Ceisteanna Parlaiminte

Irish Language

Martin Browne

51. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Media, Tourism, Arts, Culture, Sport and the Gaeltacht if consideration will be given to restoring pre-recession funding to the development scheme for Irish run by an organisation (details supplied); if her attention has been drawn to the fact that funding for an officer to run the scheme was cut from five days per week to four when the economic crisis hit; her views on the valued contribution the organisation at its branch in Nenagh, County Tipperary, makes towards the use and promotion of the Irish language; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27361/20]

Irish Water

Martin Browne

160. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of staff directly employed by Irish Water; the number of staff employed through contracted services; the cost of subcontracted and directly employed employees; and the breakdown of services which are subcontracted. [27943/20]

Social and Affordable Housing

Martin Browne

161. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the provisions in place to avoid persons who are on the housing list as joint applicants being penalised when as a result of relationship breakdown they have to reapply as single persons; and if there is a provision in place such that such persons are not treated as new applicants. [27944/20]

Citizenship Applications

Martin Browne

241. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Justice the way in which the six-week absence rule is calculated in view of the fact that applicants are being given conflicting information as to whether it is the entire period that is counted once it is over six weeks or just the number of days over the six weeks. [27796/20]

Cannabis for Medicinal Use

Martin Browne

288. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Health the arrangements that were made while Covid-19 restrictions on travel were in place to accommodate persons using medicinal cannabis preparations under licence; the length of time such arrangements will continue; and his views on making such arrangements permanent. [27845/20]

Disability Services Provision

Martin Browne

371. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Health the supports his Department has made available for persons with dementia or Alzheimer’s since the start of March 2020; and the supports planned for the coming months. [27945/20]

Currency Circulation

Martin Browne

86. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Finance his views on the concerns in rural Ireland of the emergence of a cashless society; the accessibility issues that would give rise for some persons; his views on the way in which those that have traditionally only dealt in cash can be facilitated; his plans to address the concerns; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24433/20]

Driver Test

Martin Browne

253. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Transport his views on the way in which the backlog in driver tests is affecting third-level students that opt to travel to college on the days they are required on campus; the number of additional staff that have been recruited to deal with the backlog; if the staff members have reduced the backlog; his plans to increase the number of additional driver testers; and his views on the need of third-level students to sit their driver tests as quickly as possible. [27240/20]

Housing Issues

Martin Browne

407. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his views on the problems being experienced in the taking-in-charge of developer-led developments (details supplied). [27298/20]

Schools Building Projects

Martin Browne

440. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Education the progress of a school (details supplied), which was first agreed in 2013; and if progress has been made towards the opening of the school. [26305/20]

Peace Commissioners

Martin Browne

716. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Justice if the number of peace commissioners for the district of Thurles, County Tipperary is sufficient. [26869/20]

Long-Term Illness Scheme

Martin Browne

873. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Health his plans to make the FreeStyle Libre device available for type 1 through the long-term illness scheme (details supplied). [26755/20]

Hospital Admissions

Martin Browne

987. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to an instance in which a frontline worker who had a broken bone had to wait a number of days to be treated; his views on the way in which the worker tested negative for Covid-19 but could not get treatment for a number of days at two hospitals due to the fact no isolation beds were available; his views on the prevalence of the issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27299/20]

Cannabis for Medicinal Use

Martin Browne

990. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Health if arrangements have been made whilst Covid-19 restrictions on travel are in place to accommodate persons using medicinal cannabis preparations under licence; the length of time such arrangements are envisaged to remain; and if consideration has been given to such arrangements being made permanent. [27325/20]

Water Charges

Martin Browne

123. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will request Irish Water to give an exemption from water charges to community councils and voluntary groups which provide meals on wheels services and other services for those in need; if his attention has been drawn to organisations that have been billed for thousands of euro in the space of a few months; if his attention has been further drawn to the difficulties such organisations have in paying charges due to low income and the recent fall in funds due to Covid-19 restrictions; if his attention has been further drawn to the high water charges they are faced with regularly; his views on the way in which such organisations have been heroes of the Covid-19 pandemic; his views on recognising their efforts by providing such exemptions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26200/20]

Hospital Services

Martin Browne

195. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to persons in north County Tipperary being referred to University Hospital Limerick due to a lack of capacity in Nenagh, County Tipperary; if he will make local testing facilities available; if those that incur additional expense in order to travel from Nenagh to Limerick will be compensated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25784/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Martin Browne

205. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 19 of 16 September 2020, if students on placement in a healthcare setting that have part-time employment are expected to continue to go out to work in a wide range of settings while also working on placement thus vastly increasing the risk of transmission; the position regarding those students that work in caring or other related positions; and if they are expected to complete their placement in a hospital and then go to work in a nursing home or other similar setting despite certain employers, third-level institutions and trade unions (details supplied) advising against same. [25834/20]

Social Welfare Eligibility

Martin Browne

59. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Social Protection her views on workers at a company (details supplied) not being able to receive their full social protection entitlements due to the fact the company will not sign their dockets for the days they are not working; her further views on negotiations that have taken place between her Department and the company; her views on the appropriateness of such negotiations; her further views on the impact this has had on workers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25095/20]

Telecommunications Services

Martin Browne

80. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Climate Action and Communication Networks if his attention has been drawn to instances in which the rollout of broadband by Eir is stopping just yards away from a person’s house yet they cannot access it; if his attention has been further drawn to the fact that they are being given no indication as to when they can expect to be connected to the service; his views on addressing the matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25107/20]

Telecommunications Services

Martin Browne

84. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Climate Action and Communication Networks his views on suggestions that a microgrant scheme will be set up to allow rural households that do not have access to fibre broadband to invest in alternatives; if his attention has been drawn to the disparity that exists between the areas that have access to good broadband and those that do not given the increase in working from home; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25108/20]

State Bodies

Martin Browne

115. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the estimated cost in 2021 if the budget allocation for Director of Corporate Enforcement increased by 33%. [24921/20]

Public Sector Staff

Martin Browne

284. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the estimated cost in 2021 of recruiting two additional Assistant Legal Advisor at Assistant Principal Officer for the Office of the Ombudsman. [24919/20]

Defence Forces Recruitment

Martin Browne

378. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Defence if a new general service recruitment campaign for the Air Corps will commence before the end of 2020. [24920/20]

School Transport

Martin Browne

389. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Education if she will address the current issue of school buses affecting persons in rural areas (details supplied); and if discretion will be shown in these situations. [24879/20]

School Transport

Martin Browne

390. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Education if her attention has been drawn to some parents not living on the school bus routes being left to pay over €1,000 for private bus providers to get children to schools less than ten miles away; and her plans to address this issue. [24880/20]

State Examinations

Martin Browne

412. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Education the measures in place for the leaving certificate 2021 (details supplied); and if a framework is in place for allowances in the leaving certificate 2021. [24786/20]

School Transport

Martin Browne

454. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Education her views on the effect of the reduction in school buses on persons in rural areas (details supplied). [25155/20]

School Transport

Martin Browne

455. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Education if her attention has been drawn to the fact that some parents not living on school bus routes are paying over €1,000 for private bus providers to transport children to schools less than ten miles away; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25156/20]

Health Services Expenditure

Martin Browne

719. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Health the cost of transporting patients requiring psychiatric services at St. Luke’s, Kilkenny and accompanying staff from South Tipperary General Hospital to St. Luke’s since the closure of St. Michael’s unit by year [24833/20]

Health Services Expenditure

Martin Browne

720. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Health the estimated cost that will be incurred over the next five years, by year, of transporting patients requiring psychiatric services and accompanying staff to St. Luke’s, Kilkenny from South Tipperary General Hospital [24834/20]

Health Services Staff

Martin Browne

738. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Health if funding will be provided for the recruitment of an additional Vascular Physiologist for South Tipperary General Hospital [24922/20]

Social Isolation

Martin Browne

9. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Community and Rural Development and the Islands her plans to address the increased isolation many persons in rural Ireland are facing as the country enters the first winter with Covid-19; her further plans to develop systems in isolated locations in order that the vulnerable can maintain contact with others; if she has plans to provide in-home supports for persons that will need company and other supports; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24434/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Martin Browne

19. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if supports are available for students who have to undertake placement in healthcare settings nursing, midwifery and medical students and as a result of Covid-19 guidelines, have had to give up paid employment for the duration of their placements; and if they will avail of the Covid-19 unemployment supports for the length of time they are unable to work. [24206/20]

Pensions Reform

Martin Browne

100. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Social Protection her views on the need for some persons who work physically demanding jobs to retire at 65 years of age; and if she is examining the needs of the workers in this regard. [24375/20]

Foster Care

Martin Browne

102. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Children, Disability, Equality and Integration if additional supports for foster parents are available (details supplied); his plans in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24207/20]

Disability Support Services

Martin Browne

53. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Health if he will address a series of matters (details supplied) regarding additional supports to children and adults with disabilities and complex needs who have been impacted by the restrictions that have been in place since March 2020. [22356/20]

Hospital Services

Martin Browne

65. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Health his views on the reopening of district hospitals for older persons and palliative care that have been closed to allow staff to be redeployed elsewhere due to Covid-19; his views on whether some of the facilities will reopen; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23661/20]

Herd Data

Martin Browne

117. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on the concerns that many farmers have on the issuing of tuberculosis, TB, herd history risk letters to farmers and the implications of same in terms of GDPR; the impact that such letters have on the value of herds that have passed a test; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23941/20]

Animal Diseases

Martin Browne

133. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when he will reconvene the tuberculosis forum; his views on whether farmers' faith in this forum is being eroded; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23942/20]

Disability Allowance

Martin Browne

522. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will consider allowing persons in receipt of the disability allowance to go back to weekly payments if it is their preference (details supplied). [24121/20]

Disability Services Data

Martin Browne

657. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Health the number of day care centres for persons with intellectual disabilities that have reopened in County Tipperary since their closure due to Covid-19; and the number that are due to reopen in tabular form. [23348/20]

Public Consultation Process

Martin Browne

29. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Justice her views on conducting research into incidents of verbal and physical racist abuse as suggested by an organisation (details supplied) following recent events in Cork and Dublin; her plans to give further consideration to the reasons behind the emergence of this type of crime and public displays and events promoting intolerance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22890/20]

Domestic Violence

Martin Browne

39. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Justice the rate at which the crime of domestic violence has increased; her views on the way in which the figures are representative of the reality; the additional measures that have been taken to address the increase to date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22889/20]

Water Services

Martin Browne

65. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Climate Action and Communication Networks the status of plans for a Shannon to Dublin pipeline; the alternatives being considered; and the progress reached in considering the proposals. [23166/20]

Water Services

Martin Browne

66. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Climate Action and Communication Networks if consideration is being given to the development of a desalination plant based in the Irish Sea to provide additional water supply to the greater Dublin region as an alternative to the Shannon to Dublin pipeline; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23167/20]

Water Services

Martin Browne

67. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Climate Action and Communication Networks his views on the ecological impact of a Shannon to Dublin pipeline on the River Shannon and the lands and habitat surrounding it; the assessments that have been made in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23168/20]

Statutory Retirement Age

Martin Browne

84. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his views on the need for some persons who work physically demanding jobs to retire at the age of 65 years of age; and if he is examining the needs of the workers in this regard. [23169/20]

Student Universal Support Ireland

Martin Browne

59. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if his attention has been drawn to the anxiety the delay in the issuing of SUSI is causing to students approved for the 2020/2021 academic year; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that some students starting college on 14 September 2020 must wait until 9 October 2020 for their first payment and until the end of October 2020 for their second payment; if his attention has been further drawn to the need for students some of whom are lone parents to secure the grant as quickly as possible due to the outlay they are subject to at the beginning of each academic year; if he will request the prompt payment of the grant to these students ahead of the dates as mentioned; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22658/20]

Student Grant Scheme

Martin Browne

64. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if his attention has been drawn to instances in which mature and postgraduate students are being denied grants due to the fact they are being assessed based upon their parents’ income even though it does not apply to them; if his attention has been further drawn to students in such a situation being described as mature dependents, even though they are independent of their parents; his plans to address the anomaly; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22659/20]

Sports Events

Martin Browne

77. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Transport if his attention has been drawn to the difficulties faced by sports clubs and supporters as a result of the ban on spectators at sporting events; if his attention has been further drawn to the emergence of unsafe unofficial spectator areas at roadsides overlooking sports grounds; and if he will reconsider the ban on spectators at such events. [22769/20]