410 Mr. Cregan asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food when the Land Commission will arrange to have urgent remedial works carried out to lands at Ballysteen, Askeaton, County Limerick, to ensure that the farmers’ lands are no longer flooded by waters from the River Shannon; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
[9329/05]
340 Mr. Cregan asked the Minister for Transport if, in regard to a driving licence, a person over 70 years of age can have a three, five or ten year approval
[9055/05]
269 Mr. Cregan asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the efforts being made by the IDA to attract inward investment with a view to utilising advanced and vacant factories and facilities in west Limerick under the remit of Shannon Development; and if he will give an inventory of same in west Limerick.
[9331/05]
104 Mr. Cregan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the position regarding entitlements for people aged over 70 years on medical cards; if the card holder is entitled to a free service for form-filling for a driver’s licence is it in order to charge the medical card holder €40 for that service; if a person should get a medical check for that €40; if the process can be simplified for people aged over 70 years; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
[9054/05]
103 Mr. Cregan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the position regarding the assessment of income and assets for nursing home subvention; if there are standard rules on this assessment country-wide or if each region of the HSE has its own rules; the way in which property in the Dublin region is assessed, if at all, when the spouse of elderly person lives at home; when an adult son with no other property lives at home and has done so for five and six years and on occasions since age 25; and if the value of house would be excluded.
[9053/05]
225
D’fhiafraigh Mr. Cregan den Aire Gnóthaí Pobail, Tuaithe agus Gaeltachta an féidir leis a dheimhniú go mbeidh an córas timireachta céanna i bhfeidhm nuair a bheidh an t-athscrúdú maidir le Glór na nGael críochnaithe.
[8093/05]
379 Mr. Cregan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, further to the most recent Garda recruitment drive, the number of applications which were received; the number of applicants who were deemed to be successful and will subsequently be called for interview; when interviews will be held; and the number of recruits who will be taken into training as a result of this most recent recruitment drive based on the recent aptitude test.
[8031/05]
227 Mr. Cregan asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if a person (details supplied) in County Limerick is entitled to some form of payment from his Department to prevent undue hardship; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[5629/05]
67 Mr. Cregan asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the situation regarding portal authority at Dublin Port (details supplied); the reason pay and salary increases implemented in the past two years have not been extended to all pensioners of the organisation; the further reason pensioners in the harbour department were excluded from the arrangement while all other pensioner groups were included; and if this action is discriminatory and in breach of the legislation setting up the organisation.
[5351/05]
43 Mr. Cregan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the number of social workers employed in the State health sector at the latest date for which figures are available; the categories of work they are involved in; and if she will provide the figures for the Dublin region of the Health Service Executive.
[5358/05]
42 Mr. Cregan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the waiting time for assessment of couples for adoption; the current time periods for each health board and Health Service Executive region for the period waiting for first assessment and from application to completion of process; if the assessment process is standard or varies from region to region; the person who recommends same; if it can be streamlined and shortened with fewer sessions prior to approval; the number of social workers involved; if extra staff are employed; if the process can be contracted out; and if she will provide data on the Eastern Regional Health Authority-Health Service Executive region.
[5357/05]
465 Mr. Cregan asked the Minister for Education and Science the situation and the reason for the delay in relation to the opening of a school for autistic children (details supplied); the capital funds which have been supplied for the project; the funds towards rent to the landlord of the existing national school which have been paid by her Department; the reason and the person on whose behalf the landlord is seeking a higher rent; and if her Department will broker a deal, and make extra funds available in order to open this badly needed facility.
[3408/05]
320 Mr. Cregan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the steps a person should take to secure an Irish passport, who although not born here has lived and worked here for years; and if an application for citizenship is a necessary first step.
[3161/05]
319 Mr. Cregan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the situation regarding court actions taken against the State or State agencies by persons of limited means; the consequences of their losing and not receiving costs; if they are normally pursued by the State; if staged payments are negotiated; if, the case of a point case, both parties are pursued for costs; if this principle follows through to no foal no fee cases in which the solicitor has a monetary interest and co-responsibility; if solicitors have been pursued for costs in no foal no fee cases; if not, the reason therefor; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[3155/05]
260 Mr. Cregan asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the situation regarding the scale of reduction for rent allowance for persons who take up employment or community employment schemes; if the sliding scale is absolute or dependent on clients’ ability to pay; and the details of the process or calculation for continuing past rent allowance indefinitely if circumstances so require.
[3153/05]
229 Mr. Cregan asked the Minister for Finance the situation in relation to the necessity to have parking bays available at hospitals for disabled drivers and if tax relief against such costs when receipts are available can be allowed to be claimed by such a person of a member of their family.
[3159/05]
228 Mr. Cregan asked the Minister for Finance the situation in relation to liability to inheritance tax on a house transferred on death from parents to an adult child; if he will provide the thresholds; if a child is liable for the balance over the threshold; if the threshold refers to the amount received from each parent or both; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[3158/05]
227 Mr. Cregan asked the Minister for Finance the situation in relation to an application from management of An Post to award pensioners their due increase; the reason for this delay; if the delay or refusal is in breach of the Act setting up An Post when original Civil Service staff were guaranteed that their conditions could not be worsened; when payment will be made to pensioners; and if it will include all arrears from the due date.
[3157/05]
211 Mr. Cregan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children about the necessity to have parking bays available at hospitals for disabled drivers; if such spaces should be available; if they should be free; the process available to a disabled driver who spent €500 over a seven month period while visiting their dying spouse; and the way in which such a person can process a refund.
[3160/05]
1281 Mr. Cregan asked the Minister for Defence the situation in relation to Army pensions; the reason pensions are based on a maximum of 21 years service, in view of the fact that many persons have worked for 30 years or more; if this is different from the norm in other EU countries; the reason Army pensions are not based on the normal public service system; and if he has plans to make pensions more related to service done.
[1991/05]
1280 Mr. Cregan asked the Minister for Defence the number of military hospitals or facilities around the country; the size, staff and bed capacity of each; the number of patients per night and number of day procedures and visits; the purpose of retaining a large military medical establishment; the reason the facilities should not be amalgamated or linked in full or partially with the general medical system in the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter, to include a report on any feasibility studies regarding cooperation with the health services already undertaken.
[1986/05]
595 Mr. Cregan asked the Minister for Transport the position on the use of mud flaps on the wheels of HGVs; if the regulations are in force here; if so, if there are EU directives on the issue not yet being operated here; if there are statistics on accidents caused by spray from roads; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[1988/05]
428 Mr. Cregan asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the situation in relation to public service pensions; the way in which a person with five years service in the Department of Posts and Telegraphs/Telecom, and on a pension for it, can have this pension supplemented for two years Army service between 1942 and 1944; and the way in which an application should be submitted and processed.
[1990/05]
430 Mr. Cregan asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the position regarding An Post pensioners whose normal pension increases have not been awarded; if, notwithstanding industrial relations problems with workers, it is legally or morally defensible to withhold pensioners’ increases; if the pension fund is totally divorced from An Post current trading; if seconded civil servants in An Post are not immune from such treatment by the management of a semi-State company; and when An Post pensioners will receive their increase.
[1998/05]
429 Mr. Cregan asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the position regarding An Post pensioners whose normal pension increases have not been awarded; if, notwithstanding industrial relations problems with workers, it is legally or morally defensible to withhold pensioners’ increases; if the pension fund is totally divorced from An Post current trading; if seconded civil servants in An Post are not immune from such treatment by the management of a semi-State company; and when An Post pensioners will receive their increase.
[1997/05]
391 Mr. Cregan asked the Minister for Finance if he will report on the rules and regulations guiding the permitted opening times of betting shops and his views on the continuing concern from the public at the apparent very liberal licensing laws pertaining to the opening hours of betting shops; his plans to curtail the hours during which a betting shop may remain open; if there is any responsibility on a licence holder regarding the way in which they should handle a client who obviously is gambling excessively; if there is any formal assistance granted from a State agency to a licence holder who wishes to refer a client to a counselling service; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[2072/05]
388 Mr. Cregan asked the Minister for Finance the situation regarding the price of diesel; if he will track the price vis-à-vis petrol at wholesale or retail level; the reason diesel has increased in price vis-à-vis petrol; if the increasing price of diesel is mainly due to production prices, refining or taxation; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[1987/05]
370 Mr. Cregan asked the Minister for Finance the situation in relation to a house let out by the owners in order to pay for their private nursing home fees; if such a situation would affect this person’s tax situation in any way; if they would be liable for capital gains tax on the increased capital value of the house for the years it was let out; if the rental would affect the gift or inheritance tax later when sold for distribution to this person’s children; the way in which their situation would be treated if the house were sold prior to death and after death; if he will provide the exemption limits for tax payable by this person’s children; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[1367/05]
209 Mr. Cregan asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the way in which the criteria used to refuse the Christmas bonus to a person (details supplied) can be justified in a case in which a person is clearly a long-term recipient of State welfare; if he will make the necessary changes in the rule in order that such persons will not be excluded from Christmas bonus payments; and if, in the circumstances, the Christmas bonus will be awarded to this person.
[33370/04]
510 Mr. Cregan asked the Minister for Defence the details of the decentralisation programme for his Department; if offices on St. Mobhi Road, Glasnevin, will still be required by his Department; the future plans for this location; the details of the lands at same; if they will be used for sporting, educational or housing purposes; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[31010/04]
416 Mr. Cregan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will report on his recent announcement regarding extra recruitment of gardaí and changes in the necessity for practical use of the Irish language; if teaching of Irish and the encouragement of its use in Templemore will continue at existing levels for the generality of gardaí; if exceptions will be strictly limited; and if the use and knowledge of Irish will remain a requirement rather than an option for the force in general.
[31001/04]
294 Mr. Cregan asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the situation with respect to persons on rent allowance; if it is reduced on a gradual basis, if a person or adult children can take up full or part-time work; and if the situation changes when responsibility for a recipient of this allowance transfers to the local authority under the 18-month rule.
[30131/04]
294 Mr. Cregan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the situation in relation to the status of non-EU persons who have been living here on student visas for four years and wish to remain on after graduation; if they qualify as parents of a child born here before the change in the rules in 2002/2003; if they qualify under any scheme other than by obtaining a work permit or working visa; if such parents are both holders of PhDs obtained in universities here, if these qualifications are taken into account; and his views on whether a highly skilled migrant programme should or can be devised to attract them to stay.
[27831/04]
293 Mr. Cregan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the situation related to Garda or insurance protection available to a person (details supplied); and if there is a fund from which this person can seek compensation.
[27830/04]
249 Mr. Cregan asked the Minister for Transport the situation in relation to insurance protection available to a person (details supplied); and if there is a fund from which this person can seek compensation.
[27829/04]
230 Mr. Cregan asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he has considered the concept of a highly skilled migrant programme for all graduates and graduates educated at universities and colleges here; and when such a programme will be formally announced.
[27828/04]
186 Mr. Cregan asked the Minister for Finance the reason the business of being a landlord in providing private residential accommodation is treated differently to other businesses in regard to the liability to capital gains tax when passing on property to one’s adult children; if he will report on the current situation; if he will use budget 2005 to bring equality to the system and treat the landlord profession in the same way as other businesses; if he will cover transfers when alive and dead; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[27832/04]
238 Mr. Cregan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if the three-monthly maintenance costs incurred by patients using a defibrillator will be included in the drugs and prescription refund scheme.
[27113/04]
209 Mr. Cregan asked the Minister for Finance the progress being made on the move of his Department’s offices from St. Munchin’s House, Limerick to Heuston Hall, Raheen, County Limerick; when he expects this move to be finalised; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[26403/04]
422 Mr. Cregan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the situation regarding future plans to reform or streamline the conveyancing system for private dwellings; his views on whether the present slow and bureaucratic system and the repetitive searches are necessary; if it is necessary for the State to have two separate agencies dealing with proof of title; and if the State can centralise all the processes.
[23332/04]
312 Mr. Cregan asked the Minister for Education and Science if she will examine the case of a person and school (details supplied); the resource teacher resources which are allocated to this school and the number of hours which are allocated to this person; if a school (details supplied) in Dublin 9 has spare resource teacher hours; if this person changes school can resource teacher hours move with them; the length of time this should take; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
[23327/04]
311 Mr. Cregan asked the Minister for Education and Science if she will examine the situation regarding special needs assistant hours for a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; the reason a reduction was made in view of the fact that this person previously was approved for a full-time needs assistant when attending school in Dublin; if this is correct; the reason allocation varies depending on school location; if additional hours can be given as recommended by school authorities and the authority in Temple Street Hospital which this person attends; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
[23326/04]
244 Mr. Cregan asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will report on the work permit application of a person (details supplied); the reason a renewal application for this person has been strung out for the past two years; the nature of the difficulties; and if renewal of the work permit can be given without further delay.
[23384/04]
480 Mr. Cregan asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the overall policy regarding two social welfare payments; if she will consider or investigate the full payment to all social welfare clients based on their own contribution record irrespective of other payments they may have; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
[20395/04]
479 Mr. Cregan asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if she will increase the living alone allowance in the budget for 2005; if there has been a study carried out into the relevant living costs of one pensioner vis-à-vis a pensioner couple; and if she will have this issue examined.
[20389/04]
399 Mr. Cregan asked the Minister for Transport the extra requirements for drivers over 70 to obtain driving licences; the reason rules exist regarding medical requirements and so on; the reason and when these rules came into being; and his views on whether the age limit should be increased to 75 or 80 or eliminated in view of the fact that some senior citizens regard it as discriminatory, degrading and unnecessary.
[20397/04]
377 Mr. Cregan asked the Minister for Health and Children the position regarding a person (details supplied) in Dublin 9; the reason this certificate is still issued; the further reason the short copy will not suffice for a passport; if details on or the format of the long copy can be adjusted in order that person’s status as an adoptee is not public; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[20388/04]
376 Mr. Cregan asked the Minister for Health and Children the position regarding problems which have been known to his office for months regarding difficulties in the ERHA region with the service by chiropodists to pensioners; if he will report on progress; the person who is negotiating with the chiropodists, in view of the fact that his Department and ERHA seem to suggest that the other party is the negotiator.
[20387/04]
268 Mr. Cregan asked the Minister for Education and Science if a school (details supplied) in Dublin 3 is being considered for disadvantaged status; the other schools nearby which have disadvantaged status; the action the school needs to take to obtain disadvantaged status; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[20222/04]
152 Mr. Cregan asked the Taoiseach the rules, regulations and protocols in relation to raising and flying of the Irish flag on government Buildings throughout the city of Dublin; the locations and national institutions at which it is authorised or approved; if flying of the flag is on a seven day basis, five day basis, or is occasional; if discretion is left to local managers or laid down with regard to frequency, timing of removal and; if it is in order for the flag to be taken down during summer hours at 4.30 p.m. or 5.00 p.m to save overtime; and if he will make a statement on the matter and outline procedure.
[20398/04]