Parliamentary questions

State Examinations

Gary Gannon

341. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Education if her attention has been drawn to reports in the media that the leaving certificate orals were not up to standard this year; if candidates who seek an appeal will be provided with a full transcript of the oral interview or just a transcript of their own voice; and if the guidance from SEC to oral language interviewers was issued on 23 March 2021, three days prior to examinations commencing. [32787/21]

Student Accommodation

Gary Gannon

366. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if his attention been drawn to the steep increase in on-campus student accommodation costs in UCD; if he has had any engagement with UCD or the university’s student union on this matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32786/21]

Student Accommodation

Gary Gannon

381. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if his attention has been drawn to the steep increase in on-campus student accommodation costs in UCD; his views on whether this will be a barrier for those that wish to study in the university; if he has had engagement with UCD or the university’s student union; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32784/21]

Departmental Budgets

Gary Gannon

125. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the funds from the social housing budget returned unspent to the Exchequer from his Department in each of the years 2017 to 2020, in tabular form. [32490/21]

Special Educational Needs

Gary Gannon

149. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Education the estimated cost of implementing the Education for Persons with Special Educational Needs Act 2004 in today’s terms within a similar timeframe adjusting for inflation and accounting for the €397 million figure over five years outlined in the NCSE's 2006 implementation report on page 20. [32491/21]

Social Welfare Schemes

Gary Gannon

172. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Social Protection the estimated cost of increasing the domiciliary care allowance from €309.50 to €330 per week; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32485/21]

Social Welfare Schemes

Gary Gannon

173. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Social Protection the estimated cost of expanding the free travel scheme to include persons in receipt of the domiciliary care allowance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32486/21]

Social Welfare Schemes

Gary Gannon

174. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Social Protection the estimated cost of increasing the annual carer's support grant from €1,850 to €2,000; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32487/21]

Social Welfare Schemes

Gary Gannon

175. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Social Protection the estimated cost of making the carer's allowance a qualifying payment for the fuel allowance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32488/21]

Social Welfare Schemes

Gary Gannon

176. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Social Protection the estimated cost of increasing the income disregard for carer's allowance from €332.50 to €350 per week for a single person and to €700 for a couple; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32489/21]

Cabinet Committees

Gary Gannon

12. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee on education last met; and when it will next meet. [29413/21]

Trade Agreements

Gary Gannon

31. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment his position on the TRIPS waiver. [24198/21]

Education and Training Provision

Gary Gannon

323. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the reason for the removal of the vocational training opportunities scheme and back to education initiative courses from a college (details supplied). [30403/21]

Departmental Functions

Gary Gannon

15. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Taoiseach if he will report on the work of the international and European Union division of his Department. [29412/21]

Urban Development

Gary Gannon

9. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Taoiseach if he will report on the role of his Department in the north east inner city initiative. [28387/21]

Rail Network

Gary Gannon

250. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Transport if he will make the preliminary business case for MetroLink and the outcomes of the feasibility studies in relation to MetroLink and the Review of the Transport Strategy for the Greater Dublin Area publicly available; if these studies were extended to include the feasibility of the MetroLink to come out as far as Firhouse and Ballycullen and connect on to Tallaght; the position regarding extending the MetroLink out to the Dublin south-west area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29848/21]

Local Authorities

Gary Gannon

351. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his views on the fact that to date since the regulations were introduced Galway City Council has only received five planning applications for change of use for short-term letting and that staff appointed by his Department to deal with short-term letting have not yet been appointed as following a recruitment process, no suitable candidates were available to take up a two-year contract; and his further views on whether there is a need for greater resources in this area to support stretched staff in council planning departments. [29850/21]

School Staff

Gary Gannon

436. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Education the estimated costs of establishing and running the supply panels for primary and special schools in the school year 2020-2021; and her views on retaining this important staffing support in the 2021-2022 school year to ensure that pupils are taught by qualified teachers in the event of teacher absence in a school. [29846/21]

School Funding

Gary Gannon

437. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Education if there is funding available to primary and post-primary schools to purchase sensory room equipment for children with additional needs, including autism and Down syndrome; and if not, her plans to provide adequate funding to schools in the future (details supplied). [29847/21]

Schools Building Projects

Gary Gannon

438. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Education the progress made and timelines for the provision of a permanent building for a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29849/21]

Special Educational Needs

Gary Gannon

208. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Education the number of applications from schools seeking an exceptional review for the past three years by the proportion of applications that were successful and rejected, respectively and the proportion of applications that were made by developing schools and established schools, respectively in tabular form; the success rate of these applications; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29035/21]

Education Policy

Gary Gannon

209. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Education her views on whether the current bridging method is inappropriate for developing schools given that the current cycle of every two years is a quarter of a student’s life in primary school; if she will consider using a one-year bridging cycle for developing schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29036/21]

Education Policy

Gary Gannon

210. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Education if the school inclusion model pilot has been completed; when the review of this pilot will be made available; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29037/21]

State Examinations

Gary Gannon

211. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Education if her Department will review the potential use of the accredited grades model beyond 2021 in particular for students who experience exceptional circumstances such as, bereavement or illness over their sixth year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29038/21]

State Examinations

Gary Gannon

212. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Education if her attention has been drawn to calls from by organisation (details supplied) to have students who, while sitting their State exams, experience a medical emergency such as a seizure and are therefore unable to complete their exam, be accommodated to sit them at a later date but before CAO offers; if she is considering this proposal; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29039/21]

Special Educational Needs

Gary Gannon

213. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Education the average length of time between the application for an exception review being submitted to the outcome of the review being communicated; and the average length of time it takes for a review to take place in cases of successful applications. [29040/21]

Education Schemes

Gary Gannon

214. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Education if rural DEIS schools are included in the home school community liaison scheme; if not, the cost of bringing these schools into the scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29042/21]

School Accommodation

Gary Gannon

215. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Education the details of the contingency plan for a school (details supplied) in relation to alternative temporary accommodation for the beginning of the new school term in August 2021. [29043/21]

School Accommodation

Gary Gannon

216. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Education if the contingency arrangements for a school (details supplied) will be sourced locally; if so, the location; the number of classrooms and other ancillary rooms that will be made available to the school; the length of time the school will have to remain at the location; when will the official temporary buildings be ready for the school to move into; and if the school leaders and board of management will be included in these discussions. [29044/21]

Gender Equality

Gary Gannon

218. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Social Protection if her attention has been drawn to the recommendation of the Citizens' Assembly on Gender Equality to address the impact of the marriage bar by automatically qualifying women affected by the marriage bar for a State pension; if she is considering such a move; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29041/21]

Driver Test

Gary Gannon

98. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Transport the date driver theory tests will resume; the number of applicants who are in the backlog; and if the online driver theory test (details supplied) will be used to address the backlog. [28780/21]

Driver Test

Gary Gannon

99. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Transport the status of an online driver theory test service (details supplied) being employed for all theory test types; and the future phrases of the roll-out schedule for 2021. [28781/21]

Sports Funding

Gary Gannon

123. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she will provide the necessary funds to resurface the soccer astroturf pitch at a location (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28779/21]

Departmental Data

Gary Gannon

169. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Education if a list of all developing schools broken down by primary and post-primary will be supplied in tabular form. [28783/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Gary Gannon

170. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Education further to Parliamentary Question No. 339 of 13 May 2021, if the arrangements for the third and final instalment for the PPE grant 2020-2021 school year has been finalised; the date the grant will be issued to schools; if the third instalment of the grant was delayed; and if so, the cause for such a delay. [28784/21]

Social Welfare Appeals

Gary Gannon

189. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Social Protection when the Social Welfare Appeals Office expects to recommence oral hearings; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28782/21]

Third Level Fees

Gary Gannon

214. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if his attention has been drawn to students (details supplied) on the MSc international management and global business course in the University of Limerick being refused reimbursement from the college for a cancelled international trip due to the pandemic; if he will request the college to return the funds to the students; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28785/21]

Citizenship Applications

Gary Gannon

216. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Justice if the return of a passport will be expedited for a person (details supplied) that was submitted in their application for citizenship four weeks ago and who urgently needs their passport to travel for a medical procedure on 26 May 2021. [28778/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Gary Gannon

237. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if outdoor cinemas are permitted to operate along with other outdoor amenities from 29 May 2021; if not, the rationale for this sector to continue to be closed while other outdoor amenities remain open; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28389/21]

School Staff

Gary Gannon

367. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Education if her Department will consider allowing for developing schools to be reprofiled in 2021 as was originally planned following on from the staffing schedule for primary schools for the 2021-2022 school year (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28390/21]

Education Schemes

Gary Gannon

368. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Education the number of applicants and successful candidates who availed of the pilot scheme to assist leaving certificate students who suffer bereavement of a close relative during the exam period in 2019. [28391/21]

Departmental Reports

Gary Gannon

428. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Social Protection if a report (details supplied) has been completed and submitted to her Department; if the delay in receiving the report will cause a delay in the publication of the report; and the date the report will be made available. [28388/21]

Third Level Education

Gary Gannon

78. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the work carried out by his Department to date to increase access for students with disabilities to postgraduate courses. [27380/21]

Third Level Education

Gary Gannon

122. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if alternative access schemes such as HEAR and DARE will also be reviewed further to the SUSI review; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27068/21]

Third Level Education

Gary Gannon

126. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will consider funding to support early career researchers in Ireland with disabilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27067/21]

School Inspections

Gary Gannon

277. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Education further to Parliamentary Question No. 341 of 13 May 2021, the number of incidental inspections that have been undertaken in schools since 16 April 2021. [27442/21]

School Inspections

Gary Gannon

278. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Education further to Parliamentary Question No. 341 of 13 May 2021, the consultation and communication that took place with stakeholders in education prior to 16 April 2021; the updated guidance which has been provided to schools to facilitate the inspectorate entering classrooms; her views on whether it is appropriate that an inspector may visit a number of schools in a single week; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27443/21]

School Meals Programme

Gary Gannon

292. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of schools with DEIS status that applied for the hot school-meal scheme but were not included through the process of random selection; and the estimated cost of including these schools within the scheme. [27444/21]

Schools Building Projects

Gary Gannon

147. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Gary Gannon den Aire Oideachais ag eascairt as ceist 146, an 4ú Márta 2021, cathain a bheidh scoil (sonraí tugtha) i gContae Bhaile Átha Cliath in ann bogadh isteach san fhoirgneamh nua sealadach; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [27115/21]

Cabinet Committees

Gary Gannon

51. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee that addresses matters relating to the arts and culture will next meet. [24195/21]

Cabinet Committees

Gary Gannon

52. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee which addresses matters relating to equality will next meet. [24197/21]

Social Welfare Payments

Gary Gannon

73. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Social Protection if social welfare payments will continue to be electronically transferred following Covid-19 for certain payments to reduce the need for persons to attend post and social welfare offices. [26231/21]

Social Welfare Benefits

Gary Gannon

126. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Social Protection if her attention has been drawn to calls from an organisation (details supplied) to extend the jobseeker’s transitional payment to lone parents of children until the youngest child turns 18 years of age; the estimated cost of such an extension in the payment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26229/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment

Gary Gannon

133. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will consider introducing a pandemic unemployment payment for persons who have returned to work but whose industry will be in flux for the following several weeks and will experience fluctuations in their income; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26232/21]

Pension Provisions

Gary Gannon

136. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Social Protection the progress made to date on addressing the pension gap for carers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26233/21]

Social Welfare Benefits

Gary Gannon

139. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Social Protection the funding paid for the free travel pass in each of the years 2015 to 2020. [26230/21]

European Defence Capabilities

Gary Gannon

2. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Defence if he or his official have had discussions on Irish troops participating in the proposed European rapid reaction force. [25148/21]

Defence Forces

Gary Gannon

57. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Defence the measures his Department plans to take to address the shortage of Naval Service staff. [25146/21]

Telecommunications Infrastructure

Gary Gannon

62. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Defence the way in which he intends to protect Ireland’s undersea fibre cables from the threat of interference or sabotage. [25147/21]

Special Educational Needs

Gary Gannon

76. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Education when details of the enhanced July provision programme will be announced. [25134/21]

Special Educational Needs

Gary Gannon

79. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Education the number of additional resource hours on the OLCS system to be taken by the end of the academic year. [25132/21]

Education Schemes

Gary Gannon

117. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Education the number of primary and post-primary schools expected to take part in the DEIS summer camp; the level of funding provided; the way in which this compares to funding in 2020; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25130/21]

State Examinations

Gary Gannon

119. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Education the number of leaving certificate students who have completed the registration process and confirmed their choices for the leaving certificate 2021; the number of students who did not complete the process; and the avenue of recourse for these students. [25133/21]

Special Educational Needs

Gary Gannon

153. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Education if she will consider permitting schools to carry over banked SET hours to the following academic year to avoid loss of SET hours and learning for children with additional educational needs; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25131/21]

Flood Risk Management

Gary Gannon

224. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Finance the status of issues facing home buyers in East Wall, Dublin 3 in relation to home cover and perceived flood risks; the funding allocated to this area in relation to flood risk management; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25501/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Gary Gannon

339. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Education the status of the PPE grant for schools; if the third instalment has been made; if not, when schools can expect to receive this funding; and the level of funding provided by this funding in comparison to the first and second instalments. [25502/21]

Departmental Data

Gary Gannon

340. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Education further to Parliamentary Question No. 176 of 25 February 2021, the status of the upgrade of existing payroll systems in her Department; and the status of online payslips given that posting payslips comes at significant cost as highlighted by the Oireachtas Committee on Public Accounts. [25503/21]

School Inspections

Gary Gannon

341. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Education if incidental school inspections including in-class teaching and learning inspections have resumed; if so, the date of resumption; her views on whether the actions of the inspectorate contradict circular 001/21; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25504/21]

Bullying in Educational Institutions

Gary Gannon

342. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Education if her Department will introduce legislation in relation to bullying following schools in Northern Ireland being legally required to record all incidents of bullying and alleged bullying from 1 September 2021. [25505/21]

Education Policy

Gary Gannon

343. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Education further to Parliamentary Question No. 558 of 10 March 2021, the number of schools taking part in the pilot workshops on well-being and trauma informed schooling; if the schools have been identified for the pilot; if therapists or counsellors will be made available to schools as part of this pilot; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25506/21]

Student Universal Support Ireland

Gary Gannon

368. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the estimated cost of expanding SUSI supports to cover graduate medicine at entry level if a minimum of 35% and maximum of 45% of all graduate medicine students (details supplied) were eligible for some level of support; the range of supports available, from the lowest to the highest level; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25507/21]

Departmental Funding

Gary Gannon

112. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if applications for the large-scale sport infrastructure fund 2018 to 2028 are closed; if Dublin City Council can make a late application under stream 2 before 2025 or 2028; and her plans to introduce a new large-scale sport infrastructure fund after 2028. [25169/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Gary Gannon

113. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she will provide updated guidelines for private music and drama teachers in anticipation of reopening; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25170/21]

Foreign Conflicts

Gary Gannon

64. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if his attention has been drawn to the potential for famine in Ethiopia as a consequence of the conflict in Tigray. [24200/21]

Diplomatic Representation

Gary Gannon

84. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the engagement he has had with the Chinese embassy following reports that an Irish journalist and their family had to leave China following extensive surveillance and threats from the Chinese authorities. [24202/21]

Departmental Correspondence

Gary Gannon

100. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the correspondence his Department has had with the governments of Ethiopia, Egypt and Sudan in relation to the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam. [24199/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Gary Gannon

6. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the status of negotiations by Ireland to join the World Health Organization C-TAP initiative; the practical engagement to date by his Department in this initiative; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23598/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Gary Gannon

7. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the status of negotiations by Ireland to support the World Trade Organisation TRIPS waiver; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23599/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Gary Gannon

90. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs further to Parliamentary Question No. 540 of 31 March 2021, the status of negotiations by Ireland to join the World Health Organization C-TAP initiative; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23597/21]

Schools Data

Gary Gannon

91. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Education if she will provide the most up-to-date and verified data on school absences; if there has been an increase in early school leavers since March 2020; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23603/21]

Departmental Strategy Statements

Gary Gannon

110. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Education further to Parliamentary Question No. 164 of 18 February 2021, if the statement of strategy 2021-2023 for her Department has been published; and if not, when it will be made available. [23595/21]

School Accommodation

Gary Gannon

111. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Education the progress made and timelines for the provision of a permanent building for a school (details supplied); if extra provisions will be provided for the upcoming term to ensure safety of staff and students; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23596/21]

Special Educational Needs Staff

Gary Gannon

112. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Education the model of allocation being used for SNA allocation for the academic year 2020-2021 and 2021-2022; when the allocations will be published for 2020-2021; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23602/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Gary Gannon

113. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Education the rationale for her Department not including students under the applied education programme who are living with very high risk family members; if her attention has been drawn to an article (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23604/21]

Air Corps

Gary Gannon

57. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Defence further to Parliamentary Question No. 69 of 22 April 2021, the reason for the refusal to extend the scheme beyond 2021; the reason the scheme is not being extended to the vital air crew and technicians that underpin all aviation operations (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22556/21]

School Curriculum

Gary Gannon

72. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Education if the Education Act 1998 will be amended or reviewed in order for ethos to no longer be used as a barrier to the effective, objective and factual teaching of the relationships and sexuality education curriculum to which each student is entitled which was recommended in the Report on Relationships and Sexuality Education by the Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills of the 32nd Dáil; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22553/21]

School Curriculum

Gary Gannon

73. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Education if her attention has been drawn to a programme (details supplied); if the programme been has accessed for inclusivity of LGBTQI+ relationships and experiences; her views on whether it is appropriate that religion is used as a vehicle for relationships and sexuality education in schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22554/21]

Health Services Reports

Gary Gannon

158. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 228 of 25 March 2021, when the disability social care demand and capacity requirements up to 2032 will be published and available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22555/21]

Cabinet Committees

Gary Gannon

3. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee dealing with foreign affairs will next meet. [17186/21]

Citizens' Assembly

Gary Gannon

12. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Taoiseach the progress to date on the citizens’ assemblies committed to in the programme for Government. [20537/21]

Public Consultation Process

Gary Gannon

303. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Finance the proposed membership make-up of the recently launched Commission on Taxation and Welfare; the qualifications required for membership of the Commission; the methodology used for ensuring balance and a broad range of perspectives among members; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22353/21]

National Parks

Gary Gannon

328. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the locations of the temporary toilet facilities for the Phoenix Park; and the expected duration these facilities will be in place for. [22359/21]

Sports Facilities

Gary Gannon

428. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she will provide a list of playing pitches in Dublin city which details the number of all-weather pitches available to clubs, schools and the public in tabular form. [22360/21]

School Costs

Gary Gannon

629. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Education if her attention been drawn to calls to remove the voluntary contribution from schools given the financial difficulties each year for families due to school costs (details supplied); the status of the commitment in this regard in the Programme for Government; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22355/21]

State Examinations

Gary Gannon

630. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Education if State examinations in 2022 will be modified to accommodate for disruptions in teaching and learning as a result of Covid-19; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22356/21]

Free Travel Scheme

Gary Gannon

688. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Social Protection further to Parliamentary Question No. 1207 of 21 April 2021 and a matter (details supplied), if she will include this small number of persons who without the free travel scheme are incurring significant personal costs; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22357/21]

Supplementary Welfare Allowance

Gary Gannon

689. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Social Protection the amount awarded as travel supplement under the supplementary welfare allowance scheme for the past five years in tabular form. [22358/21]

Student Support Schemes

Gary Gannon

789. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the percentage of core funding provided to public institutions that is ring-fenced for student supports, for example, counselling, access office, academic writing, mathematics supports centres and so on. [22352/21]

Public Sector Staff

Gary Gannon

50. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if his attention has been drawn to persons who are over 60 years of age working in the Ordnance Survey repeatedly being asked their retirement date; and his views on whether this is appropriate behaviour. [21074/21]

Air Corps

Gary Gannon

69. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Defence if the Air Corps pilot service commitment scheme will be retained in the long-term following its success and learnings gained from previous schemes; if he will extend this scheme further to the air crew and technical personnel to ensure that these vital services continue to operate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21072/21]