Ceisteanna Parlaiminte

Preschool Services

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin

138. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she will provide Dáil Éireann with details regarding the extension of the free preschool year; if a cost analysis of such a proposal has been completed, if she will provide this to Dáil Éireann on the record; if not, if she will commit that such an analysis will take place; if she will provide a timeline to Dáil Éireann on the length of time it would take to roll out such an additional free preschool year; and her plans for same. [16015/13]

Special Educational Needs Service Provision

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin

376. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Education and Skills the reason there has been a removal of resource teaching hours for schoolgoing children suffering from Down's syndrome who are classed as mild even though they suffer from a variety of other problems including difficulties with their speech; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16048/13]

Urban Trees and Hedges

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin

802. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if there are laws on the size and height of trees and hedges in urban areas; and if there is a complaints process for citizens who feel their light and stability of walled structures are threatened by trees owned by neighbours. [16766/13]

Penalty Points System

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin

917. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if there is a specific legal statutory or regulatory basis that allows Garda Superintendents to cancel penalty points after fixed penalty notices have issued to members of the public; his views on whether such a practice has a legal basis; if he will cite the section of an Act of the Oireachtas or Statutory Instrument which provides for same; if this is a legitimate approach for members of the public to take when they are served with fixed penalty notices; the reason there is no mention of it on the websites of statutory bodies such as the Road Safety Authority (details supplied); if this practice of writing to Superintendents to request cancellation has a legal basis; if the advice on the RSA website will be updated to include this third option open to motorists and ensure that all members of the public are aware of same instead of a select few; and if this practice has a legal basis, where and how members of the public have been made aware of it to date. [17013/13]

Foreign Adoptions

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin

442. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she will clarify the situation whereby couples who commenced their international adoption of children prior to the ratification of the Hague Convention by Ireland cannot register their children with the Adoption Authority of Ireland despite being the de facto parent and legal guardian to said child; and if her attention has been drawn to the fact that there are 20 such couples in this situation and that the Adoption Authority of Ireland was originally meant to bring High Court action on this issue to have it resolved but has now decided not so. [13622/13]

School Curriculum

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin

238. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Education and Skills further to the social, personal and health education programme currently run in second level schools as a compulsory part of the curriculum, his plans to maintain this as a mandatory subject; and if he has any plans to reform the said programme. [12931/13]

Health Services Staff Remuneration

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin

243. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Health the reason six trainee medical scientists in Beaumont Hospital, Dublin, who are close to the completion of their five month clinical placement which is a compulsory part of their training, have yet to receive their monthly trainee allowance of €903.98 despite the Health Service Executive memo dated 6 February 2013 outlining that all trainees were entitled to such an allowance; and if he will give an assurance that this allowance will be paid prior to the completion of these trainees' placements [12086/13]

Third Level Staff Remuneration

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin

105. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Education and Skills if a cost analysis has been carried out on the decision to amend the Trinity tutorial allowance preventing payment to new applicants for providing the service, under direction of his Department, in view of the fact that such a move is feared to lead to the abolition of the service which is instrumental in the provision of student welfare; and if not, if such an analysis will be completed to highlight the savings and or costs of amending this scheme while also keeping in mind student welfare and provision for such. [11915/13]

Hospital Waiting Lists

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin

510. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Health if he will advise on the average waiting time to see a consultant ophthalmologist in Beaumont Hospital and if he will provide an update on the position on a waiting list in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 5 who has been on the list since September 2012. [11218/13]

Visa Applications

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin

228. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will provide an update on the application for a partnership visa in respect of a person (details supplied); the average timeframe for a review to take place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10668/13]

Exchequer Revenue

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin

266. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Finance the potential earnings for the Exchequer of the introduction of a 1% income tax increase for all earners over €100,000. [8408/13]

Sexually Transmitted Infections

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin

698. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Health if he will provide, in tabular form, the number of recorded cases of the eleven sexually transmitted infections that are currently legally notifiable here; ano-genital warts, chancroid, chlamydia trachomatis, genital herpes simplex, gonorrhoea, granuloma inguinale, infectious hepatitis B, lymphogranuloma venereum, non-specific urethritis, syphilis and trichomoniasis from 2002 to date in 2013; and if he will provide a breakdown based on age, gender and location. [8331/13]

Sexually Transmitted Infections

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin

699. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Health if he will provide a full list, in tabular form, of all locations nationwide which provide screenings for sexually transmitted infections; and if he will list the criteria for screening in each location based on gender and sexual orientation, that is, the number of screening centres for men, women and gay men and so on. [8332/13]

Sexually Transmitted Infections

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin

700. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Health if we are in compliance with all EU Directives on sexual health in terms of provision of publicly funded treatment and testing centres for sexually transmitted infections. [8333/13]

Irish Blood Transfusion Service

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin

701. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Health if his Department has issued an instruction to the Irish Blood Transfusion service to conduct a review of its MSM Blood Ban, which bars sexually active gay men from donating blood; and, if not, if he has any intention to review this practice in view of ongoing blood stock depletion. [8334/13]

Hospital Staff

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin

702. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact that due to the increased number of medical school graduates this year it is anticipated that there will be a shortage of intern places for the graduating classes and that completing the internship is a legal requirement to practise medicine; and if his Department is putting in place the necessary structures to ensure that all qualifying students are facilitated with an internship year. [8335/13]

Railway Stations Upgrade

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin

774. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if the issue of the lack of availability of electronic ramps in Irish rail stations can be addressed; if his attention has been drawn to the difficulty it is causing for persons with disabilities particularly in the DART stations in Clontarf and Killester which are in the vicinity of the Central Remedial Clinic which accommodates a significant number of wheelchair users who require public transport. [8409/13]

Garda Vetting of Personnel

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin

269. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the measures that are taken by the Reception and Integration Agency to ensure that staff in accommodation centres for asylum seekers are Garda vetted and trained to work with children and vulnerable adults in view of the fact that this is not included on the standard form employed by the contracted inspectors (details supplied). [7814/13]

Prison Accommodation Provision

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin

20. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the reason there are only nine detoxification beds in a 4,500 bed prison system in view of the fact that 80% of persons there suffer from some form of drug problem and need services to help them detox and rehabilitate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5651/13]

Hospital Services

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin

214. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Health if he will provide, in tabular form, the list of centres-hospitals where publicly-funded screening for sexually transmitted infections is available; if he will also provide numerical data for the number of persons who used the service per year since 2006 to date in 2013, or the year on which the most recent statistics are available; and the number of screenings per year that each centre-hospital is capable of administering. [6145/13]

Foreign Adoptions

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin

174. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the date that has been set for Russian authorities to visit Dublin to conduct bilateral discussions; and if she will confirm the persons that will be attending these talks on behalf of the Adoption Authority of Ireland and from her Department. [4566/13]

Property Taxation Exemptions

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin

85. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Finance if his attention has been drawn to the need to exempt residents of Priory Hall, Dublin, tenants from the property tax in view of the situation regarding their homes and their inability to live in them due to health and safety concerns; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57889/12]

Financial Services Regulation

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin

63. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Finance if he will provide a detailed account of the way private monetary transactions between accounts that is bank transfers, in the State are monitored by the Revenue Commissioners; if there is a cut off amount on which such transactions would require inspection by the Revenue Commissioners to guarantee that they were tax compliant; if there is, the figure of said amount; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57415/12]

Universal Social Charge Payments

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin

187. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Finance if he will provide, in tabular form, the estimated income that would be generated for the State by raising the universal social charge by 3% on all taxable income above €70,000 and for each €5,000 increment thereafter up to and including €120,000; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56911/12]

Tax Code

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin

188. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Finance if he will provide the estimated income that would be generated by placing a 1% levy on each unit of alcohol sold here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56912/12]

Student Support Schemes Issues

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin

258. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will provide a breakdown of the way the student assistant fund was distributed across higher education institutions, in tabular form, for the most recent academic year for which figures are available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56914/12]

Student Assistance Fund Issues

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin

259. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Education and Skills if safeguards will be put in place to maintain the student assistant fund after 2013 when the funding from the European Social Fund under the Human Capital Investment Operational Programme ceases; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56915/12]

Foreign Adoptions

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin

567. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she will provide an update in relation to the development of a new bilateral agreement with Russia on adoption; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [56308/12]

Deportation Orders

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin

79. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will provide in tabular form the number of deportation orders signed under section 3 of the Immigration Act 1999 since its enactment; the numbers of those enforced and the number of those subsequently revoked under section 3 (11); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54881/12]

Deportation Orders

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin

80. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will provide in tabular form the number of persons granted leave to remain on humanitarian grounds under section 3 of the Immigration Act 1999 since its enactment; the number of such applications still pending; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54882/12]

Credit Unions Regulation

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin

161. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Finance if he will ensure that the nominee for the position of credit union regulator has credit union as well as banking experience; that he or she understands the ethos of the credit union movement and is comfortable with the concept of volunteerism; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54094/12]

National Student Survey

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin

213. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Education and Skills if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the implementation of a national student satisfaction survey for third level students has been delayed by 12 months; the reason for this delay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54271/12]

One-Parent Family Payment Expenditure

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin

299. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will provide the exact figure for savings made on the changes to one parent family payment in Budget 2012, broken down between employed and unemployed lone parents, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [54051/12]

Naturalisation Applications

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin

454. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of applications for a certificate of naturalisation by a naturalised Irish citizen acting on behalf of their minor child since this has been made possible, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54050/12]

Child Protection Issues

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin

177. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the safe guards that have been put in place to protect children who are housed in direct provision centres whilst they and or their parent or legal guardian await their refugee application to be processed especially as many children in said centres are forced to share rooms with adults who are not known to them; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53101/12]

Asylum Seeker Accommodation

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin

180. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if there has been any movement in changing the way in which pending refugee applicants are being housed in Direct Provision Centres, which are often over crowded; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53102/12]

Domestic Violence Incidence

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin

216. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Health if he will provide in tabular form the number of persons broken down by county, who are using front line services for victims of domestic violence and if such a breakdown could include numerical figures for those using said services who are under the age of 18 years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53100/12]

Criminal Prosecutions Issues

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin

516. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will clarify the application of the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act (1997) to instances of cyber bullying and the way Gardai should interpret the law in such cases; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52728/12]

Being Young and Irish Initiative

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin

606. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number of the proposals from the Being Young and Irish initiative, established by President Higgings; if she will pursue and if she has a timeline for implementation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52737/12]

Bullying in Schools

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin

263. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Education and Skills if a circular will be prepared and sent to all schools outlining a detailed policy on tackling cyber bullying, in view of the recent cases of suicide caused by such; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51494/12]

Human Rights Issues

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin

482. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Justice and Equality in view of Ireland's seat on the UN Human Rights Council, when he plans to grant Irish Travellers ethnic status in recognition of their human rights; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51492/12]

Proposed Legislation

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin

483. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Justice and Equality in view the recent cases of suicide as a result of cyberbullying, if he will move legislation to allow Gardaí to obtain and investigate IP addresses from firms cited to be involved in these bullying cases; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51493/12]

Services for People with Disabilities

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin

232. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to representations regarding St Micheal's House, Dublin 9; the impact that past cutbacks have had on the services offered by them to the community and the potential impact that further cuts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50671/12]

Residency Permits

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin

809. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of non-EEA national aged between 16 and 18 years who are currently registered here; and if he will provide a breakdown of the types of residency stamps issued to them. [48328/12]

Cycle to Work Scheme Retention

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin

124. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Finance if the bike to work scheme will be continued beyond Budget 2013; if yes, if members of the public may, if starting the scheme from now, spread the payments over six or 12 month period; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46315/12]

Third Level Funding

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin

99. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Education and Skills if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the student assistant fund, which currently helps students in hardship situations and is part funded by the European Union, is due to be wound down in 2013; if preparations are being made for a replacement fund to be established which will safeguard student welfare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43677/12]

Student Councils Issues

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin

211. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Education and Skills if statistics are available on the number of democratic student-led student councils that are currently in place and the support and training structures been put in place to encourage the establishment of these in second-level schools on a coordinated national level; if he will provide these details in tabular form broken down into regions and county; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42906/12]

School Curriculum

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin

180. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Education and Skills if an audit has taken place on a number of pupils, in the primary sector, who posses the ability to speak a foreign language; if so, if he will provide the results in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41838/12]

School Curriculum

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin

181. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will provide Dáil Éireann with a detailed breakdown, in tabular form, of foreign languages that are taught at both junior and leaving certificate level; if he will outline this by region and county; if he will provide the number of pupils who are studying each language as both a figure and a percentage, from the past five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41839/12]

Proposed Legislation

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin

424. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will outline the timeframe for the implementation of the EU directive on parental leave; if he will confirm that legislation to implement said directive will be in place by 2013; if he will provide Dáil Éireann with a complete outline on what the legislation will propose; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41847/12]