Ceisteanna Parlaiminte

Employment Rights

Richard Boyd Barrett

46. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation his plans to safeguard the pay and rights of construction, cleaning and security workers affected by a recent High Court judgment (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15809/20]

Energy Efficiency

Richard Boyd Barrett

122. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the new measures he is planning for those who do not have sufficient financial resources, particularly those with a disability, to support them in the retrofit in view of the target to retrofit 500,000 houses; and if there are existing supports for persons on a disability outside the mainstream grants. [15469/20]

Covid-19 Tests

Richard Boyd Barrett

233. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans for Covid–19 testing within sporting clubs. [15470/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Richard Boyd Barrett

234. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will advise travel agents that are liable for refunding clients who have booked holidays but cannot travel due to public health advice in circumstances in which the airline and hoteliers will not refund, in view of the fact that flights are running and the agent will be out of pocket, jeopardising its business. [15472/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Richard Boyd Barrett

308. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Finance the way in which those self-employed persons now on Covid-19 payments will be taxed in 2020 and into 2021; and the way in which their tax credits will be applied for this tax year and the next; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15417/20]

Vehicle Registration Tax

Richard Boyd Barrett

309. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Finance the methods by which VRT on imported cars are calculated; the mechanism there is for appeal in circumstances in which an error has clearly been made; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15474/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment

Richard Boyd Barrett

753. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the consequences for those in receipt of the pandemic unemployment payment but accept short-term work for a day, several days or longer to maintain links with their pre-Covid-19 employment relationships and contracts; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15413/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment

Richard Boyd Barrett

754. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the consequences for those who accept work while on jobseeker's for the self-employed or jobseeker's for those who were in full employment but were let go at the onset of the Covid-19 crisis and the short-term work scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15414/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment

Richard Boyd Barrett

755. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the process involved and timeline for reapplying for the pandemic unemployment payment after a person comes off same to accept short-term employment for a day to several days; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15415/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment

Richard Boyd Barrett

756. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if a system will be created by which those on the pandemic unemployment payment can accept sporadic work, declare it, offset that amount against the payment, yet retain the payment until such time as the live events sector and other sectors in prolonged Covid-19 shutdown return to normal; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15416/20]

Visa Applications

Richard Boyd Barrett

952. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if the processing of family visit and spouse visas for those visiting loved ones here has returned to full functionality, that is, if they are being applied for and issued through the normal channels; if not, the estimated timeframe for returning to full functionality; if the time permitted for visits will be adjusted to account for 14 days of self-isolation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15723/20]

Employment Rights

Richard Boyd Barrett

10. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the action he plans to take in view of the High Court ruling on SEOs recently; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13729/20]

Employment Rights

Richard Boyd Barrett

11. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation if he will introduce emergency legislation to ameliorate the impact from the recent High Court ruling on the SEO regarding electrician workers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13730/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Richard Boyd Barrett

39. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation if taxi drivers will be allowed access to the various support schemes for SMEs from which they are currently excluded; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14566/20]

Broadcasting Sector

Richard Boyd Barrett

49. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he will consider the long-standing request of musicians and artists for broadcasters to be required to play a minimum of 40% of domestically produced music, drama and artistic output; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14567/20]

Aviation Industry

Richard Boyd Barrett

121. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the reason airlines, such as an airline (details supplied), are permitted to continue to sell airline tickets and run flights without refunding passengers when non–essential travel is advised against; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14281/20]

Taxi Regulations

Richard Boyd Barrett

138. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on the request of taxi drivers to give a two-year extension on the ten year rule for public service vehicles that are currently licensed in view of the financial impact on their industry as a result of Covid-19; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14563/20]

Taxi Regulations

Richard Boyd Barrett

139. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on the request of taxi representative groups for an immediate review of the sustainability of the industry, taxi numbers and the likely supply and demand issues over the coming period in view of the Covid-19 crisis; if he will consider a moratorium on the issuing of further PSV licences until the review is completed and the industry has recovered; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14565/20]

Mortgage Lending

Richard Boyd Barrett

145. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Finance the action he will take regarding the fact that many banks are refusing to allow persons in receipt of the temporary wage subsidy scheme who have been approved for mortgages to draw down those mortgages while in receipt of the subsidy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13731/20]

Wage Subsidy Scheme

Richard Boyd Barrett

189. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Finance if he will provide a tailored wage subsidy scheme for taxi drivers whose industry is facing long-term reductions in incomes as a result of Covid-19 until the sector fully recovers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14564/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Richard Boyd Barrett

248. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if she will agree to the requests of agencies (details supplied) to protect all local authority arts and entertainment arts related funding streams and budget for next year and not allow the impact of Covid-19 on this year's spending to reduce next year's budgets; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14562/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Richard Boyd Barrett

266. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if she will ask the Ministers for Social Protection, Enterprise, Trade and Employment, and Finance to respond to the request by those artists, workers and crew in the arts and live entertainment and their representative organisations to maintain the pandemic unemployment payment and the temporary wage subsidy scheme and to provide other supports and grants for those in that sector who, because of public health and social distancing requirements, have no prospect of a return to viability for the foreseeable future and to maintain those supports until full recovery in the sector is achieved; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14561/20]

Social and Affordable Housing

Richard Boyd Barrett

323. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government his plans for affordable housing including the cost of an affordable house; if he will provide an update on the plans for Shanganagh Castle site, including details of the cost of the affordable homes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14549/20]

Rental Sector

Richard Boyd Barrett

324. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government his plans to roll out cost rental housing; the way in which the allocation of these homes will work; the cost of the rents for these homes in particular the cost rental plans for the Enniskerry and Shanganagh Castle sites; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14550/20]

Rental Sector

Richard Boyd Barrett

325. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government his plans to provide the funds and work with Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council and or an approved housing body to purchase an apartment block (details supplied) in Dún Laoghaire in which ten apartments have been empty for three years and the other apartments that have tenants were served with eviction notices; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14551/20]

Social and Affordable Housing

Richard Boyd Barrett

326. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if he will discuss with Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council and the Department of Education and Skills, the land which could be made available to the local authority on the eastern side of the county from the Department that would be suitable for housing when the Department takes over Georges Place for the planned Dún Laoghaire Educate Together permanent school; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14552/20]

Social and Affordable Housing

Richard Boyd Barrett

327. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if he will ensure the ring-fencing of money for capital expenditure on housing in the event of the land at George’s Place in Dún Laoghaire being sold to the Department of Education and Skills; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14553/20]

Local Authority Rates

Richard Boyd Barrett

328. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if he will ensure any shortfall in funding experienced by local authorities due to businesses being unable to pay their rates due to Covid-19 will be filled by his Department in order that this shortfall does not cause a reduction in local services. [14554/20]

Local Authority Rates

Richard Boyd Barrett

329. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if he will provide a rates waiver for all theatres and live entertainment venues until they can reopen; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14562/20]

Human Rights

Richard Boyd Barrett

342. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the discussion he has had with his European counterparts regarding reports of evictions and demolition of more than 900 shacks in the municipality of eThekwini, Durban during the Covid-19 emergency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14280/20]

Special Educational Needs

Richard Boyd Barrett

470. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Education and Skills the status of plans for the Red Door Special School in Dún Laoghaire; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14556/20]

Schools Building Projects

Richard Boyd Barrett

471. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Education and Skills her plans to commence the Educate Together in Dún Laoghaire; the discussions had with Dún Laoghaire Rathdown County Council with regards to the transfer of land for this school; if the potential of a land swap of land suitable for housing rather than a cash payment was discussed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14557/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment

Richard Boyd Barrett

533. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of persons in receipt of the pandemic unemployment payment for the weeks ending 5 June, 12 June, 19 June, 26 June and 3 July 2020, respectively; the numbers that have ceased receiving the payment with details of whether these were due to return to work or moving to another payment for another reason; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14555/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Richard Boyd Barrett

705. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health if a reply will issue to correspondence from a person (details supplied) regarding the reopening of betting shops; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13924/20]

Disability Support Services

Richard Boyd Barrett

818. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health if he will address a matter regarding the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14307/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Richard Boyd Barrett

852. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health if there is a difference in the advice given to social care residential homes and settings, specifically those residential care settings for elderly persons and nursing homes versus residential care settings for persons with a disability; the nature of the differences; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14446/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Richard Boyd Barrett

872. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health the details of the recommendations regarding incoming and outgoing foreign travel in the context of Covid-19; the details of testing and tracing regimes at airports for those coming into the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14558/20]

Health Services Staff

Richard Boyd Barrett

873. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health if he will ensure that nurses and midwives who were awarded a pay rise after the industrial action of spring 2019 are now in receipt of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14559/20]

HSE Agency Staff

Richard Boyd Barrett

874. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health the details of the agreement between his Department and a recruitment company (details supplied) and other recruitment agencies with regard to the Be On Call for Ireland initiative; the fee paid to the agency; the number of persons who were recruited; the nature of the contracts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14560/20]

Value Added Tax

Richard Boyd Barrett

77. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Finance the reason gyms are paying a 9% VAT rate while yoga studios pay a 13.5% rate; the supports he will put in place to help yoga studios reopen in view of the reduction in class sizes that will be necessary to maintain physical distancing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13644/20]

Employment Data

Richard Boyd Barrett

78. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Finance if he will provide a breakdown of the number of persons, earners and tax units who are self-employed and PAYE workers for each of the years 2016 to 2019 by the economic and industrial sector they were employed, income brackets (details supplied), the amount of tax paid in each earning and tax category; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13652/20]

Company Data

Richard Boyd Barrett

79. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Finance the number of companies registered here; the number of those that paid corporation tax in the latest available annual figures; the number that did not pay corporation tax; the median and mean corporation tax payments for all companies registered here in that year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13653/20]

Employment Data

Richard Boyd Barrett

80. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Finance the average pre-tax and after-tax incomes of tax units earning above €100,000 annually; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13654/20]

School Staff

Richard Boyd Barrett

245. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Education and Skills her plans to ensure school secretaries are employed as full-time public servants particularly in view of the contribution they made to the education of children during the course of the Covid-19 crisis and in view of the increased role they will have to play to ensure public health measures are followed as the schools go back in the autumn; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13656/20]

School Staff

Richard Boyd Barrett

246. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Education and Skills if school secretaries that are normally laid off during the summer will be kept in full employment to help prepare for post-Covid-19 education in the autumn; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13657/20]

Workplace Safety

Richard Boyd Barrett

361. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the options available to an employee if they are of the view their workplace is failing to comply with public health guidelines in relation to reopening; the actions they should take if they are of the view the workplace is not in compliance; the agency and or body they should contact; if a confidential hotline number is available to them; if not, the reason; if a response will be available in terms of assessment and enforcement; if additional staffing resources have been allocated for these purposes; if penalties and sanctions are planned for employers that fail to comply with public health guidelines; his plans to have a public health campaign on these issues; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13655/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Richard Boyd Barrett

563. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health if he will provide each of the advices and directions from the expert advisory group to NPHET in relation to the original Roadmap for Reopening Society and Business, the accelerated roadmap, the one metre versus two metre social distancing advice, travel and quarantine restrictions and the wearing of face coverings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13647/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Richard Boyd Barrett

564. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health if each of the minutes from the expert advisory group to NPHET for May and June 2020 will be made available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13648/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Richard Boyd Barrett

565. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health the plans in place for a second wave of Covid-19 in the view of the fact that a number of major hospitals are now working at 100% capacity and that the health service should only be running at 80% to provide for surge capacity; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13649/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Richard Boyd Barrett

566. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health his plans to increase capacity permanently across the health service in order to ensure that in the event of a second wave of Covid-19, there will be immediate availability for Covid-19 patients to be separately cared for to other patients; his plans for emergency departments and for Covid-19 specific hospitals in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13650/20]