Parliamentary questions

Greyhound Industry

Bríd Smith

522. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of non-coursing greyhounds who were microchipped and registered in the Irish stud book whose year of birth was 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31372/23]

Grant Payments

Bríd Smith

600. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the names and addresses of all successful and unsuccessful applicants, respectively in relation to the operation of the building block grant strand B for childcare providers; the number of unsuccessful applicants within Dublin broken down into postal code areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31146/23]

Dublin Airport Authority

Bríd Smith

36. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Transport if he is aware of and supports plans by the DAA to extend its operations; if his Department has had any discussion with the DAA about planned expansions and increases in aviation travel; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30117/23]

Bus Services

Bríd Smith

45. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Transport if he can detail the average number of passengers who have travelled on the new BusConnects route 60 since its introduction, per week or month; the passenger numbers for route 79 in the past three months of its operation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30121/23]

Transport Policy

Bríd Smith

62. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Transport if his Department has examined any proposals around the use and possible banning of SUV private vehicles in city and urban areas; if he would support such a move; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30120/23]

Rail Network

Bríd Smith

72. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Transport if he can clarify the position of the Government in relation to investment in the western rail corridor; if he supports further investment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30119/23]

Childcare Services

Bríd Smith

287. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the successful applicants from childcare facilities for the blocks grant strand B, by company name and geographical area, that is, either country or Dublin postal code, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30252/23]

Climate Action Plan

Bríd Smith

6. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Taoiseach if he will report on the first progress report for the first quarter of 2023 of the climate action plan. [29546/23]

Cabinet Committees

Bríd Smith

18. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee on economy and investment will next meet. [29547/23]

Official Engagements

Bríd Smith

30. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Taoiseach if he will report on his attendance at the meeting of the European Political Community on 1 June 2023. [29548/23]

Public Sector Pensions

Bríd Smith

50. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he can detail what progress has been made on signing off on the promised pension increase for An Post workers; if he can further clarify the timeframe for same, given the length of time retired workers have been waiting; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30007/23]

Employment Rights

Bríd Smith

81. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he can detail the position in relation to the implementation of the security sector ERO, specifically, when the case will be heard in the High Court; the State's position on the current injunction against the ERO by some employers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30008/23]

Employment Rights

Bríd Smith

82. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he can clarify whether his officials will attend the next hearing of the High Court into the injunction taken by employers against the security sector ERO; if he has discussed this issue with his officials or legal team; if he has sought the advice of the Attorney General; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30124/23]

Abortion Services

Bríd Smith

177. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Health if he is aware of protesters currently outside Limerick maternity hospital that are causing distress to people going to medical appointments, workers, local residents and so on; if he will clarify when exactly the safe access zone legislation will be in place; if he will respond immediately to the urgent need expressed by people trying to access healthcare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29913/23]

Cabinet Committees

Bríd Smith

5. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee on Brexit and Northern Ireland will next meet [29537/23]

Departmental Data

Bríd Smith

15. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Taoiseach if he will report on the well-being framework for Ireland, overseen by his Department [29538/23]

Equality Issues

Bríd Smith

26. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Taoiseach if he will report on his Department’s public sector duty equality and human rights assessment. [29539/23]

Social Welfare Code

Bríd Smith

420. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Social Protection to clarify if a social welfare claimant selected for participation in a programme (details supplied) is obliged to sign a PPP; if they do not, if there can be any sanctions applied by her Department; if the claimant has the right to appeal such sanctions; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29640/23]

Social Welfare Schemes

Bríd Smith

422. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Social Protection if she can clarify if Seetec have been awarded the contract for operating the JobPath programme; the costs of this award; the length of time the company will operate it; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29665/23]

Grant Payments

Bríd Smith

554. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if Pobal will provide details on the reasons a grant application was refused for a child care facility (details supplied) in Dublin 10; if an application for this grant can be made again or when it can be made; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29739/23]

Climate Action Plan

Bríd Smith

85. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he can detail the actions that the Climate Action Plan for 2024 will take that will address the projected overshoot in the first carbon budget identified in the Environmental Protection Agency projections; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28757/23]

Energy Prices

Bríd Smith

90. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he has plans to ensure the Commission for Regulation of Utilities will regulate the prices charged to consumers on district heating systems; if he has plans to change the current charging system that apply to district heating systems; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28759/23]

Legislative Measures

Bríd Smith

103. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will clarify when his Department will issue a money message or a reasoned response for the Petroleum and other Minerals Development (Climate Emergency) Amendment Bill; if he can clarify why this has taken his Department this length of time to issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28758/23]

Disability Services

Bríd Smith

253. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will investigate the reason that an autistic person's home support hours have been reduced by an autism support service (details supplied); what process to appeal this reduction is open to the person affected; if this person's care plan can be unilaterally changed like this; if the HSE will ensure that their hours are reinstated with appropriate and necessary home support; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28933/23]

Cabinet Committees

Bríd Smith

19. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet Committee on Health is next due to meet. [28609/23]

Council of Europe

Bríd Smith

8. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Taoiseach if he will report on his recent attendance at the Council of Europe. [26170/23]

Cross-Border Co-operation

Bríd Smith

25. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Taoiseach if he will report on the work of the Shared Island Dialogue all-island women's forum civic initiative. [28610/23]

Overseas Development Aid

Bríd Smith

159. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will detail the progress made on reaching SDGs and on international aid; what the target is; and where we are at specifically in relation to, a Voluntary National Review on the SDGs, reaching 0.7% ODA/GNI with high-quality, poverty-focused overseas aid and climate financing; if the Government will address Irish civil society's five key recommendations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28114/23]

Insurance Coverage

Bríd Smith

339. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Finance if his Department is aware of insurers writing to consumers on the issue of the danger of having homes underinsured, and so on; if the companies are now using the issue of potential underinsurance as a mechanism to reduce potential pay-outs to tenants for certain claims; if any regulatory authority under his Department has received any complaints or notification of this practice [27081/23]

Tax Code

Bríd Smith

379. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Finance if he can clarify (details supplied) in relation to the residential zoned land tax. [27918/23]

Housing Schemes

Bríd Smith

646. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if changes made by his Department now require a tenant to have resided in their home for ten years before accessing this scheme in relation to the tenant purchase scheme for local authority tenants, or if years previously spent on social housing supports, and so on, count towards this ten-year period; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27059/23]

Water Pollution

Bríd Smith

650. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he or his Department have had any correspondence or discussion with officials from Northern Ireland in relation to defective slurry/effluent tanks built and operated in Northern Ireland which discharge into waterways feeding into the South; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27109/23]

Water Pollution

Bríd Smith

651. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he can detail how compliance with EU nitrates directives and other environmental protection regulations are enforced or monitored along the Border counties when potential harmful discharges into waterways may be occurring in Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27111/23]

Water Pollution

Bríd Smith

652. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he can detail in the event of pollution and damage being caused to waterways in the Republic of Ireland from effluent originating in Northern Ireland the actions his Department or the State can take at EU level or with UK authorities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27113/23]

Housing Schemes

Bríd Smith

761. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if a series of matters (details supplied) will be clarified in relation to the tenant in situ purchase scheme in cases in which a local authority is interested in purchasing a house that is for sale with tenants on social housing supports; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28105/23]

Social Welfare Benefits

Bríd Smith

792. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will clarify if there is a limit on the amount of savings a person can have if they are to be successful in obtaining an additional needs payment; if she will clarify what this limit is; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27254/23]

International Protection

Bríd Smith

1082. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he can detail the procedures and systems in place in the Citywest centre for IPO applicants, specifically in relation to a matter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28078/23]

Healthcare Policy

Bríd Smith

1242. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Health if he has plans to establish a formal agreement to address the following: the pay disparity of Section 39 organisations; a multi-annual, sustainable funding model for voluntary organisations; a review of the out-of-date Health Act 2004, which does not reflect the reality and essential nature of services provided by Section 39 organisations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28132/23]

Cannabis for Medicinal Use

Bríd Smith

21. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Health if he can clarify the position in relation to a person carrying prescribed medicinal cannabis products from an another state, specifically in relation to Article 75 of the Schengen Implementing Convention, which states that it is permissible to transport drugs and psychotropic substances needed as part of medical treatment if the person concerned has a certificate issued by a competent authority; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26688/23]

Medical Cards

Bríd Smith

37. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Health if he can detail any plans to review the criteria for medical card eligibility; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26687/23]

Childcare Services

Bríd Smith

33. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of childcare providers that participated in the core funding scheme but have subsequently raised fees for services despite the commitment in the scheme not to (details supplied); if his Department has received any complaints about this practice; if any service provider has done so; if so, the penalties his Department apply to that provider; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26324/23]

International Protection

Bríd Smith

43. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of refugees who have not been provided with accommodation since the change of policy announced on 24 January 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26001/23]

International Protection

Bríd Smith

62. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the supports that are available for people currently seeking international protection who are unaccommodated (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25933/23]

Public Sector Pensions

Bríd Smith

136. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications when he will authorise the payment of pension increases due to postal workers since January 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25658/23]

Energy Conservation

Bríd Smith

141. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the supports available for apartment complexes in terms of energy-efficiency upgrades, or access to the installation of solar panels and any other energy efficiency supports. [25764/23]

Energy Conservation

Bríd Smith

142. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he can clarify whether the one stop shop system of retrofitting supports is applicable to apartment complexes or individual apartment owners; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25765/23]

Road Safety

Bríd Smith

186. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Transport if he will clarify the guidelines or regulations, if any, that are issued by his Department or the National Transport Authority when liaising with schools involved in the ‘safe routes to school’ programme around the use of cargo bikes by parents to transport children; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25842/23]

Public Sector Staff

Bríd Smith

231. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform if he can clarify in relation to a public sector worker (details supplied) who has suffered a critical illness and having returned to work, is diagnosed with a second, separate critical illness within months. [25609/23]

Social Welfare Benefits

Bríd Smith

446. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Social Protection if she can detail the supports that are available for a public sector employee diagnosed with a serious illness (details supplied) who does not qualify for any payments from their employer, the HSE, because of previous use of critical illness benefit, and who has paid PRSI contributions; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25610/23]

International Protection

Bríd Smith

610. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will change policy to ensure that all refugees will in future be provided with accommodation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26002/23]