Parliamentary questions

Wind Energy Generation

Darren O'Rourke

152. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the current level of energy produced from offshore windfarms; the projected level of energy that will be produced from offshore windfarms in each year from 2020 to 2030; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39780/20]

Covid-19 Tests

Darren O'Rourke

179. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport the estimated daily volume of demand for airport testing in Dublin, Cork and Shannon airports during December 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39913/20]

Airport Passenger Data

Darren O'Rourke

180. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport the number of passengers that arrived in Dublin, Cork and Shannon airport in each week from 1 November to 22 November 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39914/20]

Taxi Regulations

Darren O'Rourke

199. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport the membership of the taxi advisory council; the number of vacancies at present; the method and expected timeline by which they will be filled; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40437/20]

Census of Population

Darren O'Rourke

313. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he is satisfied that the 2016 population figures for County Meath are an appropriate population estimate to base the Meath County Development Plan 2021-2027 on; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that this could cause significant issues given the demographic changes in the county since 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40416/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Darren O'Rourke

765. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Health the number of passenger locator forms completed to date in November 2020; the number of follow-up phone calls made to persons that completed a passenger locator form in the same period; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40415/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Darren O'Rourke

770. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Health the measures he is taking to address the existing limitations on the Covid-19 follow-up of passengers from Northern Ireland landing at Dublin Airport in terms of the passenger locator form or other; the correspondence he has received from his ministerial counterpart in the Northern Ireland Assembly and his response to same; if issues of data sharing have been resolved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40435/20]

Postal Services

Darren O'Rourke

165. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if his attention has been drawn the delay with transferring new Eircode locations to an application (details supplied); the terms of the contracts in place to ensure the transfer happens in a timely manner; if he is satisfied that the terms of the contract are being met; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39425/20]

Taxi Regulations

Darren O'Rourke

190. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport the supports available to taxi drivers who are obliged to renew their cars in January 2021 under the ten-year rule; if the ten-year rule will be further postponed for a period given the impact of Covid-19 on the taxi industry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39424/20]

National Broadband Plan

Darren O'Rourke

36. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the way in which it is planned in Ireland to meet the target of a society (details supplied) of all European households having access to 100 Mbps connections by 2025 given the fact that the national broadband plan is limited in its areas of intervention; the specific interventions that will be made in non-intervention areas; the details of the stakeholders responsible to deliver on the 2025 target; the plan they are working to; the progress being made; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39124/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Darren O'Rourke

155. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the position regarding the SBCI Covid-19 working capital loan scheme; the total number of applications; the number of successful applications and the value of same; the number of unsuccessful applications and the value of same; the number of ineligible applications; and the breakdown of same by county and lending institution in tabular form. [38770/20]

North-South Interconnector

Darren O'Rourke

192. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the most recent estimated cost for undergrounding the North-South Interconnector; the year in which the cost was estimated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38234/20]

North-South Interconnector

Darren O'Rourke

193. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the way in which the North-South Interconnector will be constructed if Eirgrid or the construction contractors ESB do not have permission from land owners to access private land; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38235/20]

North-South Interconnector

Darren O'Rourke

194. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the discussions he has had with his counterpart in Northern Ireland, Minister Nichola Mallon on the North-South Interconnector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38236/20]

Greenways Provision

Darren O'Rourke

205. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport the projects in County Meath considered for inclusion in the recent allocation of €63.5 million for greenways; the reasons these projects were not successful; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37999/20]

Rail Network

Darren O'Rourke

230. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport the terms of reference of the current review of the proposed Navan rail line; the threshold for approval and the variables and calculations used to decide this; the extent to which benefits to the environment and the well-being of citizens will be considered; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38001/20]

Office of Public Works

Darren O'Rourke

297. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if a bridge (details supplied) falls under the care of the Office of Public Works; if the OPW is aware of the deteriorating condition of the bridge; if so, if the OPW plans to carry out remedial and restorative works on the bridge; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38346/20]

Sports Capital Programme

Darren O'Rourke

321. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media when the next call for applications for the sports capital grant is expected to issue; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38645/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Darren O'Rourke

322. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the funding available to local soccer clubs that do not have and have never had gate receipts but that have been restricted in their fundraising efforts due to Covid-19 and find themselves excluded from some schemes of an organisation (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38646/20]

European Court of Justice Rulings

Darren O'Rourke

329. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the steps he has taken and will take to address the findings of the Court of Justice of the European Union against Ireland regarding a windfarm (details supplied) in County Galway; the costs to the taxpayer in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37819/20]

Wind Energy Generation

Darren O'Rourke

330. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if his attention has been drawn to a recent peat slippage near a windfarm (details supplied) in County Donegal; the way in which this will be investigated and addressed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37840/20]

Local Authority Functions

Darren O'Rourke

400. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the review of the Meath County Development is being conducted to a large degree online due to Covid-19 restrictions; if he is satisfied that this is a legitimate and appropriate approach, particularly as it relates to the casting of votes by elected members; if he has received or issued advice in relation to the matter; if so, the details of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38752/20]

School Accommodation

Darren O'Rourke

477. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education if her attention has been drawn to the increased demand for secondary school places at a school (details supplied) as the school is at capacity and requires additional space in order to accommodate would-be 2021 first year students from the catchment area; the date on which funding will be allocated to allow school officials proceed with the erection of two temporary Portakabins prior to the commencement on works on a permanent building in the future; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37877/20]

Maternity Services

Darren O'Rourke

790. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Health if consideration has been given to the establishment of a human milk bank here similar to a bank (details supplied) in County Fermanagh; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37875/20]

Waste Management

Darren O'Rourke

87. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the Government position on the disposing of waste in landfills; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37503/20]

Interdepartmental Committees

Darren O'Rourke

32. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Taoiseach the membership of the high-level technical group on international travel; the remit and responsibility of the group; the number of times the group has met; the advices it has given; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37298/20]

Bus Services

Darren O'Rourke

48. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport his plans to ensure public transport bus links are maintained between Dublin and Belfast in view of Bus Éireann’s decision to suspend the Dublin to Belfast bus route; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37191/20]

Bus Services

Darren O'Rourke

49. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport the estimated number of passengers that used bus transport links between Dublin and Belfast in 2019; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37192/20]

Care Services

Darren O'Rourke

739. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to a case (details supplied); the lessons learned by the HSE; the improvements made to ensure the protection of residents in this and other facilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36404/20]

Covid-19 Tests

Darren O'Rourke

1. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport his plans for Covid-19 testing facilities at ports and airports; the form of testing that will be used; the cost travellers will face; if it will be in place before Christmas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35955/20]

Driver Test

Darren O'Rourke

3. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport the way in which he plans to deal with the long waiting list of persons now waiting for a driver test and for driver licence appointments; if his attention has been drawn to the concerns of driver instructors regarding access to testing centre facilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35956/20]

Trade Strategy

Darren O'Rourke

5. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport his views on whether the State should be involved in creating and expanding shipping routes directly to the Continent in preparation for Brexit; the engagements he has had to date with shipping companies on this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35957/20]

Mechanically Propelled Vehicles

Darren O'Rourke

52. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport when he plans to legislate for the use of e-scooters as set out in the programme for Government; his views on whether this area needs regulation urgently to protect e-scooter users, pedestrians, cyclists, motorists and other road users; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35766/20]

Taxi Regulations

Darren O'Rourke

55. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport the status of his consultations with taxi representatives on reforms needed in the sector; if his attention has been drawn to the financial challenges facing drivers as a result of the current restrictions, with overhead costs such as taxi insurance, for example, still requiring payment despite many taxi drivers not working; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35768/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Darren O'Rourke

81. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport the engagements he has held with travel agents and bus and coach operators to date to discuss State support for their severely impacted sectors; if he has engaged with his colleague, the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, on extending access to existing supports such as the Covid restrictions support scheme, CRSS, to those sectors that fall under the remit of his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35767/20]

Misuse of Drugs

Darren O'Rourke

321. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Health the status of growing hemp for industrial purposes such as hempcrete construction; and his plans to change same. [35838/20]

Agriculture Industry

Darren O'Rourke

363. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of progress made on the commitment in the programme for Government to explore fully the potential for growing fibre crops such as hemp, considering whether these crops have a viable market. [35839/20]

Departmental Funding

Darren O'Rourke

39. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Environment, Climate and Communications the breakdown of the funding allocation for his Department for 2021, by project in tabular form. [35502/20]

Departmental Funding

Darren O'Rourke

49. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport the breakdown of the funding allocation for his Department for 2021, by project in tabular form. [35503/20]

Taxi Regulations

Darren O'Rourke

50. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport if he has consulted with taxi drivers on the BusConnects project; if taxis will be permitted to use existing and newly proposed bus lanes and quality bus corridors; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35555/20]

Taxi Licences

Darren O'Rourke

51. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport his views on whether the three-month taxi licence suspension introduced in 2020 was important to allow taxi drivers revert to social and domestic insurance when they are not working due to the pandemic, thereby saving on monthly insurance costs; his further views on the need for a similar suspension now to allow taxi drivers who are not working to reduce their overhead costs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35556/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Darren O'Rourke

128. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education the guidelines issued to teachers and schools on the social distancing requirements in classrooms in primary and post-primary schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35557/20]

Proposed Legislation

Darren O'Rourke

95. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Environment, Climate and Communications if his attention has been drawn to the concerns and suggestions brought forward by stakeholders and experts at the pre-legislative scrutiny meetings on the climate action and low carbon development (amendment) Bill at the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Climate Action; his plans to amend the Bill to take account of these concerns and suggestions to strengthen the Bill; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35129/20]

Fuel Poverty

Darren O'Rourke

97. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Environment, Climate and Communications if the rolling out of green infrastructure, including smart meters, EV charging points and home retrofitting, have been subject to a human rights and equality impact assessment as required under section 42 of the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission Act 2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35127/20]

Commission for Regulation of Utilities

Darren O'Rourke

154. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Environment, Climate and Communications if he plans to provide policy direction to the Commission for Regulation of Utilities to extend the moratorium on disconnections of gas and electricity past 1 December 2020 when the current moratorium is set to lapse; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35128/20]

Office of the Director of Corporate Enforcement

Darren O'Rourke

178. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of vacant positions in the Office of the Director of Corporate Enforcement as of 2 November 2020; the length of time each position has been vacant; the estimated cost of filling each of the posts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35316/20]

Telecommunications Services

Darren O'Rourke

195. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Environment, Climate and Communications if his attention has been drawn to a community survey (details supplied) conducted in Gormanston, County Meath, regarding the lack of quality broadband in the area; the measures he is taking to improve broadband provision and quality in the area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34721/20]

Environmental Regulations

Darren O'Rourke

231. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Environment, Climate and Communications the options available to local community groups that wish to have an independent assessment of noise conducted particularly as it might relate to industrial noise pollution; if the EPA or other authorities can assist with same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35305/20]

National Clean Air Strategy

Darren O'Rourke

232. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Environment, Climate and Communications the progress in delivering on the programme for Government commitment to publish a national clean air strategy and to develop a regional approach to air quality and noise enforcement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35306/20]

Departmental Staff

Darren O'Rourke

285. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport the estimated full-year cost of recruiting three additional engineer and ship surveyors for his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35314/20]