Parliamentary questions

Tax Reliefs

John McGuinness

228. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Finance if he will review the concession put in place by the Revenue Commissioners relative to the payment of tax due by employees arising from the temporary wage subsidy scheme allowing the employer to pay the tax without any benefit-in-kind implications for the employee; if so, if categories of employees (details supplied) will be included; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23798/21]

School Transport

John McGuinness

449. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Education if school bus transport will be provided on a qualifying rather than a concessionary basis from Corraguan, Windgap, County Kilkenny, to a school for persons (details supplied); if the appeal lodged with the school transport appeals board will be expedited and approved; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23784/21]

Pension Provisions

John McGuinness

533. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Social Protection if a person (details supplied) has sufficient contributions to qualify for a State pension (contributory); and if their record of contributions will be provided. [23772/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic

John McGuinness

716. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health the arrangements his Department has made to provide vaccinations for students participating in the Erasmus programme and that must provide proof of full vaccination to the participating college abroad before 15 June 2021; if he will outline the plan immediately to ease the concerns of parents and students that are now having to commit to cost of travel and accommodation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23775/21]

Animal Diseases

John McGuinness

954. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if a second BVD test can be carried out on the herd owned by a person (details supplied); the action to be taken by his Department and herd owner; the costs involved; and the reason for the change of rule in this regard. [23773/21]

Departmental Investigations

John McGuinness

315. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the outcome of the investigation into complaints by a person (details supplied); the actions taken by his Department to address the issues raised; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23137/21]

Garda Civilian Staff

John McGuinness

463. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Justice the number of civilians holding the position of property and exhibits manager within An Garda Síochána; the Garda stations in which the civilians employed as such are based; if the position is underpinned in legislation; if appropriate training has been provided; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22697/21]

Medicinal Products

John McGuinness

648. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health his views on making the drug epidiolex available to patients on medical cards when prescribed by a consultant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23187/21]

Felling Licences

John McGuinness

679. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a tree felling application by a person (details supplied) will be processed and approved; and if the process will be expedited. [22705/21]

Hospital Facilities

John McGuinness

130. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health the indicative timeframe for the delivery of a new community nursing unit at St. Columba's Hospital, Thomastown, County Kilkenny; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22474/21]

Quarrying Sector

John McGuinness

431. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the amount of funding allocated by his Department to local authorities that have to reinstate land relative to the environmental damage done by illegal quarry activities; if he will seek a report from Kilkenny and Laois county councils in relation to the environmental damage already done by quarries that are not compliant with the planning laws or without planning permission; if the Local Government Audit Service considers good governance or the lack of it as part of its audit of each local authority; if he plans to review the legislation specifically in relation to non-compliance in the quarry industry with a view to strengthening the planning enforcement process and introducing a regime of substantial fines commensurate with the damage caused by such illegal operators; if Irish law is in sync with EU policy and directives with regard to this industry; if he will investigate ways to apply current laws and standards of operation to major quarry operators that were in operation prior to the introduction of the planning laws; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21249/21]

Public Sector Pay

John McGuinness

544. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Education if secondary school teachers returning to Ireland from Abu Dhabi having taught in private schools there and wishing to resume teaching in Ireland will qualify for salary increments as is the case with primary school teachers and those in the medical profession; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21271/21]

Carer's Allowance

John McGuinness

637. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Social Protection if an appeal for carer’s allowance will be expedited in the name of persons (details supplied). [21232/21]

HSE Staff

John McGuinness

888. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health when the outcome of the job evaluation for homecare support assistants which was promised in September 2020 will be published; if the recommendations of the evaluation will be implemented in the short-term; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21290/21]

Treatment Abroad Scheme

John McGuinness

986. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health the reason funding was refused under the treatment abroad scheme in the case of a person (details supplied) given a previous application was approved on 20 September 2019; if the procedures are available in hospitals here; if so, the hospital that carry out same; if there is a waiting list; if so, the timeframe involved; if he will examine the case of the person as a matter of urgency with a view to ensuring that the two procedures recommended by their consultants are expedited; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21684/21]

Carer's Allowance

John McGuinness

100. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Social Protection if a carer's allowance application by a person (details supplied) will be expedited given the urgency of the matter. [20989/21]

Invalidity Pension

John McGuinness

101. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will request a full review of an application for invalidity pension which is at appeal stage in the name of a person (details supplied); and if an oral hearing will be arranged in order that they and their family can present their case. [20990/21]

Capital Expenditure Programme

John McGuinness

80. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the action he is taking to ensure value for money is obtained for the significantly increased capital budget which will be at an all-time record level in 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20396/21]

Capital Expenditure Programme

John McGuinness

92. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the action he is taking to strengthen oversight of the capital budget; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20395/21]

Appointments to State Boards

John McGuinness

141. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Taoiseach the efforts his Department is making to achieve gender balance on all State boards and agencies under the remit of his Department; if he will set out the changes achieved to date on each; and if 50% of the membership of all boards, policy groups or agencies that provide advice to Government on matters of policy will be reserved for appropriately qualified individuals from the private sector in order to achieve a balance between the public and private sectors. [20734/21]

Work Permits

John McGuinness

210. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will reopen the general employment permit scheme to help alleviate the current labour crisis in the mushroom sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20657/21]

Appointments to State Boards

John McGuinness

211. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the efforts his Department is making to achieve gender balance on all State boards and agencies under the remit of his Department; if he will set out the changes achieved to date on each; if 50% of the membership of all boards, policy groups or agencies that provide advice to Government on matters of policy will be reserved for appropriately qualified individuals from the private sector in order to achieve a balance between the public and private sectors; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20723/21]

Appointments to State Boards

John McGuinness

293. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the efforts his Department is making to achieve gender balance on all State boards and agencies under the remit of his Department; if he will set out the changes achieved to date on each; if 50% of the membership of all boards, policy groups or agencies that provide advice to Government on matters of policy will be reserved for appropriately qualified individuals from the private sector in order to achieve a balance between the public and private sectors; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20724/21]

Air Safety

John McGuinness

369. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Transport if licences issued to fly drones are recorded on a county basis; if so, the number issued for each of the past four years; the way in which the regulations are enforced; the number of breaches recorded in the past four years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19413/21]

Appointments to State Boards

John McGuinness

447. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Transport the efforts his Department is making to achieve gender balance on all State boards and agencies under the remit of his Department; if he will set out the changes achieved to date on each; if 50% of the membership of all boards, policy groups or agencies that provide advice to Government on matters of policy will be reserved for appropriately qualified individuals from the private sector in order to achieve a balance between the public and private sectors; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20736/21]

National Treasury Management Agency

John McGuinness

510. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Finance if any of the bond sales on behalf of the State or the NTMA and brokered by a company (details supplied) were sold to parties connected to the company, nominees, associates or subsidiaries of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19617/21]

National Treasury Management Agency

John McGuinness

511. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Finance if a company (details supplied) has declared any potential conflicts of interest to the State in the bond dealings of same on behalf of the State or NTMA; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19618/21]

National Treasury Management Agency

John McGuinness

512. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Finance the process by which a company (details supplied) was appointed to sell bonds on behalf of the State and NTMA; if he is satisfied that the procurement of the company was in compliance with Irish procurement law; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19619/21]

Appointments to State Boards

John McGuinness

537. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Finance the efforts his Department is making to achieve gender balance on all State boards and agencies under the remit of his Department; if he will set out the changes achieved to date on each; if 50% of the membership of all boards, policy groups or agencies that provide advice to Government on matters of policy will be reserved for appropriately qualified individuals from the private sector in order to achieve a balance between the public and private sectors; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20725/21]

Appointments to State Boards

John McGuinness

583. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the efforts his Department is making to achieve gender balance on all State boards and agencies under the remit of his Department; if he will set out the changes achieved to date on each; if 50% of the membership of all boards, policy groups or agencies that provide advice to Government on matters of policy will be reserved for appropriately qualified individuals from the private sector in order to achieve a balance between the public and private sectors; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20731/21]

Appointments to State Boards

John McGuinness

663. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the efforts her Department is making to achieve gender balance on all State boards and agencies under the remit of her Department; if she will set out the changes achieved to date on each; if 50% of the membership of all boards, policy groups or agencies that provide advice to Government on matters of policy will be reserved for appropriately qualified individuals from the private sector in order to achieve a balance between the public and private sectors; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20735/21]

Heritage Council

John McGuinness

740. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the role of the Heritage Council in assessing grants for the publication of books such as a book (details supplied); the level of funding provided each year for such projects; if there is a separate category for such books giving a unique historical perspective; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19414/21]

Appointments to State Boards

John McGuinness

822. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the efforts his Department is making to achieve gender balance on all State boards and agencies under the remit of his Department; if he will set out the changes achieved to date on each; if 50% of the membership of all boards, policy groups or agencies that provide advice to Government on matters of policy will be reserved for appropriately qualified individuals from the private sector in order to achieve a balance between the public and private sectors; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20729/21]

Appointments to State Boards

John McGuinness

893. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the efforts his Department is making to achieve gender balance on all State boards and agencies under the remit of his Department; if he will set out the changes achieved to date on each; if 50% of the membership of all boards, policy groups or agencies that provide advice to Government on matters of policy will be reserved for appropriately qualified individuals from the private sector in order to achieve a balance between the public and private sectors; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20726/21]

Appointments to State Boards

John McGuinness

912. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Defence the efforts his Department is making to achieve gender balance on all State boards and agencies under the remit of his Department; if he will set out the changes achieved to date on each; if 50% of the membership of all boards, policy groups or agencies that provide advice to Government on matters of policy will be reserved for appropriately qualified individuals from the private sector in order to achieve a balance between the public and private sectors; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20721/21]

Schools Administration

John McGuinness

918. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Education further to Parliamentary Question No. 391 of 3 February 2021, if the response to the Parliamentary Question will be reviewed; her views on same; the process for the change of school status requests from junior infants to co-educational; the timeframe involved; if the correspondence from the school and from a person (details supplied) provide sufficient information to expedite the matter; if her officials have met the representatives of the school; and the number of meetings or engagements that she or her officials have had with the school. [18188/21]

School Patronage

John McGuinness

1087. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Education the status of an application by a school (details supplied) for a change of status; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20677/21]

School Patronage

John McGuinness

1089. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Education the progress made on an application by a school (details supplied) for change of status; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20709/21]

Appointments to State Boards

John McGuinness

1090. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Education the efforts her Department is making to achieve gender balance on all State boards and agencies under the remit of her Department; if she will set out the changes achieved to date on each; if 50% of the membership of all boards, policy groups or agencies that provide advice to Government on matters of policy will be reserved for appropriately qualified individuals from the private sector in order to achieve a balance between the public and private sectors; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20722/21]

State Pensions

John McGuinness

1121. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Social Protection if the outcome of an appeal for a State pension (non-contributory) will be re-examined in the case of a person (details supplied). [18615/21]

Social Welfare Benefits

John McGuinness

1122. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Social Protection the progress made on the introduction of an extra three weeks of parental benefit; and the timeframe for the change to apply. [18661/21]

Appointments to State Boards

John McGuinness

1202. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Social Protection the efforts her Department is making to achieve gender balance on all State boards and agencies under the remit of her Department; if she will set out the changes achieved to date on each; if 50% of the membership of all boards, policy groups or agencies that provide advice to Government on matters of policy will be reserved for appropriately qualified individuals from the private sector in order to achieve a balance between the public and private sectors; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20733/21]

Appointments to State Boards

John McGuinness

1260. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the efforts his Department is making to achieve gender balance on all State boards and agencies under the remit of his Department; if he will set out the changes achieved to date on each; if 50% of the membership of all boards, policy groups or agencies that provide advice to Government on matters of policy will be reserved for appropriately qualified individuals from the private sector in order to achieve a balance between the public and private sectors; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20720/21]

Appointments to State Boards

John McGuinness

1353. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the efforts his Department is making to achieve gender balance on all State boards and agencies under the remit of his Department; if he will set out the changes achieved to date on each; if 50% of the membership of all boards, policy groups or agencies that provide advice to Government on matters of policy will be reserved for appropriately qualified individuals from the private sector in order to achieve a balance between the public and private sectors; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20727/21]

Courts Service

John McGuinness

1397. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Justice the number of judges attached to each court in the judicial system; the number of vacancies in each court waiting to be filled; the process by which it is decided to increase the number of judges at any given time; the number of cases in each court waiting to be processed; the reforms of the judicial system that she is considering; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18635/21]

Inquiry into the Death of Mr. Shane O'Farrell

John McGuinness

1434. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Justice if the letter mentioned in an internal Department email dated 30 October 2019 relating to a Topical Issue submitted by the Deputy regarding the investigation into the death of a person (details supplied) was issued; if the information will now be given; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19422/21]

Appointments to State Boards

John McGuinness

1498. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Justice the efforts her Department is making to achieve gender balance on all State boards and agencies under the remit of her Department; if she will set out the changes achieved to date on each; if 50% of the membership of all boards, policy groups or agencies that provide advice to Government on matters of policy will be reserved for appropriately qualified individuals from the private sector in order to achieve a balance between the public and private sectors; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20730/21]

Mental Health Services

John McGuinness

2311. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health if he will provide funding to support one to one counselling and psychotherapy services to assist those delivering the services in the private sector to expand their operations to include referrals from the public health sector given the significant demand arising from Covid-19 being experienced by those professionals involved; if he will encourage the HSE to assist in ensuring that any person presenting with a mental health issue is seen immediately by the appropriate professional in either a public or private setting; the number of outpatients on the waiting list presenting with mental health issues that have yet to have their first appointment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20550/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic

John McGuinness

2388. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health if the rules on mandatory quarantine will be set aside for Irish citizens entering the country from one of the listed countries who have proof of being vaccinated, have a negative test and can isolate at home. [20667/21]

Nursing Homes Support Scheme

John McGuinness

2392. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health the progress on the reform of the fair deal scheme relative to farming families; his plans to carry out a general review of the scheme and the way it has operated since it was introduced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20679/21]