Parliamentary questions

State Examinations

Paul McAuliffe

353. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Education if changes to the leaving certificate 2021 are currently being considered; and if a predicted grades option will remain for students that wish to avail same. [31455/20]

Social Welfare Benefits

Paul McAuliffe

394. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will address the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31102/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Paul McAuliffe

417. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Social Protection the measure announced in the budget to support self-employed persons impacted by the pandemic (details supplied); and if in calculating €480, self-employed persons can deduct operation and material costs which they incur and only consider income which they would normally consider for taxation purposes. [31530/20]

Garda Transport Provision

Paul McAuliffe

541. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Justice if she has secured funding in budget 2021 to replace either the helicopters or aircraft within the Garda air support unit. [31764/20]

Hospital Staff

Paul McAuliffe

772. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Health the number of consultants by specialist posts that are vacant in each hospital of RCSI Hospital Group as of 9 October 2020; the length of time each post has been vacant; and the position regarding the filling of each consultant post in tabular form. [31767/20]

Local Development Companies

Paul McAuliffe

814. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development her plans for local development companies; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31104/20]

Departmental Schemes

Paul McAuliffe

17. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment his plans for allowing taxi drivers and other self-employed persons access more support schemes similar to other SMEs from which they are currently excluded; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29973/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Paul McAuliffe

74. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the additional supports provided by his Department to Dublin businesses since the city and county entered level 3 under the living with Covid-19 framework. [30597/20]

School Staff

Paul McAuliffe

15. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Education if the feasibility of pairing students of very high-risk families to very high risk teachers via an online learning platform will be examined; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25941/20]

School Staff

Paul McAuliffe

57. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Education the status of measures being put in place to improve pay and conditions for school caretakers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25940/20]

Waste Management

Paul McAuliffe

99. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Environment, Climate and Communications his plans to support persons with lifelong or long-term medical incontinence with their household waste disposal charges in view of the fact that more operators are moving towards pay-by-weight contracts. [30380/20]

Better Energy Homes Scheme

Paul McAuliffe

47. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Environment, Climate and Communications his plans for an expansion of the SEAI better energy warmer homes scheme; his plans to allow persons that have availed of the scheme to be eligible again.; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30081/20]

Energy Efficiency

Paul McAuliffe

48. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Environment, Climate and Communications the status of the national retrofitting scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30082/20]

Tax Reliefs

Paul McAuliffe

106. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Finance the tax reliefs available to persons who are working from home; and if he is considering further tax credits to support workers in this regard. [30075/20]

Value Added Tax

Paul McAuliffe

107. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Finance his plans to lower the VAT rate for the hospitality sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30076/20]

Defence Forces

Paul McAuliffe

205. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Defence when will the commission on the Defence Forces be established; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30047/20]

Defence Forces Representative Organisations

Paul McAuliffe

206. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Defence if he will consider permitting an association (details supplied) to associate with a representative body; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30048/20]

Vaccination Programme

Paul McAuliffe

510. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Health the quantity of the winter 'flu vaccination purchased; his plans for additional quantities to be purchased; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30071/20]

Vaccination Programme

Paul McAuliffe

511. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Health his plans to incentivise pharmacists to carry out off-site vaccination clinics; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30072/20]

Defence Forces Remuneration

Paul McAuliffe

32. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Defence if a report has been completed on incentivised long-service arrangements in the Defence Forces; and if so, if it will be shared with the representative associations. [29143/20]

Driver Test

Paul McAuliffe

97. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Transport if his attention has been drawn to a matter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29371/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment

Paul McAuliffe

162. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Social Protection when backdated pandemic unemployment payment arrears will be paid to a person (details supplied). [29146/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Paul McAuliffe

115. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs his plans for a colour-coded common travel agreement within the EU in respect of foreign travel during Covid-19. [28428/20]

Transport Costs

Paul McAuliffe

222. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Transport the estimated cost of BusConnects for the Dublin region; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28541/20]

Sports Capital Programme

Paul McAuliffe

314. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Media, Tourism, Arts, Culture, Sport and the Gaeltacht when the sports capital grant scheme funding rounds will be opened in 2020 and 2021; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28571/20]

EU Migration Crisis

Paul McAuliffe

393. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the support being offered to assist with the fallout following the fire at Moria refugee camp; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28534/20]

Community Employment Schemes

Paul McAuliffe

524. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Social Protection her views regarding 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. [28565/20]

Childcare Services

Paul McAuliffe

552. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Children, Disability, Equality and Integration if he will address a matter in relation to a nursery (details supplied). [28569/20]

Medical Cards

Paul McAuliffe

705. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Health when the medical card threshold for persons aged over 70 years will be increased. [28570/20]

Mortgage Lending

Paul McAuliffe

56. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Finance his plans to extend the mortgage moratorium; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26714/20]

Wage Subsidy Scheme

Paul McAuliffe

64. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Finance if taxi drivers will be transferred to the employment wage subsidy scheme in view of the fact that the income from their business has been greatly reduced and once they return to work they are no longer eligible for the pandemic unemployment payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25970/20]

Taxi Regulations

Paul McAuliffe

221. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Transport if there will be a pause or extension to the National Transport Authority rules compelling taxi drivers to replace their cars after ten years in view of the crisis facing the sector due to Covid-19; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26558/20]

Mortgage Lending

Paul McAuliffe

281. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Finance if he has had discussions with the banks as to the reason Ireland has amongst the highest mortgage interest rates in the eurozone; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26715/20]

Mortgage Lending

Paul McAuliffe

288. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Finance if he has had discussions with financial institutions as to the reason that Ireland has one of the highest mortgage interest rates in the Eurozone; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26991/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Paul McAuliffe

353. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Media, Tourism, Arts, Culture, Sport and the Gaeltacht if only bed and breakfasts registered with Fáilte Ireland can apply for the restart grant; the reason this is the case; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26304/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Paul McAuliffe

356. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Media, Tourism, Arts, Culture, Sport and the Gaeltacht if bed and breakfasts registered with Fáilte Ireland are being prioritised in respect of restart grant payments ahead of non-registered bed and breakfasts; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26388/20]

Garda Deployment

Paul McAuliffe

704. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Justice the allocation of gardaí to the K district, Dublin by station. [26564/20]

Garda Deployment

Paul McAuliffe

705. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Justice the allocation of gardaí to the H district, Dublin by station. [26565/20]

Covid-19 Tests

Paul McAuliffe

837. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Health the reason teachers are not automatically tested when a student tests positive in a class; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26600/20]

Covid-19 Tests

Paul McAuliffe

838. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Health his plans to fast track the testing of teachers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26601/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Paul McAuliffe

839. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Health the number of close contacts contacted via the Covid-19 tracker application since it was launched. [26602/20]

Covid-19 Tests

Paul McAuliffe

840. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Health his plans to carry out testing of antibodies in the population to see the percentage that may have had Covid-19 similar to a system in Germany. [26603/20]

Covid-19 Tests

Paul McAuliffe

841. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Health his plans to carry out rapid testing of arrivals from non-green list countries. [26604/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Paul McAuliffe

858. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Health if drug and alcohol support groups will be exempt from the ban on indoor gatherings under level 3 of restrictions as an essential service which can operate in a socially distant and safe manner [26686/20]

Covid-19 Tests

Paul McAuliffe

922. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Health his plans to move to saliva-based testing for Covid-19; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26989/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Paul McAuliffe

18. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Transport if he will continue to engage with representatives of taxi drivers in view of the difficulties they are experiencing due to the fall off in demand as a result of Covid-19. [25895/20]

Road Safety

Paul McAuliffe

44. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Transport his plans to deal with the issue of illegally driven scrambler bikes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22243/20]

Community Employment Schemes

Paul McAuliffe

28. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Social Protection if she has considered the long-term sustainability of services provided by community employment schemes (details supplied). [24342/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment

Paul McAuliffe

36. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Social Protection when she expects the backdated pandemic unemployment payment to be paid to all recipients who incorrectly had their pandemic unemployment payment reduced. [25006/20]

Taxi Data

Paul McAuliffe

211. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Transport the advice given by the National Transport Authority to his Department or other Departments on the issue of taxi drivers and the impact of Covid-19 on their work practices and income and their need to return to work; and the date the advice was received. [25160/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment

Paul McAuliffe

523. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason 2018 PAYE and self-employed income cannot be combined for the purpose of calculating the pandemic unemployment rate of a person; the reason it is the case for 2019; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25135/20]

Primary Care Centres

Paul McAuliffe

43. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Health the status of the Finglas primary care centre [22250/20]

Competition and Consumer Protection Commission

Paul McAuliffe

150. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of full-time staff by job title working in the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission as of 1 September 2020. [23725/20]

Commencement of Legislation

Paul McAuliffe

219. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Transport when sections 1-68 of Merchant Shipping (Registration of Ships) Act 2014 comes into effect. [23722/20]

Driver Licences

Paul McAuliffe

222. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Transport the assistance that can be provided in the case of a person (details supplied). [23783/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment

Paul McAuliffe

477. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of a backdated pandemic unemployment payment for a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23339/20]

HSE Staff

Paul McAuliffe

732. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Health the staffing numbers for the HSE pest control services in CHO 9; and if there are vacancies awaiting to be filled. [23721/20]

School Funding

Paul McAuliffe

122. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Education the number of schools in Dublin receiving an ancillary services grant in tabular form. [23195/20]

School Staff

Paul McAuliffe

123. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Education the criteria required and the way in which a school applies for a full-time caretaker. [23196/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment

Paul McAuliffe

708. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Social Protection if the case of a person (details supplied) and the rate of pandemic unemployment payment paid to them will be reviewed. [21888/20]

Legal Aid Service

Paul McAuliffe

915. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Justice her plans for the Legal Aid Board in Finglas, Dublin 11; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21596/20]

Medical Cards

Paul McAuliffe

1320. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Health if a medical card application by a person (details supplied) will be examined. [22114/20]

Medical Cards

Paul McAuliffe

1389. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Health the status of a medical card for a person (details supplied). [22541/20]

School Accommodation

Paul McAuliffe

27. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Education and Skills the status of the temporary accommodation for a school (details supplied) in Dublin 9. [17959/20]

School Accommodation

Paul McAuliffe

87. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Education and Skills the status the tender and design team for a permanent build of a school (details supplied) in Dublin 9. [17960/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Paul McAuliffe

288. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if a Covid-19 response for taxis will be provided within the NTA. [20957/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Paul McAuliffe

289. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if the mandatory wearing of face masks will be extended to passengers in taxis. [20958/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Paul McAuliffe

290. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the meetings he or representatives of the NTA attended with taxi driver representatives in respect of Covid-19. [20959/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Paul McAuliffe

291. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if specific return-to-work protocols were issued to taxi drivers. [20960/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment

Paul McAuliffe

59. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of appeals received to puprerate@welfare.ie since the reduction of pandemic unemployment payment; the average response time; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19002/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment

Paul McAuliffe

71. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if her Department is taking into consideration total taxable incomes for 2018 when reviewing the pandemic unemployment rate for persons or only PAYE income. [18926/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Paul McAuliffe

169. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the reason the Balearic and Canary islands were not included on the green list for travel in view of the fact their case numbers and direct access via flights from Ireland; and if they will be considered for inclusion in a review of the list. [19233/20]

Legislative Process

Paul McAuliffe

175. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Education and Skills the status of the Retention of Records Bill 2019; if she will consider reducing the sealing period; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19254/20]

Family Support Services

Paul McAuliffe

210. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the way in which she plans to prioritise and protect supports for lone parents; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18958/20]

Health Services Provision

Paul McAuliffe

348. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Health if the case of a child (details supplied) will be examined. [19516/20]

Health Services Provision

Paul McAuliffe

349. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Health if the HSE Dublin north west early intervention and primary health care teams have access to dietetics and speech and language therapy services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19518/20]

Foreign Policy

Paul McAuliffe

59. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views on the result of the recent presidential election in Poland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18487/20]

Corporation Tax

Paul McAuliffe

220. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Finance if the State is responsible for the costs associated with the management of the funds of a company (details supplied) while they were in an escrow account; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17992/20]

Rural Resettlement Scheme

Paul McAuliffe

324. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government his plans for a rural resettlement scheme. [17969/20]

Military Honours

Paul McAuliffe

409. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Defence further to Parliamentary Question No. 61 of 13 June 2018, if a decision has been reached in relation to the matter (details supplied). [18524/20]

Probation and Welfare Service

Paul McAuliffe

795. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if there is a support service for victims of child sex abuse carried out by members of the Probation Service. [18590/20]

Sports Facilities

Paul McAuliffe

72. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation if he will amend the business restart scheme managed by local authorities to allow sports clubs with bars that paid commercial rates in 2019 to qualify. [17730/20]

Trading Online Voucher Scheme

Paul McAuliffe

74. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment his plans to increase funding for the trading online voucher to help sole traders upgrade their online presence through their local enterprise office in view of the fact Dublin City Council has reached capacity. [17748/20]

Pension Provisions

Paul McAuliffe

107. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the status of the pension case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17764/20]

Social and Affordable Housing

Paul McAuliffe

143. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if a process will be initiated with Dublin City Council to build affordable homes on the 33 ha of mainly public land identified in the Ballymun local area plan. [17955/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment

Paul McAuliffe

175. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the progress to date in the determination of an appeal of a reduced pandemic unemployment payment in the case of a person (details supplied). [17747/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Paul McAuliffe

35. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht her plans to ensure that arts and cultural bodies in Dublin are consulted to ensure that they recover and enhance their impact in the aftermath of Covid-19. [17281/20]

Programme for Government

Paul McAuliffe

45. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the status of the development of the night-time economy taskforce; if the taskforce will advance the appointment of a night-time culture mayor for Dublin; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17280/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment

Paul McAuliffe

173. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the progress to date in the determination of an appeal for a reduced pandemic unemployment payment in the case of a person (details supplied). [17560/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment

Paul McAuliffe

174. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the progress to date in the determination of an appeal for a reduced pandemic unemployment payment in the case of a person (details supplied) [17557/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Paul McAuliffe

43. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Taoiseach his plans to limit travel here from countries with a high rate of Covid-19 transmission. [16597/20]

Proposed Legislation

Paul McAuliffe

60. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation if legislation or measures to prevent tactical insolvency will be implemented in order to ensure that workers are better protected. [16591/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Paul McAuliffe

143. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if guidance will be provided to persons who have booked overseas travel in cases in which the country to which they are travelling is not on the green list and the airlines and or tour operators are refusing to offer compensation or credit for deferrals or cancellations. [16596/20]

Legislative Measures

Paul McAuliffe

170. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he plans to legislate for the regulation of e-scooters in 2020. [17231/20]

Traffic Management

Paul McAuliffe

230. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if the decision to open the gates of the Phoenix Park to through traffic is a permanent one; and if the decision is under review. [17273/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment

Paul McAuliffe

471. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if the case of a person (details supplied) will be examined. [16896/20]

Nursing Home Accommodation

Paul McAuliffe

608. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Health his plans for a nursing home (details supplied). [16490/20]

Medical Aids and Appliances

Paul McAuliffe

672. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Health the status of patients affected by pelvic mesh medical deficiencies in view of the UK Independent Medicines and Medical Devices Safety review published in July 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16905/20]

Mortgage Lending

Paul McAuliffe

4. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Finance if his attention has been drawn to the fact that some financial institutions are declining mortgage applications in cases in which applicants are on the temporary wage subsidy scheme, TWSS; if there are measures he can take in relation to the matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16281/20]

Community Employment Schemes

Paul McAuliffe

114. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the position regarding community employment supervisors and their outstanding claim for a pension scheme. [16329/20]