Parliamentary questions

Climate Change Policy

Marc MacSharry

30. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Environment, Climate and Communications the differences proposed for agriculture over other sectors in his categorisation of its special role in the new climate action Bill; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31968/20]

Climate Change Policy

Marc MacSharry

31. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Environment, Climate and Communications if individual farmers can apply to the Climate Action Fund under changes proposed in the climate action Bill; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31969/20]

Medicinal Products

Marc MacSharry

249. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Health if his Department has set targets for increasing the use of generics medicine within the medicines market here; if so, the targets; the extent to which Ireland compares to other EU countries in the use of generic medicines; the estimated extra saving envisaged in 2021 by increased use of generics medicines; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31975/20]

Medicinal Products

Marc MacSharry

250. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Health if his Department has set targets for increasing the use of biosimilars medicine within the medicines market here; if so, the targets; the extent to which Ireland compares to other EU countries in the use of biosimilar medicines; the estimated extra saving envisaged in 2021 by the increased use; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31976/20]

Medicinal Products

Marc MacSharry

251. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Health if he has reviewed the proposals from a group within a report (details supplied) which suggest that if implemented, there could be savings of up to a further €1 billion over the next five years in reducing the cost of medicines here; his engagement on the matter; his views on the cost of medicines here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31977/20]

National Car Test

Marc MacSharry

161. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Transport if he will review the extension of the validity of NCT certificates in view of the backlog situation that currently exists at NCT centres (details supplied); if in the interim, no driver will get a fine and-or incur penalty points in a case in which the person has confirmation that he or she has booked an NCT; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31092/20]

Strategic Banking Corporation of Ireland

Marc MacSharry

204. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Finance if he will publish the criteria used to award the SBCI managing director a performance bonus in 2018 and 2019; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31055/20]

Strategic Banking Corporation of Ireland

Marc MacSharry

205. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Finance the person who authorised the payment of the performance bonus to the SBCI managing director in 2018 and 2019; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31056/20]

Strategic Banking Corporation of Ireland

Marc MacSharry

206. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Finance the person or body appointed to the internal audit function of the SBCI in November 2019; the value and term of their contract; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31057/20]

Strategic Banking Corporation of Ireland

Marc MacSharry

207. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Finance the person in the SBCI who awarded the internal audit function contract in 2019; the selection criteria adopted in this process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31058/20]

Strategic Banking Corporation of Ireland

Marc MacSharry

208. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Finance the amount paid by the SBCI for external public relations services in 2019; the companies or persons to which this was paid; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31059/20]

Strategic Banking Corporation of Ireland

Marc MacSharry

209. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Finance the annual internal cost of public relations for SBCI in 2019, by staff cost and related office expenses; if a separate figure will be provided on the amount of salary and package paid to the head of public relations and or communications at the NTMA; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31060/20]

Strategic Banking Corporation of Ireland

Marc MacSharry

210. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Finance the measures the board of the SBCI has taken in 2020 to arrest the drop in profits and get the company back to 2017 profit levels; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31061/20]

School Accommodation

Marc MacSharry

311. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Education when a primary school (details supplied) in County Sligo will receive final approval for an extension; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30937/20]

Primary Medical Certificates

Marc MacSharry

250. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Finance when the decision was taken to suspend processing all primary medical certificate applications by the HSE; if applicants have been informed that the scheme has been suspended; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that some areas of the HSE are refusing to issue application forms for primary medical certificates; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28710/20]

Primary Medical Certificates

Marc MacSharry

277. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Finance the steps that have been taken to determine the case of the two children named in the recent judgment of the Supreme Court to quash the decision of the disabled drivers board of appeal not to grant a primary medical certificate (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28707/20]

Primary Medical Certificates

Marc MacSharry

278. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Finance the number of applications for primary medical certificates that have been granted and refused since the Supreme Court decision (details supplied); if the scheme has been suspended; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28708/20]

Primary Medical Certificates

Marc MacSharry

279. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Finance the position on continued processing of applications for a primary medical certificate in view of the Supreme Court decision (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28709/20]

Primary Medical Certificates

Marc MacSharry

280. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Finance if his Department has suspended processing all applications and appeals of primary medical certificates; the date the scheme was suspended; the reason for same; when the scheme will be resumed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28711/20]

Garda Equipment

Marc MacSharry

708. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Justice the number of new Garda vehicles allocated to the Sligo-Leitrim division in each of the years 2018, 2019 and to date in 2020; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26698/20]

Medicinal Products

Marc MacSharry

860. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Health the status of the reimbursement of teduglutide for children with short bowel syndrome; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26691/20]

Vaccination Programme

Marc MacSharry

861. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Health if the flu vaccine for children aged two to twelve will be made available for free for the 2021 winter period and beyond; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26692/20]

Healthcare Infrastructure Provision

Marc MacSharry

862. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Health when the construction of a new acute mental health unit at Sligo University Hospital will be completed; the estimated cost of the project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26693/20]

Transport Policy

Marc MacSharry

25. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Transport the status of the steps taken to legislate for e-scooters in accordance with the Programme for Government; his plans to recognise the role e-scooters play as part of Ireland’s sustainable transport mix year; if a second stakeholder consultation will be brought forward by his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24265/20]

Illicit Trade

Marc MacSharry

30. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Finance the measures in place to counteract cross-Border smuggling and illicit trade in products such as tobacco, alcohol and fuel products and to ensure smugglers do not take advantage of the green lane corridors established during Covid-19; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24264/20]

Departmental Bodies

Marc MacSharry

205. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Transport when the position of the chief executive officer of an organisation (details supplied), which was extended in 2016 for a four-year period and is set to expire on 30 September 2020, will be advertised; if not being publicly advertised, the precise reason for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23976/20]

Departmental Bodies

Marc MacSharry

206. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Transport if the terms of the chairman and three board members of an organisation (details supplied), together with the three board vacancies which already exist, are set to expire on 30 September 2020; when these positions will be advertised in the media and on the normal Public Jobs online platform; if not being publicly advertised, the precise reason for the decision; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23977/20]

Departmental Bodies

Marc MacSharry

207. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Transport if there has been an approach by an organisation (details supplied) to seek a further extension to the existing contract of the current CEO; if an extension to the terms of office of the current chairman or board members has been sought; if so, the details of such representations; the person or body that made them; when they were made; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23978/20]

Appointments to State Boards

Marc MacSharry

291. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his views on whether, for optimum corporate governance, all organisations and agencies under the competent authority of the State should adhere to the practice of term limits for key personnel including the positions of CEO, chairperson and board members; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23979/20]

Public Sector Staff

Marc MacSharry

321. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Media, Tourism, Arts, Culture, Sport and the Gaeltacht her views on whether recruitment for all organisations and agencies under the competent authority of the State should carry out all recruitment in an open, transparent and public manner in line with the principles of corporate governance and established protocols which govern public procurement and the recruitment of personnel for positions within public services and State agencies here; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23981/20]

Disability Allowance

Marc MacSharry

474. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason the disability allowance assessment criteria for those living with myalgic encephalomyelitis is not representative of the WHO classified neurological disorder myalgic encephalomyelitis (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24081/20]

Disease Management

Marc MacSharry

807. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Health if myalgic encephalomyelitis (details supplied) is accepted as an illness which can lead to disability; if a person with the condition can expect his or her application for support to be processed by the disability service in a CHO; his views as to whether processing such an application under older persons is discriminatory; the code now assigned to the condition to ensure that the current criteria for disability services are made public in view of recent changes to the National Ability Supports System; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24068/20]

Disability Services Provision

Marc MacSharry

808. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Health if the disability section of the HSE website will be updated to provide more detailed information on management and supports to include policies or guidance relating to disability services for those living independently in their own homes and provide links to accessible information in plain and easy English versions which describe each specific service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24069/20]

Disease Management

Marc MacSharry

809. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Health if he is satisfied that the data collected by his Department, the National Ability Supports System and the HSE in respect of those living with myalgic encephalomyelitis (details supplied) and used as a data set to support the decision-making process in respect of the supports and services needed in acute and community care and to inform key performance indicators are accurate and representative of the 0.2% to 0.4% population prevalence of persons with the condition in adults and children across all severities of mild, moderate, severe and very severe; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24070/20]

Departmental Strategies

Marc MacSharry

810. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Health if the disability inclusion strategy 2016-21 is fully inclusive and representative of the issues faced by those in the 18 to 65 years of age demographic who have acquired a disability and live in their own homes in view of the recommendation of the Culliton and O'Malley report of July 2018 (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24071/20]

Disease Management

Marc MacSharry

811. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Health the way in which the HSE fulfils the commitment of the national healthcare charter in respect of persons living with myalgic encephalomyelitis (details supplied) in view of the experience of those living with the condition who meet staff across the spectrum of health services whose training either pre or post qualification does not include the condition; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24072/20]

Disease Management

Marc MacSharry

812. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Health if he will direct the HSE to identify a paediatric and adult champion for myalgic encephalomyelitis (details supplied) in each hospital group and CHO; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24073/20]

Disease Management

Marc MacSharry

813. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Health if he is satisfied that the HSE is adequately fulfilling the standard of quality healthcare committed to in view of records from a freedom of information request (details supplied) which indicate that there is no home or ownership of myalgic encephalomyelitis in the clinical operations of the HSE; if he will direct the HSE to identify individual healthcare staff with a particular interest in ME as referred to in the freedom of information records; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24074/20]

Disease Management

Marc MacSharry

814. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Health the diagnostic criteria the HSE and Children's Health Ireland used consistently in adult services and paediatric services to elicit a differential diagnosis of myalgic encephalomyelitis (details supplied); if the HSE and Children's Health Ireland have not currently instructed staff to follow a specific set of diagnostic criteria, if he will instruct them to adopt the international consensus criteria 2011, the 2012 primer for adults and the paediatric primer published by Rowe et. al. in 2017 until the work of the national HSE ME working group has been completed and adopted in practice; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24075/20]

Disease Management

Marc MacSharry

815. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 270 of 10 July 2019, the evidence Children’s Health Ireland relies on to adopt graded exercise therapy and cognitive behavioural therapy as treatments for children with myalgic encephalomyelitis; if HSE paediatricians follow the same treatment pathways, that is, supervised graded exercise programmes and cognitive behavioural therapy are commonly used to treat children with CFS; the risk of harm to children subjected to these treatments in view of findings (details supplied) and other associated research; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24076/20]

Disease Management

Marc MacSharry

816. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Health the reason Children's Health Ireland chooses to use the term CFS rather than myalgic encephalomyelitis (details supplied); the decision-making process which resulted in this decision; the WHO classification associated with the term; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24077/20]

Disease Management

Marc MacSharry

817. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Health if he will ascertain if a HSE service or member of staff recommends graded exercise therapy and cognitive behavioural therapy as treatments for adults with myalgic encephalomyelitis; his views on the risk of harm to those subjected to these treatments in view of findings (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24078/20]

Disease Management

Marc MacSharry

818. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Health the diagnostic criteria that will be used to differentiate between long-tail Covid-19, that is, those exhibiting a post-Covid-19 syndrome and those with myalgic encephalomyelitis in view of the fact that SARS and MERS outbreaks resulted in some persons having slow recovery and of those a sub-group went on to fulfil diagnostic criteria for ME; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24079/20]

Disease Management

Marc MacSharry

819. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Health his views on the NICE statement July 2020 in relation to post-Covid-19 management and the associated guidance on pacing and conserving energy; his views on whether a statement regarding graded exercise therapy should be issued to healthcare professionals warning of the risks of the therapy and the appropriate management techniques for those living with myalgic encephalomyelitis with specific guidance to differentiate between those moderately and severely affected in view of the fact that the management techniques for those with myalgic encephalomyelitis include pacing and conserving energy (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24080/20]

Disease Management

Marc MacSharry

820. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Health the reason the knowledge relating to research into myalgic encephalomyelitis, the physiological presentation and treatment and management options is held by those living with ME and not by an identifiable HSE or children's health expert or responsible group that can be approached for informed guidance and support, supported by biomedical research; if he will consider the impact on those who have limited function in their lives due to ME who are using that limited function to bring change; the reason this situation has not been addressed in view of the repeated signalling that those with ME are inadequately served by the health services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24082/20]

Disease Management

Marc MacSharry

821. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Health the training healthcare providers currently make available to qualified staff in view of a recent EU ruling (details supplied); the training available to trainees in all healthcare disciplines; the steps being taken to identify the current lack of training; his plans to address the training needs; his plans to raise awareness among health professionals; his plans to raise the awareness of the public; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24083/20]

Disease Management

Marc MacSharry

822. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Health the action taken to gain an understanding of the impact of the poor knowledge among healthcare providers of myalgic encephalomyelitison on persons living with the condition in view of a recent EU ruling (details supplied); the data currently available; the funding provided for same by the HSE, the HRB and other public bodies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24084/20]

Disease Management

Marc MacSharry

823. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Health the funding the State, the HSE and the HRB have provided since 1 January 2015 for research into myalgic encephalomyelitis, that is, biomedical and socio-economic research and research into the experience of those living with ME and disability related to ME in view of a recent EU ruling (details supplied); his plans to address the resolution; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24085/20]

Disease Management

Marc MacSharry

824. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Health the data available on disability related to myalgic encephalomyelitis in view of a recent EU ruling (details supplied); the action taken to gain an understanding of the impact the poor knowledge of the condition among healthcare providers has had on the understanding of and provision for the level of disability of persons living with myalgic encephalomyelitis by the HSE, the HRB and other public bodies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24086/20]

Emergency Works Scheme

Marc MacSharry

118. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Education further to Parliamentary Question No. 680 of 14 July 2020 and subsequent correspondence to her Department, when a school (details supplied) in County Sligo will receive funding for emergency works at the school. [23172/20]

Football Association of Ireland

Marc MacSharry

174. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Transport if he will make enquiries into the governance procedures followed or not followed as the case may be with regard to the appointment of the independent chairman of an organisation (details supplied) and other matters within his Department and Sport Ireland; if he will then publish a detailed account of these enquiries and precise answers to queries in view of the provision of State financial resources being provided to the organisation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22034/20]

State Examinations

Marc MacSharry

620. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Education if school profiling based on the performance of previous years will now not proceed for fear it could discriminate against high performance students from disadvantaged areas; her views on whether a high performance student in a disadvantaged area will naturally be in the upper end of the bell curve of the school in circumstances (details supplied) in the context of forthcoming examination results; the reason for abandoning the initial intention to adopt profiling of schools based on consistent output scoring; the reason for the introduction of a system by which the scoring output of schools will now increase their overall scoring average without reference to previous years and the mean performance of same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22428/20]

Brexit Preparations

Marc MacSharry

41. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if further Brexit legislation is likely to be required; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18500/20]

Insurance Industry

Marc MacSharry

268. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Finance the steps business owners should take whose respective insurance companies will not pay out on claims for business interruption due to Covid-19 restrictions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18893/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Marc MacSharry

959. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Health the activity volumes per month at each of the 18 private hospitals which were part of the provision of public health services in private hospitals as a response to the Covid-19 pandemic covering the full duration of the agreement, including but not limited to inpatient, outpatient, elective and all other activities and procedures undertaken under the agreement; and the costs associated with each collectively and at each hospital which was party to the agreement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18283/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment

Marc MacSharry

449. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection when a person (details supplied) will receive a decision on their possible entitlement to the pandemic unemployment payment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16494/20]

Hospital Services

Marc MacSharry

654. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Health when radiology services will be opened in hospitals for non-Covid-19 patients especially those who may have cancer-related health issues; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16773/20]

Health Services Funding

Marc MacSharry

655. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Health when funding will be made available to provide staff to operate the state-of-the art x-ray equipment in a Saolta health campus (details supplied) in County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16774/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Marc MacSharry

30. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the consideration his Department is giving to additional measures that may be needed to support the hospitality, retail, entertainment, arts and leisure sectors. [15801/20]

Emergency Works Scheme

Marc MacSharry

680. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Education and Skills when a school (details supplied) in County Sligo will receive a decision on funding for emergency works at the school; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15968/20]

Aviation Industry

Marc MacSharry

93. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if the provision of section 18(A)(4) of the Package Holidays and Travel Trade Act 1995 applies to persons who booked a holiday earlier in 2020 to Spain for a family wedding through an online UK based travel company which subsequently had to be cancelled due to the pandemic (details supplied); if not, the options open to them to recoup their money; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13930/20]

Defence Forces Records

Marc MacSharry

357. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Defence if his Department will supply historic details of the social insurance record of a person (details supplied) that requires this information in order for the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection to carry out a review of the rate of payment of widower’s contributory pension; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14160/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Marc MacSharry

96. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he has considered the introduction of measures to incentivise working from home in view of the ongoing capacity constraints across public transport and so on. [13017/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Marc MacSharry

660. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the reason there is no representative from the ground transport and scheduled services sector on the tourism recovery taskforce in view of the centrality of the sector to the tourism sector here. [12715/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Marc MacSharry

661. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he has considered extending financial support or waiving State fees that are imposed on scheduled coach services or bus tour operators, such as NCT fees, CVRT fees and vehicle licensing. [12716/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Marc MacSharry

662. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he has considered automatically extending vehicle licences for coach and bus tour operators for a period of 12 months in view of the impact of Covid-19 on the sector. [12717/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Marc MacSharry

663. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he has considered extending grant payments to bus and coach operators in respect of vehicle insurance in view of the impact of Covid-19 on the sector. [12718/20]

Driver Licences

Marc MacSharry

688. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he has considered allowing persons over 70 years of age to renew their driver licence online in view of the ongoing threat of Covid-19. [13008/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Marc MacSharry

689. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if the late renewal charge usually levied on those renewing PSV licences will be waived in all circumstances or in limited Covid-19 circumstances, for example, illness; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13009/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Marc MacSharry

690. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he has considered extending full or partial fee waivers to PSV licence applicants owing to the impacts of Covid-19 on PSV drivers. [13010/20]

Childcare Services

Marc MacSharry

760. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if crèches can reopen their afterschool facilities; the guidance issued to them on same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13080/20]

Childcare Services

Marc MacSharry

761. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if he is considering measures to increase the availability of childcare for school aged children; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13081/20]

Childcare Services

Marc MacSharry

762. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if he will consider the concerns raised by a healthcare worker that cannot access childcare (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13082/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Marc MacSharry

31. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Finance the length of time the temporary wage subsidy scheme will be extended to coach and bus operators in view of the long-term impacts of social distancing on such businesses. [11756/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Marc MacSharry

52. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Finance if the provision of the temporary wage subsidy scheme will be extended to seasonal workers in the tourism sector who were not on the payroll in January and February 2020 due to commence employment in March and April similar to other years; if the level of wage subsidy payable to workers who worked weekends in January and February 2020 in cases in which the business was forced to close due to Covid-19 restrictions (details supplied) will be reviewed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11918/20]

School Transport

Marc MacSharry

137. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he is considering providing financial supports to private transport providers contracted to provide school transport services. [11762/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Marc MacSharry

656. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide social distancing guidelines for buses and coaches; and if the use of air conditioning on board buses and coaches will be restricted as part of same. [11755/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Marc MacSharry

657. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he has requested that bus and coach operators be included within the restart grant for small businesses; and if he has raised the matter with his Ministerial colleagues. [11757/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Marc MacSharry

658. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he is considering sectoral specific support for the bus and coach industry in view of the long-term impacts of Covid-19 on the sector. [11758/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Marc MacSharry

659. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if financial support will be provided to bus and coach businesses that need to purchase additional cleaning materials and equipment in order to meet public health guidelines. [11759/20]

Tourism Industry

Marc MacSharry

660. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the reason an organisation (details supplied) has been excluded from the tourism recovery task force. [11760/20]

Taxi Licences

Marc MacSharry

665. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the reason no extension has been granted to taxi drivers whose taxi licences expired after 13 June 2020, given the considerable waiting times that drivers face for NCT and suitability tests. [11933/20]

Taxi Licences

Marc MacSharry

666. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his attention has been drawn to issues raised in correspondence by a taxi operator (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11934/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Marc MacSharry

98. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Finance if he will review the rules governing the temporary wage subsidy scheme as they apply to a company (details supplied) in County Leitrim; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11237/20]

Schools Building Projects

Marc MacSharry

224. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Education and Skills when approval will issue to the board of management of a school (details supplied) in County Sligo to proceed with its school building project, in view of the fact that it has completed stages 1 to 3 of the project stages and has submitted all technical reports to his Department with costings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10880/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Marc MacSharry

628. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Health if the Covid-19 contact tracing application due to be launched shortly will be accessible to visually impaired persons; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11165/20]

National Broadband Plan

Marc MacSharry

797. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the status of the national broadband plan; if a contract has been signed; the timeline for connection for specific areas in counties Sligo and Leitrim (details supplied) in which there is currently poor coverage; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11283/20]

Sports Organisations

Marc MacSharry

814. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if, during the process to select independent directors of an organisation (details supplied) a company provided a short list of ten names; if the name of the person ultimately appointed chairman was not one of the names on the list; the way in which and by whom the chairman was selected for the position; if he played a role in nominating the person for the position; if he vetoed names on the list provided by a company; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10549/20]

Sports Organisations

Marc MacSharry

815. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the reason he insisted on the appointment of six independent directors of an organisation (details supplied) as opposed to three as part of the funding arrangements set out in the memorandum of understanding in view of the fact that this configuration will now give control to the independent directors of the organisation with the casting vote of the chairman; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10550/20]

Sports Organisations

Marc MacSharry

816. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the reason in the memorandum of understanding with an organisation (details supplied) funding was made conditional on all council members of the organisation with ten or more years’ service retiring at the AGM in 2020 in view of the fact agreement had been reached in 2019 that they should remain for three years up to 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10551/20]

Sports Organisations

Marc MacSharry

817. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he is satisfied that three members of the visionary group of an organisation (details supplied) now hold the positions of association chairperson, interim CEO and deputy CEO without having had a formal recruitment process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10552/20]

Sports Organisations

Marc MacSharry

818. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the involvement of Sport Ireland in issues raised relating to an organisation (details supplied); if he sought its advice regarding the funding conditions outlined relevant to the memorandum of understanding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10553/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Marc MacSharry

851. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when sectoral guidelines will be published for hotels, guesthouses and bed and breakfast accommodation in respect of Covid-19 to facilitate these businesses reopening. [10997/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Marc MacSharry

852. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the obligations hotels, guesthouses and bed and breakfast accommodation must fulfil in respect of Covid-19 before reopening, such as safety plans and so on. [10998/20]

Tourism Industry

Marc MacSharry

853. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if State tourism bodies such as Fáilte Ireland will be working to assist hospitality businesses to reopen in line with best practice Covid-19 guidelines. [10999/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Marc MacSharry

267. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the phase of the Roadmap for Reopening Society and Business which ice cream trucks fall under; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9820/20]

Maternity Leave

Marc MacSharry

343. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will consider extending maternity leave and maternity benefit to all those on maternity leave since the outbreak of Covid-19 in view of the restrictions on access to childcare and other services for mothers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8522/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Marc MacSharry

628. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Health when amusement arcades can reopen under the Roadmap for Reopening Society and Business (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8901/20]

Trading Online Voucher Scheme

Marc MacSharry

818. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he will review the decision to exclude accommodation and food service providers from availing of the trading online voucher scheme administered by local enterprise offices (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8887/20]

Driver Test

Marc MacSharry

856. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his Department or an agency operating under his aegis has devised a roadmap for the way in which companies providing CPC training to drivers will adapt to Covid-19 restrictions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8341/20]