Parliamentary questions

Departmental Funding

Mattie McGrath

500. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Finance the estimated amount of State funding provided to An Taisce every year for the past five years; the categories under which such funding has been provided; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19285/21]

Mortgage Lending

Mattie McGrath

533. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Finance if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the banks are not allowing customers to draw down approved mortgages in cases in which their employers are on the employment wage subsidy scheme even in cases in which the customer in question is still working full-time and not in receipt of the pandemic unemployment payment (details supplied); if he will engage with the banking institutions to address the issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20668/21]

Civil Service

Mattie McGrath

543. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform when the panel for the Irish language executives in the Civil Service is expected to be cleared; the length of time an applicant on the panel will be expected to wait before being offered a position; the efforts being made to increase the number of jobs in the Irish language sector in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18330/21]

Office of Public Works

Mattie McGrath

730. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the steps he will take to ensure that a protected structure of historical, social and architectural significance is not allowed to fall into further disrepair (details supplied); the role the OPW has to ensure this important building is maintained and preserved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19275/21]

Departmental Expenditure

Mattie McGrath

731. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the level of State funding provided by his Department to An Taisce every year for the past five years; the categories under which such funding has been provided; the amount of funding provided to An Taisce which has been used by the body for legal challenges against planning applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19286/21]

Planning Guidelines

Mattie McGrath

732. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the reason An Taisce is a prescribed body in the planning process; the membership and directorship of An Taisce; if he has concerns regarding its remit and ability to cause huge delays to developments of significant importance to the farming community in the south east based on ideological grounds; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19289/21]

Housing Policy

Mattie McGrath

767. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if grant-aid is available to support families to construct a granny flat for older members of their families to prolong and prevent their admission to care homes or hospitals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19775/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Mattie McGrath

1031. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Education if the wearing of face coverings in classrooms is mandatory or voluntary; if exemptions exist; and if so, the details of same. [19463/21]

Student Grant Scheme

Mattie McGrath

1267. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of third-level students who are not in receipt of a SUSI grant and received the €250 once-off Covid-19 payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18318/21]

Student Universal Support Ireland

Mattie McGrath

1268. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his views on whether it is fair that SUSI recipients of the Covid student support payment are specifically exempt from tax however the non-SUSI payment is considered as income for tax purposes for non-SUSI recipients. [18319/21]

Student Universal Support Ireland

Mattie McGrath

1269. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will provide further clarification on a matter (details supplied); the students classified as the majority; and the basis on which a student is considered tax liable. [18320/21]

Mental Health Policy

Mattie McGrath

1451. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Justice the process for the selection of the chairperson of the new mental health task force; the names of the other members; the breakdown in costs for the running of the task force; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19774/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Mattie McGrath

1537. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health the legal basis under which student nurses who have refused a Covid-19 vaccine have been informed they will not qualify as a general nurse without taking the vaccine; if the Covid-19 vaccine is mandatory; the legal basis for making this vaccine mandatory for students; his views on whether this decision breaches a student’s right to refuse certain medical treatment or their right not to be put under undue pressure to receive a vaccination against their will; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18170/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Mattie McGrath

1575. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health the strategy for exiting lockdown restrictions; the level of patients in hospital and in intensive care units that is required to allow further easing of restrictions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18300/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Mattie McGrath

1729. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health if HIQA has or plans on re-examining the emerging evidence regarding the efficacy of ivermectin as a prophylactic and treatment for Covid-19; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18818/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Mattie McGrath

1756. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health if he will immediately reconsider easing restrictions on outdoor gatherings, outdoor activities and outdoor hospitality services in view of the recent data from the HSPC on the low incidence rates from outdoor gathering; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18902/21]

Mortality Rates

Mattie McGrath

1781. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health his views on the level of excess mortality within nursing homes between January and February 2020; if an independent inquiry will be carried out to investigate the huge surge in deaths in nursing homes during this time; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18959/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Mattie McGrath

1939. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health the position in relation to whether an Irish citizen returning here in difficult circumstances, humanitarian grounds for example if a family member is dying or has died has to undergo 14 days mandatory hotel quarantine if a negative PCR test can be supplied; if, and the way in which an Irish citizen can apply for an exemption; the procedure in place for citizens to get an exemption to the MHQ; if he will confirm whether or not someone who has been vaccinated has to undergo MHQ; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19350/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Mattie McGrath

2117. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health the way in which the appeals process operates in relation to mandatory hotel quarantine; the appeals officer in this regard; if a further appeal is possible in the event a person is not satisfied with an appeal outcome; the grounds on which an appeal will be allowed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19898/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Mattie McGrath

2129. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health the position regarding public services which remain restricted while at level 5 in view of the new roadmap for reopening the country which refers to the loosening of restrictions on specific dates rather than the move to new levels; his views on whether it can be reasonably argued that the country remains at level 5 when a number of restrictions have been lifted; if the previous roadmap to living with Covid-19 is still in use; if so, when he expects a move to the lower levels; when all essential public services which are currently closed as a result of being at level 5 will reopen; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19925/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Mattie McGrath

2130. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health when maternity hospital visitor restrictions will be lifted; the continued justification of restricting a partners access; if he will review the matter urgently especially considering the lower levels of patients with Covid-19 in hospitals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19926/21]

Vaccination Programme

Mattie McGrath

2131. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health the vaccine that has been provided to student nurses; if it is still the position of his Department and the HSE to force student nurses to take a Covid-19 vaccine if they want to continue their studies given the change in guidelines in relation to a vaccine (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19927/21]

Palliative Care Services

Mattie McGrath

2182. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health the private nursing homes in Carrick-on-Suir, County Tipperary that have agreed to provide palliative care beds to the HSE if required following the closure of a nursing home (details supplied). [20048/21]

Vaccination Programme

Mattie McGrath

2402. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health if a person who is in the 65 to 69 years of age cohort and is uncomfortable receiving a vaccine (details supplied) can opt out of this cohort and wait until an alternative vaccine comes available at a later date; if a person who chooses not to receive the vaccine will be prohibited from receiving another vaccine at any other stage; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20701/21]

Health Insurance

Mattie McGrath

2404. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health his views on whether the lifetime community rating for health insurance can be examined on a case by case basis given that in some cases the amount the customer is paying more to the State between the rating and the Government levy than the cost of the premium for the cover; if he will review the manner in which the lifetime community rating is calculated by reducing the number of years over 34 years of age that a loading is applied; his views on whether there is justification for such a large levy being placed on such policies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20710/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Mattie McGrath

2408. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health if a person who has been fully vaccinated must quarantine; the reason a person who has been fully vaccinated would be expected to quarantine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20739/21]

Beekeeping Industry

Mattie McGrath

2448. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the measures his Department is taking to protect the native Irish honey bee that is under significant health threats as a result of the high levels of bees being imported into the country; the efforts he is taking to prevent the native bee from being destroyed and to have it protected as a native and rare species to be preserved; the protections his Department is putting in place as a result of the large increase in bee imports in 2020 which is up 327% on 2019; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18349/21]

EU Regulations

Mattie McGrath

2482. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 358 of 16 December 2020, if he will clarify and address matters in relation to the Court of Auditors Report dated 22 December 2006 referenced (details supplied). [18984/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Mattie McGrath

55. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Finance if he will place a quantifiable monetary value on the direct social and economic costs of the ongoing lockdown strategy on the Irish economy; if he will outline its highly destructive impacts on unprecedented levels of unemployment and the collapse of the small business sector; and if he will ensure that taxpayers will not be forced to pay for same through higher taxes after the pandemic has passed. [16757/21]

Driver Test

Mattie McGrath

307. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Transport when driver theory test services will resume; the reason theory test offices cannot continue to operate at reduced capacity; the number of theory tests that have been cancelled with level 5 restrictions; the efforts that will be made to clear the backlog being created as a result of full cancellation of theory tests; when further theory test categories will be made available online; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17459/21]

Vehicle Registration Tax

Mattie McGrath

384. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Finance the VRT payable on a vehicle (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17261/21]

Departmental Schemes

Mattie McGrath

472. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if renovation grants are available to restore properties in rural areas. [16688/21]

Passport Data

Mattie McGrath

534. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs when the Passport Office will resume full services; the efforts that will be made to reduce the backlog of applications waiting to be processed; the number of passports being processed weekly since 1 January 2021; the number of passports waiting to be processed; the reason the Passport Office cannot continue to operate to process passport applications which are a right of each citizen; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17458/21]

Apprenticeship Programmes

Mattie McGrath

763. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the reason SOLAS has changed the policy for apprentice electricians who are now required to resit their course for a further period until the end of May or June 2021 having already sat their block for weeks online; the reason SOLAS is now requiring them to sit a further block having done this block online; the reason SOLAS has prevented them from sitting their exams online which were due to be held in mid-March 2021; if he will review this policy to ensure that these apprentices are not being held back or delayed as a result of having sat their course online; if these apprentices will be allowed sit their exams online without delay; if other immediate arrangements will be made to allow them to sit their exams to allow them return on-site without delay (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17405/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Mattie McGrath

969. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health the reason prescriptions are again required to be collected weekly, after being changed to monthly collections at the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic. [16689/21]

Mental Health Services

Mattie McGrath

1135. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health the status of the mental health crisis house in Clonmel, County Tipperary, which was due to go to tender in quarter 1 of 2021; when the tender process is expected to be completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17333/21]

Hospital Waiting Lists

Mattie McGrath

1136. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health the number of persons waiting for colonoscopies in all public hospitals; the length of time waiting in each hospital; if a record is being kept or will be kept of the number of bowel cancer and other serious illnesses picked up following the resumption of colonoscopies; if such figures will be released; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17334/21]

HSE Staff

Mattie McGrath

1420. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health the number of persons employed on the MyOptions helpline; the process by which persons were recruited; the qualifications needed to work on the helpline; and the body and or group which provides the training. [14163/21]

HSE Staff

Mattie McGrath

1421. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health the number of pregnant women the MyOptions helpline engaged with via webchat in 2019 and 2020; and the number that subsequently opted for an abortion following their webchat contact. [14164/21]

Abortion Services

Mattie McGrath

1422. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health the number of abortions that took place in 2019 after 20 weeks gestation under the Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Act 2018. [14165/21]

Motor Tax

Mattie McGrath

18. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Transport the options available to persons to avoid penalties and arrear payments in the event they are unable to afford their motor tax at the time of renewal (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13718/21]

National Broadband Plan

Mattie McGrath

142. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the outcome of his meeting with National Broadband Ireland to discuss the acceleration of the national broadband plan; and if the roll-out will be accelerated. [13341/21]

Arts Funding

Mattie McGrath

330. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the number of applications for funding received by the Arts Council in 2020; the number of those applications that were approved for funding; the number of those applications that were rejected for funding; and the details of same. [12502/21]

Garda Stations

Mattie McGrath

717. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Justice the progress made on the new Clonmel Garda station at Kickham Barracks; when the contract will be awarded; and the commencement date for same. [13038/21]

Third Level Fees

Mattie McGrath

419. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Education her views on whether it is justifiable for students in a college (details supplied) who must attend an immersive Gaeltacht course in compliance with the Teaching Council requirements to be charged €650 per fortnight for a course that is a fully online experience, the cost of which pre Covid-19 pandemic was €750 per fortnight and included accommodation, food, all language lessons and activities. [11253/21]

Community Employment Schemes

Mattie McGrath

543. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will consider increasing the materials grant provided to community employment schemes (details supplied). [11439/21]

Health Screening Programmes

Mattie McGrath

940. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health the date the breast screening programme will resume. [11870/21]

National Treasury Management Agency

Mattie McGrath

53. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Finance the current amount invested in the National Treasury Management Agency prize bonds; and the percentage of this amount that was invested in each of the years from 1957 to date. [10849/21]

National Treasury Management Agency

Mattie McGrath

54. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Finance the breakdown of the €4,715,350 prize money paid out in 2020 on behalf of the National Treasury Management Agency to winning prize bonds purchased between 1957 and 2011, inclusive in monetary and percentage format in each of the years in question. [10850/21]

Credit Unions

Mattie McGrath

220. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Finance if he has engaged with the Central Bank regarding its decision to advise credit unions not to pay a dividend or give members a rebate on their loan interest. [10451/21]