Dublin South-West — week of Mon, 22 Jun

What your Dublin South-West TDs did this week

Mon, 22 Jun – 28 Jun 2020 · 5 TDs · 2 bills voted on · 51 questions · 0 new lobbying filings

Votes this week

Nomination of Taoiseach (Resumed)

2020-06-27 · 1 vote

The motion · motion passed 93–63

Voted for 3 Colm Brophy · Francis Noel Duffy · John Lahart

Voted against 2 Paul Murphy · Seán Crowe

Did not vote 1 Ciarán Ahern

Appointment of Taoiseach and Nomination of Members of Government

2020-06-27 · 1 vote

The motion · motion passed 91–66

Voted for 3 Colm Brophy · Francis Noel Duffy · John Lahart

Voted against 2 Paul Murphy · Seán Crowe

Did not vote 1 Ciarán Ahern

Ciarán Ahern — Labour Party 0 votes · 0 questions · 0 new lobbying returns

Quiet week — no questions filed or new lobbying returns.

Colm Brophy — Fine Gael 2 votes · 0 questions · 0 new lobbying returns

John Lahart — Fianna Fáil 2 votes · 7 questions · 0 new lobbying returns

Questions asked 7 total

Education 3 questions
- 2020-06-23 Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Education and Skills the steps taken to ensure a school (details supplied) can safely accommodate the full pupil cohort commencing at the end of August 2020; the contacts made with the school; the plans that have been discussed to facilitate the pupils in the school; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12004/20]
- 2020-06-23 Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to facilitate a school (details supplied) to open its prefabricated building to students in September 2020. [12450/20]
- 2020-06-23 Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Education and Skills the preparations being made for students in fifth year that are due to undertake their exams in June 2021 in terms of curriculum time loss and so on; and his plans in terms of the leaving certificate in view of the fact that this affects many students who are anxious to have a clear roadmap ahead of them. [12564/20]
Transport 3 questions
- 2020-06-23 Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if there will be a sports capital programme in 2020; and if so, the timeline for same. [11703/20]
- 2020-06-23 Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the measures that will be taken to facilitate the survival of those involved in the chauffeur business that have experienced a 98% drop in their business (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11971/20]
- 2020-06-23 Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the measures he has in place to assist the taxi industry and drivers when the pandemic unemployment payment is due to end and to assist in the industry generally in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12503/20]
Finance 1 question
- 2020-06-23 Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Finance the guidelines regarding retail and other premises refusing to use cash or take cash from customers (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12446/20]

Paul Murphy — People Before Profit-Solidarity 2 votes · 16 questions · 0 new lobbying returns

Questions asked 16 total

Employment 5 questions
- 2020-06-23 Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if those previously earning a salary under €200 a week but also in receipt of a jobseeker’s allowance, jobseeker’s benefit or jobseeker’s transition payment that brought their total weekly incomes over €200 will be moved to the reduced pandemic unemployment payment. [11749/20]
- 2020-06-23 Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if she will raise the household income threshold for eligibility for the carer’s allowance to €1,000 a week in view of the fact it has remained at €663 since 1982; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11960/20]
- 2020-06-23 Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the reason it has been indicated that outstanding school meals programme funding cannot be used to provide food for families in need beyond May 2020. [12172/20]
- 2020-06-23 Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if she will suspend the current round of reviews of carer's allowance until after all the impacts of Covid-19 have been fully considered or for at least a year in view of the additional emotional and financial stress; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11954/20]
- 2020-06-23 Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if she will raise the household income threshold for eligibility for the carer’s allowance to €1,000 a week in view of the fact it has remained at €663 since 1982; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11955/20]
Education 3 questions
- 2020-06-23 Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will consider reducing the pupil-teacher ratio to ensure smaller class sizes are possible in the context of the need for social distancing in schools due to Covid-19. [11701/20]
- 2020-06-23 Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will consider reducing the pupil-teacher ratio to ensure smaller class sizes in DEIS band 1 schools in the context of the loss of teaching time, the impact on children from deprived backgrounds and the particular need for smaller class sizes in DEIS band one schools. [11702/20]
- 2020-06-23 Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Education and Skills the steps his Department will take to ensure that a school (details supplied) can continue to be located in Firhouse, County Dublin from September 2020. [11924/20]
Business 3 questions
- 2020-06-23 Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the communication that has taken place between her Department and the representative organisations of the barbers, hairdressing and other personal care salons. [11941/20]
- 2020-06-23 Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the detailed Covid-19 safety advice that has been issued to the representative organisations of the barbers, hairdressing and other personal care salons. [11942/20]
- 2020-06-23 Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the advice that has been issued to the representative organisations of the barbers, hairdressing and other personal care salons with regard to reopening dates. [11943/20]
Finance 2 questions
- 2020-06-23 Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Finance if he will request his officials and-or the Revenue Commissioners to contact an airline (details supplied) to request that it immediately pay the temporary wage subsidy scheme payments to those employees that it made redundant on 29 May 2020 due to Covid-19, but for whom it has continued and will continue to receive payments under the scheme until 29 June 2020 on account of it keeping these ex-employees on its payroll list for revenue until that date; and if he will request that it pay these workers such temporary wage subsidy scheme payments due until 29 June 2020 alternatively. [12251/20]
- 2020-06-23 Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Finance if he will request that his officials and-or the Revenue Commissioners will contact an airline (details supplied) to request that it immediately remove from its payroll listing, those employees who were made redundant on 29 May 2020 due to Covid-19 but have been unable to claim the pandemic unemployment payment, due to the fact that it has the ex-employees listed on its payroll and that it indicates will remain listed on its payroll for purposes of the temporary wage subsidy scheme until 29 June 2020, meaning the ex-employees continue to be ineligible for the pandemic unemployment payment and will have had no income for a month; and if he will arrange for such employees to receive arrears of the pandemic unemployment payment from 29 May 2020. [12269/20]
Justice 1 question
- 2020-06-23 Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will extend maternity leave and maternity benefit to 38 weeks, that is, a three-month extension for all who were on maternity leave and maternity benefit prior to the introduction of the Covid-19 emergency legislation, are currently on maternity leave and benefit or who become eligible for maternity leave and benefit before the lifting of the Covid-19 restrictions on 29 June 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12308/20]
Health 1 question
- 2020-06-23 Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health if he will call for the general practitioner card to be made available to all persons who are deemed eligible for the respite care grant as certified by their respective general practitioners; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11961/20]
Housing 1 question
- 2020-06-23 Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if he will contact the housing department of Kilkenny County Council to determine the reason for delays in processing approval of arrangements for a housing transfer on certified health grounds for persons (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11855/20]

Seán Crowe — Sinn Féin 2 votes · 27 questions · 0 new lobbying returns

Questions asked 27 total

Health 8 questions
- 2020-06-23 Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Health his views on a series of issues highlighted by a society (details supplied) regarding prostate cancer; his further views on whether it is an appropriate time to raise the prospect of a screening programme for prostate cancer; and the medical arguments against the introduction of such a programme for men. [11653/20]
- 2020-06-23 Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the concerns of organisations dealing with and supporting those with alcohol addiction issues regarding the impact of the Covid-19 lockdown on mental health and the difficulties in holding one-to-one and group supports at present; and if there has been a new assessment regarding holding of such meetings, which many are of the view are essential for their health and well-being. [11654/20]
- 2020-06-23 Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Health the strategy being developed by his Department and other organisations in conjunction with parents and others to discourage the usage of nitrous oxide (details supplied) in view of the widespread availability among young users. [11655/20]
- 2020-06-23 Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Health if he will consider including nitrous oxide use in their surveys conducted by his Department on recreational drug use in Ireland in view of the increasing unauthorised use and dangers it presents to those that use it recreationally. [12590/20]
- 2020-06-23 Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Health if his Department has issued guidance on the resumption of dance classes in view of the physical and mental health benefits it provides to its patrons which includes the elderly that may be in need of a resumption of exercise and social interaction following their period of cocooning. [12591/20]
- 2020-06-23 Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Health if he will he provide details of the specific measures or changes he has introduced in the past 12 months to reduce the waiting lists for the removal of cataracts; the number of people on the current waiting list; the estimated waiting time for an individual to get an assessment; and the estimated waiting time for an individual to get an operation. [12592/20]
- 2020-06-23 Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Health the number of older persons waiting for home care packages in CHO 7; and the number that were on the waiting list at this time in 2019. [12593/20]
- 2020-06-23 Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Health his plans to work with the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport to address the gap in supports following the withdrawal of the motorised transport grant and the mobility allowance particularly for drivers with a physical impairment. [12594/20]
Education 6 questions
- 2020-06-23 Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to deal with the chronic shortage of ASD places for students at primary and secondary schools in south-western areas of Dublin; if his attention has been drawn to the challenges facing parents trying to locate places for their children in the 2020-21 school year; the number of places per school; and the advice that will be given to parents who cannot source a place in the new school year. [11649/20]
- 2020-06-23 Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to deal with the chronic shortage of ASD places for students at primary and secondary schools in Dublin; if his attention has been drawn to the challenges facing parents trying to locate places for their children in the 2020-21 school year; the number of places per school; and the advice that will be given to parents that cannot source a place in the new school year. [11650/20]
- 2020-06-23 Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Education and Skills if the decision to reduce the teaching staff by one teacher at a school (details supplied) will be reviewed in view of the impact of Covid-19 to date on junior infants and their schooling. [11656/20]
- 2020-06-23 Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Education and Skills if clarity will be provided to school principals and school boards outlining the requirements and the financial support they will be given in terms of additional demands and costs on schools returning post-Covid-19 lockdown, particularly the additional cost of cleaning and hygiene measures. [11657/20]
- 2020-06-23 Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Education and Skills if teachers and SNAs will be given an additional payment for the proposed programme to be carried out with children with special needs over the summer; and the estimated timeframe for this proposed programme to start and finish. [12598/20]
- 2020-06-23 Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Education and Skills when he plans to inform schools and other education providers of the time frame for reopening in 2020. [12599/20]
Transport 5 questions
- 2020-06-23 Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his attention has been drawn to the confusion regarding instructions supposedly being given to drivers on public transport by management to allow family groupings to sit together on buses; if his attention has been further drawn to the difficulty this is causing drivers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12595/20]
- 2020-06-23 Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if supports are available to persons that have booked airline fares with carriers and are still awaiting their entitled refunds; his views on whether this is acceptable behaviour from carriers; and if his Department has been in contact with the airlines involved regarding the issue. [12597/20]
- 2020-06-23 Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his attention has been drawn to the challenges facing persons trying to obtain cash returns from airlines; and the advice or supports being provided to such persons. [11660/20]
- 2020-06-23 Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his attention has been drawn to the challenges facing taxis resuming work post Covid-19 lockdown; and if his Department is reviewing and working on new supports that will help alleviate the hardship they are currently enduring. [12596/20]
- 2020-06-23 Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he is considering a solidarity support package for clubs (details supplied) following the negative impact of Covid-19. [12600/20]
Finance 3 questions
- 2020-06-23 Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Finance the way in which he has responded to the collapse in the price of oil on the world market; and his views on whether it is unfair to consumers and commuters that a marked decrease has not been seen on the price of petrol and diesel at pumps as a result of imposed charges, such as excise, VAT and carbon tax, particularly during the Covid-19 crisis during which persons are wary of using public transport. [11659/20]
- 2020-06-23 Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Finance if guidance has been issued to the Revenue Commissioners custom service on the importation of large quantities of nitrous oxide containers; if so, if this guidance is based on the Criminal Justice (Psychoactive Substances) Act 2010; and if not or not entirely, if he will provide information on the Act or Acts the guidance is based upon. [12588/20]
- 2020-06-23 Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Finance if he is considering plans to address the high interest rates some legal moneylenders charge; and if there are plans to introduce a cap on excessively high interest rates. [12589/20]
Foreign 2 questions
- 2020-06-23 Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his plans to recognise formally the state of Palestine in view of a cross-party Dáil Éireann motion in support and a commitment in the programme for Government; and his views on whether the impending annexation of the West Bank by Israel highlights the need for that to occur as a matter of some urgency. [11658/20]
- 2020-06-23 Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the average waiting time for processing individuals on the foreign births register; the number of cases waiting to be processed; and when he expects the service to resume. [12584/20]
Housing 2 questions
- 2020-06-23 Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the funding being made available for housing adaption grants by local authority; the uptake of the grants by each local authority; the number of applicants and waiting time for the grant by each local authority, in tabular form. [11651/20]
- 2020-06-23 Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the advice being given to applicants in cases in which housing adaption funding is no longer available. [11652/20]
Justice 1 question
- 2020-06-23 Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if his attention has been drawn to the surge in recreational use of nitrous oxide in the form of whippets; and if his Department has provided guidance to An Garda Síochána on its control. [12587/20]