Written answers
Thursday, 19 April 2012
- Department of Education and Skills
- School Staffing
Question 15: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if his attention has been drawn to the fact that due to changes in learning support and resource teaching hours, some teachers are...
- School Patronage
Question 16: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he supports the recommendation in the report of the Advisory Group on Patronage and Pluralism that stand alone schools be left alone...
- Pupil-Teacher Ratio
Question 17: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he will respond to the view that his policy on small rural schools is fundamentally flawed, misguided and devoid of planning and what...
- Croke Park Agreement
Question 18: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he will be seeking to ensure that all teachers' allowances are protected under the review of allowances for public servants; his...
- Third Level Participation
Question 19: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the proposals he has to support growth in participation at third level; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19410/12]
- Apprenticeship Programmes
Question 20: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to change the statutory remit for remodelling apprenticeships that will allow future apprentices to have direct entry from...
- Pupil-Teacher Ratio
Question 21: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the extent to which he and or his Department have examined the impact of constraints imposed and arising from the memorandum of...
- Adult Education
Question 22: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to make it statutory for all education institutions in the State to have an adult literacy policy; and if he will make a...
- Third Level Admissions
Question 23: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the reason certain achievements, qualifications and certification gained by young persons in out-of-school activities or in-school extra...
- Departmental Reports
Question 24: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he will provide an update on the progress of the Capital Asset Implementation Group; the assets the group are considering; when the...
- School Staffing
Question 25: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he will review his decision to separate learning support and resource teaching hours in primary schools in view of the fact that...
- Higher Education Institutions
Question 26: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if the recent Times Higher Education World Reputation Rankings which failed to feature an Irish university is a cause for concern; the...
- School Staffing
Question 27: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills when the details of the appeals mechanism for staffing in respect of primary schools for 2012/2013 will be finalised; and if he will...
- Schools Building Projects
Question 28: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills following the recent publication of the five year school building plan, the implications for schools which want to apply for a new...
- Value for Money Reviews
Question 29: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he will commit to publishing the Value for Money Review of Small Schools by the end of this month; and if he will make a statement...
- Bullying in Schools
Question 30: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills in view of his decision to establish a forum to help address bullying in Irish schools if he will outline a timetable for when this...
- Special Educational Needs
Question 31: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he will review his decision to cut nine DEIS teaching posts from a school (details supplied) in County Dublin; his views on concerns...
- Schools Building Programme
Question 32: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he will list, on a yearly basis, the schools that were included on the construction programme during the past five years; the schools...
- Departmental Expenditure
Question 34: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the progress made to date in reducing the total spend on temporary accommodation for primary and post primary schools since 2008; and if...
- Special Educational Needs
Question 35: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he will respond to criticism relating to a new requirement for students applying under the disability access route to education to...
- Departmental Agencies
Question 36: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the number of times the SOLAS implementation group has met since it was established; if he will commit to publishing legislation for the...
- Croke Park Agreement
Question 37: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if the 33 hours additional work agreed for non-teaching time can be used during school hours under the Croke Park Agreement; and if he...
- Physical Education
Question 38: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the funding that he provides for the active school flag initiative; the efforts being made to promote participation in this initiative;...
- Vocational Education Committees
Question 39: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the progress made to date in relation to the merger of the vocational education committees and the establishment of local education and...
- Special Educational Needs
Question 40: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he has had any reports on the impact of the cuts to special needs assistants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19491/12]
- School Staffing
Question 43: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the number of primary schools which will lose teaching posts due to changes to the staffing schedule in Budget 2012; and if he will make...
- Access to Higher Education
Question 44: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the supports in place to support access to third level education for students from disadvantaged areas; his plans to introduce bursaries...
- Anti-Poverty Strategy
Question 45: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he will respond to claims by the Irish National Teacher's Organisation that on average, five children in a primary classroom are at...
- School Curriculum
Question 46: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills his views on claims by the Teachers Union of Ireland that schools are facing an estimated loss of 800,000 class periods from September...
- School Patronage
Question 47: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the reason the language for the new second level school in Balbriggan, County Dublin, was decided in advance of any consultation with...
- School Staffing
Question 48: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he will ensure that legacy posts at DEIS schools are protected for the upcoming school year 2012/2013; and if he will make a...
- Employment Support Services
Question 49: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills aside from Springboard, the number and nature of any new education and training places associated with Pathways to Work that were not...
- Schools Building Projects
Question 50: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the reason a school (details supplied) in Dublin 24 has been withdrawn from the current school construction programme. [19496/12]
- Institutes of Technology
Question 51: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he will respond to recent concerns expressed by the TUI that the Dublin Institute of Technology is to phase out construction trades...
- Third Level Fees
Question 52: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the reason students participating in the part-time Bachelor of Arts, arts and design course at Galway and Castlebar GMIT will, from...
- Schools Guidance Counsellors
Question 53: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills his views on the recent ASTI survey which found that the majority of schools are considering cutting guidance provision along with...
- School Staffing
Question 54: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the number of unregistered teachers currently employed at primary and post primary school level. [19498/12]
- Access to Higher Education
Question 55: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills noting the Higher Education Authority document Towards a Future Higher Education Landscape and the success of the institutes of...
- Special Educational Needs
Question 57: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills his views on applied behaviour analysis; if he still subscribes to the view that official recognition should be conferred on ABACAS...
- School Staffing
Question 58: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he will review his decision to cut three DEIS teaching posts from a school (details supplied) in Dublin 24 from September 2012 onward...
- Teachers' Remuneration
Question 59: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills his views on the Association of Secondary Teachers of Ireland assertion that cuts to teachers' allowances may breach the Croke Park...
- Institutes of Technology
Question 60: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills his views on figures released recently by the Teachers' Union of Ireland that show an 18% increase in student numbers between 2008 and...
- Capitation Grants
Question 61: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if provision will be made to assist schools in difficulty as a consequence of the cut in capitation grants to schools; and if he will...
- Literacy Levels
Question 62: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills his views on the results for Irish schools in the OECD's 2009 Programme for International Student Assessment tests, in which the...
- School Enrolments
Question 63: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he will provide a timeframe for the consultation with families living along the Border corridor and which seeks to establish the...
- Teachers' Remuneration
Question 65: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he will provide statistical data on the number of newly qualified teachers who have emigrated since the decision to cut their...
- Special Educational Needs
Question 66: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the proposals, if any, he has to improve the participation for persons with disabilities in third level education; and if he will make a...
- Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
- Diplomatic Representation
Question 68: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the number of staff by grade and the cost of and operation of the Irish embassies in Portugal, Turkey, Switzerland,...
- Department of Finance
- Tax Collection
Question 69: To ask the Minister for Finance if it is confirmed that no return whatsoever was brought in by the windfall tax on rezoned National Asset Management Agency land in 2009; and if he...
- Banks Recapitalisation
Question 70: To ask the Minister for Finance if he has had any discussions with the banks in relation to the provision of credit in the construction industry; the results of these discussions;...
- Bank Guarantee Scheme
Question 71: To ask the Minister for Finance if he will show separately for each covered institution the amount of senior bonds, presenting figures separately for secured and unsecured, repaid...
- Job Losses
Question 74: To ask the Minister for Finance if he will intervene with AIB in view of speculation regarding thousands of job losses and ensure that management engage fully with the Irish Bank...
- Tax Code
Question 76: To ask the Minister for Finance if, in view of the cash flow problems caused to businesses by payment of value added tax he will consider putting in place a mechanism whereby...
- Departmental Staff
Question 78: To ask the Minister for Finance the number of promotions that have been approved in the Revenue Commissioners for the years 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 and to date in 2012 by grade; and...
- Bonds Markets
Question 79: To ask the Minister for Finance his views on the current prospects for Ireland to return to the bond markets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19708/12]
- Social and Affordable Housing
Question 80: To ask the Minister for Finance if he expects the National Assets Management Agency to engage with all councils in whose area NAMA holds housing stock in regard to the provision of...
- National Asset Management Agency
Question 81: To ask the Minister for Finance his views on the operation to date of the National Assets Management Agency advisory board; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19710/12]
- Department of Education and Skills
- FÁS Training Programmes
Question 82: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding the operation of the FÁS local training initiative; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19569/12]
- Ministerial Staff
Question 84: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he will provide, in tabular form, details of all salary increases for special advisors requested by him or any Ministers of State in...
- Ministerial Staff
Question 85: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he will provide, in tabular form, the names and salaries of all his special advisors including special advisors of Ministers of State...
- Higher Education Grants
Question 86: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the progress of the capital asset implementation group; the assets the group are considering; when the group is expected to report; the...
- School Management
Question 88: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he will provide a list of national schools currently with no board of management and in each case the reason for same. [19551/12]
- Educational Tours (1 comment)
Question 89: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he will address concerns regarding the Irish Greyhound Board offering free school tour outings of the greyhound stadia around the...
- Third Level Fees
Question 91: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the most up-to-date figures for payment and collection of the second instalment of third level fees for this academic year, for the...
- Fire Safety
Question 92: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he will provide details of the fire safety checks that take place on new school buildings by engineers from his Department who are...
- Fee Charging Schools
Question 93: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he will confirm whether he has no intention of withdrawing public funding to fee paying secondary schools. [19586/12]
- School Accommodation
Question 94: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills when a school (details supplied) will be provided with new school accommodation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19605/12]
- School Staffing
Question 96: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the action he is taking to ensure there are no teaching posts lost at a school (details supplied) in Dublin 24 from next September; and...
- Teachers' Remuneration
Question 99: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the cost to the Exchequer in each of the past five years of increments paid to primary teachers and post primary teachers [19690/12]
- Higher Education Grants
Question 100: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he will outline the new and proposed State supports for access to third and fourth level education in view of the recent reduction...
- Department of Public Expenditure and Reform
- Ministerial Staff
Question 101: To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will provide, in tabular form, details of all salary increases for special advisors requested by him or any Ministers of...
- Ministerial Transport
Question 103: To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform further to Parliamentary Question No. 282 of 28 February 2012, if he will confirm the actual savings that were achieved in the...
- Department of Enterprise, Trade and Innovation
- Ministerial Staff
Question 104: To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if he will provide, in tabular form, details of all salary increases for special advisors requested by him or any Ministers...
- Work Permits
Question 106: To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the position regarding an application for an employment permit in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cork....
- Employment Rights
Question 107: To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation his views on issues (details supplied) raised by the Restaurants Association of Ireland concerning the way in which small...
- Enterprise Support Services
Question 108: To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the efforts made to date by the State agencies and his Department to protect employment at a plant (details supplied); if he...
- Industrial Disputes
Question 109: To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the progress that has been made in relation to the resolution of a long running dispute at a company (details supplied); if...
- Department of Social Protection
- Social Welfare Benefits
Question 110: To ask the Minister for Social Protection if she will expedite an application for carer's allowance in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will...
- Employment Support Services
Question 111: To ask the Minister for Social Protection if she will extend the duration of the Tus scheme beyond one year as in many cases it takes up to nine months to adequately train the...
- Social Welfare Benefits
Question 112: To ask the Minister for Social Protection when a decision will issue on an application in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Roscommon; and if she will make a...
- Social Welfare Appeals
Question 115: To ask the Minister for Social Protection when a decision on a child benefit appeal will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Tipperary; and if she will make a statement...
- Community Employment Schemes
Question 116: To ask the Minister for Social Protection if the financial review of all community employment projects has been completed; if the results of this review will be published; what is...
- Social Welfare Appeals
Question 117: To ask the Minister for Social Protection when a decision will issue on a disability allowance application now under appeal in respect of a person (details supplied) in County...
- Departmental Agencies
Question 118: To ask the Minister for Social Protection if it is appropriate for TUS funding, including the administrative portion of the funding, to be used to supplement the salaries of...
- Social Welfare Appeals
Question 120: To ask the Minister for Social Protection when an oral hearing on an application for disability allowance will take place in respect of a person (details supplied) in County...
- Proposed Legislation
Question 123: To ask the Minister for Social Protection when she plans to introduce legislation in line with the paragraph 4.12 of the Report on Family Relationships by the Law Reform...
- Pension Provisions
Question 124: To ask the Minister for Social Protection if there are any small amount of income that an old age pensioner getting €226 per week in pension, could earn legitimately to help...
- Social Welfare Appeals
Question 125: To ask the Minister for Social Protection when a person (details supplied) in County Carlow will receive a decision on an appeal for carer's allowance [19661/12]
- Claims Processing
Question 126: To ask the Minister for Social Protection if she has given any consideration to a proposal for reform of the manner in which the UPII-1-10 forms are treated by her Department...
- Social Welfare Appeals
Question 127: To ask the Minister for Social Protection if disability allowance will be approved in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny; and if she will expedite the...
- Department of Arts, Heritage and Gaeltacht Affairs
- Straitéis 20 Bliain don Ghaeilge
Question 128: To ask the Aire Ealaíon, Oidhreachta agus Gaeltachta, céard iad na pleananna atá aige le pleananna áitiúla teanga a chur i bhfeidhm sa nGaeltacht faoin Stráitéis Fiche...
- Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources
- Fisheries Protection
Question 130: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will provide data on a fish counter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. ...
- Inland Fisheries
Question 131: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will extend the fishing season for salmon fishing on the River Maine, County Kerry, which closes on 30...
- Telecommunications Services
Question 132: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his views on a matter regarding broadband (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter....
- Post Office Network
Question 133: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the number and locations of post offices that have closed since 1997; and if he will make a statement on the...
- Broadcasting Services
Question 134: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will investigate a matter regarding Saorsat (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the...
- Department of Environment, Community and Local Government
- Local Development Companies
Question 135: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the salaries, pensions and expenses paid to chief executives and deputy chief executives to Area Partnership...
- Departmental Funding
Question 136: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the total amount of capital investment funding provided by him to Galway County Council for programmes in...
- Planning Issues
Question 138: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will confirm the amount of land dezoned since September 2011 in each of the electoral areas of County...
- Local Authority Charges
Question 139: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide details of charities and the types of accommodation owned by charities that are exempt...
- Leader Programmes
Question 140: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his views on a matter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19591/12]
- Water and Sewerage Schemes
Question 141: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide an update on Pallasgreen sewerage scheme, County Limerick. [19616/12]
- Environmental Regulations
Question 142: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the certificates required by local authorities for dry...
- Local Authority Charges
Question 143: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he has publicly stated that he will ensure that 700,000 persons receive letters from the local...
- Water Services
Question 147: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his views on whether his decision to endorse Bord Gáis Energy as the entity to run the new water utility...
- Community Development
Question 148: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he proposes to increase the upper limit for grant aid for community projects to be funded under the...
- Planning Issues
Question 149: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government as there seems to be a gap in legislation where there is no independent body overseeing the consistent...
- Department of Justice, Equality and Defence
- Garda Investigations
Question 150: To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will provide an update regarding an investigation (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19556/12]
- Liquor Licensing Laws
Question 151: To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality when he will be in a position to comment on the public consultation process on the Third Compliance Report on the implementation of the...
- Garda Equipment
Question 152: To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the average age of the Garda fleet of vehicles and bikes; and the number of new and pre-owned, that is used, vehicles and bikes...
- Ministerial Correspondence
Question 153: To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality his views on a matter (details supplied). [19669/12]
- State Pathologists
Question 154: To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality if the State pathologists and assistant State pathologist are allocated State vehicles when attending crime scenes; and if he will make...
- Garda Strength
Question 155: To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of vacancies currently at the rank of sergeants, inspectors, superintendents, chief superintendents and assistant...
- Courts Service
Question 156: To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality if his attention has been drawn to the delays in the administration of civil proceedings in the Kilkenny District Court Office; if he...
- Ministerial Transport
Question 157: To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality further to Parliamentary Question No. 282 of 28 February 2012, the way the estimated saving of €4 million on the use of State cars...
- Departmental Expenditure
Question 158: To ask the Minister for Defence the amount of money that has been spent by the Ombudsman for the Defence Forces in preparing, publishing and printing its annual report in 2007,...
- Defence Forces Recruitment
Question 159: To ask the Minister for Defence if he will consider extending upwards the maximum age for recruits joining the Army; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19677/12]
- Department of Agriculture, Marine and Food
- Grant Payments
Question 160: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if approval will be given in respect of payment under the 2011 single farm payment scheme to a person (details supplied) in...
- Agri-Environmental Options Scheme
Question 162: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when it is proposed to re-open the agricultural environment options scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter....
- Harbours and Piers
Question 163: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will view Dingle harbour, County Kerry as a special case before signing the fishery harbour centres rates and charges...
- Agri-Environmental Options Scheme
Question 164: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will immediately reopen a new agri environment options scheme to allow farmers whose REP scheme contracts have...
- Beef Industry
Question 165: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 556 of 21 March 2012, if the beef technology adoption programme was tendered for...
- Rural Environment Protection Scheme
Question 169: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the position regarding REP scheme 4 (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19720/12]
- Department of Health
- Grant Payments
Question 170: To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs further to Parliamentary Question No. 623, if a section 39 grant for 2011 will be granted to a group (details supplied) and if...
- Health Services
Question 171: To ask the Minister for Health if he will increase the home support in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 3 [19550/12]
- Medical Cards
Question 172: To ask the Minister for Health if he will expedite an application for a medical card in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on...
- Health Services
Question 173: To ask the Minister for Health when an application for a pair of orthotics will be processed in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Cork; and if he will make a...
- Ambulance Service
Question 174: To ask the Minister for Health the acute hospitals that have landing facilities on site to cater for the new air ambulance service; if not on site, the distance to the designated...
- Hospital Procedures
Question 175: To ask the Minister for Health the admission protocol for each medical assessment unit at each hospital; the plans, if any, to review these protocols; and if he will make a...
- Medical Cards
Question 176: To ask the Minister for Health the position regarding an application for a medical card renewal in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 9 [19577/12]
- Hospital Staff
Question 178: To ask the Minister for Health if it is the case that a FETAC level 5 qualification is now required for multi-task assistants and or carers on night duty in community hospitals or...
- National Lottery Funding
Question 179: To ask the Minister for Health when an organisation (details supplied) who made an application to his Department for National Lottery funds for a community mini bus for Longford,...
- Medical Cards
Question 180: To ask the Minister for Health when the review of a medical card entitlement will be carried out in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Galway [19628/12]
- Fire Safety Regulations
Question 181: To ask the Minister for Health if he will provide details of the fire safety checks that take place on new buildings of his Department and Health Service Executive buildings...
- Hospital Staff
Question 183: To ask the Minister for Health the number of consultant paediatrician urologists in each hospital here; the change since 1 May 2011; and if he will make a statement on the matter....
- Primary Care Centres
Question 184: To ask the Minister for Health if he will publish an update in respect of primary care centres proposals for the Dublin north east area; and if he will make a statement on the...
- Hospitals Building Programme
Question 185: To ask the Minister for Health if he will allocate additional funding to provide additional theatres at Beaumont Hospital, Dublin 9; and if he will make a statement on the matter....
- Medical Cards
Question 186: To ask the Minister for Health when a decision will issue on a medical card application in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement...
- Medical Cards
Question 187: To ask the Minister for Health if he will review an application for a medical card now under appeal in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny [19691/12]
- Pension Provisions
Question 191: To ask the Minister for Health the arrangements that have been put in place to pay lump sums and pensions to staff that retired from the Health Service Executive in February 2012;...
- Hospital Waiting Lists
Question 192: To ask the Minister for Health the steps he will take to have a person (details supplied) in County Westmeath admitted for an operation which is urgently required; and if he will...
- Hospital Waiting Lists
Question 194: To ask the Minister for Health the steps he will take to have a person (details supplied) in County Longford admitted for an orthopaedic operation, which is urgently required; and...
- Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport
- Health and Safety Regulations
Question 197: To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide details of the regular fire safety checks that take place on existing sport buildings by engineers from his...
- Driving Tests
Question 199: To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the regulations and guidelines in place and required qualifications in order to qualify as a driver tester; the amount of...
