DÁIL ÉIREANN

CEISTEANNAQUESTIONS

Dé Máirt, 28 Iúil, 2020Tuesday, 28th July, 2020

DÁIL ÉIREANN

P.T.O

CEISTEANNA I gCOMHAIR FREAGRA Ó BHÉALQUESTIONS FOR ORAL ANSWER

129735Dé Máirt, 28 Iúil, 2020

Tuesday, 28th July, 2020

Chun an Taoisigh: To the Taoiseach.

1. To ask the Taoiseach when the Cabinet Committee on Housing will next meet. — Alan Kelly. [16885/20]

2. To ask the Taoiseach when the Cabinet Committee on Housing will next meet. — Richard Boyd Barrett. [18562/20]

3. To ask the Taoiseach when the Cabinet Committee on Housing will next meet. — Mary Lou McDonald. [18794/20]

4. To ask the Taoiseach when the Cabinet Committee on the Environment and Climate Change will next meet. — Alan Kelly. [16886/20]

5. To ask the Taoiseach when the Cabinet Committee on the Environment and Climate Change will next meet. — Richard Boyd Barrett. [18563/20]

6. To ask the Taoiseach when the Cabinet Committee on the Environment and Climate Change will next meet. — Mary Lou McDonald. [18795/20]

7. To ask the Taoiseach when the Cabinet Committee on Education will next meet. — Alan Kelly. [16887/20]

8. To ask the Taoiseach when the Cabinet Committee on Education will next meet. — Mary Lou McDonald. [18475/20]

9. To ask the Taoiseach when the Cabinet Committee on Education will next meet. — Richard Boyd Barrett. [18564/20]

10. To ask the Taoiseach when the Cabinet Committee on Social Affairs and Equality will next meet. — Alan Kelly. [16888/20]

11. To ask the Taoiseach his plans for public services reform to be driven from his Department. — Mary Lou McDonald. [17249/20]

12. To ask the Taoiseach the Cabinet committee which addresses matters relating to justice. — Mary Lou McDonald. [17250/20]

13. To ask the Taoiseach when the Cabinet Committee on Social Affairs and Equality will meet. — Mary Lou McDonald. [18476/20]

1298

14. To ask the Taoiseach when the Cabinet Committee on Economic Recovery and Investment is set to next meet. — Richard Boyd Barrett. [17243/20]

15. To ask the Taoiseach when the Cabinet Committee on Economic Recovery and Investment will next meet. — Mary Lou McDonald. [17251/20]

16. To ask the Taoiseach when the Cabinet Committee on Economic Recovery and Investment will next meet. — Alan Kelly. [18556/20]

17. To ask the Taoiseach the time frame for establishment of the shared island unit; and the status of the process to date. — Ruairí Ó Murchú. [17264/20]

18. To ask the Taoiseach if he will report on the establishment of a unit within his Department to work towards a consensus on a shared island. — Niamh Smyth. [17957/20]

19. To ask the Taoiseach the status of the work of the international division of his Department. — Mary Lou McDonald. [18477/20]

20. To ask the Taoiseach the special measures he sought to reduce the burden on Ireland during the EU summit of leaders. — Mattie McGrath. [18478/20]

21. To ask the Taoiseach if he will report on the protocol and general division of his Department. — Alan Kelly. [18557/20]

22. To ask the Taoiseach his plans for legislation from his Department. — Alan Kelly. [18558/20]

CEISTEANNA AR SONRAÍODH UAIN DÓIBH QUESTIONS NOMINATED FOR PRIORITY

Chun an Aire Gnóthaí Eachtracha agus Trádála: To the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade.

23. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the steps he will take if the threatened Israeli annexation of part of the West Bank takes place. — John Brady. [18484/20]

24. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the efforts he has made at a European Union and at broader international level to prevent the Israeli annexation of the West Bank; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Cian O’Callaghan. [19031/20]

25. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if the membership of Ireland of the UN Security Council will be used to defend, advocate and give voice to those persons voiceless and dispossessed around the world. — John Brady. [18485/20]

26. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the discussions he had with the NPHET with regard to the production of the green list; if he requested the advice that the expert advisory group provided to the NPHET in this regard; the reason he decided to proceed with a green list given that the clear advice from the NPHET was to discourage persons from foreign travel; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Richard Boyd Barrett. [19030/20]

1299

P.T.O

27. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the steps taken by Ireland and the international community to address the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Yemen; the nature of discussions with international partners regarding facilitating a permanent ceasefire in Yemen; the value to the EU of arms exports to Saudi Arabia and the UAE to perpetuate the conflict; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Marian Harkin. [18543/20]

CEISTEANNA EILE OTHER QUESTIONS

Chun an Aire Gnóthaí Eachtracha agus Trádála: To the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade.

28. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will suspend the extradition agreement with Hong Kong in view of the actions taken by Australia, the UK and other nations suspending extradition agreements with Hong Kong following the enactment of the new security law by the Chinese authorities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Brendan Howlin. [18551/20]

29. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the position regarding discussions with his UK counterpart on the issue of border checks on trucks originating here and arriving in the UK from Rosslare Europort but which plan to travel onwards to another country within the European Union; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — James Browne. [16783/20]

30. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views on the treatment of Baha’i citizens and members of other religious minorities by Iran; the assessment made of reports that the Baha’i minority in Iran are being prevented from obtaining identity cards; the steps he is taking in relation to the matter at an international level; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Catherine Connolly. [18542/20]

31. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will report on his preparations for the Climate Conference which has been postponed to 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Richard Bruton. [17964/20]

32. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if consideration has been given to suspending the extradition agreement with Hong Kong following the imposition of a new national security law by Beijing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Neale Richmond. [18114/20]

33. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he has had discussions in relation to Brexit with the leader of the opposition in the UK parliament, Sir Keir Starmer or other opposition party leaders to set out the position of Ireland and the EU; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Brendan Howlin. [18554/20]

34. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views on the way in which new legislation designating political protest as criminal offences with huge penalties were introduced and new security apparatus has been installed in Hong Kong; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Richard Bruton. [17963/20]

35. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the steps he will take to prevent the annexation of occupied Palestine by Israel. — Patrick Costello. [18121/20]

1300

36. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views on whether the United Kingdom will honour its withdrawal agreement with the European Union; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Cormac Devlin. [18489/20]

37. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views on attempts by members of the United Kingdom parliament to replace the withdrawal agreement with the European Union; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — John Lahart. [18496/20]

38. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the response of Ireland to the recent UN Human Rights Council condemnation of the arbitrary actions of governments including the assassination of a person (details supplied). — John Brady. [18533/20]

39. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the reason for the delay in opening a European Union office in Belfast, County Antrim. — John Brady. [18530/20]

40. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the extent to which overseas development aid continues to target those for whom it was intended; the degree to which bilateral or multilateral aid can compare favourably in terms of positive impact; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Bernard J. Durkan. [18535/20]

41. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if further Brexit legislation is likely to be required; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Marc MacSharry. [18500/20]

42. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the reason for creating a green list for travelling during Covid-19 in view of the fact the clear advice from the NPHET is to discourage all foreign travel; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Richard Boyd Barrett. [18569/20]

43. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the status of the green list; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Niamh Smyth. [18465/20]

44. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the number of Irish citizens abroad that require repatriation assistance; the number of citizens that have been helped already; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — David Stanton. [18546/20]

45. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views on the assessment of the House of Commons Northern Ireland select committee that a lack of clarity from the United Kingdom Government has made it difficult to examine the way in which the Northern Ireland Protocol in the United Kingdom’s EU Withdrawal agreement will impact Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Brendan Smith. [18492/20]

46. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the exact sum allocated to the €5 billion Brexit reserve fund agreed at the European Council meeting recently; the criteria for allocating this fund; the timescale involved in the allocation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Brendan Howlin. [18555/20]

47. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will report on the discussions and or meetings he had with the airline industry with regard to the development of a green list; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Richard Boyd Barrett. [18566/20]

1301

P.T.O

48. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his assessment of the paper published by the United Kingdom Government on 20 May 2020 entitled the UK’s Approach to the Northern Ireland Protocol; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Jim O’Callaghan. [18494/20]

49. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the status of preparations taking place for Brexit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Alan Farrell. [18527/20]

50. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the number of new embassies and consulates that have opened over the past 12 months; if Covid-19 has delayed the opening of planned embassies and consulates; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Alan Dillon. [18469/20]

51. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the extent to which the outcome of the Brexit negotiations continue to fall within the expectations of Ireland in terms of being able to manage the aftermath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Bernard J. Durkan. [18534/20]

52. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his discussions and deliberations with the NPHET with regard to the development of the green list; the reason for going against this advice; if he requested the expert advice that the NPHET had received from the expert advisory group in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Richard Boyd Barrett. [18565/20]

53. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the discussions he has had with his counterparts across Europe with regard to the plans of the Israeli state to annex parts of Palestine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Richard Boyd Barrett. [18568/20]

54. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the actions he plans to take in response to the treatment of the Uighur people in China. — John Brady. [18532/20]

55. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will clarify his comments that Ireland could face fines from the EU in relation to banning goods from illegal settlements in Palestine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Bríd Smith. [18467/20]

56. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the status of the negotiations between the European Union and the United Kingdom with regard to the future relationship between both; his assessment of the main obstacles to a successful outcome; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Christopher O’Sullivan. [18499/20]

57. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the number of passport applications that have been processed since the Passport Office closed for Covid-19 in March 2020; the turnaround times for passports; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — David Stanton. [18547/20]

58. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the details of the strategic review with the UK mentioned in the Programme for Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Alan Farrell. [18528/20]

59. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views on the result of the recent presidential election in Poland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Paul McAuliffe. [18487/20]

1302

60. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the status of the work being carried out to prepare for Brexit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Alan Dillon. [18470/20]

61. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the number of times he has visited Northern Ireland to date in 2020; the purpose of each visit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Éamon Ó Cuív. [17314/20]

62. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the initiatives he plans to take to address the humanitarian crisis in Yemen; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Brendan Howlin. [18553/20]

63. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the steps he will take to expedite the recognition of the state of Palestine before it is too late in view of the threat of annexation by Israel. — Patrick Costello. [18120/20]

64. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will provide details of the strategy to maintain and expand the special relationship between Ireland and the United Kingdom in the post-Brexit relationship; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Neale Richmond. [18113/20]

65. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the discussions he has had with members of the executive in Northern Ireland in relation to the conditions under which segregated prisoners are held in HMP Magheraberry and other related issues; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Éamon Ó Cuív. [17313/20]

CEISTEANNA LE hAGHAIDH FREAGRAÍ SCRÍOFA QUESTIONS FOR WRITTEN ANSWER

Chun an Taoisigh: To the Taoiseach.

*66. To ask the Taoiseach if he will enable the early release of the 1926 Census returns as soon as possible. — Patricia Ryan. [18743/20]

*67. To ask the Taoiseach if he will provide a schedule of special advisers working in his Department, including a breakdown of those assigned to the offices of the Taoiseach, the Tánaiste and Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment in his role as leader of the Green Party; the roles, responsibilities and salary scale of each. — Catherine Murphy. [18843/20]

*68. To ask the Taoiseach the timeline, stages and deadline here for the development of the national recovery plan and associated application for grant funding under the EU Recovery and Resilience Facility; and the proportion of such funding that will be used to support public expenditure on public employment, public services, capital projects and national infrastructure. — Catherine Murphy. [18874/20]

*69. To ask the Taoiseach when the Cabinet Committee on social policy will meet next. — Carol Nolan. [18259/20]

*70. To ask the Taoiseach if he will provide a schedule of all special advisers working in his Department; and the role, responsibilities and salary scale of each. — Catherine Murphy. [18845/20]

1303

P.T.O

*71. To ask the Taoiseach the timeline, stages and deadline for the development of Ireland’s national recovery plan and associated application for grant funding under the EU Recovery and Resilience Facility; and the proportion of such funding that will be used to support public employment, public services, capital projects and national infrastructure. — Ged Nash. [18878/20]

*72. To ask the Taoiseach the status of the plan to establish a shared island unit in his Department. — Neale Richmond. [19137/20]

Chun an Tánaiste agus Aire Gnó, Fiontar agus Nuálaíochta: To the Tánaiste and Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation.

*73. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the number of claims for the restart grant that have been received from businesses in Dublin 4, 6 and 8; the number of claims that have been granted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Chris Andrews. [18513/20]

*74. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation if he will consider extending the cap on the restart grant to €25,000 for the licensed trade in view of the impact of Covid-19 on the sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Cormac Devlin. [18866/20]

*75. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the number of HSA inspectors available for work place inspections; the number of inspections carried out for each of the last six weeks; the number which were announced or unannounced, respectively; the rate of compliance and non-compliance, respectively; the number of enforcement orders made for non-compliance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — David Cullinane. [18256/20]

*76. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the way in which the public sector equality and human rights duty will be reflected in the July stimulus package; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Gary Gannon. [18271/20]

*77. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the way in which the commitment to gender and equality proofing will be reflected in the July stimulus package; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Gary Gannon. [18272/20]

*78. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation if he will review a case (details supplied); his plans to include travel agents in the July stimulus package; if he will provide details of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Niamh Smyth. [18510/20]

*79. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation if he will review correspondence and outline the measures being put in place as part of the July stimulus package to assist a business sector (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Niamh Smyth. [18514/20]

*80. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation if the Workplace Relations Commission received correspondence from a person (details supplied) in County Donegal; if so, when they will receive a response; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Pearse Doherty. [18526/20]

1304

*81. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the grant funding allocated to the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission for 2015 to 2020. — Matt Carthy. [18620/20]

*82. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the amount by which the grant requested by the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission increased; if correspondence, reports, briefings or materials relating to the reason such requests were granted or not for the period 2015 to 2020 will be provided. — Matt Carthy. [18621/20]

*83. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation if he will provide details of the level of trade between Ireland and Singapore in the years 2018 and 2019; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Thomas Pringle. [18634/20]

*84. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation if he will provide a schedule of all special advisers working in his Department; and the roles and responsibilities and salary scale of each. — Catherine Murphy. [18844/20]

*85. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the amount of funding provided by his Department or via bodies it funds for farm safety week in each of the years 2015 to 2019, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Matt Carthy. [18846/20]

*86. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the actions being taken to ensure that hairdressers, barbers and beauty and nail salons are complying with public health guidelines regarding Covid-19; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Cormac Devlin. [18863/20]

*87. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation his plans to publish specific guidelines for the reopening of pubs; when he last met with representatives of an organisation (details supplied); the supports available to pubs which have been unable to reopen; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Neasa Hourigan. [18925/20]

*88. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation if he is considering changes to employment permits in view of Covid-19; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Richard Boyd Barrett. [18949/20]

*89. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation if he will grant a work permit to a person (details supplied) in view of their frontline role; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Richard Boyd Barrett. [18950/20]

*90. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation if an employer that only provides a member of staff with a laptop due to the fact they are required to work in multiple locations is in breach of health and safety legislation or guidelines by refusing to also provide a monitor to ensure the employee does not suffer from posture difficulties; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Emer Higgins. [18953/20]

*91. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the status of the opening of an Enterprise Ireland office in Lyon, France; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Neale Richmond. [19145/20]

1305

P.T.O

Chun an Aire Cumarsáide, Gníomhaithe ar son na hAeráide agus Comhshaoil: To the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment.

*92. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the steps he is taking to ensure sufficient broadband access is provided in rural areas to facilitate online learning. — Holly Cairns. [19162/20]

*93. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if documents (details supplied) in relation to the Climate Action Plan will receive a response; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Fergus O’Dowd. [18139/20]

*94. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the breakdown of the former the Department budgets for the Environmental Protection Agency of €11.78 million in capital and €25.14 million current for 2019. — Eoin Ó Broin. [18165/20]

*95. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the annual target completions and budget for the retrofitting plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Darren O’Rourke. [18183/20]

*96. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if an audit has been carried out on publicly owned buildings regarding their energy rating and their potential need for retrofitting; if an estimated cost has been calculated for the publicly owned buildings which need to be retrofitted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Darren O’Rourke. [18184/20]

*97. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the estimated cost of retrofitting an average home; the total estimated spend by the State on retrofitting each year from July 2020 until 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Darren O’Rourke. [18185/20]

*98. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the 2020 budget allocations for all the offices, agencies and semi-state companies under his remit including additional funding allocated as a result of Covid-19; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Darren O’Rourke. [18191/20]

*99. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if his attention has been drawn to the fact that companies (details supplied) jointly requested and obtained approval from the regulators here and Northern Ireland for exceptional funding to commence an advanced procurement process prior to receipt of planning approval having signed procurement contracts without planning approval yet fully obtained; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Darren O’Rourke. [18192/20]

*100. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if part of S.I. No. 585/2018 Wild Salmon and Sea Trout Tagging Scheme Regulations 2018 (details supplied) will be amended to allow fishers to record salmon or sea trout caught and released and the sex of fish caught and retained and or caught and released; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Thomas Pringle. [18253/20]

*101. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment his views on the National Broadband Plan. — Sean Sherlock. [18314/20]

1306

*102. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the individual home energy grant schemes available from the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland in each of the years 2016 to 2019; the number of applications for each grant; the number of grants awarded; the average value of grant awarded under each heading; the annual spend on each home energy grant scheme in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Darren O’Rourke. [18317/20]

*103. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the number of applications for electric vehicle grants made to the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland in each of the years 2016 to 2019; the number of grants awarded; the average value of grant awarded; the annual spend on electric vehicle grants in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Darren O’Rourke. [18318/20]

*104. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the number of applications for electric vehicle home charging point grants made to the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland in each of the years 2016 to 2019; the number of grants awarded; the average value of grant awarded; the total annual spend on electric vehicle home charging point grants in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Darren O’Rourke. [18319/20]

*105. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment his views on whether a full review of the inclusion of a company (details supplied) in fixed and wireless telecommunications networks here is warranted in the interest of national security and the integrity and resilience of networks here and in view of the UK decision to make it illegal for carriers to purchase equipment from the company; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Carol Nolan. [18387/20]

*106. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if legal impediments exist here to ban high risk vendors from participating or deploying in the telecommunications networks of Ireland; if the Attorney General has been consulted on the matter; if a telecommunications company has threatened legal action against the State if it was to enforce a ban; if so, if such advice and the name the telecommunications companies which threatened such legal action will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Carol Nolan. [18389/20]

*107. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if the drafting of legislation to provide the definition of a high-risk vendor has commenced; if so, when the legislation will be published; the person or body the legislation will empower in order to assist carriers in identifying a high-risk vendor; if a commitment will be given to outline the measures and consequences that will be taken against a vendor or entity which has been designated a high-risk vendor; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Carol Nolan. [18390/20]

*108. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the status of the review of the EU 5G security toolbox; when a public consultation will commence and be published on the common measures for network security in view of the fact that the EU Commission requires feedback from member states on 1 October 2020 in relation to the effectiveness of the review; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Carol Nolan. [18391/20]

*109. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he will review a meeting request with Monaghan County Council (details supplied); if he will provide a date for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Niamh Smyth. [18423/20]

1307

P.T.O

*110. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the estimated full-year cost of providing 785 extra electric car charging points nationally. — Catherine Murphy. [18456/20]

*111. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment his plans to expand the support scheme for renewable heat; if he plans to make the SSRH scheme less complicated; if he will consider those that are not able to benefit from the scheme due to the fact that they were already using renewable heat prior to the introduction of the scheme. — James Browne. [18704/20]

*112. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if Ireland will make a commitment under the Bonn challenge; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Patricia Ryan. [18740/20]

*113. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the status of the north-south interconnector project; when a review is likely to resume into the undergrounding of the project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Niamh Smyth. [18871/20]

*114. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if all dwellings will be treated equally in relation to recent reports indicating that new rural houses without an alternative broadband provider may be subject to large costs as a deterrent to building in rural areas and that no house will be burdened with additional costs in the provision of fibre broadband to the home under the National Broadband Plan. — Seán Canney. [18897/20]

*115. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the grants available for persons building new sustainable houses. — Thomas Pringle. [18901/20]

*116. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment his plans to revise the solar panel grants scheme for private residences; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — James Browne. [18987/20]

*117. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the status of the Celtic interconnector project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Neale Richmond. [19158/20]

Chun an Aire Iompair, Turasóireachta agus Spóirt: To the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport.

*118. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if correspondence with Dublin Airport Authority since 1 January 2020 in relation to support measures to assist the company cope with the long-term effects of the Covid-19 pandemic will be provided; the dates of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Duncan Smith. [18002/20]

*119. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when he plans to proceed with the legislation necessary for protecting communities from the antisocial use of scramblers and quad bikes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — John Lahart. [18182/20]

*120. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport for the estimated number of private jets that land in Irish airports each year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Darren O’Rourke. [18186/20]

1308

*121. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the estimated cost of making public transport free; the estimated cost of making public transport free for all those under 25 years of age; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Darren O’Rourke. [18187/20]

*122. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the budget allocation for the rural transport programme in each of the years 2016 to 2020; the number of passenger journeys in the same period; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Darren O’Rourke. [18190/20]

*123. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will investigate whether passengers were transferred between an aircraft (details supplied) in Dublin airport on 26 June 2020 in which the aircraft originated as a flight in Washington DC, landed in Dublin and originated another flight between Dublin and Benghazi, Libya; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Pa Daly. [18309/20]

*124. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the position regarding a matter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Marian Harkin. [18615/20]

*125. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when the allocated funding for greenways will be made available to local authorities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Marian Harkin. [18616/20]

*126. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the estimated full-year cost in 2021 of abolishing the punitive motor tax surcharge by which motor tax paid for periods of three or six months are more expensive, in monthly costs, than the cost of motor tax for a period of 12 months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Pearse Doherty. [18777/20]

*127. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will review the case of a person (details supplied); if he and his Department will intervene in this matter given that the country of destination is not on the green list provided due to Covid-19 and that all non-essential travel is not recommended; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Niamh Smyth. [18879/20]

*128. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the potential funding streams available to a club (details supplied) in County Meath to help build and develop a permanent facility; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Darren O’Rourke. [17988/20]

*129. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of persons waiting for driving tests; and the number waiting by test centre. — Darren O’Rourke. [17989/20]

*130. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when driving tests for cars will resume; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Darren O’Rourke. [17990/20]

*131. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if provisional licence renewals can be processed automatically and online but full driver licences cannot; the waiting time for an appointment at each centre; the contingencies in place in cases where the full licence of a driver is out of date and applicants cannot obtain an appointment for same for six weeks; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Darren O’Rourke. [17991/20]

*132. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if an application for emergency funding has been received from a group (details supplied) up to 17 July 2020; if so, the details of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Maurice Quinlivan. [17993/20]

1309

P.T.O

*133. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if correspondence with a company (details supplied) since 1 January 2020 in relation to support measures to assist the company cope with the long-term effects of the Covid-19 pandemic will be provided; the dates of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Duncan Smith. [18000/20]

*134. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if correspondence with a company (details supplied) since 1 January 2020 in relation to support measures to assist the company cope with the long-term effects of the Covid-19 pandemic will be provided; the dates of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Duncan Smith. [18001/20]

*135. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport correspondence with a group (details supplied) since 1 January 2020 in relation to support measures to assist the company cope with the long-term effects of the Covid-19 pandemic will be provided; the dates of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Duncan Smith. [18003/20]

*136. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will address a matter regarding the validity date of the NCT certificate of a driver (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Kieran O’Donnell. [18008/20]

*137. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will address matters (details supplied) regarding the 10-year replacement rule for taxis and the transfer of taxi plates which directly impact on taxi drivers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Michael Healy-Rae. [18009/20]

*138. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to introduce mandatory testing of learner drivers competency on a more frequent timeline than is currently in place; if he has engaged with the Road Safety Authority in relation to the number of learner permits a person may avail of over the course of their learning period; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Catherine Murphy. [18108/20]

*139. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if the Road Safety Authority lodged submissions to him and or his predecessor in relation to reform of the learner driver licencing process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Catherine Murphy. [18109/20]

*140. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will address the backlog of driver tests; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Fergus O’Dowd. [18126/20]

*141. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if a reply will issue to correspondence from a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Fergus O’Dowd. [18130/20]

*142. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the progress to date in respect of the allocation of funding for the completion of the Grand Canal Greenway with particular reference to the section of Greenway between Dublin and County Kildare near Celbridge which remains outstanding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Bernard J. Durkan. [18135/20]

*143. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the legislation sources necessitating the timely arrangement of public consultations before large-scale motorway bypass projects can commence development; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — James Browne. [18160/20]

1310

*144. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the criteria laid down by the EU when funding large-scale motorway bypass projects in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — James Browne. [18161/20]

*145. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the specific legislation necessitating the revisiting of route selection process for the Wexford town bypass; and the criteria for the EU funding of the project. — James Browne. [18162/20]

*146. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his attention has been drawn to the need for outer and inner relief roads at Naas, County Kildare; if such provision will take account of the concerns expressed by local residents who feel that the outer relief road to the south and east of the town should be the priority; if his further attention has been drawn to the urgent necessity for the provision of the road in view of the extent of development and proposed development in the area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Bernard J. Durkan. [18177/20]

*147. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he has considered proposals by an organisation (details supplied); the steps which will be taken to protect this sector; if he will meet with the representative body. — Róisín Shortall. [18247/20]

*148. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the procedures being put in place to ensure the backlog of those waiting to book driver theory tests is cleared quickly; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Danny Healy-Rae. [18255/20]

*149. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the steps being taken to deal with the shortage of driver theory test appointments available in a location (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Danny Healy-Rae. [18263/20]

*150. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the steps being taken to deal with the backlog of those waiting to for driving tests (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Danny Healy-Rae. [18265/20]

*151. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if clarification will be provided for a person (details supplied) regarding an extension of the 12-month ability to drive on an American driver licence. — Joan Collins. [18290/20]

*152. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will report on the cost of re-routing 800 metres of the Great Southern Trail Greenway at Coolybrown, Ardagh, County Limerick (details supplied). — Pa Daly. [18297/20]

*153. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will investigate whether the stipulations that the disused railway corridor from Limerick to Tralee be protected from encroachments was undermined by the granting of permission (details supplied). — Pa Daly. [18298/20]

*154. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will assist taxi drivers by lifting the blanket four month extension on the NCT or by ensuring that the NTA extend taxi licences by four months in line with NCT tests; and his plans to ensure that taxi drivers have 60 days to carry out any necessary changes or repairs as was the case before the NCT extension. — Patrick Costello. [18328/20]

1311

P.T.O

*155. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will consider halting future applications for taxi licences in order to allow holders adjust to the reduced economic activity in view of the Covid-19 crisis and the impact on the taxi industry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Bríd Smith. [18363/20]

*156. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will request that the Dublin Airport Authority desist from their policy of insisting that taxi drivers pay the annual fee for access to the airport (details suppled) in view of the reduction in traffic volumes and the uncertainty in future traffic volumes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Bríd Smith. [18364/20]

*157. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if a time frame has been issued for the return of car driver tests; and if a catch-up programme will be implemented to process the backlog. — Thomas Gould. [18377/20]

*158. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if applicants that wish to renew their driver licence will be allowed to do so online to avoid citizens living abroad having to return here in view of the public health advice to avoid all unnecessary travel; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Chris Andrews. [18378/20]

*159. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to support taxi drivers as they recover from loss of income as a result of Covid-19; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Emer Higgins. [18382/20]

*160. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if the EU package travel Directive covers purchases through a travel agent of a flight only; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Emer Higgins. [18383/20]

*161. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to extend the requirement to wear face coverings to taxis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Emer Higgins. [18385/20]

*162. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if consideration will be given to allow applicants to conduct the driver theory test online in view of the fact that there are almost 300,000 persons on a waiting list to get a slot for same. — Chris Andrews. [18403/20]

*163. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to bring in a tax rebate style system for those that cycle to work similar to the Netherlands based on a person’s commute to work. — Sean Sherlock. [18404/20]

*164. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when a person (details supplied) will receive an appointment for a driver test. — Sean Sherlock. [18409/20]

*165. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will address a matter regarding the 2013 taxi regulations (details supplied). — Joe Flaherty. [18421/20]

*166. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the position regarding a motorcycle driver license for a person (details supplied) in County Clare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Róisín Shortall. [18424/20]

1312

*167. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the amount of National Lottery funding provided to sports organisations in each of the years 2005, 2010 and 2015; the amount planned for 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Emer Higgins. [18433/20]

*168. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the estimated full-year cost if the budget for Medical Bureau of Road Safety increased by 5%. — Catherine Murphy. [18457/20]

*169. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the estimated cost in 2021 of providing 120 extra buses for the Dublin Bus fleet and 113 extra buses for the Bus Éireann fleet. — Catherine Murphy. [18458/20]

*170. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his attention has been drawn to the decision by an organisation (details supplied) to close some of its sites at the end of August 2020; if his attention has been further drawn to the decision to keep certain sites under its remit closed until 2021; if he has spoken to the management of the organisation regarding the decision; and the supports he will put in place to allow the decision to be reversed. — Violet-Anne Wynne. [17252/20]

*171. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if matters raised in correspondence (details supplied) in relation to driver lessons will be reviewed; if clarity will be provided to driver instructors on the matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Niamh Smyth. [18517/20]

*172. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when the NTA will approve the extension plan for the TaxSaver scheme for public transport; the reason for the delay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Denis Naughten. [18591/20]

*173. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if the RSA Sláinte agus Tiomáint guideline which states Group 2 licence holders are not permitted to drive with complete loss of vision in one eye applies to HGV licence holders that lost their vision completely in one eye prior to passing their driver test and are current licence holders; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Pearse Doherty. [18593/20]

*174. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when driving tests will resume. — Kathleen Funchion. [18596/20]

*175. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if the upgrade of the Kildare line will result in extending DART services to Hazelhatch or opening Kishogue train station; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Emer Higgins. [18605/20]

*176. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport further to correspondence issued by this Deputy on 29 June 2020 regarding the decision made by Dublin Bus to cancel provision of school transport services to a school (details supplied), the reason for the decision; if he has raised the matter with Dublin Bus; if he has raised the issue with the Minister for Education and Skills; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Mary Lou McDonald. [18613/20]

*177. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will consider reform of the monitoring and policing of bus and cycle lanes, in line with recommendations of the National Transport Agency; if there are plans under consideration to enact legislative change in this area including adopting a camera based automated monitoring and enforcement model for the policing of bus and cycle lanes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Colm Burke. [18649/20]

1313

P.T.O

*178. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he has engaged with Sport Ireland and or the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform regarding the appointment of the Secretary General of the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform to a position within an organisation (details supplied); if so, the nature of the engagements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Catherine Murphy. [18650/20]

*179. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he has reviewed the memorandum of understanding between her Department and an association (details supplied) in respect of organisational reform and restructuring in order to secure State funding; if he or his predecessor received contact and or correspondence requesting that the memorandum of understanding be amended or reviewed; the nature of the amendments requested and the persons that made them; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Catherine Murphy. [18651/20]

*180. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport further to Parliamentary Question No. 251 of 14 July 2020, the reason it has been necessary to resume driver test centres on a gradual basis; the reason all centres could not have been re-opened in view of the essential nature of the service; when driver tests and driver theory tests will resume in Clonmel, County Tipperary; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Mattie McGrath. [18656/20]

*181. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his attention has been drawn to the difficulties being encountered by those with driver licences due to expire, to obtain an appointment to renew their licence due to the number of persons trying to obtain appointments as a result of the extension to their licences up to July 2020; the measures in place to ensure that persons that cannot obtain an appointment in a timely manner will have their licence extended in view of the fact they cannot drive while waiting for an appointment in cases where the appointment date is later than the expiry date; if the matter will receive urgent attention to ensure that those with expired or expiring licenses are given priority; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Mattie McGrath. [18657/20]

*182. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the reason no additional resources have been put in place to reduce the back log of persons waiting for driver tests in County Longford. — Sorca Clarke. [18685/20]

*183. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of driver tests carried out at the Longford test centre in each of the years 2017 to 2019, in tabular form. — Sorca Clarke. [18687/20]

*184. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the funding in place to support sporting organisations in implementing Covid-19 safety regulations. — Thomas Gould. [18705/20]

*185. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the supports in place for sporting organisations in which their running costs remain the same but have lost income as a result of reduced fundraising opportunities and loss of script, membership and affiliation fees. — Thomas Gould. [18706/20]

*186. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when a person (details supplied) will be facilitated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Michael McNamara. [18708/20]

*187. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to carry out a nationwide review of the full potential of rail services on Iarnród Éireann rail lines with a particular emphasis in the review on the potential reduction of emissions by the full utilisation of the lines and the

1314

diversion of commuters and intercity passengers from more carbon intensive forms of transport; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Éamon Ó Cuív. [18752/20]

*188. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of driver theory tests scheduled, passed and failed by category and by quarter in each of the years 2015 to 2019 and to date in 2020, in tabular form. — Matt Carthy. [18833/20]

*189. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if there is a system by which a person that has amassed driver lessons or training hours in another country within the EU or France can have that time transferred to essential driver training hours here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Richard Boyd Barrett. [18852/20]

*190. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will consider adjusting the motor tax system to allow customers pay quarterly online at the same rate as an annual payment in view of the impact of Covid-19; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Cormac Devlin. [18861/20]

*191. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will consider allowing persons over 70 years of age to automatically extend the validity of their driver licence for a further year using the online portal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Cormac Devlin. [18862/20]

*192. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if legislation will be introduced to allow for camera-based enforcement of traffic laws including the laws for bus and cycle lanes, red lights, and speeding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Seán Haughey. [18896/20]

*193. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his Department will intervene in view of the fact that many Irish persons that booked holidays before the Covid-19 lockdown are now losing their money due to the travel ban and airlines are refusing to offer a refund; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Seán Canney. [18900/20]

*194. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will intervene with the management of a company (details supplied) requesting that it fully cooperate with employees endeavouring to claim social welfare benefits in a timely manner; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Seán Haughey. [18904/20]

*195. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on a matter regarding the train and bus station in Killarney, County Kerry (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Brendan Griffin. [18905/20]

*196. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the PSO provision for public transport in each of the years 2010 to 2019 and to date in 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Darren O’Rourke. [18909/20]

*197. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the estimated cost of making all public transport wheelchair accessible; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Darren O’Rourke. [18910/20]

*198. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of passenger arrivals and departures from each airport from January to June 2020, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Darren O’Rourke. [18911/20]

1315

P.T.O

*199. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if a matter will be resolved regarding the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Michael McNamara. [18915/20]

*200. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to consult with the National Transport Authority on the many issues in relation to taxi and limousine vehicle licensing, in view of the deferred Covid-19 reopening map in which many operators are expected to renew vehicle licences when those taxi and limousine vehicles are non-operational due to ongoing restrictions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Verona Murphy. [18917/20]

*201. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the industry specific financial supports which will be made available to licensed travel agents and tour operators in view of the major Covid-19 recommended travel restrictions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Verona Murphy. [18922/20]

*202. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the way in which persons that followed travel advice and cancelled their holidays which has resulted in a financial loss for them will be compensated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Alan Kelly. [18938/20]

*203. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his attention has been drawn to the shortage of articulated truck drivers and the fact that applicants who wish to take the theory test necessary to qualify as an articulated driver must wait until January 2021 in order to do so; if he will provide the necessary resources to reduce the waiting list; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Joe Carey. [18940/20]

*204. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if matters raised in correspondence (details supplied) will be reviewed; his views on the importance of the sector within the tourism realm at this critical time; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Niamh Smyth. [18946/20]

*205. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the changes from July 2019 when the governance reforms endorsed by his Department and Sport Ireland were ratified by members of an association (details supplied) and January 2020 when additional reforms were requested; if he will provide a full schedule of correspondence and meetings regarding these requested changes; the persons that sanctioned them; the basis on which they were sanctioned; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Catherine Murphy. [19052/20]

*206. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the status of progress on the Ardee bypass project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Ged Nash. [19057/20]

*207. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the amount of additional expenditure which will be required in the next two years to reach a steady state in relation to regional and local roads by year in tabular form. — Alan Kelly. [19070/20]

*208. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the amount of July stimulus funding which has been allocated towards reducing the gap towards a steady state in regional and local roads. — Alan Kelly. [19071/20]

*209. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the amount of funding being allocated under the July stimulus under cycling, walking, national roads, aviation, public transport, maritime, road haulage and regional and local roads, respectively in tabular form. — Alan Kelly. [19072/20]

1316

*210. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the amount of July stimulus allocated to his Department. — Alan Kelly. [19073/20]

*211. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the actual amounts and percentages of the July stimulus allocated to cycling, walking, national roads, aviation, public transport, maritime, road haulage and regional and local roads, respectively in tabular form. — Alan Kelly. [19074/20]

*212. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if funding will be provided to Transport Infrastructure Ireland to lengthen the platforms at red line Luas stations. — Darren O’Rourke. [19079/20]

*213. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he has spoken to the CEO of Dublin Bus since his appointment. — Darren O’Rourke. [19080/20]

*214. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he received correspondence (details supplied); and if he will advise on the matter. — David Cullinane. [19100/20]

*215. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if applications for the renewal of driver licences for vulnerable or at-risk groups that require a letter from a doctor can be made available for online application. — Holly Cairns. [19150/20]

Chun an Aire Airgeadais: To the Minister for Finance.

*216. To ask the Minister for Finance if his attention has been drawn to instances of insurance companies refusing to issue travel insurance to persons that need to travel abroad for essential work purposes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Catherine Murphy. [18141/20]

*217. To ask the Minister for Finance if the planned tax rebate on tourism spending will extend to spending to the entirety of the island of Ireland. — Patricia Ryan. [18745/20]

*218. To ask the Minister for Finance the reason the temporary wage subsidy scheme for the hospitality industry is based on earnings in January and February of 2020 where that industry would traditionally either close or have a quiet period in those months (details supplied). — Paul Donnelly. [19043/20]

*219. To ask the Minister for Finance the planned contribution by Ireland to the EU Budget over the next seven years; the justification for Ireland being the second highest contributor per capita to the EU Budget, second only to Luxembourg; the efforts that were made to seek a write down and reduction of the contribution in view of the write down received by Germany, Holland, Sweden and others; if efforts will be made to seek a reduction in the contribution by Ireland in view of the financial difficulties facing Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Mattie McGrath. [19028/20]

*220. To ask the Minister for Finance if the State is responsible for the costs associated with the management of the funds of a company (details supplied) while they were in an escrow account; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Paul McAuliffe. [17992/20]

*221. To ask the Minister for Finance his plans to make changes to the inheritance tax thresholds in Budget 2021. — John Lahart. [18179/20]

1317

P.T.O

*222. To ask the Minister for Finance his plans to carry out a review of credit union legislation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — John Lahart. [18221/20]

*223. To ask the Minister for Finance his plans to include counsellors and psychotherapists on the list of health professionals that are VAT exempt; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Marian Harkin. [18244/20]

*224. To ask the Minister for Finance the way in which the commitment to the sustainable development goals will be reflected in the Strategy and Work Plan 2020-2025 of his Department; and the way in which progress towards achieving the goals will be monitored and reported annually. — Gary Gannon. [18273/20]

*225. To ask the Minister for Finance if a person can retrospectively apply for the help to buy initiative if they satisfy all of the conditions in cases in which they were not aware of the scheme’s existence and where the home was constructed in 2018. — Robert Troy. [18284/20]

*226. To ask the Minister for Finance his plans to expand the living city initiative to include all inner-city areas of Dublin city rather than just those designated special regeneration areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Neasa Hourigan. [18327/20]

*227. To ask the Minister for Finance if the net contribution made by Ireland to the EU recovery fund is €15.7 billion in accordance with a document in circulation at the European Council; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Michael Fitzmaurice. [18372/20]

*228. To ask the Minister for Finance the net contribution of Ireland to the EU budget in 2019 and 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Michael Fitzmaurice. [18373/20]

*229. To ask the Minister for Finance his views on whether entering deeper into the EU debt is good for the financial health and sovereignty of Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Michael Fitzmaurice. [18374/20]

*230. To ask the Minister for Finance if he will review the case of a person (details supplied); if he will provide advice on the matter; if he will address the issues; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Niamh Smyth. [18411/20]

*231. To ask the Minister for Finance if he will review a matter (details supplied); the steps he is taking to resolve these issues for local businesses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Niamh Smyth. [18414/20]

*232. To ask the Minister for Finance the net contributions Ireland will have to make to the EU Multi-Annual Financial Framework in each year until 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Carol Nolan. [18420/20]

*233. To ask the Minister for Finance the position regarding homecare providers seeking VAT exemption from the Revenue Commissioners using HSE verification; the way in which a private homecare provider can secure such HSE verification for the purposes of VAT exemption; if VAT exemption provides coverage for all homecare services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — James Browne. [18525/20]

1318

*234. To ask the Minister for Finance the amount of nitrous oxide seized by customs each year since 2015 to 2019 and to date in 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Emer Higgins. [18610/20]

*235. To ask the Minister for Finance the amount of cash seized by the dog detector unit of the Revenue Commissioners from 1 October 2019 to date in 2020; the estimated value of narcotics, prescription drugs and tobacco products detected by the unit over the same time period; if food substances have been seized over the same time period; if the Revenue Commissioners plan to expand the unit; if so, if a business case has been submitted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Catherine Murphy. [18666/20]

*236. To ask the Minister for Finance the justification for the 23% VAT on adult life jackets; if he will consider reducing same to zero; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Sorca Clarke. [18684/20]

*237. To ask the Minister for Finance if a copy of the briefing documents provided to him upon his appointment to his Department will be provided; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Ged Nash. [18722/20]

*238. To ask the Minister for Finance the number of employers using the temporary wage subsidy scheme entering €0.01 on the system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Ged Nash. [18723/20]

*239. To ask the Minister for Finance his views on the proposed EU digital tax; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Ged Nash. [18724/20]

*240. To ask the Minister for Finance his views on the recent agreement regarding the European recovery fund; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Ged Nash. [18725/20]

*241. To ask the Minister for Finance if social conditionality as implemented in other EU countries has been attached to the July stimulus package; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Ged Nash. [18726/20]

*242. To ask the Minister for Finance the status of his discussions with other Ministers regarding the implementation of a cross-Departmental insurance reform agenda; the deadline for completion of insurance reforms outlined in the Programme for Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Ged Nash. [18727/20]

*243. To ask the Minister for Finance if he will consider introducing a provision to exempt persons with small pension funds from the 4% drawdown requirement currently applicable to PRSA funds; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Jennifer Carroll MacNeill. [18729/20]

*244. To ask the Minister for Finance if he will set the VAT rate on PPE masks to 0%; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Patricia Ryan. [18738/20]

*245. To ask the Minister for Finance the estimated full-year revenue in 2021 that would be raised by tapering out the personal, PAYE and earned income credit by 2.5% per €1,000 on individual income between €100,000 and €140,000 per year resulting in no entitlement to these tax credits in cases in which income is in excess of €140,000 based on the latest individualised income figures available to the Revenue Commissioners. — Pearse Doherty. [18755/20]

1319

P.T.O

*246. To ask the Minister for Finance the estimated full-year revenue in 2021 that would be raised by introducing an additional USC rate of 5% on individual incomes in excess of €140,000 based on the latest individualised income figures available to the Revenue Commissioners. — Pearse Doherty. [18756/20]

*247. To ask the Minister for Finance the estimated full-year cost in 2021 of abolishing the local property tax and replacing the funding with central funds; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Pearse Doherty. [18757/20]

*248. To ask the Minister for Finance the estimated full-year revenue in 2021 that would be raised by introducing a non-principal private residence charge of €400 on properties indicated as such by owners in local property tax returns and including commercial landlords but excluding local authorities and approved housing bodies. — Pearse Doherty. [18758/20]

*249. To ask the Minister for Finance the estimated full-year revenue in 2021 from raising the rate of commercial stamp duty to 9%, 10%, 11% and 12.5%, respectively. — Pearse Doherty. [18759/20]

*250. To ask the Minister for Finance the estimated full-year revenue in 2021 that would be raised by reducing the ceiling earnings cap for occupational pension schemes, RACs and PRSAs from €115,000 to €90,000, €80,000, €70,000 and €60,000, respectively. — Pearse Doherty. [18760/20]

*251. To ask the Minister for Finance the estimated full-year revenue in 2021 that would be raised by reducing the standard fund threshold from €2 million to €1.7 million, €1.5million and €1.2 million, respectively. — Pearse Doherty. [18761/20]

*252. To ask the Minister for Finance the estimated full-year revenue in 2021 that would be raised by abolishing the help to buy scheme. — Pearse Doherty. [18762/20]

*253. To ask the Minister for Finance the estimated full-year revenue in 2021 that would be raised by abolishing the special assignee relief programme. — Pearse Doherty. [18763/20]

*254. To ask the Minister for Finance the full-year cost and budgetary impact in 2021 of maintaining the current rate of mortgage interest relief; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Pearse Doherty. [18764/20]

*255. To ask the Minister for Finance the estimated full-year cost in 2021 of restoring trade union tax relief at the level it was at before its abolition; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Pearse Doherty. [18765/20]

*256. To ask the Minister for Finance the estimated full-year cost in 2021 of increasing the earned income credit to the same level as the PAYE credit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Pearse Doherty. [18766/20]

*257. To ask the Minister for Finance the estimated full-year revenue in 2021 that would be raised by introducing a minimum dividend withholding tax rate of 33% on all dividends paid by REITs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Pearse Doherty. [18767/20]

1320

*258. To ask the Minister for Finance the estimated full-year revenue in 2021 that would be raised by introducing a minimum dividend withholding tax rate of 33% on all dividends paid by IREFs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Pearse Doherty. [18768/20]

*259. To ask the Minister for Finance the estimated full-year cost in 2021 of introducing a tax relief of 8.33%, that is, equivalent to one month’s rent paid by all renters not in receipt of other State assistance on a refundable basis. — Pearse Doherty. [18770/20]

*260. To ask the Minister for Finance the estimated full-year revenue in 2021 that would be raised by increasing the rate of capital acquisitions tax by 3% to a rate of 36%. — Pearse Doherty. [18771/20]

*261. To ask the Minister for Finance the estimated full-year revenue that would be raised in 2021 if intangible assets on shored between 2015 and 2018 were taxed at the current cap of 80%; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Pearse Doherty. [18772/20]

*262. To ask the Minister for Finance the estimated full-year additional corporation tax that could be expected in 2021 if the bailed out banks had applied to them a 25% limit on losses that could be carried forward in a year and a five-year absolute limit in which such losses could be used; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Pearse Doherty. [18773/20]

*263. To ask the Minister for Finance the estimated full-year additional revenue in 2021 that would be raised by increasing the bank levy by each of 10 percentage points and by 10%; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Pearse Doherty. [18774/20]

*264. To ask the Minister for Finance the estimated full-year saving in 2021 that would accrue from moving the entire cost of regulation of the financial sector onto the industry with the exception of credit unions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Pearse Doherty. [18775/20]

*265. To ask the Minister for Finance the estimated full-year revenue that would be raised in 2021 by increasing excise duty on a packet of cigarettes by 30 cents; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Pearse Doherty. [18778/20]

*266. To ask the Minister for Finance the estimated full-year revenue in 2021 that would be raised by reducing the group A tax free threshold, referring to capital acquisitions tax, from €335,000 to €320,000, €310,000, €300,000, €280,000 and €250,000, respectively. — Pearse Doherty. [18779/20]

*267. To ask the Minister for Finance if he will consider reducing VAT and other stimulus measures for the car rental industry in view of the impact of Covid-19 on the sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Cormac Devlin. [18865/20]

*268. To ask the Minister for Finance the steps business owners should take whose respective insurance companies will not pay out on claims for business interruption due to Covid-19 restrictions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Marc MacSharry. [18893/20]

*269. To ask the Minister for Finance if he will enquire with the Revenue Commissioners if it is in a position to issue tax clearance certificates to four related companies (details supplied) in order that they are eligible for reopening grants administered by Dublin City Council; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Seán Haughey. [18903/20]

1321

P.T.O

Chun an Aire Caiteachais Phoiblí agus Athchóirithe: To the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform.

*270. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the estimated cost of refurbishing Fitzgibbon Street Garda station. — Martin Kenny. [18445/20]

*271. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the estimated cost of refurbishing Sligo Garda station. — Martin Kenny. [18446/20]

*272. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will advocate for the whole island of Ireland to benefit from the EU stimulus package. — Patricia Ryan. [18746/20]

*273. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the plans the Office of Public Works to carry out works on an old mill (details supplied) in its care to enable it to open to visitors; the progress made with the plans to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Éamon Ó Cuív. [18748/20]

*274. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his plans to carry out a review of the National Development Plan; the time frame for the review; if measures contained in the Plan will proceed during the review process. — John Brady. [19115/20]

*275. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the way in which the sustainable development goals will be reflected in the Strategy and Work Plan 2020-2025 of his Department; and the way in which progress towards achieving the goals will be monitored and reported annually. — Gary Gannon. [18274/20]

*276. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if Circular 05/2017 on motor travel rate will be amended to include cycling as a commutable expense and encourage alternative sustainable travel. — Sean Sherlock. [18408/20]

*277. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if the development of the Leeson Lane office building project has commenced; when the project will be completed; and the estimated cost of the project. — Catherine Murphy. [18460/20]

*278. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if the OPW plans to refurbish the Garda immigration facility at Dublin Port; if so, when such work will commence; and the estimated time frame of such works. — Catherine Murphy. [18461/20]

*279. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the consultations with and or if sanction was sought by the Secretary General of his Department to take up a board position at an association (details supplied); the procedures in place in his Department in respect of sanctioning voted expenditure to other Departments that can be distributed to other State agencies which is in turn granted to associations on which senior Government officials are board members of in order to satisfy clear and transparent governance status; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Catherine Murphy. [18638/20]

*280. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if a copy of the briefing documents provided to him upon his appointment to his Department will be provided; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Ged Nash. [18719/20]

1322

*281. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his plans for reform to address the low levels of trust in Government as measured in a recent report (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Ged Nash. [18721/20]

*282. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform when the Office of Public Works ceased control of or involvement with the national monument at Tully Church, Lehaunstown, County Dublin inside the Cherrywood STZ in view of the fact it is clearly marked with an Office of Public Works sign; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Cormac Devlin. [18860/20]

*283. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the amount of funding allocated for works to be carried out at the residence of persons (details supplied) under the voluntary homeowners’ relocation scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Pádraig Mac Lochlainn. [18881/20]

*284. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the status of the work of the cross-Departmental social considerations advisory group to promote and facilitate the incorporation of social considerations into public procurement projects; if this will include consideration of the ILO conventions 87 and 98, respectively; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Ged Nash. [18890/20]

*285. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the status of the review of the capital works management framework; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Ged Nash. [18891/20]

*286. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the status of the procurement reform programme overseen by the Interim Procurement Reform Board; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Ged Nash. [18892/20]

*287. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the OPW tourism and heritage sites that are open to the public by county in tabular form. — Imelda Munster. [19044/20]

*288. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the OPW tourism and heritage sites that are closed to the public due to Covid-19 restrictions; and when they plan to reopen by county in tabular form. — Imelda Munster. [19045/20]

Chun an Aire Cultúir, Oidhreachta agus Gaeltachta: To the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht.

*289. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if she will provide copies of all relevant communications and correspondence between her Department, the National Parks and Wildlife Service, the EU Commission and the EU Directorate-General for the Environment on a matter (details supplied), including all such relevant communications and correspondence exchanged with those EU authorities during the period while the NPWS comes under the auspices of her Department. — Duncan Smith. [18132/20]

*290. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the administrative costs of the head office of the National Parks and Wildlife Service in 2018 and 2019. — Eoin Ó Broin. [18166/20]

1323

P.T.O

*291. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the Departments that will have responsibility for the islands with Irish as the main language, islands with English as the main language and all islands following the transfer of functions. — Catherine Connolly. [18351/20]

*292. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if she is satisfied that the allocation of €5 million made in Budget 2020 from the carbon tax fund to restore over 1,800ha within the raised bog special area of conservation and national heritage area network on a number of raised bogs across several counties in the midlands region can now be used for this work in view of the High Court ruling in September 2019 requiring that work on peatlands in excess of 30ha requires planning permission and a valid EPA licence; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Carol Nolan. [18885/20]

*293. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if funding will be provided to the National Parks and Wildlife Service to invest in roads, walkways and trails in Killarney National Park; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Danny Healy-Rae. [18217/20]

*294. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if she will provide funding to the National Parks and Wildlife to invest in the enhancement of Skellig Michael; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Danny Healy-Rae. [18220/20]

*295. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if she will liaise with the Minister for Health and NPHET when reassessing the risk of attendance at outdoor sports events in large venues in view of the impact this social outlet has on the mental health and wellbeing of many persons. — Thomas Gould. [18288/20]

*296. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if she will provide details of the 22 conditions attached to the licensing of a club (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Catherine Murphy. [18323/20]

*297. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the number of breaches of the licensing agreement she has with a club (details supplied) in the past ten years to date; and the sanctions imposed on the club as a result of those breaches. — Catherine Murphy. [18324/20]

*298. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the number of registered owners that failed to give 14-days’ notice in writing to a club (details supplied) of the date of death of their greyhound in the past five years to date; the sanctions imposed on these breeders for failure to comply; the number of greyhounds notified as deceased over the same time period; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Catherine Murphy. [18325/20]

*299. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the options available to the board of directors of a building (details supplied) that has been closed for three years and has been refused a grant under the rural regeneration and development fund as part of efforts to reopen. — Cathal Crowe. [18358/20]

*300. Chun a fhiafraí den Aire Cultúir, Oidhreachta agus Gaeltachta mionsonraí a thabhairt i dtaobh an méid iomlán maoinithe is tacaíochtaí Stáit a cuireadh ar fáil do Chonradh na Gaeilge le cúig bliana anuas; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. — Mairéad Farrell. [18396/20]

*301. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht her plans to establish a dedicated famine museum in Ireland which could be a stand-alone museum in Collins Barracks; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — John Lahart. [18405/20]

1324

*302. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht when survey work will commence on the status of the freshwater pearl mussel in the River Blackwater. — Sean Sherlock. [18623/20]

*303. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the estimated cost of increasing the funding to National Parks and Wildlife Services by 7.5% in 2021; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Thomas Pringle. [18633/20]

*304. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the progress of the investigation into the 2019 poisoning of 23 buzzards in County Cork. — Christopher O’Sullivan. [18644/20]

*305. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if her attention has been drawn to any work being carried out to provide guidelines for non-food serving pubs and live music venues to help them prepare for a safe reopening. — Christopher O’Sullivan. [18645/20]

*306. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht when film shoots and sets are permitted to resume work; if it will be 10 August 2020; if not, when; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Richard Boyd Barrett. [18853/20]

*307. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht when a report (details supplied) in relation to the film and television sector and other artists will be available; the details of same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Niamh Smyth. [18948/20]

*308. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if her Department owns a folio (details supplied); if so, when the land parcels were taken into Departmental ownership; the reason the land parcels were taken into Departmental ownership; if they are not in Departmental ownership, the reason the Land Registry indicates they are; if it will be rectified; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Matt Carthy. [19067/20]

*309. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the budget allocation to the Heritage Council in 2018, 2019 and 2020, in tabular form. — Darren O’Rourke. [19078/20]

*310. Chun a fhiafraí den Aire Cultúir, Oidhreachta agus Gaeltachta soiléiriú a thabhairt maidir le stádas Phlean Teanga Chathair na Gaillimhe; cén dáta a fhoilseofar é. — Catherine Connolly. [19136/20]

*311. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if she will consider giving additional funding to an organisation (details supplied) to allow it to enhance the Grand Canal from Harold’s Cross Bridge to Park West Bridge. — Aengus Ó Snodaigh. [19166/20]

*312. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if she will consider giving additional funding to an organisation (details supplied) so that in conjunction with Dublin City Council it can enhance the tow-paths along the Grand Canal from Harold’s Cross Bridge to Blackhorse Bridge to make it more secure on both sides of the canal, to develop a continuous cycleway linking to that from the Grange in County Dublin to Blackhorse Bridge and to upgrade the existing paths for pedestrians. — Aengus Ó Snodaigh. [19167/20]

*313. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht when the taskforce on the recovery for the arts sector post-Covid-19 will be set up; and the membership and remit of same. — Aengus Ó Snodaigh. [19168/20]

1325

P.T.O

*314. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the specific projects funded under the Project Ireland 2040 capital plan; the amount committed to each project pre-Covid-19 and as a result of emergency funding. — Aengus Ó Snodaigh. [19174/20]

*315. Chun a fhiafraí den Aire Cultúir, Oidhreachta agus Gaeltachta an bhfuil sé i gceist aici dul i gcomhairle leis na páirtithe leasmhara sula bhfoilsíonn sí an plean cuimsitheach tarrthála i ndiaidh Covid-19 go luath. — Aengus Ó Snodaigh. [19175/20]

*316. Chun a fhiafraí den Aire Cultúir, Oidhreachta agus Gaeltachta chun na hallaí pobail atá tar éis cúnamh airgead a fháíl de thairbhe ar Covid-19 I mbliana, agus luach an deontas sin. — Aengus Ó Snodaigh. [19176/20]

*317. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if councils will be supported in hosting outdoor arts events which maintain public health guidelines such as an event (details supplied) which launched recently; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Gary Gannon. [19178/20]

*318. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht her plans to assist young artists with their professional development in view of the significant financial constraints placed on the arts sector due to Covid-19 resulting in difficulties for younger and emerging talent to find work and develop professionally; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Gary Gannon. [19179/20]

Chun an Aire Tithíochta, Pleanála agus Rialtais Áitiúil: To the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government.

*319. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the extent to which he expects to progress the provision of a new bridge to cross the River Liffey in Celbridge, County Kildare (details supplied); if new and up to date plans can be formulated as a matter of urgency to provide the facilities in early date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Bernard J. Durkan. [18178/20]

*320. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the extent to which relief road proposals scheduled for Maynooth, County Kildare continue to remain on target in order to facilitate the growing population and traffic flows which continues to be affected by population overspill from Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Bernard J. Durkan. [18643/20]

*321. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the estimated full-year revenue in 2021 that would be raised by increasing the vacant site levy to 10%, 12.5%, 15% and 17.5%, respectively. — Pearse Doherty. [18769/20]

*322. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if funding will be allocated to a project (details supplied). — Sean Sherlock. [18931/20]

*323. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government when the review of income thresholds to qualify for a place on a local authority housing list will be complete; when the review will be made public; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Jennifer Murnane O’Connor. [17968/20]

1326

*324. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government his plans for a rural resettlement scheme. — Paul McAuliffe. [17969/20]

*325. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the basis on which a person can be refused a HAP tenancy due to the fact they have a close family connection with a prospective tenant or landlord; the definition applied to close family connection or relative; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Darren O’Rourke. [17987/20]

*326. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the number of households that each local authority has removed from the housing list as a result of not responding to the housing needs assessment in each of the years 2015 to 2019 and to date in 2020, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Gino Kenny. [18006/20]

*327. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if a householder in a multiple development has to have a valid management company in place for the management of the estate in which they are resident in order to apply for the MICA redress scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Thomas Pringle. [18104/20]

*328. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the progress to date in the determination of eligibility for HAP in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Bernard J. Durkan. [18137/20]

*329. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the options available for persons that do not qualify for social housing support but are not able to obtain a mortgage to purchase a home; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Michael Ring. [18152/20]

*330. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the additional level of support that will be provided to Irish Water to enable the Carrigtwohill waste water treatment plant to take waste water overflow from the Midleton area of County Cork in order to facilitate increased local housing development; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — David Stanton. [18163/20]

*331. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the number of affordable houses he plans to deliver by year in County Monaghan over the course of the Programme for Government; and if he will provide his definition of affordable. — Matt Carthy. [18266/20]

*332. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the number of active rental accommodation scheme tenancies in place. — Eoin Ó Broin. [18352/20]

*333. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the guidelines in place on maintaining uniformity of appearance in housing estates and to prevent areas deteriorating in terms of visual amenity over time; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Cian O’Callaghan. [18357/20]

*334. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the engagement he has had with each local authority; and the confirmed targets for social housing for each local authority for the remainder of 2020, in tabular form. — Sean Sherlock. [18360/20]

*335. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the status of the Wind Energy Directive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Brendan Griffin. [18362/20]

1327

P.T.O

*336. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government when the call for housing 2020 was established; the person heading up the initiative; the number of staff that will be working on the phone lines; and the estimated cost of establishing the initiative. — Eoin Ó Broin. [18379/20]

*337. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if he will provide the circular issued to local authorities in the past two weeks on the operation of the Rebuilding Ireland home loan scheme as it relates to applicants on the temporary wage subsidy scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Ged Nash. [18395/20]

*338. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the circumstances in which a developer can receive an exemption to Part V requirements; his plans to review the availability of these exemptions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Eoin Ó Broin. [18413/20]

*339. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the grounds on which planners can grant the certificate of exemption in relation to the exemptions to Part V requirements and section 97 of the Planning and Development Act 2000; if this is automatic; if there is discretion afforded to planning authorities; and if guidance has been issued to planning authorities on same. — Catherine Murphy. [18416/20]

*340. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the addresses approved in 2018 and 2019 in County Clare for void funding; and the reason local authorities are reluctant to divulge information to elected representatives. — Violet-Anne Wynne. [18436/20]

*341. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if elected representatives will be granted access to the choice-based letting system in order that they can be aware of the properties being offered each week. — Violet-Anne Wynne. [18437/20]

*342. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the number of claims for the commercial rates waiver scheme received from businesses in Dublin 4, 6 and 8, respectively; the number of claims that have been granted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Chris Andrews. [18511/20]

*343. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the number of claims for the commercial rates waiver scheme received from businesses across the four local authorities in Dublin; the number of claims that have been granted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Chris Andrews. [18512/20]

*344. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the measures and assessment tools in place to assess whether housing authorities are meeting the objectives and goals set by guidelines (details supplied); the person or body that is measuring and assessing same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Catherine Murphy. [18572/20]

*345. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if housing authorities are meeting set objectives (details supplied); if local domestic abuse services are being adequately resourced to meet the needs of domestic violence survivors with housing needs; his plans to increase resourcing in the area in view of an increase in demand; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Catherine Murphy. [18573/20]

1328

*346. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if it is possible for all housing authorities to meet objectives that would require linking with local services as best practice in view of the fact that local services and refuge spaces are not available in each county and local authority; the guidelines that have been issued in relation to same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Catherine Murphy. [18574/20]

*347. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the proportion of allocations from AHBs here that are provided for housing for domestic violence survivors, that is, the specific allocation (details supplied); and the number of families by county in the past four years in tabular form. — Catherine Murphy. [18575/20]

*348. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the support that has been given to AHBs in relation to providing housing to domestic abuse survivors under the capital assistance scheme by county in the past four years in tabular form. — Catherine Murphy. [18576/20]

*349. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if the Rebuilding Ireland: Policy and Procedural Guidance for Housing Authorities in Relation to Assisting Victims of Domestic Violence with Emergency and Long-term Accommodation Needs; (Circular 2/17) has considered the fact that it was reported in 2019 that the Child and Family Agency is applying a standard of one shelter space per 10,000 of the female population in view of the fact the Council of Europe has set the standard at one place per 7,500 of the population and one family place per 10,000 of the population; if there has been a review, assessment, monitoring or evaluation of Action No 1.8 of the Rebuilding Ireland Action Plan, page 90; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Catherine Murphy. [18577/20]

*350. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if the findings of the Tusla review or the Rebuilding Ireland action plan objective 1.8 found that Ireland does not have an adequate number of domestic violence refuge spaces as per the figures set by the Council of Europe; the way in which he plans to respond to this to ensure increased funding and capacity within the refuge system to ensure access across all counties for victims requiring urgent accommodation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Catherine Murphy. [18578/20]

*351. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government his plans to force owners of private houses that are left vacant to sell them; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Emer Higgins. [18617/20]

*352. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if provision will be made for persons just over the threshold for social housing; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that an affordable house costing €350,000 is out of the reach of most ordinary families. — Paul Donnelly. [18674/20]

*353. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the working group comprising senior representatives from his Department and planning authorities which was established in May 2017 following the Flemish decree of the European Court of Justice in 2013 to review the new rural housing guidelines; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Cathal Crowe. [18707/20]

*354. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the maximum, minimum and average applicant wait time on the local authority housing waiting lists in each of the years 2015 to 2019 and to date in 2020 in counties Meath and Westmeath, respectively and by housing type, that is, 1 bed, 2 bed and so on in tabular form. — Johnny Guirke. [18780/20]

1329

P.T.O

*355. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government his plans to amend the tenant purchase scheme to allow for tenants residing in dwellings acquired under Part 5 of the Planning and Development Act 2000 to purchase their homes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Matt Carthy. [18867/20]

*356. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if he will consider a scheme in which a HAP-type payment can be made to parents whose adult children that qualify for HAP reside or return to the family dwelling; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Matt Carthy. [18868/20]

*357. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the funding allocated to local authorities to bring back voids into use in 2019 and to date in 2020; and the percentage of the funding spent on returning a void to use that can be recouped by local authorities from his Department. — Eoin Ó Broin. [18883/20]

*358. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if he will introduce legislation by which legal action can be taken against landlords that do not have adequate controls in place to control large gatherings within residential properties that they have leased; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Colm Burke. [18887/20]

*359. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if his Department has received a request from Dublin City Council to approve and fund the acquisition of units of accommodation from a development by a company (details supplied) for the purposes of providing affordable cost-rental accommodation; if so, the details of the funding request; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Eoin Ó Broin. [18914/20]

*360. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government when funding in respect of the new fire station in New Ross, County Wexford will be signed off on; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Verona Murphy. [18916/20]

*361. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the number of approved housing bodies which have been placed in engagement in July 2018, July 2019 and July 2020; the average period for which the engagement lasted; if each approved housing body emerged successfully from the process; the typical cause for the voluntary regulator placing an approved housing body in engagement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — John Lahart. [19042/20]

*362. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if the policy of allowing local authorities to purchase houses on the private market for use as social housing will continue; his views on whether the policy is limiting the amount of houses available for purchase generally by new home owners and is driving them out of the market; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Seán Haughey. [19047/20]

*363. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the action he plans to take to allow for effected parties to resume operations with regard to the Supreme Court ruling of 1 July 2020 striking down a provision under section 177 of the Planning and Development Act 2000 allowing for substitute consent; if he will provide each report, briefing and item of correspondence in relation to the matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Matt Carthy. [19059/20]

*364. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the regulations in place to ensure that new housing developments ensure access to adequate childcare facilities; the position

1330

regarding housing developments (details supplied) in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Matt Carthy. [19060/20]

Chun an Aire Gnóthaí Eachtracha agus Trádála: To the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade.

*365. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he has engaged with his Chinese counterparts and their officials in respect of Uyghur Muslims; the nature, subject matter and frequency of the engagements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Catherine Murphy. [18128/20]

*366. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade when the referendum to grant voting rights to Irish citizens living outside the State in Presidential elections will be held. — Patricia Ryan. [18735/20]

*367. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the preparation that has been undertaken to prepare for the Conference on the Future of Europe. — Neale Richmond. [19133/20]

*368. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if his attention has been drawn to the practice of organ harvesting from members of a group (details supplied) and other prisoners of conscience in China; the actions he has taken to address the practice; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — James Browne. [17995/20]

*369. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views on the European Parliament resolution (2013/2981(RSP) of 12 December 2013 on organ harvesting in China; the actions being taken to advance the objectives set in the resolution; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — James Browne. [17996/20]

*370. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the status of an application for nationality for a child (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Thomas Pringle. [17999/20]

*371. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the plans the Government have to protest at the introduction of draconian new security measures in Hong Kong; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — John Brady. [18010/20]

*372. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if his attention has been drawn to the use of the death penalty in Bahrain, in particular in cases (details supplied); if he will intervene in same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Joe O’Brien. [18103/20]

*373. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if a definition will be set out for non-essential travel in view of genuine instances in which persons need to travel abroad for work and family reasons; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Catherine Murphy. [18140/20]

*374. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the nature of his most recent engagement with his counterparts in Bahrain; if he has discussed human rights conditions in Bahrain with them and or his European counterparts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Catherine Murphy. [18197/20]

*375. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views on the persecution of members of the Bahai faith in Iran; if the arrest and imprisonment of members of the faith in Iran will be

1331

P.T.O

condemned; if he will raise the issue formally with the Iranian authorities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Ged Nash. [18218/20]

*376. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if his attention has been drawn to the treatment of the Uighur community in China; if he will join the international community in condemning the human rights abuses; and if he has engaged with the Chinese Ambassador to Ireland on this matter. — Róisín Shortall. [18248/20]

*377. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will address human rights violations in Bahrain; if he will condemn the use of the death penalty by the Government of Bahrain including two persons (details supplied) who have been sentenced to death; and the actions he will take to raise awareness of this issue. — Róisín Shortall. [18249/20]

*378. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if travel from the Isle of Man will be restricted or subject to rules similar to travel to and from the UK under the new arrangements. — Brian Stanley. [18268/20]

*379. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the number of new embassies and consulates that have opened over the past 12 months; if Covid-19 has delayed the opening of planned embassies and consulates; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Neale Richmond. [18333/20]

*380. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the status of the ongoing work to prepare for Brexit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Neale Richmond. [18334/20]

*381. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if the treatment of the Uighurs in China including the forced internment of over a million Uighurs will be raised with his Chinese counterpart; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Cian O’Callaghan. [18355/20]

*382. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if Bahrain will be requested to improve its position on human rights; if the execution of two pro-democracy activists (details supplied) will be raised with his Bahraini counterpart; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Cian O’Callaghan. [18356/20]

*383. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the extent to which disarmament will feature as a priority for him during Ireland’s membership of the United Nations Security Council; and if additional funding will be provided to NGOs, agencies and research to advance the non-proliferation and disarmament agenda. — Eoghan Murphy. [18876/20]

*384. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the potential resolutions he will table during Ireland’s membership of the United Nations Security Council; and if a list of same will be provided. — Eoghan Murphy. [18877/20]

*385. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the details of each foreign military air force that used an ARES area in Irish airspace in each of the years 2010 to 2019 and to date in 2020; the number of times in each year that each air force made use of an Irish ARES area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Catherine Connolly. [19084/20]

*386. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the details of each instance in which Irish airspace was reserved for the use of foreign military aircraft through flexible use of airspace in

1332

each of the years 2010 to 2019 and to date in 2020; the foreign military involved in each instance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Catherine Connolly. [19085/20]

*387. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the extent of ongoing talks with the EU and the UK authorities in the context of Brexit with reference to the need for alternative trading and transit locations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Bernard J. Durkan. [19086/20]

*388. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the extent to which the international community is prepared to combine its scientific expertise and resources to combat Covid-19; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Bernard J. Durkan. [19087/20]

*389. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the degree to which the overseas aid programme continues to target those for whom it is specifically intended; the locations most often covered by bilateral aid or multilateral aid programmes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Bernard J. Durkan. [19088/20]

*390. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the degree to which the international community continues to monitor the activities of Boko Haram and Al-Shabaab with reference to the areas they continue to be most active; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Bernard J. Durkan. [19089/20]

*391. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the extent to which through the aegis of the EU and UN the international community remains alert to the use of child soldiers at various trouble spots worldwide; the actions in hand or likely to be taken to combat the issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Bernard J. Durkan. [19090/20]

*392. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the initiatives contemplated at EU and UN level to combat violence against women and girls at known trouble spots globally; the degree of success in dealing with the issue; the extent of new proposals in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Bernard J. Durkan. [19091/20]

*393. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the locations worldwide most commonly associated with human rights abuses and violence against women and children; the actions proposed or in hand to deal with the issues; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Bernard J. Durkan. [19092/20]

*394. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the degree to which efforts continue to be made to bring about peaceful settlement in the Middle East with particular reference to the need for ongoing peace talks as a platform to deal with ongoing grievances; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Bernard J. Durkan. [19093/20]

*395. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the extent to which efforts continue to be made to ensure the continued stability in the Western Balkans; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Bernard J. Durkan. [19094/20]

*396. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the extent to which efforts continue to be made to bring about peaceful and equitable resolution in Gaza at EU and UN level; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Bernard J. Durkan. [19095/20]

*397. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the extent to which staffing levels at each embassy throughout the EU and the rest of the world have been or will increase due to the

1333

P.T.O

potential demand and extra responsibilities arising in the aftermath of Brexit and to ensure that the diplomatic footprint of Ireland is maximised in order to compete at all levels; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Bernard J. Durkan. [19096/20]

*398. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the extent to which positive steps continue to be taken to influence the future of Europe; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Bernard J. Durkan. [19097/20]

*399. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if the commitment to the sustainable development goals will be reflected in his Department’s Strategy and Work Plan 2020-2025; his plans to monitor and report annually on progress towards achieving the goals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Cian O’Callaghan. [19119/20]

*400. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views on the concerning activities relating to the murder of an investigate journalist (details supplied) in Malta; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Neale Richmond. [19129/20]

*401. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the status of the commitment to forge alliances with other EU Member States with which Ireland shares common goals and interests as set out in the Programme for Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Neale Richmond. [19138/20]

*402. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the details of supports provided to address the humanitarian crisis in Yemen; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Neale Richmond. [19139/20]

*403. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if a comprehensive overview will be provided of the proposed Ireland house strategy for diplomatic missions abroad; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Neale Richmond. [19140/20]

*404. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the details on the role and activity of Ireland as an observer of L’Organisation Internationale de la Francophonie; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Neale Richmond. [19141/20]

*405. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if a progress report on the 2020 diaspora policy will be provided; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Neale Richmond. [19142/20]

*406. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the status of the planned referendum on extending the franchise at Presidential elections to Irish citizens living abroad; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Neale Richmond. [19143/20]

*407. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if consideration has been given to Ireland joining the Artic Council as an observer; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Neale Richmond. [19144/20]

*408. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his plans to give official recognition to the State of Palestine. — Aengus Ó Snodaigh. [19173/20]

1334

Chun an Aire Cosanta: To the Minister for Defence.

*409. To ask the Minister for Defence further to Parliamentary Question No. 61 of 13 June 2018, if a decision has been reached in relation to the matter (details supplied). — Paul McAuliffe. [18524/20]

*410. To ask the Minister for Defence the number of members of the Naval Service that spent more than 90 days at sea in each of years 2018, 2019 and to date in 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Thomas Pringle. [18636/20]

*411. To ask the Minister for Defence the estimated cost of increasing the subsistence allowance for Defence Forces personnel by 15% in 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Thomas Pringle. [18637/20]

*412. To ask the Minister for Defence the number of persons in receipt of a Defence Forces pension. — Sorca Clarke. [18688/20]

*413. To ask the Minister for Defence the percentage breakdown between male and female by rank in the Defence Forces. — Sorca Clarke. [18689/20]

*414. To ask the Minister for Defence the number of personnel that are due to retire in each of the years 2020 to 2022. — Sorca Clarke. [18691/20]

*415. To ask the Minister for Defence the number of apprenticeship schemes available within the Defence Forces. — Sorca Clarke. [18692/20]

*416. To ask the Minister for Defence if his Department will provide financial support to a group (details supplied) to help establish a memorial in Dundalk, County Louth to a person who lost their life on active service with the United Nations on 24 February 1989; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Ged Nash. [19056/20]

*417. To ask the Minister for Defence the status of the mid-life refit of the LÉ Roisin. — Darren O’Rourke. [19082/20]

*418. To ask the Minister for Defence the stock of PPE held in reserve by his Department in anticipation of a second wave of Covid-19 or another health emergency requiring all Defence Forces and Civil Defence personnel to be issued with same on a 24/7 basis. — Aengus Ó Snodaigh. [19171/20]

Chun an Aire Oideachais agus Scileanna: To the Minister for Education and Skills.

*419. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the budget allocation for the school transport scheme in each of the years 2016 to 2020; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Darren O’Rourke. [18188/20]

*420. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the number of children that availed of the school transport scheme in each of the years 2016 to 2019 and to date in 2020; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Darren O’Rourke. [18189/20]

*421. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the number on the waiting list for a place at schools (details supplied); if her Department or local officials are engaged with the families and the

1335

P.T.O

schools to resolve the waiting lists; if a place will be provided to a person (details supplied) at one of the schools; the role of Tusla in this regard; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — John McGuinness. [18277/20]

*422. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if a school place will be provided for a person (details supplied); the number of students on waiting lists in Kilkenny city and county; if she will request a report from Tusla confirming its action in relation to each child on the waiting list and their efforts to secure school places for those still waiting; and the action her Department is taking to resolve the issue. — John McGuinness. [18278/20]

*423. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if a school place will be provided for a person (details supplied) in view of the fact they have been refused by the two schools closest to their home; and if there are sufficient places in schools in Kilkenny city to meet the demand. — John McGuinness. [18279/20]

*424. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if a school place will be provided for a person (details supplied); the contact details for the school liaison officers that might assist with the issues; her plans to assist those on the waiting list for school places; the contacts made with her Department on the issues raised; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — John McGuinness. [18280/20]

*425. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if a school placement will be provided for a person (details supplied); and the reason her Department holds the view that existing schools can cope with the numbers in Kilkenny city in view of the evidence that there is a long waiting list for each secondary school. — John McGuinness. [18281/20]

*426. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if a school place will be provided in schools (details supplied) for a child; the action taken by her Department to resolve the waiting lists in Kilkenny city for persons wishing to attend secondary school in the city; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — John McGuinness. [18282/20]

*427. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills when a person (details supplied) can expect a decision on their application for school transport. — Barry Cowen. [18349/20]

*428. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the steps she is taking to ensure there are enough places for school children on school buses when education institutions reopen (details supplied). — Christopher O’Sullivan. [18646/20]

*429. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills her plans for the school transport system to ensure social distancing on school buses; if additional buses will be made available to the scheme; if each applying student will be guaranteed a bus seat; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Verona Murphy. [18919/20]

*430. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the number of students that availed of the school transport system 2019/2020 in County Wexford; the number of students that made applications; the number of students that were unsuccessful in their application in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Verona Murphy. [18920/20]

*431. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if special consideration will be given to allocating one additional special needs teacher to a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Bernard J. Durkan. [18112/20]

1336

*432. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the reason a person (details supplied) is being denied an additional year at school in view of the extraordinary and unprecedented 2019/2020 school year despite that fact that the request has the backing of the principal and the board of management; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — John Lahart. [17984/20]

*433. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills her plans to set up ASD classes within the next 6 to 12 months in an area (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Chris Andrews. [17994/20]

*434. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills further to Parliamentary Question No. 596 of 14 July 2020, if her attention has been drawn to a further request submitted subsequently to the application for further funding due to serious health and safety issues at the school; if the subsequent request is being considered; if so, her views on the matter; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Willie O’Dea. [18005/20]

*435. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the reason students that have been home-schooled or that have studied a subject outside of school are being excluded from the predicted grades leaving certificate; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Claire Kerrane. [18100/20]

*436. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if correspondence from a school (details supplied) will receive a response; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Fergus O’Dowd. [18134/20]

*437. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if an additional teacher will be appointed to a school (details supplied) in view of the circumstances; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Michael Healy-Rae. [18142/20]

*438. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if the shorter school day for junior infants (details supplied) will be re-examined; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Patrick O’Donovan. [18144/20]

*439. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if the appropriate budget lines are being prepared for the necessary and planned works to a school (details supplied); the status of works planned for 2020; and if they will be completed for September 2020; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Joe O’Brien. [18149/20]

*440. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if the situation regarding a school (details supplied) will be reviewed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Jackie Cahill. [18153/20]

*441. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the way in which the delay in receiving leaving certificate calculated grades will impact on students that have applied to study at an EU member state university many of whom require results in August 2020 to secure an offer of a place; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Mary Lou McDonald. [18194/20]

*442. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if her Department will provide guidance for students that have applied to study at an EU member state university that will be impacted by the decision to delay the issuing leaving certificate calculated grades until September 2020; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Mary Lou McDonald. [18195/20]

1337

P.T.O

*443. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she has notified her EU counterparts of the decision to delay issuing the leaving certificate calculated grades until September 2020; if she has proposed plans to accommodate students studying at EU member state universities; if she requested flexibility for students coming from Ireland to study; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Mary Lou McDonald. [18196/20]

*444. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the number of children that attend primary and secondary schools. — Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire. [18200/20]

*445. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the annual capitation grant amounts to schools since 2008. — Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire. [18201/20]

*446. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the estimated cost of increasing funding for book rental schemes both in primary schools and in secondary schools by 5%, 10%, 20% and 25%, respectively. — Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire. [18202/20]

*447. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the estimated cost of increasing funding for the school transport scheme by 5%, 10%, 20% and 25%, respectively. — Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire. [18203/20]

*448. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the estimated cost of securing free transport for the 120,000 students that took part in the school transport scheme in 2019/2020. — Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire. [18204/20]

*449. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding leaving certificate students that are studying individual subjects externally in order to qualify for specific course requirements (details supplied); if her attention has been drawn to concerns among students that the recent announcement indicating a delay in the results being announced will negatively impact on them potentially forcing them to miss the start of their course. — Steven Matthews. [18216/20]

*450. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding social distancing in secondary schools if they are to return in September 2020; the timeline for her Department to provide return to work and school protocols to students and teachers that will offer assurances with regards to their safety. — Steven Matthews. [18219/20]

*451. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if the situation regarding a school (details supplied) will be reviewed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Jackie Cahill. [18245/20]

*452. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he will consider the inclusion of African history, colonial history and the history of slavery in the junior cycle curriculum in order to enhance students understanding of world history and the parallels between Irish history and that of the developing world. — Eoin Ó Broin. [18254/20]

*453. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she will provide details of the different demographic characteristics including gender and socio-economic status being used to review individual grades from 2020 leaving certificate students which are leading to significant delays; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Gary Gannon. [18295/20]

*454. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if third-level grant recipients from the 2020 leaving certificate cohort that have to repeat first year or that transfer into new courses will not be

1338

financially impacted by losing SUSI in view of the exceptional circumstances affecting the 2020 leaving certificate, the lack of guidance for students and time spent off school due to Covid-19. — Gary Gannon. [18296/20]

*455. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the cost of reducing the student contribution charge for higher education by €100, €200, €500, €1,000 and €3,000, respectively; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Rose Conway-Walsh. [18299/20]

*456. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the estimated amount required by the third-level education sector to ensure the safe return of students in the 2020/2021 academic year; if she will provide a breakdown of the cost of planned expenses in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Rose Conway-Walsh. [18300/20]

*457. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the estimated cost of increasing the SUSI maintenance grant by 5, 10, 15, 20, and 30 percent respectively; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Rose Conway-Walsh. [18301/20]

*458. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the estimated average cost per apprenticeship; the estimated average cost per craft apprentice; the estimated average cost for a new apprenticeship; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Rose Conway-Walsh. [18302/20]

*459. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the estimated cost to reduce apprenticeship and PLC fees by 50% and 100% respectively; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Rose Conway-Walsh. [18303/20]

*460. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the estimated cost of expanding eligibility for mature independents maintenance grants to include persons over 25 years of age who have been forced to live with their parents for financial reasons; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Rose Conway-Walsh. [18304/20]

*461. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the estimated cost of expanding SUSI grants to cover master’s programmes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Rose Conway-Walsh. [18305/20]

*462. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she will allow payment via medical card for concessionary students on the school transport scheme. — Sean Sherlock. [18337/20]

*463. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills when a decision will be made regarding an exceptional SNA review for a school (details supplied). — Barry Cowen. [18343/20]

*464. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if school canteens will be allowed to open in line with school openings. — Barry Cowen. [18344/20]

*465. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the status of an application for an extra teacher by a school (details supplied). — Barry Cowen. [18345/20]

*466. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the status of an application for a new school building by a school (details supplied). — Barry Cowen. [18346/20]

*467. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the status of an application by a school (details supplied). — Niamh Smyth. [18361/20]

1339

P.T.O

*468. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills when details will be provided on the way in which the process of appealing leaving certificate grades will work; the estimated cost involved; when appeals will be released; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Emer Higgins. [18386/20]

*469. Chun a fhiafraí den Aire Oideachais agus Scileanna cad iad na pleananna atá ag an Roinn le go mbeidh stádas DEIS ag scoileanna i nDún na nGall agus i bpáirteanna eile den tír, atá i gceantair atá faoi mhíbuntáiste sóisiálta agus eacnamaíochta agus chun ceist a chur ar an Aire cad iad na pleananna tacaíocht airgid a chur ar fáil do scoileanna de bharr costas breise a bheidh orthu le déileáil le díghlaraithe agus a mhacasamhail de bharr Covid-19; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. — Thomas Pringle. [18392/20]

*470. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the steps he is taking to ensure that the pay and conditions of those involved in international English language education is commensurate with the return to the economy which runs into hundreds of millions of euro annually. — John Lahart. [18397/20]

*471. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if a decision has been reached on the purchase of land for a school (details supplied). — Thomas Gould. [18425/20]

*472. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if additional supports will be granted to DEIS schools to ensure that the students there do not suffer from the time away from school due to Covid-19; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Neale Richmond. [18434/20]

*473. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills her plans to recruit additional teachers ahead of the reopening of schools in autumn 2020; when they will be recruited; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Neale Richmond. [18435/20]

*474. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the estimated full-year cost if the budget for Royal Irish Academy of Music increased by 5%. — Catherine Murphy. [18459/20]

*475. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if consideration will be given to providing additional places for nursing through PLC courses in view of the fact spaces are limited for entrants that do not reach the recommended points but have a passion for working as a nurse; the number of places that are available; the details of the colleges that provide nursing at a PLC level in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Niamh Smyth. [18571/20]

*476. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills her views on whether students from County Donegal that received conditional offers from colleges and universities in Northern Ireland will be at a disadvantage following the postponement of the leaving certificate results; if her attention has been drawn to the concern the matter has caused amongst students; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Pearse Doherty. [18580/20]

*477. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills further to Parliamentary Question Nos. 534 of 14 July 2020 and 684 of 21 July 2020, when a response will issue (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Pearse Doherty. [18581/20]

*478. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the number of applications received for SNA support in County Donegal in 2020; the number of successful and unsuccessful applications, respectively in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Pearse Doherty. [18582/20]

1340

*479. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the provisions in place for children from junior infants to third class that have medical conditions for returning to school in view of the fact that the advice to date is that they will not have to social distance; and the way in which such children will be protected. — Kathleen Funchion. [18597/20]

*480. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the reason a person (details supplied) is not eligible to repeat their final year of secondary school. — Kathleen Funchion. [18598/20]

*481. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she will consult with Waterford Institute of Technology on work placements for social care students, having regard to the special circumstances caused by Covid-19 (details supplied). — Kathleen Funchion. [18599/20]

*482. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills further to correspondence issued from this Deputy on 29 June 2020 regarding the cancellation of school transport services to a school (details supplied), the reason for the decision; if she has raised the matter with the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport; if alternative school transport will be provided; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Mary Lou McDonald. [18612/20]

*483. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if her attention has been drawn to the fact that an English language school (details supplied) is refusing to refund students for courses and examinations cancelled owing to Covid-19; and if the matter will be examined in view of the obligations for a provider to have established policies and procedures for the refund of fees to students in addition to a complaints procedure in the event of student complaint as part of the conditions to be included on the Interim List for Eligible Programmes and therefore be eligible to recruit international students. — Mary Lou McDonald. [18622/20]

*484. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if the refusal to facilitate the establishment of an ASD class at a school (details supplied) for eight students that cannot be accommodated in September 2020 will be reversed in view of the time constraints; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Denis Naughten. [18641/20]

*485. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if development guidelines for the operation of universities is underway similar to those that exist for hairdressers and restaurants (details supplied). — Christopher O’Sullivan. [18647/20]

*486. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the number of classes at primary school level with 30 pupils or above. — Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire. [18652/20]

*487. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills her plans to ensure the July provision is extended to include post-primary blind and visually impaired students; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Neasa Hourigan. [18679/20]

*488. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills her plans to prioritise the return to in-person teaching of blind and visually impaired children in September 2020; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Neasa Hourigan. [18680/20]

*489. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if her attention has been drawn to a report by an organisation (details supplied) on the implications of Covid-19 on the education of pupils that are blind and visually impaired; her views on same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Neasa Hourigan. [18681/20]

1341

P.T.O

*490. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the status of planning permission (details supplied) being sought for a college to retain the existing five classroom prefabricated building on their site; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Neasa Hourigan. [18696/20]

*491. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the status of planning permission (details supplied) being sought by a college for the provision of a suite of additional prefabricated specialist classrooms that will be required to accommodate the existing cohort of students in September 2020 to include science, art, home economics and woodwork rooms; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Neasa Hourigan. [18697/20]

*492. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if consideration will be given to the fast tracking of an application by a college (details supplied) for inclusion on the building list of her Department to accommodate a new school and its growing population; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Neasa Hourigan. [18698/20]

*493. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if approval will be granted to enable projects at a school (details supplied) to go to tender; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Michael Ring. [18710/20]

*494. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the number of children in primary and secondary schools without access to internet connection at home; and the number of children without access to digital devices at home; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Ruairí Ó Murchú. [18711/20]

*495. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills her views on whether expanded classrooms or additional prefabs will be required to be erected to facilitate appropriate distancing of pupils; and the funding her Department will provide to facilitate same. — Ruairí Ó Murchú. [18712/20]

*496. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the contingency plans she has put in place in the event of a second lockdown or a localised outbreak of Covid-19. — Ruairí Ó Murchú. [18713/20]

*497. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if it will be can ensured that all children will have access to internet connection and digital devices should online or blended learning have to continue. — Ruairí Ó Murchú. [18714/20]

*498. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills her views on whether additional toilet and running water facilities will be necessary in schools; and if funding will be provided to erect same. — Ruairí Ó Murchú. [18715/20]

*499. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if a copy of the briefing documents provided to her upon her appointment to her Department will be provided; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Ged Nash. [18728/20]

*500. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if her Department will purchase the site currently for sale opposite a school (details supplied) to secure it for the future expansion; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Patricia Ryan. [18734/20]

*501. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills her plans to ensure that in the event of schools not opening in September 2020 that teaching online will be available to all pupils that wish to be

1342

taught online and have broadband access; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Éamon Ó Cuív. [18751/20]

*502. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills her plans to meet with Letterkenny Institute of Technology and the Derry University Group to consider the way in which cross border third-level education could be developed in the north west for persons form both sides of the Border; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Éamon Ó Cuív. [18753/20]

*503. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the number of classes nationally that are over 30 children; and the number over 28 and 25 children, respectively.; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire. [18783/20]

*504. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the number of schools nationally that do not have a canteen. — Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire. [18784/20]

*505. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the estimated cost of reducing the pupil-teacher ratio in DEIS schools by one point; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire. [18785/20]

*506. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the estimated cost to designate an additional 10 schools as DEIS band 2; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire. [18786/20]

*507. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the estimated cost of ensuring that there would be a home school liaison teacher between each 2, 3, 4 and 5 non-DEIS schools, respectively. — Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire. [18787/20]

*508. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills her plans to reduce class sizes in primary schools in Budget 2021 in view of the finding in the statistical bulletin of July 2020 that there has been little change in the average class size in primary schools over the past 20 years. — Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire. [18788/20]

*509. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the estimated cost of ensuring the running of a schoolbook scheme is entirely free to parents. — Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire. [18789/20]

*510. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the estimated cost of increasing the budget of the schoolbook rental scheme by 5 and 10%, respectively. — Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire. [18790/20]

*511. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the estimated cost of developing a seed capital scheme for expanding the schoolbook scheme into new schools. — Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire. [18791/20]

*512. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the estimated cost of centrally acquiring the necessary PPE and providing same to schools. — Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire. [18792/20]

*513. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the estimated cost of providing free school transport to each child availing of it in 2020. — Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire. [18793/20]

*514. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the reason for the discrepancy between repeat exam fees in different higher education institutions; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Ged Nash. [18812/20]

1343

P.T.O

*515. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the way in which the proposed devices fund will be administered; if it is to be administered at a local level; if so, the additional staffing levels which will be put in place to do so; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Ged Nash. [18813/20]

*516. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if requirements for social distancing will be universally applied across higher education institution campuses; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Ged Nash. [18814/20]

*517. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if there has been engagement with the unions on social distancing requirements across higher education institution campuses; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Ged Nash. [18815/20]

*518. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she will revert SUSI adjacency grants to pre-2011 levels to take account of students that will remain living at home due to Covid-19; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Ged Nash. [18816/20]

*519. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if PPE will be provided to staff across the higher education institutions; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Ged Nash. [18817/20]

*520. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she has engaged with higher education institutions on library access for students under social distancing requirements; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Ged Nash. [18818/20]

*521. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if there are proposals to increase postgraduate grants to address the funding gap as outlined in the Programme for Government; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Ged Nash. [18819/20]

*522. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if additional mental health supports are being put in place for 2020 leaving certificate students; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Ged Nash. [18820/20]

*523. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she will amend or review the requirements for mature applicants to third-level colleges living at home with their parents due to lack of affordable housing options being assessed based on their parents’ income; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Ged Nash. [18821/20]

*524. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding the proposed review of SUSI eligibility as proposed in the Programme for Government; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Ged Nash. [18823/20]

*525. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she will increase the fund for students with disabilities; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Ged Nash. [18824/20]

*526. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she has engaged with an organisation (details supplied) on provisions to provide extensions and supports for researchers whose research was affected by Covid-19; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Ged Nash. [18825/20]

1344

*527. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if additional funding will be made available for research relating to Covid-19 including the wider societal impact; if such research will include the arts and humanities; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Ged Nash. [18826/20]

*528. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills her plans to increase the number of special needs assistants upon the return to school in September 2020 in view of the fact that the system of shared access of children with additional needs to an SNA, sometimes across several classrooms, will guarantee an increased transmission rate of Covid-19 specifically within a vulnerable group of children and young persons in addition to the wider school community; the number anticipated to meet the needs of social distancing for children with additional needs and their SNAs; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Richard Boyd Barrett. [18848/20]

*529. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the number of teachers, primary and secondary, respectively on secondment to the Professional Development Service for Teachers: if these teachers are to be redeployed back to education order to support social distancing and safe return to school; if so, the number; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Richard Boyd Barrett. [18849/20]

*530. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the curriculum changes being planned for the children and young persons of primary and secondary schools; if the Professional Development Service for Teachers is leading these plans; if not, the person or body responsible; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Richard Boyd Barrett. [18850/20]

*531. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if the adjustment of grades by her Department for the leaving certificate calculated grades results include adjusting grades on the basis of gender and socio-economic demographics of students, schools, location, DEIS status or other considerations; if so, the methodology involved; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Richard Boyd Barrett. [18851/20]

*532. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding third level students need for the provision of laptops; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — James Browne. [18873/20]

*533. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she will intervene in cases in which landlords are refusing to give refunds to students that could not remain in their accommodation during the Covid-19 lockdown; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Seán Canney. [18899/20]

*534. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the estimated cost of a reduction of one at all points of the staffing schedule for primary schools from September 2021; and the net number of teaching posts involved in view of the predictions of a continuing fall in primary school enrolments by her Department. — Aodhán Ó Ríordáin. [18908/20]

*535. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills when a definitive plan on the reopening of schools will be made available to students and parents to allow for planning of childcare supports and school transport plans, in particular with school transport providers presently looking for payment for the school year 2020/2021 and supported home schooling when needed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Verona Murphy. [18921/20]

*536. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the status of the further delay in leaving certificate results; if the delay will not negatively impact some university offers from the United

1345

P.T.O

Kingdom for students (details supplied); the communication she has had with the UK to ensure that students here are not disadvantaged; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Jennifer Carroll MacNeill. [18929/20]

*537. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if her attention has been drawn to the requirement for graduate teachers to travel to the country of the language that they teach for a period of time and to be signed off by a native speaker in order to be registered with the Teaching Council to teach the subject; if her attention has been drawn to the fact that the Teaching Council is still advising graduate teachers of the need to travel to obtain this qualification; if she will consider a waiver, postponement or deferral of this policy in view of the global Covid-19 pandemic and the demand for language teachers; and if she will produce a report on the issue. — Aodhán Ó Ríordáin. [18934/20]

*538. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if work commenced in March 2020 on the development of interim guidance to support the teaching of SPHE and RSE at primary and post-primary levels; the status of the guidance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Jennifer Carroll MacNeill. [18935/20]

*539. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if students that have received conditional offers from foreign universities but whose leaving certificate results are likely to be received after the expiry of the deadline for submission will be able to obtain early access to their results; and the policy measures she plans in order to assist students with overseas offers in retaining these places. — Aodhán Ó Ríordáin. [18936/20]

*540. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the policy responses proposed or being examined to meet the increased pressure and demand on guidance counsellors in view of the impact of the Covid-19 global pandemic; if her Department has allocated enhanced resources and hours for guidance counsellors; and her views on the appropriate response of her Department to the increased support students will need from guidance counsellors to help students through the impact of the pandemic on career guidance, mental health and social counselling in addition to curricular and educational counselling. — Aodhán Ó Ríordáin. [18951/20]

*541. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the reason for the delay in awarding a remote area grant to a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Brendan Howlin. [18955/20]

*542. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to extend the school transport deadline for payments for the new 2020/2021 school term in view of the fact parents are being asked for full payment by the end of July 2020 to secure a bus seat for their child when there is much uncertainty regarding the new school year and format; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Verona Murphy. [18981/20]

*543. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she will allocate additional resources for guidance counsellors in schools in view of issues being experienced by students due to the Covid-19 pandemic; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Seán Haughey. [18994/20]

*544. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the policy responses being planned or examined to meet the increased pressure and demand on guidance counsellors in view of the impact of the global Covid-19 pandemic; if enhanced resources and hours have been allocated for guidance counsellors; her views on the appropriate response to the increased support students will need from

1346

guidance counsellors to help them through the impact of the pandemic on career guidance, mental health, social, curricular and educational counselling. — Aodhán Ó Ríordáin. [19046/20]

*545. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the status of an application for additional accommodation by a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Michael McNamara. [19077/20]

*546. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the estimated cost of a reduction of two in post-primary school class sizes from September 2021. — Darren O’Rourke. [19083/20]

*547. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the status of the Summer provision programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Joe McHugh. [19114/20]

*548. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if a building project for a school (details supplied) will proceed to the next stage; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Brendan Smith. [19127/20]

*549. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the way in which school sport will resume in the 2020/2021 school year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Neale Richmond. [19134/20]

*550. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the preparations that have taken place to re-establish school sport; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Neale Richmond. [19135/20]

*551. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the status of the development of a new modern languages’ initiative for primary school level; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Neale Richmond. [19146/20]

*552. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills her engagement with a union (details supplied) in the week prior to the announcement on 21 July 2020 of the delay in leaving certificate results. — Holly Cairns. [19151/20]

*553. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills her engagement with an organisation (details supplied) in the week prior to the announcement on 21 July 2020 of the delay in leaving certificate results. — Holly Cairns. [19152/20]

*554. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the number of ASD special classes in primary and secondary schools by county for the period 1 Jan 2016 to 30 June 2020, inclusive in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Holly Cairns. [19153/20]

*555. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills her views on providing ASD special class specific inspectors tasked solely with the inspection of said classes. — Holly Cairns. [19154/20]

*556. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the details of continual professional development curriculums in place for special needs assistants. — Holly Cairns. [19155/20]

*557. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the stock of PPE held in reserve by her Department in anticipation of a second wave of Covid-19 or another health emergency requiring all teachers and school personnel be equipped 24/7 with same. — Aengus Ó Snodaigh. [19170/20]

1347

P.T.O

*558. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if the primary school staffing schedule will be adjusted in Budget 2021 in order to commence the required reduction of class size; and in view of the fact that there was no general reduction of the schedule provided for in either Budget 2019 or Budget 2020. — Gary Gannon. [19177/20]

*559. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the reason leaving certificate and leaving certificate applied students are being required to opt in again to receive calculated grades before the 27 July 2020 deadline in view of the fact that schools are closed and this cohort of student are at extreme risk of disengaging. — Gary Gannon. [19181/20]

*560. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the number of leaving certificate students that have re-opted in for calculated grades to date; the number that had originally signed up for calculated grades at the end of May 2020, by leaving certificate and leaving certificate applied students in tabular form. — Gary Gannon. [19182/20]

Chun an Aire Gnóthaí Fostaíochta agus Coimirce Sóisialaí: To the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection.

*561. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the estimated cost of introducing six weeks of parental benefit which would be the same rate as maternity benefit but could be taken by either parent or shared between the two at the end of the period of maternity leave. — Kathleen Funchion. [18223/20]

*562. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the estimated cost of extending adoptive benefit to male couples that are currently excluded due to a technicality in the legislation which only allows for the adoptive mother or sole male adopter to avail of it. — Kathleen Funchion. [18224/20]

*563. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the estimated cost of increasing maternity, paternity and adoptive benefit by €10 per week. — Kathleen Funchion. [18225/20]

*564. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the status of the pension dispute by community employment scheme supervisors; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Carol Nolan. [18261/20]

*565. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection her plans to reduce and or close Citizens’ Information services in south Dublin and County Wicklow; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — John Brady. [18368/20]

*566. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the reason the Citizens’ Information board proceeded with the restructuring of the Money Advice and Budgeting Services in view of the recommendation by the Joint Committee on Social Protection that this restructuring process be halted until further consultation with MABS took place; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — John Brady. [18369/20]

*567. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection when the enterprise support grant for businesses impacted by Covid-19 will be launched. — Sean Sherlock. [18415/20]

*568. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the estimated cost of extending maternity benefit to 52 weeks. — Kathleen Funchion. [18661/20]

1348

*569. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the status of her plans to establish a commission on pensions to examine sustainability and eligibility issues with State pensions and the social insurance fund; when he expects the commission to be formally established; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Ged Nash. [18720/20]

*570. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the estimated full year cost if the bereavement grant of €850 that was abolished in 2014 was reinstated; the cost of this grant in 2013; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Patricia Ryan. [18733/20]

*571. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the position regarding the proposed review of the back to education allowance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Ged Nash. [18822/20]

*572. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection when an appeal decision will issue to a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Michael McNamara. [19099/20]

*573. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the date on which self-employed persons will be able to apply for the grants of up to €1,000; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Darren O’Rourke. [19126/20]

*574. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if the pandemic unemployment payment can be extended for those working in the tourism industry that are unlikely to see a return to previous levels of income in 2020; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Neale Richmond. [18096/20]

*575. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the status of a working family payment claim in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cork. — Sean Sherlock. [18097/20]

*576. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if she will review the entitlement of an exceptional needs payment in the case of a person (details supplied). — Bernard J. Durkan. [18099/20]

*577. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if she will provide a copy of the operational guidelines for the pandemic unemployment payment. — Duncan Smith. [18105/20]

*578. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if she will provide a copy of the general scheme for the pandemic unemployment payment. — Duncan Smith. [18106/20]

*579. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if she will provide a copy of the review and appeals process for the pandemic unemployment payment. — Duncan Smith. [18107/20]

*580. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of redundancies her Department has been notified of in each month to date in 2020; the number notified in each month of 2019; the number of companies involved; the sectors impacted; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Catherine Murphy. [18131/20]

1349

P.T.O

*581. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the way in which the means of a person (details supplied) were reached in relation to the fuel allowance application; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Paul Kehoe. [18138/20]

*582. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if the Low Pay Commission has been formally requested to examine universal basic income as agreed in the Programme for Government; and if not, when the request will be made. — Patrick Costello. [18145/20]

*583. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the reason a person (details supplied ) is on the lower rate of pandemic unemployment payment in view of income exceeding the €200 threshold; her views on the policy issues raised by the circumstances of the case; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Aodhán Ó Ríordáin. [18168/20]

*584. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if persons working in a community employment scheme and that work part time to supplement their income will be included in the new Covid-19 payment changes (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Thomas Pringle. [18199/20]

*585. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of families that receive child benefit payments; and the number of children these are in respect of. — Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire. [18205/20]

*586. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the estimated cost of the extension of the school meals programme over the summer months in 2020. — Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire. [18206/20]

*587. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the estimated cost of increasing the school meals programme budget by 5%, 10%, 20% and 25%, respectively; and the estimated cost of extending the programme budget to include provision for breakfast in addition to lunch. — Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire. [18207/20]

*588. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection when the report on the pension dispute by community employment scheme supervisors will be published; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Carol Nolan. [18260/20]

*589. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the reason for disallowance of a pension application by a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Jackie Cahill. [18262/20]

*590. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if her attention has been drawn to the fact that many pensioners and elderly persons are incurring significant expense on masks and sanitiser resulting in significant hardship; the steps she will take to address this issue; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Pa Daly. [18270/20]

*591. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the supports in place in local Intreo centres for persons with dyslexia in cases where they must complete application forms in the offices. — Michael Ring. [18286/20]

*592. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if hard copy application forms for the back to school clothing and footwear allowance scheme are available in local Intreo

1350

offices to enable those that do not have online access to apply for assistance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Michael Ring. [18306/20]

*593. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection when the public service card registration process will resume. — Thomas Gould. [18320/20]

*594. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if provisions are to be implemented for persons entitled to a free travel pass; if she will review the case of a person (details supplied). — Thomas Gould. [18321/20]

*595. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection her plans to reintroduce weekly payments for schemes that introduced fortnightly payments; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Bernard J. Durkan. [18322/20]

*596. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection when a person (details supplied) can expect a decision on their application for an invalidity pension. — Barry Cowen. [18339/20]

*597. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if home carer credits were included when a decision was made to refuse an application for State pension (contributory) by a person (details supplied). — Barry Cowen. [18340/20]

*598. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection when a person (details supplied) can expect a decision on their application for an invalidity pension. — Barry Cowen. [18341/20]

*599. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection when a person (details supplied) can expect a decision on their application for an invalidity pension. — Barry Cowen. [18342/20]

*600. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the provisions available for parents in cases in which their leave has ended and childcare is not available to them due to the age of their baby and in view of the fact that many crèches are not taking infants under one year old due to Covid-19; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Cian O’Callaghan. [18354/20]

*601. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the status of an appeal application by a person (details supplied) for an invalidity pension; and when a decision will issue. — Chris Andrews. [18367/20]

*602. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the status of an application by a person (details supplied) for a carer’s allowance; and when they can expect a decision on their case. — Chris Andrews. [18370/20]

*603. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection further to Parliamentary Question Nos. 630, 633 and 634 of 9 June 2020, the operational status of the General Register and Civil Registration offices; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — David Cullinane. [18371/20]

*604. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the reason for taking a divergent approach to persons with dual employee self-employed income from the approach taken

1351

P.T.O

with persons that have dual employee social protection incomes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Thomas Pringle. [18376/20]

*605. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection further to Parliamentary Question No. 775 of 14 July 2020, if a directive has been issued to her Department in relation to the processing of applications for the pandemic unemployment payment for sole traders over 66 years of age and in receipt of a contributory or non-contributory State pensions and still working; if not, her plans to issue such a directive; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Emer Higgins. [18380/20]

*606. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if the pandemic unemployment payment will be extended to qualified self-employed professional tourist guides until March 2021; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Emer Higgins. [18381/20]

*607. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the position regarding the Covid-19 enterprise support grant; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — James Browne. [18400/20]

*608. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of Covid-19 rent supplement claimants that are also on the full rate pandemic unemployment payment and on the reduced rate payment, respectively. — Eoin Ó Broin. [18417/20]

*609. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the estimated cost of extending free travel to domiciliary care recipients; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Brendan Griffin. [18422/20]

*610. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the reason jobseeker’s allowance payments were not issued to the bank account of a person (details supplied); when outstanding payments will be made; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Pearse Doherty. [18585/20]

*611. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if combined incomes from employment and self-employment are used when calculating the average income rate of the pandemic unemployment payment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Pearse Doherty. [18586/20]

*612. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if communication was received from another authority relating to a person (details supplied) in County Donegal; if so, when it will be acted upon; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Pearse Doherty. [18587/20]

*613. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection when a decision will be made in relation to a Covid-19 pandemic unemployment payment review for a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Pearse Doherty. [18588/20]

*614. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection when the calculation of possible overpayments will be completed for a person (details supplied) in relation to their State pension (contributory) and outstanding payment issue; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Pearse Doherty. [18589/20]

1352

*615. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the overpayments recouped of one family parent benefit in each of the years 2016 to 2019 and to date in 2020, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Thomas Pringle. [18631/20]

*616. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the estimated full year cost of increasing maternity or paternity benefit by €10 per week; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Thomas Pringle. [18632/20]

*617. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if a decision has been made on a pandemic unemployment payment rate review in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Brendan Griffin. [18675/20]

*618. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of persons in receipt of working family payment that have listed employment in the Defence Forces on their application. — Sorca Clarke. [18690/20]

*619. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the estimated full-year cost of making a one-off annual double payment of child benefit to all recipients in September 2020. — Ruairí Ó Murchú. [18716/20]

*620. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the estimated full-year revenue in 2021 that would be raised by introducing a new employers’ rate of PRSI of 12.75%, 13.75%, 14.75% and 15.75%, respectively on the portion of salary paid in excess of €100,000 per annum. — Pearse Doherty. [18776/20]

*621. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the estimated cost of a double payment of child benefit. — Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire. [18827/20]

*622. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of children availing of hot free school meals; and the cost per child and school of delivering same. — Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire. [18828/20]

*623. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if a supplementary welfare payment can be made while awaiting the result of an appeal for an invalidity pension in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Bernard J. Durkan. [18894/20]

*624. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection further to Parliamentary Question No. 741 of 14 July 2020, if a person (details supplied) actually received funds incorrectly; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Bernard J. Durkan. [18913/20]

*625. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection when a decision will issue on a claim for an invalidity pension by a person (details supplied) given that her Department received the application on 12 December 2019; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Michael Ring. [18927/20]

*626. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the reason a person (details supplied) is on the lower rate of pandemic unemployment payment in view of the fact that their income exceeds the €200 threshold; her views on the policy issues raised by the circumstances of the case; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Aodhán Ó Ríordáin. [18932/20]

1353

P.T.O

*627. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the reason the rerating of the pandemic unemployment payment for self-employed persons does not take into account the person’s income at the time immediate to Covid-19 closures; the additional supports which will be available to the self-employed whose businesses remain closed but still generate running expenses by means of utility bills and general services when the business is not generating an income; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Verona Murphy. [18982/20]

*628. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if 2019 tax returns can be taken into consideration when assessing pandemic unemployment payment rates for those that are self-employed. — Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire. [18983/20]

*629. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the status of the cost-benefit analysis undertaken in relation to the public services card; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Catherine Connolly. [18991/20]

*630. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if the decision to award self-employed persons the pandemic unemployment payment is based solely on 2018 earnings; if so, the reason; if it has been legislated for; if not, if it is at the discretion of her Department; and if there is an appeals process for those that have had their payment reduced. — Mark Ward. [19051/20]

*631. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if additional supports will be put in place to support the self-employed reopen their business in view of the fact that they cannot avail of the temporary wage subsidy scheme which other businesses can continue to access; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Claire Kerrane. [19061/20]

*632. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection when a decision will issue to a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Michael McNamara. [19075/20]

Chun an Aire Forbartha Tuaithe agus Pobail: To the Minister for Rural and Community Development.

*633. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development further to Parliamentary Question Nos. 803 and 797 of 14 July 2020, if she will provide the specific information relating to the status of an application for funding under the rural regeneration and development fund for a group (details supplied); if the application as it stands will be considered for funding in a forthcoming tranche of the scheme; the reason for the failure of the application in the most recent round of announcements; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Brendan Griffin. [18176/20]

*634. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development when the second tranche of funding will be released to applicants to the Covid-19 stability fund for community and voluntary organisations, charities and social enterprises; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Pádraig Mac Lochlainn. [18880/20]

1354

Chun an Aire Talmhaíochta, Bia agus Mara: To the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine.

*635. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the Department or State agency that has responsibility for a particular Land Commission embankment (details supplied). — David Stanton. [18158/20]

*636. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the decisions taken at the European Council meeting of 17 July 2020 that will impact financial supports for agriculture in Ireland. — Carol Nolan. [18258/20]

*637. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on the EU Common Fisheries Policy regarding the UK stance on zoning attachments; his view on supporting the proposals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Johnny Mythen. [18285/20]

*638. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the actions being taken to improve animal welfare in the greyhound industry here and in countries to which they are exported; and if he will report on the progress being made. — Richard Bruton. [18338/20]

*639. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the measures he will put in place with immediate effect to resolve the delays being experienced in the supply chain for timber due to objections to felling licences being granted under the Forestry Act 2014; his views on the lack of resources available to the forestry appeals committee to deal with such objections in a timely fashion; his further views on the impact this will have on the supply of timber for house building and the construction industry in general; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Seán Canney. [18895/20]

*640. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans with regard to the provision of Halal meat. — Robert Troy. [17972/20]

*641. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the action being taken to address backlogs in the forestry licensing and appeals system; if his attention has been drawn to claims that the delays are endangering the forestry industry and endangering timber supplies and up to 12,000 jobs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — James Browne. [17982/20]

*642. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if funding will be made available for persons involved in aquaculture operating in Fenit Bay, Kenmare Bay and Dingle Bay, County Kerry; if so, the status of the funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Michael Healy-Rae. [18146/20]

*643. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question 950 of 13 May 2020, the measures he undertook to address issues raised in the protected disclosure cases that were closed in 2016 and 2017; if no action was taken, the reasons the cases were closed; the timeline for the completion of the outstanding protected disclosures; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Catherine Murphy. [18169/20]

*644. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if the establishment of a dedicated forum for the wool industry here will be supported in view of the severe economic challenges affecting the sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Carol Nolan. [18257/20]

1355

P.T.O

*645. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the amount spent on refurbishment and maintenance to Killybegs Fishery Harbour Centre in each of the years 2017 to 2019 and to date in 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Thomas Pringle. [18635/20]

*646. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 439 of 16 April 2019, if the corresponding figures for 2019 and to date in 2020 will be provided; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Denis Naughten. [18640/20]

*647. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the progress and or the outcome of the administrative inquiry into the capacity of Ireland to apply the rules of the EU Common Fisheries Policy for which an inquiry was requested by the European Commission in 2019 following the identification of severe and significant weaknesses in the control system here during a Commission audit carried out in 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Catherine Connolly. [18642/20]

*648. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will establish a wool forum to discuss ways in which the decline in wool prices can be addressed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Patricia Ryan. [18739/20]

*649. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will increase TAMS funding to deal with the upsurge in applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Patricia Ryan. [18744/20]

*650. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of Connemara ponies born before 2016 tested for HWSD in each of the past five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Éamon Ó Cuív. [18750/20]

*651. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of staff at each grade based at each Department office in tabular form. — Matt Carthy. [18834/20]

*652. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the EU funds allocated to Ireland for the European agriculture guarantee fund in each of the years 2017 to 2020; the amount of unspent funding in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Matt Carthy. [18835/20]

*653. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the EU funds allocated to Ireland from the European agriculture rural development fund in each of the years 2017 to 2020; the amount of unspent funding in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Matt Carthy. [18836/20]

*654. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the EU veterinary funding allocated to Ireland in each of the years 2017 to 2020; the amount of unspent funding in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Matt Carthy. [18837/20]

*655. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the EU fisheries funding allocated to Ireland for the EFF and the EMFF, respectively in each of the years 2017 to 2020; the amount of unspent funding in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Matt Carthy. [18838/20]

*656. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of farms which are family farms; the average size of the farms; the average annual pillar 1 CAP payments received by

1356

the farms; the average annual pillar 2 CAP payments received by the farms; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Matt Carthy. [18839/20]

*657. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of farms which are not family farms; the average size of the farms; the average annual pillar 1 CAP payments received by the farms; the average annual pillar 2 CAP payments received by the farms; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Matt Carthy. [18840/20]

*658. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if a study will be commissioned into the impact of micro farms on the domestic economy and on the agri-food sector in particular; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Matt Carthy. [18841/20]

*659. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if matters raised correspondence by a person (details supplied) will be reviewed and addressed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Niamh Smyth. [18924/20]

*660. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the shutdown of the horticultural peat industry in Ireland will seriously impede growers of crops (details supplied) in Ireland and will have dramatic negative effects on the commitment included in the Programme for Government to support the horticultural industry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Jackie Cahill. [18993/20]

*661. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the welfare standards that will be used in relation to funding of the greyhound sector from the Horse and Greyhound Fund; the way in which standards will be assessed; and the time period over which the industry will be given to reach same. — Holly Cairns. [19156/20]

*662. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if the project of establishing a traceability system for racing greyhounds is in place (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Holly Cairns. [19157/20]

*663. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a felling licence will issue to a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Brendan Smith. [19160/20]

*664. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the level of funding provided by his Department directly or via bodies under his aegis for farm safety week in each of the years 2015 to 2019, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Matt Carthy. [19184/20]

*665. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the level of funding provided by his Department directly or via bodies under his aegis for Farm Safety Week for each of the years 2015 to 2019; in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Matt Carthy. [19185/20]

*666. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if briefings, correspondence, reports or materials on the appropriateness of effectiveness of use of the Ramsar Convention with regard to the draft Commission Regulation amending Annex 27 to EC Regulation No 1907/2006 will be provided; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Matt Carthy. [19186/20]

*667. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the consultation carried out with An Garda Síochána, the Department of Justice and Equality, the Defence Forces, and the

1357

P.T.O

Department of Defence with regard to the draft EU Commission Regulation amending Annex 27 to EC Regulation No 1907/2006; if all materials, correspondence, and briefings and reports relating to such consultation will be provided; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Matt Carthy. [19187/20]

*668. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the arrangements that have been put in place with regard to mapping wetlands here as defined under the Ramsar Convention; if briefings, reports, correspondence, findings, or estimates will be provided; if maps will be provided in shapefile format; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Matt Carthy. [19188/20]

*669. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the persons or body that will fulfil the duty of enforcement officers per the draft EU Commission Regulation amending Annex 27 to EC Regulation No 1907/2006; if materials, reports, correspondence, or briefings on the matter will be provided; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Matt Carthy. [19189/20]

*670. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the way he plans to vote on the draft EU Commission Regulation amending Annex 27 to EC Regulation No 1907/2006 in September 2020; if materials, reports, correspondence or briefings with regard to considerations on the way in which he will vote will be provided; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Matt Carthy. [19190/20]

*671. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if materials, reports, correspondence or briefings with regard to a new proposed peatland rewetting scheme will be provided; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Matt Carthy. [19191/20]

*672. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the person or body the new land parcel information system Agland is being developed by and in conjunction with; if materials, reports, correspondence or briefings in relation to the system will be provided; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Matt Carthy. [19192/20]

*673. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the percentage of farmland under organic management by county in each of the years 2015 to 2019, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Matt Carthy. [19193/20]

*674. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if all materials, reports, correspondence and briefings in relation to considerations to introduce mandatory electronic identification for cattle will be provided; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Matt Carthy. [19194/20]

*675. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if available reports, briefings, reports or correspondence with regard to potential costs to farmers as a result of introducing mandatory electronic identification for cattle will be provided; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Matt Carthy. [19195/20]

*676. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of recipients and the amount received by recipient of funding under the pearl mussel scheme by county in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Matt Carthy. [19196/20]

*677. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the person or body the new land parcel map of grasslands and bogs is being developed by and in conjunction with; the reason a guide (details supplied) was chosen to define grassland; the manner in which it is subject to change;

1358

the parameters being used for the definition of bog; and if materials, reports, correspondence or briefings in relation to the matter will be provided. — Matt Carthy. [19197/20]

*678. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the engagement he has had with An Bord Bia in relation to Northern Ireland being part of the Irish beef PGI; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Matt Carthy. [19198/20]

*679. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of successful applications to the BEEP scheme by county in each of the years 2015 to 2019 and to date in 2020; and the average amount received by applicant by county by quarter in the same period in tabular form. — Matt Carthy. [19199/20]

*680. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of successful applications to the sheep welfare scheme by county in each of the years 2015 to 2019 and to date in 2020; and the average amount received per applicant by county and by quarter in the same period in tabular form. — Matt Carthy. [19200/20]

*681. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of unsuccessful applicants to the sheep welfare scheme by county in each of the years 2015 to 2019 and to date in 2020; and the reason each application was denied in tabular form. — Matt Carthy. [19201/20]

*682. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of successful applicants to the GLAS scheme by county in each of the years 2015 to 2019 and to date in 2020; and the average amount received per applicant by county by quarter two in the same period in tabular form. — Matt Carthy. [19202/20]

*683. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of unsuccessful applicants to the GLAS scheme by county in each of the years 2015 to 2019 and to date in 2020; and the reason each application was denied in tabular form. — Matt Carthy. [19203/20]

*684. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of farmers operating on comanages; and the number on areas of natural constraint by county in each of the years the years 2015 to 2019 and to date in 2020, in tabular form. — Matt Carthy. [19204/20]

*685. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of successful applications to the areas of natural constraint scheme by county in each of the years 2015 to 2019 and to date in 2020, in tabular form. — Matt Carthy. [19205/20]

*686. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the amount spent on the areas of natural constraint scheme by county in each of the years 2015 to 2019 and to date in 2020, by person and county in tabular form. — Matt Carthy. [19206/20]

*687. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the planned spend on the areas of natural constraint scheme for each the years 2021 to 2025. — Matt Carthy. [19207/20]

*688. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the breakdown of funding for the areas of natural constraint scheme between the Exchequer and EU funds for each of the years 2015 to 2020, in tabular form. — Matt Carthy. [19208/20]

1359

P.T.O

*689. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the percentage of farms by county defined as organic for each the years 2015 to 2019 and to date in 2020, in tabular form. — Matt Carthy. [19209/20]

*690. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the average amount of hedgerows in hectares; and the average amount of scrubland in hectares per farm by county within bands of 100 hectares in tabular form. — Matt Carthy. [19210/20]

*691. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if all materials, briefings, reports and correspondence relating to his consideration of introducing fees for forestry licences will be provided. — Matt Carthy. [19211/20]

*692. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if all materials correspondence, briefings and reports relating to communication between his Department and his counterpart in the Northern Ireland Executive with regard to the 2020 outbreak in Avian Flu H6N1 will be provided; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Matt Carthy. [19213/20]

*693. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if all materials, correspondence, reports and briefings regarding the two meat plants recently ordered to revert to manual grading of carcasses will be provided; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Matt Carthy. [19214/20]

*694. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if all materials, correspondence, reports and briefings relating the An Bord Bia application for PGI status of Irish beef will be provided; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Matt Carthy. [19215/20]

*695. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the total area used for agriculture here by sector and county in tabular form. — Matt Carthy. [19216/20]

*696. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of farms here within bands (details supplied) by county in tabular form. — Matt Carthy. [19217/20]

*697. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the average amount of hedgerows in hectares; and the average amount of scrubland in hectares, per farm by county within bands (details supplied) in tabular form. — Matt Carthy. [19218/20]

Chun an Aire Leanaí agus Gnóthaí Óige: To the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs.

*698. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the estimated cost of paying the overhead contribution for 2021 at the rate of payment made during 2020 and at an increased rate of 20%. — Kathleen Funchion. [18659/20]

*699. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the estimated cost of increasing the funding to existing sustainability fund by 10%. — Kathleen Funchion. [18660/20]

*700. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the criteria required in order to meet the requirements of habitual residency in the context of adopting a child from abroad; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Matt Carthy. [18831/20]

1360

*701. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs his views on the case a person (details supplied); and the procedure for naturalisation in cases in which a child from another country is adopted by parents here. — Matt Carthy. [18832/20]

*702. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the cost of the wages portion of the ECCE scheme. — Kathleen Funchion. [18989/20]

*703. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the cost of the non-wages portion of the ECCE scheme. — Kathleen Funchion. [18990/20]

*704. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the portion of childcare costs that is made up by fees. — Kathleen Funchion. [19048/20]

*705. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the allocation made for domestic emergency refuges and step-down accommodation for 2020. — Eoin Ó Broin. [18159/20]

*706. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if his attention has been drawn to the closure of a crèche (details supplied) in County Louth; if his attention has been further drawn to the circumstances of the closure of the facility; if his Department and agencies are available to assist the service to continue under an alternative management structure; the details of the amount of funding provided to the organisation in 2019 and to date in 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Ged Nash. [18214/20]

*707. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the estimated cost of increasing the subsidy under the affordable childcare scheme from €20 to €100 per child, per week. — Kathleen Funchion. [18222/20]

*708. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the estimated cost if the State were to provide by way of direct payment to childcare providers the money necessary to fund the sector such as pay increases to the living wage of €11.90 per hour for current level 5 childcare staff working in the sector. — Kathleen Funchion. [18226/20]

*709. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the estimated cost of increasing funding for the access inclusion model by 15%. — Kathleen Funchion. [18227/20]

*710. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the estimated cost of increasing the higher and lower capitation grants by €5, €6, €7, €8, €9 and €10, respectively by week for the ECCE scheme in 2019 if it is introduced in September 2020; and the estimated full-year cost. — Kathleen Funchion. [18228/20]

*711. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the estimated additional cost in 2019 of increasing the universal minimum subsidy across the affordable childcare scheme if the minimum targeted subsidy is increased so as never to be below the universal subsidy in 50 cent intervals up to an additional €4.50 reaching €5.00 assuming a start date of September 2020; the estimated cost for a full year; and the number of children that would benefit. — Kathleen Funchion. [18229/20]

*712. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the estimated cost to restore the school completion programme to 2010 levels. — Kathleen Funchion. [18230/20]

*713. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the estimated cost of the reinstatement of the childminding advisory service. — Kathleen Funchion. [18231/20]

1361

P.T.O

*714. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the estimated additional cost of increasing the learner fund to allow all childcare workers currently holding level 5 qualifications to progress to level 6 from September 2020. — Kathleen Funchion. [18232/20]

*715. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the estimated additional cost of increasing the learner fund to a level which would allow 50% of childcare workers currently holding level 6 qualifications to progress to level 7 from September 2020. — Kathleen Funchion. [18233/20]

*716. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the estimated cost of rolling out a baby box scheme similar to those in Finland and Scotland in which the estimated cost of the box and contents would be €170 each. — Kathleen Funchion. [18234/20]

*717. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the estimated additional cost of the roll out of Aistear across the early years sector. — Kathleen Funchion. [18235/20]

*718. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the estimated additional cost of the roll out of Aistear across the childminding sector. — Kathleen Funchion. [18236/20]

*719. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the estimated first and full-year cost of employing an extra 26 aftercare workers. — Kathleen Funchion. [18237/20]

*720. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if funding will be provided to allow a child of a frontline worker (details supplied) in County Donegal to remain in a childcare setting; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Pearse Doherty. [18579/20]

*721. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the estimated cost of continuing the wage subsidy scheme for childcare workers at 85%. — Kathleen Funchion. [18600/20]

*722. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the amount spent on the wages top-up for childcare workers during Covid-19. — Kathleen Funchion. [18601/20]

*723. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the amount spent on the one-off reopening grant for centre-based providers. — Kathleen Funchion. [18602/20]

*724. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the amount spent to date on childminder reopening grants. — Kathleen Funchion. [18603/20]

*725. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the amount allocated by county out of the €75 million grant to open early learning and childcare services. — Kathleen Funchion. [18604/20]

*726. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the estimated cost of increasing the subsidy under the affordable childcare scheme from €20 to €50 per child per week in 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Thomas Pringle. [18626/20]

*727. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number of childcare providers in County Longford that have reopened; the number that are accepting the same number of children as before the Covid-19 restrictions; the number that have reopened on reduced numbers; and the number that are no longer taking children under 1 year of age. — Sorca Clarke. [18694/20]

1362

*728. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number of childcare providers in County Westmeath that have reopened; the number that are accepting the same number of children as before the Covid-19 restrictions; the number that have reopened on reduced numbers; and the number that are no longer taking children under 1 year of age. — Sorca Clarke. [18695/20]

*729. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the estimated cost to restore the school completion programme to 2010 levels. — Ruairí Ó Murchú. [18717/20]

*730. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the reduction in crèches providing care for children under one year of age compared to the situation before the start of the Covid-19 pandemic by county; the steps he plans taking to support parents that require childcare that have no crèche available near them; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Éamon Ó Cuív. [18749/20]

*731. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if his attention has been drawn to the fact that many privately-run childcare facilities are closing permanently as a result of ongoing difficulties arising from the Covid-19 pandemic; if further financial supports will be made available to allow such facilities continue to operate; if it will be ensured that all allocated funding to a particular childcare facility (details supplied) is paid without delay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Seán Haughey. [19041/20]

*732. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the guidance available to childcare facilities regarding September 2020 reopening specifically for drop offs, afterschool programmes and situations in which it is not feasible for pods and classes to avoid mixing; when further guidance will be published in relation to these matters; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Matt Carthy. [19062/20]

*733. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the guidance available to childcare facilities for providing breakfast to students in cases in which it will not be feasible to do so on a pod and class basis and in which time prohibits the scheduling of rotation and cleaning between such a rotation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Matt Carthy. [19063/20]

*734. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the guidance available to childcare facilities providing afterschool services with regard to cleaning rooms between rotations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Matt Carthy. [19064/20]

*735. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs his plans to address excessive waiting lists for access to childcare facilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Matt Carthy. [19065/20]

*736. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the capital funding schemes available for childcare services; his plans to provide for additional capital funding towards the development and expansion of community childcare centres; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Matt Carthy. [19066/20]

*737. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number of domestic adoptions applied for and successfully concluded in each of the years 2011 to 2019 and to date in 2020; if he will consider conducting a review of the Adoption (Amendment) Act 2017 to investigate if deficiencies or obstacles to domestic adoption can be identified; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Carol Nolan. [19103/20]

1363

P.T.O

*738. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if the finding of the Crowe Report that the wage bill comprises an average of 70% of the total costs of the sector is inclusive of ECCE only providers or whether the referenced cost breakdown relates only to non-ECCE provision. — Kathleen Funchion. [19108/20]

*739. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if he will provide a breakdown of the €338.576 million provided for ECCE and AIM preschool in line B.3 of the Revised Estimate for 2020, including ECCE pay and ECCE non-pay, AIMS and so on. — Kathleen Funchion. [19109/20]

*740. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if staff salaries represent 70% of the costs of the childcare sector; his views on whether it is 70% of providers costs; and if not, if it is 70% of all costs including costs that are covered by State funding in view of comments by his official at the Oireachtas Special Committee on Covid-19 Response hearing on childcare on 23 June 2020. — Kathleen Funchion. [19118/20]

*741. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number of applications received to date in relation to the announcement of €75 million in supports to childcare providers for re-opening; the value of the applications; the value of awards made and the number of same by county; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Bernard J. Durkan. [19121/20]

*742. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number of childcare facilities which indicated their closure in 2020; the comparison with 2018 and 2019; a breakdown of counties in which closures are taking place; the number of places lost; the counties in which new facilities are opening; the number of planned places in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Bernard J. Durkan. [19122/20]

*743. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the level of demand for crèche places in September 2020; the estimated number of children not returning to crèches in September; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Bernard J. Durkan. [19123/20]

*744. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number of afterschool places that will be provided in September 2020; if there is engagement with the Department of Education and Skills on the provision of additional afterschool places on a full-time basis in the event primary schools do not reopen in full; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Bernard J. Durkan. [19124/20]

*745. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the estimated fall in ECCE places for September 2020; the indicative number of children that will commence and continue in ECCE in September; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Bernard J. Durkan. [19125/20]

Chun an Aire Dlí agus Cirt agus Comhionannais: To the Minister for Justice and Equality.

*746. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality if she will review a case (details supplied); her plans on same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Niamh Smyth. [18365/20]

*747. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the progress made by the CSO in implementing recommendation 15 of the Report on the Reform of the Family Law System produced by the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Justice and Equality in October 2019. — Cian O’Callaghan. [18502/20]

1364

*748. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the progress made in implementing recommendations 28 and 29 of the Report on the Reform of the Family Law System produced by the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Justice and Equality in October 2019 which relate to the voice of the child; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Cian O’Callaghan. [18505/20]

*749. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality her views on the home delivery of alcoholic drinks including draught beers by pubs not licensed to serve food; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Seán Haughey. [18516/20]

*750. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality if she will consider the criteria for eligibility of the extended parental leave to include all parents affected by the lockdown even if their child is born outside of the specified dates, that is, they were born before 1 November but were affected by lockdown, particularly those that were due to return to work in the lockdown period but could not due to the fact the crèches were still closed. — Kathleen Funchion. [18594/20]

*751. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality if the recommendations of the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Justice and Equality on Reform of the Family Law System has been considered; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Brendan Smith. [19235/20]

*752. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality if she will consider implementing recommendations 9, 11 and 36 of the Report of the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Justice and Equality on Reform of the Family Law System; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Brendan Smith. [19236/20]

*753. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of Wards of Court, adults and children, respectively; the number of adults that were made wards in March, April, May and June 2020; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Réada Cronin. [17974/20]

*754. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of adults that have been made Wards of Court since the signing of the Decision-Making (Capacity) Act 2015 to date; the number of wardship applications made by the HSE in relation to vulnerable persons in the past three years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Réada Cronin. [17975/20]

*755. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the reason for the delay in funding the decision support service to replace the Wards of Court system which is in conflict with the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities; if full funding will be guaranteed in Budget 2021 to make it immediately operational in view of the urgency of the requirement for same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Réada Cronin. [17976/20]

*756. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the outstanding legislation in relation to having the decision support service in place; the time frame in which this will be addressed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Réada Cronin. [17977/20]

*757. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality if her attention has been drawn to other factors which might delay work in relation to setting up the decision support service in view of the January 2020 minutes of the Mental Health Commission (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Réada Cronin. [17978/20]

*758. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality if her attention has been drawn to the fact that persons in wardship are unable to exercise their right to make decisions in relation to their future

1365

P.T.O

health care and other important life issues; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Réada Cronin. [17979/20]

*759. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the position regarding the Disability (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2016 which lapsed with the dissolution of the 32nd Dáil (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Réada Cronin. [17980/20]

*760. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality if an applicant for Irish citizenship who is a Swedish national living here for over 40 years needs an in-date Swedish passport for their application (details supplied); if the out of date passport will be accepted with their application; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Thomas Pringle. [17983/20]

*761. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of persons resident at a direct provision centre (details supplied) by age, gender and family unit on 20 July 2020; the accommodation by unit size and occupancy; if there are cases of mixed family units in individual units; if this relates to adults and or children; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Darren O’Rourke. [17986/20]

*762. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of persons sanctioned by An Garda Síochána for driving on a road designated as motorway while on a learner permit in the past five years to date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Catherine Murphy. [18110/20]

*763. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of persons sanctioned by An Garda Síochána for driving on a public road while their full driver licence was endorsed and or they were subject to a driving ban in the past five years to date. — Catherine Murphy. [18111/20]

*764. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the Garda station that covers Liscarne Dale, Clondalkin, Dublin 22. — Eoin Ó Broin. [18173/20]

*765. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will report on the work of the high-level committee established to examine the anti-social use of scramblers and quad bikes; the outcome of these talks; and the outcome of the work of the former Lord Mayor’s Commission on the subject. — John Lahart. [18181/20]

*766. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the position regarding inspections of direct provision centres in County Wicklow (details supplied); if inspections have recommenced. — Steven Matthews. [18215/20]

*767. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality when she will meet with representatives from organisations (details supplied) advocating for reform in legislation related to alcohol delivery services and verification. — Róisín Shortall. [18250/20]

*768. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality if she will address the complaints made by a person (details supplied); if a reply will issue to the most recent complaints set out in correspondence to her and an Taoiseach; the reason these matters are not being dealt with in a timely manner; the details of each complaint made by the person; the response of her Department to each; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — John McGuinness. [18276/20]

*769. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality if there is a clear timeline for the memorialisation and education process to ensure the atrocities of the Magdalene laundries are remembered; if a timeline has not been put in place, the steps she is taking to develop same; if the Justice for

1366

Magdalenes Research 2020 report at the Dublin Honours Magdalenes event will be utilized as a tool for the timeline given that survivors provided clear testimony on the way in which they would like to be memorialised; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Gary Gannon. [18291/20]

*770. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality if her Department will be working with Dublin City Council to ensure the former Magdalene laundry on Sean McDermott Street site will remain in ownership of the State; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Gary Gannon. [18292/20]

*771. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality if the former Magdalene laundry site located on Sean McDermott Street will be developed as a memorialisation site; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Gary Gannon. [18293/20]

*772. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality her plans to release archived material regarding the records of laundries of religious institutions to the public anonymising records where appropriate in the interest of justice; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Gary Gannon. [18294/20]

*773. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality if international students will be granted entry here if the language school or college at which they have been accepted is delivering classes through a mix of blended learning or exclusively online; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire. [18335/20]

*774. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality if her attention has been drawn to the situation of persons (details supplied) residing and working here as EEA family members in cases in which qualifying EEA family member is a UK citizen and that after 31 December 2020 and they are no longer the spouse of an EEA family member and will be unable to reside and work here; her views on such cases; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Aodhán Ó Ríordáin. [18353/20]

*775. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality further to Parliamentary Question No: 967 of 14 July 2020, her plans to increase the penalties and sanctions for those convicted of dog theft; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — David Stanton. [18375/20]

*776. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the position in relation to the reopening of registration offices outside Dublin and in particular in Ennis, County Clare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Joe Carey. [18399/20]

*777. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of persons facilitated at the special Covid-19 self-isolation centre at a hotel (details supplied) from 1 April 2020 and 1 July 2020; the number of nights per person; the cost of the accommodation from 1 April 2020 and 1 July 2020; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Ruairí Ó Murchú. [18412/20]

*778. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the status for review of a join family application by a person (details supplied) which was received by INIS in January 2020. — Imelda Munster. [18418/20]

*779. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of arrests for supplying nitrous oxide for human consumption in each year from 2015 to 2019 and to date in 2020; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Emer Higgins. [18431/20]

1367

P.T.O

*780. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the additional cost to the Departmental baseline funding to commence and sustain a five-year Garda recruitment drive commencing in 2021 and concluding in 2025 with an intake of 800 Garda recruits per annum and their subsequent retention, that is, the amount by which the baseline must be increased in 2025 in comparison to 2020; and the additional baseline increases required in each of the years 2021 to 2025. — Martin Kenny. [18440/20]

*781. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the estimated cost of recruiting and employing an additional 1,000 civilian staff for An Garda Síochána. — Martin Kenny. [18441/20]

*782. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the estimated cost of increasing Prison Service funding by 10%. — Martin Kenny. [18442/20]

*783. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the estimated cost of providing video links to each prison to assist the Courts Service. — Martin Kenny. [18443/20]

*784. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the estimated cost of increasing the funding of the Criminal Assets Bureau by 10%. — Martin Kenny. [18444/20]

*785. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the estimated cost of refurbishing Tralee Courthouse. — Martin Kenny. [18447/20]

*786. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the estimated cost of the establishment of ten new Garda youth diversion programmes. — Martin Kenny. [18448/20]

*787. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the estimated cost of the multiannual sexual violence prevalence study by the CSO. — Martin Kenny. [18451/20]

*788. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the estimated cost of a 10% increase in the Courts Service capital building and refurbishment programme. — Martin Kenny. [18452/20]

*789. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality her plans to release additional funding for the issuing of mobile fingerprint devices to frontline gardaí. — Catherine Murphy. [18454/20]

*790. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of gardaí in County Kildare that have taken basic or refresher public order training in each of the past three years; and the duration of each course. — Catherine Murphy. [18455/20]

*791. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the progress made by An Garda Síochána in implementing recommendation 15 of the Report on the Reform of the Family Law System produced by the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Justice and Equality in October 2019; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Cian O’Callaghan. [18503/20]

*792. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality her views on recommendation 16 of the Report on the Reform of the Family Law System produced by the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Justice and Equality in October 2019; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Cian O’Callaghan. [18504/20]

*793. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the progress made in implementing recommendation 32 of the Report on the Reform of the Family Law System produced by the

1368

Oireachtas Joint Committee on Justice and Equality in October 2019; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Cian O’Callaghan. [18506/20]

*794. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality her plans to appeal a European Court of Justice ruling (details supplied) that she failed to transpose Directive 2015/849; the reason the Directive was not adopted; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Catherine Murphy. [18570/20]

*795. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality if there is a support service for victims of child sex abuse carried out by members of the Probation Service. — Paul McAuliffe. [18590/20]

*796. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the amount of nitrous oxide seized by An Garda Síochána in each of the years 2015 to 2019 and to date in 2020; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Emer Higgins. [18609/20]

*797. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the way in which gardaí distinguish between legal uses of nitrous oxide and illegal use under the Criminal Justice (Psychoactive Substances) Act 2010 or other relevant legislation or statutory instrument; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Emer Higgins. [18611/20]

*798. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the estimated cost of recruiting eight additional analysts at higher executive officer level for the Garda cyber crime unit; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Thomas Pringle. [18627/20]

*799. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the progress to date in the determination of an application in the case of a person (details supplied). — Bernard J. Durkan. [18648/20]

*800. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality if consideration will be given to carrying out an independent review of the direct provision centre in Miltown Malbay, County Clare in view of the concerns raised by residents there. — Cathal Crowe. [18668/20]

*801. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the extra resources being put in place nationwide to help, facilitate and make welcome the 46 new Syrian families moving to County Tipperary in the coming weeks and months across housing, health, education, social protection and so on in tabular form. — Alan Kelly. [18677/20]

*802. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality if she will create a legal distinction between the theft of an animal and the theft of other property including a more serious penalty for such an offence; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Patricia Ryan. [18737/20]

*803. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality if her officials will meet with residents of a direct provision centre (details supplied) with a view to addressing their concerns; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Patricia Ryan. [18741/20]

*804. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality if she will liaise with the Garda Commissioner on the guidelines on the Practical Application and Operation of the Firearms Acts 1925 to 2009; her views on issues raised by an organisation (details supplied) and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Patricia Ryan. [18742/20]

*805. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the reason an application by a person (details supplied) has taken an excessive length of time to process; the further reason they did not receive

1369

P.T.O

a leave to remain form for one year; the status of the person; the time frame for the matter to be resolved; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Matt Carthy. [18829/20]

*806. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the issues arising as a result of a change of systems within legal aid; if her attention has been drawn to files being lost; if so, the number of cases involved; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Matt Carthy. [18830/20]

*807. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality if spousal visas are being issued for the wives and husbands of persons with Irish citizenship; if not, the reason for not doing so; if there are limitations caused by Covid-19 to the issuing of spousal visas; if so, the limitations; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Richard Boyd Barrett. [18854/20]

*808. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the measures in place to allow authorities pursue parking fines issued here for cars registered in the UK; the way in which it will change post-Brexit; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Cormac Devlin. [18864/20]

*809. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality when she expects a person (details supplied) to complete the scoping review into the killing of another person; her plans to then initiate an independent enquiry into the killing and the management of same by the relevant statutory authorities as previously agreed by Dáil Éireann; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Matt Carthy. [18869/20]

*810. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the wait time for personal applications to the Probate Office; if there are differing wait times for applications from legal firms; when the Probate Office last accepted a personal application; the status of the promised review of the probate system which was to be completed by the end of 2017; when the recommendations of the review will be implemented; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Noel Grealish. [18888/20]

*811. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the additional measures and sentences she plans to introduce the counteract the growing trend of stolen animals; the current fines and prison sentences aligned to the theft of family animals; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Verona Murphy. [18918/20]

*812. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality if she will arrange for the transfer of residents of a direct provision centre (details supplied) to different, safe and supportive accommodation in view of letters from residents detailing issues in relation to bullying and inadequate and unsafe food being provided. — Paul Murphy. [18928/20]

*813. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the average and longest waiting time in each probate office for applications by solicitors and personal applicants, respectively; the number of applications on hand in each office; the timeline for the eProbate project to go live in each office; the status of the project; if the Revenue Commissioners’ have been incorporated and gone live on eProbate; the status of the implementation of each recommendation in the report of the probate services review group; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Denis Naughten. [19069/20]

*814. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality if funding will be provided to purchase additional Garda prisoner transport vehicles. — Darren O’Rourke. [19081/20]

1370

*815. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of properties used in County Wicklow as emergency accommodation for asylum seekers and refugees; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — John Brady. [19107/20]

*816. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality if the commitment to the sustainable development goals will be reflected in the Strategy and Work Plan 2020-2025 of his Department; his plans to monitor and report annually on the progress towards achieving the goals; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Cian O’Callaghan. [19120/20]

*817. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the value of items seized by the Criminal Assets Bureau; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Neale Richmond. [19130/20]

*818. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the way in which the proceeds and items seized by the Criminal Assets Bureau are disposed of; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Neale Richmond. [19131/20]

*819. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality when hate speech legislation will be published; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Neale Richmond. [19132/20]

*820. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of persons detained in prisons due to refused leave to land at the border; the length of their detention by month and nationality for the period of 1 Jan 2016 to 14 July 2020, inclusive in tabular form. — Holly Cairns. [19148/20]

*821. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality if consideration will be given to relocating a family (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Neale Richmond. [19159/20]

*822. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the stock of PPE held in reserve by her Department in anticipation of a second wave of Covid-19 or another health emergency requiring all members of An Garda Síochána, Probation Service, Prison staff and other related services to be equipped 24/7 with same. — Aengus Ó Snodaigh. [19172/20]

Chun an Aire Sláinte: To the Minister for Health.

*823. To ask the Minister for Health when legislation will be introduced to amend the qualifying criteria for persons aged over 70 years of age to entitle them to a medical card if their gross weekly income is less than €550 per week for a single person or €1,050 as a couple; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Joe Carey. [17971/20]

*824. To ask the Minister for Health if he sought or obtained a legal opinion regarding the constitutionality of the guidelines and regulations emanating from his Department in relation to the movement of citizens and their freedom to meet and travel; if so, if he will publish this opinion; if he will identify the source of this information; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Michael Ring. [18307/20]

*825. To ask the Minister for Health the estimated cost of increasing the budget for psychiatric services in prisons by 20%. — Martin Kenny. [18450/20]

*826. To ask the Minister for Health the estimated cost of employing an additional 50 social workers. — Kathleen Funchion. [18662/20]

1371

P.T.O

*827. To ask the Minister for Health the estimated cost of recruiting an additional 10 administrative support staff for social workers. — Kathleen Funchion. [18663/20]

*828. To ask the Minister for Health the estimated cost of recruiting an additional 10 after care workers. — Kathleen Funchion. [18664/20]

*829. To ask the Minister for Health if a proposal (details supplied) to use medical detection dogs at airports and ports to detect Covid-19 will be investigated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Brendan Griffin. [18667/20]

*830. To ask the Minister for Health the estimated cost in a full year if prescription charges were abolished for medical card holders over 70 years of age; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Patricia Ryan. [18732/20]

*831. To ask the Minister for Health the status of a device for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Michael Healy-Rae. [17973/20]

*832. To ask the Minister for Health the supports available to a person (details supplied); if the person is in receipt of the maximum level of support available under the HSE personal assistant service in view of the fact that the supports being received are shared with a sibling and that the current level of support will only enable each of them to shower and get dressed and do nothing further for the day; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Jennifer Carroll MacNeill. [17981/20]

*833. To ask the Minister for Health if he will address issues in relation to a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Michael Healy-Rae. [17985/20]

*834. To ask the Minister for Health if consideration will be given to the case of a person (details supplied). — Thomas Gould. [17997/20]

*835. To ask the Minister for Health if additional capacity will be provided to reduce waiting lists for assessments and procedures (details supplied). — Brendan Smith. [18004/20]

*836. To ask the Minister for Health the cost of construction of a temporary modular surgical theatre similar to that planned for Merlin Park Hospital; the lifespan of such a modular theatre; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Louise O’Reilly. [18011/20]

*837. To ask the Minister for Health if a temporary modular ward has been constructed for South-Tipperary Hospital; if so, the size of the ward, the construction cost, and the lifespan of the ward; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Louise O’Reilly. [18012/20]

*838. To ask the Minister for Health the estimated cost of employing one, ten and 100 non-consultant hospital doctors, respectively, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Louise O’Reilly. [18013/20]

*839. To ask the Minister for Health the estimated cost of reversing financial emergency measures in the public interest across the health service by speciality in tabular form. — Louise O’Reilly. [18014/20]

*840. To ask the Minister for Health the estimated cost of employing one, ten and 100 public health nurses, respectively. — Louise O’Reilly. [18015/20]

1372

*841. To ask the Minister for Health the capital cost of a nursing home bed; the estimated fully absorbed cost of a nursing home bed including staff, ancillary services and running costs; and the capital costs associated with opening new nursing home beds. — Louise O’Reilly. [18016/20]

*842. To ask the Minister for Health the capital cost of a hospital bed; the estimated fully absorbed cost of a hospital bed including staff, ancillary services and running costs; and the capital costs associated with opening new hospital beds. — Louise O’Reilly. [18017/20]

*843. To ask the Minister for Health the estimated cost of funding and implementing the national maternity strategy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Louise O’Reilly. [18018/20]

*844. To ask the Minister for Health the estimated cost of abolishing the €100 charge for the use of emergency departments and the €75 per day charge for inpatient care in tabular form. — Louise O’Reilly. [18019/20]

*845. To ask the Minister for Health the number of persons directly employed by the HSE to provide home support services. — Louise O’Reilly. [18020/20]

*846. To ask the Minister for Health the estimated cost of employing ten directly employed homecare workers to provide home support services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Louise O’Reilly. [18021/20]

*847. To ask the Minister for Health the time frame and estimated cost per year of full implementation of the e-health system. — Louise O’Reilly. [18022/20]

*848. To ask the Minister for Health the estimated cost of purchasing and staffing one air ambulance to run 24-7, 365 days a year. — Louise O’Reilly. [18023/20]

*849. To ask the Minister for Health the estimated cost of diabetes related illnesses to the health service each year; the amount the health service spends on diabetes prevention and management; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Louise O’Reilly. [18024/20]

*850. To ask the Minister for Health the estimated cost of bringing the nursing and midwifery professions in line with the pay grades of other therapeutic grades. — Louise O’Reilly. [18025/20]

*851. To ask the Minister for Health the estimated cost of the restoration of the 30% pay cut to new entrant consultants imposed in 2012. — Louise O’Reilly. [18026/20]

*852. To ask the Minister for Health the expenditure for the Healthy Ireland office in each year since its establishment; the cost of information campaigns; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Louise O’Reilly. [18027/20]

*853. To ask the Minister for Health the funding that has been made available to the Healthy Ireland fund each year since its establishment; if the funding for each of those years was spent in its entirety; the eligibility criteria for availing of the funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Louise O’Reilly. [18028/20]

*854. To ask the Minister for Health the average cost of keeping a stroke patient in long-term care assuming a mean three-year survival; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Louise O’Reilly. [18029/20]

1373

P.T.O

*855. To ask the Minister for Health the recommended staffing per early supported discharge team under the national stroke programme; the cost of staff; the estimated cost of an ESD team here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Louise O’Reilly. [18030/20]

*856. To ask the Minister for Health the status of the provision of early supported discharge here; the number of operational ESD teams; the number of teams that have the recommended staffing levels of an ESD; the staffing deficits that exist in each of the teams; the full year costs of the staffing required to fully staff the teams; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Louise O’Reilly. [18031/20]

*857. To ask the Minister for Health the estimated costs of a national roll out of early supported discharge for stroke patients; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Louise O’Reilly. [18032/20]

*858. To ask the Minister for Health if a new FAST media campaign will be established to ensure nationwide awareness of stroke symptoms among adults and ensure more persons get to hospital for treatment early thereby reducing disability after stroke and associated care required; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Louise O’Reilly. [18033/20]

*859. To ask the Minister for Health the costs associated with the implementation plan for the national neurorehabilitation strategy which outlines a ten-step plan to develop neurorehabilitation services at hospital and community level nationwide; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Louise O’Reilly. [18034/20]

*860. To ask the Minister for Health the estimated cost of establishing a heart failure unit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Louise O’Reilly. [18035/20]

*861. To ask the Minister for Health the status of the planned review of the model of heart failure care; if an audit of existing service levels has been conducted; if there has been a service gap analysis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Louise O’Reilly. [18036/20]

*862. To ask the Minister for Health the geographical gaps that exist with respect to heart failure service; the costs associated with addressing the disparity; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Louise O’Reilly. [18037/20]

*863. To ask the Minister for Health the costs associated with the national roll out of heart failure integrated care projects in the community; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Louise O’Reilly. [18038/20]

*864. To ask the Minister for Health the rehabilitation needs being met by cardiac rehabilitation services; the geographical disparities that exist with cardiac rehabilitation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Louise O’Reilly. [18039/20]

*865. To ask the Minister for Health the costs associated with providing national capacity for cardiac rehabilitation for persons for whom cardiac rehabilitation is recommended; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Louise O’Reilly. [18040/20]

*866. To ask the Minister for Health the estimated annual additional cost in each of the next five years of allowing medical card holders in receipt of disability allowance that move into work and potentially off disability allowance, partially or completely, to hold onto their medical cards permanently; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Louise O’Reilly. [18041/20]

1374

*867. To ask the Minister for Health the estimated cost of allocating the remainder of the capital expenditure identified as necessary by the HSE to complete the process of decongregation. — Louise O’Reilly. [18042/20]

*868. To ask the Minister for Health the estimated cost of increasing home support by 10%. — Louise O’Reilly. [18043/20]

*869. To ask the Minister for Health the estimated cost of introducing and operating 100 additional nursing home beds. — Louise O’Reilly. [18044/20]

*870. To ask the Minister for Health the estimated capital costs of providing 100 additional hospital beds; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Louise O’Reilly. [18045/20]

*871. To ask the Minister for Health the fully absorbed cost of running a hospital bed per day and per annum. — Louise O’Reilly. [18046/20]

*872. To ask the Minister for Health the estimated savings if the full economic cost for the use of beds in public and voluntary hospitals for the purposes of private medical practice were paid for by private insurance operators. — Louise O’Reilly. [18047/20]

*873. To ask the Minister for Health the estimated savings if all private patients in public hospitals were charged in full for services provided rather than being charged a maintenance or per diem charge. — Louise O’Reilly. [18048/20]

*874. To ask the Minister for Health the estimated cost of providing staffing cover for HSE staff who engage in continuous professional development courses. — Louise O’Reilly. [18049/20]

*875. To ask the Minister for Health the estimated cost of ensuring all maternity leave is covered across the HSE. — Louise O’Reilly. [18050/20]

*876. To ask the Minister for Health the estimated cost of increasing the HSE contribution for approved clinical courses and examinations under the clinical course and examination refund scheme for NCHDs from €450 to €550. — Louise O’Reilly. [18051/20]

*877. To ask the Minister for Health the estimated cost of increasing the annual general practitioner training intake to 250 for 2020. — Louise O’Reilly. [18052/20]

*878. To ask the Minister for Health the estimated cost of increasing the annual general practitioner training intake to 250 for 2020. — Louise O’Reilly. [18053/20]

*879. To ask the Minister for Health the estimated cost for one doctor and ten doctors, respectively, on the general practitioner training scheme. — Louise O’Reilly. [18054/20]

*880. To ask the Minister for Health the estimated cost of directly employing one, ten and 50 general practitioners, respectively, inclusive of salary and PRSI costs. — Louise O’Reilly. [18055/20]

*881. To ask the Minister for Health the estimated cost and breakdown of providing practice nurses to work with 50 general practitioners; and the estimated cost of their training and pay for work for a first and full-year period. — Louise O’Reilly. [18056/20]

1375

P.T.O

*882. To ask the Minister for Health the estimated cost and breakdown of providing medical secretaries to work with 50 general practitioners including the cost of their training and pay for work for a first and full-year period; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Louise O’Reilly. [18057/20]

*883. To ask the Minister for Health the cost paid by the State for a general practitioner visit under the general medical services scheme. — Louise O’Reilly. [18058/20]

*884. To ask the Minister for Health the estimated cost of expanding the specialist training fund for higher specialist trainees scheme for general practitioners in first and second year giving €500 per year as is the case for third- and fourth-year trainee general practitioners. — Louise O’Reilly. [18059/20]

*885. To ask the Minister for Health the estimated cost of increasing the specialist training fund for the higher specialist trainees scheme from €500 to €600 for general practitioners in third and fourth year. — Louise O’Reilly. [18060/20]

*886. To ask the Minister for Health the estimated cost of purchasing three fully equipped ambulances for each of the four HSE regions. — Louise O’Reilly. [18061/20]

*887. To ask the Minister for Health the estimated cost of the required whole-time equivalent personnel for each of the 12 ambulances and the skill mix necessary. — Louise O’Reilly. [18062/20]

*888. To ask the Minister for Health the estimated cost of providing an additional 500,000 hours under the personal assistant scheme. — Louise O’Reilly. [18063/20]

*889. To ask the Minister for Health the estimated cost of guaranteeing a medical card for all members of the Traveller community. — Louise O’Reilly. [18064/20]

*890. To ask the Minister for Health the average cost per person of providing healthcare under a medical card annually. — Louise O’Reilly. [18065/20]

*891. To ask the Minister for Health the estimated cost of increasing funding to BreastCheck by 10%. — Louise O’Reilly. [18066/20]

*892. To ask the Minister for Health the estimated cost of increasing funding for CervicalCheck by 10%. — Louise O’Reilly. [18067/20]

*893. To ask the Minister for Health the estimated cost of expanding the new-born screening programme to screen for all diseases for which there is a medical treatment here. — Louise O’Reilly. [18068/20]

*894. To ask the Minister for Health the estimated cost of providing contraceptives to all women that require same. — Louise O’Reilly. [18069/20]

*895. To ask the Minister for Health the estimated cost of providing free female hygiene products to all women in receipt of a medical card. — Louise O’Reilly. [18070/20]

*896. To ask the Minister for Health the estimated cost of providing free female hygiene products to all women in receipt of a general practitioner card. — Louise O’Reilly. [18071/20]

1376

*897. To ask the Minister for Health the estimated cost of providing free female hygiene products to all girls between 12 and 18 years of age. — Louise O’Reilly. [18072/20]

*898. To ask the Minister for Health the estimated cost of providing free female hygiene products to all women in homeless shelters. — Louise O’Reilly. [18073/20]

*899. To ask the Minister for Health the estimated cost of increasing the number of obstetricians and gynaecologists employed by ten. — Louise O’Reilly. [18074/20]

*900. To ask the Minister for Health the estimated cost of recruiting five and ten orthodontists, respectively, on the average pay grade in tabular form. — Louise O’Reilly. [18075/20]

*901. To ask the Minister for Health the estimated cost of employing 100, 200, 300 and 400 nurses, respectively, on the average pay scale in tabular form. — Louise O’Reilly. [18076/20]

*902. To ask the Minister for Health the estimated cost of employing 100, 150 and 200 midwives, respectively, on the average pay scale in tabular form. — Louise O’Reilly. [18077/20]

*903. To ask the Minister for Health the estimated cost of employing ten and 25 advanced nurse practitioners in tabular form. — Louise O’Reilly. [18078/20]

*904. To ask the Minister for Health the estimated cost of employing ten community physiotherapists and hospital physiotherapists at entry level with five years and ten years of experience, respectively. — Louise O’Reilly. [18079/20]

*905. To ask the Minister for Health the estimated cost of employing 100 occupational therapists. — Louise O’Reilly. [18080/20]

*906. To ask the Minister for Health the estimated cost of employing 100 physiotherapists. — Louise O’Reilly. [18081/20]

*907. To ask the Minister for Health the estimated cost of employing 150 psychologists. — Louise O’Reilly. [18082/20]

*908. To ask the Minister for Health the estimated cost of employing 100 speech and language therapists. — Louise O’Reilly. [18083/20]

*909. To ask the Minister for Health the estimated cost of employing 250 speech and language therapists based on mid-point 2018 pay scales. — Louise O’Reilly. [18084/20]

*910. To ask the Minister for Health the estimated cost of recruiting ten consultants on the average pay grade. — Louise O’Reilly. [18085/20]

*911. To ask the Minister for Health the estimated cost of recruiting 10, 20 and 40 dentists, respectively, on the average pay grade in tabular form. — Louise O’Reilly. [18086/20]

*912. To ask the Minister for Health the estimated cost of recruiting 60 dental nurses on the average pay grade. — Louise O’Reilly. [18087/20]

1377

P.T.O

*913. To ask the Minister for Health the estimated additional cost of extending free prescription medicines to the entire population and of abolishing prescription charges. — Louise O’Reilly. [18088/20]

*914. To ask the Minister for Health the estimated cost of providing a community neuro-rehabilitation team. — Louise O’Reilly. [18089/20]

*915. To ask the Minister for Health the estimated cost of putting home care entitlements on a statutory footing. — Louise O’Reilly. [18090/20]

*916. To ask the Minister for Health the estimated cost of ceasing private activity in public hospitals in the event that lost revenue was replaced with public funding. — Louise O’Reilly. [18091/20]

*917. To ask the Minister for Health the estimated cost of increasing the information technology budget of the HSE by 1%. — Louise O’Reilly. [18092/20]

*918. To ask the Minister for Health the estimated additional cost of ensuring each maternity hospital has access to foetal anomaly screening, including a breakdown in terms of equipment and staff. — Louise O’Reilly. [18093/20]

*919. To ask the Minister for Health the estimated additional cost of ensuring all maternity hospitals meet the birthrate plus standard for midwifery staffing. — Louise O’Reilly. [18094/20]

*920. To ask the Minister for Health the estimated additional cost of extending free general practitioner care to the entire population, by age groups (details supplied). — Louise O’Reilly. [18095/20]

*921. To ask the Minister for Health the status of operations at an out-of-hours general practitioner centre (details supplied). — Sean Sherlock. [18098/20]

*922. To ask the Minister for Health if he has received a full breakdown of the legal costs of fighting court cases in relation to the administration of the Pandemrix vaccine; and his views on whether the State should continue to spend fighting court cases against persons that suffered narcolepsy after receiving the vaccine. — Paul Murphy. [18101/20]

*923. To ask the Minister for Health the number of drug and alcohol detoxification and rehabilitation beds by region, in tabular form. — Thomas Gould. [18102/20]

*924. To ask the Minister for Health when the over 70 years of age threshold for the medical card will be increased as promised in Budget 2019; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Danny Healy-Rae. [18127/20]

*925. To ask the Minister for Health the way in which the funding for day services for a person (details supplied) is being spent; his plans to restore the services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Catherine Murphy. [18129/20]

*926. To ask the Minister for Health the number of persons that applied to the Be On Call For Ireland initiative that were available to take up positions in the health service including a breakdown by relevant occupational skillsets; the number taken and not taken on board; and the

1378

number that received and did not receive contracts; the number that returned here who got and did not get contracts. — David Cullinane. [18133/20]

*927. To ask the Minister for Health when surgery will take place for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Michael Healy-Rae. [18136/20]

*928. To ask the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will have an operation. — Aengus Ó Snodaigh. [18143/20]

*929. To ask the Minister for Health if a matter raised in correspondence by a person (details supplied) in relation to the prescription of Epilim to pregnant women will be reviewed; his views on the matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Jennifer Carroll MacNeill. [18148/20]

*930. To ask the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the HSE recently amended its public statement of 6 August 2019 in response to the Independent Rapid Review of Specific Issues in the CervicalCheck Screening Programme as a result of a dispute in the accounts of a phone call which took place between a contributor to the report and an official in his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Mary Lou McDonald. [18150/20]

*931. To ask the Minister for Health when persons diagnosed with stage III melanoma will be able to access adjuvant immunotherapy nivolumab pembrolizumab as advised by the National Cancer Control Programme and approved by the HSE for reimbursement in public hospitals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Mary Lou McDonald. [18151/20]

*932. To ask the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the pending closure of a nursing home (details supplied); if his attention has been further drawn to the impact the move will have on vulnerable residents and in further view of the Covid-19 pandemic; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Thomas Gould. [18154/20]

*933. To ask the Minister for Health the turnaround time for Covid-19 tests relative to the recommended 48 hours for proper test and trace. — Joe O’Brien. [18155/20]

*934. To ask the Minister for Health if a series of matters raised in correspondence by a person (details supplied) will be examined. — Joe O’Brien. [18156/20]

*935. To ask the Minister for Health if verbal or written direction has been provided by the Director General of the HSE via the HSE to general practitioners in relation to requests for letters to confirm an inability by a person to wear a mask on the basis of legitimate health grounds; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Joe O’Brien. [18157/20]

*936. To ask the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will receive an appointment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Pádraig O’Sullivan. [18164/20]

*937. To ask the Minister for Health if an increased allocation of home help hours from 17.5 hours a week will be provided for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Neale Richmond. [18167/20]

*938. To ask the Minister for Health when legislation will be introduced for the modifications to the fair deal scheme to deal with self-employed persons; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Jackie Cahill. [18170/20]

1379

P.T.O

*939. To ask the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the distress for young persons and their families in County Donegal caused by the long journeys they regularly have to make for appointments in Dublin with a paediatric rheumatology consultant; and if his Department and the HSE can ensure that paediatric rheumatology consultants can hold regular clinics in Letterkenny University Hospital to avoid such distress. — Pádraig Mac Lochlainn. [18174/20]

*940. To ask the Minister for Health if the HSE will ensure that the delays in delivering the additional and required four new suites at a hospice (details supplied) are resolved and that the amount of matching funding sought from the voluntary committee supporting the hospice is reviewed on a realistic basis. — Pádraig Mac Lochlainn. [18175/20]

*941. To ask the Minister for Health the reason for the delay in the awarding of a licence to access medical cannabis to a person (details supplied). — Eoin Ó Broin. [18180/20]

*942. To ask the Minister for Health when the enabling legislation raising the threshold for medical card eligibility for over 70 years of age will be in place. — Eoin Ó Broin. [18198/20]

*943. To ask the Minister for Health the reason physiotherapists are not allowed to order x-rays in view of the fact that in other parts of Europe and Australia this is not the case provided a physiotherapist has undergone the appropriate training (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. — John Lahart. [18208/20]

*944. To ask the Minister for Health the reason physiotherapists now registered with CORU cannot order x-rays in view of the fact that the lack of registration previously precluded them from ordering x-rays. — John Lahart. [18209/20]

*945. To ask the Minister for Health his views on whether the inability of physiotherapists to order x-rays is seriously hampering their ability to work in an advanced practice role in view of the fact they must interrupt the doctors from doing their jobs to request orders for imaging (details supplied). — John Lahart. [18210/20]

*946. To ask the Minister for Health the reason physiotherapists in a service (details supplied) are hampered by an inability to order x-ray and MRI imaging in view of the benefits of the service in reducing the wait times for patients referred to orthopaedics nationally. — John Lahart. [18212/20]

*947. To ask the Minister for Health his views on whether advanced practice physios have the ability to improve waiting times for many patients with musculoskeletal complaints (details supplied). — John Lahart. [18213/20]

*948. To ask the Minister for Health the purchase date of each MRI machine in each hospital here; the end of life date; and the end of supply of spare parts date of each machine in tabular form. — Louise O’Reilly. [18238/20]

*949. To ask the Minister for Health the purchase date of each x-ray machine in each hospital here; the end of life date; and the end of supply of spare parts date of each machine in tabular form. — Louise O’Reilly. [18239/20]

*950. To ask the Minister for Health the purchase date of each ultrasound scanner in each hospital here; the end of life date; and the end of supply of spare parts date of each machine in tabular form. — Louise O’Reilly. [18240/20]

1380

*951. To ask the Minister for Health if an application for a medical card by a person (details supplied) will be reviewed; when the new thresholds for medical cards will be enacted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Marian Harkin. [18241/20]

*952. To ask the Minister for Health when interviews for psychiatric nurses for those on the HSE national panel will be held; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Marian Harkin. [18242/20]

*953. To ask the Minister for Health his plans to acknowledge counsellors and psychotherapists as health professionals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Marian Harkin. [18243/20]

*954. To ask the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to an anomaly in the rules governing health research grants and awards by the Health Research Board which preclude researchers employed in public entities other than designated host institutions from applying; and if the anomaly will be corrected by amending the rules to be inclusive of all healthcare staff including those employed by the HSE and in HSE hospitals. — Róisín Shortall. [18246/20]

*955. To ask the Minister for Health the number of toddlers waiting to receive their two-year developmental check-up by a public health nurse by CHO region; if his attention has been drawn to significant delays in toddlers receiving the check-up. and his plans to address the backlog; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Catherine Murphy. [18251/20]

*956. To ask the Minister for Health if wearing a face mask makes persons exempt from being classed as a face to face contact; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — James Browne. [18264/20]

*957. To ask the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the closure of dental clinics (details supplied) which provided free dental checks to children in approximately 16 schools and are a significant loss to north eastern areas of Cork. — Thomas Gould. [18269/20]

*958. To ask the Minister for Health if the case of a child (details supplied) will be examined; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Gary Gannon. [18275/20]

*959. To ask the Minister for Health the activity volumes per month at each of the 18 private hospitals which were part of the provision of public health services in private hospitals as a response to the Covid-19 pandemic covering the full duration of the agreement, including but not limited to inpatient, outpatient, elective and all other activities and procedures undertaken under the agreement; and the costs associated with each collectively and at each hospital which was party to the agreement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Marc MacSharry. [18283/20]

*960. To ask the Minister for Health if a hospital appointment will be expedited for a person (details supplied) in view of the circumstances. — Sean Sherlock. [18287/20]

*961. To ask the Minister for Health the status of a carer’s allowance appeal by a person (details supplied). — Sean Sherlock. [18289/20]

*962. To ask the Minister for Health if he has obtained legal opinion regarding the constitutionality of measures, guidelines and regulations of his Department in relation to the restricting of movement of persons and the prohibition on socialising and contacts with family; the source of this opinion; if he will publish this opinion; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Michael Ring. [18308/20]

1381

P.T.O

*963. To ask the Minister for Health if children have missed mandatory or routine vaccinations as a result of the pandemic; if so, the number of same; the steps he is taking to encourage and ensure uptake of these vaccinations; if he issued letters in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — David Cullinane. [18310/20]

*964. To ask the Minister for Health the steps he is taking to ensure widespread uptake of the winter flu vaccine; the measures he has taken to date on same; if there will be a special information campaign to ensure minimisation of the burden the winter flu epidemic will have on the health system; the steps he plans to take in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — David Cullinane. [18311/20]

*965. To ask the Minister for Health the number of cases identified with the help of the Covid-19 tracker application; the number of contacts traced through the application; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — David Cullinane. [18312/20]

*966. To ask the Minister for Health if the appropriate policy is in place for utilising primary health centres for urology procedures; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Joe McHugh. [18313/20]

*967. To ask the Minister for Health the status of progress of the Carndonagh Community Hospital capital investment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Joe McHugh. [18316/20]

*968. To ask the Minister for Health the number of persons that have through their pharmacist or otherwise requested for additional or new items to be added to their long-term illness book in the past 12 and 18 months, respectively; the percentage of successful applicants in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — David Cullinane. [18326/20]

*969. To ask the Minister for Health the person or body responsible for developing national clinical obstetric ultrasound guidelines; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Niamh Smyth. [18329/20]

*970. To ask the Minister for Health the person or body responsible for developing a national checklist for the anomaly scan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Niamh Smyth. [18330/20]

*971. To ask the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact that a procedure (details supplied) must be included in the national checklist for the anomaly scan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Niamh Smyth. [18331/20]

*972. To ask the Minister for Health if there is now 100% universal access to the anomaly scan per individual unit; and if not, the reason therefor (details supplied). — Niamh Smyth. [18332/20]

*973. To ask the Minister for Health if a procedure will be scheduled for a person (details supplied). — Robert Troy. [18336/20]

*974. To ask the Minister for Health when extra home help hours will be granted to a person (details supplied). — Barry Cowen. [18347/20]

1382

*975. To ask the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) can expect an appointment with the audiology department, Midland Regional Hospital, Tullamore, County Offaly. — Barry Cowen. [18348/20]

*976. To ask the Minister for Health the services and supports for victims of abuse following court proceedings; his plans to expand such services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — David Stanton. [18350/20]

*977. To ask the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact that some nursing homes have been charging additional fees outside of the costs covered by the fair deal scheme for items such as mattresses; the measures he plans take to address the problem; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Paul Kehoe. [18359/20]

*978. To ask the Minister for Health the concerns that led to the HSE and RCSI hospital group taking over operational control of a facility (details supplied) in response to the outbreak of Covid-19 at the facility on 17 April 2020; if the HSE will establish the precise criteria that was applied to prompt such a decision; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Ged Nash. [18393/20]

*979. To ask the Minister for Health if he will provide the correspondence received from the owner and managers of a facility (details supplied) dated 12 April 2020; the response issued to that correspondence; if he will provide a copy of a report on the Covid-19 outbreak at the facility which was created by officials in his Department on 11 April 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Ged Nash. [18394/20]

*980. To ask the Minister for Health if he will address concerns on the delay in reopening day care services for persons with intellectual and other disabilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Carol Nolan. [18398/20]

*981. To ask the Minister for Health when his Department plans to have completed gathering evidence on the abuse of nitrous oxide by young persons; the plans they have to create a strategy to tackle this issue on completion of gathering this evidence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Emer Higgins. [18402/20]

*982. To ask the Minister for Health if the mandatory use of face masks for those that suffer with respiratory illnesses and the deaf community will be waived in favour of plastic face shields. — Imelda Munster. [18407/20]

*983. To ask the Minister for Health the number of workers in the public health system by profession and hospital that have been required to work back-to-back shifts resulting in working for 14 to 24 and 24 plus hours; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — David Cullinane. [18419/20]

*984. To ask the Minister for Health the number of cases of nitrous oxide abuse recorded by the national poisons information centre in each year since 2015 and to date in 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Emer Higgins. [18432/20]

*985. To ask the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 772 of 21 July 2020, the 4 of the 50 actions for delivery between 2017 to 2020 in the National Drugs Strategy, Supporting Recovery Reducing Harm, which have been completed. — Thomas Gould. [18438/20]

1383

P.T.O

*986. To ask the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 772 of 21 July 2020, the 35 of the 50 actions for delivery between 2017 to 2020 in the National Drugs Strategy, Supporting Recovery Reducing Harm, which are in progress. — Thomas Gould. [18439/20]

*987. To ask the Minister for Health the number of patients screened as part of bowel screening in 2019 and to date in 2020, in tabular form. — Catherine Murphy. [18462/20]

*988. To ask the Minister for Health the number of patients screened as part of diabetic retina screening in 2019 and to date in 2020, in tabular form. — Catherine Murphy. [18463/20]

*989. To ask the Minister for Health if a review will take place in the case of a person (details supplied); and if a date for treatment will be provided in this case. — Niamh Smyth. [18508/20]

*990. To ask the Minister for Health the position regarding restrictions on inbound travel here during the Covid-19 pandemic; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — James Browne. [18509/20]

*991. To ask the Minister for Health if spinraza is available to those in need of the drug; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Seán Haughey. [18518/20]

*992. To ask the Minister for Health if the 22 additional beds funded in Wexford General Hospital will be funded on a permanent basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Johnny Mythen. [18519/20]

*993. To ask the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 632 of 3 June 2020, if any of the 18 nurse grade positions have been vacant for longer than three months in Wexford General Hospital; if so, the number; the length of time they have been vacant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Johnny Mythen. [18520/20]

*994. To ask the Minister for Health the number of autism spectrum disorder units that cater for County Wexford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Johnny Mythen. [18521/20]

*995. To ask the Minister for Health the number of autism spectrum disorder unit places in County Wexford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Johnny Mythen. [18522/20]

*996. To ask the Minister for Health the number of children on waiting lists for places within an autism spectrum disorder unit in County Wexford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Johnny Mythen. [18523/20]

*997. To ask the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Donegal will receive a diabetic automatic pump fitted and training from a specialist diabetic nurse in the use of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Pearse Doherty. [18583/20]

*998. To ask the Minister for Health when intellectual disability services will resume in County Donegal; the level of service planned; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Pearse Doherty. [18584/20]

*999. To ask the Minister for Health when data from the HSE and Trinity College, Dublin in relation to drug trends in summer 2019 at music festivals will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Emer Higgins. [18606/20]

1384

*1000. To ask the Minister for Health the number of deaths recorded in the HRB’s National Drug-related Deaths Index in which nitrous oxide was implicated; if two recent deaths in Tallaght, Dublin and in Millstreet, Cork which the media has reported as being as a result of nitrous oxide abuse will be recorded in the HRB’s National Drug-related Deaths Index; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Emer Higgins. [18607/20]

*1001. To ask the Minister for Health if guidance issued to retailers in relation to the sale of nitrous oxide without breaching the Criminal Justice (Psychoactive Substances) Act 2010; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Emer Higgins. [18608/20]

*1002. To ask the Minister for Health when data from the HSE and Trinity College Dublin in relation to drug trends in summer 2019 at music festivals due to be published shortly records use of nitrous oxide; if so, the proportion of attendees at music festivals in 2019 that used nitrous oxide; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Emer Higgins. [18619/20]

*1003. To ask the Minister for Health when a reply from the HSE to Parliamentary Question No. 405 of 9 June 2020 will issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Thomas Pringle. [18628/20]

*1004. To ask the Minister for Health when refurbishment and construction works will commence at Buncrana Community Hospital, Donegal; the estimated duration of the works; the estimated cost of the project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Thomas Pringle. [18629/20]

*1005. To ask the Minister for Health the estimated cost of providing 8,000 additional day respite sessions and 21,500 additional overnight respite sessions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Thomas Pringle. [18630/20]

*1006. To ask the Minister for Health when a child (details supplied) will receive an assessment of need. — Sean Sherlock. [18639/20]

*1007. To ask the Minister for Health if an analysis has been carried out on the further cost of carrying out upgrade works on the former St. Michaels unit at South Tipperary General Hospital to bring it up to sufficient standard for the provision of acute psychiatric bed; the difference in standard required between standard acute beds and acute psychiatric beds; the estimated cost of returning the unit to a psychiatric unit in a post Covid-19 environment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Mattie McGrath. [18653/20]

*1008. To ask the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the shortage of acute mental health beds in County Tipperary; his views on same; his plans to provide such beds; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Mattie McGrath. [18654/20]

*1009. To ask the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 821 of 7 July 2020, the nature of the works carried out at St. Brigid’s Hospital, Carrick on Suir following the allocation of €20,000 for such works; when the hospital will re-open for the provision of convalescence and palliative care in view of the fact the hospital continues to remain empty; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Mattie McGrath. [18655/20]

*1010. To ask the Minister for Health the number of Covid-19 tests that have been carried out to date here; the cost of such testing; if he will provide a breakdown of the beneficiaries of such costs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Mattie McGrath. [18658/20]

1385

P.T.O

*1011. To ask the Minister for Health the steps that have been taken to combat the waiting lists within the HSE for home support services and the provision of respite for persons with disabilities; the number of persons waiting for respite beds; and the number of respite beds available in tabular form. — Paul Donnelly. [18669/20]

*1012. To ask the Minister for Health the average length of time for a disability assessment to be carried out; and the number of persons with disabilities in the Dublin 15 area awaiting a decision to be granted hours for a personal assistance service. — Paul Donnelly. [18670/20]

*1013. To ask the Minister for Health if he will request the HSE to update its website in relation to the opening hours of the emergency dental service in Corduff and Roselawn, Dublin 15. — Paul Donnelly. [18671/20]

*1014. To ask the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 738 of 21 July 2020, the details on the number of users that have chosen to register their location in these areas when signing up for the application in view of the fact the application requests users to provide their location when they register and that the locations in the question are included in the drop down list that users select from; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Emer Higgins. [18678/20]

*1015. To ask the Minister for Health if essential lifesaving treatments will be resumed for persons with critical diagnosis and in particular cancer; if it will be ensured that persons with cancer are given the necessary treatments within the public or private hospital setting; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Niamh Smyth. [18682/20]

*1016. To ask the Minister for Health the number of deaths from alcohol, drug overdose and suicide in each of the years 2008 to 2019, in tabular form. — Mairéad Farrell. [18683/20]

*1017. To ask the Minister for Health the number of from timid to tiger programmes facilitated by the HSE in 2019 and to date in 2020; and his plans to extend the programme. — Sorca Clarke. [18693/20]

*1018. To ask the Minister for Health the number of services in which persons diagnosed with co-morbid addiction and mental health issues as a dual diagnosis are treated in an integrated setting, by county. — Martin Browne. [18699/20]

*1019. To ask the Minister for Health the progress made by the HSE National Clinical Programme for assessing and managing patients that have co-morbid mental illness and substance misuse issues dual diagnosis; if a comprehensive model of care has been developed; and the way in which the model of care has been introduced to those that need it. — Martin Browne. [18700/20]

*1020. To ask the Minister for Health if he will confirm that a meeting with mental health groups in County Tipperary will take place in August 2020 as previously committed to; and if contact has been made with those organisations since the Minister of State paid a visit to Clonmel earlier this month. — Martin Browne. [18701/20]

*1021. To ask the Minister for Health the data that supports claims that a unit (details supplied) would not be up to specification to feature as an acute psychiatric unit; if a cost analysis has been carried out to determine the amount it would cost to bring it up to standard for such use; and if not, if a cost analysis for this purpose could be undertaken. — Martin Browne. [18702/20]

1386

*1022. To ask the Minister for Health his views on working with non-governmental organisations to complement the provision of public mental health services; his views on funding organisations that currently deliver integrated services for persons with dual diagnosis; if he will meet with those providing these services on a voluntary basis in County Tipperary. — Martin Browne. [18703/20]

*1023. To ask the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact that many mothers nationwide have to attend pre-natal appointments without their birth partner (details supplied); if the potential will be investigated for a consistent pre-natal and birth partner protocol in all hospitals to mirror those in place in the Rotunda Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Pa Daly. [18718/20]

*1024. To ask the Minister for Health if he will introduce a scheme in which online doctors could accept medical cards; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Patricia Ryan. [18730/20]

*1025. To ask the Minister for Health if he will write to an organisation (details supplied) and request it to ensure nursing home operators are offering tailored solutions in relation to family visits to find a balance between the mental and physical health of the residents; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Patricia Ryan. [18731/20]

*1026. To ask the Minister for Health his plans to ensure information technology equipment running an operating system (details supplied) currently in use in the HSE is replaced and that staff can make full use of software and avail of full virus protection; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Patricia Ryan. [18736/20]

*1027. To ask the Minister for Health if he will engage with an association (details supplied) in relation to the cost of PPE to prevent dentists withdrawing from the dental treatment service scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Patricia Ryan. [18747/20]

*1028. To ask the Minister for Health the reason a product (details supplied) that constantly monitors glucose levels for persons with type 1 diabetes is not available under the long-term illness scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Éamon Ó Cuív. [18754/20]

*1029. To ask the Minister for Health if he will provide a roadmap for the reopening of general practitioner and health centre services many of which are continuing to provide diagnostic and prescription services only by phone or internet; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Johnny Guirke. [18781/20]

*1030. To ask the Minister for Health when the revised income threshold for the over 70s medical card applicants will be enacted following the abandonment of previous legislation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Ged Nash. [18811/20]

*1031. To ask the Minister for Health the status of the group home for persons with disabilities constructed at Drummond Otra, Carrickmacross, County Monaghan; if he will intervene to instruct the HSE to make the centre operational as a matter of urgency in view of the delays to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Matt Carthy. [18847/20]

*1032. To ask the Minister for Health if the 50 cent reduction on medication and prescriptions has been delayed; if so, the reason; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Richard Boyd Barrett. [18855/20]

1387

P.T.O

*1033. To ask the Minister for Health the breakdown of new Covid-19 cases; the percentage of new cases with serious symptoms; the percentage of those new cases that have lost the sense of smell; the age breakdown and demographics for new cases in three-week intervals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Richard Boyd Barrett. [18856/20]

*1034. To ask the Minister for Health the stage of the Roadmap for Reopening Society and Business in which it is envisaged groups of more than 50 persons will be able to attend indoor religious and spiritual gatherings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Cormac Devlin. [18857/20]

*1035. To ask the Minister for Health if universal access to Covid-19 testing will be established to support patients that require a test before attending hospitals for day or other procedures; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Cormac Devlin. [18858/20]

*1036. To ask the Minister for Health if face shields are considered a sufficient substitute for persons in indoor locations such as shops or on public transport; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Cormac Devlin. [18859/20]

*1037. To ask the Minister for Health the projected retirement figures for mental health staff in each of the years 2020 to 2025; if the posts will be refilled; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Johnny Mythen. [18870/20]

*1038. To ask the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question Nos. 709 and 726 of 7 July 2020 and the replies of the HSE, if he will request the chairperson of the disabled drivers medical board of appeal to provide the information requested; the reason an official (details supplied) was not informed that their decision of 2016 to issue a primary medical certificate in the case may have been overturned; the status of the 2016 primary medical certificate which issued on the basis of the person being permanently disabled; and the reason for the poor communications on the issue and the lack of information provided in the reply to the Parliamentary Question. — John McGuinness. [18875/20]

*1039. To ask the Minister for Health if a person (details supplied) will be given an urgent date for two vital surgeries to be performed in view of the fact they have been over a year on the waiting list. — Chris Andrews. [18882/20]

*1040. To ask the Minister for Health his views on the appointment of a national director for mental health in the HSE (details supplied); when the examination will conclude; and if the new national director for mental health will report directly to the CEO of the HSE. — Mark Ward. [18884/20]

*1041. To ask the Minister for Health the date for the publication of the 2019 end of year report on the National Drugs Strategy; and the status of the 50-point action plan 2017-2020. — Thomas Gould. [18886/20]

*1042. To ask the Minister for Health if it is safe for blind persons to use a sighted guide in view of Covid-19 health restrictions; his plans to issue guidance on same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Neasa Hourigan. [18889/20]

*1043. To ask the Minister for Health the maximum hours of home help available (details supplied); if he will consider increasing the maximum numbers of hours to 20 in view of the issues with Covid-19 and nursing homes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Seán Canney. [18898/20]

1388

*1044. To ask the Minister for Health the plans that will be put in place in relation to the care of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Richard Boyd Barrett. [18902/20]

*1045. To ask the Minister for Health if he will consider the EU cross border health directive as a vehicle in the short-term for funding of amyloidosis; the time frame for the ultimate funding of amyloidosis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Joe McHugh. [18906/20]

*1046. To ask the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 556 of 5 March 2020, the status of the provision of home help for a person (details supplied). — Niamh Smyth. [18907/20]

*1047. To ask the Minister for Health if there is funding available for voluntary organisations that are providing a service for persons with both subsistence addiction and mental health issues; if so, the Department responsible for same; the process involved in submitting an application; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Mark Ward. [18912/20]

*1048. To ask the Minister for Health when persons (details supplied) in County Clare will be reimbursed for prescription charges for each of the years 2017 to 2019 and to date in 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Michael McNamara. [18923/20]

*1049. To ask the Minister for Health if a guarantee will be given that the Covid-19 tracker application does not share the location data, IP addresses or IMEI of persons that download same. — Sean Sherlock. [18930/20]

*1050. To ask the Minister for Health the breakdown of activity levels at a location (details supplied). — Sean Sherlock. [18933/20]

*1051. To ask the Minister for Health if a consultant will be appointed for a person (details supplied) without further delay. — Robert Troy. [18937/20]

*1052. To ask the Minister for Health the reason the flu vaccine will not be provided for each person in 2020 (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Alan Kelly. [18939/20]

*1053. To ask the Minister for Health the number and types of beds available in the public health system on 1 January 2020, in tabular form. — David Cullinane. [18941/20]

*1054. To ask the Minister for Health the number and types of beds available in the public health system on 1 July 2020, in tabular form. — David Cullinane. [18942/20]

*1055. To ask the Minister for Health the number and types of beds existing in the public health system at the completion of the bed capacity review; the number of beds of each type added since; and the number of additional beds that must be added to reach the required numbers as identified in the bed capacity review in tabular form. — David Cullinane. [18943/20]

*1056. To ask the Minister for Health his strategy for reaching the targets set by the bed capacity review; the progress on same; the interim targets that may be identified; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — David Cullinane. [18944/20]

1389

P.T.O

*1057. To ask the Minister for Health the efforts made by his Department on devising and implementing a comprehensive workforce plan; if there are targets for year end in each of the years 2020 to 2022; the current, targeted, and necessary staffing levels by profession in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — David Cullinane. [18945/20]

*1058. To ask the Minister for Health his views on reports that data collection on suicide for hospitals here were suspended due to the Covid-19 lockdown; the reason for same; when such data collection will recommence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Mark Ward. [18947/20]

*1059. To ask the Minister for Health if he will provide a copy of the review of governance structures of the HSE drug reimbursement process that was conducted by a company (details supplied) and received by his Department in January 2020. — Alan Kelly. [18952/20]

*1060. To ask the Minister for Health the status of the recruitment process of a professional for a service (details supplied); the number of applications received; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — James Browne. [18957/20]

*1061. To ask the Minister for Health the investment made in colposcopy services in 2018, 2019 and 2020; the amount he plans to invest in 2021 and 2022, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Alan Kelly. [18974/20]

*1062. To ask the Minister for Health when HPV screening will be rolled out for women under the CervicalCheck programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Alan Kelly. [18975/20]

*1063. To ask the Minister for Health when the CervicalCheck backlog will be cleared; the way in which a laboratory (details supplied) will deal with the backlog; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Alan Kelly. [18976/20]

*1064. To ask the Minister for Health the capacity available in colposcopy services in April 2018 versus the capacity in July 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Alan Kelly. [18977/20]

*1065. To ask the Minister for Health the position regarding the processing time for colposcopy results by hospital; the number of laboratories examining these biopsies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Alan Kelly. [18978/20]

*1066. To ask the Minister for Health the number of women waiting for colposcopy appointments by hospital on 22 July 2020, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Alan Kelly. [18979/20]

*1067. To ask the Minister for Health the timeframe for the work of the CervicalCheck tribunal from establishment; when he plans to appoint new members onto the CervicalCheck tribunal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Alan Kelly. [18980/20]

*1068. To ask the Minister for Health if home support services will be terminated for service users in circumstances in which the service was suspended while their disability day services remain closed and family members are cocooning; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Pearse Doherty. [18984/20]

1390

*1069. To ask the Minister for Health if a person (details supplied) in County Donegal will be considered for an earlier appointment in Letterkenny University Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Pearse Doherty. [18985/20]

*1070. To ask the Minister for Health the status of a tribunal (details supplied); the status of the appointment of its new chairperson; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Niamh Smyth. [18986/20]

*1071. To ask the Minister for Health the number and cost of retaining the new beds added in 2020 to year end; and the full-year cost of retaining those beds for 2021. — David Cullinane. [18988/20]

*1072. To ask the Minister for Health if he will direct the HSE to provide adequate funding to ensure that a facility (details supplied) can continue to function and remain open; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Colm Burke. [18995/20]

*1073. To ask the Minister for Health the funding available for non-governmental organisations to provide mental health supports in the community; and the process for applications. — Mark Ward. [19049/20]

*1074. To ask the Minister for Health if a response will be expedited for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Fergus O’Dowd. [19050/20]

*1075. To ask the Minister for Health the estimated cost to increase funding for diagnostic, radiology, and laboratory departments, respectively in tabular form, by 5%. — David Cullinane. [19053/20]

*1076. To ask the Minister for Health the number of oncologists employed in the health service; the number required to meet recommendations for the size of the population and consequent shortfall; and his strategy for achieving the number. — David Cullinane. [19054/20]

*1077. To ask the Minister for Health the cost of hiring and retaining one additional oncologist. — David Cullinane. [19055/20]

*1078. To ask the Minister for Health the lost bed capacity by type of bed in acute hospitals due to social distancing and infection control guidelines by hospital and hospital group in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — David Cullinane. [19058/20]

*1079. To ask the Minister for Health if access to assessment in Linn Dara CAMHS will be facilitated in the case of a person (details supplied); if same will be addressed at an early date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Bernard J. Durkan. [19068/20]

*1080. To ask the Minister for Health when funding will be allocated to persons (details supplied) in County Clare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Michael McNamara. [19076/20]

*1081. To ask the Minister for Health the status of the development phase of Naas General Hospital including the endoscopy unit, the new national children’s hospital and other similar capital projects in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Bernard J. Durkan. [19098/20]

*1082. To ask the Minister for Health if the Chief Medical Officer or the office of the Chief Medical Officer were consulted prior to the decision in March 2020 to revise the model of care

1391

P.T.O

for the termination of pregnancies; if the Chief Medical Officer or the Office of the Chief Medical Officer have been consulted in relation to the same revised model of care since March; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Carol Nolan. [19101/20]

*1083. To ask the Minister for Health if measures that encourage adoption as an alternative to abortion are being supported; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Carol Nolan. [19102/20]

*1084. To ask the Minister for Health the amount of funding allocated to the midlands crisis pregnancy counselling service from 2018 to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Carol Nolan. [19104/20]

*1085. To ask the Minister for Health the amount of funding provided specifically for post-abortion counselling services on an annual basis from 2013 to 2019 and to date in 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Carol Nolan. [19105/20]

*1086. To ask the Minister for Health if progress is being made on introducing a laboratory information system and national individual health identifier within the HSE; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Carol Nolan. [19110/20]

*1087. To ask the Minister for Health the number of medical scientists employed in public hospital laboratories by hospital in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Carol Nolan. [19111/20]

*1088. To ask the Minister for Health if progress is being made on the appointment of an independent facilitator for the Midlands Regional Hospital Portlaoise, County Laois; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Carol Nolan. [19112/20]

*1089. To ask the Minister for Health when the recommendation by an organisation (details supplied) will be implemented for dupilumab to be licensed under the primary care reimbursement service for the one in five children and one in ten adults with eczema and other skin disorders; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Violet-Anne Wynne. [19113/20]

*1090. To ask the Minister for Health when the resumption of residential facilities for persons with special needs will be facilitated and in particular a residential unit (details supplied) in County Cork. — Michael Creed. [19117/20]

*1091. To ask the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 791 of 7 July 2020, if clear and concise directions will be issued to nursing homes in order that they are clear in relation to guidelines allowing residents day visits to relatives in homes. — Robert Troy. [19128/20]

*1092. To ask the Minister for Health the status of the enactment of the human tissue (transplantation, post-mortem, anatomical examination, and public display) Bill 2018 which provides the legal basis for an opt-out system of organ donation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Neale Richmond. [19147/20]

*1093. To ask the Minister for Health his plans for reducing restrictions for maternity services in Cork University Maternity Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Holly Cairns. [19149/20]

1392

*1094. To ask the Minister for Health the stock of PPE held in reserve by his Department and the HSE in anticipation of a second wave of Covid-19 or another health emergency requiring all medical staff to be equipped 24/7 with same. — Aengus Ó Snodaigh. [19169/20]

*1095. To ask the Minister for Health if HSE staff will be made to isolate for 14 days after travelling from countries on the green list. — Gary Gannon. [19180/20]

*1096. To ask the Minister for Health his views on the management of fracture clinics (details supplied) in view of the fact that advanced practice physiotherapists are responsible for managing the virtual clinics but are unable to order x-rays. — John Lahart. [19183/20]

CEISTEANNA, SEACHAS CEISTEANNA AR SONRAÍODH UAIN DÓIBH, I gCOMHAIR FREAGRA Ó BHÉAL DÉ CÉADAOIN, 29 IÚIL, 2020

QUESTIONS, OTHER THAN QUESTIONS NOMINATED FOR PRIORITY, FOR ORAL ANSWER ON WEDNESDAY, 29 JULY, 2020

Chun an Taoisigh: To the Taoiseach.

1. To ask the Taoiseach his plans to hold referendums in 2020 and 2021. — Alan Kelly. [18559/20]

2. To ask the Taoiseach when the Cabinet Committee on Brexit and Northern Ireland will next meet. — Alan Kelly. [18560/20]

3. To ask the Taoiseach when the Cabinet Committee on Europe last met; and when it is next expected to meet. — Alan Kelly. [18561/20]

Chun an Aire Gnóthaí Fostaíochta agus Coimirce Sóisialaí: To the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection.

4. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if a person will be entitled to a State pension when they turn 66 years of age before a review is completed by the Commission on Pensions; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Mark Ward. [17967/20]

5. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if insurance contributions will be credited to farmers for pension purposes for the time they were in receipt of farm assist; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Brendan Smith. [18806/20]

6. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection her views on employees of a company (details supplied) seeking an enhanced redundancy package; if legislation and additional measures will be introduced giving effect to the Duffy Cahill report that will better protect the interests of workers in liquidation scenarios; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Mick Barry. [15769/20]

7. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the review she plans to carry out to the means testing of social welfare payments and payments under the community employment and RSS schemes to ensure that means testing is not acting as a disincentive to saving

1393

P.T.O

money or to the increasing of employed or self-employed income; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Éamon Ó Cuív. [18538/20]

8. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection when the commission on pensions will be established; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — James Lawless. [18964/20]

9. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if her attention has been drawn to the difficulties faced by lone parents in relation to child maintenance payments; if reform in the area will be a priority; if so, the timeline for such reforms; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Claire Kerrane. [19007/20]

10. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection her plans to change the rules in relation to the treatment of savings for those on disability allowance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Éamon Ó Cuív. [18539/20]

11. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the action being taken to ensure PRSI contributions are attributed to persons in receipt of the pandemic unemployment payment or persons with salaries being supported by the temporary wage subsidy scheme. — Cathal Crowe. [18970/20]

12. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the status of the back to school clothing and footwear allowance; if persons in receipt of the pandemic unemployment payment will be eligible to apply for the scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Jennifer Carroll MacNeill. [18809/20]

13. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the time frame for the introduction of a pension auto-enrolment system; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — John Lahart. [18961/20]

14. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if an anomaly will be addressed in relation to the exclusion from the enterprise support grants eligibility criteria for the pandemic unemployment payment for trade operators that remained operating on an emergency call out basis during the pandemic thereby ensuring homes and businesses remained safe and secure. — Sorca Clarke. [19014/20]

15. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the engagement she has had on pension rights for community employment supervisors. — Sean Sherlock. [18480/20]

16. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if the practice of reviewing pandemic unemployment payments for the self-employed exclusively against their 2018 tax returns will be reviewed to allow for more up to date evidence of earnings for 2019 and 2020 to be taken into account. — Eoin Ó Broin. [19011/20]

17. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the estimated number of workers that are ineligible for the pandemic unemployment payment and the wage subsidy payments but that have had at least 156 weeks of PRSI contributions since they first started working. — Pa Daly. [19021/20]

18. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if persons in receipt of the pandemic unemployment payment will receive PRSI contributions in order that their future

1394

entitlements are not impacted; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Kieran O’Donnell. [18797/20]

19. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection when she plans to introduce a system to enable persons to defer receipt of their State pension (contributory) on an annual basis. — Cormac Devlin. [18966/20]

20. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if persons from the arts sector will be kept at the higher rate of the pandemic unemployment payment in view of the fact they cannot return to work until gigs and events are up and running; and if their average weekly earnings from 2019 can be used as the basis for the calculation of the payment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Louise O’Reilly. [19010/20]

21. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if she has considered index linking social welfare supports in view of the publication of figures by an organisation (details supplied). — Peter Fitzpatrick. [19025/20]

22. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if the enhancement of the role of MABS has been examined to help families deal with unsecured household debt; if she has engaged with stakeholders on the issue of household debt arising from Covid-19; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Claire Kerrane. [19004/20]

23. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the average waiting times for various appeals in respect of schemes or payments run by her Department; her plans to reduce such waiting times thereby easing the stress on families; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Bernard J. Durkan. [19009/20]

24. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if she will consider allowing discretion on the 18.5 hours per week employment exemption under the carer’s allowance scheme in circumstances in which it has no impact on the level of care provided; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Denis Naughten. [18999/20]

25. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if the duration of community employment schemes will be extended. — Sean Sherlock. [18483/20]

26. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the steps she will take to replace the minimum wage with the living wage. — Louise O’Reilly. [15755/20]

27. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if insurance contributions will be credited to farmers for pension purposes for the time they were in receipt of farm assist which caused a break in their insurance contributions records; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Brendan Smith. [18805/20]

28. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the role her Department will play in developing a new social contract with citizens; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Jim O’Callaghan. [18969/20]

29. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the status of the reintroduction of the transitionary pension from 65 to 66 years of age as outlined in the Programme for Government; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Niamh Smyth. [18471/20]

1395

P.T.O

30. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if her attention has been drawn to the fact that many trade workers that undertook emergency work during the Covid-19 pandemic have been locked out of supports as they return to work; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Claire Kerrane. [19006/20]

31. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection her plans to change the eligibility criteria for community employment schemes. — Sean Sherlock. [18479/20]

32. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of applicants for jobseeker’s benefit in 2020 that were ruled ineligible for not having had either 39 weeks of contributions in the past year or 26 weeks in each of the two proceeding years but that did have 156 weeks of contributions since they first started working. — Pa Daly. [19022/20]

33. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of applicants for the pandemic unemployment payment that reported self-employed and PAYE income within the same year; and the number of applicants that were denied the full rate of the payment on that basis. — Gary Gannon. [19017/20]

34. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if she will report on the discussions she has had with regard to maintaining the pandemic unemployment payment for artists, performers, crew and event organisers in the arts, culture, music, live entertainment and events sectors as a basic minimum income over and above which these workers would be allowed earn some additional income without losing the payment until a full or substantial recovery to normal or near normal levels of employment and income earning opportunity return; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Richard Boyd Barrett. [17396/20]

35. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the analysis that has been undertaken of the consequences of the decision not to extend the pandemic unemployment payment to those over 66 years of age that lost employment as a result of Covid-19; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Catherine Connolly. [16304/20]

36. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the ratio of persons aged 65 years of age and over in 2016 to the numbers aged between 25 and 64 years of age and to the numbers at work; her projection for these ratios in ten and twenty years’ time, respectively; and the implications for projected pension costs and the balance between spending and revenue in the social insurance fund. — Richard Bruton. [17965/20]

37. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if she has had discussions with the Minister of Media, Culture, Tourism and Gaeltacht regarding the need to protect artists, those working in the events business and musicians with a continuation of the higher Covid-19 payments until such time as the sector can recommence in full. — Aengus Ó Snodaigh. [18996/20]

38. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection her plans for persons on the Covid-19 rent supplement payment post 30 August 2020; and if an assurance will be given that no claimant will have their payment withdrawn in cases in which the consequence of the withdrawal would be to force them into rent arrears. — Eoin Ó Broin. [19012/20]

39. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection when options for a pension solution for carers will be provided; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Jackie Cahill. [18962/20]

1396

40. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection her plans to review the age criteria for qualification for community employment schemes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Michael Moynihan. [18804/20]

41. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if she will provide a training and education credit to the PRSI system similar to the homemakers’ credit to encourage upskilling; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Denis Naughten. [18998/20]

42. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of appeals received to puprerate@welfare.ie since the reduction of pandemic unemployment payment; the average response time; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Paul McAuliffe. [19002/20]

43. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the steps she will take to ensure that persons that are required to retire at 65 years of age do not have to sign on; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Alan Dillon. [18807/20]

44. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if her attention has been drawn to the difficulties being experienced by mothers whose maternity leave is coming to an end at a time when childcare is unavailable and they are unable to return to work; the way in which she plans to address the matter; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Claire Kerrane. [19003/20]

45. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection her plans to base the rate of payment of the pandemic unemployment payment on 2019 earnings rather than 2018 earnings; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Pearse Doherty. [19039/20]

46. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if the €350 per week pandemic unemployment payment rate will be maintained rather than reduced. — Paul Murphy. [19015/20]

47. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the processing times for pandemic unemployment payment re-rate appeals and reviews; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Pearse Doherty. [19040/20]

48. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection her plans to address the pension needs of community employment scheme supervisors; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — James Browne. [16786/20]

49. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if she has met with community employment supervisors and or trade union representatives on the issue of their pension claim since her appointment as Minister; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — David Cullinane. [19013/20]

50. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if measures have been taken to ensure that publicans that were due to reopen their establishments on 20 July 2020 can remain on the Covid-19 pandemic unemployment payment until 10 August 2020. — Thomas Gould. [18125/20]

1397

P.T.O

51. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection his plans in respect of the provision of pensions for community employment supervisors; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Catherine Connolly. [16767/20]

52. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection her plans to alter the eligibility criteria for payments to carers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Michael Moynihan. [18803/20]

53. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if she will consider contacting organisations (details supplied) with the intention of re-establishing the Covid-19 hardship grant for cocooning persons over 70 years of age. — Thomas Gould. [18124/20]

54. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if her Department is taking into consideration total taxable incomes for 2018 when reviewing the pandemic unemployment rate for persons or only PAYE income. — Paul McAuliffe. [18926/20]

55. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection her plans to make rent supplement more easily available to victims of domestic violence. — Jennifer Murnane O’Connor. [18973/20]

56. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the steps she will take to protect artists, those working in the events business and musicians with a continuation of the higher Covid-19 payments until such time as the sector can recommence in full. — Aengus Ó Snodaigh. [18997/20]

57. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the role of her Department in the July stimulus package; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — James O’Connor. [19037/20]

58. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the degree to which special Covid-19 related payments are to continue or to be replaced by return to work incentives or other alternatives; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Bernard J. Durkan. [19008/20]

59. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of applicants that were receiving the €350 Covid-19 pandemic unemployment payment that have had the amount reduced in recent weeks; and the total amount reduced. — Bríd Smith. [19019/20]

60. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of persons receiving the pandemic unemployment payment; the way in which the figure compares with the number receiving the payment at its peak; the steps that will be taken to support persons to move off the payment and return to work; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Kieran O’Donnell. [18798/20]

61. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the measures included in the July stimulus package to tackle youth unemployment and support young persons to return to the workforce; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Jennifer Carroll MacNeill. [18810/20]

62. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if the Covid-19 pandemic unemployment payment will be included as a qualifying payment for the back to education allowance. — Sean Sherlock. [18481/20]

1398

63. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection her plans to honour the 2008 Labour Court recommendation which stated that community employment supervisors should have access to a pension; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Claire Kerrane. [19005/20]

64. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the status of plans to set up a commission to review the pension age; if the details of same and clarity will be provided in relation to the matter; her plans in relation to same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Niamh Smyth. [18472/20]

65. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection her plans to increase the availability of back-to-work schemes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Alan Dillon. [18808/20]

66. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of persons that have appealed the decision to reduce their €350 Covid-19 pandemic unemployment payment; the number that were successful; and the number awaiting a decision; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Bríd Smith. [19020/20]

67. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if an additional bank holiday will be introduced in 2020 as part of stimulus measures. — Mairéad Farrell. [16650/20]

68. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if jobseeker’s benefits will be raised to the €350 per week pandemic unemployment payment rate rather than reducing the pandemic unemployment payment. — Paul Murphy. [19016/20]

69. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection her views on the recent report issued by the Irish Fiscal Advisory Council on the sustainability of future pension provision; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Peter Fitzpatrick. [19026/20]

70. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if she will consider basing the financial assessment for carer’s allowance on net income and not gross income in line with the assessment of earnings under carer’s benefit; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Pauline Tully. [19001/20]

71. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection her plans to increase the availability of activation and back-to-work schemes in order to support persons to return to work; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Emer Higgins. [18800/20]

72. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if clarity will be provided on the status of persons over 66 years of age and the enterprise support grant (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Christopher O’Sullivan. [18549/20]

73. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the status of the roll out of the school meals programme. — Sean Sherlock. [18482/20]

74. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection her views on whether artists should be entitled to the full rate of the pandemic unemployment payment in view of the number of persons in the arts sector that have both PAYE and self-employed incomes which is a disadvantage to them for the payment in view of the fact these incomes cannot be combined for the

1399

Printed on re-cycled paper.Wt. 98863. 255. 7/20. Essentra. (84125). Gr. 30-15

same year and in further view of the fact that the sector will be impacted the longest by Covid-19. — Gary Gannon. [19018/20]

75. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection when the required amending legislation to postpone the rise in the qualifying age for the State pension up to 67 years of age due to take place in January 2020 will be published in order to comply with the commitment in the Programme for Government; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Peter Fitzpatrick. [19023/20]

76. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if social welfare supports will be introduced to help employers and employees retain jobs during the Covid-19 crisis (details supplied). — Peter Fitzpatrick. [19024/20]

77. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the changes she plans to make to employment legislation to enhance the rights of workers facing mass redundancies in view of the closure of a company (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Richard Boyd Barrett. [15810/20]

78. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if she will review the schools lunch programme with a view to expanding it throughout school holidays; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Mark Ward. [17130/20]