Parliamentary questions

Environmental Policy

Holly Cairns

158. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Climate Action and Communication Networks his views on the fact that the Irish State is working with other countries towards ecocide becoming a recognised crime in international law through the relevant EU and UN bodies. [25203/20]

Naval Service

Holly Cairns

380. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Defence if a Naval Service patrol to be carried out by the LÉ Niamh was cancelled due to a crew shortage; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25204/20]

Naval Service

Holly Cairns

381. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Defence if he will provide details of cancelled Naval Service patrols and activities between 1 January 2015 and 1 August 2020, including the reason for the cancellation in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25205/20]

State Examinations

Holly Cairns

459. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Education if review options are available to a student (details supplied) whose school awarded grades for the 2020 leaving certificate which were significantly reduced by her Department therefore affecting their chances of obtaining the course of choice through the CAO system; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25199/20]

School Staff

Holly Cairns

460. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Education her plans to establish a supply teacher panel for the south-west Cork areas; her further plans for teacher absences for the area; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25200/20]

Social Welfare Code

Holly Cairns

525. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Social Protection her views on introducing paid domestic violence leave to enable victims of domestic violence to leave their partners, find new homes and protect themselves and their children; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25198/20]

Deportation Orders

Holly Cairns

664. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Justice if her attention has been drawn to the case of a person (details supplied) who faces a deportation order despite a large campaign in support of this asylum claim; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25191/20]

Immigration Status

Holly Cairns

665. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Justice if she will provide details of the immigration status given to individuals that are waiting for a decision on EUTR review applications; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25192/20]

Immigration Data

Holly Cairns

666. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Justice if she will provide details of the pending EUTR reviews according to nationality in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25193/20]

Immigration Status

Holly Cairns

667. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Justice if persons that are waiting for an EUTR review decision are permitted to work or to claim Covid-19 pandemic emergency payments; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25194/20]

Immigration Data

Holly Cairns

668. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Justice if she will provide an update on automatic renewal of immigration permissions which are due to expire; her plans to deal with the 8 to 12 week waiting for appointments in areas outside of Dublin; her plans for the individuals that will be left without permission due to waiting times; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25195/20]

Hospital Waiting Lists

Holly Cairns

778. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Health if he will address a matter (details supplied) regarding a young child who has been waiting over a year for a crucial operation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25201/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Holly Cairns

885. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if she will provide details of the correspondence between Meat Industry Ireland and his Department about clusters of Covid-19 in plants and potential closures of plants between 1 March and 16 September 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25197/20]

National Broadband Plan

Holly Cairns

902. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Community and Rural Development and the Islands the status of the roll-out of broadband connection points in County Cork; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25206/20]

National Broadband Plan

Holly Cairns

40. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Community and Rural Development and the Islands the steps taken to advance the commitment in the Programme for Government to improve connectivity and access for rural dwellers to work, study, social activities and public services while reducing car dependence. [24320/20]

Town and Village Renewal Scheme

Holly Cairns

41. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Community and Rural Development and the Islands if she will expand the 2020 town and village renewal scheme outline for accelerated measure in response to Covid-19 to enable more communities to avail of this funding. [24321/20]

Trade Union Membership

Holly Cairns

45. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if his attention has been drawn to reports that an organisation (details supplied) is refusing to engage with unions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24654/20]

Workplace Safety

Holly Cairns

50. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of cyclists killed while cycling as part of their job in each of the years from 1 Jan 2010 to 31 Dec 2019, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24650/20]

Fishing Licences

Holly Cairns

57. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Climate Action and Communication Networks the process for granting foreshore fishing licences in Bantry and Kenmare Bay; the number of licences sought; the number of licences granted; the entitlements accompanying a licence and the permissions granted or not granted in relation to same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24664/20]

Agrifood Sector

Holly Cairns

58. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Climate Action and Communication Networks if his attention has been drawn to the UNEP report Enhancing Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) for Food Systems; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24667/20]

Airport Policy

Holly Cairns

62. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Transport if his attention has been drawn to the difficulties faced by Cork Airport; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24665/20]

Rural Transport Services

Holly Cairns

63. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Transport if he will provide investment for covered bus stops in towns and villages; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24666/20]

Value Added Tax

Holly Cairns

90. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Finance the amount of VAT collected on feminine hygiene products annually since 2015, in tabular form; and, if he will consider ring-fencing these moneys to fund period poverty programmes. [24670/20]

Departmental Communications

Holly Cairns

91. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Finance if his Department or bodies working on behalf of his Department are monitoring social media for those that criticise Government policy. [24671/20]

Third Level Education

Holly Cairns

94. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Media, Tourism, Arts, Culture, Sport and the Gaeltacht if Údarás na Gaeltachta will continue to fund Gaeilge based initiatives in third-level institutes to the same levels as previous years in view of the fact it now falls under the remit of her Department. [24648/20]

Vacant Sites

Holly Cairns

106. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the amount of vacant site tax collected annually by each local authority in each of the years between 1 Jan 2017 and 31 Dec 2019, in tabular form. [24673/20]

Ministerial Briefing

Holly Cairns

130. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Education if the briefing for Ministers she received on commencing her role will be made publicly available. [24672/20]

Online Safety

Holly Cairns

145. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Children, Disability, Equality and Integration his views on the annual report by an organisation (details supplied) highlighting the vulnerability of children and young persons online [24668/20]

Third Level Education

Holly Cairns

152. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if his attention has been drawn to a document (details supplied); his views on its budgetary requests; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24647/20]

Ministerial Briefing

Holly Cairns

153. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if the briefing for Ministers he received on commencing his role will be made publicly available. [24649/20]

Visa Applications

Holly Cairns

175. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Justice when the online renewal system for non-EU migrants which only applies to Dublin will be extended to the rest of the country; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24652/20]

Departmental Communications

Holly Cairns

214. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Health if his Department or bodies working on behalf of his Department are monitoring social media for those that criticise Government policy. [24660/20]

Cannabis for Medicinal Use

Holly Cairns

215. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Health his plans to introduce legislation to premiere the medical uses of cannabis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24661/20]

Hospital Services

Holly Cairns

216. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Health when external providers of additional therapies will be allowed to resume in community hospitals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24662/20]

Disability Services Provision

Holly Cairns

217. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Health his views on the impact of the redeployment of HSE therapists to work as Covid-19 testers and contact tracers on the services provided to persons with disabilities. [24663/20]

Ministerial Meetings

Holly Cairns

236. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he has met with representatives of organisations (details supplied); and if not, when he will do so. [24653/20]

Agrifood Sector

Holly Cairns

237. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his attention has been drawn to the identified action in the Teagasc Crops 2030 report to establish a cross-society grouping to assess the requirements including profitability to attract new entrants and to guarantee the continuation of domestic food production; and his plans to establish the grouping. [24655/20]

Bioenergy Strategy

Holly Cairns

238. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his attention has been drawn to the identified action in the Teagasc Crops 2030 report on bioenergy and industrial crops to establish a single entity to coordinate bioenergy industry policy; and his plans to establish the grouping. [24656/20]

Agrifood Sector

Holly Cairns

239. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his attention has been drawn to the UNEP report, Enhancing Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) for Food Systems; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24657/20]

Covid-19 Tests

Holly Cairns

240. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his attention has been drawn to the suspension of Covid-19 testing at meat plants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24658/20]

Agriculture Scheme Appeals

Holly Cairns

130. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to make the Agriculture Appeals Office an entirely independent and discrete body. [24038/20]

Forestry Sector

Holly Cairns

137. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the immediate action he is taking to address the backlog of cases in the forestry appeals systems. [24036/20]

Harbours and Piers

Holly Cairns

144. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of the upgrading of Dinish Pier, Castletownbere, County Cork; the reason construction has stalled; and when the upgrade is expected to be completed. [24040/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Holly Cairns

159. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if targeted financial supports will be established for small pubs which cannot open or will not be economically viable under the Covid-19 guidelines and restrictions. [24175/20]

Broadcasting Sector

Holly Cairns

165. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Climate Action and Communication Networks if terrestrial television broadcasts will be required to include subtitles. [24180/20]

Flood Prevention Measures

Holly Cairns

310. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the breakdown of the cost of the flood defence system installed in Bandon, County Cork; if a copy of the Natura 2000 impact statement completed in respect of the project will be provided; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24181/20]

Flood Prevention Measures

Holly Cairns

311. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the breakdown of the cost of the flood defence system installed in Skibbereen, County Cork; if a copy of the Natura 2000 impact statement completed in respect of the project will be provided; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24182/20]

Flood Prevention Measures

Holly Cairns

312. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if funding will be made available for flood defences for Bantry, County Cork; if so, when such funding will be available; if a Natura 2000 impact statement has been completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24183/20]

State Examinations

Holly Cairns

467. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Education the way in which predicted grades were accepted by her Department for the leaving certificate applied from persons who are not accepted as teachers. [24176/20]

Youthreach Programme

Holly Cairns

468. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Education the way in which inspectors from her Department can inspect the teaching practices in YouthReach centres in a classroom of resource staff and grade them against the criteria of teachers in view of the fact that they are not recognised within the role. [24177/20]

Back to Education Allowance

Holly Cairns

525. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Social Protection if it will be ensured that means testing for the back to education allowance includes childcare costs. [24178/20]

Back to Education Allowance

Holly Cairns

526. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Social Protection if it will be ensured that means testing for back to education allowance includes mortgage payment costs. [24179/20]

Social Welfare Benefits

Holly Cairns

527. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Social Protection the financial assistance available to persons affected by severe flooding in the Skibbereen, Bantry and Bandon areas of County Cork during August 2020; the way in which such supports can be accessed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24184/20]

Social Welfare Benefits

Holly Cairns

528. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Social Protection the financial assistance available to persons affected by severe flooding in County Cork during August 2020; the way in which such supports can be accessed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24185/20]

Student Support Schemes

Holly Cairns

563. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science when laptops ordered to assist students with online and blended learning will be available to Cork Institute of Technology students; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24186/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Holly Cairns

858. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Health his views on redefining the age brackets when reporting Covid-19 cases in children and young persons based on categories (details supplied). [24167/20]

Medical Aids and Appliances

Holly Cairns

859. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Health his plans to reimburse all type 1 diabetics using FreeStyle Libre devices similar to the scheme previously approved for children and young adults. [24168/20]

General Practitioner Services

Holly Cairns

860. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Health if free general practitioner cards for under eights will be extended during the Covid-19 pandemic. [24169/20]

Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services

Holly Cairns

861. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Health if a CAMHS unit will be established in east County Cork [24170/20]

Primary Care Centres

Holly Cairns

862. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Health his plans to provide x-ray or dexa services in the new HSE centre in Bandon, County Cork [24171/20]

Disability Services Funding

Holly Cairns

863. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Health the details of capital investment in building residential services for persons with disabilities [24172/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Holly Cairns

864. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Health if SI No. 326 of 2020 - Health Act 1947 (Section 31A – Temporary Restrictions) (Covid-19) (No. 4) Regulations 2020 13.(1)(c) will be amended in view of confusion on the requirement to make a record of the substantial meal or meals ordered by each member of a party of persons and each sole person permitted which is creating an excessive administrative burden on small businesses. [24173/20]

Teagasc Activities

Holly Cairns

904. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if Teagasc is classified as a non-profit body; and if so, if the criteria for the classification will be provided. [24160/20]

Animal Welfare

Holly Cairns

905. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the specific welfare standards being set as a condition for future funding for the greyhound sector from the Horse and Greyhound Fund as outlined in the programme for Government; if time limits will be set for the standards to be reached; and if an independent body will assess the welfare standards. [24161/20]

Greyhound Industry

Holly Cairns

906. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if the project of establishing a traceability system for racing greyhounds has been be put out to tender (details supplied); and if so, the stage at which the establishment of the system is. [24162/20]

Forestry Sector

Holly Cairns

907. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on the crisis in the forestry industry due to the backlog of cases in the forestry appeals systems. [24163/20]

Departmental Bodies

Holly Cairns

908. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on immediately reconvening the tuberculosis forum; and if he will chair the process. [24164/20]

Rural Development Plan

Holly Cairns

909. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the steps he is taking to facilitate persons in Ireland participating in the European Commission's public consultation on rural development and the Commission's long-term vision for rural areas. [24165/20]

Ministerial Meetings

Holly Cairns

910. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will report on his recent meeting with an association (details supplied). [24166/20]

Flood Relief Schemes

Holly Cairns

53. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if targeted supports will be provided for businesses in the areas affected by flooding in western areas of County Cork recently. [23162/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Holly Cairns

56. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of HSA inspections of meat processing plants that have been carried out for compliance with Covid-19 regulations since 12 March 2020; and the number that were unannounced. [23141/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Holly Cairns

80. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Finance the reason those earning under €13,000 were made ineligible for the stay and spend scheme, including persons on disability and carer's allowance. [23160/20]

Flood Relief Schemes

Holly Cairns

128. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Social Protection if targeted supports will be provided for homes in the areas affected by flooding in western areas of County Cork recently. [23162/20]

Work Placement Programmes

Holly Cairns

139. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Social Protection her views on providing funding for the supported employment service to independently operate its own work placement programmes to support those more distant from the labour market to gain work experience. [23139/20]

Employment Support Services

Holly Cairns

140. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Social Protection her views on providing additional funding for the supported employment service to enable the service to top-up welfare payments to the level of the minimum wage without affecting the underlying payments for the duration of the work placement. [23140/20]

Early Years Sector

Holly Cairns

143. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Children, Disability, Equality and Integration when the proposed introduction of baby boxes for all new parents will commence. [23154/20]

Early Years Sector

Holly Cairns

144. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Children, Disability, Equality and Integration if the proposed introduction of baby boxes for new parents will include all parents regardless of immigration status. [23155/20]

Third Level Admissions

Holly Cairns

149. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the provisions being made for students applying to the CAO in 2020 based on leaving certificate results from previous years. [23152/20]

Third Level Admissions

Holly Cairns

160. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his engagement with colleges and universities to enable the provision of additional places in high demand courses. [23149/20]

Third Level Fees

Holly Cairns

161. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his views on the campaign by an organisation (details supplied) to reduce student contribution fees in 2020 by €500. [23150/20]

Student Grant Scheme

Holly Cairns

162. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his views on amending the student grant statutory instrument to enable students reclassify as their personal circumstances relevant to the classification change. [23151/20]

Social Media Monitoring

Holly Cairns

163. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if his Department or bodies working on behalf of his Department are monitoring social media for those that criticise government policy. [23153/20]

Immigration Controls

Holly Cairns

169. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Justice the number of the 7,455 persons that were refused entry here in 2019 that were subsequently detained in a prison or Garda station or transferred to a prison or Garda station. [23135/20]

Immigration Controls

Holly Cairns

170. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Justice the number of persons refused entry here from 27 March 2020 to date; the number that were subsequently detained and transferred to a prison or Garda station; and the length of time they were detained. [23136/20]

Social Media Monitoring

Holly Cairns

171. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Justice if her Department or bodies working on behalf of her Department are monitoring social media for those that criticise the direct provision system and Government policy. [23137/20]

Citizenship Applications

Holly Cairns

172. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Justice if applicants for citizenship are required to have a valid GNIB card in view of the fact the cards are not currently being issued. [23138/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Holly Cairns

199. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Health the meat processing plants which have had Covid-19 outbreaks; and the dates of detection in tabular form. [23142/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Holly Cairns

200. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Health the number of cases of Covid-19 that have tested positive among workers in meat processing plants; and if contact tracing has been carried in all cases in tabular form. [23143/20]

Health Services

Holly Cairns

225. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Health the number of DNRs signed in the healthcare system by month between 1 January 2015 and 1 July 2020, in tabular form. [23156/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Holly Cairns

226. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Health the estimated impact of the redeployment of HSE therapists to work as Covid-19 testers and contact tracers on waiting lists and the opening of clinics. [23157/20]

Disability Services Provision

Holly Cairns

227. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Health when the full range of disability services will be resumed. [23158/20]

Health Information and Quality Authority

Holly Cairns

228. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Health his views on the annual overview report by HIQA on the inspection and regulation of disability services in 2019; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23159/20]

Fishing Industry

Holly Cairns

256. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the engagements with representatives of the fishing organisations prior to the introduction of the fishing penalty points system; and the meeting dates. [23144/20]

Forestry Sector

Holly Cairns

257. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on increasing the resources and staff of the forestry appeals and licensing process to ensure that all licences and appeals are processed in a timely manner including the clearing of the substantial backlog. [23145/20]

Forestry Sector

Holly Cairns

258. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on establishing a forestry knowledge transfer programme similar to beef and dairy programmes. [23146/20]

Forestry Sector

Holly Cairns

259. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on establishing an independent review of the implementation of the Forestry Act 2014 to assess the way in which the substantial backlog was allowed to accrue; and the actions the Forestry Service has taken to ameliorate the situation. [23147/20]

Social Media Monitoring

Holly Cairns

260. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his Department, or bodies working on behalf of his Department, are monitoring social media for those who criticise Government policy. [23148/20]

Higher Education Institutions

Holly Cairns

21. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his views on providing targeted funding for colleges and universities to establish hubs or micro-satellite campuses to enable rural students to complete courses online; and if he will provide further funding for students to access existing rural digital hubs. [22805/20]

Third Level Fees

Holly Cairns

211. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will elaborate on his recent statement that student contribution fees are too high; and the timeline for the reduction of these fees. [22806/20]

Rural Broadband Scheme

Holly Cairns

101. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Climate Action and Communication Networks the steps he is taking to ensure sufficient broadband access is provided in rural areas to facilitate online learning. [21735/20]