Parliamentary questions

Haulage Industry

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor

200. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Finance his plans to introduce a concession for diesel in haulage similar to the agricultural sector or support schemes for the haulage sector to offset fuel price rises to ensure the growth of the haulage sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11435/21]

Value Added Tax

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor

264. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if her Department has sought a commitment from the Department of Finance to retain the 9% tourism rate of VAT at least up until 2025 to assist recovery and provide certainty for tourism businesses shuttered under level 5 restrictions; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11431/21]

Local Authority Rates

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor

334. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his plans to extend the local authority rates waiver until the end of 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11433/21]

Education and Training Provision

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor

410. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Education her plans to give primary teaching students of a college (details supplied) access to the Gaeltacht grant similar to their colleagues in other teacher training colleges; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11159/21]

SOLAS Training and Education Programmes

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor

629. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science when provision will be made for Safepass courses which have been suspended due to the Covid-19 pandemic to be resumed; his plans to assist workers with an expired Safepass who are unable to return to work in sectors such as the construction industry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11158/21]

Vaccination Programme

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor

832. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Health his plans in conjunction with the Minister for Transport to provide free public transport services to and from the vaccination centres announced in counties Carlow and Kilkenny; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11434/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor

261. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media her plans to allocate funding supports to local print media similar to the €5 million provision which was allocated to local radio; her further plans to accelerate advertising from State and national agencies to local print media to support the industry; the position regarding the new media commission replacing the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland; if the new body will provide support for all recognised, trusted media including funding for innovation, public service content and training; the position regarding reform of the current defamation laws; her plans to review mergers legislation to improve and streamline current processes to ensure that delays do not jeopardise opportunities for journalists and newspaper titles; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9747/21]

School Transport

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor

405. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Education the details in which the current concessionary ticketing system is being examined under the current review of the school transport system; the position regarding the current concessionary ticketing system and the need for significant change within this specific area of the scheme in the context of the review; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9469/21]

JobPath Programme

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor

556. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Social Protection if the current Turas Nua contract to deliver the JobPath programme is to be renewed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9470/21]

Import Costs

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor

30. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment his plans to address the 25% tariff on steel imports into Northern Ireland ultimately destined for Ireland and the feedback from the sector that this could have a potentially detrimental effect on construction costs here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8740/21]

State Examinations

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor

405. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Education if leaving certificate 2021 students will be permitted to sit select papers on the traditional paper following the release of predicted grades; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8283/21]

State Examinations

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor

406. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Education if all aspects of the 2021 leaving certificate examination, including projects and oral examinations, are to be omitted in the event of a predicted grade choice; if not, if students can choose a combined approach; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8285/21]

State Examinations

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor

407. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Education if school profiling will be applied to the 2021 leaving certificate arrangements; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8286/21]

Third Level Admissions

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor

566. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his plans to ensure fair competition for college places due to a record number of CAO applications from the 2021 cohort, deferred students from 2020 and those students who were awarded higher points on review; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8284/21]

Third Level Admissions

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor

567. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his plans to ensure place availability for the leaving certificate class of 2021 at higher education; if his attention has been drawn to the record number of CAO applications; the engagement his Department has had with higher level institutions to ensure sufficient places for such record demand; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8287/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor

180. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Transport his plans to reinstate driver lessons under current restrictions for more than just essential workers or those with an appointment for a test; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7299/21]

Ambulance Service

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor

736. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Health the number of calls made for an ambulance in the area covered by the Carlow ambulance base in January 2021; the number of calls made to the ambulance service in Carlow from 1 January to 31 December 2020; the number of calls to the ambulance service in Carlow from 1 January to 31 December 2020 for the Carlow and south-east region that were dealt with by ambulances from outside the Carlow area; the average response time for an ambulance from when a call is placed to emergency services to when an ambulance arrives at the scene; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6468/21]

IDA Ireland

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor

33. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of IDA visits made to each county in tabular form; his plans for IDA visits given current restrictions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5838/21]

Road Projects

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor

134. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Transport if he plans to provide funding to complete the northern ring road in Athenry, County Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5839/21]

Tax Reliefs

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor

205. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Finance if the stay and spend scheme is to be extended past its current termination in April 2021 given the current restrictions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5837/21]

Heritage Sites

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor

227. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will honour commitments made by his predecessor to restore or loan artefacts originally from Athenry Castle and currently with the National Museum back to the castle; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5840/21]

Septic Tanks

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor

301. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his plans to carry out revisions to the septic tank grant scheme to enable those who did not register to do so; if access to the associated grant scheme can be applied for; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5743/21]

Local Authority Funding

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor

303. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the annual contribution to local authorities over the past five years by local authority in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5834/21]

Local Authority Staff

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor

304. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the reason there has been a chief executive in an interim position only in Galway County Council for seven years; when a chief executive will be appointed to Galway County Council; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5835/21]

Water Supply

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor

305. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when provision will be made to upgrade water pipes and ensure connectivity; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5836/21]

Childcare Services

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor

511. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the position regarding funding streams or low-interest credit streams for new crèche start-up businesses, particularly those that are being established in close proximity to new housing developments and which provide an obvious amenity and important local service to an increasing population; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5953/21]

Student Support Schemes

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor

517. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will investigate the possibility of paying the once-off €250 grant to PhD students now rather than on graduation, as is the case for SUSI recipients and final-year students who do not have any outstanding fee payments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5952/21]

Medical Cards

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor

675. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Health the number of applications for a refund of phlebotomy charges incorrectly incurred by medical card patients in counties Carlow and Kilkenny; the number that were approved and refused, respectively; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5258/21]

Dental Services

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor

851. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact that medical card patients are being refused dental treatment due to their card ownership and that some medical card patients are unable to avail of dental work given that their dental services providers have withdrawn from the scheme due to issues with HSE funding for PPE; his plans to create a central dental practice for medical card holders only; the services medical card holders can currently avail of in dental practices under level 5 restrictions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5841/21]

Enterprise Support Services

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor

523. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Social Protection her plans to reopen the enterprise support grant; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4292/21]

Medicinal Products

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor

512. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Health his plans for funding the life-changing gene therapy voretigene neparvovec, also known as Luxturna; if his attention has been drawn to studies that reveal early administration of this medicine leads to greater life-enhancing benefits; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2415/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor

724. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if her Department has investigated the possibility of amending the criteria of the Covid-19 stability fund to ensure that community and voluntary organisations that may not be in a position to open their premises due to the current level 5 restrictions can still avail of the fund; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2512/21]

Broadband Infrastructure

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor

26. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the status of the establishment of a network of broadband connection points in County Carlow; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43598/20]

Local Improvement Scheme

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor

37. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the funding that will be provided in County Carlow under the local improvement scheme in 2021; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43599/20]

Enterprise Ireland

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor

115. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the action he is taking to encourage women as entrepreneurs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43796/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor

150. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of businesses in County Carlow that have received support under the restart grant and the restart grant plus; the number that have availed of the Covid-19 credit guarantee scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43795/20]

Technological Universities

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor

105. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he has had contact with Carlow College, St. Patrick’s, Carlow with regard to bringing about the full integration of Carlow College, St. Patrick’s, into the higher education framework and system in the south-east region; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41537/20]

Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor

512. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Health the number of children on the HSE CAMHS waiting list by county in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42973/20]

Domestic Violence Services

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor

11. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Justice the actions she will take to address the rising levels of domestic violence in Carlow; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42420/20]

Legislative Process

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor

22. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Justice her plans to complete the progression of the Harassment, Harmful Communications and Related Offences Bill 2017; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42419/20]

Paediatric Services

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor

118. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Health his plans to increase the number of paediatric rheumatologists in Ireland; the number of children waiting on a paediatric rheumatologist referral and the current waiting time; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42327/20]

Research Funding

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor

123. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Health if his Department plans to provide support to the traumatic brain injury Dublin City University research project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42328/20]

Cancer Services

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor

393. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Health the status of the resumption of cancer screening services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42513/20]

Driver Licences

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor

44. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Transport if provision is being made for a resident in Ireland with a UK or Northern Ireland driver licence needing to exchange it without a public services card to do so; if provision will be made in advance of the deadline for submission of 10 December 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42293/20]

Parental Leave

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor

405. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Social Protection the date on which the new parental leave arrangements will apply; the date on which a child has to be born for a parent to be eligible for leave; the reason maternity benefit is not a qualifying payment for the Christmas bonus; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41864/20]

Mother and Baby Homes Inquiries

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor

449. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the engagements in November 2020 with survivors of mother and baby homes and their representative organisations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41347/20]

Proposed Legislation

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor

450. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth when he plans to bring forward legislation to provide for the identification of the remains buried in Tuam, County Galway and provide for their respectful reburial; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41348/20]

Mental Health Services

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor

609. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact that there is no psychiatrist in the counties Carlow and Kilkenny; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41346/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor

613. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Health if student nurses involved in the treatment of Covid-19-infected patients in hospitals are given separate guidance; if all hospital staff are regularly made aware of these procedures and regulations; if so, if training has been provided; if there is a confidential reporting procedure in place for staff including student nurses care assistants midwives and visiting medical employees to report concerns regarding the implementation of Covid-19 related procedures; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41360/20]

Primary Care Services

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor

659. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Health when primary care services and a new primary care facility will be established in Tullow, County Carlow; the timescale for this service to be established; the planned location of the facility; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41698/20]