Ceisteanna Parlaiminte

Middle East Peace Process

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

15. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if his attention has been drawn to the recently released UN report, 27 August 2012, which states that Gaza will not be liveable by 2020, barring immediate action; if he has raised the damning report with the Israeli Government; and if he will take any action on this report. [44802/12]

Human Rights Issues

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

42. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if his attention has been drawn to the group styling itself the Patriotic March, an amalgamation of civic society groups and individuals in Colombia; his views on whether it is a new and positive development that will encourage civil participation and engagement; and whether they be afforded the necessary security and space to develop. [44824/12]

Tax Reliefs Availability

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

94. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Finance the tax reliefs available to a person who has their jeep adopted with a swivel chair to allow access by a person with a disability with the work done by a HSB recommended person; and if where the jeep was originally purchased has any bearing on the entitlement to relief. [45262/12]

Asylum Seeker Accommodation

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

223. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of accommodation centres closed by the Reception and Integration Agency since August 2012, and the decreased number of asylum seekers spaces taken out of the system as a result of the closures; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45285/12]

Asylum Seeker Accommodation

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

224. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the cost to the State, paid in excess capacity versus occupancy, in the provision of accommodation for asylum seekers, from May 2010 to 1 October 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45286/12]

Asylum Seeker Accommodation

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

225. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the reason the recommendations contained in the Value for Money and Policy Review, Reception and Integration Agency, Final Report May 2010, have not been implemented in regard to excess capacity, which as of 16 September 2012 was running at 14.7%, which represents 852 excess bed spaces; the cost of this excess capacity; the person in the Reception and Integration Agency that has overall responsibility for this excess; if the cost to the State can be quantified because of this excess capacity when measured against occupancy;; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45287/12]

Asylum Seeker Accommodation

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

226. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the reason the residents of Lisbrook House, Galway, who with their belongings were on a bus awaiting transfer to another accommodation centre, were instructed to get off the bus, take their belongings and return to Lisbrook House; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45288/12]

Asylum Seeker Accommodation

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

227. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of times since taking office he has visited the offices of the Reception and Integration Agency, at Bishop’s Gate, Dublin 2; the number of times and at what interval he is directly briefed by senior staff within the Reception and Integration Agency regarding the excess cost to the State of running an excess capacity over actual occupancy in the provision of services to asylum seekers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45289/12]

Advisory Group on Tax and Social Welfare

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

53. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Social Protection when she will publish her Advisory Group on Tax and Social Welfare's report on child income supports; if her attention has been drawn to the fact that the proposal which was reported in the media has caused fears amongst families and risks further damaging consumer sentiment; her views on the recommendation that child benefit be cut by €40; her plans with regard to the payment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44635/12]

Advisory Group on Tax and Social Welfare

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

56. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Social Protection when she expects to publish her Advisory Group on Tax and Social Welfare's report on her proposal to axe disability allowance for persons aged 16 and 17 years; if she will outline the scale of the financial loss to households with a young person with disabilities arising from such a cut; her plans with regard to the payment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44636/12]

Community Employment Schemes Review

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

80. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will consider extending participation in community employment schemes to persons under 25 years in view of the rise in long-term unemployment amongst young persons. [44550/12]

Community Employment Schemes Review

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

109. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will publish the report on the Labour Market Activation Programmes to ensure that all stakeholders have a fair opportunity to study its findings in advance of any further policy change. [44549/12]

Vocational Training Opportunities Scheme Eligibility

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

229. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Education and Skills the reason a person (details supplied) is not entitled to an additional €20 VTOS payment. [44355/12]

Rent Supplement Scheme Eligibility

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

308. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Social Protection if her attention has been drawn to the fact that rent supplement recipients are being told to get the Private Residential Tenancy Board to confirm if their landlord is registered with them, however the PRTB will not confirm this, citing data protection; and if she will confirm if this is a requirement for rent supplement. [44356/12]

Rent Supplement Scheme Eligibility

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

309. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Social Protection her views that if registration with the Private Residential Tenancy Board is a condition for receipt of rent allowance for specific property then her Department should liaise directly with the PRTB rather than the applicant. [44357/12]

Disability Allowance Appeals

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

326. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason a person (details supplied) in Dublin 17 is being disallowed disability payment. [44609/12]

Mobility Allowance Decision

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

575. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Health the reason for the delay in implementing the recommendation of the Ombudsman that the mobility allowance be extended to persons over the age of 66 to end the transgression of the Equal Status Act. [44762/12]

Mobility Allowance Decision

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

576. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Health the reason for his failure to extend eligibility to apply for the mobility allowance to people of more than 66 years of age as was recommended by the Ombudsman in the grounds of equality; and if he will outline any plans he may have with regard to the scheme. [45145/12]

Traveller Accommodation

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

136. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for the Environment; Community and Local Government if he will provide this Deputy with copies of correspondence that his office has received from Dublin City Council since June 2012 on the regeneration of Labre Park, Ballyfermot, Dublin; if he will forward a copy to me of the application received from Dublin City Council for funding of Traveller Specific Accommodation for which the city received €50,000; and if his office will meet with this Deputy to discuss the matter. [43897/12]

Prisoner Discipline

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

150. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the compensation, if any, given to persons who are assaulted by other prisoners while on remand. [43876/12]

Long-Term Illness Scheme Applications

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

232. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Health the position regarding a long term illness card in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Dublin [43534/12]

Third Level Admissions Reform

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

58. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Education and Skills the progress that has been made in implementing a National Strategy for International Education to develop the Education Ireland brand by encouraging more international students to study here and to create new jobs in the sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43110/12]

Jobseeker's Allowance Applications

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

328. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Social Protection if her attention has been drawn to the fact that a person (details supplied) in Dublin 8 is unable to access any community welfare payments while awaiting their claim for jobseeker's allowance [42799/12]

Rent Supplement Scheme Applications

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

364. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Social Protection if her attention has been drawn to the fact that there is confusion regarding the new process for applying for rent supplement; her views on whether the policy change whereby persons can no longer make their urgent applications face to face to a community worker welfare officer but instead have to fill out lengthy forms and send these with documentation to a PO box is a backward step; if her attention has been drawn to the fact that persons are being told they will not receive a decision on their application for months; and if she will reverse this policy and insist that CWOs continue to deal with these applications. [43260/12]

Rent Supplement Scheme Payments

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

365. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Social Protection if rent supplement is now being paid in arrears rather than in advance in view of the fact that this is putting persons under significant pressure. [43261/12]

Tax Reliefs Cost

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

22. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Finance if there is an estimate of the tax forgone to the State from the activity whereby propriety directors can make tax free contributions to pensions; if he has considered placing a limit on the amount that can be contributed to pensions tax free by these persons for example in the region of 20% on an individual salary. [42268/12]

Tax Code

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

67. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Finance the amount that could be raised for the Exchequer if a value limit was in place on principal private residences currently exempt from Capital Gains Tax, of €300,000. [42267/12]

Scéim Tacaíochta Teaghlaigh

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

11. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh den Aire Ealaíon; Oidhreachta agus Gaeltachta cé mhéid coip den scéim tacaíochta teaghlaigh atá eisithe ag an Rialtas; cad atá sa phacáiste sin; agus cén saghas tacaíochta atá á tabhairt do na teaghlaigh atá cláraithe. [41972/12]

Official Engagements

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

26. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh den Aire Ealaíon, Oidhreachta agus Gaeltachta cé mhéid cruinnithe a bhí ag an bhFochoiste Rialtais agus ag na Coistí Idir-Rannacha ó thús na bliana. [41973/12]

Tax Reliefs Availability

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

49. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Finance the number of people who availed of the tax reliefs on private pensions last year and in each of the two previous years; the rate involved; and the value of same. [42181/12]

Social Welfare Code

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

116. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will give consideration to the circumstances of those coming out of care who are without family supports in her budgetary discussions and decision-making and if she will protect the social welfare incomes of these and other recipient groups. [42128/12]

Departmental Expenditure

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

120. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Social Protection the cost of restoring in 2013 the cuts made to child benefit in Budget 2012. [42174/12]

Departmental Expenditure

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

121. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Social Protection the cost of restoring in 2013 the cuts made to the one parent family payment earnings disregard in Budget 2012. [42175/12]

Departmental Expenditure

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

122. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Social Protection the cost of restoring in 2013 the cuts made to the one parent family transition payment in Budget 2012. [42176/12]

Departmental Expenditure

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

123. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Social Protection the cost of restoring in 2013 the cuts made to the fuel allowance in Budget 2012. [42177/12]

Departmental Expenditure

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

124. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Social Protection the cost of restoring in 2013 the cuts made to the back to school clothing and footwear allowance in Budget 2012. [42178/12]

Social Insurance Rates

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

125. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will provide a table with a breakdown of the amount of additional money that will be raised in a year for the Social Insurance Fund if a third band of employers contribution were introduced on weekly income exceeding €1,923 per week at the rate of 11.75%, 12.75%, 13.75%, 14.75% and 15.75% including share based remuneration respectively. [42179/12]

Social Insurance Rates

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

126. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will provide a table with a breakdown of the amount of additional money will be raised in a year for the Social Insurance Fund if a third band of employers contribution were introduced on weekly income exceeding €1,923 per week at the rate of 11.75%, 12.75%, 13.75%, 14.75% and 15.75% respectively. [42182/12]

Asylum Seeker Accommodation

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

157. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the current status of the Viking Lodge Hotel Reception and Integrated Agency centre; the plans with respect to its residents; and if he will ensure that in any transfer from Viking Lodge the new accommodation will cater for comparable numbers rather than a large centre which tends to involve more of a sense of institutionalisation and can be overcrowded with knock-on health consequences. [42102/12]

Asylum Seeker Accommodation

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

158. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number new contracts being entered into by the Reception and Integration Agency for the provision of services to asylum seekers since May 2010; the monetary value and length in years of the contracts entered into; and the number of bed spaces contracted for; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42105/12]

Asylum Support Services

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

159. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the total annual cost expended on the Reception and Integration Agency; the number of staff at RIA; if he will provide a breakdown of the weekly and annual cost for staff, including the cost of pensions, the cost of renting office space and all other ancillary costs associated with running RIA offices; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42106/12]

Garda Vetting of Personnel

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

160. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the reason for the delay in processing the applications by a company (details supplied) in County Kildare for Garda vetting which is required to enable the company to get a licence which would allow it to take up a pending contract; his views regarding delays in processing vetting applications. [42124/12]

Commercial Rates Impact

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

73. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Jobs; Enterprise and Innovation if he will provide an assessment of the impact of current levels of commercial rates on job creation and sustainability. [41607/12]

Carer's Allowance Eligibility

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

322. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will use the upcoming Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumer Affairs Council meeting to try to make progress to abolish the habitual residence condition for carers returning from abroad to care for a family member. [42078/12]

Anti-Racism Measures

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

410. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will provide local authorities with extra resources to deal with major incidences of racist attacks in local authority housing. [41245/12]

Dental Services Provision

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

6. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Health the action he will take to address the prevalence of unregistered, unregulated operators providing dentures directly to consumers as highlighted by the Consumers Association of Ireland in May 2011; if his attention has been drawn to breaches of the law in this regard and the concern expressed by the Dental Council and by properly regulated and registered practitioners, as well as the false advertising by illegal operators; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41004/12]

Primary Care Centres Provision

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

25. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Health the progress made, if any, regarding the proposed developments of primary care centres in each case at Crumlin/Drimnagh, Coolock, Darndale, Rowlagh/North Clondalkin, Summerhill, Balbriggan and Swords, County Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41003/12]

Departmental Strategy Statements

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

22. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the date on which the new Children and Young People's Policy Framework will be published. [40706/12]

Missing Children

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

36. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she will provide an update on plans for the 11600 missing childrens hotline; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40707/12]

Rent Supplement Scheme Eligibility

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

233. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason rent supplement has ceased in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 8; the reason the person they were not notified of the decision to withdraw their rent allowance. [40464/12]