Questions asked 10 total

• Finance 3 questions

  • 2020-11-03 Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Finance his views on the proposed introduction of a minimum spend restriction for all tourists of €175 under the retail export scheme, the highest possible level permitted; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that Ireland is alone in introducing such a regressive step at a time when EU members are opening up their schemes to further attract tourist shoppers; if his further attention has been drawn to the hugely negative impact this move will have particularly on the west of Ireland which is heavily dependent on tourist spend; his views on whether this has the potential to discourage future tourists from visiting Ireland in favour of other EU markets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32481/20]
  • 2020-11-03 Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Finance if he has received an update from a bank (details supplied) following his meeting; if the group will commit to the future of a bank in Ireland for the customers, staff and competition; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33374/20]
  • 2020-11-03 Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Finance if he will consider extending the date for filing returns for tax and CRO to the end of February 2021 in view of the current lockdown; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33388/20]
• Education 2 questions

  • 2020-11-03 Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Education if the recent announcement in budget 2021 in relation to the reduction in class sizes relates to DEIS band 1 senior schools only; if this decision ignores DEIS band one junior and vertical schools; if all disadvantaged schools will receive this reduction; if her attention has been drawn to the strong evidence that exists to support smaller class sizes for younger children and those suffering disadvantage; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32517/20]
  • 2020-11-03 Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Education if she is making a contingency plan to allow 2020 leaving certificate students to sit their exams in June 2021 if they cannot go ahead in November 2020 due to the Covid-19 situation; her views on the commitment already made to hold the exams in November 2020; if these exams are going ahead; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33357/20]
• Social 2 questions

  • 2020-11-03 Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason an extension of parental leave is not available until April 2021; if her attention has been drawn to the fact that many women who gave birth since the onset of Covid-19 restrictions in March 2020 are struggling due to the lack of available childcare and will be negatively impacted by having to take a further three weeks' unpaid leave; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32476/20]
  • 2020-11-03 Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will consider extending the time on the scheme for all community employment scheme participants for a period during the current Covid-19 crisis; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33355/20]
• Tourism 1 question

  • 2020-11-03 Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she will amend the lockdown regulations to allow persons to attend gyms and golf clubs while adhering to all Covid-19 requirements and social distancing; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33356/20]
• Further and Higher Education 1 question

  • 2020-11-03 Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his views on third level institutions failing to offer a reduction in fees to students at a time when classes are online and many of the on-campus services offered to students are no longer available; if his attention has been drawn to the financial pressure this is placing on third-level students and their families during the pandemic; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32571/20]
• Health 1 question

  • 2020-11-03 Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Health if he will consider using the Reserve Defence Force to help with contact tracing for Covid-19 (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33354/20]