Parliamentary questions

Social Media

Richard Boyd Barrett

203. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment his plans to raise the rights of content moderators with a company (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30273/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Richard Boyd Barrett

204. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the steps his Department is taking to protect workers’ health and safety in view of the reopening of the hospitality sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30274/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Richard Boyd Barrett

205. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the additional resources that will be provided to the Health and Safety Authority in relation to the reopening of the hospitality sector; if Covid-19 will be designated as an occupational illness in that context; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30275/21]

Foreign Policy

Richard Boyd Barrett

275. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs his views on sanctions against Israel; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30266/21]

School Staff

Richard Boyd Barrett

291. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Education if the appeal will be supported to retain an additional teacher at a school (details supplied); if she will take steps to rectify the situation prior to the next appeal date on 15 June 2021; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30289/21]

Government Communications

Richard Boyd Barrett

3. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Taoiseach if he will report on the work of the Government Information Service. [29780/21]

Economic Policy

Richard Boyd Barrett

5. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Taoiseach if he will report on the work of the national reform programme. [28373/21]

Departmental Functions

Richard Boyd Barrett

11. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Taoiseach if he will report on the work of the EU and international division of his Department. [26505/21]

Driver Test

Richard Boyd Barrett

86. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Transport if he will request that driver theory tests to be deemed an essential service and for in-person testing to reopen in centres in a safe and a socially distanced manner; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29982/21]

Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements

Richard Boyd Barrett

13. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Taoiseach if he will report on his most recent engagements with the social partners. [29779/21]

Public Transport

Richard Boyd Barrett

234. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Transport the number of wheelchair accessible taxi grants issued for the period March 2020 to May 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29535/21]

Public Transport

Richard Boyd Barrett

235. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Transport the cost of wheelchair accessible grants issued for the period March 2020 to May 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29536/21]

Public Transport

Richard Boyd Barrett

236. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Transport the number of wheelchair accessible taxi grants issued for the period March 2020 to May 2021 that were issued to persons who did not previously own a small public service vehicle licence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29537/21]

Public Transport

Richard Boyd Barrett

237. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Transport the number of wheelchair accessible taxi grants issued for the period March 2020 to May 2021 that were issued to persons changing from an existing saloon licence to a wheelchair accessible vehicle; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29538/21]

Homeless Accommodation

Richard Boyd Barrett

322. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the backlog in homeless HAP payments is causing warnings and threats of eviction to tenants from landlords and causing anxiety to those who already have experience of homelessness and do not wish to return to that scenario again as in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29326/21]

Prison Service

Richard Boyd Barrett

509. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Justice if prisoners in Mountjoy Prison are disallowed from writing and receiving letters due to Covid-19 restrictions; if they are on 23-hour lock up as a result of same; if family members are allowed to bring personal items for prisoners; if counselling and rehabilitation services are suspended; when normal services will resume; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29335/21]

Prison Service

Richard Boyd Barrett

510. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Justice the way a prisoner can apply for enhanced remission; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29346/21]

Prison Service

Richard Boyd Barrett

511. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Justice when counselling services will be reinstated for prisoners; the way rehabilitation services are accessed prior to release; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29347/21]

Prison Service

Richard Boyd Barrett

512. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Justice if her attention has been drawn to groups providing advocacy services to prisoners currently serving sentences; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29348/21]

Third Level Fees

Richard Boyd Barrett

244. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his plans to ensure justice for international students who have had their education in Ireland affected by the Covid-19 crisis but who are being refused refunds on any fees by the university, specifically in the case of a university (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28790/21]

Departmental Programmes

Richard Boyd Barrett

4. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Taoiseach the status of the shared island unit of his Department. [26243/21]

Cabinet Committees

Richard Boyd Barrett

12. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee that addresses matters relating to the arts and culture will next meet. [26507/21]

Coroners Service

Richard Boyd Barrett

220. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Justice the reason a family (details supplied) have been told they must wait up to two years for a coroner's inquest into the death of a family member; if measures will be taken to address any backlog in coroners' inquests due to the added pressure to the system caused by the pandemic and alleviate the suffering of this and other bereaved families; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28481/21]

Vaccination Programme

Richard Boyd Barrett

221. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Justice the number of prisoners who have been vaccinated to date against Covid-19; the number vaccinated who are over 60 years of age; the number vaccinated who are medically vulnerable; the timescale for those who have not been vaccinated to receive a vaccine; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28483/21]

Pension Provisions

Richard Boyd Barrett

95. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Transport if retired members of the CIÉ 1951 pension scheme were afforded any consultation or right to vote on the proposals recently agreed; if we will agree to meet their representatives to discuss their concerns on the issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27525/21]

Pension Provisions

Richard Boyd Barrett

96. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Transport if the 1951 pension scheme for CIÉ workers is in compliance with minimum funding standard rules; his plans to meet with CIÉ representatives to discuss the crisis in this scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27526/21]

Financial Services

Richard Boyd Barrett

190. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Finance if there is a statute of limitations for penalties or prosecutions on financial institutions for misconduct or breach of regulations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27757/21]

Tax Rebates

Richard Boyd Barrett

191. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Finance if he plans in any upcoming finance Bill to allow VAT on electricity for disabled electric vehicle use to be claimed back; if not, if he will request the Revenue Commissioners to allow same as an interim measure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27769/21]

School Equipment

Richard Boyd Barrett

358. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Education if her Department has a budget for the purchase of tablet devices (details supplied) for secondary schools in 2021; if this budget will ensure all pupils have access to such a device; if the use of such devices is now routine and compulsory in secondary schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28163/21]

Social Welfare Benefits

Richard Boyd Barrett

371. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will consider providing free travel cards for persons with epilepsy during the period in which they are disallowed from driving; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27505/21]

Further and Higher Education

Richard Boyd Barrett

453. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the amount of funding needed to update the research framework to operate with PhD candidates as full employees of their institutions, rather than as students receiving grants or stipends; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27533/21]

Third Level Education

Richard Boyd Barrett

460. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the dropout rate across universities for first-year students commencing in 2020; the steps he is taking to support students that may be struggling with online learning; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27765/21]

Further and Higher Education

Richard Boyd Barrett

95. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his views on whether limiting access to higher and further education is anachronistic; if he will consider establishing open access to third-level education for all; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26996/21]

Site Acquisitions

Richard Boyd Barrett

268. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Education if the sale of a site (details supplied) to her Department is progressing; if there is an expected date by which the special class will be available for use by the school; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27152/21]

Naturalisation Applications

Richard Boyd Barrett

347. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Justice if the fee of €950 for a naturalisation certificate can be waived for a person who has lived and paid tax in Ireland for 49 years and would be in difficulty paying the fee; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27430/21]

Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements

Richard Boyd Barrett

2. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Taoiseach if he will report on his most recent engagements with the President of the European Commission. [24250/21]

An Garda Síochána

Richard Boyd Barrett

11. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Taoiseach if he will report on the policing reform implementation programme office based in his Department. [26506/21]

Departmental Bodies

Richard Boyd Barrett

17. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Taoiseach if he will report on the work of the housing, infrastructure and digital unit of his Department. [26241/21]

Departmental Bodies

Richard Boyd Barrett

18. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Taoiseach if he will report on the work of the economic division of his Department. [26242/21]

Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements

Richard Boyd Barrett

42. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Taoiseach if he will report on his latest engagement with the social partners. [24664/21]

Health Services Staff

Richard Boyd Barrett

96. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the status of workers who have been transferred without their knowledge from a section 39 status organisation to a section 56 status which has had consequences for those workers' earnings and conditions; when and the way in which this change was made; if it is intended to ensure that sufficient funding and resources are available for Tusla and section 56 workers to allow for the reversal of FEMPI era cuts that have applied to public sector and section 38 and 39 employees; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26737/21]

Special Educational Needs

Richard Boyd Barrett

144. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Education if she will meet with behaviour analysts working in special schools as per the recommendation of the Labour Court of December 2019 to address issues with their employment agreements which are due to expire in seven weeks; if permanent positions will be secured for them in order to maintain and continue their work supporting the education in special schools of children with autism and complex special education needs; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26855/21]

Health Services Staff

Richard Boyd Barrett

164. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the status of workers who have been transferred without their knowledge from a section 39 status organisation to a section 56 status which has had consequences for those workers earnings and conditions; when and the way in which this change was made; if it is intended to ensure sufficient funding and resources are available for Tusla and section 56 workers to allow for the reversal of FEMPI era cuts that have applied to public sector and section 38 and 39 employees; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26739/21]

Programme for Government

Richard Boyd Barrett

1. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Taoiseach the status of the programme for Government. [21779/21]

Vaccination Programme

Richard Boyd Barrett

6. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Taoiseach the membership and terms of reference of the vaccine roll-out group chaired by the Secretary General of his Department. [24662/21]

Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements

Richard Boyd Barrett

12. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Taoiseach if he will report on his recent engagements with church leaders. [24249/21]

National Economic and Social Council

Richard Boyd Barrett

135. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Social Protection if she has read the NESC report on the position of the self-employed. [1330/21]

Pension Provisions

Richard Boyd Barrett

273. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Transport if he will intervene in the current crisis relating to the CIÉ pension schemes and ensure that the company takes no unilateral action until current court proceedings are finalised and resolved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26475/21]

Water Quality

Richard Boyd Barrett

388. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if a commitment will be given to the systematic testing of the waters of Dublin Bay at a minimum of ten locations throughout 356 days of the year (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26063/21]

School Accommodation

Richard Boyd Barrett

145. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Education if she will ensure that a school (details supplied) can stay on its current site now that the lease has been renewed for one more year while the permanent site is being developed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25087/21]

Site Acquisitions

Richard Boyd Barrett

152. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Education if she will meet with the parent group of a school (details supplied) with regard to a permanent site for their school; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25086/21]

State Pensions

Richard Boyd Barrett

352. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Social Protection the advice for a person who has been refused a contributory pension due to the fact their contributions for working prior to becoming a homemaker cannot be located by her Department (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25408/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment

Richard Boyd Barrett

353. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Social Protection if the pandemic unemployment payment will be phased out in 2021; if so, the way this will be done; the timescale for same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25409/21]

National Economic and Social Council

Richard Boyd Barrett

5. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Taoiseach if he will report on the work of the National Economic and Social Council. [24248/21]

Registration of Births

Richard Boyd Barrett

130. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the reason for a delay in processing the foreign birth registration of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24726/21]

Departmental Functions

Richard Boyd Barrett

10. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Taoiseach if he will report on the work of the social policy and public service reform division of his Department. [21778/21]

Taxi Licences

Richard Boyd Barrett

169. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Transport if he will extend the temporary moratorium for taxi drivers from 10 to 15 years; if the Taxi Advisory Committee will be replaced with a forum that would allow the drivers to bring their issues directly to his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23685/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Richard Boyd Barrett

245. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Finance if an employer availing of the employment wage subsidy scheme who does not qualify on an end of month review during January 2021 to June 2021 has to repay the subsidy for the previously qualifying months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24494/21]

Housing Provision

Richard Boyd Barrett

317. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will provide a list of all strategic housing development applications since the beginning of 2017 in cases in which planning permission was granted; the number of units that were applied for; the bedroom size of each of these units; the status of building on the site; the number of units delivered to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23683/21]

Housing Issues

Richard Boyd Barrett

363. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the steps he will take within his power to work with approved housing bodies and Dún Laoghaire–Rathdown County Council to ensure that the remaining tenants in a location (details supplied) are not forced into homeless services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24645/21]

Legislative Measures

Richard Boyd Barrett

364. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if the upcoming Land Development Agency Bill 2021 will be revised at committee stage to prioritise traditional council housing and to ensure that the affordable housing is defined in relation to incomes and not in relation to market prices; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24646/21]

Foreign Conflicts

Richard Boyd Barrett

396. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he has engaged with his counterparts in the European Union regarding the ongoing war in Yemen; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24398/21]

Middle East

Richard Boyd Barrett

397. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs his views on a recently published report by an organisation (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24399/21]

Schools Building Projects

Richard Boyd Barrett

444. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Education if she will address the queries raised in correspondence by a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23696/21]

School Accommodation

Richard Boyd Barrett

489. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Education if she will communicate as a matter of urgency with An Foras Pátrúnachta with regard to the permanent site for a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24318/21]

School Accommodation

Richard Boyd Barrett

490. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Education if she will communicate as a matter of urgency with An Foras Pátrúnachta with regard to the temporary site for a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24319/21]

School Accommodation

Richard Boyd Barrett

491. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Education the reason a school (details supplied) has been made aware that it will be moving to the current site assigned to another school in September 2021 in view of the fact the school has not been informed of its new location in September 2021; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24320/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Richard Boyd Barrett

525. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Social Protection if a person referred for long-Covid treatment is entitled to stay on the Covid illness payment of €350 while they are unable to return to work; if not, the reason for same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23628/21]

Health Services Staff

Richard Boyd Barrett

697. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health his views on whether it is acceptable that the HSE recently advertised for unpaid voluntary assistant psychology posts involving a full range of professional duties for 20 hours per week; the way in which young persons trying to progress and gain experience in their training as psychologists could be expected to perform unpaid work for the HSE and at the same time survive financially; if he will instruct the HSE to pay psychologists for their work as assistant psychologists and on placements while training; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23684/21]

Dental Services

Richard Boyd Barrett

758. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health the dental practices in Dublin 18 that accept medical cards; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24022/21]

Medical Cards

Richard Boyd Barrett

759. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health if he will consider providing free medical cards for persons with epilepsy during the period in which they are disallowed from driving; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24023/21]

Cabinet Committees

Richard Boyd Barrett

3. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee on the environment and climate change last met; and when it will next meet. [20475/21]

Cabinet Committees

Richard Boyd Barrett

10. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee on Government co-ordination will next meet.. [21777/21]

National Economic and Social Council

Richard Boyd Barrett

118. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Taoiseach if he will report on the work of the National Economic and Social Council. [23265/21]

Cabinet Committees

Richard Boyd Barrett

119. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet Committee that deals with transport will next meet. [23266/21]

Sports Funding

Richard Boyd Barrett

253. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if an organisation (details supplied) and its associated sports received 40% of all public sports funding in 2020 from Sport Ireland; if there is only 3% participation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22827/21]

Sports Funding

Richard Boyd Barrett

254. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if there is oversight of the way that Sport Ireland calculates the distribution of funding between sports; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22828/21]

Sports Funding

Richard Boyd Barrett

255. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if an organisation (details supplied) receives separate funding for other associations; if other sporting organisations will now need to apply separately for women's sports funding; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22829/21]

Garda Data

Richard Boyd Barrett

475. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Justice the number of reports of breaches of protection, safety and barring orders that are made to An Garda Síochána; the number of subsequent arrests that are made following such reports; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22837/21]

Health Services

Richard Boyd Barrett

564. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health the status of the promised motorised transport grant which was closed in 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22819/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Richard Boyd Barrett

567. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health the criteria that will need to be in place to allow weddings with more than six persons to proceed, that is, the R-nought number, case numbers, percentage of population vaccinated and so on; if guidance can be given regarding summer weddings; the Department that is responsible for the wedding industry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22823/21]

Vaccination Programme

Richard Boyd Barrett

584. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health if a version of a vaccine (details supplied) will be considered and accepted as a valid and viable vaccine by the National Immunisation Advisory Council and the European Medicines Agency; if it will be considered in the plans to accept returning vaccinated persons as restrictions are lifted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22943/21]

Cabinet Committees

Richard Boyd Barrett

1. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee on Europe will next meet. [15561/21]

Cabinet Committees

Richard Boyd Barrett

7. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee dealing with foreign affairs will next meet. [20476/21]

Citizens' Assembly

Richard Boyd Barrett

9. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Taoiseach the expected running order of citizens’ assemblies committed to in the programme for Government. [17202/21]

Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements

Richard Boyd Barrett

19. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Taoiseach if he will report on his latest discussion with the President of the United States of America. [17203/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Richard Boyd Barrett

66. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she plans to respond to the appeals by musicians, events, entertainment and culture workers for a reopening roadmap for the sector; if supports will be provided in the meantime for many in the sector who due to the fact they do not have a public facing premises have been unable to avail of existing Covid-19 support schemes to cover ongoing costs; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21824/21]

Film Industry

Richard Boyd Barrett

79. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if the allegations of blacklisting will be investigated against film workers who are members of a union (details supplied) who gave evidence of blacklisting practices to Joint Oireachtas Committee on Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht in January 2018 and many of whom have been unable to secure employment on film productions since, despite the fact that all film productions are funded by section 481 tax relief which requires adherence to provision of quality employment and training; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21823/21]

Middle East

Richard Boyd Barrett

514. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he has read a recent report (details supplied); his views on the report; his further views on whether it is now time to begin speaking in relation to Israel’s oppression of the Palestinian people in terms of apartheid rather than merely occupation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21840/21]

Departmental Contracts

Richard Boyd Barrett

557. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Education if background checks are carried out on contractors and consultants in relation to the school remediation works currently being conducted by companies (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21496/21]

Fire Safety

Richard Boyd Barrett

558. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Education the frequency with which school fire hydrants are tested; the steps taken to repair them if found to be non-operational; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21497/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Richard Boyd Barrett

845. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health if a person travelling to a country on the quarantine list for surgery can obtain an exemption from mandatory quarantine; if so, the way they apply for same; if their carer can apply for an exemption; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21143/21]

Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services

Richard Boyd Barrett

1016. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health if he will order a general review of the use and overuse of psychiatric medication in children across all CAMHS and primary care health services and in particular to review the way a lack of resources for alternative approaches is driving the overuse of medication given the concern in relation to the rapid rise in the use of psychiatric drugs in children (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21860/21]

Primary Care Centres

Richard Boyd Barrett

1068. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health if all senior citizens are entitled to referral to primary care centres to access, for example, physiotherapy regardless of whether they have a medical card or not; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22117/21]

Tax Reliefs

Richard Boyd Barrett

29. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Finance the reason the stay and spend relief is only applicable from October 2020 to April 2021 and not from July 2020 as was previously indicated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21042/21]

Cabinet Committees

Richard Boyd Barrett

4. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee that deals with the economy will next meet. [20474/21]

Shared Island Unit

Richard Boyd Barrett

7. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Taoiseach the priorities of the shared island unit of his Department. [17201/21]

Public Sector Staff

Richard Boyd Barrett

53. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his plans to increase staffing levels across the public service in key areas such as health, education, higher education and training in which clear deficits in capacity have been revealed in the context of the Covid-19 crisis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20472/21]

Public Sector Staff

Richard Boyd Barrett

124. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he has or is planning to carry out an audit on staffing levels and facilities across the public service in key areas such as health, education, higher education and training in which clear deficits in capacity have been revealed in the context of the Covid-19 crisis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20473/21]

Driver Test

Richard Boyd Barrett

431. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Transport the safeguards he will put in place in the Dún Laoghaire driver theory test centre when it reopens in the interest of public health (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20378/21]