Ceisteanna Parlaiminte

Covid-19 Pandemic

Éamon Ó Cuív

911. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht when it is planned to permit general travel to the offshore islands in view of the fact that phase 5 of the opening of the country has been brought forward to phase four of the Roadmap for Reopening Society and Business; the reason for the delay in making an announcement; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12703/20]

Hospital Appointments Status

Éamon Ó Cuív

406. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health when a date for surgery in respect of a spinal operation will be issued to a person (details supplied); the reason for the multiple cancellations of dates issued for the surgery over the last number of years; if he will take into account that the person is on a high-risk list; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11673/20]

Dental Services

Éamon Ó Cuív

409. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health when a date for surgery in respect of teeth extraction will be issued to a person (details supplied); if he will take into account the exceptional circumstances in this case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11700/20]

State Pension (Contributory)

Éamon Ó Cuív

839. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection when a decision will be made on an increase for a qualified adult State pension (contributory) appeal submitted by a person (details supplied); the reason for the delay in making a decision on the appeal; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12167/20]

Carer's Allowance

Éamon Ó Cuív

842. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection when a decision will be made on a carer’s allowance application by a person (details supplied) in County Galway; the reason for the delay in making a decision on the application; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12314/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Éamon Ó Cuív

99. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Finance his plans to extend the temporary wage subsidy scheme to seasonal tourism businesses particularly in rural and coastal areas that close for the winter season each year and normally operate from 17 March or Easter each year until either the end of October or Christmas and are not eligible for the scheme under its present rules in order to ensure regional equity; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11241/20]

Value Added Tax

Éamon Ó Cuív

100. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Finance if he will reintroduce a lower VAT rate for the foreseeable future for the tourism industry in order to stimulate the industry which has been hit severely by the Covid-19 pandemic; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11243/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Éamon Ó Cuív

154. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if further funding has been sought for 2020 by An Garda Síochána due to the Covid-19 pandemic; if so, when a decision will be made on the request; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11240/20]

Schools Building Projects

Éamon Ó Cuív

211. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Education and Skills the progress made in relation to an application for a new purpose fit building by a school (details supplied); if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the current school building is in very poor condition on health and safety grounds; if this application is being given urgent consideration in view of the right children have to an education in a safe and secure environment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10746/20]

Schools Refurbishment

Éamon Ó Cuív

263. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Education and Skills when prefabricated buildings that have been decommissioned on health and safety grounds will be removed from a school (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11176/20]

Apprenticeship Programmes

Éamon Ó Cuív

271. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Education and Skills the arrangements being made for final year apprentices to enable them to complete their 12 weeks college training as soon as possible to ensure that their apprenticeships are not extended unnecessarily; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11247/20]

Foirne Scoile

Éamon Ó Cuív

272. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Oideachais agus Scileanna an mbeidh cead ag scoil (sonraí tugtha) an ceathrú múinteoir a choinneáil sa scoil más rud é go mbeidh idir 76 scoláire agus 80 scoláire ar an rolla an bhliain seo chugainn, de bharr an ghá a bheidh ann scoláirí a choinneáil scartha óna chéile de thairbhe Covid-19, toisc go bhfuil na seomraí ranga sa scoil an-bheag agus toisc nach bhfuil halla ná seomra ilúsáide ar bith sa scoil; agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina thaobh. [11252/20]

Foirne Scoile

Éamon Ó Cuív

273. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Oideachais agus Scileanna an bhfuil sé i gceist aige cead a thabhairt do scoileanna a chaillfidh múinteoir ranga de bharr titim sa tinreamh do scoilbhliain 2020/2021 an múinteoir sin a choinneáil, de bharr an ghá a bheidh ann scaradh sóisialta a chleachtadh i scoileanna agus chun an iomarca brú a sheachaint i seomraí ranga; agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina thaobh. [11253/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Éamon Ó Cuív

301. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Education and Skills if students and teachers will be required to wear personal protective equipment due to Covid-19 once primary and secondary schools are reopened; if so, if he anticipates that there will be a tendering process in place for providing same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11603/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Éamon Ó Cuív

436. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the reason State guaranteed loans for working capital during the Covid-19 pandemic are being charged at over 4% interest when funding can be borrowed by the banks and the State at nominal interest rates; if consideration has been given to reducing these rates in the interest of stimulating and assisting business through this difficult time; the reason for the high rates of interest; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11245/20]

Health Services Staff

Éamon Ó Cuív

471. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health the number of personnel recruited in February, March, April and May 2020, respectively, to the HSE due to the Covid-19 pandemic who were working in nursing homes and care homes immediately prior; the steps taken to ensure that nursing homes and care homes had at the time adequate resources to fill vacancies arising; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10477/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Éamon Ó Cuív

472. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health the number of recorded deaths from Covid-19 and recorded cases of infection of retired religious personnel who were or are living in religious communities or in religious-specific care or retirement homes; if steps were taken to protect the large number of elderly religious living in such settings; if steps were taken, when they were taken; the extra assistance that was given with their care; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10478/20]

Dental Services

Éamon Ó Cuív

473. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health the assistance which will be given to dentists to aid them with the extra costs of providing PPE and other costs associated with reopening after Covid-19; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10479/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Éamon Ó Cuív

474. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health the discussions he has had with his ministerial colleagues on the effect the Covid-19 pandemic is having on public services; the arrangements being made to ensure that all staff who cannot work efficiently remotely return to work in their offices; the protocols being put in place to ensure this can be done safely; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10480/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Éamon Ó Cuív

518. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health the number of Covid-19 cases detected to date among residents in direct provision centres; the number of centres that these occurred in; if the residents of such centres were subsequently tested for Covid-19 in addition to the staff; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10209/20]