Parliamentary questions

UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities

Cathal Crowe

170. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth when it is expected to ratify the optional protocol to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42521/20]

Disability Services Provision

Cathal Crowe

193. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Health his future plans including projected time-frames for a more comprehensive provision of personal assistants for persons with disabilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42522/20]

Tax Rebates

Cathal Crowe

197. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Finance if consideration will be given to lowering the spending threshold for availing of the retail export scheme to €50 in order to make the scheme more attractive to tourists from other countries; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42021/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Cathal Crowe

216. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she will allow live music to be performed in gastropubs and restaurants during level 3 Covid-19 restrictions; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41385/20]

School Staff

Cathal Crowe

324. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Education if she will revise the payroll increment scale for primary and secondary school teachers who have years of teaching experience in the Middle-East; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41159/20]

State Examinations

Cathal Crowe

350. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Education when guidance will be issued on leaving certificate 2021; and if contingency plans are in place to avoid a repeat of the 2020 examinations. [41763/20]

Community Employment Schemes

Cathal Crowe

378. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will consider extending the length of time that unemployed persons can be placed on a community employment scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41244/20]

Third Level Fees

Cathal Crowe

475. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he plans to reduce college fees for third-level students who are experiencing less on-campus time due to the current Covid-19 restrictions. [41762/20]

Commemorative Events

Cathal Crowe

489. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Justice if her Department will proceed with plans which were abandoned in January 2020 for the staging of a State commemoration for the Royal Irish Constabulary; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41128/20]

Control of Dogs

Cathal Crowe

877. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the status of actions and policy changes that are planned on foot of the publication of the review of measures relating to the control of dogs in Ireland consultation paper in July 2019; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42034/20]

Driver Licences

Cathal Crowe

172. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Transport if he will consider immediately extending the renewal period for driver licences by an additional six months to allow for more capacity in the NDLS system to deal with the backlog of cases and to ensure persons are not left without the capability to drive. [40845/20]

Deportation Orders

Cathal Crowe

313. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Justice if she will consider reversing a deportation order on a person (details supplied). [40935/20]

Student Grant Scheme

Cathal Crowe

112. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if the means-testing criteria of the SUSI grant for third level education can be amended in order that in situations in which one parent is on a disability payment such as an invalidity pension the student is not losing out due to overall household income. [40617/20]

Special Educational Needs

Cathal Crowe

63. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Education the status of the provision of ASD units in secondary schools in County Clare. [39900/20]

Tax Code

Cathal Crowe

237. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Finance the options available to a person (details supplied) facing a large benefit-in-kind bill due to Covid-19; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40325/20]

State Examinations

Cathal Crowe

388. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Education if the deferred payment of the leaving certificate examination fees announced by her Department in early 2020 also applies to cases in which students are repeating the leaving certificate. [39766/20]

Undocumented Irish in the USA

Cathal Crowe

23. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the status of the way in which his Department is engaging with US Government agencies with regard to the undocumented Irish. [38082/20]

Value Added Tax

Cathal Crowe

109. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Finance if he will consider a proposal to abolish VAT on condoms. [39121/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Cathal Crowe

150. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Finance the number of businesses in County Clare that have qualified for support under the Covid restrictions support scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39202/20]

Environmental Impact Assessments

Cathal Crowe

248. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if his Department will consider carrying out an examination of the adequacy and accuracy of environmental impact assessments being undertaken on behalf of wind farm developments in sensitive areas. [39415/20]

Proposed Legislation

Cathal Crowe

168. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Justice her plans to introduce legislation on the revenge porn issue. [38905/20]

Water Services

Cathal Crowe

85. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if additional funding will be made available to provide sewerage mains in unsewered villages in County Clare. [36518/20]

Defective Building Materials

Cathal Crowe

128. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he is progressing a remediation scheme for defective blocks containing pyrite. [38081/20]

Irish Aviation Authority

Cathal Crowe

257. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Transport if he will intervene in the ongoing superannuation dispute in the Irish Aviation Authority (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38829/20]

School Staff

Cathal Crowe

471. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Education if it will be ensured that the agency filled caretaker role at Limerick College of Further Education will be made a permanent role on LCETB payroll. [38225/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Cathal Crowe

866. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Health the regulations in place to govern hospitals with regard to visitation for end-of-life patients or similar during the Covid-19 restrictions. [38432/20]

Tourism Industry

Cathal Crowe

10. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the supports from a tourism perspective that will be provided to a company (details supplied) in order to help it keep its key tourism sites in the mid-west open from 1 January 2021 onwards. [37157/20]

Irish Language

Cathal Crowe

28. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the supports her Department will put in place for the development of the Irish language in County Clare. [37158/20]

Post Office Network

Cathal Crowe

96. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications his plans to enact the Private Members' motion previously passed in November 2016 by the previous Government regarding the future of the Post Office Network. [37632/20]

Community Employment Schemes

Cathal Crowe

123. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Social Protection if persons already taking part in the community employment scheme will be allowed to continue to finish out their tenure; and if new referrals will be made for the scheme going forward. [37307/20]

Health Services Provision

Cathal Crowe

173. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Health if a person (details supplied) will be provided with an appropriate hospital bed at home for end of life care; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37237/20]

Driver Test

Cathal Crowe

219. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Transport when driver theory tests can get back up and running; if extra staff will be recruited to clear the backlog; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36453/20]

Road Projects

Cathal Crowe

227. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Transport if he will direct Transport Infrastructure Ireland to install a turning lane on the N68 road at Kilmorane, Ennis, County Clare in proximity to a store (details supplied) to facilitate the safe turning of traffic on this busy stretch of road; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36637/20]

Bus Services

Cathal Crowe

228. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Transport if his Department and the National Transport Authority will accept the business case made for a public bus service in Ennis, County Clare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36639/20]

Disabled Drivers and Passengers Scheme

Cathal Crowe

254. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Finance when assessments for primary medical certificates will recommence at a health centre (details supplied) in Limerick city; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36975/20]

Disabled Drivers and Passengers Scheme

Cathal Crowe

255. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Finance the reason assessments for primary medical certificates were suspended at a health centre (details supplied) in Limerick city; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36976/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Cathal Crowe

266. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Finance if consideration will be given to amending section 4.24 of the Covid restrictions support scheme in order that businesses in the supply chain to the events and entertainment sector are in a position to benefit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36636/20]

Heritage Sites

Cathal Crowe

339. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the way in which she plans to support sites (details supplied) beyond 31 December 2020 from a tourism-related perspective; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36634/20]

Local Authority Functions

Cathal Crowe

380. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the criteria for town status to be bestowed on a high population catchment area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36635/20]

Local Authority Funding

Cathal Crowe

401. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if his Department will cover income losses incurred by Clare County Council as a result of the Cliffs of Moher site being closed and fewer vehicles parking in council-controlled parking zones; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37000/20]

School Closures

Cathal Crowe

516. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Education if consideration will be given to a proposal to close schools early on 18 December 2020 to allow for a full week of reduced movements for families in order that they might be healthy and safe enough to visit grandparents and so on for the festive period. [36736/20]

Schools Building Projects

Cathal Crowe

546. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Education if she will engage with the building unit in order for approval to be given to develop a new stand-alone ASD unit for a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36973/20]

Primary Medical Certificates

Cathal Crowe

838. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will receive an assessment appointment for a primary medical certificate at a health centre in Limerick city. [36974/20]

Public Transport

Cathal Crowe

36. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Transport if infrastructural improvements on the rail and bus networks in County Clare will be considered by his Department. [35523/20]

Public Transport

Cathal Crowe

69. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Transport if rail and bus infrastructure improvements are planned to bolster public transport in County Clare. [35522/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Cathal Crowe

182. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media when the restart grant plus for bed and breakfasts will be issued to those awaiting an injection of funding. [35821/20]

Wind Energy Guidelines

Cathal Crowe

195. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when new wind energy guidelines will be issued to planning authorities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35830/20]

Covid-19 Tests

Cathal Crowe

323. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Health the number of cycles of the PCR test that are being used in the field to diagnose the rising cases of Covid-19; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35846/20]

Heritage Projects

Cathal Crowe

82. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she will in conjunction with the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage devise a new grant scheme in which farmers will contribute colloquial and historical names of fields within their landholdings to an expanded database of local place names. [35676/20]

Schools Building Projects

Cathal Crowe

121. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Education if a proposal to acquire land beside a school (details supplied) will be considered by her Department in view of the serious road safety concerns in the village due to a lack of parking facilities. [35471/20]

Job Creation

Cathal Crowe

73. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the efforts his Department in conjunction with the IDA and Enterprise Ireland are making to attract new companies to County Clare. [34719/20]

National Broadband Plan

Cathal Crowe

140. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Environment, Climate and Communications the status of the national broadband plan currently in terms of connectivity in County Clare. [33976/20]

National Broadband Plan

Cathal Crowe

145. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the status of the roll-out of broadband in County Clare; and if he will ensure connectivity in rural areas of the county. [33975/20]

National Postcode System

Cathal Crowe

215. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Environment, Climate and Communications if the process for attaining an Eircode for a newly-registered address can be streamlined. [34830/20]

Driver Licences

Cathal Crowe

264. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Transport if a bus driver licence renewal appointment can be expedited for a person (details supplied) [34789/20]

General Practitioner Services

Cathal Crowe

688. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Health the provisions being made to maintain out-of-hours general practitioner services such as ShannonDoc during the Covid-19 pandemic. [34737/20]

LEADER Programmes

Cathal Crowe

839. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if funding will be provided for Leader projects in 2021; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34814/20]

LEADER Programmes

Cathal Crowe

840. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if funding will be provided for the delivery and administration of Leader projects in 2021; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34815/20]

LEADER Programmes

Cathal Crowe

841. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the way in which she plans to deliver the National Rural Development Programme for the 2021-2023 period, as committed to in the Programme for Government; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34816/20]

Hospital Waiting Lists

Cathal Crowe

219. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Health the number of children under 18 years of age waiting for a diagnostic scan at the end of October 2020 or the latest date available; the number waiting less than four, four to 12 and more than 12 months for each hospital group in tabular form. [34257/20]

Health Services Provision

Cathal Crowe

220. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Health the number of children under 18 years of age waiting for a psychology appointment in primary care at the end of October 2020 or the latest date available; the number waiting less than four, four to 12 and more than 12 months for each local health office area in tabular form. [34258/20]

Audiology Services

Cathal Crowe

221. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Health the number of children under 18 years of age waiting for an audiology appointment in primary care at the end of October 2020 or the latest date available; the number waiting less than four, four to12 and more than 12 months for each local health office area in tabular form. [34259/20]

Ophthalmology Services

Cathal Crowe

222. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Health the number of children under 18 years of age waiting for an ophthalmology appointment in primary care at the end of October 2020 or the latest date available; the numbers waiting less than four, four to 12 and more than 12 months for each local health office area in tabular form. [34260/20]

Health Services Provision

Cathal Crowe

223. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Health the number of children under 18 years of age waiting for a dietetic appointment in primary care at the end of October 2020 or the latest date available; and within that the numbers waiting less than four, four to 12 and more than 12 months for each local health office in tabular form. [34261/20]

Podiatry Services

Cathal Crowe

224. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Health the number of children under 18 years of age waiting for a podiatry appointment in primary care at the end of October 2020 or the latest date available; the number waiting less than four, four to 12 and more than 12 months for each local health office area in tabular form. [34262/20]

Speech and Language Therapy

Cathal Crowe

225. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Health the number of children under 18 years of age waiting for a first assessment for speech and language therapy at the end of October 2020 or the latest date available; the number waiting less than four, four to 12 and more than 12 months for each local health office area in tabular form. [34263/20]

Speech and Language Therapy

Cathal Crowe

226. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Health the number of children under 18 years of age waiting for initial speech and language therapy at the end of October 2020 or the latest date available; the number waiting less than four, four to 12 and more than 12 months for each local health office area in tabular form. [34264/20]

Speech and Language Therapy

Cathal Crowe

227. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Health the number of children under 18 years of age waiting for further speech and language therapy at the end of October 2020 or the latest date available; the number waiting less than four, four to 12 and more than 12 months for each local health office area in tabular form. [34265/20]

Speech and Language Therapy

Cathal Crowe

228. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Health the number of children under 18 years of age waiting for occupational therapy at the end of October 2020 or the latest date available; the number waiting less than four, four to 12 and more than 12 months for each local health office area in tabular form. [34266/20]

Hospital Data

Cathal Crowe

229. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Health the number of children under 18 years of age waiting on the in-patient day case active waiting list at the end of October 2020 or the latest date available; the number waiting less than six, six to 12 and more than 12 months for each hospital group in tabular form. [34267/20]

Hospital Data

Cathal Crowe

230. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Health the number of children under 18 years of age waiting on the in-patient/day case GI endoscopy waiting list at the end of October 2020 or the latest date available; the number waiting less than six, six to 12 and more than 12 months for each hospital group in tabular form. [34268/20]

Hospital Data

Cathal Crowe

231. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Health the number of children under 18 years of age waiting on the in-patient day case to come in waiting list at the end of October 2020 or the latest date available; the number waiting less than six, six to 12 and more than 12 months for each hospital group in tabular form. [34269/20]

Hospital Data

Cathal Crowe

232. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Health the number of children under 18 years of age waiting on the GI endoscopy to come in waiting list at the end of October 2020 or the latest date available; the number waiting less than six, six to 12 and more than 12 months for each hospital group in tabular form. [34270/20]

Hospital Data

Cathal Crowe

233. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Health the number of children under 18 years of age waiting on the in-patient day case suspensions list at the end of October 2020 or the latest date available; the number waiting less than six, six to 12 and more than 12 months for each hospital group in tabular form. [34271/20]

Hospital Data

Cathal Crowe

234. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Health the number of children under 18 years of age waiting on the planned procedures list at the end of October 2020 or the latest date available; the number waiting less than six, six to 12 and more than 12 months for each hospital group in tabular form. [34272/20]

Hospital Data

Cathal Crowe

235. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Health the number of children under 18 years of age waiting on the GI endoscopy planned procedures list at the end of October 2020 or the latest date available; the number waiting less than six, six to 12 and more than 12 months for each hospital group in tabular form. [34273/20]

Hospital Data

Cathal Crowe

236. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Health the number of children under 18 years of age waiting on the planned procedures suspensions list at the end of October 2020 or the latest date available; the number waiting less than six, six to 12 and more than 12 months for each hospital group in tabular form. [34274/20]

Hospital Data

Cathal Crowe

237. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Health the number of children under 18 years of age waiting on the out-patient list at the end of October 2020 or the latest date available; the number waiting less than six, six to 12 and more than 12 months for each hospital group in tabular form. [34275/20]

Animal Sales

Cathal Crowe

36. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the measures that will be taken to ensure that farmers' marts nationally can access adequate Internet infrastructure to allow their online sales to proceed to abide by Covid-19 restrictions (details supplied). [33305/20]

Primary Care Centres

Cathal Crowe

87. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Health the status of the provision of new primary care centres in County Clare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33468/20]

Enterprise Support Services

Cathal Crowe

211. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if funds or plans are in place to provide for innovation enterprise digital hubs to facilitate remote working clusters and small businesses in medium to large sized towns. [32581/20]

National Broadband Plan

Cathal Crowe

248. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Environment, Climate and Communications if the requirement to have an Eircode for broadband installation can be removed temporarily to allow those awaiting an Eircode can have internet installed in their new homes to allow them to work remotely during Level 5 restrictions. [32521/20]

Driver Licences

Cathal Crowe

298. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Transport if National Driver Licence Service centres can remain open during level 5 restrictions; if driver licences that are due to expire will now be extended in view of the heightened restrictions; and if persons who have booked to take an appointment in another county can now do so. [32430/20]

Driver Licences

Cathal Crowe

345. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Transport the procedures being put in place for those who need to renew a driver licence but who are facing lengthy delays and have been told they are unable to have their existing licence extended. [33370/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Cathal Crowe

379. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Finance if the six-month moratorium on business loans which has now expired will be extended in view of the stricter Covid-19 restrictions. [32299/20]

Retail Sector

Cathal Crowe

385. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Finance the steps he will take to ensure that the retail export scheme threshold will not change. [33099/20]

Charities Regulation

Cathal Crowe

456. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if there has been a review of the State spend on the non-profit third sector in the past 10 years; his plans to carry out a review to achieve greater transparency; and the percentage of non-profits in Ireland that have publicly available accounts. [32356/20]

Flood Prevention Measures

Cathal Crowe

475. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if funding can be drawn down via the Office of Public Works to address long-standing flooding issues effecting 54 farmers along the River Inagh, with initial focus on the area around the townlands of Knockdromagh and Glann. [33494/20]

Rent Increases

Cathal Crowe

619. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if a ban on rent increases will be considered for the duration of the level 5 restrictions in view of the fact that this occurred during the previous lockdown. [33141/20]

Closed-Circuit Television Systems

Cathal Crowe

644. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the level of engagement that his Department has had to date with the County and City Managers’ Association to date in so far as community CCTV schemes and use of CCTV equipment for environmental enforcement purposes is concerned; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33865/20]

Commercial Rates

Cathal Crowe

645. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if local authorities and his Department plans to address the large reduction in commercial rates to Clare County Council arising specifically from the revaluation of the Moneypoint power station; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33866/20]

Local Authority Functions

Cathal Crowe

646. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if local authorities and his Department will consider bestowing town status on the heavily populated Westbury Shannon Banks community in County Clare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33867/20]

Emergency Works Scheme

Cathal Crowe

706. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Education the status of the emergency works scheme application for a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32344/20]

School Transport

Cathal Crowe

741. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Education the status of the review into the Bus Éireann school transport system; and if additional measures will be taken to ensure that all children at both primary and secondary level will have a seat on a bus in view of the increased Covid-19 restrictions necessitating spaced out seating. [32754/20]

DEIS Scheme

Cathal Crowe

748. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Education if plans are in place to reduce class sizes for DEIS band one junior vertical schools to bring them in line with DEIS band one senior schools; the way in which the planned €5 million investment in DEIS schools will be allocated; and the resources including staff that will be allocated to all DEIS band one schools. [32850/20]

Carer's Allowance

Cathal Crowe

843. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason those in receipt of the carer’s allowance who dedicate their lives to caring for a family member are not considered as qualifying for the contributory pension; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32445/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Cathal Crowe

859. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Social Protection if a person (details supplied) will be considered eligible for upskilling in view of the level 5 restrictions. [32594/20]

Pension Provisions

Cathal Crowe

878. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Social Protection the options available for a person (details supplied) who has been told they do not have enough stamps for a contributory pension. [32864/20]

Parental Leave

Cathal Crowe

952. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will consider making changes to new parental leave arrangements announced in budget 2021 in order that the three-week extension would be rolled out immediately and that the three-week extension could be availed of at any stage up to the child’s second birthday and the leave would be transferable between parents; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33037/20]

Third Level Fees

Cathal Crowe

1027. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the way in which the €250 grant for third level students as announced in budget 2021 will be paid out; the likely timeframe relating to same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33347/20]