Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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368. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the number of Dáil topical issue debates submitted to her Department following selection by the Ceann Comhairle since March 2011; the number of topical issues taken directly by her; the number of topical issues taken by a Junior Minister in her Department; the number of issues taken by a Minister not from her Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30347/13]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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Since March 2011 to date, approximately 1000 Topical Debates were selected for answer by the Ceann Comhairle across all Government Departments. 358 Topical Debates have been tabled to this Department. Of those Topical Debates, 80 were selected for answer by the Ceann Comhairle and I took 22 debates in the Dáil.

There is no Minister of State at the Department of Social Protection. As a result, when I am not in a position to take a Topical Debate in the Dáil, Ministers from other Departments do so on my behalf.