Parliamentary questions

Climate Action Plan

Jennifer Whitmore

32. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the way in which he plans to incorporate biodiversity and nature-based solutions for climate change mitigation within his climate action portfolio; the efforts he will take to bridge the policy gap between climate action and biodiversity; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16065/20]

Climate Action Council

Jennifer Whitmore

46. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the process by which he plans to select members of the climate action council, which is due to be newly established within 100 days according to the adopted programme for Government; if the new council will devise the carbon budgets for the 2021-2025 and 2026-2030 periods before the end of 2020; the extent to which the council will incorporate scientific expertise; the level of independence of same; if it will include a gender balance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16062/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Jennifer Whitmore

85. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation when pubs can organise and host live gigs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15914/20]

Rural Transport Services

Jennifer Whitmore

261. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if an additional bus stop for the Wicklow to Glendalough Local Link bus route will be put in place to facilitate residents of a direct provision centre (details supplied) in view of the fact that no other public transport exists in the area leading to increased isolation for those residing in the centre; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15912/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Jennifer Whitmore

280. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Finance if the temporary wage subsidy scheme will be expanded to include seasonal restaurants and other businesses open during summer months when tourism is at its peak; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15918/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Jennifer Whitmore

376. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht her priorities to further support artists and performers here; if funding for the arts sector will be reformed to ensure artists, actors and performers have adequate access to Arts Council funding; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15919/20]

International Agreements

Jennifer Whitmore

452. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if Ireland has joined or plans to join the Covid-19 technology access pool initiative led by Costa Rica and the World Health Organization; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15916/20]

Schools Building Projects

Jennifer Whitmore

673. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Education and Skills further to Parliamentary Question No. 229 of 30 June 2020, if a school extension (details supplied) will be built in time for the 2020-21 school year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15908/20]

School Staff

Jennifer Whitmore

674. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Education and Skills if the criteria used by the appeals board to adjudicate on the allocation of teaching posts has been modified in light of Covid-19 and taking into account the increased requirements for social distancing when schools return; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15910/20]

School Costs

Jennifer Whitmore

675. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Education and Skills if a statement will be issued to each school clarifying the situation with regard to placing additional costs on parents in response to Covid-19 health and safety protocols when children go back to school in September 2020; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15913/20]

School Staff

Jennifer Whitmore

676. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Education and Skills the factors considered when the appeals board made its decision regarding the need for an additional teacher at a school (details supplied); the reason the appeal by the school was denied; if her attention has been drawn to the fact that, as a result of the rejection of the appeal, class sizes in the school will be 27% above the national average of 26; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15920/20]

School Staff

Jennifer Whitmore

677. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Education and Skills if a copy of the appeal submitted by a school (details supplied) will be made available as a matter of public record; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15921/20]

School Staff

Jennifer Whitmore

678. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Education and Skills the consideration given by the appeals board to the current Covid-19 climate in the context of an appeal by a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15922/20]

Artists' Remuneration

Jennifer Whitmore

698. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if the feasibility of a basic income for artists and performers will be examined; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15919/20]

Childcare Costs

Jennifer Whitmore

888. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if crèches are allowed to charge parents for holding a place for their child if the facility is drawing down Covid-19 funding supports; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15917/20]

Direct Provision System

Jennifer Whitmore

898. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if the limited time to seek employment will be extended in respect of residents in direct provision centres, taking into account the impact Covid-19 has had on finding employment due to restrictions put in place; if those who could not find employment within a certain timeframe will not be negatively impacted in relation to their asylum applications; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15911/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Jennifer Whitmore

1281. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Health the initiatives, including transnational initiatives, Ireland is involved in for the development of a vaccine or treatment for Covid-19; if the initiatives are based on a principle of free or affordable global access; if Ireland is participating in the people’s vaccine initiative from UNAIDS; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15915/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Jennifer Whitmore

35. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the number of SME restart grants granted to businesses for each county to date; the amount awarded to businesses in total to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14463/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Jennifer Whitmore

79. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the reason seasonal restaurants are only opening during the summer season in view of the fact those not open when the lockdown was announced do not have access to Covid-19 business supports; if his attention has been drawn to the difficulties seasonal operations have in addressing the costs of Covid-19 for reopening and other costs associated with the sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14464/20]

Schools Building Projects

Jennifer Whitmore

461. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Education and Skills if outstanding fire remediation works have been carried out on a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14467/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Jennifer Whitmore

462. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Education and Skills the impact Covid-19 has had in delaying the school building programme; the number of schools in each county in which the programme has been delayed due to Covid-19; the number of those that are in progress; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14468/20]

Animal Diseases

Jennifer Whitmore

567. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his attention has been drawn to the decision of the Dutch Government to ban mink farming in view of recent studies that showed an increasing rate of Covid-19 infection amongst mink at Dutch fur farms and the discovery that the animals may have transmitted the virus to farm employees; if he has examined Irish mink farms in response to these findings; his plans to review the operation of those farms accordingly; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14470/20]

Childcare Costs

Jennifer Whitmore

601. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if childcare providers that are drawing down Covid-19 supports are permitted to increase fees to parents from September 2020 onwards for crèches that experience a fall in the number of children returning on 29 June 2020; the supports available if they cannot afford to cover costs and are already drawing down funding from his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14460/20]

Childcare Costs

Jennifer Whitmore

602. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if his attention has been drawn to the fact that some childcare providers are asking parents to sign a contract for a childcare service which includes the clause that parents must pay during mandated closures as directed by the HSE or another agency; if childcare providers are entitled to insert this clause if drawing down Covid-19 payments recently announced by his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14461/20]

Childcare Services

Jennifer Whitmore

603. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if the situation facing a childcare facility (details supplied) whose childcare capital grant application was suspended will be examined; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14472/20]

Commissions of Investigation

Jennifer Whitmore

662. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Health the status of an investigation (details supplied); the cost to the State for the commission of investigation to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14462/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Jennifer Whitmore

857. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Health in the context of Covid-19 relating to the recent guidelines requiring patients to quarantine before surgeries, if this includes elective and emergency c-sections in maternity hospitals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14465/20]

Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services

Jennifer Whitmore

858. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Health the recruitment plans in place to address the staffing crisis in child psychology teams; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14471/20]

Departmental Staff

Jennifer Whitmore

6. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Taoiseach if his Department has established a working from home policy for its employees. [13554/20]

Departmental Staff

Jennifer Whitmore

11. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Defence if his Department has established a working from home policy for its employees; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13545/20]

Departmental Staff

Jennifer Whitmore

18. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if his Department has established a working from home policy for its employees; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13549/20]

Departmental Staff

Jennifer Whitmore

73. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Finance if his Department has established a working from home policy for its employees; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13548/20]

Mortgage Lending

Jennifer Whitmore

74. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Finance if loan-to-value, LTV, exemptions have been stopped since Covid-19; the representations he has made to the banking sector on behalf of homeowners that cannot borrow due to banks no longer issuing LTV exemptions in circumstances in which a 20% deposit is not achievable particularly for those in negative equity; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13565/20]

Departmental Staff

Jennifer Whitmore

101. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if his Department has established a working from home policy for its employees; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13552/20]

Departmental Staff

Jennifer Whitmore

228. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Education and Skills if her Department has established a working from home policy for its employees; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13546/20]

Schools Building Projects

Jennifer Whitmore

229. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Education and Skills the projected timeline for the completion of a school extension for a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13556/20]

Special Educational Needs

Jennifer Whitmore

230. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Education and Skills the requirements for schools to have ASD units; if it is demand led; the extent to which this demand is analysed and assessed by her Department to ensure the additional education needs of children in a particular area are met; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13559/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Jennifer Whitmore

231. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Education and Skills if her attention has been drawn to schools charging parents for the use of separate stationary equipment for children when they return to school as part of Covid-19 health and safety protocols; if her attention has been further drawn to the inherent cost barrier for families on low or reduced income as a result of Covid-19 and for families that already experience financial difficulties when schools return; the measures she will introduce to prevent the increase in costs for families incurred by Covid-19 health and safety protocols applied to the school environment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13560/20]

Special Educational Needs

Jennifer Whitmore

232. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Education and Skills when her Department will issue guidelines to schools in managing the July provision programme in summer 2020; the reason for the delay in issuing guidelines on the July provision; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13561/20]

Special Educational Needs

Jennifer Whitmore

233. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Education and Skills her plans to address the shortage of places in schools that cannot facilitate all children with additional needs within the July provision programme; if such children can be transferred to a teacher from another school that still has places; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13562/20]

Schools Building Projects

Jennifer Whitmore

234. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Education and Skills the status of a new school building project (details supplied); the timeline for site procurement and commencement of building works; if the school will be in use by August 2020; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13570/20]

Departmental Staff

Jennifer Whitmore

328. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if her Department has established a working from home policy for its employees; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13551/20]

Departmental Staff

Jennifer Whitmore

360. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation if his Department has established a working from home policy for its employees; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13541/20]

Departmental Staff

Jennifer Whitmore

548. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Health if his Department has established a working from home policy for its employees; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13539/20]

Midwifery Services

Jennifer Whitmore

549. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Health the status of the Cavan-Monaghan unit; if no downgrading of the unit will take place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13557/20]

National Maternity Strategy

Jennifer Whitmore

550. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Health the status of the implementation on the National Maternity Strategy; his views on whether implementation is being carried out within the original timeframe; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13558/20]

Departmental Staff

Jennifer Whitmore

613. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his Department has established a working from home policy for its employees; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13540/20]

Departmental Staff

Jennifer Whitmore

646. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if his Department has established a working from home policy for its employees; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13543/20]

Just Transition Fund

Jennifer Whitmore

647. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the reason Ballivor, County Meath is excluded from the midlands engagement process and the first call for proposals under the €11 million just transition fund that ended on 1 June 2020, in view of the relation of the town and hinterland with Bord na Móna (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13563/20]

Just Transition Fund

Jennifer Whitmore

648. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if County Meath will be included as part of the target group for the midlands engagement process; if it can retrospectively apply to be involved in the first call for proposals under the €11 million just transition fund despite the deadline for initial project proposal having passed on 12 June 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13564/20]

Departmental Staff

Jennifer Whitmore

733. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his Department has established a working from home policy for its employees; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13555/20]

Aviation Industry

Jennifer Whitmore

734. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the efforts made to date to resolve the impasse between pilots and a company (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13568/20]

Childcare Services

Jennifer Whitmore

747. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if HSE guidelines for the reopening of childcare facilities from 29 June 2020 prevents parents visiting those childcare settings prior to the reopening on 29 June 2020; if he will allow parents to inspect the new arrangements of childcare facilities due to health and safety protocols implemented by the provider; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13569/20]

Departmental Staff

Jennifer Whitmore

782. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if his Department has established a working from home policy for its employees; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13542/20]

Childcare Services

Jennifer Whitmore

783. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if his Department will reimburse parents from the first day their child attends crèche from 29 June 2020 onwards and until they are able to obtain a public services card once local Intreo offices reopen in view of the difficulties for parents obtaining MyGovIDs during the Covid-19 pandemic; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13567/20]

Departmental Staff

Jennifer Whitmore

792. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if her Department has established a working from home policy for its employees; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13553/20]

Departmental Staff

Jennifer Whitmore

858. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if her Department has established a working from home policy for its employees; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13547/20]

Public Services Card

Jennifer Whitmore

859. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the way in which parents can apply for a public services card to obtain a MyGovID required to apply to the national childcare scheme while her Department has temporarily postponed the appointment service for allocating the card; when departmental offices including Intreo and local offices will reopen for this purpose; if an alternative arrangement can be made for those in need of a card; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13566/20]

Departmental Staff

Jennifer Whitmore

901. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if his Department has established a working from home policy for its employees; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13550/20]

Departmental Staff

Jennifer Whitmore

926. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if her Department has established a working from home policy for its employees; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13544/20]

Schools Data

Jennifer Whitmore

243. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of classes in County Wicklow with class sizes of 20 to 24, 25 to 29 and 30 to 34 pupils per class in each of the past five years in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12478/20]

Schools Data

Jennifer Whitmore

244. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Education and Skills the average class size by county in each of the past five years in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12479/20]

School Accommodation

Jennifer Whitmore

245. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Education and Skills the status of the repair schemes for schools found to have structural defects; if repairs have been delayed by Covid-19; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12480/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Jennifer Whitmore

246. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Education and Skills if socially distanced graduations for sixth class students can or cannot be held in summer 2020 in view of Covid-19; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12481/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Jennifer Whitmore

247. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Education and Skills if training will be provided for one member of the in-school management team taking on the responsibility of being a Covid-19 link person; if so, if the training will include the use of PPE items for subsequent staff training; if indemnity will be provided for the staff member taking on the role; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12482/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Jennifer Whitmore

248. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Education and Skills if materials (details supplied) will be provided to schools to help them with the costs associated with implementing the necessary health and safety measures required under Covid-19 when schooling recommences; if so, if the supplies will be funded by his Department; if the materials will be provided through a centralised procurement process rather than schools having to source them individually in order to enable better pricing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12483/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Jennifer Whitmore

249. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Education and Skills if templates (details supplied) for Covid-19 response will be provided; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12484/20]

Special Educational Needs

Jennifer Whitmore

250. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Education and Skills if plans are in place during Covid-19 to address the educational needs of young persons with autism attending day services; if young persons will be included in the July provision 2020; the supports that will be provided to facilitate young persons with additional educational needs leaving secondary school and going into adult services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12485/20]

Sex Offenders Treatment Programme

Jennifer Whitmore

353. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the measures being implemented to address the rate of sexual offences carried out by children as referenced by a CSO report that revealed children were responsible for one fifth of all sexual offences reported by An Garda Síochána in 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12603/20]

Mental Health Services

Jennifer Whitmore

563. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Health the status of the Jigsaw mental health service for County Wicklow announced in 2019 and due for 2019 or 2020; if there will be delays due to Covid-19; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12604/20]

Pesticide Use

Jennifer Whitmore

613. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if plans are under way separate to the EU reapproval process to examine reducing the use of glyphosate use here except in circumstances in which it is required for specific purposes (details supplied); his plans to examine the potential ban of the substance at wholesale and retail levels with a licensing regime in place to limit and monitor use of the chemical taking into account the potential damage the substance is causing to local flora and fauna; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12488/20]

Childcare Services

Jennifer Whitmore

773. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number of vulnerable children, including those sponsored under the national childcare scheme, for example, children who are homeless and children funded through legacy childcare schemes, that are experiencing poverty, disadvantage or child welfare issues that will be availing of childcare services when childcare reopens on 29 June 2020; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12487/20]

National Biodiversity Plan

Jennifer Whitmore

949. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the status of each of the Seeds for Nature commitments; the outstanding actions that need to be carried out; the timeframe for completion of the commitments; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12486/20]

Special Educational Needs

Jennifer Whitmore

279. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Education and Skills the specific changes and improvements his Department has made to the July provision scheme in 2020 in view of the Covid-19 pandemic to tackle the educational and social disadvantage faced by students with special needs; the provisions being put in place which are different to previous years and which will enable more students avail of the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11375/20]

Special Educational Needs

Jennifer Whitmore

280. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to assess the accessibility of the July provision scheme with a view to improving its reach and outcomes into the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11376/20]

Patient Transport

Jennifer Whitmore

671. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Health the way in which persons living in County Wicklow who have hospital appointments after 1 p.m., at which time the hospital travel scheme ends, are expected to travel with limited public transport available and family assistance might not be available also; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11372/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Jennifer Whitmore

672. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Health the way in which access to sexual and reproductive healthcare including cervical screening, STI testing and treatment, abortion and contraceptive services have been impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11373/20]

A Vision for Change

Jennifer Whitmore

673. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Health if the revised national mental health policy, A Vision for Change, will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11374/20]

Pesticide Use

Jennifer Whitmore

765. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if consideration at EU level has begun with regard to the further renewal of approval of glyphosate which was due to begin in December 2019; if Ireland has submitted a full dossier to the member states’ assessment group on glyphosate which was due mid-June 2020; when he envisages a public consultation will be carried out on the use of glyphosate here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11371/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Jennifer Whitmore

918. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the supports available to business owners operating a childcare facility for those not on payroll and who are currently on the Covid-19 pandemic payment and in receipt of €300 to use towards business expenses once the pandemic payment ends; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11377/20]

House Sales

Jennifer Whitmore

1080. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if he will engage with developers holding onto deposits by potential homeowners in circumstances in which due to Covid-19 potential homeowners cannot draw down a mortgage due to job insecurity; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11370/20]

EU Directives

Jennifer Whitmore

1081. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the total costs payable by Ireland as per a European Commission judgment of 28 March 2019 regarding Ireland’s obligations to meet directive 91/271/EEC, Case C-427/17; if there are ongoing fines relating to non-compliance on the matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11406/20]

Education Policy

Jennifer Whitmore

100. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Education and Skills if his Department is providing supports for children progressing from sixth class to first year; if he will consider a national graduation day for those students; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10373/20]

Special Educational Needs Staff

Jennifer Whitmore

203. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of children that applied for the July provision in 2019 and to date in 2020 that were unable to source a tutor; the number of home tutor teachers and SNAs that volunteered to take part in 2019; the number that have volunteered to take part in 2020 in the programme and are available for home tuition; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10362/20]

Climate Change Policy

Jennifer Whitmore

523. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the progress to date on the draft national energy and climate plan; when Ireland will be submitting the national long-term strategy, which was due to be submitted in January 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10372/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Jennifer Whitmore

591. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when he plans to publish guidelines for the tourism and hotelier sector; the supports being put in place specifically; when they will be made available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10369/20]

Childcare Services

Jennifer Whitmore

618. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number of persons employed on each childcare committee; the role of each; the way in which their role is changing to reflect the demands of Covid-19; if she envisages them playing a supportive role in the reopening of crèches; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10364/20]

Childcare Services

Jennifer Whitmore

619. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if new applicants are also eligible to receive funding in relation to the capital programme for the childcare sector; if funding is only for existing childcare providers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10365/20]

Childcare Services

Jennifer Whitmore

620. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if areas in which childcare closures are occurring are being mapped; if areas of insufficient provision to meet demand are being tracked; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10366/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Jennifer Whitmore

621. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the level of engagement there has been with the childminding sector; if she has considered the use of childminders in early phases for frontline workers; if guidance was sought from the NPHET in relation to childminders; if so, if she will publish the response received from the NPHET; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10367/20]

Local Authority Funding

Jennifer Whitmore

712. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if confirmation of funding for local authorities to compensate for additional expenditure or income losses other than rates losses due to Covid-19 will be given; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10368/20]

Wildlife Protection

Jennifer Whitmore

740. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht when the investigation into the death of 23 buzzards in County Cork will be completed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10370/20]

Wild Fires

Jennifer Whitmore

741. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the number of illegal burns that have occurred to date in 2020 on land owned by the National Parks and Wildlife Service; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10371/20]

Online Safety

Jennifer Whitmore

147. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Education and Skills the efforts he is making to ensure online safety for children using remote learning applications in conjunction with their schools; if data protection guidelines were sent to schools in advance of them setting up remote learning networks; his views on whether the current use of remote learning applications is in line with the national conversation with regard to children and online safety; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9443/20]

Third Level Education

Jennifer Whitmore

296. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Education and Skills if his attention has been drawn to the situation facing social care students who would typically carry out 800 hours of placement under QQI and CORU guidelines in two block placements in year two and three and which due to Covid-19 work placements have not been halted with students unable to start their placements (details supplied); if placement hours will be altered to reflect the situation for students in this position who want to progress to the next year; if he has met with QQI and CORU regarding this situation; the proposals being considered; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9437/20]

Special Educational Needs

Jennifer Whitmore

297. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will provide further clarity on the status of the July provision; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9438/20]

State Examinations

Jennifer Whitmore

298. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Education and Skills the reason for a short timeframe for leaving certificate students to register online; the efforts his Department is making to ensure that those children who do not have access to technology can register; if an extended timeframe will be allocated to those young persons unable to register on time due to the existing digital divide made even more apparent under Covid-19; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9440/20]

Student Accommodation

Jennifer Whitmore

299. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Education and Skills the way in which he plans to address the ongoing issue of student accommodation in which students who left their accommodation due to Covid-19 when universities were shut down and are not being refunded their accommodation fees; the representations his Department has made on this issue; if a partial or full refund of accommodation fees is being considered; if he is considering making available financial supports for students in this situation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9441/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Jennifer Whitmore

416. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation if she will place a cap on the amount of funding provided to local authorities to administer the SME restart grant; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9431/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Jennifer Whitmore

481. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the phase of the easing of Covid-19 restrictions dog groomers fall under; if dog groomers will be restricted to the distance of 10 km radius at this phase; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9429/20]