Ceisteanna Parlaiminte

Covid-19 Pandemic

Richard Boyd Barrett

567. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health the current permanent ICU and critical care capacity in the health service; the additional amount that was available during the peak of the Covid-19 crisis; if this capacity fluctuated or reduced in recent weeks; if there are plans to further increase the permanent ICU and critical care capacity; if so, the way this would breakdown between the public health system and the private system; the arrangements i that will exist between the public and private systems in relation to this capacity; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13651/20]

National Car Test

Richard Boyd Barrett

719. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if a NCT appointment can be made by telephone for persons that are not online; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13357/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Richard Boyd Barrett

720. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if driving instructors are permitted to return to work on 29 June 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13358/20]

Carer's Allowance

Richard Boyd Barrett

864. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of carer's allowance recipients; the number in receipt of the half and full rate, respectively; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13645/20]

Carer's Allowance

Richard Boyd Barrett

865. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if she will make a substantial reward payment to those in receipt of the carer's allowance in view of the contribution they are making in the Covid-19 crisis while those in their care were unable to attend day care centres and so on; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13646/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Richard Boyd Barrett

36. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Finance if he will consider making changes to the inheritance tax regulations, including extending the deadline for payment beyond 31 October 2020 in order that persons who have lost loved ones and are dealing with the trauma of loss during the pandemic and who are filing returns will not face additional penalties or interest if they are unable to pay by the deadline; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12580/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Richard Boyd Barrett

85. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Finance if he will make a provision to ensure that both the pandemic unemployment payment and the temporary wage subsidy scheme will be tax free in order to avoid an undue burden on those who lost their jobs or had their incomes dramatically reduced as a result of the pandemic; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12682/20]

Special Education Review

Richard Boyd Barrett

299. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Education and Skills if all of the concerns documented in the report dated 20 June 2019 regarding a school (details supplied) and outlined in correspondence to the school dated 26 June 2019, have now been fully addressed; if not, when they will be fully resolved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12679/20]

Special Education Review

Richard Boyd Barrett

300. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Education and Skills the reason a separate second report prepared by the NCSE in November 2019 regarding a school (details supplied) has not been provided to parents despite requests; if he will direct the NCSE to release the report to parents; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12680/20]

Pupil-Teacher Ratio

Richard Boyd Barrett

301. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Education and Skills if the pupil-teacher ratio will be reduced across each school in order to ensure the health and safety of both teachers and students and a return to school in September 2020; his plans to recruit teachers and find extra accommodation to allow this to happen; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12681/20]

Occupational Therapy

Richard Boyd Barrett

542. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health if funding will be secured to cover with appropriate staff, the maternity leave of the occupational therapist assigned to a service (details supplied) due to take leave in September 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12496/20]

Special Educational Needs Staff

Richard Boyd Barrett

547. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health if the commitment given in 2017 by him to a school (details supplied) that the HSE will not reduce or change the services provided and will not redeploy four clinical staff at the school including disciplines of psychology, speech and language therapy and social work until after a review of the school is complete, remains; if the school will continue to have these skilled professional staff to work with the children and young persons in the school; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12538/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Richard Boyd Barrett

555. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health the guidance the HPSC has and is issuing on the provision and usage of PPE to workers in residential care settings such as nursing homes and to home care provision workers; the body responsible for the enforcing of such guidelines within these settings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12581/20]

Nursing Home Accommodation

Richard Boyd Barrett

580. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health his plans to ensure the future of a nursing home (details supplied) by bringing it under the control of the HSE in the interests of creating a more integrated system of elder care that has been shown to be necessary during the course of the Covid-19 pandemic; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12683/20]

Banking Sector

Richard Boyd Barrett

644. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he will liaise with the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection to determine if An Post will supply point of payment banking cards for social welfare recipients who do not have bank cards and accounts to use point of payment services in shops that are currently not accepting cash or suggest an alternative for these customers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12318/20]

Taxi Licences

Richard Boyd Barrett

714. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if taxi licences due for renewal after 15 June 2020 will be given an extension in view of the fact it is not possible to get an NCT test until after the licence expires; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12401/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Richard Boyd Barrett

735. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the way in which taxi drivers can protect themselves from Covid-19 without protective screens in view of the fact insurance companies will not insure the car with the protective screen as the screen is not safe in case of an accident; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12559/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Richard Boyd Barrett

910. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if there will be an extension to the rent freeze beyond 30 June 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12352/20]

Local Authority Housing

Richard Boyd Barrett

930. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the number of persons waiting for social housing nationally by local authority; the length of time each application is waiting; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12684/20]

Defence Forces Personnel

Richard Boyd Barrett

10. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the reason a person (details supplied) has not had a response to the application submitted 12 weeks ago to rejoin the Army; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11088/20]

Mortgage Lending

Richard Boyd Barrett

87. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Finance if he will consider asking financial lending institutes to extend the AIP, approval in principle, beyond six months for persons with mortgage approval as they will not allow drawdown of the loan while the lendee is in the wage subsidy scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11137/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Richard Boyd Barrett

295. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Education and Skills the way in which it is planned to vindicate the right to education of children here in view of the public health guidelines in place; if additional teachers are being recruited; if additional buildings are being sourced to ensure a reduced pupil teacher ratio; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11562/20]

Residential Institutions Redress Scheme

Richard Boyd Barrett

296. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Education and Skills if a commitment will be given in the interest of victims, the public and history, to ensure that there is no seal of 75 or other number of years in a future retention of records bill with regard to the Commission to Inquire into Child Abuse, the Residential Institutions Redress Board and the Residential Institutions Redress Review Committee; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11563/20]

Direct Provision System

Richard Boyd Barrett

398. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the direct provision centres here; the location, address and number of residents in each location by age and gender; the number of residents in each location who are victims of torture and trauma; the annual cost of each location by payments to the companies running the location and the different companies providing services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11556/20]

Domestic Violence Policy

Richard Boyd Barrett

399. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the progress of the key commitments in the Istanbul Convention ratified in July 2019; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11561/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Richard Boyd Barrett

619. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health the number allowed at small weddings during each phase of the reopening under the revised Roadmap for Reopening Society and Business; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11089/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Richard Boyd Barrett

713. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health the length of time between all persons with suspected cases of Covid-19 who requested a test and the completion of the contact tracing for these cases in the weeks commencing 18 and 25 May and 1 June 2020, by county; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11553/20]

Taxi Licences

Richard Boyd Barrett

819. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if taxi owners will be off the road after 26 July 2020 if their NCT and suitability expires, in view of the fact they are unable to get an appointment for the NCT and suitability test for their taxi prior to 26 July 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10560/20]

Community Childcare Subvention Programme

Richard Boyd Barrett

923. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if certainty will be provided for parents and crèche owners by reactivating the CCS in view of the fact that crèches cannot plan adequately (details supplied) and are due to open on 29 June 2020; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11554/20]

Domestic Violence Policy

Richard Boyd Barrett

924. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs her plans for the future of domestic, sexual and gender-based violence units nationwide; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11557/20]

Domestic Violence Services

Richard Boyd Barrett

925. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if a progress report will be provided on employing the promised domestic abuse worker in Tusla in Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown, County Dublin; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11558/20]

Domestic Violence Policy

Richard Boyd Barrett

926. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the progress of the domestic violence accommodation review; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11559/20]

Domestic Violence Refuges Provision

Richard Boyd Barrett

927. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number and name of women's refuges nationwide; the funding models for running the refuges; the up-front costs for sourcing the buildings; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11560/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment

Richard Boyd Barrett

1029. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if she will address a series of matters (details supplied) relating to planned changes to the pandemic unemployment payment; the new payment in respect of each; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11555/20]

Domestic Violence Refuges Provision

Richard Boyd Barrett

1086. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if he will work with Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council, approved housing bodies and Tusla to ensure that there is a women's refuge in Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11552/20]

Rental Sector

Richard Boyd Barrett

1087. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government his plans to extend the moratorium on evictions and revise the manner in which landlords can evict for rent arrears in view of the extreme loss of income experienced by many during the Covid-19 pandemic; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11566/20]

Rental Sector

Richard Boyd Barrett

1088. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if a moratorium on upward rent review will be implemented in view of the extreme loss of income experienced by many during the Covid-19 pandemic; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11567/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Richard Boyd Barrett

1089. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if a greater level of support will be ensured for tenants accruing arrears due to a loss of income experienced by many during the Covid-19 pandemic; if further support will be ensured for HAP and rent allowance tenants who are paying top-ups to their landlords; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11568/20]

Ministerial Communications

Richard Boyd Barrett

15. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he has been in contact with the President of the United States of America and-or the US ambassador in view of the recent events in the US and recent comments regarding the dangers of racism. [10419/20]

Passport Applications

Richard Boyd Barrett

23. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if passport applications are now being processed; if passports are being issued to those needing to travel for work or study abroad in circumstances in which travel is permitted; if processing has not resumed, when the service will resume; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10114/20]

Ministerial Communications

Richard Boyd Barrett

37. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he has contacted the US ambassador to condemn actions by a police force (details supplied) in view of the recent events in the United States of America; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10420/20]

Direct Provision System

Richard Boyd Barrett

258. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Justice and Equality his plans to end the direct provision system here in view of the recent events in the United States of America and increased awareness of the dangers of racism and discrimination; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10421/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Richard Boyd Barrett

370. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health the location a drive-in cinema in which patrons are isolated in their cars and staff are safely socially distanced may reopen under the Roadmap for Reopening Society and Business. [10013/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Richard Boyd Barrett

409. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health if he will examine opening up physiotherapy for those with severe conditions and those with a disability that rely on a physiotherapist to administer treatment for managing painful conditions and to mitigate against worsening health in the case, for example, of those with paralysis or degenerative diseases; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10266/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Richard Boyd Barrett

430. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health if he will provide a detailed report on Covid-19 infections amongst health workers; his views on the request by an organisation (details supplied) for an inquiry into these infection levels; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10422/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Richard Boyd Barrett

431. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health the details of the guidance the Health Protection Surveillance Centre wrote for the nursing home and homecare sector on Covid-19 infection and transmission prevention; the way in which this guidance issued; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10423/20]

Covid-19 Tests

Richard Boyd Barrett

432. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health the details of the programme to test and keep testing homecare workers that work with the most vulnerable of persons; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10424/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Richard Boyd Barrett

593. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will consider recommendations (details supplied) to support taxi drivers that have lost income; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10427/20]

Taxi Licences

Richard Boyd Barrett

594. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans in relation to licence renewal for taxi drivers (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10428/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment

Richard Boyd Barrett

683. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of taxi drivers and PSV licence holders currently in receipt of the Covid-19 payment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10425/20]