522 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will provide the names of all local authorities that have complied with the requirement that county council's when preparing county plans consult with the Department of Education and Science to establish the educational needs under the Planning and Development Act 2000, by 31 December 2003; the action his Department has taken to ensure that all local authorities comply with the requirement; the action his Department has taken to ensure that all county plans provide adequate space for school buildings; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[1958/04]
431 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for Education and Science the position on the building project for Christian Brothers primary school, New Ross, County Wexford, in particular a timeframe for the various stages of this project; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[1333/04]
418 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for Education and Science if additional learning support can be provided for Barntown and Glynn national schools, County Wexford, where overall enrolment has increased by 40% since 1993 when they were allocated the services of a learning support teacher on a shared basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[1249/04]
385 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for Education and Science the position regarding the building project for Bridgetown Vocational College, County Wexford; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[1131/04]
236 Mr. Howlin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of tests for radon conducted in the past year by the Health and Safety Authority; if the Health and Safety Authority has taken action to ensure that workers' health is not endangered by radon; the nature of such action; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
[1130/04]
160 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for Health and Children when he expects the draft regulations regarding smoking in the workplace will now come into operation; if comments have been submitted or objections raised by other EU member states; the procedures which will be put in place to monitor and ensure compliance with the regulations; the planned start-up date for implementation of the prohibition on smoking; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[1896/04]
167 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for Health and Children when it is expected to appoint project groups to progress detailed implementation at local level of the two pilot areas, the East Coast Area Health Board and the Mid-Western Health Board, identified in the Hanly report and the provision of the services and facilities required; the staffing and financial requirements involved and the timeframe envisaged for the implementation of these pilot projects; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[1895/04]
10 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the level of interest which has been received to date from the private sector regarding the redevelopment of the Abbey Theatre; when it is envisaged that a decision will be made on the project; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[31562/03]
48 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for Education and Science the additional funding which has been provided in his Department's Estimates for 2004 for youth work and to allow for the implementation of the Youth Work Act 2001 and the national youth work development plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[30915/03]
48 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for Education and Science the additional funding which has been provided in his Department's Estimates for 2004 for youth work and to allow for the implementation of the Youth Work Act 2001 and the national youth work development plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[30915/03]
62 Mr. Howlin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of jobs created in each case to date in respect of the series of job announcements made by her on 18 April 2002 in respect of Galway, Limerick and Birr; when it is expected that the balance of the jobs will be created; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
[30020/03]
59 Mr. Howlin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment when she expects to publish the long promised legislation to increase penalties for breaches of the health and safety legislation, especially having regard to the continuing level of accidents in the construction industry; if her attention has been drawn to the serious concern expressed by the trade union movement, and especially those representing construction workers, at the delay; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
[29993/03]
62 Mr. Howlin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of jobs created in each case to date in respect of the series of job announcements made by her on 18 April 2002 in respect of Galway, Limerick and Birr; when it is expected that the balance of the jobs will be created; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
[30020/03]
59 Mr. Howlin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment when she expects to publish the long promised legislation to increase penalties for breaches of the health and safety legislation, especially having regard to the continuing level of accidents in the construction industry; if her attention has been drawn to the serious concern expressed by the trade union movement, and especially those representing construction workers, at the delay; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
[29993/03]
118 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the circumstances in which, according to the report of the Comptroller and Auditor General, the State is facing a ?12.9 million loss on the deal negotiated with a company (details supplied) regarding the purchase of fibre optic communications links; the steps being taken to recover outstanding moneys; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[24497/03]
118 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the circumstances in which, according to the report of the Comptroller and Auditor General, the State is facing a ?12.9 million loss on the deal negotiated with a company (details supplied) regarding the purchase of fibre optic communications links; the steps being taken to recover outstanding moneys; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[24497/03]
127 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for Defence the role he anticipates playing in meetings of EU Defence Ministers during the course of the Irish Presidency of the EU; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[25249/03]
127 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for Defence the role he anticipates playing in meetings of EU Defence Ministers during the course of the Irish Presidency of the EU; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[25249/03]
2 Mr. Howlin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if she has now received the report of the cross-departmental senior officials group considering the options for the future of community employment; the main recommendations of the report; if it is intended to publish the report; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
[24636/03]
25 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for the Environment Heritage and Local Government if he plans to introduce legislation to control or regulate political lobbying; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[23595/03]
22 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for the Environment Heritage and Local Government the progress made to date with regard to the details of the agreement reached with the trade unions and employer organisations regarding the building of 10,000 affordable houses; when the scheme will start; the time-span within which the 10,000 houses will be built; the company by which they will be built; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[23596/03]
6 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for Education and Science the progress made to date with regard to the operation of the National Educational Welfare Board; the number of education welfare officers now in place; the number expected to be in place by the end of 2003; when he expects all areas of the country to have an education welfare officer in place; if the promised additional staff have been appointed; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[21506/03]
69 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for Defence the position concerning the discussions with the representative organisations regarding the benchmarking report; the allocation which has been made within his Department's Estimates for 2003 to pay the benchmarking award; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[18774/03]
69 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for Defence the position concerning the discussions with the representative organisations regarding the benchmarking report; the allocation which has been made within his Department's Estimates for 2003 to pay the benchmarking award; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[18774/03]
71 Mr. Howlin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if her attention has been drawn to reports that the growing cost of insurance has forced a number of major companies to stop paying premiums and that they are self-insuring; her views on this practice, especially in view of the potential commercial and legal implications; the steps she is taking to ensure affordable insurance; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
[18629/03]
69 Mr. Howlin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of places currently available on community employment schemes; the number that will be available at the end of 2003; when the FÁS internal review of community employment and the jobs initiative programme will be completed; if her attention has been drawn to the severe difficulties created for those with disabilities by the reduction in community employment places; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
[18628/03]
71 Mr. Howlin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if her attention has been drawn to reports that the growing cost of insurance has forced a number of major companies to stop paying premiums and that they are self-insuring; her views on this practice, especially in view of the potential commercial and legal implications; the steps she is taking to ensure affordable insurance; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
[18629/03]
69 Mr. Howlin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of places currently available on community employment schemes; the number that will be available at the end of 2003; when the FÁS internal review of community employment and the jobs initiative programme will be completed; if her attention has been drawn to the severe difficulties created for those with disabilities by the reduction in community employment places; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
[18628/03]
35 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism if his attention has been drawn to concerns expressed by those involved in the arts at the impact of current funding policy on the arts; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[16137/03]
35 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism if his attention has been drawn to concerns expressed by those involved in the arts at the impact of current funding policy on the arts; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[16137/03]
6 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism if he will make a statement on his address to the Travel Trade Ireland 2003 conference in Killarney.
[16138/03]
93 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for Transport if it is intended to transfer Dublin Bus workers to the private companies in regard to his proposal to franchise up to a quarter of bus routes in Dublin; if an estimate has been made of the potential costs involved in such a transfer, having regard to the current employment status of these workers; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[13675/03]
93 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for Transport if it is intended to transfer Dublin Bus workers to the private companies in regard to his proposal to franchise up to a quarter of bus routes in Dublin; if an estimate has been made of the potential costs involved in such a transfer, having regard to the current employment status of these workers; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[13675/03]
61 Mr. Howlin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment when a common EU position will be agreed on the forthcoming WTO ministerial conference to take place in September 2003 in Cancun, Mexico; if the Irish position on each of the agenda items will be published; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
[12292/03]
61 Mr. Howlin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment when a common EU position will be agreed on the forthcoming WTO ministerial conference to take place in September 2003 in Cancun, Mexico; if the Irish position on each of the agenda items will be published; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
[12292/03]
2 Mr. Howlin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of places available on community employment schemes; the number that will be available at the end of 2003; if she will reconsider the decision to reduce the number of places, especially having regard to the difficulties being created for many voluntary and community groups; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
[12533/03]
107 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for Health and Children when procedures will be in place to make repayments to patients who were overcharged under the drugs payment scheme as a result of the failure to make the appropriate regulations on time; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[11996/03]
107 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for Health and Children when procedures will be in place to make repayments to patients who were overcharged under the drugs payment scheme as a result of the failure to make the appropriate regulations on time; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[11996/03]
8 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism if he has had any recent discussions with the IRFU and the FAI regarding the upgrading and redevelopment of Lansdowne Road with a view to locating the national stadium there; the nature of discussions concerning the financing of such a development; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[11027/03]
16 Mr. Howlin asked the Taoiseach when the specially convened group to draw up a detailed action plan on inflation, which was promised in Sustaining Progress, will be established; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[8129/03]
14 Mr. Howlin asked the Taoiseach the specific steps the Government intends to take to meet the commitment in Sustaining Progress to extending and deepening the partnership process in the work place; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[8121/03]
103 Mr. Howlin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of redundancies notified to her Department during 2000, 2001, 2002 and to date; the steps being taken to deal with the sharp increase in redundancies; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
[8196/03]
103 Mr. Howlin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of redundancies notified to her Department during 2000, 2001, 2002 and to date; the steps being taken to deal with the sharp increase in redundancies; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
[8196/03]
120 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources his views on the report on the economic implications of the Seven Heads gas field from a company (details supplied); if he has raised with the company the question of the use of local labour and services in the development of the field; the response he has received; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[6259/03]
120 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources his views on the report on the economic implications of the Seven Heads gas field from a company (details supplied); if he has raised with the company the question of the use of local labour and services in the development of the field; the response he has received; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[6259/03]
122 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the progress made to date in implementing the recommendations made in the report of the Forum on Broadcasting; the plans he has for a new broadcasting authority; if it is intended to introduce a customer's charter; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[1813/03]
122 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the progress made to date in implementing the recommendations made in the report of the Forum on Broadcasting; the plans he has for a new broadcasting authority; if it is intended to introduce a customer's charter; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[1813/03]
10 Mr. Howlin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the reason for the cuts of 18% in the allocation for Enterprise Ireland grant to industry; the reason for the cut of 84% in the allocation for IDA Ireland grants for building operations; the implications of these cuts for job creation and industrial development; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
[24853/02]
4 Mr. Howlin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the reason for the cuts of ?100 million in the FÁS training and integration supports and employment programmes in regard to her Department's Estimates for 2003; the way in which this major funding cutback will impact on FÁS services; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
[25190/02]