119 Deputy Noel Ahern asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the position regarding the confiscation of vehicles for tax and insurance purposes; the number of vehicles confiscated or taken by the gardaí for the full year in which the most recent figures are available; if confiscation will be conducted for tax disc or insurance purposes; if it is mandatory or at the discretion of gardaí; if the rule or custom of giving 14 days to show papers at a Garda station has been abolished; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[42525/09]
394 Deputy Noel Ahern asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he make a statement on the €200 tax on second homes; the tax collected since the introduction of this scheme; his views on an amendment to this scheme whereby persons would pay the second home tax on a graduated scale according to the size of their property; if he has had many submissions from the general public advocating a graduated tax; and if the €200 tax is due on small inherited cottages and large holiday homes.
[41547/09]
319 Deputy Noel Ahern asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the position regarding the Lisbon referendum; the various procedures for Ireland and Europe as a whole for full and final approval of the treaty from referendum date on 2 October 2009 here to presidential signing to formal endorsement in Rome; and if the process will be clarified with time scales for different stages.
[41543/09]
216 Deputy Noel Ahern asked the Minister for Health and Children if she will make a statement on the H1N1 swine flu vaccine; the position regarding the case of persons (details supplied) in Dublin 11 whose general practitioner is not providing the H1N1 swine flu vaccine; if there will be special provision for persons whose general practitioners are not taking part in the vaccination scheme and who have difficulty accessing the nearest health centre providing vaccinations; and if persons in this category can attend another general practitioner besides their own for the purposes of obtaining this vaccination.
[41546/09]
215 Deputy Noel Ahern asked the Minister for Health and Children the position regarding the award and subsequent payment of medical negligence awards; if the current system of lump sum awards is in legislation or simply custom and practice; if it would be more appropriate to have a system with an annual payment; if the court has the power to so order; or the legislation which would need amendment to give effect to same; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
[41540/09]
146 Deputy Noel Ahern asked the Minister for Finance if he will report on statistics on price increases in insurance rates; and the action he proposes to take to control same which seem difficult to understand or appreciate in these deflationary times.
[41549/09]
129 Deputy Noel Ahern asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the position regarding the charges being raised against consumers and business; if she will report on the slow progress being made in the reduction of retail grocery and supermarket prices, which allowing for VAT and currency factors are still high compared with Northern Ireland.
[41549/09]
128 Deputy Noel Ahern asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the position regarding a construction worker laid off after several years of employment by a company (details supplied) and has been replaced by subcontractors; if same is in order; and if the process for the worker to pursue issues will be outlined.
[41545/09]
127 Deputy Noel Ahern asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the position regarding the entitlement of self-employed tradesmen to get onto FÁS courses; if their eligibility to same will be clarified; if they must be signing on or be in receipt of social welfare; the conditions that need to be met; if this situation will be explained, particularly for those whose spouses work; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
[41544/09]
170 Deputy Noel Ahern asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the progress made on the attempts in respect of a person (details supplied) to reunite them with their daughter; if he has raised this matter with his Hungarian counterpart; if he has made a complaint to the European Court of Justice against Hungary; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[39838/09]
59 Deputy Noel Ahern asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment when a company (details supplied) will receive the revenue refund due to them on the redundancy payment in respect of an employee who was made redundant in December 2008.
[39837/09]
1082 Deputy Noel Ahern asked the Minister for Education and Science the position regarding the search for a site in respect of a school (details supplied) in Dublin 11 the locations that have been looked at; and if a centre will be considered.
[37989/09]
822 Deputy Noel Ahern asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the position regarding the Christmas bonus for pensioners, etc. in 2009; if the anti-fraud campaign was successful enough to allow for a partial bonus to be awarded in 2009; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
[37986/09]
776 Deputy Noel Ahern asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism his views on suggestions to abolish the Irish Film Board; if a decision has been made on this matter; if his attention has been drawn to the threat to tourism and 2000 jobs if the recommendation is implemented; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[37988/09]
711 Deputy Noel Ahern asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the future plans for a centre (details supplied) in Dublin 11; if there are plans for the unit to be re-located; if this applies to the full complex or part of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[37990/09]
688 Deputy Noel Ahern asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the position regarding the case of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 9 who retired in 2009; if this case can be re-examined and an established pension paid; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[37985/09]
425 Deputy Noel Ahern asked the Minister for Health and Children the supports she has given to general practitioners and dentists here; the reason dentists received no supports towards equipment, accommodation and so on whereas general practitioners do, and as a result dentistry here is more expensive and unable to cope with subsidised services in Northern Ireland; if the matter will be explained; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
[37995/09]
258 Deputy Noel Ahern asked the Minister for Finance if there is a scheme operated by his Department or an agency under his remit to provide grants or assistance towards installation of house alarms for the elderly; if such a scheme is under consideration; the success or otherwise of the scheme previously run by his Department, whereby tax relief against the cost of an alarm was available.
[37992/09]
511 Deputy Noel Ahern asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the annual date and process for reviewing the cost of the television licence; if the licence charge will be reduced due to the fact that the rate of inflation has declined by more than 6% in the past year; if so, the date; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[36757/09]
488 Deputy Noel Ahern asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the unit within his Department or agency under his remit that monitors the instances of pyrite problems in recently constructed buildings; if this is a new occurrence; the total incidences in private construction projects and local authority projects for each of the past five years; the percentage of building projects which are local authority sponsored; the guidelines or recommendations on construction type which his Department has issued to avoid or minimise pyrite problems; if type of foundations, type of flooring or cement rather then wood would maximise the problems; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[36763/09]
487 Deputy Noel Ahern asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the policy and developments in relation to empty units in private housing estates; the number of affordable units which are lying empty in the case of each local authority; the flexibility the local authorities have to reduce prices to sell; the reason such units have not maintained their percentage lower price vis-à-vis private units in some estates; the guidelines which have been given to use empty affordable units for social housing; if there is control being exercised in relation to local authorities buying and allocating units for affordable private units, the rental accommodation scheme, homeless, leased, social and so on; if there is a maximum percentage under all these headings with private rental allowed; his policies regarding building sustainable communities; his views on the policy of seeking to have all units occupied; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[36762/09]
486 Deputy Noel Ahern asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the amount, in relation to the €79.5 million allocated in 2009 to local authorities for grants in respect of older people and people with disability to private house grants, which has been drawn down by each local authority to date in 2009; the latest estimate from each local authority regarding the amount expected to be drawn down in 2009; if amounts have been transferred to other local authorities; if so, the details of same; the local authorities which are accepting applications for this scheme; the number of local authorities which have notified him of the closure of the scheme; if the differing rules or conditions being imposed by local authorities fall under his remit; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[36761/09]
485 Deputy Noel Ahern asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the allocation of the housing aid for the elderly scheme in 2009; the way it has been spent to date in 2009; if he has received feedback from the Health Service Executive; the number of local authorities and HSE units that run this scheme as a separate scheme; the number who have linked this scheme into the private house grants scheme, elderly and disabilities; the way the funding was spent by local authorities under the private house grants scheme, who have in cases cancelled the scheme and thus have no channel to spend housing aid money; if this scheme is relevant; and if work under the scheme is being performed or if it is incorporated into the private house grants scheme and so on.
[36760/09]
484 Deputy Noel Ahern asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the number, location and dwelling numbers involved in built, planned or proposed housing projects where incremental purchase scheme is being piloted or in use to date in 2009; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[36759/09]
256 Deputy Noel Ahern asked the Minister for Health and Children the position regarding the operations of the over 70 years medical card; if it is being operated as announced after the 2008 debate; if discretion will be used for applicants who are just over the €700 limit with high medical expenses; if current applicants on gross income of between €720 and €730 are being refused as a matter of rule; the normal income guideline figure for persons over 70 years of age; if the higher figure built up in recent years for over 70 years was maintained; the reason it was dropped; and if reasonable medical costs will be allowed for in cases of persons over €700.
[36764/09]
252 Deputy Noel Ahern asked the Minister for Health and Children further to Parliamentary Question No. 68 of 24 September 2009, the arrangements with the original purchase of the software; the reason the software for arteriovenous malformation planning is no longer supported by the manufacturer; if the manufacturer was free to do this; if she could have prevented them from doing so by contract conditions; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
[36734/09]
213 Deputy Noel Ahern asked the Minister for Finance the tax arrangements that were made for Eircom workers in the recent sale of the company; if they obtained favourable tax handling on the transaction or profits and so on; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[36735/09]
422 Deputy Noel Ahern asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the position in relation to recent media reports that Eircom was taking legal action against the regulatory authority for its refusal to approve reductions in the charges system; if regulations will be outlined; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[35709/09]
406 Deputy Noel Ahern asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the position regarding the €200 home tax; if there is an exemption for pensioners; if a person can pay to either local authority or if there is flexibility in picking their main place of residence; the officials dealing with same in all local authority.
[35708/09]
251 Deputy Noel Ahern asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the reason a visa in respect of a person (details supplied) has been refused.
[35704/09]
188 Deputy Noel Ahern asked the Minister for Health and Children if she will examine the facilities in Rotunda Hospital and Holles Street Hospital, Dublin, in relation to waiting rooms and so on for pregnant women attending for prenatal visits; if there are guidelines or standards for the acceptable waiting time and facilities; if her Department, the Health Information and Quality Authority or the Health Service Executive is responsible for monitoring and enforcing acceptable standards; her views on whether it is acceptable for a pregnant woman to be left standing waiting for her check up for 30 minutes, one hour or two hours; if accommodation with chairs will be provided in the hospitals or rented nearby and women called forward to the hospitals as required; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
[35707/09]
79 Deputy Noel Ahern asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the position regarding an application for a statutory redundancy claim submitted in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 9 who was made redundant on 14 January 2009 and is awaiting payment although all requested paper work was submitted by their former employer a few months ago; if payment will be awarded; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
[35705/09]
515 Deputy Noel Ahern asked the Minister for Health and Children the counselling and advisory services available from her Department or agencies under her Department for women who have lost a baby through death or miscarriage; if there is a specific service provided by maternity hospitals; if this service is available for a specific period thereafter; if women in such situations are referred on by maternity hospitals; the structure, organisation and availability of such services and relevant routes to tap into such services; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
[33872/09]
510 Deputy Noel Ahern asked the Minister for Health and Children further to Parliamentary Question No. 228 of 8 July 2009, the position regarding persons with an intellectual disability and particularly with reference to a person (details supplied) in Dublin 5; if all existing funded schemes in this area are being maintained; the reason they are being told there will be no service for them from September 2009 unless additional funds are provided; and if she will provide same.
[33759/09]
509 Deputy Noel Ahern asked the Minister for Health and Children further to Parliamentary Question No. 207 of 9 July 2009, the service available for persons caring for mentally ill relatives; if there if an easily accessible point of contact within the Health Service Executive from whom the carer can seek professional advice by phone in order to deal with the problems which may arise on a daily basis with the mentally ill person.
[33758/09]
214 Deputy Noel Ahern asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment when a person (details supplied) will receive the revenue refund due to them on the redundancy payment they made to their employee several months ago.
[33918/09]
111 Deputy Noel Ahern asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government when the commencement order will be signed in respect of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2008 passed by the House of the Oireachtas during 2009 in relation to local authorities having approval for a tenant purchase scheme for flats and duplex units and so on; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[32915/09]
110 Deputy Noel Ahern asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government when approval was last given to a company (details supplied) to accept a tender and commence construction; the approval given in 2009; the number of projects from the company or Dublin City Council relating to Ballymun currently awaiting approval from his Department; if same will be summarised and listed; and the tenders which will be approved before the end of 2009 for financing from the 2010 allocation.
[32914/09]
109 Deputy Noel Ahern asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the situation in relation to the recently introduced €200 second home tax; if it applies to a house owned by parents, who already have a main residence, but occupied by an adult son or daughter; if a house which is 50% owned by parents and adult son but occupied by son, if full or half home tax is due; if it applies when a property is jointly owned by parents and adult son or daughter as demanded by financial institutions as parents guaranteed mortgage.
[32913/09]
108 Deputy Noel Ahern asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the situation in relation to the €200 second home tax; if it applies when a couple have two homes and they are used by family with no rent paid such as the second home used by children attending college and an informal separation of parents, one living in each, both houses jointly owned, separation not legally processed.
[32912/09]
68 Deputy Noel Ahern asked the Minister for Health and Children the position regarding the case of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 9 who has been waiting 16 months for an operation.
[32916/09]
1237 Deputy Noel Ahern asked the Minister for Education and Science the situation in relation to free university fees under the current scheme for a student (details supplied).
[31020/09]
1131 Deputy Noel Ahern asked the Minister for Education and Science the situation in relation to free university fees under the current scheme for a student (details supplied).
[31021/09]
1080 Deputy Noel Ahern asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if an equity shareholding has been given to ESB employees; if so, the details of same; if it applies to all employees including pensioners; if given free or of nominal part of pay or productivity; if this is the first State or semi-State body in which this happened without the company being privatised in total or part; the way it was justified; and if the terms of the deal will be outlined.
[31025/09]
1079 Deputy Noel Ahern asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the position of the proposed liquid gas plant (details supplied) in north Kerry.
[31024/09]
1035 Deputy Noel Ahern asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the situation in relation to the second home €200 property tax, whether it is for services received last year, this year or next year; if it must be paid if the house is occupied by family members on a rent-free basis; the position if the house was empty and undergoing major refurbishment for several months or even full years; and if the house was gifted to a son or relative already the owner of the house, but continues to be occupied rent free for the original owner.
[31022/09]
644 Deputy Noel Ahern asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the various legal panels for solicitors and barristers under the control of his Department or agencies under its remit; the process for getting on the various panels; if done annually or occasionally.
[31033/09]
280 Deputy Noel Ahern asked the Minister for Finance the various legal panels for solicitors and barristers under the control of his Department or agencies under its remit; the process for getting on the various panels; if done annually or occasionally; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[31032/09]
279 Deputy Noel Ahern asked the Minister for Finance the position regarding the recruitment embargo in the wider public sector; the position regarding persons on panels who were waiting to be called into employment; if all panels will stay in existence and if positions will be offered to those on panels whenever recruitment commences again; the position regarding temporary staff who were recruited in cases pending panels being set up; if these are still in employment; if their contracts are being rolled over; the number of temporary or contract staff that exist; his views on a claim from a person on a panel who cannot now be recruited but who feels discriminated against by a temporary staff member who failed to get a sufficiently high panel place; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[31027/09]
201 Deputy Noel Ahern asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the position regarding the regulations on eligibility for community employment schemes and, in particular, the reason persons who take up a week’s work during a period of unemployment should be adversely affected; if she will examine such rules; if the negative message that such rules send is appropriate in today’s different circumstances; and if the matter can be examined with a view to changing rules and making them fairer.
[31029/09]