Ceisteanna Parlaiminte

Departmental Budgets

Darren O'Rourke

116. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the estimated budget allocation for his reconfigured Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14959/20]

Driver Test

Darren O'Rourke

142. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the consultation with driving instructors that has taken place with the view to restarting driver tests; if he is satisfied appropriate guidelines will be in place to resume testing and lessons; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14955/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Darren O'Rourke

143. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the way in which he plans to support the thousands of workers employed in airlines and the airline industry in view of the huge challenges now facing the sector due to Covid-19; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14956/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Darren O'Rourke

144. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the amount of funding requested by each airline in view of the challenges facing the sector due to Covid-19; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14957/20]

Driver Test

Darren O'Rourke

145. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if consideration will be given to prioritising front-line workers who are waiting for driver tests due to the postponement during the Covid-19 pandemic; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14968/20]

Driver Licences

Darren O'Rourke

203. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of persons that are ordinarily resident here but driving on licences from another country; if he has considered the possibility of converting these licences into Irish licences as an emergency Covid-19 measure to help reduce the waiting list for driver tests; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15143/20]

Driver Test

Darren O'Rourke

242. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if the requirement for US citizens and returning Irish emigrants to sit a theory test and take driver lessons and a driver test within one year of living here will be extended by four months due to the Covid-19 restrictions on driver tests and lessons; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15514/20]

Driver Test

Darren O'Rourke

243. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will consider introducing a reciprocal agreement with the United States of America on driver licences in view of the fact that the current requirements place an undue burden on Americans and returning Irish emigrants who are actively recruited to invest and work here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15515/20]

Public Transport

Darren O'Rourke

244. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if even headway profiles are used in bus transport services here; his views on whether this is the best approach in the public transport system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15516/20]

Social Welfare Payments Administration

Darren O'Rourke

740. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection when social welfare payments will revert back to weekly payments as opposed to fortnightly payments; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15262/20]

Departmental Budgets

Darren O'Rourke

99. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the estimated cost in 2021 if the budget for green schools travel within his Department increased by 20%. [14003/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Darren O'Rourke

103. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if it is mandatory to wear a face covering in a taxi; the requirements and supports in place for drivers and passengers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14043/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Darren O'Rourke

104. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if the Bus Éireann fleet of public buses will be fitted with protective screens for drivers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14044/20]

Garda Stations

Darren O'Rourke

226. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the Garda stations within the Meath division that are being refurbished by the OPW; the Garda stations within the division that are due to be refurbished by the OPW over the next 12 months; the status of each project; and when each refurbishment project is due to be completed. [14001/20]

Children in Care

Darren O'Rourke

590. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the estimated cost in 2021 if the foster care allowance of €325 per week per child aged under 12 years of age was increased to €340 and for children aged over 12 years of age increased from €352 per week per child to €377 per week per child. [14002/20]

Disability Services Provision

Darren O'Rourke

693. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Health when services (details supplied) will be reopening after its closure due to Covid-19; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13894/20]

Disability Services Provision

Darren O'Rourke

694. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Health when a detailed roadmap for services for persons with disabilities will be published to give service users and their families clarity on the resumption of normal services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13895/20]

Health Services Staff

Darren O'Rourke

712. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Health his plans for the introduction of advanced and extended practice for medical scientists; the meetings he has had with the representative bodies (details supplied) on the subject; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13942/20]

Air Traffic Control Services

Darren O'Rourke

656. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the position regarding air traffic control fees for military flights using Irish airspace and airports here; if fees are waived for military aircraft; if so, the cost of waived fees in each of the years 2010 to 2019; and the cost waived for each individual military body; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12698/20]

Third Level Fees

Darren O'Rourke

236. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education and Skills the measures he will take to ensure third level fees are affordable for students who are unable to find summer work due to the Covid-19 pandemic and have had no other source of income for an extended period; his plans to provide additional financial support or to encourage third level institutions to reduce fees; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12445/20]

Education Data

Darren O'Rourke

238. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of graduates from professional master’s in education qualifying to teach Irish in each of the past five years; the way in which it compares to the number graduating with mathematics and English in the same period in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12461/20]

Medicinal Products

Darren O'Rourke

532. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Health when Tagrisso will be available to patients under the general medical scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12457/20]

HSE Complaints Procedures

Darren O'Rourke

533. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Health the avenues available to persons and families to make complaints regarding the quality of care received in public hospitals and private nursing homes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12458/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Darren O'Rourke

534. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Health when cinemas will be allowed to reopen; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12463/20]

Sports Funding

Darren O'Rourke

722. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the efforts he and agencies under his remit are making to ensure the future viability of a sport (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12459/20]

Driver Test

Darren O'Rourke

723. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he has considered an observation-only driver test delivered in dedicated testing areas in order to avoid interaction with traffic; the driver test alternatives that have been considered to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12460/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Darren O'Rourke

724. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if a risk assessment has been conducted at bus stops, train stations and on public transport in view of the increasing number of passengers returning during the period of ongoing Covid-19 restriction; if large numbers waiting at train stations are considered mass gatherings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12462/20]

Sports Funding

Darren O'Rourke

738. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the additional funding which will be made available to local sporting clubs in view of the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on fundraising opportunities; if funding will be allocated to national governing bodies; the extent of funding available; the process for applying for and distributing this funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12616/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Darren O'Rourke

772. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if it is permitted to take care of the children of other persons in a person's own home at this time; if so, the guidance that has been provided in such circumstances; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12443/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment

Darren O'Rourke

848. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if it is the case that employers are expected to pay wages for the Easter and May bank holidays of employees who were temporarily laid off and in receipt of the pandemic unemployment payment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12444/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Darren O'Rourke

141. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Finance if his attention has been drawn to the fact that some banks are charging interest on so-called Covid-19 mortgage breaks and that in some cases this will run into additional thousands of euro over the lifetime of a mortgage; his views on whether this is fair; the measures he is taking to stop this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11617/20]

Special Educational Needs

Darren O'Rourke

302. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education and Skills his plans for the July provision for 2020; his views on the fact that it is an essential need in view of the Covid-19 challenge; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11616/20]

Teacher Training

Darren O'Rourke

303. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education and Skills if the entry requirements for professional masters in primary education are increasing in 2021; the rationale for this decision; the options for students who have completed the leaving certificate but do not have the required result in Irish or mathematics, for example; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11621/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Darren O'Rourke

724. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Health the current advice on the wearing of face coverings in public; if it is mandatory with limited exceptions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11618/20]

Light Rail Projects

Darren O'Rourke

888. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the time frame for the feasibility study on light rail in County Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11609/20]

Rural Transport Programme

Darren O'Rourke

889. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when the national strategy for rural transport, Connecting Ireland, will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11610/20]

Tourism Promotion

Darren O'Rourke

890. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the measures taken to ensure the future viability of Shannon Airport; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11611/20]

Cycling Facilities

Darren O'Rourke

891. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the amount of funding allocated to support local authorities develop and implement cycle and walkway mobility plans; the process for applying for this funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11612/20]

Aviation Industry

Darren O'Rourke

892. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the membership, terms of reference and work schedule of the task force for aviation recovery; the proposals it has submitted to his Department to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11613/20]

Public Transport

Darren O'Rourke

893. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to establish a dedicated public transport recovery task force; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11614/20]

Aviation Industry

Darren O'Rourke

894. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if an organisation (details supplied) will be included on the task force for aviation recovery; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11615/20]

Parking Regulations

Darren O'Rourke

895. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will consider extending the criteria for eligibility for the disabled parking permit to include children with autism and ADHD; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11619/20]

Rural Transport Programme

Darren O'Rourke

896. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the funding allocation under the rural transport programme in each of the years 2018, 2019 and to date in 2020, by county in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11620/20]

Apprenticeship Programmes

Darren O'Rourke

277. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education and Skills when apprentice mechanics who had their studies interrupted due to Covid-19 will be able to return to study; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the interruption has prevented many apprentices moving on to the next pay scale (details supplied); if he has considered a way to accommodate apprentices in the meantime; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9286/20]

Construction Regulations

Darren O'Rourke

475. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the number of construction workers who have been refused return to work due to the fact their Safe Pass expired before 1 March 2020; the way in which the matter will be addressed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9277/20]

Job Losses

Darren O'Rourke

476. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the measures she has taken to help reduce the number of job losses at a company (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9278/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Darren O'Rourke

477. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation when beauticians can return to work; the sector specific guidance being provided to them; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9282/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Darren O'Rourke

478. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation when driving instructors can return to work; the sector specific guidance being provided to them; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9283/20]

Hospital Services

Darren O'Rourke

682. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Health his views on whether the agreement with private hospitals is providing value for money; his plans for the agreement; his plans to extend or cancel the contract; and the timeline and the criteria to be used to make this decision. [9285/20]

Hospital Services

Darren O'Rourke

683. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Health his plans for the return of non-Covid-19 healthcare in acute hospitals; the timeline for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9287/20]