DÁIL ÉIREANN

Dé Céadaoin, 24 Márta, 2021 Wednesday, 24th March, 2021

CEISTEANNA QUESTIONS

19 DÁIL ÉIREANN 1131 Dé Céadaoin, 24 Márta, 2021 Wednesday, 24th March, 2021

CEISTEANNA I gCOMHAIR FREAGRA Ó BHÉAL QUESTIONS FOR ORAL ANSWER

Chun an Taoisigh: To the Taoiseach.

1. To ask the Taoiseach the engagement he had with the First and Deputy First Ministers of Northern Ireland in relation the Covid-19 pandemic. — . [1326/21]

2. To ask the Taoiseach when the Cabinet Committee that deals with children and youth affairs will next meet. — . [1328/21]

3. To ask the Taoiseach when the Cabinet Committee that deals with housing will next meet. — Richard Boyd Barrett. [1329/21]

4. To ask the Taoiseach when the Cabinet Committee dealing with housing will next meet. — Cian O’Callaghan. [13103/21]

5. To ask the Taoiseach when the Cabinet Committee that deals with housing will next meet. — Bríd Smith. [13269/21]

6. To ask the Taoiseach when the Cabinet Committee that deals with housing will next meet. — Paul Murphy. [13272/21]

7. To ask the Taoiseach when the Cabinet Committee on Housing last met; and when it will next meet. — . [14479/21]

8. To ask the Taoiseach when the Cabinet Committee on Housing will next meet. — Mary Lou McDonald. [15521/21]

9. To ask the Taoiseach if he will report on the Cabinet Committee dealing with education. — Mick Barry. [1594/21]

10. To ask the Taoiseach when the Cabinet Committee on Education last met; and when it will next meet. — Alan Kelly. [14480/21]

11. To ask the Taoiseach when the Cabinet Committee on Education will next meet. — Mary Lou McDonald. [15523/21]

12. To ask the Taoiseach if he will report on the Cabinet Committee dealing with education. — Richard Boyd Barrett. [15559/21]

13. To ask the Taoiseach if he will report on the meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Covid-19. — Mick Barry. [1593/21]

P.T.O 1132

14. To ask the Taoiseach when the Cabinet Committee on Covid-19 last met; and when it next plans to meet. — Alan Kelly. [13095/21]

15. To ask the Taoiseach when the Cabinet Committee on Covid-19 will next meet. — Richard Boyd Barrett. [13268/21]

16. To ask the Taoiseach when the Cabinet Committee on Covid-19 will next meet. — Bríd Smith. [13271/21]

17. To ask the Taoiseach when the Cabinet Committee on Covid-19 will next meet. — Paul Murphy. [13274/21]

18. To ask the Taoiseach if he will report on the Cabinet Committee on Covid-19. — Mick Barry. [13300/21]

19. To ask the Taoiseach when the Cabinet Committee on Covid-19 will next meet. — Mary Lou McDonald. [15524/21]

20. To ask the Taoiseach when the Cabinet Committee on Health last met; and when it next plans to meet. — Alan Kelly. [13096/21]

21. To ask the Taoiseach when the Cabinet Committee on Health will next meet. — Mary Lou McDonald. [13102/21]

22. To ask the Taoiseach when the Cabinet Committee on Health last met; and when it next plans to meet. — Richard Boyd Barrett. [15560/21]

23. To ask the Taoiseach when the Cabinet Committee on Economic Recovery and Investment last met; and when it next plans to meet. — Alan Kelly. [13097/21]

24. To ask the Taoiseach when the Cabinet Committee on Economic Recovery and Investment will next meet. — Cian O’Callaghan. [13104/21]

25. To ask the Taoiseach when the Cabinet Committee that deals with the economy will next meet. — Richard Boyd Barrett. [13267/21]

26. To ask the Taoiseach when the Cabinet Committee that deals with the economy will next meet. — Bríd Smith. [13270/21]

27. To ask the Taoiseach when the Cabinet Committee that deals with the economy will next meet. — Paul Murphy. [13273/21]

28. To ask the Taoiseach if he will report on the Cabinet Committee dealing with economic affairs. — Mick Barry. [13299/21]

29. To ask the Taoiseach the position regarding the priorities of the shared island unit of his Department. — Neale Richmond. [13098/21]

30. To ask the Taoiseach the status of the activities of the shared island unit of his Department. — Neale Richmond. [13099/21] 1133

31. To ask the Taoiseach the priorities of the shared island unit specifically in relation to new initiatives regarding north-south schemes. — Ruairí Ó Murchú. [13249/21]

32. To ask the Taoiseach if he will report on the work of the Britain and Northern Ireland division of his Department. — Mary Lou McDonald. [13101/21]

33. To ask the Taoiseach when the Cabinet Committee on Europe will next meet. — Cian O’Callaghan. [13105/21]

34. To ask the Taoiseach when the Cabinet Committee on Europe will next meet. — Richard Boyd Barrett. [15561/21]

35. To ask the Taoiseach when he will meet with the families of victims of the Glenanne gang. — Peadar Tóibín. [13194/21]

36. To ask the Taoiseach the arrangements to have further discussions with the UK Prime Minister and members of the Northern Ireland Executive on the need to implement the New Decade, New Approach in full. — Brendan Smith. [13244/21]

37. To ask the Taoiseach the expected running order of citizens’ assemblies committed to in the Programme for Government. — Thomas Gould. [13256/21]

38. To ask the Taoiseach the expected timeline and order of citizens’ assemblies committed to in the Programme for Government. — Ruairí Ó Murchú. [15657/21]

39. To ask the Taoiseach if he will report on his engagements with the President of the United States of America. — Alan Kelly. [14478/21]

40. To ask the Taoiseach if he will report on his latest discussion with the President of the United States of America. — Neale Richmond. [14545/21]

41. To ask the Taoiseach if he will report on his most recent dialogues with the Government and President of the United States of America. — Ruairí Ó Murchú. [15656/21]

CEISTEANNA AR SONRAÍODH UAIN DÓIBH QUESTIONS NOMINATED FOR PRIORITY

Chun an Aire Iompair: To the Minister for Transport.

42. To ask the Minister for Transport the way he plans to support the aviation sector in view of these necessary public health restrictions and the devastating impact of Covid-19 on the sector; if he plans to establish a new survival and recovery taskforce to plan and prepare to sustain and recover this important industry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Darren O’Rourke. [15577/21]

43. To ask the Minister for Transport his views on the future viability of the aviation industry sector and the thousands of jobs in the sector in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Duncan Smith. [15565/21]

P.T.O 1134

44. To ask the Minister for Transport the actions he is taking to address the backlog in driver tests, theory tests and driving lessons; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Darren O’Rourke. [15578/21]

45. To ask the Minister for Transport the level of financial support his Department will be providing to Rosslare Europort to initiate the various studies needed to support an application for Rosslare as a service port for the wind energy sector off the east coast of Ireland; when this financial support will be forthcoming; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — . [15603/21]

46. To ask the Minister for Transport the new measures he plans to introduce to reduce the 20.3% contribution of the transport sector to Ireland’s total greenhouse gas emissions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Darren O’Rourke. [15579/21]

CEISTEANNA EILE OTHER QUESTIONS

Chun an Aire Iompair: To the Minister for Transport.

47. To ask the Minister for Transport further to Parliamentary Question No. 84 of 12 November 2020, the status of the roll-out of park-and-ride facilities for Galway city; the number and locations of all sites identified to date from which to operate park-and-ride; the engagement he has had with Galway City Council on this issue; the engagement he has had with the park-and-ride development office on this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — . [1832/21]

48. To ask the Minister for Transport the supports he plans to implement to aid taxi drivers in the coming period as a result of the impact of Covid-19 restrictions on the industry; if he plans to extend the ten year rule for vehicles due to be replaced in 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Richard Boyd Barrett. [15580/21]

49. To ask the Minister for Transport the steps he is taking to reduce the emissions profile of the public transport fleet; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — . [14519/21]

50. To ask the Minister for Transport the amount of funding expected to be invested in 2021 in walking and cycling infrastructure projects such as the Midleton to Youghal Greenway; if the timelines for development of such infrastructure will be impacted by Covid-19 restrictions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — . [1739/21]

51. To ask the Minister for Transport if he will report on the potential allocation of funding to a project (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. — James O’Connor. [15632/21]

52. To ask the Minister for Transport when he plans to publish the reviews carried out into the feasibility of re-opening the Athenry to Claremorris section of the Western Rail Corridor; the reason for the delay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Éamon Ó Cuív. [1014/21]

53. To ask the Minister for Transport if his attention has been drawn to the fact that there are very long delays in having essential road improvements carried out under the local improvement scheme at present; if he will provide ring-fenced funding for this scheme as existed previously; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Brendan Smith. [15606/21] 1135

54. To ask the Minister for Transport the status of the Programme for Government commitment to enhance suburban and commuter rail across the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Duncan Smith. [15570/21]

55. To ask the Minister for Transport the status of investment in major road infrastructure in counties Cavan and Monaghan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — . [15539/21]

56. To ask the Minister for Transport the progress of the BusConnects network redesign. — . [12983/21]

57. To ask the Minister for Transport if he will take steps to accelerate the roll out of the promised enhanced electric vehicle charging network. — . [1494/21]

58. To ask the Minister for Transport the progress his Department has made with the Road Safety Authority to provide an online facility for the driver theory test; the timeline before proposals are examined by his Department in relation to same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Verona Murphy. [15602/21]

59. To ask the Minister for Transport his plans to address the issue of long wait times for driver test dates due to the Covid-19 pandemic; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Pádraig O’Sullivan. [15528/21]

60. To ask the Minister for Transport if he will consider the proposed extension of MetroLink from St. Stephens Green to south-west Dublin and UCD as originally agreed rather than have it terminate north of Beechwood in Ranelagh; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — . [14731/21]

61. To ask the Minister for Transport if he will provide ring-fenced funding for the local improvement scheme as existed up to 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Brendan Smith. [15605/21]

62. To ask the Minister for Transport the status of negotiations to expand rural public transport capacity in 2021. — Sean Sherlock. [44384/20]

63. To ask the Minister for Transport the costs to date of the BusConnects project; when proposed route changes to the network will be implemented in the Dún Laoghaire area of County Dublin; if the promised increase in services across the city of 23% will see an actual 23% increase in bus fleet numbers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Richard Boyd Barrett. [15581/21]

64. To ask the Minister for Transport when he will initiate negotiations with the UK regarding a formal licence exchange agreement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Rose Conway-Walsh. [44806/20]

65. To ask the Minister for Transport his plans to expand the passenger and freight rail network here including the Navan rail line and the Western Rail Corridor given 2021 is the European Year of Rail; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Darren O’Rourke. [15576/21]

66. To ask the Minister for Transport the level of fines imposed on Dublin Bus and a company (details supplied) for non-compliance with timing on routes for the previous 12 months; if these

P.T.O 1136 fines relate to the bus being late, early or not showing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — . [15583/21]

67. To ask the Minister for Transport his plans to enhance commuter rail services in Cork owing to the contribution that rail transport can have to meeting climate change obligations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — David Stanton. [1738/21]

68. To ask the Minister for Transport the status of the Connecting Ireland plan for the reform of public transport services nationwide; the way in which he plans to restructure rural transport services to meet the needs of communities while also reducing carbon emissions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Darren O’Rourke. [15574/21]

69. To ask the Minister for Transport his future plans for Shannon Airport; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Violet-Anne Wynne. [15010/21]

70. To ask the Minister for Transport the extent to which he and his Department continue to measure the impact of Brexit to date on the transportation, importation and export of goods; if particular issues have arisen which might require a specific response; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Bernard J. Durkan. [1833/21]

71. To ask the Minister for Transport if his Department plans to make up the shortfall in road improvement works funding allocated to Wexford County Council since 2008; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Verona Murphy. [15633/21]

72. To ask the Minister for Transport his plans to legislate for sound barriers given that at present they only go in as part of a planning application to mitigate against the worst effects of noise given that over time noise increases due to greater volumes of traffic, and given that existing legislation does not currently provide for them to be installed retrospectively; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Pádraig O’Sullivan. [15527/21]

73. To ask the Minister for Transport if a schedule will be provided of outbound and inbound international flights in respect of airports not listed on the passenger locator form field (details supplied) and or place of arrival from 1 to 18 March 2021; the number of passenger locater forms processed in respect of these airports as an entry point to the State over the same time period; and the number of follow-up calls made in respect of the data collected from these forms. — Catherine Murphy. [15600/21]

74. To ask the Minister for Transport the status of the MetroLink project; when a railway order will be made; and when it will go to Cabinet. — Paul McAuliffe. [15630/21]

75. To ask the Minister for Transport the status of funding and the timeline for the proposed southern relief road in Bandon, County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Christopher O’Sullivan. [15658/21]

76. To ask the Minister for Transport the length of the backlog for driver and theory test applications; his plans to address the backlog for the application process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Duncan Smith. [15568/21]

77. To ask the Minister for Transport further to Parliamentary Question No. 187 of 3 December 2020, if he will reconsider his Department’s position with regard to commissioning a feasibility study on light rail in Galway city particularly in view of Ireland’s legal obligations under climate 1137 change legislation and the fact that it has now been almost five years since the publication of the Galway Transport Strategy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Catherine Connolly. [1831/21]

78. To ask the Minister for Transport the measures he will be putting in place to deal with the backlog within the NDLS service nationally in relation to persons left waiting many months for a driving test or licence renewal appointment. — . [1714/21]

79. To ask the Minister for Transport the length of the backlog for the renewal of driver licences; his plans to address the backlogs in the application process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Duncan Smith. [15569/21]

80. To ask the Minister for Transport if there are plans to use driving instructors from semi- State bodies, for example, Dublin Bus to help clear the backlog of driving lessons and driver tests. — . [14199/21]

81. To ask the Minister for Transport the number of electric vehicle stations installed across the country by local authorities since August 2019 when his predecessor launched the five-year plan for increasing public electric vehicle charging points; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — . [13106/21]

82. To ask the Minister for Transport the number of electric vehicles and electric plug-in vehicles currently in the State; and his plans to increase the number. — Peadar Tóibín. [13197/21]

83. To ask the Minister for Transport the temporary financial and regulatory reforms that have been put in place to support private bus operators who continue to have limited or no business due to Covid-19; the extent of their drawdown to date; the date on which they are expected to conclude; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Darren O’Rourke. [15573/21]

84. To ask the Minister for Transport if he will instruct Transport Infrastructure Ireland to carry out a road surface review of the M7 between Nenagh and Birdhill, County Tipperary due to the large volume of accidents on that stretch of road. — Alan Kelly. [15414/21]

85. To ask the Minister for Transport the outcomes of a Governmental review concerning a group (details supplied); and when a new chairperson for the board of the group will be appointed. — Cathal Crowe. [1713/21]

86. To ask the Minister for Transport if he is considering extending the ten-year rule for taxi drivers given the impact of Covid-19 on the industry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Paul McAuliffe. [15571/21]

87. To ask the Minister for Transport if he will request that the National Transport Authority consider creating l create a link between all public bike schemes nationwide to enable users in one location to avail of the scheme in another; if a cost benefit analysis has been carried out on same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Duncan Smith. [15566/21]

88. To ask the Minister for Transport the status of a Carlow town bus service; if funding will be made available for this service in quarter 3 of 2021; his plans to provide rural bus services between New Ross, County Wexford and St. Mullins, Tinnahinch and Borris, County Carlow and Arklow, County Wicklow to Carlow town; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Jennifer Murnane O’Connor. [14745/21]

P.T.O 1138

89. To ask the Minister for Transport the status of the progress of the Sutton to Sandycove S2S greenway. — Cormac Devlin. [12982/21]

90. To ask the Minister for Transport if the N26 is included in the review of Project Ireland 2040; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Rose Conway-Walsh. [44807/20]

91. To ask the Minister for Transport further to Parliamentary Question No. 18 of 12 November 2020, the status of the feasibility study for light rail in Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Catherine Connolly. [15412/21]

92. To ask the Minister for Transport the status of the post-Brexit shipping links between Ireland and the UK and the EU; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Neale Richmond. [14558/21]

93. To ask the Minister for Transport if he has considered amending the statutory instrument on zebra crossings which requires Belisha beacons that currently restricts installation due to increased costs compared to standalone white lines as used in other EU states and some counties in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Francis Noel Duffy. [14730/21]

94. To ask the Minister for Transport the consideration he has given to amending legislation to allow commercial driver certificate of professional competency courses to be conducted online similar to those provided in other EU countries; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Verona Murphy. [15601/21]

95. To ask the Minister for Transport the position regarding the inclusion of a road project (details supplied) in the review of the National Development Plan 2018-2027; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — James O’Connor. [15631/21]

96. To ask the Minister for Transport if he has engaged with his counterpart in the UK and or their officials in view of their decision regarding travel to and or from Portugal in relation to the procedure and protocols for travel here in view of the fact that London and Lisbon are destinations that are flight transfer hubs to other world destinations and given Ireland’s relationship with the UK. — Catherine Murphy. [15510/21]

97. To ask the Minister for Transport the total planned investment in heavy and light rail in the current National Development Plan; the major projects involved; the estimated cost and completion date of each; if he will be proposing additional rail investment in the forthcoming review of the plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Éamon Ó Cuív. [1013/21]

98. To ask the Minister for Transport the way in which his Department is supporting the improvement of the rail network including the development of additional capacity which is a particular challenge on routes such as the Northern commuter line; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Fergus O’Dowd. [1690/21]

99. To ask the Minister for Transport the number of UK driving licences that have been exchanged for Irish licences since 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Neale Richmond. [1333/21] 1139

100. To ask the Minister for Transport the actions he is taking to protect aviation workers at Cork Airport; and if he will consider using the connectivity fund for this purpose. — Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire. [15511/21]

101. To ask the Minister for Transport the steps he is taking to meet the target of one million EV cars by 2030; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — . [13251/21]

102. To ask the Minister for Transport when Ministerial approval will be given to allow works on the Coonagh to Knockalisheen Road in Limerick to continue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — . [1122/21]

103. To ask the Minister for Transport the reason Dublin Bus has been instructed to lay vehicles over at certain points in the city; if this practice is the result of instructions from the NTA; if the agency is monitoring the effect this is having in terms of delaying passenger journeys; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Gino Kenny. [15582/21]

104. To ask the Minister for Transport the details of giving priority status to Tipperary town in terms of traffic alleviation on the N24; the details of his comments on addressing shorter sections of six, seven or eight kilometres of the routes including a bypass of Tipperary town; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Martin Browne. [15470/21]

105. To ask the Minister for Transport his views of plans by Bus Éireann to withdraw the expressway services on the N7 and N8 routes in the near future (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. — . [1355/21]

106. To ask the Minister for Transport the status of road improvement works funding for County Wexford. — . [15540/21]

107. To ask the Minister for Transport if he will resolve the legal lacuna in relation to the control of horse-drawn carriages legislation in Dublin city; and if he will ensure that the issue will be resolved in 2021 in order that the owners of horse-drawn carriages can operate within the law given that the issue has been ongoing for three years (details supplied). — Joan Collins. [13570/21]

108. To ask the Minister for Transport if his Department will conduct a review for road improvement works funding to be allocated based on the condition of local council roads as opposed to funding being allocated on length; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Verona Murphy. [15634/21]

109. To ask the Minister for Transport the steps his Department will take to ensure that all new cars will be electric by 2030; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Jennifer Whitmore. [45097/20]

110. To ask the Minister for Transport if he has met with freight representative organisations in relation to the delays and challenges importers and exporters continue to face at ports here due to Brexit; the changes that have been introduced to address these problems; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Darren O’Rourke. [15575/21]

P.T.O 1140

111. To ask the Minister for Transport the reason for the current delay in the issuing of driving licence cards to persons (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Michael Lowry. [1356/21]

112. To ask the Minister for Transport when the new national investment framework for transport will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Christopher O’Sullivan. [15652/21]

113. To ask the Minister for Transport if he will conduct a review of the carbon footprint of Ireland when implementing the plan in the Climate Action Plan 2019 for one million electric vehicles. — Bríd Smith. [13282/21]

114. To ask the Minister for Transport if he will report on the progress in developing a new DART station at Woodbrook between Shankill and Bray which is scheduled to commence in 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Jennifer Carroll MacNeill. [1912/21]

115. To ask the Minister for Transport his plans to increase the availability of public fast charging points for electric cars on all national roads including County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — . [1820/21]

116. To ask the Minister for Transport if local authorities have reported delays in the completion of their restoration improvement programmes; and his plans to assist local authorities in increasing their capacity to carry out roadworks in the coming months. — Joe Flaherty. [15653/21]

117. To ask the Minister for Transport his plans for legislation for the use of e-scooters; his further plans to include e-scooter usage in the decarbonisation of road transport plan as set out in the Programme for Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Duncan Smith. [15567/21]

118. To ask the Minister for Transport his views on developing a strategy that focusses on improvements to the road and rail networks in County Tipperary and in the larger mid-west and south-east regions; the action he plans to take to make proper use of the Limerick, Limerick Junction, Waterford and Limerick, Ballybrophy rail corridors; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Martin Browne. [15471/21]

119. To ask the Minister for Transport if he will report on the progress of the City Centre Resignalling Programme which is due for completion in 2021 (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Fergus O’Dowd. [1689/21]

120. To ask the Minister for Transport if his attention has been drawn to a differential in staff resources between the categories of the National Transport Authority active travel delivery structure; his views on whether the reduction in resources between categories four and five is excessive; if additional staff resources are to be allocated to Carlow town to assure the importance of implementing the active travel programme of the town; if his Department has received confirmation from all local authorities of their implementation of a designated active travel officer; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Jennifer Murnane O’Connor. [14744/21]

121. To ask the Minister for Transport the position for those due to renew their driver licences in particular for those over 70 or for those who do not have a public services card; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Jennifer Carroll MacNeill. [1913/21] 1141

122. To ask the Minister for Transport if he plans to proceed with the initial stages of the BusConnects scheme for Dublin; if his attention has been drawn to the concerns of workers involved that the introduction of the new design will mean widespread changes to existing rights, conditions and labour practices; if he will meet with workers representatives to discuss the implications of the plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Bríd Smith. [14306/21]

123. To ask the Minister for Transport the details of his engagement with the Northern Ireland Minister for Infrastructure regarding cross-Border planning and infrastructure projects particularly the Narrow Water Bridge project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Ruairí Ó Murchú. [15655/21]

124. To ask the Minister for Transport the measures that have been taken and those being considered to tackle the driver test, theory test and lessons backlog; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Ruairí Ó Murchú. [15654/21]

125. To ask the Minister for Transport the status of the N22 bypass for Macroom, County Cork; the current stage of this project; the next steps and associated timeframes; the measures being taken to ensure progress on this project will not be affected due to the recent announcement to cease certain construction; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Aindrias Moynihan. [1819/21]

126. To ask the Minister for Transport if he will consider a short-term programme to repair or upgrade the part of the road used by cyclists on roads and streets with heavy usage. — Richard Bruton. [1501/21]

127. To ask the Minister for Transport the status of roads funding from his Department for Cavan, Monaghan and Meath county councils; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Niamh Smyth. [15538/21]

128. To ask the Minister for Transport if, in the context of the National Development Plan, he expects to see positive changes to meet the ongoing requirements of the travelling public with particular reference to the urgent need to meet the requirements of commuters in more densely populated areas such as County Kildare to encourage the use of rapid rail; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Bernard J. Durkan. [10357/21]

129. To ask the Minister for Transport if his attention has been drawn to the difficulties rural communities have been presented with due to the lack of coordination between changes to bus and rail timetables in particular in circumstances in which a bus route from Dingle, County Kerry had buses cut from the timetable making it impossible for passengers to arrive in Tralee before the train for Dublin departs during weekdays; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — . [1844/21]

130. To ask the Minister for Transport his plans to improve the standard of urban cycle lanes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Denis Naughten. [14518/21]

131. To ask the Minister for Transport if capital funding has been set aside in Budget 2021 for road projects (details supplied) in County Cork. — Michael Collins. [39488/20]

P.T.O 1142

132. To ask the Minister for Transport if he has engaged with the taxi representative associations since their protest in September 2020 which called for a range of supports and reforms in the sector; the changes that have been introduced since then; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Darren O’Rourke. [15572/21]

CEISTEANNA LE hAGHAIDH FREAGRAÍ SCRÍOFA QUESTIONS FOR WRITTEN ANSWER Chun an Taoisigh: To the Taoiseach.

*133. To ask the Taoiseach further to Parliamentary Question No. 4 of 17 February 2021, if it will still be ensured that the 43 weekly newspapers nationwide receive their fair share of the advertising in relation to the national Covid-19 campaigns. — Seán Canney. [14029/21]

*134. To ask the Taoiseach the details of the process through which his Department drafts and produces legislation; if his Department outsources the drafting of legislation; if so, the Bills for which the drafting was outsourced since he took office; and the costs associated with the drafting of each Bill. — Peadar Tóibín. [14428/21]

*135. To ask the Taoiseach the dates on which he spoke to companies (details supplied) regarding vaccine provision in tabular form. — Alan Kelly. [14592/21]

*136. To ask the Taoiseach his plans for the allocation of the shared island fund; and if an application process for this funding will be open to existing cross-Border bodies such as groups (details supplied). — . [14705/21]

*137. To ask the Taoiseach the five most recent significant capital projects in the major functional responsibilities of his Department which require his sanction; the time which elapsed between the initial submission of the proposal for consideration until the construction commenced; the significant elements making up this period; the time spent in assessment prior to approval in the planning process; the time spent in assessment prior to approval in the procurement process of contractors; and the way this duration compared with the targeted time to delivery set out at the outset of the process. — Richard Bruton. [14786/21]

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

*138. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the engagement Ireland had regarding the position taken by the European Commission at the March 2021 World Trade Organisation meeting in respect of the proposed temporary TRIPS waiver on intellectual property in relation to Covid-19 vaccines and technology; if Ireland supported the decision by the European Commission to oppose such a waiver; if he will be engaging further with the European Commission in relation to this issue in advance of the next World Trade Organisation meeting in April 2021; his views on the implications of this matter for the global public health and the Covid-19 pandemic; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — John Brady. [15381/21]

*139. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if businesses which were non-trading in March 2020 but began or were due to begin trading in 2020 or 2021 during the pandemic will qualify for the COVID-19 business aid scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — . [13884/21] 1143

*140. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the redundancy protections in place for women who had to cut back on their hours or take leave during Covid-19 to manage unpaid domestic, childcare and home-schooling demands; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Neale Richmond. [13896/21]

*141. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the action taken by his Department with the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission regarding the need to conduct an investigation into potential mis-selling by Irish agents involved in the French leaseback property scandal; the steps he plans to take in relation to the matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Catherine Connolly. [13952/21]

*142. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the plans being put in place in the form of a job retention scheme to assist SMEs to take on long-term employees and also to encourage persons to return to work post-Covid-19; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Seán Canney. [14001/21]

*143. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the plans being developed to entice emigrants to return to Ireland to join the workforce especially in construction in which there is a deficit in workers which will impact negatively on the Capital Programme from 2021 onwards. — Seán Canney. [14025/21]

*144. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the amount businesses have drawn down from the €2 billion Covid-19 credit guarantee scheme launched in 2020; and if a quarterly breakdown of the amounts drawn down will be provided. — . [14026/21]

*145. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the supports available under the Covid-19 business aid scheme for those without commercial rates contributions (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Matt Shanahan. [14046/21]

*146. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the feasibility studies and engagement that has been carried out to date regarding the potential to manufacture Covid-19 vaccines in Ireland given the level of pharmaceutical companies and activities here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — . [14127/21]

*147. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment his views on the data which shows that 46% of inspections into meat processing plants between 2015 and 2020 uncovered breaches of employment law; the number of workplace inspectors the Workplace Relations Commission has; and his further views on whether this is sufficient for it to successfully investigate and uncover breaches of employment law in the meat processing sector and other sectors. — Louise O’Reilly. [14201/21]

*148. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment his plans to reopen applications for work permits for dairy farm assistants in early 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — . [14209/21]

*149. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the person or body negotiating with pharmaceutical companies on behalf of the IDA vis-a-vis the production of vaccine in the Irish pharmaceutical sector; the person or section the IDA is liaising with in his Department; the proposition being put to the pharmaceutical companies; the companies that have been met; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Gino Kenny. [14255/21]

P.T.O 1144

*150. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the grants available for online businesses in cases in which they are not entitled to the Covid restriction support scheme and COVID business aid scheme payments; the alternatives available to them; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Paul McAuliffe. [14387/21]

*151. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the financial supports available for mobile businesses that are not entitled to the Covid restriction support scheme and COVID business aid scheme payments and do not pay commercial rates; if he is considering supports for these businesses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Paul McAuliffe. [14388/21]

*152. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the details of the process through which his Department drafts and produces legislation; if his Department outsources the drafting of legislation; if so, the Bills for which the drafting was outsourced since he took office; and the costs associated with the drafting of each Bill. — Peadar Tóibín. [14417/21]

*153. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if businesses with no rateable premises will be denied access to the COVID-19 business aid scheme; if funding will be made available to cover this cohort of businesses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — . [14488/21]

*154. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the engagement he or bodies under his aegis had in respect of redundancies at a company (details supplied); if he will encourage the company to negotiate an enhanced redundancy payment in respect of those impacted; his plans to review and report on the reason for the company making these redundancies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Catherine Murphy. [14621/21]

*155. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the amount in grants and or funding provided by Enterprise Ireland by year to a company (details supplied). — Catherine Murphy. [14629/21]

*156. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the status of the development of the COVID business assistance scheme; if the scheme will include backdated payments which take into account the loss of income and the costs incurred over the past 12 months since the start of Covid-19 restrictions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Catherine Connolly. [14655/21]

*157. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the targets set by IDA Ireland for foreign direct investment to each NUTS III region as required by the Regional Enterprise Action Plan; and the progress to date in meeting the respective targets. — Marian Harkin. [14687/21]

*158. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the distribution on a NUTS III basis of the regional enterprise development funds to date; and the breakdown of the projects funded in each NUTS III region of the regional strengthening projects which seek to stimulate community-based and local enterprise initiatives. — Marian Harkin. [14688/21]

*159. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if an international transport business operating as a sole trader (details supplied) in County Donegal can apply for the Enterprise Ireland ready for customs grant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Pearse Doherty. [14768/21] 1145

*160. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if the Enterprise Ireland ready for customs grant is open to sole traders and limited companies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Pearse Doherty. [14769/21]

*161. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the financial supports for wedding photographers and videographers who have closed their business due to Covid-19 restrictions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Pearse Doherty. [14770/21]

*162. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the five most recent significant capital projects in the major functional responsibilities of his Department which require his sanction; the time which elapsed between the initial submission of the proposal for consideration until the construction commenced; the significant elements making up this period; the time spent in assessment prior to approval in the planning process; the time spent in assessment prior to approval in the procurement process of contractors; and the way this duration compared with the targeted time to delivery set out at the outset of the process. — Richard Bruton. [14775/21]

*163. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment when the restart grant will be reintroduced once businesses can reopen to support them; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Neale Richmond. [14815/21]

*164. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of new HSA inspectors hired since June 2020 and January 2021, respectively; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — . [14817/21]

*165. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of Covid-19-related compliance checks undertaken by the HSA since June 2020 and January 2021, respectively; the number of inspections undertaken at sites of known outbreaks since these dates; the number of enforcement actions taken and completed since these dates; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Ged Nash. [14818/21]

*166. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of Covid-19 complaints received by the HSA since June 2020 and January 2021, respectively; the percentage of these complaints that have been processed; the number of inspections and enforcement orders that were taken, respectively as a result of these complaints; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Ged Nash. [14819/21]

*167. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the actions he has taken to prevent employers obliging employees to attend the workplace in circumstances in which remote working is a possibility in spite of current Covid-19 restrictions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Ged Nash. [14820/21]

*168. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if a period spent on the pandemic unemployment payment can be included when reckoning continuous service to be eligible for a redundancy payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Denis Naughten. [14869/21]

*169. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if shoe fitting for young children will be considered an essential retail service under level 5 restrictions (details supplied). — Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire. [14926/21]

P.T.O 1146

*170. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of inspections carried out by the Workplace Relations Commission in each of the years 2015 to 2020 by NACE sector; the number of breaches detected; and the type of breaches detected in tabular form. — Louise O’Reilly. [14981/21]

*171. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of data centres in the State; and the location and size of each centre in tabular form. — Louise O’Reilly. [14982/21]

*172. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if research has been carried out similar to research by Bord Bia in relation to the UK export footprint in key European manufacturing markets; and the actions State agencies are taking to link with Irish manufacturing companies to help secure trade that may arise due to the new trading relationship between the UK and the EU. — Louise O’Reilly. [14983/21]

*173. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will provide ongoing fixed costs supports for SMEs after all levels of public health restrictions have ceased in order for businesses to scale up activities. — Catherine Murphy. [14992/21]

*174. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he has engaged with a company (details supplied) in respect of proposed redundancies; if he has made enquiries regarding whether the redundancies are on a mandatory or voluntary basis; and if he has engaged with the company and the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine in respect of plans to retain jobs. — Catherine Murphy. [15088/21]

*175. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the status of Enterprise Ireland grants for the 22 regulatory roles affected by the redundancies at a company (details supplied) in 2021 and future years. — Catherine Murphy. [15089/21]

*176. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he and or his officials have engaged with a company (details supplied) in respect of redundancy packages in order to secure the statutory two weeks that will be given an additional six weeks’ pay for each year of service as is industry standard. — Catherine Murphy. [15090/21]

*177. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of vehicles owned or leased and operated by his Department and agencies and semi-State companies under his remit broken down by the number of ICE and non-ICE vehicles and fuel category, that is, petrol, diesel, hybrid, plug-in hybrid, electric and so on; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Duncan Smith. [15117/21]

*178. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the engagement by Ireland regarding the position taken by the European Commission at the March 2021 World Trade Organisation meeting in respect of the proposed temporary TRIPS waiver on intellectual property in relation to Covid-19 vaccine and technology; if Ireland supported the decision by the European Commission to oppose such a waiver; his views on the implications of this decision for global public health and the Covid-19 pandemic; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — . [15130/21]

*179. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment his views on the recent discussions on intellectual property waivers for vaccines at the WTO (details supplied); his 1147 position on the issue; and if the Irish ambassador to the WTO has clarified the position of Ireland on the proposal. — Martin Browne. [15179/21]

*180. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the steps that will be taken to assist towns and retailers to prepare for the reopening of the economy; the guidance on the type of easing of restrictions that is being planned for the next review of Covid-19 measures on 5 April 2021 if there is a return to level 4 as per the Framework for Living with Covid; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Fergus O’Dowd. [15209/21]

*181. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if his attention has been drawn to an influx in cases of pyramid schemes in operation; and the steps being taken to combat same. — Sean Sherlock. [15217/21]

*182. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will request the creation of a joint labour committee for early years education as a matter of urgency. — Sean Sherlock. [15275/21]

*183. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will re- examine the minimum turnover criteria for small to medium sized businesses looking to avail of the small business assistance scheme (details supplied). — . [15324/21]

*184. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he is considering making it permissible for shoe stores to offer appointments for sizing children’s feet under public health restrictions. — Sean Sherlock. [15350/21]

*185. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he has considered the admission of the events industry to supports and schemes (details supplied) until six months after mass gatherings are permitted again; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — . [15395/21]

*186. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if an association (details supplied) will be recognised as the representative body for wedding planners in Ireland; and if discussions will take place between him and the association in respect of the recommencement of weddings. — Jim O’Callaghan. [15493/21]

*187. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the supports available to SMEs that opened from the beginning of January 2020 and that are now temporary closed under the current lockdown; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Chris Andrews. [15505/21]

*188. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if fixed costs supports will be provided for small and medium enterprises in the events sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Cian O’Callaghan. [15509/21]

*189. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the provisions in place to fund charity shops that are closed under level 5 restrictions. — Paul Donnelly. [15514/21]

*190. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the reason a premises (details supplied) is closed under level 5 restrictions but wool and knitting materials can be purchased in some larger retail stores alongside other products deemed essential goods. — Paul Donnelly. [15515/21]

P.T.O 1148

*191. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will address a matter (details supplied) regarding support from the State and the National Parks and Wildlife Service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Michael Healy-Rae. [15534/21]

*192. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the supports that will be put in place for SMEs following the lifting of Covid-19 restrictions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — . [15677/21]

*193. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the actions his Department has taken to save jobs (details supplied); his plans to ensure that the employees affected will be guaranteed the industry standard redundancy package of the statutory two weeks with an additional six weeks’ pay for each year of service in circumstances in which the jobs cannot be saved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Réada Cronin. [15798/21]

*194. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of companies currently registered as social enterprises with the Companies Registration Office. — . [15808/21]

*195. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of companies that were registered as social enterprises with the Companies Registration Office in 2019. — John Lahart. [15809/21]

*196. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of companies that were registered as social enterprises with the Companies Registration Office in 2020. — John Lahart. [15810/21]

*197. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will report on the work of Enterprise Ireland regarding remote working hubs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Ruairí Ó Murchú. [15836/21]

*198. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment further to Parliamentary Question No. 22 of 3 February 2021, if his attention has been drawn to price fluctuations of as much as 30% for steel products (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Christopher O’Sullivan. [15864/21]

*199. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the financial business supports available for a small wedding photography business such as in the case of a business (details supplied) that is closed due to Covid-19 restrictions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Pearse Doherty. [15876/21]

*200. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the steps he is taking to ensure the waiving of intellectual property rights for Covid-19 products during the pandemic through the World Trade Organisation, in particular vaccines as recommended by the World Health Organisation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — . [15932/21]

*201. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment his views on reclassifying children’s clothing and shoes as essential retail; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Holly Cairns. [15933/21] 1149

*202. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will allow all retail to operate click and collect services during level 4 and 5 restrictions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Holly Cairns. [15934/21]

*203. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will provide the retail sector with advanced notice regarding the lifting of restrictions to enable a safe reopening; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Holly Cairns. [15935/21]

*204. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment his views on reactivating the future growth loan scheme long-term loan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Holly Cairns. [15936/21]

*205. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the total Covid- 19-related spend in 2020 by his Department, agency and budget line item; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — David Cullinane. [16271/21]

*206. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the payment options available for persons to pay fines, charges or bills by his Department; and if there are plans to provide further online payment facilities. — Emer Higgins. [16290/21]

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

*207. To ask the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the measures in place to prevent the illegal sale and distribution of coal and bottled gas from Northern Ireland; the estimated value of such sales; the cost of the negative impact the activity is having on traders in this jurisdiction; the number of such illegal traders that have been prosecuted in the past five years; the number of operators and distributors in this jurisdiction that have been prosecuted to date; the estimated loss of revenue to the State; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — John McGuinness. [15195/21]

*208. To ask the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of staff currently working in cybersecurity. — Sean Sherlock. [15214/21]

*209. To ask the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications when a draft of Ireland’s second national progress report on the sustainable development goals will be published; when a finalised document will be submitted to the United Nations in 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Jennifer Whitmore. [13903/21]

*210. To ask the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications when the revised EU Internal Electricity Market Directive 2019-944 and EU Renewable Energy Directive 2018- 2001 will be transposed into Irish legislation; the process and format of transposition of provisions of both directives; the implications for failure to transpose by required deadlines; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Jennifer Whitmore. [13905/21]

*211. To ask the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the details of the selection process and timelines in 2021 in relation to Ireland’s proposals for the 5th list of EU energy Projects of Common Interest; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Jennifer Whitmore. [13906/21]

P.T.O 1150

*212. To ask the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the manner in which and when Ireland will withdraw a previously submitted energy project from the 4th list of EU Projects of Common Interest list in 2021, as noted in the Programme for Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Jennifer Whitmore. [13907/21]

*213. To ask the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the timeline for an area (details supplied) in County Leitrim to be connected to broadband as part of the roll-out of the National Broadband Plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Marian Harkin. [13984/21]

*214. To ask the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications his plans to overhaul the legislation governing noise pollution and statutory nuisance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Bernard J. Durkan. [14009/21]

*215. To ask the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the evaluations that have been conducted to appraise the potential risk of subsidence of adjacent roads and houses related to proposals to re-wet bogs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — . [14053/21]

*216. To ask the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the estimated completion date of the National Broadband Plan; the original estimated date; and the number of delays in the plan. — Thomas Gould. [14115/21]

*217. To ask the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the steps his Department is taking to improve and expand the cybersecurity remit across colleges and universities following an attempted cyberattack at a university (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Ruairí Ó Murchú. [14179/21]

*218. To ask the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the context and rationale for the Office of Government Procurement provision of IT security services (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Ruairí Ó Murchú. [14180/21]

*219. To ask the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if there is a dedicated business cybersecurity hub within the National Cyber Security Centre; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Ruairí Ó Murchú. [14181/21]

*220. To ask the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of on-the-spot fines issued for alleged offences relating to the marketing, sale and distribution of prohibited fuels in low smoke zones; the number of fines that have been issued versus the number of fines that have been collected by county in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Claire Kerrane. [14196/21]

*221. To ask the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications his plans to put in place a comprehensive anti-fuel poverty strategy; the timeframe for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Róisín Shortall. [14215/21]

*222. To ask the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the engagements his Department had with An Post and a union (details supplied) regarding the Offline Services Report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Ruairí Ó Murchú. [14233/21] 1151

*223. To ask the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the expected timeframe for the announcement of actions following the examination of the feasibility of directing more State business to the post office network; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Ruairí Ó Murchú. [14234/21]

*224. To ask the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the status of the North-South interconnector project; if he is satisfied the project follows international best practice; if an independent review will be carried out as part of the forthcoming review of the National Development Plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Cormac Devlin. [14295/21]

*225. To ask the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the details of fines issued for offences relating to the marketing, sale and distribution of prohibited fuels in low smoke zones by county; the number of fines; the amounts fined; the number of fines collected in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Holly Cairns. [14318/21]

*226. To ask the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the actions being considered by his Department to tackle the spike in illegal dumping and littering; and if he will consider amending the Litter Pollution Act 1997 as amended by the Waste Management Act 2001 and the Protection of the Environment Act 2003 to include a name and shame approach which would allow local authorities to publicly name all offenders who have been successfully issued with dumping or littering fines. — . [14402/21]

*227. To ask the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the details of the process through which his Department drafts and produces legislation; if his Department outsources the drafting of legislation; if so, the Bills for which the drafting was outsourced since he took office; and the costs associated with the drafting of each Bill. — Peadar Tóibín. [14418/21]

*228. To ask the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the reason the largest circulated newspapers that are delivered free to homes in areas (details supplied) are not receiving Government advertising in the form of Covid-19 public health advertising. — Emer Higgins. [14457/21]

*229. To ask the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the work he has carried out since taking office to implement a green hydrogen strategy; his views on whether enough attention and importance is being paid to this area in order to exploit its potential benefits; his work plan for the next three months in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — . [14458/21]

*230. To ask the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the work undertaken by his Department to date in addressing the issue of additional waste charges being incurred by households for the disposal of medical incontinence wear; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — David Stanton. [14493/21]

*231. To ask the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications further to Parliamentary Question Nos. 1060 and 1061 of 7 September 2018, the conclusions of the report referenced in the reply; when the report was published; the further work completed on the subject; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Denis Naughten. [14495/21]

*232. To ask the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if the recycling waste electrical and electronic equipment regulations still apply during the current Covid-19 emergency period regulations in particular in the circumstance in which a household must purchase

P.T.O 1152 new electronic white goods and need the old ones removed by the vendor; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Róisín Shortall. [14516/21]

*233. To ask the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he has responded to the legal proceedings brought by six young persons from Portugal against Ireland and 32 other countries in the European Court of Human Rights (details supplied); if he is supporting or contesting the case; if a response has not yet been filed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Jennifer Whitmore. [14535/21]

*234. To ask the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the roll-out schedule for bringing high-speed broadband to Arvagh, County Cavan and surrounding areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Marian Harkin. [14547/21]

*235. To ask the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the options available to a household (details supplied) that is not included in the National Broadband Plan but in the blue area in which commercial providers are not providing an adequate service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Pádraig O’Sullivan. [14552/21]

*236. To ask the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if additional investments have been made or planned since the formation of the Government to reinforce and develop the transmission network to facilitate the transfer of renewable energy from offshore wind turbines; and if so, the regional breakdown of these investments. — Marian Harkin. [14695/21]

*237. To ask the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of homes that will have broadband installed under the National Broadband Plan by county; the percentage of these homes that have been surveyed to date; the percentage of these homes in which broadband has been installed under the plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Patricia Ryan. [14715/21]

*238. To ask the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if community banking within the An Post office network will be supported; if he will ensure that the Minister for Social Protection will direct as much business as possible through the post office network (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Michael Healy-Rae. [14761/21]

*239. To ask the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the five most recent significant capital projects in the major functional responsibilities of his Department which have required his sanction; the time which elapsed between the initial submission of the proposal for consideration until the construction commenced; the significant elements making up this period; the time spent in assessment prior to approval in the planning process; the time spent in assessment prior to approval in the procurement process of contractors; and the way this duration compared with the targeted time to delivery set out at the outset of the process. — Richard Bruton. [14776/21]

*240. To ask the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if adequate broadband options are available for a property (details supplied) to support working from home, home schooling and third-level study; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Pearse Doherty. [14789/21]

*241. To ask the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will give consideration to the formation of a youth climate corps similar to that which has recently been enacted by the US Government. — Robert Troy. [14893/21] 1153

*242. To ask the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the timeframe for areas that have been surveyed for the National Broadband Plan to be connected to fibre broadband; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Michael Moynihan. [14903/21]

*243. To ask the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if consideration will be given to reviewing the current Eircode acquirement process, by which a new build premises cannot obtain a connection to fibre broadband until it has an Eircode for the premises and the procurement of same can often take a number of months given the system is updated on a quarterly basis per annum; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — . [14922/21]

*244. To ask the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of SEAI warmer homes grants that were approved in 2019, by county; the waiting time in 2019 for a surveyor to be allocated; the subsequent waiting time for work to commence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Jennifer Whitmore. [15008/21]

*245. To ask the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he has engaged with the SEAI on the current backlog of applications for the SEAI warmer homes grant; his plans to address same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Jennifer Whitmore. [15009/21]

*246. To ask the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he has or plans to contact the UK authorities to raise concerns with respect to the commissioning of a new coal mine in Cumbria in view of the UK’s leadership role at COP26 in Glasgow and the recent call by the UN Secretary General on all states to decommission all proposed coal plants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Duncan Smith. [15112/21]

*247. To ask the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of vehicles owned or leased and operated by his Department and agencies and semi-State companies under his remit broken down by the number of ICE and non-ICE vehicles and fuel category, that is, petrol, diesel, hybrid, plug-in hybrid, electric and so on; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Duncan Smith. [15118/21]

*248. To ask the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the options available to a household (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Pádraig O’Sullivan. [15226/21]

*249. To ask the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the assistance available to primary schools under the green agenda initiative; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Paul Kehoe. [15247/21]

*250. To ask the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of premises that have been connected to the national broadband high-speed fibre network by county and month in 2020 and to date in 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — . [15382/21]

*251. To ask the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the concrete measures he plans to take to actively oppose proposals for floating LNG terminals in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Ged Nash. [15402/21]

*252. To ask the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the preparations made with respect to taking part in the 26th annual session of the Conference of the Parties to be held in Glasgow in November 2021; the size and composition of the Irish delegation that will

P.T.O 1154 attend; the ways in which interested members of the public can attend and be involved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — David Stanton. [15448/21]

*253. To ask the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the interactions he has with the Commissioner for Energy Regulation; if the challenges caused by Covid-19 have been discussed in these engagements; and if the particular point of fixed energy charges for businesses that have been closed has been discussed. — Eoghan Murphy. [15473/21]

*254. To ask the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if an interdepartmental group has been established within his Department to examine energy security issues in Ireland; if so, the membership, terms of reference and reporting timeline for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Marc MacSharry. [15492/21]

*255. To ask the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if his attention has been drawn to the concerns amongst Irish fishing communities at the growing number of planning applications and expressions of interest for offshore wind farms; his views on the calls for adequate distances from the shoreline for wind turbines to be introduced and the minimalisation of loss of access to fishing grounds for those fishing communities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Pádraig Mac Lochlainn. [15497/21]

*256. To ask the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if the allocation of an Eircode will be expedited to ensure broadband provision in the case of persons (details supplied). — Sean Sherlock. [15506/21]

*257. To ask the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications when a property (details supplied) will be able to avail of high-speed broadband. — Robert Troy. [15689/21]

*258. To ask the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the full year additional yield generated from a two-cent increase in the National Oil Reserve Agency Levy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Pauline Tully. [15730/21]

*259. To ask the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the progress made in extending broadband services to the home of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Bernard J. Durkan. [15734/21]

*260. To ask the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if Ballyharney, Delvin, County Westmeath is included in the recent announcement for areas receiving broadband by autumn 2021 (details supplied). — Robert Troy. [15742/21]

*261. To ask the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if the loophole under section 15 of the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Act 2015 concerning the duties of certain bodies exempting the Government from the list of relevant bodies (details supplied) will be closed off in the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development (Amendment) Bill 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Joan Collins. [15770/21]

*262. To ask the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the progress of the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development (Amendment) Bill 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Holly Cairns. [15929/21]

*263. To ask the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if guidance is in place for local authorities and waste operators with regard to the safe handling of disposable face 1155 coverings for prevention of spread of Covid-19 including those discarded improperly on the street; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — . [15968/21]

Chun an Aire Iompair: To the Minister for Transport.

*264. To ask the Minister for Transport if an issue will be addressed regarding shuttle buses (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Michael Healy-Rae. [14746/21]

*265. To ask the Minister for Transport if funding will be provided for repairs to a road (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Michael Healy-Rae. [15681/21]

*266. To ask the Minister for Transport his plans to increase roads maintenance funding to local authorities; when he plans to review the way that this funding is administered to local councils; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Verona Murphy. [15604/21]

*267. To ask the Minister for Transport if he will address a matter (details supplied) regarding driver theory tests; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Michael Healy-Rae. [13875/21]

*268. To ask the Minister for Transport if he will address a matter regarding the online renewal of driver licences (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. — . [13969/21]

*269. To ask the Minister for Transport the state aid that has been granted to Knock Airport in the past ten years in tabular form; the EU state aid rules that are currently in place for airports such as Knock; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Rose Conway-Walsh. [13973/21]

*270. To ask the Minister for Transport the procedure for a person (details supplied) to change their driver licence. — . [13989/21]

*271. To ask the Minister for Transport the number of LA16 forms completed and submitted in each of the years 2018 to 2020; the breakdown by local authority, collision type and percentage of overall collisions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Darren O’Rourke. [14008/21]

*272. To ask the Minister for Transport the amount allocated towards the Oilgate to Rosslare Harbour N11/N25 roadway for 2021, 2022 and 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Brendan Howlin. [14010/21]

*273. To ask the Minister for Transport his views on whether improperly installed bus shelters acting as barriers to public transport should be addressed as a priority by the NTA. — Thomas Gould. [14114/21]

*274. To ask the Minister for Transport the breakdown of the LocalLink bus routes by county; the service provider for each route; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Martin Kenny. [14121/21]

*275. To ask the Minister for Transport if there is an alternative to Iarnród Éireann in carrying out ongoing maintenance works on the rail line in Dún Laoghaire in view of the effect of the noise on local residents (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Richard Boyd Barrett. [14162/21]

P.T.O 1156

*276. To ask the Minister for Transport if level 5 Covid-19 restrictions confer additional protections on consumers who had flights or foreign holidays pre-booked but cannot travel due to the five kilometre travel limit and the travel advisory against all but necessary international travel; the additional protections consumers are entitled to during this time; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Darren O’Rourke. [14219/21]

*277. To ask the Minister for Transport if he will allow students on courses related to essential and front-line work sit driver theory tests in order to be able to attend their future college placements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Cian O’Callaghan. [14224/21]

*278. To ask the Minister for Transport the number of referrals that have to date been made to the Marine Survey Office by the Workplace Relations Commission under the agreement made between those agencies on 3 April 2019; the number of these referrals that led to inspections of fishing vessels by the Marine Survey Office; the number of these inspections that were unannounced; the number involved in a review by Marine Survey Office surveyors of records of work and rest maintained under regulations (details supplied); the number of these reviews that identified violations of the said regulations; the action the Marine Survey Office took in respect of these violations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Mick Barry. [14266/21]

*279. To ask the Minister for Transport the number of unannounced inspections of Irish fishing vessels the Marine Survey Office surveyors have made annually since 1 January 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Mick Barry. [14267/21]

*280. To ask the Minister for Transport the number of Irish flagged fishing vessels over 15 metres in length were inspected by the Marine Survey Office annually since 1 January 2018 and in respect of the number of the said vessels had the official log book had been returned to the Marine Survey Office as required by sections 239 to 242 of the Merchant Shipping Act 1894 (as amended); and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Mick Barry. [14268/21]

*281. To ask the Minister for Transport the action that will be taken to prevent future flooding to a public road (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Danny Healy-Rae. [14269/21]

*282. To ask the Minister for Transport the status of the Air Navigation and Transport Bill 2020; the steps being taken to progress the Bill; the anticipated timetable for progression of the Bill; his expectation as to when it will be enacted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Cormac Devlin. [14293/21]

*283. To ask the Minister for Transport the amount of funding transferred to each local authority in relation to the transfer of local harbours under the Harbours Act 2015 except funding for due diligence; the date and amount of each transfer since 2017, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Cormac Devlin. [14294/21]

*284. To ask the Minister for Transport the number of train stations, including DART stations, which have lifts by county; his plans to upgrade the accessibility of train stations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Holly Cairns. [14324/21]

*285. To ask the Minister for Transport the steps that will be taken to address ongoing issues with lifts in Limerick Junction, Seapoint, Clontarf, Shankill and Clonsilla train stations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Holly Cairns. [14325/21] 1157

*286. To ask the Minister for Transport his plans to ensure front-line workers have access to public transport if current reduced capacity restrictions continues and specifically if dedicated services for staff to and from acute hospitals will be considered; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Bríd Smith. [1826/21]

*287. To ask the Minister for Transport the extent to which the decarbonisation of the public transport sector continues towards the meeting of targets; the incentives currently available or likely to become available to the private sector in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Bernard J. Durkan. [1834/21]

*288. To ask the Minister for Transport the extent to which he remains satisfied that urgently required road improvements and upgrades or new roads previously committed to will continue to be provided as required given the need to meet future as well as present public demand; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Bernard J. Durkan. [10358/21]

*289. To ask the Minister for Transport if there is a clause in the contract for the M3 tolled motorway that states a railway to Navan cannot be built until the motorway is paid for in full; if there is a similar clause relating to the M3 motorway and the provision of rail services in County Meath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Darren O’Rourke. [14404/21]

*290. To ask the Minister for Transport the details of the process through which his Department drafts and produces legislation; if his Department outsources the drafting of legislation; if so, the Bills for which the drafting was outsourced since he took office; and the costs associated with the drafting of each Bill. — Peadar Tóibín. [14430/21]

*291. To ask the Minister for Transport the amount and percentage of the regional and local road grant allocation drawn down by Wexford County Council in each of the years 2015 to 2020, in tabular form. — Johnny Mythen. [14443/21]

*292. To ask the Minister for Transport his plans to review current restrictions on driving instruction; if there is updated public health advice to inform possible regulations in relation to driving lessons moving forward; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Mairéad Farrell. [14459/21]

*293. To ask the Minister for Transport the status of bus shelters in an area (details supplied). — Sean Sherlock. [14490/21]

*294. To ask the Minister for Transport the status of bus shelters in an area (details supplied). — Sean Sherlock. [14491/21]

*295. To ask the Minister for Transport if the rules for bus operators (details supplied) will be relaxed in relation to their financial standing when applying for the renewal of the road passenger transport licence. — Claire Kerrane. [14502/21]

*296. To ask the Minister for Transport if he will intervene in the case of a student (details supplied) in which they may have to miss out on their preferred college course due to a driver licence anomaly; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Cathal Crowe. [14522/21]

*297. To ask the Minister for Transport the supports available from his Department to the taxi industry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Pádraig O’Sullivan. [14523/21]

P.T.O 1158

*298. To ask the Minister for Transport if he will address concerns raised by a person (details supplied); the reason persons with a full driver licence obtained abroad are compelled to undergo further testing once resident in Ireland; his views on whether this is a discriminatory practice; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — . [14541/21]

*299. To ask the Minister for Transport if he will provide a schedule of his engagements with the chairman of the Land Development Agency since he became Minister; if he will provide a schedule of the roads and land development projects discussed in County Limerick.; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Catherine Murphy. [14554/21]

*300. To ask the Minister for Transport the amount of state aid granted to the Shannon Airport Authority since the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic that has been for operational expenditure; the amount that has been for capital expenditure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Cathal Crowe. [14564/21]

*301. To ask the Minister for Transport the meetings his officials have had regarding the Irish Aviation Authority hybrid pension scheme in the past 18 months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Cormac Devlin. [14573/21]

*302. To ask the Minister for Transport the status of reports that the approved driving instructor portal is closed for driving instructors to upload lessons data; when it will return to operation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Cormac Devlin. [14576/21]

*303. To ask the Minister for Transport his plans to allow persons applying for essential worker jobs which require a full driver licence to apply for and take complete driver tests during level 5 restrictions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Catherine Connolly. [14622/21]

*304. To ask the Minister for Transport the measures that are planned to address the backlog in driver tests and the resultant long waiting lists for same which will be exacerbated further due to the ongoing level 5 restrictions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Catherine Connolly. [14623/21]

*305. To ask the Minister for Transport the progress made in the installation of electric vehicle charging points throughout Ireland; the target for the number of charging points to be installed in 2021; the number installed to date in 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Neale Richmond. [14630/21]

*306. To ask the Minister for Transport the status of the timeline of the LUAS expansion to Finglas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Neale Richmond. [14631/21]

*307. To ask the Minister for Transport his plans to allow essential workers who do not already have a date for their driver test to complete their 12 mandatory driving lessons under level 5 restrictions in order that they can apply for a driving test; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Catherine Connolly. [14648/21]

*308. To ask the Minister for Transport if he will review the work practices of Longford NCT centre; if there are adequate social distancing measures, hand sanitising facilities and outdoor waiting areas for customers who must use this service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — . [14669/21] 1159

*309. To ask the Minister for Transport his plans in terms of providing financial assistance to a company (details supplied) to assist it in remaining financially viable. — Joe O’Brien. [14677/21]

*310. To ask the Minister for Transport when the all-island strategic review of the rail network will be completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Patricia Ryan. [14712/21]

*311. To ask the Minister for Transport if the attention of the NTA has been drawn to maintenance issues of the Cork bike share scheme in view of the fact that several stations have been out of commission for over two months; and the date on which the NTA will introduce new bike share stations in Cork, Galway, Limerick and Dublin. — Catherine Murphy. [14753/21]

*312. To ask the Minister for Transport the status of pension arrangements for persons impacted by the restructuring of the DAA (details supplied). — Catherine Murphy. [14754/21]

*313. To ask the Minister for Transport the reason an essential worker urgent driver test application by a person (details supplied) was unsuccessful; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Pearse Doherty. [14765/21]

*314. To ask the Minister for Transport if upper age limits apply in EU countries for Irish HGV licence holders; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Pearse Doherty. [14766/21]

*315. To ask the Minister for Transport the five most recent significant capital projects in the major functional responsibilities of his Department which have required his sanction; the time which elapsed between the initial submission of the proposal for consideration until the construction commenced; the significant elements making up this period; the time spent in assessment prior to approval in the planning process; the time spent in assessment prior to approval in the procurement process of contractors; and the way this duration compared with the targeted time to delivery set out at the outset of the process. — Richard Bruton. [14788/21]

*316. To ask the Minister for Transport the reason after the long and detailed negotiations with the IAA employee staff panel in relation to the rescue of the deficit in the IAA staff superannuation scheme which resulted in LCR19713 (2010) this major industrial relations agreement was misleadingly represented by the IAA to his Department and the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform during 2011 and 2012 as an agreement to amend terms and benefits of the IAA staff superannuation scheme without notifying IAA staff either individually or through their unions until late in 2018 just before LCR19713 was due to end; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Michael McNamara. [14797/21]

*317. To ask the Minister for Transport if the Limerick pilotage authority unestablished employees superannuation scheme was ever submitted by the employer to his Department; if so, if this scheme was ever approved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Michael McNamara. [14816/21]

*318. To ask the Minister for Transport the safety reason that has caused the Irish Coast Guard cliff rescue to be stood down; when he expects this safety issue to be resolved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Brendan Griffin. [14962/21]

*319. To ask the Minister for Transport the number of vacancies that have occurred on the board of the Port of Cork since 1 January 2020; the number of vacancies that have been filled by reappointment of outgoing members; the number filled following applications received via an appointments process; the reason some vacancies have been filled by reappointments and others

P.T.O 1160 not; her views on whether such an approach is both arbitrary and discriminatory; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Alan Kelly. [14966/21]

*320. To ask the Minister for Transport if he or his advisers received communications, verbally or in writing from other Ministers or their advisers regarding the appointment or reappointment of members of the board of the Port of Cork; if so, if he will publish the details of such communications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Alan Kelly. [14967/21]

*321. To ask the Minister for Transport if his attention has been drawn to driver test applicants who have full licences from non-EU countries currently waiting to be allowed take an Irish test; and if consideration has been given to extending the existing 12-month allowance by which they can drive on Irish roads without a new Irish licence to account for Covid-19-related delays in obtaining lessons and or tests. — Steven Matthews. [15020/21]

*322. To ask the Minister for Transport the reason for the delay in allocated funding being drawn down by Kerry County Council in respect of Listry Bridge on the R563, County Kerry; the details of any correspondence between the local authority and his Department since January 2020 in relation to the bridge; if his Department has changed its position in relation to supporting the project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Brendan Griffin. [15067/21]

*323. To ask the Minister for Transport the status of progress on the R556 Rathscannell to Dale Road specific improvement project; the anticipated timeline for the completion of works; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Brendan Griffin. [15068/21]

*324. To ask the Minister for Transport the status of efforts to connect Tralee to Listowel, County Kerry via the old railway line; the anticipated timeline for the drawdown of funding allocated towards this project by his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Brendan Griffin. [15069/21]

*325. To ask the Minister for Transport if he will consider a pilot project for local authorities to link towns and villages via priority cycle routes using existing old roads, tertiary roads, quiet local roads and other available public space; if so, if funding will be provided under such a scheme to go towards the required signage, surfacing, sight distance improvement works and other safety measures required; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Brendan Griffin. [15070/21]

*326. To ask the Minister for Transport his views on an imminent shortage of quality second- hand vehicles in the Irish market as a result of punitive tariffs imposed on UK imported vehicles post-Brexit; if he will examine the way Brexit business supports could be extended to motor retailers to offset these tariff costs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Brendan Griffin. [15076/21]

*327. To ask the Minister for Transport the business supports in place to assist a private bus operator that has been unable to operate since March 2020 as a result of Covid-19; the financial assistance open to the operators in cases in which they are unable to access the employment wage subsidy scheme or Covid restrictions support scheme and do not pay rates; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — . [15087/21]

*328. To ask the Minister for Transport when the final report will be published by the air accident investigation unit into the accident involving the S92-A helicopter at Black Rock, County Mayo on 14 March 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Fergus O’Dowd. [15104/21] 1161

*329. To ask the Minister for Transport the age limit for drivers with Dublin Bus and Bus Éireann; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Richard Boyd Barrett. [15106/21]

*330. To ask the Minister for Transport the number of vehicles owned or leased and operated by his Department and agencies and semi-State companies under his remit broken down by the number of ICE and non-ICE vehicles and fuel category, that is, petrol, diesel, hybrid, plug-in hybrid, electric and so on; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Duncan Smith. [15129/21]

*331. To ask the Minister for Transport his plans to add a bridle path element to greenways when they are being planned, designed and developed throughout Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — . [15181/21]

*332. To ask the Minister for Transport the position in relation to a road project (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. — . [15198/21]

*333. To ask the Minister for Transport if he plans to review the current regulations which require essential workers that wish to book a driver test to have completed their twelve EDT lessons; if essential workers will be allowed to start and complete their twelve EDT lessons during level 5 restrictions in order that they can book a date for a driving test; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Róisín Shortall. [15238/21]

*334. To ask the Minister for Transport if the driver theory test will be made available online to address the large backlog in applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Brendan Griffin. [15243/21]

*335. To ask the Minister for Transport the plans to provide a bus service for Kilcully, Dublin Pike and Upper Glanmire, County Cork. — Sean Sherlock. [15258/21]

*336. To ask the Minister for Transport the plans to increase the frequency of the 207 bus service in Cork. — Sean Sherlock. [15259/21]

*337. To ask the Minister for Transport the financial position of the CIÉ pension schemes both the regular wages scheme and any other scheme affected; if the CIÉ group withdrew funds from this scheme in 1994; if that funding has ever been restored; if the assurances given to CIÉ workers in 1987 in relation to the division of the company into three bodies will be honoured, specifically in relation to pension provisions in the three subsidiary companies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Richard Boyd Barrett. [15272/21]

*338. To ask the Minister for Transport if he will give a renewed commitment that the State will fund the TEN-T priority route improvement project, County Donegal as prioritised within the National Planning Framework, Project Ireland 2040 and the National Development Plan 2018- 2027 (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Pádraig Mac Lochlainn. [15299/21]

*339. To ask the Minister for Transport if he is in receipt of a briefing from the RSA on restarting theory tests; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Sean Sherlock. [15311/21]

*340. To ask the Minister for Transport his views on an anomaly (details supplied) which may prevent or inadvertently financially penalise taxi drivers seeking to avail of the recently announced electric SPSV scheme; if he plans to address this matter to facilitate more taxi drivers availing of this grant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Ged Nash. [15335/21]

P.T.O 1162

*341. To ask the Minister for Transport the measures his Department will take to assist Irish citizens who were living abroad and returned to Ireland in the past year that currently hold a foreign driver licence which is due to expire; if he will consider extending these licences in the interim while driver lessons and testing are paused under level 5 restrictions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — John Brady. [15378/21]

*342. To ask the Minister for Transport the number of persons awaiting a driver test appointment in each centre by age in tabular form; and the length of time they are awaiting a test. — Sean Sherlock. [15415/21]

*343. To ask the Minister for Transport the status of essential driver training for essential workers at different stages of public health restrictions since March 2020, in tabular form. — Sean Sherlock. [15416/21]

*344. To ask the Minister for Transport the number of applications for a disabled driver pass in 2020 and to date in 2021, from each county in tabular form; and the number of applications pending due to primary medical certificate issues. — Sean Sherlock. [15417/21]

*345. To ask the Minister for Transport his plans to lift the restrictions on essential driver training driving lessons in April 2021 given that many learners have had to stop in the middle or near the end of their 12 lessons due to Covid-19 which will create further delays for driver tests post-Covid-19. — Martin Browne. [15439/21]

*346. To ask the Minister for Transport if the number of bus stops will be examined on the 120 route in County Kildare (details supplied). — James Lawless. [15447/21]

*347. To ask the Minister for Transport the way in which a person (details supplied) can progress the issue of their driving instructor not logging their final two driving lessons on the Road Safety Authority portal which is now closed. — Mark Ward. [15452/21]

*348. To ask the Minister for Transport if he will consider allowing essential workers to be allowed to sit driving lessons at level 5 and at subsequent levels given the number of persons this would affect is relatively small. — Robert Troy. [15462/21]

*349. To ask the Minister for Transport his views on whether it is acceptable that a citizen has to wait 40 minutes on the telephone line to speak to a person in the National Driver Licence Service (details supplied). — Peadar Tóibín. [15477/21]

*350. To ask the Minister for Transport if costings will be provided for accessibility works to railway stations nationwide. — Claire Kerrane. [15483/21]

*351. To ask the Minister for Transport if a matter in relation to a truck licence for a person (details supplied) will be investigated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Michael Healy-Rae. [15490/21]

*352. To ask the Minister for Transport the steps he has taken to ensure that owners of apartments will be permitted to install electric vehicle chargers in their parking space at their own cost; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Neale Richmond. [14559/21] 1163

*353. To ask the Minister for Transport the efforts being made to encourage operators to increase direct shipping routes from Ireland to continental Europe; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Neale Richmond. [1334/21]

*354. To ask the Minister for Transport if he has considered introducing a requirement for identification to be provided by the buyer of a car when ownership is being transferred to avoid a situation in which a buyer can provide a false address. — Paul Murphy. [15530/21]

*355. To ask the Minister for Transport if he will provide details of all the applications by local authorities for the 2021 funding allocations for sustainable transport projects (details supplied). — Sean Sherlock. [15542/21]

*356. To ask the Minister for Transport his views on the ongoing suspension of the theory test service; and if his Department has considered allowing the return of professional categories such as for taxi drivers and HGV drivers. — Martin Browne. [15564/21]

*357. To ask the Minister for Transport if he will take steps to encourage the motor industry to accelerate its roll-out of the promised enhanced electric vehicle charging network and require it to report quarterly on the scale of the network it is supporting. — Richard Bruton. [1502/21]

*358. To ask the Minister for Transport the number of persons that have used airport testing in Irish airports in which testing is available; the number of incoming international travellers that have used the testing; the number of local residents that have used the facility for private tests; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Duncan Smith. [1392/21]

*359. To ask the Minister for Transport if consideration will be given to extending the community involvement scheme for the new areas of Cork city which were areas of Cork County and should not be disadvantaged as a result of boundary changes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Pádraig O’Sullivan. [43591/20]

*360. To ask the Minister for Transport if his attention has been drawn to the fact that many over 70s have not received their licence renewal packs in the post and are having difficulties in trying to get through to the NDLS; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Pádraig O’Sullivan. [44937/20]

*361. To ask the Minister for Transport if there have been delays to the MetroLink project due to the Covid-19 pandemic as of January 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Duncan Smith. [1397/21]

*362. To ask the Minister for Transport his plans to deal with backlogs and cancellations of driving tests, theory tests, NCT exams and driving lessons due to the lockdown in January 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Duncan Smith. [1396/21]

*363. To ask the Minister for Transport his views on whether his refusal to introduce a mandatory system of airport testing for the past nine months of the Covid-19 pandemic has directly led to the soar in positive cases and deaths in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Duncan Smith. [1395/21]

*364. To ask the Minister for Transport the current guidelines regarding capacity for public and private transport with regard to buses, trains and taxis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Duncan Smith. [1394/21]

P.T.O 1164

*365. To ask the Minister for Transport the protocols put in place for Ireland’s ports to deal with knock on affects from Brexit; the protocols put in place for Irish roads linking or close to depots and sorting centres here to ensure regular traffic is not adversely impacted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Duncan Smith. [1393/21]

*366. To ask the Minister for Transport his plans to expand the passenger and freight rail network including the Navan rail line and the Western rail corridor given that 2021 is the European Year of Rail; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Darren O’Rourke. [1839/21]

*367. To ask the Minister for Transport if further emergency PSO funding will need to be provided to support the public bus and rail services; the amount intended to be provided in 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Darren O’Rourke. [1840/21]

*368. To ask the Minister for Transport if he is satisfied that it is safe for driving instructors, driving testers and NCT workers to continue working during the current Covid-19 restrictions; the assessments conducted to inform this view and supports provided to keep workers safe; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Darren O’Rourke. [1841/21]

*369. To ask the Minister for Transport the areas under his remit he hopes to improve under the upcoming review of the National Development Plan 2018 to 2027; the new criteria to assess the need for roads projects; if he has secured a commitment for additional funding for new or expanded roads and other projects; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Darren O’Rourke. [1842/21]

*370. To ask the Minister for Transport the reason that online driver theory tests for those learning to drive a car are not available given that theory tests for those learning to drive buses and trucks are; his views on whether an online theory test for car learner drivers can help reduce the current backlog; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Darren O’Rourke. [1843/21]

*371. To ask the Minister for Transport if his Department is considering changes to the current driver licensing regulations for holders of foreign licences in particular for holders of a full US licence (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. — David Stanton. [15619/21]

*372. To ask the Minister for Transport further to Parliamentary Question No. 231 of 10 December 2020, if a bridge inspection has been completed at the N70 bridge at Castlemaine, County Kerry; if remedial works have been identified; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Brendan Griffin. [15623/21]

*373. To ask the Minister for Transport his plans to help the RSA deal with the inevitable backlog of driver test applications that it faces as Covid-19 restrictions ease. — Paul McAuliffe. [15649/21]

*374. To ask the Minister for Transport the impact the loss of toll income has had on the road projects that Transport Infrastructure Ireland is carrying out. — Cathal Crowe. [15650/21]

*375. To ask the Minister for Transport his plans to meet driving instructor representatives regarding the conditions of their work during the Covid-19 pandemic. — Cormac Devlin. [15651/21]

*376. To ask the Minister for Transport the status of the Programme for Government commitment to commission an economic evaluation of higher-speed rail links between the main cities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Duncan Smith. [15664/21] 1165

*377. To ask the Minister for Transport the status of the Programme for Government commitment to require that all new urban buses be electric hybrid or electric; if this plan has begun; the percentage of new buses that are hybrid or electric since March 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Duncan Smith. [15665/21]

*378. To ask the Minister for Transport the progress to date in bringing forward the construction of the Luas to Finglas route in the national development plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Paul McAuliffe. [1785/21]

*379. To ask the Minister for Transport the implications following Brexit in regard to the UK land bridge and the supply chain; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Ruairí Ó Murchú. [1845/21]

*380. To ask the Minister for Transport the engagement he has had with the Northern Ireland Executive in furthering cross-Border infrastructure projects; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Ruairí Ó Murchú. [1846/21]

*381. To ask the Minister for Transport the position regarding the provision of a ring road in Tipperary town (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Michael Lowry. [1353/21]

*382. To ask the Minister for Transport the position regarding the delays being experienced by essential works who have applied to sit a driving test (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Michael Lowry. [1354/21]

*383. To ask the Minister for Transport the discussions he has had with local authorities on the development of cycling infrastructure across Dublin in particular without statutory public consultation process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Richard Boyd Barrett. [38402/20]

*384. To ask the Minister for Transport when a person (details supplied) will be issued a date for their driver theory test; if there is an option for them to sit the test remotely; and the length of time it will take to process the backlog of theory tests once level 5 restrictions are lifted. — Chris Andrews. [15682/21]

*385. To ask the Minister for Transport if he will provide statistics for road deaths (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Michael Healy-Rae. [15691/21]

*386. To ask the Minister for Transport the engagements of his Departmental officials with Transport Infrastructure Ireland regarding planning and road opening licences for the roll-out of the National Broadband Plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Ruairí Ó Murchú. [15708/21]

*387. To ask the Minister for Transport the action taken to prevent the use of drones to record and broadcast race meetings here during the Covid-19 restrictions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Bernard J. Durkan. [15726/21]

*388. To ask the Minister for Transport the number of registered driving instructors that are registered with the Road Safety Authority; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Paul Kehoe. [15740/21]

P.T.O 1166

*389. To ask the Minister for Transport if he will provide further information in respect of the continued delay by the Air Accident Investigation Unit to report fully on the R116 crash; the details in relation to the delay in reporting on same; if aspects of the report are being contested; and his plans to address the delay that falls below international best practice (details supplied). — Catherine Murphy. [15768/21]

*390. To ask the Minister for Transport if an effort can be made to urgently renew driving licences for those whose licences have expired and due to Covid-19-related delays cannot get a prompt renewal but require a valid licence for driving internationally for work. — Cathal Crowe. [15782/21]

*391. To ask the Minister for Transport if a person (details supplied) will be permitted to renew their licence as a matter of priority in view of the circumstances; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Jackie Cahill. [15813/21]

*392. To ask the Minister for Transport if the record of a motor vehicle that was exported (details supplied) will be updated by the driver and vehicle computer services division, Shannon, County Limerick; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Brendan Griffin. [15816/21]

*393. To ask the Minister for Transport the level of intervention he will take in respect of State airports in the context of the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic; and his plans to introduce a further round of financial assistance to State airports in 2021/2022 in view of the real possibility that inward and outbound air travel may not be possible again in 2021. — Catherine Murphy. [15862/21]

*394. To ask the Minister for Transport the level of intervention he will take in respect of airlines in the context of the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic; and if he plans to offer a financial assistance package to carriers. — Catherine Murphy. [15863/21]

*395. To ask the Minister for Transport the extent to which he will encourage the modernisation of rail transport infrastructure by ensuring long-term investment to meet the rail transport needs of the public into the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Bernard J. Durkan. [15877/21]

*396. To ask the Minister for Transport the extent to which he continues to examine disused railway infrastructure such as tracks and stations with a view to their restoration for transport while acknowledging the development of greenways at such locations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Bernard J. Durkan. [15878/21]

*397. To ask the Minister for Transport the extent to which the rail service national and commuter lines have access to adequate modernisation such as new carriages and an increase in the number of carriages thereby providing more options to the travelling public and commuters; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Bernard J. Durkan. [15879/21]

*398. To ask the Minister for Transport the extent to which he continues to examine the potential for growth on commuter and intercity rail lines with a view to maximise the use of rail transport into the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Bernard J. Durkan. [15880/21]

*399. To ask the Minister for Transport the extent to which he expects public transport to play a major role in the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Bernard J. Durkan. [15881/21] 1167

*400. To ask the Minister for Transport if adequate consideration has been given to the provision of adequate parking adjacent to railway stations with a view to ensuring the availability and convenience of rail services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Bernard J. Durkan. [15882/21]

*401. To ask the Minister for Transport the extent to which the general public have availed of rail transport services as an option over the past ten years to date; his plans to ensure increased and continued use in the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Bernard J. Durkan. [15883/21]

*402. To ask the Minister for Transport the extent to which the public and private transport sectors cooperate in order to provide adequate and convenient transport to the public in both urban and rural settings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Bernard J. Durkan. [15884/21]

*403. To ask the Minister for Transport the steps taken or pending to increase the capacity of the commuter rail services throughout north County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Bernard J. Durkan. [15885/21]

*404. To ask the Minister for Transport his pans to enhance rural transport throughout County Kildare with particular reference to linkages between the public and private sectors and the introduction of new services to include any areas, urban or rural not served by existing areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Bernard J. Durkan. [15886/21]

*405. To ask the Minister for Transport the extent to which the post-Covid-19 restoration of air transport, passenger and cargo has been examined; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Bernard J. Durkan. [15887/21]

*406. To ask the Minister for Transport the degree to which the commuter towns of north County Kildare can expect improved rail and bus services in the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Bernard J. Durkan. [15888/21]

*407. To ask the Minister for Transport if adequate provision can be made to upgrade rail stations in order to cater for increased passenger numbers in the context of the review of the current National Development Plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Bernard J. Durkan. [15889/21]

*408. To ask the Minister for Transport the number of railway carriages currently in use throughout the north County Kildare commuter routes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Bernard J. Durkan. [15890/21]

*409. To ask the Minister for Transport the extent to which he expects to ensure that the maximum number of rail passengers can be seated for health and safety purposes, personal comfort and convenience on rail services serving Leixlip, Maynooth, Kilcock, Hazelhatch and Sallins, County Kildare; the extent of his plans for any proposed upgrading; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Bernard J. Durkan. [15891/21]

*410. To ask the Minister for Transport the extent to which he anticipates the need to upgrade arterial road routes and reduce carbon emission levels; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Bernard J. Durkan. [15892/21]

P.T.O 1168

*411. To ask the Minister for Transport if his attention has been drawn to issues regarding the CIÉ pension scheme for retired Bus Éireann drivers (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Holly Cairns. [15919/21]

*412. To ask the Minister for Transport the total Covid-19-related spend in 2020 by his Department, agency and budget line item; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — David Cullinane. [16281/21]

*413. To ask the Minister for Transport the payment options available for persons to pay fines, charges or bills by his Department; and if there are plans to provide further online payment facilities. — Emer Higgins. [16300/21]

Chun an Aire Airgeadais: To the Minister for Finance.

*414. To ask the Minister for Finance if a company (details supplied) was regulated to operate here; and if so, the regulatory body under which it was regulated. — Chris Andrews. [15496/21]

*415. To ask the Minister for Finance the supports that have been provided by the EU to help Ireland to cope with the pandemic. — Patricia Ryan. [15546/21]

*416. To ask the Minister for Finance his views on farmers having to pay carbon tax while fishing boat operators do not have to do so; the reason for same; his views on this discrepancy given the technologically advanced tractors and other machinery farmers are investing in; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Martin Browne. [15616/21]

*417. To ask the Minister for Finance the levels of funding, recipient enterprises, project details, investment objectives, timelines and expected emission reductions associated with the portfolio of investments under the Ireland Strategic Investment Fund supporting collaboration with the food and agriculture sector to decarbonise their supply chain in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Jennifer Whitmore. [13899/21]

*418. To ask the Minister for Finance when medical examinations for the disabled drivers’ scheme will recommence given that many disabled persons are at a significant financial disadvantage due to the fact they are not currently able to access the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Seán Canney. [13941/21]

*419. To ask the Minister for Finance if his attention has been drawn to international online wine merchants advertising and importing wine to Ireland without paying excise or VAT; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Sean Sherlock. [13953/21]

*420. To ask the Minister for Finance the drug finds by Customs and Excise and the Revenue Commissioners in each of the past five years calculated as being over €13,000; the counties in which the findings were made; and the type of drugs involved. — Aengus Ó Snodaigh. [13962/21]

*421. To ask the Minister for Finance if he will consider an additional tax credit for those who are single and who live alone given that there is an additional tax credit for widowed persons, one parent families, divorced or separated persons; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Peter Burke. [13970/21]

*422. To ask the Minister for Finance if concerns have been raised with him or the Central Bank in relation to the change of policy proposed by retail banks in relation to solicitors client bank 1169 accounts; his views on whether this change of policy has the potential to impact on legal costs on the sustainability of some legal practices; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Dara Calleary. [13981/21]

*423. To ask the Minister for Finance if he will request as a shareholder in a bank (details supplied) that it defer branch closures until the end of the Covid-19 pandemic. — Seán Canney. [13998/21]

*424. To ask the Minister for Finance the number or percentage of personal injury cases that do not go to the Personal Injury Assessment Board by veto of the insurance companies. — Seán Canney. [14035/21]

*425. To ask the Minister for Finance his plans to ensure that households living in flood risk areas can obtain household insurance for flood cover; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — John Brady. [14036/21]

*426. To ask the Minister for Finance his plans and the consideration given to increase the current agricultural relief for the leasing of agriculture lands for solar energy production; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Aindrias Moynihan. [14058/21]

*427. To ask the Minister for Finance if he will review correspondence from a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Niamh Smyth. [14082/21]

*428. To ask the Minister for Finance if he has held a meeting or received correspondence from a company (details supplied) regarding the senior executive accountability regime since January 2018. — Pearse Doherty. [14086/21]

*429. To ask the Minister for Finance if he has received communication from the Central Bank regarding its investigation into a company (details supplied) prior to its enforcement action announced on 2 March 2021. — Pearse Doherty. [14087/21]

*430. To ask the Minister for Finance if current or former employees of a company (details supplied) sit on boards or hold positions in State agencies under the aegis of his Department. — Pearse Doherty. [14088/21]

*431. To ask the Minister for Finance the reason the stamp duty levy on privately funded pension schemes introduced as a temporary measure in 2011 is still being levied on IASS pensioners particularly in view of the deep cuts in their pensions that these pensioners suffered following the revision of pensions legislation in 2013 and 2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Catherine Connolly. [14092/21]

*432. To ask the Minister for Finance if he will review correspondence (details supplied); if his Department can contact the bank in question to request a pause to these closures as outlined; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Niamh Smyth. [14106/21]

*433. To ask the Minister for Finance if the transfer of loans from a bank (details supplied) to a domestic or non-domestic financial institution will require his approval; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Neasa Hourigan. [14140/21]

*434. To ask the Minister for Finance the nature of the process of due diligence for his Department in taking a position on the transfer of loans from a bank (details supplied) to a domestic or non-

P.T.O 1170 domestic financial institution; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Neasa Hourigan. [14141/21]

*435. To ask the Minister for Finance if the transfer of loans from a bank (details supplied) to a domestic or non-domestic financial institution will require approval from the Strategic Banking Corporation of Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Neasa Hourigan. [14142/21]

*436. To ask the Minister for Finance the nature of the process of due diligence for the Strategic Banking Corporation of Ireland in taking a position on the transfer of loans from a bank (details supplied) to domestic or non-domestic financial institutions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Neasa Hourigan. [14143/21]

*437. To ask the Minister for Finance if he has considered reducing tax rates such as the exit tax rate and capital gains tax for young investors to encourage more young people to enter the market; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Neale Richmond. [14175/21]

*438. To ask the Minister for Finance if the code of conduct for mortgage arrears is a voluntary code; if not, if a regulatory body in the State will enforce its application; the mechanism the State has to ensure financial and corporate bodies abide by the code and engage with persons in arrears; his policy on dealing with threats to family homes as a result of such arears; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Bríd Smith. [14186/21]

*439. To ask the Minister for Finance if he will intervene to stop the closure of bank branches (details supplied) given that the State is a major shareholder in the bank; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Cian O’Callaghan. [14223/21]

*440. To ask the Minister for Finance his views on retaining the 9% tourism VAT rate at least up until 2025 to assist recovery and provide certainty for tourism businesses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Holly Cairns. [14307/21]

*441. To ask the Minister for Finance his views on extending the employment wage subsidy scheme until 31 January 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Holly Cairns. [14309/21]

*442. To ask the Minister for Finance the steps he is taking to ensure that concession-based moratoriums are being provided to tourism and hospitality businesses by Irish banks and lenders until the Covid-19 restrictions are lifted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Holly Cairns. [14310/21]

*443. To ask the Minister for Finance when the disabled drivers and disabled passengers tax concession scheme will be replaced in view of the Supreme Court judgement of 18 June 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — . [14378/21]

*444. To ask the Minister for Finance if a deferral mechanism or staggered payment options can be put in place for householders who are struggling to pay their local property tax for 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Cormac Devlin. [14398/21]

*445. To ask the Minister for Finance the details of the process through which his Department drafts and produces legislation; if his Department outsources the drafting of legislation; if so, the Bills for which the drafting was outsourced since he took office; and the costs associated with the drafting of each Bill. — Peadar Tóibín. [14419/21] 1171

*446. To ask the Minister for Finance the amount of VAT reclaimed by persons who are not registered for VAT from 2010 to 2020, inclusive in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Jackie Cahill. [14433/21]

*447. To ask the Minister for Finance if his Department is considering expanding the remit of the Financial Services and Pensions Ombudsman to provide non-legal recourse to SMEs with annual turnover of greater than €20 million a year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Bernard J. Durkan. [14462/21]

*448. To ask the Minister for Finance his plans to update the Consumer Protection (Regulation of Credit Servicing Firms) Act 2018 to regulate cases in which vulture funds transfer legal ownership of loans to third parties but retain beneficial ownership; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Bernard J. Durkan. [14463/21]

*449. To ask the Minister for Finance if he will consider enhancing consumer protection with regard to the expected increased sale of loans to non-traditional entities including vulture funds owing to the economic impact of Covid-19; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Bernard J. Durkan. [14464/21]

*450. To ask the Minister for Finance the analysis his Department has carried out into the use by employers of third-party providers who operate a voucher system in the delivery of the bike- to-work scheme; his views on the use of third-party providers in this regard by employers given that they take roughly 10% of every sale at no cost to the employer but resulting in the bike shop losing out on this money; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Catherine Connolly. [14470/21]

*451. To ask the Minister for Finance if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the protracted payment process of the voucher system with regard to employers’ use of third-party providers who operate a voucher system in the delivery of the bike-to-work scheme has resulted in many bicycle shops being unable to facilitate these third-party providers and the employees of the companies they represent; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Catherine Connolly. [14471/21]

*452. To ask the Minister for Finance further to Parliamentary Question No. 389 of 3 November 2020, the position regarding the fuel grant element of the scheme for scheme recipients if a disabled driver purchases an electric car; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Róisín Shortall. [14517/21]

*453. To ask the Minister for Finance if he will consider retaining the tourism VAT rate at 9% for a period of time to assist the recovery of the tourism sector post-Covid-19; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Pádraig O’Sullivan. [14524/21]

*454. To ask the Minister for Finance if consideration will be given to increasing the current rates under the e-working tax relief in view of the current shortfall for employees in the difference between the maximum rate of employer allowed working from home allowance before tax is applicable and the e-working tax relief; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Pádraig O’Sullivan. [14525/21]

*455. To ask the Minister for Finance his views on the proposal by a union (details supplied) on the need to establish a structured forum on banking to consider the future of the banking landscape in Ireland; if his Department will engage with the union to consider the proposals further; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Ged Nash. [14538/21]

P.T.O 1172

*456. To ask the Minister for Finance if a copy will be provided of the briefing notes prepared for Central Bank officials in preparation for their recent Joint Committee on Finance session; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Ged Nash. [14539/21]

*457. To ask the Minister for Finance the actions he has taken in relation to the decision by a bank (details supplied) to sell loans to a fund despite the fact that agreements had been entered into under the mortgage-to-rent scheme with a social housing body; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Thomas Pringle. [14540/21]

*458. To ask the Minister for Finance his plans for the introduction of a moratorium on bank branch closures for the remainder of the Covid-19 pandemic in view of a recent announcement (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Catherine Connolly. [14549/21]

*459. To ask the Minister for Finance his views on proposals raised in correspondence (details supplied) in respect of the taxation of overtime in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Fergus O’Dowd. [14603/21]

*460. To ask the Minister for Finance the engagement he has had with the Central Bank regarding the recent fine levied on a company (details supplied); his views on the impact of this case on the international reputation of Irish financial services in general; the steps being taken to ensure incidents of this type cannot occur again; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Neale Richmond. [14632/21]

*461. To ask the Minister for Finance the reason a person (details supplied) in County Cork having completed a form 12 application in respect of significant medical costs did not receive a larger tax refund given the level of expenses incurred. — Sean Sherlock. [14671/21]

*462. To ask the Minister for Finance the number of persons who claimed carer’s allowance here in each of the years 2018 to 2020, in tabular form; the number of persons who claimed carer’s allowance in each of the years 2018 to 2020 and were not subject to tax due to their income level in tabular form; the number of persons who claimed carer’s allowance in each of the years 2018 to 2020 and were subject to tax due to their income level in tabular form; the amount of tax that was collected in each of the years 2018 to 2020 from those claiming carer’s allowance in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Pauline Tully. [14685/21]

*463. To ask the Minister for Finance if he will consider removing carer’s allowance as a taxable source of income; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Pauline Tully. [14686/21]

*464. To ask the Minister for Finance the five most recent significant capital projects in the major functional responsibilities of his Department which have required his sanction; the time which elapsed between the initial submission of the proposal for consideration until the construction commenced; the significant elements making up this period; the time spent in assessment prior to approval in the planning process; the time spent in assessment prior to approval in the procurement process of contractors; and the way this duration compared with the targeted time to delivery set out at the outset of the process. — Richard Bruton. [14777/21]

*465. To ask the Minister for Finance if his attention has been drawn to specific closure timelines and redundancy, security and pension options for staff at a bank (details supplied) scheduled for closure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Christopher O’Sullivan. [14832/21] 1173

*466. To ask the Minister for Finance the supports in place to reimburse businesses for stock they have had to dispose of as a result of stock going out of date or for other reasons that relate to the closure of their premises due to Covid-19 restrictions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Martin Browne. [14968/21]

*467. To ask the Minister for Finance the basis on which it is concluded that the net pension entitlement of a person (details supplied) should result in more than 50% tax thereby adding a further burden to their serious health problem; if the matter will be urgently reviewed with a view to a more realistic payout; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Bernard J. Durkan. [14975/21]

*468. To ask the Minister for Finance if he met with officials from banks (details supplied) to date in 2021 to discuss the move to reduce banking services in rural areas; the details of the latest negotiations by him or his Department on the issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Niamh Smyth. [14978/21]

*469. To ask the Minister for Finance if the employment wage subsidy scheme will continue for months after mass gatherings are permitted again in order to assist the live events sector scale up its activities and begin to trade again. — Catherine Murphy. [14991/21]

*470. To ask the Minister for Finance if he plans to allow SMEs to avail of tax warehousing without penalty for at least 12 months after mass gatherings are permitted again in view of the curtailment of their activities due to the public health restrictions. — Catherine Murphy. [14993/21]

*471. To ask the Minister for Finance if he will review correspondence (details supplied); if he will address the matters outlined; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Niamh Smyth. [14997/21]

*472. To ask the Minister for Finance if he will review correspondence (details supplied); if he will address the matters outlined; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Niamh Smyth. [14998/21]

*473. To ask the Minister for Finance if he will review correspondence (details supplied); if he will address the concerns highlighted in relation to insurance costs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Niamh Smyth. [15000/21]

*474. To ask the Minister for Finance if he has engaged with banks on the issue of negative interest rate charges (details supplied). — Jennifer Whitmore. [15007/21]

*475. To ask the Minister for Finance the efforts being made to ensure that the associated savings will be passed on to the customer by insurance companies on foot of the recent publication of new Judicial Council guidelines for personal injury claims; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Joe O’Brien. [15023/21]

*476. To ask the Minister for Finance if he will consider extending the duration of the 9% VAT rate for the hospitality sector in response to the prolonged Covid-19 restrictions impacting the industry; if he will provide early certainty to the industry in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Brendan Griffin. [15078/21]

*477. To ask the Minister for Finance if his Department has considered or researched the possible impacts of providing a reduced rate of capital gains tax for property owners selling a home to a

P.T.O 1174 first-time buyer to help first-time buyers gain a competitive advantage over speculators; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Brendan Griffin. [15079/21]

*478. To ask the Minister for Finance the number of vehicles owned or leased and operated by his Department and agencies and semi-State companies under his remit broken down by the number of ICE and non-ICE vehicles and fuel category, that is, petrol, diesel, hybrid, plug-in hybrid, electric and so on; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Duncan Smith. [15119/21]

*479. To ask the Minister for Finance his views on the amounts in personal injuries insurance guidelines as set by the Judicial Council; and his views on whether the level of payment for damages is a contributor to the excessive costs of insurance premiums. — Martin Browne. [15177/21]

*480. To ask the Minister for Finance the status of the review of the policy framework within which credit unions operate. — Willie O’Dea. [15183/21]

*481. To ask the Minister for Finance the measures being taken to enable and support the credit union movement to grow. — Willie O’Dea. [15184/21]

*482. To ask the Minister for Finance the way in which he is supporting credit unions in the expansion of services to encourage community development. — Willie O’Dea. [15185/21]

*483. To ask the Minister for Finance the number of persons who have filed domicile levy returns; the amount collected since commencement to date for which figures are available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Bríd Smith. [15187/21]

*484. To ask the Minister for Finance if he will intervene as a matter of urgency regarding the increasing insurance costs on small businesses and reduce damages for minor injuries by 80% given that the Law Reform Commission has made it clear that direct intervention by the legislature to cap damages will be entirely constitutional subject to certain safeguards; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Michael McNamara. [15193/21]

*485. To ask the Minister for Finance if he will convene a forum meeting with the banks and financial institutions in cooperation with the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to request that they immediately play a partnership role with the State and affected families in the financial challenge of making homes safe across counties Donegal and Mayo under the defective concrete blocks grant scheme. — Pádraig Mac Lochlainn. [15200/21]

*486. To ask the Minister for Finance his plans to engage with the Revenue Commissioners in respect of liabilities due by persons in receipt of the temporary wage subsidy scheme and or the pandemic unemployment payment; his plans to reform the way in which the bills are to be settled in view of the fact that employees over the course of the pandemic worked through exceptional circumstances; and if he has considered enhancing tax credits for those with a due liability over a more protracted timeframe than offered at present. — Catherine Murphy. [15292/21]

*487. To ask the Minister for Finance if a matter will be addressed in relation to investments by persons in a company (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Michael Healy-Rae. [15296/21]

*488. To ask the Minister for Finance if he will address a matter regarding the temporary wage subsidy scheme (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Michael Healy- Rae. [15309/21] 1175

*489. To ask the Minister for Finance if matters raised in correspondence by a person (details supplied) in relation to small businesses will receive a response; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Kieran O’Donnell. [15347/21]

*490. To ask the Minister for Finance his plans to change inheritance tax laws for unmarried long-term cohabiting couples who are currently considered as strangers to give them the same tax status as married couples and those in civil partnerships; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — . [15386/21]

*491. To ask the Minister for Finance if he has considered the admission of the events industry to supports and schemes (details supplied) until six months after mass gatherings are permitted again; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Brendan Howlin. [15395/21]

*492. To ask the Minister for Finance if he will mandate employers to pay the income tax owed by employees in respect of the temporary wage subsidy scheme and employment wage subsidy scheme given that employees are obliged to pay this income tax out of their net pay or have their credits reduced meaning that their net pay will be reduced in future years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Seán Haughey. [15469/21]

*493. To ask the Minister for Finance the details of payments made by NAMA to law and accountancy firms from 2018 to date; the amount received by each of the firms for each respective year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Richard Boyd Barrett. [15487/21]

*494. To ask the Minister for Finance the details of payments made by the Central Bank to law and accountancy firms from 2018 to date; the amount received by each of the firms for each respective year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Richard Boyd Barrett. [15488/21]

*495. To ask the Minister for Finance the details of all pro bono work undertaken by accountancy firms for his Department from 2016 to date by the type of work, the number of hours spent and the name of the accountancy firms involved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Richard Boyd Barrett. [15489/21]

*496. To ask the Minister for Finance the number of persons that have filed domicile levy returns; the amount collected since commencement to the present date for which figures are available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Richard Boyd Barrett. [15491/21]

*497. To ask the Minister for Finance the details of payments by the Revenue Commissioners to law and accountancy firms from 2018 to date; the amount received by each of the firms in each respective year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Richard Boyd Barrett. [15486/21]

*498. To ask the Minister for Finance if he will consider extending the employment wage subsidy scheme for the events industry until six months after mass gatherings are permitted again; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Cian O’Callaghan. [15508/21]

*499. To ask the Minister for Finance if the CRSS will be made available for charity shops that are closed under level 5 restrictions and backdated for same. — Paul Donnelly. [15514/21]

*500. To ask the Minister for Finance further to Parliamentary Question No. 166 of 24 February 2021, the way in which an importer can prove the origin of a used car as EU, UK or a third country and that under the rules of origin for a UK originating vehicle that the value of non-originating material in the production of a car does not exceed 45% of the ex-works price of a car; if he is

P.T.O 1176 satisfied that this requirement can be reasonably met; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — David Cullinane. [15537/21]

*501. To ask the Minister for Finance if consideration has been given to the continuation of schemes such as the employment wage subsidy scheme and tax debt warehousing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Claire Kerrane. [15677/21]

*502. To ask the Minister for Finance the status of the meeting between the Minister of State for Financial Services, Credit Unions and Insurance and the chief executive officers of the main insurance companies; if the Minister of State plans to raise the issue of motor insurance rebates in view of the Covid-19 restrictions and the resulting reduction in motor claims costs for insurance companies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Ged Nash. [15701/21]

*503. To ask the Minister for Finance if he will consider extending the provisions of the help- to-buy incentive scheme beyond 31 December 2021 for first-time buyers especially for those who are self-building and have been unable to progress with their housing projects due to the Covid-19 level 5 restrictions affecting the construction sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Marc MacSharry. [15741/21]

*504. To ask the Minister for Finance if the tax liability of a person (details supplied) will be re-examined immediately in view of the fact that the reduction in their income due to tax is causing hardship. — John McGuinness. [15759/21]

*505. To ask the Minister for Finance the total Covid-19-related spend in 2020 by his Department, agency and budget line item; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — David Cullinane. [15846/21]

*506. To ask the Minister for Finance if he will request the delay of the closure of branches of a bank (details supplied) until after the Covid-19 pandemic given the importance of same during the pandemic; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Richard Boyd Barrett. [15850/21]

*507. To ask the Minister for Finance the payment options available for persons to pay fines, charges or bills by his Department; and if there are plans to provide further online payment facilities. — Emer Higgins. [15854/21]

*508. To ask the Minister for Finance the supporting documentation required for a VRT application to be processed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Pearse Doherty. [15872/21]

*509. To ask the Minister for Finance if a quarterly stock report and shipping documentation from the seller for a vehicle imported from Northern Ireland is required in order to process a VRT application; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Pearse Doherty. [15873/21]

*510. To ask the Minister for Finance the steps he is taking to ensure property owners at risk of flooding have fair access to insurance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Holly Cairns. [15920/21]

*511. To ask the Minister for Finance his views on reducing the VAT rate to 21% to assist the retail sector during the pandemic; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Holly Cairns. [15921/21] 1177

*512. To ask the Minister for Finance his views on a further six-month moratorium on bank term loans for businesses to support cash flow; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Holly Cairns. [15922/21]

*513. To ask the Minister for Finance his views on additional mortgage deferment for employees whose income has been impacted by Covid-19; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Holly Cairns. [15923/21]

*514. To ask the Minister for Finance the steps he is taking to remove the policy of excluding employees working in businesses that avail of the employment wage subsidy scheme from new mortgage applications and other personal funding applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Holly Cairns. [15924/21]

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

*515. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if funding streams are available to facilitate the installation of an accessibility lift in a public building; if so, the criteria for the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Catherine Murphy. [14103/21]

*516. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the impact the renegotiation of the EU Brexit fund as requested by France will have on Ireland’s share of the funding; the way in which it will progress; if it impacts on the ratification of the Brexit agreement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Thomas Pringle. [15766/21]

*517. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the plans in place for the direct involvement of Defence Forces representative associations in national pay talks. — John Lahart. [15965/21]

*518. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he plans to bring section 39 and 56 organisations back into the remit of the public service pay agreements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Neale Richmond. [14020/21]

*519. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his plans to accelerate the roll-out of capital projects in view of the under spend in 2020 and 2021 due to Covid-19 restrictions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Seán Canney. [14034/21]

*520. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if funding streams are available to facilitate the installation of an accessibility lift in a public building; if so, the criteria for the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Catherine Murphy. [14101/21]

*521. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he plans to bring forward legislation to include staff and board members of the Land Development Agency and its subsidiaries in the lobbying register as designated public officials. — Eoin Ó Broin. [14239/21]

*522. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform further to Parliamentary Question No. 46 of 20 January 2021, if he will provide an account of his stewardship of the matter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Michael Healy-Rae. [14247/21]

P.T.O 1178

*523. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the steps that can be taken to prevent flooding to homes at a location (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Danny Healy-Rae. [14270/21]

*524. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the steps he is taking to address deficiencies in the Bandon flood relief scheme (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Holly Cairns. [14339/21]

*525. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if contracting authorities are required under European Union (Award of Public Authority Contracts) Regulations 2016 for negotiated procedure without prior publication to keep a record which justifies their use of the provision; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Mairéad Farrell. [14382/21]

*526. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the details of the process through which his Department drafts and produces legislation; if his Department outsources the drafting of legislation; if so, the Bills for which the drafting was outsourced since he took office; and the costs associated with the drafting of each Bill. — Peadar Tóibín. [14425/21]

*527. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform when circular 39/07 concerning the process by which Departments classify material as top secret will be either updated or replaced with new central classification rules, given the existing 13-year old circular may no longer provide sufficient guidance in respect of the digital data that is increasingly managed and stored by Departments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Paul Kehoe. [14600/21]

*528. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the breakdown of funds allocated under the National Smart Growth Initiative as part of the 10-year National Investment Plan for the NUTS III regional and or local authority level; and the ratio of private-to-public investment per region and or local authority. — Marian Harkin. [14690/21]

*529. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the NUTS III regional breakdown of funds to date allocated under the 10-year National Investment Plan. — Marian Harkin. [14691/21]

*530. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will honour the Workplace Relations Commission ruling in favour of community employment supervisors; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Patricia Ryan. [14713/21]

*531. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will provide a clear, timelined plan for the Office of Public Works to address the structural problems in the sea wall in Roche’s Point, Cork in order to provide local residents with assurance that further storm damage will not leave their properties at risk; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Neasa Hourigan. [14762/21]

*532. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the five most recent significant capital projects in the major functional responsibilities of his Department which have required his sanction; the time which elapsed between the initial submission of the proposal for consideration until the construction commenced; the significant elements making up this period; the time spent in assessment prior to approval in the planning process; the time spent in assessment prior to approval in the procurement process of contractors; and the way this duration compared with the targeted time to delivery set out at the outset of the process. — Richard Bruton. [14783/21] 1179

*533. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the number of times in the past two years the OPW has met with the insurance industry regarding flood insurance under the memorandum of understanding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Pádraig O’Sullivan. [14862/21]

*534. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform further to Parliamentary Question No. 78 of 9 December 2020, if payment was made; and the breakdown of the works for which payment was made. — Sorca Clarke. [14972/21]

*535. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the status of Ireland’s submission of a national plan under the recovery and resilience fund; if Ireland has submitted a draft plan; if so, the feedback the EU Commission has given on the plan including on the issue of the way in which the draft addresses Ireland’s country specific recommendations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Louise O’Reilly. [14985/21]

*536. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his plans for the Skelligs for 2021; the provisional open season date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Brendan Griffin. [15071/21]

*537. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will engage with Fáilte Ireland, local authorities and other stakeholders to examine the way existing and planned coastal and river defences could also act as valuable walking and cycling infrastructure; if his attention has been drawn to the example of the Keel Loop Walk, County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Brendan Griffin. [15077/21]

*538. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the number of vehicles owned or leased and operated by his Department and agencies and semi-State companies under his remit broken down by the number of ICE and non-ICE vehicles and fuel category, that is, petrol, diesel, hybrid, plug-in hybrid, electric and so on; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Duncan Smith. [15125/21]

*539. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if the Institute of Public Administration, the Economic and Social Research Institute and the Special EU Programmes Body as bodies under his aegis are operating under the Code of Practice on Accessibility of Public Services and Information provided by Public Bodies; if all such bodies have a trained access officer; if so, the year they first appointed an access officer; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Ged Nash. [15336/21]

*540. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if the Economic and Social Research Institute, the Institute of Public Administration and the Special EU Programmes Body as bodies under his aegis have an access team; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Ged Nash. [15337/21]

*541. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if the Economic and Social Research Institute, the Institute of Public Administration and the Special EU Programmes Body as bodies under his aegis have an evacuation chair for mobility impaired persons in cases in which it is required at all of their premises; if so, if staff or agents at such premises have formal training with regard to the use of such a chair; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Ged Nash. [15338/21]

P.T.O 1180

*542. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if the Economic and Social Research Institute, the Institute of Public Administration and the Special EU Programmes Body as bodies under his aegis are in compliance with the Web Accessibility Directive EU 2016/2021 with regard to websites from 23 September 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Ged Nash. [15339/21]

*543. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if the Economic and Social Research Institute, the Institute of Public Administration and the Special EU Programmes Body as bodies under his aegis procure their legal services through the Office of Government Procurement framework; the bodies which do not procure their legal services through the framework; the last time agencies that were not part of the framework tendered for legal services; if such procurement was carried out in accordance with circular 05/13; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Ged Nash. [15340/21]

*544. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if any of the bodies under the aegis of his Department have received protected disclosures since the enactment of the Protected Disclosures Act 2014; if all such disclosures were reported as per the Act in their annual reports; if there were disclosures deemed not to be protected disclosures under the Act and thus not reported; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Ged Nash. [15341/21]

*545. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if the bodies under his aegis have independent health and safety advisers at present; if so, if the procurement of such was carried out in the past three years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Ged Nash. [15342/21]

*546. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if all bodies under his aegis have implemented the public sector and human rights duty under the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission Act 2014; if they have reported in their annual reports since enactment on their developments and achievements with regard to human rights; if they have at all times promoted equality of opportunity and treatment of staff and persons to whom it provides services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Ged Nash. [15343/21]

*547. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if all the bodies under his aegis have set out in their strategic plans an assessment of the human rights and equality issues they view to be relevant to the functions and purpose of the body with regard to the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission Act 2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Ged Nash. [15344/21]

*548. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if a flood relief scheme is proposed for the Bridgestown and Moneyfluigh area, Inniscarra, County Cork. — Thomas Gould. [15367/21]

*549. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the average cost to the Exchequer for each apprentice employed in the public sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Rose Conway-Walsh. [15774/21]

*550. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the average cost for each apprentice employed in the public sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Rose Conway- Walsh. [15841/21]

*551. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the reason for the use of overspill accommodation by the OPW in respect of the new Garda building at Military Road, Dublin; if he and or the OPW were informed by An Garda Síochána that a single site to house all operations and 1181 resources was the preferred design; the amount budgeted for the project as of 19 March 2021; if his attention has been drawn to an upwards creep in budget required for the project; and if he sanctions increased budget caps on the project. — Catherine Murphy. [15856/21]

*552. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the total Covid-19-related spend in 2020 by his Department, agency and budget line item; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — David Cullinane. [16273/21]

*553. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the payment options available for persons to pay fines, charges or bills by his Department; and if there are plans to provide further online payment facilities. — Emer Higgins. [16292/21]

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

*554. To ask the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media when the €50 million fund for the live entertainment sector will be distributed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — . [13931/21]

*555. To ask the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media when the second phase of the Bord Fáilte grant will be issued to persons; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Michael Healy-Rae. [14004/21]

*556. To ask the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the specific supports she will put in place to assist the 43 weekly newspapers nationwide whose advertising revenue has dropped due to the Covid-19 pandemic; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Seán Canney. [14028/21]

*557. To ask the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media her plans to introduce targeted financial supports for lighting, sound and audiovisual engineering companies in the entertainment sector which have been severely affected by the Covid-19 pandemic but which were not eligible for the tourism business continuity scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Catherine Connolly. [14288/21]

*558. To ask the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the frequency with which the flat payments of either €2,500 or €5,000 promised under the recently announced music entertainment business assistance scheme will be paid to eligible businesses; if these flat payments will be backdated to take into account the fact that these businesses had little or no financial support for the first 12 months of the Covid-19 pandemic; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Catherine Connolly. [14289/21]

*559. To ask the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she will provide the hospitality and tourism sector at least one months’ notice for when they will be allowed to reopen; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Holly Cairns. [14315/21]

*560. To ask the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the steps she is taking to run the live performance support scheme until 31 December 2021; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Holly Cairns. [14316/21]

*561. To ask the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the steps she is taking to ensure that one-off payments to support artists and support crews does not come from

P.T.O 1182 existing or announced arts funding; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Holly Cairns. [14317/21]

*562. To ask the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the details of the process through which her Department drafts and produces legislation; if her Department outsources the drafting of legislation; if so, the Bills for which the drafting was outsourced since she took office; and the costs associated with the drafting of each Bill. — Peadar Tóibín. [14429/21]

*563. To ask the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the status of disbursement of the €50 million support for live entertainment announced in Budget 2021; and the details of further measures to assist the industry in view of current Covid-19 restrictions. — Niamh Smyth. [14542/21]

*564. To ask the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the status of a grant for a club (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Michael Healy-Rae. [14553/21]

*565. To ask the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the amount of funding and or grants provided by Sport Ireland to a club (details supplied) since its formation on an annual basis. — Catherine Murphy. [14555/21]

*566. To ask the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the measures that will be taken to maintain and improve the water quality as part of the Shannon tourism investment scheme. — Sorca Clarke. [14653/21]

*567. To ask the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media when applicants for the tourism and business continuity scheme will be notified if they have been successful in their application for this grant; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Chris Andrews. [14665/21]

*568. To ask the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she will report on foreign production companies having an obligation to hire production and acting staff here given the financial exemptions they receive; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Richard O’Donoghue. [14697/21]

*569. To ask the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media her views on spectators attending European Championship matches in a stadium (details supplied); and if her Department is engaging with an organisation in relation to this matter. — Róisín Shortall. [14728/21]

*570. To ask the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the five most recent significant capital projects in the major functional responsibilities of her Department which have required her sanction; the time which elapsed between the initial submission of the proposal for consideration until the construction commenced; the significant elements making up this period; the time spent in assessment prior to approval in the planning process; the time spent in assessment prior to approval in the procurement process of contractors; and the way this duration compared with the targeted time to delivery set out at the outset of the process. — Richard Bruton. [14787/21]

*571. To ask the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the reason music and entertainment workers and businesses with a turnover of less than €20,000 will not 1183 be eligible for the music and entertainment business assistance scheme. — Aengus Ó Snodaigh. [15030/21]

*572. To ask the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the details of all meetings and events she has attended from 1 November 2020 to date and those attended by the Minister of State from 31 January 2021 to date; and if she plans to ensure the Ministerial diaries are made public on a regular basis. — Aengus Ó Snodaigh. [15031/21]

*573. To ask the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she has conducted a risk assessment and or received updated advice regarding the resumption of indoor non-contact training and non-contact indoor sports and or activities and dancing classes for amateur teams and persons. — Catherine Murphy. [15055/21]

*574. To ask the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she has conducted a risk assessment and or received updated advice regarding the resumption of outdoor non-contact training and non-contact outdoor sports and or activities for amateur teams and persons; if the Return to Sport Expert Group and Sport Ireland have reported to her in respect of their review of national governing bodies of sport submissions; and if she will publish its report. — Catherine Murphy. [15056/21]

*575. To ask the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the position regarding plans by Fáilte Ireland for the marketing and branding of Killarney, County Kerry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Brendan Griffin. [15060/21]

*576. To ask the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media when she expects Fáilte Ireland’s platforms for growth capital funding recipients to be announced; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Brendan Griffin. [15061/21]

*577. To ask the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the status of the destination town initiative in respect of Tralee, County Kerry; the breakdown of expenditure in Tralee under the initiative to date; the future schedule for Tralee under the initiative; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Brendan Griffin. [15062/21]

*578. To ask the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the number of vehicles owned or leased and operated by her Department and agencies and semi-State companies under her remit broken down by the number of ICE and non-ICE vehicles and fuel category, that is, petrol, diesel, hybrid, plug-in hybrid, electric and so on; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Duncan Smith. [15128/21]

*579. To ask the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she will address the issues raised by a person (details supplied) regarding the need to protect the events industry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Fergus O’Dowd. [15134/21]

*580. To ask the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she will examine the concentration of local media ownership by a group (details supplied) which has resulted in layoffs of personnel vital to maintaining the content, quality and continuity of the newspapers involved; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Marian Harkin. [15291/21]

*581. To ask the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if funding or grants are available to the owners of holiday parks, sites or facilities that provide services to mobile

P.T.O 1184 home owners; if consideration has been given to financial assistance for the sector; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Ruairí Ó Murchú. [15332/21]

*582. To ask the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if her attention had been drawn to the fact that the cut-off date for certain Fáilte Ireland pandemic support schemes will fall at the end of March 2021; her plans to top up and or fund new schemes through Fáilte Ireland; and if she will address tourism sectors such as destination management companies and tour operators that may not be eligible for the Covid restrictions support scheme and or COVID business aid scheme through her Department and or Fáilte Ireland. — Catherine Murphy. [15377/21]

*583. To ask the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if he will examine matters raised in correspondence by a person (details supplied) in relation to the impact Covid-19 is having on their business; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Fergus O’Dowd. [15478/21]

*584. To ask the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media when sports capital grant applicants for 2021 can expect to receive a decision on their application; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Niamh Smyth. [15558/21]

*585. To ask the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media further to Parliamentary Question No. 271 of 24 February 2021, when a reply will issue from Fáilte Ireland. — Brendan Howlin. [15772/21]

*586. To ask the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media her plans to allow outdoor sporting activities to resume after 5 April 2021 (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Marian Harkin. [15784/21]

*587. To ask the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the details of the applications received for sports capital grants; and the value of the grants applied for by clubs in the Dublin city and Fingal areas. — Richard Bruton. [15828/21]

*588. To ask the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the status of an application for funding by a company (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Michael Healy-Rae. [15839/21]

*589. To ask the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the financial grants or other supports provided by Údarás na Gaeltachta to fur farms since 2009. — Holly Cairns. [15925/21]

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

*590. To ask the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the reason for keeping private housing closed whilst repairs to social housing remain open in view of the fact that all housing is essential; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Seán Canney. [14037/21]

*591. To ask the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will consider opening up private housing construction due to the fact that contracts for sale are signed, mortgages are in place and if they expire the sales will fall through; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Seán Canney. [14038/21] 1185

*592. To ask the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will review correspondence (details supplied); if he will provide an update on same to the sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Niamh Smyth. [14091/21]

*593. To ask the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the person or body responsible for the upkeep and controlling authority of Saleen Pier, Ballylongford, County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Brendan Griffin. [14647/21]

*594. To ask the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if his attention has been drawn to urgent representations made on behalf of a person (details supplied); the way in which under level 5 restrictions a person with a serious medical condition who requires construction work as a result of this condition can obtain written confirmation that the proposed construction work is deemed essential for health reasons; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Catherine Connolly. [14908/21]

*595. To ask the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the reason Scragh Bog, County Westmeath has been closed to visitors given the users of the amenity are deeply concerned particularly in view of the current level 5 restrictions regarding travel above five kilometres. — Sorca Clarke. [15673/21]

*596. To ask the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if isolation units are in place in County Clare for homeless services to avail of when required in the case of a Covid-19 infection or suspected infection; the locations in which these units are situated; if they are suitable for persons with disabilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Violet-Anne Wynne. [16213/21]

*597. To ask the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the funding provided to each approved housing body in 2020, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Carol Nolan. [13868/21]

*598. To ask the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the funding provided to an association (details supplied) in each of the years 2016 to 2020 and to date in 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Carol Nolan. [13869/21]

*599. To ask the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the full job description as agreed with Louth County Council in respect of the senior executive officers appointed to both Dundalk and Drogheda; if the job roles differ between both towns; if further information will be provided in respect of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Fergus O’Dowd. [13881/21]

*600. To ask the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will address concerns that a person (details supplied) is now waiting 31 weeks for the resolution of an appeal decision by An Bord Pleanála in contravention of the compliance target set out in the performance delivery agreement between An Bord Pleanála and his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Carol Nolan. [13888/21]

*601. To ask the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when draft interim planning regulations for the installation of solar rooftop panels will be laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Jennifer Whitmore. [13904/21]

P.T.O 1186

*602. To ask the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if a copy will be provided of the matrix and scoring system used to assess applications to his Department for funding under the latest round of the urban regeneration and development fund; if a copy will be provided of the matrix for the Drogheda Northern Port Access Route application; the way it was scored and assessed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Ged Nash. [13911/21]

*603. To ask the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if the upcoming Marine Planning and Development Management Bill will stipulate a minimum distance offshore windfarms have to be located away from the coastline; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Darren O’Rourke. [13940/21]

*604. To ask the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the process by which local authorities and community groups can register right of way areas by the 30 November 2021 deadline; if he will provide funding for the legal costs that will occur from such acquisitions; if he will allow for a two year extension to take into consideration the effects of tourism on the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Sean Sherlock. [13955/21]

*605. To ask the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will address a matter (details supplied) regarding the water sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Michael Healy-Rae. [13974/21]

*606. To ask the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if the new marine planning and development management Bill will include a minimum distance from the coast for offshore windfarms; if not, if this will be dealt with by way of regulation; if so, if his Department or the Department of Environment, Climate and Communications has responsibility for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Darren O’Rourke. [13976/21]

*607. To ask the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if local authorities are permitted to block intercounty HAP applications as in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Mark Ward. [14000/21]

*608. To ask the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the reason registered quantity surveyors are still being required to provide qualifications beyond that intended by the Building Control Act 2007; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Seán Canney. [14007/21]

*609. To ask the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the reason the Rebuilding Ireland home loan is excluding persons whose divorces have not been finalised. — Emer Higgins. [14018/21]

*610. To ask the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if the marking scheme and assessments made by his Department will be published on the application by Louth County Council for funding for the Drogheda urban regeneration project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Fergus O’Dowd. [14022/21]

*611. To ask the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the criteria and methodology used to determine the seven proposed price caps for the shared equity loan scheme. — Eoin Ó Broin. [14042/21] 1187

*612. To ask the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the research used by his officials in the design of the shared equity loan scheme; and if he will publish the research. — Eoin Ó Broin. [14043/21]

*613. To ask the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if his Department conducted an impact analysis of the proposed shared equity loan scheme on house and apartment prices; and if he will publish such research. — Eoin Ó Broin. [14044/21]

*614. To ask the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of affordable homes to purchase funded via the serviced sites fund that he expects to be completed in each of the years 2021 to 2025; and the indicative prices for these properties exclusive of the service sites fund contribution. — Eoin Ó Broin. [14045/21]

*615. To ask the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the details of the review by his Department of siting and size conditions for rooftop solar panels on homes and review of exemptions for educational and community buildings as part of the current development of interim planning regulations; the details of the stated need to consider environmental assessment reporting before finalisation; when the interim planning regulations will be submitted to the Houses of the Oireachtas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Michael Ring. [14066/21]

*616. To ask the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of sites in each county in which planning permission have been granted for each year since 2018, in tabular form; the number of sites assessed under the vacant site levy in each county since 2018; the number and percentage of local authorities with a live register with listed sites with assigned market valuations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Ged Nash. [14073/21]

*617. To ask the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will consider providing legislation to prevent landlords or letting agents charging tenants for references which is in place in the UK; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Richard Boyd Barrett. [14158/21]

*618. To ask the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the funding available from his Department through appropriate schemes to assist with a building (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Bernard J. Durkan. [14160/21]

*619. To ask the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the work carried out by his Department regarding the implementation of a national differential rent scheme for local authorities; when the scheme is likely to be rolled out; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — John Brady. [14171/21]

*620. To ask the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if Departmental guidelines permit Wicklow local authorities to operate two separate differential rent schemes in one local authority area; if other local authorities are operating similar schemes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — John Brady. [14172/21]

*621. To ask the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if funding is available and if he plans to introduce a scheme similar to the fair deal scheme which would provide financial assistance to the elderly who wish to remain living in their own home or with family rather than go into full-time care (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Danny Healy-Rae. [14173/21]

P.T.O 1188

*622. To ask the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the breakdown of the 5,073 new build social houses delivered in 2020 by category (details supplied). — Eoin Ó Broin. [14202/21]

*623. To ask the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of social housing applications made to each relevant housing authority from April 2020 to date which were refused due to the fact that the applicant was in receipt of the pandemic unemployment payment in tabular form. — Sorca Clarke. [14252/21]

*624. To ask the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the consideration that has been given outside of the energy efficiency programme for 2021 for the retrofitting of local authority housing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Ruairí Ó Murchú. [14253/21]

*625. To ask the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of properties to date per rent pressure zone in County Louth that have been identified as potentially in breach of short-term lettings regulations; the number that have been subject to inspection; and the number of short-term letting change of use planning applications received. — Ruairí Ó Murchú. [14227/21]

*626. To ask the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of properties to date per rent pressure zone in County Louth that have been issued with warning letters in respect of a breach of the short-term letting regulations. — Ruairí Ó Murchú. [14228/21]

*627. To ask the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the reason his Department has not signed off on a request from Donegal County Council that it be permitted to purchase the property in an area (details supplied) to house a family on the housing list; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that Donegal County Council has built or acquired less public or council homes in the past 11 years than in just 2002; and his views on whether delays such as this are unacceptable in such circumstances. — Pádraig Mac Lochlainn. [14235/21]

*628. To ask the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will publish the service level agreement between his Department and Dublin City Council for the provision of homeless services; if he will publish the statutory documents certifying that the public money granted was used in accordance with the terms and conditions of the grant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Neasa Hourigan. [14260/21]

*629. To ask the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will review the procurement of homeless services contained in the service level agreement between his Department and Dublin City Council; his plans to review the statutory documents certifying that the public funding granted was used in accordance with the terms and conditions of the grant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Neasa Hourigan. [14271/21]

*630. To ask the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if it is possible to establish the details of the ownership and boundaries of a parcel of land in city (details supplied) which was previously in the charge of CIÉ. — Catherine Murphy. [14272/21]

*631. To ask the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the amount allocated by his Department for the Our Balbriggan strategy; the details of the projects funded; the timelines for the delivery of each project; the projects which are part of the Balbriggan Rejuvenation Plan; the projects which are new; the amount allocated to each; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Louise O’Reilly. [14273/21] 1189

*632. To ask the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of apprentices taken on by local authorities in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Aodhán Ó Ríordáin. [14285/21]

*633. To ask the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the sections of the Housing Acts 1997 to 2014 upon which local authorities can rely in order to evict tenants who are engaged in known criminal behaviour such as drug dealing, violence and intimidation, repeated antisocial behaviour or damage to the property or surrounding area; the number of cases taken by each local authority excluding Dublin under this Act since 2015 in each of the years 2015 to 2020, in tabular form; the percentage of these cases that have been successful; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Cormac Devlin. [14290/21]

*634. To ask the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of times that the four Dublin local authorities have offered financial contribution schemes for the purpose of downsizing since 2011; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Cormac Devlin. [14292/21]

*635. To ask the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his views on extending the local authority commercial rates waiver for tourism and hospitality businesses until 31 January 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Holly Cairns. [14311/21]

*636. To ask the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his views on extending the moratorium on evictions until 31 December 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Holly Cairns. [14337/21]

*637. To ask the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the oversight his Department has over the activities of an organisation (details supplied) in the engagement and in the reconnection of persons from eastern Europe experiencing homelessness; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Neasa Hourigan. [14345/21]

*638. To ask the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of tenants per county that are resident in houses that were acquired under Part V of the Planning and Development Act 2000; the number that began their residency in years (details supplied) in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Matt Carthy. [14349/21]

*639. To ask the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the status of the review of the tenant purchase scheme for local authority tenants; if he plans, following that review, he will allow for residents in houses acquired under Part V of the Planning and Development Act 2000 to enter the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Matt Carthy. [14350/21]

*640. To ask the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if the Land Development Agency has considered introducing co-living accommodation into any of its proposed developments; and if this consideration has been abandoned in view of the partial ban on co-living introduced in December 2020. — Eoin Ó Broin. [14355/21]

*641. To ask the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the status of the Land Development Agency development on the Meath Hospital site, Dublin 8; the number of units proposed; the tenure mix; the development partners; and the timeline for planning, commencement and completion. — Eoin Ó Broin. [14356/21]

P.T.O 1190

*642. To ask the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if the Land Development Agency discussed the establishment of a high level structure bringing together land owners engaging with the Agency such as the HSE and councils to address delays in advancing residential development on specified sites; and if discussion in June 2019 by the board of the Agency in relation to establishing such a structure to be chaired by the Taoiseach, was advanced and proposed to the Department of the Taoiseach. — Eoin Ó Broin. [14357/21]

*643. To ask the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the discussions taking place between his Department and the Land Development Agency on the delivery of affordable purchase homes on non-local authority sites; if the serviced sites fund will be extended to non- local Government sites; and if another form of equity stake including a Land Development Agency equity stake is being considered in order to provide homes at a discount of full development costs. — Eoin Ó Broin. [14358/21]

*644. To ask the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of dwellings that have been acquired under the mortgage-to-rent scheme by county in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Matt Carthy. [14359/21]

*645. To ask the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of dwellings that have been acquired under the mortgage-to-rent scheme in each of the years 2016 to 2020, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Matt Carthy. [14360/21]

*646. To ask the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if his attention has been drawn to the fact that 58 apartments have been idle since their construction almost 15 years ago (details supplied); when these vacant properties will be allocated to those on the housing list; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — . [14361/21]

*647. To ask the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if there is a technical working group within his Department assessing the methodology for transfer of State lands to the Land Development Agency; if so, when the working group was established; the persons on the group; the number of meetings it has held; and the date of each meeting. — Eoin Ó Broin. [14373/21]

*648. To ask the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when he expects the next call for local authority submissions under the services site fund; the assessment criteria for local authorities under previous calls to guide application; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — . [14410/21]

*649. To ask the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the details of the process through which his Department drafts and produces legislation; if his Department outsources the drafting of legislation; if so, the Bills for which the drafting was outsourced since he took office; and the costs associated with the drafting of each Bill. — Peadar Tóibín. [14423/21]

*650. To ask the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if eviction protections in place due to Covid-19 extend to tenants for whom the landlord has sold their property. — Thomas Gould. [14436/21]

*651. To ask the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if there is an exception to the current tenancy protections in the case of property sale. — Thomas Gould. [14437/21] 1191

*652. To ask the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if there has been further progress in relation to the review of income eligibility for social housing supports that is currently underway; when a decision will be made in relation to the increase of the income limits in respect of social housing supports; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Éamon Ó Cuív. [14483/21]

*653. To ask the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if a family (details supplied) will be permitted to complete construction works in their house to repair the roof and rear supporting wall given that the property is currently uninhabitable and the recent bad weather has damaged the property significantly. — Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire. [14492/21]

*654. To ask the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if the Land Development Agency is exempted from complying with the lobbying register; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Cian O’Callaghan. [14498/21]

*655. To ask the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the monitoring of CE certified materials being carried out on construction sites to ensure that the materials supplied are in fact CE certified; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Seán Canney. [14508/21]

*656. To ask the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the role building control units have in taking samples and testing samples of construction materials to ensure that they are CE certification compliant. — Seán Canney. [14509/21]

*657. To ask the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the status of the review of income eligibility for social housing supports in Cork City Council and Cork County Council; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Pádraig O’Sullivan. [14527/21]

*658. To ask the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if work is ongoing within his Department to devise a mechanism that would enable councillors to avail of maternity or paternity leave; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — . [14565/21]

*659. To ask the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if consideration has been given to allowing councillors to be exempted from paying commercial rates in circumstances in which they wish to set up an office in their constituency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Denise Mitchell. [14566/21]

*660. To ask the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the status of all public housing developments across the four Dublin local authorities under construction or with planning permission approved by authority, volume of houses, location and scheduled completion date in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Cormac Devlin. [14569/21]

*661. To ask the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the status of repairs to Coliemore harbour; the details of meetings officials from his Department have had with officials from Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council to repair the amenity; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Cormac Devlin. [14570/21]

*662. To ask the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if his attention has been drawn to an issue (details supplied) in relation to a vacant site; if the issue will be investigated and the appropriate action taken; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Cormac Devlin. [14571/21]

P.T.O 1192

*663. To ask the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if assistance will be provided to a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Cormac Devlin. [14582/21]

*664. To ask the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will address a matter regarding the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Michael Healy-Rae. [14644/21]

*665. To ask the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if medically necessary work for which no grant has been sought can be deemed essential construction during level 5 restrictions. — Richard Bruton. [14673/21]

*666. To ask the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the breakdown by local authority of projects currently underway under the auspices of the Land Development Agency; and the numerical breakdown of these projects with respect to the size of the settlement (details supplied). — Marian Harkin. [14693/21]

*667. To ask the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the breakdown by local authority of housing vacancies. — Marian Harkin. [14694/21]

*668. To ask the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will consider proposals (details supplied) to adapt the hierarchy of settlements and related infrastructure outlined in Project Ireland 2040. — Marian Harkin. [14696/21]

*669. To ask the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the work he has undertaken to pursue the adoption of an all-island approach to national planning frameworks. — Pauline Tully. [14707/21]

*670. To ask the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the steps being taken to protect the Hill of Allen and its tower; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Patricia Ryan. [14714/21]

*671. To ask the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the annual amount of commercial rates income from each data centre in the past five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Patricia Ryan. [14719/21]

*672. To ask the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the annual amount of commercial rates income from each wind farm development in the past five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Patricia Ryan. [14720/21]

*673. To ask the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if his attention has been drawn to issues raised in correspondence (details supplied); if he has engaged with insurance providers; the way in which he plans to support affected properties; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Róisín Shortall. [14732/21]

*674. To ask the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the available grant funding for repair and restoration of church buildings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Pearse Doherty. [14767/21]

*675. To ask the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the five most recent significant capital projects in the major functional responsibilities of his Department which have 1193 required his sanction; the time which elapsed between the initial submission of the proposal for consideration until the construction commenced; the significant elements making up this period; the time spent in assessment prior to approval in the planning process; the time spent in assessment prior to approval in the procurement process of contractors; and the way this duration compared with the targeted time to delivery set out at the outset of the process. — Richard Bruton. [14781/21]

*676. To ask the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage further to Parliamentary Question No. 189 of 25 February 2021, his views on whether those receiving the carer’s allowance should be excluded from the Rebuilding Ireland home loan scheme as secondary applicants if it is not possible to produce an average length of time for the allowance; if there could be a mechanism to assess a person receiving the carer’s allowance to see if they are long-term recipients in order to access the Rebuilding Ireland home loan scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Gary Gannon. [14830/21]

*677. To ask the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if local authority housing is being used to provide isolation facilities in relation to Covid-19; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Denis Naughten. [14868/21]

*678. To ask the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the estimated cost of providing security on a site (details supplied) that has been vacant since construction; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Dessie Ellis. [14910/21]

*679. To ask the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if there has been a survey conduction on the deer population; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Jackie Cahill. [14911/21]

*680. To ask the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of section 42 licences that have been issued in the past year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Jackie Cahill. [14912/21]

*681. To ask the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the projected cost of the 58 apartments that have been idle since construction in 2005 in an area (details supplied) including the cost being paid to the receivers by Dublin City Dublin Council; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Dessie Ellis. [14923/21]

*682. To ask the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the criteria for selection of projects under the Urban Regeneration and Development Fund; and if there is a detailed weighting and scoring scheme which can be made available for those developing potential projects. — Richard Bruton. [14927/21]

*683. To ask the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he is satisfied with the quality of work being conducted under the pyrite remediation scheme; the quality guarantee that residents receive for works carried out under scheme; if his attention has been drawn to many or any homes which have had works completed under the scheme only to notice cracks, movement and other problems afterwards; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Darren O’Rourke. [15021/21]

*684. To ask the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he has considered revising upwards the terms of the repair and lease scheme to provide a greater incentive to property owners to convert derelict houses to available homes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Brendan Griffin. [15075/21]

P.T.O 1194

*685. To ask the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will sign off on the decommissioning of a group water scheme (details supplied). — Robert Troy. [15081/21]

*686. To ask the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the legislative framework adopted in Ireland to implement the objectives of the Birds Directive as set out in 2009/147/EC; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Duncan Smith. [15105/21]

*687. To ask the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of vehicles owned or leased and operated by his Department and agencies and semi-State companies under his remit broken down by the number of ICE and non-ICE vehicles and fuel category, that is, petrol, diesel, hybrid, plug-in hybrid, electric and so on. — Duncan Smith. [15123/21]

*688. To ask the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the funding provided to Cork City Council for voids refurbishment in each of the years 2010 to 2020 and to date in 2021, in tabular form. — Thomas Gould. [15136/21]

*689. To ask the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he is satisfied that the delivery of housing allocations for the Traveller community in County Clare is adequate; if he has followed up with Clare County Council in relation to the return of €2.2 million to his Department in unspent funds for Traveller accommodation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Violet-Anne Wynne. [15142/21]

*690. To ask the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will address a matter regarding development on lands (details supplied). — Violet-Anne Wynne. [15143/21]

*691. To ask the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the meetings or correspondence that he has held with banks and financial institutions in Ireland since assuming office. — Pádraig Mac Lochlainn. [15199/21]

*692. To ask the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the details of the compensatory measures that are available to farmers who have had their lands designated as SPAs under the EU Birds Directive; the number receiving same; and the amount of funding provided by her Department for same. — Sean Sherlock. [15206/21]

*693. To ask the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the system that is in place to facilitate objections by persons affected by having lands designated as SPAs in view of the significant impact on land valuations on designated lands; and if there is an independent arbitration process available to enable farmers to be recompensed for the depreciation in land values. — Sean Sherlock. [15208/21]

*694. To ask the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of waste- water treatment plants that have an amber or red capacity loading in each county; the percentage of water pipes that are being fixed each year by Irish Water for the past five years; the amount Irish Water has spent fixing water pipes in each of the past five years; and the percentage of the water produced and number of litres of water that has leaked from water pipes in each of the past five years. — Peadar Tóibín. [15232/21]

*695. To ask the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the members of the project assessment board for assessing and allocating funding for the urban regeneration and development fund; the process of selection for the board; the qualifications required for membership; 1195 the renumeration provided for each of the positions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Fergus O’Dowd. [15239/21]

*696. To ask the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the breakdown of funds applied for and subsequently allocated to the urban regeneration development fund by county in each of the years 2018 to 2020, in tabular form; when the next round of applications under the fund will open; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Jennifer Murnane O’Connor. [15241/21]

*697. To ask the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he is in receipt of a list of vacant buildings and sites in each local authority area; and if he will publish same, in tabular form. — Sean Sherlock. [15262/21]

*698. To ask the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will provide a schedule of works and or projects granted funding under the urban regeneration and development fund 2021 by county. — Catherine Murphy. [15264/21]

*699. To ask the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the reason funding under the urban regeneration and development fund 2021 has not been granted to Kildare County Council in respect of a second bridge in Newbridge, County Kildare. — Catherine Murphy. [15265/21]

*700. To ask the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the date on which the second bridge linking Celbridge to Hazelhatch, County Kildare will commence; the status of the design detail of the bridge; and if he engaged the NTA on the granting of funding. — Catherine Murphy. [15266/21]

*701. To ask the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of inspections of private residential tenancies in County Cork in each of the years 2018 to 2020 and to date in 2021, by local electoral area in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Duncan Smith. [15305/21]

*702. To ask the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the average period of time it takes for public housing projects to go from initial design stage funding to completion by local authority in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Duncan Smith. [15306/21]

*703. To ask the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the position regarding the progress which has been made on the national differential rent scheme; the proposed criteria for reckonable income within local authority areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Duncan Smith. [15307/21]

*704. To ask the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the position regarding the recipients of HAP in each local authority; if same are deemed to be housed once in receipt of HAP; if same are taken off the local authority housing list once in receipt of HAP; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Duncan Smith. [15308/21]

*705. To ask the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if eviction proceedings can advance in relation to tenants who have not paid rent since before the period of Covid-19 restrictions; if special arrangements have been made to assist landlords in cases in which tenants have made no effort to contribute to rental agreements, have ignored orders to vacate and are

P.T.O 1196 in effect squatting; and if he has considered introducing financial supports for landlords in such circumstances. — Robert Troy. [15352/21]

*706. To ask the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of exemptions in relation to the ban on hedge cutting during nesting season applied for and granted by each local authority in 2020 and to date in 2021, in tabular form; and the reason for the exemption in each case. — Sean Sherlock. [15353/21]

*707. To ask the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of grants paid for the upgrade of private waste-water systems and septic tanks in each year since its inception in 2013, by county; the expenditure in each year by county; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Éamon Ó Cuív. [15368/21]

*708. To ask the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of villages and towns in Ireland that do not have municipal waste water systems by county; the steps he plans to take to deal with this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Éamon Ó Cuív. [15369/21]

*709. To ask the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the estimated number of individual houses served by private waste water systems by county; the action being taken to ensure that these are not a cause of pollution; the number of inspections carried out on them in each year since 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Éamon Ó Cuív. [15370/21]

*710. To ask the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when the senior social work post will be filled in Kilkenny local authorities (details supplied). — Kathleen Funchion. [15375/21]

*711. To ask the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the reason a project (details supplied) in County Kildare did not receive funding under the recently announced urban regeneration and development fund; if the project will be considered under future funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Duncan Smith. [15419/21]

*712. To ask the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if his Department has received reports in recent years regarding the discovery of taprogge balls on Dollymount beach, Clontarf and on other Irish beaches which originated from the Hartlepool nuclear power station; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that these taprogge balls have become imbedded in sand dunes; if measures will be taken to prevent this problem occurring in the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Seán Haughey. [15459/21]

*713. To ask the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his plans to engage with local authorities on the reduction or removal of the so-called sunshine tax for hospitality businesses. — Eoghan Murphy. [15472/21]

*714. To ask the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the proposed timeline for the construction defects working group; if funding will be made available for low-cost loans for construction defects; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Duncan Smith. [15498/21]

*715. To ask the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the funding mechanisms available for low-cost loans for multi-unit development older builds, that is, pre-1980; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Duncan Smith. [15499/21] 1197

*716. To ask the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when the assessment of the application from Louth County Council to his Department for funding for the Drogheda port access northern cross route under the urban regeneration and development fund was completed by the project assessment board; the marks awarded by the board; if there was a further review or oversight by officials in his Department subsequently until the date of the public announcement of the outcome of this application; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Fergus O’Dowd. [15520/21]

*717. To ask the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his views on a matter in relation to a funding and delivery solution for public sector projects raised in correspondence (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Niall Collins. [15535/21]

*718. To ask the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will provide reassurance to owners of private turf banks and those with turbary rights that they will be permitted to continue to cut turf; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Patricia Ryan. [15545/21]

*719. To ask the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the actions being taken to preserve rare bird species including the corncrake, curlew, red grouse and grey partridge; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Patricia Ryan. [15551/21]

*720. To ask the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his plans to establish a body to replace the Wildlife Advisory Council; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Patricia Ryan. [15552/21]

*721. To ask the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when the wildlife crime unit will be established; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Patricia Ryan. [15553/21]

*722. To ask the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will examine a rent increase in the case of a person (details supplied); and the options available. — Paul Donnelly. [15557/21]

*723. To ask the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the status of the working group on latent defects; the membership of the group; the terms of reference of same; the number of meetings held to date; if he expects the group to conclude its work by June 2021; and if he expects its recommendations to inform measures to support homeowners living with latent defects in Budget 2022. — Eoin Ó Broin. [15668/21]

*724. To ask the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the status of the implementation of the recommendations of the Expert Group on Traveller Accommodation providing a specific update on each recommendation; and if he plans to bring forward legislation to address the issues of Part 8 planning applications and section 183 land disposals as recommended by the group. — Eoin Ó Broin. [15669/21]

*725. To ask the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the rights envisaged in relation to the section in the Programme for Government on long-term letting rights for tenants; and when they will be in place. — Chris Andrews. [15692/21]

*726. To ask the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his plans to honour the commitment made by his predecessor that the framework for future delivery of public water services would be arrived at by agreement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Pauline Tully. [15703/21]

P.T.O 1198

*727. To ask the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if local authority staff will retain their public services status, security and terms and conditions if they are transferred to Irish Water; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Pauline Tully. [15704/21]

*728. To ask the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his plans to ensure the retention of the public service status, security and terms and conditions of local authority staff if they are transferred to Irish Water; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Pauline Tully. [15705/21]

*729. To ask the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his plans to ensure that local authority staff are not transferred to Irish Water without an agreed replacement to their current service level agreement which is accepted by the local authority staff and the unions representing them; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Pauline Tully. [15706/21]

*730. To ask the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage further to Parliamentary Question No. 73 of 11 March 2021, if he will address matters (details supplied) regarding HAP; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Michael Healy-Rae. [15724/21]

*731. To ask the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the steps his Department has taken or the assistance that is available to those residents of apartment complexes who have experienced issues with their balconies only to discover that redress from the builder or developer is statute-barred and they have to foot enormous costs personally through their management companies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — John Lahart. [15750/21]

*732. To ask the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the allocations that have been given under the urban regeneration and development fund. — Alan Kelly. [15895/21]

*733. To ask the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his views on using section 19 of the Water Services (No. 2) Act 2013 which his predecessor decided not to invoke; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Holly Cairns. [15926/21]

*734. To ask the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the steps he is taking to ensure that the consultation for the National Housing Strategy for Persons with Disabilities 2022-2027 is accessible to persons with no internet access, persons who have difficulties using technology and persons with visual impairments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Holly Cairns. [15927/21]

*735. To ask the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the policy with regard to the criteria for inclusion on the housing list of a local authority in particular with regard to the right to housing of young persons both generally and those with disabilities who are involuntarily sharing the family home; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Neasa Hourigan. [15967/21]

*736. To ask the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the total Covid-19- related spend in 2020 by his Department, agency and budget line item; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — David Cullinane. [16276/21]

*737. To ask the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the payment options available for persons to pay fines, charges or bills by his Department; and if there are plans to provide further online payment facilities. — Emer Higgins. [16296/21] 1199

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

*738. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the countries and companies that have joined up with the COVID-19 Technology Access Pool to date. — Joan Collins. [15761/21]

*739. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs if a passport application applied for in January 2021 will be processed for a person (details supplied) in order that they can receive their Australian visa as soon as possible. — Niamh Smyth. [16221/21]

*740. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs if Ireland is obliged to notify the Council of Europe that it has derogated from the EU Convention on Human Rights with respect to certain obligations under Articles 8 and 11 of the Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms, Articles 1 and 2 of Protocol to the Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms and Article 2 of Protocol No. 4 to the Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms following the introduction of Covid-19 restrictions; and if his attention has been drawn to the fact that Latvia (details supplied) has already notified the Council of Europe of similar derogations. — Carol Nolan. [13817/21]

*741. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the dates of meetings of his Department’s Committee on Human Rights from 2016 to date in tabular form; the members of the Committee; the terms of reference of the Committee; the agendas and minutes of all meetings from 2016 to date; the reason this information is no longer accessible on his Department’s website; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Jennifer Whitmore. [13900/21]

*742. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the position regarding the operation of the Passport Office during Covid-19; the length of time persons are expected to wait with all of their personal documentation before their application is processed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Catherine Connolly. [13957/21]

*743. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs his views on the military coup in Myanmar; the representations he and the relevant ambassadors have made to the authorities in Myanmar; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Mick Barry. [13995/21]

*744. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs if it is policy to postpone the achievement of the UN target for 0.7% of GNO for ODA until 2030; if he will set out the increase proposed for each year of this decade; if the target can be achieved earlier; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Brendan Howlin. [14005/21]

*745. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the number of persons who have applied for a passport which has not yet been processed. — . [14060/21]

*746. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs when the embargo on processing passports will be lifted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Carol Nolan. [14074/21]

*747. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the way in which he plans to address the backlog of processing applications for passports in which same are required for essential travel and official purposes. — Peadar Tóibín. [14126/21]

*748. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the steps he plans to take to reinstate the service provided by the Apostille Office to authenticate documents in a timely manner given it is taking

P.T.O 1200 upwards of four weeks to carry out the same task; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Neale Richmond. [14170/21]

*749. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the reason a person (details supplied) must wait so long to have their passport processed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Niamh Smyth. [14204/21]

*750. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the details of the process through which his Department drafts and produces legislation; if his Department outsources the drafting of legislation; if so, the Bills for which the drafting was outsourced since he took office; and the costs associated with the drafting of each Bill. — Peadar Tóibín. [14420/21]

*751. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs when the Passport Office will reopen; and the reason online applications cannot be processed at this time. — Alan Kelly. [14562/21]

*752. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will report on his recent engagements with his counterpart in the United Kingdom; if recent concerns regarding the implementation of the Northern Ireland Protocol were discussed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Neale Richmond. [14613/21]

*753. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will report on his recent engagements with his European counterparts; if concerns regarding the implementation of the Northern Ireland Protocol have been discussed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Neale Richmond. [14614/21]

*754. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will report on his recent engagements with the Northern Ireland Executive; if the implementation of the Northern Ireland Protocol has been discussed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Neale Richmond. [14615/21]

*755. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will report on his recent engagements with his counterpart in the United States of America; if the implementation of the Northern Ireland Protocol has been discussed; if Brexit and its impact on Ireland has been discussed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Neale Richmond. [14616/21]

*756. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the status of the work his Department has carried out regarding the detention of a person (details supplied) in China; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Neale Richmond. [14618/21]

*757. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he has engaged with his European counterparts regarding the forthcoming ratification of a new investment deal with China given the concerns regarding human rights violations in China and Hong Kong; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Neale Richmond. [14619/21]

*758. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the status of Ireland’s membership of the UN Security Council; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Neale Richmond. [14620/21]

*759. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs when the Agreement on the withdrawal of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland from the European Union and the European Atomic Energy Community will be formally ratified by the European Union; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Thomas Pringle. [14633/21] 1201

*760. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the status of the E3 visa; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Paul McAuliffe. [14667/21]

*761. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the work he has undertaken to ensure the full implementation of the New Decade New Approach deal. — Pauline Tully. [14706/21]

*762. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the work he has undertaken to ensure that access is gained to all original documents held by the UK Government relating to the Dublin and Monaghan bombings in May 1974. — Pauline Tully. [14708/21]

*763. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs if his attention has been drawn to the arrest and detention of five young children by the Israeli Defence Forces on 10 March 2021 in the Masafer Yatta region near Hebron; his views on the way in which the arrest and detention of children in military courts and prisons accord with the International Rights of the Child; his views on reports that such breaches by the Israeli Defence Forces are a regular occurrence; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that children of similar age in illegal settlements are dealt with under civil law; if he condemns such practices; if he will raise this issue with the appropriate authorities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Catherine Connolly. [14747/21]

*764. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the five most recent significant capital projects in the major functional responsibilities of his Department which have required his sanction; the time which elapsed between the initial submission of the proposal for consideration until the construction commenced; the significant elements making up this period; the time spent in assessment prior to approval in the planning process; the time spent in assessment prior to approval in the procurement process of contractors; and the way this duration compared with the targeted time to delivery set out at the outset of the process. — Richard Bruton. [14778/21]

*765. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the status of a passport application by a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Jennifer Carroll MacNeill. [14909/21]

*766. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the way in which he plans to address the backlog of processing applications for passports in circumstances in which they are required for essential travel and official purposes as in the case of a person (details supplied). — Peadar Tóibín. [15001/21]

*767. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will increase the amount of famine relief funding being provided by Ireland in 2021 for Yemen; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Brendan Griffin. [15072/21]

*768. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the date the online renewal service for passports will resume; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Duncan Smith. [15110/21]

*769. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the estimated length of the backlog for passport applications and passport renewal applications due to the closure of the online renewal service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Duncan Smith. [15111/21]

*770. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the number of vehicles owned or leased and operated by his Department and agencies and semi-State companies under his remit broken down by the number of ICE and non-ICE vehicles and fuel category, that is, petrol, diesel, hybrid, plug- in hybrid, electric and so on; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Duncan Smith. [15120/21]

P.T.O 1202

*771. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs his plans to deal with the backlog in passport applications when restrictions are eased; if the passport office be provided with additional resources; when consulates abroad will begin contacting applicants again; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Violet-Anne Wynne. [15144/21]

*772. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs if partial processing of foreign birth registrations can resume at level 5 given that many persons who submitted applications for foreign birth registrations from 1 February 2020 have not been corresponded with and have included important personal documents such as passports along with the applications; if his Department will be refunding the substantial fee of €278 to those persons whose applications have not been processed within 12 months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Seán Canney. [15233/21]

*773. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the reason staff at the passport office are not deemed essential workers; the number of passport applications currently awaiting processing; if he will seek to have a full staff rota returned to the passport office; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Brendan Howlin. [15294/21]

*774. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the consideration he has given to the recommendations of the Report on the Distribution of Covid-19 Vaccines to Developing Countries produced by the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs and Defence; his views on the recommendations of the Report in respect of COVAX, C-TAP and the potential relaxation of intellectual property rights in order to increase access to and supply of Covid-19 vaccines; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Neasa Hourigan. [15349/21]

*775. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the engagement his Department has had with the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment in respect of COVAX, and C-TAP; the position taken by Ireland in relation to the European Commission’s opposition to a TRIPS waiver on Covid-19 vaccines at the March 2021 World Trade Organisation meeting; the engagement he plans to have with that Department in advance of the next WTO meeting in April 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Bríd Smith. [15376/21]

*776. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the consideration he has given to the recommendations of the Report on the Distribution of COVID-19 Vaccines to Developing Countries produced by the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs and Defence; if he will address the recommendations and in particular the potential relaxation of intellectual property rights in order to increase access to and supply of Covid-19 vaccines; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Thomas Pringle. [15388/21]

*777. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will address a series of matters in relation to the rapid response and election observation rosters (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Barry Cowen. [15422/21]

*778. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs if the position taken by Ireland will be reviewed in respect of a potential TRIPS waiver on Covid-19 vaccines in view of the recommendations made by the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs and Defence Report on the Distribution of Covid-19 Vaccines to Developing Countries; the engagement his Department will seek with the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment and the EU Commission on this issue in advance of the next WTO meeting in April 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — James Lawless. [15501/21] 1203

*779. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the diplomatic contact he has had with his Chinese counterpart in the past 12 months. — Claire Kerrane. [15590/21]

*780. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the number of letters he has issued to persons traveling here in 2020 and to date in 2021 traveling for an urgent humanitarian reason in order to avoid quarantine (details supplied). — Catherine Murphy. [15722/21]

*781. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the action he is taking either in his own right or as a member of the United Nations Security Council to uphold democracy in Myanmar and to condemn the military coup; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Marian Harkin. [15785/21]

*782. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs when a foreign birth registration application by a person (details supplied) will be processed; if a change of address has been added to the application; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Pearse Doherty. [15871/21]

*783. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the progress of the maritime jurisdiction Bill; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Holly Cairns. [15930/21]

*784. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the details of his recent visit to Iran including discussions on human rights violations and the treatment of women; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Holly Cairns. [15931/21]

*785. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the total Covid-19-related spend in 2020 by his Department, agency and budget line item; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — David Cullinane. [16277/21]

*786. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the payment options available for persons to pay fines, charges or bills by his Department; and if there are plans to provide further online payment facilities. — Emer Higgins. [16297/21]

Chun an Aire Cosanta: To the Minister for Defence.

*787. To ask the Minister for Defence if his attention has been drawn to the difficulties associated with Defence Forces personnel that are non-Irish passport holders, in terms of serving in some operations overseas; if his Department is engaging with the Defence Forces to develop a solution to the issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Ged Nash. [15235/21]

*788. To ask the Minister for Defence the strength of the Permanent Defence Forces as of 1 March 2021; the breakdown of all ranks across the three services; the gender breakdown of same in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — John Lahart. [16255/21]

*789. To ask the Minister for Defence the details of the process through which his Department drafts and produces legislation; if his Department outsources the drafting of legislation; if so, the Bills for which the drafting was outsourced since he took office; and the costs associated with the drafting of each Bill. — Peadar Tóibín. [14415/21]

*790. To ask the Minister for Defence the optimum strength level of the Reserve Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — John Brady. [14751/21]

*791. To ask the Minister for Defence the current strength level of the Reserve Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — John Brady. [14752/21]

P.T.O 1204

*792. To ask the Minister for Defence the five most recent significant capital projects in the major functional responsibilities of his Department which have required his sanction; the time which elapsed between the initial submission of the proposal for consideration until the construction commenced; the significant elements making up this period; the time spent in assessment prior to approval in the planning process; the time spent in assessment prior to approval in the procurement process of contractors; and the way this duration compared with the targeted time to delivery set out at the outset of the process. — Richard Bruton. [14773/21]

*793. To ask the Minister for Defence the number of women currently serving in the Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — John Brady. [14859/21]

*794. To ask the Minister for Defence the number of women in the Defence Forces according to rank; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — John Brady. [14948/21]

*795. To ask the Minister for Defence the measures in place to provide for the healthcare and welfare of members of the Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — John Brady. [14949/21]

*796. To ask the Minister for Defence the status of the review process which he informed Dáil Éireann in November 2020 was in progress to examine the awarding of military honours to those members of the Defence Forces who were recommended for medals following their acts of gallantry during the siege at Jadotville; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — John Brady. [14950/21]

*797. To ask the Minister for Defence the number of current members of the Defence Forces who are parents broken down by gender; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — John Brady. [14953/21]

*798. To ask the Minister for Defence the number of women members of the Defence Forces who have served overseas in each of the past five years in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — John Brady. [14954/21]

*799. To ask the Minister for Defence the number of women recruited to the Defence Forces in each of the past five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — John Brady. [14955/21]

*800. To ask the Minister for Defence the number of women who have left the Defence Forces in each of past five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — John Brady. [14956/21]

*801. To ask the Minister for Defence if the Defence Forces has undertaken recruitment drives or campaigns specifically targeted at women; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — John Brady. [14957/21]

*802. To ask the Minister for Defence if the Defence Forces has undertaken recruitment drives or campaigns specifically targeted at citizens from an ethnic background; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — John Brady. [14958/21]

*803. To ask the Minister for Defence the pay and renumeration structure for all ranks in the Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — John Brady. [15004/21]

*804. To ask the Minister for Defence if the Minister of State in his Department has engaged in any meetings with representatives of foreign governments, organisations or state bodies involved 1205 in the defence sector or in relation to defence policy since 31 January 2021; if so, the details of such meetings; and if the Minister of State represented the Department of Defence at any of these meetings. — Aengus Ó Snodaigh. [15032/21]

*805. To ask the Minister for Defence the number of vehicles owned or leased and operated by his Department and agencies and semi-State companies under his remit broken down by the number of ICE and non-ICE vehicles and fuel category, that is, petrol, diesel, hybrid, plug-in hybrid, electric and so on; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Duncan Smith. [15115/21]

*806. To ask the Minister for Defence if he will address a matter raised in correspondence (details supplied) regarding the vaccination of overseas Defence Forces personnel. — Dara Calleary. [15303/21]

*807. To ask the Minister for Defence the number of persons dismissed from the Defence Forces for misconduct of a sexual nature in each of the years 2000 to 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Patricia Ryan. [15555/21]

*808. To ask the Minister for Defence the strength of the Permanent Defence Forces by rank and gender across the three services as of 12 March 2021, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Pauline Tully. [15729/21]

*809. To ask the Minister for Defence if he will arrange vaccinations for the 117th Infantry Battalion in Lebanon given that it is experiencing difficulty and isolation due to measures to stop the spread of Covid-19; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Richard Boyd Barrett. [15852/21]

*810. To ask the Minister for Defence the way in which he plans to bridge the gap of ten years between forced early retirement on age grounds in the Defence Forces and access to the State pension. — John Lahart. [15960/21]

*811. To ask the Minister for Defence his plans to extend the supplementary pension provision to post-2013 new entrants to give them the option of a lengthy career in the Defence Forces. — John Lahart. [15961/21]

*812. To ask the Minister for Defence the status of the implementation of the Strengthening of Defence Forces High Level Implementation Plan. — John Lahart. [15962/21]

*813. To ask the Minister for Defence the status of the implementation of the EU Working Time Directive in relation to the Defence Forces. — John Lahart. [15963/21]

*814. To ask the Minister for Defence his plans for additional defence investment in strategic airlift, air intercept and airspace monitoring primary radar capability and cyber defence and intelligence. — John Lahart. [15964/21]

*815. To ask the Minister for Defence the total Covid-19-related spend in 2020 by his Department, agency and budget line item; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — David Cullinane. [16278/21]

*816. To ask the Minister for Defence the payment options available for persons to pay fines, charges or bills by his Department; and if there are plans to provide further online payment facilities. — Emer Higgins. [16298/21]

P.T.O 1206

Chun an Aire Oideachais: To the Minister for Education.

*817. To ask the Minister for Education her views on survivors of institutional abuse not being able to access medical help, including counselling through Caranua as was promised to them as part of the redress they received from the State. — Claire Kerrane. [13782/21]

*818. To ask the Minister for Education the reason children with special needs including those with Down syndrome cannot go into school for even three hours a day with their SNAs (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Thomas Pringle. [13877/21]

*819. To ask the Minister for Education if the commitments given to survivors of institutional abuse will be delivered on; and if payment for a procedure will issue (details supplied). — David Cullinane. [13890/21]

*820. To ask the Minister for Education if she has engaged with the NCCA on the Irish curriculum at leaving certificate level; her views on whether the focus on literature and written Irish over a focus on speaking and conversing in Irish is the best course of action; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Neale Richmond. [13932/21]

*821. To ask the Minister for Education the future plans for her Department’s land in Newcastle, County Dublin which may be large enough to accommodate a post-primary school adjacent to the existing national school. — Emer Higgins. [13935/21]

*822. To ask the Minister for Education if the design team has been appointed for the new amalgamated national school for a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Seán Canney. [13937/21]

*823. To ask the Minister for Education the status of a new school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Seán Canney. [13938/21]

*824. To ask the Minister for Education when she plans to approve the provision of a school transport service on an additional route for a school (details supplied). — Ciarán Cannon. [13965/21]

*825. To ask the Minister for Education if a child who is deemed to be a high risk of contracting Covid-19 and is being home-schooled will be marked absent from school; if the authorities will be contacted to investigate the reason for absences in cases in which there are too many absences in the school year. — John Paul Phelan. [13967/21]

*826. To ask the Minister for Education if she will address a matter (details supplied) regarding protections for parents deemed high risk; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — John Paul Phelan. [13968/21]

*827. To ask the Minister for Education the length of time that teachers who are pregnant will be exempted from returning to the classroom setting in view of a number of recent stillbirths which may have been related to Covid-19; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Pauline Tully. [14016/21]

*828. To ask the Minister for Education if she will further consider the rejection of a section 29 appeal by a person (details supplied); if the appeal will be reviewed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Catherine Murphy. [14023/21] 1207

*829. To ask the Minister for Education if clarity will be provided on whether a special needs assistant (details supplied) is permitted to continue working until 70 years of age; the options available to the special needs assistant in the event that they are not permitted to work until the age of 70; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Róisín Shortall. [14031/21]

*830. To ask the Minister for Education if a student who is studying agricultural science outside of the school setting under the supervision of a grinds teacher use the predictive grading system; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Michael Fitzmaurice. [14064/21]

*831. To ask the Minister for Education when works on the pitch in a school (details supplied) will commence. — Robert Troy. [14105/21]

*832. To ask the Minister for Education when a reply will issue on a matter raised by a school (details supplied) in April 2020. — Marian Harkin. [14128/21]

*833. To ask the Minister for Education if concerns raised by a person (details supplied) will receive a response in respect of senior cycle geography students; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Fergus O’Dowd. [14174/21]

*834. To ask the Minister for Education her plans for vaccine roll-out in special education schools in which there are very vulnerable young children; and if there are plans to also prioritise staff in such settings given that colleagues in adult disabilities have already begun their vaccinations. — Joe Flaherty. [14183/21]

*835. To ask the Minister for Education if her Department has issued guidelines to the Teaching Council with regard to ESL teachers from English language schools that have closed down and ceased trading (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Richard Boyd Barrett. [14188/21]

*836. To ask the Minister for Education the governance and accountability in place for patrons and boards of managements at primary school level; the person or body that oversees accountability; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Claire Kerrane. [14191/21]

*837. To ask the Minister for Education the plans that have been put in place to ensure that leaving certificate geography students who have chosen geographical investigation topic number five who can no longer attend geography field trips to conduct this research in view of guidance from her Department will not be disadvantaged when receiving their leaving certificate qualification; and the way they will complete this investigation without field trips being permissible. — Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire. [14192/21]

*838. To ask the Minister for Education if the anomaly will be addressed in primary payroll procedures whereby in recent years the attainment of an honours or pass degree for entrants to the profession has no bearing on salary given a small cohort of teachers who are in the profession for many years continue to be paid less than their work colleagues due to the fact they attained a pass primary degree; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Cathal Crowe. [14193/21]

*839. To ask the Minister for Education the stage the urgent accessibility works at a school (details supplied) are at; if an application at design stage has been submitted to her Department; when works will commence; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Claire Kerrane. [14213/21]

P.T.O 1208

*840. To ask the Minister for Education the progress to date in respect of moving a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Bernard J. Durkan. [14220/21]

*841. To ask the Minister for Education if she will consider the addition of Irish Sign Language as an accredited subject for junior and leaving certificate students. — Pa Daly. [14230/21]

*842. To ask the Minister for Education further to Parliamentary Question No. 110 of 4 February 2021, the nature of the representations received in relation to the proposal by Cavan and Monaghan Education and Training Board to amalgamate schools (details supplied); the form that the consideration of these representations will take; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Matt Carthy. [14240/21]

*843. To ask the Minister for Education the status of the construction of a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Aodhán Ó Ríordáin. [14286/21]

*844. To ask the Minister for Education if her attention has been drawn to the case of a child (details supplied); if the issue will be investigated and the appropriate action taken; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Cormac Devlin. [14301/21]

*845. To ask the Minister for Education the position regarding the pedagogical value of homework for primary and post-primary students; the way in which research in the field informs teaching and learning practices; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Holly Cairns. [14326/21]

*846. To ask the Minister for Education if junior certificate woodwork practical exams can be completed with the assistance of a SNA in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Holly Cairns. [14327/21]

*847. To ask the Minister for Education the status of the provision of a post-primary ASD unit for children in north Clondalkin, Dublin 22; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Mark Ward. [14363/21]

*848. To ask the Minister for Education if clarity will be provided on the requirements for a specialist autism unit (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Niamh Smyth. [14372/21]

*849. To ask the Minister for Education when a school (details supplied) can expect temporary classrooms to move onto the permanent site; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Neale Richmond. [14386/21]

*850. To ask the Minister for Education the options available to the parents of a child (details supplied). — Mark Ward. [14390/21]

*851. To ask the Minister for Education the status of a building project (details supplied) including the site and the new school building; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Paul Kehoe. [14408/21]

*852. To ask the Minister for Education the details of the process through which her Department drafts and produces legislation; if her Department outsources the drafting of legislation; if so, the Bills for which the drafting was outsourced since she took office; and the costs associated with the drafting of each Bill. — Peadar Tóibín. [14416/21] 1209

*853. To ask the Minister for Education the number of special needs secondary school places available in east County Cork for September 2021. — Pat Buckley. [14446/21]

*854. To ask the Minister for Education the number of children in primary special schools in need of a secondary school place in September 2021 in east County Cork. — Pat Buckley. [14447/21]

*855. To ask the Minister for Education if additional secondary school places and resources for special needs children leaving junior school will be made available in Cork city before September 2021 (details supplied). — Mick Barry. [14460/21]

*856. To ask the Minister for Education the status of the provision of an ASD unit on the grounds of a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Mark Ward. [14473/21]

*857. To ask the Minister for Education the status of the approval of the DDLETB for the rental of temporary accommodation of a SEN classroom base for a school (details supplied) from September 2021 for one year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Mark Ward. [14474/21]

*858. To ask the Minister for Education the number of primary school teachers who are missing out on the honours primary degree allowance due to the fact that they attained a pass level in their primary degree but attained an honours level in their postgraduate diploma; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Cathal Crowe. [14475/21]

*859. To ask the Minister for Education the amount of a shortfall from current second-level places her Department anticipates for September 2021 enrolments across south County Kildare in view of the significant amount of school waiting lists at present; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Bernard J. Durkan. [14476/21]

*860. To ask the Minister for Education the number of subjects second year students in post- primary schools are obliged to take; the position regarding students with dyslexia in this regard; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Seán Haughey. [14477/21]

*861. To ask the Minister for Education the reason a child (details supplied) with Down syndrome cannot go to school for even three hours a day with their SNA; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Seán Canney. [14506/21]

*862. To ask the Minister for Education the progress being made on the provision of a new school (details supplied) arising from a meeting with school representatives recently; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Michael Creed. [14529/21]

*863. To ask the Minister for Education the details of the planning that has taken place to date for 2021 summer provision programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Pádraig O’Sullivan. [14550/21]

*864. To ask the Minister for Education the steps and processes involved in the planning, development and construction of a new school in an urban environment including typical timelines at each stage; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Cormac Devlin. [14574/21]

*865. To ask the Minister for Education the status of a project for a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Cormac Devlin. [14583/21]

P.T.O 1210

*866. To ask the Minister for Education if her attention has been drawn to correspondence to his office from a person (details supplied) with a suggestion regarding the return to school procedure; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — . [14646/21]

*867. To ask the Minister for Education the status of a matter in relation to a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Peter Burke. [14663/21]

*868. To ask the Minister for Education the status of the stage 2b report for a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Niamh Smyth. [14664/21]

*869. To ask the Minister for Education when a child (details supplied) will be accommodated in a suitable special needs school. — Aengus Ó Snodaigh. [14670/21]

*870. To ask the Minister for Education her plans to establish a new post-primary school in the Donaghmede, Howth, Baldoyle, Stapolin and Dublin 13 school planning area; when the patronage of the proposed new school in this area will be finalised; when the school can enrol pupils; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Seán Haughey. [14675/21]

*871. To ask the Minister for Education if she will address a matter raised in correspondence (details supplied). — Sean Sherlock. [14678/21]

*872. To ask the Minister for Education the number of special education places currently available in Cork city; the location of these places by primary school, secondary school, special school and so on; if these places are within an ASD unit, special class or mainstream class; and the discipline related to each of these places, for example, severe intellectual disability, mild to moderate intellectual disability and so on. — Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire. [14679/21]

*873. To ask the Minister for Education the number of primary schools with ASD units in Cork city. — Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire. [14680/21]

*874. To ask the Minister for Education the number of secondary schools with ASD units in Cork city. — Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire. [14681/21]

*875. To ask the Minister for Education the number of special schools in Cork city. — Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire. [14682/21]

*876. To ask the Minister for Education the number of children on waiting lists for access to special schools in Cork city, both in primary and secondary schools. — Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire. [14683/21]

*877. To ask the Minister for Education the number of children on waiting lists for access to ASD units in Cork city, in both primary and secondary schools. — Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire. [14684/21]

*878. To ask the Minister for Education if she will address a matter (details supplied) regarding teaching time. — Joe Flaherty. [14721/21]

*879. To ask the Minister for Education when the outcome of appeals lodged after the release of the results of the written leaving certificate 2020 exams in February 2021 will be released. — Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire. [14726/21] 1211

*880. To ask the Minister for Education her plans to enforce the wearing of facemasks by primary school students. — Robert Troy. [14743/21]

*881. To ask the Minister for Education if special education is classed as an essential service; and if these schools will remain open irrespective of Covid-19 numbers to align them with the EU and the UK. — Emer Higgins. [14757/21]

*882. To ask the Minister for Education if consideration is being given to extending the special education school term to the end of July 2021 to align it with the EU and the UK. — Emer Higgins. [14758/21]

*883. To ask the Minister for Education her plans for summer supports for 2021; and the eligibility criteria for same. — Emer Higgins. [14759/21]

*884. To ask the Minister for Education if it is planned to increase capacity for concessionary ticket holders for the next academic year for applicants (details supplied) in County Donegal; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Pearse Doherty. [14764/21]

*885. To ask the Minister for Education the five most recent significant capital projects in the major functional responsibilities of her Department which have required her sanction; the time which elapsed between the initial submission of the proposal for consideration until the construction commenced; the significant elements making up this period; the time spent in assessment prior to approval in the planning process; the time spent in assessment prior to approval in the procurement process of contractors; and the way this duration compared with the targeted time to delivery set out at the outset of the process. — Richard Bruton. [14774/21]

*886. To ask the Minister for Education when her Department communicated to schools that leaving certificate geography students would be unable to partake in field trips as part of their geographical investigation assessment; the way in which she plans to accommodate leaving certificate geography students affected by this decision (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Ged Nash. [14824/21]

*887. To ask the Minister for Education further to Parliamentary Question No. 465 of 3 March 2021, her views on whether the results of the school transport review currently underway will inform the 2021 process and allocation; if the results of the review will be acted on by the time Bus Éireann allocates tickets for the coming term; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Pádraig O’Sullivan. [14861/21]

*888. To ask the Minister for Education the formula used to allocate educational psychological assessments to primary schools through NEPS; if there is provision for unused allocations to be reallocated to other schools during the current school year; if unused allocations can be rolled over by schools to the following academic year; if multiple schools within an area can pool allocations of psychological assessments; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Denis Naughten. [14873/21]

*889. To ask the Minister for Education her plans to increase the number of educational psychological assessments allocated to primary schools through NEPS; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Denis Naughten. [14874/21]

*890. To ask the Minister for Education the number of schools in Dún Laoghaire, County Dublin operating partially or fully out of prefabs; the length of time each school has been partially or fully

P.T.O 1212 in this style of accommodation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Jennifer Carroll MacNeill. [14881/21]

*891. To ask the Minister for Education if permission to travel outside five kilometres for educational purposes extends to families that home-school their children and must travel to access a network of other home-schooling families, for educational trips and to access educational resources; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire. [14888/21]

*892. To ask the Minister for Education if guidance on continuation of education during level 5 restrictions will be provided for families that provide schooling to their children from home all year round; and if not, the reason such guidance is not being provided (details supplied). — Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire. [14889/21]

*893. To ask the Minister for Education the status of the provision of a new building for a school (details supplied); when a planning application will be made; when building work will commence; when the school will be completed; if the provision of temporary classrooms will not affect the location of another school on the site; and the timeline for the delivery of the new school. — Eoin Ó Broin. [14892/21]

*894. To ask the Minister for Education if she has discussed capacity issues with the relevant post-primary school authorities in two school planning areas (details supplied) to establish the amount of additional capacity required for the 2021-2022 academic year; when particular capacity requirements will be identified and dealt with; if her attention has been drawn to the fact that many parents are finding it impossible to source post-primary school places for their children in these areas at this late stage; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Seán Haughey. [14895/21]

*895. To ask the Minister for Education if her attention has been drawn to the situation in which the families of at least eight pupils in sixth class of a school (details supplied) have been informed that there is no available place for them at post-primary level in any school in the region; the measures her Department will take to resolve this matter; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Colm Burke. [14965/21]

*896. To ask the Minister for Education if a grant scheme exists for sensory gardens in a school setting; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Pádraig O’Sullivan. [15025/21]

*897. Chun a fhiafraí den Aire Oideachais cé a rinne an cinneadh chun fáil réidh leis an riachtanas maidir le measúnú síceolaíochta a fháil sula mbronntar díolúine ó fhoghlaim na Gaeilge ar dhalta scoile; cén dáta a rinneadh an cinneadh sin; agus cad é an taighde ar bunaíodh an cinneadh. — Aengus Ó Snodaigh. [15051/21]

*898. Chun a fhiafraí den Aire Oideachais cén taighde atá déanta ag a Roinn maidir le díolúintí ó fhoghlaim na Gaeilge a bhronnadh ar dhaltaí scoile; agus an bhféadfaidh sí aon taighde lena mbaineann a fhoilsiú agus a roinnt leis an Teachta seo. — Aengus Ó Snodaigh. [15052/21]

*899. To ask the Minister for Education if she has engaged with a school (details supplied) to resolve the difficulties regarding the unavailability of school places for local children; the way in which she plans to address this problem; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Brendan Griffin. [15074/21]

*900. To ask the Minister for Education if she will provide details of the 92 primary schools with the title of a junior national school; the schools that only go as far as first class; if they are single 1213 gender or not; if in the case of junior schools only going as far as first class, they are legally entitled to amend their enrolment policy to include second class; the number of single gender primary schools that have opened in the past 20 years; the corresponding co-educational primary schools that opened in the same period; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Paul Kehoe. [15086/21]

*901. To ask the Minister for Education the age limit for drivers with Bus Éireann and for those contracted to drive school children; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Richard Boyd Barrett. [15106/21]

*902. To ask the Minister for Education the number of vehicles owned or leased and operated by her Department and agencies and semi-State companies under her remit broken down by the number of ICE and non-ICE vehicles and fuel category, that is, petrol, diesel, hybrid, plug-in hybrid, electric and so on; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Duncan Smith. [15116/21]

*903. To ask the Minister for Education if plans are in place to put ASD units in primary or post- primary schools in Ballymun, Dublin 11 in the near future; the number of children with a Ballymun address on the waiting list for a placement; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Dessie Ellis. [15140/21]

*904. To ask the Minister for Education the number of children on waiting lists for placements in ASD units from an area (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Dessie Ellis. [15141/21]

*905. To ask the Minister for Education if a person (details supplied) has an entitlement to an occupational pension; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Brendan Griffin. [15223/21]

*906. To ask the Minister for Education the funding streams available to primary schools to build outdoor classrooms in view of social distancing guidelines; and the criteria for eligibility of such streams. — Thomas Gould. [15244/21]

*907. To ask the Minister for Education the funding streams available to schools to build sensory gardens whereby a special educational unit already exists within the school; and the criteria for eligibility of such streams. — Thomas Gould. [15245/21]

*908. To ask the Minister for Education the assistance available to primary schools under the green agenda initiative; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Paul Kehoe. [15246/21]

*909. To ask the Minister for Education if capital funding is available for the development of a new building for an existing preschool; the means by which the preschool can apply for such funding; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — David Cullinane. [15269/21]

*910. To ask the Minister for Education if she will address a matter raised in correspondence by a school (details supplied); if the matter is dealt with by her Department or the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — David Cullinane. [15270/21]

*911. To ask the Minister for Education when the DEIS schools review is due to be finalised; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Pádraig O’Sullivan. [15279/21]

P.T.O 1214

*912. To ask the Minister for Education the stage of the recruitment process for a special educational needs organiser for an area (details supplied) following the retirement of the previous organiser; the process and timeframe for filling the vacancy; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — John Brady. [15288/21]

*913. To ask the Minister for Education the number of students that left school in 2014 without completing the leaving certificate; the proportion of same against the total number of school leavers in 2014; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Aodhán Ó Ríordáin. [15298/21]

*914. To ask the Minister for Education when the delivery of two new prefabricated classrooms to a school (details supplied) is expected; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — . [15302/21]

*915. To ask the Minister for Education her plans to increase resources, teachers and special reading schools for children with severe dyslexia for the Dublin 9 and 11 areas including increased resources to mainstream schools that will allow for the establishment of reading units within these existing schools for children with severe dyslexia; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Róisín Shortall. [15320/21]

*916. To ask the Minister for Education the reason mainstream teachers are being assigned to special needs classrooms (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Michael Healy-Rae. [15356/21]

*917. To ask the Minister for Education if she will address a matter (details supplied) regarding home tuition hours; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Michael Healy-Rae. [15357/21]

*918. To ask the Minister for Education the reason SENOs in County Kerry are unaware of the availability of autism classes in their locality (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Michael Healy-Rae. [15358/21]

*919. To ask the Minister for Education if assistance will be provided in the case of a person (details supplied). — Cathal Crowe. [15361/21]

*920. To ask the Minister for Education if she will address a matter regarding the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Michael Healy-Rae. [15363/21]

*921. To ask the Minister for Education if her attention has been drawn to the situation of eight children who left a school (details supplied) in June 2020 and have no secondary school place and that some of the children have instead been offered home tuition. — Thomas Gould. [15373/21]

*922. To ask the Minister for Education the support available to parents who are unable to source a special secondary school place for their children. — Thomas Gould. [15374/21]

*923. To ask the Minister for Education if she will examine and advise on the position of a pension for a public servant (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Niall Collins. [15379/21] 1215

*924. To ask the Minister for Education if measures can be taken to provide State recognition for end of year exams that will be completed by those schoolchildren who were due to do sit the junior certificate in 2021; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Jim O’Callaghan. [15384/21]

*925. To ask the Minister for Education if her Department will categorise the construction of a school site (details supplied) as essential under level 5 restrictions given the commitment to commence construction in quarter 1 of 2021; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Francis Noel Duffy. [15403/21]

*926. To ask the Minister for Education the status of the construction of a new building for a school (details supplied). — Thomas Gould. [15450/21]

*927. To ask the Minister for Education the status of planning applications in respect of each new school due to open in September 2021; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Michael Fitzmaurice. [15467/21]

*928. To ask the Minister for Education the regulations in place which allow schools to exclude children from accessing transition year education in cases in which that year is provided within the school. — Aodhán Ó Ríordáin. [15494/21]

*929. To ask the Minister for Education the regulations in place to allow for the expiry of a suspension on a student’s record within the lifetime of their attendance at a school. — Aodhán Ó Ríordáin. [15495/21]

*930. To ask the Minister for Education if additional places will be provided for first year students for the 2021-2022 academic year at a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Ged Nash. [15536/21]

*931. To ask the Minister for Education the guidelines that have been issued to schools for junior certificate students for assessing students in view of the significant number of months missed due to Covid-19. — Martin Browne. [15541/21]

*932. To ask the Minister for Education further to Parliamentary Question No. 494 of 10 March 2021, the rationale for the requirement for Bus Éireann school bus drivers to retire at 70 years of age. — Johnny Mythen. [15591/21]

*933. To ask the Minister for Education the progress being made to accommodate a new school (details supplied) for the 2021-2022 school year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — . [15595/21]

*934. To ask the Minister for Education the progress being made to accommodate a new school (details supplied) for the 2021-2022 school year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Ossian Smyth. [15596/21]

*935. To ask the Minister for Education the status of the design and build process for the permanent site of a school (details supplied); if the premises will comply with the provision of open space for children to play; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Ossian Smyth. [15597/21]

*936. To ask the Minister for Education the status of a school (details supplied); when planning permission will be sought; when development and construction is likely to commence; when the

P.T.O 1216 work will be completed; when students and teachers will move in; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Anne Rabbitte. [15642/21]

*937. To ask the Minister for Education if a student (details supplied) will be permitted to enrol for transition year in the same school; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Jackie Cahill. [15643/21]

*938. To ask the Minister for Education the reason NEPS psychologists cannot assess students in school environments when schools are reopened; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Alan Kelly. [15660/21]

*939. To ask the Minister for Education the number of NEPS psychologists in full-time employment by county as of March 2021 (details supplied). — Alan Kelly. [15661/21]

*940. To ask the Minister for Education the number of psychological assessments under NEPS that were conducted in schools in County Tipperary in 2020. — Alan Kelly. [15662/21]

*941. To ask the Minister for Education if psychological assessments are being undertaken for primary students since schools reopened; and if so, the number by county and week since 1 March 2021. — Alan Kelly. [15663/21]

*942. To ask the Minister for Education when it is planned for outside contractors such as those who provide physical education in schools to be able to return to visiting schools; if this will be possible after Easter 2021; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Claire Kerrane. [15684/21]

*943. To ask the Minister for Education if she will consider exemptions for students (details supplied). — Dara Calleary. [15702/21]

*944. To ask the Minister for Education her plans to publish the Teaching Council’s checklist for Chinese language teachers to become registered with the Teaching Council; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Seán Canney. [15769/21]

*945. To ask the Minister for Education if she will consider the recruitment of Chinese language teaching posts by an organisation (details supplied); and if the organisation will publish the criteria for teachers to qualify. — Seán Canney. [15771/21]

*946. To ask the Minister for Education if schools are permitted to set admission criteria which include age ranges at the commencement of the school cycle in cases in which the school has pupils attending up to much older ages as they advance through the school; the procedure regarding pupils that need to join a school mid-stream; the barriers in relation to admission mid-stream; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Catherine Murphy. [15792/21]

*947. To ask the Minister for Education the reason pregnant SNAs are being denied the health and safety leave available to their teacher colleagues (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Réada Cronin. [15797/21]

*948. To ask the Minister for Education her plans to define Irish sign language as a curricular subject by her Department in order to be included within the Teaching Council’s curricular subject requirements; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Ruairí Ó Murchú. [15812/21] 1217

*949. To ask the Minister for Education if schools are permitted to set admission criteria which include age ranges at the commencement of school cycle (details supplied); her views on whether this is a form of restriction on pupils joining the school mid-stream; her further views on whether same is in keeping with relevant policies; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — James Lawless. [15814/21]

*950. To ask the Minister for Education the physical education facilities in place for schools which do not have on-site indoor physical education facilities as the schools reopen; the measures in place for schools which make use of local leisure centres for physical education lessons such as a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Claire Kerrane. [15840/21]

*951. To ask the Minister for Education if a decision has been made on issuing refunds to parents who have paid in advance for transport to schools which were shut; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Michael McNamara. [15849/21]

*952. To ask the Minister for Education the steps she is taking to ensure that students with underlying conditions will be supported to continue online learning from home; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Holly Cairns. [15900/21]

*953. To ask the Minister for Education the status of a new school building (details supplied) in County Clare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — . [15951/21]

*954. To ask the Minister for Education the status of a new school building (details supplied) in County Clare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Joe Carey. [15954/21]

*955. To ask the Minister for Education the total Covid-19-related spend in 2020 by her Department, agency and budget line item; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — David Cullinane. [16274/21]

*956. To ask the Minister for Education the payment options available for persons to pay fines, charges or bills by her Department; and if there are plans to provide further online payment facilities. — Emer Higgins. [16293/21]

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

*957. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the number of persons who availed of the pandemic unemployment payment due to a lack of childcare; the breakdown of same by gender and by county; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Neale Richmond. [13897/21]

*958. 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. [13942/21]

*959. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the reason the qualifying criteria to apply for the pandemic unemployment payment were changed to state that an applicant had to be genuinely seeking work given the majority of applicants have a job and are waiting to return to their profession as soon as the restrictions are lifted; and if the criteria will be changed to reflect same. — Chris Andrews. [13963/21]

P.T.O 1218

*960. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the PRSI classes reckonable for the benefit payment for 65-year olds announced in February 2021; if there are plans to extend applicability to An Garda Síochána and Defence Forces personnel; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — John Lahart. [14012/21]

*961. To ask the Minister for Social Protection if the rate of contributory old age pension paid to a person (details supplied) will be reviewed; if the person is entitled to change status credits given that they returned to the workplace in October 1991; the basis on which their pension has been calculated; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Willie O’Dea. [14067/21]

*962. To ask the Minister for Social Protection if a person (details supplied) will be facilitated to return to employment through JobsPlus; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Seán Haughey. [14154/21]

*963. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the status of a carer’s benefit review application by a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Michael Healy- Rae. [14157/21]

*964. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the status of a carer’s appeal by a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Niamh Smyth. [14169/21]

*965. To ask the Minister for Social Protection her plans to put in place a comprehensive anti- fuel poverty strategy; the timeframe for same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Róisín Shortall. [14216/21]

*966. To ask the Minister for Social Protection if a person (details supplied) will be included in the JobsPlus programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Cian O’Callaghan. [14222/21]

*967. To ask the Minister for Social Protection if her attention has been drawn to the grant scheme for persons on the pandemic unemployment payment who are studying for a transport manager’s CPC qualification; if there is a mechanism by which a person on the scheme who has started to study can claim this grant; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Louise O’Reilly. [14274/21]

*968. To ask the Minister for Social Protection when the statutory instrument in relation to the Occupational Pension Schemes (Revaluation) Regulations 2021 is expected to be signed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Cormac Devlin. [14300/21]

*969. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the reason those in receipt of the carer’s allowance cannot avail of the fuel allowance; if the criteria for receiving the fuel allowance will be reviewed and amended to automatically include persons in receipt of the carer’s allowance as a qualifying payment; if this request will be considered in the overall policy and budgetary context; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Michael Lowry. [14305/21]

*970. To ask the Minister for Social Protection her views on altering the requirements to qualify for the community employment programme from 12 months on the relevant payments to six months to enable more persons to be eligible; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Holly Cairns. [14328/21] 1219

*971. To ask the Minister for Social Protection her views on extending the employment of all persons in the community employment programme until at least 31 December 2021 given the difficulty in replacing persons during the Covid-19 pandemic; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Holly Cairns. [14329/21]

*972. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the status of persons employed under the community employment programme who have not received any of the training her Department is obliged to provide; if their participation will be extended by one year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Holly Cairns. [14330/21]

*973. To ask the Minister for Social Protection if her attention has been drawn to the fact that of the 7,410 appeals for refused disability allowance processed in 2020, 63% were either allowed, partly allowed or revised; the implications this has for the initial assessment process; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Holly Cairns. [14331/21]

*974. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the steps she is taking to provide maternity, paternity and parental leave to persons whose child was born via surrogacy; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Holly Cairns. [14332/21]

*975. To ask the Minister for Social Protection if her attention has been drawn to the call by an organisation (details supplied) for a humane application process for disability allowance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Holly Cairns. [14333/21]

*976. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the reason the 390 day penalty is enforced when applying for the fuel allowance for persons who leave an abusive relationship who have experienced psychological control and coercive financial abuse in cases in which they can clearly demonstrate they were linked to the payment of the abuser in the relationship (details supplied). — Sorca Clarke. [14347/21]

*977. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the status of a matter (details supplied) regarding community employment schemes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Niall Collins. [14377/21]

*978. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the details of the process through which her Department drafts and produces legislation; if her Department outsources the drafting of legislation; if so, the Bills for which the drafting was outsourced since she took office; and the costs associated with the drafting of each Bill. — Peadar Tóibín. [14427/21]

*979. To ask the Minister for Social Protection when the application process for public services cards will reopen given that the current closure means that young people applying for their first full driver licence cannot apply for a test without a valid card and the lack of card processing availability is having a negative impact on their ability to obtain a full licence; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Seán Canney. [14448/21]

*980. To ask the Minister for Social Protection her plans to reverse the policy for community employment workers that has taken the past year into account in terms of time worked despite restrictions being in place for the vast majority of that period; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Denise Mitchell. [14454/21]

*981. To ask the Minister for Social Protection if her attention has been drawn to the negative effects that changes made to the partial capacity scheme are having on persons who have very

P.T.O 1220 significant impairments and who are trying to return to work for rehabilitative purposes; if her attention has been further drawn to the fact that persons on an invalidity pension went back to work on the understanding that they could receive a partial capacity payment and their employer would get the wage subsidy scheme only to now discover that whereas once a person could get both now it is one or the other; her views on whether the change was sufficiently communicated to both Departmental staff and would-be applicants for partial capacity payment; her plans to reverse the changes made to the regime in October 2020; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Seán Canney. [14465/21]

*982. To ask the Minister for Social Protection if she has considered the effect that changes made to the partial capacity benefit regime in September 2020 are having on persons registered blind such as a person (details supplied) but who were on an invalidity pension as opposed to disability allowance or the blind pension prior to returning to work for rehabilitative purposes; if her attention has been drawn to the fact that forcing these persons to choose between partial capacity payment or their employer receiving the wage subsidy scheme will mean that persons in this scenario may have to give up work; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Seán Canney. [14466/21]

*983. To ask the Minister for Social Protection if an application by persons (details supplied) which is under appeal will now be expedited and approved. — John McGuinness. [14467/21]

*984. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the PRSI contributions required in order for a person to qualify for the benefit payment for 65 year olds; the number of contributions a person has to have made in the previous year in order to qualify; the way in which this impacts on part-time workers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Claire Kerrane. [14507/21]

*985. To ask the Minister for Social Protection if consideration will be given to allow a person (details supplied) to qualify as a carer for persons. — Aengus Ó Snodaigh. [14586/21]

*986. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the status of an illness benefit appeal by a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Michael Healy-Rae. [14624/21]

*987. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the analysis her Department has carried out into the temporary expansion of the back to education scheme for the duration of Covid-19 restrictions or the development of a similar temporary scheme to include persons currently being paid reduced wages through the employment wage subsidy scheme to facilitate them returning to third-level education in September 2021; the engagement she has had with the Ministers for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science and Finance in this regard; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Catherine Connolly. [14672/21]

*988. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the reason a person (details supplied) was refused a disability allowance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Catherine Connolly. [14676/21]

*989. To ask the Minister for Social Protection further to Parliamentary Question No. 564 of 10 March 2021, the employment service model that will replace the local employment schemes from 2021; if the procurement process is ongoing for this replacement; if so, the stage the process is at; if her Department will publish its report on contracted services such as local employment schemes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Claire Kerrane. [14700/21]

*990. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the five most recent significant capital projects in the major functional responsibilities of her Department which have required her sanction; the time 1221 which elapsed between the initial submission of the proposal for consideration until the construction commenced; the significant elements making up this period; the time spent in assessment prior to approval in the planning process; the time spent in assessment prior to approval in the procurement process of contractors; and the way this duration compared with the targeted time to delivery set out at the outset of the process. — Richard Bruton. [14785/21]

*991. To ask the Minister for Social Protection if she will review an application for fuel allowance by a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Aengus Ó Snodaigh. [14882/21]

*992. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the number of persons availing of the community employment scheme that are in receipt of a qualifying disability payment or have been classified as having a disability in each of the years 2018, 2019 and 2020, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Michael Creed. [14885/21]

*993. To ask the Minister for Social Protection her plans to extend maternity leave to parents that welcome a child through surrogacy; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Neale Richmond. [14904/21]

*994. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the supports available to parents that welcome a child through surrogacy; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Neale Richmond. [14905/21]

*995. To ask the Minister for Social Protection if her attention has been drawn to the case of a person (details supplied) in relation to a disability allowance payment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Cormac Devlin. [14907/21]

*996. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the funding supports available to visually impaired persons working in the arts and cultural sectors; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Neasa Hourigan. [14941/21]

*997. To ask the Minister for Social Protection if a contribution towards the cost of a funeral will be reconsidered in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Bernard J. Durkan. [14960/21]

*998. To ask the Minister for Social Protection if the pandemic unemployment payment will continue for months after mass gatherings are permitted again in order to assist the live events sector scale up its activities and begin to trade again. — Catherine Murphy. [14991/21]

*999. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the cost to date of the contract with Turas Nua; when the contract will cease; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Brendan Griffin. [15054/21]

*1000. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the reason that parents of babies born through surrogacy are excluded from any type of paid parental leave such as maternity benefit or parent’s leave and benefit; if legislation will be amended to allow for these supports to be extended to parents who have children through surrogacy; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Claire Kerrane. [15057/21]

P.T.O 1222

*1001. To ask the Minister for Social Protection if she will consider extending carer’s leave to support carers who left work to care for a loved one given the added difficulties (details supplied) due to Covid-19; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Claire Kerrane. [15058/21]

*1002. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the number of vehicles owned or leased and operated by her Department and agencies and semi-State companies under her remit broken down by the number of ICE and non-ICE vehicles and fuel category, that is, petrol, diesel, hybrid, plug- in hybrid, electric and so on; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Duncan Smith. [15127/21]

*1003. To ask the Minister for Social Protection if she will consider extending the pandemic unemployment payment and employment wage subsidy scheme until six months after mass gatherings are permitted again to adequately support the events industry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Gary Gannon. [15133/21]

*1004. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding applications for personal assistance hours; the way in which carer’s allowance is affected when the same person is claiming personal assistance hours; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Violet-Anne Wynne. [15147/21]

*1005. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the number of applications and appeals for disability allowance made by persons in County Clare; the number of applications refused; the number allowed following an appeal in each of the years 2018 to 2020, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Violet-Anne Wynne. [15151/21]

*1006. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the number of applications and appeals for carer’s allowance made by persons in County Clare; the number of applications refused; the number allowed following an appeal in each of the years 2018 to 2020, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Violet-Anne Wynne. [15152/21]

*1007. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the number of applications and appeals for an exceptional needs payment made by persons in County Clare; the number of applications refused; the number allowed following an appeal in each of the years 2018 to 2020, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Violet-Anne Wynne. [15153/21]

*1008. To ask the Minister for Social Protection if she will consider reducing the duration of the unemployment test for JobsPlus to allow speedier integration of persons displaced and give employers a break during a difficult recovery period in view of the difficult labour market conditions. — Richard Bruton. [15190/21]

*1009. To ask the Minister for Social Protection if she will approve the payment of a carer’s support grant for a person (details supplied). — Sean Sherlock. [15240/21]

*1010. To ask the Minister for Social Protection if she plans to amend the State pension transition payment to take account of years worked rather than the recent two-year timeline. — Sean Sherlock. [15273/21]

*1011. To ask the Minister for Social Protection if she will publish the final report of the Pensions Commission when it completes its deliberations. — Sean Sherlock. [15274/21] 1223

*1012. To ask the Minister for Social Protection if discretion is provided for the provision of supporting medical evidence in all social welfare applications which require same given the Covid-19 situation and the impact on the health service; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — David Cullinane. [15282/21]

*1013. To ask the Minister for Social Protection if a claim by a person (details supplied) will be reviewed in view of the recent decision regarding education and a means tested payment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Michael Ring. [15314/21]

*1014. To ask the Minister for Social Protection if she plans to extend the period for which persons can remain on community employment schemes given that their participation during the past year of Covid-19 have been severely constrained. — Richard Bruton. [15345/21]

*1015. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the number of cases the liable relatives’ unit and maintenance recovery unit has examined since January 2020 to date; the breakdown of payments commenced and payments not commenced, respectively; and the amount collected in this time. — Claire Kerrane. [15389/21]

*1016. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the amount spent on the one family payment in 2019, 2020 and to date in 2021; and the number of payment allocations for each year in tabular form. — Claire Kerrane. [15390/21]

*1017. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the number of persons in receipt of child maintenance payments who are also in receipt of other means-tested social welfare payments; and the breakdown of those also in receipt of the jobseeker’s transitional payment, disability allowance and the one family payment in tabular form. — Claire Kerrane. [15391/21]

*1018. To ask the Minister for Social Protection her plans to address the issue of parents who have child maintenance orders and are not paying the ordered amount which then results in the custodial parent having income deducted from them. — Claire Kerrane. [15392/21]

*1019. To ask the Minister for Social Protection her plans to extend the liable relative clause in existing social welfare legislation which would allow the maintenance recovery unit to pursue maintenance payments and provide it enforcement powers beyond the remit of the one family payment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Claire Kerrane. [15393/21]

*1020. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the number of recipients of child maintenance who are also in receipt of rent supplement from January 2020 to date; her plans to adjust the existing mechanism of deducting child maintenance payments up to €75 from rent supplement; if there is recognition of the detrimental effect this has regarding the risk of rent areas and homelessness for the custodial parent and their children; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Claire Kerrane. [15394/21]

*1021. To ask the Minister for Social Protection if he has considered the admission of the events industry to supports and schemes (details supplied) until six months after mass gatherings are permitted again; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Brendan Howlin. [15395/21]

*1022. To ask the Minister for Social Protection if she will consider extending the fuel allowance for a further two weeks. — Duncan Smith. [15441/21]

P.T.O 1224

*1023. To ask the Minister for Social Protection if a decision has been made on a State pension (contributory) backdating appeal by a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Brendan Griffin. [15451/21]

*1024. To ask the Minister for Social Protection if her attention has been drawn to the ineligibility for the State transition pension for those between 65 and 66 years of age due to the requirement to have 13 stamps paid by the employer in the two years before they are 65 years of age; and if consideration has been given to the fact that some workplaces have a requirement to retire at 60 and 61 years of age which automatically precludes them from accessing the State transition pension. — Mairéad Farrell. [15454/21]

*1025. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the estimated full-year cost of providing an additional two weeks of fuel allowance to those that are also in receipt of the over 80s allowance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Michael Fitzmaurice. [15463/21]

*1026. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the number of persons over 75 years of age receiving the carer’s allowance by age profile in tabular form. — Claire Kerrane. [15484/21]

*1027. To ask the Minister for Social Protection if she will consider extending the pandemic unemployment payment for the events industry until six months after mass gatherings are permitted again; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Cian O’Callaghan. [15508/21]

*1028. To ask the Minister for Social Protection if she will address a matter raised in correspondence (details supplied) regarding the Irish-Australian social security agreement; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Cian O’Callaghan. [15533/21]

*1029. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the amount in arrears paid for recipients of the pandemic unemployment payment; the number of payments of arrears made; the number of these payments in which the applicant was delayed in receiving their payment and received backdated payments; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Claire Kerrane. [15659/21]

*1030. To ask the Minister for Social Protection if her attention has been drawn to the fact that in order to receive a BP65 form persons must apply online (details supplied). — Brian Stanley. [15675/21]

*1031. To ask the Minister for Social Protection if a decision has been made on an application for an invalidity pension by a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Brendan Griffin. [15683/21]

*1032. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the steps that can be taken to limit the bank charges on persons living abroad who are receiving their pensions into non-Irish bank accounts; if her attention has been drawn to the recent change of bank for payments and the new charges on pension recipients living overseas; the number of persons receiving pensions abroad; the number who have been impacted by these bank charges; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Claire Kerrane. [15688/21]

*1033. To ask the Minister for Social Protection if the recent change that excludes scholarship awards from the means test for disability allowance also excludes scholarship awards from the means test for other means tested payments for persons with a disability or persons caring for a person with a disability such as the blind pension and carer’s allowance; if not, her plans to extend 1225 this exclusion to other means tested payments for persons with a disability or persons caring for a person with a disability; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Pauline Tully. [15707/21]

*1034. To ask the Minister for Social Protection if persons applying for the pandemic unemployment payment are required to provide proof of unemployment as a result of Covid-19; and if so, the proof required. — Peadar Tóibín. [15719/21]

*1035. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the mechanisms in place by which employers or recruitment agencies may report instances of suspected fraudulent pandemic unemployment claims to her Department. — Peadar Tóibín. [15720/21]

*1036. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the number of recipients of the one parent family payment and of the jobseeker’s transitional payment in each of the years 2019, 2020 and to date in 2021, in tabular form; the data showing drop-off rates for child maintenance payments once persons move from the payments as a result of liable relative legislation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Claire Kerrane. [15773/21]

*1037. To ask the Minister for Social Protection if a child dependent allowance on an invalidity pension can be facilitated in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Bernard J. Durkan. [15777/21]

*1038. To ask the Minister for Social Protection if a person (details supplied) will qualify for a State pension; if so, the amount they are likely to receive; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Bernard J. Durkan. [15790/21]

*1039. To ask the Minister for Social Protection if consideration will be given to removing the requirement for a deed poll to be completed in order to receive a public services card in circumstances in which a gender recognition certificate has already been issued; if the decision on this matter will be made at an early date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Colm Burke. [15793/21]

*1040. To ask the Minister for Social Protection if she will consider expanding the back to education allowance to include those progressing in third-level education and undertaking masters or doctorates; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Claire Kerrane. [15815/21]

*1041. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the reason a pandemic unemployment payment ceased for a person (details supplied); if the payment will be reinstated; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Pearse Doherty. [15875/21]

*1042. To ask the Minister for Social Protection when a household benefit will be made available in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Bernard J. Durkan. [15893/21]

*1043. To ask the Minister for Social Protection her views on expanding the range of training available to participants in the community employment programme to enable greater chances of future employment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Holly Cairns. [15937/21]

*1044. To ask the Minister for Social Protection her views on providing funding for additional activation officers to assist organisations in recruiting for community employment programme employees during the Covid-19 pandemic; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Holly Cairns. [15938/21]

P.T.O 1226

*1045. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the process by which activation officers for the community employment programme are searching for and recruiting eligible persons to participate in the programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Holly Cairns. [15939/21]

*1046. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the way activation officers for the community employment programme match eligible persons in their area of responsibility with the relevant organisations; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Holly Cairns. [15940/21]

*1047. To ask the Minister for Social Protection her views on expanding the eligibility criteria for the community employment programme from persons living on one of the offshore islands and currently receiving a community employment qualifying payment for six months or more to persons living on one of the offshore islands, peninsulas or other rural areas more than 20 kilometres from a large town; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Holly Cairns. [15941/21]

*1048. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the steps she is taking to develop and enhance the community employment programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Holly Cairns. [15942/21]

*1049. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the number of persons employed in the community employment programme in County Cork in each of the years 2015 to 2020, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Holly Cairns. [15943/21]

*1050. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the absolute and relative number of persons who have successfully entered employment after participating in the community employment programme in each of the years 2015 to 2020; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Holly Cairns. [15944/21]

*1051. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the absolute and relative number of persons who have returned to social protection payments after participating in the community employment programme in each of the years 2015 to 2020; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Holly Cairns. [15945/21]

*1052. To ask the Minister for Social Protection if a PPSN will be issued to a person (details supplied). — Duncan Smith. [15970/21]

*1053. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the total Covid-19-related spend in 2020 by her Department, agency and budget line item; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — David Cullinane. [16279/21]

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

*1054. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will expand the number of asylum seekers and refugees from Greece that Ireland has committed to relocate from 50 to 400; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Cian O’Callaghan. [15757/21]

*1055. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the status of the transfer of families and unaccompanied children from the Moria camp, Greece to Ireland; if the 64 persons that Ireland has committed to admit have arrived here; his views on the call by a group 1227

(details supplied) to increase the number being admitted from the camp to 400; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — John Lahart. [15779/21]

*1056. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he is pursuing the relocation of the 50 persons (details supplied) from Lesvos, Greece; the date on which the relocation will take place; and his plans to assist the allocation of a further 400 persons to Ireland. — Joan Collins. [15781/21]

*1057. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth his plans to accept and welcome refugees to Ireland who are in camps on the Greek island of Lesbos; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Jackie Cahill. [15787/21]

*1058. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if his attention has been drawn to the recent open letter signed by over 300 medical practitioners from across Ireland calling on the Government to commit to accepting and relocating 400 refugees and asylum seekers from the Greek island of Lesvos; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Catherine Connolly. [15865/21]

*1059. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth further to Parliamentary Question No. 588 of 16 October 2020, if a further offer has been made to the Greek authorities to accept into Ireland asylum seekers currently in Lesbos; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Brendan Howlin. [15956/21]

*1060. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if details will be provided on Ireland’s UN Universal Periodic Review in November 2021; the reporting stages, public consultations and deadlines for submissions by civil society regarding the cycle 3 review of same; the type of engagement with the public and civil society on Ireland’s upcoming review; the reason no information on the review or consultation is available on his Department’s website; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Jennifer Whitmore. [13901/21]

*1061. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will consider and respond to all aspects contained in correspondence (details supplied) sent to him. — Catherine Murphy. [13933/21]

*1062. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the status of the new national action plan against racism; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Neasa Hourigan. [13959/21]

*1063. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth his plans to support an organisation (details supplied) during the Covid-19 pandemic; if he will make a grant to the organisation to ensure the continuation of its services to young persons; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Seán Canney. [13979/21]

*1064. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the guidelines in relation to informal childcare arrangements during the current lockdown for when primary school finishes in the early afternoon and a childminder is available to assist in which parents are working full-time; if these arrangements are permitted during March 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Jennifer Whitmore. [14039/21]

*1065. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if his Department will provide additional financial assistance to childcare providers who have experienced

P.T.O 1228 significant increases in insurance bills in 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Matt Carthy. [14055/21]

*1066. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if his attention has been drawn to the fact that many childcare providers have received insurance bills substantially higher in 2021 than previously; the actions he plans to take in response to this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Matt Carthy. [14056/21]

*1067. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the progress of plans to remove Article 41.2 of Bunreacht na hÉireann by way of a referendum; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — . [14129/21]

*1068. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if a directory will be compiled of access officers for local authorities and Departments. — Emer Higgins. [14139/21]

*1069. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the supports and guidance in place for providers of early years services to facilitate the safe reopening and operation during the Covid-19 period; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Neasa Hourigan. [14178/21]

*1070. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will consider developing a community childcare facility at a site (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Cathal Crowe. [14221/21]

*1071. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth his plans to extend carer’s leave as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic; if not, if the proposal will be considered; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Marian Harkin. [14236/21]

*1072. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the steps he is taking in relation to birth certificates which are known to be falsified; the way in which he is engaging with the persons affected; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Holly Cairns. [14338/21]

*1073. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will report on the stalled building of the new premises at a location (details supplied) which needs a two-month lead in for inspections by Tusla before beginning operations in the new location; his plans to ensure that there is no delay of these vital services while this matter is being resolved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Thomas Pringle. [14364/21]

*1074. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if there are financial supports either for the service providers directly or for the adults with disabilities that attend day services or who live in residential homes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Cormac Devlin. [14399/21]

*1075. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the details of the process through which his Department drafts and produces legislation; if his Department outsources the drafting of legislation; if so, the Bills for which the drafting was outsourced since he took office; and the costs associated with the drafting of each Bill. — Peadar Tóibín. [14414/21] 1229

*1076. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth his plans to address the lack of provision of childcare services for babies aged six to twelve months of age; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Neasa Hourigan. [14482/21]

*1077. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will address a matter raised in correspondence by a person (details supplied). — Sean Sherlock. [14485/21]

*1078. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if the Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) (Amendment) Bill that is listed in the Legislative Programme for Spring 2021 now belongs to his Department; the reason it is not under the remit of the Minister for Health; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Mark Ward. [14588/21]

*1079. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth further to Parliamentary Question No. 128 of 10 March 2021, the reason for the substantial increase in the cost of the direct provision system in 2019 and 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Michael Creed. [14611/21]

*1080. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth further to Parliamentary Question No. 164 of 25 October 2018, the way in which he plans to ensure that direct provision centres will provide period products to all residents who need them; and if he plans to amend the direct provision contracts for the products to be procured and distributed to direct provision centres. — Eoin Ó Broin. [14699/21]

*1081. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of couples and individual persons who have been approved to adopt a child and who are currently waiting to do so; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Carol Nolan. [14702/21]

*1082. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of same-sex couples who have adopted a child in each year from 2015 to date; the barriers that currently exist in terms of same sex couples obtaining legal rights in this area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Carol Nolan. [14703/21]

*1083. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the measures his Department has taken to promote adoption as a positive alternative for children in vulnerable circumstances; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Carol Nolan. [14704/21]

*1084. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the five most recent significant capital projects in the major functional responsibilities of his Department which have required his sanction; the time which elapsed between the initial submission of the proposal for consideration until the construction commenced; the significant elements making up this period; the time spent in assessment prior to approval in the planning process; the time spent in assessment prior to approval in the procurement process of contractors; and the way this duration compared with the targeted time to delivery set out at the outset of the process. — Richard Bruton. [14772/21]

*1085. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if his attention has been drawn to carers on carer’s leave who are unable to return to work due to continuing care needs brought about through the Covid-19 pandemic; if he will consider an extension to current carer’s leave arrangements due to this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Gary Gannon. [14831/21]

P.T.O 1230

*1086. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will virtually meet with representatives of a service (details supplied) to hear the challenges that it faces in maintaining the vital service at a time of unprecedented demand and the need for adequate State funding to be provided to same. — Pádraig Mac Lochlainn. [14891/21]

*1087. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth when the legislation for parental benefit will be passed; the earliest date on which it can be applied for; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Paul Kehoe. [14988/21]

*1088. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will provide a list of all section 56 organisations; and the contact email of each in tabular form. — Paul Donnelly. [14990/21]

*1089. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of vehicles owned or leased and operated by his Department and agencies and semi-State companies under his remit broken down by the number of ICE and non-ICE vehicles and fuel category, that is, petrol, diesel, hybrid, plug-in hybrid, electric and so on; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Duncan Smith. [15114/21]

*1090. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the pieces of legislation currently being considered by his Department in relation to the outstanding legislation that is needed for the implementation of the UNCRPD; the stages of preparation they are at; the timeframe for bringing forward the legislation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Violet-Anne Wynne. [15148/21]

*1091. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will create a capital budget line to build playgrounds in areas that do not have same. — Sean Sherlock. [15256/21]

*1092. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth further to Parliamentary Question No. 634 of 10 March 2021, if specific consideration has been given to article 33 of the report regarding the right to identity; his plans to implement these recommendations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Claire Kerrane. [15313/21]

*1093. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the provisions his Department has made specifically for children adopted through an agency (details supplied). — Kathleen Funchion. [15325/21]

*1094. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the actions his Department has taken in regard to legal claims being taken by survivors of mother and baby homes. — Kathleen Funchion. [15326/21]

*1095. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will address a matter (details supplied) regarding behavioural supports; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Michael Healy-Rae. [15360/21]

*1096. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the steps he is taking to ensure that persons in direct provision are receiving high quality and nutritious food; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Cian O’Callaghan. [15461/21] 1231

*1097. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth when the Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) Act 2015 will commence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Patrick Costello. [15532/21]

*1098. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if advice 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. — David Cullinane. [15618/21]

*1099. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of vacancies for social workers for which funds are available in cases in which the post cannot be filled due to difficulties recruiting staff by location; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Pauline Tully. [15733/21]

*1100. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the provisions being made to allow parents using surrogacy to avail of leave and parental pay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Emer Higgins. [15755/21]

*1101. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth his plans to bring forward legislation to facilitate maternity leave for persons through surrogacy; the timeframe for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Neasa Hourigan. [15791/21]

*1102. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will engage with medics in Lesbos in order to assist to urgently progress the move to Ireland of refugees; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Marian Harkin. [15821/21]

*1103. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the childcare providers in an area (details supplied) that have signed up to the new pandemic State support scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Duncan Smith. [15894/21]

*1104. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the progress of the parents’ leave and benefit (amendment) Bill; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Holly Cairns. [15928/21]

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

*1105. To ask the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his plans to ensure that key trades such as plumbers and electricians remain committed to apprenticeship programmes to ensure there is no shortfall in these sectors in future years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Christopher O’Sullivan. [15874/21]

*1106. To ask the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he and or his officials have engaged with a company (details supplied) in respect of redundancies at the company; and if he has prepared a plan for future employment opportunities and or access to further educational in respect of staff that will be made redundant. — Catherine Murphy. [13972/21]

*1107. To ask the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if it will be ensured that college registration fees are reduced in line with the reduction in face-to- face contact with students by lecturers and blended learning; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Denis Naughten. [14118/21]

P.T.O 1232

*1108. To ask the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if funding is available for students wishing to continue to third-level education abroad in September 2021 given the likely rise in CAO points requirements for domestic courses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Richard Boyd Barrett. [14159/21]

*1109. To ask the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if further places will be made available for third-level medicine courses for the academic year commencing in September 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Jim O’Callaghan. [14237/21]

*1110. To ask the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science further to Parliamentary Question No. 671 of 24 February 2021, the breakdown by county or university on the students who initially qualified for the SUSI grant but subsequently had their grants withdrawn from them this academic year. — Peadar Tóibín. [14241/21]

*1111. To ask the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science further to Parliamentary Question No. 671 of 24 February 2021, if SUSI is seeking payments from any student who was initially awarded a SUSI grant but subsequently had their grant withdrawn from them upon review; and the number of students who have been requested to repay moneys to SUSI. — Peadar Tóibín. [14242/21]

*1112. To ask the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if graduate entry medicine students are to be included in the SUSI review; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Jennifer Murnane O’Connor. [14246/21]

*1113. To ask the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will address the issue of a participant (details supplied) in a Solas apprenticeship who is unable to progress due to a delay in receiving examination results; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Holly Cairns. [14319/21]

*1114. To ask the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the steps he is taking to address the backlog in the processing of examinations and assessments for participants in apprenticeships; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Holly Cairns. [14320/21]

*1115. To ask the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will establish a mechanism to include apprenticeship students in discussions on the way Covid-19 strategy implementation will affect both on-the-job and off-the-job phases of apprenticeships; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Holly Cairns. [14321/21]

*1116. To ask the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the steps he is taking to address the delay in aspects of apprenticeship programmes resulting in students facing a training period longer than the four year programme they originally took up including the additional financial strain and resultant loss of earnings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Holly Cairns. [14322/21]

*1117. To ask the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his views on excluding the pandemic unemployment payment from income assessments of SUSI grants for the 2021-2022 academic year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Holly Cairns. [14323/21] 1233

*1118. To ask the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the details of the process through which his Department drafts and produces legislation; if his Department outsources the drafting of legislation; if so, the Bills for which the drafting was outsourced since he took office; and the costs associated with the drafting of each Bill. — Peadar Tóibín. [14421/21]

*1119. To ask the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if the €1 million announced in July 2020 that was to be ring-fenced for students studying the professional masters in education is accessible for students undertaking the professional masters in education in a college (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Jackie Cahill. [14435/21]

*1120. To ask the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science further to Parliamentary Question No. 631 of 3 March 2021, if a student (details supplied) can be reclassified as a mature independent student for the academic year 2021-2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Bernard J. Durkan. [14560/21]

*1121. To ask the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of staff in his Department; the specific position of each; the breakdown of salary by grade in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Michael Ring. [14635/21]

*1122. To ask the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if the Minister of State with responsibility for Skills and Further Education has directly or indirectly canvassed a higher education institution on behalf of a job applicant; if so, if he will report on same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Michael Ring. [14636/21]

*1123. To ask the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science further to Parliamentary Question No. 684 of 10 March 2021, if he will address matters raised in correspondence (details supplied); if language schools will be instructed to reopen in the absence of demand; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Róisín Shortall. [14733/21]

*1124. To ask the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will address an issue regarding apprenticeships (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Michael Healy-Rae. [14748/21]

*1125. To ask the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the five most recent significant capital projects in the major functional responsibilities of his Department which have required his sanction; the time which elapsed between the initial submission of the proposal for consideration until the construction commenced; the significant elements making up this period; the time spent in assessment prior to approval in the planning process; the time spent in assessment prior to approval in the procurement process of contractors; and the way this duration compared with the targeted time to delivery set out at the outset of the process. — Richard Bruton. [14779/21]

*1126. To ask the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he has engaged with CORU regarding the requirement on social care students to complete 300 hours of placement in view of public health restrictions; if there are plans to establish an alternative pathway to registration; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Róisín Shortall. [14822/21]

*1127. To ask the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if students who completed the written leaving certificate examinations in November 2020 and have

P.T.O 1234 received deferred college offers to start their course in 2021-2022 are required to pay the student contribution fee if they already paid a student contribution fee for courses started in 2020-2021; if he considers this a financial penalty; and if his attention has been drawn to the case of a person (details supplied). — Gary Gannon. [14825/21]

*1128. To ask the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his plans to make the tertiary education system more accessible to young adults with intellectual additional needs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — . [14845/21]

*1129. To ask the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science further to Parliamentary Question No. 606 of 27 January 2021, the status and details of the outcome of engagement between CORU, education providers and the relevant stakeholders on the issue of alternatives to placements for social care students in 2021 in view of the public health restrictions which have impacted substantially on students’ ability to obtain and carry out placements; if his attention has been drawn to the stress and anxiety that this is causing to social care students; if he will take steps to ensure there is an appropriate solution provided as quickly as possible; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Bríd Smith. [14880/21]

*1130. To ask the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if the two new skills programmes to assist the hospitality and tourism sectors (details supplied) will be expanded to include funding supports for food safety and Covid-19 training for food workers in the hospitality industry as a priority; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Matt Carthy. [14883/21]

*1131. To ask the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if his attention has been drawn to delays facing electrical instrumentation apprentices in obtaining a qualification; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Malcolm Noonan. [14896/21]

*1132. To ask the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the breakdown on a percentage basis of the prior educational attainment of apprentices; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Rose Conway-Walsh. [14928/21]

*1133. To ask the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the percentage of apprentices who secure their apprenticeship through personal connections; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Rose Conway-Walsh. [14929/21]

*1134. To ask the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if companies are entitled to access the apprenticeship incentivisation payment in cases in which the apprentice at the time of registration was already an employee of the company; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Rose Conway-Walsh. [14930/21]

*1135. To ask the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number and percentage of companies registering apprentices that also accessed the incentive payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Rose Conway-Walsh. [14931/21]

*1136. To ask the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the average age of new apprentices since 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Rose Conway-Walsh. [14932/21]

*1137. To ask the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number and percentage of college dropouts since 2011 at third-level; the number and percentage 1235 of those in receipt of SUSI support in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Rose Conway-Walsh. [14933/21]

*1138. To ask the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the most recent north-south cross-Border enrolment figures; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Rose Conway-Walsh. [14934/21]

*1139. To ask the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if a full list of apprenticeship consortia will be provided; the number of apprentices enrolled under each by new recruits and existing staff and the number of employers under each consortia; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Rose Conway-Walsh. [14935/21]

*1140. To ask the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the apprentices enrolled per year since 2006; the new registrations per year since 2006, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Rose Conway-Walsh. [14936/21]

*1141. To ask the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the minimum rate an apprentice can be paid; the lowest rate an apprentice is currently being paid; the average wages for each industry in which apprentices are trained for each year of their training; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Rose Conway-Walsh. [14937/21]

*1142. To ask the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the most recent figures for the average cost of a craft apprentice and of a new consortia-led apprentice, respectively; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Rose Conway-Walsh. [14938/21]

*1143. To ask the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the average share of the cost of a craft apprentice that goes towards allowances during off-the-job training; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Rose Conway-Walsh. [14939/21]

*1144. To ask the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the average share of the cost of a consortia-led apprentice that goes to the consortia to run the apprenticeship; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Rose Conway-Walsh. [14940/21]

*1145. To ask the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the actions being taken to help social care students reach the necessary work placement hours in order to register with CORU. — Louise O’Reilly. [14986/21]

*1146. To ask the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the measures he is taking to ensure that the Institute of Technology, Tralee and Cork Institute of Technology merger to Munster Technological University is balanced and fair; if reassurance will be given to all stakeholders that both former institutes are fairly represented now and in the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Brendan Griffin. [15073/21]

*1147. To ask the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of vehicles owned or leased and operated by his Department and agencies and semi- State companies under his remit broken down by the number of ICE and non-ICE vehicles and fuel category, that is, petrol, diesel, hybrid, plug-in hybrid, electric and so on; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Duncan Smith. [15121/21]

P.T.O 1236

*1148. To ask the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his views on the approximately 20,000 college applicants who applied for courses in 2021 on the basis of leaving certificate results achieved in previous years and who consequently may have been disadvantaged with respect to CAO points required for entry to their given courses due to disproportionate grade inflation relative to other years; if he is making provisions for those students who may have been denied a placement under such circumstances; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Ged Nash. [15186/21]

*1149. To ask the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if students that enrolled in third-level courses prior to sitting the leaving certificate in November 2020 will be refunded the fees paid; if it will impact their access to the free fees initiative and SUSI supports in the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Rose Conway-Walsh. [15228/21]

*1150. To ask the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if the annual training and innovation fund designed to encourage training and education relevant to future skills, and issued through his Department is only available to educational institutions and or educational training boards; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — John Brady. [15284/21]

*1151. To ask the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if the annual training and innovation fund designed to encourage training and education relevant to future skills and issued through his Department is available to all businesses and organisations involved in the provision of training and education in this area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — John Brady. [15285/21]

*1152. To ask the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science when he plans to publish the National Training Fund expenditure report for 2020; if there has been a delay to the usual publication; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Rose Conway- Walsh. [15297/21]

*1153. To ask the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will consider reducing the number of placement hours, currently 300, in order for social care students to be registered under CORU and to be able to work in a social care setting after graduation in view of current Covid-19 restrictions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Ged Nash. [15333/21]

*1154. To ask the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of students with dyslexia in further and higher education; the supports that are in place for such persons; the additional supports provided due to Covid-19; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Rose Conway-Walsh. [15371/21]

*1155. To ask the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if students will see their SUSI grants negatively impacted as a result of receiving the pandemic unemployment payment; the estimated number of students anticipated to be affected; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Rose Conway-Walsh. [15372/21]

*1156. To ask the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if additional Exchequer expenditure was transferred into the national training fund in 2020 or 2021; if so, the details of such transfers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Rose Conway- Walsh. [15423/21] 1237

*1157. To ask the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the status of the project execution, project budget or cost delivery for the repair of the roof and other building fabric at the GMIT Castlebar campus following €2 million funding announced on 14 September 2018 as part of a major package of investment in education under Project Ireland 2040; his future plans for capital development projects for 2021 to 2023 for the GMIT Mayo campus; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Alan Dillon. [15440/21]

*1158. To ask the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the funding allocated to regional skills fora in each year since 2017, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Rose Conway-Walsh. [15443/21]

*1159. To ask the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the funding allocated to enterprise focused higher education provision in each year since 2017, in tabular form; if there are measurable objectives associated with the funding; if it is intended only to move Exchequer funding of recurring costs from the Exchequer to the national training fund; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Rose Conway-Walsh. [15444/21]

*1160. To ask the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the average development cost of a new apprenticeship programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Rose Conway-Walsh. [15445/21]

*1161. To ask the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of additional places created for those intending to study medicine this academic year in order to manage the unintended consequences arising from the calculated grade process inter alia grade inflation; and the number that will be created for the students entering university in September 2021. — Eoghan Murphy. [15475/21]

*1162. To ask the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the financial supports he is considering for students visiting Ireland that came on the understanding that there would be blended and in-person delivery of their course and in view that there has not been access to libraries or adequate study facilities and no prospect of a part-time job due to the closure of the hospitality sector for same while the universities continue to charge full fees (details supplied). — Eoghan Murphy. [15476/21]

*1163. To ask the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his views on correspondence received by his Department from a union (details supplied) on 16 March 2021 in respect of the proposed new apprenticeship action plan; his further views on whether the critical role played by the trade union movement in the delivery and operation of an internationally recognised best practice apprenticeship system ought to be a central feature of the revised system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Ged Nash. [15502/21]

*1164. To ask the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will sanction a refund or partial refund of fees for college students that are not attending college due to Covid-19 and learning remotely due to the fact that they are not actually attending colleges or universities at this time; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Michael Fitzmaurice. [15562/21]

*1165. To ask the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the range of travel and accommodation supports for both craft and post-2016 apprentices; the expenditure in this regard; the number of recipients; the average amount allocated; the criteria used

P.T.O 1238 for allocating support; the way in which it compares to the real cost of travel and accommodation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Rose Conway-Walsh. [15716/21]

*1166. To ask the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the draw on the NTF or cost to the Exchequer of increasing funding allocated to travel and accommodation support for apprentices by 5%, 10%, 15% and 20%; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Rose Conway-Walsh. [15717/21]

*1167. To ask the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the estimated cost of removing the annual student contribution for all apprentices; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Rose Conway-Walsh. [15736/21]

*1168. To ask the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science further to Parliamentary Question No. 458 of 28 July 2020, if there are more up-to-date figures; if this incorporates the cost of the apprenticeship incentivisation scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Rose Conway-Walsh. [15760/21]

*1169. To ask the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the estimated cost in 2021 of increasing the apprenticeship incentivisation scheme in line with that which is offered in Northern Ireland (details supplied); the effect it would have on the average cost per apprentice; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Rose Conway-Walsh. [15762/21]

*1170. To ask the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the expenditure on apprenticeships in 2020; the percentage of the national training fund allocated to apprenticeships; the estimated expenditure in 2021; the estimated percentage allocation of the national training fund of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Rose Conway- Walsh. [15763/21]

*1171. To ask the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the average cost to the State per apprentice for off-the-job training excluding allowances; the estimated cost of putting in place the necessary capacity to clear the current backlog and end waiting times for apprentices to access training; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Rose Conway-Walsh. [15775/21]

*1172. To ask the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of apprentices that have been employed across the public sector in each of the years 2004 to 2011; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Rose Conway-Walsh. [15818/21]

*1173. To ask the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the average cost per apprentice for off-the-job training excluding allowances; the estimated cost of putting in place the necessary capacity to clear the backlog and end waiting times for apprentices to access training; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Rose Conway-Walsh. [15842/21]

*1174. To ask the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the steps he is taking to prevent a surge in points for high demand courses due to students deferring college places; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Holly Cairns. [15901/21]

*1175. To ask the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the total Covid-19-related spend in 2020 by his Department, agency and budget line item; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — David Cullinane. [16275/21] 1239

*1176. To ask the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the payment options available for persons to pay fines, charges or bills by his Department; and if there are plans to provide further online payment facilities. — Emer Higgins. [16294/21]

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

*1177. To ask the Minister for Justice if house viewing is considered non-essential under the current level 5 restrictions (details supplied). — Joan Collins. [15718/21]

*1178. To ask the Minister for Justice the average timeframe for naturalization applications. — Aengus Ó Snodaigh. [13872/21]

*1179. To ask the Minister for Justice if confirmation of receipt is provided for online stamp 4 renewals given that a person (details supplied) did not receive confirmation. — Aengus Ó Snodaigh. [13873/21]

*1180. To ask the Minister for Justice if divorce proceedings can continue remotely under level 5 restrictions. — Thomas Gould. [13882/21]

*1181. To ask the Minister for Justice the guidance given to Family Courts on operation under level 5 restrictions particularly in relation to divorce proceedings. — Thomas Gould. [13883/21]

*1182. To ask the Minister for Justice the steps being taken by her Department to investigate the holding of a retirement party in Portlaoise Prison in contravention of Covid-19 regulations; the persons responsible for it; if any staff will be or have been reprimanded in relation to it; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Thomas Pringle. [13908/21]

*1183. To ask the Minister for Justice her views on whether it is appropriate that the Irish Prison Service should decide which matters are relevant to be investigated by an external agency in relation to protected disclosures within the Prison Service; her further views on whether an agency independent of the Prison Service should decide what is relevant or within the terms of reference; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Thomas Pringle. [13909/21]

*1184. To ask the Minister for Justice the number of coroners and deputy coroners, respectively, in the State; the salary paid to coroners and deputy coroners by county in tabular form; the way coroners are appointed in each area; the qualifications required; the way deputy coroners are appointed; the criteria for selection; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Ged Nash. [13929/21]

*1185. To ask the Minister for Justice the number of coroner’s inquests in 2019 and 2020 in counties Louth, Mayo and Wicklow, respectively; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Ged Nash. [13930/21]

*1186. To ask the Minister for Justice the status of reforms her Department is examining in terms of licensing laws for the retail of alcohol in off-licences. — Cathal Crowe. [13934/21]

*1187. To ask the Minister for Justice when a person (details supplied) will receive their passport book, birth certificate and other information from her Department; the status of their application; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Thomas Pringle. [13951/21]

P.T.O 1240

*1188. To ask the Minister for Justice if her attention has been drawn to the increase in the past year of incidents of drug-related intimidation in communities; and the additional steps that have been taken by An Garda Síochána to tackle same. — Aengus Ó Snodaigh. [13961/21]

*1189. To ask the Minister for Justice the drug finds by An Garda Síochána and other State agencies in each of the past five years calculated as being over €13,000; the counties in which the find was made; the type of drug involved; the number of persons charged and convicted; and the length of sentence issued by the courts. — Aengus Ó Snodaigh. [13962/21]

*1190. To ask the Minister for Justice the engagement she has had with the Minister for Children, Disability, Equality, Integration and Youth with regard to implementation of the recently published White Paper on Ending Direct Provision; the way in which her Department and in particular the International Protection Office will deliver on the White Paper; her plans for reducing international protection application processing times; when the current backlog of cases will be cleared; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Catherine Connolly. [13966/21]

*1191. To ask the Minister for Justice her plans to provide free psychological support for victims of domestic abuse following the court case being finalised (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Seán Canney. [13991/21]

*1192. To ask the Minister for Justice the measures that will be put in place to ensure that all cases related to family law and divorce proceedings in County Cork are progressed with notwithstanding the Covid-19 restrictions; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Mick Barry. [13994/21]

*1193. To ask the Minister for Justice the timeframe for the return of documentation held in her Department once urgently requested (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Paul Kehoe. [13996/21]

*1194. To ask the Minister for Justice if her attention has been drawn to reports that fake negative Covid-19 test certificates and documentation are being sold to persons enabling them to avoid travel restrictions; the mechanism in place to ensure that all negative Covid-19 test certificates and documentation produced on arrival at ports and airports in the State are genuine; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — . [13997/21]

*1195. To ask the Minister for Justice when the next round of recruitment to An Garda Síochána will take place; the number to be recruited; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Brendan Howlin. [14006/21]

*1196. To ask the Minister for Justice the progress to date in the determination of an application for naturalisation in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Bernard J. Durkan. [14015/21]

*1197. To ask the Minister for Justice the timeframe for commencement of section 221 of the Legal Services Regulation Act 2015; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Pauline Tully. [14021/21]

*1198. To ask the Minister for Justice if she will consider correcting the record of Dáil Éireann with regard to a matter relating to Clancy Barracks (details supplied). — Pa Daly. [14090/21]

*1199. To ask the Minister for Justice if the general scheme of a gambling control Bill has been published; and if not, when it will be published. — Thomas Gould. [14112/21] 1241

*1200. To ask the Minister for Justice the substantial changes planned for the gambling control Bill due to be published in comparison with the previous general scheme published in 2013. — Thomas Gould. [14113/21]

*1201. To ask the Minister for Justice if the An Garda Síochána Expert Review Group on Recruit Education and Entry Pathways and Learning and Development is accepting submissions; the mechanism by which submissions can be made; when the group expects to submit its report to the Garda Commissioner; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Peadar Tóibín. [14156/21]

*1202. To ask the Minister for Justice the estimated value of cash discoveries by An Garda Síochána and CAB in 2019 and 2020; the steps taken in relation to the cash seized; the use which is made of these funds; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — John Lahart. [14161/21]

*1203. To ask the Minister for Justice the steps she has taken to set up a public inquiry into the death of a person (details supplied) which was agreed to by a vote in Dáil Éireann; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Niamh Smyth. [14166/21]

*1204. To ask the Minister for Justice the status of a citizenship application by a person (details supplied). — Cathal Crowe. [14189/21]

*1205. To ask the Minister for Justice if her attention has been drawn to a matter (details supplied) in relation to family court services in Cork; when this service is likely to resume; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Pádraig O’Sullivan. [14203/21]

*1206. To ask the Minister for Justice the status of a citizenship application by a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Jennifer Carroll MacNeill. [14205/21]

*1207. To ask the Minister for Justice the number of persons seeking international protection here by the length of stay; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Michael Creed. [14207/21]

*1208. To ask the Minister for Justice if her attention has been drawn to the delays faced by Dublin residents wishing to make first-time applications to the INIS; and if consideration will be given to allowing Dublin residents attend immigration units that remain open outside of Dublin for this purpose. — Eoin Ó Broin. [14258/21]

*1209. To ask the Minister for Justice if her Department as per its 2021 Action Plan Goal 1, Objective 18 Work with public sector and civil society stakeholders to review and strengthen processes and the legislative framework to combat human trafficking by the end of quarter 1 agree to the request of an organisation (details supplied) for such an engagement in which it can convey its relevant experiences with the existing processes and legislative framework from the perspective of undocumented migrant fishers it has encountered who have fulfilled the minimum criteria of the internationally recognised Delphi Indicators for human trafficking; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Mick Barry. [14262/21]

*1210. To ask the Minister for Justice the additional practical supports for victims of human trafficking that will be in place by the end of quarter 1 of 2021 as promised in the 2021 Action Plan of her Department under section Goal 1, Action and Objective 17.2; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Mick Barry. [14263/21]

*1211. To ask the Minister for Justice the number of permissions her Department has issued in the course 2020 and to date in 2021 to reside and work in the State to non-EEA, UK and Swiss

P.T.O 1242 nationals on stamp 1 conditions subject to the general requirement that the person in question be in employment, rather than the usual requirement that they be employed by a named employer; the number of permissions of the latter type that have been issued in the same period; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Mick Barry. [14264/21]

*1212. To ask the Minister for Justice the number of letters of notification that were sent in 2020 and to date in 2021 by her Department to participants in the atypical working scheme for non-EEA crew in the Irish fishing fleet notifying them that their contract of employment has ceased and that they should furnish details of their new contract of employment under the scheme within 28 days of the issue of the letter; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Mick Barry. [14265/21]

*1213. To ask the Minister for Justice the number of community Gardaí in Cork city by month in 2020 and to date in 2021. — Thomas Gould. [14279/21]

*1214. To ask the Minister for Justice her views on providing free psychological support for all victims after their court case ends; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Holly Cairns. [14340/21]

*1215. To ask the Minister for Justice her views on providing travel expenses for jury service to ensure that those living in rural areas have equal access to serving on juries; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Holly Cairns. [14341/21]

*1216. To ask the Minister for Justice her views on allowing non-Irish citizens living in Ireland participate in jury service; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Holly Cairns. [14342/21]

*1217. To ask the Minister for Justice when she plans to issue regulations giving effect to the provisions of section 12 of the Mediation Act 2017. — Pa Daly. [14365/21]

*1218. To ask the Minister for Justice if she will consider raising the current thresholds for legal aid. — Pa Daly. [14366/21]

*1219. To ask the Minister for Justice the average number of sitting days dedicated to family law by court circuit in tabular form. — Pa Daly. [14367/21]

*1220. To ask the Minister for Justice if she will consider a white paper policy response to implement the non-legislative aspects of the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Justice and Equality Report on Reform of the Family Law System. — Pa Daly. [14368/21]

*1221. To ask the Minister for Justice the status of an application for a permanent residence card by a person (details supplied). — Duncan Smith. [14376/21]

*1222. To ask the Minister for Justice if the Policing Authority has issued guidelines to the Garda Commissioner regarding the supervision and control by the Commissioner of the monitoring of CCTV by authorised persons under section 38 (11) of the Garda Síochána Act 2005; and if so, if a copy of same will be provided. — Catherine Connolly. [14392/21]

*1223. To ask the Minister for Justice if procedures are in place to allow persons to continue to work on a stamp 4 visa that has expired; and if persons in this category will be issued with a temporary permission. — Duncan Smith. [14400/21] 1243

*1224. To ask the Minister for Justice if a decision will issue on a leave to remain request in the case of a person (details supplied). — Joe Flaherty. [14403/21]

*1225. To ask the Minister for Justice the progress to date in the determination of an application for residency status in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Bernard J. Durkan. [14411/21]

*1226. To ask the Minister for Justice the details of the process through which her Department drafts and produces legislation; if her Department outsources the drafting of legislation; if so, the Bills for which the drafting was outsourced since she took office; and the costs associated with the drafting of each Bill. — Peadar Tóibín. [14424/21]

*1227. To ask the Minister for Justice if an updated certificate of a peace commissionership will be provided to a person (details supplied). — Jim O’Callaghan. [14432/21]

*1228. To ask the Minister for Justice the steps she is taking to bring awards to minor injuries in line with international norms; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Cian O’Callaghan. [14439/21]

*1229. To ask the Minister for Justice the number of and value of cannabis seizures and confiscations in each of the years 2018, 2019 and 2020; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Gino Kenny. [14442/21]

*1230. To ask the Minister for Justice the correct procedure to be followed by a person in their circumstances (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Bernard J. Durkan. [14453/21]

*1231. To ask the Minister for Justice the steps being put in place by Cork city courthouse to hold cases remotely in circumstances in which hearings have been cancelled due to level 5 Covid-19 restrictions. — Mick Barry. [14461/21]

*1232. To ask the Minister for Justice her plans to provide counselling services for victims of serious crime; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Bernard J. Durkan. [14487/21]

*1233. To ask the Minister for Justice the progress to date in the determination of an application for citizenship in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Bernard J. Durkan. [14528/21]

*1234. To ask the Minister for Justice her plans for the monitoring of the implementation of the new guidelines on personal injury awards; her plans to announce a review period of the guidelines with a view to ascertaining their impact on insurance premiums and the overall reform of the sector; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Catherine Connolly. [14544/21]

*1235. To ask the Minister for Justice the procedures in place under the Multi-Unit Developments Act 2011 to deal with the letting agents and companies that fail to either transfer rent collected from tenants, fail to deal with maintenance issues in properties or that do not comply with the agreement with the owner of the property; her plans to review and improve the legislation in this area; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Cormac Devlin. [14575/21]

*1236. To ask the Minister for Justice her plans for the provision of free psychological support for all victims of crime after their court case ends, particularly in view of the retraumatising effect

P.T.O 1244 of criminal trials on many victims; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Catherine Connolly. [14590/21]

*1237. To ask the Minister for Justice if she will consider the provision of a new Garda station for the Castletroy, Annacotty area of Limerick city (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Willie O’Dea. [14601/21]

*1238. To ask the Minister for Justice if the report of the Law Reform Commission on legislative caps on insurance awards has been considered; and if the concerns expressed by some of constitutional barriers have been resolved. — Richard Bruton. [14674/21]

*1239. To ask the Minister for Justice if additional measures can be taken to deal with the so- called revolving door system whereby convicted criminals who have not yet completed their custodial sentences or persons out on bail reoffend; her views on the actions that can be taken to stop convicted criminals from reoffending generally; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Seán Haughey. [14701/21]

*1240. To ask the Minister for Justice the number of Garda checks that have occurred on a weekly basis from 6 February 2021 to date on persons quarantining at home after arriving here in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Róisín Shortall. [14735/21]

*1241. To ask the Minister for Justice the five most recent significant capital projects in the major functional responsibilities of her Department which have required her sanction; the time which elapsed between the initial submission of the proposal for consideration until the construction commenced; the significant elements making up this period; the time spent in assessment prior to approval in the planning process; the time spent in assessment prior to approval in the procurement process of contractors; and the way this duration compared with the targeted time to delivery set out at the outset of the process. — Richard Bruton. [14782/21]

*1242. To ask the Minister for Justice the number of Circuit Court personal injury proceedings initiated in each of the years 2010 to 2020 and to date in 2021, by county in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Pearse Doherty. [14801/21]

*1243. To ask the Minister for Justice the number of Circuit Court personal injury proceedings which were initiated in each of the years 2010 to 2020 and to date in 2021, by county in tabular form; the locations in which cases have yet to be determined and are active; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Pearse Doherty. [14802/21]

*1244. To ask the Minister for Justice the number of Circuit Court civil proceedings initiated in each of the years 2010 to 2020 and to date in 2021, by county in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Pearse Doherty. [14803/21]

*1245. To ask the Minister for Justice the number of Circuit Court civil proceedings which were initiated in each of the years 2010 to 2020 and to date in 2021, by county in tabular form; the locations in which cases have yet to be determined and are active; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Pearse Doherty. [14804/21]

*1246. To ask the Minister for Justice the number of whole-time equivalent medical officer appointments in the Irish Prison Service; the number of these that are currently vacant; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Cathal Berry. [14846/21] 1245

*1247. To ask the Minister for Justice the number of medical officer appointments that were filled by temporary locum staff in each of the years 2016 to 2020; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Cathal Berry. [14847/21]

*1248. To ask the Minister for Justice the extent to which the Irish Prison Service increased remuneration for medical officers in 2020; the reason this was deemed necessary; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Cathal Berry. [14848/21]

*1249. To ask the Minister for Justice the financial value of cash and assets seized by An Garda Síochána as the proceeds of drug-related crime in the south west area of Dublin in 2014. — Seán Crowe. [14872/21]

*1250. To ask the Minister for Justice the status in relation to her review of deportation notices. — Pa Daly. [14875/21]

*1251. To ask the Minister for Justice her views on recommendation 6.7 of the Day report being under consideration as per page 144 of the White Paper to End Direct Provision and to Establish a New International Protection Support Service in particular focusing on the recommendations in relation to the granting of leave to remain to existing applicants. — Pa Daly. [14876/21]

*1252. To ask the Minister for Justice the number of gardaí by rank, civilian staff and retained professionals in the Garda National Economic Crime Bureau. — Catherine Murphy. [14878/21]

*1253. To ask the Minister for Justice the estimated number of femicides (details supplied) for 2020. — Pa Daly. [14961/21]

*1254. To ask the Minister for Justice further to Parliamentary Question No. 296 of 21 January 2021, the stage at which the comprehensive review of the current civil legal aid scheme by her Department is; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Cian O’Callaghan. [14964/21]

*1255. To ask the Minister for Justice if she will consider allowing those working in the Irish Prison Service to continue working past the age of 60 if they are medically certified as fit to work. — Cathal Crowe. [15003/21]

*1256. Chun a fhiafraí den Aire Dlí agus Cirt an bhfuair a Roinn aon iarratas i nGaeilge ar eadóirsiú, cén fáth nach bhfuil leagan Gaeilge den fhoirm iarratais ar fáil ar líne mar aon leis an leagan Béarla; agus ar diúltaíodh le haon iarratas ar eadóirsiú toisc foirm Ghaeilge a bheith seolta isteach in ionad an leagan Béarla ar líne a chomhlíonadh. — Aengus Ó Snodaigh. [15053/21]

*1257. To ask the Minister for Justice if family members can access prison records of deceased family that were interned in the Curragh in 1940 through freedom of information; and if these records are sealed. — Thomas Gould. [15093/21]

*1258. To ask the Minister for Justice the person or body to which freedom of information requests by family members of deceased relatives that were interned in the Curragh in the 1940s should be submitted. — Thomas Gould. [15094/21]

*1259. To ask the Minister for Justice the number of vehicles owned or leased and operated by her Department and agencies and semi-State companies under her remit broken down by the number of ICE and non-ICE vehicles and fuel category, that is, petrol, diesel, hybrid, plug-in hybrid, electric and so on; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Duncan Smith. [15124/21]

P.T.O 1246

*1260. To ask the Minister for Justice the criteria the decision to restrict visa free travel from South Africa and certain South American countries was based upon; and the specific criteria by which the decision will be reversed. — Seán Crowe. [15201/21]

*1261. To ask the Minister for Justice the number of staff currently working in cybersecurity within An Garda Síochána. — Sean Sherlock. [15213/21]

*1262. To ask the Minister for Justice if she plans to increase funding for law centres to provide advice to persons that have suffered injuries as a result of negligence of others; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Gino Kenny. [15260/21]

*1263. To ask the Minister for Justice the number of persons working in the Irish Prison Service; the average age of exit from the Service; the number at each staff level; the number that have left the Service in each of the past ten years; and the number currently on sick leave. — Peadar Tóibín. [15316/21]

*1264. To ask the Minister for Justice the number of protected disclosures submitted to the Irish Prison Service in the past ten years. — Peadar Tóibín. [15317/21]

*1265. To ask the Minister for Justice the frequency with which a procurement audit been carried out at each prison to ensure value for money; when this was last done; and the person or body that signed off on these audits. — Peadar Tóibín. [15318/21]

*1266. To ask the Minister for Justice the volume of drugs taken in the Irish Prison Service each year for the past ten years; the volume of drugs that were confiscated or seized in the Irish Prison Service in each of the past ten years; the number of prisoners that are classified as drug addicts; and the number of prisoners receiving treatment for drug addiction. — Peadar Tóibín. [15319/21]

*1267. To ask the Minister for Justice the number of child maintenance orders which result in zero payment. — Claire Kerrane. [15392/21]

*1268. To ask the Minister for Justice the number of fines that have been issued for construction work during level 5 restrictions to date in 2021, by county in tabular form. — Sean Sherlock. [15418/21]

*1269. To ask the Minister for Justice the position regarding a passport in the case of a person (details supplied); the reason for the delay in returning the passport; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Róisín Shortall. [15424/21]

*1270. To ask the Minister for Justice the recourse available to an apartment owner when their owners’ management company has not provided them an adequate response to their concerns regarding possible structural issues in their apartment block; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Róisín Shortall. [15425/21]

*1271. To ask the Minister for Justice the funding being provided for Garda youth diversion projects by division to date in 2021; and the comparative figures for 2020, in tabular form. — Jim O’Callaghan. [15458/21]

*1272. To ask the Minister for Justice if Minister Humphreys will receive a Garda driven car and Garda security during her period as temporary Minister for Justice; if Minister Humphreys will receive additional advisory staff for the six months in this extra role; if Minister Humphreys received 1247 briefings from An Garda Síochána, the Defence Forces or other security details in preparation for the role; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Bríd Smith. [15485/21]

*1273. To ask the Minister for Justice if consideration is being given to reform of the Multi-Unit Development Act 2011; if so, the timeline for same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Duncan Smith. [15500/21]

*1274. To ask the Minister for Justice if she plans to provide capital expenditure for a new premises to an organisation (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Jim O’Callaghan. [15503/21]

*1275. To ask the Minister for Justice if she will address an issue raised in correspondence (details supplied). — Sean Sherlock. [15519/21]

*1276. To ask the Minister for Justice if important documents such as passports can be returned to persons immediately on applying for naturalisation given that the current process can take two to four years and persons cannot be without their passports for that duration; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Seán Canney. [15522/21]

*1277. To ask the Minister for Justice the status of a residency card application by a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Catherine Connolly. [15529/21]

*1278. To ask the Minister for Justice the number of active Zambrano-related applications currently awaiting a decision; the number of decisions that have issued in each of the past 12 months; the date applications currently under final consideration are from; her plans to tackle the backlog; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Denis Naughten. [15594/21]

*1279. To ask the Minister for Justice when she plans to issue stamp 6 visa holders with a residence card; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Duncan Smith. [15690/21]

*1280. To ask the Minister for Justice the status of an application for citizenship in the case of a person (details supplied); if she will use her discretion in the case; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Bernard J. Durkan. [15715/21]

*1281. To ask the Minister for Justice her plans regarding the redevelopment of the Garda station in east County Meath; if a new Garda station has been discussed to deal with the large increase in population in east County Meath in recent times; her further plans to increase the number of Garda patrol cars in the east County Meath area; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Fergus O’Dowd. [15721/21]

*1282. To ask the Minister for Justice the number of Garda cars and motorcycles attached to the Cavan-Monaghan policing unit as of 15 March 2019, 15 March 2020 and 15 March 2021, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Pauline Tully. [15727/21]

*1283. To ask the Minister for Justice the estimated additional cost if the number of gardaí is increased to 15,500 before the end of June 2022; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Pauline Tully. [15728/21]

*1284. To ask the Minister for Justice her plans to make free psychological supports available to all victims once their court case ends in view of the fact that a range of supports are provided to the

P.T.O 1248 perpetrator in prison (details supplied); if she will consider such supports for victims; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Claire Kerrane. [15739/21]

*1285. To ask the Minister for Justice if her attention has been drawn to issues in relation to interviews caused by Covid-19 within the Probate Office and a delay on cases due to interviews not being conducted; the steps being taken to rectify the matter; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Denise Mitchell. [15776/21]

*1286. To ask the Minister for Justice if she will consider implementing domestic homicide reviews (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Colm Burke. [15783/21]

*1287. To ask the Minister for Justice the status of an appeal by a person (details supplied). — Brendan Howlin. [15786/21]

*1288. To ask the Minister for Justice her plans to implement a wills register for Ireland; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Emer Higgins. [15860/21]

*1289. To ask the Minister for Justice further to Parliamentary Question No. 775 of 17 February 2021, her views on extending the statute of limitations for those persons affected by the CervicalCheck scandal to lodge a High Court case given the complications of both Covid-19 and the delay in establishing the CervicalCheck tribunal; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Holly Cairns. [15902/21]

*1290. To ask the Minister for Justice the total Covid-19-related spend in 2020 by her Department, agency and budget line item; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — David Cullinane. [16272/21]

*1291. To ask the Minister for Justice the payment options available for persons to pay fines, charges or bills by her Department; and if there are plans to provide further online payment facilities. — Emer Higgins. [16291/21]

Chun an Aire Sláinte: To the Minister for Health.

*1292. To ask the Minister for Health if volunteers carrying out duties for an organisation (details supplied) are required to be vetted for Garda clearance prior to taking up their volunteering role. — Duncan Smith. [15348/21]

*1293. To ask the Minister for Health if socially distanced religious services will resume for Easter week. — Robert Troy. [15513/21]

*1294. To ask the Minister for Health if he will advise on obtaining a suitable assessment for a person (details supplied) in order that an educational pathway can be formulated for their future needs. — Aengus Ó Snodaigh. [15525/21]

*1295. To ask the Minister for Health if he will amend the Misuse of Drugs Act 1977 to address the lacuna in the law with respect to the growth of industrial hemp; if he has or will initiate a dialogue with the Ministers for Agriculture, Food and the Marine and Finance in the context of industrial hemp given it is a carbon sink and sequesters carbon dioxide in addition to producing a strong economic return for growers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Catherine Murphy. [15825/21] 1249

*1296. To ask the Minister for Health the timeline for and details of the scheduled review of the Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Act 2018; the way in which he plans to collect evidence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — David Cullinane. [16269/21]

*1297. To ask the Minister for Health if he will address concerns raised by SNAs in relation to their current position on the vaccine roll-out list (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Fergus O’Dowd. [13867/21]

*1298. To ask the Minister for Health if consideration is being given to increasing funding to services that treat persons with eating disorders; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Denise Mitchell. [13870/21]

*1299. To ask the Minister for Health if South Tipperary General Hospital is to lose ten of its current 19 intern doctors; if he will consider reversing the decision; his views on the way the failure to employ graduating doctors will lead to forced emigration; his views on the impact this will have on the health service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Martin Browne. [13878/21]

*1300. To ask the Minister for Health the position of persons with ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease in the vaccine priority list; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Darren O’Rourke. [13879/21]

*1301. To ask the Minister for Health the estimated date those in priority group 7 will begin to receive Covid-19 vaccinations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Darren O’Rourke. [13880/21]

*1302. To ask the Minister for Health if he will extend the arrangement piloted in 2020 by which additional intern positions for newly qualified doctors were created in the public hospital system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Cathal Crowe. [13885/21]

*1303. To ask the Minister for Health if he will respond to reports regarding the loss of newly qualified doctors in counties Clare and Limerick (details supplied); if this decision will be reversed in order to enable these doctors to stay and continue to serve in the health service here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Joe Carey. [13886/21]

*1304. To ask the Minister for Health when an assessment date for a primary medical certificate will issue for a person (details supplied). — David Cullinane. [13887/21]

*1305. To ask the Minister for Health if he will respond to matters raised in correspondence by a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Niall Collins. [13889/21]

*1306. To ask the Minister for Health the steps persons should take in cases in which they have a BMI above 40 and are included in the new cohort 4 but are not registered with a consultant or health team; the way such a person can ensure that they are registered for a vaccine if cohort 4 is advised that they will be contacted directly (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Fergus O’Dowd. [13894/21]

*1307. To ask the Minister for Health the status of a primary medical certificate application in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cork. — Sean Sherlock. [13910/21]

P.T.O 1250

*1308. To ask the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact that only a very limited number of intern jobs are available for medical students who have studied in Ireland; his plans to increase the number of intern positions available to help with understaffing of the health system; his views on whether such an increase in intern places would prevent newly qualified doctors from leaving to find work elsewhere; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — John Lahart. [13912/21]

*1309. To ask the Minister for Health his plans to increase funding for the treatment for eating disorders; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Neale Richmond. [13913/21]

*1310. To ask the Minister for Health the number of treatment spaces nationwide for treating eating disorders; his views on whether this is an appropriate amount; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Neale Richmond. [13914/21]

*1311. To ask the Minister for Health the length of the waiting list for treatment for an eating disorder; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Neale Richmond. [13915/21]

*1312. To ask the Minister for Health the reason he does not plan to ensure that all medical students in Ireland will receive an intern position upon graduation as was the case for the 2020 graduating class; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Neale Richmond. [13917/21]

*1313. To ask the Minister for Health the steps he will take to tackle the shortage of doctors in Ireland especially outside Dublin; his views on whether offering an intern position to all graduating medical students as was done in 2020 would help to alleviate this shortage; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Neale Richmond. [13918/21]

*1314. To ask the Minister for Health if CHO8 sought the assistance of the Defence Forces in supporting nursing homes in the region at any point in 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Ged Nash. [13919/21]

*1315. To ask the Minister for Health if the HSE CHO8 will report on the number of FOI requests in cases in which a charge of €200 or more was estimated for the provision of items before appeal in the past 12 months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Ged Nash. [13920/21]

*1316. To ask the Minister for Health the reports on deaths and Covid-19 outbreaks HIQA requires from nursing home providers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Ged Nash. [13921/21]

*1317. To ask the Minister for Health the methodology, evidence, depth and expertise required in reports on deaths and Covid-19 outbreaks HIQA require from nursing home providers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Ged Nash. [13922/21]

*1318. To ask the Minister for Health if HIQA require only the view and opinion of the providers and not that of independent experts in the reports on Covid-19 outbreaks and deaths in facilities requested from nursing home providers; if HIQA also seek alternative independent opinions on the causes of outbreaks and deaths in nursing homes; if not, if it solely accepts the reports of the providers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Ged Nash. [13923/21]

*1319. To ask the Minister for Health his views on whether in-house reports on Covid-19 outbreaks and deaths created solely by the nursing home management are adequate to report on, 1251 address concerns and ensure learning about outbreaks of Covid-19 and the deaths and infection of residents; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Ged Nash. [13924/21]

*1320. To ask the Minister for Health if it is the policy of HIQA that no inquiry, investigation or examination is needed into any deaths in any nursing home as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Ged Nash. [13925/21]

*1321. To ask the Minister for Health if the CEO and Chief Inspector of HIQA have met with the families of any of those who died in nursing homes during the Covid-19 pandemic; if they are willing to do so; if not, the reason this is the case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Ged Nash. [13926/21]

*1322. To ask the Minister for Health the circumstances that are required to be met when HIQA request weekly and regular reporting from nursing home and care facilities on the state of residents including on issues such as weight and the prevalence of bedsores; the number of times such procedures in place and used in 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Ged Nash. [13927/21]

*1323. To ask the Minister for Health his views on the call for independent, human rights focused inspections in nursing homes as suggested by organisations (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Ged Nash. [13928/21]

*1324. To ask the Minister for Health if advice will be provided on a matter raised in correspondence (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. — David Cullinane. [13936/21]

*1325. To ask the Minister for Health if there will be a change in the vaccination programme regarding vaccination of persons who have been infected with and recovered from Covid-19 in view of the report by the Health Information and Quality Authority on post-Covid-19 infection immunity; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Michael McNamara. [13939/21]

*1326. To ask the Minister for Health when patients with inflammatory bowel disease will be called for vaccination against Covid-19; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Bernard J. Durkan. [13944/21]

*1327. To ask the Minister for Health the average and median ambulance waiting times in each of the years 2018 to 2020, by county in tabular form. — Mairéad Farrell. [13945/21]

*1328. To ask the Minister for Health the findings of the 2019 review on the governance structures in relation to the HSE drug reimbursement process by a company (details supplied); if he will publish the review in full; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — David Cullinane. [13947/21]

*1329. To ask the Minister for Health if a review of the terms of reference for the HSE rare diseases technology review committee is scheduled; if it will consider moving its process to earlier in the reimbursement pathway for medicines for rare diseases; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — David Cullinane. [13948/21]

*1330. To ask the Minister for Health the status of the work of the national screening advisory committee regarding its consideration of expanding the national newborn bloodspot screening programme to test for more rare diseases; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — David Cullinane. [13949/21]

P.T.O 1252

*1331. To ask the Minister for Health when an appointment with a psychologist will be arranged in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Bernard J. Durkan. [13950/21]

*1332. To ask the Minister for Health if the vaccination priority of a vulnerable group (details supplied) will be reviewed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Brendan Griffin. [13956/21]

*1333. To ask the Minister for Health if the recent report of the Health Information and Quality Authority which found that that the third wave of the Covid-19 pandemic started on 22 November 2020 during the second lockdown, which lasted until 1 December 2020, undermines his confidence in the efficacy of lockdowns as a means of combatting Covid-19. — Michael McNamara. [13958/21]

*1334. To ask the Minister for Health the additional steps that have been taken to help front-line drug services cope with the additional challenges that Covid-19 and Covid-19 lockdowns have had on drug treatment services and the increased mental health difficulties many of the clients attending or linking in with those services have in the past year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Aengus Ó Snodaigh. [13960/21]

*1335. To ask the Minister for Health if the HSE will donate a small portion of land in its ownership (details supplied) to allow for the expansion of a school in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Brendan Griffin. [13964/21]

*1336. To ask the Minister for Health the timeline on the full implementation of the HSE National Clinical Programme for Eating Disorders; if his attention has been drawn to reports that three years into the programme just three of the 16 promised hubs with specialist teams are operational across the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Catherine Connolly. [13971/21]

*1337. To ask the Minister for Health the number of front-line healthcare workers in group two of the vaccine allowance programme; the number of healthcare workers in group six of the vaccine allocation programme; the number of each group that have received their vaccine to date; the reason healthcare workers in group six that are receiving the vaccine ahead of those in groups three to five; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Noel Grealish. [13975/21]

*1338. To ask the Minister for Health if he will meet with an association (details supplied) to discuss its ongoing issues of concern; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Jim O’Callaghan. [13982/21]

*1339. To ask the Minister for Health if he will reverse the proposed cut from 28 to 12 intern doctors in University Hospital Kerry in July 2021 (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Brendan Griffin. [13983/21]

*1340. To ask the Minister for Health the funding provisions that have been made for eating disorder services in 2021; if promised funding for eating disorder services has been utilised to provide support to those with eating disorders; the breakdown of eating disorder funding use per month from March 2020, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Claire Kerrane. [13985/21]

*1341. To ask the Minister for Health the number of persons working on genome sequencing of Covid-19 variations in the HSE to date; the way in which Ireland compares to other EU countries; 1253 if he is satisfied that this number is sufficient; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Paul McAuliffe. [13987/21]

*1342. To ask the Minister for Health if he will address concerns with respect to the education, training and retention of student radiographers (details supplied); if he will accede to a request for a meeting with student radiographer representatives; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Carol Nolan. [13988/21]

*1343. To ask the Minister for Health his plans to provide free psychological support for victims of institutional abuse following the court case being finalised (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Seán Canney. [13991/21]

*1344. To ask the Minister for Health if he will implement the recommendations made in the review of hospital car park charges which he received in November 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Seán Haughey. [13992/21]

*1345. To ask the Minister for Health when those who fall into cohort 4 of the vaccine roll-out can expect to receive notification and administration of their Covid-19 vaccine from their general practitioner or their consultant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Neale Richmond. [13993/21]

*1346. To ask the Minister for Health if he will support the development of standardised allowances, placement grants and payment for work carried out by radiography students; if he will meet with representatives of student radiographers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Mick Barry. [13999/21]

*1347. To ask the Minister for Health the vaccine category a person (details supplied) falls into; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Niall Collins. [14013/21]

*1348. To ask the Minister for Health the current status of the Assisted Human Reproduction Bill 2019; the provision being made within the Bill for those receiving income support to access assisted human reproduction; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Emer Higgins. [14014/21]

*1349. To ask the Minister for Health if he will prioritise pregnant women on the vaccine sequencing plan in view of a number of recent stillbirths which may have been related to Covid-19 and in line with the call from the master of the Rotunda Hospital, Dublin (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Pauline Tully. [14017/21]

*1350. To ask the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to a matter raised in correspondence by a person (details supplied) in relation to protests outside a hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Niall Collins. [14024/21]

*1351. To ask the Minister for Health if he will respond to a matter raised in correspondence by a person (details supplied) in relation to intern doctors; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Niall Collins. [14027/21]

*1352. To ask the Minister for Health the position regarding a matter affecting a school (details supplied) in Dublin 11; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Róisín Shortall. [14030/21]

P.T.O 1254

*1353. To ask the Minister for Health the point in the vaccination programme SNAs will receive their vaccination; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Marian Harkin. [14032/21]

*1354. To ask the Minister for Health if there are plans to include radiographers and radiation therapists on the list of professions in SI 698 of 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Marian Harkin. [14033/21]

*1355. To ask the Minister for Health the details of engagements to date on work regarding the legislative ban on conversion therapy as committed to in the Programme for Government; the timeline for commencement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Ruairí Ó Murchú. [14040/21]

*1356. To ask the Minister for Health if consideration is being given to the development of allowances to support radiography students through their placements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Ruairí Ó Murchú. [14041/21]

*1357. To ask the Minister for Health if his Department or HIQA have examined the possibly introducing ivermecton as a possible Covid-19 treatment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Matt Shanahan. [14047/21]

*1358. To ask the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to issues in relation to students radiographers (details supplied); his plans to standardise allowances, placement grants and payment for work carried out; if he will meet with representatives of the group to discuss the challenges being faced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Matt Shanahan. [14048/21]

*1359. To ask the Minister for Health the steps he is prepared to take to rectify a matter in relation to non-consultant hospital doctors (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Matt Shanahan. [14049/21]

*1360. To ask the Minister for Health if he has taken steps to review and recommend antigen testing to screen test pupils in schools (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Matt Shanahan. [14050/21]

*1361. To ask the Minister for Health the healthcare staff-to-patient ratio at Drogheda Hospital; the recommended healthcare staff-to-patient ratio for the hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Matt Carthy. [14051/21]

*1362. To ask the Minister for Health if volunteers working with community programmes such as meals on wheels will be considered for prioritisation in the Covid-19 vaccination roll-out; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Matt Carthy. [14052/21]

*1363. To ask the Minister for Health the position of approved driving instructors and driver testers on the current vaccination priority list; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Darren O’Rourke. [14059/21]

*1364. To ask the Minister for Health if third-party campaigning groups lobbied him or his Department to establish telemedicine abortions; if so, the organisations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Carol Nolan. [14061/21] 1255

*1365. To ask the Minister for Health the total and individual amounts paid to third-party organisations to provide training and ongoing support for doctors and healthcare workers providing termination of pregnancy services; the relevant organisations in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Carol Nolan. [14062/21]

*1366. To ask the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 818 of 3 March 2021, the details of contracts of €25,000 or more that have been awarded by bodies under the aegis of his Department (details supplied) that were found to be non-compliant with procurement guidelines in each of the years 2018 to 2020 and to date in 2021; the value and nature of the contract work carried out in each case; the year of each contract in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Mairéad Farrell. [14065/21]

*1367. To ask the Minister for Health when his Department will revise the guidelines on visits to nursing homes in view of the Covid-19 vaccine roll-out; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Verona Murphy. [14068/21]

*1368. To ask the Minister for Health the way in which the Covid-19 vaccine will be administered to persons in the highly vulnerable and high risk cohort in view of the communications to general practitioner practices recently detailing that the HSE would be taking responsibility for the administration of the vaccine to that cohort; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Verona Murphy. [14069/21]

*1369. To ask the Minister for Health if he will report on the outcome of his meeting with a person (details supplied) on 18 December 2020 in which the funding of medication was raised; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Thomas Pringle. [14070/21]

*1370. To ask the Minister for Health the measures being put in place to allow patients using medication from a company (details supplied) the same security following his announcement that medication under the compassionate access programme will in future be funded at source for patients; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Thomas Pringle. [14071/21]

*1371. To ask the Minister for Health if he will direct that measures be put in place that patients using a medication from a company (details supplied) are funded at source in the same way as patients prescribed medical cannabis under the compassionate access programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Thomas Pringle. [14072/21]

*1372. To ask the Minister for Health the percentage of births that were by caesarean section in each hospital in each of the past five years, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Alan Kelly. [14075/21]

*1373. To ask the Minister for Health if there are hospitals which have a significantly higher rate of caesarean section deliveries than the national average; and if so, the steps the HSE or HIQA are conducting to ascertain the reason for this. — Alan Kelly. [14076/21]

*1374. To ask the Minister for Health the amount spent on structural, capital and administrative areas relating to the roll-out of termination of pregnancy services; and the breakdown for each area. — Peadar Tóibín. [14077/21]

*1375. To ask the Minister for Health the amount paid to healthcare professionals in hospital settings in 2019 and 2020 for providing termination of pregnancy services; the amount paid to doctors in general practitioner community settings for the same service during the same period by

P.T.O 1256 year and category; and the breakdown of the payments by region, for example, the greater Dublin area, the rest of Leinster, , Ulster and Munster. — Peadar Tóibín. [14078/21]

*1376. To ask the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 651 of 3 February 2021, if further details will be provided to the HSE reply on the issue of post-abortion counselling, including a breakdown on the way the €1.8 million for post-abortion counselling was spent; the number of counsellors paid for providing this service; the third-party groups involved; and the training course and programme that is followed when providing post-abortion counselling. — Peadar Tóibín. [14079/21]

*1377. To ask the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 651 of 3 February 2021, if further clarity will be provided in relation to figures (details supplied), if the two figures represent the amount spent on the provision of services during 2018, 2019 and 2020 under the Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Act 2018; and the amount for this three-year period by the way the funds were spent. — Peadar Tóibín. [14080/21]

*1378. To ask the Minister for Health the details of plans to work through the backlog of cancer diagnostics work that has been on hold due to Covid-19; the amount of additional resourcing dedicated to this area in Budget 2021; and the exact processes that have restarted in terms of procedures used to diagnose cancer. — Joe O’Brien. [14083/21]

*1379. To ask the Minister for Health when retail workers and supermarket workers will be vaccinated; if they will be considered as part of the key worker category; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Niall Collins. [14084/21]

*1380. To ask the Minister for Health if the HSE plans to cut in half positions for newly qualified doctors in University of Limerick with the hospital set to lose 44 of its current 89 intern doctors in July 2021; his views on this proposal by the HSE; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Willie O’Dea. [14089/21]

*1381. To ask the Minister for Health the measures that are being put in place for the healthcare of transgender young persons in Ireland with the exit of the UK-based Tavistock clinic from Crumlin Children’s Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Colm Burke. [14093/21]

*1382. To ask the Minister for Health when the multidisciplinary team will be in place as per the HSE Final Report of the Steering Committee on the Development of HSE Transgender Identity Services, February 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Colm Burke. [14094/21]

*1383. To ask the Minister for Health the resources that have been made available in order that the HSE service development model of care is implemented and accessible to support transgender young persons to include the provision of appropriate mental health services at primary and specialist services in line with Objective 13 of the LGBTI+ National Youth Strategy to improve the physical and mental health of transgender young persons; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Colm Burke. [14095/21]

*1384. To ask the Minister for Health if a policy has been developed to ensure all health programmes take account of young persons who have transitioned, for example, immunisation programmes HPV in line with WPATH or other appropriate professional transgender health guidelines, in line with Objective 13 of the LGBTI+ National Youth Strategy to improve the physical and mental health of transgender young persons; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Colm Burke. [14096/21] 1257

*1385. To ask the Minister for Health if clear guidelines have been furnished to health practitioners on referral pathways for transgender young persons and their families to specialised services in line with Objective 13 of the LGBTI+ National Youth Strategy to improve the physical and mental health of transgender young persons; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Colm Burke. [14097/21]

*1386. To ask the Minister for Health the work that has been undertaken with parents and young people seeking to access healthcare outside the State under the provisions of the Cross Border Directive and treatment abroad scheme to ensure the available options for access to care are communicated effectively, in line with Objective 13 of the LGBTI+ National Youth Strategy to improve the physical and mental health of transgender young persons; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Colm Burke. [14098/21]

*1387. To ask the Minister for Health the additional specialised staff that have been recruited in this area including endocrinologists, social workers, speech and language therapists, senior psychologists, clinical nurse specialists and administrative support officers, in line with action 19.1 of the National LGBTI+ Inclusion Strategy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Colm Burke. [14099/21]

*1388. To ask the Minister for Health the steps that have been taken to develop transgender health services for children and adults in Ireland with a clear transition pathway from child to adult services, in line with action 19.2 of the National LGBTI+ Inclusion Strategy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Colm Burke. [14100/21]

*1389. To ask the Minister for Health the number of persons waiting for periods of time (details supplied) for access to residential rehabilitation or detoxification treatment from March 2019 to date. — Thomas Gould. [14107/21]

*1390. To ask the Minister for Health the planned reopening date for Southdoc Blackpool, County Cork. — Thomas Gould. [14108/21]

*1391. To ask the Minister for Health the number of out-of-hours doctors facilities closed in Dublin, Limerick or Galway from March 2020 to date; and the date for reopening of same. — Thomas Gould. [14109/21]

*1392. To ask the Minister for Health if the clinical lead appointed to the HSE dual diagnosis programme has commenced in the role. — Thomas Gould. [14110/21]

*1393. To ask the Minister for Health the status of the investigation by the Minister for State with Responsibility for the National Drugs Strategy into the possibility of abolishing assessment fees for rehabilitation treatment. — Thomas Gould. [14111/21]

*1394. To ask the Minister for Health if vaccinations will be completed in each cohort before moving onto the next excluding the cohort of over 75s given the clinical decision that such persons cannot receive a particular vaccine (details supplied). — Thomas Gould. [14116/21]

*1395. To ask the Minister for Health if he has continued conversation with a person (details supplied); and the status of the inclusion of the products of a company in the medical cannabis access programme. — Thomas Gould. [14117/21]

P.T.O 1258

*1396. To ask the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact that Tevere Day Hospital, County Limerick is seeing no new patients except for emergencies and no review patients in addition to cancelling occupational therapy, social work, phlebotomy and psychology services; his views on the situation; the steps he will take to rectify the situation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Willie O’Dea. [14120/21]

*1397. To ask the Minister for Health the number of dentists in County Tipperary participating in the dental medical card scheme; and his plans to address the number of dentists leaving the scheme which has left medical card patients in many areas with no access to dental treatment. — Martin Browne. [14122/21]

*1398. To ask the Minister for Health his plans to address the inflated running costs for dental practices which are a significant factor in forcing many dentists out of the medical card scheme. — Martin Browne. [14123/21]

*1399. To ask the Minister for Health his plans to review the dental medical card scheme in the lifetime of the 33rd Dáil. — Martin Browne. [14124/21]

*1400. To ask the Minister for Health if retail staff in health stores who provide health advice to customers on a personal basis and have remained open throughout the pandemic will be considered essential workers under the vaccination schedule; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Willie O’Dea. [14125/21]

*1401. To ask the Minister for Health if Covid-19 vaccination priority strategy level 2 includes members of the dental team; the measures implemented to ensure that all patient facing workers in dental practices have been vaccinated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Matt Carthy. [14130/21]

*1402. To ask the Minister for Health the number of personnel from dental practices that have received their first and second vaccination for Covid-19 as of 9 March 2021, by county in tabular form; the estimated number by each county that have yet to receive a vaccination; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Matt Carthy. [14131/21]

*1403. To ask the Minister for Health if he will provide details on lasting service improvements particularly with regard to recruitment, retention and waiting lists resulting from the CAMHS enhancement project across teams served and each discipline in CHO4 since it commenced in 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Pádraig O’Sullivan. [14132/21]

*1404. To ask the Minister for Health if he has considered making NPHET meetings public given his views that it is imperative that there is a full and accurate account of each meeting; if so, when this will be implemented; if not, the statutory reason for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Michael Ring. [14133/21]

*1405. To ask the Minister for Health if he has considered broadcasting NPHET meetings (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Michael Ring. [14135/21]

*1406. To ask the Minister for Health if the details of NPHET’s secretariat minute-taking process will be provided, specifically the procedural steps in line with best practice in order to ensure factual accuracy and representation of discussions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Michael Ring. [14136/21] 1259

*1407. To ask the Minister for Health if he has considered providing additional resources to the secretariat of NPHET given the drafting process of minute-taking takes time and cannot be dispensed with in the interest of ensuring quality and accuracy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Michael Ring. [14137/21]

*1408. To ask the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 733 of 3 March 2021, if further clarity will be provided in relation to the publishing of NPHET minutes; if a rolling schedule means that the minutes will be available weekly Monday to Friday; if not, if minutes will be released on Saturday and Sunday as is common for rolling schedules; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Michael Ring. [14138/21]

*1409. To ask the Minister for Health the current waiting times for children for speech and language therapy by CHO in tabular form; and the length of time each age group is waiting. — Sean Sherlock. [14144/21]

*1410. To ask the Minister for Health the current waiting times for children for audiology therapy by CHO in tabular form; and the length of time each age group is waiting. — Sean Sherlock. [14145/21]

*1411. To ask the Minister for Health the current waiting times for children for occupational therapy by CHO in tabular form; and the length of time each age group is waiting. — Sean Sherlock. [14146/21]

*1412. To ask the Minister for Health the current waiting times for children for assessment of needs by CHO in tabular form; and the length of time each age group is waiting. — Sean Sherlock. [14147/21]

*1413. To ask the Minister for Health the waiting times for children for ophthalmology assessment and intervention by CHO in tabular form; and the length of time each age group is waiting. — Sean Sherlock. [14148/21]

*1414. To ask the Minister for Health the waiting times for children for dietetics assessment and intervention by CHO in tabular form; and the length of time each age group is waiting. — Sean Sherlock. [14149/21]

*1415. To ask the Minister for Health the waiting times for children for psychology assessment and intervention by CHO in tabular form; and the length of time each age group is waiting. — Sean Sherlock. [14150/21]

*1416. To ask the Minister for Health the waiting times for children for physiotherapy assessment and intervention by CHO in tabular form; and the length of time each age group is waiting. — Sean Sherlock. [14151/21]

*1417. To ask the Minister for Health the number of speech and language therapists that have been vaccinated by CHO in tabular form. — Sean Sherlock. [14152/21]

*1418. To ask the Minister for Health the number of in-person assessments for children requiring speech and language therapy undertaken since January 2021, by CHO area in tabular form. — Sean Sherlock. [14153/21]

P.T.O 1260

*1419. To ask the Minister for Health the process by which a person (detailed supplied) can obtain records. — Mark Ward. [14155/21]

*1420. To ask the Minister for Health the number of persons employed on the MyOptions helpline; the process by which persons were recruited; the qualifications needed to work on the helpline; and the body and or group which provides the training. — Mattie McGrath. [14163/21]

*1421. To ask the Minister for Health the number of pregnant women the MyOptions helpline engaged with via webchat in 2019 and 2020; and the number that subsequently opted for an abortion following their webchat contact. — Mattie McGrath. [14164/21]

*1422. To ask the Minister for Health the number of abortions that took place in 2019 after 20 weeks gestation under the Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Act 2018. — Mattie McGrath. [14165/21]

*1423. To ask the Minister for Health the current position of the Irish Coast Guard with regard to the Covid-19 vaccine roll-out; when this cohort can expect to receive the vaccine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Johnny Mythen. [14167/21]

*1424. To ask the Minister for Health if he will clarify the situation in which persons in the vulnerable and high risk category for vaccine roll-out are being instructed by the HSE not to contact their general practitioners but to instead wait to hear from their hospital consultants (details supplied). — Peadar Tóibín. [14176/21]

*1425. To ask the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the management of the Midland Regional Hospital, Mullingar are advising staff that have not been vaccinated for Covid-19 that they should not attend the reopened canteen in the hospital despite the fact that vaccine is not mandatory; his views on whether staff are being discriminated against; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Michael Fitzmaurice. [14177/21]

*1426. To ask the Minister for Health if arrangements are in place for patients of a general practitioner that retires or is struck off (details supplied) to ensure continuity of care is provided; the role the HSE has in ensuring general practitioner cover; if medical card patients are treated differently; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Catherine Murphy. [14182/21]

*1427. To ask the Minister for Health the provisions for the vaccine roll-out in relation to high risk persons with Down syndrome that live at home with family members and are not accessing day services given concerns that they could possibly be overlooked it is important that they are vaccinated under the revised prioritisation. — Joe Flaherty. [14184/21]

*1428. To ask the Minister for Health if there are plans to prioritise private sector special needs education workers in the vaccine roll-out given that they are providing an invaluable service to families and in view of the fact colleagues in the HSE have already been vaccinated. — Joe Flaherty. [14185/21]

*1429. To ask the Minister for Health if he will meet with representatives of students radiographers (details supplied) to allow same to put forward a request for the development of standardised allowances, placement grants and payment for work carried out while on student placement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Michael Lowry. [14187/21] 1261

*1430. To ask the Minister for Health when persons in their 70s with chronic diseases, for example diabetes, COPD and those in that age group recovering from lymphoma will be vaccinated; when their general practitioners will be informed of the plan for their vaccination; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Réada Cronin. [14194/21]

*1431. To ask the Minister for Health when persons living with irritable bowel disease and taking the immunosuppressant adalimumab will be vaccinated against Covid-19; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Réada Cronin. [14195/21]

*1432. To ask the Minister for Health if persons transiting through an airport in a category 2 country, for example, transiting through Dubai International Airport in the UAE, will be required to quarantine in a hotel on their arrival; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Darren O’Rourke. [14197/21]

*1433. To ask the Minister for Health the areas in which he plans to utilise the €20 million additional funding for mental health services announced in February 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Paul Kehoe. [14198/21]

*1434. To ask the Minister for Health the cost of treating hypertension and high blood pressure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Louise O’Reilly. [14200/21]

*1435. To ask the Minister for Health the cost of the operation of the State’s agreement with private hospitals which ran from the beginning of April to the end of June 2020; and the amount paid to each participating private hospital under the agreement for each of the three months in tabular form. — Jim O’Callaghan. [14206/21]

*1436. To ask the Minister for Health if it will be ensured that a supply of the Covid-19 vaccine is ring-fenced for those over 80 years of age with underlying conditions who are facing long-term hospital stays, for example, cancer patients; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Cathal Crowe. [14208/21]

*1437. To ask the Minister for Health if he will address concerns raised by a person (details supplied) in respect of their network first payment which has been abruptly ended; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Fergus O’Dowd. [14214/21]

*1438. To ask the Minister for Health the pay entitlement for a HSE worker who is out of work as a close contact of a positive Covid-19 case but whose work cannot be done remotely; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Paul Kehoe. [14217/21]

*1439. To ask the Minister for Health if cataract procedures under the Cross-Border Directive can continue under level 5 Covid-19 restrictions. — Thomas Gould. [14218/21]

*1440. To ask the Minister for Health the numbers of staff within each grade position within the Cavan Monaghan hospital group that have received vaccinations for Covid-19 as of 9 March 2021; the number within each grade that have yet to be vaccinated in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Matt Carthy. [14225/21]

*1441. To ask the Minister for Health the number of administrative and management staff at each grade in the Cavan Monaghan hospital group; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Matt Carthy. [14226/21]

P.T.O 1262

*1442. To ask the Minister for Health his plans to ensure each graduating doctor from the six Irish medical schools in 2021 is given the chance to stay and work in Ireland; the way in which he plans to retain the 16 newly qualified doctors currently working at Mayo University Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Alan Dillon. [14238/21]

*1443. To ask the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 295 of 18 February 2021, the number of in-person or virtual meetings he has had with persons who identified themselves as either women affected by the CervicalCheck scandal or family members of such women. — Peadar Tóibín. [14243/21]

*1444. To ask the Minister for Health if he spoke to or engaged in correspondence with either the HSE, CervicalCheck, the Taoiseach or the Department of the Taoiseach in relation to a matter regarding CervicalCheck raised in Dáil Éireann by this Deputy during Leaders Questions on 8 December 2020; and if he will provide detail regarding those engagements or instances of correspondence. — Peadar Tóibín. [14244/21]

*1445. To ask the Minister for Health the position regarding the national cervical screening laboratory which was due to commence construction in January 2021; if delays in construction have been encountered; when the laboratory will open; if he plans to cease the outsourcing of CervicalCheck smears and slides to foreign laboratories when the new laboratory is opened; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Peadar Tóibín. [14245/21]

*1446. To ask the Minister for Health the additional supports being considered for implementation in respect of nursing home staff, surviving residents and relatives of residents who died from Covid-19 who will require psychological help after the trauma of the pandemic given the recent press release from HIQA in relation to same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Fergus O’Dowd. [14248/21]

*1447. To ask the Minister for Health if he will provide a full list of the contracts entered into for the purchase of PPE and medical equipment purchased as part of the Covid-19 response in 2020; the amount spent; the contracting companies that the HSE bought the PPE through; if any of this PPE was unused; if so, if it is currently in storage; the amount being spent on storage; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Gino Kenny. [14254/21]

*1448. To ask the Minister for Health when persons with bullous emphysema stage three can expect to be vaccinated against Covid-19; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Réada Cronin. [14256/21]

*1449. To ask the Minister for Health the instruction that has issued to general practitioners and specialists as to which group decides the severity of disease for vaccination classification given that some patients are being referred by general practitioners to specialists and from those specialists back again to general practitioners in the pursuit of such classification of severity and consequent vaccination placement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Réada Cronin. [14257/21]

*1450. To ask the Minister for Health the reason a medical practice (details supplied) has not received a supply of Covid-19 vaccine despite ordering same; when it will receive such a supply; if the practice will receive sufficient supplies to vaccinate all the over 70 year old cohort and those on the medical priority list under that age with a first vaccine immediately; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Éamon Ó Cuív. [14259/21] 1263

*1451. To ask the Minister for Health if he will outline the NPHET advice for approved driving instructors; and if approved driving instructors are being considered in the same category as Road Safety Authority testers for the vaccine roll-out. — Louise O’Reilly. [14275/21]

*1452. To ask the Minister for Health the percentage of the adult population by county who are not registered with a general practitioner. — Alan Kelly. [14276/21]

*1453. To ask the Minister for Health if he will address issues in the roll-out of vaccines to dental practice staff as a matter of urgency; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that employees in many practices signed up to the portal more than three weeks ago and have not had communication since (details supplied); and the actions being taken to ensure this cohort of front-line healthcare workers are vaccinated without further delay. — Robert Troy. [14277/21]

*1454. To ask the Minister for Health the date for publication of the mid-term review of the National Drugs Strategy. — Thomas Gould. [14280/21]

*1455. To ask the Minister for Health the status of the mid-term review of the National Drugs Strategy. — Thomas Gould. [14281/21]

*1456. To ask the Minister for Health if he will publish the analysis of supports available to service users by the Drug Related Intimidation Training Coordinator. — Thomas Gould. [14282/21]

*1457. To ask the Minister for Health if he will publish the analysis of the prevalence of drug related intimidation as conducted under the DRIVE programme. — Thomas Gould. [14283/21]

*1458. To ask the Minister for Health the average wait time by facilities for residential rehabilitation or detoxification treatment in March 2020 and 2021, in tabular form. — Thomas Gould. [14284/21]

*1459. To ask the Minister for Health the spend on CAMHS in 2020; and the proportion of the mental health budget that this represented. — Neasa Hourigan. [14287/21]

*1460. To ask the Minister for Health if the status will be reviewed of day centres for older persons and persons living with dementia (details supplied) given the majority of staff and clients have been or are about to be vaccinated; when a plan to reopen these centres will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Cormac Devlin. [14296/21]

*1461. To ask the Minister for Health the status of an appointment for a child (details supplied); the position of the child on the orthodontist waiting list at Loughlinstown Hospital, County Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Cormac Devlin. [14297/21]

*1462. To ask the Minister for Health the practical and financial supports provided by his Department to the organisations engaged in and promoting the Eating Disorders Awareness Week; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Cormac Devlin. [14298/21]

*1463. To ask the Minister for Health the number of the 16 specialist hubs nationwide which were to be opened between 2018-2023 that are fully operational with specialist multidisciplinary teams of clinicians; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Cormac Devlin. [14299/21]

*1464. To ask the Minister for Health the way the valuation of property is assessed in respect of the nursing home subvention scheme in cases in which the house in question was legally disposed of four years ago; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Éamon Ó Cuív. [14302/21]

P.T.O 1264

*1465. To ask the Minister for Health his plans to renew the policy of offering all eligible Irish trained graduates newly qualified doctors an interim post in 2021 (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Maurice Quinlivan. [14303/21]

*1466. To ask the Minister for Health if he plans to add cariban, xonvea and navalem to the approved drugs list under the drugs payment scheme; and the treatments available under the drugs payment scheme to treat hyperemesis gravidarum. — Eoin Ó Broin. [14304/21]

*1467. To ask the Minister for Health when social distanced visits to nursing homes will be resumed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Holly Cairns. [14334/21]

*1468. To ask the Minister for Health the steps he is taking to provide general practitioners and community social workers with specialised training in responding to the survivors and victims of domestic abuse and sexual violence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Holly Cairns. [14335/21]

*1469. To ask the Minister for Health the steps he is taking to address the high cost of long-acting contraception which is even more challenging to overcome economic uncertainty and limited freedom of movement during the Covid-19 pandemic; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Holly Cairns. [14336/21]

*1470. To ask the Minister for Health if responsibilities and functions for disability services remain under his remit; if not, if these have been transferred to the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth; if these services are to be transferred, when this will occur; if, for budget purposes, disability spending remains under the health vote; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — David Cullinane. [14343/21]

*1471. To ask the Minister for Health when the Covid-19 vaccine will be provided to a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Bernard J. Durkan. [14344/21]

*1472. To ask the Minister for Health if the HSE is delivering vaccines on Saturday and Sunday. — Robert Troy. [14348/21]

*1473. To ask the Minister for Health the reason a child (details supplied) is waiting so long for an occupational therapy appointment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Niamh Smyth. [14351/21]

*1474. To ask the Minister for Health the date of the last meeting of the NPHET vulnerable people subgroup. — Thomas Gould. [14352/21]

*1475. To ask the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 84 of 10 February 2021, when a decision will be made by the Saolta University Health Care Group in relation to the application made by Roscommon University Hospital in July 2020 for its revenue funding application for the Roscommon Hospice under construction on the grounds of Roscommon University Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Michael Fitzmaurice. [14353/21]

*1476. To ask the Minister for Health if the various unplanned pregnancy counselling services recognised by the Sexual Health and Crisis Pregnancy Programme and in receipt of State funding are seeing clients face-to-face during the Covid-19 pandemic; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Michael Collins. [14362/21] 1265

*1477. To ask the Minister for Health if a Covid-19 vaccination appointment will be expedited for a person (details supplied). — Robert Troy. [14370/21]

*1478. To ask the Minister for Health the options available for a person (details supplied). — Mark Ward. [14371/21]

*1479. To ask the Minister for Health the reason for reimbursing the cost of the FreeStyle Libre glucose monitoring system for children and young persons with type 1 diabetes while excluding adults; his views on whether while it is welcomed that children and young persons will have access to this important tool in monitoring glucose levels, the significant cost of €120 per month for the monitor is excessive especially for those on low income; if he will consider reimbursing the cost of the glucose monitor for all those with type 1 diabetes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Gino Kenny. [14374/21]

*1480. To ask the Minister for Health the reason a person (details supplied) is waiting so long for an operation; the reason for the series of events since March 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Niamh Smyth. [14375/21]

*1481. To ask the Minister for Health the amount spent on purchases directly attributable to Covid-19 in 2019 and 2020; and the value of purchases found to be below standard. — Mairéad Farrell. [14380/21]

*1482. To ask the Minister for Health the details of medical equipment valued above €25,000 plus VAT procured in 2019 and 2020 which was found to be below standard, disaggregated by procurement competition type in tabular form. — Mairéad Farrell. [14381/21]

*1483. To ask the Minister for Health if the risk profile of Garda work has been evaluated in the context of vaccination priority; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Richard Bruton. [14383/21]

*1484. To ask the Minister for Health if he has taken steps to review access to services for persons with eating disorders given the diversion of funding from that area; if not, if he has considered the establishment of a working group for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Pauline Tully. [14384/21]

*1485. To ask the Minister for Health if he will address a matter (details supplied) in relation to the level of testing in Ireland for Lyme disease; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Michael Healy-Rae. [14385/21]

*1486. To ask the Minister for Health his views on the long waiting times for decisions on primary medical certificates (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Paul McAuliffe. [14389/21]

*1487. To ask the Minister for Health when psychiatric nurses in CHO1 will receive the enhanced nurse pay grade as was agreed following the nurses dispute in 2019; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Martin Kenny. [14391/21]

*1488. To ask the Minister for Health if all employees of a section 38 organisation (details supplied) are covered by the provision in HSE circular 073/2020 in the case that they have contracted Covid-19. — Eoin Ó Broin. [14395/21]

P.T.O 1266

*1489. To ask the Minister for Health if the criteria for upcoming vaccine administration positions will be revised (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. — David Cullinane. [14396/21]

*1490. To ask the Minister for Health when persons who have been vaccinated, for example, nurses will be able to visit elderly relatives in nursing homes in which the residents have also been vaccinated (details supplied). — Robert Troy. [14397/21]

*1491. To ask the Minister for Health the cohort a person with late-stage bullous emphysema falls under within the Covid-19 vaccine roll-out; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — James Lawless. [14401/21]

*1492. To ask the Minister for Health the timeline and the terms of reference for the review of the Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Act 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Neasa Hourigan. [14405/21]

*1493. To ask the Minister for Health the necessary steps to take for an association (details supplied) in order to establish creative arts therapists as designated professionals in the health sector. — Paul Donnelly. [14406/21]

*1494. To ask the Minister for Health when cystic fibrosis patients will receive the Covid-19 vaccines; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Patrick Costello. [14409/21]

*1495. To ask the Minister for Health the breakdown of all Covid 19-related deaths in nursing homes in January and February 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Bríd Smith. [14412/21]

*1496. To ask the Minister for Health the details of the process through which his Department drafts and produces legislation; if his Department outsources the drafting of legislation; if so, the Bills for which the drafting was outsourced since he took office; and the costs associated with the drafting of each Bill. — Peadar Tóibín. [14422/21]

*1497. To ask the Minister for Health if he has given consideration to using the IT system that Teagasc and the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine have that tracks and traces the national herd and records and traces each inoculation to help in the roll-out of the Covid-19 vaccination which could prove to be cost efficient; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Richard Boyd Barrett. [14438/21]

*1498. To ask the Minister for Health if he will consider putting in place additional supports for those with type 1 diabetes to afford the cost of a flash glucose meter in view of the fact that there are substantial costs associated with this equipment which is essential for the management of blood glucose; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Colm Burke. [14440/21]

*1499. To ask the Minister for Health the number of children and adults on the dental appointment waiting list in County Wexford; the average waiting time for appointments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Johnny Mythen. [14444/21]

*1500. To ask the Minister for Health the number of dentists who held contracts for the dental treatment service scheme in County Wexford in 2020; the number of dentists who currently hold a contract for the dental treatment service scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Johnny Mythen. [14445/21] 1267

*1501. To ask the Minister for Health the number of persons who arrived into Ireland without proof of a negative Covid-19 PCR test in January, February and to date in March 2021; the number of sanctions imposed for these breaches; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Darren O’Rourke. [14449/21]

*1502. To ask the Minister for Health the number of arrivals from each category 2 state as listed under regulation 6 of the Health Act 1947 in February and to date in March 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Darren O’Rourke. [14450/21]

*1503. To ask the Minister for Health the reason the largest circulated newspapers that are delivered free to homes in areas (details supplied) are not receiving Government advertising in the form of Covid-19 public health advertising. — Emer Higgins. [14455/21]

*1504. To ask the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to plans by the HSE to cut the number of newly qualified doctors (details supplied) from July 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Michael Ring. [14456/21]

*1505. To ask the Minister for Health the reason a child (details supplied) has been informed that the waiting list for speech and language therapy in their area has increased to 55 months; his views on whether this is an unacceptable wait time; the steps he will take to ensure the provision of the urgent assessment for the child; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Bríd Smith. [14468/21]

*1506. To ask the Minister for Health the progress which the HSE is making in its process for considering the scope and application of long-term residential care visiting restrictions in the context of the framework of restrictive measures, the roll-out of the Covid-19 vaccine and the level of disease in the community as tasked by NPHET; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Malcolm Noonan. [14489/21]

*1507. To ask the Minister for Health if he has considered preparing a bid to host the forthcoming European health emergency preparedness and response authority proposed by the European Commission; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Neale Richmond. [14494/21]

*1508. To ask the Minister for Health if he has engaged with the HSE as to when front-line gardaí can expect to receive their Covid-19 vaccines; the timeline of the roll-out to this group; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Neale Richmond. [14496/21]

*1509. To ask the Minister for Health when gardaí working on the front-line can expect to receive the Covid-19 vaccine; if they will receive the vaccine in their role as essential and key workers; the estimated timeframe for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Neale Richmond. [14497/21]

*1510. To ask the Minister for Health if speech and language and associated therapies will be provided for a child (details supplied). — Sean Sherlock. [14500/21]

*1511. To ask the Minister for Health when pharmacy staff (details supplied) in County Kerry will be vaccinated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Brendan Griffin. [14503/21]

*1512. To ask the Minister for Health the improved provision planned for CAMHS services in counties Louth and Meath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Pádraig O’Sullivan. [14505/21]

P.T.O 1268

*1513. To ask the Minister for Health the number of persons allocated home help and homecare packages by county and or allocated as per each local health office; the amount of funding drawn down in each county for these packages in 2018, 2019 and 2020, respectively in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — David Cullinane. [14510/21]

*1514. To ask the Minister for Health the number of persons on a waiting list for a home help and or homecare package; the average length of wait for these services respectively nationwide; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — David Cullinane. [14511/21]

*1515. To ask the Minister for Health the number of persons waiting for home help and or homecare packages; the average length of time waiting across each local health office; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — David Cullinane. [14512/21]

*1516. To ask the Minister for Health the status of the home first pilot schemes; the location of each; if the schemes are operational; if not, when they will be operational; the nature and operation of these pilot projects; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — David Cullinane. [14513/21]

*1517. To ask the Minister for Health if he has discussed home first policy measures with other Departments such as the Departments of Justice, Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science and Enterprise, Trade and Employment on ways to increase and ensure that Ireland has a sufficient pool of qualified home carers to fulfil the home first policy in respect of homecare in the years ahead; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — David Cullinane. [14514/21]

*1518. To ask the Minister for Health if persons with multiple sclerosis on tysabri natulizmab having a severely compromised immune system due to having MS who were previously considered to be in the high risk category are in the cohort 4 category; if not, the reason; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Darren O’Rourke. [14515/21]

*1519. To ask the Minister for Health if travelling to visit a spouse in another country is considered essential travel and exempt from possible Garda fines. — Thomas Gould. [14532/21]

*1520. To ask the Minister for Health if pharmaceutical companies and or agencies contracted to deliver Covid-19 vaccines have been indemnified with respect to penalties arising from non- delivery or late delivery of vaccine consignments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Carol Nolan. [14536/21]

*1521. To ask the Minister for Health the priority of members of An Garda Síochána on the vaccine roll-out; the criteria used to decide same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Mark Ward. [14537/21]

*1522. To ask the Minister for Health if a person residing in the UK can travel to Ireland to visit their partner and children; if such visits are deemed essential under level 5 restrictions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Jim O’Callaghan. [14543/21]

*1523. To ask the Minister for Health the steps he is taking to address the recruitment challenges that the health service is facing in trying to find suitably qualified staff for the opthalmic service in primary care specifically in the Cork and Kerry region; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Pádraig O’Sullivan. [14551/21] 1269

*1524. To ask the Minister for Health if he has completed his review of the support therapies from early intervention and school age teams; the key conclusions in terms of timely access; if new policy initiatives have been identified; and if different structures or models are under consideration. — Richard Bruton. [14556/21]

*1525. To ask the Minister for Health if consideration has been given to churches reopening over the Easter period. — Claire Kerrane. [14557/21]

*1526. To ask the Minister for Health the services available for adults living with an ADHD diagnosis in CHO6; the improvements planned; when will they be rolled out; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Cormac Devlin. [14568/21]

*1527. To ask the Minister for Health the details of the Progressing Disability Services for Children and Young People project; if it is suitable for persons with severe and profound intellectual disabilities; if so, the evidence to support same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Cormac Devlin. [14572/21]

*1528. To ask the Minister for Health the clinical data that underpins and has been relied upon in the design, roll-out and implementation of the progressive disability services to schools which cater for children with severe and profound intellectual disabilities and complex needs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Cormac Devlin. [14577/21]

*1529. To ask the Minister for Health if a child psychologist experienced with dealing with children with severe and profound intellectual disabilities has signed off on the new progressive disability services model; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Cormac Devlin. [14578/21]

*1530. To ask the Minister for Health if a risk assessment was carried out to identify the risks to children with severe and profound intellectual disabilities and complex needs arising from changing the disability services they receive on site at school to the progressive disability services model and its off-site model of delivery of services; the outcome of any such risk assessment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Cormac Devlin. [14579/21]

*1531. To ask the Minister for Health if the National Disability Authority was consulted or requested to advise on the new progressive disability services model; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Cormac Devlin. [14580/21]

*1532. To ask the Minister for Health the reason the national policy on progressive disability services has been designed at variance with the recommendations contained at pages 48 and 49 of the working reference group document 2009 and international best practice; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Cormac Devlin. [14581/21]

*1533. To ask the Minister for Health when he plans to announce changes to the number that can be permitted at weddings given these events require considerable advance planning (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Thomas Pringle. [14584/21]

*1534. To ask the Minister for Health the amount of notice that will be given regarding the number of persons that will be permitted at weddings during Covid-19 restrictions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Thomas Pringle. [14585/21]

*1535. To ask the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 239 of 18 February 2021, the number of patients discharged home with general practitioner follow up; the number of

P.T.O 1270 patients referred to community psychiatric services of the 1,059 patients referred to psychiatry for assessment in 2020 who had presented to the accident and emergency department in Tallaght Hospital; the number of patients admitted to inpatient services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Mark Ward. [14587/21]

*1536. To ask the Minister for Health if vulnerable persons who are unable to attend a general practitioner or vaccination centre will receive their Covid-19 vaccine at home; if further information will be provided in relation to this process; the way such persons can make arrangements for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Pádraig O’Sullivan. [14589/21]

*1537. To ask the Minister for Health if the case of a person (details supplied) will be examined; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — James Lawless. [14591/21]

*1538. To ask the Minister for Health his views on a statement by an association (details supplied). — Mark Ward. [14594/21]

*1539. To ask the Minister for Health the engagement he has had with the HSE regarding the inclusion of the FreeStyleLibre flash glucose monitoring system on the HSE reimbursement list; the analysis that has been carried out by the HSE into the possible reimbursement of the device; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Catherine Connolly. [14598/21]

*1540. To ask the Minister for Health if he will respond to concerns raised by a member of An Garda Síochána (details supplied) in respect of their current designation in the vaccine roll-out list; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Fergus O’Dowd. [14599/21]

*1541. To ask the Minister for Health if he will address a matter in relation to refunds under and access to a scheme (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Michael Healy-Rae. [14602/21]

*1542. To ask the Minister for Health if the European health insurance card can be used in relation to the Covid-19 vaccine roll-out if a person resident here does not have a PPS number; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Cian O’Callaghan. [14604/21]

*1543. To ask the Minister for Health the average length of wait time in each hospital for amniocentesis results; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Brendan Griffin. [14606/21]

*1544. To ask the Minister for Health the number of terminations carried out in 2020 or the most recent full year for which such data exists in cases in which a fatal foetal abnormality was detected; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Brendan Griffin. [14607/21]

*1545. To ask the Minister for Health the number of cases in 2020 or the most recent full year for which such data exists in which pregnant women were referred by a hospital to an Irish hospital in the UK or elsewhere abroad for further medical intervention; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Brendan Griffin. [14608/21]

*1546. To ask the Minister for Health the level of funding made available to Cork University Maternity Hospital to help women in the aftermath of a traumatic pregnancy; if the hospital provides aftercare services such as bereavement counselling for women who have had to travel for care in the UK following consultation in CUMH; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Brendan Griffin. [14609/21] 1271

*1547. To ask the Minister for Health the best practice procedures in hospitals when dealing with a fatal foetal abnormality or in circumstances in which a referral is made to an overseas hospital; if Irish hospitals liaising with UK hospitals are obliged to share information such as obstetrics reports and other relevant medical information; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Brendan Griffin. [14610/21]

*1548. To ask the Minister for Health the status of the resources available for persons with ongoing symptoms of long Covid given that many with this condition are suffering from fatigue; if he will consider establishing multidisciplinary clinics throughout the country to help those with long Covid and other fatigue conditions such myalgic encephalomyelitis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Marian Harkin. [14612/21]

*1549. To ask the Minister for Health if he has considered implementing a bonus for front-line workers either financially or in terms of additional days of annual leave in view of their work fighting Covid-19; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Neale Richmond. [14625/21]

*1550. To ask the Minister for Health if concerns have been raised in Ireland following Denmark pausing the use of a vaccine (details supplied) after reports of blood clots; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Neale Richmond. [14626/21]

*1551. To ask the Minister for Health if he will report on his recent engagement with his EU counterparts; if the EU Covid-19 vaccine distribution system was discussed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Neale Richmond. [14627/21]

*1552. To ask the Minister for Health the steps he has taken to address the rise in anxiety, stress and loneliness being reported throughout Ireland due to the Covid-19 pandemic and the resulting restrictions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Neale Richmond. [14628/21]

*1553. To ask the Minister for Health if he will take immediate action to reverse the decision to cut 300 intern doctor posts at a time when the greatest ever need exists for increased resources both during and post-Covid-19 and the pressure to clear unprecedented waiting lists; his views on whether this proposed reduction will leave 300 newly qualified doctors who have been educated to a world class standard with little option but to export their knowledge and skills at a time when they are urgently needed at home; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Gino Kenny. [14634/21]

*1554. To ask the Minister for Health the number of dentists in County Tipperary registered as participating in the dental medical card scheme over the past five years in tabular form. — Martin Browne. [14637/21]

*1555. To ask the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact that due to a perceived inadequate dental medical card scheme dentists are leaving the scheme and are refusing to take on additional patents under the scheme; when a review of the scheme will take place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Martin Browne. [14638/21]

*1556. To ask the Minister for Health if a person (details supplied) will be issued with a prescription for medical cannabis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Chris Andrews. [14639/21]

*1557. To ask the Minister for Health if he will examine the possibility of approving a vaccine (details supplied) for the over 70s; if new data is available to warrant same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Seán Haughey. [14641/21]

P.T.O 1272

*1558. To ask the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 961 of 24 February 2021, the number of persons on waiting lists for mental health supports through the HSE in County Donegal; the length of time persons are waiting; the HSE mental health services in the county; the number of consultant psychiatrists in the county; the number awaiting second or subsequent appointments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Thomas Pringle. [14642/21]

*1559. To ask the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 961 of 24 February 2021, if there are only 14 persons on waiting lists for HSE mental health services in County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Thomas Pringle. [14643/21]

*1560. To ask the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to correspondence to his office from a person (details supplied) with a suggestion regarding the return to school procedure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Malcolm Noonan. [14645/21]

*1561. To ask the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact that there are 400 student radiographers on clinical placements currently working up to 40 weeks or 200 days per year without pay; and if he will meet with their representatives to discuss their experience. — Sorca Clarke. [14650/21]

*1562. To ask the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact that 400 student radiographers on clinical placement are not in permanent placements and are often forced to travel to different areas of the county and that they often have to cover some of the costs which adds to the financial burden. — Sorca Clarke. [14651/21]

*1563. To ask the Minister for Health if measures will be put in place to assist student radiographers who are losing time for their studies due to mandatory isolation brought about by working in hospitals, travelling to different regions of the country and the need to work second jobs to cover their living costs. — Sorca Clarke. [14652/21]

*1564. To ask the Minister for Health if the status will be examined of a permanent general practitioner appointment for Kilkee, County Clare which has been served by locum doctors for an extended period of time. — Cathal Crowe. [14654/21]

*1565. To ask the Minister for Health the date the paediatric diabetic service at the Regional Hospital Mullingar will resume; when the full team requirement of two nurses, a psychologist and a social worker will be in place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Robert Troy. [14656/21]

*1566. To ask the Minister for Health the number of times it has taken an ambulance more than 20, 40, 60, 90 and 120 minutes from time of call to reach patients who made emergency calls in Connemara in each of the years 2018 to 2020 and to date in 2021; the longest ambulance response time logged in Connemara in this period; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Catherine Connolly. [14657/21]

*1567. To ask the Minister for Health the number of times it has taken an ambulance more than 20, 40, 60, 90 and 120 minutes from time of call to reach patients who made emergency calls in County Galway in each of the years 2018 to 2020 and to date in 2021; the longest ambulance response time logged in County Galway in this period; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Catherine Connolly. [14658/21] 1273

*1568. To ask the Minister for Health the average ambulance response times from time of call to time of arrival in each of the years 2018 to 2020 and to date in 2021 in Connemara, County Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Catherine Connolly. [14659/21]

*1569. To ask the Minister for Health the average ambulance response times from time of call to time of arrival in each of the years 2018 to 2020 and to date in 2021 in County Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Catherine Connolly. [14660/21]

*1570. To ask the Minister for Health the status of plans to establish an ambulance deployment base in Maam Cross, County Galway to serve the Connemara area; the analysis that has been carried out by his Department into the adequacy of the current ambulance service provision in Connemara, particularly in view of an incident in relation to a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Catherine Connolly. [14661/21]

*1571. To ask the Minister for Health the training general practitioners and other healthcare workers receive for providing termination of pregnancy services; and if doctors including general practitioners are obliged to have specialised training in counselling as a requirement for providing the service. — Seán Canney. [14668/21]

*1572. To ask the Minister for Health if he will report on the inclusion of the cost for PPE equipment for medical card holders seeking appointments at dentist clinics; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Richard O’Donoghue. [14698/21]

*1573. To ask the Minister for Health the number of vaccines issued to each general practitioner in counties Kildare and Laois; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Patricia Ryan. [14710/21]

*1574. To ask the Minister for Health if he will prioritise those who are very high risk and extremely vulnerable for Covid-19 vaccination by adding transplant recipients, immunosuppressed persons and the very high risk to group 1 as a matter of urgency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Patricia Ryan. [14711/21]

*1575. To ask the Minister for Health if he will take steps to expedite funding for gene-silencing treatment for amyloidosis such as patisiran and equivalent drugs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Patricia Ryan. [14716/21]

*1576. To ask the Minister for Health if both patients of private and public hospitals who fall into group 4 of the Covid-19 vaccination group will receive their vaccine as part of this cohort; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Neale Richmond. [14722/21]

*1577. To ask the Minister for Health the measures being taken to qualify persons in the area of mental health given that the availability of skilled staff is a significant issue; the reason for much of the potential workforce availing of employment opportunities outside of Ireland; the additional cost in each of the past three years incurred through the filling of staff shortages through the work of locums, agency workers and overtime comparative to the cost of employing staff members; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Martin Browne. [14725/21]

*1578. To ask the Minister for Health his plans to present the fair deal legislation before Dáil Éireann; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Jackie Cahill. [14727/21]

P.T.O 1274

*1579. To ask the Minister for Health if he will address issues raised in correspondence (details supplied) regarding student radiographers; if he will meet with representatives of student radiographers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Róisín Shortall. [14729/21]

*1580. To ask the Minister for Health the number of checks that have occurred on a weekly basis from 6 February 2021 to date on persons quarantining at home after arriving here; 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. [14734/21]

*1581. To ask the Minister for Health the population size for each cohort that is named in the provisional vaccine allocation groups list. — Róisín Shortall. [14736/21]

*1582. To ask the Minister for Health the number of persons here that were reimbursed through the drug payment scheme for leasing a CPAP machine in 2018, 2019 and 2020, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Pauline Tully. [14737/21]

*1583. To ask the Minister for Health the average amount per person that was reimbursed through the drug payment scheme for leasing a CPAP machine in 2018, 2019 and 2020, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Pauline Tully. [14738/21]

*1584. To ask the Minister for Health the name of the companies that currently supply the HSE with CPAP machines; the name of companies that supplied CPAP machines to the HSE previously; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Pauline Tully. [14739/21]

*1585. To ask the Minister for Health the amount that was spent annually in 2018, 2019 and 2020 by the HSE in reimbursing persons who were leasing CPAP machines; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Pauline Tully. [14740/21]

*1586. To ask the Minister for Health if further consideration will be given to the vaccine roll- out schedule and greater priority given to retail staff who are at an increased level of risk whilst carrying out their daily duties. — Robert Troy. [14742/21]

*1587. To ask the Minister for Health his plans to prioritise cardiac patients in the roll-out of the Covid-19 vaccine given that many in this cohort have been cocooning for one year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Catherine Connolly. [14749/21]

*1588. To ask the Minister for Health the number of persons on waiting lists for Jigsaw; the average waiting time in each of the years 2017 to 2020, by CHO area in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Mark Ward. [14755/21]

*1589. To ask the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 243 of 18 February 2021, his views on the veracity of the figures that show a decrease in waiting times for Jigsaw in 2021 from 2020.; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Mark Ward. [14756/21]

*1590. To ask the Minister for Health the five most recent significant capital projects in the major functional responsibilities of his Department which have required his sanction; the time which elapsed between the initial submission of the proposal for consideration until the construction commenced; the significant elements making up this period; the time spent in assessment prior to approval in the planning process; the time spent in assessment prior to approval in the procurement process of contractors; and the way this duration compared with the targeted time to delivery set out at the outset of the process. — Richard Bruton. [14780/21] 1275

*1591. To ask the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Donegal can expect an appointment in a pain relief clinic; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Pearse Doherty. [14790/21]

*1592. To ask the Minister for Health when a child (details supplied) will have a diabetic pump procedure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Pearse Doherty. [14791/21]

*1593. To ask the Minister for Health the number of persons on the outpatient neurology waiting list in University Hospital in each of the years 2018 to 2020 and to date in 2021, for both routine and urgent referrals in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Pearse Doherty. [14792/21]

*1594. To ask the Minister for Health if a medical records request will be expedited for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Pearse Doherty. [14793/21]

*1595. To ask the Minister for Health the reason for the move from providing therapeutic services on site to delivering them in a community setting under the progressing disabilities programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Neale Richmond. [14798/21]

*1596. To ask the Minister for Health if persons who attend a service (details supplied) will receive their care off-site under the progressing disabilities programme; if the option is available to continue to receive care on-site; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Neale Richmond. [14799/21]

*1597. To ask the Minister for Health the position of postal workers on the vaccination allocation sequencing as part of the national Covid-19 vaccination programme; if they are identified under group 10; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Kieran O’Donnell. [14805/21]

*1598. To ask the Minister for Health the number of dentists paid a minimum of €5,000 per month by the HSE for each of the past 12 months by county associated with the provision of dental care to eligible medical card patients under the dental services treatment scheme. — Róisín Shortall. [14810/21]

*1599. To ask the Minister for Health if his Department has received an estimate of costings associated with the provision of PPE to dentists from the HSE which was originally promised to be delivered in June 2020 and has not yet been received. — Róisín Shortall. [14811/21]

*1600. To ask the Minister for Health when there was last an increase in the fees paid to dentists holding contracts under the dental treatment services scheme; and if the fee cuts introduced under FEMPI will be reversed in a manner comparable to that which applied for doctors treating medical card patients. — Róisín Shortall. [14812/21]

*1601. To ask the Minister for Health if he plans to publish legislation amending or replacing the Dentists’ Act 1985; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Róisín Shortall. [14813/21]

*1602. To ask the Minister for Health the number of children who have had dental treatments provided by the HSE public dental service between March 2020 and March 2021; and the way in which this compares with the same period in the three preceding years. — Róisín Shortall. [14814/21]

P.T.O 1276

*1603. To ask the Minister for Health if there is a body of evidence on the use of ivermectin to reduce the incidence of Covid-19 transmission, severe disease development or in-vitro replication; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Róisín Shortall. [14821/21]

*1604. To ask the Minister for Health the estimated annual cost of providing discretionary medical cards to all cancer patients at the time of their diagnosis until their treatment has finished; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Gary Gannon. [14826/21]

*1605. To ask the Minister for Health the estimated annual cost of providing life-long medical cards for all survivors of childhood or adolescent cancers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Gary Gannon. [14827/21]

*1606. To ask the Minister for Health if he will review the practice of hospitals using debt collection agencies; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that patients currently undergoing treatment for cancer and other illnesses are charged €80 per day for outpatient treatment and if payment is not received within 47 days this can be passed onto debt collection agencies; his views on whether this practice is patient centred; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Gary Gannon. [14828/21]

*1607. To ask the Minister for Health if he will review the reduction of intern positions for newly qualified doctors and maintain the 2020 number of intern positions in order to retain non-EU newly qualified doctors in addition to managing the waiting lists in hospitals which have grown as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Gary Gannon. [14829/21]

*1608. To ask the Minister for Health if the HSE is refusing to reimburse the antigen costs for nursing homes (details supplied); if so, the reason for the decision; if he is considering reversing this decision; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Richard Boyd Barrett. [14833/21]

*1609. To ask the Minister for Health when youth workers who are considered essential workers can expect to receive their Covid-19 vaccine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Cathal Crowe. [14834/21]

*1610. To ask the Minister for Health if he will consider prioritising members of An Garda Síochána for vaccinations after those who are deemed medically vulnerable have been vaccinated (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Christopher O’Sullivan. [14835/21]

*1611. To ask the Minister for Health the reason a person (details supplied) has had home help hours removed from them; the reason the HSE has not yet had other carers in to replace the last carers that finished on 8 March 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Niamh Smyth. [14836/21]

*1612. To ask the Minister for Health the status of the recruitment of main lead paediatric pain consultant specialist roles by Children’s Health Ireland; the number of paediatric pain consultants employed full-time and part-time, respectively; the number of full-time and part-time paediatric pain consultant roles that are currently vacant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Catherine Connolly. [14837/21]

*1613. To ask the Minister for Health if the recently recruited multi-disciplinary team for children in chronic pain is currently seeing patients; if not, the reason for the delay; the timeline for when 1277 they will commence seeing patients; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Catherine Connolly. [14838/21]

*1614. To ask the Minister for Health the number of children on the pain relief outpatient waiting list; if Children’s Health Ireland is currently taking referrals for children in need of chronic pain services; if not, the length of time it has been since it took these referrals; the reason it has not been taking these referrals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Catherine Connolly. [14839/21]

*1615. To ask the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the pain relief outpatient waiting list reports as listed on the website of the National Treatment Purchase Fund, collates data on waiting lists for pain relief in the age-groups 0 to 15 and 16 to 64 years, despite the commitment by Children’s Health Ireland to treat chronic pain patients up to 18 years of age; if he has concerns that this current age group breakdown makes it difficult to accurately ascertain the number of children up to 18 years of age who are currently awaiting pain relief; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Catherine Connolly. [14840/21]

*1616. To ask the Minister for Health his plans to produce vaccine certificates as part of its implementation planning for a Covid-19 vaccination programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Pádraig O’Sullivan. [14841/21]

*1617. To ask the Minister for Health if there have been instances of healthcare workers refusing the Covid-19 vaccine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Pádraig O’Sullivan. [14842/21]

*1618. To ask the Minister for Health if audiology services (details supplied) will be immediately reopened in County Kerry given the hardship it is causing patients; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Brendan Griffin. [14844/21]

*1619. To ask the Minister for Health the number of referrals to HSE coronavirus community assessment hubs since they began operation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Colm Burke. [14849/21]

*1620. To ask the Minister for Health the number of patients diagnosed with Covid-19 who have been referred to hubs; the number of non-Covid-19 patients referred in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Colm Burke. [14850/21]

*1621. To ask the Minister for Health if additional community assessment hubs will be rolled out as part of the HSE Winter Plan 20/21; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Colm Burke. [14851/21]

*1622. To ask the Minister for Health the general practice diagnostic services that are in place and have been provided as part of the HSE Winter Plan 20/21; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Colm Burke. [14852/21]

*1623. To ask the Minister for Health the locations of community assessment hubs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Colm Burke. [14853/21]

*1624. To ask the Minister for Health the number of patients who were referred to hospital, sent to an isolation facility and that were sent home, respectively having been assessed in a community hub; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Colm Burke. [14854/21]

P.T.O 1278

*1625. To ask the Minister for Health if information is available on the types of non-Covid-19 conditions that have been treated at community assessment hubs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Colm Burke. [14855/21]

*1626. To ask the Minister for Health if consideration is being given to reprioritising An Garda Síochána and the Defence Forces in the vaccine allocation strategy for the Covid-19 vaccine roll- out; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Alan Dillon. [14856/21]

*1627. To ask the Minister for Health the steps he will take to expedite funding and approval for patisiran onpattro or an equivalent drug used to manage the condition hereditary transthyretin amyloidosis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Michael Lowry. [14857/21]

*1628. To ask the Minister for Health if he will consider outsourcing public dental services to private practices in order to lessen waiting times of over seven years for youth orthodontic treatment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Emer Higgins. [14858/21]

*1629. To ask the Minister for Health if the National Implementation and Monitoring Committee Steering Committee has met since 15 January 2021; if so, when the minutes of the most recent meeting will be made available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Catherine Connolly. [14860/21]

*1630. To ask the Minister for Health the number of medical assessments for primary medical certificate applications that have taken place to date in 2021; the number that have taken place by county to date in 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Denis Naughten. [14866/21]

*1631. To ask the Minister for Health the status of the prospective reimbursement of a drug (details supplied) following the finalisation of the National Centre for Pharmacoeconomics assessment process; if the HSE has commenced negotiations with the pharmaceutical company; if meetings have been held on same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Jennifer Carroll MacNeill. [14870/21]

*1632. To ask the Minister for Health when an operation will be carried out for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Sean Fleming. [14871/21]

*1633. To ask the Minister for Health if persons on combined therapies and at very high risk are within group 4 on the vaccination schedule; and if not, when they will receive the vaccine. — Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire. [14879/21]

*1634. To ask the Minister for Health if the details of any proposed review of the Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Act 2018 will be provided; the timing and form this review will take; if the review will hear from concerned groups or accept submissions; the role of the Oireachtas Committee on Health in relation to same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Bríd Smith. [14884/21]

*1635. To ask the Minister for Health if he will advise on a matter raised in correspondence (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. — David Cullinane. [14886/21]

*1636. To ask the Minister for Health if he will bring forward plans to ensure that the backlog of assessments for primary medical certificates is addressed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Kieran O’Donnell. [14894/21] 1279

*1637. To ask the Minister for Health the estimated cost of establishing a needle exchange service. — Thomas Gould. [14897/21]

*1638. To ask the Minister for Health the estimated cost of staffing and running a needle exchange service. — Thomas Gould. [14898/21]

*1639. To ask the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 1366 of 8 September 2020, when a person (details supplied) in County Meath will receive a surgery appointment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Darren O’Rourke. [14900/21]

*1640. To ask the Minister for Health the status of the establishment of a primary care centre in Millstreet, County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Michael Moynihan. [14901/21]

*1641. To ask the Minister for Health the reason a pay and conditions employment package was agreed for a person (details supplied); when this decision was made; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Seán Haughey. [14925/21]

*1642. To ask the Minister for Health his plans to employ a full-time pain consultant for children with chronic pain; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — David Cullinane. [14942/21]

*1643. To ask the Minister for Health the number of patients seen by multidisciplinary teams over the past three months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — David Cullinane. [14943/21]

*1644. To ask the Minister for Health if statistics on the level of community transmission continue to be published and publicly available; the latest community transmission rate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Ged Nash. [14944/21]

*1645. To ask the Minister for Health the reason the pension of a person who has retired from the HSE will be reduced should they commence work on the vaccination programme given that they can commence work under an agency at double the cost to the HSE and retain all of their pension while doing so; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Michael Fitzmaurice. [14945/21]

*1646. To ask the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 1021 of 3 March 2021, if the safe access to termination of pregnancy Bill outlined in the Legislation Programme Spring Session 2021 has been put on hold, deferred or abandoned as indicated in his reply; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Carol Nolan. [14963/21]

*1647. To ask the Minister for Health the status of surgery for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. — James Lawless. [14969/21]

*1648. To ask the Minister for Health the average waiting times for first time Medical Council applications for general registration by non-EU applicants in each of the years 2019, 2020 and to date in 2021 from the time an application is made to the time a final decision is made; the average waiting times for first time Medical Council applications for general registration by applicants from the EU in the same period from the time an application is made to the time a final decision is made; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Catherine Connolly. [14970/21]

*1649. To ask the Minister for Health the position regarding the clinical care pathway for treatment of endometriosis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — James Browne. [14973/21]

P.T.O 1280

*1650. To ask the Minister for Health if charges apply to patients who require post-Covid-19 medical assessment reviews and are transferred from public hospitals to private hospitals for this review; the charges for a patient with a medical card, with health insurance and without health insurance, respectively; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Brendan Griffin. [14974/21]

*1651. To ask the Minister for Health the latest projected timetable for the delivery of the new St. Conlon’s nursing home, Nenagh, County Tipperary; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Alan Kelly. [14976/21]

*1652. To ask the Minister for Health if he will address a matter regarding the responsibilities of home help staff (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Michael Healy- Rae. [14977/21]

*1653. To ask the Minister for Health the position regarding access to services for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Cian O’Callaghan. [14979/21]

*1654. To ask the Minister for Health if he plans to extend the reimbursement of costs by the HSE of the electronic blood glucose monitoring system FreeStyle Libre to all persons with type 1 diabetes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Neasa Hourigan. [14980/21]

*1655. To ask the Minister for Health the number of premature births to date in 2021; the number in the previous ten years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Louise O’Reilly. [14984/21]

*1656. To ask the Minister for Health his plans to pay student nurses and midwives; when the second review of the first report on pandemic pay will be conducted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — David Cullinane. [14987/21]

*1657. To ask the Minister for Health the reason a person (details supplied) must wait so long to receive the Covid-19 vaccine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Niamh Smyth. [14989/21]

*1658. To ask the Minister for Health when sleep apnoea clinics will reopen for screenings and assessments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Cathal Crowe. [14995/21]

*1659. To ask the Minister for Health the steps he will take to expedite the vaccination of special educational staff who work and teach some of the most vulnerable children in the special education sector (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Michael Lowry. [14996/21]

*1660. To ask the Minister for Health the admission policy under various levels in the COVID-19 Resilience and Recovery 2021-The Path Ahead of patients and parents to bespoke outdoor gardens and areas in hospitals with specific reference to Children’s Health Ireland, Crumlin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Patrick Costello. [15002/21]

*1661. To ask the Minister for Health if he will consider the circumstances regarding the assessment of needs in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Jennifer Whitmore. [15006/21] 1281

*1662. To ask the Minister for Health the steps he will take to expedite the vaccination of special educational staff who work and teach some of the most vulnerable children in the special education sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Michael Lowry. [15016/21]

*1663. To ask the Minister for Health the position regarding section 56 and section 59 workers; if they will receive pay restoration in line with their section 39 colleagues; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Mairéad Farrell. [15019/21]

*1664. To ask the Minister for Health when section 39 workers at an organisation (details supplied) will receive pay restoration. — Louise O’Reilly. [15022/21]

*1665. To ask the Minister for Health the organisations and the number of workers in each in State-funded health and social care organisation which have not received pay restoration in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Mairéad Farrell. [15024/21]

*1666. To ask the Minister for Health if his Department has considered allowing dental hygienists to participate in the national roll-out of Covid-19 vaccinations as vaccinators. — Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire. [15027/21]

*1667. To ask the Minister for Health the number of existing PrEP users attending the gay men’s health service from November 2019, in 2020 and to date in 2021, respectively in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Aengus Ó Snodaigh. [15028/21]

*1668. To ask the Minister for Health the number of persons currently registered as being eligible for free PrEP treatment; the way the HSE maintains contact with such persons during the period of the gay men’s health service being closed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Aengus Ó Snodaigh. [15029/21]

*1669. To ask the Minister for Health the number of children on the waiting list for pain management treatment at the paediatric chronic pain clinic in CHI, Dublin; the average waiting time for such specialist services; if new referrals for treatment are being accepted by the service; if not, when the service ceased taking new referrals; the steps being taken to address this issue; the reason for the delay in doing same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Éamon Ó Cuív. [15083/21]

*1670. To ask the Minister for Health the number of staff members that have been recruited to the multidisciplinary pain teams in CHI, Dublin in the past three months; the number of patients that have been seen; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Éamon Ó Cuív. [15084/21]

*1671. To ask the Minister for Health the assistance available for a person (details supplied) to access the Covid-19 vaccine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Paul Kehoe. [15092/21]

*1672. To ask the Minister for Health the number of claims lodged with the CervicalCheck Tribunal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — David Cullinane. [15095/21]

*1673. To ask the Minister for Health the number of women currently involved in court cases, litigation and negotiation with the HSE regarding the alleged misreading of their smear tests from the CervicalCheck screening programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — David Cullinane. [15096/21]

P.T.O 1282

*1674. To ask the Minister for Health if he has engaged with the HSE in respect of vaccinating on patrol and or front-line gardaí against Covid-19 in view of their role in enforcing regulations and by virtue of face to face and or close contact with persons during the course of their work; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Catherine Murphy. [15097/21]

*1675. To ask the Minister for Health if antigen testing was included as a cost which could be reimbursed under the Covid-19 temporary assistance payment scheme for nursing homes; if these costs will be reimbursed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — David Cullinane. [15098/21]

*1676. To ask the Minister for Health his views on the way children that are receiving CAMHS services in north County Tipperary but are unable to access occupational therapy services due to a lack of a physical room; his views on whether such a situation is acceptable; the waiting times for same in 2019, 2020, and to date in 2021, in tabular form; his views on the lack of a physical room for occupational therapy services at CAMHS in Nenagh, County Tipperary; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Martin Browne. [15099/21]

*1677. To ask the Minister for Health the number of children currently on the waiting list for speech and language therapy by county in 2019, 2020 and to date in 2021; and his views on the situation of children that are in need of a multidisciplinary team approach occupational therapy, speech and language therapy and so on that cannot access them due to the Covid-19 crisis. — Martin Browne. [15100/21]

*1678. To ask the Minister for Health his views on families having to access private ASD assessments for children before they will be considered for treatment at CAMHS services; his views on the way one family in north County Tipperary is unable to get access for their six year- old child with ADHD to occupational therapy services with CAMHS due to the fact they have no physical room for them to work in; the reason therapists are not in a position to provide the service to the child in question who is in need of a multidisciplinary team approach; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Martin Browne. [15101/21]

*1679. To ask the Minister for Health if he will initiate a formal audit of nursing home morality since the beginning of Covid-19 roll-out in both private and public nursing homes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Seán Canney. [15102/21]

*1680. To ask the Minister for Health if his Department is monitoring and recording the number of deaths in long-term care facilities following administration of the Covid-19 vaccine; and if there is an increase in the confirmed deaths of persons aged over 65 in these settings. — Seán Canney. [15103/21]

*1681. To ask the Minister for Health if he will enlist the expertise and global logistical contacts of pharma and medical companies in Ireland to accelerate the supply of vaccines to Ireland. — Seán Canney. [15107/21]

*1682. To ask the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 749 of 3 June 2020, the status of recruitment for the CHI paediatric complex pain management service; the current staffing composition of the service; the funded staffing composition of the service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — David Cullinane. [15108/21]

*1683. To ask the Minister for Health his plans for the use of ivermectin in the treatment of Covid-19; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Denis Naughten. [15109/21] 1283

*1684. To ask the Minister for Health the number of vehicles owned or leased and operated by his Department and agencies and semi-State companies under his remit broken down by the number of ICE and non-ICE vehicles and fuel category, that is, petrol, diesel, hybrid, plug-in hybrid, electric and so on; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Duncan Smith. [15122/21]

*1685. To ask the Minister for Health the breakdown of waiting times on surgery waiting lists in Ennis General Hospital, County Clare for elective and non-elective surgeries; his plans to help reduce the waiting times; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Violet-Anne Wynne. [15137/21]

*1686. To ask the Minister for Health the way in which health screening and outpatient clinics prepare for appointments with disabled patients (details supplied); the protocol in place; the type of staff training provided to assist disabled patients; if hoists can be made readily available at all times; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Violet-Anne Wynne. [15138/21]

*1687. To ask the Minister for Health the reason an 80 year old patient who is in hospital must attend an appointment with the general practitioner for vaccination; the reason patients over 80 years of age cannot receive the vaccination in the hospital whilst being treated; if the hospital is obliged to arrange transport for the patient to and from the general practitioner surgery to receive the vaccine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Violet-Anne Wynne. [15139/21]

*1688. To ask the Minister for Health if the Minister of State with responsibility for Disability has made representations to the NPHET committee in terms of her role; if the Minister of State has made representations to request that the NPHET vulnerable groups sub-committee be reinstated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Violet-Anne Wynne. [15146/21]

*1689. To ask the Minister for Health when the replacement scheme for the mobility allowance will be announced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Violet-Anne Wynne. [15149/21]

*1690. To ask the Minister for Health the position regarding the backlog in primary medical certificate applications; if he will be working on changes to scheme to adapt the criteria for applicants whose needs are more complex and are not effectively represented in the application process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Violet-Anne Wynne. [15150/21]

*1691. To ask the Minister for Health the number of persons who were reimbursed through the drug payment scheme for the leasing of a CPAP machine in 2018, 2019 and 2020, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — David Cullinane. [15157/21]

*1692. To ask the Minister for Health the average amount per person that was reimbursed through the drug payment scheme for leasing a CPAP machine in 2018, 2019 and 2020, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — David Cullinane. [15158/21]

*1693. To ask the Minister for Health the name of the companies that currently supply the HSE with CPAP machines; the name of companies that supplied CPAP machines to the HSE previously; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — David Cullinane. [15159/21]

*1694. To ask the Minister for Health the amount spent in each of the years 2018 to 2020 by the HSE in reimbursing persons who were leasing CPAP machines; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — David Cullinane. [15160/21]

P.T.O 1284

*1695. To ask the Minister for Health the current policy with regard to the reimbursement for purchase or rental of a CPAP machine; the cost of reimbursing a purchase; the annual average cost of reimbursing a rental; the average length of time a patient has been reimbursed for renting such a machine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — David Cullinane. [15161/21]

*1696. To ask the Minister for Health the number of Covid-19 contacts to date that were passed to and received from the health protection teams in Northern Ireland, respectively; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — David Cullinane. [15162/21]

*1697. To ask the Minister for Health the exchange visits since 2017 between mesh removal surgeons here and colleagues in other jurisdictions; the itinerary followed; the hosts and participants; the observations of mesh removal operations; the training provided; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — David Cullinane. [15168/21]

*1698. To ask the Minister for Health the legal costs incurred to date in the defence of medical negligence claims relating to mesh implants in circumstances in which the case has been settled and remains open, respectively; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — David Cullinane. [15169/21]

*1699. To ask the Minister for Health the number of medical negligence claims relating to the implantation of mesh implants in circumstances in which the HSE and or its employees are named as defendants have been received; the number of these claims that were settled; the settlement amounts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — David Cullinane. [15170/21]

*1700. To ask the Minister for Health if he has investigated whether the use of mesh implants in the healthcare system is underpinned by a form of indemnity insurance provided by Government to the manufacturer or provided by the manufacturer to Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — David Cullinane. [15171/21]

*1701. To ask the Minister for Health the expenditure on the procurement of mesh implants by year since 2015; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — David Cullinane. [15172/21]

*1702. To ask the Minister for Health the number of women that were damaged from mesh implantation and sent to a person (details supplied) to treat complications. — David Cullinane. [15173/21]

*1703. To ask the Minister for Health the number of women who had mesh devices implanted and have had organs such as bladders and bowels removed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — David Cullinane. [15174/21]

*1704. To ask the Minister for Health the number of women who have been sent via referral systems to the University College London Hospital, NHS England for the full removal of transobturator mesh implants since 2017, by type; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — David Cullinane. [15175/21]

*1705. To ask the Minister for Health the progress regarding the full removal of mesh implants in Ireland; the progress regarding compensation for persons who have suffered as a result of mesh implants or partial and improper removal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — David Cullinane. [15176/21] 1285

*1706. To ask the Minister for Health his plans to reopen nursing homes for visits (details supplied); and if a framework is in place for same. — Martin Browne. [15178/21]

*1707. To ask the Minister for Health the annual cost of i-ports for children with diabetes; if these costs are reimbursed; if not, if there are plans to add them to the long-term illness scheme or otherwise reimburse them; the estimated annual cost of reimbursing such products; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — David Cullinane. [15180/21]

*1708. To ask the Minister for Health if arrangements are in place to ensure that cross-Border workers who are resident here who require the Covid-19 vaccination to maintain employment in Northern Ireland are not penalised for the difference in speed of the roll-out between jurisdictions; the communication he has had with Government colleagues or the Executive in Northern Ireland on the matter; the Departments which would be responsible for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — David Cullinane. [15182/21]

*1709. To ask the Minister for Health the specific provisions that have been made for the vaccination of housebound persons; when such vaccinations will take place in line with the wider vaccination groupings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Patrick Costello. [15188/21]

*1710. To ask the Minister for Health if he will address a matter raised in correspondence (details supplied); the CervicalCheck screening process in this context; if HPV negative patients are examined or tested for abnormal cells; if not, the reason for this practice and the change in practice; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — David Cullinane. [15189/21]

*1711. To ask the Minister for Health if he will address a matter regarding the cost of a treatment (details supplied). — Sean Sherlock. [15191/21]

*1712. To ask the Minister for Health when timelines will be available in relation to the vaccination of the clinically vulnerable and in particular cancer patients; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Seán Canney. [15192/21]

*1713. To ask the Minister for Health when cardiac patients will receive the Covid-19 vaccine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Michael McNamara. [15196/21]

*1714. To ask the Minister for Health the number of persons with diabetes who were funded for the dexcom continuous glucose monitoring CGM sensors by the long term Illness scheme and the primary care reimbursement service who are also funded for an insulin pump; and the number who were funded for insulin pumps and a dexcom CGM sensor who were over 21 years of age in 2018 to 2020, in tabular form. — Sean Sherlock. [15203/21]

*1715. To ask the Minister for Health the number of funding applications that were received for the long term illness scheme and the primary care reimbursement service for the FreeStyle Libre glucose monitoring system; the number of applications that were denied; and the number of denied applications that were for persons over 21 years of age. — Sean Sherlock. [15204/21]

*1716. To ask the Minister for Health the situation in CHI in relation to the recruitment of the main lead paediatric pain consultant roles; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that children in chronic pain have been without a proper full-time pain consultant care service for over 16 months (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Seán Canney. [15210/21]

P.T.O 1286

*1717. To ask the Minister for Health if there is a clear timeframe for bringing senior psychologist staff provision across the three community adult mental health teams in Mallow, Fermoy and Kanturk, County Cork (details supplied) in line with other areas in CHO4; if particular longstanding psychology resource inequities on the Mallow community adult mental health team can be definitively addressed with secure staff contracts to ensure continuity of care for service users among the 39,000 plus population served by the team; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Sean Sherlock. [15211/21]

*1718. To ask the Minister for Health the reason the multidisciplinary pain team roles at CHI that have been filled for the past three months are not seeing any patients; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Seán Canney. [15218/21]

*1719. To ask the Minister for Health the situation in relation to waiting list reporting for children waiting for chronic pain treatment at CHI; if the waiting list for new referrals to CHI for children in chronic pain was closed during 2020; his views on whether the current waiting lists for children in chronic pain properly reflect the number of children waiting on a service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Seán Canney. [15219/21]

*1720. To ask the Minister for Health if additional home help hours will be provided for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Michael Healy-Rae. [15220/21]

*1721. To ask the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will receive a primary medical certificate. — David Cullinane. [15224/21]

*1722. To ask the Minister for Health when a timeline will be available for the vaccination of heart and stroke patients; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Seán Canney. [15229/21]

*1723. To ask the Minister for Health if he will consider providing standard allowance, placement grants and payment for work carried out by student radiographers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Seán Canney. [15231/21]

*1724. To ask the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the position of newly qualified doctors (details supplied); if the decision will be reversed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Pádraig O’Sullivan. [15234/21]

*1725. To ask the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to concerns raised in relation to some Covid-19 vaccinators not being vaccinated themselves before administering the vaccine to others; the groups of vaccinators currently administering the vaccine without having received the vaccine themselves; the steps he will take to ensure that all vaccinators receive the Covid-19 vaccine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Róisín Shortall. [15236/21]

*1726. To ask the Minister for Health if those working in hotels being used as quarantine facilities will be vaccinated as a priority grouping; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Róisín Shortall. [15237/21]

*1727. To ask the Minister for Health the way in which the contact tracing database was constructed; the way in which it operates; the number of individual entries on same; the information that is held on each person who has been part of the tracing process; if the data is deleted; if the data is being used for any other purpose; the public authorities and or agencies that have access to it; the way in which the data is protected; and the data controller for the database. — Catherine Murphy. [15248/21] 1287

*1728. To ask the Minister for Health the number of complaints received in respect of the contact tracing database since it was set up to date in 2021; and if he and or the HSE are engaging with the Data Protection Commissioner in respect of the robustness of the data protection measures in place in respect of the database. — Catherine Murphy. [15249/21]

*1729. To ask the Minister for Health the plans of the HSE for newly qualified doctors at each hospital; and if they will be retained. — Sean Sherlock. [15250/21]

*1730. To ask the Minister for Health the number of newly qualified doctors being retained at Cork University Hospital. — Sean Sherlock. [15251/21]

*1731. To ask the Minister for Health the number of newly qualified doctors being retained at a hospital (details supplied). — Sean Sherlock. [15252/21]

*1732. To ask the Minister for Health the number of newly qualified doctors being retained at Mallow General Hospital. — Sean Sherlock. [15253/21]

*1733. To ask the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to a petition to retain newly qualified doctors. — Sean Sherlock. [15255/21]

*1734. To ask the Minister for Health the status of vaccinations for pharmacy staff. — Sean Sherlock. [15261/21]

*1735. To ask the Minister for Health the status of the primary medical certificate processes. — Sean Sherlock. [15263/21]

*1736. To ask the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 720 of 17 February 2021, the breakdown of capital submissions received, approved, under evaluation and not approved from acute hospitals and hospital groups since 2018 by hospital; and if a brief description and valuation of each proposed project will be provided. — David Cullinane. [15271/21]

*1737. To ask the Minister for Health the number of patients currently waiting to receive omalizumab in Tallaght University Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — David Cullinane. [15276/21]

*1738. To ask the Minister for Health if additional funding will be made available for Tallaght University Hospital in relation to omalizumab; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — David Cullinane. [15277/21]

*1739. To ask the Minister for Health if advice will be provided in relation to a matter raised in correspondence by a person (details supplied) regarding medical negligence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — David Cullinane. [15278/21]

*1740. To ask the Minister for Health if a hospital appointment will be expedited for a person (details supplied). — John McGuinness. [15280/21]

*1741. To ask the Minister for Health if the HSE national screening service will update its BreastCheck screening standard operating procedure guidelines to notify women regarding personal breast density to improve early cancer diagnosis and help prevent advanced disease through dissemination of information regarding this independent breast cancer risk factor; if not, the reason; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — David Cullinane. [15281/21]

P.T.O 1288

*1742. To ask the Minister for Health if the decision to let go 15 newly qualified doctors from UCH Galway will be reversed given the doctors are needed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Seán Canney. [15283/21]

*1743. To ask the Minister for Health the reason the Covid-19 testing centre in Newtownmountkennedy, County Wicklow was closed for Covid-19 testing on 13 and 14 March 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — John Brady. [15286/21]

*1744. To ask the Minister for Health if cross-Border workers that reside here and work in Northern Ireland will be able to receive the Covid-19 vaccine in Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Thomas Pringle. [15289/21]

*1745. To ask the Minister for Health the number of children in counties Sligo and Leitrim that are currently awaiting initial assessment, initial treatment or further therapy in speech and language; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Marian Harkin. [15290/21]

*1746. To ask the Minister for Health when an assessment of need will be completed and the statutory obligations of the HSE met in relation to a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. — David Cullinane. [15295/21]

*1747. To ask the Minister for Health his plans to change the status of members of An Garda Síochána within the Covid-19 vaccine roll-out schedule given their important front-line role; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Dara Calleary. [15300/21]

*1748. To ask the Minister for Health if he has received approaches from the Minister for Justice in relation to moving members of An Garda Síochána forward on the Covid-19 vaccine roll-out schedule; if he considers this as important; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Dara Calleary. [15301/21]

*1749. To ask the Minister for Health when the day services at a facility will be reopened for all attendees that have disabilities such as a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Thomas Pringle. [15304/21]

*1750. To ask the Minister for Health if he will address a matter (details supplied) regarding changes to the organisation and provision of health services to children and young persons with developmental delay and disabilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Matt Shanahan. [15310/21]

*1751. To ask the Minister for Health the status of CORU registration for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Michael Healy-Rae. [15312/21]

*1752. To ask the Minister for Health if he will consider prioritising members of An Garda Síochána for vaccination given a number of recent high profile breaches of Covid-19 restrictions in which members of An Garda Síochána have been on the front-line at the events; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Marian Harkin. [15315/21]

*1753. To ask the Minister for Health the contact he and NPHET have had with a group (details supplied) to discuss the issue of vitamin D supplementation during Covid-19; if he will meet with the group or request that NPHET meet the group; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Róisín Shortall. [15321/21] 1289

*1754. To ask the Minister for Health the online training courses which are required for recently retired nurses to be complete into order to come back and work as a vaccinator for the Covid-19 vaccination programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Róisín Shortall. [15322/21]

*1755. To ask the Minister for Health the actions he plans to take for patients under the individual licensing system to provide a pathway to funding at source as they continue to suffer a significant financial burden to pay upfront for their prescribed medicine given that patients within the compassionate access programme will be funded at source for products from a company (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Noel Grealish. [15323/21]

*1756. To ask the Minister for Health when a child (details supplied) will be seen by CAMHS in view of the fact they have been waiting a number of years. — Kathleen Funchion. [15327/21]

*1757. To ask the Minister for Health if family reunification of persons that have permission to reside in Ireland is deemed essential travel under Covid-19 level 5 restrictions. — Richard Bruton. [15328/21]

*1758. To ask the Minister for Health if he will sanction access to the drug dupilvmob to a person (details supplied) on compassionate grounds. — Duncan Smith. [15329/21]

*1759. To ask the Minister for Health the position regarding the treatment of Lyme disease patients; the actions carried out in relation to diagnosis and treatment facilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — David Cullinane. [15330/21]

*1760. To ask the Minister for Health the position regarding available services to patients with Lyme disease; the reason these services are not covered by the medical card; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — David Cullinane. [15331/21]

*1761. To ask the Minister for Health the position of special needs assistants on the vaccination allocation sequencing as part of the national Covid-19 vaccination programme; if they are identified under group 10 key workers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Kieran O’Donnell. [15334/21]

*1762. To ask the Minister for Health the status of an orthodontic appointment for a child (details supplied); when they will be seen by an orthodontist; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Michael Healy-Rae. [15354/21]

*1763. To ask the Minister for Health if an issue in relation to waiting times for a public autism assessment will be addressed (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Michael Healy-Rae. [15355/21]

*1764. To ask the Minister for Health the reason families of children with additional needs were left with no support during Covid-19 (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Michael Healy-Rae. [15359/21]

*1765. To ask the Minister for Health the reason families in County Kerry referred to services (details supplied) are waiting over a year with no contact or support with crisis level situations in their homes. — Michael Healy-Rae. [15362/21]

*1766. To ask the Minister for Health when the vacancies on the board of the National Paediatric Hospital Development Board will be fully filled. — Alan Kelly. [15364/21]

P.T.O 1290

*1767. To ask the Minister for Health if he will request the HSE to retain the over 300 positions for newly-qualified intern doctors which are proposed to be cut in 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Cian O’Callaghan. [15365/21]

*1768. To ask the Minister for Health if persons with hereditary spherocytosis and who have received both doses of their Covid-19 vaccine can return to work; when the policy on same will be published by the HSE occupational health team; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Cian O’Callaghan. [15366/21]

*1769. To ask the Minister for Health the reason no orders have been placed for the booster doses of the vaccines under development to deal with Covid-19 virus variants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Jim O’Callaghan. [15383/21]

*1770. To ask the Minister for Health the position of home carers in the vaccine roll-out schedule; if home carers are designated as essential workers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Brendan Howlin. [15387/21]

*1771. To ask the Minister for Health if a rationalisation of services under the new progressing disabilities model will result in the loss of in-school speech and language therapy services for a school (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Neasa Hourigan. [15396/21]

*1772. To ask the Minister for Health his plans to ensure speech and language therapy services remain in place for a school (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Neasa Hourigan. [15397/21]

*1773. To ask the Minister for Health his plans to ensure multidisciplinary services for a school (details supplied), particularly speech and language therapy services remain in place during a rationalisation of services under the new progressing disabilities model; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Neasa Hourigan. [15399/21]

*1774. To ask the Minister for Health if persons with Down syndrome are entitled to a medical card; the reason some holders of a medical card who have Down syndrome are having their medical cards reviewed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Niall Collins. [15400/21]

*1775. To ask the Minister for Health the way in which the Covid-19 vaccine roll-out for group 4 is prioritised by condition, severity and so on; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Richard Boyd Barrett. [15404/21]

*1776. To ask the Minister for Health his plans to renew the policy of offering all eligible Irish- trained graduates an intern post; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Catherine Connolly. [15420/21]

*1777. To ask the Minister for Health the status of efforts to approve dupilumab commonly known as dupixent used to treat eczema and asthma among other conditions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Alan Farrell. [15426/21]

*1778. To ask the Minister for Health the measures being put in place to provide for the healthcare of transgender young persons in Ireland given the exit of a UK-based clinic (details supplied) from Children’s Health Ireland at Crumlin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Neasa Hourigan. [15427/21] 1291

*1779. To ask the Minister for Health when the multidisciplinary team will be in place as per the Final Report of the Steering Committee on the Development of HSE Transgender Identity Services, February 2020. — Neasa Hourigan. [15428/21]

*1780. To ask the Minister for Health the resources that have been made available in order to ensure the HSE service development model of care is implemented and accessible to support trans young persons and to include the provision of appropriate mental health services at primary and specialist services in line with objective 13 of the LGBTI+ National Youth Strategy 2018-2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Neasa Hourigan. [15429/21]

*1781. To ask the Minister for Health if a policy has been developed to ensure all health programmes take account of young persons who have transitioned, for example, immunisation programmes and HPV as recommended by an association (details supplied) or other appropriate professional transgender health guidelines in line with objective 13 of the LGBTI+ National Youth Strategy 2018-2020.; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Neasa Hourigan. [15430/21]

*1782. To ask the Minister for Health if clear guidelines have been furnished to health practitioners on referral pathways for transgender young persons and their families to specialised services in line with objective 13 of the LGBTI+ National Youth Strategy 2018-2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Neasa Hourigan. [15431/21]

*1783. To ask the Minister for Health the work that has been undertaken with parents and young persons seeking to access healthcare outside the State under the provisions of the EU Cross-Border Healthcare Directive and treatment abroad scheme to ensure the available options for access to care are communicated effectively in line with objective 13 of the LGBTI+ National Youth Strategy 2018-2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Neasa Hourigan. [15432/21]

*1784. To ask the Minister for Health the additional specialised staff that have been recruited in line with action 19.1 of the National LGBTI+ Inclusion Strategy 2018-2020 including endocrinologists, social workers, speech and language therapists, senior psychologists, clinical nurse specialists and administrative support officers. — Neasa Hourigan. [15433/21]

*1785. To ask the Minister for Health the steps that have been taken to develop transgender health services for children and adults with a clear transition pathway from child to adult services in line with action 19.2 of the National LGBTI+ Inclusion Strategy 2018-2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Neasa Hourigan. [15434/21]

*1786. To ask the Minister for Health the position regarding the recruitment of the main lead paediatric pain consultant in Children’s Health Ireland given that children in chronic pain have now been without a full-time pain consultant care service for over 16 months (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Noel Grealish. [15435/21]

*1787. To ask the Minister for Health the reason the multidisciplinary pain team roles that have been filled for the past three months are not seeing patients; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Noel Grealish. [15436/21]

*1788. To ask the Minister for Health the waiting list for children seeking new appointments and repeat appointments at a paediatric chronic pain clinic; if the waiting list is open or closed to new referrals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Noel Grealish. [15437/21]

P.T.O 1292

*1789. To ask the Minister for Health if family carers will be added as a priority group on the Covid-19 vaccine roll-out list; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Paul Kehoe. [15438/21]

*1790. To ask the Minister for Health the number of special schools whose staff have been vaccinated and their relationship with the HSE, HSE site or a group (details supplied) which is HSE funded; the reason staff at some special schools have been vaccinated but not others despite the staff facing the same behavioural challenges in students; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — David Cullinane. [15446/21]

*1791. To ask the Minister for Health if staff at special schools are considered as part of group 10 or group 11 for the purposes of the vaccine roll-out given the particularly difficult challenges they face at work with an inability to maintain physical distancing and other protective measures; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — David Cullinane. [15449/21]

*1792. To ask the Minister for Health the financial and other supports given to pharmacies that have provided a service throughout the pandemic; if the staff providing the service will be prioritised for the Covid-19 vaccine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — John McGuinness. [15453/21]

*1793. To ask the Minister for Health the status of the provision of €5 million funding for nine additional respite houses announced on 23 February 2021; the location of each respite house; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Michael Moynihan. [15455/21]

*1794. To ask the Minister for Health the breakdown of the recurring funding for each hospice (details supplied) announced on 17 January 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — John Lahart. [15456/21]

*1795. To ask the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the delays facing children awaiting pain management assessment and treatment as raised by a group (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Malcolm Noonan. [15457/21]

*1796. To ask the Minister for Health if he will give consideration to having cardiac patients recategorised to level 7 of the national roll-out plan for Covid-19 vaccinations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Cathal Crowe. [15460/21]

*1797. To ask the Minister for Health the public and voluntary hospitals that have repair clinics for prosthetic limbs in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Michael Fitzmaurice. [15464/21]

*1798. To ask the Minister for Health the number of approved psychiatric nursing posts by speciality as per A Vision for Change recommendations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Michael Fitzmaurice. [15465/21]

*1799. To ask the Minister for Health the position regarding assessment of needs waiting times (details supplied). — Eoghan Murphy. [15474/21]

*1800. To ask the Minister for Health if he is reviewing the Memorandum of Understanding with his colleague in the Northern Ireland Executive; the status of the performance of same; the extent to which information and data on testing, tracing and inbound travellers has been shared under the Memorandum; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — David Cullinane. [15479/21] 1293

*1801. To ask the Minister for Health the number of children with complex medical conditions availing of paediatric homecare following discharge from hospital in the past six months. — Claire Kerrane. [15480/21]

*1802. To ask the Minister for Health the steps being taken to ensure adequate step down and rehabilitation services for persons that suffer from stroke upon discharge from inpatient hospital care. — Claire Kerrane. [15481/21]

*1803. To ask the Minister for Health the number of persons employed in CAMHS in County Roscommon; the number of vacancies waiting to be filled. — Claire Kerrane. [15482/21]

*1804. To ask the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will be seen for an assessment of need. — Sean Sherlock. [15504/21]

*1805. To ask the Minister for Health if consideration has been given to further prioritising cardiac patients within the vaccine allocation groupings in view of the recognition of recent prioritisation of other medical conditions with regard to vaccine allocation and the severity of many cardiac conditions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Claire Kerrane. [15512/21]

*1806. To ask the Minister for Health the role a company (details supplied) is playing in the provision of contact tracing; the cost of the contract; the amount spent on management consultancy fees in 2020 and to date in 2021; if the hiring of the company went through a normal procurement procedure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Mairéad Farrell. [15516/21]

*1807. To ask the Minister for Health if agency workers involved in contact tracing are bound by HSE policies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Mairéad Farrell. [15517/21]

*1808. To ask the Minister for Health the category that pharmacy technicians are in to receive the Covid-19 vaccination; when this will occur; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Seán Canney. [15518/21]

*1809. To ask the Minister for Health the extent of formal cross-Border healthcare provision, cooperation and integration; the services and locations in which this occurs, such as the paediatric congenital cardiac services in Children’s Health Ireland at Crumlin or in the North-West Cancer Centre, County Derry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — David Cullinane. [15531/21]

*1810. To ask the Minister for Health the status of the new primary care centre for Grange, ; and the opening date for same. — Marian Harkin. [15543/21]

*1811. To ask the Minister for Health if he will review the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Niamh Smyth. [15544/21]

*1812. To ask the Minister for Health if he will allow an extended timeframe for the sale of a home under the fair deal scheme before interest is charged given that currently homes must be sold within one year of the death of a person; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Patricia Ryan. [15547/21]

*1813. To ask the Minister for Health if he will postpone interest accrual under the fair deal scheme following the death of a nursing home resident until after the end of the Covid-19 pandemic; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Patricia Ryan. [15548/21]

P.T.O 1294

*1814. To ask the Minister for Health the action he will take in relation to the recent unfavourable report relating to a facility (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Patricia Ryan. [15549/21]

*1815. To ask the Minister for Health his plans to appoint a chief pharmacist in his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Patricia Ryan. [15550/21]

*1816. To ask the Minister for Health if he will utilise local media to ensure the Covid-19 message is disseminated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Patricia Ryan. [15554/21]

*1817. To ask the Minister for Health the number of staff at each regional public health department in tabular form; and his plans to increase staff numbers. — Sean Sherlock. [15585/21]

*1818. To ask the Minister for Health the locations of mandatory hotel quarantine in the south of the country. — Sean Sherlock. [15586/21]

*1819. To ask the Minister for Health if he will expand the countries on the list for mandatory hotel quarantine. — Sean Sherlock. [15587/21]

*1820. To ask the Minister for Health the measures he has discussed with the Minister for Education on additional public health safety measures at schools. — Sean Sherlock. [15588/21]

*1821. To ask the Minister for Health the cost of operations and procedures for University Hospital Kerry referred to private hospitals under the National Treatment Purchase Fund in each of the years 2018 to 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Pa Daly. [15592/21]

*1822. To ask the Minister for Health the number and cost of each of hip replacement and knee replacement surgeries, respectively referred from University Hospital Kerry to private hospitals in County Kerry in each of the years 2018, 2019 and 2020. — Pa Daly. [15593/21]

*1823. To ask the Minister for Health the changes to and impact on the provision of on-site therapeutic services to the children and young people attending services (details supplied) generally and the pupils of a school in particular in the rolling out of the new HSE progressing disability services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Richard Boyd Barrett. [15598/21]

*1824. To ask the Minister for Health the timeline for implementing the progressing disability services programme; the changes this will result in; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — David Cullinane. [15607/21]

*1825. To ask the Minister for Health if children with disabilities will still be able to access disability services based on the location they go to school as opposed to their home address under the progressing disability services programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — David Cullinane. [15608/21]

*1826. To ask the Minister for Health if the HSE will consult with parents whose children are affected by the changes under the progressing disability services programme to ensure that changes to children’s disability services do not worsen accessibility or convenience; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — David Cullinane. [15609/21]

*1827. To ask the Minister for Health if Covid-19 rules in hospitals will be relaxed to allow a partner to attend with a woman experiencing a miscarriage given that support is necessary for 1295 women experiencing the pain, grief and emotional turmoil of a miscarriage and the importance for a couple to have the support of a partner at this traumatic time; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Seán Canney. [15610/21]

*1828. To ask the Minister for Health if he will report on the availability of ultrasound scans at weekends in acute hospitals; if there is a discrepancy in availability across the country; if his attention has been drawn to the backlogs and issues being caused within the health system by the lack of CT availability at weekends; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Seán Canney. [15612/21]

*1829. To ask the Minister for Health if improvements are planned across the health system for women experiencing miscarriages including awareness campaigns for all medical personnel including sonographers, nurses, doctors and administrative staff; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Seán Canney. [15614/21]

*1830. To ask the Minister for Health when the main and lead pain consultant specialists for children’s pain management will be in place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Seán Canney. [15620/21]

*1831. To ask the Minister for Health the funding allocated to each cross-Border health and social care service for each of the past five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — David Cullinane. [15621/21]

*1832. To ask the Minister for Health if he will advise on a matter raised in correspondence (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. — David Cullinane. [15622/21]

*1833. To ask the Minister for Health if external recruitment agencies used by the HSE are required to follow the same codes of practice as the HSE during direct recruitment; the name of the codes of practice; if recruitment agencies are informed by the HSE of the codes of practice; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Róisín Shortall. [15624/21]

*1834. To ask the Minister for Health if a company (details supplied) is involved in the recruitment of contact tracers or in the running of contact tracing centres; the role it plays in same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Róisín Shortall. [15625/21]

*1835. To ask the Minister for Health the figure for contact tracer staff retention since the Covid-19 contact tracing centres opened; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Róisín Shortall. [15626/21]

*1836. To ask the Minister for Health if complaints in relation to working conditions have been received in the contact tracing centres; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Róisín Shortall. [15627/21]

*1837. To ask the Minister for Health the job descriptions of clinical and non-clinical contact tracers, respectively; the differences in the two roles; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Róisín Shortall. [15628/21]

*1838. To ask the Minister for Health if contact tracers have access to passenger locator form data in order to trace close contacts of confirmed cases on arriving flights; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Róisín Shortall. [15629/21]

P.T.O 1296

*1839. To ask the Minister for Health the number of International Board of Lactation Consultant certified lactation consultants holding specialist posts in each maternity unit. — Róisín Shortall. [15635/21]

*1840. To ask the Minister for Health the number of breast pumps available in each maternity unit. — Róisín Shortall. [15636/21]

*1841. To ask the Minister for Health if there is a specific budget for the provision of breastfeeding supplies in maternity hospitals and units; if so, the way this budget compares to that of formula supplies (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Róisín Shortall. [15637/21]

*1842. To ask the Minister for Health the number of medical interns offered a post in 2020; the number accepted; the number of medical graduates that year; if every medical graduate had an intern post offered in 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Róisín Shortall. [15639/21]

*1843. To ask the Minister for Health if he will review the qualifying conditions under the medical cannabis access programme; if there is evidence to include chronic pain as a qualifying condition; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Róisín Shortall. [15640/21]

*1844. To ask the Minister for Health the current information for surgeons on the vaccination of patients awaiting surgery; if Ireland is following the same model as the UK (details supplied); if non-urgent elective surgery is taking place on patients who have yet to receive the vaccination particularly those identified in the at-risk category; the reason for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Róisín Shortall. [15641/21]

*1845. To ask the Minister for Health his views on the new payment system put in place for long stay charges in residential homes run by an organisation (details supplied) in 2017; the reason these payment rates have almost doubled; the reason the payments vary depending on a nurse being on duty in cases in which the nurse is already paid for being on duty; the reason for the cost; the purpose for which the cost is used; the areas to which the costs are directed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Claire Kerrane. [15647/21]

*1846. To ask the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to families struggling to cover the cost of long stay charges in residential homes run by an organisation (details supplied) since costs were increased in 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Claire Kerrane. [15648/21]

*1847. To ask the Minister for Health the geographical location of the two new inpatient unit hospices being considered for palliative care in CHO8. — Sorca Clarke. [15670/21]

*1848. To ask the Minister for Health the status of plans to develop two new palliative units in the CHO8 region in terms of timescale, location, capacity and funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Sorca Clarke. [15671/21]

*1849. To ask the Minister for Health the reason a person (details supplied) is waiting so long for a medical appointment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Niamh Smyth. [15672/21] 1297

*1850. To ask the Minister for Health his plans to increase funding for services that provide support for eating disorders by the end of 2021; if so, the amount of additional funding that will be provided; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Denise Mitchell. [15674/21]

*1851. To ask the Minister for Health if he will ensure that the HSE secures a permanent general practitioner for Kilrush County Clare as a matter of urgency (details supplied). — Cathal Crowe. [15676/21]

*1852. To ask the Minister for Health if those with chronic cardiac conditions will be included in cohort 4 for Covid-19 vaccination; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Marian Harkin. [15679/21]

*1853. To ask the Minister for Health if matters raised by a person (details supplied) in relation to accessing Covid-19 vaccinations for cardiac patients will receive a response; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Fergus O’Dowd. [15680/21]

*1854. To ask the Minister for Health the workforce planning for the delivery of the vaccination centre in County Mayo; the number of staff required to run the Breaffy, County Mayo vaccination centre; the number of personnel that will be recruited for this operation; the number that will be offered agency or HSE contracts; the duration of contracts offered; the entry level qualifications required; the type of training provided; if staff will be deployed from Mayo University Hospital or Community Healthcare West; if so, the areas from which they will be deployed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Alan Dillon. [15686/21]

*1855. To ask the Minister for Health if he will report on the delay in processing applications for the primary medical certificate; when he expects the backlog of applications to be processed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Maurice Quinlivan. [15693/21]

*1856. To ask the Minister for Health when members of An Garda Síochána working on the front- line can expect to receive the vaccine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Duncan Smith. [15695/21]

*1857. To ask the Minister for Health when members of multidisciplinary pain team recruited over the past three months will begin seeing patients. — Robert Troy. [15696/21]

*1858. To ask the Minister for Health the date on which he will publish guidance in relation to workers that have been out due to health issues and have since been vaccinated which would potentially allow workers to return to healthcare work. — Neasa Hourigan. [15697/21]

*1859. To ask the Minister for Health the number of intern doctors working in Roscommon University Hospital and in University Hospital Galway; his plans to reduce these numbers; if so, the reason; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Claire Kerrane. [15699/21]

*1860. To ask the Minister for Health the number of intern doctors posts created since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic; if these intern doctors will be hired permanently or offered the opportunity to be hired permanently; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Claire Kerrane. [15700/21]

*1861. To ask the Minister for Health the date on which a primary certificate application for a person (details supplied) will be assessed; the date on which a certificate will be issued; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Verona Murphy. [15709/21]

P.T.O 1298

*1862. To ask the Minister for Health the policy regarding vaccination of persons resident in hospices; the visiting restrictions imposed on such facilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — David Cullinane. [15710/21]

*1863. To ask the Minister for Health the policy for vaccinating new residents of long-term residential care facilities that were not discharged from a clinical setting; the policy for vaccinating new residents of long-term residential care facilities that were discharged from a clinical setting; the timeline for vaccination; if they must be vaccinated ahead of residency at a long-term residential care facility; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — David Cullinane. [15711/21]

*1864. To ask the Minister for Health if he will initiate a recruitment campaign for paediatric rheumatologists; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that there are two paediatric rheumatologists serving the entire population; if his attention has been further drawn to the waiting list to access the expertise of a paediatric rheumatologist here; the reason for permitting this situation to prevail; and if he will make contact with a person (details supplied) in respect of correspondence sent to him which remains unanswered to date. — Catherine Murphy. [15723/21]

*1865. To ask the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will receive the Covid-19 vaccine; if they will be called via their general practitioner or the hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Bernard J. Durkan. [15725/21]

*1866. To ask the Minister for Health the number of haemodialysis patients treated in contracted centres in 2019, 2020 and to date in 2021, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Pauline Tully. [15732/21]

*1867. To ask the Minister for Health the number of Covid-19 patients at University Hospital Galway transferred to other hospitals for oxygen treatment during the period 1 February 2020 to 1 February 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Mairéad Farrell. [15735/21]

*1868. To ask the Minister for Health if he will address a matter in relation to a primary medical certificate for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Michael Healy-Rae. [15737/21]

*1869. To ask the Minister for Health the status of an application by a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Michael Healy-Rae. [15738/21]

*1870. To ask the Minister for Health if he will clarify details on the pain relief outpatients waiting list report as listed on the NTPF website; his views on whether the numbers listed cannot be correct given that Children’s Health Ireland is not taking referrals; and if he will rectify the age groups listings which are 0 to 16, 16 to 64 and over 65 years of age given that Children’s Health Ireland has agreed to keep all chronic pain patients until 18 years of age. — Robert Troy. [15744/21]

*1871. To ask the Minister for Health the number of persons waiting for orthopaedic surgery in Cork University Hospital by length of time waiting in tabular form. — Thomas Gould. [15745/21]

*1872. To ask the Minister for Health his plans to reopen trauma theatres in St. Steven’s Hospital, Cork to deal with orthopaedic surgery waiting times; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Thomas Gould. [15746/21] 1299

*1873. To ask the Minister for Health the number of orthopaedic surgeries cancelled in Cork University Hospital by the hospital due to capacity issues by quarter in 2019, 2020 and to date in 2021, in tabular form. — Thomas Gould. [15747/21]

*1874. To ask the Minister for Health the average waiting time for orthopaedic surgery in Cork University Hospital in 2019, 2020 and to date in 2021, in tabular form. — Thomas Gould. [15748/21]

*1875. To ask the Minister for Health if he will include pharmacy staff in the next wave of the roll-out of the Covid-19 vaccine. — Robert Troy. [15749/21]

*1876. To ask the Minister for Health the number of persons diagnosed with lung cancer at stages 1 to 4, respectively in each of the years 2018 to 2020, in tabular form. — . [15751/21]

*1877. To ask the Minister for Health the number of persons who attended a rapid access lung clinic for a diagnostic test in each month from January 2020 to January 2021; the percentage of these appointments that were seen within the recommended timeframe; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Johnny Guirke. [15752/21]

*1878. To ask the Minister for Health the number of persons who attended a rapid access prostate clinic for a diagnostic test during each month from January 2020 to January 2021; the percentage of these appointments that were seen within the recommended timeframe; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Johnny Guirke. [15753/21]

*1879. To ask the Minister for Health the progress to date in providing better and more efficient access to paediatric rheumatology for children with special needs; the progress to date in securing additional paediatric rheumatologists within the HSE since the recruitment drive closed in December 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Bernard J. Durkan. [15754/21]

*1880. To ask the Minister for Health the breakdown of the various Covid-19-related public information campaigns run by his Department to date; and the number that relate specifically on the way to properly wear a face covering and to dispose and wash face masks appropriately. — Emer Higgins. [15764/21]

*1881. To ask the Minister for Health if he will consider on grounds of equity allowing provision for medical card holders to access specialist women’s healthcare treatments (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Róisín Shortall. [15765/21]

*1882. To ask the Minister for Health the number of front-line healthcare workers in an organisation (details supplied) in Cork who have been vaccinated. — Thomas Gould. [15778/21]

*1883. To ask the Minister for Health the details of his engagement with EU member states and the UK in respect of his contribution on a proposed common Covid-19 travel certificate and or a digital green certificate in respect of travel. — Catherine Murphy. [15599/21]

*1884. To ask the Minister for Health the number of HSE paediatric pain specialists nationally; his plans to increase same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Bernard J. Durkan. [15788/21]

P.T.O 1300

*1885. To ask the Minister for Health the spend on the HSE breastfeeding action plan for 2019 and 2020; and the way in which this compares to that which had been budgeted for this area. — Steven Matthews. [15789/21]

*1886. To ask the Minister for Health when a written policy will be in place allowing occupational health to clear for immediate return to work critical healthcare workers deemed highly vulnerable (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Réada Cronin. [15794/21]

*1887. To ask the Minister for Health when the paediatric rheumatologist will start work and see patients; when the information leaflet prepared for general practitioners by parents of children with Down syndrome-related arthritis and which has been ready since November 2019 will be distributed to their practices and to other health professionals; when arthritis screening for children with Down syndrome will be introduced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Réada Cronin. [15795/21]

*1888. To ask the Minister for Health the position regarding the recruitment and appointment of a full-time dedicated paediatric pain consultant given that children in chronic pain are now without a full-time consultant for 16 months; if the number of children on the waiting lists as published are correct; the reason the multidisciplinary pain teams which were filled three months ago are not seeing patients; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Réada Cronin. [15796/21]

*1889. To ask the Minister for Health if elderly persons having to travel distances to receive their vaccine will be eligible for reimbursement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — David Cullinane. [15817/21]

*1890. To ask the Minister for Health the positions allocated and filled in counties Sligo and Leitrim in respect of speech and language therapy, social work, physiotherapy and occupational therapy in tabular form; and the figures at a national level. — Marian Harkin. [15822/21]

*1891. To ask the Minister for Health the number of independent dental practices that signed up to the dental treatment services scheme in each of the past five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — John Brady. [15823/21]

*1892. To ask the Minister for Health if there are discussions ongoing with stakeholders from the independent dental sector to address concerns regarding accepting medical card patients for dental treatment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — John Brady. [15824/21]

*1893. To ask the Minister for Health the cost involved in mandatory quarantining for those entering Ireland (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Marian Harkin. [15826/21]

*1894. To ask the Minister for Health the reason a person with a brain injury who is over 65 years of age and who could gain significantly from rehabilitation is unable to access community neurorehabilitation services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Marian Harkin. [15827/21]

*1895. To ask the Minister for Health the number of healthcare workers in each category that have received the Covid-19 vaccine to date; the number of persons between 70-74, 75-79, 80-84 over 85 years of age, respectively who have received the vaccine to date; the number of persons at very high risk of severe disease who have received the vaccine to date by condition; and the number in each type of long-term care facility, for example, nursing homes, residential disability, 1301 and residential mental health institutes that have received the vaccine to date in tabular form. — Róisín Shortall. [15829/21]

*1896. To ask the Minister for Health the definition for the term not coded which is used on Covid-19 data hub in relation to the persons who have been administered a vaccine. — Róisín Shortall. [15830/21]

*1897. To ask the Minister for Health if the IT system for the vaccination roll-out is capable of issuing appointments for vaccines; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Róisín Shortall. [15831/21]

*1898. To ask the Minister for Health the clinical evidence in relation to the point at which persons in an age cohort are no more likely to develop severe disease if they catch SARS-CoV-2 than the general population; (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Róisín Shortall. [15832/21]

*1899. To ask the Minister for Health if he plans to take measures providing equal treatment to patients taking products manufactured by a company (details supplied) and to allow the type of medical cannabis products to be funded at source similar to those under the compassionate access programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Róisín Shortall. [15833/21]

*1900. To ask the Minister for Health if an updated vaccine supply forecast will be provided for quarters 1, 2 and 3 (details supplied). — Róisín Shortall. [15837/21]

*1901. To ask the Minister for Health if office bound HSE staff have received a Covid-19 vaccine; the number of this cohort who have received a vaccine; the rationale for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Róisín Shortall. [15838/21]

*1902. To ask the Minister for Health the amount spent on Covid-19 testing and tracing in 2020; the amount budgeted for; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — David Cullinane. [15843/21]

*1903. To ask the Minister for Health the amount spent on Covid-19 testing and tracing in 2021 to date; the amount budgeted for 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — David Cullinane. [15844/21]

*1904. To ask the Minister for Health the total Covid-19-related spend in 2020 by budget line item; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — David Cullinane. [15845/21]

*1905. To ask the Minister for Health the number of whole-time equivalent funded, filled and vacant positions in testing and tracing; the basis on which they are filled as a percentage of full- time; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — David Cullinane. [15847/21]

*1906. To ask the Minister for Health the number of children currently waiting for assessment for speech and language services in CHO7. — Emer Higgins. [15857/21]

*1907. To ask the Minister for Health the number of children who have received assessments for speech and language services and are currently waiting for intervention in CHO7. — Emer Higgins. [15858/21]

P.T.O 1302

*1908. To ask the Minister for Health the number of children who have received sporadic speech and language intervention but require further sessions in CHO7. — Emer Higgins. [15859/21]

*1909. To ask the Minister for Health if he will request the HSE to publish the modal age in relation to Covid-19 cases as part of the daily figures to enable further insights into Covid-19 transmission trends here. — Emer Higgins. [15861/21]

*1910. To ask the Minister for Health when mandatory hotel quarantine for passengers arriving to Ireland from high-risk countries will be implemented; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Thomas Pringle. [15866/21]

*1911. To ask the Minister for Health the steps being taken to ensure immunocompromised persons and persons with chronic lung diseases are not refused regular treatments until they receive the Covid-19 vaccine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Christopher O’Sullivan. [15868/21]

*1912. To ask the Minister for Health if childcare workers (details supplied) will be prioritised in the Covid-19 vaccine programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Pearse Doherty. [15869/21]

*1913. To ask the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Donegal will receive respite services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Pearse Doherty. [15870/21]

*1914. To ask the Minister for Health the date to which his Department is working towards to introduce the nursing home support scheme (amendment) Bill; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Holly Cairns. [15905/21]

*1915. To ask the Minister for Health the date to which his Department is working towards to introduce the safe access to the termination of pregnancy services Bill; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Holly Cairns. [15906/21]

*1916. To ask the Minister for Health the steps he is taking to ensure the waiving of intellectual property rights for Covid-19 products during the pandemic, in particular vaccines, as recommended by the World Health Organisation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Holly Cairns. [15907/21]

*1917. To ask the Minister for Health the steps he is taking to highlight the importance of cervical screening for persons under 25 years of age who are not yet screened but need to be aware of the significance of the screening process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Holly Cairns. [15908/21]

*1918. To ask the Minister for Health if a PPS number is required to access cervical screening services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Holly Cairns. [15909/21]

*1919. To ask the Minister for Health the number of persons that opted out of cervical screening services in each of the years 2015 to 2020, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Holly Cairns. [15910/21]

*1920. To ask the Minister for Health the details of HSE psychologist posts since January 2014 in CHO4 that were competed for via local interview as opposed to the relevant national recruitment 1303 panel; the dates the posts were advertised; the exact locations of the services; the rationale in each instance for a local interview being used over the national recruitment panel process; the related recruitment rules on this process; the number of such competitions that were sanctioned by local or national human resources; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Holly Cairns. [15911/21]

*1921. To ask the Minister for Health the role of the liaison officers appointed to work with the persons affected by the CervicalCheck scandal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Holly Cairns. [15912/21]

*1922. To ask the Minister for Health if the document regarding liaison officers will be made available for persons affected by the CervicalCheck scandal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Holly Cairns. [15913/21]

*1923. To ask the Minister for Health the details of the retrospective audit that will be offered to persons affected by the CervicalCheck scandal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Holly Cairns. [15914/21]

*1924. To ask the Minister for Health the steps he is taking to involve persons and groups affected by failures of the State to provide proper healthcare such as a group (details supplied) in the development of the patient safety Bill; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Holly Cairns. [15915/21]

*1925. To ask the Minister for Health the steps he is taking to address the HSE decision to reduce the number of intern places being offered for the 2021 cohort of medical graduates (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Holly Cairns. [15916/21]

*1926. To ask the Minister for Health the steps he is taking to address the waiting lists for persons with endometriosis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Holly Cairns. [15917/21]

*1927. To ask the Minister for Health his views on permitting dental hygienists to participate in the national roll-out of Covid-19 vaccinations as vaccinators; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Holly Cairns. [15918/21]

*1928. To ask the Minister for Health if he has examined the beneficial effects accruing from the introduction of minimum unit pricing for alcohol in Scotland; and when section 11 of the Public Health (Alcohol) Act 2018 will be commenced in order that similar benefits can be gained here. — John Lahart. [15953/21]

*1929. To ask the Minister for Health the details of the three-year review of the Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Act 2018; the person or body that will carry out the review; the terms of reference for the review; the timeframe for the review; if submissions will be sought or accepted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Catherine Connolly. [15955/21]

*1930. To ask the Minister for Health the number of Covid-19 tests which have been administered by private providers and analysed by public laboratories in each week since 1 January 2021. — Róisín Shortall. [15957/21]

*1931. To ask the Minister for Health the number of Covid-19 tests which have been administered by private providers and analysed by private laboratories in each week since 1 January 2021. — Róisín Shortall. [15958/21]

P.T.O 1304

*1932. To ask the Minister for Health if the results of Covid-19 tests administered by private providers and analysed by private laboratories are reported to the HSE; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Róisín Shortall. [15959/21]

*1933. To ask the Minister for Health the processes and facilities in place to properly dispose of syringes and other medical and biohazardous waste arising from the national Covid-19 vaccination programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Neasa Hourigan. [15969/21]

*1934. To ask the Minister for Health the payment options available for persons to pay fines, charges or bills by his Department; and if there are plans to provide further online payment facilities. — Emer Higgins. [16295/21]

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

*1935. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the specific tree planting schemes his Department envisages to promote and encourage large-scale planting for private landowners; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Verona Murphy. [13871/21]

*1936. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he is satisfied that there is sufficient legislation to deal with the challenge of wandering and stray horses in urban areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Maurice Quinlivan. [13874/21]

*1937. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when the fishing capacity of the bottom mussel sector in Ireland and the resources available to it were last assessed and made public with reference to Article 22 of Regulation EU 2013-1380 The Common Fisheries Policy in relation to the rightsizing of fishing fleets to match the available resource. — Pádraig Mac Lochlainn. [13891/21]

*1938. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his attention has been drawn to the financial circumstances of the Irish bottom mussel industry; and if he will engage with the sector to ensure that there is a strong and properly regulated management structure in place to ensure the fishery is regulated and that Irish registered boats are given a fair chance and opportunity to make a living as he called for during the passage of the Sea Fisheries Amendment Bill in 2019. — Pádraig Mac Lochlainn. [13892/21]

*1939. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if it will be ensured that the four fishermen (details supplied) who successfully won their court cases will have the option of availing of compensation or decommissioning schemes made available to their colleagues in other sectors in the time ahead. — Pádraig Mac Lochlainn. [13893/21]

*1940. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the position regarding the availability of peat (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Danny Healy-Rae. [13916/21]

*1941. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason Bord Bia inspectors are still performing on-farm inspections during level 5 restrictions given the potential risk of spreading Covid-19 when it is not deemed essential work; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Denis Naughten. [13946/21] 1305

*1942. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will consider changing the criteria to become eligible to allow nieces, nephews, brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law to use a herd number; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Seán Canney. [13980/21]

*1943. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if landscaping is permitted during level 5 restrictions in particular hedge trimming that is seasonal in nature; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Paul McAuliffe. [13986/21]

*1944. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if a decision has been made on an appeal of a basic payment commonage reduction by a farmer (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Brendan Griffin. [14019/21]

*1945. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the legislative basis which determines the regulation of farriery in Ireland; the conditions and or qualifications necessary in order to operate as a farrier; his plans to propose additional legislation or regulation in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Matt Carthy. [14054/21]

*1946. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the monthly targets for private licences with ecology input excluding Coillte felling licences for each month for the remainder of 2021 (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Michael Healy-Rae. [14057/21]

*1947. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of an application by persons (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Michael Healy-Rae. [14081/21]

*1948. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of an application by a person (details supplied); and if same will be reviewed. — Niamh Smyth. [14104/21]

*1949. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the steps he has taken to designate the native black bee as a protected species and to stop the importation of other bees whose existence in Ireland will undermine the redevelopment of native honeybees; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Catherine Connolly. [14119/21]

*1950. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the steps being taken to ensure that proper regulation and fairness is applied to beef factories to ensure that beef farmers are properly paid for their produce; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Danny Healy- Rae. [14134/21]

*1951. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of a farm payment for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Michael Healy-Rae. [14168/21]

*1952. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the measures put in place to prevent the importation of the small hive beetle, athena tumida; if a risk assessment for this pest has been carried out; and if not, the reason. — Eoin Ó Broin. [14249/21]

*1953. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if there are importation bans on honeybees from countries in which athena tumida has been detected; and if not, the reason. — Eoin Ó Broin. [14250/21]

P.T.O 1306

*1954. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the measures in place to protect the native Irish honeybee apis mellifera mellifera from being genetically diluted from the importation of non-native honeybees. — Eoin Ó Broin. [14251/21]

*1955. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the steps he is taking to address illegal burning and hedge cutting; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Holly Cairns. [14313/21]

*1956. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of racing greyhound pups born in each of the years 2011 to 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Holly Cairns. [14314/21]

*1957. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the details of the process through which his Department drafts and produces legislation; if his Department outsources the drafting of legislation; if so, the Bills for which the drafting was outsourced since he took office; and the costs associated with the drafting of each Bill. — Peadar Tóibín. [14413/21]

*1958. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the changes made to the terms and conditions of the single farm payment qualifications in each of the years 2010 to 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Jackie Cahill. [14434/21]

*1959. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the steps he is taking to address the threat to penalise local farmers on their area based payments as far back as 2014 due to climate change (details supplied); the urgent need for clarity in advance of submitting their 2021 BPS; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Denis Naughten. [14481/21]

*1960. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to assist the horticulture industry with particular reference to peat supplies later in 2021, a lack of which will have serious consequences for food production and biosecurity; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Bernard J. Durkan. [14484/21]

*1961. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if measures will be put in place to prevent the importation of non-native bees (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Brendan Griffin. [14499/21]

*1962. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if approval will be issued to a forestry access road application by a person (details supplied). — John McGuinness. [14501/21]

*1963. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the circumstances for a financial penalty on payments (details supplied). — Michael Creed. [14530/21]

*1964. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the steps being taken at EU level to ensure that there is consistency and uniformity of approach with regard to export health certificates as required under the trade co-operation agreement between the European Union and the UK post-Brexit on products of animal origin; the estimated time taken from date of application to the issue of such export health certificates; and if he will expedite this application process in particular circumstances. — Michael Creed. [14531/21]

*1965. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to introduce a scheme to replace the AEOS scheme which finished 12 months ago; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Niall Collins. [14534/21] 1307

*1966. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason Horse Sport Ireland does not recognise the Irish language when registering horses here; his views on whether it is acceptable; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Claire Kerrane. [14593/21]

*1967. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a farmer (details supplied) will be called for an oral hearing in relation to their TAMS application. — Niall Collins. [14649/21]

*1968. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when the last meeting of the Beef Task Force took place; when the next meeting will take place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Patricia Ryan. [14709/21]

*1969. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will change the collection of the foal levy to reflect the invoice price; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Patricia Ryan. [14717/21]

*1970. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will change the foal levy to a more equitable system which distributes the burden fairly; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Patricia Ryan. [14718/21]

*1971. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a felling licence application by a person (details supplied) will be processed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Jackie Cahill. [14723/21]

*1972. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the five most recent significant capital projects in the major functional responsibilities of his Department which have required his sanction; the time which elapsed between the initial submission of the proposal for consideration until the construction commenced; the significant elements making up this period; the time spent in assessment prior to approval in the planning process; the time spent in assessment prior to approval in the procurement process of contractors; and the way this duration compared with the targeted time to delivery set out at the outset of the process. — Richard Bruton. [14771/21]

*1973. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will address a matter (details supplied) regarding native honeybees; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Michael Healy-Rae. [14800/21]

*1974. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 1019 of 10 February 2021, if further details will be provided in respect of the substance furazone and the date on which and locations seizures of furazone were made; and if any of the persons from whom it was seized was subject to sanction and or prosecution. — Catherine Murphy. [14863/21]

*1975. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the amount of boldenone and testex seized by his officials in each of the years 2018 to 2020 and to date in 2021; and the location of these seizures. — Catherine Murphy. [14864/21]

*1976. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if consideration will be given to extending the eligibility for the LESS scheme under the TAMS grants to agricultural contractors that wish to upgrade their equipment to reduce emissions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Michael Moynihan. [14902/21]

P.T.O 1308

*1977. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of appeals of live valuations of TB reactors that have been taken by farmers in the past five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Jackie Cahill. [14913/21]

*1978. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of appeals of live valuations of TB reactors that have been taken by his Department in the past five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Jackie Cahill. [14914/21]

*1979. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when the deer management forum last met; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Jackie Cahill. [14915/21]

*1980. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of badger vaccinations for TB that have been carried out in the past five years by county; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Jackie Cahill. [14916/21]

*1981. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of badger post- mortems for TB that have been carried out in the past five years by county; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Jackie Cahill. [14917/21]

*1982. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of deer post-mortems for TB that have been carried out in the past five years by county; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Jackie Cahill. [14918/21]

*1983. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his Department plans to cull mink in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Jackie Cahill. [14919/21]

*1984. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his Department plans to take on more staff in order to vaccinate deer for TB; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Jackie Cahill. [14920/21]

*1985. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of confirmed cases of scrapie in each of the years 2016 to 2020 and to date in 2021, by county in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Matt Carthy. [14951/21]

*1986. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his attention has been drawn to the fact that scrapie is causing issues in the movement of animals between Ireland and Northern Ireland; the actions his Department is taking to address such matters; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Matt Carthy. [14952/21]

*1987. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of a payment for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Michael Ring. [14994/21]

*1988. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of farmers in County Kerry who have had penalties applied to their direct 2020 payments as a result of gorse fires on commonage; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Brendan Griffin. [14999/21]

*1989. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the capacity output if the number of licences issued for afforestation, roads and private felling per week by the Forest Service of his Department as reflected in the weekly dashboard is not capacity output under its current resources; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Michael Lowry. [15011/21] 1309

*1990. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 1016 of 10 March 2021, if he is stating that the forestry sector is not a relevant stakeholder with regard to the CAP strategic plan; if the forest sector, which is a section of his Department, is not a part of the CAP process regardless of the way in which it is funded; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Michael Lowry. [15012/21]

*1991. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 1014 of 10 March 2021, his views on whether not including afforestation initiatives in the pilot agri-environment scheme will further disincentivise afforestation amongst the farming community; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the GLAS and afforestation schemes were and remain competing schemes and were not complimentary to each other and that this fact contributed significantly to the demise of the afforestation programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Michael Lowry. [15013/21]

*1992. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if the number of licences issued for afforestation, roads and private felling per week by the forest service of his Department as reflected in the weekly dashboard is the actual capacity output of his Department under its current resources; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Michael Lowry. [15014/21]

*1993. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 1016 of 10 March 2021, if his attention has been drawn to the fact that he has excluded the entire private forestry sector and appears to be reliant on his officials who have presided over the demise of the current forestry programme under the current CAP in his reference to all relevant stakeholders; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Michael Lowry. [15015/21]

*1994. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the weekly full-time equivalent of ecologists working in the Forest Service of his Department since June 2019 including the ecologists who are subcontracted by the service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Michael Lowry. [15017/21]

*1995. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 1015 of 10 March 2021, if he will review the answer provided given that the question did not ask for the Departmental target but the number of licence and scheme approvals his Department must issue each year in order to deliver on targets; if he is stating that the target of 4,500 new licences in 2021 is sufficient to meet targets for forestry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Michael Lowry. [15018/21]

*1996. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if a comprehensive account will be provided of the actions taken to date by his Department to resolve all of the issues associated with the DNA tests of a herd in the name of a person (details supplied); the outstanding matters including DNA tests which have to be dealt with; the timeline for the completion of this work; if the suspension of the herd will be lifted as a matter of urgency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — John McGuinness. [15059/21]

*1997. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the steps he plans to take to prohibit intensive farmers that face difficulties complying with the nitrates directive renting land in hill and mountainous areas (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Éamon Ó Cuív. [15080/21]

*1998. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of vehicles owned or leased and operated by his Department and agencies and semi-State companies under his remit

P.T.O 1310 broken down by the number of ICE and non-ICE vehicles and fuel category, that is, petrol, diesel, hybrid, plug-in hybrid, electric and so on; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Duncan Smith. [15113/21]

*1999. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 103 of 10 March 2021, the analyses and studies his Department relied on when arriving at the decision to make this change (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Michael Healy-Rae. [15135/21]

*2000. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the bodies which make up the membership of an organisation (details supplied); the bodies that make up the list of individual bodies represented by the organisation at the Beef Task Force meetings; if the minutes of the Beef Task Force meetings will be made public; if all members of the organisation are also members of a confederation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Violet-Anne Wynne. [15145/21]

*2001. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the process for the way in which a case (details supplied) was withdrawn on 29 January 2020; the identity of the decision maker; the rationale for the withdrawal of the case; and the persons that endorsed and or sanctioned the decision makers actions. — Catherine Murphy. [15154/21]

*2002. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide all advice received in respect of a case (details supplied), with the exception of legal advice, that was withdrawn by his Department on 29 January 2020. — Catherine Murphy. [15155/21]

*2003. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if a person (details supplied) presented a herd for inspection that was suspected of containing TB; if this herd was documented as not being the entire compliment of registered animals; and the sanction that ensued as a result of same. — Catherine Murphy. [15156/21]

*2004. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if 2,300 hectares of forestry was planted in 2020 (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Michael Fitzmaurice. [15163/21]

*2005. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if the forestry service inspectorate has any authority in cases in which a forestry licence is issued outside the plots mapped for that licence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Michael Fitzmaurice. [15164/21]

*2006. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the procedures followed in cases in which a district inspector decides to suspend a forestry licence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Michael Fitzmaurice. [15165/21]

*2007. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if a copy of the reply to a question at the Joint Committee on Agriculture and the Marine will be provided to this Deputy (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Michael Fitzmaurice. [15166/21]

*2008. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the beneficiaries of payments or funding from COFORD in each of the past five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Michael Fitzmaurice. [15167/21] 1311

*2009. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the action he plans to take regarding the large herd of wild goats impacting on farmers in west County Clare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Niall Collins. [15194/21]

*2010. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of a felling licence application by persons (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Michael Healy-Rae. [15202/21]

*2011. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if carrying out the screening process on each forestry licence application by district inspectors is approved by the Forestry Appeals Committee (details supplied); if the Committee will uphold the licence in cases in which the forestry licence is objected to due to the fact the screening process was carried out by the district inspector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Michael Fitzmaurice. [15221/21]

*2012. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if district inspectors informed senior forestry management that they will screen in the majority of licence applications given as district inspectors they do not feel suitably qualified to carry this work; the number of occasions on which senior management has been notified of same in 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Michael Fitzmaurice. [15222/21]

*2013. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will request from Coillte the percentage of planting which is coniferous and broadleaf, respectively by site; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Richard Boyd Barrett. [15225/21]

*2014. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of applications for tree felling under investigation at present.; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Sean Sherlock. [15257/21]

*2015. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will report on his discussions with his European Union counterparts regarding the expected 15% reduction in fish landed in Ireland as a result of the recent Brexit deal and the inequity of Ireland having the largest proportion transferred among involved EU states; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Ged Nash. [15267/21]

*2016. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to renegotiate the Common Fisheries Policy to prevent direct and indirect job losses in the Irish fishing industry, to protect the sustainability of fisheries stock within Ireland’s exclusive economic zone and to prevent the displacement of Irish vessels in Irish waters by EU counterparts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Ged Nash. [15268/21]

*2017. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he has introduced a farm buildings relocation scheme for farmers whose buildings were flooded during flood events; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Seán Canney. [15287/21]

*2018. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will consider legalisation calling for an immediate and outright ban on the importation of non-native bee species to help protect Ireland’s native stock of honeybees, reduce the risks of pest species and to reduce the risk of hybridisation due to mating of non-native and native species (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Matt Shanahan. [15351/21]

P.T.O 1312

*2019. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if an off-farm income pay for income tax figure can be accepted as the gross income for a national reserve application (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Brendan Griffin. [15380/21]

*2020. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason Greyhound Racing Ireland lists a greyhound (details supplied) as rehomed when the dog was actually exported to China; and if he will investigate and take action against persons involved in the direct or indirect export of greyhounds to China. — Joan Collins. [15385/21]

*2021. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the details of the decision of his Department to increase the buffer zone radius from 3km to 15km for all forestry projects; the authority that advised this increase; when his Department received this instruction; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Paul Kehoe. [15421/21]

*2022. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of capital projects completed since 2016; the final agreed tender price for each project; the actual cost of each project; if the actual price exceeded the tender price; the reason in each case in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Michael Fitzmaurice. [15466/21]

*2023. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will consider banning industrial fishing for sprat similar to that for herring and mackerel; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Marc Ó Cathasaigh. [15526/21]

*2024. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of an appeal by a person (details supplied). — Peter Burke. [15563/21]

*2025. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of thoroughbred foals born over the past five years; the number registered to race on the track; the number of horses exiting racing over the same period; and the number of same that were sent to slaughter. — Paul Murphy. [15584/21]

*2026. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a person (details supplied) in County Cork will receive their 2020 BDGP and BEAM grants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Michael Creed. [15611/21]

*2027. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on the importance of new grass in acting as an emissions sink; if progress is being made in providing financial support in reseeding; his views on the level of support per acre that would be appropriate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Martin Browne. [15615/21]

*2028. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the estimated amount of emissions such as carbon that is sequestered back into farming grassland; the way in which those figures are determined; his views on whether these figures show the actual level of sequestration; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Martin Browne. [15617/21]

*2029. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if all fees have been paid by objectors since the new legislation was introduced for the appeals of forestry decisions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Jackie Cahill. [15644/21] 1313

*2030. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the options a plantation owner has for the crop in cases in which an appeal is upheld against a felling licence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Jackie Cahill. [15645/21]

*2031. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the timeline for progression through the system for the 1,500 forestry licences received by his Department that do not require an environmental impact study; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Jackie Cahill. [15646/21]

*2032. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will address a matter (details supplied) in relation to the welfare of dairy calves born in 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Paul Murphy. [15667/21]

*2033. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the situation with respect to farmers entering land lease agreements of at least five years in 2021 and associated entitlements under the rules and practice; if such farmers can be guaranteed that notwithstanding the expected operation of the forthcoming Common Agricultural Policy in 2023 that the conditions in respect of such entitlements will not be changed for the duration of the leasing agreement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — David Stanton. [15698/21]

*2034. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 1025 of 17 February 2021, the timeline for the completion of the Regulatory Impact Assessment of the EU Regulation on Veterinary Medicinal Products EU 2019/6; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Catherine Connolly. [15712/21]

*2035. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the analysis carried out or commissioned by his Department into the question of Ireland qualifying for the derogation in Article 105(4) of the EU Regulation on Veterinary Medicinal Products EU 2019/6; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Catherine Connolly. [15713/21]

*2036. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he has raised concerns at a national or EU level regarding the potential impact of the coming into force of the EU Regulation on Veterinary Medicinal Products EU 2019/6 in January 2022 on the livelihoods of responsible persons that will no longer be permitted to prescribe antiparasitic medicines; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Catherine Connolly. [15714/21]

*2037. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if a decision has been made on a forestry application by a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Brendan Griffin. [15743/21]

*2038. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a person (details supplied) in County Leitrim will receive a decision on their felling licence application; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Marc MacSharry. [15756/21]

*2039. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if there is a way of seeking additional unused non-national EU quota (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Michael Collins. [15758/21]

*2040. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of persons that have lodged appeals against applications for forestry licences since the €200 appeals charge was introduced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Jackie Cahill. [15819/21]

P.T.O 1314

*2041. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of appeals that have been lodged against applications for forestry licences since the €200 appeals charge was introduced by county in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Jackie Cahill. [15820/21]

*2042. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on amending the Forestry Acts to provide protection and regulation for trees in urban areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Holly Cairns. [15896/21]

*2043. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the afforestation rates by county in each of the years 2015 to 2020, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Holly Cairns. [15897/21]

*2044. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when the draft 2030 agri-food strategy will be published; the way in which the public will be consulted in the development of the final strategy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Holly Cairns. [15898/21]

*2045. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the details of his engagement with the environmental pillar since its withdrawal from the 2030 agri-food strategy committee; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Holly Cairns. [15899/21]

*2046. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the further action he is taking to address issues in the forestry and timber industry given the continued difficulty with forestry licensing output; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — David Stanton. [15946/21]

*2047. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he has spoken to the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications regarding the possible impact that a backlog in the issuing of forestry licences may have on Ireland‘s climate targets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — David Stanton. [15947/21]

*2048. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he has spoken to the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage regarding the possible impact that a backlog in the issuing of forestry licences may have on the construction sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — David Stanton. [15948/21]

*2049. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the afforestation level his Department will achieve in 2021, given the total achieved to date in 2021 and the seasonality factor which will see no afforestation from June to November 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Verona Murphy. [15949/21]

*2050. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will intervene in the ongoing forestry crisis and address his Department’s failed licensing system which will see Ireland with record low afforestation, timber shortages and further job losses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Verona Murphy. [15950/21]

*2051. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the levels of non-compliance with equine microchipping and traceability; if he is satisfied with the level of compliance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Michael Creed. [15966/21] 1315

*2052. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the total Covid-19-related spend in 2020 by his Department, agency and budget line item; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — David Cullinane. [16270/21]

*2053. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the payment options available for persons to pay fines, charges or bills by his Department; and if there are plans to provide further online payment facilities. — Emer Higgins. [16289/21]

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

*2054. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development the process involved in compiling the Pobal deprivation index; her plans to update the index; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Dara Calleary. [14003/21]

*2055. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development the details of the process through which her Department drafts and produces legislation; if her Department outsources the drafting of legislation; if so, the Bills for which the drafting was outsourced since she took office; and the costs associated with the drafting of each Bill. — Peadar Tóibín. [14426/21]

*2056. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development the breakdown by NUTS III region of projects funded to date under the rural economic development zone programme. — Marian Harkin. [14689/21]

*2057. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development the status of the Action Plan for Rural Development; if this plan has been aligned with the National Planning Framework Ireland 2040: Our Plan; and if the impact of Brexit and Covid-19 will be accounted for as part of any renewal of the plan. — Marian Harkin. [14692/21]

*2058. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development the five most recent significant capital projects in the major functional responsibilities of her Department which have required her sanction; the time which elapsed between the initial submission of the proposal for consideration until the construction commenced; the significant elements making up this period; the time spent in assessment prior to approval in the planning process; the time spent in assessment prior to approval in the procurement process of contractors; and the way this duration compared with the targeted time to delivery set out at the outset of the process. — Richard Bruton. [14784/21]

*2059. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development the financial supports available to community-based organisations that have been found to not be eligible for the COVID-19 Stability Fund for Community and Voluntary, Charity and Social Enterprises; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Neasa Hourigan. [14924/21]

*2060. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development if a grant exists for sensory gardens; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Pádraig O‘Sullivan. [15026/21]

*2061. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development if a review has been conducted on the implementation of the recommendations in a strategic framework for developing the offshore islands of Ireland 1996; and if she will publish same and provide a copy to this Deputy. — Aengus Ó Snodaigh. [15033/21]

P.T.O 1316

*2062. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development if the recommendations set out in a strategic framework for developing the offshore islands of Ireland 1996 in the policy area of education have been implemented in full; and the details of the recommendations not fully implemented. — Aengus Ó Snodaigh. [15034/21]

*2063. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development if the recommendations set out in a strategic framework for developing the offshore islands of Ireland 1996 in the policy area of health services have been implemented in full; and the details of the recommendations not fully implemented. — Aengus Ó Snodaigh. [15035/21]

*2064. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development if the recommendations set out in a strategic framework for developing the offshore islands of Ireland 1996 in the policy area of agriculture have been implemented in full; and the details of the recommendations not fully implemented. — Aengus Ó Snodaigh. [15036/21]

*2065. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development if the recommendations set out in a strategic framework for developing the offshore islands of Ireland 1996 in the policy area of energy supply and communications have been implemented in full; and the details of the recommendations not fully implemented. — Aengus Ó Snodaigh. [15037/21]

*2066. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development if the recommendations set out in a strategic framework for developing the offshore islands of Ireland 1996 in the policy area of fishing and aquaculture have been implemented in full; and the details of the recommendations not fully implemented. — Aengus Ó Snodaigh. [15038/21]

*2067. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development if the recommendations set out in a strategic framework for developing the offshore islands of Ireland 1996 in the policy area of tourism, training and future tourism policy have been implemented in full; and the details of the recommendations not fully implemented. — Aengus Ó Snodaigh. [15039/21]

*2068. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development if the recommendations set out in a strategic framework for developing the offshore islands of Ireland 1996 in the policy area of information technology have been implemented in full; and the details of the recommendations not fully implemented.; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Aengus Ó Snodaigh. [15040/21]

*2069. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development if the recommendations set out in a strategic framework for developing the offshore islands of Ireland 1996 in the policy area of local development have been implemented in full; and the details of the recommendations not fully implemented. — Aengus Ó Snodaigh. [15041/21]

*2070. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development if the recommendations set out in a strategic framework for developing the offshore islands of Ireland 1996 in the policy area of future mechanisms and structures have been implemented in full; and the details of the recommendations not fully implemented. — Aengus Ó Snodaigh. [15042/21]

*2071. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development the position regarding the Interdepartmental Co-Ordinating Committee on Island Development established to coordinate the development and improvement of living conditions on the offshore islands in advance of the publication of a strategic framework for developing the offshore islands of Ireland 1996; if the committee is still in existence; if so, when the committee last met; and if there is a difference 1317 between the committee and the Cross-Departmental Committee for Island Development established in 2019. — Aengus Ó Snodaigh. [15043/21]

*2072. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development if the Interdepartmental Co- Ordinating Committee on Island Development submitted annual progress reports to Government as proposed under a strategic framework for developing the offshore islands of Ireland 1996; and if so, the conclusions of these reports. — Aengus Ó Snodaigh. [15044/21]

*2073. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development if non-Gaeltacht islands are provided with the services of a community development officer or association. — Aengus Ó Snodaigh. [15045/21]

*2074. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development if a review has been conducted of the existing health and emergency response to island communities since it was recommended in a strategic framework for developing the offshore islands of Ireland 1996; if so, the results of such a review; and the actions taken as a result. — Aengus Ó Snodaigh. [15046/21]

*2075. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development if a study has been conducted to examine the tourism potential of islands as outlined in a strategic framework for developing the offshore islands of Ireland 1996; if so, the results of such a review; and the actions taken as a result. — Aengus Ó Snodaigh. [15047/21]

*2076. Chun a fhiafraí den Aire Forbartha Tuaithe agus Pobail cén ról atá ag Údarás na Gaeltachta i gcur i ngníomh bheartais a Roinne maidir leis na hoileáin agus an bhfuil teagmháil leanúnach ann idir a Roinn agus an t-Údarás. — Aengus Ó Snodaigh. [15048/21]

*2077. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development if monitoring mechanisms were established to follow the implementation of a strategic framework for developing the offshore islands of Ireland 1996. — Aengus Ó Snodaigh. [15049/21]

*2078. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development if any of the recommendations in a strategic framework for developing the offshore islands of Ireland 1996 were not implemented; and if so, the details of same. — Aengus Ó Snodaigh. [15050/21]

*2079. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development if funding will be provided under stream 3 of the outdoor recreation infrastructure scheme for the application relating to Killarney National Park in recognition of the significant economic activity stimulated by the park; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Brendan Griffin. [15063/21]

*2080. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development if her Department has received an application from Kerry County Council under the town and village renewal scheme since its inception in respect of Boolteens and Castlemaine, County Kerry; if so, the details of the application; the dates and project proposals of same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Brendan Griffin. [15064/21]

*2081. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development if her Department has received an application from Kerry County Council under the CLÁR scheme since its inception in respect of Boolteens and Castlemaine, County Kerry; if so, the details of the application; the dates and project proposals of same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Brendan Griffin. [15065/21]

P.T.O 1318

*2082. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development if her Department has received an application from Kerry County Council under the rural regeneration scheme since its inception in respect of Boolteens and Castlemaine, County Kerry; if so, the details of the application; the dates and project proposals of same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Brendan Griffin. [15066/21]

*2083. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development the number of vehicles owned or leased and operated by her Department and agencies and semi-State companies under her remit broken down by the number of ICE and non-ICE vehicles and fuel category, that is, petrol, diesel, hybrid, plug-in hybrid, electric and so on; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Duncan Smith. [15126/21]

*2084. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development the engagement she has had with banking entities that have indicated their plans to close in provincial towns; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Sean Sherlock. [15215/21]

*2085. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development the number of applications received by her Department in 2020 and to date in 2021 for home safety and personal alarms. — Sean Sherlock. [15216/21]

*2086. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development the current and capital budget allocation in each of the years 2019 to 2021 to the Western Development Commission in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Michael Fitzmaurice. [15468/21]

*2087. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development the number of social enterprises registered in Ireland. — John Lahart. [15799/21]

*2088. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development the estimated revenue brought into the economy by social enterprises in 2020 and to date in 2021. — John Lahart. [15800/21]

*2089. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development the number of new social enterprises that were registered in Ireland in 2020.; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — John Lahart. [15801/21]

*2090. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development the number of persons employed by social enterprises in Ireland. — John Lahart. [15802/21]

*2091. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development the funding that has been provided to social enterprises by the Dormant Accounts Fund since 2019. — John Lahart. [15803/21]

*2092. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development the social enterprises which have received funding from the Dormant Accounts Fund since 2019. — John Lahart. [15804/21]

*2093. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development the breakdown of the sectors under which Irish social enterprises are registered; and the way in which the majority are registered within each sector. — John Lahart. [15805/21]

*2094. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development if the National Social Enterprise Policy Implementation Group is still functioning. — John Lahart. [15806/21] 1319

*2095. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development if the Social Enterprise Higher Education Institutes Network is still in place. — John Lahart. [15807/21]

*2096. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development the basis for the Programme for Government commitment to move the delivery of the Leader programme to independent local action groups supported by local community development committees and away from the present model; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Joe Carey. [15811/21]

*2097. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development the engagements her Department has had with satellite companies in relation to broadband connectivity; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Ruairí Ó Murchú. [15835/21]

*2098. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development the total Covid-19-related spend in 2020 by her Department, agency and budget line item; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — David Cullinane. [16280/21]

*2099. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development the payment options available for persons to pay fines, charges or bills by her Department; and if there are plans to provide further online payment facilities. — Emer Higgins. [16299/21]

Wt. 101633. 310. 3/21. Essentra. (87000). Gr. 30-15 Printed on re-cycled paper.