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 30 of 44
Thu, 13 Jul 2017
written
Institutes of Technology Funding
Thomas Byrne
306. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Education and Skills the estimated amount of routine or steady State capital investment that is estimated to be required at each institute of technology from 2018 to 2021. [34333/17]
Thu, 13 Jul 2017
written
Third Level Institutions
Thomas Byrne
307. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Education and Skills the funding allocated from his Department to the programme for research in third level institutions in 2016-2017 and 2017-2018; the estimated amount of matching funding from either private sector sources or other State or EU sources the funding has attracted since 2012 and specifically, in 2015/2016 and 2016/2017. [34334/17]
Thu, 13 Jul 2017
written
Pupil-Teacher Ratio
Thomas Byrne
318. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Education and Skills the estimated cost of reducing the pupil-teacher ratio at primary level by one point in budget 2018. [34492/17]
Thu, 13 Jul 2017
written
Pupil-Teacher Ratio
Thomas Byrne
319. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Education and Skills the estimated cost of reducing average class sizes to 23 at primary level in budget 2018. [34493/17]
Thu, 13 Jul 2017
written
School Patronage
Thomas Byrne
332. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of meetings he or his officials have had with senior members of the Catholic Church or Catholic patrons bodies in regard to school divestment or school admissions and enrolment since coming to office. [34624/17]
Thu, 13 Jul 2017
written
Special Educational Needs Service Provision
Thomas Byrne
355. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Education and Skills the average cost of establishing a new autism spectrum disorder unit or special class in a mainstream post secondary school. [34875/17]
Thu, 13 Jul 2017
written
Schools Establishment
Thomas Byrne
356. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of new multidenominational and-or non-denominational schools that have been established since 2012; the year they began taking in students; if they are in permanent or temporary accommodation; the patron of each; and if their buildings were transferred from another patron. [34876/17]
Thu, 13 Jul 2017
written
Multidenominational Schools
Thomas Byrne
357. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to undertake another parental demand survey to assess levels of demand in each area for multi- and non-denominational schools; the areas in which there was deemed to be a high parental demand for multi- and non-denominational schools in the last survey; the level of demand identified; and if this demand has been fulfilled or not. [34877/17]
Thu, 13 Jul 2017
written
School Patronage
Thomas Byrne
358. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Education and Skills his views on whether there is a potential conflict of interest in his new reconfiguration plan for patronage divestment (details supplied); the arrangements his Department has in place to mitigate the effects of conflicts of interest. [34878/17]
Thu, 13 Jul 2017
written
School Accommodation Provision
Thomas Byrne
359. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Education and Skills his views on whether his Department's policy of not allowing Educate Together schools to establish using temporary accommodation at an initial stage unless there is an expectation that a State-owned building will be available to move into in the area in the short term is unnecessary and is significantly delaying the roll-out of Educate Together schools across the country to areas of low patron diversity and high parental demand. [34879/17]
Thu, 13 Jul 2017
written
School Admissions
Thomas Byrne
360. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Education and Skills if under the new School Admissions Bill 2016 he will have powers to direct selected schools to operate an admissions policy which is positively discriminatory towards certain groups deemed to be excluded, such as children from traveller backgrounds or from homeless households; and if not, the reason he is of the view such a provision should not be inserted into the Bill. [34880/17]
Thu, 13 Jul 2017
written
School Curriculum
Thomas Byrne
361. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Education and Skills the estimated cost for reintroducing the modern languages in primary school programme in budget 2018 and for a national roll-out of the programme. [34882/17]
Thu, 13 Jul 2017
written
Student Grants Data
Thomas Byrne
362. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Education and Skills the estimated cost for fully reintroducing the postgraduate grants; and the cost of reintroducing postgraduate grants for those eligible for grant rates part maintenance 75% and part maintenance 50%. [34883/17]
Thu, 13 Jul 2017
written
Student Grants Data
Thomas Byrne
363. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of postgraduates that have been provided financial assistance under the student grant scheme in each of the years since 2009 to 2016 and to date in 2017. [34884/17]
Thu, 13 Jul 2017
written
Special Educational Needs Data
Thomas Byrne
364. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Education and Skills the ratio of special needs assistants, SNAs, to pupils in mainstream classes at primary level; and the ratio for SNAs to pupils in mainstream schools at post primary in each of the years 1998 to 2016 and to date in 2017 by county, in tabular form. [34885/17]
Thu, 13 Jul 2017
written
Special Educational Needs Data
Thomas Byrne
365. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Education and Skills the ratio of resource teachers and learning support teachers to pupils in mainstream classes at primary level; and the ratio for resource teachers and learning support teachers to pupils in mainstream schools at post primary in each of the years 1998 to 2016 and to date in 2017 by county and by Dublin post code, in tabular form. [34886/17]
Thu, 13 Jul 2017
written
Traveller Data
Thomas Byrne
1167. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she will provide figures on school attendance and participation among Traveller children from 2016/2017 or the latest date available and for all years since 2000. [34511/17]
Thu, 13 Jul 2017
written
Traveller Education
Thomas Byrne
1168. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the approximate cost of re-introducing the visiting teachers service for Travellers in budget 2018. [34512/17]
Thu, 13 Jul 2017
written
School Attendance Data
Thomas Byrne
1169. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if her Department has undertaken studies of school attendance and participation among children living in homeless households; if so, if she will provide figures on school attendance and participation; if not, the reason therefore; and if she will establish such a study. [34513/17]
Thu, 13 Jul 2017
written
Development Contributions
Thomas Byrne
1331. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the provisions within national planning legislation to ensure developers of large residential developments have to contribute towards the development of new school place and school amenities that are required as the result of the new population in an area; and his views on whether there should be provision under Part V or section 48 of the Planning and Development Act 2000 to ensure a development contribution is made to local school facilities. [34830/17]
Thu, 13 Jul 2017
written
Planning Guidelines
Thomas Byrne
1332. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government his views on whether amendments are required to planning legislation to enable schools in conjunction with local planning authorities to introduce no fry zones or healthy eating zones in the vicinity of their schools; and his further views on fry zones around schools. [34831/17]
Wed, 12 Jul 2017
written
Crime Prevention
Thomas Byrne
47. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the status of proposals to install cameras on motorways to help fight against crime. [32674/17]
Wed, 12 Jul 2017
written
Garda Resources
Thomas Byrne
91. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he has satisfied himself that sufficient resources are available to meet the needs of the policing of County Meath. [32673/17]
Wed, 12 Jul 2017
written
Teacher Recruitment
Thomas Byrne
178. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Education and Skills the legal status of diocesan panels in respect of teacher employment; if reviews of same have taken place; and his plans for reform. [33535/17]
Wed, 12 Jul 2017
written
Special Educational Needs
Thomas Byrne
179. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of children whose parents have been forced to decline an early intervention class due to the distance from home involved. [33536/17]
Wed, 12 Jul 2017
written
Garda Districts
Thomas Byrne
247. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of gardaí assigned to each district in the Meath Garda Division. [33534/17]
Wed, 12 Jul 2017
written
Hospital Appointments Status
Thomas Byrne
265. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Health the status of an appointment for a person (details supplied). [33137/17]
Wed, 12 Jul 2017
written
Services for People with Disabilities
Thomas Byrne
271. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Health when a psychological and needs assessment will be carried out on a person (details supplied). [33151/17]
Wed, 12 Jul 2017
written
National Broadband Plan Implementation
Thomas Byrne
362. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment when broadband services will be available under the national broadband scheme at Sarsfieldstown, Julianstown, County Meath. [33177/17]
Wed, 12 Jul 2017
written
Waste Management Regulations
Thomas Byrne
376. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the waste which can lawfully be disposed of in a black bin, a green bin and a brown bin, respectively. [33531/17]
Wed, 12 Jul 2017
written
Waste Management Regulations
Thomas Byrne
377. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the regulation in place to allow a waste company impose a fine for waste incorrectly placed in the wrong coloured bin. [33532/17]
Wed, 12 Jul 2017
written
Road Tolls
Thomas Byrne
401. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans for a discount on the toll for multiple or frequent commuter toll use on the M3; and if motorway tolls can be incorporated into the Leap card system. [33533/17]
Tue, 11 Jul 2017
written
Heritage Sites
Thomas Byrne
176. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his plans to upgrade the site of Athcarne Castle (details supplied); and if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the site is very unsafe and is currently in a state of untidiness and dilapidation. [32749/17]
Tue, 11 Jul 2017
written
State Examinations
Thomas Byrne
213. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Education and Skills if there have been changes in the criteria for accessing a scribe for the leaving certificate examination; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32214/17]
Tue, 11 Jul 2017
written
Wildlife Control
Thomas Byrne
350. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the action which can be taken in respect of crows in locations in which they have become a serious and unusual nuisance to human habitation. [32733/17]
Tue, 11 Jul 2017
written
Dental Services
Thomas Byrne
540. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Health the status of an appointment for dental surgery for a person (details supplied) in the Mater hospital. [33074/17]
Tue, 11 Jul 2017
written
Social and Affordable Housing Funding
Thomas Byrne
826. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the status of an application by Meath County Council for 25 housing units in Dunshaughlin, County Meath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32669/17]
Tue, 11 Jul 2017
written
Social and Affordable Housing Funding
Thomas Byrne
827. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the reason certain applications for social housing funding by Meath County Council were not successful in the recent allocations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32670/17]
Thu, 6 Jul 2017
oral
European Court of Human Rights Judgments
Thomas Byrne
1. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will discuss the execution of the European Court of Human Rights judgement in a case (details supplied); and if he will address concerns that the planned redress for survivors of child sexual abuse that took place in national schools is mean spirited and against the spirit of this judgment. [31910/17]
Thu, 6 Jul 2017
oral
Ministerial Responsibilities
Thomas Byrne
3. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will discuss the new delegation of ministerial responsibility within his Department to the Ministers of State; and the way in which it is proposed that this will work. [31911/17]
Thu, 6 Jul 2017
oral
Special Educational Needs Service Provision
Thomas Byrne
5. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will discuss the lack of notice given to schools of SNA allocations for the coming year; and if he will address concerns that SNAs do not know whether they will be in employment in 2018 in view of the fact that the 2016 to 2017 school year has now ended. [31912/17]
Thu, 6 Jul 2017
oral
Pupil-Teacher Ratio
Thomas Byrne
13. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to reduce the pupil-teacher ratio across the school system. [31748/17]
Thu, 6 Jul 2017
written
School Admissions
Thomas Byrne
28. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Education and Skills the work which needs to be carried out before he is ready to finalise a legislative proposal regarding the role of religion in school admissions. [31747/17]
Thu, 6 Jul 2017
written
DEIS Administration
Thomas Byrne
36. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will confirm his commitment to keeping so-called legacy posts in place in DEIS schools in the most disadvantaged areas. [31745/17]
Thu, 6 Jul 2017
written
Teachers' Remuneration
Thomas Byrne
38. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Education and Skills his views on reducing the pay scale equality gap affecting recently qualified teachers. [31744/17]
Thu, 6 Jul 2017
written
School Accommodation Provision
Thomas Byrne
41. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to increase provision of second level education in the eastern part of County Meath, in particular, the Duleek area. [31746/17]
Thu, 6 Jul 2017
written
Medical Card Applications
Thomas Byrne
148. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Health the position regarding a medical card application by persons (details supplied). [31828/17]
Wed, 5 Jul 2017
written
School Accommodation Provision
Thomas Byrne
122. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding an application for additional accommodation at a school (details supplied) [31815/17]
Tue, 4 Jul 2017
written
Brexit Negotiations
Thomas Byrne
81. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Finance his plans to avoid a hard border as a result of Brexit which would create an obstacle to ease of travel and business to Northern Ireland. [30567/17]
Tue, 4 Jul 2017
written
National Training Fund
Thomas Byrne
145. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform further to Parliamentary Question No. 369 of 20 June 2017, if it is possible to vary the rate employers pay in the national training levy to the proposed employer contribution mechanism according to the assumed benefit they derive from higher education training or alternatively to varying contributions by sector whereby employers in more high skilled sectors pay a higher contribution, which was not addressed in the original response. [30873/17]