Parliamentary questions

Protected Disclosures

Thomas Byrne

190. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Education and Skills to outline the position with regard to protected disclosures made by persons employed by the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment. [53059/17]

School Funding

Thomas Byrne

192. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Education and Skills to outline the statutory obligations he must comply with in respect of funding primary and secondary schools. [53078/17]

Schools Building Projects Status

Thomas Byrne

83. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding the proposed major building project at a school (details supplied). [52406/17]

Legislative Process

Thomas Byrne

86. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Education and Skills when he plans to complete the passage of the Education (Admission to Schools) Bill 2016. [52477/17]

Minor Works Scheme Payments

Thomas Byrne

29. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Education and Skills when primary schools will be notified of a payment date for funding under the minor works grant scheme. [52198/17]

Teacher Training Places

Thomas Byrne

44. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Education and Skills his views on recent reports that only six graduates are in training to be physics teachers. [51819/17]

Protected Disclosures

Thomas Byrne

57. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to ensure an investigation takes place into bullying concerns raised by current and former staff members of the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment. [51818/17]

School Staff

Thomas Byrne

61. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Education and Skills the measures he plans to put in place to address substitute teacher shortages. [51817/17]

Minor Works Scheme Applications

Thomas Byrne

73. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Education and Skills when primary schools will be notified of a payment date for funding under the minor works grant scheme. [51821/17]

State Examinations

Thomas Byrne

81. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Education and Skills his views on a recent claim that education authorities do not want to draw attention to the volume of upgrades in the leaving certificate in view of the fact that it could undermine public confidence in State exams. [51820/17]

Tax Reliefs Eligibility

Thomas Byrne

146. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Finance the changes introduced to the criteria for qualification for tax relief in respect of third level fees in each of the years since 2004, in tabular form. [51921/17]

Teacher Recruitment

Thomas Byrne

188. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Education and Skills the steps he is taking to address the shortage of substitute teachers in guidance, modern languages, Irish and home economics specifically. [51596/17]

Teacher Training Provision

Thomas Byrne

189. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Education and Skills the steps he is taking to provide cover for teachers taken out of the system to train for the new junior certificate. [51597/17]

Public Sector Allowances

Thomas Byrne

190. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to introduce a rent allowance scheme similar to that of An Garda Síochána for teachers living in Dublin. [51598/17]

Teacher Recruitment

Thomas Byrne

191. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to incentivise rather than punish retired teachers who can help alleviate the substitute teacher shortage. [51599/17]

Invalidity Pension Eligibility

Thomas Byrne

506. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection her plans to deal with self-employed persons who have become ill before 2016 who are still ill and would otherwise qualify for invalidity pension; and if they can apply for invalidity pension. [51924/17]

Pupil-Teacher Ratio

Thomas Byrne

142. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Education and Skills the estimated full-year cost of implementing a one point reduction in average class size at primary level; and the estimated full-year cost for reducing the average class size to 23 pupils. [51115/17]

Pupil-Teacher Ratio

Thomas Byrne

143. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Education and Skills the estimated full-year cost of implementing a one point reduction in the average class size at post-primary level. [51116/17]

School Staff

Thomas Byrne

144. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Education and Skills the estimated full-year cost of fully restoring the staffing schedule for retaining and gaining a teacher who applied to schools before 2012 for three, four and five teacher schools. [51117/17]

Capitation Grants

Thomas Byrne

145. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Education and Skills the estimated full-year cost of restoring capitation grants to primary schools to pre 2010 levels; and the estimated full-year cost of a 10% increase in the capitation grant to primary schools. [51118/17]

School Staff

Thomas Byrne

146. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Education and Skills the estimated full-year cost of providing schools with one administration day per week for teaching principals to cover the establishment of a permanent pool of teachers to replace teaching principals on their administration day. [51119/17]

Psychological Assessments

Thomas Byrne

147. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Education and Skills the estimated full-year cost of employing an additional 100 new NEPS psychologists. [51120/17]

Special Educational Needs

Thomas Byrne

148. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Education and Skills the estimated full-year cost of restoring temporary English as an additional language post to pre-2012 levels. [51122/17]

Capitation Grants

Thomas Byrne

149. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Education and Skills the estimated full-year cost of restoring capitation and related grants to primary and post-primary schools to pre-2011 levels. [51123/17]

School Guidance Counsellors

Thomas Byrne

150. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Education and Skills the estimated full-year cost of restoring ex-quota guidance counsellors to all schools. [51124/17]

Capitation Grants

Thomas Byrne

151. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Education and Skills the estimated full-year cost of a 20% increase per annum in the per capita capitation to voluntary secondary schools; and the estimated full-year cost of a 10% increase in the capitation to community and comprehensive schools. [51125/17]

Momentum Programme

Thomas Byrne

152. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Education and Skills the full-year cost of increasing the number of places available on the Momentum programme by 20%. [51126/17]

School Transport

Thomas Byrne

153. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Education and Skills the full-year cost of restoring school transport services to the criteria that existed pre-2011. [51127/17]

Teachers' Remuneration

Thomas Byrne

154. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Education and Skills the full-year cost of restoring all allowances to new entry teachers which were abolished in 2012 to 2013. [51128/17]

Teacher Data

Thomas Byrne

155. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Education and Skills the full-year cost of appointing 350 assistant principal posts. [51129/17]

School Curriculum

Thomas Byrne

156. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Education and Skills the full-year cost of introducing a computing and coding curriculum for primary schools. [51130/17]

Student Grant Scheme

Thomas Byrne

157. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Education and Skills the full-year cost of restoring postgraduate grants to 2011 levels. [51131/17]

Student Grant Scheme Expenditure

Thomas Byrne

158. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Education and Skills the full-year cost of linking student maintenance grants to the consumer price index, CPI. [51132/17]

Student Assistance Fund

Thomas Byrne

159. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Education and Skills the full-year cost of increasing the student assistance fund to peak levels in 2012 to 2013. [51133/17]

Visiting Teacher Service

Thomas Byrne

444. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the estimated full-year cost of restoring the visiting teacher service for Travellers to primary and post primary schools. [51121/17]

Rugby World Cup 2023

Thomas Byrne

82. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Taoiseach the amount spent promoting and advertising the video Ireland At Its Best in respect of the Rugby World Cup bid on social media; and if promotion on social media of this video was carried out outside the State. [49963/17]

Tax Reliefs Data

Thomas Byrne

129. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Finance the number of persons that avail each year of the tax relief in respect of third level fees. [50647/17]

Protected Disclosures

Thomas Byrne

165. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of protected disclosures he has received since protected disclosures legislation entered into force; and the dates of the protected disclosures and organisations affected. [49967/17]

Schools Inspections

Thomas Byrne

174. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of primary schools; the number of secondary schools; the number of full-time physical education inspectors for both primary and second level schools nationally; the budget allocation for physical education inspections, including inspector salary bands, in each of the years 2013 to 2016 and to date in 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50133/17]

Physical Education

Thomas Byrne

175. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of primary schools and second level schools that have been visited by a physical education inspector in each of the years 2013 to 2016 and to date in 2017; and the powers the physical education inspector has to enforce recommendations made regarding the provision of school physical education following a review. [50134/17]

School Funding

Thomas Byrne

176. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Education and Skills the funding made available to all primary and second level schools for the purchase of physical education related equipment in each of the years 2013 to 2016 and to date in 2017; the number of requests for physical education related funding in each of these years from primary and second level schools in each year, by type of equipment requests; and the budget allocation for physical education related equipment available in his department in each of these years. [50135/17]

Apprenticeship Programmes

Thomas Byrne

177. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Education and Skills the 77 apprenticeships proposed to the Apprenticeship Council in its second call for new apprenticeships, in tabular form; the names of the shortlisted proposals that will be developed; the rationale for their selection; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50136/17]

Schools Building Projects

Thomas Byrne

196. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he has satisfied himself the interests of the State are being protected in relation to the defective works carried out at a building project (details supplied). [50435/17]

Schools Building Projects

Thomas Byrne

197. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Education and Skills when he expects outstanding matters to be resolved in connection with the completion of a project (details supplied). [50436/17]

Primary Care Centres

Thomas Byrne

365. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to dangerous parking practices ongoing opposite a primary care centre (details supplied) in County Meath; if his attention has been further drawn to the parking fees being charged at the centre; and his views on whether these charges are not in keeping with the charges in place in the nearby town centre. [50088/17]

Rail Network

Thomas Byrne

569. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on whether there is overcrowding on rail lines; his further views on the need for greater capacity on rail lines, particularly on the Dunboyne and Drogheda commuter lines; and his plans to authorise the purchase of more rolling stock to meet demand. [50619/17]

Youth Services Funding

Thomas Byrne

583. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the level of funding for youth affairs in County Meath; and the way this compares with other counties. [50333/17]

IDA Ireland Site Visits

Thomas Byrne

6. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the number of visits by the IDA to County Meath; and if she is satisfied with the level of IDA investment in County Meath. [49464/17]

Regional Aid

Thomas Byrne

32. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation her views on whether the EU regional aid status of Kells and north Meath granted in 2014 has had a positive impact in terms of local investment or incentives and grants to encourage employers to locate in the area; and if she is of the view that enough had been done to promote Kells and north Meath as a location for investment and business development. [49465/17]

Rail Network Expansion

Thomas Byrne

69. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on whether the extension of the rail line to Navan in County Meath would bring huge benefits to north County Meath both socially and economically; and the status of the extension. [49143/17]

Road Network

Thomas Byrne

73. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on whether a radical programme of works is required to upgrade the N2 road in view of serious and fatal accidents. [49146/17]

National Broadband Plan Implementation

Thomas Byrne

87. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment his views on whether rural communities and rural houses are being pitted against each other as a result of the way in which sites were selected for broadband upgrade; and his further views on the cherry picking nature of a company (details supplied) in selecting the best sites. [49081/17]

Departmental Properties

Thomas Byrne

226. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Education and Skills the timeframe for the release of green space lands owned by his Department at Killegland in Ashbourne. [49245/17]

Third Level Funding

Thomas Byrne

96. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Education and Skills his views on reports that EUROSTAT has asked the Central Statistics Office, CSO, to determine whether universities are on or off the Exchequer’s balance sheet; the implications of a finding that the universities are on balance sheet; if his Department has made representations to EUROSTAT, the CSO or another State organisation about same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48581/17]

Mental Health Services Staff

Thomas Byrne

33. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Health when he expects the number of community CAMHS posts in CHO 8 to reach the level recommended under A Vision for Change. [48225/17]

Psychological Assessments

Thomas Byrne

259. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will be assessed by CAMHS. [47619/17]

Counselling Services Provision

Thomas Byrne

264. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Health the waiting times for persons to receive counselling in the various primary care centres in County Meath. [47642/17]

National Broadband Plan Implementation

Thomas Byrne

388. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment when persons (details supplied) can expect to be connected to fibre broadband. [47722/17]

Broadband Service Provision

Thomas Byrne

406. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment when broadband will be available in Eddoxtown, Rathfeigh, County Meath. [48051/17]

Research and Development Funding

Thomas Byrne

137. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the funding spent on the programme for research in third level institutions in each of the years 2002 to 2016 and to date in 2017; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46655/17]

Research and Development Funding

Thomas Byrne

138. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation her plans for the next cycle of the programme for research in third level institutions; the amount to be allocated; the timeframe for the cycle; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46656/17]

National Educational Psychological Service

Thomas Byrne

309. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Education and Skills when a referral for a person (details supplied) by the Meath community care psychology service to the national education psychological service will be made. [45763/17]

School Transport Administration

Thomas Byrne

369. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Education and Skills the actions he will take following the finding of the Comptroller and Auditor General that the accounting arrangements between his Department and Bus Éireann to deliver school transport are inadequate in view of the significant level of costs involved. [46353/17]

School Transport Administration

Thomas Byrne

370. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Education and Skills if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the costs to be met from the transport management charge indicates that the funding received by Bus Éireann from his Department was in excess of costs in each of the four years to 2014 resulting in a reported accumulated surplus of €11.2 million at the end of 2015. [46354/17]

School Transport Administration

Thomas Byrne

371. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Education and Skills the reason his Department does not carry out verification checks on Bus Éireann’s analysis of the expenses to be met from the school transport management charge. [46355/17]

National Broadband Plan Implementation

Thomas Byrne

989. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if broadband services will be available in an area (details supplied). [46764/17]

Pyrite Remediation Programme

Thomas Byrne

1300. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the reason purchasers of houses post-2013 cannot avail of the pyrite remediation scheme. [45765/17]

Schools Building Projects

Thomas Byrne

38. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Education and Skills his views on the widespread dissatisfaction with the progress of many school building projects, including many on a list published in 2014 for construction in 2015 which have not yet commenced, and the slow progress on the subsequently announced six-year capital plan for schools. [45228/17]

Pupil-Teacher Ratio

Thomas Byrne

40. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Education and Skills his views on whether there is an imbalance in the pupil teacher ratio mainstream staffing schedule which means that the bigger the school the PTR progressively disimproves; and his further views on whether this contributes to a particularly large amount of supersize schools in certain parts of the country which happen to have larger schools. [45229/17]

Access to Higher Education

Thomas Byrne

54. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to allow greater access for those in direct provision to access higher and further education. [44945/17]

Schools Building Projects

Thomas Byrne

57. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to locate a second level school in the general Duleek and east County Meath area. [44943/17]

Schools Building Projects Status

Thomas Byrne

65. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Education and Skills the status of plans for the development of a new campus for a school (details supplied). [44946/17]

Teacher Training Provision

Thomas Byrne

77. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Education and Skills his views on whether the education of teachers is becoming too expensive and lengthy. [44944/17]

Schools Building Projects Status

Thomas Byrne

89. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to deal with actual and potential school place shortages in Ashbourne and Dunshaughlin, County Meath. [44942/17]

Broadband Service Provision

Thomas Byrne

128. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Education and Skills if his attention has been drawn to the fact that broadband is being rolled out in an area and that a school (details supplied) is not benefitting from this roll-out. [44572/17]

School Expulsions

Thomas Byrne

133. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of section 29 appeals to his Department on expulsions which occurred in each of the years 2014 to 2016, inclusive; and the outcome of each appeal. [44761/17]

School Expulsions

Thomas Byrne

134. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of section 29 appeals to his Department on expulsions arising from special schools or children attending special classes in each of the years 2014 to 2016, inclusive; and the outcome of such appeals. [44762/17]

School Expulsions

Thomas Byrne

135. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of section 29 appeals to his Department on expulsion arising in respect of children who were diagnosed as having special educational needs in each of the years 2014 to 2016, inclusive; and the outcome of each such appeal. [44763/17]

School Expulsions

Thomas Byrne

136. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of section 29 appeals to his Department on refusals to admit which occurred in each of the years 2014 to 2016, inclusive; and the outcome of each such appeal. [44764/17]

School Expulsions

Thomas Byrne

137. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of section 29 appeals to his Department on refusals to admit arising from special schools or children attending special classes in each of the years 2014 to 2016, inclusive; and the outcome of each such appeal. [44765/17]

School Expulsions

Thomas Byrne

138. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of section 29 appeals to his Department on refusals to admit arising in respect of children who were diagnosed as having special educational needs in each of the years 2014 to 2016, inclusive; and the outcome of each such appeal. [44766/17]

School Expulsions

Thomas Byrne

139. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of section 29 appeals to ETBs on refusals to admit which occurred in each of the years 2014 to 2016, inclusive; and the outcome of each such appeal. [44767/17]

School Expulsions

Thomas Byrne

140. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of section 29 appeals to ETBs on refusals to admit arising from special schools or children attending special classes in each of the years 2014 to 2016, inclusive; and the outcome of each such appeal. [44768/17]

School Expulsions

Thomas Byrne

141. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of section 29 appeals to ETBs on refusals to admit arising in respect of children who were diagnosed as having special educational needs in each of the years 2014 to 2016, inclusive; and the outcome of each such appeal. [44769/17]

School Expulsions

Thomas Byrne

142. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of section 29 appeals to ETBs on expulsions which occurred in each of the years 2014 to 2016, inclusive; and the outcome of each such appeal. [44770/17]

School Expulsions

Thomas Byrne

143. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of section 29 appeals to ETBs on expulsions arising from special schools or children attending special classes in each of the years 2014 to 2016, inclusive; and the outcome of each such appeal. [44771/17]

School Expulsions

Thomas Byrne

144. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of section 29 appeals to ETBs on expulsion arising in respect of children that were diagnosed as having special educational needs in each of the years 2014 to 2016, inclusive; and the outcome of each such appeal. [44772/17]

National Educational Psychological Service

Thomas Byrne

145. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Education and Skills if educational and learning supports are being put in place for a person (details supplied); and if the person will benefit from a NEPS assessment in the near future. [44774/17]

Nursing Homes Support Scheme Review

Thomas Byrne

242. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Health if it is proposed in the review of the fair deal scheme to take into account the costs of private health insurance; and whether, if this was allowed, it would, in fact, more than pay for itself through a cost reduction to the State. [44799/17]

Broadband Service Provision

Thomas Byrne

303. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if his attention has been drawn to the fact that broadband is being rolled out in an area and that a school (details supplied) is not benefiting from this roll-out. [44571/17]

National Transport Authority

Thomas Byrne

330. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if a bus service will be provided through the NTA (details supplied). [44773/17]

Psychological Assessments

Thomas Byrne

182. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Education and Skills when recommendations in a psychological report for a person (details supplied) with learning difficulties will be implemented. [43523/17]

Student Grant Scheme Expenditure

Thomas Byrne

190. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Education and Skills the way additional funding for postgraduate grants in budget 2018 will be spent; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43821/17]

National Broadband Plan

Thomas Byrne

457. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if a school (details supplied) in County Meath will be included in the roll-out of broadband in the area. [43819/17]

National Broadband Plan

Thomas Byrne

459. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment when broadband will be available to residents in Balgeeth, Garristown, County Meath. [43935/17]

Back to Education Allowance Eligibility

Thomas Byrne

169. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if a person who already has a Level 8 qualification has qualifid for the back-to-education allowance to pursue a further Level 8 qualification in each of the past five years. [43215/17]

Road Network

Thomas Byrne

36. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if the upgrading of the N2 road will feature on the forthcoming mid-term capital review in view of statements he made on 23 February 2017 in Dáil Éireann regarding same. [41972/17]

Community Involvement Scheme

Thomas Byrne

42. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to increase the funding allocation to Meath County Council for the community involvement scheme for the restoration and upgrading of local roads and lanes in view of its positive take up. [41973/17]

National Educational Psychological Service Data

Thomas Byrne

115. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of educational psychologist posts in place in May 2016, January 2017 and September 2017; and the progress in the recruitment of educational psychologists. [42725/17]

Education Policy

Thomas Byrne

116. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Education and Skills the mandatory age up to which a child must remain at school. [42729/17]