Written answers
Wednesday, 18 November 2020
- Department of An Taoiseach
- Social Media Monitoring
30. To ask the Taoiseach the intended purpose of the monitoring and compilation of reports on the social media activities of members of the public; the safeguards and protections in place to...
- Covid-19 Pandemic
31. To ask the Taoiseach his role in defining the different measures, restrictions and guidelines in terms of the 5 levels of Covid-19 restrictions. [37229/20]
- Interdepartmental Committees
32. To ask the Taoiseach the membership of the high-level technical group on international travel; the remit and responsibility of the group; the number of times the group has met; the advices it...
- Department of Trade, Enterprise and Employment
- Copyright Infringement
33. To ask the Minister for Trade, Enterprise and Employment if the case of a person (details supplied) will be reviewed; if clarity will be provided on the matter regarding licence fees; and if...
- Covid-19 Pandemic Supports
34. To ask the Minister for Trade, Enterprise and Employment the plans being made regarding the redundancy moratorium; and if his Department has engaged with workers and the trade union movement...
- IDA Ireland
35. To ask the Minister for Trade, Enterprise and Employment the number of IDA Ireland site visits by county in each of the years 2016 to 2019 and to date in 2020, in tabular form; and if he will...
- Brexit Issues
36. To ask the Minister for Trade, Enterprise and Employment his views on whether Brexit will have a positive impact on any policy area or sector under the remit of his Department; and if the...
- Labour Court
37. To ask the Minister for Trade, Enterprise and Employment when the employment regulation order on the remuneration of security officers will be signed into law; and if he will make a statement...
- Covid-19 Pandemic Supports
39. To ask the Minister for Trade, Enterprise and Employment the supports that are in place for shopping centres affected by the public health restrictions. [37245/20]
- Wage Subsidy Scheme
41. To ask the Minister for Trade, Enterprise and Employment if his attention has been drawn to the fact that some employers are basing the new wage subsidy scheme off workers contracted hours...
- Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment
- Climate Change Policy
42. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the response by Ireland to the EU hydrogen strategy for a climate neutral Europe published in July 2020; the steps taken...
- Brexit Issues
43. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment his views on whether Brexit will have a positive impact on any policy area or sector under the remit of his Department;...
- Energy Efficiency
44. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if the upgrade of domestic meters to smart meters is compulsory; the alternative meters available to customers whose...
- Commission for Communications Regulation
45. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment when the enhanced powers for enforcement for the Commission for Communications Regulation as set out in the programme...
- Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport
- Transport Policy
46. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when walkability studies will be available for local authorities. [37162/20]
- Brexit Issues
47. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on whether Brexit will have a positive impact on any policy area or sector under the remit of his Department; and if the details...
- Bus Services
48. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to ensure public transport bus links are maintained between Dublin and Belfast in view of Bus Éireann’s decision to...
- Road Improvement Schemes
50. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to provide additional funding to Transport Infrastructure Ireland for safety works to be carried on Turtulla Cross on the N62...
- Air Accident Investigations
51. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport further to Parliamentary Question No. 360 of 3 November 2020, if the report into Rescue 116 will be published prior to the renewal of the...
- Rail Network
52. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of freight trains that departed from Mayo bound for Waterford or Dublin in the 12-month period ending 30 September 2020. [37355/20]
- Department of Finance
- Brexit Issues
53. To ask the Minister for Finance his views on whether Brexit will have a positive impact on any policy area or sector under the remit of his Department; and if the details of same will be...
- Disabled Drivers and Passengers Scheme
54. To ask the Minister for Finance the position regarding upgrades to vehicles for persons already in receipt of a primary medical certificate; and if he will make a statement on the matter....
- Single Euro Payments Area
55. To ask the Minister for Finance his views on whether SEPA payments made through UK-based providers will be unaffected in January 2021; if an examination has been carried out at the potential...
- National Car Test
56. To ask the Minister for Finance the reasons there is a six-week to eight-week delay in getting an appointment for a car to be assessed for VRT in Blarney, County Cork; and if he will make a...
- Revenue Commissioners
59. To ask the Minister for Finance the position regarding the need of a person (details supplied) to meet with the Revenue Commissioners; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37274/20]
- Wage Subsidy Scheme
60. To ask the Minister for Finance if he will review the employment wage subsidy scheme for independent local radio stations that are not eligible presently and for which advertising turnover...
- Consumer Protection
61. To ask the Minister for Finance the number of enforcement actions for breaches of the consumer protection code since July 2016, excluding the tracker mortgage scandal, that have been...
- Tax Code
64. To ask the Minister for Finance if tax-paying pensioners on pensions alone have no entitlement to either earned income credits despite the Revenue Commissioners classification of pensions as...
- Department of Public Expenditure and Reform
- State Properties
65. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the protocols in place to record all persons who visit the official residences at Farmleigh, Phoenix Park, Dublin 15 in either personal...
- Brexit Issues
66. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his views on whether Brexit will have a positive impact on any policy area or sector under the remit of his Department; and if the...
- Pension Provisions
67. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he plans to change the rules of the RTÉ pension scheme, or other similar schemes, in view of fears that there may be an effective...
- Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht
- Sports Funding
68. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the total sports budget for each of the years 2007 and 2020, in tabular form; the breakdown of the areas the funding was allocated;...
- Sports Facilities
69. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if Portmarnock swimming pool and swimming pools in general will be allowed to operate at set times to allow elite swimmers...
- Covid-19 Pandemic
70. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if swimming lessons will be re-instated during level 3 Covid-19 restrictions; and if he will take into consideration correspondence...
- Brexit Issues
71. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht her views on whether Brexit will have a positive impact on any policy area or sector under the remit of her Department; and if the...
- Broadcasting Authority of Ireland
72. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if she will request the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland to provide additional sound and vision funding to the sector covering the...
- Covid-19 Pandemic Supports
73. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the reason Fáilte Ireland is informing shopping centres that they are eligible for the Covid-19 adaptation fund only to...
- National Lottery Funding
74. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the extent of capital or current funding provided for sporting or cultural activities in County Cork in each of the past four years...
- Údarás na Gaeltachta
75. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the supports Údarás na Gaeltacht can provide to small businesses in Gaeltacht areas that want to start up or expand; and...
- Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government
- Valuation Office
76. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if an application by a person (details supplied) will be expedited; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37299/20]
- Brexit Issues
77. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government his views on whether Brexit will have a positive impact on any policy area or sector under the remit of his Department; and if...
- Home Loan Scheme
78. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the policy with respect to the provision of mortgage protection for Rebuilding Ireland home loan applicants; if his attention...
- Local Authority Housing
79. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if he will ensure that councils that are not able to meet the deadline for home acquisition and renovation by the end of 2020...
- Tenant Purchase Scheme
80. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the number of tenant purchase scheme applications received by Kerry County Council since the launch of the new scheme in...
- Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
- Foreign Policy
81. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the discussions that have been had at European Council level on the ongoing security crisis in Hong Kong; and if he will make a statement on...
- Brexit Issues
82. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views on whether Brexit will have a positive impact on any policy area or sector under the remit of his Department; and if the details of...
- Human Rights
83. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if the Government will actively support and contribute to the development of an ambitious, effective and binding UN treaty on business and...
- Northern Ireland
88. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will use the various diplomatic channels open to him to ensure a commissioner is appointed to the Commission for Victims and Survivors...
- Passport Services
90. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the services being provided by the Passport Office at present in view of Covid-19 to process passport applications; if an outline of same...
- Middle East
91. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if his attention has been drawn to the recent death in an Israeli prison of a Palestinian detainee (details supplied) who died from the...
- Department of Defence
- Defence Forces Deployment
92. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the role of members of the Permanent Defence Force during the Covid-19 pandemic; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37273/20]
- Brexit Issues
93. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence his views on whether Brexit will have a positive impact on any policy area or sector under the remit of his Department; and if the details of...
- Defence Forces Properties
94. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the premises owned or run by the Defence Forces at present in counties Cavan, Monaghan and Meath; and if he will make a statement on the matter....
- Defence Forces Remuneration
95. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the regulations and legislation that governs the rates of pay for members of the Reserve Defence Force; the regulations or legislation that...
- Department of Education and Skills
- School Transport
96. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if flexibility can be shown in the case of a family (details provided) that missed the deadline for the application for the remote area transport...
- Brexit Issues
97. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills her views on whether Brexit will have a positive impact on any policy area or sector under the remit of her Department; and if the details of same...
- School Enrolments
98. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the obligations schools are under to accept a student in the catchment area; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37193/20]
- Special Educational Needs
100. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she will review a matter (details supplied); if her Department has any plans to change the criteria for schools; if she will review same; and...
- Public Sector Pay
101. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the number of second-level teachers who had pay deductions and losses imposed arising from strike action by a union (details supplied) on 4...
- Minor Works Scheme
107. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if additional funding will be provided to a school (details supplied) in County Kerry to paint games lines on its newly laid play area; and if...
- Schools Data
108. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the number of primary and secondary school places in Greystones, County Wicklow; and the projections as to potential demand for places in the...
- School Enrolments
109. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if her attention has been drawn to a significant shortfall in available school places for both junior infants in primary schools and first year...
- Covid-19 Pandemic
110. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the number of teachers and school staff who requested an assessment review by a service (details supplied) who have completed a review and have...
- School Funding
111. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if additional funding will be granted to a school (details supplied). [37413/20]
- Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection
- Registration of Births
112. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if her attention has been drawn to delays in newborns being registered and subsequently receiving their PPS number which is...
- Commission on Pensions
113. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if she will include representatives from organisations (details supplied) on the newly established Pensions Commission; and...
- Covid-19 Pandemic Supports
116. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if consideration will be given to awarding the enterprise support grant to a person (details supplied); and if she will make...
- Brexit Issues
118. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection her views on whether Brexit will have a positive impact on any policy area or sector under the remit of her Department; and...
- Personal Public Service Numbers
119. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection when a person (details supplied) will receive a PPS number. [37222/20]
- Residency Permits
120. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the information her Department has been given from the Department of Justice regarding the requests for up-to-date residence...
- Community Employment Schemes
123. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if persons already taking part in the community employment scheme will be allowed to continue to finish out their tenure; and...
- Personal Public Service Numbers
124. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the measures she will implement to reduce substantially the delays in processing and finalising applications for personal...
- Partial Capacity Benefit Scheme
126. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if a decision has been made on an application for a partial capacity benefit by a person (details supplied) in County Kerry;...
- Department of Children and Youth Affairs
- Foster Care
127. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if paid leave entitlements are in place for persons who become foster parents while employed; and if he will make a statement on the...
- Brexit Issues
128. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs his views on whether Brexit will have a positive impact on any policy area or sector under the remit of his Department; and if the details...
- Childcare Costs
129. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if his attention has been drawn to the problems being experienced by parents on the wage subsidy scheme who continue to pay childcare costs...
- Department of Justice and Equality
- Garda Training
150. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality further to Parliamentary Question No. 174 of 24 September 2020, if the 323 members that have already been given access to the...
- Departmental Meetings
151. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if she will provide a schedule of the engagements she and her predecessor have had with the Israeli Ministry of Public...
- Garda Operations
152. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if she has been briefed by the Garda Commissioner regarding the EU funded research project called ROXANNE. also known as Real...
- Naturalisation Applications
153. 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); when...
- Garda National Immigration Bureau
154. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of registrations Henry Street Garda National Immigration Bureau office in Limerick city is processing each week; the...
- Gambling Sector
155. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if her Department will be bringing forward legislation to regulate the area of online gambling and gambling advertising given...
- Visa Applications
156. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the timeline for an application for a visa by a person (details supplied) whose partner is an Irish national; when a decision...
- International Protection
157. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality further to her public statement of the 21 October 2020 (details supplied), if she will confirm the changes are now in place; if...
- Citizenship Applications
158. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the progress to date in the determination of an application for citizenship in the case of a person (details supplied); when...
- Garda Deployment
159. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of gardaí allocated to each Garda station in the DMR by rank; the number in the community Garda service in each...
- Crime Data
160. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of stolen bikes seized by An Garda Síochána in 2019 and to date in 2020; the number that were returned to...
- Departmental Reports
161. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if a copy of the report will be provided which it is understood issued in February 2019 from a cross-agency meeting, comprising...
- Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service
162. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if her attention has been drawn to the fact that the INIS registration offices in Dublin and regionally are currently closed...
- Department of Health
- Veterinary Inspection Service
163. To ask the Minister for Health the reason small abattoirs are required to have veterinary inspectors present during operation; when this was introduced; the reason it is necessary; the...
- Mental Health Services
164. To ask the Minister for Health when a full recommencement of services at the community mental health centre in Mullingar, County Westmeath will take place; when all staff will be re-deployed...
- Medicinal Products
165. To ask the Minister for Health when the HSE management team is expected to make a final decision on the reimbursement of Dupilumab for the treatment of atopic eczema; and if he will make a...
- Hospital Appointments Status
166. To ask the Minister for Health the length of time a person (details supplied) will have to wait for a hospital appointment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37150/20]
- Health Services Provision
167. To ask the Minister for Health if funding will be provided to establish a renal dialysis unit in one of current health care facilities in County Tipperary; and if he will make a statement on...
- Brexit Issues
168. To ask the Minister for Health his views on whether Brexit will have a positive impact on any policy area or sector under the remit of his Department; and if the details of same will be...
- Covid-19 Pandemic
169. To ask the Minister for Health the position regarding the EU deal for 300 million Covid-19 vaccine doses; if he will report on the dose supply; and if he will make a statement on the matter....
- Health Services Staff
171. To ask the Minister for Health the number of orthopaedic surgeons practising throughout the hospital and private healthcare system here. [37219/20]
- Health Services Provision
172. To ask the Minister for Health if and when provision can be made to refer a person (details supplied) to the appropriate hospital setting to cater for a specific condition; if consideration...
- Hospital Appointments Status
174. To ask the Minister for Health if a medical appointment can be secured for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37238/20]
- Employment Rights
175. To ask the Minister for Health if her Department and the HSE will ensure that workers' rights and decent pay and conditions are adhered to in circumstances in which they spend public money...
- Covid-19 Pandemic
176. To ask the Minister for Health if reflexologists and other personal health and well-being therapists are allowed to operate under level 5 restrictions. [37248/20]
- Occupational Therapy
178. To ask the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 280 of 15 October 2020, if he will publish each plan in respect of each CHO area; and if he will make a statement on the...
- Vaccination Programme
190. To ask the Minister for Health the position regarding adult winter 'flu vaccines (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37266/20]
- Health Services
191. To ask the Minister for Health when a facility (details supplied) will receive sufficient rain shelter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37282/20]
- National Maternity Hospital
192. To ask the Minister for Health if the lease of the site for the new National Maternity Hospital has been agreed with a group (details supplied); the status of negotiations on the lease; the...
- Emergency Departments
195. To ask the Minister for Health the number of admissions to accident and emergency departments as a result of accidents involving delivery vans, trucks, buses, cars, farm vehicles, bicycles,...
- Covid-19 Pandemic
197. To ask the Minister for Health the steps that have been taken to improve the quality of data on Covid-19 deaths both inside and outside of hospitals with respect to identifying persons for...
- Covid-19 Tests
198. To ask the Minister for Health if consideration has been given to prioritising nursing and care home visitors for rapid Covid-19 testing when it becomes available in order to allow persons...
- Drug and Alcohol Task Forces
199. To ask the Minister for Health the additional funding, assistance and resources he plans to provide to a service (details supplied) in 2021; if his attention has been drawn to the importance...
- Addiction Treatment Services
200. To ask the Minister for Health the estimated cost of waiving the assessment fees for rehabilitative and detox treatment programmes. [37331/20]
- Home Help Service
201. To ask the Minister for Health the reason the home help service in the Ringsend, Dublin 4 area is not being adequately funded resulting in the service not being able to take on new clients...
- Nursing Education
202. To ask the Minister for Health his plans to review and enhance student and intern nurses pay in view of the fact that many fourth-year students are due to sign work placement contracts in...
- Hospital Car Parks
203. To ask the Minister for Health his plans to introduce a cap on the maximum daily charge for parking at public hospitals for patients and visitors; his further plans to introduce flexible...
- HSE National Service Plan
204. To ask the Minister for Health when the HSE service plan for 2021 will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37359/20]
- General Practitioner Services
205. To ask the Minister for Health the action his Department is taking to address the problem of poor general practitioner coverage in areas of disadvantage; his views on the adequacy of the...
- Health Services
206. To ask the Minister for Health the current resource allocation system in use to ensure health resources are allocated fairly and in proportion to need; and if he will make a statement on the...
- Home Care Packages
207. To ask the Minister for Health if additional home support services specifically for Sundays will be provided for a person (details supplied) in County Cork; and if he will make a statement...
- Vaccination Programme
208. To ask the Minister for Health his views on reports of teachers having their 'flu jab cancelled to prioritise other types of front-line workers; and if he will make a statement on the...
- Covid-19 Pandemic
209. To ask the Minister for Health if he considers teachers, SNAs and school staff to be front-line workers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37377/20]
- Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine
- Brexit Issues
210. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on whether Brexit will have a positive impact on any policy area or sector under the remit of his Department; and if the...
- Fisheries Protection
211. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to have the Navy board any of the factory vessels currently fishing off the west coast for mackerel to check them for...
- European Council Meetings
212. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the way the position of Ireland fared at the AGRIFISH Council negotiations on CAP reform; and if any of the key positions of Ireland...
- Agriculture Schemes
213. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if a court order in favour of a bank regarding a single farm payment can be transferred to another lending institution that...
- Basic Payment Scheme
215. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when BPS payments will issue to farmers (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37223/20]
- Agriculture Scheme Eligibility
217. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if there are circumstances which allow a person older than 35 years of age to apply for a green cert in order to ensure continuity of...
- Animal Sales
218. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if a list of the marts registered under the AIMS system including the Eircode will be provided; and if he will report on the...
- Department of Rural and Community Development
- Brexit Issues
219. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development her views on whether Brexit will have a positive impact on any policy area or sector under the remit of her Department; and if the...
