Ceisteanna Parlaiminte

Appointments to State Boards

John McGuinness

663. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the efforts her Department is making to achieve gender balance on all State boards and agencies under the remit of her Department; if she 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 she will make a statement on the matter. [20735/21]

Heritage Council

John McGuinness

740. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the role of the Heritage Council in assessing grants for the publication of books such as a book (details supplied); the level of funding provided each year for such projects; if there is a separate category for such books giving a unique historical perspective; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19414/21]

Appointments to State Boards

John McGuinness

822. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage 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. [20729/21]

Appointments to State Boards

John McGuinness

893. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs 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. [20726/21]

Appointments to State Boards

John McGuinness

912. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Defence 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. [20721/21]

Schools Administration

John McGuinness

918. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Education further to Parliamentary Question No. 391 of 3 February 2021, if the response to the Parliamentary Question will be reviewed; her views on same; the process for the change of school status requests from junior infants to co-educational; the timeframe involved; if the correspondence from the school and from a person (details supplied) provide sufficient information to expedite the matter; if her officials have met the representatives of the school; and the number of meetings or engagements that she or her officials have had with the school. [18188/21]

School Patronage

John McGuinness

1087. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Education the status of an application by a school (details supplied) for a change of status; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20677/21]

School Patronage

John McGuinness

1089. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Education the progress made on an application by a school (details supplied) for change of status; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20709/21]

Appointments to State Boards

John McGuinness

1090. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Education the efforts her Department is making to achieve gender balance on all State boards and agencies under the remit of her Department; if she 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 she will make a statement on the matter. [20722/21]

State Pensions

John McGuinness

1121. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Social Protection if the outcome of an appeal for a State pension (non-contributory) will be re-examined in the case of a person (details supplied). [18615/21]

Social Welfare Benefits

John McGuinness

1122. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Social Protection the progress made on the introduction of an extra three weeks of parental benefit; and the timeframe for the change to apply. [18661/21]

Appointments to State Boards

John McGuinness

1202. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Social Protection the efforts her Department is making to achieve gender balance on all State boards and agencies under the remit of her Department; if she 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 she will make a statement on the matter. [20733/21]

Appointments to State Boards

John McGuinness

1260. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth 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. [20720/21]

Appointments to State Boards

John McGuinness

1353. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science 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. [20727/21]

Courts Service

John McGuinness

1397. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Justice the number of judges attached to each court in the judicial system; the number of vacancies in each court waiting to be filled; the process by which it is decided to increase the number of judges at any given time; the number of cases in each court waiting to be processed; the reforms of the judicial system that she is considering; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18635/21]

Inquiry into the Death of Mr. Shane O'Farrell

John McGuinness

1434. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Justice if the letter mentioned in an internal Department email dated 30 October 2019 relating to a Topical Issue submitted by the Deputy regarding the investigation into the death of a person (details supplied) was issued; if the information will now be given; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19422/21]

Appointments to State Boards

John McGuinness

1498. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Justice the efforts her Department is making to achieve gender balance on all State boards and agencies under the remit of her Department; if she 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 she will make a statement on the matter. [20730/21]

Mental Health Services

John McGuinness

2311. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health if he will provide funding to support one to one counselling and psychotherapy services to assist those delivering the services in the private sector to expand their operations to include referrals from the public health sector given the significant demand arising from Covid-19 being experienced by those professionals involved; if he will encourage the HSE to assist in ensuring that any person presenting with a mental health issue is seen immediately by the appropriate professional in either a public or private setting; the number of outpatients on the waiting list presenting with mental health issues that have yet to have their first appointment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20550/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic

John McGuinness

2388. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health if the rules on mandatory quarantine will be set aside for Irish citizens entering the country from one of the listed countries who have proof of being vaccinated, have a negative test and can isolate at home. [20667/21]

Nursing Homes Support Scheme

John McGuinness

2392. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health the progress on the reform of the fair deal scheme relative to farming families; his plans to carry out a general review of the scheme and the way it has operated since it was introduced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20679/21]

Gender Balance

John McGuinness

2407. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health 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. [20728/21]

GLAS Issues

John McGuinness

2564. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if an appeal relating to the GLAS scheme in the name of persons (details supplied) has been concluded; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20690/21]

Appointments to State Boards

John McGuinness

2565. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine 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. [20719/21]

Appointments to State Boards

John McGuinness

2590. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the efforts her Department is making to achieve gender balance on all State boards and agencies under the remit of her Department; if she 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 she will make a statement on the matter. [20732/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

John McGuinness

9. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will consider a compensation package for retailers of clothing and footwear that had forward purchased seasonal stock which now remains unsold due to Covid-19 restrictions and cannot be returned to the suppliers due to the nature of the purchase contracts; if zero interest loans through the Strategic Banking Corporation of Ireland or other entities will be considered for the sector; if retailers depending on the sale of seasonal stock will be allowed to open under separate regulations for their trade; if the click and collect facility will be allowed; if such affected retailers will be exempted from the rule under the employment wage subsidy scheme relating to a monthly drop in income of 30% to allow the support to continue thereby assisting with cash flow and enabling existing levels of employment to continue; if the Covid restrictions support scheme will be increased for these retailers; if he will devise a plan of ongoing supports for this sector based on the suggestions and considering the challenges the sector faces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17857/21]

Disability Allowance

John McGuinness

246. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Social Protection if entitlement to the disability allowance will be reviewed in the case of a person (details supplied); if allowance will be made for the funds being set aside and managed by their parents for their future care; and if the matter will be expedited. [17844/21]

Community Employment Schemes

John McGuinness

247. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Social Protection further to previous parliamentary questions, the reason for the delay in accommodating an association (details supplied) relative to its interest in being included in an existing community employment scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17845/21]

Health Services Provision

John McGuinness

338. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health if the business case submitted by a person (details supplied) regarding the funding required to provide long-term residential care will be approved; and if the matter will be expedited. [17843/21]

Home Care Packages

John McGuinness

341. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health further to previous Parliamentary Questions and representations to the HSE if weekend home care will be provided for a person (details supplied); and if a review of their care plan will be expedited with a view to providing complete seven-day care. [17856/21]

Hospital Services

John McGuinness

1125. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health the type of health services being delivered at St. Brigid's Hospital, Carrick-on-Suir, County Tipperary; his plans for the future development of the facility; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17310/21]

Home Care Packages

John McGuinness

1132. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health if homecare will be provided at weekends for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17326/21]

Garda Reports

John McGuinness

157. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Justice if it is her Department or An Garda Síochána that set the fees for providing Garda report abstracts and any other supporting documentation relative to road traffic accidents when requested by the victim; if it is normal that victims of road traffic accidents are charged €260 for such information when requested; the way in which the charges are calculated and regulated; the legislation under which the regulations were introduced; if fees for such requests can be waived; the value of fees collected in this manner; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16182/21]

Medical Aids and Appliances

John McGuinness

214. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health if a new automated special chair will be provided for a person (details supplied). [16183/21]

Fuel Sales

John McGuinness

207. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the measures in place to prevent the illegal sale and distribution of coal and bottled gas from Northern Ireland; the estimated value of such sales; the cost of the negative impact the activity is having on traders in this jurisdiction; the number of such illegal traders that have been prosecuted in the past five years; the number of operators and distributors in this jurisdiction that have been prosecuted to date; the estimated loss of revenue to the State; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15195/21]

Tax Collection

John McGuinness

504. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Finance if the tax liability of a person (details supplied) will be re-examined immediately in view of the fact that the reduction in their income due to tax is causing hardship. [15759/21]

Social Welfare Appeals

John McGuinness

983. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Social Protection if an application by persons (details supplied) which is under appeal will now be expedited and approved. [14467/21]

Hospital Appointments Status

John McGuinness

1740. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health if a hospital appointment will be expedited for a person (details supplied). [15280/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

John McGuinness

1792. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health the financial and other supports given to pharmacies that have provided a service throughout the pandemic; if the staff providing the service will be prioritised for the Covid-19 vaccine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15453/21]

Forestry Sector

John McGuinness

1962. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if approval will be issued to a forestry access road application by a person (details supplied). [14501/21]

Livestock Issues

John McGuinness

1996. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if a comprehensive account will be provided of the actions taken to date by his Department to resolve all of the issues associated with the DNA tests of a herd in the name of a person (details supplied); the outstanding matters including DNA tests that have to be dealt with; the timeline for the completion of this work; if the suspension of the herd will be lifted as a matter of urgency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15059/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic

John McGuinness

144. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he has considered the submissions made by an organisation and a company (details supplied) relative to the negative impact that the ongoing lockdown is having on the construction industry and the completion of large scale office and accommodation projects; if his attention has been drawn to unease in the foreign investor community arising from lockdown and the uncertainty of the immediate future; his views on damage to the reputation of Ireland from the prolonged lockdown and the effects on foreign direct investment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13469/21]

Rail Network

John McGuinness

215. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Transport the full cost of hiring railroad vehicles for each of the past five years; if the same company has fulfilled the contract for each of those years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12614/21]

School Transport

John McGuinness

491. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Education if the school bus pick-up point at the limited car parking space at Ballykeeffe, Kilkenny, facilitating 27 pupils attending schools in Kilkenny city, and which is considered extremely dangerous and unsafe, will be relocated to a much safer location at the car park Kilmanagh village, Kilkenny; if the matter will be expedited; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12613/21]

School Transport

John McGuinness

549. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Education if a seat on a school bus will be provided for a child (details supplied). [13416/21]

Disability Allowance

John McGuinness

608. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason for the delay in issuing payment including arrears to a person (details supplied) who has been approved for disability allowance; and if the claim will be backdated to the date of their original application. [13061/21]

Hospital Appointments Status

John McGuinness

884. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health if an MRI scan will be arranged for a person (details supplied). [13072/21]

Ambulance Service

John McGuinness

967. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question Nos. 298 and 900 of 24 February 2021 and the reply issued by the HSE on 2 March 2021, the refurbishment work undertaken at the Carlow ambulance service base by the HSE; the breakdown of the costs; and if information (details supplied) in relation to the project will be provided. [13460/21]

Legislative Reviews

John McGuinness

237. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if a review of the whistle-blower legislation will be instigated. [10830/21]

Special Educational Needs

John McGuinness

399. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Education if her attention has been drawn to the issues facing parents wishing to avail of the in-person supplementary programme relative to the non-availability of teachers and special needs assistants due to its being voluntary for them to participate and the insurance issues for all parties involved; her plans to accommodate children with Down's syndrome attending mainstream schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11039/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment

John McGuinness

181. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Social Protection if the pandemic unemployment payment, PUP, will continue to be paid to a person (details supplied). [10734/21]

Carer's Allowance

John McGuinness

182. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Social Protection if a carer’s allowance will be approved for a person (details supplied); and if the application will be expedited. [10736/21]

Company Law

John McGuinness

34. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will review the powers of receivers outlined in the Companies Act 2014 with a view to ensuring that they act responsibly and in the best interest of the objectives for which they were appointed; if he will legislate to independently regulate receivers; the number of complaints made against receivers; the actions taken to address the complaints; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10172/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

John McGuinness

173. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Finance when a Covid restrictions support scheme application by a person (details supplied) will be paid. [9566/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

John McGuinness

174. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Finance if the employment wage subsidy scheme payments due to a person (details supplied) will be paid shortly. [9570/21]

Horse Sport Ireland

John McGuinness

263. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she is satisfied that the proposal by Horse Sport Ireland to sign a 35-year lease on a property at Greenogue, County Dublin, has met all requirements on procurement; if she has been briefed on the proposal; if the approval of her Department is required for such a development; the consultation that has taken place with the stakeholders; if their approval has been sought; if a business case for the proposal has been sought by her Department; if so, if such a case has already been made; if due diligence has been carried out on the site relative to the existing planning permission and the future development of the site; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9790/21]

School Transport

John McGuinness

411. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Education the way funds arising from the charges levied on concessionaire passengers using the Bus Éireann school transport scheme are accounted for; if the funds are accounted for in the general accounts of Bus Éireann; if not, if funds are accounted for separately under the school bus transport scheme; if her attention has been drawn to the actual cost of the scheme to Bus Éireann; the way the costs are broken down; the amount that is paid to private bus operators by Bus Éireann for the delivery of the service; the cost of the scheme for each of the past ten years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9526/21]

JobPath Programme

John McGuinness

572. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Social Protection when the contract for Turas Nua is to be reviewed; her plans for the future of the JobPath programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9840/21]

Invalidity Pension

John McGuinness

590. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Social Protection if an application for an invalidity pension by a person (details supplied) will be expedited. [10464/21]

Ambulance Service

John McGuinness

900. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health the findings of a health and safety audit carried out by the National Ambulance Service at its Carlow base; the work carried out at the base relative to the report; if an independent review will be undertaken of the base and the ongoing complaints being made; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9924/21]

Vaccination Programme

John McGuinness

971. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health the supports that are available from the HSE for a person who was vaccinated with the HPV vaccine on 28 September 2020, had serious health issues after receiving the vaccine and was admitted to hospital on 6 October 2020 and diagnosed with postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome; if a long-term plan is in place to support those affected in this way; the reason the possible adverse side effects were not outlined on the information leaflet for parents; the action taken by the Health Products Regulatory Authority relative to this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10127/21]

Vaccination Programme

John McGuinness

1017. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health when nurses attached to an organisation (details supplied) will be vaccinated; and the reason for the delay. [10416/21]

Horse Sport Ireland

John McGuinness

1066. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he is satisfied that the proposal by Horse Sport Ireland to sign a 35-year lease on a property at Greenogue, County Dublin has met all requirements on procurement; if he has been briefed on the proposal; if the approval of his Department is required for such a development; the consultation that has taken place with the stakeholders; if their approval has been sought; if a business case for the proposal has been sought by his Department; if so, if such a case has already been made; if due diligence has been carried out on the site relative to the existing planning permission and the future development of the site; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9762/21]

Tuberculosis Eradication Programme

John McGuinness

1088. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 1456 of 8 September 2020, if the person is entitled to compensation (details supplied). [10180/21]

Commonage Land Use

John McGuinness

1093. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 484 of 5 February 2019, if the current outstanding payments in relation to commonage at a location (details supplied) will be expedited; if the review suggested in February 2019 has been completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10211/21]

Credit Guarantee Scheme

John McGuinness

1. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment his views on whether the credit guarantee scheme should be amended to ensure a greater approval rate from banks on loan applications and to give access to a wider range of SMEs; if the scheme will include refinancing of existing loans and overdrafts at a far more competitive interest rate to enable businesses rebuild their financial positions following the crash and Covid-19 putting them in a far better position to deal with the post Covid-19 challenges; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9231/21]

Food Prices

John McGuinness

6. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if his Department has carried out studies and analysis of the effects of the removal of the groceries order in 2006; if consideration has been given to reinstating the order or a version of same; his views on whether such an order would be helpful in protecting the primary producers of vegetables and meat at farm level; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9229/21]

Bus Services

John McGuinness

78. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Transport if a commitment made two years ago to provide a public bus service for Carlow will be delivered on; the estimated costs involved; the reason the service has not been delivered to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9238/21]

Banking Sector

John McGuinness

97. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Finance if he will raise with banks (details supplied) and the Central Bank the issue of the negative consequences of the decision to charge negative interest rates on solicitor client accounts largely affecting those buying or selling houses and land; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9236/21]

Disability Allowance

John McGuinness

202. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Social Protection if an application for a disability benefit in the name of a person (details supplied) will be expedited and approved. [9232/21]

Pension Provisions

John McGuinness

296. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health the reason the increases due to the pension of a person (details supplied) did not issue in September 2019 and in September 2020; and if all outstanding increases due to will be applied to the person's pension and paid immediately. [9233/21]

Ambulance Service

John McGuinness

297. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health if there is a procurement process in place to provide bottled water for use by staff and patients in the ambulance service; if it is HSE policy to provide bottled water in ambulances; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9234/21]

Ambulance Service

John McGuinness

298. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health when funding will be provided for the construction of a purpose-built ambulance base in Carlow to replace the temporary prefabricated structure that has been used for over 17 years and which falls well short of health and safety standards; if a site has been identified for the construction of the project; if the project is a priority on the capital programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9237/21]

Beef Industry

John McGuinness

324. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if the beef task force meetings will be live streamed in the interest of transparency and accountability; if he will consider appointing an independent regulator for the industry; if an analysis has been carried out by his Department with regard to such an appointment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9228/21]

Animal Identification Schemes

John McGuinness

325. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on providing a DNA system of traceability for the beef sector; if he has examined the cost of such a system and the positive impact it might have on the price of beef, the efforts to eliminate meat fraud and cattle smuggling; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9230/21]

Invalidity Pension

John McGuinness

493. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will provide the record of contributions made by a person (details supplied); and if they qualify for an invalidity pension based on their contributions and credits. [8435/21]

Health Services Provision

John McGuinness

913. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health if a long-term care plan will be expedited for a person (details supplied). [8757/21]

Brexit Issues

John McGuinness

1033. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to provide funding and other supports to the horse industry relative to the cost of vets and transport arising from Brexit as stock is moved to or through the UK adding up to 75% costs on transactions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8750/21]

Schools Building Projects

John McGuinness

153. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Education the progress being made, relative to the funding required, on a building project at a school (details supplied); if the additional costs caused by the conditions attached to the planning permission will be approved; the number of meetings held between her Department and the school relative to the overall costs of the project since planning permission was granted; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7672/21]

Carer's Allowance

John McGuinness

173. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Social Protection if the review of a carer’s allowance claim in the name of a person (details supplied) will be expedited and approved; and if the correspondence from her Department on 19 January 2021 will be withdrawn as the applicant is not separated from their spouse but lives apart as a precautionary measure to protect their elderly parents given that the spouse is a front-line worker. [7644/21]

Carer's Allowance

John McGuinness

175. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Social Protection if an appeal by a person (details supplied) for a carer’s allowance will be expedited. [7671/21]

Direct Provision System

John McGuinness

183. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the action taken to date to resolve the issues at the Mosney direct provision centre; the status of plans to change the direct provision system; and the timeframe for the implementation of a new scheme. [7673/21]

Rail Network

John McGuinness

118. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Transport his plans to upgrade existing railway track to new bigger sleepers and rails to assist the speed and safety of trains; if the relaying process is put out to tender or carried out by Iarnród Éireann staff; the funding spent on this work over the past ten years; the planned funding for the next five years; if all machinery contracted to carry out this work in the past represented value for money; if the machinery contracted in was used every day on site; if the machinery used for this type of work is fully owned by Iarnród Éireann; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6501/21]

Medical Aids and Appliances

John McGuinness

747. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health if an assessment will be arranged for an electric wheelchair with a specialised frame for a person (details supplied); if the process will be expedited; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6494/21]

Agriculture Scheme Appeals

John McGuinness

984. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason for the delay of almost 20 years in acknowledging the error by his Department in not including two reference years relative to area aid in the case of a person (details supplied); the number of meetings held during this period with the representatives of an association regarding the issue; if the submissions from Teagasc and other documents have been considered; if he will arrange a meeting between him, his officials, the farmer and the association to resolve matters given the ongoing negative impact being experienced by the family; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6444/21]

Mental Health Services

John McGuinness

205. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health further to previous Parliamentary Questions and the response of the HSE to a query (details supplied), the progress made in providing the full range of services and supports urgently required in the case of a person as outlined in the multi-disciplinary assessment of 15 May 2019 carried out by the kids clinic; if the North Lee ASD team has met with the person since their assessment in 2019; if so, the actions taken arising from the meetings; the actions taken by him to provide the funding and staff to this service to deal with the waiting lists; the number now on the waiting lists; his plans to address same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6100/21]

Home Help Service

John McGuinness

206. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health if home help and supports will be put in place to include weekends for a person (details supplied); and if he will expedite the matter. [6103/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

John McGuinness

34. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will consider providing direct financial supports to essential businesses that have remained open during the pandemic but whose turnover is down by more than 50% and whose viability in the current restrictions is now threatened; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5915/21]

Schools Designation

John McGuinness

391. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Education the progress on an application by a school (details supplied) for change of status to co-ed from junior infants; the timeframe for a final decision; and if the matter will be expedited. [5954/21]

Household Benefits Scheme

John McGuinness

452. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Social Protection if a person (details supplied) qualifies for the household package scheme. [5886/21]

Departmental Inquiries

John McGuinness

594. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Justice the rationale for the decision taken on five different occasions to extend the scoping exercise being undertaken relevant to the inquiry into the death of a person (details supplied); if she will request that the exercise be completed by 1 March 2021; if she will give consideration to the demand for a full, wide-ranging public inquiry as supported by Dáil Éireann in June 2018; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5867/21]

Health and Safety Inspections

John McGuinness

11. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of construction site inspections conducted by Departmental health and safety officials relative to the use of tower cranes and their safety; if the working condition of the cranes are examined; the process of certification for such machinery; if driver qualifications are inspected; the number of complaints received from crane drivers in relation to these issues; if the role of banksman requires certification; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3842/21]

National Educational Psychological Service

John McGuinness

442. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Education if a NEPS psychologist will be recruited for a school (details supplied) to cover maternity leave; and if the support requested by the school will be granted. [3658/21]

Guardian's Payment

John McGuinness

494. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of an application for a guardianship payment by a person (details supplied). [3639/21]

Invalidity Pension

John McGuinness

506. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Social Protection if an application for an invalidity pension by a person (details supplied) will be approved and expedited. [3882/21]

Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services

John McGuinness

677. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health if Carlow CAMHS are now accepting new referrals following operational problems; and the way in which the problems were addressed. [3668/21]

Medical Aids and Appliances

John McGuinness

682. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health if funding will be provided for the purchase of an epilepsy monitor for a person (details supplied); and the reason for the decision reached by the HSE, which classified the need as priority 2. [3680/21]

Agriculture Scheme Appeals

John McGuinness

486. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 1139 and 1181 of 13 January 2021, if he is satisfied with the efficiency of the appeals office, given that one appeal has taken almost a year and the other almost four months and the delay is causing the families concerned considerable stress and hardship; the number of staff employed in the office; the qualifications of each; and if the appeals office is short staffed, his plans to reduce the unacceptable time-frame for such appeals. [3083/21]

Commissions of Investigation

John McGuinness

218. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health the date on which the Farrelly commission will report; his plans to publicise the report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2057/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

John McGuinness

53. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will introduce further financial supports for the owners of wet pubs who are still closed with no income and experiencing hardship due to the loss of business. [1697/21]

Air Services Provision

John McGuinness

123. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Transport if his attention has been drawn to the soaring cost of air freight and the immediate negative effect being experienced by exporters in getting their goods to the markets and the threat to exporting companies and businesses of the loss of valuable contracts; if direct financial support will be offered to companies and businesses experiencing difficulty; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1700/21]