Written answers
Wednesday, 9 April 2008
- Department of Education and Science
- Schools Amalgamation
Question 74: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the number of applications seeking approval for the amalgamation of a boys national school with a girls national school in the same...
- Student Accommodation
Question 75: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if she has agreed to the establishment of an inter-departmental committee to review and examine the provision of third level student...
- Schools Marketing Initiatives
Question 76: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if her attention has been drawn to the disquiet expressed by the Irish Primary Principals Network and the Irish National Teachers...
- Telecommunications Services
Question 77: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if she is satisfied with the quality and provision of broadband for schools; the percentage of schools that have access to broadband;...
- Third Level Fees
Question 78: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the provision made in the 2008 Estimates for the targeted fund of €10 million to alleviate fees in public institutions for persons...
- School Curriculum
Question 79: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if she will continue to push ahead with the circular regarding early immersion education or if she will agree to requests from...
- Pupil-Teacher Ratio
Question 80: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the percentage of children n respect of primary school sizes in primary classes of 30 pupils or more for the years 2003, 2004, 2005,...
- School Services Staff
Question 81: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the reason her Department collapsed the process agreed under Towards 2016 to address payments of school secretaries and caretakers. ...
- Special Educational Needs
Question 82: To ask the Minister for Education and Science her proposals to extend and improve facilities in mainstream education for children with autism; if she has evaluated precisely such...
- Departmental Properties
Question 83: To ask the Minister for Education and Science when she will sanction the request of a school board to sell the defunct old national school (details supplied) in County Cork; and if...
- Pupil-Teacher Ratio
Question 84: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if she will reduce the pupil/teacher ratio in 2009; and if so, the amount by which it will be reduced. [13261/08]
- Physical Education Facilities
Question 85: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if she will fulfil the commitment given to a school (details supplied) on 21 May 2007 when the board of management received official...
- Schools Refurbishment
Question 86: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the situation regarding the essential roof and other major repairs to a school (details supplied) in County Cavan; her views on...
- Schools Building Projects
Question 88: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if she will sanction €311,000 to a project (details supplied) in Dublin 7 in order that they can complete the three-year pilot phase...
- School Accommodation
Question 89: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if her Department has carried out an analysis into the projected number of students who will need to be accommodated in second level...
- Schools Building Projects
Question 90: To ask the Minister for Education and Science when she will sanction the extension to a community college (details supplied) in County Cork that applied 15 years ago; and if she...
- Pupil-Teacher Ratio
Question 91: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the number of schools throughout the country in respect of which she has improved the pupil/teacher ratio in the classroom since the...
- Schools Building Projects
Question 92: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if the discontinuation of the school buildings list has removed transparency from the school buildings programme resulting in many...
- School Staffing
Question 93: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the practice that has been put in place to ensure that registered sex offenders are not used as substitute teachers in schools; and if...
- School Services Staff
Question 94: To ask the Minister for Education and Science how she can justify school secretaries who provide the same services being paid differing rates of pay, with some being paid less than...
- School Accommodation
Question 95: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if she will expedite the plans for new permanent accommodation at a school (details supplied) in Dublin 24; if her attention has been...
- Special Educational Needs
Question 96: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if a centre (detail supplied) is operational; the services it provides for persons with autism in the Republic and in Northern Ireland;...
- Schools Building Projects
Question 97: To ask the Minister for Education and Science further to Parliamentary Question Nos. 1079 of 30 January 2008 and 159 of 6 March 2008, the further progress that has been made in the...
- Student Accommodation
Question 98: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if she will establish a task force to address the urgent accommodation needs of third level students; and if her attention has been...
- Special Educational Needs
Question 99: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if her Department will accord recognition to all Down's syndrome children as having specific learning disabilities, thus providing an...
- Department of An Taoiseach
- Trade Statistics
Question 100: To ask the Taoiseach the balance of trade between Ireland and China, Burma, Pakistan, India, Zimbabwe, Sudan, Chad, Congo, Egypt, Saudi-Arabia and Iran for the years 2000 to 2007;...
- Department of Finance
- Tax Code
Question 101: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance his views on amending the Valuation Act 2001 in view of the issues faced by a number of voluntary clubs such as a club (details...
- Garda Stations
Question 102: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance the cost of restructuring a private house in Dowra, County Cavan to provide a Garda Barracks; if he is satisfied that this money was...
- Departmental Facilities
Question 103: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance further to Parliamentary Question No. 191 of 2 April 2008, the number and the cost incurred, through rental or otherwise, of car park...
- National Biodiversity Plan
Question 104: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance the steps he has taken to ensure that his Department, in accordance with the requirement under the National Biodiversity Plan, has...
- Election Expenses
Question 105: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance the amounts paid to each returning official in respect of their election expenses accounts for the 2007 general election; and the...
- Fiscal Policy
Question 106: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance if the national reserve pension fund has funds invested in companies that manufacture cluster munitions or components for such...
- Tax Collection
Question 107: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance the impact the shortfall in tax revenues will have for his spending plans in 2008; and if he will make a statement on the matter....
- Department of Health and Children
- Health Services
Question 108: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if she is satisfied regarding the extent and frequency of school medical examinations; if she has received a report for changes or...
- Special Educational Needs
Question 109: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the number of court actions regarding the provision of resources such as speech and language therapy, occupational therapy and...
- Hospitals Building Programme
Question 110: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if she will make a statement on the situation where the Health Service Executive and Cork University Hospital have been forced to...
- Hospital Staff
Question 111: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if she will make a statement on the status of the common contract document finalised by the Irish Hospital Consultants Association and...
- Hospital Services
Question 112: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if she proposes to introduce restrictions over the practices of private cosmetic surgery clinics here and particularly the way cosmetic...
- Health Service Reform
Question 113: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if she has received a consultant's report from management consultants (details supplied); and if there is a recommendation to...
- Health Services
Question 114: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the reason a person (details supplied) in County Mayo has not received payment under the home care package in respect of their mother;...
- Nursing Home Subventions
Question 115: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if she will reconsider the case of a person (details supplied) in County Cork whose nursing home subvention was reduced from €472.70...
- Disabled Drivers
Question 116: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the minimum number of alterations and standard of vehicle required for adapting a vehicle under the motorised transport grant. [13449/08]
- Hospital Services
Question 118: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if she will investigate the way an oncology review appointment issued to a person (details supplied) in County Mayo for 23 September...
- National Biodiversity Plan
Question 119: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the steps she has taken to ensure that her Department, in accordance with the requirement under the National Biodiversity Plan, has...
- Nursing Home Subventions
Question 120: To ask the Minister for Health and Children her views on the case of a person (details supplied) in County Cork who applied for an increase in subvention in January 2008 and who...
- Hospital Charges
Question 121: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if she will ensure that a person (details supplied) in Dublin 4 is excused from paying a bill; and if she will make a statement on the...
- Health Service Staff
Question 122: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the reason a person (details supplied) in Dublin 11 has been denied re-entry to their employment after a career break in view of the...
- Fair Deal Scheme
Question 123: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the position on the fair deal for nursing homes; when it will commence; the way it will operate; the criteria that will be used; the...
- Nursing Home Subventions
Question 124: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if nursing home fees in respect of a two-weeks stay will be refunded to a person (details supplied). [13521/08]
- Hospital Services
Question 125: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if she will ensure that a person (details supplied) in County Westmeath receives an appointment at the orthopaedic clinic in Midland...
- Housing Aid for the Elderly
Question 129: To ask the Minister for Health and Children when an application will be processed for a person (details supplied) in County Clare; and if she will make a statement on the matter....
- Health Services
Question 130: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if a person (details supplied) in Dublin 9 will be assisted when they leave hospital. [13563/08]
- Services for People with Disabilities
Question 131: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if a person (details supplied) in County Westmeath will be assisted. [13564/08]
- Hospital Services
Question 132: To ask the Minister for Health and Children her plans to upgrade or increase the capacity of the children's hospital at Tallaght; and if she will make a statement on the matter....
- Department of Transport
- EU Directives
Question 133: To ask the Minister for Transport the reason, with regard to the Torremolinos Agreement, he has not invoked option number three on behalf of the mussel fishermen of Castlemaine...
- Air Accident Investigations
Question 134: To ask the Minister for Transport if he has investigated an immediate review of the emergency landing of a plane (details supplied) at Shannon Airport on 28 March 2008; the...
- Public Transport
Question 135: To ask the Minister for Transport the reason Dublin Bus was asked to withdraw route 25X departures from the south Lucan area; the reason his Department has refused an application...
- National Biodiversity Plan
Question 136: To ask the Minister for Transport the steps he has taken to ensure his Department, in accordance with the requirement under the national biodiversity plan, has drawn up a...
- Departmental Funding
Question 137: To ask the Minister for Transport the projects approved under the strategic infrastructure fund; the amount approved in each case; the details of these projects. [13528/08]
- Taxi Regulations
Question 138: To ask the Minister for Transport the reason for the non-inclusion of a licensed metered taxi service at Shannon Airport (details supplied). [13562/08]
- Traffic Management
Question 139: To ask the Minister for Transport if he plans to introduce a traffic message channel, RDS, on FM radio, to alert drivers to congestion, accidents and so on, in view of the clear...
- Department of Foreign Affairs
- National Biodiversity Plan
Question 140: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the steps he has taken to ensure his Department, in accordance with the requirement under the national biodiversity plan, has drawn up a...
- Foreign Conflicts
Question 141: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will encourage the Colombian Government to get involved in peace talks with all sides to their conflict and to use the Irish...
- Departmental Funding
Question 142: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the position in relation to a matter (details supplied). [13567/08]
- Diplomatic Relations
Question 143: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the diplomatic relations Ireland has with Burma; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13618/08]
- Human Rights Issues
Question 145: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the response of the Chinese Ambassador to his expression of concern regarding the situation in Tibet; and if he will make a statement on the...
- Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment
- Health and Safety Regulations
Question 146: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment when his attention was drawn to the health risks associated with asbestos in the workplace; when legislation was introduced...
- Work Permits
Question 147: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will grant an employment permit to a person (details supplied). [13431/08]
- Job Losses
Question 148: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the measures being taken by his Department and its agencies, in particular the Industrial Development Authority and...
- National Biodiversity Plan
Question 149: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the steps he has taken to ensure his Department, in accordance with the requirement under the national biodiversity plan,...
- Department of Arts, Sport and Tourism
- Sports Capital Programme
Question 151: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism when lottery funding which was approved to an organisation (details supplied) in County Mayo will be issued. [13500/08]
- Department of Social and Family Affairs
- Social Welfare Fraud
Question 152: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the sanctions open to his Department where an employer falsely certifies a person as his or her employee for the purposes of...
- Departmental Staff
Question 153: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs, further to Parliamentary Question No. 95 of 2 April 2008, the issues that remain to be resolved in his Department's discussions...
- Social Welfare Appeals
Question 154: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs when an oral hearing will be heard for a person (details supplied) in County Mayo. [13461/08]
- Social Welfare Benefits
Question 155: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if he will allow persons to participate in the all-Ireland free travel scheme from the age of 65; and if he will make a statement...
- National Biodiversity Plan
Question 156: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the steps he has taken to ensure his Department, in accordance with the requirement under the national biodiversity plan, has...
- Social Welfare Benefits
Question 157: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if a person (details supplied) in Dublin 17 will be assisted. [13565/08]
- Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs
- Community Development
Question 158: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the position with regard to the cohesion process concerning local and community development initiatives, and...
- National Biodiversity Plan
Question 159: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the steps he has taken to ensure that his Department, in accordance with the requirement under the National...
- Department of Agriculture and Food
- Aquaculture Development
Question 161: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food her views on the cultivation and harvesting of mussels in Cromane Harbour to be taken under the auspices of aquaculture...
- Department of Education and Science
- Special Educational Needs
Question 162: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the number of court actions regarding the provision of school places, and resources, for students with special needs which her...
- School Staffing
Question 163: To ask the Minister for Education and Science when the extra resources will be provided for a resource teacher and a special needs assistant for a person (details supplied) in...
- Schools Building Projects
Question 165: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if she is committed to providing a permanent education centre for Limerick and its environs (details supplied). [13432/08]
- Institutes of Technology
Question 166: To ask the Minister for Education and Science further to Parliamentary Question No. 805 of 2 April 2008, if a decision will be reached in regard to progressing the application of...
- Higher Education Grants
Question 167: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if her attention has been drawn to the fact that a person (details supplied) in County Galway has recently been denied a higher...
- Vocational Education Committees
Question 168: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if her attention has been drawn to the recent changes made to the enrolment policy of the Balbriggan vocational educational committee,...
- National Biodiversity Plan
Question 169: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the steps she has taken to ensure that her Department in accordance with the requirement under the National Biodiversity Plan, has...
- Student Support Schemes
Question 170: To ask the Minister for Education and Science her plans to support part time students at third level, particularly those who left formal education without a qualification; and if...
- Schools Building Projects
Question 171: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the position regarding an application for funding for a building project at a school (details supplied) in Dublin 8; when the latest...
- Adult Education
Question 173: To ask the Minister for Education and Science her plans, in view of the increasing unemployment rates among the unskilled, to increase learning opportunities for adults within the...
- State Examinations
Question 174: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the position in relation to a person (details supplied) in County Wicklow who has applied for access to a reader for examination as...
- Languages Programme
Question 175: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the criteria that must be met in order to establish a specific type of education facility business (details supplied) in County Cork....
- Schools Building Projects
Question 176: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the position in relation to the proposed expansion of facilities to a school (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will...
- Special Educational Needs
Question 177: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the full extent of special needs, resource and remedial teaching requirements identified at all schools here; her intention to address...
- Bullying in Schools
Question 178: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the number of incidents of school bullying made known to her Department in the past 12 months; the action taken arising therefrom; and...
- Pupil-Teacher Ratio
Question 179: To ask the Minister for Education and Science when she expects to address the issue of class sizes in all schools here in line with international best practice; and if she will...
- Special Educational Needs
Question 180: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the extent to which an attempt has been made to identify in full speech and language training requirements at all schools here; when...
- Languages Programme
Question 181: To ask the Minister for Education and Science her proposals to meet in full the requirements of the various school authorities here arising from the multicultural society; when she...
- School Accommodation
Question 182: To ask the Minister for Education and Science when she will meet in full commitments made in the run up to the general election in 2007 in respect of school accommodation as...
- Special Educational Needs
Question 183: To ask the Minister for Education and Science her proposals to meet undertakings given prior to the general election in 2007 in respect of provisions for children with autism in...
- Psychological Service
Question 184: To ask the Minister for Education and Science her proposals to meet psychological needs and assessments as identified by the various school authorities here; and if she will make a...
- Pupil-Teacher Ratio
Question 185: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if she has carried out an assessment of pupil-teacher ratios throughout the greater Dublin area, with particular reference to the...
- Schools Building Projects
Question 186: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the position in regard to the provision of proposed new primary school facilities at Straffan County Kildare; and if she will make a...
- School Accommodation
Question 189: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the full extent of the primary and post-primary school requirements at Naas County Kildare; the need for accommodation and other...
- Schools Building Projects
Question 197: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the position in relation to an application for major capital funding in the case of a school (details supplied) in County Kildare; her...
- Third Level Institutions
Question 207: To ask the Minister for Education and Science, further to Parliamentary Question No. 583 of 5 February 2008, if further developments have occurred to date in this regard; and if...
- Schools Building Projects
Question 208: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the position in relation to an application for permanent facilities at a school (details supplied) in County Kildare; her plans to...
- School Accommodation
Question 211: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if she will advise in relation to a school (details supplied) in County Kildare regarding the expansion of their facilities; and if...
- Schools Building Projects
Question 212: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if the €800,000 committed to the construction of the new school at Lacken, County Wicklow is still available; if she will be clear...
- Department of Defence
- National Biodiversity Plan
Question 213: To ask the Minister for Defence the steps he has taken to ensure that his Department, in accordance with the requirement under the National Biodiversity Plan, has drawn up a...
- Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform
- Proposed Legislation
Question 214: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the position regarding the proposed legislation in relation to management companies; when he expects the bill to be...
- Residency Permits
Question 215: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the reason for the delay in processing an application for a person (details supplied) in County Dublin for long-term...
- Garda Vetting Services
Question 216: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if his attention has been drawn to the fact that delays reportedly of three months in returning Garda vetting applications...
- Residency Permits
Question 218: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the status of an application for residency by a person (details supplied) in County Tipperary; when a decision is due; and...
- Garda Strength
Question 219: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of civilians employed by An Garda Síochána; the duties for which they are responsible; the number of Gardaí...
- Residency Permits
Question 220: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will give favourable consideration to the case made on behalf of a person (details supplied) who has been a member of...
- National Biodiversity Plan
Question 221: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the steps he has taken to ensure that his Department, in accordance with the requirement under the National Biodiversity...
- Residency Permits
Question 222: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform when a decision will be made on an application for residency on behalf of a person (details supplied) in County Tipperary....
- Citizenship Applications
Question 224: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the position in relation to an application for naturalisation in the case of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 15; and...
- Garda Deployment
Question 226: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will provide a report on the sequence of events surrounding the public disturbances in Finglas on 17 March 2008; when...
- Victims Commission
Question 227: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the status of the Commission for the Support of Victims of Crime; if he has extended the operational life of the...
- Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government
- Departmental Staff
Question 228: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the number of inspectors employed by his Department and its agencies for the certification of public...
- Asbestos Remediation Programme
Question 229: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government when his attention was drawn to the health risks associated with asbestos; and if he will make a statement on...
- Water and Sewerage Schemes
Question 230: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if plans have been approved for the sewerage scheme for Gweedore, County Donegal; the stage the project is...
- Library Projects
Question 232: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the position regarding the provision of funding to develop a new county library in a town (details supplied)...
- Grant Payments
Question 233: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the position of an application by persons (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a...
- Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources
- Telecommunications Services
Question 234: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources when he plans to publish the value for money and policy review on the metropolitan area networks programme....
