Ceisteanna Parlaiminte

National Broadband Plan

Emer Higgins

52. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the areas of County Wicklow in which surveying for the national broadband plan is taking place or has taken place; when surveying in the county will be complete; and when the first connections will be made. [6640/21]

National Broadband Plan

Emer Higgins

53. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the areas of County Dublin in which surveying for the national broadband plan is taking place or has taken place; when surveying in the county will be complete; and when the first connections will be made. [6641/21]

National Broadband Plan

Emer Higgins

54. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the areas of County Meath in which surveying for the national broadband plan is taking place or has taken place; when surveying in the county will be complete; and when the first connections will be made. [6642/21]

National Broadband Plan

Emer Higgins

55. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the areas of County Tipperary in which surveying for the national broadband plan is taking place or has taken place; when surveying in the county will be complete; and when the first connections will be made. [6643/21]

National Broadband Plan

Emer Higgins

56. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the areas of County Galway in which surveying for the national broadband plan is taking place or has taken place; when surveying in the county will be complete; and when the first connections will be made. [6644/21]

National Broadband Plan

Emer Higgins

57. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the areas of County Roscommon in which surveying for the national broadband plan is taking place or has taken place; when surveying in the county will be complete; and when the first connections will be made. [6645/21]

National Broadband Plan

Emer Higgins

58. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the areas of County Longford in which surveying for the national broadband plan is taking place or has taken place; when surveying in the county will be complete; and when the first connections will be made. [6646/21]

National Broadband Plan

Emer Higgins

59. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the areas of County Westmeath in which surveying for the national broadband plan is taking place or has taken place; when surveying in the county will be complete; and when the first connections will be made. [6647/21]

National Broadband Plan

Emer Higgins

60. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the areas of County Offaly in which surveying for the national broadband plan is taking place or has taken place; when surveying in the county will be complete; and when the first connections will be made. [6648/21]

National Broadband Plan

Emer Higgins

61. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the areas of County Waterford in which surveying for the national broadband plan is taking place or has taken place; when surveying in the county will be complete; and when the first connections will be made. [6649/21]

National Broadband Plan

Emer Higgins

62. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the areas of County Leitrim in which surveying for the national broadband plan is taking place or has taken place; when surveying in the county will be complete; and when the first connections will be made. [6650/21]

National Broadband Plan

Emer Higgins

63. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the areas of County Sligo in which surveying for the national broadband plan is taking place or has taken place; when surveying in the county will be complete; and when the first connections will be made. [6651/21]

National Broadband Plan

Emer Higgins

64. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the areas of County Cavan in which surveying for the national broadband plan is taking place or has taken place; when surveying in the county will be complete; and when the first connections will be made. [6652/21]

National Broadband Plan

Emer Higgins

65. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the areas of County Monaghan in which surveying for the national broadband plan is taking place or has taken place; when surveying in the county will be complete; and when the first connections will be made. [6653/21]

Mortgage Lending

Emer Higgins

201. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Finance if he will report on his engagement with the banks in relation to providing support to mortgage holders in receipt of the pandemic unemployment payment or the employment wage subsidy scheme who may be finding it difficult to make repayments at present; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6594/21]

Rental Sector

Emer Higgins

341. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the person or body that pays the management fees for properties in private developments let through HAP and RAS. [7230/21]

Schools Building Projects

Emer Higgins

393. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Education the status of the progress and timelines for delivery of new school accommodation for post-primary schools (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6373/21]

Schools Building Projects

Emer Higgins

394. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Education the status of progress and the timelines for the delivery of new school accommodation for primary schools (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6374/21]

Home Schooling

Emer Higgins

396. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Education if her Department is putting together an online resource site for parents to support them to home school and to ensure all parents have equal access to the same online assistance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6385/21]

School Curriculum

Emer Higgins

471. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Education if the relationships and sexual education curriculum will be updated to include the way in which to identify and avoid the behaviour of coercive control. [7325/21]

Special Educational Needs

Emer Higgins

472. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Education the supports and resources in place for parents of children with dyslexia. [7326/21]

Teacher Training

Emer Higgins

473. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Education the continuous professional development opportunities available to teachers in the area of dyslexia; and the number of teachers who availed of such supports in each of the years 2018 to 2020. [7327/21]

Childcare Costs

Emer Higgins

534. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth his views on whether crèches should be charging essential workers a full-time rate when they are not utilising full-time care in the crèche; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6382/21]

Childcare Costs

Emer Higgins

535. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth his views on whether crèches should be charging fees to non-essential workers whose children are not attending crèche due to level 5 restrictions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6383/21]

Citizenship Applications

Emer Higgins

621. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Justice if citizenship can be fast-tracked for essential workers in the healthcare system in view of their work on the Covid-19 frontline; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6627/21]

Vaccination Programme

Emer Higgins

708. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Health if he will discuss with the National Immunisation Advisory Committee when persons with cystic fibrosis should receive their vaccination and to determine if they and other vulnerable groups should be included in category 3. [6378/21]

Flexible Work Practices

Emer Higgins

1042. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the progress on developing remote hubs which will have an enduring benefit to the country; if access to broadband is an impediment to developing hubs; if so, if steps are being taken to remedy the matter; and if the national broadband plan is relevant to same. [6654/21]

Broadband Infrastructure

Emer Higgins

1043. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the progress on the development of broadband connection points in which her Department played a key role in the identification of locations; and if the number of broadband connection points is being increased. [6655/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Emer Higgins

28. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Transport if he will engage with Irish airlines to ensure their future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6093/21]

Anti-Social Behaviour

Emer Higgins

180. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Justice the number of antisocial behaviour orders issued in an area (details supplied). [6098/21]

Parental Leave

Emer Higgins

420. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Social Protection when the additional two weeks week parent’s leave benefit will come into effect; and the way in which applications will be processed and the leave administered. [5398/21]

Telecommunications Services

Emer Higgins

626. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Health the details of the contract with a company (details supplied) to provide the aggregated mobile phone data to the CSO to facilitate its staying local indicator; the controls that exist to ensure no personal data are provided; and the contract term and value. [5060/21]

Health Services Provision

Emer Higgins

866. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Health if a high-concentrate free supply of vitamin D will be provided to categories of persons (details supplied). [5892/21]

Health Services Provision

Emer Higgins

867. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Health if the Food Safety Authority of Ireland will be instructed to examine whether or not vitamin D supplements in excess of the strength currently recommended for protecting older persons bones are advisable for the entire population in order to build resilience against Covid-19; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5893/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Emer Higgins

868. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Health if an independent expert working group will be convened, which includes specialist expertise in the relevant medical and other clinical specialities, to comprehensively evaluate if vitamin D supplementation at doses greater than those currently recommended to Irish adults for musculoskeletal health is now advisable to the Irish adult population in order to build their resilience against Covid-19 infection and severe Covid-19 disease. [5894/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Emer Higgins

869. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Health if he will appoint an independent expert working group, which includes specialist expertise in medical gerontology and the other relevant medical and clinical specialities, to comprehensively evaluate whether vitamin D supplementation at doses greater than those currently recommended to Irish adults aged over 65 years of age for musculoskeletal health are now advisable to the Irish adult population aged over 65 years of age in order to build their resilience against Covid-19 infection and severe Covid-19 cases. [5895/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Emer Higgins

870. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Health if an independent expert working group will be appointed, which includes specialist expertise in medical gerontology and the other relevant medical and clinical specialities, to comprehensively evaluate whether vitamin D supplementation at doses greater than those currently recommended to Irish adults and to Irish adults aged over 65 years of age for musculoskeletal health is now advisable to Irish adults with underlying medical conditions in order to build their resilience against Covid-19 infection and severe Covid-19 disease. [5896/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Emer Higgins

3. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if special exemptions were given to supermarkets that also sell homeware to allow for click and collect during level 5 given that this seems to be the case in a particular store. [4583/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Emer Higgins

9. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if click and reserve which then facilitates collection from shops is allowed in level 5. [4744/21]

Social and Affordable Housing

Emer Higgins

82. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the details of the introduction of a new form of tenure in cost rental (details supplied). [4592/21]

Social and Affordable Housing

Emer Higgins

83. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the locations in which the 400 cost rental homes will be built; and his plans for future developments in the years thereafter. [4593/21]

Social and Affordable Housing

Emer Higgins

84. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the eligibility criteria for the cost rental scheme; and the income thresholds for single applicants and couples. [4594/21]

Social and Affordable Housing

Emer Higgins

85. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if the cost rental homes will be new dwellings or if existing dwellings will be repurposed and used for these developments. [4595/21]

Social and Affordable Housing

Emer Higgins

86. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the role that local authorities will play in the provision of cost rental homes; and the agency which will have oversight for the provision of cost rental homes. [4596/21]

Social and Affordable Housing

Emer Higgins

87. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the other jurisdictions with cost rental accommodation which have been examined in drawing up legislation. [4597/21]

Social and Affordable Housing

Emer Higgins

88. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the amount of funding from his Department that will be allocated to the roll-out of cost rental affordable accommodation. [4598/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Emer Higgins

261. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Health when clarification will be provided to the medically vulnerable as to the category they will be included in under the vaccine roll-out programme. [4745/21]

Vaccination Programme

Emer Higgins

693. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Health the position of veterinarian staff under the Covid-19 vaccination roll-out plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3710/21]

Ministerial Meetings

Emer Higgins

768. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Health the reason, further to correspondence from this Deputy over the past three weeks, he has not met or engaged with academics who have a proposal that could reduce Covid-19 ICU admissions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3976/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Emer Higgins

796. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Health if supports are available to access PPE by persons who are caring for an elderly person or a person with a disability in their home who has contracted Covid-19 in order to protect the carer. [4113/21]

Vaccination Programme

Emer Higgins

865. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Health the vaccination categories that paramedics, ambulance staff and fire brigade staff come under. [4426/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Emer Higgins

70. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Finance if community centres can avail of the Covid restrictions support scheme initiative. [3136/21]

State Examinations

Emer Higgins

189. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Education if she will provide certainty to leaving certificate students regarding the way their results will be determined in 2021; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3142/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Emer Higgins

514. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the financial supports in place to help community centres stay afloat during Covid-19. [3135/21]

Food Safety Authority of Ireland

Emer Higgins

653. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Health if his Department requested the Food Safety Authority of Ireland to fast-track its recommendations on vitamin D supplementation in older adults due to emerging evidence linking low vitamin D levels with increased Covid-19 infection and severity; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2842/21]

Food Safety Authority of Ireland

Emer Higgins

654. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Health if his Department asked as to whether vitamin D supplementation in adults rather than just older adults is being considered as advisable in the context of Covid-19; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2843/21]

Education and Training Boards

Emer Higgins

715. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will facilitate ETB network to facilitate agriculture courses for farmers in areas such as derogation of nitrates. [2841/21]

Wage Subsidy Scheme

Emer Higgins

53. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Finance the way new companies can determine their eligibility of wage subsidy scheme if they were not in operation one year ago; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1961/21]

Banking Sector

Emer Higgins

54. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Finance his engagement with the banks on business loans which many closed businesses will find difficult to repay at present; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1963/21]

Special Educational Needs

Emer Higgins

121. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Education the plans in place to support special needs students during level 5 lockdown. [1957/21]

Medical Internships

Emer Higgins

187. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Health if his Department will work with the HSE to approve a medical internship for a sixth-year medical student (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1953/21]

Student Support Schemes

Emer Higgins

212. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Health if he will consider extending the €100 weekly grant payment to student nurses working during Covid-19 to radiography students; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2038/21]

DEIS Scheme

Emer Higgins

431. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Education if DEIS status will be allocated to a school (details supplied) in County Longford; if she will consider the strains on resources, the dramatic job restructuring in the area at present and the fact that the student population in the school comprises homes in which 27% are lone parents, 44% are social protection recipients and 37% English as an additional language, EAL; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44762/20]

Third Level Admissions

Emer Higgins

657. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the process by which a college application by a person (details supplied) can be appealed, given that the university has advised the prospective student to appeal through the Teaching Council but the Teaching Council has advised that it does not have any remit with regard to the appeals process. [1001/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Emer Higgins

742. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Health if the task force on the Covid-19 vaccination will be requested to include persons with Down's syndrome in the group of people aged 18 to 64 years with certain medical conditions document by the provisional vaccine allocation group. [44557/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Emer Higgins

898. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Health the extent to which vitamin D is being used by the HSE to treat and-or prevent Covid-19 in healthcare settings here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1002/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Emer Higgins

899. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Health the status of the ongoing observational studies that are currently evaluating the role of vitamin D in preventing and treating Covid-19; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1003/21]

Food Safety Authority of Ireland

Emer Higgins

900. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Health the terms of reference given to the Food Safety Authority ahead of the publication of its vitamin D scientific recommendations for food-based dietary guidelines for older adults in Ireland; if this study was requested to look at vitamin D in the general population in the context of the Covid-19 pandemic; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1004/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Emer Higgins

35. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the funding programmes available to urban communities to help communities with the impact of Covid-19 and tackle other societal problems; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43655/20]

Voluntary Sector

Emer Higgins

44. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the level and type of support that has been provided in 2020 to community and voluntary organisations on account of the impact of Covid-19; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43654/20]

EU Issues

Emer Higgins

188. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if Ireland has made a submission to the EU trade policy review; if so, the issues he is prioritising; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43680/20]

Early Childhood Care and Education

Emer Higgins

246. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will consider a person (details supplied) eligible for the ECCE scheme starting September 2021 on the basis of isolated expressive speech delay and in the context that starting the ECCE, for which they are ineligible on the basis of five days in 2021, will help prevent long-term developmental issues. [43726/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Emer Higgins

293. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Health if he will instruct the task force on Covid-19 vaccination to include persons with Down's syndrome in the group of persons aged 18 to 64 with certain medical conditions in the provisional vaccine allocation groups document; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43671/20]

Health Services Staff

Emer Higgins

297. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Health if he will consider granting a nominal retention bonus to nurses, midwives and healthcare workers who have worked throughout Covid-19; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43715/20]

Medicinal Products

Emer Higgins

298. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Health if he will work with the HSE to secure equitable access to dupilumab for atopic eczema patients; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43716/20]

Electoral Process

Emer Higgins

277. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if she will accept a proposal (details supplied) that seeks to allow every Irish citizen on the island of Ireland a vote in general elections. [43077/20]

Departmental Administrative Arrangements

Emer Higgins

336. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Education if she will consider the inclusion of a phone line message system on the payroll telephone number of her Department to inform callers of the other options, for example, e-mail contact details for obtaining information on payroll issues; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43255/20]

Nursing Education

Emer Higgins

496. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Health the position regarding the payment of travel allowances which are owed to student nurses from placements which took place almost one year ago; and if these allowances will be paid without further delay. [42923/20]

Victim Support Services

Emer Higgins

43. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Justice the progress being made in the implementation of Supporting a Victim's Journey; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41482/20]

Domestic Violence

Emer Higgins

69. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Justice the steps she is taking to tackle sexual and domestic violence; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41481/20]

Health Promotion

Emer Higgins

96. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Health his views on the recent advice given to older persons to take vitamin D daily; if such advice applies to other age groups; if, the supplement will be subsidised for at-risk groups in the context of public health and health promotion; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41875/20]

Health Services

Emer Higgins

125. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Health the progress of the women’s health taskforce which is aiming to improve women’s health outcomes and experiences of healthcare in terms of health promotion and public health; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41876/20]

Home Help Service

Emer Higgins

416. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Health the procedures and quality checks in place to monitor the care carried out by home help organisations contracted to carry out home caring work in the homes of persons; if there is a feedback mechanism for receivers of this care; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42630/20]

Agrifood Sector

Emer Higgins

62. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the way in which his Department has been working to increase awareness and take-up of opportunities in the bioeconomy sector including within the EU Bioeconomy Strategy (details supplied). [41484/20]

School Staff

Emer Higgins

355. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Education the number of extra personal vacation days which are allowed for a teacher to take at the present time with the provision of a substitute teacher to cover the leave if the five days normally allowed have been reduced; and if there are plans to restore this number of days. [41869/20]

Youth Services

Emer Higgins

448. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if the Blue Skies initiative will be rolled out to the high growth area of Saggart, Rathcoole, Newcastle County Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41304/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Emer Higgins

607. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Health if guidance will be provided to the HSE to safely facilitate both expectant parents to attend scans and ultrasounds in maternity hospitals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41334/20]

School Meals Programme

Emer Higgins

18. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of the school meals programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39722/20]

Hospital Services

Emer Higgins

366. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Health if there are plans to roll out the Sligo scheme in terms of cataract treatment to other areas of the country; the financial benefits which would apply if this scheme was rolled out; if waiting lists would be reduced; the timescale for such a roll out; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40971/20]

City and County Child Care Committees

Emer Higgins

95. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth when the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform will make the necessary funding available for the implementation of the Workplace Relations Commission's agreement of August 2019 between a union (details supplied) and city and county childcare committees. [40590/20]

Driver Test

Emer Higgins

176. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Transport the reason no driver theory test appointments are available to be booked in the next ten months (details supplied). [39871/20]

School Facilities

Emer Higgins

387. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Education if her Department will increase the number of language units, given that there has been no resource increase since 2001; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39757/20]

Pension Provisions

Emer Higgins

479. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Social Protection if the provision of pensions for community employment supervisors will be facilitated as per the recommendations of the 2008 Labour Court ruling; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26410/20]

Early Childhood Care and Education

Emer Higgins

526. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the reason the ECCE programme 2020 will not run to coincide with the local school calendar (details supplied). [39622/20]

Proposed Legislation

Emer Higgins

158. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth when the adoption information and tracing Bill will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38949/20]

Housing Policy

Emer Higgins

53. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the status of the age friendly strategy; the actions being taken to build on housing options for our ageing population; the funding that has been allocated to address policy aims of housing for the older population as part of budget 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38430/20]

Electric Vehicles

Emer Higgins

173. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications his plans to reduce carbon emissions to help management companies of apartment complexes install electric charge points in underground car parks for residents; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38094/20]

Schools Building Projects

Emer Higgins

475. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Education the status of the completion of the permanent building for a school (details supplied) in view of the fact the temporary accommodation is not a substitute for a permanent school; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37821/20]

State Examinations

Emer Higgins

525. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Education if concessions are being considered for the leaving certificate class of 2021; if there will be allowances for the loss of teaching hours in 2020 that affected student class time; if there will be allowances made for students many of whom are self-isolating on multiple occasions and missing class time as Covid-19 cases are detected in their schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38793/20]

Carer's Benefit

Emer Higgins

540. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Social Protection if the anomaly will be corrected by which a 0.5 full-time equivalent teacher is currently categorised as working 11 hours a week based on a full-time teacher working 22 hours a week and on that basis is not eligible for the carer’s benefit as they do not meet the criterion of working 16 hours per week; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37825/20]