Ceisteanna Parlaiminte

Schools Building Projects Expenditure

Michael Fitzmaurice

115. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Education and Skills if she has negotiated a summer works grant scheme for which schools may apply; the size of the budget available for the scheme; when applications will be accepted; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3486/15]

Pupil-Teacher Ratio

Michael Fitzmaurice

117. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Education and Skills if the pupil teacher ratio in two, three and four-teacher schools will be reduced prior to the commencement of the new school year in September; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3487/15]

Student Grant Scheme Administration

Michael Fitzmaurice

122. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Education and Skills if the threshold relating to the third level grants scheme will be raised to accommodate the children of working persons, including teachers, who can no longer afford to pay for third level education due to the imposition of pension levies and the universal social charge; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3338/15]

Departmental Properties

Michael Fitzmaurice

131. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Education and Skills if adequate funding will be provided to maximise the potential of the apprenticeship training centre in Mount Lucas, County Westmeath; the rent that is being paid to Bord na Móna for the property; the duration of the lease; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3341/15]

Capitation Grants

Michael Fitzmaurice

136. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Education and Skills if she will restore the capitation grant for primary schools to its previous level to help the survival of these schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3342/15]

School Curriculum

Michael Fitzmaurice

139. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Education and Skills her views on having transition year used for a series of pre-mini apprenticeship courses allowing students to better explore their prospective further education choices before embarking on the course proper, thereby reducing the drop out rate and expenditure on uncompleted courses; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3339/15]

Schools Building Projects Status

Michael Fitzmaurice

147. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Education and Skills when building works on schools (details supplied) in counties Leitrim and Roscommon will commence; when both new schools are scheduled for completion; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3340/15]

Haddington Road Agreement Implementation

Michael Fitzmaurice

304. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Justice and Equality further to Parliamentary Question No. 187 of 14 January 2015, the reasons specific to her Department the workforce de-layering has not yet been achieved within her Department, as it has in the Health Service Executive in line with section 3.11, workforce restructuring, of the Haddington Road agreement and section 4.2.1 - iii, develop options for workforce de-layering, start Q1 2014, end Q4 2014, of the action plan, appendix 1 of the Public Service Reform Plan 2014-2016; if she will initiate workforce de-layering with immediate effect; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3619/15]

Hospital Investigations

Michael Fitzmaurice

374. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Health his views on a file (details supplied) sent to him in June 2014 regarding the death of a person in Castlebar hospital on 15 February 2013; if he will refer this matter to the Health Information and Quality Authority and apologise to the person's family for the substandard care the person received between his admission on 7 February 2013 and his death in Castlebar hospital on 15 February 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3615/15]

Apprenticeship Programmes

Michael Fitzmaurice

429. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Education and Skills if she will permit students to go directly into apprenticeships after their junior cycle exams where such students, though gifted in certain fields, may be uninterested in pursuing further academic studies at that point; if she will leave open the option of their returning to sit the leaving certificate should they later change their minds; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3380/15]

Industrial Disputes

Michael Fitzmaurice

430. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Education and Skills the actions being taken to resolve the junior cycle dispute with teachers; if a resolution is imminent; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3381/15]

Michael Fitzmaurice

476. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Education and Skills the reason, when completing the primary online database forms, parents are being asked for their children's PPS numbers and religion; the repercussions for pupils, parents and schools in circumstances where parents decline to hand over this sensitive information; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3758/15]

Special Areas of Conservation Appeals

Michael Fitzmaurice

620. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if she will provide a list of all appeals conducted by the Designated Areas Appeals Advisory Board in 2013 and 2014 on objections to the designation of sites to include; the location of each designated site regarding which an appeal was conducted; the outcome of each appeal; if an oral hearing formed part of the appeal; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3863/15]

Hospital Services

Michael Fitzmaurice

473. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Health if the accident and emergency department in Portiuncula Hospital, Ballinasloe, County Galway is to be downgraded by having its opening hours reduced to 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. or a 12-hour accident and emergency department in the year up to 31 December 2015; if the maternity unit in the hospital will be downgraded or closed in the year up to 31 December 2015; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2820/15]

Schools Site Acquisitions

Michael Fitzmaurice

626. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if, after recent meetings with the Caherlistrange-Kilcoona community council, and having seen first hand the site in County Galway, she will facilitate the purchase of the lands, eight acres approximately, on behalf of the Irish people; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2733/15]

Bank Charges

Michael Fitzmaurice

62. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Finance his views on the banks' charging of a €10 penalty when there is insufficient funds available in a current account to complete direct debit transaction; his further views that the imposition of such arbitrary and punitive penalties are especially unfair on the part of the bailed out banks in view of the cost of the bank bailout to Irish citizens and business alike, almost certainly contributed to the lack of funds in the first place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1937/15]

Student Grant Scheme Eligibility

Michael Fitzmaurice

210. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Education and Skills if she will review the situation whereby a student who elects to do a course of equal level as a previously completed course is denied any grant aid; her views that this is a highly restrictive factor and that many persons who would like to re-educate themselves are prevented from doing so as a direct result of this restriction; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1949/15]

Social Welfare Benefits Eligibility

Michael Fitzmaurice

49. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection her views that persons who have earned through their contributions an entitlement to a widow's-widower's contributory pension should not be denied the benefit of their entitlements because they are working on a community employment scheme on which they continue making contributions; in the interests of justice and fairness her plans to remove the widow's-widower's contributory pension from section 39(1) of the Act; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49724/14]

Departmental Staff

Michael Fitzmaurice

187. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the reason workforce de-layering has not yet been achieved within his Department as it has in the Health Service Executive in line with section 3.11 (Workforce Restructuring) of the Haddington Road Agreement and section 4.2.1 - iii. (Develop options for workforce de-layering, Start Q1 2014, End Q4 2014) of the action plan, appendix 1 of the Public Service Reform Plan 2014-2016; if he will initiate workforce de-layering within his Department with immediate effect; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49651/14]

Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission Investigations

Michael Fitzmaurice

413. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the reason the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission failed to conduct a proper investigation into a complaint against gardaí made by a specific person (details supplied) arising out of an incident on 14 July 2013; the reason GSOC did not get a professional transcript of an audio recording of that incident prior to dismissing the complaint; her views that a paper review by counsel is a sufficient response to such a serious incident; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49658/14]

Hospital Services

Michael Fitzmaurice

548. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Health if he will confirm the full implementation of the Donohue and Walsh recommendations, August 2013, following their review of the care provided by Castlebar General Hospital in respect of a person (details supplied) who died in that hospital on 15 February 2013, the said recommendations having been subsequently endorsed by the coroner in February 2014; if he has read the extensive file (MVP-1137-14) on this incident sent to him by the deceased's next of kin in June 2014; if he will refer this matter to the Health Information and Quality Authority; if he and-or Castlebar General Hospital will apologise to this person's family in writing for the substandard care they received between the person's admission on 7 February 2013 and the person's death in the hospital on 15 February 2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49579/14]

Green Low-carbon Agri-environment Scheme

Michael Fitzmaurice

3. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if tier 3 farmers are eligible to apply for the green low-carbon agri-environment scheme; if the funding is in place to facilitate these payments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48481/14]

Land Parcel Identification System

Michael Fitzmaurice

6. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when the digitisation of all maps will be completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48389/14]

Organic Farming Scheme Applications

Michael Fitzmaurice

11. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if payments to organic farmers processed in the Athenry office, County Galway, will be issued before Christmas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48388/14]

Commonage Framework Plans

Michael Fitzmaurice

16. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if, in his discussion with hill sheep farmers, he will accept their proposals for the forthcoming GLAS and permit them to apply individually for the scheme on commonage; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48390/14]

Agriculture Scheme Eligibility

Michael Fitzmaurice

26. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will make provision to allow farmers who own 10 ha of land to qualify for both GLAS and organic farming payments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48387/14]

Agrifood Sector

Michael Fitzmaurice

27. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will formulate a policy akin to that implemented by the former Land Commission to help maintain the viability of small family farms and thereby prevent the further depopulation of rural Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48391/14]

Grant Payments

Michael Fitzmaurice

196. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if those involved in the young-old farmer category, between 2008 and 2012, will be afforded priority for single farm payment and installation aid; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48482/14]

Beef Industry

Michael Fitzmaurice

88. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will appoint a regulator to oversee and control the virtual monopoly position that meat factories currently have here; if he will ensure that Irish livestock farmers receive a fair price for the excellent product they produce; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48635/14]

Dairy Sector

Michael Fitzmaurice

89. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he is actively seeking to develop new markets outside of the EU for Ireland's dairy exports on behalf of dairy farmers who are facing the prospect of a very challenging year ahead; if he will list the actions he has taken in this regard; the new markets he is targeting; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48636/14]

Organic Farming Scheme Applications

Michael Fitzmaurice

95. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on the cost neutral proposals presented to him by the organic farmers representative body to front-load payments towards the first ten hectares, thereby securing the future viability of small-scale organic farming here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48654/14]

Sugar Industry

Michael Fitzmaurice

100. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide significant funding to assist the revival of Ireland's sugar beet industry in 2015; his 2015 plan for the restarting of what has previously been a very important industry here; the actions he has already taken to facilitate the return of sugar production to Ireland in 2015; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48709/14]

Animal Welfare

Michael Fitzmaurice

101. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason the rules governing the vaccination and transportation of pet puppies to the UK are to be changed on 1 January 2015, in view of the fact that both islands are rabies free; the reason it will be necessary to wait until a pup is 12 weeks old for rabies vaccination and then wait a further 21 days before transportation to the UK; his views on the additional costs being placed on registered pet puppy breeders; his further views that puppies produced under the new regime will be too old for their target market in the UK; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48725/14]

EU Regulations

Michael Fitzmaurice

424. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the consultations that took place regarding the EU standard EN 1090 regarding structural steel and aluminium which came into effect in July 2014; if pre-legislative scrutiny took place; the groups which were consulted regarding its potential impact; his response to its introduction at each stage; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47059/14]

Job Creation

Michael Fitzmaurice

98. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the position on the Industrial Development Agency investment jobs in the pipeline for the towns of Athlone, Ballinasloe, Carrick-on-Shannon and Roscommon; the dates by which any such project is expected to be delivered upon, as these towns are in urgent need of investment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44402/14]

Enterprise Support Services Expenditure

Michael Fitzmaurice

100. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the strategy he and his Department are developing for smaller towns, such as Castlerea, Boyle, Mohill and Tuam, that will make it viable to live in the west of Ireland; if his Department has a strategy to tackle unemployment black spots in this region; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44403/14]

Job Creation

Michael Fitzmaurice

102. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if his Department is identifying unemployment black spots in order that investment may be targeted towards those areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44000/14]

Manufacturing Development Forum

Michael Fitzmaurice

112. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if his Department and IDA Ireland are actively seeking to create manufacturing jobs in the west of Ireland; the efforts made by his Department and IDA Ireland to create manufacturing jobs in the region; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43999/14]

EU Regulations

Michael Fitzmaurice

127. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if he will provide assistance and funding to small and medium enterprises that are struggling to meet the high costs associated with attaining certification to standard EN1090, formerly the CE Mark and EN127; if he is aware that in some instances, the projected cost of EN1090 certification has forced SMEs out of business; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43996/14]

Enterprise Support Services Provision

Michael Fitzmaurice

129. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the investment his Department has directed to each of the counties of Roscommon, Leitrim, Dublin, Galway, Mayo and Sligo in each of the past five years; the number of visits that have been paid to each county by IDA Ireland in the past five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43997/14]

Small and Medium Enterprises Supports

Michael Fitzmaurice

132. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the reason indigenous Irish companies and entrepreneurs are being less favourably treated when it comes to start-up and expansion assistance and, in particular, the reason indigenous small to medium projects appear to flounder at local level; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43998/14]

Medical Card Reviews

Michael Fitzmaurice

134. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Health if he will review the case of persons (details supplied) in County Sligo who have severe medical needs; his views on whether these persons warrant a full medical card and not the general practitioner visit card which they have been offered; if he will personally read the letters sent by various medical professionals, from within and without the Health Service Executive asking that these persons be granted full medical cards; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44512/14]

Garda Transport Provision

Michael Fitzmaurice

109. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the reason the number of Garda vehicles operating out of Carrick-on-Shannon Garda station in County Leitrim has been reduced by two Garda cars, one Garda transport vehicle and one Garda motorcycle in recent months in view of the number of gardaí stationed there and the volume of tourist traffic in the town and surrounding area; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43787/14]

Accident and Emergency Services Provision

Michael Fitzmaurice

382. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Health if services in the accident and emergency department in Portiuncula Hospital, Ballinasloe, County Galway, are to have their opening hours reduced to 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. or 12 hour accident and emergency in the next six months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43941/14]

Septic Tank Grants

Michael Fitzmaurice

529. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if, in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Roscommon whose septic tank has failed inspection, the septic tank having not been registered, and who, through economic circumstances, is unable to meet the costs of remediation, he will issue the grant for persons who meet the income criteria and who have no possibility of meeting the costs of remediation without assistance. [44315/14]

Agriculture Scheme Data

Michael Fitzmaurice

268. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide a breakdown on a county basis of the number of farmers who have applied for the disadvantaged area scheme and the single farm payment schemes. [43145/14]

Agriculture Scheme Payments

Michael Fitzmaurice

275. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of farmers who have been paid under the disadvantaged area scheme and the single farm payment schemes in Counties Roscommon and Leitrim. [43247/14]

Departmental Offices

Michael Fitzmaurice

437. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to close the district veterinary office in County Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41578/14]

Minor Works Scheme Expenditure

Michael Fitzmaurice

888. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Education and Skills if she will confirm that there is provision in the 2015 budget for minor works grants for primary schools, as such a provision existed in previous budgets; the way schools are expected to carry out necessary minor repairs without this funding; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41481/14]

Turf Cutting Compensation Scheme Relocation Options

Michael Fitzmaurice

10. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if she will provide an update on relocation sites here; the way she proposes to resolve the debacle that is going on for 17 years regarding the 53 so-called special areas of conservation complexes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40149/14]