Written answers
Wednesday, 8 June 2011
- Department of Education and Skills
- Professional Development
Question 21: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he will provide a breakdown of the annual cost of providing the professional development service for teachers. [14449/11]
- Teaching Qualifications
Question 22: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills how teaching principals will find the time to provide additional appropriate support and probation to newly qualified teachers when...
- Third Level Courses
Question 23: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if his attention has been drawn to the current difficulties being experienced by former workers (details supplied) who from 2010 have...
- School Staffing
Question 24: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills, in view of the recent circular 30/2011 to schools in the Lucan area of County Dublin, the impact this will have on a school (details...
- Higher Education Grants
Question 25: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he proposes to make any changes to the adjacent and non-adjacent rates of payment for higher education grants as outlined in budget...
- Literacy Levels
Question 26: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to address 2010 OECD findings which found that up to one quarter of teenagers here were functionally illiterate; and if he...
- Vocational Education Committees
Question 27: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the progress made to date on the proposal to rationalise vocational education committees; the likely timeframe for a further...
- Institutes of Technology
Question 28: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he will provide further detail on the work already advanced on the development of performance criteria for a re-designation process...
- Child Care Services
Question 29: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the State child care support that is available to single parents who are looking to upskill, move on to further education or take up the...
- Vocational Education Committees
Question 31: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the proposals, if any, there are to expand the role of vocational education committees in the patronage of primary schools; and if he...
- School Curriculum
Question 33: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the current status of the Project Maths programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14483/11]
- Special Educational Needs
Question 34: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the degree to which he expects to be in a position to meet the requirements of children with special needs in mainstream education over...
- Schools Building Projects
Question 35: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if a works grant will be awarded to a school (details supplied) in Dublin 10. [14368/11]
- Special Educational Needs
Question 37: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he will provide an explanation for the withdrawal of special needs assistant services from a person (details supplied) in County...
- School Accommodation
Question 38: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the reason funding for temporary classrooms has been cut in the case of a school (details supplied) by 10% when the school is committed...
- School Staffing
Question 39: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he will confirm that out of the estimated 1,200 posts due to be cut in June in the primary and post primary sectors, almost 800 will...
- Teacher Training
Question 40: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if the professional development service for teachers support service provides all documentation, handouts, booklets, leaflets and...
- FÁS Training Programmes
Question 41: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to encourage and provide new training opportunities for apprentices, many of whom are in their final year and left without...
- School Patronage
Question 42: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the implications resulting from his decision to change the criteria by which gaelscoileanna are founded; and if he will make a statement...
- State Examinations
Question 43: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if the review of the CAO system will be carried out hand in hand with reform of the leaving certificate curriculum; and his engagement...
- Employment Action Plan
Question 45: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he has taken the responsibility from the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation to implement the proposals relating to the...
- Traveller Community
Question 46: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills his views on the statistics which show that only one in every ten children from the Traveller community who enrols in school goes on to...
- Departmental Funding
Question 47: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the date on which he intends to begin a review of State funding for capital projects in fee-paying schools and the steps he has taken...
- School Staffing
Question 48: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he will give assurances that qualified teachers will not be expected to work in a school on a voluntary basis or for less...
- School Curriculum
Question 49: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills his views on the report of the expert group on future skills needs regarding the level of achievement in mathematics among students...
- Schools Building Projects
Question 51: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the extent to which he can provide for school building projects during the next four years; and if he will make a statement on the...
- Higher Education
Question 52: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he will review the situation in Dún Laoghaire College of Further Education, Dublin, in which, due to a reduction in apprentice...
- School Staffing
Question 54: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding the retention of resource teachers for Travellers in DEIS 1 schools; the change in the number of such posts in...
- Proposed Legislation
Question 55: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if legislation is being prepared with regard to the establishment of the new skills agency; the progress made to date; and if he will...
- School Curriculum
Question 56: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he is committed to investing in project maths and his plans for improving the way in which maths and science are taught. [14514/11]
- Bullying in Schools
Question 57: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to ensure all school staff at primary and post primary level are trained in the proper procedures to deal with bullying....
- Jobs Initiative
Question 58: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the additional resources available to him as a result of the jobs initiative announcement by the Minister for Finance; and if he will...
- School Curriculum
Question 59: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to develop a policy to promote higher level mathematics to second level students and improve its uptake at leaving certificate...
- FÁS Training Programmes
Question 61: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if his attention has been drawn to a situation in Waterford in which FÁS students currently undertaking a child care practitionership...
- State Examinations
Question 62: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the additional measures he intends to introduce to tackle the increasing numbers of second level students attaining low grades in...
- Higher Education Grants
Question 63: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to reform the higher education grants system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14407/11]
- School Staffing
Question 64: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the instructions that have been given by him to boards of management of primary and post-primary schools in relation to recruitment of...
- School Management
Question 66: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he will he consider reviewing the unregulated patron power and the procedures that are used to authorise the dismissal of a teacher....
- Higher Education Grants
Question 67: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills when the higher education grant scheme 2011-2012 will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14476/11]
- Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
- Foreign Conflicts
Question 68: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will report on an alleged massacre in Camp Ashraf of Iranian dissidents; if there are any plans by the UN and...
- Department of Finance
- Cycle to Work Scheme
Question 69: To ask the Minister for Finance if the bicycle scheme is still available; and if any more funding is being provided for same. [14594/11]
- Tax Code
Question 70: To ask the Minister for Finance if a company (details supplied) has been able to avail of tax exemptions or taxation expenditures since its arrival on the Irish market; the schemes...
- Banking Sector
Question 72: To ask the Minister for Finance if he will provide the content and conditions of the formal comfort he has provided to the Central Bank of Ireland in relation to any potential...
- Freedom of Information
Question 73: To ask the Minister for Finance his plans to extend the Freedom of Information Act to include the National Asset Management Agency; and if he will make a statement on the matter....
- Electronic Invoicing
Question 74: To ask the Minister for Finance, further to Parliamentary Question No. 104 of 17 May 2011, if he will give the Office of Public Works a deadline to place e-invoicing out to tender;...
- Tax Code
Question 75: To ask the Minister for Finance if he will consider correspondence (details supplied) regarding the levy on private occupational pension funds; and if he will make a statement on...
- Tax Reliefs
Question 76: To ask the Minister for Finance his plans to implement the provisions of the Finance Act 2011 regarding tax relief for the retrofitting of homes; the provision made in the 2011...
- Banking Sector
Question 77: To ask the Minister for Finance if he will provide an up-to-date list of the total cost of bonds held by each of the five guaranteed banking institutions, broken down into senior...
- Tax Collection
Question 79: To ask the Minister for Finance if the Revenue Commissioners has a policy of working with businesses that may be having difficulties in making required payments, in order to...
- Department of Education and Skills
- Disadvantaged Status
Question 80: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills his views on the impact the present cuts are having on DEIS band 1 schools, and his further views on whether pupils and staff in these...
- School Staffing
Question 81: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he will explain the changes contained in a recent circular sent to schools that state certain clarifications will have to be made...
- Value for Money Reviews
Question 82: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding the review of small schools; and when he intends to publish proposals in this regard. [14707/11]
- Schools Recognition
Question 83: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he will review the criteria for recognising primary schools to include Montessori schools; and if he will make a statement on the...
- School Transport
Question 84: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if persons (details supplied) will qualify for school transport under the primary school transport scheme; if this service will be...
- School Curriculum
Question 85: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills his policy on how drama in primary and secondary schools is to be supported and developed; and if he will make a statement on the...
- Special Educational Needs
Question 86: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he has received correspondence from a school (details supplied) in Dublin 13 about funding to prevent the closure of the school,...
- Schools Building Projects
Question 87: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he is in receipt of an application for an extension and renovation from a school (details supplied); if his attention has been drawn...
- Traveller Education
Question 88: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the savings that have been made further to Circular 0017/2011 regarding resource hours for Traveller education in secondary schools; how...
- State Examinations
Question 89: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if public servants employed as superintendents, exam supervisors or exam correctors for the State examinations 2011 can include their...
- Special Educational Needs
Question 90: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if a full time special needs assistant will be allocated to a person (details supplied) in County Cork; and if he will make a statement...
- Skills Development
Question 91: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if workers employed by companies (details supplied) in Dundalk, County Louth, or Leopardstown, Dublin, received training under the...
- Legal Fees
Question 92: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills his views on the practice by universities (details supplied) of employing expensive external legal firms to represent them in industrial...
- School Accommodation
Question 93: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if a school (details supplied) in County Kerry will qualify for an additional classroom under the temporary accommodation scheme; and if...
- Higher Education Grants
Question 94: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills his views on the action being taken to ease the financial demands faced by mature students now that they can no longer avail of a...
- Special Educational Needs
Question 95: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he will specify the items covered for purchase by a school on behalf of pupils with special educational needs; if and when changes...
- School Curriculum
Question 100: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he has decided on any curriculum changes; the extent of any such changes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14749/11]
- Schools Building Projects
Question 102: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to accelerate the various procedures associated with the school building programme; and if he will make a statement on the...
- School Curriculum
Question 104: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to ensure that education is steered towards meeting the employment needs of the future; and if he will make a statement on...
- Educational Policy
Question 105: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the extent to which he proposes to engage with all of the educational stakeholders with a view to ensuring a well-focused and...
- Schools Building Projects
Question 106: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the number and location of school building projects in County Kildare scheduled for completion in the current year; and if he will make...
- School Enrolments
Question 111: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the total number of school places at primary and second level in County Kildare at present; the number required; and if he will make a...
- Schools Building Projects
Question 112: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to approve a second level all-Irish school in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14761/11]
- School Patronage
Question 114: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he has received submissions from a school (details supplied) in County Kildare with reference to primary and or second level...
- Department of Enterprise, Trade and Innovation
- Proposed Legislation
Question 117: To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation his plans to amend the Industrial Relations Act 1990; his views on term workers; the list of occupations not included under...
- Departmental Funding
Question 118: To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if any public funds have been received by a company (details supplied) since it entered the Irish market; and if he will...
- Industrial Development
Question 119: To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the number of times Balbriggan, County Dublin, has been shown to potential foreign direct investment clients in each of the...
- Work Permits
Question 120: To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, further to Parliamentary Question No. 51 of 7 April 2011, when a decision will issue on an application for a work permit in...
- Department of Social Protection
- Social Welfare Benefits
Question 121: To ask the Minister for Social Protection the reason a domiciliary care allowance was not granted in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Galway; and if she will make a...
- Community Employment Schemes
Question 128: To ask the Minister for Social Protection the reason a person who is currently on a community employment scheme cannot apply for the position of supervisor with Tús; and if this...
- Social Welfare Appeals
Question 129: To ask the Minister for Social Protection if the social welfare appeals office has all the necessary documentation to process an appeal in respect of a person (details supplied) in...
- Social Welfare Benefits
Question 130: To ask the Minister for Social Protection if she will provide details on the amount of money that has been spent on the back-to-school clothing and footwear allowance in Dublin...
- Social Welfare Appeals
Question 131: To ask the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding a non-contributory State pension appeal in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Tipperary; the reason...
- Department of Environment, Community and Local Government
- Pesticide Products
Question 132: To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if he will lift the ban on a chemical (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14541/11]
- Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources
- Inland Fisheries
Question 133: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the Department that has jurisdiction over export licences for wild salmon. [14646/11]
- Telecommunications Services
Question 134: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the cost to the Exchequer of the rural broadband scheme; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the...
- Missing Persons
Question 135: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if it is envisaged that the European Union-wide 116000 hotline for missing children will be rolled out across...
- Offshore Exploration
Question 136: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the precise methodology that will be used for detecting potential leaks of high-pressure, odourless gas during...
- Broadcasting Services
Question 137: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the plans there are for waivers for persons on social welfare payments to upgrade their television equipment in...
- Department of Environment, Community and Local Government
- Local Authority Charges
Question 138: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will examine a matter in respect of a person (details supplied). [14567/11]
- Noise Pollution
Question 140: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, further to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 219 and 220 of 31 May 2011, the proposed date for the introduction...
- Environmental Policy
Question 141: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, further to Parliamentary Question No. 230 of 31 May 2011, his plans to introduce legislation for a maximum...
- Local Authority Charges
Question 142: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his plans for waivers to the new household charge for persons on social welfare payments; and if he will...
- Waste Management
Question 145: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his plans for the introduction of a septic tank charge for single house waste water treatment systems; and...
- Fire Services
Question 146: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his plans to make the fire service more efficient while protecting front-line services; if his attention has...
- Planning Issues
Question 148: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if there is any legislation governing the erection of satellite dishes by private residents on apartment...
- Local Authority Housing
Question 149: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his policy in relation to retrofitting of new houses that have been taken over by the council (details...
- Department of Justice, Equality and Defence
- State Visits
Question 150: To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the cost of temporary control barriers erected around a location (details supplied) for the recent State visits; the reason for...
- Citizenship Applications
Question 151: To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will review the naturalisation case of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the...
- Visa Applications
Question 152: To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the position with regard to students from outside the EU studying for a three-year degree course in computer science, who were informed...
- Garda Deployment
Question 153: To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of gardaí who were on duty during the visit of Queen Elizabeth II; if he will provide a breakdown of the number of gardaí...
- Court Procedures
Question 154: To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the average wait time for a case commenced by way of judicial review to be heard by the High Court; and if he will make a statement on...
- Asylum Support Services
Question 158: To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the number and location of accommodation units provided by the State for the purpose of housing asylum seekers; the cost of their...
- Asylum Process
Question 159: To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the timeframe for the processing of asylum applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14651/11]
- Foreign Divorces
Question 160: To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality if divorces granted in Switzerland fall within EU regulations or some similar agreement or fall under the Lugano Convention in terms of...
- Citizenship Applications
Question 161: To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality when a decision will issue on an application for naturalisation in respect of a person (details supplied). [14691/11]
- Department of Agriculture, Marine and Food
- Animal Welfare
Question 162: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food his plans to enhance the welfare of Irish greyhounds; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14569/11]
- Grant Payments
Question 163: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when payment will be made in respect of interest on the control of farmyard pollution scheme in respect of a person (details...
- Harbours and Piers
Question 164: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he has received correspondence from Skibbereen and Baltimore Harbour Board through Cork County Council in relation to...
- Fire Damage
Question 165: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if a decision has been made on whether to provide assistance to landowners who have suffered losses due to the recent...
- Harbours and Piers
Question 166: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the capital programmes that are currently available for piers around the coast; and if he will make a statement on the...
- Grant Payments
Question 167: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when payment for a milking parlour grant will issue in respect of a person (details supplied). [14703/11]
- Departmental Schemes
Question 168: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if lands owned by a person (details supplied) in County Galway have commonage rights included in their area aid over the...
- Department of Health
- Missing Persons
Question 169: To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs when she intends to introduce the 116000 EU hotline for missing children; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14564/11]
- Children in Care
Question 170: To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number of children taken into care for each of the past seven years, broken down by Health Service Executive area; the...
- Medical Cards
Question 172: To ask the Minister for Health the position regarding an application for a medical card in respect of persons (details supplied) in County Limerick. [14542/11]
- Ambulance Service
Question 173: To ask the Minister for Health if he will provide details of each of the ambulance stations in counties Louth and Meath. [14548/11]
- Accident and Emergency Services
Question 182: To ask the Minister for Health his plans for the reopening of the accident and emergency service at Louth County Hospital. [14557/11]
- Hospital Services
Question 183: To ask the Minister for Health the position regarding the construction of the cystic fibrosis unit being developed at St. Vincent's Hospital, Dublin; the expected completion date...
- Hospital Waiting Lists
Question 184: To ask the Minister for Health the reason a person (details supplied) has had to wait six weeks with no notification of when they will be receiving treatment in the National...
- Health Services
Question 187: To ask the Minister for Health if he will provide the details of the diabetes paediatric services available to children living in south Tipperary and west Waterford and also in the...
- Hospital Services
Question 188: To ask the Minister for Health if an appointment will be expedited in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 3. [14585/11]
- Health Service Staff
Question 189: To ask the Minister for Health the reason a social worker who lives on the Border must pay an annual fee to the National Social Work Qualification Board together with an annual fee...
- Hospital Accommodation
Question 190: To ask the Minister for Health if he will authorise the Health Service Executive to re-open the 14 beds that have been closed in Dungloe Community Hospital, County Donegal; and if...
- Medical Cards
Question 194: To ask the Minister for Health the reason for the delay in renewing a medical card in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare. [14643/11]
- Health Services
Question 195: To ask the Minister for Health if any progress has being made regarding meetings and services of functional packages for a group (details supplied); and if he will make a statement...
- Health and Safety Regulations
Question 196: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the position regarding guidelines on the use of chemicals (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14656/11]
- Nursing Homes Support Scheme
Question 197: To ask the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on funding for the provision of nursing home care, further to recent difficulties concerning the fair deal scheme; and...
- Medical Cards
Question 199: To ask the Minister for Health if he will provide details of the current backlog of medical card appeals in an area (details supplied); the way he intents to tackle this backlog;...
- Hospital Staff
Question 200: To ask the Minister for Health if he will provide a breakdown of the nursing staff ratios to patients in the public health system per hospital in the Dublin and mid Leinster...
- Hospital Services
Question 203: To ask the Minister for Health if the backlog in relation to x-rays at Tallaght Hospital, Dublin has been cleared and the approximate timescale now in operation for patients...
- Hospital Waiting Lists
Question 205: To ask the Minister for Health if he will provide the figures per hospital of the waiting times for patients awaiting access to a dermatologist. [14682/11]
- Health Services
Question 206: To ask the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact that there is no general practitioner based in an area (details supplied); his view that this...
- Medical Cards
Question 208: To ask the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Limerick will receive a medical card for the over 70 years. [14692/11]
- Health Services
Question 210: To ask the Minister for Health if there are any plans by the Health Service Executive to complete a service level agreement with a counselling centre (details supplied) in Dublin...
- Hospital Procedures
Question 211: To ask the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on the status of knee and hip operations being performed at Midlands Regional Hospital, Tullamore, County Offaly; if...
- Departmental Bodies
Question 212: To ask the Minister for Health if he has received signed service level agreements from a group (details supplied); if not, the actions he will take against the group; when the...
- Health Services
Question 213: To ask the Minister for Health his views on recent refusals by the Health Service Executive of applications for the motorised transport grant scheme; if he will enumerate the...
- Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport
- Departmental Bodies
Question 214: To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the additional funding he is putting in place to support the efforts of the Cliffs of Moher Visitor Centre, County Clare, in...
- Sports Capital Programme
Question 215: To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the grants being made available in 2011 for sports facilities or organisations. [14593/11]
- Road Network
Question 216: To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of public private partnership agreements that have been agreed regarding the provision of rest areas on new...
- Public Transport
Question 217: To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the funding available from him for park and ride facilities; the grants available to persons who wish to set up a park and ride...
- Coast Guard Service
Question 218: To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, in view of impending retirements, if the full complement of staff will be maintained at Valentia coast guard radio station,...
- Departmental Programmes
Question 219: To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, further to Parliamentary Question No. 380 of 31 May 2011, the timeline for the announcement of the winning projects; the total...
- Departmental Properties
Question 220: To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide details of the person to whom a building (details supplied) is leased; and if he will provide the details of...
