Parliamentary questions

Social Welfare Code

Róisín Shortall

408. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will use the opportunity of the Social Welfare and Pensions Bill later this year to provide for the reimbursement to her Department by insurance companies of social welfare payments deducted from awards of special damages in respect of loss or earnings; the reason no action has been taken on this issue in view of the fact that her Department has been aware of the anomaly for several years and knowing the considerable spending pressures in her Department; if she has finally costed the potential yield arising from such a change; the results of same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5204/13]

Employment Support Services

Róisín Shortall

502. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Social Protection the qualifying criteria in respect of the new momentum initiative; the progress to date in the determination of eligibility in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 9. [5922/13]

Health Services Expenditure

Róisín Shortall

871. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health in the context of recent cutbacks announced in Budget 2013, if he will provide details of the impact of these in relation to all aspects of staffing and funding to St. Michael's House, Dublin, with particular reference to access to swimming pool facilities at weekends; if he will reverse this cut, in view of the immeasurable benefit that this service has provided to date [5923/13]

HSE Properties

Róisín Shortall

193. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the organisation to which the Health Service Executive has leased and or rented a property (details supplied) in Dublin 11; if the premises is currently occupied; the plans the HSE has for the long-term use of the premises, including its disposal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4780/13]

HSE Expenditure

Róisín Shortall

198. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an analysis of opening balances in the books and records of the Health Service Executive at 1 January 2013, under headings (details supplied). [4794/13]

HSE Expenditure

Róisín Shortall

199. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the actions the Health Service Executive has taken to prevent the build up of tax arrears by way of delayed payments in organisations and bodies funded by it; if the HSE has written to any organisations or bodies funded by it in relation to the build up of tax arrears; the HSE's estimate of tax arrears due from such organisations or bodies, that is, the amounts other than taxes deducted but not yet due to be remitted; and if there has been any correspondence between the Revenue Commissioners and the HSE in relation to the general problem of tax arrears or in relation to specific bodies or organisations funded by it. [4795/13]

Tax Reliefs Cost

Róisín Shortall

250. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Finance further to Parliamentary Question No. 99 of 20 December, 2012 and in respect of the part of the question dealing with tax breaks on rental income from foreign property, if he will provide a breakdown by country of the location of the foreign properties with details of the amount of tax foregone by country; the rationale for continuing the regime whereby approximately €70 million of tax revenue each year is lost through allowing landlords to offset interest on borrowings against the rental income derived from properties outside the State; the benefits to the State of continuing this tax break; if any cost-benefit analysis has been undertaken of this tax break and if unpublished will he now publish same; and if he will consider using the Finance Bill to eliminate this tax break. [4133/13]

School Transport Eligibility

Róisín Shortall

341. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Education and Skills further to Parliamentary Question No. 326 of 16 January 2013, the assistance available with regard to transport costs in view of the fact that this family do not have the financial means to pay such costs; and if he will ensure that every effort is made to support this vulnerable family to ensure that they continue in full time education. [4378/13]

Social Insurance Payments

Róisín Shortall

430. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Social Protection if it is her intention from 2014 to impose PRSI on State savings bond and certificates, on State prize bonds and on other such accounts where interest currently accrues on a tax-free basis; and if she will outline her full plans regarding same. [4132/13]

Supplementary Welfare Allowance Payments

Róisín Shortall

440. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Social Protection further to Parliamentary Question No. 125 of 19 December 2012, the value, number and proportion of social welfare allowance payments form the last period for which figures are available that were recouped form primary social welfare schemes when applicants are awarded a primary social welfare payment; the value, number and proportion that were not recouped; if a thorough profiling of SWA claimants or any other economic analysis has been conducted by her Department to determine the ultimate cost to the State of supplementary welfare claims arising from processing delays; if not, her plans to do so; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4198/13]

Housing Adaptation Grant Applications

Róisín Shortall

528. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government when further funding will be allocated to local authorities for housing adaptation grant schemes for older persons and persons with a disability; the date on which this allocation will be made in view of the fact that most local authorities are either on hold or are moving very slowly through applications due to of a lack of funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4143/13]

Housing Adaptation Grant Applications

Róisín Shortall

529. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if further funding will be provided to Dublin City Council in order to fund housing adaptation grants that have been approved but unable to be completed due to lack of funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4144/13]

Joint Policing Committees Remit

Róisín Shortall

569. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will give consideration to giving a consultative role to Joint Policing Committees in respect of the operation of local licensed premises in respect of compliance with the law in order that the local Gardaí can be well informed prior to the annual renewal of licences; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4002/13]

Sentencing Policy

Róisín Shortall

580. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Justice and Equality his views on whether there needs to be further statutory sentencing guidelines for the judiciary in relation to serious sexual assaults; his plans to require the judiciary to develop consistent sentencing policy in relation to sexual assaults or the development of an independent sentencing committee; and his plans to amend the policy of sentencing for certain offences to address clear inadequacies and inconsistencies in the system. [4374/13]

Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission Issues

Róisín Shortall

581. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the action that is being taken by an Garda Síochána to curb illegal distance sales of alcohol and the outcome in terms of Garda activity statistics, prosecutions, convictions secured and so on. [4375/13]

Health Services Staff

Róisín Shortall

674. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health if he will outline the current legislation in respect of the maximum length of a shift and meal break provisions for junior hospital doctors; if his attention has been drawn to the wide spread concern among such staff about their working conditions; and if he will outline the steps he will take to ensure all hospitals are in compliance with current legislation in this regard. [3938/13]

Medicinal Products Supply

Róisín Shortall

679. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the increasing use of anabolic steroids and the health dangers associated with this; if he will clarify the medical guidelines and the legal provisions regarding the regulation of the supply of these substances; and his views on the steps he is taking to address this matter. [4000/13]

Hospital Services

Róisín Shortall

680. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health if he will seek an immediate explanation from Temple Street Children's Hospital, Dublin, as to the reason the referral list for circumcisions that are required for medical reasons has been closed; if the hospital is authorised to cease accepting such referrals; the strategy in place to deal with young children who require such procedures as in the case of a child (details supplied) in Dublin 11; and as a matter of urgency, in view of the fact that the child is in pain, if he will investigate if there is another health facility in the State at which this procedure can be carried out. [4001/13]

Health Services Staff

Róisín Shortall

694. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the current law in respect of the maximum length of a shift and meal break provisions for non consultant hospital doctors; if his attention has been drawn to the wide spread concern among such staff regarding the working conditions; and the steps he will take to ensure that all hospitals are in compliance with the law. [4199/13]

Medicinal Products Supply

Róisín Shortall

699. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 700 of 27 November 2012 and in view of the ongoing problem of over-use of Benzodiazepines, if all public consultation has now been completed; if he has communicated the intended alterations to regulations under the Misuse of Drugs Act that are relevant to the EU; and his target date for the commencement of the new regulations. [4238/13]

Medical Card Eligibility

Róisín Shortall

700. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 1105 of 16 January 2013, if he will set out if it is intended to withdraw; and if so, when and through what means, medical card eligibility from those over-seventies who currently hold a medical card with a validity period of some years hence but who will exceed the income criteria when new legislation is introduced this year [4240/13]

Medicinal Products Supply

Róisín Shortall

722. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 701 of 27 November 2012, if he will provide an update on the prescribing trend in respect of Benzodiazepines and the outcome of the Primary Care Reimbursement Service project to monitor the prescribing patterns of Benzodiazepines; and if the prescribing patterns of psychiatric services and other institutions are now included in this project. [4376/13]

Work Permit Applications

Róisín Shortall

93. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the position regarding a work permit in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 9; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3521/13]

Health Services Issues

Róisín Shortall

215. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the position regarding entitlement to payment for work carried out as a home tutor for a young adult under the care of the Health Service Executive in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 9. [3693/13]

Tax Code

Róisín Shortall

78. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Finance if he will provide a full breakdown of the tax liability in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 9; the reason a recent small sum was deducted at source in this particular case and on what basis. [3357/13]

Tax Code

Róisín Shortall

79. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Finance if he will provide a full breakdown of the tax liability in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 9; the reason a recent small sum was deducted at source in this particular case and on what basis. [3358/13]

Tax Reliefs Application

Róisín Shortall

81. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Finance the number of companies who availed of the special assignee relief programme tax relief in 2012; the number of persons who benefitted from the relief and the income profile of these persons; the total cost to the State of the scheme in 2012; and the total number of jobs that are directly attributable to the existence of the scheme. [3457/13]

Pyrite Issues

Róisín Shortall

175. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide an update on proposals to address the problem of pyrite in private homes; if he has reached agreement with stakeholders on a remediation scheme; if not, when he intends to impose a statutory levy on the construction/quarrying and insurance sectors; and if he will provide a detailed timescale for action regarding same. [3252/13]

Invalidity Pension Eligibility

Róisín Shortall

337. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason an entitlement to an invalidity pension is being questioned in the case of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 9 in view of the fact that this person received correspondence from her Department citing they were seeking a review of this entitlement before the claimant received their first payment; the rationale for this review; and if such a protocol is laid out in the operational guidelines for this payment. [2499/13]

Jobseeker's Benefit Appeals

Róisín Shortall

372. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding an appeal for jobseeker's benefit in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 9; and if she could expedite a decision on same. [2874/13]

Departmental Funding

Róisín Shortall

386. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will examine the feasibility of extending the service Vantastic, which is currently part funded by her Department under the Community Service Programme managed by Pobal and in view of its success and popularity, if she will undertake to examine the possibility of expanding the service to include the Dublin North West Area. [2967/13]

Foster Care Provision

Róisín Shortall

572. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number of foster parents who have been deemed unsuitable and therefore struck off in each of the past five years; if she will provide details of the procedures in place for recording and investigating complaints about foster parents and their subsequent striking off; the way such parents are notified of this; and the procedure for notifying and recording this information in other areas around the country by the Health Service Executive. [2660/13]

Child Care Services Provision

Róisín Shortall

573. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if her attention has been drawn to the decision of the Health Service Executive to cease funding of the Childminding Advisory Service country wide; the action she will take to ensure that this valuable service is maintained in view of the fact that 80% of children are minded by childminders rather than creches and this advisory service has ensured upskilling and raising of standards among childminders; the way she will ensure the continuation of this element of child protection services; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2661/13]

Hospital Waiting Lists

Róisín Shortall

657. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health if he intends to publish outpatient waiting times for each publicly contracted hospital consultant in order that patients and their general practitioners may exercise choice based on the length of waiting time in each case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2985/13]

Public Health Policy

Róisín Shortall

658. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update in the finalisation of a public health policy arising from the launch of the consultative process which commenced in June 2011; and when these proposals are likely to be presented to Dáil Éireann. [2986/13]

Tax Collection Forecasts

Róisín Shortall

72. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Finance if he will provide an analysis of the basis of calculation for the income tax profile figure of €15,860 million for 2013, an increase of €684 million on the 2012 total; if he will set out the tax value of each of the factors that will increase or decrease the yield over the 2012 figure of €15,176, for example, €90 million in additional yield arising out of budget changes, a decrease in employment levels of some 7,400 in public sector numbers, 5,800 in employment in Exchequer voted services and 1,600 in local authorities with a net decline of approximately €500 million in gross wages and salaries, an expected increase of just 0.2% in net employment numbers, no additional bonus in income tax arising from the error in 2011 with the mis-allocation of PRSI and USC, the expected level of increase in wages and salaries within the economy, the influence of once off factors such as the distribution of shares to Facebook staff after the company's IPO. [2184/13]

Community Care Provision

Róisín Shortall

134. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the rationale regarding his decision to introduce changes to the criteria and operation of the seniors alert scheme; the consultation, if any, that was conducted with groups administering the scheme before the decision was made to unilaterally impose these changes; the rationale behind the decision to introduce a blanket restriction on households with two persons in view of the fact that a significant number of persons referred to this service by a Health Service Executive primary care team or a social worker, are couples where one is a carer or both have a pre-existing health condition or are at risk of a fall; if any discretion will be allowed in such circumstances in view of the fact the cost of the scheme is so small and the equipment can make a significant impact on persons' lives. [2110/13]

Foster Care Provision

Róisín Shortall

192. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs further to Parliamentary Question No. 118 of 6 December 2012, the rates for foster payments that will apply in 2013. [2185/13]

HSE Funding

Róisín Shortall

216. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an analysis of the opening deficit referred to in table 1 page 3 of the Health Service Executive National Service Plan 2013 by method of funding, that is overdraft, medium term bank debt, trade creditor and outstanding taxes; in relation to outstanding balance due to the Revenue Commissioners, if he will provide a time-based breakdown of the amounts outstanding to the Revenue Commissioners (details supplied). [2186/13]

Special Educational Needs Services Provision

Róisín Shortall

314. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding an application for a reader on behalf of a student (details supplied) in Dublin 11 who is due to sit the leaving certificate in June 2013. [1434/13]

School Transport Provision

Róisín Shortall

326. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Education and Skills if additional funding or a subsidy is available within the school transport scheme for a family (details supplied) who do not have the financial means to pay school transport costs; and if he will advise on the assistance available in this regard. [1620/13]

Tax Code

Róisín Shortall

407. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Social Protection further to newspaper reports (details supplied) the exemptions he intends to apply to the decision to impose PRSI on unearned income; and the estimated cost of these exemptions. [1872/13]

Carer's Allowance Applications

Róisín Shortall

482. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding an application for carer's allowance in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 9 and if she can expedite a decision on same. [1225/13]

Family Income Supplement Eligibility

Róisín Shortall

544. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Social Protection the way in which superannuation is defined when determining the net wage of a person applying for family income supplement and the way in which additional voluntary contributions to pension funds are treated as part of the assessment process, that is, are AVCs reckonable as a deductible expense in determining the net wage of the applicant; if the entitlement to various tax reliefs, is routinely crosschecked as part of the family income supplement application process as a means of limiting the total expenditure on this scheme; if not, the reason for same; and if the new local property tax will be a deductible expense for the purposes of determining the net wage of a family income supplement applicant. [1870/13]

Immigration Status

Róisín Shortall

780. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will examine a case (details supplied) in which a recent request was made for a replacement Garda National Immigration Bureau card following a robbery; if his Department will examine the possibility of a refund in this case in view of the fact that the stolen GNIB card was recovered days after a replacement card was purchased at much expense. [1254/13]

Medical Card Applications

Róisín Shortall

1105. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the timescale envisaged for the publication of legislation to provide for the changes to eligibility criteria for medical card applicants who are over-seventy; the way it is proposed to discontinue medical card entitlement in respect of people who currently hold a medical card but who will exceed the guidelines when the legislation is commenced, and in particular those whose medical card was granted up to a specific period and is not due for renewal for a number of years [1814/13]

HSE Expenditure

Róisín Shortall

1106. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the projected accumulated savings for each month of 2013 for each of the savings measures identified under the total 2013 saving of €323 million for the primary care reimbursement service in the 2012 Health Service Executive service plan [1815/13]

Medical Card Eligibility

Róisín Shortall

1113. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health if the new local property tax will be a deductible expense for the purposes of determining the net wage of a medical card applicant. [1871/13]

Mortgage Interest Relief Expenditure

Róisín Shortall

99. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Finance his estimate of the amount of tax forgone through the application of mortgage interest relief to landlords; if he will provide a breakdown of this amount between commercial and residential landlords and the number of people claiming relief in both cases; the number and value of cases where relief is being claimed for a property outside the Republic of Ireland; the number and value of new claims in the past three years for which figures are available with a breakdown by residential and commercial landlords; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57696/12]

Child Care Services Provision

Róisín Shortall

273. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she will provide clarity on the situation regarding the level of funding from the Health Service Executive that is provided in respect of a group (details supplied); if this funding is being withdrawn is it a national or local decision; if her attention has been drawn to only local support to non-regulated childminders is provided through the Health Service Executive funded Childminders' Advisory Worker Post; if she will clarify the bodies that will support this sector if HSE funding is discontinued. [57505/12]