Parliamentary questions

School Catchment Areas

Cian O'Callaghan

512. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Education if her attention has been drawn to the fact that a school (details supplied) is not listed as a feeder school for secondary schools in the Howth Deanery area; the steps being taken to address this; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10426/21]

School Catchment Areas

Cian O'Callaghan

513. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Education the steps she is taking to increase the number of secondary school places in school catchment areas (details supplied) in order to deal with the unprecedented length of waiting lists for secondary school places across the areas; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10427/21]

Third Level Examinations

Cian O'Callaghan

691. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will request SOLAS to provide clear information to phase 6 electrical students in TUD, Tallaght, on their upcoming exams; if these exams will take place online as opposed to in-house in view of the amount of learning time missed and lack of ability to conduct practical aspects of the course material; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10314/21]

Crime Data

Cian O'Callaghan

741. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Justice the number of convictions in the courts from 2010, by year in tabular form for possession of a knife or other weapons; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10303/21]

Sentencing Policy

Cian O'Callaghan

742. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Justice the legislation in relation to sentencing for knife crimes and which policies around knife crimes are under review by her Department; the frequency of the issues reviewed; the details of this review; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10304/21]

Youth Justice Strategy

Cian O'Callaghan

743. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Justice when the new youth justice strategy will be implemented; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10306/21]

Stardust Fire

Cian O'Callaghan

748. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Justice if she will meet and engage with the legal representatives of the families who lost loved ones in the Stardust tragedy to ensure that there are no further delays in starting the Stardust inquest; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10568/21]

Disabilities Assessments

Cian O'Callaghan

867. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Health the number of children under 18 years of age waiting for a first assessment for speech and language therapy up to 24 February or the latest date available by local health office, LHO; the number waiting less than four months, between four and 12 months, and more than 12 months, respectively, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9832/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Cian O'Callaghan

996. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Health if students from other countries who are studying here will be able to travel home at the end of the academic year and not have to face Covid-19-related fines on international travel; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10309/21]

Legislative Measures

Cian O'Callaghan

35. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if a commitment to reduce polluting emissions by an average of 7% a year and by 51% in total by 2030 and a commitment to ban the importation of fracked gas and ban liquefied natural gas, LNG, terminals in Ireland will be included in the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development (Amendment) Bill 2020 in line with the recommendations of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9184/21]

Government Communications

Cian O'Callaghan

36. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the steps that have been taken regarding the Review of International Practices in Government Communications June 2019 (details supplied); if any of the recommendations of the report have been implemented; the further steps that will be taken; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9186/21]

Social and Affordable Housing

Cian O'Callaghan

96. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Finance the position of the Central Bank on the proposed shared equity loan scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9190/21]

Human Rights

Cian O'Callaghan

139. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs his views on and response to the ongoing farmer protests in New Delhi, India; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9185/21]

International Criminal Court

Cian O'Callaghan

140. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs his views on and response to the decision by the International Criminal Court in the Hague which confirmed that it has jurisdiction over the occupied Palestine; the actions he has taken on foot of this decision; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9188/21]

Middle East

Cian O'Callaghan

141. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs his views on and response to the eviction of Palestinian families from their homes in the Sheikh Jarrah and Silwan neighbourhoods of east Jerusalem; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9189/21]

Aviation Industry

Cian O'Callaghan

76. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Transport if airline staff who are resident in Ireland but working in the UK for UK or US airlines can use the valid annex 3 certificate in accordance with the communication from the European Commission on green lanes when travelling between the UK and Ireland and internally in both jurisdictions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7985/21]

Consular Services

Cian O'Callaghan

325. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the steps he is taking to ensure an Irish citizen (details supplied) returns home given they are banned from exiting China despite there being no charges against them; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9187/21]

Special Educational Needs

Cian O'Callaghan

399. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Education if an additional special needs class will be provided for a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8234/21]

Social Welfare Benefits

Cian O'Callaghan

475. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will address a matter raised in correspondence in relation to a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7995/21]

Early Childhood Care and Education

Cian O'Callaghan

523. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if a child who is over the eligibility age for the early childhood care and education scheme but cannot get a place in a local primary school reclaim the missed months over the past year due to the Covid-19 pandemic for the coming year; his plans to address children in these circumstances; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8200/21]

Vaccination Programme

Cian O'Callaghan

810. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Health if community halls and other suitable larger venues will be used for Covid-19 vaccination to ensure better compliance with social distancing and ventilation requirements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8461/21]

Ireland Strategic Investment Fund

Cian O'Callaghan

67. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Finance if consideration is being given to the impact of housing affordability when the Ireland Strategic Investment Fund decides to invest in residential property; if analysis on the impact on residential property prices is being carried out; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7574/21]

Ireland Strategic Investment Fund

Cian O'Callaghan

68. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Finance if the Ireland Strategic Investment Fund retains ownership when it invests in residential properties through third-party investment companies that sign long-term leases with State agencies, local authorities or approved housing bodies for properties at the end of the long-term lease; if a value-for-money analysis is being undertaken of these financing arrangements for providing social or affordable housing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7575/21]

Social and Affordable Housing

Cian O'Callaghan

109. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the average cost to councils for social housing; the range by the lowest to the highest amount spent by each council on social housing in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7642/21]

Redundancy Payments

Cian O'Callaghan

36. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if the rule to stop employees claiming redundancy during the emergency period will be extended past 31 March 2021; if persons who have lost their jobs will be able to claim redundancy for the period of 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7346/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Cian O'Callaghan

233. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Finance the reason some self-employed travel agents are being refused support under the Covid restrictions support scheme for not having a walk-in service, even though other travel businesses that do not operate walk-in services are availing of the scheme; if he will extend the scheme to include non-client facing travel agents; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7343/21]

EU Directives

Cian O'Callaghan

245. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if Directive (EU) 2019/1937 of 23 October 2019 on the protection of persons who report breaches of EU legislation will be debated and ratified by the Houses of the Oireachtas; if so, when same will take place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6824/21]

Legislative Measures

Cian O'Callaghan

254. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform when the Arterial Drainage Act 1945 was last reviewed; the impacts the provision of the Act are having on the biodiversity of river systems; if the Act will be reformed to meet the challenges of the climate crisis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7336/21]

Coastal Protection

Cian O'Callaghan

290. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of times the national coastal change management strategy steering group has met since its first meeting was held in late August, early September 2020; the exact dates of each meeting; the list of attendees for each meeting; the bodies or agencies they represent; the items discussed at each meeting; the decisions made; the target date for the group to deliver its initial findings to him; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6453/21]

Homelessness Strategy

Cian O'Callaghan

296. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will publish the terms of reference for a review commissioned by the Dublin Region Homeless Executive and the HSE into recent deaths in homeless services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6525/21]

Homelessness Strategy

Cian O'Callaghan

332. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if the terms of reference of the detailed review of recent deaths in homeless services being under taken on behalf of the DRHE and the HSE include an examination of whether or not support plans were in place for persons who died; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7074/21]

Homelessness Strategy

Cian O'Callaghan

333. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will consider introducing a protocol in order that a review is carried out each time a homeless person dies similar to the adult safeguarding reviews carried out in the UK which include engagement with all the services that supported the person; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7075/21]

Local Authority Housing

Cian O'Callaghan

342. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if local authority council housing tenants are permitted to make complaints to the Residential Tenancies Board given that social housing tenants of approved housing bodies are permitted; if not, if he will consider amending the relevant legislation to permit council tenants to take complaints to the RTB; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7334/21]

Housing Assistance Payment

Cian O'Callaghan

343. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if his attention has been drawn to the increased waiting times to access homeless HAP; the steps taken to reduce these waiting times; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7337/21]

Housing Assistance Payment

Cian O'Callaghan

344. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the current waiting times for access to homeless HAP; the way in which these waiting times compare to 2018, 2019 and 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7338/21]

Housing Data

Cian O'Callaghan

345. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the per-person cost of Housing First; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7339/21]

Local Authority Staff

Cian O'Callaghan

347. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if recently retired and resigned local authority planning officials are subject to a cooling-off period after they retire or resign before they can go out on their own as private sector planners; if so, the length of the cooling-off period; if there is an enforcement mechanism in circumstances in which there is a suspected breach; if so, the body which holds the enforcement powers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7367/21]

Natura 2000

Cian O'Callaghan

348. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if consideration will be given to providing public information signage at appropriate locations for a European Natura 2000 site (details supplied) to ensure better public understanding of the site and the reasons for its designation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7368/21]

Covid-19 Tests

Cian O'Callaghan

359. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if personnel and passengers on a plane (details supplied) that stayed overnight in Ireland were tested on entering the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6423/21]

Covid-19 Tests

Cian O'Callaghan

360. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the number of personnel and passengers that were on board a plane (details supplied); if they were carrying weaponry and ammunition; if the aircraft was inspected by members of An Garda Síochána; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6424/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Cian O'Callaghan

361. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the steps Ireland is taking to work with international colleagues in the UK and EU and on the UN Security Council to support the call by the WHO for the distribution of the Covid-19 vaccine globally to include persons living in areas of socioeconomic disadvantage; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6452/21]

Departmental Data

Cian O'Callaghan

378. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs when his Department will publish updated figures for Ireland's 2019 climate finance contributions as required under the Paris Climate Agreement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7335/21]

Foreign Conflicts

Cian O'Callaghan

379. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the aid Ireland has provided to the Tigray region of Ethiopia in recent weeks; if he has raised the humanitarian crisis in the region with international partners or at the UN; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7341/21]

Defence Forces Deployment

Cian O'Callaghan

389. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Defence the number of Army Ranger Wing personnel deployed with the German armed forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7340/21]

DEIS Scheme

Cian O'Callaghan

410. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Education if her Department will carry out a review of a school (details supplied) to ascertain if DEIS status can be given to the school; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6538/21]

State Examinations

Cian O'Callaghan

465. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Education if her attention has been drawn to the joint statement by associations (details supplied); if she will engage with both organisations in order to hear the concerns of all parents and ensure that they are represented on all advisory groups in relation to post-primary education, particularly in relation to the leaving certificate; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7234/21]

Childcare Services

Cian O'Callaghan

559. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the extent to which crèches can operate in February 2020; the persons who can avail of the services; if his Department is providing the funding in order that fees can be waived for parents; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7076/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Cian O'Callaghan

29. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Transport if he will take measures similar to those taken in other countries such as New Zealand and the UK to provide additional support and funding for airlines and their staff who are struggling during the Covid-19 pandemic; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6111/21]

International Protection

Cian O'Callaghan

183. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Justice the number of persons she disputed in official proceedings undertaken by her Department in 2020; the criteria used to determine if a person is LGBTQ+; if this is in compliance with international best practice and human rights law; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6154/21]

Long-Term Illness Scheme

Cian O'Callaghan

211. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Health if he will review the long-term illness list to include long-term metabolic conditions such as severe asthma, arthritis, endometriosis and classical homocystinuria; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6129/21]