Parliamentary questions

Taxi Licences

Verona Murphy

200. Deputy Verona Murphy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to consult with the National Transport Authority on the many issues in relation to taxi and limousine vehicle licensing, in view of the deferred Covid-19 reopening map in which many operators are expected to renew vehicle licences when those taxi and limousine vehicles are non-operational due to ongoing restrictions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18917/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Verona Murphy

201. Deputy Verona Murphy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the industry specific financial supports that will be made available to licensed travel agents and tour operators in view of the major Covid-19 recommended travel restrictions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18922/20]

Fire Stations

Verona Murphy

360. Deputy Verona Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government when funding in respect of the new fire station in New Ross, County Wexford will be signed off on; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18916/20]

School Transport

Verona Murphy

429. Deputy Verona Murphy asked the Minister for Education and Skills her plans for the school transport system to ensure social distancing on school buses; if additional buses will be made available to the scheme; if each applying student will be guaranteed a bus seat; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18919/20]

School Transport

Verona Murphy

430. Deputy Verona Murphy asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of students that availed of the school transport system 2019-2020 in County Wexford; the number of students that made applications; the number of students that were unsuccessful in their application in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18920/20]

School Transport

Verona Murphy

535. Deputy Verona Murphy asked the Minister for Education and Skills when a definitive plan on the reopening of schools will be made available to students and parents to allow for planning of childcare supports and school transport plans, in particular with school transport providers presently looking for payment for the school year 2020-2021 and supported home schooling when needed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18921/20]

School Transport

Verona Murphy

542. Deputy Verona Murphy asked the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to extend the school transport deadline for payments for the new 2020-21 school term in view of the fact that parents are being asked for full payment by the end of July 2020 to secure bus seats for their children when there is much uncertainty regarding the new school year and format; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18981/20]

Social Welfare Eligibility

Verona Murphy

627. Deputy Verona Murphy asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the reason the rerating of the pandemic unemployment payment for self-employed persons does not take into account the person’s income at the time immediate to Covid-19 closures; the additional supports which will be available to the self-employed whose businesses remain closed but still generate running expenses by means of utility bills and general services when the business is not generating an income; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18982/20]

Crime Data

Verona Murphy

811. Deputy Verona Murphy asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the additional measures and sentences she plans to introduce the counteract the growing trend of stolen animals; the current fines and prison sentences aligned to the theft of family animals; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18918/20]

Driver Test

Verona Murphy

121. Deputy Verona Murphy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to address the six-month waiting list for driver theory tests in County Wexford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17173/20]

Driver Licences

Verona Murphy

122. Deputy Verona Murphy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if a format allowing priority appointments for holders of expiring driver licences can be devised in the short term to allow for frontline licence holders to renew their licence without facing a lengthy waiting time for appointments resulting in no valid licence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17174/20]

Maternity Services

Verona Murphy

732. Deputy Verona Murphy asked the Minister for Health if he will issue revised guidelines to allow fathers-to-be to attend scan appointments and antenatal check-ups with their expectant wives and partners; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17175/20]

Maternity Services

Verona Murphy

733. Deputy Verona Murphy asked the Minister for Health if he will issue new guidelines allowing new fathers to remain for a longer period with their newborn child and partner after birth and allow for greater visitation of partners to hospitals after the birth of a child; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17176/20]

Competition and Consumer Protection Commission

Verona Murphy

34. Deputy Verona Murphy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation if he will list the requests made under section 10(4) of the Competition and Consumer Protection Act 2014 to the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission; his plans to make a further request; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15682/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Verona Murphy

640. Deputy Verona Murphy asked the Minister for Education and Skills if guidance will be provided to third level students and their families regarding when guidelines relating to the reopening of third level institutions will be forthcoming to allow students to plan accommodation and travel needs properly; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15626/20]

Schools Data

Verona Murphy

641. Deputy Verona Murphy asked the Minister for Education and Skills the statistics and format used when determining the need for a secondary school in a particular area; and the breakdown of these figures for Gorey, Enniscorthy, New Ross and Wexford town, respectively. [15627/20]

Hospital Funding

Verona Murphy

1243. Deputy Verona Murphy asked the Minister for Health when funding already pledged for essential maintenance works at New Houghton Hospital, New Ross, County Wexford, will be made available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15623/20]

Health Services Staff

Verona Murphy

1244. Deputy Verona Murphy asked the Minister for Health when a response acknowledging receipt of a job application for a child psychologist for County Wexford will be furnished to the applicant; the reason there has been a three-month delay in acknowledging this application; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15624/20]

Disability Services Provision

Verona Murphy

1245. Deputy Verona Murphy asked the Minister for Health when full disability services will resume in County Wexford for both adults and children; the additional supports being put in place for those regressing as a result of the closure of the services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15625/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Verona Murphy

127. Deputy Verona Murphy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if consultations are planned with the HSE, HSA or NPHET to establish industry specific guidelines for a safe return to work for driver schools and instructors; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14406/20]

Disability Support Services

Verona Murphy

598. Deputy Verona Murphy asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the status of the LINC, Leadership for INClusion in the Early Years, programme which is designed to support the inclusion of children with additional needs in the early years; when applications for funding will be reopened; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14401/20]

Maternity Benefit

Verona Murphy

643. Deputy Verona Murphy asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if the provision for temporary extension of maternity leave and benefit for mothers impacted by the Covid-19 lockdown during which social interactions for new babies was greatly restricted will be considered; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14400/20]

Information and Communications Technology

Verona Murphy

835. Deputy Verona Murphy asked the Minister for Health when suitable IT equipment and systems will be installed at a location (details supplied) to properly access records and allow the services to support CAMHS Wexford function efficiently; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14403/20]

Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services

Verona Murphy

836. Deputy Verona Murphy asked the Minister for Health when his Department and the HSE will provide a waiting area for parents and children attending CAMHS at a location (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14404/20]

Dental Services

Verona Murphy

837. Deputy Verona Murphy asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will commence an orthodontic treatment plan with the dental and orthodontic services in Waterford Regional Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14405/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Verona Murphy

4. Deputy Verona Murphy asked the Taoiseach if he will clarify the public health guidelines in relation to gatherings for weddings and the numbers permissible in places of worship including wedding celebrations, to allow persons to properly plan and manage their weddings. [13259/20]

Value Added Tax

Verona Murphy

56. Deputy Verona Murphy asked the Minister for Finance if he will reduce the VAT rate for the hospitality sector to assist the industry with recovery as a result of the impact caused by the Covid-19 crisis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13254/20]

School Transport

Verona Murphy

195. Deputy Verona Murphy asked the Minister for Education and Skills when parents will be refunded for school transport fees in circumstances in which the service paid for was lost due to Covid-19 school closures; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13255/20]

Special Educational Needs

Verona Murphy

196. Deputy Verona Murphy asked the Minister for Education and Skills her plans to provide school transport to support the summer provision programme for children with special needs and students in DEIS schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13256/20]

Disability Support Services

Verona Murphy

496. Deputy Verona Murphy asked the Minister for Health the additional resources and supports that will be implemented through Sláintecare to assist persons living with Parkinson’s disease and their families. [13253/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Verona Murphy

497. Deputy Verona Murphy asked the Minister for Health when he expects more normal visitations with physical contact to resume for residents of public and private nursing homes and their families that have experienced long periods of loneliness and lack of physical contact with their loved ones; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13258/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Verona Murphy

713. Deputy Verona Murphy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if clarity will be provided regarding the return of driving schools and testing as announced in the revised reopening plan to commence on 29 June 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13257/20]

Planning Appeals

Verona Murphy

886. Deputy Verona Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the number of decisions of An Bord Pleanála that have been the subject of judicial review proceedings in the past ten years; the number of decisions of An Bord Pleanála quashed by the courts; the number of High Court cases appealed to a higher court; the success rate on appeal for An Bord Pleanála; the number of times An Bord Pleanála conceded to the plaintiff in a judicial review case; the number of times legislation has been amended as a result of decisions of the courts; the legal firm and barristers that represented An Bord Pleanála in each case; the legal costs for each member of the legal team by case in the past ten years; the legal costs of the plaintiffs in circumstances in which An Bord Pleanála lost or did not concede by case; and the details of legal costs including persons paid and payments to the legal team of the plaintiff in cases in which An Bord Pleanála conceded without trial. [13261/20]

State Examinations

Verona Murphy

147. Deputy Verona Murphy asked the Minister for Education and Skills the provisions in place for mature leaving certificate external candidates; and if, in circumstances in which an external candidate is being tutored, if the tutor will be permitted to submit a predicted grade on behalf of the student. [10050/20]

Special Educational Needs

Verona Murphy

148. Deputy Verona Murphy asked the Minister for Education and Skills if there has been further development on the summer development programme which will serve as an alternative to the July provision in 2020. [10051/20]

Garda Reserve

Verona Murphy

220. Deputy Verona Murphy asked the Minister for Justice and Equality when the Garda Reserve programme will be reopened; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9936/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Verona Murphy

610. Deputy Verona Murphy asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs her plans to commit to a clear set of guidelines which will allow the childcare sector to return to work safely and as soon as possible. [10047/20]

Childcare Services

Verona Murphy

611. Deputy Verona Murphy asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the criteria to become a member of the advisory group established for the childcare sector. [10046/20]

Departmental Funding

Verona Murphy

612. Deputy Verona Murphy asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if the continuity of funding for the access and inclusion model will be confirmed. [10049/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment

Verona Murphy

631. Deputy Verona Murphy asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if the pandemic unemployment payment of €350 will be suspended in view of the fact it was a 12-week temporary payment; and if not, the length of time it will be extended for. [10052/20]

State Examinations

Verona Murphy

237. Deputy Verona Murphy asked the Minister for Education and Skills the provisions in place for mature leaving certificate external candidates; if a tutor will be permitted to submit a predicted grade on the students behalf in circumstances in which an external candidate is being tutored; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6159/20]

School Services Staff

Verona Murphy

274. Deputy Verona Murphy asked the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding the ongoing issues in relation to school secretaries in their actions to have their pay and conditions put on par with other public servants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5026/20]

School Placement

Verona Murphy

275. Deputy Verona Murphy asked the Minister for Education and Skills the status and proposals to address the lack of primary school places in the greater Rosslare area in view of the announcement of a direct provision centre to open in March 2020 (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5029/20]

Naturalisation Certificates

Verona Murphy

399. Deputy Verona Murphy asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the progress in respect of an application for naturalisation by a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5027/20]

General Practitioner Services Provision

Verona Murphy

731. Deputy Verona Murphy asked the Minister for Health the measures he plans to take to address the lack of access to general practitioner services in rural locations and in particular the greater Rosslare area in view of the announcement of a direct provision centre to open in March 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5028/20]

Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services

Verona Murphy

892. Deputy Verona Murphy asked the Minister for Health the reason Arden House, County Wexford, is not opened; the opening date; if the staffing numbers will meet the standards as set down by the WHO; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5471/20]

Planning Guidelines

Verona Murphy

1294. Deputy Verona Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the exact guidelines as amended that he refers to in SPPR 4 of the urban development and building height guidelines; if the ministerial guidelines are higher policy and are intended to usurp the density provisions of each of the CDPs of each local electoral area; the basis for the stance adopted by An Bord Pleanála in a number of recent decisions that minimum densities in rural locations or greenfield or edge of town and city locations of 35 dph is the correct density; the research and reports upon which he relied in issuing the 2009 guidelines particularly in relation to paragraph 5.11 of those guidelines in relation to density in rural towns; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5024/20]

Naturalisation Applications

Verona Murphy

323. Deputy Verona Murphy asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the average period of time to process an application for naturalisation for the purpose of obtaining a passport; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3873/20]

Mental Health Services Expenditure

Verona Murphy

909. Deputy Verona Murphy asked the Minister for Health the estimated cost of weekend cover for CAMHS Wexford for two doctors and a secretary travelling from Galway; the estimated travel and accommodation expenses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3875/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Verona Murphy

1076. Deputy Verona Murphy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the implications of the Covid-19 outbreak for the transport of goods into and through Italy; the discussions he has had with his EU counterparts on the implications for the transport sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3872/20]