Ceisteanna Parlaiminte

Agriculture Schemes

Brendan Griffin

548. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will introduce a scheme in 2014 to replace the REP scheme for small farmers in disadvantaged areas whose income will substantially reduce at the end of 2013 when their current term ends; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41117/13]

Public Transport Issues

Brendan Griffin

638. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the reason the bus station office in Killarney does not open on a Saturday or Sunday; if he will consider restricted opening hours on these days to facilitate this busy tourist town; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40798/13]

Millenium Development Goals

Brendan Griffin

63. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views on correspondence (details supplied) regarding the Millennium Development Goals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40185/13]

Tax Code

Brendan Griffin

76. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Finance the actions he will take to help reduce the cost to the consumer of gluten free products, which are an essential dietary requirement for coeliacs and persons with other digestive disorders; if he will consider applying a lower rate of VAT on gluten free products; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40194/13]

Broadband Services Provision

Brendan Griffin

160. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his plans to improve broadband in rural areas (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40235/13]

Fish Discards

Brendan Griffin

213. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he would allow fishermen to keep cray fish measuring 100 mm instead of the current 110 mm limit as the rest of Europe allows catches of over 90 mm; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40240/13]

Fish Discards

Brendan Griffin

214. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will retain the current lobster size restriction of 87 mm and not impose an upper limit of 127 mm; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40241/13]

Fish Imports

Brendan Griffin

215. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his Department is testing imported fish for artificial whitening additives; if so, if any of these samples have tested positive; if his Department is monitoring scallops for this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40242/13]

Harbour Fees

Brendan Griffin

216. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to review harbour dues; if his attention has been drawn to the difficulties being faced by fishermen trying to pay these dues; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40243/13]

Harbour Services

Brendan Griffin

217. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if fishermen will be provided with written descriptions of the services provided at harbours in the bills that are sent out instead of the current coded system in the interest of transparency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40244/13]

Rural Environment Protection Scheme Appeals

Brendan Griffin

218. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if a decision has been made on a review of a 2011 REP scheme penalty imposed on a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40246/13]

Fish Quotas

Brendan Griffin

220. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will redistribute any leftover tonnage for smaller boats under 17 m from this years herring quota among the same sized boats next year instead of giving some of this to larger boats; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40287/13]

Fish Quotas

Brendan Griffin

221. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will allow some of the 2014 herring quota for boats under 17 m to be landed in January as well as November and December; if the November opening would begin in 1 November; if he will allow flexibility for small boats to help them cope with the possibility of bad weather; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40288/13]

Fish Quotas

Brendan Griffin

222. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will allow weekly herring quotas for boats under 17m to be landed the following week if they cannot be landed on time for small boats to cope with the possibility of bad weather; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40289/13]

Fisheries Protection

Brendan Griffin

223. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if any fishermen from boats under 17m are directly represented on the Sentinell Herring Fishery Committee, other than PO representatives; if he will provide details of the committee membership and their respective vessel sizes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40290/13]

Hospital Appointment Status

Brendan Griffin

241. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Kerry will be called for a rheumatology appointment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40140/13]

Hospital Appointment Status

Brendan Griffin

242. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Kerry will be called for an orthopaedic appointment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40141/13]

National Internship Scheme Administration

Brendan Griffin

101. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will extend the closing date for accepting applications for JobBridge in the education sector following her announcement of extending the duration of internships; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39859/13]

Supplementary Welfare Allowance Appeals

Brendan Griffin

103. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Social Protection if a decision has been made on an appeal on a supplementary welfare allowance application in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39871/13]

Motor Tax Collection

Brendan Griffin

130. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will extend the period for the declaration of non-use of vehicles in view of backlogs in motor tax offices; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39875/13]

Teachers Panel Rights

Brendan Griffin

263. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will consider extending panel rights to persons in the education sector who have completed JobBridge internships; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39779/13]

Hedge and Tree Height Restrictions

Brendan Griffin

378. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for the Environment; Community and Local Government if he will consider the introduction of a minimum distance for landowners who plant trees on the boundaries of existing houses. [39167/13]

Fuel Rebate Scheme

Brendan Griffin

47. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Finance the way in which a coach operator may apply to avail of the fuel rebate; if he will provide the full details of the workings of the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38957/13]

Decentralisation Programme Staff Transfers

Brendan Griffin

79. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he envisages further scope for decentralising State services and jobs in the immediate future; if he has any specific plans in this area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38856/13]

Flood Prevention Measures

Brendan Griffin

80. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the position regarding putting in place flood protection measures at a location (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38937/13]

Rural Recreation Promotion

Brendan Griffin

123. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the advice he would give to persons or community groups looking to establish new walking routes; if he will financially support the preparation and maintenance of new routes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38938/13]

Local Development Company Staff

Brendan Griffin

124. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his views on correspondence (details supplied) regarding the future of Development Partnership staff; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38943/13]

Adoption Legislation

Brendan Griffin

165. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs her views regarding the 2010 adoption legislation (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38941/13]

Tourism Project Funding

Brendan Griffin

201. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if any funding sources exist for community groups seeking to travel to potential twinning partners to help develop tourism; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38953/13]

Tax Code

Brendan Griffin

138. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Finance if he will divert a percentage of any taxes raised through consumption taxes on tobacco or high sugar or fat products towards an oral healthcare programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37773/13]

Excise Duties Yield

Brendan Griffin

205. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Finance the extra revenue that was generated by the €1 levy on wine in budget 2013; if he would provide in tabular form the 2010, 2011, 2012 and most recent 2013 figures for wine sales and the related State revenue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37813/13]

European Stability Mechanism

Brendan Griffin

215. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Finance the efforts to date to separate legacy banking and sovereign debt; the efforts he will make in the future; if he is confident of a positive deal for Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37970/13]

Banking Sector

Brendan Griffin

216. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Finance if his attention has been drawn to AIB's practice of not allowing customers to transfer their tracker mortgages when moving homes; if he will meet with the chief executive of AIB to discuss same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37976/13]

Tobacco Smuggling

Brendan Griffin

217. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Finance the amount allocated annually towards reducing the illicit tobacco trade, counterfeit and illegal; the amount the State estimates is lost in tax revenue because of this trade; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37977/13]

School Holidays

Brendan Griffin

314. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Education and Skills his views on whether the return of schools in the last week in August is damaging to the domestic tourism industry, in view of the fact that the last week in August was traditionally a busy week for domestic holiday makers; if he will consider starting the academic year a week later; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37565/13]

Teaching Contracts

Brendan Griffin

342. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he has considered this Deputy's proposals from the meeting of the Joint Committee on Education and Social Protection of July 2013 on disincentivising the practice of retired and pensioned teachers taking up substitution roles to the cost of unemployed teachers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37981/13]

Third Level Fees

Brendan Griffin

343. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he has considered alternative models of student contribution towards higher level course provision; if he is concerned that access to higher level is still a major issue for many young persons; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37982/13]

Student Grant Scheme Eligibility

Brendan Griffin

394. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will include illness benefit as an eligible payment for the special rate of maintenance grant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38378/13]

Dental Services Provision

Brendan Griffin

534. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will reinstate preventive and restorative care under the dental treatment benefit scheme for PRSI payers and introduce a new voucher system for eligible patients; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37767/13]

Departmental Schemes

Brendan Griffin

535. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of teaching posts and other educational positions that will be filled in the 2013/14 academic year through the JobBridge programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37980/13]

Supplementary Welfare Allowance Eligibility

Brendan Griffin

539. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Social Protection if there is any additional financial support available to a person who received a bereavement grant to assist them with the costs of a headstone; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36813/13]

Invasive Species

Brendan Griffin

720. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if EU funding is available to Ireland to help tackle the problem of the invasive species known as Japanese knotweed; if so, if he will apply for same; his views regarding the potential cost to the State if the problem is not addressed now; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38280/13]

Wildlife Protection

Brendan Griffin

746. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the cost to the State per mink culled through State schemes in recent years; his plans to increase the number of mink culled; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37987/13]

Wildlife Protection

Brendan Griffin

747. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if he will indicate the number received by the National Parks and Wildlife Service in 2013 relating to corncrakes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37988/13]

Telecommunications Services Provision

Brendan Griffin

778. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if lo-call and local numbers could be displayed for all Departments and local authorities to provide persons with an option to choose the most economical telephone number based on their current telephone provider and phone packages; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37059/13]

Digital Television Service Provision

Brendan Griffin

804. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will confirm when TV signals turned digital, that persons were told the existing infrastructure and antenna would improve the bouncing of phone and broadband signals; if so, if this has materialised; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37985/13]

Telecommunications Infrastructure

Brendan Griffin

805. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if the increased use of smart phones and other such devices is placing additional pressures on mobile communications infrastructure and could this be contributing to poorer network coverage in some areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37986/13]

Health and Safety

Brendan Griffin

909. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he has any concerns regarding health implications of smart meters; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37709/13]

Motor Tax Collection

Brendan Griffin

911. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will introduce a system of one month short-term motor taxation for emigrants who return here for short periods and drive their own cars that were parked up in their garages while they were gone, as the current minimum period of three months is cost prohibitive for someone who may be home for just ten days and the State may actually be losing money as a result; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37721/13]

Water and Sewerage Schemes Status

Brendan Griffin

933. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the position regarding the provision of an extension to a sewerage scheme at a location (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37971/13]