442 Deputy Michael D. Higgins asked the Minister for Education and Science if she will make provision from her Department to a group (details supplied) in County Galway to enable them to fund the Young Mothers in Education project in view of the good work that is being carried out by the project which involves more than 60 young mothers and whose continuing of their education will be put in jeopardy without the support of the project.
[4504/08]
197 Deputy Michael D. Higgins asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if drug offenders convicted to less than ten year sentences in prison are eligible for consideration for extra remission; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[4317/08]
46 Deputy Michael D. Higgins asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the reason the Employment Agency Regulation Bill, which had been on the list of legislation due to be published prior to 30 January 2008, has not been produced and has dropped to the list of legislation for which heads have not been approved by the Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[4058/08]
19 Deputy Michael D. Higgins asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of redundancies notified to his Department during 2007; the way this compares with the same period in each year from 2002 to 2006; his views on the reported increase in the number of redundancies; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[4059/08]
144 Deputy Michael D. Higgins asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the relationship between the Interdepartmental Committee on Development and the Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs.
[3684/08]
121 Deputy Michael D. Higgins asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he is in a position to make a statement, even on an interim basis, on the results of the initiative of the former Secretary General of the United Nations, Mr. Kofi Anan, in relation to the current crisis in Kenya.
[3670/08]
97 Deputy Michael D. Higgins asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the role of the interdepartmental committee on development in relation to the operation of the Irish Aid project within his Department; the points of decision making within the structure and the role of such an advisory body as exists, its role, and relationship to the interdepartmental committee on development and himself or the Minister of State at his Department.
[4246/08]
95 Deputy Michael D. Higgins asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he favours the sending of a high level group from the European Union, or from member states including Ireland, to prepare a report on the deteriorating situation in Kenya, the humanitarian crisis which has emerged, the implications of displacement, and the failure to achieve transparency in all aspects of the electoral process, despite the presence of international observers including those from the European Union.
[3947/08]
651 Deputy Michael D. Higgins asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if prisoners who are denied additional remission to their sentences are being informed as to the reason they were refused the additional remission.
[3737/08]
650 Deputy Michael D. Higgins asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the impact the Prison Rules Revision enacted in October 2007 has had; the eligibility of prisoners to receive extra remission on their sentences in this regard; and if any prisoner has obtained the 8% additional remission since October 2007.
[3735/08]
649 Deputy Michael D. Higgins asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the position regarding the case of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 12 who is seeking naturalisation.
[3734/08]
624 Deputy Michael D. Higgins asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the position of the application of a person (details supplied) in County Galway.
[3287/08]
127 Deputy Michael D. Higgins asked the Minister for Transport the amount of funding the Rural Transport Programme currently receives; the number of bus and other transport services the RTP supports; if he has plans to expand the scheme; if he will undertake a review of the transport needs of rural communities; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[3411/08]
119 Deputy Michael D. Higgins asked the Minister for Transport his views on the impact of the recently sanctioned price increases for Dublin Bus and Bus Éireann on developing the modal shift to public transport; if the level of subvention recently set for CIÉ had any impact on the fare increases that were sanctioned; if the new Dublin Transport Authority will have the power to set fares; if this will include setting LUAS fares; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[3402/08]
39 Deputy Michael D. Higgins asked the Minister for Health and Children when she expects the publication of the HIQA report in relation to a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter.
[2736/08]
73 Deputy Michael D. Higgins asked the Minister for Health and Children when she expects the publication of the Health Service Executive report into misdiagnosis at the Midlands Regional Hospital, Portlaoise; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
[2735/08]
1358 Deputy Michael D. Higgins asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the present position in relation to the development of a new sewerage system for Oughterard, County Galway; and if, in view of the implications for Lough Corrib in every respect for both residents and tourists, he will indicate the projected timescale for delivery.
[1770/08]
1252 Deputy Michael D. Higgins asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the position of an application for asylum by a person (details supplied) which dates back to 2007; the reason for the delay which is being experienced in this application; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[2189/08]
740 Deputy Michael D. Higgins asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if it is the case that individuals and families who would otherwise qualify for benefit from the State are disqualified automatically if they leave allocated accommodation, such as that allocated to refugees; if such a ruling prevails if it is in accordance with Irish, European, and international law; and if in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Galway his attention has been drawn to the fact that such a ruling has left a family of three people without food or sustenance.
[1431/08]
120 Deputy Michael D. Higgins asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance his views on recent housing data from the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government showing that the number of interest only mortgages approved has trebled from approximately 5% in early 2004 to 16% in the third quarter of 2007; if he is satisfied that the necessary processes are in place in financial institutions to protect mortgages holders; if he has had discussions with the Central Bank or Financial Regulator regarding this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[2350/08]
84 Deputy Michael D. Higgins asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance the number of incidents and the value of overcharging of customers by banks and financial institutions each year from 2002 to 2007; his views on the ongoing revelations of such overcharging; if he is satisfied with the manner in which and speed with which repayments have been made; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[2351/08]
113 Deputy Michael D. Higgins asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his views on the critical comments made by managing directors of companies (details supplied) in relation to Ireland’s broadband connectivity problems; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[35630/07]
95 Deputy Michael D. Higgins asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the part he has taken in preparing a sustainable travel and transport action plan; the extent of his role in same to date; the timeframe for completion; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[35623/07]
500 Deputy Michael D. Higgins asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the position of the residency status of a person (details supplied) in County Galway; their prospects for a renewal of their permit; and if such a permit can issue if they remain here.
[35109/07]
486 Deputy Michael D. Higgins asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will take steps to restore and vindicate the rights of children of parents who are on student visas, to primary education in accordance with Article 42.4 of Bunreacht na hÉireann and Article 2 of Protocol One of the European Convention on Human Rights; and if he will undertake to immediately remove the prohibition on access to primary education for such children as a condition in student visas.
[34907/07]
390 Deputy Michael D. Higgins asked the Minister for Education and Science if she will take such steps as to ensure that where a mature student in receipt of a higher education grant fails to complete a course due to medical reasons, such student will be able to resume their education and access to a grant without penalty; and if she will issue an instruction to those local authorities and vocational education committees who are interpreting Section 3.3 of the guidelines as requiring a five year wait by the student in such circumstances, that they should cease doing so.
[34905/07]
391 Deputy Michael D. Higgins asked the Minister for Education and Science if she has discussed with the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform the ongoing difficulties being experienced by children of parents who are here on student visas to access primary education in accordance with Article 42.4 of Bunreacht na hÉireann and Article 2 of Protocol One of the European Convention on Human Rights; and if she will undertake such action as to immediately remove the prohibition on access to primary education for such children as a condition in student visas.
[34906/07]
375 Deputy Michael D. Higgins asked the Minister for Education and Science the steps she proposes to take to resolve the contradiction which has emerged between the Department of Education and Science and the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform in relation to the rights of children whose parents are on student visas to avail of primary education in their locality; if her attention has been drawn to the inconsistency which has arisen between the Department of Education and Science, which acknowledges the right of children to enrol, and the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform, which is insisting that such children cannot avail of State education and must make private provision, of circumstances where the refusal of State access is tantamount to a deprival of the rights to education of such children in accordance with Article 42.4 of Bunreacht na hÉireann and Article 2 of Protocol One of the European Convention on Human Rights; and if he will undertake to take urgent action in this matter.
[34908/07]
94 Deputy Michael D. Higgins asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if it is his intention to introduce a cap on spending by candidates in local elections; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[35144/07]
75 Deputy Michael D. Higgins asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the effort made to date to bring forward legislation to regulate lobbyists as promised in the programme for Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[35143/07]
70 Deputy Michael D. Higgins asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform his views on the report on the prison system here, recently issued by Catholic prison chaplains, which described the system as dysfunctional and called for radical changes in the system; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[34528/07]
53 Deputy Michael D. Higgins asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will make a statement on the establishment of the new Garda Síochána fingerprint database.
[34529/07]
144 Deputy Michael D. Higgins asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will seek activation of the European globalisation adjustment fund which was adopted on 20 December 2006 in order to be of assistance to workers in the Galway Bay region, such as the workers at a company (details supplied) who have recently been informed that they are to lose their jobs.
[34510/07]
67 Deputy Michael D. Higgins asked the Minister for Defence the proposals he has to continue to develop the use of the Irish language in the Defence Forces in line with Objective 12 of the Government Statement on the Irish Language, 2006; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[34159/07]
80 Deputy Michael D. Higgins asked the Minister for Defence the progress that has been made by the Chief of Staff in regard to his previous review of recruitment into the Defence Forces at all levels and implementing changes that will facilitate recruitment from among cultural and ethnic minorities; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[34160/07]
914 Deputy Michael D. Higgins asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the position of an application for residency in Ireland by a person (details supplied); the specific issues pertaining to this application in view of its apparent slowness through the system; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[34187/07]
875 Deputy Michael D. Higgins asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the position of the application for long term residency by a person (details supplied).
[33757/07]
741 Deputy Michael D. Higgins asked the Minister for Education and Science her views on the ongoing difficulties being experienced by those persons living here on student visas with regard to enrolling their children in primary schools in their locality; if her attention has been drawn to the inconsistency of this difficulty when set against the Equal Status Act 2000, Article 42.3.1 of the Constitution underlining the right of every child to a primary education and Article 2 of Protocol One of the European Convention on Human Rights; the action she will take to deal with and alleviate this inequity; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
[34185/07]
740 Deputy Michael D. Higgins asked the Minister for Education and Science the reasons for the diminution of the millennium fund, a source of funding for third level education for those from impoverished backgrounds; if replacement funds are earmarked to perform a similar task; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
[34184/07]
417 Deputy Michael D. Higgins asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if his attention has been drawn to the reports emanating from, and a recent BBC documentary on, a State run children’s social care home in Mogilino, Bulgaria; if, in view of the fact of Bulgaria’s recent membership of the EU, he is concerned by reports of abuse and neglect; and if action on these matters is proposed at EU level, in order to ensure a uniform high level of child care across the EU.
[33784/07]
112 Deputy Michael D. Higgins asked the Minister for Education and Science the steps that need to be taken by her Department, the Department of Finance, and the voluntary secondary school sector to enable that sector to be covered for insurance purposes by a company (details supplied) which currently provides insurance to local authorities, the health sector, the VECs, higher education institutions and other public bodies having regard to the high cost of insurance being experienced by this sector; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
[33426/07]
62 Deputy Michael D. Higgins asked the Minister for Education and Science if her attention has been drawn to the fact that local authority charges have risen by 104% since 2002 and that this is having an adverse affect on the budgets of the voluntary secondary schools sector as the schools are now required by their local authority to pay domestic refuse disposal and water charges; the steps she could take to increase the allocation of funds to the voluntary secondary schools sector in order to assist it in meeting this increased charge; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
[33427/07]
56 Deputy Michael D. Higgins asked the Minister for Transport if his Department has examined the possibility of establishing a public service obligation for the Shannon-Heathrow route; if not, the grounds on which this option has been ruled out; if he has had discussions with his British counterpart in this regard; if he has decided to carry out any restructuring of his Department in view of the failure of his Department to inform him of Aer Lingus’ decision to transfer Heathrow slots from Shannon to Belfast; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[32769/07]
40 Deputy Michael D. Higgins asked the Minister for Transport when he will make a decision on whether to lower the blood alcohol limit for motorists; the national and international experts and agencies advising him on this matter; and if he will make a decision on the matter.
[32774/07]
85
D’fhiafraigh Deputy Michael D. Higgins den Aire Gnóthaí Pobail, Tuaithe agus Gaeltachta an mó scéim teanga atá aontaithe anois faoi Acht na dTeangacha Oifigiúla 2003; agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina thaobh.
[32619/07]
81
D’fhiafraigh Deputy Michael D. Higgins den Aire Gnóthaí Pobail, Tuaithe agus Gaeltachta cén tacaíocht nua ar leith atá beartaithe aige a chur ann in 2008 don Ghaeltacht mar cheantar labhartha Gaeilge; agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina thaobh.
[32620/07]
551 Deputy Michael D. Higgins asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the position of an application by a person for asylum by a person (details supplied) which dates back into the late 1990’s; the reason for the delay which is being experienced in this application; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[32417/07]
325 Deputy Michael D. Higgins asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if his attention has been drawn to the ongoing humanitarian tragedy in Congo; the details of discussions he has held at international level, be it EU or UN, with counterparts with regard to trying to offer assistance to those innocent persons so terribly afflicted; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[32466/07]
326 Deputy Michael D. Higgins asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if his attention has been drawn to the ongoing conflict in Somalia, with particular reference to violence in the capital Mogadishu; the details of discussions he has held at international level, be it EU or UN, with counterparts with regard to trying to offer assistance to those innocent persons so terribly afflicted; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[32467/07]
145 Deputy Michael D. Higgins asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if is satisfied with the development of personal advocacy services for people with disabilities; and when he will commence the relative sections of the Citizen’s Information Act 2007.
[32210/07]