Questions and answers published after July 2012 can be viewed here. Viewing by Government Department is possible by term or specific dates from March 2016 onwards. Written answers are published as received from departments. To see parliamentary questions published before July 2012, search in Dáil debates.
Questions and answers for Dáil or Seanad term
Page 39 of 40
Tue, 15 Sep 2020
written
Covid-19 Pandemic
Richard Bruton
58. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Health if the key indicators relating to Covid-19 are tracked relative to comparable countries such as the UK, Denmark and Austria and the EU as a whole covering such matters as testing rate per hundred thousand, hospital admissions per hundred thousand, reproduction rate of the virus, indicators of levels of social contact and so on; if so, if the indicators will be published on a regular basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23273/20]
Tue, 15 Sep 2020
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Airport Policy
Richard Bruton
225. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Transport if the airport authority has the legal entitlement to charge persons who drop off passengers to the airport; the public benefit that will arise from such a charge; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23882/20]
Tue, 15 Sep 2020
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Motor Insurance
Richard Bruton
286. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Finance if his attention has been drawn to the fact that some insurers are unfairly seeking to take advantage of the benefit-in-kind concession granted to encourage company car fleets to go electric and that some insurers are refusing to recognise no-claim bonuses accumulated by drivers on their private policies, thereby overcharging for the risk of cover. [23894/20]
Tue, 15 Sep 2020
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Covid-19 Tests
Richard Bruton
724. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Health the protocol for arranging a test for a person who does not have access to a car to drive himself or herself; if there is a backlog or delay in handling such tests; and if he is satisfied that there is a satisfactory clearing house for persons experiencing difficulties in this regard. [23706/20]
Tue, 15 Sep 2020
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Medical Cards
Richard Bruton
727. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Health if the extension of general practitioner only cards to those up to eight years of age is going ahead in September 2020 as originally planned. [23710/20]
Tue, 15 Sep 2020
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Medical Cards
Richard Bruton
728. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Health if the increased means test for those over 70 years of age has been implemented. [23711/20]
Tue, 8 Sep 2020
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Proposed Legislation
Richard Bruton
242. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Transport the status of legislation in preparation to provide a legal framework for the use of e-scooters; the work that has been done to date on that legislation; when it is scheduled to be presented; and his views on whether an opportunity for safe transport in a Covid-19 world is being lost through this gap in legislation. [22269/20]
Tue, 8 Sep 2020
written
Covid-19 Pandemic
Richard Bruton
251. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Transport the supports available to families that book holidays in destinations that were not on the green list and that opted not to travel even though the flight went ahead. [22520/20]
Tue, 8 Sep 2020
written
School Funding
Richard Bruton
503. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Education if her attention has been drawn to the significant gap in funding between voluntary secondary schools and those which are run by the ETB sector; and her plans to close the funding gap. [21358/20]
Tue, 8 Sep 2020
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Educational Disadvantage
Richard Bruton
504. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Education if she is satisfied that many schools in disadvantaged inner city areas do not get the sort of supports needed to even up educational opportunity; her plans to assess the scale of the gap in educational opportunity; and if proposals are being developed to close the gap. [21359/20]
Thu, 30 Jul 2020
written
Teacher Training
Richard Bruton
65. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Education and Skills the spend by her Department on improving school leadership and in delivering in-service training to teachers; the proportion of teacher payroll which it represents; and her plans to increase that ratio over her term in office in a significant manner. [17962/20]
Thu, 30 Jul 2020
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State Examinations
Richard Bruton
82. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Education and Skills if the planned reform of the leaving certificate will be accelerated in view of the changes which are necessary to the conventional curriculum and examination system; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17961/20]
Thu, 30 Jul 2020
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Childcare Services
Richard Bruton
991. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs his plans to establish childcare Ireland; when he expects to have the agency established in order to provide greater support to the childcare sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19744/20]
Thu, 30 Jul 2020
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Childcare Services
Richard Bruton
992. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs further to his statement to provide financial supports for parents who opt to look after their children themselves, if he will provide further details on the proposals; if this will be pursued through the national childcare scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19745/20]
Thu, 30 Jul 2020
written
Childcare Services
Richard Bruton
993. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs his plans to reform the childcare system to create one that brings together the best of community and private childcare provision; if terms of reference have been drawn up; if stakeholders will be included; the time frame for establishing same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19746/20]
Thu, 30 Jul 2020
written
Childcare Services
Richard Bruton
994. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs his plans to set a cap on parental fees irrespective of income and publish a policy, legal and economic analysis in 2020 as set out in the Programme for Government; if terms of reference and tenders for this report have been initiated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19747/20]
Thu, 30 Jul 2020
written
Childcare Services
Richard Bruton
995. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs his plans to examine options to increase flexibility within centre based care in addition to options to accelerate access to subsidies for non-relative childminders as set out in the Programme for Government; if terms of reference and tenders for this examination have been initiated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19748/20]
Wed, 29 Jul 2020
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Social Insurance
Richard Bruton
53. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the ratio of persons aged 65 years of age and over in 2016 to the numbers aged between 25 and 64 years of age and to the numbers at work; her projection for these ratios in ten and twenty years’ time, respectively; and the implications for projected pension costs and the balance between spending and revenue in the social insurance fund. [17965/20]
Wed, 29 Jul 2020
written
Covid-19 Pandemic
Richard Bruton
189. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Education and Skills if she will consider increasing hours and or posts supported in schools for guidance counselling in view of the increased pressures on students as a result of Covid-19; and if supports will be particularly focused on children that may be at a disadvantage. [19396/20]
Tue, 28 Jul 2020
oral
Climate Change Policy
Richard Bruton
31. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will report on his preparations for the climate conference which has been postponed until 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17964/20]
Tue, 28 Jul 2020
oral
Human Rights
Richard Bruton
34. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views on the way in which new legislation designating political protest as a criminal offence with huge penalties was introduced and the new security apparatus has been installed in Hong Kong; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17963/20]
Tue, 28 Jul 2020
written
Greyhound Industry
Richard Bruton
638. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the actions being taken to improve animal welfare in the greyhound industry here and in countries to which they are exported; and if he will report on the progress being made. [18338/20]
Thu, 23 Jul 2020
oral
Housing Policy
Richard Bruton
11. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the status of finalising the criteria under which affordable purchase and cost-rental will be made available to applicants; and the national elements such as income limits and guidance on local elements in cases in which local authorities have discretion. [16636/20]
Thu, 23 Jul 2020
oral
Housing Policy
Richard Bruton
15. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the initiatives to accelerate affordable housing schemes such as in a case (details supplied) in circumstances where the development of such homes has been the subject of numerous proposals and is long anticipated. [16637/20]
Thu, 23 Jul 2020
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Drugs Payment Scheme
Richard Bruton
202. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Health if spinraza has been evaluated for funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17698/20]
Wed, 22 Jul 2020
written
Covid-19 Pandemic Supports
Richard Bruton
64. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation if his attention has been drawn to delays in some Dublin authorities in processing applications for the restart grant; and if steps can be taken to rectify this. [17535/20]
Wed, 22 Jul 2020
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Energy Efficiency
Richard Bruton
69. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the number of projects completed under the deep retrofit scheme; the expenditure involved; the number of outstanding projects to be completed; the estimated cost of each; and the number that will not go ahead. [17522/20]
Wed, 22 Jul 2020
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Parental Leave
Richard Bruton
188. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the status of extending parental leave by three weeks; and if primary legislation is required to introduce the extension. [17664/20]
Wed, 22 Jul 2020
written
Covid-19 Pandemic
Richard Bruton
230. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact that private hospitals are seeking cash contributions over and above the insurance cover of patients to cover PPE costs; and if he will consider that seeking insurers and hospitals ensure that these costs are included in cover in order that patients are not prevented from receiving the needed treatments by unexpected cost barriers. [17594/20]
Tue, 21 Jul 2020
written
Public Procurement Contracts
Richard Bruton
36. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the steps he has taken to conduct an audit of public procurement to identify the extent to which it can demonstrate the integration of environmental sustainability into each category of procurement; his plans to set requirements immediately in areas such as vehicle and equipment procurement, heating, lighting and power options and controls, building materials and waste management; and his further plans to introduce accurate monitoring across each State body. [16498/20]
Tue, 21 Jul 2020
written
Budget Process
Richard Bruton
40. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his plans to structure the service improvement and reform plans across each Department. [16499/20]
Tue, 21 Jul 2020
written
Driver Licences
Richard Bruton
168. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the status of arrangements to extend the driver licences of persons whose licences are expiring due to the large backlog for renewals and unavailability of appointments in addition to the fact that online renewals require a person to have a public services card, for which there is also a backlog. [17177/20]
Tue, 21 Jul 2020
written
Economic Data
Richard Bruton
192. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Finance the estimate for the level of private sector investment in 2021 compared with projections made in the pre-Covid-19 period; and the scope for filling the shortfall by accelerated public activity in direct investment or by the development of sectoral strategies. [16577/20]
Tue, 21 Jul 2020
written
Covid-19 Pandemic Supports
Richard Bruton
197. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Finance the data his Department is tracking in respect of landlord and bank dealings with enterprises impacted by Covid-19; and the policy initiatives under consideration to ensure that the appraisal of such bodies does not hamper the successful reopening of enterprises which can be made viable in the medium term. [16798/20]
Tue, 21 Jul 2020
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Heritage Schemes
Richard Bruton
245. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the funding streams available for projects such as 15 Henrietta Street to develop their existing premises to their original state. [16489/20]
Tue, 21 Jul 2020
written
Rental Sector
Richard Bruton
292. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government his plans to extend the freeze on evictions and on rent increases beyond 20 July 2020 in view of the vulnerable position of many still out of employment. [16705/20]
Tue, 21 Jul 2020
written
Jobseeker's Benefit
Richard Bruton
463. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if the duration of jobseeker’s benefit will be extended temporarily in order that persons who lost their jobs before Covid-19 can continue their claims at least until the period while special supports continue. [16710/20]
Tue, 21 Jul 2020
written
Childcare Services
Richard Bruton
554. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs his views on the fact little or no childcare is now available for children under one year of age; and if he will assist parents still unable to get childcare in order to return from parental leave. [17236/20]
Tue, 21 Jul 2020
written
Parental Leave
Richard Bruton
561. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if his attention has been drawn to the fact that parents whose baby was born before the extension of parental leave at the end of 2019 are not eligible for the extension of parental leave announced recently. [17236/20]
Tue, 21 Jul 2020
written
Covid-19 Pandemic
Richard Bruton
645. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Health his plans to develop a new policy to take account of the Covid-19 experience in long stay residential settings; if a consultative process is planned with key stakeholders; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16711/20]
Tue, 21 Jul 2020
written
Health Services Staff
Richard Bruton
723. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Health the steps he is taking to restore leave to frontline workers who had to use it to provide childcare, particularly for couples who both worked on the frontline and used their leave to ensure one parent was always available to provide childcare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17095/20]
Tue, 21 Jul 2020
written
Covid-19 Pandemic
Richard Bruton
729. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Health the distinct protections, advice and oversight of tourist and non-tourist arrivals from countries deemed to have a safe level of Covid-19 infections to those with an unsafe level; if the effectiveness of the proposed approaches are evaluated either by way of international experience or domestic trials; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17135/20]
Thu, 16 Jul 2020
written
Covid-19 Pandemic Supports
Richard Bruton
46. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation his plans as part of the recovery fund to create space for new initiatives within the regional enterprise strategies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16360/20]
Thu, 16 Jul 2020
written
Covid-19 Pandemic Supports
Richard Bruton
47. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the options under consideration for viable businesses to achieve a work out of debts or rents that might overwhelm them during the slow restart phase. [16361/20]
Thu, 16 Jul 2020
written
Flood Prevention Measures
Richard Bruton
85. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the progress on the recommended works on the River Santry between Raheny village, Dublin 5, and the sea in order to alleviate the flood risk; and the detailed phases in the planning, design and implementation of works proposed both in respect of dredging and of the needed increase in culvert capacity. [16343/20]
Thu, 16 Jul 2020
written
School Transport
Richard Bruton
105. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Education and Skills the status of school transport services for a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16340/20]
Thu, 16 Jul 2020
written
Covid-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment
Richard Bruton
141. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the status of Covid-19 income support for seasonal workers, such as multilingual tour guides, whose season from April to October 2020 has been completely disrupted; if she will consider extending the support to seasonal workers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16455/20]
Thu, 16 Jul 2020
written
Maternity Leave
Richard Bruton
155. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the status of maternity leave for mothers; the costs of extending maternity leave as a temporary expedient while infant childcare options are so impaired due to Covid-19; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16377/20]
Thu, 16 Jul 2020
written
Dental Services
Richard Bruton
184. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Health the number on the orthodontic waiting lists in Dublin across each category of need; the number of patients treated from each category in the most recent year for which data is available; and the position regarding the scope of speeding up access to care. [16438/20]
Tue, 14 Jul 2020
written
Covid-19 Pandemic
Richard Bruton
232. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the distinct protections, advice and oversight of tourist and non-tourist arrivals from countries deemed to have a safe level of Covid-19 infections to those with an unsafe level; if the effectiveness of the proposed approaches are evaluated by way of either international experience or domestic trials; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15458/20]