Parliamentary questions

Covid-19 Pandemic

Joe O'Brien

965. Deputy Joe O'Brien asked the Minister for Health if consideration has been given to amending the Covid-19 vaccine allocation strategy to include persons undergoing medical treatment for serious illness as a distinct category; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7431/21]

Departmental Expenditure

Joe O'Brien

66. Deputy Joe O'Brien asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he has given consideration to requesting a spending review of the Department of Justice citizenship division in view of a recent report (details supplied) that highlighted processing delays for citizenship and naturalisation applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6197/21]

Special Educational Needs

Joe O'Brien

115. Deputy Joe O'Brien asked the Minister for Education the number of ASD unit places in schools in north Dublin; the estimated number of applicants for such places each year in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6196/21]

International Relations

Joe O'Brien

130. Deputy Joe O'Brien asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he has made representations to the Israeli authorities to encourage them to carry out their Covid-19 vaccination programme in a non-discriminatory manner, especially in respect of territory in which the IDF is the occupying power; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4811/21]

International Relations

Joe O'Brien

131. Deputy Joe O'Brien asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he has received representations from the Palestinian authorities in relation to access to the Covid-19 vaccines; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4812/21]

Brexit Issues

Joe O'Brien

14. Deputy Joe O'Brien asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if his Department has a role in monitoring retail food prices; and if so, if any discernible increase has been measured due to Brexit. [2466/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Joe O'Brien

139. Deputy Joe O'Brien asked the Minister for Finance his plans to provide supports to supplier businesses that are ineligible to avail of the Covid restrictions support scheme but are typically reliant on other businesses that are now closed for custom, for example dry cleaners; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2322/21]

State Examinations

Joe O'Brien

294. Deputy Joe O'Brien asked the Minister for Education her plans in relation to the operation of the junior certificate 2021; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2321/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Joe O'Brien

562. Deputy Joe O'Brien asked the Minister for Health if consideration has been given to offering paid contracts to fourth year student radiographers for their work in 2021 during the Covid-19 pandemic as was the case for the previous academic year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2576/21]

Human Rights Cases

Joe O'Brien

110. Deputy Joe O'Brien asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if his attention has been drawn to the case of a person (details supplied) who it is alleged has been detained without due process and tortured by the government of Bahrain; if he and his colleagues in the EU Foreign Affairs Council have raised this with Bahraini officials; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2039/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Joe O'Brien

240. Deputy Joe O'Brien asked the Minister for Finance if it is possible for sports clubs and leisure centres which operate bars and restaurants on their premises to apply for the Covid restrictions support scheme for those businesses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1268/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Joe O'Brien

241. Deputy Joe O'Brien asked the Minister for Finance the measures he is taking to ensure that banks are not implementing unreasonably punitive measures on businesses that are struggling as a result of enforced closure due to the Covid-19 pandemic especially in relation to loan repayments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1269/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Joe O'Brien

242. Deputy Joe O'Brien asked the Minister for Finance his plans to increase the Covid restrictions support scheme limit from €5,000 considering the recent move to level 5 and in view of the fact that the €5,000 limit is not sustainable for many medium sized businesses. [1273/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Joe O'Brien

249. Deputy Joe O'Brien asked the Minister for Finance if he has re-engaged with a group (details supplied) in relation to the introduction of a further payment break for borrowers in view of the decision by the European Banking Authority to reactivate its guidelines on legislative and non-legislative moratoria; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1554/21]

Special Protection Areas

Joe O'Brien

356. Deputy Joe O'Brien asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the details on monitoring of the Malahide Estuary special protection area 004025 that has taken place in the past five years to ensure compliance with S.I. No. 285 of 2011 since it was enacted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1267/21]

Commercial Rates

Joe O'Brien

357. Deputy Joe O'Brien asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he plans to extend the current commercial rates waiver into 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1274/21]

EU Issues

Joe O'Brien

368. Deputy Joe O'Brien asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if his attention has been drawn to the decision of the European Council to add two Iranian persons and the directorate for internal security of the Iranian Ministry of Intelligence of the Islamic Republic of Iran to the EU terrorist list in the measures set down in common position 2001/931/CFSP in January 2019; the measures Ireland has taken to support this decision since it was made; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44719/20]

Human Rights

Joe O'Brien

371. Deputy Joe O'Brien asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if his attention has been drawn to the case of a person (details supplied) who has been detained for acts of peaceful protest against the regime in Belarus; the measures the State is taking to opposing ongoing human rights abuses by Belarus; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44941/20]

School Accommodation

Joe O'Brien

442. Deputy Joe O'Brien asked the Minister for Education the status of the provision of permanent buildings for two schools (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44844/20]

State Examinations

Joe O'Brien

508. Deputy Joe O'Brien asked the Minister for Education if consideration has been given to implementing an optional predicted grades system for the 2021 leaving certificate in view of the likely disruption to schooling that Covid-19 will cause in the short-term; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1553/21]

Deportation Orders

Joe O'Brien

683. Deputy Joe O'Brien asked the Minister for Justice the number of persons who have been refused leave to land at all ports of entry to the State since March 2020, by month in tabular form. [44828/20]

Prisoner Data

Joe O'Brien

684. Deputy Joe O'Brien asked the Minister for Justice the number of persons who have been remanded to the Irish Prison Service while awaiting removal from the State, not including persons awaiting extradition since March 2020, by month in tabular form. [44833/20]

Special Areas of Conservation

Joe O'Brien

339. Deputy Joe O'Brien asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the assessment by the NPWS of the current status of the SAC 004025 in Malahide, County Dublin; the actions it has taken to protect the area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44332/20]

Free Travel Scheme

Joe O'Brien

419. Deputy Joe O'Brien asked the Minister for Social Protection if consideration will be given to extending the applicability of the free travel pass to taxis for persons who do not have access to a public transport route but need to travel for medical or hospital appointments. [44334/20]

Vaccination Programme

Joe O'Brien

574. Deputy Joe O'Brien asked the Minister for Health if consideration has been given to amending the provisional vaccine allocation groups to prioritise persons with Down's syndrome; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44331/20]

Schools Site Acquisitions

Joe O'Brien

321. 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. [42934/20]

Wildlife Conservation

Joe O'Brien

247. Deputy Joe O'Brien asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the steps being taken to ensure Ireland is meeting legal responsibilities under SI No. 285 of 2011 - European Communities Conservation of Wild Birds (Malahide Estuary Special Protection Area 004025) Regulations 2011 in terms of protecting the Malahide Estuary area of special protection. [42735/20]

Human Rights

Joe O'Brien

288. Deputy Joe O'Brien asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if his attention has been drawn to the situation in Bahrain in which the Government is using revocation of citizenship as a tool of oppression; if he has raised the matter with the Bahraini Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42736/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Joe O'Brien

423. Deputy Joe O'Brien asked the Minister for Health if he will consider permitting music at weddings given that unlike many other social events, they are held in a controlled manner under the Covid-19 restrictions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42689/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Joe O'Brien

364. Deputy Joe O'Brien asked the Minister for Health if there will be enhanced opportunities for nursing home residents to meet their family members over December 2020; and the measures in place to deal with the negative impacts on residents' mental health due to visiting restrictions. [40969/20]

Special Educational Needs

Joe O'Brien

386. Deputy Joe O'Brien asked the Minister for Education the number of new special classes that will be established in secondary schools in the 2020-21 school year; and the number of these new classes that are ASD special classes. [39744/20]

Middle East Peace Process

Joe O'Brien

258. Deputy Joe O'Brien asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs his views on the illegal evictions from Sheikh Jarrah in the West Bank; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39389/20]

Citizenship Applications

Joe O'Brien

330. Deputy Joe O'Brien asked the Minister for Justice the timeline for the drafting and issuing of a statutory instrument under the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956 to allow citizenship applicants to sign an affidavit of loyalty under temporary Covid-19 measures; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39355/20]

Foreign Policy

Joe O'Brien

407. Deputy Joe O'Brien asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will condemn the reported threats from a person (details supplied) in Belgium to influence and subvert their trial on terrorism charges. [37772/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Joe O'Brien

939. Deputy Joe O'Brien asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to resourcing of and responses to treatment for long Covid-19 or patients suffering from significant sequelae subsequent to an initial recovery from Covid-19 in other jurisdictions; his plans in regard to the issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38782/20]

Occupational Therapy

Joe O'Brien

940. Deputy Joe O'Brien asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to a campaign (details supplied) which seeks to highlight ongoing structural delays in the delivery of assessments for occupational therapy, speech and language therapy and other supports for children with additional needs; his plans to reduce waiting times in these areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38783/20]

Farmers Markets

Joe O'Brien

960. Deputy Joe O'Brien asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his attention has been drawn to the recent closure of a market (details supplied); if he has engaged with the licensing body on the issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37863/20]

Foreign Policy

Joe O'Brien

89. Deputy Joe O'Brien asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if his attention has been drawn to the detainment of a group of 12 activists aged between 16 and 30 years of age from Hong Kong by the People’s Republic of China; if he has raised this issue with the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37318/20]

Covid-19 Tests

Joe O'Brien

198. Deputy Joe O'Brien asked the Minister for Health if consideration has been given to prioritising nursing and care home visitors for rapid Covid-19 testing when it becomes available in order to allow persons spend time with their loved ones; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37317/20]

Electric Vehicles

Joe O'Brien

237. Deputy Joe O'Brien asked the Minister for Transport if the rebate that previously existed for companies switching to electric vehicles will be restored; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36839/20]

Nursing Staff

Joe O'Brien

828. Deputy Joe O'Brien asked the Minister for Health his plans to introduce a salary scheme to compensate student nurses who while on placement carry out a standard 35-hour week; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36918/20]

School Patronage

Joe O'Brien

241. Deputy Joe O'Brien asked the Minister for Education the status of divestment plans for primary and secondary schools in order to provide more multi- and non-denominational school options for parents; and the progress that has been made in 2020 on same. [35817/20]

School Curriculum

Joe O'Brien

253. Deputy Joe O'Brien asked the Minister for Education if she will consider incorporating aspects of the yellow flag programme into national education policy. [36019/20]

State Examinations

Joe O'Brien

129. Deputy Joe O'Brien asked the Minister for Education the timeline for the publication of the terms of reference of the recently announced independent review of the leaving certificate calculated grades process; the timeline for the commencement of the review; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35560/20]

Homeless Persons Supports

Joe O'Brien

378. Deputy Joe O'Brien asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the efforts that will be made and the resourcing provided to support taking rough sleepers off the streets this winter. [34712/20]

Covid-19 Tests

Joe O'Brien

321. Deputy Joe O'Brien asked the Minister for Health if there is a mechanism to process Covid-19 tests within a matter of hours for family situations in which a relative is close to death and a swift in person visit is crucial on compassionate grounds; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34441/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Joe O'Brien

226. Deputy Joe O'Brien asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if his attention has been drawn to instances of non-essential outlets in shopping centres opening and trading under level 5 which will result in staff being unable to access the Covid-19 payment if the shop does not close; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32955/20]

Insurance Coverage

Joe O'Brien

402. Deputy Joe O'Brien asked the Minister for Finance his plans to take measures to ensure that insurance companies offer reasonably priced insurance policies to persons whose homes have been deemed at risk of flooding or coastal erosion (details supplied). [32465/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Joe O'Brien

404. Deputy Joe O'Brien asked the Minister for Finance if he will be re-engaging with an organisation (details supplied) in relation to a possible further mortgage moratorium for customers. [32479/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Joe O'Brien

528. Deputy Joe O'Brien asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if specific gyms or training centres have been nominated to facilitate ongoing training for professional and elite sport under the current level 5 restrictions; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32622/20]