Written answers

Wednesday, 21 May 2008

  • Department of Education and Science
    • Telecommunications Services
      Question 89: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the steps, following the publication of a recent European Commission report which shows that schools here rank in 19th place out of...
    • Site Acquisitions
      Question 90: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the number of primary school sites that were purchased in 2005, 2006 and 2007; the location of each site; the cost of each site; the...
    • Public Private Partnerships
      Question 91: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the number, type and location of each project in respect of public private partnership costs provided for in his revised Estimates at...
    • State Examinations
      Question 92: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the reason the extensive reforms in the leaving certificate examinations due to come into effect in 2009 have been put on hold without...
    • Schools Building Projects
      Question 93: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the number with respect to each of the nine stages for the architectural planning programme of primary school building projects for...
    • School Governance
      Question 94: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the practical steps taken to arrange for the one day conference on governance in the primary school system due to be held in the Royal...
    • Pupil-Teacher Ratio
      Question 95: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the extent to which it is intended to meet class size reductions promised before the general election in 2007; if any such commitments...
    • School Services Staff
      Question 96: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if, in respect of sub-head C4 of the revised Estimates for 2008 dedicated to salaries of non-teaching staff in primary schools,...
    • Special Educational Needs
      Question 97: To ask the Minister for Education and Science, further to Parliamentary Question No. 413 of 8 May 2008, the number of the 13 visiting teachers for the visually impaired who hold a...
    • Schools Recognition
      Question 98: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the reason he did not respond to the request from a school (details supplied) for a new primary school; the further reason he could...
    • Schools Building Projects
      Question 100: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the position in relation to the long promised and long delayed extension to a school (details supplied) in County Cork; if progress...
    • School Management
      Question 101: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if his Department had formal or informal discussions or negotiations with representatives of the religious order of Christian...
    • School Transport
      Question 102: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the status of his Department's review of school transport catchment boundaries; and if he will make a statement on the matter. ...
    • School Funding
      Question 103: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if his attention has been drawn to the submission made by the Joint Committee on Education and Science on behalf of a number of...
    • Special Educational Needs
      Question 104: To ask the Minister for Education and Science, further to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 62 and 63 of 13 November 2007, when the Special Education Appeals Board will be operational;...
    • School Accommodation
      Question 105: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the extent to which it is expected to meet in full the accommodation requirements for all children seeking school places at both...
    • Third Level Fees
      Question 106: To ask the Minister for Education and Science his views on the heavy financial burdens imposed by repeat examination fees upon third level students; his further views on whether...
    • Schools Building Projects
      Question 108: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if he will provide funding for the essential restructuring of a school (details supplied) in County Cavan; his views on whether this...
    • School Staffing
      Question 110: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if his Department or an organisation or person he is responsible for, directly or indirectly, as Minister including but not limited...
    • Irish Language
      Question 111: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the situation regarding the long promised ionad oideachais in a school (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the...
    • Schools Building Projects
      Question 112: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the situation regarding a proposed new school for a school (details supplied) in County Cork; if a site has been secured for this new...
    • School Enrolments
      Question 113: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the number of parents who have availed of the appeal mechanism set out in section 29 of the Education Act 1998 with regard to having...
    • Third Level Education
      Question 114: To ask the Minister for Education and Science his role in administrating and monitoring the Erasmus programme for third level Irish students who attend accredited courses in...
    • Schools Amalgamation
      Question 115: To ask the Minister for Education and Science his views on the proposal to combine three second level schools in Skibbereen into a community school to be built on a green field...
    • Special Educational Needs
      Question 117: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the action he proposes to ensure that all primary and secondary schools provide places for children who have a learning disability or...
    • School Curriculum
      Question 118: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the process of consultation which has taken place with the patrons of primary schools and other interested bodies under section 30 of...
    • Higher Education Grants
      Question 119: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the cost for the provision of grants and scholarships for the 68,500 third level students as indicated in the annual output statement...
    • Schools Building Projects
      Question 120: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the situation regarding a school (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19523/08]
    • School Accommodation
      Question 121: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the amount of money paid by his Department to primary schools directly or indirectly for hiring of prefabricated classrooms; the...
    • School Funding
      Question 122: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if his attention has been drawn to a report delivered to the recent meeting in Galway of the Association of Management of Catholic...
  • Department of An Taoiseach
    • Live Register
      Question 123: To ask the Taoiseach the unemployment figures at the Tallaght centre; and if he will provide figures for the same month over the past five years. [20075/08]
    • State Airports
      Question 124: To ask the Taoiseach the reason the Dublin Airport Authority is not listed in the February 2007 publication entitled Bodies in Ireland with Regulatory Powers bearing in mind that...
  • Department of Finance
    • Tax Code
      Question 125: To ask the Minister for Finance if he will estimate the amount of tax forfeited in 2007 by virtue of the tax exemption on stud fees. [19590/08]
    • Civil Service Staff
      Question 127: To ask the Minister for Finance the number of staff serving in the Civil Service from 2003 to date in 2008 broken down by grade and gender; the number of work-sharing staff in the...
    • National Parks
      Question 128: To ask the Minister for Finance, further to Parliamentary Question No. 138 of 13 May 2008, if he has made a request to the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local...
  • Department of Health and Children
    • Health Service Allowances
      Question 129: To ask the Minister for Health and Children when a payment will be made regarding a decision taken on an application for domiciliary care allowance for a person (details supplied)...
    • Health Insurance
      Question 130: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if some member states of the EU have chosen to reduce the services which they may provide to persons who hold an EU medical services...
    • Services for People with Disabilities
      Question 131: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if her attention has been drawn to the practice whereby children on the waiting list in the DCD unit at St. Finbarr's Hospital, Cork are...
    • Health Services
      Question 134: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the annual breakdown of the number of calls to the farm and rural stress help-line operated by the Health Service Executive for the...
    • Hospital Staff
      Question 136: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if she will instruct the Health Service Executive to appoint the long promised suicide nurse at Tallaght Hospital; and her views on the...
    • Hospital Services
      Question 137: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the progress in relation to providing a much needed dedicated inpatient 12 bed facility for cystic fibrosis patients in Beaumont...
    • Mental Health Services
      Question 139: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the number of people with an intellectual disability who are resident in psychiatric hospitals; the proposals in place to move those...
    • Health Services
      Question 140: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the situation regarding children awaiting orthodontic treatment in the Cork north Lee and Kerry area; the numbers awaiting treatment;...
    • Hospitals Building Programme
      Question 141: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the position with regard to the capital redevelopment work of Ennis General Hospital; when construction will commence; the length of...
    • Hospital Services
      Question 142: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the additional staff, with regard to the national cancer control programme and the proposed move of breast cancer services from Wexford...
    • Hospital Waiting Lists
      Question 144: To ask the Minister for Health and Children when a person (details supplied) in County Kildare will receive a date for a knee replacement operation, in view of the fact that they...
    • Adoption Services
      Question 145: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if she will urgently support a case (details supplied) in relation to the Adoption Act 1952. [20121/08]
    • Health Services
      Question 146: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the position in relation to the home care package application for a person (details supplied) in County Wicklow; if this will be dealt...
    • Nursing Homes Repayment Scheme
      Question 147: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the reason a claim under the nursing home repayment scheme has been rejected for a person (details supplied) in County Leitrim; and if...
    • Hospital Services
      Question 148: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the number of patients inappropriately placed in acute hospital beds in each hospital (details supplied) who are in need of alternative...
    • Child Abuse
      Question 150: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the number of children in County Mayo, classified as being at risk or at high risk of abuse, who to date have not had a social worker...
  • Department of Transport
    • Road Network
      Question 153: To ask the Minister for Transport if the proposed outer orbital ring road around Dublin will be proceeding; the way he will fund this project; if the funds will come from the...
    • State Airports
      Question 156: To ask the Minister for Transport further to the Irish Aviation Authority's reply of 6 February 2008 to Dublin City Council (details supplied), his views on the IAA's confirmation...
    • Port Development
      Question 157: To ask the Minister for Transport the organisations represented on the steering group for the proposed study into Dublin Port under the national development plan; the rationale...
    • Public Transport
      Question 159: To ask the Minister for Transport the amount of money that has been spent on public transport projects in Counties Kerry, Limerick, Clare, Galway, Mayo, Sligo and Leitrim,...
  • Department of Foreign Affairs
    • Diplomatic Representation
      Question 160: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will confirm plans to establish an embassy in Ukraine. [20071/08]
    • Human Rights Issues
      Question 161: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs his views in respect of the growing crisis in Zimbabwe. [20072/08]
    • Foreign Conflicts
      Question 162: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will advise and support a group (details supplied) in its efforts to break the deadlock in Colombia. [20103/08]
  • Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment
    • Industrial Development
      Question 164: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of jobs in Industrial Development Authority projects in Counties Wicklow and Carlow in 2007 by...
    • Investment Schemes
      Question 165: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if her Department has received communication from Irish financial intermediaries seeking information in...
    • Departmental Surveys
      Question 167: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if the late payment survey has been completed; if so, the findings of the survey; if not, when the survey is...
    • Industrial Development
      Question 168: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the efforts made by her Department to stimulate demand amongst the small and medium enterprise sector for...
    • Community Employment Schemes
      Question 170: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if she will provide funding to a local FÁS community employment scheme in Clogh, Castlecomer, County...
    • Port Development
      Question 171: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if she will seek representation on the steering group for the proposed study into Dublin Port under the...
  • Department of Arts, Sport and Tourism
    • Swimming Pool Projects
      Question 172: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism when the local authority swimming pool programme is due to reopen; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20122/08]
    • National Theatre
      Question 173: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism if in view of the major redevelopment proposed for the former Carlton site at the corner of O'Connell Street and Parnell Street in...
  • Department of Social and Family Affairs
    • Civil Registration
      Question 174: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the methodology needed to legally register a new born baby (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement...
    • Social Welfare Benefits
      Question 175: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if there are plans to extend the free travel scheme to cover bus routes not available to travel passholders such as Airlink or...
    • Tax and Social Welfare Codes
      Question 176: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the progress made with the programme for Government commitment to integrate the tax and social welfare systems fully to allow for...

    • Question 177: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the progress with the programme for Government commitment to maintain the policy of phasing and using transition payments for...
    • Social Insurance
      Question 179: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the progress with the programme for Government commitment to recognise the role and economic contribution of spouses working on...
    • Social Welfare Code
      Question 180: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the progress with the programme for Government commitment to continue to maintain the value of the lowest rate of social welfare...
    • Services for People with Disabilities
      Question 194: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the progress with the programme for Government commitment to invest further in the citizens information board to enable it to...
    • Social Welfare Code
      Question 195: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the progress with the programme for Government commitment to urgently examine the introduction of free travel for Irish citizens...
    • Family Support Services
      Question 198: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the progress in relation to the programme for Government commitment to continue to fully resource the Family Support Agency and...
  • Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs
    • Departmental Programmes
      Question 199: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the county councils that have received funding from his Department to erect flashing lights outside of schools for...
    • Group Water Schemes
      Question 203: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs when the Ballynoneen, Asdee, County Kerry group water scheme will commence. [20195/08]
  • Department of Agriculture and Food
    • Local Authority Charges
      Question 204: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if the discussion referred to in Parliamentary Question No. 22 of 22 November 2007 has occurred; and if so, the outcome of...
    • Food Safety
      Question 205: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the legislation in place with regard to the keeping of bees and beehives and in particular empty beehives; and if he will...
    • Farm Waste Management
      Question 206: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the position regarding the appeal of a decision to refuse a grant for investment aid for farm waste management for a person...
    • On-farm Investment Schemes
      Question 209: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the reason a person who submitted an application under the farm improvement scheme on 24 October 2007 was told they had...
    • Afforestation Programme
      Question 210: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if it is the intention of Coillte to fell trees in the Moyode Woods at Athenry, County Galway; if a felling licence has been...
  • Department of Education and Science
    • Educational Disadvantage
      Question 211: To ask the Minister for Education and Science his views following a recent meeting with nine DEIS principals on the unique nature of the problems which these schools face in...
    • School Accommodation
      Question 212: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if he will urgently re-examine the request from schools (details supplied) in Dublin 7 for the required funding for the renewal of...
    • Schools Building Projects
      Question 213: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if he will confirm that a vocational school (details supplied) in County Tipperary reaches all criteria of health and safety standards...
    • School Accommodation
      Question 215: To ask the Minister for Education and Science when the application for the refurbishment of a yard in a school (details supplied) in County Meath was received; if tenders have been...
    • Schools Building Projects
      Question 216: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if he will review the file on the critical accommodation needs of a school (details supplied) in Dublin 24; his views on the clear...
    • Departmental Agencies
      Question 218: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if he gives bonuses to the directors or assistant directors of the agencies that operate under the remit of his Department when these...
    • Health and Safety Regulations
      Question 219: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the provision made to ensure that a teacher or a number of teachers within a school setting have proper certification in providing...
    • Schools Building Projects
      Question 220: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if he will confirm, in respect of all major school building projects sanctioned by his Department, that a 5% contribution from the...
    • School Accommodation
      Question 222: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the position regarding an application by a school (details supplied) in County Leitrim for funding under the summer works scheme 2008;...
    • Schools Building Projects
      Question 223: To ask the Minister for Education and Science when he will proceed with the construction of the planned secondary school in Kellystown, Dublin 15; if meetings have taken place with...
    • Schools Recognition
      Question 224: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if he has received an appeal by a group (details supplied) with respect to his decision to refuse recognition of the school; if this...
    • Schools Building Projects
      Question 225: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the names of the schools, 26 in total, under the school building projects programme that have completed the tender process, and are...
    • Special Educational Needs
      Question 227: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if he will assist on a matter (details supplied). [20206/08]
    • School Placement
      Question 228: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the current and expected primary and second level school place requirements in Maynooth, County Kildare in 2008 and over the next five...
    • Site Acquisitions
      Question 235: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the extent to which consideration has been given or is expected to be given to the provision of another second level school in...
    • Schools Building Projects
      Question 236: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if a developed sketch design has been received in his Department for the provision of proposed new national school facilities at...
    • Special Educational Needs
      Question 238: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the full extent of his intentions to improve or extend facilities for children with autism, Asperger's or other special needs...
    • Pupil-Teacher Ratio
      Question 239: To ask the Minister for Education and Science his plans to bring pupil-teacher ratios in the classroom into line with the promises made prior to the 2007 general election; and if...
    • School Accommodation
      Question 240: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the intentions to meet the accommodation requirements as set out by the various school authorities at primary and second level...
    • School Placement
      Question 241: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the extent to which he has examined the request for admission to primary schools by parents of young children in respect of which a...
    • Schools Building Projects
      Question 246: To ask the Minister for Education and Science when he expects to meet in full an application for major capital funding at a school (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he...
    • School Accommodation
      Question 250: To ask the Minister for Education and Science when he expects to meet in full an application for major capital funding at a school (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he...
    • Schools Building Projects
      Question 259: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the current and anticipated progress in the next six months regarding a project at a school (details supplied) in County Kildare; and...
  • Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform
    • Visa Applications
      Question 262: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if his attention has been drawn to a situation regarding applications made by Nigerian nationals to his Department, whereby...
    • Prisoner Releases
      Question 263: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, further to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 230, 231 and 232 of 14 May 2008, if he will set out, specify and clarify the...
    • Residency Permits
      Question 264: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if a decision has been made on the application of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 20; and if, pending a decision, he...
    • Garda Stations
      Question 265: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will discuss with the Garda Commissioner the need for a new modern Garda station in Tallaght, Dublin 24; his views on...
    • Departmental Agencies
      Question 266: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of staff employed in the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service, the Office of the Refugee Applications...
    • Asylum Applications
      Question 267: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of applications before the Office of the Refugee Applications Commissioner and the Refugee Appeals Tribunal...
    • Asylum Support Services
      Question 268: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the average total cost to the State to support and keep an asylum seeker per annum [20081/08]
    • Departmental Funding
      Question 269: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the level of funding for domestic violence allocated by the State in each of the past ten years; the number and location of...
    • Garda Strength
      Question 270: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of gardaí per division for the years 2005 to 2007 inclusive; the breakdown of the number of gardaí serving in...
    • Crime Levels
      Question 271: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of burglaries that have occurred in Dublin with a breakdown in each division in April 2008 compared to April...
    • Departmental Correspondence
      Question 272: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the position in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Galway. [20207/08]
    • Stardust Inquiry
      Question 273: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the position regarding a matter (details supplied). [20208/08]
    • Visa Applications
      Question 274: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will expedite the visa application for a person (details supplied). [20211/08]
  • Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government
    • Control of Dogs
      Question 275: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the powers that exist to deal with dogs who have bitten a person; and if he will make a statement on the...
    • Local Authority Housing
      Question 276: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government his views on a query (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20184/08]
    • National Parks
      Question 277: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he has received a request from the Office of Public Works for funding in relation to the implementation of...
    • Turbary Rights
      Question 278: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he has plans to introduce further bans on turf cutting in the future years, by the way of a blanket ban or...
    • Motor Taxation
      Question 279: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the amount of money collected in motor taxation for each county and city through the on-line service; if that...
    • Planning Issues
      Question 280: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the position in relation to the storage of planning files dealt with by his Department prior to the...
    • Illegal Encampments
      Question 281: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to the inadequacy of legislation in speedily dealing with illegal Traveller...
    • Departmental Surveys
      Question 282: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the details of the number of questions asked of those people surveyed for the recent report carried out by...
  • Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources
    • Alternative Energy Projects
      Question 284: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will introduce a grant for wood log gasifiers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20092/08]
    • Energy Conservation
      Question 286: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if there are grant supports or other incentives available to a company wishing to install a HIBrite energy...
    • Telecommunications Services
      Question 287: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources when land line broadband will be made available in an area (details supplied) in County Mayo. [20186/08]