Parliamentary questions

Special Educational Needs

John Brady

600. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Education and Skills if there is provision for an autism spectrum disorder, ASD, unit in a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15283/20]

Special Educational Needs

John Brady

634. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Education and Skills if a taxi service will be made available for children availing of the July provision in 2020; if so, the application process; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15476/20]

Third Level Admissions

John Brady

679. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of students that progressed onto third level education in 2019, by county in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15957/20]

School Meals Programme

John Brady

758. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the reason the delivery of the school meals programme for a school (details supplied) cannot be delivered during the summer months; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15434/20]

Direct Provision System

John Brady

939. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of persons in direct provision centres both permanent and temporary in County Wicklow; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15418/20]

Direct Provision System

John Brady

940. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of phone calls received by a freephone helpline (details supplied) from residents in direct provision centres in County Wicklow; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15419/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

John Brady

989. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Health when adult day care services will resume; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15773/20]

Nursing Home Inspections

John Brady

1010. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Health the number of nursing homes closed from January 2020 to date pursuant to section 64 of the Heath Act 2007, by county; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14706/20]

Primary Care Centres

John Brady

1298. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Health the status of the development of a new primary healthcare centre in Arklow, County Wicklow; the expected timeframe for the construction to completion of the project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15955/20]

Trading Online Voucher Scheme

John Brady

54. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the number of applications for the online trading voucher received and processed from January 2020 to date by the LEO Wicklow; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13957/20]

Trading Online Voucher Scheme

John Brady

55. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the number of applications received and processed for the online trading voucher from January to December 2019 by the LEO Wicklow; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13958/20]

Trading Online Voucher Scheme

John Brady

56. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if attendance at a seminar is a mandatory requirement as part of the criteria for businesses applying for the online trading voucher; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13959/20]

Trading Online Voucher Scheme

John Brady

57. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment when funding will be made available to the LEO Wicklow to allow it to process the high volume of applications received recently from businesses for the online trading voucher; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13960/20]

Schools Building Projects

John Brady

393. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Education and Skills the stage her plans are at to provide a secondary school in Newtownmountkennedy, County Wicklow; the proposed location; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13904/20]

Court Accommodation

John Brady

614. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the status of the reopening of Wicklow courthouse; the stage the refurbishment works are at; when it is anticipated that these works will be complete; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13897/20]

Court Accommodation

John Brady

615. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Justice and Equality her plans to develop the old courthouse on the Boghall Road, Bray, County Wicklow; the stage they are at; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13900/20]

Health Services Funding

John Brady

695. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Health the timeframe for a review to be completed for funding for a care centre (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13902/20]

HSE Properties

John Brady

696. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Health his plans for an old HSE building (details supplied) now that the new primary care centre in Bray, County Wicklow, is fully constructed and occupied; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13903/20]

Direct Provision System

John Brady

307. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of inspection visits to permanent and temporary direct provision centres in County Wicklow since March 2020; the way in which it has been ensured adequate Covid-19 restriction measures have been adhered to in direct provision centres in the county; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13239/20]

Beef Industry

John Brady

577. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of the 78,000 of beef farmers that are finishers. [12720/20]

Beef Industry

John Brady

578. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the way in which small beef farmers will benefit from the recent announcement that €50 million will be allocated to support beef finishing farms in view of the fact many small beef farmers are not finishers. [12721/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

John Brady

21. Deputy John Brady asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if the advice regarding foreign airline travel will be extended beyond 20 July 2020. [11913/20]

Schools Building Projects

John Brady

229. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Education and Skills if the budget for the extension at a school (details supplied) under the national development plan is protected; and if the project will be at risk resulting from the impact of Covid-19 and the deficit that the country is facing at present. [10987/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

John Brady

466. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Health if exemptions will be given from the new requirement to self-isolate for a 14-day period to parents who travel by plane frequently from the UK to Ireland to visit their children. [10522/20]

Nursing Home Accommodation

John Brady

639. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Health if the HSE has immediate plans to purchase and take over the day-to-day running of a nursing home (details supplied). [11187/20]

Trading Online Voucher Scheme

John Brady

773. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment when he plans to reinstate the small business website design grant of €2,500 in view of the fact the local enterprise offices stopped accepting applications on 15 May 2020. [10792/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

John Brady

841. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when gyms and fitness centres can reopen to the public. [10916/20]

Driver Test

John Brady

845. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when approved driving instructors can resume driving lessons. [10968/20]

Hospital Services

John Brady

357. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Health when adult day services will resume. [9930/20]

Special Educational Needs

John Brady

148. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Education and Skills if the July provision will be provided in 2020. [8306/20]

Special Educational Needs

John Brady

149. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will consider extending July provision from four weeks to six weeks to assist families of children with autism over the summer. [8307/20]

Schools Building Projects

John Brady

160. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Education and Skills the impact the Covid-19 pandemic has had or is likely to have on the funding and timescale for completing the extension to a school (details supplied). [8384/20]

School Funding

John Brady

161. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Education and Skills if additional funding will be provided to allow for further temporary prefab accommodation for a school (details supplied) to be implemented in advance of the new school term in September 2020 to accommodate students in the local area that were unsuccessful in getting a secondary school place. [8385/20]

Driver Test

John Brady

917. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when persons with learner permits will be permitted to sit their driver tests. [8824/20]

Driver Test

John Brady

918. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will consider lifting restrictions to allow persons with learner permits drive unaccompanied, many of whom rely on their car to travel to work, in view of the fact that it is not possible for a learner driver to sit their driver test at present. [8825/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

John Brady

20. Deputy John Brady asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade when a further announcement will be made regarding extending and lifting the travel restrictions that are in place until 29 May 2020. [7289/20]

SOLAS Training and Education Programmes

John Brady

105. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Education and Skills when SOLAS will resume Safe Pass training courses. [7499/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

John Brady

158. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Education and Skills the provisions that will be made for students in the third year of college studying social care and who have been unable to complete their 400 hours, ten-week work placements due to Covid-19 in view of the fact there is a requirement that they need to complete their placements to allow them to progress to the fourth year of college to obtain a degree. [7318/20]

State Examinations

John Brady

159. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Education and Skills the way in which it is planned to use predicted grades for leaving certificate students that only moved to a new school in December 2019 and have never met their Irish and history teacher in view of the fact they were on maternity leave when they started in their new school; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7319/20]

State Examinations

John Brady

209. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Education and Skills the reason an advisory group was not set up to consult with the stakeholders and develop a plan for all contingencies in relation to the leaving certificate 2020 before making the announcement that the exams would proceed. [7733/20]

State Examinations

John Brady

210. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Education and Skills if his officials were instructed to develop contingency plans in the event of the leaving certificate exams not proceeding; and if so, the reason the contingency plan was not shared with the stakeholders until 6 May 2020 and only discussed in detail on 7 May 2020. [7734/20]

State Examinations

John Brady

211. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Education and Skills if CPD for teachers was formed as part of contingency planning for the State examinations; and if so, when it will be available. [7735/20]

State Examinations

John Brady

212. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Education and Skills the reason he and his officials did not engage with the stakeholders earlier in planning for the document A Guide to Calculated Grades for Leaving Certificate students 2020 in view of the current date and the fact that schools are still awaiting advice, clarifications, CPD and a detailed document from his Department. [7736/20]

State Examinations

John Brady

213. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Education and Skills the person or body that designed the system outlined in the document A Guide to Calculated Grades for Leaving Certificate students 2020; and if alternatives were considered. [7737/20]

State Examinations

John Brady

214. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Education and Skills the reason for selecting the calculated grades system. [7738/20]

State Examinations

John Brady

215. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Education and Skills the reason the stakeholders, parents, students, management bodies and teacher unions were not consulted on the design of the calculated grades system and on possible alternatives. [7739/20]

National Educational Psychological Service

John Brady

216. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Education and Skills his views on the performance of his Department in supporting the well-being of students in relation to the announcements regarding the leaving certificate 2020. [7740/20]

State Examinations

John Brady

217. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Education and Skills his views on whether the process his Department has followed in arriving at the announcement of the calculated grades model on 8 May 2020 was adequate in view of the fact that schools, principals and teachers are still awaiting clarification and a detailed guidance document. [7741/20]

State Examinations

John Brady

218. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Education and Skills the reason for the function of ranking students in the calculated grades system; the reason this is necessary; and if alternatives were or still can be considered. [7742/20]

Schools Building Projects

John Brady

230. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Education and Skills the status of the construction of a new school building for a school (details supplied); the stage the plans are at; when it is anticipated that construction will commence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7768/20]

Hospital Facilities

John Brady

528. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Health the purpose of the refurbishment works that are taking place in the Wicklow Municipal District Hospital, Wicklow Town, County Wicklow. [7264/20]

Hospital Facilities

John Brady

529. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Health the immediate and future plans for the Wicklow Municipal District Hospital, Wicklow Town, County Wicklow. [7265/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

John Brady

816. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when coaches can recommence soccer training for under-16s while adhering to social distancing measures. [7767/20]

Housing Assistance Payment

John Brady

1035. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if he will consider increasing the homeless HAP rate payable for County Wicklow to bring it in line with the Dublin homeless HAP rate. [7261/20]

Schools Building Projects Status

John Brady

206. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Education and Skills the status of the provision of an extension for a school (details supplied); the timeframe for same; the site on which the extension will be located; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4410/20]

Schools Site Acquisitions

John Brady

207. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Education and Skills if the undeveloped site beside a school (details supplied) is in the ownership of his Department; and if not, the person or body that owns the site. [4411/20]

School Accommodation Provision

John Brady

208. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Education and Skills if funding will be ensured for the provision of temporary prefab accommodation for a school (details supplied) for September 2020; if so, the steps required by the school or the KWETB in order to release such funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4412/20]

Schools Building Projects Status

John Brady

216. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Education and Skills the status of replacing the existing prefabs in a school (details supplied) with a permanent two-storey building; the stage the plans are at; when the works will commence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4519/20]

Public Services Card

John Brady

688. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the actions she plans to take having received the enforcement notice from the Office of the Data Protection Commissioner in respect of the public services card; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52891/19]

Home Loan Scheme

John Brady

305. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if the second income of a person arising from a retained firefighter role can be taken into consideration as guaranteed income as part of a Rebuilding Ireland home loan application process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51924/19]

Schools Building Projects Status

John Brady

212. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Education and Skills the timeframe for the construction of a new campus for a school (details supplied) on lands; the status of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51671/19]

School Accommodation Provision

John Brady

213. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Education and Skills the temporary accommodation arrangements which will be made for a school (details supplied) in view of the fact the lease is due to expire on its premises in May 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51672/19]

School Patronage

John Brady

223. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Education and Skills if a decision has been made regarding the patronage of the new secondary school in Greystones, County Wicklow which is scheduled to open in 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51776/19]

Pensions Data

John Brady

624. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection further to Parliamentary Question No. 484 of 26 November 2019, the reason for the difference between gross and net cost estimated; and the breakdown of same. [51472/19]

Community Employment Schemes Supervisors

John Brady

631. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection her plans to honour the Labour Court ruling of 2008, which recommended pension payments for community employment supervisors and assistant supervisors. [51587/19]

Jobseeker's Payments

John Brady

645. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the date she received a copy of the report into the impact of reduced rates of jobseeker's payments on the young unemployed aged under 26 years of age as committed to in Pathways to Work 2016-2020. [51806/19]

Jobseeker's Payments

John Brady

646. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if she received a draft copy of the report into the impact of reduced rates of jobseeker's payments on the young unemployed under 26 years of age as committed to in Pathways to Work 2016-2020. [51807/19]

Jobseeker's Payments

John Brady

647. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if she had correspondence with her Department regarding the report into the impact of reduced rates of jobseeker's payments on the young unemployed under 26 years of age as committed to in Pathways to Work 2016-2020; and if she sought a copy of the report from her Department. [51808/19]

Jobseeker's Payments

John Brady

648. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if she contacted her Department to query the delay to the report into the impact of reduced rates of jobseeker's payments on the young unemployed under 26 years of age as committed to in Pathways to Work 2016-2020. [51809/19]

Jobseeker's Payments

John Brady

649. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the date she plans to publish the report into the impact of reduced rates of jobseeker's payments on the young unemployed under 26 years of age as committed to in Pathways to Work 2016-2020. [51810/19]

Nursing Homes Support Scheme Review

John Brady

679. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government his plans in place for reforms to the fair deal scheme and vacant homes as outlined in a statement (details supplied). [51812/19]

Early Years Sector

John Brady

352. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the position in relation to the processing of the approximately 2,500 applications already received for the re-registration of early years services; when service providers will receive feedback on their application in view of the fact they have been unable to get in contact with her Department to obtain feedback; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50941/19]

Departmental Reports

John Brady

36. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the reason a report into the impact of reduced rates of jobseekers' payments for the young unemployed between 18 and 25 years of age, as committed to in Pathways to Work 2016-2020, has not been published; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50256/19]

Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme

John Brady

47. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the date for the publication of the new social inclusion strategy; if she has received the document; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50252/19]

Child Maintenance Payments

John Brady

48. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the action she plans to take following the passing of the motion on child maintenance by Dáil Éireann in October 2019; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50253/19]

JobPath Programme

John Brady

56. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection her plans for JobPath in 2020; if the plans will change in the case of a Brexit deal being agreed and passed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50249/19]

Community Employment Schemes Supervisors

John Brady

71. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection to outline the status of talks between her Department and representatives of community employment supervisors on their pension entitlements; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50250/19]

Widow's Pension Eligibility

John Brady

77. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if she will consider allowing an entitlement to a widow’s pension in certain circumstances and not solely dependent on marital status; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50251/19]

Tax Credits

John Brady

153. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Finance the rationale for the abolition of the one parent family tax credit announced in budget 2014. [49001/19]

Tax Credits

John Brady

154. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Finance if there is an alternative in place for separated parents who contribute to their children and share custody in view of the fact that they can no longer access the one parent family tax credit. [49002/19]

Tax Credits

John Brady

155. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Finance the amount saved from the one parent family tax credit being abolished. [49003/19]

JobPath Data

John Brady

469. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of persons referred to JobPath; the number of persons referred twice, three and four times, respectively, having already spent at least one year on the scheme previously, in tabular form. [48686/19]

JobPath Data

John Brady

470. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of registration fees paid in respect of JobPath referrals since 2015; the number of registration fees paid in respect of the same person twice, three and four times, respectively, in circumstances in which the person had spent at least one year on the scheme previously, in tabular form. [48687/19]

JobPath Data

John Brady

471. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of persons referred to JobPath in the first year; and the number of those referred in the first year who sourced employment that was sustained for 52 weeks, in tabular form. [48688/19]

JobPath Data

John Brady

472. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of persons referred to JobPath in the second year; and the number of those referred in the second year who sourced employment that was sustained for 52 weeks, in tabular form. [48689/19]

JobPath Data

John Brady

473. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of persons referred to JobPath in the third year; and the number of those referred in the third year who sourced employment that was sustained for 52 weeks, in tabular form. [48690/19]

Pensions Data

John Brady

483. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the estimated cost of reinstating the transition State pension in each of the years 2020 to 2026. [48850/19]

Pensions Data

John Brady

484. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the estimated cost of not implementing the pension age increase to 67 years of age in each of the years 2020 to 2026. [48851/19]

Special Educational Needs Data

John Brady

188. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of primary school children in ASD units in County Wicklow by area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47401/19]

Special Educational Needs Data

John Brady

189. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of primary school children on the waiting list in County Wicklow that require access to an ASD units in primary school; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47402/19]

Special Educational Needs Data

John Brady

212. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of post-primary school children in ASD units in County Wicklow by area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47726/19]

Special Educational Needs Data

John Brady

213. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of post-primary school children on the waiting list in County Wicklow that require access to an ASD unit in post-primary school; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47727/19]

Employment Support Services

John Brady

214. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the status of the review into all contracted public employment services; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46730/19]

Community Employment Schemes Supervisors

John Brady

215. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the status of her engagement with representatives of community employment supervisors to discuss their entitlement to an occupational pension as per a 2008 Labour Court recommendation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46733/19]

JobPath Data

John Brady

218. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of persons referred to JobPath; the number of those referred that were on the live register for 12 months or more; and the number that were in part-time employment since its introduction, in tabular form. [46772/19]

JobPath Data

John Brady

219. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of referral fees made once, twice, three and four times to JobPath providers in respect of the same persons. [46773/19]

Electoral Register

John Brady

40. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the status of review of the electoral registration process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44792/19]

Planning Investigations

John Brady

52. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government his plans for an investigation into alleged planning irregularities at Wicklow County Council; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44791/19]

Health and Social Care Professionals Regulation

John Brady

533. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Health if the risk assessment by CORU regarding the regulation of play therapists has been completed; the stage the regulation of play therapists is at; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44604/19]

Landfill Sites

John Brady

849. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the person or body that will cover the costs associated with the remediation works at Whitestown landfill, County Wicklow, including legal costs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44522/19]