Written answers
Thursday, 26 November 2020
- Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
- Israeli Settlements
8. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will re-examine the proposed legislation to ban the import of goods from illegal settlements in Palestine in view of recent attacks by...
- Foreign Conflicts
12. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the extent to which he and his EU and UN colleagues are alert to the situation in Armenia, Azerbaijan, in respect of Nagorno-Karabakh and...
- Undocumented Irish in the USA
13. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his plans to enter discussions with the President-elect of the United States of America, Mr. Joe Biden, on the issue of the difficulties...
- Arms Trade
15. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if there has been discussion at the European council of foreign ministers in relation to controlling the multibillion euro EU arms industry...
- Brexit Preparations
16. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the position regarding Ireland's plans to ensure an effective landbridge for Irish agriculture in the aftermath of Brexit to the European...
- Diplomatic Representation
17. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the action his Department has taken to build contacts with the incoming Biden Administration in the United States of America; if such efforts...
- United Nations
18. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the preparations that have been made ahead of Ireland joining the UN Security Council in 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter....
- Foreign Conflicts
19. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views on reports of mass killings in the northern Tigray region of Ethiopia; his views on whether this could escalate to a civil war; and...
- Dublin-Monaghan Bombings
20. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he has spoken to his counterpart in the UK Government in relation to the Dublin and Monaghan bombings; if he will provide an update on the...
- Israeli Settlements
21. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views on new illegal settlements on the West Bank; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38265/20]
- Brexit Negotiations
22. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the status of Brexit negotiations regarding the protection of Irish fisheries and their fishing rights; and if he will make a statement on...
- Rockall Island Ownership
26. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the progress in having the international community, including the EU and the UN, recognise Ireland’s sovereignty over Rockall. [38406/20]
- Middle East
28. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the progress in relation to suspending Israel from the EU-Med and EU neighbourhood agreements, given its continuous flagrant breaches of the...
- US Presidential Election
31. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views on the fact that some European Union countries are making unsubstantiated claims in relation to the legitimacy of the outcome of...
- Diplomatic Representation
32. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his plans to reopen an Irish Embassy in Iran. [38303/20]
- Emigrant Support Services
33. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the total financial allocation for the emigrant support programme in 2020; the funding to be allocated for 2021; if this allocation will...
- Middle East Peace Process
34. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will use Ireland’s upcoming membership of the UN Security Council to highlight the increase in recent months in demolitions of...
- Foreign Conflicts
35. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views on the current situation in South Sudan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38191/20]
- Diplomatic Representation
37. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade when it is expected that the new consulate in Manchester will be in operation; if other consulates in the United Kingdom are being...
- Northern Ireland
38. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the steps he will take to ensure the inquiry into the death of a person (details supplied) takes place in view of a debate in the UK...
- Middle East Peace Process
39. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the steps he plans to take on foot of the demolition of homes by the Israeli state in view of the recent illegal demolitions that have...
- EU Budgets
41. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the interaction he has had with his European Council colleagues on the EU budget for 2021 to 2027; and when it will receive consent from the...
- Dublin-Monaghan Bombings
42. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the status of the ongoing outstanding requests with the UK Government regarding inquiries into the Dublin and Monaghan bombings; and if he...
- Overseas Development Aid
43. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if overseas development programmes have been hampered by the Covid-19 virus; and if unspent money can be carried forward. [37952/20]
- Legislative Measures
44. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his plans to reintroduce legislation similar to that of the Control of Economic Activities (Occupied Territories) Bill 2018. [38242/20]
- Foreign Conflicts
45. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views on the reason for the humanitarian crisis in Yemen; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38190/20]
- Overseas Development Aid
48. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will consider the possibility of allowing local communities decide the use of a small part of the ODA budget through a democratic...
- Covid-19 Pandemic
49. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the latest discussions he and his officials have had with his counterparts in Northern Ireland during Covid-19 regarding the Border and...
- Human Rights
50. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the measures he is taking to address the ongoing political, economic, social and humanitarian crisis in Venezuela; and if he will make a...
- EU Issues
51. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views on Ireland signing up to the proposed European peace facility; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29131/20]
- Human Rights
52. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the position towards plans by the Hungarian Government to introduce a series of constitutional amendments that include the outlawing of...
- Brexit Negotiations
55. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the current position in regard to the Brexit negotiations, with particular reference to the issues of most sensitive importance to this...
- Foreign Conflicts
57. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his response to Turkish interference in the affairs of the island of Cyprus, and the calls by the Turkish President Erdogan for a two-state...
- Human Rights
58. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will report on the situation in Belarus; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37906/20]
- EU Issues
59. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his plans to ensure adequate inputs from the Houses of the Oireachtas and civil society organisations in Ireland in relation to the proposed...
- Department of Finance
- Disabled Drivers and Passengers Scheme
72. To ask the Minister for Finance the status of the legal issues that have arisen following a court case in respect of primary medical certificates; and if he will make a statement on the...
- Economic Data
75. To ask the Minister for Finance the extent to which he remains satisfied that Ireland’s economy remains robust and stable when compared to other economies across Europe, within the...
- Covid-19 Pandemic Supports
76. To ask the Minister for Finance the number of businesses in counties Longford and Westmeath that have qualified for support under the Covid restrictions support scheme; and if he will make a...
- Departmental Strategy Statements
78. To ask the Minister for Finance the innovations he plans for the upcoming statement of strategy of his Department. [36171/20]
- Credit Unions
79. To ask the Minister for Finance if his attention has been drawn to a situation whereby a credit union (details supplied) has removed its death grant and refused to reinstate the grant despite...
- Tax Reliefs
80. To ask the Minister for Finance the tax, VAT and excise reliefs and exemptions that currently exist in Irish tax law for armed forces from another state; the estimated cost of these reliefs...
- Economic Policy
81. To ask the Minister for Finance the status of measures being taken to encourage more companies to adopt recommendations made by the task force on climate-related financial disclosures; and if...
- Motor Insurance
82. To ask the Minister for Finance his plans to implement reforms in view of the increasing cost of car insurance premiums; the latest discussions his Department has had on this issue; the...
- Tax Reliefs
83. To ask the Minister for Finance the engagement he has had with chambers of commerce and an organisation (details supplied) regarding personal tax liabilities for employees resident in Ireland...
- Covid-19 Pandemic Supports
84. To ask the Minister for Finance his plans to extend the eligibility criteria for the Covid restrictions support scheme, CRSS, in order that it can be accessed by sole traders and small...
- UN Committee on the Rights of the Child
85. To ask the Minister for Finance his views on the decision taken by the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child to examine the impact of Ireland’s international tax policy on the...
- Covid-19 Pandemic Supports
86. To ask the Minister for Finance the number of businesses in County Tipperary that have qualified for support under the Covid restrictions support scheme; and if he will make a statement on...
- State Aid
87. To ask the Minister for Finance his plans to seek state aid approval from the European Commission; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38841/20]
- Legislative Measures
88. To ask the Minister for Finance if he will support the Consumer Credit (Amendment) Bill 2018 and its objectives in reducing the usurious rates of interest charged by moneylenders; and if he...
- Value Added Tax
90. To ask the Minister for Finance the impact assessment that has been carried out by his Department into the proposed changes to the retail export scheme minimum purchase threshold,...
- Covid-19 Pandemic Supports
91. To ask the Minister for Finance if he will audit the recipients of the wage subsidy scheme to ensure that it is not being abused; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39235/20]
- Economic Growth Rate
92. To ask the Minister for Finance the extent to which economic fundamentals remain positive notwithstanding the ravages of Covid-19; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39137/20]
- Value Added Tax
93. To ask the Minister for Finance if he will review the VAT rates for vaccines particularly those administrated by injection such as for flu, pneumonia and a possible Covid-19 vaccine, which...
- Economic Competitiveness
94. To ask the Minister for Finance the measures being taken by his Department to grow both the financial technology and asset management sectors here in the post-Brexit period; and if he will...
- Financial Services Regulation
95. To ask the Minister for Finance his response to a letter written by the Central Bank on 17 November 2020 regarding thematic inspections of compliance by regulated financial service providers...
- Covid-19 Pandemic
96. To ask the Minister for Finance if his Department has modelled the economic impacts of pursuing a zero-Covid policy compared to the current policy of intermittent lockdowns; and if he will...
- Tax Incentives
97. To ask the Minister for Finance the degree to which he expects to be in a position to incentivise alternatives to fossil fuels in the short and medium terms; and if he will make a statement...
- Tax Reliefs
99. To ask the Minister for Finance if a tax relief or credit could be introduced for low-to-mid-income families that do not meet the criteria to avail of social housing or HAP to assist with...
- Covid-19 Pandemic Supports
104. To ask the Minister for Finance the reason he did not push for the extension of loan and mortgage payment breaks of 12 months, as has been done in Germany, Italy, Spain and Portugal; and his...
- Covid-19 Pandemic
107. To ask the Minister for Finance the likely impact of the move to level 5 restrictions on tax receipts for the rest of 2020. [39186/20]
- Covid-19 Pandemic Supports
108. To ask the Minister for Finance the consideration being given to extending the spend and stay scheme, given that with level 5 restrictions individuals are not able to avail of this scheme...
- Value Added Tax
109. To ask the Minister for Finance if he will consider a proposal to abolish VAT on condoms. [39121/20]
- Banking Sector
110. To ask the Minister for Finance his plans to tackle lack of competition in the banking and mortgage markets in view of the Central Bank’s retail interest rates for August 2020, which...
- Tax Rebates
112. To ask the Minister for Finance his plans to expand the start-up relief for entrepreneurs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30100/20]
- Covid-19 Pandemic Supports
115. To ask the Minister for Finance if he is reviewing any of the Covid-19 support schemes under the remit of his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39193/20]
- Tax Reliefs
116. To ask the Minister for Finance his views on whether a film production company in receipt of section 481 tax relief claiming in the Labour Court or Workplace Relations Commission that it is...
- Consumer Protection
117. To ask the Minister for Finance if he will consider legislation to strengthen the consumer protection code; his views on the lack of enforcement action taken by the Central Bank for breaches...
- Revenue Commissioners
118. To ask the Minister for Finance if he will act to ensure that the Revenue Commissioners have the powers necessary to fully investigate potential cases of bogus self-employment. [39169/20]
- Motor Insurance
120. To ask the Minister for Finance his plans to implement the recommendations made in the report by the working group on reducing the cost of motor insurance; and if he will make a statement on...
- Brexit Preparations
121. To ask the Minister for Finance the additional resources being allocated to the Revenue Commissioners following the Brexit checklist sent to approximately 225,000 businesses; and if he will...
- Revenue Commissioners
122. To ask the Minister for Finance if all individual taxpayers will be able to make manual submissions to the Revenue Commissioners of their tax returns rather than online at least until...
- Motor Insurance
123. To ask the Minister for Finance if he has asked the motor insurance industry to provide refunds to learner drivers, who typically pay very high premiums until they receive their licences but...
- Covid-19 Pandemic Supports
126. To ask the Minister for Finance if his attention has been drawn to the fact that domestic employers that availed of the temporary wage subsidy scheme for domestic employees such as...
- Banking Sector
129. To ask the Minister for Finance if he will convey again to a bank (details supplied) the need to retain its business network which is important for many rural communities; and if he will...
- Covid-19 Pandemic
130. To ask the Minister for Finance his Department’s current projection of the extent to which the economy will contract in 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39187/20]
- Bank Charges
131. To ask the Minister for Finance the steps he will take to ensure that banking fees for cashless transactions from the start of the Covid-19 pandemic to date will be refunded in circumstances...
- Covid-19 Pandemic Supports
132. To ask the Minister for Finance the status of the uptake of the employer wage subsidy scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38071/20]
- Bank Charges
135. To ask the Minister for Finance his views on whether additional fees being imposed on current account holders of a bank (details supplied) from 28 November 2020 are justified in view of...
- Banking Sector
136. To ask the Minister for Finance if there is anything cited in the relationship framework agreement between the Minister and a bank (details supplied) that prohibits or in any way prevents...
- Mortgage Interest Rates
139. To ask the Minister for Finance the steps he is taking to reduce mortgage interest rates; his views on whether interest rates being charged here are reasonable compared to the rest of...
- Banking Sector
142. To ask the Minister for Finance further to Parliamentary Question No. 267 of 17 November 2020, the basis of the claim that the framework cannot be changed by him unilaterally, given the...
- Disabled Drivers and Passengers Scheme
143. To ask the Minister for Finance the number of persons currently availing of the disabled drivers and passengers scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39194/20]
- Banking Sector
144. To ask the Minister for Finance the outcome of his discussions with a bank (details supplied) in relation to the need to retain a bank, its network of branches and the protection of...
- Brexit Supports
147. To ask the Minister for Finance the steps his Department and the Revenue Commissioners have taken to support businesses through Brexit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38072/20]
- Banking Sector Data
149. To ask the Minister for Finance if State-owned banks are investing in or lending to companies directly involved in fossil fuel extraction; if so, the extent of such commercial activities;...
- Tax Code
153. To ask the Minister for Finance his plans to refresh the roadmap for tax policy in relation to the taxation of companies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36170/20]
- Department of Trade, Enterprise and Employment
- Judicial Appointments
154. To ask the Minister for Trade, Enterprise and Employment if copies of all correspondence to or from him, his advisers or his Department relating to the filling of the Supreme Court vacancy...
- Employment Rights
155. To ask the Minister for Trade, Enterprise and Employment if he will address a matter regarding holiday pay in a case (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39329/20]
- State Bodies
156. To ask the Minister for Trade, Enterprise and Employment if his attention has been drawn to businesses encountering difficulties contacting State agencies when seeking support information...
- Covid-19 Pandemic Supports
157. To ask the Minister for Trade, Enterprise and Employment the supports in place for sole traders who are the only employees of their limited companies and have closed their business due to...
- Pharmaceutical Sector
159. To ask the Minister for Trade, Enterprise and Employment the status of the remediation process that is currently in process for a company (details supplied); if there is an update on the...
- Covid-19 Pandemic
160. To ask the Minister for Trade, Enterprise and Employment if consideration will be given to the suggestion by an organisation (details supplied) that small convenience stores and newsagents,...
- Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment
- Trading Online Voucher Scheme
161. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he plans extending the closing date for making claims under the trading online voucher scheme in view of the fact...
- Judicial Appointments
162. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if copies of all correspondence to or from him, his advisers or his Department relating to the filling of the Supreme...
- Postal Services
163. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he will instruct Eircode to assign a number to a property (details supplied). [39324/20]
- National Broadband Plan
164. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the status of the national broadband plan in counties Sligo and Leitrim, including areas already covered and areas to...
- Postal Services
165. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if his attention has been drawn the delay with transferring new Eircode locations to an application (details supplied);...
- Post Office Network
166. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the steps being considered by his Department to protect the post office network; if he will introduce new services to...
- Wind Energy Generation
167. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if the findings of the multi-agency group established to review the slide of Meenbog bog, County Donegal, as a result...
- North-South Interconnector
168. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the reason procurement is proceeding by the ESB in relation to the proposed North-South interconnector before a project...
- Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport
- Greenways Provision
169. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the status of the planned Burtonport to Letterkenny greenway project; if his Department has allocated funding to same; and if he will...
- Military Aircraft
170. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of US troops and military personnel that have passed through Shannon Airport in each of the years 2018, 2019 and to date in...
- Driver Licences
172. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the position regarding persons driving in Ireland with United Kingdom driving licences after 1 January 2021; and if he will make a...
- Driver Test
173. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the waiting times for driving tests in Tullamore and Birr, County Offaly, and Portlaoise, County Laois, respectively; and the efforts...
- Pension Provisions
174. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the reason the terms of the Irish Aviation Authority, IAA, 1996 pension scheme were amended in 2012 without a collective agreement of the...
- Dublin Bus
179. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if action will be taken to ensure that sufficient capacity will be provided on a Dublin Bus route (details supplied) [39344/20]
- Fishing Vessel Licences
180. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his attention has been drawn to the challenges faced by long-standing skippers of Irish vessels by the proposed implementation of SI...
- Rail Network
181. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on a campaign (details supplied); and if he will make the objectives of this campaign Government policy and have it resourced...
- Bus Services
182. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will extend the current round of public consultation on BusConnects to January or February 2021 given the Covid-19 restrictions and...
- Light Rail Projects
183. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will include in the terms of reference for the metro south west feasibility study a requirement for the consultants to speak to...
- Cycling Facilities
185. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the status of the Clonskeagh-to-city centre cycle route; and if he expects delays due to Covid-19 restrictions. [39366/20]
- Brexit Issues
186. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the point at which a person who has attained a certificate of professional competence as transport manager from the UK is required to...
- Driver Test
187. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the email address for urgent RSA driver tests provided by him in response to a recent...
- Taxi Licences
189. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when PSV tests will recommence; if his attention has been drawn to the impact that the suspension of such tests has on businesses...
- Taxi Regulations
190. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the supports available to taxi drivers who are obliged to renew their cars in January 2021 under the ten-year rule; if the ten-year rule...
- Driver Test
191. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide additional resources for the RSA to enable it to expedite driver theory tests for which there are now excessively long...
- Department of Finance
- Help-To-Buy Scheme
194. To ask the Minister for Finance if the help-to-buy scheme will be extended to include the refurbishment cost in addition to the capital cost of the house; and if he will make a statement on...
- Financial Services Sector
197. To ask the Minister for Finance if a group (details supplied) is still chaired by the Secretary General of the Department of the Taoiseach; and the reason it no longer publishes the minutes...
- Covid-19 Pandemic Supports
198. To ask the Minister for Finance the reason he did not apply for the extension of Covid-19 payment breaks for borrowers by the deadline of 23 September 2020. [28277/20]
- Eurozone Issues
202. To ask the Minister for Finance if he will report on the latest meeting of the Eurogroup; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36652/20]
- Covid-19 Pandemic Supports
203. To ask the Minister for Finance if Ireland has availed of or applied to the SURE scheme to help support the economy through the Covid-19 crisis; and if he will make a statement on the...
- Value Added Tax
204. To ask the Minister for Finance if advice will be provided on a matter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39256/20]
- Vehicle Registration
209. To ask the Minister for Finance if a 2020 registration plate will be allowed (details supplied). [39348/20]
- Tax Collection
210. To ask the Minister for Finance if special provisions will be made by the Office of Revenue Commissioners for self-employed or sole traders who are not currently in a position to pay their...
- Property Tax
211. To ask the Minister for Finance the method through which a person (details supplied) in County Donegal can revalue a residential property for the purposes of the local property tax in...
- Economic Growth
213. To ask the Minister for Finance the degree to which he foresees a return to good economic performance if and when the Covid-19 crisis is brought under control; and if he will make a...
- Economic Policy
214. To ask the Minister for Finance if specific economic interventions might be needed in the economy if and when Covid-19 is brought under control; and if he will make a statement on the...
- Brexit Preparations
215. To ask the Minister for Finance the extent to which he remains satisfied regarding the adequacy of actions to date to combat the economic impact of Brexit; and if he will make a statement on...
- Economic Data
219. To ask the Minister for Finance the degree to which he remains satisfied regarding the stability of the economy in the face of the twin challenges of Brexit and Covid-19; and if he will make...
- Brexit Supports
220. To ask the Minister for Finance if he is satisfied that all countries throughout the European Union realise the degree to which Ireland’s economy is likely to be more affected than...
- Brexit Issues
221. To ask the Minister for Finance the extent to which he expects the financial services sector here to benefit from Brexit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39470/20]
- Mortgage Interest Rates
222. To ask the Minister for Finance when mortgage interest rates here are likely to come into line with those applicable in other EU economies having particular regard to the impact of changes...
- Inflation Rate
223. To ask the Minister for Finance the extent to which inflationary tendencies have been identified in the economy that might ultimately pose a threat, such as inflation in house prices; and if...
- Insurance Industry
224. To ask the Minister for Finance if his Department continues to monitor developments in the insurance industry, with particular reference to the need to provide cover for all types of...
- Mortgage Resolution Processes
225. To ask the Minister for Finance the extent to which he and the Central Bank, along with his Department, continue to monitor the activities of investment funds that have bought up distressed...
- Banking Sector
228. To ask the Minister for Finance the extent to which he sees the formation of a new or alternative lender to replace a bank (details supplied) given its indication to withdraw from Ireland;...
- Economic Competitiveness
231. To ask the Minister for Finance the extent to which he remains confident in the ability of Ireland to remain competitive in the services and manufacturing sectors in the future given the...
- Credit Unions
232. To ask the Minister for Finance if the €25,000 limit that credit unions are being required to impose on deposits will be reviewed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39501/20]
- Department of Public Expenditure and Reform
- Covid-19 Pandemic Supports
233. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the way in which Ireland plans to access the recently agreed €47.5 billion REACT-EU fund in response to Covid-19; the...
- Public Sector Pensions
234. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the timeframe for the full restoration of pensions to those public sector workers still having their pensions abated; and if he will...
- Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht
- Covid-19 Pandemic Supports
235. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if there are financial supports available for business owners that have ceased renting out their self-catering properties due to...
- Artists' Remuneration
237. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if she will provide further information on the recent proposal for the universal basic income for the arts and live performance...
- Covid-19 Pandemic
238. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if she will clarify an issue with regard to Covid-19 restrictions for a sport (details supplied); and if she will make a statement...
- Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government
- Covid-19 Pandemic Supports
239. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the funding supports available to a business (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the...
- Animal Culls
240. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if he will introduce a cull on feral mink in view of concerns regarding mink carrying a mutated Covid-19 strain and their...
- Social and Affordable Housing
241. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the status of the provision of an affordable housing scheme; when legislation for such a scheme will be brought to the Houses...
- Local Authority Housing
242. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the average turnaround for refurbishing vacant houses owned by local authorities in counties Cavan, Monaghan, Meath, Louth,...
- Departmental Schemes
243. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the amount requested from counties Cavan, Monaghan, Meath, Louth, Longford and Westmeath from the repair and lease scheme and...
- Traveller Accommodation
244. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the annual budget allocated to counties Cavan, Monaghan, Meath, Louth, Longford and Westmeath in each of the years 2018 to...
- Rental Sector
245. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the number of inspections of private rented accommodation carried out by Louth, Meath, Limerick, Kildare, Cavan, Monaghan,...
- Environmental Impact Assessments
248. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if his Department will consider carrying out an examination of the adequacy and accuracy of environmental impact assessments...
- Electoral Process
249. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government his views on the electoral register as it is compiled at the moment; his views on the archaic manner in which access to the...
- Planning Issues
250. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government when he plans to publish the report of his Department into alleged planning irregularities in County Donegal; and the action...
- Social and Affordable Housing
251. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the position regarding the single income threshold for social housing in 2021; his plans to amend the current single income...
- Proposed Legislation
252. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the timeframe for the publication of the heads of the emergency management and fire and public safety Bill 2020; and if he...
- Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
- Foreign Birth Registration
254. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the status of an application by a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39278/20]
- Election Monitoring Missions
255. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will report on the right of appeal on grounds of disability in election observation competitions; if he will report on the provision...
- Passport Applications
257. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will examine the two-year wait before applying for a passport with a new name; if it is possible to change the name on a passport...
- Middle East Peace Process
258. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views on the illegal evictions from Sheikh Jarrah in the West Bank; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39389/20]
- Foreign Birth Registration
259. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade when a foreign birth registration certificate will be processed for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the...
- Human Rights
260. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will request the Iranian authorities to show good will by letting young Baha’is have full access to higher level education and...
- Consular Services
261. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the efforts being made to assist a person (details supplied) in China; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39447/20]
- Department of Education and Skills
- Special Educational Needs
262. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the requirements for new schools to provide special education units; if a similar requirement applies to existing schools seeking to extend their...
- School Staff
264. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if her attention has been drawn to the decision by an organisation to deny health and safety leave to a person (details supplied); and if she...
- Schools Building Projects
265. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the progress of a building project (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39311/20]
- Water Services
266. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if there are plans to improve water supply to a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39356/20]
- Special Educational Needs
267. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if a new ASD unit in a school (details supplied) is on track to open for September 2021; and if so, if the new unit will operate at full capacity...
- School Transport
270. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the reason incorrect information was provided in response to Parliamentary Question No. 79 of 4 November 2020, in view of the fact that this...
- Teaching Council of Ireland
271. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if a Teaching Council registration will be expedited for a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39413/20]
- DEIS Scheme
272. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the reason improvements in staffing were provided to DEIS band 1 senior schools but not to junior schools or integrated schools in the same...
- Schools Building Projects
273. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the progress made to date in providing a new school building for a school (details supplied) that has been in inadequate accommodation for a long...
- Public Sector Pay
274. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if the payroll division will give the choice to employees and retired teachers to receive their payslips electronically; and if she will make a...
- School Staff
275. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if cleaners are considered as critical staff in the running of schools; her plans to provide pension rights to long service cleaners; and if she...
- School Accommodation
276. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the progress to date or in hand in meeting the school place, replacement of facilities, new school requirements and special needs provision at...
- Covid-19 Pandemic Supports
282. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills her plans to offer streamed remote and blended learning options to high-risk families that wish to avail of same; and if she will make a...
- Schools Data
283. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the number of students on the waiting list for a secondary school place in secondary schools in Bandon, County Cork for the 2021-2022 school...
- School Admissions
284. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the reason a student (details supplied) is being refused a place in three schools; the assurance she can provide to allay the fears and upset of...
- School Accommodation
285. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding accommodation for a secondary school (details supplied) in January 2021; and if she will make a statement on the matter....
- Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection
- Covid-19 Pandemic Supports
286. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the reason a person (details supplied) was refused the enterprise support grant; and if she will make a statement on the...
- Education Schemes
287. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the grants, funding or compensation for a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39270/20]
- Covid-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment
288. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if a matter in relation to an employee who is taken off the pandemic unemployment payment and placed on the employment wage...
- Covid-19 Pandemic Supports
289. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the financial supports that will be put in place for persons experiencing long Covid; and if she will make a statement on the...
- State Pension (Contributory)
290. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if State pension (contributory) payments due to a person (details supplied) in County Kerry will be paid to the person's...
- Working Family Payment
291. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection when a decision will be made on an application for the working family payment by a person (details supplied); and if she will...
- Community Employment Schemes
292. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection her plans to relax the rules regarding extensions to community employment schemes during Covid-19 such as in the case of a...
- Social Welfare Benefits
293. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if she will consider introducing a measure by which older persons are provided with a weekly allowance towards the cost of...
- Working Family Payment
294. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if the working family payment unit will reassess a claim for a person (details supplied) in County Donegal; and if she will...
- Personal Public Service Numbers
295. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection when a PPS number will issue to a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39405/20]
- Food Poverty
297. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if a food bank in Waterford operated by an organisation (details supplied) is entitled to impose a charge on recipients of...
- Protected Disclosures
298. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if her attention has been drawn to issues in relation to governance, accounting and financial issues in an organisation...
- Personal Public Service Numbers
299. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection when a PPS number will be assigned to a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if she will make a statement on the...
- Training Support Grant
300. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if an application for the training support grant by a person (details supplied) will be reviewed; and the additional...
- Living Alone Allowance
301. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the status of an application for the living alone allowance by a person (details supplied); if the application will be...
- Invalidity Pension
302. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if a decision has been made on an invalidity pension application by a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if she...
- Personal Public Service Numbers
303. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of women that currently share a PPSN with their spouses; and the efforts being made to proactively issue these...
- Department of Children and Youth Affairs
- Education Schemes
304. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the grants, funding or compensation available for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39267/20]
- Parental Leave
305. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if the additional three-week parental leave applies to those who had babies in 2020; if it has to be taken after 1 January 2021 and before...
- Apprenticeship Programmes
306. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs his plans to expand apprenticeships to childcare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39391/20]
- Assisted Decision-Making
307. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if he will address a matter (details supplied) in relation to the Covid-19 nursing homes expert panel; and if he will make a statement on...
- Proposed Legislation
309. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the proposed date for the publication of the disability (miscellaneous provisions) Bill; and if he will make a statement on the matter....
- Department of Education and Skills
- Student Universal Support Ireland
311. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the interpretation by SUSI of the requirement for a 391-day continuous period on a qualifying social protection payment; if this interpretation...
- Student Grant Scheme
312. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the effect Covid-19 pandemic unemployment payments will have on the entitlement of third level students to student grants; if it is planned to...
- Third Level Admissions
313. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the number of part-time students currently enrolled or the most current figures available; the number of part-time third level students, by...
- Third Level Education
314. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he will address a matter (details supplied) regarding funding for a postgraduate diploma; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39336/20]
- Covid-19 Pandemic Supports
315. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he will allow for the recently announced €250 payment for undergraduate and postgraduate students to be made available to all...
- Student Grant Scheme
320. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if the SUSI grant to graduate entry medical students will be extended given the considerable financial obstacles for many in pursuing this course...
- Third Level Staff
322. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if his attention has been drawn to the low levels of persons with disabilities employed in third level education institutions; and if he will...
- Department of Justice and Equality
- Immigration Policy
323. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the work her Department is conducting to create new pathways for long-term undocumented persons and their dependants who meet...
- Judicial Appointments
324. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if copies of all correspondence to or from her, her advisers or her Department relating to the filling of the Supreme Court...
- Proposed Legislation
325. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality her views on a matter (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39277/20]
- Commencement of Legislation
326. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality when sections of the Parole Act 2019 will be commenced; the reason there has been a delay in commencing sections; and if she...
- Judicial Appointments
327. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if the expressions of interest by three sitting members of the superior courts in a vacancy on the Supreme Court was conveyed...
- Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission
328. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission, GSOC, investigations relating to deaths in custody and deaths...
- Citizenship Applications
330. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the timeline for the drafting and issuing of a statutory instrument under the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956 to...
- Child Protection
331. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality her views on whether parental alienation is a growing problem in Ireland; and her plans to address the matter. [39370/20]
- Closed-Circuit Television Systems
332. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if she will make inquiries regarding CCTV grant aid applications to Kerry County Council (details supplied); and if she will...
- Extradition Arrangements
333. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the efforts that have been made to secure an extradition treaty with the United Arab Emirates; and if she will make a statement...
- State Pardons
334. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the status of the progress of an application for a presidential pardon in respect of a person (details supplied); the...
- Garda Information and Communications Technology
335. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the timeline for replacing the Garda PULSE system; the progress to date on the installation and roll-out of a computer-aided...
- Proposed Legislation
336. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the status of the progress of the family courts Bill, including its expected passage through the Houses of the Oireachtas....
- Garda Data
337. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of gardaí by rank attached to the regional support unit in Dublin metropolitan region, DMR, north in each of...
- Proposed Legislation
342. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the specific provisions to be made in the forthcoming sex offenders (amendment) Bill to provide protection for victims post the...
- Judicial Appointments
343. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if the Judicial Appointments Advisory Board that recommended the appointment of a person (details supplied) to the Supreme...
- Department of Health
- Covid-19 Pandemic
344. To ask the Minister for Health the colleges and universities from which graduates were considered for jobs in contact tracing; the reason an exhaustive list was provided; if this limited...
- National Children's Hospital
345. To ask the Minister for Health if phenolic foam insulation materials of Euroclass B, s1, d0 will be used in the ventilated façade of the national children’s hospital. [39258/20]
- National Public Health Emergency Team
346. To ask the Minister for Health if any member of NPHET is involved in a company connected with the provision of testing kits for the coronavirus; and if he will make a statement on the...
- Health Services Staff
347. To ask the Minister for Health if there are plans to increase pay for healthcare assistants and other health and social care workers; if there has been any engagement from or with trade...
- Disabilities Assessments
348. To ask the Minister for Health the reason it is taking so long for a child (details supplied) to be seen by the early intervention team. [39275/20]
- Covid-19 Pandemic
350. To ask the Minister for Health the supports in place or planned to be in place for aftercare of Covid-19 patients who are suffering from one or more of the post-Covid-19 syndromes commonly...
- Health Information and Quality Authority
352. To ask the Minister for Health his plans to extend the remit of HIQA to psychiatric units; if so, the timeline involved; if not, if he will consider extending the remit of HIQA; and if he...
- Mental Health Services
353. To ask the Minister for Health his plans for the expansion of the Lakeview psychiatric unit in Naas; the timelines involved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39287/20]
- Nursing Staff
354. To ask the Minister for Health the reason there is no public health nurse at a location (details supplied); if a nurse will be put in place urgently; and if he will make a statement on the...
- Hospital Data
366. To ask the Minister for Health the number of nurses that applied for the diabetic nurse vacancy in Midland Regional Hospital Mullingar when advertised earlier in 2020. [39301/20]
- School Staff
371. To ask the Minister for Health the HSE evidence on which an organisation is basing its decision to deny health and safety leave to a person (details supplied); and if he will make a...
- Disabilities Assessments
372. To ask the Minister for Health the reason a person (details supplied) is awaiting for an assessment of needs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39308/20]
- Patient Transfers
373. To ask the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will be transferred to Cork University Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39320/20]
- Hospital Data
374. To ask the Minister for Health the number of high-dependency units operating in the State based on population; and the location of each. [39323/20]
- Hospital Waiting Lists
375. To ask the Minister for Health the waiting times, age group and geographic location for those awaiting orthopaedic surgery in tabular form. [39334/20]
- Hare Coursing
376. To ask the Minister for Health his views on a matter (details supplied) regarding coursing restrictions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39343/20]
- Brexit Issues
377. To ask the Minister for Health the measures that will be put in place for UK senior contributory pensioners who are currently entitled to a non-means tested medical card by EU agreement...
- Hospital Appointments Status
378. To ask the Minister for Health if an appointment will be expedited for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39353/20]
- Health Screening Programmes
379. To ask the Minister for Health if he will advise on a matter raised in correspondence (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39379/20]
- Covid-19 Pandemic
380. To ask the Minister for Health the approach taken by the Health Protection Surveillance Centre to the classification of deaths as Covid-19 related or not, subject to a coroner's report, in...
- Apprenticeship Programmes
382. To ask the Minister for Health his plans to expand apprenticeships to healthcare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39390/20]
- Hospital Appointments Status
383. To ask the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Donegal can expect an appointment for a procedure in University Hospital Galway; and if he will make a statement on...
- Home Help Service
384. To ask the Minister for Health the reason a person (details supplied) in County Donegal was refused home help support for personal care; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39393/20]
- Hospital Waiting Lists
385. To ask the Minister for Health the current waiting times for dental treatment in the dental department, Letterkenny University Hospital, County Donegal; the number of patients waiting for...
- Dental Services
386. To ask the Minister for Health if emergency dental treatment is available at the dental department, Letterkenny University Hospital, County Donegal for cancer patients undergoing cancer...
- Hospital Appointments Status
387. To ask the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will receive an appointment at Letterkenny University Hospital; if their referral is routine or urgent; and if he will make a...
- Cross-Border Health Initiatives
388. To ask the Minister for Health the reason a person (details supplied) was refused a cross-border directive reimbursement having received written confirmation of prior approval; and if he...
- Cancer Services
389. To ask the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will be called for follow-up cancer treatment and procedures in Letterkenny University Hospital; and if he will make a...
- Mental Health Services
390. To ask the Minister for Health when Jigsaw services will commence in Thurles, County Tipperary. [39416/20]
- Health Services Access
391. To ask the Minister for Health the assistance available to help facilitate a remote visit between a person (details supplied) based in County Dublin and a family member currently resident in...
- Health Services
392. To ask the Minister for Health if he will address queries raised in correspondence (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39418/20]
- Maternity Services
393. To ask the Minister for Health his views on a matter (details supplied) regarding birthing pools; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39420/20]
- Covid-19 Tests
395. To ask the Minister for Health the reason persons who are getting the Covid-19 test are not being asked if they have had the flu jab yet. [39438/20]
- Hospital Appointments Status
396. To ask the Minister for Health if an appointment for hip replacement surgery will be expedited for a person (details supplied). [39440/20]
- Nursing Home Sector
397. To ask the Minister for Health if the requested level of funding will be approved to secure the future of a nursing home (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter....
- Covid-19 Pandemic
398. To ask the Minister for Health if consideration will be given to the suggestion by an organisation (details supplied) that small convenience stores and newsagents, due to not having click...
- Vaccination Programme
399. To ask the Minister for Health his plans and timelines to fulfil the programme for Government commitment to examine the inclusion of chickenpox vaccine in the children’s immunisation...
- Covid-19 Pandemic
401. To ask the Minister for Health if he has given consideration to approving neuromuscular therapists, acupuncture therapists and other complementary therapists as essential service providers...
- Hospital Services
402. To ask the Minister for Health the position regarding neurology services in the south east; if his attention has been drawn to reports that the neurology service in United Hospital Waterford...
- Proposed Legislation
403. To ask the Minister for Health the consideration given to the risk of image-based sexual abuse occurring when the HSE issued advice for persons not living together to have sex online to stop...
- Assisted Decision-Making
404. To ask the Minister for Health if the regulations for Part 8 on advance healthcare directives have been drafted; if so, when they will be published; and if he will make a statement on the...
- Proposed Legislation
405. To ask the Minister for Health when he plans to publish the protection of liberty safeguard Bill; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39511/20]
- Hospital Acquired Infections
406. To ask the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to a report (details supplied) commissioned by the Rotunda Hospital that details chronic lack of space, which increases risks...
- Hospital Facilities
407. To ask the Minister for Health his plans to support the Rotunda Hospital in relation to its chronic lack of space and aging infrastructure [39525/20]
- Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine
- GLAS Issues
408. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if a decision has been made on a GLAS penalty appeal by a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter....
- Basic Payment Scheme
409. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if a farmer can retain a single farm payment after installing solar panels on the farm land; and if he will make a statement on the...
- GLAS Issues
410. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason a person (details supplied) in County Kerry received a GLAS penalty for gorse burning on commonage that he had no hand,...
- Forestry Sector
411. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status on an objection to afforestation by a person (details supplied) in County Clare; and if he will make a statement on the...
- Food Industry
412. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of dedicated staff deployed in the protected geographical indication, PGI, sector; the breakdown of grade structure of...
- Agriculture Schemes
416. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason beef scheme payments for 2018 and 2019 did not issue to farmers (details supplied) when a herd number was amended to...
- Livestock Issues
417. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 1019 of 29 September 2020 and other parliamentary questions on the same issue, the progress in...
- Food Wise 2025 Strategy
418. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if it is planned that the new agrifood strategy to 2030, which has recently been the subject of public consultation, will replace the...
- Department of Rural and Community Development
- Covid-19 Pandemic Supports
419. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development if a follow-up round of the Covid-19 stability fund for community and voluntary, charity and social enterprises will be introduced;...
