Ceisteanna Parlaiminte

Proposed Legislation

Nicky McFadden

463. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will provide an update on progressing the Charities Act 2009; if a charities regulatory authority will be established to ensure accountability and public confidence in the charity sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12550/13]

Mobility Allowance Decision

Nicky McFadden

580. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Health the way an alternative scheme to the mobility allowance and motorised transport grant will be administered; if he will ensure that current funding levels will be maintained; the organisations he has met with in order to develop an alternative scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12317/13]

Hospital Services

Nicky McFadden

598. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Health if he will ensure that any proposals for hospital groupings in the Midlands will not adversely impact services currently provided at Midlands Regional Hospitals including Mullingar and that patient care and provision of adequate services will not be compromised; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12504/13]

Alcohol Pricing

Nicky McFadden

618. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on proposals for minimum pricing of alcohol; if restrictions on advertising alcohol promotions will be put in place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12657/13]

Gender Equality

Nicky McFadden

61. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the way in which we can ensure that the Commission on the Status of Women taking place in March affirms Ireland's and the EU's commitment to gender equality and women's empowerment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12129/13]

Tax Code

Nicky McFadden

69. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Finance if he has considered the Certified Public Accounts Ireland Entrepreneurship Report for 2012; his views on the recommendations to provide a more equitable treatment of entrepreneurs under the tax system to award tax credits to investors in business which can only be claimed against dividends realised from that business; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12140/13]

School Curriculum

Nicky McFadden

87. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he has considered the Certified Public Accountants Ireland Entrepreneurship Report for 2012; his views on the recommendation to introduce entrepreneurship as a subject to the curriculum for primary and secondary students; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12130/13]

Action Plan for Jobs

Nicky McFadden

111. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if he has considered the Certified Public Accountants Ireland Entrepreneurship Report for 2012; his views on the recommendation to introduce a national skills register to allow employers to find the right persons with the required skills; the recommendation to introduce specific promotional and support programmes to address the low level of entrepreneurship amongst women; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12131/13]

Imports Statistics

Nicky McFadden

112. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if he will provide information on imports from China in 2012 in relation to import value, details of the types of products being imported; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12146/13]

Local Government Reform

Nicky McFadden

165. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if the programme for reform of local government will include improving communication directly between citizens and the agencies or Departments delivering the relevant local services; if greater clarity will be provided to citizens in relation to which level or agency of Government is responsible for delivering particular services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12141/13]

Domestic Violence Policy

Nicky McFadden

185. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the way the recently secured agreement with the European Parliament on improving the protection of victims of domestic violence across Europe will enable victims and other vulnerable persons to have continuity of protection under the law when they move between Member States; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12150/13]

Child Poverty

Nicky McFadden

224. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the measures that will be taken between her Department and the Department of Social Protection to end child poverty here, in line with the new EU recommendations Investing in Children: Breaking the Cycle of Disadvantage 2013; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12142/13]

Adoption Legislation

Nicky McFadden

225. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she has considered the recommendations of the Adoption Rights Alliance regarding adoption legislation; if measures will be taken to address the 44 recommendations; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12143/13]

Child Protection Issues

Nicky McFadden

232. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the way child protection and foster care services will be improved, particularly in the areas of staffing levels and supervision; if she will provide an update on the standard of provision of child protection and foster care services in Counties Longford and Westmeath; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12239/13]

Rural Transport Services Provision

Nicky McFadden

267. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans for the delivery of rural transport in County Westmeath in 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12121/13]

Social Welfare Benefits Eligibility

Nicky McFadden

294. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Social Protection the current supports available to self-employed business people who have been forced to close their businesses; if better supports will be made available to assist the self-employed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11514/13]

Medical Aids and Appliances Provision

Nicky McFadden

570. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Health if the necessary orthotic footwear will be made available to a person (details supplied) in County Westmeath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11495/13]

Social Welfare Appeals Delays

Nicky McFadden

137. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will provide an update on current efforts to reduce the social welfare appeals backlog; if she will acknowledge the strain the current backlogs are placing on individuals and families; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10738/13]

Social and Affordable Housing Provision

Nicky McFadden

174. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the number of properties in counties Longford and Westmeath that have been identified by the National Asset Management Agency for use as social housing; if he has communicated with the local authorities on the availability of NAMA property for the purpose of providing social housing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10843/13]

Building Regulations Application

Nicky McFadden

175. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will defer signing new regulations for a mandatory building certificate system under the Building Control (Amendment) Regulations Act 2013 until the forthcoming report from the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Environment, Culture and Gaeltacht is studied; if he has considered the architects alliance paper on self-certification; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10850/13]

Health Services Provision

Nicky McFadden

219. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Health the actions he will take in order to adequately resource the neuro-rehabilitation strategy; if he will address the lack of neuro-rehabilitation services to match the needs of the 700,000 persons with a neurological condition living here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10740/13]

Taxi Regulations

Nicky McFadden

235. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the reason for prohibiting the transfer of vehicle licences under the new Taxi Regulation Bill, in view of the fact that it is the PSV licence that determines a person's suitability to carry out the function and not the vehicle licence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10735/13]

Control of Dogs

Nicky McFadden

438. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide an update on recent contact with farming representatives regarding the promotion of responsible dog ownership, particularly in order to reduce the level of sheep worrying taking place in rural areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9693/13]

National Substance Misuse Strategy

Nicky McFadden

491. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will give statutory effect to Section 9 of the Intoxicating Liquor Act 2008 which provides for the structural separation of alcohol products from other products in supermarkets, convenience stores, petrol stations and any other licensed premises which are deemed to be mixed-trading; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9843/13]

Taxi Regulations

Nicky McFadden

749. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if a person (details supplied) in County Westmeath is entitled to transfer their vehicle and taxi plate to their child; if he will outline the areas of regulation that deal with vehicle and licence transfer; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9851/13]

Overseas Development Aid Provision

Nicky McFadden

62. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will outline the steps taken by his Department to ensure stronger accountability in relation to overseas aid provision; if he will ensure that the aid provided is being used in the correct way and to directly help those most in need; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9288/13]

Drug Treatment Programmes Availability

Nicky McFadden

224. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Health if he will outline his policy towards the estimated 10,000 methadone users here; if more funding will be allocated to the small number of non-profit organisations providing detoxification programmes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9292/13]

Prescription Charges

Nicky McFadden

226. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Health if he will consider certain exemptions from the increased prescriptions charges, particularly for vulnerable groups such as asylum seekers, older persons and persons with disabilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9302/13]

Medical Aids and Appliances Provision

Nicky McFadden

234. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Health if he will commit to ensuring a specific timeframe is given for the provision of bilateral cochlear implants for children, particularly for children who already have one implant; if he will provide an update on progress being made between the Health Service Executive and Beaumont Hospital, Dublin, in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9337/13]

Special Educational Needs Service Provision

Nicky McFadden

121. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Education and Skills if a child with Down's syndrome can automatically qualify for resource hours and a special needs assistant to help them progress through mainstream school; his views on the importance of ensuring that children with Down's syndrome are provided with the necessary resources and assistance in order that they can participate and develop in an inclusive educational system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9012/13]

School Curriculum

Nicky McFadden

135. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Education and Skills the way the ICT infrastructure can be further developed in schools in order to progress students' digital literacy skills; his views on the importance of digital literacy skills, particularly in relation to employment opportunities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9253/13]

Higher Education Grants Eligibility Criteria

Nicky McFadden

136. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will ensure that eligibility for third level grants will continue to be calculated on the basis of earned income, that the value of assets used to earn this income is not made part of this assessment and that children of farming families are not prevented from progressing to third level; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9254/13]

EU Funding

Nicky McFadden

139. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the funding allocated to the border, midlands and western region through EU structural funds; his views on the importance of ensuring continued adequate support for the region; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9143/13]

National Lottery Funding Disbursement

Nicky McFadden

140. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will consider ring-fencing a special national lottery draw with a view to raising funds for the National Children's Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9157/13]

Flood Prevention Measures

Nicky McFadden

143. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the temporary defence measures, in advance of the completion of the CFRAM study, that will be put in place to manage flooding on the River Shannon; the progress being made between the Office of Public Works and the relevant authorities to deal with the issue of flooding on the River Shannon; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9266/13]

Food Safety Authority Inspections

Nicky McFadden

204. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if EU-wide regulation of the meat industry will include compulsory DNA testing carried out by the relevant authorities in each State; if this testing will be carried out on an unannounced inspection basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9258/13]

Common Agricultural Policy Reform

Nicky McFadden

205. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will outline the specific detail of the new green criteria which will be linked to 30% of the national payment ceiling as proposed by the EU Commission; the way this criteria will affect and benefit farmers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9261/13]

Hospital Staff

Nicky McFadden

238. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Health if the necessary five nursing personnel and two EEG technologists will be recruited by the Health Service Executive in order that the epilepsy units in Cork and Beaumont Hospital, Dublin, may be opened and provide a round the clock inpatient service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9153/13]

Accident and Emergency Departments Waiting Times

Nicky McFadden

99. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Health the actions taken to tackle overcrowding and the use of trolleys in the accident and emergency department in Midland Regional Hospital, Mullingar, County Westmeath, and the impact of these measures; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7559/13]

Education Schemes

Nicky McFadden

161. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of persons in Westmeath who have so far applied for and are taking part in Springboard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7969/13]

Back to School Costs

Nicky McFadden

181. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Education and Skills in view of a recent survey which estimates back to school costs at €487 for primary school children and €620 for secondary school students, the practical steps that could be taken to reduce back to school costs, particularly in the areas of school uniforms, books and voluntary contributions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7971/13]

Garda Stations Refurbishment

Nicky McFadden

190. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the position regarding the proposed new building of the Garda barracks in Athlone, County Westmeath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7963/13]

Social Welfare Eligibility

Nicky McFadden

207. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Social Protection if a review and impact assessment of the habitual residence condition will be concluded in relation to ethnicity and gender; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7808/13]

Employment Support Services

Nicky McFadden

220. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of persons in Westmeath who have so far applied for and are taking part in Tús and JobBridge programmes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7969/13]

Mortgage Arrears Proposals

Nicky McFadden

221. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will outline recent developments and proposals in relation to tackling the issue of mortgage arrears and personal debt; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7970/13]

Wind Energy Guidelines

Nicky McFadden

246. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will ensure that adequate guidelines are put in place before wind turbines are erected in the midlands in order that issues of concern including distance, location, height and noise levels can be given due consideration and attention; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7956/13]

Local Government Reform

Nicky McFadden

250. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will ensure that local development companies will continue to have a significant role in local development; if he will outline the way in which alignment of local government and local development may develop a positive partnership approach to bring more effective delivery of service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7789/13]

Wind Energy Guidelines

Nicky McFadden

256. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if the deadline for public submissions in relation to wind farm development in the midlands will be extended to allow adequate time for interested parties to make contributions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7962/13]

Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Nicky McFadden

258. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide an update on progress being made in relation to Ireland's greenhouse gas mitigation target for 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7972/13]

Departmental Strategies

Nicky McFadden

268. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if a revised national Traveller Roma integration strategy will be developed with the active participation of Travellers, Roma, wider civil society and regional and local authorities to address the gaps in the previously submitted strategy identified by the European Commission; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7809/13]