [7352/13]

Disability Allowance Appeals

Róisín Shortall

412. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will provide an update with regard to an appeal for disability allowance in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 11. [7353/13]

School Completion Programme

Róisín Shortall

614. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she will reverse the cuts to the school completion programme in schools (details supplied) in Dublin 11 in view of the invaluable work carried out by this service and the minimum cost involved; the impact of this cut on students who depend on this service; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7034/13]

Medical Aids and Appliances Applications

Róisín Shortall

621. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health if he will ensure that immediate sanction will be provided for a new prosthetic socket in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 9 in view of the fact that the person is unable to function independently due to an ill fitting prosthetic leg. [6901/13]

HSE Expenditure

Róisín Shortall

659. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health if he will set out the projected cumulative monthly savings in respect of each of the savings measures outlined in part C of his Department's chapter of the budget 2013 expenditure report 2013. [6839/13]

Tax Reliefs Availability

Róisín Shortall

51. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Finance if he will outline the tax reliefs currently available to support the funding of sports clubs. [6391/13]

Grant Payments

Róisín Shortall

192. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an up to date position regarding the reason for non-payment to third-year DIT biomedical science students of the monthly training allowance payable to them while on placement in public health service laboratories; the reason that the DIT students do not receive the allowance but students in the other colleges do; and the reason for the anomaly. [6404/13]

North-South Implementation Bodies

Róisín Shortall

203. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on the establishment of a North-South alcohol body; the terms of references; the membership proposed from either side of the Border; and when he expects the body to hold its first meeting. [6514/13]

Sports Capital Programme Expenditure

Róisín Shortall

211. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will outline all streams of funding for sports clubs available through his Department or an agency under its remit. [6390/13]

Student Grant Scheme Appeals

Róisín Shortall

302. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Education and Skills the reason a person (details supplied) in Dublin 11 was awarded only 50% student contribution and refused a student maintenance grant; and in view of the considerable financial strain that this has placed on this family, if he will review this application. [5165/13]

State Examinations

Róisín Shortall

319. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will review the criteria used to determine eligibility for applications under reasonable accommodations for the leaving certificate examinations which are severe and restrictive resulting in students who have previously secured support at junior certificate examinations not being awarded the same level of support in their leaving certificate examinations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5464/13]

State Examinations

Róisín Shortall

320. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will review the criteria used to determine eligibility for applicaitons under the reasonable accommodations for the leaving certificate examinations in the case of a school (details supplied) in Dublin 11; if he will review these applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5465/13]

Departmental Staff Data

Róisín Shortall

372. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will provide details in tabular form of the limits applied to each Government Department/sector under the Employment Control Framework for each year since its inception and for the coming years; the basis on which these limits are set; the process by which they are determined; if such decisions are based on impact assessments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5925/13]

Work Permit Criteria

Róisín Shortall

384. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the position regarding a work permit in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 11; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5629/13]

Household Benefits

Róisín Shortall

403. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Social Protection if it is her intention to notify recipients of the household benefits package of recent changes to this scheme following Budget 2013; if recipients will be notified of the exact changes to the telephone allowance and the electricity/ gas allowance and the treatment of surplus units and credits held by account holders; and the way they will be applied to future utility bills. [5175/13]

Social Welfare Code

Róisín Shortall

408. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will use the opportunity of the Social Welfare and Pensions Bill later this year to provide for the reimbursement to her Department by insurance companies of social welfare payments deducted from awards of special damages in respect of loss or earnings; the reason no action has been taken on this issue in view of the fact that her Department has been aware of the anomaly for several years and knowing the considerable spending pressures in her Department; if she has finally costed the potential yield arising from such a change; the results of same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5204/13]

Employment Support Services

Róisín Shortall

502. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Social Protection the qualifying criteria in respect of the new momentum initiative; the progress to date in the determination of eligibility in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 9. [5922/13]

Health Services Expenditure

Róisín Shortall

871. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health in the context of recent cutbacks announced in Budget 2013, if he will provide details of the impact of these in relation to all aspects of staffing and funding to St. Michael's House, Dublin, with particular reference to access to swimming pool facilities at weekends; if he will reverse this cut, in view of the immeasurable benefit that this service has provided to date [5923/13]

HSE Properties

Róisín Shortall

193. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the organisation to which the Health Service Executive has leased and or rented a property (details supplied) in Dublin 11; if the premises is currently occupied; the plans the HSE has for the long-term use of the premises, including its disposal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4780/13]

HSE Expenditure

Róisín Shortall

198. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an analysis of opening balances in the books and records of the Health Service Executive at 1 January 2013, under headings (details supplied). [4794/13]

HSE Expenditure

Róisín Shortall

199. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the actions the Health Service Executive has taken to prevent the build up of tax arrears by way of delayed payments in organisations and bodies funded by it; if the HSE has written to any organisations or bodies funded by it in relation to the build up of tax arrears; the HSE's estimate of tax arrears due from such organisations or bodies, that is, the amounts other than taxes deducted but not yet due to be remitted; and if there has been any correspondence between the Revenue Commissioners and the HSE in relation to the general problem of tax arrears or in relation to specific bodies or organisations funded by it. [4795/13]

Tax Reliefs Cost

Róisín Shortall

250. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Finance further to Parliamentary Question No. 99 of 20 December, 2012 and in respect of the part of the question dealing with tax breaks on rental income from foreign property, if he will provide a breakdown by country of the location of the foreign properties with details of the amount of tax foregone by country; the rationale for continuing the regime whereby approximately €70 million of tax revenue each year is lost through allowing landlords to offset interest on borrowings against the rental income derived from properties outside the State; the benefits to the State of continuing this tax break; if any cost-benefit analysis has been undertaken of this tax break and if unpublished will he now publish same; and if he will consider using the Finance Bill to eliminate this tax break. [4133/13]

School Transport Eligibility

Róisín Shortall

341. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Education and Skills further to Parliamentary Question No. 326 of 16 January 2013, the assistance available with regard to transport costs in view of the fact that this family do not have the financial means to pay such costs; and if he will ensure that every effort is made to support this vulnerable family to ensure that they continue in full time education. [4378/13]

Social Insurance Payments

Róisín Shortall

430. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Social Protection if it is her intention from 2014 to impose PRSI on State savings bond and certificates, on State prize bonds and on other such accounts where interest currently accrues on a tax-free basis; and if she will outline her full plans regarding same. [4132/13]

Supplementary Welfare Allowance Payments

Róisín Shortall

440. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Social Protection further to Parliamentary Question No. 125 of 19 December 2012, the value, number and proportion of social welfare allowance payments form the last period for which figures are available that were recouped form primary social welfare schemes when applicants are awarded a primary social welfare payment; the value, number and proportion that were not recouped; if a thorough profiling of SWA claimants or any other economic analysis has been conducted by her Department to determine the ultimate cost to the State of supplementary welfare claims arising from processing delays; if not, her plans to do so; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4198/13]

Housing Adaptation Grant Applications

Róisín Shortall

528. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government when further funding will be allocated to local authorities for housing adaptation grant schemes for older persons and persons with a disability; the date on which this allocation will be made in view of the fact that most local authorities are either on hold or are moving very slowly through applications due to of a lack of funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4143/13]

Housing Adaptation Grant Applications

Róisín Shortall

529. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if further funding will be provided to Dublin City Council in order to fund housing adaptation grants that have been approved but unable to be completed due to lack of funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4144/13]

Joint Policing Committees Remit

Róisín Shortall

569. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will give consideration to giving a consultative role to Joint Policing Committees in respect of the operation of local licensed premises in respect of compliance with the law in order that the local Gardaí can be well informed prior to the annual renewal of licences; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4002/13]

Sentencing Policy

Róisín Shortall

580. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Justice and Equality his views on whether there needs to be further statutory sentencing guidelines for the judiciary in relation to serious sexual assaults; his plans to require the judiciary to develop consistent sentencing policy in relation to sexual assaults or the development of an independent sentencing committee; and his plans to amend the policy of sentencing for certain offences to address clear inadequacies and inconsistencies in the system. [4374/13]

Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission Issues

Róisín Shortall

581. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the action that is being taken by an Garda Síochána to curb illegal distance sales of alcohol and the outcome in terms of Garda activity statistics, prosecutions, convictions secured and so on. [4375/13]

Health Services Staff

Róisín Shortall

674. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health if he will outline the current legislation in respect of the maximum length of a shift and meal break provisions for junior hospital doctors; if his attention has been drawn to the wide spread concern among such staff about their working conditions; and if he will outline the steps he will take to ensure all hospitals are in compliance with current legislation in this regard. [3938/13]

Medicinal Products Supply

Róisín Shortall

679. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the increasing use of anabolic steroids and the health dangers associated with this; if he will clarify the medical guidelines and the legal provisions regarding the regulation of the supply of these substances; and his views on the steps he is taking to address this matter. [4000/13]

Hospital Services

Róisín Shortall

680. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health if he will seek an immediate explanation from Temple Street Children's Hospital, Dublin, as to the reason the referral list for circumcisions that are required for medical reasons has been closed; if the hospital is authorised to cease accepting such referrals; the strategy in place to deal with young children who require such procedures as in the case of a child (details supplied) in Dublin 11; and as a matter of urgency, in view of the fact that the child is in pain, if he will investigate if there is another health facility in the State at which this procedure can be carried out. [4001/13]

Health Services Staff

Róisín Shortall

694. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the current law in respect of the maximum length of a shift and meal break provisions for non consultant hospital doctors; if his attention has been drawn to the wide spread concern among such staff regarding the working conditions; and the steps he will take to ensure that all hospitals are in compliance with the law. [4199/13]

Medicinal Products Supply

Róisín Shortall

699. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 700 of 27 November 2012 and in view of the ongoing problem of over-use of Benzodiazepines, if all public consultation has now been completed; if he has communicated the intended alterations to regulations under the Misuse of Drugs Act that are relevant to the EU; and his target date for the commencement of the new regulations. [4238/13]

Medical Card Eligibility

Róisín Shortall

700. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 1105 of 16 January 2013, if he will set out if it is intended to withdraw; and if so, when and through what means, medical card eligibility from those over-seventies who currently hold a medical card with a validity period of some years hence but who will exceed the income criteria when new legislation is introduced this year [4240/13]

Medicinal Products Supply

Róisín Shortall

722. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 701 of 27 November 2012, if he will provide an update on the prescribing trend in respect of Benzodiazepines and the outcome of the Primary Care Reimbursement Service project to monitor the prescribing patterns of Benzodiazepines; and if the prescribing patterns of psychiatric services and other institutions are now included in this project. [4376/13]

Work Permit Applications

Róisín Shortall

93. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the position regarding a work permit in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 9; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3521/13]

Health Services Issues

Róisín Shortall

215. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the position regarding entitlement to payment for work carried out as a home tutor for a young adult under the care of the Health Service Executive in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 9. [3693/13]

Tax Code

Róisín Shortall

78. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Finance if he will provide a full breakdown of the tax liability in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 9; the reason a recent small sum was deducted at source in this particular case and on what basis. [3357/13]

Tax Code

Róisín Shortall

79. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Finance if he will provide a full breakdown of the tax liability in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 9; the reason a recent small sum was deducted at source in this particular case and on what basis. [3358/13]

Tax Reliefs Application

Róisín Shortall

81. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Finance the number of companies who availed of the special assignee relief programme tax relief in 2012; the number of persons who benefitted from the relief and the income profile of these persons; the total cost to the State of the scheme in 2012; and the total number of jobs that are directly attributable to the existence of the scheme. [3457/13]

Pyrite Issues

Róisín Shortall

175. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide an update on proposals to address the problem of pyrite in private homes; if he has reached agreement with stakeholders on a remediation scheme; if not, when he intends to impose a statutory levy on the construction/quarrying and insurance sectors; and if he will provide a detailed timescale for action regarding same. [3252/13]

Invalidity Pension Eligibility

Róisín Shortall

337. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason an entitlement to an invalidity pension is being questioned in the case of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 9 in view of the fact that this person received correspondence from her Department citing they were seeking a review of this entitlement before the claimant received their first payment; the rationale for this review; and if such a protocol is laid out in the operational guidelines for this payment. [2499/13]

Jobseeker's Benefit Appeals

Róisín Shortall

372. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding an appeal for jobseeker's benefit in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 9; and if she could expedite a decision on same. [2874/13]

Departmental Funding

Róisín Shortall

386. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will examine the feasibility of extending the service Vantastic, which is currently part funded by her Department under the Community Service Programme managed by Pobal and in view of its success and popularity, if she will undertake to examine the possibility of expanding the service to include the Dublin North West Area. [2967/13]

Foster Care Provision

Róisín Shortall

572. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number of foster parents who have been deemed unsuitable and therefore struck off in each of the past five years; if she will provide details of the procedures in place for recording and investigating complaints about foster parents and their subsequent striking off; the way such parents are notified of this; and the procedure for notifying and recording this information in other areas around the country by the Health Service Executive. [2660/13]

Child Care Services Provision

Róisín Shortall

573. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if her attention has been drawn to the decision of the Health Service Executive to cease funding of the Childminding Advisory Service country wide; the action she will take to ensure that this valuable service is maintained in view of the fact that 80% of children are minded by childminders rather than creches and this advisory service has ensured upskilling and raising of standards among childminders; the way she will ensure the continuation of this element of child protection services; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2661/13]

Hospital Waiting Lists

Róisín Shortall

657. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health if he intends to publish outpatient waiting times for each publicly contracted hospital consultant in order that patients and their general practitioners may exercise choice based on the length of waiting time in each case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2985/13]

Public Health Policy

Róisín Shortall

658. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update in the finalisation of a public health policy arising from the launch of the consultative process which commenced in June 2011; and when these proposals are likely to be presented to Dáil Éireann. [2986/13]

Tax Collection Forecasts

Róisín Shortall

72. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Finance if he will provide an analysis of the basis of calculation for the income tax profile figure of €15,860 million for 2013, an increase of €684 million on the 2012 total; if he will set out the tax value of each of the factors that will increase or decrease the yield over the 2012 figure of €15,176, for example, €90 million in additional yield arising out of budget changes, a decrease in employment levels of some 7,400 in public sector numbers, 5,800 in employment in Exchequer voted services and 1,600 in local authorities with a net decline of approximately €500 million in gross wages and salaries, an expected increase of just 0.2% in net employment numbers, no additional bonus in income tax arising from the error in 2011 with the mis-allocation of PRSI and USC, the expected level of increase in wages and salaries within the economy, the influence of once off factors such as the distribution of shares to Facebook staff after the company's IPO. [2184/13]

Community Care Provision

Róisín Shortall

134. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the rationale regarding his decision to introduce changes to the criteria and operation of the seniors alert scheme; the consultation, if any, that was conducted with groups administering the scheme before the decision was made to unilaterally impose these changes; the rationale behind the decision to introduce a blanket restriction on households with two persons in view of the fact that a significant number of persons referred to this service by a Health Service Executive primary care team or a social worker, are couples where one is a carer or both have a pre-existing health condition or are at risk of a fall; if any discretion will be allowed in such circumstances in view of the fact the cost of the scheme is so small and the equipment can make a significant impact on persons' lives. [2110/13]

Foster Care Provision

Róisín Shortall

192. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs further to Parliamentary Question No. 118 of 6 December 2012, the rates for foster payments that will apply in 2013. [2185/13]

HSE Funding

Róisín Shortall

216. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an analysis of the opening deficit referred to in table 1 page 3 of the Health Service Executive National Service Plan 2013 by method of funding, that is overdraft, medium term bank debt, trade creditor and outstanding taxes; in relation to outstanding balance due to the Revenue Commissioners, if he will provide a time-based breakdown of the amounts outstanding to the Revenue Commissioners (details supplied). [2186/13]

Special Educational Needs Services Provision

Róisín Shortall

314. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding an application for a reader on behalf of a student (details supplied) in Dublin 11 who is due to sit the leaving certificate in June 2013. [1434/13]

School Transport Provision

Róisín Shortall

326. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Education and Skills if additional funding or a subsidy is available within the school transport scheme for a family (details supplied) who do not have the financial means to pay school transport costs; and if he will advise on the assistance available in this regard. [1620/13]

Tax Code

Róisín Shortall

407. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Social Protection further to newspaper reports (details supplied) the exemptions he intends to apply to the decision to impose PRSI on unearned income; and the estimated cost of these exemptions. [1872/13]

Carer's Allowance Applications

Róisín Shortall

482. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding an application for carer's allowance in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 9 and if she can expedite a decision on same. [1225/13]

Family Income Supplement Eligibility

Róisín Shortall

544. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Social Protection the way in which superannuation is defined when determining the net wage of a person applying for family income supplement and the way in which additional voluntary contributions to pension funds are treated as part of the assessment process, that is, are AVCs reckonable as a deductible expense in determining the net wage of the applicant; if the entitlement to various tax reliefs, is routinely crosschecked as part of the family income supplement application process as a means of limiting the total expenditure on this scheme; if not, the reason for same; and if the new local property tax will be a deductible expense for the purposes of determining the net wage of a family income supplement applicant. [1870/13]

Immigration Status

Róisín Shortall

780. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will examine a case (details supplied) in which a recent request was made for a replacement Garda National Immigration Bureau card following a robbery; if his Department will examine the possibility of a refund in this case in view of the fact that the stolen GNIB card was recovered days after a replacement card was purchased at much expense. [1254/13]

Medical Card Applications

Róisín Shortall

1105. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the timescale envisaged for the publication of legislation to provide for the changes to eligibility criteria for medical card applicants who are over-seventy; the way it is proposed to discontinue medical card entitlement in respect of people who currently hold a medical card but who will exceed the guidelines when the legislation is commenced, and in particular those whose medical card was granted up to a specific period and is not due for renewal for a number of years [1814/13]

HSE Expenditure

Róisín Shortall

1106. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the projected accumulated savings for each month of 2013 for each of the savings measures identified under the total 2013 saving of €323 million for the primary care reimbursement service in the 2012 Health Service Executive service plan [1815/13]

Medical Card Eligibility

Róisín Shortall

1113. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health if the new local property tax will be a deductible expense for the purposes of determining the net wage of a medical card applicant. [1871/13]

Mortgage Interest Relief Expenditure

Róisín Shortall

99. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Finance his estimate of the amount of tax forgone through the application of mortgage interest relief to landlords; if he will provide a breakdown of this amount between commercial and residential landlords and the number of people claiming relief in both cases; the number and value of cases where relief is being claimed for a property outside the Republic of Ireland; the number and value of new claims in the past three years for which figures are available with a breakdown by residential and commercial landlords; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57696/12]

Child Care Services Provision

Róisín Shortall

273. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she will provide clarity on the situation regarding the level of funding from the Health Service Executive that is provided in respect of a group (details supplied); if this funding is being withdrawn is it a national or local decision; if her attention has been drawn to only local support to non-regulated childminders is provided through the Health Service Executive funded Childminders' Advisory Worker Post; if she will clarify the bodies that will support this sector if HSE funding is discontinued. [57505/12]