Ceisteanna Parlaiminte

School Staff

Bríd Smith

53. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Education if she intends to conduct a review in the near future of the effectiveness of her Department’s payroll system in light of reported issues from teachers regarding difficulty having changes made or mistakes rectified in salaries; the reason it is taking so long to have salary issues addressed and the difficulties for teachers trying to communicate with her Department; if she will specifically investigate the issues reported by a deputy principal (details supplied) and ensure that the problems are rectified as soon as possible; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [61114/22]

School Uniforms

Bríd Smith

60. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Education if separate funding streams are available to schools to help with the costs of providing tracksuits for pupils at primary school level; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [61272/22]

Work Permits

Bríd Smith

112. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Justice further to Parliamentary Question No. 312 of 1 December 2022, if a series of matters (details supplied) in relation to same will be clarified; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [61286/22]

Immigration Policy

Bríd Smith

45. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Justice if she will clarify the position of those workers, many of whom are presently working in sectors suffering chronic shortages of staff, who are presently in the state on a G1 graduate visa, when their visa has or is due to expire and where their job would ordinarily require the position to be advertised and filled in line with the labour market needs test; if such workers remain in their employment; if their visa can be extended; if she will examine such extensions beyond the present time limits; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [60610/22]

Inquiry into the Death of Mr. Shane O'Farrell

Bríd Smith

50. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Justice if she will clarify the outcome of her meeting with the family of a person (details supplied); if she has considered their demand for an independent public inquiry into their death; if she can report on the status of the scoping inquiry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [60611/22]

Work Permits

Bríd Smith

104. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment further to Parliamentary Question Nos. 160, 161, 163, 164 and 166 of 1 December 2022, the position of the person, who having secured full-time employment while on a G1 graduate visa, has now been informed they must fulfil the labour market needs test to secure a work permit which was not originally required when they applied for and secured the position; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [61037/22]

Third Level Costs

Bríd Smith

443. 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 there are plans to allow students who have to repeat a year apply to the student assistance fund for help to cover fees in view of their exclusion from the reduced registration fees (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60766/22]

Health Services

Bríd Smith

544. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Health if he will outline any plans to establish a community neuro-rehabilitation team in CHO7; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that only 15% of persons have access to community neuro-rehabilitation teams and that despite the promise of a team for each CHO area, only two have been delivered; if his attention has been further drawn to the fact that these teams reduce the average length of stay in hospital, which could result in saving over 42,000 bed days each year; when CHO7 will have a team in place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60301/22]

Housing Policy

Bríd Smith

37. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if changes to income limits for social housing will be backdated; if anyone removed from the list in that period will have their years on the list restored; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59785/22]

Housing Policy

Bríd Smith

87. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will issue a circular to all local authorities to ensure that they will buy homes if tenants are in receipt of notices to quit where the tenants would be eligible for social housing or cost-rental housing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59786/22]

Further and Higher Education

Bríd Smith

103. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will examine the position of students who must repeat a year of their degree course; if he will ensure that they receive supports available to others such as the reduction in registration fees previously announced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59784/22]

Work Permits

Bríd Smith

160. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will examine the case of a teacher (details supplied) who teaches an autism class in a school which has four other unfilled teaching posts due to a teacher shortage in which the person faces losing their position due to a refusal to issue a work permit to them; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59914/22]

Work Permits

Bríd Smith

161. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if non-EU applicants can apply for positions advertised on a website (details supplied); if she plans to change current work permit legislation in relation to teaching positions given the current crisis in filling positions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59915/22]

Work Permits

Bríd Smith

163. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if the case of a person (details supplied) who has been refused a work permit to continue working as an SNA will be examined; if any exceptional circumstances or discretion can be applied by his Department to allow this person to continue working in the school given the crisis in attracting and retaining staff in this sector and the difficulties faced by the school in replacing this person; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59910/22]

Work Permits

Bríd Smith

164. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if teaching jobs advertised for teaching staff on a website (details supplied) which receive applications from persons from non-EU states residing in Ireland must also be advertised on another website to comply with current work permit regulations relating to positions not deemed critical skills; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59911/22]

Work Permits

Bríd Smith

165. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he intends to revise current regulation and legislation regarding work permits and categories of critical skills in relation to teaching staff in primary and post primary schools; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59912/22]

Work Permits

Bríd Smith

166. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if his Department has any flexibility in relation to the issuing of temporary work permits for jobs not deemed critical skills jobs in cases in which an applicant (details supplied) has commenced work in a position and where their removal from that position will result in extreme hardship to vulnerable people reliant on their continued employment in that position; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59913/22]

Employment Rights

Bríd Smith

167. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he can detail any steps taken by his Department to date to ensure the ERO for the security sector is enforced and implemented; the advice he has received in relation to the current injunction in implementing this ERO; if he can detail any meetings he or his Department have had with interested stakeholders; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59917/22]

Housing Schemes

Bríd Smith

215. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the funding that is available from his Department to help local authorities deal with outstanding issues of mould and damp in council flats; if retrofitting funding related to climate action can be provided in such circumstances, for example to help with costs of new windows in blocks; if not, if other sources of funding are available to local authorities to deal with these issues; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60041/22]

Social Welfare Payments

Bríd Smith

267. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Social Protection if a person who qualifies for the fuel allowance will lose their entitlement to the allowance if they rent a room to a person who is not in receipt of any qualifying payment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [59928/22]

Social Welfare Payments

Bríd Smith

268. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Social Protection if a person who is in receipt of the fuel allowance will lose the allowance if they rent a room and provide care to a person who is not in receipt of any qualifying social welfare payment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [59929/22]

Private Security Authority

Bríd Smith

312. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Justice if she can clarify if the PSA must take account of EROs approved by the Houses of the Oireachtas in its regulating of private security firms; the penalties there are for noncompliance by private security firms of such regulation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [59916/22]

Student Visas

Bríd Smith

320. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Justice if she will clarify the position of a person on a graduate visa 1G; if any restrictions are placed on such a visa holder when applying for jobs in the State; if they can seek an extension of the visa; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [60007/22]

Home Help Service

Bríd Smith

334. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Health if a person who is in need of a carer to assist them in their home but who is unable to source any carer and lives in an island setting has any entitlement to additional supports from her Department in terms of accessing home help and so on; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59930/22]

National Risk Assessment

Bríd Smith

18. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Taoiseach the status of the national risk assessment. [59250/22]

Cabinet Committees

Bríd Smith

28. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee on health will next meet. [59251/22]

Disabilities Assessments

Bríd Smith

171. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Health if he will investigate the significant delay in providing a necessary assessment of needs and psychology appointment for a child (details supplied); when they will be seen; the steps he is taking to clear the substantial waiting lists for these services; if his attention has been drawn to the impact this is having on children with additional needs and their families; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59599/22]

Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements

Bríd Smith

4. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Taoiseach if he will report on his recent attendance at the COP27 Climate Change Conference. [57479/22]

Irish Sign Language

Bríd Smith

106. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Social Protection when the voucher scheme for users of Irish sign language to access free ISL and English interpreting for social, educational and cultural events and services including medical and other activities and the remote interpreting on demand service, will be permanently established; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [56934/22]

Housing Schemes

Bríd Smith

283. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage Housing his views on a matter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59344/22]

School Staff

Bríd Smith

369. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Education if the correct pay scale will be applied to the salary of a teacher (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [59325/22]

Childcare Services

Bríd Smith

487. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will consider extending the closing date for the building block improvement grant scheduled for Friday 25 November 2022 (details supplied); if he will acknowledge this difficulty and grant an extension for submission of required paperwork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58769/22]

Childcare Services

Bríd Smith

512. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he has plans to review the operations and workings of the core funding model and ECCE funding to childcare providers, especially in relation to the current cost-of-living crisis impact on smaller and local community providers, specifically if he has considered any increases or additional supports in funding to small providers who may be struggling to stay in business in the current climate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59361/22]

Childcare Services

Bríd Smith

513. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will re-examine the position of providers who have not signed up to the core funding model in view of the current cost-of-living crisis and the difficulties faced by small providers of childcare services, and specifically the possibility or revisiting the issues around higher capitation and the PSP for those services not currently engaged in the core funding model; if his Department has met or will meet with representatives of small providers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59362/22]

Education Costs

Bríd Smith

525. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the reason that students who have to repeat a year during their degree course will not be able to avail of the reduced registration fees when doing so; the rationale for discriminating against repeat students like this who already face the added expenses involved in having to repeat such years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58752/22]

Departmental Offices

Bríd Smith

10. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Taoiseach if a climate action unit has been established in his Department. [54846/22]

Housing Policy

Bríd Smith

308. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his views on the violation of the right to adequate housing (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57950/22]

Irish Sign Language

Bríd Smith

483. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if clarification will be provided in relation to a statement (details supplied) regarding the delay in publishing the first report on the operation of the Irish Sign Language Act 2017; the legal matter that is holding up the publication of the report; if his attention has been drawn to reports that members of the deaf community believe that the report on the operation of the Act would help to identify and tackle issues in relation to same (details supplied); when the report will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57432/22]

Health Services

Bríd Smith

641. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Health if he will investigate the reason that an aspect of an agreed programme of care and rehabilitation for a person (details supplied) with a brain injury has been withdrawn thereby compromising their best chances of a full recovery; if efforts will be made to ensure that this phase of their rehabilitation will be reinstated; when the next phase will take place; when they can expect to progress from that particular phase to the National Rehabilitation Hospital for the final part of their care and treatment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57614/22]

International Protection

Bríd Smith

85. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if his attention has been drawn to the Irish Refugee Council Report titled "Accommodation Crisis 2022: Response and Recommendations" published in October 2022, that states that the Irish protection system is in crisis, that there has been a serious and unprecedented breakdown in Ireland's reception system and that a whole-of-Government response is required; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56938/22]

Exploration Industry

Bríd Smith

134. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the details of the issuance of an extended exploration licence to a company (details supplied); if this decision was subject to an analysis of the climate impacts of the potential extraction of fossil fuel in the field; if any analysis was carried out on the impact on Ireland’s climate targets and commitments under the Paris treaty; if he was given any legal advice that he was obliged to issue this licence; if any consideration was given to rejecting the application under the current terms and conditions of that licence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57152/22]

Energy Policy

Bríd Smith

61. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications further to Parliamentary Question Nos. 152 and 154 of 1 March 2022, when the SEAI will provide the information requested; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56816/22]

Energy Policy

Bríd Smith

62. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he or the SEAI have any plans to review the rules in relation to access to energy efficiency grants and schemes for persons in homes who may have received some supports previously but who are now looking to upgrade or improve their homes energy efficiency; if the SEAI will examine the way that currently the only avenue open to persons whose homes may have had any form of SEAI support previously is to use a system (details supplied) which may involve expenditure beyond the scope of many persons; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56839/22]

Hospital Staff

Bríd Smith

189. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Health if he will outline the reason that a reconstructive skin removal surgeon has not yet been appointed as part of obesity care; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that there are huge issues associated with significant weight loss resulting in excess skin which causes many issues, including physical, psychological and emotional difficulties and weight regain; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56928/22]

International Bodies

Bríd Smith

311. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the way in which Ireland plans to engage with the IMF on its policy of austerity, with particular concern for the way that this policy is impacting on the public sector wage bills, education, especially girls' education and development outcomes in lower-income countries benefitting from Ireland's foreign aid; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56669/22]

Hospital Appointments Status

Bríd Smith

589. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Health the reason that a scheduled procedure for a person (details supplied) was cancelled at short notice; if his attention has been drawn to impact that this has had on the person's physical and mental health; when the person will receive the necessary procedure; if he will provide the details of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56665/22]

Bus Services

Bríd Smith

13. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Transport if he intends to intervene directly with bus transport companies in relation to the current crisis in driver shortages and recruitment; the way in which the BusConnects programme can be implemented in Dublin, given the failure to retain and recruit sufficient drivers needed for the expansion; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55704/22]

Transport Policy

Bríd Smith

17. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Transport if he has examined a recent report (details supplied) on transport by the Climate Change Advisory Council and the OECD; his views on whether it confirms the failure of a policy based on private car usage in the State; if he will re-examine the current policy of trying to replace petrol and diesel cars with 1 million electric vehicles, EVs, given this still leaves a transport system that is dependent on the private car being intact; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55706/22]

National Car Test

Bríd Smith

30. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Transport if his attention has been drawn to a policy change by the company operating the NCT service, which sees unqualified staff conducting vehicle tests; if his Department has any concerns over the safety issues of using unqualified staff in such circumstances; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55703/22]

Bus Services

Bríd Smith

31. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Transport if his attention has been drawn to recent fare increases affecting Bus Éireann services in Sligo, specifically routes Nos. 23 and 64, and single journey fares; why such increases are permitted in light of the current policy of a 20% fare reduction across public transport; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55705/22]

Public Service Obligation

Bríd Smith

42. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Transport if he will outline the process used in the awarding of a PSO route to a private transport firm (details supplied); if this route was tendered out in the normal fashion by the National Transport Authority; if not, the reason tendering was not undertaken; if any other company such as Bus Éireann was approached to operate this route; the duration of the current contract with the private transport firm; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55707/22]

Business Supports

Bríd Smith

121. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Finance if he will clarify if firms who have returned a profit for the financial year ahead and that have applied for and received the temporary business energy support scheme, TBESS, will be required to return any amounts received from the State; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55863/22]

Business Supports

Bríd Smith

150. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Finance if a full list of all companies applying for and receiving the temporary business energy support scheme will be published; when such information will be available; if the amounts claimed for each company will also be publicly available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55864/22]

Employment Rights

Bríd Smith

171. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the actions his Department has taken, or intends to take, in relation to the ERO for security workers and the legal action currently impeding its implementation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56072/22]

Employment Rights

Bríd Smith

172. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he or his officials have met or intend to meet with representatives of an organisation (details supplied) or other firms involved in the current legal action impeding the implementation of a security sector ERO; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56073/22]

Greyhound Industry

Bríd Smith

329. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of individual greyhound owners and trainers who have been the subject of exclusion orders and banning orders since testing for prohibited substances commenced at Rásaíocht Con Éireann’s laboratory in Limerick; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56010/22]

Greyhound Industry

Bríd Smith

330. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of exclusion orders and banning orders issued by Rásaíocht Con Éireann currently in place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56011/22]

Greyhound Industry

Bríd Smith

331. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the processes Rásaíocht Con Éireann has in place to ensure exclusion and-or banning orders are fully implemented and that those individuals who are the subject of same are prevented from attending greyhound tracks and-or racing dogs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56012/22]

Greyhound Industry

Bríd Smith

332. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of positive tests that have been recorded since Rásaíocht Con Éireann started testing for prohibited substances at its laboratory in Limerick; if he will provide a breakdown of the categories for all positive tests; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56013/22]

Greyhound Industry

Bríd Smith

333. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the frequency with which Rásaíocht Con Éireann’s control committee has met, either in-person or remotely, for each of the years 2015 to 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56014/22]

An Garda Síochána

Bríd Smith

15. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Transport if he will clarify the circumstances of a specific night flight at Dublin Airport which took place on 29-30 October 2022 (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55708/22]

Human Rights

Bríd Smith

7. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will be attending the COP27 conference in Egypt; if his attention has been drawn to the grave human rights abuses of environmentalists and climate campaigners by the Egyptian state; if he will meet with representatives of human rights organisations while there; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55315/22]

Wind Energy Generation

Bríd Smith

15. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he has examined a recent report on offshore wind energy (details supplied); if recent withdrawals by named corporations from projects confirm the necessity of direct state involvement in offshore wind development; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55318/22]

Energy Conservation

Bríd Smith

17. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the actions that his Department has taken to ensure that SEAI schemes will not see homeowners forced to pay upfront the full costs of energy efficiency work undertaken by contractors from 1 January 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55317/22]

Energy Infrastructure

Bríd Smith

41. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if his Department has had any communication with the Port of Cork authorities in relation to their support for an LNG facility; if the authority is bound by Government policy in relation to the development of LNGs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55314/22]

Climate Change Policy

Bríd Smith

65. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he has examined the recent UN report which found that globally, the world is nowhere near reaching targets of limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees' Celsius, and is on course for warming of over 2 degrees' Celsius; his views on whether global failure is mirrored by Ireland’s ongoing failure to limit and reduce emissions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55316/22]

Energy Prices

Bríd Smith

135. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the measures that his Department has taken to ensure that the €200 electricity credit is received by groups who do not have an MPRN number, including persons on Traveller halting sites; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55319/22]

Post Office Network

Bríd Smith

143. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if his Department is reconsidering allowing post offices to become community banks, permitting them to provide all financial services and facilities that banks currently do but with increased advantages and value for communities and ensuring the survival of these important service providers into the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55462/22]

Bus Services

Bríd Smith

233. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Transport if his attention has been drawn to the failure to provide services on the new BusConnects 60 route in Ballyfermot; the measures that he intends to take to ensure that persons in this area of Ballyfermot have a functioning public transport system, given that the BusConnects programme removed the old 79 route for a planned hourly frequency of a new 60 route; if he will intervene directly with the National Transport Authority and Dublin Bus to ensure that a functioning and reliable service is provided, given the importance of encouraging persons to move to bus transport; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55450/22]

Post Office Network

Bríd Smith

296. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Finance if his Department is reconsidering allowing post offices to become community banks, permitting them to provide all financial services and facilities that banks currently do but with increased advantages and value for communities and ensuring the survival of these important service providers into the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55463/22]

Defective Building Materials

Bríd Smith

370. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the steps that owners of defective apartments in Dublin south central should take given that they have each recently received a bill for €8,500 to be paid within 30 days as the first payment for remedial work on their apartment complex; if he will acknowledge that this is an unacceptable financial imposition on these homeowners, which will cause untold distress, with many unable to pay during a cost-of-living crisis; if he will clearly outline the steps that they should take under these circumstances; if he will confirm when there will be a redress scheme in place for those affected; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54462/22]

Defective Building Materials

Bríd Smith

415. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if his attention has been drawn to reports that many owners of defective apartments are facing immediate demands for substantial payments from management companies for remedial work, and in one case in Dublin, face the loss of basement car park spaces as a result of the enforcement of safety notices; when the residents of such apartments can expect State aid; if he has any plans to provide emergency funding to such residents before Christmas 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55306/22]

Special Educational Needs

Bríd Smith

609. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Education her views on matters raised in correspondence (details supplied) in relation to recent instructions to teachers and principals to conduct assessments of educational needs on behalf of the HSE under the AON process; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [55322/22]

Departmental Reviews

Bríd Smith

697. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Social Protection when she will publish the child maintenance review group report; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [55119/22]

Departmental Reviews

Bríd Smith

698. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Social Protection if her Department has any plans to act upon the recommendations and findings, when published, of the child maintenance review group report; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [55120/22]

Social Welfare Benefits

Bríd Smith

714. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Social Protection if the bonus payment for one-parent families will represent the full amount of the payment; if any maintenance payments usually made to the parent will be deducted from the bonus; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [55307/22]

Family Reunification

Bríd Smith

870. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Justice the number of family reunification applications under the terms of the International Protection Act received by her Department in the past 12 months by month received in tabular form; if she will provide the number of decisions issued per month on family reunification for the same period; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [54984/22]

Immigration Policy

Bríd Smith

895. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Justice if her attention has been drawn to reports that there are persons who have lived for many years in Ireland who feel unfairly omitted from the recent regularisation scheme for undocumented persons; if she will acknowledge that there are those who have been living in Ireland for four years when their time in the asylum process and living as an undocumented person is added together, yet they were unable to apply for either strand of the scheme; if she will provide advice and hope to those in this position who are desperate to become regularised; if she will outline any plans to include such persons in another scheme or opportunity, in order that they do not get left behind; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [55540/22]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Bríd Smith

1165. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Health his views on a matter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55176/22]

Healthcare Policy

Bríd Smith

1168. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Health the plans to limit home births to women who live within 30 minutes of a maternity hospital; if his attention has been drawn to reports that this would restrict birthing options for women and families in rural areas and that this also runs contrary to the national maternity strategy’s priority to ensure that “women have access to safe, high quality, nationally consistent, women-centred maternity care”; if he acknowledges that the HSE recommendation to limit home births was developed with no input from midwives, clinicians or women’s health advocates; if he will listen to the calls of an organisation (details supplied) for a reconsideration of this policy by engaging with all stakeholders; and if he will increase investment in maternity services, especially midwife-led services in rural areas and throughout the country generally. [55215/22]

Emergency Services

Bríd Smith

152. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of times that the ECAS call system has been down in the past five years and when did these happen; and for how long for each occasion. [53986/22]

Legislative Reviews

Bríd Smith

291. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 334 of 20 October 2022, if he will confirm that a person (details supplied) is carrying-out the second phase of the termination of pregnancy legislation review; if he will speak directly to the initial phase which included a report submitted by a UK university on service providers’ experiences of the implementation of legislation; if he will clarify whether this report from the university will be made available to the public; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53985/22]

Northern Ireland

Bríd Smith

7. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Taoiseach if he will report on the shared island dialogue All-Island Women's Forum civic initiative. [53233/22]

Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements

Bríd Smith

5. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Taoiseach if he will report on his recent attendance at the UN General Assembly. [51717/22]

Departmental Strategies

Bríd Smith

10. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Taoiseach if he will report on the well-being framework for Ireland overseen by his Department. [51716/22]

Departmental Offices

Bríd Smith

20. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Taoiseach if he will report on the international unit of his Department. [51718/22]

Energy Prices

Bríd Smith

174. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the average annual cost of electricity and gas charged to households since 1990 to date; and the way that the cost relates to the average annual EU prices for same in tabular form. [52753/22]

Energy Prices

Bríd Smith

175. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if his Department has undertaken any research into the effects of the liberalisation on energy prices; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52754/22]

Energy Prices

Bríd Smith

176. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications when the Commission for Regulation of Utilities ceased to have any role in setting prices for household gas and household electricity prices; his views on whether this move was good policy; if he plans to introduce such a role for the Commission in the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52755/22]

Sports Events

Bríd Smith

283. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if there are plans to host a reception for the Irish women’s football team following their success in getting to the World Cup finals; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52944/22]

Marine Environment

Bríd Smith

317. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will provide an update on Ireland’s marine protected areas [53276/22]

Foreign Policy

Bríd Smith

343. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs his views on a recent speech by a person (details supplied) in which they compared Europe to a garden and the world to a jungle; his views on whether these comments were inappropriate and insensitive; his plans to call for a retraction of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52941/22]

Ukraine War

Bríd Smith

499. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if his attention has been drawn to a situation in a centre for Ukrainian refugees in Cork (details supplied), in which parents and their children have reported being very cold and requests to turn on the heating have been met with threats of eviction and foul language; the policy regarding heating in publicly-funded centres as winter approaches; if he will take steps to address this matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52895/22]

Ukraine War

Bríd Smith

504. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will investigate allegations of unacceptable behaviour by management of a hostel for Ukrainian refugees (details supplied) in County Cork; if he will outline the person or body that is responsible for and the way oversight of these centres is being carried out and maintained; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53011/22]

Health Services Staff

Bríd Smith

603. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Health the number of qualified educational psychologists currently working within primary care services; the number of qualified educational psychologists currently working within children and adolescent mental health services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52899/22]

Trade Agreements

Bríd Smith

767. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide an update on the UK-Australia beef trade deal and the effect that it will have on Ireland [53275/22]

Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Bríd Smith

768. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide an update on the way that Ireland’s agriculture sector will reach it’s emissions reductions goals [53277/22]

Domestic Violence

Bríd Smith

20. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Justice the progress to date in achieving the Istanbul Convention targets for refuge spaces for domestic violence victims; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52422/22]

Inquiry into the Death of Mr. Shane O'Farrell

Bríd Smith

55. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Justice the progress to date into any developments on an independent inquiry into the death of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52421/22]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Bríd Smith

122. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Health when staff in private nursing homes will receive the pandemic bonus payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52419/22]