222 Mr. Howlin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if non-EU and non-EEA doctors are allowed to participate in the general medical scheme here; the conditions that apply to such participation; the number of non-EU doctors recognised as general practitioners by the Medical Council; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
[13395/05]
150 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for Education and Science when she intends to finalise the institutions to be added to the list under the Residential Institutions Redress Act 2002; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
[13008/05]
124 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for Education and Science her views on the findings of the report of the Committee of Public Accounts into the redress scheme for victims of institutional abuse; the action she intends to take arising from the report; if she intends to implement the recommendations contained in the report; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
[13009/05]
221 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for Education and Science if her attention has been drawn to the fact that the participation in the stay in school retention initiative has enabled a school (details supplied) in County Wexford to improve on its early school leaving status, fund an attendance office, provide catering for a breakfast club, provide counselling and mentoring, facilitate the involvement of parents in certain projects and run educational and sports projects which otherwise would not have been possible; if, in view of the very beneficial effects of the initiative, funding will be provided to ensure the continuation of these supports beyond August 2005; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
[12595/05]
140 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the action he has taken or plans to take arising from allegations of very serious irregularities in regard to the treatment of employees of a Turkish company (details supplied) which has been operating in this country; if all the workers have now been given access to money held in accounts in a bank in Holland; if he has considered requesting the Garda Síochána to conduct an investigation into allegations that money had been diverted into accounts to which the workers previously had no access; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[12080/05]
129 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he has taken steps to ensure that seafarers operating from Irish ports are paid the minimum wage and enjoy the benefits of working time and holiday legislation; if he has had discussions with EU colleagues to ensure that re-registering of vessels in non-EU countries does not deprive workers of the enjoyment of labour legislation in the port countries; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[12081/05]
64 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if a report prepared by officials of his Department found that lack of staff, resources, training and legal support was hampering the pursuit of employers who exploit their workers; the steps being taken to address this situation, particularly in view of increasing reports of exploitation of foreign workers; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[12263/05]
392 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will review the visitor visa applications of two persons (details supplied); if the basis on which these visa applications were refused was conveyed to these persons; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[11703/05]
277 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources when a decision will be made in respect of the application by Wexford County Council for funding to address coastal erosion issues in County Wexford; if his attention has been drawn to the severe damage caused by winter storms at Doogan’s Warren, Rosslare; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[12114/05]
102 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if his attention has been drawn to the recent study produced by the EU Commission, the Report on Gender Equality Between Men and Women, which found that Irish women were at greater risk of poverty than any of their EU counterparts; the steps he intends to take to deal with the problem of women and poverty; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[11836/05]
100 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if his attention has been drawn to the recent report produced by the Community Platform that national partnership is not meeting the needs of those living in poverty; his views on the findings of the Community Platform; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[11835/05]
150 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for Education and Science if her attention has been drawn to the fact that the average class size at a school (details supplied) in County Wexford is 28.9 pupils; that over 50% of pupils are in split classes with one teacher for 30 junior infants and that learning supports for children with special educational needs are inadequate; the reason this situation prevails in view of the commitment in the 2002 programme for Government to reduce the pupil teacher ratio in schools; if the pupil teacher ratio at this school will be reduced for the academic year 2005-2006 by the appointment of an extra teacher; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
[11561/05]
14 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the initiatives he intends to take over the course of the next year to promote rural development; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[11408/05]
12 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the position with regard to applications from his Department to the central applications facility in regard to the decentralisation of his Department; if there has been an improvement on the 157 applications received up to February 2005; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[11381/05]
195 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if a new target date has been set by which Ireland’s contribution to overseas aid will reach the 0.7% of GDP target; if his Department has set out a programme of interim annual increases to achieve this target within a specific timeframe; if he will consider the enactment of legislation in the current Dáil session to underpin Ireland’s commitment to the 0.7% target in view of the Government’s decision not to allocate 0.7% of GDP to overseas aid by 2007; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[11362/05]
84 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the average increase in the price of a new house and a second hand house in Dublin and the rest of the country during 2004; the anticipated level of increase during 2005; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[11065/05]
128 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to the fact that half of the country’s local authorities have failed to acquire any social or affordable houses under the terms of Part V of the Planning Act 2000; the steps he intends to take to ensure that all local authorities make full use of this facility; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[11066/05]
922 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for Education and Science the number of applications for special needs assistants submitted to her Department from secondary schools in County Wexford in 2004; the number of learning support teachers employed by schools in County Wexford in 2004; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
[10640/05]
921 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for Education and Science the number of applications for special needs assistants submitted to her Department from primary schools in County Wexford in 2004; the number of special assistants employed by schools in County Wexford during 2004; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
[10639/05]
920 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for Education and Science the amount spent from the school capital programme on primary schools in County Wexford in 2004; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
[10638/05]
901 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for Education and Science if her attention has been drawn to the circumstances at a school (details supplied) in County Wexford; the timeframe for reduction of the pupil-teacher ratio and improvement in learning supports for this school; if she will consider an application for funding to enable the board of management to provide additional accommodation; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
[10474/05]
899 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for Education and Science if she will take steps to ensure that legislation intended to curb bogus language schools here does not have the effect of preventing non-EU persons attending bona fide educational establishments here on a short to medium term basis from undertaking part-time employment to alleviate their living expenses; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
[10454/05]
813 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for Education and Science if, in view of the commitment in the 2002 programme for Government to reduce the pupil-teacher ratio in our schools, the reason the average class size in a school (details supplied) remains at 29:1; when the progressive introduction of maximum class guidelines in this school will begin; if at least one additional teacher will be appointed to this school in time for the school year beginning September 2005; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
[9985/05]
846 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for Education and Science further to Parliamentary Question No. 571 of 8 February 2005 if her attention has been drawn to the fact that an application for funding has now been located within her Department; the position regarding this application from a school (details supplied) for the upgrading of existing accommodation; if sanction for temporary accommodation at the school will be granted in the near future; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10186/05]
728 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the position regarding the case of a person (details supplied) who has been informed that her application for residency on the basis of marriage to an Irish national will take approximately 14 to 16 months minimum to process; this person’s legal status here; if she has the right to live and work here; when her holiday visa expires and pending determination of her official residency application; the way in which she can acquire documentation to enable her to seek employment pending determination of her residency status; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[10637/05]
546 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if his attention has been drawn to the importance of the viability of the post office networks that social welfare payments be made through the post office; if his attention has further been drawn to the fact that the post office is not listed as a payment method on some social welfare forms; his views on whether this method of payment is important for social and community reasons; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[11136/05]
435 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources when a decision will be made in respect of the application of Wexford County Council for urgently needed funding to address coastal erosion issues in County Wexford; if his attention has been drawn to the severe damage caused by winter storms at New Ross; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[11141/05]
118 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the progress which has been made in the Garda investigation into two robberies of security vans in Dublin during March 2005 in which more than €4 million was taken; the total amount taken in raids on security vans during 2004 and to date in 2005; the number of such cases in which charges have been laid; if he is satisfied that the gardaí have sufficient resources to deal with this plague of robberies and to bring those responsible to justice.
[10770/05]
78 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform his proposals for the establishment of a new one-stop shop for dealing with all immigration matters; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[10769/05]
98 Mr. Howlin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if her attention has been drawn to the serious situation in Cork University Hospital at which patients had to be turned away due to the fact that there were more than 30 patients awaiting treatment on trolleys or chairs; the steps she intends to take to address this situation; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
[9407/05]
23 Mr. Howlin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the average number of patients on trolleys or chairs awaiting treatment or assessment in accident and emergency units for each day since 1 January 2005; her views on whether such numbers are satisfactory; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
[9408/05]
420 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform when a decision will be made on an application by a person (details supplied) in County Wexford for naturalisation; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[8606/05]
32 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the progress on the commitment in the programme for Government to foster expansion and competition on air and sea routes; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[9188/05]
24 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the progress being made on the programme for Government commitment to encourage special interest tourism; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[9189/05]
15 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources his estimate of the likely cost to consumers of the proposed migration to digital broadcasting; if he intends to issue a White Paper or review on the digital switch over and the implications for Irish broadcasters and viewers; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[8199/05]
11 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if his attention has been drawn to the fact that An Post is seeking a tariff increase from ComReg; if he has satisfied himself with the performance of An Post management in delivering a world class quality of postal service; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[8200/05]
277 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for Education and Science if she will report on the extent of special education supports provided at primary level for pupils with autism; her views on whether two and a half hours per week of special education supports is adequate for a pupil with autism; if there is scope for a pupil with autism to access supports additional to two and a half hours per week; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
[8232/05]
93 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs his views on the effect which the recent suicide bomb in the Iraqi city of Hilla, which killed at least 125 persons, will have on the prospects for stable government in the country following the recent elections; the prospects for security in Iraq following the bombing; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[7707/05]
74 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for Finance the number of court prosecutions initiated as a result of tax evasion in respect of each year since 1997; the number of cases in which convictions were secured; the number of cases in which prison sentences were imposed; the sentence in each case; if he is satisfied with the level of court cases taken having regard to the high level of evasion; if he will report on the work of the investigations and prosecutions division of the Revenue Commissioners; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[7157/05]
73 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for Finance if he is satisfied that sufficient steps are being taken to combat tax evasion in view of the continuing high level of settlements and in view of the large number of settlements reported by the Revenue Commissioners each quarter; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[7156/05]
134 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the consequences she foresees for the sugar industry and agriculture here arising from the recent sugar factory closure in Carlow; if she has had discussions with the farm organisations in this regard; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
[6958/05]
136 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if her approval has been sought from a company (details supplied) for the proposed sale of the site of the Carlow plant which is to close on 11 March 2005; if she intends to give her approval; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
[6957/05]
238 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if his attention has been drawn to the fact that when persons in receipt of social welfare payments opt to change from book to direct bank payments, they lose a week’s payment; the reason bank payments are made in arrears while book payments are made in advance; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the loss of a week’s payment is a cause of hardship to persons dependent on social welfare payments; if he will take steps to redress the situation; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[6534/05]
84 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for Defence if he will clarify recent comments attributed to him (details supplied) that he has been informed by senior figures in Brussels that the UN intends to introduce reforms that may lead to the speedier agreements of UN Security Council resolutions in crisis situations; the details of the reforms of which he has been informed; the persons who informed of these reforms.
[6697/05]
86 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment his views on the implications for the work of the Personal Injuries Assessment Board of the decision of the High Court of 25 January 2005 upholding the right of clients to deal with the board through their legal representatives; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[6143/05]
31 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he has received the report of the high level group to consider the implications of the report of the enterprise strategy group and the best manner of implementing its recommendations; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[6142/05]
2 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if his attention has been drawn to concerns expressed by a number of trade unions regarding alleged abuse of immigrant construction workers; the steps he is taking to ensure that all such workers receive their full entitlements and are covered by all appropriate worker protection laws; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[6381/05]
229 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for Education and Science if her Department has received an application from a school (details supplied) for temporary accommodation for September 2005; if her attention has been drawn to a situation at the school; if the required temporary accommodation will be provided in good time; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
[6178/05]
244 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for Transport when his Department officially notified driving school proprietors that a change in standards in relation to heavy goods vehicles registered after 1 January 2004 would come into force in February 2005; if this notice was adequate to enable owners to make the necessary adjustments in time to meet compliance by the due date; if additional time to comply can be afforded in order that tests already arranged will not have to be postponed; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[5639/05]
31 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the criteria under which the Community Workers Co-operative lost its funding from his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[5813/05]