Parliamentary questions

Proposed Legislation

Simon Harris

1476. Deputy Simon Harris asked the Minister for Health his plans to regulate sunbed use here; his views on the use of sunbeds by under 18 year olds; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38052/13]

Proposed Legislation

Simon Harris

1477. Deputy Simon Harris asked the Minister for Health the date on which he intends to publish and progress the Public Health (Sunbeds) Bill; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38053/13]

English Language Training Organisations

Simon Harris

84. Deputy Simon Harris asked the Minister for Education and Skills when will Quality and Qualifications Ireland be in a position to inspect and approve language schools; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35595/13]

English Language Training Organisations

Simon Harris

89. Deputy Simon Harris asked the Minister for Education and Skills the action open to any schools seeking accreditation and consideration to be included on the list of recognised schools used by INIS until such a time as Quality and Qualification Ireland is in a position to inspect and approve language schools; if such schools with EDI approval can be treated on the same basis as QQI approved schools as an interim measure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35609/13]

Broadband Services Speeds

Simon Harris

731. Deputy Simon Harris asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources when the service in an area (details supplied) in County Wicklow will be upgraded to ensure that faster broadband may be availed of by residents. [35534/13]

Tax Reliefs Availability

Simon Harris

1000. Deputy Simon Harris asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on the continuance of tax relief available to help farmers to pass their farms to relatives and maintain a working farm within the family unit; if he will support the maintenance of such relief; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35380/13]

Property Taxation Exemptions

Simon Harris

181. Deputy Simon Harris asked the Minister for Finance if he has given consideration to some type of reduction in the property tax for residents who are paying management company fees as recognition of the fact that they are paying for some services privately which others receive from the council; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33474/13]

School Management

Simon Harris

198. Deputy Simon Harris asked the Minister for Education and Skills if a student (details supplied) in County Wicklow will be offered an opportunity to repeat fifth year in a secondary school as the board of management have already consented to this request, subject to the approval of his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32960/13]

Motor Tax Collection

Simon Harris

362. Deputy Simon Harris asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will consider rectifying the substantial additional cost which motorists who tax their vehicles on a quarterly basis must pay as opposed to those who tax their car annually, particularly in view of the fact that many persons find themselves not in a financial position to pay the full amount in one lump sum and the fact that administrative costs in relation to motor taxation are lessened in view of the fact that motorists now apply for their tax disk online; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32982/13]

Property Management Company Issues

Simon Harris

399. Deputy Simon Harris asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his views on the operation of management companies effectively weakening local democracy and the ability of locally elected public representatives assisting persons owing to the fact that in some areas large amounts of public space, roadways, drainage, sewage and so on may not be taken in charge by the council and are left in charge of a private management company; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33471/13]

Motor Tax Collection

Simon Harris

400. Deputy Simon Harris asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the circumstances (details supplied) where the motor tax liability based on CO2 emissions can be reviewed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33472/13]

Property Management Company Issues

Simon Harris

401. Deputy Simon Harris asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the rules of law in place governing the operation of management companies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33473/13]

Vaccination Programme

Simon Harris

533. Deputy Simon Harris asked the Minister for Health following the vaccine named Bexcero being approved for use by the European Commission in January 2013, if there are any plans to approve and introduce the use of this vaccine here in the near future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33336/13]

Vaccination Programme

Simon Harris

534. Deputy Simon Harris asked the Minister for Health if the level of infection of meningitis B here, being the highest in Europe, has been taken into account in respect of the decision on the use of the vaccine named Bexcero for the treatment of meningitis B here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33337/13]

Alternative Energy Projects

Simon Harris

179. Deputy Simon Harris asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide an update on the current status of the foreshore lease granted in respect of the 220 turbine wind farm at Codling Bank off the coast of County Wicklow; when same was granted; the process undertaken when granting such a foreshore lease; if his Department expects construction works to begin in the near future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32784/13]

Foreshore Licences Appeals

Simon Harris

180. Deputy Simon Harris asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the controls his Department can exert to review or rescind a previously granted foreshore lease; the situations in which such a review may occur; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32785/13]

Seanad Referendum

Simon Harris

12. Deputy Simon Harris asked the Taoiseach his plans to hold a referendum to abolish Seanad Éireann. [31844/13]

Student Grant Scheme Administration

Simon Harris

393. Deputy Simon Harris asked the Minister for Education and Skills the measures that have been taken to ensure that the delays encountered by students applying for the third level grant have been rectified; the additional resources that have been allocated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32162/13]

Schools Administration

Simon Harris

107. Deputy Simon Harris asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will provide clarity on voluntary fees sought by schools from parents and students in school and registration fees and re-registration fees; if such fees in public schools are compulsory; his views on these fees and recommended levels for such fees; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31187/13]

School Accommodation

Simon Harris

126. Deputy Simon Harris asked the Minister for Education and Skills if officials from his Department have met representatives of a board of management of a school (details supplied) in County Wicklow regarding its concerns about the proposed location for its new school building; when this meeting took place; the outcome of the meeting; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31350/13]

Energy Conservation

Simon Harris

190. Deputy Simon Harris asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the proposed budget for the energy upgrade of local authority properties as recently announced as part of a local stimulus plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30997/13]

Local Authorities Management

Simon Harris

191. Deputy Simon Harris asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide details in tabular form by local authority area of the number of meetings on an annual basis that have been held between Oireachtas Members and county-city managers since the abolition of the dual mandate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31090/13]

Special Education Review

Simon Harris

244. Deputy Simon Harris asked the Minister for Education and Skills the way he plans to respond to policy advice on the future of special needs education from the National Council for Special Education; if an implementation group will be appointed to progress this report; if he expects parents and teachers to be involved in this group; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30161/13]

Special Educational Needs Services Provision

Simon Harris

249. Deputy Simon Harris asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will provide an update on the number of special needs assistant posts in a special needs school (details supplied) in County Wicklow; if there have been any additional allocations of special needs resources in view of the acute demand and circumstances; the action currently being considered to address the acute demand and altered circumstances; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30194/13]

Schools Building Projects Application Numbers

Simon Harris

264. Deputy Simon Harris asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will outline all new school buildings, school extensions and upgrades and investments planned for schools in an area (details supplied) in County Wicklow; the projected timeline for completion of these projects; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30282/13]

Special Educational Needs Services Provision

Simon Harris

266. Deputy Simon Harris asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will consider allowing for dual enrolment to take place for children with special educational needs, in such circumstances where a child is being gradually transitioned to mainstream school or attending as much mainstream school as possible but also requires to remain in a special needs school for a period of time or for certain aspects; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30331/13]

Schools Building Projects Status

Simon Harris

267. Deputy Simon Harris asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will outline the timeline for providing the new second level school which he announced for an area (details supplied) in County Wicklow; when patronage will be decided for this school; when it is expected to open its doors to students; when a decision will be made on the precise location; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30332/13]

School Accommodation

Simon Harris

87. Deputy Simon Harris asked the Minister for Education and Skills if funding will be provided to a school (details supplied) in County Wicklow; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29758/13]

Hospital Groups

Simon Harris

251. Deputy Simon Harris asked the Minister for Health if he will provide details regarding the specific advisers that his Department has appointed to oversee and assist with the process to establish hospital groups as a transition to independent hospital trusts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29993/13]

Hospital Groups

Simon Harris

252. Deputy Simon Harris asked the Minister for Health the full range of administrative services and supports that his Department is offering to hospitals as they prepare to be grouped together into six autonomous hospital groups; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29994/13]

Hospital Groups

Simon Harris

253. Deputy Simon Harris asked the Minister for Health if he intends to organise seminars, events, meetings or briefings to assist hospitals with administrative planning and preparation as they prepare to be placed into six autonomous hospital groups; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29995/13]

Data Retention

Simon Harris

219. Deputy Simon Harris asked the Minister for Health the steps being taken to ensure the continued preservation of guthrie cards that have the potential to provide a life-saving genetic diagnosis to at-risk family members of young sudden cardiac death victims following his decision to halt the destruction of the cards last March; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29581/13]

Local Authority Funding

Simon Harris

111. Deputy Simon Harris asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the powers that municipal district councils will have in the setting of rates; if municipal districts will have a specifically allocated budget; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28442/13]

Black Economy Issues

Simon Harris

140. Deputy Simon Harris asked the Minister for Finance the measures in place to address the black economy; the consequences for involvement from procurement to purchase; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28014/13]

Credit Ratings

Simon Harris

141. Deputy Simon Harris asked the Minister for Finance if he has given consideration to putting in place a creditworthiness database or measure of similar constitution; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28015/13]

VAT Rates Reductions

Simon Harris

213. Deputy Simon Harris asked the Minister for Finance the estimated benefit to the overall economy, the hospitality sector and to the employment sector of the 9% VAT rate for tourism, hospitality and entertainment sectors; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28021/13]

School Equipment

Simon Harris

253. Deputy Simon Harris asked the Minister for Education and Skills if his attention has been drawn to a problem being experienced by a primary school (details supplied) in County Wicklow in accessing an internet provider and the problems this is causing for a school that heavily utilises the internet interactive white boards, payroll, school attendance and so on; the actions being taken by his Department to assist in resolving this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26831/13]

Special Educational Needs Services Provision

Simon Harris

258. Deputy Simon Harris asked the Minister for Education and Skills if his Department has received any correspondence from representatives of professional organisations or academics warning of inadequacies in his Department's autism policy with regard to applied behaviour analysis; the steps he has taken to meet these concerns; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26911/13]

Education and Training Provision

Simon Harris

329. Deputy Simon Harris asked the Minister for Education and Skills the measures that are in place regarding the training of persons for the retail and hospitality sectors; his plans regarding the advancement of this sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28019/13]

Job Initiatives

Simon Harris

473. Deputy Simon Harris asked the Minister for Social Protection the labour activation measures that are in place to encourage persons to take on seasonal work; the provision in place to allow persons to move from unemployment to seasonal work without impact on welfare entitlement when seasonal employment ends; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28012/13]

National Postcode System Establishment

Simon Harris

540. Deputy Simon Harris asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if measures relating to the introduction of a postal code system are currently under consideration; the expected implications of the introduction of this system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28016/13]

Planning Issues

Simon Harris

643. Deputy Simon Harris asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the measures currently being taken or that are being planned to ensure that local authorities have the knowledge and skill to address the needs of the changing retails environment in cities and towns here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28011/13]

Upward Only Rent Reviews

Simon Harris

752. Deputy Simon Harris asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the current position regarding upward only rent reviews; the measures that are planned to address the difficulty of many small businesses in relation to this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28013/13]

Visa Applications

Simon Harris

753. Deputy Simon Harris asked the Minister for Justice and Equality his plans to address the delays in short term or visiting visa applications; if there are any measures under consideration in relation to a specific visitors visa; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28017/13]

The Gathering Initiatives

Simon Harris

1116. Deputy Simon Harris asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to build on the success of The Gathering; the efforts under consideration regarding the building of a brand Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28018/13]

School Enrolments Data

Simon Harris

273. Deputy Simon Harris asked the Minister for Education and Skills the plans he has in place to ensure that adequate school places are now available in a town (details supplied) for the forthcoming school year commencing in September; the further plans he has to address the need for school places in the town for the following school year starting in September 2014; the methods used by his Department to determine the projected future demand for primary school accommodation; if he has given consideration to a new school building in the part of the town in which the majority of preschool children are currently living; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25619/13]

Energy Conservation

Simon Harris

443. Deputy Simon Harris asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources in the context of Delivering Our Green Potential, published in 2012, the progress that has been made towards the commitment to achieve a 33% reduction in public sector energy use by 2020; if he will outline the steps being taken to achieve the required 3-4% reduction this year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25323/13]

Ministerial Travel

Simon Harris

126. Deputy Simon Harris asked the Taoiseach if he will outline in tabular form, the amount of travel and subsistence, both foreign and domestic, claimed individually by him, the Minister of State and the Secretary General in his Department, for each year in the period 2005 to March 2011; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23823/13]

Ministerial Staff

Simon Harris

127. Deputy Simon Harris asked the Taoiseach if he will outline in tabular form the number of staff appointed by him and the Minister of State in his Department or constituency office and their relevant costs including travel and subsistence, in each year for the period 2005 to March 2011; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23839/13]

Ministerial Travel

Simon Harris

135. Deputy Simon Harris asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will outline in tabular form, the amount of travel and subsistence, both foreign and domestic, claimed individually by each Minister, Minister of State and Secretary General in his Department, for each year in the period 2005 to March 2011; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23817/13]