Ceisteanna Parlaiminte

North-South Interconnector

Brendan Smith

70. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the status of the planning application in Northern Ireland in respect of the proposed North South interconnector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42273/19]

Northern Ireland

Brendan Smith

78. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will raise with members of the British Government the need to establish a comprehensive inquiry into the Birmingham pub bombings of 1974 as requested (details supplied), as these bombings caused the deaths of 21 innocent persons, and the need to have persons brought to justice for these heinous crimes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42550/19]

Northern Ireland

Brendan Smith

80. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the progress in having the Assembly and Executive in Northern Ireland restored following his most recent talks with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42568/19]

Brexit Negotiations

Brendan Smith

81. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the outcome of his most recent discussions with Mr. Barnier of the EU Commission on Brexit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42569/19]

Schools Building Projects Status

Brendan Smith

116. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Education and Skills the stage a proposed building project (details supplied) is at; when the project will proceed to the next stage; the timescale for the overall development; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42571/19]

Rehabilitative Training Allowance Payments

Brendan Smith

186. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Health his plans to reintroduce the rehabilitative training allowance in view of its value and importance to many trainees nationwide; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42570/19]

Common Agricultural Policy Negotiations

Brendan Smith

61. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the plans he intends to propose at the EU Agriculture and Fisheries Council meeting regarding the need to protect the CAP budget post 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41952/19]

Common Agricultural Policy Negotiations

Brendan Smith

90. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the outcome of discussions at recent EU Agriculture Council meetings regarding CAP funding post 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41953/19]

Community Employment Schemes Supervisors

Brendan Smith

608. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if further consideration will be given to the request by community employment scheme supervisors for proper pension entitlements (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42033/19]

Hospital Waiting Lists

Brendan Smith

8. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Health when additional capacity will be provided in orthopaedics to reduce delays in assessments and procedures for patients in counties Cavan and Monaghan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41188/19]

General Practitioner Services

Brendan Smith

172. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Health the measures he plans to implement to address the issues affecting the retention and recruitment of general practitioners particularly in rural areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41399/19]

Services for People with Disabilities

Brendan Smith

191. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Health if consideration will be given to the request by a local authority for the provision of health services (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41496/19]

Brexit Supports

Brendan Smith

9. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation her plans to introduce additional measures to assist small and medium-sized enterprises, SMEs, in the Border region to deal with the adverse impacts of Brexit; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41084/19]

Brexit Supports

Brendan Smith

10. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation her plans to introduce specific programmes to assist small and medium-sized enterprises in the Border region, which are heavily dependent on Britain as an export market, to deal with the adverse impacts of Brexit and help protect employment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41085/19]

Vehicle Registration Data

Brendan Smith

52. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Finance the estimated loss of revenue since 2016 due to the reduction in new car sales; the corresponding increase in imported second-hand vehicles; the measures he plans to take to protect the motor trade and its substantial employment level; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41100/19]

Education Expenditure

Brendan Smith

65. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Education and Skills if consideration will be given to the issues raised in correspondence (details supplied) concerning the need to increase investment in primary education; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40544/19]

Disabilities Assessments

Brendan Smith

314. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Health when additional resources will be provided to reduce delays in providing assessments and follow-up services for children in counties Cavan and Monaghan under the assessment of needs requirements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41106/19]

National Dementia Strategy

Brendan Smith

315. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Health if a pre-budget 2020 submission made by an organisation (details supplied) in respect of the need to improve resources for dementia care will be given consideration; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41108/19]

Budget Submissions

Brendan Smith

441. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if consideration will be given to budget 2020 submission by an organisation (details supplied) in respect of the provision of childcare and the structures for the delivery of same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41134/19]

Cross-Border Co-operation

Brendan Smith

19. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Justice and Equality his plans to increase co-operation in policing and security issues on a North-South basis arising from the recent annual cross-Border conference on organised crime; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40159/19]

Cross-Border Co-operation

Brendan Smith

20. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the issues discussed at the recent North-South policing conference in Ballyconnell, County Cavan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40158/19]

Disability Support Services

Brendan Smith

203. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Health if a request from an association (details supplied) for additional resources will be provided for the delivery of services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40403/19]

Hospital Waiting Lists

Brendan Smith

204. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Health when additional capacity will be provided to improve services and reduce waiting times for assessment and procedure (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40404/19]

Disabilities Assessments

Brendan Smith

246. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Health when the necessary resources and personnel will be provided to meet the requirements of assessment of needs in counties Cavan and Monaghan in view of undue delays in children having assessments and services provided; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40473/19]

Beef Industry

Brendan Smith

271. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the progress to date in implementing the measures announced following recent negotiations with farming organisations and the meat sector in relation to the urgent need to improve price returns to farmers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40446/19]

Common Agricultural Policy Negotiations

Brendan Smith

272. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the most recent proposals put forward at the EU Agriculture Council in relation to the need to ensure there is no reduction in funding for CAP post-2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40447/19]

Tourism Industry

Brendan Smith

77. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if specific assistance will be provided for the tourism and hospitality sector in the Border region due to the difficulties that will arise from Brexit and the heavy dependence of the region on business from Northern Ireland and the UK; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39877/19]

Road Projects

Brendan Smith

78. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if key road infrastructure projects will be prioritised for investment in 2020 such as the proposed east to west route, namely, the road from Cootehill, Shercock, Carrickmacross and Dundalk, in view of the particular challenges facing the Border region due to Brexit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39876/19]

Waste Disposal Charges

Brendan Smith

204. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment when the annual support payment of €75 will be introduced for persons with lifelong, long-term medical incontinence as promised some time ago to help meet the average annual cost of disposal of incontinence products; if this payment will be administered through the HSE at local level; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40067/19]

Beef Industry

Brendan Smith

445. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if the concerns of councillors will be addressed (details supplied) in view of the severe income pressure on farmers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39885/19]

Illicit Trade

Brendan Smith

8. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Finance the additional measures he plans to introduce to counteract cross-Border smuggling and illicit trade in tobacco, drink and fuel products; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39042/19]

Brexit Preparations

Brendan Smith

53. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Finance the additional measures he plans to implement to counteract cross-Border smuggling and illicit trade from overseas, taking into consideration the additional difficulties that may emerge following Brexit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39043/19]

Northern Ireland

Brendan Smith

59. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the plans to resume talks with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland and the political parties in Northern Ireland regarding the need to have the Northern Ireland Assembly and Executive restored; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39220/19]

Flood Relief Schemes Funding

Brendan Smith

79. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if funding is available in 2019 for local authorities to carry out low-cost flood relief schemes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39243/19]

Voluntary Homeowners Relocation Scheme

Brendan Smith

80. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if financial assistance is available for persons who have to relocate their homes due to constant flooding; if so, the details of the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39244/19]

State Pension (Contributory) Data

Brendan Smith

28. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the outcome of the review of pension entitlements for persons who were affected by changes in 2012 to the State pension (contributory) scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38823/19]

State Pension (Contributory) Data

Brendan Smith

44. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of pensioners whose entitlements have been reviewed; the number whose pensions have increased as a result of the review of entitlements of persons affected by changes in 2012 to the State pension (contributory) scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38824/19]

Budget Submissions

Brendan Smith

77. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Finance if he will consider the issues raised in a budget 2020 submission (details supplied) taking into account the additional challenges facing the sector due to Brexit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38329/19]

Budget Submissions

Brendan Smith

438. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will consider the issues raised in a budget 2020 submission (details supplied) taking into account the additional challenges facing the sector due to Brexit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38330/19]

Budget Submissions

Brendan Smith

439. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if consideration will be given to the issues raised in a budget 2020 submission by an organisation (details supplied) in respect of the tourism sector and concerns in relation to the difficulties that Brexit that will cause for the sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38333/19]

Inland Waterways Maintenance

Brendan Smith

35. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the capital funding allocated for the restoration of the Ulster Canal in 2019; the expenditure to date and the works undertaken; the funding proposed for further development in 2020 and the restoration works that will be undertaken; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37922/19]

EU Directives

Brendan Smith

37. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if her attention has been drawn to the concerns of an organisation (details supplied) on a proposed EU-wide ban on lead shot; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37895/19]

Vehicle Registration

Brendan Smith

67. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Finance his plans to widen the VRT bands as recommended at EU level in view of the proposed introduction of a new CO2 test procedure for cars; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38195/19]

Beef Industry

Brendan Smith

179. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the outcome of the recent discussions with stakeholders relating to the difficulties facing the beef sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38140/19]

Local Authority Housing Maintenance

Brendan Smith

254. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if approval will issue without delay for housing projects (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38189/19]

Brexit Issues

Brendan Smith

273. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the outcome of discussions she has had with her counterpart in the UK Government and with departments and agencies in Northern Ireland on issues that will arise with Brexit; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38143/19]

Northern Ireland

Brendan Smith

89. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade when talks will resume with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Mr. Julian Smith, and with the political parties in Stormont in relation to the need to have the political institutions in Northern Ireland restored; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37944/19]

Motor Tax Rates

Brendan Smith

94. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Finance his plans to ensure that detailed consideration is given to the submission of a society (details supplied) for budget 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37915/19]

Motor Tax Rates

Brendan Smith

95. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Finance his plans to ensure that no registration taxation changes in 2020 will increase the price of cleaner, safer cars and new cars in view of the potential of a disorderly Brexit, the decline in the past three years in new car purchases and the increasing level of imports of second-hand vehicles; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37916/19]

School Accommodation Provision

Brendan Smith

122. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Education and Skills the progress to date in advancing a project to provide additional permanent classrooms at a second-level school which was sanctioned in September 2013 (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37917/19]