Parliamentary questions

Oideachas trí Ghaeilge

Éamon Ó Cuív

536. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Oideachais an bhfuil i gceist aici siollabais nua Ghaeilge a thabhairt isteach don Ardteist nó an bhfuil i gceist aici ábhair éagsúla a dhéanamh de theanga na Gaeilge agus de litríocht na Gaeilge; má tá athruithe i gceist, céard atá á mholadh agus an mbeidh deis ag scoláirí clárú le dhá shiollabas nó dhá ábhar Gaeilge a leanúint ag an am céanna agus grádanna dá réir a fháil san Ardteist; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [13219/21]

Work Permits

Éamon Ó Cuív

719. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Justice if she has plans to decrease the processing times in respect of atypical work permits especially for persons classed as essential workers; if her attention has been drawn to the fact that the delay in processing of such permits is having a negative impact on industries such as the fishing industry as essential workers are being lost to other jurisdictions due to more favourable processing times of employment permits in those jurisdictions; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13166/21]

Audiology Services

Éamon Ó Cuív

770. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health the timeframe for the waiting list for an audiology appointment at present in the CHO2 region, Galway; and the measures being taken to reduce the waiting times. [12627/21]

Vaccination Programme

Éamon Ó Cuív

827. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will receive the Covid-19 vaccine in view of the high risk of getting the virus in the hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12846/21]

Mental Health Policy

Éamon Ó Cuív

931. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health the priority being afforded to mental health services; the extra funding made available to his Department for mental health services in 2021 compared to 2020; the extra resources that will be needed over the next five years to implement the sharing the vision mental health policy fully; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13302/21]

Ambulance Service

Éamon Ó Cuív

935. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health the steps being taken to improve the ambulance service in Connemara, particularly in the more remote areas of west and north Connemara; the effect of the improvements to date on the waiting times for ambulances, particularly in acute cases; if it is planned to locate a new base in a central location in Connemara (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13315/21]

Brexit Issues

Éamon Ó Cuív

1031. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the amount of the animal and plant safety documentation involved in the new UK to Ireland animal and plant health checks that is handled electronically arising from the EU-UK Free Trade Agreement; the amount handled by way of the presentation or use of paper documentation; if paper documentation is used, when is it planned to migrate to an electronic system of plant and animal health safety controls and check; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13215/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Éamon Ó Cuív

217. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Finance the discussion his Department has had with the Central Bank in respect of reintroducing a bank moratorium similar to that of 2020 for businesses (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11869/21]

Cúrsaí Gaeilge

Éamon Ó Cuív

416. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Oideachais cé na socraithe atá á ndéanamh maidir le hábhar-oidí atá ag baint cáilíocht amach le bheith ina n-oidí bunscoile i mbliana lena chinntiú go bhfreastalóidh siad ar chúrsaí Gaeilge sa Ghaeltacht nuair a bheidh sé sábháilte é sin a dhéanamh, chomh maith le cúrsa ar líne, sular dtabharfar aitheantas buan dóibh mar oidí bunscoile; an mbeidh a Roinn sásta íoc as na cúrsaí seo; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [11220/21]

School Funding

Éamon Ó Cuív

450. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Education her plans with regard to paying a supplementary grant for emergency works at a school (details supplied) in view of the fact that the extra costs related to unforeseeable events and works due to Covid-19 and the need to have the school ready for reopening for September 2020; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11515/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Éamon Ó Cuív

916. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health the regulations in relation to quarantine in place when visiting here from a country (details supplied); if he plans to amend these regulations in view of the vaccine roll-out in the country in question for those persons who have proof of vaccination in their home country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11782/21]

Vaccination Programme

Éamon Ó Cuív

935. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health the priority in order of vaccination that will be given to dentists in view of the fact that as front-line health workers they are working in patient's mouths that are uncovered and open while producing aerosols; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11836/21]

Fishing Industry

Éamon Ó Cuív

1089. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if boats (details supplied) have been put forward by his Department to the EU Commission for authorisation by the UK authorities for fishing rights in the zero to six nautical mile region off the Northern Ireland coasts; the dates these were forwarded; when a decision is expected on this application; the reason for the delay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11837/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Éamon Ó Cuív

1100. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development her plans to introduce a special package of supports for island businesses affected by the Covid-19 pandemic, particularly in the hospitality and tourism sectors given the unique challenges of running a business on the islands (details supplied); if not, if she has had discussions with other relevant Ministers to request that they would do so in view of her responsibility for island policy; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11858/21]

National Broadband Plan

Éamon Ó Cuív

13. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the reason an address (details supplied) was not included in the roll-out of the national broadband plan given other providers are refusing to provide high speed over 30 Mbps at the address; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10828/21]

National Broadband Plan

Éamon Ó Cuív

14. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of premises passed by National Broadband Ireland to date as part of the State-funded roll-out of high speed broadband; the number surveyed to date; the number of premises contracted to be passed in 2021 as part of this roll-out of broadband; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10829/21]

National Broadband Plan

Éamon Ó Cuív

15. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the obligations in the contract with the National Broadband Plan provider to provide forward information on when premises will be surveyed and then passed with fibre as part of the roll-out of fibre in rural Ireland; if he is satisfied that the winning bidder is fulfilling these commitments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10831/21]

National Broadband Plan

Éamon Ó Cuív

17. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the reason an address (details supplied) was not included in the roll-out of the national broadband plan given other providers are refusing to provide high speed over 30 Mbps broadband at this address; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10835/21]

National Broadband Plan

Éamon Ó Cuív

18. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the reason an address (details supplied) was not included in the roll-out of the national broadband plan given other providers are refusing to provide high speed broadband over 30 Mbps at this address; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10836/21]

Tax Code

Éamon Ó Cuív

49. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Finance if boats sent for repair to the island of Great Britain, in which substantial work is carried out on them, are liable for tariffs and VAT on return to Ireland; if so, if they are the relevant rate and method of assessment for same; the details of the ongoing discussions to sort out such issues; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10801/21]

Customs and Excise

Éamon Ó Cuív

51. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Finance the percentage of containers and heavy goods vehicles, HGVs, arriving into Ireland from the United Kingdom in February 2021 that had their paperwork in order and were allowed through the green channel; the percentage that went through the orange channel and the red channel; the percentage that were physically inspected; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10838/21]

Urban Regeneration and Development Fund

Éamon Ó Cuív

131. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the steps that will be taken to ensure that before projects are approved under the urban regeneration and development fund, URDF, that all preparatory work is completed up to going to tender including land acquisition, planning permission, other statutory approvals, matching finance and so on in order that they will be ready to go to tender and start construction in the shortest time possible; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10775/21]

Clár Oiliúna Tosaigh Múinteoirí

Éamon Ó Cuív

171. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Oideachais cén fáth a bhfuil táille €650 ar chúrsa coicíse Gaeilge do mhic léinn atá ag déanamh an chúrsa ar a dtugtar an Mháistreacht Ghairmiúil san Oideachas (Bunscoil) (PMEP) nuair nach raibh ach €750 ar an gcúrsa céanna nuair is cúrsa conaitheach Gaeltachta a bhí ann; an bhfuil i gceist athbhreithniú a dhéanamh air seo; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [10806/21]

Free Travel Scheme

Éamon Ó Cuív

184. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Social Protection if she plans to extend the right to free travel to all persons with epilepsy who are precluded from holding a driver licence; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10808/21]

Student Universal Support Ireland

Éamon Ó Cuív

213. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science when it is planned to commence and to conclude the review of the SUSI higher education grants; if consideration will be given to include the course for graduate entry medicine as a course eligible for the full undergraduate grant in view of the fact that this is an entry point to medicine for many persons and operates on the basis that applicants already have a primary degree; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10803/21]

Legislative Programme

Éamon Ó Cuív

229. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Justice when a Bill (details supplied) will be published in view of the fact that there has been a legal international obligation on Ireland for nearly ten years to transpose this into Irish law; the reason for the delay with this matter; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10837/21]

Vaccination Programme

Éamon Ó Cuív

302. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health if it is planned to recruit dentists as part of the Covid-19 vaccine teams in view of their qualifications and their experience and particularly to allow for the more rapid roll-out of the vaccine in rural areas; if so, when they will be recruited and mobilised; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10802/21]

Alcohol Pricing

Éamon Ó Cuív

303. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health if he plans to commission a study on the possible effect the introduction of a minimum price for alcohol in this jurisdiction would have on cross-Border trade, given that no decision has been made by the Northern Ireland authorities to introduce a similar measure and the fact that the law providing this was passed by the Houses of the Oireachtas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10804/21]

Hospital Admissions

Éamon Ó Cuív

318. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will receive an admission date to St. Patrick's Hospital, Dublin, following a referral from their general practitioner; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10870/21]

Fisheries Protection

Éamon Ó Cuív

364. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason Irish-registered vessels are not allowed to fish in Irish waters for bluefin tuna when non-EU-registered boats are fishing for this species just outside Irish waters; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10797/21]

Brexit Negotiations

Éamon Ó Cuív

365. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason the Hague preferences were not invoked as part of the Brexit discussions and fishery arrangements to ensure Irish access to stocks did not fall below the agreed limits; if it could be still invoked; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10798/21]

Brexit Negotiations

Éamon Ó Cuív

366. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason the principle of relative stability was not invoked as part of the Brexit fishing arrangement to ensure that each country’s slice of fishing quota remains proportional, which clearly did not happen in the arrangement agreed; if it is too late to invoke it now; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10799/21]

Departmental Staff

Éamon Ó Cuív

367. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if it is planned to strengthen the staffing numbers in the marine sector of his Department by the appointment of new and extra senior staff in order to prepare fully and diligently to protect Ireland’s maritime interests during the forthcoming renegotiations of the Common Fisheries Policy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10800/21]

Harbours and Piers

Éamon Ó Cuív

369. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his Department has a multi-annual programme for the development of the fishery harbours owned by his Department; the location in which details of this programme are published; the amount allocated to the programme in the current national development plan; if it is planned to review the programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10827/21]

Customs and Excise

Éamon Ó Cuív

370. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the percentage of HGVs and containers arriving into Ireland from the United Kingdom that had the relevant phytosanitary paperwork done correctly; the percentage delayed due to faulty phytosanitary paperwork; the percentage that were inspected physically; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10839/21]

Public Consultation Process

Éamon Ó Cuív

377. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development when it is planned to publish the outcome of the public consultation on the Control of Dogs Act 1986 pertaining to dog breeds; the reason for the delay in doing same; when it is planned to make recommendations as a result of this consultation exercise; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10807/21]

Air Pollution

Éamon Ó Cuív

73. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the sources of fine particulate matter in the atmosphere over Ireland by volume or weight between commercial transport, private transport, commercial burning of solid fuels, private burning of solid fuels, commercial use of other fossil fuels and private use of other fossil fuels, aviation and other categories; the steps he plans to take to reduce this matter in the atmosphere; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10540/21]

Air Pollution

Éamon Ó Cuív

74. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the areas most affected by fine particulate matter in the atmosphere; the main sources of this matter in those areas; the steps he plans to take to reduce this pollution; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10541/21]

Air Pollution

Éamon Ó Cuív

75. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the relative amount of fine particulate matter emitted into the atmosphere by heavy goods vehicle, HGV, transport as compared to diesel rail goods transport; the assessment his Department has carried out as to the amount this matter could be reduced by switching as much HGV long-distance transport as is practicable onto rail services; the economic and health dividend that would follow by moving towards Ireland's targets for the reduction such matter in the atmosphere; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10542/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Éamon Ó Cuív

257. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if applicants who have already applied to the coach tourism business continuity scheme will be able to apply for the business continuity scheme phase 2; if they will be eligible to get paid under both schemes; if not, if they will be allowed to pick the scheme which is financially most beneficial to them; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9579/21]

Urban Regeneration and Development Fund

Éamon Ó Cuív

340. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of projects sanctioned in round 1 of the urban regeneration and development fund roll-out; the value of same; the number of projects that have not commenced construction yet; the funding paid to date in respect of these projects; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10497/21]

Urban Regeneration and Development Fund

Éamon Ó Cuív

341. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the estimated allocation of funding for the urban regeneration and development fund; the amount of this that was expended; the amount carried forward to 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10498/21]

Urban Regeneration and Development Fund

Éamon Ó Cuív

342. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the allocation of funding in the 2021 estimates, including the carry-over from 2020 for the urban regeneration and development fund; the amount spent to date in 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10499/21]

Urban Regeneration and Development Fund

Éamon Ó Cuív

343. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of projects sanctioned under round 1 of the urban regeneration and development fund; the number of these that were local authority infrastructural projects; the number that were community led projects; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10500/21]

State Pensions

Éamon Ó Cuív

554. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of persons in receipt of the State pension, non-contributory, and the State pension, contributory, respectively, in each of the years 1990, 2000, 2010 and 2020; the amount spent on each of these schemes in the relevant years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9384/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment

Éamon Ó Cuív

564. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Social Protection if she plans to change the rules relating to the pandemic unemployment payment by allowing recipients to continue to receive this payment while partaking in a one-year full-time education course to widen their skills level; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9588/21]

Primary Care Centres

Éamon Ó Cuív

899. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health when funding will be allocated for the health centre in Inis Meáin, Aran Islands, County Galway given the dilapidated state of the health centre including the storeroom; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9922/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Éamon Ó Cuív

1052. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the amount paid out to shell fish aqua farmers in 2020 to support them through the Covid-19 crisis; the number of successful applicants for these support schemes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9581/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Éamon Ó Cuív

1053. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of applications received for the Covid-19 support scheme for shell fish farmers in 2020; the number of successful applicants; the main reasons applications were rejected for this scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9582/21]

Fishing Industry

Éamon Ó Cuív

1054. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the engagement he has had with shellfish fishermen or their representatives in the past few months in relation to the collapse in shell fish prices due to Covid-19; the issues raised by them in these discussions; the actions he plans to take to support this important indigenous industry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9583/21]