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 21 of 21
Tue, 14 Jul 2020
written
Covid-19 Pandemic
Steven Matthews
644. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Education and Skills the timeline for issuing official guidelines to school principals with regard to social distancing measures for each class age in primary schools. [15633/20]
Tue, 14 Jul 2020
written
Covid-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment
Steven Matthews
688. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection her plans to review the existing timeframe of the pandemic unemployment payment in respect of self-employed persons who work in the events industry; and if her attention has been drawn to the fact that if public health advice force events to either cancel or postpone later into the year many of these persons will be forced into permanent unemployment and the closure of their businesses. [15098/20]
Tue, 14 Jul 2020
written
Covid-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment
Steven Matthews
689. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if a means testing procedure has been considered regarding future amendments to the pandemic unemployment payment (details supplied). [15099/20]
Tue, 7 Jul 2020
written
Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service
Steven Matthews
33. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation if his attention has been drawn to situations in which business owners that do not hold EEA citizen status that had their visas automatically renewed by the INIS due to Covid-19 restrictions, are being told by the Companies Registration Office that they are unable to register their business name until they can prove that they are allowed trade in Ireland, in view of the fact this is impossible at this time due to the closure and significant backlog in the INIS offices. [14165/20]
Tue, 7 Jul 2020
written
Revenue Commissioners
Steven Matthews
171. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Finance the position for businesses that have received letters from the Revenue Commissioners regarding an inspection of their compliance regarding the temporary wage subsidy scheme; and the ramifications for businesses that are ultimately in compliance but due to staffing shortages or working from home arrangements are unable to meet the five day deadline for the compliance check as set out by the Revenue Commissioners. [14162/20]
Tue, 30 Jun 2020
written
Economic Policy
Steven Matthews
41. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Finance if the VAT rate assigned to the services provided by surfing schools will be examined (details supplied). [12853/20]
Tue, 30 Jun 2020
written
Schools Building Projects
Steven Matthews
147. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding schools (details supplied); and the status of the plans for these schools. [12947/20]
Tue, 30 Jun 2020
written
Special Educational Needs
Steven Matthews
175. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding July provision facilities that are being organised by many schools in conjunction with teachers and special needs assistants; if specific guidelines will be issued to these schools with regard to social distancing and safety relating to Covid-19; and if these guidelines will be issued to school management as soon as possible. [13109/20]
Tue, 23 Jun 2020
written
Greenhouse Gas Emissions
Steven Matthews
652. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his Department has carried out research regarding the potential impact that a speed limit reduction may have on vehicle emissions; and if the findings of such research could be provided; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11661/20]
Tue, 23 Jun 2020
written
Local Authority Funding
Steven Matthews
883. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the position regarding the finances lost and extra costs incurred by local authorities directly due to Covid-19; and if these losses and expenses will be replaced by centralised funding. [12071/20]
Tue, 16 Jun 2020
written
Covid-19 Pandemic Supports
Steven Matthews
103. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Finance if his attention has been drawn to the case of credit unions that do not qualify for the temporary wage subsidy scheme in view of the fact their turnover has not dropped below 25% as saving deposits have largely remained constant throughout the Covid-19 crisis (details supplied); and if he has considered metrics to measure business performance other than turnover with regard to the scheme. [11287/20]
Tue, 16 Jun 2020
written
Schools Building Projects
Steven Matthews
287. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Education and Skills the timeline for completion of a new extension for a school (details supplied). [11450/20]
Tue, 16 Jun 2020
written
Covid-19 Pandemic
Steven Matthews
309. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the phase in the Roadmap for Reopening Society and Business that house viewing for prospective home buyers fits into (details supplied). [10725/20]
Tue, 16 Jun 2020
written
Covid-19 Pandemic Supports
Steven Matthews
418. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation her plans regarding post Covid-19 supports for the bed and breakfast sector (details supplied). [10786/20]
Tue, 16 Jun 2020
written
Tourism Policy
Steven Matthews
419. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation her plans with regard to the tourism sector (details supplied). [10789/20]
Tue, 16 Jun 2020
written
Covid-19 Pandemic
Steven Matthews
425. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation if her attention has been drawn to cases of yoga studios that are currently categorised similarly to gyms in the final phase of the Roadmap for Reopening Society and Business (details supplied); and her views on businesses in this situation. [10932/20]
Tue, 16 Jun 2020
written
Covid-19 Pandemic Supports
Steven Matthews
453. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation if she will investigate a situation that has arisen with regard to microenterprises that are unable to access the restart grant in view of the fact they do not operate in a rateable premises; and if she is considering other liquidity grants for this type of business in order to assist them with reopening. [11437/20]
Tue, 16 Jun 2020
written
Covid-19 Pandemic
Steven Matthews
468. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to cases of businesses that operate an appointment only, physical training facility; if his attention has been further drawn to the fact that these businesses are categorised as similar to gyms in phase 5 of the Roadmap for Reopening Society and Business; and if his attention has been drawn to the fact that it is the contention of the owners of these centres that phase 3 would be more appropriate in view of the fact they are more akin to behind-closed-door sports as set out in the roadmap due to their capacity to operate social distancing and regular cleaning of facilities by their staff. [10724/20]
Tue, 16 Jun 2020
written
Trading Online Voucher Scheme
Steven Matthews
772. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if his attention has been drawn to instances within local enterprise offices by which local businesses have been informed that the funding for the trading online voucher scheme has dried up and businesses that meet all the criteria have been unable to access the scheme. [10791/20]
Tue, 16 Jun 2020
written
Commercial Rates
Steven Matthews
1045. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government his plans regarding commercial rates; and if an extension is envisaged to the existing three month waiver. [10788/20]
Tue, 9 Jun 2020
written
Mortgage Lending
Steven Matthews
58. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Finance if his attention has been drawn to cases in which mortgage customers that had received mortgage approval in principal from a bank prior to the Covid-19 crisis have now had their application rejected with the stated reason being that the applicants are in receipt of the temporary wage subsidy scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9893/20]
Tue, 9 Jun 2020
written
Language Schools
Steven Matthews
109. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will consider allowing stakeholders representing both teachers and students in the English language education sector to participate in the Covid-19 Working Group for the English language education sector (details supplied). [9697/20]
Tue, 9 Jun 2020
written
Covid-19 Pandemic
Steven Matthews
378. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Health if rural hotels will be allowed open a takeaway food service in phase 2 of the Roadmap for Reopening Society and Business in circumstances (details supplied). [10039/20]
Tue, 9 Jun 2020
written
Hospital Services
Steven Matthews
387. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Health the position regarding the scheduling of operations in private hospitals (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10103/20]
Wed, 3 Jun 2020
written
Wage Subsidy Scheme
Steven Matthews
40. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Finance the number of women that have been unable to access the temporary wage subsidy scheme due to being on maternity leave in the months preceding the application by their employer for the business support and that are instead claiming the pandemic unemployment payment. [8411/20]
Wed, 3 Jun 2020
written
Bank Charges
Steven Matthews
58. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Finance if his attention has been drawn to an ongoing issue which businesses are facing with regard to banking charges for direct debits that are failing due to customers of the business either cancelling or not having sufficient money to pay them (details supplied). [8566/20]
Wed, 3 Jun 2020
written
Mortgage Lending
Steven Matthews
59. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Finance if his attention has been drawn to issues that some customers are facing with non-bank mortgage providers in which the provider has refused requests for a mortgage break necessitated by the Covid-19 crisis due to the customer being in arrears previously regardless of the level of arrears. [8567/20]
Wed, 3 Jun 2020
written
State Examinations
Steven Matthews
323. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Education and Skills the way in which the recent announcement regarding the cancellation of the leaving certificate will impact students studying single subjects outside of traditional school settings be that as an extra subject to supplement their in school options or as a single exam that was undertaken to achieve qualification for a specific course requirement such as honours level Irish for primary school teaching. [9757/20]
Wed, 3 Jun 2020
written
Covid-19 Pandemic
Steven Matthews
429. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the phase in the Roadmap for Reopening Society and Business that removal companies fit into in view of the fact they are not specifically listed. [8412/20]
Wed, 3 Jun 2020
written
Covid-19 Pandemic
Steven Matthews
591. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to cases by which a shoe and clothing repair store which as outlined in the Roadmap on Reopening Society and Business is allowed reopen in phase 2, in view of the fact it is a small commercial outlet but the store is located within a shopping centre, which is set to reopen in stage 5; his views on such cases; and if clarity will be provided for business owners in similar situations as to the legality of when they are allowed reopen. [8684/20]
Wed, 27 May 2020
written
Covid-19 Pandemic Supports
Steven Matthews
60. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Finance if he will consider reviewing the rules regarding accessing the temporary wage subsidy scheme (details supplied); and if the Revenue Commissioners can be given some leniency in this regard in order to deal with businesses on a case-by-case basis. [7378/20]
Wed, 27 May 2020
written
State Examinations
Steven Matthews
292. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Education and Skills the entire appeals process that will be available to leaving certificate students that are unsatisfied with their calculated grades in 2020. [8167/20]
Wed, 27 May 2020
written
State Examinations
Steven Matthews
293. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Education and Skills the details of the design of the guide for calculated grades for the 2020 leaving certificate; if alternatives were considered; and if he will address the decision to proceed with the system that was chosen. [8196/20]
Wed, 27 May 2020
written
Covid-19 Pandemic Supports
Steven Matthews
433. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation if start-up businesses that began trading in late 2019 or in 2020 are eligible for the restart grant that was confirmed for SMEs recently in view of the fact that in these businesses will not have a record of paying commercial rates for 2019. [7568/20]
Wed, 27 May 2020
written
Covid-19 Pandemic
Steven Matthews
591. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Health if his attention has be drawn to cases of businesses that operate an appointment only, physical training facility (details supplied); and if his attention has been further drawn to the contention of the owners of the centres that phase 3 would be more appropriate in view of the fact they are more akin to behind closed door sports as set out in the Roadmap for Reopening Society and Business due to their capacity to operate social distancing and regular cleaning of facilities by their staff. [7857/20]
Wed, 27 May 2020
written
National Broadband Plan
Steven Matthews
706. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if the possibility of improving poor broadband connectivity in Tinoran, County Wicklow will be investigated (details supplied). [7210/20]
Wed, 27 May 2020
written
Consumer Rights
Steven Matthews
743. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his attention has been drawn to ongoing issues regarding school tours and parents being unable to claim refunds from travel agencies (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7088/20]
Wed, 27 May 2020
written
Gorse Burning
Steven Matthews
1087. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if she will consider reviewing the existing penalties for those prosecuted for illegal gorse fires in view of the contention of many heritage and wildlife groups that the existing measures do not act as a sufficient deterrent. [7356/20]
Wed, 27 May 2020
written
Gorse Burning
Steven Matthews
1088. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the number of persons prosecuted for illegally starting gorse fires in 2018 and 2019, by county. [7358/20]
Wed, 20 May 2020
written
Covid-19 Pandemic Supports
Steven Matthews
70. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Finance if his attention has been drawn to the fact that some mortgage providers are blocking any mortgage payment moratorium necessitated by job losses due to Covid-19; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5867/20]
Wed, 20 May 2020
written
Covid-19 Pandemic Supports
Steven Matthews
74. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Finance if his attention has been drawn to an issue that has arisen for some employers in accessing the temporary wage subsidy scheme in which employers that rehired staff previously let go after 1 May 2020 seem to be unable to qualify for a refund; if these employers will be refunded; and if so, the timeframe that businesses can expect for this. [5881/20]
Wed, 20 May 2020
written
Covid-19 Pandemic Supports
Steven Matthews
75. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Finance if a case (details supplied) will be examined in which a company is unable to access the temporary wage subsidy scheme. [5883/20]
Wed, 20 May 2020
written
Covid-19 Pandemic Supports
Steven Matthews
79. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Finance if the case of a company (details supplied) will be investigated. [5909/20]
Wed, 20 May 2020
written
Covid-19 Pandemic Supports
Steven Matthews
82. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Finance if the case of a company (details supplied) will be investigated. [5937/20]
Wed, 20 May 2020
written
School Staff
Steven Matthews
176. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Education and Skills if the appeal by a school (details supplied) in relation to the loss of a teacher due to student numbers is under review; and if a response will be issued to school management in due course. [5716/20]
Wed, 20 May 2020
written
Covid-19 Pandemic
Steven Matthews
673. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Health the medical basis on which the decision to include cinemas in phase five of the re-opening plan was made; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5758/20]
Wed, 20 May 2020
written
Tourism Funding
Steven Matthews
970. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the measures he plans to implement to support struggling small businesses in the tourism sector that are likely facing into a summer in which they will have little to no trading in their busiest and most lucrative time of year. [5643/20]
Wed, 20 May 2020
written
Childcare Costs
Steven Matthews
1111. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if her attention has been drawn to instances in which crèches and childcare facilities are requiring parents to pay part of their usual fees despite being closed in view of the fact they claim to have had issues in accessing Government support. [5644/20]
Wed, 13 May 2020
written
Gorse Burning
Steven Matthews
1338. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if she will consider establishing a multi-agency task force to examine the cause of repeated occurrences of illegal gorse burning; and her plans to propose remedies to address the problem and to report back to Dáil Éireann. [5437/20]