Ceisteanna Parlaiminte

Office of the Ombudsman Investigations

Arthur Spring

113. Deputy Arthur Spring asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the mechanisms in place for questioning a decision of the Ombudsman; and his views on whether or not the process is transparent and accountable. [47479/13]

Cycling Facilities Provision

Arthur Spring

244. Deputy Arthur Spring asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if the works to be carried under the National Cycle Network Programme 2014-2016 will be tendered to small and medium-sized businesses or carried out in-house by local authorities; and the person who will be awarded the funding. [47491/13]

Defined Benefit Pension Schemes

Arthur Spring

617. Deputy Arthur Spring asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will provide an update on the ESB pension scheme with particular concern to the €1.8 billion deficit in the scheme; when the status of the scheme changed from defined benefit to defined contribution in the company's annual report; and the action being taken to address the current pension deficit. [46379/13]

Local Authority Staff

Arthur Spring

646. Deputy Arthur Spring asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the number of years service of acting in a position within a local authority must be fulfilled in order for that person automatically to be appointed to that position. [47041/13]

Road Traffic Offences

Arthur Spring

804. Deputy Arthur Spring asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if it is appropriate that a person (details supplied) in County Kerry should go to court in view of the fact that the fine was paid just past the deadline. [46603/13]

Prisoner Transfers

Arthur Spring

824. Deputy Arthur Spring asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the options available to a person (details supplied) in County Kerry in regard to a transfer request within the Prison Service. [46958/13]

IBRC Mortgage Loan Book

Arthur Spring

66. Deputy Arthur Spring asked the Minister for Finance if persons with mortgages with the Irish Bank Resolution Corporation are being offered the opportunity to purchase the mortgages at a discount. [45389/13]

Banking Sector Issues

Arthur Spring

84. Deputy Arthur Spring asked the Minister for Finance the measures in place to ensure that Ireland will not be vulnerable to a repeat banking crisis and to prevent a repeat of the banking practices which led to the recent financial crisis; the further regulations that will be put in place to ensure that the banking industry plays a constructive role in the economy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45176/13]

Insurance Industry Regulation

Arthur Spring

85. Deputy Arthur Spring asked the Minister for Finance in view of the financial implications for Irish citizens of the collapse of PMPA in 1983 and of Quinn Insurance, the measures he has put in place to ensure the Irish consumer will be protected in future with proper and appropriate regulation in the insurance industry. [45177/13]

Tax Residency Issues

Arthur Spring

86. Deputy Arthur Spring asked the Minister for Finance if he will review the taxation regime as it applies to tax exiles where it is obvious that their primary residences and their main centres of operation are here and due to current legislation such persons avoid paying a fair share of income tax as is expected of all citizens. [45178/13]

Radon Gas Levels

Arthur Spring

368. Deputy Arthur Spring asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if grant aid for radon remediation works will be made available to persons who live in radon black spots as established by the RPII. in view of the fact that persons in these areas who qualify for Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland grants under the better energy homes scheme face the problem of increased radon concentrations as a result of greater airtightness following the draught proofing of the house. [44646/13]

Roadworthiness Testing

Arthur Spring

449. Deputy Arthur Spring asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the reason for the rise in fees on 7 October 2013 for commercial vehicle road-worthiness testing; and if the rise was publicised in advance. [43100/13]

Financial Services Regulation

Arthur Spring

52. Deputy Arthur Spring asked the Minister for Finance further to Parliamentary Question No. 189 of 24 September 2013, if the Central Bank of Ireland set in place a time frame for financial institutions that have been notified by customers to resolve issues regarding the misselling of PPI prior to July 2007; the course of action available to customers if they believe the financial institution is not responding to their claim; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42792/13]

Consumer Protection

Arthur Spring

57. Deputy Arthur Spring asked the Minister for Finance further to Parliamentary Question No. 191 of 1 October 2013, the options that are available to the consumer if an international insurance company licensed in Ireland, which plans to cease operation, fails to provide at least two months' notice to affected consumers to enable them to make alternative arrangements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42837/13]

Third Level Fees

Arthur Spring

84. Deputy Arthur Spring asked the Minister for Education and Skills if a person (details supplied) in County Kerry qualifies as a child dependent on their parent's claim, and therefore entitled for free fees for third level based on the fact that they are aged 22 years and enrolled in full-time education, despite the fact that they are just short of meeting the three years residency criteria. [42677/13]

Legislative Programme

Arthur Spring

464. Deputy Arthur Spring asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will provide an update on the progress of the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Amendment Bill 2013. [42317/13]

Mental Health Services

Arthur Spring

516. Deputy Arthur Spring asked the Minister for Health if the child and adult mental health service will recognise and accept reports from qualified medical persons on behalf of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41797/13]

Insurance Industry Issues

Arthur Spring

191. Deputy Arthur Spring asked the Minister for Finance the period of notice that an international insurance company licensed in Ireland is obliged to give to a consumer prior to that company's withdrawal from the Irish market; if the company is obliged to notify the consumer directly as opposed to notifying the brokers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40620/13]

Payment Protection Insurance

Arthur Spring

189. Deputy Arthur Spring asked the Minister for Finance the options available to persons who wish to seek refunds of payment protection insurance which they believe they were mis-sold prior to 2007; if the financial organisation which sold the PPI is obliged to inform them of their possible entitlement to a refund; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39440/13]

Special Educational Needs Service Provision

Arthur Spring

276. Deputy Arthur Spring asked the Minister for Education and Skills if an application for special educational needs supports has been processed by the National Council for Special Education in respect of a school (details supplied) in County Kerry and if the school will be allocated more support; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37018/13]

Immigration Policy

Arthur Spring

492. Deputy Arthur Spring asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the conditions attached to Croatians in relation to access to the labour market here following the enactment of the European Union Bill 2013; if their entitlements will be the same to the Irish labour market as citizens of existing European Union member countries; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37033/13]

Social Welfare Eligibility

Arthur Spring

528. Deputy Arthur Spring asked the Minister for Social Protection the social welfare benefits the Croatians will be automatically entitled to if they decide to move here. [37033/13]

Orthodontic Service Provision

Arthur Spring

1284. Deputy Arthur Spring asked the Minister for Health if treatment will be provided by the Health Service Executive to a person (details supplied) in County Kerry as the person who is not a suitable candidate for other treatments due to illness. [36872/13]

Universal Social Charge Application

Arthur Spring

202. Deputy Arthur Spring asked the Minister for Finance the exact definition of the word "universal" his Department has applied to the universal social charge. [36778/13]

Universal Social Charge Application

Arthur Spring

203. Deputy Arthur Spring asked the Minister for Finance the reason his Department differentiates those with an income of more than €100,000 into two categories for universal social charge, at different rates; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36779/13]

Tax Code

Arthur Spring

204. Deputy Arthur Spring asked the Minister for Finance if he considers the universal social charge to be an income tax; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36780/13]

Nursing Education

Arthur Spring

1089. Deputy Arthur Spring asked the Minister for Health if a person (details supplied) in County Kerry who sat the written assessment for application to pre-registration nursing and midwifery degree programme commencing in September 2013 may be considered for a waiting list for the programme in view of the the applicant's examination average over all subjects. [34838/13]

Social Insurance Issues

Arthur Spring

170. Deputy Arthur Spring asked the Minister for Social Protection if a person who paid class S stamps while self-employed is entitled to pay PRSI contributions on unearned income derived from letting of farm land, having retired on the early retirement scheme; the benefits the PRSI payments will provide to the person; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33702/13]

Social Insurance Issues

Arthur Spring

171. Deputy Arthur Spring asked the Minister for Social Protection if a person who previously had paid class S stamps while self employed is entitled to receive full PRSI credits towards a contributory pension when reclassified to class M due to a reduction in income; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33703/13]

Invalidity Pension Eligibility

Arthur Spring

335. Deputy Arthur Spring asked the Minister for Social Protection the social benefit entitlements a person who entered the workforce prior to 1995 is entitled to, with special reference to invalidity pension, following the awarding of a change of status credits to that person and considering that the change of status credits are awarded back to the beginning of the contribution year during which that person's status changed and for the previous contribution year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33446/13]

Hospital Admissions

Arthur Spring

507. Deputy Arthur Spring asked the Minister for Health if the Health Service Executive has a record of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry being admitted to casualty in Kerry General Hospital in August or September 2012; if there is a record of an ambulance being called to their residence; if a follow up visit, an appointment for an MRI or referral to a consultant was advised by medical staff in the hospital at the time of admission; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33122/13]

Nursing Education

Arthur Spring

550. Deputy Arthur Spring asked the Minister for Health when the result of the re-check of the verbal assessment examination as part of the process for application to pre-registration of the Nursing/Midwifery Degree Programmes (Mature Code Nursing 2013) requested by a person (details supplied) in County Kerry will be released. [33445/13]

Overseas Development Aid Provision

Arthur Spring

63. Deputy Arthur Spring asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade Ireland's current strategy on overseas aid; and if Ireland's commitment to overseas aid until 2015 will be met. [32691/13]

Long-Term Illness Scheme Eligibility

Arthur Spring

260. Deputy Arthur Spring asked the Minister for Health the criteria that applied for inclusion of conditions that are covered by the long term illness scheme. [32673/13]

Vaccination Programme

Arthur Spring

264. Deputy Arthur Spring asked the Minister for Health if the new vaccine for menigitis B, called Bexsero, will be introduced into the childhood immunisation schedule as it has recently been licensed by the European Commission; and the timeframe expected for its introduction. [32683/13]

Departmental Schemes

Arthur Spring

557. Deputy Arthur Spring asked the Minister for Health the current processing time for community ophthalmic scheme forms; his views on whether the current practice of returning forms to the patient and not to the medical practice is practical and time efficient; if this current practice will be changed following a review; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30167/13]

Invalidity Pension Appeals

Arthur Spring

124. Deputy Arthur Spring asked the Minister for Social Protection if a person (details supplied) in County Kerry qualifies for an invalidity pension payment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29463/13]

Electricity Generation

Arthur Spring

276. Deputy Arthur Spring asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the maximum amount of kw hours that a commercial building including farm building is allowed to produce from photovoltaic panels; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28954/13]

Electricity Generation

Arthur Spring

277. Deputy Arthur Spring asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if the current rate being paid by Electric Ireland to photovoltaic energy producers is adequate to encourage further production; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28955/13]

Ministerial Appointments

Arthur Spring

345. Deputy Arthur Spring asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government further to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 51 of 3 May 2012 and 437 of 16 October 2012, if he will provide an update on the appointment of the chairperson and the nomination of the majority of non-architect members to the professional conduct committee in line with Section 23 of the Building Control Act 2007; the proposed role the committee will play in settling disputes between architects and their clients; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29231/13]

Rural Environment Protection Scheme Eligibility

Arthur Spring

458. Deputy Arthur Spring asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the position regarding a REP scheme 4 appeal in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and when a final decision will issue on same. [29223/13]

Rail Network

Arthur Spring

591. Deputy Arthur Spring asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will reassure taxpayers that a recent attempt by landowners in County Kerry to acquire possession of a disused railway line will be resisted by his Department and by CIE; the support that will be given to community-based initiatives to provide tourist infrastructure and a local amenity on this route; if he will reassure the public in counties Sligo and Mayo that similar attempts to acquire possession of the disused Claremorris-Collooney railway line by persons will not be opposed by CIE and that an initiative to preserve the route in public ownership by means of a greenway will be supported by his Department and by CIE. [29222/13]

Tobacco Control Measures

Arthur Spring

189. Deputy Arthur Spring asked the Minister for Health when the regulatory impact analysis, including the cost benefit assessment, will be completed of the proposal for plain packaging in the tobacco industry; if there will be public consultation; and the Departments that will be involved in the consultation process. [28426/13]

Tobacco Control Measures

Arthur Spring

190. Deputy Arthur Spring asked the Minister for Health his views on the proposal for plain packaging in the tobacco industry; and his views on whether there will be an impact on the retail business. [28427/13]

HSE Expenditure

Arthur Spring

199. Deputy Arthur Spring asked the Minister for Health the amount that has been spent on the outsourcing of external maintenance works on a yearly basis in the previous three years; and if consideration is being given to recruiting in-house for the provision of services in Kerry General Hospital. [28434/13]

Public Procurement Regulations

Arthur Spring

102. Deputy Arthur Spring asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his views on the way new policies on public procurement will affect small and medium enterprises in view of the concerns expressed by the Small Firms Association; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28365/13]

Genetically Modified Organisms

Arthur Spring

195. Deputy Arthur Spring asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his position in relation to GMO/GE crops in view of the increasing number of countries worldwide banning such crops; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28361/13]

Foreign Conflicts

Arthur Spring

118. Deputy Arthur Spring asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views on the imposition of a no-fly zone for Syria. [27498/13]

Foreign Conflicts

Arthur Spring

119. Deputy Arthur Spring asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views on the recent lifting of the EU arms embargo on Syria. [27499/13]

Fuel Laundering

Arthur Spring

186. Deputy Arthur Spring asked the Minister for Finance the amount the Revenue Commissioners estimate has been lost to the Exchequer as a result of fuel laundering in the past three years. [27495/13]