Parliamentary questions

EU Regulations

Carol Nolan

924. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will seek an update on the legal advice submitted to the Office of the Attorney General by organisations (details supplied) with respect to the derogation provided for in article 105(4) of Regulation EU 2019/6 (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5061/21]

Livestock Issues

Carol Nolan

962. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if concerns that the 5% nitrate reduction criteria of the BEAM scheme is generating significant concern among farmers particularly regarding their capacity to meet the reduction target before the 30 June 2021 deadline will be addressed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5909/21]

Census of Agriculture

Carol Nolan

963. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if Ireland has conducted a census of agriculture in 2020 in line with the integrated farm statistics Regulation (EU) No. 2018/1091; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5910/21]

Agriculture Schemes

Carol Nolan

964. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of the development of a successor scheme to GLAS as part of the 2021-2027 rural development programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5911/21]

Departmental Expenditure

Carol Nolan

52. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the details of the contribution Ireland has made to the green climate fund in each of the years 2015 to 2020 and to date in 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4031/21]

Brexit Supports

Carol Nolan

136. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Transport the supports being provided to Irish road hauliers to enable adjustment to the challenges raised by Brexit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4032/21]

Electric Vehicles

Carol Nolan

137. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Transport the number of grants provided by his Department to individuals purchasing electric cars in each of the years 2017 to 2020 and to date in 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4033/21]

Electric Vehicles

Carol Nolan

138. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Transport the status of the commitment provided in Budget 2020 to double the number of local authority on-street charge points for electric vehicles in 2020; if that target was achieved; the number of charge points that were installed in 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4034/21]

Banking Sector Data

Carol Nolan

210. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Finance the banking levy contributions made by individual banks and financial institutions from its inception to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4038/21]

Corporation Tax

Carol Nolan

211. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Finance the measures being taken by his Department with respect to corporation tax reform and to address concerns that Ireland is disproportionately reliant on the revenue generated by this tax; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4039/21]

Tax Avoidance

Carol Nolan

212. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Finance the measures being taken by his Department to tackle the aggressive tax avoidance behaviour engaged in by Irish real estate funds and real estate investment trusts; if an assessment has been made by the Revenue Commissioners with respect to calculating the amount of tax that has been avoided by IREFs and REITs from 2018 to 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4040/21]

Tax Avoidance

Carol Nolan

213. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Finance if his Department has introduced new anti-hybrid mismatch rules in line with commitments under the Anti-Tax Avoidance Directive; the impact these rules have brought about; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4041/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Carol Nolan

446. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Education if she will address concerns by those involved in the provision of special educational needs in primary and secondary schools with respect to the safety and appropriateness of students and staff physically returning to schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3714/21]

Legislative Reviews

Carol Nolan

644. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Justice the status of the review of the Defamation Act 2009 being undertaken by her Department; when a report on the review originally promised in spring 2020 will be published; when amending legislation will be introduced in Dáil Éireann; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4267/21]

Covid-19 Tests

Carol Nolan

774. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Health the reason the HSE is using a polymerase chain reaction, PCR, test to test for Covid-19 rather than an antigen test; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3990/21]

Vaccination Programme

Carol Nolan

781. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Health the details of the payments being provided to general practitioners and pharmacists for the provision of individual vaccinations; the reason the payments are significantly higher than those provided to general practitioners and pharmacists in the United Kingdom who are delivering the same service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4037/21]

Obesity Strategy

Carol Nolan

782. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Health when the progress report on A Healthy Weight for Ireland, the Obesity Policy and Action Plan will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4042/21]

Obesity Strategy

Carol Nolan

783. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Health the status of the evaluation of A Healthy Weight for Ireland, the Obesity Policy and Action Plan that is being prepared by the Health Research Board Centre for diet and health research, University College Cork; when it will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4043/21]

Obesity Strategy

Carol Nolan

784. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 909 of 13 January 2021, if he will provide further detail on the Childhood and Adolescent Obesity Prevention and Treatment Model being developed by the HSE; the aspects of prevention being looked at in this model; if the HSE is working with external stakeholders on this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4044/21]

Childhood Obesity

Carol Nolan

785. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 909 of 13 January 2021, if he will provide further information on the Budget 2021 funded project to develop healthy communities by addressing health and well-being in areas of deprivation; the range of stakeholders being included; the way in which child obesity is being dealt with in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4045/21]

Horticulture Sector

Carol Nolan

902. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will address concerns within the Irish horticulture sector that the decision by Bord na Móna to cease all peat production will make the sector financially unviable and lead to significant job losses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4035/21]

Compensation Schemes

Carol Nolan

903. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will consider introducing a package of supports for peat contractors who purchased machinery prior to the announcement of the cessation of all peat harvesting by Bord na Móna; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4036/21]

Compensation Schemes

Carol Nolan

916. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his Department will assist in the provision of compensation to peat harvesting contractors that made significant investments in peat harvesting machinery prior to the sudden and unexpected announcement of the suspension of all peat harvesting for the 2020 season by Bord na Móna; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4404/21]

Special Educational Needs

Carol Nolan

297. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Education the status of the supports being provided to special needs and DEIS schools following the decision to prohibit physical access to students from 11 January 2021; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2362/21]

National Educational Psychological Service

Carol Nolan

298. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Education if the National Educational Psychological Service, NEPS, is sufficiently resourced to provide educational psychological support to all primary and post-primary schools; her plans to recruit staff to NEPS to deal with the increase in psychological distress being caused to students as a result of Covid-19-related restrictions; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2364/21]

School Meals Programme

Carol Nolan

339. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Social Protection if steps are being taken to ensure that children who relied on access to school meals can still avail of such supports during level 5 restrictions; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2363/21]

Immigrant Investor Programme

Carol Nolan

416. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Justice the status of the decision by the immigrant investor evaluation committee to deny an application (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2360/21]

Food Industry

Carol Nolan

687. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will address concerns that the Irish food service industry was not consulted as part of the process leading to the publication of a report (details supplied) on the current in-spec bonus criteria; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2355/21]

Food Industry

Carol Nolan

688. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason transfer pricing does not appear to have been factored into a report (details supplied) on the value of the beef carcass; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2356/21]

Food Industry

Carol Nolan

689. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the remuneration being provided to a company (details supplied) for transparency studies on the Irish beef industry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2357/21]

Forestry Sector

Carol Nolan

690. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of the measures being taken to address the challenges facing the forestry sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2358/21]

Beef Industry

Carol Nolan

691. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of the engagement he and his Department have had with farmer representative organisations following the decision to issue herd test history statements and reports to all cattle herd owners; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2359/21]

Beef Industry

Carol Nolan

692. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if it is policy to expand market opportunities and increase competition for the beef sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2361/21]

Bord na Móna

Carol Nolan

62. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications further to Parliamentary Question 51 of 16 July 2020, if his Department will assist in the provision of compensation to peat harvesting contractors that made significant investments in peat harvesting machinery prior to the sudden and unexpected announcement of the suspension of all peat harvesting for the 2020 season by Bord na Móna; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44732/20]

Education Policy

Carol Nolan

471. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Education the actions that have been undertaken by her Department on foot of the recommendations of the Report on Tackling Childhood Obesity published by the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Children and Youth Affairs in November 2018; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1044/21]

Maternity Leave

Carol Nolan

603. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will bring forward primary legislation to amend the Maternity Protection Acts 1994 to 2004 in order to provide that women who had already started or completed their maternity period would be entitled to take a further 13 weeks leave; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1040/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Carol Nolan

658. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if students will be able to attend third level institutions physically from 13 January 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1041/21]

Childhood Obesity

Carol Nolan

909. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Health the actions that have been undertaken by his Department on foot of the recommendations of the Report on Tackling Childhood Obesity published by the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Children and Youth Affairs in November 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1043/21]

National Children's Hospital

Carol Nolan

1004. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Health if he will urgently address concerns that the same insulation cladding that was found to have escalated the Grenfell fire in London is being used in the construction of the National Children's Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1344/21]

Nursing Homes Support Scheme

Carol Nolan

1005. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Health when the legislation giving effect to the nursing home support schemes will be brought before Dáil Éireann; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1345/21]

Nursing Homes Support Scheme

Carol Nolan

1006. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Health if concerns or obstacles have been identified by his Department with respect to the introduction of aspects of the proposed reforms to the nursing home support scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1346/21]

Animal Feedstuffs

Carol Nolan

1118. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if an impact assessment has been conducted by his Department with respect to the Irish feed industry following the imposition of duties on products listed in the EU-US WTO Aircraft Dispute - Regulation 2020/1646; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45185/20]

Animal Feedstuffs

Carol Nolan

1119. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the measures he is putting in place to support the Irish feed industry following the imposition of an additional 15% duty on products listed on Annex 1 of the EU-US WTO Aircraft Dispute - Regulation 2020/1646 and a 25% duty on those products listed on Annex II of the same regulation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45186/20]

Animal Feedstuffs

Carol Nolan

1120. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason there was no consultation with the Irish feed industry or an organisation (details supplied) during the negotiation phase or the pre-implementation phase of the EU-US WTO Aircraft Dispute - Regulation 2020/1646 when other EU member states did provide ample opportunity to discuss and review the proposed list, consult with industry and provide comment; the reason no notice period was provided for or requested by the Irish delegation when supporting this regulation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45187/20]

Animal Feedstuffs

Carol Nolan

1121. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will immediately engage with an organisation (details supplied) to address significant concerns regarding the imposition of duties and tariffs following the implementation of the EU-US WTO Aircraft Dispute - Regulation 2020/1646; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45188/20]

Just Transition Fund

Carol Nolan

147. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will investigate the feasibility of a proposal (details supplied) in the context of the midlands just transition process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43427/20]

Departmental Contracts

Carol Nolan

566. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Health the amount paid to a consultancy firm (details supplied) by his Department from 1 January 2019 to date in 2020; the reason for such contracts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43276/20]

Health Services Staff

Carol Nolan

567. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Health his views on the agreement reached at the Workplace Relations Commission in 2018 on a process of pay restoration for section 39 organisations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43278/20]

Warmer Homes Scheme

Carol Nolan

39. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will provide data on the better energy warmer homes scheme administered by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland; the average waiting times per county from when an application is made to the scheme and when an SEAI engineer approves the application; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42391/20]

JobPath Programme

Carol Nolan

151. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Social Protection the total amount paid to Turas Nua and Seetec for the operation of the JobPath scheme in each year for the period 2015 to date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42393/20]