Results 48,381-48,400 of 74,100 for speaker:Bernard Durkan

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Social Welfare Overpayments (23 May 2017)

Bernard Durkan: 358. To ask the Minister for Social Protection if a review of overpayment can be undertaken in the case of a person (details supplied) who it appears was placed on the incorrect rate of payment in 2013 and who could not have reasonably known that they were on the incorrect rate of payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24646/17]

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Engagement with Mr. Vytenis Andriukaitis, European Commissioner for Health and Food Safety (23 May 2017)

Bernard Durkan: I welcome the Commissioner and his delegation to Ireland. It is good to see Commissioners touring member states. There was a reluctance to do this some years ago but I am delighted to see it is a growing trend and long may that continue. I have a few questions. How does the Commissioner feel about the possibility of having an EU-wide health regime where basic fundamentals would apply in...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Engagement with Mr. Vytenis Andriukaitis, European Commissioner for Health and Food Safety (23 May 2017)

Bernard Durkan: I do not want an answer, but I think the difficulty we have is not drawing down the money, as we have the money, but that we are not allowed to spend it. That is the problem.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Engagement with Mr. Vytenis Andriukaitis, European Commissioner for Health and Food Safety (23 May 2017)

Bernard Durkan: We have our priorities, we want to spend the money on housing.

Questions on Promised Legislation (24 May 2017)

Bernard Durkan: Apropos of the issue raised earlier by Deputy Micheál Martin, the criminal justice (money laundering and terrorist financing) (amendment) Bill is on the list and it is still to be reviewed in pre-legislative scrutiny. In view of the recent horrendous events in Manchester, would it be possible to advance the cause of that Bill with some urgency, given the nature of its content?

Priority Questions: Skills Development (24 May 2017)

Bernard Durkan: 35. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the extent to which he is satisfied regarding the availability on an ongoing basis of sufficiently-qualified young persons with sufficient skill sets to meet the demands of the modern workplace, academically and technically; the degree to which corrective steps are needed to address deficiencies in this vital area in the future; and if he will...

Priority Questions: Skills Development (24 May 2017)

Bernard Durkan: This question concerns the extent to which an adequately-skilled workforce is available to ensure the continued economic expansion and growth of the country.

Priority Questions: Skills Development (24 May 2017)

Bernard Durkan: I thank the Minister of State for his comprehensive reply. To what degree does he and his Department continue to identify the likely skills requirements over the next five years? Which areas have been identified as most vulnerable in terms of our ability to meet employers' requirements for necessary skills? I ask that the skills considered include computer technology, which is becoming...

Priority Questions: Skills Development (24 May 2017)

Bernard Durkan: To what extent is the Department of Education and Skills in contact with potential employers to monitor the issue from the employers' point of view and determine the degree to which they think particular skills are likely to be required in future or whether, on the basis of information available, the Department will be able to meet that skills demand?

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Building Projects Administration (24 May 2017)

Bernard Durkan: 51. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the extent to which the school building programme is adequate over the next three years to meet the accommodation requirements at primary and second level in view of the need to bring classes sizes into line with best practice and ensure the availability of adequate mainstream special needs places in sufficient numbers to meet the demand and...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Visa Applications (24 May 2017)

Bernard Durkan: 87. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the progress to date in determination of a visa renewal in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24839/17]

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Guidance Counsellors (24 May 2017)

Bernard Durkan: 154. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the extent to which he expects to be in a position to improve the career guidance service throughout second level education; if he anticipates improvement in the short and medium term; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25002/17]

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Special Educational Needs Service Provision (24 May 2017)

Bernard Durkan: 155. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the degree to which persons with autism continue to have ready access to primary and second level school places throughout County Kildare; the extent to which difficulties have arisen in meeting the ongoing requirements in the county; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25003/17]

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Special Educational Needs Service Provision (24 May 2017)

Bernard Durkan: 160. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the extent to which adequate school places are available at primary and second level for children with autism throughout the various schools in north Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25008/17]

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Special Educational Needs Service Provision (24 May 2017)

Bernard Durkan: 163. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the extent to which he remains satisfied regarding the adequacy of special needs teachers and special needs assistants to meet requirements at primary and second level; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25011/17]

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Special Educational Needs Service Provision (24 May 2017)

Bernard Durkan: 165. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the extent to which adequate resource teachers remain available throughout all schools in north Kildare; his plans for augmentation in specific areas of particular need; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25013/17]

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Playgrounds (24 May 2017)

Bernard Durkan: 156. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if financial assistance will be provided towards the resurfacing of a playground in the case of a school (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25004/17]

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Transport Review (24 May 2017)

Bernard Durkan: 157. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills when it is expected a review of the school transport system is likely to be undertaken with particular reference to the objective of the streamlining of school transport in rural areas in which persons have been greatly inconvenienced by changes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25005/17]

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Pupil-Teacher Ratio (24 May 2017)

Bernard Durkan: 158. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the extent to which new primary and second level teaching posts have been approved in respect of primary and second level schools throughout the country; the extent to which this is expected to favourably impact teaching conditions in the schools in question; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25006/17]

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Pupil-Teacher Ratio (24 May 2017)

Bernard Durkan: 167. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the extent to which the pupil-teacher ratio at primary and second level throughout the country is a matter of concern; the extent to which he expects to be in a position to improve the situation in the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25015/17]