Ceisteanna Parlaiminte

Technological Universities

Brendan Smith

100. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will outline the developments made to date in relation to the possible establishment of a technological university or technological universities; when this process is likely to be completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43767/12]

Road Network

Brendan Smith

262. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Transport; Tourism and Sport if he will accede to the request of Monaghan County Council for €1.5 million funding to progress the design to a preferred route status for the proposed road scheme on the N2 from Clontibret to the border; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43798/12]

Student Grant Scheme Reform

Brendan Smith

79. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Education and Skills when the report of the Capital Asset Test Implementation Group regarding higher education grants will be published; if he has received this report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43080/12]

Teacher Recruitment

Brendan Smith

110. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he is satisfied that only qualified registered teachers are employed in approved teaching posts in schools since September 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43077/12]

European Council Meetings

Brendan Smith

136. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the discussions he has had with his European Union colleagues in relation to a National ban or EU ban on imports of settlement products from occupied Palestinian territories; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43437/12]

Turf Cutting Compensation Scheme Payments

Brendan Smith

384. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Arts; Heritage and the Gaeltacht when a turf compensation payment will issue to a person (details supplied) in county Cavan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43435/12]

Road Safety Issues

Brendan Smith

460. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if his attention has been drawn to the concerns of residents along the N54/A3 Clones to Cavan road where there are continuing anti-social/dangerous driving practices; if his further attention has been drawn to the incidents on the weekend of 15 September 2012 on that stretch of road; if it is proposed to implement additional safety measures on a North/South basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42898/12]

Primary Care Centres Provision

Brendan Smith

611. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Health when a primary care facility will be progressed for a centre (details supplied) in County Cavan where at present surgery and clinic facilities are inadequate; the likely timescale for this centre to be operational; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42894/12]

Primary Care Centres Provision

Brendan Smith

695. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Health the position regarding the development of a primary care centre in Ballyjamesduff, County Cavan; when it is likely to be operational; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43483/12]

Tax Compliance

Brendan Smith

11. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Finance his views on the report of the Comptroller and Auditor General which highlighted considerable uncertainty surrounding the level of tax non-compliance and the audit processes employed by Revenue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42315/12]

Bank Debt Restructuring

Brendan Smith

39. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Finance his plans to safeguard the State’s investment in Irish Life; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42319/12]

Access to Higher Education

Brendan Smith

98. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will outline the funds invested in the DARE third level scheme; if there are Departmental funds involved; if so, the amount of same; if he has an analysis of the number of DARE student places allocated by each third level college/university to each of the faculties; if he will outline the breakdown in relation to agricultural science degree or its equivalent since the commencement of the scheme; the qualifying criteria for same; if he will list the third level colleges/universities that are operating the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42432/12]

Local and Community Development Programme Project Funding

Brendan Smith

149. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for the Environment; Community and Local Government if funding will be approved for a project (details supplied) in view of its success to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42095/12]

Ministerial Responsibilities

Brendan Smith

97. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Taoiseach the statutory powers that have been delegated to Ministers of State in his Department; and the date on which the statutory powers were delegated. [41270/12]

Schools Building Projects Status

Brendan Smith

201. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding a proposed building project for a school (details supplied) in County Cavan; if he proposes to restore this project to his School Building Programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41997/12]

IDA Portfolio

Brendan Smith

242. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Jobs; Enterprise and Innovation further to Parliamentary Question No. 305 of 19 July 2012, if he will clarify his statement that the Industrial Development Agency had assured him that it would consider opportunities to utilise its property portfolio in County Cavan to attract other non-traditional type of investments to the region which do not fall under the general remit of the IDA or Enterprise Ireland; if he will outline the range of such non-traditional type investments the IDA have in mind; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42014/12]

Respite Care Services

Brendan Smith

582. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Health the number of respite beds, in St Mary's Nursing Unit, Castleblayney, County Monaghan; the number of such beds in 2009, 2010 and 2011; if he will confirm that it is proposed to retain this respite facility; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42016/12]

Hospital Facilities

Brendan Smith

583. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Health the location at which food is prepared and cooked for Monaghan General Hospital, St Mary's Nursing Unit, Castleblayney and St Davnet's, Monaghan; if he is satisfied that such arrangements for catering for these health facilities is appropriate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42017/12]

Bus Éireann Services

Brendan Smith

614. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Transport; Tourism and Sport if, in view of the concern of residents in the West Cavan area regarding the proposed curtailment of services by Bus Éireann on the No. 30 route servicing Swanlinbar/Bawnboy/Ballyconnell and Belturbet to Cavan Town as such a proposed ending of services will disadvantage a large number of persons dependent on public transport; if he will convey to Bus Éireann the need to retain this service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42015/12]

Medicinal Products Expenditure

Brendan Smith

44. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on discussions with the IPHA; the savings that are expected in relation to reducing the drugs bill as a result of these discussions; when he expects to see these savings take effect; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40970/12]

Ministerial Responsibilities

Brendan Smith

41. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the statutory powers that have been delegated to Ministers of State in his Department; and the date on which the statutory powers were delegated. [40781/12]

Ministerial Responsibilities

Brendan Smith

44. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Finance the statutory powers that have been delegated to Ministers of State in his Department; and the date on which the statutory powers were delegated. [40780/12]

Ministerial Responsibilities

Brendan Smith

68. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Education and Skills the statutory powers that have been delegated to Ministers of State in his Department; and the date on which the statutory powers were delegated. [40778/12]

Ministerial Responsibilities

Brendan Smith

78. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the statutory powers that have been delegated to Ministers of State in his Department; and the date on which the statutory powers were delegated. [40785/12]

Ministerial Responsibilities

Brendan Smith

83. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Jobs; Enterprise and Innovation the statutory powers that have been delegated to Ministers of State in his Department; and the date on which the statutory powers were delegated. [40783/12]

Ministerial Responsibilities

Brendan Smith

109. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Arts; Heritage and the Gaeltacht the statutory powers that have been delegated to Ministers of State in his Department; and the date on which the statutory powers were delegated. [40775/12]

Ministerial Responsibilities

Brendan Smith

115. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Communications; Energy and Natural Resources the statutory powers that have been delegated to Ministers of State in his Department; and the date on which the statutory powers were delegated. [40776/12]

Ministerial Responsibilities

Brendan Smith

118. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for the Environment; Community and Local Government the statutory powers that have been delegated to Ministers of State in his Department; and the date on which the statutory powers were delegated. [40779/12]

Financial Services Regulation

Brendan Smith

130. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will provide details in relation to the body or agency currently responsible for dealing with unlicensed money lenders; the manner in which unlicensed money lenders are currently being dealt with by An Garda Siochána or any other agency under his Department; the number of prosecutions and convictions that have been secured against unlicensed moneylenders operating unlawfully in the State within the past five years; his views on the problem; and if he has any proposals for dealing with the matter of unlicensed moneylenders operating unlawfully in the future. [40832/12]

Garda Transport Provision

Brendan Smith

135. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the Garda stations in counties Cavan and Monaghan that have no Garda patrol cars; the proposals, if any there are to increase the number of vehicles available in the Cavan/Monaghan Garda Division; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40773/12]

Ministerial Responsibilities

Brendan Smith

136. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the statutory powers that have been delegated to Ministers of State in his Department; and the date on which the statutory powers were delegated. [40784/12]

Financial Services Regulation

Brendan Smith

139. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will provide details in relation to the body or agency currently responsible for dealing with unlicensed money lenders; the manner in which unlicensed money lenders are currently being dealt with by An Garda Siochána or any other agency under his Department; the number of prosecutions and convictions that have been secured against unlicensed moneylenders operating unlawfully in the State within the past five years; his views on the problem and if he has any proposals for dealing with the matter of unlicensed moneylenders operating unlawfully in the future. [40831/12]

Ministerial Responsibilities

Brendan Smith

144. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Defence the statutory powers that have been delegated to Ministers of State in his Department; and the date on which the statutory powers were delegated. [40777/12]

Pigmeat Sector

Brendan Smith

147. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Agriculture; Food and the Marine the proposals if any he has to assist the pig sector through the series of difficulties at present; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40771/12]

Ministerial Responsibilities

Brendan Smith

148. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Agriculture; Food and the Marine the statutory powers that have been delegated to Ministers of State in his Department; and the date on which the statutory powers were delegated. [40774/12]

Hospital Services

Brendan Smith

174. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Health the position regarding the proposal to provide a medical assessment unit for Monaghan General Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40772/12]

Ministerial Responsibilities

Brendan Smith

175. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Health the statutory powers that have been delegated to Ministers of State in his Department; and the date on which the statutory powers were delegated. [40782/12]

Ministerial Responsibilities

Brendan Smith

210. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Transport; Tourism and Sport the statutory powers that have been delegated to Ministers of State in his Department; and the date on which the statutory powers were delegated. [40786/12]

Agriculture Schemes Expenditure

Brendan Smith

58. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Agriculture; Food and the Marine the underspend in the agri environment options scheme and the REP scheme to date in 2012; if the full budgeted allocation will be spent; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40432/12]

Sick Pay Scheme Expenditure

Brendan Smith

245. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Social Protection his views regarding concerns of employers as outlined through representative organisations and many companies of varied size, small, medium and large in relation to proposals to impose sick pay costs on employers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40546/12]

Rural Development Programme Projects

Brendan Smith

295. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for the Environment; Community and Local Government when he will issue approval in respect of a project (details supplied) in County Monaghan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40548/12]

Defence Forces Ombudsman Resources

Brendan Smith

13. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Defence his plans for the future of the Ombudsman of the Defence Forces; the future powers and resources of the position; the time frame for any changes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39479/12]

Undocumented Irish in the USA

Brendan Smith

49. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the progress, if any, made in relation to the undocumented Irish citizens in the United States; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39559/12]

Schools Building Projects Status

Brendan Smith

71. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Education and Skills if further consideration will be given to the need to restore the proposed building project at a school (details supplied) in County Cavan to his Department's school building programme in view of the fact that the long-term permanent accommodation needs of this school have long been finalised and agreed by his Department; if he will accept that the total reliance on temporary accommodation at a very high cost poses particular difficulties for this school; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39531/12]

Electoral Divisions Report

Brendan Smith

155. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for the Environment; Community and Local Government if any previous Dáil constituency configurations involved a constituency comprising the entirety or parts of four counties as proposed in the recent Boundary Report for a new constituency South Donegal, Sligo, Leitrim and West/South Cavan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39558/12]

Property Services Regulation

Brendan Smith

163. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if additional time will be given to small auctioneering firms to conclude existing business to meet with the requirements of the PSRA in view of the fact that the July deadline causes difficulties in areas such as the collection of payments for the leasing of lands where traditionally payments fall due in November or December; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39529/12]

Garda Stations Closures

Brendan Smith

185. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will clarify the issue regarding the closure of Garda stations; the role the Office of Public Works has in closures; if the decision comes from Department of Justice and Equality or if any report on the condition of station is first sought from the OPW; specifically in relation to Whitehall Garda Station, Dublin recently closed, if he will outline the considerable refurbishment project done in recent years; the cost of same when completed; if the long term need of the station was not determined at that stage; the plans now for this recently refurbished building; if he will examine internal procedures to avoid waste in future in order that buildings will not have resources spent on them and be closed as soon as project is completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39663/12]

Pension Provisions

Brendan Smith

317. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Finance if a register of all pension schemes approved by the Revenue Commissioners exists; and if so, the statutory agency with which such a register is held; if the relevant legislation covering this can be referred to; the Department that is currently responsible for same; and if the register is available to the public and the information headings under which data is published for each scheme. [38664/12]

Fuel Laundering

Brendan Smith

350. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Finance the proposals that he has to implement further measures to deal with diesel laundering and the resulting revenue loss to the Exchequer; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39349/12]

Property Valuations

Brendan Smith

494. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if, in relation to a commercial crèche at a location (details supplied) the Valuation Office is considering the revaluation of this unit; the way the unit is currently valued – is it as, a crèche, an office, or a retail unit; if it needs a total revaluation to put matters right or is it just a matter of confirming its current usage; if the bill currently being sent to the crèche owner is a total bill for the entire building or just the space being occupied by the crèche; if the building is revalued, can the decision be retrospective and can rates be reduced for the past few years accordingly; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38725/12]