Ceisteanna Parlaiminte

Banking Sector

Catherine Connolly

64. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Finance if his attention has been drawn to financial institutions refusing to provide 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 in respect of financial services available to such persons; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35454/20]

Middle East

Catherine Connolly

109. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the steps taken by his Department to ensure no further demolitions of homes or schools in Masafer Yatta in the West Bank which are funded by Irish Aid and the EU; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35504/20]

Middle East

Catherine Connolly

110. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he has raised the issue of the demolitions of homes and schools in Masafer Yatta in the West Bank with the Israeli ambassador to Ireland and-or with his EU counterparts; if he considers that Ireland should be compensated for the funding provided by Irish Aid for these demolished structures in order to use this to provide support to the families that have been made homeless; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35505/20]

European Court of Human Rights

Catherine Connolly

127. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Education the status of the ex gratia payment scheme pursuant to the 2014 judgment of the European Court of Human Rights in the O’Keeffe case and the subsequent review in 2019 of the judgment and scheme by a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35548/20]

Third Level Staff

Catherine Connolly

177. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science further to Parliamentary Question No. 1018 of 3 November 2020, if his attention has been drawn to the report (details supplied); if he has read the report; if he or his Department has engaged with the University of Limerick on the report; the actions he or his Department will take on foot of the report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35498/20]

Third Level Staff

Catherine Connolly

178. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science further to Parliamentary Question No. 1018 of 3 November 2020, if he has engaged with them Higher Education Authority on the report; the actions the HEA will take on foot of the report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35499/20]

Small and Medium Enterprises

Catherine Connolly

58. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the status of the national SME growth plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35116/20]

Industrial Disputes

Catherine Connolly

59. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the details of his plans for the resolution of an industrial dispute (details supplied) in view of the recent breakdown in talks at the Workplace Relations Commission; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35114/20]

Company Law

Catherine Connolly

68. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the status of the expedited review by the Company Law Review Group on whether the legal provisions surrounding collective redundancies and the liquidation of companies effectively protect the rights of workers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35113/20]

Microfinance Loan Fund Scheme

Catherine Connolly

69. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of applications received by the Microfinance Ireland Covid-19 loan scheme from businesses in County Galway; the number and value of such loans approved for businesses in County Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35115/20]

Electric Vehicles

Catherine Connolly

126. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Environment, Climate and Communications the analysis which has been undertaken in relation to the sustainability of sourcing rare earth materials for electric vehicle battery technology; the way in which resource and environmental implications of the transition to green energy, including electric vehicles, have been identified; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35137/20]

Post Office Network

Catherine Connolly

150. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Environment, Climate and Communications his views on a report (details supplied); when it is intended to implement the recommendations of the report; the engagement he has had with an organisation in relation to the report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35138/20]

Regional Enterprise Development Fund

Catherine Connolly

177. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment further to Parliamentary Question No. 36 of 17 July 2020, the status of the promised review by Enterprise Ireland of the regional enterprise development fund; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35290/20]

Shannon Airport Facilities

Catherine Connolly

279. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Transport further to Parliamentary Question No. 801 of 27 May 2020, the number of US troops and the quantity of weapons and munitions that have passed through Shannon Airport in each of the months May to October 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35232/20]

Shannon Airport Facilities

Catherine Connolly

280. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Transport his plans to continue the practice of providing exemptions under the Air Navigation (Carriage of Munitions of War, Weapons and Dangerous Goods) Order for US military contracted plans to take weapons through Shannon and Irish airspace; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35233/20]

Election Monitoring Missions

Catherine Connolly

400. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs further to Parliamentary Question No.158 of 15 September 2020, the date on which it was decided to suspend the contribution by Ireland to international election observation missions of the OSCE; the person who made the decision; if his attention has been drawn to details of the current OSCE election observation missions in Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine that include 177 volunteer long-term election observers from 17 countries, including extensive contributions from the UK and other EU member states; if he plans to make contact with the Department of Health to discuss when Ireland can recommence contributing to these and future OSCE election observation missions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34887/20]

Military Aircraft

Catherine Connolly

403. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the number of permits granted for military aircraft to land at Shannon Airport; the number granted to fly through Irish airspace in each of the years 2002 to 2019; the breakdown by country in each case in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35234/20]

Special Educational Needs

Catherine Connolly

482. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Education further to Parliamentary Question No. 820 of 3 November 2020, if a deadline will be provided by which all eligible applicants for the reimbursement of the agreed mileage rate under the July provision transportation grant will be reimbursed, in view of the fact that some families have been waiting four months for the repayment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35394/20]

Courts Service

Catherine Connolly

645. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Justice her plans to establish a new planning and environmental law court managed by specialist judges; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35323/20]

Immigration Policy

Catherine Connolly

646. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Justice the policy basis underlining the decision-making process for the provision by the INIS of either stamp 2A or stamp 3 permissions to dependent minors; the way in which the decision between granting a stamp 2A or a stamp 3 permission is made; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35420/20]

LEADER Programmes

Catherine Connolly

4. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the status of the development of a State-led rural development programme to bridge the gap between the winding up of the existing LEADER programme and the implementation of the new programme; when she expects that the interim programme will be finalised and operational; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34137/20]

Housing Regeneration

Catherine Connolly

13. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development further to Parliamentary Question No. 226 of 23 September 2020, if the inter-departmental steering group to review the suggested actions in the independent report on the pilot town centre living initiative has been established; when the steering group will be operational; the membership of the group; the terms of reference of the group; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34145/20]

Town and Village Renewal Scheme

Catherine Connolly

38. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the status of the commitment to expand the town and village renewal scheme to bring vacant and derelict buildings back into use and promote residential occupancy as outlined in the programme for Government; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34146/20]

Programme for Government

Catherine Connolly

40. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the status of the new rural policy promised in the programme for Government which is planned to build on the Action Plan for Rural Development; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34148/20]

Programme for Government

Catherine Connolly

44. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the status of the national policy for the islands; when the islands action plan as promised in the programme for Government will be published; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34147/20]

Flexible Work Practices

Catherine Connolly

51. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the number of the 275 publicly-accessible broadband connection points promised by the end of 2020 that are now live by county; the number of these that are on offshore islands; when the outstanding points will be connected; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34144/20]

Air Accident Investigations

Catherine Connolly

74. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Transport the details of the aviation expertise of the membership of the review board to re-examine certain findings of the Draft Final Report of the investigation into the crash of Rescue 116; the number of members on the review board; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34200/20]

LEADER Programmes

Catherine Connolly

347. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the amount of the €44 million allocated to the LEADER programme in budget 2021 that will be dedicated to new projects under LEADER in 2021; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34178/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Catherine Connolly

57. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if consideration will be given to allowing socially distant in-person sales at livestock marts with viewing times for buyers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33556/20]

Agriculture Industry

Catherine Connolly

75. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the supports in place for the indigenous wool trade industry; his plans to develop further business opportunities for the industry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25978/20]

Disability Services Provision

Catherine Connolly

135. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health when the disability capacity review was completed; the person or body that carried it out; when it will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33552/20]

Mental Health Services

Catherine Connolly

143. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 48 of 15 September 2020, if the National Implementation and Monitoring Committee for Sharing the Vision has been established to date; the membership and terms of reference of the committee; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33551/20]

Central Statistics Office

Catherine Connolly

181. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Taoiseach if his attention has been drawn to the fact that nearly 200 permanent and backup field interviewers in the Central Statistics Office are currently off the road and working from home and if his attention has been further drawn to the fact that these highly skilled interviewers are contracted to work only 27 hours per week. [32347/20]

Driver Licences

Catherine Connolly

358. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Transport further to Question No. 580 of 21 May 2019, the status of the introduction of the exemption provided for under the EU directive by which drivers holding a manual driving licence in category B and an automatic licence in a bus or truck category can have their licence upgraded to allow them to drive manual buses and trucks, as in other European countries; the date from which this provision will apply; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33687/20]

Air Accident Investigations

Catherine Connolly

360. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Transport the status of the final report by the Air Accident Investigation Unit into the crash of Rescue 116; when the report will be concluded; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33746/20]

Housing Provision

Catherine Connolly

591. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if his attention has been drawn to the case of a person (details supplied) who has been on the housing waiting list since 28 September 2005; the reason the person has never been offered a home; his views on the matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32592/20]

Burial Grounds

Catherine Connolly

640. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if his attention has been drawn to the inadequate care being taken of the Quaker burial ground opposite Brú Chaoimhín on Cork Street, in view that the historic boundary walls are crumbling; his views on same; his plans to address the matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33705/20]

Departmental Reports

Catherine Connolly

676. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Defence if a report was undertaken in relation to the surveillance operation of a ship (details supplied) blown on to the coast of County Cork in February 2020; if not, his plans to undertake such a report; if so, if he will provide a copy of the report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32582/20]

School Transport

Catherine Connolly

817. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Education the number of applications her Department received from applicants in county Galway for the July provision transportation grant in which an agreed mileage rate would be reimbursed; the number of these applicants that have been reimbursed to date; the number that are still waiting to be reimbursed; the value of payments still outstanding with regard to this cohort; the reasons for the delay in reimbursement; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33720/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment

Catherine Connolly

912. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will allow PUP recipients who wish to undertake vocational training opportunities scheme, VTOS, courses to remain on the PUP payment as long as it is available rather than being required to apply for the jobseeker’s payment before taking up such a course; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33207/20]

Third Level Staff

Catherine Connolly

1018. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if his attention has been drawn to a report in relation to recruitment processes at the University of Limerick produced by a person (details supplied) and which was presented at a recent special sitting of the governing body of the University; his views on the report; when the report will be published; the steps he is taking on foot of the report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33007/20]

Immigration Data

Catherine Connolly

1083. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Justice the number of stamp 3 permissions provided by INIS to dependent young persons aged 16, 17 and 18 in each of the years 2016 to 2019 and to date in 2020, respectively; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33868/20]

Immigration Data

Catherine Connolly

1084. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Justice the number of stamp 2A permissions provided by INIS to dependent young persons aged 16, 17 and 18 in each of the years 2016 to 2019 and to date in 2020, respectively; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33869/20]

Immigration Data

Catherine Connolly

1085. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Justice the number of stamp 4 applications made by stamp 3 permission holders in each of the years 2016 to 2019 and to date in 2020 aged 18 and under 19 to 21, 22 to 25 and over 25 years of age, respectively in tabular form; the number of such applications granted; the number refused; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33870/20]

Naturalisation Certificates

Catherine Connolly

1086. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Justice if new Irish citizens signing an affidavit of loyalty to the State while citizenship ceremonies are cancelled during the pandemic will still be required to pay the €950 fee; if she will remove the fee for certification of naturalisation for all new citizens; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33871/20]

Immigration Policy

Catherine Connolly

1087. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Justice the analysis her Department has carried out with regard to upgrading existing dependent stamp 3 permissions to stamp 4 permissions for the duration of the citizenship application process for young persons that have lived and attended school in Ireland for a period of three years or more; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33872/20]

Immigration Policy

Catherine Connolly

1088. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Justice the impact assessment her Department has carried out into the practice of providing dependent stamp 3 permission to young persons that have lived and attended school in Ireland but whose parents are non-EEA citizens; her views on the fact that this cohort of young persons that may have lived in Ireland most of their lives are unable to work and are ineligible for student grants; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33873/20]

Immigration Policy

Catherine Connolly

1089. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Justice the assistance her Department provides to non-EEA parents living in the State whose children will be provided with stamp 2A or stamp 3 permission upon turning 16 with regard to the importance of applying for citizenship as early as possible to avoid their children being treated as dependents and, as such, not permitted to work in the State until they have been awarded citizenship; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33874/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Catherine Connolly

1098. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health if consideration has been given to using field interviewers for contact tracing in the battle against Covid-19 given their unique training and interview skills. [32347/20]

Health Services Staff

Catherine Connolly

1171. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health the composition of the health intelligence unit; the number and grade of all staff in the unit; the remit of the unit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32515/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Catherine Connolly

1256. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health if organised window visits by appointment at nursing homes will be permitted under the level 5 restrictions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32805/20]

Covid-19 Tests

Catherine Connolly

1415. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health his views on the confirmation from the HSE that the amplification cycles used in PCR testing here runs between 40 and 45 amplification cycles, in view of the fact that the maximum number of amplification cycles should be 30 to 35 or fewer, as anything over 35 indicates the test is too sensitive, which increases the number of false positives. [33685/20]

Farm Inspections

Catherine Connolly

1517. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of farm inspections carried out in Ireland in 2018 and 2019 under the nitrates directive and the nitrates action programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32716/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Catherine Connolly

4. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Justice the criteria for groups and-or organisations to access funding made available by her Department to community and voluntary groups to support their response to Covid-19; the way in which decisions to allocate funding to such groups were made; the reason an organisation (details supplied) was denied such funding; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32009/20]

Search and Rescue Service Provision

Catherine Connolly

38. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Transport further to Parliamentary Question No. 73 of 9 September 2020, the status of the review; when the review will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31868/20]

Child and Family Agency

Catherine Connolly

37. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Children, Disability, Equality and Integration the date on which the Tusla review into the provision of safe emergency accommodation for victims of domestic violence will be published; the analysis carried out by his Department and-or Tusla into the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on the number of emergency accommodation spaces available for victims of domestic violence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30631/20]

Refugee Resettlement Programme

Catherine Connolly

56. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Children, Disability, Equality and Integration the status of progress to fulfil his plans to expand capacity care for unaccompanied refugee children here; the timeline of same; his plans to accept more children from the Moria refugee camp; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30630/20]

Asylum Seekers

Catherine Connolly

78. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will remove non-EU third-level education fees for asylums seekers in order that they can be treated as domestic students in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31376/20]

Literacy Levels

Catherine Connolly

99. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the status of and position regarding the ten-year adult literacy, numeracy and digital literacy strategy promised in the 2020 programme for Government; the details of the group tasked with development of the strategy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31377/20]

Air Accident Investigations

Catherine Connolly

158. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Transport further to Parliamentary Question No. 74 of 9 September 2020, when he was informed of a disclosure (details supplied); the reason this disclosure was not made before the person’s appointment; if he has replaced the person; the reassurance the he can give to the families of the four air crew who died that this report will be published in 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31062/20]

Housing Policy

Catherine Connolly

281. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will publish the report of the working group established in May 2017 to review the 2005 planning guidelines on sustainable rural housing; the number of times the group met and when; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31603/20]

Housing Policy

Catherine Connolly

282. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the progress made by his Department in 2020 on the scoping exercise for the updating of the sustainable rural housing guidelines, on foot of the 2013 Flemish Decree case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31604/20]

Schools Data

Catherine Connolly

323. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Education the measures her Department is taking to ensure that the standard of education in EROC schools is in line with that in recognised school settings; the number of inspections by her Department of EROC schools that have taken place since the memorandum of understanding allowing inspections was signed by her Department and the Department of Justice in November 2019; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31019/20]

Schools Data

Catherine Connolly

324. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Education the number of emergency reception and orientation centres here in which primary level teaching is being provided to refugee children; the number of children per EROC currently in receipt of primary education in-house; the number of these children who have been receiving in-house primary education for one, two, three and more than four months; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31020/20]

Schools Data

Catherine Connolly

325. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Education the details of the joint assessment and protocol for education provision within EROCs by her Department and the Department of Justice as mentioned in the 2019 annual report of the Ombudsman for Children; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31021/20]

Schools Data

Catherine Connolly

326. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Education the professional qualifications required for teachers to be employed in EROC schools; the number of teachers currently employed to teach in EROCs; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31022/20]

Direct Provision System

Catherine Connolly

438. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Children, Disability, Equality and Integration the number of refugees currently housed in emergency reception and orientation centres here; the number of such centres here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31015/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Catherine Connolly

21. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the status of the newly opened Microfinance Ireland fund pursuant to the Microenterprise Loan Fund (Amendment) Act 2020; the number of applications received; the number and value of loans approved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25976/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Catherine Connolly

29. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment his views on a report (details supplied); the analysis undertaken by his Department regarding the disproportionate effect on levels of employment as a result of Covid-19 in the north west region; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25980/20]

Election Monitoring Missions

Catherine Connolly

158. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the number of members on the election observation roster; the steps taken to establish the number of roster members able and willing to volunteer for overseas election observation missions in view of the Covid-19 pandemic; if he will make temporary additions to the roster by the appointment of experienced observers in order to ensure Ireland is in a position to make a meaningful contribution to international election observation missions as they arise; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30840/20]

State Examinations

Catherine Connolly

180. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Education the number of leaving certificate students in 2020 that received results downgrades from their teacher-predicted grades through the standardisation process in two, three, four, five, six and seven subjects, respectively, in view of the upward revision of the grades of 6,100 leaving certificate students after coding mistakes were found in the calculated grades process; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30734/20]

State Examinations

Catherine Connolly

181. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Education the number of teacher-predicted leaving certificate grades that were downgraded in the standardisation process by more than ten, 20, 30, 40 and 50 percentage points, respectively, in view of the upward revision of the grades of 6,100 leaving certificate students after coding mistakes were found in the calculated grades process; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30735/20]

State Examinations

Catherine Connolly

182. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Education the analysis her Department has carried out into the number of leaving certificate 2020 students that have lost out on third level places due to the issuing in error of almost 15,000 grades of which 8,000 were higher than they were supposed to be; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30736/20]

State Examinations

Catherine Connolly

183. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Education the gender breakdown of the 7,943 students who received higher leaving certificate grades than they should have as a result of coding errors in the calculated grades process; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30737/20]

State Examinations

Catherine Connolly

184. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Education the number of the 6,100 students awarded improved leaving certificate grades as a result of the review of the calculated grades system that received improved grades in one, two, three, four, five, six and seven subjects; the gender breakdown of same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30738/20]

State Examinations

Catherine Connolly

185. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Education the analysis carried out by her Department to the effect that the junior cycle class weighting system used in the leaving certificate 2020 calculated grades process constitutes a form of school profiling; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30739/20]

State Examinations

Catherine Connolly

186. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Education the number of leaving certificate students in 2020 that received results upgrades from their teacher-predicted grades through the standardisation process in two, three, four, five, six and seven subjects, respectively, in view of the upward revision of the grades of 6,100 leaving certificate students after coding mistakes were found in the calculated grades process; the gender breakdown of same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30740/20]

Forestry Sector

Catherine Connolly

305. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the cost of the Review of Approval Processes for Afforestation in Ireland; if this was co-funded by third parties; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30854/20]

Schools Building Projects

Catherine Connolly

7. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Education the details of the analysis undertaken in relation to the need for school capacity further to an application for a school extension at a school (details supplied); the findings of the analysis; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29990/20]

School Transport

Catherine Connolly

90. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Education the status of the review of the school transport system announced in October 2019; the actions being taken to increase the provision of school transport in view of Covid-19 and climate action obligations; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29989/20]

An Clár Rialtais

Catherine Connolly

46. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Catherine Connolly den Aire Comhshaoil, Aeráide agus Cumarsáide cén uair a chuirfear tús leis an Acht Forbartha Mianraí 2017; cén uair a bheidh sé ar fáil i nGaeilge; agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina thaobh. [30055/20]

State Examinations

Catherine Connolly

273. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Education if an organisation (details supplied) or another independent body will carry out a full audit of the coding provided by a company for the leaving certificate 2020 calculated grades process following the discovery of additional errors during the review by the organisation of a sample of the coding; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30186/20]

Third Level Institutions

Catherine Connolly

361. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the cost to date of all National University of Ireland Galway legal fees in relation to court cases involving a number of staff (details supplied); the estimated final cost of all legal fees in respect of these cases; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29858/20]

Period Poverty

Catherine Connolly

471. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health when the report of the sub-committee on period poverty will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29753/20]

Defence Forces Equipment

Catherine Connolly

12. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Defence the details of analysis his Department has carried out into the potential impact of the lack of primary radar surveillance capability on the neutrality of Ireland; the measures he is taking to secure the necessary funding for the development of a primary radar surveillance system which was highlighted in the 2019 update to the White Paper on Defence as contingent on additional funding becoming available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29114/20]

Military Medals

Catherine Connolly

18. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Defence if the time limits will be waived for the award of distinguished service medals and military medals for gallantry, with a view to awarding bravery medals to the veteran members of A Company 35th Infantry Battalion that served in Jadotville almost 60 years ago; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29115/20]

Overseas Missions

Catherine Connolly

162. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Defence the role of the Defence Forces in EU Operation IRINI; the number of Defence Forces personnel currently assigned to this mission; the operational work that has been carried out to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29275/20]

Defence Forces Strength

Catherine Connolly

163. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Defence if his Department has carried out any analysis into the implications of the ongoing pay and staffing issues in the Defence Forces on Irish neutrality in particular the ability to patrol Irish waters; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29276/20]

State Examinations

Catherine Connolly

116. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Education the details of the tendering process that resulted in Educational Testing Service getting the contract for the review of essential aspects of the coding used to implement the leaving certificate standardisation process; the value of the contract awarded to same; the number of companies applied for the tender; the way the tender was advertised; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28971/20]

State Examinations

Catherine Connolly

117. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Education the details of the tendering process for the contract, which was awarded to a company (details supplied) for the leaving certificate standardisation process in 2020; the number of companies applied for the tender; the details of the companies which applied for the tender; the reason given for the decision to give the contract to that company; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28972/20]

State Examinations

Catherine Connolly

118. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Education the number of persons who have applied to sit the leaving certificate examinations in November 2020; the details of the closing date for applications for the November 2020 sitting; if, based on the current restriction levels nationally, if she will state the likelihood of holding the exams in November 2020; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28973/20]

State Examinations

Catherine Connolly

119. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Education if the coding error in the leaving certificate standardisation process, which resulted in the two worst non-core junior certificate grades of a student being counted, rather than their two best non-core grades, was made by a company (details supplied) or if it was as a result of an error at departmental level prior to instruction being given to the company; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28974/20]

State Examinations

Catherine Connolly

141. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Education the details of the tendering process that resulted in Educational Testing Service getting the contract for the review of essential aspects of the coding used to implement the leaving certificate standardisation process; the value of the contract awarded to ETS; the number of companies applied for the tender; the way the tender was advertised; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29228/20]

State Examinations

Catherine Connolly

142. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Education the details of the tendering process for the contract, which was awarded to a company (details supplied) for the leaving certificate standardisation process in 2020; the number of companies applied for the tender; the details of the companies which applied for the tender; the reason given for the decision to give the contract to that company; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29229/20]

State Examinations

Catherine Connolly

143. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Education the number of persons who have applied to sit the leaving certificate examinations in November 2020; the details of the closing date for applications for the November 2020 sitting; if, based on the current restriction levels nationally, she will state the likelihood of holding the exams in November 2020; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29230/20]

State Examinations

Catherine Connolly

144. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Education if the coding mistake in the leaving certificate standardisation process, which resulted in a student’s two worst non-core junior certificate grades being counted, rather than their two best non-core grades, was made by a company (details supplied) or if it was as a result of an error at Departmental level prior to instruction being given to; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29231/20]

State Examinations

Catherine Connolly

145. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Education if the coding mistake in the leaving certificate standardisation process, which resulted in the inclusion of CSPE in the junior certificate grade data, was made by a company (details supplied) or if it was as a result of an error at departmental level prior to instruction being given to the company; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29232/20]

Social and Affordable Housing

Catherine Connolly

55. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the status of the Galway social housing task force; the number of times the task force has met to date; the reports completed to date by same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28457/20]

Land Development Agency

Catherine Connolly

84. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will carry out a review of the function and remit of the Land Development Agency; when the inventory of State-owned lands will be completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28456/20]

EU Migration Crisis

Catherine Connolly

134. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the details of engagements he has had with the Minister for Justice on finding long-term solutions to support persons affected by the fire in the Moria refugee camp in Greece; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28458/20]