Parliamentary questions

Social Welfare Appeals

Niamh Smyth

381. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Social Protection for an update on the appeal for a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22439/24]

Social Welfare Eligibility

Niamh Smyth

385. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Social Protection the steps that are being taken to assist self-employed persons in obtaining sick leave based on their contribution record in the event of their cancer diagnosis; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22513/24]

International Protection

Niamh Smyth

519. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to review correspondence received (details supplied); if he can confirm or deny that this property is being looked at in relation to this case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22629/24]

Disability Services

Niamh Smyth

538. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to review a case (details supplied); to provide an update on the provision of transport for this person to the National Learning Network in Monaghan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22980/24]

Bus Services

Niamh Smyth

56. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Transport if he will provide the details of the local link services currently available in counties Cavan and Monaghan, respectively; his plans for additional routes or an expansion of this service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21828/24]

Driver Test

Niamh Smyth

66. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Transport the plans and strategies being introduced to reduce waiting times in Cavan’s driving test centre; if he is aware of the lengthy waiting times at present; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21843/24]

Rail Network

Niamh Smyth

114. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Transport to provide an update on the funding for the redevelopment of rail lines, particularly the Navan line, in conjunction with Department of Transport; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17514/24]

Road Projects

Niamh Smyth

115. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Transport if his Department has been contacted about providing funding for the east-west link road; if he will provide an update on this matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17515/24]

Rail Network

Niamh Smyth

117. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Transport the status of the funding for the redevelopment of rail lines, particularly the Navan line, in conjunction with the Department of Transport; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19495/24]

Road Network

Niamh Smyth

118. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Transport if his Department has been requested to allocate further money to the Department of Transport to help fund the repair of the rural road network, which is in bad need of repair urgently. [19496/24]

Insurance Industry

Niamh Smyth

23. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Finance the steps his Department is taking to assist with the increasing price of insurance premiums, despite the fact claims are going down. [22025/24]

School Staff

Niamh Smyth

34. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Education if she is reviewing sick leave for a section of staff based on correspondence (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21936/24]

School Transport

Niamh Smyth

42. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Education if the case of a student (details supplied) will be reviewed, given that Bus Éireann has been made aware of the issue regarding the special class in this case and has requested that the case be referred to her Department for review. [22001/24]

Special Educational Needs

Niamh Smyth

44. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Education the steps her Department is taking to target a shortage of special needs units and early prevention units in national schools throughout Ireland, and particularly in the areas of Cavan and Monaghan; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22014/24]

Septic Tanks

Niamh Smyth

57. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he can review the criteria for the septic tank grant; if he will acknowledge that many people who want to avail of the grant are not eligible for same as they are not located in the so-called buffer zones; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22008/24]

Wastewater Treatment

Niamh Smyth

58. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to review a matter (details supplied); if there are any allowances or financial support that can be given in this case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22009/24]

Childcare Services

Niamh Smyth

99. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth for an update on the new regulations for childminders; if he is aware of the concerns being expressed regarding these new regulations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22011/24]

Health Services

Niamh Smyth

132. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health the steps his Department is taking to provide additional resources for survivors of stroke and other cardiovascular conditions in the community who are supported by an organisation (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22013/24]

Medical Cards

Niamh Smyth

136. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health the current process for cancer patients to obtain a medical card; if the emergency medical card application via a GP in the only avenue; if his Department plans to review this scheme regarding cancer patients who need supports like a medical card; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22024/24]

Regulatory Bodies

Niamh Smyth

57. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if his Department will review the need for a licence to be required to erect a battery storage facility; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21386/24]

Energy Policy

Niamh Smyth

66. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if his Department has had discussions with the HSA on the enforcement of the Seveso III Directive in relation to battery energy storage systems. [21387/24]

Passport Services

Niamh Smyth

100. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if a passport application will be expedited for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21883/24]

Recycling Policy

Niamh Smyth

103. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications for an update on the deposit return scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21184/24]

National Broadband Plan

Niamh Smyth

104. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications for an update on the roll out of the national broadband plan specifically in relation to counties Cavan and Monaghan; if he will outline what percentage of both counties have received connections under the scheme; how much is left to do, and the timeframe for same.
[21190/24]

Energy Policy

Niamh Smyth

117. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if his Department will review the need to classify batteries as dangerous substances when it comes to the building of large battery energy storage systems; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21381/24]

Energy Policy

Niamh Smyth

118. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if his Department will reclassify batteries as dangerous substances for the purposes of mass storage facilities in rural communities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21383/24]

National Broadband Plan

Niamh Smyth

119. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the status of the rollout of high-speed broadband in Cavan and Monaghan. [21323/24]

Driver Licences

Niamh Smyth

161. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Transport if he has plans to reduce the age for obtaining a HGV licence which is currently at 21; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21193/24]

Electric Vehicles

Niamh Smyth

177. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Transport the status of the rollout of electric car chargers nationwide; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21324/24]

Vacant Sites

Niamh Smyth

259. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the measures his Department is taking to address vacant or derelict retail units in small towns and villages; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21186/24]

Special Educational Needs

Niamh Smyth

278. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Education what assistance is available to parents who cannot obtain a school place for their autistic child in their area; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21188/24]

Energy Policy

Niamh Smyth

371. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if his Department has carried out a review of fire personnel in Cavan or Monaghan in light of a number of battery storage facilities being granted planning permission in the counties; and if Ireland is equipped to deal with such facilities. [21384/24]

Family Reunification

Niamh Smyth

447. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Justice how many applications are currently in the system for the join family (sponsor is an Irish citizen) visa. [21423/24]

Departmental Correspondence

Niamh Smyth

454. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Justice to review an application (details supplied); to provide an update on this matter; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21474/24]

Food Labelling

Niamh Smyth

478. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to outline his Department’s actions to combat items being sold as Irish produce in supermarkets that do not have the Bord Bia logo; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21192/24]

Farm Safety

Niamh Smyth

481. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he is aware that incentivised schemes under his Department are seeing battery energy storage systems erected on farmland, without the proper safety facilities in place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21385/24]

Health Services

Niamh Smyth

547. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health the measures his Department is taking to assist and support an initiative (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21187/24]

Hospital Staff

Niamh Smyth

581. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health if he will review the embargo on hiring health care assistants in Killarney Community Hospital, which is due to open in November 2024. [21421/24]

Pharmacy Services

Niamh Smyth

582. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health if any analysis has been conducted by the Government on pharmacy fees per item between 2015 and 2023. [21422/24]

Hospital Services

Niamh Smyth

593. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health to review a matter (details supplied); if he will provide an update on this matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21481/24]

Vacant Sites

Niamh Smyth

686. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the measures her Department is taking to address vacant or derelict retail units in our small towns and villages; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21185/24]

Departmental Funding

Niamh Smyth

34. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development for an update on the community centre fund when it comes to existing centres getting investment for refurbishment/renovation; when this is likely to open to applications; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20631/24]

Control of Dogs

Niamh Smyth

39. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she or her Department officials have had discussions with Cavan County Council on dog control matters, given that it was recently reported that no dog control fines were issued by the local authority last year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18145/24]

Dublin-Monaghan Bombings

Niamh Smyth

75. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will report on his engagement with the British Government on issues relating to the 1974 Dublin and Monaghan bombings ahead of the 50th anniversary this year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20618/24]

Passport Services

Niamh Smyth

112. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs for an update on passport applications and processing times presently; how many applications were processed so far this year; how many are outstanding and currently in waiting; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20617/24]

Road Tolls

Niamh Smyth

151. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Transport to review correspondence (details supplied); if he will provide clarity on this matter regarding staff on M3 tolls; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21116/24]

Early Childhood Care and Education

Niamh Smyth

265. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to review correspondence (details supplied); if he will suggest funding mechanisms to assist in this case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21067/24]

Medical Aids and Appliances

Niamh Smyth

303. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health to review a case (details supplied); if this person can use the Wicklow-based company for this service in future; and if they do use it, whether the Government supports will still be available to them. [21068/24]

Control of Dogs

Niamh Smyth

326. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the rules/guidelines in relation to restricted dog breeds in Ireland; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21004/24]

School Staff

Niamh Smyth

192. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Education what further appeal mechanism is open to a school (details supplied) to keep a working principal given the extenuating circumstances which has arisen in the school since the appeal was refused. [20346/24]