Heather Humphreys, TD

Fine Gael Dublin Mid West Deputy, Derek Keating, has called on those with an interest in solving Ireland’s social and environmental problems to apply for Social Entrepreneurs Ireland’s Awards Programme, for which €500,000 is being made available.

Limerick companies benefitted from more than €4 million in funding from Enterprise Ireland last year, according to Fine Gael Limerick TD, Patrick O’Donovan. Deputy O’Donovan raised the matter in a Parliamentary Question to the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, Richard Bruton TD.

Fine Gael Waterford Deputy, Paudie Coffey, has welcomed news that the IDA has submitted a planning application with Waterford County Council for the development of new offices that will total 25,000 square feet. This new development will be situated in the IDA Business and Technology Park in Butlerstown, Co Waterford.

This represents another important step toward meeting the commitment in the Programme for Government to end the practice of sending children to St. Patrick’s Institution.

Minister of State Paul Kehoe announced this weekend that Caroline Kennedy, the daughter of the late U.S.A President John F Kennedy will be guest of honour at the JFK50 celebrations in Ireland and New Ross next June.

To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will outline, as per the current Croke Park agreement, the structures that have been put in place by the Implementation Body for Departments that are underperforming; the penalties in place for such Departments; if the implementation process of the Croke Park agreement will be revisited in the negotiation process for 2014 to enhance the incentive for changes to take place on a more individual Departmental basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation his views on the Social Justice report that stated Ireland is behind targets agreed with the EU on job creation as agreed as part of Europe strategy 2010, particularly with reference to the method of calculation that was used by the EU in the creation of these targets; the way that Ireland compare to other jurisdictions in the EU in this respect, and if he will pinpoint the difficulties that Ireland is having in its achievement of these targets; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

To ask the Minister for Education and Skills his views on the recent report carried out by employers groups that shows a concern of writing ability of Irish graduates; if he will be acting on this report to address the issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

To ask the Minister for Health if he will consider on the possibility of increasing to 21 years the legal age for a person to purchase and use tobacco products due to the increasing number of smokers amongst young women; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Fine Gael TD for Dublin Fingal has said that funding of over €5.5 million from the National Road Authority to projects in Fingal will reduce traffic congestion and increase safety for drivers in Dublin Fingal.