Parliamentary questions

Psychological Assessments Waiting Times

Brian Stanley

378. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will have an assessment of needs carried out in view of the fact that under the Disability Act 2005 this assessment should have been concluded by August 2018. [49005/18]

Psychological Assessments

Brian Stanley

379. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Health if psychological assessments carried out privately can be used by the HSE when they are carrying out an assessment of needs if the HSE has not completed the assessment within the required timeframe. [49010/18]

Defence Forces Remuneration

Brian Stanley

76. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if his Department, in conjunction with the command structure within the Defence Forces, has reached a decision on improving the special allowances paid to soldiers. [48209/18]

Defence Forces Remuneration

Brian Stanley

78. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the progress made in addressing the low pay rates for lower ranked members of the Defence Forces. [48208/18]

Nursing Education

Brian Stanley

351. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Health if he and the HSE have plans to expand the sponsored nursing training scheme for persons already employed in the health service such as care assistants. [47743/18]

Fuel Allowance Eligibility

Brian Stanley

604. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection her plans to change the criteria for fuel allowance in cases in which a person that was on a community employment scheme and in receipt of fuel allowance but had to cease employment due to injury was then placed on jobseeker's benefit and is no longer eligible for a fuel allowance payment. [47742/18]

Housing Issues

Brian Stanley

114. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if consideration has been given to moving to a system of certifying old standards of having local authorities carry out the inspections of new builds in view of the difficulties with school buildings. [47080/18]

Social and Affordable Housing Funding

Brian Stanley

118. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if funding will be allocated for the regeneration of a location (details supplied) and the construction of social housing on the adjacent vacant site. [47081/18]

Ash Dieback Threat

Brian Stanley

250. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the steps he is taking to prevent the spread of dieback chalara affecting ash forestry here; the studies undertaken by his Department on the way in which this disease commenced here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47346/18]

Ash Dieback Threat

Brian Stanley

251. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the measures in place to protect broadleaf forestry from the spread of plant diseases such as chalara in view of the environmental benefits of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47347/18]

Rail Services Provision

Brian Stanley

232. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he has conducted an analysis of improving the train schedule by increasing the number of trains and the possibility of more direct trains from County Laois at train stations in Portlaoise and Ballybrophy in view of the fact that the commuting numbers have increased in recent years with no added services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46200/18]

Cannabis for Medicinal Use

Brian Stanley

130. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Health if secondary legislation to underpin the access programme for medical cannabis products is being prepared; and if this will be finalised once cannabis-based products to be included in the legislation can be sourced. [46038/18]

Cannabis for Medicinal Use

Brian Stanley

131. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Health the position regarding liability implications for consultants in both public and private practice who prescribe medicinal cannabis; and his plans to change same. [46039/18]

Park and Ride Facilities

Brian Stanley

65. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will address the need to expand the number of electric vehicle charging points at Portlaoise and Ballybrophy train stations, County Laois and the need to expand the parking facilities to encourage the use of renewable transport and greater use of public transport; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45482/18]

Railway Stations

Brian Stanley

96. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his attention has been drawn to the lack of parking facilities at Portlaoise and Ballybrophy train stations, County Laois, and the need for upgrade and extension to encourage the policy of greater use of public transport; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45481/18]

Closed-Circuit Television Systems Expenditure

Brian Stanley

399. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the amount of funding that was drawn down in respect of community-based CCTV systems in cases in which there is funding from 2017 and 2018. [44964/18]

Closed-Circuit Television Systems

Brian Stanley

400. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if a decision has issued on the impasse of the data controller for rural community CCTV systems. [44965/18]

Hospital Charges

Brian Stanley

648. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Health if there is a mechanism to reimburse a person (details supplied) for private treatment who was referred to Tullamore accident and emergency department with severe pain and subsequently had to seek private treatment due to ongoing pain and the long wait for treatment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45333/18]

Bus Éireann Services

Brian Stanley

870. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the reason for delays in a Bus Éireann service (details supplied) which services County Laois; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44611/18]

Cyber Security Data

Brian Stanley

307. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the number of cyber attacks recorded here in 2017 and to date in 2018; the number of these attacks that were successfully prevented; the number of these attacks believed or known to have been committed by cyber criminals; and the number of these attacks committed by State actors. [44266/18]

Cyber Security Data

Brian Stanley

308. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the funding allocated to the National Cyber Security Centre as part of his Department's budget per annum since the publication of the cybersecurity strategy in 2015. [44267/18]

Flood Relief Schemes Funding

Brian Stanley

67. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the capital funding being provided for works in Mountmellick on flood relief. [43885/18]

Flood Relief Schemes Funding

Brian Stanley

77. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if funding is available for immediate short-term works for river channel clearing in Mountmellick, County Laois. [43884/18]

Hospitals Policy

Brian Stanley

138. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Health the timeframe for the consultation on Portlaoise Hospital; the persons or bodies that will be engaged with in relation to same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43503/18]

Hospital Services

Brian Stanley

144. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Health if an external facilitator has been appointed for the consultation on the future of Portlaoise hospital. [43502/18]

Special Educational Needs Staff

Brian Stanley

66. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Education and Skills if his attention has been drawn to the importance of home school community liaison officers in schools when children have special needs; and his plans for same. [41922/18]

Home School Community Liaison Scheme

Brian Stanley

75. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to reintroduce home school community liaison officers in schools in urban and rural areas. [41921/18]

Telecommunications Infrastructure

Brian Stanley

536. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the details of the transatlantic subsea fibre optic cable extending from the United States of America to Killala, County Mayo; the persons and bodies that have benefited from the cable; if a study has been carried out on the cost associated with alternative landfall routes; and his plans to use this infrastructure for the benefit of communities across the west of Ireland. [41770/18]

National Broadband Plan

Brian Stanley

2. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the level of progress on the national broadband plan; the viability of the tender process; the date for signing of the tender agreement; and the expected date of completion of the national broadband plan. [41257/18]

Television Licence Fee Collection

Brian Stanley

10. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if alternative options such as those outlined at the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Communications, Climate Action and Environment in regard to the collection of the licence fee for RTÉ have been considered. [41194/18]

Post Office Network

Brian Stanley

26. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment further to the announced closure of 159 post offices and the ongoing review process for these post offices, the policy he has developed in terms of making progress towards changes in services available through the post office network or broadening services to maintain a viable network of post offices and maintain an efficient postal delivery service. [41190/18]

Alternative Energy Projects

Brian Stanley

29. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment his policy for the development of alternative energy sources to fossil fuels in respect of the decarbonisation of the environment and reaching emission reduction targets. [41193/18]

Waste Management

Brian Stanley

40. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment his plans to establish a different model of collection for household waste in view of the report from the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission, CCPC, on the household waste collection market. [41191/18]

Energy Prices

Brian Stanley

44. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment his plans to use his powers under the Electricity Regulation Act 1999 to issue a policy direction to the Commission for Regulation of Utilities regarding energy supply markets and its resultant effect on prices for householders. [41192/18]

Passport Applications Fees

Brian Stanley

38. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if the standard fee for passports for persons who have been employed and self-employed for over four decades here will be waived; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40987/18]

Citizenship Applications

Brian Stanley

39. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if the charge is the same for citizenship for persons who apply from outside the EU. [40988/18]

HSE Properties

Brian Stanley

246. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Health his plans to upgrade the HSE facilities at Erkina House, Rathdowney, County Laois. [40720/18]

Patient Transfers

Brian Stanley

247. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to plans to transfer the patients of Erkina House, Rathdowney, County Laois to other facilities; and the consultation that has taken place with the patients or their families. [40721/18]

Medicinal Products

Brian Stanley

250. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Health the position regarding the case of a person (details supplied) to whom medicinal cannabis has been recommended here and in another EU state as being beneficial but which practitioners here are refusing to prescribe due to potential liability; and if, in such cases it is possible to have the drug prescribed in another EU state. [40741/18]

Medicinal Products

Brian Stanley

251. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Health the progress being made to deal with the difficulties in having medicinal cannabis prescribed for patients in cases in which this is recommended; if the matter will be discussed with the Medical Council; and his plans to introduce legislation in order to resolve the matter. [40742/18]

Motor Insurance Costs

Brian Stanley

82. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Finance the measures he is taking to address the practice in the motor insurance industry of unfairly charging excessive premiums for returning emigrants regardless of their driving experience. [40518/18]

Defence Forces Remuneration

Brian Stanley

90. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the steps being taken to address the issues of pay and conditions in the Defence Forces. [40186/18]

Defence Forces Retirements

Brian Stanley

91. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence his plans to address the issues of staff retention in the regular Defence Forces. [40187/18]

Hospital Waiting Lists

Brian Stanley

370. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Health if he will address a matter (details supplied) regarding a procedure; and the steps being taken to reduce the waiting time for same [39557/18]

Charitable and Voluntary Organisations

Brian Stanley

439. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Health if funding will be provided for a charity (details supplied) in County Offaly; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39971/18]

Waste Disposal Charges

Brian Stanley

509. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment when the disallowance of up to €75 with regard to waste collection for persons with a long-term certified medical condition, which was announced in 2017, will be implemented. [39612/18]

Illness Benefit Eligibility

Brian Stanley

588. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection her plans to include the self-employed for class 5 entitlement to illness benefit in view of the fact that the current situation is causing difficulty for persons who are out of work for a considerable time due to illness or injury. [39491/18]

Illness Benefit Eligibility

Brian Stanley

591. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if she plans to include the self-employed for class 5 entitlement to illness benefit in view of the fact that the situation is causing difficulty for persons who are unemployed for a considerable time due to illness or injury. [39554/18]

Renewable Energy Feed-in Tariff Scheme

Brian Stanley

175. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment his plans to examine the reason electricity companies do not give credits or payments for excess electricity generated by solar panels on individual homes in view of the fact that in Northern Ireland home owners receive credits; the steps that can be taken to address this difference; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39143/18]

Defence Forces Remuneration

Brian Stanley

107. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence his plans to address the pay and conditions of serving members of the Defence Forces in view of the fact that the Defence Forces have lost a considerable number of highly trained and experienced personnel due to low pay and general conditions. [39075/18]

Psychological Assessments Waiting Times

Brian Stanley

377. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Health the steps being taken to address the delays in having assessment of needs for children with autism carried out, access to the school-age team psychology services and access to the early intervention psychology services in order to address waiting lists and times as quickly as possible. [38828/18]

Motor Tax Rates

Brian Stanley

44. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if the road tax rates on older cars that are perceived to be excessively high and are penalising lower income drivers and those living in rural areas will be reviewed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30938/18]

National Broadband Plan Implementation

Brian Stanley

43. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment his views on the fact there is only one supplier left in the tender process for the national broadband plan; his further views on whether it is competitive for the State; and the capability of the company to fulfil the project in a realistic timeframe. [37869/18]

Energy Prices

Brian Stanley

55. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment his plans to use his powers under the Electricity Regulation Act 1999 and issue a policy direction to the Commission for Regulation of Utilities concerning competition in the electricity supply market and its resultant affect on electricity prices for householders. [37625/18]

Climate Change Policy

Brian Stanley

59. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the details of the climate action fund to be paid out over the next decade; and the type of projects this will fund. [37627/18]

Television Licence Fee Collection

Brian Stanley

64. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he has considered a different model for the collection of the television licence such as pay at point of purchase. [37628/18]

Litter Pollution

Brian Stanley

75. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the action he is undertaking to address the high level of litter across the State (details supplied). [37626/18]

Medical Aids and Appliances Provision

Brian Stanley

429. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Health if the FreeStyle Libre sensor will be made available under the long-term illness scheme to those over 16 years of age to provide patients with the option between this sensor and an alternative sensor; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37175/18]

Flood Prevention Measures

Brian Stanley

218. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the level of progress with channel draining in rivers in Mountmellick, County Laois; and the progress of the capital scheme for flood defences. [36608/18]

Special Educational Needs Service Provision

Brian Stanley

341. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Education and Skills if funding is available to support two ASD units in two primary schools in Mountmellick, County Laois, in which there are a number of children in need of the service. [36607/18]

Home School Community Liaison Scheme

Brian Stanley

342. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Education and Skills if home school liaison officers will be reintroduced in schools, in particular in schools for children with special needs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36609/18]

Schools Building Projects Status

Brian Stanley

347. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Education and Skills when the new prefab classroom will be put in place for a school (details supplied). [36650/18]

Closed-Circuit Television Systems

Brian Stanley

434. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the actions being taken to resolve the dispute over whether it is An Garda Síochána or local authorities that control the data from community CCTV schemes in view of the fact that it is preventing a number of community alert groups from drawing down grant aid; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35586/18]

Hospital Facilities

Brian Stanley

897. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Health the status of the consultation on the Midland Regional Hospital, Portlaoise; the progress made to date; the expected completion date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36611/18]

Hospital Facilities

Brian Stanley

898. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Health the progress made on the new building for St. Vincent's Hospital, Mountmellick, County Laois; and the expected timeline for the project. [36612/18]

National Broadband Plan

Brian Stanley

1029. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if there will be an ongoing subsidy required in terms of the national broadband plan tender; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35472/18]

Driver Test Waiting Lists

Brian Stanley

1073. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the reason a person (details supplied) is waiting since 6 January 2018 for an appointment for their driver test in Tullamore; when he or she can expect to be called; and the measures being taken to reduce the waiting time at the test centre in Tullamore. [35482/18]

Driver Test Waiting Lists

Brian Stanley

1098. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the reason some persons that have applied for driver tests in Tullamore in January 2018 have still not been called. [35907/18]

Road Projects Status

Brian Stanley

1127. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the expected completion date for the widening of the N7; the contractual stipulations in regard to timelines; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36610/18]

Garda Stations

Brian Stanley

1164. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of Garda stations open in the Laois-Offaly Garda division in each year since 2009 and the names of same. [34959/18]

Garda Stations

Brian Stanley

1165. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of Garda stations in the Laois-Offaly division that had access to broadband in each year since 2009. [34960/18]

Garda Stations

Brian Stanley

1166. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of Garda stations that had access to high speed broadband in each year since 2009. [34961/18]

Respite Care Services Provision

Brian Stanley

1652. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Health when respite care will be provided to assist a person (details supplied). [33965/18]

Renewable Energy Incentives

Brian Stanley

2107. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the estimated cost per annum if a grant of €2,500 was introduced for solar PV based on the uptake of the solar thermal grant under the better energy homes; and the estimated cost of introducing a scheme to provide the full cost of solar PV to 2,000 households. [34962/18]

Better Energy Homes Scheme

Brian Stanley

2108. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the estimated cost of increasing the grant under the better energy home scheme for heat pumps by €1,000 for air-to-water, ground-source-to-water, water-to-water heat pumps and increasing the grant for air-to-air heat pumps by €400. [34963/18]

Renewable Energy Incentives

Brian Stanley

2109. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the estimated cost of increasing the grant for solar heating by three times the current level under the better energy homeowners grant. [34964/18]

Electric Vehicle Grants

Brian Stanley

2110. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the cost of extending the grant by €2,000 for each category of electric vehicle under the SEAI grant scheme. [34965/18]

Driver Test Waiting Lists

Brian Stanley

2137. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the waiting times for driver tests in counties Laois, Offaly, Carlow and Kildare; and the number of driver testers in each county. [32411/18]

Driver Test Waiting Lists

Brian Stanley

2224. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the reason some of those who applied for a driver test in Tullamore in January 2017 have still not been called; and the steps being taken to rectify same. [33815/18]

Working Family Payment Appeals

Brian Stanley

2462. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the timeframe a person (details supplied) will have to wait for a decision to be made on their appeal against the decision to refuse their working family payment application which they applied for in January 2018. [33093/18]

Disadvantaged Areas Scheme

Brian Stanley

29. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will work to ensure that the existing designated areas are retained in the scheme for disadvantaged areas and that other locations that are assessed as genuinely difficult to farm are included as part of a review; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31064/18]

Disadvantaged Areas Scheme

Brian Stanley

33. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of the scheme for disadvantaged areas; the status of the review; and the timescale for completion. [31063/18]

Mental Health Services Staff

Brian Stanley

344. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Health to outline the levels of staffing in the young adult mental health services in County Laois; his plans to reduce or increase numbers; the planned numbers involved; his further plans to make changes to the services in County Laois; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31678/18]

Motor Insurance Coverage

Brian Stanley

86. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Finance the steps he will take to end the practice of insurance companies charging excessive premiums for cars over 10 years old; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30937/18]

Schools Building Projects Status

Brian Stanley

211. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Education and Skills the status of plans for a new building for schools (details supplied); and his plans for the demolition of the old school at the site it is to be situated. [31157/18]

Medical Workforce Data

Brian Stanley

317. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Health the position regarding the recruitment of an ophthalmologist in County Laois. [31151/18]

National Treatment Purchase Fund

Brian Stanley

318. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Health the number of persons in counties Laois and Offaly who are waiting to access the ophthalmology services for more than six months and in excess of one and two years. [31152/18]

Orthodontic Services Data

Brian Stanley

319. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Health the number of orthodontists employed by the HSE in counties Laois and Offaly; and the number of those below 18 years of age awaiting the service for more than one, two, three and four years, respectively. [31153/18]

Dental Services Provision

Brian Stanley

320. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Health the number of dentists employed by the HSE in counties Laois and Offaly to provide a service to school children; and his plans to improve the service. [31154/18]

Audiology Services Data

Brian Stanley

321. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Health the number of persons in counties Laois and Offaly who are awaiting audiology services in the HSE system; and the number waiting one, two, three and four years, respectively. [31155/18]

Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services Data

Brian Stanley

322. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Health the number of children waiting for CAMHS services in counties Laois and Offaly; and the number waiting more than six months, one year and more than two years. [31156/18]

Industrial Relations

Brian Stanley

89. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation if effective legal protection will be given to vulnerable workers by ensuring that they have a right to collective bargaining and trade union representation. [26523/18]

Hospital Appointments Status

Brian Stanley

526. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Health if an appointment for a person (details supplied) will be expedited; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30266/18]

Garda Deployment

Brian Stanley

15. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the progress in deploying gardaí to a greater extent in community and frontline policing. [29328/18]

Garda Deployment

Brian Stanley

39. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if sufficient resources are available to gardaí in the Laois and Offaly division to deal with the upsurge in criminal activity. [29327/18]

Schools Building Projects Status

Brian Stanley

79. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Education and Skills the progress on the provision of a new school in Trumera, Mountrath, County Laois; and the projected timescale for same. [29331/18]

Education and Training Provision

Brian Stanley

107. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Education and Skills the steps he will take to increase the number of apprenticeships in view of the recovering economy and increasing demand for qualified trades. [26522/18]

School Services Staff

Brian Stanley

217. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Education and Skills if the employment situation of school secretaries employed by boards of management will be examined with reference to their pay and conditions and pension entitlements. [29625/18]

Departmental Consultations

Brian Stanley

302. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Health the stage the consultation on Portlaoise Hospital is at; and the timeframe for completion. [29623/18]

Departmental Consultations

Brian Stanley

303. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Health the stakeholders that will be met by his officials during the public consultation process on Portlaoise Hospital. [29624/18]