Written Answers Nos. 107-112
107. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Skills if and when a higher education grant will be approved by Student Universal Support Ireland in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40333/13]
View answerOfficials in my Department have confirmed with Student Universal Support Ireland that in the case of the student referred to by the Deputy, there is no record of the student having made an application under the Student Grant Scheme. The Deputy will appreciate that in the absence of all the details that would be contained in an individual application, it would not be possible to say whether a student would be eligible for funding under the Student Grant Scheme. In order to be assessed under the Student Grant Scheme, the student should complete an online application form and submit to SUSI, which is still accepting late applications. In order to be eligible for a grant, a student must meet certain criteria under nationality, residency, progression and means as set out in the Student Grant Scheme 2013.
109. Deputy Joanna Tuffy asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will provide in tabular form the number of advisers, programme managers, press officers, political staff and communication staff employed by the Department in 1981, 2011 and currently in 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40701/13]
View answerThe following table contains details of ministerial staff appointments made as at the 31st December in the years requested by the Deputy:
|
Minister/Minister of State |
Year |
Special Adviser |
Personal Assistant |
Personal Secretary |
|
Mr. Ruairí Quinn, T.D. |
2013 |
2 |
1 |
1 |
|
Mr. Ciaran Cannon T.D. |
2013 |
0 |
1 |
1 |
|
Mr. Ruairí Quinn, T.D. |
2011 |
2 |
1 |
1 |
|
Mr. Ciaran Cannon T.D. |
2011 |
0 |
1 |
1 |
|
Mr. John Boland, T.D. |
1981 |
2 |
1 |
1 |
|
Mr. Michael Keating |
1981 |
0 |
1 |
1 |
110. Deputy Colm Keaveney asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the name and business address of all of the providers of public relations services to the Department since the current Government came into office: the total amount spent on such services in the same period; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40224/13]
View answerIn response to the Deputy’s question, I can confirm that my Department did not use any provider of public relations services since the formation of this Government.
111. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the number of visitors to the Desmond Banqueting Hall, Newcastle West during the years 2011, 2012 and to date in 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40259/13]
View answerVisitor Numbers to Desmond Hall for 2011 and 2012 were 3,702 and 4,290 respectively. There have been 8,538 visitors to date to Desmond Hall in 2013. This large increase was due to a number of factors including a concerted local advertising campaign, an increased number of public events, excellent summer weather and better overall access to the site. The OPW National Monuments Service intends to continue with the strategy of engaging proactively with communities to ensure they encourage greater visitor footfall and facilitate more events at sites such as this nationwide.
112. Deputy Joanna Tuffy asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will provide in tabular form the number of advisers, programme managers, press officers, political staff and communication staff employed by his Department in 1981, 2011 and currently in 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40314/13]
View answerAs my Department was established in July 2011, I cannot provide figures for 1981 in respect of this Department. The table below provides information for 2011 and 2013.
|
2011 |
- |
|
Constituency Secretary |
1 |
|
Parliamentary Assistant |
1 |
|
Advisors |
2 |
|
Programme Managers |
0 |
|
Press Officers |
1 |
|
Communication Staff |
0 |
|
2013 |
- |
|
Constituency Secretary |
1 |
|
Parliamentary Assistant |
1 |
|
Advisors |
2 |
|
Programme Managers |
0 |
|
Press Officers |
1 |
|
Communication Staff |
0 |
