Parliamentary questions

Forestry Sector

Michael Creed

996. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of a forestry licence application by a person (details supplied); if the application requires an ecology report; if the report will be provided by his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8006/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Michael Creed

137. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Education when revised guidelines on the reopening of special schools and special classes will issue to school principals; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7522/21]

Departmental Staff

Michael Creed

234. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Justice further to Parliamentary Question No. 177 of 4 February 2021, if the situation regarding persons who are placed on transfer panels will be clarified; the priority attached to such panels when filling internal vacancies; the way the HR function of agencies within the remit of her Department, including An Garda Síochána, the Courts Service, the Legal Aid Board and so on, interact with the panels when vacancies at the grade for which the panel is in existence arise within their agencies; if there are internal mobility panels within these agencies which may supersede her Department's own panels; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7523/21]

National Broadband Plan

Michael Creed

47. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications when a location (details supplied) in County Cork will be connected under the national broadband plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6437/21]

State Pensions

Michael Creed

195. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Finance if he will clarify the situation regarding the restricted entitlement for pensioners to drawdown funding from private pension investments which appear to discriminate against persons that have a reduced rate of State pension relative to those that are in receipt of the full State pension (contributory); the reason the State, through its financial regulations, would make it more difficult on persons in receipt of a smaller income to withdraw funds from their own private pension investments than it is for those that have larger pensions and perhaps other income; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6513/21]

Tax Code

Michael Creed

221. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Finance the arrangements put in place in March 2020 by his Department and the Revenue Commissioners with regard to benefit-in-kind and the Covid-19 pandemic; the reason these changes were reversed in January 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6992/21]

Special Educational Needs Staff

Michael Creed

439. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Education if SNAs will be invited to take part in the 2021 home-based summer scheme called the July Provision 2021 thus enabling them to provide home tuition to students. [6871/21]

Disability Allowance

Michael Creed

504. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Social Protection when it is expected a decision will be made on a disability allowance review for a person (details supplied) in County Cork. [6840/21]

Invalidity Pension

Michael Creed

518. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Social Protection when a decision will issue on an invalidity pension application by a person (details supplied) in County Cork. [7304/21]

Vaccination Programme

Michael Creed

826. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Health when a cohort of workers (details provided) will receive the Covid-19 vaccination; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6852/21]

Vaccination Programme

Michael Creed

827. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Health the role envisaged for community pharmacists in the Covid-19 vaccination of those aged over 70s; the reason for the decision in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6853/21]

GLAS Issues

Michael Creed

1009. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when GLAS payments will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Cork. [6870/21]

Agriculture Scheme Appeals

Michael Creed

1010. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if a decision has been made on an appeal by a person (details supplied) in County Cork in respect of the beef finisher payment. [6874/21]

Post Office Network

Michael Creed

4. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if his attention has been drawn to the work being done by the post office network in the context of the Covid-19 crisis and the fundamental service that the rural post office network has delivered in this context; if he will take steps to ensure that the level of payment to postmasters is maintained during the current Covid-19 challenge in view of the fact that the number of transactions and volume of business has dropped due to a less frequent collection of some social welfare payments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6080/21]

Disability Allowance

Michael Creed

123. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Social Protection when a person (details supplied) will receive arrears of disability allowance. [6059/21]

Departmental Staff

Michael Creed

177. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Justice the way in which the internal mobility for civil servants within her Department operates with regard to transfer lists for various clerical grades; the way in which these transfer lists operate with regard to transfer from her Department to agencies and organisations under the remit of her Department including An Garda Síochána; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6081/21]

Irish Language

Michael Creed

253. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the current entitlement of native Irish speakers to access State services through the medium of Irish; and the status of the publication of a new Irish language Bill. [5936/21]

Education Standards

Michael Creed

367. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Education if her Department has established minimum standards of engagement required by schools when home-schooling; if the matter has been the subject of negotiation and dialogue between her and the teaching unions; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5234/21]

Dental Services

Michael Creed

899. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Health when a student (details supplied) in County Cork who is on the public waiting list for orthodontic treatment will receive an appointment. [5980/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Michael Creed

186. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the position regarding supports available for those categorised as essential workers with regard to childcare and crèche fees; if those who are currently working from home and therefore not availing of crèche services are obliged to pay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4733/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Michael Creed

187. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the supports available from his Department to crèche operators and to parents of children attending crèche facilities in circumstances in which those attending are categorised as children of essential workers; if he will clarify who qualifies as an essential worker in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4734/21]

Passport Controls

Michael Creed

369. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will clarify the situation regarding an entitlement to an Irish passport by a UK born and UK citizen who is married to an Irish citizen who is an Irish passport holder; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3635/21]

Departmental Correspondence

Michael Creed

410. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs his views on the ongoing detention of the leader of the political opposition in Bahrain (details supplied); the efforts Ireland can make to progress their release; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4359/21]

Summer Works Scheme

Michael Creed

481. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Education the reason an application by a school (details supplied) under the summer works scheme for improved facilities was unsuccessful; the rationalisation for prioritisation of various categories within the scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4372/21]

Third Level Education

Michael Creed

607. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if his attention has been drawn to the difficulty facing third-level social care students with regard to securing the obligatory hours for course placement during Covid-19 restrictions; the intervention his Department is considering in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4356/21]

Forestry Data

Michael Creed

901. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of approved forestry licences currently in the appeals system awaiting consideration by the Forestry Appeals Committee; if he will provide a breakdown of these appeals as they relate to new plantings, thinnings, clear felling and road licence applications; the progress being made by the Forestry Appeals Committee with regard to each of these licence sectors; the progress being made by the Forestry Appeals Committee in dealing with the licence backlog; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4018/21]

Built Heritage Investment Scheme

Michael Creed

316. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will review the grant allocation to local authorities under the built heritage investment scheme to ensure that the allocations to each local authority are fair and equitable; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1071/21]

Fuel Allowance

Michael Creed

576. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Social Protection when a fuel allowance payment will issue to a person (details supplied) who made an application in October 2020; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1134/21]

Medicinal Products

Michael Creed

840. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Health if a decision has been made on an appeal by a person (details supplied) in County Cork. [45008/20]

Agriculture Schemes

Michael Creed

1113. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 662 of 15 December 2020, if his Department makes its various payments to the person whose name is attached to the herd number; if he will further clarify the matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45007/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Michael Creed

30. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will clarify the situation regarding the level 3 lockdown and the capacity of enterprises (details supplied) to operate in that context. [43675/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Michael Creed

88. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Finance the reason an organisation (details supplied) has not been facilitated for the employment wage subsidy scheme for September 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43673/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Michael Creed

110. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if consideration has been given to relaxing the Covid-19 regulations as they apply to events (details supplied). [43672/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Michael Creed

316. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Education if her attention has been drawn to a Covid-19 outbreak at a school (details supplied); the rationale behind the existing protocols in such circumstances given the multiple cases associated with this outbreak; and if a change in these protocols is envisaged. [43449/20]

Community Employment Schemes

Michael Creed

362. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Social Protection if a person (details supplied) is entitled to an extension of her current participation on a community employment scheme to bring her participation up to the maximum of three years. [43124/20]

Carer's Benefit

Michael Creed

365. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Social Protection if a person (details supplied) in County Cork has an entitlement to carer’s benefit. [43192/20]

Social Welfare Code

Michael Creed

385. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will clarify the position regarding the means test for social welfare payments as it applies to jobseeker’s allowance and non-contributory old age pensions with regard to the treatment of capital on deposit; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43446/20]

Health Services Staff

Michael Creed

475. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Health the position regarding pay restoration for section 39 workers. [43445/20]

Herd Number Applications

Michael Creed

662. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will clarify the entitlement and procedure for transferring a herd number from one named person to joint names for married couples; if this is a uniform arrangement throughout the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43193/20]

Special Educational Needs

Michael Creed

297. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Education if a grant is available for a sensory room for primary schools that do not have an ASD class. [42640/20]

Dental Services

Michael Creed

418. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Health his plans to address lengthy public orthodontic waiting lists at a location (details supplied). [42641/20]

Electricity Grid

Michael Creed

40. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if his attention has been drawn by Eirgrid of the level of capital investment required to improve the grid system over the period to 2030 given the fact that in scenarios in Eirgrid’s document, Tomorrow's Energy, it identifies grid investment as either high or very high across the country; the way in which this level of investment is being provided for; the level of detail available to his Department from Eirgrid regarding the exact locations in which this investment is required; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42469/20]

European Council Meetings

Michael Creed

300. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if consideration has been given at an EU Council of Foreign Ministers level to pursue an agenda of democratic principles to underpin trade and international relations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41138/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Michael Creed

293. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the supports made available from his Department to students as a consequence of Covid-19, its impact on their studies and additional costs incurred as a consequence. [40794/20]

Covid-19 Tests

Michael Creed

334. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Health the position regarding the alleged redeployment of speech and language therapists by the HSE for Covid-19 testing. [40846/20]

Postal Services

Michael Creed

154. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if the position regarding the issuing of Eircodes, particularly to new housing developments, will be clarified; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the delay in issuing Eircodes to newly built and recently occupied houses is an impediment to the provision of broadband, as all broadband providers have a requirement for an Eircode before they will provide a service; if arrangements will be made to expedite the issue of Eircodes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39917/20]

Schools Building Projects

Michael Creed

405. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Education the reason for the lack of engagement at a technical level by her Department with a school (details supplied) in County Cork regarding a greenfield site for a new school; if she received further recent correspondence requesting such a meeting; the steps she will take to immediately confirm a time and date for such a meeting prior to the end of 2020; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39916/20]

Agriculture Scheme Appeals

Michael Creed

811. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a person (details supplied) in County Cork will receive a beef finisher payment. [40284/20]

Areas of Natural Constraint Scheme

Michael Creed

812. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a person (details supplied) in County Cork will receive payment under the 2018 areas of natural constraints scheme. [40286/20]

Banking Sector

Michael Creed

110. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Finance his plans to tackle lack of competition in the banking and mortgage markets in view of the Central Bank’s retail interest rates for August 2020, which show a big differential between interest rates here and the average EU interest rates; the contact he has had with a bank (details supplied) regarding its continued involvement in the banking market here; and the way in which the State can leverage its shareholding in the banking sector here to maximise competition. [30692/20]