278 Deputy Jim O’Keeffe asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if carer’s allowance is included as income when calculating a family’s entitlement to back to school clothing and footwear allowance; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
[32074/09]
277 Deputy Jim O’Keeffe asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if her attention has been drawn to the fact that people who have exhausted their jobseeker’s benefit and are awaiting the processing of their jobseeker’s allowance applications are being refused supplementary welfare allowance; and the steps she proposes to deal with this situation.
[32073/09]
204 Deputy Jim O’Keeffe asked the Minister for Transport if his attention has been drawn to the fact all commanding officers of State ships and a large proportion of Naval bridge watch-keepers hold qualifications which he does not recognise as valid for navigation and watch-keeping purposes as is allowed for under STCW95; his views on making an administrative decision to grant these persons licences in recognition of their training, professionalism and maritime experience in coastal and international waters; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[32191/09]
50 Deputy Jim O’Keeffe asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform his views on the recommendation from the Special Group on Public Service Numbers and Expenditure Programmes that the Office of the Minister for Integration should be discontinued; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[31173/09]
15 Deputy Jim O’Keeffe asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform when the indoor firearms training range at Garda headquarters was closed down as a result of ricochet and other problems; when the feasibility study into the measures required to bring the firearms range up to standard was carried out; the estimated cost; and when it is expected that the work will be completed.
[31174/09]
1233 Deputy Jim O’Keeffe asked the Minister for Education and Science if his attention has been drawn to the difficulties that have arisen, in particular for first year college students, who due to the delays in notification of the Higher Education Authority scheme to local authorities for 2009, have not yet been issued with their letter of grant award and consequently have been told by college authorities that they must pay registration fees of €1,500 up front; and if he will make arrangements to ensure this problem is dealt with.
[31002/09]
1107 Deputy Jim O’Keeffe asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if arrangements have been made for the payment under the farm retirement scheme to a person (details supplied) in County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[30717/09]
448 Deputy Jim O’Keeffe asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of people who received formal declarations of eligibility to adopt from the Adoption Board but are unable to adopt a child due to the indefinite postponement of adoptions from Vietnam.
[31063/09]
449 Deputy Jim O’Keeffe asked the Minister for Health and Children when further face-to-face discussions will take place with Vietnamese officials to finalise a new bilateral adoption agreement between Ireland and Vietnam; and the timeframe for the resolution of all outstanding issues.
[31064/09]
447 Deputy Jim O’Keeffe asked the Minister for Health and Children the position in relation to the renewal of the bilateral adoption agreement between Ireland and Vietnam; if arrangements are in place to resolve this issue; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
[31062/09]
819 Deputy Jim O’Keeffe asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will ensure that the application for the transfer of an aquaculture licence (details supplied) in County Cork will be approved in view of the fact that applications therefore were made in 2007; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[29678/09]
818 Deputy Jim O’Keeffe asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the action he will take in relation to the boat wrecks which have been abandoned for some years at an area (details supplied) in County Cork; if same will be removed; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[29677/09]
52 Deputy Jim O’Keeffe asked the Minister for Transport his views on the need to have a comprehensive public transport system in rural areas here; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[28101/09]
50 Deputy Jim O’Keeffe asked the Minister for Transport his policy in relation to the development of public transport links in rural areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[28102/09]
266 Deputy Jim O’Keeffe asked the Minister for Transport his plans to introduce legislation to make it compulsory for cyclists to wear bicycle helmets, in order to at least provide protection against minor injuries.
[28313/09]
94 Deputy Jim O’Keeffe asked the Minister for Finance if the procurement process for the acquisition of a second mobile scanner needed to combat cigarette smuggling has been completed; and the expected date when it will be operational.
[27636/09]
92 Deputy Jim O’Keeffe asked the Minister for Finance his views on loss of revenue to the Exchequer, estimated to be in the region of €400 million annually, arising from the illegal smuggling of cigarettes; and the steps he is taking by way of legislation, enforcement and prevention to stem this loss.
[27637/09]
546 Deputy Jim O’Keeffe asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the reason the information sought in Parliamentary Question No. 200 of 25 June 2008 has not been furnished; and if he will provide same.
[27474/09]
470 Deputy Jim O’Keeffe asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the position regarding the co-ordination of the foreshore licensing regime and the planning code in addition to other regulatory codes; his views whether there is a clear need for greater simplification and coordination of regulations particularly on issues such as the development of marinas; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[27476/09]
371 Deputy Jim O’Keeffe asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if his attention has been drawn to the fact that a religious organisation (details supplied) has gone on trial for organised fraud in France and that this could lead to the closure of that organisation there; if this church is regarded as a religion here.
[27790/09]
370 Deputy Jim O’Keeffe asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the steps he has taken to implement the recommendations of the Council of Europe Nos. 1178/92 and 1412/99 on the illegal activities of sects and cults in so far as such recommendations pertain to the justice area.
[27789/09]
301 Deputy Jim O’Keeffe asked the Minister for Health and Children if, as a matter of policy, she expects that treatment facilities would be put in place to permit orthodontic consultants and specialists to begin treatment on a patient soon after appointment; and if this has not occurred, if she will have the situation investigated and remedied.
[28083/09]
300 Deputy Jim O’Keeffe asked the Minister for Health and Children the annual salary paid to orthodontic consultants and to orthodontic specialists in the public service; and if she will differentiate between the work normally undertaken by consultants and specialists.
[28082/09]
299 Deputy Jim O’Keeffe asked the Minister for Health and Children her views regarding the long delays in the provision of orthodontic treatment for young people here; and her proposals in this regard.
[28081/09]
298 Deputy Jim O’Keeffe asked the Minister for Health and Children her general policy on the provision of orthodontic treatment for young people here; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
[28080/09]
237 Deputy Jim O’Keeffe asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of children who are awaiting orthodontic treatment and assessment in each of the Health Service Executive areas; the waiting time for assessment and treatment in respect of each HSE area; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
[27339/09]
236 Deputy Jim O’Keeffe asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of children who have been assessed and have received orthodontic treatment in the Health Service Executive south area from 1 January 2008 to 31 December 2008 and from 1 January 2009 to date; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
[27338/09]
98 Deputy Jim O’Keeffe asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment her views on the evidence of the removal of some Irish products and the downgrading of other Irish products from the shelves of a major supermarket chain (details supplied); and if she has any proposals to deal with the situation.
[27459/09]
43 Deputy Jim O’Keeffe asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if she has caused an estimate to be made of loss of jobs and damage to the economy arising from the activities of a major supermarket chain (details supplied) and in particular in relation to its new purchasing and display policy which discriminates against Irish produced goods; and the action she proposes to take in this regard.
[27460/09]
33 Deputy Jim O’Keeffe asked the Minister for Education and Science the position in relation to the reconfiguration of the school catchment boundaries; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[26468/09]
8 Deputy Jim O’Keeffe asked the Minister for Education and Science the position on proposals to combine the administration of the third level maintenance grants under the aegis of one body; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[26467/09]
245 Deputy Jim O’Keeffe asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the position in relation to the Courtmacsherry Timoleague sewerage scheme, in view of the revised design proposals and cost estimate for the scheme which were submitted to his Department some months ago; his views on the urgency of commencing the scheme; when he expects same to occur; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[26668/09]
174 Deputy Jim O’Keeffe asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of occasions, in the past 24 months, on which a certificate of naturalisation has been granted under section 16(a) of the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[26488/09]
173 Deputy Jim O’Keeffe asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the criteria which he applies when determining whether or not to grant a certificate of naturalisation pursuant to section 16(a) of the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[26487/09]
80 Deputy Jim O’Keeffe asked the Minister for Health and Children her views on the potential savings to be achieved from the use of branded generic drugs; the steps being taken to achieve these savings; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
[26195/09]
65 Deputy Jim O’Keeffe asked the Minister for Health and Children the position in relation to the completion of inter-country adoption arrangements with Vietnam, Russia and other countries where difficulties have arisen in recent times.
[26196/09]
442 Deputy Jim O’Keeffe asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the number of foreshore applications in respect of marina developments which have been made over the past ten years; the number which have been granted; the number which have been refused; and the general reason for refusal.
[25911/09]
314 Deputy Jim O’Keeffe asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the position in relation to the White Paper on Crime which was first promised 11 years ago; and when it is expected to be completed.
[26462/09]
71 Deputy Jim O’Keeffe asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the steps he has taken to improve the accuracy of the electoral register; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[24924/09]
32 Deputy Jim O’Keeffe asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the position in relation to the establishment of an independent electoral commission; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[24925/09]
497 Deputy Jim O’Keeffe asked the Minister for Education and Science the steps he will take to ensure that undue pressure is not put on leaving certificate students who have to sit, in some instances, three exams on the one day; if his attention has been drawn to the number of such students involved in such situation; and if special consideration will be given to those affected.
[24609/09]
435 Deputy Jim O’Keeffe asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the position in relation to an application for farm retirement for a person (details supplied) in County Cork.
[24395/09]
434 Deputy Jim O’Keeffe asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if changes were made in the conditions attached to the home energy savings scheme or the website presentation following its introduction; if so, when the changes regarding partial insulation will be made; the grant entitlement of persons who obtained grant approval prior to such changes having been made and who have committed themselves to expenditure based on such grant approval will receive grants; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[25041/09]
419 Deputy Jim O’Keeffe asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government his views on the amount of litter in our cities, towns and villages and throughout the countryside; if he is satisfied with the operation of the National Litter Pollution Monitoring System; his further views on the anti litter initiatives in which his Department has been successful; and if he has new proposals in this regard.
[25203/09]
286 Deputy Jim O’Keeffe asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform when he foresees that further recruitment to An Garda Síochána will get under way; and if priority consideration will be given to persons who have completed all the aptitude and other tests and who are on a waiting list to be called into training.
[24610/09]
55 Deputy Jim O’Keeffe asked the Minister for Defence the costs anticipated in the physical move of the headquarters of his Department to its new decentralised headquarters; the expenditure to date on the designing, erection and equipping of the new departmental headquarters; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[24859/09]
167 Deputy Jim O’Keeffe asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he is satisfied with the situation whereby, as a result of the procedures required by the Private Residential Tenancy Board, a property owner may have to wait for upwards to two years to have a non-paying tenant excluded from their property; and his proposals for reform in this regard.
[24321/09]
44 Deputy Jim O’Keeffe asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if his attention has been drawn to a practice whereby grid connections for proposed wind farm operations are subsequently sold without reference to the original land owners; his views on this practice; and his proposals to deal with same.
[24092/09]
29 Deputy Jim O’Keeffe asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the arrangements for obtaining grid connections regarding proposed wind farm operations; if such grid connections are transferable once approved; the controls which are exercised in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[24091/09]
62 Deputy Jim O’Keeffe asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the terms and conditions associated with the grant of subsidy for the official ferry to Cape Clear Island in west Cork; and if there are requirements in relation to having appropriate labour relations arrangements in the operation of the ferry.
[23727/09]