Ceisteanna Parlaiminte

Hospital Appointments Status

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

602. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on the eighty two children with spina bifida and or hydrocephalus that are awaiting orthopaedic surgical management and orthopaedic review appointments (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [61478/21]

Dental Services

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

603. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Health the number of children on the waiting list for orthodontic services in Waterford (details supplied); the length of time the children have been on the waiting list; the expected timeframe for treatment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [61479/21]

EU Funding

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

74. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the involvement his Department has in European Union LIFE Projects; if there are plans for future projects; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60680/21]

Departmental Programmes

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

344. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his Department's progress on the expansion of support for social farming programmes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60218/21]

Island Communities

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

75. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the status of the new ten-year cross-departmental policy for island development and associated action plans to ensure delivery of the policy, as outlined in Our Rural Future; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [60217/21]

Departmental Funding

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

54. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the way his Department provides financial support to LGBTI organisations; the moneys that have been made available in 2021 and 2022 for this purpose; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59444/21]

Early Childhood Care and Education

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

55. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he has received the final report of the expert group examining the funding model for early years; if so, the main recommendations contained in the report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59445/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

336. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Education the supports that will be in place to support leaving certificate students in 2022 who have lost in-person teaching time due to Covid-19; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [58765/21]

State Examinations

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

337. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Education if leaving certificate students in 2022 are receiving more options for the format of questions on their exams; if additional time will be provided in exams for students to allow for additional reading time of the exam paper; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [58766/21]

Pensions Reform

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

382. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Social Protection if there are plans to change or review the way the State pension (contributory) is calculated since the changes that were made regarding the total contributions approach in 2012; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [58359/21]

Pensions Reform

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

383. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Social Protection if there are plans to review or remove the habitual residency criteria for the State pension (non-contributory); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [58360/21]

Third Level Admissions

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

440. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the plans that will be put in place to address difficulties that sixth-year students may face when trying to gain access to college in September 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58765/21]

State Pensions

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

96. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Social Protection the work her Department has undertaken towards a proposed benchmarking system for pension rates to be benchmarked to salaries and inflation, as outlined as an income smoothing proposal in the Roadmap for Social Inclusion 2020-2025 in order to provide income security for older persons; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [57600/21]

State Pensions

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

104. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Social Protection the latest views of her Department in relation to the potential legality of aligning the retirement age in employment contracts with the age at which persons become eligible for the State pension; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [57599/21]

An Garda Síochána

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

168. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Justice her plans to ensure that incidences of drink and needle spiking are being recorded and categorised on the PULSE system in order to ascertain the scale of the crime; if there is flexibility in the categorisation and de-aggregation of data available from the system; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [57998/21]

Commissions of Investigation

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

185. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Justice her plans to publish a progress report on the Hickson Commission of Investigation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [57999/21]

Oideachas Gaeltachta

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

111. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh den Aire Oideachais an dtabharfaidh sí tuarascáil maidir le dul chun cinn an chomhairliúcháin ar athchóiriú Churaclam Gaeilge na hArdteistiméireachta; an bhfuil imní phobal na Gaeilge ina leith sin cloiste aici; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [57230/21]

School Curriculum

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

143. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Education the position regarding publishing the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment advisory report on senior cycle reform; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [57229/21]

Disability Services

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

149. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Transport if a disabled parking space that is not located on a public road such as in a private car park for a shopping centre or other building, is legally unenforceable if a non-disabled driver uses it; if so, his plans to address same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56611/21]

Legislative Measures

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

276. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the status of the higher education governance Bill; when the Bill is expected to be enacted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56612/21]

National Parks

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

297. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his plans with respect to the creation of a Liffey Valley national park; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56052/21]

Social Welfare Benefits

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

381. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of children who will benefit from the extension of access to domiciliary care allowance for children in hospital from three to six months; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [55663/21]

Social Welfare Benefits

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

382. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Social Protection the estimated annual cost of providing domiciliary care allowance for children that require prolonged hospitalisation in excess of 30 days from birth; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [55664/21]

Social Welfare Benefits

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

383. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Social Protection the estimated annual cost of providing domiciliary care allowance to children aged 16 and 17 years in view of the fact that children can no longer access this payment once they turn 16 years of age; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [55665/21]

Scéimeanna agus Tacaíochtaí Tithíochta

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

103. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh den Aire Tithíochta, Rialtais Áitiúil agus Oidhreachta cad iad a tuairimí maidir le tacú le hiarrachtaí chun tithíocht phobalbhunaithe a fhorbairt sa Ghaeltacht; agus an gcuirfear talamh poiblí ar fáil sa Ghaeltacht chun tithíocht inacmhainne a fhorbairt; agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina thaobh. [54839/21]

Seirbhísí trí Ghaeilge

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

192. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh den Aire Turasóireachta, Cultúir, Ealaíon, Gaeltachta, Spóirt agus Meán faoina plean maidir le tascfhórsa a bhunú chun scrúdú a dhéanamh ar sholáthar seirbhisí teaghlaigh agus óige sa Ghaeltacht, mar a bhí molta ag Tuismitheoirí na Gaeltachta; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [54836/21]

Departmental Schemes

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

21. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the actions he is taking to scale up the retrofit of low-income homes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52962/21]

Renewable Energy Generation

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

67. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the steps he is taking to ensure that communities can develop their own renewable energy projects; if he has a target for the number of community projects to be supported; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52963/21]

Cycling Facilities

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

94. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Transport the status of capital spending on walking and cycling infrastructure allocated by his Department for 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53503/21]

Public Transport

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

175. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Transport the actions he is taking to provide better regional public transport connections to address rural car dependency, improve local economies and to reduce transport carbon emissions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53504/21]

Marine Accidents

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

232. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Transport if he plans to enact legislation to address the shortcoming identified in the Clinch report (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53101/21]

Tax Reliefs

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

288. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Finance the timeline for the extension of the excise relief programme which will offer 50% excise relief to small-scale cider producers following on from the announcement in Budget 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53099/21]

Overseas Development Aid

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

450. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the increase to official development assistance announced in the budget in real terms; the meaning for the percentage spend on official development assistance for 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53093/21]

Overseas Development Aid

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

451. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if in view of budget 2022, he will now publish a roadmap to reaching 0.7% of GNI on official development assistance by 2030; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53094/21]

Overseas Development Aid

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

452. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the oversight his Department has on official development assistance in the context of international aid allocated to other Departments in the context of budget 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53097/21]

Rights of Way

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

709. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Justice the timeframe for the passing of the Bill to amend the provisions in the Land and Conveyancing Law Reform Act 2009 in relation to rights of way; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53100/21]

Overseas Development Aid

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

1059. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Health the amount of his Department’s budget for 2022 which is being considered as part of Official Development Assistance in the context of international aid; the measures this budget will be spent on; the section in his Department that will be overseeing this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53095/21]

Hospital Staff

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

1060. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Health the details of the recruitment plans for neurology nurse specialists for University Hospital Waterford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53098/21]

Departmental Budgets

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

1250. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the amount of his Department’s budget for 2022 which is being considered as part of Official Development Assistance in the context of international aid; the measures this budget will be spent on; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53096/21]

Horticulture Sector

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

11. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if a report (details supplied) will examine the way Ireland can position itself to take advantage of the growing international trend to plant-based diets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51527/21]

Environmental Policy

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

60. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the way in which he will ensure optimum delivery of biodiversity restoration across all farms in Ireland given the declaration of a biodiversity crisis by Dáil Éireann in 2019; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51526/21]

Ambulance Service

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

136. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Health the ambulance protocols governing the tasking of ambulances covering cardiac episodes in the west County Waterford area during out-of-hours; if they are fit for purpose and provide for best patient outcomes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50871/21]

Hospital Services

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

187. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Health the status of the reconfiguration of the South Southwest Hospital group as proposed in Sláintecare; the likely implications on the work of University Hospital Waterford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50872/21]

Hospital Staff

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

201. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Health the current staffing levels in the diabetes unit in University Hospital Waterford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50307/21]

Hospital Staff

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

202. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Health the details of the recruitment of additional diabetes nurse specialists for University Hospital Waterford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50308/21]

Hospital Services

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

203. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Health the status of the Sláintecare Thrive with Diabetes project in University Hospital Waterford; the deliverables to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50309/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

204. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Health if he plans to provide funding or support to organisations for the purchase of air purifiers and CO2 monitors in order to facilitate their return to normal activities particularly in the case of organisations frequented mostly by older persons such as bridge clubs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50310/21]

Community Development Projects

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

259. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she has given consideration to increasing the capacity of local development companies to tackle inequality and social exclusion across Ireland as it emerges from the Covid-19 pandemic; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50311/21]

Technological Universities

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

46. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the status of the technological university application with respect to Waterford IT and IT Carlow; when he expects a decision to be finalised; the subsequent timeline for designation of technological university status; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49847/21]

Institutes of Technology

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

86. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his plans to acquire sites in counties Waterford and Wexford and the level of capital allocation required to develop these sites into the future in respect of the commitment given in the National Development Plan to develop the footprint of a university of the southeast offering; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49848/21]

State Bodies

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

46. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if an applicant is required to submit any other material (details supplied) when applying to the Environmental Protection Agency for an industrial emissions licence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49548/21]

Parental Leave

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

145. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if it is the policy of his Department to extend parent’s leave in 2022 and in subsequent years; the final total parent’s leave entitlement will be; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48198/21]

Departmental Policies

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

164. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the way his Department supports migrant integration; the funding his Department awards in support of community and migrant integration; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48199/21]

Sports Funding

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

26. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the supports both capital and current expected to assist sports facilities across Ireland recognising the significant positive impact they have on communities and well-being; the way she plans to support these into the future; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47968/21]

Tourism Industry

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

31. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the way in which she plans to transform and improve the tourism sector to ensure this valuable indigenous sector recovers from the pandemic given that it has endured untold devastation throughout the past year and a half with an estimated loss of 100,000 jobs; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47967/21]

Housing Policy

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

110. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the status of the work being undertaken by his Department to develop a town centre first approach in an Irish context; the international models being considered; the stakeholders being consulted; when the work may be complete; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46332/21]

National Biodiversity Plan

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

111. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the status of his plans to participate in the upcoming COP15 on biological diversity in Kunming, China; his involvement and Ireland’s role in the post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46333/21]

Traffic Fines

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

566. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Justice the number of fixed charge notices which have been issued by An Garda Síochána using the new statutory instrument for dangerous overtaking of cyclists since the law was introduced in November 2019 (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46066/21]

Education Policy

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

106. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Education her plans to accommodate the expanding education needs in Tramore, County Waterford with a view both to lands zoned for education and demographic pressures; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45660/21]

Energy Conservation

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

13. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the breakdown of waiting times for assessments and completion of works under the SEAI warmer homes scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45396/21]

Cycling Policy

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

100. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Transport the timeline for the delivery an updated national cycle manual in view of the letter received from 28 groups (details supplied); if the guidance in the manual will be integrated with the design manual for urban roads and streets; his views on whether there is a need to adopt interim standards to ensure quality of infrastructure rolled out; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44082/21]

Road Safety

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

101. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Transport his plans to review speed limits for rural and urban roads particularly in view of recent road fatalities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44083/21]

Special Educational Needs

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

410. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Education if the policy advice from the NCSE regarding educational outcomes for students with special educational needs has been finalised in relation to special classes and special schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43344/21]

School Curriculum

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

411. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Education when the review of the policy on reading classes and schools will be completed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43345/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

548. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the timeline for the reopening of indoor summer camps; if indoor camps will be able to operate during August 2021; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40650/21]

Water Pollution

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

728. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if his attention has been drawn to the adverse water pollution off the County Waterford coast due to raw sewage discharge, dredging for the port of Waterford, use of chemicals in area and elevated levels of nitrogen at catchments in the Waterford estuary; the actions he plans to take to address the causes of water pollution; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40649/21]

Special Educational Needs

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

1044. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Education if she will review the decision not to allocate a second SNA for a school (details supplied) in County Waterford through the exceptional review process given the significant care needs and early intervention requirements of a specific child; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40647/21]

Special Educational Needs

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

1045. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Education the status of the Summer Provision 2021; if the appointments process has met the needs of both staff and students; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40648/21]

Community Development Projects

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

101. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if there is scope to expand the community enhancement scheme to offer financial supports to communities that wish to undertake renovations on community centres or, potentially, construct new community centres; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38011/21]

Departmental Schemes

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

128. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she plans to expand the walks scheme; if further funding will be allocated to the scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38174/21]

Technological Universities

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

53. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the status of the progress report of the Technical University of the South-East; when the report is expected to be finalised; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36694/21]

Third Level Education

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

59. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the September 2021 reopening plans for third-level, further education, training and skills institutes and services; if the relevant institutions, staff, student and trainee representative bodies are involved in reopening plans; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36693/21]

Departmental Projects

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

100. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Justice the status of the new local partnership projects for community safety which were announced in November 2020; her plans for further resourcing and funding of the projects; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36696/21]

Immigration Status

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

121. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Justice if her attention has been drawn to issues in relation to the progression of the regularisation scheme for undocumented migrants (details supplied); if her Department is working to address those concerns and challenges; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36695/21]

International Protection

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

80. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if the pilot vulnerability assessment scheme for international protection applicants has been implemented; the lessons his Department has gleaned from the pilot; when it is expected the standard implementation of vulnerability assessments will happen; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36292/21]

Domestic Violence

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

84. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the status of the research into the provision of domestic violence leave; if he expects to be able to advise to introduce the leave; the timeline in place concerning same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36291/21]

Special Educational Needs

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

89. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Education when her Department will initiate its review of reading classes and reading schools for children and young persons with special needs; what the terms of reference will be; when she estimates that the review will be concluded; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35293/21]

Teaching Council of Ireland

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

100. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Education if she will investigate the obstacles facing a qualified teacher (details supplied) who holds qualifications from outside of Ireland but who is unable to register with the Teaching Council of Ireland to teach at post-primary level; if she will engage with the Teaching Council of Ireland to ensure that the teacher registration process is both transparent and efficient; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35292/21]

State Pensions

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

289. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Social Protection if her attention has been drawn to the difficult circumstances that workers who are nearing retirement are faced with whereby they cannot obtain an estimated prediction of their State pensions due to time spent working in jurisdictions outside of Ireland; if her Department is in a position to provide such estimates to persons who are close to retiring; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35514/21]

Emergency Planning

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

111. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Defence the extent to which his Department collects information and data in relation to weather and climate related emergencies, as part of its role in the Government Task Force on Emergency Planning towards improving the response to shorter term climate change impacts and building Ireland’s longer term climate resilience; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35224/21]

National Parks and Wildlife Service

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

11. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the breakdown of conservation ranger vacancies nationwide over the past two years by region; the length of time the positions have remained unfilled; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33646/21]

National Parks and Wildlife Service

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

46. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the status of plans for the recruitment of new National Parks and Wildlife Service conservation rangers as part of the expansion of the service, in particular in relation to the filling of roles in the Waterford area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33645/21]

Tourism Policy

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

66. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media her plans for the sustainable recovery of the tourism sector from Covid-19; the status of her plans to tackle issues of climate action and sustainable development with the tourism recovery plan; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33243/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

74. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the way she is supporting local and regional arts and culture organisations, artists and venues through the Covid-19 crisis; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33244/21]

Public Service Obligation

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

19. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Transport if his attention has been drawn to the inconsistencies in pricing for regional public transport services whereby public service obligation fares are more expensive than Expressway fares and whereby shorter local routes which are more often used by commuters are costlier than longer regional routes; if he plans to raise the pricing anomalies with Bus Éireann; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32122/21]

Bus Services

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

36. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Transport if his attention has been drawn to the disruption and cancellation of public bus services in the Waterford region and the associated impacts on public transport users; if he has plans to work with Bus Éireann and TFI to restore services to their usual schedule; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32121/21]

State Examinations

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

698. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Education if her attention has been drawn to the possible challenges facing leaving certificate students in accessing entry to universities outside of Ireland and the UK arising from the later than the usual date of issuing of leaving certificate results; the plans she has in place to ensure that concerned students will not be affected by the late issuing of their results; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31687/21]

School Curriculum

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

804. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Education the number of hours per week of physical education class should secondary school children participate in under the curriculums for junior cycle and senior cycle level; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31686/21]

Trade Agreements

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

49. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the stakeholders consulted in the preparation of the forthcoming economic and sustainability impact assessment of the EU-Mercosur trade agreement; if the consulted stakeholders represent in a balanced way the economic, social and environmental concerns related to the trade agreement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30027/21]

Direct Provision System

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

135. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Justice if progress has been made to reduce the length of time for processing applications for persons who have been in direct provision for over two years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28454/21]

Direct Provision System

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

40. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the progress made to date on the implementation of the White paper to end direct provision and replace it with a new international protection support service; the expected timeline for the implementation of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28453/21]

Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

34. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his Department plans to conduct consultations with farmers, farming communities and relevant environmental stakeholder groups in relation to the sector’s role and contribution to meeting Ireland’s greenhouse gas emissions reduction targets under the EU Green Deal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27013/21]

Employment Support Services

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

130. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Social Protection if her attention has been drawn to the concerns raised by local development companies regarding the provision of support for employment service providers; her plans to address such concerns, including their role in generating employment following the fall-out from Covid-19; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26224/21]

Trade Agreements

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

135. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the status of the economic and sustainability impact assessment of the EU-Mercosur trade agreement which is being conducted by his Department; the expected publication date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24152/21]

Legislative Programme

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

324. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the status of the ongoing work undertaken by his Department on Ireland’s marine protected areas and particularly on the preparation of appropriate legislation for meeting the targets in line with international and EU agreements on marine protected areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23244/21]

National Parks and Wildlife Service

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

325. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when the ongoing review of the National Parks and Wildlife Services will be completed; if an action plan will be put in place to address the recommendations of the review; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23245/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

78. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the status of the tourism business continuity scheme; the support distributed to key tourism businesses that are struggling during the Covid-19 pandemic; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21619/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

99. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media her plans and the provisions she has put in place for tourism, sport and culture to provide for and assist in the safe enjoyment of summer 2021 outdoors; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21620/21]

Departmental Funding

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

115. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the percentage of the overall funding for his Department that has been ring-fenced for the implementation of the Framework for Consent in Higher Education Institutions: Safe, Respectful, Supportive and Positive – Ending Sexual Violence and Harassment in Irish Higher Education Institutions; and the breakdown of same. [21003/21]

Animal Feedstuffs

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

224. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his Department is giving consideration to expanding nationwide the pilot scheme currently being run by the Bantry marine research station which is investigating the effects of using red seaweed in animal feed as a means to reduce methane emissions from cattle; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21002/21]