Louth — week of Mon, 29 Mar

What your Louth TDs did this week

Mon, 29 Mar – 4 Apr 2021 · 5 TDs · 1 bill voted on · 79 questions · 0 new lobbying filings

Votes this week

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business

2021-03-31 · 1 vote

The motion · motion passed 27–18

Voted against 1 Ruairí Ó Murchú

Did not vote 4 Erin McGreehan · Ged Nash · Joanna Byrne · Paula Butterly

Erin McGreehan — Fianna Fáil 0 votes · 0 questions · 0 new lobbying returns

Quiet week — no questions filed or new lobbying returns.

Ged Nash — Labour Party 0 votes · 34 questions · 0 new lobbying returns

Questions asked 34 total

Public 13 questions
- 2021-03-31 Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the bodies under his aegis which are non-commercial State agencies that have an annual budget expenditure of €5 million or greater and annual ICT expenditure of €100,000 or greater as per circular 02/2016; if any of these bodies are not compliant with their obligations under the circular; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that since 2016 no retrospective approval for expenditure for ICT over €25,000 was granted by his Department and that no incomplete or draft documentation was accepted by his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16856/21]
- 2021-03-31 Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if all bodies under his aegis as defined under section 4b of Circular 02/2016 have submitted detailed plans to his Department of current year ICT-related expenditure; if any expenditure greater than €25,000 was approved by his Department prior to any advertisement on e-tenders or through any other competition; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16857/21]
- 2021-03-31 Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the total expenditure on ICT services by each body under his aegis for each year from 2016 to 2020 inclusive; the total cost of ownership of each of the top two ICT projects of each of these agencies during that time frame; the percentage of total ICT expenditure of each body that was not spent through OGP frameworks; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16858/21]
- 2021-03-31 Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if staff costs or project staff costs are relevant to calculations of ICT expenditure under circular 02/2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16859/21]
- 2021-03-31 Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the annual expenditure on ICT for each body under his aegis that was not spent through an OGP framework or that was in excess of any agreed award through e-tenders since 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16860/21]
- 2021-03-31 Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the total cost of annual expenditure in each year since 2016 on ICT contractors and ICT consultants for each body under his remit; the total cost of ownership of any new software systems not approved in advance by his Department; the total expenditure on ICT hardware not procured through an OGP framework; the reason it was not procured through the OGP; if all ICT consultancies were procured and processed in line with the appendix to circular 02/2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16861/21]
- 2021-04-01 Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if the ESRI, IPA and SEUPB have independent health and safety advisers at present; if so, if the procurement of such which was carried out in the past three years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17890/21]
- 2021-04-01 Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if the ESRI, the IPA and the SEUPB have implemented the public sector and human rights duty under the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission Act 2014; if they have reported in their annual reports each year since enactment on the developments and achievements with regard to human rights; if the bodies have at all times promoted equality of opportunity and treatment of staff and persons to which they provide services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17891/21]
- 2021-04-01 Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if the ESRI, the IPA and the SEUPB have set out in their strategic plans an assessment of the human rights and equality issues they view to be relevant to the functions and purpose of the body with regard to the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission Act 2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17892/21]
- 2021-04-01 Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if the ESRI, the IPA and the SEUPB have received protected disclosures since the enactment of the Protected Disclosures Act 2014; if all such disclosures were reported as per the Act in their annual reports; if there were disclosures deemed not to be protected disclosures under the Act and thus not reported; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17893/21]
- 2021-04-01 Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if each of the bodies under his aegis and the ESRI, the IPA and the SEUPB hold membership with a confederation; if so, if he will provide the breakdown of payment to the confederation by each of the bodies in each of the years 2016 to 2020; if consideration of savings on this could be achieved on a shared service basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17894/21]
- 2021-04-01 Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the measures he plans to take with regard to public bodies under his aegis and the ESRI, the IPA and the SEUPB to have designated Irish language officers and be compliant with their obligations under the Official Languages Act 2003; if the bodies have had their services competently audited for compliance with the Act; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17895/21]
- 2021-04-01 Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if the bodies under his aegis and the ESRI, the IPA and the SEUPB energy policy are compliant with their obligations under the Public Sector Energy Efficiency Strategy; the bodies that have failed to meet their 2020 energy targets; the measures that will be put in place for those organisations that have not met their 2020 targets to reach their 2030 targets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17896/21]
Finance 11 questions
- 2021-03-31 Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Finance the percentage at which loading above the premium norm for a prospective borrower with mitigating circumstance, for example illness, becomes exempt from the legal requirement for mortgage protection insurance; if he plans to define a specific percentage loading cap above the norm given that some persons with underlying illnesses such as diabetes can be expected to pay between 200% to 450% more for mortgage protection cover (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16472/21]
- 2021-03-31 Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Finance the process by which a prospective mortgage borrower can seek a legal exemption from the requirement for mortgage protection insurance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16473/21]
- 2021-03-31 Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Finance his plans to update the Consumer Credit Act 1995 with respect to mortgage protection insurance given the difficulties of those with underlying conditions including Covid-19 in obtaining mortgage protection insurance at a reasonable price (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16474/21]
- 2021-03-31 Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Finance if a relevant authority under the auspices of his Department records the number and details of cases in which prospective borrowers are refused a mortgage due to their inability to obtain reasonably priced mortgage protection insurance; if not, if he will consider mandate banks, insurance companies and brokers to report such cases to relevant authorities; the number of cases in each year since 2016 that have been refused mortgage protection insurance cover; the number of cases in each year since 2016 in which an offer of mortgage protection insurance was made with a loading of 100% above the normal premium price in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16475/21]
- 2021-03-31 Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Finance the steps Ireland will take to support the taking forward of the recommendations in the report of the UN High-Level Panel on International Financial Accountability, Transparency and Integrity to tackle illicit finance, including international tax abuse; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16862/21]
- 2021-03-31 Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Finance the steps Ireland will take to support the proposal for an immediate commencement to negotiations of a UN tax convention to raise standards of tax transparency and co-operation and to ensure that all countries at all levels of per capita income are included in the benefits of same as outlined in the report of the UN High-Level Panel on International Financial Accountability, Transparency and Integrity. [16863/21]
- 2021-03-31 Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Finance the steps Ireland will take to support the creation of an intergovernmental body under UN auspices to allow globally inclusive and transparent negotiations over international tax rules as outlined in the report of the UN High-Level Panel on International Financial Accountability, Transparency and Integrity. [16864/21]
- 2021-03-31 Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Finance the steps Ireland will take to ensure it participates fully in the automatic exchange of financial account information, including by providing information to lower-income countries on a non-reciprocal basis in the first instance, and by publishing information on the aggregate value of accounts on which information is provided and received by the UK under the OECD Common Reporting Standard as outlined in the report of the UN High-Level Panel on International Financial Accountability, Transparency and Integrity; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16865/21]
- 2021-03-31 Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Finance the steps Ireland will take to ensure it meets fully the recommendation for public registers of the ultimate beneficial ownership of each type of legal entity that it permits to be established, with the information fully verified as outlined in the report of the UN High-Level Panel on International Financial Accountability, Transparency and Integrity; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16866/21]
- 2021-03-31 Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Finance the steps Ireland will take to meet the recommendation that all multinational companies should publish country by country reporting data as outlined in the report of the UN High-Level Panel on International Financial Accountability, Transparency and Integrity; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16867/21]
- 2021-04-01 Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Finance if he or his officials have held meetings with a bank (details supplied) in relation to the recent announcement of 88 branch closures; if so, when these meetings occurred; and if he asked for and received assurances from the bank that there is a viable post office within 500 metres of a branch the bank plans to close as mentioned in his response to the bank announcement. [17940/21]
Health 4 questions
- 2021-03-31 Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Health if the HSE is actively identifying potential sites in Drogheda for a second Covid-19 vaccination centre in County Louth; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16325/21]
- 2021-03-31 Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Health the number of newly qualified doctors at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Drogheda as a result of intern posts created in April 2020 which were designed to bolster the health service during an unprecedented pandemic; if he plans to retain all of the newly-qualified doctors and related posts as whole-time equivalents at the stated hospital given the continued seriousness of Covid-19 and the consequent backlog in terms of treatment waiting lists; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16428/21]
- 2021-04-01 Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Health if he will consider the request of an organisation and persons (details supplied) for cardiac patients to be given priority access to the vaccine reflecting the medical need; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17804/21]
- 2021-04-01 Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Health the category branch bank staff fall under in the Covid-19 vaccine roll-out. [17938/21]
Housing 3 questions
- 2021-03-31 Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if his Department has allocated funding for the collaborative town centre health check which is in the programme for Government; if so, the amount allocated to the programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16619/21]
- 2021-03-31 Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the status of the planned Dunleer fire project; if a site has been identified; when work will commence; the planned completion date for the project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17028/21]
- 2021-04-01 Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he plans to review the income thresholds for the Rebuilding Ireland home loan scheme; his views on the case of a person (details supplied); his further views on whether the scheme should be amended to accommodate cases such as this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17800/21]
Transport 1 question
- 2021-03-31 Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Transport his views regarding essential workers (details supplied) who have partially completed their mandatory essential driver training lessons but are unable to complete their 12 lessons nor book a driving test due to current Covid-19 restrictions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16327/21]
Defence 1 question
- 2021-03-31 Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Defence further to Parliamentary Question No. 423 of 27 January 2021, when the two detailed reports on technical pay grades 2-6 will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16618/21]
Children 1 question
- 2021-03-31 Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth his views on a request by an organisation (details supplied) for a once-off bridging grant of €2 million to support and sustain scouting in view of Covid-19; his plans in relation to this matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16320/21]

Joanna Byrne — Sinn Féin 0 votes · 0 questions · 0 new lobbying returns

Quiet week — no questions filed or new lobbying returns.

Paula Butterly — Fine Gael 0 votes · 0 questions · 0 new lobbying returns

Quiet week — no questions filed or new lobbying returns.

Ruairí Ó Murchú — Sinn Féin 1 vote · 10 questions · 0 new lobbying returns

Questions asked 10 total

Finance 4 questions
- 2021-03-31 Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Finance the engagement he has had on the recently launched Dublin Belfast Economic Corridor Report; his views on the report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17207/21]
- 2021-03-31 Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Finance the engagement he has had in relation to public liability insurance specifically the lack of provision and high premiums; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17206/21]
- 2021-03-31 Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Finance if his Department is considering plans to include outdoor activity providers with no fixed business premises in the Covid restrictions support scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43685/20]
- 2021-03-31 Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Finance the engagement he has had with other relevant Departments on businesses that might not be eligible for the Covid restrictions support scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1847/21]
Health 2 questions
- 2021-03-31 Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Health the expected date therapy services will be provided to a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16365/21]
- 2021-03-31 Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Health the engagements he has had with maternity hospitals regarding maternity services; the steps he has taken to ensure pregnant women are fully supported during any ease in the current restrictions; and the current situation in each maternity hospital. [17469/21]
Taoiseach 1 question
- 2021-03-31 Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Taoiseach the priorities of the shared island unit specifically in relation to new initiatives regarding north-south schemes. [13249/21]
Environment 1 question
- 2021-03-31 Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he has engaged in discussions or commissioned reports in relation to subsidising household broadband services to tackle educational disadvantage and narrow the digital divide; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16679/21]
Education 1 question
- 2021-03-31 Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Education if she has engaged in discussions or commissioned reports in relation to subsidising household broadband services to tackle educational disadvantage and narrow the digital divide; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16693/21]
Children 1 question
- 2021-03-31 Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he received correspondence from a person (details supplied) regarding funding; if so, the steps he has taken following the request; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16505/21]