Parliamentary questions

Departmental Offices

Richard Boyd Barrett

7. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Taoiseach if he will report on the work of the parliamentary liaison unit of his Department. [37713/21]

Cabinet Committees

Richard Boyd Barrett

16. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Taoiseach the membership and terms of reference of the Covid-19 oversight group chaired by the Secretary General of his Department. [37714/21]

National Maternity Hospital

Richard Boyd Barrett

49. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health if he will provide a detailed update on the discussions with a group (details supplied) with regard to the ownership and management of the new national maternity hospital; if he has considered any other sites for this hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37722/21]

Military Aircraft

Richard Boyd Barrett

372. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if his Department has entered into an international agreement with the United Kingdom that allows the British Royal Air Force to enter Irish airspace and carry out military operations within Irish sovereign airspace and over the territory of the Republic of Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37232/21]

Disability Services

Richard Boyd Barrett

489. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the services currently available for those who have hearing loss in particular but not exclusively, access to hearing aids and lip reading services; if there is a cost implication for the service user; the planned expansion of services for those with hearing loss; if he will address the lack of lip reader tutor training in order to increase the amount of lip reader tutors; the measures he is taking to increase the number of lip reading classes nationally and in Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37402/21]

Forestry Sector

Richard Boyd Barrett

600. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 1199 of 15 June 2021, if the establishment of native woodlands on Bord na Móna bog will be included in the climate action afforestation targets of 8,000 hectares annually; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37236/21]

Forestry Sector

Richard Boyd Barrett

601. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 1200 of 15 June 2021, if Coillte felling licence requirements for 2021 were prioritised over private licences applications awaiting decisions from his Department since 2016, 2017 and 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37237/21]

Immigration Policy

Richard Boyd Barrett

302. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Justice if she plans to include migrants who had residency prior to becoming undocumented regardless of time spent undocumented in the regularisation scheme for undocumented people in Ireland; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36934/21]

Cabinet Committees

Richard Boyd Barrett

5. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee dealing with housing will next meet. [34840/21]

Vaccination Programme

Richard Boyd Barrett

132. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health his plans in relation to persons who have received one dose of a vaccine (details supplied) but are only 30% protected against the Indian variant and are not due to receive their second dose for a number of weeks making them vulnerable to infection; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30441/21]

Hospital Appointments Status

Richard Boyd Barrett

196. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will be seen by a rheumatologist; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30628/21]

Cabinet Committees

Richard Boyd Barrett

4. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet Committee on Government Co-ordination last met; and when it will next meet. [34684/21]

Departmental Bodies

Richard Boyd Barrett

14. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Taoiseach when the new social dialogue unit of his Department will next meet. [34839/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Richard Boyd Barrett

477. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health if persons with Crohn’s disease who are on immunosuppressant drugs are considered to be vulnerable to Covid-19; the position of such persons in the vaccine roll-out; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29616/21]

School Accommodation

Richard Boyd Barrett

44. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Education if confirmation will be given to a school (details supplied) of the location of its temporary school in September 2021; if she will ensure that the temporary school will be in the catchment area of the school; the location of the permanent site; when the permanent site will be ready; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35267/21]

Special Educational Needs

Richard Boyd Barrett

71. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Education if she will work with a school (details supplied) to ensure the acquisition by her Department of a building for a specific ASD unit and as a school hall; if not, if confirmation will be given that the school will have an ASD unit and will be allowed to rent the building for same while a deal is worked out between her Department and the parish to purchase the building; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35266/21]

State Pensions

Richard Boyd Barrett

126. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason a person in their 80s who has been in receipt of the State pension (contributory) and a qualified adult increase for nearly 20 years and whose spouse is the qualified adult and is also in their 80s has received a means text request from her Department; if this is a random review; if so, if the procedure will be reviewed that allows those over 80 to be randomly reviewed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35265/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment

Richard Boyd Barrett

168. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Social Protection if recipients of the pandemic unemployment payment whose payment is reduced to the €203 on 7 September 2021 or the subsequent two dates will be moved to jobseeker’s allowance rather than stay on the payment at the relevant rate; her views on the way this can be justified given the payment is not a jobseeker’s allowance payment but a payment for those whose incomes or jobs continue to be impacted by public health restrictions, such as taxi drivers, musicians and those in the entertainment industry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35264/21]

Charitable and Voluntary Organisations

Richard Boyd Barrett

204. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Finance the VAT implications for a registered charity building an animal shelter as a new build; if exemptions are available on the VAT; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35448/21]

Social Welfare Benefits

Richard Boyd Barrett

285. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will consider extending the period of time a person can receive jobseeker’s benefit before they are means tested for jobseeker’s allowance temporarily until the job market and the economy has recovered; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35442/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Richard Boyd Barrett

373. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health the number of prisoners who have been vaccinated to date against Covid-19; the number vaccinated who are over 60 years of age; the number vaccinated who are medically vulnerable; the timescale for those who have not been vaccinated to receive a vaccine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28506/21]

Cabinet Committees

Richard Boyd Barrett

5. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee on Europe will next meet. [34682/21]

Anglo-Irish Relations

Richard Boyd Barrett

11. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Taoiseach if he will report on the recent meeting of the British-Irish Council. [34683/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Richard Boyd Barrett

207. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health when a parent can travel to see their child who lives in the UK without needing to use up annual leave to quarantine for two weeks on their return or to have a need to pay for expensive PCR tests; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26800/21]

Central Statistics Office

Richard Boyd Barrett

4. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Taoiseach if he will report on any engagements with the Central Statistics Office with regard to the rescheduling of Census 2021. [34841/21]

Technological Universities

Richard Boyd Barrett

403. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if his Department and the Higher Education Authority will assist and support Dún Laoghaire Institute of Art, Design and Technology as the last remaining institute of technology to join the Technological University through a section 38 of the Technological Universities Act 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34441/21]

Technological Universities

Richard Boyd Barrett

404. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will provide a line item list of expenditure for funds awarded to Dún Laoghaire Institute of Art, Design and Technology by the Higher Education Authority for exploring technological university designation; if this funding is to seek technological university designation under the Technological Universities Act 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34442/21]

An Garda Síochána

Richard Boyd Barrett

419. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Justice further to Parliamentary Question No. 475 of 5 May 2021, when the information requested will be provided by An Garda Síochána. [34551/21]

Health Services Staff

Richard Boyd Barrett

490. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health the status of workers who have been transferred without their knowledge from a section 39 status organisation to a section 56 status which has had consequences for those workers earnings and conditions; when and the way in which this change was made; if it is intended to ensure sufficient funding and resources are available for Tusla and section 56 workers to allow for the reversal of FEMPI era cuts that have applied to public sector and section 38 and 39 employees; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26738/21]

Health Service Executive

Richard Boyd Barrett

544. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health the next date for a meeting (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27464/21]

Rental Sector

Richard Boyd Barrett

23. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the further measures he will take to address unaffordable rents, excessive rent increases and unfair evictions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33884/21]

Middle East

Richard Boyd Barrett

101. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the action Ireland plans to take against Israel following the continued bombardment of Gaza; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33911/21]

Local Authorities

Richard Boyd Barrett

219. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the supports that will still be given to the councils that were previously in receipt of moneys from the equalisation fund; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31407/21]

Departmental Expenditure

Richard Boyd Barrett

220. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his views on whether the high level of current expenditure in his Department via the housing assistance payment, the rental accommodation scheme and leasing needs to be replaced by capital expenditure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31411/21]

Economic Policy

Richard Boyd Barrett

2. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Taoiseach if he will report on the progress to date by his Department in its development of a well-being framework for Ireland. [31400/21]

Economic Policy

Richard Boyd Barrett

8. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Taoiseach if he will report on the role of his Department in the national economic recovery plan. [33399/21]

Cabinet Committees

Richard Boyd Barrett

21. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee on environment and climate change will meet next. [33400/21]

Health Services

Richard Boyd Barrett

276. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health if it may not be possible to carry out complete foetal anomaly scans in University Hospital Galway’s maternity services due to Covid 19 restrictions, the implications for foetal health care and maternal health care if such a critical scan is not being completed for pregnant patients; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26062/21]

National Risk Assessment

Richard Boyd Barrett

15. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Taoiseach if he will report on the status of the national risk assessment for 2021. [33398/21]

Tax Reliefs

Richard Boyd Barrett

225. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Finance the estimated amount that could be raised by abolishing the Special Assignee Relief Programme, which was introduced in 2014 to provide a tax reduction to high earning persons who locate to Ireland for work purposes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33417/21]

Tax Credits

Richard Boyd Barrett

226. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Finance the estimated amount that could be raised from eliminating the refundable nature of the unused element of the research and development tax credit for corporations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33418/21]

Consular Services

Richard Boyd Barrett

332. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the consular support available to Irish passport holders in Gaza; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32836/21]

Consular Services

Richard Boyd Barrett

333. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if his attention has been drawn to the discrimination of Palestinian Irish passport holders in Israeli airports and travelling through Israel to Gaza or the difficulties in getting out of Gaza to return to Ireland; the representations he has made on behalf of these Irish passport holders in order to resolve the matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32846/21]

Schools Building Projects

Richard Boyd Barrett

360. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Education if statistical information (details supplied) will be provided in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33057/21]

Travel Documents

Richard Boyd Barrett

489. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Justice the reason the same visa free travel to Ireland afforded to Israeli citizens is not extended to Palestinian travellers given the need to end discrimination and mistreatment of Palestinians; if she will consider extending equal visa free travel to Palestinians; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32844/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Richard Boyd Barrett

526. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health if he will examine if the vaccine roll-out will inadvertently vaccinate persons in the 50-59 age group faster than some persons in the priority group 4; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25516/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Richard Boyd Barrett

64. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Transport if he will report on the measures he is taking to support the taxi industry and taxi drivers and assist its recovery following Covid-19; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31410/21]

Public Sector Staff

Richard Boyd Barrett

114. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the lessons he has learned in the course of the pandemic with regard to maintaining staffing levels in key areas of the public sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31412/21]

Cabinet Committees

Richard Boyd Barrett

6. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee on health last met; and when it will next meet. [31399/21]

European Council

Richard Boyd Barrett

12. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Taoiseach if he will report on the most recent European Council meeting. [31405/21]

Departmental Strategies

Richard Boyd Barrett

6. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Taoiseach if he will report on the statement of strategy of his Department. [29781/21]

Cabinet Committees

Richard Boyd Barrett

15. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee on education will next meet. [31398/21]

Tax Code

Richard Boyd Barrett

63. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Finance if it will be ensured that changes to the local property tax take into account the incomes of the homeowners in question; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31408/21]

Tax Code

Richard Boyd Barrett

107. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Finance his plans with regard to changes to the local property tax; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31407/21]

Census of Population

Richard Boyd Barrett

138. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Taoiseach if he will report on any engagements with the CSO with regard to the rescheduling of Census 2021. [28374/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Richard Boyd Barrett

251. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Transport if he is concerned especially during the current pandemic that windows which cannot be opened on long journey trains are in effect a sealed off unit from fresh air and that recirculating air via air conditioning does not have sufficient filtration systems to deal with covid-19 as noted by the European Railways Agency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31192/21]

National Asset Management Agency

Richard Boyd Barrett

333. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Finance the reason uncompleted houses (details supplied) would not be sold individually by NAMA to persons who are willing to complete the necessary work to make these houses habitable for their own use given that there are other houses in the estate that are completed with occupants who have a water connection and in view of the lack of housing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30703/21]

Housing Schemes

Richard Boyd Barrett

586. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the approved housing bodies involved in the mortgage-to-rent initiative; the banks that are involved in the initiative; the way households are identified as suitable for inclusion in the initiative; the number of households nationally that are provided for by this scheme; the terms for tenants; the duration of the lease; the provisions for tenants to purchase back the property; the parameters by which tenants can remain in the home beyond the term of the lease; the provisions made for families of the chief earner in the event of their death or serious illness; the person that is financially responsible for the upkeep of the property; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30769/21]

Departmental Meetings

Richard Boyd Barrett

927. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if another date will be arranged for a meeting (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30546/21]

Forestry Sector

Richard Boyd Barrett

1197. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if any private land owners have been approved afforestation licences on the same land type now being proposed by his Department as suitable for afforestation on decommissioned Bord na Móna bogs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31228/21]

Forestry Sector

Richard Boyd Barrett

1198. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his Department will be funding the environmental reports for the pilot scheme on industrial bog lands involving Bord na Móna and Coillte; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31229/21]

Forestry Sector

Richard Boyd Barrett

1199. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his Department is experimenting on Bord na Móna decommissioned industrial bog lands to achieve afforestation targets instead of processing licence applications that are submitted to his Department by private land owners who are waiting inordinate lengths of time to obtain a licence to plant their land; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31230/21]

Forestry Sector

Richard Boyd Barrett

1200. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he advised his Department to focus on Coillte felling licences for 2021 which prioritised them over the ten private licences applications awaiting a decision from his Department since 2016 or the 28 applications awaiting a decision since 2017 or the 237 private licence applications awaiting decision from his Department since 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31231/21]

Trade Agreements

Richard Boyd Barrett

82. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he has examined possible implications for the climate goals of Ireland, especially targets committed to in the Paris Treaty as a result of Ireland endorsing the CETA trade deal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1486/21]

Industrial Development

Richard Boyd Barrett

198. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment his views on the setting up by the IDA of operations in Israel; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30267/21]

Employment Rights

Richard Boyd Barrett

199. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment when employee redundancy rights will be restored; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30268/21]

Employment Rights

Richard Boyd Barrett

200. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he envisages introducing a mandatory sick pay scheme before the end of the Covid-19 pandemic; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30269/21]

Work Permits

Richard Boyd Barrett

201. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will provide for those on general employment permits to have at least the same rights as critical skills permits holders in the forthcoming employment permits Bill (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30270/21]

Workplace Relations Services

Richard Boyd Barrett

202. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will provide for access to workplace relations bodies by undocumented workers (details supplied). [30271/21]

Social Media

Richard Boyd Barrett

203. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment his plans to raise the rights of content moderators with a company (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30273/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Richard Boyd Barrett

204. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the steps his Department is taking to protect workers’ health and safety in view of the reopening of the hospitality sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30274/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Richard Boyd Barrett

205. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the additional resources that will be provided to the Health and Safety Authority in relation to the reopening of the hospitality sector; if Covid-19 will be designated as an occupational illness in that context; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30275/21]

Foreign Policy

Richard Boyd Barrett

275. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs his views on sanctions against Israel; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30266/21]

School Staff

Richard Boyd Barrett

291. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Education if the appeal will be supported to retain an additional teacher at a school (details supplied); if she will take steps to rectify the situation prior to the next appeal date on 15 June 2021; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30289/21]

Government Communications

Richard Boyd Barrett

3. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Taoiseach if he will report on the work of the Government Information Service. [29780/21]

Economic Policy

Richard Boyd Barrett

5. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Taoiseach if he will report on the work of the national reform programme. [28373/21]

Departmental Functions

Richard Boyd Barrett

11. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Taoiseach if he will report on the work of the EU and international division of his Department. [26505/21]

Driver Test

Richard Boyd Barrett

86. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Transport if he will request that driver theory tests to be deemed an essential service and for in-person testing to reopen in centres in a safe and a socially distanced manner; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29982/21]

Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements

Richard Boyd Barrett

13. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Taoiseach if he will report on his most recent engagements with the social partners. [29779/21]

Public Transport

Richard Boyd Barrett

234. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Transport the number of wheelchair accessible taxi grants issued for the period March 2020 to May 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29535/21]

Public Transport

Richard Boyd Barrett

235. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Transport the cost of wheelchair accessible grants issued for the period March 2020 to May 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29536/21]

Public Transport

Richard Boyd Barrett

236. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Transport the number of wheelchair accessible taxi grants issued for the period March 2020 to May 2021 that were issued to persons who did not previously own a small public service vehicle licence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29537/21]

Public Transport

Richard Boyd Barrett

237. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Transport the number of wheelchair accessible taxi grants issued for the period March 2020 to May 2021 that were issued to persons changing from an existing saloon licence to a wheelchair accessible vehicle; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29538/21]

Homeless Accommodation

Richard Boyd Barrett

322. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the backlog in homeless HAP payments is causing warnings and threats of eviction to tenants from landlords and causing anxiety to those who already have experience of homelessness and do not wish to return to that scenario again as in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29326/21]

Prison Service

Richard Boyd Barrett

509. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Justice if prisoners in Mountjoy Prison are disallowed from writing and receiving letters due to Covid-19 restrictions; if they are on 23-hour lock up as a result of same; if family members are allowed to bring personal items for prisoners; if counselling and rehabilitation services are suspended; when normal services will resume; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29335/21]

Prison Service

Richard Boyd Barrett

510. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Justice the way a prisoner can apply for enhanced remission; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29346/21]

Prison Service

Richard Boyd Barrett

511. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Justice when counselling services will be reinstated for prisoners; the way rehabilitation services are accessed prior to release; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29347/21]

Prison Service

Richard Boyd Barrett

512. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Justice if her attention has been drawn to groups providing advocacy services to prisoners currently serving sentences; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29348/21]

Third Level Fees

Richard Boyd Barrett

244. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his plans to ensure justice for international students who have had their education in Ireland affected by the Covid-19 crisis but who are being refused refunds on any fees by the university, specifically in the case of a university (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28790/21]

Departmental Programmes

Richard Boyd Barrett

4. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Taoiseach the status of the shared island unit of his Department. [26243/21]

Cabinet Committees

Richard Boyd Barrett

12. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee that addresses matters relating to the arts and culture will next meet. [26507/21]

Coroners Service

Richard Boyd Barrett

220. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Justice the reason a family (details supplied) have been told they must wait up to two years for a coroner's inquest into the death of a family member; if measures will be taken to address any backlog in coroners' inquests due to the added pressure to the system caused by the pandemic and alleviate the suffering of this and other bereaved families; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28481/21]

Vaccination Programme

Richard Boyd Barrett

221. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Justice the number of prisoners who have been vaccinated to date against Covid-19; the number vaccinated who are over 60 years of age; the number vaccinated who are medically vulnerable; the timescale for those who have not been vaccinated to receive a vaccine; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28483/21]

Pension Provisions

Richard Boyd Barrett

95. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Transport if retired members of the CIÉ 1951 pension scheme were afforded any consultation or right to vote on the proposals recently agreed; if we will agree to meet their representatives to discuss their concerns on the issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27525/21]

Pension Provisions

Richard Boyd Barrett

96. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Transport if the 1951 pension scheme for CIÉ workers is in compliance with minimum funding standard rules; his plans to meet with CIÉ representatives to discuss the crisis in this scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27526/21]

Financial Services

Richard Boyd Barrett

190. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Finance if there is a statute of limitations for penalties or prosecutions on financial institutions for misconduct or breach of regulations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27757/21]

Tax Rebates

Richard Boyd Barrett

191. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Finance if he plans in any upcoming finance Bill to allow VAT on electricity for disabled electric vehicle use to be claimed back; if not, if he will request the Revenue Commissioners to allow same as an interim measure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27769/21]

School Equipment

Richard Boyd Barrett

358. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Education if her Department has a budget for the purchase of tablet devices (details supplied) for secondary schools in 2021; if this budget will ensure all pupils have access to such a device; if the use of such devices is now routine and compulsory in secondary schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28163/21]

Social Welfare Benefits

Richard Boyd Barrett

371. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will consider providing free travel cards for persons with epilepsy during the period in which they are disallowed from driving; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27505/21]

Further and Higher Education

Richard Boyd Barrett

453. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the amount of funding needed to update the research framework to operate with PhD candidates as full employees of their institutions, rather than as students receiving grants or stipends; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27533/21]