Ceisteanna Parlaiminte

Food Industry

Rose Conway-Walsh

902. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when the food ombudsman will be set up; when farmers will feel the effects in terms of prices for produce; and if he has a strategy for the interim period. [24156/20]

Seaweed Harvesting

Rose Conway-Walsh

903. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the steps being taken to regularise the seaweed harvesting industry in a manner that protects traditional techniques of harvesting and supports the individual that harvests seaweed in this manner. [24157/20]

Teacher Training

Rose Conway-Walsh

104. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Education the guidelines for student teachers for completing their placements in primary schools; if placements will go ahead in October and November 2020; if not, if the placements will be delayed until after January 2021; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23100/20]

Student Universal Support Ireland

Rose Conway-Walsh

151. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the cost to the Exchequer if SUSI grant eligibility was calculated on gross income rather than net income if the income threshold remained at the same numerical value; the cost if SUSI grant eligibility was calculated on gross income rather than net income if the numerical value of income thresholds were increased by 10%; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23062/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Rose Conway-Walsh

153. 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 there are persons with severe medical condition that are in the high risk categories such as those with cystic fibrosis that are denied SUSI grants on the grounds that they are online; the steps he will take to address the situation in view of the risk to these persons from Covid-19 and the fact that many traditional courses are now online; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23064/20]

Third Level Fees

Rose Conway-Walsh

20. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his views on whether it is fair to expect students to pay the highest fees in the EU at a time when many students have lost work and many households have seen a drop in their income, particularly if courses are to be conducted partially or completely online; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22244/20]

Third Level Admissions

Rose Conway-Walsh

22. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his views on whether it is fair to expect students to pay the highest fees in the European Union at a time when many students have lost work and many households have seen a drop in their income, particularly if courses are to be conducted partially or completely online; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22596/20]

Student Universal Support Ireland

Rose Conway-Walsh

41. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his views on whether the current thresholds for SUSI grant eligibility are set at an appropriate level to provide real equality of access to third level education; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22245/20]

Third Level Admissions

Rose Conway-Walsh

51. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the way in which the Central Applications Office, CAO, will ensure that students who sat the leaving certificate in 2019 are not disadvantaged by the model used to produce predicted grades; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22597/20]

Brexit Issues

Rose Conway-Walsh

151. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Education her plans to ensure that students from Northern Ireland will not be requested to pay non-EU fees to study here regardless of ongoing Brexit negotiations. [22554/20]

Student Universal Support Ireland

Rose Conway-Walsh

152. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Education her views on setting SUSI grant eligibility at an appropriate level to provide real equality of access to third level education. [22555/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Rose Conway-Walsh

48. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Children, Disability, Equality and Integration if childcare providers have been given adequate support to reopen and manage the safe return of children (details supplied); the number of childcare providers that have not reopened since closing due to Covid-19; the number of childcare providers operating on reduced hours; and the number operating at reduced capacity. [22360/20]

Childcare Costs

Rose Conway-Walsh

58. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Children, Disability, Equality and Integration if he agrees that the cost of childcare is one of the main barriers for mothers accessing third-level education; and the steps he will take to help support mothers in third-level or who wish to enter third-level to cope with the burden of high childcare costs. [22359/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Rose Conway-Walsh

88. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment his views on whether businesses that were denied funding as part of the restart grant due to the fact it was oversubscribed prior to the deadline date should be able to avail of the original €2,000 in view of the fact that there has been additional funding made available in the form of the restart plus grant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22040/20]

Insurance Industry

Rose Conway-Walsh

280. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Finance if his attention has been drawn to the fact that emergency medical technicians who are fully registered with the pre-hospital emergency care council and in possession of unendorsed C1 licences are unable to obtain insurance cover for driving ambulances in the private network in cases in which they are under 23 years of age even though they are able to do so in the national ambulance service; the actions that will be taken to address the situation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21365/20]

Rental Sector

Rose Conway-Walsh

423. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if his attention has been drawn to the fact that residents in Westport, County Mayo are facing an increase in rent as high as 18%; his views on whether there is need for rent pressure zones in Westport; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21780/20]

Rental Sector

Rose Conway-Walsh

429. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if his attention has been drawn to the fact that residents in Westport, County Mayo are facing rent increases as high as 18%; his views on whether there is a need for rent pressure zones in Westport; the alternative other strategies he views as necessary to address rent increases such as these; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22079/20]

Education and Training Boards

Rose Conway-Walsh

478. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Education if the newly appointed general secretary of Education and Training Board Ireland has accepted the permanent post while maintaining their previous permanent post as chief executive of the Dublin and Dún Laoghaire Education and Training Board; and the reason she is standing over the decision taken to facilitate the newly appointed general secretary in holding two permanent posts (details supplied) in view of the fact the holding of two permanent posts in the public service is unheard of. [21298/20]

School Transport

Rose Conway-Walsh

481. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Education when the payment system for school transport will reopen to allow students to purchase school bus tickets; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22564/20]

School Transport

Rose Conway-Walsh

482. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Education if additional school transport will be provided to cover the 50% capacity currently on school transport; if so, when Bus Éireann will communicate same to the school bus operators in view of the fact schools have already resumed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22565/20]

School Staff

Rose Conway-Walsh

527. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Education the measures she has put in place to fund the salaries of ancillary staff for schools that were subject to the independent arbitration process which granted them a 10% increase between 2016 and 2019; and the status of discussions for a follow-on claim from the 2015 pay agreement between her Department, the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, school management bodies and a union (details supplied) under the auspices of the Workplace Relations Commission. [21774/20]

Student Grant Scheme

Rose Conway-Walsh

845. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the estimated cost of expanding eligibility for mature independents maintenance grants to include all mature applicants that have been forced to live with their parents for financial reasons; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22674/20]

Further Education and Training Programmes

Rose Conway-Walsh

854. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the details of the 35,000 further and higher education places announced in the July stimulus package; the estimated cost of each place; the breakdown of the number of places between further and higher education; when the first additional new place will be available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21739/20]

Departmental Functions

Rose Conway-Walsh

855. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the role his Department will play in terms of direct research funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21740/20]

Third Level Reform

Rose Conway-Walsh

856. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if the Cassells report has been sent to the European Commission for review; when he expects the Commission to respond; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21741/20]

Third Level Costs

Rose Conway-Walsh

858. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the cost of each student enrolled as an undergraduate full-time, part-time, remote and FETAC; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21744/20]

Third Level Education

Rose Conway-Walsh

875. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the provisions in place for those with learning difficulties if all third level education is to be online; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22558/20]

Third Level Fees

Rose Conway-Walsh

876. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the estimated cost in 2020 if the student contribution charge was reduced by €100, €200, €500, €1000 and €3000, respectively. [22616/20]

Nursing Education

Rose Conway-Walsh

976. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Health if sufficient financial supports will be put in place for student nurses that are unable to work whilst on placement; if consideration will be given to increasing the financial supports; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22140/20]

Ambulance Service

Rose Conway-Walsh

1024. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Health the status of the private ambulance tender for the HSE framework; if there will be a new tendering process to allow private ambulances service providers currently outside of the HSE framework to apply; if so, when the tendering process will take place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21201/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Rose Conway-Walsh

1380. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Health if he will provide the report on the management of Covid-19 and non-Covid-19 cases at Mayo University that was produced between June and July, 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22497/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Rose Conway-Walsh

1393. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Health the provisions in place for staff who are pregnant and cannot return to work due to having to use excessive sanitisers and disinfectants; if a Covid-19 payment will be introduced to cover loss of earnings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22560/20]

State Examinations

Rose Conway-Walsh

13. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Education and Skills the knock-on impact anticipated due to the delayed announcement of the leaving certificate results; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19287/20]

Pupil-Teacher Ratio

Rose Conway-Walsh

49. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Education and Skills her views on whether underfunding of the educational system by successive Governments resulting in the largest average class size in the EU represents the single biggest obstacle to a safe return to schools which has already been achieved across most of Europe; if the matter will be address on a permanent basis; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19288/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Rose Conway-Walsh

239. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the breakdown of spending of the €200 million investment in training and education, skills development, work placement schemes, recruitment subsidies and job search assistance measures; the amount that will be directed to the 35,000 additional places in further and higher education and the apprenticeship incentivisation scheme (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19536/20]

Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance Scheme

Rose Conway-Walsh

240. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the increase seen or expected in the back to school allowance as a result of Covid-19; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19537/20]

Third Level Fees

Rose Conway-Walsh

455. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Education and Skills the cost of reducing the student contribution charge for higher education by €100, €200, €500, €1,000 and €3,000, respectively; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18299/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Rose Conway-Walsh

456. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Education and Skills the estimated amount required by the third level education sector to ensure the safe return of students in the 2020 and 2021 academic year; if she will provide a breakdown of the cost of planned expenses in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18300/20]

Student Universal Support Ireland

Rose Conway-Walsh

457. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Education and Skills the estimated cost of increasing the SUSI maintenance grant by 5, 10, 15, 20, and 30 percent respectively; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18301/20]

Apprenticeship Programmes

Rose Conway-Walsh

458. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Education and Skills the estimated average cost per apprenticeship; the estimated average cost per craft apprentice; the estimated average cost for a new apprenticeship; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18302/20]

Apprenticeship Programmes

Rose Conway-Walsh

459. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Education and Skills the estimated cost to reduce apprenticeship and post-leaving certificate fees by 50% and 100% respectively; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18303/20]

Student Grant Scheme

Rose Conway-Walsh

460. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Education and Skills the estimated cost of expanding eligibility for mature independents maintenance grants to include persons over 25 years of age who have been forced to live with their parents for financial reasons; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18304/20]

Student Universal Support Ireland

Rose Conway-Walsh

461. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Education and Skills the estimated cost of expanding SUSI grants to cover master's programmes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18305/20]

Further Education and Training Programmes

Rose Conway-Walsh

162. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Education and Skills the outcomes of each of the 52 actions outlined in the Further Education and Training Strategy 2014-2019; the actions which have been successfully completed, are ongoing and yet to be initiated, respectively; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17793/20]

Apprenticeship Programmes

Rose Conway-Walsh

163. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Education and Skills the date the apprenticeship action plan 2020 will be published; the consultation process taking place to inform the action plan; if there is a public consultation process; if so, the details of same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17794/20]

Third Level Education

Rose Conway-Walsh

164. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Education and Skills her views on whether many third-level students face challenges during the Covid-19 restrictions, such as issues of mental health and well-being, access to on-campus support services, challenging home lives and access to the internet for remote learning; if she has considered encouraging third-level institutions to consider allowing students to use work done during the year to contribute towards their final grade, particularly for students that for a variety of reasons failed their final exam in the summer; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17795/20]

Third Level Education

Rose Conway-Walsh

165. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Education and Skills her views on whether many third-level students and prospective third-level students are unjustly categorised as mature dependents in the SUSI grants system; her further views on matters (details supplied) in relation to same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17796/20]

Medical Aids and Appliances

Rose Conway-Walsh

741. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Health if he will liaise with the HSE to ensure flexibility for the procurement of catheters from a company (details supplied) as a matter of urgency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17238/20]

Hospital Waiting Lists

Rose Conway-Walsh

742. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Health the average waiting times for orthodontic treatment in each hospital; the measures being taken to address the significant delays in accessing orthodontic treatment in Mayo University Hospital and Galway University Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17239/20]

Hospital Waiting Lists

Rose Conway-Walsh

743. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Health the average waiting times for the pain clinics in each facility providing such a service; the measures being taken to address the significant delays in accessing this service in Galway University Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17240/20]