Ceisteanna Parlaiminte

Driver Test

Sorca Clarke

182. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the reason no additional resources have been put in place to reduce the back log of persons waiting for driver tests in County Longford. [18685/20]

Driver Test

Sorca Clarke

183. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of driver tests carried out at the Longford test centre in each of the years 2017 to 2019, in tabular form. [18687/20]

Value Added Tax

Sorca Clarke

236. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Finance the justification for the 23% VAT on adult life jackets; if he will consider reducing same to zero; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18684/20]

Pensions Data

Sorca Clarke

412. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Defence the number of persons in receipt of a Defence Forces pension. [18688/20]

Defence Forces Personnel

Sorca Clarke

413. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Defence the percentage breakdown between male and female by rank in the Defence Forces. [18689/20]

Defence Forces Personnel

Sorca Clarke

414. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Defence the number of personnel that are due to retire in each of the years 2020 to 2022. [18691/20]

Defence Forces Data

Sorca Clarke

415. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Defence the number of apprenticeship schemes available within the Defence Forces. [18692/20]

Working Family Payment

Sorca Clarke

618. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of persons in receipt of working family payment who have listed employment in the Defence Forces on their application. [18690/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Sorca Clarke

727. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number of childcare providers in County Longford that have reopened; the number that are accepting the same number of children as before the Covid-19 restrictions; the number that have reopened on reduced numbers; and the number that are no longer taking children under one year old. [18694/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Sorca Clarke

728. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number of childcare providers in County Westmeath that have reopened; the number that are accepting the same number of children as before the Covid-19 restrictions; the number that have reopened on reduced numbers; and the number that are no longer taking children under one year old. [18695/20]

Mental Health Services

Sorca Clarke

1017. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the number of From Timid to Tiger programmes facilitated by the HSE in 2019 and to date in 2020; and his plans to extend the programme. [18693/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Sorca Clarke

64. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation when the Covid-19 online retail scheme which offers grants to small businesses to help enhance their online sales capabilities will reopen. [17063/20]

Trading Online Voucher Scheme

Sorca Clarke

79. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the eligibility terms and conditions applicable for businesses that apply from 7 April to 30 September 2020 in relation to the local enterprise office trading online voucher scheme. [17064/20]

Just Transition Fund

Sorca Clarke

98. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the number of applications that have been made to the Just Transition fund, in tabular form. [17066/20]

Driver Licences

Sorca Clarke

164. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of driver licences that expired during the Covid-19 restrictions; and the number of additional staff who will be required to ensure that these drivers are provided with updated licences within a reasonable time period in tabular form. [17073/20]

Local Authority Housing

Sorca Clarke

322. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the number of persons over 65 years of age who are on the housing list in County Longford. [17068/20]

Local Authority Housing

Sorca Clarke

323. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the number of persons over 65 years of age who are on the housing list in County Westmeath. [17069/20]

Housing Assistance Payment

Sorca Clarke

324. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the number of persons over 65 years of age who are availing of HAP in County Longford. [17070/20]

Housing Assistance Payment

Sorca Clarke

325. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the number of persons over 65 years of age who are availing of HAP in County Westmeath. [17071/20]

Schools Building Projects

Sorca Clarke

413. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Education and Skills the progress of a school (details supplied); if the school will be ready for the students for the beginning of the 2020-21 school year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17072/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Sorca Clarke

714. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the guidelines regarding the use of face shields for children participating in group activities such as music, dance and performing arts camps in which social distancing may be difficult to adhere to; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17065/20]

Railway Stations

Sorca Clarke

260. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the position regarding the reopening of the Killucan, County Westmeath train station; if a decision has been made as to when the station will reopen; and the engagement he has had with a group (details supplied) since becoming Minister. [15883/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Sorca Clarke

670. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Education and Skills the person or body that will be responsible for the implementation and adherence management of public health guidelines in schools when they reopen; if principals and deputy principals will have an increased workload for this work; and if not, whether the necessary resources will be provided for an additional staff member to take on responsibility for same. [15882/20]

Speech and Language Therapy

Sorca Clarke

1276. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the timeline for the reopening of HSE speech and language therapy sessions. [15884/20]

HSE Agency Staff

Sorca Clarke

1277. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the reason agency nurses being interviewed for permanent posts within the HSE are being offered zero-hour contracts and in cases in which they refuse, are faced with going through the interview process again for a 39 hour contract post. [15885/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Sorca Clarke

36. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation if he will review the business restart grant to remove the barrier to small business in circumstances in which the qualification is linked to rateable premises in view of the number of businesses that operate, provide services and maintain and generate employment in the smaller towns and villages. [14481/20]

National Broadband Plan

Sorca Clarke

72. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the centres of cultural significance in counties Longford and Westmeath that have low-level internet access, thereby affecting their ability to create an online footprint to advertise events and attract tourists. [14478/20]

Road Projects

Sorca Clarke

129. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the spend allocated and envisaged for the upgrading of the N4 from Mullingar to Longford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14489/20]

Road Projects

Sorca Clarke

130. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the stage the upgrading of the N4 from Mullingar to Longford is funded to; the date it is contracted to; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14490/20]

Road Projects

Sorca Clarke

131. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if there was a cost-benefit analysis undertaken on the upgrading of the N4 from Mullingar to Longford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14491/20]

Road Projects

Sorca Clarke

132. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if there will be no additional tolls placed along the proposed upgrade of the N4 from Mullingar to Longford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14492/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Sorca Clarke

133. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the support package which will be put in place for bus and coach operators in rural and regional economies. [14493/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Sorca Clarke

134. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if immediate and clear messaging will be provided regarding the call for clarity by an organisation (details supplied) in view of the fact current guidelines have caused confusion for both travel agents and their customers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14494/20]

Local Authority Housing

Sorca Clarke

318. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the number of social homes in counties Longford and Westmeath that have had works completed under the energy efficiency and retrofitting programme; the average cost per unit for a two, three and four bed and OPD, respectively; the remaining number of homes; and the estimated costs. [14484/20]

Housing Adaptation Grant

Sorca Clarke

319. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government his views on an amendment to the legislation that results in a child with a profound physical disability not being eligible in one parent's home for the provision of level access shower for personal hygiene and toileting needs in view of the fact it is not considered their principal private residence (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14485/20]

Carer's Allowance

Sorca Clarke

530. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the reason and criteria under which a person was refused an oral appeal regarding the decision to refuse a carer’s allowance. [14482/20]

Maternity Benefit

Sorca Clarke

650. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if she will revisit the issue of extending maternity leave for new mothers that are due to return to work but have lost out on precious time with their babies due to the Covid-19 pandemic. [14479/20]

Prison Staff

Sorca Clarke

651. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the ratio of nurses and general practitioners to prisoners in each prison in February 2020; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14486/20]

Prison Staff

Sorca Clarke

652. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the ratio of psychologists, psychiatrists, social workers and addiction counsellors per prisoner per prison in February 2020; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14487/20]

Prisoner Data

Sorca Clarke

653. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of prisoners on waiting lists to access prison psychology services and addiction services in February 2020; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14488/20]

Disability Services Provision

Sorca Clarke

861. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health when Lisadell day services, Mullingar, County Westmeath will reopen for day care services for those that, due to profound disability, urgently require this reopening; the activities which may not return; if a reduced amount of attending hours is envisaged upon reopening; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14480/20]

Disability Services Provision

Sorca Clarke

862. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health when day care services will reopen; when each day care service in counties Longford and Westmeath will reopen; when restrictions will be implemented to ensure adherence to health; the activities which may not return; if a reduced amount of attending hours is envisaged upon reopening; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14483/20]

Ministerial Meetings

Sorca Clarke

19. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if a meeting was planned for early 2020 with those proposing a Hong Kong style, independent, municipality here; if the meeting was cancelled due to Covid-19 restrictions; and if so, if it has been rescheduled for a later date. [13595/20]

Special Educational Needs

Sorca Clarke

238. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Education and Skills if she will address the situation of children with additional learning needs that attend a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13596/20]

Special Educational Needs

Sorca Clarke

239. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Education and Skills the status of a school building project (details supplied); and the action she will take to ensure the ongoing issue is resolved for the opening in September 2020. [13597/20]

Domestic Violence Services

Sorca Clarke

329. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the additional resources provided to the services working with those experiencing domestic abuse in counties Longford and Westmeath during Covid-19. [13593/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Sorca Clarke

551. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health if he will intervene in the developing situation with nursing and midwifery staff of Midlands Regional Hospital, Mullingar that are due to return from maternity leave having utilised all of their other leave entitlements and are now being forced to consider leaving their careers due to the lack of available childcare. [13588/20]

Cancer Services

Sorca Clarke

552. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the number of persons in County Longford that have had cancer screening appointments cancelled due to Covid-19; and the additional resources which will be made available to ensure these vital and potentially lifesaving programmes can adequately deal with the additional numbers on their waiting lists. [13590/20]

Cancer Services

Sorca Clarke

553. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the number of persons in County Westmeath that have had cancer screening appointments cancelled due to Covid-19; and the additional resources which will be made available to ensure these vital and potentially lifesaving programmes can adequately deal with the additional numbers on their waiting lists. [13591/20]

Hospital Appointments Status

Sorca Clarke

554. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the reason a person (details supplied) must wait for an appointment. [13598/20]