Parliamentary questions

National Internship Scheme Administration

Martin Heydon

85. Deputy Martin Heydon asked the Minister for Social Protection her views on the advertising of jobs under the JobBridge scheme whose minimum criteria include the attainment of a PhD; if this is in keeping with the spirit of the scheme; her plans to review such activities; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4485/14]

Energy Policy Review

Martin Heydon

478. Deputy Martin Heydon asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the reviews of Irish energy policy that have taken place following the publication of the White Paper on an energy policy framework for 2007-2020; when a further review is expected; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4265/14]

Climate Change Policy

Martin Heydon

479. Deputy Martin Heydon asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources following publication of the EU Framework on Climate and Energy for 2030 presented by the European Commission, the impact this will have on Irish climate and energy policy; if this will lead to a review of our present policy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4266/14]

Long-Term Illness Scheme Eligibility

Martin Heydon

210. Deputy Martin Heydon asked the Minister for Health his plans to add transplant patients to the list of those entitled to the long-term illness scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3184/14]

Driver Licences

Martin Heydon

99. Deputy Martin Heydon asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the position regarding the provision of an exchange agreement for Irish driving licences with Alberta, Canada, the delays in which are causing difficulties for Irish people who have moved there; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1807/14]

Tax Code

Martin Heydon

124. Deputy Martin Heydon asked the Minister for Finance the reason jobseeker's benefit payments are taxable while jobseeker's allowance payments are not; if this places an unfair disadvantage on those who are only recently unemployed, when they do eventually find work; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1081/14]

Medical Card Data

Martin Heydon

910. Deputy Martin Heydon asked the Minister for Health the progress that has been made on the provision of free general practitioner care for children under five recently announced; the date on which it will come into effect; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1763/14]

Rail Services

Martin Heydon

965. Deputy Martin Heydon asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will address the concerns of commuters from County Kildare, where train fares have increased again; the reason for same; if he will explain how commuters can help to alleviate the additional costs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1762/14]

Public Transport

Martin Heydon

26. Deputy Martin Heydon asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he is concerned about over crowding and the safety of passengers on Irish Rail train services; if he will ensure a regular number of carriages are available capable of facilitating the number of passengers wishing to use the service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54390/13]

Sports Capital Programme Applications

Martin Heydon

48. Deputy Martin Heydon asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when the next round of the sports capital programme will be opened up for applications. [54389/13]

Credit Unions

Martin Heydon

110. Deputy Martin Heydon asked the Minister for Finance his views on a proposal relating to the Newbridge Credit Union building (details supplied); if he will give it his support; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55088/13]

Invalidity Pension Appeals

Martin Heydon

184. Deputy Martin Heydon asked the Minister for Social Protection if an appeal of invalidity pension will be expedited in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [55103/13]

Tobacco Smuggling

Martin Heydon

55. Deputy Martin Heydon asked the Minister for Finance his plans to introduce codentity in view of the increase in cigarette smuggling here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54720/13]

Credit Unions

Martin Heydon

80. Deputy Martin Heydon asked the Minister for Finance if any credit unions have expressed an interest in extending their common bond area into the Newbridge area in view of the transfer of Newbridge Credit Union to PTSB in November; if there has been any engagement between the Central Bank and individual credit unions in relation to same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54721/13]

School Textbooks Rental Scheme

Martin Heydon

107. Deputy Martin Heydon asked the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding a school's eligibility for new funding announced in the budget towards the running of a book rental scheme; the way it will be administered; the options that exist to extend a current book scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54722/13]

Departmental Funding

Martin Heydon

277. Deputy Martin Heydon asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the position regarding an application for funding for a footpath (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54606/13]

Schools Building Projects Status

Martin Heydon

197. Deputy Martin Heydon asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will provide an update on the progress on completion of a site acquisition for a new school (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53873/13]

Leader Programmes Funding

Martin Heydon

411. Deputy Martin Heydon asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the position regarding additional Leader funding in respect of a youth organisation (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54214/13]

School Transport Provision

Martin Heydon

60. Deputy Martin Heydon asked the Minister for Education and Skills further to Parliamentary Question No. 76 of 9 October 2013, if he will address the additional queries on the issue of school transport in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53342/13]

Tax Code

Martin Heydon

148. Deputy Martin Heydon asked the Minister for Finance the reason a person (details supplied) in County Kildare has to pay additional tax after gaining employment after a period on jobseeker's benefit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52975/13]

Tax Code

Martin Heydon

276. Deputy Martin Heydon asked the Minister for Social Protection if there is a policy to claw back jobseeker's benefit through the tax system from persons who gain employment; the reason this is so; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52969/13]

Public Sector Pensions

Martin Heydon

128. Deputy Martin Heydon asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the terms of the public service pension reduction; the timeframe it remains in place; if it is paid by both public servants and civil servants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51407/13]

Domiciliary Care Allowance Appeals

Martin Heydon

173. Deputy Martin Heydon asked the Minister for Social Protection if an appeal for domiciliary care allowance will be expedited in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [51561/13]

Dormant Accounts Fund Grants

Martin Heydon

245. Deputy Martin Heydon asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his plans to introduce a new disbursement scheme from the Dormant Accounts Fund for the benefit of community groups around the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51505/13]

Garda Remuneration

Martin Heydon

310. Deputy Martin Heydon asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if Garda allowances due to be paid in December will be paid before Christmas to avoid a seven week gap between allowance payments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51873/13]

Anti-Social Behaviour

Martin Heydon

105. Deputy Martin Heydon asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the options available to those who are living near vacant buildings which are not classed as derelict but are empty and causing a rise in anti-social behaviour in these areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51266/13]

Water Services Provision

Martin Heydon

106. Deputy Martin Heydon asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the investment his Department is making to water services around the country; the way future water charges will be spent to improve our current water system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51286/13]

Hospital Waiting Lists

Martin Heydon

177. Deputy Martin Heydon asked the Minister for Health the reason there is such a long waiting time for children to have an endoscopy procedure carried out; the reason children are waiting a lot longer than the 13 week target set by the Health Service Executive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51268/13]

Health Insurance Prices

Martin Heydon

178. Deputy Martin Heydon asked the Minister for Health if he will address the concerns that many persons have regarding recent changes to the private health insurance market (details supplied) which will cause increases in the private health insurance premia; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51284/13]

Tax Collection

Martin Heydon

178. Deputy Martin Heydon asked the Minister for Finance if the pension income of a person now deceased (details supplied) in County Meath was correctly treated from a tax point of view; the reason they incurred a tax liability in view of the fact that the level of their private pension was below the €18,500 limit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50531/13]

Single Payment Scheme Eligibility

Martin Heydon

180. Deputy Martin Heydon asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason a person (details supplied) in County Kildare will not qualify for a single farm payment under the new Common Agricultural Policy scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49840/13]

Property Taxation Exemptions

Martin Heydon

221. Deputy Martin Heydon asked the Minister for Finance if his attention has been drawn to the fact that persons who close the sale of a property between 1 November and 31 December 2013, are liable for the local property tax for 2014 for a house they will not own in 2014, and will not be in a position to reclaim the tax from purchasers who are all now exempt until 2016; his plans to address this unfair situation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49518/13]

Student Grant Scheme Applications

Martin Heydon

235. Deputy Martin Heydon asked the Minister for Education and Skills if a Student Universal Support Ireland application submitted in June will be expedited in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48962/13]

Cash for Gold Trade

Martin Heydon

540. Deputy Martin Heydon asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he has considered introducing legislation to regulate the cash for gold outlets in view of the increase in burglaries and the amount of gold being stolen and sold on; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49558/13]

Flood Prevention Measures

Martin Heydon

78. Deputy Martin Heydon asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if the Office of Public Works will consider funding for flood alleviation measures in an area (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48575/13]

Property Taxation Collection

Martin Heydon

252. Deputy Martin Heydon asked the Minister for Finance the reason certain payment methods, debit/credit card and cheque, for the 2014 local property tax require payment to be taken in 2013; the options that are available to property owners liable for the 2014 local property tax who wish their payment to be taken in 2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47136/13]

Tax Code

Martin Heydon

253. Deputy Martin Heydon asked the Minister for Finance his plans to change the incapacitated child tax credit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47186/13]

Schools Building Projects Status

Martin Heydon

349. Deputy Martin Heydon asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will consider the position of a school (details supplied) in County Kildare, which is on the five-year building programme, for the 2014 building list. [47125/13]

Medical Card Eligibility

Martin Heydon

1018. Deputy Martin Heydon asked the Minister for Health the reason the new income limits for medical cards of €900 for a married couple over 70 is not double the single person over 70 limit of €500, as it used to be; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47183/13]

Electricity Generation

Martin Heydon

31. Deputy Martin Heydon asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will ensure that there is a real and meaningful engagement process between EirGrid and residents in the areas affected by the Grid Link project who have very serious concerns about the impact that this major project will have on their communities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45031/13]

Wind Energy Generation

Martin Heydon

34. Deputy Martin Heydon asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he is satisfied that the concerns expressed by communities regarding wind energy development have been properly addressed by wind energy companies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45032/13]

VAT Rate Application

Martin Heydon

86. Deputy Martin Heydon asked the Minister for Finance his views on the European Court of Justice decision on the application of a lower VAT rate for supplies of horses and greyhounds and the way it can be addressed while being mindful of the potential negative impact on the sectors that any increase would have; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45538/13]

Unfinished Housing Developments

Martin Heydon

191. Deputy Martin Heydon asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide details of the €10 million fund introduced in budget 2014 for the resolution of issues in unfinished estates where no development bond exists; when he expects it to be functional; the way estates will be chosen to be part of the fund; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45461/13]

Horse Racing Industry Development

Martin Heydon

208. Deputy Martin Heydon asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on the recent publication commissioned by the Irish Thoroughbred Breeders Association, Analysis of the Economic Impact of the Irish Thoroughbred Industry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45535/13]

Social Welfare Benefits

Martin Heydon

133. Deputy Martin Heydon asked the Minister for Social Protection whether it is possible for a person in receipt of a social welfare payment that will remain in payment for six weeks after their death to specify in advance a payee, such as an undertaker, to receive the six weeks of payments following their death, to ensure their wishes are adhered to; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45183/13]

International Agreements

Martin Heydon

65. Deputy Martin Heydon asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his position regarding possible ratification of the Antarctic Treaty; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43995/13]

Medical Card Data

Martin Heydon

201. Deputy Martin Heydon asked the Minister for Health the steps he is taking to stop general practitioners charging medical card holders for blood tests; the way he can address the inconsistencies that exist between different medical practices and the charges they implement for such blood tests; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43956/13]

Schools Refurbishment

Martin Heydon

84. Deputy Martin Heydon asked the Minister for Education and Skills in a case where a school is approved for a grant for improvement works that require planning permission, if the provision of the grant may be extended where the planning permission process takes longer than envisaged; if discretion will be given in individual cases; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43560/13]

Companies Law Issues

Martin Heydon

111. Deputy Martin Heydon asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the progress that has been made in considering an extension of the audit exemption to companies limited by guarantee, based on the recommendations of the Company Law Review Group 2009, to facilitate many small charities which are bearing non-proportional audit costs on an annual basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43675/13]

Motor Tax Exemptions

Martin Heydon

149. Deputy Martin Heydon asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government to detail his plans to allow a further extension to the new motor tax regime to allow exemptions for cars off the road and to allow for some cases where the deadline was missed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42973/13]