Ceisteanna Parlaiminte

Banking Sector

John McGuinness

119. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Finance if he supports the establishment of a forum on banking; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31702/21]

Rail Network

John McGuinness

268. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Transport when Irish Rail will carry out the remedial works urgently required at Lacken Drive, the Railway Bridge and O’Loughlin Road, Kilkenny; if the matter will be expedited given the extensive health and safety issues that have arisen over the past 18 months along the adjoining pedestrian walkway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31467/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

John McGuinness

77. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of businesses in County Kilkenny that have availed of the Covid-19 credit guarantee scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30039/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

John McGuinness

110. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the measures he is taking to help small businesses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30040/21]

Social Welfare Payments

John McGuinness

443. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Social Protection if all payments and arrears due to a person (details supplied) will be expedited. [29180/21]

Departmental Funding

John McGuinness

552. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if a request for CSP funding in the name of a group (details supplied) will be reviewed as a matter of urgency; and if the funding requested will be approved given the significance of the project to the local community and the enormous contribution being made by volunteers. [29127/21]

Banking Sector

John McGuinness

182. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Finance if a bank (details supplied) held a banking licence prior to 2008; and if so, the date on which a licence was granted to the bank by the Central Bank. [27576/21]

Social Welfare Eligibility

John McGuinness

370. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Social Protection if respite grants for the past two years are due to a person (details supplied). [27481/21]

Driver Test

John McGuinness

184. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Transport the number of theory tests cancelled each Friday by email over the past 12 months and in particular on 7 May 2021; when these tests will be rescheduled; if there is a contact phone number and name for the public to use to have queries dealt with; if contact names and details of Road Safety Authority personnel are published on the RSA website and stationary; and his plans to clear the backlog. [27256/21]

Departmental Staff

John McGuinness

219. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will confirm the way in which the recent recruitment process for the vacant position of Secretary General of his Department was advertised; the number of advertisements placed in publications and through social media; the number of applicants for the position; the number of international applicants; the number of persons on the interview board; the qualifications and gender of same; the number that reached the final interview; if the successful candidate was chosen from a final list of suitably qualified persons; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27262/21]

State Bodies

John McGuinness

244. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will outline the activity of the Land Development Agency from the date it was established to date in 2021 relative to the number of sites identified and acquired; the number of planning permissions granted or in the process and the overall cost of its operation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27250/21]

Social Welfare Benefits

John McGuinness

284. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Social Protection if an application for a carer’s allowance in the case of a person (details supplied) will be reviewed and approved as a matter of urgency. [27263/21]

Agriculture Schemes

John McGuinness

367. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will review an application under the young farmers scheme in the case of a person (details supplied) and reverse the decision taken given the circumstances of the case; and if the matter will be expedited. [27199/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment

John McGuinness

83. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of persons in County Kilkenny currently in receipt of the pandemic unemployment payment; the number of persons in County Waterford currently in receipt of the payment; the number in each county who were in receipt of the payment on the same date in April 2021; the number of persons in each county who have received the payment since the introduction of the payment; the total expenditure on such payments in each county over that time; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26269/21]

Social Welfare Benefits

John McGuinness

533. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Social Protection if an application for an invalidity pension will be approved as a matter of urgency for a person (details supplied). [25669/21]

Programme for Government

John McGuinness

556. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of the programme for Government commitment to continue to review and expand the roll-out of the new hot school meals initiative; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25063/21]

Schools Building Projects

John McGuinness

106. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Education the status of each large-scale school building project in County Kilkenny; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25062/21]

State Pensions

John McGuinness

178. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Social Protection if an application for a State pension by a person (details supplied) will be expedited. [25127/21]

Passport Services

John McGuinness

109. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the timeframe for clearing the backlog of passports applications from applicants in County Kilkenny. [23919/21]

Tax Reliefs

John McGuinness

228. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Finance if he will review the concession put in place by the Revenue Commissioners relative to the payment of tax due by employees arising from the temporary wage subsidy scheme allowing the employer to pay the tax without any benefit-in-kind implications for the employee; if so, if categories of employees (details supplied) will be included; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23798/21]

School Transport

John McGuinness

449. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Education if school bus transport will be provided on a qualifying rather than a concessionary basis from Corraguan, Windgap, County Kilkenny, to a school for persons (details supplied); if the appeal lodged with the school transport appeals board will be expedited and approved; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23784/21]

Pension Provisions

John McGuinness

533. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Social Protection if a person (details supplied) has sufficient contributions to qualify for a State pension (contributory); and if their record of contributions will be provided. [23772/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic

John McGuinness

716. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health the arrangements his Department has made to provide vaccinations for students participating in the Erasmus programme and that must provide proof of full vaccination to the participating college abroad before 15 June 2021; if he will outline the plan immediately to ease the concerns of parents and students that are now having to commit to cost of travel and accommodation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23775/21]

Animal Diseases

John McGuinness

954. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if a second BVD test can be carried out on the herd owned by a person (details supplied); the action to be taken by his Department and herd owner; the costs involved; and the reason for the change of rule in this regard. [23773/21]

Departmental Investigations

John McGuinness

315. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the outcome of the investigation into complaints by a person (details supplied); the actions taken by his Department to address the issues raised; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23137/21]

Garda Civilian Staff

John McGuinness

463. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Justice the number of civilians holding the position of property and exhibits manager within An Garda Síochána; the Garda stations in which the civilians employed as such are based; if the position is underpinned in legislation; if appropriate training has been provided; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22697/21]

Medicinal Products

John McGuinness

648. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health his views on making the drug epidiolex available to patients on medical cards when prescribed by a consultant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23187/21]

Felling Licences

John McGuinness

679. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a tree felling application by a person (details supplied) will be processed and approved; and if the process will be expedited. [22705/21]

Hospital Facilities

John McGuinness

130. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health the indicative timeframe for the delivery of a new community nursing unit at St. Columba's Hospital, Thomastown, County Kilkenny; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22474/21]

Quarrying Sector

John McGuinness

431. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the amount of funding allocated by his Department to local authorities that have to reinstate land relative to the environmental damage done by illegal quarry activities; if he will seek a report from Kilkenny and Laois county councils in relation to the environmental damage already done by quarries that are not compliant with the planning laws or without planning permission; if the Local Government Audit Service considers good governance or the lack of it as part of its audit of each local authority; if he plans to review the legislation specifically in relation to non-compliance in the quarry industry with a view to strengthening the planning enforcement process and introducing a regime of substantial fines commensurate with the damage caused by such illegal operators; if Irish law is in sync with EU policy and directives with regard to this industry; if he will investigate ways to apply current laws and standards of operation to major quarry operators that were in operation prior to the introduction of the planning laws; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21249/21]

Public Sector Pay

John McGuinness

544. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Education if secondary school teachers returning to Ireland from Abu Dhabi having taught in private schools there and wishing to resume teaching in Ireland will qualify for salary increments as is the case with primary school teachers and those in the medical profession; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21271/21]

Carer's Allowance

John McGuinness

637. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Social Protection if an appeal for carer’s allowance will be expedited in the name of persons (details supplied). [21232/21]

HSE Staff

John McGuinness

888. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health when the outcome of the job evaluation for homecare support assistants which was promised in September 2020 will be published; if the recommendations of the evaluation will be implemented in the short-term; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21290/21]

Treatment Abroad Scheme

John McGuinness

986. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health the reason funding was refused under the treatment abroad scheme in the case of a person (details supplied) given a previous application was approved on 20 September 2019; if the procedures are available in hospitals here; if so, the hospital that carry out same; if there is a waiting list; if so, the timeframe involved; if he will examine the case of the person as a matter of urgency with a view to ensuring that the two procedures recommended by their consultants are expedited; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21684/21]

Carer's Allowance

John McGuinness

100. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Social Protection if a carer's allowance application by a person (details supplied) will be expedited given the urgency of the matter. [20989/21]

Invalidity Pension

John McGuinness

101. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will request a full review of an application for invalidity pension which is at appeal stage in the name of a person (details supplied); and if an oral hearing will be arranged in order that they and their family can present their case. [20990/21]

Capital Expenditure Programme

John McGuinness

80. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the action he is taking to ensure value for money is obtained for the significantly increased capital budget which will be at an all-time record level in 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20396/21]

Capital Expenditure Programme

John McGuinness

92. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the action he is taking to strengthen oversight of the capital budget; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20395/21]

Appointments to State Boards

John McGuinness

141. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Taoiseach the efforts his Department is making to achieve gender balance on all State boards and agencies under the remit of his Department; if he will set out the changes achieved to date on each; and if 50% of the membership of all boards, policy groups or agencies that provide advice to Government on matters of policy will be reserved for appropriately qualified individuals from the private sector in order to achieve a balance between the public and private sectors. [20734/21]

Work Permits

John McGuinness

210. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will reopen the general employment permit scheme to help alleviate the current labour crisis in the mushroom sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20657/21]

Appointments to State Boards

John McGuinness

211. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the efforts his Department is making to achieve gender balance on all State boards and agencies under the remit of his Department; if he will set out the changes achieved to date on each; if 50% of the membership of all boards, policy groups or agencies that provide advice to Government on matters of policy will be reserved for appropriately qualified individuals from the private sector in order to achieve a balance between the public and private sectors; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20723/21]

Appointments to State Boards

John McGuinness

293. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the efforts his Department is making to achieve gender balance on all State boards and agencies under the remit of his Department; if he will set out the changes achieved to date on each; if 50% of the membership of all boards, policy groups or agencies that provide advice to Government on matters of policy will be reserved for appropriately qualified individuals from the private sector in order to achieve a balance between the public and private sectors; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20724/21]

Air Safety

John McGuinness

369. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Transport if licences issued to fly drones are recorded on a county basis; if so, the number issued for each of the past four years; the way in which the regulations are enforced; the number of breaches recorded in the past four years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19413/21]

Appointments to State Boards

John McGuinness

447. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Transport the efforts his Department is making to achieve gender balance on all State boards and agencies under the remit of his Department; if he will set out the changes achieved to date on each; if 50% of the membership of all boards, policy groups or agencies that provide advice to Government on matters of policy will be reserved for appropriately qualified individuals from the private sector in order to achieve a balance between the public and private sectors; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20736/21]

National Treasury Management Agency

John McGuinness

510. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Finance if any of the bond sales on behalf of the State or the NTMA and brokered by a company (details supplied) were sold to parties connected to the company, nominees, associates or subsidiaries of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19617/21]

National Treasury Management Agency

John McGuinness

511. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Finance if a company (details supplied) has declared any potential conflicts of interest to the State in the bond dealings of same on behalf of the State or NTMA; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19618/21]

National Treasury Management Agency

John McGuinness

512. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Finance the process by which a company (details supplied) was appointed to sell bonds on behalf of the State and NTMA; if he is satisfied that the procurement of the company was in compliance with Irish procurement law; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19619/21]

Appointments to State Boards

John McGuinness

537. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Finance the efforts his Department is making to achieve gender balance on all State boards and agencies under the remit of his Department; if he will set out the changes achieved to date on each; if 50% of the membership of all boards, policy groups or agencies that provide advice to Government on matters of policy will be reserved for appropriately qualified individuals from the private sector in order to achieve a balance between the public and private sectors; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20725/21]

Appointments to State Boards

John McGuinness

583. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the efforts his Department is making to achieve gender balance on all State boards and agencies under the remit of his Department; if he will set out the changes achieved to date on each; if 50% of the membership of all boards, policy groups or agencies that provide advice to Government on matters of policy will be reserved for appropriately qualified individuals from the private sector in order to achieve a balance between the public and private sectors; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20731/21]

Appointments to State Boards

John McGuinness

663. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the efforts her Department is making to achieve gender balance on all State boards and agencies under the remit of her Department; if she will set out the changes achieved to date on each; if 50% of the membership of all boards, policy groups or agencies that provide advice to Government on matters of policy will be reserved for appropriately qualified individuals from the private sector in order to achieve a balance between the public and private sectors; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20735/21]

Heritage Council

John McGuinness

740. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the role of the Heritage Council in assessing grants for the publication of books such as a book (details supplied); the level of funding provided each year for such projects; if there is a separate category for such books giving a unique historical perspective; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19414/21]

Appointments to State Boards

John McGuinness

822. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the efforts his Department is making to achieve gender balance on all State boards and agencies under the remit of his Department; if he will set out the changes achieved to date on each; if 50% of the membership of all boards, policy groups or agencies that provide advice to Government on matters of policy will be reserved for appropriately qualified individuals from the private sector in order to achieve a balance between the public and private sectors; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20729/21]

Appointments to State Boards

John McGuinness

893. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the efforts his Department is making to achieve gender balance on all State boards and agencies under the remit of his Department; if he will set out the changes achieved to date on each; if 50% of the membership of all boards, policy groups or agencies that provide advice to Government on matters of policy will be reserved for appropriately qualified individuals from the private sector in order to achieve a balance between the public and private sectors; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20726/21]

Appointments to State Boards

John McGuinness

912. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Defence the efforts his Department is making to achieve gender balance on all State boards and agencies under the remit of his Department; if he will set out the changes achieved to date on each; if 50% of the membership of all boards, policy groups or agencies that provide advice to Government on matters of policy will be reserved for appropriately qualified individuals from the private sector in order to achieve a balance between the public and private sectors; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20721/21]

Schools Administration

John McGuinness

918. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Education further to Parliamentary Question No. 391 of 3 February 2021, if the response to the Parliamentary Question will be reviewed; her views on same; the process for the change of school status requests from junior infants to co-educational; the timeframe involved; if the correspondence from the school and from a person (details supplied) provide sufficient information to expedite the matter; if her officials have met the representatives of the school; and the number of meetings or engagements that she or her officials have had with the school. [18188/21]

School Patronage

John McGuinness

1087. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Education the status of an application by a school (details supplied) for a change of status; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20677/21]

School Patronage

John McGuinness

1089. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Education the progress made on an application by a school (details supplied) for change of status; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20709/21]

Appointments to State Boards

John McGuinness

1090. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Education the efforts her Department is making to achieve gender balance on all State boards and agencies under the remit of her Department; if she will set out the changes achieved to date on each; if 50% of the membership of all boards, policy groups or agencies that provide advice to Government on matters of policy will be reserved for appropriately qualified individuals from the private sector in order to achieve a balance between the public and private sectors; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20722/21]

State Pensions

John McGuinness

1121. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Social Protection if the outcome of an appeal for a State pension (non-contributory) will be re-examined in the case of a person (details supplied). [18615/21]

Social Welfare Benefits

John McGuinness

1122. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Social Protection the progress made on the introduction of an extra three weeks of parental benefit; and the timeframe for the change to apply. [18661/21]

Appointments to State Boards

John McGuinness

1202. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Social Protection the efforts her Department is making to achieve gender balance on all State boards and agencies under the remit of her Department; if she will set out the changes achieved to date on each; if 50% of the membership of all boards, policy groups or agencies that provide advice to Government on matters of policy will be reserved for appropriately qualified individuals from the private sector in order to achieve a balance between the public and private sectors; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20733/21]

Appointments to State Boards

John McGuinness

1260. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the efforts his Department is making to achieve gender balance on all State boards and agencies under the remit of his Department; if he will set out the changes achieved to date on each; if 50% of the membership of all boards, policy groups or agencies that provide advice to Government on matters of policy will be reserved for appropriately qualified individuals from the private sector in order to achieve a balance between the public and private sectors; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20720/21]

Appointments to State Boards

John McGuinness

1353. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the efforts his Department is making to achieve gender balance on all State boards and agencies under the remit of his Department; if he will set out the changes achieved to date on each; if 50% of the membership of all boards, policy groups or agencies that provide advice to Government on matters of policy will be reserved for appropriately qualified individuals from the private sector in order to achieve a balance between the public and private sectors; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20727/21]

Courts Service

John McGuinness

1397. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Justice the number of judges attached to each court in the judicial system; the number of vacancies in each court waiting to be filled; the process by which it is decided to increase the number of judges at any given time; the number of cases in each court waiting to be processed; the reforms of the judicial system that she is considering; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18635/21]

Inquiry into the Death of Mr. Shane O'Farrell

John McGuinness

1434. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Justice if the letter mentioned in an internal Department email dated 30 October 2019 relating to a Topical Issue submitted by the Deputy regarding the investigation into the death of a person (details supplied) was issued; if the information will now be given; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19422/21]

Appointments to State Boards

John McGuinness

1498. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Justice the efforts her Department is making to achieve gender balance on all State boards and agencies under the remit of her Department; if she will set out the changes achieved to date on each; if 50% of the membership of all boards, policy groups or agencies that provide advice to Government on matters of policy will be reserved for appropriately qualified individuals from the private sector in order to achieve a balance between the public and private sectors; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20730/21]

Mental Health Services

John McGuinness

2311. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health if he will provide funding to support one to one counselling and psychotherapy services to assist those delivering the services in the private sector to expand their operations to include referrals from the public health sector given the significant demand arising from Covid-19 being experienced by those professionals involved; if he will encourage the HSE to assist in ensuring that any person presenting with a mental health issue is seen immediately by the appropriate professional in either a public or private setting; the number of outpatients on the waiting list presenting with mental health issues that have yet to have their first appointment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20550/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic

John McGuinness

2388. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health if the rules on mandatory quarantine will be set aside for Irish citizens entering the country from one of the listed countries who have proof of being vaccinated, have a negative test and can isolate at home. [20667/21]

Nursing Homes Support Scheme

John McGuinness

2392. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health the progress on the reform of the fair deal scheme relative to farming families; his plans to carry out a general review of the scheme and the way it has operated since it was introduced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20679/21]

Gender Balance

John McGuinness

2407. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health the efforts his Department is making to achieve gender balance on all State boards and agencies under the remit of his Department; if he will set out the changes achieved to date on each; if 50% of the membership of all boards, policy groups or agencies that provide advice to Government on matters of policy will be reserved for appropriately qualified individuals from the private sector in order to achieve a balance between the public and private sectors; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20728/21]

GLAS Issues

John McGuinness

2564. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if an appeal relating to the GLAS scheme in the name of persons (details supplied) has been concluded; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20690/21]

Appointments to State Boards

John McGuinness

2565. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the efforts his Department is making to achieve gender balance on all State boards and agencies under the remit of his Department; if he will set out the changes achieved to date on each; if 50% of the membership of all boards, policy groups or agencies that provide advice to Government on matters of policy will be reserved for appropriately qualified individuals from the private sector in order to achieve a balance between the public and private sectors; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20719/21]

Appointments to State Boards

John McGuinness

2590. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the efforts her Department is making to achieve gender balance on all State boards and agencies under the remit of her Department; if she will set out the changes achieved to date on each; if 50% of the membership of all boards, policy groups or agencies that provide advice to Government on matters of policy will be reserved for appropriately qualified individuals from the private sector in order to achieve a balance between the public and private sectors; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20732/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

John McGuinness

9. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will consider a compensation package for retailers of clothing and footwear that had forward purchased seasonal stock which now remains unsold due to Covid-19 restrictions and cannot be returned to the suppliers due to the nature of the purchase contracts; if zero interest loans through the Strategic Banking Corporation of Ireland or other entities will be considered for the sector; if retailers depending on the sale of seasonal stock will be allowed to open under separate regulations for their trade; if the click and collect facility will be allowed; if such affected retailers will be exempted from the rule under the employment wage subsidy scheme relating to a monthly drop in income of 30% to allow the support to continue thereby assisting with cash flow and enabling existing levels of employment to continue; if the Covid restrictions support scheme will be increased for these retailers; if he will devise a plan of ongoing supports for this sector based on the suggestions and considering the challenges the sector faces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17857/21]

Disability Allowance

John McGuinness

246. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Social Protection if entitlement to the disability allowance will be reviewed in the case of a person (details supplied); if allowance will be made for the funds being set aside and managed by their parents for their future care; and if the matter will be expedited. [17844/21]

Community Employment Schemes

John McGuinness

247. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Social Protection further to previous parliamentary questions, the reason for the delay in accommodating an association (details supplied) relative to its interest in being included in an existing community employment scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17845/21]

Health Services Provision

John McGuinness

338. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health if the business case submitted by a person (details supplied) regarding the funding required to provide long-term residential care will be approved; and if the matter will be expedited. [17843/21]

Home Care Packages

John McGuinness

341. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health further to previous Parliamentary Questions and representations to the HSE if weekend home care will be provided for a person (details supplied); and if a review of their care plan will be expedited with a view to providing complete seven-day care. [17856/21]

Hospital Services

John McGuinness

1125. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health the type of health services being delivered at St. Brigid's Hospital, Carrick-on-Suir, County Tipperary; his plans for the future development of the facility; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17310/21]

Home Care Packages

John McGuinness

1132. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health if homecare will be provided at weekends for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17326/21]

Garda Reports

John McGuinness

157. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Justice if it is her Department or An Garda Síochána that set the fees for providing Garda report abstracts and any other supporting documentation relative to road traffic accidents when requested by the victim; if it is normal that victims of road traffic accidents are charged €260 for such information when requested; the way in which the charges are calculated and regulated; the legislation under which the regulations were introduced; if fees for such requests can be waived; the value of fees collected in this manner; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16182/21]

Medical Aids and Appliances

John McGuinness

214. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health if a new automated special chair will be provided for a person (details supplied). [16183/21]

Fuel Sales

John McGuinness

207. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the measures in place to prevent the illegal sale and distribution of coal and bottled gas from Northern Ireland; the estimated value of such sales; the cost of the negative impact the activity is having on traders in this jurisdiction; the number of such illegal traders that have been prosecuted in the past five years; the number of operators and distributors in this jurisdiction that have been prosecuted to date; the estimated loss of revenue to the State; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15195/21]

Tax Collection

John McGuinness

504. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Finance if the tax liability of a person (details supplied) will be re-examined immediately in view of the fact that the reduction in their income due to tax is causing hardship. [15759/21]

Social Welfare Appeals

John McGuinness

983. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Social Protection if an application by persons (details supplied) which is under appeal will now be expedited and approved. [14467/21]

Hospital Appointments Status

John McGuinness

1740. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health if a hospital appointment will be expedited for a person (details supplied). [15280/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

John McGuinness

1792. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health the financial and other supports given to pharmacies that have provided a service throughout the pandemic; if the staff providing the service will be prioritised for the Covid-19 vaccine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15453/21]

Forestry Sector

John McGuinness

1962. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if approval will be issued to a forestry access road application by a person (details supplied). [14501/21]

Livestock Issues

John McGuinness

1996. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if a comprehensive account will be provided of the actions taken to date by his Department to resolve all of the issues associated with the DNA tests of a herd in the name of a person (details supplied); the outstanding matters including DNA tests that have to be dealt with; the timeline for the completion of this work; if the suspension of the herd will be lifted as a matter of urgency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15059/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic

John McGuinness

144. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he has considered the submissions made by an organisation and a company (details supplied) relative to the negative impact that the ongoing lockdown is having on the construction industry and the completion of large scale office and accommodation projects; if his attention has been drawn to unease in the foreign investor community arising from lockdown and the uncertainty of the immediate future; his views on damage to the reputation of Ireland from the prolonged lockdown and the effects on foreign direct investment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13469/21]

Rail Network

John McGuinness

215. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Transport the full cost of hiring railroad vehicles for each of the past five years; if the same company has fulfilled the contract for each of those years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12614/21]

School Transport

John McGuinness

491. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Education if the school bus pick-up point at the limited car parking space at Ballykeeffe, Kilkenny, facilitating 27 pupils attending schools in Kilkenny city, and which is considered extremely dangerous and unsafe, will be relocated to a much safer location at the car park Kilmanagh village, Kilkenny; if the matter will be expedited; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12613/21]

School Transport

John McGuinness

549. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Education if a seat on a school bus will be provided for a child (details supplied). [13416/21]

Disability Allowance

John McGuinness

608. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason for the delay in issuing payment including arrears to a person (details supplied) who has been approved for disability allowance; and if the claim will be backdated to the date of their original application. [13061/21]

Hospital Appointments Status

John McGuinness

884. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health if an MRI scan will be arranged for a person (details supplied). [13072/21]

Ambulance Service

John McGuinness

967. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question Nos. 298 and 900 of 24 February 2021 and the reply issued by the HSE on 2 March 2021, the refurbishment work undertaken at the Carlow ambulance service base by the HSE; the breakdown of the costs; and if information (details supplied) in relation to the project will be provided. [13460/21]

Legislative Reviews

John McGuinness

237. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if a review of the whistle-blower legislation will be instigated. [10830/21]

Special Educational Needs

John McGuinness

399. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Education if her attention has been drawn to the issues facing parents wishing to avail of the in-person supplementary programme relative to the non-availability of teachers and special needs assistants due to its being voluntary for them to participate and the insurance issues for all parties involved; her plans to accommodate children with Down's syndrome attending mainstream schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11039/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment

John McGuinness

181. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Social Protection if the pandemic unemployment payment, PUP, will continue to be paid to a person (details supplied). [10734/21]

Carer's Allowance

John McGuinness

182. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Social Protection if a carer’s allowance will be approved for a person (details supplied); and if the application will be expedited. [10736/21]