200 Deputy Noel Ahern asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the progress made in the sector since completion of the examination of the brick/block laying sector of the construction industry report in October or November 2006; the recommendations of same; and the progress made on each since.
[31023/09]
207 Deputy Noel Ahern asked the Minister for Health and Children the service that is available in respect of persons caring for mentally ill relatives; if there is an easily accessible point of contact within the Health Service Executive from whom the carer could seek professional advice by phone in order to deal with problems which may arise from one day to the next with the mentally ill person.
[28882/09]
206 Deputy Noel Ahern asked the Minister for Health and Children if she will provide details on the financial help for a person (details supplied) in Dublin 3; and the details of criteria required and level of payment made.
[28881/09]
548 Deputy Noel Ahern asked the Minister for Education and Science the position regarding the recently published Ryan commission report, if the redress system will be reopened for new applications in view of the fact that many children detained in these institutions did not know of the system and are only now coming forward to apply; if he will respond to the case of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 1.
[28751/09]
547 Deputy Noel Ahern asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will clarify the situation regarding the assessment of children process; the way children are selected for assessment; if a teacher could submit the names of children that he or she is concerned about for assessment; if there is a particular assessment after fifth class; if it is correct that only two children per school per year are selected for assessment; the cost of each assessment; whether his Department, the school or the parent pays for the assessment; if any child will be assessed at a subsidised rate at the parent’s expense; the steps that he will take for a child where the assessment shows same is below average; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[28748/09]
452 Deputy Noel Ahern asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will clarify a matter in relation to a company (details supplied) selling electricity below that of the ESB; his policy on same; the reason the ESB cannot obtain permission to reduce prices likewise; the net loss of revenue to the ESB per 10,000 customers who sign over to the other company; the number of customers who have moved to date in 2009; if the ESB will require a subsidy to survive; and the further reason that the cap cannot be lifted on the ESB to allow provision of free competition.
[28744/09]
451 Deputy Noel Ahern asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he has received a request for the State to take over a company (details supplied); the person such requests are from; his views on the subject; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[28736/09]
435 Deputy Noel Ahern asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the number of staff with a degree in environmental science that are employed by local authorities, his Department or agencies under his remit; the standing of the degree in his Department; if same is a requirement for many local authority positions; the promotional prospects that are available to staff with this degree with reference to a matter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[28747/09]
342 Deputy Noel Ahern asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will provide this Deputy with the details of the current usage of a centre (details supplied) in County Dublin; the number compared with recent years; the number of nationalities who are residing there in 2009; the category of applicant residing there; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[28750/09]
341 Deputy Noel Ahern asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the position in the case of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 5 who applied for naturalisation in 2006 when the fee was €550 and when the certificate of naturalisation was being granted the fee had increased; the way this situation arose; his views on whether it is fair; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[28737/09]
272 Deputy Noel Ahern asked the Minister for Transport if he will clarify the position in relation to the operation of motor insurers; if there are agreed rules or criteria in relation to premiums, cancellations, transfer fees and refunds paid whether in full or part; and if he will make a statement on the matter in relation to general agreed criteria and specifically in relation to the case of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 5.
[28446/09]
256 Deputy Noel Ahern asked the Minister for Health and Children the date of the commencement of the nursing home fair deal scheme, that was passed in the Houses of the Oireachtas; if a person (details supplied) in Dublin 9 will be eligible under the terms of the scheme; if they will receive a subvention to continue in a private nursing home or be moved to a Health Service Executive Nursing home; if she will provide this Deputy with the arrangements for this person.
[28754/09]
255 Deputy Noel Ahern asked the Minister for Health and Children the current target timescale for the processing of medical card applications; and if she will respond to the case of persons (details supplied) in Dublin 5.
[28753/09]
254 Deputy Noel Ahern asked the Minister for Health and Children her plans to improve the accident and emergency units in the Mater and Beaumont Hospitals, Dublin; when same and improved general organisation, particularly at weekends, will be expedited; if she will report on the case of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 9; if this case can be examined; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
[28752/09]
253 Deputy Noel Ahern asked the Minister for Health and Children the cost of taxis used by the Health Service Executive each year; the criteria used or categories of patients who qualify; the change made in 2009, when persons with illness, mobility and age problems are no longer provided with a taxi service when going to and from a hospital; if she will clarify the changes in the case of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 5; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
[28749/09]
252 Deputy Noel Ahern asked the Minister for Health and Children if she will arrange to have the case of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 5 attended to; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
[28738/09]
251 Deputy Noel Ahern asked the Minister for Health and Children the counselling or advisory services available from her Department or agencies under the aegis of her Department for women who have lost a baby through death or miscarriage; if there is a service provided by maternity hospitals; if this is available for a significant period thereafter; if women in such a crisis are referred on by maternity hospitals; the structure, organisation and availability of such services; the relevant routes to access such services; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
[28735/09]
250 Deputy Noel Ahern asked the Minister for Health and Children if he will clarify the position in relation to the legislation passed restricting the automatic right to medical cards for persons over 70; the agreed provision to take place with renewal of medical cards after March 2009; if it was agreed at the passing of the legislation that existing card holders would be subject to a full means test system on renewal of their card or if it was to be a simplified process; if she is satisfied that the Health Service Executive is operating the system in accordance with the legislation; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
[28732/09]
228 Deputy Noel Ahern asked the Minister for Health and Children the position regarding persons with an intellectual disability and a person (details supplied) in Dublin 5; if all existing funded schemes in this area are being maintained; the reason the person was told there will be no service for them from September 2009 unless additional funds are provided; and if she will provide same.
[28447/09]
175 Deputy Noel Ahern asked the Minister for Finance the approved VAT ranges that are allowed by the EU; if it is open to a member state to only use one VAT rate if they so decide; the VAT take from each of the rates in 2009; his views on the suggestion that Ireland should follow the UK and reduce our normal rate to 15% and increase the lower rate to 15%; if such an increase would substitute for the reduction; the loss to the Revenue Commissioners if the above change are made here; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[28755/09]
174 Deputy Noel Ahern asked the Minister for Finance if he will clarify the situation concerning complaints from the printing industry regarding the level of Government agency work, on behalf of the Office of Public Works, being awarded to companies outside the State; if same can be quantified in value terms; the efforts that have been made to retain the work in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter (details supplied).
[28746/09]
173 Deputy Noel Ahern asked the Minister for Finance the level of taxation on cigarettes; the various taxation increases over the past 15 years; if this revenue is ring-fenced for health spending; if some of the extra taxation in recent years was ring-fenced, for example the 50 pence levy in the mid 1990s; the health spending on illnesses specifically related to tobacco products; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[28733/09]
163 Deputy Noel Ahern asked the Minister for Finance if he will clarify the revenue refund due to a person (details supplied) in respect of rebate on employee’s redundancy payment.
[28444/09]
142 Deputy Noel Ahern asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if she will clarify the situation concerning complaints from the printing industry regarding the level of Government agency work, on behalf of the Office of Public Works, being awarded to companies outside the State; if same can be quantified in value terms; the efforts that have been made to retain the work in Ireland; and if she will make a statement on the matter (details supplied).
[28745/09]
172 Deputy Noel Ahern asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he will clarify the position of the metro levy as introduced by Fingal County Council and other Dublin local authorities under section 49 of the Planning and Development Act 2000; if it is appropriate to include this in approvals already granted local authority planning approval; if a subsequent An Bord Pleanála decision can be used as a back door method of introducing a levy that was not in force at date of planning approval; if the size or amount of the levy should relate to the capital cost of the proposed development; if same was considered at time of passing of the Act; his views on whether it is in accordance with the spirit of the Act that a €2 million development should bear a levy of almost €900,000; his further views on whether it is appropriate to levy recycling facilities which will not benefit from the facility of Metro north and to penalise the provision of recycling facilities in this way; if the levy should apply to residential, retail and commercial developments which benefit directly from the metro provision, in that their development improves from a marketability point of view; if this recycling facility will be grant aided by him to the level of the proposed levy to allow the recycling facility to proceed; if he will set up consultations with all parties concerned to bring about an agreed solution, allow provision of development and remove this bureaucratic log jam; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[25363/09]
171 Deputy Noel Ahern asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if advice or instructions were given to returning officers for the employment of staff on 5 and 6 June 2009 in polling centres and count centres; if preference or regard was given to persons on jobseeker’s benefit or allowance, including qualified graduates; if a breakdown of the categories of staff used is available generally or for a spot area; and if the usual list of names available to returning officers was used with no regard to the many applications from unemployed persons for a days work.
[25362/09]
137 Deputy Noel Ahern asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if his attention has been drawn to complaints from an association (details supplied) regarding the damaging effects of their members by the after 10 p.m. ban on off licence sales, and the damage it has done to employment, and the unfair advantage given to multiples; his plans or intentions to extend the 10 pm deadline and bring balance and fairness to the system; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[25361/09]
136 Deputy Noel Ahern asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will clarify the position in relation to the system of house deeds, possession, recording, control and validity of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter in relation to persons (details supplied) in Dublin 9.
[25360/09]
128 Deputy Noel Ahern asked the Minister for Transport if he will clarify the position in relation to companies providing car insurance; the rules and criteria under which they operate; if they can discriminate against persons on grounds of geographic location (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[25359/09]
115 Deputy Noel Ahern asked the Minister for Health and Children if she has data in relation to the average time for the processing of a medical card application in each of the Health Service Executive areas; if her attention has been drawn to the fact that five to six months appears to be standard; if this is incorrect; and the reason the application of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 11 submitted in January 2009 has still not been decided on.
[25366/09]
114 Deputy Noel Ahern asked the Minister for Health and Children if she will clarify the position with respect to the Medical Hardship Fund; if it applies to persons not qualifying for a medical card seeking assistance with daily hospital in-patient charges and prescriptions charges; the criteria and so on which apply; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
[25367/09]
98 Deputy Noel Ahern asked the Minister for Finance if he will clarify the position in relation to the charging of the income levy on persons in receipt of pensions from Irish companies registered and based here, but where the persons are living abroad and making their tax arrangements where they live; if this practice is correct; and the way an exemption from same should be processed.
[25365/09]
97 Deputy Noel Ahern asked the Minister for Finance the position in relation to the action which can be taken by mortgage holders on fixed rates who want to transfer to variable rates, if there is an agreed code or criteria on the issue; the cost or penalty per month or year for the balance of the period of the fixed rate; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[25364/09]
190 Deputy Noel Ahern asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will clarify the position in so far as his Department is involved in relation to planning approval sought by a school (details supplied) in Dublin 3 for three new prefab classroom buildings of six classrooms in total; if local authorities always only give temporary five year approvals for prefab school buildings; if a local authority financial contribution of approximately €36,000 for three prefabs is appropriate; if such amounts are paid by his Department to school authorities; and if there is a process of waiver or reduction if schools have to fundraise for such and so on.
[21980/09]
174 Deputy Noel Ahern asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the position in relation to the raising of financial contributions in the case of €36,000 for three prefab buildings against a school (details supplied) in Dublin 3, a voluntary body being the school’s board of management; if, from a planning aspect, this is correctly charged; if there is a process to pursue a waiver exemption or reduction for a school or voluntary body; the process in relation to same; if it is reasonable to expect a body to fundraise for this; if planning approvals for prefab schools are always temporary; if full approval will be given; if limited five year approvals are the usual case; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[21981/09]
171 Deputy Noel Ahern asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he will clarify the position in relation to the previously announced decision to introduce a planning approval requirement to turn residential gardens into patios and so on; if regulations have been introduced; if not, the target date for same; if a summary of requirements will be given; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[21941/09]
122 Deputy Noel Ahern asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the position regarding enduring powers of attorney; the reason a person wishing to appoint a person with power of attorney over their affairs must notify all relatives of such appointment; his views on the recommendations of the Law Reform Commission in its report on vulnerable adults and the law; if he will introduce changes of law to allow named persons not to be so notified (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[21939/09]
75 Deputy Noel Ahern asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the position regarding numbers on community employment schemes; the number in each category on schemes, that is, invalidity, over 55 years, lone parents and so on; if additional numbers are being allowed; the instructions that have been given to FÁS to create new vacancies in view of the fact that persons in the over 55 years category are being let go to make room for more spaces.
[21940/09]
218 Deputy Noel Ahern asked the Minister for Health and Children the entitlements to a medical card, dental and optical benefits and so on for a 26 year old full-time university student living at home; the regulations regarding same; if family income is still the overriding measure; if at 25 years they are treated on their own income, which is nil; if a medical card is linked to provision of education grants; and if social welfare entitlements to dental and optical would be automatic if their parents have an entitlement; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
[21468/09]
217 Deputy Noel Ahern asked the Minister for Health and Children the situation in relation to funding for persons with an intellectual disability; if all existing funding schemes are being maintained; the reason persons (details supplied) in Dublin 9 are being told there will be no service for them from September 2009 unless additional funds are provided by her.
[21465/09]
182 Deputy Noel Ahern asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the position with regarding a person (details supplied) in Dublin 9; if they are in receipt of the free schemes and the fuel allowance; if they are on a full rate of invalidity pension; and if they are receiving the living alone allowance and all other entitlements due to them.
[20746/09]
83 Deputy Noel Ahern asked the Minister for Finance if he will clarify his position in relation to entitlement to PAYE tax allowance or tax credit; the difference in treatment of tax credits for pensions in cases of pensioner couples, each on separate social welfare pension plus occupational pension; if each is entitled to separate PAYE tax credit; the difference in treatment of tax credits for pensioners in cases of pensioner couples when one of whom is a qualified adult on their spouses pension book; and if each is entitled to separate PAYE tax credit.
[20747/09]
182 Deputy Noel Ahern asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will clarify the position in relation to a school (details supplied) in Dublin 5; the position in relation to the provision of a sports hall; the length of time the request is with his Department; the general policy with regard to the provision of same; if grants are provided to rent sports facilities off site and so on; if a request has been made for ceiling repairs; if same will be funded under the summer works programme; if the school will be inspected from a health and safety aspect to ascertain the situation; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[19551/09]
127 Deputy Noel Ahern asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he will clarify the position in relation to the rights of householders to have trees on private property and overlooking their property pruned or removed; the rights which exist under planning law, the law on rights and so on; and the agency or process which should be used to vindicate such rights.
[19550/09]
121 Deputy Noel Ahern asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if she will clarify the position regarding the entitlement to rent allowance for persons from other EU countries and from Romania and Bulgaria; the reason Romanian nationals are qualifying for rent allowances when they have not worked here, are not habitually resident here, do not qualify for social welfare benefits and so on; if they are applicants for asylum since prior to January 2004; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
[19553/09]
109 Deputy Noel Ahern asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the position regarding, and the difficulties being faced by, night clubs since changes to drink hours, extensions, theatre licences and so on were made; if his attention has been drawn to the financial effects of such changes on nightclubs; if he will offer solutions or advice; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[19579/09]
49 Deputy Noel Ahern asked the Minister for Finance if he will clarify the position in relation to Civil Service staff who retired early on ill health grounds; the additional concessions or facilities available to such staff and particularly in the case of Revenue Commissioners staff; if they qualify for the equivalent of the free schemes, fuel allowance and so on which would be available to those on an equivalent invalidity social welfare pension if they were in the social welfare net; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[19548/09]
639 Deputy Noel Ahern asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will clarify the position regarding the review of the special needs assistant system taking place; when the findings are due to be announced; if the criteria for allocation of special needs assistant were fully met for a person (details supplied) in Dublin 9; if they are outside the review taking place; and if they will retain their resource teaching hours.
[18149/09]
383 Deputy Noel Ahern asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will clarify the position in relation to an application for citizenship from a person (details supplied) in Dublin 11; if a previous application will be re-activated and processed; the length of time this should take to finalisation; the status with regard to their permission to remain in the State, with annual renewal in 2007 and 2008; and if their case will be finalised and approved.
[18150/09]
382 Deputy Noel Ahern asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform his views on the practice of newspaper sellers selling newspapers to motorists as they walk up and down at main junctions; if same is illegal; if the main newspaper groups have been requested not to facilitate this practice; his plans to prevent this practice; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[18147/09]