Parliamentary questions

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Mattie McGrath

165. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Finance if he will consider tax breaks and reliefs for workers who have incurred additional individual travel costs due to the reduction in carpooling to work during the Covid-19 pandemic; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41331/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Mattie McGrath

215. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if gastropubs and restaurants have been provided with advice or recommendations regarding the reopening of the sector; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41326/20]

Passport Applications

Mattie McGrath

306. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs when the online passports processing service will be operational again given the backlog of applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41466/20]

Special Educational Needs

Mattie McGrath

337. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Education the efforts her Department and the NCSE are making to address the lack of ASD units in primary schools in south County Tipperary; her plans to develop new ASD units in primary schools in south County Tipperary; and the details of same. [41506/20]

Mobility Allowance

Mattie McGrath

534. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health the progress made to develop a new or alternative scheme to the mobility grant scheme which was suspended in 2013. [41249/20]

Young Farmers Scheme

Mattie McGrath

814. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason the definition of "young farmer" in Ireland includes an upper limit of 35 years of age whereas the EU policy objective is 40 years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41426/20]

Local Improvement Scheme

Mattie McGrath

870. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she will report on the reopening of the local improvement scheme for 2021; the level of funding available for Tipperary County Council for same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41327/20]

Internal Audits

Mattie McGrath

597. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Justice if an internal audit of Muintir na Tíre (details supplied) has now been finalised to her and her Department’s satisfaction; if the contents of the audit will be made available to the public; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40031/20]

Primary Medical Certificates

Mattie McGrath

64. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Finance the date he will bring forward an amendment to the Finance Bill 2020 to provide for the existing medical criteria in primary legislation to allow for the primary medical certificate assessments to recommence. [38925/20]

Wildlife Control

Mattie McGrath

350. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the grounds upon which he ordered the release of hares, which had been legally caught under the 2020-21 hare netting licence as granted under the Wildlife Act 1976, when there is no precedent for the limit of time in which a hare can be held under said licence as long as it is within the period of validity of the licence. [38383/20]

Special Educational Needs

Mattie McGrath

474. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Education the number of autism spectrum disorder, ASD, units in operation in primary and secondary schools in County Tipperary; the details of same; and the primary and secondary schools in the county in which plans are under way to develop ASD units. [37810/20]

Agriculture Schemes

Mattie McGrath

986. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he has a legal obligation to give data on the value of a single farm payment to a farmer from whose land those single farm payments were taken by a person leasing the land at the termination of the lease in view of the fact it is the lessee's personal data. [38727/20]

Agriculture Schemes

Mattie McGrath

987. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on whether the removal of single farm payment entitlements from 150,000 hectares was illegal according to the European Court of Auditor's report 2006. [38728/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Mattie McGrath

3. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the reason the Irish step dance community has been denied the right to run indoor solo classes following a pod system and adhering to strict social distancing guidelines at levels 3 and 4 in view of the fact that similar and comparable artistic and athletic activities, such as stage school, gymnastics and drama for children, have been allowed to continue and places the national dance form and cultural heritage under threat (details supplied). [36360/20]

Refugee Resettlement Programme

Mattie McGrath

256. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if the Irish refugee protection programme has continued the resettlement programme under level 5 lockdown and travel restrictions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37604/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Mattie McGrath

220. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Transport his plans to refund or make concessions for vehicles that are off the road due to ongoing Covid-19 restrictions and lockdowns. [36481/20]

Disabled Drivers and Passengers Scheme

Mattie McGrath

275. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Finance the date primary medical certificate assessments will resume following the Supreme Court decision almost five months ago (details supplied). [36803/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Mattie McGrath

183. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Taoiseach if the national framework for living with Covid-19 has a regulatory basis in statute or regulation or of it is purely advisory. [32405/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Mattie McGrath

537. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if extracurricular music education classes are allowed to continue during level 5 restrictions; if she will provide details on the guidelines relating to musical education under level 5; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33190/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Mattie McGrath

785. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Education if extracurricular music education classes are allowed to continue during level 5 restrictions; if she will provide details on the guidelines relating to musical education under level 5; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33191/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Mattie McGrath

1144. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health the provisions which prohibit the holding of public mass with a congregation in attendance in SI No. 413 of 2020; the provision or sections of the statutory instrument which prohibit or prevent the holding of public masses with a congregation in attendance; the legal basis for such a provision having regard to Article 44.2.1 of the Constitution which states freedom of conscience and the free profession and practice of religion subject to public order and morality guaranteed to every citizen; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32404/20]

Palliative Care Services

Mattie McGrath

1231. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health the number of palliative care patients who required access to a palliative care bed in south County Tipperary since March 2020; the number of palliative care patients who were refused a bed in a palliative care facility in County Tipperary since March 2020 due to the of lack of beds; the number of patients who required convalescent care in south County Tipperary since March 2020; the number of patients who have been refused convalescent care due to the closure of St. Brigid's Hospital; the number of patients who have been refused respite due to the closure of St. Brigid’s Hospital since March 2020; the breakdown of the number of all patients who would normally use the St. Brigid’s Hospital facility for respite care who have been accommodated since March 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32725/20]

Health Insurance

Mattie McGrath

1245. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health if it is now policy for public hospitals to refuse admission and care to a patient that holds private health insurance until such time as the private health insurance details are presented to the hospital; if a medical card holder that also holds private health insurance is not entitled to be treated in the public system without presenting private health insurance details; if this is not the policy, the reason a patient been refused care in a public hospital until these details are presented; if this is not the policy, the disciplinary action that will be taken against a staff member that refuses admission to a patient until health insurance details were presented (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32767/20]

National Children's Hospital

Mattie McGrath

1246. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health the status of the national children's hospital; when the development is expected to be finalised; the current anticipated final cost of the project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32768/20]

Primary Medical Certificates

Mattie McGrath

202. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Finance when the issuing of primary medical certificates for disabled drivers and passengers will resume following a court decision in June 2020; and if those that already qualify for the scheme will be affected. [30982/20]

Health Services Funding

Mattie McGrath

635. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health the provision of funding for a facility (details supplied); the current stage of the project; if the project will now proceed with urgency; when he expects the project to be completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31286/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Mattie McGrath

4. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the specific measures he will provide to SMEs and the self-employed in the event of further restrictions to combat Covid-19. [30838/20]

Rail Network

Mattie McGrath

72. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Transport for an Irish Rail engineers' report on the upgrades made to the Ballybrophy to Limerick rail line to determine if it is possible to increase speeds on the line to improve the service and entice more users; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30220/20]

Rail Network

Mattie McGrath

73. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Transport if he will work with Irish Rail to review the timetables on rural routes such as the Ballybrophy to Limerick and the Limerick Junction to Waterford lines and make minor changes to suit commuters and students; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30221/20]

Rail Network

Mattie McGrath

74. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Transport if he will appoint a regional manager to oversee operations on rural lines in particular the Ballybrophy to Limerick line and to work with local third level institutions and large workplaces (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30222/20]

Mental Health Services

Mattie McGrath

460. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health the status of the development of a mental health crisis house at a location (details supplied); the date on which this development will go to tender; the cost of this development; if funds have been allocated; the date on which the crisis house will open; the number of patients the facility will accommodate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29695/20]

Mental Health Services

Mattie McGrath

461. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health the person or body that made the decision that a psychiatric unit (details supplied) would be redeveloped as a general hospital rather than reopening as a psychiatric facility; the reason for this decision; the reason reopening this facility as a mental health facility was not considered; if not, the reason therefor; his plans for the provision of acute mental health beds in south County Tipperary; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29696/20]

Mental Health Services

Mattie McGrath

521. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health the number of patients with mental health difficulties presenting to South Tipperary General Hospital in each year since the closure of St. Michael’s Hospital in 2012, including to date in 2020; the number of patients transferred to the department of psychiatry in Kilkenny; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30117/20]

Mental Health Services

Mattie McGrath

522. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health the capacity at the department of psychiatry in Kilkenny; the number of beds available; the number of beds occupied by patients from County Tipperary; the number and percentage of patients from County Tipperary cared for in the department of psychiatry in each of the years 2012 to 2019, inclusive, and to date in 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30118/20]

Defence Forces Personnel

Mattie McGrath

4. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Defence the number of retired personnel from the Defence Forces who willingly and unselfishly offered their services to Ireland's Call to help with the Covid-19 pandemic; and the number that were actually taken on. [29562/20]

Overseas Missions

Mattie McGrath

161. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Defence the special measures put in place to ensure there is no delay getting Ireland’s peacekeepers home on their due date without delays as has happened on a number of occasions recently. [29563/20]

State Examinations

Mattie McGrath

191. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Education the reason leaving certificate students 2020 cannot appeal their grades assigned to them in a similar manner to appeals from all other years other than being restricted to only appealing an error in the data; the reason for not allowing students appeal their actual grade; if this position will be reconsidered by her Department; the option available to a student who has been downgraded in a number of subjects with no current option to appeal this downgrading; if in circumstances in which students have been downgraded in a number of subjects, they have an option to appeal; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29314/20]

Third Level Costs

Mattie McGrath

190. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if supports will be made available in budget 2021 to families of college going students that have paid full accommodation and college fees but are advised to reside at home resulting in a significant loss for families; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29008/20]

Bus Services

Mattie McGrath

215. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Transport his plans to ensure that Bus Éireann retains all of its expressway services and to improve regional connectivity following announcement of plans by Bus Éireann to cut services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28274/20]

Garda Stations

Mattie McGrath

296. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the Garda stations within the Tipperary division that were refurbished by the OPW over the past 18 months; the nature of works carried out in each station; if each of the refurbishment works are completed or still ongoing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28397/20]

Housing Estates

Mattie McGrath

360. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the reason Tipperary County Council has been refused funding under the multi-annual funding programme to proceed with the taking-in-charge of estates; the funding that has been provided to Tipperary County Council for the taking-in-charge of estates; the reason this funding has been refused for 2020; the number of estates with applications to be taken-in-charge by Tipperary County Council; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28702/20]

Passport Data

Mattie McGrath

389. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the number of passports reported lost or stolen to the Passport Office in 2019 and to date in 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28399/20]

Departmental Expenditure

Mattie McGrath

456. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Education the amount spent by her Department on school minor works project in each of the years of 2017 to 2019 and to date in 2020, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28398/20]

School Curriculum

Mattie McGrath

475. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Education if she is satisfied with the levels of computer literacy amongst students leaving secondary school; the computer literacy education second level students receive in all schools; if all students receive a basic level of computer literacy education in secondary schools; if not, to her plans ensure that computer literacy education is provided to all second level students; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28745/20]

Community Employment Schemes

Mattie McGrath

515. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Social Protection the position in relation to the implementation of the Labour Court recommendation that community employment supervisors should be entitled to a pension or gratuity; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28303/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Mattie McGrath

680. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health the number of deaths that have been declassified following incorrect classification as being Covid-19 related (details supplied); the correct number of deaths associated with Covid-19; his views on whether it is correct to classify all deaths as Covid-19 deaths simply due to a positive test result in cases in which a death may have not been related to Covid-19; if the public will be informed of the number of deaths that fall into this category; the number of Covid-19-related deaths that are subject to a coroner's report; the number of deaths have been deemed to be incorrectly classified; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28392/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Mattie McGrath

681. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health the total expenditure by the HSE on Covid-19 to date; a breakdown of the main areas of expenditure; the amount of increased capacity that has been added to the healthcare system since the onset of Covid-19; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28395/20]

Speech and Language Therapy

Mattie McGrath

682. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health the number of children waiting for speech and therapy appointments in County Tipperary; if full speech and therapy services have resumed in the county; if there is a full complement of speech and language therapists working the county; if not, if there are vacancies waiting to be filled; if speech and language therapists have been redeployed to other areas since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28396/20]

Respite Care Services

Mattie McGrath

683. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health when day and overnight respite sessions will recommence in each community health organisation, in tabular form. [28400/20]

Hospital Services

Mattie McGrath

684. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health his plans to open a new dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry scanning unit in South Tipperary General Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28401/20]

Home Help Service

Mattie McGrath

701. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health the number of home helps that have retired from the HSE since 2008; the number of new home helps that have been employed in the same period; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28535/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Mattie McGrath

703. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health the number of Covid-19 related deaths reported in August and September 2020 that occurred in a hospital setting; the other settings in which these deaths occurred; the number of deaths that occurred in nursing homes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28564/20]

Covid-19 Tests

Mattie McGrath

729. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health the number of cycles used in the PCT testing here for the detection of Covid-19; if he has concerns regarding the over-sensitivity of these tests; the steps he is taking to introduce more rapid testing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28704/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Mattie McGrath

734. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health if both Gorey and Thomastown district hospitals had been designated as Covid-19 step-down facilities; if the step-down designation of both Gorey and Thomastown district hospitals has been removed, when this occurred; if the two hospitals have reverted to their pre-Covid-19 operation status and use; the reason St. Brigid's Hospital has not reverted to its pre-Covid-19 status in the same manner as the similar facilities outlined; when St. Brigid's will have its Covid-19 designation removed and begin resumption of normal operation at the hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28728/20]

Local Authority Housing

Mattie McGrath

153. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when the making of a differential rents scheme will be moved from an executive function to a reserved function of local authority members, as proposed in Putting People First, to give members more say in local democracy; the reason for the delay; his plans to prepare a national differential rent scheme; when the proposals will be put in place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27772/20]

Local Authority Housing

Mattie McGrath

154. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if a directive will be issued to local authorities in respect of exempting carer's allowance and the working family payment from consideration when calculating rent in view of the fact that both payments are targeted as supports for low-income households; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27773/20]

Local Authority Functions

Mattie McGrath

155. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his views on issues in the Part 8 process since the amalgamation of north and south Tipperary county councils in circumstances in which county councillors have proposed and seconded social housing projects in parts of a county that they are unfamiliar with and have no local knowledge of; if Part 8 developments should only be proposed and seconded by local authority members within the relevant municipal districts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27774/20]

Local Authority Functions

Mattie McGrath

156. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the reason Irish Water has no input in the Part 8 process when Irish water must be notified by the council of all private developments; his views on whether Irish Water should have input on all Part 8 applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27776/20]

Local Authority Functions

Mattie McGrath

162. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if the local authority supersedes the management agency in a housing estate after the taking-in-charge process has commenced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27946/20]

Local Authority Functions

Mattie McGrath

163. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if a management agency for a housing estate is permitted to charge fees for maintenance after an estate has been taken in charge by the local authority and all necessary maintenance is carried out by same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27947/20]

School Transport

Mattie McGrath

182. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Education if the decision made by the school transport scheme will be reviewed; if a ticket for a child (details supplied) will be allocated on compassionate grounds; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27951/20]

Water Supply

Mattie McGrath

106. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will meet local opposition groups and a person (details supplied) to be briefed fully on the Shannon pipeline project before proceeding further with same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27444/20]

EU Budget Contribution

Mattie McGrath

40. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Finance the net contribution Ireland is expected to make as part of the European recovery fund; his views on the affordability of the contribution; and if Ireland will be expected to contribute the second highest percentage of its national GDP to the EU. [18478/20]

Marine Accidents

Mattie McGrath

216. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Transport his views on the European Court of Justice ruling recently that Ireland is not fulfilling its obligations under Article 8(1) of Directive 2009/18 governing the investigation of accidents in the maritime transport sector; the steps that have been taken by his Department and-or the Marine Casualty Investigation Board to ensure compliance with the directive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26421/20]

Heritage Sites

Mattie McGrath

338. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will investigate the possibility of keeping a set of flags on Cahir Castle similar to those currently at the site as part of the filming of a film (details supplied) after filming ceases in view of the fact it adds to the colour, history and heritage of the popular tourist town; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27242/20]

Electoral Process

Mattie McGrath

386. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he plans to amend section 62 of the Electoral Act 1992, which was found to be incompatible with Article 16.3.2 of the Constitution during the 2020 general election 2020, when the death of a candidate in the Tipperary constituency required the signing of a special difficulty order to allow the election to proceed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26756/20]

Register of Electors

Mattie McGrath

387. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his plans to amend and reform the register of electors to reduce the incidences of duplication on same and to ensure that electors are not incorrectly removed from the register; if he plans to link the register with PPS numbers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26757/20]

Defence Forces Properties

Mattie McGrath

425. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Defence the steps he is taking to address the dereliction of the military barracks site in Nenagh, County Tipperary; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26452/20]

State Examinations

Mattie McGrath

454. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Education the way in which the junior certificate results data for the class of 2020 were gathered for grind schools. [26496/20]

State Examinations

Mattie McGrath

455. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Education if individual junior certificate results were used for grind school students in view of the fact that these students sat the junior certificate at a variety of schools from 2016 to 2018 and were not a cohort in 2017. [26497/20]

State Examinations

Mattie McGrath

456. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Education the reason the National Standardisation Group gave low priority to validation of the results in respect of schools recognised by the SEC for the holding of examinations that are not Department-ecognised schools. [26498/20]

School Transport

Mattie McGrath

511. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Education if a student can swap a school transport bus route (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27272/20]

School Transport

Mattie McGrath

512. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Education if a student can swap a school transport bus route (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27273/20]

Third Level Admissions

Mattie McGrath

659. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of clerical errors made by the CAO that have resulted in students not getting their correct course of choice; the steps taken to rectify such errors which are not made by the students in circumstances in which clerical errors arise as a result of the incorrect exam and CAO number being assigned; the steps available to students to ensure such errors are rectified immediately allowing students to receive their appropriate offers in first round offers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26451/20]

Roads Maintenance

Mattie McGrath

75. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Transport when funding will be made available for structural repair works and a pedestrian bridge associated to Ardfinnan Bridge, County Tipperary in order to allow traffic to resume at a two-way system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26121/20]

Sports Capital Programme

Mattie McGrath

114. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Media, Tourism, Arts, Culture, Sport and the Gaeltacht if the sports capital grant scheme will open in 2020 for applications; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26124/20]

Hare Coursing

Mattie McGrath

121. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the status of the renewal of the national coursing licence; his views regarding the renewal of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26126/20]

Planning Issues

Mattie McGrath

122. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if issues faced by planning authorities will be reviewed regarding the taking in charge process particularly concerning developer provided infrastructure and management companies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26127/20]

Defence Forces Properties

Mattie McGrath

132. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Defence the status of plans for the Nenagh military barracks site, County Tipperary; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26120/20]

Third Level Education

Mattie McGrath

199. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the industries, that is, education, health, information technologies, financial services, legal services and so on which provide payment to students for their work as part of their college degree; the person or body responsible for issuing payment to students; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26125/20]

Nursing Staff

Mattie McGrath

244. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health if his Department and the HSE will allocate funds to pay student nurses returning to work in hospital settings for placement in the coming weeks; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26122/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Mattie McGrath

307. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Community and Rural Development and the Islands if additional funding will be made available through the Covid-19 town and village renewal accelerated measures grant scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26123/20]

Student Accommodation

Mattie McGrath

160. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he has engaged with private accommodation providers regarding returning deposits to students that will not be availing of student accommodation due to the blended learning format of the 2020-2021 academic year. [25741/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Mattie McGrath

114. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the measures he is planning to support the hotel and hospitality industry which are at imminent risk of a further 100,000 job losses and hotel closures unless restrictions limiting events to six persons are lifted immediately; the steps he will take to improve liquidity of such businesses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24823/20]

National Broadband Plan

Mattie McGrath

141. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Climate Action and Communication Networks the steps he has taken to ensure a speedy roll-out of the National Broadband Plan to ensure persons in rural Ireland can work from home. [25305/20]

National Broadband Plan

Mattie McGrath

163. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Climate Action and Communication Networks the status of the roll-out of the National Broadband Plan including promised properties, delivered properties and the timeline for each by county in tabular form. [25306/20]

Value Added Tax

Mattie McGrath

225. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Finance if he will seek to reduce tourism VAT to 9% in order to support the hotel and hospitality industry which is at imminent risk of a further 100,000 job losses and hotel closures unless restrictions limiting events to six persons are lifted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24823/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Mattie McGrath

298. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Media, Tourism, Arts, Culture, Sport and the Gaeltacht if the 100 spectators and patrons allowed at outdoor sporting events includes players and management; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24971/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Mattie McGrath

320. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will seek to extend the local authority commercial rates waiver scheme in order to support the hotel and hospitality industry which is at imminent risk of a further 100,000 job losses and hotel closures unless restrictions limiting events to six persons are lifted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24823/20]

Flood Prevention Measures

Mattie McGrath

339. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the agency which takes responsibility for the dredging and clearing rivers of fallen trees, debris and so on after the recent storms, particularly close to bridges to ensure that flooding is prevented where possible ahead of the winter season; and if sufficient funding will be afforded to local authorities to carry out the work; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24918/20]

Water and Sewerage Schemes

Mattie McGrath

340. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if the terms of the grant for improving private water supply to homes will be reviewed with regard to the need for a house to be in existence for seven years, in view of the fact it excludes new build dwellings which are unable to connect to the Irish Water public supply or group water schemes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25072/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Mattie McGrath

418. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Education the specific scientific evidence relied on to implement the mandatory wearing of masks in schools; the special arrangements in place for students that may have special needs such as those that are hard of hearing and are finding it increasingly difficult to learn in view of the inability to lip-read due to the wearing of masks; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24821/20]

School Transport

Mattie McGrath

464. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Education when a bus route will be provided for eleven students (details supplied) travelling from Clogheen, County Tipperary to Mitchelstown, County Cork; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25239/20]

School Transport

Mattie McGrath

465. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Education if a student (details supplied) can be transferred on to a bus route that passes their house twice daily under the school transport scheme rather than having to travel over two kilometres to another route; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25240/20]

School Accommodation

Mattie McGrath

466. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Education the reason for the delay in granting funding for additional accommodation works for a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25241/20]

Schools Amalgamation

Mattie McGrath

467. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Education the status of the amalgamation of a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25242/20]

School Transport

Mattie McGrath

468. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Education if a review of the school transport scheme will be carried out for students attending a school (details supplied) and for those that have been awarded concessionary tickets; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25243/20]

Social Welfare Benefits

Mattie McGrath

507. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Social Protection if persons in receipt of the blind pension or disability allowance will lose their payment if they travel abroad; if so, if they will have to reapply on their return; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24819/20]

Peace Commissioners

Mattie McGrath

638. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Justice the number of peace commissioners in County Tipperary; the number of peace commissioners in each district; the name and address of each peace commissioner in the county; the frequency with which peace commissioner lists are updated in order to take into account the death or incapacity of a peace commissioner; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24824/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Mattie McGrath

715. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health the reason part 6 of SI 326 of 2020 relating to relevant events, restricts events being held in hotels to six with the exception of a wedding which allows 50 persons (details supplied); if his attention has been drawn to the difficulties being caused to hotels which are at risk of closure or major job losses unless these restrictions are lifted; if it will be ensured such restrictions are lifted in the next round of regulations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24822/20]