Emer Higgins, TD

Fine Gael TD for Louth, Peter Fitzpatrick, has welcomed the latest retail figures showing the strongest growth since 2007.

QUESTION NO: 34 DÁIL QUESTION addressed to the Minister for Health (Leo Varadkar) by Deputy Anthony Lawlor for ORAL ANSWER on 22/10/2015 To ask the Minister for Health if he is aware of staff shortages within the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland, which is causing a backlog in the number of nursing applications being processed; his views that this is having a knock on effect on hospitals who desperately need to recruit nurses to deal with the overcrowding issue; his plans to deal with this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

“Changes to the small benefit tax measures announced in the Finance Bill mean that employers will now be able to award non-cash bonuses of up to €500 to staff, tax free. This is good news for employers and for staff”, says Fine Gael TD for Louth, Peter Fitzpatrick.

Jim Daly, Cork South West Fine Gael TD, is introducing legislation in the Dáil today (Wednesday) which seeks to establish an Education Ombudsman.

Fine Gael TD for Longford Westmeath, Gabrielle McFadden, has said the funding approval for a major upgrade of Athlone Garda Station is testament to Justice Minister Frances Fitzgerald’s commitment to investing in the force.

Fine Gael Senator and Government Chief Whip in the Seanad, Paul Coghlan, has commented on the independent review of republican and loyalist paramilitary groups published by the British Government, saying that An Garda Síochána and the PSNI must be the only forces policing border counties.

Fine Gael TD for Cork South Central, Jerry Buttimer, has said that communities across south and southwest Cork will benefit from a €1.5 million upgrade by ESB Networks.

To ask the Minister for Finance his views on the request by the Irish League of Credit Unions to lift restrictions which prevent credit unions from providing broader banking services; if any changes are envisaged; and if he will make a statement on the matter?

To ask the Minister for Education and Skills her plans to revise the On-Line Claim System recording system so as to differentiate leave due to an assault from regular sick leave so that any changing trends may be monitored adequately; and if she will make a statement on the matter?

Fine Gael TD for Wicklow/East Carlow and Minister of State at the Department of Finance, Simon Harris, has said that Micheál Martin’s admission that he would go into government with AAA/Socialists shows the lengths his party will go to in order to gain power.