I wish to advise the House of the following matters in respect of which notice has been given to me under Standing Order 20 (3) (a) and the name of the Member in each case: (1) Deputy Michael Ferris — the proposals, if any, the Minister for Health has to set up a national programme for treatment of alcoholism which would bring together various strands of expertise in the country; (2) Deputy Noel Ahern — the matter of all new entrants on community employment development programmes; the reason changes were made on 24 February; and whether some conditions have since been partly reversed; (3) Deputy Alan Dukes — the proposed sale by Teagasc of its headquarters at 19 Sandymount Avenue, Ballsbridge, Dublin 4; (4) Deputy Bernard Allen — the on-going plight of a slightly retarded 15-year-old juvenile who has been unable to obtain schooling for almost two years and the failure of the statutory bodies to accommodate him; (5) Deputy John Bruton — the lack of adequate second level school places for post-primary pupils in Dunboyne, County Meath; (6) Deputy Michael Lowry — the closure of Tipperary Textiles in Thurles with the loss of 64 jobs; (7) Deputy Theresa Ahearn — the complete cessation of orthodontic services in south Tipperary, due to the lack of essential X-ray equipment, resulting in the cancellation of appointments for the past four months and (8) Deputy Ivan Yates — the proposed sale of the Government's stake in Greencore and matters arising therefrom.
I have selected for discussion the matters raised by the following Deputies:— (1) Deputy Michael Lowry; (2) Deputy Michael Ferris; and (3) Deputy John Bruton.