Ceisteanna Parlaiminte

Student Universal Support Ireland

Bríd Smith

311. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the interpretation by SUSI of the requirement for a 391-day continuous period on a qualifying social protection payment; if this interpretation is the same as other Departments and agencies, that is, 56 weeks; if SUSI interprets this as 65 weeks; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39318/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Bríd Smith

82. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will be extending the ban on evictions at the end of the current level 5 restrictions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38323/20]

Social and Affordable Housing

Bríd Smith

105. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will bring forward proposals to back the building of public houses on public lands and examine the supports necessary for local authorities to do so in the view of the recent vote by Dublin City Council on the Oscar Traynor site; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38324/20]

Trade Agreements

Bríd Smith

161. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the status of the publication of a report commissioned on the economic and sustainability impact assessment for Ireland of the EU-Mercosur Trade Agreement; the timeline for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37965/20]

Wage Subsidy Scheme

Bríd Smith

273. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Finance if clarification will be provided on a series of matters (details supplied) regarding the temporary wage subsidy scheme statistics published by the Revenue Commissioners, specifically in respect of table 9 regarding the scheme and top-ups by employers. [38015/20]

Schools Data

Bríd Smith

522. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Education the total number of days lost by secondary and primary school teachers due to illness since schools reopened in September 2020, by week; and the comparative figures for September, October and November 2019. [38787/20]

Schools Data

Bríd Smith

523. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Education the total number of days lost by primary and secondary schools teachers as a result of isolating as a result of close contact with a positive Covid-19 case for the weeks since schools reopened in September 2020. [38788/20]

Schools Data

Bríd Smith

524. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Education the total number of days lost due to illness by pupils in secondary and primary schools since reopening and the comparative figures for the months of September, October and November 2019. [38789/20]

Student Universal Support Ireland

Bríd Smith

650. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if SUSI, when calculating the period of time in which an applicant's parents must have been on jobseeker's benefit, has a threshold that states this period must be over 391 days but that when calculating this period only allot six days a week and that therefore the period must be a total of 65 calendar weeks; if so, if this method is unique to SUSI when calculating applicants’ eligibility criteria; if it is the practice of SUSI to cut off the payments of a student’s grant in 2020 if it discovers an error or possible error in the way in which it calculated the income of the parents in 2018 given that the year applicable is supposed to be the preceding year and cutting off students income can have huge and detrimental effects on students concerned; if SUSI communicates with students in a situation in which it has decided to stop the payment of a student grant for any reason; and if such communication allows for an appeal of that decision prior to the cessation of the grant payments. [37978/20]

Deportation Orders

Bríd Smith

718. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Justice if she will detail her policy on the possible deportation of applicants during the current Covid-19 crisis in respect of a number of asylum seeker applications; if she will consider a halt to all deportation orders during this period in view of the health risks involved; if she will clarify regarding persons (details supplied) revoking the orders already made in recognition of their contribution to healthcare and the wider arts community during this crisis. [38089/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Bríd Smith

806. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Health the number and location of each nursing home that applied for and received the temporary assistance payment scheme. [38002/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Bríd Smith

84. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment further to Parliamentary Question No. 83 of 10 November 2020, the outcomes of the 13 inspections mentioned since level 5 restrictions commenced; and the number of inspection reports issued as a result of the inspection of the facilities. [37611/20]

Dublin Airport Authority

Bríd Smith

120. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Transport if his attention has been drawn to the refusal of the DAA to negotiate with or recognise representative associations of taxi drivers in the provision of taxi services at Dublin Airport; if he or his Department were informed by the DAA of this policy; if the policy will be raised with DAA management; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37617/20]

Pension Provisions

Bríd Smith

67. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he plans to change the rules of the RTÉ pension scheme, or other similar schemes, in view of fears that there may be an effective €30 million or €500,000 per annum raid of assets of the pension savings of retired RTÉ employees and in view of the fact in 2019 he refused a 1% pension increase; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37290/20]

Defence Forces Representative Organisations

Bríd Smith

40. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Defence if he will accede to the request from an organisation (details supplied) to allow it to affiliate to a body; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37149/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Bríd Smith

257. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Finance the number of firms that availed of the temporary wage subsidy scheme that the authorities are currently investigating to ensure they fulfil the criteria for access to the scheme; the number of firms that have availed of the scheme that have submitted audited accounts to the Revenue Commissioners; and the number of firms that have availed of the scheme and that are also in receipt of other State aid, including the Covid restrictions support scheme, rates waiver and sector specific supports. [36141/20]

Social and Affordable Housing

Bríd Smith

396. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if the policy of all local authorities in relation to persons on their social housing waiting lists is to remove them from these lists if they at any stage during their time on the list exceed the income thresholds applicable; if so, if the policy is uniformly applied across all local authorities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36981/20]

Social and Affordable Housing

Bríd Smith

397. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if approved housing bodies have the authority to decide if they will house tenants sent to them from the local authority social housing waiting lists following an interview with the perspective tenants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36982/20]

Social and Affordable Housing

Bríd Smith

398. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of housing units provided by approved housing bodies for social housing of those on local authority social housing waiting lists in each of the years since 2015; the total number of housing units provided by approved housing bodies since 2015, that is, units built, purchased, leased and so on by these bodies which are not made available to the local authority for the purposes of housing persons on the social housing waiting lists; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36983/20]

Social and Affordable Housing

Bríd Smith

399. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the criteria used by approved housing bodies to allocate housing units in developments over which they operate which are not available to the local authority in their area for housing tenants from the social housing waiting lists; if these units are subject to any control or oversight by his Department in terms of rents levied or tenancy agreements entered into; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36984/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment

Bríd Smith

568. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Social Protection if a self-employed recipient of the pandemic unemployment payment, such as a taxi driver, can work and continue to receive the payment; the stage in their gross earnings at which their payment will be affected; the way in which such a payment might be reduced depending on their earnings; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36287/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment

Bríd Smith

569. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Social Protection the steps a taxi driver needs to take if the or she is considering returning to work and if he or she presently receive the pandemic unemployment payment specifically; if he or she should notify her Department, the NTA or another authority if he or she wishes to resume work; if his or her payments will be affected immediately by this decision; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36288/20]

Departmental Bodies

Bríd Smith

591. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Social Protection the membership of the Pensions Commission; the date the Commission will commence its work; the time frame for the Commission to finish and report to Government; if she will consider appointing representatives of a group (details supplied) to be a part of the work and membership of the Commission; if the Commission will be inviting submissions from the public; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36987/20]

Maternity Services

Bríd Smith

719. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Health the reason the HSE has authorised a temporary cessation of waterbirth effectively limiting the options and choices of mothers further given the current Covid-19 restrictions with regard to partners attending maternity visits; the reason an association (details supplied) as providers of the service were not included in discussions prior to the decision to cease the waterbirth service; if the service will resume as soon as possible; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36273/20]

Covid-19 Tests

Bríd Smith

725. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Health if workers hired at the Clonskeagh testing centre during the Call for Ireland campaign are now being let go; the number of persons hired who are being laid off both in Clonskeagh and elsewhere; the reason these workers' contracts were not renewed; the details of their replacements; the status of their contracts, including duration; if these will be permanent; if they will have access to sick schemes akin to other HSE workers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36289/20]

Disability Services Provision

Bríd Smith

865. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Health if the HSE altered the criteria and amount of refunds for the purchase of glasses and optical examinations that parents of children with disabilities can claim back in April 2020 as occurred in the case of a person (details supplied); if his attention or that of his officials was drawn to the change; the policy reason for the decision; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37139/20]

Disability Services Provision

Bríd Smith

866. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Health the supports available from the HSE for parents of all children whose condition requires new glasses and ongoing treatment and examination each year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37140/20]

Mental Health Services

Bríd Smith

867. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Health the reason a request for an ASD assessment for a child (details supplied) made in 2012 has still not occurred; the reason requests from the paediatrician of the child in recent years have gone unanswered by the HSE; the length of time before they will be assessed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37141/20]

Bus Services

Bríd Smith

11. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Transport his plans to increase both the Dublin Bus and Bus Éireann fleet numbers in the coming years; the expected extra capacity that will result from this in both companies in order to increase public transport use; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35773/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Bríd Smith

65. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Transport his plans to meet with the IAA regarding changes in the remit of the organisation, especially its role during the Covid-19 crisis in aviation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35772/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Bríd Smith

168. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Finance the number of nursing homes and long-term care facilities that have availed of the temporary wage subsidy scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36021/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Bríd Smith

169. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Finance if a nursing home can avail of both the standard assistance scheme and the enhanced assistance outbreak scheme for nursing homes and still avail of the temporary wage subsidy scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36023/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Bríd Smith

170. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Finance if supports given to a nursing home under the standard and enhanced outbreak schemes are calculated as income for the facility if it then applied for the wage subsidy scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36024/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Bríd Smith

314. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Health the number of nursing homes and long-term care facilities that have availed of the assistance scheme for all private and voluntary nursing homes and the enhanced outbreak assistance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36021/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Bríd Smith

315. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Health the number of nursing homes that qualified for the maximum monthly support grant available under the support schemes announced. [36022/20]

Protected Disclosures

Bríd Smith

344. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Health if a protected disclosure has been received from staff in a hospice (details supplied); the actions he plans to take on the disclosure; if this disclosure is the same as a previous disclosure sent to his predecessor in 2018; the actions that were taken by the HSE on same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36025/20]

Company Liquidations

Bríd Smith

44. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment his engagement with the liquidators appointed to a company (details supplied); his plans to ensure the workers currently in dispute with the company will receive a just redundancy package; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35083/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Bríd Smith

83. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of inspections by the HSA of meat plants since level 5 Covid-19 restrictions were put in place; the measures taken to ensure the safety of workers in this sector and that there is no renewed outbreak or clusters in the industry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35082/20]

Climate Change Policy

Bríd Smith

110. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Environment, Climate and Communications if he is satisfied with the reliance on technological fixes for carbon removal in the climate action Bill; the division of labour he anticipates between same and emissions reductions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35109/20]

Legislative Measures

Bríd Smith

122. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Environment, Climate and Communications if he will amend the climate action Bill to include sanctions or consequences for missing five-year climate targets. [35108/20]

Legislative Measures

Bríd Smith

123. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Environment, Climate and Communications his plans to ensure the climate action Bill is compatible with a just transition and environmental justice. [35110/20]

Climate Change Policy

Bríd Smith

128. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Environment, Climate and Communications his views on the evidence given by a person (details supplied) to the Joint Committee on Climate Action that a significant and sustained reduction in methane will have a greater impact in helping Ireland achieve the Paris Agreement targets than a comparable reduction in carbon dioxide. [35111/20]

Climate Change Policy

Bríd Smith

153. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Environment, Climate and Communications if he will amend the climate action Bill to a binding target of net zero by 2030; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35107/20]

Wage Subsidy Scheme

Bríd Smith

330. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Finance if a company can send a worker who is in receipt of the wage subsidy scheme or the employment support scheme to another EU country to work during the period they are on the scheme even in cases in which the other EU country was not their original or usual workplace in the period prior to been placed on the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35433/20]

Wage Subsidy Scheme

Bríd Smith

331. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Finance the number of companies on the list of companies published in receipt of the temporary wage subsidy scheme; the number of employees who while in receipt of the subsidy had their incomes topped up by the company concerned; and the amounts of these top-ups as a percentage of the employees normal weekly income. [35434/20]

Wage Subsidy Scheme

Bríd Smith

332. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Finance his plans to seek the reimbursement of the amounts of wage subsidies given to companies in cases in which these companies return to profit by the end of 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35435/20]

Wage Subsidy Scheme

Bríd Smith

333. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Finance the reason numerous nursing homes have availed of the wage subsidy scheme for employees; the number of employees in the sector who were placed on the scheme; if these employees worked throughout the period in question; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35436/20]

Free Travel Scheme

Bríd Smith

501. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Social Protection further to Parliamentary Question No. 539 of 6 October 2020, if her Department is reimbursing providers for the free travel scheme that are also operating the same services under the LocalLink or rural transport programme (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34748/20]

Maternity Leave

Bríd Smith

561. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if his attention has been drawn to the detrimental impact that the Covid-19 pandemic and the subsequent lockdowns have had on new parents on maternity leave; if he will consider starting the additional three weeks of parental leave at the earlier time of January 2021 in recognition of the negative effects on parents mental, physical and emotional health in addition to the loss of critical socialisation time for their babies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35293/20]

Health Services

Bríd Smith

660. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Health the healthcare providers with whom contracts or service level agreements were signed between 2014 and 2016 by the HSE or his Department or health services of any form in which funding came from the State by year and company in tabular form. [34580/20]