Ceisteanna Parlaiminte

Departmental Expenditure

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

96. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the measures he has taken to reduce energy costs in 2012. [46073/12]

Mortgage Arrears Report Implementation

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

143. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Finance if consideration will be given to limiting the granting of a financial licence to financial institutions selling mortgages and related property products that they have to partake in State run mortgage relief schemes such as the mortgage to rent scheme. [45831/12]

Mortgage Interest Supplement Eligibility

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

327. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will outline the rules and regulations associated with the mortgage interest supplement and in particular the way the reasonable housing costs figure is reached and the other factors that are taken into account when determining if an applicant is granted the payment or not. [45830/12]

Back to Education Allowance Appeals

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

333. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Social Protection if a person (details supplied) was to move home to live with their parents, if their back to education allowance which currently involves a zero payment be reassessed and a payment be instituted. [45870/12]

Rent Supplement Scheme Payments

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

374. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Social Protection if any review has been undertaken by her Department on the impact which cuts in rent supplement, implemented earlier this year, are having on those living in the private rented sector and who are dependent on the payment; if she has particular concerns about the effects that the cuts are having on households who find it difficult to find accommodation within the rent supplement limits; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46479/12]

Expenditure Reviews

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

378. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Social Protection further to Parliamentary Question No. 100 of 16 October 2012, confirming a higher expected out-turn for 2010 of €20.7 to €20.8 billion, if she still intend to target €540 million of new cuts in Budget 2013 as per the Comprehensive Expenditure Review or will she be revising this target and if so by how much. [46491/12]

Mobile Telephony

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

395. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources when the auction and bidding for 4G spectrum will take place; the timeframe for that process and the persons likely to be in the bidding; and his views on the proposed 4G roll out. [46014/12]

Mortgage to Rent Scheme Funding

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

421. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the steps being taken to include more mortgage lenders, in particular sub-prime lenders, in the mortgage to rent scheme; and if he will list the mortgage providers operating here who are and are not participating in the scheme. [45829/12]

Health Services Provision

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

626. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Health the reason a community centre (details supplied) in Dublin 6 has decided to close on Thursdays; the alternative that has been provided for users suffering from Dementia and if there are plans to close the kitchens in the centre. [45989/12]

Health Services Provision

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

644. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Health his plans for the future use of a unit (details supplied) in Dublin 8 [46213/12]

Health Services Provision

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

645. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Health the remaining services provided at a unit (details supplied) in Dublin 8; and the locations to which the services that no longer use the unit have been redeployed [46214/12]

Community Care Provision

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

646. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Health the reason the €12.4 million community nursing unit in an area (details supplied) in Dublin 8 has not been opened [46215/12]

Community Care Provision

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

647. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Health with regard to a nursing unit in an area (details supplied) in Dublin 8, what, if any, is the temporary use of same [46216/12]

State Airports

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

42. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the work he is undertaking to ensure that no more US military personnel or war machinery pass through Irish airports. [45137/12]

Sports Facilities Provision

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

84. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his attention has been drawn to the lack of recreational facilities for special needs children and for the differently abled; his plans to address this imbalance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45122/12]

Middle East Peace Process

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

15. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if his attention has been drawn to the recently released UN report, 27 August 2012, which states that Gaza will not be liveable by 2020, barring immediate action; if he has raised the damning report with the Israeli Government; and if he will take any action on this report. [44802/12]

Human Rights Issues

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

42. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if his attention has been drawn to the group styling itself the Patriotic March, an amalgamation of civic society groups and individuals in Colombia; his views on whether it is a new and positive development that will encourage civil participation and engagement; and whether they be afforded the necessary security and space to develop. [44824/12]

Tax Reliefs Availability

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

94. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Finance the tax reliefs available to a person who has their jeep adopted with a swivel chair to allow access by a person with a disability with the work done by a HSB recommended person; and if where the jeep was originally purchased has any bearing on the entitlement to relief. [45262/12]

Asylum Seeker Accommodation

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

223. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of accommodation centres closed by the Reception and Integration Agency since August 2012, and the decreased number of asylum seekers spaces taken out of the system as a result of the closures; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45285/12]

Asylum Seeker Accommodation

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

224. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the cost to the State, paid in excess capacity versus occupancy, in the provision of accommodation for asylum seekers, from May 2010 to 1 October 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45286/12]

Asylum Seeker Accommodation

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

225. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the reason the recommendations contained in the Value for Money and Policy Review, Reception and Integration Agency, Final Report May 2010, have not been implemented in regard to excess capacity, which as of 16 September 2012 was running at 14.7%, which represents 852 excess bed spaces; the cost of this excess capacity; the person in the Reception and Integration Agency that has overall responsibility for this excess; if the cost to the State can be quantified because of this excess capacity when measured against occupancy;; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45287/12]

Asylum Seeker Accommodation

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

226. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the reason the residents of Lisbrook House, Galway, who with their belongings were on a bus awaiting transfer to another accommodation centre, were instructed to get off the bus, take their belongings and return to Lisbrook House; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45288/12]

Asylum Seeker Accommodation

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

227. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of times since taking office he has visited the offices of the Reception and Integration Agency, at Bishop’s Gate, Dublin 2; the number of times and at what interval he is directly briefed by senior staff within the Reception and Integration Agency regarding the excess cost to the State of running an excess capacity over actual occupancy in the provision of services to asylum seekers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45289/12]

Advisory Group on Tax and Social Welfare

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

53. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Social Protection when she will publish her Advisory Group on Tax and Social Welfare's report on child income supports; if her attention has been drawn to the fact that the proposal which was reported in the media has caused fears amongst families and risks further damaging consumer sentiment; her views on the recommendation that child benefit be cut by €40; her plans with regard to the payment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44635/12]

Advisory Group on Tax and Social Welfare

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

56. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Social Protection when she expects to publish her Advisory Group on Tax and Social Welfare's report on her proposal to axe disability allowance for persons aged 16 and 17 years; if she will outline the scale of the financial loss to households with a young person with disabilities arising from such a cut; her plans with regard to the payment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44636/12]

Community Employment Schemes Review

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

80. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will consider extending participation in community employment schemes to persons under 25 years in view of the rise in long-term unemployment amongst young persons. [44550/12]

Community Employment Schemes Review

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

109. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will publish the report on the Labour Market Activation Programmes to ensure that all stakeholders have a fair opportunity to study its findings in advance of any further policy change. [44549/12]

Vocational Training Opportunities Scheme Eligibility

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

229. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Education and Skills the reason a person (details supplied) is not entitled to an additional €20 VTOS payment. [44355/12]

Rent Supplement Scheme Eligibility

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

308. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Social Protection if her attention has been drawn to the fact that rent supplement recipients are being told to get the Private Residential Tenancy Board to confirm if their landlord is registered with them, however the PRTB will not confirm this, citing data protection; and if she will confirm if this is a requirement for rent supplement. [44356/12]

Rent Supplement Scheme Eligibility

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

309. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Social Protection her views that if registration with the Private Residential Tenancy Board is a condition for receipt of rent allowance for specific property then her Department should liaise directly with the PRTB rather than the applicant. [44357/12]

Disability Allowance Appeals

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

326. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason a person (details supplied) in Dublin 17 is being disallowed disability payment. [44609/12]

Mobility Allowance Decision

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

575. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Health the reason for the delay in implementing the recommendation of the Ombudsman that the mobility allowance be extended to persons over the age of 66 to end the transgression of the Equal Status Act. [44762/12]

Mobility Allowance Decision

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

576. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Health the reason for his failure to extend eligibility to apply for the mobility allowance to people of more than 66 years of age as was recommended by the Ombudsman in the grounds of equality; and if he will outline any plans he may have with regard to the scheme. [45145/12]

Traveller Accommodation

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

136. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for the Environment; Community and Local Government if he will provide this Deputy with copies of correspondence that his office has received from Dublin City Council since June 2012 on the regeneration of Labre Park, Ballyfermot, Dublin; if he will forward a copy to me of the application received from Dublin City Council for funding of Traveller Specific Accommodation for which the city received €50,000; and if his office will meet with this Deputy to discuss the matter. [43897/12]

Prisoner Discipline

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

150. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the compensation, if any, given to persons who are assaulted by other prisoners while on remand. [43876/12]

Long-Term Illness Scheme Applications

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

232. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Health the position regarding a long term illness card in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Dublin [43534/12]

Third Level Admissions Reform

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

58. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Education and Skills the progress that has been made in implementing a National Strategy for International Education to develop the Education Ireland brand by encouraging more international students to study here and to create new jobs in the sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43110/12]

Jobseeker's Allowance Applications

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

328. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Social Protection if her attention has been drawn to the fact that a person (details supplied) in Dublin 8 is unable to access any community welfare payments while awaiting their claim for jobseeker's allowance [42799/12]

Rent Supplement Scheme Applications

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

364. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Social Protection if her attention has been drawn to the fact that there is confusion regarding the new process for applying for rent supplement; her views on whether the policy change whereby persons can no longer make their urgent applications face to face to a community worker welfare officer but instead have to fill out lengthy forms and send these with documentation to a PO box is a backward step; if her attention has been drawn to the fact that persons are being told they will not receive a decision on their application for months; and if she will reverse this policy and insist that CWOs continue to deal with these applications. [43260/12]

Rent Supplement Scheme Payments

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

365. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Social Protection if rent supplement is now being paid in arrears rather than in advance in view of the fact that this is putting persons under significant pressure. [43261/12]

Tax Reliefs Cost

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

22. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Finance if there is an estimate of the tax forgone to the State from the activity whereby propriety directors can make tax free contributions to pensions; if he has considered placing a limit on the amount that can be contributed to pensions tax free by these persons for example in the region of 20% on an individual salary. [42268/12]

Tax Code

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

67. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Finance the amount that could be raised for the Exchequer if a value limit was in place on principal private residences currently exempt from Capital Gains Tax, of €300,000. [42267/12]

Scéim Tacaíochta Teaghlaigh

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

11. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh den Aire Ealaíon; Oidhreachta agus Gaeltachta cé mhéid coip den scéim tacaíochta teaghlaigh atá eisithe ag an Rialtas; cad atá sa phacáiste sin; agus cén saghas tacaíochta atá á tabhairt do na teaghlaigh atá cláraithe. [41972/12]

Official Engagements

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

26. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh den Aire Ealaíon, Oidhreachta agus Gaeltachta cé mhéid cruinnithe a bhí ag an bhFochoiste Rialtais agus ag na Coistí Idir-Rannacha ó thús na bliana. [41973/12]

Tax Reliefs Availability

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

49. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Finance the number of people who availed of the tax reliefs on private pensions last year and in each of the two previous years; the rate involved; and the value of same. [42181/12]

Social Welfare Code

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

116. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will give consideration to the circumstances of those coming out of care who are without family supports in her budgetary discussions and decision-making and if she will protect the social welfare incomes of these and other recipient groups. [42128/12]

Departmental Expenditure

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

120. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Social Protection the cost of restoring in 2013 the cuts made to child benefit in Budget 2012. [42174/12]

Departmental Expenditure

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

121. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Social Protection the cost of restoring in 2013 the cuts made to the one parent family payment earnings disregard in Budget 2012. [42175/12]

Departmental Expenditure

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

122. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Social Protection the cost of restoring in 2013 the cuts made to the one parent family transition payment in Budget 2012. [42176/12]

Departmental Expenditure

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

123. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Social Protection the cost of restoring in 2013 the cuts made to the fuel allowance in Budget 2012. [42177/12]