Parliamentary questions

State Examinations

Éamon Ó Cuív

457. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Education the number of complaints her Department has received in relation to the calculated grades system from pupils whose grades were marked down by her Department compared to those awarded by the school; the basis on which marking down took place; the steps a student who feels they were unfairly treated by the system can take to get the matter addressed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25186/20]

Scrúduithe Stáit

Éamon Ó Cuív

469. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Oideachais conas a cuireadh teanga theagaisc na mac léinn san áireamh le linn phróiseas marcála na hArdteistiméireachta i mbliana, á chur i gcuntas gur tugadh pointí bónais gach bliain go dtí seo dóibh siúd a rinne an Ardteistiméireacht trí Ghaeilge; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [25238/20]

Employment Rights

Éamon Ó Cuív

495. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Social Protection when legislation will be published to implement the recommendations of the Duffy Cahill Report; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25099/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Éamon Ó Cuív

497. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason a self-employed person (details supplied) who went on maternity leave on 17 February 2020 and who was not as result eligible for the pandemic unemployment payment is now being refused the enterprise grant for small businesses although they made the necessary upgrades to their business to allow them to reopen in August 2020; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25266/20]

Probate Applications

Éamon Ó Cuív

524. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Social Protection when an application by a solicitor (details supplied) for clearance to take out probate and pay out the beneficiaries of a will, will be provided; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25187/20]

CLÁR Programme

Éamon Ó Cuív

900. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Community and Rural Development and the Islands her plans to reintroduce the CLÁR group water top up that was part of the CLÁR programme until 2010; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25101/20]

CLÁR Programme

Éamon Ó Cuív

901. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Community and Rural Development and the Islands her plans to reintroduce measure 1V of the CLÁR scheme in 2020; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25102/20]

Air Services Provision

Éamon Ó Cuív

11. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Community and Rural Development and the Islands her plans to investigate the provision of air services to Inishbofin Island; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24201/20]

CLÁR Programme

Éamon Ó Cuív

42. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Community and Rural Development and the Islands her plans to reinstate the CLÁR measure for group water schemes that existed under CLÁR from its inception until 2011; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24202/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Éamon Ó Cuív

78. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Finance if it is planned to modify the employment wage subsidy scheme to give further assistance to the sectors dependent on foreign tourists to ensure their survival until international travel recommences; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24543/20]

Local Authority Funding

Éamon Ó Cuív

104. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when local authorities will be informed of the funding to be provided to compensate them for the loss of income suffered from the rates remission given to certain businesses in 2020 due to Covid-19; if the compensation will be 100% of the income loss incurred by the local authorities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24546/20]

Third Level Admissions

Éamon Ó Cuív

149. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his plans to provide further extra places on third-level first year courses in 2020 in view of the higher points achieved by students in the leaving certificate 2020 compared to previous years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24542/20]

Abortion Services Provision

Éamon Ó Cuív

193. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health if enquiries were carried out by his Department to ascertain if women here were negatively impacted or suffered injury or death due to the prescription of abortion pills in view the death of two women in the UK after ingesting same prescribed by telemedicine during the Covid-19 pandemic; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24545/20]

Community Services Programme

Éamon Ó Cuív

246. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Community and Rural Development and the Islands if there is a review of the community services programme ongoing; if so, when it will be concluded; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24538/20]

LEADER Programmes

Éamon Ó Cuív

247. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Community and Rural Development and the Islands if further administration, project and animation funding will be provided to the LAGs administering Leader for the years from 2021 until a new Leader programme is in place; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24539/20]

LEADER Programmes

Éamon Ó Cuív

248. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Community and Rural Development and the Islands if it is planned to provide animation funding to the LAGs under new Leader round to encourage more community involvement in the Leader programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24540/20]

Ministerial Travel

Éamon Ó Cuív

249. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Community and Rural Development and the Islands her plans to visit west Connemara and Inishbofin island in the near future; if so, if she will visit organisations (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24541/20]

Disabilities Assessments

Éamon Ó Cuív

74. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health the number of children with disabilities on the waiting list for assessment for early intervention; and the average waiting time to get an assessment. [22328/20]

Covid-19 Tests

Éamon Ó Cuív

92. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health his plans to introduce regular testing for Covid-19 of home care workers in view of the vulnerability of the clients they are caring for through age or disability or both; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23658/20]

Common Agricultural Policy

Éamon Ó Cuív

118. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the progress that has been made in the provision of interim measures under the present CAP for 2020 and 2021 until a new Common Agricultural Policy, CAP, is in place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23965/20]

Timber Supply

Éamon Ó Cuív

140. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the urgent steps he is taking to avert a raw material supply crisis of logs in the timber industry and looming layoffs for harvesters, hauliers, timber mill staff and myriad others who depend on this resource-based industry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23964/20]

Small and Medium Enterprises

Éamon Ó Cuív

148. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the support available to small business that were impacted by recent flooding in Clifden, County Galway; the conditions that apply to such aid; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24061/20]

Flood Prevention Measures

Éamon Ó Cuív

307. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the plans in place by the OPW to deal with the recurring flooding problem in Clifden, County Galway; when it is expected that work will be carried out on the ground to reduce the impact of future flooding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24059/20]

Social and Affordable Housing

Éamon Ó Cuív

348. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when the building of affordable houses in Galway city and county will be approved; the reason for the delay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23801/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Éamon Ó Cuív

426. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Education if clear guidelines have been given in writing to each post-primary school to the effect that if a pupil in the school has medical certification to the effect that he or she cannot wear a face covering, he or she is exempted from doing so and can continue to attend school as normal with the arrangements for hand hygiene and so on and no particular special arrangements for physical distance required; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23797/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Éamon Ó Cuív

427. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Education if her Department was in contact with a school (details supplied) about a situation that has arisen in which a pupil has not been allowed to attend classes as they cannot wear a face covering, according to medical evidence which has been supplied; the response of the school to this contact; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23798/20]

State Examinations

Éamon Ó Cuív

460. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Education the redress or opportunity for a review for a student (details supplied) whose school awarded grades for the 2020 leaving certificate that were significantly reduced by her Department, thus affecting the student's chances of obtaining his or her course of choice through the CAO system; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24041/20]

Social Welfare Benefits

Éamon Ó Cuív

521. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Social Protection the support available to householders whose houses were flooded to support them in the aftermath of the recent floods in Clifden, County Galway; the means assessment and conditions that apply to aid given; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24060/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Éamon Ó Cuív

743. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health if guidelines in relation to visits to nursing homes will be amended to allow visits by families, subject to wearing personal protective equipment, particularly in cases in which there are patients that due to illness are speech and visually challenged, in view of the fact that isolation from family can cause deterioration in the patient and mental health issues; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23800/20]

Farm Inspections

Éamon Ó Cuív

890. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his Department has received a complaint regarding an unannounced inspection on a farm (details supplied) in which the farmer claims that health guidelines and protocols were not followed and there was a breach of GDPR; the process that will be followed to investigate this complaint; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23799/20]

Cumas Gaeilge sa Gharda Síochána

Éamon Ó Cuív

45. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Dlí agus Cirt an bhfuil sé mar bheartas ag a Roinn a chinntiú go lonnófar comhaltaí den Gharda Síochána a bhfuil Gaeilge acu sna ceantair Ghaeltachta; cad é an líon comhaltaí den Gharda Síochána a bhfuil liúntas Gaeilge á fháil acu faoi láthair, agus cad iad na stáisiúin ina bhfuil siad lonnaithe; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [22387/20]

Garda Stations

Éamon Ó Cuív

46. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Justice if consideration is being given to the closing of further Garda stations; her policy in this regard; the number of Garda stations that were closed that were reopened in the past ten years; the location of each; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22388/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Éamon Ó Cuív

71. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Transport the extra supports being proposed to support the tourism industry here; the steps being taken to provide certainty to the tourism sector that foreign tourists will be able to travel here for vacations and conferences in 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23123/20]

Commemorative Events

Éamon Ó Cuív

87. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Media, Tourism, Arts, Culture, Sport and the Gaeltacht when the parliamentary consultative committee on the decade of commemorations will be reconstituted; the proposed make-up of the committee; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23124/20]

National Monuments

Éamon Ó Cuív

94. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his plans to reconstitute the ministerial Moore Street advisory committee; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23125/20]

Defence Forces Personnel

Éamon Ó Cuív

102. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Defence the reason military personnel that commenced their military service pre-2012 and that take up employment in the public service have their pension reduced if promoted in their new State employment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23092/20]

Animal Diseases

Éamon Ó Cuív

254. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 650 of 28 July 2020, if the information (details supplied) has since been provided to his Department; when the information will be made available to this Deputy as promised; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23126/20]

Cuanta agus Céanna

Éamon Ó Cuív

255. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Talmhaíochta, Bia agus Mara cén dul chun cinn atá déanta ar ché dhomhainmhara a fhorbairt i Ros an Mhíl; cén uair a bhfuiltear ag súil le tairiscintí a lorg don obair ar an gcé; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [23127/20]

Apprenticeship Programmes

Éamon Ó Cuív

33. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the arrangements that have been made for the college sections of apprenticeship programmes due to the effect of Covid-19; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22383/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Éamon Ó Cuív

37. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the additional funding provided to third-level sector in 2020 as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic; the number of additional places made available by the third-level institutions for the 2020/2021 academic year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22382/20]

Driver Test

Éamon Ó Cuív

87. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Transport the steps being taken to ensure that drivers who are on a provisional driver licence can get driver tests in circumstances in which they need to drive a car for the purpose of going to work; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22955/20]

Middle East Peace Process

Éamon Ó Cuív

144. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the steps taken since the formation of the Government to advance a Middle East peace process and build a consensus at EU level to take a more proactive approach in supporting a negotiated two-state solution and lasting process there; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22951/20]

Middle East Peace Process

Éamon Ó Cuív

145. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs his plans and those of the Government to recognise the state of Palestine as part of a lasting settlement of the Middle East conflict; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22952/20]

Middle East Peace Process

Éamon Ó Cuív

146. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the steps being taken by Ireland within the EU to oppose plans by Israel to annex territory in the West Bank and apply Israeli sovereignty to it; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22953/20]

United Nations

Éamon Ó Cuív

147. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will provide details of the commitment by Ireland to fund the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22954/20]

Supervision and Substitution Scheme

Éamon Ó Cuív

167. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Education her plans to set up a teacher supply panel for the primary schools for the area of north-west Connemara, County Galway in view of the fact that the only other teacher supply panel in Connemara for substitute teachers is based in the Gaeltacht and services schools teaching through Irish while all schools in north-west Connemara operate through the medium of English; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22995/20]

Schools Building Projects

Éamon Ó Cuív

168. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Education if her Department has received an application from residents of Inisbofin Island, County Galway to set up a post-primary school; if so, when a decision will be made on this application; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22996/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment

Éamon Ó Cuív

199. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Social Protection when she plans to end the temporary suspension of certain redundancy provisions in order that persons that are laid off permanently either due to Covid-19 or otherwise can get their statutory redundancy; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22956/20]

Hospital Appointments Status

Éamon Ó Cuív

258. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health the reason services are not being scheduled for a child with special needs (details supplied); the reason for the delay in view of the fact that they transferred from the early intervention services in January 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22736/20]

Early Childhood Care and Education

Éamon Ó Cuív

30. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Children, Disability, Equality and Integration the policy he has to promote all Irish language and bilingual crèches in and outside the Gaeltacht to ensure all parents have a choice between an English-language crèche, a bilingual crèche and an Irish-language crèche in view of the ability of very young children to easily learn a second language. [22329/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Éamon Ó Cuív

84. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment his plans to provide sufficient funding to the local enterprise offices and Údarás na Gaeltachta to fund all valid applications under the business continuity scheme; the estimated cost of doing so; the expenditure under the scheme to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21707/20]

Postal Services

Éamon Ó Cuív

127. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Climate Action and Communication Networks if his attention has been drawn to delays in issuing Eircodes to new properties; if his attention has been further drawn to the knock-on effect this is having in relation to the provision of broadband and landline services to private households especially those households that are working remotely due to the Covid-19 restrictions; the reason for the delay in issuing such Eircodes; the action he plans to take in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21695/20]

Inland Fisheries

Éamon Ó Cuív

128. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Climate Action and Communication Networks his plans to rescind by-laws 806 and 809 as they relate to inland fisheries and replace them with new by-laws that exclude areas that are special areas of conservation for salmonid fish; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21702/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Éamon Ó Cuív

170. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Transport his plans to introduce a scheme or to change the law to ensure that persons who booked airline tickets prior to the Covid-19 outbreak and are now cancelling their travel plans in line with the travel advice relating to non-essential travel will be entitled to a refund; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21826/20]

Road Projects

Éamon Ó Cuív

227. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Transport when an announcement will be made on the requests for projects made to local authorities under the July stimulus package; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22015/20]

Na hOileáin amach ón gCósta

Éamon Ó Cuív

339. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Meán, Turasóireachta, Ealaíon, Cultúir, Spóirt agus Gaeltachta an bhfuil sí i gceist aige cuairt a thabhairt go luath ar na hoileáin amach ón gcósta; agus má tá, cé hiad na hoileáin a bhfuil i gceist aige cuairt a thabhairt orthu. [21703/20]

Island Communities

Éamon Ó Cuív

340. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Media, Tourism, Arts, Culture, Sport and the Gaeltacht her plans to put the airstrips in Cleggan and Inisbofin, County Galway into operation to provide an air service to Inishbofin and to provide a connection between the two airports and the airport in An Caisleán, Connemara, County Galway; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21885/20]

Island Communities

Éamon Ó Cuív

341. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Media, Tourism, Arts, Culture, Sport and the Gaeltacht the annual cost of the maintenance contract on the airstrips in Cleggan and Inishbofin, County Galway; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21886/20]

Na hOileáin amach ón gCósta

Éamon Ó Cuív

356. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Meán, Turasóireachta, Ealaíon, Cultúir, Spóirt agus Gaeltachta cén uair atá i gceist aici nó ag an Aire Stáit um an nGaeltacht cuairt a thabhairt ar na hoileáin Ghaeltachta amach ón gcósta; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [21705/20]

Seaweed Harvesting

Éamon Ó Cuív

418. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the details of all existing seaweed harvesting licences; the expiry date of each licence; the species and volume of seaweed allowed to be harvested; the area the licence covers in the form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21710/20]

Seaweed Harvesting

Éamon Ó Cuív

419. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of existing applications for seaweed harvesting licences on hand; the date each one was received; the species and volume of seaweed sought to be licensed in each case: the area each application covers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21711/20]

Seaweed Harvesting

Éamon Ó Cuív

420. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when a decision will be made on an application for a seaweed harvesting licence by a person (details supplied); the details of the issues that arose in relation to the maps submitted with the application; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21712/20]

Seaweed Harvesting

Éamon Ó Cuív

421. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when he plans to regularise matters in order that all seaweed harvesters will be required to have a legal entitlement to harvest seaweed that licences will be available to enable them do so and that persons without licences or legal ownership of seaweed will be pursued legally for non-compliance with the law, in the interest of conserving this valuable resource and ensuring it is used to the highest ecological standards; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21713/20]

Seaweed Harvesting

Éamon Ó Cuív

422. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his views on whether it is possible to establish legal harvesting rights for seaweed based on family traditional use; the number of harvesters that have established harvesting rights to the satisfaction of his Department to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21714/20]

Planning Issues

Éamon Ó Cuív

426. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he plans to issue a circular to local authorities instructing them to accept planning applications online rather than in paper format in order to reduce unnecessary contact between agents lodging applications and local authority staff in view of the Covid-19 pandemic; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21950/20]

Passport Applications

Éamon Ó Cuív

460. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs when the passport office will fully restore acceptance of passport applications by post from abroad, particularly from the United States of America; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22165/20]

Scoileanna Oileáin

Éamon Ó Cuív

521. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Oideachais an bhfuil sé i gceist aici stádas scoileanna beaga a bhronnadh ar na meánscoileanna ar na hoileáin; mura bhfuil, cén fáth atá leis sin agus iad ar na meánscoileanna is lú sa tír; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [21706/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Éamon Ó Cuív

522. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Education the contingency plans that have been put in place for structured online education for students including personalised feedback of first and second level schools in the event of a school having to close down partially or fully due to the Covid-19 pandemic; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21720/20]

School Transport

Éamon Ó Cuív

567. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Education her plans to provide additional resources to enable Bus Éireann to provide extra school transport to accommodate the new rules in relation to secondary school pupils arising from the Covid-19 pandemic to ensure that all those that are eligible for transport but made a late application and payment for same are accommodated and that those that normally got concessionary tickets are also accommodated; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22013/20]

Scéimeanna Tacaíochta

Éamon Ó Cuív

577. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Oideachais cén uair a cheadófar Deontas Lóistín na gCeantar Iargúlta do scoláire (sonraí tugtha); cén fáth a bhfuil moill os cionn trí mhí leis seo. [22065/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Éamon Ó Cuív

615. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Education if schools have the right to exclude or prohibit students from attending post-primary schools due to the fact that they cannot wear a face covering for medical reasons; the educational provision that will be made for such pupils, particularly leaving certificate year pupils, in the event that they are excluded from school; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22392/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Éamon Ó Cuív

616. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Education the right of appeal or review by students and their parents against a ruling excluding them from school due to the fact that they cannot wear a face covering for medical reasons which is certified by their general practitioner; the role of her Department in ensuring that all pupils have access to education; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22393/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Éamon Ó Cuív

644. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Social Protection the supports available to sole traders under the summer stimulus package and other measures due to the Covid-19 pandemic; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21715/20]

Social Welfare Appeals

Éamon Ó Cuív

691. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Social Protection when oral hearings in respect of social welfare appeals will recommence; if oral hearings can be held via an application (details supplied) or telephone calls; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21698/20]

Social Welfare Payments Administration

Éamon Ó Cuív

692. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Social Protection when weekly payments will recommence for those social welfare recipients that would prefer weekly payments; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21708/20]

Departmental Staff

Éamon Ó Cuív

707. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Social Protection when a vacancy occurred in her Department for the position of deputy secretary general; if she plans to fill the position by open or closed competition; when she plans to advertise the position; when it will be filled; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21876/20]

Community Employment Schemes

Éamon Ó Cuív

716. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will consider proposals to allow participants on a community employment scheme that are over 55 years of age to continue participating on the scheme until they reach retirement age, in view of the difficulties that persons of this age experience gaining alternative employment and the importance of their participation on the scheme to their health and wellbeing; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21930/20]

Departmental Correspondence

Éamon Ó Cuív

844. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the steps he will take to ensure a level playing field for the estimated 20,000 entering third-level education in 2020 based on the leaving certificate results of 2018 and 2019 in the event the 2020 estimated grades over the whole cohort of students are higher than previous years’ results; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22620/20]

Garda Vetting

Éamon Ó Cuív

968. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Justice when an application for Garda vetting submitted by a school teacher (details supplied) in County Galway will be processed in view of the urgent need for the processing of a Garda clearance in this case given the current front-line role teachers are playing in the re-opening of schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22687/20]

Disabilities Assessments

Éamon Ó Cuív

1026. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will be issued with an appointment for an assessment with the ASD services in counties Galway and Roscommon; the reason for the delay in issuing an appointment in view of the fact that they have been on the waiting list for a significant period of time and were due to be seen in July or August 2020; his plans to reduce the waiting times experienced by children and families waiting for ASD assessments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21209/20]

Hospital Appointments Status

Éamon Ó Cuív

1096. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health when a date for surgery will be issued to a person (details supplied); the reason for the delay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21362/20]

Abortion Services Provision

Éamon Ó Cuív

1240. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health when he plans to reverse the emergency measures guidelines introduced by his predecessor in relation to abortion services during Covid-19, which allows doctors prescribe the abortion pill without a prior physical examination in view of the assurances provided by his predecessor (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21709/20]

Covid-19 Tests

Éamon Ó Cuív

1241. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health the number of tests for Covid-19 carried out each week since 1 June 2020; the number of persons engaged in testing each week; the number that were positive each week; the average time each week between testing and the result being made known to the person tested; the steps taken to increase the number of tests being carried out and the speed by which results are known; if the HSE has examined different types of testing to detect the disease to ensure Ireland is using the most effective test system at this time; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21718/20]

Covid-19 Tests

Éamon Ó Cuív

1242. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health the number of Covid-19 tests sent abroad for analysis each week since 1 June 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21719/20]

Hospital Records

Éamon Ó Cuív

1276. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health if his Department is in possession of the files of Comhairle na nOspidéal regarding the federation of the County Hospital, Roscommon with Portiuncla Hospital, Galway; if so, if he will arrange access to the files for a person (details supplied); if the records are not held in his Department, the location the records are held; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21887/20]

Health Services Provision

Éamon Ó Cuív

1317. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health when physiotherapy services will be available in Clifden, County Galway; the date for the service to resume; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22102/20]

Health Services Provision

Éamon Ó Cuív

1318. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health when physiotherapy services will be available in Clifden District Hospital, County Galway; the anticipated date for the service to resume; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22108/20]

Disabilities Assessments

Éamon Ó Cuív

1382. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health when an appointment will issue to the parents of a child (details supplied) who is availing of early intervention services in County Galway; the reason for the delay in issuing an appointment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22499/20]

Agriculture Industry

Éamon Ó Cuív

1426. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the research carried out on the possible new uses for raw wool produced here and the possibility of processing wool in view of the poor prices being received by farmers for their wool at present and the fact that virtually all wool produced here is exported; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21649/20]

Na hOileáin amach ón gCósta

Éamon Ó Cuív

1429. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Talmhaíochta, Bia agus Mara an bhfuil sé i gceist aige cuairt a thabhairt go luath ar na hoileáin amach ón gcósta; má tá, cé hiad na hoileáin a bhfuil i gceist aige cuairt a thabhairt orthu; agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina thaobh. [21704/20]

Forestry Sector

Éamon Ó Cuív

1430. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the steps he is taking to deal with the backlog of applications for felling licences and the backlog of appeals of decisions relating to felling licences in order to ensure continuity of supply to the timber industry; his plans to introduce new legislation as a priority to deal with the situation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21717/20]

Fishing Industry

Éamon Ó Cuív

1438. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the analysis his Department has carried out on the effect the draft EU/USA tariff agreement on tariffs will have on the lobster market in Europe and in particular here and the viability of the industry; if an analysis has been carried out on the effect the agreement will have on coastal communities and their viability; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21945/20]

Fishing Industry

Éamon Ó Cuív

1439. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the value of the lobster industry to Ireland; the number of fishermen and boats involved in the industry by county; the number of persons indirectly involved in the industry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21946/20]

Fishing Industry

Éamon Ó Cuív

1440. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to carry out a regulatory impact analysis of the impact of the US/EU tariff agreement signed in August 2020 before its ratification by Ireland and the EU; his further plans to publish the analysis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21947/20]

Animal Sales

Éamon Ó Cuív

1444. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his attention has been brought to allegations that the passports of Connemara ponies are being tampered with prior to sale of the ponies (details supplied); the steps he will take to investigate the matter and to eliminate the practice; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22066/20]

Beekeeping Industry

Éamon Ó Cuív

1451. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if a study has been carried out into the introduction of non-native honey bees here and the affect they are having on the native honey bee apis mellifera mellifera; his plans to introduce a control on the import and spread of bees; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22166/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Éamon Ó Cuív

1486. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire An Roinn Forbartha Pobail agus Tuaithe agus Oileán cén uair a dhéanfar cinneadh ar achomharc ar iarratas a rinneadh faoin scéim dar teideal Covid-19: Stability Scheme for Community and Voluntary, Charity and Social Enterprise Organisations (sonraí tugtha); cén fáth ar diúltaíodh don iarratas sin; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [21699/20]

Radio Broadcasting

Éamon Ó Cuív

1487. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Community and Rural Development and the Islands the number of applications received under the stability scheme for community, voluntary, charity and social enterprise organisations from community radio stations; the number that were awarded funding; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21700/20]

Radio Broadcasting

Éamon Ó Cuív

1488. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Community and Rural Development and the Islands when a decision will be made on an application by an organisation (details supplied) under the stability scheme for community, voluntary, charity and social enterprise organisations; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21701/20]

Scoileanna Gaeilge agus Gaeltachta

Éamon Ó Cuív

1489. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire An Roinn Forbartha Pobail agus Tuaithe agus Oileán cén uair a dhéanfar cinneadh ar iarratas ó scoil (sonraí tugtha) faoi scéim CLÁR 2020 (Beart 1) de bharr na práinne a bhaineann leis an obair atá le déanamh taobh amuigh den scoil; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [21721/20]