Parliamentary questions

Hare Coursing

Jennifer Whitmore

358. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if a decision has been made regarding the issuing of licences for hare coursing; if the decision is in line with Departmental advice; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25425/20]

National Childcare Scheme

Jennifer Whitmore

592. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Children, Disability, Equality and Integration if the HIVE and CHICK registration process will be reformed (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25358/20]

Childcare Services

Jennifer Whitmore

593. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Children, Disability, Equality and Integration if his attention has been drawn to difficulties in securing supports for children despite sponsorship referrals made under section 14 of the Childcare Support Act 2018 for special arrangements on the basis of child welfare, child protection, family support or other specified grounds, due to the fact that the process takes a minimum of three weeks to activate registration; if he will seek to reform the process to reduce delays; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25359/20]

Childcare Services

Jennifer Whitmore

594. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Children, Disability, Equality and Integration the amount of training given to public health nurses on the HIVE and CHICK registration processes; if his attention has been drawn to training deficits in view of the crucial role public health nurses play in early intervention of vulnerable children; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25360/20]

National Childcare Scheme

Jennifer Whitmore

595. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Children, Disability, Equality and Integration his plans to streamline the national childcare scheme to simplify access for parents with significant variation in their weekly fees and that avail of two separate programmes across 52 weeks of the year; his further plans to introduce a less complex system of fee calculation and reduce the additional administrative burden placed on childcare centres expected to monitor wage variation across the year, keeping a record of registration renewals and birthdays for individual children; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25361/20]

National Childcare Scheme

Jennifer Whitmore

596. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Children, Disability, Equality and Integration if the significant variation in access to services will be addressed for children who were not enrolled in the national childcare scheme before November 2019 including extra supports for language and social communication; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25362/20]

Forestry Sector

Jennifer Whitmore

220. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of staff within the Forestry Office; the number of staff processing forestry appeals: the members of the Forestry Appeals Board; the frequency at which the Board meets: the number of times the Board has met each year since its inception; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24475/20]

Departmental Staff

Jennifer Whitmore

221. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of ecologists currently working on forestry licensing within his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24476/20]

Renewable Energy Generation

Jennifer Whitmore

21. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Climate Action and Communication Networks if the photovoltaic pilot grant scheme will be continued (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24266/20]

Foreign Birth Registration

Jennifer Whitmore

60. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if the processing of foreign birth registrations, which was ceased due to Covid-19 has resumed; and if not, when processing will recommence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24269/20]

School Accommodation

Jennifer Whitmore

76. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Education the cost of installing portacabins for the 2019/2020 and 2020/2021 school year by county, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24267/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Jennifer Whitmore

96. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Social Protection if the anomalies affecting a number of Aer Lingus employees (details supplied) will be addressed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24268/20]

Departmental Projects

Jennifer Whitmore

166. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Climate Action and Communication Networks the work carried out to date on the Avoca mines remediation project plan; the timeline for future proposals; the value of funding allocated for the purposes of the project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23262/20]

Departmental Projects

Jennifer Whitmore

167. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Climate Action and Communication Networks the membership of the project board for the Avoca mines remediation project; the way in which the body is constituted; the reporting requirements of the body; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23263/20]

Departmental Projects

Jennifer Whitmore

175. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Climate Action and Communication Networks the details of the work done to date on the Avoca mines remediation project plan; the future proposals and timeline for same; the value of funding allocated for the purposes of the project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23557/20]

Electric Vehicles

Jennifer Whitmore

176. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Climate Action and Communication Networks his plans for transition of State vehicles to electric; and the funding set aside to enable the transition. [23562/20]

Electric Vehicles

Jennifer Whitmore

200. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Transport the number of electric State vehicles as a percentage of the overall number of vehicles. [23562/20]

Hare Coursing

Jennifer Whitmore

327. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if licences for the capture of hares for the 2020-21 hare coursing season have been issued; if not, when licences will be issued; his plans to place specific conditions on those licences in view of the incidents of RDH2 found in the population; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23559/20]

Animal Diseases

Jennifer Whitmore

328. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his plans to implement a national survey of hare and rabbit populations to determine the prevalence of RDH2; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23560/20]

Foreign Birth Registration

Jennifer Whitmore

363. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if his Department has resumed processing foreign birth registrations, which were ceased due to Covid-19; if not, when processing will recommence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23261/20]

International Agreements

Jennifer Whitmore

566. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Justice the reason Ireland has not signed the Lanzarote Convention to date; when Ireland will sign the convention; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23561/20]

Direct Provision System

Jennifer Whitmore

569. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Justice when the direct provision portfolio will be moved to the Department with responsibility for children, disability, equality and integration; if the International Protection Accommodation Service and other relevant agencies will be moved to the Department; her views on the impact the move will have on the day-to-day administration of the service and relevant agencies; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23264/20]

Direct Provision System

Jennifer Whitmore

570. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Justice the options available to public representatives to address urgent matters regarding direct provision centres; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23265/20]

National Childcare Scheme

Jennifer Whitmore

29. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Children, Disability, Equality and Integration if he will expand the national childcare scheme to include children with varying degrees of disadvantage currently outside the definition of extreme vulnerability to ensure that specific, ring-fenced evidence-based supports are provided for in childcare settings to children in disadvantaged communities. [22248/20]

Childcare Services

Jennifer Whitmore

37. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Children, Disability, Equality and Integration the percentage of GDP that he hopes to achieve in terms of investment by the end of the term of this Government in line with the programme for Government commitment to increase investment in early years and school age childcare; and if he will increase investment year-on-year to achieve this goal. [22247/20]

Covid-19 Tests

Jennifer Whitmore

47. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Children, Disability, Equality and Integration if rapid testing for Covid-19 will be arranged for childcare sector workers in line with testing arrangements for teachers and staff in schools. [22246/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Jennifer Whitmore

54. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Children, Disability, Equality and Integration the arrangements being made for the childcare sector in circumstances in which staff are tested positive for Covid-19 and substitute staff will be required to maintain the child ratios. [22249/20]

Cycling Facilities

Jennifer Whitmore

178. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Transport the designated cycling officers in each local authority; the official contact details of each; the suitable qualification for the role; the form of coordination, communication and reporting that will be carried out between his Department and the cycling officers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22190/20]

Cycling Policy

Jennifer Whitmore

179. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Transport if the details of the commitment to adopt a high-quality cycling policy including assessments of the roads network will be provided by county; and the progress to date in the development of cycle network plans by each local authority. [22191/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Jennifer Whitmore

180. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Transport if clarification will be provided on limits for indoor and outdoor classes; if the same limits apply, if these classes are held as part of a gym complex as the indoor and outdoor limits for yoga, pilates, ballet and dance classes in view of recent health guidelines; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22192/20]

Driver Test

Jennifer Whitmore

239. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Transport the measures he will introduce to address the lengthening waiting lists for driver tests in County Wicklow; the waiting by county for August 2020, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22204/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Jennifer Whitmore

376. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Media, Tourism, Arts, Culture, Sport and the Gaeltacht if clarity will be provided for videographers and photographers on the most recent HSE guidelines within the sector; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22184/20]

Air Corps

Jennifer Whitmore

468. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Defence if the Air Corps has or will send trainees to Alabama and other states in the United States of America for pilot training; if so, if an assessment of the risk has been carried out; if the training is deemed critical in view of the fact that wider Defence Forces training courses and exercises have been curtailed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22187/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Jennifer Whitmore

469. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Defence if Defence Forces personnel sent abroad on a training course have to self-isolate for 14 days on return; if the medical officer can seek an exemption; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22188/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Jennifer Whitmore

470. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Defence the Defence Forces policy on wearing masks within barracks; if guidelines on mask wearing have been issued to all offices; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22189/20]

Ministerial Correspondence

Jennifer Whitmore

589. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Education the reason correspondence (details supplied) has not been replied to; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22185/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Jennifer Whitmore

590. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Education if her Department is developing an alternative programme for remote blended learning in the event of widespread school closures; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22195/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Jennifer Whitmore

591. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Education if her Department has examined the impact of ventilation capacity of classrooms on Covid-19 risk; if this has informed Departmental advice to schools on reopening; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22196/20]

Special Educational Needs

Jennifer Whitmore

592. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Education the provision being made for pupils with special needs in order that they can continue their learning when schools close and they do not have access to mainstream classes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22197/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Jennifer Whitmore

593. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Education the funding for the reopening of schools drawn down in each county to date; the funding drawn down for primary and secondary schools, respectively to date in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22198/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Jennifer Whitmore

594. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Education if a reply will issue to correspondence regarding a school (details supplied) and the concern about large classes for the academic year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22199/20]

School Accommodation

Jennifer Whitmore

595. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Education the length of time pupils will be in the temporary accommodation in a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22200/20]

School Accommodation

Jennifer Whitmore

596. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Education when a school (details supplied) will be ready for students; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22201/20]

Schools Site Acquisitions

Jennifer Whitmore

597. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Education if her Department has formally prioritised the purchase of zoned land in a school (details supplied); the additional steps taken to expedite the matter; if she has engaged with the landowners of the zoned land for the school to purchase the site with immediate effect; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22202/20]

Data Protection

Jennifer Whitmore

740. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Social Protection if clients that are not comfortable providing personal data and information to Turas Nua will have failure to attend and or participate on their file; the reassurance that can be provided to persons to ensure that their personal data and information is fully protected by the company; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22193/20]

Data Protection

Jennifer Whitmore

741. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Social Protection if clients of a company (details supplied) can formally request a copy of their files directly from the company; if clients must request her Department directly for data subject to access rights; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22194/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Jennifer Whitmore

821. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Children, Disability, Equality and Integration the amount of expenditure provided to the childcare sector as part of the TWSCS from 6 April 2020 to 29 June 2020. [22290/20]

National Childcare Scheme

Jennifer Whitmore

822. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Children, Disability, Equality and Integration the amount provided to early years and school-age childcare settings through schemes such as ECCE, TEC and so on and as part of the national childcare scheme by month from January 2020 to April 2020. [22291/20]

Nursing Education

Jennifer Whitmore

1339. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact that student midwives are being advised not to be employed in part-time work alongside their placement to prevent cross contamination and do not have income to pay for travel to placements which are often in other counties; his plans to introduce supports for those on placements; if rapid testing will be made available to student midwives; if this same will be provided to them at no extra cost; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22186/20]

Legislative Process

Jennifer Whitmore

1340. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Health when the assisted human reproduction Bill 2019 will return to Dáil Éireann; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22203/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Jennifer Whitmore

103. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation if supports for travel agencies will be provided as part of the July stimulus package; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19442/20]

Sustainable Development Goals

Jennifer Whitmore

104. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the way in which the commitment of Ireland to the sustainable development goals will be reflected in the Strategy and Work Plan 2020 – 2025; the way in which progress towards achieving the goals will be monitored and reported annually; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19447/20]

Telecommunications Services

Jennifer Whitmore

109. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the reason for intermittent access to broadband on the main street of Greystones (details supplied); when the issue will be addressed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19450/20]

Metropolitan Area Networks Programme

Jennifer Whitmore

110. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he will provide the full text of his request to the Commission for the Communications Regulation on 13 February 2019 requesting a review of State fibre, the MANs and the eNet concessions; if he has received the report and recommendations sought from the commission in relation to his request or other interim advice; and if not, the date he expects to receive the report or interim report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19459/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Jennifer Whitmore

119. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if a financial support mechanism will be provided for the bus and coach sector struggling to reopen due to the reduction in tourist numbers; the other supports that will be made available for the sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19452/20]

Equality Proofing of Budgets

Jennifer Whitmore

129. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Finance the way in which the commitment to gender and equality proofing will be reflected in the October financial strategy and budget 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19448/20]

Equality Proofing of Budgets

Jennifer Whitmore

130. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Finance the way in which the public sector equality and human rights duty will be reflected in the October financial strategy and budget 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19449/20]

Animal Diseases

Jennifer Whitmore

139. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht when the study on the prevalence of rabbit haemorrhagic disease, RHD2, in hares will be commenced; the scope of the research carried out; when she anticipates that results will be made available; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19445/20]

Animal Diseases

Jennifer Whitmore

140. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the advice received from the National Parks and Wildlife Service in relation to the prevalence of RHD2 in rabbits and hares; if specific recommendations were made in relation to the licencing of capturing of hares; the text of those recommendations; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19446/20]

Forestry Management

Jennifer Whitmore

159. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government his plans to expand the criteria to protect more trees on private and public land; if he will issue a national directive to oblige counties to develop a tree management strategy; his further plans to develop a national tree plan to streamline tree preservation orders across each county; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19454/20]

Human Rights

Jennifer Whitmore

172. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the representations made by Ireland calling for an end to state-sponsored oppression and persecution of Baháí citizens in Iran; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19451/20]

School Transport

Jennifer Whitmore

177. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Education and Skills when the school bus routes for County Wicklow schools will be finalised in order that parents can start the application process for concessionary tickets; if his attention has been drawn to the level of uncertainty this is creating for families that are unsure of the transport arrangements for September 2020; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19457/20]

School Enrolments

Jennifer Whitmore

185. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Education and Skills if details of the academic year 2019/2020 class sizes are available; if not, the timeline for when they will be made available; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19377/20]

Schools Building Projects

Jennifer Whitmore

193. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Education and Skills further to Parliamentary Question No. 462 of 7 July 2020, if information is now available with regard to the impact of Covid-19 on the school building programme; the extent to which the programme will experience delays; the number of schools by county that will not have their school building programme finished in time for September 2020; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19440/20]

School Accommodation

Jennifer Whitmore

194. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of special units requested for County Wicklow in each of the past five years; the details of the schools that made these requests; the locations in which these units have been approved in the county; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19458/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment

Jennifer Whitmore

223. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if she will address the issue of a cut to the pandemic unemployment payment for a self-employed person (details supplied) who was of the view that the 2018 returns would result in a full payment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19455/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment

Jennifer Whitmore

224. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the reason for the year 2018 being selected as the basis for calculation for the pandemic payment rate despite PAYE employees rates calculated over two timeframes and the higher value being taken into consideration; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19456/20]

Childcare Services

Jennifer Whitmore

254. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if crèches are obliged to refund fees paid by parents for the two weeks during which there was no service since 17 March 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19439/20]

Childcare Services

Jennifer Whitmore

255. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs when the Crowe report will be published and made available; the reason for the delay in publication to date despite the fact that it has been cited as a document that will inform decisions made regarding the childcare sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19443/20]

Childcare Services

Jennifer Whitmore

256. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if a costings process has been carried out on the provision of State-funded insurance for the childcare sector; if his Department has carried out a risk analysis; if so, the findings of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19444/20]

Direct Provision System

Jennifer Whitmore

267. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if her attention has been drawn to the fact that LocalLink has refused a request to marginally alter its bus route to include direct provision residents in a centre (details supplied); if her Department provides transport provision for these residents; if not, the way in which it is expected that residents can travel to the next town to carry out their daily duties; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19441/20]

Animal Diseases

Jennifer Whitmore

23. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if she will suspend the issue of hare coursing licences across the entire country in view of the recently reported increase in the spread of the rabbit haemorrhagic disease virus 2; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17046/20]

National Parks

Jennifer Whitmore

44. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if management plans will be developed for each of the national parks; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17331/20]

Gas and Electricity Disconnections

Jennifer Whitmore

96. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the extent to which he has explored and discussed with relevant Ministers the impact a moratorium on utility disconnections will have on those financially vulnerable as a result of Covid-19; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17042/20]

Environmental Protection Agency

Jennifer Whitmore

97. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he will respond to the OECD review of the Environmental Protection Agency; his views on whether the current legislative framework for licensing pollution is fit for purpose; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17043/20]

Animal Diseases

Jennifer Whitmore

250. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the details of the sampling regime undertaken by the NPWS to identify prevalence of rabbit haemorrhagic disease virus; the research being undertaken into the issue; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17047/20]

Hare Coursing

Jennifer Whitmore

251. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the details of hare coursing licences issued by county over the past ten years; the number of hares captured under those licences; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17048/20]

Animal Diseases

Jennifer Whitmore

252. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the areas and counties in which the rabbit haemorrhagic disease virus 2 has been detected over the past year; the date on which the virus was detected; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17049/20]

National Planning Framework

Jennifer Whitmore

269. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government his plans to amend the National Planning Framework; the aspects due to be changed; if clarity regarding the hierarchy of planning policy at present can be provided; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17029/20]

Proposed Legislation

Jennifer Whitmore

270. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government when the new marine planning and development Bill will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17041/20]

Vacant Sites

Jennifer Whitmore

317. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the amount generated from the vacant site levy for each county for each year since its implementation; the percentage of registered land that has paid the levy; the percentage kept by each county council for local expenditure, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17038/20]

Regional Development

Jennifer Whitmore

318. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the extent to which regional development plans must have regard to other national policies including the NTA transport strategy; the extent to which the NTA must have regard to the Regional Development Strategy; the policy hierarchy with regard to national development policy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17039/20]

Regional Assemblies

Jennifer Whitmore

319. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the criteria used by the regional assemblies to determine core growth towns and villages in each county cited in the development of county development plans; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17040/20]

School Transport

Jennifer Whitmore

409. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Education and Skills if social distancing will be a requirement on school transport; if so, when guidelines about these requirements will be issued; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17032/20]

School Accommodation

Jennifer Whitmore

410. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Education and Skills the cost of providing temporary accommodation for primary schools, including the renting of sites and allocated buildings for each of the past five years by county in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17035/20]

School Accommodation

Jennifer Whitmore

411. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Education and Skills the cost of providing temporary accommodation for post-primary schools, including the renting of sites and allocated buildings for each of the past five years by county in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17036/20]

Schools Building Projects

Jennifer Whitmore

412. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Education and Skills the status of a school (details supplied); if the school will be ready for pupils in August 2020; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17050/20]

Felling Licences

Jennifer Whitmore

517. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to expand the criteria to protect more trees on private and public land; if he will issue a national directive to oblige counties to develop a tree management strategy; his further plans to develop a national tree plan to streamline tree preservation orders across each county; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17037/20]

Childcare Services

Jennifer Whitmore

550. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs when his Department will issue guidance with regard to symptomatic children in childcare; if he has engaged with general practitioners regarding their role in certifying children to return to childcare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17030/20]

Childcare Services

Jennifer Whitmore

551. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number of childcare facilities that have applied for Covid-19 related funding by county; the number of successful applications for each county; the funding granted to childcare facilities in each county; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17031/20]

Childcare Services

Jennifer Whitmore

552. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the details of his plans for the establishment of childcare Ireland as outlined in the Programme for Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17045/20]

Medical Aids and Appliances

Jennifer Whitmore

711. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Health if he will establish a review team to hear the testimonies of patients impacted by complications arising from surgeries involving a mesh implant; if his Department has determined whether these procedures should remain on pause; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17034/20]

Climate Action Plan

Jennifer Whitmore

18. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment when he will work with the European Commission to advance a stronger national energy and climate plan, NECP, for 2030; when the plan will be submitted; the way in which he plans to make the plan a stronger document; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16063/20]

Climate Change Policy

Jennifer Whitmore

21. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if the new climate action Bill due to be published within 100 days of the current Government will incorporate all the targets and ambitions as set out in the European Green Deal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16061/20]

Energy Policy

Jennifer Whitmore

30. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the progress made to date in developing a policy statement on the transition away from the importation of fracked gas and the development of LNG terminals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16064/20]

Climate Action Plan

Jennifer Whitmore

32. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the way in which he plans to incorporate biodiversity and nature-based solutions for climate change mitigation within his climate action portfolio; the efforts he will take to bridge the policy gap between climate action and biodiversity; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16065/20]

Climate Action Council

Jennifer Whitmore

46. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the process by which he plans to select members of the climate action council, which is due to be newly established within 100 days according to the adopted programme for Government; if the new council will devise the carbon budgets for the 2021-2025 and 2026-2030 periods before the end of 2020; the extent to which the council will incorporate scientific expertise; the level of independence of same; if it will include a gender balance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16062/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Jennifer Whitmore

85. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation when pubs can organise and host live gigs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15914/20]

Rural Transport Services

Jennifer Whitmore

261. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if an additional bus stop for the Wicklow to Glendalough Local Link bus route will be put in place to facilitate residents of a direct provision centre (details supplied) in view of the fact that no other public transport exists in the area leading to increased isolation for those residing in the centre; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15912/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Jennifer Whitmore

280. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Finance if the temporary wage subsidy scheme will be expanded to include seasonal restaurants and other businesses open during summer months when tourism is at its peak; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15918/20]