Could the Taoiseach tell the Dáil when the Government will move the writ for the Carlow-Kilkenny by-election? There is a vacancy there. The previous Government was forced by Deputy Pearse Doherty's High Court action to call by-elections within six months so I would like to know when the people of that constituency will have the opportunity to elect a Deputy to represent them.

My other questions concern the working group on Seanad reform, the Education (Admission to Schools) Bill 2015 and the health (transport support) Bill. Mar is eol don Leas-Cheann Comhairle, an tseachtain seo caite d'fhoilsigh an grúpa oibre maidir le athchóiriú an tSeanaid a thuarascáil. This report falls far short of what Sinn Féin and others believe is needed to make the Seanad a genuinely democratic and representative elected Chamber mostly because of the restricted terms of reference it was given. The fact that the Taoiseach retains the privilege of appointing 11 nominees is wrong. Other issues include the failure to deal with university representation, gender equality or the representation of ethnic groups, particularly the Traveller community. The numbers to be elected by universal suffrage are too small. Having said all that, when will the Dáil have the opportunity to debate this report and when does the Taoiseach expect the Government to produce legislation?

Tá ceist eile agam faoi Acht atá an-tábhachtach, namely, the Education (Admission to Schools) Bill 2015. We are told that this Bill is about making school enrolment more structured, fair and transparent. It also provides that a school will not discriminate on the basis of religion but if I understand it properly, it then goes on to provide for discrimination by allowing schools to refuse to admit certain children in order to maintain the ethos of the school so this means a school can still discriminate based on religion or faith. The Minister for Education and Skills has also said that she favours allowing schools to admit 10% of pupils if their parents are past pupils. Clearly, this also discriminates against children who do not have that distinction. What is the Taoiseach's view of this and has the Government set a date for the Second Stage reading of this Bill?

I have raised the next issue many times with the Taoiseach. I have noticed over the past few months that the Government is almost ticking boxes with regard to issues that have been raised here. These are very important issues that do not cost an awful lot of money. It is almost as if the Government is trying to close down these issues of discontent as it prepares for the general election. The health (transport support) Bill is a major injustice. In 2013, the Government closed the mobility allowance scheme and the motorised transport grant, affecting 5,000 citizens and their families.

I have raised this with the Taoiseach on a number of occasions and he has acknowledged that what is happening is wrong. The excuse given by the Minister at the time was that the Government could not afford to keep the scheme open. It is interesting that this was brought to the attention of the Dáil because it was ruled to be in breach of equality laws. We were told that the issue would be resolved by the health (transport support) Bill. Two years later, there has been no progress. Two years later, these people are still being denied this necessary grant. According to the legislative programme, it is not possible to indicate when this Bill will be published. Perhaps the Taoiseach will clarify for the House when the health (transport support) Bill will be published. Address of this issue would not cost the Government or taxpayer a great deal of money but would alleviate great difficulties for these citizens and their families.

I have answered this question previously for the Deputy. I cannot give him a specific date in regard to publication of that Bill. It is included in the legislative programme for this year, under legislation relating to the Department of Health. Work in respect of the drafting of the proposals for primary legislation is well advanced but it has not yet come to the Government.

The Education (Admission to Schools) Bill was published on 8 April. No date for the taking of that legislation in the House has yet been agreed. It is a matter for the Whips to agree on a time for debate of that Bill in the Dáil. I noted the comments of the Minister at the recent teachers' meetings on this matter.

The by-election for Carlow-Kilkenny will take place on 22 May, the writ for which will be moved by the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government in good time to allow for an enthusiastic, vibrant and energetic campaign in that regard. That will happen in the near future.

In regard to the Seanad working group, this group was tasked by me to work under the chairmanship of former Seanad Leader, Maurice Manning. The group comprises members nominated by party leaders to represent their parties. The people made their decision in respect of the retention of the Seanad. The terms of reference of the group include an examination of the electoral system and the work programme that might be possible for the Seanad, but within constitutional parameters so as not to require a further referendum. The people decided, albeit by a narrow majority, to retain the Seanad. The question of the number of Members to be appointed to the Seanad by the Taoiseach of the day is enshrined in the Constitution. As such, no change in that regard can be made without a referendum. The group was asked to work within the constitutional parameters. The report presented by the group to me, and to everybody else, is radical, innovative and exciting in the sense of what could be achieved in respect of Seanad Éireann. I hope to meet with the party leaders on the matter. The group is due to appear before an Oireachtas committee shortly to give a presentation on its work and propositions. I understand it will also make a presentation on its report to the Seanad in the next fortnight or in the very near future. The potential work programme outlined by the group is also very interesting.

Will it make the manifesto?

It provides for address by Senators of European directives, secondary legislation, North-South ministerial issues, British-Irish issues and a range of other matters, without interference in the sensitive issue of their view of the electoral system. These are radical proposals. In due course, this House and the Upper House will have an opportunity to discuss that report.