Ceisteanna Parlaiminte

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]

Hospital Facilities

Bríd Smith

133. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Health if the winter plans will result in any permanent increase in acute hospital bed numbers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52420/22]

Employment Support Services

Bríd Smith

275. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will clarify the position of the local employment services in Clondalkin and Tallaght, specifically the reason that 39 staff have been made redundant; if this is a direct consequence of her Department tendering out of services in local employment; the local employment services that are currently available to unemployed people in this area; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52619/22]

Probation and Welfare Service

Bríd Smith

301. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Justice if a series of matters in relation to an organisation (details supplied) will be clarified; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52561/22]

Legislative Reviews

Bríd Smith

334. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Health if the independent evaluation carried out by a university (details supplied) as part of the termination of pregnancy legislation review will be made publicly available; and when this will occur; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52564/22]

National Educational Psychological Service

Bríd Smith

99. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Education if her Department or the high-level working group, chaired by the Secretary General to examine the way in which the National Educational Psychological Services can best continue to recruit adequate numbers of suitably qualified staff, intend to meet or consult with an organisation (details supplied), to inform their interim recommendations in Q2 of 2023 regarding any other short-term measures required in advance of their final report to address supply issues of suitably qualified educational psychologists; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52368/22]

National Educational Psychological Service

Bríd Smith

118. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Education if her Department or the high-level working group, chaired by the Secretary General to examine the way in which the National Educational Psychological Services can best continue to recruit adequate numbers of suitably qualified staff, intend to meet or consult with an organisation (details supplied), to inform their interim recommendations in Q2 of 2023 regarding any other short-term measures required in advance of their final report to address supply issues of suitably qualified educational psychologists; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52369/22]

National Educational Psychological Service

Bríd Smith

119. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Education the number of educational psychologists who are currently employed by the Health Service Executive; if the HSE intends not to employ educational psychologists in primary care and CAMHS services moving forward, given that trainee educational psychologists were excluded from the new funding provided for professional psychology training introduced in Budget 2023; her plans, if any, to ensure the recruitment and retainment of suitably qualified educational psychologists; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52372/22]

Mental Health Policy

Bríd Smith

264. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Health the number of educational psychologists who are currently employed by the Health Service Executive; if the HSE intends not to employ educational psychologists in primary care and CAMHS services moving forward, given that trainee educational psychologists were excluded from the new funding provided for professional psychology training introduced in Budget 2023; his plans, if any, to ensure the recruitment and retainment of suitably qualified educational psychologists; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52370/22]

Energy Conservation

Bríd Smith

204. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications in relation to Question 131 of October 6 2022, if he will provide the actual timeframe for work being completed / commenced and the number of applicants awaiting the work to be done, as distinct from the approval time for any work (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51573/22]

Banking Sector

Bríd Smith

281. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Finance if his attention has been drawn to the €1,000 cost-of-living payment being made by two banks (details supplied) to their staff; if he will make inquiries as to the reason that staff of other banks are not being included in such a payment scheme; if he will encourage these financial institutions to follow suit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51464/22]

Social Welfare Payments

Bríd Smith

534. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Social Protection further to Parliamentary Question No. 491 of 11 October 2022, if those in receipt of illness benefit will not be receiving the autumn bonus; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [51949/22]

International Protection

Bríd Smith

565. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will intervene in the case of a number of Ukrainian refugees who are currently accommodated in Killarney attending a college (details supplied) and are completing courses for progression to third level, who have received two days’ notice that they will be moved to another hotel in County Mayo; the rationale for this repeated upheaval of Ukrainian refugees; if the uprooting of this particular group of students will be reconsidered; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51536/22]

Health Services Staff

Bríd Smith

719. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 391 of 6 October 2022, the reason that the Government is funding one cohort of trainees but not another, even though both are eligible for the same posts in child disability and psychology services post-qualification; the rationale behind this decision; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51327/22]

Budget 2023

Bríd Smith

43. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Social Protection if applicants for the fuel allowance under the new threshold guidelines announced in Budget 2023, who will now qualify for the payment from 1 January 2023, will receive the additional grant support of €400 announced for fuel allowance recipients; if not, the additional supports which she intends to provide for such vulnerable persons in the coming months; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50627/22]

Community Employment Schemes

Bríd Smith

75. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Social Protection if the current tendering out of a service (details supplied) will be subject to any review or oversight by her Department in terms of its effects on the unemployed and their access to services, or the effects in terms of those employed in providing these services; if the process has resulted in any deterioration in terms of pay and conditions of staff affected, as well as the quality of services provided; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50628/22]

Disability Services

Bríd Smith

95. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the reason that the Government has not ratified the optional protocol to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities which would provide a mechanism for people to challenge when their rights are not being upheld; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51023/22]

Mother and Baby Homes Inquiries

Bríd Smith

109. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if his attention has been drawn to the widespread anger at his recent decision not to engage an international legal expert to review testimonies given to the Commission of Investigation into Mother and Baby Homes and Certain Related Matters; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50631/22]

Irish Sign Language

Bríd Smith

165. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth when he will publish the final report by the National Disability Authority on the operation of the Irish Sign Language Act 2017 that was provided to the Minister in July 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50632/22]

Employment Rights

Bríd Smith

174. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will clarify his Department's response to the current impediments placed on the ERO for security workers; if he intends to take action on the issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50801/22]

Departmental Schemes

Bríd Smith

211. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Finance if the names of the companies that access the temporary business energy support scheme will be published by his Department; the timeframe for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50800/22]

Energy Policy

Bríd Smith

286. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Social Protection the date that the social welfare double payment will be distributed; when the €500 payment for persons with a disability will be made; when the first €200 electricity credit will be applied to bill payers' accounts; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50804/22]

Early Childhood Care and Education

Bríd Smith

328. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if the increase in the childcare subsidy for parents from €0.50 to €1.40 per hour will affect those currently on means tested childcare supports or just those on the universal scheme who do not receive means testing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51015/22]

Departmental Funding

Bríd Smith

58. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media further to Parliamentary Question No. 138 of 5 October 2022, if funding from her Department to the National Aquatic Centre was used for services provided by an organisation (details supplied); if so, if she will provide the details; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50461/22]

Commissions of Investigation

Bríd Smith

1. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Taoiseach his views on the report on the transaction in relation to a company (details supplied) and the principles and policies within a corporation on interest rates published by his Department. [44838/22]

Cabinet Committees

Bríd Smith

6. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee on environment and climate change will next meet. [44839/22]

Education Policy

Bríd Smith

66. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Education if she will consider funding trainee educational and child psychologists in the same way that their trainee counselling psychologist colleagues are; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49973/22]

National Educational Psychological Service

Bríd Smith

143. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Education the number of educational and child psychologists currently working in NEPS; the number of vacancies for positions in the organisation; if consideration has been given by her Department to funding trainee educational and child psychologists during their unpaid placements in order to ensure these positions are filled and the required number of graduates are attained; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49972/22]

Education Welfare Service

Bríd Smith

415. 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. [49891/22]

Education Welfare Service

Bríd Smith

416. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Education if she supports the proposed restructuring of Tusla given that the policy and finance remit of education welfare services sits in her Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49892/22]

Social Welfare Benefits

Bríd Smith

479. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Social Protection if those pensioners who may qualify for the fuel allowance under the new threshold limits will be automatically granted the payment; if not, if they must apply; if so, if they must apply in advance of 1 January 2022; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49488/22]

Social Welfare Benefits

Bríd Smith

480. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Social Protection if the additional €400 one off payment for recipients of the fuel allowance that will be paid in 2022 will be made available to those who will be granted the allowance in January 2023 under the new threshold limits given the cost-of-energy-crisis; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49489/22]

Social Welfare Benefits

Bríd Smith

491. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Social Protection the categories of welfare payment recipients (details supplied) that will receive the November 2022 cost-of-living double payment. [49582/22]

Domestic, Sexual and Gender-based Violence

Bríd Smith

588. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Justice if she will provide an update on the provision of a women's refuge centre in Carlow; the immediate supports that will be provided to women seeking refuge in Carlow given the latest report released by An Garda Síochána, which showed that half of all murders in Ireland in 2021 were linked to domestic violence; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49608/22]

Human Rights

Bríd Smith

56. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will request a meeting with Iranian representatives to express Ireland's outrage at the treatment and killing of protesters especially the many young women who have been killed in recent weeks; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49079/22]

Foreign Policy

Bríd Smith

59. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if recent statements and actions by the Government have resulted in a diminution of Ireland's policy of neutrality; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49080/22]

Energy Conservation

Bríd Smith

129. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of homes that have had energy efficiency work completed since 2015 by scheme (details supplied); and the projected and planned totals for the coming years to 2030, in tabular form. [49199/22]

Energy Conservation

Bríd Smith

130. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if new rules criteria are being applied for part-funded schemes operated by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland for home-energy efficiency grants, namely that recipients must have a pre-and post-work BER rating, that applicants must pay the full costs of any work up-front prior to the SEAI subsequently dispensing funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49200/22]

Energy Conservation

Bríd Smith

131. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of applicants who are currently awaiting approval for work for each of the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland home-energy grants schemes; including one-stop-shop services, part-funded schemes and fully-funded schemes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49201/22]

DNA Database

Bríd Smith

291. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth when the database in relation to the mother and baby homes that will hold samples of family members’ DNA will be established; when the gathering of the necessary DNA of extended family members will commence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49208/22]

Departmental Schemes

Bríd Smith

306. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the actions that he plans to take, to provide those who were subjected to differential treatment in childcare institutions with effective remedies, through the mother and baby institutions payment scheme, in particular to provide redress for the harms caused due to racial discrimination and systemic racism; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49335/22]

Mental Health Services

Bríd Smith

391. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Health the position in relation to educational and child psychologists; the reason that this group is treated differently from clinical psychologists in terms of funding and supports during their placements; if he plans to ensure that funding is allocated to this group; the number of vacant posts; the projected number of positions that will be filled in the coming years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49354/22]

Cabinet Committees

Bríd Smith

24. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet Committee on Environment and Climate Change will next meet. [44839/22]

Departmental Contracts

Bríd Smith

46. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Taoiseach the details of any contracts or services procured by his Department with top security, including any that are subcontracted to top security; the value of such contracts since 2015 to date [49006/22]

Departmental Contracts

Bríd Smith

49. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the details of any contracts or services procured by his Department with top security, including any that are subcontracted to top security; the value of such contracts since 2015 to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48995/22]

Departmental Contracts

Bríd Smith

70. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the details of any contracts or services procured by his Department with top security, including any that are subcontracted to top security; the value of such contracts since 2015 to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48996/22]

Departmental Contracts

Bríd Smith

98. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Transport the details of any contracts or services procured by his Department with top security, including any that are subcontracted to top security; the value of such contracts since 2015 to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49008/22]

Departmental Contracts

Bríd Smith

112. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Finance the details of any contracts or services procured by his Department with top security, including any that are subcontracted to top security; the value of such contracts since 2015 to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48997/22]

Departmental Contracts

Bríd Smith

132. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the details of any contracts or services procured by his Department with top security, including any that are subcontracted to top security; the value of such contracts since 2015 to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49003/22]

Departmental Contracts

Bríd Smith

138. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the details of any contracts or services procured by her Department with top security, including any that are subcontracted to top security; the value of such contracts since 2015 to date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49007/22]

Housing Policy

Bríd Smith

145. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the total family income permissible to remain in receipt of supports and on local authority waiting lists; the position when a child reaches 18 years of age and begins working; if this additional family income could place the family outside of State supports and access to waiting lists; if there are any exemptions in relation to fixed income limits in such cases; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48800/22]

Departmental Contracts

Bríd Smith

152. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the details of any contracts or services procured by his Department with top security, including any that are subcontracted to top security; the value of such contracts since 2015 to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49001/22]

Departmental Contracts

Bríd Smith

172. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the details of any contracts or services procured by his Department with top security, including any that are subcontracted to top security; the value of such contracts since 2015 to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48999/22]

Departmental Contracts

Bríd Smith

176. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Defence the details of any contracts or services procured by his Department with top security, including any that are subcontracted to top security; the value of such contracts since 2015 to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48991/22]

Departmental Contracts

Bríd Smith

198. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Education the details of any contracts or services procured by her Department with top security, including any that are subcontracted to top security; the value of such contracts since 2015 to date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48992/22]

Departmental Contracts

Bríd Smith

247. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Social Protection the details of any contracts or services procured by her Department with top security, including any that are subcontracted to top security; the value of such contracts since 2015 to date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49005/22]

Departmental Contracts

Bríd Smith

264. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the details of any contracts or services procured by his Department with top security, including any that are subcontracted to top security; the value of such contracts since 2015 to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48990/22]

Departmental Contracts

Bríd Smith

273. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the details of any contracts or services procured by his Department with top security, including any that are subcontracted to top security; the value of such contracts since 2015 to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48998/22]

Departmental Contracts

Bríd Smith

285. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Justice the details of any contracts or services procured by her Department with top security, including any that are subcontracted to top security; the value of such contracts since 2015 to date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49002/22]

Departmental Contracts

Bríd Smith

349. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Health the details of any contracts or services procured by his Department with top security, including any that are subcontracted to top security; the value of such contracts since 2015 to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49000/22]

Departmental Contracts

Bríd Smith

372. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the details of any contracts or services procured by his Department with top security, including any that are subcontracted to top security; the value of such contracts since 2015 to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48987/22]

Departmental Contracts

Bríd Smith

382. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the details of any contracts or services procured by her Department with top security, including any that are subcontracted to top security; the value of such contracts since 2015 to date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49004/22]

Special Educational Needs

Bríd Smith

394. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Education the details of plans to establish an ASD class in schools (details supplied) in Dublin 12; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48355/22]

Capital Expenditure Programme

Bríd Smith

395. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Education the capital expenditure that has been incurred for the building, equipment and furnishing of post-primary schools in areas (details supplied); the expenditure for the acquisition of sites; the expenditure that has been incurred for the transportation to school of students attending schools in temporary locations during such building; the number of new and additional post-primary school places created; and the number new post-primary schools completed, respectively by county in each of the years 2011 to 2021 and to date in 2022, in tabular form.; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48388/22]

Social Welfare Eligibility

Bríd Smith

445. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Social Protection if those on job initiative schemes are now eligible for the fuel allowance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48480/22]

Citizenship Applications

Bríd Smith

525. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Justice if a master's degree obtained in 2015 after which a stamp 2 graduate visa from 2015 to 2016 was issued can be included as reckonable in a citizenship application given that Stamp 1G is now reckonable, while acknowledging that Stamp 1G did not exist in the period mentioned; her views on whether it would exclude the aforementioned cohort if their particular visas were not permitted to be included as reckonable; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47871/22]

Public Sector Pensions

Bríd Smith

84. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of former employees of the Department of Posts and Telegraphs prior to its separation into An Post and Telecom Éireann who can check if their pension contributions yield any pension benefits; if they can recover pension contributions from their years at the State body; and the agency and body responsible for the administration of such funds and queries. [47781/22]

Artists' Remuneration

Bríd Smith

138. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she will clarify her plans in relation to the current basic income for arts scheme; if applicants who were unsuccessful for the current scheme can reapply in the coming year; if any possible anomalies in the lottery system will be removed; if any assessment of artists' current income and circumstances such as risk of poverty will be taken into account concerning future plans for the scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47782/22]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Bríd Smith

239. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the lack of specialist, multidisciplinary treatment and care for children with long-Covid; the reason there are currently no long-Covid clinics for children in Ireland, given those affected are being treated by general paediatricians and general practitioners without the necessary level of expertise to manage this debilitating illness; if there are plans to assemble multidisciplinary teams, including physicians, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, psychologists, dieticians et cetera within dedicated long-Covid clinics; if so, when these will be in place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47666/22]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Bríd Smith

264. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact many private nursing home staff are experiencing substantial financial difficulty as a result of the cost-of-living crisis and are relying on the pandemic payment of €1,000 to help them in the coming months; if he will give a definitive date for when they will receive the payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47808/22]

Public Transport

Bríd Smith

108. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Transport if he will provide a breakdown of staff requirements in terms of driver numbers in each of three companies (details supplied) in order for them to fulfil their scheduled pubic transport services, in tabular form; the current actual diver numbers in each company; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47394/22]

Public Transport

Bríd Smith

109. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Transport if a transport provider (details supplied) is still operating Saturday schedules on Monday-to-Friday services on some routes; the reason this is the case; when this will revert to full service; if he will request the National Transport Authority to provide figures for the total number of cancelled scheduled departures by the provider across all of its services from January 2022 to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47395/22]

Public Sector Staff

Bríd Smith

123. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will provide a breakdown of the total number of employees in the public service and Civil Service by earnings in specific increments (details supplied), in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47401/22]

Public Sector Pensions

Bríd Smith

124. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will clarify recent changes, if any, to the rights and procedures of retired civil and public sector workers to take cases to the pensions ombudsman; the rationale for these changes; if representative organisations were consulted ahead of the changes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47496/22]

Energy Prices

Bríd Smith

31. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if his attention has been drawn to gas prices paid by some residents connected to district heating systems that seem to have risen by disproportionate amounts in recent months, even compared to the general trend; if his Department will examine this; if district heat schemes are covered by the Commission for Regulation of Utilities guidelines and regulations in relation to customers having energy supplies cut-off for non-payment et cetera; if the CRU has any role in the price setting et cetera of such DHSs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46588/22]

Bus Services

Bríd Smith

70. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Transport if his attention has been drawn to the impact on students and workers of scheduled bus services being cancelled without notice, who then have to pay substantial amounts on taxis to get to school or work; if he will investigate the failure of a transport operator (details supplied) to provide a regular reliable service which is causing significant problems for public transport users who require a consistent, reliable service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46720/22]

School Equipment

Bríd Smith

257. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Education the estimated cost to the State of a policy to provide devices such as notebooks or similar to each student who is required to have them; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46975/22]

Childcare Services

Bríd Smith

340. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he or his Department will intervene in relation to the suspension of childcare provision at a community centre (details supplied) in which dozens of families have faced disruption to essential childcare provision; if he will contact Tusla to attempt to expedite the inspection and certification of an alternative site; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46584/22]

Primary Care Centres

Bríd Smith

428. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Health if funding has been allocated to the building of primary healthcare centre in Drimnagh, Dublin; the timeframe for the commencement of building work; the estimated timeframe for the opening of this facility; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46583/22]

Medicinal Products

Bríd Smith

510. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Health if there are plans to make the drug evusheld available in Ireland given that it has been approved by the European Medicines Agency and is currently in use in Europe and America; the stage that these plans are at; when those who are immunosuppressed are likely have access to the drug; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46973/22]

Bus Services

Bríd Smith

17. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Transport the position in relation to new BusConnects routes and scheduled implementation of same in Dublin given the difficulties in recruiting and retaining drivers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45703/22]

Bus Services

Bríd Smith

43. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Transport if he will detail the shortfall in bus driver numbers in all public service obligation service providers including Bus Éireann, Dublin Bus and Go Ahead; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45694/22]

Public Transport

Bríd Smith

56. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Transport if he will re-examine the policy on free public transport in light of recent moves in a number of EU Member States to reduce fares and its impact on numbers increasing on public transport; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45701/22]

National Transport Authority

Bríd Smith

86. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Transport if he will re-examine the role of the National Transport Authority in the provision of bus services across Ireland given the recent failures of their tendering and contracting process in relation to public service obligation services, specifically the attempt to contract out the 101 Bus Éireann service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45699/22]

Bus Services

Bríd Smith

89. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Transport if his attention has been drawn to the current difficulties in Bus Éireann in relation to the retention of drivers and its impact on services across Ireland; if he has any plans to raise these shortages with the National Transport Authority or company management; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45696/22]

Defective Building Materials

Bríd Smith

141. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Finance his plans, if any, to afford owners of defective apartment blocks built during the Celtic Tiger-era additional tax reliefs on the costs of redress which they face; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46238/22]

Tax Code

Bríd Smith

159. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Finance if he will examine changes to the tax rules affecting section 31E of the stamp duty legislation which are impacting schemes to help elderly persons remain in their homes when they experience financial difficulties (details supplied); his plans, if any, to exempt such products from the current rules; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46237/22]

Social Welfare Benefits

Bríd Smith

275. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Social Protection if her attention has been drawn to the backlog in assessing applications for exceptional needs' payments (details supplied); the length of time that it is taking to assess applications and to reply to persons who apply for the payment; the steps that are being taken to deal with the increase in the number of those applying; if the exceptional needs' payment can be applied for again in the future in cases in which families experience further difficulty in paying future energy bills given spiralling costs; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46402/22]

Housing Schemes

Bríd Smith

53. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage further to Parliamentary Question No. 217 of 14 September 2022, the way that the twin goals of sustainable communities and long term tenancies are advanced in the case of a tenant who has resided in a council home for over 30 years and who has recently married, yet now finds that they are barred and delayed from availing of this scheme due to the new ruling that both tenants in a joint tenancy must have 10 years on housing supports before availing of the scheme; If he considers this reasonable; if it discriminates against long-term tenants who marry or have a new partner who becomes a joint tenant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46145/22]

Special Educational Needs

Bríd Smith

76. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Education her plans to support the proposal of the board of management of a school (details supplied) to use the already sanctioned ASD class for students with an ASD diagnosis already enrolled in the school and on their own waiting list; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46233/22]

Energy Policy

Bríd Smith

55. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the position on the building of a liquefied natural gas, LNG, terminal; if it will be privately built or State-built; the way such a facility can be compatible with the climate objectives of the State; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45986/22]

Energy Prices

Bríd Smith

69. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the way in which future supports for people to deal with energy costs will be administered in view of the fact that some groups such as Travellers were unable to access the previous grants in the same manner as most people; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45739/22]