Parliamentary questions

Driver Licences

John Brady

341. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Transport the measures his Department will take to assist Irish citizens who were living abroad and returned to Ireland in the past year that currently hold a foreign driver licence which is due to expire; if he will consider extending these licences in the interim while driver lessons and testing are paused under level 5 restrictions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15378/21]

Insurance Coverage

John Brady

425. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Finance his plans to ensure that households living in flood risk areas can obtain household insurance for flood cover; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14036/21]

Local Authority Housing

John Brady

619. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the work carried out by his Department regarding the implementation of a national differential rent scheme for local authorities; when the scheme is likely to be rolled out; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14171/21]

Local Authority Housing

John Brady

620. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if departmental guidelines permit Wicklow local authorities to operate two separate differential rent schemes in one local authority area; if other local authorities are operating similar schemes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14172/21]

Defence Forces Reserve

John Brady

790. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Defence the optimum strength level of the Reserve Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14751/21]

Defence Forces Reserve

John Brady

791. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Defence the current strength level of the Reserve Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14752/21]

Defence Forces Personnel

John Brady

793. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Defence the number of women currently serving in the Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14859/21]

Defence Forces Strength

John Brady

794. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Defence the number of women in the Defence Forces according to rank; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14948/21]

Defence Forces Medical Services

John Brady

795. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Defence the measures in place to provide for the healthcare and welfare of members of the Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14949/21]

Military Honours

John Brady

796. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Defence the status of the review process which he informed Dáil Éireann in November 2020 was in progress to examine the awarding of military honours to those members of the Defence Forces who were recommended for medals following their acts of gallantry during the siege at Jadotville; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14950/21]

Defence Forces Personnel

John Brady

797. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Defence the number of current members of the Defence Forces who are parents broken down by gender; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14953/21]

Defence Forces Personnel

John Brady

798. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Defence the number of women members of the Defence Forces who have served overseas in each of the past five years in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14954/21]

Defence Forces Personnel

John Brady

799. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Defence the number of women recruited to the Defence Forces in each of the past five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14955/21]

Defence Forces Personnel

John Brady

800. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Defence the number of women who have left the Defence Forces in each of past five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14956/21]

Defence Forces Personnel

John Brady

801. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Defence if the Defence Forces has undertaken recruitment drives or campaigns specifically targeted at women; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14957/21]

Defence Forces Personnel

John Brady

802. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Defence if the Defence Forces has undertaken recruitment drives or campaigns specifically targeted at citizens from an ethnic background; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14958/21]

Defence Forces Remuneration

John Brady

803. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Defence the pay and renumeration structure for all ranks in the Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15004/21]

Special Educational Needs Staff

John Brady

912. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Education the stage of the recruitment process for a special educational needs organiser for an area (details supplied) following the retirement of the previous organiser; the process and timeframe for filling the vacancy; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15288/21]

Education and Training Provision

John Brady

1150. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if the annual training and innovation fund designed to encourage training and education relevant to future skills and issued through his Department is only available to educational institutions and or educational training boards; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15284/21]

Education and Training Provision

John Brady

1151. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if the annual training and innovation fund designed to encourage training and education relevant to future skills and issued through his Department is available to all businesses and organisations involved in the provision of training and education in this area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15285/21]

Covid-19 Tests

John Brady

1743. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Health the reason the Covid-19 testing centre in Newtownmountkennedy, County Wicklow was closed for Covid-19 testing on 13 and 14 March 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15286/21]

Dental Services

John Brady

1891. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Health the number of independent dental practices that signed up to the dental treatment services scheme in each of the past five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15823/21]

Dental Services

John Brady

1892. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Health if discussions are ongoing with stakeholders from the independent dental sector to address concerns regarding accepting medical card patients for dental treatment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15824/21]

Legislative Measures

John Brady

300. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Finance if his attention has been drawn to the fact that banks (details supplied) have given notice that negative interest rates charges are to apply to moneys held in the solicitors' client accounts; the measures he plans to take regarding same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13333/21]

Fire Service

John Brady

418. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if his attention has been drawn to plans to carry out an independent report or analysis of the fire service in Bray, County Wicklow; if so, the details of this proposed analysis; the terms of reference of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13471/21]

Fire Service

John Brady

419. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the status of the follow-up process that was due to be carried out by the external validation group commissioned by the management board of the National Directorate for Fire and Emergency Management; the scope of the follow-up process; the terms of reference; if the Directorate engaged with Wicklow Fire Service; when a report from the external validation group will be ready; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13472/21]

Shannon Airport Facilities

John Brady

439. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the times that US military aircraft landed at Shannon airport on 11 January 2021 and 23 January 2021; the times that the aircraft departed; the identity of the aircraft, including the registration number; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13058/21]

Passport Applications

John Brady

105. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs his plans to facilitate the processing of passports for Irish citizens living abroad in cases in which a valid passport of at least six months issue is required for visa and identification purposes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12390/21]

Passport Applications

John Brady

365. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs his plans to resume the processing of standard passport applications taking into consideration that the level 5 restrictions have been further extended; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11683/21]

Passport Applications

John Brady

366. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the number of standard passport applications on hold awaiting processing at present; the average wait time by county in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11684/21]

School Catchment Areas

John Brady

500. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Education the most up-to-date demographic information used including figures for projection, population growth of second-level school-age children to analyse the projected need for future secondary schools in the Greystones, Kilcoole and Newtownmountkennedy areas of County Wicklow; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11994/21]

Vaccination Programme

John Brady

756. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Health if consideration has been given to establishing a Covid-19 vaccination centre in Bray, County Wicklow; if he has taken into consideration the population of the town; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11129/21]

Vaccination Programme

John Brady

757. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Health if consideration has been given to establishing a Covid-19 vaccination centre in west County Wicklow taking into consideration that there is a complete lack of public transport in this part of the county; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11130/21]

Coastal Erosion

John Brady

81. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if his attention has been drawn to the serious coastal erosion at North Beach, Arklow, County Wicklow; the studies or reports that have been carried out by the Office of Public Works on the issue; and if funding will be made available to address same. [10626/21]

Housing Assistance Payment

John Brady

331. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if his attention has been drawn to the difficulties that persons have trying to secure rental properties in County Wicklow through the HAP scheme; if he plans to review the existing HAP thresholds for County Wicklow; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10231/21]

Military Aircraft

John Brady

362. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the mechanisms that will be put in place to ensure that United States military personnel who may be passing through Shannon Airport will be briefed on the Government health guidelines in relation to overseas travel; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10200/21]

Military Aircraft

John Brady

363. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the number and manner of recent breaches of the guidelines and regulations on Covid-19 and overseas travel that have been committed by US military personnel visiting Shannon Airport in recent months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10201/21]

Military Aircraft

John Brady

364. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the assurances that were received by the authorities here from the US military that there would be no recurrence of the breaches of Covid-19 overseas travel regulations committed by US military personnel at Shannon Airport; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10202/21]

Military Aircraft

John Brady

365. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the actions he plans to take in the event of a repeat of the breaches of Covid-19 overseas travel regulations by US military personnel at Shannon Airport; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10203/21]

Military Aircraft

John Brady

366. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if checks will be put in place to ensure that US military personnel using Shannon Airport will present PRC checks; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10204/21]

School Enrolments

John Brady

498. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Education the contingency plans that will be made for the 170 to 190 students who are currently without a secondary school place in the Greystones and Kilcoole areas in County Wicklow; when it is anticipated that these students will be offered a secondary school place; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10359/21]

Schools Building Projects

John Brady

499. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Education the process and average timeframe from the appointment of a design team to the completion once a project has been referred to the National Development Finance Agency; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10360/21]

Driver Licences

John Brady

68. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Transport the number of driver licence applications and renewals that are currently awaiting processing; the average wait time by county in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9146/21]

Water and Sewerage Schemes

John Brady

128. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the status of the application for consent for the Arklow Wastewater Treatment Plant which was lodged with his Department by Irish Water; his plans on signing same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9201/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic

John Brady

143. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if Ireland will take on the issue of global access to Covid-19 vaccines and treatments given that the United Nations Security Council will soon debate it; if Ireland is actively supporting the tabling of such a motion; if Ireland will support the implementation of the WHO global technology access pool as part of its contribution to that debate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9268/21]

Vaccination Programme

John Brady

275. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Health if the HSE plans to establish a vaccination centre in Bray, County Wicklow; if so, the stage plans are currently at; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9156/21]

Famine Artefacts

John Brady

277. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if his attention has been drawn to a possible famine site (details supplied); if he will authorise a site investigation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8258/21]

Social Welfare Payments Administration

John Brady

495. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of persons who have been affected by the technical issue within the IT system of her Department which has resulted in significant delays in the payment of arrears owed following a pandemic unemployment payment re-rate review; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8521/21]

Vaccination Programme

John Brady

743. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the concerns of parents as a result of the cancellation of the 4:1 booster and MMR as part of the primary school immunisation programme 2020-2021; when it is likely that the vaccination programme will recommence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8259/21]

Tenant Purchase Scheme

John Brady

303. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if a person who is on the local authority social housing list and in private rented accommodation through the RAS or HAP scheme is eligible to apply for the incremental tenant purchase scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6534/21]

Direct Provision System

John Brady

557. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of adults and children remaining in direct provision centres by centre in County Wicklow after their leave to remain has been granted for the most recent date available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6963/21]

Autism Support Services

John Brady

390. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Education if provision will be made for an ASD unit in the new school building for a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5939/21]

Medical Cards

John Brady

672. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact that some general practitioners are charging medical card holders a fee for blood tests; the steps the HSE is taking to address the matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5250/21]

Human Rights

John Brady

120. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the action Ireland has taken to express its objections to the ongoing isolation torture and the periodic denial of access to legal representation in the case of a person (details supplied); the action Ireland plans to take in the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4620/21]

Garda Recruitment

John Brady

209. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Justice if applicant members of An Garda Síochána are required to have full Irish citizenship. [4788/21]

Court Accommodation

John Brady

210. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Justice the engagement that has taken place between the local authority and her Department in relation to transferring the old Bray Courthouse, Boghall Road, Bray, County Wicklow to Wicklow County Council for public and community use; the estimated timeframe for this transfer of ownership to be completed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4793/21]

Passport Services

John Brady

381. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will consider acting to remove the punitive measure of charging married women the full cost of attaining a new passport, which they are forced to incur if they have taken their husband's surname; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4100/21]

Passport Data

John Brady

413. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the number of standard passport applications on hold awaiting processing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4390/21]

Passport Services

John Brady

414. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the reason standard passport applications cannot be processed during the level 5 restrictions; the way in which he plans to deal with the backlog of passport applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4391/21]

Defence Forces Recruitment

John Brady

425. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Defence if applicants to the Defence Forces are required to have full Irish citizenship. [4283/21]

Passport Applications

John Brady

157. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if consideration will be given to removing the measure of charging married women the full cost of attaining a new passport that they incur if they have taken their husband's surname; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3025/21]

Special Educational Needs

John Brady

194. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Education when a person (details supplied) will receive payment under the transport grant and July provision scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3170/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic

John Brady

479. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if all areas of horticulture can operate under level 5 public health restrictions; if not, if work is limited to certain types of horticulture; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3345/21]

Covid-19 Tests

John Brady

514. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to reports that a number of private companies under HSE contracts are administering the home testing kits SARS-CoV-2 rapid antigen test in order to circumvent self-isolation periods for staff; if guidelines have been issued for such testing; if the efficacy of this testing process been established; the criteria and-or training for the administration of the tests; if it is deemed acceptable to use the testing kits in places of employment to eliminate isolation periods in which persons have been identified as close contacts or are showing symptoms of Covid-19; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2423/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic

John Brady

255. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Finance his plans to either suspend or provide some form of relief on benefit-in-kind taxation on company cars given that a person with a company vehicle is liable to pay a considerable amount of tax due to not meeting business mileage quotas due to the impact of Covid-19; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1751/21]

School Transport

John Brady

446. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Education when a person (details supplied) will receive payment under the July provision scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44906/20]

Social Insurance

John Brady

572. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Social Protection if class S PRSI is considered to be compulsory insurance under Articles 8 and 12 of the Convention on Social Security between the Government of Ireland and the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland signed on 1 February 2019; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1027/21]

Fire Service

John Brady

113. Deputy John Brady asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if the Working Time Directive applies to the retained fire service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38396/20]

Consular Services

John Brady

136. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the steps he is taking to secure the release of a person (details supplied) currently being prevented from leaving China by the authorities there; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44346/20]

Human Rights

John Brady

291. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the efforts he can undertake to raise awareness through the EU of the plight of a journalist (details supplied) who has been tortured and is being detained illegally in Belarus; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43054/20]

School Transport

John Brady

340. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Education when a person (details supplied) will receive their payment under the school transport grant; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43366/20]

Respite Care Services

John Brady

591. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Health the status of plans to use the old Wicklow district hospital building for respite and long-term care support in the form of a day care centre for the elderly of County Wicklow. [43413/20]

Hospital Facilities

John Brady

592. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Health the status of plans to reopen 20 beds in the former Wicklow district hospital in Wicklow town; and his plans for same. [43414/20]

Courts Service

John Brady

30. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Justice the plans in place for the old disused Bray Courthouse on the Boghall Road, Bray, County Wicklow; and if she will engage with Wicklow County Council with a view to handing it over for community use. [39662/20]

Citizenship Applications

John Brady

301. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Justice if it would be possible to waiver or reduce the fee applicable for those seeking to achieve Irish citizenship if applicants, specifically from the UK met certain requirements, such as length of residence or marriage to an Irish citizen. [41034/20]

Homeless Accommodation

John Brady

282. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will provide a regional breakdown of the inspections carried out to date under the national quality standards framework on homeless services in private and voluntary emergency accommodation in tabular form; and his plans for local authorities to publish these reports detailing compliance levels within the framework. [39617/20]

Homeless Accommodation

John Brady

283. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the details on the level of training given to persons conducting inspections in private and voluntary emergency accommodation under the national quality standards framework on homeless services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39618/20]

Brexit Issues

John Brady

326. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if his attention has been drawn to the concerns expressed by human rights and civil society groups throughout the island of Ireland that the UK Internal Market Bill will threaten the ability of the Northern Ireland Assembly to implement the obligation in Article 2 of the Ireland-Northern Ireland Protocol that Northern Ireland continue to align with all new EU equality directives after the transition period; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40321/20]

Brexit Issues

John Brady

327. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he has expressed his unease to the UK Government concerning the effect of Part 1 of the UK Internal Market Bill on the ability of the Northern Ireland Assembly to implement the obligation in Article 2 of the Ireland-Northern Ireland Protocol that Northern Ireland continue to align with all new EU equality directives after the transition period; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40322/20]

Brexit Issues

John Brady

328. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he has sought to have the effect of part 1 of the UK Internal Market Bill on the ability of the Northern Ireland Assembly to implement the obligation in Article 2 of the Ireland-Northern Ireland Protocol that Northern Ireland continue to align with all new EU equality directives after the transition period discussed in the context of the Joint Committee’s assessment of the implementation of the Protocol by the United Kingdom; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40323/20]

United Nations

John Brady

330. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the steps that will be taken to ensure that the EU develops a legal analysis of the UN treaty and acquires a negotiation mandate given that the EU attended the sixth annual session to negotiate a UN treaty to regulate transnational corporations and other business enterprises without a negotiation mandate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40378/20]

United Nations

John Brady

331. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if a national consultation on the UN treaty as recommended by the chair of the UN intergovernmental working group in the draft report of the sixth session will be held; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40379/20]

Proposed Legislation

John Brady

332. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the plans Ireland has put in place to input and shape the proposed legislative initiative, given the commitment to a legislative initiative on human rights due diligence throughout the supply chain by the European Commission; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40380/20]

Proposed Legislation

John Brady

333. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he is supportive of the legislative initiative in view of the commitment to a legislative initiative on human rights due diligence throughout the supply chain by the European Commission; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40381/20]

Proposed Legislation

John Brady

334. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the responsible Minister for the EU legislative initiative, given the commitment to a legislative initiative on human rights due diligence throughout the supply chain by the European Commission; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40382/20]

Proposed Legislation

John Brady

335. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the way in which he will ensure that the action plan is developed with regard to mandatory due diligence as per the Programme for Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40384/20]

Court Accommodation

John Brady

610. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Justice the process of transferring the old Bray Courthouse, Boghall Road, Bray to Wicklow County Council; the expected time-frame; and the engagement that has taken place with the local authority on the issue. [40326/20]

Human Rights

John Brady

1. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs his plans to review the existing human rights and business plan 2017-2020. [38304/20]

Middle East

John Brady

3. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if the Government will be seeking compensation from the state of Israel for the destruction of infrastructure paid for by the Irish taxpayer by Israeli forces. [38305/20]

Undocumented Irish in the USA

John Brady

14. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if the Government will use the opportunity of the election of President-elect Joe Biden to make representations to the incoming Administration there around the plight of the undocumented Irish immigrants in the United States. [38301/20]

Human Rights

John Brady

27. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the status of progress his Department has made towards the release of the women's human rights defender (details supplied) currently on hunger strike in Saudi Arabia. [38299/20]

Diplomatic Representation

John Brady

32. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs his plans to reopen an Irish Embassy in Iran. [38303/20]

Human Rights

John Brady

52. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the position towards plans by the Hungarian Government to introduce a series of constitutional amendments that include the outlawing of same-sex marriages. [38300/20]

Foreign Conflicts

John Brady

57. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs his response to Turkish interference in the affairs of the island of Cyprus, and the calls by the Turkish President Erdogan for a two-state solution on the island. [38302/20]

Tax Collection

John Brady

210. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Finance if special provisions will be made by the Office of Revenue Commissioners for self-employed or sole traders who are not currently in a position to pay their full 2019 tax returns due to the impact of Covid-19 on their business; if a facility such as paying in instalments can be accommodated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39362/20]

Artists' Remuneration

John Brady

237. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she will provide further information on the recent proposal for the universal basic income for the arts and live performance and events sector; when it is likely that this income support will be made available; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39352/20]

Proposed Legislation

John Brady

252. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the timeframe for the publication of the heads of the emergency management and fire and public safety Bill 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39519/20]

Proposed Legislation

John Brady

253. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the stakeholder engagement planned for the drafting of the emergency management and fire and public safety Bill; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39521/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

John Brady

24. Deputy John Brady asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will provide clarification for Christmas tree growers on whether they can proceed with the sale of Christmas trees from various outlets such as DIY stores, supermarkets, farms and garden centres under the current level 5 restrictions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38924/20]

Fire Service

John Brady

98. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the establishment numbers for the retained fire service; and the number of existing number across all fire authorities in the State. [38395/20]