1428. Deputy Shane Ross asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he is aware that under the Non-Use of Motor Vehicles Act 2013, three months’ notice is required for any person who will be taking their vehicle off the road, even if it is for unforeseeable medical purposes, such as epilepsy; the proposals for exemption on medical grounds that were made by the Motor Tax Office staff; the reason these proposals were ignored; his views that it is fair to require those with such a medical issue to be required to pay for motor tax in circumstances where they are not capable of using their vehicle nor able to predict when this will occur; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31131/15]
1234. Deputy Shane Ross asked the Minister for Education and Skills her plans to introduce legislation governing service charges imposed by secondary schools on students and their families at the commencement of the school year; if she is aware of the massive divergence of service charges amongst non-fee paying schools within the same area; the efforts that are being made to unify them; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31011/15]
1169. Deputy Shane Ross asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his plans to amend the existing available passport options for persons over 75 years of age in order to allow them purchase and pay for three or five year passports, rather than ten year passports only; his views that it is fair to require those in receipt of a pension to purchase the ten year passport when they only wish to purchase it for a shorter period of time. [31042/15]
325. Deputy Shane Ross asked the Minister for Finance further to Parliamentary Question No. 106 of 9 July 2015, if the Revenue Commissioners have the legal remit to interpret the rent-a-room relief, governed by section 216A of the Taxes Consolidation Act 1997, to exclude those whose rental income is derived through the use of Airbnb; if he considers this is sufficiently important for the many Airbnb hosts to require specific legislation clarifying the position; his views that it is fair to have income tax charges now retrospectively imposed when it was understood that the income would fall under the rent-a-room relief; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31130/15]
318. Deputy Shane Ross asked the Minister for Finance his plans to provide relief in the next budget to current homeowners in negative equity who are in receipt of rental income for their sole property, but also pay rental income themselves; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31010/15]
283. Deputy Shane Ross asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if Enterprise Ireland has undertaken an investigation into claims of fraud at a limited liability Irish company (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29872/15]
282. Deputy Shane Ross asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the standard procedure of Enterprise Ireland for investigating claims of fraud, wherein State funds have been invested and lost; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29871/15]
106. Deputy Shane Ross asked the Minister for Finance if he will consider including rental income derived from AirBnB rentals under the rent-a-room relief, as opposed to it being subject to income tax, as is presently the case; if he considers there is an unfair distinction between sources of rental income; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28023/15]
230. Deputy Shane Ross asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will consider increasing the level of funding under the housing adaptation grant for people living with a disability to complete all 106 houses on the waiting list of Cork City Council for works to adapt their homes at an approximate cost of €4.3 million; if he is aware that all 106 houses are in urgent need of adaptation, with some waiting in excess of eight years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27923/15]
390. Deputy Shane Ross asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 678 of 26 May 2015, if he is considering a review of the fair deal scheme to create a distinction between the elderly infirm who are in need of nursing care, and the chronic sick who may be under 65 years of age on admission to a nursing home, as a result of insufficient supports in the community, and whose condition does not affect their life expectancy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27486/15]
372. Deputy Shane Ross asked the Minister for Health the number of children who have undergone the assessment of need under the Disability Act 2005 since its implementation; the number of these children who now receive one to one treatment as opposed to group sessions from the Health Service Executive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27401/15]
3. Deputy Shane Ross asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the action he plans to take in response to the recent warnings from the Irish Fiscal Advisory Council regarding public expenditure. [26505/15]
495. Deputy Shane Ross asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if the passport express service delivered by his Department is meeting the agreed service level agreements; if the Passport Office is provided with additional resources during seasonal variations to maintain the ten-day agreed turnaround time; if penalties are due to be paid to consumers when Passport Office service level agreements are breached; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26090/15]
245. Deputy Shane Ross asked the Minister for Finance his plans to raise the threshold for inheritance tax for those who return to the family home to care for elderly parents, thus reducing the need for additional or nursing home care; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25999/15]
227. Deputy Shane Ross asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the efforts being made to assist the Irish students currently in Canada, who continue to await their summer working visas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25558/15]
92. Deputy Shane Ross asked the Minister for Finance his plans to raise the threshold for inheritance tax for those who inherit from their parents when they are under 18 years of age. [25559/15]
865. Deputy Shane Ross asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide information regarding the section of the M50 between exit No. 13 and exit No. 14; the number of vehicles which passed through this section each month, over the past two years; the measurements of air and noise pollution that are available for this section; if available, if he will provide such measurements; when the surface of this section was last maintained; the type of surface that was installed; the policy of his Department and the National Roads Authority regarding regular resurfacing in the future; and when the next resurfacing of this section will be completed. [22994/15]
138. Deputy Shane Ross asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the current yearly costs of the programme of early childhood care and education, also known as the free preschool year; the projected costs for its expansion into a second year; if, in view of these plans, he will consider investing in primary schools with a view to delivering the preschool year in that setting; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22828/15]
907. Deputy Shane Ross asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the efforts that have been made by his Department to assist a person (details supplied) who is an Irish citizen and who is currently being denied exit from Palestine through either the Israeli or Egyptian borders; if he is aware of the person's medical condition; the plans there are to assist the person to return to Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22114/15]
173. Deputy Shane Ross asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if there is a national policy instructing council housing authorities to take redress compensation payments into account as income in assessing means for social housing applicants; if it is at the discretion of local council authorities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21161/15]
678. Deputy Shane Ross asked the Minister for Health his views that the fair deal scheme unfairly prejudices those who have sold their family home and have a small cash reserve, as opposed to those who still have property, as outlined in attached correspondence (details supplied); if consideration is being given to a review of the deductions from cash assets where no property exists; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20320/15]
409. Deputy Shane Ross asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if she will provide details on the refusal of a person's admission to An Garda Síochána Reserve (details supplied) ; if this refusal will be repeated, if further applications are made; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18487/15]
408. Deputy Shane Ross asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if she will consider raising the maximum recruitment age of 35 for entry into An Garda Síochána to bring the recruitment process in line with other European Union states, including Northern Ireland, Scotland and England; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18486/15]
133. Deputy Shane Ross asked the Minister for Finance his plans to increase the tax-free amount which may be withdrawn from annuity-tied and restricted pension funds; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17438/15]
179. Deputy Shane Ross asked the Minister for Education and Skills if her Department will review its post-primary transport policy in respect of a student (details supplied) in County Leitrim, to facilitate that student in remaining in her current secondary school; if the scheme takes account of the length and safety of a journey from the family home to the bus collection point; if the policy considers the safety of the student making that journey when assessing the appropriate school for the student to attend; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17074/15]
71. Deputy Shane Ross asked the Minister for Finance his plans to provide tax refunds for necessary health expenses to those paying tax on their private pensions (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17134/15]
120. Deputy Shane Ross asked the Minister for Finance the way he plans to exercise his proxy votes, or the way he exercised them if already cast, as a shareholder on behalf of the Irish people in both Bank of Ireland and Allied Irish Banks resolutions, to be decided at their annual general meetings; and if he will provide the way he has cast the votes in each resolution individually. [16622/15]
155. Deputy Shane Ross asked the Minister for Education and Skills her plans to address the antiquated categorisation of children in the ethnic or cultural background group within the primary online database form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16080/15]
126. Deputy Shane Ross asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs his plans to address the situation faced by foster parents of adult children whom they wish to adopt, but who are prohibited from doing so by the lack of legislation; his plans to introduce the necessary legislation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16078/15]
450. Deputy Shane Ross asked the Minister for Health the reason a person (details supplied) in Dublin 16, who was previously diagnosed and treated for breast cancer, has now been removed from the BreastCheck register, resulting in that person having to pay €200 per mammogram; if this is a policy decision to de-list all cancer survivors; if so, the reason for this decision; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15336/15]
323. Deputy Shane Ross asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform further to Parliamentary Question No. 225 of 27 of January 2015, his plans to change the pension scheme for current Ministers and other office holders in the Houses of the Oireachtas, in any shape or form, which would have the effect of alleviating the reductions imposed by current legislation on their pensions when leaving office; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15730/15]
706. Deputy Shane Ross asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the reason the National Transport Authority is unwilling to amend the regulations in respect of small public service vehicles to allow for the consideration of European Union category L vehicle types to operate in this sector in a manner other than as taxis or hackneys; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12846/15]
287. Deputy Shane Ross asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will consider reversal of SI 124 of 2014 on foot of the Public Service Management (Recruitment and Appointments) (Amendment) Act 2013 relating to sick leave arrangements being backdated; if he is aware of the detrimental effects this will have on those battling serious illnesses, including a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12847/15]
185. Deputy Shane Ross asked the Taoiseach the total number of chairpersons and non-executive directors of State or partially State-owned companies, of State bodies, of semi-State bodies and of State agencies under the aegis of his Department and on the State's payroll; the total cost to the State from the pay-out to these non-executive directors, including fees, travel and other expenditure; and his plans to reduce the number of these chairpersons or directors. [12626/15]
184. Deputy Shane Ross asked the Taoiseach the average age of chairpersons and non-executive directors of State or partially State-owned companies, of State bodies, of semi-State bodies and of State agencies under the aegis of his Department and on the State's payroll; the number of directors on the board of more than one such body; the number of women; and his plans to make savings in this area. [12537/15]
211. Deputy Shane Ross asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the total number of chairpersons and non-executive directors of State or partially owned State companies, of State bodies, of semi-State bodies and of State agencies under the aegis of her Department on the State's payroll; the total cost to the State from the payout to these non-executive directors, including fees, travel expenses and other expenditure; and her plans to reduce the number of these chairpersons or directors. [12601/15]
210. Deputy Shane Ross asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the average age of chairpersons and non-executive directors of State or partially owned State companies, of State bodies, of semi-State bodies and of State agencies under the aegis of her Department, on the State's payroll; the number of directors on the board of more than one such body; the number of women; and her plans to make savings from this area. [12551/15]
200. Deputy Shane Ross asked the Minister for Communications; Energy and Natural Resources the total number of chairpersons and non-executive directors of State or partially owned State companies, of State bodies, of Semi-State bodies and of State agencies under the aegis of his Department on the State's payroll; the total cost to the State from the pay-out to these non-executive directors including fees, travel and other expenditure; and his plans to reduce the number of these chairpersons or directors. [12603/15]
199. Deputy Shane Ross asked the Minister for Communications; Energy and Natural Resources the average age of chairpersons and non-executive directors of State or partially owned State companies, of State bodies, of semi-State bodies and of State agencies under the aegis of his Department on the State's payroll; the number of directors on the board of more than one such body; the number of women; and his plans to make savings from this area. [12553/15]
195. Deputy Shane Ross asked the Minister for the Environment; Community and Local Government the total number of chairpersons and non-executive directors of State or partially owned State companies, of State bodies, of semi-State bodies and of State agencies under the aegis of his Department on the State's payroll; the total cost to the State from the pay-out to these non-executive directors including fees, travel and other expenditure; his plans to reduce the number of these chairpersons or directors. [12606/15]
194. Deputy Shane Ross asked the Minister for the Environment; Community and Local Government the average age of chairpersons and non-executive directors of State or partially owned State companies, of State bodies, of semi-State bodies and of State agencies under the aegis of his Department, on the State's payroll; the number of directors on the board of more than one such body; the number of women; and his plans to make savings from this area. [12556/15]
181. Deputy Shane Ross asked the Minister for Education and Skills the total number of chairpersons and non-executive directors of State or partially owned State companies, of State bodies, of semi-State bodies and of State agencies under the aegis of her Department on the State's payroll; the total cost to the State from the payout to these non-executive directors including fees, travel and other expenditure; her plans to reduce the number of these chairpersons or directors. [12605/15]
180. Deputy Shane Ross asked the Minister for Education and Skills the average age of chairpersons and non-executive directors of State or partially owned State companies, of State bodies, of semi-State bodies and of State agencies under the aegis of her Department on the State's payroll; the number of directors on the board of more than one such body; the number of women; and her plans to make savings from this area. [12555/15]
147. Deputy Shane Ross asked the Minister for Health the total number of chairpersons and non-executive directors of State or partially owned State companies, State bodies, semi-State bodies and State agencies under the aegis of his Department on the State's payroll; the total cost to the State from the pay-out to these non-executive directors including fees, travel and other expenditure; his plans to reduce the number of these chairpersons or directors [12608/15]
146. Deputy Shane Ross asked the Minister for Health the average age of chairpersons and non-executive directors of State or partially owned State companies, State bodies, semi-State bodies and State agencies under the aegis of his Department on the State's payroll; the number of directors on the board of more than one such body; the number of women; and his plans to make savings from this area. [12558/15]
124. Deputy Shane Ross asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the total number of chairpersons and non-executive directors of State or partially owned State companies, of State bodies, of Semi-State bodies and of State agencies under the aegis of his Department on the State's payroll; the total cost to the State from the payout to these non-executive directors including fees, travel and other expenditure; his plans to reduce the number of these chairpersons or directors. [12602/15]
123. Deputy Shane Ross asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the average age of chairpersons and non-executive directors of State or partially owned State companies, of State bodies, of semi-State bodies and of State agencies under the aegis of his Department on the State's payroll; the number of directors on the board of more than one such body; the number of women; and his plans to make savings from this area. [12552/15]
115. Deputy Shane Ross asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the total number of chairpersons and non-executive directors of State or partially owned State companies, of State bodies, of semi-State bodies and of State agencies under the aegis of her Department on the State's payroll; the total cost to the State from the pay-out to these non-executive directors including fees, travel and other expenditure; her plans to reduce the number of these chairpersons or directors. [12610/15]
100. Deputy Shane Ross asked the Minister for Defence the total number of chairpersons and non-executive directors of State or partially owned State companies, of State bodies, of semi-State bodies and of State agencies under the aegis of his Department on the State's payroll; the total cost to the State from the payout to these non-executive directors including fees, travel and other expenditure; and his plans to reduce the number of these chairpersons or directors. [12604/15]
99. Deputy Shane Ross asked the Minister for Defence the average age of chairpersons and non-executive directors of State or partially owned State companies, of State bodies, of semi-State bodies and of State agencies under the aegis of his Department on the State's payroll; the number of directors on the board of more than one such body; the number of women; and his plans to make savings from this area. [12554/15]