Ceisteanna Parlaiminte

Covid-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment

Steven Matthews

1148. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Social Protection if her attention has been drawn to a potential conflict between two Government supports, the live performance support scheme and the pandemic unemployment payment, by which if a person in the live entertainment sector gets short-term employment through the live performance support scheme it may force them permanently off the pandemic unemployment payment by going above the €960 allowable income threshold; her views on whether this will act as a disincentive to take up short-term employment opportunities; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40599/21]

Vaccination Programme

Steven Matthews

2065. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the case of students who will be going on Erasmus as a mandatory aspect of their college course in August 2021 given that as per the current projections many in this situation will not have been reached by the vaccination programme; if there are plans in place to deal with this cohort in advance of their scheduled departure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36485/21]

Disability Services

Steven Matthews

2257. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Health if a transfer of HSE disability services funding will be expedited for a person (details supplied) in view of the long delay since initial request. [37179/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Steven Matthews

2708. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Health the position regarding Irish citizens who received the required dosage of EMA approved vaccines in other jurisdictions; and if they will be registered on the HSE system and by extension be eligible for the EU digital Covid certificate for travel if they can prove their vaccine status. [38825/21]

Health Services

Steven Matthews

2783. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Health the position regarding the multidisciplinary team for adolescent trans healthcare; if he will provide an outline regarding the process of it being established; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39155/21]

Vaccination Programme

Steven Matthews

2879. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Health the position regarding children under the age of 16 who have conditions that place them at high risk if they contract Covid-19; the plans he has put in place to deal with this cohort regarding immunisation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39471/21]

Animal Culls

Steven Matthews

3380. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the position regarding the total amount spent on badger culling by his Department in the past ten years in County Wicklow; the number of badgers that have been culled each year in the same time period in the county; and the research that has been carried out to research the impact of culling on the prevalence of tuberculosis. [39594/21]

Animal Diseases

Steven Matthews

3381. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the position regarding the total amount spent on the vaccination of badgers for tuberculosis by his Department in the past ten years in County Wicklow in tabular form; the number of vaccinations that have been administered to the badger population in the same time period in the county; and the research that has been carried out on the impact of vaccination as a means of dealing with the prevalence of tuberculosis in the badger population. [39587/21]

Animal Welfare

Steven Matthews

27. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the measures he has taken to improve the welfare of animals during his first nine months in office; and the plans he has to build on these improvements over the lifetime of this Government. [37090/21]

Forestry Sector

Steven Matthews

73. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the details of the independent regulatory review on forestry licensing announced recently by his Department. [37091/21]

Community Development Projects

Steven Matthews

131. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if there is scope to expand the community enhancement programme in order for it to offer more substantial financial supports to local communities wishing to undertake renovations to their community centre or perhaps build a new community centre; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38017/21]

Grant Payments

Steven Matthews

41. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if the SEAI can consider a person (details supplied) for future works on their property despite having had some minor energy efficiency work completed 15 years ago; if consideration is given to the health and age of such applicants and the nature and limitations of any previous work done; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38413/21]

Departmental Schemes

Steven Matthews

89. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Finance his plans with respect to the help-to-buy scheme; if it will continue beyond the end of 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38412/21]

Housing Schemes

Steven Matthews

137. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the advice he can offer to first-time homeowners seeking to build their own home on private land; the supports available in this scenario; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38412/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Steven Matthews

205. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Education if her attention has been drawn to the Departmental advice to schools with respect to CO2 monitoring; the basis for 1400 to 1500 ppm being considered poor ventilation given that other Government bodies including the HSE put the figure closer to 800 ppm; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38416/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Steven Matthews

206. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Education the number of CO2 monitors her Department has purchased for the coming school year; the projected date for their delivery to schools; if she proposes to have one in every classroom; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38417/21]

Medicinal Products

Steven Matthews

384. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the campaign to make a drug (details supplied) available to patients in Ireland; and the status of this review process. [31270/21]

Nursing Education

Steven Matthews

73. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Health the position regarding the €100 per week special payment agreed for student nurses; if all arrears accrued since September 2020 have been paid; and the further steps he will take to recognise the contribution of both student nurses and all other front-line staff to the Covid-19 pandemic. [37734/21]

Vaccination Programme

Steven Matthews

93. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the mixing of non-mRNA and mRNA vaccines for first and second doses being permitted in other EU jurisdictions; his views on whether such a practice would be appropriate under any circumstances in Ireland; the advice he has received from NIAC and NPHET in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37735/21]

Third Level Education

Steven Matthews

519. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if his attention has been drawn to cases in which students who were previously in receipt of the special rate threshold SUSI grant are now ineligible for the same grant funding in 2021 due to their receipt of the pandemic unemployment payment pushing them marginally over the income threshold; his views on whether this may lead to an increase in students pulling out of courses for financial reasons; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37398/21]

Third Level Education

Steven Matthews

531. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if his attention has been drawn to a campaign by an organisation (details supplied) amongst others in relation to the impact that the pandemic unemployment payment is having on SUSI grant applications given many students who would normally be in receipt of grant funding are no longer qualifying; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37791/21]

Third Level Education

Steven Matthews

532. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if his attention has been drawn to cases of students who have not moved address or college who have been informed in 2021 that they do not qualify for the SUSI non-adjacent rate due to a new method of calculating the distance to their home; his views on whether this will act as a barrier in returning to third-level education this academic year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37792/21]

Apprenticeship Programmes

Steven Matthews

52. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of apprentices recruited in 2021 under the apprenticeship incentivisation scheme; the targets for the scheme for the remainder of 2021 and for 2022 and 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36689/21]

Apprenticeship Programmes

Steven Matthews

60. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if his Department is considering additional measures or initiatives to help recruit mature apprentices; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36687/21]

Anti-Racism Measures

Steven Matthews

273. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if his attention has been drawn to the work of a group (details supplied); if he will consider meeting with the group in order to show solidarity with its work; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36688/21]

Electric Vehicles

Steven Matthews

42. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Transport the position regarding funding applications by Wicklow County Council in 2021 with respect to electric vehicle charging points; and if the number of applications and level of funding applied for in both successful and unsuccessful applications will be provided in tabular form. [36650/21]

Vaccination Programme

Steven Matthews

186. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to case of home carers who have received one dose of a vaccine (details supplied) and have to wait 12-weeks for the second dose given that in many cases those they care for are now fully vaccinated; if their wait time will be expedited in view of variant concerns; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30597/21]

Direct Provision System

Steven Matthews

86. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the progress made to date on the implementation of the White Paper to End Direct Provision and replace it with a new international protection support service; the expected timeline of implementation going forward; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36290/21]

Invasive Species Policy

Steven Matthews

250. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the position regarding a rhododendron management plan for Wicklow National Park; if his attention has been drawn to the growing presence of this invasive species in this location; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36456/21]

Employment Schemes

Steven Matthews

363. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Social Protection if her Department is considering additional measures or initiatives to help address the extremely high rate of youth unemployment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36293/21]

Vaccination Programme

Steven Matthews

484. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Health the position regarding Irish citizens returning home after residing abroad who are fully vaccinated using a non EMA approved Covid-19 vaccine (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29659/21]

School Staff

Steven Matthews

16. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Education if her attention has been drawn to the loss of a teaching post in a school (details supplied) since the 2019-2020 school year that resulted in an increase in class size due to the amalgamation of classes; if she will review this decision in view of the Programme for Government commitment to reduce class sizes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35174/21]

School Admissions

Steven Matthews

82. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Education if her attention has been drawn to the serious challenges related to the provision of secondary school places for September 2021 in Greystones, County Wicklow; the steps she will take to ensure that the solutions offered are future proofed to avoid the same issues in the coming years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35175/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment

Steven Matthews

107. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Social Protection if her attention has been drawn to cases whereby persons currently in receipt of the pandemic unemployment payment are offered short-term, temporary work; if they will be allowed return to the payment following the completion of this work; if not, if they will they be required to apply for jobseeker’s allowance; if her attention has been drawn to the fact that the latter may act as a disincentive; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35268/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment

Steven Matthews

110. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Social Protection if her attention has been drawn to cases whereby full-time musicians who are currently in receipt of the pandemic unemployment payment, PUP, due to the ongoing closure of their industry, are receiving phone calls from social welfare officers to ask if they have considered moving to the jobseeker's payment; if this is an operational procedure by her Department; if all persons in receipt of the PUP are likely to receive such a call; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34832/21]

Rail Network

Steven Matthews

113. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Transport if his attention has been drawn to the campaign led by a charity (details supplied) that proposes a return of the quiet carriages initiative on Irish Rail that had been in place previously; the basis for the phasing out of this programme in 2018; if he will consider recommencing such an initiative; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34576/21]

Naval Service

Steven Matthews

232. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his views on whether and if the Naval Service will play a role in the protection or monitoring of offshore wind infrastructure off the west coast of Ireland in particular due to the proposed distance from shore; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34567/21]

Referendum Campaigns

Steven Matthews

8. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the position regarding the referendum on the right to housing as set out in the programme for Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33361/21]

Building Regulations

Steven Matthews

22. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the position regarding the Departmental working group that was set up to investigate potential amendments to building regulations to require changing places (details supplied) in suitable public buildings; the number of times the group has met; if he plans to meet with the group; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33219/21]

Departmental Bodies

Steven Matthews

485. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 1196 of 15 June 2021, the basis for the Irish Deer Management Forum being disbanded following the publication of its 2015 report; if he plans for a similar group to be established; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34044/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Steven Matthews

63. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the number of successful and unsuccessful applications for the music and entertainment business assistance scheme to date; if her attention has been drawn to the concerns of sectoral interests regarding the qualifying criteria for the scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33214/21]

Budget 2021

Steven Matthews

97. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the status of the €50 million awarded in Budget 2021 to support the live entertainment sector; and the details of the applications and awards made under schemes announced by her Department. [33232/21]

Greenways Provision

Steven Matthews

32. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Transport the position regarding the code of practice for greenways; the potential limitations of their development including the impact on biodiversity; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32402/21]

Rail Network

Steven Matthews

33. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Transport further to Parliamentary Question No. 78 of 26 May 2021, if his attention has been drawn to a proposal by Iarnród Éireann to fix the Barrow Bridge on the Waterford to Rosslare rail line in the closed to rail position later in June 2021; the potential damage this may do to the bridge; and if he will request that this proposal is deferred until the strategic rail review is completed. [32401/21]

Banking Sector

Steven Matthews

98. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Finance the steps he will take to engage with representatives of the major banks that are either pulling out of the Irish market or restructuring their high street presence with regard to the vacant units they are leaving in towns and villages; if he will support the repurposing of these units as community hubs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31734/21]

Insurance Coverage

Steven Matthews

121. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Finance the position regarding his engagement with the insurance sector specifically related to individuals and businesses that are unable to get flood protection cover despite the completion of OPW flood defences to protect the location of their properties; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20056/21]

Litter Pollution

Steven Matthews

216. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the position regarding the €5 million fund allocated to litter prevention (details supplied); the way this funding can be drawn down by local authorities; and if he will report on the level of funding that is remaining in this fund. [31958/21]

Litter Pollution

Steven Matthews

218. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the position regarding the €3 million fund allocated to anti-illegal dumping measures (details supplied); the way this funding can be drawn down by local authorities; and if he will report on the level of funding that is remaining in this fund. [32017/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Steven Matthews

523. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she will investigate the case of drive-in concerts and performances that operate in open air venues with car access only; if they are permitted to operate from 7 July; and the date set for the return of drive in films under public health guidelines. [31205/21]

Direct Provision System

Steven Matthews

929. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the reason the freephone support service for those in direct provision is provided by a service (details supplied) using Departmental funding; if he plans for his Department to take over this service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30554/21]