Parliamentary questions

Covid-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

561. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she had made or will make representations to the Minister for Social Protection to alert the Department to the potential damage that the recategorisation of pandemic unemployment payment recipients in the music and entertainment sectors as jobseeker's payments and the cutting of their supports will have on the sector; if she was consulted on the proposed cuts and changes; and the measures she plans to take to mitigate this damage. [40716/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

562. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if the potential for workers in the music and entertainment sector who receive a few days' work through the live performance support scheme being expected or required to give up their only guaranteed stable support of the pandemic unemployment payment, if the funds they receive through the live performance support scheme results in them earning more than the allowed €960 over an eight week period was factored into the design of the live performance support scheme; if she has raised this with the Minister for Social Protection; and the measures she plans to take to stop workers in the sector from being discouraged from taking up opportunities under the live performance support scheme as a result. [40718/21]

National Orchestras

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

563. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if the heads of the proposed Bill to transfer ownership of the National Symphony Orchestra from RTÉ to the National Concert Hall have been agreed; when these will be published; and the timeframe in which the Bill is expected to undergo pre-legislative scrutiny and be brought forward to the Houses of the Oireachtas. [40722/21]

Departmental Communications

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

564. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if a ministerial brief was produced to provide a high-level introduction to her Department and a selection of the issues that can be expected to require ministerial attention, providing information on an overview of the Department, agencies under the Department, issues and engagements, departmental priorities, sectoral issues and priorities and the structure, key roles and responsibilities of individuals in management within her Department, as was produced for other Departments following the formation of the Government in 2020; and if so, when such a brief will be published. [40723/21]

Coimisiún Logainmneacha

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

565. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh den Aire Turasóireachta, Cultúir, Ealaíon, Gaeltachta, Spóirt agus Meán cén dáta a rinneadh an barántas faoinar bunaíodh an Coimisiún Logainmneacha a chúlghairm, an soláthróidh sí cóip den ordú cúlghairme seo, agus an bhfoilseoidh sí an t-ordú seo don phobal. [40724/21]

Caiteachas Gaeilge agus Gaeltachta

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

566. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh den Aire Turasóireachta, Cultúir, Ealaíon, Gaeltachta, Spóirt agus Meán cé mhéad a caitheadh ar dheontais do choláistí cónaithe agus do bhrúnna a bhaineann le coláistí samhraidh Gaeltachta gach bliain le cúig bliana anuas, agus go ndéanfaidh sí idirdhealú idir an maoiniú seo agus an maoiniú a cuireadh ar fáil do mhná agus d’fhir tí faoi Scéim na bhFoghlaimeoirí Gaeilge sa tréimhse chéanna. [40725/21]

Caiteachas Gaeilge agus Gaeltachta

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

567. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh den Aire Turasóireachta, Cultúir, Ealaíon, Gaeltachta, Spóirt agus Meán cén fo-theideal sna meastacháin faoina dtagann an maoiniú a cuireadh ar fáil le haghaidh scoláireachtaí Gaeltachta do dhaltaí i scoileanna DEIS, faoina dtagann an maoiniú a cuireadh ar fáil le haghaidh Scéim na bhFoghlaimeoirí Gaeilge, faoina dtagann deontais a cuireadh ar fáil do mhná agus d’fhir tí, agus faoina dtagann deontais a cuireadh ar fáil do choláistí cónaithe agus do bhrúnna. [40726/21]

Caiteachas Gaeilge agus Gaeltachta

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

568. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh den Aire Turasóireachta, Cultúir, Ealaíon, Gaeltachta, Spóirt agus Meán cad é méid an chaiteachais a leithroinneadh chun ionaid pobail Gaeilge agus Cultúrlanna a bhunú agus a reáchtáil sa stát, cé mhéad ionad atá bunaithe agus atá le bunú, cé mhéad Cultúrlann atá bunaithe agus atá le bunú, agus an ndéanfaidh sí miondealú a ar an maoiniú atá tugtha do gach ionad nó Cultúrlann le cúig bliana anuas. [40727/21]

Caiteachas Gaeilge agus Gaeltachta

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

569. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh den Aire Turasóireachta, Cultúir, Ealaíon, Gaeltachta, Spóirt agus Meán miondealú a dhéanamh ar na nithe ar ar caitheadh an maoiniú €16,363 a fógraíodh le haghaidh comhoibriú thuaidh-theas sna meastacháin athbhreithnithe. [40728/21]

Caiteachas Gaeilge agus Gaeltachta

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

570. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh den Aire Turasóireachta, Cultúir, Ealaíon, Gaeltachta, Spóirt agus Meán cad é méid an chaiteachais a leithroinneadhle haghaidh líonraí gnó Gaeilge sa stát, agus an ndéanfaidh sí miondealú de réir líonra nó eagraíochta, lena n-áirítear Gaillimh le Gaeilge, Gael-Taca, Gnó Mhaigh Eo, agus Cill Dara le Gaeilge. [40729/21]

Social Welfare Benefits

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

571. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the reason for the decision to change to use of the term working age payment in the Pathways to Work 2021-2025 Strategy to describe that which had previously been described as a universal basic income pilot scheme for artists; the way this will affect other welfare payments; if this change means that the proposal plans to revive previous attempts to introduce a single working age payment as was put forward by former Ministers for Social Protection as part of austerity measures to replace other welfare supports and encourage the transition to work as described in the Pathways to Work document; and if the statement in the Pathways to Work Strategy that a person in employment will always receive more than they would if reliant on welfare alone under the proposal means that it is no longer intended for the basic income to involve providing the same unconditional payment regardless of means or income to artists, as had been previously suggested. [40731/21]

Flood Risk Management

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

657. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the details of the back-up system for Dublin drainage in the event the pumping station in Ringsend failing or being overloaded in view of recent flooding in Germany, Belgium and Luxembourg; if his attention has been drawn to plans to upgrade or improve existing flooding drainage contingencies; and the funding which has been applied for such works in past ten years by the Dublin authorities or Irish Water. [39731/21]

Legislative Programme

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

734. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if the heads of the proposed national monuments and archaeological heritage Bill have been agreed; when they will be published; the timeframe in which the Bill is expected to undergo pre-legislative scrutiny and be brought forward to the Houses of the Oireachtas. [40721/21]

School Funding

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

1079. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Education when a reimbursement payment from her Department will be received by a school (details supplied) for removing trees which cost over €7,000; when the payment will be made; and the cause of the delay. [41317/21]

School Accommodation

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

1080. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Education if her attention has been drawn to the fact that some classes in a school (details supplied) are prefabs which are not fit for purpose and which cost tens of thousands of euro annually to rent; and the reason for the delay in replacing them and in the interim having them repaired. [41318/21]

School Accommodation

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

1081. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Education the amount her Department contributes annually to the renting of prefabs for a school (details supplied); and the length of the rental agreement. [41319/21]

Educational Disadvantage

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

1082. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Education if a review of the DEIS grading system and the payments scheme associated with identified schools which have needs far and above the threshold for DEIS 1 or 2, which would require specific and more targeted funding to help address deeply ingrained underlying educational issues will be undertaken; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41320/21]

Schools Building Projects

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

1083. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Education the reason for the delay in having the new build project for a school (details supplied); the timetable of works for same; and when the school community and the wider community will receive a new school building as promised. [41321/21]

Schools Building Projects

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

1084. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Education if her attention has been drawn to matters in relation to a school (details supplied); the interventions that can be made to assist the school address minor and major maintenance problems as it awaits the commencement and completion of the planned new-build and will she comment on the issue. [41322/21]

Schools Building Projects

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

1085. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Education the reason the new build for a school (details supplied) has been delayed; if the school is to frontload the ASD unit which was included in the full new build programme; and if her attention has been drawn to the fact that by separating the ASD unit out, the full-build and ASD unit build project are both being delayed. [41323/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

1151. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Social Protection her views on whether it is fair to cut from September 2021 onwards the only financial support for workers in the music and entertainment sector who remain without a roadmap, date or plan for getting back to work and whose work is prohibited because of Government restrictions; and if she will reconsider reducing their only source of income the pandemic unemployment payment by €100 per person in the lead up to Christmas. [40713/21]

Social Welfare Eligibility

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

1152. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Social Protection her views on the fairness and legality of her plans to transition workers in the music and entertainment industry from September 2021 from being pandemic unemployment payment recipients to jobseeker’s, despite them having jobs already that they are not allowed to do due to Government restrictions; if these workers will be targeted by job activation schemes once jobseeker's; if this change in status will mean music and entertainment workers will be required to seek employment outside of that sector and leave those jobs in order to receive basic income supports; and the research that has been conducted into the devastating harm this move could have on Ireland’s music and entertainment sector in the medium and long- term. [40714/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

1153. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Social Protection if an exemption will be made to the planned pandemic unemployment payment cuts for sectors such as the music and entertainment sector that remain under restrictions to the point that their workers cannot work. [40715/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

1154. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Social Protection if workers in the music and entertainment sector fortunate enough to receive a few days' work through the live performance support scheme will be expected or required to give up their only guaranteed support of the pandemic unemployment payment if the funds they receive through the scheme results in them earning more than the allowed €960 over an eight week period. [40717/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

1155. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Social Protection the basis on which her Department requires workers who receive funding under the live performance support scheme to come off the pandemic unemployment payment if the scheme brings them above the threshold of €960 over an eight week period, despite other Government supports such as the small business assistance scheme for Covid-19, music and entertainment business assistance scheme and Covid recovery support scheme not affecting a person’s eligibility for the pandemic unemployment payment; if it is not the longstanding Government practice to view business expenses over an annual period rather than in eight week period instalments; and her views on whether self-employed workers in the music and entertainment sector in particular are unfairly disadvantaged and discouraged from accepting live performance support scheme funding due to this eight week rule. [40719/21]

Social Welfare Payments

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

1184. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason school secretaries are awaiting payment three-weeks after the closure of primary schools; the reason for the delay; and if she will ensure school secretaries that they will receive their full and due payment during the weeks that schools are closed for summer holidays in 2021. [41324/21]

Home Help Service

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

1569. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Health the assistance that can be given to a person (details supplied); and if night-time care will be allocated to them given the circumstances. [34339/21]

Care of the Elderly

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

1570. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will receive an appointment with the geriatric nurse. [34340/21]

Medicinal Products

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

1911. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Health the reason the promised speedy inquiry into epilim sodium valproate which was announced in November 2021 has not commenced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35839/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

320. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Health the cost to date to the HSE of the Covid-19 tracker application; the daily numbers checking in their Covid-19 status; the number of close contacts identified as a result of the app in the past five months; his views on whether its usefulness is undermined at this stage given the very limited numbers routinely checking in their status or leaving their tracker on continuously to aid identification of close contacts; if a case has been made to end the service or to encourage the public through a publicity drive to re-engage with application given the dangers of the Indian strain of Covid-19; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30802/21]

Medicinal Products

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

363. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Health when a decision will be made on allowing the drug zolgensma to be used in the treatment for spinal muscular atrophy type 1; and if he will address the matter given that it only pertains to one child (details supplied). [31109/21]

Vaccination Programme

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

429. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Health if he will address a matter regarding the case of a person (details supplied) in cohort 7 receiving a Covid-19 vaccine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31512/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

313. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the process by which applicants for the music and entertainment business assistance scheme can appeal a rejection of their application; if her attention has been drawn to situations in which an appeal found that an application should not have been rejected but asked the applicant to recommence their application from the start once again rather than granting them the funding they had been incorrectly denied; and her views on the fairness or unfairness of such an appeals process to musicians and entertainers who have been waiting for funding for months. [37977/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

314. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media further to Parliamentary Question No. 59 of 22 June 2021 and a letter from this Deputy on 26 June 2021, when she will provide the minutes of the meetings of and research considered by the Return to Live Events Working Group. [37978/21]

Departmental Meetings

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

315. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she will provide the minutes of the meeting held between her Department and representatives of the events industry on 2 September 2020; if the application process for the live performance support scheme was discussed at this meeting; if those in attendance were given the opportunity to shape the application process; and the steps taken to ensure those in attendance were not given an added advantage in seeking and obtaining funding under the scheme compared to others not at the meeting. [37979/21]

Caiteachas Gaeilge agus Gaeltachta

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

316. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh den Aire Turasóireachta, Cultúir, Ealaíon, Gaeltachta, Spóirt agus Meán cén dáta a thug a Roinn comhairle do choláistí samhraidh gan éarlaisí a ghlacadh don bhliain 2021; cén fáth gur thug sí comhairle gan éarlaisí a ghlacadh in ainneoin go raibh a Roinn den tuairim go reáchtálfaí na coláistí i mbliana suas go dtí an 7 Bealtaine 2021; an raibh a Roinn ag iarraidh go bhfanfadh coláistí go dtí an samhradh chun éarlaisí a ghlacadh don samhradh sin; ar thug a Roinn aon treoir faoi conas déileáil leis na héarlaisí a glacadh sular thug sí an chomhairle gan iad a ghlacadh; agus an bhfuil comhairle ag a Roinn do choláistí samhraidh faoi éarlaisí a ghlacadh don bhliain 2022. [37981/21]

Oideachas Tríú Leibhéal

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

425. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh den Aire Oideachais cé a thug an bhreith pointí bónais don Lár-Oifig Iontrála a thabhairt do dhaltaí a dhéanann an mhatamaitic ag Ard-Leibhéal don Ardteistiméireacht; cén chomhairle nó taighde ar bunaíodh an bhreith sin, agus ar thug an Chomhairle Náisiúnta Curaclaim agus Measúnachta comhairle i leith na breithe sin; agus cén taighde atá déanta ar na himpleachtaí a bhí ag an mbreith sin. [37980/21]

Cúrsaí Gaeilge

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

35. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh den Aire Breisoideachais agus Ardoideachais, Taighde, Nuálaíochta agus Eolaíochta cén fáth nach bhfuil ról an Údaráis um Ard-Oideachas i leith athchóiriú na Gaeilge mar theanga náisiúnta sonraithe in alt 4 den Acht Údarás um Ard-Oideachas, 1971, luaite sa scéim ghinearálta don Bhille nua Údarás um Ard-Oideachais; an bhfuil sé i gceist aige fáil réidh leis an dualgas reachtúil seo atá ag an Údarás um Ard-Oideachais, agus má tá, cén fáth. [36778/21]

Comhfhreagras Rannach

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

65. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh den Aire Breisoideachais agus Ardoideachais, Taighde, Nuálaíochta agus Eolaíochta an aontaíonn sé go bhfuil dualgas aige comhfhreagras trí Ghaeilge a fhreagairt as Gaeilge, de réir Acht na dTeangacha Oifigiúla 2003, cén fáth nár chomhlíonaigh sé an dualgas sin sa bhfreagra a thug sé ar mo cheist parlaiminte uimhir 407 den 29 Meitheamh 2021, agus an bhfuil sé dáiríre faoi dualgais reachtúil i leith na Gaeilge in ainneoin go bhfuil sé ag baint an dualgas i leith na Gaeilge ón Údarás um Ard-Oideachas sa Bhille nua molta don eagras sin, de réir an Scéim Ghinearálta. [36780/21]

An Teanga Gaeilge

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

105. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh den Aire Breisoideachais agus Ardoideachais, Taighde, Nuálaíochta agus Eolaíochta an bhfuil plé déanta aige riamh leis an Údaráis um Ard-Oideachas mar gheall ar an dualgas atá acu faoi alt 4 den Acht Údarás um Ard-Oideachais, 1971, i leith athchóiriú na Gaeilge mar theanga náisiúnta; an bhfuil sé den tuairim go bhfuil an dualgas sin á chomhlíonadh acu; agus an bhfuil polasaí aige chun an dualgas sin a threisiú agus a chinntiú. [36779/21]

Mental Health Services

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

140. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Health the reason a person (details supplied) has been refused a referral to CAMHS in Cherry Orchard. [30449/21]

Cultural Property Inventory

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

214. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media further to Parliamentary Question No. 109 of 23 June 2021, if a list will be provided of each arrangement in place regarding the ownership and copyright of items of national cultural importance held in the national collections and by third-level institutions and private bodies in the State (details supplied) in tabular form.; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36462/21]

Cultural Property Inventory

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

215. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media further to Parliamentary Question No. 109 of 23 June 2021, the details of the arrangement in place regarding ownership and copyright in the meaning of the arrangements referred to in her response specific to the Book of Kells; when this arrangement was entered into by Government; and the authority under which it was made. [36463/21]

Cultural Property Inventory

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

216. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media further to Parliamentary Question No. 109 of 23 June 2021, the details of the process and bodies involved in deciding that an item is of national cultural importance and in entering and agreeing an arrangement regarding the ownership and copyright of items of national cultural importance held in the national collections and by third-level institutions and private bodies in the State, as referred to in her response. [36464/21]

Citizenship Applications

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

461. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Justice the progress to date in the determination of a citizenship application by a person (details supplied); when the application will be concluded; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36483/21]

Local Drugs Task Forces

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

476. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the serious increase in the use of nitrous oxide in a location (details supplied); the actions he will take to combat the use of nitrous oxide; the funding that will be made available to tackle the causes and consequences of nitrous oxide; if he will work with local groups and agencies including the local drugs and alcohol task forces, An Garda Síochána, youth services and schools; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29614/21]

Health Services

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

540. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Health the reason for the long delay for an elderly person (details supplied) to have their request for their named chiropodist changed. [29909/21]

Oideachas trí Ghaeilge

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

27. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh den Aire Oideachais cad iad na céimeanna a ghlacfaidh sí chun a chinntiú go mbeidh go leor múinteoirí nua-cháilithe ann a mbeidh Gaeilge den chaighdeán is gá acu chun gur féidir leo freastal ar riachtanais bhunscoileanna an Stáit. [35286/21]

Scoileanna Gaeilge agus Gaeltachta

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

42. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh den Aire Oideachais cén uair a chomhlíonfaidh sí an gealltanas a tugadh do scoileanna Uíbh Ráthach go mbronnfar stádas eisceachtúil orthu mar chosaint in aghaidh a ndúnta agus deis a thabhairt don cheantar Gaeltachta seo chun fáis agus teaghlaigh a bhfuil páistí óga acu a mhealladh chuig an gceantar. [35285/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

378. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Health if the classification of services into categories of essential and non-essential work is still being implemented as the restrictions are eased from level 5; the legal basis for such classification, and the place that the categories of what work counts as essential and non-essential can be found. [28529/21]