Ceisteanna Parlaiminte

Covid-19 Tests

Brian Stanley

1247. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact that private hospitals are charging €275 for Covid-19 testing of private patients; and if so, if the charge will be continued in view of the fact that it is putting a further burden on patients attending hospital. [21754/20]

Respite Care Services

Brian Stanley

1253. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Health when residential respite will recommence for persons with disabilities in County Laois. [21795/20]

Schools Building Projects

Brian Stanley

10. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Education and Skills the steps being taken to advance the building project for a school (details supplied). [18536/20]

Schools Refurbishment

Brian Stanley

44. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Education and Skills if her Department will now have all urgent repair work carried out on a school (details supplied); and if the school will now be included in the school building programme. [18537/20]

Turf Cutting

Brian Stanley

135. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the steps she plans to take to protect turf cutting for domestic use. [19243/20]

Special Areas of Conservation

Brian Stanley

136. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht her plans for bogs to be cleared by special area of conservation and natural heritage area; and if she will list same. [19244/20]

Horticulture Sector

Brian Stanley

142. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to the fact that since the Supreme Court judgment, Supreme Court record No. 9/19, High Court ruling 2014/342 JR, there is no valid route open to horticultural peat harvesters through either the planning or licencing processes to continue their business and maintain employment; and his plans to correct the matter. [19258/20]

Housing Issues

Brian Stanley

143. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the progress that has been made in the roll-out of the cost rental housing model in counties Laois and Offaly. [19259/20]

Housing Issues

Brian Stanley

144. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if the cost rental model in counties Laois and Offaly will be rolled out. [19260/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Brian Stanley

378. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if travel from the Isle of Man will be restricted or subject to rules similar to travel to and from the UK under the new arrangements. [18268/20]

Planning Issues

Brian Stanley

20. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the steps he is taking to address the failure of Bord na Móna to get planning consent to have an orderly wind down of peat harvesting in the coming years. [17132/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Brian Stanley

65. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if the temporary rent freeze which is currently in place for a further 30 months will be extended; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17131/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment

Brian Stanley

182. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if the anomaly will be addressed in the pandemic unemployment payment for taxi drivers that having had proven earnings in excess of €350 per week in 2019 are now on the reduced rate of €203; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17949/20]

National Broadband Plan

Brian Stanley

88. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment further to Parliamentary Question No. 931 of 20 May 2020, if the total of €40,427,264, including VAT, referred to includes internal staff costs or just external costs. [16744/20]

Better Energy Homes Scheme

Brian Stanley

89. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if the better energy warmer homes scheme is still open; and if so, the amount of its budget allocation that remains. [16745/20]

Better Energy Homes Scheme

Brian Stanley

90. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if the better energy homes programme is still open; and if so, the amount of its budget allocation that remains. [16746/20]

Better Energy Homes Scheme

Brian Stanley

91. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if the community areas housing efficiency strand is still open; and if so, the amount of its budget allocation that remains. [16747/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Brian Stanley

450. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if she will address the anomaly in the pandemic unemployment payment in the case of musicians who despite having had proven earnings in excess of €350 per week in 2019 are now on the reduced rate of €203. [16513/20]

Medical Cards

Brian Stanley

627. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Health when the increased income thresholds for over-70s medical cards in budget 2020 will be given effect. [16616/20]

Better Energy Communities Programme

Brian Stanley

61. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment when the SEAI community energy upgrade grants will be reintroduced. [16194/20]

Disabilities Assessments

Brian Stanley

141. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Health the number of children in County Laois awaiting assessments for intellectual disabilities, including autism. [16188/20]

Disabilities Assessments

Brian Stanley

142. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Health the number of children in County Offaly awaiting assessments for intellectual disabilities, including autism. [16189/20]

Speech and Language Therapy

Brian Stanley

143. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Health the number of children in County Laois on the waiting list for speech and language therapy; and the number waiting more than one, two and three years, respectively. [16190/20]

Speech and Language Therapy

Brian Stanley

144. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Health the number of children in County Offaly on the waiting list for speech and language therapy; and the number waiting more than one, two and three years, respectively. [16191/20]

Occupational Therapy

Brian Stanley

145. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Health the number of children in County Laois on the waiting list for occupational therapy; and the number waiting more than one, two and three years, respectively. [16192/20]

Occupational Therapy

Brian Stanley

146. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Health the number of children in County Offaly on the waiting list for occupational therapy; and the number waiting more than one, two and three years, respectively. [16193/20]

Public Private Partnerships

Brian Stanley

319. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the total and individual Departmental cost in 2019 for public private partnerships for schools and education facilities, hospitals, health related facilities, roads and other transport infrastructure and housing projects. [14726/20]

Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance Scheme

Brian Stanley

742. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if it is possible to facilitate families without Internet access to apply for back to school grants on hard copy applications. [15292/20]

Home Help Service

Brian Stanley

1312. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Health the home services provided by HSE staff and home services provided by agencies for 2019 in terms of hours. [16023/20]

Home Help Service

Brian Stanley

1313. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Health the home services provided in hours by HSE staff and home services provided by agencies to date in 2020. [16024/20]

Just Transition Fund

Brian Stanley

68. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the amount of funding provided for the just transition fund; the amount spent to date; the progress to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14328/20]

Just Transition Fund

Brian Stanley

69. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the amount of funding provided for the peatlands rehabilitation scheme; the amount spent to date; if his Department has created the targeted number of 70 jobs in year one; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14329/20]

Just Transition Fund

Brian Stanley

267. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the amount of funding provided for the aggregated housing upgrade scheme; the amount spent to date; the progress to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14327/20]

Student Grant Scheme

Brian Stanley

243. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Education and Skills if she will address the anomaly in the SUSI grant scheme by which a student applies initially as a dependent of their parents but subsequently gets married during the period of their third-level education but are still assessed as a dependent of their parents. [13627/20]

Co-operative Sector

Brian Stanley

343. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the number of worker cooperatives that received funding in each of the years 2016 to 2019 and to date in 2020; and the amount of funding that each received. [13102/20]

Beef Industry

Brian Stanley

589. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will consider including Northern Ireland as part the Bord Bia protected geographical indication application for Irish grass-fed beef from the European Commission; and if not, the reason for the position. [13127/20]

Beef Industry

Brian Stanley

590. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the engagement he has had with his Northern Ireland counterpart regarding the Bord Bia protected geographical indication application for Irish grass-fed beef from the European Commission. [13128/20]

Social Enterprise Sector

Brian Stanley

788. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the number of social enterprises that received funding in each of the years 2016 to 2019 and to date in 2020; and the amount of funding that each received. [13103/20]

HSE Staff

Brian Stanley

478. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 619 of 13 May 2020, the steps being taken to replace agency staff with directly employed HSE staff in cases in which agency staff are filling these positions on a full-time basis for in excess of five years and there is no variation in hours worked; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10501/20]

Beef Industry

Brian Stanley

738. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of beef producer organisations that are now approved and recognised by his Department. [10579/20]

Beef Industry

Brian Stanley

739. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the steps being put in place to support the development of beef producer organisations. [10580/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Brian Stanley

938. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the number of applications made to the Covid-19 stability fund for community and voluntary, charity and social enterprises by organisations based in County Laois. [10590/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Brian Stanley

939. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the number of applications made to the Covid-19 stability fund for community and voluntary, charity and social enterprises by organisations based in County Offaly. [10591/20]

Social Enterprise Sector

Brian Stanley

940. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the funding released to successful applicants from the Social Enterprise Development Fund 2018 to 2020 to date. [10596/20]

Social Enterprise Sector

Brian Stanley

941. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the number of social enterprises in counties Laois and Offaly that have been awarded a grant from the social enterprise development fund; and the value of the grants. [10597/20]

Community Employment Schemes

Brian Stanley

996. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if participants on community employment schemes can continue to do worthwhile work in their community, such as grass cutting and general maintenance in the public areas of housing estates. [10979/20]

SOLAS Training and Education Programmes

Brian Stanley

128. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Education and Skills the steps taken to restart safe pass courses and certification for the course issued in view of the fact a number of persons are awaiting to start employment. [9850/20]

Covid-19 Tests

Brian Stanley

331. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Health the number of inspections of meat plants carried out to date by the infection outbreak control team; the number of different plants inspected; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9762/20]

Covid-19 Tests

Brian Stanley

332. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Health the number of announced and unannounced inspections, respectively of meat plants that have been carried out by the infection outbreak control team. [9763/20]

Covid-19 Tests

Brian Stanley

333. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Health if all workers will be tested when a cluster appears in a meat plant; and if workers of such facilities should only return to work when they have been cleared of Covid-19. [9764/20]

Primary Care Centres

Brian Stanley

380. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Health the progress made to date in the provision of primary care centre in counties Laois and Offaly; and his plans to provide them in each municipal district of the two counties. [10045/20]

Meat Processing Plants

Brian Stanley

458. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on whether all further inspections of meat plants should be carried out unannounced; and if not, the reason for having announced inspections. [9765/20]

Sports Events

Brian Stanley

473. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if pigeon racing can resume in phase 2 under the Roadmap for Reopening Society and Business; and if trainers from Northern Ireland can transport pigeons here to be released in races. [10012/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Brian Stanley

541. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when all public tennis courts will reopen (details supplied). [9725/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment

Brian Stanley

649. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if an alteration will be made to the pandemic unemployment payment conditions in order to allow a person in receipt of the payment to travel outside the State to attend a family funeral. [9886/20]

Driver Test

Brian Stanley

957. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will address the matter of persons that passed their driver test in early March 2020 that cannot receive their licence due to office closures as a result of Covid-19 (details supplied). [9264/20]

Pension Levy

Brian Stanley

87. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Finance if consideration has been given to removing or altering the levy applied to occupational pensions of those who worked in semi-State companies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5975/20]

Tax Collection

Brian Stanley

94. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Finance the amount collected in carbon tax in each of the years 2018 and 2019, respectively. [6161/20]

Health and Safety Inspections

Brian Stanley

522. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation if the HSA will carry out inspections of all meat plants here. [6188/20]

Healthcare Infrastructure Provision

Brian Stanley

730. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Health the amount of funding allocated for capital works for St. Vincent’s Hospital, Mountmellick, County Laois. [6162/20]

Healthcare Infrastructure Provision

Brian Stanley

731. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Health the amount of funding allocated for capital works for Abbeyleix Hospital, County Laois. [6163/20]

Beef Industry

Brian Stanley

843. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will consider an immediate meeting of the beef task force. [5824/20]

Targeted Agricultural Modernisation Scheme

Brian Stanley

884. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will consider further extending the completion deadline for TAMS projects. [6185/20]

Meat Processing Plants

Brian Stanley

885. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if plans will be put in place to test all workers in meat plants each day for Covid-19. [6186/20]

Meat Processing Plants

Brian Stanley

886. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the plans being put in place to provide workers in meat plants with full PPE equipment. [6187/20]

Meat Processing Plants

Brian Stanley

887. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if the HIQA will carry out inspections of all meat plants here. [6188/20]

Organic Farming Scheme

Brian Stanley

888. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will consider reopening the organic farming scheme. [6189/20]

Areas of Natural Constraint Scheme

Brian Stanley

890. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason donkeys cannot satisfy 100% of the stocking rate requirement for ANC grants; and if he will consider increasing the current ratio of 50%. [6365/20]

National Broadband Plan Expenditure

Brian Stanley

931. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the amount spent on the national broadband plan over the past five years (details supplied); and the total internal costs incurred by his Department to date on the project. [6160/20]

Tax Reliefs Eligibility

Brian Stanley

93. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Finance if consideration will be given to altering the tax relief on third-level fees to enable teachers who undertake a third-level course to receive tax relief on the full amount of course fees and registration fees that they pay. [5101/20]

Audiology Services Waiting Lists

Brian Stanley

475. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Health the number of children awaiting audiology services in counties Laois and Offaly; and the number waiting more than six and 12 months and in excess of two years, respectively. [4063/20]

Audiology Services Waiting Lists

Brian Stanley

609. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Health the waiting time for children to access child audiology services by county in tabular form [4576/20]

HSE Staff Data

Brian Stanley

619. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact that there are agency staff employed as clerical officers within the HSE filling posts since 2014; and the steps being taken to address same [4600/20]

Catchment Flood Risk Assessment and Management Programme

Brian Stanley

155. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if it will be ensured that the flood relief capital work programme includes the Whitehorse River Mountrath, County Laois. [3373/20]

Flood Relief Schemes Status

Brian Stanley

166. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if the timeline for flood relief in Mountmellick, County Laois will be accelerated in view of the recent flooding and the increased risk to homes and businesses. [3568/20]

Emergency Works Scheme Applications

Brian Stanley

287. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Education and Skills if a school (details supplied) will be assessed for inclusion in a school capital budget programme in view of its serious structural problems. [3388/20]

Emergency Works Scheme Applications

Brian Stanley

305. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to ensure a school (details supplied) receives approval for urgent work to be carried out on the roof and on the electrical and sewage systems. [3570/20]

Competition and Consumer Protection Commission

Brian Stanley

293. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the funding received by the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission in 2018 and to date 2019. [53149/19]

Afforestation Programme

Brian Stanley

535. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the amount distributed to applicants through the afforestation grant and premium scheme in 2018 and to date in 2019. [53136/19]

National Broadband Plan Expenditure

Brian Stanley

550. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the amount spent to date on the national broadband plan; and the cost of external consultants, legal advice and services and internal Departmental staff costs, respectively in this regard. [52829/19]

Occupational Therapy Provision

Brian Stanley

259. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Health when a child (details supplied) will be seen for occupational therapy services. [52393/19]

Housing Policy

Brian Stanley

308. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government his plans to introduce cost-to-rental housing as part of future local authority or approved housing body housing developments in counties Laois and Offaly. [51981/19]

Social and Affordable Housing Eligibility

Brian Stanley

309. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if the income thresholds for social housing in counties Laois and Offaly will be increased to take account of the situation with wages and house prices. [51982/19]

Regional Development

Brian Stanley

2. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the role of his Department in the development of the midlands following news that two power stations are set to close, which will give rise to job losses. [50292/19]

Common Agricultural Policy Reform

Brian Stanley

11. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if he has fully engaged in the Common Agricultural Policy, CAP, reform process to ensure his plans are rural proofed. [50297/19]

Town and Village Renewal Scheme

Brian Stanley

24. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development his views on whether county councils should play a greater role in the town and village renewal scheme; and his views on whether the scheme should be deployed in such a way that it would enhance local area plans. [50295/19]

Action Plan for Rural Development

Brian Stanley

26. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the number of jobs created under the Action Plan for Rural Development in counties Laois and Offaly; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50293/19]

Disabilities Assessments

Brian Stanley

189. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Health when an assessment of needs for autism spectrum will be carried out for a person (details supplied). [50816/19]

Occupational Therapy Waiting Lists

Brian Stanley

197. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Health the number of children awaiting occupational therapy; and the number waiting over one, two and three years, respectively. [50854/19]

Physiotherapy Provision

Brian Stanley

198. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Health the number of children in counties Laois and Offaly awaiting physiotherapy; and the number waiting over one, two and three years, respectively. [50855/19]

Speech and Language Therapy Waiting Lists

Brian Stanley

204. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Health the number of children in counties Laois and Offaly awaiting speech and language therapy; and the number waiting over one, two and three years, respectively. [50877/19]

National Broadband Plan Expenditure

Brian Stanley

8. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the amount spent to date on the national broadband plan; and the cost of external consultants, legal advice, services and internal departmental staff costs. [46267/19]

Bord na Móna

Brian Stanley

14. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he has been briefed on the recommendations in the cross-party report on climate change specifically relating to the future of Bord na Móna; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43657/19]

Public Service Obligation Levy

Brian Stanley

201. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if an increased amount of PSO levy will be allocated to Bord na Móna to increase it in line with a greater use of biomass in the Edenderry power plant. [49577/19]

Employment Data

Brian Stanley

32. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on recently published figures by the CSO which show that in quarter 3 of 2019 fewer than 100,000 persons were employed in the agriculture, forestry and fishing sectors, a decline compared to the same quarter in 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48946/19]

Beef Industry

Brian Stanley

34. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the steps that have been taken by his Department since 15 October 2019 to get the beef task force up and running. [49407/19]

Basic Payment Scheme

Brian Stanley

36. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the steps being taken to complete all farm inspections for 2019 in order that outstanding single farm payments can issue. [48949/19]

Basic Payment Scheme

Brian Stanley

38. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of farmers waiting on their farm inspections to be completed; and when single farm payments will be fully processed. [48947/19]

Basic Payment Scheme

Brian Stanley

39. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to move farm inspections to the months of June and July to ensure that single farm payments can be paid out on time; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48948/19]

Forestry Management

Brian Stanley

43. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the steps being taken to resolve the serious backlog in the issuing of felling licences; and the way in which he plans to deal with the difficulties landholders of small pockets of on-farm forestry face regarding planning permission for small access roads and environmental assessments similar to those needed for large scale forestry. [48950/19]