Ceisteanna Parlaiminte

Mortgage Arrears Proposals

Nicky McFadden

249. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Finance the actions being taken to ensure that banks adequately engage with customers in relation to mortgage arrears; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18906/13]

School Staffing

Nicky McFadden

263. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Education and Skills if a school (details supplied) in County Westmeath will be provided with a language support teacher; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18384/13]

Modern Language Teaching

Nicky McFadden

278. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will outline the current status of the provision of foreign languages that exists across the Irish education system at primary, secondary and tertiary level; the efforts being made to improve language acquisition among Irish students, particularly in view of the strong demand among employers for multilingual graduates; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18769/13]

National Lottery Funding Disbursement

Nicky McFadden

305. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if the natural environment will be added to the list of purposes to which National Lottery funds may apply; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18910/13]

Beef Industry Irregularities

Nicky McFadden

541. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if EU wide DNA testing of meat will be made a permanent feature of the meat processing industry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18786/13]

Child Care Services Inquiry

Nicky McFadden

566. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she will outline the progress being made in relation to the development of infrastructure for after school services; the extension of subsidies for after school services and raising quality standards; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18813/13]

Child Care Services Provision

Nicky McFadden

567. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she will outline the progress being made in relation to reforming the qualification requirements for workers in early care and education services and regulation, supported by a training fund; the progress being made in relation to reform of the inspection system; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18814/13]

Hospital Facilities

Nicky McFadden

604. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on the development of a new acute admission and inpatient unit at St. Loman's Hospital, Mullingar, County Westmeath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18530/13]

Disability Support Services Provision

Nicky McFadden

617. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Health if he will outline the measures being taken to increase the capacity and potential of persons with disabilities to participate in the labour market; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18716/13]

Disability Support Services

Nicky McFadden

633. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Health if national Health Information Quality Authority standards for residential care in the area of disability services will be implemented this year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18810/13]

Ambulance Service Provision

Nicky McFadden

634. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Health if he will outline the progress being made in relation to the reform of ambulance services and the management and delivery of pre hospital care services; if he will outline the way the further €12 million investment in the area will be allocated in 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18812/13]

Patient Transport Provision

Nicky McFadden

645. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Health if adequate transport will be provided to a person (details supplied) in County Westmeath to travel to necessary hospital appointments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18912/13]

Divorce Process

Nicky McFadden

196. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will outline the rationale for the current four year period required for divorce in Ireland; if the process will be amended to facilitate a single court process (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18058/13]

Banking Sector Staff

Nicky McFadden

88. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Finance his views on correspondence (details supplied) from ordinary bank workers in response to the Mercer Report; if he will acknowledge the importance of separating the treatment of ordinary bank workers from senior executives; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17796/13]

Special Educational Needs Service Provision

Nicky McFadden

385. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Education and Skills the measures that could be taken to increase the number of persons with a disability who complete second and third level education; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16133/13]

Public Procurement Regulations

Nicky McFadden

463. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Education and Skills his policy in relation to the procurement of school supplies; if procurement has been centralised; if he will acknowledge the potentially adverse impact on local stationery suppliers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17113/13]

Parliamentary Inquiries

Nicky McFadden

523. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the way in which an effective and legally robust parliamentary banking inquiry will be undertaken; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16734/13]

Housing Adaptation Grant Applications

Nicky McFadden

758. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will outline the current options available to older persons who seek financial assistance to adapt their homes; if he will acknowledge the importance of ensuring that older persons homes are adequately adapted to suit their needs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16132/13]

Property Taxation Exemptions

Nicky McFadden

762. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will outline the rationale for deeming only part of an estate (details supplied) in County Westmeath eligible for a waiver from the local property tax; if the entire estate will be waived from the tax; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16226/13]

Building Regulations Application

Nicky McFadden

776. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if the Architects Registration Body published its 2010, 2011 and 2012 annual reports as stipulated in section 73 of the Building Control Act 2007; if published, if these reports may be viewed by the public; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16410/13]

Garda Civilianisation Process

Nicky McFadden

870. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will provide an update on the progress being made in the civilianisation of Garda Command and Control in Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16081/13]

Child Abduction

Nicky McFadden

881. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the measures taken to address the issue of parental child abduction; his views on the role that mediation can play in reaching lasting agreements; if he will provide an update on the current status of the Mediation Bill; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16178/13]

EU Regulations

Nicky McFadden

991. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will outline the rationale for the implementation of the EU Timber Regulation 995/2010; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16181/13]

Forestry Sector

Nicky McFadden

1001. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his attention has been drawn to the report of the Irish Timber Council which sets out views on the proposed sale of Coillte's harvesting rights; if he has considered the contents of the report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16444/13]

Departmental Strategies

Nicky McFadden

1081. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if the development of socially funded child care, after-school care and community-based education programmes will form part of the Irish social investment strategy; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16200/13]

Cancer Screening Programmes

Nicky McFadden

1135. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Health the hospitals in which the Oncotype DX test is available for patients; if he will outline the benefits of this test; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16129/13]

Services for People with Disabilities

Nicky McFadden

1136. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Health the measures that have been taken by his Department to constructively engage with groups representing persons with disabilities and to communicate on issues affecting persons with disabilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16131/13]

Disabilities Services Funding

Nicky McFadden

1139. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Health if personal assistant services for persons with disabilities will be maintained at the same level as that provided in 2012; if he will outline in detail the way the additional funding of €4 million to address the service needs of school-leavers in 2013 is allocated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16147/13]

Alcohol Advertising

Nicky McFadden

1140. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Health if he will outline the extent of communication that has taken place between his Department and the drinks industry in relation to taking positive action to address alcohol misuse and to discuss the issues surrounding sponsorship and advertising; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16179/13]

Thalidomide Victims Compensation

Nicky McFadden

1141. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Health if he has met with the Irish Thalidomide Association and the Irish Thalidomide Survivors Society; if he will provide an update on those meetings; the progress being made; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16180/13]

Disability Allowance Eligibility

Nicky McFadden

1169. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Health if he will outline the membership of the review group to discuss options in relation to alternatives to the mobility allowance and motorised transport grant; if any of those members specifically represent the end user of disability services; if a person (details supplied) in County Westmeath will be considered for inclusion on the group; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16387/13]

Hospital Waiting Lists

Nicky McFadden

1179. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Health if a date can be confirmed for the medical procedure in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16436/13]

Air Ambulance Service Provision

Nicky McFadden

1203. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Health if he will ensure that the interests of patient care and local communities are taken into account as part of the upcoming review on the aero medical service pilot programme based at Custume Baracks, Athlone; if all stakeholders will be made part of the consultation process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16583/13]

Medical Register Administration

Nicky McFadden

1284. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Health if he will outline the rationale for the requirement that doctors registered on supervised division of the medical register apply for transfer to general division after two years by completing a pre-registration exam system; if he will consider correspondence (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17114/13]

Gender Proofing of Policies

Nicky McFadden

84. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will outline the results of the 57th session of the UN Commission on the Status of Women held earlier this month; the actions and best practices outlined in the agreed conclusions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15430/13]

VAT Rates

Nicky McFadden

217. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Finance if he will examine the VAT charge of 23% on the purchase of school books in electronic format in comparison to a 0% VAT charge on paper format schoolbooks (details supplied); if the system will be modified to ensure equity and fairness; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15172/13]

Student Grant Scheme Eligibility

Nicky McFadden

268. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Education and Skills if financial assistance is available for students who were brought up in care; if he will outline the way this assistance may be applied for; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15161/13]

Broadband Services Provision

Nicky McFadden

360. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will provide information on the current standard of broadband provided to second level schools in Longford and Westmeath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15175/13]

Garda Vetting of Personnel

Nicky McFadden

447. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he has received correspondence from a company (details supplied) in relation to difficulties when seeking Garda vetting for prospective employees; if the matter will be resolved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15173/13]

Guthrie Cards Retention

Nicky McFadden

557. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Health the current position in relation to the retention/destruction of newborn screening card blood samples, also known as Guthrie cards; if he will acknowledge the important genetic information provided by these cards to obtain genetic diagnosis and detect cardiac conditions; if the issue could be dealt with in the upcoming Human Tissue Bill so that both data protection requirements and the protection of blood samples can be taken into account; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14982/13]

Neuro-Rehabilitation Services Provision

Nicky McFadden

578. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Health if he has considered the recent Neurorehabilitation Manifesto from the Neurological Alliance of Ireland in relation to the neurorehabilitation strategy and protection of funding to not for profit organisations that provide neurorehabiliatation supports; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15186/13]

Hospital Acquired Infections

Nicky McFadden

50. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Health the measures that have been taken to tackle MRSA in Midland Regional Hospital, Mullingar, County Westmeath; the impact of these measures; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14284/13]

Driving Licences

Nicky McFadden

575. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if a review of the proposed process to transfer responsibility of processing of all driving licence applications to SGS will take place to investigate the role for scanned photographs within the SAFE2 process; if the photography industry can co-exist with SGS as part of the new driving licence procedure in order to protect the welfare of the photo ID industry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13903/13]

EU Directives

Nicky McFadden

167. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Finance if he will outline the details of the EU agreement on capping bankers' bonuses; when the agreement will come into effect; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12534/13]

School Accommodation

Nicky McFadden

218. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding accommodation works at a school (details supplied) in County Westmeath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12645/13]

National Lottery Licence Sale

Nicky McFadden

267. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if the 6% retail agents' margin will be ringfenced in the National Lottery Bill 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12659/13]

Foreign Direct Investment

Nicky McFadden

281. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the way the intellectual property protocol here contributes to the country's attractiveness as a location for foreign direct investment, particularly in the areas of ICT and research and development; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12579/13]

Joint Labour Committees Abolition

Nicky McFadden

284. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if he has considered the recommendation of Retail, Grocery, Dairy and Allied Traders Association to abolish the retail grocery JLC, the assertion that independent grocers should be subject to the same minimum wage rates and employment conditions as all other retailers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12660/13]

Ministerial Meetings

Nicky McFadden

312. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will provide detail on the recent EU EPSCO Council meeting and the agreement reached on an EU youth guarantee; the way a guarantee scheme will provide young persons with better labour market prospects; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12557/13]

Energy Schemes Issues

Nicky McFadden

378. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will outline proposals for the residential sector to transition from the retrofit scheme to a new pay as you save financing model; the way this transition will impact on the homeowner in terms of benefits and ability to finance home improvements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12543/13]