Ceisteanna Parlaiminte

State Examinations

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire

77. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Education if consideration is being given to expanding choice in the 2021 leaving certificate exams further; if she is considering additional measures to mitigate the difficult preparation that these students have had in the run up to their leaving certificate; and when students can expect the contingency plan for leaving certificate 2021 to be released. [39973/20]

DEIS Scheme

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire

84. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Education if all DEIS band 1 schools will be included in the one-point reduction in the pupil teacher ratio promised in budget 2021. [39975/20]

School Transport

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire

106. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Education her views on whether many private bus operators are operating at 50% capacity on their school services in line with the recommendations of her Department; if her attention has been drawn to the fact that this has come at a significant cost that has been passed on to parents; and if her Department will intervene to provide these private operators with additional funding; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39974/20]

School Transport

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire

408. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Education when parents can expect to receive payments under the school transport grant. [40026/20]

Medical Aids and Appliances

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire

763. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Health the status of the release of the findings of the review of the FreeStyle Libre glucose monitoring system undertaken by his Department in 2019; and if he will consider extending the availability of the FreeStyle Libre to all persons with type 1 diabetes [40375/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire

494. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Education when the next instalment of the PPE and cleaning grant will issue; if this is the second instalment of two or the second instalment of three; and the amount this instalment of the grant entails. [38153/20]

School Transport

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire

498. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Education the supports in place for private bus operators who are providing school transport now that the 50% capacity rules are in place; and her plans to ensure that the additional cost for doubling the fleet is not borne on the operators themselves and then passed onto parents. [38247/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire

137. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the level of Covid-19 restrictions Ireland must enter into to allow Irish dance classes to continue; and the current guidance for Irish dancing teaching organisations. [37722/20]

Transport Infrastructure Provision

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire

7. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Transport the status of the development of the Cork metropolitan area transport strategy, CMATS, and the need for a bus rapid transit system in Cork. [29627/20]

Airport Policy

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire

64. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Transport his views on the need for support and clarity on an ongoing basis for Cork Airport; and the way in which he plans to safeguard the employment of workers connected to the airport directly, indirectly and in the wider local economy. [29626/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire

166. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Finance if a tax amnesty in respect of accumulated holiday pay can be granted to essential workers who had no opportunity to take holidays due to Covid-19. [35937/20]

Departmental Funding

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire

139. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Education the breakdown of the funding allocation for her Department for 2021, by project. [35687/20]

Covid-19 Tests

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire

275. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Transport if there are specific guidelines for those wishing to travel back to Ireland for Christmas. [35154/20]

Primary Medical Certificates

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire

296. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Finance the progress being made in ensuring that persons can once again access a primary medical certificate; and if his attention has been drawn to the impact that this is having on the mobility and independence for those awaiting such certificates for cars. [35397/20]

State Examinations

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire

439. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Education the reason those sitting the November 2020 leaving certificate examinations in language subjects will not be marked on an oral component or, alternatively, will not receive full marks in the oral component as was announced in March 2020. [34808/20]

School Staff

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire

444. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Education the number of schools which have lost a teacher in the 2020-21 academic year. [34819/20]

School Staff

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire

445. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Education the number of appeals by schools to retain their staffing levels and not lose a teacher in the 2020-21 academic year which were successful. [34820/20]

School Staff

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire

446. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Education if the exceptional circumstances of Covid-19 are taken into account by the board of appeals when considering appeals of a reduction of staffing levels in schools. [34821/20]

Special Educational Needs

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire

448. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Education when schools will be provided with clear guidance on the way in which and when children with special educational needs can integrate into mainstream classes during the school day. [34868/20]

State Examinations

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire

449. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Education if it is planned that the leaving certificate examinations will go ahead as planned in November 2020. [34870/20]

State Examinations

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire

454. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Education if the bonus for completing leaving certificate exams through Irish was taken into consideration not just by teachers when providing the teachers’ grades, but specifically by the algorithm as it was applied to give calculated grades to students from Gaelscoileanna. [34921/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire

455. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Education if a sample sanitiser from a company (details supplied) was assessed and evaluated by a team with the necessary technical competencies and cross-sectoral knowledge; the outcome of the process; and if issues were flagged with the product. [34931/20]

Health Services

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire

664. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Health if businesses providing elective aesthetic treatments under certain circumstances (details supplied) fall under essential services with respect of the level 5 Covid-19 restrictions. [34602/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire

665. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Health the meaning of specialist medical practice activities under human health and social work activities in the list of essential services for level 5 Covid-19 restrictions. [34616/20]

Driver Test

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire

334. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Transport if persons who had a theory test cancelled as a result of level 5 restrictions can be facilitated with new appointments as soon as the test centres reopen on 1 December 2020 as opposed to joining the end of the queue for the next available appointment. [33195/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire

494. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she has given consideration to excluding gyms from restrictions in view of the important role they play in mental physical health and wellness; the reason for this decision; and the evidence for not excluding gyms. [32631/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire

508. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if an organisation (details supplied) can continue to train with up to 15 children during level 5 restrictions. [33023/20]

Local Authority Staff

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire

561. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if administrative work carried out by a public servant in a local authority is an essential service; and if these workers can be mandated to attend in person at their workplace or should be facilitated with working from home if possible. [33186/20]

DEIS Scheme

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire

743. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Education the way in which the €5 million investment for DEIS schools in Budget 2021 will be allocated. [32783/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire

757. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Education if a medically vulnerable SNA at a school (details supplied) can be facilitated with working from home. [32918/20]

Disability Services Provision

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire

1193. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Health if an organisation (details supplied) can continue providing services to children with disabilities during level 5 restrictions; and if the organisation will fall under the exemption for sport training for school-aged children. [32608/20]

Palliative Care Services

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire

1230. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Health the long-term Covid-19 plan for persons with disabilities in residential care facilities. [32724/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire

1236. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Health if additional investment has been made in the past six months on testing and tracing and on acute hospitals; and his plans for investment going forward. [32746/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire

1252. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Health his plans to have school specific contact tracing teams; the detail of same; the way in which it will be delivered; when it is planned to roll this out; and the role they will carry out [32778/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire

1268. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Health if VRT inspectors are essential workers under level 5 restrictions [32847/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire

167. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Children, Disability, Equality and Integration if children who are home schooled can leave their county for educational purposes such as nature walks, educational trips and so on; and if specific guidance will be provided to the parents of home-schooled children. [31978/20]

School Staff

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire

1. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Education if she will address the significant inequalities in pay, conditions and pension and other entitlements facing many school secretaries. [30312/20]

Special Educational Needs

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire

3. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Education the status of the development of clear guidelines on when and the manner in which children with special educational needs can integrate within mainstream classes during the school day and the way in which that will be managed. [30313/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire

5. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Education for details of the guidance for those at high risk; if schoolchildren who have medically vulnerable parents will be facilitated with remote learning; and if she will revise the Medmark process for high-risk school staff. [30314/20]

State Examinations

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire

30. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Education if the work carried out by a company (details supplied) on behalf of her Department regarding the calculated grades model was appropriately certified as in compliance with the standards expected by her Department; and if she plans to recoup payment on foot of the very significant errors which were made. [30280/20]

School Transport

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire

58. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Education the position regarding school transport and the progress that is being made to ensure the same number of children who were carried in 2019 will be carried again in 2020. [30276/20]

Schools Building Projects

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire

75. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Education the status of the delivery of a new building for a school (details supplied). [30278/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire

87. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Education the reason teachers who received a notification from the Covid-19 tracker app indicating they must isolate because they were a close contact of a confirmed case were then told by the Department of Health that they did not need to isolate; and the reason the notifications do not apply to the teaching profession. [30279/20]

Pupil-Teacher Ratio

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire

91. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Education if her attention has been drawn to the significant issues facing schools that have lost teachers due to the school census and having reduced numbers at the time of the census relative to 2019; and if she will ensure schools do not lose teachers, potentially undermining their ability to achieve social distancing. [30277/20]

State Examinations

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire

217. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Education if students who sits the leaving certificate in November can elect to sit the exams in a school or educational setting in their area that are facilitating the November exams but are not the schools that the students attended. [29688/20]

State Examinations

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire

231. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Education the date the lines of code containing the error in the context of the leaving certificate calculated grades model were last edited; and if further oversight and tests were carried out by the national standardisation group after the most recent changes were made to the code. [29827/20]

State Examinations

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire

232. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Education the number of lines of original code, excluding code contained within imported libraries, written by a company (details supplied); if all code was written uniquely for her Department or formed part of a pre-existing product; and if so, the title of the base product. [29828/20]

State Examinations

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire

233. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Education the programming languages used by a company (details supplied) in developing the system used for calculated grades. [29829/20]

State Examinations

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire

234. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Education if the leaving certificate calculated grades code was written entirely by a person (details supplied); and if there was an oversight of their work within the company. [29830/20]

Departmental Data

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire

235. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Education the location the servers that hosted data relating to leaving certificate calculated grades is or are based; the company that hosts same; and if the site portal had an up-to-date SSL certificate at all times that Irish student data was hosted on such a server. [29831/20]