Written answers
Thursday, 15 October 2020
- Department of Trade, Enterprise and Employment
- Legislative Measures
13. To ask the Minister for Trade, Enterprise and Employment his plans to introduce legislation to allow for a mechanism for workers to be prioritised as creditors in the event of a liquidation...
- Covid-19 Pandemic Supports
14. To ask the Minister for Trade, Enterprise and Employment his plans to support indigenous industries that cannot return due to Covid-19. [25616/20]
- Brexit Preparations
16. To ask the Minister for Trade, Enterprise and Employment if his Department expects Brexit to have a disproportionate impact on employment and business in rural Ireland; the specific...
- Departmental Schemes
17. To ask the Minister for Trade, Enterprise and Employment his plans for allowing taxi drivers and other self-employed persons access more support schemes similar to other SMEs from which they...
- Foreign Direct Investment
18. To ask the Minister for Trade, Enterprise and Employment the steps taken to attract more foreign direct investment to Ireland post Brexit and to increase existing investment; and if he will...
- Redundancy Payments
20. To ask the Minister for Trade, Enterprise and Employment if he has had any further engagement with the workers of a company (details supplied) and their trade union representatives regarding...
- Covid-19 Pandemic Supports
21. To ask the Minister for Trade, Enterprise and Employment the status of the newly opened Microfinance Ireland fund pursuant to the Microenterprise Loan Fund (Amendment) Act 2020; the number of...
- Arms Trade
24. To ask the Minister for Trade, Enterprise and Employment the number of arms export licences granted per year since 2015; the value of licensed arms exports per year; and the breakdown of the...
- Covid-19 Pandemic
25. To ask the Minister for Trade, Enterprise and Employment his views on the level of discretion afforded to employers at the different levels of the Living with Covid-19 plan in deciding if...
- Industrial Development
26. To ask the Minister for Trade, Enterprise and Employment if he will consider the establishment of a similar-styled body to the Industrial Development Authority to focus specifically on...
- Departmental Functions
27. To ask the Minister for Trade, Enterprise and Employment if an early warning system for large-scale redundancies is in operation within his Department; and the way in which it operates. [25949/20]
- Job Losses
28. To ask the Minister for Trade, Enterprise and Employment if he will visit Ballinasloe, County Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29715/20]
- Covid-19 Pandemic
29. To ask the Minister for Trade, Enterprise and Employment his views on a report (details supplied); the analysis undertaken by his Department regarding the disproportionate effect on levels of...
- Enterprise Support Services
30. To ask the Minister for Trade, Enterprise and Employment the targeted policy measures being taken by his Department to help young persons secure employment or start businesses; and if he will...
- Job Creation
31. To ask the Minister for Trade, Enterprise and Employment the steps he will take to support job creation in locations outside the cities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29718/20]
- Enterprise Support Services
32. To ask the Minister for Trade, Enterprise and Employment if a programme of financial assistance will be made available for the development of digital hubs in smaller towns to assist in job...
- Health and Safety Inspections
33. To ask the Minister for Trade, Enterprise and Employment the number of Health and Safety Authority, HSA, inspections of meat and food processing plants that have been carried out for...
- Covid-19 Pandemic Supports
34. To ask the Minister for Trade, Enterprise and Employment if a grant to cover the fixed costs of enterprises that have been forced to close due to the Covid-19 pandemic will be provided. [29969/20]
- Aer Lingus
37. To ask the Minister for Trade, Enterprise and Employment if his attention has been drawn to the flagrant breaches of workers’ rights by a company (details supplied) in its refusal to...
- Covid-19 Pandemic Supports
38. To ask the Minister for Trade, Enterprise and Employment if the credit guarantee scheme can be used for the refinancing of current term commercial loans; and if he will make a statement on...
- Budget 2021
39. To ask the Minister for Trade, Enterprise and Employment the supports his Department is providing for the SME sector through budget 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30592/20]
- Covid-19 Pandemic Supports
40. To ask the Minister for Trade, Enterprise and Employment his plans to support taxi drivers. [30553/20]
- Foreign Direct Investment
41. To ask the Minister for Trade, Enterprise and Employment the extent to which he remains satisfied that Ireland remains attractive as a location for foreign direct investment; if in recent...
- Economic Policy
42. To ask the Minister for Trade, Enterprise and Employment the current economic situation and risks of further insolvencies in view of the circumstances surrounding closure of a company...
- Enterprise Support Services
43. To ask the Minister for Trade, Enterprise and Employment the mechanisms of support available to a person seeking to establish a new business. [29980/20]
- Departmental Reviews
44. To ask the Minister for Trade, Enterprise and Employment if his Department will carry out an immediate review of performance of all relevant State agencies under his remit in respect of the...
- Remote Working
45. To ask the Minister for Trade, Enterprise and Employment his plans to develop remote working opportunities further and improve the facilities and conditions to encourage remote working...
- Redundancy Payments
46. To ask the Minister for Trade, Enterprise and Employment if he has discussed proposals by unions (detail supplied) to establish a fund to safeguard the redundancy entitlements of workers in...
- Covid-19 Pandemic Supports
47. To ask the Minister for Trade, Enterprise and Employment the sectors of the economy his Department has identified as needing indefinite support measures. [25982/20]
- Pharmaceutical Sector
48. To ask the Minister for Trade, Enterprise and Employment if he will provide a report on any recent engagement he has had with the pharmaceutical industry in Ireland. [30599/20]
- Industrial Disputes
49. To ask the Minister for Trade, Enterprise and Employment if he will intervene in the dispute of workers (details supplied). [30552/20]
- Covid-19 Pandemic Supports
50. To ask the Minister for Trade, Enterprise and Employment the status of the sustainable enterprise fund; the further considerations being given to the scheme; and if he will make a statement...
- Covid-19 Pandemic
51. To ask the Minister for Trade, Enterprise and Employment the strategy changes introduced by IDA Ireland and Enterprise Ireland in view of international travel restrictions as a consequence of...
- Budget 2021
52. To ask the Minister for Trade, Enterprise and Employment the steps he will take in budget 2021 to support the small and medium enterprise sector; and if he will make a statement on the...
- Brexit Supports
54. To ask the Minister for Trade, Enterprise and Employment if programmes of assistance will be made available to small and medium enterprises in the Border region that will be adversely...
- Brexit Preparations
55. To ask the Minister for Trade, Enterprise and Employment the status of Enterprise Ireland’s strategy to diversify the destination for Irish exports post Brexit; and if he will make a...
- Industrial Disputes
56. To ask the Minister for Trade, Enterprise and Employment if he has made contact with a company (details supplied) and the trade unions to discuss the difficulties staff are having with the...
- Enterprise Support Services
58. To ask the Minister for Trade, Enterprise and Employment his plans to establish a national agency for small businesses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30101/20]
- Covid-19 Pandemic Supports
59. To ask the Minister for Trade, Enterprise and Employment his plans for further measures to assist the business sectors negatively impacted by Covid-19, bearing in mind that the virus will...
- Industrial Disputes
62. To ask the Minister for Trade, Enterprise and Employment if he has discussed a dispute (details supplied) with the Minister for Finance; if so, if he has discussed the proposal that the State...
- Enterprise Support Services
64. To ask the Minister for Trade, Enterprise and Employment his plans to encourage and support greater numbers of women entering the enterprise sector; and if he will make a statement on the...
- Covid-19 Pandemic
65. To ask the Minister for Trade, Enterprise and Employment his plans to amend the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005 to make workplace outbreaks of Covid-19 notifiable by workers to...
- Job Losses
66. To ask the Minister for Trade, Enterprise and Employment his views on recent job losses (details supplied) in County Kerry; if he will consider addressing the issue; and if he will make a...
- Brexit Supports
67. To ask the Minister for Trade, Enterprise and Employment the measures he plans to introduce or that are in place to support the sectors most exposed by Brexit and workers in those sectors....
- Covid-19 Pandemic Supports
68. To ask the Minister for Trade, Enterprise and Employment his plans to provide specific support to the taxi industry in circumstances in which many taxi owners cannot trade and their revenue...
- Trade Agreements
69. To ask the Minister for Trade, Enterprise and Employment the status of the EU trade deals being negotiated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25944/20]
- Health and Safety Inspections
70. To ask the Minister for Trade, Enterprise and Employment the number of HSA inspections of meat and food processing plants that have been carried out for compliance with Covid-19 regulations...
- Covid-19 Pandemic Supports
72. To ask the Minister for Trade, Enterprise and Employment the supports he plans to provide for those working in the drinks and hospitality industry; the supports to the sector to ensure these...
- Enterprise Support Services
73. To ask the Minister for Trade, Enterprise and Employment the supports in place to help businesses that have no income to alleviate the pressures of commercial rents; and if he will make a...
- Covid-19 Pandemic Supports
74. To ask the Minister for Trade, Enterprise and Employment the additional supports provided by his Department to Dublin businesses since the city and county entered level 3 under the living...
- Trade Missions
75. To ask the Minister for Trade, Enterprise and Employment the number of trade or related missions to Saudi Arabia and Bahrain since 2016 in cases in which at least one official or Minister...
- Covid-19 Pandemic
76. To ask the Minister for Trade, Enterprise and Employment if friendly societies that are compelled to hold AGMs will be exempt in 2020 in view of the additional challenges of holding AGMs...
- Public Sector Pensions
77. To ask the Minister for Trade, Enterprise and Employment if he will provide a list of all commercial semi-State bodies, including a complete list of any of their subsidiaries, in which the...
- Covid-19 Pandemic
78. To ask the Minister for Trade, Enterprise and Employment his views on establishing a dedicated service for employees to report employers anonymously that are unnecessarily requiring them to...
- Brexit Preparations
79. To ask the Minister for Trade, Enterprise and Employment the extent to which he and his Department continue to identify and make provision for a fallout from Brexit; and if he will make a...
- Covid-19 Pandemic Supports
82. To ask the Minister for Trade, Enterprise and Employment the extent to which his Department expects to combat the negative aspects of Covid-19 in the year ahead with particular reference to...
- Enterprise Support Services
83. To ask the Minister for Trade, Enterprise and Employment the extent to which he foresees the availability of sufficient resources to ensure adequate investment and activity in the...
- Economic Policy
85. To ask the Minister for Trade, Enterprise and Employment the extent to which industry and trade here have made sufficient and adequate provision to meet the challenges arising from Brexit and...
- Job Creation
88. To ask the Minister for Trade, Enterprise and Employment the job creation in both the services and manufacturing sectors here in the past five years, respectively; his views on that which the...
- Economic Competitiveness
89. To ask the Minister for Trade, Enterprise and Employment the extent to which he and his Department have evaluated increased costs to industry here that might impact on job creation in the...
- Enterprise Data
90. To ask the Minister for Trade, Enterprise and Employment his views on the extent to which women continue to head up new enterprises; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30883/20]
- Job Creation
92. To ask the Minister for Trade, Enterprise and Employment the extent of job creation arising from indigenous investment and foreign direct investment in County Kildare in the past five years;...
- Enterprise Data
93. To ask the Minister for Trade, Enterprise and Employment the number of people employed in the manufacturing and servicing sectors in County Kildare, respectively; the degree to which this...
- IDA Ireland
94. To ask the Minister for Trade, Enterprise and Employment the level of IDA-sponsored investment in western areas of County Meath in the period 2015 to 2019, inclusive, on a yearly basis; and...
- Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment
- Waste Management
95. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment his plans to introduce a waste waiver for persons and families with disabilities. [30649/20]
- National Broadband Plan
96. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the date on which high-speed broadband will be facilitated in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will...
- Just Transition Fund
100. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he will defer the community contribution required under the just transition fund in view of the difficulty for...
- Warmer Homes Scheme
101. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment further to Parliamentary Question No. 191 of 6 October 2020, if he will provide a breakdown of the over 8,000 homes on...
- Regional Aid
102. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the value of regional aid granted under the regional aid guidelines by his Department or agencies under the remit of...
- Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport
- Covid-19 Pandemic Supports
103. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to introduce specific supports for travel agencies operating through Covid-19 (details supplied); and if he will make a...
- Pilot Training Courses
104. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the reason a company (details supplied) is using the airfield in Abbeyshrule, County Longford, to train pilots. [30638/20]
- Road Projects
105. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the status of projects (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30657/20]
- Consumer Rights
106. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on persons who booked flights to non-green list countries with airlines that will not refund them or offer credit for these...
- Driver Test
107. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if a person (details supplied) will be called for a driving test; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30707/20]
- Covid-19 Pandemic
108. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if a clear face visor will be supplied to driving test applicants at driving test centres as an alternative in cases in which cloth face...
- Driver Test
109. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if a person (details supplied) will be called for a driving test; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30710/20]
- Rail Network
110. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if an Irish Rail district engineer in Limerick Junction will review line speed on the Ballybrophy to Limerick line in view of the fact...
- Driver Licences
113. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if an extension for driver licences that have expired since 1 September 2020 will be considered in view of the appointment backlog. [30762/20]
- Road Projects
114. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the national roads that have been selected to go ahead in the national plan; and the roads that have been deselected from the national...
- Covid-19 Pandemic Supports
115. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the supports he plans to put in place for the licensed limousine sector in view of the medium-term outlook for the sector due to Covid-19...
- Driver Test
116. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if a driver test will be expedited for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30868/20]
- Regional Aid
117. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the value of regional aid granted under the regional aid guidelines granted by his Department or agencies under the remit of his...
- Department of Finance
- Value Added Tax
118. To ask the Minister for Finance if he plans a reduction in the VAT rate to 9% for the restaurant, café and pub sectors. [29970/20]
- Primary Medical Certificates
119. To ask the Minister for Finance if applications are being assessed for primary medical certificates; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30795/20]
- Remote Working
120. To ask the Minister for Finance if his attention has been drawn to a request made by an association (details supplied) that employers would provide the €3.20 per day to cover the...
- Tax Treaties
123. To ask the Minister for Finance if, in the context of discussions on taxation at European level, due regard has been given for the peripheral geographic locations here in respect of the rest...
- Covid-19 Pandemic
124. To ask the Minister for Finance if his attention has been drawn to the fact that persons with type 1 diabetes are being turned down for life insurance and mortgages due to the Covid-19...
- Covid-19 Pandemic Supports
126. To ask the Minister for Finance if a new company is eligible for the employment wage subsidy scheme, EWSS, if the previous company was availing of the scheme in cases in which the trading...
- Registration of Title
127. To ask the Minister for Finance if the issues relative to the land title in the name of a person (detail supplied) have been resolved; if the documents submitted in June 2020 to the stamps...
- Consumer Protection
128. To ask the Minister for Finance if the recommendations of the 2018 Consumer and Competition Protection Commission, CCPC, report on personal contract plans, PCPs, in the car finance market...
- Departmental Contracts
129. To ask the Minister for Finance if a bank (details supplied) has been awarded State contracts in each of the years 2016 to 2019 and to date in 2020; and if he will make a statement on the...
- Banking Sector
130. To ask the Minister for Finance outcome of his recent meeting with a bank (details supplied), in particular the outcome of his conversation with the bank regarding the recent statement by...
- Bank Codes of Conduct
131. To ask the Minister for Finance if the Central Bank plans to update the code of practice governing bank branch closures (details supplied) that would ensure that, at a minimum, an impact...
- Regional Aid
133. To ask the Minister for Finance the value of regional aid granted under the regional aid guidelines granted by his Department or agencies under the remit of his Department in each of the...
- Covid-19 Pandemic Supports
134. To ask the Minister for Finance the status of the stay and spend scheme; if the effectiveness of it has been assessed to date; if he will seek an extension of the scheme beyond April 2021 in...
- Department of Public Expenditure and Reform
- Covid-19 Pandemic
135. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the procedure for a public servant who has to travel abroad for an essential health procedure and must self-isolate on return here; and...
- Commissioner for Environmental Information
136. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if the Commissioner for Environmental Information sought an order for costs (details supplied) in cases in which it either succeeded or...
- Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht
- Covid-19 Pandemic Supports
137. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht her plans to introduce specific grants and supports for the live events section of the economy (details supplied); and if she will...
- Covid-19 Pandemic
138. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the restrictions that apply to yoga studios, dance classes and stage schools in view of level three Covid-19 restrictions. [30634/20]
- Covid-19 Pandemic Supports
139. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if support will be provided to a leisure facility (details supplied); the supports open to this facility; and if she will make a...
- Freedom of Information
140. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the date on which a freedom of information request (details supplied) sent to her Department on 2 September 2020 will be replied...
- Sports Capital Programme
141. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the date on which the next round of the sports capital programme will open for applications; the budget of same; and if she will...
- Covid-19 Pandemic Supports
142. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if Covid-19 grant assistance is available for a group (details supplied) in County Limerick; and if she will make a statement on...
- Covid-19 Pandemic
144. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the level to which boxing clubs can operate under Covid-19 restrictions; the engagement she has had with an organisation (details...
- Irish Language
145. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if additional supports and resources will be provided for Foras na Gaeilge, Údarás na Gaeltachta, TG4 and Raidió...
- Regional Aid
146. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the value of regional aid granted under the regional aid guidelines granted by her Department or agencies under the remit of her...
- Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government
- Local Authority Funding
147. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if he will consider issues raised in correspondence from a local authority (details supplied); and if he will make a statement...
- Departmental Strategies
148. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the date on which the towns first strategy will be published; if consultation will be involved; and if he will make a...
- Defective Building Materials
149. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to the increasing number of homes impacted by defective building materials in County Clare; if...
- County Development Plans
150. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government his plans to suspend or extend the county development plan preparation and consultation processes in view of the restriction...
- Housing Estates
151. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the legal ownership of open green areas in estates that have been taken over by a respective local authority; and if he will...
- Homelessness Strategy
152. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if he will advise on a matter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30847/20]
- Wastewater Treatment
153. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the date on which funding will be made available to a county council (details supplied) that applied for funding to deal with...
- Regional Aid
154. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the value of regional aid granted under the regional aid guidelines granted by his Department or agencies under the remit of...
- Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
- Human Rights
155. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views on the human rights situation in Saudi Arabia and Bahrain; his plans to raise these issues as part of membership of the UN...
- Middle East
156. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if his attention has been drawn to the increase in demolitions and seizures of Palestinian structures in the West Bank (details supplied);...
- Election Monitoring Missions
158. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the number of members on the election observation roster; the steps taken to establish the number of roster members able and willing to...
- Department of Defence
- Working Family Payment
159. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the number of persons employed by his Department that are in receipt of the working family payment; and if he will make a statement on the...
- Defence Forces Personnel
160. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the number of career break applications in the Army, Naval Service and Air Corps in each of the years 2016 to 2019 and to date in 2020; the...
- Defence Forces Allowances
161. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the cost of increasing military service allowances by 10%; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30696/20]
- Defence Forces Remuneration
162. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the cost of increasing technical pay by 10%; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30697/20]
- Defence Forces Personnel
163. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the number of discharges being processed and-or pending from the Army, Naval Service and Air Corps in tabular form; and if he will make a...
- Defence Forces Reserve
164. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence his plans to provide employment protection legislation for reservists to allow for the undertaking of courses, exercises or other activities...
- Defence Forces Remuneration
165. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the cost implications of excluding wages paid to reservists from income tax for 2019 and 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter....
- Naval Service
166. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the cost of establishing two Naval Service crews for each ship; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30701/20]
- Defence Forces Reserve
167. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence his plans to modernise the public sector circular 51 of 1978, which provides reservists leave for training with the Defence Forces but does not...
- Defence Forces Properties
168. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence his plans to invest in accommodation to be provided to military families to ease the financial burdens on them; and if he will make a statement...
- Defence Forces Operations
169. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the strength of the Defence Forces and Reserve Defence Forces CIS units; the established strength of each; his plans to enhance cybersecurity...
- Defence Forces
170. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if all members of the Army, Naval Service and Air Corps are provided with a Defence Forces email address upon joining to facilitate easier...
- Regional Aid
171. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the value of regional aid granted under the regional aid guidelines granted by his Department or agencies under the remit of his Department in...
- Department of Education and Skills
- Child Abuse
172. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the progress made in respect of a report (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30821/20]
- School Enrolments
173. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the number of pupils in primary schools in the Malahide, Portmarnock and Kinsealy areas; the number of pupils in post-primary schools in the same...
- Schools Building Projects
174. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the status of a new building for a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30665/20]
- Emergency Works Scheme
175. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the status of a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30666/20]
- Schools Building Projects
176. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the status of a new building for a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30667/20]
- School Staff
177. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills her plans to ensure that the staff numbers for a school (details supplied) in County Cork will not be reduced in view of a marginal and temporary...
- Home Tuition Scheme
178. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she will address matters raised in correspondence (details supplied); her plans to change the home tuition scheme; and if she will make a...
- School Transport
179. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the date on which a reply will issue to correspondence (details supplied); the reason for the delay in same; and if she will make a statement on...
- State Examinations
180. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the number of leaving certificate students in 2020 that received results downgrades from their teacher-predicted grades through the...
- Pupil-Teacher Ratio
187. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if remedial teachers are included as part of the overall teacher numbers in schools for calculating the pupil-teacher ratio (details supplied);...
- School Staff
188. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the steps she in taking to avert strike action by school secretaries; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30742/20]
- Schools Broadband Programme
189. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if her attention has been drawn to the increased broadband needs at schools arising from Covid-19; if she will put forward plans for upgrading...
- School Funding
190. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills further to Parliamentary Question No. 459 of 29 September 2020, the way in which she expects schools to be able to continue to pay the wages of...
- Teaching Council of Ireland
191. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if the Teaching Council will allow the registration of a person (details supplied) to proceed; and if she will make a statement on the matter....
- Schools Designation
192. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she will respond to an application submitted to her Department by a school (details supplied); if she will engage with the schools to bring...
- Public Sector Pensions
193. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if a reply will issue to a query from a person (details supplied). [30772/20]
- Teaching Council of Ireland
194. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if the case of a person (details supplied) will be reviewed; the status of the application; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30784/20]
- Pupil-Teacher Ratio
195. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills her plans to reduce class sizes as outlined in the programme for Government; and if there are additional allocations in budget 2021 to progress...
- Special Educational Needs Staff
196. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills her plans to invest in special needs assistants as committed to in the programme for Government; and if there have been allocations in budget...
- National Educational Psychological Service
197. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills her plans to increase the capacity of the NEPS; and if there were additional allocations in budget 2021 to progress same. [30812/20]
- National Broadband Plan
198. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills her plans to ensure that all primary school children have adequate IT access in order that they can avail of home-based or blended learning...
- Special Educational Needs
199. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the educational provision available for a person (details supplied); and her plans to make additional specialist placements available at the...
- School Transport
200. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if school transport will be provided in an area for persons (details supplied); her plans to provide a direct service from the general location...
- School Staff
202. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the measures being examined to improve pay and conditions for school secretaries; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30855/20]
- Covid-19 Pandemic
204. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if children and young persons with underlying health conditions that make them vulnerable to Covid-19 are allowed to participate in school...
- Regional Aid
205. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the value of regional aid granted under the regional aid guidelines granted by her Department or agencies under the remit of her Department in...
- Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection
- Back to Education Allowance
206. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the reason a person (details supplied) cannot avail of the back to education scheme. [30643/20]
- Working Family Payment
207. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of persons employed by the Departments of Foreign Affairs and Defence that are in receipt of the working family...
- State Pensions
208. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the status of the removal of the age of 67 years for receipt of payment from the Social Welfare and Pensions Act. [30652/20]
- Farm Relief Scheme
209. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection her plans to extend farm relief for farmers over 66 years of age in view of the fact that the pension age will increase to 67...
- Social Welfare Payments Administration
210. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the policy regarding welfare payments for persons with no fixed abode; if claimants are permitted to use An Post’s...
- Invalidity Pension
211. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if the criteria for invalidity pension payments will be examined; and if the introduction of a measure that will allow...
- Carer's Allowance
212. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if an oral hearing can be facilitated in the case of a person (details supplied) in respect of a carer's allowance appeal...
- JobPath Programme
213. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the way in which JobPath is operating in the context of Covid-19 restrictions; the number of persons referred to the scheme...
- Covid-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment
214. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if persons who lose their employment due to Covid-19 continue in educational placements with the Covid-19 pandemic...
- Community Employment Schemes
215. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if a community employment scheme will be extended for a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the...
- State Pension (Contributory)
216. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if she will address matters raised in correspondence (details supplied). [30766/20]
- State Pensions
217. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the date on which the increase of the State pension to 67 years of age will be removed from the Social Welfare and Pensions...
- Departmental Reports
218. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if she has received the report carried out by external consultants to review all current contracted public employment...
- Jobseeker's Allowance
219. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the date on which a decision will be made on an application made by workers of a company (details supplied) for casual docket...
- Fuel Allowance
221. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the reason a person (details supplied) in County Cork who is receiving the pandemic unemployment payment no longer qualifies...
- Regional Aid
222. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the value of regional aid granted under the regional aid guidelines granted by her Department or agencies under the remit of...
- Department of Children and Youth Affairs
- Childcare Costs
223. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the reason community employment scheme income is assessed as reckonable income when calculating childcare fees. [30642/20]
- Child Protection
224. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the steps being taken to monitor and screen for child trafficking victims in foster care or vulnerable situations who may be more easily...
- City and County Child Care Committees
225. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs his plans to honour the Workplace Relations Commission recommendation regarding the pay claim of the county childcare committees'...
- Covid-19 Pandemic
226. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if a group can be considered a youth work organisation under the terms of a plan (details supplied) and be approved to operate under the...
- Departmental Schemes
227. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if his Department will revisit a decision not to grant a community employment childcare programme, CEC, payment for a person (details...
- Early Years Sector
228. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if his attention has been drawn to the staffing crisis in the early years sector in County Meath; the steps he is taking to address same;...
- Domestic Violence Refuges Provision
229. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs further to Parliamentary Question No. 792 of 8 September 2020, the reason his answer included the standard of one family place per 10,000...
- Regional Aid
230. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the value of regional aid granted under the regional aid guidelines granted by his Department or agencies under the remit of his Department...
- Department of Education and Skills
- English Language Training Organisations
231. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills his views on a matter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30712/20]
- Youthreach Programme
232. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the reason a person (details supplied) was offered a place in Youthreach in Limerick to complete the leaving certificate but was refused a place...
- Covid-19 Pandemic Supports
233. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if additional supports will be made available to college students who have paid full college fees but are advised to remain home under Covid-19...
- Regional Aid
234. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the value of regional aid granted under the regional aid guidelines granted by his Department or agencies under the remit of his Department in...
- Department of Justice and Equality
- Covid-19 Pandemic Supports
235. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if funding will be provided for parents who have to take time off work without pay to take care of children who are sick, in...
- Covid-19 Pandemic
236. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality her plans to reconsider Operation Fanacht and Garda checkpoints in view of the disruption to persons commuting to and from...
- Covid-19 Pandemic Supports
237. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality her plans to support small and medium businesses that cannot trade due to Covid-19 and are unable to meet their rental...
- Visa Applications
238. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the average waiting times for the processing of visa applications; if the waiting times have increased during the Covid-19...
- Human Trafficking
239. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the steps she is taking to review and introduce further regulations to protect workers in the fishing sector in view of an...
- Driver Licences
242. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the timeline for delivering the ability to apply for driver licences and bank accounts for persons resident in direct...
- Penal Policy Review Group
243. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the status of the Consultative Council on Penal Policy, in particular its membership and its work; and if she will make a...
- Legal Aid Service
244. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the legal aid fees paid to solicitors and barristers in each District Court and Circuit Court area; the reason for the delay in...
- Budget 2021
245. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality her views on investing €1.5 million in an assistive technology passport in budget 2021; and if she will make a statement...
- Cúirteanna Dúiche
246. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality an bhfuil aon rún aici an dlí a athrú de bharr breithiúnas cúirte a rialaigh nach raibh cumhacht ag na...
- Immigration Status
247. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the date on which it will be possible to obtain information in respect of the residency status of a person (details supplied),...
- International Protection
248. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if a transfer to the international protection accommodation services will be accommodated in the case of a person (details...
- Naturalisation Applications
249. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the progress to date in the determination of an application for naturalisation in the case of a person (details supplied); and...
- Residency Permits
250. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if a stamp 4 will issue in the case of a person (details supplied); if so, the date on which same will issue; if the process...
- Regional Aid
251. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the value of regional aid granted under the regional aid guidelines granted by her Department or agencies under the remit of...
- Department of Health
- Disability Support Services
252. To ask the Minister for Health the status of a charge (details supplied); his plans to review this charge; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30781/20]
- Speech and Language Therapy
253. To ask the Minister for Health the reason in-person speech and language therapy sessions have not been provided to a person (details supplied) since February 2020; and the reason the person...
- Covid-19 Pandemic
254. To ask the Minister for Health if clarity will be provided on a statutory instrument (details supplied) as it relates to yoga and pilates studios. [30639/20]
- Cancer Services
255. To ask the Minister for Health his plans to offer screening appointments at the mobile breast screening unit at a care centre (details supplied). [30640/20]
- Covid-19 Pandemic
256. To ask the Minister for Health the reason a business (details supplied) was not closed for deep cleaning following five confirmed cases of Covid-19 there. [30641/20]
- Disability Services Provision
258. To ask the Minister for Health the status of a home (details supplied); when the home will be open; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30650/20]
- Health Services Provision
259. To ask the Minister for Health if he will request the NRDO to report on its initiatives for the treatment and provisions of supports through the HSE to persons that have EDS; the initiatives...
- Home Help Service
260. To ask the Minister for Health if personal care or home help will be provided to a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30671/20]
- Covid-19 Pandemic
261. To ask the Minister for Health if he will address a matter regarding Covid-19 contact tracing (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30693/20]
- Hospital Consultant Contracts
262. To ask the Minister for Health the number of approved consultant posts in the health service; the number of vacant approved posts; the number of recommended consultant posts; and if he will...
- Hospital Waiting Lists
263. To ask the Minister for Health the status of an operation for a person (details suppled); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30711/20]
- Disability Services Provision
264. To ask the Minister for Health if he will address a matter (details supplied) regarding special needs day-care service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30715/20]
- Healthcare Infrastructure Provision
265. To ask the Minister for Health if he will address a matter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30733/20]
- Nursing Home Accommodation
266. To ask the Minister for Health the status of an application for a long stay bed for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30746/20]
- Medical Cards
267. To ask the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact that dental practices are not facilitating appointments for medical card holders; the steps he is taking to address...
- Care Services
268. To ask the Minister for Health the status of residential care for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30756/20]
- Hospital Waiting Lists
269. To ask the Minister for Health the status of an appointment for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30757/20]
- Hospital Services
271. To ask the Minister for Health the date on which the cardiac rehab services will resume at St. Luke’s Hospital, Kilkenny; and if same will be expedited. [30761/20]
- Covid-19 Pandemic
272. To ask the Minister for Health his plans to carry out research as to the reason Covid-19 infection rates are higher in poorer areas of the greater Dublin area. [30765/20]
- Covid-19 Tests
273. To ask the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to a delay in supposed weekly Covid-19 testing in meat plants in County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter....
- Grant Payments
275. To ask the Minister for Health if he will review the decision of the HSE to not grant maximum financial assistance to a person (details supplied); if the financial assistance will be...
- Cancer Services
276. To ask the Minister for Health the funding for each of the cancer centres under the National Cancer Control Programme in each of the years 2010 to 2019 and to date in 2020; the variance in...
- General Practitioner Services
278. To ask the Minister for Health if additional funding will be provided to enable the HSE to directly employ a general practitioner at a health centre (details supplied). [30785/20]
- Cross-Border Health Initiatives
279. To ask the Minister for Health the number of persons from Ireland that received treatment under the Cross Border Directive in Northern Ireland; the number of persons from Northern Ireland...
- Occupational Therapy
280. To ask the Minister for Health if a mechanism in which families that are forced to go private for assessments and occupational therapy due to significant delays in the public system can...
- Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services
281. To ask the Minister for Health the average cost per child of assessment of need. [30790/20]
- Respite Care Services
282. To ask the Minister for Health when normal respite services will resume in a facility in County Kerry (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30803/20]
- Hospice Services
283. To ask the Minister for Health if a notice has issued on the eTenders website in respect of the tender issued for the building of a second Waterford cath lab; and if he will make a statement...
- Covid-19 Pandemic
284. To ask the Minister for Health if banks will be added to the list of workplaces in which the wearing of face masks is mandatory (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the...
- Departmental Communications
286. To ask the Minister for Health the contacts he and his Department have had with the private hospital association since he took office (details supplied). [30827/20]
- Hospital Waiting Lists
287. To ask the Minister for Health if surgery will be expedited for a person (details supplied). [30842/20]
- Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services
289. To ask the Minister for Health if a mental health unit for children and young adults will be provided for Counties Wexford and Waterford (details supplied); the number of adolescent mental...
- Cross-Border Health Initiatives
290. To ask the Minister for Health the options available for a British pensioner here to access the cross-border treatment directive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30851/20]
- General Practitioner Services
291. To ask the Minister for Health the status of plans to introduce free GP care for children under 12 years of age; and the timeline for the phased roll out of same. [30853/20]
- Cancer Services
292. To ask the Minister for Health the governance the National Cancer Control Programme has in place to ensure regional and geographical equity of access to services; and if he will make a...
- Regional Aid
295. To ask the Minister for Health the value of regional aid granted under the regional aid guidelines granted by his Department or agencies under the remit of his Department in each of the past...
- Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine
- Industrial Development
296. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans for the development of the wool industry in line with the programme for Government commitment; if he will consider...
- Agriculture Schemes
298. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if the early retirement scheme will be provided to a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on...
- Employment Rights
299. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on the reports of widespread abuse of workers’ rights and terms and conditions in the fishing industry; the steps he...
- Areas of Natural Constraint Scheme
300. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a 2015 and 2016 area of natural constraints payment will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will...
- Licence Applications
301. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of an application for forestry approval by a person (details supplied). [30773/20]
- Basic Payment Scheme
302. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if documentation submitted by a person (details supplied) showing grazing rights for a 2020 basic payment scheme will be accepted;...
- Sea-Fisheries Protection Authority
303. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 319 of 8 October 2020, the location of a review (details supplied); and if a copy of the review...
- Bord na gCon
304. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he was consulted by an organisation (details supplied); if he or his predecessors were consulted; the full cost of the rebrand; if...
- Forestry Sector
305. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the cost of the Review of Approval Processes for Afforestation in Ireland; if this was co-funded by third parties; and if he will...
- Regional Aid
306. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the value of regional aid granted under the regional aid guidelines granted by his Department or agencies under the remit of his...
- Department of Rural and Community Development
- Covid-19 Pandemic Supports
307. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development if an appeal (details supplied) will be considered; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30719/20]
- Departmental Reviews
308. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development the value of regional aid granted under the regional aid guidelines granted by her Department or agencies under the remit of her...
