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 31 of 44
Tue, 4 Jul 2017
written
National Training Fund
Thomas Byrne
146. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform further to Parliamentary Question No. 369 of 20 June 2017, if the National Training Fund Act 2000 was amended appropriately, if it would be possible to use a portion of the accumulated surplus and-or annual surplus of the NTF for capital funding in the further or higher education sectors. [30874/17]
Tue, 4 Jul 2017
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National Training Fund
Thomas Byrne
147. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his views on whether it is justified to ask employers to contribute more to the NTF via the employers' levy in view of the fact that the fund already has such a large surplus which is not being used. [30876/17]
Tue, 4 Jul 2017
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National Training Fund
Thomas Byrne
148. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform further to Parliamentary Question No. 369 of 20 June 2017, if he will answer the original question which requested information on whether he has sought approval from EUROSTAT on whether it would be permissible under the fiscal rules to use the surplus from the National Training Fund levy for capital expenditure, which was not answered in the original response. [30877/17]
Tue, 4 Jul 2017
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National Training Fund
Thomas Byrne
157. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Education and Skills his views on the fact that in every year since its establishment except for 2012 and 2014 there was an annual surplus in the National Training Fund, including in years with very significant increases in unemployment and training needs of the population; his further views on whether the size of the accumulated surplus of the fund and the fact that it is not even used in times of high unemployment indicates that the fund is not being well managed and used appropriately to fund national training needs; and the rationale for having such a large surplus in the fund when it is not used during times of national employment crisis. [30875/17]
Tue, 4 Jul 2017
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National Training Fund
Thomas Byrne
169. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Education and Skills if the proposed Exchequer employer investment mechanism which would enable the NTF to be used to fund higher education institutions will require legislative amendment to the National Training Fund Act 2000. [30911/17]
Tue, 4 Jul 2017
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National Training Fund
Thomas Byrne
170. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Education and Skills further to Parliamentary Question No. 528 of 20 June 2017, if under the National Training Fund Act 2000, the annual surplus not the accumulated surplus which was €54 million in 2016, can be used to fund education undertaken at higher education institutions. [30912/17]
Tue, 4 Jul 2017
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Education and Training Boards
Thomas Byrne
171. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Education and Skills further to Parliamentary Question No. 559 of 20 June 2017, if he will answer the question and provide details of all funding to each ETB from 2014 to 2017 which is channelled through SOLAS from his Department (details supplied); and if his Department does not have access to this data, his views on whether this is acceptable. [30914/17]
Tue, 4 Jul 2017
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Capitation Grants
Thomas Byrne
173. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Education and Skills the capitation levels per pupil to primary schools and to post-primary schools; and the estimated cost of restoring capitation levels for both to pre-2010 levels. [30940/17]
Tue, 4 Jul 2017
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School Funding
Thomas Byrne
174. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Education and Skills the cost of equalising school funding between voluntary secondary schools and community and comprehensive secondary schools. [30942/17]
Tue, 4 Jul 2017
written
Schools Healthy Living Strategies
Thomas Byrne
175. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to publish a strategy, plan or guidelines on the availability of foods high in fat, salt and sugars and on vending machines in secondary schools; and the guidelines at present to schools on the availability of such foods in vending machines in schools. [30943/17]
Tue, 4 Jul 2017
written
Schools Mental Health Strategies
Thomas Byrne
176. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Education and Skills the progress being made on the national roll-out of the headstrong help seeking schools based substance misuse programme to all schools. [30944/17]
Tue, 4 Jul 2017
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School Staff
Thomas Byrne
183. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Education and Skills the approximate cost of restoring the staffing schedule for retaining and gaining a teacher that applied for schools pre-2012. [30968/17]
Tue, 4 Jul 2017
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Broadband Service Provision
Thomas Byrne
187. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of primary and post-primary schools that lack broadband services, by county. [31044/17]
Tue, 4 Jul 2017
written
Broadband Service Provision
Thomas Byrne
188. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of primary and post-primary schools that have access to broadband service that is up to 30 Mbps by county. [31045/17]
Tue, 4 Jul 2017
written
Broadband Service Provision
Thomas Byrne
189. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of primary and post-primary schools that have access to a broadband service that is between 30 Mbps and 70 Mbps by county. [31046/17]
Tue, 4 Jul 2017
written
Broadband Service Provision
Thomas Byrne
190. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of primary and post primary schools that have access to a broadband service that is between 70 Mbps and 150 Mbps by county. [31047/17]
Tue, 4 Jul 2017
written
Broadband Service Provision
Thomas Byrne
191. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of primary and post-primary schools that have access to a broadband service that is between 150 Mbps and 360 Mbps by county. [31048/17]
Tue, 4 Jul 2017
written
Broadband Service Provision
Thomas Byrne
192. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of primary and post-primary schools that have access to a broadband service that is in excess of 360 Mbps by county. [31049/17]
Tue, 4 Jul 2017
written
Brexit Negotiations
Thomas Byrne
242. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if the Government will negotiate a special dispensation on the tariffs on exports to the United Kingdom as part of the Brexit negotiations in view of the additional responsibilities that the State will encounter as the only European Union country with a border with the United Kingdom. [30566/17]
Tue, 4 Jul 2017
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Visiting Teacher Service
Thomas Byrne
541. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs her views on whether it was the correct decision to abolish the visiting teacher service for children from the Traveller community; if education outcomes for Traveller children have improved since it was abolished; and her further views on whether this should be restored or a replacement education programme is required. [30941/17]
Tue, 4 Jul 2017
written
School Meals Programme
Thomas Byrne
581. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of children eligible to receive and the number in receipt of the school meals programme; and the estimated cost of expanding the programme by 10% to provide for a wider eligibility. [30931/17]
Thu, 29 Jun 2017
written
Job Creation
Thomas Byrne
33. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the efforts being made to promote and attract more industry and business to the IDA site at Drogheda, County Meath. [30212/17]
Thu, 29 Jun 2017
written
Job Creation
Thomas Byrne
38. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation her priorities and plans regarding jobs and investment in County Meath. [30213/17]
Thu, 29 Jun 2017
written
Public Procurement Contracts
Thomas Byrne
112. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the position regarding the awarding of a tender (details supplied). [30554/17]
Thu, 29 Jun 2017
written
Special Educational Needs Service Provision
Thomas Byrne
120. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Education and Skills the reason a person (details supplied) has not been granted a full-time SNA when they enter secondary school; and the avenues open to their parents to seek a review of the decision. [30576/17]
Wed, 28 Jun 2017
written
Road Network
Thomas Byrne
33. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the status of his Department's commitment to upgrade the N2 road in County Meath. [29950/17]
Wed, 28 Jun 2017
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Rail Network Expansion
Thomas Byrne
78. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the status of his Department's commitment to complete the Navan rail line. [29951/17]
Tue, 27 Jun 2017
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National Broadband Plan Implementation
Thomas Byrne
102. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the timetable and plan for the provision of rural broadband in County Meath. [29488/17]
Tue, 27 Jun 2017
written
National Broadband Plan Implementation
Thomas Byrne
106. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment his plans to improve broadband in rural parts of County Meath. [29487/17]
Tue, 27 Jun 2017
written
DEIS Applications
Thomas Byrne
193. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Education and Skills his views on whether a school (details supplied) should be allocated DEIS status in view of the fact that two other schools in the same parish have received DEIS status. [29521/17]
Tue, 27 Jun 2017
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DEIS Data
Thomas Byrne
242. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of schools which have had their DEIS status changed as a result of a review after the main announcement recently; and if he will provide the names of those schools. [30123/17]
Tue, 27 Jun 2017
written
Community First Responders Network
Thomas Byrne
420. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Health the supports available to community first responder groups. [30124/17]
Tue, 27 Jun 2017
written
Community First Responders Network
Thomas Byrne
421. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Health his plans to launch a national strategy for community first responders. [30125/17]
Tue, 27 Jun 2017
written
Community First Responders Network
Thomas Byrne
422. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Health if he has examined the supports available in the UK for community first responders; and his views on whether community first responders here are significantly disadvantaged compared to their UK counterparts. [30126/17]
Tue, 27 Jun 2017
written
Solar Energy Guidelines
Thomas Byrne
585. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government his views on the need for planning guidelines regarding the development of solar photovoltaic, PV, farms; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29453/17]
Tue, 27 Jun 2017
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Fire Safety
Thomas Byrne
633. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government if he will provide the safety certificates that his Department has received in respect of funfairs in County Meath in 2016 and to date in 2017. [30052/17]
Thu, 22 Jun 2017
written
Railway Stations
Thomas Byrne
197. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on Irish Rail's strategy to make train stations staffless; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29325/17]
Thu, 22 Jun 2017
written
Planning Issues
Thomas Byrne
236. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government his plans to implement planning guidelines regarding the development of solar panel PV farms; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29447/17]
Thu, 22 Jun 2017
written
Planning Issues
Thomas Byrne
237. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government his views on the need for specific planning guidelines regarding the development of solar panel PV farms. [29448/17]
Wed, 21 Jun 2017
oral
Mental Health Services Provision
Thomas Byrne
48. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the case of a person (details supplied) who was suffering from a mental health crisis and who did not receive appropriate and adequate care from a hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27651/17]
Wed, 21 Jun 2017
written
Mental Health Services Provision
Thomas Byrne
74. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the delays that exist in County Meath in accessing a psychiatric consultant appointment; and if his attention has been further drawn to the fact that persons are waiting in excess of six weeks to see a psychiatric consultant. [27650/17]
Wed, 21 Jun 2017
written
Apprenticeship Programmes
Thomas Byrne
166. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Education and Skills the methodology behind the forecasts for new registrations for craft apprentices in each of the years 2017 to 2020; the basis for same; the reason the registrations peak in 2018 at 6,975 new registrations decline in 2019 and 2020; if construction activity inputs are included in this forecasting model; and the indicators of construction activity that were used. [29187/17]
Tue, 20 Jun 2017
written
Property Tax Exemptions
Thomas Byrne
294. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Finance the reason an exemption from property tax for persons (details supplied) was withdrawn. [27948/17]
Tue, 20 Jun 2017
written
National Training Fund
Thomas Byrne
368. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if his Department has undertaken an analysis of whether it would be more efficient in terms of reducing uncertainty and transaction costs on employers to implement the increase in the national training levy proposed as part of the employer contribution mechanism in one budget rather than sequenced over several budgets as proposed. [27200/17]
Tue, 20 Jun 2017
written
National Training Fund
Thomas Byrne
369. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his views on whether or not it would be possible to vary the rate employers pay on 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. [27201/17]
Tue, 20 Jun 2017
written
National Training Fund
Thomas Byrne
370. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if the limits imposed by the expenditure rule on spending the surplus of the national training fund are due to the legislative provisions which established the fund as a hypothecated revenue rather than as general revenue and as such could be altered by amending the National Training Fund Act 2000 to disestablish the fund as a hypothecated revenue and re-establish it as general revenue. [27203/17]
Tue, 20 Jun 2017
written
National Training Fund
Thomas Byrne
374. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if his Department has sought approval from EUROSTAT on whether it would be permissible under the fiscal rules to use the surplus from the national training fund levy for capital expenditure. [27324/17]
Tue, 20 Jun 2017
written
Public Procurement Contracts
Thomas Byrne
405. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the status of the awarding of a tender (details supplied). [28710/17]
Tue, 20 Jun 2017
written
Schools Property
Thomas Byrne
431. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding schools that need new car parking facilities; and the funding is available to them for same. [26699/17]
Tue, 20 Jun 2017
written
Schools Building Projects Status
Thomas Byrne
432. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Education and Skills when a new building will be provided for a school (details supplied). [26716/17]