Parliamentary questions

Mother and Baby Homes Inquiries

Martin Browne

93. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth his views on the Facing the Future Together report which identifies the ongoing and future needs for the survivors of mother and baby homes and those incarcerated in residential institutions, industrial schools and other places of detention; his plans to implement the supports recommended in this report; his views on the statistics and findings contained within the Facing the Future Together report regarding the impacts and consequent needs of survivors; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40773/20]

Equality Issues

Brian Leddin

94. Deputy Brian Leddin asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the level of funding allocated for LGBTI+ services in 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40777/20]

Childcare Costs

Dara Calleary

96. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth his plans to reduce childcare costs for parents; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40755/20]

Childcare Costs

Neale Richmond

98. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the measures he is considering to make childcare affordable for all parents; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39966/20]

Parental Leave

Aindrias Moynihan

106. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth when legislation will be advanced to enact changes announced in budget 2021 on parental leave; the engagement he has had with the Minister for Social Protection to ensure there is no undue delay for applicants to avail of this additional leave; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40758/20]

Parental Leave

Paul McAuliffe

120. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the reason the extension to maternity leave is not being introduced until April 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40768/20]

Direct Provision System

Steven Matthews

138. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the steps he will take to ensure that persons being moved from direct provision are provided sufficient notice and adequate translation services to ensure this transition is as seamless as possible (details supplied). [39271/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Alan Kelly

1. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Taoiseach the status of plans to reopen society and the economy when level 5 Covid-19 restrictions are lifted. [38080/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Richard Boyd Barrett

2. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Taoiseach the status of plans to reopen society and the economy when level 5 Covid-19 restrictions are lifted. [40168/20]

Cabinet Committees

Alan Kelly

3. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee dealing with foreign affairs will next meet. [38076/20]

Cabinet Committees

Mary Lou McDonald

4. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee that deals with foreign affairs will next meet. [38620/20]

Cabinet Committees

Paul Murphy

5. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee dealing with foreign affairs will next meet. [40064/20]

Cabinet Committees

Alan Kelly

6. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Taoiseach if he will report on his plans for travel abroad in 2021. [40162/20]

Cabinet Committees

Richard Boyd Barrett

7. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee dealing with foreign affairs will next meet. [40169/20]

Departmental Strategy Statements

Alan Kelly

8. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Taoiseach if his Department plans to publish a statement of strategy. [38075/20]

Departmental Strategy Statements

Paul Murphy

9. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Taoiseach if his Department plans to publish a statement of strategy. [40065/20]

Departmental Strategy Statements

Richard Boyd Barrett

10. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Taoiseach if his Department plans to publish a statement of strategy. [40486/20]

Cabinet Committees

Alan Kelly

1. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Taoiseach if he will report on the work of the Cabinet committee on Government co-ordination. [36605/20]

Cabinet Committees

Richard Boyd Barrett

2. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Taoiseach if he will report on the work of the Cabinet committee on Government co-ordination. [38635/20]

Cabinet Committees

Mary Lou McDonald

3. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Taoiseach if he will report on the work of the Cabinet committee on Government co-ordination. [39895/20]

Garda Reform

Alan Kelly

4. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Taoiseach if he will report on the work of the policing reform implementation programme office. [36606/20]

Cabinet Committees

Alan Kelly

5. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet Committee on social affairs and equality is next due to meet; and when it last met. [38078/20]

Cabinet Committees

Mary Lou McDonald

6. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet Committee on social affairs and equality will next meet. [38622/20]

Cabinet Committees

Richard Boyd Barrett

7. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet Committee on social affairs and equality is due to meet next. [40167/20]

School Equipment

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire

25. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Education if specific, revised guidance will be provided on ventilation in the winter months; and if she will be providing additional funding to schools for the purchase of air monitoring systems and to make up for additional heating costs. [39970/20]

Schools Administration

Matt Shanahan

26. Deputy Matt Shanahan asked the Minister for Education if the administration day currently allowed per week to teaching principals will be maintained into 2021; if there is a provision within the education service plan to support same going forward; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40021/20]

Special Educational Needs

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire

27. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Education her views on whether special educational units in mainstream schools are not suitable for all children with additional needs; and her plans to increase special educational places and to open new special schools. [39971/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Richard O'Donoghue

28. Deputy Richard O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Education the provisions in place by her Department to police and address occurrences (details supplied); if students can be refused entry to school grounds; and if An Garda Síochána can be contacted to verify if the student in question has been overseas and take the necessary action with the child’s parents. [40260/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire

29. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Education the criteria which the school-specific contact tracing teams will work off, including a clear outline of who will be identified as a close contact in the school setting; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39972/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Francis Noel Duffy

30. Deputy Francis Noel Duffy asked the Minister for Education the measures in place to ensure adequate heating and ventilation in view of Covid-19 guidelines in schools temporarily accommodated in prefabs. [39982/20]

Schools Building Projects

Brendan Smith

31. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Education when approval will issue in respect of a building project for a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40010/20]

Commencement of Legislation

Pauline Tully

32. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Education the position regarding the Education of Persons with Special Educational Needs Act 2004 which, despite being a central pillar of the national disability strategy, has never been fully commenced, meaning that children with disabilities cannot access assessments with a right of appeal or individual education plans on a statutory basis; if she is satisfied with the lack of progress in respect of the Act; the action she will take to fully commence the Act; the timeframe for this action; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40164/20]

School Transport

Michael Moynihan

33. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Education if she is satisfied that her Department is working with parents to address the transportation needs of pupils with disabilities; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40092/20]

Special Educational Needs Staff

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire

34. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Education if a high-risk SNA can work from home during the lockdown restrictions if the management team of a school agrees to same. [39977/20]

School Uniforms

Mick Barry

36. Deputy Mick Barry asked the Minister for Education if she will consider initiating an investigation into allegations that females in a school (details supplied) were asked not to wear certain items of clothing due to them allegedly being revealing; if she will report on measures taken to counter sexist attitudes in schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40068/20]

School Staff

Rose Conway-Walsh

37. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Education her views on whether cleaners are critical staff in the running of schools; her plans to provide pension rights to long-service cleaners; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40006/20]

Special Educational Needs

Patrick Costello

38. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Education her plans for autism-specific schools and autism-specific services within mainstream schools; and the preference of her Department going forward. [39666/20]

Human Rights

John Brady

1. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs his plans to review the existing human rights and business plan 2017-2020. [38304/20]

EU Budgets

Cian O'Callaghan

2. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the actions he has taken following Poland and Hungary’s veto of the EU budget over the new rules linking funding to the rule of law; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38181/20]

Middle East

John Brady

3. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if the Government will be seeking compensation from the state of Israel for the destruction of infrastructure paid for by the Irish taxpayer by Israeli forces. [38305/20]

Passport Data

Marian Harkin

4. Deputy Marian Harkin asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs his views on the feasibility of the State introducing a Covid-19 stamp on passports to demonstrate that travellers have received the vaccination against the virus. [38293/20]

Shannon Airport Facilities

Catherine Connolly

5. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs his plans to raise the ongoing use of Shannon Airport by the US military with US President-elect Biden, particularly in view of the fact that from January to October 2020, 65,965 US military personnel transited Shannon Airport; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38480/20]

Brexit Negotiations

Christopher O'Sullivan

6. Deputy Christopher O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the status of negotiations between the European Union and the United Kingdom with regard to the future relationship; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38449/20]

EU Issues

Barry Cowen

7. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs his views on whether the actions taken by Hungary and Poland are undermining the effective functioning of the European Union; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38445/20]

EU Issues

Paul McAuliffe

9. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs his views on Poland and Hungary blocking coronavirus recovery funding due to it being linked to the rule of law; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38266/20]

European Council Meetings

Cian O'Callaghan

10. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if the draft UN treaty on business and human rights was discussed at the European Council; and the position he took on same. [36238/20]

Human Rights

Gino Kenny

11. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will raise the matter relating to a person (details supplied) with his EU counterparts at upcoming EU-wide meetings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38338/20]

Human Rights

Bríd Smith

24. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will report on his discussions with the ambassador of Saudi Arabia on the issue of the treatment and imprisonment of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38336/20]

Human Rights

John Brady

27. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the status of progress his Department has made towards the release of the women's human rights defender (details supplied) currently on hunger strike in Saudi Arabia. [38299/20]

Brexit Negotiations

Éamon Ó Cuív

40. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the progress to date with the Brexit discussions between the EU and Britain; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38364/20]

EU Issues

Cormac Devlin

47. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the action being taken to ensure that the rule-of-law mechanism will be effective in the EU budget discussions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38456/20]

European Council Meetings

Cian O'Callaghan

53. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he supports the draft UN treaty on business and human rights; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38197/20]

EU Issues

Brendan Howlin

54. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs his views on the action of Poland and Hungary in vetoing the multi-annual budget and recovery programme of the EU; the way in which he sees the requirement for member states to adhere to the common values of the Union; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37954/20]

Banking Sector

Pearse Doherty

60. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance if proactive engagement will be undertaken with a bank (details supplied) regarding the reported closure of its branches and operations in view of the recent resignation of its chairman, the involvement of another bank in the strategic review of the operations of the bank and the potential sale of its loan book to a company; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39489/20]

Tax Avoidance

Richard Boyd Barrett

61. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Finance if his attention has been drawn to reports that a company (details supplied) that generated €153 million in profits over a seven-month period turned those profits, through complex accounting procedures, into a loss and paid no tax; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39491/20]

Insurance Costs

Pearse Doherty

62. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance his views on the Second Private Motor Insurance Report of the National Information Claims Database; the action he will take in response to its findings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39490/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Denis Naughten

63. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Finance the expected cost to the Exchequer of the stay-and-spend scheme in 2021 and 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38837/20]

Primary Medical Certificates

Mattie McGrath

64. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Finance the date he will bring forward an amendment to the Finance Bill 2020 to provide for the existing medical criteria in primary legislation to allow for the primary medical certificate assessments to recommence. [38925/20]

State Savings Schemes

Eoghan Murphy

65. Deputy Eoghan Murphy asked the Minister for Finance if there has been an increase in the purchase of State bonds or savings certificates administered issued by the National Treasury Management Agency, NTMA, or State prize bonds in the past 12 months; if so, the increase and current amounts invested in these bonds and products; and his views on the matter. [36722/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Barry Cowen

66. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Finance the number of businesses in counties Offaly and Laois that have qualified for support under the Covid restrictions support scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39197/20]

Tax Code

Denis Naughten

67. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Finance if he will reform inheritance tax rules whereby a favoured niece or nephew is treated in the same manner as a child in circumstances in which the deceased has no family; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38840/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Pa Daly

68. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Finance further to Parliamentary Question No. 319 of 10 November 2020, if he will reconsider the position on mortgage lenders relating to customers that are on the employment wage subsidy scheme and who are being denied mortgages even though they are in long-term employment and their jobs are not considered to be in jeopardy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36678/20]

Brexit Supports

Cormac Devlin

69. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Finance the status of his Department’s preparations for Brexit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39213/20]

Insurance Industry

Duncan Smith

70. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Finance if he is considering the calls from a group (details supplied) and other arts and cultural bodies for insurance reform; and if he is considering a refund of public and employer liability insurance for organisations that now have no insurable events going ahead. [27499/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Pádraig O'Sullivan

71. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Finance his plans to assist home buyers who are being refused the drawing down of approved loans due to one or both borrowers being on the temporary wage subsidy scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38632/20]

Credit Availability

Thomas Gould

73. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Finance if consideration will be given to incentives to encourage credit unions and post offices to lend to persons whose income has been temporarily affected by Covid-19 to ensure they are not forced to obtain loans from private moneylenders with extortionate interest rates. [39153/20]

State Savings Schemes

Eoghan Murphy

77. Deputy Eoghan Murphy asked the Minister for Finance if he is considering a new State-backed investment scheme via a bond, certificate or savings account. [36723/20]

Legislative Programme

Mick Barry

1. Deputy Mick Barry asked the Taoiseach the status of Bills under preparation in his Department. [38331/20]

Legislative Programme

Alan Kelly

2. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Taoiseach the status of Bills under preparation in his Department. [38077/20]

Legislative Programme

Richard Boyd Barrett

3. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Taoiseach the status of Bills under preparation in his Department. [38633/20]

US Presidential Election

Alan Kelly

4. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Taoiseach if he will report on his telephone call with the President-elect of the United States of America. [36601/20]

US Presidential Election

Mary Lou McDonald

5. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Taoiseach if he will report on his recent phone call with the President-elect of the United States of America. [38194/20]

US Presidential Election

Mick Barry

6. Deputy Mick Barry asked the Taoiseach if he will report on his discussions with the President-elect of the United States of America. [38330/20]

US Presidential Election

Richard Boyd Barrett

7. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Taoiseach if he will report on his telephone call with the President-elect of the United States of America. [38634/20]

Shared Island Unit

Mary Lou McDonald

8. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Taoiseach if he will report on the work of the shared island unit of his Department. [38621/20]

Future of Media Commission

Alan Kelly

1. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Taoiseach if he will report on the establishment of the Future of Media Commission; and the role his Department will have in supporting the work of the commission. [35142/20]

Future of Media Commission

Paul Murphy

2. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Taoiseach if he will report on his attendance at the inaugural meeting of the Future of Media Commission. [36612/20]

Future of Media Commission

Richard Boyd Barrett

3. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Taoiseach if he will report on the establishment of the Future of Media Commission; and the role his Department will have in supporting the work of the commission. [36675/20]

Future of Media Commission

Mary Lou McDonald

4. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Taoiseach if he will report on the establishment of the Future of Media Commission and the role of his Department in its work. [36853/20]

Departmental Functions

Mary Lou McDonald

5. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Taoiseach if he will report on the work of the parliamentary liaison unit. [35252/20]

Departmental Functions

Alan Kelly

6. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Taoiseach if he will report on the work of the parliamentary liaison unit in his Department. [36603/20]

Departmental Functions

Richard Boyd Barrett

7. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Taoiseach if he will report on the work of the parliamentary liaison unit. [36676/20]

Cabinet Committees

Mary Lou McDonald

8. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Taoiseach if he will report on the work of the Cabinet committee on the environment and climate change. [35253/20]

Cabinet Committees

Alan Kelly

9. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Taoiseach if he will report on the work of the Cabinet committee on the environment and climate change. [36604/20]

Cabinet Committees

Richard Boyd Barrett

10. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Taoiseach if he will report on the work of the Cabinet committee on the environment and climate change. [36677/20]

Cabinet Committees

Paul Murphy

11. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee which addresses climate change will next meet. [38833/20]

Social and Affordable Housing

Eoin Ó Broin

37. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when the social housing quarter 3 output report for 2020 will be published; and the status of the quarter 3 output. [38310/20]

Departmental Reviews

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin

38. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the terms of reference for the departmental review on shared living and co-living established following his appointment; the membership of the committee; the number of meetings that have taken place; the persons and organisations that were consulted during the course of the review; if he will report on the interim recommendations in the report as contained in a newspaper (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36465/20]

Land Development Agency

Eoin Ó Broin

39. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if residential development delivered by the Land Development Agency, LDA, will be delivered through designated activity company subsidiaries of the agency; if LDA developments may include unaffordable open market priced homes on public land; and if the compulsory purchase powers of the agency will be limited to ransom strips. [38722/20]

Disability Services Provision

Peadar Tóibín

40. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the amount of funding allocated to each local authority and to approved housing bodies to construct social housing for persons with disabilities; and the amount provided to each local authority for each of the past five years. [38636/20]

Social and Affordable Housing

Eoin Ó Broin

41. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will work with Dublin City Council to secure European Investment Bank finance and a serviced sites fund allocation to ensure the delivery of social and affordable homes on the Oscar Traynor Road site in Coolock, Dublin 17. [38723/20]

Homeless Persons Supports

Chris Andrews

43. Deputy Chris Andrews asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the amount of funding granted by the Dublin Region Homeless Executive, DRHE, to day services in the past 12 months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38478/20]

Social and Affordable Housing

Cian O'Callaghan

44. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will provide funding and support to Dublin City Council to build social and affordable homes on a site (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38186/20]

Local Authority Housing

Jim O'Callaghan

45. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when the retrofit works on Pearse House in Dublin 2 will commence. [38289/20]

Homeless Persons Data

Eoin Ó Broin

46. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the action he is taking to deal with the rise in the number of deaths of persons who were accessing homeless services or sleeping rough. [38309/20]

Planning Issues

Thomas Gould

47. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the status of the development of a site (details supplied). [37909/20]

Local Authority Housing

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

48. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if consideration has been given to increasing the income threshold for applicants to qualify for inclusion on local authority housing lists. [38314/20]

Local Infrastructure Housing Activation Fund

Bernard Durkan

49. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to outline the extent to which allocations under the heading of the local infrastructure housing activation fund, LIHAF, have been made for specific works in each local authority area; the extent to which such progress has been completed or progressed and if any are outstanding; his plans to allocate further funding in this area to meet exigencies that have arisen; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38276/20]

Local Authority Housing

Brendan Smith

64. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will ensure that the review of income eligibility limits for social housing is finalised and published without further delay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38279/20]

Social and Affordable Housing

Richard Boyd Barrett

67. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will provide the necessary funds and other assistance to develop the Oscar Traynor Road site for social and affordable housing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38400/20]