Questions and answers published after July 2012 can be viewed here. Viewing by Government Department is possible by term or specific dates from March 2016 onwards. Written answers are published as received from departments. To see parliamentary questions published before July 2012, search in Dáil debates.
Questions and answers for Dáil or Seanad term
Page 28 of 30
Wed, 20 Mar 2013
written
Croke Park Agreement Issues
Jonathan O'Brien
252. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Education and Skills if proposals contained in the Croke Park II arrangements will result in a cut in allowances for teachers working in schools in the Gaeltacht areas on Irish offshore islands. [13673/13]
Wed, 20 Mar 2013
written
Schools Building Contractors
Jonathan O'Brien
262. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Education and Skills the steps or checks his Department carry out to ensure that all contractors, including sub-contractors employed by the main contractor, working directly for his Department on a school building project are REA compliant; the steps he has taken to address the situation at a school (details supplied) in Dublin 15 which was recently brought to his attention; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13889/13]
Thu, 14 Mar 2013
oral
Army Equitation School
Jonathan O'Brien
9. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Defence the number of persons paid more than €80,000, more than €100,000 and more than €120,000 in the Army Equitation School; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13160/13]
Wed, 13 Mar 2013
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Museums Standards Programme
Jonathan O'Brien
13. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if he will provide the names of the museums that received funding under the local and regional museums scheme 2012; the amount allocated to each museum; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13130/13]
Wed, 13 Mar 2013
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Scéimeanna Teanga
Jonathan O'Brien
29. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Jonathan O'Brien den Aire Ealaíon, Oidhreachta agus Gaeltachta cé mhéad limistéar atá roghnaithe ó thaobh plean teanga a chur i bhfeidhm; cad iad na hacmhainní atá á gcur ar fáil do na limistéir seo; cad iad na pleananna oibre atá aontaithe, agus an dtabharfaidh sé míniú maidir le cad atá ar intinn aige a dhéanamh maidir leis na limistéir nach bhfuil plean réitithe acu le cur i bhfeidhm. [13101/13]
Tue, 12 Mar 2013
written
Student Grant Scheme Appeals
Jonathan O'Brien
219. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will list in tabular form the number of appeals that have been referred from Student Universal Support Ireland to the Student Grants Appeal Board in 2012/13; the number of claims that have been successfully upheld during that period; the average time for an appeal to be heard by the SGAB; and how often the SGAB meets to deal with appeals deferred from SUSI. [12646/13]
Thu, 7 Mar 2013
oral
School Staffing
Jonathan O'Brien
2. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he is satisfied to allow primary school classes to double up to numbers in excess of 40 children per classroom, in order that teachers can, as mandated by Croke Park II, cover for colleagues who are on certified sick leave because substitution is no longer permitted. [12113/13]
Thu, 7 Mar 2013
oral
Departmental Staff Rehiring
Jonathan O'Brien
5. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Education and Skills if the delay in introducing legislation to ensure unemployed teachers get priority for available teaching posts has led to a situation in which in December 2012, some 22 out of 104 retired primary teachers employed in schools were on long-term contracts and that 82 retired teachers were employed as short-term substitutes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12189/13]
Thu, 7 Mar 2013
written
Third Level Drop-out Rates
Jonathan O'Brien
46. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will list in tabular form, on a county by county basis, the number of students who have dropped out of third level courses in the 2012-13 academic year up until the end of February 2013 and the way these figures compare to the same time last year. [11745/13]
Thu, 7 Mar 2013
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Literacy Levels
Jonathan O'Brien
50. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Education and Skills his views on the finding of two studies (details supplied) which showed primary school children in the Six Counties came sixth in numeracy and fifth in literacy, the highest rating of any English speaking country in the world; his views on whether this success can be attributed to the 48% rise in per capita education funding in the North from 1997 and 2007; the lessons his Department can learn from this success; and his further views that similar measures should be implemented to improve standards in the 26 Counties. [11744/13]
Wed, 6 Mar 2013
oral
Domestic Violence Refuges
Jonathan O'Brien
8. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if there is an Executive Office under the aegis of his Department which provides a co-ordinated whole of Government response to violence against women and domestic violence; and if he will provide an update on their work. [11557/13]
Tue, 5 Mar 2013
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Departmental Staff Recruitment
Jonathan O'Brien
116. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Social Protection further to Parliamentary Question No. 182 of 29 January 2013, in relation to 68 unfilled positions which she prioritised as critical, if she will list them and confirm if sanction was sought from the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform to fill those positions. [11374/13]
Thu, 28 Feb 2013
written
Mortgage Arrears Rate
Jonathan O'Brien
26. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Finance if he considers there is a need for a review of the code of conduct on mortgage arrears. [10582/13]
Thu, 28 Feb 2013
written
IBRC Liquidation
Jonathan O'Brien
55. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Finance his views on the decision to provide a €1 billion credit facility from the National Asset Management Agency for the use of the special liquidator of IBRC; when the decision was made; the credit facility that is intended to be used for; the way €1 billion, if used, will be repaid to NAMA; if he had to seek permission to use NAMA for such a credit facility from another entity such as the ECB; if the funding of the credit facility comes from cash assets at NAMA; and if NAMA can still meet its bond repayments due at the end of 2013. [10583/13]
Wed, 27 Feb 2013
written
Public Procurement Tenders
Jonathan O'Brien
44. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the measures he has introduced since March 2011 that have improved public procurement practices by removing obstacles and encouraging the involvement of small and medium enterprises and micro enterprises. [10433/13]
Wed, 27 Feb 2013
written
Public Procurement Tenders
Jonathan O'Brien
52. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will provide details of the measures he has introduced that encourage buyers to break contracts into lots. [10434/13]
Tue, 26 Feb 2013
written
Broadband Services Provision
Jonathan O'Brien
147. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the number of schools that currently avail of the 100 Mbps to schools project; if he will provide a breakdown by county; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9969/13]
Thu, 21 Feb 2013
written
Cross-Border Enterprise Initiatives
Jonathan O'Brien
12. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the number of jobs and the amount of investment achieved by cross-Border agencies and through cross-Border enterprise initiatives in the past two years. [9041/13]
Thu, 21 Feb 2013
written
Enterprise Support Services Provision
Jonathan O'Brien
53. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if he will identify the barriers to microenterprise posed by the Border both in financial terms and with regard to internal enterprise administration; if he will identify the steps he has taken to reduce these barriers in the past two years; and the effect this has had on volumes of cross-Border trade. [9042/13]
Wed, 20 Feb 2013
written
Overseas Development Aid Oversight
Jonathan O'Brien
32. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will provide a detailed report of the recent informal meeting of EU Development Ministers in Dublin; and if a unified EU approach to the development of a new set of international targets for human development post-2015 was reached. [8848/13]
Tue, 19 Feb 2013
written
Homeless Persons Supports
Jonathan O'Brien
122. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport Sport if he will give an undertaking that the Irish Homeless World Cup soccer team will receive funding for 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8610/13]
Tue, 19 Feb 2013
written
Sports Capital Programme Applications
Jonathan O'Brien
137. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the reason funding applications by Dublin City Council under the sports capital programme were rejected for Brickfield Park; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8608/13]
Thu, 14 Feb 2013
written
Health Services Staff Remuneration
Jonathan O'Brien
51. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Health the way he intends to deliver on the reduction of fees payable to health professionals of some €70 million as outlined in the national service plan 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7468/13]
Thu, 14 Feb 2013
written
Nursing Homes Support Scheme Applications
Jonathan O'Brien
57. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Health the way the waiting list for the nursing home support scheme will be administered; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7469/13]
Wed, 13 Feb 2013
written
Child Protection
Jonathan O'Brien
31. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she will provide an update on the establishment of a national out of hours social work service. [7307/13]
Wed, 13 Feb 2013
written
Third Level Fees
Jonathan O'Brien
86. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will clarify the degree programmes and additional special requirements he was referring to when replying to parliamentary questions which related to changes in funding to Gaeltacht placements for first year B Ed students attending Mary Immaculate College when he stated: this move brings the primary ITE courses more into line with other degree programmes where students are required to bear the costs of additional special requirements themselves; and if he will confirm that students are always required to pay tuition fees in Ireland in these circumstances. [7748/13]
Wed, 13 Feb 2013
written
Third Level Fees
Jonathan O'Brien
87. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Education and Skills in view of changes in funding to Gaeltacht placements for first year B Ed students attending Mary Immaculate College, which will result in students having to pay an additional €1,400 biannual fee, if his Department has considered expanding the student assistance fund which in its current form can only be accessed by a limited number of students; and if he will further consider introducing a more robust system to support students who do not qualify for the grant. [7749/13]
Wed, 13 Feb 2013
written
Third Level Fees
Jonathan O'Brien
88. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Education and Skills in view of his recent decision to allocate an additional €3 million to the student assistance fund representatives, if he will consider allocating an additional €1 million to the fund in order to assist the estimated 1,000 additional students who will be directly affected by changes to the Gaeltacht placement scheme. [7750/13]
Tue, 12 Feb 2013
written
Humanitarian Aid
Jonathan O'Brien
192. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will provide a breakdown, in tabular form, of the amount of State funding paid overseas to countries affected by war or natural disasters; and the amount of State funding paid to Irish registered overseas charities working in countries affected by these issues in 2011-12. [7149/13]
Tue, 12 Feb 2013
written
School Enrolments Data
Jonathan O'Brien
267. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Education and Skills the steps he is taking to address the growing demand for primary school start places in County Meath in view of the fact that recent reports that the demand outstrips availability; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6847/13]
Tue, 12 Feb 2013
written
Schools Building Projects Status
Jonathan O'Brien
276. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will provide a progress report on the efforts of a school (details supplied) in County Galway to secure funding for a new school building in Oranmore. [7010/13]
Thu, 7 Feb 2013
written
Overseas Missions
Jonathan O'Brien
32. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Defence if he will commit to protecting the triple-lock mechanism. [6127/13]
Thu, 7 Feb 2013
written
Departmental Staff Recruitment
Jonathan O'Brien
41. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Defence the outstanding vacancies in his Department on 31 December 2012 and his plans to fill these. [6122/13]
Thu, 7 Feb 2013
written
Student Grant Scheme Application Numbers
Jonathan O'Brien
77. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will provide in tabular form an up to date breakdown of third level students, on a county basis, who have had a maintenance grant application accepted by Student Universal Support Ireland but have still to receive payment; the number of students who have appealed the decision of SUSI and are awaiting the outcome of the decision; and the numbers of students who are still waiting to have an appeal heard. [6566/13]
Wed, 6 Feb 2013
written
Proposed Legislation
Jonathan O'Brien
23. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he plans to introduce legislation to rectify legal anomalies around the issue of surrogacy. [5997/13]
Tue, 5 Feb 2013
written
Community Development Projects
Jonathan O'Brien
550. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the measures taken by him to include the lesbian, gay and bisexual community within its community development programmes. [5915/13]
Thu, 31 Jan 2013
oral
Energy Schemes Issues
Jonathan O'Brien
22. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources when money outlined in the budget for the retrofitting of houses will become available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4683/13]
Wed, 30 Jan 2013
written
Commemorative Events
Jonathan O'Brien
39. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if he has made a decision regarding a grant application to restore the former Richmond Barracks gymnasium as a local museum and centre for focus on commemorations in 1916; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4499/13]
Tue, 29 Jan 2013
written
Job Initiatives
Jonathan O'Brien
159. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Social Protection in view of the statement by her appointee as chair of the steering group of the JobBridge programme (details supplied), when she will reconsider the decision not to provide a training budget for each participant on top of the basic allowance. [4067/13]
Tue, 29 Jan 2013
written
Household Benefits Scheme
Jonathan O'Brien
186. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Social Protection the discounts she has managed to agree with the utility companies who supply gas and electricity to those in receipt of the household benefits. [4066/13]
Tue, 29 Jan 2013
written
Schools Building Projects Applications
Jonathan O'Brien
321. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will confirm if a new site has been acquired for a school (details supplied) in County Wicklow; when work on the new school building is due to commence; and the projected timeframe for when work on the new school building will be completed. [4010/13]
Tue, 29 Jan 2013
written
Back to Education Allowance Payments
Jonathan O'Brien
418. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Social Protection if the decision in Budget 2013 to cut the back to education allowance was equality proofed; and his views on whether decreasing this allowance will prevent marginalised and disadvantaged learners from upskilling through their participation in further education courses. [2673/13]
Wed, 23 Jan 2013
written
Public Sector Staff Remuneration
Jonathan O'Brien
21. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the action he will take to ensure that the principle of equal pay for equal work in public sector pay is not undermined. [3080/13]
Wed, 23 Jan 2013
written
Departmental Websites
Jonathan O'Brien
37. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will provide an update in the Governments new eTenders website; the cost involved in preparing and managing the new site; the level of consultation that took place with interested stakeholders in advance of the new site being rolled out; the level of briefing that the Government has carried out to inform interested parties on the way the new site operates; if he will detail any problems that the new site has experienced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3058/13]
Wed, 23 Jan 2013
written
Teachers' Remuneration
Jonathan O'Brien
86. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will provide a list of the number of newly qualified teachers who are still awaiting payment of their increased level four payscale; the date when all outstanding payments will be made and if he will provide assurances that unpaid wages will be back paid in full from September 2012. [3352/13]
Tue, 22 Jan 2013
oral
Student Grant Scheme Delays
Jonathan O'Brien
123. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will provide in tabular form a breakdown of third level students on a county basis who have had their maintenance grant application accepted by Student Universal Support Ireland but have still to receive payment; the number of students who have appealed the decision of SUSI and are awaiting the outcome of that decision and the numbers of students who are still waiting to have their appeal heard. [3084/13]
Tue, 22 Jan 2013
oral
Minor Works Scheme Suspension
Jonathan O'Brien
126. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Education and Skills his views on whether the suspension of the minor works grant represents a false saving in view of comments (details supplied) that schools that are unable to afford to meet the cost of minor maintenance costs will result in school buildings falling into a much greater state of disrepair. [3085/13]
Tue, 22 Jan 2013
oral
Further Education and Training Programmes Applications
Jonathan O'Brien
130. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will provide in tabular form the numbers of students, on a county basis, who progressed to higher education courses as a result of qualifications gained from participating in post leaving certificate courses in 2011/12. [2669/13]
Tue, 22 Jan 2013
written
Student Assistance Fund Issues
Jonathan O'Brien
144. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of students who have applied for emergency funding from the student assistance fund since September 2012; and the way this compares with previous academic year. [2670/13]
Tue, 22 Jan 2013
written
Departmental Agencies Issues
Jonathan O'Brien
236. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will list the administrative services in Irish of equal standard to those provided in English; if the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment will be in position to provide to An Chomhairle um Oideachas Gaeltachta agus Gaelscolaíochta; if he researched these Irish-language services prior to the decision to merge COGG with NCCA; his views on whether it would be better to reverse this decision; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2564/13]
Tue, 22 Jan 2013
written
Departmental Agencies Issues
Jonathan O'Brien
237. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Education and Skills the way he will ensure that An Chomhairle um Oideachas Gaeltachta agus Gaelscolaíochta budget will remain ring-fenced in the future under the new arrangement based on the decision he made to merge COGG with the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment; if the COGG will be in a position to make its own decisions regarding its budget in the future; if the Board of COGG be responsible for the management of COGG or will NCCA take over; his views on whether it would be better to reverse this decision; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2565/13]
Thu, 17 Jan 2013
written
Tax Code
Jonathan O'Brien
13. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Finance if he has been requested by any European or international Government or institution to review this State's corporation tax rate and the tax treatment of royalties. [1793/13]
Thu, 17 Jan 2013
written
Proposed Legislation
Jonathan O'Brien
57. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Finance if he has consulted with any investment, auditing and accounting institutions in the drafting of the Finance Bill 2013; if he will make available the advice that he was given in the drafting of the Bill and specify whether that advice was included in the Bill, specifically with regards to business tax, high earners tax and research and development taxation. [1792/13]
Wed, 16 Jan 2013
written
Pupil-Teacher Ratio
Jonathan O'Brien
242. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will respond to fears that the increase in the pupil-teacher ratio from 17:1 - 19:1 will result in a 10% cut to staff in the Cork College of Commerce; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57904/12]
Wed, 16 Jan 2013
written
Student Grant Scheme Application Numbers
Jonathan O'Brien
351. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will provide an updated list, in tabular form, from 11 January 2013, the number of students on a county basis who have received from Student Universal Support Ireland payment of their third level grant or notification of when it is to be paid and the numbers of students on a county basis who have still to have their grant application approved. [2011/13]
Wed, 16 Jan 2013
written
Student Grant Scheme Delays
Jonathan O'Brien
352. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will provide, in tabular form, the number of students on a county basis who are awaiting to have their original grant applications reassessed or a decision made on their appeal by Student Universal Support Ireland. [2012/13]
Thu, 20 Dec 2012
oral
Sports Capital Programme
Jonathan O'Brien
12 Deputy Jonathan O’Brien asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when the next round of funding will be available under the sports capital programme; the amount to be allocated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57263/12]
Thu, 20 Dec 2012
written
Taxi Regulations
Jonathan O'Brien
43. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will consider further financial incentives to increase the number of wheelchair accessible vehicles in the State’s taxi fleet. [57238/12]
Wed, 19 Dec 2012
written
Health Services Provision
Jonathan O'Brien
36. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Health if he will reconsider his rejection of the call by a person (details supplied) for a full public inquiry into the tragic death of their spouse at Galway Regional Hospital on 28 October 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57025/12]
Wed, 19 Dec 2012
written
Departmental Expenditure
Jonathan O'Brien
71. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Health if he will detail the way in which the projected €781 million reduction in the health budget in 2013 will be achieved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57024/12]
Wed, 19 Dec 2012
written
Pupil-Teacher Ratio
Jonathan O'Brien
101. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will provide assurances that the increase in the pupil teacher ratio in further education from 17:1 to 19:1 will not result in a reduction of 25 whole time equivalent teaching posts across the city of Cork Vocational Education Committee. [57142/12]
Wed, 19 Dec 2012
written
Pupil-Teacher Ratio
Jonathan O'Brien
102. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Education and Skills his views on concerns that as a result of the high number of retirements in a college (details supplied), eight staffing positions have been placed at risk as a result of the increase in the pupil-teacher ratio in further education programmes. [57143/12]
Tue, 18 Dec 2012
written
Child Care Services Provision
Jonathan O'Brien
68. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number of children who used the services of the out-of-hours projects in counties Donegal and Cork each month since they were established; the number of children who repeatedly used the services during each of those months; the number of children who used the emergency place of safety service and separately, the crisis intervention service each month since it was established and the number of these children who were repeat users; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [56771/12]
Tue, 18 Dec 2012
written
Children in Care
Jonathan O'Brien
72. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the waiting time that applied in the cases of the three young persons who were approved and are awaiting a special care placement and the one young person approved and awaiting a high support placement on 23 October 2012; if those young persons had received their placements on 23 November 2012; the number of children awaiting placement in high support or special care unit residential places on 12 December 2012; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [56772/12]
Tue, 18 Dec 2012
written
Special Educational Needs Services Provision
Jonathan O'Brien
208. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will provide copies of the minutes of meetings held between is Department and professional bodies representing behaviour analysts over the past decade, as his Department researched and devised its policy on the education of children with autism. [56442/12]
Tue, 18 Dec 2012
written
Post-Leaving Certificate Courses
Jonathan O'Brien
262. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Education and Skills his views on the claims (details supplied) of the CEO of Cork City and County Vocational Education Committee that changes announced in Budget 2013 to the pupil teacher ratio will mean a reduction of 25 full time equivalent or 50 part time teachers across the three further education colleges in County Cork as well as the closure of specialised courses at a college (details further supplied). [56949/12]
Wed, 12 Dec 2012
written
Defence Forces Equipment
Jonathan O'Brien
30. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Defence if he has examined the possibility of procuring smaller naval coastal patrol vessels for the purposes of intercepting drugs landings on Irish coastal areas. [54710/12]
Wed, 12 Dec 2012
written
Pupil-Teacher Ratio
Jonathan O'Brien
94. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will respond to concerns that up to 40 plus teaching posts have been placed at risk as a result of the decision announced in budget 2013 to increase the pupil-teacher ratio to 19:2, 19:1 in post leaving certificate courses; if he will provide details of any findings by his Department carried out in advance of this decision. [55901/12]
Tue, 11 Dec 2012
written
Asylum Seeker Accommodation
Jonathan O'Brien
83. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Justice and Equality his plans to address the concerns set out in the recent Irish Refugee Council report on conditions in State-funded accommodation for those seeking asylum. [54474/12]
Tue, 11 Dec 2012
written
Court Procedures
Jonathan O'Brien
106. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Justice and Equality his plans to amend in camera rules for court hearings in family law cases; and the timeline in which he intends to complete same. [54473/12]
Tue, 11 Dec 2012
written
Student Grant Scheme Application Numbers
Jonathan O'Brien
180. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will provide an updated list, in tabular form, from 3 December 2012 of the numbers of students on a county basis who have received from Student Universal Support Ireland payment of their third level grant or notification of when it is to be paid. [55308/12]
Tue, 4 Dec 2012
oral
Housing Regeneration
Jonathan O'Brien
66. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide an update on the regeneration of Knocknaheeney, Cork, including what is currently under construction and what has been completed; the number of families that have been rehoused; and the timeframe for completion. [54247/12]
Tue, 4 Dec 2012
written
Immigration Policy
Jonathan O'Brien
453. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the reason a 100% increase made in the fees charged to students having to renew their visas was introduced at less than a week’s notice; her views on criticism that students attempting to apply for the visa on the Friday before the increase came into effect, and who were asked to return the following Monday to resubmit their documentation, were unfairly penalised as a result of being charged the new higher rate of €300. [54032/12]
Thu, 29 Nov 2012
written
Television Reception
Jonathan O'Brien
36. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the number of television licence holders who have yet to make the digital switchover to Saorview; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53342/12]
Thu, 29 Nov 2012
written
Television Reception
Jonathan O'Brien
38. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if all television licence holders are able to receive Saorview; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53343/12]
Thu, 29 Nov 2012
written
Student Grant Scheme Reform
Jonathan O'Brien
85. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Education and Skills the process whereby the contract for running the Student Universal Support Ireland was awarded; the criteria used to judge the submissions of applicants submission; the system used to award points or to adjudicate on each application and the bodies or person's who sat on the independent selection panel including its Chairperson. [53413/12]
Thu, 29 Nov 2012
written
Student Grant Scheme Reform
Jonathan O'Brien
86. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Education and Skills the role he or his Department had in the selection of the successful application to administer Student Universal Support Ireland; when was the successful applicant chosen; when were they notified of their success and when were the unsuccessful applicants notified of their failure. [53414/12]
Thu, 29 Nov 2012
written
Student Grant Scheme Reform
Jonathan O'Brien
87. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Education and Skills prior to the awarding of the contract to administer Student Universal Support Ireland to City of Dublin VEC, if any legislative changes were enacted by Dáil Éireann to allow CDVEC to access personal data and if so when and what were they. [53415/12]
Thu, 29 Nov 2012
written
Student Grant Scheme Application Numbers
Jonathan O'Brien
88. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will provide an updated list, in tabular form, from Monday 26 November 2012 of the numbers of students on a county basis who have received from Student Universal Support Ireland payment of their third level grant or notification of when it is to be paid. [53418/12]
Wed, 28 Nov 2012
written
National Cultural Institutions
Jonathan O'Brien
40. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the reason the recent abolition of the boards of the National Library and the National Museum will enhance Ireland’s cultural tourism market; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53061/12]
Wed, 28 Nov 2012
written
Comhairle Aireachta Thuaidh-Theas
Jonathan O'Brien
53. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Jonathan O'Brien den Aire Ealaíon, Oidhreachta agus Gaeltachta an bhfuil anailís costas/tairbhe déanta ar an tsamhail nua maoinithe atá á moladh ag Foras na Gaeilge d’earnáil dheonach na Gaeilge agus, má tá, cén toradh agus céard iad na moltaí a d’eascair as an anailís sin; agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina thaobh. [52983/12]
Tue, 27 Nov 2012
written
Public Bike Schemes
Jonathan O'Brien
107. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide an update on the expansion of public bikes schemes in Dublin and other urban areas across the State. [52665/12]
Tue, 27 Nov 2012
written
Departmental Staff Remuneration
Jonathan O'Brien
305. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will provide in tabular form, the number of staff in his department, or in bodies that fall under the remit of his Department, whose annual remuneration including salary, pension and benefits at 31 December 2011 fell into bands of €400,000 and above, between €300,000 to €399,999, between €200,000 to €299,999 and between €150,000 to €199,000; if he will provide a breakdown of the positions held by the staff in the relevant pay brackets. [52714/12]
Tue, 27 Nov 2012
written
Departmental Staff Remuneration
Jonathan O'Brien
306. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he has made any contacts requesting staff whose annual salary is in excess of €200,000 in his Department or in any body under the remit of his department, to waive 15% of their salary or such amount in excess of €200,000 whichever is the lesser; if he has, the date on which he first made this contact; the number of staff whose annual salaries were in excess of €200,000 at that date; the number of staff who acquiesced to the request for the waiver; the number of staff who refused the request for the waiver and the number of staff who have not responded to the request for the waiver [52715/12]
Thu, 22 Nov 2012
written
Employment Support Services
Jonathan O'Brien
37. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the impact recent declines in chemical and related projects may have on employment and Departmental strategy. [51901/12]
Wed, 21 Nov 2012
written
Departmental Staff Recruitment
Jonathan O'Brien
33. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he intends to make any further changes to the top level appointments committee. [51551/12]
Wed, 21 Nov 2012
written
Public Sector Staff Redeployment
Jonathan O'Brien
34. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will provide details of the redeployment taking place across the system as stated in his progress on the implementation of the Government's Public Service Reform Plan September 2012. [51552/12]
Wed, 21 Nov 2012
written
Special Educational Needs Staffing
Jonathan O'Brien
79. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will confirm that a person (details supplied) is not employed by the Special Education Support Service but is in fact on part-time secondment from a college. [51729/12]
Wed, 21 Nov 2012
written
Special Educational Needs Staffing
Jonathan O'Brien
80. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Education and Skills the steps he has taken to implement the recommendations of the National Council for Special Educators report into Evidence of Best Practice Models and Outcomes into the Education of Children with Emotional Disturbances and Behavioural Difficulties; the steps he has taken to implement the recommendation that behavioural psychologists and other psychology professionals have proposed to implement direct interventions with students with EBD within the school context. [51730/12]
Wed, 21 Nov 2012
written
Teaching Qualifications
Jonathan O'Brien
81. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of teachers working here who have a postgraduate qualification in ABA; the number of teachers who have received funding to study ABA at postgraduate level here; and if he will confirm that teachers who pursue a BCBA qualification must contract privately to have their work supervised. [51731/12]
Wed, 21 Nov 2012
written
Special Educational Needs Services Provision
Jonathan O'Brien
82. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Education and Skills the circumstances under which a principal or teacher is obliged to implement the recommendations of a psychological or medical professional; and the circumstances which allow them to disregard these recommendations. [51732/12]
Tue, 20 Nov 2012
oral
Adult Education
Jonathan O'Brien
105. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Education and Skills his views on claims by the National Adult Learning Organisation, AONTAS, that a lack of financial support and suitable course options are the biggest challenges for adults returning to education; and the efforts being made by him to integrate adult guidance with course provision, connect with employers, explore other funding models for part-time learners and establish better systems to gather evidence on the effectiveness of adult learning courses. [51524/12]
Tue, 20 Nov 2012
oral
Student Grant Scheme Delays
Jonathan O'Brien
108. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will outline in detail the process of outsourcing the scanning of grant application documents to a third party in County Cork; if a cost-benefit analysis was conducted prior to the awarding of the contract to the company; if the contract was put out to public tender; and the cost differential of outsourcing this element of the grant application process of Student Universal Support Ireland to delivering it in-house. [51342/12]
Tue, 20 Nov 2012
written
Access to Higher Education
Jonathan O'Brien
143. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Education and Skills if any analysis or assessment has been carried out by his Department which projects the likely impact on access to higher education by persons in lower socio-economic groups as a result of recent cuts to maintenance grants and increases in registration fees; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51337/12]
Thu, 15 Nov 2012
written
Tax Code
Jonathan O'Brien
34. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Finance if relevant contracts tax is to be made applicable to some minor school maintenance work and repairs; if consideration has been given to the likely heavy administrative workload to be incurred by boards of management and the possible difficulties that may arise with regards to ensuring tax liability and compliance; and if he will enter into negotiations with Revenue in order that some consideration is given to introducing a reasonable minimum threshold for RCT and distinguishing between normal maintenance or repairs and large-scale system upgrades, refurbishment or construction works. [43106/12]
Wed, 14 Nov 2012
written
Trade Missions
Jonathan O'Brien
27. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will provide details on the recent trade mission that he led to Brazil; and his expectations of future bilateral relations with Brazil following his visit. [50097/12]
Tue, 13 Nov 2012
written
Social Welfare Appeals Status
Jonathan O'Brien
117. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will ensure that the option of a review in advance of an appeal is given greater prominence and explanation in letters sent out turning down applications with a view to reducing the number of cases that go forward to the more costly and time consuming appeals process. [49852/12]
Tue, 13 Nov 2012
written
Social Welfare Appeals Status
Jonathan O'Brien
146. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will direct that deciding officers that are considering turning down an application for social welfare should make a telephone call to the applicant before finalising their decision during which basic things such as the absence of documentation or misunderstandings would come to light and these could be rectified in advance of the decision with a view to reducing the number of cases that go forward to the costly and time consuming appeals process. [49853/12]
Thu, 8 Nov 2012
written
Medical Aids and Appliances Provision
Jonathan O'Brien
63. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Health the extent of, and the actions he will take to reverse, the decision of Health Service Executive services to refuse to provide incontinence pads to persons in need, including in serious health circumstances in some cases forcing medical card holders to buy a full box at a cost of €44 and the refusal to provide appropriate gloves for the safe insertion of catheters; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48960/12]
Thu, 8 Nov 2012
written
Health Services Staff Issues
Jonathan O'Brien
64. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Health the annual outlay for personal assistants in each of the years 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2011 and the anticipated spend for same in 2012; if he will confirm that there will be no cuts to services for persons dependent on personal assistants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48961/12]