Parliamentary questions

School Transport

Seán Sherlock

509. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Education if the need for a school bus route from Cobh to Carrigtowhill, County Cork will be examined in view of the fact parents are forced to rely on a private company. [36633/20]

Living Alone Allowance

Seán Sherlock

571. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Social Protection the date the increase from Budget 2021 for the living alone allowance will take effect. [36308/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment

Seán Sherlock

586. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Social Protection if she has amended the regulations for the pandemic unemployment payment in order that those in receipt of the payment cannot take part in Springboard conversion courses while remaining on the payment; if so, the reason for this; the reason workers seeking to study during the lockdown must come off the payment; the details of the regulations covering this; when they came into effect; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36825/20]

Parental Leave

Seán Sherlock

630. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth when legislation will be published to extend parental leave from two to five weeks for parents of all children adopted or born on or after 1 November 2019. [36968/20]

Asylum Seekers

Seán Sherlock

631. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if his Department is on track to commence a formal vulnerability assessment system for asylum seekers in December 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36969/20]

International Protection

Seán Sherlock

649. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Justice if her Department is on track to build staffing and ICT capacity to clear the existing backlog of international protection applications in order to commence the transition to the new planned asylum system here; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36970/20]

Speech and Language Therapy

Seán Sherlock

747. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Health if the HSE is hiring speech and language therapists. [36454/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Seán Sherlock

751. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Health the basis on which consultants (details supplied) have been employed by the HSE for the purposes of providing consultancy services in response to Covid-19; and the cost of same. [36464/20]

Hospital Data

Seán Sherlock

752. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Health the number of virtual otolaryngology appointments that have been made; and the number that have not been completed since the start of public health restrictions by hospital area. [36468/20]

Abortion Services Provision

Seán Sherlock

836. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to a situation which has arisen in which doctors are not being reimbursed by the HSE for providing abortion services to migrants, international students and others resident here but who do not possess a PPSN; his plans to address the issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36971/20]

Abortion Services Provision

Seán Sherlock

837. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Health if his Department has a referral policy for cases in which a doctor refuses to provide reproductive health services to patients due to conscientious objection; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36972/20]

Fur Farming

Seán Sherlock

898. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of the commitment in the programme for Government to phase out fur farming; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36826/20]

CLÁR Programme

Seán Sherlock

915. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if Tallow, County Waterford, is being considered for inclusion in CLÁR. [36358/20]

Childcare Services

Seán Sherlock

294. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will address a matter regarding the case of a person (details supplied). [36051/20]

School Staff

Seán Sherlock

136. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Education if a stay will be put for the rest of the academic year on a school (details supplied) due to the loss of a teacher. [35663/20]

Maternity Benefit

Seán Sherlock

156. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will address a matter raised in correspondence (details supplied). [35626/20]

Hare Coursing

Seán Sherlock

377. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he has given consideration to a matter (details supplied). [34614/20]

Israeli Settlements

Seán Sherlock

401. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if his attention has been drawn to the approval by the higher planning council of the Israeli Civil Administration of an additional 4,948 settlement units; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34889/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment

Seán Sherlock

491. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Social Protection her plans to remedy the difference between the level of the pandemic unemployment payment and the return-to-education allowance and VTOS training allowance in order to encourage and incentivise those out of work to retrain or reskill. [34876/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment

Seán Sherlock

492. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Social Protection if student nurses disbarred from other work due to their placement can apply for the pandemic unemployment payment. [34880/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment

Seán Sherlock

508. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason for the disparity between the level of the pandemic unemployment payment and the return-to-education allowance and VTOS training allowance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34875/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment

Seán Sherlock

509. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason new first year students at third level cannot claim the pandemic unemployment while other full-time students are entitled to; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34878/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment

Seán Sherlock

510. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason a pandemic unemployment payment will not be paid to a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34879/20]

Apprenticeship Programmes

Seán Sherlock

574. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the provisions he has put in place to enable those engaged in apprenticeships up until the lockdown and now out of an apprenticeship to continue their training. [34874/20]

Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Seán Sherlock

663. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Health if he has conducted research on whether carbon emissions related to the healthcare sector will be measured and presented annually. [34601/20]

Primary Medical Certificates

Seán Sherlock

671. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Health the number of applications for primary medical certificates in 2019 and to date in 2020; the number approved; and the number denied by county, in tabular form. [34644/20]

Hare Coursing

Seán Sherlock

784. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he has given consideration to a matter (details supplied). [34614/20]

Fishing Industry

Seán Sherlock

812. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a grant will be issued to a group (details supplied) under EMFF fisheries local action groups. [34885/20]

LEADER Programmes

Seán Sherlock

7. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development to outline the consultation that has taken place with stakeholders on the development of a transitional LEADER programme to 2023; and the way in which she plans to proceed in developing a national rural development programme as outlined in the programme for Government. [34151/20]

LEADER Programmes

Seán Sherlock

18. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development to set out the funding that has been made available for a national rural development programme as committed to in the programme for Government to replace the current LEADER programme in 2021. [34150/20]

Tidy Towns Committees

Seán Sherlock

21. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development her plans to hold a tidy towns competition in 2021. [34152/20]

LEADER Programmes

Seán Sherlock

52. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if the LEADER programme will provide for new applications in 2021. [34149/20]

Wind Energy Generation

Seán Sherlock

64. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Environment, Climate and Communications his views on offshore floating wind given the programme for Government stated ambition for 30 GW of floating wind potential; and the measures being taken to ensure progress towards this transformative opportunity for job creation and clean renewable energy export for Ireland. [34219/20]

Foreshore Issues

Seán Sherlock

65. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Environment, Climate and Communications if he will address a matter (details supplied). [34220/20]

Driver Licences

Seán Sherlock

77. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Transport the delays for eye tests for those that require an eye test for a driving licence by county, in tabular form. [34361/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Seán Sherlock

97. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Finance if he will address a matter (details supplied) regarding Covid-19 schemes. [34360/20]

School Transport

Seán Sherlock

146. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Education the cost of a bus service to date (details supplied). [34221/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Seán Sherlock

205. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Health the impacts being assessed for older persons being limited in their movement due to level 5 restrictions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34218/20]

Dental Services

Seán Sherlock

324. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Health the number of dentists that have withdrawn from providing medical card services in 2020; and the number of patients it is impacting. [34448/20]

Ministerial Meetings

Seán Sherlock

33. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Transport the dates he has had engagement with the DAA and the management of Cork Airport in the past two months. [34003/20]

Departmental Meetings

Seán Sherlock

56. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the number of meetings there have been of the night-time economy taskforce; and the attendees of each meeting. [34073/20]

State Examinations

Seán Sherlock

82. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Education if an appeal will be allowed on the leaving certificate calculated grades for a person (details supplied). [34047/20]

Hospital Appointments Status

Seán Sherlock

127. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Health when a child (details supplied) will be allocated a bed for an MRI. [34002/20]

Covid-19 Tests

Seán Sherlock

143. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Health if he will open testing centres in north and east County Cork in view of the fact that two centres are operating in Cork city. [34079/20]

Departmental Contracts

Seán Sherlock

41. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of external contracts for consultancy currently operating in his Department; and the overall cost of the contracts. [33524/20]

Felling Licences

Seán Sherlock

46. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of tree felling licence applications currently awaiting a natural impact status. [33521/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Seán Sherlock

52. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the other products that may be subject to a recall that may have implications for public health [33525/20]

Targeted Agricultural Modernisation Scheme

Seán Sherlock

68. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to fund the remaining applications under tranche 17 and 18 of TAMS II before tranche 19 is decided. [33522/20]

Agriculture Industry

Seán Sherlock

76. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of festivals and fairs his Department will fund or sponsor in 2021. [33523/20]

Disability Services Funding

Seán Sherlock

113. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Health if he will provide a breakdown of disability funding to Section 39 organisations arising from Budget 2021. [31345/20]

Departmental Contracts

Seán Sherlock

186. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Taoiseach the number of contracts approved in his Department in 2019 and to date in 2020 without competitive tender; the details of the contract; the company awarded the contract; and the full value of the contract in tabular form. [33280/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Seán Sherlock

210. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if pest control services are allowed to operate under level 5. [32531/20]

Departmental Contracts

Seán Sherlock

230. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of contracts approved in his Department in 2019 and to date in 2020 without competitive tender; the details of the contract; the company awarded the contract; and the full value of the contract in tabular form. [33269/20]

Departmental Contracts

Seán Sherlock

267. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Environment, Climate and Communications the number of contracts approved in his Department in 2019 and to date in 2020 without competitive tender; the details of the contract; the company awarded the contract; and the full value of the contract in tabular form. [33270/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Seán Sherlock

307. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Transport if driver tests, driver theory tests and NCTs are proceeding under level 5. [32507/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Seán Sherlock

308. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Transport if driver lessons can proceed under level 5. [32508/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Seán Sherlock

316. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Transport the status of driving lessons under level 5. [32635/20]

Departmental Contracts

Seán Sherlock

343. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Transport the number of contracts approved in his Department in 2019 and to date in 2020 without competitive tender; the details of the contracts; the companies awarded the contracts; and the full value of the contracts, in tabular form. [33282/20]

Departmental Contracts

Seán Sherlock

434. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Finance the number of contracts approved in his Department in 2019 and to date in 2020 without competitive tender; the details of the contract; the company awarded the contract; the Public Service Stability Agreement 2018 – 2020 and the full value of the contract in tabular form. [33271/20]

Departmental Contracts

Seán Sherlock

473. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the number of contracts approved in his Department in 2019 and to date in 2020 without competitive tender; the details of the contracts; the company awarded the contracts; and the full value of the contracts, in tabular form. [33277/20]

Flood Prevention Measures

Seán Sherlock

478. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he received correspondence from a local authority regarding flood defence works (details supplied). [33624/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Seán Sherlock

500. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the process by which gyms could remain open and facilitate individual training [32834/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Seán Sherlock

523. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if individual dance classes can proceed under level 5. [32532/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Seán Sherlock

529. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if parents can travel outside 5 km to drop children to sports training that is outside their 5 km limit. [32659/20]

Departmental Contracts

Seán Sherlock

546. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the number of contracts approved in her Department in 2019 and to date in 2020 without competitive tender; the details of the contract; the company awarded the contract; and the full value of the contract in tabular form. [33281/20]

Local Authority Contracts

Seán Sherlock

626. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of contracts approved in his Department in 2019 and to date in 2020 without competitive tender; the details of the contract; the company awarded the contract; and the full value of the contract in tabular form. [33275/20]

Departmental Data

Seán Sherlock

665. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the number of contracts approved in his Department in 2019 and to date in 2020 without competitive tender; the details of the contract; the company awarded the contract; and the full value of the contract in tabular form. [33272/20]

Departmental Contracts

Seán Sherlock

687. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Defence the number of contracts approved in his Department in 2019 and to date in 2020 without competitive tender; the details of the contract; the company awarded the contract; and the full value of the contract in tabular form. [33267/20]

Departmental Contracts

Seán Sherlock

789. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Education the number of contracts approved in her Department in 2019 and to date in 2020 without competitive tender; the details of each contract; the company awarded the contract; and the full value of the contract in tabular form. [33268/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment

Seán Sherlock

840. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Social Protection the latest breakdown of those in receipt of the pandemic unemployment payment who were previously PAYE earners or self-employed, by county, in tabular form. [32392/20]

Community Employment Schemes

Seán Sherlock

849. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of community employment schemes under level 5. [32505/20]

Departmental Contracts

Seán Sherlock

917. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of contracts approved in her Department in 2019 and to date in 2020 without competitive tender; the details of the contract; the company awarded the contract; and the full value of the contract in tabular form. [33279/20]

Personal Public Service Numbers

Seán Sherlock

940. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Social Protection when a person (details supplied) in County Cork will be allocated a personal public services number in order to be able to access social welfare benefits. [33875/20]

Departmental Contracts

Seán Sherlock

971. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of contracts approved in his Department in 2019 and to date in 2020 without competitive tender; the details of the contract; the company awarded the contract; and the full value of the contract in tabular form. [33266/20]

Departmental Contracts

Seán Sherlock

1026. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of contracts approved in his Department in 2019 and to date in 2020 without competitive tender; the details of the contract; the company awarded the contract; and the full value of the contract in tabular form. [33273/20]

Departmental Contracts

Seán Sherlock

1066. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Justice the number of contracts approved in her Department in 2019 and to date in 2020 without competitive tender; the details of the contract; the company awarded the contract; and the full value of the contract in tabular form. [33276/20]

Deportation Orders

Seán Sherlock

1074. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Justice the number of persons born in Ireland deported from the State in each of the years 2005 to 2019. [33750/20]

Deportation Orders

Seán Sherlock

1075. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Justice the number of persons born in Ireland awaiting deportation from the State. [33751/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Seán Sherlock

1105. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Health if break and yard time is included for students to be considered a close contact (details supplied). [32837/20]

Vaccination Programme

Seán Sherlock

1134. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Health if the possibility of teachers, SNAs and all school staff being offered the flu vaccination free of charge has been examined. [32346/20]

Disability Services Provision

Seán Sherlock

1169. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Health if disability services will remain open for the duration of level 5. [32504/20]

First Aid Training

Seán Sherlock

1174. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Health if he will address a matter (details supplied) regarding first aid and safety training. [32524/20]

Disability Services Provision

Seán Sherlock

1188. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Health the status of taxi services for the disability sector at present, particularly in circumstances in which persons were collected from their home before the pandemic. [32575/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Seán Sherlock

1208. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Health if a farm shop business that sells produce on the basis of a seasonal harvest, in respect of which customers travel to reap that harvest from distances of in excess of 5 km, can continue to facilitate those customers who must travel outside of the 5 km limit to reap the harvest. [32663/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Seán Sherlock

1209. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Health if professionals not included under the Act but who are engaged in pain management therapies and physical therapy can continue to operate. [32666/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Seán Sherlock

1249. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Health the arrangements in place to allow parents collect and drop back their children for and after visitation rights across different county borders and outside any 5km exclusion; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32774/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Seán Sherlock

1323. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 234 of 7 October 2020, if he will provide a breakdown of the €5 million to each company and the service they provided since March 2020. [33138/20]

Hospital Appointments Status

Seán Sherlock

1324. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Cork will receive an appointment for a further MRI scan. [33139/20]

Nursing Staff

Seán Sherlock

1337. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Health if nurses who worked the night shift on 24 to 25 October 2020 that had to work an extra hour due to daylight savings time will be paid [33240/20]

Departmental Contracts

Seán Sherlock

1341. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Health the number of contracts approved in his Department in 2019 and to date in 2020 without competitive tender; the details of the contract; the company awarded the contract; and the full value of the contract in tabular form [33274/20]

Hospital Appointments Status

Seán Sherlock

1380. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Health the status of an appointment for a person (details supplied). [33431/20]

Respite Care Services

Seán Sherlock

1386. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Health when respite services will resume for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33498/20]

Health Services Staff

Seán Sherlock

1419. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Health the employment terms of a person who is an employee of the HSE (details supplied). [33718/20]

Departmental Contracts

Seán Sherlock

1531. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of contracts approved in his Department in 2019 and to date in 2020 without competitive tender; the details of the contract; the company awarded the contract; and the full value of the contract in tabular form. [33265/20]

Legislative Measures

Seán Sherlock

1535. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will clarify a matter on SI 448 of 2020 (details supplied). [33432/20]

Departmental Contracts

Seán Sherlock

1589. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the number of contracts approved in her Department in 2019 and to date in 2020 without competitive tender; the details of the contracts; the company awarded the contracts; and the full value of the contracts in tabular form. [33278/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Seán Sherlock

28. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will introduce supports for businesses that have been impacted by Covid-19 disruptions but are not rate payers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32255/20]

Tax Rebates

Seán Sherlock

55. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Finance if a person (details supplied) in County Cork is entitled to a tax and USC refund. [32129/20]

Departmental Staff

Seán Sherlock

89. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Defence further to Parliamentary Question No. 166 of 8 October 2020, if an organisation of his Department will be provided in view that the website provided in the response only goes to assistant secretary level. [32159/20]

State Examinations

Seán Sherlock

96. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Education the breakdown of all appeals for the leaving certificate, by county and a breakdown of the 18 appeals awarded higher grades, by county, in tabular form. [32161/20]