Parliamentary questions

Greyhound Industry

Joe O'Brien

1518. Deputy Joe O'Brien asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if greyhound racing will be permitted to continue to take place at level 5 of the national framework for living with Covid-19; the rationale for this decision; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32779/20]

Pigmeat Sector

Joe O'Brien

1540. Deputy Joe O'Brien asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason a record of premature deaths in the pig industry is not kept by his Department; the number of inspections that are typically made to each pig farm per annum; if these are unannounced visits; and the reason there are no figures available for the age of pigs which are exported live. [33681/20]

Pigmeat Sector

Joe O'Brien

1541. Deputy Joe O'Brien asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the cost of a typical course of antibiotics on a typical pig farm; the illnesses that these medications are designed to either treat or prevent; the comparative figure in percentage terms of antibiotic use within a free range or organic pig farm as opposed to a factory farm; the specific animal welfare interventions that are in place to improve overall animal health and thereby reduce the need to use antibiotics; the reason antibiotic use data has been received from only 121 herds of interest out of approximately 350 that are required to submit data; and the penalties that exist for producers that fail to submit this data. [33682/20]

Agriculture Industry

Joe O'Brien

1542. Deputy Joe O'Brien asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the plans he will put in place to support the development of a high-welfare, outdoor-reared pig and poultry sector as set out in the programme for Government; the timeline on such developments; the expected outcomes in terms of animal welfare; the amount in percentage terms that the pig industry contributes to greenhouse emissions; and if the measurement takes into account imported feed. [33683/20]

Animal Feedstuffs

Joe O'Brien

1543. Deputy Joe O'Brien asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if plastic fragments are permitted in animal feed; the percentage of plastic that is in animal feed; his plans to introduce regulations to ensure all plastic is removed from animal feed; and his views on the health implications of ingesting plastic for both animals and humans that consume the meat from these animals. [33684/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Joe O'Brien

60. Deputy Joe O'Brien asked the Minister for Finance if travel agents will be eligible to apply to the recently announced CRSS scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32182/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Joe O'Brien

61. Deputy Joe O'Brien asked the Minister for Finance if businesses in the events, exhibition and conference industries will be eligible to apply for the recently announced CRSS scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32183/20]

Irish Aid

Joe O'Brien

86. Deputy Joe O'Brien asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if his attention has been drawn to the unfolding humanitarian crisis in northern Sudan which is a consequence of recent flooding; if the State has plans to render humanitarian relief via Irish Aid to the effected flood victims; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32181/20]

Schools Site Acquisitions

Joe O'Brien

107. Deputy Joe O'Brien asked the Minister for Education the status of efforts to secure a permanent site for a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32241/20]

Pigmeat Sector

Joe O'Brien

781. Deputy Joe O'Brien asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the percentage of sows in the intensive pig sector here that die prematurely or have to be put down prematurely due to sickness or other causes. [31032/20]

Pigmeat Sector

Joe O'Brien

782. Deputy Joe O'Brien asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason sows are prematurely euthanised; and the percentage for each reason stated. [31033/20]

Pigmeat Sector

Joe O'Brien

783. Deputy Joe O'Brien asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason sows die prematurely; if statistical data is recorded and kept by his Department on these premature deaths; and the measures being put in place to prevent premature death in sows in the intensive system. [31034/20]

Pigmeat Sector

Joe O'Brien

784. Deputy Joe O'Brien asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the measures his Department plans to take during the lifetime of this Government to reduce the emissions from the intensive pig industry; and if he will provide financial and other supports to assist and enable existing piggeries to convert to an extensive system of pig production in view of the overall policy to reduce CO2 emissions. [31035/20]

Trade Missions

Joe O'Brien

75. Deputy Joe O'Brien asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of trade or related missions to Saudi Arabia and Bahrain since 2016 in cases in which at least one official or Minister from his Department attended. [30717/20]

Human Rights

Joe O'Brien

155. Deputy Joe O'Brien asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs his views on the human rights situation in Saudi Arabia and Bahrain; his plans to raise these issues as part of membership of the UN Security Council; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30718/20]

School Enrolments

Joe O'Brien

173. Deputy Joe O'Brien asked the Minister for Education the number of pupils in primary schools in the Malahide, Portmarnock and Kinsealy areas; the number of pupils in post-primary schools in the same areas; her plans to expand the number of primary and post-primary places; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30651/20]

Pupil-Teacher Ratio

Joe O'Brien

195. Deputy Joe O'Brien asked the Minister for Education her plans to reduce class sizes as outlined in the programme for Government; and if there are additional allocations in budget 2021 to progress the reduction of class sizes. [30809/20]

Special Educational Needs Staff

Joe O'Brien

196. Deputy Joe O'Brien asked the Minister for Education her plans to invest in special needs assistants as committed to in the programme for Government; and if there have been allocations in budget 2021 to progress this aim. [30810/20]

National Educational Psychological Service

Joe O'Brien

197. Deputy Joe O'Brien asked the Minister for Education her plans to increase the capacity of the NEPS; and if there were additional allocations in budget 2021 to progress same. [30812/20]

National Broadband Plan

Joe O'Brien

198. Deputy Joe O'Brien asked the Minister for Education her plans to ensure that all primary school children have adequate IT access in order that they can avail of home-based or blended learning should the Covid-19 pandemic require a further closure of schools. [30813/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Joe O'Brien

272. Deputy Joe O'Brien asked the Minister for Health his plans to carry out research as to the reason Covid-19 infection rates are higher in poorer areas of the greater Dublin area. [30765/20]

Citizens' Assembly

Joe O'Brien

7. Deputy Joe O'Brien asked the Taoiseach when the citizens' assembly on drug use will be convened; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29282/20]

Special Educational Needs

Joe O'Brien

190. Deputy Joe O'Brien asked the Minister for Education if data exists or an assessment has been conducted on the need for an ASD unit in a school (details supplied). [29313/20]

EU Directives

Joe O'Brien

327. Deputy Joe O'Brien asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the details of fines issued to the State under Annex V of the European Habitats Directive regarding the conservation of the Irish hare, lepus timidus hibernicus; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28130/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Joe O'Brien

99. Deputy Joe O'Brien asked the Minister for Finance if the Revenue Commissioners will be instructed to conduct an audit and review of the operation of the temporary wage subsidy and employment wage subsidy schemes in a company (details supplied) in view of reports from employees that they have been in receipt of pay below the minimum mandated by the schemes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27979/20]

Mortgage Lending

Joe O'Brien

64. Deputy Joe O'Brien asked the Minister for Finance if discussions have been undertaken with a group (details supplied) on an extension of the mortgage moratorium on behalf of mortgage holders in Dublin in view of the increased public health restrictions in the county and associated reduction in economic activity; if so, the status of the talks; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27415/20]

Schools Building Projects

Joe O'Brien

148. Deputy Joe O'Brien asked the Minister for Education if the proposed extension project for a school (details supplied) will include provision for an ASD unit; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27670/20]

Pigmeat Sector

Joe O'Brien

263. Deputy Joe O'Brien asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of piglets that had their teeth clipped or grinded in each of the years 2017 to 2019; the percentage of the overall piglet numbers these represent; and the reason given by producers for carrying out the procedure. [27410/20]

Pigmeat Sector

Joe O'Brien

264. Deputy Joe O'Brien asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of pigs that had their tail docked in each of the years 2017 to 2019; the percentage of the overall piglet numbers these represent; and the reason given by producers for carrying out the procedure. [27411/20]

Pigmeat Sector

Joe O'Brien

265. Deputy Joe O'Brien asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the breakdown of the different antibiotics administered to pigs in the pig industry in each of the years 2017 to 2019; the level of antibiotic used in the pig industry; the measures being put in place by his Department to reduce the use of antibiotics in the industry; and the research carried out by his Department on the long-term effects on the human population of antibiotic use in pigs. [27412/20]

Pigmeat Sector

Joe O'Brien

266. Deputy Joe O'Brien asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of pigs that have been exported live to date in 2020; the age of the majority of pigs, that is, over 75%, that were exported live; the countries to which they were exported; the number by each country; and the reason pigs are being exported live. [27413/20]

Mental Health Services

Joe O'Brien

235. Deputy Joe O'Brien asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the inequalities that exist between professional psychology doctoral training courses; and if there are plans to address this by funding both the educational and counselling psychology doctoral courses in line with clinical psychology doctorates. [26040/20]

Mental Health Services

Joe O'Brien

236. Deputy Joe O'Brien asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the inequalities that exist between professional psychology doctoral training courses regarding mental health and older persons; and if there are plans to address this by funding both the educational and counselling psychology doctoral courses in line with clinical psychology doctorates. [26041/20]

Mental Health Services

Joe O'Brien

237. Deputy Joe O'Brien asked the Minister for Health the status of the establishment of a national psychology placement office; when this is likely to be completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26042/20]

Coastal Protection

Joe O'Brien

306. Deputy Joe O'Brien asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform further to Parliamentary Question No. 115 of 9 September 2020, the membership of the interdepartmental group on managing coastal change; when it met first; the regularity with which it proposes to meet; when it expects to have a strategy published; and if the group will consider the way in which to offer families alternative homes or compensatory measures if their homes become uninhabitable in the near future. [24056/20]

European Council Meetings

Joe O'Brien

374. Deputy Joe O'Brien asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs his plans to assist refugees affected by the fire in the Moria refugee camp on Lesbos, Greece; and if he will raise the issue at the EU Foreign Affairs Council meeting on 21 September 2020. [23991/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Joe O'Brien

461. Deputy Joe O'Brien asked the Minister for Education the instructions provided by her Department to schools in respect of outdoor breaks for students under the Covid-19 response plan for safe reopening of primary and special schools particularly in the event of inclement weather; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24057/20]

Disease Management

Joe O'Brien

672. Deputy Joe O'Brien asked the Minister for Health if all new diagnoses of hepatitis C here are immediately being referred to the highly successful treatment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23402/20]

Disease Management

Joe O'Brien

673. Deputy Joe O'Brien asked the Minister for Health his views on whether Ireland is on track to eliminate hepatitis C by 2030 as per the WHO commitment given by Ireland. [23403/20]

Medicinal Products

Joe O'Brien

766. Deputy Joe O'Brien asked the Minister for Health the status of the establishment of an independent inquiry to investigate the historical licensing and use of sodium valproate here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23872/20]

Hospital Data

Joe O'Brien

767. Deputy Joe O'Brien asked the Minister for Health the number of families that have received consultations with the genetics service in Our Lady’s Hospital, Crumlin, to establish if their child or children have been affected by exposure to sodium valproate in utero; the number of diagnoses of foetal anticonvulsant syndrome, foetal valproate spectrum disorder and foetal valproate syndrome that have been recorded as a result of these consultations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23873/20]

Health Services Provision

Joe O'Brien

768. Deputy Joe O'Brien asked the Minister for Health the arrangements in place for families with a positive diagnosis of foetal anticonvulsant syndrome to access care pathways and community supports that were developed by the valproate response project team by the HSE in 2018 and 2019; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23874/20]

Flood Relief Schemes

Joe O'Brien

115. Deputy Joe O'Brien asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if the OPW has a policy and strategy for dealing with family homes that become permanently uninhabitable due to flooding or coastal erosion. [22756/20]

Middle East

Joe O'Brien

143. Deputy Joe O'Brien asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs his plans to ensure that Ireland uses its international influence, especially among the EU Foreign Affairs Council, to end a blockade of necessary medical supplies from reaching Gaza in view of the news that there are over 400 confirmed cases of Covid-19 in Gaza; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22803/20]

Special Educational Needs

Joe O'Brien

617. Deputy Joe O'Brien asked the Minister for Education the status of plans for an extension to a school (details supplied) which will provide for an ASD unit. [22396/20]

School Costs

Joe O'Brien

840. Deputy Joe O'Brien asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his views on the campaign of an organisation (details supplied) for a reduction in school fees; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22100/20]

Citizenship Ceremonies

Joe O'Brien

910. Deputy Joe O'Brien asked the Minister for Justice further to Parliamentary Question No. 640 of 7 July 2020, the timeline for the commencement of virtual citizenship ceremonies in view of the recent completion of a successful trial of same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21558/20]

Health Services Staff

Joe O'Brien

992. Deputy Joe O'Brien asked the Minister for Health if consideration has been given to providing a monetary bonus to healthcare workers (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21108/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Joe O'Brien

1344. Deputy Joe O'Brien asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the report by HIQA on the impact of wearing face masks and the recommended need to complete more quality research on their impact; and if he will consider discussing this issue at the Special Committee on Covid-19 Response with the acting Chief Medical Officer and the NPHET. [22263/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Joe O'Brien

1345. Deputy Joe O'Brien asked the Minister for Health when the expert report on the impact of Covid-19 and the responses by health officials on nursing homes will be released to the public and debated by the Special Committee on Covid-19 Response; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22264/20]

General Practitioner Services

Joe O'Brien

1351. Deputy Joe O'Brien asked the Minister for Health when section 4 of the Health (General Practitioner Service and Alteration of Criteria for Eligibility) Act 2020 is to be commenced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22288/20]

Statutory Instruments

Joe O'Brien

1397. Deputy Joe O'Brien asked the Minister for Health when a statutory instrument will be issued under the Health Services (Drug Payment Scheme) Regulations 2017 to give effect to the planned reduction of the drugs payment scheme threshold to €114; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22566/20]

Commencement of Legislation

Joe O'Brien

1398. Deputy Joe O'Brien asked the Minister for Health when section 2 of the Health (General Practitioner Service and Alteration of Criteria for Eligibility) Act 2020 is to be commenced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22567/20]

Health Services Staff

Joe O'Brien

1123. Deputy Joe O'Brien asked the Minister for Health if consideration has been given to providing a monetary bonus to healthcare workers in view of their extraordinary and heroic efforts, often at great personal risk to themselves, to fight Covid-19 in hospitals and other care settings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19850/20]

Refugee Status

Joe O'Brien

266. Deputy Joe O'Brien asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the breakdown of the cost and number of refugees who have arrived here to date through the community sponsorship initiative. [19383/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Joe O'Brien

278. Deputy Joe O'Brien asked the Minister for Health if consideration has been given to allowing partners to attend scans in maternity hospitals, particularly the first scan at 12 weeks and anomaly scans when they take place; and, if not, if maternity hospitals are being requested to make decisions on a case-by-case basis to allow partners to attend if the mother has had previously upsetting experience, such as a scan ultimately disclosing the loss of a pregnancy. [19246/20]

Hospital Staff

Joe O'Brien

279. Deputy Joe O'Brien asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to a shortage of diabetic nurse specialists in Connolly Hospital Blanchardstown; his plans to address the issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19248/20]

Human Rights

Joe O'Brien

372. Deputy Joe O'Brien asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if his attention has been drawn to the use of the death penalty in Bahrain, in particular in cases (details supplied); if he will intervene in same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18103/20]

School Accommodation

Joe O'Brien

439. Deputy Joe O'Brien asked the Minister for Education and Skills if the appropriate budget lines are being prepared for the necessary and planned works to a school (details supplied); the status of works planned for 2020; and if they will be completed for September 2020; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18149/20]

Covid-19 Tests

Joe O'Brien

933. Deputy Joe O'Brien asked the Minister for Health the turnaround time for Covid-19 tests relative to the recommended 48 hours for proper test and trace. [18155/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Joe O'Brien

934. Deputy Joe O'Brien asked the Minister for Health if a series of matters raised in correspondence by a person (details supplied) will be examined. [18156/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Joe O'Brien

935. Deputy Joe O'Brien asked the Minister for Health if verbal or written direction has been provided by the Director General of the HSE via the HSE to general practitioners relating to requests for letters to confirm the inability of a person to wear a mask on the basis of legitimate health grounds; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18157/20]

Extradition Arrangements

Joe O'Brien

199. Deputy Joe O'Brien asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if she will consider reviewing the extradition agreement with Hong Kong in view of the control that Chinese authorities are now exerting on the territory and in the context of increasing human rights abuses by Chinese authorities. [17805/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Joe O'Brien

233. Deputy Joe O'Brien asked the Minister for Health the percentage of devices which have been used to download the Covid-19 tracker application that are able to use the contact tracing functionality of the application by device type in tabular form [17801/20]

Insurance Costs

Joe O'Brien

196. Deputy Joe O'Brien asked the Minister for Finance his plans to address the issue of rising insurance premiums, especially in the context of the risk they pose to the viability of many SMEs. [16761/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Joe O'Brien

435. Deputy Joe O'Brien asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if consideration has been given to the creation of a simple back-to-work Covid-19 scheme (details supplied). [16716/20]

Naturalisation Applications

Joe O'Brien

158. Deputy Joe O'Brien asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the status of an application for naturalisation by a person (details supplied). [16417/20]

Personal Injury Claims

Joe O'Brien

311. Deputy Joe O'Brien asked the Minister for Finance if his attention has been drawn to personal injuries claims being taken on the basis of persons claiming to have contracted Covid-19 in specific premises; if there is a clear plan to ensure business are not unfairly held liable in these circumstances; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15699/20]

Pension Provisions

Joe O'Brien

320. Deputy Joe O'Brien asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the position of retired members of An Garda Síochána in respect of pension entitlements following the FEMPI cuts from 1 March 2012; his plans to restore parity in pension entitlement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15172/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Joe O'Brien

692. Deputy Joe O'Brien asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if the Covid-19 rent supplement scheme will be extended beyond August 2020; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15493/20]

Driver Test

Joe O'Brien

100. Deputy Joe O'Brien asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the advice his Department is giving to driver schools in order to facilitate them reopening in a safe manner as part of the easing of lockdown restrictions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14020/20]

Roadworthiness Testing

Joe O'Brien

125. Deputy Joe O'Brien asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the process for getting a self-made mechanically propelled vehicle verified for roadworthiness. [14313/20]

Insurance Coverage

Joe O'Brien

159. Deputy Joe O'Brien asked the Minister for Finance if his attention has been drawn to the practice that is carried out by insurance companies to impose a limit on the number of years a person cannot have insurance before they lose access to a no claims bonus (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13901/20]

Wildlife Control

Joe O'Brien

245. Deputy Joe O'Brien asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if the impact of urban seagull colonies on communities will be reviewed; if so, if recommendations will be made; if the details including notes of the briefing to her predecessor in respect of reports (details supplied) by community representatives will be provided with regard to the consultative committee established. [14316/20]

Foreign Conflicts

Joe O'Brien

344. Deputy Joe O'Brien asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views on the humanitarian and political situation in Yemen; if Ireland will donate humanitarian aid; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14309/20]

School Transport

Joe O'Brien

374. Deputy Joe O'Brien asked the Minister for Education and Skills the steps that have been taken to ensure the school transport scheme will be able to operate at capacity when schools reopen in view of concerns raised by school bus operators and individual schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13810/20]

School Transport

Joe O'Brien

413. Deputy Joe O'Brien asked the Minister for Education and Skills if her attention has been drawn to the fact that her Department has indicated that it is unable to provide school transport for the July provision of a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14021/20]

Citizenship Ceremonies

Joe O'Brien

640. Deputy Joe O'Brien asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of approved applications for naturalisation that are awaiting a citizenship ceremony; if there are plans in place to clear the backlog in a safe way in the context of the Covid-19 pandemic; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14359/20]

Medical Cards

Joe O'Brien

763. Deputy Joe O'Brien asked the Minister for Health when the national medical card unit is to be advised that the new thresholds for medical card eligibility as announced in budget 2020 are to come into effect; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14171/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Joe O'Brien

765. Deputy Joe O'Brien asked the Minister for Health his plans to conduct an inquiry into the rate of Covid-19 cases seen in nursing homes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14176/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Joe O'Brien

767. Deputy Joe O'Brien asked the Minister for Health his plans to conduct an inquiry into the rate of Covid-19 cases seen in nursing homes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14187/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Joe O'Brien

810. Deputy Joe O'Brien asked the Minister for Health the reason the national emergency co-ordination group was not used during Covid-19; the reason for the preference for the NPHET in view of the fact that when the National Emergency Coordination Group was formed pandemics were included in its terms of reference; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14279/20]

Heritage Sites

Joe O'Brien

84. Deputy Joe O'Brien asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will facilitate the longer opening of heritage sites outside of the traditional season in order to benefit from a potential increase in staycations and domestic holidays and in order to accommodate visitors and to avoid overcrowding sites during seasonal weeks; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13091/20]

Student Visas

Joe O'Brien

304. Deputy Joe O'Brien asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if consideration has been given to further visa extensions for students that are here to study English that have had classes cancelled as a result of the ongoing pandemic; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13155/20]

Student Visas

Joe O'Brien

305. Deputy Joe O'Brien asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if consideration has been given to reviewing the requirement for English language students to enrol in an online course in order to gain an extension to their student visa, in view of the fact contact learning in an English speaking environment is usually the express reason these students have chosen to travel here. [13156/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Joe O'Brien

342. Deputy Joe O'Brien asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation if exceptions are being made to businesses applying for the restart grant that are not tax compliant due to difficult financial circumstances; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13086/20]

Agriculture Schemes

Joe O'Brien

592. Deputy Joe O'Brien asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if consideration has been given to providing grants for farmers and growers that adopt hydroponic or vertical farming; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13153/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Joe O'Brien

704. Deputy Joe O'Brien asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if consideration has been given to extending the time period for taxi drivers to renew their licences in view of Covid-19 causing delays in NCT and suitability tests which in the contention of many taxi drivers, is forcing them off the road; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13152/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Joe O'Brien

705. Deputy Joe O'Brien asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to ensure greater passenger capacity on rail lines nationally in order to facilitate social distancing of passengers as phase 3 of the easing of lockdown restrictions approaches; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13157/20]

Mother and Baby Homes Inquiries

Joe O'Brien

776. Deputy Joe O'Brien asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs when the report of the Commission of Investigation into Mother and Baby Homes will be published. [13430/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Joe O'Brien

837. Deputy Joe O'Brien asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if consideration has been given to providing income supports for taxi drivers that are returning to work as the lockdown comes to an end in the context of diminished demand for their services in the next few months; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13154/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Joe O'Brien

883. Deputy Joe O'Brien asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if an extension to the three-month moratorium on evictions due to expire on 30 June 2020 has been considered particularly for persons with an underlying health condition; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13075/20]

Neuro-Rehabilitation Services

Joe O'Brien

422. Deputy Joe O'Brien asked the Minister for Health the staffing levels nationally in terms of health specialists focused on the treatment of Parkinson’s disease; and his plans to expand access to neurologists, more nurse specialists and referrals of all patients to services such as physiotherapy, speech therapy, occupational therapy and dietetics. [11862/20]

Memoranda of Understanding

Joe O'Brien

684. Deputy Joe O'Brien asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if the Port of Cork plans to renew the memorandum of understanding with a company (details supplied) when it expires at the end of 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12162/20]

Taxi Licences

Joe O'Brien

720. Deputy Joe O'Brien asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if provision will be made to provide an extension for cars due a taxi suitable test and NCT from June 12 2020 due to the backlog in NCT appointments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12440/20]

Aer Lingus

Joe O'Brien

721. Deputy Joe O'Brien asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his attention has been drawn to the fact that a union (details supplied) representing employees of a company was instructed by persons not to put the changed the terms and conditions of some of its members' contracts to a ballot; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12441/20]

Special Educational Needs

Joe O'Brien

225. Deputy Joe O'Brien asked the Minister for Education and Skills the extent of the summer programme; if it will cover facilities that cater for the needs of children with intellectual disabilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10920/20]

Health Screening Programmes

Joe O'Brien

553. Deputy Joe O'Brien asked the Minister for Health when BreastCheck and Cervical Check screenings will be returning; the steps that can be taken to expedite the safe return of the services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10890/20]

Aviation Industry

Joe O'Brien

820. Deputy Joe O'Brien asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will ascertain the airlines that enter and leave Irish airports that use HEPA filters as standard in their aircraft and which do not (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10610/20]

Ports Development

Joe O'Brien

824. Deputy Joe O'Brien asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the status of the memorandum of understanding with companies (details supplied) as joint shareholders of the Port of Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10643/20]