Parliamentary questions

Carbon Tax Yield

Darren O'Rourke

264. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Finance the amount collected in carbon tax on residential gas customers in each of the years 2015 to 2019; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23635/20]

Social Welfare Eligibility

Darren O'Rourke

510. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Social Protection if staff of a company (details supplied), in the case that they met the conditions of the scheme, were eligible to claim short-time work support while under the temporary wage subsidy scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23786/20]

Social Welfare Eligibility

Darren O'Rourke

511. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Social Protection if staff of a company (details supplied), in the case that they met the conditions of the scheme, were eligible to claim short-time work support while under the employment wage subsidy scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23787/20]

Student Universal Support Ireland

Darren O'Rourke

547. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if earnings for 2020 will be taken into account when assessing eligibility for SUSI grants in view of the substantial reduction in income many persons have suffered as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23581/20]

EU Issues

Darren O'Rourke

64. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Climate Action and Communication Networks the estimated amount in fines Ireland is likely to face in 2020 and 2021 as a result of not achieving renewable energy and carbon emissions targets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23065/20]

Ministerial Meetings

Darren O'Rourke

72. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport the number of meetings he has had with an association (details supplied) since becoming Minister; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23229/20]

Ministerial Meetings

Darren O'Rourke

73. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport the number of meetings he has had with taxi representatives since becoming Minister; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23230/20]

Closed-Circuit Television Systems

Darren O'Rourke

176. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Justice the rules which apply to local communities that wish to install CCTV equipment for the purposes of crime prevention and detection; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23225/20]

Crime Data

Darren O'Rourke

177. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Justice if crime and antisocial behaviour have increased in County Meath in recent years; and if so, the measures she is taking to address the matter. [23226/20]

Environmental Policy

Darren O'Rourke

71. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Climate Action and Communication Networks the amount manufacturers pay per tonne of plastic produced here; how this compares internationally; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22793/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Darren O'Rourke

78. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport the additional public funding provided to Bus Éireann, Irish Rail and Dublin Bus in 2020 as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22791/20]

Ministerial Meetings

Darren O'Rourke

95. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Finance if he has spoken directly with his Australian counterpart in the past six months. [22883/20]

Defence Forces Equipment

Darren O'Rourke

150. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Defence the amount spent on purchasing new fire appliances for the Defence Forces fire services in 2019 and to date in 2020; and the frequency with which fire appliances are replaced. [22886/20]

School Transport

Darren O'Rourke

158. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education the number of applications for concessionary tickets for school transport refused in each of the years 2016 to 2019 and to date in 2020; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22792/20]

Student Universal Support Ireland

Darren O'Rourke

208. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the estimated cost of a decrease grant in adjacency rates from 45km to 30km. [22894/20]

Proposed Legislation

Darren O'Rourke

246. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Justice her plans to update Public Dance Halls Act 1935. [22884/20]

Vaccination Programme

Darren O'Rourke

284. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Health the budget allocation for the National Immunisation Office in 2019 and 2020, in tabular form. [22885/20]

Aer Lingus

Darren O'Rourke

183. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport if financial assistance from the State has been sought by airlines due to the Covid-19 pandemic; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22442/20]

Aer Lingus

Darren O'Rourke

184. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport if consideration has been given to providing financial assistance in exchange for equity in Aer Lingus in view of the financial difficulties at the airline; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22443/20]

Cycling Facilities

Darren O'Rourke

185. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport the estimated cost of installing a bicycle rack on the front of a public bus; his plans for the introduction of such modifications for cyclists who also rely on buses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22444/20]

Cycling Facilities

Darren O'Rourke

186. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport the estimated cost of increasing capacity on train services for passengers to bring bicycles on board with them; his plans for the introduction of same for cyclists who also rely on trains; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22445/20]

Tourism Industry

Darren O'Rourke

187. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport his plans to put targeted business supports in place for travel agents which have been severely impacted by the travel restrictions imposed as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22466/20]

Carbon Tax Yield

Darren O'Rourke

292. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Finance the estimated amount the carbon tax will raise in view of the proposed increases in the carbon tax as outlined in the programme for Government in each of the years 2021 to 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21931/20]

Carbon Tax Yield

Darren O'Rourke

297. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Finance the amount extra an increase of €7.50 per tonne in the carbon tax, as outlined in the programme for Government will raise in 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22078/20]

Aer Lingus

Darren O'Rourke

308. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Finance the areas in which the proceeds from the sale of Aer Lingus which established the connectivity fund (details supplied) have been invested to date; the value of the investments; the amount that has not been invested; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22441/20]

Hospital Appointments Status

Darren O'Rourke

1366. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Meath will receive a surgery appointment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22422/20]

Environmental Policy

Darren O'Rourke

166. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the estimated cost of introducing a deposit return scheme here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20823/20]

Departmental Expenditure

Darren O'Rourke

167. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the capital projects his Department will fund in 2020 and 2021; the budget for each in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20824/20]

Departmental Reports

Darren O'Rourke

168. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the reports he has commissioned in 2019 and 2020; the titles of the reports completed but unpublished in 2019 and 2020; the cost of each report in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20825/20]

Ministerial Meetings

Darren O'Rourke

267. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of times he has met with senior management at an airline (details supplied) since coming to office; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20736/20]

Ministerial Meetings

Darren O'Rourke

268. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of times he has met with senior management at an airline (details supplied) since coming to office; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20737/20]

Ministerial Meetings

Darren O'Rourke

269. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of times he met with the senior management of the Dublin Airport Authority since coming to office; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20738/20]

Ministerial Meetings

Darren O'Rourke

270. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of times he has met with the senior management of the Shannon Group since coming to office; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20739/20]

Transport Policy

Darren O'Rourke

271. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will address a matter (details supplied) in relation to a commitment in the Programme for Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20740/20]

Carbon Tax Yield

Darren O'Rourke

294. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Finance the annual revenue raised from the carbon tax in each year from its introduction up to 2019, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19613/20]

Carbon Tax Yield

Darren O'Rourke

295. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Finance the estimated annual revenue that will be raised from the carbon tax in each year from 2020 to 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19614/20]

Proposed Legislation

Darren O'Rourke

527. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government when the marine planning and development management Bill will come before Dáil Éireann; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20741/20]

Schools Building Projects

Darren O'Rourke

712. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education and Skills when building works for a new school building at a school (details supplied) will commence; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20734/20]

Pupil-Teacher Ratio

Darren O'Rourke

713. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education and Skills the average, median, lowest and largest classroom size by county in each of the past five years for primary and secondary schools, respectively in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20742/20]

School Transport

Darren O'Rourke

714. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education and Skills the specific criteria which applies when assessing a child's eligibility for school bus transport; the way in which the criteria has changed since 1995; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20743/20]

School Transport

Darren O'Rourke

715. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of children carried on public school bus transport in each year since 1995 by county; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20744/20]

Nursing Home Inspections

Darren O'Rourke

1416. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Health the date on which his Department, the HSE or both were first notified of concerns at a nursing home (details supplied); the person or body that raised the concerns; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20732/20]

Nursing Home Inspections

Darren O'Rourke

1417. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Health if he has received reports from HIQA or the HSE in respect of the care provided for a person (details supplied) at a nursing home; and if so, the way in which he plans to proceed [20733/20]

Energy Conservation

Darren O'Rourke

95. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the annual target completions and budget for the retrofitting plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18183/20]

Energy Conservation

Darren O'Rourke

96. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if an audit has been carried out on publicly owned buildings regarding their energy rating and their potential need for retrofitting; if an estimated cost has been calculated for the publicly owned buildings which need to be retrofitted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18184/20]

Energy Conservation

Darren O'Rourke

97. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the estimated cost of retrofitting an average home; the total estimated spend by the State on retrofitting each year from July 2020 until 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18185/20]

Departmental Bodies Data

Darren O'Rourke

98. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the 2020 budget allocations for all the offices, agencies and semi-State companies under his remit including additional funding allocated as a result of Covid-19; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18191/20]

Electricity Grid

Darren O'Rourke

99. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if his attention has been drawn to the fact that companies (details supplied) jointly requested and obtained approval from the regulators here and Northern Ireland for exceptional funding to commence an advanced procurement process prior to receipt of planning approval having signed procurement contracts without planning approval yet fully obtained; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18192/20]

Grant Payments

Darren O'Rourke

102. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the individual home energy grant schemes available from the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland in each of the years 2016 to 2019; the number of applications for each grant; the number of grants awarded; the average value of grant awarded under each heading; the annual spend on each home energy grant scheme in tabular form;; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18317/20]

Grant Payments

Darren O'Rourke

103. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the number of applications for electric vehicle grants made to the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland in each of the years 2016 to 2019; the number of grants awarded; the average value of grant awarded; the annual spend on electric vehicle grants in tabular form;; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18318/20]

Grant Payments

Darren O'Rourke

104. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the number of applications for electric vehicle home charging point grants made to the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland in each of the years 2016 to 2019; the number of grants awarded; the average value of grant awarded; the total annual spend on electric vehicle home charging point grants in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18319/20]

Aviation Industry

Darren O'Rourke

120. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport for the estimated number of private jets that land in Irish airports each year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18186/20]

Public Transport

Darren O'Rourke

121. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the estimated cost of making public transport free; the estimated cost of making public transport free for all those under 25 years of age; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18187/20]

Rural Transport Programme

Darren O'Rourke

122. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the budget allocation for the rural transport programme in each of the years 2016 to 2020; the number of passenger journeys in the same period; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18190/20]

Sports Funding

Darren O'Rourke

128. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the potential funding streams available to a club (details supplied) in County Meath to help build and develop a permanent facility; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17988/20]

Driver Test

Darren O'Rourke

129. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of persons waiting for driving tests; and the number waiting by test centre. [17989/20]

Driver Test

Darren O'Rourke

130. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when driving tests for cars will resume; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17990/20]

Driver Licences

Darren O'Rourke

131. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if provisional licence renewals can be processed automatically and online but full driver licences cannot; the waiting time for an appointment at each centre; the contingencies in place in cases where the full licence of a driver is out of date and applicants cannot obtain an appointment for same for six weeks; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17991/20]

Public Transport

Darren O'Rourke

196. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the PSO provision for public transport in each of the years 2010 to 2019 and to date in 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18909/20]

Public Transport

Darren O'Rourke

197. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the estimated cost of making all public transport wheelchair accessible; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18910/20]

Airport Passenger Data

Darren O'Rourke

198. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of passenger arrivals and departures from each airport from January to June 2020, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18911/20]

Public Transport

Darren O'Rourke

212. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if funding will be provided to Transport Infrastructure Ireland to lengthen the platforms at red line Luas stations. [19079/20]

Dublin Bus

Darren O'Rourke

213. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he has spoken to the CEO of Dublin Bus since his appointment. [19080/20]

Heritage Council

Darren O'Rourke

309. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the budget allocation to the Heritage Council in 2018, 2019 and 2020, in tabular form. [19078/20]

Housing Assistance Payment

Darren O'Rourke

325. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the basis on which a person can be refused a HAP tenancy due to the fact they have a close family connection with a prospective tenant or landlord; the definition applied to close family connection or relative; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17987/20]

Naval Service

Darren O'Rourke

417. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Defence the status of the mid-life refit of the LÉ Roisin. [19082/20]

School Transport

Darren O'Rourke

419. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education and Skills the budget allocation for the school transport scheme in each of the years 2016 to 2020; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18188/20]

School Transport

Darren O'Rourke

420. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of children that availed of the school transport scheme in each of the years 2016 to 2019 and to date in 2020; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18189/20]

Pupil-Teacher Ratio

Darren O'Rourke

546. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education and Skills the estimated cost of a reduction of two in post-primary school class sizes from September 2021. [19083/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Darren O'Rourke

573. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the date on which self-employed persons will be able to apply for the grants of up to €1,000; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19126/20]

Direct Provision System

Darren O'Rourke

761. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of persons resident at a direct provision centre (details supplied), by age, gender and family unit, on 20 July 2020; the accommodation by unit size and occupancy; if there are cases of mixed family units in individual units; if this relates to adults and-or children; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17986/20]

Garda Transport Provision

Darren O'Rourke

814. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if funding will be provided to purchase additional Garda prisoner transport vehicles. [19081/20]

County Development Plans

Darren O'Rourke

50. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if the Meath county development plan process will now be stalled in view of the commitment in the programme for Government to review and extend the National Development Plan 2018-2027; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17616/20]

Transport Policy

Darren O'Rourke

83. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on the assessment by An Taisce of Smarter Travel - A New Transport Policy for Ireland 2009-2020 (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17593/20]

Driver Test

Darren O'Rourke

147. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the status of the resumption of driver tests; if persons whose provisional licence lapsed during the pandemic will be prioritised for a test; the legal situation for drivers whose provisional licence has lapsed but are still awaiting a test; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16687/20]

Driver Test

Darren O'Rourke

163. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the aids in place to assist persons to prepare and pass the driver theory test; if there are supports similar to the reasonable accommodation scheme for State exams; if he has considered introducing such a scheme in view of the particular challenges some persons face but which have no bearing on their driving skills and competences; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16927/20]

Tenant Purchase Scheme

Darren O'Rourke

336. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if there are rules which exclude houses acquired under Part V and being bought by council tenants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17351/20]

Alcohol Treatment Services

Darren O'Rourke

679. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to a significant reduction in the number of meetings of a group (details supplied) during the Covid-19 pandemic due to Covid-19 restrictions; the measures and supports in place for recovering alcoholics at this time; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16926/20]

Drugs Payment Scheme

Darren O'Rourke

680. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Health the reason a person (details supplied) is no longer provided access the drug subutex in tablet form on the hardship scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16928/20]

Child Protection

Darren O'Rourke

757. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Health if parental alienation syndrome is recognised here; his plans to address the matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17350/20]

Health Services Funding

Darren O'Rourke

758. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Health the staffing and budgets for public health in north-eastern areas of Dublin and other health areas pre-, during and post-Covid-19; his views on whether it is sufficient to respond to a rise in Covid-19; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17352/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Darren O'Rourke

162. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Health the number of times in each month to date the 14-day quarantine rule for persons entering Ireland has been breached; the number of actions taken as a result; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16428/20]

Renewable Energy Generation

Darren O'Rourke

10. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the renewable energy projects he will pursue to help reduce the reliance of Ireland on fossil fuels in view of the Environmental Protection Agency greenhouse gas emissions projections report published recently; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16250/20]

Fuel Poverty

Darren O'Rourke

12. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment his views on whether the quadrupling of the carbon tax over the next decade is going to disproportionately affect those who can least afford it and contribute to already high levels of fuel poverty; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16251/20]

North-South Interconnector

Darren O'Rourke

14. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the status of the North-South interconnector; if his attention has been drawn to the considerable local opposition to the proposed pylons included in this plan; his views on an independent review of this project which will consider the undergrounding of these power lines; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16252/20]

National Broadband Plan

Darren O'Rourke

20. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the status of progress of the national broadband plan; the amount spent to date; the number of homes and businesses that have been and are yet to be connected; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16068/20]

Wind Energy Generation

Darren O'Rourke

25. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment his views on improving the level of community ownership of wind farms here; his further views on whether the State should intervene to help support local communities establishing and running their own wind farms which can power their own local energy needs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16067/20]

Proposed Legislation

Darren O'Rourke

33. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he will introduce legislation in line with the provisions in the Microgeneration Support Scheme Bill 2017 that would empower persons and local communities to produce renewable energy that they can then use and sell the excess of back to the national grid; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16069/20]

Just Transition Commissioner

Darren O'Rourke

42. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he will expedite the implementation of the recommendations included in the Just Transition Commissioner’s first report published in early 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16070/20]

Driver Test

Darren O'Rourke

82. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of persons waiting for a driver test; the actions he is taking to clear this backlog quickly; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16176/20]

Departmental Functions

Darren O'Rourke

115. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the details of the restructuring of his Department; the agencies and offices that now fall under his remit; the offices and agencies that have been removed from his remit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14958/20]

Departmental Budgets

Darren O'Rourke

116. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the estimated budget allocation for his reconfigured Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14959/20]

Driver Test

Darren O'Rourke

142. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the consultation with driving instructors that has taken place with the view to restarting driver tests; if he is satisfied appropriate guidelines will be in place to resume testing and lessons; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14955/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Darren O'Rourke

143. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the way in which he plans to support the thousands of workers employed in airlines and the airline industry in view of the huge challenges now facing the sector due to Covid-19; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14956/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Darren O'Rourke

144. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the amount of funding requested by each airline in view of the challenges facing the sector due to Covid-19; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14957/20]

Driver Test

Darren O'Rourke

145. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if consideration will be given to prioritising front-line workers who are waiting for driver tests due to the postponement during the Covid-19 pandemic; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14968/20]

Driver Licences

Darren O'Rourke

203. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of persons that are ordinarily resident here but driving on licences from another country; if he has considered the possibility of converting these licences into Irish licences as an emergency Covid-19 measure to help reduce the waiting list for driver tests; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15143/20]

Driver Test

Darren O'Rourke

242. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if the requirement for US citizens and returning Irish emigrants to sit a theory test and take driver lessons and a driver test within one year of living here will be extended by four months due to the Covid-19 restrictions on driver tests and lessons; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15514/20]

Driver Test

Darren O'Rourke

243. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will consider introducing a reciprocal agreement with the United States of America on driver licences in view of the fact that the current requirements place an undue burden on Americans and returning Irish emigrants who are actively recruited to invest and work here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15515/20]

Public Transport

Darren O'Rourke

244. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if even headway profiles are used in bus transport services here; his views on whether this is the best approach in the public transport system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15516/20]