I wish to advise the House of the following matters in respect of which notice has been given under Standing Order 20 and the name of the Member in each case: (1) Deputy Durkan — when unemployment benefit or assistance will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Kildare who has not received any payment since early autumn; (2) An Teachta Ó Maoildhia — an gá airgead a chur ar fáil sna Meastacháin do 1994 le haghaidh Scoil Shailearna, Indreabhán, Contae na Gaillimhe; (3) Deputy Ó Cuív — the reason the ten extra beds promised to Clifden hospital for the care of the elderly have not yet been provided in view of the long waiting lists for such care; (4) Deputy Michael McDowell — the ongoing difficulties in Beaumont Hospital and the publication of the report of the Minister for Health's inquiry on the matter; (5) Deputy Finucane — the effect of recent changes in the social welfare code on workers (details supplied) in Rathkeale, County Limerick who are on continuous short-time; (6) Deputy Flaherty — the need for action to relieve the overcrowding at the Mater Hospital, Dublin, which has led to patients spending up to 30 hours in casualty on benches and couches; (7) Deputy Sheehan — the confusion among farmers throughout the country due to the manner of payment of cattle and sheep headage and beef premium grants and the long delays in returning identification cards for animals entered for the ten and 22 months beef premium schemes; (8) Deputy Eoin Ryan — the need to reform the teaching of music at second level senior cycle; (9) Deputy McGrath — Government policy in relation to the maintenance of a rural distribution network for petrol and diesel; and whether the action of an oil company in imposing surcharges on the supply of quantities below 9,000 litres conflicts with this policy; and (10) Deputy Deenihan — the refusal to grant a Christmas bonus to workers on social employment schemes who are long term unemployed.
The Cheann Comhairle has selected for discussion the matters raised by Deputies Deenihan, Ó Cuív, Michael McDowell and Flaherty.