Dún Laoghaire — week of Mon, 2 Nov — Watch Them Work

What your Dún Laoghaire TDs did this week

Mon, 2 Nov – 8 Nov 2020 · 4 TDs · 5 bills voted on · 64 questions · 9 new lobbying filings

Votes this week

Criminal Justice (Enforcement Powers) (Covid-19) Act 2020

2020-11-04 · 2 votes

An amendment to the bill · motion failed 63–82

Voted against 3 Cormac Devlin · Jennifer Carroll MacNeill · Ossian Smyth

Did not vote 2 Barry Ward · Richard Boyd Barrett

The motion · motion passed 95–50

Voted for 3 Cormac Devlin · Jennifer Carroll MacNeill · Ossian Smyth

Did not vote 2 Barry Ward · Richard Boyd Barrett

Forestry (Planning Permission) (Amendment) Bill 2018

2020-11-04 · 1 vote · Sinn Féin PMB

A bill to amend the provisions of the Forestry Act 2014 to provide for planning permission for all forestry developments over 5 hectares

full description

A bill to amend the provisions of the Forestry Act 2014 to provide for planning permission for all forestry developments over 5 hectares; to amend the Planning and Development Act 2000; and to provide for related matters.

Whether the bill should proceed (Second Stage) · motion failed 55–88

Voted against 3 Cormac Devlin · Jennifer Carroll MacNeill · Ossian Smyth

Did not vote 2 Barry Ward · Richard Boyd Barrett

River Shannon Management Agency Bill 2020

2020-11-04 · 1 vote · Sinn Féin PMB

A bill to create a single competent authority to co-ordinate flood risk and management along the River Shannon and to provide for matters connected therewith

An amendment to the bill · motion passed 88–57

Voted for 3 Cormac Devlin · Jennifer Carroll MacNeill · Ossian Smyth

Did not vote 2 Barry Ward · Richard Boyd Barrett

Flood Prevention Policies

2020-11-04 · 2 votes

An amendment to the bill · motion passed 85–59

Voted for 3 Cormac Devlin · Jennifer Carroll MacNeill · Ossian Smyth

Did not vote 2 Barry Ward · Richard Boyd Barrett

The motion · motion passed 82–57

Voted for 3 Cormac Devlin · Jennifer Carroll MacNeill · Ossian Smyth

Did not vote 2 Barry Ward · Richard Boyd Barrett

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business

2020-11-03 · 1 vote

The motion · motion passed 26–18

Voted against 1 Richard Boyd Barrett

Did not vote 3 Barry Ward · Cormac Devlin · Jennifer Carroll MacNeill

Barry Ward — Fine Gael 0 votes · 0 questions · 1 new lobbying return

New lobbying 1 return

Habitat for Humanity Ireland Housing
- Focus on the sustainable development goals, and how these need to be incorporated into the programme for government.

Cormac Devlin — Fianna Fáil 6 votes · 22 questions · 2 new lobbying returns

Questions asked 22 total

Health 7 questions
- 2020-11-03 Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Health the status of the implementation of the neuro-rehabilitation strategy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33450/20]
- 2020-11-03 Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Health the number of dementia advisers to be recruited in 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33451/20]
- 2020-11-03 Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Health if he will consider amending the National Framework for Living with Covid-19 level 5 restrictions to allow 25 persons attend a funeral; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32423/20]
- 2020-11-03 Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Health the status of the winter flu vaccination programme; when it is due to be completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32425/20]
- 2020-11-03 Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the case of a person (details supplied); if he will re-examine funding for residential places in CHO 6; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32679/20]
- 2020-11-03 Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32691/20]
- 2020-11-03 Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the case of a person (details supplied); when the reimbursement of cross-border medical costs thresholds changed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32692/20]
Transport 5 questions
- 2020-11-03 Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Transport the details of the improvements made to Rosslare Europort as part of the Brexit preparations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32416/20]
- 2020-11-03 Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Transport if he will consider upgrading the east coast rail line between Belfast and Rosslare to increase capacity between Belfast, Dundalk, Dublin, Dún Laoghaire, Wicklow and Rosslare Europort as part of any review of the national development plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32417/20]
- 2020-11-03 Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Transport if he will consider waiving and refunding the annual cost of taxi registration during the Covid-19 pandemic; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32418/20]
- 2020-11-03 Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Transport if he will consider introducing a taxi licence buyback scheme to assist drivers who wish to retire from the industry due to the Covid-19 pandemic; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32419/20]
- 2020-11-03 Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Transport if he will extend all driver licences due for renewal that cannot be extended online during the current stage of the Covid-19 pandemic; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32680/20]
Environment 2 questions
- 2020-11-03 Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Environment, Climate and Communications if the requirement for all utilities and telecommunications providers regulated in Ireland to provide a dedicated and adequately staffed customer service telephone line for elderly and vulnerable persons will be investigated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32421/20]
- 2020-11-03 Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Environment, Climate and Communications if he will write to all telecommunications providers regulated in Ireland to ask them to provide free landline to landline calls for all customers over 65 years of age during the Covid-19 pandemic to ensure they can stay connected; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32422/20]
Finance 2 questions
- 2020-11-03 Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Finance if he will consider amending the bike to work scheme as part of the Budget 2021 process to allow more cohorts access the scheme, including the self-employed and retired persons; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32426/20]
- 2020-11-03 Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Finance if he will publish details of the changes to motor tax and VRT rates; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32681/20]
Social 2 questions
- 2020-11-03 Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of and position regarding the new PUP arrangements; the number of persons in receipt of the payment by band in an area (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32676/20]
- 2020-11-03 Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Social Protection if her attention has been drawn to the case of a person (details supplied); if the case will be reviewed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32677/20]
Tourism 1 question
- 2020-11-03 Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she will consider reviewing the national framework for living with Covid-19 level 5 restrictions to allow for pools and gyms to reopen on a limited basis which would have mental and physical health benefits; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32424/20]
Further and Higher Education 1 question
- 2020-11-03 Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if his attention has been drawn to the case of a person (details supplied); if the case will be reviewed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32678/20]
Justice 1 question
- 2020-11-03 Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Justice the daylight savings time arrangements for 2020-2021; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32420/20]
Rural 1 question
- 2020-11-05 Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the allocation to date provided under Covid-19 stability funding; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34087/20]

New lobbying 2 returns

Habitat for Humanity Ireland Housing
- Focus on the sustainable development goals, and how these need to be incorporated into the programme for government.
Sisters of Mercy Environment
- Requested the T.Ds to make representation to the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action asking them to support the inclusion of Stop Climate Chaos' recommendations in the final report

Jennifer Carroll MacNeill — Fine Gael 6 votes · 9 questions · 2 new lobbying returns

Questions asked 9 total

Health 5 questions
- 2020-11-03 Deputy Jennifer Carroll MacNeill asked the Minister for Health the average turnaround time from initial contact with a general practitioner to confirmation of the result of a test for teachers. [28430/20]
- 2020-11-03 Deputy Jennifer Carroll MacNeill asked the Minister for Health the average number of contacts traced in relation to confirmed Covid-19 cases in schools. [28431/20]
- 2020-11-03 Deputy Jennifer Carroll MacNeill asked the Minister for Health his plans to resume BreastCheck screening services; if the recent move to level 5 will have an effect on the resumption of his service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33255/20]
- 2020-11-03 Deputy Jennifer Carroll MacNeill asked the Minister for Health if he will extend the flu vaccination programme in order that teachers can receive the flu vaccine free of charge; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33257/20]
- 2020-11-04 Deputy Jennifer Carroll MacNeill asked the Minister for Health the measures in place to ensure all that need the flu vaccination can receive it; the way in which it is being distributed, the level of supply and supports available if pharmacies or general practitioners have low supply; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34038/20]
Agriculture 2 questions
- 2020-11-03 Deputy Jennifer Carroll MacNeill asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he is working to develop opportunities for Irish agri-food business and primary producers through the bioeconomy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33549/20]
- 2020-11-03 Deputy Jennifer Carroll MacNeill asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the way in which his Department is continuing to support the development of new markets for Irish exports in the current Covid-19 and Brexit environment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33550/20]
Social 1 question
- 2020-11-03 Deputy Jennifer Carroll MacNeill asked the Minister for Social Protection if a jobseeker's allowance and childcare allowance will issue to a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33180/20]
Finance 1 question
- 2020-11-04 Deputy Jennifer Carroll MacNeill asked the Minister for Finance the steps he has taken to date to address situations in which persons in receipt of the employment wage subsidy scheme or other Covid-19-related income supports are facing difficulties in securing mortgage approval, despite no change to the persons wages; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34061/20]

New lobbying 2 returns

Habitat for Humanity Ireland Housing
- Focus on the sustainable development goals, and how these need to be incorporated into the programme for government.
Sisters of Mercy Environment
- Requested the T.Ds to make representation to the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action asking them to support the inclusion of Stop Climate Chaos' recommendations in the final report

Richard Boyd Barrett — People Before Profit-Solidarity 1 vote · 33 questions · 2 new lobbying returns

Questions asked 33 total

Health 14 questions
- 2020-11-03 Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health his plans to ensure student nurses are paid for the work they carried out in the fight against Covid-19; the details of the regime for the testing of these students when they are going on placements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33558/20]
- 2020-11-03 Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health his plans for investment in testing tracing infrastructure and public health tracing teams in the coming weeks to ensure that when Ireland emerges from the current level 5 there will be the resources necessary to track down any new outbreaks of the virus; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33225/20]
- 2020-11-03 Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health if acupuncture is deemed an essential service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32530/20]
- 2020-11-03 Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health the number of occupational therapists and speech and language therapists employed directly or indirectly of the HSE that have been redeployed for Covid-19 measures in addition to the normal full complement of occupational therapists and speech and language therapists employed by the HSE. [32537/20]
- 2020-11-03 Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health if the Health Business Services is the only body within the HSE with responsibility for recruitment and filling of positions; and if so, the number of positions the Health Business Services has filled for tracking and tracing staff; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32538/20]
- 2020-11-03 Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health the number of jobs or positions the HSE has filled or hired; the number of these positions were filled by HBS versus the number were filled by outside agencies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32539/20]
- 2020-11-03 Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health his plans to deal with the recent announcement by St. John of God Community Services that it will be withdrawing from the provision of disability services over the next 12 months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31342/20]
- 2020-11-03 Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health if he will provide a full list of regulations to allow for fines for the breaking of Covid-19 restrictions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33603/20]
- 2020-11-03 Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health if a school (details supplied) that teaches music to students with intellectual disabilities is allowed to stay open under level 5 restrictions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33605/20]
- 2020-11-03 Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health if court ordered parental access which requires travel and household visiting is not impacted under level 5 regulations and that such arrangements must be continued; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33606/20]
- 2020-11-03 Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health the details of his negotiations with the private hospital sector to ensure a permanent increase in the capacity across the health service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33226/20]
- 2020-11-03 Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health if student nurses on job placement in hospital and care settings are being paid by the HSE or another body; the rates of pay they are receiving and entitled to; if they will be given employee rights while in these roles; if so, the rights they will be entitled to; if these placements, payments and employee rights extend to the duration of any Covid-19 measures; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33625/20]
- 2020-11-03 Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health the reason the laboratory service at St. Michael's Hospital had its hours of operation reduced on 5 August 2020 back to pre-pandemic levels (details supplied); if his attention has been drawn to the fact that out-of-lab-hours point-of-care blood testing is being used, despite the fact that this equipment is known to generate erroneous results, and that this point-of-care testing is being carried out by medical students rather than lab technicians or scientists; his views on whether this is appropriate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33662/20]
- 2020-11-04 Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health the details of the contract awarded to a company (details supplied) for recruitment during Covid-19; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34153/20]
Taoiseach 4 questions
- 2020-11-03 Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Taoiseach the number of additional staff recruited or seconded to his Department to assist with the response to the Covid-19 pandemic. [33222/20]
- 2020-11-03 Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Taoiseach if he will report on recent correspondences with the UK Prime Minister. [33223/20]
- 2020-11-03 Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Taoiseach if he will report on his decision to delay Census 2022. [28895/20]
- 2020-11-04 Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Taoiseach if he will report on the work of the housing, infrastructure and digital unit of his Department. [33224/20]
Social 4 questions
- 2020-11-03 Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason the extension of parental benefit is not coming into effect until April 2021; if she will consider bringing this forward in order that parents of children born during the Covid-19 lockdown can make use of it before their children are placed in full-time childcare facilities; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32300/20]
- 2020-11-03 Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Social Protection the rationale behind the need to be on the PUP for 16 weeks before a person can qualify for the part-time job incentive scheme (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32459/20]
- 2020-11-03 Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will address the case of a person (details supplied) in relation to a PPS number and the pandemic unemployment payment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32556/20]
- 2020-11-03 Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Social Protection if a person in receipt of a jobseeker's payment who has applied for and been accepted for a community employment scheme can and should be pursued by Turas Nua simultaneously so as to be removed from social protection payments of any kind and return to work; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32572/20]
Agriculture 3 questions
- 2020-11-03 Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans for a national afforestation programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33227/20]
- 2020-11-03 Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the details of the way in which a dangerous hand sanitiser was rolled out across the schools; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33228/20]
- 2020-11-03 Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if dog grooming and dog training falls under essential animal welfare services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32310/20]
Education 2 questions
- 2020-11-03 Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Education if the HSE is carrying out a risk assessment of the schools, and if not, the person or body that will; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32540/20]
- 2020-11-03 Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Education if there are plans to improve water supply to a school (details supplied) in County Tipperary, as the school has a "do not consume" notice in place since 2017; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32311/20]
Enterprise 1 question
- 2020-11-03 Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the details of the regulations regarding essential retail outlets and the sale of non-essential items in these retail outlets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33604/20]
Environment 1 question
- 2020-11-03 Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Environment, Climate and Communications if highspeed broadband upgrades are to take place in the Dún Laoghaire area particularly, but exclusively, from Patrick Street to Elton Park as currently the broadband service provided by a company (details supplied) is of insufficient strength signal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32563/20]
Finance 1 question
- 2020-11-03 Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Finance the way in which specialists SMEs in the live entertainment and events sector, including audio and lighting suppliers, staging companies, specialist event health and safety consultants, specialist security companies, fencing, sanitation, site services, power suppliers, marketing companies and other critical suppliers gain access to critical supports from his Department, that is, the CRSS, if they do not have public-facing companies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32542/20]
Tourism 1 question
- 2020-11-03 Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the criteria for qualification to the now extended live performance scheme whose fund has been provided through the budget, amounting in €50 million; the person or body that will decide on eligibility; the person or body that will administer same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32541/20]
Housing 1 question
- 2020-11-03 Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if persons are permitted to travel beyond the 5 km limit in order to view accommodation that they wish to rent or purchase; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33626/20]
Children 1 question
- 2020-11-03 Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will clarify the regulations regarding after-school care; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33607/20]

New lobbying 2 returns

Habitat for Humanity Ireland Housing
- Focus on the sustainable development goals, and how these need to be incorporated into the programme for government.
Sisters of Mercy Environment
- Requested the T.Ds to make representation to the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action asking them to support the inclusion of Stop Climate Chaos' recommendations in the final report