Parliamentary questions

Educational Disadvantage

Seán Kyne

136. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Education and Skills the evaluation process under which a school is designated under the delivering equality of opportunity in schools scheme; if the evaluation process is subject to ongoing review; if schools not currently included in the scheme are eligible to apply for consideration, particularly in the interests of equity between schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25754/15]

School Curriculum

Terence Flanagan

137. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Education and Skills her plans to encourage schools to provide alcohol and drug awareness programmes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25816/15]

Schools Building Projects Status

Richard Boyd Barrett

138. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Education and Skills if there is any possibility of fast-tracking the transfer of a school (details supplied) in County Dublin to its permanent location, as the school has been waiting 20 years and is completely unable to cope in its current temporary location; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25822/15]

Education Expenditure

Mick Wallace

139. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Education and Skills her plans to provide additional investment in education spending to provide a totally free primary education for all children which would cover all financial extras such as books, classroom resources and transportation, in line with the recent call by a charity (details supplied) for an investment of €103 million for this purpose; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25803/15]

Special Educational Needs Service Provision

Bernard Durkan

140. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the extent to which she is satisfied with the availability of special needs classes throughout the primary and secondary level sectors; if special needs teachers and special needs assistants continue to be made available in sufficient numbers to meet ongoing and future needs; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25763/15]

Data Protection

Jonathan O'Brien

141. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Education and Skills if she is aware of an incident in a County Limerick school where it has emerged that hidden cameras were placed inside the school without the knowledge of staff, parents or pupils; and if the Data Protection Commissioner is investigating this matter. [25735/15]

School Staff

Paul Murphy

142. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Education and Skills her views on the situation where teachers and other workers in the majority of primary and secondary schools could be disciplined owing to their religious views; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25814/15]

Third Level Facilities

Jonathan O'Brien

143. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Education and Skills if she is aware two students with disabilities at Saint Angela’s College in County Sligo are unable to visit the canteen because of accessibility issues. [25736/15]

Schools Building Projects Administration

Bernard Durkan

144. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Skills her plans to meet to the maximum extent possible the full requirements as set out in the school building programme and as reflected in submissions from the various school authorities at primary and secondary level; the extent to which this will entail the replacement of existing prefabricated or temporary structures with permanent buildings; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25764/15]

School Guidance Counsellors

Mick Wallace

145. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of secondary schools that have a full-time guidance counsellor; the number that do not have a full-time guidance counsellor; the percentage of these that are fee-paying and that are non-fee-paying; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25804/15]

Diaspora Policy

Dominic Hannigan

146. Deputy Dominic Hannigan asked the Taoiseach if he will provide details on the work of the interdepartmental committee on the Irish abroad; the number of meetings held to date; the work programme for 2015; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25981/15]

Departmental Equipment

Seán Fleming

147. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Taoiseach if his Department uses any system of software for the auto-deletion of e-mail messages; if so, his Department's guidelines on the use of such a system; and the length of time e-mails are stored before they are auto-deleted. [25308/15]

Low Pay Commission Report

Peadar Tóibín

148. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Taoiseach the annual cost of introducing a living wage or minimal-threshold gross salary of €11.45 an hour in his Department and the bodies under his aegis. [25441/15]

Dublin-Monaghan Bombings

Brendan Smith

149. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Taoiseach if he raised at his recent meeting with the British Prime Minister, Mr. David Cameron, the need for the British Government to respond positively and without further delay to the motions passed unanimously by Dáil Éireann in 2008 and 2011 requesting access for an eminent independent legal person to all papers and files pertaining to the Dublin and Monaghan bombings of 1974; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25684/15]

Seanad Reform

Lucinda Creighton

150. Deputy Lucinda Creighton asked the Taoiseach if he has considered the report of the working group on Seanad reform 2015 which was published by his Department on 13 April 2015; the steps he will take to implement its findings and recommendations; if any legislation to reform Seanad Éireann is planned during the lifetime of the current Dáil Éireann; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26091/15]

Eurozone Issues

Micheál Martin

151. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Taoiseach if the Greek Prime Minister, Mr. Alexis Tsipras, has been in contact with him since 22 June 2015 on the Eurogroup's talks; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26428/15]

Carer's Allowance Eligibility

Pat Breen

152. Deputy Pat Breen asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the reason payment of a carer's allowance has ceased in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Clare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25693/15]

EU Funding

Michael McGrath

153. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if her Department has taken over the Fund for European Aid to the Most Deprived which was previously operated by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine in 2014 and prior years, whereby supplies of cheese, rice and butter were distributed to charities; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25720/15]

Invalidity Pension Appeals

Dara Calleary

154. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection when a person (details supplied) in County Galway will have an appeal in respect of an invalidity pension processed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25724/15]

Mortgage Interest Supplement Scheme Payments

Seán Ó Fearghaíl

155. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if mortgage interest supplement will be restored to its previous rate as a matter of urgency in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25728/15]

Civil Registration Legislation

Catherine Murphy

156. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the qualifications necessary to become a registered marriage solemniser; if the General Register Office maintains a list of recognised religious organisations as nominating bodies for this purpose; if the General Register Office has discretion to refuse a request; if so, on what grounds; if the General Register Office has any role in determining which religious groups may act as nominating bodies or have their members included in the list of registered solemnisers and which may not; if so, the criteria used to determine this; if she will provide a list of applicants whose applications have been refused since 2005, indicating the nominating body in each case; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25739/15]

Disability Allowance Payments

Robert Troy

157. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if she will expedite arrears of disability allowance to a person (details supplied) who has been awaiting same for over ten weeks. [25758/15]

Social Welfare Payments Administration

Thomas P. Broughan

158. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection her plans to continue using the post office network to administer payments from her Department; the number of years this is guaranteed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25788/15]

Carer's Allowance Eligibility

Pearse Doherty

159. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection when it is expected that an application for carer's allowance will be processed in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Donegal; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25824/15]

Community Employment Schemes Operation

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

160. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if consideration will be given to retitle payments under the community employment scheme and the Tús work placement initiative as social welfare allowances and not as wages, thus saving these very low-paid workers on pay related social insurance payments; and the amount it would cost the Exchequer to do this, by year. [25825/15]

Carer's Allowance Applications

Pat Breen

161. Deputy Pat Breen asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection when a decision on a carer's allowance will issue in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Clare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25826/15]

Social Welfare Appeals

Michael Creed

162. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if a person (details supplied) who has been pursued by her Department for an alleged overpayment of social welfare will be granted an oral hearing on appeal of this case; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25856/15]

Disability Allowance Applications

Michael Creed

163. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if a person (details supplied) in County Cork will be approved for a disability allowance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25862/15]

Invalidity Pension Applications

Michael Creed

164. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if a person (details supplied) in County Cork will be approved for an invalidity pension; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25863/15]

Carer's Allowance Applications

Terence Flanagan

165. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the position regarding a carer's allowance in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 17; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25867/15]

One-Parent Family Payment Payments

Billy Kelleher

166. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if she will provide, in tabular form by county, the number of persons being impacted on by the changes being introduced to the one-parent family payment on 1 July 2015. [25883/15]

One-Parent Family Payment Payments

Brendan Griffin

167. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if changes to the eligibility criteria for the one-parent family payment will be reversed in view of the hardship these changes will cause; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25918/15]

Carer's Allowance Appeals

Bernard Durkan

168. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the progress made to date in determining an application for a carer's allowance in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25922/15]

Social Welfare Payments Administration

Gerry Adams

169. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection her views on the concern of the Irish Postmasters Union in respect of the recent issue of revised application forms from her Department; if she is aware that this has already impacted on some post offices' business; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25932/15]

Social Welfare Payments Administration

Gerry Adams

170. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if she will provide an update following her own request that her Department review social welfare forms; the timeframe for this review; and the suggested neutral wording in relation to payment options that is to be provided. [25933/15]

Social Welfare Payments Administration

Gerry Adams

171. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if she will provide a commitment to withdraw the amended and contentious social welfare forms currently in circulation; her plans to cease distribution of these forms, being fully cognisant of the potential impact it may hold for smaller post offices; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25934/15]

Social Welfare Payments Administration

Gerry Adams

172. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the consultation or discussion that took place with postmasters in advance of the decision to issue new social welfare application forms; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25935/15]

Domiciliary Care Allowance Appeals

Seán Ó Fearghaíl

173. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if she will expedite an appeal for a domiciliary care allowance in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25958/15]

Disability Allowance Applications

Bernard Durkan

175. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the progress made to date in determining an application for disability allowance in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare who has submitted the requested documentation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25963/15]

JobsPlus Scheme

Dominic Hannigan

176. Deputy Dominic Hannigan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the number of persons under 25 years of age who have qualified for the JobsPlus initiative, by county, since the introduction of the initiative; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25975/15]

JobsPlus Scheme

Dominic Hannigan

177. Deputy Dominic Hannigan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the number of persons under 25 years of age who have qualified for the JobsPlus initiative under the revised criteria since January 2015; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25976/15]

JobsPlus Scheme

Dominic Hannigan

178. Deputy Dominic Hannigan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the number of persons under 25 years of age who currently qualify for the JobsPlus initiative on the basis that they meet the four-month criteria, by county; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25977/15]

Disability Allowance Appeals

Bernard Durkan

179. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if a supplementary welfare allowance and associated arrears will issue in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Dublin whose application for disability allowance is being assessed further; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25991/15]

Rent Supplement Scheme Payments

Brendan Smith

180. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the proposals she has to increase rent supplement levels and to introduce more flexibility in limits for tenants who are at risk of homelessness, as requested by an organisation (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25995/15]

Guardian's Payment Appeals

Bernard Durkan

181. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the possible alternatives for payment in respect of the grandchild of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare who no longer receives a guardianship payment in respect of the child; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26005/15]

Social Welfare Benefits Applications

Emmet Stagg

182. Deputy Emmet Stagg asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the reason for the delay in awarding an optical benefit in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare. [26015/15]

Domiciliary Care Allowance Applications

Bernard Durkan

183. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if she will review eligibility for a domiciliary care allowance in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26028/15]

Invalidity Pension Applications

John Browne

184. Deputy John Browne asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection when an application for an invalidity pension will be approved in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Wexford. [26033/15]

Child Care Costs

Seamus Healy

185. Deputy Seamus Healy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection in view of the failure of the Government, through the Department of Children and Youth Affairs, to establish a system of safe, affordable and accessible child care, similar to that in place in the Scandinavian countries, if she will withdraw the measures in relation to lone parents to be implemented on 2 July 2015 and, in particular, the reduction in the age of the youngest child to seven years as the threshold above which the one-parent family payment will not be payable. [26059/15]

Community Employment Schemes Eligibility

Michael Healy-Rae

186. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection her views on a matter (details supplied) regarding voluntary groups; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26092/15]