Parliamentary questions

Parental Leave

Éamon Ó Cuív

447. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the amount of parental leave available to parents of children at the moment; if it is planned to increase the amount of parental leave granted to parents of children under 13 years of age to enable them to strike the correct work life balance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44329/20]

Third Level Staff

Éamon Ó Cuív

463. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if former members of the Defence Forces who are currently in receipt of a Defence Forces pension and working in the institutes of technology will be subject to abatement of their pensions if they receive a promotion after the formation of the technological universities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44358/20]

Prison Inspections

Éamon Ó Cuív

478. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Justice if she has received prison inspection reports from the Inspector of Prisons in 2020; if so, the prisons the reports related to; the month the report was received in each case; the planned timeline for publishing these reports; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44362/20]

Prison Staff

Éamon Ó Cuív

479. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Justice her plans to publish the reports received by her Department from prison chaplains in 2020; her plans to publish an annual report on such reports; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44363/20]

Disability Services Funding

Éamon Ó Cuív

576. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health when a grant application by an organisation (details supplied) will be decided; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44350/20]

Forestry Sector

Éamon Ó Cuív

635. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the progress made to date in resolving the issue on licensing timber felling and forestry roads, which is vital for the efficient working of timber mills here; the details of the increase of raw materials that have been licensed as a result during the past two months; the number of forestry roads that have been licensed; the further steps he plans taking on this matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44328/20]

Fisheries Protection

Éamon Ó Cuív

636. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the steps he is taking to ensure that pelagic mid-water pair trawling in boats of over 10 m is prohibited within 10 km of the coast in order to protect the inshore fishing fleet while allowing mid-sized boats that traditionally fished for species such as prawns and that do not have a capacity for fishing far offshore to continue fishing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44339/20]

Aquaculture Licences

Éamon Ó Cuív

637. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the average waiting time for decisions on aquaculture licensing appeals to the Aquaculture Licences Appeals Board; if he plans to provide additional staff to the board; his plans to amend legislation or take other steps to assist the board reducing the time delay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44351/20]

Departmental Bodies

Éamon Ó Cuív

638. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to digitise the records of the Land Commission and make them available to the public and to scholars electronically in view of the 100th anniversary of the Land Commission in 2023 and the historical importance of the documents; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44356/20]

Basic Payment Scheme

Éamon Ó Cuív

360. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if there was an overclaim assessed against a farmer (details supplied) in County Galway in either 2018, 2019 or 2020; if he will provides details of the overclaim assessed and the penalty applied; the amount of this that has been recouped to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43732/20]

Science Foundation Ireland

Éamon Ó Cuív

59. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the priorities of his Department in relation to scientific research funded by Science Foundation Ireland; the emphasis in this strategy on blue skies research; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41109/20]

Student Universal Support Ireland

Éamon Ó Cuív

121. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the increase in the income limits that have taken place in relation to the means testing of the SUSI grants since 2010; the increase in the average income during that period; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41110/20]

Student Universal Support Ireland

Éamon Ó Cuív

406. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the reason students are unable to claim the normal holiday allowance from SUSI when applying for the student grant scheme if they were in receipt of the pandemic unemployment payment during the Easter, summer and Christmas 2020 holiday periods , given it is a payment in lieu of working; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42978/20]

Garda Recruitment

Éamon Ó Cuív

71. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Justice when the last Garda recruitment campaign was held; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41111/20]

Cross-Border Health Initiatives

Éamon Ó Cuív

141. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health the arrangements in place to ensure that services now provided under the cross-border directive in Northern Ireland to persons living here will continue to be available for reimbursement here after 1 January 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41114/20]

Transport Infrastructure Provision

Éamon Ó Cuív

223. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Transport if local authorities can apply for funding out of the fund announced on 4 December 2020 of €50 million for investment in walking and cycling projects for areas outside of towns and villages in which an estimated 30% of the population live (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42727/20]

Local Authority Staff

Éamon Ó Cuív

270. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when the position of CEO will be advertised for Galway County Council in view of the length of time that has elapsed since the last CEO left the Council and an acting CEO was appointed (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42726/20]

Probate Applications

Éamon Ó Cuív

352. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Justice when a de bonis non grant for the estate of a person (details supplied) will issue from the Probate Office in order that the title on the property change be changed from leasehold to freehold; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42647/20]

Carer's Allowance

Éamon Ó Cuív

147. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Social Protection when a decision will be made on a carer's allowance review for a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42219/20]

Brexit Issues

Éamon Ó Cuív

64. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the input he has had into negotiations in relation to Brexit pertaining to the Common Fisheries Policy and the likelihood of concessions by the EU to the UK in relation to this matter; if there is an outcome that reduces the Irish fishing quota significantly, he will press for Ireland to be given a bigger share of EU remaining fishing quota in line with its share of remaining EU fishing waters and fish stock; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41609/20]

Trading Online Voucher Scheme

Éamon Ó Cuív

119. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications further to Parliamentary Question No. 161 of 26 November 2020, if the flexibility under the trading online voucher scheme regarding the offering of an extension to the four-month deadline for drawdown by the local enterprise offices also applies in the Gaeltacht to Údarás na Gaeltachta; if it is intended to make further funds available to Údarás na Gaeltachta for the approval of further applications under the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41926/20]

Sports Events

Éamon Ó Cuív

259. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the steps she plans to take to request that World Athletics give a derogation to Ireland from the political boundary rule of 1934 in order to ensure that athletes from Northern Ireland could compete in European Championships and World Championships for either Ireland or the UK which would be in line with the spirit of the Good Friday Agreement and in turn bring World Athletics in line with the International Olympic Committee that recognises Ireland as the island of Ireland for the Olympic Games. [41889/20]

Renewable Energy Generation

Éamon Ó Cuív

297. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when it is planned to provide planning permission exemptions for the installation of solar photovoltaic rooftop panels on community school and community buildings as well as amending the regulations pertaining to same on houses and businesses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42098/20]

Passport Applications

Éamon Ó Cuív

308. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the reason for the delay at present in posting passports that were applied for online from the time they are printed; the action he plans taking to ensure online passports are posted the same day or the day after they are printed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41888/20]

School Staff

Éamon Ó Cuív

358. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Education if she will consider for the school year 2021-2022 allocating nine posts under the small schools allocation in view of the fact that there are nine small secondary schools under the aegis of the GRETB in counties Galway and Roscommon and only four full-time extra equivalent teachers are given to the GRETB particularly as there are three island schools and six Gaeltacht schools included in these schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41927/20]

Seirbhísí trí Ghaeilge

Éamon Ó Cuív

529. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Dlí agus Cirt cad iad na céimeanna atá á nglacadh aici le cinntiú go mbeidh Gaeilge ag na breithiúna ar fad a cheapfar le freastal ar na Cúirteanna Dúiche agus na Cúirteanna Cuarda sna ceantair ar fad a bhfuil Gaeltacht iontu, mar atá leagtha amach san Acht Cúirteanna Breithiúnais, 1924; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [42053/20]

Hospital Appointments Status

Éamon Ó Cuív

627. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will be issued with an appointment in the haemochromatosis clinic in Galway University Hospital; the reason for the cancellation of the previous scheduled appointment; when a further appointment will issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41420/20]

Health Services Staff

Éamon Ó Cuív

773. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health when full pay restoration will take place for all section 39 workers in the health service as per the agreement reached at the Workplace Relations Commission; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42057/20]

Seirbhísí Farantóireachta

Éamon Ó Cuív

874. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Forbartha Tuaithe agus Pobail céard iad na céimeanna atá á nglacadh ag a Roinn lena chinntiú go bhfuiltear ag cloí leis na rialacha maidir le hachar sóisialta ar na báid farantóireachta ar fad atá faoi chonradh ag a Roinn le seirbhísí farantóireachta a chur ar fáil chuig na hoileáin amach ón gcósta; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [41938/20]

Seirbhísí Farantóireachta

Éamon Ó Cuív

875. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Forbartha Tuaithe agus Pobail cén líon páisinéirí atá ceadaithe ar an mbád faoin gconradh atá idir a Roinn agus cuideachta (sonraí tugtha), ag cur achar sóisialta san áireamh, don tseirbhís idir Ros a’Mhíl agus na hOiléain Árann; an gcuirfear an dara bád ar fáil mar a bhíodh ag freastal ar na trí oileán má tá éileamh uirthi sna laethanta atá amach romhainn; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [41939/20]

Mother and Baby Homes Inquiries

Éamon Ó Cuív

112. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth when the report into the mother and baby homes is expected to published; the preparations being made for the report in terms of support for victims and the provision of information under GDPR to persons affected; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40788/20]

Mother and Baby Homes Inquiries

Éamon Ó Cuív

117. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the progress made in the past month in relation to making information available from the evidence collected in the preparation of the mother and baby homes report to persons seeking to find out about their children that were in the homes or children born in the homes trying to trace their parents; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40787/20]

Light Rail Projects

Éamon Ó Cuív

187. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Transport if his Department has commissioned a study on the feasibility of a light rail system for Galway city; if so, when it is expected this report will be available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40963/20]

Schools Site Acquisitions

Éamon Ó Cuív

231. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Education the progress made to date in providing permanent accommodation for a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40978/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Éamon Ó Cuív

363. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health the reason ballet, Irish dance and other dance classes are not going to be permitted under the new level 3 lockdown being introduced; if there is epidemiological evidence available to support this decision in order to protect society from Covid-19, particularly in circumstances in which children under 15 years of age are attending such classes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40964/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment

Éamon Ó Cuív

48. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Finance if the tax year income from the pandemic unemployment payment paid since March 2020 to 31 December 2020 will be assessed for income tax purposes for persons who make self-employed tax returns based on an accounting year from 1 April to 31 March each year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40704/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Éamon Ó Cuív

49. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Finance if tax losses made in the tax year 2021 due to the Covid-19 pandemic will be able to be offset against profits for the tax year 2020 for persons whose tax returns are based on an accounting year from 1 April to 31 March each year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40705/20]

Brexit Issues

Éamon Ó Cuív

50. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Finance if qualifying goods as referred to in section 64 of the Withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union (Consequential Provisions) Bill 2020 includes all purchases for export being made by a qualified person while on vacation in the State or the purchases in one premises or shop for the purposes of the €75 minimum expenditure provided for in the Bill; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40708/20]

State Pension (Contributory)

Éamon Ó Cuív

90. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Social Protection if she plans to amend the process by which joint savings are assessed as part of the means assessment for dependent adults of recipients of the State pension (contributory); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40762/20]

Jobseeker's Benefit

Éamon Ó Cuív

91. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason there are different rules pertaining to the assessment of a spouse’s means from employment and from an occupational pension for a claimant for jobseeker’s benefit; her plans to review same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40763/20]

Student Grant Scheme

Éamon Ó Cuív

113. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if income from the pandemic unemployment payment is assessible for the purposes of means assessment for SUSI grants in 2020 in which a student seeks a review of their application based on change of circumstances; if the student grant scheme regulations provides for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40706/20]

Cross-Border Health Initiatives

Éamon Ó Cuív

173. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health the arrangements being made to ensure Irish citizens will still be able to get reimbursed for qualifying medical treatment provided to them in Northern Ireland, after Brexit, given that the cross-Border EU directive will not apply; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40709/20]

Road Projects

Éamon Ó Cuív

178. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Transport if his Department has received a submission from Galway County Council in relation to the bridges and causeways to the islands area of south Connemara that connect the mainland at Béal an Daingin to the islands of Eanach Mheáin, Leitir Móir, Garumna and Leitir Meallain; the options being considered to improve access into the islands area; the process that would be involved in order to consider and approve a project or projects to replace one or more of the causeways and bridges into the islands; the criteria that would be used to evaluate a project or projects such as this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39905/20]

Mother and Baby Homes Inquiries

Éamon Ó Cuív

538. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the progress made in the past month in relation to making information available from the evidence collected in the preparation of the mother and baby home report to persons seeking to find out about their children who were in the homes or children born in the homes trying to trace their parents; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40444/20]

Mother and Baby Homes Inquiries

Éamon Ó Cuív

539. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth when the report into the mother and baby homes is expected to be published; the preparations being made for this in terms of support for victims and the provision of information under GDPR to persons affected; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40445/20]

Medical Cards

Éamon Ó Cuív

641. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health if the client registration unit will accept a late review request on a medical card application by a person (details supplied) due to difficulties in gathering supporting documentation as a result of the exceptional circumstances surrounding Covid-19; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39639/20]

Audiology Services

Éamon Ó Cuív

715. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health the length of the waiting list for audiology appointments at present in the community healthcare organisation 2, CHO 2, region, Galway; and the measures being taken to reduce the waiting times. [40052/20]

Health Services Funding

Éamon Ó Cuív

716. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health if additional funding will be provided to persons on waiting lists for residential care placements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40103/20]

Arms Trade

Éamon Ó Cuív

15. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if there has been discussion at the European council of foreign ministers in relation to controlling the multibillion euro EU arms industry and ensuring that EU manufacturers of armaments are only being used according to EU-wide guidelines; the position Ireland adopted in such discussions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38363/20]

Revenue Commissioners

Éamon Ó Cuív

122. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Finance if all individual taxpayers will be able to make manual submissions to the Revenue Commissioners of their tax returns rather than online at least until universal high-speed broadband is available throughout Ireland under the national broadband plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38362/20]