Ceisteanna Parlaiminte

Food Safety Authority Role

Brendan Smith

223. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Health if he will confirm that the Food Safety Authority of Ireland will retain its status as an independent agency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4993/13]

Medical Card Applications

Tom Fleming

224. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Health when a decision will issue on a medical card application in respect of persons (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4996/13]

Hospital Staff Issues

Seán Kyne

225. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Health the progress being made to ensure that doctors and medical professionals in the health service, such as non-consultant doctors, are employed on contracts with suitable rest periods and time off which is vital for the well-being of the medical professional as well as for upholding the high standard of patient care [5005/13]

Health Insurance Prices

Dara Calleary

226. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Health the steps he is taking to curtail the spiralling private health insurance cost increases; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5011/13]

Nursing Homes Support Scheme Oversight

Bernard Durkan

227. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the number of applications for increases in charges under the fair care scheme notified to his Department; the basis for such increases; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5043/13]

Health Services Provision

Bernard Durkan

228. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health if and when orthodontic treatment will be provided in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare who is suffering pain and discomfort and awaiting treatment at St. James’s Hospital, Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5044/13]

National Strategy on Dementia Publication

Éamon Ó Cuív

229. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health when he will publish the Strategy for Dementia; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5055/13]

Departmental Contracts

Michelle Mulherin

230. Deputy Michelle Mulherin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide details of the tender process leading to the award of the contract for the provision of the new format driving licences; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4822/13]

Haulage Industry Regulation

Michael McGrath

231. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport further to Parliamentary Question No. 696 of 18 December 2012, if he will answer a specific query from a person (details supplied) in County Cork. [4848/13]

Departmental Agencies Board Appointments

Billy Kelleher

232. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide in tabular form the number of organisations or agencies under the aegis of his Department that have vacancies on their board; the length of time any such vacancies have been unfilled; the number of vacancies that have been advertised; the number of applications to fill such vacancies that have been received; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4866/13]

Roads Maintenance

Tom Fleming

233. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the reason funding has not been provided for the replacement of the Spiddoge Bridge, Beaufort, County Kerry on the L7515 in the 2013 specific improvement grants allocation to Kerry County Council; if he will take into consideration the fact that the closure of this bridge is of great inconvenience to the local community, if he will now make funding available in order that work may commence on this important piece of infrastructure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4903/13]

Road Projects Contracts

Patrick O'Donovan

234. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will give consideration to allocating resources to the completion of the N21 project at Barnagh west of Newcastle West, County Limerick in view of the fact that the contractors are on site and phase one is nearing completion; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4924/13]

Driving Licence Issues

Michelle Mulherin

235. Deputy Michelle Mulherin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will outline the specification for photos to accompany an application for the new-format driving licence; if he will confirm that applicants will not have to travel to a central office to have the photo taken but can have it taken locally to the required specification; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4951/13]

Driving Licence Renewals

Clare Daly

236. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will justify the cost anomalies where a person aged 65 years or over may only apply for a driving licence for a three year period, at ages 67 to 69, at a cost of €35 or a five year period, at 65 to 70, at a cost of €55, when a ten year licence costs €55; and the action he will take to deal with this pricing structure. [4970/13]

Public Transport Subsidies

John O'Mahony

237. Deputy John O'Mahony asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will confirm that during the summer of 2012 the National Transport Authority carried out a public consultation regarding existing public service obligation routes; the current position regarding this process; when he expects developments concerning PSO routes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4975/13]

Rail Network

Éamon Ó Cuív

238. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he has issued any instruction to CIE and Iarnród Éireann in relation to the preservation of the ownership of the old railway line from the Kerry-Limerick border to Tralee, County Kerry, which is to be developed as a greenway and also carries a fibre optic cable; and if he is satisfied that CIE is doing everything possible to defend its interests in this property in the public interest. [5052/13]

Rail Network

Éamon Ó Cuív

239. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he has received through the National Sustainable Transport Office any solicitor's letter in relation to the Limerick-Kerry disused railway line claiming ownership of the line; the steps he intends taking in relation to ensuring that the State, through CIÉ, defends the public interest in this matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5053/13]

Cultural Policy

Gerry Adams

9. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht his plans to expand culture night to culture week in September; and if he will also consider a second culture week during the summer holiday period in support of the Gathering 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4508/13]

Arts Council Funding

Kevin Humphreys

11. Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if he will consider seeking the implementation of a multi-annual funding framework for those funded through the Arts Council to provide more certainty; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4259/13]

National Monuments

Brian Stanley

12. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht when a decision will be made in relation to the battlefield site on Moore Street, Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4498/13]

The Gathering Initiatives

Éamon Ó Cuív

13. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if he will provide an update on his Department’s role in the Gathering; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4479/13]

Arts Promotion

Billy Kelleher

14. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the practical impact and cost of the Arts in Education Charter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4481/13]

EU Presidency Agenda

Michael Moynihan

15. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht his priorities during the Irish presidency of the EU; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4475/13]

Abbey Theatre

Clare Daly

16. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the amount of State funding paid to the Abbey Theatre over the past five years. [4510/13]

National Monuments

Maureen O'Sullivan

18. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if he intends honouring his undertaking to preserve the 1916 National Monument in its entirety under preservation order No. 1 of 2007. [4261/13]

State Properties

Patrick O'Donovan

19. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht his plans to take into State ownership the Bank of Ireland building at College Green, Dublin, based on its historical significance; if the issue has been discussed with the owners; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4262/13]

Film Industry Development

Michael McGrath

20. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht his plans for the future of the audio visual industry here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4468/13]

Flood Prevention Measures

Denis Naughten

21. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the steps that he is taking to implement the recommendations by the Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Environment report on Shannon Flooding published last year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4266/13]

Commemorative Events

Martin Ferris

23. Deputy Martin Ferris asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht his plans to commemorate the 1913 Lockout; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4505/13]

Turf Cutting Compensation Scheme Issues

Denis Naughten

24. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the number of alternative bogs which have been sourced for turf cutters forced to relocate; the number of turf cutters that have been accommodated; the number that will be accommodated before the commencement of the 2013 turf cutting season; the number of persons who will not be accommodated by the commencement of the 2013 season; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4265/13]

Fostaíocht sa Ghaeltacht

Michael P. Kitt

25. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Michael P. Kitt den Aire Ealaíon, Oidhreachta agus Gaeltachta an bhfuil sé sásta leis na hiarrachtaí atá á ndéanamh chun níos mó fostaíochta a chur ar fáil sa Ghaeltacht, an mbeidh comhlacht nua are nós LEADER á bhunú sa Ghaeltacht. [4456/13]

State Art Collection

John McGuinness

26. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the steps he has taken to quantify, register and secure the works of art that belong to the State; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4472/13]

Special Areas of Conservation Designation

Richard Boyd Barrett

27. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht further to his announcement last December of his intention to designate the area around Rockabill to Dalkey Island as a special area of conservation, if he has discussed the implications of this with the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government and the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources in view of their recent granting of foreshore and exploration licences to a company (details supplied) to drill an oil well just 6 km from Dublin coastline. [4407/13]

Inland Waterways Maintenance

Heather Humphreys

28. Deputy Heather Humphreys asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if he will provide an update on progress on the Ulster Canal project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4271/13]

Féilte Traidisiúnta

Michael P. Kitt

29. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Michael P. Kitt den Aire Ealaíon, Oidhreachta agus Gaeltachta an bhfuil plean aige chun féilte a eagrú sna Gaeltachtaí mar gheall ar Thóstal Éireann, cé méid airgid atá i gceist. [4455/13]

The Gathering Expenditure

Pearse Doherty

30. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if there are any special arrangements in terms of financial support to be made available for traditional Irish musicians, dancers and artists for the duration of The Gathering; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4500/13]

Arts Promotion

Mary Lou McDonald

32. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the efforts he has made to promote other parts of the island during Derry’s term as city of culture; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4506/13]

Film Industry Development

Thomas P. Broughan

33. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if he will report on the decision to extend section 481 the film tax relief scheme until the end of 2020; if he has set any annual targets for the film sector in terms of the attraction of international productions, revenue generated for the local economy and use of local crews and actors for example; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4263/13]

EU Presidency Agenda

Bernard Durkan

34. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht arising from his contacts with the various stakeholders throughout the arts sector, the extent to which he envisages, in the course of Ireland’s Presidency of the EU, the development of the arts sector as a major brand leader throughout the EU and globally and to utilise the medium of the arts in Ireland as a means of promoting the national image and thereby continuing its contribution to national economic recovery; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4494/13]

Turf Cutting Compensation Scheme Issues

Luke 'Ming' Flanagan

35. Deputy Luke 'Ming' Flanagan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht his views on the progress made to date of the alternatives offered to turf cutters on special areas of conservation bogs, that is the uptake of compensation, free turf deliveries and any relocation schemes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54588/12]

Special Areas of Conservation Designation

Thomas Pringle

36. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht further to his announcement last December of his intention to designate the area around Rockabill to Dalkey Island as a special area of conservation, if he has discussed the implications of this with the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government and the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources in view of their recent granting of foreshore and exploration licences to a company (details supplied) to drill an oil well just 6 km from Dublin coastline. [4518/13]

Thatching Grants Expenditure

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn

37. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the grants available to renovate thatched cottages; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4501/13]

National Monuments

Mick Wallace

38. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if he has received the environmental impact assessment of numbers 14 to 17 Moore Street, Dublin; the result of this assessment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4511/13]

Commemorative Events

Jonathan O'Brien

39. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if he has made a decision regarding a grant application to restore the former Richmond Barracks gymnasium as a local museum and centre for focus on commemorations in 1916; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4499/13]

Straitéis 20 Bliain don Ghaeilge

John Browne

40. D'fhiafraigh Deputy John Browne den Aire Ealaíon, Oidhreachta agus Gaeltachta cén dul chun cinn atá déanta faoin Straitéis 20 Bliain. [4458/13]

Special Areas of Conservation Designation

Joe Higgins

41. Deputy Joe Higgins asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht further to his announcement last December of his intention to designate the area around Rockabill to Dalkey Island as a special area of conservation, if he has discussed the implications of this with the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government and the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources in view of their recent granting of foreshore and exploration licences to a company (details supplied) to drill an oil well just 6 km from Dublin coastline. [4516/13]

EU Presidency Agenda

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

42. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht his plans to utilize the EU Presidency to promote Arts, Heritage and the Irish language; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4504/13]

Abbey Theatre

Clare Daly

43. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if he will explain the relationship between the Abbey Theatre and the State in terms of ownership structures and status and financial oversight. [4509/13]

Film Industry Development

Bernard Durkan

47. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the extent to which he continues to have discussions with film-makers at home and abroad with a view to facilitating the development of this country as a major world-wide filming location and thereby promoting the national image and economic recovery; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4495/13]

State Properties

Seán Crowe

48. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the position in relation to his effort to secure Bank of Ireland on College Green, Dublin, for the purpose of the Arts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4503/13]