Parliamentary questions

Mother and Baby Homes Inquiries

Brendan Smith

219. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if issues raised in correspondence (details supplied) will be given further consideration; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7826/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Brendan Smith

254. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Health if he will consider the request by a union (details supplied) to have access to a vaccine for community pharmacists to enable them to vaccinate front-line health care workers in line with the vaccine programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7477/21]

Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services

Brendan Smith

303. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Health if additional personnel will be provided for child and adolescent mental health services in view of the increasing number of children presenting for assessment and treatment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7772/21]

Parental Leave

Brendan Smith

561. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth when the additional parental leave of three weeks will become effective; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7138/21]

Oireachtas Joint Committee Recommendations

Brendan Smith

963. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Health the progress to date in implementing the recommendations of the 2018 Report by the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Health on Foetal Anti-Convulsant Syndrome; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7419/21]

Driver Test

Brendan Smith

33. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Transport if he will pursue with an institute (details supplied) the need for examinations to proceed as planned; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6141/21]

Banking Sector

Brendan Smith

64. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Finance if there have been recent discussions with a bank (details supplied) in view of the need to retain its banking services and retain employment in its branch network; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6325/21]

Northern Ireland

Brendan Smith

98. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the arrangements in place with the European Commission to ensure no recurrence of the recent unilateral proposal by the Commission to invoke Article 16 of the Northern Ireland Protocol; if he has such a commitment from the President of the Commission in view of the importance of this issue for all in this country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6312/21]

State Examinations

Brendan Smith

122. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Education the position regarding the holding of the 2021 junior certificate examinations; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6311/21]

Garda Resources

Brendan Smith

196. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Justice if adequate resources will be provided for Garda divisions such as Cavan and Monaghan in view of the unique policing demands in the Border region; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6322/21]

Primary Medical Certificates

Brendan Smith

211. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Finance the proposals there are to improve the conditions applicable to the primary medical certificate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6032/21]

Primary Medical Certificates

Brendan Smith

212. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Finance if new applications are being accepted and if existing applications are being processed for the primary medical certificate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6033/21]

School Accommodation

Brendan Smith

395. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Education when a project (details supplied) will proceed to the next stage in view of the urgent need to provide additional permanent accommodation at the school; if her attention has been drawn to the fact that classes are held on a number of sites which is far from satisfactory; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6034/21]

Health Services

Brendan Smith

611. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Health the measures that will be implemented to improve the delivery of health services in counties Cavan and Monaghan; if consideration will be given to the issues outlined in correspondence (details supplied); the estimated timescale for an improved range of services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4997/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Brendan Smith

35. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Transport when additional measures will be implemented to restrict travel into Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4903/21]

Customs and Excise

Brendan Smith

65. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Finance if clarity will be provided on the level of import duties on products imported from the UK in which the country of origin of that product is another country outside the European Union (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4977/21]

Undocumented Irish in the USA

Brendan Smith

134. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will have discussions at an early date with the United States administration in relation to the need for immigration reform with particular reference to the undocumented Irish following the referral by President Biden of the US Citizenship Act to Congress; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4904/21]

State Examinations

Brendan Smith

169. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Education when it is planned to announce details for 2021 leaving certificate examinations; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4982/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Brendan Smith

287. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 336 of 14 January 2021, if additional measures will be introduced in co-ordination with the authorities in Northern Ireland to ensure that restrictions on travel are strictly implemented regardless of persons being ordinarily resident in this State or not; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4900/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Brendan Smith

166. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Transport his plans to implement additional restrictions on persons travelling from abroad; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4476/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Brendan Smith

167. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Transport if there are adequate measures in place at each airport and port to implement the restrictions on persons travelling into Ireland; the additional measures that will be introduced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4477/21]

Diplomatic Representation

Brendan Smith

382. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will raise the need to appoint an ambassador to Ireland at an early date with the United States administration; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4127/21]

Northern Ireland

Brendan Smith

383. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will raise with the United States administration the need to appoint a special envoy to Northern Ireland at an early date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4128/21]

Post Office Network

Brendan Smith

17. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he plans to introduce a public service obligation and associated funding to support the post office network in view of its importance to communities throughout Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3171/21]

Ferry Services

Brendan Smith

53. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Transport the additional ferry capacity that will be available in the first half of 2021 to other EU ports; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3481/21]

Brexit Issues

Brendan Smith

94. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Finance if his attention has been drawn to concerns of businesses trading through Dublin Port regarding delays that have occurred since the start of 2021; the measures to be implemented at an early date to eliminate such delays; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3480/21]

Fáilte Ireland

Brendan Smith

111. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the level funding to be provided in 2021 for Fáilte Ireland's platform for growth programme; when the next round of projects will be approved under the scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3486/21]

Local Authority Housing

Brendan Smith

140. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when the income eligibility limits for social housing will be increased; if his attention has been drawn to the widespread concerns in areas such as counties Cavan and Monaghan in which the existing income limits are much too low; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3484/21]

Emigrant Support Services

Brendan Smith

165. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the funding allocated under the emigrant support programme in 2020; the level of funding to be provided in 2021; if this will enable the expansion of existing programmes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3487/21]

Domestic Violence Refuges Provision

Brendan Smith

270. 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; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3483/21]

Special Educational Needs

Brendan Smith

138. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Education if additional supports will be provided for children with special education needs as requested in correspondence from parents (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2148/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Brendan Smith

235. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Health the additional measures that will be implemented to restrict travel into this State during the Covid-19 pandemic; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2136/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Brendan Smith

236. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Health if the present restrictions on travel within this State are applicable to persons who are ordinarily resident outside the jurisdiction; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2137/21]

Vaccination Programme

Brendan Smith

239. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Health if essential workers (details supplied) will be prioritised along with other front-line workers in the vaccine roll-out programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2151/21]

European Arrest Warrant

Brendan Smith

738. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Justice the systems in place with the UK to replace the European arrest warrant scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1815/21]

Cross-Border Health Initiatives

Brendan Smith

1099. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Health the arrangements in place to continue a scheme with Northern Ireland and Britain similar to the EU cross-border healthcare directive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1816/21]

LEADER Programmes

Brendan Smith

21. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the timescale for the commencement of an interim LEADER programme in 2021; if this programme will be funded through the national Exchequer; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43926/20]

LEADER Programmes

Brendan Smith

79. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the funding provision for an extension in 2021 of the existing LEADER programme and the proposals to fund the work of local development companies; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43925/20]

Brexit Preparations

Brendan Smith

158. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment 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; his plans for 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43848/20]

Personal Injuries Assessment Board

Brendan Smith

189. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the status of the implementation of the recommendations made in the Action Plan for Insurance Reform in relation to the Personal Injury Assessment Board; the number of recommendations that have not been implemented to date; the reason for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43849/20]

National Broadband Plan

Brendan Smith

252. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the progress expected in rolling out the national broadband plan in 2021 throughout County Cavan; the areas that will benefit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44411/20]

National Broadband Plan

Brendan Smith

253. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the progress expected in rolling out the national broadband plan in 2021 throughout County Monaghan; the areas that will benefit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44412/20]

Mobile Telephony Services

Brendan Smith

254. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he has had discussions with telecommunications providers and the communications regulator on the need to improve mobile telephone coverage in different parts of the country, including areas in counties Cavan and Monaghan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44413/20]

Mobile Telephony Services

Brendan Smith

257. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if an agreement is in place with the UK authorities to ensure there will be no imposition of mobile telephone roaming charges from 1 January 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44440/20]

Road Projects

Brendan Smith

268. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Transport if he will ensure a substantial financial allocation under the road works programme to Cavan County Council in 2021 for the further planning and design of a route (details supplied) in view of its strategic importance for the Border region and the need to upgrade this road; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44461/20]

Local Improvement Scheme

Brendan Smith

283. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Transport if he will give further consideration to the provision of funding to local authorities in 2021 for the local improvement scheme due to the long waiting lists in areas such as counties Cavan and Monaghan and the unacceptable delays for households in rural areas having laneways accessing their homes brought up to an acceptable standard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44554/20]

Customs and Excise

Brendan Smith

300. 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. [44401/20]

Customs and Excise

Brendan Smith

301. 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. [44402/20]

Banking Sector

Brendan Smith

304. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Finance the outcome of the most recent discussions with a bank (details supplied) in relation to the need to retain a banking service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44425/20]

Flood Relief Schemes

Brendan Smith

315. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will ensure an increase in funding 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. [44415/20]

Flood Relief Schemes

Brendan Smith

316. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will ensure an increase in funding 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. [44416/20]

Office of Public Works

Brendan Smith

317. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the expected timeline for each stage in the provision of new public service accommodation (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44424/20]

Tourism Project Funding

Brendan Smith

324. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the funding available from the Exchequer and EU sources for tourism projects in 2021 under a scheme (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44462/20]

Tenant Purchase Scheme

Brendan Smith

345. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his plans to amend the tenant purchase scheme to enable persons who are in receipt of a pension and have the financial resources to buy out their council home avail of this scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44433/20]

Local Authority Housing

Brendan Smith

346. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if income eligibility limits will be improved for social housing for areas such as counties Cavan and Monaghan in which the existing limits are very low and causing difficulties for many families who have little hope of obtaining a mortgage or home loan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44434/20]

Social and Affordable Housing

Brendan Smith

357. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of social housing units built directly by local authorities in 2019 and 2020; the projected number of such units for 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44539/20]

Schools Building Projects

Brendan Smith

398. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Education when a planned building project (details supplied) will proceed to the next stage; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44471/20]

Schools Building Projects

Brendan Smith

400. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Education when a building project application by a school (details supplied) will proceed to the next stage; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44485/20]

School Transport

Brendan Smith

402. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Education if school bus capacity will be increased without further delay in light of the large number of students unable to access transport at present due to a much reduced capacity in the 2020-21 school year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44510/20]

Domestic Violence Refuges Provision

Brendan Smith

458. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if funding will be provided in 2021 to ensure the provision of a refuge centre in counties Cavan and Monaghan for victims of domestic abuse; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44480/20]

Closed-Circuit Television Systems

Brendan Smith

486. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Justice the improvements she plans to implement to the closed-circuit television, CCTV, scheme due to difficulties encountered by community groups in availing of it as structured at present; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44469/20]

Garda Deployment

Brendan Smith

487. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Justice if she will ensure that adequate policing resources are provided in the Border region to deal with cross-Border criminal activity by persons and organised gangs; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44522/20]

Drug and Alcohol Task Forces

Brendan Smith

593. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Health if increased funding will be made available in 2021 to the drug task forces in view of the increased demand for services in this area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44463/20]

Beef Industry

Brendan Smith

639. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the issues discussed at the most recent meeting of the beef forum; the date and agenda for the next meeting; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44395/20]

Veterinary Medicines

Brendan Smith

640. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the progress to date in ensuring that approved merchant stores will continue to sell veterinary medicines; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44396/20]

Forestry Sector

Brendan Smith

641. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the progress to date in reducing the delays in processing forestry felling applications which have adversely affected the supply of timber products; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44397/20]

Forestry Sector

Brendan Smith

642. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the estimated acreage of forestry affected by ash dieback disease; the costs incurred in implementing measures to counteract the spread of this disease; the further measures to be undertaken; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44398/20]

Northern Ireland

Brendan Smith

145. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the outcome of the most recent discussions he has had with the parties in the Northern Ireland Executive and the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland about the need to implement the Stormont House Agreement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44037/20]

Dublin-Monaghan Bombings

Brendan Smith

146. 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 the UK Foreign Secretary about the unanimous motions passed in Dáil Éireann on the Dublin-Monaghan bombings of 1974; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44038/20]

Peace and Reconciliation Programme

Brendan Smith

147. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the funding allocated in 2020 for peace and reconciliation projects; the expected expenditure at the end of 2020; the funding provided for 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44039/20]

Northern Ireland

Brendan Smith

148. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the outcome of the most recent discussions he has had with the parties in the Northern Ireland Executive and the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland about the introduction of a bill of rights in Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44040/20]

Defence Forces

Brendan Smith

153. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Defence if a person or persons with detailed knowledge of the work of and demands on the Defence Forces over the years in the Border region and the unique security issues in that area will be appointed to the commission on the Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44076/20]

Disability Support Services

Brendan Smith

341. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Health the number on waiting lists for assessments of need in counties Cavan and Monaghan to date; the proposals to reduce the waiting lists and provide more timely appointments for children in 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43991/20]

Disability Support Services

Brendan Smith

343. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Health his plans to have an orderly resumption of day services for persons with a disability in counties Cavan and Monaghan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43993/20]

Disability Support Services

Brendan Smith

344. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Health if there will be no costs on persons with a disability availing of transport to day services or training centres in any region; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43994/20]

Hospital Waiting Lists

Brendan Smith

346. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Health if additional resources and increased hospital capacity will be provided to reduce waiting times for patients in counties Cavan and Monaghan awaiting orthopaedic assessments and procedures; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44001/20]

Further and Higher Education

Brendan Smith

63. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his plans to enhance co-operation between colleges of further education and colleges of a similar status in Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43181/20]

Further and Higher Education

Brendan Smith

67. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the discussions he has had with his counterpart in Northern Ireland in relation to the opportunities to enhance and intensify co-operation on an all-Ireland basis in further and higher education; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43182/20]

Northern Ireland

Brendan Smith

464. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Justice further to Parliamentary Question No. 8 of 10 September 2020, if she will ensure further investigations are carried out into the Belturbet bombing of December 1972 following the submission of a report to her Department (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43504/20]

Crime Data

Brendan Smith

45. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Justice if her attention has been drawn to the scale of drug offences committed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42508/20]

Legislative Measures

Brendan Smith

66. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Justice the progress to date in implementing legislation to meet the commitments made under the Stormont House Agreement; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42507/20]

Cross-Border Health Initiatives

Brendan Smith

172. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Health the discussions he has had with his counterpart in Northern Ireland in relation to the potential of expanding the remit of Co-operation and Working Together Partnership regarding the delivery of health services and additional cross-Border projects; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42439/20]

Cross-Border Health Initiatives

Brendan Smith

197. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Health the outcome of the most recent discussions that have been held with the Departments of Health in Northern Ireland and in the UK concerning the EU Cross Border Healthcare Directive post-Brexit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42215/20]

Health Services Provision

Brendan Smith

443. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Health when additional services will be provided at a healthcare facility (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42784/20]

Garda Deployment

Brendan Smith

188. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Justice if additional resources will be provided in 2021 for An Garda Síochána in the Border region in view of the unique policing demands in Garda divisions in the region; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42519/20]

Garda Deployment

Brendan Smith

189. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Justice if adequate resources will be provided for Garda divisions in the Border region in view of the unique policing demands in Border areas such as counties Cavan and Monaghan; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42520/20]

Medicinal Products

Brendan Smith

195. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Health if medication (details supplied) will be made available for patients through the HSE as this treatment has been available for some years in Northern Ireland through the NHS; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42221/20]

Free Travel Scheme

Brendan Smith

76. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Social Protection the measures she will introduce to ensure that the free travel scheme will be available on all bus routes that are publicly licensed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40000/20]

Free Travel Scheme

Brendan Smith

81. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Social Protection if the free travel scheme will be applicable to more bus routes that are publicly licensed in 2021; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40079/20]

Childcare Services

Brendan Smith

103. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the capital funding provided in 2020 towards the provision of new and upgraded childcare accommodation; the level of funding that will be provided in 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40770/20]

Schools Building Projects

Brendan Smith

31. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Education when approval will issue in respect of a building project for a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40010/20]

School Funding

Brendan Smith

86. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Education her plans to improve capitation funding for voluntary second level schools in view of the differential in the level of funding provided for such schools and other second level schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40009/20]

Electricity Transmission Network

Brendan Smith

156. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if the 400 kV Celtic interconnector will be placed underground along public roads in its entirety when this connection from France reaches Ireland in the south east; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40099/20]

School Accommodation

Brendan Smith

426. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Education when an application for additional permanent accommodation at a school (details supplied) will proceed to the next stage in view of the urgent need to upgrade existing accommodation and provide new accommodation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40178/20]

Higher Education Institutions

Brendan Smith

549. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if a student living in a direct provision centre awaiting a decision on a residency application and at present attending second level is entitled to apply through the CAO for a course in further or higher education; if successful, if the student is entitled to apply for a SUSI grant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39676/20]

Emigrant Support Services

Brendan Smith

33. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the total financial allocation for the emigrant support programme in 2020; the funding to be allocated for 2021; if this allocation will enable additional programmes to be supported; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38292/20]

Undocumented Irish in the USA

Brendan Smith

56. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the position regarding proposed immigration reform in the United States with particular reference to the difficulties facing the undocumented Irish; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38291/20]

Banking Sector

Brendan Smith

129. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Finance if he will convey again to a bank (details supplied) the need to retain its business network which is important for many rural communities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39167/20]

Banking Sector

Brendan Smith

144. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Finance the outcome of his discussions with a bank (details supplied) in relation to the need to retain a bank, its network of branches and the protection of employment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39166/20]

North-South Interconnector

Brendan Smith

168. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the reason procurement is proceeding by the ESB in relation to the proposed North-South interconnector before a project agreement is in place with EirGrid as specified in the European Union infrastructure agreement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39520/20]