Ceisteanna Parlaiminte

Covid-19 Pandemic

Martin Browne

829. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Health his views on the World Health Organisation’s determination that Ireland has been in breach of its international health regulations on contagious disease control by failing to designate a competent authority at ports and airports; the reason Ireland has been non-compliant for approximately a decade; the progress being made to address this in the long term; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8491/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Martin Browne

921. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Health if persons travelling to Ireland from Brazil will be required to pay for their hotel quarantine. [8777/21]

Trade Union Recognition

Martin Browne

4. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment his views on the demands by an association (details supplied) of front-line paramedics who want to be represented by another association; his plans in regard to their campaign; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7653/21]

Bus Services

Martin Browne

24. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Transport further to Parliamentary Question No. 81 of 3 February 2021, the details of the increase in frequency of services in County Tipperary; the additional services that will be provided; when these services will become available; the basis on which the decisions to provide these services were made; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7473/21]

Bus Services

Martin Browne

25. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Transport his plans to provide a further extension of temporary emergency support for the commercial bus sector via the commercial bus operator direct award contract, which includes Expressway services once the current three-month extension expires; and his views on the importance of this funding for the continuation of the X8 Expressway service for County Tipperary. [7474/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Martin Browne

264. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Health the locations identified to vaccinate persons over 70 years of age in counties Tipperary and Limerick. [7539/21]

Trade Union Recognition

Martin Browne

275. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Health his views on the demands by an association (details supplied) of front-line paramedics who want to be represented by another association; his plans in regard to their campaign; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7654/21]

Covid-19 Tests

Martin Browne

329. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of meat processing factories at which serial testing has taken place since its introduction; the frequency with which serial testing is being carried out at individual facilities; if there are any facilities that have not had serial testing carried out; if so, the reason; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7540/21]

Agrifood Sector

Martin Browne

332. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he is in possession of any assessment on the impact that the EU farm-to-fork biodiversity strategies will have on production costs for farmers; the impact it will have on their output; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7652/21]

Horticulture Sector

Martin Browne

42. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the carbon emissions of Ireland's 5,500 ha of bog used for horticultural peat harvesting per annum; and the reduction in emissions envisaged for 2021 and 2022 through the use of imported peat. [7082/21]

Water Quality

Martin Browne

286. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if his attention has been drawn to the fact that a boil water notice has been in place in the villages of Golden, Kilfeacle and Thomastown in County Tipperary for almost 12 months; and the measures taken to ensure that a usable water supply is returned as soon as possible without further delay. [6401/21]

Water and Sewerage Schemes

Martin Browne

322. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if his attention has been drawn to an issue with an estate in County Tipperary in which a leaking sewage system is causing a serious threat to health and is at risk of flowing into a river; if the EPA will investigate the issue given that it has been reported to it on multiple occasions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6858/21]

Water and Sewerage Schemes

Martin Browne

323. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if his attention has been drawn to a case in which Tipperary County Council has been given permission to perform urgent works on a sewerage system in an estate (details supplied) in County Tipperary by the receiver but has refused to do so, creating a situation in which residents are dealing with continuous floods of sewage that also spill onto the public road; and if there are supports available for local authorities to do the work in the interest of public health in circumstances in which a receiver refuses to do necessary maintenance work. [6859/21]

Horticulture Sector

Martin Browne

334. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if his Department has carried out an analysis of the impact of replacing Irish horticultural peat with imported peat prior to the end of peat harvesting. [7083/21]

Horticulture Sector

Martin Browne

340. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when the working group on the future role of peat in the horticulture sector will be established. [7177/21]

Child Abuse

Martin Browne

400. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Education the supports available for victims of historic abuse in day schools under the patronage of the Roman Catholic Church; and if they have been included in a redress scheme to date. [6414/21]

Mother and Baby Homes Inquiries

Martin Browne

543. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he had prior knowledge that the audio recordings of mother and baby homes survivors’ accounts were to be deleted; if so, when he was informed; if the details of same will be provided; if there is a mechanism to recover those recordings; his views on the importance of those accounts in providing information that could lead to the resolution of questions which are thus far unanswered; if survivors, when being interviewed, were all informed of the intention to destroy the records in question; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6753/21]

Mother and Baby Homes Inquiries

Martin Browne

544. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the reason many survivors have yet to receive their copies of the Final Report of the Commission of Investigation into Mother and Baby Homes; his knowledge of the circumstances that led to some aspects of the report being leaked to the media; his views on the detrimental impact that these issues as well as the deletion of survivors’ recorded accounts have had on the survivors’ trust in the process of attaining further clarity on their histories in the time to come; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6754/21]

Mother and Baby Homes Inquiries

Martin Browne

545. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of survivors of mother and baby homes he has contacted since the publication of the Final Report of the Commission of Investigation into Mother and Baby Homes; his plans to make contact with those who have yet to be contacted; if he plans to meet with a group (details supplied) regarding further scans at Sean Ross Abbey, in County Tipperary, and other issues; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6755/21]

Mother and Baby Homes Inquiries

Martin Browne

546. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if consideration will be given to providing free travel passes to all survivors of mother and baby homes in conjunction with medical cards and other supports. [6756/21]

Vaccination Programme

Martin Browne

921. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Health when pharmacists and pharmacy workers will receive the Covid-19 vaccine. [7260/21]

Hospital Facilities

Martin Browne

935. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Health if he will meet with concerned persons in Carrick-on-Suir, County Tipperary regarding the decision to repurpose St. Brigid’s Hospital; and the cost analysis that led to the decision to repurpose the hospital rather than invest in bringing it up to the standard it is claimed it did not meet. [7328/21]

Horticulture Sector

Martin Browne

1025. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the supports available for mushroom growers and the nursery sector who will be affected by the end of horticultural peat harvesting. [7084/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Martin Browne

32. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the plans in place to enable businesses that have been closed for extended periods of time due to Covid-19 restrictions to reopen in a manner that takes into account their changed financial situations; his plans to assist these businesses to reopen in a manner that will meet the changed business landscape that will result from the impact of the virus; his plans to avoid a cliff-edge withdrawal of supports once it becomes appropriate for them to reopen; his further plans to provide them with advice and supports on changing their business model if needed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5816/21]

Bus Services

Martin Browne

81. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Transport the contact he has made with Bus Éireann regarding the planned cessation of X8 expressway bus links in County Tipperary; his views on this decision in the context of plan to reduce carbon emissions; his views on this decision in view of the poor level of rural transport available to persons; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5016/21]

Bus Services

Martin Browne

83. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Transport the contact he has made with Bus Éireann regarding the planned cessation of X12 expressway bus links in County Tipperary; his views on this decision in the context of his plan to reduce carbon emissions; his further views on this decision in view of the poor level of rural transport available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5047/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Martin Browne

146. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Transport if travellers coming into the country via ports or airports and who have to restrict their movements will be provided with secure transport from the airport to their residence or accommodation in order not to risk the spread of Covid-19 on public transport. [5960/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Martin Browne

337. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if travellers coming into the country via ports or airports who have to restrict their movements will be provided with secure transport from the airport to their residence or accommodation in order to avoid risking the spread of Covid-19 on public transport. [5961/21]

Work Placement Programmes

Martin Browne

520. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the plans in place for social care students who undertake placements as part of their courses (details supplied). [5075/21]

Dental Services

Martin Browne

796. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Health the steps that have been taken to address the backlog in dental treatment for public patients; and his plans to clear the backlog. [5608/21]

Dental Services

Martin Browne

797. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact that many families are unable to get dental treatments such as braces through the public systems due to extraordinary waiting lists (details supplied); and the supports available for those facing private medical bills as a result of the failure of the public healthcare system. [5609/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Martin Browne

894. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Health if travellers coming into the country via ports or airports and who have to restrict their movements will be provided with secure transport from the airport to their residence or accommodation in order not to risk the spread of Covid-19 on public transport. [5959/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Martin Browne

902. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Health the details of the requirements for pharmacists who participate in the administration of the Covid-19 vaccine; if those whose CPR training is not up-to-date can self-declare; if provisions have been made to supply them with additional adrenaline autoinjectors for use in the event of adverse reactions; if consideration has been given to the disposal of items used during or as a consequence of the administration programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5987/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Martin Browne

903. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Health if pharmacist assistants and other staff members who will be involved in the programme of Covid-19 vaccine administration will be vaccinated alongside pharmacists. [5988/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Martin Browne

904. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Health if his Department or the HSE will be providing pharmacists with a standard operation procedure for the Covid-19 administration programme; if not, if they will be asked to devise it themselves or individually; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5989/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Martin Browne

905. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Health the storage provisions that will have to be made available to the pharmacists involved in administering the Covid-19 vaccine. [5990/21]

General Practitioner Services

Martin Browne

906. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Health his views on the cost of going to the doctor for persons who do not qualify for the medical or general practitioner visit cards. [5991/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Martin Browne

45. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Finance the reason he has no plans to extend the types of businesses that are eligible for the Covid restrictions support scheme; his views on the effect this is having on businesses that are omitted from this scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4651/21]

Special Educational Needs

Martin Browne

153. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Education the supports that have been put in place to help children with special and additional needs through the period of school closures; the supports in place to assist children who are reliant upon having a routine and for whom online services are not sufficient or suitable; the plans being drawn up to address the level of regression many parents have drawn their attention to; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4648/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Martin Browne

239. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Health the reason carers fall into different levels when it comes to the Covid-19 vaccination programme; the reason it was decided to treat them differently to others in the healthcare system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4650/21]

Hospital Facilities

Martin Browne

240. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Health if the cost of bringing St. Brigid’s Hospital, Carrick-on-Suir up to the standard the HSE says it does not meet was identified before the decision to repurpose it was made; if so, if the relevant documents will be provided in relation to same; and if not, the reason a cost estimate was not compiled before it was deemed too costly to address. [4652/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Martin Browne

246. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Health when childcare workers will receive the Covid-19 vaccine; and if they are classed as essential workers.. [4676/21]

Health Services

Martin Browne

263. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Health the status of the roll-out of a premises (details supplied) in County Tipperary; if the commitment to open it after Christmas has been realised; if the seven staff positions advertised have been selected and staff taken on; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4776/21]

Mental Health Services

Martin Browne

264. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Health if he has considered a mental health support plan aimed at business owners who face an uncertain future given the impact of the Covid-19 restrictions on their livelihoods; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4777/21]

Mental Health Services

Martin Browne

265. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Health the measures being taken to ensure that a possible increase in persons developing mental health issues due to the Covid crisis is being adequately catered for given the pressure the health service is under; his views on the likelihood that there is an increased need for services at a time when the ability to provide those services is reduced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4778/21]

Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Martin Browne

49. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications his views on the carbon emissions of Ireland's 5,500 ha of bog used for horticultural peat harvesting; and the reduction in emissions envisaged for 2021 and 2022 through the use of imported peat. [4004/21]

Just Transition Fund

Martin Browne

50. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the amount of horticultural peat exported in each of the past ten years; and the alternative employment envisaged for those employed in the export horticultural peat and root stock sectors. [4006/21]

Just Transition Fund

Martin Browne

51. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the measures that have been taken to assist the horticultural peat sector under the just transition fund. [4007/21]

Energy Efficiency

Martin Browne

63. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of households that applied and received grant aid from Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland for attic, wall and other insulation grants in 2019 and 2020, in tabular form. [4204/21]

National Transport Authority

Martin Browne

153. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Transport the number of complaints received by the National Transport Authority regarding unregistered small public service vehicle operators in the past 24 months by county; the number of complaints that were investigated; the number of complaints that resulted in penalties being applied; and the number of offences that resulted in convictions. [4295/21]