Questions and answers published after July 2012 can be viewed here. Viewing by Government Department is possible by term or specific dates from March 2016 onwards. Written answers are published as received from departments. To see parliamentary questions published before July 2012, search in Dáil debates.
Questions and answers for Dáil or Seanad term
Page 4 of 15
Tue, 7 Oct 2014
oral
Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements
Joe Higgins
6. Deputy Joe Higgins asked the Taoiseach if he will report on his meetings with the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, David Cameron; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35190/14]
Tue, 7 Oct 2014
written
Foreign Conflicts
Joe Higgins
103. Deputy Joe Higgins asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views on the call by protestors in Hong Kong for full democratic freedoms to be implemented in Hong Kong. [37722/14]
Tue, 7 Oct 2014
written
Social Welfare Benefits
Joe Higgins
138. Deputy Joe Higgins asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection to set out the measures in place to financially assist undergraduate and postgraduate students with children; the measures she will implement to give assistance to such students where existing payments and assistance are insufficient to allow for continuation in study; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38153/14]
Tue, 7 Oct 2014
written
Foreign Conflicts
Joe Higgins
408. Deputy Joe Higgins asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will report on his discussions with other Heads of Government on the issue of Gaza and the other occupied Palestinian territories; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35192/14]
Tue, 7 Oct 2014
written
Student Support Schemes
Joe Higgins
508. Deputy Joe Higgins asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of students who have left undergraduate and postgraduate courses in the years 2011, 2012, 2013 and to date in 2014 due to financial reasons; the measures she has in place to assist students with children keeping their places in university; the steps she will take to improve retention of students with children in undergraduate and postgraduate study; the financial assistance she will make available for such students; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38154/14]
Tue, 30 Sep 2014
oral
Public Service Reform Plan Update
Joe Higgins
1. Deputy Joe Higgins asked the Taoiseach when the last meeting of the Cabinet sub-committee on public service reform took place and when the next meeting is scheduled. [30898/14]
Tue, 30 Sep 2014
oral
Official Engagements
Joe Higgins
2. Deputy Joe Higgins asked the Taoiseach if he will report on his meetings with other Heads of State in Brussels in May; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26764/14]
Tue, 30 Sep 2014
oral
Official Engagements
Joe Higgins
3. Deputy Joe Higgins asked the Taoiseach if he will report on his meeting with government officials during his visit to Germany in July 2014. [30901/14]
Tue, 30 Sep 2014
oral
Official Engagements
Joe Higgins
4. Deputy Joe Higgins asked the Taoiseach if he will report on the European Council meeting in August; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35189/14]
Tue, 30 Sep 2014
oral
Official Engagements
Joe Higgins
5. Deputy Joe Higgins asked the Taoiseach if he will report on his meetings with the President of the European Council, Mr. Donald Tusk. [35191/14]
Tue, 30 Sep 2014
oral
Official Engagements
Joe Higgins
6. Deputy Joe Higgins asked the Taoiseach if he will report on his discussions with other Heads of Government on the issue of Ukraine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35194/14]
Tue, 30 Sep 2014
written
Data Protection Commissioner Appointment
Joe Higgins
288. Deputy Joe Higgins asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if she will report on the appointment of the new Data Protection Commissioner. [35187/14]
Wed, 24 Sep 2014
written
Health Services Access
Joe Higgins
23. Deputy Joe Higgins asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if translation and interpretation services were available to the case of the migrant rape victim known as 'Miss Y' at all stages of her interaction with State services. [35386/14]
Wed, 24 Sep 2014
written
Direct Provision System
Joe Higgins
39. Deputy Joe Higgins asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if she will make immediate improvements to the living conditions and standards in direct provision hostels for those seeking asylum in the State; if she favours ending the system of direct provision; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35387/14]
Tue, 23 Sep 2014
oral
Employment Data
Joe Higgins
1. Deputy Joe Higgins asked the Taoiseach if he will provide a breakdown by sector of jobs created in the economy this year; and if he will provide figures for the average wage levels for these jobs by sector. [29935/14]
Thu, 18 Sep 2014
oral
Financial Services Ombudsman
Joe Higgins
72. Deputy Joe Higgins asked the Minister for Finance if he will review the six-year time limit for complaints to the Financial Services Ombudsman about life insurance and life assurance policies, given the long terms of these products. [34880/14]
Thu, 18 Sep 2014
oral
Insurance Industry Regulation
Joe Higgins
73. Deputy Joe Higgins asked the Minister for Finance the steps he will take to prohibit life insurance and assurance providers dramatically raising premia when a customer is older as in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34881/14]
Wed, 17 Sep 2014
written
Waste Management
Joe Higgins
12. Deputy Joe Higgins asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will intervene to return the collection of waste in the Dublin City Council area to the council when contracts are due for renewal next month; and if he will make a statement on any breaches of by-laws and failure to collect waste by the private operators. [34328/14]
Wed, 17 Sep 2014
written
Waste Management
Joe Higgins
43. Deputy Joe Higgins asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will overrule the four Dublin local authority chief executives' decision to proceed with the Poolbeg incinerator in view of its rejection by elected members of Dublin City Council and Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34327/14]
Wed, 17 Sep 2014
written
Back to Education Allowance Eligibility
Joe Higgins
99. Deputy Joe Higgins asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if she will revise the back to education allowance scheme regulations so that the requirement of 234 days receiving welfare payments for the third level option and 78 days for the second level option does not act as a barrier to gaining access to training and education. [33746/14]
Wed, 17 Sep 2014
written
Air Displays
Joe Higgins
536. Deputy Joe Higgins asked the Minister for Defence when his attention was drawn to plans to have a military air display by the United States military in Dublin on 30 August 2014; and the role his Department and the Defence Forces played in facilitating this display. [34055/14]
Wed, 17 Sep 2014
written
Deportation Orders Data
Joe Higgins
650. Deputy Joe Higgins asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of deportation orders issued to citizens of states to which the State will not return people; and if she will provide a breakdown of the figures for each state for the years 2011, 2012, 2013 and to date in 2014 and for each state. [34073/14]
Wed, 17 Sep 2014
written
Hepatitis C Incidence
Joe Higgins
925. Deputy Joe Higgins asked the Minister for Health if he will report on the implementation of the National Hepatitis C strategy; and the steps he has taken to ensure adequate funding and staffing required. [33509/14]
Wed, 17 Sep 2014
written
Military Aircraft Landings
Joe Higgins
1164. Deputy Joe Higgins asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views on whether a military air display from the United States military is appropriate for any sporting event; the role his Department played in granting permission for this air display over Croke Park, Dublin, on 30 August 2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34054/14]
Wed, 17 Sep 2014
written
Consular Services Provision
Joe Higgins
1166. Deputy Joe Higgins asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the steps taken by his Department to provide assistance to an Irish citizen (details supplied) detained in Egypt; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33050/14]
Wed, 17 Sep 2014
written
Human Rights Issues
Joe Higgins
1167. Deputy Joe Higgins asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his position regarding prisoners' rights and freedom of expression and protest in Egypt; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33051/14]
Wed, 17 Sep 2014
written
Diaspora Issues
Joe Higgins
1183. Deputy Joe Higgins asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the number of Irish citizens that are registered in the citizens' registration system; the number in each country; and, if possible, to distinguish between those identified as being resident abroad and those on short-term trips. [33382/14]
Wed, 17 Sep 2014
written
Passport Data
Joe Higgins
1184. Deputy Joe Higgins asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the number of passports that were issued to citizens resident outside the State in the years 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013 and to date in 2014; and the states in which they were resident and in the figure for the United Kingdom to distinguish Northern Ireland from the overall UK figure. [33383/14]
Wed, 17 Sep 2014
written
Consular Services Provision
Joe Higgins
1189. Deputy Joe Higgins asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will report on the latest position of a person (details supplied) who is detained in Egypt; and the efforts that his Department has made to seek their release. [33510/14]
Wed, 17 Sep 2014
written
Military Aircraft Landings
Joe Higgins
1201. Deputy Joe Higgins asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views on whether the decision to permit the entry of the United States military to the State's airspace on 30 August 2014 for the purposes of an air display at a sporting event compromises the Government's position of military non-alignment. [34056/14]
Wed, 17 Sep 2014
written
Water Charges Exemptions
Joe Higgins
1524. Deputy Joe Higgins asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his views on the granting of extra free water usage allowance to those with inflammatory bowel disease; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33745/14]
Wed, 17 Sep 2014
written
Pension Provisions
Joe Higgins
1665. Deputy Joe Higgins asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the position regarding the proposed reduction by the trustees of the Irish airlines superannuation scheme of the defined benefit payments to pensioners beginning on 1 January 2015; his views that the employers should make a payment to IASS to ensure such a reduction in payments does not take place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34059/14]
Wed, 17 Sep 2014
written
Hare Coursing Regulation
Joe Higgins
1759. Deputy Joe Higgins asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if she will be granting any hare coursing licences in the coming season. [33578/14]
Thu, 17 Jul 2014
written
Services for People with Disabilities
Joe Higgins
424. Deputy Joe Higgins asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his plans to ensure the emergency services phoneline 999-112 is fully accessible to the deaf community; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32124/14]
Thu, 17 Jul 2014
written
Visa Applications
Joe Higgins
566. Deputy Joe Higgins asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if she will intervene in the case of a pregnant partner of an Irish citizen (details supplied) to allow the person entry to the State due to pressing family circumstances [32132/14]
Tue, 15 Jul 2014
oral
Cabinet Committee Meetings
Joe Higgins
2. Deputy Joe Higgins asked the Taoiseach the number of meetings of the Cabinet committee on European affairs has held since the winter recess. [19934/14]
Tue, 15 Jul 2014
oral
Garda Commissioner Retirement
Joe Higgins
5. Deputy Joe Higgins asked the Taoiseach if he had any communication with former Garda Commissioner Martin Callinan before his resignation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30902/14]
Tue, 15 Jul 2014
oral
Cabinet Committee Meetings
Joe Higgins
9. Deputy Joe Higgins asked the Taoiseach the number of meetings held of the Cabinet committee on justice. [19935/14]
Tue, 15 Jul 2014
written
National Internship Scheme Data
Joe Higgins
77. Deputy Joe Higgins asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the number of investigations that have taken place following complaints made by interns on the JobBridge scheme; the number of these that resulted in a finding against a host organisation; the number of companies that have been banned from the scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30935/14]
Tue, 15 Jul 2014
written
One-Parent Family Payment Eligibility
Joe Higgins
83. Deputy Joe Higgins asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the number of people affected by the transition from the one-parent family payment; the progress she has made on the introduction of safe, affordable and accessible child care as was promised at the time the change in one parent family payment was announced in April 2012. [30936/14]
Tue, 15 Jul 2014
written
Departmental Staff Data
Joe Higgins
118. Deputy Joe Higgins asked the Taoiseach the number of public sector workers who are on temporary contracts or other non-permanent contracts of employment in his Department. [30710/14]
Thu, 10 Jul 2014
written
Employment Rights
Joe Higgins
23. Deputy Joe Higgins asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the amount by which casualisation, internships - both private and Government-sponsored - and temporary working in the labour market have increased since 2007; if his Department will seek to obtain statistics on the growth of zero-hour contracts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29936/14]
Wed, 9 Jul 2014
written
Public Sector Staff Data
Joe Higgins
30. Deputy Joe Higgins asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the number of public sector workers on temporary contracts or other non-permanent contracts of employment in his Department. [29685/14]
Wed, 9 Jul 2014
written
IBRC Mortgage Loan Book
Joe Higgins
71. Deputy Joe Higgins asked the Minister for Finance if he will report on the present situation of the sale of the Irish Bank Resolution Corporation mortgage loan book; if he will stop the sale of any further performing mortgage loans; and the restrictions he will place on any new owners of these mortgage loans. [30220/14]
Wed, 9 Jul 2014
written
Departmental Staff Data
Joe Higgins
78. Deputy Joe Higgins asked the Minister for Finance the number of public sector workers that are on temporary contracts or other non-permanent contracts of employment in his Department. [30401/14]
Wed, 9 Jul 2014
written
Public Sector Staff Data
Joe Higgins
130. Deputy Joe Higgins asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of public sector workers who are on temporary contracts or other non-permanent contracts of employment in his Department. [30399/14]
Wed, 9 Jul 2014
written
Departmental Staff Data
Joe Higgins
219. Deputy Joe Higgins asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the number of public sector workers that are on temporary contracts or other non-permanent contracts of employment in his Department. [30403/14]
Wed, 9 Jul 2014
written
Departmental Staff Data
Joe Higgins
271. Deputy Joe Higgins asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the number of public sector workers who are on temporary contracts or other non-permanent contracts of employment in her Department. [30405/14]
Wed, 9 Jul 2014
written
Departmental Staff Data
Joe Higgins
290. Deputy Joe Higgins asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the number of public sector workers that are on temporary contracts or other non-permanent contracts of employment in his Department. [30395/14]
Wed, 9 Jul 2014
written
Departmental Staff Data
Joe Higgins
319. Deputy Joe Higgins asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the number of public sector workers that are on temporary contracts or other non-permanent contracts of employment in his Department. [30397/14]