2. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if the HSA has conducted an inspection of a meat processing plant (details supplied) to ensure recently arrived workers here are being facilitated by the company to quarantine in line with public health advice prior to commencing work at the plant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6187/21]
928. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason for allowing greyhound racing to continue when hare coursing has correctly ceased during level 5 restrictions; the further reason for allowing an activity to continue in a confined space with persons travelling from around the country to various stadiums which is considered unsafe given the unprecedented high level of Covid-19 infections; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5160/21]
674. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Health the number of speech therapists and occupational therapists in the HSE who are redeployed to contact tracing or other Covid-19-related posts; the details of all other HSE staff redeployed from their usual post for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5253/21]
613. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Health if he will clarify and address the fact that persons with cerebral palsy have been listed by the HSE in the high-risk category in respect of Covid-19 but do not appear as a high-priority group in the vaccination schedule; if it will be ensured that persons with cerebral palsy will receive priority in the roll-out of vaccinations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5012/21]
542. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science further to Parliamentary Question No. 288 of 21 January 2020, if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the inability of SOLAS to provide apprenticeship placements under current circumstances is resulting in delays of 15-plus months to apprentices receiving the necessary qualifications and that as a result their earnings are being severely affected (details supplied); if his attention has been further drawn to the fact that SOLAS is insisting on paying third-year apprentices the second-year rate of payment due to the delay in attaining the previous year's placements and qualifications; if he will request SOLAS to rectify this payment rate and ensure all third-year apprentices receive the hourly rate they are entitled to when on placements; the number of third-year apprentices in the various trades who are currently receiving lower rates of payment than they would ordinarily receive; his plans to address this loss of income for apprentices; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5722/21]
Bill entitled an Act to amend and extend certain rights and protections of retired persons and certain representative associations in relation to industrial relations and trade disputes and for that purpose to amend the Trade Union Acts 1871 to 1990 and the Industrial Relations Acts 1946 to 2019, to make provision for enhanced representation of retired workers in relation to the administration of certain pension schemes, to amend the Pensions Act 1990 and to provide for related matters.
158. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Education the progress of the establishment of an ASD specific school in Dublin 12; and if this facility will be operational by September 2021. [4847/21]
103. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of tenants and the local authority in which they reside that have availed of or that have attempted to avail of protection from eviction notices as a result of falling into rent arrears during or due to the Covid-19 crisis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4830/21]
664. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Health the person or body that the group and company refer to in the HSE briefing on the vaccination programme that refers to private vaccinator contractors specifically; the number of contractors the HSE plans to hire; the company employed; the reason the HSE is not directly recruiting any additional staff that may be needed for the programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3563/21]
553. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if definitive information will be provided to employers in relation to parental leave which can be taken in advance of April 2021 and the benefit claimed retrospectively; the steps he will take swiftly on behalf of parents whose employers state that they have no information in relation to this matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3826/21]
288. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will clarify the situation in relation to SOLAS courses in which there is a requirement for a work placement, for example, for electricians and other apprenticeships; if his attention has been drawn to a significant backlog in placements which means many apprentices are not progressing through their education as they should but are also incurring huge costs and loss of income; his plans to address these backlogs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3427/21]
271. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the reason some essential workers whose children were offered places in creches and who are not taking up the offer of a place for their children are facing penalties from the crèche providers and still being charged for the child’s place; if his attention has been drawn to same; if his Department has had communication from crèche owners and management on this issue; if he will address the matter relating to fees and charges on parents who are not availing of a crèche place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3498/21]
541. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Health if he will clarify the position on the definitions of essential and non-essential workplaces and services during the Covid-19 crisis and level 5 restrictions, specifically the definition that applies to the construction sites of companies such as a company (details supplied); the definition that applies to FDI firms and construction work; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2505/21]
334. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Social Protection if a worker who is made redundant by his or her employer as a result of the Covid-19 crisis is entitled to claim the pandemic unemployment payment or if he or she must claim jobseeker's benefit or jobseeker's allowance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2203/21]
333. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Social Protection if a worker who accepts a voluntary redundancy from his or her employer as a result of the downturn due to the Covid crisis is entitled to claim the pandemic unemployment payment. [2202/21]
292. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Education the supports or grants available to primary and secondary school students or their parents to purchase laptops to help with home schooling during the Covid-19 pandemic; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2274/21]
215. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will consider suspending planning applications, appeals and submissions during the current phase of the Covid-19 pandemic, given the difficulties persons have contacting and interacting with various Departments and personnel during level 5 restrictions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2575/21]
129. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Finance if training, breeding and rehoming are classified as professional services, which attract a VAT rate of 23%; and if not, if they are classified as agricultural services to which the flat rate of VAT of 5.2% is applied. [2850/21]
128. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Finance the amount of flat rate VAT being claimed by service providers in the greyhound sector. [2849/21]
127. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Finance if the limit is applied to the turnover of a flat rate service provider in the greyhound sector which would require a service provider to register for VAT. [2848/21]
126. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Finance if the flat rate system of VAT could be applied within the greyhound sector if greyhounds were not classified as farm animals. [2847/21]
125. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Finance the flat rate of VAT applicable to service providers such as breeders, trainers and kennel owners in the greyhound sector. [2846/21]
15. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will clarify the situation regarding the definition of essential and non-essential workplaces and services during the Covid-19 crisis and level 5 restrictions and specifically the definition that applies to the construction sites of companies, such as a company (details supplied); the specific definition applied to FDI firms and construction work; if the HSA has the authority to close down a workplace or retail outlet that is deemed to be non-essential; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2506/21]
920. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact that patients invited to attend an outpatient appointment with a neurologist (details supplied) at St. Vincent’s University Hospital who have been given the option to attend, cancel or rebook in the past are now being informed that they have only one opportunity to rebook and then must take the subsequent appointment or be removed from the waiting list; his views on whether, during the Covid-19 pandemic, those with underlying health conditions or legitimate concerns about the current level of infections and are keen to comply with public health advice should be penalised by choosing to defer the appointment during the pandemic having spent several years on the waiting list in the first place; the reason for this change in hospital policy on neurology outpatient appointments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1073/21]
537. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Education her definitive plans for the roll-out of oral exams for leaving certificate 2021 students; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1784/21]
98. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he has read the recent NESC publication entitled Energy Transition Pathways and the Covid-19 Pandemic: An analysis of the green recovery responses in Denmark and Ireland. [42010/20]
427. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will clarify the previous assurances given to workers (details supplied) relating to payments to them as a result of short-time working; if claims dating back to the time of the operation of the temporary wage subsidy scheme have been dealt with; if these claims can be fast-tracked for the Christmas period; if her Department has been in contact with the company about its employees who have not received any payments or have been underpaid for days on which they were laid off due to the miscategorisation of their position by the company on the UP38 form; if workers, in the period before the EWSS was initiated, are entitled to some payment if they were only working for some days in each week; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44324/20]
202. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment his plans to intervene with the liquidators of a company (details supplied) that has sought High Court injunctions against former workers; his views on whether such actions will make a resolution of the dispute harder to achieve; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30566/20]
201. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment his plans to resolve a dispute (details supplied); if he has met with the liquidators; if so, the details of the meetings; his plans to introduce legislation in line with the Duffy Cahill report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30565/20]
146. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the details of discussions or contact he has had with the mediator in a dispute (details supplied); his plans to resolve same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43819/20]
145. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment his plans for future legislation that will protect workers in situations of redundancy and insolvency in which they have agreements for enhanced redundancy arrangements with their employer; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43820/20]
286. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Health his plans to implement the recommendations of the Oireachtas Joint Committee on the Eighth Amendment of the Constitution report relating to freely available contraception; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43652/20]
169. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Education her plans to implement the recommendations of the report of the Oireachtas Joint Committee on the Eighth Amendment of the Constitution in respect of sex education; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43649/20]
104. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his plans to ensure pay restoration for section 39 workers in over 250 organisations who have not yet received pay restoration to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43648/20]
433. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Justice if she plans to reform the operations of GSOC; if she plans to allow for appeals by persons whose initial complaint to the commission is refused; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42914/20]
416. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if, in relation to SUSI grants, a student who qualified for the special rate support grant in their first year on an undergraduate course can be subsequently removed from this rate if their parent comes off the qualifying payment (details supplied); if this can happen regardless of the household’s income, which continues to be under €24,500; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43286/20]
268. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he received a protected disclosure from a person (details supplied); and the details of the action taken as a result of the disclosure. [42913/20]
125. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Taoiseach if professional fees are paid by his Department on behalf of employees; if so, the total number involved; and the amount of each fee. [42709/20]
98. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will meet with representatives of construction workers to discuss the impact of recent price rises from the SOLAS administered safe pass scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43216/20]
54. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his plans to review the administration of the SUSI grant system to ensure the criteria used in allocating grants is fit for purpose in ensuring vulnerable low income students can avail of proper supports, specifically the use of criteria around qualifying payments for the special rate grant and the interpretation of 391 days and so on; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43217/20]
494. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if professional fees are paid by her Department on behalf of employees; if so, the total number involved; and the amount of each fee. [42707/20]
482. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if professional fees are paid by his Department on behalf of employees; if so, the total number involved; and the amount of each fee. [42694/20]
456. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views or concerns in relation to the decision of Coillte to sell a site at Ballyandrew, Doneraile Mounadowna Wood, County Cork to a private company for the purposes of erecting a mobile phone mast given that the site is a mixed deciduous woodland site and its importance to biodiversity and so on; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42591/20]
424. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Health if professional fees are paid by his Department on behalf of employees; if so, the total number involved; and the amount of each fee. [42703/20]
353. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Justice if professional fees are paid by her Department on behalf of employees; if so, the total number involved; and the amount of each fee. [42705/20]
322. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if professional fees are paid by his Department on behalf of employees; if so, the total number involved; and the amount of each fee. [42702/20]
315. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if professional fees are paid by his Department on behalf of employees; if so, the total number involved; and the amount of each fee. [42695/20]
310. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Social Protection if professional fees are paid by her Department on behalf of employees; if so, the total number involved; and the amount of each fee. [42708/20]
300. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Education if professional fees are paid by her Department on behalf of employees; if so, the total number involved; and the amount of each fee. [42697/20]