Parliamentary questions

Tourism Policy

Brendan Smith

32. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if consideration is being given to the development of new tourism amenities on a cross-Border basis in areas such as Cavan and Monaghan; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24358/24]

Tourism Policy

Brendan Smith

40. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the progress to date in developing new tourism amenities (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24357/24]

Housing Schemes

Brendan Smith

68. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when he will increase the income eligibility limits for social housing for areas such as Cavan and Monaghan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24359/24]

Housing Schemes

Brendan Smith

94. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will increase the income eligibility limits for social housing for areas such as Cavan and Monaghan as the present limits are unrealistic and are depriving families on relatively low incomes the opportunity to apply for social housing when in such instances these families will not meet the criteria for home loans or mortgages; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24363/24]

Social Welfare Payments

Brendan Smith

211. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason there are so many reviews of persons’ entitlements to carer’s allowance causing stress and some costs in preparing submissions (details supplied); her views on whether carer’s allowance plays a major role in reducing admissions to residential care and is a major saving on the State, taking into account that the majority of people want to remain at home, with supports, if at all possible; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24461/24]

Cabinet Committees

Brendan Smith

18. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee that deals with defence will next meet. [23693/24]

Wildlife Regulations

Brendan Smith

125. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will ensure that there is proper consultation with all stakeholders when consideration is being given to amendments to the Open Seasons Order; if he will ensure that mechanisms are put in place in his Department to meet such commitments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24384/24]

Northern Ireland

Brendan Smith

143. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Justice if all formal requests from An Garda Síochána and the Government since 2021 for intelligence and other co-operation from the Police Service of Northern Ireland and the United Kingdom authorities relating to bombings in this jurisdiction in 1972 and 1973 have been fully facilitated; if An Garda Síochána is satisfied that no further information held by the PSNI or the UK authorities has been withheld or is outstanding following these specific requests relating to those heinous crimes committed more than 50 years ago; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24234/24]

Bus Services

Brendan Smith

152. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Transport the up-to-date position regarding the provision of a service (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23969/24]

Animal Culls

Brendan Smith

274. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will ensure that persons licensed to cull deer will be able to continue such services and that such licences will not just be made available to large-scale operators and exclude one-person licensed services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23719/24]

National Parks and Wildlife Service

Brendan Smith

297. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when the Nature Advisory Committee, as recommended in the 2021 Review of the National Parks and Wildlife Service, will be established; the reason such a delay has occurred in establishing this committee which can provide a structured forum for consultation with stakeholders; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24100/24]

Wildlife Regulations

Brendan Smith

298. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the progress to date in establishing a sustainable hunting of wild birds stakeholder forum; the timeline for its establishment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24101/24]

Departmental Policies

Brendan Smith

357. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Justice when it is proposed to re-establish the Firearms Consultative Panel to ensure a structured forum for regular and inclusive engagement between policymakers and organisations representing firearms users; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24103/24]

Childcare Services

Brendan Smith

412. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth when the new childminding regulations will be published; the proposed implementation date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24098/24]

Medicinal Products

Brendan Smith

447. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Health if he will ensure that medication as recommended by Children's Health Ireland will be made available at an early date for a child (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23723/24]

Insurance Coverage

Brendan Smith

451. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Health if the reason private health insurance companies only cover the cost of a stay in psychiatric hospitals for maximum 100 days with unwell and vulnerable patients in the middle of a treatment plan having to be discharged on the 100th day will be investigated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23750/24]

Further and Higher Education

Brendan Smith

7. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the major capital projects that will be progressed this year in the further education sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23273/24]

Further and Higher Education

Brendan Smith

40. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science when the proposed building project at Cavan Institute will proceed to the next stage; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23272/24]

Business Supports

Brendan Smith

54. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of businesses in each of Cavan, Monaghan, Donegal, Leitrim, Sligo, Roscommon, Galway and Mayo that registered for the increased cost of business grant before 1 May 2024; how many more in each county have registered since the application process reopened last week; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23086/24]

Business Supports

Brendan Smith

121. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the measures he is taking to help small-scale manufacturing, retail and hospitality businesses meet the challenge of cost pressures; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23087/24]

Wastewater Treatment

Brendan Smith

212. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the up-to-date position regarding an application submitted by a local authority (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23482/24]

Forestry Sector

Brendan Smith

241. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if assistance will be given to farmers who do not have a forest plantation or are not availing of any forestry schemes to have ash dieback trees removed where such trees pose a danger to public safety due to their locations along public roads; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23332/24]

Undocumented Irish in the USA

Brendan Smith

32. 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; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23094/24]

Special Educational Needs

Brendan Smith

85. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Education if she will ensure that teachers who are working in special education and ASD units will have access to suitable courses of particular relevance to their teaching area; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23136/24]

Business Supports

Brendan Smith

268. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if additional measures will be implemented to assist small-scale manufacturing, small-scale hospitality and small-scale retail to meet increased business costs that have occurred over recent years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22748/24]

Business Supports

Brendan Smith

269. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if additional measures will be implemented to assist small and medium enterprises to meet increased business costs that have occurred over recent years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22747/24]

Agriculture Supports

Brendan Smith

489. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if financial assistance would be given to farmers who do not have forest plantation and are not availing of any forestry schemes, to have ash die back trees removed as such trees are a danger to public safety due to their siting along public roads; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22777/24]

Defence Forces

Brendan Smith

9. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence if further consideration will be given to the re-opening of Dún Uí Néill, Cavan, as a forward operating base as that region has a long land border with a neighbouring jurisdiction (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22083/24]

Defence Forces

Brendan Smith

50. 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 to the re-opening of Dún Uí Néill, Cavan, as an Army barracks, given the recommendation in the Commission on the Defence Forces that the structure of the Army be reviewed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22084/24]

Road Network

Brendan Smith

69. 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 2024 (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22079/24]

Health Services

Brendan Smith

263. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Health if he will consider a request for improved services (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22203/24]

Departmental Funding

Brendan Smith

280. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she will introduce specific funding provision in her Department's Estimates for the local improvement scheme in view of the long delays in having such roads brought up to a proper standard for local residents; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22080/24]

Housing Policy

Brendan Smith

61. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if his Department has any view or if any formal public policy exists in relation to the role public representatives might play in the governance or management of voluntary housing bodies in the context of the positive ongoing development of the voluntary housing sector; if it is the policy to discourage public representatives from serving on the boards of approved housing bodies or if the experience of public representatives might be considered a benefit to such boards; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22088/24]

Health Services Staff

Brendan Smith

637. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Health if he will ensure that the full complement of staff providing an important health service will be in place in Cavan-Monaghan without delay (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21770/24]

Dublin-Monaghan Bombings

Brendan Smith

110. 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 with the British foreign secretary in relation to the need for the British government to cooperate fully in a comprehensive investigation in to the Dublin/Monaghan bombings of 1974; if there has been any response from the British authorities to the motions passed unanimously by Dáil Éireann in 2008, 2011 and 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20832/24]

Dublin-Monaghan Bombings

Brendan Smith

117. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if there have been any recent responses from the British government into the need for full cooperation and comprehensive investigations in to atrocities including the Dublin/Monaghan bombings of 1974 and the Belturbet bombing of 1972; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20833/24]

Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements

Brendan Smith

29. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Taoiseach if he will report on his recent telephone discussion with Prime Minister Sunak. [16769/24]

Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements

Brendan Smith

30. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Taoiseach if he will report on his recent discussions with the First Minister and deputy First Minister of Northern Ireland. [16770/24]

Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements

Brendan Smith

31. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Taoiseach if he will report on his attendance at the recent British-Irish Parliamentary Assembly. [18292/24]

Northern Ireland

Brendan Smith

59. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Taoiseach when details of the next round of funding for capital projects under the shared island initiative will be announced. [20081/24]

Middle East

Brendan Smith

113. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs to outline the details of his recent visit to the Middle East; the outcome of discussions with the different groups he met; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20100/24]

School Admissions

Brendan Smith

167. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Education if additional places will be available for the 2024/2025 school year (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20054/24]

School Admissions

Brendan Smith

168. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Education if additional places will be available for the 2024/2025 school year (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20054/24]

Inquiry into the Death of Mr. Shane O'Farrell

Brendan Smith

213. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Justice when she will establish a public inquiry into the death of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20051/24]

Official Engagements

Brendan Smith

214. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Justice what additional measures will be introduced to deal with persons, domiciled in Britian, illegally entering this State through transiting Northern Ireland; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20052/24]

Official Engagements

Brendan Smith

216. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Justice what direct contact she has had with her counterparts in Britain and in Northern Ireland in relation to illegal migration from Britain through Northern Ireland into this State, which she referenced recently at the Oireachtas Justice Committee; the outcome of such discussions, if any; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20080/24]

Agriculture Industry

Brendan Smith

229. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the preparatory work being undertaken and the measures being implemented to ensure retention of the nitrates derogation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20087/24]

Health Services

Brendan Smith

304. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Health if he will ensure that adequate funding is provided directly from his Department or through the HSE to an association which provides important services for persons who have suffered ill health (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20093/24]

Disability Services

Brendan Smith

111. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if additional funding will be provided to an association delivering services to persons with a disability (details supplied) to enable it to increase remuneration for employees to assist with recruitment and retention issues; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19213/24]

Charitable and Voluntary Organisations

Brendan Smith

126. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the measures being implemented by his Department to ensure pay parity for Section 38 and Section 39 organisations’ employees that are providing services on behalf of agencies under the remit of his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19212/24]

Flood Relief Schemes

Brendan Smith

265. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform the funding allocated on an annual basis for flood relief schemes to Cavan County Council from 2019 to 2024 inclusive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19456/24]

Flood Relief Schemes

Brendan Smith

266. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform the funding allocated on an annual basis for flood relief schemes to Monaghan County Council from 2019 to 2024 inclusive and if he will; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19457/24]

Septic Tanks

Brendan Smith

397. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will extend the grant scheme including additional designated areas to assist more householders to upgrade and-or replace septic tanks; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18974/24]

Departmental Schemes

Brendan Smith

596. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will ensure that a project (details supplied) will proceed to the next stage at an early date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19455/24]

Forestry Sector

Brendan Smith

97. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the measures that will be implemented to deal with difficulties that have emerged from ash dieback and the concerns about spruce bark beetle; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18425/24]

Environmental Policy

Brendan Smith

109. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the current position regarding the inclusion of hedgerows in the assessment of carbon sequestration for the national inventory; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18426/24]

Disability Services

Brendan Smith

292. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if additional support will be provided as a matter of urgency to an association to enable the resumption of essential services (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18680/24]

Pension Provisions

Brendan Smith

26. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Transport if he will ensure that detailed consideration is given to the issues outlined by an association (details supplied) and to have same resolved without delay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18236/24]

Departmental Funding

Brendan Smith

27. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Transport the funding allocated to local authorities in 2023 to carry out essential road and bridge improvement works due to flooding problems; the funding provided for such works in 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17845/24]

Departmental Funding

Brendan Smith

28. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Transport the funding allocated to Cavan County Council and Monaghan County Council in 2023 to carry out essential road and bridge improvement works due to difficulties caused by flooding; the funding that will be allocated to these local authorities for such works in 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17846/24]

School Funding

Brendan Smith

67. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Education if she will give further consideration to an increase in capitation grants for smaller primary schools, in view of the particular financial pressures facing some schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18248/24]

Property Registration

Brendan Smith

94. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the measures that will be implemented to reduce considerable delays in processing applications through Tailte Éireann such as dealings in the former Property Registration Authority which may at times delay the provision of housing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18415/24]

Regulatory Impact Assessments

Brendan Smith

127. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Justice when a health impact assessment will be carried out in respect of the Sale of Alcohol Bill 2022; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18239/24]

Youth Work Supports

Brendan Smith

153. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will consider the request of a group (details supplied) in relation to the need to improve services throughout the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18282/24]

Regulatory Bodies

Brendan Smith

203. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she is aware of the long delays in dealings with the Charities Regulator in instances where updating title to properties is under the remit of that office, such as properties being disposed of through diocesan trusts, which can result in ordinate delays in the sale and purchase of properties which are needed for domestic or commercial use; what measures will be taken to ensure that such applications are processed and finalised in a timely manner; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18414/24]

Drug Dealing

Brendan Smith

18. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Justice if there are adequate legislative measures to deal with the scourge of drugs, with particular need to counteract effectively the activities of large-scale drug dealers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17828/24]

Drug Dealing

Brendan Smith

22. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Justice the additional measures, if any, she will introduce to deal with the scourge of illegal drugs throughout the country; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17829/24]

Sports Funding

Brendan Smith

13. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the progress to date in rolling out the most recently announced sports capital programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16979/24]

Tourism Policy

Brendan Smith

47. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the measures that will be implemented to assist the tourism sector meet additional business costs through initiatives of her own Department or through the agencies under the remit of her Department and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16978/24]

Business Supports

Brendan Smith

97. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the progress to date in implementing the measures to assist businesses to meet additional costs, as announced in budget 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16981/24]

Business Supports

Brendan Smith

103. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the measures that will be implemented to assist businesses, particularly in the hospitality and retail sectors, and also small-scale manufacturing, to meet additional costs and protect employment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16980/24]

Cabinet Committees

Brendan Smith

16. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee on the economy and investment will next meet. [14157/24]

Schools Building Projects

Brendan Smith

353. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Education if any grant-aid is available towards improvement works at primary schools (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16617/24]

Development Contributions

Brendan Smith

37. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if the current temporary waiver of development contributions and the refund scheme for Uisce Éireann water and wastewater connection charges will be extended; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15719/24]

Housing Policy

Brendan Smith

57. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when the income eligibility limits for social housing in areas such as Cavan and Monaghan will be increased; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15718/24]

School Meals Programme

Brendan Smith

154. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Social Protection if a school will be included in a programme (details supplied) with effect from September 2024; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15805/24]

State Pensions

Brendan Smith

97. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will bring forward amending legislation to address the anomaly whereby retrospective payment to pension claimants is limited to six months, even though her Department has been in possession of all the facts relating to the claimants' eligibility from the date of pension application; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15712/24]

Forestry Sector

Brendan Smith

974. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the schemes available at present to compensate farmers who have suffered substantial losses due to ash dieback; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14254/24]

Defence Forces

Brendan Smith

31. 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 if he will make a statement on the matter. [13121/24]

Defence Forces

Brendan Smith

50. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence if further consideration will be given to the re-opening of Dún Uí Néill Barracks, Cavan, as a forward operating base as that region has a long land border with a neighbouring jurisdiction, and taking into account that in the past 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. [13122/24]

Road Network

Brendan Smith

75. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Transport if he will ensure that additional funding will be provided to Cavan County Council and Monaghan County Council for much-needed improvement works to the non-national road network in 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13262/24]

Road Network

Brendan Smith

90. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Transport 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 additional funding will be provided to local authorities for the non-national road network in 2024, taking in to account the urgent requirement for additional investment due to the very substantial increase in costs that have arisen over recent years in road maintenance products and construction work; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13261/24]

Northern Ireland

Brendan Smith

128. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he has raised with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland the interim report of Operation Kenova with particular reference to the actions of the British agent in the IRA which caused so many tragedies and loss of life; if he has expressed concern about the failure to pursue prosecutions for deplorable actions detailed in this report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13540/24]

Cross-Border Co-operation

Brendan Smith

129. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the measures that will be implemented to grow even further and strengthen the all-Ireland economy following the very welcome growth in cross-Border trade since 1998; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13541/24]

Defence Forces

Brendan Smith

149. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the numbers enlisted in the Permanent Defence Forces at present; the proposals, if any, to have substantial recruitment and the timescale for increasing personnel in the Army; Air Corps and Naval Service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13501/24]

Defence Forces

Brendan Smith

150. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the progress to date in implementing the Report of the Commission on Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13502/24]

Defence Forces

Brendan Smith

151. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the programme of improvement works that will be undertaken this year at Army barracks throughout the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13503/24]

Financial Services

Brendan Smith

183. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Finance the measures in place to protect customers from the actions of vulture funds, particularly homeowners whose mortgages are with such entities; his views on the need to ensure adequate access for such mortgage holders to greater protections through statutory agencies; if he proposes to implement additional measures; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13542/24]

Financial Services

Brendan Smith

184. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Finance if he proposes to introduce additional measures to assist mortgage holders who are under financial pressures due to increased interest rates; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13543/24]

Work Permits

Brendan Smith

194. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the proposals, if any, there are to improve the visa criteria for the farming and agri-food sector, in view of the shortage of workers in some areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13489/24]

Enterprise Support Services

Brendan Smith

195. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment when additional financial provision will be introduced to assist local authorities, particularly those councils with a small rates base, to develop enterprise centres, as such workspaces are of extreme importance in enabling the establishment and growth of small businesses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13490/24]

Social Media

Brendan Smith

216. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the progress to date in introducing measures to counteract misinformation, disinformation and abuse on social media platforms; if additional measures are proposed, when same will be introduced; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13491/24]

Universal Basic Income

Brendan Smith

217. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the number in receipt of the artists’ basic income scheme; if the workings of this scheme have been reviewed; the proposals, if any, there are to extend this scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13492/24]

Legislative Measures

Brendan Smith

254. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Justice if it is proposed to introduce a standalone offence in relation to the spiking of drinks, in view of the serious repercussions of such deplorable behaviour and the effects on victims; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13478/24]

An Garda Síochána

Brendan Smith

255. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Justice the number of Garda stations operational in Cavan/Monaghan at present; when Bawnboy Garda station will be reopened as announced by Government previously; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13479/24]

Dublin-Monaghan Bombings

Brendan Smith

256. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Justice the progress to date in an investigation (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13494/24]

Legislative Measures

Brendan Smith

257. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Justice if she is aware of the concerns of sporting clubs and other community groups which run small-scale lotteries and is generally their main fundraiser in relation to the effects of the new legislation concerning betting regulations and gambling laws; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13495/24]

Disability Services

Brendan Smith

272. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the progress to date in improving services (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13510/24]

Disability Services

Brendan Smith

273. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the progress to date in improving services (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13511/24]

Further and Higher Education

Brendan Smith

332. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the proposals, if any, there are to increase capacity and availability of courses in digital forensics, in view of the threats to society posed by the proliferation of misinformation through social media platforms and the need to tackle such abuses; if his Department is funding research into such issues; if so, the type of research; if it is in collaboration with other agencies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13483/24]