Parliamentary questions

Departmental Legal Cases

Jennifer Whitmore

67. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he plans to support or contest the legal proceedings brought by six Portuguese young persons against Ireland and 32 other countries in the European Court of Human Rights (details supplied) alleging that insufficient climate action breaches their human rights; the timeline for the Government's reply to those proceedings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4306/21]

Animal Welfare

Jennifer Whitmore

315. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the measures being put in place to proactively manage new populations of invasive ring-necked parakeets sighted in the Dublin area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3712/21]

Personal Public Service Numbers

Jennifer Whitmore

512. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Social Protection if a resolution will be found in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4083/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Jennifer Whitmore

543. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth when a decision will be made regarding the reopening of crèches in February 2021 taking into account the fact that staff have to have contingency measures planned in advance of any reopening; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3540/21]

Immigration Policy

Jennifer Whitmore

617. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Justice if she will consider reducing the frequency of presentations required by those facing deportation to immigration services on a monthly or bimonthly basis in view of the decision by the Taoiseach not to deport persons during Covid-19 other than for national security issues; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3541/21]

Water and Sewerage Schemes

Jennifer Whitmore

660. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Health if funding has been allocated for a nationwide wastewater surveillance programme to monitor the prevalence of Covid-19, as endorsed by NPHET in November 2020; when he expects the programme to be fully rolled out; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3542/21]

Trade Agreements

Jennifer Whitmore

10. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if his Department will carry out a risk assessment analysis on the legal, regulatory, economic and environmental implications of Ireland signing up to the remaining elements of Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement, CETA, including the investor court system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2332/21]

Departmental Funding

Jennifer Whitmore

37. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will increase funding to environmental organisations in view of the biodiversity and climate crisis; the reforms he will carry out to streamline access to funding for environmental organisations; when funding from budget 2021 will be granted to an organisation (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2330/21]

Proposed Legislation

Jennifer Whitmore

38. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications when the climate action and low carbon development (amendment) Bill will be published and introduced in Dáil Éireann; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2366/21]

Climate Action Plan

Jennifer Whitmore

55. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications when the next round of climate fund funding will be announced; if nature-based solution, NBS, projects will be considered under this round; the amount of funding that will be provided in this round; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2898/21]

Recycling Policy

Jennifer Whitmore

56. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications when it is planned to introduce a deposit and return scheme for plastic bottles and aluminium cans; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2902/21]

Exploration Licences

Jennifer Whitmore

57. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications his plans to legislate for a ban on oil and gas exploration licences; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2915/21]

Climate Change Policy

Jennifer Whitmore

58. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the status of the establishment of a national retrofitting delivery body to be set up by end of 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2916/21]

Climate Action Plan

Jennifer Whitmore

59. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the status of the National Energy and Climate Plan 2021 to 2030; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2918/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Jennifer Whitmore

140. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Finance if banks are classified as essential services; if they are to remain open to the public during the current lockdown; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2339/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Jennifer Whitmore

190. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the supports that will be made available to the hospitality sector in circumstances where utility bills continue to increase despite the lockdown of the sector; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2905/21]

Wildlife Protection

Jennifer Whitmore

202. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when details relating to the level and types of staffing, resources and funding that will be provided for the new wildlife crime unit will be determined; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2331/21]

Environmental Policy

Jennifer Whitmore

229. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when the expert group report on marine protective areas will be published and made available; when the associated public consultation process will commence; the reason for the delay to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2720/21]

Natural Heritage Areas

Jennifer Whitmore

246. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of proposed natural heritage areas; when they were initially registered for inclusion; when he plans to designate them as natural heritage areas; if they have already been assessed or monitored since becoming natural heritage areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2894/21]

Environmental Protection Enforcement

Jennifer Whitmore

247. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the steps being taken to meet the 30% land and sea protections announced as part of the high ambition coalition, HAC, initiative; if the commitment will be legislated for; when the commitment will be met; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2895/21]

National Parks

Jennifer Whitmore

248. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his plans in place to develop management plans for the six national parks; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2896/21]

Hare Coursing

Jennifer Whitmore

249. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if a club (details supplied) released all hares captured for the purposes of coursing as requested by him in October 2020; if the club currently has captured hares; the number of hares under the control of the club; if the club is required to release them due to the limitations on coursing under Covid-19 restrictions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2897/21]

Wastewater Treatment

Jennifer Whitmore

250. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the funding required to build the Arklow wastewater treatment plant; the funding sources identified by the Government to enable the build; the funding that has already been allocated to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2899/21]

Natural Heritage Areas

Jennifer Whitmore

251. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if a review of the protection of natural heritage, including hedgerows, native woodlands and wetlands, is being carried out; if not, when this will commence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2901/21]

Citizens' Assembly

Jennifer Whitmore

252. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when the establishment of a Citizens' Assembly on biodiversity will commence; the efforts made to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2920/21]

Schools Site Acquisitions

Jennifer Whitmore

295. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Education the position regarding the securing of a site at a school (details supplied) and existing extension plans; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2333/21]

School Admissions

Jennifer Whitmore

296. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Education if she will consider meeting with the new Archbishop of Dublin regarding changes made to the sibling first school admissions policy by the school patron and the effects this is having on school admissions in County Wicklow; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2334/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Jennifer Whitmore

325. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Education the contingency planning in place since the Covid-19 pandemic began for education provision in circumstances in which schools are closed; the scenarios used to plan for various situations affecting education provision during lockdown particularly regarding remote learning plans; the interaction her Department has had in developing remote learning plans; the level of communication her Department has had with boards of management; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2907/21]

School Facilities

Jennifer Whitmore

326. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Education the actions parents can take in the event that they do not have computer, printing and other facilities available to carry out remote learning; if schools are being resourced to provide additional supplies and facilities to families that require same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2911/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment

Jennifer Whitmore

352. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of childcare professionals who have applied for the pandemic unemployment payment since 1 January 2021; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2703/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Jennifer Whitmore

361. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if teachers are officially recognised as essential workers for access to childcare purposes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2335/21]

Parental Leave

Jennifer Whitmore

362. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the status of the extension to parental leave as a result of budget 2021; if he will bring forward the start date of such leave; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2336/21]

Mother and Baby Homes Inquiries

Jennifer Whitmore

363. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the steps he will take to ensure a full investigation into the leak of the mother and baby homes report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2337/21]

Mother and Baby Homes Inquiries

Jennifer Whitmore

364. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the extent to which he will be consulting with the collaborative forum on the mother and baby and Bethany homes commission of investigation report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2338/21]

Proposed Legislation

Jennifer Whitmore

381. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the timeline for the adoption of legislation in relation to mother and baby homes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2887/21]

Mother and Baby Homes Inquiries

Jennifer Whitmore

382. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth when hard copies of the commission on the investigation into mother and baby and Bethany homes report will be made available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2888/21]

Mother and Baby Homes Inquiries

Jennifer Whitmore

383. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth when he will be engaging with survivors again once they have reviewed the commission’s report into mother and baby homes; the mechanism by which engagement will take place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2889/21]

Mother and Baby Homes Inquiries

Jennifer Whitmore

384. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of calls made by survivors of mother and baby homes to support services, including mental health services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2890/21]

Mother and Baby Homes Inquiries

Jennifer Whitmore

385. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth when a redress scheme for survivors of mother and baby homes will be put in place; the steps his Department will take; the position regarding the overall strategic action plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2891/21]

Mother and Baby Homes Inquiries

Jennifer Whitmore

386. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the additional resources put in place to deal with GDPR requests related to survivors of mother and baby homes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2892/21]

Mother and Baby Homes Inquiries

Jennifer Whitmore

387. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the timeline of the appointment for an archivist in relation to mother and baby homes; the steps his Department is taking to facilitate this appointment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2893/21]

Domestic Violence

Jennifer Whitmore

388. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the additional supports being provided to assist women and children facing domestic abuse under the current lockdown; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2900/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Jennifer Whitmore

389. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if essential workers who decide not to put their children into childcare in order to reduce movement during the current level 5 restrictions are compelled to pay for that childcare service regardless of whether they use the service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2903/21]

Childcare Costs

Jennifer Whitmore

390. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the financial supports available for teachers who must teach online in a live capacity, resulting in the need to put their children into childcare, but whose childcare costs are now more than their incomes due to the fact that their children are no longer in school owing to school closures; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2904/21]

Direct Provision System

Jennifer Whitmore

391. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth when the White Paper on direct provision will likely be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2908/21]

Refugee Resettlement Programme

Jennifer Whitmore

392. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the status of the transfer of families and unaccompanied children from the Moria camp, Greece, to Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2909/21]

Deportation Orders

Jennifer Whitmore

440. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Justice if an analysis has been carried out on the effects that letters consistently being sent to persons facing deportation outlining their requirement to present themselves to their local Garda stations is having on their mental health; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2917/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Jennifer Whitmore

663. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Health if transmissibility has been factored into modelling the progression of Covid-19 during and after vaccination has been carried out in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2906/21]

Food Safety Standards

Jennifer Whitmore

664. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Health to outline the analysis his Department has carried out to date with regard to the health effects that consumption of sugar and high-caffeine drinks have on children in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2910/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Jennifer Whitmore

665. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Health the position regarding pay for student radiographers during the current lockdown; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2912/21]

Dental Services

Jennifer Whitmore

666. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Health if a resolution has been sought regarding the sourcing and dissemination of personal protective equipment for dental practitioners to enable them to take on and retain patients with medical cards; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2913/21]

Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services

Jennifer Whitmore

667. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Health the efforts made by his Department to date to tackle outstanding issues concerning CAMHS, including addressing waiting lists, a lack of investment and recruitment issues; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2914/21]

Inshore Fisheries

Jennifer Whitmore

683. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will agree to increased monitoring of inshore fisheries as an interim measure and until the State's appeal is heard in the High Court in June 2021; if he will provide extra funding and resources for such monitoring; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2329/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Jennifer Whitmore

49. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Finance the number of early years education services in Ireland currently availing of the employment wage subsidy scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2075/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Jennifer Whitmore

315. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if wastewater analysis is taking place in Ireland to detect levels of Covid-19 as is done in other countries; if so, the regularity with which wastewater is being sampled; the results of those samples; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45178/20]

Education Policy

Jennifer Whitmore

166. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Education the specific educational supports available to Syrian refugee children as part of the resettlement programme; the in-classroom supports available such as SNAs and so on; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43621/20]

School Accommodation

Jennifer Whitmore

181. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Education the rental costs following the decision to place six specialist Portakabins on a site (details supplied); if rental costs for the overall site increased; if so, the amount by which they increased; if her Department examined alternative sites nearby to accommodate the Portakabins; if there is a cost differential between the two sites; if so, the amount; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43961/20]

White Papers Publication

Jennifer Whitmore

234. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth when the White Paper on direct provision will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43618/20]

Refugee Resettlement Programme

Jennifer Whitmore

235. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the supports available for refugee families from Syria coming into Ireland as part of the resettlement programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43620/20]

Direct Provision System

Jennifer Whitmore

265. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Justice if she will consider expanding the current regularisation scheme to direct provision residents; if not, the reason for not including them in this process; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43619/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Jennifer Whitmore

300. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Health the age groups that will receive the Covid-19 vaccine; the reason certain groups will not be prioritised, including immunocompromised adults and children under 18 years of age, all children under 12 years of age, persons with Down's syndrome and carers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43727/20]

Electric Vehicles

Jennifer Whitmore

142. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of smart meters that have been installed to date; the number of homes retrofitted to date; the number of electric vehicle charging points that have been implemented to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42940/20]

Railway Stations

Jennifer Whitmore

161. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Transport the status of the proposed new DART station at a location (details supplied); the timeline for the proposal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42942/20]

Driver Test

Jennifer Whitmore

181. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Transport the efforts being made to reduce waiting times for driver tests across the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43202/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Jennifer Whitmore

199. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Finance if he will facilitate access to CRSS for businesses (details supplied) who do not currently qualify for the payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43129/20]

National Parks and Wildlife Service

Jennifer Whitmore

269. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when the review of the National Parks and Wildlife Service will conclude; the amount budgeted in budget 2021 to carry out subsequent changes and reforms as a result of the review; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42938/20]

Departmental Information

Jennifer Whitmore

270. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the progress made in establishing the wildlife crime unit; the funding being allocated to the new unit; the resources including the number and types of staff due to be allocated to the new unit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42939/20]

Refugee Status

Jennifer Whitmore

396. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of families and the number of unaccompanied children who have arrived in Ireland from the Moria camp in Greece to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42936/20]

Direct Provision System

Jennifer Whitmore

397. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the timeline for publication of the White Paper to replace the current direct provision system; the funding that will be provided for reforms required; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42937/20]

Parental Leave

Jennifer Whitmore

398. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the progress in bringing forward the start date for the extended paid parent’s leave to earlier in the new year than was originally proposed in budget 2021; when the leave will be commenced for parents; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42943/20]

Healthcare Policy

Jennifer Whitmore

468. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Health if there are age limits in Ireland on the consumption of energy drinks which can contain concentrated amounts of caffeine or other stimulants; if not, if there are plans to introduce age limits for energy drinks for those under 16 years of age as is the case in other jurisdictions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43031/20]

Primary Care Centres

Jennifer Whitmore

503. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Health the status of the new primary healthcare centre for an area (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42941/20]

Cancer Services

Jennifer Whitmore

632. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Health if alternative treatments provided to cancer patients are currently deemed essential; if not, if this will be reconsidered considering the mental and physical benefits offered to those suffering from a variety of illnesses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43503/20]

Fishing Industry

Jennifer Whitmore

468. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if bycatch reduction plans will be put in place in 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42635/20]

Fishing Industry

Jennifer Whitmore

469. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the measures being considered to ensure that all vessels benefitting from bycatch TACs in 2021 comply with full catch documentation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42636/20]

Fishing Industry

Jennifer Whitmore

470. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the measures being considered to ensure the rapid recovery of the Celtic Sea cod and Celtic Sea whiting to go above the level capable of producing MSY; the monitoring processes recommended by STECF being considered; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42637/20]

Fishing Industry

Jennifer Whitmore

471. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if measures such as CCTV will be put in place to ensure that all vessels benefitting from bycatch TACs in 2021 comply with full catch documentation; if not, the way in which Irish vessels will comply with the need for full catch documentation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42638/20]

Schools Building Projects

Jennifer Whitmore

322. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Education if a formal dispute resolution process has been started for a school (details supplied); if a professional independent conciliator has been appointed; if so, when the process will start; the conditions attached for the stakeholders taking part in the resolution process; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41095/20]

Training Support Grant

Jennifer Whitmore

401. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Social Protection the full conditions attached to the training support grant for persons with a disability, as announced in budget 2021; if operational guidelines have been published; and if the person applying needs to be engaged with the EmployAbility service to avail of this grant. [41846/20]

Wage Subsidy Scheme

Jennifer Whitmore

402. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of persons with disabilities currently supported under the wage subsidy scheme for persons with disabilities; the number of companies currently involved with this scheme, by company type; and the number of persons supported in each company. [41847/20]

Employment Support Services

Jennifer Whitmore

403. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Social Protection the progress made to date in meeting the commitment in the programme for Government to fine-tune and expand targeted employment schemes such as the wage subsidy scheme and the Ability programme to help more persons with disabilities stay in the workforce; and the targets and target dates she is working to in relation to this commitment. [41848/20]

Assisted Decision-Making

Jennifer Whitmore

434. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the target year and quarter he is working to for the commencement of Part 6 of the Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) Act 2015 which deals with the review of wards of court and the repeal of the Lunacy Regulation (Ireland) Act 1871 and the Marriage of Lunatics Act 1811. [41849/20]

Assisted Decision-Making

Jennifer Whitmore

435. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the target month she is working to in relation to the publication of the assisted decision-making (capacity) (amendment) Bill. [41850/20]

Assisted Decision-Making

Jennifer Whitmore

436. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the target month for the commencement of section 3 of the Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) Act 2015 on the assessment of capacity and the commencement of section 8 on guiding principles. [41851/20]

Assisted Decision-Making

Jennifer Whitmore

437. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the target month for the commencement of the disability (miscellaneous provisions) Bill to make the necessary amendments to a number of pieces of legislation to comply with the UNCRPD; and if it will be before the date that Ireland submits its first report to the UN General Committee. [41852/20]

Assisted Decision-Making

Jennifer Whitmore

438. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the target date for the commencement of public consultation on the draft codes of practice for the Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) Act 2015. [41853/20]

Fishing Industry

Jennifer Whitmore

823. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason he has not taken on board requests from an organisation (details supplied) to present a socio-economic assessment of fishing opportunities for 2021 which takes into account both the medium to long-term economic benefits resulting from managing stocks at or below their maximum sustainable yield and the economic risk associated with ignoring scientific advice resulting in the collapse of fish stocks; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41573/20]

Fishing Industry

Jennifer Whitmore

824. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if it will be ensured that the 2018 commitments to ensure that effective bycatch reduction plans are developed which will progressively restore stocks that are subject to bycatch TACs will be delivered; if all fisheries which require bycatch TAC s will be subject to full catch documentation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41574/20]

Mother and Baby Homes Inquiries

Jennifer Whitmore

87. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the extent to which he consulted with and sourced international and national independent law and data privacy advisers in advance of the publication of the mother and baby homes report; if not, if he will appoint independent advisers of national and international standing in future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41065/20]

Mother and Baby Homes Inquiries

Jennifer Whitmore

252. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the level of consultation his Department carried out with survivors before, during and after publication of the mother and baby homes report; the supports that will be provided to survivors; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41066/20]

Education Welfare Service

Jennifer Whitmore

279. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the breakdown of funding provided to Tusla resulting from Budget 2021 being allocated towards the education support service; the amount in extra funding being allocated to the service based on Budget 2020 figures; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41036/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Jennifer Whitmore

280. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth when his Department will finish compiling school data that will identify the number of children who did not return to school after the Covid-19 restrictions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41037/20]

Education Welfare Service

Jennifer Whitmore

281. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of education welfare officers; if this number has increased; if he will consider increasing the number of education welfare officers if data reveals an increase number of children that have not returned to school after Covid-19 restrictions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41038/20]

Proposed Legislation

Jennifer Whitmore

282. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the proposed changes he will make regarding outstanding issues in relation to the guardian ad litem service in the proposed scheme of Bill before it is introduced in the Houses of the Oireachtas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41039/20]

School Accommodation

Jennifer Whitmore

378. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Education her views on the need for a new post-primary school building in an area (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39578/20]

Direct Provision System

Jennifer Whitmore

535. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will clarify the guidelines in relation to donations such as food, toiletries and toys to direct provision centres; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40243/20]

Disabilities Assessments

Jennifer Whitmore

759. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Health if the standards for assessments of needs for persons with disabilities has been updated; and if not, the timeline for the finalisation of the standards. [40351/20]

Special Educational Needs

Jennifer Whitmore

262. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Education the requirements for new schools to provide special education units; if a similar requirement applies to existing schools seeking to extend their current buildings; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39282/20]

Special Educational Needs

Jennifer Whitmore

263. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Education the options available to students with additional needs in the event that the sole school to which they are eligible to apply and that provides a special education unit is oversubscribed and the child is not suited to full-time mainstream education; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39283/20]

School Accommodation

Jennifer Whitmore

285. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Education the position regarding accommodation for a secondary school (details supplied) in January 2021; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39509/20]