Ceisteanna Parlaiminte

Medical Cards

Emer Higgins

787. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Health when the increased thresholds for the over-70s announced in budget 2020 will come into effect; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14219/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Emer Higgins

827. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Health further to the release of confirmed Covid-19 cases by electoral division up to 12 June 2020, when he will release updated data by electoral division on the number of Covid-19 cases; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14355/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Emer Higgins

846. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Health if the Covid-19 tracking app will work on a smartphone that has Bluetooth turned on and can access Wi-Fi at home but does not have access to a phone network or to internet 3G, 4G and so on over a phone network. [14420/20]

Value Added Tax

Emer Higgins

33. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Finance further to Parliamentary Question No. 81 of 16 June 2020, the reason dentists are excluded from a VAT exemption when many other medical professions are included; the reason dentists protecting patients from Covid-19 are treated differently to nursing homes protecting their residents from Covid-19 or doctors protecting their patients from Covid-19; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12759/20]

Insurance Industry

Emer Higgins

62. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Finance further to Parliamentary Question No. 45 of 3 June 2020, if a company (details supplied) is in breach of the voluntary agreement by increasing the premium for a business; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13364/20]

Special Educational Needs

Emer Higgins

126. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Education and Skills if the July provision will be available to children with learning disabilities in a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12800/20]

Special Educational Needs

Emer Higgins

133. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Education and Skills the supports available to children with special educational needs whose usual school and summer camp is not partaking in the voluntary July programme and when no offer of home-based provision has been provided; if no provisions have been provided, if she will work towards the early opening of dedicated special needs schools such as a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12850/20]

Special Educational Needs

Emer Higgins

202. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Education and Skills if post-primary children that were eligible and received home based July provision in previous years are automatically entitled to same in 2020; if parents will be reassured that their expenses will be covered when they submit the claim form at the end of the tuition in view of the absence of an email facility in relation to the matter from her Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13290/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Emer Higgins

382. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Health when SI No. 181 of 2020, Health Act 1947 (Section 31A – Temporary Requirements) (Covid-19 Passenger Locator Form) Regulations 2020 expires; his plans to extend it; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12737/20]

Cancer Services

Emer Higgins

385. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Health his plans to eliminate the wait for cancer patients as a result of the reorientation of the public and private health services during the Covid-19 crisis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12748/20]

Hospital Complaints Procedures

Emer Higgins

500. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Health the options available to a public hospital patient to make a complaint; the role of agencies outside the HSE and his Department such as the Ombudsman; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13291/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Emer Higgins

525. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Health further to his response to the contribution in Dáil Éireann of 11 June 2020 by this Deputy, when the number of days since a positive Covid-19 will be released by county and if possible, by electoral division; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13451/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Emer Higgins

721. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to compensate or require an airline (details supplied) to compensate passengers that did not catch their flights during the Covid-19 lockdown; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the airline is offering no refunds or vouchers and the only option passengers have is to reschedule their flights at their own expense; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13361/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Emer Higgins

750. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the additional supports that will be provided to childcare facilities that open before September 2020, in view of the fact they face additional costs (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12752/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Emer Higgins

51. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Finance the advice he can provide to a person who lost his or her job during the Covid-19 crisis, applied for a mortgage break for three months and now calculates that, over the lifetime of the mortgage, he or she will repay nearly triple the amount saved during the mortgage break; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11915/20]

Traffic Management

Emer Higgins

97. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if his attention has been drawn to the traffic congestion caused by the decision of the OPW to still impose traffic restrictions in the Phoenix Park; the plans of the OPW to lift traffic restrictions in the Phoenix Park that were introduced due to the Covid-19 crisis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12303/20]

Special Educational Needs

Emer Higgins

152. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Education and Skills the scientific justification for closing special educational units; the engagement with EU partners to share plans and experiences in respect of closing special education units; the reason for the absence of special education units from the Roadmap to Reopen Society and Business; his plans for special educational units in the event of a second wave of Covid-19; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11911/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Emer Higgins

388. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Health if public houses that serve food can reopen similar to restaurants under phase 3 of the Roadmap for Reopening Society and Business; if not, the public houses which can reopen similar to restaurants at this time; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11730/20]

Air Traffic Control Services

Emer Higgins

667. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the authority a person can complain to regarding low-flying helicopters making excess noise in the middle of the night; the legislation that governs this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11944/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Emer Higgins

699. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his attention has been drawn to difficulties that taxi drivers face in suspending their insurance during the Covid-19 crisis due to the fact the NTA insists on receiving the tamper-proof disc from the taxi and the likelihood that the NTA offices will be overwhelmed when taxi drivers request appointments to retrieve tamper-proof discs; if he will allow taxi drivers to suspend or update insurance without removing tamper-proof discs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12298/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Emer Higgins

708. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to make face masks mandatory on public transport; his further plans to increase the frequency of buses to ensure sufficient capacity while the numbers on buses are limited to comply with social distancing guidelines; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12354/20]

Early Childhood Care and Education

Emer Higgins

767. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if the ECCE will restart in September 2020; if so, the notice that will be given to childcare providers in advance of it restarting; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12300/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment

Emer Higgins

845. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the reason a person (details supplied) has not received backdated pandemic unemployment payments from the date he or she was made unemployed; the reason the local Intreo office is unable to facilitate this; if the person is entitled to such back payments; the process for claiming the back payment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12353/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Emer Higgins

81. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Finance if the announcement by the Revenue Commissioners that there will be no VAT on PPE applies to dental practices; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11049/20]

Third Level Institutions

Emer Higgins

238. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Education and Skills if his attention has been drawn to the substantial loss in revenue that universities face as a result of the reduction in numbers of international students; his plans to provide additional financial support to universities to overcome same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11060/20]

Direct Provision System

Emer Higgins

323. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Justice and Equality his plans to reform the direct provision system and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10697/20]

Driver Test

Emer Higgins

825. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his attention has been drawn to the fact that persons require driver licences in order to begin jobs; his plans to recommence driver tests in a manner that protects from the dangers of Covid-19; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10690/20]

Aviation Industry

Emer Higgins

826. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the details of the task force for aviation recovery which he announced in Dáil Éireann on 3 June 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10693/20]

Tourism Industry

Emer Higgins

862. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his long-term plans to support the tourism industry in view of the fact that many companies are unlikely to have substantial income until spring 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11052/20]

Early Childhood Care and Education

Emer Higgins

910. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs her plans to reinstate ECCE for those attending school in September 2020 in view of the fact they have missed three months of learning; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11055/20]

Teaching Qualifications

Emer Higgins

112. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Education and Skills if the distanced teaching work newly qualified teachers are doing online at home will qualify towards their probation process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9707/20]

School Accommodation

Emer Higgins

113. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Education and Skills if a school (details supplied) will be operating at a temporary location on a greenfield site in Ballycullen, Dublin 24 in September 2020 and will not be operating in its current location in another school for the 2020/2021 school year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9708/20]

Schools Building Projects

Emer Higgins

150. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Education and Skills the reason the land behind the temporary classrooms for a school (details supplied) will now be used for temporary classrooms for a new educate together school; the reason the land is not being used for a permanent building for the school; the reason there has been no communication with the school on this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10061/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Emer Higgins

310. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Health if an exemption will be made to the requirement for passengers to self-isolate for a passenger that has recently tested negative for Covid-19 by the public health authorities in Germany and the purpose of the trip is to see their children for a few days; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9856/20]

Medicinal Products

Emer Higgins

362. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Health the penetration rate of generic medicines in 2010 and in the most recent year for which figures are available; the penetration rate of biosimilar medicines; the amount which would be saved if the penetration rate of biosimilar medicines matched that of generic medicines; his plans to increase the penetration rate of biosimilar medicines; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9951/20]

Dental Services

Emer Higgins

369. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Health the supports available to dentists under financial pressures due to the requirement to restructure their practice due to Covid-19 and additional costs for PPE and the safe disposal of PPE as clinical waste; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9089/20]

Rent Pressure Zones

Emer Higgins

702. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government his plans for rent pressure zones and the exemptions that exist enabling landlords to increase the rent by more than 4%; if improving the energy efficiency of a house is considered an acceptable reason for an exemption; his views on whether these exemptions need to be tightened to protect tenants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10054/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Emer Higgins

44. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Finance if his attention has been drawn to the difficulties faced by businesses when an employee receiving the pandemic unemployment payment leaves their job due to the fact their replacement will not be eligible for the Covid-19 wage subsidy scheme; if he will amend the scheme in order that businesses are entitled to the wage subsidy scheme for the number of employees working in the organisation in February 2020 rather than for specific employees; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9087/20]

Insurance Industry

Emer Higgins

45. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Finance if his attention has been drawn to the fact that insurers are increasing premiums to customers despite no claims by the customer during the Covid-19 crisis and that they are demanding 25% of the premium to continue policies in suspended mode during the crisis by which cover is reduced; his plans to intervene to ensure fairness for business owners; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9091/20]

Schools Building Projects

Emer Higgins

156. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Education and Skills if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the application to extend a college (details supplied) has been at stage 2B for five years and that the original planning application will expire soon; the reason for numerous requests for revised stage 2B reports on this project; the status of this application; the date by which the school will be allocated funding to proceed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8371/20]

Schools Building Projects Applications

Emer Higgins

157. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Education and Skills the status of applications for school buildings (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8372/20]

Schools Building Projects

Emer Higgins

258. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Education and Skills the status of the new Citywest and Saggart post-primary school; the details of objections made; when the school will be built; the status of the sports grounds promised by the ETB; if these sports grounds will facilitate the local community; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9095/20]

Departmental Correspondence

Emer Higgins

428. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation if she has received and read correspondence from an organisation (details supplied) dated 7 May 2020; her views on the proposals contained in the correspondence; when it can expect a detailed response; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8373/20]

Competition and Consumer Protection Commission

Emer Higgins

431. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the role the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission can play in circumstances in which an airline is refusing to provide compensation or vouchers to passengers that cannot catch their flight due to the fact they are obeying advice on non-essential travel and the flight is still operating; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8462/20]

Credit Guarantee Scheme

Emer Higgins

462. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the supports available for persons who have been discharged from bankruptcy, were running profitable companies for over two years until the outbreak of Covid-19 but are ineligible for loans under the credit guarantee scheme for Covid-19 due to previous bankruptcy; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9090/20]

Cannabis for Medicinal Use

Emer Higgins

545. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Health the circumstances under which a person can acquire cannabis-based products (details supplied); the details of the clinical guidance required; the Department responsible for international controlled drug export licensing requirements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8463/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Emer Higgins

649. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Health if he has received advice from the Chief Medical Officer regarding the risk posed by the requirements in the Public Health (Alcohol) Act 2018 that segregates alcohol from other shops due to the requirement to open additional doors to purchase alcohol; if plans to implement this measure will be delayed due to the disruption caused to retailers by Covid-19; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9083/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Emer Higgins

650. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Health if public houses that serve food can reopen similar to restaurants under phase 3 of the Roadmap for Reopening Society and Business; if not, the public houses which can reopen similar to restaurants at this time; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9085/20]

Dental Services

Emer Higgins

651. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Health his plans to extend the provision of PPE to dentists that treat patients with sufficient PRSI payments under the treatment benefit scheme; if additional support will be provided to dentists to help with the cost of safely disposing of used PPE as clinical waste; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9088/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Emer Higgins

652. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Health the recourse available to families when a member of the family has symptoms of Covid-19 or has tested positive for Covid-19 but refuses to self-isolate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9093/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Emer Higgins

653. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Health the protocol in place in a nursing home (details supplied) for the isolation of patients that test positive for Covid-19; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9094/20]

National Broadband Plan

Emer Higgins

825. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the reason a provider (details supplied) is refusing to provide broadband at an address, when this area is eligible for broadband under the national broadband plan; the actions the owner of the property should take to get access to broadband; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9092/20]

Cycling Facilities

Emer Higgins

865. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to provide cycle lanes on the N7 to and from Rathcoole; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8368/20]

Road Safety

Emer Higgins

866. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if a location (details supplied) will be reviewed for safety for both cyclists and motorists; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8369/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Emer Higgins

867. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to protect taxi drivers during the Covid-19 crisis; the advice his Department is providing on adapting vehicles; the financial and non-financial supports that will be put in place to help taxi drivers with this transition; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8370/20]

Aviation Industry

Emer Higgins

876. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his attention has been drawn to the fact that airlines are refusing to provide compensation or vouchers to passengers who cannot catch their flights due to the fact that while the flight is still operating passengers cannot catch the flight because they are obeying advice on non-essential travel; his plans to ensure these passengers receive compensation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8461/20]

Aviation Industry

Emer Higgins

937. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to force an airline (details supplied) to provide a refund or a voucher to a pensioner that cannot catch a flight on 10 July 2020 due to the fact they are adhering to the guidelines on Covid-19 in order that they can take the journey in summer 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9096/20]

Local Employment Service

Emer Higgins

1115. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the details of the review by external consultants of all contracted public employment services; the outcome of this review; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9097/20]

Local Employment Service

Emer Higgins

1116. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the status of contracts with local employment services and jobs clubs to provide activation services and public employment services; when a decision will be made to extend these contracts; the criteria on which the decision will be made; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9098/20]

Maternity Leave

Emer Higgins

332. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if there is flexibility by which maternity leave payments can be extended due to exceptional circumstances during the Covid-19 crisis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7202/20]

Job Losses

Emer Higgins

405. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the support other than statutory redundancy that can be provided to workers of a company (details supplied) that has gone into liquidation; if she will invite the company to reconsider its approach and treat its staff fairly; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7200/20]

Redundancy Payments

Emer Higgins

933. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the supports available to help workers (details supplied) in south western areas of Dublin that are facing redundancy; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7201/20]