Parliamentary questions

Inland Fisheries

Seán Crowe

703. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if the Inland Fisheries Act 2010 is not being enforced at the Bohernabreena reservoir, despite representations on the matter from various fishing organisations; and the details of the difficulties being experienced in enforcement of the Act. [8264/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Seán Crowe

741. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if a response will issue to the safety requests from bus and rail unions regarding the compulsory use of masks on public transport as the lockdown resulting from Covid-19 continues. [7071/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Seán Crowe

742. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he is satisfied with the response rate and failure to fill in self-quarantine documentation of those arriving at air and seaports; and the way in which he plans to respond to these failures and minimalist measures that are being ignored. [7073/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Seán Crowe

849. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on the request by trade unions for passengers and commuters to wear face masks on bus, rail and air services during the Covid-19 pandemic in view of the ongoing challenges regarding restricted space on public transport. [8256/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Seán Crowe

850. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if additional supports are being prepared including funding for public transport companies impacted severely by Covid-19. [8257/20]

Consumer Rights

Seán Crowe

851. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the measures he will take to support consumer rights, particularly the difficulties experienced by persons receiving outstanding refunds from airlines; if figures are being compiled regarding the number of persons impacted; and the new approach that will be taken in view of the decision by the European Commission on cash refunds from airlines regarding cancelled flights. [8258/20]

Domestic Violence Refuges Provision

Seán Crowe

892. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if there has been an increase in demand for refuges for victims of domestic violence during the Covid-19 pandemic; the number of beds and space available to families and persons; the conditions in homes during the Covid-19 pandemic; if they are experiencing overcrowding; if there a few or no vacancies; if they face new or unusual challenges including social distancing, rotation, distance from abusers and health safety issues; and if additional supports including financial have been made available to existing service providers during the crisis. [8263/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Seán Crowe

925. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if her attention has been drawn to challenges being experienced by couples attending the public registry offices for marriages due to social distancing and other restrictions during the Covid-19 crisis; and if other new proposals are being considered to facilitate these unions. [8253/20]

Middle East Issues

Seán Crowe

38. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if the proposed annexation of Palestinian lands in the West Bank by the Israeli Administration was discussed at his recent meeting with his European counterparts; the response to this breach of international law proposed; and if the issue of sanctions or other appropriate responses was discussed. [6784/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Seán Crowe

39. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the specific monetary or other supports that can be offered to Irish citizens destitute abroad due to Covid-19 and unable to pay the costs requested by airlines to bring them home. [6785/20]

Special Educational Needs

Seán Crowe

366. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of autism spectrum disorder, ASD, places that will be available for the new semester in the greater Dublin area for primary and secondary students; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6774/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Seán Crowe

367. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Education and Skills if additional funding will be made available to schools and school boards to adapt premises or change hygiene protocols in order to deal with everyday safety realities of school returns. [6775/20]

State Examinations

Seán Crowe

368. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Education and Skills if his attention has been drawn to the challenges to which the new leaving certificate results system will give rise for students hoping for places in colleges in Northern Ireland; and the mitigating measures he can introduce, with the co-operation of his Northern Ireland counterpart, to alleviate some of these difficulties. [6776/20]

Ministerial Communications

Seán Crowe

369. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Education and Skills the contact he has had with his Northern Ireland counterpart during the Covid-19 pandemic; and the specific areas of cooperation they have agreed. [6777/20]

Gangland Crime

Seán Crowe

489. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if his attention has been drawn to the growth in drug intimidation in many working class communities but not exclusively so; his plans to address this; and his further plans to introduce or work on new legislation to confront and address this issue. [6780/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Seán Crowe

663. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Health the procurement arrangements and contracts signed throughout the Covid-19 crisis for PPE; the cost of this equipment; if consideration has been made on behalf of the State to purchase the machinery to manufacture this vital equipment; and the estimated cost of PPE purchases to date. [6782/20]

National Children's Hospital

Seán Crowe

664. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Health the financial impact the delays related to Covid-19 will have on the building of the national children’s hospital; the current projected cost; and when the project will be completed. [6783/20]

Hospital Services

Seán Crowe

825. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Health the reason a person (details supplied) has had an operation cancelled; the reason they cannot have a 45 minute outpatient procedure carried out that will potentially save their sight; the current waiting list for this type of operation; and the length of time this person will have to wait for this sight saving operation. [7042/20]

Covid-19 Tests

Seán Crowe

826. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Health if he will address a matter in relation to Covid-19 testing for a person (details supplied). [7043/20]

Addiction Treatment Services

Seán Crowe

827. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Health the specific challenges facing community projects that the attention of his Department has been drawn to regarding places for residential addiction supports; the actions taken to alleviate them; and when access will be resumed. [7044/20]

Electricity Generation

Seán Crowe

945. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the amount of coal imported from a mine (details supplied) in 2019 for use in the Moneypoint power station; if his attention has been drawn to the reputation of the mine for the destruction of the environment, forcible displacement of indigenous people and Afro-Colombians living in the area and workers' rights abuses including harassment and threats of community and human rights defenders from state forces; if his attention has been further drawn to the fact that the mine has continued uninterrupted operation during the Covid-19 crisis, placing workers and their families at great risk; his plans to seek coal elsewhere while Moneypoint remains open; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6787/20]

Community Development Projects

Seán Crowe

1174. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if his attention has been drawn to the challenges facing many in the community sector with the Covid-19 pandemic; and the specific supports he plans to put in place for projects that are hoping to reopen especially regarding funding and sustainability difficulties following the crisis. [6778/20]

UN Conventions

Seán Crowe

35. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his plans to implement the recommendation by the UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination in its concluding observations (details supplied) on the combined fifth to ninth reports of Ireland in December 2019; and his further plans to incorporate it into the National Plan on Business and Human Rights. [4913/20]

Disabilities Assessments

Seán Crowe

707. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Health the number of children waiting for assessment of needs in south-west areas of Dublin; the waiting times for follow-up supports following an assessment; and if he will introduce new measures to deal with the lengthy delays for assessment of need for children potentially on the autism spectrum. [4914/20]

Hospital Services

Seán Crowe

718. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Health if there is agreement on funding being provided to facilitate a new 72-inpatient care wing at Tallaght University Hospital in 2020. [4981/20]

Hospital Services

Seán Crowe

719. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Health if there is agreement on funding being provided to facilitate a new intensive care unit extension at Tallaght University Hospital in 2020. [4982/20]

Social Insurance

Seán Crowe

1191. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if her attention has been drawn to cases regarding pre-entry contributions in circumstances in which contributions under the old revenue and social insurance number are not being accounted for in the case of applicants that are applying for benefits, particularly a contributory pension; his views on whether this could be a systems issue; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4912/20]

Disease Management

Seán Crowe

54. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his plans to assist Irish citizens quarantined in areas in which there is an outbreak of Covid-19; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3882/20]

Human Rights

Seán Crowe

55. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if his attention has been drawn to a report by an organisation (details supplied) on the Cerrejón mine in Colombia titled Undermining Human Rights, Ireland, the ESB and Cerrejón Coal; his views on its findings; and if, considering the National Action Plan on Business and Human Rights, he has discussed the findings of the report with the ESB. [3883/20]

Human Rights

Seán Crowe

56. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if his attention has been drawn to the fact that a person (details supplied) visited Ireland recently; if important ongoing legal proceedings against some of those involved in their murder is being monitored; and if he has raised the issue with his Honduran counterpart. [3884/20]

Israeli Settlements

Seán Crowe

57. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if his attention has been drawn to the increase in illegal Israeli colonial settlements in Palestine; and the actions he will take in the face of continued Israeli violations of international law. [3885/20]

Foreign Conflicts

Seán Crowe

58. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if his attention has been drawn to footage of the Israeli military killing a Palestinian civilian near the military fence in Gaza (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3886/20]

Foreign Policy

Seán Crowe

59. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will reconsider the decision to declare that Mr. Juan Guaidó is the President of Venezuela. [3887/20]

Election Monitoring Missions

Seán Crowe

60. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if his attention has been drawn to a report by researchers (details supplied) which states that statistical evidence does not support the claim of fraud in the October 2019 election in Bolivia; his views on whether the Organisation of American States should retract its statements regarding the election which have contributed to the political conflict; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3888/20]

Long-Term Illness Scheme Coverage

Seán Crowe

862. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Health his plans or proposals to update the long-term illness scheme to include Crohn's disease and irritable bowel syndrome. [3737/20]

Long-Term Illness Scheme Coverage

Seán Crowe

863. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Health his plans to update the long-term illness scheme to include coeliac disease. [3738/20]

Long-Term Illness Scheme Coverage

Seán Crowe

864. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Health his plans to update the long-term illness scheme to include those that have multiple scoliosis. [3739/20]

Emergency Departments Data

Seán Crowe

874. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact that a 16 year old must register in the adult accident and emergency department should he or she present to Tallaght University Hospital; the reason for the anomaly (details supplied); and the policy of the HSE regarding the age limit for children and adults for admission at accident and emergency departments in hospitals nationwide. [3769/20]

Speech and Language Therapy Waiting Lists

Seán Crowe

875. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Health the timeframe for a child seeking supports in the community health organisation, CHO, 7 catchment area; the key staff posts or personnel required to fill vacant positions; and the new measures being applied to deal with lengthening waiting times in view of the growing waiting list for children with profound speech and language difficulties in the CHO 7 area. [3770/20]

Hospital Waiting Lists

Seán Crowe

876. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Health the waiting time to see a consultant dermatologist in St. James’s Hospital following an intervention by a general practitioner; if it can be a period of up to 19 months; and his views on safety concerns in relation to the long delay. [3771/20]

Home Loan Scheme

Seán Crowe

1250. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the reason for the recent increase in interest in the Rebuilding Ireland home loan scheme from 2.25% to almost 3% on a 30 year term; when the increase was agreed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3772/20]

Social and Affordable Housing Provision

Seán Crowe

1252. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if he has signed off new housing procurement proposals for 2020 for local authorities; and if so, the details of the proposals. [3908/20]

Northern Ireland

Seán Crowe

33. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the new proposals he is working on regarding the restoration of the Executive and the Assembly in Northern Ireland; the work he is undertaking to ensure that the Good Friday Agreement and subsequent agreements are implemented in full by the UK Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53468/19]

Citizenship Status

Seán Crowe

38. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if a report will be provided on his latest meeting with a person (details supplied) regarding the person's legal challenge in relation to the citizenship provisions of the Good Friday Agreement; if he will report on the developments in the case; if the possibility of providing financial support will be examined to ensure the person can continue the person's legal challenge; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53317/19]

Middle East Peace Process

Seán Crowe

43. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if his attention has been drawn to the fact that 10 December 2019 marks five years since Dáil Éireann unanimously passed a motion to formally recognise the State of Palestine; if the issue is being examined; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53316/19]

Human Rights

Seán Crowe

50. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if the details of the proposed new legislation to create a EU human rights sanction regime that were discussed at the EU Foreign Affairs Council on 9 December 2019 will be provided; the way in which the new legislation will operate; his views on the legislation; and the timeline for the legislation to be completed. [53315/19]

Middle East Issues

Seán Crowe

51. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if a report will be provided on his recent trip to Israel and Palestine; the persons he met; the issues discussed; the new proposals he will undertake in order to provide support to a two-state solution and an end to the illegal occupation of Palestine by Israel. [53318/19]

Ministerial Communications

Seán Crowe

57. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if his attention has been drawn to growing protests in Malta regarding the mishandling by the government of the investigation into the murder of a person (details supplied); if his attention has been further drawn to mounting concerns regarding the alleged involvement of former chief of staff and other employees of the office of the Prime Minister in the murder and a subsequent cover-up; if he has discussed the issue with his Maltese counterpart; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53319/19]

Overseas Development Aid

Seán Crowe

112. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the status of the new initiative on sexual and reproductive health and rights promised in A Better World; when the initiative will be launched; the level of funding to be allocated for its implementation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51237/19]

Education and Training Boards Staff

Seán Crowe

189. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Education and Skills if his attention has been drawn to the staff shortage in the Dublin and Dún Laoghaire Education and Training Board; if his further attention has been drawn to the fact that the shortage is severely impacting on the service it provides and persons seeking to avail of its services are being directed to other DDLETB centres due to the shortages in south-west County Dublin; the reason for the staff shortage; the way in which he plans to ensure the shortage is ended; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51343/19]