Ceisteanna Parlaiminte

Departmental Funding

Seamus Kirk

144. Deputy Seamus Kirk asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to the serious budget shortfall of the Women's Aid facility in Dundalk; if an application for additional funding has been submitted; and if so, when will this be looked at; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20693/14]

National Strategy on Dementia Implementation

Seamus Kirk

408. Deputy Seamus Kirk asked the Minister for Health the position regarding the national strategy on dementia; if a timescale has been set out for its implementation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20165/14]

North-South Ministerial Council

Seamus Kirk

140. Deputy Seamus Kirk asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if, in the context of the North-South Ministerial Council agenda, consideration will be given to the prioritisation of cross-Border infrastructural projects which have clear mutual benefits North and South; his views on such proposals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17303/14]

Drainage Schemes Expenditure

Seamus Kirk

530. Deputy Seamus Kirk asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the proposals he has to provide financial assistance towards land drainage in view of the substantial costs involved in such work and the need for drainage works to be undertaken in view of the heavy rainfall over the past few years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17936/14]

UK Referendum on EU Membership

Seamus Kirk

33. Deputy Seamus Kirk asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if a contingency plan has been initiated by his Department in the event of a negative referendum result in the UK on EU membership; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17019/14]

Agriculture Scheme Expenditure

Seamus Kirk

493. Deputy Seamus Kirk asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will outline the capital expenditure, both Exchequer and EU, on the various schemes funded under his Department's on-farm capital investment programmes on an annual basis from 1997 to 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16316/14]

Nursing Homes Support Scheme Oversight

Seamus Kirk

650. Deputy Seamus Kirk asked the Minister for Health if the fair deal scheme is under review; if so, when he will have a report on same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16540/14]

Medicinal Products Availability

Seamus Kirk

561. Deputy Seamus Kirk asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the early access to the medicines scheme launched in the UK; if there is a comparative plan here; and, if not, if he has any plans to develop one in the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15194/14]

Ambulance Service Staff

Seamus Kirk

594. Deputy Seamus Kirk asked the Minister for Health the number of paramedic staff who are employed on the ambulance service in the north east; the number of staff on full pay who are not being utilised as part of the service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15369/14]

Regulatory Bodies

Seamus Kirk

275. Deputy Seamus Kirk asked the Minister for Finance if he is considering introducing statutory regulation of the Irish Tax Institute in view of the considerable fallout from financial decisions taken on projects over the past ten years or so; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14182/14]

Grocery Industry Competition

Seamus Kirk

209. Deputy Seamus Kirk asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation his plans regarding the statutory code of practice for the grocery sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12058/14]

Disadvantaged Areas Scheme Eligibility

Seamus Kirk

455. Deputy Seamus Kirk asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will re-examine the decision to refuse disadvantaged areas scheme 2012 payment to a person (details supplied) in County Monaghan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11691/14]

Beef Industry

Seamus Kirk

474. Deputy Seamus Kirk asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine in view of the serious crisis in the beef sector here, the measures he is planning to support primary producers in the industry. [12059/14]

Road Network

Seamus Kirk

593. Deputy Seamus Kirk asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the position regarding the western bypass at Ardee, County Louth; the commencement date for the project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11523/14]

Driver Licences

Seamus Kirk

514. Deputy Seamus Kirk asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the position regarding the proposed bilateral agreement between Ireland and Canada in relation to recognition of driving licences in both countries; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10576/14]

Farms Data

Seamus Kirk

229. Deputy Seamus Kirk asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on carrying out an audit of the bureaucratic burden on farmers with a view to bringing forward proposals to minimise the burden; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10239/14]

Garda Strength

Seamus Kirk

163. Deputy Seamus Kirk asked the Minister for Justice and Equality Garda numbers in County Louth over the past five years; if he will provide a breakdown, in particular for the Dundalk south and Carlingford areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9749/14]

Common Agricultural Policy Reform

Seamus Kirk

196. Deputy Seamus Kirk asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide an indicative time scale for approved projects of pillar 2 of the Common Agricultural Policy programme 2014-2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9810/14]

Student Grant Scheme Eligibility

Seamus Kirk

117. Deputy Seamus Kirk asked the Minister for Education and Skills if there will be no introduction of a capital assets test for assessing eligibility for third level student grants; if he will be publishing the report of the capital asset test implementation group; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9141/14]

Cross-Border Co-operation

Seamus Kirk

13. Deputy Seamus Kirk asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he has had any recent discussions with members of the Northern Ireland Executive on the potential to develop further cross-Border trade; if the potential of the Narrow Water Bridge project has been discussed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8020/14]

Cross-Border Co-operation

Seamus Kirk

35. Deputy Seamus Kirk asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he has discussed with Members of the Northern Ireland Executive the potential of the Narrow Water Bridge project to further North-South trade and economic development; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8021/14]

Defence Forces Remuneration

Seamus Kirk

167. Deputy Seamus Kirk asked the Minister for Defence if he will advise when it is hoped to pay serving members who have joined the Permanent Defence Force since 2011 an extra 10% that was promised as part of Haddington Road agreement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8472/14]

Cross-Border Co-operation

Seamus Kirk

136. Deputy Seamus Kirk asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide details of any recent discussions he has had with members of the Northern Ireland Executive and the Northern Ireland Secretary of State on key cross-Border infrastructure projects; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1484/14]

Autism Incidence

Seamus Kirk

716. Deputy Seamus Kirk asked the Minister for Health the steps needed in relation to getting a child tested for autism; if he will state the waiting list for children with autism to be tested; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7839/14]

Autism Incidence

Seamus Kirk

717. Deputy Seamus Kirk asked the Minister for Health the number of persons diagnosed with autism and Asperger's syndrome; if he will provide a breakdown by county; the treatment available through the Health Service Executive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7840/14]

Autism Incidence

Seamus Kirk

718. Deputy Seamus Kirk asked the Minister for Health the budget available for the treatment of autism in children and young adults; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7841/14]

Ambulance Service Provision

Seamus Kirk

22. Deputy Seamus Kirk asked the Minister for Health his views on whether the ambulance service has the necessary resources for 2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6932/14]

Nursing Homes Support Scheme Expenditure

Seamus Kirk

65. Deputy Seamus Kirk asked the Minister for Health if he is satisfied that there are sufficient resources in place for the fair deal scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6931/14]

Poultry Industry

Seamus Kirk

216. Deputy Seamus Kirk asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the supports that will be provided for the poultry sector under the new rural development programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7205/14]

Agriculture Scheme Payments

Seamus Kirk

171. Deputy Seamus Kirk asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will consider increasing the beef genomic scheme payment rate per cow as the current €80 proposal announced as part of the Common Agricultural Policy reform programme is considered inadequate in terms of the impact needed to stabilise suckler cow numbers nationally and provide reasonable support for the extremely low incomes of suckler farmers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7066/14]

Hospital Equipment

Seamus Kirk

730. Deputy Seamus Kirk asked the Minister for Health if the CT scanner in Louth County Hospital is in regular use; the number of times it has been used in the past 12 months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5587/14]

Schools Building Regulations

Seamus Kirk

290. Deputy Seamus Kirk asked the Minister for Education and Skills if the specification for school building has changed in respect of walls and building where concrete slabs are used instead of block and brick for wall building purposes; if this change is now adopted for school buildings generally; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4084/14]

Social and Affordable Housing Provision

Seamus Kirk

550. Deputy Seamus Kirk asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the total amount of social houses available here; if he will provide a breakdown on a county basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4064/14]

Long-Term Illness Scheme Data

Seamus Kirk

760. Deputy Seamus Kirk asked the Minister for Health the number of persons who are partaking in the long-term illness scheme; if he will provide a full patient breakdown in regard to diseases; the total cost to the Exchequer of running the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4102/14]

General Practitioner Services Provision

Seamus Kirk

761. Deputy Seamus Kirk asked the Minister for Health further to the proposed free general practitioner visit announced in budget 2012 for persons who are under the long-term illness scheme, the date when this budgetary promise will commence; the total cost to the Exchequer; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4103/14]

Cross-Border Co-operation

Seamus Kirk

29. Deputy Seamus Kirk asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation his proposals to enhance economic co-operation on a North-South basis to boost trade in the Border area; if further economic co-operation will be discussed at the next North-South Ministerial Council; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1483/14]

Community Radio Stations Funding

Seamus Kirk

141. Deputy Seamus Kirk asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if local community radio stations like Dundalk FM will be considered for funding under the proposed public service broadcasting charge; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3257/14]

Local Authority Charges Collection

Seamus Kirk

526. Deputy Seamus Kirk asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the position regarding distressed companies in liquidation regarding arrears due to respective councils; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1662/14]

Rural Development Programme Funding

Seamus Kirk

689. Deputy Seamus Kirk asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans for an introduction for installation aid for young farmers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1659/14]

Beef Industry

Seamus Kirk

690. Deputy Seamus Kirk asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his attention has been drawn to the crisis in the beef industry where producers are finding it impossible to have animals slaughtered; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1660/14]

Milk Quota Cessation

Seamus Kirk

691. Deputy Seamus Kirk asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he is considering the potential for transitional arrangements to the milk quota post-2015; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1661/14]

Nursing Homes Support Scheme Eligibility

Seamus Kirk

880. Deputy Seamus Kirk asked the Minister for Health the manner in which farms are taken into account when assessing applications for the fair deal scheme; if family farms are treated the same as the family home or if there are other factors in play; if so, if he will provide the details of those factors; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1470/14]

Ambulance Service Response Times

Seamus Kirk

888. Deputy Seamus Kirk asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the serious difficulties of the ambulance service in Drogheda, County Louth, and the north east; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1571/14]

EU Funding

Seamus Kirk

33. Deputy Seamus Kirk asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he foresees an agreement being reached between the Northern Executive, the Irish Government and the European Commission in relation to the funding of the Narrow Water Bridge project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48979/13]

EU Funding

Seamus Kirk

44. Deputy Seamus Kirk asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the recent discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland and the Northern Ireland Executive in relation to the Narrow Water Bridge project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48978/13]

Departmental Funding

Seamus Kirk

635. Deputy Seamus Kirk asked the Minister for Health the funding that has been provided to Dignity 4 Patients in 2011, 2012 and to date in 2013; if he or the Department have had any meetings with the group in 2013; if he will support the inquiry into allegations of sexual abuse of patients in a hospital (details supplied) in County Louth; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54384/13]

Tax Reliefs Eligibility

Seamus Kirk

134. Deputy Seamus Kirk asked the Minister for Finance if he will consider extending tax relief for land leasing to companies who own agricultural land and wish to lease same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52810/13]

Housing Issues

Seamus Kirk

334. Deputy Seamus Kirk asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if local authorities will be empowered to carry out repair and maintenance work to local housing estates which are not taken over by the county council; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52808/13]

Rural Development Programme Projects

Seamus Kirk

335. Deputy Seamus Kirk asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the position regarding a grant application to Louth Leader (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52809/13]

Poultry Industry

Seamus Kirk

162. Deputy Seamus Kirk asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if the proposal to establish a poultry council has been progressed; if Exchequer or EU funding will be provided towards the work of the council or if any other initiatives are planned to assist the further development of the poultry sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48701/13]