Ceisteanna Parlaiminte

Departmental Funding

Bríd Smith

226. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if funds are available for local authorities from his Department to refurbish social housing units, specifically to install double glazed windows in housing units such as Emmet Building, Dublin 8, in response to ongoing concerns over mould and damp and also as measures to reduce energy consumption and emissions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7280/23]

Local Authorities

Bríd Smith

276. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will ensure funding is made available to Dublin City Council in order to renovate the Iveagh building in the Liberties; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7281/23]

Wind Energy Generation

Bríd Smith

283. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he is binging any proposals to permit the automatic granting of permission for wind energy projects that have been waiting for over two years for planning approval; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7359/23]

Abortion Services

Bríd Smith

831. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Health when he will publish the report on the review of the Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Act 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7279/23]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Bríd Smith

837. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Health the number of health workers entitled to the €1,000 pandemic bonus who remain unpaid; the position of staff in private nursing homes; the number of these who have received the bonus to date; the number of those who have not received the payment; if home help and care providers who continued to look after persons in their homes during the pandemic are eligible for the payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7293/23]

Social Welfare Benefits

Bríd Smith

13. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will provide details of the total allocation of extra funding to community welfare officers to deal with applicants for additional needs' payments; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6073/23]

Social Welfare Payments

Bríd Smith

46. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of applications for additional needs payments to date in 2023; if she can clarify the number of these that have been rejected; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6074/23]

Housing Provision

Bríd Smith

67. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the actions he is taking to ensure that adequate accommodation is available for refugees arriving in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6070/23]

Anti-Racism Measures

Bríd Smith

72. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth when the long overdue national action plan against racism will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6071/23]

Direct Provision System

Bríd Smith

81. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he can clarify the position with regard to the programme for Government commitment to end the direct provision system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6072/23]

International Protection

Bríd Smith

100. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he can clarify his Department's recent communication on accommodation and support for refugees; the reason that it discriminates between different refugees and specifically offers less support to international protection refugees; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6068/23]

Medicinal Products

Bríd Smith

301. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Health if he will clearly outline the process through which pregnant women experiencing extreme nausea and vomiting can obtain cariban under the drugs payment scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6374/23]

Medicinal Products

Bríd Smith

302. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Health if he will clarify the reason exactly a GP cannot prescribe cariban on the drugs payment scheme; if he will acknowledge that the majority of women do not see a consultant until after 12 weeks of pregnancy and it is the case that a GP would be qualified to prescribe the drug and be automatically covered on the DPS; if he will clarify the reason that a GP would not be qualified to do so if this is not permissible; if he will clarify the standard practice of the prescription of the drug that exists in other EU member states; if he will further outline his Department’s recommendations to help with extreme nausea and vomiting for the first 12 weeks of pregnancy or until the drug can be accessed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6375/23]

Medicinal Products

Bríd Smith

303. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Health if he will provide details of the number of cariban prescriptions that have been processed through the drugs payment scheme to date, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6376/23]

Gender Equality

Bríd Smith

1. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Taoiseach if he will report on the gender pay gap report from his Department. [4421/23]

Programme for Government

Bríd Smith

7. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Taoiseach if he will provide an update on the programme for Government. [3412/23]

School Enrolments

Bríd Smith

189. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Education if the State, which funds private schools, has any input or control over their enrolment policy; if the practices reported at a school (details supplied) constitute a breach of State guidelines or are in keeping with present rules and criteria; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5604/23]

Legislative Reviews

Bríd Smith

316. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Justice further to Parliamentary Question No. 472 of 30 November 2021, if he will clarify when the review will be made available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5735/23]

Greyhound Industry

Bríd Smith

474. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if allowing a named individual to enter a dog in a greyhound race in Shelbourne Park on 20 January 2023 while the individual is the subject of an exclusion order imposed by Rásaíocht Con Éireann for multiple serious doping offences undermines the integrity of the greyhound industry (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5696/23]

Greyhound Industry

Bríd Smith

475. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of non-coursing stud greyhounds registered with the Irish Coursing Club in each of the years 2021 and 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5697/23]

Greyhound Industry

Bríd Smith

476. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of mating certificates for non-coursing dogs obtained from the Irish Coursing Club in each of the years 2021 and 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5698/23]

Greyhound Industry

Bríd Smith

477. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of non-coursing litters registered with the Irish Coursing Club in each of the years 2021 and 2022, in tabular form (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5699/23]

Greyhound Industry

Bríd Smith

478. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of non-coursing dogs tattooed and microchipped with the Irish Coursing Club in each of the years 2021 and 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5700/23]

Greyhound Industry

Bríd Smith

479. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of naming forms for non-coursing dogs obtained from the Irish Coursing Club in each of the years 2021 and 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5701/23]

Greyhound Industry

Bríd Smith

480. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of non-coursing dogs named with the Irish Coursing Club in each of the years 2021 and 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5702/23]

Greyhound Industry

Bríd Smith

481. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of non-coursing dogs for whom markings were put on their identity book by the Irish Coursing Club in each of the years 2021 and 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5703/23]

European Union

Bríd Smith

44. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence if he or other Ministers have sought or looked for legal advice in relation to Ireland's participation in EU battlegroups; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5134/23]

Education Policy

Bríd Smith

149. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Education the discussions or arrangements that occur with her Department or local schools in cases in which children, as refugees or asylum seekers, in primary and secondary schools are moved, with little formal notice to the parents or staff involved; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5246/23]

Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements

Bríd Smith

4. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Taoiseach if he will provide an update on his most recent engagement with political representatives and groups from Northern Ireland since he returned to Oifig an Taoisigh. [4423/23]

Mother and Baby Homes

Bríd Smith

165. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if the niece of a deceased woman (details supplied) who spent time in a mother and baby home is eligible to access the redress scheme; if this negates the claim for compensation if the child of the deceased woman was adopted on the mother's behalf; and if so, if this then allows the next of kin, a niece make a claim instead; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5042/23]

Cabinet Committees

Bríd Smith

15. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee that deals with immigration and integration will next meet. [4422/23]

Middle East

Bríd Smith

94. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he is concerned about recent statements by the incoming Israeli Prime Minister, and their clear sanctioning of further illegal settlements and annexations in the West Bank; if he will raise this at EU and UN forums; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4397/23]

Legislative Measures

Bríd Smith

707. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Health the current status of the Adult Safeguarding Bill 2017; when it is likely to move to the next stage of the legislative process; if he will acknowledge that legislation is urgently needed to protect vulnerable adults; if he will provide clarity and a legal framework for those involved in their care; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4525/23]

Housing Schemes

Bríd Smith

104. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he can detail, the expected increase in social housing applicants as a result of the recent changes to the income thresholds; the measures his Department is taking to deal with any increase; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3717/23]

Housing Provision

Bríd Smith

144. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he can detail the reason that social housing targets were missed in 2022; the actions he intends to take to ensure targets are met for the coming period; the estimated time it will take to provide social housing units to meet current and predicted demand in the coming years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3716/23]

Energy Prices

Bríd Smith

198. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Finance if community clubs and halls are eligible to apply for the temporary business energy support scheme; if he plans to provide specific supports for such facilities in dealing with the current energy price crisis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3752/23]

Departmental Policies

Bríd Smith

247. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Education the steps she is taking to ensure that young persons, especially in schools and colleges, are not exposed to indirect advertising by drinks companies; if she will ensure that an organisation (details supplied) is not permitted in secondary schools; if she will ensure that there is a prohibition on alcohol industry funded programmes in Irish secondary schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3751/23]

Energy Prices

Bríd Smith

333. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the supports that are available for community halls and clubs from her Department, especially in relation to energy costs and the current high energy costs incurred by many clubs and halls in keeping their facilities heated; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3753/23]

School Accommodation

Bríd Smith

113. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Education if clarification will be provided in relation to the proposed amalgamation of three secondary schools into one complex (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3633/23]

Climate Action Plan

Bríd Smith

17. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Taoiseach the total number of actions in the 2021 climate action plan which have not been enacted to date; the numbers of high-impact actions which have failed to be enacted or that are delayed; the high-impact actions that remain to be enacted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62712/22]

Climate Action Plan

Bríd Smith

21. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Taoiseach to report on the work of the climate action delivery board. [3411/23]

Economic Policy

Bríd Smith

96. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Finance his views on the growth in the number of millionaires in the State, identified in a recent report that showed the two richest people in the State have more wealth than the poorest 50% of the population; and his views on whether Government policy has driven or is responsible for this trend. [3106/23]

Tax Code

Bríd Smith

161. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Finance if he will re-examine the proposal for a wealth tax in Ireland in light of a recent export on wealth and inequality; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3105/23]

Public Sector Pay

Bríd Smith

404. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Social Protection if her Department will immediately arrange a date to meet the WRC in relation to the pay claim that community employment supervisors and assistant supervisors have submitted through their respective unions; if her attention has been drawn to the fact that there have been no wage increases for these workers since 2008 and in view of the substantial increases in cost-of-living, these workers need an urgent wage increase; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3171/23]

Nursing Homes

Bríd Smith

482. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the ever-rising costs of nursing home care, with relatives reporting significant extra costs in addition to the basic contribution they make in addition to the fair deal scheme contribution; the Government’s plans to reduce this burden on relatives of nursing home patients; if the Government plans to increase support to relatives and nursing homes; if there are plans to increase the level of State provision of nursing home beds for those who cannot afford these significant costs; if he will acknowledge that there are people who require nursing homecare but who cannot avail of it due to the prohibitive costs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2704/23]

Bus Services

Bríd Smith

5. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Transport if he will instruct the NTA to meet with residents and representatives in the Ballyfermot area to discuss the service on the new G spine and specifically the collapse of services in the lower Ballyfermot area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2375/23]

Bus Services

Bríd Smith

29. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Transport if the BusConnects proposals due to be introduced in Dublin in 2023 will face delays as a result of driver shortages; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2374/23]

Bus Services

Bríd Smith

62. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Transport if he will examine the impact current driver schedules, pay and rosters are having in the retention and recruitment of drivers in Dublin Bus, a company (details supplied) and Bus Éireann, which is resulting in frequent cancellation of services across the State; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2377/23]

National Transport Authority

Bríd Smith

94. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Transport if he will ensure the NTA does not award routes to companies on the basis of lower labour costs in the future under its competitive tendering processes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2378/23]

Electric Vehicles

Bríd Smith

171. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Transport if the Government has formally abandoned targets for 1 million private electric vehicles on the roads by 2030; if so, the way he plans to reach the targets for cuts to emissions in transport; if he will re-examine proposals for free public transport in view of such a change in Government transport climate policies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62711/22]

Driver Test

Bríd Smith

237. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Transport the steps that his Department is taking to reduce the waiting time for driving tests; if he will acknowledge the difficulty that this is causing for those who need a full driving licence for work and or family reasons; if he will commit to ensuring that resources are deployed to bring down the waiting time for a test; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1314/23]

Public Appointments Service

Bríd Smith

405. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if the Public Appointments Service can adequately evaluate non-nationals applying for jobs in the public service who may have higher level qualifications such as level 9 and but not have an Irish Leaving Certificate; if any weight or account is presently taking by the PAS when looking at such applicants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1256/23]

Public Appointments Service

Bríd Smith

406. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if the PAS compiles any statistics on the recruitment levels of non-Irish nationals in the public service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1257/23]

Public Appointments Service

Bríd Smith

407. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if current employment practices of the PAS may be discriminating against highly educated non-Irish nationals in attaining employment opportunities in the public service, specifically in relation to the treatment of graduates from abroad without an Irish education background; if these practices are compatible with EU equality principles; if his Department has any plans to amend current employment practices in the PAS; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1258/23]

Arts Policy

Bríd Smith

457. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if her Department has met with representatives of artists affected by proposed development plans for Merrion Square which will severely impact their ability to display and show their works on the square. [2004/23]

Housing Schemes

Bríd Smith

523. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will clarify the way accommodation standards in tenancies that are supported by HAP/RAS payments are enforced; the number of payments to landlords that have been stopped in the past two years due to the accommodation being judged as not suitable for the tenant; the number of tenants who were refused HAP/RAS support prior to commencing a tenancy due to the accommodation being judged as inadequate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63966/22]

Middle East

Bríd Smith

626. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the steps that he is taking to stop the imminent expulsion and forced transfer of over 1,000 Palestinians, including 500 children, by the Israeli Government in clear violation of international law; if will he acknowledge that the forcible transfer of such people in Occupied Territories is a war crime under international law and that the UN and international, Israeli and Palestinian human rights organisation have called this a grave violation of the Fourth Geneva Convention; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2088/23]

Schools Building Projects

Bríd Smith

731. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Education if her attention has been drawn to the fact that the tender process for the new build at a school (details supplied) has been delayed as a result of lowest bids being unable to fulfil their quotations; if her Department will speed-up the process following the acceptance of the third bid; the timeframe to move to the next phase of the process; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [63885/22]

Departmental Contracts

Bríd Smith

735. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Education the amounts paid from her Department or other bodies funded by her Department to a company (details supplied) for services in the past two years; if these contracts have any provision for extra payments based on performances and so on; the way an employee who is assessed as fit to work by the company can appeal or seek alternative opinions; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [63902/22]

Legislative Measures

Bríd Smith

981. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he has any plans to include education as a future ground for discrimination in the Employment Equality and Discrimination Act 2015; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1255/23]

Language Schools

Bríd Smith

1041. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will clarify in relation to the draft code of practice proposed for the ELE sector; if his Department or QQI will meet with private providers in advance of implementing any proposals (details supplied); if they will clarify any areas that may require explanation; and if he will clarify issues (details supplied). [1283/23]

Ambulance Service

Bríd Smith

1175. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Health if he will provide details in relation to the recruitment drive by the National Ambulance Service for qualified paramedics (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63261/22]

Departmental Inquiries

Bríd Smith

1176. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update regarding the establishment of the promised inquiry on the historical licensing and prescribing of sodium valproate; when he expects that the inquiry will be established; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63262/22]

Health Services

Bríd Smith

1177. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Health the services that are currently available to those diagnosed with foetal valproate spectrum disorder; the way that families can access these services within their communities following a diagnosis; if he will provide an update on discussions between the HSE and his Department to improve access to services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63263/22]

Departmental Expenditure

Bríd Smith

1350. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Health the amounts paid from his Department or other bodies funded by his Department to a company (details supplied) for services in the past two years; if these contracts have any provision for extra payments based on performances and so on; the way that an employee who is assessed as fit to work by the company can appeal or seek alternative opinions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63903/22]

Pesticide Use

Bríd Smith

1834. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the steps that are taken by his Department on foot of complaints or allegations around damage caused by herbicide or pesticide spraying on farms; if inspectors routinely take soil or water samples to test for the presence of chemical following such complaints; if this does not occur at present, if it would be considered in the future; the actions that are taken on foot of a specific allegation of crop and insect damage from spraying activities (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1277/23]

Rural Schemes

Bríd Smith

1896. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she intends to commit to the plans for a long-awaited community centre on the Tullow Road, Carlow; if her attention has been drawn to reports that the plans have been designed by the local authority and that a community consultation has taken place in an area that has one of the largest population densities in Carlow town and urgently requires proper amenities; if her attention has been drawn to the fact that the plans have been ready for almost a year; when the Government will commit to matching the necessary funding; when the funding will be released; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [63353/22]

Energy Infrastructure

Bríd Smith

117. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if the Government supports the siting and building of LNG facilities in this State, specifically in Shannon and Cork in cases in which such facilities specify they will not use fracked gas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62709/22]

Medicinal Products

Bríd Smith

301. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Health his views on a matter (details supplied) in relation to the prescription of a medication; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62848/22]

Nursing Education

Bríd Smith

328. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Health the progress that has been made on implementing the recommendations from the McHugh report on the conditions and allowances of student nurses and midwives; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62945/22]

Cabinet Committees

Bríd Smith

10. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee on transport will next meet. [59258/22]

Work Permits

Bríd Smith

150. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment further to Parliamentary Question No. 104 of 6 December 2022, his views on a matter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62017/22]

Cost of Living Issues

Bríd Smith

174. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the supports or arrangements that have been made to ensure that persons in rented accommodation who do not have a MRP number can get access to the electricity support grant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [61642/22]

Cost of Living Issues

Bríd Smith

176. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will engage with the Commission for Regulation of Utilities in relation to the treatment of vulnerable users and the charging of these customers for meter readings. [61668/22]

Financial Services

Bríd Smith

255. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Finance the number of complaints to the Ombudsman for Financial Services in the past three years; the number of these that were deemed ineligible for being out of date or time; if he can clarify whether complaints regarding the actions of banks and financial institutions to the Ombudsman are constrained by the date at which the incident and-or complaint arose; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62266/22]

Rental Sector

Bríd Smith

289. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his views on a matter (details supplied) in relation to the standards in rented accommodation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [61640/22]

Housing Policy

Bríd Smith

298. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will clarify the situation in relation to a couple who are named tenants in a social housing house but who become separated; if it is possible to have one named tenant removed from the tenancy agreement; if so, the way that this is done; if each local authority operates in a different manner; and if this situation is covered by national regulations or by statutory instruments. [61729/22]

Domestic Violence

Bríd Smith

299. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if clarification will be provided regarding a situation of domestic violence in cases in which a person can have their violent partner removed from the tenancy agreement with their local authority; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [61730/22]

Child and Family Agency

Bríd Smith

343. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Education if she supports the proposed restructuring of Tusla given the policy and finance remit of education welfare services sits in her Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [61674/22]

Child and Family Agency

Bríd Smith

344. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Education if she has been consulted about proposed restructuring of educational welfare services within Tusla; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [61675/22]

Child and Family Agency

Bríd Smith

345. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Education the way that her Department can ensure that the focus of educational welfare services remains on attendance, participation, retention if proposed restructuring by Tusla services goes ahead; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [61676/22]

Child and Family Agency

Bríd Smith

346. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Education the way that she will ensure that her Department's funds remain targeted on the best educational outcomes for all young people if TESS is disbanded under Tusla restructuring proposals; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [61677/22]

Disability Services

Bríd Smith

562. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Health the reason that HSE disability services have refused to fund a person (details supplied) for access to sheltered accommodation; the criteria that the disability services look for when accessing such requests; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [61797/22]

Disability Services

Bríd Smith

563. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Health if he will clarify the rights of persons to appeal or seek a review of a decision by HSE disability services to refuse to fund an application for sheltered accommodation as in the case of a person (details supplied); if an appeal is possible for such decisions; if so, the criteria used in deciding such appeals; if such decisions are reviewed prior to any appeal; if such decisions can be referred to any third party; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [61798/22]

Medical Cards

Bríd Smith

49. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact that wheelchair users with lifelong conditions often have to re-apply for entitlements such as medical cards; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56936/22]

National Car Test

Bríd Smith

203. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Transport if he can clarify a previous statement in respect of the number of vehicles tested per day by car testers at NCT sites; if previously stated numbers of seven or eight per day were correct; if testers are in fact contracted to test two cars per hour during a ten-hour day; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [61482/22]

National Car Test

Bríd Smith

204. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Transport if new employees performing inspection support personnel duties at NCT sites have the minimum qualification as required by European legislation; and if they have the qualifications as set out in the tendered document. [61483/22]

National Car Test

Bríd Smith

205. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Transport if he can detail the section within the RSA which adjudicates on qualifications; and the reason that a level 5 qualification was referenced as a suitable qualification for car testers. [61484/22]

National Car Test

Bríd Smith

206. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Transport if the contractor for the NCT (details supplied) has indemnified the RSA on behalf of the State in light of its new policy of hiring inspection support personnel. [61485/22]

National Car Test

Bríd Smith

207. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Transport if, in light of the decision to hire inspection support personnel to conduct some stages of the car test at NCT sites, the tendered agreement between the State and an organisation (details supplied) has resulted in any material change to the specifications of the tender. [61486/22]

Postal Services

Bríd Smith

272. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will provide details of any discussions or consultations that she has had with representatives of postmasters in relation to the huge workload expected by them in the coming weeks, especially in terms of paying double payments and fortnightly payments in the same week; if she will be holding meetings with any representatives to discuss other issues (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [61527/22]

Third Level Costs

Bríd Smith

289. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science further to Parliamentary Question No. 525 of 29 November 2022, if funding allocated to the student assistance fund can be used or applied for to help repeat students cover their fees and registration costs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [61520/22]

Health Services Staff

Bríd Smith

299. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Health the position regarding section 38 workers; if funding has been made available to ensure that these workers receive the pay awards agreed under the Building Momentum pay agreement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [61517/22]

Health Services Staff

Bríd Smith

331. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Health the position regarding section 38 workers; if funding has been made available to ensure these workers receive the pay awards agreed under the Building Momentum pay agreement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [61518/22]

Vaccination Programme

Bríd Smith

332. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Health if he, his Department, or representatives of the HSE have met or will meet with representatives of a group (details supplied) to discuss its concerns on vaccine-related side effects; if he can detail the safeguards and measures taken by the HSE and his Department to monitor and review the effectiveness and health impacts of the ongoing vaccine programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [61519/22]

Agriculture Schemes

Bríd Smith

374. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he can detail any meetings or discussions that he or his Department have had with persons who have resigned from the Burren programme over concerns regarding the replacement scheme and fears that it could have negative impacts on the Burren landscape; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [61512/22]

Agriculture Schemes

Bríd Smith

375. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the way that the replacement scheme for the Burren programme will impact those 300 farmers currently in the programme; and if supports available will match the amounts available under the current Burren programme. [61513/22]

Agriculture Schemes

Bríd Smith

376. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on a matter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [61514/22]

Departmental Meetings

Bríd Smith

5. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he or his officials will meet with a student (details supplied) who has started a hunger and thirst strike over concerns relating the climate crisis in order to address the issues the student has raised; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [61103/22]

Driver Test

Bríd Smith

15. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Transport further to Parliamentary Question No. 30 of 10 November 2022, if the new inspection support personnel, ISP, are employed under the same conditions as current qualified testers and within the same conditions as set by law regarding hours of employment; if the ISP are subject to Irish employment law or, alternatively, are they being paid in Spain and subject to Spanish employment law; if their level 5 qualification is in a mechanical or a related trade; if he will be implementing EU directive 2014/45/EU in full, which deals with the minimum requirements concerning the competence training and certification of inspectors; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [61326/22]