Parliamentary questions

Rental Sector

Paul McAuliffe

277. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the progress to date in examining the creation of a system of holding rental deposits informed by international experience as outlined in the Programme for Government. [41448/20]

Compulsory Purchase Orders

Paul McAuliffe

278. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the progress to date in reforming and consolidating compulsory purchase order laws as outlined in the Programme for Government. [41449/20]

Pupil-Teacher Ratio

Paul McAuliffe

356. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Education the required pupil teacher ratio for a junior co-educational school with nine teachers. [41873/20]

Schools Building Projects

Paul McAuliffe

366. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Education the progress to date in the tender and construction of a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42028/20]

Illness Benefit

Paul McAuliffe

407. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of an appeal by a person (details supplied) against the removal of their illness benefit payment. [41872/20]

General Practitioner Services

Paul McAuliffe

605. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Health his views on the lack of general practitioners taking on new patients in Santry, Dublin 9;and his plans for a primary healthcare centre in the area. [41319/20]

Community Employment Schemes

Paul McAuliffe

15. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Social Protection the progress made in providing community employment supervisors access to pensions in line with the 2008 Labour Court recommendation to provide access to an occupational pension scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39903/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Paul McAuliffe

58. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Social Protection if the enterprise support grant will be amended to enable self-employed persons who have signed back onto the pandemic unemployment payment and are still working on a reduced scale to qualify for the grant; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39902/20]

Equality Issues

Paul McAuliffe

109. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the progress in examining the introduction of a new ground of discrimination, based on socioeconomic disadvantaged status to the Employment Equality and Equal Status Acts as outlined in the Programme for Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40769/20]

Parental Leave

Paul McAuliffe

120. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the reason the extension to maternity leave is not being introduced until April 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40768/20]

Postal Services

Paul McAuliffe

165. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if a new Eircode will be expedited for a person (details supplied) [41020/20]

School Enrolments

Paul McAuliffe

87. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Education the latest demographic information used, including figures of projected population growth of school age children, to analyse the projected need for future schools in Meakstown, Dublin 11; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40061/20]

School Accommodation

Paul McAuliffe

90. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Education the progress on the stage 1 and 2a application for a school (details supplied), given the chronic shortage of second level school places for boys in the area for 2021; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40062/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Paul McAuliffe

122. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the packages of support available to taxi drivers to assist and support them during Covid-19; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39594/20]

Driver Test

Paul McAuliffe

168. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Transport if a minibus driver test will be expedited for a person (details supplied) which has a waiting list of six months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39595/20]

Bank Charges

Paul McAuliffe

225. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Finance his views on changes to bank charges at banks (details supplied); if his attention has been drawn to the fact that this may lead to substantial increases for some customers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40185/20]

Building Regulations

Paul McAuliffe

281. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if allegations raised regarding balcony defects in an estate (details supplied) in Dublin 24 will be examined; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39593/20]

Special Educational Needs Staff

Paul McAuliffe

380. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Education if she will review salaries of communication supports who are assigned to children in both primary and secondary school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39599/20]

Local Employment Service

Paul McAuliffe

483. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Social Protection the regions which will be prioritised for funding in relation to additional funding for new services in local employment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39937/20]

Local Employment Service

Paul McAuliffe

484. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Social Protection the timeframe for the establishment for the recently announced new local employment services; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39938/20]

Local Employment Service

Paul McAuliffe

485. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Social Protection the process for choosing the providers of the recently announced new local employment services. [39939/20]

Local Employment Service

Paul McAuliffe

486. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Social Protection if the four new additional local employment services to be established will have the same operational basis as the existing community-led local employment services providers across the country; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39940/20]

Youth Unemployment

Paul McAuliffe

492. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Social Protection the policy measures being taken by her Department to help young people secure employment particularly in areas of high unemployment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35105/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Paul McAuliffe

630. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Health if HSE staff in Kenmare Community Hospital and other locations in County Kerry who are dealing with Covid-19 cases will only be rostered to assist with these patients and will not be rostered to work on other wards or with other patients who have not contracted Covid-19, as per the guidelines of the HSE; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39587/20]

EU Issues

Paul McAuliffe

9. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs his views on Poland and Hungary blocking coronavirus recovery funding due to it being linked to the rule of law; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38266/20]

Israeli Settlements

Paul McAuliffe

21. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs his views on new illegal settlements on the West Bank; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38265/20]

Motor Insurance

Paul McAuliffe

120. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Finance his plans to implement the recommendations made in the report by the working group on reducing the cost of motor insurance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39117/20]

Mortgage Interest Rates

Paul McAuliffe

139. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Finance the steps he is taking to reduce mortgage interest rates; his views on whether interest rates being charged here are reasonable compared to the rest of Europe; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39118/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Paul McAuliffe

193. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Finance his plans for amendments to the spend and save scheme in view of the current level 3 status of the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29974/20]

Energy Data

Paul McAuliffe

31. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the amount of renewable energy in kWh and the corresponding retail value of this renewable energy that was dispatched down due to constraints and curtailment on the energy network in each of the past four years in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38941/20]

Special Educational Needs

Paul McAuliffe

97. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Education if the refusal by a school of an application for assistive technology by a student (details supplied) will be reviewed. [38940/20]

School Transport

Paul McAuliffe

114. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Education if the payment for the special transport grant for a person (details supplied) will be released in view of the fact it is overdue. [39031/20]

Schools Building Projects

Paul McAuliffe

117. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Education the status of the stage 1-2a application by a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39115/20]

Community Employment Schemes

Paul McAuliffe

143. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of vacancies in community employment schemes; her plans to fill these vacancies; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39112/20]

Community Employment Schemes

Paul McAuliffe

144. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason for the recent changes in community employment rules (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39113/20]

Proposed Legislation

Paul McAuliffe

179. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Justice her plans to introduce the Harassment, Harmful Communications and Related Offences Bill 2017 or similar legislation to deal with the issue of revenge porn; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39114/20]

Housing Policy

Paul McAuliffe

88. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his plans to introduce a social housing passport to allow households move from one local authority list to another; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38482/20]

Social and Affordable Housing

Paul McAuliffe

129. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his plans for a national affordable housing scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38481/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment

Paul McAuliffe

580. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding the payment of arrears to persons who are or were in receipt of the pandemic unemployment payment. [38559/20]

Garda Deployment

Paul McAuliffe

748. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Justice the staffing levels in Ballymun Garda station in each of the years 2006 to 2019 and to date in 2020, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38747/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Paul McAuliffe

856. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Health his plans for visitation in nursing homes and other residential settings; and if consideration has been given to procedures such as testing and PPE provision for nominated family members to be allowed to visit residents who are not Covid-19 positive in settings in which visits are currently banned. [38374/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Paul McAuliffe

863. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Health the quantity of ultra-freezers owned by the HSE and his Department; his plans to purchase further ultra-freezers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38415/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Paul McAuliffe

864. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Health his views on the recent Covid-19 vaccine announcements by companies (details supplied); his plans to purchase these vaccines when available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38416/20]

Sports Capital Programme

Paul McAuliffe

39. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media when the sports capital programme will be open for submissions; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37156/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Paul McAuliffe

71. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she is considering amendments to the sports section of the living with Covid plan for any future potential restrictions. [37155/20]

Defence Forces Personnel

Paul McAuliffe

80. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Defence his progress in supporting the establishment of centres for retired members of the Defence Forces as outlined in the programme for Government. [36735/20]

Defence Forces

Paul McAuliffe

83. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Defence the progress made regarding the establishment of a commission on the future of the Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36734/20]

Public Sector Pay

Paul McAuliffe

99. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his plans to negotiate a new public sector pay deal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36594/20]

National Development Plan

Paul McAuliffe

133. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his plans for a review of the national development plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36593/20]

Taxi Regulations

Paul McAuliffe

216. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Transport if he will examine the rules compelling taxi drivers to replace their cars after ten years in view of the crisis facing the sector due to Covid-19; and if so, if the rules in relation to same will be extended to 15 years which is currently in place for taxi drivers with a wheelchair accessible vehicle. [36441/20]

Greenways Provision

Paul McAuliffe

221. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Transport if any local authority from Dublin applied for greenway funding in 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36491/20]

Greenways Provision

Paul McAuliffe

222. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Transport the funding streams available to progress the Santry river greenway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36492/20]

Airport Policy

Paul McAuliffe

223. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Transport the amount of additional funding Dublin Airport has received to date in 2020, further to funding announced for airports in November 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36493/20]

Road Tolls

Paul McAuliffe

249. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Transport if his attention has been drawn to tolls for taxis on a motorway (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37082/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Paul McAuliffe

272. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Finance his plans for changes to the stay and spend scheme given the level 5 restrictions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36761/20]

Naturalisation Applications

Paul McAuliffe

654. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Justice the status of a naturalisation application by a person (details supplied). [36164/20]

General Practitioner Services

Paul McAuliffe

711. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact that general practitioners in Finglas, Dublin 11, are not accepting new medical card patients; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36260/20]

Vaccination Programme

Paul McAuliffe

712. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Health if there is a national shortage of the flu vaccine for adults; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36261/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Paul McAuliffe

713. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Health when the results of the SCOPI: COVID-19 antibody research study will be finalised and published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36262/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Paul McAuliffe

40. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Transport his views on whether public transport providers can cope with demand in the remaining weeks of level 5 restrictions at only 25% capacity; his plans to provide extra services on Dublin Bus or BusConnects routes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34823/20]

Light Rail Projects

Paul McAuliffe

46. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Transport the status of metro north; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35427/20]

Light Rail Projects

Paul McAuliffe

119. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Transport if he will consider bringing forward the construction of the Luas to Finglas route in the national development plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26667/20]

Energy Efficiency

Paul McAuliffe

138. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Environment, Climate and Communications the status of the national retrofitting scheme and the plan to designate a national retrofitting delivery body by the end of 2020 as outlined in the programme for Government. [35000/20]

Energy Efficiency

Paul McAuliffe

142. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Environment, Climate and Communications his plans for changes to the various SEAI schemes and grants available to private homeowners to make their homes more energy efficient.; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34999/20]

Cycle to Work Scheme

Paul McAuliffe

311. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Finance if consideration will be given to amending the bike to work scheme to allow more cohorts access the scheme, including the self-employed and retired persons; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34806/20]

Insurance Industry

Paul McAuliffe

312. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Finance the work done to date on insurance reform; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34807/20]

DEIS Scheme

Paul McAuliffe

440. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Education the way in which the planned €5 million investment in DEIS schools will be allocated; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34810/20]

Education Policy

Paul McAuliffe

441. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Education if consideration will be given to the lack of multi and non-denominational primary school places in Dublin 11; her plans in relation to the issue; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34811/20]

Departmental Meetings

Paul McAuliffe

442. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Education the number of discussions her officials have had with officials in Fingal County Council in 2018, 2019 and to date in 2020 regarding future educational needs in the Meakstown, Dublin 11; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34812/20]

School Patronage

Paul McAuliffe

443. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Education her plans for changes to the patronage competition system for new schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34813/20]

Supplementary Welfare Allowance

Paul McAuliffe

505. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Social Protection the amount paid out for the supplementary welfare allowance scheme in each of the years 2015 to 2019 in Intreo offices (details supplied). [34817/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment

Paul McAuliffe

520. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Social Protection when pandemic unemployment payment recipients who are due backdated payments will receive their payments; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35029/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment

Paul McAuliffe

524. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Social Protection if a pandemic unemployment payment will be expedited in the case of a person (details supplied). [35212/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Paul McAuliffe

689. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Health if pharmacy staff that were wearing masks and deemed a close contact of a positive Covid-19 case are classed as casual contacts and can continue to work. [34749/20]

Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme

Paul McAuliffe

26. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development her plans to increase SICAP funding for areas of disadvantage in Dublin. [34156/20]

Town and Village Renewal Scheme

Paul McAuliffe

45. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if towns or villages located within Dublin City Council can avail of the town and village renewal scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34157/20]

Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme

Paul McAuliffe

345. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the proposed budget for the social inclusion community activation programme in 2021; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34093/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Paul McAuliffe

107. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Health his plans for changes in legislation to ensure better enforcement and adherence to Covid-19 guidelines. [31134/20]

Drug and Alcohol Task Forces

Paul McAuliffe

139. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Health his plans to increase funding to local drugs and alcohol taskforces to support local projects; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33472/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Paul McAuliffe

350. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Transport his plans to legislate to make masks and face coverings compulsory for passengers in a taxi. [33573/20]

Schools Designation

Paul McAuliffe

715. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Education her plans to expand and prioritise the transfer of viable schools to community national schools, as outlined in the programme for Government. [32477/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Paul McAuliffe

716. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Education the number of schools that have closed again since schools reopened due to Covid-19 clusters; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32478/20]

School Staff

Paul McAuliffe

815. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Education her plans to improve pay and conditions for school secretaries and caretakers; when such improvements will be introduced; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33620/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment

Paul McAuliffe

929. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will address a matter in relation applications for the pandemic unemployment payment (details supplied). [33571/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Paul McAuliffe

1239. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Health his plans to increase contact tracing for Covid-19; and if he has considered asking volunteers to carry out the process. [32751/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Paul McAuliffe

1240. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Health if he will categorise teachers as front-line workers for the purpose of Covid-19 testing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32752/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Paul McAuliffe

1241. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Health if he will carry out a review of contact tracing in schools; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32753/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Paul McAuliffe

1247. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Health his plans for expert school public health teams to deal with outbreaks in a school setting. [32769/20]

Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services

Paul McAuliffe

1398. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Health the status of the most recent CAMHS waiting lists; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33448/20]

Dental Services

Paul McAuliffe

1399. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Health the number of persons waiting for orthodontic procedures in CHO9; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33449/20]

Legislative Programme

Paul McAuliffe

9. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Justice her plans to criminalise adults who groom children to commit crimes, as outlined in the programme for Government. [31241/20]

DEIS Scheme

Paul McAuliffe

108. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Education if vertical DEIS 1 schools will benefit from a reduction in the pupil teacher ratio announced in Budget 2021; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32252/20]

DEIS Scheme

Paul McAuliffe

109. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Education if junior DEIS 1 schools will benefit from a reduction in the pupil teacher ratio announced in Budget 2021; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32253/20]

Enterprise Support Services

Paul McAuliffe

119. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Social Protection the criteria that has changed in relation to the enterprise support grant of up to €1,000 for the self-employed following Budget 2021. [32114/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment

Paul McAuliffe

120. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Social Protection the date at which self-employed persons receiving the PUP payment can earn up to €480 will be operational. [32115/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment

Paul McAuliffe

121. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Social Protection if the pandemic unemployment payment of a person (details supplied) will be reviewed using their 2019 returns. [32118/20]

Social Welfare Eligibility

Paul McAuliffe

124. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Social Protection if the social welfare entitlements of a person (details supplied) will be reviewed [32187/20]

Better Energy Homes Scheme

Paul McAuliffe

26. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Environment, Climate and Communications if a person who has availed of the SEAI better energy warmer homes scheme can reapply; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31858/20]

Value Added Tax

Paul McAuliffe

54. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Finance the categories of business and industry that the reduced VAT rate of 9% will apply to from 1 November 2020. [31855/20]

National Childcare Scheme

Paul McAuliffe

35. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Children, Disability, Equality and Integration to outline his plans to help childcare providers overcome the challenges arising from the hive registration and applications for a childcare identifier code key system (details supplied). [25972/20]