Seanad debates

Wednesday, 21 October 2015

10:30 am

Photo of Denis O'DonovanDenis O'Donovan (Fianna Fail)
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I have received notice from Senator Thomas Byrne that, on the motion for the Commencement of the House today, he proposes to raise the following matter:

The need for the Minister for the Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht to give a progress report on the application for world heritage status in respect of the monastic site of Kells, County Meath.

I have also received notice from Senator Colm Burke of the following matter:

The need for the Minister for Finance to address the current delay which exists in the processing of appeals to the disabled drivers medical board of appeal and if the Minister will undertake to have all appeals dealt with in an expeditious manner.

I have also received notice from Senator Mary Moran of the following matter:

The need for the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government to outline the measures being taken to address the shortage in disability housing in County Louth.

I have also received notice from Senator David Cullinane of the following matter:

The need for the Minister for Education and Skills to explain why a temporary English as an additional language, EAL, post sanctioned on 1 September in DEIS band 2 junior school, An Teaghlaigh Naofa, is to be suppressed from 23 October in spite of the fact that the number of pupils returned before 5 October requiring EAL support was over the 20% specified in part 2, section 4 of Circular 0005/2015.

I have also received notice from Senator Mary Paschal Mooney of the following matter:

The need for the Minister for Justice and Equality to state if it is her intention to reintroduce funding for the community-based CCTV scheme, which commenced in 2005 and which supported local communities with the goal of increasing public safety and reducing the risk of anti-social and criminal activity.

I have also received notice from Senator Brian Ó Domhnaill of the following matter:

The need for the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade to intensify political efforts to provide a long-term solution for the many undocumented Irish in the United States.

I have also received notice from Senator Marc MacSharry of the following matter:

The need for the Minister for Finance to clarify the interest rate that will be charged by the Ireland Strategic Investment Fund in providing funding to private companies to build homes.

I have also received notice from Senator Mark Daly of the following matter:

The need for the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport to outline when the Government will put in place a national policy for speed restrictions on roads by schools, crèches, hospitals and community buildings.

I have also received notice from Senator Marie Moloney of the following matter:

The need for the Minister for Justice and Equality to examine the possibility of providing grant aid for the installation of security alarms in private homes.

I regard the matters raised by the Senators as suitable for discussion. I have selected those raised by Senators Byrne, Burke, Moran and Cullinane and they will be taken now.