Ceisteanna Parlaiminte

Covid-19 Pandemic

Francis Noel Duffy

777. Deputy Francis Noel Duffy asked the Minister for Health the arrangements being considered for religious services in places of worship when level 5 is lifted; if he will reconsider Covid-19 restrictions on allowing physical attendance at any type of religious services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37833/20]

Arts Funding

Francis Noel Duffy

5. Deputy Francis Noel Duffy asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if the arts and culture recovery task force has concluded its work; the key recommendations made; and when they will be published. [37040/20]

School Funding

Francis Noel Duffy

111. Deputy Francis Noel Duffy asked the Minister for Education if additional funding will be granted to a school (details supplied). [37413/20]

Energy Efficiency

Francis Noel Duffy

187. Deputy Francis Noel Duffy asked the Minister for Environment, Climate and Communications if the income limit will be increased to allow for more home energy efficiency upgrades in low-income households using carbon tax revenues; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37089/20]

An Bord Pleanála

Francis Noel Duffy

404. Deputy Francis Noel Duffy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if An Bord Pleanála maintains electronic copies of some or all of its files for internal use; if An Bord Pleanála plans to provide online access to its files for public consultation; if so, when online access will be made available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37085/20]

Homeless Accommodation

Francis Noel Duffy

405. Deputy Francis Noel Duffy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the role that HIQA plays or could play in evaluating the adherence of homeless facilities, including privately run facilities, to the national quality standards framework; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37086/20]

Homeless Accommodation

Francis Noel Duffy

406. Deputy Francis Noel Duffy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the plans in place to address shortcomings in the national quality standards framework among privately run homeless facilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37087/20]

Legislative Programme

Francis Noel Duffy

407. Deputy Francis Noel Duffy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when the housing and planning development Bill will be progressed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37088/20]

Health Services Staff

Francis Noel Duffy

856. Deputy Francis Noel Duffy asked the Minister for Health the timeline for the enactment of provisions set out in the Regulated Professions (Health and Social Care) (Amendment) Act 2020 in order that medical professionals impacted will know when the provisions will come into effect; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37083/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Francis Noel Duffy

857. Deputy Francis Noel Duffy asked the Minister for Health if acupuncture will be considered as essential work in view of the fact it is commonly used to treat pain; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37084/20]

National Drugs Strategy

Francis Noel Duffy

1286. Deputy Francis Noel Duffy asked the Minister for Health the breakdown of the €10 million funding allocated for the national drugs strategy; the amount of funding allocated to drug and alcohol task forces; if additional funding will be allocated to local drug task forces currently providing front-line services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32931/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Francis Noel Duffy

1308. Deputy Francis Noel Duffy asked the Minister for Health if persons exempt from wearing a mask need a general practitioner letter when entering various shops or on public transport; if he has considered issuing a card pass for those exempt; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33053/20]

Defective Building Materials

Francis Noel Duffy

149. Deputy Francis Noel Duffy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if his attention has been drawn to the increasing number of homes impacted by defective building materials in County Clare; if he will consider expanding the pyrite and mica scheme to County Clare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30728/20]

Tenancy Protection Scheme

Francis Noel Duffy

89. Deputy Francis Noel Duffy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when he plans to bring forward legislation for tenancies on indefinite duration as committed to in the programme for Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29058/20]

Residential Tenancies Board

Francis Noel Duffy

90. Deputy Francis Noel Duffy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the measures that will be implemented to increase Residential Tenancies Board inspections and enforcement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29059/20]

Credit Guarantee Scheme

Francis Noel Duffy

163. Deputy Francis Noel Duffy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the basic eligibility criteria for businesses to avail of the credit guarantee scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28724/20]

Small and Medium Enterprises

Francis Noel Duffy

164. Deputy Francis Noel Duffy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the measures being considered to support SMEs facing difficulties with commercial rents and arrears due to significantly reduced turnovers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28725/20]

Legislative Programme

Francis Noel Duffy

157. Deputy Francis Noel Duffy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when he plans to bring forward the referendum on the right to housing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27782/20]

Legislative Programme

Francis Noel Duffy

158. Deputy Francis Noel Duffy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his plans to revive the lapsed Anti-Evictions Bill 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27783/20]

Schools Building Projects

Francis Noel Duffy

178. Deputy Francis Noel Duffy asked the Minister for Education her plans to develop the permanent school site for a school (details supplied); the reason the development of the site has been delayed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27821/20]

Planning Issues

Francis Noel Duffy

392. Deputy Francis Noel Duffy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the measures he plans to take to protect local authority development plans in view of the fact that the strategic housing developments system, which will continue in place until the end of 2021, is continuing to grant planning applications that do not align with current development plans; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26844/20]

Maternity Services

Francis Noel Duffy

795. Deputy Francis Noel Duffy asked the Minister for Health if he in conjunction with the HSE and NPHET will consider easing maternity service restrictions across maternity hospitals; if birthing partners will be allowed to be present at all pregnancy-related appointments, scans, labour and births; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26428/20]

Covid-19 Tests

Francis Noel Duffy

800. Deputy Francis Noel Duffy asked the Minister for Health the number of persons tested here for Covid-19 since the beginning of the outbreak [25327/20]

Vaccination Programme

Francis Noel Duffy

801. Deputy Francis Noel Duffy asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact that general practitioner practices are facing quantity restrictions on the amount of flu vaccines they can receive; the impact this will have on the demand for vaccines in the coming months; the measures that are in place to increase the quantity of vaccines being delivered by manufacturers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25328/20]

Refugee Resettlement Programme

Francis Noel Duffy

117. Deputy Francis Noel Duffy asked the Minister for Justice the number of UNHCR resettlement proposals that were received to date in 2020; the number of final decisions that have been made; the number of persons who have been granted permission to come here; the number of proposals yet to receive a decision; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24378/20]

Refugee Resettlement Programme

Francis Noel Duffy

118. Deputy Francis Noel Duffy asked the Minister for Justice if refugees from other war-stricken countries such as Libya are being considered for UNHCR resettlement here, particularly those with relatives residing here; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24379/20]

Covid-19 Tests

Francis Noel Duffy

142. Deputy Francis Noel Duffy asked the Minister for Health if he will consider fast-tracking Covid-19 tests for schoolchildren and teachers to enable quick tests and results; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24376/20]

Disability Services Provision

Francis Noel Duffy

143. Deputy Francis Noel Duffy asked the Minister for Health his plans to reintroduce full disability care services, including respite care in special needs facilities (details supplied); the measures taken to give additional support to families caring for persons with disabilities that cannot access full disability care services due to Covid-19; if transport services for persons with disabilities to disability care facilities will be fully resumed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24377/20]

Telecommunications Infrastructure

Francis Noel Duffy

72. Deputy Francis Noel Duffy asked the Minister for Climate Action and Communication Networks when fibre broadband will be available for residents on a road (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22849/20]

Hospital Services

Francis Noel Duffy

271. Deputy Francis Noel Duffy asked the Minister for Health the rationale behind the decision to relocate acute services for children in the national children’s hospital to other hospitals; if this is a permanent or temporary decision; the impact this might have on the local community; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22850/20]

Electric Vehicles

Francis Noel Duffy

100. Deputy Francis Noel Duffy asked the Minister for Climate Action and Communication Networks his plans to extend grants similar to the SEAI BEV and PHEV grants to electric bikes, scooters and mopeds in view of the fact the SEAI is offering grants of up to €5,000 for a BEV or a PHEV purchased and registered here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21687/20]

Driver Licences

Francis Noel Duffy

200. Deputy Francis Noel Duffy asked the Minister for Transport if his officials have engaged with the European Commission to seek an agreement regarding extending driver licences expiring after 1 July 2020 in view of the backlog in appointments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21453/20]

Dublin Bus

Francis Noel Duffy

203. Deputy Francis Noel Duffy asked the Minister for Transport the measures being implemented to ensure that there will be capacity for school students on Dublin Bus particularly during peak times while adhering to social distancing when schools resume to ensure they get to school on time; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21575/20]

Electric Vehicles

Francis Noel Duffy

211. Deputy Francis Noel Duffy asked the Minister for Transport his views on making electric bikes more accessible to the average consumer in view of the fact that while electric bikes are covered under the bike to work scheme the minimum threshold for the scheme is €2,000 benefitting high-earners more; his further views on extending grants for electric vehicles making them more accessible to the majority of consumers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21688/20]

Help-To-Buy Scheme

Francis Noel Duffy

286. Deputy Francis Noel Duffy asked the Minister for Finance if a person who was approved for the help-to-buy scheme in 2019 can retrospectively apply for the recently expanded help-to-buy initiative in cases in which their mortgage has not yet been drawn down and completion of their property has been delayed due to Covid-19. [21573/20]

Homeless Persons Supports

Francis Noel Duffy

408. Deputy Francis Noel Duffy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the inspections and reporting being carried out by homeless accommodation providers to ensure the standards set out in the national quality standards framework are being met and that a full social care model is being pursued. [21449/20]

Homeless Persons Data

Francis Noel Duffy

409. Deputy Francis Noel Duffy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the delineated rates of existing homelessness for private and charity run homeless accommodation providers, respectively. [21450/20]

Planning Issues

Francis Noel Duffy

410. Deputy Francis Noel Duffy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the policy restrictions on planning for one-off, eco-friendly housing in rural areas by non-locals; the reason for the restrictions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21451/20]

Human Rights

Francis Noel Duffy

459. Deputy Francis Noel Duffy asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the steps he and EU institutions are taking in response to the ongoing oppression of LGBTQ+ persons and their rights in Poland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21685/20]

Disability Allowance

Francis Noel Duffy

681. Deputy Francis Noel Duffy asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason persons (details supplied) were refused disability payments; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21452/20]

Crime Data

Francis Noel Duffy

912. Deputy Francis Noel Duffy asked the Minister for Justice her plans to increase penalties and sanctions for those convicted of dog theft; if she will request an update from the Garda Commissioner on steps being taken to tackle the issue; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21572/20]

Hospital Car Parks

Francis Noel Duffy

1202. Deputy Francis Noel Duffy asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact that a hospital (details supplied) is retracting free parking for healthcare workers; if he will liaise with the HSE and local authorities to ensure that free parking will remain for the duration of the Covid-19 national public health emergency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21574/20]

Health Professions Admission Test

Francis Noel Duffy

1236. Deputy Francis Noel Duffy asked the Minister for Health the requirements for the Irish Medical Council to recognise non-EU medical internships, that is, doctors living here that have obtained their medical qualifications from outside of the EU that are unable to receive further medical training despite currently practicing here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21684/20]

Animal Welfare

Francis Noel Duffy

1428. Deputy Francis Noel Duffy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the further resources that can be put in place to help publicly enforce animal rights laws regarding the neglect and abuse of equines, especially in urban settings in circumstances in which often the only option available in these situations is to use private contractors; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21686/20]

Electric Vehicles

Francis Noel Duffy

142. Deputy Francis Noel Duffy asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he will review the current charges for electric vehicle charging points; if he will consider reducing these charges until there is a greater uptake of electric and hybrid cars; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19904/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Francis Noel Duffy

235. Deputy Francis Noel Duffy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he has made contact with airline operators to ensure refunds are issued for persons who paid for airline travel and then cancelled in view of public health guidelines and quarantine measures; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19903/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Francis Noel Duffy

236. Deputy Francis Noel Duffy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of local authorities that have availed of the technical and financial support offered in May 2020 by his Department to deliver improved walking and cycling infrastructure in the context of social distancing requirements and altered travel patterns; the local authorities that have availed of the funds; the size of the fund; and the length of time the fund will remain open. [19905/20]

Driver Licences

Francis Noel Duffy

237. Deputy Francis Noel Duffy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will take measures to ensure a person (details supplied) can renew their driver licence before the expiry date of same in view of the backlog to have licences issued; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19906/20]

Housing Data

Francis Noel Duffy

115. Deputy Francis Noel Duffy asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if he will provide projections for social housing delivery to be undertaken by his Department, local authorities or both for 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17505/20]

Legislative Programme

Francis Noel Duffy

116. Deputy Francis Noel Duffy asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government when he will provide full details on the draft land development agency Bill; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17506/20]