Questions and answers published after July 2012 can be viewed here. Viewing by Government Department is possible by term or specific dates from March 2016 onwards. Written answers are published as received from departments. To see parliamentary questions published before July 2012, search in Dáil debates.
Questions and answers for all sittings
Page 51 of 65
Wed, 1 Mar 2017
written
Proposed Legislation
Joan Burton
135. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to publish a draft of the education (parent and student charter) Bill; the details of the proposed pre-legislative scrutiny process; and the timetable for this. [10676/17]
Wed, 1 Mar 2017
written
Third Level Funding
Joan Burton
137. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Education and Skills the specific measures he plans to deal with concerns regarding third level student support and funding challenges for third level institutions. [10678/17]
Wed, 1 Mar 2017
written
Teachers' Remuneration
Joan Burton
138. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Education and Skills his views on whether there is a clear pay disparity between teachers recruited before 1 January 2011 and those recruited thereafter, with regard to pay equality for teachers; his further views on whether it is unacceptable to maintain such pay disparities; his plans to address pay equality issues beyond the steps already agreed relating to restoration of a qualification allowance payment; the cost of restoring teachers recruited since 1 January 2011 to the previous pay scale; the elements which make up this cost; and the number of teachers affected. [10679/17]
Wed, 1 Mar 2017
written
School Admissions
Joan Burton
139. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he has reviewed the recently published Labour Party's Equal Status Admission to Schools Bill; his views on the aims and objectives of the Bill; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10680/17]
Wed, 1 Mar 2017
written
Croke Park Agreement Implementation
Joan Burton
140. 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 which rejected working additional hours under the Croke Park agreement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10681/17]
Wed, 1 Mar 2017
written
Junior Cycle Reform
Joan Burton
141. 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. [10682/17]
Wed, 1 Mar 2017
written
Skills Shortages
Joan Burton
142. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Education and Skills his views on the areas that have been highlighted as having skills shortages by the skills and labour market research unit such as business administration and management, the green economy, financial services, information technology, manufacturing, engineering, sales, marketing and transport; his plans to tackle these skills shortages; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10683/17]
Wed, 1 Mar 2017
written
Child Care Services
Joan Burton
143. 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 can be successfully implemented; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10684/17]
Wed, 1 Mar 2017
written
Education Policy
Joan Burton
144. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to progress the three areas in the education sector that he has identified as his core priority areas of focus in the sector, including assisting children with special needs, supporting schools and building a stronger bridge between education and the workplace; the reason he has prioritised these three areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10685/17]
Wed, 1 Mar 2017
written
Educational Disadvantage
Joan Burton
145. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Education and Skills the stage the review of the school support programme through the DEIS initiative is at; when this review will be completed and published; if he envisages any changes to the funding or delivery model of the DEIS programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10686/17]
Wed, 1 Mar 2017
written
School Curriculum
Joan Burton
146. 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. [10687/17]
Wed, 1 Mar 2017
written
Educational Disadvantage
Joan Burton
147. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Education and Skills when the new national action plan for educational inclusion will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10688/17]
Wed, 1 Mar 2017
written
Teacher Recruitment
Joan Burton
148. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Education and Skills when the moratorium on filling certain promoted posts in schools will be lifted, since it was introduced as an emergency measure in 2009; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10689/17]
Wed, 1 Mar 2017
written
Teachers' Professional Development
Joan Burton
149. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Education and Skills the ways, including total investment involved, in which his Department supports teacher continuous professional development at primary and post-primary levels; if he will provide this figure as a percentage of education spending overall; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10690/17]
Wed, 1 Mar 2017
written
Pupil-Teacher Ratio
Joan Burton
150. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Education and Skills the estimated timeframe for, and cost of, the Government commitment to reducing the pupil-teacher ratio in junior and senior infants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10692/17]
Wed, 1 Mar 2017
written
School Patronage
Joan Burton
151. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Education and Skills the location of all schools under religious patronage which he expects to be divested in 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10693/17]
Wed, 1 Mar 2017
written
Pupil-Teacher Ratio
Joan Burton
152. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Education and Skills if consideration will be given to further improvements in the pupil-teacher ratio to help bring class sizes towards the EU average in budget 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10694/17]
Wed, 1 Mar 2017
written
Education Grants
Joan Burton
153. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Education and Skills his views on the restoration of postgraduate grants and their necessity to open up access to postgraduate studies, to ensure that a steady stream of persons achieve a postgraduate qualification for societal good and to ensure attractiveness to foreign investors. [10695/17]
Wed, 1 Mar 2017
written
Teachers' Remuneration
Joan Burton
154. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Education and Skills his plans for equating newly qualified teachers since 2011 with those who entered the workforce previously; if he will report on discussions with the Association of Secondary Teachers in Ireland, ASTI, on the matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10696/17]
Wed, 1 Mar 2017
written
Special Educational Needs Service Provision
Joan Burton
155. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to improve access to special educational supports; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10697/17]
Wed, 1 Mar 2017
written
Irish Sign Language
Joan Burton
156. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to improve access to Irish Sign Language courses for persons with hearing disabilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10698/17]
Wed, 1 Mar 2017
written
School Accommodation Provision
Joan Burton
157. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Education and Skills the criteria used by his Department for deciding on applications for capital funding for junior, senior and post-primary schools. [10699/17]
Wed, 1 Mar 2017
written
Teacher Recruitment
Joan Burton
158. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to end the current ban on promotions at primary school level; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10700/17]
Wed, 1 Mar 2017
written
Technological Universities
Joan Burton
159. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Education and Skills the status of the Technological Universities Bill 2015; when it is to return to Dail Éireann; the necessary changes he proposes to make to the draft legislation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10701/17]
Wed, 1 Mar 2017
written
State Examinations
Joan Burton
160. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Education and Skills his views on the reported failure rate at leaving certificate maths; the measures his Department proposes to remedy this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10702/17]
Wed, 1 Mar 2017
written
Institutes of Technology
Joan Burton
161. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Education and Skills his views on the drop out rate in third level institute of technology courses; the measures his Department proposes to remedy the situation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10703/17]
Wed, 1 Mar 2017
written
Apprenticeship Programmes
Joan Burton
162. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Education and Skills his views on the lack of apprenticeships suitable for a number of employment vacancies such as chefs and in the hospitality sector generally to upskill young unemployed persons; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10704/17]
Wed, 1 Mar 2017
written
Apprenticeship Programmes
Joan Burton
163. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Education and Skills his views on the uptake in the number of apprenticeships by females; if his Department has proposals to address the issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10705/17]
Wed, 1 Mar 2017
written
Third Level Funding
Joan Burton
164. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he has read the USI position paper on the funding of higher education regarding the effects a loan scheme would have on students; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10706/17]
Wed, 1 Mar 2017
written
School Staff
Joan Burton
165. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Education and Skills if his attention has been drawn to the shortage of substitute teachers for primary schools and the serious difficulties this is causing for school principals and managers throughout the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10707/17]
Wed, 1 Mar 2017
written
Schools Building Projects Status
Joan Burton
185. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he has received the tender documents and stage 2b documentation for a school (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10763/17]
Wed, 1 Mar 2017
written
State Examinations
Joan Burton
186. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to mitigate the impact of the proposed strike action by the ASTI on students sitting their leaving certificate and junior certificate examinations; the contingency plans and alternative arrangements he has in place for leaving certificate and junior certificate examination students; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10764/17]
Wed, 1 Mar 2017
written
Flood Relief Schemes Funding
Joan Burton
230. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he has formally approved funding for the lower Morrell river flood relief scheme in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10631/17]
Tue, 28 Feb 2017
oral
EU Meetings
Joan Burton
9. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Taoiseach the contact he has had with the Italian Prime Minister, Paolo Gentiloni, regarding his publicly stated support for the concept of a two speed EU in advance of the EU summit to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the Treaty of Rome. [8525/17]
Tue, 28 Feb 2017
oral
EU Meetings
Joan Burton
15. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Taoiseach if he will report on his meeting with Belgian Prime Minister Charles Michel in Brussels on 23 January 2017. [10458/17]
Tue, 28 Feb 2017
oral
EU Meetings
Joan Burton
16. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Taoiseach if he will report on his meeting with European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker on 23 January 2017. [10459/17]
Tue, 28 Feb 2017
oral
Mortgage Resolution Processes
Joan Burton
39. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Finance the progress made in supporting families in mortgage distress; his plans to further assist persons and families in mortgage difficulty and ensure they stay in the family home; if his attention has been drawn to the banks' failure to cut deals with mortgage holders in distress, including writing down loans; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10337/17]
Tue, 28 Feb 2017
oral
Employment Rights
Joan Burton
44. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Finance when the results of the consultation process concerning the impact of bogus self-employment arrangements will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9983/17]
Tue, 28 Feb 2017
written
Motor Insurance Regulation
Joan Burton
50. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Finance his plans to deter further increases in the cost of motor insurance; when he plans to implement such proposals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9985/17]
Tue, 28 Feb 2017
written
Banking Sector Remuneration
Joan Burton
52. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Finance his views regarding the incessant lobbying of representative groups for leading bankers to have pay rises and pay rise caps either raised or abolished; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9984/17]
Tue, 28 Feb 2017
written
Customs and Excise Controls
Joan Burton
61. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Finance the studies the Revenue Commissioners have taken to identify possible customs posts on the Border, North and South; the locations that have been examined for these posts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9982/17]
Tue, 28 Feb 2017
written
EU Meetings
Joan Burton
80. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Finance the contact he has had with the European Commissioner for Competition, Ms Margrethe Vestager. [1817/17]
Tue, 28 Feb 2017
written
Garda Deployment
Joan Burton
158. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of gardaí allocated to the Blanchardstown Garda division; the number of community gardaí assigned to that district; the number of new recruits assigned to Dublin 15; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10185/17]
Tue, 28 Feb 2017
written
Financial Services Regulation
Joan Burton
191. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Finance the proposals he is currently considering to ensure that mortgage holders, tenants and SMEs that have loans or credit from non-bank lenders or vulture funds are fully protected; if consideration is being given to 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. [9931/17]
Tue, 28 Feb 2017
written
Ireland Strategic Investment Fund Investments
Joan Burton
192. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Finance the amount of funding that has been made available through the Ireland Strategic Investment Fund 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. [9932/17]
Tue, 28 Feb 2017
written
Stability and Growth Pact
Joan Burton
193. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Finance his views on the recent comments made by the Dutch Minister for Finance and the Chairman of the eurozone Finance Ministers, 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. [9933/17]
Tue, 28 Feb 2017
written
Brexit Issues
Joan Burton
194. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Finance the preparations and contingency plans his Department 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. [9934/17]
Tue, 28 Feb 2017
written
Banking Sector
Joan Burton
195. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Finance the way in which the annual €150 million banking levy will be calculated as it extends to 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9935/17]
Tue, 28 Feb 2017
written
Banks Recapitalisation
Joan Burton
196. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Finance if he expects that the State will still move to sell off all or part of a bank (details supplied); the estimated timeframe for this; the expected yield to the Exchequer; if this yield will be ring-fenced for a particular purpose; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9936/17]
Tue, 28 Feb 2017
written
Economic Growth
Joan Burton
197. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Finance the status of the proposed development of alternative models for forecasting medium-term potential growth as has been suggested by the Irish Fiscal Advisory Council as an additional safeguard for detecting overheating in the economy. [9937/17]