Parliamentary questions

Maternity Leave

Brendan Smith

398. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the proposals, if any, he has to amend the Maternity Protection Act 2004 to enable women postpone maternity leave who are diagnosed with cancer or any other serious illness during pregnancy (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31908/23]

Childcare Services

Brendan Smith

399. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will give urgent consideration to the issues outlined in a national representative organisation concerning childcare funding (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31916/23]

Northern Ireland

Brendan Smith

1. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Taoiseach for a report on the shared island dialogue on education systems and connecting communities. [30080/23]

Northern Ireland

Brendan Smith

23. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he has had recent contact with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland in relation to the need to provide an exemption to the electronic travel authorisation scheme for tourists travelling to Northern Ireland via this State, taking into account that the island of Ireland is marketed as one tourist destination and the need to avoid barriers to free travel; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31616/23]

Brexit Supports

Brendan Smith

51. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform if the criteria pertaining to the Brexit Adjustment Reserve will be changed to allow draw-down of funding beyond the end of 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31482/23]

Schools Building Projects

Brendan Smith

75. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Education if payment will issue without further delay in respect of a project completed some time ago (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31516/23]

Northern Ireland

Brendan Smith

82. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she has had recent contact with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland and with the Tourism Authorities in Northern Ireland in relation to the need to provide an exemption to the electronic travel authorisation scheme for tourists travelling to Northern Ireland via this State taking into account that the island of Ireland is marketed as one tourist destination and the need to avoid barriers to free travel; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31611/23]

Wildlife Protection

Brendan Smith

90. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will ensure that the views outlined at the seminar last February in relation to the Open Seasons Order, and at subsequent stakeholder engagement meetings will be taken into account in devising the best way to address the issues concerning any species deemed vulnerable and listed on the Open Seasons Order; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31628/23]

Wildlife Protection

Brendan Smith

91. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the measures he will implement in conjunction with all relevant stakeholders to put in place adequate measures to enhance habitat, protect breeding grounds and properly fund research concerning any species deemed vulnerable; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31629/23]

Wildlife Protection

Brendan Smith

92. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he is aware of the concerns of stakeholders who attended the April meeting to review the Open Seasons Order that relevant data was not disclosed to them at that time which subsequently came into the public domain, and if he will ensure that in such discussions all relevant data is provided in a timely and transparent manner; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31630/23]

Brexit Supports

Brendan Smith

121. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will ensure that funding is allocated from the Brexit Adjustment Reserve for primary farm producers, in view of the challenges posed by Brexit for the farming sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31481/23]

British-Irish Co-operation

Brendan Smith

14. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Taoiseach for a report on his attendance at the British-Irish Council summit in Jersey. [30081/23]

British-Irish Co-operation

Brendan Smith

17. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Taoiseach to report on any recent discussions he has had with the British Prime Minister. [30942/23]

National Development Plan

Brendan Smith

245. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform the estimated cumulative value of the investments to be made in counties Cavan, Monaghan, Sligo, Leitrim, Louth and Donegal, respectively under the timeframe of the National Development Plan 2021-2030; the estimated funding drawdown to date in each county; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30807/23]

School Funding

Brendan Smith

317. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Education when ICT grants will be paid to primary schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31163/23]

Road Network

Brendan Smith

28. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Transport if, in view of the very substantial increase in road maintenance and road construction costs, he will ensure additional funding is provided for the non-national roads programme for 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30090/23]

Road Network

Brendan Smith

58. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Transport if, in view of the importance of regional and local roads for rural communities and the substantial increase in costs for road maintenance and road construction over the past two years, he will ensure substantial additional funding is provided to Cavan and Monaghan local authorities for the non-national road works programme in 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30091/23]

Tax Credits

Brendan Smith

132. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Finance if he will ensure tax relief for parents in respect of 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. [30144/23]

Tax Credits

Brendan Smith

155. 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. [30145/23]

Health Services

Brendan Smith

302. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Health if urgent consideration will be given to the concerns of a national organisation (details supplied) regarding the proposed reduction in the existing level of services; if he will ensure that adequate services are provided for this region; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30285/23]

Local Authorities

Brendan Smith

104. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the proposals, if any, there are to exempt early education services premises from local authority rates; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29980/23]

National Parks and Wildlife Service

Brendan Smith

105. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when the nature advisory committee will be established, as recommended in the review of the National Parks and Wildlife Service in 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29982/23]

Health Services

Brendan Smith

209. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Health if he will give detailed consideration to the issues raised by a representative organisation (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30056/23]

Student Accommodation

Brendan Smith

230. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will ensure students are not displaced from their accommodation in purpose-built student accommodation; if he is aware of the concerns in relation to the possible change of use of such facilities (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30183/23]

Cabinet Committees

Brendan Smith

7. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee on Brexit and Northern Ireland will next meet. [29758/23]

Sports Funding

Brendan Smith

344. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media when details of the 2023 Sports Capital Programme will be announced; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29291/23]

Pharmacy Services

Brendan Smith

682. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Health if he will give urgent and detailed consideration to a number of healthcare issues raised by a national representative organisation (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29456/23]

Northern Ireland

Brendan Smith

25. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the outcome of his most recent discussions with the political parties in Northern Ireland in relation to the need to have the Assembly and the Executive restored at an early date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28844/23]

Northern Ireland

Brendan Smith

70. 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 concerning legacy issues; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28845/23]

National Broadband Plan

Brendan Smith

105. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the progress to date in the roll-out of the National Broadband plan in counties Cavan and Monaghan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28878/23]

Litter Pollution

Brendan Smith

107. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the proposals, if any, there are to have additional publicity programmes regarding the need to deal with the proliferation of littering problems throughout the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28877/23]

Special Educational Needs

Brendan Smith

202. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Education the present position regarding the provision of SEN accommodation at a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28962/23]

School Accommodation

Brendan Smith

203. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Education the progress to date in relation to providing additional permanent accommodation and upgrade existing accommodation at a school (details supplied); when this project will proceed to the next stage; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28963/23]

Economic Policy

Brendan Smith

4. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Taoiseach if he will report on the Government's response to Ireland's Competitiveness Challenge 2022. [26404/23]

Legislative Measures

Brendan Smith

108. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when the provisions relating to substitute consent (Part XA) and section 37L of the Planning and Development, Maritime and Valuation (Amendment) Act 2022 will be enacted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28781/23]

Departmental Strategies

Brendan Smith

16. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Taoiseach if he will report on the national reform programme for the European semester recently published by his Department. [26402/23]

Cross-Border Co-operation

Brendan Smith

23. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Taoiseach if he will report on the work of the shared island dialogue all-island women's forum civic initiative. [26403/23]

School Enrolments

Brendan Smith

477. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Education if her Department has established the number of students in an area (details supplied) requiring a special education placement who have not yet secured such a place for first year at second level commencing September 2023; the measures that will be introduced to ensure places for such students; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27105/23]

Medicinal Products

Brendan Smith

38. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Health the number of illegal units of medicine that have beendetained by the HPRA; if plans are in place for the HPRA to be given more powers in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26695/23]

Cancer Services

Brendan Smith

80. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on the independent Radiation Therapist Review; how this review will align with the National Cancer Strategy; if the review will include measures to tackle the vacancies of radiotherapists across the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26696/23]

Further and Higher Education

Brendan Smith

89. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he is satisfied that sufficient courses in cybersecurity are available in the further and higher education sectors; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26397/23]

Cross-Border Co-operation

Brendan Smith

105. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the progress to date in advancing collaboration on a North/South basis in the provision of further education throughout this country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26398/23]

Capitation Grants

Brendan Smith

198. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Education if she will give further consideration to a possible restructuring of the capitation grant scheme for primary schools to provide for additional support for smaller schools, which have particular challenges in meeting increasing costs and which are dependent on a small school community to raise funds; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26953/23]

Disability Services

Brendan Smith

303. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the progress to date in developing new accommodation and services (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27033/23]

Further and Higher Education

Brendan Smith

210. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will provide an update on the distribution of the devolved capital grant; the amount that has been allocated to the Cavan and Monaghan Education and Training Board; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26717/23]

EU Regulations

Brendan Smith

353. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the impact assessments that are being carried out in relation to the proposed EU Nature Restoration Regulation concerning the use of farmland and food production; if such assessments are being factored in to the overall national response regarding this proposal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25212/23]

Domestic, Sexual and Gender-based Violence

Brendan Smith

7. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Justice the progress to date in providing a refuge centre in counties Cavan and Monaghan for victims of domestic abuse; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25049/23]

An Garda Síochána

Brendan Smith

10. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Justice if he is satisfied that the present Garda Síochána structures are adequate and sufficiently responsive to meet the security needs of communities, particularly in the Border region; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25050/23]

EU Regulations

Brendan Smith

92. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if the proposed EU nature restoration regulation has been considered at the Council of Agriculture Ministers; if so, the proposals he put forward; the outcome of such discussions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25213/23]

Departmental Strategies

Brendan Smith

13. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Taoiseach when his Department will publish a new strategy statement. [23215/23]

An Garda Síochána

Brendan Smith

26. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Taoiseach if he will provide an update on the work of the policing reform implementation programme office in his Department. [23216/23]

Control of Firearms

Brendan Smith

153. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Justice if he will ensure an adequate consultation process with the relevant representative groups following the publication of the firearms expert committee report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22902/23]

Disability Services

Brendan Smith

185. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will ensure an adequate level of services in a disability service (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25182/23]

Nursing Homes

Brendan Smith

194. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Health if additional supports will be introduced for the private nursing home sector, particularly for smaller-scale providers; the proposals, if any, to introduce a stabilisation fund; when a review of the fair deal scheme will be undertaken; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25044/23]

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]