Ceisteanna Parlaiminte

School Staff

Rose Conway-Walsh

275. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Education if cleaners are considered as critical staff in the running of schools; her plans to provide pension rights to long service cleaners; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39457/20]

Third Level Admissions

Rose Conway-Walsh

313. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of part-time students currently enrolled or the most current figures available; the number of part-time third level students, by county, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39335/20]

Housing Provision

Rose Conway-Walsh

403. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his plans to address the challenges faced by the many persons who are over the income thresholds for social housing but do not earn enough secure a mortgage; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38821/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Rose Conway-Walsh

664. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of apprenticeships that have been furloughed; the number that have been made redundant as a result of Covid-19; if the introduction of an incentivisation scheme has been considered to encourage firms to take apprentices back on that have been laid-off or furloughed in the form of a return and retain scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38166/20]

National Training Fund

Rose Conway-Walsh

669. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if the transfer of responsibility for the national training fund to his Department has been completed; when he plans to publish the expenditure report in this regard for 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38357/20]

Irish Language

Rose Conway-Walsh

12. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if there will be any funding difference between Scéim Pobal Gaeilge located in an area with an Irish language network or a Gaeltacht service town. [37345/20]

Foras na Gaeilge

Rose Conway-Walsh

37. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if there will there be increased funding for Scéim Pobal Gaeilge in view of the additional funding allocated to Foras na Gaeilge in budget 2021. [37344/20]

Family Resource Centres

Rose Conway-Walsh

262. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if her attention has been drawn to the need for a family resource centre in Erris, County Mayo; when the resources will be allocated to establish a centre in the area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37654/20]

National Training Fund

Rose Conway-Walsh

266. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the estimated surplus of the National Training Fund for 2020; the total surplus of the National Training Fund at the end of 2019; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37424/20]

Departmental Functions

Rose Conway-Walsh

268. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the status of the transfer of research and innovation components from Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment; when the transfer will be complete; if the units as they currently exist in the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment will be transferred in their entirety; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37459/20]

Departmental Funding

Rose Conway-Walsh

270. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will provide a detailed breakdown of the funding allocation for his Department for 2021, by project and initiative in a format (details supplied). [37481/20]

Labour Court

Rose Conway-Walsh

37. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment when the employment regulation order on the remuneration of security officers will be signed into law; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37230/20]

School Transport

Rose Conway-Walsh

96. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Education if flexibility can be shown in the case of a family (details provided) that missed the deadline for the application for the remote area transport grant; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37151/20]

Apprenticeship Programmes

Rose Conway-Walsh

134. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of apprentices employed by each local authority; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37189/20]

Apprenticeship Programmes

Rose Conway-Walsh

135. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of apprentices employed by each State and semi-State body; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37190/20]

Apprenticeship Programmes

Rose Conway-Walsh

136. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of apprentices employed in each university, technological university and institute of technology; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37216/20]

Apprenticeship Programmes

Rose Conway-Walsh

138. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the drop-out rate of apprenticeships over the past ten years; the breakdown between craft apprentices and new apprenticeships for as many years as are available in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37332/20]

EU Funding

Rose Conway-Walsh

96. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the status of the role of managing authorities for the 2021-27 European regional development funds operational programmes; when the Crowe review will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36706/20]

Regional Airports

Rose Conway-Walsh

9. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Transport the status of his response to the planned one-month suspension of flights from Knock airport; the way in which he will protect jobs and ensure the viability of the airport throughout the Covid-19 pandemic; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35805/20]

Apprenticeship Programmes

Rose Conway-Walsh

299. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of students enrolled in apprenticeships; the estimated cost to the Exchequer annually; the number of craft apprenticeships; the estimated cost to Exchequer of all craft apprenticeships annually; the number of students enrolled in new apprenticeships; the estimated cost to the Exchequer of new apprenticeships annually in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35953/20]

Departmental Funding

Rose Conway-Walsh

179. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the breakdown of the funding allocation for his Department for 2021, by project and initiative. [35501/20]

Apprenticeship Programmes

Rose Conway-Walsh

181. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the status of his plans to amend the Industrial Training Act 1967 to cover certain areas of activity currently excluded from the development of apprenticeships as laid out in the legislative programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35633/20]

Student Universal Support Ireland

Rose Conway-Walsh

182. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science further to Parliamentary Question No. 184 of 5 November 2020, the reason a student (details supplied) has been granted financial support from the student support scheme that specifies that it must be used for accommodation purposes; if she will assure students that this funding can be used for other purposes given the Covid-19 restrictions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35658/20]

Primary Care Centres

Rose Conway-Walsh

201. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Health the status of the planned primary care centre, Bangor Erris, County Mayo; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35464/20]

Beef Environmental Efficiency Scheme

Rose Conway-Walsh

245. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his attention has been drawn to issues with the online application system for the BEEP (details supplied); the steps being taken to assess the situation and make necessary changes and help disadvantaged applicants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35467/20]

Town and Village Renewal Scheme

Rose Conway-Walsh

264. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the status of the commitment to bring forward an expanded town and village renewal scheme to bring vacant and derelict buildings back into use and promote residential occupancy; when the scheme will open; if it will be open to business looking to rejuvenate derelict buildings for commercial use; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35558/20]

Sick Pay Scheme

Rose Conway-Walsh

89. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the status of his engagement with unions on the introduction of a statutory sick pay scheme in 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35177/20]

Warmer Homes Scheme

Rose Conway-Walsh

108. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Environment, Climate and Communications the status of and position regarding energy upgrades as part of the better energy warmer homes scheme planned for 2020 due to the Covid-19 crisis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35175/20]

National Broadband Plan

Rose Conway-Walsh

148. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Environment, Climate and Communications the status of and position regarding state aid complaints lodged to the European Commission and the impact this might have on the roll out of the national broadband plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35176/20]

Driver Test

Rose Conway-Walsh

255. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Transport if persons that had appointments to take the driver theory and or practical tests cancelled due to the move to level 5 Covid-19 restrictions will have their appointments rescheduled to take place as soon as the restrictions are lifted; if they will reassigned available dates towards the end of the queue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34634/20]

Third Level Fees

Rose Conway-Walsh

569. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the cost to the Exchequer if the same fees were applied for graduate entry medical students as other undergraduate medical students who enter directly from the CAO system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34620/20]

Student Universal Support Ireland

Rose Conway-Walsh

570. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the cost to the Exchequer if graduate entry medical students were exempt from the progression criteria in SUSI grant application and could access funding as if it was their first undergraduate course; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34621/20]

Third Level Fees

Rose Conway-Walsh

572. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if his attention has been drawn to the fact that graduate entry medical students in UCD are facing the third straight increase in fees; his views on whether the proposed increase is necessary to meet to funding needs of the university given the current level of public funding; his further views on whether these increases are appropriate given the fact that the majority of the educational instruction has moved online this semester and the employment opportunities for students have been diminished; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34651/20]

LEADER Programmes

Rose Conway-Walsh

20. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the funding provided for new LEADER projects for 2021; the funding identified for the delivery and administration of the LEADER programme for 2021; the reason no interim national rural development plan has been announced for the period 2021 to 2023 as was committed to in the programme for Government; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33585/20]

LEADER Programmes

Rose Conway-Walsh

33. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the breakdown of the €44 million announced for LEADER in the 2021 budget; the amount that will be directed for payment on allocations up to the end of December 2020; the amount that will be used for payments on allocation to be made in 2021; the amount envisaged to be directed to new projects commencing in 2021; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34166/20]

Student Support Schemes

Rose Conway-Walsh

184. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if students that have received or been approved for financial support from the student support scheme for accommodation purposes can use this for expenses related to remote working; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34415/20]

Mother and Baby Homes Inquiries

Rose Conway-Walsh

6. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Taoiseach if he has met with the Attorney General to discuss the position held by the Data Protection Commission as expressed in its observation on the data protection impact assessment commissioned on the legislation on mother and baby homes. [33529/20]

Springboard Programme

Rose Conway-Walsh

102. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of free or subsidised places on short, modular courses that were being offered through Springboard+ prior to the July stimulus package; the number of additional places were added as part of the July stimulus package; the number of places that are currently being offered;and the number of places that remain unfilled; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34057/20]

Fishing Industry

Rose Conway-Walsh

39. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on whether the 400 tonnes set aside for line caught mackerel is insufficient to allow the 1,560 boats that are smaller than 15 metres registered in Ireland to grow this as a fishery; his further views on whether the 750kg landing restriction is unworkable for inshore boats smaller than 15 metres landing mackerel on any occasion; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33532/20]

Beef Industry

Rose Conway-Walsh

78. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the measures he is taking to ensure that farmers have access to livestock marts to ensure food production supply chains are secured; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33533/20]

Medicinal Products

Rose Conway-Walsh

128. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to a report (details supplied) and developments in France regarding the prescribing of epilim, also known as valproate, to pregnant mothers; his plans to progress the issue here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33531/20]

Audiology Services

Rose Conway-Walsh

159. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Health the position regarding audiologist consultations in view of the fact that on 1 October 2020 the waiting times for referrals were 79 weeks and 49 weeks for adults and children, respectively in County Mayo; the steps being taken to reduce this backlog; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33530/20]

Student Accommodation

Rose Conway-Walsh

605. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he has met with the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science on the subject of refunds for third-level students for unused accommodation; the actions the Government plans to take to ensure students received refunds from private accommodation providers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32908/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment

Rose Conway-Walsh

838. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Social Protection if full-time students in further and higher education can continue to receive the pandemic unemployment payment and enter new full-time further or higher education courses; if there is a planned date for these student-specific supports to end; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32374/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Rose Conway-Walsh

1014. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the breakdown of all research funding that has been made available for research on Covid-19 in tabular form; the amount that has been allocated; the research that has been initiated; the amount of funding for Covid-19 research fund that was mobilised from existing research funding; the amount that was from new funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32916/20]

Further Education and Training Colleges

Rose Conway-Walsh

1015. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the financial reserves of each university, technological university and institute of technology in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32921/20]

Nursing Education

Rose Conway-Walsh

1036. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of places for undergraduate nursing and midwifery in each of the years 2017 to 2019 and to date in 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33745/20]

Home Help Service

Rose Conway-Walsh

1128. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Health the number of persons on the waiting list for home help packages by county; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32323/20]

Primary Medical Certificates

Rose Conway-Walsh

1175. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Health the waiting lists for primary medical certificates by county in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32525/20]

National Broadband Plan

Rose Conway-Walsh

31. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Environment, Climate and Communications the steps taken to address the situation faced by a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32119/20]