expects to be in a position to improve the pupil-teacher ratio/class sizes at primary and second level in the course of the coming year

remains satisfied that the skills requirement of the workplace continues to be met by education; her further proposals in this regard

position to provide the necessary support facilities at primary and second level schools throughout the country to meet the requirements of children with special needs

total number of temporary and/or permanent school place accommodation requirements currently on hand in her Department as set out in correspondence with the various school authorities at primary and second level

The Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Simon Coveney, TD, confirmed that the balancing payments under the 2014 Single Farm Payment scheme will commence on target on 1st December. These payments, totaling over €550 million, will begin issuing to 120,000 farmers on 1 December.

Fine Gael Cork South West TD, Noel Harrington, has said that major changes to brucellosis testing will deliver savings for farmers worth €6 million per anum.

Fine Gael Senator for Clare and the party’s Seanad Spokesperson on Justice, Martin Conway, has today (Thursday), said the publication of the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Bill 2014 by the Minister for Justice and Equality, Frances Fitzgerald TD, will provide new robust mechanisms to protect children from sex abusers who use the internet to stalk their victims.

Fine Gael TD for Laois/Offaly and Member of the Oireachtas Justice Committee, Marcella Corcoran Kennedy, has today (Thursday), welcomed the publication of the new Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Bill 2014 which includes her own bill on child grooming.

Fine Gael Dublin Central TD and Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Paschal Donohoe, has called for an end to the impasse that has occurred in housing people in Fr. Scully House on Gardiner Street in Dublin 1. Minister Donohoe said that State funding had been provided for the construction of a facility to house the most vulnerable and that due to the rent levels that are being sought by the agency in charge, the building remains unoccupied.

Fine Gael TD for Dún Laoghaire, Mary Mitchell O’Connor has today, (Thursday) welcomed the launch of the 2015 HSE Service Plan by the Minister for Health, Leo Varadkar TD & Minister for Primary and Social Care, Kathleen Lynch TD.