DÁIL ÉIREANN

Déardaoin, 8 Iúil, 2021 Thursday, 8th July, 2021

CEISTEANNA QUESTIONS

53 DÁIL ÉIREANN 3127 Déardaoin, 8 Iúil, 2021 Thursday, 8th July, 2021

CEISTEANNA I gCOMHAIR FREAGRA Ó BHÉAL QUESTIONS FOR ORAL ANSWER

CEISTEANNA AR SONRAÍODH UAIN DÓIBH QUESTIONS NOMINATED FOR PRIORITY

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

1. To ask the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if the holiday earnings disregard is applied to the pandemic unemployment payment for SUSI applicants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Rose Conway-Walsh. [36806/21]

2. To ask the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the level of funding his Department has secured to support the establishment of a County Wexford campus for the Technological University of South East Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — . [37070/21]

3. To ask the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science when the independent economic report on the Cassells Report will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Rose Conway-Walsh. [37069/21]

4. To ask the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will ensure that sufficient funding is put in place to provide for additional apprenticeships for students given that all courses are now oversubscribed as there is significant demand for apprenticeships and this demand needs to be addressed and in view of the fact that employers need to be subsidised adequately to ensure they will accommodate such students in the workplace. — Danny Healy-Rae. [37067/21]

5. To ask the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the amount of time that students can expect to have on-campus when they return in September 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Rose Conway-Walsh. [37166/21]

CEISTEANNA EILE OTHER QUESTIONS

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

6. To ask the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the proactive steps his Department is taking to address university fees which are the highest in the EU; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Verona Murphy. [36821/21]

7. To ask the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he has engaged with the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform on the Employment Control

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Framework and the increase of precarious work in higher education; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Rose Conway-Walsh. [36804/21]

8. To ask the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the measures that will be implemented to intensify co-operation on a North/South basis in the areas of further education and higher education; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Brendan Smith. [36830/21]

9. To ask the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the status of arrangements under the Third Country Researchers’ Directive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — . [36847/21]

10. To ask the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the status of the apprenticeship waiting lists; the number of apprentices who are waiting for off the job training; and the number who have been waiting for over a year. — Rose Conway-Walsh. [36803/21]

11. To ask the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the role his Department played in the appointment of a person (details supplied) to a position. — Brian Stanley. [36551/21]

12. To ask the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the steps he will take to ensure a greater regional aspect to the newly proposed national apprentice office among the new places being offered between now and 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — . [36624/21]

13. To ask the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the progress regarding implementation of the Framework for Consent in Higher Education Institutions: Safe, Respectful, Supportive and Positive: Ending Sexual Violence and Harassment in Irish Higher Education Institutions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — . [36845/21]

14. To ask the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the status of the application for a technological university for the south-east; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — . [35501/21]

15. To ask the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the engagement he has had with third-level institutions to ensure that 2020-2021 first-year students who did not attend their courses due to distance learning will have the necessary supports in place to transition to on-campus learning for 2021-2022 academic year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — . [36800/21]

16. To ask the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if there was a compliant appointment process for the appointment of a person (details supplied) to a position. — Brian Stanley. [36550/21]

17. To ask the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will provide greater clarity on the opening of further and higher education campuses in September 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Ruairí Ó Murchú. [36775/21] 3129

18. To ask the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if the proposed SOLAS FET funding model of the future for the Youthreach programme will be funded based on the number of students completing the programme with QQI certification; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — . [36508/21]

19. To ask the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the status of the apprenticeship incentivisation scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Christopher O’Sullivan. [36850/21]

20. To ask the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if SUSI qualification thresholds will be increased; the other initiatives he plans to assist students and their families meet the financial challenges of higher education; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Brendan Griffin. [36763/21]

21. To ask the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the actions he has taken to ensure that the voice of persons with disabilities are heard in further and higher educational institutions by ensuring representation on university and college boards of management; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — . [36832/21]

22. To ask the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the steps he has taken to ensure that students in this jurisdiction looking to study outside of the CAO system are not disadvantaged by the late issuing of leaving certificate results in 2021; and the engagement he has had to ensure that students from Northern Ireland looking to study through CAO are similarly not disadvantaged. — Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire. [36691/21]

23. To ask the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the progress with the Connacht-Ulster Alliance following its application for a technological university; the likely timeline involved; if this can be accelerated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — . [36833/21]

24. To ask the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his plans for increasing university places which feed into the health sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — David Cullinane. [35502/21]

25. To ask the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if, on the basis that one of Europe’s largest off-shore windfarms is planned for development off the Clare coast, he will give consideration to developing a centre of excellence for skills and training in the renewable energy sector in County Clare. — . [36589/21]

26. To ask the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the options being put in place by his Department to fund large-scale capital projects for education and training boards; if the eligibility for funding will include the construction of new headquarters buildings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Alan Dillon. [36834/21]

27. To ask the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the cost of the student contribution charge in 2022 for students; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Rose Conway-Walsh. [36802/21]

28. To ask the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the protocols in place which would allow third-level institutions to canvass for and secure funding

P.T.O 3130 from private companies for the development of their facilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — . [36761/21]

29. To ask the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if the SUSI deduction for holiday earnings earned outside of term time up to a maximum of €4,500 is being applied to students who received the pandemic unemployment payment instead as their employment was interrupted by the pandemic; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — . [36828/21]

30. To ask the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the progress made to date under the National Adult Literacy Strategy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Michael Moynihan. [36855/21]

31. To ask the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the degree to which he is confident that adequate apprenticeships or retraining places remain available throughout 2021 and thereafter for the foreseeable future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Bernard J. Durkan. [36764/21]

32. To ask the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his recent engagements in relation to a facility (details supplied); if he will provide clarity regarding the ongoing situation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Ruairí Ó Murchú. [36774/21]

33. To ask the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if it will be ensured that students who qualified for the pandemic unemployment payment can have €4,500 disregarded in line with the normal treatment of payments for holiday work or the employment wage subsidy scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Bríd Smith. [36660/21]

34. To ask the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the take-up of the Erasmus programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Jennifer Carroll MacNeill. [36857/21]

35. Chun a fhiafraí den Aire Breisoideachais agus Ardoideachais, Taighde, Nuálaíochta agus Eolaíochta cén fáth nach bhfuil ról an Údaráis um Ard-Oideachas i leith athchóiriú na Gaeilge mar theanga náisiúnta sonraithe in alt 4 den Acht Údarás um Ard-Oideachas, 1971, luaite sa scéim ghinearálta don Bhille nua Údarás um Ard-Oideachais; an bhfuil sé i gceist aige fáil réidh leis an dualgas reachtúil seo atá ag an Údarás um Ard-Oideachais, agus má tá, cén fáth. — Aengus Ó Snodaigh. [36778/21]

36. To ask the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the steps he has taken to raise the thresholds of eligibility and the grants for higher education grants under the SUSI scheme in view of the rapidly increasing cost of accommodation for third-level students; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Éamon Ó Cuív. [35626/21]

37. To ask the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the status of SUSI and graduate entry medicine given students who currently wish to study graduate entry medicine face immense financial barriers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Gary Gannon. [36829/21]

38. To ask the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the progress of the SUSI review and if consideration is being given to extending the scheme to part- 3131 time and postgraduate students; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Gary Gannon. [36826/21]

39. To ask the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science further to Parliamentary Question No. 182 of 23 June 2021, the amount of financial support provided by his Department and or the HEA to Dundalk Institute of Technology to assist in the purchase of the sports campus in 2014 which includes a building (details supplied); if conditions were attached to the provision of funds in terms of a requirement to return monies to the State in the event that the building would be sold by the institute in the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — . [36692/21]

40. To ask the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the provisions being made by his Department to introduce a sustainable funding model to address the funding deficit of the higher education sector in Ireland identified in the landmark Cassells report published in 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Verona Murphy. [36822/21]

41. To ask the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the provisions his Department is making to provide additional third-level capacity for the expert professions needed to provide the proper healthcare services throughout the health system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Verona Murphy. [36824/21]

42. To ask the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if the position of students who qualified for the pandemic unemployment payment and who now face cuts to their SUSI grant as a result of the additional reckonable income will be reviewed in view of the extraordinary difficulties faced by this cohort over the previous year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Bríd Smith. [36661/21]

43. To ask the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the timeline for the communication of the final report on the review of the student grant scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Verona Murphy. [36825/21]

44. To ask the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his plans for the implementation of the recommendations of a recently published report (details supplied) and in particular those recommendations related to making third-level education more affordable for mature students; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — . [36792/21]

45. To ask the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the extent to which his Department continues to coordinate opportunities to emphasise the sciences, innovation and research with a view to ensuring the maximum level of preparedness to graduates through such channels having particular regard to the needs in an ever increasingly competitive market place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Bernard J. Durkan. [36765/21]

46. To ask the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his views on the situation in 2020 whereby many students who sat the leaving certificate in previous years were pushed out of their CAO course preference due to grade inflation; and the steps he has taken to ensure that these students are not disadvantaged in accessing third-level in 2021. — Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire. [36690/21]

47. To ask the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the guarantee that can issue to third-level students that a decision on the return to face-to-face third-

P.T.O 3132 level teaching will issue before students have to financially commit to accommodation in order to avoid the uncertainty experienced at the beginning of the 2020-2021 academic year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Aindrias Moynihan. [36799/21]

48. To ask the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if students who have been in receipt of the pandemic unemployment payment will still be eligible for SUSI grants. — Thomas Gould. [36790/21]

49. To ask the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of medicine and nursing places that have already been filled by those that deferred and or who sat their leaving certificate in November 2020; the number of additional nursing and medicine places that will be added for Irish and EU students in 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Rose Conway-Walsh. [36805/21]

50. To ask the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if his attention has been drawn to the substantial increase in on-campus accommodation costs for higher education institutes for the 2021-2022 academic year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Rose Conway-Walsh. [36801/21]

51. To ask the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his plans to assess and address the literacy and numeracy levels in the adult population in this country. — . [36777/21]

52. To ask the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of apprentices recruited in 2021 under the apprenticeship incentivisation scheme; the targets for the scheme for the remainder of 2021 and for 2022 and 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — . [36689/21]

53. To ask the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the status of the progress report of the Technical University of the South-East; when the report is expected to be finalised; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Marc Ó Cathasaigh. [36694/21]

54. To ask the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the advancement of the reforms of the SUSI grant; the expected date for any changes to come into effect; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — John Lahart. [36846/21]

55. To ask the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if there was an increase in the number of students who received a reduction in their grant in 2020- 2021 compared to previous years; his views on whether this is due to including the pandemic unemployment payment as income; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Gary Gannon. [36827/21]

56. To ask the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the status of plans for third-level students to return to on-campus learning in September 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Pádraig O’Sullivan. [36372/21]

57. To ask the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his plans to develop the next national research and innovation strategy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Christopher O’Sullivan. [36851/21] 3133

58. To ask the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if there are plans to offer new and additional courses at the Technological University of the Shannon: Midlands Midwest’s Ennis campus. — Cathal Crowe. [36590/21]

59. To ask the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the September 2021 reopening plans for third-level, further education, training and skills institutes and services; if the relevant institutions, staff, student and trainee representative bodies are involved in reopening plans; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Marc Ó Cathasaigh. [36693/21]

60. To ask the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if his Department is considering additional measures or initiatives to help recruit mature apprentices; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Steven Matthews. [36687/21]

61. To ask the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the current and planned supports to improve access to further and higher education and training learners with disabilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Michael Moynihan. [36854/21]

62. To ask the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his plans to remove the pandemic unemployment payment from the reckonable income calculations for the SUSI scheme in order that students who exceed the threshold for financial support as a result of having received the payment will not be disqualified from the SUSI grant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Catherine Connolly. [36791/21]

63. To ask the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his plans for further and higher education on the campus of Plunket College of Further Education in Whitehall, 9; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Paul McAuliffe. [36772/21]

64. To ask the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the steps he has taken to provide extra places on apprenticeship schemes for the building trade; the steps he has taken to attract more persons to apply for apprenticeships; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Éamon Ó Cuív. [35627/21]

65. Chun a fhiafraí den Aire Breisoideachais agus Ardoideachais, Taighde, Nuálaíochta agus Eolaíochta an aontaíonn sé go bhfuil dualgas aige comhfhreagras trí Ghaeilge a fhreagairt as Gaeilge, de réir Acht na dTeangacha Oifigiúla 2003, cén fáth nár chomhlíonaigh sé an dualgas sin sa bhfreagra a thug sé ar mo cheist parlaiminte uimhir 407 den 29 Meitheamh 2021, agus an bhfuil sé dáiríre faoi dualgais reachtúil i leith na Gaeilge in ainneoin go bhfuil sé ag baint an dualgas i leith na Gaeilge ón Údarás um Ard-Oideachas sa Bhille nua molta don eagras sin, de réir an Scéim Ghinearálta. — Aengus Ó Snodaigh. [36780/21]

66. To ask the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the progress of the full integration of Carlow College, St. Patrick’s into the higher education system in the south-east region; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Jennifer Murnane O’Connor. [36842/21]

67. To ask the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his plans to progress a third-level NUI campus on the northside of Cork city; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Thomas Gould. [36789/21]

P.T.O 3134

68. To ask the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if all of the necessary structures have now been put in place including the appointment of the board of management for the Munster Technological University; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Colm Burke. [36703/21]

69. To ask the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his plans for further and higher education on the campus of Whitehall College of Further Education in Whitehall, Dublin 9; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Paul McAuliffe. [36773/21]

70. To ask the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the status of plans for a full return to campus at the start of the 2021 academic year; the status of the use of antigen tests to enable this return; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Jennifer Carroll MacNeill. [36856/21]

71. To ask the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the planned supports to integrate students back on campus; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — . [36843/21]

72. To ask the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the status of the new apprenticeship programmes due to come on stream in 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Joe Flaherty. [36852/21]

73. To ask the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his plans for continued engagement with Munster Technological University as it develops; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Brendan Griffin. [36762/21]

74. To ask the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if there has been provision made for the third-level students who cannot for physiological reasons avail of the Covid-19 vaccine but wish to return to campus physically in the 2021-2022 college year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Violet-Anne Wynne. [36525/21]

75. To ask the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the way the €3 million secured in 2020 to underpin well-being and mental health and student services in higher education institutions was spent; the way it was administered; and the services provided by this funding. — Mark Ward. [36509/21]

76. To ask the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the steps his Department has taken to ensure the SUSI application process and in particular the area of family estrangement is more reflective of Irish society in 2021. — Sorca Clarke. [36776/21]

77. To ask the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the status of the proposed technical university of the south east; the outcome of the review of the project by an international panel and proposed finances; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Jennifer Murnane O’Connor. [36841/21]

78. To ask the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the provisions in place to ensure third-level students will return to on-campus in-person activities in September 2021 in view of the potential spread of the Covid-19 Delta strain; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Verona Murphy. [36823/21] 3135

79. To ask the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will consider establishing an engineering certification in the Ennis campus of Limerick Institute of Technology in order to provide qualified engineers which will be needed in the region in the close future with the development of green energy infrastructure such as green Atlantic at Moneypoint project. — Violet-Anne Wynne. [36526/21]

80. To ask the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the plans and facilities including the range of courses and number of students and staff involved with the Ennis third-level campus of the Technological University of the Shannon; his views on the measures needed to ensure that Ennis will prosper as a university town; the regional assistance that will be needed to facilitate the new facilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Joe Carey. [36623/21]

81. To ask the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his plans to further support digital online learning for students in further and higher education to enable their full participation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Niamh Smyth. [36844/21]

82. To ask the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the proposals there are to develop opportunities for additional North/South co-operation in the provision of further education and higher education; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Brendan Smith. [36831/21]

83. To ask the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the progress of the Cassells report; when the report will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Pádraig O’Sullivan. [36371/21]

CEISTEANNA AR SONRAÍODH UAIN DÓIBH QUESTIONS NOMINATED FOR PRIORITY

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

84. To ask the Minister for Justice if a full independent investigation will be carried out in relation to issues of 999 calls not being responded to by members of An Garda Síochána; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — . [37159/21]

85. To ask the Minister for Justice if she will commission a review into the workings of GSOC and its limitations compared to a full commission of investigations in view of recent cases (details supplied) involving GSOC investigations and questions regarding the speed and outcome of these; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Bríd Smith. [36697/21]

86. To ask the Minister for Justice the status of the proposed new Garda station for Sligo town; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Martin Kenny. [37160/21]

87. To ask the Minister for Justice the data that was contained on a memory device (details supplied); if there was video imagery contained therein; the steps that have been taken to recover the lost information; if the original information is still safely protected within her Department hard drives; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Matt Shanahan. [36835/21]

88. To ask the Minister for Justice the steps her Department is taking to improve processing times for applications for asylum and leave to remain and associated permissions; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Thomas Pringle. [37158/21]

P.T.O 3136

CEISTEANNA EILE OTHER QUESTIONS

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

89. To ask the Minister for Justice the proposals there are for further co-operation with the authorities in Northern Ireland in relation to the need to implement effective measures to deal with the scourge of illicit drugs on this island; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Brendan Smith. [36818/21]

90. To ask the Minister for Justice the number of community Gardaí in the Tipperary division; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — . [36798/21]

91. To ask the Minister for Justice the extent to which improvements can be made in the processing of visas for employment here and the processing of applications for naturalisation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Bernard J. Durkan. [36757/21]

92. To ask the Minister for Justice the reason the work of the Jury Reform Group has been stopped; the costs to date of the work of the group; if there are plans for reform in this area; if the group will deliver a report; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Bríd Smith. [36702/21]

93. To ask the Minister for Justice her plans for the expansion of Garda CCTV in County Carlow to deter criminal activity; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Jennifer Murnane O’Connor. [36767/21]

94. To ask the Minister for Justice the number of community Gardaí in the Clonakilty, Bandon and Bantry Garda districts of County Cork; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Christopher O’Sullivan. [36795/21]

95. To ask the Minister for Justice if she will report on the progress being made on the implementation of A Policing Service for the Future plan with reference to County Limerick; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Kieran O’Donnell. [36514/21]

96. To ask the Minister for Justice the initiatives that are being taken to address rural crime; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Jackie Cahill. [36797/21]

97. To ask the Minister for Justice her views on the report by the Mental Health Commission (details supplied) that states the highest number of applications to involuntarily detain persons that came from An Garda Síochána; the training that is in place; the interaction her Department has had with the Department of Health on this issue; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Mark Ward. [36578/21]

98. To ask the Minister for Justice the status of the work of her Department in relation to the identification of unidentified bodies and linking this data with the missing persons database; and the progress her Department has made in its work referenced in a reply to a Topical Issue raised by this Deputy on 4 March 2021; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Duncan Smith. [36632/21]

99. To ask the Minister for Justice the number of Garda superintendents who will be based in County Kerry for 2022. — . [36611/21] 3137

100. To ask the Minister for Justice the status of the new local partnership projects for community safety which were announced in November 2020; her plans for further resourcing and funding of the projects; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Marc Ó Cathasaigh. [36696/21]

101. To ask the Minister for Justice her plans for the expansion of CCTV to deter criminal activity; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Dara Calleary. [36576/21]

102. To ask the Minister for Justice if there are plans to restructure the community safety forums, the local policing forums and the joint policing committee; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Mark Ward. [36511/21]

103. To ask the Minister for Justice the supports that are provided for prisoners, such as educational and employment supports; the number of prisoners availing of these supports in recent years; if there are plans to increase and expand the supports; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Jennifer Carroll MacNeill. [36552/21]

104. To ask the Minister for Justice when resumption and progression to decision on all naturalisation applications currently waitlisted when the return of original documentation is expected on these applications; the number of 2019 applications and the number of 2020 applications not yet concluded; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Aindrias Moynihan. [36796/21]

105. To ask the Minister for Justice the additional supports being provided for existing CCTV schemes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Dara Calleary. [36577/21]

106. To ask the Minister for Justice her views on comments by the Mental Health Commission on the rise in applications by An Garda Síochána to detain persons in psychiatric care against their will; if she will request a report from An Garda Síochána on this issue; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Paul Murphy. [36752/21]

107. To ask the Minister for Justice the details of any meetings or contact she has had with the Mental Health Commission on its concerns over the rise in applications by An Garda Síochána to detain persons in psychiatric care against their will; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — . [36754/21]

108. To ask the Minister for Justice the arrangements made for recommencing prison visits; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Éamon Ó Cuív. [35629/21]

109. To ask the Minister for Justice her plans to remove the period of residence requirements with regard to the forthcoming scheme to regularise undocumented migrants; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Catherine Connolly. [36760/21]

110. To ask the Minister for Justice the number of community Gardaí in the Roscommon- Longford division; the number of community Gardaí in the Westmeath division; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Joe Flaherty. [36816/21]

111. To ask the Minister for Justice the initiatives being taken to address knife crime; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — John Lahart. [36768/21]

P.T.O 3138

112. To ask the Minister for Justice the plans that are in place for the expansion of Garda CCTV in the Clonakilty, Bandon and Bantry Garda districts of County Cork; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Christopher O’Sullivan. [36794/21]

113. To ask the Minister for Justice the communication her Department has had with the Garda Commissioner in respect of the unanswered 999 calls which were largely in relation to domestic violence reports; her views on whether this could potentially point to a significant attitude with respect to domestic abuse within An Garda Síochána; the assurances the Commissioner has offered with a view to remediation in the future; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Matt Shanahan. [36840/21]

114. To ask the Minister for Justice if she has considered demands from the family of a person (details supplied) for an independent inquiry into their death; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Bríd Smith. [36701/21]

115. To ask the Minister for Justice the status of the Statement of Strategy 2022-2024 for An Garda Síochána; if her attention has been drawn to plans to expand the Garda Information Services Centre in Castlebar, County Mayo; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Alan Dillon. [36815/21]

116. To ask the Minister for Justice the nature of any investigation taking place into the cancellation of emergency calls by An Garda Síochána by her Department; the person or body that is undertaking the investigation; if such investigations will reveal the location and personnel involved in cancellation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Bríd Smith. [36698/21]

117. To ask the Minister for Justice further to Parliamentary Question No. 118 of 3 June 2021, the status of the audit of the way responsibility for domestic, sexual and gender-based violence is segmented across different State agencies; if she has received the final report to date; when the final report will be published; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Catherine Connolly. [36759/21]

118. To ask the Minister for Justice the initiatives being taken to provide greater supports to victims of crime; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — . [36808/21]

119. To ask the Minister for Justice the number of complaints and allegations received by the Garda Ombudsman in each of the years 2017 to 2020 regarding members of An Garda Síochána. — Brian Stanley. [36813/21]

120. To ask the Minister for Justice the progress of the Gambling Control Bill. — Thomas Gould. [36787/21]

121. To ask the Minister for Justice if her attention has been drawn to issues in relation to the progression of the regularisation scheme for undocumented migrants (details supplied); if her Department is working to address those concerns and challenges; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Marc Ó Cathasaigh. [36695/21]

122. To ask the Minister for Justice her proposals to improve gambling regulation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — John Lahart. [36769/21] 3139

123. To ask the Minister for Justice the position in relation to the alarming cancellation of 999 calls; the actions taken in this regard; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Ruairí Ó Murchú. [36770/21]

124. To ask the Minister for Justice if additional measures will be implemented on a cross- Border basis to deal with the illicit trade in illegal drugs; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Brendan Smith. [36819/21]

125. To ask the Minister for Justice if she will report on the Local Community Safety Partnership pilot in Longford; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Joe Flaherty. [36817/21]

126. To ask the Minister for Justice the number of recommendations made by the interim parole board to the her since 1 February 2021; the number of these decided; the number of cases in which the recommendation of the board was not accepted or was amended, respectively; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Éamon Ó Cuív. [35628/21]

127. To ask the Minister for Justice the number of criminal investigations which were opened by the Garda Ombudsman against members of An Garda Síochána in each of the years 2017 to 2020. — Brian Stanley. [36812/21]

128. To ask the Minister for Justice if she will report on progress made by the scoping inquiry into the death of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Bríd Smith. [36699/21]

129. To ask the Minister for Justice the Irish prisons that are providing a comprehensive hepatitis C and or infectious disease treatment programme within the prison facilities in view of the fact it is reported that up to 13% of the Irish prison population have hepatitis C; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Colm Burke. [36679/21]

130. To ask the Minister for Justice the plans in place to ensure citizenship cases are processed in a speedy and efficient manner; if extra staff have been allocated to the Burgh Quay office; the plans in place for increased communication with applicants; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Jennifer Carroll MacNeill. [36553/21]

131. To ask the Minister for Justice the most up-to-date position in relation to efforts to pardon a person (details supplied) who was wrongly hanged in 1895; if the continuation of the process initiated by the former Minister for Justice in order that they will be pardoned and closure can be given to their relatives will proceed; the timeline regarding the future process; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Brendan Griffin. [36382/21]

132. To ask the Minister for Justice if she will report on the scheme to regularise undocumented migrants; the targets for the commencement of the scheme; the estimated number of persons to be regularised; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Mick Barry. [36299/21]

133. To ask the Minister for Justice the next stages for advancing Macroom’s new Garda station; if her Department has engaged with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform on funding; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Aindrias Moynihan. [32466/21]

134. To ask the Minister for Justice the extent to which the strength of An Garda Síochána at present is sufficient to meet the policing requirements in all areas throughout the country both urban and rural; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Bernard J. Durkan. [36758/21]

P.T.O 3140

135. To ask the Minister for Justice the actions that are being taken to ensure no cancellations occur of emergency calls to An Garda Síochána at present; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Paul Murphy. [36751/21]

136. To ask the Minister for Justice if An Garda Síochána is suitably resourced, trained and equipped to implement the Harassment, Harmful Communications and Related Offences Act 2020; if her attention has been drawn to reports that some Garda stations have advised they are not in a position to manage it yet; if a directive can be sent to the force in that regard to ensure the law is available to all who may need to rely on the protections within it; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — James Lawless. [36781/21]

137. To ask the Minister for Justice if a firearm and knife amnesty will be considered; if she has studied the success or otherwise of such initiatives in other jurisdictions; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Brendan Griffin. [36756/21]

138. To ask the Minister for Justice the impact the proposed changes and regularisation of the direct provision scheme will have on persons (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Matt Shanahan. [36837/21]

139. To ask the Minister for Justice the status of the implementation of recommendations contained within the Scoping Report into Community Safety and Wellbeing in Drogheda by a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Ruairí Ó Murchú. [36771/21]

140. To ask the Minister for Justice if the expungement of 607 sex-work convictions announced by her Department on 25 April 2021 has taken place. — Cathal Crowe. [36591/21]

141. To ask the Minister for Justice if she has been provided with any communications or interim reports in relation alleged Garda activity irregularities in Dunmore East, County Waterford; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Matt Shanahan. [36839/21]

142. To ask the Minister for Justice if she will consider reviewing the application fees for the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service; if consideration will be given to a weighted reduction in application fees for persons that have been resident in Ireland for significantly longer periods than the minimum eligibility requirements; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Alan Dillon. [36814/21]

143. To ask the Minister for Justice the breakdown of the cancellations of emergency calls by Garda divisions; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Gino Kenny. [36753/21]

144. To ask the Minister for Justice the number of community Gardaí in the Laois-Offaly division; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Barry Cowen. [36809/21]

145. To ask the Minister for Justice her views on the transition from regional to operational responsibilities within the hierarchy of An Garda Síochána; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Pa Daly. [36612/21]

146. To ask the Minister for Justice the current position of the criminal legal aid scheme for barristers which has not been subject to pay restoration arising from the FEMPI cuts and has remained static or reversed over the past 20 years; the impact this is having and will continue to have on availability of counsel to both defend and prosecute cases; if parity with other professions 3141 which have seen pay restoration will be provided; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — James Lawless. [36782/21]

CEISTEANNA LE hAGHAIDH FREAGRAÍ SCRÍOFA QUESTIONS FOR WRITTEN ANSWER Chun an Tánaiste agus Aire Fiontar, Trádála agus Fostaíochta: To the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment.

*147. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he has considered engaging with an organisation (details supplied) regarding the royalties received by musicians when their songs are streamed online or played on the radio; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — . [37017/21]

*148. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the measures in place to provide security and relief for commercial tenants who may have yet to reopen but are paying full rent price; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Jennifer Carroll MacNeill. [36877/21]

*149. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will consider changing the date for commencing the period of employment on permits for persons (details supplied) to the date the persons arrived in Ireland to work given that both persons arrived after the commencement date due to the difficulties they had due to Covid-19 in travelling to Ireland. — John McGuinness. [36977/21]

*150. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if a business (details supplied) would qualify for any other supports; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Pádraig O’Sullivan. [37003/21]

*151. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the role his Department has in the regulation of commercial receivers; the mechanism by which a citizen or business can challenge decisions made by a bank or court appointed receiver; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — . [37010/21]

*152. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the section of his Department that was responsible for drafting the eligibility criteria for the restart grant and the small business assistance scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — . [37044/21]

*153. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if there is a maximum timeframe for responses on hearings in the Workplace Relations Commission; if there are currently delays in receiving outcomes; the steps being taken to address the matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Neale Richmond. [37062/21]

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

*154. To ask the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the status of proposed extensions of the gas pipeline to Lanesborough, County Longford. — Sorca Clarke. [36912/21]

P.T.O 3142

*155. To ask the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the social protection supports in place to assist persons requiring the use of incontinence pads and those with carers using personal protection equipment to pay for the cost of the disposal of such items given the large weight which accumulates with their use and consequent higher waste charges; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — . [36979/21]

*156. To ask the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the reason a house (details supplied) was not included in the National Broadband Ireland roll-out given there is no other telecom supplier offering a 30mb service to this house; the steps that will be taken to rectify this matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Éamon Ó Cuív. [37032/21]

*157. To ask the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the extent to which his Department continues to liaise with the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine with a view to maximising carbon sequestration without damaging the capacity of the food producing sector of the economy given the high level of sustainability of food production here which enables that sector produce sufficient food for almost 50 million persons while maintaining its carbon efficiency and sustainability; if precise information continues to be provided whereby wind, solar or hydro energy can at an early date replace imported fossil fuels; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Bernard J. Durkan. [37135/21]

Chun an Aire Iompair: To the Minister for Transport.

*158. To ask the Minister for Transport the local authorities that have applied for funding to the SEAI to roll-out electric vehicle chargers; the number for which they have applied; and the number which have been installed and the grant paid in tabular form. — . [36936/21]

*159. To ask the Minister for Transport the number of fast chargers and their capacity put in place by the ESB; and the progress that it has made in installing new electric vehicle chargers under the support scheme from the Climate Action Fund. — Richard Bruton. [36937/21]

*160. To ask the Minister for Transport if funding will be provided for a feasibility study of light rail in Galway city; if the provision of light rail in Galway was made an objective of the Galway City Development Plan; and if a route is reserved for a rapid transit service in the city. — Éamon Ó Cuív. [36878/21]

*161. To ask the Minister for Transport if he will consider expanding the extension period for learner driver permits to cover those that were unable to access lessons during level 5 restrictions. — Catherine Murphy. [36891/21]

*162. To ask the Minister for Transport if he will consider extending the car life of taxis to accommodate taxi drivers who have not been able to earn over the past 18 months and as a result are not in a financial position to upgrade their vehicle. — Louise O’Reilly. [36967/21]

*163. To ask the Minister for Transport the actions he is taking to reduce the barriers to entry into the profession of commercial driving. — Louise O’Reilly. [36968/21]

*164. To ask the Minister for Transport if communities within the north central area of County Cork which have been victim to illegal and negligent use of scramblers and quad bikes will be considered for inclusion under the Road Traffic (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Pádraig O’Sullivan. [36398/21] 3143

*165. To ask the Minister for Transport the funding allocated to the LocalLink bus service in 2019, 2020 and to date in 2021, respectively; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Pauline Tully. [37011/21]

*166. To ask the Minister for Transport the funding that was allocated to making public transport accessible for people with disabilities in 2019, 2020 and to date in 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Pauline Tully. [37013/21]

*167. To ask the Minister for Transport the estimated additional cost of increasing the funding allocated for making public transport accessible for persons with disabilities by 5%, 10% and 25%, respectively; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Pauline Tully. [37014/21]

*168. To ask the Minister for Transport the funding that was allocated for assistive technologies for persons with disabilities in 2019, 2020 and to date in 2021, respectively; the unmet need for assistive technologies for persons with disabilities in 2019, 2020 and to date in 2021, respectively; the additional cost of increasing funding for assistive technologies by 5%, 10% and 25%, respectively; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Pauline Tully. [37015/21]

*169. To ask the Minister for Transport the number of persons waiting to take the driver theory test on 30 June 2021, by county; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Dara Calleary. [37024/21]

*170. To ask the Minister for Transport the specific actions he has taken to address the deficiencies in the provision of the driver theory test; if his Department has met the company involved in delivering the test to discuss the problems; the sanctions his Department plans to take for the poor delivery of the contract; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Dara Calleary. [37025/21]

*171. To ask the Minister for Transport the position regarding the reinstatement of flights between Kerry and Dublin and Donegal and Dublin in the near future; the position in relation to the next PSO process for 2022 and beyond; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Brendan Griffin. [37064/21]

*172. To ask the Minister for Transport if he has engaged with private PCR Covid-19 test operators regarding their involvement in the roll-out of the EU Digital Covid Certificate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Neale Richmond. [37093/21]

*173. To ask the Minister for Transport the position regarding progress on the new N22 Macroom bypass to Baile Bhuirne scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Brendan Griffin. [37141/21]

*174. To ask the Minister for Transport the position regarding the ongoing development of the N86 improvement scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Brendan Griffin. [37142/21]

*175. To ask the Minister for Transport the position regarding the N69 Listowel bypass project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Brendan Griffin. [37143/21]

*176. To ask the Minister for Transport the position in relation to putting in place a streamlined speed limit review process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Brendan Griffin. [37144/21]

P.T.O 3144

*177. To ask the Minister for Transport when his Department received the most recent submission from Kerry County Council in respect of the Listry Bridge project on the R563; if his Department has considered the submission; the outcome of that consideration; the next steps in the process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Brendan Griffin. [37145/21]

*178. To ask the Minister for Transport if grants or financial assistance is available to those living in apartment complexes or housing estates in circumstances where management does not allow electric vehicle owners to run cables from their home, along pathways to their car and as such communal charging stations are needed; the actions that can be taken to incentivise estate management companies to retrofit existing charging points; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Emer Higgins. [37148/21]

Chun an Aire Airgeadais: To the Minister for Finance.

*179. To ask the Minister for Finance if his attention has been drawn to the fact that due to the Covid-19 pandemic many pilots are in the position in which their ratings have expired and although they are on the pandemic unemployment payment they have to pay thousands of euro to now fund their own recurrent training and the additional expense of a renewal; if it is correct to add VAT to these training fees which is creating a significant additional financial burden on these individuals; if the VAT could be waived; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Willie O’Dea. [36893/21]

*180. To ask the Minister for Finance the incentives his Department has in place or plans to put in place to support house owners who wish to relocate from properties that are too big for their needs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — . [37016/21]

*181. To ask the Minister for Finance if he will consider reinstating the home renovation incentive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Brendan Griffin. [37022/21]

*182. To ask the Minister for Finance if his Department or the Revenue Commissioners that will draft the eligibility criteria for the business resumption support scheme; the section of his Department or the Revenue Commissioners that will be responsible for drafting the eligibility criteria; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Emer Higgins. [37043/21]

*183. To ask the Minister for Finance the reason a small business providing mortgage advice that is already approved by the Central Bank and holds an approved PCF-1, must undergo a separate exam, a new application and an interview with senior Central Bank staff in order to provide advice on mortgage protection and home insurance; his views on whether this is a reasonable a requirement for a low-risk product such as mortgage protection and home insurance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Emer Higgins. [37059/21]

*184. To ask the Minister for Finance if consideration is being given to assisting community groups that are developing community facilities, for example, playgrounds and sports areas using public funding streams in obtaining insurance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — . [37157/21] 3145

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

*185. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the status of the roll-out of the EU Digital Covid Certificate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Neale Richmond. [37092/21]

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

*186. To ask the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the reason a business (details supplied) had an application refused; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Pádraig O’Sullivan. [37003/21]

*187. To ask the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she will bring forward a restart grant scheme to facilitate working musicians and entertainers to get back to work, recognising the fact that they are small businesses that have been closed down and have not been offered any restart assistance (details supplied); and the way in which she plans to facilitate this section of the entertainment sector. — John McGuinness. [36901/21]

*188. Chun a fhiafraí den Aire Turasóireachta, Cultúir, Ealaíon, Gaeltachta, Spóirt agus Meán an bhfuair sí aighneacht ó TG4 roimh Bhuiseád 2020; an bhfuil suntas tugtha aici don iarratas ar mheadú de €9m go €10m sa bhliain go ceann ceithre bliana ar chiste TG4, agus do na cúiseanna maithe atá leis; an bhfuil sé i gceist aici cruinniú a bheith aici le Bord agus Feidhmeannacht TG4 go luath leis an iarratas a phlé; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. — Éamon Ó Cuív. [37027/21]

*189. To ask the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the section of her Department that was responsible for drafting the eligibility criteria for the live performance support scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Emer Higgins. [37046/21]

*190. To ask the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if it was her Department or Fáilte Ireland that drafted the eligibility criteria for the tourism business continuity scheme; the section of her Department or Fáilte Ireland that was responsible for drafting eligibility criteria; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Emer Higgins. [37047/21]

*191. To ask the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the section of her Department that was responsible for drafting the eligibility criteria for the €88.5 million of pandemic support for sporting organisations; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Emer Higgins. [37048/21]

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

*192. To ask the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will consider putting a mechanism in place to allow local authorities to exercise discretion in approving housing adaptation grants for persons with a disability particularly for those with severe medical conditions which would allow for expenses to be factored into circumstances in which the income threshold is exceeded; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — . [36885/21]

*193. To ask the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will increase the funding that his Department makes available to local authorities for the housing adaptation grant;

P.T.O 3146 his views on the way in which the level of funding is continually excluding many persons from getting work done; his views on the way Tipperary County Council’s budget for 2021 is already fully allocated; his views on the fact that as a result, Tipperary County Council is now processing cases that will come out of the 2022 allocation; his further views on the fact that only priority 1 cases are being considered in this regard; his plans to address same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Martin Browne. [36894/21]

*194. To ask the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his views on the way the underfunding of the housing adaptation grant results in families being unable to get sensory rooms fitted out; his further views on the fact that when families apply for this funding from Tipperary County Council that the money allocated has been spent; his views on the impact that his is having on persons with disabilities; and if he will consider requesting an increase in funding for the Housing Adaptation Grant for People with a Disability. — Martin Browne. [36895/21]

*195. To ask the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if the seven-year rule is paused when a local authority issues an enforcement notice regarding an unauthorised development. — Sorca Clarke. [36925/21]

*196. To ask the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the obligation on a local authority to ensure that a development is removed when an application for retention is refused. — Sorca Clarke. [36926/21]

*197. To ask the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of demountable dwellings by county; the year that they were installed in tabular form. — Sorca Clarke. [36928/21]

*198. To ask the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the reason the principle generally applied to pay related agreements in respect of local elected representatives was not backdated to the point at which the agreement was made; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — . [36941/21]

*199. To ask the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of affordable and social homes built by the State in each year from 1930 to 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Cian O’Callaghan. [36944/21]

*200. To ask the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of State- owned sites that are suitable for social and affordable housing; the estimated number of homes that could be built if all of these sites were used; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Cian O’Callaghan. [36945/21]

*201. To ask the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the status of the commitment to develop a scheme between local authorities and Irish Water to provide drinking water fountains nationwide to reduce plastic bottle litter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — . [36955/21]

*202. To ask the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if his Department or any organisation measures rental increases within parts of a local electoral area in circumstances in which the area is partially within a rent pressure zone and partially not within a rent pressure zone; and if this information is only gathered for rental increases or decreases for the area as a whole. — Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire. [37021/21] 3147

*203. To ask the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if the four Dublin local authorities have had the inspections of private rental properties disrupted by Covid-19 restrictions; if so, the details of the extent of this disruption; and if his Department has provided guidance or support with respect to inspection of private rental properties. — Eoin Ó Broin. [37023/21]

*204. To ask the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will seek to re- commit the Wildlife (Amendment) Bill 2016 to Dáil Éireann; the reason for the delay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Éamon Ó Cuív. [37031/21]

*205. To ask the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will provide information on the applications received for inclusion on Ireland’s World Heritage Tentative List 2020-2030 including each site applied for and the local authority or other entity from which the respective application was received; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Michael McNamara. [37038/21]

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

*206. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the engagement he has had with his counterparts in relation to the use of State-sanctioned violence against peaceful pro-democracy protesters in Eswatini; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Catherine Connolly. [36940/21]

*207. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the actions the Government will take to ensure that justice is secured for the families of the Bloody Sunday victims by making Soldier F and Soldier B stand trial in view of the announcement that the British public prosecution service will no longer prosecute Soldier F and Soldier B in respect to alleged murders they carried out on Bloody Sunday 1972; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Patrick Costello. [36952/21]

*208. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the reason for the delay in obtaining passports for children especially; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Michael Collins. [36982/21]

Chun an Aire Cosanta: To the Minister for Defence.

*209. To ask the Minister for Defence if Ireland remains a neutral state; if he is satisfied that Ireland’s membership of PESCO and EPF is compatible with Irish neutrality; if there will be an update to Ireland’s defence policy given the potential infringement on Irish neutrality implied by membership of these organisations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Alan Kelly. [36888/21]

*210. To ask the Minister for Defence the amount of carbon emissions as a result of the activities of the Defence Forces; the plans of the Defence Forces to reduce its carbon output; the breakdown of the extra carbon emissions emitted as a result of extra duties carried out by the Defence Forces through memberships of PESCO and EPF; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Alan Kelly. [36889/21]

*211. To ask the Minister for Defence the reason that public consultation was not conducted upon joining PESCO and EPF; if there will be a review of the membership of these organisations by the State; if greater public consultation in relation to similar future policy changes will be committed to; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Alan Kelly. [36890/21]

P.T.O 3148

*212. To ask the Minister for Defence the steps that have been taken to properly record overtime worked by members of the Permanent Defence Forces. — Sorca Clarke. [36913/21]

*213. To ask the Minister for Defence the most recent date that each military installation or training centre either owned or hired by the Defence Forces has had fire, health and safety inspections in tabular form. — Sorca Clarke. [36914/21]

*214. To ask the Minister for Defence the initial outlay for each of the nine ships in the Naval Service. — Sorca Clarke. [36915/21]

*215. To ask the Minister for Defence the cost per ship to make the four non-operational ships in the Naval Service fit for purpose. — Sorca Clarke. [36916/21]

*216. To ask the Minister for Defence the number of days in 2018, 2019, 2020 and to date in 2021 each operational ship has been to sea. — Sorca Clarke. [36917/21]

*217. To ask the Minister for Defence the number of days in 2018, 2019, 2020 and to date in 2021 that each ship was not at sea due to mechanical problems or repairs whether scheduled and unscheduled in tabular form. — Sorca Clarke. [36918/21]

*218. To ask the Minister for Defence the number of days in 2018, 2019, 2020 and to date in 2021 that Naval Service vessels were not at sea due to staff shortages in tabular form. — Sorca Clarke. [36919/21]

*219. To ask the Minister for Defence the number of staff working in the programme management office of the high level implementation plan. — Sorca Clarke. [36920/21]

*220. To ask the Minister for Defence the status of the implementation of the high level plan; the number of targets set and achieved and those set and unachieved; and the number of engagements with representative bodies before the most recent set of pay talks that related to the implementation of the high-level plan. — Sorca Clarke. [36921/21]

*221. To ask the Minister for Defence the number of civilian vacancies per barracks and centre. — Sorca Clarke. [36922/21]

*222. To ask the Minister for Defence the number of vacancies per trade and the details of the most recent recruitment drive or competitions for each in tabular form. — Sorca Clarke. [36923/21]

*223. To ask the Minister for Defence the status of the implementation of the high-level plan. — Sorca Clarke. [36924/21]

*224. To ask the Minister for Defence the costs associated with Defence Forces personnel who served in Afghanistan since 2001 and to date in 2021 either with the NATO forces or with the United Nations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Cian O’Callaghan. [36980/21]

Chun an Aire Oideachais: To the Minister for Education.

*225. To ask the Minister for Education the status of a case (details supplied) which relates to two primary school going children with learning difficulties in the same family who were allocated 3149 reduced July provision hours; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Duncan Smith. [36881/21]

*226. To ask the Minister for Education if she will request the State Examinations Commission to conduct a review, re-evaluation and a full clarification in terms of the marking standard and the decision to exclude the use of traditional Chinese in leaving certificate Mandarin Chinese in 2022; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Bríd Smith. [36957/21]

*227. To ask the Minister for Education the capital and current funding that was allocated to the school-based summer July provision programme of education for children with complex needs in 2019, 2020 and to date in 2021, respectively; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Pauline Tully. [36983/21]

*228. To ask the Minister for Education the estimated additional cost of increasing funding for the school-based summer July provision programme of education for children with complex needs by 5%, 10% and 25% respectively; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Pauline Tully. [36984/21]

*229. To ask the Minister for Education the estimated additional cost of increasing funding for the home-based summer July provision programme of education for children with complex needs disabilities by 5%, 10% and 25% respectively; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Pauline Tully. [36985/21]

*230. To ask the Minister for Education the number of schools taking part in the summer July provision programme 2021; the number of schools not taking part in the programme 2021; the number of schools providing a full programme in 2021; the number of schools providing a partial programme in 2021; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Pauline Tully. [36986/21]

*231. To ask the Minister for Education the estimated additional cost of funding each education and training board to employ a support person with disability training to support students with disabilities; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Pauline Tully. [36987/21]

*232. To ask the Minister for Education the funding that was allocated for assistive technologies for persons with disabilities in 2019, 2020 and to date in 2021, respectively; the unmet need for assistive technologies for persons with disabilities in 2019, 2020 and to date in 2021, respectively; the additional funding needed to increase funding for assistive technologies for persons with disabilities by 5%, 10% and 25% respectively; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Pauline Tully. [36988/21]

*233. To ask the Minister for Education the estimated additional cost of conducting a full legislative review of the Education for Persons with Special Educational Needs Act 2004 with a view to updating all the provisions within the Act to better reflect the contemporary understanding of disability and best practice for inclusive education as outlined in the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Pauline Tully. [36989/21]

*234. To ask the Minister for Education the estimated additional cost of hiring a further 100 resource teachers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Pauline Tully. [36990/21]

*235. To ask the Minister for Education the estimated additional cost of hiring a further 100 NEPS psychologists; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Pauline Tully. [36991/21]

P.T.O 3150

*236. To ask the Minister for Education the estimated additional cost of hiring a career guidance councillor for all special schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Pauline Tully. [36992/21]

*237. To ask the Minister for Education if it is proposed to establish a liaison office with the NCSE for members of the Houses of the Oireachtas. — Sean Sherlock. [36994/21]

*238. To ask the Minister for Education the status of an application for temporary accommodation for a school (details supplied); if it will be in place by September 2021; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Paul Kehoe. [37001/21]

*239. To ask the Minister for Education the status of progress on a building project for a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Paul Kehoe. [37002/21]

*240. Chun a fhiafraí den Aire Oideachais cén uair a chuirfear seirbhís cheart leathanbhanda ar fáil do scoil (sonraí tugtha); cén fáth nach bhfuil sé seo déanta go dtí seo; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. — Éamon Ó Cuív. [37033/21]

*241. To ask the Minister for Education the number of applications including unsuccessful applications for school bus transport in the 2019-2020 and the 2020-2021 school year, respectively; the number of successful applications categorised by eligible and concessionary; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Darren O’Rourke. [37053/21]

*242. To ask the Minister for Education the number of schools that are running summer catch-up programmes in an area (details supplied) in summer 2021; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Emer Higgins. [37055/21]

*243. To ask the Minister for Education if an assessment has been undertaken on the results of 2021 standardised testing in primary schools; the way that 2021 results compare with those from previous years; if there has been a noticeable change in the results across the board; if measures are being planned to address any deficits in results; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Paul Kehoe. [37056/21]

*244. To ask the Minister for Education if an organisation (details supplied) is permitted to offer support as part of summer provision for students who are blind or vision impaired as it did in 2020; if not, the reason it is not included in 2021; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Gary Gannon. [37146/21]

*245. To ask the Minister for Education if technological support for assistive technology and braille lesson packs to supplement learning over the summer are available for students who are blind or vision impaired; if not, if she will consider making them available; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Gary Gannon. [37147/21]

*246. To ask the Minister for Education the steps that can be taken to ensure the provision of a school place suitable to meeting requirements in the case of a person (details supplied); if immediate action will be taken to make provision for a person of such needs; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Bernard J. Durkan. [37149/21]

*247. To ask the Minister for Education the steps she is taking to ensure good ventilation in all classrooms in order to mitigate the spread of Covid-19; the basis of this funding allocation; if all 3151 necessary works will be completed by the time schools resume after the summer break; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Róisín Shortall. [37150/21]

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

*248. To ask the Minister for Social Protection her Department’s understanding of which social care benefits Irish citizens who move to Northern Ireland are entitled to under the Common Travel Area; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Patrick Costello. [36933/21]

*249. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the status of an enhanced school meals programme for 2022 and beyond; if she has consulted with the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform in this regard; and if she has requested additional funding for the school meals programme for future years. — Catherine Murphy. [36865/21]

*250. To ask the Minister for Social Protection her plans to allocate additional funding in respect of the school meals programme for 2022 and beyond. — Catherine Murphy. [36866/21]

*251. To ask the Minister for Social Protection if her Department has carried out a cost analysis of establishing the free travel scheme as a standalone directly applicable benefit; the estimated cost of such a measure; the projected staff resources required to establish the free travel scheme in such a way; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — . [36880/21]

*252. To ask the Minister for Social Protection if she will report on the requests for tenders for a public employment service; the way the request for tenders in phase 2 for regional employment services differ from those in phase 1; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — . [36882/21]

*253. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the way in which organisations in the community and voluntary sector will be able to avail of the tender process for a public employment service given that the requirements and funding model in phase 2 of the request for tenders does not lend itself to the community and voluntary sector being able to participate in the tendering process; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Maurice Quinlivan. [36883/21]

*254. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the geography of the regions of the regional employment services; if there is a minimum number of referrals assured in the programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Maurice Quinlivan. [36884/21]

*255. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the way in which the requests for tenders in phase 2 for the regional employment services differ from that of phase 1 given that the requirements and the funding model does not lend itself to the community and voluntary sector being in a position to participate in the tendering process and would be an obstacle to them engaging in it; and the way in which the national employment service will differ from the regional employment services. — Willie O’Dea. [36892/21]

*256. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the circumstances under which a person can access rent supplement and or HAP when they are not on a local authority housing list. — Sorca Clarke. [36927/21]

*257. To ask the Minister for Social Protection if the application to transfer the carer’s allowance payment to a person (details supplied) will be expedited. — John McGuinness. [36950/21]

P.T.O 3152

*258. To ask the Minister for Social Protection if a child benefit and family benefit application dating back to 2014 which is now under appeal with a request for an oral hearing will be expedited and approved in the name of a person (details supplied). — John McGuinness. [36951/21]

*259. To ask the Minister for Social Protection if her attention has been drawn to the fact that the pilot programme for deaf remote interpreting services on an on demand app (details supplied) has now ceased; and her plans to resume this service on a long-term basis given the very valuable benefit it provided to members of the deaf community, particularly given that another service is limited to 22 minute calls creating difficulties for lengthy calls to services and financial institutions and so on. — Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire. [37018/21]

*260. To ask the Minister for Social Protection if an application for a carer’s allowance now under appeal will be expedited and approved in the case of a person (details supplied). — John McGuinness. [37026/21]

*261. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the status of a domiciliary care allowance application in respect of a person (details supplied). — Kieran O’Donnell. [37034/21]

*262. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the status of a review in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Kieran O’Donnell. [37035/21]

*263. To ask the Minister for Social Protection if homemaker’s credits will be added to the social insurance record of a person (details supplied); and if a higher rate of pension will be awarded to them. — Kieran O’Donnell. [37036/21]

*264. To ask the Minister for Social Protection if homemaker’s credits will be added to the record of a person (details supplied); and if they have an entitlement to the higher rate of pension. — Kieran O’Donnell. [37037/21]

*265. To ask the Minister for Social Protection if assistance is available to a person (details supplied) to retain the additional benefits for a disabled person; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Paul Kehoe. [37040/21]

*266. To ask the Minister for Social Protection if contributions between the 65th and 66th birthdays are treated as full contributions and not credits to the 520 full rate condition (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Michael Healy-Rae. [37051/21]

*267. To ask the Minister for Social Protection her plans on resuming availability of an application (details supplied) to support persons who are deaf with accessing key interpretation services in recognition of the accessibility the application offers and the commitment in the Programme for Government to equality-proof social protection supports; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — . [37065/21]

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

*268. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the additional capital and current funding needed to fully progress the decision support service to be fully operational and to be in a position to offer services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Pauline Tully. [37020/21] 3153

*269. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of complaints made to HIQA regarding social workers in 2019, 2020 and to date in 2021, in tabular form. — Sorca Clarke. [36929/21]

*270. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of complaints currently awaiting an outcome from the Ombudsman for Children. — Sorca Clarke. [36930/21]

*271. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the role HIQA occupies in the provision of safe and effective services provided by social workers. — Sorca Clarke. [36931/21]

*272. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if ongoing funding being provided will not be reduced in any way to those who have had to raise their prices in view of the increasing costs profile occurring in early years childcare which is forcing some private providers to increase their charges; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Matt Shanahan. [37063/21]

*273. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if his attention has been drawn to the work of a group (details supplied); if he will consider meeting with the group in order to show solidarity with its work; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Steven Matthews. [36688/21]

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

*274. To ask the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the progress that has been made on the acquisition of a site for the Wexford campus of the Technological University of South East Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Verona Murphy. [37071/21]

*275. To ask the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if the penalisation of students who received the pandemic unemployment payment when applying for the SUSI grant (details supplied) will be examined and addressed. — Danny Healy-Rae. [37068/21]

*276. To ask the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will examine the dependent status of students for the purposes of SUSI grants in cases in which their dependent status changes from the first year of application for a SUSI grant. — . [37058/21]

*277. To ask the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the extent to which he is satisfied regarding the adequacy of an adequate number of places for students wishing to pursue courses of an academic or technical nature; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Bernard J. Durkan. [37114/21]

*278. To ask the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the extent to which he expects the number of training and apprenticeship places to be sufficient to meet the demand in each of the next five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Bernard J. Durkan. [37115/21]

P.T.O 3154

*279. To ask the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the extent to which his Department is upgrading the research sector with a view to maximising benefits for students and ultimately the economy in the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Bernard J. Durkan. [37116/21]

*280. To ask the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the extent to which he expects Irish graduates at technical and academic level to be sufficient to meet demand arising from accelerated economic growth; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Bernard J. Durkan. [37117/21]

*281. To ask the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the degree to which he foresees the use of innovation as a means of perfecting the education system as well as meeting the market-based challenges in the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Bernard J. Durkan. [37118/21]

*282. To ask the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the extent to which he expects the sciences to play a major part in meeting the standards required in the workplace in the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Bernard J. Durkan. [37119/21]

*283. To ask the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the extent to which he and his Department have planned for the likely increased demand in fourth- level education in the future with particular reference to the need to stay in pace with or at least on par with international trends; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Bernard J. Durkan. [37120/21]

*284. To ask the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the expected number of fourth-level graduates in both technical and academic sectors in the future in terms of the demand and the ability to meet that demand; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Bernard J. Durkan. [37121/21]

*285. To ask the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the extent to which he sees research playing a major role in competitiveness in the future; the likelihood of meeting the demand in full; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Bernard J. Durkan. [37122/21]

*286. To ask the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the ambitions of his Department in expanding the role of the sciences in the future and in particular the ability to meet opportunities likely to arise; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Bernard J. Durkan. [37123/21]

*287. To ask the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the extent to which he sees the demand for innovation extending in the future in the field of job opportunities; if he remains satisfied regarding the ability of the higher education system to meet the challenges in the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Bernard J. Durkan. [37124/21]

*288. To ask the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of places currently taken up by fourth-level education students throughout the country; the extent to which these numbers incorporate the academic and technical sectors; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Bernard J. Durkan. [37125/21] 3155

*289. To ask the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of fourth-level graduates expected in each of the next five years covering the technical and academic spheres; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Bernard J. Durkan. [37126/21]

*290. To ask the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the extent to which centres of excellence are being developed at technical and academic levels in order to meet requirements in the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Bernard J. Durkan. [37127/21]

*291. To ask the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the extent to which his Department interacts with the various professionals at academic and technical levels with a view to determining the higher level requirements in the future; the extent to which it is anticipated to meet market demands arising therefrom; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Bernard J. Durkan. [37128/21]

*292. To ask the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the extent to which his Department continues to monitor incidents of professional bullying throughout the higher education system; the extent to which action has been taken or is proposed to deal with such issues in the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Bernard J. Durkan. [37129/21]

*293. To ask the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the extent to which his Department monitors the use of innovation as a means of advancing the preparedness of the education system to meet the challenges of the future; the way this best manifests itself; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Bernard J. Durkan. [37130/21]

*294. To ask the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the extent to which he and his Department can foresee opportunities in the future for fourth-level graduates given current market demands; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Bernard J. Durkan. [37131/21]

*295. To ask the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the extent to which his Department continues to encourage research by various means with a view to meeting the highest possible level of achievement in the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Bernard J. Durkan. [37132/21]

*296. To ask the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the extent to which provision is being made throughout the third-level system to facilitate those wishing to achieve the highest possible qualifications in technical and academic areas through apprenticeships or otherwise; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Bernard J. Durkan. [37133/21]

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

*297. To ask the Minister for Justice the reason that visas are required for Columbian nationals visiting or studying in Ireland; if the cost of such visas is greater than the cost of visas for other nationals; the reason that the proof of economic solvency for Columbian applicants is much greater than for other South American applicants; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — . [36981/21]

P.T.O 3156

*298. To ask the Minister for Justice the plans that are in place for the expansion of Garda CCTV in the Mallow Garda district; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Michael Moynihan. [36783/21]

*299. To ask the Minister for Justice the number of community gardaí in the Mallow Garda district; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Michael Moynihan. [36784/21]

*300. To ask the Minister for Justice if the appointment of a person (details supplied) to an enquiry is effective from 1 July 2021; the timelines indicated that would be required to oversee the enquiry; if the person will be conducting a desktop analysis of the previous work; if not, if it will be in addition to previous work; if additional terms of reference are being considered; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Matt Shanahan. [36836/21]

*301. To ask the Minister for Justice the number of gardaí within the Mayo division from 2019 to date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Alan Dillon. [36932/21]

*302. To ask the Minister for Justice if she plans to include migrants that had residency prior to becoming undocumented regardless of time spent undocumented in the regularisation scheme for undocumented people in Ireland; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — . [36934/21]

*303. To ask the Minister for Justice her Department’s policy position on joint policing committees; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Alan Dillon. [36935/21]

*304. To ask the Minister for Justice the policy proposals for the future of joint policing committees; her views on whether such committees form an essential role in community involvement in and engagement with policing issues; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Dara Calleary. [36938/21]

*305. To ask the Minister for Justice if an application for citizenship by a person (details supplied) has been submitted to her for decision; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Martin Kenny. [36953/21]

*306. To ask the Minister for Justice if an application for citizenship by a person (details supplied) has been submitted to her for decision; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Martin Kenny. [36954/21]

*307. To ask the Minister for Justice the status of an application for citizenship and a travel document by a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Cian O’Callaghan. [36956/21]

*308. To ask the Minister for Justice if a person (details supplied) as part of their citizenship application had to submit their passport a month ago; if the passport will be returned to them; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Cian O’Callaghan. [36995/21]

*309. To ask the Minister for Justice the funding that was allocated in her Department for assistive technologies for persons with disabilities in 2019, 2020 and to date in 2021 respectively; the additional funding needed to increase funding for assistive technologies by 5%, 10% and 25% respectively; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Pauline Tully. [37019/21] 3157

*310. To ask the Minister for Justice the extent to which organised drug-related crime continues to grow; the degree to which her Department continues to be in a position to meet the challenges ahead; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Bernard J. Durkan. [37094/21]

*311. To ask the Minister for Justice the number of women currently in An Garda Síochána; the extent to which their numbers have fluctuated over the past five years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Bernard J. Durkan. [37095/21]

*312. To ask the Minister for Justice the extent to which drug related criminality has grown in the past ten years; the measures in hand to deal with the issue; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Bernard J. Durkan. [37096/21]

*313. To ask the Minister for Justice the number of criminal gang members currently in prison or facing trial; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Bernard J. Durkan. [37097/21]

*314. To ask the Minister for Justice the extent to which recidivism is evident in the context of various levels of offences; the groups most seriously affected; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Bernard J. Durkan. [37098/21]

*315. To ask the Minister for Justice the number of offences committed by persons while on bail for one or more offences in each of the past five years to date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Bernard J. Durkan. [37099/21]

*316. To ask the Minister for Justice the extent to which changes in the pattern of recidivism has been noted in any or each of the past five years to date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Bernard J. Durkan. [37100/21]

*317. To ask the Minister for Justice the extent to which an adequate number of prison spaces remain available to meet the demand; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Bernard J. Durkan. [37101/21]

*318. To ask the Minister for Justice the number of prisoners who have absconded while on early release, temporary release, supervised and unsupervised in each of the past five years to date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Bernard J. Durkan. [37102/21]

*319. To ask the Minister for Justice the degree to which the activities of the major criminal gangs have been restricted in the course of the past five years to date; and if she will makea statement on the matter. — Bernard J. Durkan. [37103/21]

*320. To ask the Minister for Justice if the police authorities here and throughout Europe remain in contact and consultation with each other with a view to restricting the activity of criminal gangs; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Bernard J. Durkan. [37104/21]

*321. To ask the Minister for Justice the average number of accused persons on bail at any given time in the past five years; the number of crimes committed by such persons while on bail; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Bernard J. Durkan. [37105/21]

*322. To ask the Minister for Justice the number of persons still recorded as missing persons for several years; the extent to which efforts continue to be made to locate them; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Bernard J. Durkan. [37108/21]

P.T.O 3158

*323. To ask the Minister for Justice the strength of An Garda Síochána at present; the number of gardaí due to retire in each of the next five years; the level of recruitment likely in the same period; the extent to which recruitment levels are likely to be sufficient to replenish the strength of the force; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Bernard J. Durkan. [37109/21]

*324. To ask the Minister for Justice the degree to which adequate deployment of gardaí has been achieved in order to ensure an equal level of policing in all areas throughout the country at any given time; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Bernard J. Durkan. [37111/21]

*325. To ask the Minister for Justice the number of potential homicide cases that currently remain listed as unsolved; if a cold case team reviews evidence in such cases on a regular basis; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Bernard J. Durkan. [37112/21]

*326. To ask the Minister for Justice the number of cold cases that have been resolved in recent years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Bernard J. Durkan. [37113/21]

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

*327. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the capacity of each species of tree, native or otherwise grown here to sequester various carbons; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Bernard J. Durkan. [37136/21]

*328. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the supports in place for farmers growing maize and their suppliers in view of the banning of oxo-degradable plastic under the Single Use Plastics Directive from 1 July 2021 with consideration of stocks of this plastic having already been purchased; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Malcolm Noonan. [36879/21]

*329. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will address a matter (details supplied) regarding afforestation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Michael Healy-Rae. [37039/21]

*330. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of afforestation licence applications still awaiting a decision from his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Paul Kehoe. [37041/21]

*331. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the total area of undesignated unenclosed land identified in the land availability for afforestation report in 2016 as suitable for planting; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Paul Kehoe. [37042/21]

*332. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if the CAP consultative committee was formed exclusively by way of invitation or by request of the current members; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Jackie Cahill. [37049/21]

*333. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if unmodified Departmental rules on unenclosed areas are creating barriers for applications on agriculturally marginal but forestry suitable land; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Jackie Cahill. [37050/21]

*334. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of afforestation licences his Department expects to issue for July 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Paul Kehoe. [37052/21] 3159

*335. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if the case of a person (details supplied) will be examined and clarification provided in relation to the issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Michael Healy-Rae. [37054/21]

*336. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the legal standing of a salmon farm in respect of which a licence has been granted that has ceased operating for a continuous period of two years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Mairéad Farrell. [37060/21]

*337. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the extent to which every avenue is being investigated to maximise the use of carbon sequestration as a means of meeting emission requirements in the future without disruption of the dairy or meat production sector having particular regard to the central role played by the agriculture sector in the aftermath of the economic crash and the well-known sustainability of the food producing sector here; the degree to which studies of various species of trees show that they can continue to store various greenhouse gases; if regular contact between his Department and the Department of Environment, Climate and Communication is maintained in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Bernard J. Durkan. [37134/21]

*338. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the extent to which his Department has studied submissions from representatives (details supplied) of the pigmeat sector with particular reference to the extent to which the industry is expected to conform to new regulations; the time within which such changes may take place; the extent to which assistance is available to the industry to meet such requirements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Bernard J. Durkan. [37137/21]

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

*339. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development the amount sanctioned under the rural regeneration and development fund since its inception in 2019; the amount paid out under this scheme to date; the value of the applications on hand that are still being examined; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Éamon Ó Cuív. [37028/21]

*340. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development the amount in the 2021 estimate for expenditure out of the rural regeneration and development fund including any carry- over from 2020; the amount spent to date in 2021 out of the fund; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Éamon Ó Cuív. [37029/21]

*341. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development the total allocation of capital to her Department in 2021 including any capital carried forward from 2020; the amount of this spent to date in 2021; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Éamon Ó Cuív. [37030/21]

*342. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development the section of her Department that was responsible for drafting the eligibility criteria for the stability fund for community and voluntary, charity and social enterprises; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Emer Higgins. [37045/21]

Wt. 102802. 310. 7/21. Essentra. (88433). Gr. 30-15 Printed on re-cycled paper.