Parliamentary questions

Agriculture Industry

Michael Creed

352. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 561 of 25 May 2021, his views on whether from the outset this cohort should have been communicated with specifically to inform them of the derogation provision which would assist persons with their requirements under the BEAM scheme given the significant sums of money involved and the low income nature of livestock farming (details supplied); if he will reconsider the matter as it relates to this cohort of BEAM participants with a view to providing an amnesty to those who have not met the derogation application deadline; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30339/21]

State Pensions

Michael Creed

173. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Social Protection the details of the criteria in circumstances in which a person is in receipt of the State pension (contributory) and claiming for an increase for an adult dependant. [30195/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Michael Creed

303. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the situation regarding eligibility by guesthouse and bed and breakfast owners for grant aid for outdoor seating to facilitate summer dining in a Covid-19 context; if she will waive the requirement for a VAT registration number in such circumstances given that many of these operators are very small seasonal businesses and are not registered for VAT; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29599/21]

Social Insurance

Michael Creed

221. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Social Protection the extent of protections available to the self-employed arising from their PRSI contributions in the event of illness and injury at work and so on; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28834/21]

Forestry Sector

Michael Creed

266. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if a forestry licence application by a person (details supplied) will be expedited in view of the fact that an ecologist report has been submitted by the applicant. [28869/21]

Departmental Policies

Michael Creed

35. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the way in which communities can make submissions as part of Our Rural Future - Rural Development Policy 2021-2025 towards creating digital hubs and shared workspaces; the funding and assistance being put in place by her Department in this regard; the awareness campaigns that are being planned; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26789/21]

Vehicle Testing

Michael Creed

143. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Transport the level of supervision by either his Department or the Road Safety Authority of individual vehicle testing centres; the nature of this supervision; if the supervision involves random inspection of tested vehicles; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28022/21]

Departmental Schemes

Michael Creed

417. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Social Protection if the negotiated proposals for gratuity payments for community employment supervisors and community employment assistant supervisors will also be available to supervisors on the rural social schemes who are also without pension provision; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28021/21]

Pension Provisions

Michael Creed

418. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason a person (details supplied) is no longer eligible for an incapacity supplement as an increase to their disablement benefit pension; the reason this has resulted in such a significant reduction in their payment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28023/21]

Agriculture Schemes

Michael Creed

561. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when and the reason an appeal by a person (details supplied) was unsuccessful given the requirement for early slaughter due to a TB outbreak and the difficulty this outcome poses with BEAM compliance; if his Department corresponded directly with farmers in the BEAM scheme who had a TB outbreak outlining options available to them; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28178/21]

Work Permits

Michael Creed

162. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if persons in Ireland under work permits are entitled to have their spouses resident here with them for the duration of their work permit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25633/21]

Agriculture Schemes

Michael Creed

698. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the way in which his Department is dealing with the requirement for a 5% reduction in the organic nitrates load for farmers that participated in BEAM and that are impacted by TB outbreaks in the referenced period; if this cohort of farmers were specifically communicated with outlining the options available to them; if not communicated with specifically arising from their TB issues, if he will look favourably on late applications by this cohort for the derogations and concessions available; and if he will consider the case of a person (details supplied) in this context. [25632/21]

Site Acquisitions

Michael Creed

104. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Education the status of efforts to purchase a site for new schools (details supplied) in County Cork. [24004/21]

Site Acquisitions

Michael Creed

139. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Education the status of efforts to purchase a site for new schools at a location (details supplied) in County Cork. [24787/21]

International Relations

Michael Creed

54. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the initiatives that Ireland is pursuing unilaterally at European Union level and through Ireland's membership of the UN Security Council to protect the interests of the Uighur Muslim population; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23991/21]

United Nations

Michael Creed

83. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the humanitarian policy priorities for Ireland’s membership of the Security Council of the United Nations; the way these priorities are being progressed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23992/21]

Visa Applications

Michael Creed

618. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Justice if her Department is processing visa applications from Pakistan for skilled workers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23622/21]

Primary Medical Certificates

Michael Creed

671. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Cork will receive a decision on their primary medical certificate application. [23621/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Michael Creed

1002. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if her Department is continuing to fund the Covid-19 stability scheme for community voluntary, charity and social enterprise organisations in 2021; and the way organisations that were previously funded under this scheme can apply for funding in 2021. [24592/21]

Special Educational Needs

Michael Creed

100. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Education if an application has been received for additional special needs assistant cover from a school (details supplied) in County Cork; when a decision in respect of this application can be expected in view of the difficult circumstances involved; and if the application will be approved. [23426/21]

State Pensions

Michael Creed

78. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Social Protection if a person (details supplied) in County Cork is entitled to arrears of a contributory pension. [22419/21]

Garda Stations

Michael Creed

813. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Justice the number of vacant Garda residences attached to Garda stations; the number of other Garda properties surplus to requirement; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21545/21]

Visa Applications

Michael Creed

814. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Justice if she has received work visa applications in respect of persons (details supplied) who have work permits; and when such visa applications will be determined. [21546/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Michael Creed

225. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if his Department is participating in an EU Commission initiative on the monitoring of Covid-19 and its variants in wastewater and availing of funding from the Commission for this initiative; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18408/21]

Driver Test

Michael Creed

320. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Transport if the situation will be clarified regarding persons that are awaiting driver tests for urgent work related issues; the way these applicants can be accommodated in the current Covid-19 context; if he will address the way this cohort can reach the required number of driving lessons from an approved driving instructor before being eligible to apply for a driver licence in such circumstances; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18662/21]

Transport Infrastructure Ireland

Michael Creed

353. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Transport the amount paid in legal fees to the legal representations of Transport Infrastructure Ireland in respect of a project (details supplied) in each of the past five years by the legal firms involved; if he is satisfied that every effort is being made to protect the public purse in respect of such legal fees; if every effort is made to avoid protracted legal disputes between the land and property owners; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19205/21]

Transport Infrastructure Ireland

Michael Creed

354. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Transport the amount paid in legal fees in each of the past five years in respect of a project (details supplied) to the legal representatives of property and landowners affected by this project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19206/21]

Fuel Oil Specifications

Michael Creed

420. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Transport if his attention has been drawn the benefits of hydrotreated vegetable oil fuel as a direct substitute for regular diesel without the requirement for modifications to the vehicle; the supports available to assist the establishment of this fuel source as an alternative to diesel; the treatment and regulation by the Revenue Commissioners of this fuel source; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20248/21]

Probate Applications

Michael Creed

485. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Finance if he will arrange to forward a SA.2 form to a person (details supplied) as per the Revenue Commissioners guidelines. [18628/21]

EU Funding

Michael Creed

565. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he plans to publish the National Recovery and Resilience Plan submission to the European Union for funding from the Recovery and Resilience Facility; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20025/21]

Schools Site Acquisitions

Michael Creed

962. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Education the status of efforts made by her Department to procure sites for schools at a location (details supplied) in County Cork. [18663/21]

Departmental Schemes

Michael Creed

1104. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Social Protection when she will announce an increase in the number of participants on community employment, rural social and Tús schemes as per the policy document called Rural Development Policy 2021-2025 - Our Rural Future and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18260/21]

Child Support Payments

Michael Creed

1198. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Social Protection if there is an entitlement to an increase in child dependent payments in the case of a person (details supplied) in view of the reduced level of maintenance payments. [20585/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Michael Creed

1330. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if Irish third-level students currently studying abroad on the Erasmus programme will be subject to the full costs of mandatory hotel quarantine upon their return to Ireland; the measures being put in place to alleviate same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19807/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Michael Creed

1605. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Health if his Department is participating in an EU Commission initiative on the monitoring of Covid-19 and its variants in wastewater and availing of funding from the Commission for this initiative; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18409/21]

Departmental Investigations

Michael Creed

2322. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Health the number of legal firms corresponded with by his Department arising from a recent television programme (details supplied); the number of files identified in his Department impacted by the activity uncovered in the television programme; the timeline for the investigation into this matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20586/21]

Departmental Investigations

Michael Creed

2323. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Health the details of the independent liaison officer appointed to investigate and report on matters raised in a recent television programme (details supplied); the timeline for the investigation and report; if the report will be published; if he will give assurances as to the independence of the inquiry; if he will publish the terms of reference for the inquiry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20587/21]

Poultry Industry

Michael Creed

2452. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will quantify the extent of the avian flu impact on the Irish poultry sector for each of the past five years; the financial supports available from his Department on this matter; his views on the desirability of a poultry health fund for the sector and the possibility of insurance cover against such disease incidents; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18455/21]

Irish Land Commission

Michael Creed

2494. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the steps he is taking given the social, cultural and political significance of the Irish Land Commission and the files therein to ensure that by 2022, 30 years after the Land Commission ceased to exist, that there will be full access to all of the records therein; the initiatives being taken to digitise these significant historical records; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19202/21]

Targeted Agricultural Modernisation Scheme

Michael Creed

2509. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if TAMS payments will be issued to a person (details supplied) in County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19491/21]

Vaccination Programme

Michael Creed

311. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Health the number of front-line workers eligible for Covid-19 vaccination; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17724/21]

English Language Training Organisations

Michael Creed

759. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the engagement he has had with the English language school sector; the supports he has secured for the sector which has been impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic and is in danger of collapse; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17216/21]

Basic Payment Scheme

Michael Creed

252. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if there is a problem with the eligibility of a plot under an area aid application (details supplied). [16099/21]

Arts Funding

Michael Creed

554. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media when the €50 million fund for the live entertainment sector will be distributed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13931/21]

Schools Building Projects

Michael Creed

862. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Education the progress being made on the provision of a new school (details supplied) arising from a meeting with school representatives recently; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14529/21]

Community Employment Schemes

Michael Creed

992. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of persons availing of the community employment scheme that are in receipt of a qualifying disability payment or have been classified as having a disability in each of the years 2018, 2019 and 2020, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14885/21]

Direct Provision System

Michael Creed

1079. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth further to Parliamentary Question No. 128 of 10 March 2021, the reason for the substantial increase in the cost of the direct provision system in 2019 and 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14611/21]

International Protection

Michael Creed

1207. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Justice the number of persons seeking international protection here by the length of stay; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14207/21]

GLAS Issues

Michael Creed

1963. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the circumstances for a financial penalty on payments (details supplied). [14530/21]

Food Exports

Michael Creed

1964. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the steps being taken at EU level to ensure that there is consistency and uniformity of approach with regard to export health certificates as required under the trade co-operation agreement between the European Union and the UK post-Brexit on products of animal origin; the estimated time taken from date of application to the issue of such export health certificates; and if he will expedite this application process in particular circumstances. [14531/21]

Grant Payments

Michael Creed

2026. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a person (details supplied) in County Cork will receive their 2020 BDGP and BEAM grants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15611/21]

Equine Industry

Michael Creed

2051. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the levels of non-compliance with equine microchipping and traceability; if he is satisfied with the level of compliance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15966/21]

International Protection

Michael Creed

144. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if Ireland is deemed to be in compliance with the European Communities reception conditions Regulations 2018 Statutory Instrument Number 230/2018. [13674/21]

Dental Services

Michael Creed

190. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Health if he has been notified of specific locations in which medical card patients are being denied access to dental treatment; and the steps he plans to take in this regard. [13607/21]

Vaccination Programme

Michael Creed

216. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Health the number of front-line healthcare workers who have declined vaccination for medical reasons. [13675/21]

Vaccination Programme

Michael Creed

217. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Health the number of front-line healthcare workers who have been vaccinated; the number who have declined vaccination; the number still awaiting vaccination; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13676/21]

Taxi Licences

Michael Creed

208. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Transport if he will clarify the situation regarding taxi licences that have vehicle capacity for wheelchairs; if such licences can be sold; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12541/21]

Taxi Licences

Michael Creed

209. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Transport the supports available from his Department to the taxi industry. [12542/21]

Taxi Regulations

Michael Creed

210. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Transport if he will engage with the Taxi Regulator with regard to the requirement to ensure that vehicles for taxi purposes are under a certain age in view of the impact of Covid-19 on the business; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12543/21]

Rights of Way

Michael Creed

362. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will extend the November deadline for the registration of rights of way with the Land Registry in view of the fact that many of the technical engineering and legal staff required for the registration of such rights of way are not in a position to do this work due to the present restrictions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13454/21]

Social Welfare Schemes Data

Michael Creed

618. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Social Protection the estimated cost of the support payments to her Department for those seeking international protection as provided for in the White Paper to End Direct Provision and to Establish a New International Protection Support Service; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13426/21]

Direct Provision System

Michael Creed

626. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth when he plans to establish the new international protection support service to deal with applicants for international protection; the staff complement that will be seconded to this new organisation; the structure and budget of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13398/21]

Direct Provision System

Michael Creed

627. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he has requested an association (details supplied) to develop the national settlement pattern as per the contents of the White Paper to End Direct Provision and to Establish a New International Protection Support Service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13403/21]

Direct Provision System

Michael Creed

628. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the cost to the State of the direct provision system in each of the past ten years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13405/21]

Direct Provision System

Michael Creed

653. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will identify the resettlement workers referred to in the White Paper to End Direct Provision and to Establish a New International Protection Support Service who will oversee and link applicants for international protection with supports and services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13396/21]

Direct Provision System

Michael Creed

654. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of direct provision centres that already offer own door or own room accommodation in their facilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13399/21]

Direct Provision System

Michael Creed

656. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the relevant Departments, agencies and NGOs that will constitute the programme board to oversee the governance and implementation of the new regime to replace the direct provision model for applicants for international protection; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13425/21]

Third Level Education

Michael Creed

659. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he is tracking the number of first year dropouts from third-level courses in the academic year 2020-2021; the consequences of this rate of dropout for the academic year 2021-2022; the CAO application process for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12501/21]

International Protection

Michael Creed

724. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Justice the number of persons seeking international protection in each of the past ten years by country of origin for this period. [13395/21]

International Protection

Michael Creed

725. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Justice the number of applications for international protection which were decided definitively in each of the past ten years; the number of applications which were declined international protection in each of the past ten years; and the country of origin of these applicants. [13397/21]

International Protection

Michael Creed

726. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Justice if the State operates a system of safe countries in which applicants for international protection from such countries are deemed to be inadmissible due to the satisfaction of the State with the rule of law, human rights, the independence of the court system and the treatment of minorities in such jurisdictions; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13401/21]

International Protection

Michael Creed

727. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Justice the number of applicants for international protection whose applications were declined in each of the past ten years who were subsequently deported; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13404/21]

International Protection

Michael Creed

728. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Justice the breakdown of the circumstances in relation to applicants for international protection over the past ten years with regard to unaccompanied minors, single adults, couples and couples with extended families; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13406/21]

International Protection

Michael Creed

730. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Justice the breakdown of applicants for international protection over the past ten years by the number of unaccompanied minors, single adults, couples and couples with children; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13422/21]

Asylum Seekers

Michael Creed

731. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Justice if Ireland is a signatory to the Dublin Convention and compliant with the provisions of same (details supplied); the position regarding the operation of the directive here; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13427/21]

Vaccination Programme

Michael Creed

826. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Health the process established to deal with difficult cases concerning the Covid-19 vaccination, in particular a case (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12845/21]

LEADER Programmes

Michael Creed

1055. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the level of demand for grant aid applications received under the LEADER food initiative for artisan, micro and small-food enterprises to date funded under the Rural Development Programme regulation number 1305/2013; the funding allocated for this initiative; the draw down of funding to date; and if applications are still being accepted. [13141/21]

Córas Iompair Éireann

Michael Creed

24. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Transport the position regarding retired wage staff of the CIÉ group with regard to pension increases pro-rata with staff wage increases within the group; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12317/21]

Banking Sector

Michael Creed

177. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Finance if his attention has been drawn to the proposed sale of a loan book by a bank (details supplied) which includes loans which the bank had previously agreed to sell to a voluntary housing body in which the owners of the properties involved would revert to a tenancy agreement with the voluntary housing body; if he will intervene to ensure that this particular cohort of the loan book is sold as previously agreed to the voluntary housing body; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12019/21]

Third Level Fees

Michael Creed

505. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Education the role her Department played in respect of setting fees for the online courses provided by an organisation (details supplied) to student teachers; her views on whether relative to the previous agreed costs for attending these courses in the Gaeltacht and the associated costs for accommodation and so on that this charge for an online course is excessive; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12037/21]

Fuel Allowance

Michael Creed

541. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Social Protection when a fuel allowance payment will issue to a person (details supplied) who made an application in 2020; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11368/21]

Invalidity Pension

Michael Creed

551. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Social Protection if a person (details supplied) is entitled to an invalidity pension. [11644/21]

Medicinal Products

Michael Creed

877. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Health his views on the gene therapy treatment known as luxturna for the treatment of the early onset of severe retinal dystrophy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11627/21]

Medicinal Products

Michael Creed

878. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Health the treatments available in the public health service for persons diagnosed with Leber congenital amaurosis and early onset of severe retinal dystrophy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11630/21]

Medicinal Products

Michael Creed

879. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Health if he plans to establish a national medicines agency; and if so, the way in which it will interact with the National Centre for Pharmacoeconomics. [11631/21]

Rare Diseases Strategy

Michael Creed

880. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Health the status of the commitment in the programme for Government to update the national rare diseases plan. [11632/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Michael Creed

37. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Finance the position regarding the entitlement of a person (details supplied) to the temporary wage subsidy scheme and employment wage subsidy scheme. [10705/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment

Michael Creed

43. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Finance the reason a person (details supplied) who has recently returned to work and who was previously on the pandemic unemployment payment now appears to be paying an excessive amount of income tax. [10706/21]

Banking Sector

Michael Creed

211. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Finance if his attention has been drawn to a proposed loan sale by a bank (details supplied); and if he will take steps to ensure that those home loans within this proposal that were the subject of an agreed sale previously to an organisation will be excluded from the sale in order that the holders of these loans can retain their security of tenure in their homes while transferring to a mortgage-to-rent option. [10223/21]

Departmental Correspondence

Michael Creed

219. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Finance if his attention has been drawn to the general issue regarding negative interest rates being imposed by the pillar banks on monies held on deposit; if his attention has been further drawn to the way in which it relates to solicitor client accounts; his views on whether it is inappropriate to have these charges on such accounts in the circumstances; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10399/21]

Community Employment Schemes

Michael Creed

552. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of negotiations with community employment supervisors regarding pension and gratuity payments; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9732/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Michael Creed

11. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if the situation regarding dual purpose stores (details supplied) will be clarified; and the entitlement of dual purpose stores and their continued trade in non-essential items to the detriment of stores already closed by level 5 regulations. [8007/21]

Work Permits

Michael Creed

14. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the position regarding the further issue of work permits for the dairy sector; if existing holders of dairy work permits are entitled to move after a period of 12 months from one employer to another dairy operator in cases in which the original employer has ceased farming; if so, the person obliged to organise the further employment; the persons who are required to be notified; if the permit holder can secure further employment to their satisfaction if they are entitled to organise employment themselves; if agents who organised the original work permit can charge fees for reallocation of workers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8180/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Michael Creed

199. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she will engage with an organisation (details supplied) in advance of the 5 March 2021 review of Covid-19 restrictions. [8683/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Michael Creed

673. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Health if he has considered monitoring the presence of Covid-19 in wastewater streams thereby securing significant data on emerging incidences of Covid-19 within the population or a region (details supplied); if his attention has been drawn to the fact that this is being carried out in several other European Union jurisdictions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7969/21]

Forestry Sector

Michael Creed

996. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of a forestry licence application by a person (details supplied); if the application requires an ecology report; if the report will be provided by his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8006/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Michael Creed

137. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Education when revised guidelines on the reopening of special schools and special classes will issue to school principals; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7522/21]

Departmental Staff

Michael Creed

234. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Justice further to Parliamentary Question No. 177 of 4 February 2021, if the situation regarding persons who are placed on transfer panels will be clarified; the priority attached to such panels when filling internal vacancies; the way the HR function of agencies within the remit of her Department, including An Garda Síochána, the Courts Service, the Legal Aid Board and so on, interact with the panels when vacancies at the grade for which the panel is in existence arise within their agencies; if there are internal mobility panels within these agencies which may supersede her Department's own panels; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7523/21]

National Broadband Plan

Michael Creed

47. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications when a location (details supplied) in County Cork will be connected under the national broadband plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6437/21]

State Pensions

Michael Creed

195. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Finance if he will clarify the situation regarding the restricted entitlement for pensioners to drawdown funding from private pension investments which appear to discriminate against persons that have a reduced rate of State pension relative to those that are in receipt of the full State pension (contributory); the reason the State, through its financial regulations, would make it more difficult on persons in receipt of a smaller income to withdraw funds from their own private pension investments than it is for those that have larger pensions and perhaps other income; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6513/21]