Parliamentary questions

Active Travel

Brendan Smith

111. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Transport the current position regarding a request by a local authority for the provision of facilities (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8552/24]

Road Projects

Brendan Smith

113. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Transport if he will ensure that adequate funding is allocated to a local authority in 2024 to advance proposed road projects (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8566/24]

Road Projects

Brendan Smith

114. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Transport the level of funding that will be provided for a project (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8569/24]

North-South Ministerial Council

Brendan Smith

229. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the issues he proposes to progress at a sectoral level through the work of the North-South Ministerial Council; if meetings will be held at an early date under the auspices of the council; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8392/24]

Family Resource Centres

Brendan Smith

256. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the proposals to provide a new service (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8491/24]

General Practitioner Services

Brendan Smith

299. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Health if he will ensure that a health service will be restored to its former level (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8617/24]

Cross-Border Co-operation

Brendan Smith

2. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Taoiseach if he will report on his attendance at the third shared island forum; and the priorities under the shared island initiative in 2024. [7791/24]

Agriculture Supports

Brendan Smith

122. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the schemes available to compensate farmers who have suffered substantial losses due to ash dieback; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8125/24]

Disability Services

Brendan Smith

131. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth when a respite centre for adults will be provided in County Monaghan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8188/24]

Disability Services

Brendan Smith

132. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth when a respite centre for children will be provided in County Monaghan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8189/24]

Disability Services

Brendan Smith

133. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth when a respite centre for adults will be provided in County Cavan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8190/24]

Disability Services

Brendan Smith

134. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth when a respite centre for children will be provided in County Cavan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8191/24]

General Practitioner Services

Brendan Smith

177. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Health if he will ensure that a service is restored to its former level at an early date (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8344/24]

National Security

Brendan Smith

4. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Taoiseach if he will develop a national security strategy and functioning security agency to deal with future security events. [7792/24]

Northern Ireland

Brendan Smith

17. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Taoiseach to report on his recent discussion with Prime Minister Sunak. [5226/24]

An Garda Síochána

Brendan Smith

405. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Justice when Bawnboy Garda station in County Cavan will be reopened, as decided in 2017; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7478/24]

Tourism Industry

Brendan Smith

11. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the proposals, if any, she has to meet with her counterpart in the Northern Ireland Executive in relation to the opportunities to develop further the tourism industry on an all-Ireland basis; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6907/24]

Artists' Remuneration

Brendan Smith

25. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the proposals, if any, she has to extend the basic income artists’ scheme to more artists; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6908/24]

Housing Policy

Brendan Smith

111. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will ensure that a review of income eligibility limits for social housing will be carried out at an early date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6904/24]

Housing Policy

Brendan Smith

145. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will amend, at an early date, the criteria pertaining to the assessment of means for eligibility for social housing and exclude payments under the working family payment scheme which is available for some low paid workers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6903/24]

Further and Higher Education

Brendan Smith

407. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will give detailed consideration to all the issues outlined in correspondence (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7129/24]

Business Supports

Brendan Smith

123. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment when details of the increased cost of business scheme grant will be announced; the number of businesses eligible for this scheme in Cavan and in Monaghan; if his Department has engaged with local authorities in relation to this scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7100/24]

Business Supports

Brendan Smith

124. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the measures that will be introduced to assist small and medium enterprises with increased costs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7101/24]

Business Supports

Brendan Smith

125. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if specific measures will be introduced to assist small and medium enterprises in the hospitality sector with increased costs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7102/24]

Social Welfare Code

Brendan Smith

245. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will amend statutory sick pay criteria to align it with illness benefit in relation to PRSI, USC and employer’s PRSI; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7092/24]

Enterprise Support Services

Brendan Smith

31. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the level of supports that are available to local authorities and community groups for the development of enterprise centres or workspace; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5732/24]

Enterprise Support Services

Brendan Smith

50. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will ensure that additional supports will be provided to local authorities and community groups to develop enterprise centres or workspace; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5733/24]

Flood Relief Schemes

Brendan Smith

122. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform to outline the funding schemes under the remit of his Department that are available to assist local authorities with minor drainage schemes to alleviate flooding problems; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5734/24]

Cross-Border Co-operation

Brendan Smith

128. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform the outcome of recent discussions with the authorities in Northern Ireland in relation to flooding problems in Cavan and Fermanagh caused by the River Erne; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5735/24]

Job Creation

Brendan Smith

184. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the level of employment created to date since the jobs announcement in 2019; the level of State funding provided to a company (details supplied) to create employment; the up-to-date position regarding this development; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5778/24]

Road Network

Brendan Smith

26. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Transport if he will ensure a substantial increase in funding for the non-national road network for counties Cavan and Monaghan for 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4616/24]

Road Network

Brendan Smith

44. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Transport if funding for the non-national road network will be increased for 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4617/24]

Tax Code

Brendan Smith

102. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Finance if it is proposed to amend the VAT refund regulations as applicable to farmers to ensure the continuation of the system that existed up to recently; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4624/24]

Tax Code

Brendan Smith

147. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Finance if he will ensure that the concerns of farmers in relation to changes to VAT refunds are given urgent and detailed consideration; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4623/24]

Housing Policy

Brendan Smith

288. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will amend the criteria pertaining to the assessment of means for eligibility for social housing and exclude payments under the working family payment which is available for some low paid workers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4895/24]

Vacant Properties

Brendan Smith

289. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the funding available for the Voids Programme for 2024 and when allocations will be made to local authorities for this year's programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4896/24]

Agriculture Schemes

Brendan Smith

340. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if all eligible applicants under tranche 2 of ACRES will be accepted on to the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4903/24]

Road Network

Brendan Smith

194. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Transport if he will approve a funding application made to his Department in respect of essential improvement works (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3910/24]

Northern Ireland

Brendan Smith

53. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he has discussed with the political parties in Stormont the potential of the Shared Island initiative to fund cross border projects to benefit communities North and South; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3329/24]

Departmental Funding

Brendan Smith

56. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the range of projects that can be funded under his Department's Reconciliation Fund; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3330/24]

Telecommunications Infrastructure

Brendan Smith

131. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he is satisfied that an adequate programme of upgrading and enabling smaller telephone exchanges which are particularly important to rural communities is being undertaken in view of the importance of this infrastructure in enhancing broadband coverage; if he has had communication with the relevant provider(s) concerning this important issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3338/24]

Broadband Infrastructure

Brendan Smith

139. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will ensure that an adequate broadband service is provided to an area (details supplied) as households and businesses in that community are concerned about the lack of such coverage at present and the difficulties in conducting day to day business; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3337/24]

Schools Building Projects

Brendan Smith

245. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Education when a building project will proceed to the next stage as this additional accommodation is needed for next September (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3600/24]

Tourism Funding

Brendan Smith

248. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the current status of a project (details supplied); when this project will proceed to the next stage; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3444/24]

Housing Policy

Brendan Smith

262. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when the next review of income eligibility limits for social housing will be carried out; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3559/24]

International Protection

Brendan Smith

341. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the proposals, if any, there are to accommodate more international protection applicants or others seeking refuge at a location (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3594/24]

Health Services

Brendan Smith

349. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Health when a five day per week health care service will be restored (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3455/24]

Primary Care Centres

Brendan Smith

361. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Health the proposals, if any, there are to provide an additional healthcare facility (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3558/24]

Community Development Projects

Brendan Smith

377. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development when the next call for projects under the Community Recognition Fund will be announced; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3597/24]

Departmental Bodies

Brendan Smith

10. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Taoiseach if he will report his attendance at the recent shared island youth forum. [57118/23]

Health Services

Brendan Smith

217. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Health if he will ensure that urgent consideration is given to a request of a healthcare facility and ensure that this ongoing issue is resolved satisfactorily without delay, which will be beneficial to patients in that catchment area (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3304/24]

Health Services

Brendan Smith

500. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the level of respite services available in Cavan and Monaghan for children and for adults; the proposals to extend and improve the range of such services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2895/24]

Nursing Homes

Brendan Smith

48. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Health the measures that will be implemented to reduce the unacceptable divergence in the rates of subvention made to private nursing homes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2051/24]

Nursing Homes

Brendan Smith

58. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Health when grant aid will be approved for smaller scale nursing homes to carry out upgrading work following the recommendations of HIQA; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2050/24]

Further and Higher Education

Brendan Smith

90. 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; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2089/24]

Further and Higher Education

Brendan Smith

128. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if the proposed building project for Cavan Institute will proceed to the next stage in 2024; the expected timescale for delivery of this project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2088/24]

Departmental Funding

Brendan Smith

158. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Transport the total funding provided in 2023 for the non-national road network; the specific allocations made to Cavan County Council and Monaghan County Council; if he will ensure that increased funding will be provided for this road network in 2024 (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2285/24]

Tax Code

Brendan Smith

168. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Finance if he is aware of the widespread concern of farmers to recent changes in VAT refunds on dairy equipment and mobile farm equipment which will prevent in many instances necessary investment in farm facilities and cause additional costs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2290/24]

Small and Medium Enterprises

Brendan Smith

178. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will give detailed consideration to the issues outlined in correspondence (details supplied) concerning increased costs for small businesses; the measures that will be implemented to ease such pressures on small and medium enterprises; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2300/24]

Vacant Properties

Brendan Smith

222. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will outline the schemes under the remit of his Department to assist in restoring vacant and derelict buildings to habitable use for housing purposes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2301/24]

Public Transport

Brendan Smith

286. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Transport if further consideration will be given to the provision of support for hackney services in rural communities in counties Cavan and Monaghan where it is not feasible to have a bus service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1583/24]

School Funding

Brendan Smith

692. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Education the proposals, if any, there are to award funding to more primary schools under the STEM grant scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2094/24]

Agriculture Schemes

Brendan Smith

1296. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the up to date position regarding the issue of payments under ACRES; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2095/24]

Agriculture Schemes

Brendan Smith

7. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when approval will issue in respect of TAMS applications relating to animal welfare-related investments and the construction of slurry and manure storage facilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55733/23]

Agriculture Schemes

Brendan Smith

9. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when approvals will issue in respect of TAMS applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55732/23]

Childcare Services

Brendan Smith

87. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth when he will introduce a grant scheme to assist in the provision of large-scale preschool accommodation and the upgrading of existing childcare accommodation, as there is a need to increase substantially the level of grant aid to ensure adequate childcare accommodation in the coming years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55734/23]

Early Childhood Care and Education

Brendan Smith

103. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if it is proposed to increase capital investment in the early learning and childcare sector for 2024 and 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55735/23]

Telecommunications Services

Brendan Smith

179. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he is aware of the widespread concerns in relation to inadequate mobile phone coverage in parts of County Cavan and County Monaghan; if there is an obligation on mobile telephony providers to ensure proper and adequate coverage in all areas; if this issue will be addressed by his Department or by agencies under the remit of his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56174/23]

Local Authorities

Brendan Smith

201. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Transport if he will give further consideration to the issues raised in a motion passed by a local authority (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56079/23]

Local Authorities

Brendan Smith

202. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Transport if he will have further consideration given to the issues raised in a motion passed by a local authority (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56082/23]

Road Projects

Brendan Smith

204. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Transport further to Parliamentary Question No. 204 of 9 November 2023, if he will ensure that submissions by local authorities to his Department (details supplied) will be approved at an early date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56136/23]

Rental Sector

Brendan Smith

227. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Finance if he will review the unfair decision to exclude parents of students studying outside this jurisdiction from the rental tax credit, as this and other measures were introduced to ease the cost-of-living pressures; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56188/23]

School Transport

Brendan Smith

291. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Education the expected timeline for the completion of the review of the school transport scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [56157/23]

Social Media

Brendan Smith

305. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the additional measures that will be introduced to deal with the spread of misinformation on social media platforms; if she is satisfied that legislation enacted both at national and EU level is adequate to ban the incitement of hatred on such platforms and ensure proper protection of the public, and particularly children, from harm; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [56125/23]

Grant Payments

Brendan Smith

444. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he is aware of the widespread concerns of farmers regarding delays in the issue of some ACRES payments; if a partial payment can be issued for those applicants pending processing and finalising of all applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56096/23]

Third Level Education

Brendan Smith

526. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the measures he will introduce to improve cross-Border mobility for students in further and higher education; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56158/23]

Third Level Fees

Brendan Smith

527. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will review the unfair decision to exclude students studying outside this State from the €1,000 reduction in student contribution fees which was introduced to support households to ease the cost-of-living; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56201/23]

Third Level Education

Brendan Smith

528. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if, in view of the need to promote more cross-Border mobility for further and higher education students, he will ensure that students studying outside this State are entitled to the same State assistance as students in this jurisdiction; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56206/23]

Northern Ireland

Brendan Smith

9. 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 political parties in Northern Ireland in relation to the need to have the Assembly, Executive and North-South Ministerial Council restored; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55785/23]

Primary Medical Certificates

Brendan Smith

68. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Finance when it is proposed to make much-needed amendments to the primary medical certificate eligibility criteria as many persons whom this scheme was intended to benefit are unable at present to get approval to avail of the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55651/23]

Paramilitary Groups

Brendan Smith

159. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Justice her views on the recent report of the Independent Reporting Commission, with particular reference to the continuing threat from paramilitarism; her views on the need to introduce additional measures to tackle and end paramilitarism; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [55784/23]

Primary Care Centres

Brendan Smith

254. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Health the progress to date in providing new and additional healthcare facilities (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55864/23]

Health Services

Brendan Smith

255. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Health the proposals, if any, there are to extend dermatology services throughout the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55866/23]

Hospital Facilities

Brendan Smith

256. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Health the progress to date in advancing a major building project at a healthcare facility (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55874/23]

British-Irish Co-operation

Brendan Smith

14. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Taoiseach if he will report on his attendance at the recent meeting of the British-Irish Council. [53188/23]

An Garda Síochána

Brendan Smith

524. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Justice to list the Garda stations in Cavan/Monaghan that have their own electric vehicle charging points; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [54641/23]

An Garda Síochána

Brendan Smith

525. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Justice the number of Garda stations in each Garda division that have their own electric vehicle charging points; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [54642/23]

An Garda Síochána

Brendan Smith

526. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Justice the number of electric vehicles in the Garda fleet; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [54643/23]

Beef Sector

Brendan Smith

638. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he is aware of the widespread concerns of farmers in relation to recent changes introduced to the Eurostar evaluations by an organisation (details supplied) and the difficulties it is causing for some farmers participating in the suckler carbon efficiency programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55395/23]

Health Services

Brendan Smith

857. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Health when a health service will be expanded (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55398/23]

Waterways Ireland

Brendan Smith

13. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the measures that will be implemented at an early date 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 the benefits of such a development for the upper Shannon region; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53977/23]

Vacant Properties

Brendan Smith

73. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will outline details of the Voids Programme for 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54190/23]

Social Welfare Payments

Brendan Smith

112. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Social Protection if provision will be made to have child benefit paid in respect of students in full-time education who reach the age of 18 during the current school year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [54211/23]

Social Welfare Benefits

Brendan Smith

127. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Social Protection if measures will be introduced to assist applicants that have domiciliary care applications progressed where there are delays outside the control of parents in having necessary assessments carried out for children; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [54212/23]

Credit Availability

Brendan Smith

184. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Finance if measures will be introduced to assist in the provision of better credit facilities for small and medium enterprises as many businesses, particularly small enterprises, are facing serious difficulties due to the non-availability of reasonable loan and overdraft facilities from the pillar banks; if he is aware that some businesses that had reasonable credit facilities with banks that exited the Irish market recently do not have similar arrangements with their new banks; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54392/23]

Business Supports

Brendan Smith

190. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment to outline the measures that will be made available to assist small and medium enterprises with the challenges that have arisen for such businesses due to increased costs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54397/23]

Social Media

Brendan Smith

213. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the additional measures that will be introduced to deal with the spread of misinformation on social media platforms; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [54401/23]

Health Services Staff

Brendan Smith

332. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Health the progress to date in making a permanent appointment (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54383/23]

Home Help Service

Brendan Smith

334. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Health the measures that will be implemented to deal with the shortage of home support workers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54400/23]

National Economic and Social Council

Brendan Smith

16. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Taoiseach if he will report on the work of the National Economic and Social Council, a statutory agency operating under the aegis of his Department. [53189/23]