Parliamentary questions

Garda Misconduct Allegations

Niall Collins

108. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if she will arrange to return documentation as requested in June 2016 (details supplied). [28323/16]

Prison Education Service

Clare Daly

109. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of prisoners actively following a course with the Open University at present, in each institution; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28401/16]

Legal Services Regulation

Clare Daly

110. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the powers she has under the legislation to take action in instances where there are allegations that proper procedures have not been followed by any organisation or body in nominating individuals to the Legal Services Regulatory Authority. [28411/16]

Crime Data

Noel Grealish

111. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the total number, broken down by type, of crimes reported in each of the electoral area wards in Galway city for 2014, 2015 and to date in 2016; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28439/16]

Criminal Assets Bureau

Pearse Doherty

112. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality further to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 84 and 85 of 16 September 2016, the date on which each of the two vacancies for forensic accountants has existed at CAB; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28481/16]

Criminal Assets Bureau

Pearse Doherty

113. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of forensic accountants at work at any one time in the CAB in each of the past ten years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28482/16]

Garda Reserve

Billy Kelleher

114. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality further to Parliamentary Question No. 129 of 27 September 2016, the number of serving Garda Reservists that have unsuccessfully applied to become members of An Garda Síochána for each year since Garda recruitment resumed, in tabular form. [28484/16]

Residency Permits

Bernard Durkan

115. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the current or expected residency status and eligibility for naturalisation in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28489/16]

Judicial Appointments

Clare Daly

116. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality her views on the appointment of judges to districts in which they had formerly had a large solicitors practice; and the details of the regulations and legislation pertaining to managing potential conflicts of interest given that in such circumstances a person would be appearing as a judge before parties and defendants that they had earlier represented as a solicitor. [28544/16]

Judicial Investigations

Clare Daly

117. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if her attention has been drawn to a number of complaints by solicitors and other legal practitioners against a person (details supplied); and if she will investigate the matter. [28545/16]

Judicial Pay

Clare Daly

118. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if travel and subsistence expenses claimed by judges are vouched and audited; and her views on the €780,000 in expenses claimed by judges in the first half of 2016. [28546/16]

Unaccompanied Minors and Separated Children

Seán Crowe

119. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if her attention has been drawn to the fact that the French Government has vowed to destroy the so-called "Jungle camp" in Calais; if her attention has further been drawn to the fact that this will displace hundreds of unaccompanied minors; and if she has explored any options to allow some of these unaccompanied minors to be relocated here. [28567/16]

Legislative Programme

Jim O'Callaghan

120. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality when the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Bill 2015, tackling child grooming, human trafficking and prostitution and supporting Ireland’s most vulnerable children and adults, will be progressed, noting that it has been listed as priority legislation and is urgently needed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28570/16]

Prison Staff

Thomas P. Broughan

121. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if she will report on the full year cost of recruiting 200 extra prison officers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28581/16]

Stardust Fire Coroner's Report

Thomas P. Broughan

122. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the steps she will take to ensure the coroner's inquest into the deaths of 48 young persons at the Stardust nightclub in February 1981 will be reopened; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28587/16]

Independent Review Mechanism

Clare Daly

123. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the reason for the delay in the commencement of the statutory inquiry in relation to a case (details supplied); when it will be convened; and the likely timeframe for completion. [28616/16]

Court Orders

Pat the Cope Gallagher

124. Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the current average length of time taken to process a case; the number of cases outstanding at present; the longest outstanding case awaiting resolution at present; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28637/16]

Departmental Staff Rehiring

Michael Fitzmaurice

125. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of retired public sector employees in her Department, including bodies under its aegis, who are in receipt of a public sector pension and have been re-employed either part-time or full-time, temporary or otherwise, by the public sector; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28983/16]

Departmental Staff Data

Brian Stanley

126. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of staff employed by her Department or seconded to her Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28996/16]

Mortgage Schemes

John Curran

127. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Finance if he will ensure that any tax savings or other incentives being considered for first-time buyers in the upcoming budget will apply to both the purchase of new and second-hand houses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28188/16]

Insurance Industry Regulation

Willie Penrose

128. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Finance the steps available to insurance policyholders who were indemnified by a company (details supplied) which had a provisional liquidator appointed by the Supreme Court of Gibraltar on 25 July 2016; the remedies available to such policyholders who were involved in road traffic accidents prior to that date; if it is possible for such persons to resort to the Motor Insurers’ Bureau of Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28291/16]

Mortgage Schemes

Joan Collins

129. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Finance the reason the financial assistance package and the proposed first-time buyer's grant are not being extended to first-time buyers who bought a home since the introduction of the Central Bank mortgage rules. [28612/16]

EU Meetings

Micheál Martin

130. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Finance the specific reform measures Ireland is pushing for at EU Council level; and if the drop in the value of the euro and the actions being taken to address these issues were discussed when he attended at the recent EU Council meeting. [28654/16]

Charitable and Voluntary Organisations

John Brady

131. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Finance the financial assistance currently available to volunteer organisations to ensure the continuation of their valuable service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28051/16]

Property Tax Administration

Charlie McConalogue

132. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Finance if approved housing bodies are allowed to charge local property tax to their tenants; his plans to waiver the charge for approved housing bodies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28125/16]

Excise Duties

Michael Healy-Rae

133. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Finance if he will examine measures (details supplied) regarding the excise duty on alcohol here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28128/16]

Tax Collection

Bernard Durkan

134. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Finance the extent to which the Revenue Commissioners are prepared to facilitate the operation of a business (details supplied) by way of an arrangement which would enable the business to trade its way out of difficulty while meeting the requirements of the Revenue Commissioners, given that submissions have already been made in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28135/16]

Motor Insurance Coverage

Niall Collins

135. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Finance his views on some motor insurers restricting the availability of motor insurance cover to cars older than 14 years and refusing to give quotes in cases, despite consumers having a clean record and NCT certificates; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28240/16]

Tax Code

Niall Collins

136. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Finance the cost to the Exchequer of introducing a 30% flat rate tax to attract skilled foreign workers; the loss to the Exchequer compared to normal income tax, pay related social insurance and the universal social charge rates that currently apply for a person earning amounts (details supplied) in gross income per year, over a five year period, on this reduced tax rate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28246/16]

Tax Reliefs Data

Martin Kenny

137. Deputy Martin Kenny asked the Minister for Finance the number of persons and companies and associated amount of income and gains, in increments of €5,000, in receipt of tax relief related to woodlands here, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28273/16]

Tax Code

Brendan Griffin

138. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Finance if there is a capital gains exemption available in respect of the transfer of land without any monetary gain from one brother to another; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28277/16]

Tax Reliefs Eligibility

Mary Butler

139. Deputy Mary Butler asked the Minister for Finance if land leased under conacre arrangements disposed of on or after 1 January 2017, or which is leased for a minimum of five years to a maximum of 25 years, ending with the disposal, will not affect entitlement to capital gains tax relief as long as the land was farmed for ten years by the person making the disposal. [28332/16]

Tax Collection

Brendan Griffin

140. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Finance if the Revenue Commissioners' policy on interest penalties for the self-employed can be reviewed in view of the burden it is putting on small businesses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28338/16]

Tax Code

David Cullinane

141. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Finance the cost to the Exchequer of a proposal by the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation that was reported (details supplied) to implement an effective tax rate of 30% for a range of graduates and entrepreneurs living overseas who return to work here in employment with a salary of €75,000 or more in the areas of medicine, IT, science and finance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28365/16]

Corporation Tax Regime

Pearse Doherty

142. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance the cost to the State of the historical farm rescue package scheme of 1982 to 1985, which included a waiver of corporation tax normally payable by banks involved in the scheme; the amount of tax forgone broken down by financial institution; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28485/16]

Company Registration

Michael Healy-Rae

143. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Finance if assistance can be provided to the heritage centre in Knightstown, Valentia, County Kerry, with regard to an issue (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28500/16]

Tax Collection

Martin Heydon

144. Deputy Martin Heydon asked the Minister for Finance the reason for an increase in tax from February 2016 for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28513/16]

Credit Union Regulation

John Lahart

145. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Finance if he will consider increasing the limit on the amount of shares a member can hold in their credit union account from €100,000 to €200,000; if his attention has been drawn to the negative effect this restriction is having on credit unions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28526/16]

Credit Union Regulation

John Lahart

146. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Finance if he will consider making an amendment to the Credit Union and Co-operation with Overseas Regulators Act 2012 to allow for the reintroduction of the role of treasurer onto the board of credit unions, with no honorarium payment allowed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28527/16]

Credit Union Lending

John Lahart

147. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Finance if he will consider relaxing the criteria for decision-making with regard to the granting of credit union loans; if his attention has been drawn to the negative effect that the current lending limits have on the persons that need loans the most; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28528/16]

VAT Rate Reductions

John Lahart

148. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Finance his plans to maintain the 9% VAT rate for tourism accommodation in line with Ireland's tourism competitors; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28529/16]

Vehicle Registration

Noel Grealish

149. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Finance his views on an issue in regard to vehicle registration tax (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28590/16]

Tax Collection

Michael Moynihan

150. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Finance his plans in relation to the possible introduction of income tax averaging for farmers in recognition of the drastic fluctuations in farm income in recent years and the need for greater flexibility in this area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28606/16]

Departmental Strategy Statements

Catherine Connolly

151. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Finance his plans to reflect and deliver on a public duty (details supplied) in his Department's statement of strategy due to be published in October 2016; the way in which his Department is engaging with the programme for a partnership Government commitment to equality and gender proofing in the departmental and budgetary process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28648/16]

Departmental Staff Rehiring

Michael Fitzmaurice

152. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Finance the number of retired public sector employees in his Department, including bodies under its aegis, that are in receipt of a public sector pension and have been re-employed either part-time or full-time, temporary or otherwise by the public sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28979/16]

Departmental Staff Data

Brian Stanley

153. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Finance the number of staff employed by his Department or seconded to his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28992/16]

School Transport Eligibility

John McGuinness

154. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Education and Skills the reason a place on a school bus has not been provided for a person (details supplied). [28122/16]

School Funding

Eoin Ó Broin

155. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Education and Skills the status of an application for capital funding for two new classrooms by a school (details supplied). [28169/16]

School Funding

Eoin Ó Broin

156. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of schools located in the Dublin mid-west constituency that have applied for capital funding; the number that have been allocated capital funding and have had applications refused; and the number of applications that are pending for 2016, 2017 and 2018. [28170/16]

School Funding

Eoin Ó Broin

157. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Education and Skills the criteria used by his Department for deciding on applications for capital funding by junior, senior and post primary schools. [28171/16]

Skills Development

Niall Collins

158. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Education and Skills the progress to date to meet 74% of industry demands domestically for information and communications technology professionals by 2018 as set out in the 2014 ICT skills action plan; the annual numbers for this target in total and the percentage rate, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28241/16]

Apprenticeship Programmes

Niall Collins

159. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Education and Skills the action points and deliverables which are laid out in Enterprise 2025; Innovative, Agile, Connected to increase the number of females enrolled in apprenticeships in view of the very imbalanced ratio of female to male apprentices at present; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28242/16]

Home Tuition Scheme Provision

Michael Healy-Rae

160. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Education and Skills the status of home tuition for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28090/16]

Teachers' Remuneration

Michael Healy-Rae

161. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to ensure that all newly qualified teachers since 2011 get equal pay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28124/16]

Irish Language

Charlie McConalogue

162. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Education and Skills if there is currently a leaving certificate chemistry textbook as Gaeilge available for those persons studying leaving certificate chemistry through the Irish language; if not, his plans to make such a textbook available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28136/16]

Special Educational Needs Service Provision

John Brady

163. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Education and Skills the status of the construction of an autistic unit at a school (details supplied); the proposed timeline for the commencement of its construction; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28138/16]

DEIS Scheme

Charlie McConalogue

164. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Education and Skills if, further to his letter (details supplied), he will provide an update on the review of the DEIS programme; when the review will be finalised; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28146/16]

School Transport Appeals

Bobby Aylward

165. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Education and Skills the exact number of decisions overturned by the school transport appeals office in his Department for the academic years 2015-16 and 2016-17, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28154/16]

Student Grant Scheme Eligibility

Michael Healy-Rae

166. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Education and Skills his views on a matter (details supplied) regarding cut-off levels for SUSI grants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28202/16]

School Transport Data

Thomas Byrne

167. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Education and Skills the precise cost of the school transport scheme in each of the years 2012 to 2015, inclusive. [28209/16]

School Transport Expenditure

Thomas Byrne

168. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Education and Skills the cost of returning to previous catchment boundaries in the school transport scheme before changes introduced in 2012. [28210/16]

School Transport Review

Thomas Byrne

169. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding the State aid complaint made in relation to the school transport service. [28211/16]

School Transport Provision

Thomas Byrne

170. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Education and Skills if figures are available for repeated or semi-permanent non-use of school transport tickets; and his views on whether this is an issue which needs to be addressed. [28212/16]

Teaching Council of Ireland

Michael Healy-Rae

171. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Education and Skills the status of the case of a person (details supplied) seeking a teaching number; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28220/16]

Education Policy

Clare Daly

172. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to reflect and deliver on a public duty (details supplied) in its statement of strategy due to be published in October 2016; the way his Department engages with the programme for a partnership Government's commitment to equality and gender proofing in the departmental and budgetary process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28232/16]

Schools Building Projects Status

Darragh O'Brien

173. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Education and Skills the status of the provision of a new secondary school for the Malahide and Portmarnock areas of County Dublin, as announced in November 2015; if he has identified locations for these proposed schools; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28235/16]

Schools Building Projects Status

Darragh O'Brien

174. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Education and Skills the status of the provision of a new secondary school for the Swords area of County Dublin, as announced in November 2015; if he has identified a location for this proposed school; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28236/16]

Apprenticeship Programmes

Niall Collins

175. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Education and Skills the specific action points and deliverables which are laid out in the national skills strategy 2025 to increase the number of females enrolled in apprenticeships in view of the very imbalanced ratio of female to male apprentices at present; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28243/16]

Apprenticeship Programmes

Niall Collins

176. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Education and Skills the specific actions committed to under the programme for Government to increase the number of females in rolling out new apprenticeship categories; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28244/16]

School Transport Eligibility

John McGuinness

177. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Education and Skills the reason a place on a school bus has not been provided for a person (details supplied). [28266/16]

School Accommodation Provision

Thomas Byrne

178. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Education and Skills if his Department has conducted a particular study on the demographic needs of the east Meath, north Dublin and south Louth region to establish the necessity of new secondary schools; and when it is envisaged that new secondary schools will be required to be provided in the region. [28314/16]

Schools Building Projects Status

Thomas Byrne

179. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Education and Skills when a technical assessment will take place on a school building (details supplied). [28320/16]

School Transport Provision

Seán Fleming

180. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Education and Skills if school transport will be provided at a location (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28329/16]

School Transport Provision

Clare Daly

181. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will provide transport for young adults attending special services. [28333/16]

Special Educational Needs Service Provision

Brendan Smith

182. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of students from this State attending the autism unit in Middletown, County Armagh; the level of services provided at the unit at present; the proposals there are to expand the range of services and increase the number of students; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28361/16]

Employment Support Services

Thomas P. Broughan

183. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the changes he will introduce in the provision of training and skills to assist unemployed workers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22543/16]

DEIS Scheme

Pearse Doherty

184. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Education and Skills the schools in County Donegal which are currently included and not included respectively in the DEIS programme, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28441/16]

School Curriculum

Clare Daly

185. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to expand the ISL programme in secondary schools currently available to those in the junior cycle to encourage an increase in the take-up of the use of Irish Sign Language. [28512/16]

Summer Works Scheme Eligibility

Jim Daly

186. Deputy Jim Daly asked the Minister for Education and Skills the options available to a school to apply for funding to insulate an old section of a school that is in need of urgent upgrading; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28522/16]

Third Level Institutions

Niall Collins

187. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Education and Skills the way in which his Department and the HEA are attempting to resolve the situation of two suspended staff members in the University of Limerick who have now been suspended with pay for 16 months at a cost to the taxpayer; the way in which both bodies have implemented recommendations in the Mazars review which it ordered to be carried out; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28525/16]

School Management

John Lahart

188. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to free teaching principals from classroom duties; if he will facilitate substitute cover for one day per week to facilitate this plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28537/16]

Teacher Recruitment

John Lahart

189. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to end the current ban on promotions at primary school level; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28538/16]

Home Tuition Scheme

Clare Daly

190. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of families with deaf children who are availing of his Department's home tuition scheme; and the steps his Department is currently taking to advertise this scheme to the public. [28547/16]

Teaching Council of Ireland

Charlie McConalogue

191. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Education and Skills further to Parliamentary Question No. 484 of 2 February 2016, if he has made a decision on the matter; if not, when he expects to make a decision; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28550/16]

Education and Training Boards

Michael Healy-Rae

192. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will address a query from a person (details supplied) regarding a KETB course; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28571/16]

School Curriculum

Jim Daly

193. Deputy Jim Daly asked the Minister for Education and Skills the steps his Department is undertaking to promote the practice known as behavioural economics; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28575/16]

Educational Disadvantage

Seán Haughey

194. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to review the DEIS scheme; if existing schools in the scheme will be examined in any future review; the timeframe envisaged for such a review; if schools will be consulted regarding this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28580/16]

Special Educational Needs Expenditure

Thomas P. Broughan

195. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the full-year cost of increasing the number of resource teachers from 7,450 to 8,000; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28585/16]

Schools Building Projects

Josepha Madigan

196. Deputy Josepha Madigan asked the Minister for Education and Skills when construction of a new school building, approved in 2012, will commence (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28591/16]

Third Level Funding

Declan Breathnach

197. Deputy Declan Breathnach asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will consider increasing funding to third level institutions to bring it back in line with 2009-2010 levels; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that third level institutions are severely underfunded according to the Cassells report published in July 2016; if there are measures planned to address this underfunding issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28600/16]

Counselling Services Provision

Bernard Durkan

198. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the extent to which he expects to be in a position to augment the career guidance services throughout second level education; if he anticipates any improvement in the short and medium term; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28672/16]

Special Educational Needs Service Provision

Bernard Durkan

199. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the degree to which he expects special needs teaching requirements in all schools throughout County Kildare at primary and second level to be met in 2016; his proposals for the future in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28673/16]

Pupil-Teacher Ratio

Bernard Durkan

200. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the extent to which the pupil-teacher ratio at primary and second level throughout County Kildare is a matter of concern; the extent to which he expects to be in a position to improve the situation in the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28674/16]

Special Educational Needs Service Provision

Bernard Durkan

201. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the degree to which children with autism continue to have ready access to primary and second level school places throughout County Kildare; the extent to which any difficulties have arisen in meeting the ongoing requirements in the county; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28675/16]

Schools Building Projects Status

Bernard Durkan

202. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the progress to date in regard to the provision of the proposed two new schools at a location (details supplied); the extent to which the tenders have been assessed and approved; when it is expected that work might begin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28676/16]

Bullying in Schools

Bernard Durkan

203. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the extent to which ongoing efforts continue to be made to combat school bullying; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28677/16]

Education Policy

Bernard Durkan

204. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will continue to support smaller urban or rural schools with a denominational ethos; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28678/16]

Student Grant Scheme Applications Data

Bernard Durkan

205. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of higher education grant applications received, pending, approved and refused for the current academic year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28679/16]

Education Policy

Bernard Durkan

206. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the extent to which he expects the education system at all levels to be in a position to meet the skills demand in the workplace; the extent to which apprenticeships are likely to impact on the situation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28680/16]

Schools Refurbishment

Bernard Durkan

207. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Skills if any financial assistance can be given towards the resurfacing of a playground in the case of a school (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28681/16]