145 Deputy Noel Ahern asked the Minister for Health and Children if she will refer to the waiting list for ear, nose and throat consultant outpatient appointments at Temple Street Hospital, Dublin 1 which are currently of 12 months duration; if she will provide details of delays for appointments at other children’s hospitals in Dublin for ENT; the number of ENT consultants working in Temple Street Hospital; if they are currently in work; the reason there is such a delay; the plans she has to improve matters; and if the National Treatment Purchase Fund can be used to improve matters and specifically in the case of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 9.
[26208/10]
144 Deputy Noel Ahern asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of ear, nose and throat consultants that are attached to Temple Street Children’s Hospital Dublin 1; if her attention has been drawn to the fact that there is a 12 month delay in ENT outpatient appointments and if she will prioritise the case of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 9.
[26207/10]
143 Deputy Noel Ahern asked the Minister for Health and Children if there are statistics available on the period of time for which medical cards are issued; if a greater number of cards are now only being issued for one year; the reason this is so; the reason for such short time periods; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
[26206/10]
142 Deputy Noel Ahern asked the Minister for Health and Children if she will examine the case of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 11 whose application for an over 70 years medical card took ten months to process and who has medical expenses of €1,817 during the seven months they would have been eligible for a card and has submitted same to the Health Service Executive; if she will arrange a refund for this person; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
[26205/10]
141 Deputy Noel Ahern asked the Minister for Health and Children if she will outline the psychiatric services currently operating on Dublin’s northside; the structural or organisational changes taking place; the reason a person (details supplied) in Dublin 9, a patient for six years who has developed confidence with their medical team and physical locations which they visit is being moved to a new team and location; if it is being done because of their medical condition or category, location of their home address or other reason; and if it can be arranged that they be allowed to continue with the team and location they are used to.
[26204/10]
140 Deputy Noel Ahern asked the Minister for Health and Children if she will outline the services to which patients with MS are entitled; and in relation to a person (details supplied) who is confined to a wheelchair if the district nurse can be scheduled to call on them regularly; if the health services including overtime are involved in providing or supporting changes to their driveway ramp; if funding has been provided for a special medical bed estimated at €3,000; if an amended correct medical card for a person (details further supplied) can be provided.
[26203/10]
139 Deputy Noel Ahern asked the Minister for Health and Children if she will clarify the position regarding the processing of medical card applications; if she will confirm that existing cards are still valid until the renewal process including appeal is completed; the reason applications are being refused to persons on basic social welfare payments only; the further reason that renewal applications in respect of a person (details supplied) has been refused.
[26202/10]
138 Deputy Noel Ahern asked the Minister for Health and Children if she will clarify the position regarding special teams set up last year to deal with the swine flu outbreak; the level of staff involved in these teams at their highest point; the staff that are still involved; when they will be disbanded; the person who must give the order or direction to wind down or disband in view of the fact that it appears various units of the Health Service Executive still use the swine flu excuse for lack of progress on their normal activity levels; and if she will report on the backlog at the HSE appeals system, including area medical offices and medical review committees which reportedly are in huge arrears due to withdrawal of swine flu staff.
[26201/10]
137 Deputy Noel Ahern asked the Minister for Health and Children if she will clarify the position regarding reports that Beaumont Hospital, Dublin 9 recently closed two wards of 60 beds and the reason that this decision was necessary; the allocation to the hospital in 2009 and in 2010; the number of beds in the hospital; the make up same; the number of beds allocated to consultants private use; the number of high dependency or intensive care unit beds; the number on waiting lists for surgery; and her views on the line openly expressed by senior staff that they are basically only catering for emergencies and cancer; and when a person (details supplied) will receive surgery.
[26200/10]
100 Deputy Noel Ahern asked the Minister for Finance if he will clarify the regulations on VAT exemptions for pensioners in respect of house improvement projects; if the exemption is granted on age grounds of the pensioner or on the medical need of the work carried out; if a VAT exemption can be awarded to a pensioner living alone who had new windows installed as of necessity; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[26214/10]
5 Deputy Noel Ahern asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation the strategy for follow-up in order to capitalise on our investment in the Shanghai International Exhibition 2010 from a tourism, industrial and education point of view; and if a statement will be made on the matter in relation to the level and named Irish agencies operating there; if marketing is outsourced and so on; and if it is intended to recruit local staff with knowledge of the Irish scene on the subsequent marketing and sale campaign.
[24078/10]
222 Deputy Noel Ahern asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills if she will clarify the position regarding a person (details supplied) in County Limerick and outline the financial assistance which will be available to them in respect of the 2010-11 academic year.
[24069/10]
218 Deputy Noel Ahern asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills further to Parliamentary Question No. 231 of 13 May 2010 and previous parliamentary questions relating to a person (details supplied) in need of home tuition, if the offer of five hours per week can be increased; the reason ten or 20 hours were not approved; if assessment and the need of this person have been taken into account; if the approval date can be backdated; and if an analysis of hours granted can be given to detail the number of pupils and the percentage that have five hours, 10 hours and 20 hours per week.
[24033/10]
48 Deputy Noel Ahern asked the Minister for Finance in respect of carbon tax on ESB and Bord Gáis products, the guidance that was given to these utilities on the way carbon tax should be raised; the reason that VAT is being charged on carbon tax; if this tax on tax principle has been approved by Cabinet; if there has been discussions between Departments on the principle; if in the interest of fairness and in order to achieve public acceptance and understanding for carbon taxes general, if this tax on tax principle can be dropped; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[24070/10]
125 Deputy Noel Ahern asked the Minister for Finance the position regarding the Shanghai International Exhibition 2010; the details of the investment by his Department; the size and purpose of the pavilion; if it is fully run by Government agencies or if it is leased to commercial interests; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[22711/10]
85 Deputy Noel Ahern asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation his strategy to capitalise on our investment in the Shanghai International Exhibition 2010 from a tourism, industrial and educational point of view; the level and named Irish agencies that are operating there; if marketing is outsourced and so on; and if it is intended to recruit local staff with knowledge of the Irish scene in the subsequent marketing and sales campaign; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[22711/10]
246 Deputy Noel Ahern asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding the decision on the teacher supply panel; if it will cause significant problems for children in our most deprived areas; if the panel provides consistency of learning in such areas; if teacher absenteeism is higher in deprived areas; if it has historically proved more difficult to get substitute teachers in such areas; if abolishing the panel may result in unqualified substitute teachers being employed without Garda vetting approval; if she has discussed these reports with teacher unions and the result of same; the way substitute teachers are selected; if a substitute teacher can pick and choose; the number of substitutes that are on the available panel and so on; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
[22551/10]
245 Deputy Noel Ahern asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills her plans for the assembly hall attached to a national school (details supplied) in Dublin 9; if she will summarise the report on the most recent survey of the building; if she will consider disposal to the local authority or some other group before the building officially becomes a derelict site or is rendered non-dangerous or demolished by the dangerous buildings section of Dublin City Council; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
[22550/10]
202 Deputy Noel Ahern asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he will refer to the new regulations brought in last October 2009 regarding fire regularisation certificates; if he will provide a progress report on same; if any certificates have been issued since October 2009; the local authorities that have issued same; if agreement has been reached with Dublin City Council on the operation of the system; the status of process involved in an application; if it is the equivalent of a planning application, must one get a decision by a due date; if approval is granted if no formal response is received; and if approval has now been granted for an application (details supplied) in Dublin 11.
[22552/10]
176 Deputy Noel Ahern asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the grant schemes that are available this year to community or sporting groups for installation of toilets including disabled facilities; if application dates will be provided; if operated directly by his Department or an agency under its remit; if schemes are lottery financed, dormant accounts financed or other; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[22543/10]
169 Deputy Noel Ahern asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the position regarding the case of an Irish citizen who has been abducted to Hungary and despite Supreme Court cases there ordering return of the child, the child is still missing; the progress made to date to pursue matters at political, diplomatic and EU level; the action he has taken to recover this child; if this matter has been raised directly with his Hungarian counterpart at EU ministerial meetings; the further action he is now proposing and if he will file a third party observation at the European Court of Human Rights to the father’s case indicating our concern and belief that the child is in imminent danger; if he will take a case to the European Court of Justice; the action he will take to uphold and enforce court judgments ordering the return of the child to their father.
[22547/10]
127 Deputy Noel Ahern asked the Minister for Transport if he will report on the condition of the Dublin Airport Authority pension fund; if any proposal has been submitted by DAA for approval; if his attention has been drawn to the perceived doubtful status of the fund, the fact that pensioners have got no increase for three years and the need for a lump sum injection into the fund; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[22548/10]
97 Deputy Noel Ahern asked the Minister for Health and Children if there are any statistics available on the period of time for which medical cards are issued; if only a certain number of cards are now being issued for one year; the reason this is so; the further reasons for such short time provided; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
[22560/10]
96 Deputy Noel Ahern asked the Minister for Health and Children if she will examine the case of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 11 whose application for an over-70s medical card took ten months to process and who has had medical expenses of €1,817 during the seven months they would have been eligible for a card, having submitted same to the Health Service Executive; if she will arrange a refund; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
[22559/10]
95 Deputy Noel Ahern asked the Minister for Health and Children the psychiatric services that operate on Dublin’s north side; the structural or organisational changes that are currently taking place; the reason a person (details supplied), a patient for six years who has developed confidence with the medical team and physical locations they visited, has been moved to a new team and location; if it is being done due to their medical condition or category, location of their home address or other reason; if it will be arranged that they will be allowed to continue with the team and location they are used to.
[22558/10]
94 Deputy Noel Ahern asked the Minister for Health and Children the services to which patients with multiple sclerosis are entitled; if, in the case of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 11, a district nurse will be scheduled to call on them; if health services including o/t are involved in providing or supporting changes to their driveway ramp; if funding has been provided for a special medical bed estimated to cost €3,000; if an amended correct medical card will be provided.
[22557/10]
93 Deputy Noel Ahern asked the Minister for Health and Children the position regarding the processing of medical card applications; if existing cards are still valid until the renewal process, including appeal, is completed; the reason applications are being refused to persons on basic social welfare payments only; if basic reasoning has been lost in the new system; and the further reason a renewal application in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 9 has been refused.
[22556/10]
92 Deputy Noel Ahern asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of ear, nose and throat consultants that are attached to Temple Street Hospital, Dublin 1; if her attention has been drawn to the fact that there is a 12 month delay for an ENT outpatient appointment; if she will prioritise the case of a child (details supplied) in Dublin 9; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
[22553/10]
59 Deputy Noel Ahern asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation the position regarding a work permit appeal case in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 8; when this case will be processed: and the reason there is such a delay in the system.
[22549/10]
456 Deputy Noel Ahern asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding the previous Squash Ireland premises on Howth Road, Clontarf, Dublin 3; if her Department has an involvement in this site or building; if the legal owner or lessee is her Department or Mount Temple School; if there are plans to terminate the sporting facility here or alter the lease of same; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
[21940/10]
190 Deputy Noel Ahern asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he will report on the disabled person grant or housing grants for elderly scheme; the local authorities which are currently operating the scheme in full; those which have suspended applications or are operating a restricted service; if he has issued any direction or instruction to local authorities regarding this scheme which is largely funded by his Department.
[21240/10]
107 Deputy Noel Ahern asked the Minister for Health and Children the details of the Health Service Executive dental service; the annual cost of same; the staff levels of dentists, nurses, other staff involved; the level and numbers of patients treated; the average daily number of patients treated per dentist; the average cost taking into account all overheads of each treatment visit; if an analysis of the system has been completed and cost comparison done with the private dentist system; if details of the comparison can be outlined; the reductions in cost that have been budgeted for in 2010 with the Health Service Executive service; the reason the more efficient private dentist scheme has been forced to produce the savings.
[21242/10]
106 Deputy Noel Ahern asked the Minister for Health and Children the details of the recent cutbacks in dental services to medical card holders; the advice that should be given to persons in urgent need of treatment for gum disease and so on who are refused free treatment and unable to pay the relevant fees; if alternative help or service is available from community welfare officers, Health Service Executive dental service, Dublin Dental Hospital or elsewhere; if matter can be clarified; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
[21241/10]
105 Deputy Noel Ahern asked the Minister for Health and Children if she will clarify the situation regarding the special teams set up in 2009 to deal with swine flu outbreak; the level of staff involved in these teams at their highest point; the staff still involved; when will they be disbanded; the person who will give the order or direction to wind down or disband; and if she will report on the backlog at the Health Service Executive appeals system including area medical offices and medical review committees which reportedly are in arrears due to withdrawal of swine flu staff.
[21239/10]
104 Deputy Noel Ahern asked the Minister for Health and Children if she will clarify the position regarding reports of Beaumont Hospital Dublin closing two wards of 60 beds and confirm if this is so; the reason the decision was necessary; the budget to the hospital in 2009 and 2010; the number of beds in the hospital and make up of same; the number of beds allocated to consultants for private use; the number of high dependancy or ICU beds; the current waiting list for surgery and her views on the comment by senior staff that they are only catering for emergencies and cancer; when a person (details supplied) who is awaiting an operation will receive surgery.
[21238/10]
399 Deputy Noel Ahern asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason for the delay in awarding an application for optical benefit in respect of a person (details supplied); and when optical benefit will be granted.
[20158/10]
231 Deputy Noel Ahern asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills further to Parliamentary Question No. 247 of 25 March 2010 and No. 263 of 29 April 2010, if home tuition will now be approved and commenced in respect of a person (details supplied).
[19800/10]
190 Deputy Noel Ahern asked the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding the case of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 9; if their case will be appealed with new medical data provided; if payment is continuing; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[19782/10]
131 Deputy Noel Ahern asked the Minister for Health and Children if there are statistics available for the period of time for which medical cards are issued; if a greater number of cards are now only being issued for one year; if so the reason for same; the further reason for such short time periods; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
[19809/10]
130 Deputy Noel Ahern asked the Minister for Health and Children if she will refer to the waiting list for ear, nose and throat consultant outpatient appointments at Temple Street Hospital, Dublin 1, which are currently of 12 months duration; the reason for delays in appointments in other children’s hospitals in Dublin for ENT; the number of ENT consultants working in Temple Street; if all are currently in work; the further reason there is such an unsatisfactory delay; her plans to improve the matter; and if the national treatment purchase fund could be used to improve matters and specifically in respect of a person (details supplied).
[19808/10]
129 Deputy Noel Ahern asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of ear, nose and throat consultants attached to Temple Street Children’s Hospital, Dublin 1; if her attention has been drawn to the fact that there is a 12 month delay for an ENT outpatient appointment; if she will prioritise the case of a person details supplied in Dublin 9; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
[19807/10]
128 Deputy Noel Ahern asked the Minister for Health and Children the position regarding the processing of medical card applications; if the existing cards are still valid until the renewal process including appeal is completed; the reason applications are being refused to persons on basic social welfare payments; if reasoning has been lost in the new system; and the further reason a renewal application in respect of a person (details supplied) has been refused.
[19806/10]
127 Deputy Noel Ahern asked the Minister for Health and Children if she will examine the case of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 11 whose application for an over 70 years medical card took ten months to process and who had medical expenses of €1,817 during the seven months they would have been eligible for a medical card and have submitted same to the Health Service Executive; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
[19805/10]
126 Deputy Noel Ahern asked the Minister for Health and Children her views on the campaign of an organisation (details supplied) to include a legal entitlement to aftercare in the Child Care Amendment Bill 2009; if consideration has been given to this request; if any response or statement has been made in response; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
[19804/10]
125 Deputy Noel Ahern asked the Minister for Health and Children the services to which MS patients are entitled and, in the case of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 11, if the district nurse will be scheduled to call on this person regularly; the health service including overtime involved in providing or supporting changes to their driveway ramp; if funding has been provided for a special medical bed; and if amended correct medical card will be provided.
[19803/10]
101 Deputy Noel Ahern asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation the progress made to date with the introduction of loan schemes or loan guarantee schemes for the small and medium enterprise sector; and if a statement will be made on the matter particularly in relation to action on credit availability, the recommendations in Mazars Report and so on.
[19802/10]
100 Deputy Noel Ahern asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation the position regarding a management company (details supplied); if this company is still registered; if this company has been struck off the list; if filed records are up to date and so on; the further position regarding proposed legislation in this area; the outcome for residents of a housing estate in Dublin 11 now; if they will be legally abandoned and management fees lost; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[19801/10]
274 Deputy Noel Ahern asked the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding the entitlements to benefits of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 9; if rent allowance and family income supplement will be awarded at same time as back to work scheme; and if all entitlements are awarded to this person.
[18818/10]
273 Deputy Noel Ahern asked the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding the entitlement to a widow’s pension for a person who already has a State contributory pension in their own right; the reason both payments are not awarded even though contributions have been made for both; if this decision has ever been legally tested; if it has been examined by any internal or external group, task force, report and so on; and the recommendations and findings of same.
[18806/10]
149 Deputy Noel Ahern asked the Minister for Health and Children if she will clarify her announcement on January 2010 regarding the HPV vaccination programme for girls currently in first year; if the programme will start before the summer or afterwards; if it applies to girls currently in first year; if it will be administered to girls now in first year who will be in second year in the Autumn and who may only be reached after the summer; and when the programme will proceed to next stage.
[18826/10]