250. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Health the systems in place under the Covid-19 national vaccination strategy to address conscientious objection by doctors to vaccine administration; the reassurances his Department can give patients that this not-unexpected development has been factored into the planning, delivery and communication of that strategy; the guarantees he can give persons that conscientious objection will not impede them in their direct access to the vaccine locally; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9066/21]
134. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if all local authority workers who can work from home are being facilitated in that matter; the checks he has put in place to verify same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9307/21]
510. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Social Protection if special interpersonal or other relevant training has been given to staff dealing with the public in the context of the stress of Covid-19; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8838/21]
509. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Social Protection the amount paid and the number of persons on the pandemic unemployment payment to date; the amount that has been overpaid; the number of persons who have been overpaid; the systems in place to assist persons to repay possible overpayments; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8837/21]
341. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if Ireland’s seat on the UN Security Council and reputation on international aid will be used to secure the health of the interconnected world by spearheading and championing the swift distribution of the Covid-19 vaccine to poorer countries; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8834/21]
315. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if special interpersonal or other relevant training has been given to staff and ancillary agency staff dealing with the public in the context of the stress of Covid-19; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8831/21]
314. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when the necessary review of HAP rates will take place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8830/21]
184. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Finance the actions he will take to protect consumers in relation to the matter of banks (details supplied) giving notice that negative interest rate charges are to apply to solicitor client accounts in conveyancing (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8929/21]
178. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Finance if the Revenue Commissioners will extend over a suitably long period the amount of extra taxation due over pandemic unemployment payments to assist workers and their families; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8833/21]
177. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Finance if he will request the Revenue Commissioners to waive taxation arising out of the pandemic unemployment payment given the extraordinary circumstances of the pandemic and the consequent sacrifice and financial suffering endured by persons; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8832/21]
72. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Transport the way in which the use of e-scooters on public pathways used by pedestrians can be monitored and policed in terms of space and speed and the safety of pedestrians; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7874/21]
8. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the safeguards in place to uphold Ireland’s responsibilities under the UN Sustainable Development Goals and to prevent Ireland being party to or becoming entangled in a supply chain dispute on labour given the status of the State as a hub for global supply chains (details supplied). [7875/21]
236. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Health his plans to substantially increase the number of accredited psychotherapists and counsellors for public health patients in the State given the dearth extant and the greater need due to Covid-19 and particularly as this relates to services for north County Kildare both for adults and children; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6310/21]
888. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Health if he will request the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment to accede urgently to the request by a society (details supplied) to the Department of Enterprise Trade and Employment in December 2020 to add this profession to the critical skills occupation list for employment permit purposes given the deficit in physiotherapist numbers, the treatment backlog and the disease impact of both Covid-19 and long Covid; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5945/21]
887. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Health the plans in place to prioritise vaccination for those living with serious conditions such as cystic fibrosis and end-stage renal disease, classified as very high risk; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5944/21]
886. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Health if the HSE will issue clear instructions to those attending Covid test centres that public transport must not to be taken to the site given the threat of virus spread to fellow passengers and public transport workers; if alternative arrangements can be made for them in cases in which persons are dependent on public transport; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5943/21]
885. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Health the date for the reopening of a service (details supplied) given the critical role it plays in sexual health for members of the LGBT+ community; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5942/21]
548. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will liaise with CORU to resolve the difficulties for students in level seven degrees where practical placements have been greatly disrupted by the closure of HSE agencies due to the level 5 lockdown, resulting in them being required by CORU to make up these hours in summer 2021 without any term-time alternative being offered; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5948/21]
35. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will examine the request by an organisation (details supplied) in December 2020 to add this profession to the critical skills occupation list for employment permit purposes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5946/21]
6. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if consideration will be given to introducing a scheme similar to that devised by the Scottish Government to assist workers in the wedding industry sector (details supplied) whose incomes have been devastated by the lockdowns; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5947/21]
228. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Health if all staff involved in special education will be prioritised for Covid-19 vaccinations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4588/21]
194. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will request UCD to accede to the demands of certain master's degree student for a 30% fee cut given the abnormal circumstances of the academic year and financial pressure on their parents; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4589/21]
173. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Social Protection if the pandemic unemployment payment and employment wage subsidy schemes will be extended past March 2021; if special consideration will be given to especially hard-hit sectors such as aviation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4585/21]
150. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Education when a definitive response will issue on the sitting or other format of examination and assessment of the junior and leaving certificates; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4587/21]
149. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Education if the risk assessments and the NPHET advice declaring special education can be reopened safely will be published in the interest of public confidence; if not, the reason; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4586/21]
43. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Finance his plans to introduce mortgage and rental payment breaks for those in receipt of the pandemic unemployment payment and employment wage subsidy schemes; the way such breaks would not affect their credit rating now and into the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4584/21]
Bill entitled Act to amend the Electricity Regulation Act, 1999, to include explicit provision for the Minister to provide policy direction to the Commission for Regulation of Utilities, to introduce a moratorium on disconnections of gas and electricity supply to domestic customers for non-payment during the annual fuel allowance season or during other periods of time the Minister may deem appropriate.
512. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if the issuing of equine ID will be prioritised, given the critical situation regarding animal neglect, abandonment and suffering; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3479/21]
470. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Health if he will introduce antigen Covid-19 testing and screening for schools; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3471/21]
469. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Health the reason his Department has not introduced mandatory, monitored quarantine for arrivals at ports and airports; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3470/21]
468. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Health if he will issue new and clear instructions to the public on exercise etiquette to include mandatory mask-wearing outdoors and express reminders on how 2 m should be the minimum distance, particularly in the context of the virulence of the new UK Covid-19 variant and that many are reporting feeling unsafe due to crowding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3468/21]
307. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Health if he will issue clear instructions to employers on the definition of the qualification for essential work and essential workers in order to suppress Covid-19 by preventing unnecessary travel, contact and congregation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3472/21]
305. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Justice if citizenship will be fast-tracked for essential workers in the healthcare system given their heroic work on the Covid-19 front line; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3478/21]
221. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Education when the necessary clarity will be given to leaving certificate students on whether the examination will be held or calculated grades will apply; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3477/21]
220. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Education her views and her policy regarding the serious health and safety worries of many primary school teachers for themselves, their pupils and the wider community in the reopening of schools particularly in the context of the new UK variant of Covid-19; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3476/21]
219. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Education the level of collaboration that exists between the parents of special needs children and her Department in ensuring safe access to education for this neglected cohort of children at the earliest possible moment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3475/21]
218. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Education the precise safety measures that will be put in place to guarantee the safe reopening of special education at the earliest opportunity; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3474/21]
217. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Education the current infection and public health advice underpinning safe, prospective school openings, particularly in the context of the new UK variant of Covid-19; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3473/21]
221. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Health if, in the interest of public health fairness and transparency, strict protocols and booking plans are being applied to the administration of the Covid-19 vaccine in order that priority need next-on-list guarantees the dose, as opposed to presence on the day; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2074/21]
220. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Health the Covid-19 vaccine priority that will be given to carers given their particular circumstances in the community; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2073/21]
219. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Finance the reason persons (details supplied) who are jointly assessed for means by the Department of Social Protection have been refused joint assessment by the Revenue Commissioners for tax and dependant purposes on the basis that they must be either married or in a civil partnership to avail of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44850/20]
603. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Health the number of adults and children awaiting both psychological assessment and therapy nationally; the number in north County Kildare in each of the past three years; the number waiting more than three months and six months in each group; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44499/20]
602. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Health the number of adults and teenagers being treated for alcohol-related injury and illness in each of the past three years; the number in north County Kildare in particular; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44498/20]
601. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Health the plans in place in terms of beds and staffing to meet a possible Covid-19 surge at Naas General Hospital post Christmas 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44497/20]
600. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Health his plans to address the needs and difficulties of persons living with limb damage caused by the drug thalidomide (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44496/20]
512. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Health the plans in place to support a community (details supplied) in its work to secure the short-term accommodation of its residents and ensure the earliest possible reopening; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44491/20]
459. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of school absences recorded in the State in each of the past three years; the number of school absences recorded in north County Kildare in particular since the outbreak of Covid-19; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44501/20]
401. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Education the plans in place to guarantee remote access to education for children with high-risk relatives in terms of Covid-19; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44500/20]
353. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of women aged 50 years and over on the current housing lists that are in emergency accommodation and deemed homeless in the State; the number in north County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44495/20]
352. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the planning his Department is conducting to address the potential housing crisis involving long-term renters in the absence of private pensions in a large segment of the population particularly women and when the old age pension was not devised to cover the cost of accommodation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44494/20]