367 Deputy Derek Keating asked the Minister for Justice and Equality his response and that of An Garda Síochána to the report that as much as 18% of cigarettes smoked here last year were illegally imported; his views that the smuggling of tobacco products is on par with illegal drugs such as heroin, crack cocaine and cannabis; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[6513/12]
366 Deputy Derek Keating asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the current status of Garda management in relation to promotions, resignations and retirements; if he is satisfied that there are enough inspectors, superintendents, chief inspectors and assistant commissioners to assist the commissioner in maintaining the service of law and order that is needed in this country; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[6512/12]
77 Deputy Derek Keating asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will give details of the plan of action of An Garda Síochána to deal with the problem of cross-Border fuel smuggling; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[6511/12]
72 Deputy Derek Keating asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he is satisfied with the current practice by coroners in relation to the reporting of suicide; if there is a need for a review of our coroner’s service; his plans to review the legislation governing the practice of coroners; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6510/12]
44 Deputy Derek Keating asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he is satisfied that the service from private contractors providing a refuse collection is adequate; if he will consider some sort of local appeal system for cases in which standards are not being adhered to; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[5823/12]
14 Deputy Derek Keating asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the plans he has to regulate private refuse collection; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[5822/12]
125 Deputy Derek Keating asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to the fact that a private contracting company (details supplied) has introduced an administrative charge of €60 for every household since the autumn of 2011 but has recently exempted from such a charge those who will return to their contract; if he believes such action is uncompetitive and unjust; his views on whether this warrants the introduction of regulation, standards of service provision and an appeals system for those service users who are not receiving the service they are contracted to get; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[5819/12]
39 Deputy Derek Keating asked the Minister for Finance if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the road haulage system is currently experiencing extreme financial difficulty because of the cost of fuel; that each heavy goods vehicle will take 1,200 to 1,500 litres per week; that there are 15,000 trucks engaged in international haulage, and that exports play a major part in this State’s recovery; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the haulage industry in Northern Ireland has a special arrangement with a Dutch fuel supplier saving up to 20 cent per litre; if he will consider establishing a taskforce to protect our truck haulage industry and examine ways to deal with the growing crisis resulting from fuel costs; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[5518/12]
184 Deputy Derek Keating asked the Minister for Finance if he will consider the proposals made recently that the two-colour diesel fuel system be abolished and that a rebate system for tax-compliant hauliers on diesel fuel be introduced to replace the current practice; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[5517/12]
71 Deputy Derek Keating asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the number of pieces of valuable art that are in storage because of a lack of facilities, staff or restoration services; if he can provide examples of some of the more expensive and exciting items that have not yet been put on display; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[4752/12]
39 Deputy Derek Keating asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will outline the various exemptions from the universal social charge; if the universal social charge is deducted from those employed in community employment schemes and FÁS training courses; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
[4329/12]
20 Deputy Derek Keating asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of persons who have taken up the internship programme that she introduced late last year; her views on the matter; if there is a need for a review and if it should be extended; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
[4330/12]
31 Deputy Derek Keating asked the Minister for Jobs; Enterprise and Innovation if, in view of the La Senza case in Liffey Valley (details supplied) in which workers were told that they were no longer required to report for work on 10 January 2012 and following the intervention by the trade union group and the Minister for State, he will outline the lessons that have been learned from this case; if there is a need for new legislation; the protections in place to ensure that it does not happen again; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3946/12]
635 Deputy Derek Keating asked the Minister for Health if he is satisfied that the primary care services which depend on public health nurses will be adequate after the deadline for retirement in February; the number of public health nurses who will retire or accept early redundancy in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[3615/12]
632 Deputy Derek Keating asked the Minister for Health the current population for cystic fibrosis treatment; the length of time for access to a consultant; the number of beds available to meet the needs of cystic fibrosis patients; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[3572/12]
585 Deputy Derek Keating asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number of parliamentary questions that she has referred to the Health Service Executive for answering which have still not been answered after an unacceptable delay; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
[3568/12]
441 Deputy Derek Keating asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the regulations that exist in regard to the standards that are operated by private companies providing a refuse collection service for local authorities; if he is satisfied that value for money is achieved and that the customer is receiving the best possible service; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[3574/12]
406 Deputy Derek Keating asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht in line with his policy to develop and expand our heritage, arts, national treasures and museums, if he will consider making available to suitable locations in communities artefacts and pieces of art with their history, along with appropriate staff, to be viewed at the weekends and suitable out of hours times in order to give a greater understanding and development of our arts and culture, particularly to our school-going and third level students; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[3576/12]
350 Deputy Derek Keating asked the Minister for Social Protection the moneys paid from her Department to Dublin Bus under the free travel scheme in respect of eligible retired elderly people from the areas of Clondalkin, Lucan, Palmerstown, Newcastle, Rathcoole, Saggart and Brittas, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
[3588/12]
202 Deputy Derek Keating asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he is satisfied that our education service which is dependent on teachers, lecturers and tutors will be adequately staffed after the deadline for retirement in February 2012; the number of teachers that are planning to retire, the number of principal posts, heads of department posts, professorships and associated professorships who will retire and accept early redundancy in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[3571/12]
200 Deputy Derek Keating asked the Minister for Education and Skills when he expects the building to commence following his announcement of a new school (details supplied) in County Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[3567/12]
159 Deputy Derek Keating asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the protocol in place with the print media for the recycling of old newspapers; the arrangements in place for the storage of them; if he has any auditing arrangements to set up compliance; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[2768/12]
84 Deputy Derek Keating asked the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding an application made for the provision of the building of classrooms and renovation work in respect of a school (details supplied) in County Dublin; if this will be included in his building programme for 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[2796/12]
375 Deputy Derek Keating asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of persons who have been sent to prison for minor offences such as TV licence and road traffic fines; if he is considering an alternative to such practice; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[2464/12]
374 Deputy Derek Keating asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the cost per day to detain a person in Wheatfield Prison, Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[2463/12]
325 Deputy Derek Keating asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he would outline to Dáil Éireann the plan of action to deal with the problem of diesel sludge dumping on motorways in the State and the cost incurred by local authorities to address this; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[2460/12]
323 Deputy Derek Keating asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, in view of the heightening of tensions in the Middle East, the provisions being made by the State to ensure an adequate store of petroleum products and diesel fuel is made; if the Minister is concerned about this and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[2465/12]
152 Deputy Derek Keating asked the Minister for Finance if he would outline to Dáil Éireann the plan of action of Custom and Excise Services to deal with the problem of cross-Border fuel smuggling; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[2460/12]
151 Deputy Derek Keating asked the Minister for Finance his response and that of the Customs and Excise Service to the report that as much as 18% of cigarettes smoked here last year were illegally imported; his estimate of the loss of revenue to the Exchequer due to such activity; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[2457/12]
868 Deputy Derek Keating asked the Minister for Health if he will intervene and review an application for a medical card in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 12; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[41065/11]
27 Deputy Derek Keating asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs in view of her recent correspondence to an organisation (details supplied) in County Dublin, if she will reconsider this application and consider it an essential service based in the community and provide the necessary funding to keep this service functioning; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
[40093/11]
438 Deputy Derek Keating asked the Minister for Health if he will review a matter in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Clare; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[39515/11]
89 Deputy Derek Keating asked the Minister for Finance the reason a State-owned bank, PTSB, is charging its standard variable rate customers 6.5% APR which may be reduced to 5.9% after the ECB rate is implemented who are being funded in large part by the European Central Bank which is currently charging them 1.25%; if he has asked the board to review the interest rate charged; if he has asked the Central Bank of Ireland to assess the means by which PTSB sets SVRs; the reason rate charged by the State owned bank is higher than the rate charged by all the non-State owned banks including the Bank of Ireland, Ulster Bank and others; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[39516/11]
616 Deputy Derek Keating asked the Minister for Health the number of persons in Counties Clare, Galway and Limerick included on the intellectual disability database in tabular form; the disability strategy for this region; the services offered to those persons on the database; the body that provides disability services in the region; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[35759/11]
604 Deputy Derek Keating asked the Minister for Health the amount of public moneys awarded by him or the Health Service Executive to an agency (details supplied) in the past ten years in tabular form; the criteria for such amounts being awarded; if he is satisfied with the bona fides of this organisation; if this organisation publishes accounts; if he has had audited statements from this organisation regarding public finances, if any, supplied; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[35619/11]
358 Deputy Derek Keating asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to the plans of Dublin local authorities to undertake a systematic programme of roadside drain cleaning and removal of the mounds of autumn leaves that are clogging up the water drains and also posing a risk to older persons; if he will appeal to householders to display some civic duty by cleaning up the autumn leaves from outside their homes; if he will make contact with the Dublin local authorities to draw to their attention the urgency of this matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[35735/11]
28 Deputy Derek Keating asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade further to the Taoiseach’s speech on 20 July 2011 following the publication of the Cloyne report, if he has been notified of any intention of the Holy Father, Benedict XVI, to make a pastoral or Head of State visit to Ireland in the coming 12 months; if he will consider inviting the Holy Father with a view to addressing the outstanding issues in relation to the issues raised in the Taoiseach’s speech on that day; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[28193/11]
18 Deputy Derek Keating asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the justification of expenditure to decorate the Irish Embassy in Ottawa, Canada; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the initial estimate was €3 million and that tenders were signed off for this figure and that the current cost is in excess of €9 million and is not completed after initially commencing four years ago; the person who agreed this initial contract; if he will stop any further expenditure; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[28146/11]
28 Deputy Derek Keating asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the functions of the drivers' forum which informs the National Road Safety Authority in respect of driving instructors and driving tests; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[33240/11]
6 Deputy Derek Keating asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he is satisfied that the drivers' forum which informs the National Road Safety Authority regarding the standards required for driving instructors is adequate; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[33241/11]
92 Deputy Derek Keating asked the Taoiseach the terms — including salary, bonuses, expenses, travel and subsistence, and the length of appointment — that make up the contract of appointment for the new Director of Public Prosecutions (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[32736/11]
87 Deputy Derek Keating asked the Taoiseach the retirement salary and retirement package of, and whether bonuses or other payments are being made to, the retiring Director of Public Prosecutions (details supplied); the amount of their pension on retirement; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[32731/11]
60 Deputy Derek Keating asked the Minister for Health if he will provide in tabular form the salaries of the chief executive officer, deputy chief executive officer and clinical directors of St. Francis Hospice, Raheny, Our Lady’s Hospice, Harold’s Cross and Blackrock and Marymount Hospice, Cork; if he will also give details of their annual leave entitlements and if they were paid bonuses between 2000 and 2010; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[32715/11]
37 Deputy Derek Keating asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number of children under the age of 16 years who are registered as homeless for more than seven days; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
[32333/11]
19 Deputy Derek Keating asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number of children who are registered as homeless for more than three months; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
[32334/11]
499 Deputy Derek Keating asked the Minister for Health, further to Parliamentary Question No. 497 of 20 September 2011, if he will provide a breakdown per person in tabular form of the persons who received a bonus; the amount they received; the date these payments ceased and in relation to performance-related awards to chief executive officers of Beaumont Hospital, the Mater Hospital, St. James’s Hospital, Tallaght Hospital and St. Vincent’s Hospital, Dublin; if he will outline in tabular format the persons who received money and the amount each person received; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[31987/11]
19 Deputy Derek Keating asked the Minister for Defence the purpose of his visit to the troops in Lebanon; the work that the current detachment is carrying out; if he is satisfied that all measures related to their safety, including adequate equipment, are available to them; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[31326/11]
17 Deputy Derek Keating asked the Minister for Defence, following his recent visit to Irish troops based in the Lebanon accompanying President McAleese, the duties with which the detachment is charged; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[31325/11]
635 Deputy Derek Keating asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he is satisfied with the present arrangements relating to the standards and requirements to be a professional driving instructor; the benefits of this new policy; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[31167/11]
634 Deputy Derek Keating asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will outline the members of the Road Safety Authority, RSA; the authority’s policy on driving testing learner drivers; if he will provide details of the authority’s learner driver forum members; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[31166/11]