Ceisteanna Parlaiminte

Hospital Acquired Infections

Nicky McFadden

343. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Health the current preventative measures taken by hospitals to limit the spread of hospital acquired infections; if the regulatory regime could be strengthened to incorporate the monitoring of private hospitals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7955/13]

Health Services Reform

Nicky McFadden

344. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Health the progress being made towards the eventual introduction of universal health insurance and the elimination of the current two tier system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7964/13]

Telecommunications Services Provision

Nicky McFadden

140. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will comment on the principle of universality of utility services and the precedent that line rental charges would be the same for all homes, that no differentiation between the price of line rental is made between urban and rural; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7637/13]

Parking Regulations

Nicky McFadden

145. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if new national guidance on car parking and smart travel will be provided to local authorities in order to ensure that shoppers have adequate access to car parking in town centres and that parking is not too expensive for shoppers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7640/13]

Public Services Card

Nicky McFadden

364. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Social Protection if the necessary provisions in relation to identification are made available to people who are not in possession of a driver's licence or passport; if a national roll-out of public service ID cards will take place; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6701/13]

Crime Prevention

Nicky McFadden

479. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will outline the possibility of introducing a Purple Flag initiative, similar to those established in Britain and Northern Ireland, to recognise excellence in management of town and city centres at night; if such an initiative could contribute to crime reduction and community safety; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6729/13]

Garda Youth Diversion Projects

Nicky McFadden

511. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will outline the rationale for the Garda youth diversion projects; if these projects operate in counties Longford and Westmeath; the way these projects are assessed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7012/13]

Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission Issues

Nicky McFadden

512. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of arrests that have been made as part of Operation Quest so far in 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7015/13]

National Cycle Network

Nicky McFadden

733. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he is in a position to provide further information on work on route alignment and design for a Dublin to County Galway cycle route; if further details of the proposed routes are available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6654/13]

IDA Site Visits

Nicky McFadden

85. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the number of industrial development agency visits which were made to Mullingar in 2012; the number so far proposed for 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6452/13]

Enterprise Support Schemes

Nicky McFadden

87. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if he will outline the number of businesses in County Westmeath that have so far applied for and availed of the microfinance scheme, the credit guarantee scheme and the development capital scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6454/13]

Social Welfare Code Reform

Nicky McFadden

97. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Social Protection if she has considered the Free Legal Advice Centres report on the reform of the social welfare appeals system; if the recommendations are being considered by her; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6455/13]

Upward Only Rent Reviews

Nicky McFadden

123. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if the application of upwards only rent clauses will be reviewed in view of the recent appointment of an examiner to B&Q and the possible closure of its store in Athlone, County Westmeath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6444/13]

Garda Transport Expenditure

Nicky McFadden

125. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will outline on a county basis the amount of money invested by his Department to purchase Garda vehicles in 2012 and to date in 2013; the number of vehicles that were purchased; if he will outline the equipment and technology those vehicles are equipped with; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6456/13]

Ambulance Service Provision

Nicky McFadden

148. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Defence when the assessment of the air ambulance service at Custume Barracks, Athlone, County Westmeath, will take place; if he will acknowledge the serivce it has provided since its launch in June 2011; if the service will be continued; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6461/13]

Primary Care Services Provision

Nicky McFadden

201. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Health if he will ensure that health centres in the Dublin-mid Leinster region, including Athlone, Moate and Ballymahon will continue to operate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6463/13]

Tourism Promotion

Nicky McFadden

210. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will outline the way training programmes for tourism businesses in the areas of ecotourism and environmental policy may contribute to the local economy and job creation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6464/13]

Overseas Development Aid Provision

Nicky McFadden

220. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will provide information on the countries that receive overseas aid from Ireland; the amount of aid provided to each of those countries; if he will outline the programmes on which aid money is spent in each country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5455/13]

Local Enterprise Offices Remit

Nicky McFadden

376. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if he will ensure that the structure of local enterprise offices established to support business startups and enterprise will include representation from the local business community; if the services provided by LEOs will be judged using clearly stated indicators; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5064/13]

Consumer Protection

Nicky McFadden

386. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if the Directive 2011/83/EU on consumer rights will be implemented in relation to consumer purchases over the internet; if the issue of excessive payment charges and hidden charges will be dealt with in the Directive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5816/13]

Child Care Services Provision

Nicky McFadden

390. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will provide an update on the policy to provide more than 6,000 after-school childcare places in primary schools for children of low-income parents who are taking up employment or training; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5810/13]

Job Initiatives

Nicky McFadden

391. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Social Protection when the plus one initiative will come into effect in place of Revenue job assist; if she will outline the details and eligibility for the new initiative; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5811/13]

Social Welfare Code Review

Nicky McFadden

496. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Social Protection if she is in a position to provide an update on possible reform of the child benefit system; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5809/13]

Youth Unemployment Measures

Nicky McFadden

498. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Social Protection if the possibility of introducing a youth guarantee scheme in order to provide young persons with a quality offer of employment or training within four months of leaving school or becoming employed is being considered; if the scheme could be supported on an EU level by the European Social Fund; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5827/13]

EU Directives

Nicky McFadden

662. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if the proposed Directive on minimum standards for victims of crime will be brought into national law; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5815/13]

EU Directives

Nicky McFadden

663. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Justice and Equality when the Directive to consolidate all family leave legislation will be implemented in a Bill; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5825/13]

Child Poverty

Nicky McFadden

754. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the way the further €2.5 million allocated to her Department for the area-based child poverty initiative will be utilised; if areas in the midlands will be included in the initiative; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5813/13]

Health Services Staff

Nicky McFadden

853. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Health his views on the suggestion made by the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation that the direct conversion of currently employed agency staff into direct employment would potentially save the Health Service Executive up to €23 million; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5808/13]

General Practitioner Services

Nicky McFadden

854. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Health if he will provide a timeframe for the introduction of free general practitioner services for those who are entitled to free drugs under the long-term illness scheme and for those in the high tech drugs scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5812/13]

Army Barracks Closures

Nicky McFadden

159. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Defence if plans are being made for an alternative use of Columb Barracks Mullingar, County Westmeath; if he is in a position to outline those plans; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4617/13]

Anti-Racism Measures

Nicky McFadden

294. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Education and Skills if the existing anti-racist educational programmes targeting school children will be introduced to all educators, possibly through the reformed Junior Certificate syllabus; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3752/13]

Social Welfare Code

Nicky McFadden

382. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will outline the rights generally of the Roma Community in Ireland in relation to access to Social Protection supports such as job seeker's allowance and rent supplement. [3755/13]

Ministerial Responsibilities

Nicky McFadden

406. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason the carer's allowance falls under the remit of her Department; if it could be transferred to the Department of Health in view of the the savings that carers bring to the health service; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4027/13]

Social Welfare Code

Nicky McFadden

407. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Social Protection if in the event of the death of a person who had been cared for by a person (details supplied) in County Longford, that the person who had been in receipt of carer's allowance could access Social Protection supports through a means other than job seekers' allowance; if the payment could be made directly to the person through the post office instead of the Social Welfare Office; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4028/13]

Garda Ethnic Liaison

Nicky McFadden

550. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will outline some of the collaboration currently taking place in the midlands between the Gardaí and migrant communities through the Garda Racial and Intercultural Office; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3751/13]

Health Services Provision

Nicky McFadden

675. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Health if the services of a personal assistant will be provided for persons over the age of 65 years and who are generally most in need of this valuable service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3973/13]

Health Services Staff

Nicky McFadden

678. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Health if the concerns of non-consultant hospital doctors in relation to working hours will be addressed; if the European Working Time Directive will be implemented; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3985/13]

Education Policy

Nicky McFadden

82. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Education and Skills the steps he will take to narrow the skills gap which occurs as a result of oversupply of graduates in some areas of the labour market and undersupply in other areas; if he can identify the areas in which jobs need to be filled; and if the education system can address these labour needs through training. [3586/13]

Education Schemes

Nicky McFadden

86. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Education and Skills if the concept of business ideas generating workshops could be developed in secondary schools in tandem with the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, in order to promote creativity and entrepreneurship for the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3630/13]

Action Plan for Jobs

Nicky McFadden

94. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the initiatives that may be taken to develop further co-operation and joint projects between private and public bodies working with businesses in order to support local job creation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3559/13]

Community Development Initiatives

Nicky McFadden

97. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if he will examine the potential of social economy projects that could create sustainable jobs in local areas, for example, within women's community projects; if resources will be made available to local community and voluntary agencies to stimulate and support this objective; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3633/13]

Enterprise Support Services Provision

Nicky McFadden

98. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if a national written policy for small and micro-enterprise development will be put in place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3634/13]

Crime Prevention

Nicky McFadden

161. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the initiatives taken by the Gardaí to tackle rural crime, particularly burglaries of homes and farmyards; if there are specific initiatives to protect the elderly in their homes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3501/13]

Crime Prevention

Nicky McFadden

166. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Justice and Equality in view of the increasing prevalence of cash for gold businesses, the sale of scrap metal and the impact on burglaries and thefts, when the metal theft forum is due to report and develop a prevention and reduction plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3556/13]

Crime Prevention

Nicky McFadden

167. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if a metal compliance scheme will be introduced in order to reduce the level of rural metal theft; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3557/13]

Youth Unemployment Measures

Nicky McFadden

189. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the way Ireland's EU Presidency programme can contribute to creating solutions to tackle the issue of youth unemployment; if she will expand on the concept of the role of youth work in supporting youth employment and the importance of quality standards in youth work; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3492/13]

Mental Health Services Report

Nicky McFadden

203. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Health the way funding to improve mental health services will be targeted in 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3552/13]

Cycling Facilities

Nicky McFadden

224. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will consider developing plans to create and improve walking and cycle routes in the midlands, with particular focus on canal and river pathways, to attract more tourists to the midlands; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3638/13]

Environmental Policy

Nicky McFadden

161. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if the hedge cutting season will be extended into April in view of the fact that a large amount of hedge cutting on roadsides and in fields could not be carried out due to bad weather; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3503/13]

Control of Dogs

Nicky McFadden

431. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if, in view of recent serious dog attacks on sheep, the introduction of compulsory micro-chipping for all dogs will be considered for traceability purposes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2284/13]