Ceisteanna Parlaiminte

Credit Unions

Ciara Conway

199. Deputy Ciara Conway asked the Minister for Finance his views on the recent announcement by the Central Bank to grant permission to wind up a credit union (details supplied) and to allow it to be taken over by a bank; if he will respond to recent commentary that 56 credit unions countrywide were found to have insufficient capital as per a report by the Commission on Credit Unions; his views on the future role of credit unions; and if there will be a requirement for any other credit unions to merge in the future. [49294/13]

Protected Disclosures in the Public Interest

Ciara Conway

267. Deputy Ciara Conway asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will provide more detail on protections afforded to whistleblowers in the public service including their rights and the way they will be afforded protection as claims are investigated; the steps being taken to monitor and replace poorly performing managers across the public service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48915/13]

Office of the Ombudsman Remit

Ciara Conway

270. Deputy Ciara Conway asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the reason the Ombudsman has no role in investigating Údarás Na Gaeilge; his plans to address same; the way those without the means to launch a legal appeal can query any unsatisfactory outcomes with Údarás Na Gaeilge in the absence of an Ombudsman investigation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49011/13]

Sexually Transmitted Infections

Ciara Conway

485. Deputy Ciara Conway asked the Minister for Health when the national sexual health strategy will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48270/13]

School Staffing

Ciara Conway

60. Deputy Ciara Conway asked the Minister for Education and Skills the pension rights school caretakers have in situations where their employment is paid for by a grant or sum that is issued by his Department to the school; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47323/13]

Missing Children

Ciara Conway

125. Deputy Ciara Conway asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of minors who have been reported missing and were engaged in the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service process nationally in 2011, 2012, and to date in 2013; the number who were found and re-entered the system; the age profile and country of origin of each of these children; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47227/13]

Missing Children

Ciara Conway

153. Deputy Ciara Conway asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number of minors that have been reported missing from the care system nationally in 2011, 2012 and to date in 2013; the number that were found and re-entered the system; the age profile and country of origin of each of these children; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47226/13]

Civil Registration Legislation

Ciara Conway

491. Deputy Ciara Conway asked the Minister for Social Protection further to Parliamentary Question No. 236 of 22 October 2013, if she will clarify if outdoor civil ceremonies in a public place are permitted by the legislation; if the registrar has the authority to decide on whether outdoor ceremonies are allowed; if she will clarify the way interested parties might engage with, or contribute to, this debate; if she will clarify if there will be a consultation process in terms of the Civil Registration (Amendment) Bill for those whom it affects (details supplied); the way relevant parties make their submissions on the issue known; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45992/13]

Human Trafficking

Ciara Conway

753. Deputy Ciara Conway asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will provide in tabular form, the number of investigations into suspected trafficking crimes for 2010, 2011, 2012 and to date in 2013; if he will also publish in tabular form the number of convictions in relation to trafficking offences; if he will provide details of the countries where persons being trafficked here originated from via percentage breakdown; his views on the main trafficking routes and means of travel to Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46062/13]

Missing Children

Ciara Conway

990. Deputy Ciara Conway asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number of minors that have been reported missing from the care system in County Waterford in 2011 and 2012; to date in 2013; the number that were found and re-entered the system; the age profile and country of origin of these children; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46005/13]

Health Services Provision

Ciara Conway

1044. Deputy Ciara Conway asked the Minister for Health the reason for the delay in the Health Service Executive paediatric psychology service (detail supplied); the reason families are being told they will have to wait for four years for an appointment; the steps being taken to address this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45749/13]

Mobility Allowance Review

Ciara Conway

1045. Deputy Ciara Conway asked the Minister for Health if the inter-Departmental group, chaired by the Department of the Taoiseach, has reported back on proposals for the operation of the new scheme or schemes for mobility allowance and the motorised transport grant, including eligibility criteria and administrative arrangements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45753/13]

Commencement of Legislation

Ciara Conway

1213. Deputy Ciara Conway asked the Minister for Health when the commencement order for the Protection of Life During Pregnancy Act will be signed; the reason for the delay in same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46823/13]

Commencement of Legislation

Ciara Conway

1214. Deputy Ciara Conway asked the Minister for Health if he will provide a list for legislation for which a commencement order has yet to be signed; the reason for the delay; if he will provide a timeline for when commencement orders will be signed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46824/13]

Alcohol Labelling

Ciara Conway

1237. Deputy Ciara Conway asked the Minister for Health the position regarding alcohol labelling; if there are plans for a requirement for ingredients to be clearly listed on the label of alcohol products; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46909/13]

Energy Schemes Issues

Ciara Conway

152. Deputy Ciara Conway asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will request EirGrid to facilitate the expansion of the EirGrid Grid Link consultation phase for a further three months beyond 26 November in order to allow local interest groups (details supplied) and concerned parties more time to consider and collect information and make submission on the proposed route; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45396/13]

Civil Registration Legislation

Ciara Conway

236. Deputy Ciara Conway asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will examine the circumstances regarding outdoor ceremonies (details supplied); if she will clarify if it is the case that the ceremonies mentioned cannot be conducted outdoors, if so, the rationale for this and if there is flexibility in this; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44196/13]

Pharmacy Services

Ciara Conway

485. Deputy Ciara Conway asked the Minister for Health if he will confirm if the inspection for the community pharmacy contractor agreement (details supplied) has happened; if not, when this is due to occur; the reason for delaying the process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44141/13]

Community Employment Schemes Review

Ciara Conway

136. Deputy Ciara Conway asked the Minister for Social Protection her plans for the future of the community services programme; if funding to the programme is to be continued or extended; her plans to include new projects in the scheme; if so, when new applications will be sought and considered; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43171/13]

Harbours and Piers Development

Ciara Conway

312. Deputy Ciara Conway asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will confirm that funding has been made available for a development plan (details supplied); if he will confirm the amount; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43080/13]

Hospital Waiting Lists

Ciara Conway

397. Deputy Ciara Conway asked the Minister for Health if he will publish details of the ophthalmology waiting list at Waterford Regional Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43062/13]

Maternity Services

Ciara Conway

434. Deputy Ciara Conway asked the Minister for Health his views on the most recent Health Information and Quality Authority report into service by the Health Service Executive to patients, including pregnant women, at risk of clinical deterioration, including those provided in University Hospital Galway and as reflected in, among other things, the care and treatment provided to Savita Halappanavar; his views on the recommendations of this report and on whether there is an urgent need for a national maternity strategy; if he will commit to developing such a strategy and implementing it fully; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43506/13]

Local Authority Properties

Ciara Conway

134. Deputy Ciara Conway asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the proposals for the use of the civic offices in Tramore following the amalgamation of Waterford city and county councils; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42810/13]

Ambulance Service Provision

Ciara Conway

198. Deputy Ciara Conway asked the Minister for Health the number of ambulances that are based in County Waterford to service the needs of the population (details supplied); his views on whether this is adequate; his plans to increase the number of ambulances servicing this area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42881/13]

Health Services Staff Data

Ciara Conway

199. Deputy Ciara Conway asked the Minister for Health the number of orthopaedic positions that are meant to be in place to service the south-east area and Waterford Regional Hospital (details supplied); the number of orthopaedic consultants at present working in this area; his plans to increase the number of these consultants; the timeframe for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42882/13]

Hospital Services

Ciara Conway

200. Deputy Ciara Conway asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact that there is currently no pain clinic in Waterford Regional Hospital; the reason for same; the efforts being made to address this situation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42883/13]

Budget 2014

Ciara Conway

182. Deputy Ciara Conway asked the Minister for Finance his plans to reduce tax on smokeless fuels; if this is under active consideration; the financial incentives for those using smokeless fuels; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42359/13]

Broadband Services Provision

Ciara Conway

364. Deputy Ciara Conway asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if his attention has been drawn to the difficulties with the 3 network and Internet connectivity in the the Nire Valley and Hanora's Cottage area; the measures being taken to remedy same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42361/13]

Motor Tax Collection

Ciara Conway

371. Deputy Ciara Conway asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his plans to revisit or to extend the deadline for off-the-road vehicle registration, to allow those who have been attempting to comply with the law to do so in the context of lengthy queues, in view of the fact that the paperwork involved is complicated and cannot be addressed online, and in the context of the ambiguity surrounding old farm vehicles and vintage tractors which might only be taken on the road on occasion for festivals and charity events; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42283/13]

Housing Issues

Ciara Conway

411. Deputy Ciara Conway asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the number of empty housing units that are available in Waterford city and county; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42360/13]

Health Services Provision

Ciara Conway

230. Deputy Ciara Conway asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to a situation (details supplied); if he will confirm if this is a permanent arrangement or if services will be returned to Dungarvan; the reason this situation has arisen in view of the fact that under the proposals in the Higgins report it was intended that consultants would travel around the region's hospitals to see patients; if he agrees that moving these services is a contradiction of the aforementioned proposal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41610/13]

National Treatment Purchase Fund Waiting Times

Ciara Conway

248. Deputy Ciara Conway asked the Minister for Health the position regarding orthopaedic surgery cancellations (details supplied); the reason that the budget for the National Treatment Purchase Fund running low was not foreseen and pre-op procedures avoided; if he will indicate when these patients will have their operations rescheduled; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41268/13]

Intreo Services Provision

Ciara Conway

339. Deputy Ciara Conway asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will provide an update on the progress being made in establishing Intreo services in County Waterford; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40463/13]

Ports Development

Ciara Conway

568. Deputy Ciara Conway asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his attention has been drawn to the need for the section of the River Suir along the quays at Waterford city to be dredged; if he will ensure that funding for the dredging project will be made available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39168/13]

VAT Rate Application

Ciara Conway

166. Deputy Ciara Conway asked the Minister for Finance if he will give a commitment to retaining the rate of VAT for the food, hospitality and tourism sector at 9 %; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37235/13]

Student Grant Scheme Applications

Ciara Conway

258. Deputy Ciara Conway asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will provide information regarding the status of a Student Universal Support Ireland higher education grant application made by a person (details supplied) in County Waterford in 2012 with respect to the 2012-2013 academic year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36809/13]

Student Grant Scheme Applications

Ciara Conway

259. Deputy Ciara Conway asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will provide information regarding the status of a Student Universal Support Ireland higher education grant application made by a person (details supplied) in County Cork in 2012 with respect to the 2012-2013 academic year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36810/13]

Student Grant Scheme Applications

Ciara Conway

260. Deputy Ciara Conway asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will provide information regarding the status of a Student Universal Support Ireland higher education grant application made by a person (details supplied) in County Waterford in 2012 with respect to the 2012-2013 academic year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36811/13]

Student Grant Scheme Applications

Ciara Conway

261. Deputy Ciara Conway asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will provide information regarding the status of a Student Universal Support Ireland higher education grant application made by a person (details supplied) in County Waterford in 2012 with respect to the 2012-2013 academic year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36812/13]

Tenant Purchase Scheme Administration

Ciara Conway

966. Deputy Ciara Conway asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government when details of the new tenant purchase scheme will be made available; when the new scheme will be open to tenants that wish to make an application; if he will introduce a new tenant purchase scheme as at present no such scheme exists; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38627/13]

Harbours and Piers Funding

Ciara Conway

1227. Deputy Ciara Conway asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his attention has been drawn to the need for the harbour in Dunmore East, County Waterford, to be dredged; if he will ensure that funding for the dredging is made available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38580/13]

Non-Consultant Hospital Doctors Working Conditions

Ciara Conway

1359. Deputy Ciara Conway asked the Minister for Health the progress being made to reduce the number of hours worked by non-consultant hospital doctors; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37534/13]

General Practitioner Services

Ciara Conway

1360. Deputy Ciara Conway asked the Minister for Health if he will reconsider reductions in payments to general practitioners under the Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Act; if he has considered that this will result in patients waiting to see general practitioners as well as possible redundancies; if he will further consider alternative saving measures; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37535/13]

Hospital Acquired Infections

Ciara Conway

1459. Deputy Ciara Conway asked the Minister for Health his response to recent Health Information and Quality Authority reports which show that many hospitals are failing to follow basics hand hygiene techniques; if he will urgently implement accountability measures to tackle same up to and including sanctions where necessary; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37933/13]

General Medical Services Scheme Administration

Ciara Conway

1520. Deputy Ciara Conway asked the Minister for Health if the medical exam required for the purposes of a driver licence renewal for over 70 year olds is covered under the GMS scheme; if not, if he will confirm if there are plans to include same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38252/13]

Driver Licences

Ciara Conway

1676. Deputy Ciara Conway asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on correspondence (details supplied) regarding the cost of a driving licence; if he will address the questions raised therein, namely why new driver licence photographs are required at each three yearly renewal; the reason it will take longer to issue licences and if this process can be speeded up; if a separate medical exam is required for the purposes of licence renewal for over 70's; if this would fall outside the scope of medical card cover; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38242/13]

Banking Sector Issues

Ciara Conway

68. Deputy Ciara Conway asked the Minister for Finance if he will contact the banks to urge them to adopt a charter whereby citizens can opt for a basic current account that will cost no more than a maximum of 100 euro per annum; if he will work with the institutions to encourage them to operate a basic account for those on very low incomes or State supports; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35959/13]

Tax Code

Ciara Conway

72. Deputy Ciara Conway asked the Minister for Finance if probate on wills is subject to stamp duty; if stamp duty was imposed on probate, the amount it would realise for the Exchequer; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35987/13]

Tax Code

Ciara Conway

73. Deputy Ciara Conway asked the Minister for Finance the reason a non-means-tested State pension is fully exempt from the universal social charge; if the non-means-tested State pension was subject to the USC, the amount it would realise for the Exchequer; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35989/13]

Social Insurance Issues

Ciara Conway

81. Deputy Ciara Conway asked the Minister for Finance if there are plans to move the Social Insurance Fund from his Department to the Department of Social Protection; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35998/13]