Parliamentary questions

Covid-19 Pandemic

Brendan Smith

225. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Health when the Covid-19 mandatory travel quarantine system will be operational; if it is planned to designate additional countries as high risk; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16220/21]

Common Agricultural Policy

Brendan Smith

261. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if discussions are ongoing with the European Commission on EU market support measures (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16224/21]

Brexit Negotiations

Brendan Smith

262. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the likely timescale for decisions at EU level on the Brexit adjustment reserve; the schemes being developed by his Department to avail of such funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16259/21]

CLÁR Programme

Brendan Smith

275. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the progress to date on reviewing the CLÁR areas based on the 2016 census of population; the expected date for the conclusion of the review; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16219/21]

Local Improvement Scheme

Brendan Smith

53. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Transport if his attention has been drawn to the fact that there are very long delays in having essential road improvements carried out under the local improvement scheme at present; if he will provide ring-fenced funding for this scheme as existed previously; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15606/21]

Local Improvement Scheme

Brendan Smith

61. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Transport if he will provide ring-fenced funding for the local improvement scheme as existed up to 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15605/21]

Insurance Costs

Brendan Smith

8. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if urgent consideration will be given to the issues outlined in correspondence (details supplied) in relation to insurance costs for a sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13819/21]

Banking Sector

Brendan Smith

54. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Finance further to Parliamentary Question No. 47 of 4 March 2021, if his attention has been drawn to the widespread concerns of communities throughout the country regarding the decision of a bank (details supplied) given that these drastic measures are being taken during a pandemic when families and communities face many difficulties; if the bank will reconsider the decisions announced at the beginning of March 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13813/21]

Horticulture Sector

Brendan Smith

72. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if further consideration will be given to the issues raised in correspondence (details supplied) concerning the horticulture and nursery sectors; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13705/21]

Medical Cards

Brendan Smith

244. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Health if arrangements have been put in place to expand access to medical cards, making them available to all who are terminally ill and have a prognosis of up to 24-months as announced in early February 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13824/21]

Brexit Issues

Brendan Smith

274. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if products will be eligible for EU market support measures in the event of such supports being activated by the European Commission (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13822/21]

North-South Interconnector

Brendan Smith

86. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if a review of the proposed north-south interconnector project will be undertaken in 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1517/21]

North-South Interconnector

Brendan Smith

99. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications his plans to engage with communities along the route of the proposed north-south interconnector in counties Cavan, Monaghan and Meath; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that there is strong and widespread opposition in these communities to the present proposal to put the transmission cables over-ground in the event of the project proceeding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1516/21]

Northern Ireland

Brendan Smith

441. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the outcome of the most recent discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland and with members of the Northern Ireland Executive on the Protocol on Ireland and Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13309/21]

Northern Ireland

Brendan Smith

442. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the arrangements for further discussions with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland on the full implementation of the New Decade, New Approach policy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13310/21]

Schools Building Projects

Brendan Smith

551. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Education further to Parliamentary Question No. 395 of 3 February, if there has been further progress in advancing a much needed building project at a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13449/21]

Paediatric Services

Brendan Smith

836. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Health if the necessary resources will be provided to reduce unacceptable waiting times for paediatric occupational therapy in counties Cavan and Monaghan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12871/21]

Road Improvement Schemes

Brendan Smith

1022. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if funding will be provided to assist farmers in the construction of agricultural underpass crossings on non-national roads in which such facilities are deemed essential in the interests of public safety and particularly road safety; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13073/21]

Post Office Network

Brendan Smith

12. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if post offices will be enabled to provide additional financial services in view of the serious reduction that will occur in banking services due to recent announcements by banks (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12367/21]

Banking Sector

Brendan Smith

47. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Finance if he had discussions with a bank (details supplied) in view of its recent announcement in relation to branch closures; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12374/21]

Brexit Issues

Brendan Smith

106. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if there is ongoing engagement across Departments and statutory agencies with businesses and with the authorities in Northern Ireland in relation to the new controls on trading that will come into effect from 1 April 2021 following Brexit; if adequate measures are in place to minimise disruption to trade; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12419/21]

Special Educational Needs Staff

Brendan Smith

135. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Education if a course (details supplied) will be accredited at an early date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12254/21]

Animal Sales

Brendan Smith

271. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will amend as a matter of urgency the arrangements in place at present for cattle sales with particular reference to pedigree cattle sales in view of difficulties that have arisen (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12366/21]

North-South Interconnector

Brendan Smith

95. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will have issues raised by a local authority given urgent consideration in view of the widespread concerns in local communities in relation to the proposed north-south interconnector (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12158/21]

Brexit Supports

Brendan Smith

1062. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if the agrifood sector will be supported through the Brexit adjustment reserve; the likely timescale for the development of such schemes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11307/21]

Mother and Baby Homes Inquiries

Brendan Smith

200. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth further to Parliamentary Question No. 219 of 11 February 2021, if there have been further developments in relation to the issues raised; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10848/21]

Mortgage Interest Rates

Brendan Smith

208. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Finance if his attention has been drawn to the difficulties encountered by mortgage holders due to substantial increases in interest rates when mortgages were transferred to other financial institutions (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10176/21]

Banking Sector

Brendan Smith

231. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Finance the outcome of discussions he had with a bank (details supplied) in relation to its decision to withdraw another bank from the Irish market; if he had discussions with other banks in relation to the decision; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10561/21]

Banking Sector

Brendan Smith

232. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Finance if he had discussions with a union (details supplied) in relation to the need to protect the employment of staff in a bank; the measures that will be implemented to protect jobs and the consumer rights of the bank customers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10562/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Brendan Smith

264. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she will give further consideration to issues raised in relation to the entertainment industry (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9842/21]

Teacher Training

Brendan Smith

543. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Education if adequate financial support will be provided for students attending a course (details supplied) which is an essential part of their masters degree programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10570/21]

Print Media

Brendan Smith

116. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she will give urgent consideration to the requests (details supplied) of an industry for immediate Government support in view of the particular difficulties it has encountered since the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9309/21]

Vaccination Programme

Brendan Smith

308. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Health if he will consider the concerns outlined in correspondence (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9284/21]

Small and Medium Enterprises

Brendan Smith

7. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the additional supports he plans to introduce to assist small and medium enterprises to develop online businesses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7850/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Brendan Smith

245. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she will ensure that all areas of the country will receive equal treatment in relation to the roll-out of the outdoor dining scheme and that it will not be confined to the major urban centres alone; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8966/21]

Waterways Ireland

Brendan Smith

320. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the measures that will be implemented to progress the proposal to extend the Shannon navigation from Lough Allen, County Leitrim to Dowra, County Cavan in view of the substantial preparatory work carried out on the project some years ago; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8962/21]

Agriculture Industry

Brendan Smith

1055. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the measures that will be implemented to address the difficulties for the mushroom, horticulture and nursery sectors due to the difficulties arising from the cessation of peat production; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8989/21]

Beef Industry

Brendan Smith

1056. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when the next meeting of the beef task force will take place; the agenda for the meeting; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8990/21]

Airport Policy

Brendan Smith

39. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Transport the additional measures that will be introduced to reduce the number of passengers using Dublin Airport as a transit to other destinations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7726/21]

Road Network

Brendan Smith

55. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Transport when he plans to make the allocations to local authorities in respect of the 2021 non-national roads programme; if he will ensure a substantial increase in the allocations to Cavan and Monaghan county councils in view of the particular importance of the road network in both counties; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7843/21]

Ports Facilities

Brendan Smith

61. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Finance further to Parliamentary Question No. 94 of 21 January 2021, if urgent consideration will be given to concerns expressed by companies trading through Dublin Port (details supplied); if the necessary measures will be implemented to eliminate such delays; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7472/21]

Local Authority Housing

Brendan Smith

118. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will ensure substantial funding for a voids programme in 2021 in view of the success of the voids programme in 2020; if the allocations will be made to the local authorities at an early date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7765/21]

School Transport

Brendan Smith

129. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Education further to Parliamentary Question No. 402 of 17 December 2020, the progress to date in increasing school bus capacity in view of the need to accommodate more students attending both primary and post-primary schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7485/21]

School Staff

Brendan Smith

164. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Education the progress to date in finalising the pay and conditions for school secretaries; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7808/21]

Child and Family Agency

Brendan Smith

217. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the proposals to extend a programme (details supplied) to other areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7805/21]

Direct Provision System

Brendan Smith

218. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if detailed consideration will be given to a report (details supplied) on direct provision; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7817/21]

Mother and Baby Homes Inquiries

Brendan Smith

219. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if issues raised in correspondence (details supplied) will be given further consideration; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7826/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Brendan Smith

254. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Health if he will consider the request by a union (details supplied) to have access to a vaccine for community pharmacists to enable them to vaccinate front-line health care workers in line with the vaccine programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7477/21]

Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services

Brendan Smith

303. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Health if additional personnel will be provided for child and adolescent mental health services in view of the increasing number of children presenting for assessment and treatment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7772/21]

Parental Leave

Brendan Smith

561. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth when the additional parental leave of three weeks will become effective; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7138/21]

Oireachtas Joint Committee Recommendations

Brendan Smith

963. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Health the progress to date in implementing the recommendations of the 2018 Report by the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Health on Foetal Anti-Convulsant Syndrome; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7419/21]

Driver Test

Brendan Smith

33. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Transport if he will pursue with an institute (details supplied) the need for examinations to proceed as planned; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6141/21]

Banking Sector

Brendan Smith

64. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Finance if there have been recent discussions with a bank (details supplied) in view of the need to retain its banking services and retain employment in its branch network; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6325/21]

Northern Ireland

Brendan Smith

98. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the arrangements in place with the European Commission to ensure no recurrence of the recent unilateral proposal by the Commission to invoke Article 16 of the Northern Ireland Protocol; if he has such a commitment from the President of the Commission in view of the importance of this issue for all in this country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6312/21]

State Examinations

Brendan Smith

122. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Education the position regarding the holding of the 2021 junior certificate examinations; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6311/21]

Garda Resources

Brendan Smith

196. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Justice if adequate resources will be provided for Garda divisions such as Cavan and Monaghan in view of the unique policing demands in the Border region; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6322/21]

Primary Medical Certificates

Brendan Smith

211. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Finance the proposals there are to improve the conditions applicable to the primary medical certificate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6032/21]

Primary Medical Certificates

Brendan Smith

212. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Finance if new applications are being accepted and if existing applications are being processed for the primary medical certificate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6033/21]

School Accommodation

Brendan Smith

395. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Education when a project (details supplied) will proceed to the next stage in view of the urgent need to provide additional permanent accommodation at the school; if her attention has been drawn to the fact that classes are held on a number of sites which is far from satisfactory; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6034/21]

Health Services

Brendan Smith

611. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Health the measures that will be implemented to improve the delivery of health services in counties Cavan and Monaghan; if consideration will be given to the issues outlined in correspondence (details supplied); the estimated timescale for an improved range of services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4997/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Brendan Smith

35. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Transport when additional measures will be implemented to restrict travel into Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4903/21]

Customs and Excise

Brendan Smith

65. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Finance if clarity will be provided on the level of import duties on products imported from the UK in which the country of origin of that product is another country outside the European Union (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4977/21]

Undocumented Irish in the USA

Brendan Smith

134. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will have discussions at an early date with the United States administration in relation to the need for immigration reform with particular reference to the undocumented Irish following the referral by President Biden of the US Citizenship Act to Congress; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4904/21]

State Examinations

Brendan Smith

169. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Education when it is planned to announce details for 2021 leaving certificate examinations; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4982/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Brendan Smith

287. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 336 of 14 January 2021, if additional measures will be introduced in co-ordination with the authorities in Northern Ireland to ensure that restrictions on travel are strictly implemented regardless of persons being ordinarily resident in this State or not; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4900/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Brendan Smith

166. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Transport his plans to implement additional restrictions on persons travelling from abroad; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4476/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Brendan Smith

167. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Transport if there are adequate measures in place at each airport and port to implement the restrictions on persons travelling into Ireland; the additional measures that will be introduced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4477/21]

Diplomatic Representation

Brendan Smith

382. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will raise the need to appoint an ambassador to Ireland at an early date with the United States administration; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4127/21]

Northern Ireland

Brendan Smith

383. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will raise with the United States administration the need to appoint a special envoy to Northern Ireland at an early date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4128/21]

Post Office Network

Brendan Smith

17. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he plans to introduce a public service obligation and associated funding to support the post office network in view of its importance to communities throughout Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3171/21]

Ferry Services

Brendan Smith

53. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Transport the additional ferry capacity that will be available in the first half of 2021 to other EU ports; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3481/21]

Brexit Issues

Brendan Smith

94. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Finance if his attention has been drawn to concerns of businesses trading through Dublin Port regarding delays that have occurred since the start of 2021; the measures to be implemented at an early date to eliminate such delays; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3480/21]

Fáilte Ireland

Brendan Smith

111. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the level funding to be provided in 2021 for Fáilte Ireland's platform for growth programme; when the next round of projects will be approved under the scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3486/21]

Local Authority Housing

Brendan Smith

140. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when the income eligibility limits for social housing will be increased; if his attention has been drawn to the widespread concerns in areas such as counties Cavan and Monaghan in which the existing income limits are much too low; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3484/21]

Emigrant Support Services

Brendan Smith

165. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the funding allocated under the emigrant support programme in 2020; the level of funding to be provided in 2021; if this will enable the expansion of existing programmes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3487/21]

Domestic Violence Refuges Provision

Brendan Smith

270. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if a refuge centre for victims of domestic abuse will be established in counties Cavan and Monaghan in 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3483/21]

Special Educational Needs

Brendan Smith

138. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Education if additional supports will be provided for children with special education needs as requested in correspondence from parents (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2148/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Brendan Smith

235. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Health the additional measures that will be implemented to restrict travel into this State during the Covid-19 pandemic; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2136/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Brendan Smith

236. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Health if the present restrictions on travel within this State are applicable to persons who are ordinarily resident outside the jurisdiction; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2137/21]

Vaccination Programme

Brendan Smith

239. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Health if essential workers (details supplied) will be prioritised along with other front-line workers in the vaccine roll-out programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2151/21]

European Arrest Warrant

Brendan Smith

738. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Justice the systems in place with the UK to replace the European arrest warrant scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1815/21]

Cross-Border Health Initiatives

Brendan Smith

1099. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Health the arrangements in place to continue a scheme with Northern Ireland and Britain similar to the EU cross-border healthcare directive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1816/21]

LEADER Programmes

Brendan Smith

21. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the timescale for the commencement of an interim LEADER programme in 2021; if this programme will be funded through the national Exchequer; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43926/20]

LEADER Programmes

Brendan Smith

79. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the funding provision for an extension in 2021 of the existing LEADER programme and the proposals to fund the work of local development companies; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43925/20]

Brexit Preparations

Brendan Smith

158. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the way in which his Department is continuing to support the development of new markets for Irish exports in the current Covid-19 and Brexit environment; his plans for 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43848/20]

Personal Injuries Assessment Board

Brendan Smith

189. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the status of the implementation of the recommendations made in the Action Plan for Insurance Reform in relation to the Personal Injury Assessment Board; the number of recommendations that have not been implemented to date; the reason for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43849/20]

National Broadband Plan

Brendan Smith

252. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the progress expected in rolling out the national broadband plan in 2021 throughout County Cavan; the areas that will benefit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44411/20]

National Broadband Plan

Brendan Smith

253. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the progress expected in rolling out the national broadband plan in 2021 throughout County Monaghan; the areas that will benefit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44412/20]

Mobile Telephony Services

Brendan Smith

254. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he has had discussions with telecommunications providers and the communications regulator on the need to improve mobile telephone coverage in different parts of the country, including areas in counties Cavan and Monaghan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44413/20]

Mobile Telephony Services

Brendan Smith

257. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if an agreement is in place with the UK authorities to ensure there will be no imposition of mobile telephone roaming charges from 1 January 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44440/20]

Road Projects

Brendan Smith

268. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Transport if he will ensure a substantial financial allocation under the road works programme to Cavan County Council in 2021 for the further planning and design of a route (details supplied) in view of its strategic importance for the Border region and the need to upgrade this road; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44461/20]

Local Improvement Scheme

Brendan Smith

283. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Transport if he will give further consideration to the provision of funding to local authorities in 2021 for the local improvement scheme due to the long waiting lists in areas such as counties Cavan and Monaghan and the unacceptable delays for households in rural areas having laneways accessing their homes brought up to an acceptable standard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44554/20]

Customs and Excise

Brendan Smith

300. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Finance the additional measures he will implement to counteract the illegal and cross-Border trade in tobacco and drink products and household fuel products; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44401/20]

Customs and Excise

Brendan Smith

301. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Finance the measures he will introduce to protect and support legitimate businesses trading in household fuel products due to the difficulties they face with illegal cross-Border trade in such products; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44402/20]

Banking Sector

Brendan Smith

304. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Finance the outcome of the most recent discussions with a bank (details supplied) in relation to the need to retain a banking service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44425/20]

Flood Relief Schemes

Brendan Smith

315. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will ensure an increase in funding to Cavan County Council in 2021 for flood alleviation measures in view of increasing problems with flooding due to heavy rainfall; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44415/20]

Flood Relief Schemes

Brendan Smith

316. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will ensure an increase in funding to Monaghan County Council in 2021 for flood alleviation measures in view of increasing problems with flooding due to heavy rainfall; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44416/20]

Office of Public Works

Brendan Smith

317. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the expected timeline for each stage in the provision of new public service accommodation (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44424/20]

Tourism Project Funding

Brendan Smith

324. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the funding available from the Exchequer and EU sources for tourism projects in 2021 under a scheme (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44462/20]

Tenant Purchase Scheme

Brendan Smith

345. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his plans to amend the tenant purchase scheme to enable persons who are in receipt of a pension and have the financial resources to buy out their council home avail of this scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44433/20]