Parliamentary questions

National Maternity Hospital

Gary Gannon

422. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question Nos. 486, 502 and 519 of 27 May 2020, the action the State plans to take when the 99-year lease for the land on which the new national maternity hospital will be built expires; the plans in place for the continuity of public maternity care at the site after the 99 years have expired; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10350/20]

Health Screening Programmes

Gary Gannon

423. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Health when cancer screenings will resume. [10360/20]

Child Maintenance Payments

Gary Gannon

678. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the status of the progress of the judge-led group announced as part of Budget 2020 to examine and make recommendations in relation to child maintenance payments. [10347/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment

Gary Gannon

679. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if the Covid-19 payment will be reinstated to asylum seekers in direct provision; if an increase to the rate of the daily expenses allowance will be reconsidered; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10359/20]

EU Funding

Gary Gannon

739. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the amount of the structural funding from the EU that will be ring-fenced for culture and arts here. [10358/20]

Passport Services

Gary Gannon

36. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade when the passport office will be reopened to provide its necessary function; and when the postal method, that is, passport express will be operational again. [9502/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Gary Gannon

306. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Education and Skills his views on the decision by the Teaching Council to not allow virtual teaching to be included in the probationary period, Droichead, of newly qualified teachers (details supplied). [9503/20]

Information and Communications Technology

Gary Gannon

307. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Education and Skills if the book grant scheme for 2020/2021 will allow schools to secure information technology tools and e-books in view of the recent learnings from Covid-19 and the fact that schools have not been able to use the funds in the past due to licensing fees. [9504/20]

Third Level Admissions

Gary Gannon

308. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will recommend to higher level institutions to increase dedicated places for students progressing on from post-leaving certificate courses in view of the expected decrease in international students. [9505/20]

State Examinations

Gary Gannon

309. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Education and Skills if there are dedicated advocates for DEIS schools, students with disabilities and experts in inclusive assessment and education in the advisory group for contingency planning for State examinations 2020; and if not, if he will ensure representation of such advocates. [9506/20]

State Examinations

Gary Gannon

310. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Education and Skills the system put in place for external candidates and students who are home tutored in their sixth year in view of the fact that predictive grades rely on the expertise of teachers and knowledge of a student. [9510/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Gary Gannon

417. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the guidelines given to supermarkets in cases in which members of their staff have been diagnosed with Covid-19 but have recently been carrying out their duties on the premises. [9516/20]

Dental Services

Gary Gannon

507. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Health the process for the school dental screening programme and Covid-19 (details supplied). [9515/20]

Dental Services

Gary Gannon

531. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Health the process for the school dental screening programme in view of Covid-19 (details supplied). [8228/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Gary Gannon

629. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Health the phase in the Roadmap for Reopening Society and Business in which occupational and speech and language therapists will return to delivering therapy services for children. [8224/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Gary Gannon

630. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Health the guidelines given to supermarkets in cases in which a member of staff has been diagnosed with Covid-19 but has recently been carrying out duties on the premises. [8234/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Gary Gannon

725. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Health if the fast tracking process of opioid substitution therapy implemented as part of the NPHET response to protect vulnerable groups deemed to have an increased risk of contracting Covid-19 will be maintained. [9511/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Gary Gannon

726. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Health the phase under which therapy services to children usually a mixture of occupational therapists and speech and language therapists can expect to return to delivering therapy services to children according to the Roadmap for Reopening Society and Business. [9514/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment

Gary Gannon

1062. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the way in which the cited figure of 38% recipients on the pandemic unemployment payment being disincentivised was arrived at in view of the fact they previously earned less than €300 per week, which was featured in Economic Considerations for Reinstating Economic Activity. [9507/20]

Rent Supplement Scheme

Gary Gannon

1145. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if the rent supplement guidance circular 22/20 will be extended beyond 31 May 2020. [9501/20]

Citizens Information Services

Gary Gannon

1146. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the steps she is taking to ensure that the citizens’ information services, including the telephone service, the money advice and budgeting service and the national advocacy service for persons with disabilities, are sufficiently funded to maintain and expand their level of service which has been invaluable during the Covid-19 crisis. [9508/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Gary Gannon

1147. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if vulnerable persons who were not able to go on Covid-19 illness benefit previously are now eligible; and if vulnerable persons are entitled to two 14 day Covid-19 illness benefit terms. [9509/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment

Gary Gannon

1148. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if clarity will be provided regarding one parent families in receipt of the pandemic unemployment payment and another social welfare payment regarding the measures expected to be enacted to claim some portion of this income back (details supplied). [9512/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Gary Gannon

298. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Education and Skills the way in which young children will be expected to socially distance from one another if schools resume in September 2020; and if consideration has been given to the well-being and practicalities of same for young children. [8217/20]

Home Schooling

Gary Gannon

299. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Education and Skills if provisions are being made to continue home schooling platforms from September 2020 onwards for parents who wish for their children to remain at home to continue their education until such time as parents are of the view it is safe for their children to return to school. [8218/20]

Student Grant Scheme

Gary Gannon

300. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Education and Skills if grant thresholds are being extended; and if the registration fee has been considered for abolition (details supplied). [8220/20]

Tax Reliefs Application

Gary Gannon

317. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if a commercial rent relief scheme will be initiated such as has been introduced in the UK, France, Australia, Denmark and Canada (details supplied). [8227/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Gary Gannon

483. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation if she has met an organisation (details supplied) to discuss the way in which its industry will safely reopen; and if not, her plans to do so in the near future. [8225/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Gary Gannon

484. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation her views on the reluctance of banks to loan to SMEs in order for them to commence the process of reopening their businesses in accordance with social distancing guidelines; and the grants that will be made available to the hospitality sector to ensure the industry can maintain itself as the Covid-19 crisis abates while the economic conditions remain precarious. [8226/20]

National Maternity Hospital

Gary Gannon

502. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Health the procurement process for land earmarked for the new national maternity hospital; if an organisation (details supplied) has transferred the land to the State or to a charitable organisation; if the process will result in the State having full ownership of the land or leasehold; if it is leased, the terms and duration of such lease; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8223/20]

Medical Aids and Appliances

Gary Gannon

632. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Health the consideration that has been given to the protection of persons serviced by the community and voluntary sector in terms of appropriate provision of PPE to reduce danger of Covid-19 transmission from asymptomatic workers and volunteers to service users; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8221/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Gary Gannon

633. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Health if and the way in which the commitment he made during the debate in Seanad Éireann on the Health (Preservation and Protection and other Emergency Measures in the Public Interest) Act 2020, has been delivered, which ensures appropriate access to independent advocacy support for those detained under section 11(5) of the Act; the way in which his related commitment to engage with civil society organisations and opposition Senators and TDs regarding the development of regulations in respect of detention under the Act has been delivered; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8222/20]

Driver Licences

Gary Gannon

848. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the way in which a motorcycle driver with a provisional licence can travel to attend the Garda Training College in June 2020 in view of the closure of the RSA and in view of the fact the driver's test has been cancelled. [8232/20]

School Attendance

Gary Gannon

855. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs her plans to waive compulsory attendance with regard to primary, secondary and third-level courses (details supplied). [8219/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Gary Gannon

1018. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the way in which a person that requires a verified MyGovID account can set one up during the current Covid-19 emergency in view of the fact that a person must attend the social welfare office as part of setting up a verified account; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8216/20]

Rent Supplement Scheme

Gary Gannon

1019. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the uptake of rent supplement; the number of claims received; the speed with which claims are being processed; the level of approval rates; and the reasons for being refused and so on. [8229/20]

Rent Supplement Scheme

Gary Gannon

1020. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the reason rent supplement applicants that are eligible under the rent supplement scheme as prescribed but not seeking nor eligible for the Covid-19 payment are being refused rent supplement; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8230/20]

Housing Assistance Payment

Gary Gannon

1021. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of deposits issued in respect of HAP tenancies since the commencement of the Covid-19 crisis. [8231/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Gary Gannon

1022. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the provisions that have been made for self-employed persons experiencing reductions in their gross income that are now operating at a loss when operating expenses are taken into account and have no income at present; if self-employed persons will be allowed to avail of the Covid-19 pandemic unemployment support; and if not, the support available to them. [8233/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Gary Gannon

1023. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the breakdown by profession of working age persons diagnosed with Covid-19. [8235/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Gary Gannon

1024. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if consideration has been given to temporary extensions for those on social welfare payments other than the pandemic unemployment payment which are due to cease in view of the global crisis; and if a freeze on the cessation of illness payments will be considered in view of the Covid-19 crisis (details supplied). [8236/20]

Special Educational Needs

Gary Gannon

405. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Education and Skills if the July provision will be going ahead in 2020; and if so, the timeframe and manner for same in order to provide clarity to students, parents and teachers that are due to take part in the scheme. [7004/20]

Third Level Admissions

Gary Gannon

406. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Education and Skills the measures being put forward to protect post-leaving certificate students similar to the leaving certificate in view of the fact that students have had their learning significantly interrupted by the Covid-19 pandemic; and if it will be recommended to higher level institutions that places be dedicated to students coming from post-leaving certificate routes in view of the expected reduction in the number of international students. [7005/20]

Speech and Language Therapy

Gary Gannon

808. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Health if the measures for PPE for clinical speech and language therapists will be confirmed in view of the fact the lack of full recognition of elements of their work, for example, dysphagia and swallowing disorders are not recognised as an aerosol generating procedure placing them at an increased risk in their work. [7006/20]

National Maternity Hospital

Gary Gannon

814. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Health his views in relation to the ownership of the proposed site for the new national maternity hospital; if the site will be brought into full public ownership in view of the announcement by a religious order (details supplied) that it is to divest itself of St. Vincent’s Healthcare Group which in turn is to transfer to St. Vincent’s Holdings CLG; the information in his possession regarding the structure of the new entity; the principles involved; the proposed governance structure for the new hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7028/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment

Gary Gannon

1192. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if the Covid-19 payment will be prolonged beyond the current timeframe for artists and freelance technicians involved in the artistic industry (details supplied). [7003/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Gary Gannon

1429. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if a detailed set of guidelines will be presented on the way in which artistic spaces and venues, be they large or small, should re-open when the appropriate time is announced; and the way in which venues should appropriately enact social distancing measures while maintaining the commercial viability of their venue. [7001/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Gary Gannon

1430. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if capital costs will be offered to artistic and cultural spaces to support the re-opening of these amenities. [7002/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Gary Gannon

1431. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if announcements of financial supports will be made to assist freelance technicians who could not be classified as artists but are essential to the functioning of the industry and have been equally as affected by the Covid-19 crisis. [7007/20]

Addiction Treatment Services

Gary Gannon

720. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Health if reassurance will be provided to the staff at a facility (details supplied) that once the current health emergency has alleviated they will be permitted to return to their place of work. [4995/20]

One-Parent Family Payment Payments

Gary Gannon

1194. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if provisions have been made to financially support lone parents unable to work due to lack of childcare during mandatory school and childcare closures. [4983/20]

Social Welfare Payments Administration

Gary Gannon

1195. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if regular social welfare payments will be advanced in order to reduce the need for persons to attend post and social welfare offices. [4990/20]

Fuel Allowance Payments

Gary Gannon

1196. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if consideration has been given to extending the fuel allowance period to the end of April 2020 to help persons with additional heating costs associated with self-isolation and illness. [4991/20]

Working Family Payment Payments

Gary Gannon

1197. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if the working family payment will continue to be paid to families even if there is a reduction in their working hours. [4992/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Gary Gannon

1198. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if supplementary welfare allowances will be made available to support low-income lone parents caring for sick and self-isolating loved ones that cannot afford unpaid leave. [4993/20]

Gas and Electricity Disconnections

Gary Gannon

1199. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if consideration will be given to pausing all energy disconnections and social welfare sanctions. [4994/20]

Traveller Community

Gary Gannon

1286. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the provisions made for members of the Mincéirí in overcrowded accommodation with little access to water during the Covid-19 outbreak (details supplied). [4984/20]

Private Rented Accommodation Costs

Gary Gannon

1287. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government his plans to assist persons in the private rented sector during the Covid-19 crisis; and his further plans to assist the self-employed, freelancers and those in the gig economy who will not be able to work during self-isolation and may fall behind on rents as a result. [4985/20]

Private Rented Accommodation Costs

Gary Gannon

1288. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government his plans to assist persons in the private rented sector during the Covid-19 crisis; and his further plans to assist persons that will not be able to pay the rent due to the shortfall between the higher €305 a week illness benefit rate and normal wages in circumstances in which the employer refuses to top-up the benefit. [4986/20]

Private Rented Accommodation Costs

Gary Gannon

1289. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government his plans to assist persons in the private rented sector during the Covid-19 crisis; and his further plans to assist persons that will be unable to pay their rent due to self-isolation. [4987/20]

Private Rented Accommodation Costs

Gary Gannon

1290. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government his plans to assist people in the private rented sector during the Covid-19 crisis; and his further plans to assist persons that are self-isolating and have an upcoming notice of termination which requires them to leave the property. [4988/20]

Private Rented Accommodation

Gary Gannon

1291. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government his plans to assist persons in the private rented sector during the Covid-19 crisis; and his further plans to assist persons living in overcrowded accommodation and will be unable to self-isolate. [4989/20]