Ceisteanna Parlaiminte

Hospital Charges

Colm Keaveney

704. Deputy Colm Keaveney asked the Minister for Health if persons involuntarily detained under the Mental Health Act 2001 are liable for inpatient charges; if such charges apply to inpatient service users in acute units who are voluntary under the meaning of said Act; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41563/14]

Nursing Homes Support Scheme Applications

Colm Keaveney

742. Deputy Colm Keaveney asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Galway will be approved for the fair deal scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41810/14]

Mental Health Services Funding

Colm Keaveney

801. Deputy Colm Keaveney asked the Minister for Health the amount of funding allocated and spent on mental health in each year from 2011 to 2013, inclusive; the budget and anticipated spend in 2014; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42132/14]

Irish Water Staff

Colm Keaveney

1011. Deputy Colm Keaveney asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the number of meetings he or officials from his Department had with a person (details supplied); the purpose of each of those meetings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41333/14]

Irish Water Remit

Colm Keaveney

1027. Deputy Colm Keaveney asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his plans to propose amending legislation to clarify that trustees of group water schemes, where such groups have been purchasing water from public supplies, will not be liable to Irish Water for debts incurred by members of such schemes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41566/14]

Departmental Meetings

Colm Keaveney

1081. Deputy Colm Keaveney asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources to set out the number of meetings he or officials from his Department have had with a person (details supplied); the purpose of each of those meetings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41327/14]

Natural Heritage Areas Designation

Colm Keaveney

1142. Deputy Colm Keaveney asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if she plans to remove the designation of an area (details supplied) as part of a national heritage area; if so, when the process will be completed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40924/14]

Disadvantaged Areas Scheme Payments

Colm Keaveney

97. Deputy Colm Keaveney asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a person (details supplied) in County Galway will receive their headage payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39573/14]

Departmental Investigations

Colm Keaveney

122. Deputy Colm Keaveney asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if she will provide a copy of the report issued as a result of a scooping exercise carried out in 2009 to assess the nature of employment relating to 14 ESB meter readers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37670/14]

Health Services Staff Recruitment

Colm Keaveney

72. Deputy Colm Keaveney asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to issues in the recruitment of counselling psychologists by the Health Service Executive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36797/14]

Psychological Services

Colm Keaveney

110. Deputy Colm Keaveney asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to issues with regard to the recruitment of psychologists by the Health Service Executive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36533/14]

Water Charges Exemptions

Colm Keaveney

116. Deputy Colm Keaveney asked the Minister for Health the discussions his Department has had with the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government with regard to water charges and persons with mental health issues; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36534/14]

Hospital Appointment Status

Colm Keaveney

355. Deputy Colm Keaveney asked the Minister for Health when a hospital appointment will be scheduled in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36630/14]

Defence Forces Personnel

Colm Keaveney

6. Deputy Colm Keaveney asked the Minister for Defence if he will review the 21-year rule for Defence Forces personnel enlisted after 1994; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34557/14]

Defence Forces Personnel

Colm Keaveney

11. Deputy Colm Keaveney asked the Minister for Defence if he will amend rules so that privates and corporals in the Defence Forces could be permitted to serve to age 50 and that sergeants could be permitted to serve to age 60; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34558/14]

Departmental Funding

Colm Keaveney

10. Deputy Colm Keaveney asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will continue the scheme to support national organisations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34326/14]

Departmental Funding

Colm Keaveney

15. Deputy Colm Keaveney asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide an update on the review of the scheme to support national organisations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34325/14]

Prescription Charges

Colm Keaveney

795. Deputy Colm Keaveney asked the Minister for Health in the context of the forthcoming budget, if he will consider waiving the €2.50 prescription charge per item for all long-term residents of nursing homes in view of the fact that studies have shown that prescription charges may lead to patients neglecting to adhere to their full medication regime; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33072/14]

Medical Card Administration

Colm Keaveney

712. Deputy Colm Keaveney asked the Minister for Health if he or his Department engaged in any discussion with the Irish Medical Organisation on the issuing of general practitioner only medical cards to the over 70s; if an agreement on a new contract has been agreed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31601/14]

VAT Rate Application

Colm Keaveney

46. Deputy Colm Keaveney asked the Minister for Finance the VAT rate imposed on soya juice, also referred to as soya milk; if there is any proposal to apply the higher VAT rate to same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30508/14]

Mental Health Guidelines

Colm Keaveney

195. Deputy Colm Keaveney asked the Minister for Health in reference to a recent health and safety audit report dated June 2014 conducted in the department of psychiatry at University Hospital Galway which noted that some staff working in the unit had not received training and education in relation to physical restraint, which is a requirement in the 2009 code of practice of the Mental Health Commission on the use of physical restraint in approved centres, the number of staff currently assigned to that department; the number who have not received the training referred to earlier; the action taken to address the management failure in not ensuring all staff had received this training; if any disciplinary action has been taken in relation to this matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30504/14]

Mental Health Guidelines

Colm Keaveney

196. Deputy Colm Keaveney asked the Minister for Health in view of the requirement in the 2009 code of practice by the Mental Health Commission on the use of physical restraint in approved centres that all staff working in such units receive training and education in relation to physical restraint of psychiatric patients, and in view of the fact that psychiatric patients sometimes present in accident and emergency units, if he will confirm that all staff working in such units, including any private security guards, have received this training; if he will provide details of the last audit carried out into this; the number of staff who have yet to receive the appropriate training and education; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30505/14]

Hospital Staff

Colm Keaveney

197. Deputy Colm Keaveney asked the Minister for Health his views on whether it is appropriate that private security guards may be deployed to assist in restraining psychiatric patients in accident and emergency departments; if there have been any incidents of same in 2012 or 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30506/14]

Hospitals Data

Colm Keaveney

198. Deputy Colm Keaveney asked the Minister for Health if he will provide in tabular form the numbers of patients, broken down by status as either voluntary or involuntary patients, who have been subjected to electroconvulsive therapy without their express consent in each inpatient acute psychiatric unit, for each year from 2011 to 2013, inclusive, and to date in 2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30507/14]

Mental Health Services Provision

Colm Keaveney

199. Deputy Colm Keaveney asked the Minister for Health the number of cognitive behavioural theorists currently employed within each Health Service Executive operational area; the number of whole-time equivalent posts there are; if he will increase that number; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30509/14]

Mental Health Services Provision

Colm Keaveney

200. Deputy Colm Keaveney asked the Minister for Health the policy initiatives his Department has taken since 2011 aimed at disrupting the power relations within inpatient psychiatric units in terms of service users and those delivering the service; the number of service users appointed to the area management teams within the Health Service Executive; if none, when he plans to implement this policy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30510/14]

Mental Health Services Provision

Colm Keaveney

201. Deputy Colm Keaveney asked the Minister for Health the policy initiatives that his Department has taken since 2011 aimed at lessening the influence of the pharmacological industry in the delivery of mental health care; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30511/14]

Jobseeker's Allowance Payments

Colm Keaveney

266. Deputy Colm Keaveney asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection further to Parliamentary Question No. 240 of 1 July 2014, the number of jobseeker's assistance recipients aged 24 and under, who have not made any contribution to the PRSI system, with Class A, Class J and Class S contributions since 2005 who are currently on a job activation measure; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30274/14]

Maternity Services Provision

Colm Keaveney

727. Deputy Colm Keaveney asked the Minister for Health if he will provide in tabular form the names of all maternity units and their associated perinatal mortality rates in each year from 2003 to 2013, as compiled by the national perinatal reporting system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29423/14]

Hospital Appointment Status

Colm Keaveney

758. Deputy Colm Keaveney asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Galway may expect to receive a hospital appointment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29693/14]

Medical Card Applications

Colm Keaveney

155. Deputy Colm Keaveney asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Galway may expect to receive a decision on their medical card considering that they are seriously ill in hospital and applied for the medical card in February of this year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28578/14]

Adoption Legislation

Colm Keaveney

76. Deputy Colm Keaveney asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs when he will bring forward adoption information and tracing legislation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28013/14]

Mother and Baby Homes Inquiries

Colm Keaveney

81. Deputy Colm Keaveney asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs when he expects to formally establish a commission of investigation into mother and baby homes; the budget he will be providing for the Commission; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28012/14]

Tax Collection

Colm Keaveney

143. Deputy Colm Keaveney asked the Minister for Finance to set out the number of attachment orders on persons which were granted to the Revenue Commissioners in each year from 2011 to 2013, inclusive; the amount of revenue that was gathered in each year by these means; the number that are currently active; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28312/14]

Social Insurance

Colm Keaveney

240. Deputy Colm Keaveney asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of persons, broken down by administrative division and by age group, currently in receipt of jobseeker's allowance who have not, to date, made any PRSI contribution; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28236/14]

Beef Data Programme

Colm Keaveney

356. Deputy Colm Keaveney asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the grounds on which a person (details supplied) in County Galway was refused payment under the beef genomics scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28099/14]

Firearms Licences

Colm Keaveney

384. Deputy Colm Keaveney asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of gun licence applications processed by An Garda Síochána in the Tuam district of the Galway division in each year from 2011 to 2013 inclusive; the number granted, refused or withdrawn in each year; the most common reason for refusal; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27919/14]

Crime Data

Colm Keaveney

429. Deputy Colm Keaveney asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if she will provide in tabular form details of the recorded and detected rates for each of the following offences, for each year from 2009 to 2013, inclusive, for the Tuam district of the Galway division of An Garda Síochána, homicide offences, sexual offences, attempts or threats to murder, assaults, harassments and related offences, dangerous or negligent acts, kidnapping and related offences, robbery, extortion and hijacking offences, burglary and related offences, theft and related offences, fraud, deception and related offences, controlled drug offences, weapons and explosives offences, damage to property and to the environment, public order and other social code offences, road and traffic offences, offences against Government, justice procedures and organisation of crime; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28278/14]

Medical Card Applications

Colm Keaveney

455. Deputy Colm Keaveney asked the Minister for Health when a family (details supplied) in County Galway may expect to receive a decision on a medical card application; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27854/14]

HSE Properties

Colm Keaveney

557. Deputy Colm Keaveney asked the Minister for Health as per correspondence from the operations manager, Galway-Roscommon PCCC, dated 3 June last, the Health Service Executive has stated its intention to place the Tynagh health centre, Main Street, Tynagh, Loughrea, County Galway, for sale in the coming months; if he will confirm that either the HSE or his Department hold legal title to this property; if he will confirm that the land was originally donated by a local person and was intended to provide for community health services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28390/14]

Health Services Staff Data

Colm Keaveney

560. Deputy Colm Keaveney asked the Minister for Health the number of employees within the Health Service Executive that are currently employed at the journeyman chef grade; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28395/14]

Broadband Service Provision

Colm Keaveney

126. Deputy Colm Keaveney asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if the scheme announced by him in Loughrea on 25 April 2014 (details supplied) will be extended to bring fibre-optic broadband to the townland of Cooleeny, Kilrickle, County Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27637/14]

Hospital Staff

Colm Keaveney

202. Deputy Colm Keaveney asked the Minister for Health in view of the fact that a recent study (details supplied) into nurse staffing levels and hospital mortality found that an increase in nurses' workloads by one patient increases the likelihood of inpatient hospital mortality by 7%, if he will consider a review of nurse to patient staffing levels within the Health Service Executive and the establishment of clear nurse to patient ratios, relevant to the different areas of care, throughout the health service that reflect the finding of this study; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27641/14]

Mental Health Act Review

Colm Keaveney

4. Deputy Colm Keaveney asked the Minister for Health in regard to the ongoing delay in the publication of the expert group’s review of the Mental Health Act 2001, the impact of that delay in addressing the continuing human rights issues within the mental health system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27414/14]

Mental Health Act Review

Colm Keaveney

22. Deputy Colm Keaveney asked the Minister for Health further to the ongoing delay in the publication of the expert group’s review of the Mental Health Act 2001, the impact of that delay on addressing the continuing human rights issues within the mental health system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27036/14]

Mental Health Act Review

Colm Keaveney

42. Deputy Colm Keaveney asked the Minister for Health the measures he will bring forward to improve the legal protections for voluntary patients within the mental health system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27035/14]

Medical Card Drugs

Colm Keaveney

158. Deputy Colm Keaveney asked the Minister for Health the reason a person (details supplied) in County Galway cannot avail of macushield under the GMS scheme in their area when it is available under the medical card scheme in other Health Service Executive areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27466/14]

NAMA Loans Sale

Colm Keaveney

44. Deputy Colm Keaveney asked the Minister for Finance if he has had any discussion with executives or any other representatives of Lone Star regarding the sale of part of the National Asset Management Agency's remaining loan book; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26328/14]

IBRC Liquidation

Colm Keaveney

174. Deputy Colm Keaveney asked the Minister for Finance the number of freedom of information requests received by his Department in connection with the liquidation of the Irish Bank Resolution Corporation; the number that have been responded to; the number refused, in whole or in part; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25829/14]

Departmental Strategies

Colm Keaveney

175. Deputy Colm Keaveney asked the Minister for Finance if his Department has carried out any risk assessments into a scenario whereby an inflationary output gap opens in the general eurozone economy to which the ECB responds by raising its base rate but where Ireland may still have a deflationary output gap; if he will provide details of those risk assessments; the risks he believes this may pose to the economy; if this risk has been factored into his medium to long-term budgetary plans; the measures he believes can be taken to counter this risk; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25857/14]

Eurozone Issues

Colm Keaveney

176. Deputy Colm Keaveney asked the Minister for Finance his views on whether the eurozone is an optimal currency area; if there are criteria that make for an optimal currency area in which he believes the eurozone is deficient; the actions he believes necessary to address those deficiencies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25859/14]

Turf Cutting Compensation Scheme Payments

Colm Keaveney

398. Deputy Colm Keaveney asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht when a person (details supplied) in County Galway will receive their 2014 compensation under the cessation of turf cutting compensation scheme; if such payment is being refused, the reason for same; if he will order a re-inspection of the site; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25622/14]

Domestic Violence Policy

Colm Keaveney

580. Deputy Colm Keaveney asked the Minister for Justice and Equality in view of the continuing prevalence of violence against women and domestic violence here, when she will sign the Council of Europe Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence; when she proposes to address the constitutional difficulties in respect of Article 52 of the convention; her views on Ireland’s position as one of a minority of countries yet to sign the convention; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25685/14]

Mental Health Act Review

Colm Keaveney

690. Deputy Colm Keaveney asked the Minister for Health further to a Parliamentary Question of 18 September 2013 which stated that the expert group’s review of the Mental Health Act 2001 was expected before the end of 2013, if he will forward details of the report; if not already published, if he will provide the date on which the report will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25775/14]

Health Services Staff Recruitment

Colm Keaveney

694. Deputy Colm Keaveney asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 610 of 23 April 2014, if all of the posts listed in the response have now been filled and if any remain to be filled; when he expects the recruitment process to be completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25824/14]

Primary Care Services Provision

Colm Keaveney

712. Deputy Colm Keaveney asked the Minister for Health the position regarding a person (details supplied) in County Galway can no longer access prostigmin using his or her r medical card; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25883/14]

Employment Support Services

Colm Keaveney

112. Deputy Colm Keaveney asked the Minister for Social Protection in view of the importance of increasing participation in employment for persons with a disability, if she will consider opening up all labour activation programmes to persons on some disability payments; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24111/14]

Employment Support Services

Colm Keaveney

120. Deputy Colm Keaveney asked the Minister for Social Protection the initiatives her Department has undertaken since April 2011 to increase the participation in employment of persons with a disability; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24112/14]

Education and Training Boards Staff

Colm Keaveney

203. Deputy Colm Keaveney asked the Minister for Education and Skills concerning the recent appointment of several staff to positions within Galway and Roscommon Education and Training Board, including manager of the Roscommon sub-office, head of buildings, head of corporate services, human resources manager and head of IT, if he will confirm that these positions were advertised; when interviews took place for each of the five positions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24139/14]

Education and Training Boards Staff

Colm Keaveney

204. Deputy Colm Keaveney asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will confirm that a person (details supplied) has now been appointed director of schools at Galway and Roscommon Education Training Board on a permanent rather than an interim basis; the date on which position was made permanent; if this position was advertised; when interviews were held; the difference in the remuneration package attached to the new position of director of schools at GRETB compared with the position of acting CEO of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24140/14]

Education and Training Boards Staff

Colm Keaveney

205. Deputy Colm Keaveney asked the Minister for Education and Skills following the formation of the Galway and Roscommon Education and Training Board, headquartered in Athenry, County Galway, and given the understanding that his Department issued a circular stating all acting CEOs in the old VECs would return to their positions as school principals, if he will confirm that this has not happened in the case of the City of Galway VEC, and that the acting CEO was appointed director of schools in the new GRETB; if this was a newly created position; if it was sanctioned by his Department, and if so, the date of same; if the position was advertised; when the selection process took place; the salary scale of the new position; whether it is for a fixed term; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24141/14]

Mother and Baby Homes Inquiries

Colm Keaveney

598. Deputy Colm Keaveney asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if he will initiate an investigation into the circumstances of the death and burial of an estimated 800 children, who had been residents of the Tuam mother and children home run by the Bon Secours order; if he will make funding available from his Department in order to raise a suitable memorial over the site; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24093/14]

Education and Training Boards Staff

Colm Keaveney

55. Deputy Colm Keaveney asked the Minister for Education and Skills if a person (details supplied) in County Galway is entitled to a redundancy agreement signed on 10 June 2013 following an offer letter dated 7 June 2013 from City of Galway VEC; if this person still has a contract of employment with the VEC; the details of the gratuity and pension entitlements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23771/14]

Special Educational Needs Staff

Colm Keaveney

19. Deputy Colm Keaveney asked the Minister for Education and Skills his response to the alarm and disquiet that has been provoked by his Department's recent Circular 0030/2014 on special needs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23371/14]

School Guidance Counsellors

Colm Keaveney

28. Deputy Colm Keaveney asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will address the ongoing concerns regarding the impact of guidance counselling cuts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23372/14]

Hospital Appointment Status

Colm Keaveney

113. Deputy Colm Keaveney asked the Minister for Health when children (details supplied) in County Galway may expect to receive urgent medical appointments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23422/14]

Invalidity Pension Appeals

Colm Keaveney

450. Deputy Colm Keaveney asked the Minister for Social Protection when a person (details supplied) in County Galway may expect a decision on their invalidity pension application; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23053/14]

European Court of Justice Rulings

Colm Keaveney

642. Deputy Colm Keaveney asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the implications she believes that the recent judgment of the Court of Justice of the European Union (details supplied) will have for Irish law; her views on whether any legislative change will be required; her views on the potential impact of the judgment on freedom of expression; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22725/14]

Garda Transport Provision

Colm Keaveney

658. Deputy Colm Keaveney asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of vehicles allocated to the Loughrea district on 31 March 2012 and on 31 March 2013; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22391/14]

Ambulance Service Response Times

Colm Keaveney

725. Deputy Colm Keaveney asked the Minister for Health when Tuam ambulance base will receive 24-7 cover; pending same, his plans to ensure that the people of the area can expect an adequate response time; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22196/14]

Mental Health Services Provision

Colm Keaveney

819. Deputy Colm Keaveney asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 4 of 14 May 2014, if he will provide details of the contents of the March 2014 memorandum issued by the national director of mental health services to all relevant managers, re-emphasising the requirements in relation to the reporting of sudden unexplained deaths; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22715/14]

Mental Health Services Provision

Colm Keaveney

820. Deputy Colm Keaveney asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 623 of 13 May 2014, if he will provide details of the difficulties with the previous NSUE model referred to in his response; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22716/14]

Mental Health Commission Reports

Colm Keaveney

4. Deputy Colm Keaveney asked the Minister for Health the actions he has taken following the findings of recent audits into the compliance of the notification and investigation of incidents of sudden, unexplained death of persons in community mental health services with legislative requirements and Health Service Executive policy and procedures; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21599/14]

Medical Card Eligibility

Colm Keaveney

31. Deputy Colm Keaveney asked the Minister for Health if he will reconsider his policy on discretionary medical cards in respect of children with Down's syndrome; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21120/14]

Mental Health Services Provision

Colm Keaveney

53. Deputy Colm Keaveney asked the Minister for Health to set out the actions taken following the findings of recent audits into the compliance of the notification and investigation of incidents of sudden unexplained death of persons in community mental health services along with associated legislative requirements and the Health Service Executive policy and procedures; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21119/14]

Foreign Policy

Colm Keaveney

145. Deputy Colm Keaveney asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he has initiated any study or briefing paper into the likely consequences for Ireland if Scotland should vote for independence in the referendum to be held on 18 September 2014; if he will provide details of same; the consequences Scottish independence would have for Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21350/14]

Human Rights Issues

Colm Keaveney

151. Deputy Colm Keaveney asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade in view of the ongoing severe persecution of Christian communities in Syria, Egypt, Iraq and other parts of the Middle East, the measures he has taken, as part of a unilateral initiative by Ireland and-or working with our European partners, to address this issue; if he has considered offering asylum here to those affected; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21349/14]

Flood Prevention Measures

Colm Keaveney

310. Deputy Colm Keaveney asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the studies that have been carried out since 2008 by the Office of Public Works into flooding in the townland of Pollaturick, Miltown, Tuam, County Galway, following works carried in the townland in connection with the Miltown group water scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21311/14]

Health Services Staff Recruitment

Colm Keaveney

581. Deputy Colm Keaveney asked the Minister for Health the number of the 477 posts for community mental health services committed to in the Health Service Executive National Service Plan 2013 that have been filled; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20938/14]

Medical Aids and Appliances Provision

Colm Keaveney

617. Deputy Colm Keaveney asked the Minister for Health if he will reconsider the decision of the Health Service Executive not to grant a person (details supplied) in County Galway who has arthritis a chair in order to make daily life more comfortable; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21314/14]

Medical Card Eligibility

Colm Keaveney

618. Deputy Colm Keaveney asked the Minister for Health his plans to amend the medical card scheme to allow the local property tax and water charges to be included as allowable expenses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21322/14]

Medical Card Eligibility

Colm Keaveney

619. Deputy Colm Keaveney asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the mileage allowance included in the allowable expenses of the medical card scheme is 18 cent per km; the date on which that rate was determined; the reasoning or methodology used to determine that rate; if he will consider amending that rate in view of contemporary circumstances; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21323/14]

Medical Card Data

Colm Keaveney

620. Deputy Colm Keaveney asked the Minister for Health if he will provide in tabular form for the average number of visits to a general practitioner by medical card holders in each year from 2009 to 2013 inclusive, broken down into age cohorts of zero to five years, six to 18 years, 19 to 35 years, 35 to 69 years and over 70 years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21326/14]

Mental Health Services Funding

Colm Keaveney

621. Deputy Colm Keaveney asked the Minister for Health in respect of the €35 million ring-fenced for mental health in budget 2012 and budget 2013, the amount of the €35 million ring-fenced for 2012 that was spent in that year; the amount that was carried forward; of the portion carried forward from 2012 into 2013; the amount that remains unspent; the amount of the €35 million ring-fenced for 2013 that was spent in that year; the way the moneys were spent in all cases; if the programme for Government committed the Government to ring-fence €35 million in each and every budget of its term; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21327/14]

Medical Card Data

Colm Keaveney

622. Deputy Colm Keaveney asked the Minister for Health the number of children aged five or under who currently are holders of a medical card or of a GP-only card; the proportion of the total national population this represents; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21330/14]

Mental Health Services Provision

Colm Keaveney

623. Deputy Colm Keaveney asked the Minister for Health if he remains committed to the role of the national service user executive, established under recommendation 3.5 of A Vision for Change, in informing the national mental health service directorate and the Mental Health Commission on issues relating to user involvement and participation in planning delivering, evaluating and monitoring services including models of best practice; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21331/14]

Health Services Staff Recruitment

Colm Keaveney

624. Deputy Colm Keaveney asked the Minister for Health if he will provide details of how of the 477 additional staff, committed to under the Health Service Executive national service plan 2013 to fulfil the objectives of further development of forensics and community mental health teams for adults, children, older persons and mental health intellectual disability, have been filled in each of the HSE areas; when all the posts will be filled; of those filled, the number that are currently in receipt of any remuneration from the HSE; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21332/14]

Hospitals Expenditure

Colm Keaveney

626. Deputy Colm Keaveney asked the Minister for Health if he will provide a financial breakdown of the current budgetary performance of every hospital providing acute services within the Health Service Executive; the budgeted target for each acute hospital; the projected outturn for each acute hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21335/14]

Special Educational Needs Staffing

Colm Keaveney

57. Deputy Colm Keaveney asked the Minister for Education and Skills if there has been any change in the standard number of hours for a full-time equivalent special needs assistant since January 2011; if so, when and what was the change in the standard number of hours; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20630/14]

Medical Card Applications

Colm Keaveney

204. Deputy Colm Keaveney asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Galway will receive a medical card; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20645/14]

Mental Health Services Provision

Colm Keaveney

207. Deputy Colm Keaveney asked the Minister for Health further to the closure of St. Ita's Hospital, Portrane, in September 2011, the amount that has been spent by Health Service Executive north Dublin on private beds for public patients in the mental health service since that date; the amount that was spent on same in each year from 2009 to 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20669/14]

Home Care Packages

Colm Keaveney

181. Deputy Colm Keaveney asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Galway will receive a response to an application for the home care package based on urgent medical need; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20379/14]

Nursing Homes Support Scheme Applications

Colm Keaveney

182. Deputy Colm Keaveney asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) may expect a decision on an application to participate in the fair deal scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20380/14]

Flood Prevention Measures

Colm Keaveney

205. Deputy Colm Keaveney asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform when the installation of the sanctioned scheme, referenced Scheme F: OPW Investigation of the Flooding Problems in the Gort Ardrahan Area of South Galway, final report 1998, will commence; when the Office of Public Works will carry out a local inspection and identify the swallow holes that can be reinstated to improve the local drainage; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20180/14]

Fiscal Policy

Colm Keaveney

85. Deputy Colm Keaveney asked the Minister for Finance if he will provide an estimate for the current size of the output gap; his views on the implications on same for taxation policy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19183/14]

Energy Prices

Colm Keaveney

86. Deputy Colm Keaveney asked the Minister for Finance with reference to the technical assumptions made on page 5 of the Stability Programme April 2014 update, his estimate of the year-on-year percent change for both real GDP and real GNP if oil were to be $110 per barrel for each year from 2014 to 2018, inclusive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19184/14]

Garda Transport Data

Colm Keaveney

549. Deputy Colm Keaveney asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of vehicles assigned to the Garda station in Craughwell, County Galway during the month of March 2012, March 2013, and March 2014 respectively; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18721/14]

Dental Services Provision

Colm Keaveney

833. Deputy Colm Keaveney asked the Minister for Health if he will provide details, in tabular form, of the waiting lists for children with a disability for dental services for each Health Service Executive region; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19182/14]

Agri-Environment Options Scheme Payments

Colm Keaveney

205. Deputy Colm Keaveney asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a person (details supplied) may expect to receive their agri-environment options scheme grant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18297/14]

Hospital Appointments Status

Colm Keaveney

167. Deputy Colm Keaveney asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Galway will receive an appointment for an occupational assessment and for a hearing assessment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18238/14]