Ceisteanna Parlaiminte

Covid-19 Pandemic

Emer Higgins

1387. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Health if organised sports training within indoor facilities can do so in multiple pods of six; if there is a limit of six on the total number of attendees; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22517/20]

Beef Industry

Emer Higgins

1469. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if the beef finishers scheme will be reviewed to incorporate cattle from here that are slaughtered in Northern Ireland (details supplied). [22471/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Emer Higgins

66. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Education and Skills the training and further education supports that will be put in place as part of the July stimulus to help jobseekers to upskill and reskill; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18799/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Emer Higgins

88. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection her plans to increase the availability of activation and back-to-work schemes in order to support persons to return to work; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18800/20]

Health and Safety Regulations

Emer Higgins

90. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation if an employer that only provides a member of staff with a laptop due to the fact they are required to work in multiple locations is in breach of health and safety legislation or guidelines by refusing to also provide a monitor to ensure the employee does not suffer from posture difficulties; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18953/20]

Taxi Licences

Emer Higgins

159. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to support taxi drivers as they recover from loss of income as a result of Covid-19; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18382/20]

EU Directives

Emer Higgins

160. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if the EU package travel directive covers purchases through a travel agent of a flight only; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18383/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Emer Higgins

161. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to extend the requirement to wear face coverings to taxis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18385/20]

Sports Funding

Emer Higgins

167. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the amount of National Lottery funding provided to sports organisations in each of the years 2005, 2010 and 2015; the amount planned for 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18433/20]

Rail Network

Emer Higgins

175. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if the upgrade of the Kildare line will result in extending DART services to Hazelhatch or opening Kishogue train station; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18605/20]

Customs and Excise

Emer Higgins

234. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Finance the amount of nitrous oxide seized by customs each year since 2015 to 2019 and to date in 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18610/20]

Vacant Properties

Emer Higgins

351. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government his plans to force owners of private houses that are left vacant to sell them; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18617/20]

State Examinations

Emer Higgins

468. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Education and Skills when details will be provided on the way in which the process of appealing leaving certificate grades will work; the estimated cost involved; when appeals will be released; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18386/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment

Emer Higgins

605. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection further to Parliamentary Question No. 775 of 14 July 2020, if a directive has been issued to her Department in relation to the processing of applications for the pandemic unemployment payment for sole traders over 66 years of age and in receipt of a contributory or non-contributory State pensions and still working; if not, her plans to issue such a directive; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18380/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment

Emer Higgins

606. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if the pandemic unemployment payment will be extended to qualified self-employed professional tourist guides until March 2021; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18381/20]

Substance Misuse

Emer Higgins

779. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of arrests for supplying nitrous oxide for human consumption in each year from 2015 to 2019 and to date in 2020; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18431/20]

Substance Misuse

Emer Higgins

796. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the amount of nitrous oxide seized by An Garda Síochána in each of the years 2015 to 2019 and to date in 2020; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18609/20]

Substance Misuse

Emer Higgins

797. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the way in which gardaí distinguish between legal uses of nitrous oxide and illegal use under the Criminal Justice (Psychoactive Substances) Act 2010 or other relevant legislation or statutory instrument; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18611/20]

Substance Misuse

Emer Higgins

981. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Health when his Department plans to have completed gathering evidence on the abuse of nitrous oxide by young persons; the plans he has to create a strategy to tackle this issue on completion of gathering this evidence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18402/20]

Substance Misuse

Emer Higgins

984. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Health the number of cases of nitrous oxide abuse recorded by the national poisons information centre in each year since 2015 and to date in 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18432/20]

Substance Misuse

Emer Higgins

999. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Health when data from the HSE and Trinity College Dublin on drug trends in summer 2019 at music festivals will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18606/20]

Substance Misuse

Emer Higgins

1000. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Health the number of deaths recorded in the HRB’s national drug-related deaths index in which nitrous oxide was implicated; if two recent deaths in Tallaght, County Dublin and in Millstreet, County Cork which the media have reported as being as a result of nitrous oxide abuse will be recorded in the HRB’s national drug-related deaths index; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18607/20]

Substance Misuse

Emer Higgins

1001. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Health if guidance issued to retailers on the sale of nitrous oxide without breaching the Criminal Justice (Psychoactive Substances) Act 2010; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18608/20]

Substance Misuse

Emer Higgins

1002. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Health if a report from the HSE and Trinity College Dublin on drug trends in summer 2019 at music festivals due to be published shortly records use of nitrous oxide; if so, the proportion of attendees at music festivals in 2019 who used nitrous oxide; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18619/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Emer Higgins

1014. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 738 of 21 July 2020, the details on the number of users who have chosen to register their location in these areas when signing up for the application, in view of the fact the application requests users to provide their location when they register and that the locations in the question are included in the drop-down list from which users select; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18678/20]

Medical Research and Training

Emer Higgins

153. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Education and Skills if a person (details supplied) will allow medical students to undertake one-month summer placements in hospitals in 2020. [17539/20]

Medical Research and Training

Emer Higgins

154. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Education and Skills her plans to allow medical students to undertake one-month summer placements in hospitals in 2020. [17540/20]

Animal Welfare

Emer Higgins

178. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to tackle animal cruelty; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17469/20]

Care of the Elderly

Emer Higgins

199. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Health his plan to help persons with Alzheimer's disease; his further plans to increase resources and staff to help those affected; when daycare centres to help persons with dementia will reopen; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17468/20]

Medical Aids and Appliances

Emer Higgins

223. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Health if he will make lidocaine patches available on the medical card to patients with cancer in need of pain relief; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17580/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Emer Higgins

45. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Taoiseach his plans to place further restrictions on tourists travelling here from regions with a high incidence of Covid-19. [17191/20]

Waste Management

Emer Higgins

87. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment his plans to introduce a refundable deposit scheme for purchases of plastic bottles to encourage recycling; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16737/20]

Driver Licences

Emer Higgins

154. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his attention has been drawn to the fact that persons whose driver licences expire face a long delay in obtaining replacements and are unable to drive until they receive them; his plans to extend the automatic extension of driver licences to persons whose licences expire after 30 June 2020 until the backlog is cleared; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16769/20]

Waterways Issues

Emer Higgins

247. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the reason persons living on houseboats are being evicted from the Grand Canal; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16759/20]

Research and Development

Emer Higgins

421. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Education and Skills her views on setting up a register of capabilities in which companies operating here could record details of the type of industry they are in, the research and development and production facilities they have and the experience, skills and qualifications their technical persons have in order to enable a university or researcher to tap into industry facilities and expertise to build on their initial laboratory-based research; her views on linking joining the register and keeping records up to date with the research and development tax credit regime in order that a company that wants to claim the tax credit in future years has to be on the register and has to certify that their details are up to date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17227/20]

State Pensions

Emer Higgins

443. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection her plans to ensure that community employment scheme supervisors are entitled to pensions; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17194/20]

State Pension (Contributory)

Emer Higgins

464. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the reason a person (details supplied) was not successful in the review of their State pension (contributory) entitlement; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16733/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment

Emer Higgins

465. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if a person (details supplied) will be granted the higher pandemic unemployment payment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16735/20]

State Pensions

Emer Higgins

480. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection her plans to ensure that community employment scheme supervisors are entitled to pensions; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17200/20]

Childcare Services

Emer Higgins

553. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if there is a policy by which children cannot attend crèches if their temperature is above a certain level; if they must stay away from the crèche for a duration of time as a result; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17228/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Emer Higgins

737. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Health the number of downloads of the Covid-19 application; the number of persons who tested positive for Covid-19 who have allowed their close contacts to be notified through the application; the number of persons who have been contacted as a result of being a close contact of a confirmed case; the number of these persons who would not otherwise have been identified; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17189/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Emer Higgins

738. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Health the number of downloads of the Covid-19 application in which the user's location was identified as Brittas, Newcastle, Rathcoole, Saggart, Dublin 20 or Dublin 22; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17190/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Emer Higgins

739. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Health his views on private nursing homes limiting visits to patients to 30 minutes once a week; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17229/20]

Environmental Regulations

Emer Higgins

60. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the engagement between the Environmental Protection Agency and residents of Heather Grove, Palmerstown, in respect of noise pollution from the M50; the measures contained in the Dublin agglomeration plan that can assist with this; the timeline for the implementation of these measures; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16178/20]

Noise Pollution

Emer Higgins

83. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the plans of the National Roads Authority to reduce noise pollution from the M50 motorway in Heather Grove, Palmerstown; the measures contained the Dublin agglomeration plan that can assist with this; the timeline for the implementation of these measures; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16177/20]

Special Educational Needs Staff

Emer Higgins

101. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Education and Skills if her attention has been drawn to the fact that a school (details supplied) has a larger number of pupils with additional needs this year and that the increase in the number of SNAs allocated to the school does not match the increase in pupils with additional needs; if she will provide sufficient SNAs to the school; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16181/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Emer Higgins

53. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Taoiseach when updated data will be released by electoral division further to the release of Covid-19 cases up to 12 June 2020 by electoral division by the Central Statistics Office. [14815/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Emer Higgins

81. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the supports available to sole traders over 66 years of age that are impacted by Covid-19; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15696/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Emer Higgins

82. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the supports available to a self-employed taxi driver impacted by Covid-19; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15827/20]

National Broadband Plan

Emer Higgins

129. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment when broadband will be available at a house (details supplied); the steps the owner can take to accelerate the process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15692/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Emer Higgins

268. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport further to Parliamentary Question No. 114 of 7 July 2020, if the advice since February 2020 constitutes advice not to travel; the body a person can complain to regarding breaches of this directive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16028/20]

Rental Sector

Emer Higgins

447. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the supports available to renters unable to acquire a mortgage to purchase a home; his plans to provide further supports; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16115/20]

Special Educational Needs

Emer Higgins

521. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Education and Skills the additional supports that are available to children who have a dual diagnosis of autism and verbal dyspraxia; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14672/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Emer Higgins

523. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Education and Skills if she will request that private schools provide a partial refund on the fees parents have paid as a result of schools closing during the year in the same manner that insurance companies have provided partial refunds; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14682/20]

Schools Building Projects

Emer Higgins

633. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Education and Skills if officials and contractors employed by her Department will contact a school (details supplied) in advance of entering the building and carrying out works on the building; if they will start to comply with the school policy on Covid-19, including the wearing of face masks, one-way systems, sanitisers and timed arrivals; if the school will be returned to the condition it was in before works started 20 months ago; if carpets will be replaced after works, vents and wiring have damaged them; if her officials and the contractors will commit to meeting with the school management to resolve each of these matters; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15461/20]

State Pensions

Emer Higgins

775. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection her plans to change the age at which persons are entitled to the old age pension; her plans to change the requirement for persons of 65 years of age and above who do not qualify for the old age pension to sign on; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15695/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment

Emer Higgins

779. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the supports available to a self-employed taxi driver impacted by Covid-19; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15828/20]

National Lottery Funding

Emer Higgins

887. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs further to Parliamentary Question No. 575 of 7 July 2020, the amount allocated to the discretionary national lottery funding scheme each year it was in operation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15899/20]

Maternity Leave

Emer Higgins

913. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Justice and Equality her plans to extend maternity leave due to the impact of the Covid-19 lockdown on mothers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14924/20]

Disability Support Services

Emer Higgins

1000. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Health the additional supports that are available to children who have a dual diagnosis of autism and verbal dyspraxia; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14671/20]

National Lottery Funding

Emer Higgins

1306. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 674 of 7 July 2020, if he will provide the specific total amount made available by his Department and the HSE in 2010; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16013/20]

National Lottery Funding

Emer Higgins

86. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the amount made available to organisations through national lottery funding in 2000 and 2010; the amount that will be made available to organisations through national lottery funding in 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13777/20]

Aviation Industry

Emer Higgins

114. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his attention has been drawn to the fact that customers are being charged €50 per person for cancelling their tickets further to the announcement that customers who have booked travel tickets through an agency should be refunded; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14222/20]

Tax Code

Emer Higgins

181. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Finance the capital gains and other tax liabilities if a person surrenders their property to the financial institution that owns the mortgage; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14407/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Emer Higgins

250. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht her plans to provide financial assistance to help dancing groups through the Covid-19 pandemic; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13736/20]

Human Rights

Emer Higgins

336. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the steps Ireland is taking to defend the human rights of the Uighur population in China; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13867/20]

School Curriculum

Emer Higgins

460. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Education and Skills if African history will be introduced into the junior cycle to raise awareness of the slave trade and colonialism; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14457/20]

Carer's Allowance

Emer Higgins

485. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the reason for long delays in assessing applications for carer’s allowance; the reason a person (details supplied) has been waiting over 13 weeks; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13797/20]

Carer's Allowance

Emer Higgins

515. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection her plans to increase the income threshold to qualify for the carer’s allowance; if her attention has been drawn to the fact that the means test disregard has not changed since 2008; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14223/20]

National Lottery Funding

Emer Higgins

575. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the amount made available to organisations through national lottery funding during the first year his Department provided such funding; the amount that will be made available to organisations through National Lottery funding in 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13774/20]

Departmental Funding

Emer Higgins

629. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if her Department will meet with the women in a group (details supplied) to discuss matching the funds raised by their release of a single; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14217/20]

National Lottery Funding

Emer Higgins

674. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Health the amount made available by his Department to organisations through national lottery funding in 2010; the amount that will be made available to organisations through national lottery funding in 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13775/20]

National Lottery Funding

Emer Higgins

675. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Health the amount made available by the HSE to organisations through national lottery funding in 2010; the amount that will be made available by the HSE to organisations through national lottery funding in 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13776/20]

Water Supply

Emer Higgins

688. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to a matter (details supplied); and the measures he will take to address same. [13874/20]

Medical Internships

Emer Higgins

689. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Health his plans to allow medical students to undertake one month summer placements in hospitals in 2020. [13876/20]

Medical Cards

Emer Higgins

787. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Health when the increased thresholds for the over-70s announced in budget 2020 will come into effect; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14219/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Emer Higgins

827. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Health further to the release of confirmed Covid-19 cases by electoral division up to 12 June 2020, when he will release updated data by electoral division on the number of Covid-19 cases; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14355/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Emer Higgins

846. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Health if the Covid-19 tracking app will work on a smartphone that has Bluetooth turned on and can access Wi-Fi at home but does not have access to a phone network or to internet 3G, 4G and so on over a phone network. [14420/20]

Value Added Tax

Emer Higgins

33. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Finance further to Parliamentary Question No. 81 of 16 June 2020, the reason dentists are excluded from a VAT exemption when many other medical professions are included; the reason dentists protecting patients from Covid-19 are treated differently to nursing homes protecting their residents from Covid-19 or doctors protecting their patients from Covid-19; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12759/20]

Insurance Industry

Emer Higgins

62. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Finance further to Parliamentary Question No. 45 of 3 June 2020, if a company (details supplied) is in breach of the voluntary agreement by increasing the premium for a business; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13364/20]

Special Educational Needs

Emer Higgins

126. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Education and Skills if the July provision will be available to children with learning disabilities in a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12800/20]

Special Educational Needs

Emer Higgins

133. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Education and Skills the supports available to children with special educational needs whose usual school and summer camp is not partaking in the voluntary July programme and when no offer of home-based provision has been provided; if no provisions have been provided, if she will work towards the early opening of dedicated special needs schools such as a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12850/20]

Special Educational Needs

Emer Higgins

202. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Education and Skills if post-primary children that were eligible and received home based July provision in previous years are automatically entitled to same in 2020; if parents will be reassured that their expenses will be covered when they submit the claim form at the end of the tuition in view of the absence of an email facility in relation to the matter from her Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13290/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Emer Higgins

382. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Health when SI No. 181 of 2020, Health Act 1947 (Section 31A – Temporary Requirements) (Covid-19 Passenger Locator Form) Regulations 2020 expires; his plans to extend it; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12737/20]

Cancer Services

Emer Higgins

385. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Health his plans to eliminate the wait for cancer patients as a result of the reorientation of the public and private health services during the Covid-19 crisis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12748/20]

Hospital Complaints Procedures

Emer Higgins

500. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Health the options available to a public hospital patient to make a complaint; the role of agencies outside the HSE and his Department such as the Ombudsman; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13291/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Emer Higgins

525. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Health further to his response to the contribution in Dáil Éireann of 11 June 2020 by this Deputy, when the number of days since a positive Covid-19 will be released by county and if possible, by electoral division; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13451/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Emer Higgins

721. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to compensate or require an airline (details supplied) to compensate passengers that did not catch their flights during the Covid-19 lockdown; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the airline is offering no refunds or vouchers and the only option passengers have is to reschedule their flights at their own expense; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13361/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Emer Higgins

750. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the additional supports that will be provided to childcare facilities that open before September 2020, in view of the fact they face additional costs (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12752/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Emer Higgins

51. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Finance the advice he can provide to a person who lost his or her job during the Covid-19 crisis, applied for a mortgage break for three months and now calculates that, over the lifetime of the mortgage, he or she will repay nearly triple the amount saved during the mortgage break; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11915/20]

Traffic Management

Emer Higgins

97. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if his attention has been drawn to the traffic congestion caused by the decision of the OPW to still impose traffic restrictions in the Phoenix Park; the plans of the OPW to lift traffic restrictions in the Phoenix Park that were introduced due to the Covid-19 crisis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12303/20]

Special Educational Needs

Emer Higgins

152. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Education and Skills the scientific justification for closing special educational units; the engagement with EU partners to share plans and experiences in respect of closing special education units; the reason for the absence of special education units from the Roadmap to Reopen Society and Business; his plans for special educational units in the event of a second wave of Covid-19; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11911/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Emer Higgins

388. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Health if public houses that serve food can reopen similar to restaurants under phase 3 of the Roadmap for Reopening Society and Business; if not, the public houses which can reopen similar to restaurants at this time; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11730/20]

Air Traffic Control Services

Emer Higgins

667. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the authority a person can complain to regarding low-flying helicopters making excess noise in the middle of the night; the legislation that governs this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11944/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Emer Higgins

699. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his attention has been drawn to difficulties that taxi drivers face in suspending their insurance during the Covid-19 crisis due to the fact the NTA insists on receiving the tamper-proof disc from the taxi and the likelihood that the NTA offices will be overwhelmed when taxi drivers request appointments to retrieve tamper-proof discs; if he will allow taxi drivers to suspend or update insurance without removing tamper-proof discs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12298/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Emer Higgins

708. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to make face masks mandatory on public transport; his further plans to increase the frequency of buses to ensure sufficient capacity while the numbers on buses are limited to comply with social distancing guidelines; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12354/20]

Early Childhood Care and Education

Emer Higgins

767. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if the ECCE will restart in September 2020; if so, the notice that will be given to childcare providers in advance of it restarting; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12300/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment

Emer Higgins

845. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the reason a person (details supplied) has not received backdated pandemic unemployment payments from the date he or she was made unemployed; the reason the local Intreo office is unable to facilitate this; if the person is entitled to such back payments; the process for claiming the back payment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12353/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Emer Higgins

81. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Finance if the announcement by the Revenue Commissioners that there will be no VAT on PPE applies to dental practices; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11049/20]

Third Level Institutions

Emer Higgins

238. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Education and Skills if his attention has been drawn to the substantial loss in revenue that universities face as a result of the reduction in numbers of international students; his plans to provide additional financial support to universities to overcome same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11060/20]