Written answers
Wednesday, 15 July 2020
- Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment
- National Broadband Plan
23. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the position regarding the roll-out of the national broadband plan with specific reference to County Wexford; and if he...
- Greenhouse Gas Emissions
24. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment his plans to maintain the reduction in Ireland's emissions seen during the pandemic; and if he will make a statement on...
- Proposed Legislation
26. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment when he expects to move legislation to ban oil and gas exploration; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15995/20]
- National Broadband Plan
27. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment his plans to expedite the roll-out of the national broadband plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16043/20]
- Greenhouse Gas Emissions
29. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the carbon emissions reductions he expects will be achieved annually in this term of Government. [16042/20]
- Energy Policy
30. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the progress made to date in developing a policy statement on the transition away from the importation of fracked gas...
- Just Transition Fund
31. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the number of applications made to the Just Transition Fund to date in 2020; and if he will make a statement on the...
- Climate Action Plan
32. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the way in which he plans to incorporate biodiversity and nature-based solutions for climate change mitigation within...
- Proposed Legislation
33. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he will introduce legislation in line with the provisions in the Microgeneration Support Scheme Bill 2017 that would...
- Telecommunications Infrastructure
34. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the measures he will implement to ensure a necessary upgrade in the telecommunications infrastructure in areas such as...
- Tax Code
36. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the measures that will be introduced over the next year pertaining to a carbon tax. [16053/20]
- Exploration Licences
37. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the details of all licences issued since 2016 for oil and gas exploration; the number and status of licences under...
- Bituminous Fuel Ban
38. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the new towns that will be included in the proposed extension of the smoky coal ban as per the commitment in the...
- Air Quality
41. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the status of the clean air strategy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16044/20]
- Just Transition Commissioner
42. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he will expedite the implementation of the recommendations included in the Just Transition Commissioner’s...
- Greenhouse Gas Emissions
43. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment his views on the projection of emissions for the period 2019 to 2040 published on 8 July 2020 by the Environmental...
- National Broadband Plan
44. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if his attention has been drawn to the number of households in the amber area of national broadband coverage marginally...
- Greenhouse Gas Emissions
45. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the progress made in the past three years in reducing emissions here; the next steps he plans to take to achieve an...
- Climate Action Council
46. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the process by which he plans to select members of the climate action council, which is due to be newly established...
- Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation
- Covid-19 Pandemic Supports
48. To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation his plans to assist companies that have been closed for the past number of months by way of cash injection to meet their deferred debts...
- Company Liquidations
51. To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the legal protections to ensure that companies based primarily abroad do not engage in tactical liquidations of entities here in order...
- Covid-19 Pandemic Supports
52. To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the timeline for the appointment of the SME recovery task force; if relevant small and local business representative bodies will be...
- Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment
- Trading Online Voucher Scheme
56. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment his plans to continue the trading online voucher, which has expired and was beneficial to SMEs; and if he will make a...
- Departmental Functions
57. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the lead Department in fulfilling the commitment in the programme for Government to invest in infrastructure, including...
- Cybersecurity Policy
58. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the number of staff employed by the National Cyber Security Centre in each of the years 2018, 2019 and to date in 2020;...
- Online Safety
59. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if the introduction of the 2019 online safety media regulation Bill will be prioritised. [16071/20]
- Environmental Regulations
60. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the engagement between the Environmental Protection Agency and residents of Heather Grove, Palmerstown, in respect of...
- Better Energy Communities Programme
61. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment when the SEAI community energy upgrade grants will be reintroduced. [16194/20]
- Electricity Generation
62. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment his plans for the replacement of fossil fuel-based electricity generation by the generation of electricity from...
- Greenhouse Gas Emissions
63. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the extent to which he has set out priorities in respect of climate action with a view to reducing emissions; and if he...
- Departmental Budgets
64. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment his views on the extent to which the budget of his Department is adequate to meet the costs of the targets set in...
- Greenhouse Gas Emissions
65. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the degree to which he has identified the most important issues and targets to be met in respect of reduction of...
- Waste Management
67. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the extent to which he expects to be in a position to bring about a reduction in plastic waste onshore and offshore; and...
- Electricity Generation
69. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the extent to which non-fossil generated electricity is currently capable of meeting the demands of the national grid;...
- Electric Vehicles
70. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the number of vehicles totally reliant on electricity propulsion in use; his expectations for the future in this regard;...
- Electricity Generation
71. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the requirement in terms of daily electricity use here; the extent to which he expects to be in a position to avail of...
- Electricity Supply Board
72. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he will request a full report from the ESB as to the reason for repeated electricity outages in Lusk, north County...
- Departmental Schemes
73. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he has received the research output from a body (details supplied) on the warmth and well-being scheme; when the...
- Cybersecurity Policy
74. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the number of staff employed in the national cybersecurity centre in 2018, 2019 and to date in 2020; and if he will make...
- Programme for Government
75. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if an unredacted version in electronic format of the residential retrofit note provided by his Department to the...
- Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport
- Consumer Protection
76. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will instruct each airline (details supplied) that operates flights out of Ireland on pain of forfeit of Government financial...
- Shannon Airport Facilities
77. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if an aircraft (details supplied) received approval to land and refuel at Shannon Airport; if it was approved to transport weapons or...
- Cycling Facilities
79. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will consider providing a scheme for local authorities to make local tertiary roads safer for cycling; and if he will make a...
- Greenways Provision
80. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the levels of funding that will be available for new greenway and cycling infrastructure in the coming years; and if he will make a...
- Driver Test
81. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when a person (details supplied) will receive an appointment for a driver test, which is required in order for the person to take up...
- Noise Pollution
83. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the plans of the National Roads Authority to reduce noise pollution from the M50 motorway in Heather Grove, Palmerstown; the measures...
- Road Projects
84. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to ensure that the A5 is kept firmly on the agenda at any upcoming North-South Ministerial Council meetings; if projects funded...
- Driver Licences
85. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if there is an alternative method available for a person (details supplied) to renew a driver licence due to Covid-19 medical...
- Public Transport
86. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if funding will be provided to allow Irish Rail users to host their tickets on their smartphones to reduce the need for physical tickets...
- Covid-19 Pandemic Supports
87. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the measures that will be included in the July stimulus to enable taxi drivers return to work safely; and if he will make a statement on...
- School Transport
88. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if the cancellation of the school bus service between Finglas, Dublin 11, and a school (details supplied) will be reconsidered. [16243/20]
- Covid-19 Pandemic
89. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the guidance available for driving instructors for a safe return to work; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16265/20]
- Department of Finance
- Tax Reliefs
90. To ask the Minister for Finance the tax exemption cut-off age for a young farmer (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16222/20]
- Value Added Tax
91. To ask the Minister for Finance if matters raised in correspondence by a person (details supplied) regarding the reduction or removal of VAT on medical grade masks for the term of the...
- Mortgage Lending
92. To ask the Minister for Finance the steps he will take in respect of the situation of persons (details supplied). [16242/20]
- Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht
- Caiteachas Gaeilge agus Gaeltachta
93. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht mionsonraí a thabhairt faoi cén fáth go ndearna an Stát Iarratas Pleanála (Uimhir Thagartha: 20683) i...
- Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government
- Local Authority Housing
94. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the original cost of each project, grant aid and projected output for each project in respect of LIHAF; the revisions to same;...
- Social and Affordable Housing
95. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if privately owned lands, some of which may have the benefit of planning permission, will be included in addition to public...
- Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
- International Sanctions
97. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views on whether the unilateral sanctions of illegal and unilateral coercive measures imposed by the Unites States of America on...
- Department of Education and Skills
- Third Level Admissions
99. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the steps being put in place to ensure the CAO application process receives all official transcripts from students seeking to study medicine on...
- School Staff
100. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if the number of teachers in primary schools for the 2020-21 school year will not be reduced in view of the fact this is not the time to reduce...
- Special Educational Needs Staff
101. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if her attention has been drawn to the fact that a school (details supplied) has a larger number of pupils with additional needs this year and...
- Education Policy
102. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the way in which a registered educational and membership body here can be awarded chartered status and confer individual charter status to its...
- Third Level Institutions
103. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if clarity will be provided to third level students regarding the return to third level institutions in autumn 2020; if courses will to be based...
- DEIS Scheme
105. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the timeframe for the completion of the new DEIS identification model; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16227/20]
- School Closures
106. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if assurances will be provided to parents and staff of four special schools, in particular a school (details supplied) that caters exclusively...
- Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection
- Enterprise Support Services
107. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection when applications will be opened for the enterprise support grant for small businesses; and the location in which the...
- Invalidity Pension
108. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the progress to date in the determination of an appeal for an invalidity pension in the case of a person (details supplied);...
- State Pensions
109. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if persons who turn 66 years of age before the completion of the review by the commission on pensions will be entitled to...
- Personal Public Service Numbers
110. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if a PPS number will be provided to a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16179/20]
- Departmental Staff
111. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if she will give consideration to temporarily reallocating staff within her Department in order to deal with the large...
- State Pension (Contributory)
112. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if the Social Welfare Consolidation Act 2005 will be amended to allow applicants for the State pension (contributory) to...
- Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance Scheme
113. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the arrangements in place for persons with no Internet connection and who have difficulty with the English language who have...
- Citizens Information Services
114. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection when citizens information centres in southern areas of Dublin Bay are due to reopen; her plans to reduce the number of...
- Department of Rural and Community Development
- National Broadband Plan
115. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development the status of the roll-out of broadband connection points in County Wexford. [16072/20]
- Programme for Government
117. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development the lead Department in fulfilling the commitment in the programme for Government to invest in infrastructure to support the...
- Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine
- Agriculture Schemes
119. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the draw down to date of the €3 million allocated in budget 2020 for new pilot agri-environmental schemes; the schemes...
- Targeted Agricultural Modernisation Scheme
120. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of a TAMS application by a person (details supplied); if the person can submit the correct documentation; and if he will...
- Meat Processing Plants
121. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the instances of non-compliance with carcase trim specifications his inspectors have identified in beef plants each month to date in...
- Department of Children and Youth Affairs
- Respite Care Services
123. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number of persons that availed of respite care by county by month in 2019 and to date in 2020; the number of facilities providing...
- Department of Justice and Equality
- Youth Justice Strategy
124. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of submissions received under the public consultation of the draft youth justice strategy; her plans for the...
- Immigrant Investor Programme
125. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the status of an application by a company (details supplied) to the immigrant investor section of her Department. [16152/20]
- EU Legislation
126. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the reason Ireland has not transposed in full European Council Framework Decision 2009/829/JHA; and if she will make a...
- Crime Data
128. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of convictions for animal theft; the type of animal that was subject to the theft; the court in which the...
- Visa Applications
129. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the process in which a foreign person here on a stamp 2 visa for study until September 2020 and at present working under 20...
- Immigration Status
130. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the residency status or eligibility for stamp 4 naturalisation in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make...
- Department of Health
- Hospital Appointments Status
131. To ask the Minister for Health the status of a hospital appointment for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16155/20]
- Disability Services Provision
132. To ask the Minister for Health when a service will be restored to a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16156/20]
- Medicinal Products
133. To ask the Minister for Health if a treatment will be funded for persons diagnosed with ATTR amyloidosis at the National Amyloidosis Centre at the Royal Free Hospital in London; and if...
- Hospital Appointments Status
134. To ask the Minister for Health when an operation will be expedited for a child (details suppled); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16164/20]
- Hospital Services
136. To ask the Minister for Health when day services will resume at St. John of God Hospital for those who regularly attended services there prior to Covid-19 restrictions; and if he will make a...
- Dental Services
137. To ask the Minister for Health if he will advise on an issue raised in correspondence by a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16169/20]
- Nursing Homes Support Scheme
138. To ask the Minister for Health his plans regarding the pricing review of the National Treatment Purchase Fund in respect of the nursing homes support scheme; if the review will be published;...
- Medical Cards
139. To ask the Minister for Health if he will review eligibility for a full medical card in the case of a person (details supplied) who currently has a general practitioner card, which was...
- Mental Health Services
140. To ask the Minister for Health if priority will be given to recommendations on access to counselling services in the community (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the...
- Disabilities Assessments
141. To ask the Minister for Health the number of children in County Laois awaiting assessments for intellectual disabilities, including autism. [16188/20]
- Speech and Language Therapy
143. To ask the Minister for Health the number of children in County Laois on the waiting list for speech and language therapy; and the number waiting more than one, two and three years,...
- Occupational Therapy
145. To ask the Minister for Health the number of children in County Laois on the waiting list for occupational therapy; and the number waiting more than one, two and three years, respectively....
- Hospital Waiting Lists
147. To ask the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact that a person (details supplied) who requires a medical procedure has been informed that the waiting list is...
- Medical Aids and Appliances
148. To ask the Minister for Health if updates are available for women affected by pelvic mesh implants. [16209/20]
- Addiction Treatment Services
149. To ask the Minister for Health the corporate and clinical governance arrangements of the new rehabilitation unit in the Phoenix Park. [16210/20]
- Respite Care Services
152. To ask the Minister for Health his views on planned changes to outpatient respite care in a nursing home (details supplied) in Dublin 9; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16213/20]
- National Children's Hospital
153. To ask the Minister for Health the status the new national children’s hospital; and the changes of contractors on site. [16214/20]
- Medicinal Products
154. To ask the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Clare with spinal muscular atrophy type 2 will be provided with Spinraza treatment; and if he will make a statement...
- HSE Properties
155. To ask the Minister for Health if a clear and detailed map will be provided of all lands owned by the Health Service Executive in Portrane, County Dublin; and if he will make a statement on...
- Vaccination Programme
156. To ask the Minister for Health the estimated demand for the flu vaccine in 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16236/20]
- HSE Expenditure
157. To ask the Minister for Health the amount spent by the health service in 2019 to treat fragility fractures and fall-related injuries. [16237/20]
- Care of the Elderly
158. To ask the Minister for Health the status of the work of the AFFINITY project to deliver the national strategy for prevention of falls and fractures in Ireland’s ageing population;...
- Medicinal Products
160. To ask the Minister for Health the status of the establishment of an independent inquiry into the historical licensing and use of sodium valproate, or Epilim, here, following the publication...
- National Children's Hospital
164. To ask the Minister for Health the reason construction on the national children's hospital has been delayed since the return to work of the construction sector post Covid-19; and if he will...
- Care of the Elderly
165. To ask the Minister for Health if he will clarify the position on the day care centre on Morton Street, Clonmel, County Tipperary; when it will reopen; the hours during that it will be open;...
- Covid-19 Tests
166. To ask the Minister for Health the availability of Covid-19 antibody tests, that is, post-infection blood tests, for persons going for private surgeries in private hospitals and for those...
- Pharmacy Services
167. To ask the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the situation of a person (details supplied) who has experienced delays in receiving a repeat prescription; and if Cork...
