Ceisteanna Parlaiminte

Foreshore Issues

Catherine Connolly

112. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if, in the interest of public health and safety, he will detail the incident which occurred on the foreshore on 22 November 2020 at the Marine Institute and SEAI’s Renewable Energy quarter scale test site in Galway Bay, in which an upright installation at the test site appeared to fall over and required to be recovered; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41355/20]

Renewable Energy Generation

Catherine Connolly

263. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when the amendments to SI No. 83 of 2007 for rooftop solar installations to be exempted from planning permission, as promised by the end of 2019, will be introduced; the reason for the delay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42222/20]

Assisted Decision-Making

Catherine Connolly

441. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of persons taken into wardship since the passing of the Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) Act 2015; the reasons given for taking each of these persons into wardship; the breakdown of the wardship decisions made following an application by the HSE, by a family member and by the solicitor of the person; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41131/20]

Assisted Decision-Making

Catherine Connolly

442. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the status of the work of the steering group overseeing the establishment and commissioning of the decision support service; when the service will be operational; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41132/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Catherine Connolly

467. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science further to Parliamentary Question No. 315 of 26 November 2020, the circumstances in which alternative arrangements will be made for the payment of the monies to the students; if the alternative arrangements will involve a cash payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41171/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Catherine Connolly

470. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science further to Parliamentary Question No. 319 of 3 November 2020 (details supplied), if the €250 payment will also be extended to all Irish citizens currently undertaking undergraduate or postgraduate studies in other EU countries; the details of any cost analysis of same carried out by his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41349/20]

Wards of Court

Catherine Connolly

486. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Justice if she is satisfied that the conducting of wardship cases by remote hearing is adequate to ensure that the voice of the person is being heard in view of the importance of adequately hearing the voice of the person in such cases was highlighted in 2019 by the Supreme Court; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41133/20]

Wards of Court

Catherine Connolly

488. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Justice the number of persons that were made wards of court in 2019 and to date in 2020; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41096/20]

Home Help Service

Catherine Connolly

704. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health the number of persons in County Galway who have been approved for home help services but are still on the waiting list; the number waiting over six, 12, 18 and 24 months, respectively, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41935/20]

Abortion Services Provision

Catherine Connolly

769. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health his plans to change the clinical guidance in relation to abortion to enable those persons who initiate legal abortion care before 12 weeks to be provided with continuity of medical care by the HSE until their abortion completes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42042/20]

Abortion Services Provision

Catherine Connolly

770. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health the assessment being undertaken in relation to reports that failed medical abortions in Ireland resulted in the pregnant person being forced to travel to the UK for healthcare in 2020; the number of such instances since the enactment of the Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Act 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42043/20]

Abortion Services Provision

Catherine Connolly

771. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health the status of the upcoming review of the Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Act 2018; when and the way in which the review will take place; if there will be a special Oireachtas committee for the review; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42044/20]

Abortion Services Provision

Catherine Connolly

772. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health the counties that do not have access to abortion care via their general practitioners, in tabular form; the counties with no general practitioners providing early medical abortions; the actions being taken by his Department and the HSE to address these gaps in services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42045/20]

Foreshore Issues

Catherine Connolly

807. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if, in the interest of public health and safety, he will detail the incident which occurred on 22 November 2020 on the foreshore at the Marine Institute and SEAI’s Renewable Energy quarter scale test site in Galway Bay, when an upright installation at the test site appeared to fall over and required to be recovered; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41356/20]

Agriculture Industry

Catherine Connolly

831. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the engagement he has had with the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment with regard to undertaking a review of the potential demand in international markets for wool-based products; the analysis his Department has carried out into the potential employment opportunities in the wool industry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35112/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment

Catherine Connolly

45. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Social Protection her plans to extend the pandemic unemployment payment to persons over 66 years of age in the workforce; the estimated cost of same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40073/20]

Disability Allowance

Catherine Connolly

54. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Social Protection the estimated cost of disability study; if the disability allowance will be increased by €20 as a temporary measure until the research by a company (details supplied) into the issue has been completed, as recommended by a federation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40074/20]

Mother and Baby Homes Inquiries

Catherine Connolly

113. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth when the final report of the mother and baby homes commission of investigation will be published; the legal basis on which he immediately referred the report to the Attorney General having received it from the Commission as outlined in his statement on 30 October 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40643/20]

International Protection

Catherine Connolly

131. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of vulnerability assessments carried out on persons in the international protection process for each of the years 2018, 2019 and to date in 2020; when vulnerability assessments will be carried out in respect of all persons in the international protection process within 30 working days of making an application for protection in line with Ireland’s obligations pursuant to the EU Reception Conditions Directive and S.I. No 230/2018 European Communities (Reception Conditions) Regulations 2018 and as recommended in the recently published report on the Advisory Group on the Provision of Support including Accommodation to Persons in the International Protection Process; and if he will make a statement on the matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40644/20]

Driver Licences

Catherine Connolly

188. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Transport further to Parliamentary Question No. 358 of 3 November 2020, if persons who obtained a manual driver licence in category B prior to 2013 and a manual driver licence in category C and C1 in 2014 and who also hold an automatic licence in category D and D1 may avail of the exemption provided for by the Road Traffic (Licensing of Drivers) (Amendment) (No. 8) Regulations 2020 signed on 30 October 2020 transposing Directive (EU) 2020/612. [41051/20]

Electricity Generation

Catherine Connolly

36. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications his plans to establish a scheme to compensate micro-generators of electricity that provide electricity to the national grid; his views on the need to prioritise this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40592/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Catherine Connolly

58. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the position regarding theatres in the Plan for Living with Covid-19; when she expects theatres to be reopened; the analysis her Department has carried out or commissioned into the risk of contracting Covid-19 in theatres given the unique characteristics of theatres as controlled environments in which audience members all face the same direction and which easily facilitate contact tracing and staggered entry and exit times; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40558/20]

Deportation Orders

Catherine Connolly

121. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Justice further to Parliamentary Question No. 180 of 25 November 2020, the number of deportation orders issued by month from 1 March to date in 2020 including the list of countries they refer to; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40518/20]

Deportation Orders

Catherine Connolly

122. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Justice the number of deportation orders issued by month in 2019 including the countries they refer to; the number of deportation orders issued in January and February 2020 respectively including the countries they refer to; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40519/20]

Deportation Orders

Catherine Connolly

124. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Justice further to Parliamentary Question No. 180 of 25 November 2020, the number of the 469 deportation orders issued by the immigration service of her Department since the outbreak of Covid-19 in March 2020 that were revoked pursuant to section 3(11) of the Immigration Act 1999 (as amended); the number of deportation orders amended pursuant to section 3(11) of the Immigration Act 1999; the details of amendments made; the monthly breakdown of the number of deportation orders amended or revoked pursuant to section 3(11) of the Immigration Act 1999 during this period; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40550/20]

Deportation Orders

Catherine Connolly

125. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Justice further to Parliamentary Question No. 180 of 25 November 2020, of the 469 deportation orders issued since the outbreak of Covid-19 in March 2020, the number effected; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40561/20]

European Court of Human Rights

Catherine Connolly

75. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Education the status of the review of the ex gratia scheme that was established on foot of the O’Keeffe judgment of the European Court of Human Rights; the timeline for the completion of the review and the publication of the report of the findings of the review; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40078/20]

Residential Institutions Redress Scheme

Catherine Connolly

94. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Education when the independent evaluation of Caranua commenced; when it will be completed; when the report of the independent evaluation will be published; the details of the application and selection process regarding the appointment of a person (details supplied); the cost of undertaking the evaluation; if the cost of the evaluation is being met from the Caranua fund itself; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40077/20]

A Vision for Change

Catherine Connolly

117. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment when the recommendations contained in the Duffy-Cahill report will be implemented; the reason the recommendations have not been implemented to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25979/20]

Military Aircraft

Catherine Connolly

324. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the number of permits granted for military aircraft to land at Shannon Airport and to pass through Irish airspace to date in 2020; the number of permits refused for military aircraft to land at Shannon Airport and to pass through Irish airspace to date in 2020; the countries the requests were made by; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40229/20]

Human Rights

Catherine Connolly

329. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the representations he has made to the Egyptian authorities and-or his European counterparts on the arrest and arbitrary detention of persons (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40324/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Catherine Connolly

632. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health if massage treatment is to be included in the list of essential services that can remain open during level 5 in view of the proven benefits for pain management and positive mental health and the fact that it can contribute to a reduction in the number of persons requiring medical appointments for such issues; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39598/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Catherine Connolly

702. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health the plans in place for the distribution of a Covid-19 vaccine when available; the categories of persons it is intended to prioritise; the number of doses of the vaccine secured to date; the companies from which they have been secured; the estimated cost per unit; the anticipated number of units required; if the vaccine will be administered to all persons free of charge; the persons or bodies by which the vaccine will be administered; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39944/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Catherine Connolly

703. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health the membership of the Covid-19 immunisation strategy group; the remit of the group; the number of times the group has met to date; the reports published to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39945/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Catherine Connolly

774. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health his plans for the opening of a dedicated long Covid clinic in Galway and other such clinics around the country for persons suffering from Covid-19 symptoms and other debilitating health issues months after their initial infection; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40453/20]

Shannon Airport Facilities

Catherine Connolly

5. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs his plans to raise the ongoing use of Shannon Airport by the US military with US President-elect Biden, particularly in view of the fact that from January to October 2020, 65,965 US military personnel transited Shannon Airport; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38480/20]

Middle East Peace Process

Catherine Connolly

34. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will use Ireland’s upcoming membership of the UN Security Council to highlight the increase in recent months in demolitions of Palestinian structures in the West Bank; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38479/20]

Value Added Tax

Catherine Connolly

90. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Finance the impact assessment that has been carried out by his Department into the proposed changes to the retail export scheme minimum purchase threshold, particularly on businesses working in the tourism industry in Ireland; if he will commit to keeping the retail export scheme minimum purchase threshold at €0.01; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39150/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Catherine Connolly

134. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Finance if the Covid restrictions support scheme will be expanded to include businesses such as travel agents that have seen significant reductions in turnover as a result of Covid-19 but are currently only eligible for the Covid restrictions support scheme while under level 4 and 5 restrictions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39151/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Catherine Connolly

315. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will allow for the recently announced €250 payment for undergraduate and postgraduate students to be made available to all recipients as a one-off payment rather than a credit note regardless of whether they are in receipt of SUSI or not; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39345/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Catherine Connolly

319. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if the recently announced €250 payment for undergraduate and postgraduate students in Ireland to all Irish citizens currently undertaking undergraduate or postgraduate studies in other EU countries will be extended; the details of the cost analysis of same carried out by his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39449/20]

Student Grant Scheme

Catherine Connolly

320. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if the SUSI grant to graduate entry medical students will be extended given the considerable financial obstacles for many in pursuing this course of study; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39453/20]

Child Abuse

Catherine Connolly

108. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Education further to Parliamentary Question No. 514 of 17 November 2020, when the next stage of the report will be published; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39003/20]

Departmental Functions

Catherine Connolly

109. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Education the status of the residential institutions redress unit; the membership of the unit; the remit of the unit; the details of all reports produced by the unit; the financial resources allocated to the unit for each year since its establishment; her plans to maintain that resource allocation of the unit into the future; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39004/20]

Residential Institutions Redress Scheme

Catherine Connolly

110. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Education when the dissolution legislation in respect of Caranua will be published; when the heads of the Bill will be published; if the Bill will make provision of the safe transfer of the records of Caranua to an appropriate archive; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39005/20]

Residential Institutions Redress Scheme

Catherine Connolly

111. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Education if the details will be provided of the urgent issues raised by Caranua with her Department regarding the winding down of Caranua, as outlined in the August 2020 board meeting minutes of Caranua; the ways in which she plans to take responsibility for those issues; the likely impact of those urgent issues on survivors and on the fund; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39006/20]

Residential Institutions Redress Scheme

Catherine Connolly

112. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Education her plans to deal with outstanding cases and any other necessary transitional arrangements at Caranua; if the funds remaining will meet all outstanding open and current applications; if not, the contingency arrangements in place to meet such liabilities; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39007/20]

Deportation Orders

Catherine Connolly

180. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Justice the number of deportation orders issued since 1 March 2020 to date in 2020; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39132/20]

Departmental Reports

Catherine Connolly

282. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the analysis his Department has carried out into the role of compacted soil under single species grasses in causing flooding in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39180/20]

Social and Affordable Housing

Catherine Connolly

102. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the analysis his Department has carried out into the effectiveness of the strategic housing development process in the provision of social and affordable housing; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the strategic housing development process would result in the proliferation of student beds and co-living rather than housing that meets local need; if not, the reason therefore; if so, the reason the policy was progressed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38366/20]

Social and Affordable Housing

Catherine Connolly

126. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage further to Parliamentary Question No. 55 of 6 October 2020,the status of the work of the Galway social housing task force; if he has received the further report from the chair of the task force; the number of times the task force has met to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38365/20]

Coast Guard Service

Catherine Connolly

217. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Transport if there are failings or problems within a company (details supplied) or the coast guard that are contained in the report into the investigation of Rescue 116 that should be made known and publicly addressed in advance of a new search and rescue contract; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37829/20]

Banking Sector

Catherine Connolly

283. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Finance if his attention has been drawn to financial institutions refusing to provide business bank accounts not including credit facilities to persons previously adjudicated bankrupt and who have since been discharged from bankruptcy; his views on the practice; the options relating to financial services available to such persons; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38760/20]

Strategic Infrastructure Provision

Catherine Connolly

360. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the reason 71% of the approved strategic housing development planning permissions have not been activated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38553/20]

Strategic Infrastructure Provision

Catherine Connolly

361. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his plans for the winding up of the strategic housing development process as outlined in the Programme for Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38554/20]

Strategic Infrastructure Provision

Catherine Connolly

362. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the analysis his Department has carried out into the effects of the strategic housing development process to date, given that when it was introduced the number of approved planning permissions already significantly outweighed the number of housing commencements; the actions he is taking to address ongoing delays in the activation of strategic housing development approved permissions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38555/20]

Maternity Leave

Catherine Connolly

533. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Education if she will review the maternity arrangements for teachers and school staff who are 28 or more weeks pregnant taking into account the joint occupational health advice (details supplied) for employers from the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, the Royal College of Midwives and the Faculty of Occupational Medicine, which highlights women who are 28 weeks pregnant and beyond as at increased risk of becoming seriously ill if they contract Covid-19; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38887/20]

Maternity Leave

Catherine Connolly

534. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Education if she will review the Medmark process for teachers and school staff who are 28 or more weeks pregnant, given that this cohort is considered by organisations (details supplied) to be at increased risk of becoming seriously ill if they contract Covid-19; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38888/20]

Third Level Staff

Catherine Connolly

658. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of persons by gender and Department on contracts of indefinite duration at NUIG in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38135/20]

Third Level Staff

Catherine Connolly

659. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of persons by gender and Department on contracts of indefinite duration which includes payments for related academic duties at NUIG in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38136/20]

Third Level Staff

Catherine Connolly

660. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of persons by gender and Department on contracts of indefinite duration which do not include payments for related academic duties at NUIG in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38137/20]

Third Level Staff

Catherine Connolly

661. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if his attention has been drawn to the use of contracts of indefinite duration at third level institutions and the use of such contracts with unpaid related academic duties; his views on this practice; the analysis, if any, undertaken by his Department in relation to the issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38138/20]

Third Level Staff

Catherine Connolly

663. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science further to Parliamentary Question No. 177 of 11 November 2020, if he and or the HEA have had communication from the governing body of the University of Limerick in relation to the report and the issues arising therein; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38141/20]

Family Reunification

Catherine Connolly

710. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Justice the average waiting time for applications to be considered for permission to enter and reside for a member of a family of a qualified person under section 56 of the International Protection Act 2015; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38017/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Catherine Connolly

957. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health if he will update the HSE's advice on Covid-19 and pregnancy to take into account the joint occupational health advice (details supplied) for employers from the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, the Royal College of Midwives and the Faculty of Occupational Medicine, which highlights women who are 28 weeks pregnant and beyond as at increased risk of becoming seriously ill if they contract Covid-19; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38889/20]

Pleanáil Teanga

Catherine Connolly

30. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Catherine Connolly den Aire Turasóireachta, Cultúir, Ealaíon, Gaeltachta, Spóirt agus Meán maidir le ceist 27095/20, cén dul chun cinn atá déanta maidir le Plean Teanga Chathair na Gaillimhe; cén dáta a fhoilseofar an plean; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [37346/20]

Údarás na Gaeltachta

Catherine Connolly

31. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the engagement she has had to date with Údarás na Gaeltachta with regard to its collection and dissemination of administrative data related to the take-up of Covid-19 and Brexit supports by Gaeltacht companies and the need for market diversification for these companies as highlighted in the recent spending review as areas in need of improvement; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37350/20]

Tionscadail Fhorbartha Pobail

Catherine Connolly

38. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Catherine Connolly den Aire Turasóireachta, Cultúir, Ealaíon, Gaeltachta, Spóirt agus Meán maidir le ceist 24442/20, cén dul chun cinn atá déanta maidir le ionad pobail ar Inis Meáin; an bhfuil tús curtha leis an obair tógála; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [37349/20]

Údarás na Gaeltachta

Catherine Connolly

54. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the interaction her Department has had with Údarás na Gaeltachta on increasing awareness among Údarás na Gaeltachta client companies of available Brexit and Covid-19 supports particularly in view of the recent report carried out as part of the 2020 spending review which showed that 82% of Údarás na Gaeltachta client companies have not availed of Brexit supports and that Gaeltacht companies are significantly more exposed to a disorderly Brexit than the economy in general; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37347/20]

European Capital of Culture

Catherine Connolly

64. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the status of the legacy programme for Galway 2020 in view of the fact that it is one of the key programme indicators pursuant to the performance delivery agreement between her Department and Galway 2020; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37348/20]

Environmental Policy

Catherine Connolly

345. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the progress made on the national soils strategy pursuant to the commitment made in the programme for Government; when the strategy will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37473/20]

Environmental Policy

Catherine Connolly

346. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the measurement his Department carries out on soil organic carbon in Ireland; the incentives in place for individual farmers to measure soil organic carbon on their own land; the incentives in place for individual farmers to increase the level of soil organic carbon on their land; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37474/20]

Environmental Policy

Catherine Connolly

347. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the analysis his Department has carried out into the link between soil health and flood mitigation; the measures his Department is taking to improve and promote water retention and infiltration in Irish soils; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37475/20]

Environmental Policy

Catherine Connolly

348. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the incentives his Department provides for riparian planting as recommended in the March 2019 report of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action; if he will extend existing riparian planting initiatives given the proven environmental benefits of planting the areas beside waterways; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37476/20]

Environmental Policy

Catherine Connolly

349. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the training his Department provides on soil health training for farmers and land managers in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37477/20]

Environmental Policy

Catherine Connolly

350. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the details of the long-term monitoring his Department carries out regarding changes to soil health in Ireland over time as recommended by Teagasc; the analysis his Department has carried out in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37478/20]

Environmental Policy

Catherine Connolly

351. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the analysis his Department has carried with regard to regenerative agriculture techniques and their potential in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37479/20]

Air Accident Investigations

Catherine Connolly

51. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Transport further to Parliamentary Question No. 360 of 3 November 2020, if the report into Rescue 116 will be published prior to the renewal of the search and rescue contract in order that failings or problems within a company (details supplied) or the Coast Guard which come to light through the compiling of the report are highlighted and addressed before a new contract is agreed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37314/20]

Garda Powers

Catherine Connolly

146. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Justice if a disaggregation of the use of each of the five new powers afforded to An Garda Síochána under section 31(A) of the Health Act, 1947 (as amended) to date will be provided; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37163/20]

Garda Powers

Catherine Connolly

147. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Justice if her attention has been drawn to the fact that the Policing Authority in each of its reports on policing performance by An Garda Síochána during Covid-19 to date has highlighted the failure by the force to provide a disaggregation of the use of each of the five new powers afforded to An Garda Síochána under section 31(A) of the Health Act, 1947 (as amended); the steps she is taking in this regard; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37164/20]

International Protection

Catherine Connolly

157. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Justice further to her public statement of the 21 October 2020 (details supplied), if she will confirm the changes are now in place; if she intends to bring forward new regulations in order to give effect to the changes announced; if so, when it expected that such regulations will be in place; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37280/20]

Defence Forces

Catherine Connolly

50. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Defence when the independent commission on the Defence Forces, pursuant to the programme for Government, will be established; the membership and expertise of the commission; the terms of reference of the commission; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36694/20]

Departmental Expenditure

Catherine Connolly

53. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Defence the engagement he has had with the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform in view of the expected additional cost implications arising from Irish involvement in the European Peace Facility as outlined in the recent spending review on expenditure on overseas peace support missions; his views on whether Ireland’s role in this initiative will affect the policy of neutrality; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36695/20]

Office of Public Works

Catherine Connolly

124. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the analysis undertaken by his Department to establish the capacity of the OPW to undertake the functions and remit of the Land Development Agency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36704/20]

Public Expenditure Policy

Catherine Connolly

135. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the analysis his Department has carried out into the expected additional cost implications to the Exchequer as a result of our role in the planned European Peace Facility further to the spending review carried out by his Department on expenditure on overseas peace support missions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36703/20]

Air Accident Investigations

Catherine Connolly

197. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Transport further to Parliamentary Question Nos. 360 of 3 November 2020 and 74 of 5 November 2020, the nature of the work which will be conducted by the review panel to which he refers given that its one member has no technical expertise; the timescale to that review; if the review is limited to considering only the process of the investigation; if it will conduct a full review of that investigation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36274/20]

Shannon Airport Facilities

Catherine Connolly

232. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Transport further to Parliamentary Question No. 279 of 10 November, the way in which Shannon Airport Authority collates information on the transit of foreign military personnel through Irish sovereign territory or Irish airports; the planes and personnel that are classified as foreign military; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36770/20]

Legislative Programme

Catherine Connolly

363. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if the Housing and Planning Development Bill 2019 is proceeding as part of the legislative agenda; if so, the proposed timelines involved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36325/20]

Residential Institutions Statutory Fund

Catherine Connolly

510. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Education the status of Caranua; the transitional arrangements in place to deal with all outstanding applications when Caranua closes at the end of 2020; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36640/20]

Residential Institutions Statutory Fund

Catherine Connolly

511. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Education the way in which she is satisfied that Caranua has dealt with all cases to a satisfactory standard; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36641/20]

Residential Institutions Statutory Fund

Catherine Connolly

512. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Education her plans to review the operation and effectiveness of Caranua upon its closure; the terms of reference; the membership of the review panel; if a review or evaluation has been undertaken to date; if so, if a copy of the report will be provided; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36642/20]

Interdepartmental Committees

Catherine Connolly

513. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Education the status of the interdepartmental committee examining the future needs of survivors; the membership of the committee; the details of the engagement by the committee with survivors of abuse in residential institutions; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36643/20]

Child Abuse

Catherine Connolly

514. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Education the status of the activities of the survivor led consultation group which address matters relating to survivors of institutional abuse following the publication of by the group of a report in August 2019; the person or persons leading the process; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36644/20]

Residential Institutions Statutory Fund

Catherine Connolly

520. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Education when the 2019 financial statements and annual report of Caranua will be published; the reason for the delay in their publication; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36774/20]

European Court of Human Rights

Catherine Connolly

548. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Education further to Parliamentary Question No. 127 of 11 November 2020, the persons undertaking the review of the ex-gratia scheme established on foot of the judgment of the European Court of Human Rights in the O’Keeffe case; when the review began; when it is expected that the review will be concluded; the terms of reference of the review; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37002/20]

Departmental Bodies

Catherine Connolly

592. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Social Protection the membership of the Pensions Commission; the reason representatives from organisations (details supplied) have not been included in the membership of same to date; her plans to include a representative from the organisations on the Commission; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37001/20]

Forestry Grants

Catherine Connolly

903. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a person (details supplied) can expect grants outstanding since 2009 to issue; the status of these grants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36921/20]

Light Rail Projects

Catherine Connolly

18. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Transport when a feasibility study for light rail in Galway will be undertaken or commissioned by his Department; his views on the importance of light rail in the context of climate change obligations and commitments under the national planning framework; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35763/20]

Park-and-Ride Facilities

Catherine Connolly

84. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Transport the status of the roll-out of park-and-ride facilities for Galway city; the number and locations of all sites identified to date from which to operate park-and-ride; the engagement he has had with Galway City Council on the issue; the engagement he has had with the park-and-ride development office on the issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35762/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Catherine Connolly

123. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Transport the financial supports in place to assist the travel agency sector in view of the impact of Covid-19 on the industry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25977/20]