Parliamentary questions

Parking Charges

Bernard Durkan

194. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the extent to which consideration has or can be given to the possibility of the abolition of car parking charges for cancer patients while undergoing treatment given that the patient already has sufficient other issues to worry about without having the added complication of being pursued by debt collectors; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13636/21]

Medical Cards

Bernard Durkan

195. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the steps that can be taken to speed up the processing of applications for medical cards with particular reference to applications and renewals from persons that may have a terminal illness and the fact that any delays can only exacerbate concerns; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13637/21]

Mental Health Services

Bernard Durkan

248. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health his plans to address the shortcomings in the mental health services with particular reference to north County Kildare and the need to provide for those seeking institutional care or specific treatment not currently readily available in Ireland and or local access to psychology services without waiting prolonged periods of time; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13840/21]

Special Educational Needs

Bernard Durkan

249. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the extent to which he expects to improve the supports for children with special needs while requiring therapeutic or residential short-term or long-term assistance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13841/21]

Health Services Reform

Bernard Durkan

250. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the extent to which the Sláintecare programme is being enacted; the progress to date in this regard; the targets achievable in the next 12 months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13845/21]

National Broadband Plan

Bernard Durkan

65. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the degree to which his Department continues to monitor the progress in the delivery of broadband in urban and rural areas throughout the country having particular regard to the increased reliance on electronic communications given the necessity to work from home; if he is satisfied that the progress to date is adequate; his plans for specific measures to accelerate the roll-out; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8974/21]

Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Bernard Durkan

83. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the progress to date in achieving emission reduction targets in line with the programme for Government whilst at the same time protecting economic progress in the agri-food business or other sectors; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8973/21]

Economic Data

Bernard Durkan

132. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the current ranking of Ireland on the Digital Economy and Society Index; the plans to improve Ireland’s position on the index, with particular reference to comparison with EU counterparts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13230/21]

National Broadband Plan

Bernard Durkan

174. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the initiatives he plans to take to expedite the availability of reliable, effective, high-speed broadband nationally with particular reference to the need to facilitate those forced to work or study at home arising from the Covid-19 crisis; if he remains satisfied that everything is being done that can be done to facilitate the workforce in these circumstances; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1499/21]

Renewable Energy Generation

Bernard Durkan

175. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the progress towards achieving development of the various forms of renewable energy with a view to achieving carbon neutral status within the time limits set out by way of international agreement; if he will accelerate progress in this area while at the same time ensuring the protection of the economic base; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1500/21]

Broadband Infrastructure

Bernard Durkan

188. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the extent to which the broadband roll-out throughout the country can be expedited with a view to ensure the availability of sufficient connectivity to enable the maximum number of citizens to work from home or from hubs where available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13220/21]

Broadband Infrastructure

Bernard Durkan

189. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the efforts being made to ensure the provision of reliable high-speed broadband to industrial hubs throughout the country in order to address communication deficiencies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13221/21]

Broadband Infrastructure

Bernard Durkan

190. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of new broadband connections being made on a monthly basis notwithstanding the lockdown; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13222/21]

Air Quality

Bernard Durkan

191. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the extent to which air quality is being protected; the degree to which the measures in place are achieving the desired result; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13223/21]

Air Quality

Bernard Durkan

192. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the extent to which the monitoring of air quality has shown the need for additional measures in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13224/21]

Climate Change Policy

Bernard Durkan

193. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the extent to which the international community continues to ameliorate or exacerbate climate change trends; the measures taken or proposed to address this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13225/21]

Climate Change Policy

Bernard Durkan

194. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if the international community accepts the need to contribute to the fight against climate change in a meaningful way; the steps or actions that would need to be taken to achieve same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13226/21]

Climate Action Plan

Bernard Durkan

195. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the progress to date in achieving targets as set out in the Climate Action Plan 2019 with particular reference to the decarbonisation of the energy sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13227/21]

Climate Change Policy

Bernard Durkan

196. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the extent to which progress is being made towards the reduction of emissions in line with EU and international targets without negative impact on the agrifood sector; if it is possible at this stage to identify enhanced progress in the area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13228/21]

National Broadband Plan

Bernard Durkan

197. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the progress to date in the development of a new national digital strategy with particular reference to national connectivity being delivered by the national broadband plan; if specific targets in respect of this strategy have been identified; the progress to date in achieving same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13229/21]