Parliamentary questions

Mother and Baby Homes Inquiries

Catherine Connolly

250. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of women formerly resident in a location (details supplied) who gave evidence to the Commission of Investigation into Mother and Baby Homes and certain related matters by year of admission, by length of stay in the institution and by type of evidence given in tabular form; if such evidence was given to the Confidential Committee or to the Investigative Committee; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38213/21]

Mother and Baby Homes Inquiries

Catherine Connolly

251. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of women formerly resident in a home (details supplied) who gave evidence to the Commission of Investigation into Mother and Baby Homes and certain related matters by year of admission, by length of stay in the institution and by type of evidence given in tabular form; if such evidence was given to the Confidential Committee or to the Investigative Committee; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38214/21]

Mother and Baby Homes Inquiries

Catherine Connolly

252. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of women that gave birth in the period 1985 to 1989 and gave evidence to the Commission of Investigation into Mother and Baby Homes and certain related matters by institution of residence, by year of admission to institution, by year of birth of the child, by length of stay in the relevant institution and by type of evidence given including whether such evidence was given to the Confidential Committee or to the Investigative Committee in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38215/21]

Mother and Baby Homes Inquiries

Catherine Connolly

253. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of mothers that had a child while in a mother and baby home and who gave evidence to the Commission of Investigation whose child or children had a subsequent diagnosis of ADHD; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38216/21]

Seirbhísí trí Ghaeilge

Catherine Connolly

286. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Catherine Connolly den Aire Dlí agus Cirt an bhfuil freagraí ar fáil ar cheisteanna uimhreacha 1448, 1449 agus 1450 dar dháta an 21 Aibreán 2021; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [38220/21]

Departmental Schemes

Catherine Connolly

354. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 844 of 31 March 2021, the status of the establishment of a Covid-19 vaccination compensation scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31055/21]

Rural Schemes

Catherine Connolly

493. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the status of the examination into the establishment of a community ownership fund to help community and social enterprises buy or take over local community assets at risk of being lost to run as community-owned businesses pursuant to Our Rural Future – Rural Development Policy 2021 – 2025; the details of the organisation, State body or agency carrying out this examination; when the examination will be completed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38427/21]

Vaccination Programme

Catherine Connolly

37. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health the details of the financial cost of the Covid-19 vaccination roll-out in Ireland; the details of the indemnity given to pharmaceutical companies with regard to the Covid-19 vaccines including the estimated cost of same; his plans to introduce a Covid-19 vaccine compensation scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38065/21]

Hospital Facilities

Catherine Connolly

56. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 430 of 13 May 2021, if the second operating theatre in Merlin Park University Hospital on which construction is due to be completed by end-2021 will also begin to carry out surgical operations by end-2021; if not, when it will be fully fitted out and operational; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28719/21]

Respite Care Services

Catherine Connolly

85. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health the timeline for the full resumption of respite services in County Galway which have been severely impacted by Covid-19 restrictions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37581/21]

Energy Policy

Catherine Connolly

216. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the status of the energy security review of Ireland’s electricity and natural gas systems; when he expects the review to be completed; his plans to publish the final report and recommendations of the review; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37990/21]

Mother and Baby Homes Inquiries

Catherine Connolly

505. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the details of the redress scheme for survivors of mother and baby homes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37850/21]

Mother and Baby Homes Inquiries

Catherine Connolly

506. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth further to Parliamentary Question No. 1241 of 21 April 2021, the status of the investigation into the leak of the report of the Mother and Baby Homes Commission of Investigation; the details of any report received from the Secretary General of the Department of An Taoiseach to date; the inquiries made by him to establish the source of and the reason for the leak; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37851/21]

EU Regulations

Catherine Connolly

507. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the way in which the requirement for new regulations accords with the requirement to disapply national provisions to ensure that EU law is fully effective (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37852/21]

Third Level Education

Catherine Connolly

44. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his plans for the implementation of the recommendations of a recently published report (details supplied) and in particular those recommendations related to making third-level education more affordable for mature students; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36792/21]

Grant Payments

Catherine Connolly

62. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his plans to remove the pandemic unemployment payment from the reckonable income calculations for the SUSI scheme in order that students who exceed the threshold for financial support as a result of having received the payment will not be disqualified from the SUSI grant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36791/21]

Immigration Status

Catherine Connolly

109. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Justice her plans to remove the period of residence requirements with regard to the forthcoming scheme to regularise undocumented migrants; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36760/21]

Domestic Violence

Catherine Connolly

117. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Justice further to Parliamentary Question No. 118 of 3 June 2021, the status of the audit of the way responsibility for domestic, sexual and gender-based violence is segmented across different State agencies; if she has received the final report to date; when the final report will be published; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36759/21]

Foreign Policy

Catherine Connolly

206. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the engagement he has had with his counterparts in relation to the use of State-sanctioned violence against peaceful pro-democracy protesters in Eswatini; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36940/21]

Renewable Energy Generation

Catherine Connolly

36. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the details of all projects, associated funding and environmental assessments since 2016 to date in 2021 in connection with the SEAI subsea observatory offshore at An Spidéal, Contae na Gaillimhe; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36744/21]

Renewable Energy Generation

Catherine Connolly

37. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if any of the four cardinal markers installed at the SEAI Marine Institute’s 1/4 scale renewable energy offshore electricity generating station situated in Galway Bay have been altered and or replaced in the past seven months; the reason for the alteration to the south-east cardinal marker visible at the shoreline; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36745/21]

Renewable Energy Generation

Catherine Connolly

38. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications further to Parliamentary Question No. 112 of 8 December 2020, the action taken further to the malfunction of the mooring system of an installation at the quarter scale test site located off the coast of An Spidéal on Galway Bay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36746/21]

Renewable Energy Generation

Catherine Connolly

39. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the amount, source and purpose of all funding received by the SEAI since March 2016 to date in 2021 which relates to any part of the 1/4 scale offshore energy test site located on the nearshore of An Spidéal, Contae na Gaillimhe; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36747/21]

School Accommodation

Catherine Connolly

73. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Education the engagement she has had with the board of management of a school (details supplied) with a view to resolving its accommodation issues in the medium and longer term; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36598/21]

School Accommodation

Catherine Connolly

74. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Education if her attention has been drawn to a matter regarding accommodation at a school (details supplied); if clarity will be provided regarding the location for the promised, permanent 1,000-pupil secondary school; when it will be delivered and operational; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36599/21]

An Garda Síochána

Catherine Connolly

111. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Justice the status of the Garda Síochána review overseen by the Policing Authority into the cancelling of 999 calls; if she has received the conclusions of the review to date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36750/21]

Renewable Energy Generation

Catherine Connolly

217. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the details of the work currently ongoing on the cardinal markers at the Marine Institute’s offshore energy test site off An Spidéal, Contae na Gaillimhe; the details of the foreshore permit and the environmental assessments for this work; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36867/21]

State Bodies

Catherine Connolly

218. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the amount, source and purpose of all funding received by the Marine Institute since March 2017 to date in 2021 which relates to any part of the 1/4 scale offshore energy test site located on the nearshore of An Spidéal, Contae na Gaillimhe; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36869/21]

Ceadúnas Imill Trá agus Dobharshaothraithe

Catherine Connolly

219. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Catherine Connolly den Aire Talmhaíochta, Bia agus Mara soiléiriú a thabhairt maidir leis an ról atá ag Foras na Mara i measúnachtaí tionchair timpeallachta i leith forbairtí uisceshaothraithe mara; agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina thaobh. [36870/21]

Emergency Accommodation

Catherine Connolly

69. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth further to Parliamentary Question No. 93 of 27 May 2021, the status of the strategic review by Tusla of emergency domestic violence accommodation nationwide; when the review will be finalised and published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36282/21]

Mother and Baby Homes Inquiries

Catherine Connolly

81. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the basis on which records relating to health are being withheld from persons making data subject access requests in respect of records of the Commission of Investigation into Mother and Baby Homes held by his Department; his plans to ensure that such persons are provided with their health records in full; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36283/21]

Údarás na Gaeltachta

Catherine Connolly

200. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Catherine Connolly den Aire Turasóireachta, Cultúir, Ealaíon, Gaeltachta, Spóirt agus Meán soiléiriú a thabhairt ar úinéireacht an tsuímh atá ar Eastát Údarás na Gaeltachta, ar an Tulach, Baile na hAbhann, i gContae na Gaillimhe ina raibh, Fintrax, an comhlacht a díoladh ar €1.8 billiún le gairid; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [35827/21]

Údarás na Gaeltachta

Catherine Connolly

223. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Catherine Connolly den Aire Tithíochta, Rialtais Áitiúil agus Oidhreachta soiléiriú a thabhairt ar an aighneacht dhá leathanach a rinne a Roinn chuig Comhairle Contae na Gaillimhe maidir le hiarratas pleanála, uimhir thagartha 20/683, de chuid Údarás na Gaeltachta do Pháirc Mara sa Ghaeltacht, i gCill Chiaráin agus gan ach sé fhocal Gaeilge san aighneacht; agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina thaobh. [35826/21]

Legal Services Regulation

Catherine Connolly

441. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Justice her plans to implement a scheme such that lay litigants involved in court cases may recover their costs in circumstances in which their cases are successful, as is possible in the United Kingdom in view of the increasing prevalence of lay litigation in Irish courts; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36039/21]

Special Educational Needs

Catherine Connolly

19. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Education further to Parliamentary Question No. 824 of 15 June 2021, the status of the promised review of the policy on reading classes and schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35376/21]

Educational Disadvantage

Catherine Connolly

79. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Education further to Parliamentary Question No. 156 of 13 May 2021, the engagement she has had in the 2020-2021 academic year with representatives of DEIS schools who, while the schools were closed due to Covid-19 restrictions, incurred considerable costs due to the necessity to regularly post hard-copy educational materials to students who had little or no access to online learning; the analysis her Department has carried out to-date into providing compensation to these schools for the posts costs incurred; the plans that are in place to prevent similar costs being borne by schools, in the case of any future school closures; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35290/21]

Social Welfare Benefits

Catherine Connolly

166. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Social Protection further to Parliamentary Question No. 854 of 15 June 2021, her plans to defer the 13-week requalification period for partial capacity benefit until after the Covid-19 pandemic period; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35304/21]

School Meals Programme

Catherine Connolly

180. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Social Protection the analysis her Department has carried out into the impact of the change to the new regional employment service model on local employment services and jobs clubs; the details on the second phase of the tender process; the timeline for same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35305/21]

Naval Service

Catherine Connolly

236. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Defence the activities Naval Service sea vessels undertook on 27 June 2021 at a nearshore location on the north shore of Galway Bay, east of An Spidéal, County Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35612/21]

Anglo-Irish Relations

Catherine Connolly

237. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Defence the engagement he has had with the UK Secretary of State to date in 2021 with regard to the defence memorandum of understanding between Ireland and the UK; the number of meetings he has had to date in 2021 on this matter with the UK Secretary of State; the details of the matters discussed at such meetings in 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35621/21]

Medicinal Products

Catherine Connolly

400. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health the status update on the inquiry into the historical licensing and use of sodium valporate in Ireland; when the terms of reference will be published; the status of the establishment of a stakeholder group to address ongoing concerns relating to the use of sodium valporate; the membership of the stakeholder group; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28673/21]

Medicinal Products

Catherine Connolly

401. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health the status update on the development of a registry to record women who have been prescribed sodium valproate during pregnancy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28674/21]

Health Services Staff

Catherine Connolly

402. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health the number of epilepsy specialist nurse posts in the State; the number of these which are unfilled; the location of each epilepsy specialist nurse post; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28675/21]

Energy Policy

Catherine Connolly

508. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if the change will be clarified of the south east cardinal marker at the Marine Institute’s Offshore Electricity-Generating Station Test Site situated in the north side of Galway Bay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35614/21]

Military Aircraft

Catherine Connolly

71. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Transport the number of US soldiers who passed through Shannon Airport in each of the years 2001 to 2020 and to date in 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35254/21]

Departmental Schemes

Catherine Connolly

81. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Finance the cost to date of the help-to-buy scheme; the breakdown of the cost of the scheme in each of the years 2017 to 2020 and to date in 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35106/21]

Military Honours

Catherine Connolly

16. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Defence further to Question No. 16 of 13 May 2021, if the final report of the independent review group established to examine the events at Jadotville in September 1961 has been completed and received by his Department; if the final report will be published; if so, the timeline for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34636/21]

EU Meetings

Catherine Connolly

41. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Defence the number of European Defence Fund Expert Group meetings attended by representatives of his Department in 2020 and to date in 2021; if the minutes of these meetings will be provided; if his Departmental representatives have attended any meetings of the Programme Committee Group since the adoption of the regulation establishing the European Defence Fund on the 29 April 2021; if so, if the minutes of these meetings will be provided; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34637/21]

Rail Network

Catherine Connolly

128. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Transport further to Parliamentary Question No. 33 of 17 June 2021, if he will provide specific details in relation to the scheduled movements, including the planned frequency of the scheduled movements and the evidence to support this frequency in terms of ensuring the continuation of the current functionality of the bridge; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34766/21]

Rail Network

Catherine Connolly

129. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Transport further to Parliamentary Question No. 33 of 17 June 2021, if he has sought and or received any independent advice or evaluation in relation Iarnród Éireann's decision, including from the Commission for Railway Regulation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34767/21]

Health Services

Catherine Connolly

434. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will be afforded respite care as a matter of urgency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26676/21]

Hospital Appointments Status

Catherine Connolly

482. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to recent correspondence from the HSE to a person (details supplied) waiting almost 18 months for orthopaedic surgery in Merlin Park University Hospital Galway informing them that the original estimated waiting time of 18 months for an operation had increased but that no future date can be provided for their surgical appointment; when the person can expect to have the surgery; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26792/21]

Housing Provision

Catherine Connolly

21. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage further to Parliamentary Question No. 107 of 5 May 2021, the status of the work of the Galway social housing task force; the number of times the task force has met to date in 2021; if he will provide a copy of all reports and minutes of the task force since January 2021; when the task force expects to complete its work and publish a final report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33899/21]

Local Authorities

Catherine Connolly

52. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage further to Parliamentary Question No. 63 of 5 May 2021, the status of the review process regarding the filling of the post of chief executive of Galway County Council on a permanent basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33900/21]

Middle East

Catherine Connolly

99. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the engagement he has had to date with the new coalition government in Israel and in particular with regard to Israel’s ongoing de facto annexation of Palestinian land; his plans to highlight a recent report (details supplied) with the new Israeli Government which states that Israel’s treatment of Palestinians amounts to the crimes against humanity, of apartheid and persecution; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33903/21]

Oireachtas Committees

Catherine Connolly

117. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs further to Parliamentary Question No. 101 of 11 May 2021, the status of the implementation of the recommendations of the March 2021 Report by the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs and Defence on the Distribution of COVID-19 Vaccines to Developing Countries; the status of his engagement with the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment with regard to the recommendation to ease intellectual property rights in relation to the vaccines; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33904/21]

Social Welfare Rates

Catherine Connolly

342. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Social Protection the estimated cost of a €1 increase in each of the social insurance schemes, social assistance schemes, other weekly schemes and other schemes payments in tabular form (details supplied). [34112/21]

Health Services Staff

Catherine Connolly

465. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health the number and hospital location of international board certified lactation consultants currently employed as lactation consultants in maternity hospitals in tabular form; if the recently announced additional 24 lactation consultants will be international board certified lactation consultants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26606/21]

Arts Policy

Catherine Connolly

61. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media further to Question No. 226 of 20 May 2021, the details of the independent arts evaluation organisation tasked with carrying out the monitoring and evaluation framework of Galway 2020; if the report by this independent arts evaluation organisation which is due by quarter 4 of 2021 will include a detailed audit of the finances of Galway 2020 including a breakdown of the way the moneys were spent; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33290/21]

Artists' Remuneration

Catherine Connolly

79. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media further to Parliamentary Question No. 122 of 28 April 2021, the status of the development of proposals by the oversight group for the promised basic income guarantee pilot scheme for artists; when she expects the proposals to be finalised; when she expects to implement the pilot scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33291/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Catherine Connolly

93. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media her plans to remove the minimum business costs criteria from the music and entertainment business assistance scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33293/21]

Scéimeanna Tacaíochta Gaeilge

Catherine Connolly

94. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Catherine Connolly den Aire Turasóireachta, Cultúir, Ealaíon, Gaeltachta, Spóirt agus Meán maidir leis na 26 Limistéar Pleanála Teanga agus na 3 Bhaile Seirbhíse Gaeltachta, cé mhéad Pleananna Teanga atá ceadaithe aici; cé mhéad atá ag feidhmiú faoi láthair; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [33294/21]

Arts Policy

Catherine Connolly

98. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media further to Question No. 56 of 6 May 2021, the details of the Galway 2020 legacy initiatives to which the remaining €1 million departmental commitment will be allocated; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33292/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Catherine Connolly

263. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media her plans to allow for test events in licensed venues; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33331/21]

Scéimeanna Tacaíochta Gaeilge

Catherine Connolly

267. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Catherine Connolly den Aire Turasóireachta, Cultúir, Ealaíon, Gaeltachta, Spóirt agus Meán maidir le Uimhir Cheist na Parlaiminte 59 ar an 28ú Aibreán 2021, an dtabharfaidh sí soiléiriú i dtaobh an phacáiste tacaíochta atá beartaithe chun cabhair a thabhairt do na coláistí samhraidh agus do na mná tí i mbliana; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [33421/21]

Special Educational Needs

Catherine Connolly

389. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Education the number of children in the primary school system who have been diagnosed as dyslexic; the number of children in the primary school system in respect of whom a recommendation for attendance at a reading unit has been made by an educational psychologist; the way in which her Department collects data on dyslexia in the primary school system; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33429/21]

Special Educational Needs

Catherine Connolly

390. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Education the number of children in the secondary school system who have been diagnosed as dyslexic; the way in which her Department collects data on dyslexia in the secondary school system; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33430/21]

Departmental Policies

Catherine Connolly

472. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science when the 2019 VTOS guidelines will be updated to include the 2018 announcement per letter dated 4 July 2018 from the Department of Education and Science to Solas that international protection applicants are eligible for VTOS once they have permission to access the labour market; if form F103A will be adjusted to include the daily expense allowance in time for the September 2021 enrolment for VTOS in the academic year 2021-2022, given that the absence of these two administrative issues is causing much confusion for students, VTOS coordinators, guidance counsellors and Intreo staff; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33261/21]

Further and Higher Education

Catherine Connolly

473. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if his Department has issued an instruction to all education and training boards that international protection applicants will no longer be required to pay international fees to access post leaving certificate courses as per his announcement on 11 March 2021; if so, if the instruction can be made public for the benefit of all involved; if the instruction has not been issued or made public, if this will happen prior to the academic year 2021-2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33262/21]

Forestry Sector

Catherine Connolly

638. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of applications for afforestation refused on ecological grounds since the commencement of the Forestry (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2020; the number of applications for replanting post clearfell refused on ecological grounds; the number of applications for afforestation refused by the appeals committee on ecological grounds; the number of applications for replanting post clearfell refused by the Forest Appeals Committee on ecological grounds; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33270/21]

Park-and-Ride Facilities

Catherine Connolly

50. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Transport further to Parliamentary Question No. 47 of 24 March 2021, the status of the roll-out of park-and-ride facilities for Galway city; the number and locations of all sites identified to date from which to operate park-and-ride services; the status of the public consultation process for the cross-city link and Dublin Road BusConnects corridors; if an application for planning permission been made in this regard to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32124/21]

Transport Policy

Catherine Connolly

53. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Transport further to Parliamentary Question No. 47 of 24 March 2021 and his comments in Dáil Éireann on the same date, his plans to bring forward the review of the Galway Transport Strategy, in particular the promised feasibility study for light rail; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32123/21]

EU Directives

Catherine Connolly

123. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the analysis his Department has carried out into the question of ensuring that local elected representatives will be covered by protections for whistleblowers under the forthcoming legislation transposing the EU whistleblowing directive into law; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32126/21]

Flood Risk Management

Catherine Connolly

162. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the status of flood defences in the Spanish Arch and docks area of Galway city; the details of any public consultation taken to date or planned in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32125/21]

Departmental Policies

Catherine Connolly

41. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the estimated cost of introducing a universal basic income at the core social welfare rate of €203 per week; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32371/21]

National Broadband Plan

Catherine Connolly

49. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the estimated cost of missing the target for the roll-out of high speed rural broadband in 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32366/21]

National Broadband Plan

Catherine Connolly

50. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the estimated cost of rolling-out high speed broadband across Ireland in 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32367/21]

Flood Risk Management

Catherine Connolly

92. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform further to Parliamentary Question No. 69 of 21 April 2021, the status of the flood relief scheme for Clifden, County Galway; the surveys of the catchment area of the Owenglin river that have been carried out or are planned as part of the flood relief scheme; the examination of natural flood management techniques in the catchment area of the Owenglin river that are planned or have been carried out to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32178/21]

Capitation Grants

Catherine Connolly

141. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Education the estimated full-year cost of increasing the capitation grant at primary and secondary level by 5%; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32368/21]

Pupil-Teacher Ratio

Catherine Connolly

142. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Education the estimated full-year cost of reducing the pupil teacher ratio by two at primary level; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32369/21]

Pupil-Teacher Ratio

Catherine Connolly

143. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Education the estimated full-year cost of lowering primary school class sizes by two students; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32370/21]

Real Estate Investment Trusts

Catherine Connolly

70. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Finance his plans to review the current tax exemptions for real estate investment trusts and Irish real estate funds; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31783/21]

Economic and Social Research Institute

Catherine Connolly

131. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Finance if his attention has been drawn to a report (details supplied), in particular the proposal to pursue a consistently negative Government primary balance under a prudent and sustainable set of conditions with a view to doubling the existing capital investment in State-provided housing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31784/21]

Housing Schemes

Catherine Connolly

387. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Finance his plans to phase out the help-to-buy scheme which is due to come to an end in December 2021; the engagement he has had with the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31864/21]

Vacant Properties

Catherine Connolly

388. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Finance his plans to introduce a vacant residential property tax; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31865/21]

Grant Payments

Catherine Connolly

389. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Finance further to Parliamentary Question No. 217 of 13 May 2021, the status of the promised review of the disabled drivers scheme; the person or body carrying out the review; the terms of reference of the review; when the review will be completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31866/21]

Legislative Measures

Catherine Connolly

598. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if legislation in respect of strategic housing developments will not be reintroduced following the expiration of said legislation on 31 December 2021 as outlined by the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications and Minister for Transport to Dáil Éireann on 20 May 2021 (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31058/21]

Special Educational Needs

Catherine Connolly

822. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Education further to Parliamentary Question No. 456 of 18 May 2021, when the NCSE policy advice on education provision in special classes and special schools will be completed and published; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31950/21]

Special Educational Needs

Catherine Connolly

823. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Education her plans to provide each school in the country with a dedicated reading unit; the analysis carried out by her Department into the costs of same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31951/21]

Special Educational Needs

Catherine Connolly

824. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Education her plans to provide each school planning area in the country with at least one reading unit or reading school; the analysis carried out by her Department into the costs of same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31952/21]

Special Educational Needs

Catherine Connolly

825. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Education the details of the analysis her Department has carried out into the adequacy of supports at primary school level for children with severe dyslexia particularly in schools that do not have a reading unit; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31953/21]

Special Educational Needs

Catherine Connolly

826. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Education the primary schools in each county that have a dedicated reading unit in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31954/21]

Special Educational Needs

Catherine Connolly

827. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Education the details of each reading school in the country by county and by school planning area; the student number capacity of each of these schools in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31955/21]

Social Welfare Benefits

Catherine Connolly

852. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Social Protection further to Parliamentary Question No. 666 of 28 April 2021, her plans to defer the 13-week requalification period in respect of persons on partial capacity benefit until after the end of the Covid-19 pandemic restrictions in view of the financial difficulties endured by many as a result of the pandemic; the analysis her Department has carried out of the financial cost of such a deferral; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30698/21]

Social Welfare Benefits

Catherine Connolly

853. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of persons in the moderate, severe and profound categories of illness who have started their 13-week requalification period for the partial capacity benefit in each of the months from March 2020 to May 2021, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30699/21]

Social Welfare Benefits

Catherine Connolly

854. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of persons who successfully transferred from partial capacity benefit to supplementary welfare allowance or another social welfare payment for the duration of their 13-week partial capacity benefit requalification period in each of the months from March 2020 to May 2021, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30700/21]

Equality Issues

Catherine Connolly

949. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth further to Parliamentary Question No. 445 of 5 May 2021, the status of the preparation of the legislation to end the practice of conversion therapy given the commitment for same in the programme for Government; when the legislative proposal will be finalised and brought forward; the status of the work of the research subgroup of the inclusion strategy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31002/21]

Mother and Baby Homes Inquiries

Catherine Connolly

950. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth further to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 641 and 642 of 24 February 2021, if the correspondence between him and or his Department and the Office of the Data Protection Commissioner and the Commission of Investigation can now be provided; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31118/21]

Departmental Correspondence

Catherine Connolly

951. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if all correspondence between him and or his Department and the Commission of Investigation into Mother and Baby Homes will be provided; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31119/21]

Grant Payments

Catherine Connolly

1056. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the engagement he has had with the Minister for Social Protection with regard to reports that many pandemic unemployment payment recipients particularly in cases in which they are married to or cohabiting with another person on a social welfare payment are ineligible for the SUSI grant due to earning in excess of the current income threshold; his plans to increase the income threshold to facilitate PUP recipients in accessing SUSI; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31204/21]