Parliamentary questions

Treatment Benefit Scheme

Róisín Shortall

921. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the policy position on the optical benefit refund scheme; the reason the policy was amended given the hardship the change has created for families; and if he will consider reversing the policy. [38674/20]

Covid-19 Tests

Róisín Shortall

938. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the number of psychologists that have been reassigned to the Covid-19 testing and tracing response by CHO in tabular form; the impact this has had in respect of waiting lists; the timeline his Department is working towards to return all redeployed HSE staff to their original posts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38776/20]

Driver Licences

Róisín Shortall

246. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Social Protection if the requirement that a jobseeker must provide evidence of a job offer which requires a driving licence in order to qualify for the training grant of €250 for essential driver training will be reviewed in view of the difficulty to obtain any job offer which requires a driving licence without having already obtained a driving licence; if she will consider revising the requirement to show that the jobseeker is seriously applying for jobs which require a driving licence rather than evidence of a job offer; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37576/20]

Pensions Reform

Róisín Shortall

247. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Social Protection if representatives from an organisation (details supplied) will be on the newly established Pensions Commission; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37577/20]

Student Universal Support Ireland

Róisín Shortall

276. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of SUSI applications for the 2020-2021 academic year which have not yet been subject to a decision by SUSI; the measures that have been put in place to address the increased volume of applications relating to applicants’ financial change in circumstances as a result of Covid-19; if he plans to ensure that additional staff are recruited to the SUSI grants section to process applications and address backlogs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37574/20]

Student Support Schemes

Róisín Shortall

277. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the basis on which students who attend specialist training providers are not generally being facilitated under the mitigating educational disadvantage fund or the €15 million fund established to address the digital divide at further education and third level. [37582/20]

Cancer Services

Róisín Shortall

314. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the total funding to be allocated to cancer services in the HSE Winter Plan 2020-2021; the way in which the funding will be allocated within cancer services in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37575/20]

Proposed Legislation

Róisín Shortall

324. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health when the public health (tobacco and nicotine inhaling products) Bill will be published; the measures he plans to adopt on e-cigarettes in view of the Health Research Board review on e-cigarettes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37616/20]

Rail Network

Róisín Shortall

52. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Transport the number of freight trains that departed from Mayo bound for Waterford or Dublin in the 12-month period ending 30 September 2020. [37355/20]

Childcare Costs

Róisín Shortall

130. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if his attention has been drawn to concerns raised by community childcare providers on foot of a circular letter (details supplied); if his attention has been further drawn to the fact that many parents are struggling to pay the normal fee with the subsidy without having to pay the additional due to a child being unable to attend due to the Covid-19 pandemic; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37264/20]

Garda Deployment

Róisín Shortall

159. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Justice the number of gardaí allocated to each Garda station in the DMR by rank; the number in the community Garda service in each station in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37292/20]

Crime Data

Róisín Shortall

160. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Justice the number of stolen bikes seized by An Garda Síochána in 2019 and to date in 2020; the number that were returned to owners by An Garda Síochána in the same period; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37295/20]

Departmental Reports

Róisín Shortall

161. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Justice if a copy of the report will be provided which it is understood issued in February 2019 from a cross-agency meeting, comprising the Department of Transport, An Garda Síochána and the Office of the Attorney General and which aimed to identify specific solutions to deal with the misuse of scramblers and quad bikes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37297/20]

Medicinal Products

Róisín Shortall

189. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the status of the application for reimbursement of the drug Dupilumab to treat severe atopic eczema; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37265/20]

National Maternity Hospital

Róisín Shortall

192. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health if the lease of the site for the new National Maternity Hospital has been agreed with a group (details supplied); the status of negotiations on the lease; the duration of the lease; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37293/20]

National Maternity Hospital

Róisín Shortall

193. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 1139 of 3 November 2020, if the reply will be reconciled with the fact that the company (details supplied) will not retain the legal right to mortgage the hospital; the steps he will take to ensure that this provision in its constitution does not give it authority to mortgage any or all parts of the hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37294/20]

National Maternity Hospital

Róisín Shortall

194. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the timeline provided to transfer shares in a group (details supplied) to the HSE by a religious organisation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37296/20]

General Practitioner Services

Róisín Shortall

205. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the action his Department is taking to address the problem of poor general practitioner coverage in areas of disadvantage; his views on the adequacy of the current practice supports for premises in this regard: the progress in introducing salaried general practitioners as a means of addressing the issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37360/20]

Health Services

Róisín Shortall

206. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the current resource allocation system in use to ensure health resources are allocated fairly and in proportion to need; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37361/20]

Departmental Offices

Róisín Shortall

88. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform when the error on the part of the Office of Public Works, OPW, in calculating the rent for the Department of Health facility at Miesian Plaza was discovered; when the rental payment was revised; the reason for any gap between discovery and revision; the steps that will be taken to recoup the rent; the reason for delays in recouping the overpayment of €10 million; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37048/20]

Retail Sector

Róisín Shortall

164. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the steps being taken to counteract the dominance of a company (details supplied) to support the setting up of an Irish platform to which all retailers here could become members; if a working group will be set up with retailers to examine the matter; if initiatives such as those existing in other parts of Europe or internationally can be studied; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36573/20]

Driver Licences

Róisín Shortall

199. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Transport the position regarding a driver licence renewal for a person (details supplied) in Dublin 9; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36283/20]

Aviation Policy

Róisín Shortall

200. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Transport the status of implementation of each recommendation made by the aviation task force in its final report on 10 July 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36291/20]

Aviation Policy

Róisín Shortall

201. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Transport the status of the recommendation by the aviation task force to enable a liquidity initiative for the aviation sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36292/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Róisín Shortall

285. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Finance if the stay and spend scheme can be used to reclaim moneys spent at restaurants which normally operate an eat-in service but are temporarily operating takeaway only due to Covid-19 level 5 restrictions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37092/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Róisín Shortall

348. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she has received a report in relation to indoor sport during level 3 restrictions (details supplied); and when she will issue a response to the organisations involved. [37090/20]

Foreign Conflicts

Róisín Shortall

417. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the position regarding the Lekki massacre in Lagos, Nigeria in which members of the Nigerian armed forces opened fire on peaceful End SARS protestors; if his Department will condemn the actions of the officers involved; the other action or position that has been taken with regard to the special anti-robbery squad in Nigeria; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36925/20]

School Inspections

Róisín Shortall

474. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Education the number of visits to schools that have been undertaken by her Department’s inspectorate in each week since schools reopened by county for the purposes of working with and advising schools in implementing the return to work safety protocol for addressing Covid-19 in the workplace and public health advice; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36276/20]

School Accommodation

Róisín Shortall

517. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Education the reason an application under the schools capital appraisal scheme by a school (details supplied) in Dublin 11 has been refused; if the decision will be reviewed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36737/20]

School Accommodation

Róisín Shortall

528. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Education the reason an application under the schools capital appraisal scheme (details supplied) in Dublin 11 has been refused; if this decision can be reviewed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36838/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Róisín Shortall

570. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Social Protection if employees of a company (details supplied) that was prevented from claiming the temporary wage subsidy scheme alongside the short-time work support scheme will receive arrears for the period of time they were put on reduced hours prior to the introduction of the employment wage subsidy scheme on 1 September 2020; the timeline her Department is working toward to address all claims for arrears; the way in which an employee can request or appeal a decision on arrears; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36293/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment

Róisín Shortall

580. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding an application for Covid-19 pandemic unemployment payment by a person (details supplied) in Dublin 9; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36572/20]

HSE National Service Plan

Róisín Shortall

769. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health if the HSE has the ability to include a clause in its contracts with private companies to require a portion of the profits made as a direct result of HSE contracts to be reinvested in the services locally here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36681/20]

Healthcare Policy

Róisín Shortall

770. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the status of and position regarding the steps being taken to ensure the delivery of the 2018 trauma strategy for all fracture patients; the plans in place to increase the staffing of current fracture liaison services across the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36682/20]

Covid-19 Tests

Róisín Shortall

840. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the number of occupational therapists, speech and language therapists and psychologists who have been reassigned to the Covid-19 testing and tracing response by CHO in tabular form; the impact this has had on waiting lists for children waiting for assessments with occupational therapists, speech and language therapists and autism specialists; the timeline his Department is working towards to return all redeployed HSE staff to their original posts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36991/20]

Health Services Provision

Róisín Shortall

858. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health when the report and recommendations agreed by the national transgender healthcare steering committee will be published in view of the fact that it concluded its work in March 2020; when implementation will commence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37093/20]

Health Services Provision

Róisín Shortall

859. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health if steps can be taken to address the fact that in just one year the national gender service waiting list has gone from 15 months to more than three years; if immediate action will be taken to address the matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37094/20]

Schools Building Projects

Róisín Shortall

257. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Education the status of a school building (details supplied) in Dublin 9; the nature of the remedial works required; the body which will meet the cost of these works; when the building will be ready for occupation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36062/20]

Youth Services

Róisín Shortall

295. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if consideration will be given to the provision of a dedicated youth service for an area (details supplied) in County Dublin in view of the rapid population growth; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36066/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Róisín Shortall

354. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health if clarification and guidance will be provided on the continuing operation of beauty clinics offering Botox and other injectable treatments (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36078/20]

Mental Health Services

Róisín Shortall

355. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health if issues raised in the media (details supplied) regarding the new national forensic mental services hospital, Portrane, will receive a response; if an advice notice will be provided to local residents on possible disruptions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36080/20]

Road Safety

Róisín Shortall

57. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Transport if he will provide a web link to the Road Safety Strategy 2004-2006 as it does not seem to be available on his Department’s website; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35672/20]

School Enrolments

Róisín Shortall

126. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Education further to Parliamentary Question No. 753 of 3 November 2020, if her attention has been drawn to a school giving enrolment priority to residents of Dublin 15 despite having opened in response to demographic need in Scribblestown and Finglas west, County Dublin (details supplied); and if the matter will be addressed. [35543/20]

School Supervision and Substitution Scheme

Róisín Shortall

135. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Education the steps she is taking to put in place a greater number of second level substitute teachers for certain subjects for which there is a shortage of substitutes - for example, biology, maths, physics and home economics - in order that students currently in sixth year are not at a disadvantage when they take the leaving certificate in 2021; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35650/20]

Domiciliary Care Allowance

Róisín Shortall

157. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding a domiciliary care allowance application by a person (details supplied) in Dublin 9; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35673/20]

Primary Care Centres

Róisín Shortall

225. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the status and timeline for the delivery of a primary care centre in Finglas, Dublin 11, which was first promised over eight years ago; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35674/20]

Hospital Facilities

Róisín Shortall

237. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health if a record of meetings the HSE held on plans to build a private hospital in an area (details supplied), including dates and attendees, will be provided; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35729/20]

Hospital Facilities

Róisín Shortall

238. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health if there is a commitment, tacit or otherwise, to purchase services or use any element of the services at a proposed new facility (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35730/20]

Covid-19 Tests

Róisín Shortall

250. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Transport his plans to permit an exemption to the requirement for planning permission to facilitate the construction of a testing centre for Covid-19 at or in the vicinity of Dublin Airport which has been proposed to be managed by the Dublin Airport Authority, DAA; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35352/20]

Covid-19 Tests

Róisín Shortall

251. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Transport if his Department has considered establishing a Covid-19 test centre to facilitate pre-departure testing for airline passengers or testing upon arrival into the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35354/20]

Covid-19 Tests

Róisín Shortall

286. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Transport if his Department has given consideration to establishing a testing centre for Covid-19 which would be dedicated to pre-departure testing and/or testing upon arrival for airline passengers travelling in and out of the State; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35351/20]

Local Authority Housing

Róisín Shortall

394. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the powers available to local authorities to vet potential council housing tenants prior to offering them a council tenancy; the relevant legislation in place setting out the council’s powers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35429/20]

Disability Services Provision

Róisín Shortall

650. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health if he will respond to correspondence (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35350/20]

Alcohol Advertising

Róisín Shortall

704. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health if the designated authorised officers are adequately resourced and in a position to ensure the implementation of regulations and that those retailers failing to comply with the law will be sanctioned accordingly, in view of the extended two year period of transition on the implementation of section 22 of the Public Health Alcohol Act 2018 now closing on 11 November 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34828/20]

Covid-19 Tests

Róisín Shortall

764. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health if he will provide the evidence his Department has considered regarding the efficacy of pre-departure and arrival testing for overseas passengers travelling in and out of Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35353/20]

HSE Data

Róisín Shortall

765. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health if he will provide a list of HSE contracts awarded to a company (details supplied); the details of the contracts including cost, purpose, length of term and tender process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35355/20]

HSE Data

Róisín Shortall

766. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the number of contracts the HSE holds with third-party suppliers; the number of these that are with not-for-profit organisations; the number that are with for-profit companies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35356/20]

HSE Data

Róisín Shortall

767. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health if the HSE adheres to a code of conduct during the contract tendering process; and if he will provide a copy of the code of conduct if available. [35357/20]

HSE Data

Róisín Shortall

768. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health if organisations tendering for HSE contracts are awarded higher or lower points depending on whether they are for-profit or not-for-profit organisations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35358/20]

HSE Data

Róisín Shortall

769. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health if he will provide a record of all meetings between officials of the HSE and a company (details supplied) [35359/20]

Covid-19 Tests

Róisín Shortall

779. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the average turnaround time for contact tracing job applications; and if there is currently a time lag in responding to applications for this role. [35431/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Róisín Shortall

780. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health if the purchase of home furniture including bed frames and mattresses is classified as essential retail under the definition included in the list of essential services (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35432/20]

Greyhound Industry

Róisín Shortall

831. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the way in which funding for Rásíocht Con Éireann will be dependent on welfare standards; the welfare standards that will be used; the way in which the standards will be tracked and evaluated; the timeline that applies to the evaluation of standards for the purpose of funding certification; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35447/20]

Garda Stations

Róisín Shortall

107. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the position regarding construction works at a Garda station (details supplied) in County Dublin; the reason for the long delay in the completion of these works; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34509/20]

Human Rights

Róisín Shortall

139. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if his attention has been drawn to the case of a person (details supplied); if an investigation has been undertaken by his Department in relation to this matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34438/20]

Garda Stations

Róisín Shortall

195. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Justice if urgent consideration can be given to the provision of a Garda station for areas (detailed supplied) in County Dublin in view of the rapid population growth here; if immediate provision can be made for increased dedicated Garda resources for the areas; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34508/20]

Community Policing

Róisín Shortall

196. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Justice the position regarding a community policing unit in a Garda sub-district (details supplied) in County Dublin; the number of Garda members by rank in this community policing unit in each of the years 2016 to 2019 and to date in 2020; if this community policing unit is operational; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34510/20]

Health Screening Programmes

Róisín Shortall

320. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to concerns raised by those awaiting breast cancer screenings and checks in relation to increased waiting times; the steps he is taking to address these increased waiting times; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34439/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Róisín Shortall

329. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the value and nature of the contracts awarded to four companies (details supplied) in respect of the Covid-19 testing and tracing system; the procurement process used; and the controls in place to ensure value for money. [34489/20]

Health Services Staff

Róisín Shortall

83. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the number of public health doctors required and the number of these posts which will be at consultant level in respect of his undertaking to increase the numbers of public health staff; his plans in respect of the recruitment of additional public health nurses; his plans in respect of other public health staff; and the timeframe to which he is working for the filling of these posts. [33889/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Róisín Shortall

195. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if essential retail outlets that also sell non-essential goods must close those departments and sections of their store that would be deemed non-essential under level 5 restrictions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33211/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Róisín Shortall

328. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Transport if he will clarify the position regarding driver lessons during the Covid-19 emergency period level 5 restrictions; if persons including essential workers and family carers going for driver tests during the restrictions can go ahead and take their lessons; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33045/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Róisín Shortall

372. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Transport the number of passengers arriving into Ireland on a weekly basis from 5 October 2020, by country of departure including seaports and airports in tabular form. [33894/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Róisín Shortall

377. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Transport his plans for Covid-19 testing at ports and airports; and the timeframe to which he is working. [33916/20]

Disabled Drivers and Passengers Scheme

Róisín Shortall

389. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Finance the position in relation to the disabled drivers scheme and the VAT and VRT off the fuel for scheme recipients if a disabled driver purchases an electric car; if they will receive their VAT rebate if their car is powered on electricity; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33440/20]

Mortgage Lending

Róisín Shortall

439. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Finance the recent discussions between him, his officials and banks regarding the fact that mortgage applicants who are in receipt of the employment wage subsidy scheme are having their mortgage applications turned down; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33403/20]

Tax Reliefs

Róisín Shortall

451. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Finance if employees in relation to recent changes around tax relief for those working from home were able to claim the daily rate of €3.20 as a remote worker in which the employer was not paying this directly to them has ceased since the introduction of new regulations; if this is the case, if remote workers are eligible to apply for the daily rate of €3.20 from the time they became e-workers, home workers until at least the time that the regulations changed in October 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33926/20]

Tax Reliefs

Róisín Shortall

452. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Finance if his Department has carried out a cost benefit analysis on the changes in tax rebate policy for eworkers and home workers in relation to the rules in place from March to October 2020 and then from October going forward to ascertain whether this would result in a negative change for families’ financial positions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33927/20]

Planning Issues

Róisín Shortall

592. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage further to Parliamentary Question No. 331 of 6 October 2020, if he will reconsider granting an order to extend planning time periods in view of the introduction of level 5 restrictions nationwide. [32616/20]

Home Loan Scheme

Róisín Shortall

635. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the position on his Department’s instructions to local authorities regarding applicants for the Rebuilding Ireland home loan who are on the employment wage subsidy scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33404/20]

Tenant Purchase Scheme

Róisín Shortall

636. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the status of the tenant purchase scheme review; his plans to amend the scheme to allow tenants in homes classed as apartments and duplexes to avail of tenant purchase; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33439/20]

School Enrolments

Róisín Shortall

753. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Education if consideration will be given to the lack of educate together school places to serve families in the Finglas, Dublin 11 area; the steps she will take to address same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32861/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Róisín Shortall

803. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Education the reason her Department has issued advice to primary school principals instructing them that if a child must isolate on grounds of the Covid-19 emergency period public health advice and is continuing to do their school work at home, that they would no longer be marked present on the school’s roll book, but instead should be marked absent and that a note will be taken of the reason for the child’s absence; if her attention has been drawn to concerns raised by some parents that the recording of such absences on their child’s record may cause them to be automatically flagged with child protection services through no fault of their own; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33408/20]

Social Welfare Code

Róisín Shortall

876. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Social Protection if consideration will be given to reviewing the rules around maternity benefit in order that persons that have been on jobseeker’s benefit payment since before the beginning of the Covid-19 emergency period can have the same rules applied to them as applies to recipients of Covid-19 pandemic unemployment payment and the Covid-19 wage subsidy scheme, in that time spent on PUP and TWSS is treated as if such recipients are continuing to make insurance contributions at their normal social insurance class; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32835/20]

Disability Allowance

Róisín Shortall

928. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Social Protection when a disability claim which has been upheld on appeal by the social welfare appeals office (details supplied) will go into payment; the reason for the delay; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33441/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Róisín Shortall

1115. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the level of compliance in filling out the passenger locator form on a weekly basis from 5 October 2020; the number of forms which were correctly and incorrectly completed on a weekly basis; and the number of persons that refused to fill out the form on a weekly basis, in tabular form. [33892/20]

Hospital Groups

Róisín Shortall

1152. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the values of the document of a religious order have not been amended or replaced in the constitution for a company (details supplied) which was published after the company registered with the CRO in August 2020, despite a commitment by a person in 2017 that the 2010 code would be amended and replaced in the constitution of the successor company; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32433/20]

Hospital Groups

Róisín Shortall

1153. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the phrase voice for the voiceless which is a common citation for Catholic organisations when referencing abortion which is used in the constitution for a company (details supplied); if he has endeavoured to discuss this with the company with the view to having it removed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32434/20]

Hospital Groups

Róisín Shortall

1154. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health if he has sought an explicit, public and legally binding guarantee from a company (details supplied) that it will not deny procedures which are legal here based on religious beliefs or the ethical code of the hospitals under its ownership; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32435/20]

National Maternity Hospital

Róisín Shortall

1155. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health if a company (details supplied) will retain the legal right to mortgage any or all parts of the publicly funded National Maternity Hospital under the current ownership agreement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32436/20]

National Maternity Hospital

Róisín Shortall

1156. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health if, in view of Covid-19 and the grave need it has shown to retain public ownership of the health service, consideration will be given to ensuring the full public ownership of the new National Maternity Hospital by moving the site to Elm Park; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32437/20]

Health Services Staff

Róisín Shortall

1162. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health his plans to address staff recruitment issues in homecare provision; if he has engaged with an organisation (details supplied) on this matter; and if he will conduct a social care workforce capacity review. [32475/20]

Substance Misuse

Róisín Shortall

1336. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health when the emergency funding to offset the costs of delivering drug and alcohol services in the context of Covid-19, which was announced during the Dáil Éireann debate on the National Drugs Strategy on 10 September 2020 will be made available to drug and alcohol task force and to community drug projects; the level of emergency funding being made available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33212/20]

Mental Health Services

Róisín Shortall

1367. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the number of persons seeking mental health supports in Galway city to date in 2020; the way in which this compares to the previous five years; if there were notable increases during the initial Covid-19 emergency period lockdown from 13 March 2020 to 18 May 2020 in those seeking mental health services in Galway city; if there was a change over the summer months with more relaxed restrictions; if his Department and the HSE are planning for increased resources for mental health services in Galway city through the current stage of restrictions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33405/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Róisín Shortall

1368. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to differing implementation of the Health Protection Surveillance Centre’s Covid-19 guidance on visitations in long-term residential care facilities (details supplied); the way in which he plans to address varying adherence to the guidelines; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33406/20]

HSE Agency Staff

Róisín Shortall

1462. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the details of the contract of a person (details supplied); if they are employed directly by the HSE or by a third-party company; the cost to the HSE of their contract; if the HSE pays part of the cost of the contract to a third-party company; the details of their selection for their current post; if the position was tendered; the qualifications sought; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33890/20]

Covid-19 Tests

Róisín Shortall

1463. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the details of the selection of a company (details supplied) to conduct recruitment for the additional staff for swabbing and contact tracing; the reason for the selection of the company and qualifications sought; the cost of the contract with the company to run the recruitment process for swabbers and contact tracers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33891/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Róisín Shortall

1464. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the number of follow-up calls made to incoming passengers on a weekly basis from 5 October 2020; and the number of calls which were successfully answered on a weekly basis, in tabular form [33893/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Róisín Shortall

1465. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health if consideration has been given to the physical and mental health benefits of allowing gyms to remain open during the current Covid-19 restrictions; if he plans to review the measure; and the reason for closing gyms which could operate while enforcing social distancing and infection prevention and control guidance [33896/20]

Covid-19 Tests

Róisín Shortall

1467. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health if the sensitivity of the PCR test for Covid-19 used in Ireland differs from that used in other jurisdictions; if his Department has considered emerging evidence that a PCR test could identify trace amounts of the virus from a past infection whereby the person would no longer be infectious; the way in which his Department will address this in policy; the way in which the sensitivity of the PCR test compares to other types of tests; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33911/20]