Parliamentary questions

Social and Affordable Housing

Cian O'Callaghan

1201. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the cost guidelines issued to each local authority for the acquisition of houses and apartments for use as social housing units; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8955/20]

Social and Affordable Housing

Cian O'Callaghan

1202. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the number of social houses recorded under the heading of new build in the 2019 social housing update that are leased by local authority area; if they are included under approved housing body or local authority units; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8956/20]

Social and Affordable Housing

Cian O'Callaghan

1203. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the funding stream from which the 2019 Part V units were paid from by local authority; the spend by local authority per unit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8957/20]

Social and Affordable Housing

Cian O'Callaghan

1204. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the criteria for including a leased unit as a new build in the social housing update; the number of leased social housing units that will end up in the ownership of the State at the expiry of the lease; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8958/20]

Social and Affordable Housing

Cian O'Callaghan

1205. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the number of persons on the housing waiting list by local authority area; the number of persons in receipt of HAP in each local authority area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8959/20]

Social and Affordable Housing

Cian O'Callaghan

1206. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the number of public private partnership units included in the latest Rebuilding Ireland social housing update; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8960/20]

Traveller Accommodation

Cian O'Callaghan

1207. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the number of Traveller halting sites considered by his Department to be overcrowded; the number of Travellers living in overcrowded conditions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8961/20]

Traveller Accommodation

Cian O'Callaghan

1208. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the amount spent on Traveller accommodation in 2019; the estimated amount to be spent in 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8962/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Cian O'Callaghan

1209. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government his views on the effectiveness of communications campaign commissioned by the RTB to make landlords and tenants aware of their new obligations and responsibilities as set out in the Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (Covid-19) Act 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8963/20]

Vacant Sites

Cian O'Callaghan

1210. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the number of local authorities which have active vacant site registers; the amount collected by the vacant site levy in 2019; the estimated amount that could have been collected if all vacant sites were included; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8969/20]

Vacant Sites

Cian O'Callaghan

1211. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the way in which the compliance rate for the vacant site levy compares to the local property tax; the reason for the difference; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8970/20]

Vacant Sites

Cian O'Callaghan

1212. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the number of sites that were removed from the vacant site registers in 2019; the number of sites that were inspected to ensure compliance with the vacant site levy rules and regulations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8971/20]

Vacant Sites

Cian O'Callaghan

1213. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the criteria used to measure housing need in areas with respect to non-operation of a vacant site register by some local authorities due to lack of housing need as per PBO Publication 29 of 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8972/20]

Register of Electors

Cian O'Callaghan

1214. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the progress made on the proposals to modernise the electoral register as per his statement of 27 December 2019; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8976/20]

Social and Affordable Housing

Cian O'Callaghan

1220. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government his plans to ensure the expansion of the housing first scheme to reduce the demand for emergency accommodation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9018/20]

Credit Unions

Cian O'Callaghan

1229. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the remaining policy, legislative or regulatory obstacles that are preventing credit unions from being able to provide funding for social housing through investments in approved housing bodies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9102/20]

Mortgage Lending

Cian O'Callaghan

74. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Finance if his attention has been drawn to home buyers with mortgage approvals based on their pre-Covid-19 financial earnings that are now temporarily on pandemic payments and have lost their mortgage approval; the steps he will take to support families in such situations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7851/20]

School Staff

Cian O'Callaghan

156. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Education and Skills if his attention has been drawn to the case of a school (details supplied) that lost the placement of a mainstream teacher due to falling short in projected enrolment numbers for September 2020 by one pupil; if he will review this decision in view of the potential for further enrolment between now and September 2020, the very small margin upon which this decision was made and the denial of an appeal by the primary staffing appeals board; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7268/20]

Personal Insolvency Arrangements

Cian O'Callaghan

364. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality his plans to amend the personal insolvency legislation to ensure that persons who fall into mortgage arrears can avail of personal insolvency arrangements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7996/20]

Consumer Protection

Cian O'Callaghan

443. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation if she has taken action to seek compensation from car manufacturers over the use of cheat devices; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7848/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Cian O'Callaghan

495. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Health the stage of the Roadmap for Reopening Society and Business during which busking can reconvene in public spaces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7854/20]

Blood Donations

Cian O'Callaghan

588. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Health the policy justification for the lifetime ban on donating blood for persons that previously had a gonorrhoea infection that is now cured; the way in which this compares to other EU countries; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7844/20]

Blood Donations

Cian O'Callaghan

589. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Health if he will review the 12-month blood donation ban for gay and bisexual men in view of the recent policy changes in Northern Ireland and elsewhere in which the ban has been reduced to three months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7845/20]

Home Care Packages

Cian O'Callaghan

590. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Health the number of persons waiting for homecare packages by CHO area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7846/20]

Consumer Rights

Cian O'Callaghan

822. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the steps he will take to support full refunds to customers who have had their travel cancelled due to Covid-19 restrictions; the position regarding regulation EU261/2004 which establishes the right to refunds if flights are cancelled; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7853/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Cian O'Callaghan

934. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the steps she is taking to provide supports for those returning here from working abroad due to the Covid-19 pandemic due to the fact that they may have lost their job abroad or need to take care of sick relatives; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7269/20]

Maternity Benefit

Cian O'Callaghan

982. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if her attention has been drawn to matters in relation to new mothers (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7852/20]

Building Regulations

Cian O'Callaghan

1066. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the reason the Building Regulations Advisory Body was not consulted regarding recent changes to the building regulations technical guidance document for fire safety (details supplied); when the Building Regulations Advisory Body was last convened; when a meeting will be convened; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7847/20]

Rental Accommodation Scheme

Cian O'Callaghan

1067. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the operational guidelines that exist for local authorities in respect of their administration of the rental accommodation scheme; the specific rules that local authorities must abide by in terms of the date that the scheme is payable by them, that is, from the date of application or the date of award; if the latter, the reason for this; and the rules or guidelines in place if there is a significant processing delay by the local authority. [7849/20]

Social and Affordable Housing

Cian O'Callaghan

1068. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the percentage requirements for social and affordable homes on the Colbert Station quarter development by the Land Development Agency in Limerick city as directed by his Department; the cost of phase 2 of the quarter; the cost of the panel of eight architects; the person or body they are employed by; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7855/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Cian O'Callaghan

1102. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if supports will be put in place for buskers that suffer a loss of income until such a time as busking can recommence; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7854/20]

Departmental Contracts

Cian O'Callaghan

25. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the amount spent on external consultants by his Department in 2019; the average hourly rate; if caps or limits on such spending are in place; the way in which conflicts of interest are managed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7278/20]

Human Rights

Cian O'Callaghan

26. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the steps which have been taken to give effect to the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights; if legislation will be introduced to give effect to the principles which has been done in other EU member states; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6978/20]

EU Issues

Cian O'Callaghan

40. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the Foreign Ministers of Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden in correspondence dated 6 May 2020 have raised serious concerns regarding the rule of law and democracy in Hungary; his views on these concerns; if other EU member states will be supported in their efforts to ensure democracy and the rule of law is maintained across the European Union; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6968/20]

Middle East Issues

Cian O'Callaghan

41. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views on the proposed annexation of the West Bank by Israel; the steps he has taken to help prevent this from happening; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6973/20]

Middle East Issues

Cian O'Callaghan

42. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if the issue of an EU wide ban on the importation of goods from occupied territories has been raised with his European counterparts in view of the support for the Control of Economic Activity (Occupied Territories) Bill 2018 in Dáil Éireann; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6981/20]

International Bodies

Cian O'Callaghan

43. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if Ireland will seek observer member status of the Arctic Council; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6990/20]

Departmental Contracts

Cian O'Callaghan

44. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the amount spent on external consultants by his Department in 2019; the average hourly rate; if caps or limits on such spending are in place; the way in which conflicts of interest are managed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7282/20]

Brexit Issues

Cian O'Callaghan

124. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Finance the projected cost to the Exchequer in the event of a failure to agree a trade agreement between the European Union and the UK; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6723/20]

Insurance Coverage

Cian O'Callaghan

134. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Finance the measures taken to ensure that insurance companies will cover Covid-19 related business interruption claims; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6974/20]

Departmental Contracts

Cian O'Callaghan

136. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Finance the amount spent on external consultants by his Department in 2019; the average hourly rate; if caps or limits on such spending are in place; the way in which conflicts of interest are managed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7281/20]

Departmental Contracts

Cian O'Callaghan

148. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the amount spent on external consultants by his Department in 2019; the average hourly rate; if caps or limits on such spending are in place; the way in which conflicts of interest are managed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6977/20]

Departmental Correspondence

Cian O'Callaghan

403. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the oversight measures that will be put in place to protect against implicit bias with respect to the arrangements for predictive grades to replace the leaving certificate exams; if teachers will receive training on implicit bias; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6998/20]

State Examinations

Cian O'Callaghan

404. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the measures that will be taken to ensure that students are not unfairly awarded marked down grades due to their school expected data with respect to the arrangements for predictive grades to replace the leaving certificate exams; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6999/20]

Departmental Contracts

Cian O'Callaghan

407. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the amount spent on external consultants by his Department in 2019; the average hourly rate; if caps or limits on such spending are in place; the way in which conflicts of interest are managed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7279/20]

Direct Provision System

Cian O'Callaghan

502. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if safe alternative accommodation will be provided for persons living in direct provision centres; if urgent action will be taken to protect the health and well-being of the residents of the direct provision centre in Cahersiveen, County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6971/20]

National LGBTI+ Strategy

Cian O'Callaghan

503. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the amount of additional funding that has been made available to LGBTI+ community services for 2020 in line with action 6.2 of the National LGBTI+ Inclusion Strategy 2019–2021 (details supplied); the breakdown of the additional funding provided to each LGBTI+ community service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6975/20]

National LGBTI+ Strategy

Cian O'Callaghan

504. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if a progress report on action 21.1 of the National LGBTI+ Inclusion Strategy 2019–2021 will be provided (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6976/20]

Child Abuse

Cian O'Callaghan

505. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of child sexual abuse referrals received by An Garda Síochána from Tusla in each of the years 2016 to 2019; the number investigated; the number deemed to be unfounded and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6983/20]

Naturalisation Applications

Cian O'Callaghan

506. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of applications for naturalisation being processed; the number that are over 24 months in process since the application was first submitted; the way in which the statutory requirement that the applicant be of good character differs in substance from the vetting process carried out by An Garda Síochána here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6986/20]

Direct Provision System

Cian O'Callaghan

507. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality when State owned direct provision centres will be converted to independent living centres; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6994/20]

Departmental Contracts

Cian O'Callaghan

508. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the amount spent on external consultants by his Department in 2019; the average hourly rate; if caps or limits on such spending are in place; the way in which conflicts of interest are managed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7285/20]

Brexit Data

Cian O'Callaghan

528. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the projected cost to trade in the event of a failure to agree a trade agreement between the European Union and the UK; the projected cost by sector; if she will provide a comparison of the projected cost of no trade agreement compared to an agreement with no tariffs and quotas; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6722/20]

Departmental Contracts

Cian O'Callaghan

653. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the amount spent on external consultants by her Department in 2019; the average hourly rate; if caps or limits on such spending are in place; the way in which conflicts of interest are managed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7275/20]

Mental Health Services Data

Cian O'Callaghan

820. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Health the number of vacancies that exist in mental health services for persons that are homeless in Dublin; when he expects these posts to be filled; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7037/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Cian O'Callaghan

821. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Health if Covid-19 deaths are higher in areas of deprivation (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7038/20]

Departmental Strategies

Cian O'Callaghan

822. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Health the status of the implementation of the National Strategy and Policy for the Provision of Neuro-Rehabilitation Services in Ireland; if the targets for 2019 have been met; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7039/20]

Departmental Contracts

Cian O'Callaghan

830. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Health the amount spent on external consultants by his Department in 2019; the average hourly rate; if caps or limits on such spending are in place; the way in which conflicts of interest are managed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7283/20]

Departmental Contracts

Cian O'Callaghan

915. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the amount spent on external consultants by his Department in 2019; the average hourly rate; if caps or limits on such spending are in place; the way in which conflicts of interest are managed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7274/20]

Energy Efficiency

Cian O'Callaghan

950. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the action he is taking to ensure better home energy savings from investment in home energy efficiency schemes; the measures being implemented on foot of the report from the European Court of Auditors on the use of EU finance for energy efficiency programmes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7000/20]

Departmental Contracts

Cian O'Callaghan

951. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the amount spent on external consultants by his Department in 2019; the average hourly rate; if caps or limits on such spending are in place; the way in which conflicts of interest are managed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7276/20]

Motor Tax

Cian O'Callaghan

979. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if motor tax will be temporarily suspended or reduced for persons aged 70 years of age and over (details supplied). [5779/20]

Electric Vehicles

Cian O'Callaghan

1090. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when the consultation on powered personal transporters will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6987/20]

Electric Vehicles

Cian O'Callaghan

1091. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if the regulation of personal powered transports will be expedited in view of the Covid-19 pandemic; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6988/20]

Road Network

Cian O'Callaghan

1092. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if additional funding will be provided to facilitate measures to support additional space and social distancing for cycling and walking; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6997/20]

Departmental Contracts

Cian O'Callaghan

1098. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the amount spent on external consultants by his Department in 2019; the average hourly rate; if caps or limits on such spending are in place; the way in which conflicts of interest are managed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7288/20]

Child and Family Agency

Cian O'Callaghan

1164. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the reason Tusla does not have a record of the number of child sex abuse cases that were referred to An Garda Síochána for 2016 to 2019; the reason Tusla does not have a record of the outcome of the cases; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6984/20]

Departmental Contracts

Cian O'Callaghan

1175. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the amount spent on external consultants by his Department in 2019; the average hourly rate; if caps or limits on such spending are in place; the way in which conflicts of interest are managed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7287/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment

Cian O'Callaghan

1211. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if the cut-off age of 66 for Covid-19 pandemic payments will be reconsidered (details supplied). [5778/20]

Domiciliary Care Allowance Data

Cian O'Callaghan

1298. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the average percentage of applications for domiciliary care allowance which are refused; the percentage of refusals appealed; the percentage subsequently granted based on the appeal; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6979/20]

Pension Provisions

Cian O'Callaghan

1299. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if the home carer's scheme will be extended to those born before 1 September 1946; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6982/20]

Student Support Schemes

Cian O'Callaghan

1300. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if her attention has been drawn to the number of Irish students completing masters and other post-third level education abroad who have returned home due to Covid-19 and find themselves without access to Covid-19 pandemic payments due to having been abroad prior to the 13 March cut-off or access to unemployment benefit due to their student status; if her attention has been further drawn to the financial duress they are experiencing as a result; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6985/20]

Departmental Contracts

Cian O'Callaghan

1302. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the amount spent on external consultants by her Department in 2019; the average hourly rate; if caps or limits on such spending are in place; the way in which conflicts of interest are managed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7280/20]

Private Rented Accommodation

Cian O'Callaghan

1374. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if he will introduce tougher sanctions for landlords who breach the legislation governing the private rented residential sector on multiple occasions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6721/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Cian O'Callaghan

1388. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if the co-living policy has been reviewed in view of the new Covid-19 public health guidelines on social distancing and self-isolation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6969/20]

Rental Sector

Cian O'Callaghan

1389. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government when he plans to regulate online platforms that provide short-term lets; the goal of the proposed regulations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6970/20]

Defective Building Materials

Cian O'Callaghan

1390. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if he has considered the proposals from organisations (details supplied) regarding the way in which to deal with the serious structural defects of many Celtic Tiger era apartments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6972/20]

Local Authority Funding

Cian O'Callaghan

1391. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the measures being taken to provide funding for local authorities for lost income from commercial rates, parking charges and other sources of income due to the current Covid-19 crisis; the length of time the measures will be in place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6991/20]

Approved Housing Bodies

Cian O'Callaghan

1392. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the action he is taking to assist the reclassification of approved housing bodies as off-balance sheet; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6992/20]

Rental Sector

Cian O'Callaghan

1393. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government his plans to introduce a national affordable rental scheme to facilitate the roll-out of cost rental housing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6993/20]

Land Development Agency

Cian O'Callaghan

1394. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the measures in place to ensure transparency in the actions of the Land Development Agency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6995/20]

House Prices

Cian O'Callaghan

1395. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if an analysis of the differences in housing construction costs between homes delivered under a fixed price development agreement and homes delivered under public works contracts is being undertaken; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6996/20]

House Prices

Cian O'Callaghan

1396. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the constraints to fixed price development agreements being used for the construction of homes on publicly owned land; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6989/20]

Departmental Contracts

Cian O'Callaghan

1398. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the amount spent on external consultants by his Department in 2019; the average hourly rate; if caps or limits on such spending are in place; the way in which conflicts of interest are managed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7284/20]

Departmental Contracts

Cian O'Callaghan

1436. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the amount spent on external consultants by her Department in 2019; the average hourly rate; if caps or limits on such spending are in place; the way in which conflicts of interest are managed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7277/20]

Pension Levy

Cian O'Callaghan

95. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Finance the position regarding levies on ESB pensions; if his attention has been drawn to the duration that this levy is applied to recipients and a surviving spouse; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5212/20]

Pension Levy

Cian O'Callaghan

96. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Finance his plans to review the pension levy introduced in 2008; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5216/20]

Gender Balance

Cian O'Callaghan

149. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if his attention has been drawn to the impact longer working hours and the restricting of flexible working patterns under the Haddington Road agreement is having on childcare costs and the promotion of women in the public service in view of persisting gender imbalance in the public service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5223/20]

School Funding

Cian O'Callaghan

291. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Education and Skills his plans for additional classrooms, staffing and funding for a school (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5185/20]

School Admissions

Cian O'Callaghan

292. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of notices served under section 37A of the Education (Admission to Schools) Act 2018 since it was commenced; the number of classrooms and school places created as a result of such notices; the areas in which places been created; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5187/20]

School Admissions

Cian O'Callaghan

293. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Education and Skills if the National Council for Special Education has provided notice of its view that there is insufficient capacity in areas for the 2020-21 academic year; if so, the areas; if he will exercise his power under section 37A of the Education (Admission to Schools) Act in advance of the academic year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5188/20]

School Accommodation Provision

Cian O'Callaghan

294. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding the allocation of funding to a school (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5193/20]

School Patronage

Cian O'Callaghan

295. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of non-denominational schools in Dublin 5; the number of students applying and accepted to non-denominational schools in Dublin 5; his plans to increase the provision of non-denominational schools in Dublin 5; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5196/20]

Gaelscoil Issues

Cian O'Callaghan

296. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to provide additional Gaelscoileanna in the bay area of north County Dublin; if his attention has been drawn to the demand for a Gaelscoil in Clontarf, Dublin 3; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5200/20]

Schools Building Projects Status

Cian O'Callaghan

297. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to fund permanent school buildings for a school (details supplied); if his attention has been drawn to its 19 years in temporary accommodation without a physical education hall, sports facilities or assembly area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5206/20]

Special Educational Needs

Cian O'Callaghan

298. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Education and Skills if the July provision programme will be extended to include children with Down's syndrome even if they do not meet the full general learning disability criteria; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5207/20]

Schools Building Projects Status

Cian O'Callaghan

299. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Education and Skills if funding will be provided to a school (details supplied) to create additional classes to meet the needs of the 150 applications that have applied for the 48 available places for the upcoming school year; if his attention has been drawn to the number of families living very close by including in Balgriffin, Dublin 13 that are considered outside the catchment area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5210/20]

Schools Building Projects Status

Cian O'Callaghan

300. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to fund a permanent building for a school (details supplied); if his attention has been drawn to student distress over a lack of toilet facilities in the prefabricated buildings and disruptions to studies arising from continued prefabrication constructions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5211/20]

State Examinations

Cian O'Callaghan

301. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Education and Skills if his attention has been drawn to students in need of extra time accommodations during exams that do not have a reader or scribe assigned to them; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5218/20]

School Staff

Cian O'Callaghan

302. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Education and Skills if his attention has been drawn to the absence of substitute cover for teachers availing of the provisions for breastfeeding breaks as outlined in paragraph 13, chapter 4 of the maternity protection entitlements terms and conditions of employment for regular teachers in recognised primary and post-primary schools, edition 2; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5221/20]