Parliamentary questions

Bus Services

Brendan Smith

44. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Transport in view of the concerns of commuters about delays occurring at peak times in accessing buses, if additional capacity will be provided on a route where a public service contract is operated under the National Transport Authority (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52772/23]

Road Network

Brendan Smith

54. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Transport the total funding provided in 2023 for the non-national road network; if he will ensure that increased funding will be provided for this road network in 2024 due to the need for an increased investment in these roads in areas such as counties Cavan and Monaghan, and also taking into account the substantial increase in costs of road maintenance and road construction over recent years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52777/23]

Schools Amalgamation

Brendan Smith

73. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Education when a school application will be approved (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52741/23]

Northern Ireland

Brendan Smith

171. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs for an update on any recent discussions he has had in relation to the restoration of the executive in Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50269/23]

Departmental Funding

Brendan Smith

207. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs for a report on his Department’s Shared Island Civic Society Fund; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50270/23]

Official Engagements

Brendan Smith

68. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Education if she will report on her recent meeting with the British Secretary of State for Education Gillian Keegan; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52763/23]

School Textbooks

Brendan Smith

69. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Education the number of students in Connacht and Ulster who will benefit from the free schoolbooks scheme in both primary and secondary schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52764/23]

Crime Prevention

Brendan Smith

106. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Justice if additional legislative measures are needed to deal effectively with violence, criminality and thuggery as experienced in Dublin city centre on 23 November 2023; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52783/23]

Flood Risk Management

Brendan Smith

63. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform The proposals to intensify co-operation with the relevant departments and agencies in Northern Ireland to deal with flooding problems that affect Border communities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52356/23]

Flood Risk Management

Brendan Smith

65. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform the proposals there are to review and amend the Arterial Drainage Act 1945; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52355/23]

Bus Services

Brendan Smith

163. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Transport if provision will be made to enable persons aged 70 years and over, subject to appropriate medical checks, to drive public service vehicles and vehicles employed on State contracts on behalf of companies under the remit of his Department as difficulties have arisen in many areas with a shortage of qualified drivers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52156/23]

Bus Éireann

Brendan Smith

171. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Transport when additional capacity will be provided on a route where a public service contract is operated under the National Transport Authority (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52350/23]

Business Supports

Brendan Smith

26. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the plans he has to provide additional financial supports to assist local authorities and community development organisations in the development of enterprise centres, in view of their importance in providing workspace for start-up businesses and small enterprises and the lack of such accommodation at present in areas such as County Cavan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51478/23]

Enterprise Support Services

Brendan Smith

50. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the proposals he has and the measures that will be introduced to assist in the provision of enterprise centres which are essential to provide workspace for start-up companies and small enterprises; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51479/23]

Tax Credits

Brendan Smith

98. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Finance if he will ensure that tax relief for parents in respect of the accommodation costs for students attending further or higher education colleges is applicable in respect of all students, whether studying in this jurisdiction or elsewhere; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51577/23]

Tax Credits

Brendan Smith

142. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Finance if he will amend the conditions applicable to eligibility for the rental tax credit for parents of students in relation to accommodation costs while attending further or higher education college to include students studying outside of this jurisdiction; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51578/23]

Departmental Bodies

Brendan Smith

179. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Finance when it is proposed to establish the Disabled Drivers Medical Board of Appeal; when the criteria for this scheme will be amended in view of the widespread dissatisfaction in relation to the workings of this scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51735/23]

Vacant Properties

Brendan Smith

193. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform if a vacant property will be made available to a community group (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51786/23]

Agriculture Schemes

Brendan Smith

137. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the expected timeline for approval to issue in respect of TAMS; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51376/23]

Defence Forces

Brendan Smith

46. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence in view of the absence of an army barracks in the central Border area, if further consideration will be given to the re-opening of Dún Uí Néill Cavan as a forward operating base; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50868/23]

Departmental Reviews

Brendan Smith

64. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the status of the Strategic Defence Review; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50867/23]

School Funding

Brendan Smith

253. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Education when the next minor works grant payment will issue to schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50964/23]

Parking Provision

Brendan Smith

133. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform if he will ensure that existing car parking facilities will continue to be made available to staff working in a government department in Cavan town (details supplied), as the cessation of such facilities would cause difficulties and substantial additional costs for such staff as, due to lack of public transport, they must travel to work by car and need appropriate parking facilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50462/23]

Departmental Policies

Brendan Smith

135. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Education if provision will be made to enable persons aged 70 years and over, subject to appropriate medical checks, to drive public service vehicles and vehicles employed on State contracts as difficulties have arisen in many areas with shortage of qualified drivers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50453/23]

Parking Provision

Brendan Smith

181. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will ensure that the existing carparking arrangements for staff in her Department (details supplied) continue to be made available for staff members; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50517/23]

Northern Ireland

Brendan Smith

5. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee on Brexit and Northern Ireland will next meet. [49621/23]

Departmental Correspondence

Brendan Smith

80. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Education the progress to date in establishing a transfer/relocation scheme for teachers, as requested in a proposal to her Department by teacher unions; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50065/23]

General Practitioner Services

Brendan Smith

134. 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. [50033/23]

Care of the Elderly

Brendan Smith

33. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Health when he expects the Commission on Care for Older People to convene; the impact that the additional funding secured in Budget 2024 will have on expediting this process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48616/23]

Care of the Elderly

Brendan Smith

58. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Health how the extra funding of €4.6 million in Budget 2024 will increase the provision of transitional care to make sure that older people get the care they need leaving hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48617/23]

Vacant Properties

Brendan Smith

139. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when the voids programme for 2024 will be finalised; the national allocation; the funding that will be made available for Cavan County Council and Monaghan County Council; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49035/23]

Vacant Properties

Brendan Smith

163. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will ensure that the significant investment in the voids programme over recent years will be continued in 2024, in view of the importance of this programme in bringing back vacant housing stock to habitable use; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49036/23]

Road Projects

Brendan Smith

204. 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 2024 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. [49191/23]

State Properties

Brendan Smith

281. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to outline the supports that are available from his Department to public bodies to plant trees on publicly owned lands; if such supports are available to community and voluntary organisations to carry out similar work on grounds to where they have access to; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49196/23]

Early Childhood Care and Education

Brendan Smith

301. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the level of capital funding available to his Department this year for the upgrading of existing childcare facilities and the provision of new childcare accommodation; the funding that will be available in 2024 for such developments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49256/23]

Early Childhood Care and Education

Brendan Smith

302. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if it is proposed to introduce a grant scheme to assist in the provision of large-scale pre-school accommodation and the upgrading of existing accommodation, as existing grant levels will not be sufficient to ensure adequate childcare accommodation in the coming years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49257/23]

Flood Risk Management

Brendan Smith

35. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform the timescale for the completion of the design of the Cavan town flood relief scheme; the expected timeline for submission of the planning application; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49018/23]

Northern Ireland

Brendan Smith

3. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Taoiseach if he will report on his recent meeting with the British Prime Minister. [47658/23]

Departmental Reports

Brendan Smith

12. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Taoiseach his views on the recently published annual report of his Department. [47659/23]

Waterways Issues

Brendan Smith

16. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform the proposals to amend the Arterial Drainage Act 1945 to include additional waterways, including the River Erne system in County Cavan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46987/23]

Flood Risk Management

Brendan Smith

47. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform the proposals to intensify co-operation with the relevant departments and agencies in Northern Ireland to deal with flooding problems, such as those caused by the River Erne system in counties Cavan and Fermanagh; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46986/23]

Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Brendan Smith

72. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the progress that has been made to date in finalising data on the sequestration of carbon by hedgerows to ensure the inclusion of hedgerows in the national inventory; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46950/23]

Agriculture Schemes

Brendan Smith

107. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when approvals will issue in respect of tranche 1 of TAMS 3; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46951/23]

Fuel Poverty

Brendan Smith

118. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications further to Parliamentary Question No. 84 of 28 March 2023 and the issues raised by this Deputy in the debate relating to the need to ensure all householders benefit from the forthcoming energy credits, if he will ensure the issues highlighted in that debate are addressed; that customers of certain energy suppliers should not have to seek support from community welfare officers towards energy costs and should be able to avail of the energy credit schemes announced in budget 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46421/23]

School Facilities

Brendan Smith

179. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Education if financial support is available from her Department to improve educational services at a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47104/23]

Energy Prices

Brendan Smith

142. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he is satisfied that all household energy consumers including people availing of prepay systems will benefit from the energy credits announced in Budget 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46422/23]

Sports Funding

Brendan Smith

13. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if additional funding will be provided towards the development of sports facilities in view of the increasing financial costs incurred by clubs of all sporting disciplines in providing much needed new and upgraded facilities; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45523/23]

Sports Funding

Brendan Smith

33. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the number of applications received under the recent sports capital grant scheme; the likely timescale for processing and approval; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45522/23]

Education Costs

Brendan Smith

125. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the measures that will be introduced for the 2023/2024 academic year to reduce costs for students in further and higher education; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45538/23]

Education Costs

Brendan Smith

160. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will ensure that the €1,000 reduction in the student contribution fees for higher education students as announced in Budget 2024 is applied to students studying outside this State, such as Northern Ireland and Britain; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45537/23]

Departmental Data

Brendan Smith

204. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Education her estimate of the number of secondary students in counties Cavan, Monaghan, Leitrim, Sligo and Donegal that will benefit from the introduction of free school books next year; the number of primary students that are currently benefiting from free school books in each of the counties; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46042/23]

Departmental Data

Brendan Smith

205. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Education how much the increased capitation announced in budget 2024 will be worth to schools in counties Cavan, Monaghan, Leitrim, Sligo and Donegal; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46043/23]

Third Level Costs

Brendan Smith

378. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the financial supports that are available to assist apprentices through their courses of study in view of the substantial costs incurred by many apprentices in travelling and/or accommodation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45987/23]

Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements

Brendan Smith

30. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Taoiseach to report on his recent meeting with President Biden. [43824/23]

Pharmacy Services

Brendan Smith

257. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Health the measures he will introduce to address the issues outlined by an organisation (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45444/23]

Educational Disadvantage

Brendan Smith

15. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Education if relevant data from the National Census 2022 is yet available to her Department, with particular reference to the HP Deprivation Index, to assist in determining resource allocations by her Department to tackle educational disadvantage; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45052/23]

Educational Disadvantage

Brendan Smith

58. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Education the proposals, if any, there are to include more schools in the DEIS programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45051/23]

Driver Test

Brendan Smith

147. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Transport when additional personnel will be assigned on a permanent basis to the Cavan test centre in view of ongoing delays for applicants awaiting tests at this centre; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45242/23]

Enterprise Support Services

Brendan Smith

16. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment when specific additional financial supports will be introduced to assist local authorities and community development organisations in the development of enterprise centres, in view of their importance in providing workspace for start-up businesses and small enterprises and the lack of such accommodation at present in areas such as County Cavan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44465/23]

Regional Development

Brendan Smith

65. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment further to Parliamentary Question No. 407 of 25 July 2023, if he will outline the details of the smart regional enterprise innovation scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44466/23]

Childcare Services

Brendan Smith

200. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he is aware of the difficulties facing parents in trying to access childcare for children aged 1-3; if measures will be introduced to support the recruitment and retention of staff as it is the lack of staff numbers in many facilities, with surplus accommodation, that is reducing considerably the number of children aged 1-3 that can be cared for in childcare services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44438/23]

Customs and Excise

Brendan Smith

119. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Finance his views on the current effectiveness of the minimum excise duty trigger price applicable to tobacco products; the proposals, if any, there are to change this price; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43915/23]

Tobacco Control Measures

Brendan Smith

540. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Health his views on the present rate of the minimum excise duty on cigarettes, with particular reference to public health; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43914/23]

Road Network

Brendan Smith

18. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Transport his views on the commitment in the programme for Government to maintain the existing road network to a high standard and fund safety improvements; if he will ensure that much-needed additional funding will be provided for the non-national road network, taking into account the urgent requirement for additional investment due to the very substantial increase in costs that have arisen over the past two years in road maintenance products and construction work; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43113/23]

Road Network

Brendan Smith

75. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Transport if additional funding will be provided to Cavan and Monaghan local authorities for the non-national roadworks programme, taking into account the importance of this particular road network for both counties and the substantial increase in costs for road maintenance and construction over recent years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43114/23]

Financial Services

Brendan Smith

116. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Finance for an update on the review of national payments strategy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43131/23]

Financial Services

Brendan Smith

153. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Finance the action he is taking to ensure that cash payments continue to be accepted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43132/23]

Disability Services

Brendan Smith

310. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the measures being implemented to address the delays in the provision of therapies for children with additional needs in counties Cavan and Monaghan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43397/23]

Mental Health Services

Brendan Smith

350. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Health the measures that will be implemented to improve the mental health services in areas like counties Cavan and Monaghan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43403/23]

Further and Higher Education

Brendan Smith

357. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the measures he will implement to address the issues identified in the Funding The Future policy document of May 2022; if he will have the correspondence from an association (details supplied) given detailed consideration; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43396/23]

Departmental Programmes

Brendan Smith

1. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Taoiseach for a report on the shared island youth forum. [37572/23]

National Risk Assessment

Brendan Smith

7. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Taoiseach for a report on the National Risk Assessment 2023, and the top strategic risks facing Ireland. [37573/23]

Northern Ireland

Brendan Smith

12. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Taoiseach for a report on his recent discussions with the political parties in Northern Ireland. [37714/23]

Tax Code

Brendan Smith

99. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Finance if he will consider the issues raised by a national organisation concerning taxation matters (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42961/23]

Teacher Training

Brendan Smith

122. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Education the proposals, if any, to reduce the current duration of the postgraduate ITE programmes to one year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43111/23]

Charitable and Voluntary Organisations

Brendan Smith

238. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she will have issues of concern to a number of organisations given detailed consideration (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42936/23]

Defence Forces

Brendan Smith

108. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence if, in view of the lack of an Army barracks in the central border area, further consideration will be given at an early date to the reopening of Dún Uí Néill, Cavan, as an Army barracks and, in the interim, as a forward operating base as that area has a long land border with a neighbouring jurisdiction, and taking into account that the presence locally of Army personnel played a very important role in the security of the State at a very difficult time; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42550/23]

White Papers

Brendan Smith

118. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence when the security environment analysis arising from the White Paper on Defence will be finalised; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42551/23]

School Funding

Brendan Smith

327. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Education when the next IT grant will be issued to primary schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42674/23]

Northern Ireland

Brendan Smith

43. 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 the Foreign Secretary concerning legacy issues, with particular reference to the totally unacceptable legacy Bill; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41854/23]

British-Irish Co-operation

Brendan Smith

58. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs when the next meeting of the British/Irish Intergovernmental Conference will take place; the issues to be discussed at that meeting; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41855/23]

Litter Pollution

Brendan Smith

99. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the additional measures, if any, that will be introduced to deal with littering problems throughout the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41859/23]

Litter Pollution

Brendan Smith

110. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the proposals, if any, there are to have additional publicity programmes regarding the need to deal with the proliferation of littering problems throughout the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41858/23]

Industrial Relations

Brendan Smith

165. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Transport if he will ensure that the concerns of a trade union in relation to the retention of jobs and terms and conditions are given detailed and urgent consideration (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41951/23]

Mental Health Services

Brendan Smith

48. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Health the progress to date in recruiting additional personnel for CAMHS teams in areas such as Cavan/Monaghan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40707/23]

Addiction Treatment Services

Brendan Smith

55. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Health if it is proposed to increase the level of funding for the North-East Drug Task Force, in view of the increased demand for services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40708/23]

Third Level Fees

Brendan Smith

95. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if, in view of the particular cost-of-living pressures at present, he will ensure that additional financial support will be provided to reduce undergraduate student contribution fees for this academic year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40698/23]

Third Level Fees

Brendan Smith

100. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if measures are to be introduced to reduce undergraduate student contribution fees this academic year; if he will ensure that students studying outside of the State will receive such supports, as requested previously by this Deputy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40699/23]

International Protection

Brendan Smith

247. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he is aware of the widespread concerns in relation to the proposed provision of services and the concerns of the local community, as outlined in representations to his Department (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40886/23]

Election Monitoring Missions

Brendan Smith

54. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the number of members of the current roster of election monitors, which is due to end in December 2023; the number of short-term observers monitoring requests sent by his Department to roster members since this roster came into effect; the number of first-time members of this roster; the number of first-time members of this roster who were accepted to serve as short-term observers on monitoring missions; the number of first-time roster members who have not been invited to serve as short-term observers, or other missions so far during this roster; the number of roster members who have served as short-term observers on two or more missions during this roster; the number of roster members who have quit the roster during its term; if he accepts that the length of this roster should have been extended by at least one year to allow for the impact of Covid-19; and his plans to amend, improve and reform the future operation of the Irish election monitoring panel; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38752/23]

Northern Ireland

Brendan Smith

66. 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 the Foreign Secretary concerning legacy issues with particular reference to the totally unacceptable Legacy Bill; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39304/23]

Northern Ireland

Brendan Smith

67. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs when the next meeting of the British/Irish Intergovernmental Conference will take place; the issues to be discussed at that meeting; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39310/23]

Northern Ireland

Brendan Smith

68. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will report on his most recent meetings with the political parties in Northern Ireland concerning the need to have the Assembly and Executive restored without further delay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39311/23]

Road Network

Brendan Smith

412. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Transport his views on the commitment in the Programme for Government to maintain the existing road network to a high standard and fund safety improvements; if he will ensure that much needed additional funding will be provided, without further delay, for the non-national road network this year taking into account the urgent requirement for additional investment due to the very substantial increase in costs that have arisen over the past two years in road maintenance products and construction work; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39298/23]

Primary Medical Certificates

Brendan Smith

452. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Finance when it is proposed to establish the disabled drivers medical board of appeal; when the criteria for this scheme will be amended in view of the widespread dissatisfaction in relation to the workings of this scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38167/23]

School Transport

Brendan Smith

773. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Education when the distance requirement will be reduced in respect of eligibility for school transport at primary and second level, taking into account road safety concerns for pupils in view of increased traffic levels on the road network, and also the difficulties for parents working outside the home and having to make arrangements for children to be left at and collected at pick-up points some distance from their homes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39299/23]

School Transport

Brendan Smith

774. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Education when the review of school transport will be finalised and the expected timeline for publication of this report; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39300/23]

Schools Building Projects

Brendan Smith

785. 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 this much-needed accommodation due to an increased enrolment at the school; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39419/23]

Departmental Programmes

Brendan Smith

787. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Education the proposals, if any, there are to expand the school completion programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39424/23]

Social Welfare Schemes

Brendan Smith

1043. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason applications under the exceptional needs scheme are not being processed locally; if she agrees that this scheme has been of critical importance to many families when emergencies arose and the swift response of Department officials at local level has been essential in assisting such families through difficult situations; if she will revert the centralisation of such decision making in the best interests of administering the scheme efficiently and helping people for whom it is intended in a timely manner; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38751/23]