Ceisteanna Parlaiminte

Pyrite Remediation Programme

Patrick Nulty

1071. Deputy Patrick Nulty asked the Minister for the Environment; Community and Local Government in relation to homes affected by pyrite the way in which he proposes that the issue of sulphate attack will be investigated and remedied; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37941/12]

Pyrite Remediation Programme

Patrick Nulty

1072. Deputy Patrick Nulty asked the Minister for the Environment; Community and Local Government if he will introduce the standard of less than 0.5% maximum acceptable level of pyrite in infill building material subject to the conditions outlined on page 93 of the report of the Pyrite Panel; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37942/12]

Pyrite Remediation Programme

Patrick Nulty

1073. Deputy Patrick Nulty asked the Minister for the Environment; Community and Local Government if he has requested Bord Gáis Networks to inspect and monitor potential leaks due to upheaval from pyrite in all 74 known developments affected by pyrite in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37943/12]

Pyrite Remediation Programme

Patrick Nulty

1074. Deputy Patrick Nulty asked the Minister for the Environment; Community and Local Government if he agrees with the designation of an amber category in the Pyrite Panel report which could lead to homeowners affected by pyrite being unable to access remediation works and removal of pyrite from their homes and unable to sell their homes due to no fault of their own; who he proposes will be responsible for conducting the monitoring of pyrite damage on an ongoing basis for homes in this category; if he will ensure instead that all homes with reactive pyrite have the infill removed and replaced and are certified pyrite free without delay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37944/12]

Pyrite Remediation Programme

Patrick Nulty

1075. Deputy Patrick Nulty asked the Minister for the Environment; Community and Local Government the way the issue of pyrite in block will be investigated and remedied; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37945/12]

Pyrite Remediation Programme

Patrick Nulty

1076. Deputy Patrick Nulty asked the Minister for the Environment; Community and Local Government if he will ensure that pyrite remedial works are carried out in a systematic rather than an ad hoc manner to ensure homeowners receive full structural certification and avail of economies of scale given the impact both pyrite damage and remedial works can have on adjoining properties; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37946/12]

Pyrite Remediation Programme

Patrick Nulty

1077. Deputy Patrick Nulty asked the Minister for the Environment; Community and Local Government if he proposes to deal with homeowners who have spent considerable sums of money on pyrite testing if their tests do not conform to the new protocol being developed by the National Standards Authority of Ireland; if he will put in place a pyrite testing scheme at no expense to homeowners to ensure that the full extent of the pyrite problem is identified and remedied; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37947/12]

Pyrite Remediation Programme

Patrick Nulty

1078. Deputy Patrick Nulty asked the Minister for the Environment; Community and Local Government if he accepts the recommendations of the City and County Managers Association that where pyrite problems are found, the sooner the matter is dealt with the better since the costs of remedial work escalate the longer one waits to carry out the work, and if he will act on this accordingly; if he will act on the CCMA recommendations 8.1.3 to 8.1.7 for a planned notification system so that in locations where pyrite problems have occurred this information should be used to notify other property owners and to ensure screening surveys are carried out with a view to detecting problems as early as possible and informing people what action they need to take; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37948/12]

Pyrite Remediation Programme

Patrick Nulty

1079. Deputy Patrick Nulty asked the Minister for the Environment; Community and Local Government if he will ensure that all pyrite remedial works are coordinated and managed by an independent person/agency and not by HomeBond which the Pyrite Panel clarified for the Oireachtas environment committee was responsible for managing only a handful of the properties remediated so far and does not have extensive experience of managing the remediation specifically of pyrite related damage as noted on page 113 of the Pyrite Report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37949/12]

Pyrite Remediation Programme

Patrick Nulty

1080. Deputy Patrick Nulty asked the Minister for the Environment; Community and Local Government in view of the fact that according to the pyrite report, at present only dwellings where a complaint has been submitted to the structural warranty provider are being considered for remediation, if he proposes to disregard the ten-year warranty limit, given the long time frame over which pyrite damage can materialise and given that HomeBond's publically stated position since August 2011 is that it does not cover pyrite damage; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37950/12]

Pyrite Remediation Programme

Patrick Nulty

1081. Deputy Patrick Nulty asked the Minister for the Environment; Community and Local Government if he proposes to take action to identify pyrite affected developments and counties as further pyrite related problems emerge; the person homeowners should contact if they suspect that their home or development is affected by pyrite now that the Pyrite Panel has completed its work; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37951/12]

Hospital Services

Patrick Nulty

1603. Deputy Patrick Nulty asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to concerns expressed by the Irish Haemochromatosis Association regarding the lack of availability of venesection in certain areas and the wide variation in the charge for performing venesection; if he will classify haemochromatosis as a life-long chronic illness for which treatment should be covered by the general medical service at no cost to patients; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37143/12]

Hospital Services

Patrick Nulty

1634. Deputy Patrick Nulty asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to concerns expressed by the Irish Haemochromatosis Association about the lack of availability of venesection in certain areas and the wide variation in the charge for performing venesections; if he will classify haemochromatosis as a life-long chronic illness for which treatment will be covered by the general medical service at no cost to patients; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37651/12]

Mental Health Services Provision

Patrick Nulty

1663. Deputy Patrick Nulty asked the Minister for Health if he will ensure that the new staff promised for community mental health services will be in place by the end of September; if he will confirm that this will include 370 staff for community mental health teams for children, adolescents and adults; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37737/12]

Rent Supplement Scheme

Patrick Nulty

374 Deputy Patrick Nulty asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will review the rent supplement measures available to young persons living in emergency accommodation and at risk of homelessness in view of the serious issues raised by several housing and homeless charities in this regard; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
[36336/12]

Rent Supplement Scheme

Patrick Nulty

375 Deputy Patrick Nulty asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of young persons aged 18 to 24 years classed as homeless and in receipt of a reduced social assistance payment, namely jobseeker’s allowance or supplementary welfare allowance; if discussions have taken place between her Department and the Department of Environment, Community and Local Government to discuss the high cost of emergency homeless accommodation; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
[36337/12]

Supplementary Welfare Allowance

Patrick Nulty

376 Deputy Patrick Nulty asked the Minister for Social Protection if a supplementary welfare allowance appeal in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 15 will be expedited; if an urgent oral hearing can be granted; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
[36338/12]

Community Development

Patrick Nulty

523 Deputy Patrick Nulty asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the current plans for the Dublin partnership companies, under the local and community development programme; if he will confirm if there are plans to merge the companies; if so, is he satisfied that the aims and objectives of the partnership companies will still be attainable if they are merged; if he will outline the implications for funding, staff numbers and existing projects; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[36522/12]

Deportation Orders

Patrick Nulty

560 Deputy Patrick Nulty asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of aged out foreign national young persons who had been in the care of the State prior to reaching the age of 18 years against whom deportation orders have been made and or against whom deportation orders have been executed each year for the past 10 years in tabular form; the number of years each young person had been in the State prior to becoming aged out and-or deported, if applicable; the nationality of each young person; the country to which each was deported, if applicable; if each young person had originally entered the State with or without a parent of guardian; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[36892/12]

Children in Care

Patrick Nulty

678 Deputy Patrick Nulty asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number of high support and-or special care secure accommodation unit residential places in total in the State; if she will confirm the location of the facilities in question; if she will confirm the number of children currently awaiting such a placement on the direction and-or recommendation of a judge; if she will outline the average waiting time for a child to be provided such a placement after the direction and-or recommendation of a judge; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
[36521/12]

Child Poverty

Patrick Nulty

694 Deputy Patrick Nulty asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she will ensure the implementation of the commitment in the programme for Government to an area-based approach to tackling child poverty and for greater use of an evidence-based approach in the delivery of services to children, young people and families as recently called for by the member organisations of the prevention and early intervention programme; if she supports the need for a greater emphasis on prevention and early intervention in children’s services; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
[36889/12]

Children in Care

Patrick Nulty

695 Deputy Patrick Nulty asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number of aged out foreign national young persons currently in the care of the State, in tabular form; each young person’s status vis-à-vis entitlement to remain in the State; his or her nationality; the number of years each young person has been here; the number of years each young person has been in the care of the State; if deportation orders have been made against each young person; if he or she entered the State with a parent or guardian; if he or she is currently in receipt of the same level of care as other Irish citizen young people who had been in the care of the State and are now over 18 years; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
[36891/12]

Child Protection

Patrick Nulty

696 Deputy Patrick Nulty asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs her plans for the integration of the Health Service Executive's child protection services, the youth probation service and the National Education Welfare Board; the timeframe for the implementation of same; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
[36893/12]

Nursing Home Accommodation

Patrick Nulty

742 Deputy Patrick Nulty asked the Minister for Health the steps he is taking to address the lack of access to nursing home beds both public and private in north Dublin, which is limited and where demand exceeds the capacity available, and in particular the steps he is taking to address the lack of access to specialty beds, that is dementia, young chronic sick, acquired brain injury, which is very limited; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[36339/12]

Medical Cards

Patrick Nulty

743 Deputy Patrick Nulty asked the Minister for Health if he will expedite an application for a medical card in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 15; the reason for the delay; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[36340/12]

Creative Art Therapies

Patrick Nulty

805 Deputy Patrick Nulty asked the Minister for Health his and the Health Service Executive’s policy and plans for the State recognition and registration of creative arts therapies, as requested by the Irish Association of Creative Arts Therapists; if he has considered the inclusion of creative arts therapists in the list of professionals covered by the Health and Social Care Professionals Act 2005; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[36890/12]

Road Safety Authority

Patrick Nulty

823 Deputy Patrick Nulty asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the total budget for the Road Safety Authority in 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012 respectively; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[36341/12]

Road Safety Authority

Patrick Nulty

824 Deputy Patrick Nulty asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his policy as to whether the functions of the Road Safety Authority currently conducted by the State will remain publicly provided and will not be privatised; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[36342/12]

Driving Tests

Patrick Nulty

825 Deputy Patrick Nulty asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of learner driver permits which are currently in circulation and for which drivers are awaiting examinations for full driving licences; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[36343/12]

Rent Supplement Scheme

Patrick Nulty

175 Deputy Patrick Nulty asked the Minister for Social Protection if regulations will be issued to ensure that rent supplement applicants will be issued both a deposit and a month's advance rent by their community welfare officer if the applicant’s landlord demands same and will not otherwise allow an applicant to take up the tenancy; if her attention has been drawn to the fact that unless a CWO will assist applicants in this way that many are being driven into the hands of exploitative moneylenders; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
[35731/12]

Cash for Gold Trade

Patrick Nulty

262 Deputy Patrick Nulty asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will consider if the regulations that apply to pawnbrokers will similarly be applied to cash for gold outlets; or if other appropriate consumer protection legislation will be put in place to regulate the industry; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[35732/12]

National Children’s Hospital

Patrick Nulty

359 Deputy Patrick Nulty asked the Minister for Health if the consultants’ report evaluating the various proposed potential sites for new national children’s hospital will be made public; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[35761/12]

Health Service Expenditure

Patrick Nulty

360 Deputy Patrick Nulty asked the Minister for Health if a decision has been reached with regard to the provision of capital funding to build Corduff Health Centre, Dublin 15; and if a detailed plan is in place setting clear timeframes as to when this project may be delivered; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[35762/12]

Proposed Legislation

Patrick Nulty

135 Deputy Patrick Nulty asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will consider amending the draft legislation on education and training boards to provide for a designated seat for adult learners on the boards as requested by adult learners and their representatives; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[34437/12]

Rent Supplement Scheme

Patrick Nulty

349 Deputy Patrick Nulty asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will expedite an application for rent allowance in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 15; when the claim will go into payment and arrears issue; the reason for the delay; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
[35169/12]

Domiciliary Care Allowance Applications

Patrick Nulty

353 Deputy Patrick Nulty asked the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding a domiciliary care allowance claim in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 15; the reason for the delay; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
[35216/12]

Health Services

Patrick Nulty

725 Deputy Patrick Nulty asked the Minister for Health the way a person (details supplied) in Dublin 15 may apply for assistance towards taxi transport to and from hospital for essential treatment; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[34361/12]

Health Services

Patrick Nulty

735 Deputy Patrick Nulty asked the Minister for Health if there is an agreement to accept the World Federation of Neurosurgeons grade 3 subarachnoid haemorrhage patients for treatment on the same terms as grades 1 and 2; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[34417/12]

Hospital Services

Patrick Nulty

801 Deputy Patrick Nulty asked the Minister for Health the number of subarachnoid haemorrage patients referred for treatment to the Neurological Centre, Beaumont Hospital in 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[35096/12]

Hospital Services

Patrick Nulty

823 Deputy Patrick Nulty asked the Minister for Health the number of subarachnoid haemorrage patients not accepted for treatment by the Neurological Centre, Beaumont Hospital following a referral in 2009, 2010, 2011 and to date in 2012, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[35217/12]

Tax Code

Patrick Nulty

56 Deputy Patrick Nulty asked the Minister for Finance further to previous replies regarding a potential wealth tax and the possibility of collection of same, if he will confirm if by 2014 the new Central Statistics Office household finance and consumption survey is expected to contain enough information to introduce a wealth tax in Ireland; and if not, if he will confirm the timeframe that it will take to put in place the necessary process to calculate wealth tax liability in Ireland and the changes to the current system that will be required; and if he will also consider the possibility of a wealth tax taking into account the global assets of Irish citizens, rather than just the assets held in Ireland, which would be in line with the wealth tax system in France which transcends France’s borders.
[34163/12]

Special Educational Needs

Patrick Nulty

82 Deputy Patrick Nulty asked the Minister for Education and Skills his views on matters raised in correspondence (details supplied) regarding special needs resource allocation in national schools; if he will address the matters raised; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[34157/12]

Public Procurement

Patrick Nulty

88 Deputy Patrick Nulty asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the steps he is taking to ensure that social considerations are incorporated into the public procurement process; if he will undertake an evaluation of public procurement to ascertain the degree to which social considerations form part of the process; in view of the high level of unemployment if he will direct public entities to include prioritisation of social considerations such as job creation and job retention as part of the public procurement process; his views on if it is acceptable that Irish jobs are lost due to a lack of inclusion of social considerations in the public procurement process; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[34108/12]

Rent Supplement Scheme

Patrick Nulty

133 Deputy Patrick Nulty asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of households in receipt of rent supplement; and of these households, the number that have been in receipt of same for more than six months; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
[34120/12]

Mortgage Interest Supplement

Patrick Nulty

134 Deputy Patrick Nulty asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of households in receipt of mortgage interest supplement; and of these households, the number that have been in receipt of same for more than six months; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
[34121/12]

Social and Affordable Housing

Patrick Nulty

173 Deputy Patrick Nulty asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the amount paid to Homebond in relation to social and affordable housing units constructed on behalf of local authorities in the past ten years; the means by which a homeowner can ascertain the amount that was paid from their house asking price to Homebond; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[34109/12]

Health Services

Patrick Nulty

226 Deputy Patrick Nulty asked the Minister for Health when a child (details supplied) in Dublin 15 will receive speech and language therapy: the reason for the delay in same; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[34056/12]

Hospital Services

Patrick Nulty

239 Deputy Patrick Nulty asked the Minister for Health if he or the Health Service Executive have received any request from the neurosurgical department in Beaumont Hospital, Dublin, to increase bed capacity at any stage within the past five years; his policy in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[34165/12]

Children in Care

Patrick Nulty

36 Deputy Patrick Nulty asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the position regarding Irish children who are detained abroad on High Court orders; if she will take action to ensure that appropriate places are made available for these children within this jurisdiction; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
[33225/12]

Human Rights Issues

Patrick Nulty

83 Deputy Patrick Nulty asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will make contact with the Ukrainian ambassador to Ireland with relation to Law 8711 which may undermine the human rights of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community in the Ukraine; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[33418/12]

Banking Sector Regulation

Patrick Nulty

113 Deputy Patrick Nulty asked the Minister for Finance if there is a possibility that banks operating in here have attempted to manipulate inter-bank lending rates, along the lines that Barclay’s PLC in London, England, have been found to have attempted to rig the London inter-bank offered rate, Libor, and euro inter-bank offered rate, Euribor; if he will take steps to investigate this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[33095/12]

State Debt

Patrick Nulty

129 Deputy Patrick Nulty asked the Minister for Finance if the agreement reached between EU leaders on the separation of banking debt from sovereign debt reached at the recent EU summit will result in a retrospective easing of Ireland’s national debt burden, namely, in relation to the €64 billion used to capitalise Irish banks but which now forms part of Ireland’s national debt; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[33417/12]

Tax Code

Patrick Nulty

131 Deputy Patrick Nulty asked the Minister for Finance if he supports the introduction of a financial transactions tax; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[33487/12]

Tax Code

Patrick Nulty

136 Deputy Patrick Nulty asked the Minister for Finance the reason there was a three month delay between the completion of the ESRI research on a financial transactions tax and its publication; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[33712/12]

Schools Building Projects

Patrick Nulty

184 Deputy Patrick Nulty asked the Minister for Education and Skills if a school (details supplied) in Dublin 15 is included in the capital programme for school buildings improvements; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[33713/12]

Disability Allowance

Patrick Nulty

233 Deputy Patrick Nulty asked the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding disability allowance appeal in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 15; if an early oral hearing will be granted; the reason for the delay; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
[33196/12]

Carer’s Allowance

Patrick Nulty

286 Deputy Patrick Nulty asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will expedite an application for carer’s allowance in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 15; the reason for the delay; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
[33626/12]

Broadcasting Services

Patrick Nulty

307 Deputy Patrick Nulty asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if any procedures and protocols are in place with digital TV service providers to deal with household arrears with a particular sensitivity towards vulnerable and low income households; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[33419/12]

Hospital Services

Patrick Nulty

514 Deputy Patrick Nulty asked the Minister for Health if he will report on the proposed merger of James Connolly Memorial Hospital, Dublin 15 and Beaumont Hospital, Dublin 9; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[33485/12]

National Children’s Hospital

Patrick Nulty

515 Deputy Patrick Nulty asked the Minister for Health when the preferred site for the proposed new national children’s hospital will be made public; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[33486/12]

Hospital Accommodation

Patrick Nulty

533 Deputy Patrick Nulty asked the Minister for Health if the number of neurosurgical intensive care beds in Beaumont Hospital, Dublin, has been increased within the past five years; if so the reason for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[33714/12]

Sports Facilities

Patrick Nulty

551 Deputy Patrick Nulty asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if capital funding will be provided to construct permanent changing facilities for sports clubs in Hartstown Park, Dublin 15, in view of the fact that existing facilities were recently destroyed by vandalism; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[33483/12]

Sports Facilities

Patrick Nulty

552 Deputy Patrick Nulty asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if there is capital funding available for the construction of indoor facilities for minority sports, which are Olympic sports; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[33484/12]

Community Development

Patrick Nulty

178 Deputy Patrick Nulty asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the groups that may apply for funding to the community led local development fund 2014 to 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[32652/12]

Animal Experimentation

Patrick Nulty

233 Deputy Patrick Nulty asked the Minister for Health his views on the submissions made to the public consultation exercise held by his Department in October-November 2011 regarding transposition of Directive 2010/63/EU relating to animal experimentation; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[32532/12]

Services for People with Disabilities

Patrick Nulty

254 Deputy Patrick Nulty asked the Minister for Health if he will confirm that funding for special needs assistants in creches for those availing of disability services in Dublin 15 will remain in place for next year and on a permanent basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[32645/12]

European Council Meetings

Patrick Nulty

25 Deputy Patrick Nulty asked the Taoiseach the job creation proposals and proposals for stimulus he will be bringing to the EU summit in Brussels on 23 May; the contact he has had with other EU Governments on proposals for job creation and an EU wide stimulus; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25061/12]

Ministerial Meetings

Patrick Nulty

206 Deputy Patrick Nulty asked the Minister for Finance the number of times he and the officials in his Department have met with the tobacco industry and their representatives since he has taken office; if he will provide details, in tabular form, of the dates of each meeting, the names of the organisations and representatives involved, the titles of the Departmental officials involved; the reason for each meeting and the matters discussed; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[32441/12]

Higher Education Courses

Patrick Nulty

229 Deputy Patrick Nulty asked the Minister for Education and Skills the reason the Higher Education Authority has decided to discontinue the teaching of carpentry apprentice classes at a college (details supplied) in Dublin 15, in particular in view of the fact that the college has the most state-of-the-art equipment for this purpose in the country; if he will publish all relevant documentation outlining the case for this decision; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[31856/12]

National Council for Special Education

Patrick Nulty

242 Deputy Patrick Nulty asked the Minister for Education and Skills if the National Council for Special Education falls under the remit of the Ombudsman for Children; if not, the reason for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[32027/12]

Public Sector Pay

Patrick Nulty

274 Deputy Patrick Nulty asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if the Government will pay increments to public sector employees to which they are contractually entitled to, as they fall due in the coming year; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[31855/12]

EU Funding

Patrick Nulty

294 Deputy Patrick Nulty asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform further to Parliamentary Question No. 303 of 22 May 2012, if he will outline, in tabular form, the projects on which the 52% of EU Structural Funds under the 2007-2013 round, which have not yet been drawn down, will be spent; if he will further outline the timeframe by which applications were made for each amount of money of funds not yet drawn down; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[32072/12]

Disability Allowance

Patrick Nulty

321 Deputy Patrick Nulty asked the Minister for Social Protection if a disability allowance appeal in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 15 can be expedited; the reason for the undue delay in their file being forwarded by the Department to the appeals office;if an urgent oral hearing will be granted; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
[31711/12]

Carer’s Allowance

Patrick Nulty

357 Deputy Patrick Nulty asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will expedite an application for carer’s allowance in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 15; the reason for the delay; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
[31944/12]

Energy Prices

Patrick Nulty

409 Deputy Patrick Nulty asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he has entered into discussions with the regulator regarding possible increases in gas prices for consumers, and in particular, the steps he will take to prevent energy poverty as result of any such increase; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[31854/12]

Offshore Exploration

Patrick Nulty

408 Deputy Patrick Nulty asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the steps he is taking to implement the recommendations of the report of the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Communications, Natural Resources and Agricultures on offshore oil and gas exploration, in particular the recommendation for an increase in royalty payments to the State from multi-national companies extracting oil and gas; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[31853/12]

Health Services

Patrick Nulty

599 Deputy Patrick Nulty asked the Minister for Health if a decision has yet been made regarding the provision of capital funding for a care centre (details supplied) in Dublin 15; if not if he will outline when a decision will be made; the reason for the delay; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[31850/12]

Community Care

Patrick Nulty

600 Deputy Patrick Nulty asked the Minister for Health the number of patients resident in a hospital (details supplied) in Dublin 15, who are awaiting access to step down care in the community, in order to be discharged from the hospital
[31851/12]

Health Service Expenditure

Patrick Nulty

601 Deputy Patrick Nulty asked the Minister for Health when the Health Service Executive will provide the necessary funding to open and adequately staff Saint Francis Hospice, Blanchardstown, Dublin 15; the reason for the delay; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[31852/12]

Services for People with Disabilities

Patrick Nulty

628 Deputy Patrick Nulty asked the Minister for Health the reason the he intends to move children, who are attending the Daughters of Charity Service, Navan Road, Dublin 7, and provide their support from agency services in the community; if he will outline the consultation that has taken place with these children and their families regarding same; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[32069/12]

Animal Experimentation

Patrick Nulty

629 Deputy Patrick Nulty asked the Minister for Health the legislative measures, policy actions and targets he intends to implement in order to ensure that the 3 Rs principles of reduction, replacement and refinement of animal experiments are achieved in practice when transposing Directive 2010/63/EU; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[32124/12]

Sunbed Regulations

Patrick Nulty

630 Deputy Patrick Nulty asked the Minister for Health if he will expedite legislation regarding the use of sunbeds by under 18 year olds, as well as other sunbed related matters requiring regulation; the reason for the delay; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[32125/12]

Animal Experimentation

Patrick Nulty

633 Deputy Patrick Nulty asked the Minister for Health the advice he and or his officials have received from the Department of Health bioethics unit regarding meeting Ireland’s ethical obligations when transposing Directive 2010/63/EU relating to animal experimentation, and any other animal experimentation policy issues; if will he publish such advice; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[32167/12]