Ceisteanna Parlaiminte

Local Authority Housing Maintenance

Mattie McGrath

464. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the steps he will take to ensure that there are no further fatalities as a result of substandard local authority housing stock; his proposals to ensure that all local authority housing stock receive the required efficiency upgrades; the way he proposes that local authority housing tenants deal with their heating needs when they have so far been left for years waiting for improvement works to be carried out; his proposals for the housing aid for older people scheme to ensure that local authorities receive sufficient funding to deal with their backlog of applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2974/13]

Medical Card Delays

Mattie McGrath

201. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health if he is satisfied with the efficiency of the medical card office; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that fully completed applications are no longer being processed within the 15 day timeframe as previously indicated; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that applications are being held for more than one month with the medical officer alone; the measures he will take to ensure that this process is improved to ensure that those who require a medical card on discretionary grounds are not left waiting for long periods of time; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2100/13]

Fuel Rebate Scheme

Mattie McGrath

91. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Finance his plans to extend the auto-diesel relief for licensed road hauliers measures introduced in Budget 2013 to all passenger transport; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1733/13]

Student Grant Scheme Application Numbers

Mattie McGrath

272. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of students currently waiting for their applications for a higher education grant to be finalised throughout the country; the number of students from County Tipperary currently waiting for their applications for a higher education grant to be finalised; if Student Universal Support Ireland has given his office an explanation as to the reason so many applicants are being asked for information that has already been submitted; the number of students that have been approved for a higher education grant currently waiting for payment to be made; if he is satisfied with the efficiency of the SUSI Office in view of the fact that many students are still awaiting a decision in January; the efforts he will make to ensure that payments are finalised without further delay; the efforts he will make to ensure that there is not a repeat of this situation next year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1018/13]

Driving Licence Renewals

Mattie McGrath

1169. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the reason a person who has to renew their driving licence now before the introduction of the new driving licence on 19 January 2013 is being charged the new charge of €55 when they will not receive the new licence; the reason a person who is aged over 60 will be charged the full €55 for a ten year licence despite the fact that his licence will expire in less than ten years and they are effectively being charged for a service that they will not receive; if he will consider introducing a reduced rate for the ten year licence for the over 60's; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1531/13]

Schools Building Projects Applications

Mattie McGrath

104. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Skills the assistance that will be given to a school (details supplied) in County Tipperary who has a grant shortfall of €24,000 for a new extension; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57149/12]

Schools Refurbishment

Mattie McGrath

111. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Skills the assistance given to a school (details supplied) in County Tipperary which will no longer be in a position to meet loan repayments following the removal of the minor works grant and other cuts in the education budget; if emergency funding will be made available to assist the school; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57277/12]

Student Support Schemes Issues

Mattie McGrath

119. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Skills the supports that will be made available to a person (details supplied) in County Tipperary who has submitted an application under the disability access route to education; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57353/12]

Tax Rebates

Mattie McGrath

128. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Finance if the proposed fuel rebate scheme for road hauliers will apply to agricultural contractors; if he will consider a proposal to extend the scheme to agricultural contractors; if his attention has been drawn to an assessment that was carried out on the benefits of such scheme and if this assessment included the agricultural sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56344/12]

Property Taxation Exemptions

Mattie McGrath

134. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Finance if the unfinished housing estates that were exempt from the household charge will be exempt from the new local property tax; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56726/12]

Tax Rebates

Mattie McGrath

148. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Finance the reasons a fuel rebate scheme for road hauliers cannot be introduced on 1 January 2013; if he is concerned that jobs and businesses may be lost in the sector due to the late introduction of the scheme; if he has considered introducing legislation to bring this into operation on 1 January 2013; the reasons he did not include the agricultural industry and farm contractors under the scheme; if he will consider including such contractors under the scheme as they too are heavily dependent on the price of fuel; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56342/12]

Crime Prevention

Mattie McGrath

152. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Finance the steps he will take to penalise criminals involved in the sale and supply of laundered, illegal or counterfeit products such as diesel, tobacco and clothing; if he has considered increasing the fines for such activity; his view on the resources available to the Revenue Commissioners and Customs to tackle this problem; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56444/12]

Departmental Contracts

Mattie McGrath

198. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Skills if any concerns have been conveyed to him in relation to non-payment, underpayment or late payment for work done on projects funded by his Department since his appointment in March 2011. [56345/12]

EU Presidency Expenditure

Mattie McGrath

272. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he has responded to the offer from an airline (details supplied) dated 20 September 2012, to offer an opportunity for the Irish EU Presidency to reduce the cost of the travel for politicians and officials between Brussels and Dublin; the reasons this offer has not been taken up to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56415/12]

Proposed Legislation

Mattie McGrath

273. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the organisations, bodies or persons with whom he has consulted with in relation to the Construction Contracts Bill 2010; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56418/12]

Departmental Contracts

Mattie McGrath

433. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if any concerns have been conveyed to him in relation to non-payment, underpayment or late payment for work done on projects funded by his Department since his appointment in March 2011. [56417/12]

Garda Stations Closures

Mattie McGrath

470. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will itemise the amount of money saved, in tabular form, from the closure of each of the following Garda stations in County Tipperary (details supplied); if he has asked the Garda Commissioner to put other measures in place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56340/12]

Garda Stations Closures

Mattie McGrath

471. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the impact of his decision to close a further 100 Garda stations in tackling the problem of sale and supply of laundered, illegal or counterfeit products such as diesel, tobacco and clothing; his view on the resources available to the Gardaí, to tackle this problem; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56341/12]

Proposed Legislation

Mattie McGrath

477. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the steps he has taken to address the issues proposed by this Deputy in the Private Members Bill Precious Metal Dealers Bill 2011, which was an effort to regulate the cash for gold and cash for scrap industries; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56453/12]

Health Services Staff Issues

Mattie McGrath

593. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health if he will clarify reports that the Health Service Executive has announced a tender for 35 external leadership coaches; the proposed cost of such coaches and the budget from which this cost will be met; the purpose of such coaches; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56210/12]

Departmental Contracts

Mattie McGrath

605. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health if any concerns have been conveyed to him in relation to non-payment, underpayment or late payment for work done on projects funded by his Department since his appointment in March 2011. [56416/12]

Proposed Legislation

Mattie McGrath

635. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health his plans to amend the law in relation the involuntary admission; the feedback that has been provided to those who made submissions to the Mental Health Commission in relation to this matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56731/12]

Departmental Contracts

Mattie McGrath

676. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if any concerns have been conveyed to him in relation to non-payment, underpayment or late payment for work done on projects funded by his Department since his appointment in March 2011. [56346/12]

Non-Principal Private Residence Charge Exemptions

Mattie McGrath

124. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if a person who cannot live in their home due to a court order/barring order which prevents them from living in their home is exempt from the non principal private residence payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56166/12]

Defence Forces Reserve Issues

Mattie McGrath

3. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Defence if he will consider retaining the Reserve Defence Forces centre in the town of Clonmel, County Tipperary in view of the fact that there are two units (details supplied); the way he intends existing members based in the Clonmel centre to be accommodated if they have to travel to barracks in Cork and Limerick; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54996/12]

Teacher Training Provision

Mattie McGrath

159. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Skills if the teacher refund scheme will be re-opened in 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55092/12]

Nursing Homes Support Scheme Oversight

Mattie McGrath

101. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health the progress he has made with the review of the fair deal scheme; if in this review, active consideration will be given to the role the sheltered housing provided by non-profit housing associations could play in the housing and care needs of older persons; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54606/12]

HSE Funding

Mattie McGrath

102. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health the bodies that are funded under section 38 of the Health Act 2004; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54607/12]

Services for People with Disabilities

Mattie McGrath

103. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health the funding that has been allocated in 2012 for the transfer of residents living in congregated settings into supported housing in the community; his plans in the next three years in relation to funding this transition; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54608/12]

Drugs Payment Scheme Administration

Mattie McGrath

656. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health if there are any regulations or restrictions in place for the drugs payment scheme that prevent a patient from obtaining two months supply of their prescription in any one month period; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54416/12]

Site Acquisitions

Mattie McGrath

112. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Skills at what stage is the acquisition of the property, from the Mercy Order, required for the extension to a school (details supplied) to enable the amalgamation of a school; on the last report the acquisition of the site required was being dealt with under the redress scheme and the proposed build is due for the 2015/16 school year, if this timeframe can be verified; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53645/12]

Ash Dieback Threat

Mattie McGrath

228. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason the forestry were slow in taking action to try to limit the spread of ash dieback; the reason they waited until 90% of Denmark's ash trees were destroyed before starting to introduce measures to try to prevent the importation of additional sources of the disease; in view of the fact that the disease has been spreading across Europe for 10 to 15 years, the reason there has not been an information campaign to warn persons of the risk of importing a disease source; the way he can assure the Irish people that this disease has not been recently imported into several areas of the country through young ash plants, firewood, hurley butts, hurley planks or another source; the measures being taken to prevent the spread of the next tree disease to seep across Europe in years to come; with so many foresters retiring over recent years, if we have the experience and resources within Coillte to identify and tackle tree diseases; the percentage of Coillte employees that are actually trained and actively working foresters with the ability to work on the ground to combat this disease; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53675/12]

Banks Recapitalisation

Mattie McGrath

245. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Finance the role of the public interest directors in the State funded banks; the way they are representing the taxpayer; the actions they can take or have they taken when a taxpayer has a grievance with their bank; the action that they have taken to review and reduce the remuneration and pension packages of bankers in the best interests of the taxpayer; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52895/12]

Defence Forces Reserve Funding

Mattie McGrath

544. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Defence the criteria used when deciding the Reserve Defence Force bases that would be removed as opposed to those that would be retained under the value for money review of the Reserve Defence Force and reorganisation of the Reserve Defence Force; the reason it has been proposed to remove the base from Clonmel, a town with such a rich military history; if he will consider reviewing this decision based on his plans for the future uses of Kickham Barracks in Clonmel where a perfectly suitable base could be provided for the RDF alongside the Clonmel Garda Station and where the RDF would not require rental of another premises; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52841/12]

Departmental Expenditure

Mattie McGrath

595. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the amount experts such as Geoffrey Shannon, Norah Gibbons and Helen Buckley have been paid in the last decade for their services; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52838/12]

Child and Family Support Agency Establishment

Mattie McGrath

608. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the anticipated increased cost of the constitutional changes to the taxpayer in terms of the establishment of the new Child and Family Support Agency and any other costs which may be incurred; the anticipated savings; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52824/12]

Departmental Funding

Mattie McGrath

609. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the State contribution to Barnardos; ISPCC; Children's Rights Alliance and the Campaign for Children; the amount of money spent by these organisations; if the proposed change in the constitution will affect the amount of money that the State funnels into these organisation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52835/12]

Children in Care

Mattie McGrath

610. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the cost of a Guardian ad Litem; who supplies Guardian ad Litem services; if Guardian ad Litem will be a feature of every case involving a child under Amendment 31; the cost to the taxpayer; if Barnardos, ISPCC and Children's Rights Alliance offer Guardian ad Litem services; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52836/12]

Child and Family Support Agency Staff

Mattie McGrath

611. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs when the child protection staff currently employed by the Health Service Executive will be transferred to the new agency; the number of staff that will be transferred; if they receive will redundancy payments and if so what is the estimated cost; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52837/12]

Medical Card Eligibility

Mattie McGrath

627. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health the reason a medical card has been refused for a seriously ill child who requires palliative care; if he will have this decision reviewed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52262/12]

Universal Health Insurance Provision

Mattie McGrath

632. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health the progress that has been made on the plans to extend free general practitioner care to all claimants of medicines under the long term illness scheme as announced in Budget 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52330/12]

Sports Funding

Mattie McGrath

714. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if there is any assistance available from the Sports Council or any other body to assist exceptional athletes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52286/12]

Health Services Provision

Mattie McGrath

206. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health the number of adults are being funded by the Health Service Executive in 2012 to receive specialist care in facilities outside the State; if he will provide details in respect of each of those adults on the type of care being provided, for example mental health, learning disability, brain injury and each setting, that is hospital, community or residential placement; if he will provide details in respect of the duration of each placement, start date and projected end date; the name and address of the care provider; the HSE area that is funding each placement and the programme of care, for example mental health, physical or learning disability; the total cost to the HSE of each placement for the financial year 2012, with a breakdown of each care provider's costs, that is, hospital, day care, residential, therapy, treatment; the cost of family visits flights, taxis, meals, accommodation and so on; and the costs for the HSE multi-disciplinary teams who travel abroad to each unit/placement for review meetings, assessment and case conferences that is flights, taxis, meals, accommodation and so on; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51750/12]

Garda Stations Closures

Mattie McGrath

477. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will confirm the announcement that Clonmel Garda Barracks will be relocated to the former Kickham Barracks site; if he will confirm when funding will be made available for the project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51369/12]

Traffic Management

Mattie McGrath

285. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will consider examining the feasibility of introducing a left hand turn on red policy and to implement a pilot programme that would enable drivers to turn left after coming to a complete stop at an intersection where the light is red, assuming that no traffic is coming from the fight (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50550/12]

Building Regulations Compliance

Mattie McGrath

443. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the consideration he has given to the views and concerns of the Chartered Institute of Architectural Technologists in relation to the Building Control (Amendment) Regulations 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49599/12]

Referendum Expenditure

Mattie McGrath

467. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the total cost to his Department of holding the Children's Referendum including a breakdown of the costs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50055/12]

Hospital Services

Mattie McGrath

619. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health his plans for the proposed downgrading of Waterford Regional Hospital to a district hospital; if his attention has been drawn to the devestating effect this will have for persons across the entire south east region; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49684/12]

Army Barracks Closures

Mattie McGrath

3. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Defence the progress that has been made in arranging an alternative use for the former Kickham Barracks site in Clonmel, County Tipperary; if he has examined the option of relocating the Clonmel Garda Station to the barracks location; when this matter will be finalised; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48757/12]

Children's Rights Referendum

Mattie McGrath

186. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the expected cost of the Children's Referendum including a breakdown of such costs; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48985/12]