Parliamentary questions

Coast Guard Service

Darren O'Rourke

45. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport the position regarding the suspension by the Irish Coast Guard of cliff rescue teams; the reason for this; when this will be resolved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17792/21]

Driver Licences

Darren O'Rourke

276. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport if a person (details supplied) who has lived in Ireland since the age of four in 1972 and has held an Irish driver licence since 1998, can renew their driver licence without proof of residency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16729/21]

Aviation Policy

Darren O'Rourke

306. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport if he has engaged with a company (details supplied) and Cork Airport regarding protecting jobs and existing routes from Cork Airport; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17456/21]

Vaccination Programme

Darren O'Rourke

179. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Health if consideration has been given to the prioritisation of heart failure patients for access to the Covid-19 vaccine in view of information (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16068/21]

Aviation Industry

Darren O'Rourke

42. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport the way in which he plans to support the aviation sector in light of the necessary public health restrictions and the devastating impact of Covid-19 on the sector; if he plans to establish a new survival and recovery taskforce to plan and prepare to sustain and recover this important industry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15577/21]

Driver Test

Darren O'Rourke

44. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport the actions he is taking to address the backlog in driver tests, theory tests and driving lessons; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15578/21]

Climate Change Policy

Darren O'Rourke

46. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport the new measures he plans to introduce to reduce the 20.3% contribution of the transport sector to Ireland’s total greenhouse gas emissions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15579/21]

Rail Network

Darren O'Rourke

65. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport his plans to expand the passenger and freight rail network here, including the Navan rail line and the western rail corridor, given 2021 is the European Year of Rail; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15576/21]

Public Transport

Darren O'Rourke

68. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport the status of the Connecting Ireland plan for the reform of public transport services nationwide; the way in which he plans to restructure rural transport services to meet the needs of communities while also reducing carbon emissions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15574/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Darren O'Rourke

83. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport the temporary financial and regulatory reforms that have been put in place to support private bus operators that continue to have limited or no business due to Covid-19; the extent of their drawdown to date; the date on which they are expected to conclude; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15573/21]

Brexit Issues

Darren O'Rourke

110. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport if he has met with freight representative organisations on the delays and challenges importers and exporters continue to face at ports here due to Brexit; the changes that have been introduced to address these problems; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15575/21]

Public Transport

Darren O'Rourke

132. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport if he has engaged with the taxi representative associations since their protest in September 2020 which called for a range of supports and reforms in the sector; the changes that have been introduced since then; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15572/21]

Road Traffic Accidents

Darren O'Rourke

271. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport the number of LA16 forms completed and submitted in each of the years 2018 to 2020; the breakdown by local authority, collision type and percentage of overall collisions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14008/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Darren O'Rourke

276. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport if level 5 Covid-19 restrictions confer additional protections on consumers who had flights or foreign holidays pre-booked but cannot travel due to the 5 km travel limit and the travel advisory against all but necessary international travel; the additional protections consumers are entitled to during this time; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14219/21]

Public Transport

Darren O'Rourke

289. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport if there is a clause in the contract for the M3 tolled motorway that states a railway to Navan cannot be built until the motorway is paid for in full; if there is a similar clause relating to the M3 motorway and the provision of rail services in County Meath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14404/21]

Rail Network

Darren O'Rourke

366. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport his plans to expand the passenger and freight rail network including the Navan rail line and the Western rail corridor given that 2021 is the European Year of Rail; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1839/21]

Public Service Obligation Services

Darren O'Rourke

367. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport if further emergency PSO funding will need to be provided to support the public bus and rail services; the amount intended to be provided in 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1840/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Darren O'Rourke

368. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport if he is satisfied that it is safe for driving instructors, driving testers and NCT workers to continue working during the current Covid-19 restrictions; the assessments conducted to inform this view and supports provided to keep workers safe; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1841/21]

National Development Plan

Darren O'Rourke

369. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport the areas under his remit he hopes to improve under the upcoming review of the National Development Plan 2018 to 2027; the new criteria to assess the need for roads projects; if he has secured a commitment for additional funding for new or expanded roads and other projects; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1842/21]

Driver Test

Darren O'Rourke

370. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport the reason that online driver theory tests for those learning to drive a car are not available given that theory tests for those learning to drive buses and trucks are; his views on whether an online theory test for car learner drivers can help reduce the current backlog; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1843/21]

Wind Energy Guidelines

Darren O'Rourke

603. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if the upcoming marine planning and development management Bill will stipulate a minimum distance that offshore windfarms have to be located away from the coastline; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13940/21]

Wind Energy Guidelines

Darren O'Rourke

606. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if the new marine planning and development management Bill will include a minimum distance from the coast for offshore windfarms; if not, if this will be dealt with by way of regulation; if so, if his Department or the Department of Environment, Climate and Communications has responsibility for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13976/21]

Pyrite Remediation Programme

Darren O'Rourke

683. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he is satisfied with the quality of work being conducted under the pyrite remediation scheme; the quality guarantee that residents receive for works carried out under the scheme; if his attention has been drawn to many or any homes which have had works completed under the scheme only to notice cracks, movement and other problems afterwards; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15021/21]

Vaccination Programme

Darren O'Rourke

1300. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Health the position of persons with ulcerative colitis or Crohn's disease in the vaccine priority list; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13879/21]

Vaccination Programme

Darren O'Rourke

1301. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Health the estimated date those in priority group 7 will begin to receive Covid-19 vaccinations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13880/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Darren O'Rourke

1363. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Health the position of approved driving instructors and driver testers on the current vaccination priority list; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14059/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Darren O'Rourke

1432. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Health if persons transiting through an airport in a category 2 country, for example, Dubai International Airport in the UAE, will be required to quarantine in a hotel on their arrival; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14197/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Darren O'Rourke

1501. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Health the number of persons who arrived into Ireland without proof of a negative Covid-19 PCR test in January, February and to date in March 2021; the number of sanctions imposed for these breaches; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14449/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Darren O'Rourke

1502. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Health the number of arrivals from each category 2 state as listed under regulation 6 of the Health Act 1947 in February and to date in March 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14450/21]

Vaccination Programme

Darren O'Rourke

1518. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Health if persons with multiple sclerosis on Tysabri, natalizumab, having a severely compromised immune system due to having MS who were previously considered to be in the high-risk category are in the cohort 4 category; if not, the reason; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14515/21]

Hospital Waiting Lists

Darren O'Rourke

1639. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 1366 of 8 September 2020, when a person (details supplied) in County Meath will receive a surgery appointment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14900/21]

Remote Working

Darren O'Rourke

15. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the assessment that has been conducted into the impact of remote working on year-on-year household electricity and energy usage, year-on-year overall electricity and energy usage; the implications of same for climate policy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13762/21]

Early Years Sector

Darren O'Rourke

147. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if since 2014, it is accurate to state that no funding has been provided by his Department to meet the specific requirements for support of naíonraí outside the Gaeltacht; the way he plans to address the matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13615/21]

Early Years Sector

Darren O'Rourke

148. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if the needs of the naíonraí are excluded from the planning stages for new strategies, schemes, facilities, services, inspections and so on by his Department or its funded agencies; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that this leaves naíonraí without the correct support or funding from the State; the way he plans to address the matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13616/21]

Early Years Sector

Darren O'Rourke

149. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if his attention has been drawn to the fact that there is no official recognition for naíonraí services that operate through the medium of Irish which means that there is no proper inspection or quality assurance system to ensure that Irish is the language of the naíonra; the way he plans address the matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13617/21]

Early Years Sector

Darren O'Rourke

150. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if his attention has been drawn to the fact that initial training and certified continuous professional development through the medium of Irish is not available to naíonraí outside the Gaeltacht; the way he plans to address the matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13618/21]

Early Years Sector

Darren O'Rourke

151. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if his attention has been drawn to the fact that there is a huge administrative burden for early years staff reporting on schemes and inspections which is even more burdensome for naíonra staff given their working language is not taken into account; the way he plans to address the matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13619/21]

Vaccination Programme

Darren O'Rourke

184. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Health if he will provide details on the way and when Covid-19 vaccines will be provided for persons aged over 85 years in Ratoath, County Meath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13576/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Darren O'Rourke

197. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Health if a family is permitted under the current regulations to travel to Lanzarote if the purpose of the journey is to attend a specialised centre for water-based physiotherapy for a child with cerebral palsy. [13639/21]

Legislative Process

Darren O'Rourke

37. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications when the climate action and low carbon development (amendment) Bill will be brought before Dáil Éireann; if he has amended the Bill to include recommendations from the pre-legislative scrutiny report of the Joint Committee on Climate Action; if so, the recommendations adopted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13516/21]

Electricity Grid

Darren O'Rourke

39. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if EirGrid has recently sought between €700 million and €3 billion for grid investment; if so, the new and existing projects this will fund; the way in which he plans to deliver this crucial grid investment while also working with local communities; his views on delays to key grid improvements and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13517/21]

North-South Interconnector

Darren O'Rourke

50. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he has spoken to an Taoiseach regarding the concerns in regard to the proposed North-South interconnector; his plans to address the significant concerns of local representatives and communities across counties Meath, Cavan and Monaghan; if funding will be provided to underground this important project for the grid; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13261/21]

Broadband Infrastructure

Darren O'Rourke

59. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the way in which he plans for all persons in Ireland to have access to high-speed broadband when commercial operators are reluctant or refuse outright to extend existing lines, even by a few metres, to other homes and businesses in need of high-speed broadband; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13263/21]

Environmental Policy

Darren O'Rourke

90. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the way in which he plans to address the concerns of households that rely on solid fuels for their heating while also recognising the need to improve air quality; if he has examined new schemes that can help such households transition to cleaner heating sources; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13264/21]

Illegal Dumping

Darren O'Rourke

152. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications his plans to combat fly tipping and illegal dumping; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12598/21]

Local Authority Staff

Darren O'Rourke

153. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of litter wardens employed by each local authority; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12599/21]

Illegal Dumping

Darren O'Rourke

154. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the amount each local authority spent in 2018, 2019 and 2020 cleaning up fly tipping and illegal dumping; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12600/21]

Local Authority Staff

Darren O'Rourke

155. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number and value of on-the-spot fines issued for littering in 2018, 2019 and 2020; the number of prosecutions and convictions in relation to same for the same periods; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12601/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Darren O'Rourke

207. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport if consumers who have flights booked during the period of level 5 restrictions, for example, those with postponed flights from 2020, are entitled to a refund if they cannot travel during level 5 restrictions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12518/21]

Penalty Points System

Darren O'Rourke

220. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport the number of penalty points issued by age and gender in 2020 and to date in 2021. [12720/21]