Parliamentary questions

Covid-19 Pandemic

Richard Boyd Barrett

1200. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the details for her Department for outsourcing to consultancies of specifically Covid-19 related work, services or advice; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1798/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Richard Boyd Barrett

271. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Transport if he will meet representatives of the car rental industry to find solutions for Covid-19-related issues in the sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44287/20]

Social and Affordable Housing

Richard Boyd Barrett

335. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will work with Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council to ensure that the remaining tenants at a location (details supplied) are not evicted; if he will further explore taking the whole apartment block into public ownership; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44224/20]

Rental Sector

Richard Boyd Barrett

338. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the legal situation with regard to adverse possession; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44291/20]

Schools Establishment

Richard Boyd Barrett

377. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Education the medium-term plan for new schools in the Dún Laoghaire area, including primary and secondary schools; the patron bodies that are involved; the catchment areas; the estimated completion date of permanent schools; the interim plans for these schools, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44215/20]

Departmental Properties

Richard Boyd Barrett

378. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Education the properties owned by her Department in the wider Dún Laoghaire area; the plans for these sites; the way they fit into the established need for primary and secondary schools in the area; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44216/20]

Schools Building Projects

Richard Boyd Barrett

379. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Education if she will commit to a date by which a school (details supplied) will have a permanent site for the school; if there are other schools also in the Blackrock Booterstown district that are also seeking a permanent location; if so, if they have a priority ahead of the school; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44217/20]

Schools Building Projects

Richard Boyd Barrett

380. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Education if sites have already been examined by her Department for a permanent building and deemed inappropriate for a school (details supplied); if so, the location of the sites; the details of the issues with them that deemed them inappropriate; the primary, non-Covid related barrier preventing a new school location being confirmed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44218/20]

Schools Building Projects

Richard Boyd Barrett

381. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Education the general location for all sites under consideration for the permanent relocation of a school (details supplied); if the sites are within the community of Blackrock Booterstown in view of the fact that the community of same voted for the patronage of the school; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44219/20]

Mother and Baby Homes Inquiries

Richard Boyd Barrett

455. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if counselling and support services will be available to all of those who will potentially be impacted by the publication of the mother and baby homes report on 11 January 2021; if it will be ensured that these services are advertised widely and that those affected will be directly contacted with details of the locations the services are available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44288/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Richard Boyd Barrett

460. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if a no-detriment, no-disadvantage policy will be established in all third level institutions with regard to the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic; if no student will disadvantaged educationally, mentally or financially; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44220/20]

Third Level Institutions

Richard Boyd Barrett

461. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he has spoken to the governing authority of University College Dublin on an issue (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44221/20]

Third Level Costs

Richard Boyd Barrett

462. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will work with third level institutions to ensure that persons pursuing a degree in art and design are not subject to materials levies for materials that are necessary for their degree work; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44225/20]

Health Services Staff

Richard Boyd Barrett

497. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health when he plans to extend the pay restoration that has commenced for 50 section 39 organisations to the remaining 250 similar organisations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44289/20]

Ministerial Meetings

Richard Boyd Barrett

515. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health if he plans to meet with a person (details supplied) to address a matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44156/20]

Disability Support Services

Richard Boyd Barrett

522. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health the status of discussions and or meetings and or correspondence he has had with an organisation (details supplied) with regards to its announcement that it will be withdrawing from its disability and mental health services in 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44222/20]

Health Services

Richard Boyd Barrett

523. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health the plans he has to ensure that residents that were in a facility (details supplied) are housed appropriately after the closure of the facility on Merrion Road, Dublin 4; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44223/20]

Health Services Staff

Richard Boyd Barrett

524. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health the reason a non-EU national junior doctor does not have the same access to training programmes as EU junior doctors; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44226/20]

Mental Health Services

Richard Boyd Barrett

528. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health if sufficient mental health supports will be put in place in advance of the publication of the report of the commission of inquiry to include all adoptees and survivors and not just those who could participate in the commission's inquiry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44239/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Richard Boyd Barrett

594. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health if the business practice of cold-calling in person to persons' homes is permitted during Covid-19 restrictions; if it is provided for within the levels for the plan for living with Covid-19; if so, the levels; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44473/20]

Vaccination Programme

Richard Boyd Barrett

604. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health the reason vulnerable persons under 70 years of age with underlining conditions such as leukaemia that fall into the HSE defined very high risk from Covid-19 are not in the same group as the over 70s for the roll out of the Covid-19 vaccine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44507/20]

Cabinet Committees

Richard Boyd Barrett

2. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee dealing with housing will next meet. [43542/20]

Departmental Functions

Richard Boyd Barrett

7. 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. [43543/20]

National Economic and Social Council

Richard Boyd Barrett

14. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Taoiseach if he has read the recent NESC publication entitled The Position of the Self-Employed. [42006/20]

National Economic and Social Council

Richard Boyd Barrett

15. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Taoiseach if he has read the recent NESC publication entitled Housing Policy: Actions to Deliver Change. [42007/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Richard Boyd Barrett

326. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health if the Traveller community has been given consideration in the different levels of the vaccination roll out plan; the position of same if they are considered; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43847/20]

Hospital Services

Richard Boyd Barrett

348. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health if the orthopaedic clinic in St. Vincent's University Hospital is open; if not, when it will resume; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44007/20]

Economic Policy

Richard Boyd Barrett

5. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Taoiseach the progress of his plans for a high-level review of the economy to be led by his Department. [43544/20]

Departmental Information

Richard Boyd Barrett

123. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Taoiseach if he will report on the work of the economic division of his Department. [43545/20]

Vaccination Programme

Richard Boyd Barrett

124. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Taoiseach if he will report on the establishment of the high-level task force on Covid-19 vaccination. [43546/20]

Nursing Education

Richard Boyd Barrett

420. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will establish a payment or bursary system for students of nursing and midwifery in the interests of encouraging more students to study nursing and midwifery; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43417/20]

Nursing Education

Richard Boyd Barrett

421. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will examine a payment or bursary system to ensure that nursing and midwifery graduates are not graduating with high levels of debt given the high level of emigration by graduate nurses and midwives; if he will address the lower level of pay for these graduates compared to graduates of other healthcare disciplines with whom many of them share classes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43422/20]

Third Level Fees

Richard Boyd Barrett

422. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the rationale for charging fees of over €15,000 per year for graduate entry medicine courses, which means that many students who finish the course leave university with loans of up to €100,000, and in turn results in emigration and exacerbates staff shortages in medicine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43423/20]

Home Care Packages

Richard Boyd Barrett

479. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health the different supports available to keep elderly persons in their homes for as long as possible and the way in which to access those supports; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42846/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Richard Boyd Barrett

517. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health the numbers of teachers, special needs assistants and classroom assistants who have contracted Covid-19; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43038/20]

Commencement of Legislation

Richard Boyd Barrett

27. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Justice if the Gaming and Lotteries (Amendment) Act 2019 has been commenced; if not, when it will be commenced; the plans for enforcement of the provisions contained in the Act; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42509/20]

Health Services

Richard Boyd Barrett

113. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health his plans for recruitment across the public health regions to ensure they can chase down the SARS Cov2 virus, to learn all there is to learn from this work and to help protect the population from Covid-19 and from future pandemics; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42365/20]

Vaccination Programme

Richard Boyd Barrett

136. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health the way in which the Covid-19 vaccine will be rolled out across the country; if a new database will be developed to ensure a professional tracking system for both shots of the vaccine; if the programme will be rolled out by the public health regions; the role general practitioners will play in this roll-out; if there will be a prioritisation of vulnerable groups; if so, the order of this prioritisation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42366/20]

Medical Cards

Richard Boyd Barrett

372. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health if the changes to income limits for medical card applications in budget 2020 have been implemented; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42808/20]

Health Services Provision

Richard Boyd Barrett

439. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health if the National Gender Service recognises the WHO’s latest position on transgender persons that it has stopped classifying transgender persons as having a mental disorder since 25 May 2019; the locations of the HSE or National Gender Service clinics; the length of the waiting lists to attend; the number of persons on waiting lists for transgender services; if adult patients are asked to bring parents; the persons approved to attend with a minor; if transgender services are offered solely on a public basis; if there are private services available; if so, if they are they covered by private health insurance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42765/20]

Medicinal Products

Richard Boyd Barrett

452. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health when dupilumab for persons with eczema will be made available in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42807/20]

Cabinet Committees

Richard Boyd Barrett

3. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee that deals with the economy last met. [40487/20]

Cabinet Committees

Richard Boyd Barrett

5. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee that deals with transport last met. [42005/20]

Health Services Staff

Richard Boyd Barrett

214. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health the details of the eight different public health regions across the country; the number of staff in each region; the grades of these staff; the details of vacancies; the grade of each vacancy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42381/20]

HSE Staff

Richard Boyd Barrett

215. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health if a lead public health clinician is employed by the HSE; if not, if the position will be filled; the reason for not filling same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42382/20]

Vaccination Programme

Richard Boyd Barrett

216. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health if there is a vaccination database in Ireland; if so, the vaccines it covers; the department of the HSE responsible for this database; if this database will be used for the Covid-19 vaccine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42383/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Richard Boyd Barrett

217. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health the way in which the Limerick contact tracing centre is run; the persons in charge of the centre; the credentials of the persons; if they are employees of the HSE; the details of the clinical lead; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42384/20]

HSE Staff

Richard Boyd Barrett

218. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health the person that is the clinical lead for the Health Protection Surveillance Centre; the responsibilities of the body; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42385/20]

Cabinet Committees

Richard Boyd Barrett

2. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee on Europe will next meet. [41632/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Richard Boyd Barrett

5. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Taoiseach the engagements he has had with the First and deputy First Ministers of Northern Ireland in relation to lifting Covid-19 restrictions. [41633/20]

Programme for Government

Richard Boyd Barrett

8. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Taoiseach if he plans to publish a review of the progress made in implementing the programme for Government. [41634/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Richard Boyd Barrett

103. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if it will be ensured that all the requirements of the Work Safely Protocol issued on 20 November 2020 are implemented with particular reference to the contents of section D3 (details supplied) in his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42600/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Richard Boyd Barrett

122. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if it will be ensured that all the requirements of the Work Safely Protocol issued on 20 November 2020 are implemented with particular reference to the contents of section D3 (details supplied) in his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42601/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Richard Boyd Barrett

162. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Transport if it will be ensured that all the requirements of the Work Safely Protocol issued on 20 November 2020 are implemented with particular reference to the contents of section D3 (details supplied) in his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42598/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Richard Boyd Barrett

202. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Finance if it will be ensured that all the requirements of the work safely protocol issued 20 November 2020 are implemented with particular reference to the contents of section D3 (details supplied) in his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42602/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Richard Boyd Barrett

213. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if it will be ensured that all the requirements of the work safely protocol issued 20 November 2020, are implemented with particular reference to the contents of section D3 (details supplied) in his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41775/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Richard Boyd Barrett

254. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the Department person, company or body to be responsible for working with purpose-built venues and theatres on their plans to reopen in levels 1 and 2 safely, as per the Resilience and Recovery 2020-2021: Plan for Living with Covid-19; when this person, company body or Department responsible will be hired and-or announced; the date by which they are to begin to work with purpose-built live venues and theatres to prepare to work towards reopening in 2021 (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41742/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Richard Boyd Barrett

255. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the date from which she is starting to accept applications for the €50 million announced in the budget to support the non-State funded live entertainment and events sector given that this is the only funding available to SMEs and sole traders that cannot receive the CRSS; if it will be launched in time to award funding from January or February 2021 to save businesses in the sector from closing permanently due to no targeted funds and no revenue since March 2020 because of the mandated shutdown; if it will award funding in time to allow larger-scale outdoor concerts and events in spring and-or summer 2021 to know now if they can access this fund to help with likely increased costs and reduced capacity (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41743/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Richard Boyd Barrett

256. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the reason further information on the announced €50 million package for the commercial arts sector, which was broadly welcomed as part of budget 2021, has not been released (details supplied). [41744/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Richard Boyd Barrett

261. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if it will be ensured that all the requirements of the work safely protocol issued 20 November 2020 are implemented with particular reference to the contents of section D3 (details supplied) in her Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42608/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Richard Boyd Barrett

299. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if it will be ensured that all the requirements of the work safely protocol issued on 20 November 2020, are implemented with particular reference to the contents of section D3 (details supplied) in his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42605/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Richard Boyd Barrett

311. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if it will be ensured that all the requirements of the Work Safely Protocol issued on 20 November 2020 are implemented with particular reference to the contents of section D3 (details supplied) in his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42603/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Richard Boyd Barrett

370. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Education if it will be ensured that all the requirements of the Work Safely Protocol issued on 20 November 2020 are implemented with particular reference to the contents of section D3 (details supplied) in her Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42599/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Richard Boyd Barrett

485. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if it will be ensured that all the requirements of the Work Safely Protocol issued 20 November 2020 are implemented with particular reference to the contents of section D3 (details supplied) in his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42604/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Richard Boyd Barrett

532. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Justice if it will be ensured that all the requirements of the work safely protocol issued 20 November 2020 are implemented, with particular reference to the contents of section D3 (details supplied), in her Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42606/20]

Hospital Staff

Richard Boyd Barrett

614. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health the status of the new post of paediatric rheumatologist additional to the two posts currently in Children's Health Ireland, Crumlin initially to have been in place by end of 2019; if the application process for this new post is still open; if applications have been closed; the date or deadline by which this post will be filled; the hospital the new paediatric rheumatologist will work from; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41361/20]

Hospital Waiting Lists

Richard Boyd Barrett

615. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health the number of children on the waiting list for an MRI in Children’s Health Ireland, Crumlin; the expected time spent on the waiting list; the projected time it will take to clear the backlog for MRIs in Crumlin for children; if his Department and the HSE are examining the use of the MRI and paediatric unit in a hospital (details supplied) as a viable option with respect of diagnosis and ongoing monitoring of sick children; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41362/20]

Hospital Waiting Lists

Richard Boyd Barrett

616. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health the number of children currently waiting on an MRI for both diagnosis of and-or monitoring of disease in all CHOs and hospitals nationwide; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41363/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Richard Boyd Barrett

879. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if it will be ensured that all the requirements of the work safely protocol issued 20 November 2020 are implemented with particular reference to the content of section D3 (details supplied) in her Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42607/20]

Schools Site Acquisitions

Richard Boyd Barrett

223. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Education if there is a deadline for identifying, acquisition of and planning permission for a new site and building for a school (details supplied); if there a roadmap or plan for the next steps needed to be taken by her Department; if the local council will participate in sourcing interim or permanent accommodation; the interim accommodation sites identified; the person or body tasked with identifying and securing the interim accommodation; and if it will be secured in time for September 2021. [40851/20]

Respite Care Services

Richard Boyd Barrett

337. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health if the funding needed for residential care for a person (details supplied) will be provided given that a respite centre they currently attend is planning to open a new residential centre within the next two months and would potentially be able to accommodate this person and provide the professional supports they need; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40876/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Richard Boyd Barrett

2. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Taoiseach the status of plans to reopen society and the economy when level 5 Covid-19 restrictions are lifted. [40168/20]

Cabinet Committees

Richard Boyd Barrett

7. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee dealing with foreign affairs will next meet. [40169/20]

Departmental Strategy Statements

Richard Boyd Barrett

10. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Taoiseach if his Department plans to publish a statement of strategy. [40486/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Richard Boyd Barrett

59. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the decision making bodies responsible for the allocation of the funds from the music industry stimulus package; the decision-making methodology used in deciding upon the successful applicants; the amounts awarded; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40629/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Richard Boyd Barrett

60. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the process through which a company (details supplied) was selected to be the public relations company assigned to work with successful applicants of the music industry stimulus package; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40630/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Richard Boyd Barrett

61. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media her plans to run a further fund similar in scope to the music industry stimulus package from the €50 million fund for the non-funded live entertainment sector arising from budget 2021; if she will use the same bodies involved in awarding monies of the stimulus package; if she will alter the manner in which applications are deemed successful and the parameters used to assess who can apply and the amount; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40631/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment

Richard Boyd Barrett

89. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Social Protection her plans to ensure that all those in receipt of the pandemic unemployment payment who are due arrears receive the arrears before Christmas 2020; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40747/20]

Mother and Baby Homes Inquiries

Richard Boyd Barrett

111. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth when the Mother and Baby Commission report will be published; the records that will be accessible; the records that will be sealed; the length of time they will be sealed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40748/20]

Prescriptions Charges

Richard Boyd Barrett

150. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health if there is guidelines or regulations governing the charging of patients by general practitioners to email prescriptions to pharmacists using the national electronic prescriptions transfer system including repeat prescriptions before and during Covid-19 restrictions; and if so, the amount agreed as appropriate to charge a patient for this service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40589/20]

Cabinet Committees

Richard Boyd Barrett

2. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Taoiseach if he will report on the work of the Cabinet committee on Government co-ordination. [38635/20]

Cabinet Committees

Richard Boyd Barrett

7. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet Committee on social affairs and equality is due to meet next. [40167/20]

Redundancy Payments

Richard Boyd Barrett

115. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if State redundancies will be available from 1 December 2020 when the bar on redundancies expires for workers particularly in the bar trade who do not have the prospect of returning to their previous jobs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39657/20]

Electric Vehicles

Richard Boyd Barrett

171. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Transport when the grants recently announced to enable taxi drivers to replace their vehicles with zero-emission vehicles will be made available; the procedure for applying; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39649/20]

Taxi Regulations

Richard Boyd Barrett

181. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Transport if the NTA is extending or will extend the 90-day time limit for getting a suitability test for taxi vehicles after passing a NCT while licence renewals are being extended and during Covid-19 emergency extension measures; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39918/20]

National Public Health Emergency Team

Richard Boyd Barrett

670. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health the reason the expert advisory group to NPHET was dissolved following its last meeting on 2 September 2020; the rationale for this decision; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39800/20]

National Public Health Emergency Team

Richard Boyd Barrett

671. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health the details of any and all new advisory groups to NPHET; the makeup of these groups including the names and qualifications of the members, the terms of reference and the minutes of their meetings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39801/20]

Covid-19 Tests

Richard Boyd Barrett

672. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health if all healthcare workers are being tested for Covid-19 on a routine and regular basis; if so, the details of the testing regime; if the testing regime differs for different categories of healthcare workers; the rationale for different regimes or for no regime; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39802/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Richard Boyd Barrett

673. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health the definition of a close contact in healthcare settings; if the definition changes for different categories of healthcare workers; the way in which the definition might differ from the definition of a close contact for cases in the community; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39803/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Richard Boyd Barrett

674. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health the quarantining and self-isolation protocols for a close contact in healthcare settings; if the definition changes for different categories of healthcare workers; the way in which the definition might differ from the quarantining and self-isolation protocols for a close contact of cases in the community; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39804/20]

Nursing Staff

Richard Boyd Barrett

675. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health the reason he is unwilling to concede to the demands of student nurses and midwives to be paid at the healthcare assistant rate they were given earlier in 2020 for their work on the front lines of the Covid-19 pandemic, which has since been withdrawn while they continue to play an important and crucial role as they played in March and April 2020, especially in view of the Taoiseach stating in Dáil Éireann on 20 October 2020 that these students should be paid like they were in the spring; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39805/20]

Tax Avoidance

Richard Boyd Barrett

61. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Finance if his attention has been drawn to reports that a company (details supplied) that generated €153 million in profits over a seven-month period turned those profits, through complex accounting procedures, into a loss and paid no tax; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39491/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Richard Boyd Barrett

84. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Finance his plans to extend the eligibility criteria for the Covid restrictions support scheme, CRSS, in order that it can be accessed by sole traders and small businesses such as taxi drivers, artists, musicians and live entertainment workers that do not have public facing premises; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39234/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Richard Boyd Barrett

91. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Finance if he will audit the recipients of the wage subsidy scheme to ensure that it is not being abused; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39235/20]

Tax Reliefs

Richard Boyd Barrett

116. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Finance his views on whether a film production company in receipt of section 481 tax relief claiming in the Labour Court or Workplace Relations Commission that it is not the employer of the film crew working on a film production funded by section 481 relief represents a breach of the declaration that company is required to sign in order to access the relief and that any company doing this should have the relief withdrawn; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39233/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Richard Boyd Barrett

145. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Finance the reason he has excluded sole traders and small businesses like taxi drivers, artists, musicians and live entertainment workers who do not have public-facing premises from accessing the Covid restrictions support scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39231/20]

Tax Reliefs

Richard Boyd Barrett

148. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Finance the actions being taken to ensure that film production companies in receipt of section 481 tax relief are complying with the declaration on quality employment and training they are required to sign in order to access the relief; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39232/20]

Credit Unions

Richard Boyd Barrett

232. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Finance if the €25,000 limit that credit unions are being required to impose on deposits will be reviewed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39501/20]

Legislative Programme

Richard Boyd Barrett

3. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Taoiseach the status of Bills under preparation in his Department. [38633/20]

US Presidential Election

Richard Boyd Barrett

7. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Taoiseach if he will report on his telephone call with the President-elect of the United States of America. [38634/20]