Ceisteanna Parlaiminte

Care of the Elderly

John McGuinness

105. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health the additional supports Budget 2022 is providing for persons with dementia; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50707/21]

National Children's Hospital

John McGuinness

221. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health if his Department has submitted a report to the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform on the most recent cost estimate and timescale for the completion of the new national children’s hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45657/21]

Capital Expenditure Programme

John McGuinness

21. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the plans he has in place to review the oversight and governance of major spending projects; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45656/21]

Banking Sector

John McGuinness

27. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Finance the status of any recent engagement with the banks in Ireland. [44875/21]

Official Engagements

John McGuinness

40. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Finance if he has recently met with a union (details supplied). [44876/21]

Social Welfare Appeals

John McGuinness

244. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Social Protection if a child benefit or family benefit application dating back to 2014 which is now under appeal with a request for an oral hearing will be expedited and approved for a person (details supplied). [44316/21]

Health Service Executive

John McGuinness

286. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health if the full range of supports and services required by a person (details supplied) will be expedited; and if a social worker will be appointed to their case to assess their requirements for care at home and at school. [44287/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

John McGuinness

59. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of businesses in County Kilkenny that have applied to the small business assistance scheme; the number of same that have received funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43829/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

John McGuinness

76. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the details of the Sustaining Enterprise and Accelerated Recovery Fund; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43830/21]

Prison Service

John McGuinness

549. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Justice the estimated final cost for the Limerick Prison redevelopment project currently under construction; the date when the contract was placed with a company (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43588/21]

Prison Service

John McGuinness

550. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Justice if the final tender award evaluation report in respect of the contract for the Limerick Prison redevelopment project as prepared by a company (details supplied) is available to interested parties; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43595/21]

National Children's Hospital

John McGuinness

1652. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health if his Department has received a report on the most recent cost estimate and timescale for the completion of the new national children’s hospital. [34744/21]

Health Services Staff

John McGuinness

1667. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health if a pay award to senior managers in the HSE suggested by the review body report No. 42 will now be approved by his Department; the background to the issue; the reason the issue has not been resolved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34296/21]

Health Services

John McGuinness

1694. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 986 of 28 April 2021, as yet unanswered, the reason funding was refused under the treatment abroad scheme in the case of a person (details supplied) given that a previous application was approved on 20 September 2019; if the procedures are available in Irish hospitals; if so, the hospitals that carry out same; if there is a waiting list; if so, the timeframe involved; if he will examine the case of the person as a matter of urgency with a view to ensuring that the two procedures recommended by their consultants are expedited; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34980/21]

Child Protection

John McGuinness

1696. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health the status of the public consultation process relative to the proposed national standards for children’s services; if it is the intention to have a separate standard for foster care similar to the 2003 document; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34982/21]

Hospital Appointments Status

John McGuinness

1698. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health if an appointment for an assessment for a person (details supplied) will be expedited. [34984/21]

Health Services Staff

John McGuinness

1699. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health if it is stipulated by his Department or the HSE that persons contracted by the HSE for the provision of counselling services through an outside agency (details supplied) will be required to set up a limited company for the purpose; the reason for same given that it causes unnecessary bureaucracy and costs and acts as a disincentive to some counsellors; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34989/21]

Vaccination Programme

John McGuinness

1700. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health the number of versions of a vaccine (details supplied) available; and if all versions are authorised for use in the EU. [34990/21]

Health Services

John McGuinness

2226. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health if the full range of supports and services required by a person (details supplied) will be put in place; if a social worker will be appointed to their case to assess his requirements for care at home and at school; and if the matter will be expedited. [37073/21]

Disability Services

John McGuinness

2621. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health if the care needs and professional services required by a person (details supplied) will be provided by the HSE or sourced in the private sector and funded by the HSE; if an assessment for ASD will be arranged immediately; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38410/21]

Disability Services

John McGuinness

2624. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health the number of children and young adults on waiting lists in counties Carlow and Kilkenny; the length of time they are waiting for services (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38415/21]

School Transport

John McGuinness

254. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Education if a school bus service will be provided for students attending secondary school in Johnstown, County Kilkenny, from Ballyragget, County Kilkenny; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38863/21]

Hospital Waiting Lists

John McGuinness

417. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 986 of 28 April 2021, the reason funding was refused under the treatment abroad scheme in the case of a person (details supplied) given a previous application was approved on 20 September 2019; if the procedures are available in hospitals here; if so, the hospital that carries out same; if there is a waiting list; if so, the timeframe involved; if he will examine the case of the person as a matter of urgency with a view to ensuring that the two procedures recommended by their consultants are expedited; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32853/21]

Civil Service

John McGuinness

103. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the way in which the recent recruitment process for the vacant position of Secretary General of the Department of Health was advertised; the number of advertisements placed in publications and through social media; the number of applicants for the position; the number of international applicants; the number of persons on the interview board; the qualifications and gender of each; the number that reached the final interview; if the successful candidate was chosen from a final list of suitably qualified individuals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31333/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic

John McGuinness

112. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health the extent to which the Covid-19 pandemic has had a negative impact on the provision of cancer care; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37730/21]

Home Care Packages

John McGuinness

121. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health the number of homecare support hours being provided in counties Carlow and Kilkenny in 2021; the way this compares to 2020; the number of persons currently waiting for homecare in each county; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37731/21]

Social Welfare Benefits

John McGuinness

438. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Social Protection if an application by a person (details supplied) will be expedited and approved. [37278/21]

Employment Rights

John McGuinness

149. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will consider changing the date for commencing the period of employment on permits for persons (details supplied) to the date the persons arrived in Ireland to work given that both persons arrived after the commencement date due to the difficulties they had due to Covid-19 in travelling to Ireland. [36977/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

John McGuinness

187. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she will bring forward a restart grant scheme to facilitate working musicians and entertainers to get back to work, recognising the fact that they are small businesses that have been closed down and have not been offered any restart assistance (details supplied); and the way in which she plans to facilitate this section of the entertainment sector. [36901/21]

Social Welfare Benefits

John McGuinness

257. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Social Protection if the application to transfer the carer’s allowance payment to a person (details supplied) will be expedited. [36950/21]

Social Welfare Appeals

John McGuinness

258. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Social Protection if a child benefit and family benefit application dating back to 2014 which is now under appeal with a request for an oral hearing will be expedited and approved in the name of a person (details supplied). [36951/21]

Social Welfare Appeals

John McGuinness

260. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Social Protection if an application for a carer's allowance now under appeal will be expedited and approved in the case of a person (details supplied). [37026/21]

Children in Care

John McGuinness

97. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the status of the public consultation process relative to the proposed national standards for children’s services; if he plans to have a separate standard for foster care similar to the 2003 document; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30595/21]

Social Welfare Appeals

John McGuinness

340. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Social Protection if an appeal for a carer’s allowance will be expedited for a person (details supplied). [35920/21]

Social Welfare Appeals

John McGuinness

341. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Social Protection if an appeal for a carer’s allowance will be expedited for a person (details supplied). [35923/21]

Local Authorities

John McGuinness

226. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the level of funding under the six main headings provided to Carlow County Council and by comparison to three other councils similar in size and profile to Carlow over the past ten years; if Carlow County Council has been underfunded by his Department in this period; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35615/21]

Vaccination Programme

John McGuinness

242. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health the number of versions of a vaccine (details supplied) available; and if all versions are authorised for use in the EU. [27773/21]

Social Welfare Benefits

John McGuinness

359. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Social Protection if an oral hearing will be arranged immediately for a person (details supplied). [34305/21]

Health Services

John McGuinness

445. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health if an appointment for an assessment will be expedited in the name of a person (details supplied) given the urgency of the case. [26857/21]

Hospital Staff

John McGuinness

521. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health the number of hospital porters employed at St. James’s Hospital, Dublin 8; if there is a panel in place to fill casual vacancies that might arise; if there was a recent recruitment process; and if so, if that process is now completed. [27236/21]

Health Services

John McGuinness

526. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health if it is stipulated by his Department or the HSE that individuals contracted by the HSE for the provision of counselling services through an outside agency (details supplied) are required to set up a limited company for this purpose; the reason this is occurring given that it causes unnecessary bureaucracy and costs and acts as a discouragement to some counsellors; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27257/21]

Departmental Investigations

John McGuinness

541. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health if he plans to take legal action arising from a programme (details supplied) in relation to alleged activities in his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27429/21]

National Maternity Hospital

John McGuinness

204. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if his Department has sought and or received a specific business case for the proposed new national maternity hospital to be located on the St. Vincent’s University Hospital campus in County Dublin at any stage since 2013. [34041/21]

National Maternity Hospital

John McGuinness

205. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if his Department has formally approved the campus of St. Vincent’s hospital in County Dublin as the site for the new national maternity hospital. [34042/21]

Military Honours

John McGuinness

292. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Defence the status of the report being undertaken by an independent review group into the question of the recommendation of gallantry medals for the Irish soldiers involved in the siege of Jadotville; the timeframe for the completion of the report and a final decision; if the report will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34043/21]

Public Sector Staff

John McGuinness

137. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the most recent estimate for the cost of removing the requirement for staff in the public service to work additional hours which were introduced on foot of the Haddington Road Agreement in 2013. [32341/21]

National Children's Hospital

John McGuinness

149. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if his Department has received a report from the Department of Health on the most recent cost estimate and timescale for the completion of the new National Children’s Hospital. [32342/21]

Forestry Sector

John McGuinness

402. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of a tree felling licence application by a person (details supplied); if the application will be expedited given the applicant has provided the NIA statement; the total number of applications that remain to be processed; the breakdown of the length of time the applications that have been in the system by month; the number of applications being approved on a weekly basis; his plans to clear the backlog; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32661/21]

Departmental Policies

John McGuinness

70. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Transport the reason the recording of licences issued to fly drones on a county by county basis was discontinued; if this method of recording will be restored; the number of staff attached to the licensing and the enforcement sections; the number of drone licence operators that have availed of the training for basic piloting of drones out of the total 2,500 licence holders; the way in which a member of the public can verify the credentials of a licence holder; the number of times the IAA has had to use its enforcement powers; the number of administrative fines that have been issued since 2020; the number of complaints received by the IAA in relation to a perceived breach of European regulations or Irish law; if he plans to review and strengthen the Act; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32293/21]

Social Welfare Schemes

John McGuinness

162. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Social Protection if a person (details supplied) is entitled to the dependent adult allowance based on their contributory pension and the split of savings. [32167/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

John McGuinness

88. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Finance the number of persons in counties Kilkenny and Waterford receiving support under the employment wage subsidy scheme; the number of persons in each county who were receiving support under the scheme in May 2021; the number of persons in each county who have received support under the scheme and its predecessor since March 2020; the expenditure on the schemes in each county over that time; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31701/21]

Banking Sector

John McGuinness

119. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Finance if he supports the establishment of a forum on banking; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31702/21]

Rail Network

John McGuinness

268. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Transport when Irish Rail will carry out the remedial works urgently required at Lacken Drive, the Railway Bridge and O’Loughlin Road, Kilkenny; if the matter will be expedited given the extensive health and safety issues that have arisen over the past 18 months along the adjoining pedestrian walkway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31467/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

John McGuinness

77. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of businesses in County Kilkenny that have availed of the Covid-19 credit guarantee scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30039/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

John McGuinness

110. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the measures he is taking to help small businesses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30040/21]

Social Welfare Payments

John McGuinness

443. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Social Protection if all payments and arrears due to a person (details supplied) will be expedited. [29180/21]

Departmental Funding

John McGuinness

552. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if a request for CSP funding in the name of a group (details supplied) will be reviewed as a matter of urgency; and if the funding requested will be approved given the significance of the project to the local community and the enormous contribution being made by volunteers. [29127/21]

Banking Sector

John McGuinness

182. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Finance if a bank (details supplied) held a banking licence prior to 2008; and if so, the date on which a licence was granted to the bank by the Central Bank. [27576/21]

Social Welfare Eligibility

John McGuinness

370. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Social Protection if respite grants for the past two years are due to a person (details supplied). [27481/21]

Driver Test

John McGuinness

184. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Transport the number of theory tests cancelled each Friday by email over the past 12 months and in particular on 7 May 2021; when these tests will be rescheduled; if there is a contact phone number and name for the public to use to have queries dealt with; if contact names and details of Road Safety Authority personnel are published on the RSA website and stationary; and his plans to clear the backlog. [27256/21]

Departmental Staff

John McGuinness

219. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will confirm the way in which the recent recruitment process for the vacant position of Secretary General of his Department was advertised; the number of advertisements placed in publications and through social media; the number of applicants for the position; the number of international applicants; the number of persons on the interview board; the qualifications and gender of same; the number that reached the final interview; if the successful candidate was chosen from a final list of suitably qualified persons; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27262/21]

State Bodies

John McGuinness

244. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will outline the activity of the Land Development Agency from the date it was established to date in 2021 relative to the number of sites identified and acquired; the number of planning permissions granted or in the process and the overall cost of its operation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27250/21]

Social Welfare Benefits

John McGuinness

284. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Social Protection if an application for a carer’s allowance in the case of a person (details supplied) will be reviewed and approved as a matter of urgency. [27263/21]

Agriculture Schemes

John McGuinness

367. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will review an application under the young farmers scheme in the case of a person (details supplied) and reverse the decision taken given the circumstances of the case; and if the matter will be expedited. [27199/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment

John McGuinness

83. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of persons in County Kilkenny currently in receipt of the pandemic unemployment payment; the number of persons in County Waterford currently in receipt of the payment; the number in each county who were in receipt of the payment on the same date in April 2021; the number of persons in each county who have received the payment since the introduction of the payment; the total expenditure on such payments in each county over that time; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26269/21]

Social Welfare Benefits

John McGuinness

533. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Social Protection if an application for an invalidity pension will be approved as a matter of urgency for a person (details supplied). [25669/21]

Programme for Government

John McGuinness

556. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of the programme for Government commitment to continue to review and expand the roll-out of the new hot school meals initiative; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25063/21]

Schools Building Projects

John McGuinness

106. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Education the status of each large-scale school building project in County Kilkenny; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25062/21]

State Pensions

John McGuinness

178. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Social Protection if an application for a State pension by a person (details supplied) will be expedited. [25127/21]

Passport Services

John McGuinness

109. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the timeframe for clearing the backlog of passports applications from applicants in County Kilkenny. [23919/21]

Tax Reliefs

John McGuinness

228. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Finance if he will review the concession put in place by the Revenue Commissioners relative to the payment of tax due by employees arising from the temporary wage subsidy scheme allowing the employer to pay the tax without any benefit-in-kind implications for the employee; if so, if categories of employees (details supplied) will be included; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23798/21]

School Transport

John McGuinness

449. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Education if school bus transport will be provided on a qualifying rather than a concessionary basis from Corraguan, Windgap, County Kilkenny, to a school for persons (details supplied); if the appeal lodged with the school transport appeals board will be expedited and approved; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23784/21]

Pension Provisions

John McGuinness

533. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Social Protection if a person (details supplied) has sufficient contributions to qualify for a State pension (contributory); and if their record of contributions will be provided. [23772/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic

John McGuinness

716. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health the arrangements his Department has made to provide vaccinations for students participating in the Erasmus programme and that must provide proof of full vaccination to the participating college abroad before 15 June 2021; if he will outline the plan immediately to ease the concerns of parents and students that are now having to commit to cost of travel and accommodation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23775/21]

Animal Diseases

John McGuinness

954. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if a second BVD test can be carried out on the herd owned by a person (details supplied); the action to be taken by his Department and herd owner; the costs involved; and the reason for the change of rule in this regard. [23773/21]

Departmental Investigations

John McGuinness

315. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the outcome of the investigation into complaints by a person (details supplied); the actions taken by his Department to address the issues raised; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23137/21]

Garda Civilian Staff

John McGuinness

463. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Justice the number of civilians holding the position of property and exhibits manager within An Garda Síochána; the Garda stations in which the civilians employed as such are based; if the position is underpinned in legislation; if appropriate training has been provided; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22697/21]

Medicinal Products

John McGuinness

648. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health his views on making the drug epidiolex available to patients on medical cards when prescribed by a consultant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23187/21]

Felling Licences

John McGuinness

679. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a tree felling application by a person (details supplied) will be processed and approved; and if the process will be expedited. [22705/21]

Hospital Facilities

John McGuinness

130. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health the indicative timeframe for the delivery of a new community nursing unit at St. Columba's Hospital, Thomastown, County Kilkenny; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22474/21]

Quarrying Sector

John McGuinness

431. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the amount of funding allocated by his Department to local authorities that have to reinstate land relative to the environmental damage done by illegal quarry activities; if he will seek a report from Kilkenny and Laois county councils in relation to the environmental damage already done by quarries that are not compliant with the planning laws or without planning permission; if the Local Government Audit Service considers good governance or the lack of it as part of its audit of each local authority; if he plans to review the legislation specifically in relation to non-compliance in the quarry industry with a view to strengthening the planning enforcement process and introducing a regime of substantial fines commensurate with the damage caused by such illegal operators; if Irish law is in sync with EU policy and directives with regard to this industry; if he will investigate ways to apply current laws and standards of operation to major quarry operators that were in operation prior to the introduction of the planning laws; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21249/21]

Public Sector Pay

John McGuinness

544. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Education if secondary school teachers returning to Ireland from Abu Dhabi having taught in private schools there and wishing to resume teaching in Ireland will qualify for salary increments as is the case with primary school teachers and those in the medical profession; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21271/21]

Carer's Allowance

John McGuinness

637. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Social Protection if an appeal for carer’s allowance will be expedited in the name of persons (details supplied). [21232/21]

HSE Staff

John McGuinness

888. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health when the outcome of the job evaluation for homecare support assistants which was promised in September 2020 will be published; if the recommendations of the evaluation will be implemented in the short-term; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21290/21]

Treatment Abroad Scheme

John McGuinness

986. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health the reason funding was refused under the treatment abroad scheme in the case of a person (details supplied) given a previous application was approved on 20 September 2019; if the procedures are available in hospitals here; if so, the hospital that carry out same; if there is a waiting list; if so, the timeframe involved; if he will examine the case of the person as a matter of urgency with a view to ensuring that the two procedures recommended by their consultants are expedited; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21684/21]

Carer's Allowance

John McGuinness

100. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Social Protection if a carer's allowance application by a person (details supplied) will be expedited given the urgency of the matter. [20989/21]

Invalidity Pension

John McGuinness

101. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will request a full review of an application for invalidity pension which is at appeal stage in the name of a person (details supplied); and if an oral hearing will be arranged in order that they and their family can present their case. [20990/21]

Capital Expenditure Programme

John McGuinness

80. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the action he is taking to ensure value for money is obtained for the significantly increased capital budget which will be at an all-time record level in 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20396/21]

Capital Expenditure Programme

John McGuinness

92. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the action he is taking to strengthen oversight of the capital budget; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20395/21]

Appointments to State Boards

John McGuinness

141. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Taoiseach the efforts his Department is making to achieve gender balance on all State boards and agencies under the remit of his Department; if he will set out the changes achieved to date on each; and if 50% of the membership of all boards, policy groups or agencies that provide advice to Government on matters of policy will be reserved for appropriately qualified individuals from the private sector in order to achieve a balance between the public and private sectors. [20734/21]

Work Permits

John McGuinness

210. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will reopen the general employment permit scheme to help alleviate the current labour crisis in the mushroom sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20657/21]

Appointments to State Boards

John McGuinness

211. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the efforts his Department is making to achieve gender balance on all State boards and agencies under the remit of his Department; if he will set out the changes achieved to date on each; if 50% of the membership of all boards, policy groups or agencies that provide advice to Government on matters of policy will be reserved for appropriately qualified individuals from the private sector in order to achieve a balance between the public and private sectors; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20723/21]

Appointments to State Boards

John McGuinness

293. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the efforts his Department is making to achieve gender balance on all State boards and agencies under the remit of his Department; if he will set out the changes achieved to date on each; if 50% of the membership of all boards, policy groups or agencies that provide advice to Government on matters of policy will be reserved for appropriately qualified individuals from the private sector in order to achieve a balance between the public and private sectors; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20724/21]

Air Safety

John McGuinness

369. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Transport if licences issued to fly drones are recorded on a county basis; if so, the number issued for each of the past four years; the way in which the regulations are enforced; the number of breaches recorded in the past four years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19413/21]

Appointments to State Boards

John McGuinness

447. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Transport the efforts his Department is making to achieve gender balance on all State boards and agencies under the remit of his Department; if he will set out the changes achieved to date on each; if 50% of the membership of all boards, policy groups or agencies that provide advice to Government on matters of policy will be reserved for appropriately qualified individuals from the private sector in order to achieve a balance between the public and private sectors; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20736/21]

National Treasury Management Agency

John McGuinness

510. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Finance if any of the bond sales on behalf of the State or the NTMA and brokered by a company (details supplied) were sold to parties connected to the company, nominees, associates or subsidiaries of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19617/21]

National Treasury Management Agency

John McGuinness

511. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Finance if a company (details supplied) has declared any potential conflicts of interest to the State in the bond dealings of same on behalf of the State or NTMA; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19618/21]

National Treasury Management Agency

John McGuinness

512. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Finance the process by which a company (details supplied) was appointed to sell bonds on behalf of the State and NTMA; if he is satisfied that the procurement of the company was in compliance with Irish procurement law; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19619/21]

Appointments to State Boards

John McGuinness

537. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Finance the efforts his Department is making to achieve gender balance on all State boards and agencies under the remit of his Department; if he will set out the changes achieved to date on each; if 50% of the membership of all boards, policy groups or agencies that provide advice to Government on matters of policy will be reserved for appropriately qualified individuals from the private sector in order to achieve a balance between the public and private sectors; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20725/21]

Appointments to State Boards

John McGuinness

583. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the efforts his Department is making to achieve gender balance on all State boards and agencies under the remit of his Department; if he will set out the changes achieved to date on each; if 50% of the membership of all boards, policy groups or agencies that provide advice to Government on matters of policy will be reserved for appropriately qualified individuals from the private sector in order to achieve a balance between the public and private sectors; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20731/21]