137 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of successful prosecutions brought by the labour inspectorate in each of the years 2003 and 2004; the largest number of such prosecutions which related to a single employer; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[7300/05]
136 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister of State at the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of labour inspectors who were out on loan during the EU Presidency; if all of these inspectors have returned to the inspectorate; if any labour inspector has been transferred out of the inspectorate to other divisions of his Department in the past two years; if such transferees have returned; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[7299/05]
135 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister of State at the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment the total number of posts for labour inspectors in his Department; the number of such posts that are vacant; his plans to add to the number; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[7298/05]
48 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for Finance the progress made to date with regard to his review of tax reliefs and exemptions for high earners; if consultants have now been appointed to assist in this process; when he expects the process to be completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[7152/05]
32 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for Finance when the Government expects to honour the commitment given in An Agreed Programme for Government that 80% of all earners would pay tax only at the standard rate, especially in view of the fact that the proportion of taxpayers paying at the higher rate is expected to increase from 32.61% in 2004 to 33.17% in 2005; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[7153/05]
413 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he has received from Dublin City Council a revised scheme of letting priorities; when he received the revised scheme; and when he intends to approve the scheme.
[6653/05]
134 Mr. Gilmore asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the statutory basis for water authorities adding fluoride to water; the levels of fluoridation for each water authority; the limits within which water authorities must contain fluoridation; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
[6652/05]
81 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for Defence the statutory authorisation required in respect of non-UN overseas missions in which the Defence Forces participate, as listed on the Defence Forces website; if none was required, the reason therefor; if authorisation was required, the method by which it was given; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[6695/05]
14 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment when the promised new legislation in regard to export controls for military goods will be introduced; the main features of the legislation; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[6151/05]
80 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he intends to sanction the increase in the national minimum wage recommended by the Labour Court; when a decision on the matter will be made; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[6152/05]
126 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the level of uptake of PRSAs; if he has plans to review the scheme given the low level of interest in the accounts.
[5894/05]
68 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the way in which his Department assesses a person’s capital assets for social welfare eligibility; if he considers the present system realistic and fair; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[5892/05]
30
D’fhiafraigh Mr. Gilmore den Aire Gnóthaí Pobail, Tuaithe agus Gaeltachta an bhfuil sé sásta go bhfuil go leor teagmhála ag Foras na Gaeilge le heagraíochtaí Gaeilge ar an talamh (sonraí tugtha); agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina leith.
[5794/05]
23
D’fhiafraigh Mr. Gilmore den Aire Gnóthaí Pobail, Tuaithe agus Gaeltachta an aontaíonn sé go bhfuil muinín caillte ag eagraíochtaí Gaeilge, Thuaidh agus Theas, as Foras na Gaeilge (sonraí tugtha); agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina leith.
[5793/05]
118 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if his attention has been drawn to the fact that fewer than one in six recorded murders since 1998 in which firearms were used has resulted in court convictions; if he has satisfied himself that the gardaí have adequate resources to deal with the problem of gun crime; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[4929/05]
78 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the progress made to date with regard to the recommendations contained in the report of the implementation steering group on the review of Garda Síochána structures; if he is considering proposals for the full closure of some stations and the closure of others during night hours; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[4928/05]
474 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for Education and Science the action and initiatives which are being undertaken by her Department, for the European year of citizenship through education; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
[4691/05]
142 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for Transport if his attention has been drawn to new figures from research carried out by a company (details supplied) that fewer than half of motorists are now driving more carefully as a result of the penalty points system; if his attention has further been drawn to the fact that the absence of any high visible Garda fear-factor enforcement, random breath testing and a proper network of speed cameras means drivers believe they will not be caught for road traffic offences; his plans to address this situation; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[4784/05]
114 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for Transport if the promised safety barriers along the middle of the M50 have been fitted; if these barriers will be permanently in place along the motorway; if they are a temporary measure; his plans to fit such safety barriers on other major roads throughout the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[4783/05]
50 Mr. Gilmore asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if the proposed introduction of three acute medical units in Dublin hospitals has now been agreed with the hospital consultants; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
[4248/05]
9 Mr. Gilmore asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the reason the increase in the drugs refund threshold, the cost of an overnight stay in a hospital and the cost of a visit to an accident and emergency were implemented from 1 January 2005 when it is still not clear when the new doctor-only cards will be issued; the estimated additional revenue that will accrue from these increased charges; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
[4255/05]
294 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to the serious concern expressed by the Institute of Engineers of Ireland regarding the failure to meet targets set out in the national development plan, particularly in regard to housing and waste management; the steps he proposes to take to deal with these delays; if he will act on the institute’s recommendation for the creation of a national waste management agency; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[4092/05]
293 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he intends to make a decision on the application submitted to him from the roads authority for the carrying out of a programme of archaeological works and mitigation measures in regard to the proposed route of the M3 through the Tara/Skryne valley; if his attention has been drawn to the serious concerns expressed by archaeological experts at the implications of the proposed route; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[4091/05]
175 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government when he intends to make a decision on the application submitted to him from the roads authority for the carrying out of a programme of archaeological works and mitigation measures in regard to the proposed route of the M3 through the Tara-Skyrne valley; if his attention has been drawn to the serious concerns expressed by archaeological experts at the implications of the proposed route; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[3879/05]
87 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to the serious concern expressed by the Institute of Engineers of Ireland regarding the failure to meet targets set out in the national development plan, particularly in regard to housing and waste management; the steps he proposes to take to deal with these delays; if he will act on the institute’s recommendation for the creation of a national waste management agency; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[3880/05]
59 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he will confirm the statement he made on a recent television programme (details supplied) that it is intended to proceed with the construction of a municipal waste incinerator at Poolbeg, Dublin; the planning or approval process which is envisaged for this process; the approximate date by which the incinerator is intended to be operational; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[4090/05]
56 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government his views on the conclusions of the recent NESC report on housing, that an additional 73,000 social housing units must be built by 2011; the plans he has to increase social housing output to this level; the way in which it is intended to meet increased social housing targets in the larger urban areas, in which building land is scarce; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[4089/05]
372 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for Transport if he has received any request from Bus Átha Cliath for approval or for funding for additional buses to serve the rapidly developing areas around Kiltiernan, Stepaside and Sandyford, County Dublin, especially those housing estates which are located off the Enniskerry Road; if he will report on his response to the request; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[3831/05]
157 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if it is his intention to enter into any discussions with fishing representatives and unions concerning the issue of drift nets in view of the reduction of Irish stocks of wild Atlantic salmon; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[3580/05]
100 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources his plans to tackle cheap Norwegian salmon imports which are contributing to a crisis in the fish farming industry here; his views on whether production of Irish farmed salmon has dropped in recent years; the efforts he will make to revive this important industry; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[3579/05]
74 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for Education and Science if she has seen the proposals from the INTO which seek stronger support for newly qualified teachers in schools and the extension of the pilot scheme which helps to prepare them for the classroom; her views on these proposals; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
[3004/05]
45 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for Education and Science the position regarding the introduction of standardised testing in primary schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
[3003/05]
185 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he has had talks with the Department of Finance about Ireland and the European Union’s approach to the debts of such countries in which debt service imperils poverty reduction and impedes sustainable development, in particular in countries in which debt service exceeds such countries’ combined expenditure on health and education; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[2761/05]
54 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for Finance the amount in tax relief claimed under the business expansion scheme for the past year for which figures are available; the nature of the cost benefit analysis which is planned of the BES; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[2468/05]
55 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the action she is taking to ensure the proper labelling of third country beef; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
[1932/05]
15 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the level of participation to date in REP scheme 3; if she has satisfied herself with this level of participation; her plans for the future of the REP scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
[1931/05]
1210 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for Education and Science if her attention has been drawn to a planning application which compromises a site which had been earmarked for a primary school (details supplied) in Dublin 18; if her Department has made observations on the planning application either to Dún Laoghaire Rathdown County Council or to An Bord Pleanála; her plans to meet the anticipated primary school needs for the planned population in this general area; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
[1824/05]
818 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for Education and Science the number of psychologists and other staff assigned to the assessment and processing of applications for special needs assistance; the average length of time taken from the submission of a request for a special needs assistant to the date on which the school is given approval; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
[34266/04]
534 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if he has plans to revise the income limit for the rent allowance; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that this outdated limit is causing severe hardship for some households; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[34280/04]
120 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for Defence the cost accruing to the State from the purchase of two light EC-135 helicopters and four AB139 models from companies (details supplied); the type of operations these craft will be involved in; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[1499/05]
211 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for Education and Science further to Parliamentary Question No. 261 of 30 March 2004, the progress which has been made with regard to the building projects proposed by the school; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
[33894/04]
252 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for Education and Science if schools are required to provide students with an adequate supply of wholesome drinking water at suitable points conveniently accessible to all students; the legislation or regulations which exist governing the supply of drinking water to students; her policy on the supply of drinking water to students; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
[33638/04]
86 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if he has completed his consideration of whether SSIA premiums will be included in the assessment of income for social welfare payments once they mature; the conclusions which have been reached in this respect; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[33448/04]
71 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if an assessment has been carried out of the impact of the social welfare cutbacks announced in November 2003; if so, if the findings of such an assessment have influenced the amendments made to the cutbacks in the Estimates for 2005; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[33447/04]
71
D’fhiafraigh Mr. Gilmore den Aire Gnóthaí Pobail, Tuaithe agus Gaeltachta cathain a fhógróidh Foras na Gaeilge céim II de thionscadal an fhoclóra Béarla-Gaeilge agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina leith.
[33233/04]
52
D’fhiafraigh Mr. Gilmore den Aire Gnóthaí Pobail, Tuaithe agus Gaeltachta cathain a fhógróidh Foras na Gaeilge céim II de thionscadal an fhoclóra Béarla-Gaeilge; agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina leith
[33232/04]
187 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the reason a replacement national identity card, which was applied for by a person (details supplied) in County Dublin in early September 2004, has not yet been made available; the reason for this inordinate delay, some 13 weeks; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[32900/04]
146 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for Finance if, in the light of the successful redesign of the VAT 3 return form, he will include the option of payment by single debit authority; and if he will arrange for the redesign of the monthly P30 form for payment of income tax, social insurance contributions and levies to include an option for payment by single debit authority, thereby facilitating the making and collection of such payments.
[32951/04]
80 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to the fact that of the 315 social and affordable houses acquired by local authorities under Part V of the Planning and Development Act 2000, 69% were acquired by one local authority and that the majority of local authorities in the country acquired none; his views on whether this situation is satisfactory; the action he intends to take in regard to this matter; if he will give the projected number of houses expected to be acquired by local authorities under Part V in 2005; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[32660/04]