Parliamentary questions

Shared Island Unit

Gary Gannon

6. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Taoiseach the status of the shared island unit of his Department. [17188/21]

State Examinations

Gary Gannon

1096. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Education if music teachers who facilitated the music practical examinations for the leaving certificate 2021 will be able to avail of the examinations aide rate of payment and will be remunerated for their work. [20860/21]

State Examinations

Gary Gannon

1097. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Education if her attention has been drawn to the lack of data recording the number of instances and reasons leading to students having to repeat oral examinations for the leaving certificate 2021; if she considers this an oversight by the State Examinations Commission; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20861/21]

Free Travel Scheme

Gary Gannon

1207. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will consider extending the free travel pass scheme to persons who cannot hold a driver licence due to their level of vision impairment but do not meet the medical conditions for blind pension resulting in them being ineligible for the free travel pass scheme and incurring significant additional costs (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20859/21]

Blind Welfare Allowance

Gary Gannon

2429. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to regional variation that exists in the payment of blind welfare payment with many HSE offices refusing to make the payment electronically and forcing persons who are blind or vision impaired to travel, unnecessarily, to collect the payment by cheque; if he will mandate payment to be offered electronically for service users nationally, similar to other statutory payments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20858/21]

Passport Applications

Gary Gannon

195. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs when a family who has applied for a passport for their child (details supplied) can expect to receive the passport; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18055/21]

School Staff

Gary Gannon

230. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Education further to Parliamentary Question No. 109 of 25 March 2021, the number of substitutable days that have gone uncovered in this school year; the number of such days that have been subsequently claimed against via the new mechanism for banking such days according to the online claims system; the number of days a supply panel teacher was left unbooked separating days school buildings were open to days they were closed; the number of days that have been covered using the five-day rule for unqualified personnel; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18053/21]

School Staff

Gary Gannon

231. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Education the way in which the supply panel will be expanded for the 2021-2022 school year to meet demand; and the way in which SET provision will be expanded to make up for the loss of learning during the academic year 2020-2021. [18054/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Gary Gannon

205. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if his attention has been drawn to the fact that many SMEs and microenterprises are excluded from the support provided by the small business assistance scheme for Covid, given that they are not listed as ratepayers; if recourse will be provided for those that cannot access the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17597/21]

International Bodies

Gary Gannon

540. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs 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. [17596/21]

Passport Applications

Gary Gannon

541. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the expected date for the Passport Office to start processing online and paper-based applications. [17600/21]

State Examinations

Gary Gannon

646. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Education if her attention been drawn to youth encounter projects seeking to administer junior certificate examinations for a small cohort of students; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17601/21]

Departmental Records

Gary Gannon

647. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Education when her Department began the process of holding copies of children's school reports as outlined in a programme (details supplied); the rationale for holding such information; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17602/21]

Third Level Fees

Gary Gannon

769. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science further to Parliamentary Question No. 1127 of 24 March 2021, if he will consider waiving the student contribution fees for the small number of students to ensure they do not face financial penalties after being offered an uplifted deferred place for the 2021-2022 academic year based on the 2020 CAO application having sat the 2020 leaving certificate examinations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17598/21]

Vaccination Programme

Gary Gannon

1233. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Health if transient groups such as persons that are homeless will be prioritised for single dose vaccinations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17595/21]

Vaccination Programme

Gary Gannon

1234. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the recent administration of vaccinations by a hospital (details supplied) which disregarded prioritisation and sequencing guidelines; if there will be an investigation into the matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17599/21]

School Staff

Gary Gannon

109. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Education if her attention been drawn to shortages on primary school supply panels; if she will consider supplementing the supply panel with final year teaching students; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16227/21]

Vaccination Programme

Gary Gannon

110. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Education if she will provide clarity to home school community liaison officers as to when they can expect to receive the Covid-19 vaccine following reports of Tulsa-employed staff such as education officers, welfare officers and staff in schools having already received the vaccine; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16228/21]

Disability Services Provision

Gary Gannon

228. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Health when the capacity review of disability services will be published; the reason for the delay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16226/21]

Home School Community Liaison Scheme

Gary Gannon

229. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Health when home school community liaison officers will be vaccinated against Covid-19; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16229/21]

Intellectual Property

Gary Gannon

178. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the engagement by Ireland on the position taken by the European Commission at the March 2021 World Trade Organization meeting on the proposed temporary TRIPS waiver on intellectual property in respect of Covid-19 vaccine and technology; if Ireland supported the decision by the European Commission to oppose such a waiver; his views on the implications of this decision for global public health and the Covid-19 pandemic; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15130/21]

Home Loan Scheme

Gary Gannon

676. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage further to Parliamentary Question No. 189 of 25 February 2021, his views on whether those receiving the carer’s allowance should be excluded from the Rebuilding Ireland home loan scheme as secondary applicants if it is not possible to produce an average length of time for the allowance; if there could be a mechanism to assess a person receiving the carer’s allowance to see if they are long-term recipients in order to access the Rebuilding Ireland home loan scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14830/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Gary Gannon

1003. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will consider extending the pandemic unemployment payment and employment wage subsidy scheme until six months after mass gatherings are permitted again to adequately support the events industry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15133/21]

Carer's Leave

Gary Gannon

1085. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if his attention has been drawn to carers on carer’s leave who are unable to return to work due to continuing care needs brought about through the Covid-19 pandemic; if he will consider an extension to current carer’s leave arrangements due to this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14831/21]

Third Level Fees

Gary Gannon

1127. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if students who completed the written leaving certificate examinations in November 2020 and have received deferred college offers to start their course in 2021-2022 are required to pay the student contribution fee if they already paid a student contribution fee for courses started in 2020-2021; if he considers this a financial penalty; and if his attention has been drawn to the case of a person (details supplied). [14825/21]

Medical Cards

Gary Gannon

1604. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Health the estimated annual cost of providing discretionary medical cards to all cancer patients at the time of their diagnosis until their treatment has finished; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14826/21]

Medical Cards

Gary Gannon

1605. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Health the estimated annual cost of providing life-long medical cards for all survivors of childhood or adolescent cancers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14827/21]

Hospital Charges

Gary Gannon

1606. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Health if he will review the practice of hospitals using debt collection agencies; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that patients currently undergoing treatment for cancer and other illnesses are charged €80 per day for outpatient treatment and if payment is not received within 47 days this can be passed onto debt collection agencies; his views on whether this practice is patient centred; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14828/21]

Hospital Staff

Gary Gannon

1607. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Health if he will review the reduction of intern positions for newly qualified doctors and maintain the 2020 number of intern positions to retain non-EU newly qualified doctors in addition to managing the waiting lists in hospitals which have grown as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14829/21]

Architects Register

Gary Gannon

420. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will accelerate the steps required to place the architectural technologists’ register on a statutory footing; and the status of progress in relation to same. [13539/21]

Special Educational Needs

Gary Gannon

555. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Education if the July provision will be extended by two weeks for 2021 given the disruption to students caused by school buildings being closed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13540/21]

Early Start Programme

Gary Gannon

556. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Education the number of Early Start units in schools currently under review with her Department; the reason for the review; if these units are at risk of being closed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13541/21]

Education Schemes

Gary Gannon

557. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Education the status of the free school books scheme which was piloted in September 2020; when a review of the pilot scheme can be expected; and if she is committed to extending the scheme in the future. [13542/21]

Education Policy

Gary Gannon

558. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Education the number of schools the pilot workshops plan to recruit further to her statement of 3 March 2021 in order to pilot workshops on well-being and resilience including trauma in order to inform approaches for school leaders in primary and post-primary schools; the way in which schools will be selected; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13544/21]

School Meals Programme

Gary Gannon

624. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of the hot school meals initiative; when a review of the pilot scheme can be expected; and if the scheme will be extended in the future. [13543/21]

Schools Building Projects

Gary Gannon

146. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Education when school building works for a school (details supplied) in County Dublin will commence; the reason for the delay; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12418/21]

Office of Public Works

Gary Gannon

236. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform further to Parliamentary Question No. 79 of 25 February 2021, if the OPW will consider putting in place portable toilets in the park and ensure that all restroom facilities within the park are open and available to visitors to the park. [12157/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Gary Gannon

305. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the expected timeline for the resumption of youth soccer under the COVID-19 Resilience and Recovery 2021: The Path Ahead plan in view of the role that the sport plays in promoting positive mental health in young people especially in disadvantaged communities; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12150/21]

Education Fees

Gary Gannon

521. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Education if all students who paid junior certificate examination and leaving certificate examination fees in 2020 have received a refund; if not, the number of students still awaiting a refund; the cause for delay; and when a refund can be expected. [12151/21]

Qualifications Recognition

Gary Gannon

522. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Education if State certificates of completion will be issued to junior certificate candidates in 2021; if this certificate will serve as a mechanism for entry into apprenticeships; if not, the way in which students who were due to complete the junior certificate examinations can be deemed eligible for entry into apprenticeships; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12152/21]

DEIS Scheme

Gary Gannon

523. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Education the cost of including DEIS band one junior and vertical schools along with DEIS band one senior schools for the planned class size reductions in the staffing schedule; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12154/21]

DEIS Scheme

Gary Gannon

524. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Education if her attention has been drawn to educators in DEIS band one schools who will not receive a reduction in their staffroom schedule calling for inclusion in the staffing schedule reduction which is set to benefit all primary schools with the exception of DEIS band one junior and vertical schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12155/21]

Prescriptions Charges

Gary Gannon

1007. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to women suffering from hyperemesis gravidarum repeatedly presenting at accident and emergency departments as they are unable to afford to pay for their prescriptions to alleviate the symptoms of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12146/21]

Prescriptions Charges

Gary Gannon

1008. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Health his views on whether the HSE-recommended first-line treatments for medical conditions should be available on the drugs payment scheme, including Cariban, Xonvea and Navalem which are used to treat hyperemesis gravidarum; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12147/21]

Prescriptions Charges

Gary Gannon

1009. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Health if unlicensed prescription medications are available on the drugs payment scheme in circumstances in which licensed versions are not currently available or marketed in Ireland; and if licensed medications for hyperemesis gravidarum are currently available and marketed in Ireland. [12148/21]

Prescriptions Charges

Gary Gannon

1010. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact that an application for Xonvea was rejected for inclusion on the drugs payment scheme by the HSE on the advice of the National Centre for Pharmacoeconomics, NCPE, which determined that the medicine is not good value for money and that comes at a higher cost than other ways to manage this condition (details supplied); and the other ways of managing hyperemesis gravidarum that were assessed by the HSE and NCPE. [12153/21]

Vaccination Programme

Gary Gannon

1011. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Health the number of vaccinators and vaccine staff Ireland requires to meet vaccination goals; if applicants who meet the correct criteria for vaccinators' roles and applied for the Be on Call for Ireland initiative will be contacted for the HSE Covid-19 vaccinator recruitment initiative; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12156/21]

National Public Health Emergency Team

Gary Gannon

6. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will update this Deputy on his finding further to his statement on 28 January 2021 (details supplied). [10943/21]

Credit Availability

Gary Gannon

75. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Finance if his attention been drawn to the lack of banks in the Irish market that accept carer’s allowance income as income for the purposes of loans, mortgages and other financial products following the withdrawal of a bank (details supplied); his plans to remedy these issues; the suggested recourse for those on carer’s allowance that need financial services such as loans and mortgages; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10952/21]

Office of Public Works

Gary Gannon

79. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if the OPW will provide additional public restroom facilities within the Phoenix Park; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10945/21]

Special Educational Needs

Gary Gannon

175. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Education the number of pupils who have opted into the in-person supplementary programme to support the education and-or care needs of pupils with complex needs scheme; if the number of students availing of the programme is smaller; and the number of teachers and SNAs participating in the scheme. [10946/21]

Departmental Data

Gary Gannon

176. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Education if her Department will expedite plans for a new payroll system due to be completed in the latter part of 2021 to reduce the cost to her Department on posting out payslips; if she will commit that spending to support DEIS schools instead; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10947/21]

Personal Micro Credit Scheme

Gary Gannon

179. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of "It Makes Sense" loans that have been taken over in 2018, 2019 and 2020, in tabular form; if there has been a noted increase since March 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10951/21]

Carer's Allowance

Gary Gannon

188. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Social Protection if her attention has been drawn to the lack of banks in the Irish market that accept carer’s allowance income as income for the purposes of loans, mortgages and other financial products following the withdrawal of a bank (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10950/21]

Carer's Allowance

Gary Gannon

189. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Social Protection the average length of time a person claims carer’s allowance. [10953/21]

Community Policing

Gary Gannon

235. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Justice the number of areas in Dublin that do not have access to a community policing outreach van; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10949/21]

Special Educational Needs Staff

Gary Gannon

395. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Education if her attention has been drawn to the lack of accreditation of the national training programme for special needs assistants in UCD, which has 500 SNAs enrolled and studying on the programme who will not be formally recognised at the end of their studies; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10577/21]

State Examinations

Gary Gannon

544. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Education if the leaving certificate examination fee will be waived for 2021 given the extreme financial difficulties caused by Covid-19; if students who receive SEC-accredited grades will only be required to pay an examination fee; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10572/21]

State Examinations

Gary Gannon

545. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Education the fees paid for entry to the 2019 State examinations by leaving certificate, including the leaving certificate applied and junior certificate candidates, in tabular form. [10573/21]

State Examinations

Gary Gannon

546. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Education if all junior certificate students who were unable to complete their State examinations in 2020 due to Covid-19 have received their State certificate of completion; if this is not the cause for the delay, when students can expect to receive their certificates; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10574/21]

Early School Leavers

Gary Gannon

547. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Education if her Department has put in a place a strategy to reduce the risk of early school leavers during the Covid-19 pandemic; the number of early school leavers since March 2020; if the publishing of the report on the retention rates of pupils in second level schools in 2014 will be expedited; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10575/21]

State Examinations

Gary Gannon

548. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Education if sixth-year students who are unable to return to school due to living with a high-risk family member will be able to receive accredited grades; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10576/21]

Special Educational Needs

Gary Gannon

549. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Education when students with additional educational needs in mainstream schools can be expected to make a return to in-person learning; and the additional supports extended to these students and families while they learn from home. [10582/21]

State Examinations

Gary Gannon

550. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Education if the geography investigation which represents 20% of the marks for the subject in the leaving certificate will be required to go ahead in 2021; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10583/21]

State Examinations

Gary Gannon

551. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Education if leaving certificate applied students will be required to perform interview tasks when they return to in-person learning; if there will be a reduction in the minimum attendance of 90% for subject modules for students; and when schools can expect to receive information relating to the leaving certificate applied programme for 2021. [10584/21]

Personal Public Service Numbers

Gary Gannon

595. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of a personal public service number, PPSN, application by a person (details supplied). [10571/21]

Education Data

Gary Gannon

694. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if his Department has data on the practice of higher education institutions running non-accredited courses; if so, if he will provide same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10578/21]

Drug and Alcohol Task Forces

Gary Gannon

1044. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Health if discussions are taking place with drug alcohol task forces and projects given the commitment in budget 2021 to increase the core funding for existing drug task force services during 2021 and the widespread recognition that there will be a significant increase in demand for addiction services when Covid-19 restrictions are lifted; and if not, when these discussions will take place. [10579/21]

National Drugs Strategy

Gary Gannon

1045. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Health if the mid-term review of the national drugs strategy will provide for a clear and urgent response to drug related intimidation, debt and violence; and if the revised strategy will include a strong commitment to putting in place the long-term and sustainable economic initiatives that are required to address the issue. [10580/21]

National Drugs Strategy

Gary Gannon

1046. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Health the way in which the mid-term review of the national drugs strategy will address the limitations of the health diversion programme that is currently being developed by his Department and which will continue to criminalise possession of drugs for persons caught more than once or twice in some circumstances, that is, those persons with the most serious drug problems. [10581/21]

Legislative Measures

Gary Gannon

156. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Education the estimated cost of fully implementing section 13, duty of the Minister and Minister for Health and Children to make resources available, in the Education for Persons with Special Educational Needs Act 2004. [8999/21]

Legislative Measures

Gary Gannon

157. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Education the estimated cost of fully implementing section 10, designation of schools, and section 17, liaison officers, in the Education for Persons with Special Educational Needs Act 2004. [9000/21]

Legislative Measures

Gary Gannon

158. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Education the estimated cost of fully implementing section 14, duty of schools, in the Education for Persons with Special Educational Needs Act 2004. [9001/21]

Legislative Measures

Gary Gannon

159. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Education the estimated cost of fully implementing section 18, preparation of education plan at direction of council, in the Education for Persons with Special Educational Needs Act 2004. [9002/21]

Legislative Measures

Gary Gannon

160. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Education the estimated cost of fully implementing section 39, duty of the HSE, in the Education for Persons with Special Educational Needs Act 2004. [9003/21]

Legislative Measures

Gary Gannon

161. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Education the estimated cost of fully implementing section 8, preparation of education plan at direction of Council, in the Education for Persons with Special Educational Needs Act 2004. [9004/21]

Legislative Measures

Gary Gannon

162. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Education the estimated cost of fully implementing sections 3 to 7, 9 and 18 in the Education for Persons with Special Educational Needs Act 2004. [9005/21]

Legislative Measures

Gary Gannon

163. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Education the estimated cost of fully implementing sections 11, 12, 15, 16 and 38 in the Education for Persons with Special Educational Needs Act 2004. [9006/21]

Departmental Strategies

Gary Gannon

164. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Education when the Statement of Strategy 2021 to 2023 will be published by her Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9007/21]

Citizens' Assembly

Gary Gannon

165. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Education further to Parliamentary Question No. 482 of 10 February 2021, if the remit for the citizens' assembly for education will be limited to post-primary education; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9010/21]

State Examinations

Gary Gannon

166. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Education if she will commit to a deadline when a decision and details of assessment for examinations cohorts, that is, junior certificate, leaving certificate applied and leaving certificate students, will be communicated due to the intense stress and uncertainty facing the students; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9011/21]

Educational Disadvantage

Gary Gannon

167. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Education when the new DEIS identification model will be finalised and implemented by her Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9012/21]

Educational Disadvantage

Gary Gannon

168. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Education the way in which the investment of €5 million for DEIS schools in budget 2021 will be allocated; if it will be committed to trauma informed practice; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9013/21]

Special Educational Needs

Gary Gannon

169. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Education if consideration will be given to an immediate increase in SET hours when school buildings reopen and for September 2021 to reflect the significant work needed to support young persons due to the extensive impact of Covid-19; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9014/21]

Exceptional Needs Payment

Gary Gannon

195. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Social Protection if bills relating to digital costs or necessary one-off purchases of digital devices can be supported under the exceptional needs payments; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9008/21]

Higher Education Institutions

Gary Gannon

216. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if his attention has been drawn to higher education institutions charging gym fees for the current academic year despite the lack of access to same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9009/21]

Telecommunications Services

Gary Gannon

17. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications his plans to support Wi-Fi access for students without access while school buildings are closed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7796/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Gary Gannon

89. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the supports available for the most iconic cultural venues in Dublin city to ensure they survive; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7795/21]

Local Authority Staff

Gary Gannon

119. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the position on access officers in local authorities as provided for under the Disability Act 2005; if each role is filled in tabular form; if each role is full-time and dedicated solely to access issues; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7788/21]

Consular Services

Gary Gannon

126. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the number of times consular assistance has been provided in circumstances in which an issue has arisen at an airport or other point of international travel due to the fact that a parent or guardian has a different surname from that of his or her child. [7787/21]

Teaching Council of Ireland

Gary Gannon

159. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Education the status of an application for a Teaching Council registration number by a person (details supplied). [7790/21]

DEIS Scheme

Gary Gannon

160. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Education if she will review the non-DEIS status of a school (details supplied) in view of the high number of other DEIS status schools in the area serving the same catchment area and in view of the fact that the school serves a number of vulnerable children, which is evident by their participation in the schools completion programme and school meals scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7791/21]

State Examinations

Gary Gannon

161. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Education when the minutes from the first meeting of the advisory group on planning for State examinations 2021, which took place on 25 November 2020, will be published. [7792/21]

State Examinations

Gary Gannon

162. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Education when the minutes from the second meeting of the advisory group on planning for State examinations 2021, which took place on 14 December 2020, will be published. [7793/21]

School Staff

Gary Gannon

163. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Education the amount spent on continuing professional development for guidance counsellors in each of the years 2018 to 2020; and the budget allocation for same in 2021. [7794/21]

Registration of Births

Gary Gannon

178. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Social Protection if a PPS number is required by a parent to register the birth of a child; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7786/21]

Supplementary Welfare Allowance

Gary Gannon

179. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of applicants for and total payments of the supplementary welfare allowance made in 2019, 2020 and to date in 2021. [7801/21]

Supplementary Welfare Allowance

Gary Gannon

180. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Social Protection the amount spent on communications and publicity in respect of the supplementary welfare allowance in 2020. [7802/21]

Disability Allowance

Gary Gannon

181. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Social Protection the estimated amount an increase by €5 in the disability allowance would cost the State; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7803/21]

General Practitioner Services

Gary Gannon

315. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Health his views on the practice of general practitioner clinics that are accepting new patients but are refusing to take new patients with general practitioner visit cards or medical cards; if the practice is compliant with HSE rules and regulations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7810/21]