Parliamentary questions

LEADER Programmes

James Browne

911. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the position on the need to increase LEADER funding for the national food initiative from 50% to 75%; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36547/20]

Driver Licences

James Browne

273. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Transport the position regarding driver licence appointments for those seeking to exchange their UK driver licence in exchange for an Irish driver licence before Brexit as in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34909/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

James Browne

295. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Finance if the Covid restrictions support scheme will be extended to support wholesalers that are currently excluded and whose business supplies goods or services to another business that qualifies for the support (details supplied). [35152/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

James Browne

190. Deputy James Browne asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the position regarding a trade (details supplied) and the current restrictions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32796/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

James Browne

499. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the position regarding a practice (details supplied) and the current Covid-19 restrictions; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32797/20]

Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services

James Browne

1325. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health the number of vacant positions within CAMHS Wexford south. [33160/20]

Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services

James Browne

1326. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health the number of vacant positions within CAMHS Wexford north. [33161/20]

Parental Leave

James Browne

195. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Children, Disability, Equality and Integration the position regarding the additional three weeks parental leave announced in Budget 2021; if this is combined with the previous two weeks; the timeframe that parents have until this leave becomes unavailable; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31974/20]

Driver Test

James Browne

154. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Transport the status of a driving test for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30936/20]

National Car Test

James Browne

186. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Transport the position regarding a further extension of NCT certificates; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31640/20]

Driver Test

James Browne

187. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Transport the position regarding a person’s need for driving test (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31652/20]

Obesity Strategy

James Browne

636. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health the position regarding multibuy promotions and their effects on obesity levels here (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31295/20]

Consumer Rights

James Browne

106. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Transport his views on persons who booked flights to non-green list countries with airlines that will not refund them or offer credit for these flights; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30659/20]

Park-and-Ride Facilities

James Browne

69. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Transport if the need to include County Wexford will be examined in a programme (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30097/20]

Primary Care Services

James Browne

526. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health the status of the provision of a community intervention team in County Wexford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30143/20]

Ports Policy

James Browne

220. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Transport the position regarding a possible development of a free-zone at Rosslare Europort, Rosslare, County Wexford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28347/20]

State Properties

James Browne

106. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the position regarding a use of a building (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26090/20]

Bituminous Fuel Ban

James Browne

154. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Climate Action and Communication Networks the status of a nationwide smoky fuel ban; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22075/20]

Driver Test

James Browne

199. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Transport if there is a reason a motorbike and a car theory tests could not be combined instead of having two separate theory tests; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21443/20]

Greenways Provision

James Browne

237. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Transport the position regarding criteria for cycling greyways; the position regarding the width, connectivity and segregation of the routes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22170/20]

Wage Subsidy Scheme

James Browne

257. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Finance if his attention has been drawn to instances in which employers availing of the temporary wage subsidy scheme do not pass on the increase in the minimum wage to their employees; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21269/20]

Employment Data

James Browne

287. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Finance the number of persons over 66 years of age who declare as self-employed; the number of persons over 66 years of age working in companies while earning wages through the temporary wage subsidy scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21597/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

James Browne

349. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Media, Tourism, Arts, Culture, Sport and the Gaeltacht if grants are currently available to musicians and singers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21308/20]

Building Regulations

James Browne

391. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the position regarding regulations on installation of replacement domestic gas central heating boilers; if the regulations contain a provision on existing back boilers; the reason a householder should be told that their existing, professionally installed and grant aided back boiler must be decommissioned and if justification for same can be given; if an exception can be given to the householder that wishes to retain the option of a back boiler for occasional use in view of the fact that this is only a replacement of gas boiler and not a new systems installation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22103/20]

Long-Term Illness Scheme

James Browne

1141. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health if Lyme disease will be recognised as a long-term illness; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21441/20]

Technological Universities

James Browne

38. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding the establishment of the technological university of the south-east with the provision of a County Wexford campus; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16785/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

James Browne

256. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the engagement he has had with airlines that will not be refunding passengers who are looking to cancel flights on the basis of public health advice and advice from the providers of travel insurance; if he has raised this with the aviation industry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20452/20]

Defence Forces Personnel

James Browne

601. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Defence the strength of the Permanent Defence Forces as of 30 July 2020; if he will provide a breakdown of all ranks across the three services; the gender breakdown of same in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20607/20]

Defence Forces Personnel

James Browne

602. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Defence the strength of the Reserve Defence Forces as of 30 July 2020; if he will provide a breakdown of all ranks across the three services; the gender breakdown of same in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20608/20]

Defence Forces Personnel

James Browne

603. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Defence the number of additional recruits to the Permanent Defence Forces to date in 2020 with regard to all three services; the gender breakdown of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20609/20]

Defence Forces Personnel

James Browne

604. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Defence the number of additional recruits to the Reserve Defence Forces to date in 2020 with regard to all three services; the gender breakdown of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20610/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment

James Browne

869. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of persons in receipt of unemployment payments by county in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20459/20]

Live Exports

James Browne

966. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the value of live exports in each of the years 2015 to 2019; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20536/20]

Podiatry Services

James Browne

1475. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health the number of persons in each LHO area waiting for a podiatry appointment in primary care as of 30 July 2020 or the latest date available; and the number waiting 0 to 12, 12 to 26, 26 to 52 and more than 52 weeks. [21067/20]

Ophthalmology Services

James Browne

1476. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health the number of persons in each LHO area waiting for a ophthalmology appointment in primary care as of 30 July 2020 or the latest date available; and the number waiting 0 to 12, 12 to 26, 26 to 52 and more than 52 weeks. [21068/20]

Audiology Services

James Browne

1477. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health the number of persons in each LHO area waiting for an audiology appointment in primary care as of 30 July 2020 or the latest date available; and the number waiting 0 to 12, 12 to 26, 26 to 52 and more than 52 weeks. [21069/20]

HSE Waiting Lists

James Browne

1478. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health the number of persons in each LHO area waiting for a dietetics appointment in primary care as of 30 July 2020 or the latest date available; and the number waiting 0 to 12, 12 to 26, 26 to 52 and more than 52 weeks. [21070/20]

Disability Services Data

James Browne

1479. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health the number of residential places for persons with a disability being provided as of 30 July 2020 or the latest date available by CHO area in tabular form. [21073/20]

Disability Services Data

James Browne

1480. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health the number of new emergency places provided to persons with a disability as of 30 July 2020, by LHO are in tabular form. [21074/20]

Disability Services Data

James Browne

1481. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health the number of children as of 30 July 2020 or the latest date available that were awaiting a first assessment from the HSE under the Disability Act 2005 for each LHO area in tabular form. [21075/20]

HSE Waiting Lists

James Browne

1482. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health the number of persons on the physiotherapy waiting list in each local health area as of 30 July 2020 or latest date available in tabular form; the number waiting less than 4, 4 to 12 and more than 12 months; and the number waiting aged 0 to 4, 5 to 17, 18 to 64 and more than 65 years of age. [21076/20]

Disability Services Data

James Browne

1483. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health the number of persons on the speech and language therapy assessment waiting list in each local health area as of 30 July 2020 or latest date available in tabular form; the number waiting less than 4, 4 to 12 and more than 12 months; and the number waiting aged 0 to 4, 5 to 17, 18 to 64 and more than 65 years of age. [21077/20]

Disability Services Data

James Browne

1484. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health the number of persons on the speech and language therapy initial treatment waiting list in each local health area as of 30 July 2020 or latest date available in tabular form; the number waiting less than 4, 4 to 12 and more than 12 months; and the number waiting aged 0 to 17 and more than 18 years of age. [21078/20]

Disability Services Data

James Browne

1485. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health the number of persons on the speech and language therapy further treatment waiting list in each local health area as of 30 July 2020 or the latest date available in tabular form; the number waiting less than 4, 4 to 12 and more than 12 months; and the number waiting aged 0 to 17 and more than 18 years of age. [21079/20]

Occupational Therapy

James Browne

1486. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health the number of persons on the occupational therapy first time assessment waiting list in each local health area as of 30 July 2020 or the latest date available in tabular for; the number waiting less than 4, 4 to 12 and more than 12 months; and the number waiting aged 0 to 4, 5 to 17, 18 to 64 and more than 65 years of age [21080/20]

Counselling Services

James Browne

1487. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health the number of persons in each LHO area waiting for a counselling appointment in primary care as of 30 July 2020 or the latest date available; and the number waiting 0 to 12, 12 to 26, 26 to 52 and more than 52 weeks.; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21081/20]

Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services

James Browne

1488. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health the number of persons in each LHO area waiting for a child and adolescent mental health services appointment as of 30 July 2020 or the latest date available; and the number waiting 0 to 12, 12 to 26, 26 to 52 and more than 52 weeks. [21082/20]

Mental Health Services

James Browne

1489. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health the number of persons in each LHO area waiting for a psychology appointment as of 30 July 2020 or the latest date available; and the number waiting 0 to 12, 12 to 26, 26 to 52 and more than 52 weeks. [21083/20]

Mental Health Services

James Browne

1490. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health the number of children admitted to adult mental health units to date in 2020. [21084/20]

Home Help Service

James Browne

1491. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health the number of home support hours being provided in each LHO area as of 30 July 2020 or the latest date available; the way in which this compares to target in each LHO for the same time period; the number of persons currently on the waiting list for home support hours in each LHO area in tabular form; and the number waiting 0 to 3, 3 to 6, 6 to 12 and more than 12 months. [21085/20]

Nursing Homes Support Scheme

James Browne

1492. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health the number of persons awaiting placement under the fair deal scheme as of 30 July 2020 or the latest date available; the average waiting time; the number of persons currently awaiting placement under the scheme in each LHO in tabular form; and the length of time waiting. [21086/20]

Community Employment Schemes

James Browne

65. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection her plans to address the pension needs of community employment scheme supervisors; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16786/20]

Motor Tax

James Browne

112. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the position regarding the processing of motor tax payments by An Post; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19535/20]

National Driver Licensing Service

James Browne

117. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if an appointment with the NDLS will be expedited for a person (details supplied); if the needs of the person will be examined; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19373/20]

Visa Applications

James Browne

263. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Justice and Equality when tourist visa applications from the Philippines will be considered by her Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19274/20]

Brexit Preparations

James Browne

29. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the position on discussions with his UK counterpart on the issue of border checks on trucks originating here and arriving in the UK from Rosslare Europort but which plan to travel onwards to another country within the European Union; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16783/20]

Grant Payments

James Browne

111. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment his plans to expand the support scheme for renewable heat; if he plans to make the SSRH scheme less complicated; if he will consider those that are not able to benefit from the scheme due to the fact that they were already using renewable heat prior to the introduction of the scheme. [18704/20]

Grant Payments

James Browne

116. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment his plans to revise the solar panel grants scheme for private residences; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18987/20]

Road Projects

James Browne

143. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the legislation sources necessitating the timely arrangement of public consultations before large-scale motorway bypass projects can commence development; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18160/20]

Road Projects

James Browne

144. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the criteria laid down by the EU when funding large-scale motorway bypass projects in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18161/20]

Road Projects

James Browne

145. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the specific legislation necessitating the revisiting of route selection process for the Wexford town bypass; and the criteria for the EU funding of the project. [18162/20]

Value Added Tax

James Browne

233. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Finance the position regarding homecare providers seeking VAT exemption from the Revenue Commissioners using HSE verification; the way in which a private homecare provider can secure such HSE verification for the purposes of VAT exemption; if VAT exemption provides coverage for all homecare services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18525/20]

Human Rights

James Browne

368. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if his attention has been drawn to the practice of organ harvesting from members of a group (details supplied) and other prisoners of conscience in China; the actions he has taken to address the practice; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17995/20]

Human Rights

James Browne

369. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views on the European Parliament resolution (2013/2981(RSP) of 12 December 2013 on organ harvesting in China; the actions being taken to advance the objectives set in the resolution;; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17996/20]

Third Level Education

James Browne

532. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding third level students need for the provision of laptops; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18873/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

James Browne

607. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the position regarding the Covid-19 enterprise support grant; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18400/20]

Forestry Sector

James Browne

641. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the action being taken to address backlogs in the forestry licensing and appeals system; if his attention has been drawn to claims that the delays are endangering the forestry industry and endangering timber supplies and up to 12,000 jobs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17982/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

James Browne

956. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health if wearing a face mask makes persons exempt from being classed as a face to face contact; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18264/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

James Browne

990. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health the position regarding restrictions on inbound travel here during the Covid-19 pandemic; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18509/20]

Health Services Staff

James Browne

1060. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health the status of the recruitment process of a professional for a service (details supplied); the number of applications received; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18957/20]

Fire Stations

James Browne

26. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government his plans to provide capital funding for fire stations here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17500/20]

Post-Leaving Certificate Courses

James Browne

154. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Education and Skills if PLC courses are considered third-level courses; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17754/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

James Browne

308. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health the position regarding the limitations placed on visiting nursing homes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17903/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

James Browne

43. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht Her plans to support the arts and music sector in the aftermath of the Covid-19 pandemic; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16779/20]

Workplace Relations Commission

James Browne

61. Deputy James Browne asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation further to Parliamentary Question No. 306 of 3 December 2019, the way in which a person can secure recourse when a court order following a WRC decision is not honoured; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17551/20]

Driver Licences

James Browne

89. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will include driver licences that are due to expire in July 2020 in relation to the extension by four months, of the period of validity for driver licences that were due to expire between March and June 2020 in view of the fact that some drivers including a person (details supplied) are being informed by the NDLS that they cannot provide appointments for drivers to renew their licences until August 2020 thus leaving some drivers without a licence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17618/20]

School Transport

James Browne

90. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will have the cessation of contracted school transport services to a school (details supplied) re-examined with a view to arranging for the reinstatement of the school transport services without which students will be severely negatively impacted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17619/20]

Schools Administration

James Browne

156. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Education and Skills if she will consider introducing one-hour class blocks when schools return for the forthcoming academic year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17549/20]

Medical Cards

James Browne

215. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health the position on the increased income thresholds for medical card applicants over 70 years of age; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17550/20]

Flood Prevention Measures

James Browne

31. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the position regarding a scheme (details supplied) in County Wexford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16496/20]

Driver Licences

James Browne

136. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if the NDLS will accept general practitioner medical reports for drivers over 70 years of age dated earlier than usual owing to the Covid-19 pandemic; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16525/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

James Browne

171. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to financially assist private bus companies that are out of work due to Covid-19 and need to insure and maintain buses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17271/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

James Browne

190. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Finance the position on the ability of a person (details supplied) to avail of the temporary wage subsidy scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16521/20]

Flood Relief Schemes

James Browne

228. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the status of the flood relief scheme for Enniscorthy, County Wexford. [16807/20]

Targeted Agricultural Modernisation Scheme

James Browne

503. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when he will approve TAMS II tranche 17 funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16661/20]

Health Services

James Browne

653. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health when a service (details supplied) will be introduced to County Wexford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16772/20]

Insurance Costs

James Browne

17. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Finance the steps he plans to take to tackle high insurance premiums here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16105/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

James Browne

62. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Finance if the operation of the temporary wage subsidy scheme will be examined in order that it is available to persons whose work is seasonal and increases in the summer months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16275/20]

Schools Establishment

James Browne

102. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Education and Skills if she will review the need for an additional secondary school in Gorey, County Wexford, based on census figures and primary school enrolment data; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16321/20]

Crime Data

James Browne

159. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of fines and imprisonments on foot of the Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (Covid-19) Act 2020 and regulations made under same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16426/20]

Family Support Services

James Browne

160. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the position regarding parental alienation and its impact here; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16457/20]

National Broadband Plan

James Browne

23. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the position regarding the roll-out of the national broadband plan with specific reference to County Wexford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15976/20]

Online Safety

James Browne

59. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if the introduction of the 2019 online safety media regulation Bill will be prioritised. [16071/20]

National Broadband Plan

James Browne

115. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the status of the roll-out of broadband connection points in County Wexford. [16072/20]

Crime Data

James Browne

128. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of convictions for animal theft; the type of animal that was subject to the theft; the court in which the perpetrators of the theft were convicted; the number of those sentenced to imprisonment in each of the years 2015 to 2019, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16168/20]

Enterprise Support Services

James Browne

47. Deputy James Browne asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the initiatives his Department is taking to support enterprises with significant reliance on seasonal business; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15795/20]

Defence Forces Data

James Browne

493. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Defence the strength of the Permanent Defence Force as of 30 June 2020; if he will provide a breakdown of each rank across the three services; the gender breakdown of same, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15609/20]

Defence Forces Reserve

James Browne

494. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Defence the strength of the Reserve Defence Force as of 30 June 2020 with regard to each of the three services and each rank; the gender breakdown of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15610/20]

Defence Forces Data

James Browne

495. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Defence the number of additional recruits to the Permanent Defence Force to date in 2020 with regard to each of the three services; the gender breakdown of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15611/20]

Defence Forces Data

James Browne

496. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Defence the number of additional recruits to the Reserve Defence Force to date in 2020 with regard to each of the three services; the gender breakdown of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15612/20]