Parliamentary questions

Social and Affordable Housing

Brendan Smith

64. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his plans to improve income eligibility limits for social housing in counties Cavan and Monaghan given that the existing limits are much too low at present; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22857/21]

Social and Affordable Housing

Brendan Smith

66. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when income eligibility limits for social housing will be increased in counties Cavan and Monaghan in which existing limits are far too low at present and unrealistic; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22856/21]

Home Loan Scheme

Brendan Smith

287. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his plans to reduce the 10% deposit requirement for the Rebuilding Ireland home loan given that this is causing serious difficulty for potential applicants who have high rental costs at present; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22793/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Brendan Smith

673. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if grant aid will be made available for small scale poultry businesses which were totally dependent on selling their product to the hospitality sector pre-Covid-19 and have lost such market for the past 14 months; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that such enterprises are unable to avail of Covid-19 business supports due to the fact they are not rateable; if he will ensure that appropriate grant aid is put in place as a matter of urgency to ensure that such businesses remain operational; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21009/21]

Hospital Waiting Lists

Brendan Smith

156. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Health if additional capacity will be provided without further delay at the National Orthopaedic Hospital, Cappagh in view of delays in persons being assessed and having orthopaedic procedures carried out; if his attention has been drawn to the long waiting times for paediatric orthopaedics resulting in children not receiving interventions in a timely manner; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22551/21]

Hospital Waiting Lists

Brendan Smith

157. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Health if additional capacity will be provided to reduce waiting lists for treatment (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22552/21]

Tourism Project Funding

Brendan Smith

57. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media when a tourism project (details supplied) will be given further consideration for funding under Fáilte Ireland’s Platforms for Growth programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21934/21]

Tourism Project Funding

Brendan Smith

60. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the level of funding provided for Fáilte Ireland’s Platform for Growth Programme in 2021; the indicative allocations for subsequent years; when the next projects will be approved under this programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21933/21]

Electric Vehicles

Brendan Smith

193. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Transport when additional electrical vehicle charging points will be installed in Monaghan town (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22417/21]

Garda Stations

Brendan Smith

319. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the projected timeline for the commencement and completion of refurbishment and upgrading of Bawnboy Garda station, County Cavan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21894/21]

Irish Language

Brendan Smith

378. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media her plans to engage with local authorities to increase the promotion of the Irish language; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21805/21]

Tourism Policy

Brendan Smith

379. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the status of the commitment in the Programme for Government to develop a sustainable tourism policy document and in advance of this an interim action plan; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21806/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Brendan Smith

988. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Health if persons travelling home to Ireland that have been fully vaccinated with a vaccine other than those approved to date in the European Union and have clear tests pre-departure and on arrival in Ireland will be exempt from mandatory hotel quarantine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21688/21]

Help-To-Buy Scheme

Brendan Smith

23. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Finance if the timeframe for applicants to meet the conditions for the help-to-buy scheme will be extended by the number of weeks that construction was closed down; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21071/21]

Northern Ireland

Brendan Smith

67. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs his plans to strengthen North-South and British-Irish political institutions following the commitments made in the New Decade, New Approach agreement and following Brexit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21029/21]

Oireachtas Joint Committee Reports

Brendan Smith

119. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Justice further to Parliamentary Question No. 751 of 28 July 2020, if the recommendations of the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Justice and Equality report on reform of the family law system have been given further consideration; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21043/21]

Oireachtas Joint Committee Reports

Brendan Smith

120. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Justice if she has given further consideration to the implementation of recommendations 9, 11 and 36 of the Report of the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Justice and Equality on Reform of the Family Law System; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21044/21]

Addiction Treatment Services

Brendan Smith

138. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Health when a new health service will be established in counties Cavan and Monaghan (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20926/21]

Drug and Alcohol Task Forces

Brendan Smith

182. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Health if additional funding will be provided for drug task forces in view of the increasing demands on such services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21081/21]

Cross-Border Co-operation

Brendan Smith

67. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the proposals to intensify co-operation with the relevant Departments and agencies in Northern Ireland to deal with flooding problems such as those caused by the River Erne system in counties Cavan and Fermanagh; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20105/21]

Flood Risk Management

Brendan Smith

106. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the proposals to amend the Arterial Drainage Act 1945 to include additional waterways including the River Erne system in County Cavan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20104/21]

British-Irish Co-operation

Brendan Smith

899. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the arrangements for the next meeting of the British-Irish Intergovernmental Conference; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20824/21]

British-Irish Co-operation

Brendan Smith

900. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the outcome of his recent discussions with members of the UK Government in relation to Northern Ireland with particular reference to recent violence and disturbances; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20825/21]

Ministerial Communications

Brendan Smith

901. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the outcome of the recent discussions he had with members of the UK Government pertaining to the Ireland-Northern Ireland protocol; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20826/21]

British-Irish Co-operation

Brendan Smith

902. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he has had discussions with members of the Northern Ireland Executive and or with political parties in Northern Ireland regarding the recent violence and disturbances; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20827/21]

School Transport

Brendan Smith

1094. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Education the progress to date in increasing school bus capacity due to the additional seating requirements arising from Covid-19; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20831/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Brendan Smith

2316. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Health if the mandatory hotel quarantine requirement will be lifted in respect of persons travelling from designated countries who are fully Covid-19 vaccinated and have negative tests both in respect of their departure from the foreign destination and arrival in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20567/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Brendan Smith

8. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if the concerns of the retail industry will be taken into consideration (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17848/21]

Enterprise Support Services

Brendan Smith

13. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the financial assistance and other supports available to local authorities and community groups to develop digital hubs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17953/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Brendan Smith

16. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if urgent consideration will be given to the reintroduction of click-and-collect services for small and medium enterprises in the retail sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18017/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Brendan Smith

17. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will amend the conditions of the small business assistance scheme for Covid, SBASC, to enable small enterprises that are in receipt of support under the Covid restrictions support scheme, CRSS, to transfer to the new scheme (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18060/21]

Local Authority Funding

Brendan Smith

111. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if additional funding will be provided to Cavan County Council in 2021 for flood alleviation measures in view of increasing problems with flooding due to heavy rainfall; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17927/21]

Local Authority Funding

Brendan Smith

112. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if additional funding will be provided to Monaghan County Council in 2021 for flood alleviation measures in view of increasing problems with flooding due to heavy rainfall; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17928/21]

Departmental Funding

Brendan Smith

113. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the funding committed to date for the Interreg and Peace Plus Programmes post-2020; the level of funding to be provided by the Irish and UK Governments and the European Commission, respectively; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17929/21]

Departmental Funding

Brendan Smith

114. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the status of the Interreg and Peace Plus Programmes post-Brexit with particular reference to cross-Border projects; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17930/21]

Local Authority Funding

Brendan Smith

115. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the specific measures that will be undertaken by the Office of Public Works in 2021 to alleviate flooding caused by the River Erne in County Cavan due to the damage caused by such flooding over recent years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17947/21]

Local Authority Funding

Brendan Smith

116. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the specific drainage projects to be undertaken by the Office of Public Works in County Cavan in 2021; the estimated cost of same; the drainage projects to be undertaken by Cavan County Council with financial assistance from the OPW; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17948/21]

Local Authority Funding

Brendan Smith

117. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the specific drainage projects to be undertaken by the Office of Public Works in County Monaghan in 2021; the estimated cost of same; the drainage projects to be undertaken by Monaghan County Council with financial assistance from the OPW; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17949/21]

Tenant Purchase Scheme

Brendan Smith

151. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his plans to amend the tenant purchase scheme to enable persons that are in receipt of a pension and have the financial resources to buy out their council home avail of this scheme; when it is proposed to make such necessary amendments to the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17935/21]

Social and Affordable Housing

Brendan Smith

152. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will improve income eligibility limits for social housing in areas such as counties Cavan and Monaghan in which the existing limits are much too low at present; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17936/21]

Waterways Ireland

Brendan Smith

153. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if the capital funding for Waterways Ireland will be increased in 2021 to enable an improved level of maintenance and improvement works to be carried out on the navigable waterways in view of the low level of such work over recent years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17937/21]

Northern Ireland

Brendan Smith

193. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the progress to date in implementing New Decade, New Approach; if he has had any recent discussions with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland and with members of the Northern Ireland Executive in relation to outstanding issues pertaining to the agreement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18049/21]

Northern Ireland

Brendan Smith

196. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he has had any recent discussions with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland and with members of the Northern Ireland Executive in relation to the Ireland Northern Ireland Protocol concerning the need to resolve outstanding issues and ensure no disruption to trade; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18075/21]

Domestic Violence Refuges Provision

Brendan Smith

262. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if a refuge centre for victims of domestic abuse will be established in counties Cavan and Monaghan in 2021; the progress to date in reviewing emergency accommodation nationwide; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17931/21]

Closed-Circuit Television Systems

Brendan Smith

282. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Justice further to Parliamentary Question No. 486 of 17 December 2020, the progress to date in preparing legislation relevant to community-based CCTV; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17811/21]

HSE Waiting Lists

Brendan Smith

351. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Health the progress to date in reducing waiting lists for assessment of need; if additional resources have been provided towards the provision of appropriate follow-up services in circumstances in which they are needed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17932/21]

Health Services Provision

Brendan Smith

353. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Health when a building project will proceed to the next stage in view of the urgent need to provide additional accommodation at a healthcare facility (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17942/21]

Northern Ireland

Brendan Smith

39. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Taoiseach the arrangements to have further discussions with the UK Prime Minister and members of the Northern Ireland Executive on the need to implement the New Decade, New Approach in full. [13244/21]

Illicit Trade

Brendan Smith

66. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Finance the additional measures he will implement to counteract the illegal and cross-Border trade in tobacco and drink products and household fuel products; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17154/21]

Illicit Trade

Brendan Smith

97. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Finance the measures he will introduce to protect and support legitimate businesses trading in household fuel products due to the difficulties they face with illegal cross-Border trade in such products; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17155/21]

Road Improvement Schemes

Brendan Smith

298. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Transport if specific funding will be provided to local authorities to assist farmers in the construction of agricultural underpass crossings on non-national roads in which such facilities are deemed essential in the interests of public safety and particularly road safety; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17117/21]

Banking Sector

Brendan Smith

359. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Finance if he will reiterate to a bank (details supplied) the need to retain its business network, which is particularly important for many rural communities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1827/21]

Banking Sector

Brendan Smith

360. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Finance if he will have further discussions with a bank (details supplied) concerning the need to retain its network of branches, protect employment also taking into account its importance to its customers and competition in the banking sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1828/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Brendan Smith

499. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if his attention has been drawn to the impact that level 5 restrictions have placed on families who moved out of their home to have construction work carried out (details supplied); if the additional costs incurred will be factored in when decisions are made about public health restrictions; his plans to assist this cohort with additional expenses and costs as a result of the restrictions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17335/21]

Road Network

Brendan Smith

32. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Transport if additional funding will be made available for the non-national road network in 2021; if there is a slower-than-expected drawdown in capital funding in other subheadings of the Estimate of his Department; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that there is an urgent need to provide a greater level of investment in the non-national road network in counties such as Cavan and Monaghan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16207/21]

DEIS Scheme

Brendan Smith

105. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Education when it is planned to include additional schools in the DEIS programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16204/21]

Schools Building Projects

Brendan Smith

106. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Education when approval will issue in respect of essential projects at a school (details supplied); if these applications can be finalised without further delay given that they have been under consideration for a considerable length of time; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16205/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Brendan Smith

225. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Health when the Covid-19 mandatory travel quarantine system will be operational; if it is planned to designate additional countries as high risk; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16220/21]

Common Agricultural Policy

Brendan Smith

261. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if discussions are ongoing with the European Commission on EU market support measures (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16224/21]

Brexit Negotiations

Brendan Smith

262. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the likely timescale for decisions at EU level on the Brexit adjustment reserve; the schemes being developed by his Department to avail of such funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16259/21]

CLÁR Programme

Brendan Smith

275. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the progress to date on reviewing the CLÁR areas based on the 2016 census of population; the expected date for the conclusion of the review; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16219/21]

Local Improvement Scheme

Brendan Smith

53. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Transport if his attention has been drawn to the fact that there are very long delays in having essential road improvements carried out under the local improvement scheme at present; if he will provide ring-fenced funding for this scheme as existed previously; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15606/21]

Local Improvement Scheme

Brendan Smith

61. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Transport if he will provide ring-fenced funding for the local improvement scheme as existed up to 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15605/21]

Insurance Costs

Brendan Smith

8. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if urgent consideration will be given to the issues outlined in correspondence (details supplied) in relation to insurance costs for a sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13819/21]

Banking Sector

Brendan Smith

54. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Finance further to Parliamentary Question No. 47 of 4 March 2021, if his attention has been drawn to the widespread concerns of communities throughout the country regarding the decision of a bank (details supplied) given that these drastic measures are being taken during a pandemic when families and communities face many difficulties; if the bank will reconsider the decisions announced at the beginning of March 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13813/21]

Horticulture Sector

Brendan Smith

72. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if further consideration will be given to the issues raised in correspondence (details supplied) concerning the horticulture and nursery sectors; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13705/21]

Medical Cards

Brendan Smith

244. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Health if arrangements have been put in place to expand access to medical cards, making them available to all who are terminally ill and have a prognosis of up to 24-months as announced in early February 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13824/21]

Brexit Issues

Brendan Smith

274. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if products will be eligible for EU market support measures in the event of such supports being activated by the European Commission (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13822/21]

North-South Interconnector

Brendan Smith

86. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if a review of the proposed north-south interconnector project will be undertaken in 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1517/21]

North-South Interconnector

Brendan Smith

99. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications his plans to engage with communities along the route of the proposed north-south interconnector in counties Cavan, Monaghan and Meath; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that there is strong and widespread opposition in these communities to the present proposal to put the transmission cables over-ground in the event of the project proceeding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1516/21]

Northern Ireland

Brendan Smith

441. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the outcome of the most recent discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland and with members of the Northern Ireland Executive on the Protocol on Ireland and Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13309/21]

Northern Ireland

Brendan Smith

442. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the arrangements for further discussions with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland on the full implementation of the New Decade, New Approach policy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13310/21]

Schools Building Projects

Brendan Smith

551. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Education further to Parliamentary Question No. 395 of 3 February, if there has been further progress in advancing a much needed building project at a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13449/21]

Paediatric Services

Brendan Smith

836. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Health if the necessary resources will be provided to reduce unacceptable waiting times for paediatric occupational therapy in counties Cavan and Monaghan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12871/21]

Road Improvement Schemes

Brendan Smith

1022. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if funding will be provided to assist farmers in the construction of agricultural underpass crossings on non-national roads in which such facilities are deemed essential in the interests of public safety and particularly road safety; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13073/21]

Post Office Network

Brendan Smith

12. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if post offices will be enabled to provide additional financial services in view of the serious reduction that will occur in banking services due to recent announcements by banks (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12367/21]

Banking Sector

Brendan Smith

47. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Finance if he had discussions with a bank (details supplied) in view of its recent announcement in relation to branch closures; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12374/21]

Brexit Issues

Brendan Smith

106. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if there is ongoing engagement across Departments and statutory agencies with businesses and with the authorities in Northern Ireland in relation to the new controls on trading that will come into effect from 1 April 2021 following Brexit; if adequate measures are in place to minimise disruption to trade; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12419/21]

Special Educational Needs Staff

Brendan Smith

135. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Education if a course (details supplied) will be accredited at an early date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12254/21]

Animal Sales

Brendan Smith

271. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will amend as a matter of urgency the arrangements in place at present for cattle sales with particular reference to pedigree cattle sales in view of difficulties that have arisen (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12366/21]

North-South Interconnector

Brendan Smith

95. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will have issues raised by a local authority given urgent consideration in view of the widespread concerns in local communities in relation to the proposed north-south interconnector (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12158/21]

Brexit Supports

Brendan Smith

1062. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if the agrifood sector will be supported through the Brexit adjustment reserve; the likely timescale for the development of such schemes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11307/21]

Mother and Baby Homes Inquiries

Brendan Smith

200. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth further to Parliamentary Question No. 219 of 11 February 2021, if there have been further developments in relation to the issues raised; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10848/21]

Mortgage Interest Rates

Brendan Smith

208. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Finance if his attention has been drawn to the difficulties encountered by mortgage holders due to substantial increases in interest rates when mortgages were transferred to other financial institutions (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10176/21]

Banking Sector

Brendan Smith

231. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Finance the outcome of discussions he had with a bank (details supplied) in relation to its decision to withdraw another bank from the Irish market; if he had discussions with other banks in relation to the decision; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10561/21]

Banking Sector

Brendan Smith

232. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Finance if he had discussions with a union (details supplied) in relation to the need to protect the employment of staff in a bank; the measures that will be implemented to protect jobs and the consumer rights of the bank customers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10562/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Brendan Smith

264. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she will give further consideration to issues raised in relation to the entertainment industry (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9842/21]

Teacher Training

Brendan Smith

543. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Education if adequate financial support will be provided for students attending a course (details supplied) which is an essential part of their masters degree programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10570/21]

Print Media

Brendan Smith

116. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she will give urgent consideration to the requests (details supplied) of an industry for immediate Government support in view of the particular difficulties it has encountered since the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9309/21]

Vaccination Programme

Brendan Smith

308. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Health if he will consider the concerns outlined in correspondence (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9284/21]

Small and Medium Enterprises

Brendan Smith

7. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the additional supports he plans to introduce to assist small and medium enterprises to develop online businesses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7850/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Brendan Smith

245. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she will ensure that all areas of the country will receive equal treatment in relation to the roll-out of the outdoor dining scheme and that it will not be confined to the major urban centres alone; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8966/21]

Waterways Ireland

Brendan Smith

320. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the measures that will be implemented to progress the proposal to extend the Shannon navigation from Lough Allen, County Leitrim to Dowra, County Cavan in view of the substantial preparatory work carried out on the project some years ago; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8962/21]

Agriculture Industry

Brendan Smith

1055. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the measures that will be implemented to address the difficulties for the mushroom, horticulture and nursery sectors due to the difficulties arising from the cessation of peat production; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8989/21]

Beef Industry

Brendan Smith

1056. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when the next meeting of the beef task force will take place; the agenda for the meeting; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8990/21]

Airport Policy

Brendan Smith

39. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Transport the additional measures that will be introduced to reduce the number of passengers using Dublin Airport as a transit to other destinations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7726/21]

Road Network

Brendan Smith

55. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Transport when he plans to make the allocations to local authorities in respect of the 2021 non-national roads programme; if he will ensure a substantial increase in the allocations to Cavan and Monaghan county councils in view of the particular importance of the road network in both counties; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7843/21]

Ports Facilities

Brendan Smith

61. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Finance further to Parliamentary Question No. 94 of 21 January 2021, if urgent consideration will be given to concerns expressed by companies trading through Dublin Port (details supplied); if the necessary measures will be implemented to eliminate such delays; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7472/21]

Local Authority Housing

Brendan Smith

118. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will ensure substantial funding for a voids programme in 2021 in view of the success of the voids programme in 2020; if the allocations will be made to the local authorities at an early date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7765/21]

School Transport

Brendan Smith

129. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Education further to Parliamentary Question No. 402 of 17 December 2020, the progress to date in increasing school bus capacity in view of the need to accommodate more students attending both primary and post-primary schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7485/21]