Parliamentary questions

SOLAS Training and Education Programmes

James Browne

115. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will examine the need to resume safe pass courses during the Covid-19 pandemic using remote learning or socially distanced circumstances; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9728/20]

State Examinations

James Browne

175. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10192/20]

Maternity Leave

James Browne

227. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the position regarding the extension of maternity benefit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10056/20]

Garda Deployment

James Browne

231. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of gardaí assigned to County Wexford by rank and district; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10090/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

James Browne

283. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation when casinos may reopen in accordance with public health guidance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9928/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

James Browne

287. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation if clothes shops may reopen their changing rooms as they reopen in line with public health guidance; if persons will be allowed to try on clothes; the length of time clothes must be set aside following their use; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10027/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

James Browne

290. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation if she is satisfied that the number of persons entering a location (details supplied) are safe; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10072/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

James Browne

291. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation if gastropubs may reopen in line with phase 3 of the Roadmap for Reopening Society and Business; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10098/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

James Browne

376. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health if he has reviewed protocols laid down by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency in relaxing restrictions affecting air travel during this phase of the Covid-19 pandemic; if he has consulted with his EU counterparts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10029/20]

Mental Health Services

James Browne

377. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health if he will review the need to facilitate parental visits to children currently receiving inpatient mental healthcare here; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that these visits can take place in adherence to public health guidance in outdoor gardens; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10034/20]

Hospital Staff

James Browne

385. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health the number of full-time consultants working in Wexford General Hospital; the number of vacancies that exist at consultant level; the number of permanent and temporary consultants; the number not on the specialist register; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10091/20]

Trading Online Voucher Scheme

James Browne

503. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if the local enterprise office trading online voucher scheme will be reviewed to include restaurants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10173/20]

Inland Fisheries

James Browne

514. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the timeframe for Inland Fisheries Ireland to ensure safe passage for salmon at a location (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10035/20]

National Broadband Plan

James Browne

520. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment when a person can anticipate the availability of fibre broadband near their home (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10193/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

James Browne

527. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to support the aviation industry here following the Covid-19 pandemic; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10028/20]

Bus Services

James Browne

538. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the position regarding the installation of a bus shelter at a location (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9713/20]

Driver Test

James Browne

544. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he has spoken with the Minister for Health regarding healthcare workers impacted by the suspension of driver tests; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9754/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

James Browne

571. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on the requirement for passengers flying here to quarantine for two weeks; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10030/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

James Browne

665. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection her plans to extend the pandemic unemployment payment to persons over 66 years of age; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10121/20]

Passport Services

James Browne

25. Deputy James Browne asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade when first time passport applications may be lodged; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8742/20]

Wage Subsidy Scheme

James Browne

52. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Finance if his attention has been drawn to instances in which persons that can return to work attempt to avail of the temporary wage subsidy scheme but cannot avail of it in view of the fact they returned from maternity leave later than 6 March 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8383/20]

School Accommodation

James Browne

213. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will review the need of a school (details supplied) for the provision of temporary prefabricated accommodation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8829/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

James Browne

352. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the position regarding a Chinese citizen and Irish visa holder that cannot return from China to get their visa stamped in July 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8622/20]

Work Permits

James Browne

445. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the position regarding the horticultural work permit scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8736/20]

Mental Health Services

James Browne

508. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health his plans to ensure that mental health services and voluntary NGOs receive sufficient funding to ensure that their services can continue during the pandemic; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7315/20]

Primary Care Services Provision

James Browne

525. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health if primary care counselling services will be made available free of charge for general practitioner visit card holders here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8359/20]

Health Services Provision

James Browne

580. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health the position regarding the need for healthcare of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8642/20]

Hospital Services

James Browne

595. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health his plans to approve a 24/7 catheterisation laboratory at University Hospital Waterford; the position regarding the recruitment of a consultant interventional cardiologist at the hospital; if a second catheterisation laboratory at the hospital will be equipped to carry out interventional cardiology services; when the national cardiac services review will be completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8730/20]

Eating Disorders

James Browne

740. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health his plans to progress the implementation of eating disorder teams in CHOs here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9585/20]

Mental Health Policy

James Browne

741. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health the position regarding the establishment of a task force on mental health; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9586/20]

Fishing Industry

James Browne

759. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason for the exclusion of boats licensed for aquaculture from the voluntary fleet support scheme for the fishery sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8320/20]

Park and Ride Facilities

James Browne

981. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if the need to include County Wexford will be examined in a programme (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9587/20]

Property Tax

James Browne

37. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Finance if he is satisfied with the process in cases in which property owners that sell their homes must pay the local property tax for the full year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7326/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

James Browne

61. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Finance his views on ensuring that employers availing of the wage subsidy scheme raise their employees' wages up to 100% of their gross pay instead of their net pay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7383/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

James Browne

65. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Finance his views on whether employers availing of the temporary wage subsidy scheme should match employees' gross pay instead of net pay rate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7583/20]

Small and Medium Enterprises

James Browne

78. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Finance his plans to aid small businesses that cannot receive a commercial loan from a bank in spite of the provision of the SME credit guarantee scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7951/20]

Flood Relief Schemes

James Browne

98. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the position regarding the Enniscorthy flood defence scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7774/20]

Student Accommodation

James Browne

165. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding the commencement of the 2020-21 college year; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that students will need to pay accommodation fees in July 2020 to cover the first semester; if he will instruct landlords on the way in which they should handle student accommodation for the coming year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7376/20]

Special Educational Needs

James Browne

193. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Education and Skills if his attention has been drawn to the need for special education summer tuition classes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7603/20]

School Guidelines on Mental Health

James Browne

263. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding the establishment of a mental health helpline for leaving certificate students; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7958/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

James Browne

412. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation when small independent sports retailers may reopen their premises in line with public health guidance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7311/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

James Browne

428. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation when weddings can be allowed to be held; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7542/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

James Browne

431. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation when she will permit the return of tilers to work; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7564/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

James Browne

432. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation if she will review instances of large supermarkets selling clothes at discount prices while small clothes shops in town centres remain closed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7566/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

James Browne

435. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation if there are exemptions for workers who travel to Scotland on Mondays and return here on Fridays as part of business travel; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7600/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

James Browne

491. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health when employees that are cocooning may be advised to return to work; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7584/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

James Browne

517. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health when mental health practitioners may resume face-to-face patient consultations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7132/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

James Browne

518. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health when physical therapists may resume face-to-face patient consultations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7133/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

James Browne

647. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will include boats licensed for aquaculture within the voluntary fleet support scheme for the fishery sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7207/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

James Browne

754. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to aid the rural tourism sector in County Wexford; the way he plans to identify recovery steps for the rural tourism sector nationally; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7266/20]

Driver Test

James Browne

766. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on the way in which driver testing capacity can be resumed here; the way in which he will address the inevitable backlog in driver tests and sensitive cases for expedited tests; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7384/20]

Vehicle Registration Data

James Browne

775. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the total number of vehicles here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7462/20]

National Car Test

James Browne

785. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when he plans to permit the reopening of NCT centres; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7521/20]

Driver Test Centres

James Browne

796. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when RSA offices will reopen; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7595/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

James Browne

908. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection her plans to assist bereaved families of persons who passed away from Covid-19; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7134/20]

Disability Allowance

James Browne

978. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if she will review the terms governing the disability allowance to allow the recipient's pensions to be treated the same as income; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7797/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

James Browne

1082. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht her plans to assist zoos and animal parks here following the Covid-19 pandemic; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7779/20]

State Examinations

James Browne

159. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Education and Skills the way in which he will determine results for students repeating their leaving certificate examinations, studying from home and not attending schools; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5586/20]

Special Educational Needs

James Browne

187. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he is including special schools within phase 5 of the Covid-19 reopening plan; if he has considered the impact of these schools’ closure on parents who have been providing care for severely autistic children over a lengthy period; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5785/20]

English Language Training Organisations

James Browne

239. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding English language schools and their plans to reopen in line with public health guidance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6202/20]

Departmental Correspondence

James Browne

299. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will address a matter regarding the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6444/20]

Court Orders

James Browne

490. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the position regarding fathers’ rights to equal access to their children; his views on fathers’ difficulties in securing access to see their children in spite of court orders; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6800/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

James Browne

680. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health when persons aged 70 years of age are allowed to return to work; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5772/20]

Broadband Service Provision

James Browne

936. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the position regarding the provision of broadband for a person close to the area covered by Eir fibre broadband network (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6436/20]

Postal Services

James Browne

943. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the position regarding the turnaround times for new eircodes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6731/20]

Vehicle Testing

James Browne

1009. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the position regarding persons who may have failed to renew their NCT certification when it expired in 2019 and now cannot renew the certification of the car; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6203/20]

Septic Tanks

James Browne

1352. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government when the multi-annual rural water programme due to run from 2019 to 2021 will be implemented to allow for grants for septic tanks to be upgraded; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6219/20]

Defence Forces Reserve

James Browne

7. Deputy James Browne asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if a person (details supplied) holds an entitlement to a FCA pension; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4108/20]

VAT Rate Application

James Browne

49. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Finance the position regarding the introduction of a 0% VAT rate for biomass fuels; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4111/20]

Student Support Schemes

James Browne

177. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Education and Skills if an allowance will be reinstated for students studying primary school teaching that must complete Irish language training in An Gaeltacht; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4092/20]

Special Educational Needs Staff

James Browne

178. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding changes to the employment structure for SNAs; the grounds which will result in a child being provided with SNA assistance; when he plans to make the changes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4093/20]

Special Educational Needs

James Browne

179. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding the provision of additional special needs units in primary schools in County Wexford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4097/20]

Technological Universities

James Browne

180. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding the establishment of a technological university for the south-east; the position regarding the creation of a campus in County Wexford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4102/20]

Schools Building Projects Status

James Browne

181. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Education and Skills if an application for additional accommodation by a school (details supplied) will be given consideration; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4104/20]

Schools Building Projects Status

James Browne

182. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding the construction of a new school (details supplied) in County Wexford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4107/20]

School Transport Expenditure

James Browne

189. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Education and Skills the amount spent, including expenditure from the Bus Éireann surplus on services (details supplied) with a value of over €25,000 for each item; if the expenditure went out to public tender under legislation or guidelines in each of the years 2005 to 2019; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4241/20]

Commemorative Events

James Browne

190. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will consider submitting a request for a day of remembrance or commemoration to acknowledge the experience of persons abused in residential institutions here as per the Schedule contained in the Residential Institutions Redress Act 2002; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4260/20]

Emergency Works Scheme Applications

James Browne

279. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding an emergency grant funding application by a school (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5066/20]

Cyberbullying Issues

James Browne

338. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Justice and Equality his plans to revise harassment legislation here taking into consideration the impact of cyberbullying on the mental health of a person; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4100/20]

Female Genital Mutilation

James Browne

339. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the steps he will take to address female genital mutilation here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4112/20]

Garda Accommodation

James Browne

351. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Justice and Equality when work will commence on the refurbishment of the Garda immigration facility at Rosslare Harbour; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4242/20]

Work Permits

James Browne

431. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the position regarding the provision of additional horticultural permit workers in 2020; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4088/20]

Industrial Development

James Browne

432. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation her plans to address the quality of jobs and the need for further investment in the south-east; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4101/20]

Work Permits

James Browne

433. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the position regarding the reintroduction of horticultural work permits; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4190/20]

Long-Term Illness Scheme Coverage

James Browne

455. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health his plans to add Crohn's disease as a qualifying illness for the long-term illness scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3937/20]

Hospital Consultant Data

James Browne

479. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health the number of consultants not on the specialist register; the specialist area of each; the number working in each hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4096/20]

Drugs Payment Scheme Coverage

James Browne

480. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health his plans to provide better access to drugs for MS patients; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4105/20]

Medical Card Administration

James Browne

481. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health the way in which the medical card client registration unit treats medical card applications when queued for the attention of the deciding officer; if his attention has been drawn to the impact of delays on applicants whose applications lose their place in the queue when referred to the medical officer; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4109/20]

Health Services Provision

James Browne

482. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health the referral and treatment pathway for persons who, during their annual diabetes retina screen, are identified as having an eyesight abnormality other than those conditions that are part of the retina screen referral and treatment pathway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4114/20]

Mental Health Services

James Browne

528. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health the position regarding mental health facilities under the National Development Plan 2018-2027; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4244/20]

Health Services Provision

James Browne

559. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health if the need to create a rheumatology service in County Wexford will be examined; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4418/20]

Disability Services Data

James Browne

872. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health the number of persons with disabilities in receipt of home support hours in each LHO area at the end of March 2020 or latest date available; the number of persons on the waiting list for same in each LHO area; and the number waiting zero to three, three to six, six to 12 and more than 12 months, respectively, in tabular form. [5406/20]

Disability Services Data

James Browne

873. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health the number of persons with disabilities in receipt of personal assistance hours in each LHO area at the end of March 2020 or latest date available; the number of persons on the waiting list for same in each LHO area; and the number waiting zero to three, three to six, six to 12 and more than 12 months, respectively, in tabular form. [5407/20]

Disability Services Data

James Browne

874. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health the number of residential places for persons with a disability being provided at the end of March 2020 or latest date available by CHO in tabular form. [5408/20]

Disability Services Data

James Browne

875. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health the number of new emergency places provided to persons with a disability at the end of March 2020 by LHO in tabular form. [5409/20]

HSE Waiting Lists

James Browne

876. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health the number of children at the end of March 2020 or latest date available that were awaiting a first assessment from the HSE under the Disability Act 2005 by each LHO in tabular form. [5410/20]

HSE Waiting Lists

James Browne

877. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health the number of persons on the physiotherapy waiting list; the number waiting less than four, four to 12 and more than 12 months, respectively; and the number waiting aged zero to four, five to 17, 18 to 64 and more than 65 years of age, respectively in each category in tabular form. [5411/20]

HSE Waiting Lists

James Browne

878. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health the number of persons on the speech and language therapy assessment waiting list by each LHO at the end of March 2020 or latest date available; the number waiting less than four, four to 12 and more than 12 months, respectively; and the number waiting aged zero to 17 and more than 18 years of age in each category in tabular form. [5412/20]

HSE Waiting Lists

James Browne

879. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health the number of persons on the occupational therapy first-time assessment waiting list by each LHO at the end of March 2020 or latest date available; the number waiting less than four, four to 12 months and more than 12 months, respectively; and the number waiting aged zero to 17 and more than 18 years of age in each category in tabular form. [5414/20]

HSE Waiting Lists

James Browne

880. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health the number of persons in each LHO area waiting for a counselling appointment in primary care at the end of March 2020 or the latest date available; and the number waiting zero to 12, 12 to 26, 26 to 52 and more than 52 weeks, respectively. [5415/20]