Parliamentary questions

North-South Interconnector

Brendan Smith

62. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Climate Action and Communication Networks when a review of the proposed north-south interconnector project will be undertaken as outlined in the Programme for Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23220/20]

Aviation Industry

Brendan Smith

79. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Transport if issues raised in correspondence by a person (details supplied) regarding the aviation industry will be expedited; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23201/20]

School Transport

Brendan Smith

107. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Education if school transport will be provided for a pupil (details supplied) to a primary school due to the circumstances as outlined in detail by their parents to her Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23031/20]

Mental Health Services

Brendan Smith

26. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his plans to provide additional mental health supports to students returning to higher and further education. [22632/20]

Trade Fairs

Brendan Smith

69. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if urgent consideration will be given to issues raised in correspondence (details supplied) on trade fairs and exhibitions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22897/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Brendan Smith

96. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will consider the issues pertaining to his Department raised by an association (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22618/20]

Fuel Poverty

Brendan Smith

159. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Climate Action and Communication Networks the measures in place to assist those on low incomes to avoid fuel poverty; the number living in fuel poverty; the impact fuel poverty has on low income families; if research will be commissioned into the number of families experiencing fuel poverty; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22307/20]

Departmental Correspondence

Brendan Smith

328. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will consider the issues pertaining to his Department, raised by an association (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22622/20]

Fuel Poverty

Brendan Smith

437. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his views in relation to the health impact arising from fuel poverty here; his further views on the need for greater investment to prevent fuel poverty; the supports provided to local authorities to help mitigate fuel poverty; the supports provided to housing associations and approved housing bodies to prevent fuel poverty; his views on whether a coordinated approach is needed with his Department and the Department of Communications, Climate Action and the Environment in relation to fuel poverty; his views on the national energy poverty strategy; the number of families experiencing fuel poverty; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22309/20]

Fuel Poverty

Brendan Smith

438. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the schemes in place to tackle fuel poverty; the pilot projects that have taken place to help reduce fuel poverty; the monitoring that takes place to ensure low income at risk families are protected from fuel poverty; the plans in place to allocate extra funding to improve energy ratings for homes at local authority level; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22310/20]

Local Authority Rates

Brendan Smith

445. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will consider the issues pertaining to his Department raised by an association (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22623/20]

School Accommodation

Brendan Smith

610. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Education if the proposal to provide additional permanent accommodation at a school (details supplied) will be advanced to the next stage at an early date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22346/20]

School Accommodation

Brendan Smith

611. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Education if the proposal to provide additional permanent accommodation at a school (details supplied) will be advanced to the next stage at an early date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22347/20]

School Accommodation

Brendan Smith

612. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Education if a long-standing proposal to upgrade existing accommodation and provide additional permanent accommodation at a school (details supplied) will be progressed without further delay; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22348/20]

School Transport

Brendan Smith

632. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Education if the school transport portal will be reopened for late applicants for school transport in view of the serious difficulties that have arisen for many families; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22675/20]

Fuel Allowance

Brendan Smith

748. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of recipients and the level of funding in the past five years paid to recipients of the fuel allowance in tabular form; the number of families the fuel allowance has supported; his planned changes to take account of the increased cost of energy for families; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22311/20]

Domestic Violence Refuges Provision

Brendan Smith

831. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Children, Disability, Equality and Integration the progress to date in the establishment of a new service (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22676/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Brendan Smith

965. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Justice if she will consider the issues pertaining to her Department raised by an association (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22624/20]

Disability Services Provision

Brendan Smith

988. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Health his plans to provide additional residential facilities for adults with an intellectual or physical disability in counties Cavan and Monaghan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22330/20]

Disabilities Assessments

Brendan Smith

989. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Health the measures that will be implemented to reduce the waiting times in relation to assessment of needs in counties Cavan and Monaghan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22331/20]

Fuel Poverty

Brendan Smith

1354. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Health his views in relation to the health impact arising from fuel poverty here; his further views on the need for greater investment to prevent fuel poverty and the corresponding health consequences for persons; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22308/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Brendan Smith

1457. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to introduce a payment to compensate sheep farmers in view of the market disruption caused by the Covid-19 pandemic; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22303/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Brendan Smith

1458. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to increase payments under the sheep welfare scheme due to the market disruption caused by the Covid-19 pandemic and the difficulties that will arise due to Brexit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22304/20]

Agriculture Industry

Brendan Smith

1459. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to establish a sheep taskforce in relation to the long-term issues facing the sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22305/20]

Tuberculosis Incidence

Brendan Smith

1474. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to reconvene the tuberculosis forum; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22547/20]

Tuberculosis Incidence

Brendan Smith

1475. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will review the recent changes to the tuberculosis eradication programme with particular reference to the issue of tuberculosis herd history risk statements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22548/20]

Schools Building Projects

Brendan Smith

51. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Education and Skills her plans to ensure that a project (details supplied) proceeds to the next stage at the earliest possible date due to the need to have additional and upgraded accommodation provided at the school without further delay; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19314/20]

Schools Building Projects

Brendan Smith

61. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Education and Skills when the proposed building project for a school (details supplied) will proceed to the next stage; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19313/20]

Proposed Legislation

Brendan Smith

162. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the timeframe for the introduction and enactment of the online safety and media regulation Bill; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20511/20]

North-South Interconnector

Brendan Smith

171. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if consideration will be given to the issues outlined in correspondence by Monaghan County Council (details supplied) regarding the proposed north-south interconnector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20907/20]

Sports Capital Programme

Brendan Smith

255. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when he will announce details of the Sports Capital Programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20450/20]

Bus Services

Brendan Smith

266. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to ensure that adequate capacity is provided on a bus route (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20730/20]

Insurance Coverage

Brendan Smith

365. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Finance the outcome of the most recent discussions with insurance companies in relation to the need to honour claims for business interruption; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20872/20]

Illicit Trade

Brendan Smith

366. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Finance his plans to implement additional measures to counteract cross-Border smuggling and illegal trade in products such as fuel, tobacco and alcohol; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20873/20]

Arts Funding

Brendan Smith

427. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if consideration will be given to the issues raised in correspondence on behalf of an association (details supplied); if it will be ensured that adequate support is provided as a matter of urgency to the sector; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20934/20]

Undocumented Irish in the USA

Brendan Smith

582. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if progress has been made in relation to immigration reform in the United States of America with particular reference to the status of the undocumented Irish; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20967/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Brendan Smith

738. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Education and Skills the supports that will be put in place to enable primary and second-level schools to reopen at the end of August 2020; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20935/20]

GLAS Issues

Brendan Smith

961. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when the GLAS scheme will reopen; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20453/20]

Common Agricultural Policy

Brendan Smith

962. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will report on the outcome of discussions at the recent EU Agriculture Council in relation to CAP funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20454/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Brendan Smith

1289. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Health if additional measures will be introduced on an all-Ireland basis to deal with the Covid-19 pandemic; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20445/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Brendan Smith

1349. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Health the progress to date in ensuring that the Health Service Executive contact tracing application will be compatible with the application being developed by the Department of Health in Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20606/20]

Farm Assist Scheme

Brendan Smith

23. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if insurance contributions will be credited to farmers for pension purposes for the time they were in receipt of farm assist; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18806/20]

Farm Assist Scheme

Brendan Smith

44. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if insurance contributions will be credited to farmers for pension purposes for the time they were in receipt of farm assist, which caused a break in their insurance contributions records; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18805/20]

Greenways Provision

Brendan Smith

113. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if funding will be approved at an early date in respect of a feasibility study for a project (details supplied); if urgent consideration will be given to the application in view of the tourism potential of the proposed project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19222/20]

Special Educational Needs

Brendan Smith

198. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Education and Skills if she will ensure that adequate supports are put in place for children with special needs to enable them to return to school when schools reopen; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19506/20]

Respite Care Services

Brendan Smith

345. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Health if he will ensure day and respite services will be restored for persons with a disability; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19512/20]

Disability Services Provision

Brendan Smith

346. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Health when services including occupational therapy, speech and language therapy will resume for children with special needs or a disability; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19513/20]

Brexit Issues

Brendan Smith

45. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views on the assessment of the House of Commons Northern Ireland select committee that a lack of clarity from the United Kingdom Government has made it difficult to examine the way in which the Northern Ireland Protocol in the United Kingdom’s EU Withdrawal agreement will impact Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18492/20]

Schools Building Projects

Brendan Smith

548. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Education and Skills if a building project for a school (details supplied) will proceed to the next stage; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19127/20]

Felling Licences

Brendan Smith

663. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a felling licence will issue to a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19160/20]

Oireachtas Joint Committee Reports

Brendan Smith

751. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if the recommendations of the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Justice and Equality on reform of the family law system have been considered; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19235/20]

Oireachtas Joint Committee Reports

Brendan Smith

752. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if she will consider implementing recommendations 9, 11 and 36 of the report of the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Justice and Equality on reform of the family law system; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19236/20]

Hospital Waiting Lists

Brendan Smith

835. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Health if additional capacity will be provided to reduce waiting lists for assessments and procedures (details supplied). [18004/20]

Social and Affordable Housing

Brendan Smith

46. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if he will review the income eligibility limits for social housing; his plans to ensure that the income limits for areas such as counties Cavan and Monaghan are improved without further delay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17657/20]

Local Authority Housing

Brendan Smith

55. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if he will allocate additional funding to local authorities such as Cavan County Council and Monaghan County Council for the voids programme in 2020 in view of the financial pressures on local authorities; if he will reduce the local contribution needed for local authorities to draw down this funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17656/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Brendan Smith

73. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation if consideration will be given to the issues raised in correspondence (details supplied) in relation to the need for assistance without delay for a sector which is very adversely affected by the Covid-19 pandemic. [17948/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Brendan Smith

98. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if consideration will be given to the issues raised in correspondence (details supplied) in relation to the need for assistance without delay for a sector which is adversely affected by the Covid-19 pandemic; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17945/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Brendan Smith

99. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if the proposals put forward by an association (details supplied) will be given consideration; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17950/20]

Inland Waterways

Brendan Smith

20. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht her plans to provide additional capital funding for necessary upgrading work on the navigable inland waterways network; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17386/20]

Inland Waterways

Brendan Smith

27. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if additional capital funding will be provided to Waterways Ireland in 2020 and 2021 for the necessary upkeep and provision of additional facilities on the navigable waterways network; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17385/20]

Driver Test

Brendan Smith

91. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the timeline for the reopening of the RSA driver test centre, County Cavan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17668/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Brendan Smith

183. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if she is satisfied that there are adequate controls and checks at airports and ports on persons travelling here; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17667/20]

Flood Relief Schemes

Brendan Smith

15. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if additional funding will be provided in 2020 to local authorities for flood relief schemes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16814/20]

Ministerial Responsibilities

Brendan Smith

57. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the Minister with responsibility for the digital single market. [17359/20]

Enterprise Support Services

Brendan Smith

63. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation if urgent consideration will be given to the requests of a federation (details supplied) for specific supports for a sector in view of its importance for employment in counties Cavan and Monaghan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16987/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Brendan Smith

208. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Finance if urgent consideration will be given to the requests of a federation (details supplied) for specific supports for a sector in view of its importance for employment in counties Cavan and Monaghan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16984/20]

Housing Issues

Brendan Smith

209. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Finance if the statutory agencies of the State will assist persons who purchased apartments and have been denied access to their properties (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16994/20]

Tobacco Smuggling

Brendan Smith

217. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Finance if the issues raised by a group (details supplied) regarding the need to implement additional measures to counteract cross-Border smuggling and illicit trade in products such as tobacco, alcohol and fuel products will be considered; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17426/20]

Approved Housing Bodies

Brendan Smith

289. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the policy process in relation to approved housing bodies which are in engagement with the Housing Regulator; if during this process funding through the HSA or CALF can be availed of by the approved housing bodies to enable them continue with their housing construction or house purchase programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16689/20]

Poultry Industry

Brendan Smith

541. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if a commitment made by his Department to provide a compensation payment to farmers (details supplied) will be honoured without further delay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17424/20]

Childcare Services

Brendan Smith

555. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the proposals in place to provide new childcare places in view of some childcare facilities closing and the pressure on childcare places in many parts of the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17450/20]

Ministerial Responsibilities

Brendan Smith

564. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the Minister with responsibility for data protection. [17358/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Brendan Smith

35. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Finance if measures will be implemented through an easing of the taxation burden on the tourism and hospitality sector in view of its importance as a provider of employment taking in to account the particular difficulties arising from the Covid-19 pandemic; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16302/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Brendan Smith

37. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Finance if measures will be implemented as a matter of urgency from a VAT reduction and taxation perspective to assist the tourism and hospitality sector through the serious difficulties that have arisen due to the Covid-19 pandemic; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16303/20]

Value Added Tax

Brendan Smith

63. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Finance if he is considering a reduction in VAT on the hospitality and tourism sector in view of the adverse impact of Covid-19 on the sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16278/20]

Credit Unions

Brendan Smith

67. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Finance if detailed consideration will be given to the issues raised in correspondence (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16384/20]

Telecommunications Infrastructure

Brendan Smith

34. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the measures he will implement to ensure a necessary upgrade in the telecommunications infrastructure in areas such as counties Cavan and Monaghan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16059/20]

Telecommunications Infrastructure

Brendan Smith

35. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the measures he will implement to ensure that all areas of counties Cavan and Monaghan will have access to high-speed broadband; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16060/20]

National Broadband Plan

Brendan Smith

116. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the status of the roll-out of broadband connection points in counties Cavan and Monaghan. [16077/20]

Enterprise Support Services

Brendan Smith

32. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the measures he is taking to support small and medium enterprises in the Border region; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15793/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Brendan Smith

74. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation if he will give consideration to the issues raised in correspondence (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15081/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Brendan Smith

84. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the measures he will implement to ensure that small businesses have access to loan schemes that were established due to Covid-19; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15845/20]

Greenways Provision

Brendan Smith

187. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when a project (details supplied) will proceed to the next stage; if this proposed development will be prioritised in view of the cross-Border tourism potential; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14990/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Brendan Smith

195. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if employment incentives will be made available to the tourism sector for a new or developing small enterprise; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15077/20]

Consumer Rights

Brendan Smith

258. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to ensure that persons who paid for airline travel and in circumstances in which it is necessary to cancel such travel due to Covid-19 restrictions and quarantine requirements will have full refunds of the cost of the tickets; the engagement he has had to date with the airline carriers; if he will ensure that consumers receive fair treatment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15830/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Brendan Smith

271. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if specific measures to assist the bus and coach sector will be included in the July stimulus package; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16118/20]

Public Procurement Contracts

Brendan Smith

322. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the likely timescale for the completion of the tender process for a project (details supplied); when the project is expected to go to construction; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14791/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Brendan Smith

371. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if specific funding will be provided for the arts sector due to the severe difficulties caused by the Covid-19 pandemic; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15863/20]

Social and Affordable Housing

Brendan Smith

385. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if the income eligibility limits for social housing in areas such as counties Cavan and Monaghan will be reviewed as a matter of urgency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14643/20]

Brexit Preparations

Brendan Smith

453. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the preparations for a post-Brexit deal between the European Union and the United Kingdom; the measures in place specifically if no deal is reached; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15794/20]

Child Poverty

Brendan Smith

776. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the measures to be implemented to offset the expected increase in child poverty levels in 2020 following on the loss of employment due to the Covid-19 pandemic; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15775/20]

Local Improvement Scheme

Brendan Smith

798. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if funding will be provided for the local improvement scheme in 2020; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15846/20]

Maternity Leave

Brendan Smith

896. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the position regarding the request to have maternity benefit extended; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15853/20]

Home Help Service

Brendan Smith

1266. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Health if additional financial resources will be provided for home support in 2020 in view of the delays in providing these essential supports for many eligible patients; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15849/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Brendan Smith

1319. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Health when day services for persons with disabilities will resume; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16111/20]

Departmental Programmes

Brendan Smith

5. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Taoiseach when a unit within his Department will be established to work towards a consensus on a shared island; and the overall remit of the unit. [14497/20]

Parking Provision

Brendan Smith

80. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if the parents of a child with a diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder and severe intellectual disability are entitled to a disabled parking permit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14496/20]

Sports Capital Programme

Brendan Smith

135. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when details of the sports capital programme will be announced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14506/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Brendan Smith

137. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if specific programmes of support will be put in place as a matter of urgency to assist the tourism and hospitality sector through present challenges in view of the severe impact of Covid-19; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14541/20]

Primary Medical Certificates

Brendan Smith

187. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Finance his plans to improve the criteria for the primary medical certificate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14535/20]