Ceisteanna Parlaiminte

Microenterprise Loan Fund Application Numbers

Nicky McFadden

364. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the number of persons in County Longford and County Westmeath who have applied for the microenterprise loan fund scheme since its establishment in October 2012; the number of those applications that were approved; the number of jobs that are being supported by these approved loans; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27448/13]

Social Welfare Fraud Issues

Nicky McFadden

449. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Social Protection the actions taken by her to tackle social welfare fraud; the savings made to date in 2013 as a result of those actions; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27593/13]

Energy Resources

Nicky McFadden

510. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will outline the way a greater focus on developing energy efficiency can contribute to job creation; if investment will be secured at EU level for modern energy infrastructure; if the challenge posed by high energy prices will be addressed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26702/13]

Septic Tank Inspections

Nicky McFadden

582. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the provisions that will be made for householders who have registered and qualify for a septic tank grant should it be necessary to upgrade their system prior to inspection by the respective County Council; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26892/13]

Fire Service Issues

Nicky McFadden

607. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the impact of the national plan to consolidate fire services on the services provided in counties Westmeath and Longford; if all existing fire stations in both counties will remain open; which stations will offer services in cases of cardiac arrest; if he will clarify the position in relation to call vetting; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27537/13]

Crime Prevention

Nicky McFadden

686. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will provide figures on the number of community alert and neighbourhood watch programmes that have been established so far in 2013 in counties Longford and Westmeath; the areas in which those programmes have been established; the total number of programmes now active in both counties; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26703/13]

Subsidiary Protection Administration

Nicky McFadden

689. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will outline the details of new arrangements being made for the reform of processing subsidiary protection applications with a view to improving processing in the area of international protection; if there is a timeframe for the introduction of these new arrangements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26782/13]

Garda Vetting Applications

Nicky McFadden

722. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if extra staff will be recruited in the area of Garda vetting to ensure that applicants for youth work projects through community education schemes are processed as quickly as possible (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27443/13]

Fodder Crisis

Nicky McFadden

788. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will outline the actions taken by his Department to assist farmers in counties Longford and Westmeath who are experiencing severe fodder shortages; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26701/13]

Food Harvest 2020 Strategy

Nicky McFadden

810. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide an update on the Food Harvest 2020 targets, particularly in relation to export growth and dairy quotas; if the targets are on track to be met; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27551/13]

Child Care Services Regulation

Nicky McFadden

845. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the steps being taken by her Department to ensure that adequate standards in crèches are adhered to; if she will ensure that the health, safety and well-being of children in the care of crèches is not compromised; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26783/13]

Youth Services Funding

Nicky McFadden

848. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she has considered the study carried out by NUI Galway citing the Big Brother Big Sister programme as being a low cost and extremely effective intervention for vulnerable young persons; if funding for this programme will be maintained; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26802/13]

Diabetes Strategy

Nicky McFadden

930. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Health if he will outline the development of diabetes health services in counties Longford/Westmeath; if the Health Service Executive will fill sanctioned posts in critical areas of diabetes care, particularly in the areas of integrated diabetes care and footcare/podiatrist post in Mullingar hospital, County Westmeath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26799/13]

Ambulance Service Provision

Nicky McFadden

1029. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Health if the air ambulance service operating from Custume Barracks, Athlone, County Westmeath, will be retained beyond the pilot programme ending this month; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27805/13]

Irish Coast Guard Issues

Nicky McFadden

1099. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if the Lough Ree RNLI lifeboat service will become a permanent safety fixture on the lake and River Shannon after serving its 12-month probation; if he will acknowledge the important contribution the service has made to safety on the water since its operation in June 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27529/13]

Broadband Service Speeds

Nicky McFadden

116. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his views on the statement by the UK communications regulator Ofcom that data speeds from the 4G technology LTE are likely to be of the order of 6 megabits per second on average; if that is the case, whether he considers LTE a suitable technology to deliver the target in the national broadband plan of a minimum of 30Mbps to the last 30% of population; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24844/13]

Broadband Service Speeds

Nicky McFadden

117. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will confirm that the target in the national broadband plan for the last 30% of population of a minimum of 30Mbps is a measure of the true customer experience that will be achieved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24845/13]

Consultancy Contracts

Nicky McFadden

118. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if the winning consultants for the national broadband plan have met the turnover requirement in section 3.2A of the request for tenders; the additional documentation he has sought from them in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24846/13]

Consultancy Contracts

Nicky McFadden

119. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if a company (details supplied), the winning consultants for the national broadband plan, will be subcontracting any element of the work; if so, the subcontractors involved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24847/13]

Consultancy Contracts

Nicky McFadden

120. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will publish the brief and assumptions under which the consultants to the national broadband plan will be asked to carry out a cost benefit analysis of the plan in line with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform public spending code; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24848/13]

Consultancy Contracts

Nicky McFadden

121. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if, in view of concerns regarding administrative delays in receiving EU state aid approval for the national broadband plan, he has notified the Commission in relation to this plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24849/13]

Schools Review

Nicky McFadden

101. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding school building work and emergency accommodation works in 2013 in respect of a school (details supplied) in County Westmeath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24604/13]

Invalidity Pension Appeals

Nicky McFadden

153. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Social Protection when a decision will issue on an invalidity pension appeal in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Westmeath; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24585/13]

Health Services Provision

Nicky McFadden

245. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Health if he will clarify the position in relation to the provision of outpatient services at St Vincent's Care Centre in Athlone, County Westmeath; if those out-patient services will be maintained; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24527/13]

Hospital Services

Nicky McFadden

266. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Health the position regarding the provision of services at St Vincent's Hospital, Athlone, County Westmeath; if current services will be maintained; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23265/13]

Homeless Persons Supports

Nicky McFadden

331. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Social Protection if she has considered the moving n proposal from Focus Ireland to address unnecessary youth homelessness; if her Department will lead a network of relevant agencies to construct an activation package of education, training and support for young people in emergency accommodation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22260/13]

Turf Cutting Compensation Scheme Relocation Options

Nicky McFadden

381. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the position regarding turf-cutting at Lough Sheelin bog; if alternative bog will be provided for those who wish to continue turf-cutting; if his Department has been engaging with the Lough Sheelin Turf Cutters and Contractors Association; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22450/13]

Energy Conservation

Nicky McFadden

399. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the way the national energy efficiency action plan can contribute to reducing energy bills for consumers, businesses and the public sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22261/13]

Job Creation Issues

Nicky McFadden

400. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will outline the way he is supporting the Digital Hub Development Agency and the National Digital Research Centre; the potential for these services to create jobs in the digital enterprise sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22349/13]

Housing for People with Disabilities

Nicky McFadden

432. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if Westmeath County Council will be involved in pilot projects to support persons with disabilities moving from institutional care to community based living during 2013; if she will outline the way the sourcing and delivery of units will be managed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22346/13]

Mortgage Resolution Processes

Nicky McFadden

80. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Finance the measures being taken to support variable rate mortgage holders in relation to engagement with banks; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22098/13]

Tobacco Control Measures

Nicky McFadden

224. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Health his views on the potential negative impact upon legitimate manufacturing jobs in a tobacco company in Mullingar, County Westmeath; the proposed EU tobacco laws as set forth under the European Union Tobacco Products Directive may have; if these manufacturing jobs will be protected without compromising the EU’s efforts to reduce smoking among young persons; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22021/13]

Sale of State Assets

Nicky McFadden

193. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the position in relation to the proposed sale of harvesting rights on Coillte-owned land; if he acknowledges the significant role Irish forestry can play in investment and job creation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21450/13]

Carer's Allowance Appeals

Nicky McFadden

210. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Social Protection when a decision will issue on a carer's allowance appeal in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Longford in view of the fact that a minor error was made on the original application; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21207/13]

Local Government Reform

Nicky McFadden

276. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide an update on work being carried out by his Department to implement proposals for regional structures outlined in the Government's action programme on local government reform, including the rationalisation of ten regional bodies into three new regional assemblies; if eligibility for EU funding programmes will be maintained; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21531/13]

Asylum Applications

Nicky McFadden

297. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will outline the way the Common European Asylum System will ensure that the European Union has a fair and effective system for processing asylum applications that is also robust and not open to abuse; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21449/13]

Army Barracks Closures

Nicky McFadden

305. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Defence if any arrangement for the future use of Columb Barracks, Mullingar, County Westmeath has been agreed upon; thet options that may be available to organisations who wish to express interest in using the premises [21195/13]

Mobility Allowance Eligibility

Nicky McFadden

386. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Health when a decision on an alternative method to the mobility allowance and motorised transport grant in order to provide for the needs of people in a manner that does not run counter to the Equal Status Acts will be made; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21202/13]

Health Reports

Nicky McFadden

410. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Health if he has considered the recent position paper by the Fit for Work Coalition; the recommendations for a cross departmental group to engage the expertise and insights of the coalition members in order to develop an intervention programme designed to improve the lives of persons living with musculoskeletal disorders and to reduce workplace absenteeism; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21530/13]

Property Taxation Administration

Nicky McFadden

167. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will ensure that revenue collected from the local property tax is allocated in each local authority to the provision of adequate local services such as street lighting and waste collection; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20671/13]

Maternity Benefit Issues

Nicky McFadden

193. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Finance his views on the situation of women who do not receive a full salary top-up from maternity benefit tax; if those who do not receive salary top-ups from their employer should be made exempt from the tax; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20135/13]

Small and Medium Enterprises Supports

Nicky McFadden

269. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if he will identify some of the measures being taken to promote cost reductions for small and medium enterprises particularly in labour costs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19762/13]

Energy Prices

Nicky McFadden

352. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will identify some of the measures being taken to promote cost reductions for small and medium enterprises, particularly on energy costs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19762/13]

Waste Management Issues

Nicky McFadden

382. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will identify some of the measures being taken to promote cost reductions for small and medium enterprises particularly in relation to waste costs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19762/13]

Departmental Funding

Nicky McFadden

496. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she will commit to the continuation of adequate funding for the youth work sector in counties Longford and Westmeath; if she will ensure that no further cuts are made in the area of disadvantaged youth work; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19772/13]

Youth Work Projects Funding

Nicky McFadden

498. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she will outline the funding currently being provided to youth work projects in County Westmeath, including the SPY funded project and youth information services, Athlone Youth and Community Project, Athlone Youth Information Service and Mullingar Youth Project; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19814/13]

Rural Transport Services Provision

Nicky McFadden

606. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will ensure that the important elements of the rural transport scheme in Longford will remain in place, including local co-ordinators with a community based county structure rather than a regional network and door to door service; if he will further ensure that local providers will have the same opportunities to tender; if he will outline overall plans for the rural transport scheme in Longford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19931/13]

Mental Health Services Provision

Nicky McFadden

225. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on the replacement of the Central Mental Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19627/13]

National Children's Hospital Status

Nicky McFadden

226. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on the development of the national children's hospital, Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19628/13]

Student Grant Scheme Applications

Nicky McFadden

104. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Education and Skills if a full Student Universal Support Ireland grant will be awarded to a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19484/13]