4. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the reason persons must work 48 years to qualify for a full pension; her views on whether this is a particularity long period and that the tier system is insufficient; and if her attention has been drawn to the fact that some women, in particular, feel this is unfair as many choose to work part-time after giving birth to children. [7876/16]
874. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht to support the proposal to place the An Gorta Mór memorial in Glasnevin Cemetery in Dublin 9 and to consider the design plan as proposed by the Committee for the Commemoration of Irish Famine Victims which will include the 32 counties of Ireland. [6820/16]
873. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if she has engaged with the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government to ensure that the National Famine Memorial Day commemoration stone will finally be placed at the Custom House in Dublin 1. [6819/16]
702. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the status of the implementation of the recommendations in the report by the Forum on Patronage and Pluralism; if there is a roadmap for furthering the recommendations; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6818/16]
612. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health his views on the Health Service Executive's escalation policy, specifically on the issue of the cancellation of operating lists to accommodate emergency departments despite the fact that these freed-up beds cannot be used for patients on trolleys because the patients on trolleys could present a risk of infections for post-operative patients already on the ward. [7211/16]
314. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health to examine the long-term illness list and the introduction of a case-by-case examination, as certain persons (details supplied) have complicated medical conditions that the criteria seems to overlook which has huge effects on lifestyle and mobility; if standardised criteria is not always the fairest way to allocate resources. [4844/16]
268. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the numbers of mixed-race Irish babies and children in the 16 mother and baby homes including St. Patrick's, Navan Road, Dublin 7; if St. Patrick's was the designated holding centre for all mixed-race Irish babies and children from across the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4812/16]
160. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the regulations in place regarding the seizure of animals when in co-operation with An Garda Síochána his Department officials make seizures of horses; his views that at the particular seizure of 29 horses as part of Operation Storm on 27 February 2016, there was a serious breach in guidelines and regulations by the non-segregated transport of sexually mature males and females, breeding stallions not being kept separate while being transported and animals of significantly different sizes not being transported separately; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4820/16]
17. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection her views on the discrimination felt by many previously self-employed persons in full-time education seeking the back to education allowance; if the criteria for qualifying for this benefit need to be examined, for instance in the case of self-employed persons who begin a degree while self-employed and who then see their business fail and who are not entitled to any payment, although then technically unemployed; if the criteria should be applied to the current circumstances of applicants, as opposed to their employment position when beginning their studies, especially given that many degree programmes can be in excess of four years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4841/16]
597. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if she will make the use of canals and waterways more accessible to boat owners and operators; and her views that these waterways are being utilised to the fullest, in terms of recreational and tourism potential. [44993/15]
511. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will restore market competition through the adoption of the Architects' Alliance of Ireland's special entry route; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3997/16]
333. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health the number of detoxification beds and treatment beds available for drug addicts, or for alcoholics, by location. [4125/16]
293. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health his efforts to combat the sale and distribution of Z-drugs and the need for further resources to combat this major problem in conjunction with the long-awaited Misuse of Drugs Act; and the status of this legislation. [3004/16]
139. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if a person (details supplied) should be refused a State pension (contributory) based on a regulation set out in section 110(1)(a) of the Social Welfare Consolidation Act 2005, which is not mentioned on her Department's website, or in the relevant application forms; and whether these are sufficient grounds to refuse their pension. [4331/16]
66. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health if he is aware of revelations made by a doctor (details supplied) to the World Health Organization, of the manipulation of data and the suppression of science, in order to maintain the illusion of the safety of the human papilloma virus vaccine, in the face of valid contradictory evidence and that the length of time for which Gardasil is effective is suspect; and if he will address the serious health issues experienced by more than 200 girls, where the common denominator is the vaccine. [3940/16]
64. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health to address serious concerns regarding intellectual disability care given successive cuts to funding, staff and available care, given that an ageing population is impacting on intellectual disability care and that carers, such as parents, are often elderly and given the need for care for such persons. [3941/16]
310. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Education and Skills if she will introduce standardised reading texts to determine the need for readers for leaving certificate examinations to ensure equality; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3489/16]
234. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health to acknowledge the harmful nature of tobacco smoking, and to keep an open mind to vape products, as a means to counter tobacco smoking; to acknowledge that vape products are providing a non-carbon monoxide, non-tobacco and non-tar alternative to cigarette smoking, and therefore regulation should be carefully examined, and the scientific evidence of international experts utilised before making blanket decisions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3465/16]
233. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health if members of the Health Information and Quality Authority report group examining the implication of vape products will be made public by his Department. [3464/16]
232. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health if further stakeholder engagement, particularly with the independently owned companies in the vape product sector, is planned as the transposition of the tobacco product directive progresses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3463/16]
62. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if she has acted effectively as the trustee for the stewardship of the redundancy scheme fund; if she has effectively and prudently managed the fund and its surpluses; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3879/16]
61. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection her assessment of the redundancy scheme fund as a governance stabilising measure for the employment market, especially in the small and medium-sized enterprise sector here; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3878/16]
60. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if the operation of the redundancy scheme fund is a vital measure to provide mitigation, by way of rebates on the statutory payment made to employees for enterprises, especially small and medium-sized enterprises, as providers of employment, as revenue collectors for the Exchequer, as a vital component of the economy and as creators of wealth; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3877/16]
59. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if the redundancy scheme fund has been managed at all times in a manner that is accountable, transparent and subject to independent third-party scrutiny; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3876/16]
58. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection to report on the income into the costs borne by the year-end surplus or deficit of the redundancy scheme fund by year; the cumulative reserve built up in the fund; if the cumulative reserves have been used for the purposes set out in the redundancy legislation from 1967 to date and the employer insolvency legislation from 1984 to date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3875/16]
57. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection to report on the management of the redundancy scheme fund for the period 1967 to 2015, during which time it was known as the Redundancy Fund from 1967 to 1984 and the Redundancy and Employer’s Insolvency Fund from 1984 to 1991, after which the Redundancy and Employer’s Insolvency Fund merged with other funds within the Social Insurance Fund from 1991 to date; if the fund was in surplus on 31 December 2013; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3874/16]
26. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the status of legislation on community courts including progress to date and when she will introduce it; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3003/16]
465. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his engagement with Dublin City Council on pyrite issues in the Dublin Central area; if work will be to the highest standard; and if there is sufficient and meaningful engagement with the residents concerned. [2771/16]
314. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health if the relevant authorities, in particular, the Health Service Executive, made all efforts to contact a person (details supplied) in Dublin 15 at the various addresses known for her; and the specific actions taken, by whom and when, to address the very serious issues with which the person presented. [2775/16]
283. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality to return community Garda Síochána levels to pre-cut levels; and if community policing is vital for community relations, and in certain cases a more approachable Garda Síochána service. [3002/16]
142. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Finance further to the announcement contained in his budget day speech on 14 October 2014, the date that Permanent TSB Bank will come within the remit of the Credit Review Office; if decisions made by Permanent TSB dating back to 14 October 2014 will be accepted and pursued by the office in respect of Permanent TSB; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3131/16]
111. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the number of persons accommodated by the new communities unit at Gardiner Street, Dublin 1 during the years 2014 and 2015. [3095/16]
165. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht how Irish persons at home and abroad can access the DVD of the Ulster 2015 National Famine Memorial Day. [2540/16]
120. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health if he is satisfied with the operation of the fair deal scheme and if improvements could be made by linking in all additional costs to the original agreed settlement, as at present many persons are subject to additional costs for nursing home care after agreeing to the original arrangement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2391/16]
857. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he is aware that due to delays in the planning process, including an invalidation because of an issue with a planning notice the works scheduled to be carried out in April to June 2015, in fine weather, on the harbour and pier in Cape Clear Island did not begin until October 2015 with storms and bad weather causing difficulties to contractors and workers and disruption to the residents with a limited ferry service because the work was not completed before the winter, as was the original intention. [46845/15]
856. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government in view of the rate of invalidation of planning applications for west Cork being 61%, his views on this and if he accepts that accurate comparative statistics are a necessary tool in evaluating the degree to which water authorities are implementing the relevant guidelines he has set. [46844/15]
466. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of men 18 to 20, 21 to 25 and 25 plus years of age in prison who were placed under a restricted regime for punishment purposes during each of the months November 2013 to November 2015. [46533/15]
113. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if medical evidence identifies that a child with severe disabilities is in need of two full-time carers, why both carers are not entitled to a full carer's allowance, as that is what the child needs; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1224/16]
53. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the number of homeless persons presenting at and provided with accommodation by the new communities unit by nationality in each of the years 2013 to date. [46518/15]
39. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the status of discussions with relevant authorities in relation to ongoing prisoner issues in Maghaberry Prison; if he is confident that all is being done to ensure a conflict-free environment in the prison; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45029/15]
26. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the status of the report entitled Ireland's national plan on business and human rights; and his plans for progressing the matter and the implementation of the principles. [45030/15]
106. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of foreign nationals who have been naturalised by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service and the number of naturalised persons registered on the electoral register since their naturalisation. [45490/15]
505. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will highlight the case of the Douma4, prominent Syrian human rights defenders who were abducted two years ago; and if he will support calls for the United Nations' mandated independent international commission of inquiry to be allowed into Syrian detention facilities. [45463/15]
504. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will make representations to the relevant authorities over the raid on Aida refugee camp outside Bethlehem and the plight of a Palestinian poet (details supplied) facing the death penalty in Saudi Arabia. [45462/15]
503. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views on air strikes in Syria; if he has voiced his position at European Union level; and if he will outline Ireland's position on the future of President Assad of Syria in any peace talks on the future of Syria. [45461/15]
502. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he is aware of the human suffering of families of prisoners of conscience in Iran, especially those of the Baha'i faith, where parents are in jail for their beliefs and children deprived of their parents. [45460/15]
501. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views on whether the outstanding issues for the Justice for the Forgotten group can be finally addressed in view of the constant excuse being given of national security; and his further views on whether there should be an independent panel to decide if there is a matter of national security. [45459/15]
500. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views on concerns with the passing of Economic Partnership Agreements that they can be considered to be undermining policy coherence in terms of humanitarian aid by not fully supporting the self-sufficiency of farmers in the developing world and their ability and potential to feed themselves. [45458/15]
499. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if Irish Aid intends to respond to the public consultation issued by the Minister for Communications Energy and Natural Resources regarding a proposed increase in the biofuels obligation rate; and how he envisages that the principle of policy coherence for development will be given effect in decision making in terms of biofuels. [45455/15]
497. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he is aware of the human suffering of families of prisoners of conscience in Iran, especially those of the Baha'i faith, where parents are in jail for their beliefs and children are deprived of their parents. [45193/15]