DÁIL ÉIREANN

Déardaoin, 25 Feabhra, 2021 Thursday, 25th February, 2021

CEISTEANNA QUESTIONS

14 DÁIL ÉIREANN 847 Déardaoin, 25 Feabhra, 2021 Thursday, 25th February, 2021

CEISTEANNA LE hAGHAIDH FREAGRAÍ SCRÍOFA QUESTIONS FOR WRITTEN ANSWER

Chun an Tánaiste agus Aire Fiontar, Trádála agus Fostaíochta: To the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment.

*1. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the extent to which he remains satisfied that Ireland can remain an attractive location for foreign direct investment, having particular regard to Ireland’s peripheral geographic location; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Bernard J. Durkan. [10880/21]

*2. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the business supports available to assist hairdressing businesses currently closed due to the Covid-19 pandemic; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Seán Haughey. [10710/21]

*3. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment further to his statement of 17 December 2020 in respect of political involvement in the purchase of ventilators from a company (details supplied), if in his role as he had signed off on the deal at the time; the due diligence carried out by him at the time on the company in question; and if a response to the question asked during the debate on 17 December 2020 will be provided to this Deputy. — Róisín Shortall. [10779/21]

*4. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of formal and informal Council of the European Union meetings that have been held since 27 June 2020 under the remit of his Department; and the number of formal and informal meetings, respectively held virtually. — . [10813/21]

*5. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the additional supports being considered for the hospitality sector in view of the extended restrictions on the industry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — . [10910/21]

*6. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will update this Deputy on his finding further to his statement on 28 January 2021 (details supplied). — . [10943/21]

*7. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number and value of procurement contracts for Covid-19 related spending in 2020 and 2021 that took place via negotiated procedure without prior publication in his Department. — Mairéad Farrell. [11177/21]

*8. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the breakdown of procurement contracts for Covid-19 related spending in 2020 and 2021 that took place via negotiated procedure without prior publication by his Department, by goods and service type in tabular form. — Mairéad Farrell. [11207/21]

P.T.O 848

Chun an Aire Comhshaoil, Aeráide agus Cumarsáide: To the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications.

*9. To ask the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications further to Parliamentary Question No. 33 of 25 November 2020, if further details of the three contracts cited will be provided in particular the value of the contracts and the nature of the contract work carried out in tabular form. — Mairéad Farrell. [10790/21]

*10. To ask the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the amount paid to windfarms in constraint payments annually; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — . [10662/21]

*11. To ask the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the status of the roll-out of fibre broadband at a location (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. — . [10742/21]

*12. To ask the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of formal and informal Council of the European Union meetings that have been held since 27 June 2020 under the remit of his Department; and the number of formal and informal meetings, respectively held virtually. — Denis Naughten. [10814/21]

*13. To ask the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the reason an address (details supplied) was not included in the roll-out of the National Broadband Plan given other providers are refusing to provide high speed over 30 Meg at the address; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Éamon Ó Cuív. [10828/21]

*14. To ask the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of premises passed by National Broadband Ireland to date as part of the State-funded roll-out of high speed broadband; the number surveyed to date; the number of premises contracted to be passed in 2021 as part of this roll-out of broadband; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Éamon Ó Cuív. [10829/21]

*15. To ask the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the obligations in the contract with the National Broadband Plan provider to provide forward information in relation to when premises will be surveyed and then passed with fibre as part of the roll-out of fibre in rural Ireland; if he is satisfied that the winning bidder is fulfilling these commitments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Éamon Ó Cuív. [10831/21]

*16. To ask the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the position in relation to licences for mining exploration on the Inishowen peninsula and specifically the situation in relation to a licence (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Bríd Smith. [10834/21]

*17. To ask the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the reason an address (details supplied) was not included in the roll-out of the National Broadband Plan given other providers are refusing to provide high speed over 30 Meg broadband at this address; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Éamon Ó Cuív. [10835/21]

*18. To ask the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the reason an address (details supplied) was not included in the roll-out of the National Broadband Plan given other providers are refusing to provide high speed broadband over 30Meg at this address; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Éamon Ó Cuív. [10836/21] 849

*19. To ask the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the percentage of applications for SEAI grants which are granted on their initial application by county; if he has considered reviewing the operation of schemes due to the undue level of paperwork involved on the contractor side; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — . [10843/21]

*20. To ask the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications when fibre broadband will be available through NBI to an area (details supplied). — . [10844/21]

*21. To ask the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will intervene in a long-running attempt by residents of a development (details supplied) to obtain broadband access; if the process by which new build homes are brought online can be streamlined; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — . [10862/21]

*22. To ask the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number and value of procurement contracts for Covid-19 related spending in 2020 and 2021 that took place via negotiated procedure without prior publication in his Department. — Mairéad Farrell. [11178/21]

*23. To ask the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the breakdown of procurement contracts for Covid-19 related spending in 2020 and 2021 that took place via negotiated procedure without prior publication by his Department, by goods and service type in tabular form. — Mairéad Farrell. [11208/21]

Chun an Aire Iompair: To the Minister for Transport.

*24. To ask the Minister for Transport if he will provide the airline industry with a financial aid package to ensure the survival of the industry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Cian O’Callaghan. [10721/21]

*25. To ask the Minister for Transport his views on a matter (details supplied) regarding the Irish aviation sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Brendan Griffin. [10601/21]

*26. To ask the Minister for Transport if he will address the issue of the delay and cancellation of driver theory tests (details supplied). — Martin Browne. [10648/21]

*27. To ask the Minister for Transport if the case of a person (details supplied) will be examined; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Michael Healy-Rae. [10701/21]

*28. To ask the Minister for Transport if he will examine increasing the penalty fees for persons parking in disabled parking bays; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Duncan Smith. [10708/21]

*29. To ask the Minister for Transport if he will urgently reinstate the SPSV driver entry test; and his views on whether this test can be held in a very safe environment (details supplied). — Robert Troy. [10730/21]

*30. To ask the Minister for Transport if his attention has been drawn to the proposed development by Drogheda Port Company of Bremore Port on the County Meath coast north of Bremore Head; the details and planning for the proposed development; the precise location of the proposed development on the County Meath coast; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — . [10738/21]

P.T.O 850

*31. To ask the Minister for Transport the number of passengers that used the to Belfast rail service in 2020 and to date in 2021; and the number of passengers that used Bus Éireann services to Northern Ireland in 2020 and to date in 2021. — Catherine Murphy. [10782/21]

*32. To ask the Minister for Transport the number of formal and informal Council of the European Union meetings that have been held since 27 June 2020 under the remit of his Department; and the number of formal and informal meetings, respectively held virtually. — Denis Naughten. [10825/21]

*33. To ask the Minister for Transport the breakdown of the regional and local roads allocations for each local authority in each of the years 2015 to 2021, inclusive in tabular form. — James O’Connor. [10929/21]

*34. To ask the Minister for Transport the number of persons who have arrived into Ireland from Brazil in each week from 1 January 2021 to date; the reason the weekly aviation statistics published on gov.ie do not include figures for Brazil, despite reports that the three cases of the Brazil P1 variant of Covid-19 recently identified in Ireland are directly associated with recent travel from Brazil; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Róisín Shortall. [10934/21]

*35. To ask the Minister for Transport the number and value of procurement contracts for Covid-19 related spending in 2020 and 2021 that took place via negotiated procedure without prior publication in his Department. — Mairéad Farrell. [11187/21]

*36. To ask the Minister for Transport the breakdown of procurement contracts for Covid-19 related spending in 2020 and 2021 that took place via negotiated procedure without prior publication by his Department, by goods and service type in tabular form. — Mairéad Farrell. [11219/21]

Chun an Aire Airgeadais: To the Minister for Finance.

*37. To ask the Minister for Finance the position regarding the entitlement of a person (details supplied) to the temporary wage subsidy scheme and employment wage subsidy scheme. — . [10705/21]

*38. To ask the Minister for Finance if his attention has been drawn to the fact that insurance companies are charging double excess on claims, a policy excess and a voluntary excess, without informing customers in advance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Patricia Ryan. [10610/21]

*39. To ask the Minister for Finance the steps taken by his Department to ensure competition in the SME loan market; if his attention has been drawn to the impact the withdrawal of a bank (details supplied) will have on SME lending and financial services for rural communities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Peadar Tóibín. [10646/21]

*40. To ask the Minister for Finance the recent engagement his Department has had with the three credit union representative bodies (details supplied) regarding the provision of SME lending and ensure the productive use of credit union members savings that are at present on deposit in the major retail banks; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Peadar Tóibín. [10647/21]

*41. To ask the Minister for Finance the efforts his Department is carrying out to ensure a bank maintains communication with customers whose mortgages were due to be sold to a company but 851 are now being sold to another company; if he will advise on the particular case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. — . [10649/21]

*42. To ask the Minister for Finance his views on matters raised in correspondence by a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. — . [10682/21]

*43. To ask the Minister for Finance the reason a person (details supplied) who has recently returned to work and who was previously on the pandemic unemployment payment now appears to be paying an excessive amount of income tax. — Michael Creed. [10706/21]

*44. To ask the Minister for Finance the extent to which transactions, sale of loans and other activity has taken place in the past two years with reference to taking some investment funds outside the control of the Central Bank notwithstanding the provisions of the 2018 amendment; if further legislative amendments will be considered to ensure that notwithstanding the practice, all investment funds come within the remit of the Central Bank; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Bernard J. Durkan. [10709/21]

*45. To ask the Minister for Finance if personal financial supports will be extended for airline workers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Cian O’Callaghan. [10722/21]

*46. To ask the Minister for Finance if the employment wage subsidy scheme will be extended past 31 March 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Cian O’Callaghan. [10723/21]

*47. To ask the Minister for Finance if he is considering extending the help to-buy-scheme beyond the end of 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — . [10769/21]

*48. To ask the Minister for Finance further to Parliamentary Question No. 53 of 25 November 2020, if further details of the social clauses in public procurement that the NTMA has used will be provided in particular the value of these contracts; and the nature of the contract work and a description of the social clauses used therein in tabular form. — Mairéad Farrell. [10789/21]

*49. To ask the Minister for Finance if boats sent for repair to the island of Great Britain, in which substantial work is carried out on them are liable for tariffs and VAT on return to Ireland; if so, if they are the relevant rate and method of assessment for same; the details of the ongoing discussions to sort out such issues; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Éamon Ó Cuív. [10801/21]

*50. To ask the Minister for Finance the number of formal and informal Council of the European Union meetings that have been held since 27 June 2020 under the remit of his Department; and the number of formal and informal meetings, respectively held virtually. — Denis Naughten. [10815/21]

*51. To ask the Minister for Finance the percentage of containers and HGVs arriving into Ireland from the United Kingdom in February 2021 that had their paperwork in order and were allowed through the green channel; the percentage that went through the orange channel and the red channel; the percentage that were physically inspected; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Éamon Ó Cuív. [10838/21]

*52. To ask the Minister for Finance the number of companies that have availed of the employment investment incentive scheme in each of the past five years; the funding invested in

P.T.O 852 each year concerned; his plans to improve the uptake of this scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Denis Naughten. [10845/21]

*53. To ask the Minister for Finance the current amount invested in the National Treasury Management Agency prize bonds; and the percentage of this amount which was invested in each of the years from 1957 to date. — Mattie McGrath. [10849/21]

*54. To ask the Minister for Finance the breakdown of the €4,715,350 prize money paid out in 2020 on behalf of the National Treasury Management Agency to winning prize bonds purchased between 1957 and 2011, inclusive in monetary and percentage format in each of the years in question. — Mattie McGrath. [10850/21]

*55. To ask the Minister for Finance the extent to which he expects to be in a position to offer continued support for those areas of the economy most affected by Covid-19; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Bernard J. Durkan. [10871/21]

*56. To ask the Minister for Finance the extent to which he expects Covid-19-related supports here to equal that of adjoining or competing jurisdictions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Bernard J. Durkan. [10872/21]

*57. To ask the Minister for Finance the extent to which he expects the economy to recover in any six-month period after the relaxation of Covid-19 restrictions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Bernard J. Durkan. [10873/21]

*58. To ask the Minister for Finance the extent to which he has studied the effects of Brexit on all sectors of the economy; his plans to encourage recovery thereafter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Bernard J. Durkan. [10874/21]

*59. To ask the Minister for Finance the extent to which the effects of Brexit have been felt throughout the economy; his plans for short or long-term proposals to address issues arising; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Bernard J. Durkan. [10875/21]

*60. To ask the Minister for Finance the extent to which he has focused on various sectors in the economy with a view to boosting the restart; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Bernard J. Durkan. [10876/21]

*61. To ask the Minister for Finance the extent to which the performance of the economy compares favourably or otherwise with other countries in the EU, within the Eurozone and without; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Bernard J. Durkan. [10877/21]

*62. To ask the Minister for Finance the extent to which Ireland has been able to avail of any opportunities in Europe arising from Brexit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Bernard J. Durkan. [10878/21]

*63. To ask the Minister for Finance if the economy has been able to withstand the impact of Brexit to date; if particular issues have arisen that might require attention; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Bernard J. Durkan. [10879/21]

*64. To ask the Minister for Finance if Ireland’s peripheral geographic location is likely to be borne in mind at European level when consideration is being given to assistance that might become 853 available for countries most severely hit by the negative impact of Brexit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Bernard J. Durkan. [10881/21]

*65. To ask the Minister for Finance if he remains assured of the future for Ireland’s 12.5% Corporation Profits Tax; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Bernard J. Durkan. [10882/21]

*66. To ask the Minister for Finance if particular issues arise for the Euro from the emergency of Bitcoin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Bernard J. Durkan. [10883/21]

*67. To ask the Minister for Finance if Bitcoin is being gradually recognised globally as a currency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Bernard J. Durkan. [10884/21]

*68. To ask the Minister for Finance if investment funds all remain under the supervision of the Central Bank; if funds sold on to unregistered third parties are still subject to Central Bank rules; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Bernard J. Durkan. [10885/21]

*69. To ask the Minister for Finance the number and value of loan books currently in the hands of unregistered third parties having left institutions supervised by Central Bank rules; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Bernard J. Durkan. [10886/21]

*70. To ask the Minister for Finance the value of properties currently held by NAMA; the value of all such property disposed of to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Bernard J. Durkan. [10887/21]

*71. To ask the Minister for Finance if consideration will be given to the utilisation of NAMA as means of solving the housing crisis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Bernard J. Durkan. [10888/21]

*72. To ask the Minister for Finance the way consumers in the economy might gain access to interest rates applicable throughout Europe notwithstanding the requirement that banks here must hold increased financial reserves but noting that ongoing higher interest charges also makes it more difficult for Irish lenders to accommodate their borrowers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Bernard J. Durkan. [10889/21]

*73. To ask the Minister for Finance the degree to which basic economic fundamentals continue to be recognised and applied in the economy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Bernard J. Durkan. [10890/21]

*74. To ask the Minister for Finance if guidance and advice will be provided to the public in respect of charges which are payable on items purchased online from the UK; the permissible taxes; the permissible customs duty; the permissible other charges on these transactions; the recourse for consumers who are overcharged under these headings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Róisín Shortall. [10928/21]

*75. To ask the Minister for Finance if his attention been drawn to the lack of banks in the Irish market that accept carer’s allowance income as income for the purposes of loans, mortgages and other financial products following the withdrawal of a bank (details supplied); his plans to remedy these issues; the suggested recourse for those on carer’s allowance that need financial services such as loans and mortgages; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Gary Gannon. [10952/21]

P.T.O 854

*76. To ask the Minister for Finance the number and value of procurement contracts for Covid-19 related spending in 2020 and 2021 that took place via negotiated procedure without prior publication in his Department. — Mairéad Farrell. [11179/21]

*77. To ask the Minister for Finance the breakdown of procurement contracts for Covid-19 related spending in 2020 and 2021 that took place via negotiated procedure without prior publication by his Department, by goods and service type in tabular form. — Mairéad Farrell. [11209/21]

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

*78. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform further to Parliamentary Question No.61 of 25 November 2020, if further details of a number of contracts by the Office of the Government Chief Information Officer that have been concluded on foot of drawdowns from ICT procurement frameworks, which are established centrally by the Office of Government Procurement and inherit the social clauses relating to green energy efficiency requirements included therein will be provided in particular the value of each of these contracts; and the nature of the contract work carried out and a description of the social clauses used therein in tabular form. — Mairéad Farrell. [10788/21]

*79. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if the OPW will provide additional public restroom facilities within the Phoenix Park; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Gary Gannon. [10945/21]

*80. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the status of the Blackpool flood relief scheme. — Thomas Gould. [11049/21]

*81. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if his attention has been drawn to the serious coastal erosion at North Beach, Arklow, County Wicklow; the studies or reports that have been carried out by the Office of Public Works on the issue; and if funding will be made available to address same. — John Brady. [10626/21]

*82. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the current status of the Blackpool flood relief scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Colm Burke. [10765/21]

*83. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the number and value of procurement contracts for Covid-19 related spending in 2020 and 2021 that took place via negotiated procedure without prior publication in his Department. — Mairéad Farrell. [10771/21]

*84. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the breakdown of procurement contracts for Covid-19 related spending in 2020 and 2021 that took place via negotiated procedure without prior publication by his Department, by goods and service type in tabular form. — Mairéad Farrell. [10772/21]

*85. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the average time of publishing contract award notices for contracts above €25,000 excluding VAT in 2019, 2020 and 2021. — Mairéad Farrell. [10773/21]

*86. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the number and value of contracts above €25,000 excluding VAT awarded without a competitive process in 2019, 2020 and 2021. — Mairéad Farrell. [10774/21] 855

*87. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the number of formal and informal Council of the European Union meetings that have been held since 27 June 2020 under the remit of his Department; and the number of formal and informal meetings, respectively held virtually. — Denis Naughten. [10821/21]

*88. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the process for carry-over of leave for the Office of Public Works operatives (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. — . [10852/21]

*89. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the extent to which he hopes to be in a position to ensure that capital expenditure proposals remain on target throughout the course of 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Bernard J. Durkan. [10891/21]

*90. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he had discussions with the appropriate authorities involved in procurement with a view to ensuring the best value for money while meeting contractual assessment and commitments in the shortest possible time; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Bernard J. Durkan. [10892/21]

*91. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the extent to which any refinement of the procurement system here is required in order to eliminate delays and improve procedures and thereby maximising value for money; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Bernard J. Durkan. [10893/21]

*92. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the extent to which all Departments and subsidiary agencies continue to observe in the letter and the spirit, the principles of reform as a means of reducing costs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Bernard J. Durkan. [10894/21]

*93. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the extent to which all public capital projects under his aegis are subjected to appropriate tests of costing and administration with a view to minimising any potential overruns; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Bernard J. Durkan. [10895/21]

*94. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the Departments in respect of which greatest emphasis is placed on reform as a means of achieving efficient and effective use of public funds while at the same time meeting requirements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Bernard J. Durkan. [10896/21]

*95. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if steps are needed to address potential overheating in terms of costs for capital projects; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Bernard J. Durkan. [10897/21]

*96. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the Department that has achieved most in terms of public expenditure and reform; the Departments that need to do better in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Bernard J. Durkan. [10898/21]

*97. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the extent to which he has kept under observation Departments or bodies under their aegis which have a tendency to overspend; if particular action is needed in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Bernard J. Durkan. [10899/21]

P.T.O 856

*98. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the extent to which he remains satisfied that public expenditure remains within acceptable guidelines; if corrective measures are needed at this stage; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Bernard J. Durkan. [10900/21]

*99. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the extent to which reform remains part of Government policy in the context of meeting specific annual targets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Bernard J. Durkan. [10901/21]

*100. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the extent to which commitments in respect of FEMPI are being met; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Bernard J. Durkan. [10902/21]

*101. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the extent to which progress is being made on agreements achieved under FEMPI; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Bernard J. Durkan. [10903/21]

Chun an Aire Turasóireachta, Cultúir, Ealaíon, Gaeltachta, Spóirt agus Meán: To the Minister for Tourism, Culture; Arts; Gaeltacht; Sport and Media.

*102. To ask the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if there will be a review of the current restriction which prevents golf courses from reopening; if serious consideration will be given to the easing of restrictions in this respect; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Colm Burke. [10760/21]

*103. To ask the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media further to Parliamentary Question No. 68 of 25 November 2020, if further details of the inclusion of social clauses in contracts for capital investment projects under Project Ireland 2040, such as the development of the National Gallery and National Archives will be provided; if such contracts have been drawn up yet; and the nature of the contract work and a description of the social clauses to be used therein in tabular form. — Mairéad Farrell. [10791/21]

*104. To ask the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the additional supports being considered for the tourism sector in view of the extended restrictions on the industry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Verona Murphy. [10910/21]

*105. To ask the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if consideration has been given to including the sport of gymnastics in the elite sport category in view of the fact that many gymnasts are due to compete in European championships later in 2021 with a return to training crucial to preparations; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Verona Murphy. [10595/21]

*106. To ask the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the considerations being taken to allow for school aged children to return to their preferred choice of sports; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Verona Murphy. [10596/21]

*107. To ask the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she will address a matter (details supplied) regarding Horse Sport Ireland; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Michael Healy-Rae. [10598/21]

*108. Chun a fhiafraí den Aire Turasóireachta, Cultúir, Ealaíon, Gaeltachta, Spóirt agus Meán an ndéanfaidh sí cóip den anailís tionchair rialála a bhí déanta ag a Roinn mar gheall ar Bhille na 857 dTeangacha Oifigiúla (Leasú), 2019 a chur ar fáil don Teachta seo agus í a fhoilsiú. — Aengus Ó Snodaigh. [10622/21]

*109. To ask the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if responsibility for dance policy and funding is categorised as part of sports within the remit of the Minister of State for the Gaeltacht and Sport; and if not, if it is categorised as arts and remains her responsibility. — Aengus Ó Snodaigh. [10671/21]

*110. To ask the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media her plans to bring in a grant scheme for the purchase of vessels engaged in marine tourism similar to the scheme in the operational programme for tourism 1994 to 1999 (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Christopher O’Sullivan. [10686/21]

*111. To ask the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the financial and business supports available through Fáilte Ireland to assist the Irish sea angling charter industry due to the disruption caused by Covid-19 over the past year; if the amount of funding and the areas to which funding has been allocated in the past year will be published; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Pádraig Mac Lochlainn. [10743/21]

*112. To ask the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the status of planned changes to the rules of a pension scheme (details supplied) and arrangements and the annual administration fees pertaining to the superannuation scheme, specifically the outcome of consideration of this issue by her Department, NewEra and the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Bríd Smith. [10753/21]

*113. To ask the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if additional supports will be made available for a tourist site (details supplied) which has experienced a huge drop in footfall in 2020 and 2021 but still incurs large maintenance costs to continue; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Colm Burke. [10764/21]

*114. To ask the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if a sports capital grant will be awarded to a club (details supplied). — Robert Troy. [10805/21]

*115. To ask the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the number of formal and informal Council of the European Union meetings that have been held since 27 June 2020 under the remit of her Department; and the number of formal and informal meetings, respectively held virtually. — Denis Naughten. [10824/21]

*116. To ask the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the number and value of procurement contracts for Covid-19 related spending in 2020 and 2021 that took place via negotiated procedure without prior publication in her Department. — Mairéad Farrell. [11189/21]

*117. To ask the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the breakdown of procurement contracts for Covid-19 related spending in 2020 and 2021 that took place via negotiated procedure without prior publication by her Department, by goods and service type in tabular form. — Mairéad Farrell. [11218/21]

P.T.O 858

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

*118. To ask the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage further to Parliamentary Question No. 76 of 25 November 2020, if further details on the social clauses included in some below-threshold procurement contracts referenced will be provided in particular with regard to the nature of the contract work, the year of the contract, the value of the contract and a description of the social clause and consideration used therein, in tabular form. — Mairéad Farrell. [10783/21]

*119. To ask the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he has considered reinstating the rates waiver for vacant premises; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — . [10865/21]

*120. To ask the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when an updated rural housing planning guideline document will be available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Patricia Ryan. [10611/21]

*121. To ask the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if contractors are allowed on site to secure a build open to the elements (details supplied). — Sean Sherlock. [10658/21]

*122. To ask the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he plans to allow small-scale construction to resume in cases in which the residency in the home depends on the construction; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Neale Richmond. [10673/21]

*123. To ask the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the designation status of a national heritage area (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. — . [10683/21]

*124. To ask the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if advice and assistance will be provided in relation to a matter raised in correspondence by a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Niall Collins. [10687/21]

*125. To ask the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his plans to provide a retrofitting programme for sections 38 and 39 residential housing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Willie O’Dea. [10695/21]

*126. To ask the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the amount of capital funding his Department has provided to Co-operative Housing Ireland since Quarter 4 of 2014 to date by quarter in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Cian O’Callaghan. [10725/21]

*127. To ask the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if his Department will engage with a local authority (details supplied) to increase the loan amount administered as part of the Rebuilding Ireland home loan considering the current house prices in the area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — . [10733/21]

*128. To ask the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of local authority voids returned to stock in each of the years 2015 to 2020 and to date in 2021; the number of voids in each local authority; the location of these voids within each local authority; the cost per unit of bringing each unit back in stock in the same period; the average turnaround time per year 859 of bringing each unit back in stock; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Aodhán Ó Ríordáin. [10754/21]

*129. To ask the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the full-year revenue raised from the vacant sites levy from 2015 to 2020, by local authority in tabular form; the estimated full-year revenue from the vacant sites levy in 2021, by local authority in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Aodhán Ó Ríordáin. [10755/21]

*130. To ask the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the expenditure of his Department and An Bord Pleanála in respect of all legal services provided in all appeal and judicial review applications instituted against his Department and or An Bord Pleanála by case in in each of the years since January 2017, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Aodhán Ó Ríordáin. [10756/21]

*131. To ask the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the steps that will be taken to ensure that before projects are approved under the urban regeneration and development fund that all preparatory work is completed up to going to tender including land acquisition, planning permission, other statutory approvals, matching finance and so on in order that they will be ready to go to tender and start construction in the shortest time possible; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Éamon Ó Cuív. [10775/21]

*132. To ask the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of social houses delivered through the buy and renew scheme, the repair and leasing scheme and the Housing Agency €70 million rolling fund since these schemes were introduced to the most recent date for which data is available; the breakdown by year and by local authority; and the cost to the of each scheme to date and in each year these schemes were in operation. — Eoin Ó Broin. [10792/21]

*133. To ask the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of formal and informal Council of the European Union meetings that have been held since 27 June 2020 under the remit of his Department; and the number of formal and informal meetings, respectively held virtually. — Denis Naughten. [10819/21]

*134. To ask the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the type of risk analysis has been undertaken in relation to the planned shared equity scheme (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Mairéad Farrell. [10856/21]

*135. To ask the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number and value of procurement contracts for Covid-19 related spending in 2020 and 2021 that took place via negotiated procedure without prior publication in his Department. — Mairéad Farrell. [11183/21]

*136. To ask the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the breakdown of procurement contracts for Covid-19 related spending in 2020 and 2021 that took place via negotiated procedure without prior publication by his Department, by goods and service type in tabular form. — Mairéad Farrell. [11213/21]

Chun an Aire Gnóthaí Eachtracha: To the Minister for Foreign Affairs.

*137. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs when processing of passports will resume; when a person (details supplied) can expect to receive their passport; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — . [10770/21]

P.T.O 860

*138. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs further to Parliamentary Question No. 90 of 25 November 2020, if further details on the introduction of solar panel energy to a number of embassies abroad with further projects planned and the introduction of product specifications for the purchase of hybrid motor vehicles will be provided; the nature of these contract works; the year of these contract works; the value of these contracts; and the social clause and consideration used therein in tabular form. — Mairéad Farrell. [10784/21]

*139. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the Government response to the recent events and discrimination of the LGBTQ+ community in Turkey; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Cian O’Callaghan. [10724/21]

*140. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the number of formal and informal Council of the European Union meetings that have been held since 27 June 2020 under the remit of his Department; and the number of formal and informal meetings, respectively held virtually. — Denis Naughten. [10816/21]

*141. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs if his attention has been drawn to the arrest and detention of numerous children as young as 12 years of age in Bahrain in recent days; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Seán Crowe. [10851/21]

*142. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the number and value of procurement contracts for Covid-19 related spending in 2020 and 2021 that took place via negotiated procedure without prior publication in his Department. — Mairéad Farrell. [11180/21]

*143. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the breakdown of procurement contracts for Covid-19 related spending in 2020 and 2021 that took place via negotiated procedure without prior publication by his Department, by goods and service type in tabular form. — Mairéad Farrell. [11210/21]

Chun an Aire Cosanta: To the Minister for Defence.

*144. To ask the Minister for Defence the number of pension applications yet to be digitised under the Military Service Pensions Collection; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Patricia Ryan. [10606/21]

*145. To ask the Minister for Defence the number of Reserve Defence Forces personnel by barracks; if there will be a recruitment campaign in the near future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Patricia Ryan. [10607/21]

*146. To ask the Minister for Defence if he will establish an inquiry into allegations of systemic sexual abuse and the covering up of sexual abuse in the Curragh Camp; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Patricia Ryan. [10608/21]

*147. To ask the Minister for Defence the annual spend on national defence and on the Defence Forces excluding pensions as a percentage of GDP since 1999, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Cian O’Callaghan. [10726/21]

*148. To ask the Minister for Defence the status of the married and single quarters within the Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Cian O’Callaghan. [10727/21] 861

*149. To ask the Minister for Defence the reason for reviewing the Defence Forces in isolation via a stand-alone commission; the reason a review of national defence and security as a whole is not being undertaken; the selection criteria for the membership of the commission; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Cian O’Callaghan. [10728/21]

*150. To ask the Minister for Defence the number of formal and informal Council of the European Union meetings that have been held since 27 June 2020 under the remit of his Department; and the number of formal and informal meetings, respectively held virtually. — Denis Naughten. [10811/21]

*151. To ask the Minister for Defence the current establishment number for Defence Forces personnel, permanent, reserve and civilian support staff; the way these figures compare to the number of personnel in 1999, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Cian O’Callaghan. [10956/21]

*152. To ask the Minister for Defence the number and value of procurement contracts for Covid-19 related spending in 2020 and 2021 that took place via negotiated procedure without prior publication in his Department. — Mairéad Farrell. [11175/21]

*153. To ask the Minister for Defence the breakdown of procurement contracts for Covid-19 related spending in 2020 and 2021 that took place via negotiated procedure without prior publication by his Department, by goods and service type in tabular form. — Mairéad Farrell. [11205/21]

Chun an Aire Oideachais: To the Minister for Education.

*154. To ask the Minister for Education if her attention has been drawn to the fact that primary teaching students of a college (details supplied) are not entitled to apply for the Gaeltacht grant, 1916 Bursary Fund, SUSI grants, Student Assistance Fund, the €250 fees refund scheme and other postgraduate supports; the steps being taken to address same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Cian O’Callaghan. [10720/21]

*155. To ask the Minister for Education if she will examine the situation in which the junior certificate is considered the minimum requirement to become a special needs assistant and the reason a course currently attended by SNAs at UCD is not being considered for accreditation by her Department (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Réada Cronin. [10751/21]

*156. To ask the Minister for Education if supports will be made available to students of a course in a college (details supplied) to assist with the cost of their virtual Gaeltacht course; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Colm Burke. [10763/21]

*157. To ask the Minister for Education if she will reduce the cost of the 2021 Gaeltacht placement further for student teachers in view of the fact that the placement will be undertaken virtually in 2021 (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. — . [10629/21]

*158. To ask the Minister for Education if she will consider approving the Gaeltacht grant to private students (details supplied) for 2021 in view of the financial hardship which families have experienced as a direct result of the Covid-19 pandemic. — Michael Ring. [10630/21]

P.T.O 862

*159. To ask the Minister for Education if her Department has engaged with a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Jennifer Whitmore. [10631/21]

*160. To ask the Minister for Education the advice she has for parents of children with additional educational needs who cannot find a special needs assistant to engage in the allocation of five hours per week of home-based teaching or care supports; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Jennifer Whitmore. [10633/21]

*161. To ask the Minister for Education if she will address a matter regarding the reopening of schools (details supplied). — Sean Sherlock. [10651/21]

*162. To ask the Minister for Education the number of places available for the new ASD unit in a school (details supplied) due to open in September 2021; and her views on the need for more ASD units in the wider Greystones area of County Wicklow. — . [10653/21]

*163. To ask the Minister for Education if the phased reopening of schools will give priority to children with special needs in mainstream classes who have been particularly impacted by the move to online alternatives. — . [10693/21]

*164. To ask the Minister for Education her plans to develop or advance a second-level post- primary educate together school in ; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — David Cullinane. [10696/21]

*165. To ask the Minister for Education her views on introducing a module on mental health awareness and positive mental health into the primary and secondary school curriculum; her further views on whether schools and centres for education should be playing a vital role in the promotion of positive mental health; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — . [10711/21]

*166. To ask the Minister for Education her Department’s policy on distributing homework to primary school students; if studies have been conducted in relation to same; the appropriate levels; and if she will look at revaluating homework in view of the onset of remote learning. — Patrick Costello. [10737/21]

*167. To ask the Minister for Education if she will take into account the fact that there are schools which have multi-grade classes, for example in which second and third-class are taught together, when she is making decisions on the reopening of primary schools; if her attention has been drawn to the fact that a phased return of schools could create difficulties for a teacher who would have to engage in online teaching and face to face teaching in such circumstances; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Seán Haughey. [10739/21]

*168. To ask the Minister for Education if the deadline can be extended for applications from external candidates to sit the leaving certificate in 2021 in view of the extraordinary circumstances of Covid-19 and the recent decision on the leaving certificate. — Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire. [10752/21]

*169. To ask the Minister for Education the number of new schools built in Cork city and county from 2011 to 2021; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Colm Burke. [10766/21] 863

*170. To ask the Minister for Education if she will urgently investigate a matter in relation to a school (details supplied) in Dublin 9; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Róisín Shortall. [10777/21]

*171. Chun a fhiafraí den Aire Oideachais cén fáth a bhfuil táille €650 ar chúrsa coicíse Gaeilge do mhic léinn atá ag déanamh an chúrsa ar a dtugtar an Máistreacht Ghairmiúil san Oideachas (Bunscoil) (PMEP) air nuair nach raibh ach €750 ar an gcúrsa céanna nuair is cúrsa conaitheach Gaeltachta a bhí ann; an bhfuil i gceist athbhreithniú a dhéanamh ar seo; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. — Éamon Ó Cuív. [10806/21]

*172. To ask the Minister for Education the number of formal and informal Council of the European Union meetings that have been held since 27 June 2020 under the remit of her Department; and the number of formal and informal meetings, respectively held virtually. — Denis Naughten. [10812/21]

*173. To ask the Minister for Education if she will consider the fact that that secondary schools’ two- week Easter holidays run from 15 March 2021 in order that they can begin to reopen a week earlier, this being 29 March 2021 as opposed to 5 April 2021; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Réada Cronin. [10847/21]

*174. To ask the Minister for Education if trainee primary teachers who have completed two years of their degree courses and were due to complete placements in this their third-year will be considered to provide July provision in 2021; if she will provide reasons for her decision in this regard; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Michael McNamara. [10857/21]

*175. To ask the Minister for Education the number of pupils who have opted into the in-person supplementary programme to support the education and or care needs of pupils with complex needs scheme; if the number of students availing of the programme is smaller; and the number of teachers and SNAs participating in the scheme. — Gary Gannon. [10946/21]

*176. To ask the Minister for Education if her Department will expedite plans for a new payroll system due to be completed in the latter part of 2021 to reduce the cost of her Department on posting out payslips; if she will commit that spending to support DEIS schools instead; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Gary Gannon. [10947/21]

*177. To ask the Minister for Education the number and value of procurement contracts for Covid-19 related spending in 2020 and 2021 that took place via negotiated procedure without prior publication in her Department. — Mairéad Farrell. [11176/21]

*178. To ask the Minister for Education the breakdown of procurement contracts for Covid-19 related spending in 2020 and 2021 that took place via negotiated procedure without prior publication by her Department, by goods and service type in tabular form. — Mairéad Farrell. [11206/21]

Chun an Aire Coimirce Sóisialaí: To the Minister for Social Protection.

*179. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the number of It Makes Sense Loans which have been taken over in 2018, 2019 and 2020, in tabular form; if there has been a noted increase since March 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Gary Gannon. [10951/21]

P.T.O 864

*180. To ask the Minister for Social Protection when an emergency basic social welfare payment will be made in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Bernard J. Durkan. [10644/21]

*181. To ask the Minister for Social Protection if the pandemic unemployment payment will continue to be paid to a person (details supplied). — John McGuinness. [10734/21]

*182. To ask the Minister for Social Protection if a carer’s allowance will be approved for a person (details supplied); and if the application will be expedited. — John McGuinness. [10736/21]

*183. To ask the Minister for Social Protection further to Parliamentary Question No. 139 of 25 November 2020, if further details on the one contract in 2019, under Article 20 of Directive 2014/24/EU on public procurement which used reserved tendering procedures for companies that promote the integration of disadvantaged persons will be provided in particular the value of the contract and the number of disabled or disadvantaged persons hired as part of the contract. — Mairéad Farrell. [10785/21]

*184. To ask the Minister for Social Protection if she plans to extend the right to free travel to all persons with epilepsy who are precluded from holding a driver licence; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Éamon Ó Cuív. [10808/21]

*185. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the number of formal and informal Council of the European Union meetings that have been held since 27 June 2020 under the remit of her Department; and the number of formal and informal meetings, respectively held virtually. — Denis Naughten. [10823/21]

*186. To ask the Minister for Social Protection if she will consider supporting a project (details supplied). — Paul McAuliffe. [10832/21]

*187. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding a carer’s payment appeal by a person (details supplied) in County Dublin; the reason for the delay; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Róisín Shortall. [10930/21]

*188. To ask the Minister for Social Protection if her attention has been drawn to the lack of banks in the Irish market that accept carer’s allowance income as income for the purposes of loans, mortgages and other financial products following the withdrawal of a bank (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Gary Gannon. [10950/21]

*189. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the average length of time a person claims carer’s allowance. — Gary Gannon. [10953/21]

*190. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the number and value of procurement contracts for Covid-19 related spending in 2020 and 2021 that took place via negotiated procedure without prior publication in her Department. — Mairéad Farrell. [11186/21]

*191. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the breakdown of procurement contracts for Covid-19 related spending in 2020 and 2021 that took place via negotiated procedure without prior publication by her Department, by goods and service type in tabular form. — Mairéad Farrell. [11217/21] 865

Chun an Aire Leanaí, Comhionannais, Míchumais, Lánpháirtíochta agus Óige: To the Minister for Children, Equality; Disability; Integration and Youth.

*192. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will publish the full minutes of the collaborative forum on mother and baby homes meetings including the full contributions of forum members; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Jennifer Whitmore. [10632/21]

*193. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of families and unaccompanied children who have arrived in Ireland from the Moira Camp, Greece to date; the efforts being undertaken to accelerate the process of relocating refugees from the camp as residents continue to experience winter conditions, makeshift shelters, insufficient and unstable power supplies and sanitation and transportation issues; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Jennifer Whitmore. [10635/21]

*194. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if ECCE hours are available to children of essential workers across all childcare and early years services. — Sean Sherlock. [10656/21]

*195. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of taped recordings of the 550 testimonies given to the Confidential Committee of the Mother and Baby Homes Report that have been destroyed; and the actions his Department is taking to retrieve this material. — . [10715/21]

*196. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if the taped recordings given to the Confidential Committee of the Mother and Baby Homes Report were saved onto a hard drive; and if he has requested that the Commission of Investigation surrender hard drives that could contain this information. — Kathleen Funchion. [10716/21]

*197. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of survivors who gave testimonies to the Commission of Investigation Confidential Committee that have been contacted, who are still to be contacted or who the Commission of Investigation have not been able to contact; and the breakdown of those that indicated they wished their testimonies to remain unredacted. — Kathleen Funchion. [10717/21]

*198. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if his attention has been drawn to a protest in centre (details supplied); if he will ensure the person engaged in the protest receives the necessary health supports, physical and mental; the steps he is taking to address the failures with the direct provision system and move towards a humane, fair and human rights based system of accommodation for those seeking asylum and here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Louise O’Reilly. [10719/21]

*199. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of formal and informal Council of the European Union meetings that have been held since 27 June 2020 under the remit of his Department; and the number of formal and informal meetings, respectively held virtually. — Denis Naughten. [10810/21]

*200. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth further to Parliamentary Question No. 219 of 11 February 2021, if there have been further developments in relation to the issues raised; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Brendan Smith. [10848/21]

P.T.O 866

*201. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the length of the waiting list to access early years supports from Tusla early intervention teams in the north inner city, Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Aodhán Ó Ríordáin. [10866/21]

*202. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of psychotherapists, family therapists, filial therapists and counsellors directly employed by Tusla by Tusla area and service or team they are working in. — Patrick Costello. [10926/21]

*203. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of play therapists, drama therapists, dance therapists and child art psychotherapists directly employed by Tusla by Tusla area and service or team they are working in. — Patrick Costello. [10927/21]

*204. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the steps being taken to replace the preschool services in areas (details supplied); and the preschool services that will be provided or made available in both areas for children with psychical and intellectual disabilities . — . [10954/21]

*205. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will be prioritising a plan for the safe return to full capacity in childcare settings and for ECCE participants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Peter Burke. [10957/21]

*206. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number and value of procurement contracts for Covid-19 related spending in 2020 and 2021 that took place via negotiated procedure without prior publication in his Department. — Mairéad Farrell. [11188/21]

*207. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the breakdown of procurement contracts for Covid-19 related spending in 2020 and 2021 that took place via negotiated procedure without prior publication by his Department, by goods and service type in tabular form. — Mairéad Farrell. [11204/21]

Chun an Aire Breisoideachais agus Ardoideachais, Taighde, Nuálaíochta agus Eolaíochta: To the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research; Innovation and Science.

*208. To ask the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if Safepass courses are still operating. — Thomas Gould. [10657/21]

*209. To ask the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the public expenditure on research and development and as a percentage in each year since 2008; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Rose Conway-Walsh. [10604/21]

*210. To ask the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the categories and number of students by area of study and annual cohorts who undertake clinical or training placements in the health and social care services in each year, in tabular form; the number of placement hours in each year for each area of study; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — David Cullinane. [10641/21]

*211. To ask the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will address a matter (details supplied) regarding the return of third-level students to campuses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Michael Healy-Rae. [10704/21] 867

*212. To ask the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the preparations being made by the CAO in advance of applications under a year of a non-traditional leaving certificate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Colm Burke. [10767/21]

*213. To ask the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science when it is planned to commence and to conclude the review of the SUSI higher education grants; if consideration will be given to include the course for graduate entry medicine as a course eligible for the full undergraduate grant in view of the fact that this is an entry point to medicine for many persons and operates on the basis that applicants already have a primary degree; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Éamon Ó Cuív. [10803/21]

*214. To ask the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of formal and informal Council of the European Union meetings that have been held since 27 June 2020 under the remit of his Department; and the number of formal and informal meetings, respectively held virtually. — Denis Naughten. [10817/21]

*215. To ask the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number and value of procurement contracts for Covid-19 related spending in 2020 and 2021 that took place via negotiated procedure without prior publication in his Department. — Mairéad Farrell. [11181/21]

*216. To ask the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the breakdown of procurement contracts for Covid-19 related spending in 2020 and 2021 that took place via negotiated procedure without prior publication by his Department, by goods and service type in tabular form. — Mairéad Farrell. [11211/21]

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

*217. To ask the Minister for Justice if she will address a matter (details supplied) regarding insurance reform; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Brendan Griffin. [10593/21]

*218. To ask the Minister for Justice if she will address a matter (details supplied) regarding awards for personal injury claims; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Michael Healy-Rae. [10636/21]

*219. To ask the Minister for Justice her views on a matter (details supplied) regarding insurance costs for business; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Brendan Griffin. [10714/21]

*220. To ask the Minister for Justice if she plans to address the low interest in persons joining the Garda Reserve; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Patricia Ryan. [10605/21]

*221. To ask the Minister for Justice when she anticipates receiving and publishing the latest GSOC annual report. — . [10637/21]

*222. To ask the Minister for Justice the status of a visa application by a person (details supplied). — . [10655/21]

*223. To ask the Minister for Justice if applications for citizenship are being processed during level 5 restrictions. — Robert Troy. [10661/21]

P.T.O 868

*224. To ask the Minister for Justice further to Parliamentary Question No. 622 of 27 January 2021, when the information requested will be collated; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — . [10672/21]

*225. To ask the Minister for Justice the status of a deportation order in respect of a person (details supplied). — Paul Donnelly. [10676/21]

*226. To ask the Minister for Justice if she will set aside an order to deport in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Bernard J. Durkan. [10703/21]

*227. To ask the Minister for Justice if data is available regarding arrests, prosecutions and convictions for the theft of catalytic converters and the handling of same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Róisín Shortall. [10778/21]

*228. To ask the Minister for Justice the number of formal and informal Council of the European Union meetings that have been held since 27 June 2020 under the remit of her Department; and the number of formal and informal meetings, respectively held virtually. — Denis Naughten. [10820/21]

*229. To ask the Minister for Justice when a bill (details supplied) will be published in view of the fact that there is a legal international obligation on Ireland to transpose this into Irish law for nearly ten years now; the reason for the delay with this matter; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Éamon Ó Cuív. [10837/21]

*230. To ask the Minister for Justice if a court order for sale of a home as the result of divorce proceedings can be executed during level 5 restrictions; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Louise O’Reilly. [10869/21]

*231. To ask the Minister for Justice the status of the review of the immigrant investor programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — . [10912/21]

*232. To ask the Minister for Justice the number of applicants to the immigrant investor programme from 2012 to date; the number of those applicants that have been successful since 2012 to date in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Alan Kelly. [10913/21]

*233. To ask the Minister for Justice the number of applications that have been made for the immigrant investor programme via the enterprise, investment, REIT and endowment options up to the end of January 2021; the breakdown for each of those options in each period for 2020, in tabular form; the number of applications in 2018 and 2019; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Alan Kelly. [10914/21]

*234. To ask the Minister for Justice the number of applications for the immigrant investor programme via the enterprise investment, REIT and endowment options that have been approved up to the end of January 2021 for 2019 and 2020; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Alan Kelly. [10915/21]

*235. To ask the Minister for Justice the number of areas in Dublin without access to a community policing outreach van; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Gary Gannon. [10949/21] 869

*236. To ask the Minister for Justice the number and value of procurement contracts for Covid-19 related spending in 2020 and 2021 that took place via negotiated procedure without prior publication in her Department. — Mairéad Farrell. [11184/21]

*237. To ask the Minister for Justice the breakdown of procurement contracts for Covid-19 related spending in 2020 and 2021 that took place via negotiated procedure without prior publication by her Department, by goods and service type in tabular form. — Mairéad Farrell. [11214/21]

Chun an Aire Sláinte: To the Minister for Health.

*238. To ask the Minister for Health the progress in regard to the regulation of hemp stores in Ireland (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Kathleen Funchion. [10628/21]

*239. To ask the Minister for Health the steps he will take to reinstate the speech and language therapy service at a facility (details supplied) following the loss of the service to the facility in March 2019; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Sean Sherlock. [10650/21]

*240. To ask the Minister for Health the plans being put in place to prepare to allow a greater number of attendees at weddings by summer 2021 at the different levels of public health restrictions that may be in place at the time; and the advice for couples currently planning a summer wedding. — Aengus Ó Snodaigh. [10684/21]

*241. To ask the Minister for Health if passengers will need to stay in mandatory hotel quarantine if they are returning home permanently having worked in a country enlisted for mandatory hotel quarantine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Francis Noel Duffy. [10732/21]

*242. To ask the Minister for Health if he will address the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Brendan Griffin. [10592/21]

*243. To ask the Minister for Health the volume of faulty equipment purchased by the HSE in each of the years 2011 to 2019; the details of the type of equipment; the quantity that was faulty; the value of the faulty equipment; the person or body that supplied the faulty equipment; if they were the manufacturer or an intermediary; if any of the costs were recovered; and the locations that the equipment was destined for, for example, hospital, primary care centre, nursing home or other in tabular form. — Louise O’Reilly. [10597/21]

*244. To ask the Minister for Health the position regarding the provision of additional health specialist posts (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. — James Browne. [10599/21]

*245. To ask the Minister for Health the time period by which weddings with a minimum of 25 persons in attendance will be allowed take place under the Resilience and Recovery 2020-2021: Plan for Living with COVID-19. — Peadar Tóibín. [10600/21]

*246. To ask the Minister for Health the policy with regard to the communication of extension of Covid-19 restrictions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Johnny Mythen. [10602/21]

*247. To ask the Minister for Health the consultation that was carried out with psychologists and other mental health professionals to develop a communications policy in relation to Covid-19 and

P.T.O 870 the delivery of Covid-19 restriction extensions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Johnny Mythen. [10603/21]

*248. To ask the Minister for Health if staff at meat factories are the subject of regular Covid-19 tests; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Patricia Ryan. [10609/21]

*249. To ask the Minister for Health the number of persons with a disability nationally seeking HSE funded residential placements in each of the past five years to date; and the average cost per placement in each of the past five years to date. — Peadar Tóibín. [10612/21]

*250. To ask the Minister for Health the number of persons with a disability in County Meath awaiting a HSE funded residential placement; and the waiting times for same. — Peadar Tóibín. [10613/21]

*251. To ask the Minister for Health the number of persons with a disability in County Laois awaiting a HSE funded residential placement; and the waiting times for same. — Peadar Tóibín. [10614/21]

*252. To ask the Minister for Health the number of persons with a disability in County Cork awaiting a HSE funded residential placement; and the waiting times for same. — Peadar Tóibín. [10615/21]

*253. To ask the Minister for Health the number of persons with a disability in County Donegal awaiting a HSE funded residential placement; and the waiting times for same. — Peadar Tóibín. [10616/21]

*254. To ask the Minister for Health the number of persons with a disability in County Mayo awaiting a HSE funded residential placement; and the waiting times for same.; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Peadar Tóibín. [10617/21]

*255. To ask the Minister for Health the number of persons with a disability in County Dublin awaiting a HSE funded residential placement; and the waiting times for same. — Peadar Tóibín. [10618/21]

*256. To ask the Minister for Health the number of persons with a disability in County Cavan awaiting a HSE funded residential placement; and the waiting times for same. — Peadar Tóibín. [10619/21]

*257. To ask the Minister for Health the number of persons with a disability in County Wexford awaiting a HSE funded residential placement; and the waiting times for same. — Peadar Tóibín. [10620/21]

*258. To ask the Minister for Health the number of persons with a disability in County Limerick awaiting a HSE funded residential placement; and the waiting times for same. — Peadar Tóibín. [10621/21]

*259. To ask the Minister for Health the steps being taken to reduce waiting times for primary care ophthalmology appointments in the north Lee local health area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Pádraig O’Sullivan. [10623/21] 871

*260. To ask the Minister for Health the steps being taken to reduce the waiting times for assessments of need under the Disability Act 2005 in the north Lee local health area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Pádraig O’Sullivan. [10624/21]

*261. To ask the Minister for Health the number of homecare packages being provided in each LHO area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Pádraig O’Sullivan. [10625/21]

*262. To ask the Minister for Health the number of children on CAMHS waiting lists by age and gender in the Cork north lee area in tabular form. — Pádraig O’Sullivan. [10627/21]

*263. To ask the Minister for Health his views on a matter raised in correspondence (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. — David Cullinane. [10638/21]

*264. To ask the Minister for Health if he will address a series of concerns and queries raised in correspondence (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Fergus O’Dowd. [10639/21]

*265. To ask the Minister for Health the categories and number of students by area of study and annual cohorts who undertake clinical or training placements in the health and social care services in each year in tabular form; the number of placement hours in each year for each area of study; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — David Cullinane. [10640/21]

*266. To ask the Minister for Health if he will advise on a matter raised in correspondence (details supplied) regarding a vaccine for a vulnerable person; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — David Cullinane. [10642/21]

*267. To ask the Minister for Health if he will advise on a matter raised in correspondence (details supplied) in relation to insurance policies and maternity cover; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Chris Andrews. [10643/21]

*268. To ask the Minister for Health the status of the supply and pricing agreement of medicines; the parties involved in these discussions; if he or his officials have engaged with an organisation (details supplied) on the matter; his views on whether greater reforms are possible to achieve more sustainable and affordable medicines here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — David Cullinane. [10652/21]

*269. To ask the Minister for Health if he is considering including phlebotomists as a category eligible to vaccinate persons for Covid-19; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Richard Boyd Barrett. [10659/21]

*270. To ask the Minister for Health if he is considering including veterinarians as a category eligible to vaccinate persons for Covid-19; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Richard Boyd Barrett. [10660/21]

*271. To ask the Minister for Health the number of persons that presented with PIMS and or Kawasaki disease in each of the years 2017 to 2020 and to date in 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Mark Ward. [10663/21]

*272. To ask the Minister for Health when taxi drivers employed to drive patients for dialysis will receive the Covid-19 vaccine given they are essential front-line workers and if they cannot

P.T.O 872 work due to illness ambulances have to be used to transport these patients; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Jackie Cahill. [10664/21]

*273. To ask the Minister for Health the number of psychologists per grade in primary healthcare; the number per capita of population; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Mark Ward. [10665/21]

*274. To ask the Minister for Health his plans to add cariban to the approved drug list under the drug payment scheme; the medicines available under the drug payment scheme to treat hyperemesis gravidarum; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Michael Lowry. [10666/21]

*275. To ask the Minister for Health the number of deaths from suicide in County Galway disaggregated by location, city and county, age cohort and gender in each of the years 2017 to 2020. — Mairéad Farrell. [10667/21]

*276. To ask the Minister for Health the number of deaths from drug and alcohol overdose in County Galway disaggregated by city and county, age cohort and gender in each of the years 2017 to 2020. — Mairéad Farrell. [10668/21]

*277. To ask the Minister for Health the number of persons presenting in accident and emergency departments in County Galway with mental health related emergencies in each of the years 2017 to 2020. — Mairéad Farrell. [10669/21]

*278. To ask the Minister for Health if the pay arrangements put in place for student nurses in 2020 will be implemented (details supplied). — Joan Collins. [10670/21]

*279. To ask the Minister for Health the extent to which the recommendations of the report by the Joint Committee on Health on Evaluating Orphan Drugs have been implemented; if an impact assessment has been conducted on those which have; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — David Cullinane. [10674/21]

*280. To ask the Minister for Health the process for the approval of new drugs; his plans to review or alter this process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — David Cullinane. [10675/21]

*281. To ask the Minister for Health when workers in categories (details supplied) will receive Covid-19 vaccine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Paul Donnelly. [10677/21]

*282. To ask the Minister for Health when a renewed medical card will issue in the case of persons (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Bernard J. Durkan. [10678/21]

*283. To ask the Minister for Health if there is a process by which a person who holds a medal card who has paid privately for cataract surgery due to long waiting lists can claim reimbursement from the State in relation to same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Mark Ward. [10681/21]

*284. To ask the Minister for Health if he expects the public health situation and Government preparations to cater for differing levels of restrictions to allow for an increase in the number of attendees at gatherings such as weddings by summer 2021. — Aengus Ó Snodaigh. [10685/21] 873

*285. To ask the Minister for Health if IVF treatment will be commencing for persons on a public health basis; when treatment will commence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Thomas Pringle. [10688/21]

*286. To ask the Minister for Health if persons on dialysis and that have other serious health problems can be prioritised for Covid-19 vaccinations. — Brian Stanley. [10697/21]

*287. To ask the Minister for Health his position on the halting of primary medical certificate assessments by the HSE; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Richard O’Donoghue. [10698/21]

*288. To ask the Minister for Health his position on alternative travel arrangements for patients awaiting a primary medical assessment; if funding will be allocated to patients for transport to medical appointments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Richard O’Donoghue. [10699/21]

*289. To ask the Minister for Health if registration fees will be waived for the members of an association (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Michael Healy-Rae. [10700/21]

*290. To ask the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) who requested glasses will receive an appointment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Michael Healy-Rae. [10702/21]

*291. To ask the Minister for Health if the HSE will facilitate a community-based health organisation (details supplied) in the CHO8 area. — Peadar Tóibín. [10707/21]

*292. To ask the Minister for Health if his Department or the HSE have a policy on which the Covid-19 vaccine is administered to persons, for example, which takes into account existing medical conditions such as gastrointestinal side effects. — Patrick Costello. [10731/21]

*293. To ask the Minister for Health if guidance will be provided on the process for a child and their family returning to Ireland attending an appointment in Great Ormond Street Hospital, London (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Paul Kehoe. [10735/21]

*294. To ask the Minister for Health if he will facilitate older persons living within 10km of Citywest to receive their vaccine there, rather than in the Helix if they cannot be administered to them in their local general practitioner surgery. — . [10750/21]

*295. To ask the Minister for Health the way and by whom the decision was made to not to make a vaccine (details supplied) available to persons over 70 years of age; if a revision of same is planned in view of the WHO statement that the vaccine is suitable for use in this age group; and if he or the relevant body will make the vaccine available to persons over 70 years of age on a voluntary basis in order that any person in this cohort who wishes to avail of the vaccine can do so. — Aodhán Ó Ríordáin. [10759/21]

*296. To ask the Minister for Health the number of staff working in the HSE in Cork city and county per year from 2011 to 2021, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Colm Burke. [10761/21]

P.T.O 874

*297. To ask the Minister for Health if he will prioritise informal carers in the vaccination schedule as they provide an essential service for vulnerable persons; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Colm Burke. [10762/21]

*298. To ask the Minister for Health the amount of public expenditure spent on public hospitals in Cork city and county per year from 2011 to 2021, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Colm Burke. [10768/21]

*299. To ask the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 844 of 17 February 2021, if private providers of Covid-19 antigen tests are required to report their results to the Chief Medical Officer given that the tests do not go to a laboratory; the way these antigen testsare accounted for in daily case figures; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Róisín Shortall. [10776/21]

*300. To ask the Minister for Health if there was political involvement in the decision to purchase ventilators from a company (details supplied); if he signed off on the deal at the time; and the due diligence carried out on the company in question prior to awarding a contract. — Róisín Shortall. [10780/21]

*301. To ask the Minister for Health if matters raised (details supplied) in relation to fees paid to general practitioners will be examined. — Sean Sherlock. [10781/21]

*302. To ask the Minister for Health if it is planned to recruit dentists as part of the Covid-19 vaccine teams in view of their qualifications and their experience and particularly to allow the more rapid roll-out of the vaccine in rural areas; if so, when they will be recruited and mobilised; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Éamon Ó Cuív. [10802/21]

*303. To ask the Minister for Health if he plans commissioning a study as to the possible effect the introduction of a minimum price for alcohol in this jurisdiction would have on cross Border trade, in view of the fact that no decision has been made by the Northern Ireland authorities to introduce a similar measure and the fact that the law providing this was passed by the Houses of the Oireachtas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Éamon Ó Cuív. [10804/21]

*304. To ask the Minister for Health the number of formal and informal Council of the European Union meetings that have been held since 27 June 2020 under the remit of his Department; and the number of formal and informal meetings, respectively held virtually. — Denis Naughten. [10818/21]

*305. To ask the Minister for Health if the necessary funding will be made available to ensure no further time is lost in progressing the provision of urgently required acute beds for the mid-west region given that planning permission has been granted for the development of a new 96 bed ward block at University Hospital Limerick; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — . [10833/21]

*306. To ask the Minister for Health if changes were made to the upper age limit in which women are invited for a smear test by CervicalCheck; the reason a person who turned 61 years of age before 30 March 2020 was not invited for further screening; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — . [10840/21] 875

*307. To ask the Minister for Health if all pharmacy staff will be considered front-line healthcare workers and be prioritised for vaccination in order to keep looking after patients. — Emer Higgins. [10842/21]

*308. To ask the Minister for Health if a business (details supplied) can be categorised as essential work; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Paul Kehoe. [10846/21]

*309. To ask the Minister for Health if persons between 16 and 18 years of age who are medically vulnerable will be offered a vaccine (details supplied); if family carers will be offered vaccination in view of their prioritisation in the United Kingdom and other EU countries; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Denis Naughten. [10854/21]

*310. To ask the Minister for Health the dates on which the PCR tests in which the three cases of P1 Brazilian variant, announced on 19 February 2021 were carried out; the dates on which it was notified to his Department and NPHET that the said variant was detected; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Michael McNamara. [10858/21]

*311. To ask the Minister for Health if an external report and the subsequent recommendations on the Keltoi facility is to be published; and the timeline for this publication. — Thomas Gould. [10859/21]

*312. To ask the Minister for Health his policy on vitamin D supplementation in the population; his policy on the strategic use of drugs such as HCQ and ivermectin in the treatment of Covid-19; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Réada Cronin. [10860/21]

*313. To ask the Minister for Health the number of public health doctors and specialists who have been appointed since the outbreak of Covid-19; the number who will be appointed in 2021; the grade at which they will be appointed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Réada Cronin. [10861/21]

*314. To ask the Minister for Health the current plans to administer vaccines to those who are aged over 85 years of age and are completely housebound therefore cannot attend a doctor’s surgery or a vaccination centre; and if the HSE is currently making provisions to administer vaccines in the home in such cases. — Robert Troy. [10863/21]

*315. To ask the Minister for Health the dates on which the PCR tests regarding the three cases of P1 Brazilian variant announced on 19 February 2021 were carried out; the dates on which it was discovered by NPHET that the variant was detected; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Michael McNamara. [10864/21]

*316. To ask the Minister for Health the status of the Access to Care Fund and the HSE National Treatment Fund action plan for 2021 announced in Budget 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — . [10867/21]

*317. To ask the Minister for Health the reason persons under 65 years of age and who are resident in nursing homes are not prioritised for receiving the Covid-19 vaccine. — Peadar Tóibín. [10868/21]

*318. To ask the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will receive an admission date to St. Patricks Hospital, Dublin following a referral from their general practitioner; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Éamon Ó Cuív. [10870/21]

P.T.O 876

*319. To ask the Minister for Health the number of contact tracers presently operating within the Covid-19 test and trace system; the additional recruitment of contact tracers that has taken place since the start of level 5 restrictions in December 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Verona Murphy. [10907/21]

*320. To ask the Minister for Health the number of vaccinators currently assigned to the Covid-19 mass vaccination centres nationwide; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Verona Murphy. [10908/21]

*321. To ask the Minister for Health the number of vaccinators currently assigned to the Covid-19 vaccination centre in Enniscorthy, County Wexford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Verona Murphy. [10909/21]

*322. To ask the Minister for Health the number of women who have availed of CervicalCheck screening services per month from January 2020 to date by county in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Alan Kelly. [10911/21]

*323. To ask the Minister for Health the number of properties owned by patients in the nursing homes support scheme by local authority area; and the number of those properties that are vacant by local authority area in tabular form. — Alan Kelly. [10916/21]

*324. To ask the Minister for Health the number of persons in nursing homes under the fair deal scheme that have a residential property registered in their name which is included as part of the assessment for the scheme; the number of these homes that have a family member residing in them; the number of homes that are rented or generating an income; and the number that are vacant. — Alan Kelly. [10917/21]

*325. To ask the Minister for Health the progress of the nursing homes support scheme (amendment) Bill; and the projected timeline for that Bill. — Alan Kelly. [10918/21]

*326. To ask the Minister for Health the status of his Department’s examination of the treatment under the nursing home support scheme’s financial assessment of income from a person’s principal private residence. — Alan Kelly. [10919/21]

*327. To ask the Minister for Health the progress of the commitment in the Programme for Government to reform the fair deal scheme to incentivise the rental of vacant properties. — Alan Kelly. [10920/21]

*328. To ask the Minister for Health the recommendations of the Women’s Health Taskforce for endometriosis patients; his plans for the implementation of those recommendations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Alan Kelly. [10921/21]

*329. To ask the Minister for Health the status of the Women’s Health Taskforce; the progress of the taskforce since September 2019; the timeline for the delivery of the programme of actions through the Women’s Health Fund in 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Alan Kelly. [10922/21]

*330. To ask the Minister for Health the status of the work of the HSE National Women and Infants Health Programme; the status of the roll-out of phase one of the ambulatory care model for gynaecology services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Alan Kelly. [10923/21] 877

*331. To ask the Minister for Health the current allocation for endometriosis diagnosis and treatment procedures; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Alan Kelly. [10924/21]

*332. To ask the Minister for Health his views on the Covid-19 vaccination roll-out in Denmark (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Paul McAuliffe. [10925/21]

*333. To ask the Minister for Health the steps he is taking to ensure that arrangements are in place for administration of the Covid-19 vaccine when numbers are expected to reach 1.2 million per month in April, May and June 2021; the number of staff being recruited; the date they are expected to be in their post; the number of vaccines which will be in use; and the intended daily capacity in terms of number of vaccines administered. — Róisín Shortall. [10931/21]

*334. To ask the Minister for Health the groups of persons who are exempted from quarantining after arriving into Ireland; the arrangements to ensure that these groups do not import the virus into the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Róisín Shortall. [10932/21]

*335. To ask the Minister for Health the details of his response to the arrival of the Brazil P1 variant of Covid-19 into Ireland which was announced on 19 February 2021; the steps he is taking to minimise the spread of this variant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Róisín Shortall. [10933/21]

*336. To ask the Minister for Health if the three cases of the Brazil P1 variant identified in Ireland are directly associated with recent travel from Brazil; the steps he is taking to prevent further importation of this variant and others through travel; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Róisín Shortall. [10935/21]

*337. To ask the Minister for Health the projected deliveries of Covid-19 vaccines into Ireland for the next six months; the quantities of each in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Róisín Shortall. [10936/21]

*338. To ask the Minister for Health the advice he is following in relation to mixing vaccines; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Róisín Shortall. [10937/21]

*339. To ask the Minister for Health the status of the strategy for deployment of a vaccine (details supplied) in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Róisín Shortall. [10938/21]

*340. To ask the Minister for Health the arrangements for checking that persons arriving into Ireland from abroad have a negative PCR test result; if the test result is verified pre-departure, upon arrival or both; the person or body with responsibility for checking the test results at each stage; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Róisín Shortall. [10939/21]

*341. To ask the Minister for Health the number of persons arriving into Ireland from abroad who presented a negative PCR test upon arrival; and the number who failed to present a negative PCR test in each week from 1 January 2021 to date in tabular form. — Róisín Shortall. [10940/21]

*342. To ask the Minister for Health the steps taken to date in the case of persons arriving into Ireland from abroad without a negative PCR test; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Róisín Shortall. [10941/21]

P.T.O 878

*343. To ask the Minister for Health the number of checks that have occurred in each week from 1 February 2021 to date on persons quarantining at home after arriving into Ireland; the number in each case of SMS, telephone, and Garda checks; and the number of persons who were compliant and non-compliant in tabular form. — Róisín Shortall. [10942/21]

*344. To ask the Minister for Health the number and value of procurement contracts for Covid-19 related spending in 2020 and 2021 that took place via negotiated procedure without prior publication in his Department. — Mairéad Farrell. [11182/21]

*345. To ask the Minister for Health the breakdown of procurement contracts for Covid-19 related spending in 2020 and 2021 that took place via negotiated procedure without prior publication by his Department, by goods and service type in tabular form. — Mairéad Farrell. [11212/21]

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

*346. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if equine therapy is allowed to operate under current public health restrictions. — Sean Sherlock. [10729/21]

*347. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his Department has examined treating Irish fishers and their industry in a similar fashion to the bed and breakfast industry which allows non-rate paying businesses to seek access to emergency financial supports that have been put in place due to Covid-19 disruption; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Pádraig Mac Lochlainn. [10745/21]

*348. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if harbour fees payed by Irish fishers will be considered similar to rates paid by businesses for the purpose of applying for business supports available through his Department for disruption caused by Covid-19; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Pádraig Mac Lochlainn. [10746/21]

*349. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 277 of 25 November 2020, if further details on the awarding of two contracts for a social farming network and a programme for nascent rural female entrepreneurial development will be provided in particular the value of these contract works; and the number of female entrepreneurs awarded funding with regard to the latter contract. — Mairéad Farrell. [10786/21]

*350. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the extent to which standard procurement procedures have been applied in the case of the proposed relocation of the centre of excellence of Horse Sport Ireland to a new location; if the normal procurement tests have been applied and incorporated in the process; if best value for money has been proven; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Bernard J. Durkan. [10904/21]

*351. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the extent to which the proposal by Horse Sport Ireland to relocate to a centre of excellence further away from the focal points of activity associated with the horse industry in respect of both bloodstock and sport horse genetics as an essential part of the business meets the principals of good value for money and reform; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Bernard J. Durkan. [10906/21]

*352. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when payment under the young farmers scheme 2020 will issue to a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Michael Fitzmaurice. [10654/21] 879

*353. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason farmers who are in derogation are not eligible for TAMS tranche 21 (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Paul Kehoe. [10679/21]

*354. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason farmers who are in derogation were only given 24 hours’ notice to apply for TAMS on 15 January 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Paul Kehoe. [10680/21]

*355. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of new entrants that will commence the green cert programme in 2021 in County Mayo; the number of applications that were refused in 2021; the details of same in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — . [10689/21]

*356. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if the plan is in place to accommodate those who need their green certificate as in the case of a person (details supplied); the alternative course is not available until September 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Alan Dillon. [10690/21]

*357. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the plan in place to accommodate those who need their green certificate as in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Alan Dillon. [10691/21]

*358. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if there is a GDPR issue with a process (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Paul Kehoe. [10692/21]

*359. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the current situation on the PGI application for boxty; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Marian Harkin. [10694/21]

*360. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the efforts his Department is making to reopen the Chinese market to Irish fishers for the exportation of brown crab; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Pádraig Mac Lochlainn. [10744/21]

*361. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason minutes are not made public from quota management advisory committee meetings; if he considers this to be good practice; the actions he will take to address this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Pádraig Mac Lochlainn. [10747/21]

*362. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the current underspend that exists for fisheries related funding from the current EMFF programme; and if he will makea statement on the matter. — Pádraig Mac Lochlainn. [10748/21]

*363. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the legal definition that Ireland interprets for recognising supertrawlers and factory trawlers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Pádraig Mac Lochlainn. [10749/21]

*364. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason Irish registered vessels are not allowed to fish in Irish waters for bluefin tuna when non-EU registered boats are fishing for this species just outside Irish waters; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Éamon Ó Cuív. [10797/21]

P.T.O 880

*365. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason the Hague Preferences were not invoked as part of the Brexit discussions and fishery arrangements to ensure Irish access to stocks did not fall below the agreed limits; if it could be still invoked; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Éamon Ó Cuív. [10798/21]

*366. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason the principal of relative stability was not invoked as part of the Brexit fishing arrangement to ensure that each country’s slice of fishing quota remains proportional, which clearly did not happen in the arrangement agreed; if it is too late to invoke it now; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Éamon Ó Cuív. [10799/21]

*367. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if it is planned to strengthen the staffing numbers in the marine sector of his Department by the appointment of new and extra senior staff in order to prepare fully and diligently to protect Ireland’s maritime interests during the forthcoming renegotiations of the Common Fishery Policy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Éamon Ó Cuív. [10800/21]

*368. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of formal and informal Council of the European Union meetings that have been held since 27 June 2020 under the remit of his Department; and the number of formal and informal meetings, respectively held virtually. — Denis Naughten. [10809/21]

*369. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his Department has a multi- annual programme for the development of the fishery harbours owned by his Department; the location in which details of this programme are published; the amount allocated to the programme in the current National Development Plan; if it is planned to review the programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Éamon Ó Cuív. [10827/21]

*370. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the percentage of HGVs and containers arriving into Ireland from the United Kingdom that had the relevant phytosanitary paperwork done correctly; the percentage delayed due to faulty phytosanitary paperwork; the percentage that were inspected physically; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Éamon Ó Cuív. [10839/21]

*371. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if the case of a person (details supplied) will be examined in a sympathetic manner given the circumstances; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Kieran O’Donnell. [10841/21]

*372. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on a matter raised in correspondence by a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Brendan Griffin. [10853/21]

*373. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if a Departmental official can block a member of the public from contacting any Department official via their official Department email; if so, the offence the member of the public must have committed to warrant the sanction; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Michael Fitzmaurice. [10855/21]

*374. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number and value of procurement contracts for Covid-19 related spending in 2020 and 2021 that took place via negotiated procedure without prior publication in his Department. — Mairéad Farrell. [11174/21] 881

*375. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the breakdown of procurement contracts for Covid-19 related spending in 2020 and 2021 that took place via negotiated procedure without prior publication by his Department, by goods and service type in tabular form. — Mairéad Farrell. [11203/21]

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

*376. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development further to Parliamentary Question No. 287 of 25 November 2020, if further details of six of the projects submitted by four library authorities (details supplied) included a social consideration clause will be provided in particular the value of each of these contracts; and the nature of the contract work and a description of the social clauses used therein in tabular form. — Mairéad Farrell. [10787/21]

*377. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development when it is planned to publish the outcome of the public consultation on the Control of Dogs Act 1986 pertaining to dog breeds; the reason for the delay in doing same; when it is planned to make recommendations as a result of this consultation exercise; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Éamon Ó Cuív. [10807/21]

*378. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development the number of formal and informal Council of the European Union meetings that have been held since 27 June 2020 under the remit of her Department; and the number of formal and informal meetings, respectively held virtually. — Denis Naughten. [10822/21]

*379. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development the number and value of procurement contracts for Covid-19 related spending in 2020 and 2021 that took place via negotiated procedure without prior publication in her Department. — Mairéad Farrell. [11185/21]

*380. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development the breakdown of procurement contracts for Covid-19 related spending in 2020 and 2021 that took place via negotiated procedure without prior publication by her Department, by goods and service type in tabular form. — Mairéad Farrell. [11216/21]

Wt. 101340. 255. 2/21. Essentra. (86637). Gr. 30-15 Printed on re-cycled paper.