Parliamentary questions

Healthcare Infrastructure Provision

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor

3132. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Health when County Carlow will have an ambulance base which is fit for purpose; his views on whether it is acceptable for a town the size of Carlow to not have its own ambulance base and no communication from the HSE in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40371/21]

Primary Care Centres

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor

3133. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Health when primary care services and a new primary care facility will be established in Tullow, County Carlow; the location of same; the timescale for this service to be established; the planned location of the facility; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40372/21]

Vaccination Programme

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor

3134. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Health the stage in the Covid-19 vaccine roll-out it is envisaged persons living in disability accommodation unable to give informed consent will be offered vaccinations; if their next of kin can apply for consent; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40373/21]

Health Services

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor

3135. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Health the status of discussions between a service (details supplied) with the HSE regarding the transfer of the service to another provider following notice of registration cancellation by the Health Information and Quality Authority; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40376/21]

Agriculture Industry

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor

3347. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to ensure that the agreement between an organisation (details supplied) and the Beef Taskforce is enforced regarding opt-out clauses on insurance levies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39068/21]

Driver Licences

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor

60. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Transport if there is an update on driver lessons for non-essential workers; if he will clarify a date for their resumption; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38346/21]

Cabinet Committees

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor

15. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee on Covid-19 will meet next. [37706/21]

Medical Cards

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor

136. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Health the number of new medical cards that have been issued to date in 2021 in the Carlow Kilkenny local health office area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37520/21]

Hospital Waiting Lists

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor

137. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Health the action being taken to address long waiting times for hospital appointments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37519/21]

Third Level Education

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor

66. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the progress of the full integration of Carlow College, St. Patrick's into the higher education system in the south-east region; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36842/21]

Technological Universities

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor

77. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the status of the proposed technical university of the south east; the outcome of the review of the project by an international panel and proposed finances; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36841/21]

Closed-Circuit Television Systems

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor

93. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Justice her plans for the expansion of Garda CCTV in County Carlow to deter criminal activity; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36767/21]

Cabinet Committees

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor

9. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee on housing will meet next. [36392/21]

School Curriculum

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor

80. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Education the status of the review of the senior cycle; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35402/21]

Youth Unemployment

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor

171. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Social Protection the plans in place to tackle youth unemployment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35343/21]

Teaching Council of Ireland

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor

255. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Education the number of applications processed by the Teaching Council in 2020 and to date in 2021; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35638/21]

Teaching Council of Ireland

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor

256. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Education the average time elapsed between applications being submitted and the Teaching Council’s decision; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35639/21]

Gender Equality

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor

72. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will report on progress towards gender equality in politics in Ireland; and the steps being taken to achieve a new normal in which more women political leaders have an active and equal role in decision-making and building forward. [27634/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor

478. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Health if community pools and leisure centres will be permitted to hold swimming classes for children in primary schools; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26697/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor

73. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the status of the take-up of the €50 million suite of supports for those working in the live entertainment sector; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33297/21]

Office of Public Works

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor

126. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the progress of the Office of Public Works refurbishment of Carlow courthouse railings. [32330/21]

Office of Public Works

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor

143. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the progress of the Office of Public Works project at Carlow castle. [32329/21]

Credit Unions

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor

64. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Finance the initiatives he is undertaking to boost credit unions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31764/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor

71. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Finance the number of persons in counties Carlow and Wexford receiving support under the employment wage subsidy scheme; the number in each county who were receiving support under the scheme in May 2021; the number of persons in each county who have received support under the scheme and its predecessor since March 2020; the expenditure on the scheme in each county over that time; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31763/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor

54. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of businesses in County Carlow that have availed of the Covid-19 credit guarantee scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30049/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor

89. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of County Carlow enterprises that that have applied to the small business assistance scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30050/21]

An Garda Síochána

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor

171. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Justice the number of gardaí in Garda stations in County Carlow at the end of April 2021; the way this compares to the end of April 2020; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29968/21]

Court Accommodation

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor

174. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Justice the status of plans to carry out remedial works at Carlow courthouse. [29967/21]

Departmental Strategies

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor

27. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the progress to enable the voice of children and young persons in decision-making including to update the first national strategy on children and young persons participation in decision-making; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28739/21]

International Protection

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor

217. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Justice the measures in place to establish a digital first approach to the processing of international protection applications; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28738/21]

Educational Disadvantage

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor

351. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Education if a school (details supplied) will be included in the upcoming DEIS programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28026/21]

Planning Issues

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor

63. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if there are plans by his Department to bring a company (details supplied) and An Taisce together to identify issues of concern and deliver an outcome to progress this project without any further delay given the importance to the local economy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26707/21]

Third Level Education

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor

107. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the work he is undertaking with third-level institutions to ensure the full return to campus of students for the academic year 2021-2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26712/21]

Apprenticeship Programmes

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor

113. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science when the 18 new apprenticeship programmes will come on stream in 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26965/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor

79. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of persons in County Carlow currently in receipt of the pandemic unemployment payment; the number of persons in County Wexford currently in receipt of the payment; the number in each county who were in receipt of the payment on the same date in April 2021; the number of persons in each county who have received the payment since the introduction of the payment; the total expenditure on such payments in each county over that time; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26270/21]

Bus Services

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor

272. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Transport the status of a Carlow town bus service; if funding will be made available for this service in quarter 3 or quarter 4 of 2021; his plans to provide rural bus services between New Ross, County Wexford, and Saint Mullin's, Tinnahinch and Borris, County Carlow, and Arklow, County Wicklow, to Carlow town; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26470/21]

Court Accommodation

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor

682. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Justice the status of plans to carry out remedial works at Carlow courthouse in particular works to the railings at Carlow courthouse being managed by the OPW on behalf of the Courts Service in view of the fact that the building is of historic importance; if there is an update to tender documentation for the repair of ten sections of the railings; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26469/21]

Special Educational Needs

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor

86. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Education the model of allocation being used for special needs assistant allocation for the academic year 2021-2022; when her Department will be publishing the allocations for the coming academic year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24882/21]

Educational Disadvantage

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor

102. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Education the details of the qualifying criteria, including scores and other assessment parameters which a school has to achieve at a minimum in order to qualify for DEIS status; if the review of the DEIS scheme is complete; if there are proposals for the provision of a summer programme in 2021 to include DEIS schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24881/21]

Schools Building Projects

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor

304. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Education the status of each large-scale school building project in County Carlow; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25060/21]

State Examinations

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor

305. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Education the supports in place for schools to run the 2021 leaving certificate and accredited grades process; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25061/21]

Passport Services

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor

111. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the timeframe for clearing the backlog of passports applications from applicants in County Carlow. [23917/21]

Driver Test

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor

187. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Transport the status of the operation of the learner driver theory test under the easement of public health restrictions from 10 May 2021; his plans to clear the backlog in counties Carlow and Kilkenny of those awaiting a test following several cancellations; if an online theory test is to be made available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24194/21]

Workplace Relations Commission

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor

570. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the progress that has been made by his Department on the implementation of the Workplace Relations Commission agreement of September 2020 (details supplied) between a union and city and county childcare committees; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24060/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor

781. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Health the position regarding a timeline for the return to work of landscapers and gardeners given that it is a crucial season for the industry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24061/21]

Social and Affordable Housing

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor

76. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when the review of income thresholds to qualify for a place on a local authority housing list will be complete. [22672/21]

Mother and Baby Homes Inquiries

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor

436. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the interactions he has had with the collaborative forum for former residents of mother and baby homes since becoming Minister; when he will next meet with members of the forum; his plans for the forum to be included in the pre-legislative process in 2021 regarding the certain institutional burials (authorised interventions) Bill; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22946/21]

Hospital Services

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor

632. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Health the reason some diabetes type 1 patients in University Hospital Waterford are being requested to transfer the status regarding persons with type 1 diabetes in University Hospital Waterford being given the opportunity to access insulin pumps; the reason University Hospital Waterford is the only level 4 hospital not currently providing insulin pump therapy to adults with type 1 diabetes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23166/21]

Tourism Policy

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor

80. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media her plans to ensure the revival of tourism in counties Carlow and Kilkenny and the south-east; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21809/21]

Sports Organisations

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor

111. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the action taken to tackle discrimination in sport; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21810/21]

Value Added Tax

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor

276. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Finance his plans to reduce the current 23% VAT rate that applies to menstrual cups to 0% to bring it into line with the rate that applies for other sanitary items. [21621/21]

Vaccination Programme

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor

961. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Health the status of the quarter 1 prioritisation exercise carried out by HIQA; if an evaluation of the varicella chickenpox vaccine has been included in this work; if this evaluation will be completed in time for consideration as part of the Budget 2022 process and implementation within the childhood immunisation programme as a matter of urgency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21583/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor

123. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the amount provided across 2020 and to date in 2021 for Covid-19-related spending programmes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20489/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor

127. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if there will be no cliff-edge termination of Covid-19 spending programmes at the end of June 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20490/21]

Driver Test

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor

359. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Transport his plans to reduce the waiting times for driver theory tests in counties Carlow and Kilkenny; if his attention has been drawn to repeated cancellations of tests causing a large backlog: if consideration will be given to making driver theory tests an essential service as a result of such backlogs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19230/21]

Departmental Expenditure

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor

722. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the amount of funding his Department allocated to An Taisce in each of the years 2012 to 2020; the expected allocation for 2021; the expected allocation for 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19006/21]

Social Insurance

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor

1138. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Social Protection the position of PRSI liability for persons that are legally separated and in receipt of maintenance payments (details supplied); her plans to investigate the current system further to ensure that persons in such a position are not overly financially disaffected; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19098/21]

Health Services Staff

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor

1650. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Health the position regarding the recruitment of a psychologist for Wexford South CAMHS; the various recruitment steps which have been completed to date; the timeline by which the post is expected to be filled; when associated services will be operational; the position regarding the recruitment of a dietician for Wexford South CAMHS; the various recruitment steps which have been completed to date; the timeline by which the post is expected to be filled; when associated services will be operational; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18559/21]

Dental Services

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor

1931. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Health the initiatives being taken to improve dental and orthodontic services in the south-east especially in County Carlow; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19321/21]

Departmental Schemes

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor

2534. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if the pilot scheme entitled the general employment permit for horticulture workers, meat processing operatives and dairy farm assistants is to be reinstated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20015/21]

Agriculture Industry

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor

2535. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to recruit seasonal horticulture workers, meat processing operatives and dairy farm assistants to tackle the current labour shortage in the sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20016/21]

Insurance Industry

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor

108. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Finance the progress made to date with regard to the measures his Department is taking under the insurance reform plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17164/21]

Credit Unions

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor

149. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Finance the way in which he plans to enable the credit union movement to grow as a key provider of community banking in Ireland. [17163/21]

Litter Pollution

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor

226. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of fixed penalty notices issued to persons who did not remove dog fouling by county; the counties which did not issue a single notice; the amount spent on awareness, signage and communication warnings to prevent dog fouling by county in each of the years 2018, 2019 and 2020, in tabular form; his plans to tighten regulations to tackle the offence under the Litter Pollution Act 1997; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16904/21]

School Transport

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor

296. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Transport his plans to address the financial stress and threat to livelihood being endured by a cohort of bus and coach operators; his plans to meet with this small cohort of operators or a small delegation from an organisation (details supplied) to identify the issues affecting them with a view to securing a resolution; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17111/21]

Community Banking

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor

388. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Finance his plans to support a community banking system in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17331/21]

Bus Services

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor

88. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Transport the status of a Carlow town bus service; if funding will be made available for this service in quarter 3 of 2021; his plans to provide rural bus services between New Ross, County Wexford, and Saint Mullin's, Tinnahinch and Borris, County Carlow, and Arklow, County Wicklow, to Carlow town; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14745/21]

National Transport Authority

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor

120. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Transport if his attention has been drawn to a differential in staff resources between the categories of the National Transport Authority active travel delivery structure; his views as to whether the reduction in resources between categories 4 and 5 is excessive; if additional staff resources are to be allocated to Carlow town to assure the importance of implementing the active travel programme of the town; if his Department has received confirmation from all local authorities of their implementation of a designated active travel officer; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14744/21]

Urban Regeneration and Development Fund

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor

696. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the breakdown of funds applied for and subsequently allocated to the urban regeneration and development fund by county in each of the years 2018 to 2020, in tabular form; when the next round of applications under the fund will open; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15241/21]

Student Universal Support Ireland

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor

1112. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if graduate entry medicine students are to be included in the SUSI review; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14246/21]

National Broadband Plan

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor

84. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if National Broadband Ireland will provide greater functionality and more detail on its website with a rolling update of network build plans across rural Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13082/21]

Driver Test

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor

255. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Transport if a driver theory test will be made available for persons that must complete the test in order to attend an institution of education under current restrictions, such as the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13355/21]

School Staff

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor

522. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Education if public service status has been granted to all grant-paid secretaries; if a review has been carried out in respect of the two-tier system; if agreement has been reached between a union (details supplied) and her Department that is acceptable to both parties on the issue of fair pay for vital school staff; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13041/21]

Child and Family Agency

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor

640. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if a funding allocation will be made to a group (details supplied) for 2021; if a commitment will be given that Tusla will honour section 20 of the Tusla agreement pertaining to the dispute with a centre and ensure the present funding will not be altered prior to a final arbitration; his plans to retain this service for counties Carlow and Kilkenny; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12775/21]

Domestic Violence Policy

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor

641. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if Tusla has completed its strategic review of domestic violence accommodation provision which is intended to inform a plan for the future commissioning of domestic violence accommodation services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12776/21]

Primary Care Centres

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor

994. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Health when primary care services and a new primary care facility will be established in Tullow, County Carlow; the timescale for this service to be established; the planned location of the facility; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13518/21]

Agriculture Industry

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor

1011. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the rules governing membership of a group (details supplied) a European Innovation Partnership Locally Lead Pilot project; the commonage rights and obligations in relation to participation in the group; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12774/21]

Customs and Excise

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor

26. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment his views on the post-Brexit reality of the application of a 10% customs duty on a used vehicle not of UK origin imported into Ireland; if he plans to assist car dealerships that specialise in used vehicles to combat this new tariff; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11428/21]

Driver Test

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor

115. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Transport his plans to reduce the waiting times for driver theory tests in counties Carlow and Kilkenny; if his attention has been drawn to repeated cancellations of tests causing a large backlog: if consideration will be given to making driver theory tests an essential service as a result of such backlogs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11157/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor

198. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Finance if he plans to enhance the Covid restrictions support scheme to target businesses with a 75% drop in revenue and to remove the current €5,000 weekly cap; if the employment wage subsidy scheme will be extended to the end of 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11429/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor

199. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Finance if he plans to intervene with the banks to ensure that concession-based moratoriums are provided to shuttered businesses until restrictions are lifted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11430/21]

Haulage Industry

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor

200. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Finance his plans to introduce a concession for diesel in haulage similar to the agricultural sector or support schemes for the haulage sector to offset fuel price rises to ensure the growth of the haulage sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11435/21]

Value Added Tax

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor

264. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if her Department has sought a commitment from the Department of Finance to retain the 9% tourism rate of VAT at least up until 2025 to assist recovery and provide certainty for tourism businesses shuttered under level 5 restrictions; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11431/21]

Local Authority Rates

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor

334. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his plans to extend the local authority rates waiver until the end of 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11433/21]

Education and Training Provision

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor

410. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Education her plans to give primary teaching students of a college (details supplied) access to the Gaeltacht grant similar to their colleagues in other teacher training colleges; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11159/21]

SOLAS Training and Education Programmes

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor

629. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science when provision will be made for Safepass courses which have been suspended due to the Covid-19 pandemic to be resumed; his plans to assist workers with an expired Safepass who are unable to return to work in sectors such as the construction industry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11158/21]

Vaccination Programme

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor

832. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Health his plans in conjunction with the Minister for Transport to provide free public transport services to and from the vaccination centres announced in counties Carlow and Kilkenny; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11434/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor

261. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media her plans to allocate funding supports to local print media similar to the €5 million provision which was allocated to local radio; her further plans to accelerate advertising from State and national agencies to local print media to support the industry; the position regarding the new media commission replacing the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland; if the new body will provide support for all recognised, trusted media including funding for innovation, public service content and training; the position regarding reform of the current defamation laws; her plans to review mergers legislation to improve and streamline current processes to ensure that delays do not jeopardise opportunities for journalists and newspaper titles; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9747/21]

School Transport

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor

405. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Education the details in which the current concessionary ticketing system is being examined under the current review of the school transport system; the position regarding the current concessionary ticketing system and the need for significant change within this specific area of the scheme in the context of the review; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9469/21]

JobPath Programme

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor

556. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Social Protection if the current Turas Nua contract to deliver the JobPath programme is to be renewed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9470/21]

Import Costs

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor

30. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment his plans to address the 25% tariff on steel imports into Northern Ireland ultimately destined for Ireland and the feedback from the sector that this could have a potentially detrimental effect on construction costs here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8740/21]

State Examinations

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor

405. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Education if leaving certificate 2021 students will be permitted to sit select papers on the traditional paper following the release of predicted grades; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8283/21]

State Examinations

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor

406. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Education if all aspects of the 2021 leaving certificate examination, including projects and oral examinations, are to be omitted in the event of a predicted grade choice; if not, if students can choose a combined approach; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8285/21]

State Examinations

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor

407. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Education if school profiling will be applied to the 2021 leaving certificate arrangements; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8286/21]

Third Level Admissions

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor

566. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his plans to ensure fair competition for college places due to a record number of CAO applications from the 2021 cohort, deferred students from 2020 and those students who were awarded higher points on review; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8284/21]

Third Level Admissions

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor

567. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his plans to ensure place availability for the leaving certificate class of 2021 at higher education; if his attention has been drawn to the record number of CAO applications; the engagement his Department has had with higher level institutions to ensure sufficient places for such record demand; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8287/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor

180. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Transport his plans to reinstate driver lessons under current restrictions for more than just essential workers or those with an appointment for a test; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7299/21]

Ambulance Service

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor

736. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Health the number of calls made for an ambulance in the area covered by the Carlow ambulance base in January 2021; the number of calls made to the ambulance service in Carlow from 1 January to 31 December 2020; the number of calls to the ambulance service in Carlow from 1 January to 31 December 2020 for the Carlow and south-east region that were dealt with by ambulances from outside the Carlow area; the average response time for an ambulance from when a call is placed to emergency services to when an ambulance arrives at the scene; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6468/21]

IDA Ireland

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor

33. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of IDA visits made to each county in tabular form; his plans for IDA visits given current restrictions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5838/21]

Road Projects

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor

134. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Transport if he plans to provide funding to complete the northern ring road in Athenry, County Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5839/21]