Written answers

Thursday, 29 May 2014

  • Department of Education and Skills
    • Summer Works Scheme Expenditure
      6. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills further to his recent announcements regarding school improvements under the summer works scheme, in which only applications within categories 1, 2,...
    • Pupil-Teacher Ratio
      10. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to address the serious issue of large class sizes within the education system; his views on whether the current pupil-teacher ratio...
    • Autism Support Services
      13. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the reason he did not issue a policy document on educating children with autism and the consequences of this failure such that there is complete...
    • Special Educational Needs Staffing (1 comment)
      14. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the likely impact of his Department's circular 0030/2014 on children with special needs in our schools; and if he will make a statement on the...
    • School Curriculum
      16. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if his Department has any plans to incentivise the number of students taking physics, chemistry and applied mathematics at leaving certificate...
    • State Examinations
      20. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he will ensure that all children with dyslexia and other learning difficulties are provided with the assistance needed for the leaving...
    • Autism Support Services
      22. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills further to Parliamentary Question No. 243 of 4 February 2014, his views on the way his Department's early intervention preschools, set up to...
    • Teacher Redeployment
      23. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills his views on whether June is too late for the appeals board to sit in relation to teachers from primary schools; if he will consider bringing it...
    • Schools Anti-Bullying Procedures
      24. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if his attention has been drawn to the lack of momentum, as reported in the education supplement of a national newspaper last week, in...
    • Gaelscoileanna Issues
      25. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he will approve an application by a school (details supplied) to set up a new gaelcholáiste on the northside of Cork city to cater for the...
    • School Management
      26. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the reason a school (details supplied) has had a manager in place managing the school, and not a board of management, for over a year; the reason...
    • School Closures
      27. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he will alter his small schools policy in the wake of remarks he made on a recent visit to County Clare; and if he will make a statement on the...
    • International Students
      29. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he will provide details of the engagement his Department has had with the Department of Justice and Equality on the issue of allowing students...
    • School Costs
      30. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the steps he is taking to provide free education to families; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23282/14]
    • Student Grant Scheme Reform
      31. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to review the operation of the higher education grant scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23281/14]
    • Special Educational Needs Expenditure
      32. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the extent to which he continues to be in an position to meet the educational requirements of children with special needs at primary and second...
    • International Students
      33. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the steps he is taking to ensure that international students left stranded as a result of the recent closure of a number of international language...
    • School Textbooks Rental Scheme
      34. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if there has been any further discussion in his Department regarding the possibility of opening up funding to two school book rental schemes...
    • Disadvantaged Status
      35. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the way elements of the DEIS programme are being protected in view of the move of aspects of the programme to the Department of Children and Youth...
    • School Enrolments
      36. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the board of management of a school (details supplied), with the support of parents and staff,...
    • School Placement
      37. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he will meet with representatives of the parent body whose children urgently require a place to start school in Swords in September, where a...
    • School Enrolments
      39. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills when he will be making a formal decision in relation to school enrolment policy; when we can expect to see legislative proposals; if he will...
    • Special Educational Needs Expenditure
      42. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he or his Department has plans to make additional funding available for psychological services and employment of special needs...
    • Education Policy
      44. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if, under the upcoming European cohesion policy headline target for education, development and strategy to promote the EU flagship initiative,...
    • School Guidance Counsellors
      51. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he will expand on his recently expressed opinion that guidance is a whole-school activity and does not just involve the guidance counsellor;...
    • Special Educational Needs Service Provision
      52. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he will provide an update on his plans for the full implementation of the Education for Persons with Special Educational Needs Act 2004 in view...
  • Department of Finance
    • Insurance Industry Regulation
      53. To ask the Minister for Finance if he or his officials have raised the issue of Setanta Insurance at EU level; if his Department is aware of the reason the Malta Financial Services Authority...
    • Insurance Levy
      57. To ask the Minister for Finance if he will ensure that VAT and levies paid by Setanta Insurance policy holders will be refunded directly to them; the total amount collected by the Exchequer...
    • Insurance Industry Regulation
      58. To ask the Minister for Finance the arrangements he will put in place regarding liability for costs and so on as a result of the decision by Setanta Insurance to cease trading; where...
  • Department of Education and Skills
    • Special Educational Needs Staffing
      59. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the situation regarding the allocation of learning support to schools; if he will consider making this allocation on the basis of the number of...
    • Public Sector Staff Sick Leave
      61. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills his views on correspondence (details supplied) regarding sick leave; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23585/14]
    • Skills Development
      63. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the degree to which he is satisfied with the ability of the educational system to match the requirements of the workplace, with particular...
    • School Accommodation
      64. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the number of schools throughout the country at which temporary accommodation structures have been replaced by permanent buildings; the number of...
    • Pupil-Teacher Ratio
      65. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the extent to which it has been possible to control class sizes in the difficult economic situation; and if he will make a statement on the...
    • School Patronage
      66. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the extent to which he continues to have discussions with representatives of various religious groups in respect of whom commitments in regard to...
    • School Enrolments
      67. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the expected number of children likely to need accommodation at primary and second level annually over the next ten years; the extent to which it...
    • Special Educational Needs Expenditure
      68. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the extent to which he continues to be in a position to meet the eating requirements of children with special needs at primary and second level;...
    • Broadband Services Provision
      69. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the extent to which broadband is available at primary and second level schools throughout the country; his plans, if any, to extend such...
    • Student Grant Scheme Waiting Times
      70. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the extent to which Student Universal Support Ireland has been in a position to process the higher education grant scheme requirements within a...
    • Schools Building Projects Administration
      71. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the extent to which it is expected to accelerate the school building programme to meet the increased demand in various areas throughout the...
    • Gaelscoileanna Issues
      73. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the extent to which he has studied the submissions received in respect of the provision of a coláiste Gaeilge in north Kildare, having...
    • School Staffing
      75. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the extent to which teacher numbers, including special needs teachers and special needs assistants, in the various schools throughout north...
    • School Transport Eligibility
      76. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if further consideration will be given, in view of the hardship caused, to the provision of free bus transport in the case of a person (details...
  • Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation
    • Trade Agreements
      77. To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation when Ireland will ratify the EU trade agreement with Colombia. [23600/14]
  • Department of Social Protection
    • Domiciliary Care Allowance Applications
      80. To ask the Minister for Social Protection when an application for domiciliary care allowance will be finalised in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Tipperary; and if she will...
    • Carer's Allowance Appeals
      81. To ask the Minister for Social Protection when a determination will be made on an appeal for carer's allowance in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cork; and if she will make a...
    • Invalidity Pension Appeals
      82. To ask the Minister for Social Protection if she will arrange to have the appeal for invalidity pension in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny investigated as...
    • Fuel Allowance Expenditure
      86. To ask the Minister for Social Protection if she will provide a breakdown of the estimated cost to the Exchequer of increasing the number of weeks for which fuel allowance will be available...
    • Social Welfare Appeals Waiting Times
      87. To ask the Minister for Social Protection her plans to increase the number of appeals officers working in the Social Welfare Appeals Office this year or in 2015. [23597/14]
    • Carer's Allowance Appeals
      88. To ask the Minister for Social Protection if she will allow an appeal of an application for carer's allowance in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make...
    • Carer's Allowance Applications
      90. To ask the Minister for Social Protection if she will facilitate an appeal against the decision to refuse carer's allowance in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare who...
    • Rent Supplement Scheme Eligibility
      91. To ask the Minister for Social Protection if any portion of rent allowance is payable in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare who is separated and received a settlement...
  • Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht
    • Industrial Disputes
      92. To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if his attention has been drawn to the fact that strike action has been voted for by the 35 security and cleaning staff of the...
  • Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources
    • Fisheries Protection
      94. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his plans to introduce legislation, or arrange for the introduction of a by-law, that would protect the wild trout...
  • Department of Environment, Community and Local Government
    • Water Charges Administration
      95. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government if persons who suffer from Crohn's disease will be entitled to an increased free allowance of water usage in view of the...
    • Capital Assistance Scheme Applications
      96. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government if he will fund the full extent of the refurbishment and redevelopment of Edel House in Cork under CAS; the funding stages...
    • National Volunteer Strategy
      97. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government his plans to develop a national volunteer strategy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23580/14]
  • Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine
    • Common Agricultural Policy Reform
      98. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his attention has been drawn to the severe implications for intensive cereal growers from the greening proposal in the next phase...
    • Agri-Environment Options Scheme Payments
      99. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if a decision has been made on an agri-environment options scheme 1 payment in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry;...
    • Herd Numbers
      100. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the position regarding being locked up in relation to a herd (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23573/14]
    • Agriculture Schemes Eligibility
      101. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if a person (details supplied) in County Cavan will be eligible to re-enter the disadvantaged areas scheme or the areas of natural...
  • Department of Justice and Equality
    • Garda Misconduct Allegations
      102. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality her views on correspondence regarding the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23574/14]
  • Department of Health
    • Long-Term Illness Scheme Coverage
      104. To ask the Minister for Health if he will confirm that motor neurone disease is not included in the long-term illness scheme; the reason this is the case; his plans to add it to the scheme...
    • Speech and Language Therapy
      106. To ask the Minister for Health the number of the total staff complement required for a centre (details supplied) in County Laois; the number of staff in each grade in this location; and if...
    • Hospital Appointment Status
      107. To ask the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Cork will be given a hospital appointment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23548/14]
    • Health Services Provision
      109. To ask the Minister for Health when a needs assessment will be carried out in respect of a child (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23555/14]
    • Hospital Waiting Lists
      110. To ask the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Roscommon will be receive a date for surgery; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23556/14]
    • Hospital Appointment Status
      111. To ask the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Roscommon will be receive a date for surgery; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23557/14]
    • Obesity Strategy
      112. To ask the Minister for Health the reason there is a lack of funding and support for obesity, with only limited resources being put into weight management clinics in Galway and...
    • HSE Expenditure
      113. To ask the Minister for Health if it is the intention of the Health Service Executive to outsource laundry services in the north east and, in the process, terminate the existing arrangement;...
    • Health Services Provision
      114. To ask the Minister for Health the position regarding health care in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Louth; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23561/14]
    • Medical Card Reviews
      115. To ask the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Monaghan may expect to receive a decision in relation to their medical card review; and if he will make a statement...
    • Orthodontic Service Waiting Lists
      116. To ask the Minister for Health the reason for a three and a half year delay in having orthodontic treatment provided in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny; if he will...
    • Hospital Appointment Delays
      118. To ask the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 188 of 7 May 2014, the reason for the delay in receiving official approval; when a decision will be made on same; and if...
    • Nursing Homes Support Scheme Applications
      119. To ask the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 371 of 6 May 2014, if he will provide an urgent response on behalf of a person (details supplied) in County Wexford...
    • Medicinal Products Licensing
      120. To ask the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to allegations of the potential side effects of a drug (details supplied) and the concerns expressed by a general practitioner...
    • Ambulance Service Provision
      121. To ask the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 242 of 15 May 2014, if he has received a response from the National Ambulance Service; if so, the steps he will take to...
    • Maternity Services
      122. To ask the Minister for Health further to his comments on the status of maternity services at Portiuncula Hospital, Ballinasloe during his visit to County Roscommon, if he will confirm that...
    • Autism Support Services
      123. To ask the Minister for Health if he will list the diagnostic tools recognised by his Department and the Health Service Executive for the diagnosis of autism spectrum disorders; and if he...
    • Mental Health Services Provision
      124. To ask the Minister for Health if he will ensure that a person (details supplied) is given a CAMHS assessment without further delay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23594/14]
    • Hospital Waiting Lists
      125. To ask the Minister for Health the average waiting times for patients to undergo hip replacement surgery at Beaumont Hospital, Dublin 9 in 2012, 2013 and to date in 2014. [23598/14]
    • Obesity Strategy
      126. To ask the Minister for Health if he will consider the issues raised in correspondence (details supplied) regarding weight management clinics; and if he will make a statement on the matter....
    • Hospital Services
      127. To ask the Minister for Health if he proposes to provide a Ulysses pain management programme at a Dublin north side hospital. [23603/14]
    • Medical Card Applications
      128. To ask the Minister for Health the position regarding a medical card in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23604/14]
    • Respite Care Services
      131. To ask the Minister for Health if and when some restoration of respite care might be offered to a person (details supplied) in County Kildare in respect of their child, in view of the degree...
    • Medical Card Applications
      132. 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 Monaghan; and if he will make a statement on the...
  • Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport
    • Driving Test Regulations
      133. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on whether requiring all driver testing vehicles to require ABS brakes is potentially dangerous, in that many vehicles on the...
    • Road Tolls
      135. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the revenue generated at the Dublin Port tunnel in 2012, 2013 and to date in 2014. [23599/14]
  • Department of Children and Youth Affairs
    • Child Care Services Provision
      136. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if he will ensure that a child care service (details supplied) remains open as it is a critical service for families in the area and its...