Parliamentary questions

Health Services

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor

660. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Health when a service (details supplied) in County Carlow will reopen; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28273/20]

Hospital Appointments Status

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor

730. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Health the status of an appointment for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28712/20]

Hospital Appointments Status

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor

731. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Health the status of an appointment for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28713/20]

Hospital Appointments Status

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor

753. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Health the position regarding a health appointment for person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28787/20]

Health Services

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor

754. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Health if plans are being considered to make eye tests outside of school testing at high street opticians free for children under 12 years of age who are on medical cards; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that many children experience sight deterioration outside of school tests and the cost of the test can be an impediment to low income families accessing such diagnostics; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28788/20]

Health Services Staff

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor

755. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Health if carers employed by the HSE who are required to travel on official business will be paid the travel and subsistence rates approved by his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28789/20]

School Staff

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor

488. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Education if a teacher is paid only for contracted teaching time; if not, if payment also includes additional tasks required of a teacher that is open to inspection by the Department that cannot be done in contracted time, such as long term plans, assessments and cuntas míosiúil; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27163/20]

School Staff

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor

489. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Education if teachers are paid by the hour for their contracted time; if they are paid a salary to remunerate them for all duties required of them by both their employer and her Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27164/20]

Apprenticeship Programmes

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor

675. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the position regarding the inclusion of bakers within apprenticeship programmes offered by education and training boards; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26566/20]

Tobacco Control Measures

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor

802. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Health if standardised format price lists for display in shops are to be implemented for the sale of tobacco products to consumers under the Public Health (Tobacco) Acts to dissuade the promotion of cheap cigarettes to young persons; if his attention has been drawn to the dangers of cheap cigarette advertising to young persons; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26440/20]

Ambulance Service

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor

803. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Health when the €350,000 allocated to the ambulance base in County Carlow which was committed to by the previous Government will be provided; when he expects works to begin; when County Carlow will have an ambulance base which is fit for purpose; his views on whether it is acceptable for a town the size of Carlow not to have its own ambulance base and not to receive communication from the HSE in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26441/20]

Medical Cards

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor

804. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Health the reason medical card patients are being charged €20 for a flu vaccine, which is meant to be free in 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26442/20]

Occupational Therapy

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor

805. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Health when progress will be made on reducing waiting times in counties Carlow and Kilkenny for occupational therapy assessments, especially for those in routine and non-urgent categories; the reason for the current backlog of up to a full year for a visit to a person's home; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26443/20]

Covid-19 Tests

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor

806. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Health the steps being taken to address increased demand for Covid-19 tests and facilitating those who do not have transportation; if the current demand on the ambulance service to support this service is under pressure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26444/20]

Vaccination Programme

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor

807. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Health if the flu vaccine is being added to the school vaccination programme in 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26445/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor

808. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Health if funding is being allocated to a service (details supplied) to cover extra costs involved in the recruitment of cleaners to comply with Covid-19 public health recommendations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26446/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor

809. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Health if community swimming pools and leisure centres will be permitted to hold swimming classes for children in primary schools; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26447/20]

Speech and Language Therapy

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor

810. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Health when progress will be made on reducing waiting times in early intervention speech and language therapy in counties Carlow and Kilkenny for assessments; if a timeline can be provided for the reduction of the current backlog of three years; if a speech and language therapy vacancy (details supplied) has been filled; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26448/20]

Community Employment Schemes

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor

35. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Social Protection if an extension to time limits for workers on community employment schemes in community organisations in rural areas will be applied to retrospectively replace time lost in suspended jobs under public health restrictions; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24300/20]

Waste Management

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor

143. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Climate Action and Communication Networks the position regarding the classification of agricultural waste plastic in view of the costs and restrictions on export imposed by an office (details supplied) as a result of hipping agricultural films and plastics as amber; his plans to investigate the possibility of reclassifying agricultural waste plastic from amber to green as is the case in several other European countries; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25450/20]

Waste Management

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor

144. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Climate Action and Communication Networks the position regarding the agricultural waste plastic levy with respect to independent contractors (details supplied); if he is satisfied that the current arrangement ensures parity within the industry for all collectors; his plans to investigate the possibility of amending the current arrangement to ensure that the funds raised through the levy follow the plastic; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25451/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor

250. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Finance his plans to fast track finance for SMEs to enable them to reopen to the levels required to reintegrate staff and reduce figures nationally of those in receipt of pandemic unemployment payment; his further plans to address the issues being experienced by SMEs, and in particular publicans, by which they are being refused credit by lending institutions due to a lack of repayment capacity with no consideration being afforded to the fact that many still cannot trade; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25449/20]

Social Welfare Eligibility

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor

543. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding employees of airline (details supplied) who are struggling to gain access to casual jobseeker payments and short-time work supports while their employer is claiming the employment wage subsidy scheme; the position regarding application lodged in respect of persons; the reason for the delay in processing same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25452/20]

Tax Code

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor

680. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Justice the position regarding the official State recognition of partners that have been long-term cohabiters; the position regarding financial assistance and tax credits available to a person in such a situation upon the death of partner; her plans to examine the issue further; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25447/20]

Health and Safety Inspections

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor

681. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Justice the position regarding the health and safety concerns expressed by the managing solicitor and staff at a law centre (details supplied) in respect of proposed relocation of premises which have been communicated to her Department previously; if she is satisfied that the proposed relocation does not warrant further and detailed examination in view of the severity of the issues highlighted with her Department previously; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25448/20]

National Broadband Plan

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor

36. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Community and Rural Development and the Islands the status of the roll out of broadband connection points in counties Carlow and Kilkenny. [16079/20]

Animal Culls

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor

47. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if his attention has been drawn to the fact that there is considerable concern among licensed deer hunters and expert groups such as an organisation (details supplied) over the delay in issuing permits under section 29 of the Wildlife Acts for the 2020/2021 open season for deer (details supplied); the number of applications processed to date; the number outstanding; the expected timeline to process the applications; his plans to address the delays caused by Covid-19; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24250/20]

Animal Culls

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor

48. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if his attention has been drawn to the fact that expert groups such as an organisation (details supplied) have made recommendations to address the backlog under section 29 of the Wildlife Acts for the 2020/2021 open season for deer in line with other Departments such as the Department of Transport extension of NCT certificates and driver licences; if his attention has been further drawn to a detailed recommendation which was made in December 2015 regarding the implementation of an online licensing system by the Irish Deer Management Forum to streamline and bring Ireland into line with other countries regarding the issuing of wildlife licensing permits; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24251/20]

Animal Culls

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor

49. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when he will meet an organisation (details supplied) to discuss the issues relating to the delays and proposed solutions to avoid future delays; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24252/20]

School Funding

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor

72. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Education the number of schools in County Carlow receiving an ancillary services grant, in tabular form. [24253/20]

Special Educational Needs Staff

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor

73. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Education the number of requests received for additional special needs assistants from schools in County Carlow; and the number of requests that have been approved. [24254/20]

School Facilities

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor

74. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Education the number of primary and secondary schools in County Carlow without hot water facilities; and the steps taken to rectify such issues in view of the fact children have returned to school. [24255/20]

Minor Works Scheme

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor

75. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Education the qualifying criteria for schools to be eligible to receive the minor works grant; the schools in receipt of the grant in County Carlow; the reason schools were denied a grant; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24256/20]

School Transport

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor

389. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Education if there will be a review of the prohibition on persons over 70 years of age driving school buses; if she will consider the absence of legislation on health checks for public service drivers as a contributor to the rule; if the matter will be reviewed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24033/20]

Garda Operations

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor

595. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Justice if funding will be secured for a new Garda operational course in quarter 4 of 2020. [23791/20]

Garda Recruitment

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor

596. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Justice if a new recruitment campaign for the Garda band will happen in quarter 4 of 2020. [23792/20]

Garda Data

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor

597. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Justice the number of gardaí within the Carlow Kilkenny Garda division that have successfully completed the competency-based driving levels 3, 4 and 5 courses in 2018, 2019 and to date in 2020, in tabular form. [23793/20]

Garda Stations

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor

317. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform when Leighlinbridge Garda station, County Carlow will reopen. [21306/20]

School Funding

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor

684. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Education and Skills the estimated cost to restore the standard capitation rate for pupils in primary schools to €200 which was the rate in 2010 prior to cuts; and her views on whether this is a diminishing cost in view of the falling enrolments in primary schools. [20299/20]

Post-Leaving Certificate Courses

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor

686. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Education and Skills if post-leaving certificate students prohibited from undertaking practical exams due to Covid-19 restrictions are to be graded under a predicted grade system; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20399/20]

Medicinal Products

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor

1443. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Health if ionafornid treatment in the rare disease progeria will be licensed here; if the State will be providing the financial burden of hospitals providing such treatment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20964/20]

Rent Supplement Scheme

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor

72. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection her plans to make rent supplement more easily available to victims of domestic violence. [18973/20]

Local Authority Housing

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor

323. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government when the review of income thresholds to qualify for a place on a local authority housing list will be complete; when the review will be made public; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17968/20]

Social and Affordable Housing

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor

49. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government when the review of income thresholds to qualify for a place on a local authority housing list will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17376/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor

31. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if she will consider additional supports for local communities to hold replacement events in view of the cancellation of a number of festivals and other cultural events in counties Carlow and Kilkenny in recent months; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17283/20]

Flood Relief Schemes

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor

37. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the status of the development of a flood relief scheme on the border of counties Carlow and Kilkenny. [16804/20]

Army Barracks

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor

100. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Defence when works commenced on the new gymnasium at James Stephen's Barracks, Kilkenny; and when works on same will finish. [16439/20]

Rent Supplement Scheme

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor

140. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the estimated full-year cost of increasing rent supplement limits by 10%. [16441/20]

Healthcare Policy

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor

183. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Health his plans for the elimination of HPV-related cancers within a generation here; the strategies that need to be implemented in the coming 12 months, acknowledging that the introduction of a catch-up programme for boys in sixth year for the HPV vaccine will accelerate this public health goal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16437/20]

Hospital Data

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor

185. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Health the number of cataract operations that were carried out at St. Luke's hospital, Kilkenny, in 2019 and to date in 2020. [16440/20]