Ceisteanna Parlaiminte

Telecommunications Infrastructure

Brendan Smith

131. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he is satisfied that an adequate programme of upgrading and enabling smaller telephone exchanges which are particularly important to rural communities is being undertaken in view of the importance of this infrastructure in enhancing broadband coverage; if he has had communication with the relevant provider(s) concerning this important issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3338/24]

Broadband Infrastructure

Brendan Smith

139. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will ensure that an adequate broadband service is provided to an area (details supplied) as households and businesses in that community are concerned about the lack of such coverage at present and the difficulties in conducting day to day business; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3337/24]

Schools Building Projects

Brendan Smith

245. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Education when a building project will proceed to the next stage as this additional accommodation is needed for next September (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3600/24]

Tourism Funding

Brendan Smith

248. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the current status of a project (details supplied); when this project will proceed to the next stage; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3444/24]

Housing Policy

Brendan Smith

262. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when the next review of income eligibility limits for social housing will be carried out; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3559/24]

International Protection

Brendan Smith

341. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the proposals, if any, there are to accommodate more international protection applicants or others seeking refuge at a location (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3594/24]

Health Services

Brendan Smith

349. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Health when a five day per week health care service will be restored (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3455/24]

Primary Care Centres

Brendan Smith

361. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Health the proposals, if any, there are to provide an additional healthcare facility (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3558/24]

Community Development Projects

Brendan Smith

377. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development when the next call for projects under the Community Recognition Fund will be announced; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3597/24]

Departmental Bodies

Brendan Smith

10. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Taoiseach if he will report his attendance at the recent shared island youth forum. [57118/23]

Health Services

Brendan Smith

217. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Health if he will ensure that urgent consideration is given to a request of a healthcare facility and ensure that this ongoing issue is resolved satisfactorily without delay, which will be beneficial to patients in that catchment area (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3304/24]

Health Services

Brendan Smith

500. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the level of respite services available in Cavan and Monaghan for children and for adults; the proposals to extend and improve the range of such services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2895/24]

Nursing Homes

Brendan Smith

48. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Health the measures that will be implemented to reduce the unacceptable divergence in the rates of subvention made to private nursing homes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2051/24]

Nursing Homes

Brendan Smith

58. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Health when grant aid will be approved for smaller scale nursing homes to carry out upgrading work following the recommendations of HIQA; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2050/24]

Further and Higher Education

Brendan Smith

90. 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; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2089/24]

Further and Higher Education

Brendan Smith

128. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if the proposed building project for Cavan Institute will proceed to the next stage in 2024; the expected timescale for delivery of this project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2088/24]

Departmental Funding

Brendan Smith

158. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Transport the total funding provided in 2023 for the non-national road network; the specific allocations made to Cavan County Council and Monaghan County Council; if he will ensure that increased funding will be provided for this road network in 2024 (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2285/24]

Tax Code

Brendan Smith

168. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Finance if he is aware of the widespread concern of farmers to recent changes in VAT refunds on dairy equipment and mobile farm equipment which will prevent in many instances necessary investment in farm facilities and cause additional costs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2290/24]

Small and Medium Enterprises

Brendan Smith

178. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will give detailed consideration to the issues outlined in correspondence (details supplied) concerning increased costs for small businesses; the measures that will be implemented to ease such pressures on small and medium enterprises; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2300/24]

Vacant Properties

Brendan Smith

222. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will outline the schemes under the remit of his Department to assist in restoring vacant and derelict buildings to habitable use for housing purposes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2301/24]

Public Transport

Brendan Smith

286. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Transport if further consideration will be given to the provision of support for hackney services in rural communities in counties Cavan and Monaghan where it is not feasible to have a bus service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1583/24]

School Funding

Brendan Smith

692. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Education the proposals, if any, there are to award funding to more primary schools under the STEM grant scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2094/24]

Agriculture Schemes

Brendan Smith

1296. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the up to date position regarding the issue of payments under ACRES; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2095/24]

Agriculture Schemes

Brendan Smith

7. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when approval will issue in respect of TAMS applications relating to animal welfare-related investments and the construction of slurry and manure storage facilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55733/23]

Agriculture Schemes

Brendan Smith

9. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when approvals will issue in respect of TAMS applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55732/23]

Childcare Services

Brendan Smith

87. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth when he will introduce a grant scheme to assist in the provision of large-scale preschool accommodation and the upgrading of existing childcare accommodation, as there is a need to increase substantially the level of grant aid to ensure adequate childcare accommodation in the coming years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55734/23]

Early Childhood Care and Education

Brendan Smith

103. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if it is proposed to increase capital investment in the early learning and childcare sector for 2024 and 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55735/23]

Telecommunications Services

Brendan Smith

179. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he is aware of the widespread concerns in relation to inadequate mobile phone coverage in parts of County Cavan and County Monaghan; if there is an obligation on mobile telephony providers to ensure proper and adequate coverage in all areas; if this issue will be addressed by his Department or by agencies under the remit of his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56174/23]

Local Authorities

Brendan Smith

201. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Transport if he will give further consideration to the issues raised in a motion passed by a local authority (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56079/23]

Local Authorities

Brendan Smith

202. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Transport if he will have further consideration given to the issues raised in a motion passed by a local authority (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56082/23]

Road Projects

Brendan Smith

204. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Transport further to Parliamentary Question No. 204 of 9 November 2023, if he will ensure that submissions by local authorities to his Department (details supplied) will be approved at an early date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56136/23]

Rental Sector

Brendan Smith

227. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Finance if he will review the unfair decision to exclude parents of students studying outside this jurisdiction from the rental tax credit, as this and other measures were introduced to ease the cost-of-living pressures; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56188/23]

School Transport

Brendan Smith

291. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Education the expected timeline for the completion of the review of the school transport scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [56157/23]

Social Media

Brendan Smith

305. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the additional measures that will be introduced to deal with the spread of misinformation on social media platforms; if she is satisfied that legislation enacted both at national and EU level is adequate to ban the incitement of hatred on such platforms and ensure proper protection of the public, and particularly children, from harm; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [56125/23]

Grant Payments

Brendan Smith

444. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he is aware of the widespread concerns of farmers regarding delays in the issue of some ACRES payments; if a partial payment can be issued for those applicants pending processing and finalising of all applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56096/23]

Third Level Education

Brendan Smith

526. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the measures he will introduce to improve cross-Border mobility for students in further and higher education; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56158/23]

Third Level Fees

Brendan Smith

527. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will review the unfair decision to exclude students studying outside this State from the €1,000 reduction in student contribution fees which was introduced to support households to ease the cost-of-living; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56201/23]

Third Level Education

Brendan Smith

528. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if, in view of the need to promote more cross-Border mobility for further and higher education students, he will ensure that students studying outside this State are entitled to the same State assistance as students in this jurisdiction; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56206/23]

Northern Ireland

Brendan Smith

9. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the outcome of his most recent discussions with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland and with the political parties in Northern Ireland in relation to the need to have the Assembly, Executive and North-South Ministerial Council restored; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55785/23]

Primary Medical Certificates

Brendan Smith

68. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Finance when it is proposed to make much-needed amendments to the primary medical certificate eligibility criteria as many persons whom this scheme was intended to benefit are unable at present to get approval to avail of the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55651/23]

Paramilitary Groups

Brendan Smith

159. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Justice her views on the recent report of the Independent Reporting Commission, with particular reference to the continuing threat from paramilitarism; her views on the need to introduce additional measures to tackle and end paramilitarism; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [55784/23]

Primary Care Centres

Brendan Smith

254. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Health the progress to date in providing new and additional healthcare facilities (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55864/23]

Health Services

Brendan Smith

255. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Health the proposals, if any, there are to extend dermatology services throughout the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55866/23]

Hospital Facilities

Brendan Smith

256. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Health the progress to date in advancing a major building project at a healthcare facility (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55874/23]

British-Irish Co-operation

Brendan Smith

14. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Taoiseach if he will report on his attendance at the recent meeting of the British-Irish Council. [53188/23]

An Garda Síochána

Brendan Smith

524. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Justice to list the Garda stations in Cavan/Monaghan that have their own electric vehicle charging points; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [54641/23]

An Garda Síochána

Brendan Smith

525. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Justice the number of Garda stations in each Garda division that have their own electric vehicle charging points; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [54642/23]

An Garda Síochána

Brendan Smith

526. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Justice the number of electric vehicles in the Garda fleet; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [54643/23]

Beef Sector

Brendan Smith

638. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he is aware of the widespread concerns of farmers in relation to recent changes introduced to the Eurostar evaluations by an organisation (details supplied) and the difficulties it is causing for some farmers participating in the suckler carbon efficiency programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55395/23]

Health Services

Brendan Smith

857. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Health when a health service will be expanded (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55398/23]

Waterways Ireland

Brendan Smith

13. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the measures that will be implemented at an early date to progress the proposal to extend the Shannon navigation from Lough Allen, County Leitrim, to Dowra, County Cavan, in view of the substantial preparatory work carried out on the project some years ago and the benefits of such a development for the upper Shannon region; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53977/23]

Vacant Properties

Brendan Smith

73. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will outline details of the Voids Programme for 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54190/23]

Social Welfare Payments

Brendan Smith

112. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Social Protection if provision will be made to have child benefit paid in respect of students in full-time education who reach the age of 18 during the current school year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [54211/23]

Social Welfare Benefits

Brendan Smith

127. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Social Protection if measures will be introduced to assist applicants that have domiciliary care applications progressed where there are delays outside the control of parents in having necessary assessments carried out for children; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [54212/23]

Credit Availability

Brendan Smith

184. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Finance if measures will be introduced to assist in the provision of better credit facilities for small and medium enterprises as many businesses, particularly small enterprises, are facing serious difficulties due to the non-availability of reasonable loan and overdraft facilities from the pillar banks; if he is aware that some businesses that had reasonable credit facilities with banks that exited the Irish market recently do not have similar arrangements with their new banks; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54392/23]

Business Supports

Brendan Smith

190. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment to outline the measures that will be made available to assist small and medium enterprises with the challenges that have arisen for such businesses due to increased costs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54397/23]

Social Media

Brendan Smith

213. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the additional measures that will be introduced to deal with the spread of misinformation on social media platforms; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [54401/23]

Health Services Staff

Brendan Smith

332. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Health the progress to date in making a permanent appointment (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54383/23]

Home Help Service

Brendan Smith

334. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Health the measures that will be implemented to deal with the shortage of home support workers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54400/23]

National Economic and Social Council

Brendan Smith

16. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Taoiseach if he will report on the work of the National Economic and Social Council, a statutory agency operating under the aegis of his Department. [53189/23]

Bus Services

Brendan Smith

44. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Transport in view of the concerns of commuters about delays occurring at peak times in accessing buses, if additional capacity will be provided on a route where a public service contract is operated under the National Transport Authority (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52772/23]

Road Network

Brendan Smith

54. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Transport the total funding provided in 2023 for the non-national road network; if he will ensure that increased funding will be provided for this road network in 2024 due to the need for an increased investment in these roads in areas such as counties Cavan and Monaghan, and also taking into account the substantial increase in costs of road maintenance and road construction over recent years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52777/23]

Schools Amalgamation

Brendan Smith

73. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Education when a school application will be approved (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52741/23]

Northern Ireland

Brendan Smith

171. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs for an update on any recent discussions he has had in relation to the restoration of the executive in Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50269/23]

Departmental Funding

Brendan Smith

207. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs for a report on his Department’s Shared Island Civic Society Fund; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50270/23]

Official Engagements

Brendan Smith

68. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Education if she will report on her recent meeting with the British Secretary of State for Education Gillian Keegan; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52763/23]

School Textbooks

Brendan Smith

69. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Education the number of students in Connacht and Ulster who will benefit from the free schoolbooks scheme in both primary and secondary schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52764/23]

Crime Prevention

Brendan Smith

106. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Justice if additional legislative measures are needed to deal effectively with violence, criminality and thuggery as experienced in Dublin city centre on 23 November 2023; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52783/23]

Flood Risk Management

Brendan Smith

63. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform The proposals to intensify co-operation with the relevant departments and agencies in Northern Ireland to deal with flooding problems that affect Border communities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52356/23]

Flood Risk Management

Brendan Smith

65. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform the proposals there are to review and amend the Arterial Drainage Act 1945; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52355/23]

Bus Services

Brendan Smith

163. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Transport if provision will be made to enable persons aged 70 years and over, subject to appropriate medical checks, to drive public service vehicles and vehicles employed on State contracts on behalf of companies under the remit of his Department as difficulties have arisen in many areas with a shortage of qualified drivers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52156/23]

Bus Éireann

Brendan Smith

171. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Transport when additional capacity will be provided on a route where a public service contract is operated under the National Transport Authority (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52350/23]

Business Supports

Brendan Smith

26. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the plans he has to provide additional financial supports to assist local authorities and community development organisations in the development of enterprise centres, in view of their importance in providing workspace for start-up businesses and small enterprises and the lack of such accommodation at present in areas such as County Cavan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51478/23]

Enterprise Support Services

Brendan Smith

50. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the proposals he has and the measures that will be introduced to assist in the provision of enterprise centres which are essential to provide workspace for start-up companies and small enterprises; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51479/23]

Tax Credits

Brendan Smith

98. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Finance if he will ensure that tax relief for parents in respect of the accommodation costs for students attending further or higher education colleges is applicable in respect of all students, whether studying in this jurisdiction or elsewhere; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51577/23]

Tax Credits

Brendan Smith

142. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Finance if he will amend the conditions applicable to eligibility for the rental tax credit for parents of students in relation to accommodation costs while attending further or higher education college to include students studying outside of this jurisdiction; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51578/23]

Departmental Bodies

Brendan Smith

179. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Finance when it is proposed to establish the Disabled Drivers Medical Board of Appeal; when the criteria for this scheme will be amended in view of the widespread dissatisfaction in relation to the workings of this scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51735/23]

Vacant Properties

Brendan Smith

193. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform if a vacant property will be made available to a community group (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51786/23]

Agriculture Schemes

Brendan Smith

137. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the expected timeline for approval to issue in respect of TAMS; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51376/23]

Defence Forces

Brendan Smith

46. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence in view of the absence of an army barracks in the central Border area, if further consideration will be given to the re-opening of Dún Uí Néill Cavan as a forward operating base; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50868/23]

Departmental Reviews

Brendan Smith

64. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the status of the Strategic Defence Review; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50867/23]

School Funding

Brendan Smith

253. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Education when the next minor works grant payment will issue to schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50964/23]

Parking Provision

Brendan Smith

133. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform if he will ensure that existing car parking facilities will continue to be made available to staff working in a government department in Cavan town (details supplied), as the cessation of such facilities would cause difficulties and substantial additional costs for such staff as, due to lack of public transport, they must travel to work by car and need appropriate parking facilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50462/23]

Departmental Policies

Brendan Smith

135. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Education if provision will be made to enable persons aged 70 years and over, subject to appropriate medical checks, to drive public service vehicles and vehicles employed on State contracts as difficulties have arisen in many areas with shortage of qualified drivers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50453/23]

Parking Provision

Brendan Smith

181. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will ensure that the existing carparking arrangements for staff in her Department (details supplied) continue to be made available for staff members; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50517/23]

Northern Ireland

Brendan Smith

5. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee on Brexit and Northern Ireland will next meet. [49621/23]

Departmental Correspondence

Brendan Smith

80. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Education the progress to date in establishing a transfer/relocation scheme for teachers, as requested in a proposal to her Department by teacher unions; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50065/23]

General Practitioner Services

Brendan Smith

134. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Health the progress to date in making a permanent appointment (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50033/23]

Care of the Elderly

Brendan Smith

33. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Health when he expects the Commission on Care for Older People to convene; the impact that the additional funding secured in Budget 2024 will have on expediting this process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48616/23]

Care of the Elderly

Brendan Smith

58. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Health how the extra funding of €4.6 million in Budget 2024 will increase the provision of transitional care to make sure that older people get the care they need leaving hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48617/23]

Vacant Properties

Brendan Smith

139. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when the voids programme for 2024 will be finalised; the national allocation; the funding that will be made available for Cavan County Council and Monaghan County Council; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49035/23]

Vacant Properties

Brendan Smith

163. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will ensure that the significant investment in the voids programme over recent years will be continued in 2024, in view of the importance of this programme in bringing back vacant housing stock to habitable use; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49036/23]

Road Projects

Brendan Smith

204. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Transport if he will ensure a substantial financial allocation under the road works programme to Cavan County Council in 2024 for the further planning and design of a route (details supplied) in view of its strategic importance for the Border region and the need to upgrade this road; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49191/23]

State Properties

Brendan Smith

281. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to outline the supports that are available from his Department to public bodies to plant trees on publicly owned lands; if such supports are available to community and voluntary organisations to carry out similar work on grounds to where they have access to; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49196/23]

Early Childhood Care and Education

Brendan Smith

301. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the level of capital funding available to his Department this year for the upgrading of existing childcare facilities and the provision of new childcare accommodation; the funding that will be available in 2024 for such developments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49256/23]

Early Childhood Care and Education

Brendan Smith

302. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if it is proposed to introduce a grant scheme to assist in the provision of large-scale pre-school accommodation and the upgrading of existing accommodation, as existing grant levels will not be sufficient to ensure adequate childcare accommodation in the coming years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49257/23]

Flood Risk Management

Brendan Smith

35. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform the timescale for the completion of the design of the Cavan town flood relief scheme; the expected timeline for submission of the planning application; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49018/23]

Northern Ireland

Brendan Smith

3. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Taoiseach if he will report on his recent meeting with the British Prime Minister. [47658/23]

Departmental Reports

Brendan Smith

12. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Taoiseach his views on the recently published annual report of his Department. [47659/23]

Waterways Issues

Brendan Smith

16. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform the proposals to amend the Arterial Drainage Act 1945 to include additional waterways, including the River Erne system in County Cavan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46987/23]