335 Mr. S. Ryan asked the Minister for Health and Children the amount of expenditure on consultancy by her Department in 2003, 2004 and 2005; the number of consultants engaged by her Department in those years; and the steps which have been taken to reduce the expenditure on consultancy and the reliance on consultants by her Department in these years and for the future.
[41725/06]
234 Mr. S. Ryan asked the Minister for Finance the amount of expenditure on consultancy by his Department in 2003, 2004 and 2005; the number of consultants engaged by his Department in those years; and the steps which have been taken to reduce the expenditure on consultancy and the reliance on consultants by his Department in these years and for the future.
[41723/06]
199 Mr. S. Ryan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the amount of expenditure on consultancy by his Department in 2003, 2004 and 2005; the number of consultants engaged by his Department in those years; and the steps which have been taken to reduce the expenditure on consultancy and the reliance on consultants by his Department in these years and for the future.
[41726/06]
160 Mr. S. Ryan asked the Taoiseach the amount of expenditure on consultancy by his Department in 2003, 2004 and 2005; the number of consultants engaged by his Department in those years; and the steps which have been taken to reduce the expenditure on consultancy and the reliance on consultants by his Department in these years and for the future.
[41728/06]
123 Mr. S. Ryan asked the Minister for Health and Children her proposals for the development of regulations surrounding the use of restraints in nursing homes and care facilities here; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
[41490/06]
155 Mr. S. Ryan asked the Minister for Health and Children if she is satisfied that there are sufficient inspectors to deal with the level of inspection required to monitor the beef labelling regulations at catering level; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
[41475/06]
25 Mr. S. Ryan asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the situation regarding the development of a National Conference Centre on Spencer Dock; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[40828/06]
44 Mr. S. Ryan asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if her attention has been drawn to the possible effects on the horticulture industry here if a proposed landfill (details supplied) in north Dublin goes ahead; her plans to make a submission on the issue to the Environmental Protection Agency; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
[40549/06]
37 Mr. S. Ryan asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if she is satisfied that sufficient support is being made available to the organic sector; her views on the fact that Ireland is still importing up to 70% of its organic food; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
[40520/06]
569 Mr. S. Ryan asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the way he responded to the decision of the European Court of Justice Case C282/05 Commission v . Ireland, for inter alia not having an authorisation system for discharges from urban waste water treatment plants and other waste water infrastructures.
[40362/06]
92 Mr. S. Ryan asked the Minister for Education and Science the reason the Area Development Plan for north Dublin, south Louth and east Meath is only due to commence in December 2006 in view of the fact that the need for such a plan was identified in 2004 and the specific and urgent need for a new school in Laytown was pointed out in that year also; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
[40146/06]
85 Mr. S. Ryan asked the Minister for Education and Science the number of new primary schools in Louth Meath that will be needed to cater for estimated population growth over the next 10 years; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
[40148/06]
93 Mr. S. Ryan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs his views on the breach of international law involved in the EU granting of fishing and exploitation concessions in territorial waters of the Sahara Arab Democratic Republic.
[39534/06]
151 Mr. S. Ryan asked the Minister for Finance the rate of income tax paid by persons earning in excess of €100,000 per annum and upwards in bands of €20,000 per annum from the year 2000 to date in 2006, distinguishing between single persons and couples, between PAYE taxpayers and persons who are self employed and including taxpayers paying 0% and taxpayers paying tax at 20% and below; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[39229/06]
230 Mr. S. Ryan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the reason neighbourhood watch brochures are no longer available for distribution within participating estates in north County Dublin; if he will confirm that one of the sponsors has withdrawn his financial support; if he will confirm that to date his Department has failed to come up with necessary funding for the brochures; and if he will arrange to have this matter resolved.
[38983/06]
169 Mr. S. Ryan asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if his Department has held discussions with the energy and exploration departments of experienced oil and gas provinces like Norway, Denmark, Newfoundland or the UK in relation to the development of exploration expertise in the public service and the licensing and management of national fossil fuel exploration and recovery; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[38835/06]
162 Mr. S. Ryan asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if he will review and improve the compensation package proposed for drift net fishermen particularly in areas like the south east where historic and modest fisheries are being terminated following the Government decision on the report of the Independent Salmon Group; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[38836/06]
107 Mr. S. Ryan asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of applications received for the post of Director of Employment Rights Compliance; the number of candidates who have been shortlisted; the expected timetable for the selection of a successful candidate; the expected salary of the final candidate; the expected non-salary benefits, including bonuses, to be allocated to the successful applicant; the total expected cost to the State of employing the Director of Employment Rights Compliance, including employer’s PRSI and other outgoings; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[37720/06]
88 Mr. S. Ryan asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the reason no prosecutions have taken place under the National Minimum Wage Act 2000 during 2005 and 2006 despite the increasing evidence of the exploitation of workers, especially those coming from overseas, including the high profile cases from the construction and mushroom picking industries; his views on whether no breaches of the National Minimum Wage Act 2000 have taken place since 2004; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[37731/06]
125 Mr. S. Ryan asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the steps he will take to ensure that those on low incomes or dependent on social welfare payments will be able to meet fuel costs this winter, in view of the increase in the cost of fuels generally and particularly in view of major increases in electricity and gas prices; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[37610/06]
278 Mr. S. Ryan asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government his proposals to modify or improve the tenant purchase scheme for local authority tenants in view of the current valuation of houses, particularly in the greater Dublin area.
[37215/06]
261 Mr. S. Ryan asked the Minister for Education and Science the position in respect of a school (details supplied) in County Dublin; when the construction of the school will be advertised; and if it will be available for enrolment for September 2007.
[37214/06]
82 Mr. S. Ryan asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he will set down national guidelines to local authorities in respect of the application of Part V of the Planning and Development Act, 2000, and the other legislative provisions for social and affordable housing in view of the fact that delivery of the required and expected volumes of social and affordable housing has not happened.
[36518/06]
81 Mr. S. Ryan asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the measures in place to ensure that in land swap arrangements in relation to affordable housing provisions represent value for the State in terms of the volume and quality of affordable houses provided; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[36519/06]
150 Mr. S. Ryan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the terms of reference and membership of the working group to produce proposals for the development of restorative justice models; if a time limit has been set for the completion of the group’s work; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[36277/06]
143 Mr. S. Ryan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the main proposals for dealing with child offenders following the raising of the age of criminal responsibility to 12; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[36276/06]
92 Mr. S. Ryan asked the Minister for Transport the status of the Aer Lingus business plan on which the IPO was based in view of the recent announcement to cut job numbers in the company.
[35782/06]
303 Mr. S. Ryan asked the Minister for Finance further to Parliamentary Question No. 233 of 6 July 2006, if he will report on progress, in respect on the title of a property (details supplied) in County Leitrim.
[35649/06]
266 Mr. S. Ryan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform his proposals to develop the Oberstown Campus in County Dublin as a national centre for the detention of children; the number of children up to 18 years of age who will be detained in the complex; and his proposals for the development of the site.
[35715/06]
264 Mr. S. Ryan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of youths between 16 and 18 years of age who are currently detained in St. Patrick’s Institution, Dublin.
[35689/06]
151 Mr. S. Ryan asked the Minister for Health and Children if her attention has been drawn to reports from the UK on the superbug C difficile which can cause severe illness and death in patients who have undergone surgery and is at unprecedented levels there and with experts warning that it is more of a danger than MRSA; the position in relation to this superbug here; the plans in place to deal with it; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
[35448/06]
53 Mr. S. Ryan asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism if he will provide details of the new taskforce established to identify and maximise the opportunities arising from the 2012 London Olympics; the taskforce’s main objectives; the potential benefits to Ireland and sport here in particular that arise from the London Olympics; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[34817/06]
100 Mr. S. Ryan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs his view as to whether the Proliferation Security Initiative, led by the United States since May 2003, is of assistance to or undermines the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.
[34509/06]
86 Mr. S. Ryan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the way Ireland will vote at the next meeting of the Nuclear Suppliers’ Group in relation to the US India agreement; when the next meeting of this group will take place; and if he expects this matter to be concluded at the next meeting.
[34508/06]
205 Mr. S. Ryan asked the Minister for Education and Science the guidance given to the State Examinations Commission on the appointment of correctors for junior and leaving certificate papers; the training given to ensure consistency in marking; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
[34134/06]
140 Mr. S. Ryan asked the Minister for Education and Science the provision her Department is making to meet the expected costs associated with the work of the Residential Institutions Redress Board as predicted by the Comptroller and Auditor General; her response to his view that the cost will far exceed the Government’s original predictions and that the burden on the taxpayer will be greatly in excess of the 50% recommended by the Department of Finance; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
[34135/06]
117 Mr. S. Ryan asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if he will report on the activities of Bord Iascaigh Mhara; if he has delegated specific responsibilities and targets to the organisation; the regularity of his briefings by the management of BIM; the way he assesses the performance of the organisation; the location of the organisation’s new permanent headquarters; if he will outline the criteria he uses in making appointments to the board of BIM; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[33419/06]
7 Mr. S. Ryan asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources when the three-person expert group on salmon will conclude and publish its report; if he will follow its advice and the decision of the National Salmon Commission; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[33418/06]
170 Mr. S. Ryan asked the Minister for Finance if he will respond favourably to the request from the Dyslexia Association of Ireland for an amendment to legislation governing form Med 1health expenses claim for relief Section 469 of the Taxes Consolidation Act 1997, to allow cost of specific tuition for dyslexia to qualify for tax relief under the heading of health expenses where dyslexia has been diagnosed by a psychologist.
[33067/06]
91 Mr. S. Ryan asked the Minister for Finance in relation to tax incentives on private hospital developments, the number of applications which have been made under the scheme; the number of applications which have been approved; the number of hospital beds to be supplied by the approved applications; the expected cost of the tax foregone on these developments; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[33105/06]
255 Mr. S. Ryan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform his views on whether it is virtually impossible to secure the services of a person from one of the bodies referred to in the schedule of S.I. No. 337 of 2005 Civil Liabilities and Courts Act 2004 (Section 40 (3)) Regulations 2005 to be present at family law cases, for research purposes; if this was what was intended in the regulations; and if so, the reason it has not been implemented.
[33126/06]
212 Mr. S. Ryan asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the number of tenders received for the contract for supply of cattle tags; if she is satisfied that having one supplier is appropriate; the number of tenders received for supply of sheep tags; the number of suppliers of sheep tags; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
[32882/06]
248 Mr. S. Ryan asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government when he proposes to respond to representations from a person (details supplied) in County Dublin regarding their request for a disabled persons grant for their parents.
[32214/06]
48 Mr. S. Ryan asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will report on the work to date in 2006 of the Office of the Director of Consumer Affairs; if he is satisfied that adequate funding and staff have been allocated; the plans of the ODCA for the remainder of 2006; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[32066/06]
76 Mr. S. Ryan asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the economic reason for not allowing citizens of Bulgaria and Romania access to the labour market here; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[32053/06]
578 Mr. S. Ryan asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the grants available to the local authorities for the provision of central heating and remedial improvement works for local authority houses; if an application has been received from Fingal County Council for a grant towards the replacement of windows in houses and the installation of central hearing; and if so, when he proposes to notify the council.
[31999/06]
525 Mr. S. Ryan asked the Minister for Education and Science her views on whether there is a need to provide a private school bus service for a school (details supplied).
[31874/06]
240 Mr. S. Ryan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of community gardaí attached to each Garda station in Lucan, Ronanstown, Ballyfermot, Clondalkin and Rathcoole; the percentage of gardaí in each Garda station who are community gardaí; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[31987/06]
188 Mr. S. Ryan asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if his attention has been drawn to claims made at the recent Tackling Poverty and Health Inequalities conference that Ireland has the second highest rate of poverty among older people; his views on this finding; the steps he intends to take to address the situation; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[31727/06]