Parliamentary questions

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]