Parliamentary questions

Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements

Neale Richmond

1. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Taoiseach the engagement he had with the First Minister and deputy First Minister of Northern Ireland in relation the Covid-19 pandemic. [1326/21]

Cabinet Committees

Richard Boyd Barrett

2. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee that deals with children and youth affairs will next meet. [1328/21]

Cabinet Committees

Richard Boyd Barrett

3. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee that deals with housing will next meet. [1329/21]

Cabinet Committees

Cian O'Callaghan

4. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee dealing with housing will next meet. [13103/21]

Cabinet Committees

Bríd Smith

5. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee that deals with housing will next meet. [13269/21]

Cabinet Committees

Paul Murphy

6. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee that deals with housing will next meet. [13272/21]

Cabinet Committees

Alan Kelly

7. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee on housing last met; and when it will next meet. [14479/21]

Cabinet Committees

Mary Lou McDonald

8. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee on housing will next meet. [15521/21]

Aviation Industry

Darren O'Rourke

42. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport the way in which he plans to support the aviation sector in light of the necessary public health restrictions and the devastating impact of Covid-19 on the sector; if he plans to establish a new survival and recovery taskforce to plan and prepare to sustain and recover this important industry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15577/21]

Aviation Industry

Duncan Smith

43. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Transport his views on the future viability of the aviation industry sector and the thousands of jobs in the sector in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15565/21]

Driver Test

Darren O'Rourke

44. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport the actions he is taking to address the backlog in driver tests, theory tests and driving lessons; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15578/21]

Ports Development

Verona Murphy

45. Deputy Verona Murphy asked the Minister for Transport the level of financial support his Department will be providing to Rosslare Europort to initiate the various studies needed to support an application for Rosslare as a service port for the wind energy sector off the east coast of Ireland; when this financial support will be forthcoming; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15603/21]

Climate Change Policy

Darren O'Rourke

46. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport the new measures he plans to introduce to reduce the 20.3% contribution of the transport sector to Ireland’s total greenhouse gas emissions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15579/21]

Park-and-Ride Facilities

Catherine Connolly

47. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Transport further to Question No. 84 of 12 November 2020, the status of the roll-out of park-and-ride facilities for Galway city; the number and locations of all sites identified to date from which to operate park-and-ride services; the engagement he has had with Galway City Council on this issue; the engagement he has had with the park-and-ride development office on this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1832/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Richard Boyd Barrett

48. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Transport the supports he plans to implement to aid taxi drivers in the coming period as a result of the impact of Covid-19 restrictions on the industry; if he plans to extend the ten-year rule for vehicles due to be replaced in 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15580/21]

Public Transport

Denis Naughten

49. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Transport the steps he is taking to reduce the emissions profile of the public transport fleet; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14519/21]

Road Projects

James O'Connor

51. Deputy James O'Connor asked the Minister for Transport if he will report on the potential allocation of funding to a project (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15632/21]

Rail Network

Éamon Ó Cuív

52. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Transport when he plans to publish the reviews carried out into the feasibility of reopening the Athenry to Claremorris section of the western rail corridor; the reason for the delay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1014/21]

Local Improvement Scheme

Brendan Smith

53. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Transport if his attention has been drawn to the fact that there are very long delays in having essential road improvements carried out under the local improvement scheme at present; if he will provide ring-fenced funding for this scheme as existed previously; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15606/21]

Rail Network

Duncan Smith

54. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Transport the status of the programme for Government commitment to enhance suburban and commuter rail across the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15570/21]

Local Improvement Scheme

Brendan Smith

61. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Transport if he will provide ring-fenced funding for the local improvement scheme as existed up to 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15605/21]

Rail Network

Fergus O'Dowd

98. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Transport the way in which his Department is supporting the improvement of the rail network, including the development of additional capacity which is a particular challenge on routes such as the northern commuter line; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1690/21]

Rail Network

Bernard Durkan

128. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport if, in the context of the national development plan, he expects to see positive changes to meet the ongoing requirements of the travelling public with particular reference to the urgent need to meet the requirements of commuters in more densely populated areas such as County Kildare to encourage the use of rapid rail; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10357/21]

Rail Network

Bernard Durkan

397. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport the extent to which the rail service, national and commuter, have access to adequate modernisation such as new carriages and an increase in the number of carriages thereby providing more options to the travelling public and commuters; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15879/21]

Rail Network

Bernard Durkan

398. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport the extent to which he continues to examine the potential for growth on commuter and intercity rail lines with a view to maximising the use of rail transport into the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15880/21]

Rail Network

Bernard Durkan

403. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport the steps taken or pending to increase the capacity of the commuter rail services throughout north County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15885/21]

Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements

Alan Kelly

1. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Taoiseach if he will report on his recent phone call with the UK Prime Minister. [43180/20]

Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements

Neale Richmond

2. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Taoiseach the engagement he has had with the UK Prime Minister since the UK has left the Brexit transition period. [1325/21]

European Council Meetings

Alan Kelly

3. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Taoiseach if he will report on his attendance at the European Council. [43548/20]

European Council Meetings

Mary Lou McDonald

4. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Taoiseach if he will report on his attendance at the European Council meeting held on 25 and 26 February 2021. [13100/21]

Government-Church Dialogue

Peadar Tóibín

5. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Taoiseach if he will report on his dialogue and meetings with faith leaders. [43328/20]

Government-Church Dialogue

Peadar Tóibín

6. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Taoiseach if he will report on his recent engagement with faith leaders. [13193/21]

Legislative Process

Darren O'Rourke

37. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications when the climate action and low carbon development (amendment) Bill will be brought before Dáil Éireann; if he has amended the Bill to include recommendations from the pre-legislative scrutiny report of the Joint Committee on Climate Action; if so, the recommendations adopted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13516/21]

Legislative Process

Jennifer Whitmore

38. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the status of the new climate action and low carbon development (amendment) Bill 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13252/21]

Electricity Grid

Darren O'Rourke

39. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if EirGrid has recently sought between €700 million and €3 billion for grid investment; if so, the new and existing projects this will fund; the way in which he plans to deliver this crucial grid investment while also working with local communities; his views on delays to key grid improvements and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13517/21]

Data Centres

Bríd Smith

40. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will review State policy relating to the building of data centres in Ireland and specifically the impact on energy consumption; if this policy is compatible with national climate-related targets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13279/21]

National Broadband Plan

Thomas Pringle

41. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of homes that will have high-speed broadband in County Donegal by the end of 2021 and the end of 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12764/21]

Climate Action Plan

Gino Kenny

42. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications his views on the use of negative emissions technology in reaching Ireland's climate targets; if concerns regarding the climate action and low-carbon development (amendment) Bill 2020 that, as first drafted, may rely too much on unproven technology to achieve reduction needed in greenhouse gas emissions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13287/21]

Renewable Energy Generation

Cathal Crowe

43. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the way in which the existing Climate Action Plan 2019 can be enhanced in order to increase the speed at which renewable energy generation projects are brought online particularly in the context of the expedited downsizing of the Moneypoint power station. [13290/21]

North-South Interconnector

Matt Carthy

44. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will reconsider commissioning an independent report incorporating international industry expertise to examine the technical feasibility and cost of undergrounding the North-South interconnector in line with the resolution of Dáil Éireann on 16 February 2017. [13090/21]

Climate Action Plan

Paul Murphy

46. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will seek to future proof the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Bill 2020 against potential misuse of negative emissions technology to delay reducing overall greenhouse gas, GHG, emissions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1498/21]

North-South Interconnector

Darren O'Rourke

50. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he has spoken to an Taoiseach regarding the concerns in regard to the proposed North-South interconnector; his plans to address the significant concerns of local representatives and communities across counties Meath, Cavan and Monaghan; if funding will be provided to underground this important project for the grid; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13261/21]

Energy Infrastructure

Denis Naughten

51. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the discussions he has had with stakeholders regarding the future use of Lough Ree power station; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44952/20]

Broadband Infrastructure

Darren O'Rourke

59. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the way in which he plans for all persons in Ireland to have access to high-speed broadband when commercial operators are reluctant or refuse outright to extend existing lines, even by a few metres, to other homes and businesses in need of high-speed broadband; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13263/21]

Voluntary Sector

Paul Donnelly

1. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if a commitment will be given to ensure that future funding and commissioning models fully support the community-based, non-profit approach in view of the significant concern in the community and voluntary sector that the commissioning process is leading to creeping privatisation of services in the sector. [44375/20]

Urban Renewal Schemes

Claire Kerrane

3. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she will examine providing a scheme to improve town centres in rural Ireland to tackle high levels of vacancy and dereliction in rural towns; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44386/20]

LEADER Programmes

Seán Canney

4. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development her plans to put in place transitional funding to allow the LEADER programme to continue to support community projects and rural enterprise in 2021 and 2022 in the absence of a new programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43154/20]

Broadband Infrastructure

Barry Cowen

5. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the status of the establishment of a network of broadband connection points in counties Offaly and Laois; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43602/20]

Island Communities

Catherine Connolly

6. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the status of the national islands policy; if the consultation process has been completed to date; when the new policy will be finalised; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43332/20]

Remote Working

Seán Sherlock

7. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if research is being undertaken by her Department on the impact of remote working in towns and villages since the beginning of the public health restrictions. [43980/20]

Rural Regeneration and Development Fund

Michael Moynihan

8. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if Charleville, County Cork will receive funding for local developments under the rural development fund; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43810/20]

Remote Working

Michael Moynihan

10. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the way in which her Department is facilitating remote working to encourage more persons to live in rural areas; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43592/20]

Town and Village Renewal Scheme

Brendan Griffin

11. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development her plans for town and village renewal in 2021; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44130/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Bernard Durkan

12. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the extent to which she has been in the position to address issues of rural and-or community deprivation, with particular reference to the impact of Covid-19 on both urban and rural communities; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43200/20]

Rural Recreation Policy

Éamon Ó Cuív

14. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the developments in the past year in rural recreation; the work carried out by Comhairle na Tuaithe in that period; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43079/20]

Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme

Brendan Griffin

15. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the status of outdoor recreation infrastructure scheme applications for funding assistance for walking infrastructure in County Kerry and nationwide; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44129/20]

Broadband Infrastructure

David Stanton

16. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the status of the roll-out of broadband connection points in rural communities; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43656/20]

Broadband Infrastructure

Marc MacSharry

25. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the status of the establishment of a network of broadband connection points in counties Sligo and Leitrim; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43606/20]

Broadband Infrastructure

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor

26. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the status of the establishment of a network of broadband connection points in County Carlow; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43598/20]

Remote Working

Ciarán Cannon

30. Deputy Ciarán Cannon asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the work her Department is doing to promote and support remote working; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43946/20]

Employment Rights

Louise O'Reilly

90. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if his attention has been drawn to the fact that provisional liquidators have been appointed to a group (details supplied); and if he will engage with the workers and their trade union to ensure that, regardless of what happens, the company will honour the workers' collective agreement. [44124/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Louise O'Reilly

91. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if his attention has been drawn to the Organisation of Working Time (Amendment) (Carryover of Annual Leave) (Covid-19) Bill 2020 which was introduced on 26 November 2020, which seeks to allow workers to carry over untaken annual leave which they could not take due to the impact of Covid-19; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that similar legislation has been passed for workers in the UK and Northern Ireland; and if he will support similar legislation here. [44125/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Catherine Murphy

92. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will introduce an enterprise and trade support scheme similar to and-or the equivalent of the Covid-19 restrictions support scheme for businesses that are not subject to business rates and-or conduct trading activities from a business premises located in a region subject to restrictions in view of the fact that the Covid pandemic unemployment payment and the employment wage subsidy scheme are not particularly appropriate to certain business models within the tourism and live entertainment sectors. [43719/20]

Corporate Governance

Louise O'Reilly

93. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will report on the interactions he has had with the Director of Corporate Enforcement regarding the Companies (Corporate Enforcement Authority) Bill 2018. [44126/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Cathal Crowe

94. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of businesses in County Clare that have received support under the restart grant and the restart grant plus; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43793/20]

National Development Plan

David Stanton

95. Deputy David Stanton asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the priorities of his Department in the context of the forthcoming national development plan review; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43682/20]

Brexit Supports

Catherine Connolly

97. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the analysis his Department has carried out into the low uptake of the Brexit loan scheme compared to the uptake of the future growth loan scheme; if unexpended Brexit loan scheme funding will be available for repurposing through bespoke supports for microenterprises and small enterprises; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43941/20]

Examinership Arrangements

Richard Bruton

98. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the progress that has been made in developing a cheaper and easier form of examinership which could assist viable enterprises to achieve some restructuring with creditors in order to protect jobs in the trading difficulties. [43183/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Cormac Devlin

99. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of businesses in Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown that have received support under the restart and restart grant plus schemes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43788/20]

Departmental Meetings

Denis Naughten

100. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment further to Question No. 28 of 10 November 2020, if he has held the meeting with the agencies with a particular focus on Ballinasloe, County Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42230/20]

Company Law

Mick Barry

103. Deputy Mick Barry asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will report on progress made on implementing the Duffy Cahill report recommendations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43553/20]

Cabinet Committees

Alan Kelly

1. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee dealing with housing will next meet. [41650/20]

Cabinet Committees

Richard Boyd Barrett

2. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee dealing with housing will next meet. [43542/20]

Cabinet Committees

Mick Barry

3. Deputy Mick Barry asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee dealing with housing will next meet. [43557/20]

Departmental Functions

Alan Kelly

4. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Taoiseach if he will report on the work of the social policy and public service reform division of his Department. [41652/20]

Departmental Functions

Mary Lou McDonald

5. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Taoiseach the role of the social policy unit in his Department. [41797/20]

Departmental Functions

Mary Lou McDonald

6. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Taoiseach if he will report on the work of public service, justice and policing reform division of his Department. [43138/20]

Departmental Functions

Richard Boyd Barrett

7. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Taoiseach if he will report on the work of the social policy and public service reform division of his Department. [43543/20]

Shared Island Unit

Ruairí Ó Murchú

8. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Taoiseach the details of his engagements with the UK Prime Minister on the shared island unit and the commitments made. [41790/20]

Shared Island Unit

Matt Carthy

9. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Taoiseach if the shared island unit in his Department will conduct an economic appraisal to ascertain the benefits and challenges that a united Ireland will present. [42652/20]

Shared Island Unit

Neale Richmond

10. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Taoiseach the infrastructure projects that will be prioritised under the shared island fund in his Department. [43144/20]

Shared Island Unit

Neale Richmond

11. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Taoiseach the next steps to engage young persons in the shared island dialogue in his Department. [43145/20]

Economic Policy

Mary Lou McDonald

1. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Taoiseach the progress of his plans for a high-level review of the economy to be led by his Department. [41491/20]

Economic Policy

Paul Murphy

2. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Taoiseach the progress of his plans for a high-level review of the economy to be led by his Department. [43141/20]

Economic Policy

Paul Murphy

3. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Taoiseach if his Department has convened the well-being expert group as committed to in the programme for Government. [43143/20]

Economic Policy

Alan Kelly

4. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Taoiseach the progress of his plans for a high-level review of the economy to be led by his Department. [43179/20]

Economic Policy

Richard Boyd Barrett

5. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Taoiseach the progress of his plans for a high-level review of the economy to be led by his Department. [43544/20]

Economic Policy

Mick Barry

6. Deputy Mick Barry asked the Taoiseach the progress of his plans for a high-level review of the economy to be led by his Department. [43555/20]

Departmental Functions

Rose Conway-Walsh

7. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Taoiseach if he will consider a review of the appraisal processes used in decision making to ensure better balanced regional development and greater transparency across the appraisal and decision-making process. [41617/20]

Departmental Functions

Alan Kelly

8. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Taoiseach if he will report on the work of the economic division of his Department. [41651/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Alan Kelly

9. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Taoiseach if he will report on the establishment of the high-level task force on Covid-19 vaccination. [41648/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Paul Murphy

10. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Taoiseach the person or body that represented his Department at the first meeting of the high-level task force on Covid-19 vaccination. [41722/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Mary Lou McDonald

11. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Taoiseach if he will report on the work of the high-level task force on Covid-19 vaccination, which includes representatives from his Department. [43140/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Mick Barry

12. Deputy Mick Barry asked the Taoiseach if he will report on the establishment of the high-level task force on Covid-19 vaccination. [43556/20]

Student Accommodation

Rose Conway-Walsh

35. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if all public institutes of higher education have now agreed to provide refunds for unused accommodation; the actions his Department has taken to help students again battling with private accommodation providers for refunds; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43159/20]

Third Level Education

Matt Shanahan

36. Deputy Matt Shanahan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if his attention has been drawn to the fact that approximately €1.7 billion has been spent in the university sector and that less than 1% has been delivered to the south east, which accounts for 10% of the student population; if his attention has been further drawn to the fact that the south east has experienced a pronounced decline in that period; if he is satisfied with the current capital allocations process; his plans going forward to manage the process, ensuring it is delivering fair and equitable direct value equally to the regions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43567/20]

Student Support Schemes

Rose Conway-Walsh

37. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if the €250 payment will be extended to include all students in full-time third level education; the way in which students in final year who have already paid their fees can avail of the support; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43160/20]

Student Accommodation

Danny Healy-Rae

38. Deputy Danny Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the provision being made for third level students who paid accommodation fees before the announcement was made that the colleges would not reopen in view of the fact many have not been refunded the accommodation fees paid up to Christmas 2020; the advice for third level students for the 2021-2022 semester in relation to paying for accommodation up to summer 2021; if students will be refunded if colleges do not reopen for on campus lectures; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43551/20]

Further and Higher Education

Pádraig O'Sullivan

42. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the status of the work of the European Commission and the consultants appointed by the Directorate General for Structural Reform Support that are aiming to investigate methods of increasing the sustainability of higher and further education provision in Ireland. [41757/20]

Technological Universities

Brendan Griffin

44. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his views on the way in which the new Munster technological university will benefit the region; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43310/20]