Parliamentary questions

Cabinet Committees

Bríd Smith

9. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee on environment and climate change will meet next. [15185/24]

Cabinet Committees

Bríd Smith

18. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee on the economy and investment will next meet. [15186/24]

Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements

Bríd Smith

26. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Taoiseach if he will report on his attendance at the recent Munich Security Conference. [15187/24]

Tax Exemptions

Bríd Smith

236. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Finance if he plans to provide a pre-registration VAT exempt status for qualified and accredited members of an organisation (details supplied) and seek to rectify the inequities arising from the delay in establishing the statutory register; if he accepts that this proposal aligns with established practices and ensures that fair treatment prevails in the interim; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16688/24]

Employment Rights

Bríd Smith

266. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will provide an update on the next ERO pay increase for security officers who remain the lowest paid sector and who have had just one incremental pay increase in almost five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16758/24]

Pensions Reform

Bríd Smith

457. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason the Automatic Enrolment Retirement Savings System Bill 2024 (No.22 of 2024) has ignored the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Social Protection, Community and Rural Development and the Islands' pre-legislative scrutiny recommendation number 15, which states that the investment funds be prohibited from investing in fossil fuels or the arms industry (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16047/24]

Social Welfare Eligibility

Bríd Smith

484. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Social Protection if a person who is self-employed and has made sufficient contributions to qualify for a State pension (contributory) when reaching 66 years of age, could retire from their occupation at 65 years and claim jobseeker's benefit for the year before reaching 66 years in the same way as other workers can under present legislation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16539/24]

Greyhound Industry

Bríd Smith

548. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the current status of the 4,822 non-coursing greyhounds who were registered on Rásaíocht Con Éireann's RCETS at microchipping stage, but who have never been raced on an RCE-licensed track (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16181/24]

Student Unions

Bríd Smith

757. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he is aware that a students’ union (details supplied) recently launched a petition calling for the Government to provide free period products in all higher education institutions, which has now almost 3,000 signatures; if he will commit to increasing funding in this area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16323/24]

Vacant Properties

Bríd Smith

74. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will use compulsory purchase vacant and derelict properties to address the worsening homelessness crisis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15713/24]

School Staff

Bríd Smith

449. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Education if she is aware of the significant delays in processing teachers’ service papers from abroad and the impact on teachers who have returned to teach in Ireland; if she will acknowledge the welcome return of much-needed teachers but concede to the fact that the higher cost of living and exorbitant rents, especially in Dublin and other cities, puts huge financial pressure on teachers who are placed on step 1 of the pay scale while they wait for their prior service papers to be processed; if there are any plans to speed up the process and/or if there are ways in which to expedite particular cases (details supplied), especially in areas that urgently need teachers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14208/24]

Social Welfare Payments

Bríd Smith

768. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Social Protection if there are plans to increase the current grant of €3,000 to cover costs such as flooring and white goods to help families moving out of homeless accommodation into new-build social homes which are often completely bare, in light of the increases in costs around the provision and installation of flooring, white goods etc.; if she will acknowledge that this amount is no longer adequate to provide the necessary items for families often leaving homelessness with nothing; if she will consider raising this grant substantially; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14402/24]

Live Exports

Bríd Smith

1031. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 260 of 21 March 2024, to detail the two consignment of cattle shipped to Israel specifically when these shipments were made; the number of cattle involved and the private entity that arranged it; to further clarify if Department officials inspected these consignments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14977/24]

Hospital Facilities

Bríd Smith

1108. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will provide a formal report on how it is known that asbestos is present in the Royal City of Dublin Hospital building (details supplied); and if there are other defects with the building. [14296/24]

Disease Management

Bríd Smith

1463. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Health if he is aware of the long waiting lists to access the HIV preventative drug PrEP for those who cannot afford to obtain it privately or via the drug payment scheme; if there are plans to improve public access; if so, if he will outline these plans and provide a timeframe for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14691/24]

Live Exports

Bríd Smith

260. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if cattle are still being exported to Israel from Ireland; if so, how this is appropriate, given that the people of Gaza are being starved and face famine; if the Government has any intention of halting the export of cattle and other foodstuffs to Israel in the face of impending famine in Gaza; if he accepts that this is seen by many as putting money before the lives of Gazans who are being slaughtered daily; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13488/24]

Hospital Waiting Lists

Bríd Smith

276. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Health if he is aware that there are currently very long delays in obtaining an appointment for a blood test at the Mater Hospital, with reports of nine weeks to be seen by a phlebotomist; his plans to address these delays, given the importance of blood tests in early health interventions; the reason for the delays; the timeframe for their significant reduction; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13297/24]

Health Services

Bríd Smith

281. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Health if he is aware of the lack of developmental screening for children in the Dublin 8, 10, 12 and 20 areas, and that parents are being sent questionnaires in place of screenings; if he will acknowledge that this is not an appropriate replacement for face-to-face developmental screenings with trained professionals and that parents often feel unequipped to be able to administer and/or interpret these questionnaires; if he will further accept that early identification and intervention is crucial for addressing developmental issues and that the current situation may have serious implications for children who do not receive these important developmental checks; the issues in terms of recruitment of public health nurses; the steps being taken to address this; when parents in these areas will have these necessary developmental screenings by PHNs resumed for their children; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13349/24]

Middle East

Bríd Smith

55. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he is aware of the case of a person (details supplied), a Palestinian lawyer and human rights defender, who was arrested by Israeli forces on 19 January 2024, and whose detention has been strongly condemned by Front Line Defenders and the International Observatory of Lawyers at Risk; if he will raise their case at the highest diplomatic and political level in an effort to secure their earliest release; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12011/24]

Schools Building Projects

Bríd Smith

362. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Education if she will acknowledge the impact that operating out of temporary accommodation for a prolonged period of time has placed on the children/young people, families and teachers at a school (details supplied); if she will also acknowledge the demonstrated need and urgency for the commencement of a permanent ETSS in Dublin 6 and that planning permission was granted almost two years ago; if she will commit to the immediate construction of the building following the conclusion of the tender process this year and if she will take steps to ensure that there are no further project delays, while at all times keeping the school community updated of all progress and developments; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11685/24]

Greyhound Industry

Bríd Smith

989. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of non-coursing greyhounds that participated in at least one official trial whose year of birth was 2021 as recorded on RCETS, and the number of non-coursing greyhounds that participated in at least one official trial whose year of birth was 2022 as recorded on RCETS; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12099/24]

Greyhound Industry

Bríd Smith

990. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of non-coursing greyhounds that completed one or more races on an RCE licensed track whose year of birth was 2021 as recorded on RCETS; the number of non-coursing greyhounds that completed one or more races on an RCE licensed track whose year of birth was 2022 as recorded on RCETS; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12100/24]

Greyhound Industry

Bríd Smith

991. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of non-coursing greyhounds exported after completing at least one official trial, but before having completed a race on an RCE licensed track whose year of birth was 2021 as recorded on RCETS; the number of non-coursing greyhounds exported after completing at least one official trial, but before having completed a race on an RCE licensed track whose year of birth was 2022 as recorded on RCETS; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12101/24]

Greyhound Industry

Bríd Smith

992. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of non-coursing greyhounds rehomed before completing at least one official trial whose year of birth was 2021 as recorded on RCETS; the number of non-coursing greyhounds rehomed before completing at least one official trial whose year of birth was 2022 as recorded on RCETS; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12102/24]

Greyhound Industry

Bríd Smith

993. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of non-coursing greyhounds rehomed after completing at least one official trial, but before having completed a race on an RCE licensed track, whose year of birth was 2021 as recorded on RCETS; the number of non-coursing greyhounds rehomed after completing at least one official trial, but before having completed a race on an RCE licensed track whose year of birth was 2022 as recorded on RCETS; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12103/24]

Employment Rights

Bríd Smith

212. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the actions he is taking to protect workers' rights in the technology sector who are currently experiencing mass layoffs, specifically silent layoffs; the way in which he will ensure that companies are not able to circumvent collective redundancy laws by continuously dismissing employees to avoid consultation period with the workers and the Minister (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11230/24]

Immigration Policy

Bríd Smith

283. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Justice if she will consider the plight of persons (details supplied) following the expiration of their visas in April; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11258/24]

Natural Gas Grid

Bríd Smith

115. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will clarify how the safety and security risks associated with a floating storage and regasification unit compare to the safety and security risks associated with geological storage of natural gas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10142/24]

Natural Gas Grid

Bríd Smith

116. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will outline the measures that will be taken to prevent the import and use of fracked gas in Ireland’s energy systems should a floating storage and regasification unit be leased; how it would be verified that imported gas has not come from fracked sources; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10143/24]

Citizenship Applications

Bríd Smith

482. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Justice if she will clarify what the delay is in issuing newly naturalised Irish citizens with citizenship certificates; if she will investigate the delay in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10199/24]

Nursing Homes

Bríd Smith

794. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Health if changes to the fair deal scheme legislation are being considered to prevent a spouse denying or delaying their spouse's access to necessary full-time nursing home care; the progress in this area; if and when these changes will come into effect; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10804/24]

Dublin Airport Authority

Bríd Smith

126. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Transport the position of the Dublin Airport Authority in relation to negotiations with taxi driver representative associations; if the authority has a position of refusing to recognise or consult representative associations of drivers who work in the airport; if so, if such a stance is compatible with Government policy on the rights of workers to be represented by trade unions and representative organisations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9174/24]

Bus Services

Bríd Smith

127. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Transport the timeframe for the introduction of BusConnects routes in the Crumlin area, specifically the proposed 82 route which is to replace the current 83 service; the proposed frequency of the new 82 route; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9178/24]

Employment Rights

Bríd Smith

177. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment in cases in which a worker is not under the provisions of the new statutory sick scheme for workers because they are deemed to be in an employer scheme which is more beneficial, if such workers now effectively have six waiting days before they can access social protection payments; if employers that operate such sick schemes have any legal obligation to pay a worker for days four, five and six under current legislation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9179/24]

Social Welfare Eligibility

Bríd Smith

316. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Social Protection in cases in which a worker is not under the provisions of the new statutory sick scheme for workers because they are deemed to be in an employer scheme which is more beneficial, if such workers now effectively have six waiting days before they can access social protection payments; if employers that operate such sick schemes have any legal obligation to pay a worker for days four, five and six under current legislation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9180/24]

Public Procurement Contracts

Bríd Smith

345. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Justice if she plans to establish an owners’ management companies regulator on an interim non-statutory basis with its operations funded by a levy on OMCs; the steps she will take to guarantee impeccable governance and transparency in this regard; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8931/24]

Asylum Applications

Bríd Smith

354. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Justice if he will compassionately examine an asylum application by a person (details supplied) and expedite a decision, given the extreme urgency of the situation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9189/24]

Disabilities Assessments

Bríd Smith

419. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will investigate the delay in providing an assessment of need for a child (details supplied) who urgently needs it completed to access the services they require; if he can provide advice for the parent in the interim; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8721/24]

Mental Health Services

Bríd Smith

556. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Health if he is aware that a programme designed to help and support people with ADHD has been unexpectedly cut by the HSE (details supplied); the reason funding was cut; if he will consider sanctioning the funding in order that this important work can be resumed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9005/24]

Health Services Staff

Bríd Smith

591. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Health if any former CEOs, senior management or HR staff from Our Lady's Hospice and Care Services received exit payments on leaving the organisation since January 2019; if the organisation informed him or other Government bodies of such packages; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9177/24]

Citizenship Ceremonies

Bríd Smith

197. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Justice how many citizenship ceremonies are planned for 2024, and the expected months for citizenship ceremonies this year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8426/24]

Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements

Bríd Smith

3. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Taoiseach to report on the meeting of the World Economic Forum in Davos. [2804/24]

Citizens' Assembly

Bríd Smith

9. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Taoiseach the expected timeline for the citizens' assemblies committed to in the programme for Government. [4036/24]

Bus Services

Bríd Smith

48. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Transport if he will heed the call of local residents and act to restore a bus service between the Armagh Road, Cashel Road and Clonard Road areas and Crumlin Cross; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4412/24]

Legislative Programme

Bríd Smith

4. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Taoiseach if he will provide an update on the legislative programme. [4299/24]

Housing Policy

Bríd Smith

87. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he agrees that appropriate community infrastructure should be included within the geographic bounds of a regenerated Oliver Bond House and that this would not affect Dublin City Council’s ability to honour any prior arrangements regarding the delivery of community services in the wider area; the steps he will take to ensure that this will be accommodated within the regenerated Oliver Bond complex; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4560/24]

Housing Policy

Bríd Smith

88. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he is aware of Robert Emmet CDP’s 2021 ‘Environmental Conditions in Oliver Bond House’ report and an independent engineer's report commissioned by DCC, and the very recently launched ‘Respiratory Health Among Residents of Oliver Bond House’, all of which highlight and outline the significant issues in the complex; if he will acknowledge that the ameliorative works required to bring conditions in the complex up to a BR Rating of C3 will cost €4.3 million, in light of the current conditions being in breach of residents’ right to a healthy and habitable environment; if his Department will commit to covering this cost under their existing maintenance or capital budget should DCC be unable to meet these costs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4561/24]

Housing Policy

Bríd Smith

89. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will clarify if it would have been possible for DCC to apply for Stage 2 approvals recently rather than full Stage 1 Approvals, and what would have been required for this to happen; if he will make inquiries to ascertain if there are any internal difficulties that DCC is facing with progressing regeneration projects in a timely and appropriate manner and offer support to DCC if there are any issues related to resourcing;; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4562/24]

Housing Policy

Bríd Smith

90. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will consider making funding available for a housing officer function to be delivered by a local community organisation; if he will acknowledge that this function would have ten key separate KPIs and that this proposal can be provided to him at his request; if he will signal his support for such a proposal and make funding available to DCC to disburse to a relevant community organisation for this purpose under circular N11/2007 issued by his Department to County Councils entitled ‘Policy Framework for Regeneration of Local Authority Estates’; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4563/24]

International Protection

Bríd Smith

128. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if in relation to the provision of accommodation for those seeking international protection, he will take steps to ensure that training for new accommodation providers is not only provided but rigorously applied and tested as much as possible; is he aware that while experienced accommodation providers know the supports and services that are available, there are reports that new providers do not and will he acknowledge that these gaps must be addressed by ensuring appropriate training; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4465/24]