Ceisteanna Parlaiminte

Schools Building Projects

Martin Browne

466. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Education the status of the educate together school in Clonmel, County Tipperary, which was promised in 2013; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4124/21]

Medical Aids and Appliances

Martin Browne

519. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of persons who applied for hearing aids under the treatment benefit scheme in 2018, 2019 and 2020; the cost in each year; and when the hearing aid grant was last reviewed. [4205/21]

Vaccination Programme

Martin Browne

775. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Health the stage at which, in the vaccine roll-out plan, volunteers in community groups who are providing services to vulnerable persons, such as meals on wheels, are included. [4008/21]

Hospital Data

Martin Browne

803. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Health the number of cataract surgeries that were carried out at Nenagh Hospital in 2019 and 2020, in tabular form. [4210/21]

Horticulture Sector

Martin Browne

898. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the steps his Department has taken to facilitate the horticulture industry to move away from peat use (details supplied); and the measures that have been put in place before the end of horticultural peat harvesting. [4003/21]

Horticulture Sector

Martin Browne

899. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if a reduction in peat use in the commercial horticulture sector is envisaged for 2021-2022. [4005/21]

Departmental Staff

Martin Browne

908. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the estimated full-year cost of recruiting three extra full-time archaeologists to deal with forestry applications within his Department. [4206/21]

Beef Exports

Martin Browne

909. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the exports of beef to the USA in volume and value in 2019 and 2020, in tabular form. [4207/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Martin Browne

172. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Education the supports in place for those families with inadequate Internet access or devices for their children to engage with learning from home fully while schools are closed (details supplied). [3023/21]

Carer's Allowance

Martin Browne

225. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Social Protection her views on the length of time an applicant can be expected to wait for a decision regarding carer's allowance; and if her attention has been drawn to the case of a person who has been waiting since July 2020 for a decision regarding the allowance and is in financial difficulty as a result. [3022/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Martin Browne

820. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Health the position of family carers in the vaccination allocation sequencing under the national Covid-19 vaccination programme; and if for the purposes of the of the roll-out of the vaccine programme, family carers fall under the category of healthcare workers or a particular grade of key workers. [44925/20]

Medical Aids and Appliances

Martin Browne

843. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Health the amount spent annually on medical devices and products that are purchased from the UK; if arrangements are in place to continue purchasing such items and products; if his attention has been drawn to potential issues with such purchases that may arise due to Brexit; the consequences of these impacts for patients; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45011/20]

Health Services Funding

Martin Browne

914. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Health the amount allocated towards eating disorder treatment in the HSE in each of the past five years; the amount that was spent in each year; his views on the adequacy of the funding and the supports and treatments available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1055/21]

Rural Development Plan

Martin Browne

18. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development her views on the need for rural communities to have an appropriate range of services of all kinds available locally to ensure their needs can be met in their local communities; her views on whether communities that can provide for themselves are happier communities; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44157/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Martin Browne

88. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development her views on the way in which the operators of community services centres are facing considerable fees for water at a time when their ability to generate income has been limited; if she will consider addressing the issue; her further views on the supports that are needed for community councils and organisations given the impact of Covid-19; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43335/20]

Hospital Services

Martin Browne

517. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Health the process that was involved in the considerations that were made in order to arrive at the decision to repurpose St. Brigid’s District Hospital, Carrick-on-Suir, County Tipperary; and if his attention has been drawn to the way that this impacts on the ability of sick family members to remain close to their families or in the community. [44180/20]

Hospital Services

Martin Browne

518. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Health his views on the importance of persons receiving convalescent or palliative care to remain close to their families; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44181/20]

Hospital Services

Martin Browne

519. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Health if the two facilities that are to act as alternatives for persons that would otherwise receive convalescent or palliative care at St. Brigid’s, Carrick-on-Suir, County Tipperary have been identified; if so, if he will provide details of same; if the facilities will be run by private operators; and the projected cost of using same. [44182/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Martin Browne

86. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his views on the impacts that the Covid-19 restrictions have had on the mental health of third level students; the measures he has taken to ease their introduction to third-level in the current environment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43336/20]

Departmental Staff

Martin Browne

144. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the estimated amount it would cost in 2021 to recruit two additional full-time petroleum exploration specialists for his Department. [43109/20]

Ministerial Meetings

Martin Browne

239. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the number of times she has meet the director general of TG4 (details supplied) in the past three months. [43108/20]

Ministerial Meetings

Martin Browne

294. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he has spoken formally with the South Korean ambassador to Ireland in the past three months; and if so, the issues discussed. [43104/20]

Garda Youth Diversion Projects

Martin Browne

445. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Justice the estimated cost in 2021 if the budget for Garda youth division projects increased by 7.5%. [43105/20]

Garda Deployment

Martin Browne

446. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Justice the number of gardaí by rank attached to Garda human trafficking investigation and co-ordination unit as of 7 December 2020. [43106/20]

Private Security Authority

Martin Browne

447. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Justice if she has formally met with the CEO of an organisation (details supplied) since her appointment; and if so, when she will next meet the CEO. [43107/20]

Dental Services

Martin Browne

539. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Health the date on which the next national recruitment campaign for dental nurses will commence. [43100/20]

Nursing Staff

Martin Browne

540. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Health the number of full-time spinal specialist nurses working in each of the paediatric hospitals in each of the past three years in tabular form. [43101/20]

Nursing Staff

Martin Browne

541. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Health the estimated cost in 2021 of recruiting seven extra clinical nurse co-ordinators for children with life-limiting conditions. [43102/20]

Hospital Appointments Status

Martin Browne

146. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the case of a person (details supplied) who requires an assessment at the National Rehabilitation Clinic, Dun Laoghaire to be expedited; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42506/20]

Nursing Education

Martin Browne

175. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Health his views on the valuable contribution that student nurses have made to the health system; the number of unpaid hours worked by student nurses since the beginning of March 2020; the cohort of student nurses in percentage terms who worked in Covid-19 related care; his views on whether the decision by many nurses to move abroad to work is due in part to some feeling unappreciated by his Department; his plans to improve relations between his Department and the sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42505/20]

School Transport

Martin Browne

291. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Education if financial assistance will be provided to the family of a child with special needs that have to pay for a seat on a private bus to take their child to school as there are no buses serving them for a school which is 6 km away. [42565/20]

Health and Safety Inspections

Martin Browne

36. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on the findings of a centre (details supplied) and HSA reports into meat factories across the country; his views on the findings of those reports in terms of Covid-19 and non-Covid-19 standard breaches; the date his attention was drawn to the contents of those reports; the measures that have been taken by his Department regarding these findings; his views on not publishing these reports at the time; his views on the overall operations of these facilities in view of these reports; the measures that have been taken to address those shortcomings; his views on the working conditions of staff at these facilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41517/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Martin Browne

58. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the actions he has taken to ensure marts can operate productively should level 5 restrictions be reintroduced. [41615/20]

Post Office Network

Martin Browne

114. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications his views on the future of the post office network (details supplied); and his plans to avoid these closures and loss of services and jobs. [41380/20]

Credit Unions

Martin Browne

196. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Finance if his attention has been drawn to the fact that due to Covid-19 a credit union (details supplied) has been forced to postpone paying the annual loan interest rebate repayments and dividends to its customers as it cannot hold an AGM to do so; if he will address the lack of legislation to hold an online AGM; if he will contact the Central Bank on the matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41916/20]

Special Educational Needs Staff

Martin Browne

338. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Education when the advertised SNA vacancy in a school (details supplied) will be filled. [41522/20]

Data Protection

Martin Browne

376. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Social Protection the measures in place to ensure social welfare reviews and investigations are compliant with GDPR requirements of her Department. [41174/20]

Social Welfare Eligibility

Martin Browne

377. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Social Protection if a person in receipt of a social welfare payment has the right to privacy regarding personal spending when providing bank statements to her Department. [41175/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Martin Browne

832. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if agriculture students attending Teagasc colleges will be eligible for the same financial supports as other third-level students. [41727/20]

Animal Diseases

Martin Browne

833. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if compensation will be provided to poultry farmers affected by avian influenza. [41728/20]

Agriculture Schemes

Martin Browne

834. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if an appraisal has been carried out of the outworking of the mandatory reduction obligation contained within the BEAM scheme; and if he will amend the criteria in light of the challenges created by Covid-19. [41729/20]

Climate Change Policy

Martin Browne

835. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to provide payments to farmers in respect of the carbon that is released from the atmosphere as a result of their soils and hedgerows. [41730/20]

Forestry Sector

Martin Browne

838. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of backlogged forestry licences in the system; his views on claims to the COFORD Advisory Council that the figure could be as many as 4,600; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41800/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment

Martin Browne

63. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Social Protection if her attention has been drawn to the difficulties faced by artists and creatives in accessing the pandemic unemployment payment due to the delays caused by the PRSI checks; if her attention has been further drawn to the fact that it is leaving persons that had received payment in March 2020 unable to access the payment during the current restrictions; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37319/20]

Mother and Baby Homes Inquiries

Martin Browne

90. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth his views on concerns that survivors of an institution (details supplied) and their relatives regarding the possibility that unmarked graves and remains may remain at the site; if consideration will be given to enabling digs to take place on land around the site considering the owner of land is willing to allow that; the status of the progress being made relating to the forthcoming report and the data contained within the report of the commission of investigation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40772/20]

Mother and Baby Homes Inquiries

Martin Browne

93. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth his views on the Facing the Future Together report which identifies the ongoing and future needs for the survivors of mother and baby homes and those incarcerated in residential institutions, industrial schools and other places of detention; his plans to implement the supports recommended in this report; his views on the statistics and findings contained within the Facing the Future Together report regarding the impacts and consequent needs of survivors; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40773/20]

National Transport Authority

Martin Browne

173. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Transport the reason there is no rail representative on the National Transport Authority; his plans to address this shortcoming; his views on the disadvantage this poses for the development of rail and timetables; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40854/20]

Livestock Issues

Martin Browne

190. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of livestock movements, that is, sales of cattle and sheep, between buyer and seller from farm to farm including marts for 2019; and the number to date in 2020. [40638/20]

Beef Industry

Martin Browne

191. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if the term mart as defined in the Animal Health and Welfare (Livestock Marts) Regulations 2018 could also apply to an online market place; the requirements that such a venture would have to comply with in an effort to be able to operate as such; and his views on the matter. [40639/20]

DEIS Scheme

Martin Browne

68. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Education her views on the reason class size reductions were only committed to for DEIS band 1 senior schools in budget 2021; her plans to commit funding to reduce class sizes in DEIS band 1 junior and vertical schools; the way in which the investment of €5 million in the DEIS programme will be distributed; her further views on the importance of properly funded DEIS schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40140/20]

School Transport

Martin Browne

102. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Education her views on the way in which the education of a child with learning difficulties could be affected if that child’s single parent is no longer able to afford to pay for a private school bus service due to there being no public school buses in their area serving a school that is just 6 km away; her further views on the impact the lack of a suitable school bus services in areas of County Tipperary will have on families that cannot afford a private service; if she will consider providing a subvention for parents in this situation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40141/20]

Motor Insurance

Martin Browne

123. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Finance if he has asked the motor insurance industry to provide refunds to learner drivers, who typically pay very high premiums until they receive their licences but have been unable to take the tests due to Covid-19 restrictions. [36600/20]

Electoral Process

Martin Browne

249. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his views on the electoral register as it is compiled at the moment; his views on the archaic manner in which access to the register is devised; his views on the public consultation process that took place in 2019 on modernising same; his plans to modernise the register as outlined in the programme for Government; the progress made in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39423/20]

Child Protection

Martin Browne

331. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Justice her views on whether parental alienation is a growing problem in Ireland; and her plans to address the matter. [39370/20]

Commercial Rates

Martin Browne

117. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his plans to ensure that no services suffer as a result of the loss of revenue being experienced by local authorities in the course of the Covid-19 pandemic. [38278/20]

Local Authority Housing

Martin Browne

123. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his views on Tipperary County Council evicting three persons from a property due to the fact that they are over the threshold (details supplied); his further views on the way in which they will be put on the housing list as a result and will claim the HAP payment until they are rehoused; his views that this course of action is going to cost Tipperary County Council more in the long run; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38277/20]

Driver Test

Martin Browne

240. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Transport his views on the cancelation of theory tests as part of the level 5 restrictions; and his plans to process the backlog as swiftly as possible once level 5 restrictions are lifted. [38169/20]

Tourism Promotion

Martin Browne

57. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media her views on the development of a regional tourism area connected by Cashel, Cahir and Tipperary, County Tipperary; her further views on the wealth of areas of natural beauty that are in the region of these three towns; if consideration will be given to developing the area as a localised tourism region that could be promoted as such; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37320/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Martin Browne

473. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Education if her attention has been drawn to the case of a school in south County Tipperary which has advised parents that students are to bring in an extra jumper and small blanket to keep warm as windows will be left open and heating turned off as part of Covid-19 measures; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36272/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Martin Browne

21. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Transport the measures his Department has taken to provide support for pilots who have not been able to fly for much of the year as a result of Covid-19; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that as a result many are facing not having the minimum flight hours to qualify for a pilot licence under EU legislation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35802/20]

Road Improvement Schemes

Martin Browne

68. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Transport if his attention has been drawn to the concerns locally at plans for the N24-N74 Tipperary town road improvement scheme; his views on the impact it will have on local business; his further views on the impact that diversions may have on local residential areas; if his attention has been further drawn to the large volume of traffic that uses the route daily; if he will consider engaging with local groups on the matter or facilitating engagement between the authorities concerned and local groups and representatives; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35801/20]

Carer's Allowance

Martin Browne

151. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Social Protection the amount paid in carer’s allowance in each year since 2015; the number of carer’s allowance applications received in each year since 2015; and the number of successful applicants as a percentage of applications made in each year since 2015. [35546/20]

Carer's Allowance

Martin Browne

154. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of appeals to carer’s allowance refusals received in each year since 2015; the number of those appeals that were successful in each year; and the number of appeals in which the original decision was upheld in each year. [35576/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Martin Browne

71. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if his attention has been drawn to the pressure that a number of small businesses are under from their landlords during the current restrictions; if his attention has been further drawn to the fact that many of these businesses are concerned for their future as they are being faced with rent bills even though their businesses are shut; his plans to provide assistance for these businesses to pay their rents; if he has been contacted by small businesses with similar concerns; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35106/20]

Post Office Network

Martin Browne

156. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Environment, Climate and Communications his views on a report (details supplied) on the post office network which highlighted the annual projected shortfall of €17 million from 2021 onwards; his further views on the steps being taken to save the post office network; his views on the importance of the post office network to rural areas; his further views on the effect the closure of more post offices would have on the areas affected; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34099/20]

Child and Family Agency

Martin Browne

540. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth his views on the delays being experienced by applicants in getting on to the social work panel in the south east for counties Carlow, Kilkenny, south Tipperary, Waterford and Wexford; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that persons who have applied for the Tusla recruit professionally qualified social worker social work panel have been waiting over nine months and have not received an interview date or any assurance of interview dates in respect of their applications; the reason for the delays; if there is a shortage of child protection social work staff in the region; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34589/20]

Mental Health Services

Martin Browne

741. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Health the reason for the delay in the roll out of Jigsaw mental health services in County Tipperary; his views on the continued delays in rolling out the service; the date by which the services will be functional; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35211/20]

LEADER Programmes

Martin Browne

847. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development her plans for the LEADER programme which is due to wind up at the end of 2020 with the next programme not due to start to 2023; her views on the fact that the €44 million announced in budget 2021 only provides for payment on allocations up to the end of December 2020; her plans to prioritise a State-led rural development programme to bridge the gap between the wind-up of the existing Leader programme and implementation of the new programme; if her attention has been drawn to the fact that budget 2021 provides for the delivery of schemes under the CAP during the interim phase notwithstanding the absence of an implementing EU regulation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34969/20]

Prescriptions Charges

Martin Browne

208. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Health his plans to reduce the prescription charge as announced in 2019. [34236/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Martin Browne

66. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to examine the impact of recent problems with the operation of marts; his plans to operate mart services effectively while living with Covid-19; his views on claims that the current situation is distorting the market; his further views on the impact that these problems are having on farmers; his plans to assist them in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33519/20]

Licence Applications

Martin Browne

73. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the process involved in approving products (details supplied) for use here; the communications issues that led to a delay in the public being informed that these products were found not to be up to standard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33520/20]

Licence Applications

Martin Browne

79. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the process involved in approving products (details supplied) for use here; the communications issues that led to a delay in the public being informed that these products were found not to be up to standard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33504/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Martin Browne

218. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the supports in place for sole traders and small businesses that closed due to the new restrictions yet have to pay rent and bills to ensure they have a business to reopen once restrictions are lifted. [32735/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Martin Browne

445. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Finance if bus companies will be included in the Covid support scheme to ensure the viability of the sector. [33704/20]

Departmental Expenditure

Martin Browne

480. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the capital and current allocation to his Department in 2020; and the amount spent of both to date. [33701/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Martin Browne

530. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the supports her Department has put in place for sports clubs and groups such as marching bands that have rent on halls and related costs to pay but have been closed for the majority of 2020; and if there is assistance available to these clubs to ensure they are not forced to close for good. [32736/20]

Diplomatic Representation

Martin Browne

672. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs when the post of Irish ambassador to Latvia will be filled on a permanent basis. [33702/20]

Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance Scheme

Martin Browne

934. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Social Protection the estimated full-year cost of increasing the back-to-school clothing and footwear allowance to €180 for children aged between four and 11 years and to €325 for children aged over 12 years. [33703/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Martin Browne

999. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if his attention has been drawn to situations in which persons have been informed that they have lost their SUSI grant entitlements due to the fact that they have been forced to receive Covid-19 payments due to losing their jobs due to the current restrictions; if his attention has been further drawn to the fact that they have been told they have a choice between staying on the Covid-19 payment or applying for the back to education allowance; his views on the impact this has on the students concerned; if cognisance is being taken of this in terms of supports specifically designed for these persons; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33343/20]

Hospital Facilities

Martin Browne

1146. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Health the detail of the individual costs involved in the €700,000 refurbishment of St. Michael’s unit in Clonmel, County Tipperary. [32407/20]

Health Services

Martin Browne

1416. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Health the number of scoliosis surgeries carried out on children to date in 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33698/20]

Health and Social Care Professionals

Martin Browne

1417. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Health the estimated cost in 2021 of increasing the annual general practitioner training intake to 280 places. [33699/20]

Health Services Staff

Martin Browne

1418. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Health the number of full-time speech and language therapists, occupational therapists and physiotherapists working in the public health services within County Tipperary in each of years 2017 to 2019 and to date in 2020, in tabular form. [33700/20]

Domestic Violence Services

Martin Browne

14. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Justice her views on whether an additional €400,000 in additional funding will be sufficient for organisations and groups responding to increased service demands from persons impacted by domestic abuse Covid-19 restrictions; if consideration is being given to tailoring the methods used to prevent and to deal with instances of domestic crime now that additional funding has been allocated to her Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32027/20]

Garda Strength

Martin Browne

21. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Justice if community Gardaí will be increased in view of the additional budgetary allocation for her Department; the methodology that would be used to do so in view of the fact that the incidence rates of particular types of crime can vary; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32026/20]

Better Energy Homes Scheme

Martin Browne

33. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Environment, Climate and Communications the number of homes in County Tipperary that have been awarded funding as part of the SEAI warmer homes scheme in 2020. [32258/20]

Domestic Violence Services

Martin Browne

28. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Children, Disability, Equality and Integration his plans to improve the services for victims of domestic violence; his views on increasing the roll-out of these services in view of the increase in instances of this crime during the Covid-19 pandemic and the lockdown; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22889/20]

School Transport

Martin Browne

309. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Education if her attention has been drawn to cases in which children have been denied school bus places despite living distances up to 20 kilometres from the school (details supplied); and the supports in place to find spaces on school buses for these children. [30931/20]

School Transport

Martin Browne

63. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Education her views on the value for money to the State in issuing payments to parents to take their children to and from school due to the fact a school bus service is not available to them; her views on the loss of revenue to families and parents who have to miss work to do this; her views on the loss of tax revenue to the State due to this; her views on whether it would be better value for money for the State to provide additional buses or reroute local buses that have space on them; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27368/20]

School Staff

Martin Browne

69. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Education her views on the fairness of putting some secondary school secretaries on short-term contracts; her views on the low salary scale they are on and the issues they face regarding pension entitlements; if she will clarify her position to those due to engage in industrial action; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30283/20]

School Transport

Martin Browne

153. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Education her views on the adequacy of the school transport system to cater for schoolchildren and the ability to social distance adequately on school buses; her further views on the adequacy of the preparations made to deal with the demand; her further views on the inability of some families to get access for children to local school buses; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25851/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Martin Browne

133. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the reason for cancelling dance classes for children as part of level 3 restrictions; the reason drama and singing classes can go ahead but dance classes cannot; if her attention has been drawn to the stress that many children are experiencing and the stress-relieving properties of dance; the supports available to assist persons running dance classes during level 3 restrictions; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30167/20]

Naval Service

Martin Browne

9. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Defence his views on reports that personnel are leaving the Naval Service to join the Army due to issues related to pay and conditions; his views on the impact this will have on the Naval Service; his further views on pay levels throughout the sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29259/20]

Housing Policy

Martin Browne

75. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his views on the way in which the commitment in the programme for Government to make housing a social and economic imperative is possible with a lack of services such as public transport in some areas; his plans to provide the communities under his remit with access to such services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28462/20]

Foreign Policy

Martin Browne

131. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs his views on the removal from office of the Catalan President for the crime of disobedience to the Spanish state; his views on the fact that he is the third successive Catalan president to be removed from office by the Spanish authorities; and the steps the Government has taken and will take to support democratic politics in Catalonia. [28467/20]

Irish Language

Martin Browne

51. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Media, Tourism, Arts, Culture, Sport and the Gaeltacht if consideration will be given to restoring pre-recession funding to the development scheme for Irish run by an organisation (details supplied); if her attention has been drawn to the fact that funding for an officer to run the scheme was cut from five days per week to four when the economic crisis hit; her views on the valued contribution the organisation at its branch in Nenagh, County Tipperary, makes towards the use and promotion of the Irish language; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27361/20]

Irish Water

Martin Browne

160. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of staff directly employed by Irish Water; the number of staff employed through contracted services; the cost of subcontracted and directly employed employees; and the breakdown of services which are subcontracted. [27943/20]

Social and Affordable Housing

Martin Browne

161. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the provisions in place to avoid persons who are on the housing list as joint applicants being penalised when as a result of relationship breakdown they have to reapply as single persons; and if there is a provision in place such that such persons are not treated as new applicants. [27944/20]

Citizenship Applications

Martin Browne

241. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Justice the way in which the six-week absence rule is calculated in view of the fact that applicants are being given conflicting information as to whether it is the entire period that is counted once it is over six weeks or just the number of days over the six weeks. [27796/20]

Cannabis for Medicinal Use

Martin Browne

288. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Health the arrangements that were made while Covid-19 restrictions on travel were in place to accommodate persons using medicinal cannabis preparations under licence; the length of time such arrangements will continue; and his views on making such arrangements permanent. [27845/20]