Parliamentary questions

Agriculture Industry

Pauline Tully

1105. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to lift the sanctions his Department imposed on the Irish hemp industry; if he will defend the rights of Irish hemp farmers and processors to market their agricultural product; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44722/20]

National Disability Strategy

Pauline Tully

9. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the steps she has taken to implement action 127 of the National Disability Inclusion Strategy; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43212/20]

National Disability Strategy

Pauline Tully

86. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the steps she has taken to implement action 128 of the National Disability Inclusion Strategy; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43213/20]

National Disability Strategy

Pauline Tully

125. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the actions he has taken to support to support entrepreneurship and self-employment for persons with disabilities as outlined in action 116 of the mid-term review of the National Disability Inclusion Strategy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43945/20]

Disability Support Services

Pauline Tully

169. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will consider extending the supports that are in place for employers to employ and retain persons with disabilities to also include persons with disabilities who choose to become self-employed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43944/20]

Departmental Schemes

Pauline Tully

418. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will review the Tús scheme to allow persons who have been participating on the scheme during the Covid-19 pandemic to extend the time they can remain on it by the same time they missed out due to restrictions, if they so choose, in order that they can benefit from the experience gained on this work placement; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44277/20]

Departmental Schemes

Pauline Tully

425. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Social Protection if the Tús scheme will be reviewed to allow persons who have been participating on the scheme during the Covid-19 pandemic to extend the time they can remain on the scheme by the same time they missed out due to restrictions, if they so choose, in order to benefit from the experience gained on work placement; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44283/20]

Third Level Education

Pauline Tully

116. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his plans to provide work placements for students studying physiotherapy, occupational therapy and speech and language therapy as many in these professions have been redeployed to Covid-19 testing; if these placements will be delayed; if the qualification date for these students will be delayed; the supports that will be put in place for these students if their placement and qualification date are delayed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42418/20]

Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland

Pauline Tully

480. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact that while all NHS and social care workers in Scotland are receiving a £500 payment to thank them for working on the frontline during Covid-19, Irish nurses are having to pay a €100 registration fee to the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland; if he will request that this fee is waived; if not, the reason; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42847/20]

Respite Care Services

Pauline Tully

510. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Health the baseline unit cost for formal out-of-home respite services; the baseline unit cost for formal in-home respite; the baseline unit cost for recreation and holiday respite breaks; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42970/20]

Covid-19 Tests

Pauline Tully

104. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Health if front-line healthcare staff are to be redeployed again to Covid-19 testing; the reason more additional staff for Covid-19 testing are not recruited from those who applied to the Be on Call for Ireland campaign; the reason additional staff for Covid-19 testing are not redeployed from non-frontline healthcare staff; his views on whether physiotherapy, occupational therapy and speech and language therapy as essential; his views on the growing waiting lists in each of these areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42371/20]

Paediatric Services

Pauline Tully

128. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Health his views on the adequacy of the number of paediatric rheumatologists currently employed here; his plans to increase the number of paediatric rheumatologists employed here; the time frame for any increase; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42370/20]

Ophthalmology Services

Pauline Tully

390. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Health the average waiting time for a child to receive an appointment with an ophthalmologist; the average waiting time between receiving the appointment and being examined by an ophthalmologist; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42367/20]

Disability Services Funding

Pauline Tully

391. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Health the details of funding that was allocated towards screening children with Down's syndrome for Down's arthritis in each of the years 2016 to 2019 and to date in 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42368/20]

Paediatric Services

Pauline Tully

392. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Health the average waiting time for a child to receive an appointment with a paediatric rheumatologist; the average waiting time between a child receiving an appointment and being examined by an paediatric rheumatologist; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42369/20]

Healthcare Policy

Pauline Tully

412. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Health his plans to implement the recommendations of the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Health Report on Foetal Anti-Convulsant Syndrome published in May 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42611/20]

Legislative Measures

Pauline Tully

453. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Health the position regarding the Mental Health (Amendment) Bill; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42533/20]

Disability Services Provision

Pauline Tully

229. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Health if he will request the HSE to reverse its decision to discontinue full reimbursements for the cost of eye tests and glasses for children with Down's syndrome; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that over 50% of children with Down's syndrome will require glasses during their lives; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42412/20]

Ophthalmology Services

Pauline Tully

230. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Health the reason a child (details supplied) of eight years of age with Down's syndrome has been on a waiting list to see an ophthalmologist since before their first birthday; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42413/20]

Enterprise Ireland

Pauline Tully

101. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will direct Enterprise Ireland to support companies active in the area of hemp based products in view of the recent judgement by the European Court of Justice (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42017/20]

School Staff

Pauline Tully

367. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Education if she will remove the pay inequality that exists for newly and recently qualified teachers who have been as responsible for keeping schools open during the pandemic as their previously qualified colleagues; if the principle will be reintroduced of equal pay for equal work; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42031/20]

Direct Provision System

Pauline Tully

253. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will report on the inspection carried out in September 2020 of a direct provision centre (details supplied) by the International Protection Accommodation Service; the timeline for the publication of the report; the actions he will take regarding the findings of the inspection; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40796/20]

Assisted Decision-Making

Pauline Tully

254. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth his views on the adequacy of 1,250 persons taken into wardship under the Lunacy Regulation Act 1871 although the Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) Act was enacted in 2015; when the Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) Act 2015 will be fully commenced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40797/20]

Hospital Staff

Pauline Tully

355. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Health the number of paediatric rheumatologists who are currently employed here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40939/20]

Fuel Sales

Pauline Tully

41. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if it is legal to sell coal without the EPA badge on the bag; the person or body responsible for monitoring coal sellers to ensure they are compliant with legislation and taxation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40749/20]

Commencement of Legislation

Pauline Tully

32. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Education the position regarding the Education of Persons with Special Educational Needs Act 2004 which, despite being a central pillar of the national disability strategy, has never been fully commenced, meaning that children with disabilities cannot access assessments with a right of appeal or individual education plans on a statutory basis; if she is satisfied with the lack of progress in respect of the Act; the action she will take to fully commence the Act; the timeframe for this action; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40164/20]

Housing Adaptation Grant

Pauline Tully

289. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his views on whether public funding allocated through local authorities in the form of a housing adaptation grant should only be awarded once the local authority is satisfied with, and has signed off on, the standard of work carried out; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39745/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Pauline Tully

543. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if the exclusion of part-time postgraduate students from the one time student grant will be reconsidered in view of the fact that Covid-19 restrictions have prevented these students from being able to find or retain work to allow them to earn the money they need to pay for their studies, accommodation, fees and living expenses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39526/20]

Post Office Network

Pauline Tully

177. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will implement the Private Members' motion previously passed in 16 November 2016 regarding the future of the post office network as a matter of urgency to ensure the sustainability of the existing community post office network; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38729/20]

Post Office Network

Pauline Tully

200. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will implement the Private Members' motion passed in 16 November 2016 regarding the future of the post office network as a matter of urgency to ensure the sustainability of the existing community post office network; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38678/20]

Housing for People with Disabilities

Pauline Tully

358. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his plans for replacing the National Housing Strategy for People with a Disability 2011-2016 which was extended as part of the Rebuilding Ireland Action Plan for Housing and Homelessness which is due to end in 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38534/20]

Housing for People with Disabilities

Pauline Tully

359. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the reason the National Housing Strategy for People with a Disability Implementation Monitoring Group has not furnished a progress report since December 2018; the further length of time before the next progress report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38535/20]

Direct Provision System

Pauline Tully

624. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth his plans to use a building (details supplied) as a direct provision centre; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38262/20]

Nursing Home Accommodation

Pauline Tully

840. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Health his plans in relation to family visits to care homes over the Christmas period; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38261/20]

Domestic Violence Policy

Pauline Tully

288. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Justice if a national services development plan will commence in 2020 led by an organisation (details supplied) as the crucial first step in developing a comprehensive national response to domestic abuse and coercive control that will work and that will be evidence based; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37605/20]

Asylum Seekers

Pauline Tully

628. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of disabled asylum seekers in direct provision. [36923/20]

Asylum Seekers

Pauline Tully

629. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of disabled asylum seekers in emergency accommodation. [36924/20]

Asylum Seekers

Pauline Tully

632. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of disabled asylum seekers in emergency accommodation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36994/20]

Maternity Services

Pauline Tully

765. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Health the guidelines on water births; if the HSE has advised that home-birthing parents can no longer have water births; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36548/20]

Disability Services Data

Pauline Tully

829. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Health the progress of the personalised budgets demonstration projects pilot; the number of disabled persons who have signed up in phase 1 and phase 2; the projected timeline for the completion of the demonstration projects; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36922/20]

Disability Services Data

Pauline Tully

841. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Health the progress of the personalised budgets demonstration projects pilot; the number of disabled persons who have signed up in phase 1 and 2; the timeframe for the completion of the demonstrations projects; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36992/20]

Driver Test

Pauline Tully

31. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Transport his views as to whether student nurses joining the front line against Covid-19 should be exempt from the six-month rule for sitting the driver test; if so, the steps he will take to implement the necessary changes needed; the timeframe to implement these changes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35785/20]

Driver Test

Pauline Tully

39. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Transport if his attention has been drawn to the fact that some persons who had received appointment dates for their driver theory tests during the six-week level 5 restriction period had their tests cancelled and rescheduled 18 weeks after the initial date; his views on the adequacy of this; the steps he will take to rectify this; the timeframe for it to be rectified; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35786/20]

Oireachtas Joint Committee Reports

Pauline Tully

305. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Justice the work carried out by the family justice oversight group to implement the report on reform of the family law system by the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Justice and Equality with reference to parental alienation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35836/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Pauline Tully

751. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Health if persons attending groups (details supplied) or other organised weight reduction groups can do so if they can arrange weigh-ins once a week for members on an individual basis adherent to public health advice in the interests of physical and mental health and well-being of participants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35276/20]

Primary Medical Certificates

Pauline Tully

91. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Finance the timeframe for the reintroduction of primary medical certificate assessments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34198/20]

Disability Services Provision

Pauline Tully

93. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Health the position regarding commitments by successive Governments to close all institutional settings by 2018; his views on the adequacy of the measures taken by successive Governments to meet the yearly targets as set out in the report, Time to Move on from Congregated Settings; the actions he will take to accelerate the deinstitutionalisation process; the timetable for the completion of this process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29747/20]

Disability Services Provision

Pauline Tully

112. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Health if he will publish and make available the capacity review of disability services conducted by his Department; if not, the reason; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30674/20]

Community Employment Schemes

Pauline Tully

896. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Social Protection if community employment schemes are classified as an essential service and are eligible and insured to remain open; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32994/20]

Back to Work Enterprise Allowance Scheme

Pauline Tully

937. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason a person (details supplied) was refused the BTWEA after being told by a case worker that they were eligible; the reason this scheme is not open to start-up taxi and hackney drivers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33779/20]

Disability Services Funding

Pauline Tully

1118. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Health the breakdown of the €100 million allocated in budget 2021 to the disability sector; the amount allocated to new funding; the amount previously allocated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32288/20]

Health Services

Pauline Tully

199. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Health if there is a service available here that provides medical alert dogs to sufferers of epilepsy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32259/20]

Direct Provision System

Pauline Tully

72. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Children, Disability, Equality and Integration the timeframe for the publication of the White Paper on replacing the direct provision system; the details regarding funding set aside in budget 2021 to ensure implementation of the white paper; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31383/20]

State Examinations

Pauline Tully

9. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Education if the State Examinations Commission will stand over the leaving certificate results of students that sit these exams in November 2020; her views on whether the leaving certificate examination in November 2020 will be comparable to previous years considering students having been out of school for several months, many were unable to finish practical examinations and are unable to take oral examinations; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29868/20]

State Examinations

Pauline Tully

66. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Education the supports that have been put in place to assist students who have decided to sit their leaving certificate examination in November 2020; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29867/20]

Childcare Services

Pauline Tully

346. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Children, Disability, Equality and Integration the reason qualified and experienced childcare providers that run their businesses from home are prohibited from registering with Tusla preventing them from accessing the national childcare scheme; his plans to change the rule; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30164/20]

Respite Care Services

Pauline Tully

514. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Health the funding allocation for respite services in the budgets in each of the years 2015 to 2018, inclusive; the expenditure on respite services in the years 2016 to 2019, inclusive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30089/20]

Tenant Purchase Scheme

Pauline Tully

67. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if the criteria for the tenant purchase scheme will be reviewed to permit pensioners to purchase their local authority houses in cases in which they can show the means to be able to do so; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27757/20]

Insurance Coverage

Pauline Tully

89. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Finance if his attention has been drawn to the issue of the inability of small tourism companies such as a company (details supplied) to attain insurance; if the reasons for same will be investigated; the actions that will be taken with insurance companies here to rectify same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27785/20]

Local Authority Housing

Pauline Tully

159. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the estimated funding that will be needed to bring all vacant local authority housing up to a liveable standard in counties Cavan and Monaghan by local electoral area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27790/20]

Childcare Costs

Pauline Tully

232. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Children, Disability, Equality and Integration the funding available in the childminding development grant; the number of applications received to date in 2020; the amount of funding approved by county in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27786/20]

Rights of People with Disabilities

Pauline Tully

246. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Justice the timeframe for the first report to the United Nations on the implementation of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27787/20]

Rights of People with Disabilities

Pauline Tully

247. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Justice the legislative barriers that remain in place arising from the ratification of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities; the progress that has been made to bring forward the necessary legislation since June 2020; when she plans to ratify the optional protocol to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27788/20]

Disability Services Data

Pauline Tully

271. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Health the number of persons with disabilities who were entitled to day services in 2019; the number of persons who availed of day services in 2019; the number of persons with disabilities who were entitled to day services since they reopened in September 2020; the number of persons who availed of day services since they reopened in September 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27791/20]

Respite Care Services

Pauline Tully

272. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Health the number of persons who were entitled to respite services in 2019; the number of persons who availed of respite services in 2019; the number of persons who were entitled to respite services since they reopened in September 2020; the number of persons who availed of respite services since they reopened in September 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27792/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Pauline Tully

273. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Health the timeframe in which he plans to lift Covid-19 restrictions for trade fairs and exhibitors; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27793/20]

Respite Care Services

Pauline Tully

274. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Health the number of persons with a disability who have been provided with respite care by county and by month to date in 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27794/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Pauline Tully

58. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Finance if all persons that received the pandemic unemployment payment on their return to work remain on a week one basis emergency tax for the remainder of 2020 which leaves them with a much reduced wage; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19000/20]

Home Help Service

Pauline Tully

781. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Health the additional funding required to clear the home support waiting list; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26360/20]

National Broadband Plan

Pauline Tully

97. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Climate Action and Communication Networks the timetable for the roll-out of broadband in counties Cavan, Monaghan and Meath; the details of alternative provisions that have been put in place to facilitate students and persons having to work from home; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25106/20]

Hospital Services

Pauline Tully

55. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Health if the report commissioned by his predecessor into the midwifery-led unit in Cavan General Hospital has been completed; if the reason for the initial suggested amalgamation with consultancy-led maternity services at the hospital has been explained; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23648/20]

School Transport

Pauline Tully

79. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Education and Skills if the mechanism for allocating school bus places will be reviewed in order that students that live on an existing school bus route can access that bus as an eligible user rather than as a concessionary user; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19294/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Pauline Tully

109. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the number of applications received for the restart fund for micro and small businesses in each local authority in counties Cavan and Monaghan; the funding allocated to each authority in counties Cavan and Monaghan; the number of businesses that received funding under the fund in each local authority in the counties; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20191/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Pauline Tully

110. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the number of applications for supports under the various schemes for businesses impacted by Covid-19 received from businesses in counties Cavan and Monaghan; the number processed to date; the number that have been successful; the amount allocated to these businesses; the amount sought; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20193/20]

Public Transport

Pauline Tully

252. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the allocation for public transport accessibility for persons with disabilities in 2018, 2019 and to date in 2020 respectively; if additional funding will be allocated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20300/20]

Local Authority Housing

Pauline Tully

477. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the number of persons on the housing list for County Cavan approved for HAP but not in receipt of same. [20203/20]

Housing Assistance Payment

Pauline Tully

478. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to the fact that there are a large number of landlords that are refusing to accept HAP tenants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20204/20]

Homeless Persons Supports

Pauline Tully

479. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the supports his Department will provide to homeless persons that may be approved for HAP but are unable to find accommodation that will accept same. [20205/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Pauline Tully

484. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the amount of funding that has been allocated to Cavan County Council in order to deal with the impact of Covid-19; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20184/20]

Social and Affordable Housing

Pauline Tully

485. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the number of affordable homes that have been built in County Cavan in each of the past five years; the number planned for 2020; the funding allocated each year to the local authority to supply affordable housing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20185/20]

Local Authority Housing

Pauline Tully

486. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the average length of time spent on the social housing list in counties Cavan and Monaghan in tabular form; his plans to reduce these times; the number on the social housing list for each of the past 12 months and each month to date in 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20186/20]

Home Loan Scheme

Pauline Tully

487. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the number of applicants for Rebuilding Ireland home loans from counties Cavan and Monaghan; the number that have been successful; the number that have been refused; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20187/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Pauline Tully

488. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the amount of funding allocated to each local authority under the Covid-19 support scheme for local authorities; the deficit expected for each local authority in 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20188/20]

Vacant Properties

Pauline Tully

489. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if he has invited counties Cavan and Monaghan to make an application for the vacant properties voids programme; if such an application has been submitted; the amount of funding his Department plans to allocate to the authority; the expected timeframe for release of the funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20189/20]

Commercial Rates

Pauline Tully

490. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the number of businesses in counties Cavan and Monaghan have had their rates waived by county; the number that have requested a waiver; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20190/20]

Housing Adaptation Grant

Pauline Tully

498. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the allocation for local authority disability and mobility adaptation grants for council tenants and private homeowners in 2018, 2019 and to date in 2020; if additional funding will be allocated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20315/20]

National Educational Psychological Service

Pauline Tully

676. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of children in counties Cavan and Monaghan that are awaiting an appointment with a National Educational Psychological Service psychologist; the number waiting less than six months, six to 12 months and more than 12 months, respectively in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20179/20]

School Funding

Pauline Tully

677. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Education and Skills the amount of funding that will be allocated to schools in counties Cavan and Monaghan in order to provide the necessary equipment and resources to reopen in September 2020; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20180/20]

Enterprise Support Services

Pauline Tully

764. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of applications received for the enterprise support grant from businesses in counties Cavan and Monaghan; the number that have been successful; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20192/20]

Social Welfare Benefits

Pauline Tully

862. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the cost of carer’s allowance and carer’s benefit in 2018, 2019 and to date in 2020 respectively, in tabular form; the additional funding needed to increase the rate for both carer’s allowance and carer’s benefit from €219 to €255; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20316/20]

Carer's Benefit

Pauline Tully

863. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the cost to her Department of removing the means test from carer’s benefit; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20317/20]

Social Welfare Eligibility

Pauline Tully

864. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if she will remove the rule which restricts persons receiving either carer’s allowance or carers benefit from working or studying outside the home for more than fifteen hours per week; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20318/20]

Carer's Support Grant

Pauline Tully

865. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of persons that received carer’s support grant automatically in 2018, 2019 and to date in 2020 respectively; the number of persons that were refused and or withdrew their application of carer’s support grant in 2018, 2019 and to date in 2020 respectively; the additional funding that would be required to increase this grant from €1,700 to €2,000 in the next budget; if she will increase the carer’s support grant from €1,700 to €2,000 in the next budget; if not, the reason; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20319/20]

Carer's Allowance

Pauline Tully

868. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the estimated cost of removing the means test from the carer's allowance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20446/20]

National Carers' Strategy

Pauline Tully

1003. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if a new and updated national carers’ strategy will be published with a dedicated budget and time frame to ensure the implementation of all actions; the timetable for publication of this strategy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20367/20]

UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities

Pauline Tully

1063. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Health if he will ratify the Optional Protocol in the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities; the timetable for ratification; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20363/20]

Disability Services Provision

Pauline Tully

1064. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Health the number of personal assistant hours availed of by county and month in 2018, 2019 and to date in 2020 respectively, in tabular form; if he will increase the number of personal assistant hours; the timetable for this increase; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20366/20]

Disability Diagnoses

Pauline Tully

1201. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Health the number of children born with neural tube defects in each of the years 2015 to 2019; the number of live births in each of the years; the ratio of neural tube defect births in every 1,000 births in each year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20150/20]

Maternity Services

Pauline Tully

1202. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Health the person or body with responsibility for developing national clinical obstetric ultrasound guidelines as a whole entity; and the status of the progress of those guidelines [20151/20]

Maternity Services

Pauline Tully

1203. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Health the person or body with responsibility for the development of a national check list for the anomaly scan; if checking placental cord insertion will be included in the checklist for the anomaly scan; if there is 100% universal access to the scan nationally per individual unit; the breakdown to the scan by unit on access level and provision, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20152/20]