Parliamentary questions

Departmental Reports

Joan Burton

108. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Education and Skills the status of the implementation of the recommendations of the Higher Education Authority report entitled Transitions Reform on transitions from leaving certificate stage to entry into third level education; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21396/16]

Teacher Recruitment

Joan Burton

120. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of new recruits to the education sector in each of the years 2011 to 2013; and the number of whole-time equivalent recruits. [21975/16]

Local Authority Staff Recruitment

Joan Burton

131. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the number of new recruits to the local government sector in each of the years 2011 to 2013; the number of whole-time equivalent recruits [21976/16]

Civil Service Staff Data

Joan Burton

159. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the number of new recruits to the Civil Service, in each of the years 2011 to 2013; the number of whole-time equivalent recruits and the overall number of public service employees at the end of each of these years. [21419/16]

Public Expenditure Data

Joan Burton

160. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the public sector pay bill for each of the years 2011 to 2013. [21420/16]

Health Services Staff Recruitment

Joan Burton

215. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Health the number of new recruits to the health sector in each of the years 2011 to 2013; the number of whole-time equivalent recruits. [21977/16]

Defence Forces Recruitment

Joan Burton

284. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the number of new recruits to the defence sector, in each of the years 2011 to 2013; the number of whole-time equivalent recruits [21974/16]

Arts Funding

Joan Burton

22. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if she will create an arts capital fund modelled on the sports capital fund to ensure improved long-term funding for the arts. [19862/16]

Arts Promotion

Joan Burton

35. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if she will urgently begin preparation of a global arts forum for Ireland, similar to the structure of the Global Irish Economic Forum, to highlight our indigenous talent and map a strong and healthy future for arts and culture at home and abroad. [19865/16]

Heritage Sites

Joan Burton

38. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht her plan to pursue more applications for United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation world heritage status for more national landmarks (details supplied). [19863/16]

Arts in Education Charter

Joan Burton

50. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht her plans to ensure the better integration of the arts into education and broaden the focus on science, technology, engineering and mathematics into science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics; to expand the ambition and resourcing of the arts in education charter; and to continue to work with the Department of Education and Skills to further enhance the position of arts subjects within the curriculum at primary and secondary level. [19864/16]

Arts Funding

Joan Burton

58. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht her plans to develop musical education and make instruments available to young persons and the general population through facilitating schools, youth groups and libraries in enhancing their music resources and the provision of access to musical training and instruments for the benefit of local communities. [19866/16]

Ministerial Responsibilities

Joan Burton

200. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the reason the Government increased the total number of Ministers without assigning a single one with exclusive responsibility for the arts, heritage and the Gaeltacht; how arts policy priorities will now be implemented in the revised departmental structure; and her views on the more than 13,000 persons who have already joined an online campaign to see the full Department of the arts re-instated. [20216/16]

Workplace Relations Commission

Joan Burton

307. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if a prosecution has been initiated by the Workplace Relations Commission under the 1977 Protection of Employment Act relating to the closure and liquidation of a company (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20136/16]

Workplace Relations Commission

Joan Burton

308. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the outcome of the High Court proceedings taken by companies (details supplied) against officers of his Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20137/16]

Artworks Sales

Joan Burton

196. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if she is aware of correspondence dated 29 June 2016 from An Taisce - the National Trust for Ireland to her Department concerning five works of art that have been in the care of the National Gallery and which have been issued export licences; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19947/16]

EU Issues

Joan Burton

3. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Taoiseach the preparations and contingency plans he has put in place in the event of a British exit from the European Union; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17524/16]

Tax Code

Joan Burton

127. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Finance if he will commit to closing the dwelling house loophole in inheritance tax law that provides a particular benefit to wealthy families that are able to gift valuable residences free of taxation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19261/16]

Gaelscoil Issues

Joan Burton

161. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Education and Skills how he will work with his colleague the Minister with responsibility for regional development, rural affairs, arts and the Gaeltacht to ensure that parents can access second level education through Irish, especially in areas with proven demand for Gaelscoileanna. [19818/16]

Arts in Education Charter

Joan Burton

162. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he has liaised with the Minister with responsibility for regional development, rural affairs, arts and the Gaeltacht on the development of contemporary art education at primary and second level in Irish schools. [19824/16]

Schools Building Projects Status

Joan Burton

206. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Education and Skills the names, locations and values of school rebuilding projects (details supplied) that were previously to commence in 2016 and have now deferred commencement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19509/16]

Schools Building Projects Status

Joan Burton

207. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of primary school projects at stage 2B and the number of these which will commence as previously planned for 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19510/16]

Local Authority Services

Joan Burton

234. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the supports in place for development and protection of county archive services to preserve local cultural patrimony. [19828/16]

Artists' Remuneration

Joan Burton

286. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will examine the supports for working artists in the social protection system; and if he will relax activation rules for working artists to allow them to support themselves (details supplied). [19817/16]

Arts Funding

Joan Burton

412. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if she will commit to the long-term goal of increasing arts funding to the European average of 0.6 % of gross domestic product. [19816/16]

Gaeltacht Policy

Joan Burton

413. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if she will provide extra funding to Irish-speaking Gaeltacht areas to encourage greater use of the language and better economic prospects for those living in Gaeltacht areas. [19819/16]

Arts Funding

Joan Burton

414. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht how she will make sure arts funding is used to ensure minority and new Irish voices are heard as part of the cultural output. [19820/16]

Cultural Policy

Joan Burton

415. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht her plans to support the development of the creative industries sector; if she has reviewed the report from the previous Joint Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation on the hearings relating to examining the potential for job creation, innovation and balanced economic development in the creative economy; and if she will implement the recommendations of the report in tandem with the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation. [19821/16]

Intellectual Property Management

Joan Burton

416. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if she has had any engagement with stakeholders in the music industry in terms of the establishment of a music industry task force, with wide representation and which would examine a range of issues including the impact of intellectual property and copyright legislation and enforcement in both the music and technology industries, supports for the business of music education and a dedicated office similar to the Irish Film Board for the music sector. [19822/16]

Cultural Policy

Joan Burton

417. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht her plans to develop a national culture strategy up to 2025. [19825/16]

Arts Funding

Joan Burton

418. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if she has examined any proposals to facilitate, on a national basis, the use of vacant retail premises by exhibiting artists, based on successful schemes such as Space Invaders in County Galway, which uses empty retail units to support local artists. [19826/16]

Heritage Projects

Joan Burton

419. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if she will examine a nationwide plan for the development of village design statements that would ensure all future planning and development takes full cognisance of the historical character and protects the character and heritage of villages. [19827/16]

Arts Promotion

Joan Burton

420. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht to work with the Minister for Health to develop and roll out an arts and health strategy across acute and children’s hospitals and across the community health sector; and the other innovative approaches that are being considered to use the arts as a means to promote well-being across society. [19829/16]

Arts Promotion

Joan Burton

421. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the action she is taking with her Government colleagues to systematically address social, geographic and economic barriers to full participation in the artistic and cultural life of the country, particularly for children and young persons. [19830/16]

Rail Network Expansion

Joan Burton

637. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the timeframe for the electrification of the Dublin to Maynooth railway line as proposed in the capital programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19262/16]

Dublin Bus

Joan Burton

638. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he has received any report from Dublin Bus on the results of having revenue protection officers board buses at random; the scale of fare evasion noted; the level of improper use of free travel passes that has been observed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19263/16]

Public Transport Initiatives

Joan Burton

639. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the status of the plans for the Swiftway rapid bus services in particular the proposed Blanchardstown to University College Dublin route; when the service will become operational; if a final route has been chosen; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19264/16]

Legislative Reviews

Joan Burton

659. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if she will undertake a full review of the rights of artists here, including a thorough examination of our existing copyright laws and the current Competition Act. [19823/16]

Teachers' Remuneration

Joan Burton

75. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Education and Skills to confirm his commitment to pay equality for more recently appointed teachers; if he will meet the unions concerned to progress this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18715/16]

Departmental Strategies

Joan Burton

76. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Education and Skills the consultation process he has established on a new three-year Strategy for Education and Skills 2016 to 2018; when he will complete the consultation process and publish the final report; the key priority areas of the consultation process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18716/16]

Pupil-Teacher Ratio

Joan Burton

77. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to reduce class sizes and to build on the measures to reduce class sizes in Budget 2016; and if he will continue to reduce class sizes [18717/16]

School Management

Joan Burton

78. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to reform the model of leadership in schools; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18718/16]

Lansdowne Road Agreement

Joan Burton

79. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to issue a directive on implementing pay deductions for members of teachers' unions who rejected working additional hours under the Public Service (Croke Park) Agreement 2010 to 2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18719/16]

School Curriculum

Joan Burton

80. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Education and Skills the status of the roll-out of the junior cycle reform process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18720/16]

Skills Shortages

Joan Burton

81. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Education and Skills his views on the areas the skills and labour market research unit has highlighted as having skills shortages such as business administration and management, the green economy, financial services, information technology, manufacturing and engineering, sales and marketing and transport; how he will tackle these skill shortages; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18721/16]

Child Care Services Provision

Joan Burton

82. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Education and Skills the proposals he is reviewing in conjunction with the Department of Children and Youth Affairs to carry out the programme for Government commitment to have schools available for child care services outside school hours; if he will permit community groups and private providers to tender for access to these facilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18722/16]

Child Care Services Provision

Joan Burton

83. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Education and Skills his views on the suggestions by the Irish National Teachers' Organisation that related capital investment will be necessary if the programme for Government commitment on having schools available for child care services is to be successfully implemented; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18723/16]

Departmental Strategies

Joan Burton

84. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Education and Skills how he will progress the three areas in the education sector that he has identified as his core priority areas of focus, including helping children with special needs, supporting schools and building a stronger bridge between education and the workplace; why he has prioritised these three areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18724/16]

Delivering Equality of Opportunity in Schools Scheme

Joan Burton

85. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Education and Skills the status of his review of the school support programme through the delivering equality of opportunity in schools action plan, including when he will complete and publish it; if he envisages changes to the funding or delivery model under the action plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18725/16]

School Curriculum

Joan Burton

86. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to provide new courses in the leaving certificate, such as coding, physical education and politics; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18726/16]

Delivering Equality of Opportunity in Schools Scheme

Joan Burton

87. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Education and Skills when he will publish the new national action plan for educational inclusion; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18727/16]

School Staff

Joan Burton

88. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Education and Skills when he will lift the moratorium on filling certain promoted posts in schools, given that it was introduced as an emergency measure in 2009; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18728/16]

Teacher Training Provision

Joan Burton

89. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Education and Skills the ways, including investment, in which he supports continuous professional development for teachers at primary and at secondary level; the investment as a percentage of overall education spending; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18729/16]

Teaching Council of Ireland

Joan Burton

90. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Education and Skills if and when he will implement the fitness-to-teach provisions of the Teaching Council Acts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18730/16]

Pupil-Teacher Ratio

Joan Burton

91. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Education and Skills the timescale and cost of the commitment in the programme for Government to reduce the pupil-teacher ratio in junior and senior infants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18731/16]

School Patronage

Joan Burton

92. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Education and Skills the location of schools under religious patronage which he will divest in 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18733/16]

Departmental Programmes

Joan Burton

217. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the skills training and the selection of participants under the Defence Forces' linked programme with his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18732/16]

School Admissions

Joan Burton

4. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he has reviewed the recently published Labour Party Equal Status (Admission to Schools) Bill; if he supports the aims and objectives of the Bill; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18564/16]

Third Level Funding

Joan Burton

103. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Education and Skills when he will publish the report (details supplied) into funding of the third level sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18565/16]

Schools Building Projects

Joan Burton

112. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he is aware of delays to commencement of the rebuild at a school (details supplied); if he has now examined the timetable of construction and the reasons for delay; if he is aware of the urgent need for this project to commence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18007/16]

Schools Building Projects

Joan Burton

113. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he is aware of delays to commencement of the rebuild at a school (details supplied); if he has now examined the timetable of construction and the reasons for delay; if he is aware of the urgent need for this project to commence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18008/16]

Aviation Issues

Joan Burton

509. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he is aware of complaints from the residents of Hollystown and surrounding areas in west Dublin in respect of the noise generated from early morning and late night flights to and from Dublin Airport, between the hours 12 a.m. and 7 a.m; the number of these flights that have taken place in 2015 and 2016 to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18016/16]

Noise Pollution Legislation

Joan Burton

510. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the regulations in place to minimise and mitigate the noise levels to residents in the Hollystown and surrounding areas in Dublin west from aircraft taking off and landing in Dublin Airport; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18021/16]

Consumer Protection

Joan Burton

8. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Finance his plans to ensure that mortgage holders, tenants and small to medium sized business with loans or credit from non-bank lenders or vulture funds are fully protected; if he is considering extending the provisions of the Consumer Protection (Regulation of Credit Servicing Firms) Act 2015 in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17521/16]

Ireland Strategic Investment Fund Investments

Joan Burton

31. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Finance the amount of funding made available through the Ireland Strategic Investment Fund, ISIF, for social and affordable housing provision; if he is satisfied with the current rates of interest being charged to borrowers through the fund; if he is reviewing the operation of the mechanisms through which credit is accessed from the fund; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17522/16]

Motor Insurance Regulation

Joan Burton

33. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Finance if he and the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport have received initial recommendations following a review of rising motor insurance compensation; if he will provide a full update on the review of policy in the insurance sector which his Department is currently undertaking in consultation with the Central Bank; the reforms he is considering to tackle the problem of motor insurance premiums, which are rising at an annual rate of as much as 35%; if he will urgently update the book of quantum; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17520/16]

EU Budgets

Joan Burton

41. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Finance if he shares the views recently expressed by the Dutch Minister for Finance and chairman of the eurozone Finance Ministers, Mr. Jeroen Dijsselbloem, that European Union Finance Ministers are concerned that the European Commission is not applying budget laws in the same way to large and small countries and is undermining confidence in the rules; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17523/16]

Disability Support Services Provision

Joan Burton

423. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Health when he will make available support services from an organisation to a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17171/16]

Noise Pollution

Joan Burton

202. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the efforts he will make to address the concerns of residents in the Hollystown, Mulhuddart, Ladyswell and Tyrellstown areas of County Dublin at the impact of the north runway in Dublin Airport, specifically increased noise pollution; if he has discussed this directly with the Dublin Airport Authority; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16138/16]

National Treatment Purchase Fund

Joan Burton

32. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Health if he has undertaken a cost-benefit analysis of the re-activation of the National Treatment Purchase Fund; if he will publish this; the number of patients who will be treated in public beds using the fund; how he will ensure that the diverting of millions of euro in funding from the public health system will address the underlying causes of excessive waiting lists; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13736/16]

Mental Health Services

Joan Burton

80. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Health if he will confirm that the allocation of €5 million in funding to recruit up to 100 psychologists and counsellors to develop psychological services for persons under 18 years of age will be spent; and the timeframe for the delivery of these services. [13739/16]

Departmental Budgets

Joan Burton

31. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if she will support the Labour Party’s budget campaign to retain the additional capital and current funding allocated for the 1916 Rising commemoration in the general arts budget from 2017 onwards to systematically restore funding to the arts; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13682/16]

School Accommodation Provision

Joan Burton

298. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Education and Skills to outline the status of an application by a school (details supplied) for three additional classrooms and other refurbishment works; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12729/16]

School Patronage

Joan Burton

303. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Education and Skills to outline how parents can make a submission to his Department regarding the patronage of new second level schools in the Dublin 15 area; if he is aware of the new second level school to be built in the Carpenterstown-Castleknock area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12942/16]

Schools Building Projects

Joan Burton

304. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Education and Skills to outline his plans for the provision of new post-primary schools in the Ongar and Littlepace areas in Dublin 15 in the five-year school building programme for 2016-21; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12943/16]

Schools Building Projects Status

Joan Burton

321. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Education and Skills if the initial design plans for the new build in respect of the three schools (details supplied) have been drawn up; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13247/16]

Local Authority Services

Joan Burton

358. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the supports in place for the development and protection of county archive services to preserve local cultural patrimony. [13610/16]

Water Charges

Joan Burton

366. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government when the commission on water charges is to be established; the nature of the applications process for members of the public to apply for membership of the commission; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12757/16]

Electoral Reform

Joan Burton

367. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will outline any review of election postering regulations by his Department, given the move by other jurisdictions to ban postering in public places; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12759/16]

School Accommodation Provision

Joan Burton

391. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government to ensure there is a permanent location available for a school (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13230/16]

Social Welfare Benefits

Joan Burton

407. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will examine the supports for working artists in the social protection system; and if the Government will relax activation rules for working artists to allow them to support themselves as they produce the art and cultural pieces for which our country is rightly proud. [13597/16]

Employment Data

Joan Burton

600. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht her estimate of the number of persons working in the arts sector both full-time and part-time; the main categories of employment and the locations by county; the remuneration levels for each sector and county area; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13235/16]

Arts Funding

Joan Burton

601. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the applications which have been received to date in respect of the fund established in the 2016 budget, to upgrade regional and local arts centres; the amount that has been disbursed to date and to which centres; the proposed allocations for the remainder of 2016; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13239/16]

Employment Data

Joan Burton

602. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht her proposals to assist young persons, including graduates, seeking to find employment in the arts here; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13244/16]

Departmental Administrative Arrangements

Joan Burton

606. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the reason the Government increased the total number of Ministers without assigning a single one with exclusive responsibility for the arts, heritage and the Gaeltacht; how arts policy priorities will now be implemented in the revised departmental structure; her response to the 13,000 plus persons who have already joined an online campaign to see the full Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht reinstated. [13593/16]

Arts Funding

Joan Burton

607. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if the Government will commit to the long-term goal of increasing arts funding to the European average of 0.6% of GDP. [13594/16]

Arts Funding

Joan Burton

608. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht her plans to increase funding in the arts over the lifetime of the Government; and her views that funding for the Arts Council and Irish Film Board should be doubled. [13595/16]

Arts Funding

Joan Burton

609. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if she will create an arts capital fund modelled after the sports capital fund to ensure better long-term funding for Irish arts. [13596/16]

World Heritage Sites

Joan Burton

610. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht her plans to pursue more applications for United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation world heritage status for more of Ireland's national landmarks (details supplied). [13598/16]

Irish Language

Joan Burton

611. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht how she will work with the Minister for Education and Skills to ensure that parents can access second-level education through Irish, especially in areas with proven demand for Gaelscoileanna. [13599/16]

Irish Language

Joan Burton

612. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if she will provide extra funding to Irish-speaking Gaeltacht areas to encourage greater use of the language and better economic prospects for those living in Gaeltacht areas. [13600/16]

Arts Promotion

Joan Burton

613. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht how she will ensure that arts funding is used in order that minority and new Irish voices are heard as part of our cultural output. [13601/16]

Cultural Policy

Joan Burton

614. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht her plans to support the development of the creative industries sector; if she has reviewed the report from the previous Joint Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation on the hearings relating to examining the potential for job creation, innovation and balanced economic development in the creative economy; and if she will implement the recommendations of the report in tandem with the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation. [13602/16]

Cultural Policy

Joan Burton

615. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if she has engaged with stakeholders in the music industry in terms of the establishment of a music industry task force with wide representation, which would examine a range of issues, including the impact of intellectual property and copyright legislation and enforcement in both the music and technology industries, supports for the business of music education and a dedicated office similar to the Irish Film Board for the music sector. [13603/16]

Arts in Education Charter

Joan Burton

616. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if she has liaised with the Minister for Education and Skills on the development of contemporary art education at primary and secondary level in Irish schools. [13605/16]

Cultural Policy

Joan Burton

617. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht her plans to develop a national cultural strategy up to 2025. [13606/16]

Arts Promotion

Joan Burton

618. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht her plans to develop musical education and instruments available to young persons and the general population through facilitating schools, youth groups and libraries in enhancing their music resources and the provision of access to musical training and instruments for the benefit of local communities. [13607/16]

Arts Promotion

Joan Burton

619. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if she has examined any proposals to facilitate, on a national basis, the use of vacant retail premises by exhibiting artists based on successful schemes such as Space Invaders in County Galway which uses empty retail units to support local artists. [13608/16]

Heritage Promotion

Joan Burton

620. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if she will examine a nationwide plan for the development of village design statements that would ensure all future planning and development takes full cognisance of the historic character and protect the character and heritage of villages. [13609/16]

Arts Promotion

Joan Burton

621. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht to liaise with the Minister for Health to develop and roll out an arts and health strategy across acute and children’s hospitals and across the community health sector and the other innovative approaches being considered to use the arts as a means to promote well-being across society. [13611/16]