Parliamentary questions

National Minimum Wage

Bríd Smith

83. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the actions the Government is considering in relation to the implementation of the adequate minimum wage Directive; if certain policy changes will be included (details supplied); the other policy changes being considered; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25806/24]

Cabinet Committees

Bríd Smith

3. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee on Northern Ireland will meet next. [23878/24]

Middle East

Bríd Smith

10. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Taoiseach to report on his recent phone conversation with the Israeli President. [23879/24]

Departmental Programmes

Bríd Smith

19. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Taoiseach to report on the recently published national reform programme 2024. [23999/24]

Middle East

Bríd Smith

46. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he has any plans to provide extra supports to students from Gaza, in light of the awful situation they and their families have endured and continue to face in Palestine (details supplied); if he will take extra steps to further support these students; the measures he can take in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25744/24]

Middle East

Bríd Smith

56. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he is aware that at least 11 Palestinian graduates who came here to study on ICOS/Department of Foreign Affairs-/Irish Aid-sponsored scholarships have recently received a letter (details supplied); if he agrees that this is a poor choice of options, given the situation in Palestine; the reason the option to secure a two-year graduate work visa is not given to these Palestinian graduates as it is to their fellow overseas graduates; if he will commit to ensuring that this option is now extended to these graduates as a matter of priority; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25120/24]

Homeless Accommodation

Bríd Smith

247. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment in relation to the Dublin Simon Community 100 bed health and addiction care facility located at Usher's Island, Dublin 8, if he can now confirm that the operational funding required will be in place before the opening of this critical and much needed development in Dublin city centre; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25118/24]

Employment Rights

Bríd Smith

253. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he has read the communication from an organisation (details supplied) regarding the delay in signing the new Employment Regulation Order for security officers; if he acknowledges that security officers are some of the most poorly paid workers in the State and are struggling to pay their bills as a result; if he will commit to signing the ERO immediately ensuring that security workers are granted the increase they are entitled to; if he will confirm when this will happen; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25528/24]

Disability Services

Bríd Smith

669. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth his views on the case of a child (details supplied) who has been diagnosed with autism, a global speech delay and a developmental delay by a psychiatrist who advises early intervention and access to a range of therapies; if he is aware that parents are being told that there is a five-year waiting list for these services; if he will outline his plans to address this unacceptable delay and a timeframe for ensuring timely access to these much needed services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25544/24]

Health Service Executive

Bríd Smith

735. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Health if he will clarify if the HSE owns the land at a location (details supplied); if there are any future plans for the land when the hospital is fully built; if so, what it may be used for; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24919/24]

Public Sector Pensions

Bríd Smith

143. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Transport the reason CIÉ retired workers have received no increase in their occupational pension since 2008; if the CIÉ board or management has discussed this or related pension issues with him or his Department officials; if increased funding of the CIÉ regular wages scheme by CIÉ has been considered to allow for a cost-of-living increase for these retired workers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24436/24]

Bus Services

Bríd Smith

153. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Transport his views on the removal of a bus service (details supplied) and the considerable difficulties this causes for older and disabled people; to clarify if there are any plans to resume a service in the area; if not, the alternative arrangements being made to address this gap; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24470/24]

Departmental Bodies

Bríd Smith

192. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will grant the request of retired members of staff of Ordnance Survey Ireland to attend OSI HQ in Phoenix Park on 21 June 2024 (details supplied) as part of the OSI's 200-year anniversary; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24487/24]

Urban Development

Bríd Smith

15. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Taoiseach what level of engagement his Department will have with the Dublin city centre task force. [23877/24]

Cabinet Committees

Bríd Smith

17. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee that deals with defence will next meet. [21748/24]

Schools Building Projects

Bríd Smith

92. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Education the status and expected starting time of works on the development of a new building for a school (details supplied); the reason for the delay with the project; if her Department has had talks with the builders or management at the school in relation to delays; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24375/24]

Cabinet Committees

Bríd Smith

73. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet Committee on Northern Ireland will meet next. [24030/24]

Employment Rights

Bríd Smith

151. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Transport the number of drivers directly employed by CIÉ tours; the number of drivers contracted by CIÉ tours to operate their services; the steps the company can take to ensure all drivers either directly employed or contracted abide by current regulations related to maximum working time driving and breaks and so on; if the NTA has any role in the implementation and enforcement of such regulations as they apply to transport sector and to the tourism sector specifically; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23948/24]

Middle East

Bríd Smith

164. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Finance if he will outline, given his powers to freeze, seize or otherwise impose restrictive measures on assets for the purpose of combating terrorism under the Criminal Justice (Terrorist Offences) Act 2005, and that the construction of settlements in the West Bank meets the definition of terrorist activity under that Act, as it is carried out with the intention of seriously destabilising or destroying the fundamental political, constitutional, economic or social structures of a state or an international organisation, the measures he intends to impose to prevent the financing of organisations carrying out terrorist activity in the West Bank; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23622/24]

International Protection

Bríd Smith

401. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if plans to accommodate people seeking international protection at a location (details supplied) include the provision of transport services in order that they are not isolated and can access other amenities or appointments elsewhere; to list all other proposed services that will be provided to the residents; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23717/24]