News & Statements

Dáil Question on cash for gold regulation

To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality if he has examined the possibility of regulating cash for gold establishments due to the current value of gold and the increased risk of gold theft; and if he will make a statement on the matter

Dáil Question on free pre school education

To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she will advise on her consultations with pre-school representatives in relation to the current pre-school year and any possible increase to this facility; if there are any concerns raised by the industry regarding costs and regulation; the submissions she has received from pre-school managers; and if she will make a statement on the matter.

Dáil Question on improvements to the online student grant system

To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the measures that have been put in place with regard to the improvements of the Student Universal Support Ireland system; if a guaranteed turnaround time for completed applications has been agreed; the measures that were put in place in 2012 and 2013 to ensure that staff are fully trained; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Dáil Question on staff resources at Oberstown House Detention Centre

To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs her views on the growing number of assaults on staff members at Oberstown House, County Dublin, since the age of limit of residents has been raised to 18 years; if there has been any review of the safety of the facility since these changes have been made; if there are plans to increase support staff as a result of these changes; and if she will make a statement on the matter.

Dail Question on Facebook and NAPD’s engagement to address cyberbullying

To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if his Department will be engaging with the National Association of Principals and Deputy Principals in their attempt to request a meeting with Facebook to discuss the risks of cyberbullying; his position on this request; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Dail Question regarding derelict buildings in Swords, Co. Dublin

To ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he has received an official request for permission to demolish a semi-derelict building block (North Street, Swords) in County Dublin; when permission will be granted; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Dáil Question on the urgent requirement for waste water treatment at Rush, Co. Dublin

To ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government when he envisages funding being made available to Fingal County Council in order to proceed with the construction of a scheme to divert sewage from Rush Harbour, County Dublin to the Portrane Sewage Plant; if this will be addressed urgently due to Rush Harbour failing to meet Environmental Protection Agency standards in 2013 for quality of bathing water,; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Headline crime rates fall in Malahide and Swords

"There has been a reduced rate of residential burglaries in Malahide and Swords in the first quarter of 2013," according to Alan Farrell, Fine Gael TD for Dublin Fingal, commenting on the recent figures released by An Garda Síochána.

Unemployment falls below 300,000 for first time since 2010

Over 2,000 jobs per month created in private sector since Government's Action Plan for Jobs began. Fine Gael TD for Dublin Fingal Alan Farrell, has welcomed figures released by the Central Statistics Office (CSO) which show that unemployment has fallen below 300,000 for first time since 2008. The CSO's Quarterly National Household Survey (QNHS) labour market estimates also reveal that over 2,000 jobs per month have been created in the private sector in the last year since the Government's Action Plan for Jobs began.