Ceisteanna Parlaiminte

Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland

Bríd Smith

788. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Health the changes made on foot of the external report ordered by his predecessor into the way allegations and revelations made by whistle-blowers in relation to the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland are handled; the safeguards that have been put in place since this external review; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52000/21]

Hospice Services

Bríd Smith

790. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Health if the HSE raised any concerns with the relevant authorities in relation to services at a hospice (details supplied) the funding of posts and financial losses in the restaurants of same; if so, the response the hospice provided to explain these procedures in filling posts and losses at the facilities involved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52013/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Bríd Smith

924. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Health the options available to those who have been medically advised not to take the Covid-19 vaccine to avail of the EU COVID Digital Certificate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52482/21]

Abortion Services

Bríd Smith

1045. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Health the remit, membership and terms of reference for the abortion legislation review group; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53003/21]

Abortion Services

Bríd Smith

1046. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Health the details and timelines for the review of the Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Act 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53004/21]

State Pensions

Bríd Smith

243. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will address a series of matters in relation to a case (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [51970/21]

Budget 2022

Bríd Smith

262. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Health the amount of the additional €6 million announced in Budget 2022 for the drugs strategy will go to the drug and alcohol task force drug projects; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51533/21]

Air Services

Bríd Smith

329. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Transport if his attention has been drawn to reports that an airline (details supplied) was used to ferry arms during the conflict in Tigray in view of the recent awarding of a licence to the airline; the checks that will be in place to ensure that such activities are not engaged in the State’s airspace; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50677/21]

Housing Provision

Bríd Smith

459. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the health service is losing vital healthcare workers due to the housing crisis and difficulties finding accommodation; his plans to address the crisis by providing accommodation for healthcare professionals to encourage them to stay in the system rather than emigrate; his other plans to address the housing crisis for healthcare workers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50734/21]

Foreign Conflicts

Bríd Smith

500. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs his views on recent reports that the Ethiopian state used its national airline to ferry arms into Ireland during the conflict in Tigray in November 2020; and if the Ethiopian authorities will cooperate in any checks deemed necessary at Dublin Airport to ensure that no violation of international aviation laws on the carrying of arms on civil aircraft takes place in view of a recent UN report that found multiple and severe reports of alleged gross violations of human rights in that conflict. [50678/21]

Child Abuse

Bríd Smith

536. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Education if, in view of allegations regarding alleged child abuse at colleges (details supplied) she has plans to institute a commission of investigation into the ownership and management of Jesuit schools in Ireland; the steps her Department is taking or plans to take in addressing these allegations and supporting and safeguarding all children from past, present or future abuse; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50375/21]

Special Educational Needs

Bríd Smith

564. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Education if a school (details supplied) has onsite therapists and behaviour therapists; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50696/21]

School Facilities

Bríd Smith

123. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Education the funding options a DEIS band 1 senior primary school has to return to running an after-school club once current health restrictions are lifted (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50198/21]

Hospital Staff

Bríd Smith

207. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to national and international guidelines that recommend there should be 14 neurology nurse specialists employed in the neurology department based on the population number living in the catchment area of St. James’ Hospital but there are currently four nurses; if he has plans to increase the level of neurology nurses at St. James’ Hospital; and if so, if he will provide a timeline for same. [50330/21]

Sustainable Development Goals

Bríd Smith

48. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications when he will publish his Department’s new national implementation plan for the United Nations sustainable development goals. [49573/21]

Arts Policy

Bríd Smith

150. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the status of the proposed universal basic income pilot scheme for those working in the arts industry; when it will commence; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49486/21]

Special Educational Needs

Bríd Smith

264. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Education the status of the opening of autism classes (details supplied) in Dublin 12; the expected date for opening autism classes in each of these locations; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49246/21]

Special Educational Needs

Bríd Smith

279. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Education if her attention has been drawn to the impact of the decision by her Department to stop banking SET hours lost by the lack of substitute availability to cover SET absences; if she will acknowledge the negative impact identified by an organisation (details supplied) that this will have on the most vulnerable children in schools as provision of SETs was never restored to pre austerity levels as promised; if she will consider the significant difficulties this decision will place on classes divided up into bubbles and pods that cannot accommodate moving children between classes when a teacher is out, therefore necessitating the use of the SET in class; if her Department will review this decision with a view to a reversal of same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49389/21]

Special Educational Needs

Bríd Smith

293. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Education her views on the situation in which children who have moderate to severe additional speech and language and occupational therapy needs are placed in a mainstream ASD class setting in none of those needs that are met; her further views on whether this is not meeting the needs of the most vulnerable children; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49606/21]

Mother and Baby Homes Inquiries

Bríd Smith

348. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the reason the Final Report of the Commission of Investigation into Mother and Baby Homes contains so little information about St. Gerard’s Mother and Baby Home when it was part of the Commission of Investigation’s remit to investigate it and when its records were in the possession of Tusla; if he has plans to correct this deficit in the final report by ensuring that the records for St. Gerard’s are processed and a further and comprehensive report on St. Gerard’s Mother and Baby Home is issued including the nature of its engagements with St. Patrick’s Guild; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50074/21]

Probate Applications

Bríd Smith

413. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Justice if her attention has been drawn to the difficulties that the Covid-19-related delay in probate applications is causing for persons or couples buying a home whose mortgage approval is due to expire or has expired as a result of the delays; the steps the Probate Office will take to speed up the process now that public health restrictions have been significantly relaxed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49208/21]

Health Services

Bríd Smith

535. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Health his plans to address health issues arising for women experiencing perimenopause, menopause and post-menopause; his views on the significant impact menopause in all its stages can have on the health of many women and the significant financial costs incurred by women trying to manage a wide range of debilitating symptoms and issues during this phase of their lives; if there are plans to put in place a dedicated programme for women and health professionals to educate and address health and associated issues experienced by women during all stages of menopause; if there are plans to address the financial costs incurred by women during the menopausal phase; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49442/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Bríd Smith

194. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Transport if the lifting of restrictions in October 2021 will also remove the restriction on sanitary and toilet facilities at driver test centres to allow access to instructors, students and those accompanying learner drivers to lessons and tests; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48842/21]

Education and Training Boards

Bríd Smith

59. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Education the reason for the failures of CMETB and LMETB in which processes and procedures were ignored to safeguard management to the detrimental treatment of other staff at a huge cost to public funds; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48509/21]

Education and Training Boards

Bríd Smith

60. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Education if protected disclosures were allegedly ignored by CMETB and LMETB (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48510/21]

Education and Training Boards

Bríd Smith

61. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Education the way in which CMETB and LMETB bound by processes and procedures agreed nationally can ignore a duty of care to all employees, not just some employees, when they have a legal obligation to do so; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48511/21]

Education and Training Boards

Bríd Smith

62. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Education the reason a situation in CMETB and LMETB that has been flagged many times has been allowed to continue; if he will now commit to an investigation in which those responsible will be held to account; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48512/21]

Data Centres

Bríd Smith

86. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he or any person in his Department has met with a company or the director of the company (details supplied) in relation to the data centre industry in Ireland; and, if so, if he will detail the content of any such meetings. [48313/21]

Data Centres

Bríd Smith

118. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he or any person in his Department has met with a company or the director of the company (details supplied) in relation to the data centre industry in Ireland; and, if so, if he will detail the content of any such meetings. [48312/21]

Citizenship Applications

Bríd Smith

522. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Justice if she will clarify the steps a family (details supplied) need to take in order to receive or apply for citizenship; the steps expected of the family to retrieve their passports from Serbia, the state they fled; if she can offer any further advice; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47811/21]

Hospital Services

Bríd Smith

347. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Health his views on the lack of separate wards in hospitals to treat women experiencing stillbirth or miscarriage; his further views on the fact that the loss, trauma and devastation experienced by women in these situations is compounded by not having a dedicated, separate space in which to grieve and process their loss; his plans to address this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47272/21]

Hospital Services

Bríd Smith

348. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Health the improvements planned in the area of care for women experiencing stillbirth or miscarriage in maternity hospitals; if there are plans to provide separate rooms and wards for those experiencing loss; his plans to consult with women who have had to deal with stillbirth and miscarriage to include their input into appropriate compassionate care in the aftermath of the loss of a child; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47273/21]

Cabinet Committees

Bríd Smith

41. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee that deals with transport will next meet. [43769/21]

Cabinet Committees

Bríd Smith

42. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee on climate will next meet. [43768/21]

Community Employment Schemes

Bríd Smith

146. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will clarify the situation of persons placed on a community employment scheme and in situations in which such a scheme may mean working alongside members the public or categories of at risk persons, if the placement officer responsible for the placement must ensure the person being placed on the scheme has been vaccinated against Covid-19; if the responsibility in this area lies elsewhere; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47072/21]

Cabinet Committees

Bríd Smith

15. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee on housing will next meet. [43767/21]

Protected Disclosures

Bríd Smith

430. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Education if she will commission an inquiry into the handling of protected disclosures and the failure of relevant authorities to act promptly and protect public finances in view of recent events and disclosures in relation to both CMETB and LMETB and in view of concerns relating to the processes and procedures of both bodies in dealing with these issues; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46008/21]

Environmental Impact Assessments

Bríd Smith

194. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Transport if his attention has been drawn to the significant environmental and biodiversity impact on the Ardee bog if the current plans for the proposed N52 Ardee bypass proceed; the reason it has taken 21 years after initiating the project to retroactively undertake an environmental impact assessment; if his attention has been further drawn the destruction of the endangered curlew’s habitat as a result of illegal fencing installed as part of the project in 2019; his plans to protect the Ardee bog and the biodiversity in the area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45801/21]

School Staff

Bríd Smith

264. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Education the way rates of pay are set for job-sharing SNAs and teachers who substitute in their own schools; the reason there is disparity in the way that members of staff are paid and who is allowed claim expenses; her plans to address this disparity; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45814/21]

Defence Forces

Bríd Smith

89. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Defence the number of females who have included family care issues among their stated reasons for seeking inter service transfers or discharge from the Naval Service over the past five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45708/21]

Defence Forces

Bríd Smith

90. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Defence the length of time it takes for a complaint of sexual assault to be dealt with currently in the Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45709/21]

Defence Forces

Bríd Smith

91. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Defence if he will make provision to allow serving and retired male and female victims of sexual abuse, harassment and gender discrimination in the Defence Forces an opportunity to tell their experiences of abuse anonymously during the inquiry stage of the external commission that is being called for by a group (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45710/21]

Childcare Services

Bríd Smith

433. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if private crèches are required to register with and be inspected by Tusla prior to opening; the circumstances in which Tusla will undertake an inspection of a private crèche; his plans to introduce legislation to enforce annual inspections of all private crèches; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45018/21]

Departmental Policies

Bríd Smith

437. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the extent to which community groups were consulted and the degree to which their views were represented in the research and evidence assembled to inform the design of the national childcare scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45254/21]

After-School Support Services

Bríd Smith

438. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will respond to the concerns of community childcare services in the Dublin 8 area that the national childcare scheme is putting the education and well-being of nearly 500 vulnerable children in Dublin 8 and in excess of 5,000 vulnerable children across the country at risk on foot of changes to the funding structures for vital community-based after-school services introduced under the service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45255/21]

After-School Support Services

Bríd Smith

439. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if an undertaking will be given to restore adequate funding to ensure continuation of after-school services from 1 October 2021; the steps he will take to ensure access to after-school projects for all children in DEIS areas; if he will work with community services to design a sustainable and appropriate model of core after-school funding to ensure equal access to education and opportunities for all children particularly those most at risk; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45256/21]

After-School Support Services

Bríd Smith

440. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if an undertaking will be given that he will meet representatives of community-based after-school services to discuss their grave concerns for the well-being of children at risk of long-term exclusion and marginalisation on foot of changes to the national childcare scheme funding structures for critically important after-school services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45257/21]

Natural Gas Imports

Bríd Smith

19. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the steps he intends to take to ensure that no proposal for a LNG terminal will be developed in the State; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43673/21]

Climate Change Policy

Bríd Smith

38. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the changes he plans to make to current Government policy on climate action in light of the recent IPCC report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43674/21]

Córas Iompair Éireann

Bríd Smith

89. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Transport his plans to sign the statutory instrument to allow for agreed pension entitlement changes to the CIÉ regular wages scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43681/21]