Parliamentary questions

Tax Code

Brendan Smith

99. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Finance if he will consider the issues raised by a national organisation concerning taxation matters (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42961/23]

Teacher Training

Brendan Smith

122. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Education the proposals, if any, to reduce the current duration of the postgraduate ITE programmes to one year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43111/23]

Charitable and Voluntary Organisations

Brendan Smith

238. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she will have issues of concern to a number of organisations given detailed consideration (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42936/23]

Defence Forces

Brendan Smith

108. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence if, in view of the lack of an Army barracks in the central border area, further consideration will be given at an early date to the reopening of Dún Uí Néill, Cavan, as an Army barracks and, in the interim, as a forward operating base as that area has a long land border with a neighbouring jurisdiction, and taking into account that the presence locally of Army personnel played a very important role in the security of the State at a very difficult time; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42550/23]

White Papers

Brendan Smith

118. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence when the security environment analysis arising from the White Paper on Defence will be finalised; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42551/23]

School Funding

Brendan Smith

327. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Education when the next IT grant will be issued to primary schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42674/23]

Northern Ireland

Brendan Smith

43. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the outcome of his most recent discussions with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland and the Foreign Secretary concerning legacy issues, with particular reference to the totally unacceptable legacy Bill; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41854/23]

British-Irish Co-operation

Brendan Smith

58. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs when the next meeting of the British/Irish Intergovernmental Conference will take place; the issues to be discussed at that meeting; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41855/23]

Litter Pollution

Brendan Smith

99. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the additional measures, if any, that will be introduced to deal with littering problems throughout the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41859/23]

Litter Pollution

Brendan Smith

110. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the proposals, if any, there are to have additional publicity programmes regarding the need to deal with the proliferation of littering problems throughout the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41858/23]

Industrial Relations

Brendan Smith

165. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Transport if he will ensure that the concerns of a trade union in relation to the retention of jobs and terms and conditions are given detailed and urgent consideration (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41951/23]

Mental Health Services

Brendan Smith

48. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Health the progress to date in recruiting additional personnel for CAMHS teams in areas such as Cavan/Monaghan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40707/23]

Addiction Treatment Services

Brendan Smith

55. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Health if it is proposed to increase the level of funding for the North-East Drug Task Force, in view of the increased demand for services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40708/23]

Third Level Fees

Brendan Smith

95. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if, in view of the particular cost-of-living pressures at present, he will ensure that additional financial support will be provided to reduce undergraduate student contribution fees for this academic year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40698/23]

Third Level Fees

Brendan Smith

100. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if measures are to be introduced to reduce undergraduate student contribution fees this academic year; if he will ensure that students studying outside of the State will receive such supports, as requested previously by this Deputy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40699/23]

International Protection

Brendan Smith

247. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he is aware of the widespread concerns in relation to the proposed provision of services and the concerns of the local community, as outlined in representations to his Department (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40886/23]

Election Monitoring Missions

Brendan Smith

54. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the number of members of the current roster of election monitors, which is due to end in December 2023; the number of short-term observers monitoring requests sent by his Department to roster members since this roster came into effect; the number of first-time members of this roster; the number of first-time members of this roster who were accepted to serve as short-term observers on monitoring missions; the number of first-time roster members who have not been invited to serve as short-term observers, or other missions so far during this roster; the number of roster members who have served as short-term observers on two or more missions during this roster; the number of roster members who have quit the roster during its term; if he accepts that the length of this roster should have been extended by at least one year to allow for the impact of Covid-19; and his plans to amend, improve and reform the future operation of the Irish election monitoring panel; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38752/23]

Northern Ireland

Brendan Smith

66. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the outcome of his most recent discussions with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland and the Foreign Secretary concerning legacy issues with particular reference to the totally unacceptable Legacy Bill; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39304/23]

Northern Ireland

Brendan Smith

67. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs when the next meeting of the British/Irish Intergovernmental Conference will take place; the issues to be discussed at that meeting; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39310/23]

Northern Ireland

Brendan Smith

68. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will report on his most recent meetings with the political parties in Northern Ireland concerning the need to have the Assembly and Executive restored without further delay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39311/23]

Road Network

Brendan Smith

412. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Transport his views on the commitment in the Programme for Government to maintain the existing road network to a high standard and fund safety improvements; if he will ensure that much needed additional funding will be provided, without further delay, for the non-national road network this year taking into account the urgent requirement for additional investment due to the very substantial increase in costs that have arisen over the past two years in road maintenance products and construction work; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39298/23]

Primary Medical Certificates

Brendan Smith

452. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Finance when it is proposed to establish the disabled drivers medical board of appeal; when the criteria for this scheme will be amended in view of the widespread dissatisfaction in relation to the workings of this scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38167/23]

School Transport

Brendan Smith

773. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Education when the distance requirement will be reduced in respect of eligibility for school transport at primary and second level, taking into account road safety concerns for pupils in view of increased traffic levels on the road network, and also the difficulties for parents working outside the home and having to make arrangements for children to be left at and collected at pick-up points some distance from their homes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39299/23]

School Transport

Brendan Smith

774. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Education when the review of school transport will be finalised and the expected timeline for publication of this report; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39300/23]

Schools Building Projects

Brendan Smith

785. 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 this much-needed accommodation due to an increased enrolment at the school; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39419/23]

Departmental Programmes

Brendan Smith

787. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Education the proposals, if any, there are to expand the school completion programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39424/23]

Social Welfare Schemes

Brendan Smith

1043. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason applications under the exceptional needs scheme are not being processed locally; if she agrees that this scheme has been of critical importance to many families when emergencies arose and the swift response of Department officials at local level has been essential in assisting such families through difficult situations; if she will revert the centralisation of such decision making in the best interests of administering the scheme efficiently and helping people for whom it is intended in a timely manner; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38751/23]

Social Welfare Schemes

Brendan Smith

1044. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason a hub has been established in Galway to process applications under the exceptional needs scheme for areas such as Cavan and Monaghan; if she will revert the decision making to local level to ensure the scheme is administered efficiently and in a timely manner; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38756/23]

Social Welfare Schemes

Brendan Smith

1045. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Social Protection the status and remit of the hub that has been established in Galway to administer the exceptional needs scheme; if other responsibilities have been centralised to that office; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38757/23]

An Garda Síochána

Brendan Smith

1242. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Justice the reason delays have arisen in the resumption of Garda services (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39303/23]

Drug Dealing

Brendan Smith

1243. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Justice if additional measures will be introduced to deal with the scourge of drugs throughout the country, impacting on every community; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39435/23]

Departmental Funding

Brendan Smith

1488. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will give urgent consideration to the issues raised by a national organisation (details supplied); if he will ensure that extra supports are provided for this sector at an early date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39158/23]

Childcare Services

Brendan Smith

1496. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will amend the conditions applicable to the core funding programme for childcare services to enable service providers obtain the relevant payment in respect of all children where services expand the number of children provided for during the course of the year, rather than payment being capped at the enrolment level at the end of August each year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39352/23]

Healthcare Policy

Brendan Smith

1805. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Health the measures he will implement to regulate aesthetic medicine and have proper regulatory controls in place, in view of the concerns by healthcare professionals outlined in correspondence (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38697/23]

Health Services

Brendan Smith

2016. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Health if he will ensure that an existing healthcare service is not reduced (details supplied), in view of its importance to a large area and population; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39420/23]

Nursing Homes

Brendan Smith

2019. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Health if he proposes to introduce additional financial support for private nursing home providers, in view of increased costs over recent years and the financial challenges facing some providers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39427/23]

Third Level Fees

Brendan Smith

2081. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will ensure that additional financial support will be provided to reduce undergraduate student contribution fees for this academic year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39412/23]

Third Level Fees

Brendan Smith

2082. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if measures are to be introduced to reduce undergraduate student contribution fees this year; if he will ensure that students studying outside of the State will receive such support; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39413/23]

Men's Sheds

Brendan Smith

2100. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she will give urgent consideration to the request of a national representative organisation (details supplied) for assistance towards its work; if she will examine the request for assistance, that comes within the remit of her Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39169/23]

Departmental Communications

Brendan Smith

10. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Taoiseach if his Department, and all agencies under the remit of his Department, have their telephone contact details on their websites and on other media platforms; and if all stationery and headed notepaper used in correspondence with the public contain relevant phone contact details, taking into account that everybody is not in a position to correspond by e-mail. [36704/23]

Departmental Communications

Brendan Smith

58. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if his Department, and all agencies under the remit of his Department, have their telephone contact details on their websites and on other media platforms; if all stationery and headed notepaper used in correspondence with the public contain relevant phone contact details, taking into account that everybody is not in a position to correspond by e-mail; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36696/23]

Undocumented Irish in the USA

Brendan Smith

61. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if there have been any recent discussions with the United States authorities in relation to immigration reform, with particular reference to the need to regularise the status of the undocumented Irish. [37118/23]

Departmental Communications

Brendan Smith

109. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if his Department, and all agencies under the remit of his Department, have their telephone contact details on their websites and on other media platforms; if all stationery and headed notepaper used in correspondence with the public contain relevant phone contact details, taking into account that everybody is not in a position to correspond by e-mail; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36694/23]

Departmental Communications

Brendan Smith

172. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence if his Department, and all agencies under the remit of his Department, have their telephone contact details on their websites and on other media platforms; if all stationery and headed notepaper used in correspondence with the public contain relevant phone contact details, taking into account that everybody is not in a position to correspond by email; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36691/23]

Departmental Communications

Brendan Smith

244. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Transport if his Department, and all agencies under the remit of his Department, have their telephone contact details on their websites and on other media platforms; if all stationery and headed notepaper used in correspondence with the public contain relevant phone contact details, taking into account that everybody is not in a position to correspond by e-mail; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36706/23]

National Car Test

Brendan Smith

264. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Transport the projected timeline for the establishment of a new centre (details provided); if there any particular issues causing the delay in the provision of this new service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36989/23]

Departmental Communications

Brendan Smith

321. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Finance if his Department, and all agencies under the remit of his Department, have their telephone contact details on their websites and on other media platforms; if all stationery and headed notepaper used in correspondence with the public contain relevant phone contact details, taking into account that everybody is not in a position to correspond by e-mail; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36695/23]

Insurance Industry

Brendan Smith

325. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Finance if he has had recent contact with insurance companies regarding the widespread concerns of homeowners in relation to the escalating costs of home insurance premiums; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36978/23]

Departmental Schemes

Brendan Smith

328. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Finance when appeal hearings will commence again for applicants under the drivers and disabled passengers (tax concessions) scheme 1994; if he will ensure that such appeals can resume without further delay taking into account the very large number of appellants waiting for an appeal hearing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37041/23]

Departmental Communications

Brendan Smith

356. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform if his Department, and all agencies under the remit of his Department, have their telephone contact details on their websites and on other media platforms; if all stationery and headed notepaper used in correspondence with the public contain relevant phone contact details, taking into account that everybody is not in a position to correspond by e-mail; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36701/23]

Departmental Communications

Brendan Smith

399. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if his Department, and all agencies under the remit of his Department, have their telephone contact details on their websites and on other media platforms; if all stationery and headed notepaper used in correspondence with the public contain relevant phone contact details, taking into account that everybody is not in a position to correspond by e-mail; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36693/23]

Enterprise Support Services

Brendan Smith

407. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment when specific additional financial supports will be introduced to assist local authorities and community development organisations in the development of enterprise centres, in view of their importance in providing workspace for start-up businesses and small enterprises; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37062/23]

School Textbooks

Brendan Smith

432. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Education the estimated number of children who will benefit from the free schoolbooks scheme in primary schools in counties Cavan, Monaghan, Louth and Donegal, respectively for 2023-2024; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35892/23]

Departmental Communications

Brendan Smith

492. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Education if his Department, and all agencies under the remit of his Department, have their telephone contact details on their websites and on other media platforms; if all stationery and headed notepaper used in correspondence with the public contain relevant phone contact details, taking into account that everybody is not in a position to correspond by e-mail; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36692/23]

School Accommodation

Brendan Smith

495. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Education the status of an application for additional accommodation at a school (details supplied); if she will ensure that this proposal is advanced to the next stage at an early date in view of the urgent need to provide this much needed accommodation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36938/23]

Departmental Communications

Brendan Smith

550. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if his Department, and all agencies under the remit of his Department, have their telephone contact details on their websites and on other media platforms; if all stationery and headed notepaper used in correspondence with the public contain relevant phone contact details, taking into account that everybody is not in a position to correspond by e-mail; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36705/23]

Departmental Communications

Brendan Smith

643. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if his Department, and all agencies under the remit of his Department, have their telephone contact details on their websites and on other media platforms; if all stationery and headed notepaper used in correspondence with the public contain relevant phone contact details, taking into account that everybody is not in a position to correspond by e-mail; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36699/23]

Departmental Policies

Brendan Smith

668. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Social Protection when she expects the Government to finalise its approach to benchmarking and indexation of pension payments, as committed to in the Roadmap for Social Inclusion 2020-2025; the reasons for the delays in finalising this approach to date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35526/23]

Departmental Communications

Brendan Smith

735. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Social Protection if his Department, and all agencies under the remit of his Department, have their telephone contact details on their websites and on other media platforms; if all stationery and headed notepaper used in correspondence with the public contain relevant phone contact details, taking into account that everybody is not in a position to correspond by e-mail; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36703/23]

Departmental Communications

Brendan Smith

869. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Justice if his Department, and all agencies under the remit of his Department, have their telephone contact details on their websites and on other media platforms; if all stationery and headed notepaper used in correspondence with the public contain relevant phone contact details, taking into account that everybody is not in a position to correspond by e-mail; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36700/23]

Closed-Circuit Television Systems

Brendan Smith

893. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Justice the proposals, if any, to extend CCTV coverage to towns in counties Cavan and Monaghan; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37064/23]

Domestic Violence

Brendan Smith

895. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Justice the progress to date in providing a refuge centre in counties Cavan and Monaghan for victims of domestic abuse; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37107/23]

Departmental Communications

Brendan Smith

940. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his Department, and all agencies under the remit of his Department, have their telephone contact details on their websites and on other media platforms; if all stationery and headed notepaper used in correspondence with the public contain relevant phone contact details, taking into account that everybody is not in a position to correspond by e-mail; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36689/23]

Disability Services

Brendan Smith

1006. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth when additional places will be provided in a training centre (details supplied) due to increased demand; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36069/23]

Departmental Communications

Brendan Smith

1061. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if his Department, and all agencies under the remit of his Department, have their telephone contact details on their websites and on other media platforms; if all stationery and headed notepaper used in correspondence with the public contain relevant phone contact details, taking into account that not everybody is in a position to correspond by email; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36690/23]

Departmental Communications

Brendan Smith

1347. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Health if his Department, and all agencies under the remit of his Department, have their telephone contact details on their websites and on other media platforms; if all stationery and headed notepaper used in correspondence with the public contain relevant phone contact details, taking into account that everybody is not in a position to correspond by e-mail; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36698/23]

Healthcare Policy

Brendan Smith

1389. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Health when measures will be introduced to ban the sale of vaping products to children, both in store and through online shopping platforms; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36994/23]

Departmental Communications

Brendan Smith

1440. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if his Department, and all agencies under the remit of his Department, have their telephone contact details on their websites and on other media platforms; if all stationery and headed notepaper used in correspondence with the public contain relevant phone contact details, taking into account that everybody is not in a position to correspond by e-mail; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36697/23]

Departmental Communications

Brendan Smith

1497. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if his Department, and all agencies under the remit of his Department, have their telephone contact details on their websites and on other media platforms; if all stationery and headed notepaper used in correspondence with the public contain relevant phone contact details, taking into account that everybody is not in a position to correspond by e-mail; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36702/23]

Food Industry

Brendan Smith

21. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the proposals, if any, to have further discussions at the Council of Agriculture and Fisheries Ministers in relation to the need to protect food production in the EU and ensure food security; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34705/23]

Food Industry

Brendan Smith

40. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the measures that will be implemented to ensure that adequate supports are in place to continue to assist in the production of safe, high-quality and sustainably produced food due to this sector’s importance in providing food supply at home and in export earnings which are critical to the national economy and employment throughout the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34706/23]

Northern Ireland

Brendan Smith

95. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she will ensure there will be further engagement with the UK Government and stakeholders in Northern Ireland regarding the impact of the electronic travel authorisation scheme for tourists travelling to Northern Ireland via this State; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34632/23]

Northern Ireland

Brendan Smith

111. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the consultation to date with stakeholders in Northern Ireland in relation to the development of more tourism projects on a cross-Border and all-Ireland basis, with particular reference to funding under the peace plus programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34633/23]

Northern Ireland

Brendan Smith

119. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the outcome of his most recent discussions with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland and the Foreign Secretary concerning legacy issues; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35428/23]

Northern Ireland

Brendan Smith

120. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will raise again with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland the need to provide an exemption to the electronic travel authorisation scheme for tourists travelling to Northern Ireland via this State taking into account that the island of Ireland is marketed as one tourist destination and the need to avoid barriers to free travel; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35429/23]

Renewable Energy Generation

Brendan Smith

208. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to outline the incentives available for households and businesses to install solar panels; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35450/23]

Defence Forces

Brendan Smith

217. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the progress to date in his Department’s assessment of the Report of The Commission on the Defence Force; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35267/23]

Defence Forces

Brendan Smith

218. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence if in view of the lack of an Army barracks in the central border area if further consideration will be given to the re-opening of Dún Uí Néill, Cavan, as an Army barracks and, in the interim, as a forward operating base as that area has a long land border with a neighbouring jurisdiction, and taking into account that the presence locally of Army personnel played a very important role in the security of this State; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35268/23]

Road Network

Brendan Smith

244. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Transport his views on the commitment in the Programme for Government to maintain the existing road network to a high standard and fund safety improvements; if he will ensure that much needed additional funding will be provided for the non-national road network in 2023, taking in to account the urgent requirement for additional investment due to the very substantial increase in costs that have arisen over the past two years in road maintenance products and construction work; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34956/23]

Taxi Licences

Brendan Smith

245. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Transport if consideration will be given to the provision of support for hackney services in rural communities where it is not feasible to have a bus service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34957/23]

Construction Industry

Brendan Smith

306. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Finance if he will give detailed consideration to the issues raised in a report (details supplied) which outlines the difficulties that will arise for a sector with the introduction of a levy on products; if he is aware that such levy imposition will adversely affect this sector, particularly in the Border region; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35294/23]

Renewable Energy Generation

Brendan Smith

577. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the incentives available for farmers and agri-food businesses to install solar panels; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35454/23]

Further and Higher Education

Brendan Smith

868. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will ensure that an adequate number of courses are provided in colleges of further education throughout the country in relation to different professions providing healthcare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35390/23]

Further and Higher Education

Brendan Smith

869. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science when a building project (details supplied) will proceed to the next stage; the timescale for the delivery of this new accommodation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35424/23]

Rural Schemes

Brendan Smith

876. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development when the review of areas eligible for inclusion in the CLÁR Programme will be finalised; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35348/23]

Electric Vehicles

Brendan Smith

79. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Transport what his Department is doing to tackle the issue of e-scooters being dangerously parked on footpaths. [34603/23]

Legislative Programme

Brendan Smith

80. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Transport when the Road Traffic and Roads Act 2023 will come into force. [34604/23]

Healthcare Infrastructure Provision

Brendan Smith

239. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Health if he will detail the health infrastructure projects currently underway in CHO 1; the projects completed since June 2020, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34454/23]

Departmental Bodies

Brendan Smith

8. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Taoiseach if he will report on the work of the social dialogue co-ordination unit of his Department. [32834/23]

Inquiry into the Death of Mr. Shane O'Farrell

Brendan Smith

82. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Justice the status of the recent report into the death of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33996/23]

Gangland Crime

Brendan Smith

87. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Justice when additional measures will be introduced to deal with the scourge and damage being inflicted on families and communities throughout this country by persons involved in major drug trafficking and gangland criminality; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33997/23]

Tax Code

Brendan Smith

215. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Finance if he will have detailed consideration given to issues outlined by a national representative organisation (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34322/23]

EU Programmes

Brendan Smith

229. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform the total funding available for the new PEACE Plus Programme; the level of funding available for each measure under this Programme; the allocations decided to date for government Departments and statutory agencies; when these allocations were decided and notified to such agencies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33684/23]

Flood Risk Management

Brendan Smith

238. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform if he will give detailed consideration to the request of a local authority (details supplied) [34186/23]

An Garda Síochána

Brendan Smith

509. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Justice the youth diversion projects in place in counties Cavan and Monaghan at present; the proposals she has to approve additional projects; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34057/23]

National Economic and Social Council

Brendan Smith

19. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Taoiseach if he will report on the work of the National Economic and Social Council, a statutory agency operating under the aegis of his Department. [32833/23]

Cross-Border Co-operation

Brendan Smith

236. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will report on the Shared Island cross-border funding to expand Ulster University’s Derry campus announced on 20 June 2023. [32835/23]

Childcare Services

Brendan Smith

66. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will put in place at an early date an adequate grant aid scheme to support the provision of new and substantial community childcare facilities where such needs exist; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32443/23]

Early Childhood Care and Education

Brendan Smith

121. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to outline the proposals, if any, he has to increase substantially the level of grant-aid available under building blocks - capacity grant for the provision of new and upgraded childcare accommodation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32442/23]

An Garda Síochána

Brendan Smith

342. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Justice the progress to date in upgrading accommodation to facilitate the restoration of services as announced by Government in 2017 (details supplied); if she will ensure that these works are completed at an early date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31790/23]