Ceisteanna Parlaiminte

Motor Tax Exemptions

Shane Ross

1428. Deputy Shane Ross asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he is aware that under the Non-Use of Motor Vehicles Act 2013, three months’ notice is required for any person who will be taking their vehicle off the road, even if it is for unforeseeable medical purposes, such as epilepsy; the proposals for exemption on medical grounds that were made by the Motor Tax Office staff; the reason these proposals were ignored; his views that it is fair to require those with such a medical issue to be required to pay for motor tax in circumstances where they are not capable of using their vehicle nor able to predict when this will occur; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31131/15]

Building Regulations Compliance

Shane Ross

1465. Deputy Shane Ross asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide funds available to complete a safety assessment of the remaining houses in the fire-stricken Millfield Estate, Newbridge, County Kildare; and if he will provide grant aid for remedial work that may be deemed necessary in order that householders may be secure and safe in their homes. [31670/15]

Water Pollution

Shane Ross

1466. Deputy Shane Ross asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if Irish Water will require home owners to undertake expensive upgrades to their water pipes where lead connections have been uncovered; if he can make an undertaking that such upgrades will not become mandatory for home owners; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31681/15]

Enterprise Ireland Expenditure

Shane Ross

282. Deputy Shane Ross asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the standard procedure of Enterprise Ireland for investigating claims of fraud, wherein State funds have been invested and lost; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29871/15]

Enterprise Ireland

Shane Ross

283. Deputy Shane Ross asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if Enterprise Ireland has undertaken an investigation into claims of fraud at a limited liability Irish company (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29872/15]

Tax Code

Shane Ross

106. Deputy Shane Ross asked the Minister for Finance if he will consider including rental income derived from AirBnB rentals under the rent-a-room relief, as opposed to it being subject to income tax, as is presently the case; if he considers there is an unfair distinction between sources of rental income; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28023/15]

Housing Adaptation Grant Funding

Shane Ross

230. Deputy Shane Ross asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will consider increasing the level of funding under the housing adaptation grant for people living with a disability to complete all 106 houses on the waiting list of Cork City Council for works to adapt their homes at an approximate cost of €4.3 million; if he is aware that all 106 houses are in urgent need of adaptation, with some waiting in excess of eight years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27923/15]

Services for People with Disabilities

Shane Ross

372. Deputy Shane Ross asked the Minister for Health the number of children who have undergone the assessment of need under the Disability Act 2005 since its implementation; the number of these children who now receive one to one treatment as opposed to group sessions from the Health Service Executive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27401/15]

Nursing Homes Support Scheme Review

Shane Ross

390. Deputy Shane Ross asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 678 of 26 May 2015, if he is considering a review of the fair deal scheme to create a distinction between the elderly infirm who are in need of nursing care, and the chronic sick who may be under 65 years of age on admission to a nursing home, as a result of insufficient supports in the community, and whose condition does not affect their life expectancy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27486/15]

Irish Fiscal Advisory Council Reports

Shane Ross

3. Deputy Shane Ross asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the action he plans to take in response to the recent warnings from the Irish Fiscal Advisory Council regarding public expenditure. [26505/15]

Tax Code

Shane Ross

245. Deputy Shane Ross asked the Minister for Finance his plans to raise the threshold for inheritance tax for those who return to the family home to care for elderly parents, thus reducing the need for additional or nursing home care; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25999/15]

Passport Services

Shane Ross

495. Deputy Shane Ross asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if the passport express service delivered by his Department is meeting the agreed service level agreements; if the Passport Office is provided with additional resources during seasonal variations to maintain the ten-day agreed turnaround time; if penalties are due to be paid to consumers when Passport Office service level agreements are breached; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26090/15]

Tax Code

Shane Ross

92. Deputy Shane Ross asked the Minister for Finance his plans to raise the threshold for inheritance tax for those who inherit from their parents when they are under 18 years of age. [25559/15]

Visa Applications

Shane Ross

227. Deputy Shane Ross asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the efforts being made to assist the Irish students currently in Canada, who continue to await their summer working visas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25558/15]

Road Network

Shane Ross

865. Deputy Shane Ross asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide information regarding the section of the M50 between exit No. 13 and exit No. 14; the number of vehicles which passed through this section each month, over the past two years; the measurements of air and noise pollution that are available for this section; if available, if he will provide such measurements; when the surface of this section was last maintained; the type of surface that was installed; the policy of his Department and the National Roads Authority regarding regular resurfacing in the future; and when the next resurfacing of this section will be completed. [22994/15]

Preschool Services

Shane Ross

138. Deputy Shane Ross asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the current yearly costs of the programme of early childhood care and education, also known as the free preschool year; the projected costs for its expansion into a second year; if, in view of these plans, he will consider investing in primary schools with a view to delivering the preschool year in that setting; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22828/15]

Consular Services Provision

Shane Ross

907. Deputy Shane Ross asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the efforts that have been made by his Department to assist a person (details supplied) who is an Irish citizen and who is currently being denied exit from Palestine through either the Israeli or Egyptian borders; if he is aware of the person's medical condition; the plans there are to assist the person to return to Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22114/15]

Local Authority Housing Eligibility

Shane Ross

173. Deputy Shane Ross asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if there is a national policy instructing council housing authorities to take redress compensation payments into account as income in assessing means for social housing applicants; if it is at the discretion of local council authorities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21161/15]

Nursing Homes Support Scheme Review

Shane Ross

678. Deputy Shane Ross asked the Minister for Health his views that the fair deal scheme unfairly prejudices those who have sold their family home and have a small cash reserve, as opposed to those who still have property, as outlined in attached correspondence (details supplied); if consideration is being given to a review of the deductions from cash assets where no property exists; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20320/15]

Garda Recruitment

Shane Ross

408. Deputy Shane Ross asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if she will consider raising the maximum recruitment age of 35 for entry into An Garda Síochána to bring the recruitment process in line with other European Union states, including Northern Ireland, Scotland and England; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18486/15]

Garda Reserve

Shane Ross

409. Deputy Shane Ross asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if she will provide details on the refusal of a person's admission to An Garda Síochána Reserve (details supplied) ; if this refusal will be repeated, if further applications are made; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18487/15]

Tax Code

Shane Ross

133. Deputy Shane Ross asked the Minister for Finance his plans to increase the tax-free amount which may be withdrawn from annuity-tied and restricted pension funds; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17438/15]

Tax Reliefs Application

Shane Ross

71. Deputy Shane Ross asked the Minister for Finance his plans to provide tax refunds for necessary health expenses to those paying tax on their private pensions (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17134/15]

School Transport Eligibility

Shane Ross

179. Deputy Shane Ross asked the Minister for Education and Skills if her Department will review its post-primary transport policy in respect of a student (details supplied) in County Leitrim, to facilitate that student in remaining in her current secondary school; if the scheme takes account of the length and safety of a journey from the family home to the bus collection point; if the policy considers the safety of the student making that journey when assessing the appropriate school for the student to attend; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17074/15]

Banking Sector

Shane Ross

120. Deputy Shane Ross asked the Minister for Finance the way he plans to exercise his proxy votes, or the way he exercised them if already cast, as a shareholder on behalf of the Irish people in both Bank of Ireland and Allied Irish Banks resolutions, to be decided at their annual general meetings; and if he will provide the way he has cast the votes in each resolution individually. [16622/15]

Legislative Measures

Shane Ross

126. Deputy Shane Ross asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs his plans to address the situation faced by foster parents of adult children whom they wish to adopt, but who are prohibited from doing so by the lack of legislation; his plans to introduce the necessary legislation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16078/15]

Primary Online Database

Shane Ross

155. Deputy Shane Ross asked the Minister for Education and Skills her plans to address the antiquated categorisation of children in the ethnic or cultural background group within the primary online database form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16080/15]

Public Sector Pensions

Shane Ross

323. Deputy Shane Ross asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform further to Parliamentary Question No. 225 of 27 of January 2015, his plans to change the pension scheme for current Ministers and other office holders in the Houses of the Oireachtas, in any shape or form, which would have the effect of alleviating the reductions imposed by current legislation on their pensions when leaving office; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15730/15]

Cancer Screening Programmes

Shane Ross

450. Deputy Shane Ross asked the Minister for Health the reason a person (details supplied) in Dublin 16, who was previously diagnosed and treated for breast cancer, has now been removed from the BreastCheck register, resulting in that person having to pay €200 per mammogram; if this is a policy decision to de-list all cancer survivors; if so, the reason for this decision; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15336/15]

Departmental Bodies Data

Shane Ross

184. Deputy Shane Ross asked the Taoiseach the average age of chairpersons and non-executive directors of State or partially State-owned companies, of State bodies, of semi-State bodies and of State agencies under the aegis of his Department and on the State's payroll; the number of directors on the board of more than one such body; the number of women; and his plans to make savings in this area. [12537/15]

Departmental Bodies Data

Shane Ross

185. Deputy Shane Ross asked the Taoiseach the total number of chairpersons and non-executive directors of State or partially State-owned companies, of State bodies, of semi-State bodies and of State agencies under the aegis of his Department and on the State's payroll; the total cost to the State from the pay-out to these non-executive directors, including fees, travel and other expenditure; and his plans to reduce the number of these chairpersons or directors. [12626/15]

Public Sector Staff Sick Leave

Shane Ross

287. Deputy Shane Ross asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will consider reversal of SI 124 of 2014 on foot of the Public Service Management (Recruitment and Appointments) (Amendment) Act 2013 relating to sick leave arrangements being backdated; if he is aware of the detrimental effects this will have on those battling serious illnesses, including a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12847/15]

Taxi Regulations

Shane Ross

706. Deputy Shane Ross asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the reason the National Transport Authority is unwilling to amend the regulations in respect of small public service vehicles to allow for the consideration of European Union category L vehicle types to operate in this sector in a manner other than as taxis or hackneys; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12846/15]

State Bodies

Shane Ross

3. Deputy Shane Ross asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the total number of chairpersons and non-executive directors of State or partially owned State companies, State bodies, semi-State bodies and State agencies under his Department on the State's payroll; the total cost to the State of the payout to these non-executive directors, including fees, travel costs and other expenditure; and to outline his plans to reduce the number of these chairpersons and directors and their fees. [11977/15]

Appointments to State Boards

Shane Ross

5. Deputy Shane Ross asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the average age of chairpersons and non-executive directors of State or partially owned State companies, State bodies, semi-State bodies and State agencies under the aegis of his Department on the State's payroll; the number of directors on the board of more than one such body; the number of women; and his plans to make savings in this area. [11978/15]

Departmental Bodies Data

Shane Ross

32. Deputy Shane Ross asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the average age of chairpersons and non-executive directors of State or partially State-owned companies, of State bodies, of semi-State bodies, and of State agencies under the aegis of her Department on the State's payroll; the number of directors on the board of more than one such body; the number of women; and her plans to make savings from this area. [12560/15]

Departmental Bodies Data

Shane Ross

33. Deputy Shane Ross asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the total number of chairpersons and non-executive directors of State or partially State-owned companies, of State bodies, of semi-State bodies, and of State agencies under the aegis of her Department on the State's payroll; the total cost to the State from the pay-out to these non-executive directors, including fees, travel and other expenditure; and her plans to reduce the number of these chairpersons or directors. [12611/15]

Departmental Bodies Data

Shane Ross

57. Deputy Shane Ross asked the Minister for Finance the average age of chairpersons and non-executive directors of State or partially owned State companies, State bodies, semi-State bodies and of State agencies under the aegis of his Department on the State's payroll; the number of directors on the board of more than one such body; the number of women; and his plans to make savings from this area. [12557/15]

Departmental Bodies Data

Shane Ross

58. Deputy Shane Ross asked the Minister for Finance the total number of chairpersons and non-executive directors of State or partially owned State companies, State bodies, semi-State bodies and of State agencies under the aegis of his Department on the State's payroll; the total cost to the State from the payout to these non-executive directors including fees, travel and other expenditure; his plans to reduce the number of these chairpersons or directors. [12607/15]

Departmental Bodies Data

Shane Ross

81. Deputy Shane Ross asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation to set out details of the average age of chairpersons and non-executive directors of State or partially-owned State companies, State bodies, semi-State bodies and of State agencies under the aegis of his Department on the State's payroll; the number of directors on the board of more than one such body; the number of women; and his plans to make savings from this area. [12559/15]

Departmental Bodies Data

Shane Ross

82. Deputy Shane Ross asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the total number of chairpersons and non-executive directors of State or partially owned State companies, of State bodies, of semi-State bodies and of State agencies under the aegis of his Department on the State's payroll; the total cost to the State from the pay-out to these non-executive directors including fees, travel and other expenditure; his plans to reduce the number of these chairpersons or directors. [12609/15]

Departmental Bodies Data

Shane Ross

94. Deputy Shane Ross asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the average age of chairpersons and non-executive directors of State or partially owned State companies, State bodies, semi-State bodies and State agencies under the aegis of his Department on the State's payroll; the number of directors on the board of more than one such body; the number of women; and his plans to make savings from this area. [12550/15]

Departmental Bodies Data

Shane Ross

95. Deputy Shane Ross asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the total number of chairpersons and non-executive directors of State or partially owned State companies, of State bodies, of semi-State bodies and of State agencies under the aegis of his Department on the State's payroll; the total cost to the State from the payout to these non-executive directors including fees, travel and other expenditure; his plans to reduce the number of these chairpersons or directors. [12600/15]

Departmental Bodies Data

Shane Ross

99. Deputy Shane Ross asked the Minister for Defence the average age of chairpersons and non-executive directors of State or partially owned State companies, of State bodies, of semi-State bodies and of State agencies under the aegis of his Department on the State's payroll; the number of directors on the board of more than one such body; the number of women; and his plans to make savings from this area. [12554/15]

Departmental Bodies Data

Shane Ross

100. Deputy Shane Ross asked the Minister for Defence the total number of chairpersons and non-executive directors of State or partially owned State companies, of State bodies, of semi-State bodies and of State agencies under the aegis of his Department on the State's payroll; the total cost to the State from the payout to these non-executive directors including fees, travel and other expenditure; and his plans to reduce the number of these chairpersons or directors. [12604/15]

Departmental Bodies Data

Shane Ross

115. Deputy Shane Ross asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the total number of chairpersons and non-executive directors of State or partially owned State companies, of State bodies, of semi-State bodies and of State agencies under the aegis of her Department on the State's payroll; the total cost to the State from the pay-out to these non-executive directors including fees, travel and other expenditure; her plans to reduce the number of these chairpersons or directors. [12610/15]

Departmental Bodies Data

Shane Ross

123. Deputy Shane Ross asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the average age of chairpersons and non-executive directors of State or partially owned State companies, of State bodies, of semi-State bodies and of State agencies under the aegis of his Department on the State's payroll; the number of directors on the board of more than one such body; the number of women; and his plans to make savings from this area. [12552/15]

Departmental Bodies Data

Shane Ross

124. Deputy Shane Ross asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the total number of chairpersons and non-executive directors of State or partially owned State companies, of State bodies, of Semi-State bodies and of State agencies under the aegis of his Department on the State's payroll; the total cost to the State from the payout to these non-executive directors including fees, travel and other expenditure; his plans to reduce the number of these chairpersons or directors. [12602/15]

Departmental Bodies Data

Shane Ross

146. Deputy Shane Ross asked the Minister for Health the average age of chairpersons and non-executive directors of State or partially owned State companies, State bodies, semi-State bodies and State agencies under the aegis of his Department on the State's payroll; the number of directors on the board of more than one such body; the number of women; and his plans to make savings from this area. [12558/15]

Departmental Bodies Data

Shane Ross

147. Deputy Shane Ross asked the Minister for Health the total number of chairpersons and non-executive directors of State or partially owned State companies, State bodies, semi-State bodies and State agencies under the aegis of his Department on the State's payroll; the total cost to the State from the pay-out to these non-executive directors including fees, travel and other expenditure; his plans to reduce the number of these chairpersons or directors [12608/15]