Ceisteanna Parlaiminte

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]