130 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if, in regard to the recent changes introduced to the rent supplement scheme, she will withdraw the guidance given to community welfare officers that discretionary exemptions to the rules be minimal in number and also advise persons who have sought a housing assessment by their local authority, but the determination is pending, that they can receive rent supplement; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
[12042/04]
864 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if a person (details supplied) in receipt of a disability pension from Australia is eligible for the back to education allowance.
[11406/04]
783 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the reason contract documents for the Shanganagh/Bray main drainage scheme Corke Abbey pumping station scheme, which were submitted to his Department by Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council in June 2003, have still not been approved; when this scheme will be approved; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[11327/04]
815 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the position in regard to the Ardara, County Donegal, sewerage scheme.
[11671/04]
772 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the position in regard to the Ardara sewerage scheme in County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[11138/04]
301 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if his attention has been drawn to reports, including a report from Amnesty International, concerning the murder and sexual assault of and violence against women in the state of Chihuahua and the city of Juárez in Mexico; if he will make representations to the Mexican authorities regarding the reports; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[11567/04]
149
D’fhiafraigh Mr. Gilmore den Aire Gnóthaí Pobail, Tuaithe agus Gaeltachta an bhfuil sé riachtanach don Aire cead a fháil ón gComhairle Aireachta Thuaidh-Theas sular féidir Foras na Gaeilge a dhílárnú go Gaoth Dobhair; agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina leith.
[11881/04]
177 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the position regarding the application for residency by a person (details supplied) in Dublin 1 who has been living here for the past four years; the reason it is taking so long to process this application; if he has made a decision on the application; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[11098/04]
176 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the position regarding the application for residency by a person (details supplied) in County Dublin which was made to his Department in July 2003; the reason it has taken so long to process this application; if he has made a decision on the application; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[11097/04]
72 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for Health and Children when he expects that the national cancer strategy will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[10808/04]
41 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for Health and Children if he has plans to introduce measures to control and regulate medical procedures offered for cosmetic purposes, such as the use of medical lasers; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[10807/04]
393
D’fhiafraigh Mr. Gilmore den Aire Gnóthaí Pobail, Tuaithe agus Gaeltachta an mbeidh airgead á chur ar fáil i mbliana le feabhsú a dhéanamh ar bhóthar contae ar Oileán Árainn Mhór, Chontae Dhún na nGall.
[10617/04]
377 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the progress that has been made on funding for a new fire engine for Aranmore Island, County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[10618/04]
206 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for Finance the use it is proposed to make of the vacant social welfare office block at Quay Road, Dungloe, County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[10620/04]
36 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources his views on the report on broadband produced by the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Communications, Marine and Natural Resources; if it is intended to implement the recommendations in the report; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[10211/04]
10 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if, as reported in the media, the contract for the management services entity includes an ex-Eircom subsidiary with reportedly continuing close ties to that organisation; the way in which it is proposed to deal with any potential conflicts of interest issues that might arise; the effect that this might have on the desire to provide competition as opposed to the existing near monopoly position; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[10205/04]
37 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs his views on the recent attempts by mercenaries operating in the interests of multi-national oil interests to destabilise the Government of Equatorial Guinea; and if he will make a statement on the matter
[9900/04]
17 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs his views on the attempts by pro-militaristic tendencies in the European Union and the media to construe the democratic victory of Senor Zapatero in Spain as appeasement of terrorism; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[9899/04]
479 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he has plans to amend the Control of Dogs Act to strengthen the rights of persons who are affected by the excessive barking of dogs held in private buildings; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[9882/04]
464 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the money that was provided to fulfil the commitment in Framework III of the Programme for Prosperity and Fairness to institute an electoral participation initiative; the money that was drawn down; the purpose that it was put to; if the initiative has not been continued; the ongoing measures at encouraging voter participation, especially among young persons; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[9661/04]
261 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for Education and Science the assessment that has been made of the school building needs of a school (details supplied) in County Dublin; the consideration that has been given to the school’s request for three temporary classrooms, a library, home economics room and a careers room; the consideration that has been given to the school’s request for rewiring and re-roofing work; the works that will be approved this year; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[9873/04]
254 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for Education and Science if, in view of the danger posed to children and staff crossing the road at a school (details supplied) in County Donegal, he will consider providing financial assistance to the board of management to allow for the provision of a designated parking area; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[9662/04]
180 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for Education and Science if, in view of the recent protests by apprentices around the country, he plans to review the requirement on them to pay the €223 registration fee levied on them for attending university courses; if his attention has been drawn to the apprentices’ arguments that this charge is unfair as they are effectively full-time employees and only part-time students; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[9776/04]
139 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for Education and Science if his attention has been drawn to a recent report by the ESRI on the difficulties facing pupils transferring from primary to secondary education, that one way of overcoming these difficulties would be to allow teachers to spend more time on those pupils who require most attention, and that teachers do not have the time to do so due to the high teacher-pupil ratio here; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[9775/04]
142 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he proposes to amend the Housing (Private Rented Dwellings) Act 1982 in view of the judgement of the European Court of Human Rights on 24 July 2003 in a case (details supplied), to bring the Act into compliance with the European Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms regarding the right of a surviving partner of a same sex couple to inherit a tenancy on the death of the official tenant; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[9424/04]
120 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for Transport whether it is his Department or the local county or town council that makes decisions on the location or relocation of taxi ranks.
[9456/04]
25 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for Defence if, in regard to proposals for decentralisation, a survey has been undertaken to establish the number of persons employed in his Department who are willing to move to the new locations announced by the Minister for Finance in his budget speech; the results of such a survey; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[9292/04]
18 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for Defence the position regarding the proposed decentralisation of the Civil Defence school from Dublin to Roscrea which, according to the review of An Agreed Programme for Government, was to have taken place in late 2003; if premises have been acquired in Roscrea; the number of staff currently employed in the defence school in Dublin, broken down by grade; and the number of such staff who have agreed to transfer to Roscrea; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[9291/04]
26 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if, in view of recent events, he intends to take action to ensure that the live export of animals is protected and that the welfare of animals in transit is not compromised; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[9158/04]
6 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if he will consider a support system for farmers who will incur substantial capital costs in order to meet the nitrates directive requirements; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[9159/04]
536 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he has considered the recent Environmental Protection Agency report on the quality of drinking water here which confirms that background levels of fluoride in water have not been examined since 1960; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[8437/04]
558 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he will amend the electoral regulations to specify that the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform, asylum seekers identity cards may be accepted as proof of identity for voting purposes at the local and European elections in June 2004; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[8730/04]
473 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he has received correspondence on behalf of ten school principals in Dún Laoghaire concerning the discharge of unaccompanied students from the care of the East Coast Area Health Board; the consideration he has given to the case made by the principals; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[8427/04]
378 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for Health and Children if he has plans to devise and implement a three to five-year plan to address funding deficits in intellectual disability services; if he has received a submission from the East Coast Area Federation detailing the extent of its waiting lists; the funding required of same for both capital and current purposes; when he intends to address its funding needs; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[8718/04]
250 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for Education and Science if he has considered the application for resource and special needs assistant hours for a person (details supplied) in County Wicklow; if he intends to agree to the request.
[8748/04]
47 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for Finance when he expects a decision will be made on the new appointment to the board of the European Central Bank to replace the Spanish member whose term expires on 31 May 2004; his assessment of the prospects of the Irish nominee securing the appointment; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[8924/04]
32 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for Finance the discussions he has had with other EU Ministers on a replacement for Mr. Horst Kohler as director of the International Monetary Fund; his views on the qualities required by a replacement; if he has views regarding the person this should be; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[8925/04]
163 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he has received correspondence from a person (details supplied) concerning commercial water charging policy, which encourages waste and over use of the water resources; the consideration he has given to the issues raised in the correspondence; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[8195/04]
109 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for Education and Science if he has received an application from Dalkey School Project, Glenageary, County Dublin, for the summer works scheme; the consideration he has given to the application; if he intends to provide funding for the works concerned; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[8192/04]
35 Mr. Gilmore asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the progress made to date with regard to the implementation of her action plan for the insurance industry; the elements of the plan yet to be implemented; the timetable for the implementation of the different elements of the plan; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
[8075/04]
7 Mr. Gilmore asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if the structure and staffing levels of the Personal Injuries Assessment Board have been agreed; when she expects that the board will be operational; if a location has been decided for the board’s office; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
[8076/04]
213 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he has received representations concerning the local area plan for Dunleer, County Louth; if he has communicated with Louth County Council concerning the matter; the nature of such communications; if he intends to refuse approval for the plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[7994/04]
125 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the total number of persons receiving assistance from the money advice and budgeting service in respect of the latest date for which figures are available; the number who were in receipt of the supplement payable to persons on social welfare allowance; if her attention has been drawn to concerns that many persons may be pushed into the hands of moneylenders; if her attention has further been drawn to the fact that this merits a reconsideration of her decision to abolish the supplement; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
[7805/04]
153 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs her views on the recently published report, Families and Family Life in Ireland: Challenges for the Future, a thematic study of the issues that arose during the public consultative fora held in 2003; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
[7806/04]
195. D’fhiafraigh Mr. Gilmore den Aire Gnóthaí Pobail, Tuaithe agus Gaeltachta cén dul chun cinn atá déanta i leith dílárú na roinne go dtí Cnoc Mhuire; agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina leith.[7716/04]
166
D’fhiafraigh Mr. Gilmore den Aire Gnóthaí Pobail, Tuaithe agus Gaeltachta cén dul chun cinn atá déanta i leith chur i bhfeidhm mholtaí Choimisiún na Gaeltachta; agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina leith.[7712/04]
53 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he has issued a directive to Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council concerning the draft development plan; the persons who made representations to him regarding the matter; the previous occasions on which a similar directive was issued to a local authority; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[7128/04]
24 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the industries to which it is proposed to allocate CO2 emissions which are in excess of those industries’ current emission levels; the reason such increased levels of allowances are being granted to those industries; the way in which he can reconcile these increases with the requirement to reduce CO2 emission levels; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[7127/04]
5 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the way in which the €675 million worth of CO2 emission allowances, which he proposed to allocate free of charge to certain industries, will be financed; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[7293/04]
2 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the expenditure, including VAT, incurred to date on equipment, software and training for electronic voting; the estimated cost including VAT of the proposed system; the estimated cost including VAT of the proposed computerised electronic counting system; the estimated costs including VAT of the publicity campaign to promote electronic voting; his views on whether this expenditure represents value for money; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[7292/04]