Parliamentary questions

School Staffing

Mattie McGrath

280. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Skills if a person (details supplied) in County Waterford will have their position reinstated on the panel for teachers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47245/12]

School Transport Provision

Mattie McGrath

378. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Skills if a school transport route can be altered slightly to accommodate a family (details supplied) in County Tipperary; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48652/12]

Water Meters Expenditure

Mattie McGrath

703. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the current position in relation to the installation of water meters; when the positions will be put out to tender; if he and Irish Water will be supporting local employment by making the positions available to local plumbers and those who have completed the water meter installation training courses which have been run by development companies throughout the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47976/12]

Health Services Expenditure

Mattie McGrath

1037. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health under the bilateral agreement with the UK, the amount charged by the Health Service Executive for the treatment of patients who would be covered by the UK health system; the way this charge is calculated; what this charge is used for; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47781/12]

Foster Care Provision

Mattie McGrath

3. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs her plans to introduce measures to compensate foster carers in respect of deliberate damage caused to their property by a foster child, when such damage is not covered by home insurance due to the deliberate nature of the damage; if her attention has been drawn to the fact that the Health Service Executive has for many years informed carers that they could make such claims from their house insurer if they had informed their insurer they were foster carers when in fact no such cover was available; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46901/12]

Tax Code

Mattie McGrath

48. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Finance his plans to prevent foster children from being discriminated against in terms of inheritance laws where the foster parent wishes to bequeath their home to the foster child where such a person has been cared for by their foster carers for all of their life (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46902/12]

Disadvantaged Areas Scheme Applications

Mattie McGrath

568. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when all outstanding farm payments will issue in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Tipperary; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46367/12]

Fuel Prices

Mattie McGrath

212. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Finance his plans to introduce a pay as you go system of taxation to assist road hauliers who are struggling to meet large taxation on their vehicles due to current market conditions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44631/12]

Social Insurance Payments

Mattie McGrath

338. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Social Protection when a overpayment of PRSI contributions by a company (details supplied) in South Tipperary will be refunded; the reason for the delay in issuing such a refund; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44662/12]

Disadvantaged Areas Scheme Payments

Mattie McGrath

551. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a disadvantaged area payment will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Tipperary; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44751/12]

Public Sector Allowances Review

Mattie McGrath

3. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the steps that he will take to ensure greater accuracy in the targets that he sets in view of the failure to reach the target set in respect of public sector allowances; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43586/12]

Local Government Reform

Mattie McGrath

162. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for the Environment; Community and Local Government the reason the amalgamation of South and North Tipperary county councils is being progressed, when the reality is that the savings targets will not be met and when the only reform will be less services at more cost; the savings targets that he expects; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43587/12]

Back to Education Allowance Eligibility

Mattie McGrath

344. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Social Protection her views on her Department's decision to advise a person who has applied for the back to education allowance that they would have to drop out of their course in order to be put back into payment; her views on whether this is encouraging applicants to better themselves; her further views on the fact that the qualifying conditions of having to progress to another level in order to receive the back to education allowance is not always practical and is restrictive; her further views on the fact that there should be some leniency when a person who holds a current certificate is unable to find employment in that field or when a person is enrolling in a course of more than one year in length and that the award at the end of the two years is a higher level; if her Department can have some discretion in deciding on such cases; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42952/12]

Sick Pay Scheme Expenditure

Mattie McGrath

45. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Jobs; Enterprise and Innovation if he will comment on the views of the Small Firms Association that proposals to pass on sick pay costs to the employer will cost jobs and restrict future recruitment; the steps he has taken to ensure that such jobs are protected [42021/12]

Action Plan for Jobs

Mattie McGrath

226. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Jobs; Enterprise and Innovation the steps he has taken to reduce bureaucracy and red tape in an effort to protect and encourage employment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42022/12]

Drugs Payment Scheme Administration

Mattie McGrath

571. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health the reason Omacor medication for cholesterol is not covered by the medical card; the assistance that is available to those who require this medication and who cannot afford same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41903/12]

Mental Health Services Provision

Mattie McGrath

197. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health the body responsible for the care of a mental health patient who is in an open unit (details supplied) in County Tipperary and has went missing from care and is a danger to themselves and where no other secure placement has been made available for them; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40931/12]

School Transport Provision

Mattie McGrath

138. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Skills the reason a person (details supplied) in County Tipperary has been refused a school bus ticket; if he will review this matter based on the fact that no bus travels from the area in which they live into the school within their catchment area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40119/12]

Medical Card Applications

Mattie McGrath

409. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health when a decision will issue on a medical card review in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Tipperary; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40160/12]

Medical Card Appeals

Mattie McGrath

442. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health the reason a cancer patient (details supplied) who is currently undergoing radiotherapy and other medical treatment at significant cost has been refused a medical card; if she will ensure that the appeal against this decision is dealt with as a matter of urgency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40352/12]

Mental Health Services Provision

Mattie McGrath

462. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health the services available to a person (details supplied) in County Tipperary who requires a secure placement in a Psychiatric Unit since the closure of St. Michael's Psychiatric Unit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40504/12]

Broadcasting Service Provision

Mattie McGrath

135. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Communications; Energy and Natural Resources his plans to reimburse those members of the public who are unable to receive Saorview and who will be charged at least €200 for the installation of a new satellite dish with LNBF for SAORSAT; his views on whether it is acceptable that these members of the public who have already paid €160 for their TV licence are charged so much to receive this service; his views on whether it is acceptable that some members of the public are left without Saorview coverage; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39920/12]

Medical Aids and Appliances Applications

Mattie McGrath

205. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health the reason it is the policy of the Health Service Executive to consider items such as crutches and walking aids as single use items; the cost of crutches and walking aids per year for the past two years; if he and the HSE consider this policy to be a major area of waste within the HSE; the efforts he has taken to change this policy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39509/12]

Teaching Contracts

Mattie McGrath

428. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Skills the total number of retired primary and second level teachers who have retired between 1 February 2009 and 29 February 2012 and who are currently on his Department's payroll; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38415/12]

Teaching Contracts

Mattie McGrath

429. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Skills the total number of retired primary and second level teachers who have retired between 1 February 2009 and 29 February 2012 and who are currently on his Department's payroll and being paid by payable order; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38416/12]

Teaching Contracts

Mattie McGrath

430. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Skills the total number of retired primary and second level teachers who have retired between 1 February 2009 and 29 February 2012 and who are currently on his Department's payroll and who had the salary increase of 2.5% payable from 1 September 2008 included when their gratuity and pension entitlements were being calculated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38417/12]

Special Educational Needs Staffing

Mattie McGrath

434. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Skills if schools are obliged to implement an individual education plan for children with special needs who are progressing through the mainstream system; the avenue available to a parent who is not satisfied that a special needs child is receiving the proper facilities to allow him or her to progress through the mainstream school system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38451/12]

Sick Pay Scheme Reform

Mattie McGrath

680. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Social Protection if a full cost-impact analysis on small business will be undertaken on her proposals to force employers to cover the cost of up to four weeks sick pay; if her attention has been drawn to the results of a recent Small Firms Association survey in relation to the impact that this proposal would have on small firms; if her attention has been drawn to the fact that this proposal will add to the cost of employment and will result in job losses and goes against the Government's action plan for job creation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37637/12]

Domiciliary Care Allowance Applications

Mattie McGrath

789. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Social Protection the percentage of applications for the domiciliary care allowance that were refused each year for the past five years; the number of refusals that were overturned following appeal; the main reason for refusal; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38551/12]

Natural Gas Grid

Mattie McGrath

5 Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Communications; Energy and Natural Resources the circumstances surrounding the underground gas exploration that occurred during the commissioning of the new Bord Gáis high pressure pipeline between Middleton, County Cork and Ballyporeen, County Tipperary and the gas explosion in Leixlip, County Kildare; the safeguards that are in place to prevent a re-occurrence of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36897/12]

Higher Education Grants

Mattie McGrath

107 Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Skills if there is a mechanism in place for a person who is above the income threshold for the higher education top up grant to have the application considered on hardship grounds; if there is any mechanism in place to appeal a decision; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[35759/12]

Bord Gáis

Mattie McGrath

209 Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if an independent inquiry or investigation will be carried out into the adherence by a company (details supplied) to the transfer of undertakings regulations 2003 and also to the award and operation of the contract; if the security of employment and 12 month wage freeze as agreed between the unions and the company will be extended to all employees of Bord Gáis Networks Services Works Contract; the reason different terms and conditions are being offered to those in different regions; the reason the deal negotiated for the Dublin based transferred employees is much better than that offered to those elsewhere; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[35523/12]

Bord Gáis

Mattie McGrath

210 Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will confirm that Bord Gáis are compliant with the Late Payments in Commercial Transactions Regulations 2002; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[35524/12]

Workplace Safety

Mattie McGrath

211 Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will explain the circumstances surrounding the underground gas explosion that occurred during the commissioning of the new Bord Gáis pipeline between Midleton in County Cork and Ballyporeen in County Tipperary; the safeguards that are in place to prevent a reoccurrence of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[35525/12]

Workplace Safety

Mattie McGrath

212 Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he and the Commission for Energy Regulations will confirm that a site specific explosion protection document is in place for each site on the Bord Gáis Network as required under regulation 169 of the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (General Application) Regulations 2007, S.I. No. 299 of 2007; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[35526/12]

School Transport

Mattie McGrath

157 Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will provide a breakdown of all school transport catchment areas in South Tipperary used for the free transport scheme for medical card holders; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that a student living in Grange village is not eligible for free travel to school in Cahir and is expected to travel to a Clonmel school despite the fact that a school bus for Cahir travels through Grange village while no bus for Clonmel school travels through Grange village and that they would have to travel a few miles to get the bus to Clonmel; his views on whether this situation is acceptable; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[34826/12]

Nursing Home Inspections

Mattie McGrath

787 Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health when the Health Information and Quality Authority officials visit a nursing home in a small town, do they visit all other nursing homes in the area at the same time; the criteria used in deciding which nursing homes to visit and inspect at any given time; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[34823/12]

Hospital Facilities

Mattie McGrath

795 Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health the plans he has for the former St. Michael’s building on the grounds of South Tipperary General Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[34932/12]

Abortion Services

Mattie McGrath

814 Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health further to the report on the front page of a publication (details supplied) that he has sent a circular letter to his Fine Gael Party colleagues informing them that Ireland must bring in abortion along the lines of the X case, if he will make this letter available in public; the reason he reportedly said Ireland must legalise abortion when there is absolutely no prerogative on this Government to do so particularly in view of its pre election pro-life promise to the people of Ireland; his views on whether it is the Irish people, not any European court who should decide Ireland’s abortion laws; when the recommendations of the Government appointed expert group are due to be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[35172/12]

Fuel Rebate Scheme

Mattie McGrath

122 Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Finance the position regarding his Department's working group that was set up to examine the Irish Road Hauliers Association proposals for an essential user fuel rebate; the efforts he is taking to tighten up on the availability of green diesel; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[33273/12]

School Transport

Mattie McGrath

157 Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Skills if the free school transport scheme for medical card holders will be extended to a person (details supplied) in County Waterford when they have not been accepted to a school in their catchment area and subsequently attend a school in the adjoining area; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[33086/12]

Medical Cards

Mattie McGrath

519 Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health when a medical card will issue in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Tipperary; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[33578/12]

Garda Strength

Mattie McGrath

126 Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of gardaí that are based in Clonmel Garda station, County Tipperary; the number of gardaí that have been based in Clonmel Garda station every year for the past 10 years; the current ratio of gardaí per population of Clonmel; the way this compares with other jurisdictions; the further way the garda per population rate of Clonmel compares to the garda per population rate of Thurles, County Tipperary; if the level of crime has increased in Clonmel over the past ten years; the way this relates to the reduction in garda numbers in Clonmel; if the level of crime has increased in Thurles over the past 10 years; the further way this relates to the Garda numbers in Thurles; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[32906/12]

Public Sector Staff

Mattie McGrath

3 Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the number of the over 9,000 persons from the public service who have retired over the past six months with high tax-free lump sum payments in many cases and substantial pensions that have been re-hired on contract; if these persons are now being paid on the double by the State, that is, their pension and the salary they are receiving under the new contracts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32813/12]

Domiciliary Care Allowance

Mattie McGrath

380 Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Social Protection when a decision will issue on a domiciliary care allowance application in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Tipperary; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
[32308/12]

Planning Issues

Mattie McGrath

462 Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if there is a standard planning site notice that must be used by town and county council planning authorities; the avenue available to those who do not believe that a correct site notice was used when an application for planning permission was granted and when the site notice was not identified due to the use of a different format site notice; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[32054/12]

Medical Cards

Mattie McGrath

658 Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health when a medical card will issue in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Tipperary; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[32309/12]

Rail Services

Mattie McGrath

685 Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will ensure that upgrade works will be carried out at Railway Junction XL083 at Kilshane, County Tipperary to improve the safety of road and rail users and to allow for the safer passage of machinery and traffic; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[32393/12]