Ceisteanna Parlaiminte

School Transport

Bríd Smith

879. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Education if she will clarify the supports available in a situation (details supplied) where a child is not able to avail of public transport and can no longer be transported by her family to her school, specifically in this case when the circumstances mean that the family was unable to apply to any scheme before now and the new school term is imminent; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43030/22]

Schools Building Projects

Bríd Smith

999. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Education if she will approve tender notices for works in a school (details supplied); the reason for the delays to this process; if her attention has been further drawn to the impact of any delay on the school and its students; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43843/22]

Departmental Data

Bríd Smith

1056. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Social Protection further to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 108 and 149 of 14 July 2022, the reason the figures on refused, discontinued and-or disallowed applications for fuel allowance are not complied and available (details supplied); if she plans to supply the information requested; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41998/22]

Employment Schemes

Bríd Smith

1161. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will clarify the position regarding the local employment services provided by South Dublin County Partnership, SDCP, specifically; if the SDCP has lost the tender to provide the local employment services; if funding from her Department has been delayed to the partnership; if so, the reason for same; if her attention has been drawn to the threat of the redundancy facing 37 workers at the partnership; if she or her officials will meet with the workers representative; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43717/22]

Childcare Services

Bríd Smith

1204. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the length of time that the current proposed core funding model for early childhood care and education will run; the length of time that the current freeze in fees will last; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42041/22]

Departmental Strategies

Bríd Smith

1231. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the steps that he is taking to address the recent violent attacks including those occurring on public transport on members of the LGBTQ+ community; the steps that are being taken to challenge the anti-gay and trans rhetoric evident in the national media recently; the ways in which he is working with the community to identify new and effective strategies to address issues of homophobia and transphobia; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42782/22]

Assisted Human Reproduction

Bríd Smith

1248. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth his plans to ensure equality for families that have children through surrogacy; if leave entitlements for such families will be equal to maternity leave arrangements and so on; if he will support amendments to the Health (Assisted Human reproduction Bill) 2022 at committee stage to permit same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43422/22]

International Protection

Bríd Smith

1249. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of asylum seekers currently provided with accommodation by the International Protection Accommodation Service, by type of accommodation, duration in IPAS accommodation and the number of children at the end of July 2022, in tabular form. [43424/22]

Qualifications Recognition

Bríd Smith

1324. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will intervene in a case affecting students enrolled in a degree course of a third level institution (details supplied) for applied social care for which students have recently been told will not be recognised by CORU; if his attention has been drawn to the impact that this will have on the current students; if his Department will examine any solutions to ensure that CORU recognises the qualification; if he will contact the college in order to seek a solution to this crisis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43171/22]

Grant Payments

Bríd Smith

1351. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the supports that he intends to provide for students who fail to meet the SUSI criteria of being on a long-term social protection payments for maintenance grants; if he will consider changing current criteria which discriminates against many students who must work prior to commencing study; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43836/22]

An Garda Síochána

Bríd Smith

1396. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Justice if she has discussed with the Garda Commissioner the recent violent attacks including those occurring on public transport on members of the LGBTQ+ community; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42780/22]

Departmental Data

Bríd Smith

1433. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Justice the number of persons who were refused permission to land at Dublin Airport, by country of origin or nationality, between July 2021 and July 2022, in tabular form. [43425/22]

Disability Services

Bríd Smith

1499. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Health the way that any parent of a child who is failed by the State in the provision of needed services for their wellbeing may make a complaint or seek any redress under the Disability Act 2005; the way that parents should proceed in making such complaints or in seeking remedy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42007/22]

Disability Services

Bríd Smith

1500. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Health if he will clarify the procedures that are available to the parents of children who are unable to access services in a timely fashion to make complaints or to seek that the HSE ensures that the development of children is not adversely affected by delays in accessing services in relation to waiting times for access to speech therapy, occupational therapy and physiotherapy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42008/22]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Bríd Smith

1874. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Health his plans to support persons suffering from long-Covid; if he will ensure the continued operation of a dedicated clinic for same; if he will further commit to funding necessary services for persons with long-Covid; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43421/22]

Health Services

Bríd Smith

1973. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Health the current position and plan of action in relation to the use of vaginal mesh products in the HSE specifically the engagement he or his Department has had with campaigners suffering severe side effects from its use; the supports that he presently has or intends to have in place for women in this situation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43892/22]

Health Services

Bríd Smith

1974. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Health if he will clarify in relation to the use of vaginal mesh products and techniques, the number of women who have sought access to these since the present ban was introduced specifically the numbers awaiting procedures for SUIs and POP and soon using TVT and other mesh techniques; when those women who wish to have these procedures and have a medical recommendation for them can expect to have access to them; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43893/22]

Departmental Schemes

Bríd Smith

147. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if a property (details supplied) which previously had some work done by a previous occupant is now barred from receiving support under the better energy scheme for additional work if the work entails similar measures such as wall insulation, even if the current BER rating of the home is a D1 while the proposed work would result in an improvement to a BER rating of B1; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41422/22]

Homeless Accommodation

Bríd Smith

694. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will provide a list of all private and voluntary companies and agencies contacted by the State to provide emergency accommodation for homeless persons for the years 2018 to 2021 and to date in 2022, in tabular form. [40686/22]

Homeless Accommodation

Bríd Smith

695. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will provide the details of all funding provided to private and voluntary bodies and agencies for services for homeless persons including accommodation for the years 2018 to 2021 and to date in 2022, in tabular form. [40687/22]

Homeless Accommodation

Bríd Smith

696. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will provide details of circumstances in which homeless services and emergency accommodation have been contracted by the State or local authority to a private entity; the relevant officials or bodies with responsibility for ensuring that such accommodation meets required standards; the way that it is ensured that persons and bodies providing such services are adequately and properly trained to provide such services; the way that homeless persons availing of such services can appeal or question decisions regarding their accommodation to a relevant authority, that is,. not the provider of such accommodation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40688/22]

Social Welfare Payments

Bríd Smith

1235. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Social Protection the cost in a full year of paying current fuel allowance payments to all those in receipt of any social assistance payment regardless of time on that payment or living alone rules, etc., and of paying the fuel allowance to all those in receipt of any social insurance payment. [40592/22]

Social Welfare Payments

Bríd Smith

1236. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Social Protection the estimated cost in a full year of raising jobseeker’s allowance and jobseeker’s benefit payments to €350 per week. [40593/22]

Social Welfare Payments

Bríd Smith

1237. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Social Protection the estimated cost in a full year of raising the full rate of carer's allowance and carer's benefit to €350 per week per person cared for. [40594/22]

Social Welfare Payments

Bríd Smith

1238. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Social Protection the estimated cost in a full year of raising certain payments (details supplied) to €350 per week. [40595/22]

State Pensions

Bríd Smith

1239. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Social Protection the estimated cost in a full year of raising the maximum contributory and non-contributory pension payment to €350 per week. [40596/22]

State Pensions

Bríd Smith

1240. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Social Protection the estimated cost in a full year or removing all current bands for the contributory and non-contributory pension schemes and placing all applicants on one band at €350 per week. [40597/22]

Social Welfare Payments

Bríd Smith

1241. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Social Protection the estimated costs of raising certain payments (details supplied) to €350 per week. [40598/22]

Childcare Services

Bríd Smith

1347. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if the funding in relation to the core funding model for early childcare will be aligned with each service’s calendar year and backdated in order that sessional and full-day care services do not lose out; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40184/22]

Childcare Services

Bríd Smith

1348. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he has examined the position of some providers who, in the event that core funding model funding is not aligned to the calendar year or backdated, face losing up to two weeks’ payments; the measures or supports that his Department will have in place to ensure that such providers do not lose out on funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40185/22]

Childcare Services

Bríd Smith

1349. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if the core funding graduate uplift will be paid for the total hours worked in the sessional services and not just the 15 hours contact time with the children; if additional hours paid by providers will be covered by this uplift; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40186/22]

Childcare Services

Bríd Smith

1350. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he has examined the position of some providers who had used the previous support such as higher capitation and programme support to boost payments for staff, but now face having the graduate support limited to one staff member per room under the core funding model; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40187/22]

International Protection

Bríd Smith

1367. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will provide a list of all private and voluntary agencies and bodies contracted by his Department to provide services for asylum seekers and those seeking international protection for the years 2018 to 2021 and to date in 2022, in tabular form. [40689/22]

International Protection

Bríd Smith

1368. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will provide a list of all funding given to private and voluntary agencies and bodies for services provided for his Department in connection to accommodation and other services for persons seeking international protection, for the years from 2018 to 2021 and to date in 2022, or for relevant years under his Department’s responsibility in tabular form. [40690/22]

International Protection

Bríd Smith

1369. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will provide a list and the figures for funding to all private and voluntary bodies for services such as accommodation and so on for persons seeking international protection under his Department's area of responsibility for the years from 2018 to 2021 and to date in 2022, or relevant years of his Department's responsibility in tabular form. [40691/22]

Family Reunification

Bríd Smith

1509. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Justice if she will examine and review the family reunification issuing of visa process, especially in the case of Nigerian and Ghanaian nurses who are working in Ireland and hold critical skills employment permits who are waiting extremely long periods of time to obtain visas for family members to join them resulting in a negative impact on their mental health; the steps that she will take to improve the time it is taking to issue these visas to family members; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39865/22]

Assisted Human Reproduction

Bríd Smith

1886. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Health if he will ensure that the Health (Assisted Human Reproduction) Bill 2022 will include leave entitlements equivalent to maternity leave entitlements for all couples who have children through surrogacy; the help and support that will be available to those who have children through surrogacy given the extensive costs involved; if there are plans to help those who would like to have children through surrogacy but cannot because of the cost; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41006/22]

Agriculture Industry

Bríd Smith

15. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on whether food production policy in Ireland needs to be revised given the recent report by an organisation (details supplied) on the state of food security and nutrition in the world; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38602/22]

Employment Schemes

Bríd Smith

105. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Social Protection the meetings that she or her officials have had or plan to have with representatives and workers in Local Employment Services who have had or are in danger of having their jobs replaced as a result of the current policy of tendering out these positions; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38522/22]

Social Welfare Eligibility

Bríd Smith

108. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of recipients of the fuel allowance who have been removed from access to the allowance for exceeding the income thresholds in 2020, 2021 and to date in 2022; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38521/22]

Employment Schemes

Bríd Smith

138. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Social Protection the companies that have won new contracts for the provision of local employment services; the amount of funding involved in each case; and the duration of the contact; the current providers of Local Employment Services that have lost their contracts for public employment services a as result of his tendering out process; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38524/22]

Employment Schemes

Bríd Smith

143. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Social Protection if her attention has been drawn to research (details supplied) which suggests that procuring public employment services through performance-based contacting will result in community sector organisations losing out to larger cash-rich firms with detrimental impacts on the unemployed who rely on the services; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38523/22]

Social Welfare Eligibility

Bríd Smith

149. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of applicants who were refused the fuel allowance in 2020, 2021 and to date in 2022; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38520/22]

Employment Schemes

Bríd Smith

521. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will meet with representatives of workers affected by the loss of contacts for local employment scheme services; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34913/22]

Employment Support Services

Bríd Smith

522. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Social Protection if her attention has been drawn to research that suggests changing the local employment scheme services from their current model to a target and profit driven model as currently envisioned by her Department will and has in other jurisdictions have profoundly negative effects on the unemployed and the services provided generally; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34914/22]

Employment Support Services

Bríd Smith

523. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will commission an independent inquiry (details supplied) into the record, outcomes and overall impact of contracting out employment services to agencies such as Seetec and Turas Nua; if so, if the inquiry will include a survey of the experiences of those unemployed who have passed through the system; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34915/22]

Social Welfare Schemes

Bríd Smith

524. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Social Protection if she plans to bring any proposals to Cabinet ahead of the October 2022 budget to change the current rates of household benefit package that relate to gas and electricity costs; if her attention has been drawn to the fact that these rates have not altered in many years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34916/22]

Disability Services

Bríd Smith

525. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Social Protection the protocols that are in place to assist hearing impaired customers who are unable or inhibited by Covid restrictions and concerns from personally attending social protection offices; if staff have specialised training in the way to deal and respond to such impaired customers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34917/22]

Social Welfare Payments

Bríd Smith

335. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason that it would appear that deciding officers and Intreo offices are not familiar with the changes in fuel allowance legislation given that this is resulting in refusal of entitlement for families who are actually eligible following the changes, plunging them further into fuel poverty; the reason that some fuel allowance applicants are having to chase up and question their eligibility; the reason that waiting times to establish eligibility are particularly long when the impact is so devastating for families who are experiencing real poverty especially with the spiralling cost of living; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38223/22]

Assisted Human Reproduction

Bríd Smith

548. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Health if he will accept the recommendations of the recently presented Health (Assisted Human Reproduction) Bill 2022 surrogacy Oireachtas Committee report and include them in the Bill to ensure that it is an inclusive, non-discriminatory piece of legislation; if he will take steps to ensure that LGBTQ+ families, especially parental rights for the second father not genetically linked to the child who they are raising as their own are not excluded in any way; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38485/22]