Parliamentary questions

Social Welfare Payments

Brendan Smith

109. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Social Protection the proposals to improve the criteria for the free fuel allowance in cases in which a family member may return to live with a parent on a temporary basis, who normally resides on their own and who is in receipt of the free fuel allowance due to housing or domestic difficulties; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34869/22]

Social Welfare Payments

Brendan Smith

140. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Social Protection the proposals there are to improve the criteria for the free fuel allowance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34870/22]

Road Projects

Brendan Smith

252. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Transport in the event of the reallocation of capital funding within his Department in 2022, if he will ensure that additional funding is provided for the 2022 non-national roadworks programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39294/22]

Northern Ireland

Brendan Smith

421. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will convey again to the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland the widespread and serious concerns in relation to the British Government proposals concerning legacy issues; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39301/22]

Disadvantaged Status

Brendan Smith

497. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Education if consideration will be given at an early date to a further extension of the DEIS Programme in view of the availability of data from the 2022 Census; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39450/22]

Disadvantaged Status

Brendan Smith

498. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Education if consideration is being given to changes to the modelling system for the assessment of schools for inclusion in the DEIS Programme given that there are anomalies resulting in the exclusion of some schools who share catchment areas with schools who are in the DEIS scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39451/22]

Departmental Programmes

Brendan Smith

671. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Justice the number of applications that have been received and the number of approvals issued on an annual basis since 2012 in respect of the Immigrant Investor Programme under each particular investment fund; the total investment under each heading; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39295/22]

Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements

Brendan Smith

8. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Taoiseach if he will report on his recent meeting with members of the United States Congress with reference to discussion of the appointment of a special envoy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34568/22]

Northern Ireland

Brendan Smith

43. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Taoiseach if he will report on his participation in the Shared Island Dialogue on Identity. [35589/22]

Broadcasting Charge

Brendan Smith

218. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if her attention has been drawn to the widespread concerns at present in Northern Ireland in relation to limited access to RTÉ channels for many viewers with further difficulties emerging with the availability of television streaming services; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38256/22]

Departmental Functions

Brendan Smith

13. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Taoiseach if he will report on the economic policy unit of his Department. [34569/22]

Health Services Staff

Brendan Smith

86. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Health if an international recruitment campaign for healthcare professionals, including therapists, is under way in the context of employment with the HSE; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37477/22]

Disability Services

Brendan Smith

96. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Health if consideration is being given to the recruitment of additional therapy assistants in the delivery of healthcare services; if therapy assistants will have a role in the provision of healthcare services for persons with a disability, particularly in areas in which there are unacceptable delays at present; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37494/22]

Hospital Appointments Status

Brendan Smith

957. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Health if the issues raised in correspondence (details supplied) will be given detailed consideration at an early date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37771/22]

Further and Higher Education

Brendan Smith

73. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of additional further education places that will be provided up to the end of 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36658/22]

Departmental Funding

Brendan Smith

79. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the capital expenditure in 2021 for further education colleges; the level of capital funding provided for this sector in 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36657/22]

Childcare Services

Brendan Smith

89. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the total grant aid available for the provision of additional childcare places and the upgrading of existing accommodation in 2021; the level of funding for such developments in 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36663/22]

Childcare Services

Brendan Smith

105. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he has had discussions recently with representative organisations in relation to the core funding model given that concerns have been experienced by some childcare providers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36664/22]

Domestic Violence

Brendan Smith

514. 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. [35693/22]

Vaccination Programme

Brendan Smith

835. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Health when children under five years will be offered the Covid-19 vaccine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36118/22]

Educational Disadvantage

Brendan Smith

55. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Education when appeals in respect of the DEIS programme will be finalised; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34819/22]

School Accommodation

Brendan Smith

79. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Education when an ASD unit will be approved for a primary school (details supplied) given that there is a need in the area for such classes and the school has suitable accommodation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34895/22]

Third Level Costs

Brendan Smith

251. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science further to Parliamentary Question No. 245 of 17 February 2022, if further measures will be introduced to reduce student contributions and other associated costs for the forthcoming academic year in view of the particular pressures on many families with students attending third level education; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35077/22]

Third Level Admissions

Brendan Smith

253. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if it is proposed to increase the number of places on first-year medicine courses for Irish students in 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35190/22]

Third Level Admissions

Brendan Smith

254. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if it is proposed to increase places for students wishing to pursue healthcare courses in different therapy disciplines in universities for the upcoming academic year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35191/22]

Northern Ireland

Brendan Smith

65. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the progress that has been made to date in introducing a bill of rights in Northern Ireland; if there have been any recent discussions with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland and the political parties in Northern Ireland on this long-outstanding issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34641/22]

Overseas Study Placements

Brendan Smith

108. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Education the advice that will be provided to leaving certificate students who hope to study abroad when entry requirements for such colleges need to be finalised before the end of August 2022; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34966/22]

Childcare Services

Brendan Smith

125. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if contracts in relation to core funding will issue to childcare providers without further delay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34683/22]

Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements

Brendan Smith

14. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Taoiseach if he has spoken to the French President since his re-election. [30062/22]

Church-State Relations

Brendan Smith

23. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Taoiseach if he will report on his recent engagements with church leaders. [30063/22]

Departmental Policies

Brendan Smith

111. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Defence if further consideration will be given to the re-opening of Army barracks such as Dún Úi Neill, Cavan a modern army facility which was closed in 2012 in view of the changed security situation in Europe; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34191/22]

Defence Forces

Brendan Smith

115. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Defence when he proposes to implement changes for the Defence Forces as recommended by the Commission on the Defence Forces; if the upgrading of existing army accommodation and the provision of additional accommodation will be included in such measures; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34192/22]

Diplomatic Representation

Brendan Smith

566. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he has had any recent discussions with the United States administration in relation to the appointment of a United States special envoy to Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34557/22]

European Convention on Human Rights

Brendan Smith

568. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he has had any recent discussions with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland in relation to the importance of the European Convention on Human Rights for Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34582/22]

Animal Diseases

Brendan Smith

937. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if compensation levels in respect of the depopulation of herds will be increased, without delay, to reflect the market value of cattle, given that the present compensation levels are very low, resulting in farmers suffering major financial losses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33790/22]

Vacant Properties

Brendan Smith

229. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will allocate funding at an early date to local authorities for the voids programme given the importance of this scheme in bringing vacant local authority homes back to habitable use; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33487/22]

Housing Provision

Brendan Smith

230. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if the income eligibility limits for local authority housing in areas such as counties Cavan and Monaghan will be increased without further delay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33488/22]

Brexit Issues

Brendan Smith

318. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will have further discussions with representative organisations in Northern Ireland that are concerned about the recent British Government proposals in relation to the Northern Ireland protocol; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33481/22]

Brexit Issues

Brendan Smith

319. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will have further discussions with the political parties in Stormont in relation to the recent British Government proposals concerning the Northern Ireland protocol; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33482/22]

General Practitioner Services

Brendan Smith

443. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Health if he will ensure that his Department and the HSE give urgent consideration to the concerns outlined by an organisation (details supplied) in relation to the delivery of healthcare; if he will ensure that the necessary financial resources are provided without delay to maintain existing service levels; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33493/22]

Tourism Funding

Brendan Smith

21. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the capital funding available in 2022 to develop tourism infrastructure; the expected capital funding for such developments in 2023; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32411/22]

Northern Ireland

Brendan Smith

59. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the progress to date in the preparing of proposals to avail of funding under the Peace Plus Programme which will benefit the enhancement of tourism infrastructure in the border region; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32410/22]

Banking Sector

Brendan Smith

48. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Finance if he has had recent discussions with the Central Bank in relation to the difficulties facing customers transferring accounts from banks (details supplied) to other retail banks; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31295/22]

Banking Sector

Brendan Smith

49. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Finance his views on the need to extend the timeline for banks (details supplied) exiting this State; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31296/22]

Flood Risk Management

Brendan Smith

111. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the total expenditure in 2021 on the minor flood mitigation works scheme; the financial provision for this scheme in 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31325/22]

Northern Ireland

Brendan Smith

130. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform when the Peace Plus Programme will become operational; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31324/22]

National Economic and Social Council

Brendan Smith

14. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Taoiseach if he will report on the work of the National Economic and Social Council. [30061/22]

National Broadband Plan

Brendan Smith

191. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the progress that has been made to date in the roll-out of the National Broadband Plan in County Cavan; the progress that is expected in improving access to broadband in this area in 2022 and 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28773/22]

National Broadband Plan

Brendan Smith

192. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the progress that has been made to date in the roll-out of the National Broadband Plan in County Monaghan; the progress that is expected in improving access to broadband in this area in 2022 and 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28774/22]

Telecommunications Services

Brendan Smith

193. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he has had any recent communication with the Communications Regulator or the telecommunications companies in relation to poor mobile telephone service in some parts of the country; the measures that will be introduced to improve services in areas in which they are inadequate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28775/22]

Waterways Issues

Brendan Smith

231. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the measures that will be implemented at an early date to progress a project (details supplied) as substantial preparatory work was carried out some years ago on this project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28784/22]

Northern Ireland

Brendan Smith

255. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the outcome of his most recent discussions with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland and with the political parties in Stormont in relation to the Protocol; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28805/22]

Northern Ireland

Brendan Smith

256. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the outcome of his most recent discussions with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland and with the political parties in relation to the urgent need to have all the political institutions established under the Good Friday Agreement fully functioning; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28806/22]

Northern Ireland

Brendan Smith

257. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs when the next meeting of the British-Irish Intergovernmental Conference will be held; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28807/22]

Northern Ireland

Brendan Smith

258. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he has outlined to the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland that the recent proposals by the British government concerning legacy issues are unacceptable and if he has raised with him the need to implement the Stormont House Agreement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28808/22]

Schools Building Projects

Brendan Smith

289. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Education when a project (details supplied) will proceed to the next stage; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28825/22]

Health Services

Brendan Smith

384. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Health if detailed consideration will be given to issues outlined in correspondence (details supplied) in relation to healthcare provision; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28652/22]

Disability Services

Brendan Smith

400. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Health if he will ensure that charges will no longer be imposed by the HSE on persons (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28811/22]

Dental Services

Brendan Smith

402. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Health if detailed consideration will be given to issues outlined by a national representative organisation (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28816/22]

Health Services Staff

Brendan Smith

403. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Health the international recruitment campaigns that are underway at present for healthcare workers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28819/22]

Horticulture Sector

Brendan Smith

419. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when measures will be implemented to assist the mushroom and horticulture sectors due to the difficulties that have arisen in relation to peat harvesting; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28812/22]

Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements

Brendan Smith

8. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Taoiseach if he will report on his engagement with the leaders of the parties in Northern Ireland following the Stormont elections. [26028/22]

Passport Services

Brendan Smith

121. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs when a Passport Office will be established in the province of Ulster; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28421/22]

European Union

Brendan Smith

124. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he has had any recent discussions with his counterparts in the European Union Foreign Affairs Council and with the European Union Commission in relation to the need to progress Ukraine’s European Union membership application to candidate status; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28451/22]

Childcare Qualifications

Brendan Smith

492. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if persons who have level-five or higher qualifications in special needs education but have no specific QQI childcare qualifications are eligible to work in a childcare facility where there is a shortage of suitably-qualified personnel with the resultant pressure in retaining services due to staff shortages; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27315/22]

Health Services

Brendan Smith

6. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Health when additional healthcare professionals (details supplied) will be recruited in view of long delays for children receiving appropriate therapeutic interventions and supports; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26865/22]

Healthcare Infrastructure Provision

Brendan Smith

22. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Health the progress to date in advancing a building project at a hospital (details supplied); when it will proceed to the next stage; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26864/22]

Post Office Network

Brendan Smith

207. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications when additional financial supports will be introduced for the post office network; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27171/22]

Post Office Network

Brendan Smith

208. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications when the post office network will be enabled to provide additional government services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27173/22]

Departmental Funding

Brendan Smith

315. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if grant aid will be made available in respect of the retention of a childcare facility (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27185/22]

Departmental Funding

Brendan Smith

316. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the grant aid that is available at present towards the provision of childcare facilities by community groups; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27199/22]

Drug Dealing

Brendan Smith

26. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Justice the additional measures that will be implemented by her Department and by agencies under the remit of her Department in relation to tackling the scourge of illegal drugs throughout the country; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26117/22]

Cross-Border Co-operation

Brendan Smith

51. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Justice if there are any outstanding legislative obligations for her Department arising from commitments made in the Stormont House Agreement; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26115/22]

School Meals Programme

Brendan Smith

456. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Social Protection if school meals are included as part of a programme for a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25749/22]

Enterprise Support Services

Brendan Smith

14. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if specific additional financial supports will be introduced in 2022 to assist 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. [25361/22]

Enterprise Support Services

Brendan Smith

57. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment when improved financial supports will be introduced to assist in the development of enterprise centres in view of their importance in the creation of employment opportunities in areas such as counties Cavan and Monaghan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25362/22]

Further and Higher Education

Brendan Smith

121. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the proposals to introduce new courses in further education and training on a cross-Border basis in co-operation with colleges in Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25381/22]

Further and Higher Education

Brendan Smith

167. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if measures under the PEACE PLUS Programme will assist in the strengthening of collaboration in further education and training; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25380/22]

Special Educational Needs

Brendan Smith

284. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Education if additional financial resources, both current and capital, are being provided in 2022 to enable the provision of additional special classes at primary and post primary level in areas in which there is an increasing demand for such classes (details supplied); if additional places will be available for the forthcoming school year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25605/22]

Disability Services

Brendan Smith

391. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Health when additional healthcare professionals (details supplied) will be recruited, in view of long delays in children receiving appropriate therapeutic-interventions and supports; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25651/22]

Cabinet Committees

Brendan Smith

6. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet subcommittee to oversee the State response to the Ukraine crisis will next meet. [24814/22]

Good Friday Agreement

Brendan Smith

16. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Taoiseach the agenda for the shared island dialogue concept in the wake of the Assembly elections in Northern Ireland. [24815/22]

Industrial Development

Brendan Smith

45. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the progress that has been made to date in the implementation in the Border region of the IDA Strategy Driving Recovery and Sustainable Growth 2021-2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25261/22]

Enterprise Policy

Brendan Smith

46. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of companies in counties Cavan, Monaghan and Louth, respectively that have applied for funding under the Irish Innovation Seed Fund Programme; the number that have been successful in each county; the total funding awarded in each county to date in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25262/22]

Defence Forces

Brendan Smith

112. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Defence if Dún Úi Néill, County Cavan which is a purpose-built barracks, will be re-opened in view of its considerable accommodation and location in the central Border area given his recent comments regarding the need to increase personnel in the Permanent Defence Forces by 3,000; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25316/22]

Early Childhood Care and Education

Brendan Smith

149. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will give detailed consideration to issues raised in correspondence from a national representative body (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25317/22]

Further and Higher Education

Brendan Smith

164. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science when a proposed building project (details supplied) will proceed to the next stage; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25303/22]

Disability Services

Brendan Smith

302. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Health when funding will be allocated for a project (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25255/22]

Employment Support Services

Brendan Smith

86. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Social Protection her Department’s progress in supporting unemployed persons back into work, including those in long-term unemployment under the Pathways to Work 2021-2025; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24676/22]

Pension Provisions

Brendan Smith

130. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of the findings of the Commission on Pensions report; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24675/22]

Social Welfare Eligibility

Brendan Smith

496. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason that a person (details supplied) is not entitled to the illness benefit given that he or she has been paying class A PRSI contributions; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24543/22]

Student Accommodation

Brendan Smith

562. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will ensure higher education institutions that have on-campus accommodation refund in full deposits for accommodation paid by applicants who subsequently may not be able to take up the offer of accommodation due to a college placement elsewhere or failure to obtain a particular college placement at that time; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24098/22]

Naturalisation Applications

Brendan Smith

602. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Justice if applications for naturalisation will be progressed in cases in which the status is essential in order to take up employment as in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24417/22]

Departmental Bodies

Brendan Smith

625. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Justice if she will ensure in view of recent reports (details supplied) that there is full co-operation by statutory agencies under the remit of her Department with an ongoing inquiry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24922/22]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Brendan Smith

697. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Health if workers in healthcare settings will be eligible for a payment (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24473/22]

Rights of People with Disabilities

Brendan Smith

289. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the outcome of the consultations following the publication of the Initial State Report under the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities; the next stage in the consultation process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24045/22]

Disability Services

Brendan Smith

306. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Health the proposals, if any, to amend the Disability Act 2005 to enable children who need additional supports to have a right in law to appropriate services and not just an entitlement to an assessment of needs as provided for at present; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24046/22]

Dublin-Monaghan Bombings

Brendan Smith

110. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will have further discussions with the British Foreign Secretary and the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland on the need for the British government to respond positively and without further delay to the unanimous requests of Dáil Éireann concerning the Dublin and Monaghan bombings of May 1974; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22651/22]

Northern Ireland

Brendan Smith

129. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will have discussions with the political parties in Stormont and with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland in relation to the need to ensure that an Executive is established at the earliest possible date following the assembly election; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22650/22]

Banking Sector

Brendan Smith

284. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Finance if he will support the inclusion of a representative organisation (details supplied) as a key stakeholder in all negotiations concerning the exit of banks from this State; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23431/22]