Ceisteanna Parlaiminte

Local Authorities

Éamon Ó Cuív

621. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will be seeking extra funding to fund local authorities in 2022 in view of the recent decisions on the retention by local authorities to the full amount of the local property tax they collect; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31473/21]

Passport Services

Éamon Ó Cuív

665. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs when it is intended that that Passport Express services will resume; if his attention has been drawn to the serious impact the delay in resuming this service is having on passport applicants who are required to submit documentation in support of their applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31319/21]

Assisted Decision-Making

Éamon Ó Cuív

988. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth when the Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) Act 2015 will be fully implemented; when the decision support service will be established; the reason that this Act has not been fully commenced six years after enactment; the timeline for commencing each section of the Act not already commenced; the sections involved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31476/21]

Parole Boards

Éamon Ó Cuív

1149. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Justice the number of recommendations made to her by the Parole Board in 2021; the number in which she accepted the recommendations of the Board; the number in which they were amended or rejected; the reason in the cases in which they were amended or rejected for doing so; the number still awaiting decision; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31474/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Éamon Ó Cuív

26. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the estimated loss of employment in the productive sectors of the economy due to the Covid-19 pandemic; the steps he plans taking to stimulate employment in the productive sectors of the economy post-Covid-19; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29214/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Éamon Ó Cuív

32. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the details and estimated cost of all schemes being operated by his Department to mitigate the effects on businesses due to Covid-19 during the first half of 2021; the estimated cost for the second half of 2021; the length of time he expects there will be a need for such supports to businesses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29213/21]

Prison Service

Éamon Ó Cuív

151. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Justice the number of prisoners transferred in and out of this jurisdiction under transfer of prisoners provisions; the number of applications on hand at present that have not yet been adjudicated on by country; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27627/21]

Parole Boards

Éamon Ó Cuív

164. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Justice when it is planned to commence the provisions setting up the Parole Board on a statutorily independent basis and to transfer decisions on granting parole to the board; if it is planned that decisions will be made before this date on all recommendations made by the Parole Board to her up to that date; the number of recommendations on hand in her Department at present awaiting Ministerial decision; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27626/21]

Trade Data

Éamon Ó Cuív

209. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the details of the monthly exports and imports in terms of value to and from Great Britain in each of the first five months of 2019, 2020 and 2021, in tabular form; the significant changes that have place during this three year period; the steps he plans to take to stimulate trade from Ireland to Great Britain further; the barriers to this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30383/21]

Trade Data

Éamon Ó Cuív

210. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the monthly exports and imports in terms of value to and from Northern Ireland for each of the first five months of 2019, 2020 and 2021, in tabular form; the significant changes that have taken place during this three year period; the steps he plans to take to stimulate trade from Ireland to Northern Ireland further; the barriers to this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30384/21]

Trade Data

Éamon Ó Cuív

243. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Transport the increase or decrease by volume and value of goods imported from Britain through Dublin Port and Rosslare Europort to date in 2021 compared to 2019 and 2020, in tabular form; the reason for this change; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30385/21]

Trade Data

Éamon Ó Cuív

244. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Transport the increase or decrease by volume and value of goods exported to Britain through Dublin Port and Rosslare Europort to date in 2021 compared to 2019 and 2020, in tabular form; the reason for this change; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30386/21]

Earcaíocht san Earnáil Phoiblí

Éamon Ó Cuív

253. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Caiteachais Phoiblí agus Athchóirithe cé mhéid duine a bhí cáilithe agus a cuireadh ar an bpainéal Oifigeach Feidhmmeannach sa státseirbhís (Comórtas 2019) a bhí cáilithe oibriú i nGaeilge; an lion acu siúd a tairrgíodh post sa státshéirbhís dóibh go dáta; an dáta faoin a dtiocfaidh deireadh leis an bpainéal áirithe seo; agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina thaobh. [30376/21]

Earcaíocht san Earnáil Phoiblí

Éamon Ó Cuív

254. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Caiteachais Phoiblí agus Athchóirithe an líon Oifigeach Feidhmiúcháin a bheadh cáilithe le n-oibriú trí Ghaeilge a fostaíodh sa státsheirbhís le bliain anuas; agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina thaobh. [30377/21]

Child Abuse

Éamon Ó Cuív

300. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Education the arrangements in place to pay redress to persons who were abused as children in schools in the past in line with rulings in the case of a person (details supplied); the amount paid out to date in compensation; if applications for compensation are being still accepted; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30378/21]

School Accommodation

Éamon Ó Cuív

301. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Education when a decision will be made on an appeal against a decision not to provide additional accommodation for a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30387/21]

Fishing Industry

Éamon Ó Cuív

354. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will consider reinstating capacity lost by fishermen since the beginning of the first lockdown in March 2020 and giving an additional 12 months to them from the date of reinstatement to use this capacity in view of the disruption caused by Covid-19, when getting advice and contacting and meeting the Sea Fishing Boat Licencing Authority was difficult; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30374/21]

Fishing Industry

Éamon Ó Cuív

355. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the total fishing boat capacity allocated to Ireland under the Common Fisheries Policy; the amount of such capacity that is active at present; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30375/21]

Rural Recreation Policy

Éamon Ó Cuív

357. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if it is possible to combine funding paid for projects under the outdoor recreation scheme measures 1, 2 and 3 with work carried out by the rural social scheme, community employment and Tús schemes in order to maximise the effect of these projects and to keep costs to a minimum; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30379/21]

Public Procurement Contracts

Éamon Ó Cuív

358. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the steps she plans taking to reduce the amount of bureaucracy and cost associated with tenders for projects under €200,000 which are sought by her Department or by agencies on behalf of her Department; the discussions she or her Department have had with the Office of Public Procurement on this matter; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30380/21]

Rural Recreation Policy

Éamon Ó Cuív

359. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she is considering increasing the maximum grant aid under the outdoor recreation scheme measures 2 and 3 to 90% in view of the difficulty of obtaining matching funding for such projects; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30381/21]

National Broadband Plan

Éamon Ó Cuív

93. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of premises connected to date under the roll-out of the National Broadband scheme; the number of premises surveyed to date; when details of the projected roll-out area by area will be available for all premises covered by the scheme; the projected cost of the National Broadband scheme for the next 20 years; the projected completion date of roll-out; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29203/21]

Renewable Energy Generation

Éamon Ó Cuív

129. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the expected increase in renewable energy generation in 2021; the expected increase between now and 2030; the actions being taken to achieve this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29204/21]

Water Services

Éamon Ó Cuív

347. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the amount paid from the Exchequer to Irish Water, that is, current and capital each year since its inception up to the end of 2020; the provision in the estimate for 2021 for Irish Water; the estimated provision of funding over the next five years to allow it deal with the critical under investment in public water and wastewater services in the past; if Irish Water has confirmed to him that it has the necessary approvals from the Commission for Regulation of Utilities to allow it to proceed with its investment plans; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29797/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Éamon Ó Cuív

41. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he plans to provide further funding to an organisation (details supplied) in 2021 in view of the effects of the Covid-19 on the organisation and the need to facilitate young persons engaging in activities as Covid-19 recedes and restrictions are lifted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27606/21]

Mental Health Services

Éamon Ó Cuív

94. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the additional programmes being supported by his Department to assist with mental health issues amongst young adults particularly in view of the mental health effects of Covid-19; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27607/21]

Common Agricultural Policy

Éamon Ó Cuív

272. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he plans to pursue a policy of 100% convergence of the value of entitlements for farm schemes by 2027 in view of the fact that the only basis for different values being assigned to entitlements for farm schemes is the amount of grants paid to farmers in each of the years 2001 to 2003 and that a very significant number of entitlements have been transferred since; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28955/21]

Common Agricultural Policy

Éamon Ó Cuív

273. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he plans introducing a limit on the maximum farm grants that would be payable to farmers under the forthcoming CAP programme; if so, the conditions that will attach to same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28956/21]

Common Agricultural Policy

Éamon Ó Cuív

274. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he plans to ensure there is a direct relationship between the rates of payment under the ANC scheme and the natural constraint on production of different types of land under the forthcoming CAP; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28957/21]

Common Agricultural Policy

Éamon Ó Cuív

275. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the steps he plans taking to ensure that as much of the grants payable to farmers under the forthcoming CAP will remain with the farmer and that compliance costs will be kept to a minimum in view of the income challenges faced by the agriculture sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28958/21]

Road Projects

Éamon Ó Cuív

5. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if it is planned to provide a second tranche of funding for LIS roads in 2021; the discussions she has had with the Department of Transport in relation to possible co-funding of this programme by that Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27880/21]

Departmental Programmes

Éamon Ó Cuív

46. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development her plans to expand the community service programme to ensure that more persons who are distant from the labour force get an opportunity of gainful employment and to stimulate new social enterprises; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27881/21]

Driver Test

Éamon Ó Cuív

113. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Transport if theory test centres are currently open; if the processing of the backlog of theory test application forms on hand has commenced; if so, the estimated time it will take to clear these backlogs; if not, when it is planned to open them and resume full service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27748/21]

Driver Licences

Éamon Ó Cuív

141. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Transport if he plans to introduce legislation to extend the duration of learner driver permits in view of the delay in driving tests; if so, when this will occur given it is urgent that learner drivers are permitted to continue driving within the law; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27931/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment

Éamon Ó Cuív

423. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Social Protection the formal procedure in place for setting up a recovery plan over a period of time in respect of substantial Covid pandemic unemployment overpayments; the length of time customers have to repay the overpayment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28264/21]

Agriculture Industry

Éamon Ó Cuív

47. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if an analysis has been carried out by his Department on the relationship between the value of entitlements and stocking density on livestock farms; if so, the result of this analysis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26488/21]

Harbours and Piers

Éamon Ó Cuív

73. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he plans sanctioning the building of a deep-water pier in Ros a’ Mhíl soon in order that it can be built before the planning for the pier runs out in 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26489/21]

Irish Language

Éamon Ó Cuív

82. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he plans to provide ring-fenced funding for the provision of additional courses in third level colleges in cases in which the tuition would be through the medium of Irish to ensure there will be sufficient persons available with third level qualifications to meet the likely requirements of the Official Languages (Amendment) Bill 2019; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25445/21]

Research Funding

Éamon Ó Cuív

152. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he plans to increase the proportion of dedicated research funds that are provided annually towards blue skies research to ensure that Ireland attracts and retains top scientists in the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25446/21]

Scrúduithe Stáit

Éamon Ó Cuív

272. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Oideachais an mbeidh dátaí na harteiste a chuireann isteach ar an scrúdú Ard Teiste i mbliana agus a roghnaíonn an dá rogha idir gráid réamh-meastach agus an scrúdú a shuí in don an ceann is fearr de na torthaí a roghnú ábhar ar ábhar nó an mbeidh orthu rogha a dhéanamh idir an dá thoradh iomlán sa scrúdú iomlán; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [27259/21]

Prison Service

Éamon Ó Cuív

337. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Justice if a person from this State and serving a prison sentence in Northern Ireland can apply under the Transfer of Sentenced Persons Act 1995 to serve the prison sentence in this jurisdiction; the conditions under which such an application can be made; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27251/21]

Prison Service

Éamon Ó Cuív

338. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Justice if a person who is Irish and lives ordinarily in Northern Ireland and is serving a prison sentence in Northern Ireland can apply under the Transfer of Sentenced Person Act 1995 to serve the prison sentence in this jurisdiction on the basis of their Irish citizenship; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27252/21]

Departmental Schemes

Éamon Ó Cuív

396. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if it is her plan to increase the proposed funding of LIS roads and CLÁR projects in cases in which there are suitable projects on hand in local authorities at present; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27264/21]

Community Employment Schemes

Éamon Ó Cuív

95. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of places approved for the community employment scheme and the Tús scheme nationally; the number of participants on these schemes, respectively; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25422/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment

Éamon Ó Cuív

144. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of recipients of the pandemic unemployment payment at the start of each month in 2021; the projected numbers predicted to be on the scheme on 1 June 2021 and 1 July 2021; if it is planned to continue with this scheme after this date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25423/21]

Fishing Industry

Éamon Ó Cuív

412. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if progress has been made in resolving the dispute in relation to Irish fishing boats accessing the waters around Rockall; the negotiations that have taken place in relation to this matter; the parties to the negotiations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26373/21]

Apprenticeship Programmes

Éamon Ó Cuív

613. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the reason that SOLAS is insisting that apprenticeship examinations are held on site in colleges in 2021 when other third-level examinations are been held remotely; if medical advice was obtained by SOLAS in relation to this policy; if he is satisfied that this policy does not pose a risk by bringing students back on campus for the duration of the examinations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25735/21]

Forestry Sector

Éamon Ó Cuív

693. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of felling licences granted for timber felling in each month in the first four months of 2021 compared to the same period in 2020; the volume and hectares of timber involved in each case; the reason that felling licences issued in 2021 were for less hectares and volume than in 2020; the further steps being taken to issue licences more quickly in view of the backlog of applications awaiting approval and the severe shortage of processed timber on the market at present; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25595/21]

Forestry Sector

Éamon Ó Cuív

694. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason the area within which forestry licences must be screened for appropriate assessment has been increased to 15km from 3km; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25596/21]

Community Development Projects

Éamon Ó Cuív

729. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if her Department is accepting applications for new community services projects at present from disadvantaged communities; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25736/21]