Parliamentary questions

Rural Schemes

Steven Matthews

94. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development her plans to develop a pilot scheme to support the use of rural pubs and other local spaces as community hubs for local services as outlined in Our Rural Future; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [60244/21]

Local Authorities

Steven Matthews

248. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if his attention has been drawn to an issue in a municipal district (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60235/21]

Special Educational Needs

Steven Matthews

298. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Education the position regarding the trade union supported SNA campaign seeking amongst other measures to increase the level of qualifications required for the role, an assurance that they are only used to work with students with additional needs and not as a whole-school resource and to improve job security and satisfaction; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [59839/21]

Schools Building Projects

Steven Matthews

299. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Education the position regarding the submission of a planning application for the permanent build for a school (details supplied); if there are delays to this process; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [59842/21]

Health Promotion

Steven Matthews

548. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the campaign by an organisation (details supplied) seeking, among other things, a ban on the advertising of unhealthy food and drink products; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60082/21]

Disability Services

Steven Matthews

551. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the case of a child (details supplied) who has been on the waiting list for a first appointment to see the early intervention team and children's disability service for over two and half years; if a timeline will be provided to their family in relation to same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60085/21]

Hospital Waiting Lists

Steven Matthews

579. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the current waiting time for the National Gender Clinic, which stands at over two years from the initial referral; his views on the adequacy of this timeframe; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60271/21]

Departmental Funding

Steven Matthews

42. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will consider a specific source of funding for local authorities to help fund integration projects and initiatives; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59239/21]

Youth Services

Steven Matthews

61. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if his attention has been drawn to the ongoing issues facing a service (details supplied); and if he will consider facilitating a meeting with management to discuss their concerns. [59238/21]

Dental Services

Steven Matthews

101. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to concerns in relation to medical card holders being unable to get dental appointments due to ongoing issues between dentists and the HSE; his plans to alleviate this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59207/21]

Gender Recognition

Steven Matthews

123. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding the gender recognition certificate; if there is a timeframe for when persons aged 16 years of age and above can obtain the certificate with family support without requiring a reference from a general practitioner and a consultant psychiatrist; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [59192/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Steven Matthews

182. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Health the position regarding the number of persons who have been fully vaccinated but have subsequently been diagnosed with Covid-19 from June 2021 to date; the breakdown of the confirmed cases by the vaccine with which persons were inoculated with in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59208/21]

Third Level Education

Steven Matthews

116. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if recent assessments have been carried out by his Department into the capacity of counselling services offered by third level institutions, particularly given the mental health challenges posed by the extended period of home learning as a result of the pandemic. [58639/21]

Apprenticeship Programmes

Steven Matthews

131. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will report on the initiatives that he has facilitated to encourage the recruitment of mature apprentices; if he is considering additional measures; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58618/21]

Health Services

Steven Matthews

496. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the case of a person (details supplied) who is on the waiting list for a series of early intervention supports including a speech and language and occupational therapist and child psychologist; and the timeframe for when the person can will be able to visit these services. [58891/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment

Steven Matthews

6. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of persons in County Wicklow who were in receipt of the pandemic unemployment payment but who have since returned to work in some capacity and are no longer in receipt of this payment or the jobseeker's allowance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [57935/21]

Employment Support Services

Steven Matthews

41. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of the commitment to develop a Traveller and Roma training, employment and enterprise strategy as committed to in July 2021 under Pathways to Work; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [57932/21]

Departmental Data

Steven Matthews

78. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the amount collected under the Derelict Sites Act 1990 as amended by each local authority in 2018, 2019 and 2020, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57847/21]

Departmental Data

Steven Matthews

79. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of compulsory purchase orders undertaken under the Derelict Sites Act 1990 as amended by each local authority in 2018, 2019 and 2020, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57848/21]

Health Services

Steven Matthews

206. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to calls for a new coordinator to be appointed in a facility (details supplied); if a timeline and hiring process can be outlined for this vacancy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57844/21]

Health Services

Steven Matthews

207. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Health the position regarding the National Gender Service multidisciplinary team; when it will become operational; and the approximate timeframe expected to get an appointment for a 16-year-old based in County Wicklow, first referred to a similar service in the United Kingdom in August 2020 by CAMHS. [57852/21]

Alcohol Advertising

Steven Matthews

208. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the campaign and recent results of a survey published by a group (details supplied) seeking amongst other things a ban on alcohol advertising prior to the watershed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57853/21]

Schools Building Projects

Steven Matthews

89. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Education the position regarding the extension for a school (details supplied); if timelines can be provided for both construction and the provision of new special educational needs rooms; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [57199/21]

Schools Building Projects

Steven Matthews

154. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Education the position regarding a site for a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [57198/21]

Passport Services

Steven Matthews

17. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if his attention has been drawn to the delay in processing passport applications for first-time passports for children and new citizens; the steps his Department is taking to alleviate this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56351/21]

School Staff

Steven Matthews

112. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Education if her attention has been drawn to ongoing concerns in a school (details supplied) in relation to an inability to get substitute teachers to cover staff absences; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [56401/21]

Passport Services

Steven Matthews

325. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if a passport application by a person (details supplied) will be reviewed and expedited;; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56164/21]

Environmental Policy

Steven Matthews

6. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his views on the role that biodiversity officers play in local authorities; his views on a nationwide roll-out of these positions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53501/21]

Building Regulations

Steven Matthews

91. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will provide an update on the Departmental working group that was set up to investigate potential amendments to building regulations to require changing places (details supplied) in suitable public buildings; the number of times the group has met; if he proposes to meet with the group; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54830/21]

Sport and Recreational Development

Steven Matthews

149. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media her plans to ensure Ireland will maintain strong representation in international events such as the Olympic Games, the Paralympic Games and World and European Championships; the steps being taken at all levels to support elite athletes and coaches who are currently competing, in addition to plans to build a pipeline of talent that will increase Ireland’s medal contention; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [54943/21]

Income Inequality

Steven Matthews

170. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the position regarding the universal basic income pilot for artists; the qualifying criteria that will be applied; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [54835/21]

Special Educational Needs

Steven Matthews

314. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Education if her attention has been drawn to delays in the provision of two special educational needs classrooms due to planning complications at a school (details supplied); if this matter can be expedited; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [55403/21]

Foreign Birth Registration

Steven Matthews

122. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if the foreign birth registration application for a person (details supplied) can be reviewed and expedited; and if he will address matters in relation to the delays in this process. [54796/21]

Passport Services

Steven Matthews

129. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if a passport application by a person (details supplied) will be reviewed and expedited; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55013/21]

Banking Sector

Steven Matthews

114. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Finance if discussions are expected with senior officials of a bank (details supplied) regarding the future use of its soon to be vacated units in towns and villages across Ireland; if consideration has been given to the repurposing of these units as community digital hubs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54245/21]

Insurance Industry

Steven Matthews

129. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Finance the position regarding his engagement with the insurance sector specifically related to persons and businesses that operate recreational facilities and outdoor activities; if his attention has been drawn to businesses being forced to close due to prohibitive insurance costs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54244/21]

Departmental Schemes

Steven Matthews

78. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the steps he will take to ensure that middle income households are supported in accessing retrofitting programmes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53502/21]

Rail Network

Steven Matthews

95. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Transport the position regarding the proposed development of the Luas to Bray, County Wicklow; the next steps required to progress this project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53497/21]

Rail Network

Steven Matthews

110. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Transport the position regarding the proposed development of the DART to Wicklow town; the next steps required to progress this project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53496/21]

Special Educational Needs

Steven Matthews

109. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Education if her attention has been drawn to appeals by school management in a school (details supplied) with regard to the special needs assistant allocation; if this matter can be reviewed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53444/21]

Enterprise Support Services

Steven Matthews

29. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the position regarding the €22 million budget allocation designed to assist local businesses modernise practices (details supplied); the details of same; the timeframe on the way this funding will be allocated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53123/21]

Energy Policy

Steven Matthews

143. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the timescale for the introduction of the new micro-generation support scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52479/21]

Forestry Sector

Steven Matthews

30. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his attention has been drawn to specific concerns raised by Wicklow County Council in relation to the delay in awarding felling licences (details supplied); the steps he is taking to reduce wait times and specifically in relation to the ongoing concerns in County Wicklow; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51554/21]

Forestry Sector

Steven Matthews

53. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on whether a close to nature model of forestry is likely to be adopted as policy in the new forestry strategy currently being developed through Project Woodland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51555/21]

Crime Prevention

Steven Matthews

91. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Justice if discussions are expected in the coming weeks with the Garda Commissioner on the plans of An Garda Síochána to ensure a safe Hallowe'en; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [51093/21]

Court Accommodation

Steven Matthews

96. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Justice if her attention has been drawn to the need to clean and carry out minor repairs to the old courthouse façade in Wicklow town (details supplied); her views on whether this work can be prioritised in the coming months to coincide with the large investment in the town square; the position regarding the proposed return of court services to this building; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [51092/21]

Schools Building Projects

Steven Matthews

219. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Education the position regarding a site (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [51822/21]

Mental Health Services

Steven Matthews

125. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Health his views on the adequacy of existing mental health supports for children in County Wicklow; the number of children under 18 years of age who are waiting three months or longer to see a psychologist following a referral from a general practitioner; the steps he is taking to reduce the wait times; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50772/21]

Dental Services

Steven Matthews

218. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to concerns in relation to medical card holders being unable to get dental appointments due to ongoing issues between dentists and the HSE; his plans to alleviate this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50773/21]

Passport Services

Steven Matthews

506. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if a passport application by a person (details supplied) will be reviewed and expedited; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50853/21]