Ceisteanna Parlaiminte

International Protection

Bríd Smith

702. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Justice the outcome of the review into the conduct of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9585/21]

International Protection

Bríd Smith

703. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Justice if it will be ensured that a member of the International Protection Appeals Tribunal (details supplied) does not have their membership renewed given their opposition to Covid-19 restrictions and their views on gay rights; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9586/21]

Vaccination Programme

Bríd Smith

910. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Health if arrangements have been made to vaccinate persons in exceptional cases in advance of scheduled surgery whose surgeons deem them as extremely high mortality risk during and after surgery should they contract Covid-19; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9951/21]

Local Development Companies

Bríd Smith

1131. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she will clarify the position regarding the conditions attached to interdepartmental assistance which demands the resignation of the board of an organisation (details supplied); and if a forced resignation is contrary to the protected disclosure legislation and in circumstances in which the whistleblower had been assured covers them by her Department. [10186/21]

Local Development Companies

Bríd Smith

1132. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she will ensure that action is taken by her Department to support the new board of an organisation (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10188/21]

Local Development Companies

Bríd Smith

1133. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she will fully investigate a protected disclosure in relation to an organisation (details supplied); if she will allow an orderly timeframe for addressing the issues; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10190/21]

Local Development Companies

Bríd Smith

1134. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she will intervene with the relevant local authorities to ensure that help is being provided to the new board of an organisation (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10191/21]

Customs and Excise

Bríd Smith

169. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Finance the amount of the revenue from excise duty on off-course betting paid into the Exchequer in 2000 in relation to section 12 Part 4 of the Horse and Greyhound and Racing Act 2001 given in Irish pounds and in terms of Euro according to the official conversion rate from punts to euro for 2000; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8781/21]

Customs and Excise

Bríd Smith

170. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Finance the amount of the revenue from excise duty on off-course betting paid into the Exchequer in 2001 in relation to section 12 Part 4 of the Horse and Greyhound and Racing Act 2001 given in Irish pounds and in terms of Euro according to the official conversion rate from punts to euro for 2001; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8782/21]

Customs and Excise

Bríd Smith

171. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Finance the amount of the revenue from excise duty on off-course betting paid into the Exchequer in relation to section 12, Part 4 of the Horse and Greyhound and Racing Act 2001 for each of the years 2002 to 2019, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8783/21]

Customs and Excise

Bríd Smith

172. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Finance the amount that was determined for the years 2002 to 2019 to be equivalent to the revenue from excise duty on off-course betting paid into the Exchequer in 2000 in relation to section 12, Part 4 the Horse and Greyhound and Racing Act 2001 as increased by reference to the consumer price index for each of those years in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8784/21]

Customs and Excise

Bríd Smith

173. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Finance the amount of the excise duty on off-course betting paid into the Exchequer in 2020 in relation to section 12, Part 4 of the Horse and Greyhound and Racing Act 2001; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8785/21]

Customs and Excise

Bríd Smith

174. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Finance if his Department receives information as to the proportion of the revenue from excise duty on off-course betting paid into the Exchequer each year in relation to section 12, Part 4 of the Horse and Greyhound and Racing Act 2001 that is due to betting on the greyhound industry, betting on the horseracing industry and betting on other sports or outcomes; if he will investigate whether such information is collected at the off-course betting sources and could be made available to his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8786/21]

Defective Building Materials

Bríd Smith

262. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the progress of the working group on latent defects in apartment buildings set up in 2020; the interim findings of the group; if the group will be inviting submissions from affected apartment owners and others; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8030/21]

Defective Building Materials

Bríd Smith

263. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will support a State redress body to fund remedial works for defective apartments built in recent decades; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8031/21]

Defective Building Materials

Bríd Smith

264. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his plans to address weaknesses in the building regulations regime here including the enforcement of standards in relation to fire safety and other areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8032/21]

Special Educational Needs

Bríd Smith

421. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Education the estimated cost of fully implementing sections (details supplied) of the Education for Persons with Special Educational Needs Act 2004; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8449/21]

Departmental Legal Costs

Bríd Smith

422. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Education the estimated amount her Department has spent on legal costs arising from litigation involving children with special educational needs; the details of same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8450/21]

Vaccination Programme

Bríd Smith

861. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact that published data indicates a Covid-19 mortality rate amongst kidney patients similar to that of residents of long-term facilities; if his attention has been further drawn to the fact that expert medical opinion both here and internationally makes a strong case on medical and ethical grounds for the need for all kidney patients to be vaccinated earlier than currently planned; if this extremely at risk group will be moved to the top of the vaccination schedule as a matter of priority; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8586/21]

Covid-19 Tests

Bríd Smith

914. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Health if a person can travel to Ireland from the United States of America to reunite with their partner during level 5 restrictions once the person obeys the requirement for OCR test and guaranteeing; if the advice is that such a journey is non-essential; if so, if it carries a potential fine or legal enforcement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8761/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Bríd Smith

58. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Finance if his attention has been drawn to the fact that businesses such as marketing agencies that operate in settings such as colleges and universities are currently not eligible for support under the Covid restrictions support scheme; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that although these companies' premises are not technically closed to the public, the locations in which they operate are significantly affected by Covid-19 restrictions, which has resulted in a substantial decline in revenue turnover; if the impact on these businesses will be examined with a view to extending the scheme to them to sustain them until students return to campus; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7578/21]

Social Welfare Benefits

Bríd Smith

176. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Social Protection if a worker on a banded-hours contract whose contract is formally such that he or she would earn less than €151 per week is automatically excluded from the pandemic unemployment payment; if employees in a situation in which employees may routinely have exceeded the €151 per week payment prior to the pandemic will be included; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7763/21]

Social Welfare Benefits

Bríd Smith

177. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Social Protection if an employee who is excluded from the pandemic unemployment payment by virtue of earning less than €151 per week but who is receiving less than his or her normal payment from his or her employer as a top-up can access supports from her Department or has an entitlement to seek jobseeker or other payments; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7764/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Bríd Smith

286. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Health the alternatives that are available to a general practice nurse who is 22 weeks pregnant and who under the new guidance issued on 5 January 2021 is scheduled to receive a vaccine (details supplied) and who will be part of the team rolling out a vaccine clinic at their practice; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that NIAC have advised that the vaccine should not be given during pregnancy; his views on the fact that even if this nurse receives the first dose they will be over 33 weeks pregnant by the time the second dose is scheduled to be given 12 weeks later; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7717/21]

Motor Tax

Bríd Smith

120. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Transport his plans to lower the cost of road tax in 2021 given the reduction in car and road usage during the Covid-19 pandemic as a result of restrictions on unnecessary travel to work and leisure and intercounty travel; if his attention has been drawn to the refunds made by motor insurance companies to reflect this; if he will make similar road tax adjustments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6504/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Bríd Smith

153. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Transport if he has given consideration to a declaration signed by several Ministers for Transport in the EU calling for certain measures to be taken to insure social responsibility in the aviation sector (details supplied); if he will sign this declaration; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6991/21]

Help-To-Buy Scheme

Bríd Smith

192. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Finance his plans to expand the help-to-buy scheme to include help with the purchase of second-hand homes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6499/21]

Tax Data

Bríd Smith

193. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Finance the projected amount of outstanding tax owed by PAYE workers as a result of the operations of the temporary wage subsidy scheme and employment wage subsidy scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6505/21]

Tax Data

Bríd Smith

194. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Finance if he will consider a write-off of tax liability accruing to workers as a result of the operation of income and wage supports during the Covid-19 crisis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6506/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Bríd Smith

562. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth his plans to ensure front-line workers can access childcare and crèche facilities in a situation in which their usual provider is unable to offer them a place or the facility is currently closed (details supplied); if his Department or another body can organise alternative places for parents caught in this situation; if a register of facilities with vacancies can be made available in order that front-line workers can find alternative spaces for their children; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7183/21]

Work Permits

Bríd Smith

609. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Justice if a person (details supplied) will be given permission to work; if the application for a work permit will be expedited; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6441/21]

Vaccination Programme

Bríd Smith

806. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Health if those who are considered very high risk by the HSE if they contract Covid-19 and have been told to remain home from work following an occupational health assessment are a priority in the vaccine schedule; when persons with sarcoidosis on the lungs with pulmonary fibrosis will be vaccinated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6794/21]

Hospital Waiting Lists

Bríd Smith

951. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Health the length of the wait time for a woman to avail of a mammogram; if the wait time is improving or worsening; his plans to reduce these waiting times; the reason it is possible to get a mammogram in the private sector with a general practitioner referral letter in a much quicker timeframe; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7388/21]

Beef Imports

Bríd Smith

1030. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to ensure consumers use less imported beef products and greater amounts grown locally especially during the recent crisis and delays in imports and the implications that importing and exporting beef has for climate concerns; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7178/21]

Meat Processing Plants

Bríd Smith

2. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if the HSA has conducted an inspection of a meat processing plant (details supplied) to ensure recently arrived workers here are being facilitated by the company to quarantine in line with public health advice prior to commencing work at the plant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6187/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Bríd Smith

25. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Transport if there are plans to retrofit windows on Irish Rail trains given the evidence-based role of fresh air ventilation during the pandemic; if Irish Rail will ensure there is a sufficient number of personnel to monitor the required and correct wearing of face coverings by passengers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6070/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment

Bríd Smith

48. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Finance the number of pandemic unemployment payment recipients who have received demands for tax owed as a result of the payment. [6182/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment

Bríd Smith

49. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Finance if his attention has been drawn to pandemic unemployment payment recipients who are being taxed on incorrect estimates of the payment by the Revenue Commissioners; and the number who have contacted his Department as a result of incorrect figures. [6184/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Bríd Smith

79. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of persons that have sought protection from evictions or notice of termination under measures introduced in December 2020, that is, rent arrears as a result of the Covid-19 crisis; the number who have received assistance and advice from MABS as a result; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6185/21]

Special Educational Needs

Bríd Smith

108. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Education if there will be changes in 2021 to SNA allocations; her views on whether it has been an extremely difficult year for all those working in education; if a commitment will be given to clarify and provide information in relation to SNA allocations for 2021; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6145/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Bríd Smith

221. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Health if he will clarify the present status of St. Brigid's Hospital, Carrick-on-Suir, County Tipperary; if the hospital was used as a stepdown facility for Covid-19 patients in 2020; the cost of repurposing the facility for this purpose; the plans for the facility in the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6188/21]

Meat Processing Plants

Bríd Smith

256. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if a specific meat processing plant (details supplied) has provided for workers who have recently arrived here to quarantine in line with public health advice before commencing work at the plant; if inspectors from his Department at the plant have oversight knowledge or any regulatory role in relation to workers who have recently arrived in order to ensure public health advice is being followed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6186/21]

Apprenticeship Programmes

Bríd Smith

542. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science further to Parliamentary Question No. 288 of 21 January 2020, if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the inability of SOLAS to provide apprenticeship placements under current circumstances is resulting in delays of 15-plus months to apprentices receiving the necessary qualifications and that as a result their earnings are being severely affected (details supplied); if his attention has been further drawn to the fact that SOLAS is insisting on paying third-year apprentices the second-year rate of payment due to the delay in attaining the previous year's placements and qualifications; if he will request SOLAS to rectify this payment rate and ensure all third-year apprentices receive the hourly rate they are entitled to when on placements; the number of third-year apprentices in the various trades who are currently receiving lower rates of payment than they would ordinarily receive; his plans to address this loss of income for apprentices; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5722/21]

Vaccination Programme

Bríd Smith

613. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Health if he will clarify and address the fact that persons with cerebral palsy have been listed by the HSE in the high-risk category in respect of Covid-19 but do not appear as a high-priority group in the vaccination schedule; if it will be ensured that persons with cerebral palsy will receive priority in the roll-out of vaccinations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5012/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Bríd Smith

674. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Health the number of speech therapists and occupational therapists in the HSE who are redeployed to contact tracing or other Covid-19-related posts; the details of all other HSE staff redeployed from their usual post for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5253/21]

Greyhound Industry

Bríd Smith

928. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason for allowing greyhound racing to continue when hare coursing has correctly ceased during level 5 restrictions; the further reason for allowing an activity to continue in a confined space with persons travelling from around the country to various stadiums which is considered unsafe given the unprecedented high level of Covid-19 infections; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5160/21]

Rental Sector

Bríd Smith

103. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of tenants and the local authority in which they reside that have availed of or that have attempted to avail of protection from eviction notices as a result of falling into rent arrears during or due to the Covid-19 crisis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4830/21]

Special Educational Needs

Bríd Smith

158. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Education the progress of the establishment of an ASD specific school in Dublin 12; and if this facility will be operational by September 2021. [4847/21]

Parental Leave

Bríd Smith

553. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if definitive information will be provided to employers in relation to parental leave which can be taken in advance of April 2021 and the benefit claimed retrospectively; the steps he will take swiftly on behalf of parents whose employers state that they have no information in relation to this matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3826/21]

Vaccination Programme

Bríd Smith

664. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Health the person or body that the group and company refer to in the HSE briefing on the vaccination programme that refers to private vaccinator contractors specifically; the number of contractors the HSE plans to hire; the company employed; the reason the HSE is not directly recruiting any additional staff that may be needed for the programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3563/21]

Childcare Services

Bríd Smith

271. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the reason some essential workers whose children were offered places in creches and who are not taking up the offer of a place for their children are facing penalties from the crèche providers and still being charged for the child’s place; if his attention has been drawn to same; if his Department has had communication from crèche owners and management on this issue; if he will address the matter relating to fees and charges on parents who are not availing of a crèche place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3498/21]

Apprenticeship Programmes

Bríd Smith

288. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will clarify the situation in relation to SOLAS courses in which there is a requirement for a work placement, for example, for electricians and other apprenticeships; if his attention has been drawn to a significant backlog in placements which means many apprentices are not progressing through their education as they should but are also incurring huge costs and loss of income; his plans to address these backlogs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3427/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Bríd Smith

15. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will clarify the situation regarding the definition of essential and non-essential workplaces and services during the Covid-19 crisis and level 5 restrictions and specifically the definition that applies to the construction sites of companies, such as a company (details supplied); the specific definition applied to FDI firms and construction work; if the HSA has the authority to close down a workplace or retail outlet that is deemed to be non-essential; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2506/21]

Value Added Tax

Bríd Smith

125. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Finance the flat rate of VAT applicable to service providers such as breeders, trainers and kennel owners in the greyhound sector. [2846/21]

Value Added Tax

Bríd Smith

126. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Finance if the flat rate system of VAT could be applied within the greyhound sector if greyhounds were not classified as farm animals. [2847/21]

Value Added Tax

Bríd Smith

127. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Finance if the limit is applied to the turnover of a flat rate service provider in the greyhound sector which would require a service provider to register for VAT. [2848/21]

Value Added Tax

Bríd Smith

128. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Finance the amount of flat rate VAT being claimed by service providers in the greyhound sector. [2849/21]

Value Added Tax

Bríd Smith

129. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Finance if training, breeding and rehoming are classified as professional services, which attract a VAT rate of 23%; and if not, if they are classified as agricultural services to which the flat rate of VAT of 5.2% is applied. [2850/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Bríd Smith

215. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will consider suspending planning applications, appeals and submissions during the current phase of the Covid-19 pandemic, given the difficulties persons have contacting and interacting with various Departments and personnel during level 5 restrictions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2575/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Bríd Smith

292. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Education the supports or grants available to primary and secondary school students or their parents to purchase laptops to help with home schooling during the Covid-19 pandemic; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2274/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Bríd Smith

333. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Social Protection if a worker who accepts a voluntary redundancy from his or her employer as a result of the downturn due to the Covid crisis is entitled to claim the pandemic unemployment payment. [2202/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Bríd Smith

334. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Social Protection if a worker who is made redundant by his or her employer as a result of the Covid-19 crisis is entitled to claim the pandemic unemployment payment or if he or she must claim jobseeker's benefit or jobseeker's allowance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2203/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Bríd Smith

541. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Health if he will clarify the position on the definitions of essential and non-essential workplaces and services during the Covid-19 crisis and level 5 restrictions, specifically the definition that applies to the construction sites of companies such as a company (details supplied); the definition that applies to FDI firms and construction work; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2505/21]

Greyhound Industry

Bríd Smith

716. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason for classifying greyhounds as farm animals. [2845/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Bríd Smith

98. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he has read the recent NESC publication entitled Energy Transition Pathways and the Covid-19 Pandemic: An analysis of the green recovery responses in Denmark and Ireland. [42010/20]

State Examinations

Bríd Smith

537. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Education her definitive plans for the roll-out of oral exams for leaving certificate 2021 students; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1784/21]

Hospital Services

Bríd Smith

920. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact that patients invited to attend an outpatient appointment with a neurologist (details supplied) at St. Vincent’s University Hospital who have been given the option to attend, cancel or rebook in the past are now being informed that they have only one opportunity to rebook and then must take the subsequent appointment or be removed from the waiting list; his views on whether, during the Covid-19 pandemic, those with underlying health conditions or legitimate concerns about the current level of infections and are keen to comply with public health advice should be penalised by choosing to defer the appointment during the pandemic having spent several years on the waiting list in the first place; the reason for this change in hospital policy on neurology outpatient appointments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1073/21]

Company Liquidations

Bríd Smith

145. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment his plans for future legislation that will protect workers in situations of redundancy and insolvency in which they have agreements for enhanced redundancy arrangements with their employer; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43820/20]

Industrial Relations

Bríd Smith

146. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the details of discussions or contact he has had with the mediator in a dispute (details supplied); his plans to resolve same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43819/20]

Company Liquidations

Bríd Smith

201. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment his plans to resolve a dispute (details supplied); if he has met with the liquidators; if so, the details of the meetings; his plans to introduce legislation in line with the Duffy Cahill report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30565/20]

Company Law

Bríd Smith

202. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment his plans to intervene with the liquidators of a company (details supplied) that has sought High Court injunctions against former workers; his views on whether such actions will make a resolution of the dispute harder to achieve; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30566/20]

Wage Subsidy Scheme

Bríd Smith

427. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will clarify the previous assurances given to workers (details supplied) relating to payments to them as a result of short-time working; if claims dating back to the time of the operation of the temporary wage subsidy scheme have been dealt with; if these claims can be fast-tracked for the Christmas period; if her Department has been in contact with the company about its employees who have not received any payments or have been underpaid for days on which they were laid off due to the miscategorisation of their position by the company on the UP38 form; if workers, in the period before the EWSS was initiated, are entitled to some payment if they were only working for some days in each week; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44324/20]

Health Services Staff

Bríd Smith

104. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his plans to ensure pay restoration for section 39 workers in over 250 organisations who have not yet received pay restoration to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43648/20]

School Curriculum

Bríd Smith

169. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Education her plans to implement the recommendations of the report of the Oireachtas Joint Committee on the Eighth Amendment of the Constitution in respect of sex education; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43649/20]

Health Services Provision

Bríd Smith

286. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Health his plans to implement the recommendations of the Oireachtas Joint Committee on the Eighth Amendment of the Constitution report relating to freely available contraception; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43652/20]

Student Universal Support Ireland

Bríd Smith

54. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his plans to review the administration of the SUSI grant system to ensure the criteria used in allocating grants is fit for purpose in ensuring vulnerable low income students can avail of proper supports, specifically the use of criteria around qualifying payments for the special rate grant and the interpretation of 391 days and so on; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43217/20]

SOLAS Administration

Bríd Smith

98. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will meet with representatives of construction workers to discuss the impact of recent price rises from the SOLAS administered safe pass scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43216/20]

Departmental Expenditure

Bríd Smith

125. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Taoiseach if professional fees are paid by his Department on behalf of employees; if so, the total number involved; and the amount of each fee. [42709/20]

Protected Disclosures

Bríd Smith

268. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he received a protected disclosure from a person (details supplied); and the details of the action taken as a result of the disclosure. [42913/20]

Student Universal Support Ireland

Bríd Smith

416. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if, in relation to SUSI grants, a student who qualified for the special rate support grant in their first year on an undergraduate course can be subsequently removed from this rate if their parent comes off the qualifying payment (details supplied); if this can happen regardless of the household’s income, which continues to be under €24,500; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43286/20]

Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission

Bríd Smith

433. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Justice if she plans to reform the operations of GSOC; if she plans to allow for appeals by persons whose initial complaint to the commission is refused; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42914/20]

Deportation Orders

Bríd Smith

10. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Justice if her office will allow deportations of failed applicants for international protection to take place during the Covid-19 crisis or if a halt to deportations only applies to level 5 restrictions; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42528/20]

International Protection

Bríd Smith

28. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Justice the steps a person should take in appealing to her Department for permission to stay after their application for international protection has failed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42529/20]

Vaccination Programme

Bríd Smith

82. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Health the reason students in the healthcare sector who are working in public hospitals and on the front line of services during the Covid-19 pandemic are being told they must get the flu vaccination shot and must pay the full cost themselves; if he will arrange for such students to be reimbursed the costs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42324/20]

Ophthalmology Services

Bríd Smith

149. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Health the reason the reimbursements to applicants under the community ophthalmic services scheme have now been capped; the average figure now reimbursed across the scheme; and if he will make arrangements to ensure vulnerable low income applicants and their children can access additional supports to recover the costs if needed. [42325/20]

Departmental Expenditure

Bríd Smith

201. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if professional fees are paid by his Department on behalf of employees; if so, the total number involved; and the amount of each fee. [42698/20]

Departmental Expenditure

Bríd Smith

210. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if professional fees are paid by his Department on behalf of employees; if so, the total number involved; and the amount of each fee. [42699/20]

Departmental Expenditure

Bríd Smith

221. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Transport if professional fees are paid by his Department on behalf of employees; if so, the total number involved; and the amount of each fee. [42711/20]

Departmental Expenditure

Bríd Smith

235. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Finance if professional fees are paid by his Department on behalf of employees; if so, the total number involved; and the amount of each fee. [42700/20]

Departmental Expenditure

Bríd Smith

241. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if professional fees are paid by his Department on behalf of employees; if so, the total number involved; and the amount of each fee. [42706/20]

Departmental Expenditure

Bríd Smith

243. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if professional fees are paid by her Department on behalf of employees; if so, the total number involved; and the amount of each fee. [42710/20]

Departmental Expenditure

Bríd Smith

269. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if professional fees are paid by his Department on behalf of employees; if so, the total number involved; and the amount of each fee. [42704/20]

Departmental Expenditure

Bríd Smith

287. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if professional fees are paid by his Department on behalf of employees; if so, the total number involved; and the amount of each fee. [42701/20]

Departmental Expenditure

Bríd Smith

289. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Defence if professional fees are paid by his Department on behalf of employees; if so, the total number involved; and the amount of each fee. [42696/20]

Departmental Expenditure

Bríd Smith

300. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Education if professional fees are paid by her Department on behalf of employees; if so, the total number involved; and the amount of each fee. [42697/20]

Departmental Expenditure

Bríd Smith

310. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Social Protection if professional fees are paid by her Department on behalf of employees; if so, the total number involved; and the amount of each fee. [42708/20]

Departmental Expenditure

Bríd Smith

315. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if professional fees are paid by his Department on behalf of employees; if so, the total number involved; and the amount of each fee. [42695/20]

Departmental Expenditure

Bríd Smith

322. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if professional fees are paid by his Department on behalf of employees; if so, the total number involved; and the amount of each fee. [42702/20]

Departmental Expenditure

Bríd Smith

353. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Justice if professional fees are paid by her Department on behalf of employees; if so, the total number involved; and the amount of each fee. [42705/20]

Departmental Expenditure

Bríd Smith

424. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Health if professional fees are paid by his Department on behalf of employees; if so, the total number involved; and the amount of each fee. [42703/20]