Ceisteanna Parlaiminte

Financial Services

Brendan Smith

183. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Finance the measures in place to protect customers from the actions of vulture funds, particularly homeowners whose mortgages are with such entities; his views on the need to ensure adequate access for such mortgage holders to greater protections through statutory agencies; if he proposes to implement additional measures; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13542/24]

Financial Services

Brendan Smith

184. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Finance if he proposes to introduce additional measures to assist mortgage holders who are under financial pressures due to increased interest rates; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13543/24]

Work Permits

Brendan Smith

194. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the proposals, if any, there are to improve the visa criteria for the farming and agri-food sector, in view of the shortage of workers in some areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13489/24]

Enterprise Support Services

Brendan Smith

195. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment when additional financial provision will be introduced to assist local authorities, particularly those councils with a small rates base, to develop enterprise centres, as such workspaces are of extreme importance in enabling the establishment and growth of small businesses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13490/24]

Social Media

Brendan Smith

216. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the progress to date in introducing measures to counteract misinformation, disinformation and abuse on social media platforms; if additional measures are proposed, when same will be introduced; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13491/24]

Universal Basic Income

Brendan Smith

217. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the number in receipt of the artists’ basic income scheme; if the workings of this scheme have been reviewed; the proposals, if any, there are to extend this scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13492/24]

Legislative Measures

Brendan Smith

254. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Justice if it is proposed to introduce a standalone offence in relation to the spiking of drinks, in view of the serious repercussions of such deplorable behaviour and the effects on victims; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13478/24]

An Garda Síochána

Brendan Smith

255. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Justice the number of Garda stations operational in Cavan/Monaghan at present; when Bawnboy Garda station will be reopened as announced by Government previously; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13479/24]

Dublin-Monaghan Bombings

Brendan Smith

256. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Justice the progress to date in an investigation (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13494/24]

Legislative Measures

Brendan Smith

257. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Justice if she is aware of the concerns of sporting clubs and other community groups which run small-scale lotteries and is generally their main fundraiser in relation to the effects of the new legislation concerning betting regulations and gambling laws; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13495/24]

Disability Services

Brendan Smith

272. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the progress to date in improving services (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13510/24]

Disability Services

Brendan Smith

273. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the progress to date in improving services (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13511/24]

Further and Higher Education

Brendan Smith

332. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the proposals, if any, there are to increase capacity and availability of courses in digital forensics, in view of the threats to society posed by the proliferation of misinformation through social media platforms and the need to tackle such abuses; if his Department is funding research into such issues; if so, the type of research; if it is in collaboration with other agencies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13483/24]

Further and Higher Education

Brendan Smith

333. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the current position regarding a proposed building project (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13484/24]

Cross-Border Co-operation

Brendan Smith

334. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the progress to date in intensifying co-operation on a cross-Border and all-Ireland basis in further education; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13485/24]

Further and Higher Education

Brendan Smith

335. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the additional places proposed to be in place for the next academic year in medicine, nursing and other healthcare professions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13486/24]

Programme for Government

Brendan Smith

4. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Taoiseach if he will provide an update on the programme for Government. [9335/24]

Broadband Infrastructure

Brendan Smith

100. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will give consideration to the issues outlined in correspondence concerning prices for broadband and mobile network services (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12092/24]

School Costs

Brendan Smith

479. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Education if she is aware that despite reduced pupil teacher ratios and increased capitation grants, many schools are finding it difficult to manage given the level of cost inflation that they have to deal with; if she is further aware that schools are looking at dramatically reducing their expenditure, impacting essential school services and extra-curricular activities; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12539/24]

Departmental Policies

Brendan Smith

29. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs his proposals for further discussions with the British foreign secretary and the secretary of state for Northern Ireland on the need for the British government to respond positively and without further delay to the unanimous requests of Dáil Éireann regarding the Monaghan and Dublin bombings of May 1974; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11117/24]