Parliamentary questions

Pupil-Teacher Ratio

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

236. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Education and Skills the steps he and his Department are taking to impress on his Cabinet colleagues the unacceptability of any proposed increase in primary education class sizes and the negative impact such a decision would have on children of all competencies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38768/13]

Educational Disadvantage

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

237. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Education and Skills if his attention has been drawn to the fact that children of overseas families placed in Ireland, who have no English language skills whatsoever, are being placed in schools with no language support teachers, in classes of between 30 and 35; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38772/13]

Schools Building Projects Status

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

246. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding the development of a new school (details supplied) in County Louth. [42424/13]

EU Directives

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

283. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the reason Ireland has failed to transpose Council Directive 2010/32/EU known as the SHARPS directive; the date on which this will happen; the sanctions that have been incurred; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42179/13]

Social Welfare Eligibility

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

295. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of widowed or surviving civil partner grant applications received by her Department from persons who were not formally married or entered into civil partnership but living together with dependent children over the past three years; the number of instances per year in which such applications were successful; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41806/13]

Child Care Reports

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

511. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs when creche reports for County Meath will be published; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42163/13]

Cancer Screening Programmes

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

564. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health in view of the fact that a second peak in incidence of breast cancer is seen in the over 70s, the reason the BreastCheck screening programme stops at 64 years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42118/13]

Vaccination Programme

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

567. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health when a decision will be made regarding the introduction of a new vaccine for meningitis B; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42183/13]

Cancer Screening Programmes

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

599. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health the position regarding the roll-out of BreastCheck; the yet to be established elements of the infrastructure of this service; his plans to extend access to a younger age group; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42431/13]

Cancer Screening Programmes

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

600. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health the numbers of women who availed of the BreastCheck screening service in each of the years 2010, 2011, 2012 and to the end of September 2013; if access is open and equitable across the State; the areas not yet fully catered to; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42432/13]

Rail Services

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

626. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to improve the rail network throughout the State; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42367/13]

Rail Services

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

627. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide details of any proposals to work with the Six Counties Executive on joint projects to improve the rail network on the island; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42368/13]

EU Funding

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

628. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he has made any application for EU funding relating to the development of the rail network; the detail of any such applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42370/13]

European Stability Mechanism

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

20. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Finance if all 17 euro zone member states have indicated a willingness to use the ESM to retrospectively recapitalise Ireland’s banking system. [41499/13]

EU-IMF Programme of Support Issues

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

27. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Finance if he has had negotiations with the Troika on a so-called fast track process for repossessions of some properties and the legislative steps he has planned. [41508/13]

United Nations Issues

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

50. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will provide an update on the work his Department has done with Ireland’s seat on the UN Human Rights council; the issues it is prioritising; and if he will provide regular updates to Oireachtas Members of the ongoing work of this council. [41164/13]

Syrian Conflict

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

65. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will provide further details on his commitment to provide Irish funding for the destruction of chemical weapons in Syria; the persons that will receive the funding; and the way it will be spent. [41152/13]

Health Services Staff Data

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

253. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health if he will provide details of the number of specialist palliative care home care nurses nationally, whole time equivalents, and in each Health Service Executive region; the areas where there are deficits and vacancies in the numbers of such nurses measured against national policy and the size of the deficit in each case; his plans to address such deficits; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41280/13]

Hospitals Funding

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

271. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health if it is now the case that the expected savings in 2014 from the measures contained in the Health (Amendment) Act 2013 in relation to the increased charges for private patients in public hospitals is €30 million and the full year effect €45 million instead of the €120 million originally outlined during the Health (Amendment) Bill 2013 debate in Dáil Éireann; for the reason for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41532/13]

Hospitals Funding

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

272. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health the savings that would be realised if measures were introduced which saved 3% of the total hospital budget; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41533/13]

Rail Services

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

128. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to ensure the future of Irish Rail company; and if he will resist any moves to privatise routes on the rail network. [40911/13]

Tourism Promotion

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

129. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his attention has been drawn to the recommendations relating to transport contained in the Oireachtas committee report on reviving the economy of the south east and his plans to incorporate these recommendations into his work; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40913/13]

Youth Guarantee

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

326. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Social Protection if she has submitted plans to the European Commission for the roll out of the youth guarantee; if she will provide copies of these plans; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40394/13]

Youth Guarantee

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

327. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Social Protection the policy documentation she has produced related to the youth guarantee; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40395/13]

Foreign Adoptions

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

556. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she will provide an update on efforts to secure a bilateral adoption agreement between Ireland and Ethiopia; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40728/13]

Family Support Services

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

558. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the criteria for selection, designated terms of service and terms and conditions regarding individual membership/service on the management committees of family resource centres as set down by the key funder, the Family Resource Agency; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40052/13]

Health Services Staff Recruitment

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

559. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if an appointment has been made to the position of campus director at the Oberstown complex; when this appointment was or will be made; the name and duties of the successful candidate; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41005/13]

Detention Centres

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

560. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she will publish the report (details supplied) regarding the Oberstown complex; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41006/13]

Health Services Issues

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

578. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health if he will ensure that a primary medical certificate will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Monaghan. [40456/13]

Symphysiotomy Survivors

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

2. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health the progress he has made towards providing justice and truth for the victims of symphysiotomy and, if he has had discussions with the Department of Justice and Equality, to now progress to enactment the Statute of Limitations (Amendment) Bill 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40227/13]

Non-Consultant Hospital Doctors Recruitment

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

5. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health the action he will take to ensure immediate progress in reform of hospital medical staffing and in our medical training and recruitment system to ensure compliance with the European working time directive for non-consultant hospital doctors, to recruit and deploy doctors in sufficient numbers and appropriate grades, including new grades as required, and provide a proper career path to guarantee safe practice, better working conditions and improved care for patients; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40228/13]

Cochlear Implants

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

28. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health if he will ensure, without further delay, the provision of bilateral cochlear implants for all deaf children who require them. [40030/13]

Budget 2014

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

50. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health the mechanisms that are in place to assess the impact budget 2014 will have on the health, safety, quality of care and provision of services for patients in our public health system; and if he acknowledges the need to healthcare-proof this and all future budgets. [40029/13]

Proposed Legislation

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

43. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he has considered introducing legislation with the objective of making An Garda Síochána an independent policing authority. [39759/13]

Oireachtas Joint Committee Reports

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

46. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Justice and Equality his views on the recent report and recommendations from the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality, unanimously endorsed by the committee members, on prostitution legislation. [39758/13]

Dáil Reform

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

147. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Taoiseach his plans to implement the commitment in the Programme for Government to amend Standing Orders so that written Parliamentary Questions have to be answered within a certain number of days even during the Dáil recess; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39452/13]

Irish Communities Abroad

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

152. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views on the recommendations in the National Youth Council of Ireland’s report on emigration Time to Go; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39451/13]

Youth Guarantee

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

319. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Social Protection the terms of reference and membership of the Interdepartmental Group on the Youth Guarantee; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39454/13]

Youth Guarantee

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

320. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Social Protection when she expects the Interdepartmental Group on the Youth Guarantee to finalise their work; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39455/13]

Job Initiatives

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

323. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of applications that have been approved under the JobsPlus scheme to date; the numbers of applications relating to those unemployed between 12 and 24 months and those unemployed for more than 24 months; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39458/13]

Water Charges Administration

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

401. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his plans to follow the consumer protection in water services model similar to Northern Ireland, Scotland, England and Wales where an organisation separate to the economic regulator of water services is primarily responsible for protecting consumers of water services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39471/13]

Youth Work Projects Funding

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

495. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs when the value for money review of youth work funding will be completed and published; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39463/13]

Hospital Waiting Lists

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

549. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Tipperary will receive an appointment at the National Rehabilitation Hospital, Dún Laoghaire, County Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39628/13]

HSE Properties

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

553. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health the total rental moneys paid per annum by the Health Service Executive in County Cavan for sites (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39644/13]

Child Detention Centres

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

2. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the position regarding the transition from St. Patrick's Institution to the Oberstown campus, including management and governance structures, staffing, training and rostering arrangements at Oberstown; if her attention has been drawn to the need to provide a specialist unit for highly disruptive detainees; her plans to incorporate this in the planned development of the site; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38916/13]

City of Culture Initiative

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

57. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the position regarding Limerick’s designation as City of Culture for 2014; the supports he intends to give to local arts and tourism bodies and the local authority in order to ensure that the City of Culture year is successful; and his plans to promote Limerick domestically and internationally for 2014. [38502/13]

Teacher Statistics

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

273. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will provide a list of individual primary schools and secondary schools where the number of English as an additional language teacher was above three; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36976/13]

Gaelscoileanna Issues

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

274. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will provide the list of Gaelscoileanna that have opened since 2008. [36977/13]

Early Years Strategy Implementation

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

1238. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the position regarding the future need for preschool and crèche services to meet the national quality standards as outlined in Síolta, the National Quality Framework for Early Childhood Education; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36909/13]

Dental Services Provision

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

1399. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health if he will provide a detailed report outlining the dental check-up services provided to children in each of the Health Service Executive clinics in the State; and the efforts he will make to ensure an improved and consistent service across all centres. [37699/13]