Ceisteanna Parlaiminte

Schools Building Projects Status

Bernard Durkan

156. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the extent to which he expects to meet in full all projects outlined in the capital programme for the current and subsequent years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18535/16]

Schools Recognition

Bernard Durkan

157. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the degree to which he expects to ensure the viable operation and retention of smaller rural or urban schools including those with a particular ethos; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18536/16]

Teachers' Remuneration

Bernard Durkan

158. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the degree to which he can in the short to medium term address the issue of lower pay for younger teachers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18537/16]

Special Educational Needs Staff

Bernard Durkan

159. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he expects to be in a position to meet the full requirement in respect of special needs assistants in the current and future years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18538/16]

Teacher Recruitment

Bernard Durkan

160. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the extent to which extra teachers have been recruited to meet the emerging needs at primary and second level; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18539/16]

Schools Building Projects Status

Bernard Durkan

161. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the schools building programme for County Kildare over the next four years in respect of primary and second level schools, new and refurbishments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18540/16]

School Staff

Bernard Durkan

162. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the total current number of career guidance teachers and the likely increase over the coming years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18541/16]

Social Welfare Appeals

Bernard Durkan

248. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the correct rate of payment due to a person (details supplied) whose appeal has been allowed under the disability allowance scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17966/16]

Invalidity Pension Eligibility

Bernard Durkan

260. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection to indicate eligibility for invalidity pension in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18062/16]

Nursing Homes Support Scheme Appeals

Bernard Durkan

377. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the progress to date in the determination of an appeal for assistance under the fair deal scheme in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17982/16]

Infrastructure and Capital Investment Programme

Bernard Durkan

6. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Finance the extent to which he is exploring options to fund strategic infrastructural capital projects to meet housing, transport and energy requirements off balance sheet in a way sufficient to meet infrastructural deficits and comply with prudent banking regulations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17482/16]

Mortgage Resolution Processes

Bernard Durkan

29. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Finance to indicate, having regard to the many sacrifices and considerable progress made in the aftermath of the banking collapse, if the lending institutions might now be encouraged to accommodate borrowers who have made reasonable efforts to meet their mortgage or borrowing repayments in respect of loans, particularly those loans which were by today's standards unsustainable from the outset; if the lending institutions might refrain from repossessions until an amicable and reasonable solution can be found to meet the requirements of borrowers and lenders, and that the acquisition of loan books by third parties would not frustrate these objectives; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17481/16]

Residency Permits

Bernard Durkan

80. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the residency status or eligibility to achieve long-term residency and naturalisation in the case of persons (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17874/16]

Residency Permits

Bernard Durkan

81. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if she will re-examine the residency status in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17875/16]

Asylum Applications

Bernard Durkan

82. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the status of the determination of residency entitlement and eligibility for naturalisation in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17876/16]

Immigration Status

Bernard Durkan

83. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the residency status in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17878/16]

Residency Permits

Bernard Durkan

84. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if she will review the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17880/16]

Home Repossessions

Bernard Durkan

94. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Finance the extent to which the lending institutions are proceeding on foot of instructions from the Central Bank in the matter of repossession of family homes or buy-to-let properties, the consequences of which will greatly exacerbate the housing problem, thereby illustrating a critical infrastructural weakness in respect of which a specific response might be required; if it is expected that such a response can issue in the short term; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17758/16]

Home Repossessions

Bernard Durkan

95. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Finance the extent to which he can address the situation arising from potential large-scale repossession of family homes, directly or indirectly, through the repossession of buy-to-let properties; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17759/16]

Home Repossessions

Bernard Durkan

96. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Finance the extent to which the Central Bank can encourage the lending institutions to forego repossessions of family homes or buy-to-let properties with particular reference to the need to accommodate borrowers who continue to make every effort to make regular payments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17760/16]

Home Repossessions

Bernard Durkan

97. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Finance the extent to which the Central Bank is likely to encourage lending agencies to forego repossessions and accommodate borrowers who continue to make regular and maximum affordable repayments, having particular regard to the fact that the lending institutions were themselves the beneficiaries of an ongoing facility by way of bailout; if it is expected that such considerations might be evaluated in the shortest possible time; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17761/16]

Budget Targets

Bernard Durkan

98. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Finance the extent to which budgetary projections remain on target for the balance of the current year; the extent to which he expects any adjustments to be required in 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17762/16]

Inflation Rate

Bernard Durkan

99. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Finance the extent to which any inflationary indicators have been detected in the economy which might require correction; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17763/16]

Economic Data

Bernard Durkan

100. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Finance the extent to which he remains satisfied that all economic indicators remain stable and consistent with requirements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17764/16]

Housing Issues

Bernard Durkan

101. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Finance the extent to which he sees opportunities for incentives to encourage the construction sector to embark on an accelerated house building programme given the necessity to ensure that the benefits of any measures are passed on to the buyer, with particular reference to those attempting to purchase a family home; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17765/16]

House Prices

Bernard Durkan

102. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Finance the extent to which he remains satisfied that first-time house buyers or the purchasers of a family home will not be priced out of the market in the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17766/16]

Loan Books Purchasers

Bernard Durkan

103. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Finance if provision can be made statutorily or otherwise to ensure that venture capital purchasers of loan books are required to comply with guidelines set down by the Central Bank and the need to ensure the ongoing accommodation of borrowers who continue to make consistent efforts to meet repayment requirements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17767/16]

Economic Competitiveness

Bernard Durkan

104. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Finance the extent to which he remains satisfied regarding the continued competitiveness of the economy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17768/16]

UK Referendum on EU Membership

Bernard Durkan

105. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Finance the extent to which he has evaluated the likely future impact on financial and other markets in the event of a United Kingdom exit from the European Union; if events in the debate to date have been reflected in the markets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17769/16]

Mortgage Interest Rates

Bernard Durkan

106. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Finance the extent to which variable mortgage interest rate charges can be brought into line with those applicable in adjoining jurisdictions, eurozone and otherwise; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17770/16]

Carer's Benefit Payments

Bernard Durkan

169. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection if half-rate carer's payment will be restored, as a matter of urgency, in the case of a person (details supplied) on a full-time basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17724/16]

Jobseeker's Allowance Payments

Bernard Durkan

184. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection when arrears of jobseeker's allowance will be paid in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17871/16]

Carer's Allowance Appeals

Bernard Durkan

185. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection if, given the medical evidence available in the case of a person (details supplied) a review and or appeal will take into account the up-to-date medical evidence available in respect of the person's spouse who is the subject of the person's application under the carer's allowance scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17872/16]

Rent Supplement Scheme Eligibility

Bernard Durkan

186. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection to indicate, notwithstanding the replies to previous parliamentary questions on the matter, whether the proceeds of a family home arising from a family settlement which accrued to a person (details supplied) must be completely dissipated before the person can qualify for rent support; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17873/16]

Carer's Allowance Appeals

Bernard Durkan

187. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection to indicate, notwithstanding replies to previous parliamentary questions in the case, if he is aware of the hardship currently being suffered by a family due to the cessation of carer's allowance in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17877/16]

Rent Supplement Scheme Applications

Bernard Durkan

188. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection if and when rent support in line with current rent of €900 per month will be awarded in the case of a person (details supplied); if any increase will be backdated to 1 February 2016 from when the rent was increased from €690 to the current rate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17881/16]

Home Help Service Provision

Bernard Durkan

217. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health if additional home help hours will be facilitated in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17651/16]

Medical Card Applications

Bernard Durkan

259. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health if and when a medical card will issue in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17879/16]

Garda Operations

Bernard Durkan

19. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the extent to which policing methods are in line with best practice internationally, with reference to the need to ensure adequate rapid deployment capability and the optimum use of resources in terms of location and response to various criminal challenges, while at the same time maintaining good relations with the public; if she will bring about particular initiatives of a helpful nature in the ongoing battle against criminal activity, including further amendments to the bail laws; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17128/16]

Garda Operations

Bernard Durkan

44. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality her plans and proposals to enhance the fight against organised crime with reference to the need to protect law-abiding communities, challenge the membership and activity of criminal gangs, mobilise and adequately equip the relevant units in An Garda Síochána, arrange for any required changes in legislation and utilise the services of Europol and Interpol with a view to discouraging and disincentivising the formation and activity of criminal gangs; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17127/16]

Gangland Crime

Bernard Durkan

80. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality her proposals to encourage support for An Garda Síochána in its fight against criminal activity, including criminal gangs; if she is satisfied regarding the resources available to the force to meet this challenge; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17602/16]

Garda Strength

Bernard Durkan

81. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the extent to which she expects the strength of An Garda Síochána to increase over the next three years and in such numbers to reassure members of the public concerning their right to live in safety without fear or threat from criminal activity; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17603/16]

Garda Resources

Bernard Durkan

82. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the extent to which she can give assurance that adequate resources remain available to An Garda Síochána to intensify policing activity in areas currently beset with the threat of criminal gangs; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17604/16]

Organised Crime

Bernard Durkan

83. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the extent to which best policing practices continue to be put in place to meet the threat of organised or other criminal activity; if other police forces throughout Europe or globally have identified the optimum in this regard; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17605/16]

Crime Prevention

Bernard Durkan

84. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the extent to which legislative changes to criminal law are contemplated with particular reference to the availability of bail to recidivists; if lessons can be learned from other jurisdictions in this regard; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17606/16]

Legal Aid

Bernard Durkan

85. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the extent to which free legal aid is abused by criminals; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17607/16]

Garda Transport Provision

Bernard Durkan

86. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the extent to which she expects to be in a position to enhance the transport fleet of An Garda Síochána throughout County Kildare and the country in general, with particular reference to meeting the requirements as set out by the Garda Síochána authorities in the respective divisions; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17608/16]

Garda Resources

Bernard Durkan

87. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the extent to which policing practices here are in line with those applicable in other jurisdictions, with particular reference to the availability to the police of the relevant resources required at all levels, including foot and motorcycle patrols to facilitate community policing and the use of modern technology, intelligence and rapid response to challenge emerging criminal activity; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17609/16]

Crime Prevention

Bernard Durkan

88. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the extent to which the proscription of membership of criminal gangs continues to be considered in areas experiencing such activity; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17610/16]

Gangland Crime

Bernard Durkan

89. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the extent to which An Garda Síochána can engage with and offer support to local communities that have suffered or continue to suffer from the attention and influence of criminal gangs; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17611/16]