Parliamentary questions

Grant Payments

Ged Nash

1257. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the estimated cost to restore the SUSI non-adjacent rate to 24 km. [39749/21]

Grant Payments

Ged Nash

1258. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the estimated cost to reinstate postgraduate grants. [39750/21]

Grant Payments

Ged Nash

1259. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the estimated cost of expanding SUSI maintenance rates to all qualifying part and full-time undergraduate and postgraduate students. [39751/21]

Student Accommodation

Ged Nash

1260. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his plans to fund affordable student accommodation and housing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39752/21]

Third Level Costs

Ged Nash

1261. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the estimated annual cost of a targeted fund to fully finance third-level education for 100 persons experiencing homelessness including those living in temporary accommodation such as hostels, direct provision centres and domestic abuse refuges. [39755/21]

Apprenticeship Programmes

Ged Nash

1264. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the estimated of cost of reducing apprentice fees by 20%, 50% and 100%, respectively; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39873/21]

Grant Payments

Ged Nash

1265. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his plans to decrease the qualifying criteria for the non-adjacent rate of the SUSI grant from 45 km to 24 km; the estimated cost involved in 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39874/21]

Grant Payments

Ged Nash

1266. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the estimated number of students that would be affected by changing the SUSI adjacency rates from 45km to 25km, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39875/21]

Employment Schemes

Ged Nash

1267. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the projected yield from a 0.1% increase in 2021 in the national training fund levy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39882/21]

Employment Schemes

Ged Nash

1268. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the history of increases in the national training fund levy over the past five years in tabular form; the projected yield at budget time of each 0.1% increase in tabular form; the actual yield in the full year following the increase; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39883/21]

Disability Services

Ged Nash

1270. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the supports specifically available to students with disabilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40105/21]

Grant Payments

Ged Nash

1271. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if students that are in receipt of disability, scholarship or bursary payments are disadvantaged when they apply for SUSI; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40106/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Ged Nash

1515. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Health if the current definition of a sporting event in the current Health Act 1947 (Covid-19) Regulations 2021 precludes sporting organisations not affiliated with a recognised national body from organising a competitive sporting event; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that this has prevented independent and unaffiliated clubs (details supplied) from holding events; his plans to address this matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33787/21]

Hospital Appointments Status

Ged Nash

1951. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Health when an orthopaedic appointment will be made at the Mater Hospital for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35968/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Ged Nash

2884. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Health if his Department plans to issue the digital Covid Certificate, SI 318 of 2021, based on a vaccination elsewhere in line with EU regulation 2021/953, (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39477/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Ged Nash

2885. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Health if Irish citizens and their family members who have been vaccinated in Northern Ireland will be eligible for the Digital COVID Certificate in (EU) 2021/953 (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39479/21]

Official Engagements

Ged Nash

2886. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Health the number of meetings between the Minister of State for Mental Health and Older People and representatives of a group (details supplied) each month since appointment; the number of meetings between the Minister of State and any owners or directors of private nursing homes since July 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39480/21]

Official Engagements

Ged Nash

2887. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Health the number of meetings between the Minister of State for Mental Health and Older People at his Department and between officials of the older persons unit each month since July 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39481/21]

Official Engagements

Ged Nash

2888. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Health the number of meetings between him and any owners, directors of private nursing homes since July 2020; the number of meetings between him and representatives of a group (details supplied) each month since appointment; the number of meetings between officials or advisers of his and any owners, directors of private nursing homes and representatives of the group since July 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39482/21]

Official Engagements

Ged Nash

2889. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Health the number of meetings between him and families bereaved by Covid-19 related deaths in nursing homes; the number of meetings between the Minister of State for Mental Health and Older People and families bereaved by Covid-19 related deaths; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39483/21]

Official Engagements

Ged Nash

2890. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Health the number of meetings between officials and advisers at his Department and advocacy groups for older persons since his appointment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39484/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Ged Nash

3045. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Health when he plans to allow for the reopening of certain businesses (details supplied) in a safe manner and in compliance with expert public health advice; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40095/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Ged Nash

3046. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Health if he is giving consideration to the potential for the reopening of indoor water parks; if he will provide guidance on the timeline involved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40096/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Ged Nash

3093. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Health if those who have been partially vaccinated in the State but have received either a first or second dose of an EMA registered vaccine in another jurisdiction will be considered fully vaccinated by the HSE; if such cases will have their vaccination details updated to avoid being offered an unnecessary vaccination appointment; if persons in such circumstances will be eligible for an EU digital Covid certificate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40247/21]

Special Educational Needs

Ged Nash

207. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Education the reason for the disparity in the allocation of special education teacher hours in a school (details supplied); if her Department will review the allocation in order for the school to meet the low and high incidence needs of its pupils; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38425/21]

Medicinal Products

Ged Nash

342. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Health when the zolgensma gene therapy will be approved for reimbursement for the treatment of spinal muscular atrophy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30968/21]

Medicinal Products

Ged Nash

377. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Health when the zolgensma gene therapy will be approved for reimbursement for the treatment of spinal muscular atrophy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31214/21]

Tax Code

Ged Nash

267. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Finance when the public consultation process on the OECD corporation tax proposals will commence; the terms of reference for the process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37318/21]

Schools Building Projects

Ged Nash

415. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Education the average delivery timescale for a new school building under the design and build system from stage one of the process to completion and handover between 2016 and 2021; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37616/21]

Institutes of Technology

Ged Nash

39. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science further to Parliamentary Question No. 182 of 23 June 2021, the amount of financial support provided by his Department and or the HEA to Dundalk Institute of Technology to assist in the purchase of the sports campus in 2014 which includes a building (details supplied); if conditions were attached to the provision of funds in terms of a requirement to return monies to the State in the event that the building would be sold by the institute in the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36692/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Ged Nash

207. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Finance if his attention has been drawn to the fact that some travel agents have been advised by the Revenue Commissioners that under the reopening of non-essential retail that they no longer qualify for the Covid restrictions support scheme despite not being able to trade due to non-essential travel (details supplied); his plans to address this anomaly; if it will be ensured that travel agents under such circumstances will remain eligible for the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35596/21]

Civil Service

Ged Nash

211. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if his attention has been drawn to the delays experienced by some civil service pensioners who are living abroad in terms of the late payment of pension payments as illustrated in the case of a person (details supplied); his views on whether this is a systemic problem; his plans to resolve the matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35590/21]

Immigration Policy

Ged Nash

351. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Justice if the circumstances of undocumented persons (detail supplied) is intended to be covered by the provisions of the new regularisation scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35597/21]

Heritage Sites

Ged Nash

99. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the status of the high cross monastic site at Monasterboice, County Louth in respect of the tentative list to be submitted to UNESCO for consideration for world heritage site status in 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35439/21]

Departmental Circulars

Ged Nash

171. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his views on the implications of circular 08/2019 for staff promotion and movement between public sector bodies (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34933/21]

Visa Applications

Ged Nash

364. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Justice when a decision will be reached in relation to a visa application by a person (details supplied); if the visa will be expedited given the circumstances; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33984/21]

Health Services Staff

Ged Nash

387. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Health his views on a recent advertisement for unpaid posts for HSE services (details supplied); the position of the HSE on the recruitment of roles in an unpaid capacity by HSE services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26181/21]

Health Services Staff

Ged Nash

388. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Health his views on a recent advertisement for unpaid posts for HSE services (details supplied); the person responsible for the creation of this advertisement; if the results of the review be made available to the public; if these positions will be readvertised as paid positions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26182/21]

Health Services Staff

Ged Nash

389. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Health when the HSE plans to make an announcement on whether the current national pilot assistant psychologist roles programme is to be extended; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26183/21]

Departmental Projects

Ged Nash

447. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Health the status of the project to redevelop a location (details supplied); the number of beds that will be available in the facility on completion; when the project will be completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26426/21]

Banking Sector

Ged Nash

95. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Finance if he will request the banking industry to offer an extension of time to those who have received mortgage approval in principle but where as a result of the current Covid-19 related restrictions, the offers are not being progressed or withdrawn; his views on whether an extension of the standard mortgage approval period of six months is required given the notable delays in the construction of new homes and limited market supply of affordable housing for prospective homebuyers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33644/21]

Institutes of Technology

Ged Nash

101. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if her attention has been drawn to the fact that a building (details supplied) is currently vacant despite the fact that it was purchased by Dundalk Institute of Technology with the support of State moneys; if her attention has been further drawn to the fact that an association has been involved in a three-year process with Dundalk Institute of Technology to purchase or lease the only facility of its kind and standard in the State; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33606/21]

Institutes of Technology

Ged Nash

182. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the amount of financial support provided by his Department to Dundalk Institute of Technology to assist in the purchase of a building (details supplied); if conditions were attached to the provision of funds in terms of a requirement to return monies to the State in the event that the building would be sold by the Institute in the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33605/21]

Driver Test

Ged Nash

184. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Transport his plans to increase the RSA driver theory test to 50,000 per month in order to clear the current Covid-19-related backlog; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33090/21]

Financial Services

Ged Nash

227. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Finance if his attention has been drawn to the issues that arise in terms of the ability of the Financial Services and Pensions Ombudsman to investigate complaints against financial institutions in situations in which joint accounts may be involved and the consent to allow the Ombudsman to investigate matters may be withheld by one party; his views on whether the relevant legislation should be reviewed to allow certain cases to be investigated by the Ombudsman in cases in which one party may decide to withhold their consent; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33427/21]

Special Educational Needs

Ged Nash

364. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Education if it will be ensured that a freeze on the loss of teachers and SNA allocations is introduced for special schools to bring them into line with the policy applied to mainstream schools in the context of the Covid-19 pandemic; her views on whether the case for such a move is strong given the lengthy waiting times involved in children receiving face to face assessments through the National Educational Psychological Service; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33079/21]

Public Services Provision

Ged Nash

117. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the work his Department has undertaken to date to deliver on the plain language requirement on all public service communication as referenced in the Programme for Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32344/21]

Freedom of Information

Ged Nash

118. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his plans to enhance freedom of information legislation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32343/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Ged Nash

121. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the details of the proposed work placement experience programme as cited in the National Recovery and Resilience Plan; his plans to ensure that participants of the programme are appropriately remunerated under the proposed scheme; if he will engage with a union (details supplied) on the design and governance of the programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32346/21]

Departmental Circulars

Ged Nash

128. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the status of the promotion of the green and social procurement agenda; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32345/21]