Ceisteanna Parlaiminte

Planning Data

Bríd Smith

772. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of applications submitted to planning authorities for data centres in each of the years 2010 to 2020 and to date in 2021. [19847/21]

Middle East

Bríd Smith

837. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will raise the detention of a person (details supplied) with the Ambassador and officials of the Egyptian Embassy in Ireland; if he will convey concerns in relation to the continued detention of the person and the lack of engagement with their family on their location or status; if he will convey the concerns of human rights advocates regarding the treatment of prisoners in Egypt; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18259/21]

Departmental Funding

Bríd Smith

1002. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Education if a monetary allowance is provided for music teachers that facilitate and have various duties of the day of leaving certificate music practical exams; if not, if her attention has been drawn to the functions and duties of such teachers and their requirement to be present on the day; and the reason no payment is provided for music teachers in these circumstances. [19155/21]

Gender Recognition

Bríd Smith

1120. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Social Protection her views on the lack of progress in the area of legal recognition for non-binary persons; if she is committed to providing for an X mark on legal documents in line with the practice in other progressive European countries; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18612/21]

Public Services Card

Bríd Smith

1133. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will clarify the situation with regard to the issuing of new public services cards; if her attention has been drawn to the fact that persons cannot get access to certain services, for example, applying for a learner’s permit due to public services cards which are needed to apply for same are not being issued at present; the alternatives to accessing services without a public services card that exist; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18979/21]

Child and Family Agency

Bríd Smith

1231. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number and name of all private providers of children's residential care for Tusla; the number of residents currently in privately run residential homecare for children; the estimated full cost of funding to all private providers of children’s residential care contracted by Tusla since 2010; and the number and cost of funding and providing services to residents in residential care provided directly by the HSE. [19104/21]

Language Schools

Bríd Smith

1324. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he has considered the plight of the English language education sector that has been decimated during the pandemic due to its reliance on international travel (details supplied); if much needed supports being provided will be extended until the sector has sufficiently recovered; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19533/21]

Student Universal Support Ireland

Bríd Smith

1339. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if student nurses who were requested by the State to work during the first wave of Covid-19 in 2020 will be penalised by SUSI when their earnings are taken into account for the current academic year; if he can intervene in such cases; if he will amend the regulations that are facilitating the reduction in the grants available to student nurses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20330/21]

International Protection

Bríd Smith

1380. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Justice the waiting times for first decisions and appeal decisions for applicants for international protection; the number of letters regarding decisions issued each month; the current backlog of numbers as a result of Covid-19 restrictions; the projected time it will take to clear the backlog; the number of interviews taking place each month; the number of first interviews conducted in 2020; the number that were conducted outside of Dublin; the specific measures taken to speed up the process; the number of staff working on this process; her plans to hire additional staff; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18255/21]

Asylum Applications

Bríd Smith

1424. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Justice if she will take steps to implement the recommendation of the Catherine Day advisory group to use her discretionary power to grant permission to remain to persons who have been in the asylum process for some time; if she will acknowledge that in granting permission she would significantly reduce the current backlog in the process and ensure that any new system will not inherit this backlog; if she will also review all deportation orders with a view to granting permission as a humane expression of compassion and solidarity to all migrants who have had to contend with the anxiety and precariousness of their situation during an unprecedented public health emergency; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19182/21]

Covid-19 Tests

Bríd Smith

1562. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Health if the HSE has records of the number of homecare workers who have tested positive for Covid-19 during the past three months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18266/21]

HSE Data

Bríd Smith

1665. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Health the amounts paid by the HSE or other public bodies to a hospital (details supplied) in each of the years 2010 to 2020 and to date in 2021 for any services under the National Treatment Purchase Fund or other scheme to provide medical services for public patients. [18597/21]

Health Services Provision

Bríd Smith

1673. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact that many trans persons are being forced abroad for surgery due to the lack of public healthcare surgery options in Ireland; his plans to replace the surgeon who provided public surgery for trans persons but who retired in 2020 leaving many with no option but to travel abroad; his plans to improve the poor level of health surgery aftercare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18610/21]

Healthcare Policy

Bríd Smith

1674. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Health if he will introduce a new model of care for trans persons by investing in surgery options here and providing training for general practitioners in order that they can provide an excellent and informed level of aftercare for trans persons; his views on the need to abide by international best practice standards of care as established by the WHO; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18611/21]

Home Help Service

Bríd Smith

1744. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Health if the HSE has awarded contracts for home help work to a service (details supplied); the costs of such contracts from 2010 to date; and the number of hours involved. [18864/21]

Home Help Service

Bríd Smith

1745. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to plans by a service (details supplied) to cease operations and the transfer of workers to another service; the impact this will have on home help services in the area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18865/21]

Home Help Service

Bríd Smith

1746. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Health if the HSE or his Department have been notified of the plan by a service (details supplied) to cease operations; and his views on plans by the HSE to continue with existing levels of home help hours for residents affected. [18866/21]

HSE Data

Bríd Smith

1839. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Health the number and name of all home care providers for older persons used by the HSE; the cost of same in 2018, 2019 and 2020; the number of home help hours provided by private contracted companies; and the number provided directly by HSE staff in the same period. [19101/21]

Disabilities Data

Bríd Smith

1840. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Health the number and name of all private providers of disability residential care for the HSE; and the number of disability residents currently in privately run residential homecare excluding residential nursing homecare for the elderly. [19102/21]

Disability Services Funding

Bríd Smith

1841. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Health the estimated full cost of funding to all private providers of disability residential care contracted by the HSE in 2018, 2019 and 2020 excluding nursing homecare for the elderly; and the number and cost of funding and providing services to disability residents in residential care provided directly by the HSE. [19103/21]

Eating Disorders

Bríd Smith

1875. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Health the number of available beds for inpatient treatment for eating disorders that are available in the public health system; his plans to increase this capacity; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19207/21]

Eating Disorders

Bríd Smith

1876. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Health if the HSE and the public health system will fund inpatient treatment for a patient with severe eating disorders in a private hospital which is geared specifically for dealing with such disorders; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19208/21]

Eating Disorders

Bríd Smith

1877. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Health if the funding allocated to treatment of persons with eating disorders that has been unspent since 2017 can be used to access inpatient treatments in private facilities giving the failure to date to implement a national plan for dealing with this illness; his plans to increase services aimed at such patients; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19209/21]

Eating Disorders

Bríd Smith

1878. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Health the length of time a person (details supplied) who has a life threatening condition will be waiting for the necessary treatment given that they have been placed on a waiting list for outpatient treatment since October 2020 and remain untreated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19210/21]

Vaccination Programme

Bríd Smith

1987. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Health if he plans to offer another vaccine to those under 30 years of age in view of the links between a vaccine (details supplied) and blood clots, particularly in young women and the UK advice that persons under 30 years of age should receive an alternative vaccine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19511/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Bríd Smith

1990. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Health the position of persons in cases in which they have urgent family reasons to visit Ireland, for example, an extremely ill parent, are coming from a designated state, have been fully vaccinated and who have a negative PCR test prior to their departure; if such persons are required to undertake mandatory hotel quarantine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19521/21]

Vaccination Programme

Bríd Smith

1991. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Health if clarification will be provided on the new criteria for vaccine roll-out; the dates on which those in the 65 to 69 years of age cohort are likely to be treated; if they or any other cohort with concerns can be facilitated in the choice of the vaccine available; if a refusal of a particular vaccine will result in an extended delay; if such concerns will be facilitated going forward; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19524/21]

Bus Services

Bríd Smith

41. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Transport if each new BusConnects route will be tendered in a competitive tendering process when each existing Dublin Bus route is replaced by a new revamped route; if not, if each route will be directly awarded by the National Transport Authority, NTA; if the company operating the existing most approximate route to the new route will be automatically selected to operate the new route system in each case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17657/21]

Bus Services

Bríd Smith

42. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Transport if his attention has been drawn to the high cost of monthly and yearly travel passes for bus travel in Dublin (details supplied); if he plans to reduce the costs of public transport and bus fares in Dublin specifically; the timeframe for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17658/21]

Social and Affordable Housing

Bríd Smith

135. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if a prospective tenant who qualifies for the homeless HAP support can rent a home from a landlord that is related to them; if so, the circumstances and rules regulating same; if each local authority is operating the system under the same guidelines; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17659/21]

Social and Affordable Housing

Bríd Smith

137. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will provide a breakdown of the 29,720 households that have had their social housing needs met since 2016; the percentage that were housed through private rental accommodation and housing assistance payments; the percentage that were allocated permanent housing through local authority housing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17719/21]

Social and Affordable Housing

Bríd Smith

138. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will provide a breakdown of the 6,813 households that have had their social housing needs met since 2019; the percentage that were housed through private rental accommodation and housing assistance payments; the percentage that were allocated permanent housing through local authority housing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17720/21]

Social and Affordable Housing

Bríd Smith

139. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will provide a breakdown of the 61,880 households assessed as being qualified for social housing supports as of 2 November 2020 by household size; if any of these households are currently in receipt of the housing assistance payment; the percentage that are in homeless accommodation; the percentage that are on transfer lists in the local authorities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17721/21]

Social and Affordable Housing

Bríd Smith

140. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if there are other households assessed as being qualified for social housing supports that are not included in the 61,880 households assessed as being qualified for social housing supports as of 2 November 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17722/21]

Housing Provision

Bríd Smith

141. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will provide a breakdown of the 25,000 households that he stated had their housing needs met in 2020 (details supplied); the way these needs were met for the 25,000 households; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17723/21]

Community Employment Schemes

Bríd Smith

244. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Social Protection if and the reason changes were made in 2019 to the operational rules of community employment supervisor pay scales; the reason community employment supervisors on a higher pay point who have their employment interrupted or contract ended are subsequently being rehired as supervisors on a lower pay point; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17831/21]

Health Services

Bríd Smith

319. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the significant upfront cost for women who use a long-acting reversible contraceptive (details supplied) to control their fertility; his views on whether this cost is prohibitive for many women and an unfair financial burden on them; if he will take steps to make contraceptive products free for those who need them; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17741/21]

Cabinet Committees

Bríd Smith

10. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee on Covid-19 will next meet. [13271/21]

Cabinet Committees

Bríd Smith

23. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee that deals with the economy will next meet. [13270/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Bríd Smith

69. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Finance the reason the Revenue Commissioners deduct tax refunds due to workers for medical expenses from outstanding amounts owed from the administration of the pandemic unemployment payment and temporary wage subsidy scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17189/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Bríd Smith

148. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Finance the reason workers are facing tax bills from the administration of the temporary wage subsidy scheme when the instruction to the employers was to top-up wages only to normal net amounts, effectively meaning a cut in gross pay and a saving to employers; if he will examine this position again in view of the fact that workers now facing tax bills received no improvement in their take home pay but are now presented with a tax bill; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17190/21]

IDA Ireland

Bríd Smith

174. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment his views on the IDA seeking to establish links with businesses in Israel; if he will take steps to ensure that there is no cooperation between Ireland and the Israeli state, given its treatment and repression of the Palestinian people; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16445/21]

Driver Test

Bríd Smith

286. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Transport his views on the difficulties that essential workers currently experience in trying to secure a full driver licence, as they are exempt from the Covid-19 related ban on taking a driving test but are unable to do so due to the fact the current restrictions make it difficult to complete the mandatory 12 driver lessons in advance; if he will take steps to ensure that essential workers can complete their required number of lessons in order that they can take the test; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16896/21]

Arts Policy

Bríd Smith

443. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she will clarify the position on providing a universal basic income to the arts community; the progress on the work of the arts and culture recovery task force; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17296/21]

Passport Applications

Bríd Smith

520. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if his attention has been drawn to the fact that passports are often required as proof of identity and are often the primary source of identification for non-drivers; if his attention has been further drawn to the fact that the use of passports is important for reasons other than travel and the pausing of the issuing of passports is causing significant difficulties for many persons whose passport has expired; the date for the earliest resumption of the issuing of passports; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16714/21]

State Examinations

Bríd Smith

590. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Education if the students in the five special schools for children at risk in Ireland will be afforded the opportunity to sit their junior certificate examinations in June 2021 given there are no leaving certificate examinations held in these schools and no public health concerns thereby arising; if she will engage directly with the schools in relation to the issue; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16781/21]

State Examinations

Bríd Smith

591. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Education if the students in the five special schools for children at risk in Ireland will be afforded the opportunity to sit their junior certificate examinations in June 2021; the reason special schools are not represented (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16782/21]

National Childcare Scheme

Bríd Smith

727. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth his plans to ensure all childcare providers will sign up to the national childcare scheme; if his attention has been drawn to the hardship that refusal of some providers to join the scheme is having on parents; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17122/21]

Vaccination Programme

Bríd Smith

977. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Health if he will urge NIAC to reconsider the decision to omit cardiac patients from the very high-risk group in the Covid-19 vaccination schedule in view of the medical evidence that supports the potential for very poor outcomes for persons with cardiac conditions who contract the virus; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16710/21]

Health Services Provision

Bríd Smith

215. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Health the waiting times for access to speech and language therapy, occupational therapy and psychological services in the Dublin CHO7 area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16184/21]

Speech and Language Therapy

Bríd Smith

216. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Health the number of speech and language therapists who remain redeployed to other areas as a result of the Covid-19 emergency; and the number of same who are from the CHO7 area.; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16185/21]

Health Services Staff

Bríd Smith

217. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Health when the proposed recruitment of new therapists will take place; the health areas to which they will be allocated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16186/21]

Cabinet Committees

Bríd Smith

5. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee that deals with housing will next meet. [13269/21]

Electric Vehicles

Bríd Smith

113. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Transport if he will conduct a review of Ireland's carbon footprint when implementing the plan in the Climate Action Plan 2019 for 1 million electric vehicles. [13282/21]

Bus Services

Bríd Smith

122. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Transport if he plans to proceed with the initial stages of the BusConnects scheme for Dublin; if his attention has been drawn to the concerns of workers involved that the introduction of the new design will mean widespread changes to existing rights, conditions and labour practices; if he will meet with workers' representatives to discuss the implications of the plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14306/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Bríd Smith

286. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Transport his plans to ensure that front-line workers have access to public transport if current reduced capacity restrictions continue and specifically if dedicated services for staff to and from acute hospitals will be considered; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1826/21]

Code of Conduct on Mortgage Arrears

Bríd Smith

438. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Finance if the code of conduct for mortgage arrears is a voluntary code; if not, if a regulatory body in the State will enforce its application; the mechanism the State has to ensure financial and corporate bodies abide by the code and engage with persons in arrears; his policy on dealing with threats to family homes as a result of such arears; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14186/21]

Tax Yield

Bríd Smith

483. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Finance the number of persons who have filed domicile levy returns; the amount collected since commencement to date for which figures are available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15187/21]

International Agreements

Bríd Smith

775. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the engagement his Department has had with the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment in respect of COVAX, and Covid technology access pool or C-TAP; the position taken by Ireland on the European Commission's opposition to a TRIPS waiver on Covid-19 vaccines at the meeting in March of the World Trade Organization; the engagement he plans to have with that Department in advance of the next WTO meeting in April; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15376/21]

Health and Social Care Professionals Registration Boards

Bríd Smith

1129. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science further to Parliamentary Question No. 606 of 27 January 2021, the status and details of the outcome of engagement between CORU, education providers and the relevant stakeholders on the issue of alternatives to placements for social care students in 2021 in view of the public health restrictions which have impacted substantially on students’ ability to obtain and carry out placements; if his attention has been drawn to the stress and anxiety that this is causing to social care students; if he will take steps to ensure there is an appropriate solution provided as quickly as possible; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14880/21]

Ministerial Responsibilities

Bríd Smith

1272. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Justice if Deputy Humphreys will receive a Garda driven car and Garda security during her period as temporary Minister for Justice; if she will receive additional advisory staff for the six months in this extra role; if she received briefings from An Garda Síochána, the Defence Forces or other security details in preparation for the role; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15485/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Bríd Smith

1495. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Health the breakdown of all Covid 19-related deaths in nursing homes in January and February 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14412/21]

Speech and Language Therapy

Bríd Smith

1505. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Health the reason a child (details supplied) has been informed that the waiting list for speech and language therapy in their area has increased to 55 months; his views on whether this is an unacceptable wait time; the steps he will take to ensure the provision of the urgent assessment for the child; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14468/21]

Legislative Reviews

Bríd Smith

1634. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Health if the details of any proposed review of the Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Act 2018 will be provided; the timing and form this review will take; if the review will hear from concerned groups or accept submissions; the role of the Oireachtas Committee on Health in relation to same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14884/21]

Pension Provisions

Bríd Smith

10. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if An Post employees and their pension entitlements are covered by the provisions of the Postal and Telecommunications Act 1983; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13700/21]

Data Centres

Bríd Smith

40. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will review State policy relating to the building of data centres in Ireland and specifically the impact on energy consumption; if this policy is compatible with national climate-related targets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13279/21]

Proposed Legislation

Bríd Smith

58. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if clarification will be provided in relation to the proposed Marine Planning and Development Management Bill; his plans to set up a State or semi-State body to harvest off-shore wind energy for the benefit of the State and to aIl of its climate targets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13281/21]

Energy Policy

Bríd Smith

121. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will clarify Government policy in relation to the building of LNG terminals here; if such proposals are compatible with the State commitment to the Paris climate treaty; if he will consider a proposal to remove LNGs from the list in the Planning and Development Act 2000 of strategic infrastructure developments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13280/21]

Help-To-Buy Scheme

Bríd Smith

285. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Finance the number of successful applicants who have applied in each year of the operation of the help-to-buy scheme. [12887/21]

Irish Water

Bríd Smith

374. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if the situation of the service level agreement between Irish Water and local authority workers will be clarified; the number of workers covered by the agreement; the number of workers who have been requested to transfer fully to Irish Water to date; if his attention has been drawn to the number of workers who do not wish to transfer; the plans of his Department and Irish Water to deal with the number who do not wish to transfer; if the workers will be guaranteed their current conditions if they remain with the relevant local authority; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12625/21]

Home Loan Scheme

Bríd Smith

387. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if the Rebuilding Ireland home loan scheme is open to applicants who work less than 20 hours per week or are lone parents and in receipt of the one parent family payment. [12885/21]

Home Loan Scheme

Bríd Smith

388. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if a person can apply for both the Rebuilding Ireland home loan scheme and the enhanced help-to-buy scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12886/21]

Home Loan Scheme

Bríd Smith

389. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of successful applicants who have applied in each year of the operation of the Rebuilding Ireland home loan scheme. [12887/21]

Schools Amalgamation

Bríd Smith

507. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Education the details of plans for the amalgamation of three secondary schools (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12896/21]

Schools Amalgamation

Bríd Smith

508. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Education the details of the budget for the amalgamation of three secondary schools (details supplied); if provision is being made for the inclusion of a new gym, canteen and car parking facilities; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12897/21]

Pension Provisions

Bríd Smith

584. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will consider appointing representatives of affected groups to the Pensions Commission such as groups (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12912/21]

Student Universal Support Ireland

Bríd Smith

670. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will consider allowing first year college students who have particularly struggled during the pandemic to be permitted to repeat first year while retaining all SUSI grants; if he will acknowledge that some students have struggled with having to conduct their entire first year online and have been impacted negatively in terms of mental health and academic achievement; if he will examine the way in which students that are reliant on SUSI grants will be accommodated to repeat first year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12855/21]

Vaccination Programme

Bríd Smith

803. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Health when ninety persons in the over-85 years of age category who had appointments for Covid-19 vaccination cancelled without notice in Ballyfermot recently will receive vaccinations; if his attention has been drawn to the distress and confusion this has caused to the older persons that have been waiting patiently for their vaccinations and stuck rigidly to the public health restrictions for almost a year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12760/21]

Vaccination Programme

Bríd Smith

846. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Health the reason two members of the same family (details supplied), both in their 80s, are receiving vaccinations at different times; if his attention has been drawn to the immense sacrifice and stringent compliance with public health advice older persons have made; the steps he will take to rectify the inconsistent and irregular delivery of vaccines within localities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12938/21]

Vaccination Programme

Bríd Smith

218. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Health the date vaccination of the over 70 years of age cohort will commence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12333/21]

Health and Safety Inspections

Bríd Smith

38. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of Health and Safety Authority inspections in each month since September 2020 nationally and specifically in construction sites including the total number of these that were unannounced. [11702/21]

Horse and Greyhound Fund

Bríd Smith

209. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Finance if the minimum allocation to the Horse and Greyhound Fund is bound by the wording of Part 3 section 12(4) of the Horse and Greyhound Racing Act 2001, which specifies an amount equivalent to the revenue from excise duty on off-course betting paid into the Exchequer in the preceding year or the year 2000 increased by reference to the consumer price index, whichever is the greater; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11739/21]

Vaccination Programme

Bríd Smith

383. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Defence his plans to ensure Defence Forces personnel fulfilling duties overseas and in areas with high levels of Covid-19 community transmissions will receive the vaccination before embarking on such duties; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11700/21]

DEIS Scheme

Bríd Smith

473. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Education if she will address the discrepancy between mainstream primary schools that have received a reduction of one in the staffing schedule and DEIS band one schools that have only received a reduction of one in senior classes; if she will acknowledge that DEIS band one schools have not received any reduction in the schedule over the past number of years despite a reduction from 28 to 25 in mainstream schools; the steps she will take to introduce a reduction in class size at all class levels in DEIS band one schools to bring class sizes in the most disadvantaged areas in line with all other mainstream schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11691/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Bríd Smith

703. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Health the number of confirmed outbreaks of Covid-19 on construction sites and in industry in general. [11702/21]

Vaccination Programme

Bríd Smith

737. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Health if he will take steps to reprioritise those who are very high risk and extremely vulnerable, including transplant recipients and immunosuppressed persons, to be included in group 1 of the Covid-19 vaccination schedule; his views on whether those in the category have a high mortality rate if they contract Covid-19 and as a result have been reprioritised in the UK and are high on the Northern Ireland vaccination schedule; if he will provide immediate clarification to such groups that they will be included in group 1 of the vaccination roll-out; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11087/21]

Vaccination Programme

Bríd Smith

790. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Health if he will consider reprioritising persons with disabilities living in care homes in the Covid-19 vaccination schedule; if he will acknowledge that this vulnerable cohort often do not have a voice and often have very complex illnesses and needs which make them much more likely to succumb to the virus; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11298/21]

Vaccination Programme

Bríd Smith

890. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Health if he has plans to ensure Defence Forces personnel fulfilling duties overseas and in areas with high levels of Covid-19 community transmission will receive the vaccine before embarking on such duties; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11701/21]

Departmental Reports

Bríd Smith

1098. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she will provide the necessary resources such as communications and an index for the Crowe report issued in December 2020 which the new board of Waterford Area Partnership is expected to respond to but which will require assistance in doing so. [11717/21]

Exploration Licences

Bríd Smith

16. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the position in respect of licences for mining exploration on the Inishowen peninsula and specifically the situation regarding a licence (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10834/21]

Pension Provisions

Bríd Smith

112. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the status of planned changes to the rules of a pension scheme (details supplied) and arrangements and the annual administration fees pertaining to the superannuation scheme, specifically the outcome of consideration of this issue by her Department, NewERA and the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10753/21]

Offshore Exploration

Bríd Smith

61. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he or his officials have met with representatives of a company (details supplied) or other industry bodies in relation to the decommissioned infrastructure at the Kinsale gas field and the possible use of this in any field developed at the Barryroe field; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10212/21]

Mortgage Lending

Bríd Smith

175. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Finance the discussion he has had with banks and lending institutions on a moratorium for mortgage holders, and other borrowers, affected by the Covid-19 crisis; the details of the outcome of these meetings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9572/21]

Mortgage Lending

Bríd Smith

176. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Finance if his attention has been drawn to the fact that banks and lending institutions may be penalising mortgage holders and other borrowers who avail of a moratorium in repayments specifically and that some are subsequently being refused access to certain services, are unable to change lender and are otherwise facing withdrawal of possible services as a result of the moratorium; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9573/21]

Mortgage Lending

Bríd Smith

177. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Finance if he will arrange to meet urgently with banks and lenders that have operated a moratorium for mortgage holders and other borrowers who have been impacted by the Covid-19 crisis and urge them to ensure there is no subsequent discrimination against those who avail of the moratorium; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9574/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Bríd Smith

225. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Finance if the situation of self-employed workers who received either the pandemic unemployment payment or wage subsidy schemes in the past year and who may now face tax demands from the Revenue Commissioners will be clarified (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10504/21]

Special Educational Needs Staff

Bríd Smith

401. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Education if her attention has been drawn to the fact that SNAs attending the national training programme for SNAs in UCD, which has been running since January 2021, have yet to be informed as to the type of accreditation they will receive when they complete their studies; if the importance of SNAs being awarded a significant qualification upon completion of the UCD programme will be acknowledged; if so, the nature of such acknowledgement; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9403/21]

Teacher Training

Bríd Smith

534. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Education if the plight of students who enrolled in a private college (details supplied) will be examined; if she will examine the cost of this online course; and if assistance will be granted to students to pay the fees given the difficult circumstances of completing the course during the Covid crisis. [10502/21]

Teacher Training

Bríd Smith

535. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Education if the plight of students who enrolled in a private college (details supplied) will be examined; if the cost of this online course will be examined and the students granted access to the Gaeltacht grant of €650, which they are at present excluded from; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10505/21]

Local Development Companies

Bríd Smith

688. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will intervene with the WWETB, Waterford Wexford Education and Training Board, to ensure that help is being provided to the new board of an organisation (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10192/21]