Parliamentary questions

Youth Services Provision

Róisín Shortall

274. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs further to Parliamentary Question No. 961 of 6 November 2012, if she will detail the funding allocation for 2013 in respect of this front line youth service; the steps she is taking to safeguard the valuable work of this service; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [57681/12]

Child and Family Support Agency Remit

Róisín Shortall

275. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if her attention has been drawn to the concerns of psychologists regarding her proposals to move all child psychology services to the child and family support agency; if her attention has been drawn to the fact that most referrals to child psychology services come through primary care staff; if an impact analysis has been carried out to assess the consequences for children who require multi-disciplinary support such as is currently provided through the multi-disciplinary primary care team model [57698/12]

Primary Care Services Provision

Róisín Shortall

331. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health his plans for the continuation of child psychology as a critical element of primary care services; if he will provide an assurance that the model of full multi-disciplinary teams including psychology will continue to be the model employed for primary care. [57697/12]

Supplementary Welfare Allowance Application Numbers

Róisín Shortall

125. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of people awarded supplementary welfare allowance in the last period for which figures are available on the basis of a delay in the processing of a social welfare claim; the value of such payments; her estimate of the saving on supplementary welfare allowance if all social welfare schemes and the appeals office had an average processing time of three weeks or less; and the way she intends to achieve this saving. [57182/12]

Alcohol Pricing

Róisín Shortall

174. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the reason for a delay in commissioning the health impact assessment for minimum pricing; the current status of the tender process; and the proposed timescale for the completion of this assessment. [57154/12]

Domiciliary Care Allowance Payments

Róisín Shortall

316. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Social Protection the rate of domiciliary care allowance that will apply in 2013. [56282/12]

Social Insurance Payments

Róisín Shortall

326. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Social Protection if it is the case that Class B, C and D PRSI contributions have retained their PRSI allowance despite budgetary changes to other classes; if so the basis for this; and the revenue that would accrue if the allowance were abolished for all employees. [56377/12]

Child Care Services Provision

Róisín Shortall

573. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the position regarding the community childcare subvention programme in respect of an organisation (details supplied) in Dublin 11; if she will consider an application to facilitate the early payment of the subvention from 1st February 2013, which would enable the opening of a much needed new baby and toddler unit. [56901/12]

Mobility Allowance Applications

Róisín Shortall

598. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the monthly rates for mobility allowance that will apply in 2013 [56281/12]

Departmental Funding

Róisín Shortall

599. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health if he will outline in detail the way it is intended to make a saving of €32 million in 2013 from other changes to primary care schemes as detailed in item C of his Department's section of the summary of measures in the Budget Expenditure Report 2013 with a breakdown of the intended saving for each measure under this heading [56283/12]

Social Insurance Yield

Róisín Shortall

104. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Social Protection the estimated yield for every 0.1 of a percent added to the rate of employee PRSI; and the rate increase required to provide for a yield of €265 million in 2013 and €289 million in a full year. [56167/12]

Student Grant Scheme Payments

Róisín Shortall

183. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Education and Skills when a person (details supplied) in Dublin 11 may expect a decision on an application for a student grant. [55369/12]

Back to Education Allowance Eligibility

Róisín Shortall

265. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Social Protection the specific criteria with regard to the progression rule in respect of assessing an application for back to education allowance; her views on the case of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 9; if there should be some leniency in respect of this application in view of the fact that this person does not hold a certificate or qualification in a previous field of study and who is currently unable to find employment in that field. [55583/12]

Legal Aid Application Numbers

Róisín Shortall

330. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if legal aid will be provided to a person (details supplied) in Dublin 9 and if he will expedite that matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55350/12]

Foster Care Provision

Róisín Shortall

118. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the rates that will apply for foster payments in 2013 [55013/12]

Medical Card Eligibility

Róisín Shortall

163. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the income guidelines that will apply to medical card applicants in 2013 [55012/12]

Medical Card Reviews

Róisín Shortall

107. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health his plans regarding providing legislation to allow for comprehensive data sharing among State agencies to underpin the medical card self-assessment system in respect of the renewal of medical cards; the timescale he is working to for the passing and commencement of this legislation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54633/12]

Health Services Provision

Róisín Shortall

112. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the reason a person (details supplied) in Dublin 9 received a bill for legal fees; and if he will clarify the legitimacy of this charge. [54674/12]

General Medical Services Scheme Administration

Róisín Shortall

124. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the reason sodium chloride for infusion is not reimbursable under the GMS scheme in respect of patients in nursing homes who are not eating a normal diet. [54727/12]

Hospital Services

Róisín Shortall

135. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the number of bed days lost through delayed discharges in each hospital to date in 2012 [54814/12]

Inter-Country Adoptions

Róisín Shortall

551. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs further to Parliamentary Question No. 560 of 16 October 2012, if she will outline the anticipated timeframe for the adoption process to reopen; and the criteria applied to applications. [54132/12]

Health Insurance Prices

Róisín Shortall

617. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health if he will outline the treatment of the Government health insurance levy when persons in financial difficulties either cancel or downgrade their policies; if there is a mechanism available to reclaim this levy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54004/12]

Pyrite Panel Report Recommendations

Róisín Shortall

186. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the action he will take to assist businesses where it has been discovered that there is pyrite in their business premises; and in view of the threat which this causes to the viability of the business and the potential for significant job losses in some cases if he will outline the support that he will provide for business people in these circumstances. [53656/12]

Speech and Language Therapy

Róisín Shortall

261. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health if he will provide details of the numbers on waiting lists in respect of assessment and treatment for speech and language therapy, physiotherapy, and occupational therapy with a breakdown by therapy and by duration on the waiting list and by area and by age category [53635/12]

Company Closures

Róisín Shortall

259. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Finance in relation to the future of a company (details supplied) in Dublin 12, if all credit balances will be reimbursed to customers of this company. [52955/12]

Student Grant Scheme Applications

Róisín Shortall

318. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will expedite a higher education grant in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 11, in view of the fact that this person was wrongly advised on a number of occasions to apply through the Student Universal Support Ireland system; the reason SUSI will not now communicate with the CDVEC to assist with the processing of this application at the earliest possible date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52938/12]

Education Welfare Service Provision

Róisín Shortall

604. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if he will report on the status of the document one child, one team, one plan; if he will arrange to make this document available on his Department's website and if he will outline his plans for each of the services covered by this document. [52597/12]

Orthodontic Services Waiting Lists

Róisín Shortall

642. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in Dublin 11 will receive orthodontic treatment from the Health Service Executive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52381/12]

Misuse of Drugs

Róisín Shortall

700. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 217 of 15 November 2012, 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 EU-relevant to the EU and if so, the date of same. [52928/12]

Prescriptions Data

Róisín Shortall

701. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health 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 can now be included in this project. [52929/12]

Tax Rebates

Róisín Shortall

62. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Finance the position regarding correspondence sent by a person (details supplied) in Dublin 11 to the Revenue Commissioners regarding an application for a refund of DIRT. [51757/12]

Carer's Allowance Applications

Róisín Shortall

132. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Social Protection when an application for carer's allowance will be assessed in respect of a person (details supplied) and if she will expedite a decision on same. [51761/12]

Carer's Allowance Applications

Róisín Shortall

133. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Social Protection when an application for carer's allowance in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 11 will be assessed; and if she will expedite a decision on same [51779/12]

Local Drugs Task Forces Review Report

Róisín Shortall

565. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health when the report on the review of Drugs Task Forces will be published and implemented. [51685/12]

Mental Health Services Provision

Róisín Shortall

577. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health if he will examine the situation of a family who are concerned that their child (details supplied) has refused to receive any further medical treatment and is rapidly declining in health [50956/12]

Narcolepsy Issues

Róisín Shortall

600. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the supports available to children who have contracted narcolepsy as a result of the Pandemrix vaccine for swine flu; the measures that will be undertaken in this regard; when the Memorandum for Government setting out the full response to this issue will be brought before Dáil Eireann; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51196/12]

Health Services Provision

Róisín Shortall

602. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health if he will ensure that funding is maintained to a service (details supplied) and that no further cuts are made to this vital service which offers care and necessary supports for persons with special needs. [51206/12]

Medical Card Drugs

Róisín Shortall

603. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the reason medical card holders can no longer receive the prescription Osteole 1500mg on their medical card; the reasons this item was removed from the list; and if an alternative is available to patients in need of this medication. [51207/12]

Taxi Hardship Panel

Róisín Shortall

662. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will consider measures to assist taxi drivers in view of the impact that the increase in fuel prices is having on their livelihoods; if he will alleviate concerns regarding recent reports that a reduction in fares is to be introduced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51197/12]

Tax Yield

Róisín Shortall

71. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Finance further to Parliamentary Question No. 270 of 6 November 2012, if he will provide details of his estimate of the extra tax revenue that would be raised by placing a 5% levy on all income in excess of €100,000; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50578/12]

Departmental Strategies

Róisín Shortall

216. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the progress made to date in developing a sexual health strategy; the target date for the finalisation and publication of this strategy; and if it will be completed by the end of this year as promised. [50580/12]

Drugs Crime

Róisín Shortall

217. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the progress made to date on changes to regulations under the Misuse of Drugs Act to address the street-trading of Benzodiazepines and other related issues. [50581/12]

Medical Aids and Appliances Applications

Róisín Shortall

225. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the reason for the refusal to supply essential mobility aids in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 9. [50633/12]

Psychological Assessments Waiting Times

Róisín Shortall

114. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Education and Skills when a child (details supplied) in Dublin 11 will receive a psychological assessment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50205/12]

Social Insurance

Róisín Shortall

178. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Social Protection the extent to which benefit in kind to an employee in the form of pension contributions by their employer is subject to employers and employee PRSI; and her estimate of the financial impact on the social insurance fund in the event of 10% of employee pension contributions switching to employer contributions. [50531/12]

Tourism Promotion

Róisín Shortall

690. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the role of the alcohol industry in any aspect of the Gathering Ireland 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50064/12]

Tax Yield

Róisín Shortall

270. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Finance if he will provide details of extra tax revenue that would be raised by placing a 5% levy on all income for people who earn in excess of €100,000 per annum, estimated by reference to 2012 incomes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48645/12]

Special Educational Needs Services Provision

Róisín Shortall

333. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will outline his Department's response in relation to a proposal put forward by a school (details supplied) in relation to the provision of a unit for post primary aged students who are disabled or visually impaired; and if he will outline the engagement that has taken place to date with the Multiple Disabilities and Visual Impairment Steering Committee in respect of this project. [47987/12]

Work Permit Applications

Róisín Shortall

418. 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. [47381/12]

Child Maintenance Payments

Róisín Shortall

555. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will agree to attachment of earnings applications so that lone parents can ensure receipt of child maintenance payments from the other parents where this other parent's main source of income comes from her Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47995/12]