Parliamentary questions

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Matt Carthy

846. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if an interim payment will be provided for the self-employed who have claimed the pandemic unemployment payment in order to provide certainty so they can return to work; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12411/20]

Community Employment Schemes

Matt Carthy

847. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection her plans to address the issues regarding the pension and gratuity status of community employment supervisors; her further plans to implement the Labour Court recommendation issued in 2008; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12412/20]

Defence Forces Data

Matt Carthy

12. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the number of full-time personnel employed across the Defence Forces for each of the years 2008 to 2019 and to date in 2020, by branch in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11341/20]

Defence Forces Data

Matt Carthy

13. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence further to Parliamentary Question No. 16 of 20 May 2020, the date on which each of the current vacancies across the Defence Forces first arose in tabular form; the efforts taken to recruit to fill these posts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11342/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Matt Carthy

440. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the reason for the exclusion of commercially rated businesses within community and sports centres from the business restart grant scheme; her plans to provide supports to assist these businesses to reopen; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11320/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Matt Carthy

441. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation if she will provide details of the total number of applications received to date in the Covid-19 business loan scheme administered by Microfinance Ireland; the number of applications which have been made by businesses in the agrifood sector; the number of same that have been approved and refused, respectively; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11321/20]

Health and Safety Inspections

Matt Carthy

442. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the number of Health and Safety Authority inspections that have been carried out at meat processing plants in each month of 2020, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11322/20]

Health and Safety Inspections

Matt Carthy

443. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the number of complaints received by the Health and Safety Authority regarding meat processing plants and the issue of compliance with Covid-19 safety measures in the workplace; the number of inspections which have been carried out following these complaints; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11323/20]

Health and Safety Authority

Matt Carthy

444. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the additional resources that will be provided to the HSA to assist the agency to carry out its functions, including workplace inspections, in order to ensure business compliance with public health and safety guidelines as workplaces set to reopen following the Covid-19 pandemic; if she has received a formal request from the HSA for additional resourcing to coincide with the Covid-19 reopening; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11324/20]

Health and Safety Inspections

Matt Carthy

445. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation further to her contribution in Dáil Éireann on 21 May 2020 regarding the number of HSA inspections that had taken place at meat plants, the reason this information was subsequently released to the media when it was considered confidential; if she considers this to be a breach of confidentiality; the actions that she plans to take in this regard; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11325/20]

Company Closures

Matt Carthy

446. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation if she has examined reasons for the proposed closure of a business (details supplied) in County Monaghan; if her Department can assist in addressing the causes for closure in order to protect the jobs there; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11326/20]

Targeted Agricultural Modernisation Scheme

Matt Carthy

758. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when he will publish details regarding the remaining tranches of TAMS; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11329/20]

Poultry Industry

Matt Carthy

759. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of chickens which have been culled as a result of the presence of bird flu H6N1 subtype following a recent outbreak per affected flock in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11330/20]

Beef Industry

Matt Carthy

760. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of applications received as part of the beef exceptional aid measure scheme; the amount allocated as part of the scheme; his plans to utilise unspent moneys; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11331/20]

Rural Environment Protection Scheme

Matt Carthy

761. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to introduce a new rural environment protection type scheme; if briefing or discussion papers produced by his Department for same will be provided; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11332/20]

Beef Exports

Matt Carthy

762. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the planned sequence of actions for the reopening of exports of Irish beef to China; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11333/20]

Animal Diseases

Matt Carthy

763. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if the epidemiological report on the atypical case of BSE has been completed; if a copy of same will be provided; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11334/20]

Beef Exports

Matt Carthy

764. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will prioritise the reopening of Irish beef exports to China; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11335/20]

Departmental Staff

Matt Carthy

798. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the estimated full year cost of recruiting five additional cyber security developers or analysts for his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11327/20]

North-South Interconnector

Matt Carthy

799. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he will address a matter relating to a request (details supplied) for accelerated procurement and funding to support fast-tracking the north-south interconnector in the absence of planning approvals in May 2015; his views on whether the action is appropriate; and his further views on whether this undermines the credibility of the planning process. [11328/20]

Aviation Industry

Matt Carthy

856. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if guidance will be given to consumers regarding summer flights to European destinations as current guidelines advise against flying; if airlines will refund consumers for flights already booked but not cancelled; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11022/20]

Childcare Qualifications

Matt Carthy

912. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the reason training has not been provided to childcare professionals prior to the introduction of the redeveloped regime (details supplied); the reason inspections under the quality regulatory framework commenced prior to that training being provided; when the training will be provided to childcare professionals; the person or body commissioned to devise the training course; the cost of the training course to date; if penalties will be applied to compensate for the delay in providing the training; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11336/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Matt Carthy

913. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if an analysis has been carried out of the financial burden Covid-19 infection controls such as social distancing, reduced capacity and other measures will have on childcare providers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11337/20]

Early Childhood Care and Education

Matt Carthy

914. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs her plans to make changes to the ECCE capitation rate for childcare providers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11338/20]

Childcare Services

Matt Carthy

915. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs further to Parliamentary Question No. 1124 of 20 May 2020, if the minutes of all meetings held by the advisory group tasked with overseeing the phased reopening of childcare services will be published; if same can be made available following each session of the group; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11339/20]

Childcare Services

Matt Carthy

916. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the grant supports or other assistance that will be made available to a new childcare facility that plans to open in September 2020; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11340/20]

Inland Waterways

Matt Carthy

1104. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the status of the restoration of the Ulster Canal; when she expects the project to fully reach completion; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11343/20]

Passport Applications

Matt Carthy

26. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade when he expects a return of regular passport services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10167/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Matt Carthy

167. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he has commenced consultation with principals, teachers, parents, students, SNAs and other stakeholders regarding the reopening of schools; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10164/20]

School Transport

Matt Carthy

168. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Education and Skills when refunds will be issued in respect of school bus fees paid for the period of school closures as a result of the Covid-19 restrictions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10165/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Matt Carthy

169. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Education and Skills if special arrangements will be made for sixth class students to return to their primary schools for a period before they commence secondary school; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10166/20]

Direct Provision System

Matt Carthy

234. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if his Department has been in negotiations with a private company regarding the supply of direct provision or emergency accommodation in Castleblayney, County Monaghan; if so, if consultation will take place with the local community and representatives of asylum seekers with respect to the suitability of a proposed centre prior to the finalisation of an agreement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10169/20]

Garda Stations

Matt Carthy

235. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Justice and Equality his plans to ensure the reopening of Emyvale Garda station, County Monaghan following a previous fire at the site; the time frame for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10170/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Matt Carthy

270. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation when guidance will be issued to hairdressers and barbers regarding the steps they will need to take in order to get their businesses ready for reopening; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9695/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Matt Carthy

271. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation when guidance will be issued to beauty salons regarding the steps they will need to take in order to get their business ready for reopening; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9696/20]

Health and Safety Inspections

Matt Carthy

293. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the number of HSA inspections that have taken place at meat factories up to and including 5 June 2020; if the inspections were unannounced;; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10163/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Matt Carthy

401. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Health the number of persons that applied to be part of the Be on Call for Ireland initiative; the number that were subsequently recruited into the health service via the scheme; the amount paid to agency companies in respect of the scheme by company and amount in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10168/20]

Agriculture Schemes

Matt Carthy

480. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if an appraisal has been carried out of the outworking of the mandatory reduction obligation contained within the BEAM scheme; if he will remove the criteria; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10156/20]

Harness Racing Industry

Matt Carthy

481. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason trotting racing is operating to a different reopening schedule than that of thoroughbred racing in respect of the easing of Covid-19 restrictions; if the matter will be reviewed in order to ensure equality across the codes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10157/20]

Beef Imports

Matt Carthy

482. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the implications of the Chinese suspension of beef imports from Ireland following confirmation of an atypical case of BSE; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10158/20]

Beef Industry

Matt Carthy

483. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans for developing PGI status for grass-fed beef here; if this will result in clear labelling to distinguish grass-fed beef from other product; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10159/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Matt Carthy

484. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if the EU emergency measure will be implemented that will allow payments of €5,000 to be paid to farmers experiencing cash flow difficulties arising from the Covid-19 pandemic; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10160/20]

Beef Industry

Matt Carthy

485. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of suckler calves born in each of the past ten years by county; and the number of farmers in the sector by county in the same period in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10161/20]

Common Agricultural Policy

Matt Carthy

486. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of farmers in each county that received 2019 CAP payments by amounts (details supplied) in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10162/20]

Driver Test

Matt Carthy

578. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when he expects driver tests to resume; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10171/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Matt Carthy

579. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if a bespoke support scheme will be provided for private bus and coach operators affected by the Covid-19 lockdown; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10172/20]

Brexit Negotiations

Matt Carthy

32. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the contacts he has made with the EU and or UK Government officials regarding the ongoing post-Brexit trade talks; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9193/20]

Company Closures

Matt Carthy

33. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the contacts he or his officials had with or in respect of a company (details supplied) prior to or since the announced closure of the business; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9194/20]

Insurance Industry

Matt Carthy

95. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Finance the period for which a quotation from an insurance company should stand prior to being withdrawn; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9192/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Matt Carthy

272. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Education and Skills when guidelines will be provided for the reopening of schools; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9190/20]