Parliamentary questions

Pupil-Teacher Ratio

Kathleen Funchion

259. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Education and Skills the estimated cost to restore the pupil-teacher ratio in primary schools to the EU average of 20:1. [27662/19]

Pupil-Teacher Ratio

Kathleen Funchion

260. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Education and Skills the estimated cost to reduce the pupil-teacher ratio in secondary schools to 20:1. [27663/19]

Third Level Fees

Kathleen Funchion

261. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Education and Skills the estimated cost to abolish higher level education fees for both institutes of technology and universities. [27664/19]

School Accommodation Provision

Kathleen Funchion

262. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Education and Skills the estimated cost to include the building of an extra classroom to each planned school build in the next five year period. [27665/19]

Teacher Recruitment

Kathleen Funchion

275. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Education and Skills if a request for a full-time teacher for a school (details supplied) will be processed; and when a decision will be made. [27869/19]

Schools Establishment

Kathleen Funchion

41. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Education and Skills his plans in place for an additional secondary school in eastern areas of Kilkenny city in order to meet the high demand for secondary school places for the 2019-20 school year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26791/19]

Back to School Costs

Kathleen Funchion

59. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to reduce back to school costs for the 2019-20 school year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26615/19]

Special Educational Needs Service Provision

Kathleen Funchion

68. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Education and Skills the reason the number of language units is being decreased rather than increased (details supplied); the policy in place regarding the continuation of language units; his plans for a new type of provision replacing the current model; the level of provision of education services for children with a diagnosis of developmental language disorder; his views on whether it is meeting the demand for services; the policy in place for provision of language devices to children who need a device in order to communicate and attend a school setting; the application process for parents with children that need such language devices; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26619/19]

School Transport

Kathleen Funchion

74. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to address school transport issues, particularly in counties Carlow and Kilkenny, regarding the nearest school rule; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26616/19]

Special Educational Needs Service Provision

Kathleen Funchion

75. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Education and Skills the reason in the recent SNA allocation announcement of May 2019 that SNA allocations to schools were cut rather than increased in schools in which both teachers and principals were recommending and requesting an increase; the number of schools nationally that experienced a decrease in the number of SNAs and SNA hours granted for the 2019-20 school year; the justifications given in cases in which a reduction was made; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26618/19]

School Accommodation

Kathleen Funchion

86. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Education and Skills the guidelines for new school builds; if new school build plans must include an autism spectrum condition class in the building being adhered to; the way in which the stipulation is being monitored; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26617/19]

State Pension (Contributory)

Kathleen Funchion

703. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the reason after the consideration of the home caring period of a person (details supplied) the pension rate remained unchanged. [26206/19]

Special Educational Needs Staff

Kathleen Funchion

169. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Education and Skills the reason for cutting the number of special needs assistants, SNAs, from a school (details supplied) from 3.5 to 3.2 for September 2019; if he and the National Council for Special Education, NCSE, will urgently review the proposal in order that incoming children for September 2019 in need of vital physical, communication and behavioural assistance will receive the care they need in order to attend school; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24870/19]

Teachers' Remuneration

Kathleen Funchion

84. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to provide compensation to qualified teachers who have returned from working abroad and have been paid on a further education basis since their return due to not being registered with the Teaching Council through no fault of their own as a result of a backlog of applications with the Teaching Council; his views on whether teachers who have been working at a reduced salary while awaiting registration due to the backlog situation with the Teaching Council should receive arrears according to the appropriate pay scale which should have been registered or otherwise; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24693/19]

Domestic Violence Refuges Provision

Kathleen Funchion

191. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs further to Parliamentary Question No. 609 of 21 May 2019, the reason no specific budget for counselling services is being provided for a refuge (details supplied); the alternative sources of funding she recommends the refuge to apply for in order that it can continue to provide critical and essential services to vulnerable women and children; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24695/19]

Social Welfare Benefits Waiting Times

Kathleen Funchion

199. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the reason for the delay in the medical review in social welfare cases such as carer’s allowance, domiciliary care allowance, invalidity pension and disability in which it is taking up to 26 weeks for the review to take place; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24697/19]

Pupil-Teacher Ratio

Kathleen Funchion

243. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of additional teaching positions which would be required in primary schools to restore the appointment figures for the third and fourth mainstream teacher to the level they were at in 2010, that is, 49 and 81. [23512/19]

Schools Data

Kathleen Funchion

244. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of primary schools that had a teaching staff of one, two or three teachers in 2010 but closed following the increase in the appointment figures. [23513/19]

Schools Data

Kathleen Funchion

245. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of primary schools that have total teacher numbers (details supplied). [23514/19]

International Protection

Kathleen Funchion

333. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Justice and Equality further to Parliamentary Question No. 125 of 15 May 2019, if a passport will be returned to such a person upon request. [23511/19]

School Enrolments

Kathleen Funchion

65. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he is satisfied with the current section 29 appeal system for schools; the number of appeals recorded as successful under the process of appeals; the number of complaints made in relation to the appeals process itself; his plans to review the appeals system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23096/19]

School Enrolments

Kathleen Funchion

66. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of appeals lodged to date under the section 29 appeals process at a school (details supplied); and the number of appeals accepted. [23097/19]

Early Childhood Care and Education

Kathleen Funchion

24. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the terms and conditions for the granting of an overage exemption for children within the ECCE scheme to apply for an additional year prior to commencing primary school; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19799/19]

Teacher Supply

Kathleen Funchion

91. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to abolish the five-day rule regarding teacher substitution (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22481/19]

Schools Building Projects Status

Kathleen Funchion

107. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Education and Skills if his attention has been drawn to the fact that a school (details supplied) has been notified that it must close its doors completely and vacate its temporary site on 31 January 2020 and a company has instructed that no extension of this date should be granted; if his attention has been further drawn to the unnecessary stress this is causing parents, children and teachers at the school in view of the fact that no information has been provided to date regarding alternative arrangements while the site in question is under construction; his plans to ensure that the alternative provided does not break up the school and that the fabric of the classes, including the pupils and teachers, will remain as they are in order to avoid further stress and disruption; the options being considered for the school once circumstances change on 31 January 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22591/19]

Special Educational Needs

Kathleen Funchion

120. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Education and Skills the yearly process and timeline for setting and agreeing the national allocation of special needs assistants, SNAs; the person or body who leads the process; and the reason for the delay and the change of date for the announcement of the allocation of SNAs for 2019-2020. [22799/19]

Special Educational Needs

Kathleen Funchion

121. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Education and Skills the criteria for a child with additional needs to access a special needs assistant, SNA, in cases in which there are varying levels of need among children in one or various classrooms in one school; the method used to decide the way in which the time of a SNA is divided among several children; the process by which it is decided in a school in which a SNA is employed; and the minimum and maximum ratio of SNAs to children permitted per school. [22800/19]

Special Educational Needs Staff

Kathleen Funchion

122. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Education and Skills the process for special needs assistants, SNAs, who seek further employment if they are made redundant from a previous job or if their contract has ceased; and the purpose of panels within that process. [22801/19]

Citizenship Applications

Kathleen Funchion

169. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if his attention has been drawn to the requirement for those who have been given refugee status declaration to provide their national passport as part of an application for citizenship through naturalisation; and if his views on same in view of the fact that international protection applicants must surrender their national passport to the International Protection Office and may not retrieve it in normal circumstances if granted refugee status. [22699/19]

Occupational Therapy Data

Kathleen Funchion

286. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Health the number of occupational therapists working in the early years department in Kilcreene Hospital, Kilkenny; if there is a shortage of occupational therapists in the hospital; if so, his plans to address the matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22738/19]

Domestic Violence Refuges Provision

Kathleen Funchion

609. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if an outreach worker to deal with County Carlow specifically has been appointed to a refuge (details supplied) ; and if so, when this post will be commenced. [21848/19]

Domestic Violence Services Funding

Kathleen Funchion

610. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if additional funding has been provided for a refuge (details supplied). [21849/19]

Third Level Admissions Data

Kathleen Funchion

104. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of non-EU students that have enrolled in higher education here over the past five years. [20988/19]

Third Level Fees

Kathleen Funchion

105. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of students that qualify for the free fees initiative based on the latest student numbers available. [20989/19]

Third Level Fees

Kathleen Funchion

106. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Education and Skills the estimated cost of a reduction of €500 to the student contribution charge based on the most recent figures available. [20990/19]

Third Level Fees

Kathleen Funchion

107. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Education and Skills the way in which Ireland compares to other OECD countries in terms of student fees. [20991/19]

International Protection

Kathleen Funchion

125. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if, and for what length of time, a passport is retained after a person is given a refugee or subsidiary protection declaration in respect of applicants for international protection who have submitted their national passports to the International Protection Office; and if they are entitled to the return of their national passports should their declarations subsequently cease to be in force. [20994/19]

Schools Building Projects Status

Kathleen Funchion

152. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Education and Skills the progress in building a new school building for a school (details supplied); and when the pre-qualification of contractors will be finalised and approved. [20442/19]

School Admissions

Kathleen Funchion

2. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will introduce guidelines to ensure secondary schools have a policy in place to accept students from local feeder primary schools in order to ensure no child is left without a secondary school place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19782/19]

Special Educational Needs Staff

Kathleen Funchion

8. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Education and Skills to outline the level of consultation with the SNA sector regarding the new recommendations made by the National Council for Special Education in respect of changes to the role of SNAs in the classroom that were agreed between the NCSE and his Department following a review in 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19798/19]

Special Educational Needs Service Provision

Kathleen Funchion

14. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to review the process in which schools receive resources and staff for ASD classes in order to achieve more flexibility for schools to apply and receive the necessary resources at multiple points during the year rather than exclusively at the start of the school year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19797/19]

Departmental Circulars

Kathleen Funchion

18. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Education and Skills if circulars distributed to staff in the education sector form part of the working terms and conditions of those staff; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19796/19]

Residential Institutions Redress Scheme

Kathleen Funchion

20. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Education and Skills if the ex gratia scheme set up in the wake of a case (details supplied) will be reviewed to ensure all survivors of child sexual abuse that occurred in schools are compensated by the State for abuse they suffered; the number of survivors who have received compensation from this specific scheme to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19795/19]

Comhairle um Oideachas Gaeltachta agus Gaelscolaíochta

Kathleen Funchion

112. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Education and Skills the steps taken to amend legislation as promised in the programme for a partnership Government to give authority to An Comhairle um Oideachas Gaeltachta agus Gaelscolaíochta to employ its own staff; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18180/19]

State Examinations

Kathleen Funchion

113. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will consider the proposal to amend the leaving certificate examination grading system to award bonus points to students who study the T1 specification for leaving certificate in order to encourage students to choose this specification in view of the fact that there is no advantage to the students to do the T1 specification; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18181/19]

State Examinations

Kathleen Funchion

114. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will consider the proposal to amend the leaving certificate examinations grading system in order that T1 leaving certificate specification be made available for students in schools that do not function through the medium of Irish in circumstances in which some students in an English speaking school may use Irish as their primary language in the home; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18182/19]

Comhairle um Oideachas Gaeltachta agus Gaelscolaíochta

Kathleen Funchion

115. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Education and Skills the reason An Comhairle um Oideachas Gaeltachta agus Gaelscolaíochta does not have support and administration services provided to it through the medium of Irish from his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18183/19]

School Curriculum

Kathleen Funchion

119. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Education and Skills the reason a person (details supplied) was refused an exemption in Irish for secondary school; and if he will review this decision. [18197/19]

Citizenship Applications

Kathleen Funchion

125. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the status of the citizenship of a person (details supplied). [18146/19]

Capitation Grants

Kathleen Funchion

160. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Education and Skills the estimated cost to restore the standard capitation rate for pupils in primary schools to €200 which was the rate in 2010 prior to cuts; and his views on whether this is a diminishing cost in view of the falling enrolments in primary schools. [17204/19]

Teaching Council of Ireland

Kathleen Funchion

166. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to work collaboratively with the Teaching Council to review the current national third-level teacher training curriculum to improve the level of training for teachers at third level in order that all qualified teachers feel competent and are sufficiently supported in teaching children with additional needs in mainstream settings, in particular those on the autism spectrum; and his plans to create new pathways for special needs assistants that would like to upskill to the level of special education teachers. [15059/19]

National Training Fund

Kathleen Funchion

184. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Education and Skills the projected size of the national training fund from 2019 to 2024; and the projected size of the fund if it was maintained at its current rate of contribution of 0.7 %, in tabular form. [15256/19]

Special Educational Needs Staff

Kathleen Funchion

326. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Education and Skills if a child who is in receipt of SNA assistance in a particular school and moves from that school to another location or school during the same school year is no longer entitled to a SNA in the new school and must wait until the beginning of September in the following school year in order to avail of a SNA once again; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13161/19]

Special Educational Needs Staff

Kathleen Funchion

327. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Education and Skills the reason a person (details supplied) has been denied an SNA in view of the fact the child is entitled to an SNA based on particular needs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13162/19]

Special Educational Needs Service Provision

Kathleen Funchion

328. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Education and Skills the funding primary and post-primary schools receive from the initial point of opening the ASD class and throughout the operation of an ASD class within each school; if there is an amount received by the school for the operation of that class on a monthly or annual basis; and if the funding is received by the school directly from his Department or via the NCSE. [13163/19]

Mental Health Services Provision

Kathleen Funchion

770. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Health the mental health services available to persons with autism; the process for a child or adult in accessing these mental health services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13434/19]

Mental Health Services Provision

Kathleen Funchion

771. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Health the options for treatment in Northern Ireland that persons here can avail of regarding mental health if they are diagnosed as being autistic. [13435/19]

Nursing Home Fees

Kathleen Funchion

772. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Health when he will publish the review of the system for setting nursing home prices under the nursing home support scheme. [13436/19]

General Practitioner Contracts

Kathleen Funchion

773. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Health the timeframe for the new general practitioner contract for nursing homes. [13437/19]

Early Childhood Care and Education Funding

Kathleen Funchion

1152. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the reason Ireland is low in investment in childcare and the early years sector compared with international standards (details supplied). [13165/19]

DEIS Scheme

Kathleen Funchion

1179. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the progress made on the proposed DEIS model for childcare services operating in areas of high disadvantage; the proposed date for implementation in view of the fact that the current targeted schemes are being dismantled; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13164/19]

Autism Support Services

Kathleen Funchion

2. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to address the acute shortage of ASD classes for post-primary school students in County Kilkenny; the measures he will take to address the shortage in order to prepare for the high number of children with autism in primary schools in County Kilkenny who will finish primary level in the coming years and who will need a place in an ASD class at post-primary level; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11159/19]

Autism Support Services

Kathleen Funchion

12. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Education and Skills the process for parents should they wish to request that their child’s primary or post-primary school apply on their behalf to his Department to open an ASD class in that school; the way in which the decision on whether or not to make an application for additional resources to open an ASD class is arrived at between parents and a school; the way in which the request is then processed by his Department and the NCSE; the requirements that determine if a school is successful in its application; the follow-up carried out by his Department and the NCSE with a school that is in receipt of funding for an ASD class for their school; the way in which the progress of that class is assessed in view of the funding received; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10933/19]

Abbey Theatre

Kathleen Funchion

31. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Education and Skills the level of authority teachers in primary and post-primary schools have in determining whether a child with additional needs is allowed to participate in a mainstream subject; if a teacher has the authority to refuse a child into their class should that child wish to participate in that class; the authority a teacher has to refuse a SNA into their classroom; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10934/19]

Abbey Theatre

Kathleen Funchion

34. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Education and Skills the reason the Education for Persons with Special Educational Needs Act 2004 has not been implemented; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10932/19]

Abbey Theatre

Kathleen Funchion

38. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Education and Skills the progress made to put a new bereavement process in place regarding the sitting of junior and leaving certificate exams and payment of tuition fees for students who have experienced a family bereavement in the same school year; the situation for students that have experienced a family bereavement in 2019 in advance of the junior and leaving certificate exams in June 2019; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10936/19]

Abbey Theatre

Kathleen Funchion

47. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Education and Skills the level of commitment which exists that fees from higher level education institutions will not change for students from Northern Ireland post Brexit should Britain exit the European Union. [10935/19]

State Examinations

Kathleen Funchion

96. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Education and Skills if knowledge of the conditional and future tenses in the German language is required for the junior certificate exam. [11006/19]

State Examinations

Kathleen Funchion

97. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Education and Skills if the genitive and dative cases and genitive and accusative prepositions in the German language are required for the junior certificate exam. [11007/19]

Affordable Childcare Scheme

Kathleen Funchion

485. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs her plans to ensure that community childcare and early years facilities are not left in a disadvantaged position due to the new affordable childcare scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10710/19]

Affordable Childcare Scheme Eligibility

Kathleen Funchion

498. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the reason children in community childcare settings will be restricted to 15 hours per week if their parents are not in full-time employment or education; her views on whether this will have a serious negative impact on vulnerable children who rely on their childcare settings for hot meals; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10708/19]

Early Childhood Care and Education

Kathleen Funchion

499. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the reason Pobal is trying to recategorise childcare and early years settings as half day facilities due to the fact that children may be collected early; her views on whether this will have a detrimental effect on facilities in terms of funding and on children that will not be entitled to a meals if facilities are forced to become half day services; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10709/19]

Special Educational Needs Staff Data

Kathleen Funchion

163. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Education and Skills the requirements necessary to qualify as a SENO; the way in which the performance of SENOs in employment are monitored or assessed; the person or body that carries out the assessment process; the yearly salary of the position; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8998/19]

Teaching Council of Ireland

Kathleen Funchion

164. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Education and Skills the financial remuneration for each board member of the Teaching Council; the frequency with which membership of the board changes; if his Department is the employer of the Teaching Council; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8999/19]

Student Accommodation

Kathleen Funchion

165. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of higher education student housing units built over the period of 2018 to date in 2019, nationally; the number of student accommodation units built by county; the cost over the same period; the proposed monthly cost to each Irish national student per room for the units; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9000/19]

Student Accommodation

Kathleen Funchion

166. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of higher level students living in shared room hostel dormitories nationally as their form of student accommodation to date in 2019; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9001/19]

State Examinations

Kathleen Funchion

185. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Education and Skills the provision within the education system for a derogation from set exam time allowed for students with additional needs, learnings difficulties and diagnoses of autism spectrum disorder or Asperger's syndrome; the guidelines for allowing schools to grant extra time during mock exams and final exams; the deadline for applying for a derogation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9160/19]

Teaching Council of Ireland

Kathleen Funchion

89. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Education and Skills the reason for the delay for teachers returning from abroad to register with the Teaching Council; if the issue is being rectified; the expected waiting time for returning teachers to register with the council; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8863/19]

Teachers' Remuneration

Kathleen Funchion

90. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Education and Skills the measures or plans in place for the reimbursement of pay owed to teachers who have recently registered with the Teaching Council and who had been working to date as full-time teachers without being fully registered due to the backlog with the Teaching Council in relation to same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8864/19]

Schools Building Projects Status

Kathleen Funchion

97. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Education and Skills the reason the new planned premises for a school (details supplied) have not started construction; when it is anticipated that work will commence; the reason for the delay in construction; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8912/19]

School Transport Provision

Kathleen Funchion

98. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to ensure a community-funded bus service (details supplied) will not cease operation in September 2019; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8913/19]

Bus Services

Kathleen Funchion

174. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to ensure a community-funded bus service (details supplied) will not cease operation in September 2019; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8914/19]

Bus Services

Kathleen Funchion

198. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection her plans to ensure a community funded bus service (details supplied) will not cease operation in September 2019; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8915/19]

Teachers' Remuneration

Kathleen Funchion

195. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of substitute teachers at primary level who have been affected by the issue arising from the new modernised PAYE system being implemented from 1 January 2019, which has caused teachers to be underpaid. [7658/19]

Teachers' Remuneration

Kathleen Funchion

196. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of substitute teachers at post-primary level who have been affected by the issue arising from the new modernised PAYE system being implemented from 1 January 2019, which has caused teachers to be underpaid. [7659/19]

Teachers' Remuneration

Kathleen Funchion

197. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Education and Skills the immediate measures being taken to rectify the problem arising from the new modernised PAYE system, which is causing substitute teachers to be underpaid; and the date by which those affected will be paid all amounts overdue to them. [7660/19]

Child and Family Agency Remit

Kathleen Funchion

590. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she will address a matter in relation to the statutory obligation on Tusla to prepare an aftercare plan for each eligible child and young person in care, which can also include direct financial support in the form of the aftercare allowance (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8203/19]

Special Educational Needs Staff

Kathleen Funchion

253. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Education and Skills if a request has been made by a primary school in Wexford for an additional special needs assistant or additional special needs resources for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6598/19]

Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services

Kathleen Funchion

415. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Health the reason a person (details supplied) continues to be on the waiting list for CAMHS and psychiatric services in view of the circumstances; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6599/19]

Special Educational Needs Service Provision

Kathleen Funchion

120. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Education and Skills if the failure to request an additional SNA by a school (details supplied) will be investigated in view of the gravity and escalation of the medical condition of a person. [6126/19]

Special Educational Needs Service Provision

Kathleen Funchion

83. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Education and Skills the reason the July provision is not available to the majority of children with Down's syndrome; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5847/19]

Special Educational Needs Service Provision

Kathleen Funchion

84. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Education and Skills his views regarding teachers that do not provide critical individual education plans for children with Down's syndrome; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5848/19]

Special Educational Needs Staff

Kathleen Funchion

85. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Education and Skills the changes planned for the delivery of resource hours to primary schools; when changes are expected to be implemented; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5849/19]

School Accommodation Provision

Kathleen Funchion

231. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Education and Skills the status of plans for a school (details supplied) considering the lack of school accommodation for children attending from September 2019; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5166/19]

School Management

Kathleen Funchion

232. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to improve guidelines regarding lunch breaks and hygiene practice in primary schools; if his Department has a role in the establishment of healthy hygiene practices and healthy eating practices in schools; if consideration will be given to making it mandatory that children be supervised in classrooms in a scenario (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5167/19]

School Breaks Standardisation

Kathleen Funchion

233. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Education and Skills the definition of a sufficient amount of time allotted to primary school children for eating their lunch; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5168/19]

School Guidelines on Obesity

Kathleen Funchion

234. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Education and Skills his views on whether the rushed nature of lunch breaks and snack breaks in primary and post-primary schools is conducive to combating the rise in obesity and other health issues in children; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5169/19]

School Management

Kathleen Funchion

235. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Education and Skills the guidelines for teachers or school staff allowing television to be shown in the classroom; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5170/19]

School Curriculum

Kathleen Funchion

236. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Education and Skills the reason time is not allocated for hygiene practice and eating within the primary and post-primary school curriculums; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5171/19]

Science Foundation Ireland

Kathleen Funchion

307. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the estimated cost in 2019 if the budget for Science Foundation Ireland increased by 8%. [5450/19]