Ceisteanna Parlaiminte

Departmental Reports

Brendan Smith

113. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Social Protection when the Social Protection Annual Report for 2022 will be published; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24441/23]

Social Welfare Code

Brendan Smith

127. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Social Protection if her Department will review the PRSI contributions system in order that adult dependents who have worked in the home may be entitled to full future social welfare benefits, such as the recent €200 cost-of-living support payment; if she will provide a full explanation for the reason that adult dependents and others with insufficient PRSI contributions who have worked in the home were not entitled to the recent €200 cost-of-living support payment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24440/23]

Tourism Promotion

Brendan Smith

44. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the proposals, if any, there are to intensify marketing of the tourism potential of the Hidden Heartlands; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23676/23]

Tourism Policy

Brendan Smith

69. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the consultations to date between her Department and its agencies with their counterparts in Northern Ireland in relation to the development of cross-Border tourism projects under the Peace Plus Programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23675/23]

Housing Provision

Brendan Smith

90. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the progress to date since 2020 in bringing back to habitable use local authority housing stock that was vacant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23543/23]

Housing Provision

Brendan Smith

139. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to outline the voids programme for 2023; the national allocation and the funding made available to counties Cavan and Monaghan local authorities for this year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23542/23]

Dublin-Monaghan Bombings

Brendan Smith

182. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will have 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 concerning the Dublin and Monaghan bombings of May 1974; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23940/23]

Small and Medium Enterprises

Brendan Smith

236. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will pursue immediately with an international company the concerns outlined by a retail representative organisation (details supplied) regarding the withdrawal of products from a large number of shops throughout the country which would impact negatively on smaller scale retail stores; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23774/23]

Social Welfare Eligibility

Brendan Smith

359. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Social Protection the systems that are in place to ensure that persons living outside this jurisdiction are not in receipt of payments that require a person to be resident in this State; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23766/23]

Banking Sector

Brendan Smith

43. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Finance if funding from the banking levy could be used to assist in ensuring a network of bank branches throughout the country, in view of the major loss of such facilities in many towns particularly affecting rural communities; if he will give detailed consideration to proposals (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23597/23]

School Transport

Brendan Smith

70. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Education the measures being implemented to deal with the shortage of qualified drivers for vehicles such as school buses; if she is aware of the difficulties that have arisen for Bus Éireann and private bus and coach operators with such shortages impacting on different areas, such as the operation of the school transport system; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23624/23]

School Staff

Brendan Smith

323. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Education for an update on the review of the SNA contract in line with commitments under the Building Momentum national pay agreement; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22677/23]

School Staff

Brendan Smith

324. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Education to provide an update on the implementation of the new pay deal for school secretaries; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22678/23]

Social Welfare Benefits

Brendan Smith

462. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Social Protection if her Department will review the PRSI contributions system in order that adult dependents who have worked in the home may be entitled to full future social welfare benefits such as the recent €200 cost-of-living support payment; if she will provide a full explanation for the rationale for why adult dependents and others with insufficient PRSI contributions who have worked in the home were not entitled to the recent €200 cost-of-living support payment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22970/23]

Healthcare Policy

Brendan Smith

280. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 548 of 27 September 2022, the progress to date in reviewing the Tobacco Products Directive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22321/23]

Departmental Data

Brendan Smith

281. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Health if there are statistics available in relation to the number of patients admitted to hospital as a direct result of the effects of the use of e-cigarettes and vaping; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22322/23]

Business Supports

Brendan Smith

84. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Finance the number of businesses in counties Cavan, Monaghan, Leitrim, Donegal and Louth, respectively, that have applied for assistance under the temporary business energy support scheme to date; the number that have been successful in each county; the estimated value or worth of the support to date for businesses in each county; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21508/23]

Tax Reliefs

Brendan Smith

115. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Finance the number of home buyers in counties Cavan, Monaghan, Leitrim, Donegal and Louth, respectively, who have availed of the enhanced help-to-buy scheme since 23 July 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21509/23]

Wildlife Regulations

Brendan Smith

488. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the measures that will be implemented to deal with the increasing prevalence of wild deer, particularly in view of dangers posed to many motorists by deer running wild on public roads; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21322/23]

General Practitioner Services

Brendan Smith

613. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Health when GP visit cards will be extended to cover children aged six and seven years, as announced in budget 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21449/23]

Departmental Funding

Brendan Smith

54. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Transport if additional funding will be provided for the Non-National Roads Programme for 2023, due to the very substantial increase in road maintenance and construction costs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20751/23]

Departmental Funding

Brendan Smith

78. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Transport if additional funding will be provided to Cavan and Monaghan local authorities for the Non-National Roadworks Programme in 2023, due to the importance of this particular road network for both counties and the substantial increase in costs for road maintenance and construction; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20752/23]

Northern Ireland

Brendan Smith

93. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will give further consideration to the reintroduction of a programme (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20941/23]

Crime Prevention

Brendan Smith

198. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Justice the measures that will be implemented to improve security in an area (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20955/23]

Health Services Staff

Brendan Smith

261. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Health the progress to date in having an appointment made (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20952/23]

Good Friday Agreement

Brendan Smith

1. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Taoiseach if he will report on his attendance at the Queen's University Belfast conference to mark 25 years of the Good Friday Agreement. [19259/23]

Northern Ireland

Brendan Smith

9. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Taoiseach if he will provide an update on the working of the shared island unit in his Department. [20374/23]

Departmental Schemes

Brendan Smith

59. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will outline the schemes of grants and eligibility conditions for improving energy efficiency in private homes, including upgrading work such as insulation and installation or replacement of boilers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20698/23]

Departmental Schemes

Brendan Smith

60. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if persons who need to carry out energy efficiency works in their private homes can avail of grant aid under existing schemes where some years ago small-scale grant aid was availed of by homeowners to carry out improvement works and further additional improvement works are now needed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20699/23]

Electric Vehicles

Brendan Smith

98. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Transport when additional electric vehicle charging points will be provided in counties Cavan and Monaghan; the locations that will have such charging points provided in 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20557/23]

School Funding

Brendan Smith

184. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Education the grant aid available for primary schools to develop play areas; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20787/23]

Health Services

Brendan Smith

460. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Health if he will ensure that appropriate treatment is made available for children suffering with ailments (details supplied) as is provided in other countries; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20653/23]

Northern Ireland

Brendan Smith

42. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he has had recent discussions with the British government in relation to the Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Bill; if he has outlined again that it is unacceptable; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19776/23]

Northern Ireland

Brendan Smith

59. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he has had any 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, Northern Ireland Executive and the North-South Ministerial Council restored without further delay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19777/23]

North-South Interconnector

Brendan Smith

83. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications in view of the inadequacy of the review of the proposed North-South interconnector carried out in 2018, given that it did not take into account the concerns of householders, farmers and communities in relation to a number of aspects of this proposed project, if he will ensure that the concerns of local communities will be addressed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19846/23]

North-South Interconnector

Brendan Smith

114. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications in view of the total opposition of communities in counties Cavan, Monaghan and Meath to the present proposals regarding the proposed North-South Interconnector, with particular reference to the concerns about transmission cables being put overground, if he will ensure that if the project proceeds, the transmission cables are put underground, as proposed for other major energy projects in the European Union; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19845/23]

Housing Provision

Brendan Smith

213. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Finance the number of housing developments approved for funding by Home Building Finance Ireland to date in each county; the number of such developments that have ten units or less; the number of such developments with 20 units or less; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20107/23]

School Transport

Brendan Smith

245. 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 are arising in many areas, such as school transport with shortage of qualified drivers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20124/23]

Schools Building Projects

Brendan Smith

273. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Education when a building project (details supplied) will proceed to the next stage; if she will ensure that this project progresses as quickly as possible in view of the urgent need to provide additional accommodation at this school for the next school year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20203/23]

Nursing Homes

Brendan Smith

372. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Health when subvention payments will be increased for nursing homes, particularly for smaller-scale nursing homes, in view of the substantial increase in costs over recent years in providing nursing-home care; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20196/23]

Departmental Strategies

Brendan Smith

6. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Taoiseach if he will report on the current situation in regard to the development of a national security strategy. [19256/23]

Care Services

Brendan Smith

481. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the reason the allowance paid in respect of children taken into care is different for a relative and a non-relative of the child; if he will agree that the preference is to keep a child within the family unit if at all possible; if he accepts that the costs for providing care by a family member or non-family member will be similar and in low-income families these costs could be a barrier to such care being provided by a family relative; if he proposes to change the present arrangements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19355/23]

Health Services Staff

Brendan Smith

142. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Health the measures that are being implemented to eliminate the unacceptable delays experienced by persons who qualified in Northern Ireland or in Britain in having their qualifications recognised in Ireland in areas such as physiotherapy, occupational therapy and speech and language therapy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18425/23]

Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements

Brendan Smith

6. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Taoiseach if he will report on his meeting with the President of the United States. [15168/23]

Early Childhood Care and Education

Brendan Smith

37. 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. [15755/23]

Childcare Services

Brendan Smith

50. 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; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15754/23]

Further and Higher Education

Brendan Smith

87. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if additional places in further education will be provided in 2023 and 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15760/23]

Departmental Funding

Brendan Smith

99. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the level of capital funding available to his Department in 2023; the general areas which will benefit from such investment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15759/23]

North-South Interconnector

Brendan Smith

114. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the up-to-date position concerning the proposed North-South interconnector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15921/23]

North-South Interconnector

Brendan Smith

115. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the status of the recent review on the proposed North-South interconnector following his announcement that the Cabinet had noted this review; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15922/23]