News & Statements

Dáil Question to the Minister for Social Protection

To ask the Minister for Social Protection if there is a review process for persons that are initially refused social welfare payments based on the same information on which they win their appeal; and if she will make a statement on the matter.

Dáil Question to the Minister for Education

To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the research his Department have available regarding the current availability of student loans; the engagement his Department have undergone in relation to ensuring colleges offer a direct debit facility for student contribution fees or the plans he may have to follow this strategy; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Dáil Question to the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government

To ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his views on his Departments recent proposal to offer families in social housing an incentive to buy their properties, while at the same time introducing a mortgage to rent scheme which will in turn bring private properties owned by a person and the bank to within the remit of his Department and social housing organisation; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Parliamentary Question to the Minister for Health

To ask the Minister for Health if the Health Service Executive tendering process for payroll services will be offered only to Irish service providers; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Dáil Question to the Minister for Education

To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he will outline his Department's forecast in relation to the recruitment of teachers between now and 2016 when an extra 80,000 pupils will be in the system; when this recruitment will commence; if these posts will be of a permanent stature irrespective of the recruitment embargo; the effect this will have on public service reduction in the medium term; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Dáil Question for the Minister for Finance

To ask the Minister for Finance his views on the possibility of reforming the budget process to take into account the impact that Budget 2013 announcements have on the retail industry in the run up to the Christmas period; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Dáil Question to the Minister for Social Protection

To ask the Minister for Social Protection if there is a review process for persons that are initially refused social welfare payments based on the same information on which they win their appeal; and if she will make a statement on the matter.

Dáil Question for the Minister for Social Protection

To ask the Minister for Social Protection the number of persons who have been identified as participating in full time study while incorrectly claiming jobseeker's payments in 2011 and 2012; the number of these persons who continued to claim these benefits by proving that they have ceased their education in order to continue to receive their benefits; and if she will make a statement on the matter.

Dáil Question for the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government

To ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the number of empty housing units in Dublin where the development is under the remit of the National Assets Management Agency; the number of housing units required by Dublin City Council, Fingal County Council and Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council; his views on the viability of using State owned properties that are under the remit of NAMA as accommodation for these families and persons as an alternative to sourcing extra funding for new properties; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Dáil Question for the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government

To ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his Departments role from 2013 onwards in administering and managing funds for local authorities once a local government tax is introduced; if details of the expenditure will be available to public representatives through Dáil questions; if overall accountability will be held by him; and if he will make a statement on the matter.