Ceisteanna Parlaiminte

Education Policy

Bernard Durkan

281. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the degree to which he foresees the use of innovation as a means of perfecting the education system as well as meeting the market-based challenges in the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37118/21]

Scientific Research

Bernard Durkan

282. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the extent to which he expects the sciences to play a major part in meeting the standards required in the workplace in the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37119/21]

Further and Higher Education

Bernard Durkan

283. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the extent to which he and his Department have planned for the likely increased demand in fourth-level education in the future with particular reference to the need to stay in pace with or at least on par with international trends; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37120/21]

Third Level Education

Bernard Durkan

284. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the expected number of fourth-level graduates in both technical and academic sectors in the future in terms of the demand and the ability to meet that demand; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37121/21]

Research and Development

Bernard Durkan

285. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the extent to which he sees research playing a major role in competitiveness in the future; the likelihood of meeting the demand in full; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37122/21]

Scientific Research

Bernard Durkan

286. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the ambitions of his Department in expanding the role of the sciences in the future and in particular the ability to meet opportunities likely to arise; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37123/21]

Labour Market

Bernard Durkan

287. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the extent to which he sees the demand for innovation extending in the future in the field of job opportunities; if he remains satisfied regarding the ability of the higher education system to meet the challenges in the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37124/21]

Third Level Education

Bernard Durkan

288. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of places currently taken up by fourth-level education students throughout the country; the extent to which these numbers incorporate the academic and technical sectors; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37125/21]

Third Level Education

Bernard Durkan

289. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of fourth-level graduates expected in each of the next five years covering the technical and academic spheres; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37126/21]

Scientific Research

Bernard Durkan

290. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the extent to which centres of excellence are being developed at technical and academic levels in order to meet requirements in the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37127/21]

Labour Market

Bernard Durkan

291. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the extent to which his Department interacts with the various professionals at academic and technical levels with a view to determining the higher level requirements in the future; the extent to which it is anticipated to meet market demands arising therefrom; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37128/21]

Bullying in Educational Institutions

Bernard Durkan

292. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the extent to which his Department continues to monitor incidents of professional bullying throughout the higher education system; the extent to which action has been taken or is proposed to deal with such issues in the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37129/21]

Education Policy

Bernard Durkan

293. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the extent to which his Department monitors the use of innovation as a means of advancing the preparedness of the education system to meet the challenges of the future; the way this best manifests itself; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37130/21]

Further and Higher Education

Bernard Durkan

294. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the extent to which he and his Department can foresee opportunities in the future for fourth-level graduates given current market demands; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37131/21]

Research and Development

Bernard Durkan

295. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the extent to which his Department continues to encourage research by various means with a view to meeting the highest possible level of achievement in the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37132/21]

Further and Higher Education

Bernard Durkan

296. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the extent to which provision is being made throughout the third-level system to facilitate those wishing to achieve the highest possible qualifications in technical and academic areas through apprenticeships or otherwise; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37133/21]

Crime Prevention

Bernard Durkan

310. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice the extent to which organised drug-related crime continues to grow; the degree to which her Department continues to be in a position to meet the challenges ahead; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37094/21]

An Garda Síochána

Bernard Durkan

311. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice the number of women currently in An Garda Síochána; the extent to which their numbers have fluctuated over the past five years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37095/21]

Crime Prevention

Bernard Durkan

312. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice the extent to which drug related criminality has grown in the past ten years; the measures in hand to deal with the issue; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37096/21]

Crime Prevention

Bernard Durkan

313. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice the number of criminal gang members currently in prison or facing trial; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37097/21]

Crime Prevention

Bernard Durkan

314. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice the extent to which recidivism is evident in the context of various levels of offences; the groups most seriously affected; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37098/21]

Crime Prevention

Bernard Durkan

315. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice the number of offences committed by persons while on bail for one or more offences in each of the past five years to date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37099/21]

Crime Prevention

Bernard Durkan

316. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice the extent to which changes in the pattern of recidivism has been noted in any or each of the past five years to date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37100/21]

Prison Service

Bernard Durkan

317. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice the extent to which an adequate number of prison spaces remain available to meet the demand; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37101/21]

Prison Service

Bernard Durkan

318. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice the number of prisoners who have absconded while on early release, temporary release, supervised and unsupervised, in each of the past five years to date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37102/21]

Crime Prevention

Bernard Durkan

319. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice the degree to which the activities of the major criminal gangs have been restricted in the course of the past five years to date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37103/21]

Policing Co-operation

Bernard Durkan

320. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice if the police authorities here and throughout Europe remain in contact and consultation with each other with a view to restricting the activity of criminal gangs; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37104/21]

Crime Prevention

Bernard Durkan

321. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice the average number of accused persons on bail at any given time in the past five years; the number of crimes committed by such persons while on bail; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37105/21]

Missing Persons

Bernard Durkan

322. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice the number of persons still recorded as missing persons for several years; the extent to which efforts continue to be made to locate them; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37108/21]

An Garda Síochána

Bernard Durkan

323. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice the strength of An Garda Síochána at present; the number of gardaí due to retire in each of the next five years; the level of recruitment likely in the same period; the extent to which recruitment levels are likely to be sufficient to replenish the strength of the force; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37109/21]

An Garda Síochána

Bernard Durkan

324. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice the degree to which adequate deployment of gardaí has been achieved in order to ensure an equal level of policing in all areas throughout the country at any given time; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37111/21]

An Garda Síochána

Bernard Durkan

325. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice the number of potential homicide cases that currently remain listed as unsolved; if a cold case team reviews evidence in such cases on a regular basis; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37112/21]

An Garda Síochána

Bernard Durkan

326. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice the number of cold cases that have been resolved in recent years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37113/21]

Forestry Sector

Bernard Durkan

327. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the capacity of each species of tree, native or otherwise grown here to sequester various carbons; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37136/21]

Climate Action Plan

Bernard Durkan

337. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the extent to which every avenue is being investigated to maximise the use of carbon sequestration as a means of meeting emission requirements in the future without disruption of the dairy or meat production sector having particular regard to the central role played by the agriculture sector in the aftermath of the economic crash and the well-known sustainability of the food producing sector here; the degree to which studies of various species of trees show that they can continue to store various greenhouse gases; if regular contact between his Department and the Department of Environment, Climate and Communication is maintained in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37134/21]

Pigmeat Sector

Bernard Durkan

338. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the extent to which his Department has studied submissions from representatives (details supplied) of the pigmeat sector with particular reference to the extent to which the industry is expected to conform to new regulations; the time within which such changes may take place; the extent to which assistance is available to the industry to meet such requirements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37137/21]

Flexible Work Practices

Bernard Durkan

55. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform when further information will be available on the future remote working policy for the public and Civil Service with particular reference to implementation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36644/21]

Social Welfare Benefits

Bernard Durkan

90. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection if a full review will take place into the application for jobseeker’s allowance in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36706/21]

Citizenship Applications

Bernard Durkan

110. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice the progress to date in the determination of an application for citizenship in the case of a person (details supplied) who applied in 2019; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36673/21]

Vaccination Programme

Bernard Durkan

139. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the reason for delays for vaccination appointments at the vaccination centre Punchestown, County Kildare; the actions being taken to address same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30448/21]

Home Care Packages

Bernard Durkan

146. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the procurement and tendering process for homecare services within the HSE; when a person (details supplied) will receive clarification regarding the procedures; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30455/21]

Health Services

Bernard Durkan

165. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the number of rare diseases currently identified in Ireland; the extent to which various medications are available, are approval-pending or awaiting reimbursement approval; the number of patients affected; the expected timescale to bring matters up to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30474/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Bernard Durkan

166. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the degree to which his Department has examined the number of appliances currently available on the market to facilitate air purification, some with an ability to remove 100% of viruses; if these appliances can or have been examined with a view to determining their suitability for certain areas in hospitals, nursing homes or other indoor locations with a view to further curtailing the potential spread of Covid-19 or its variants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30475/21]

Child and Family Agency

Bernard Durkan

62. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the extent to which the number of reports received affecting the safety and well-being of children of all ages received during the lockdown period or since the beginning of the pandemic have been fully investigated to the satisfaction of the complainants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36213/21]

Child Protection

Bernard Durkan

85. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the extent to which ongoing efforts continue to be made to augment services for the protection of children with particular reference to the need for early response and safe and secure placement in circumstances in which threatening issues have arisen; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36214/21]

Tax Rebates

Bernard Durkan

170. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Finance if all refunds in respect of overpayment of tax in 2014 and 2015 in the case of a person (details supplied) have now issued; if not, when they will issue; the reason for non-issue to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36018/21]

Building Regulations

Bernard Durkan

220. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the extent to which he anticipates an improvement in terms of accessibility to all new build dwellings in order to facilitate in the widest way possible the needs of persons with disabilities in preference to retrospective provision of such facilities with obvious value for money benefits; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36469/21]

Housing Provision

Bernard Durkan

224. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Housing; Local Government and Heritage the number of housing projects currently available and ready to go in respect of private or public sectors by county; the specific or particular obstacles to enabling such projects to proceed immediately in the event of there being a common problem; if the issue can be addressed in early date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35901/21]

Building Regulations

Bernard Durkan

236. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will provide information on his Department's review of siting and size conditions for rooftop solar panels on homes and the review of exemptions for educational and community buildings as part of the current development of interim planning regulations; if he will provide information on the need to consider environmental assessment reporting before finalisation; when the interim planning regulations will be submitted to the Houses of the Oireachtas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36173/21]

Social Welfare Payments

Bernard Durkan

336. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the amount of social protection payments made to a person (details supplied) to date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35857/21]

Social Welfare Schemes

Bernard Durkan

346. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the eligibility for the back to education allowance in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36020/21]

State Pensions

Bernard Durkan

362. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of an invalidity pension in the case of a person (details supplied) in respect of which a review was requested on foot of updated documentation from their general practitioner; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36378/21]

Child Protection

Bernard Durkan

395. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the extent to which he has plans to expand or improve facilities for children with particular reference to children at risk or potentially at risk; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36470/21]

Child Protection

Bernard Durkan

396. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the extent to which it is intended to develop an early response or alert system to address issues arising in respect of children at risk; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36471/21]

Child Protection

Bernard Durkan

397. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth his plans for a review of cases of children at risk brought to the attention of his Department during the Covid-19 pandemic; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36472/21]

Youth Services

Bernard Durkan

398. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the extent to which the need has arisen to develop and expand youth services with particular reference to issues that may have arisen during the Covid-19 pandemic; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36473/21]

Youth Services

Bernard Durkan

399. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the extent to which his Department continues to liaise with youth representatives with a view to establishing the highest possible contact and dialogue in order to meet their requirements to an even greater extent; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36474/21]

Immigration Support Services

Bernard Durkan

400. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the extent to which the integration programmes available through his Department continue to be of direct assistance to the relevant cohort; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36475/21]

Departmental Policies

Bernard Durkan

401. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the steps he has taken or continues to take to address social and or economic disadvantage amongst the youth cohort; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36476/21]

Immigration Support Services

Bernard Durkan

402. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of cases in respect of which satisfactory integration programmes have been initiated in each particular area throughout the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36477/21]

Equality Issues

Bernard Durkan

403. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the extent to which equality issues continue to arise within his Department; the extent to which these issues are being addressed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36478/21]

Departmental Data

Bernard Durkan

404. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of children currently in foster or other care in State or private institutions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36479/21]

Child Protection

Bernard Durkan

405. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the extent to which adequate reporting facilities are available in respect of children at risk; if the augmentation of such services is required; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36480/21]

Early Childhood Care and Education

Bernard Durkan

406. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the estimated fall in the number of ECCE places for September 2021; the indicative number of children who will commence and continue in ECCE in September 2021; the way this compares with 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36481/21]

Child Protection

Bernard Durkan

407. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the extent to which he remains satisfied that adequate counselling, support and rescue services remain available through his Department to meet the requirements of at-risk children; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36482/21]

Third Level Education

Bernard Durkan

415. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science when a SUSI payment will issue in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36019/21]

Citizenship Applications

Bernard Durkan

435. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice the steps now being taken to progress the application for citizenship in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35841/21]

Medical Cards

Bernard Durkan

511. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the progress to date in processing medical card renewals in the case of persons (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29736/21]

Vaccination Programme

Bernard Durkan

532. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health when the Covid-19 vaccine will be made available to a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29869/21]

Special Educational Needs

Bernard Durkan

54. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education the extent to which special needs requirements as set out by the relevant school authorities continue to be met in full at primary and second-level schools throughout the country including County Kildare; if any particular delays are being experienced in this regard; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35278/21]

School Accommodation

Bernard Durkan

101. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education the extent to which her Department continues to respond expeditiously to requests for new schools or extensions to existing schools at primary and second-level throughout the country including County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35277/21]

Social Welfare Benefits

Bernard Durkan

143. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the extent to which her Department continues to respond expeditiously to applications for various social welfare payments some of which may be Covid-related and some otherwise; if she will ensure that the response is in line with the urgency of the particular case; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35279/21]

Social Welfare Appeals

Bernard Durkan

146. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the extent to which she expects appeals against various social welfare decisions to be facilitated in early date including oral hearings; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35280/21]

Special Educational Needs

Bernard Durkan

258. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education the extent to which she remains satisfied regarding the adequacy of provisions made for children requiring special needs teaching; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35723/21]

State Examinations

Bernard Durkan

259. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education the extent to which she remains confident regarding the provisions made to facilitate leaving and junior certificate exams in 2021; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35725/21]

School Facilities

Bernard Durkan

260. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education the extent to which she has been in a position to respond to requests for upgrading of accommodation at existing primary and second-level schools in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35730/21]

School Facilities

Bernard Durkan

261. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education the extent to which she and her Department have been in a position to respond to requests for upgraded additional school accommodation as identified by the various school authorities at primary and post-primary levels in County Kildare; the extent to which she can accelerate this programme with particular reference to the obvious need arising from demographics; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35731/21]

School Facilities

Bernard Durkan

262. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education the extent to which she and her Department have been in a position to respond to requests for upgraded additional school accommodation as identified by the various school authorities at primary and post-primary levels throughout the country; the extent to which she can accelerate this programme with particular reference to the obvious need arising from demographics; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35732/21]

School Staff

Bernard Durkan

263. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education the total number of teachers currently employed at primary throughout the country; the extent to which this meets requirements at the present time; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35733/21]

School Staff

Bernard Durkan

264. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education the total number of teachers currently employed at second level throughout the country; the extent to which this meets requirements at the present time; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35734/21]

School Staff

Bernard Durkan

265. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education the total number of teachers currently employed at second level throughout County Kildare; the extent to which this meets requirements at the present time; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35735/21]

School Staff

Bernard Durkan

266. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education the total number of teachers currently employed at primary throughout County Kildare; the extent to which this meets requirements at the present time; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35736/21]

School Facilities

Bernard Durkan

267. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education the degree to which she expects to be in a position to provide minor improvement works to primary schools throughout County Kildare by way of the summer works scheme or otherwise; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35737/21]

School Facilities

Bernard Durkan

268. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education the degree to which she expects to be in a position to provide minor improvement works to second-level schools throughout County Kildare by way of the summer works scheme or otherwise; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35738/21]

Schools Building Projects

Bernard Durkan

269. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education the number and location of primary schools throughout County Kildare with a requirement for improvement and upgrade works of a major or minor nature; the extent to which such works are in hand or currently scheduled; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35739/21]

Schools Building Projects

Bernard Durkan

270. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education the extent to which she and her Department have agreed to provide new second-level schools at precise locations throughout County Kildare; the extent to which such works are in hand or ongoing; the schedule for the projects concerned; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35740/21]

Special Educational Needs

Bernard Durkan

271. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education the extent to which special needs placements remain available at primary and post-primary schools throughout County Kildare; the adequacy of such provision at the present time; the extent to which she anticipates an increase in the level of such places in the course of the next twelve months; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35741/21]

School Staff

Bernard Durkan

272. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education the extent to which she remains satisfied regarding the adequacy of the number of teachers currently employed at primary and second-level schools throughout County Kildare; if she anticipates improvements resulting in a reduction in the pupil-teacher ratio at both levels; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35742/21]

School Staff

Bernard Durkan

273. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education the extent to which she anticipates an improvement in the pupil teacher ratio at all primary and post-primary schools throughout the country; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35743/21]

School Enrolments

Bernard Durkan

274. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education the extent to which the enrolment process at primary-school level remains amenable to most families throughout the country; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35744/21]

School Transport

Bernard Durkan

275. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education the extent to which the school transport system is being monitored with a view to ensuring resolution of most argumentative issues that have arisen in respect of primary and post-primary school transport; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35745/21]

School Funding

Bernard Durkan

276. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education the degree to which provision continues to be made to ensure the viability of smaller and denominational rural or urban schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35746/21]

School Accommodation

Bernard Durkan

277. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education the extent to which progress continues to be made towards permanent accommodation for a Gaelcholáiste in Maynooth, County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35747/21]

School Facilities

Bernard Durkan

278. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education the time schedule for the provision of new second-level facilities at a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35748/21]

School Facilities

Bernard Durkan

279. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education the progress and expected date for the completion of replacement facilities at a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35749/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Bernard Durkan

306. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the extent to which the level of Covid-19 related payments has tapered off in recent weeks; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35713/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Bernard Durkan

307. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the extent to which there are indications that persons on the pandemic unemployment payment have returned to their previous employment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35714/21]

Youth Unemployment

Bernard Durkan

308. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the extent to which she and her Department have continued to monitor youth unemployment levels; the extent to which such levels have increased or otherwise in recent weeks; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35715/21]

Labour Market

Bernard Durkan

309. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the extent to which she foresees an improvement culminating in a drop in unemployment levels in all age cohorts as we approach quarter four in 2021; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35716/21]

Social Welfare Benefits

Bernard Durkan

310. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the extent to which exceptional needs payments have been availed of in the past 12 months by various applicants in terms of age profile; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35717/21]