Results 21-40 of 10,711 for speaker:Niamh Smyth

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: EU Regulations (17 Jul 2025)

Niamh Smyth: As the Deputy is aware, there is a particular focus on simplification and burden reduction at EU level with a view to improving EU competitiveness and ensuring there aren’t disproportionate burdens on business, particularly SMEs. In this context, the Omnibus on sustainability was published in February 2025. Following negotiations over a series of meetings, the Polish Presidency...

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Artificial Intelligence (17 Jul 2025)

Niamh Smyth: I am aware of the concerns and recent media coverage on the potential impact of Artificial Intelligence on jobs. Much of the independent research available to date indicates that AI has been augmenting rather than replacing jobs. AI is evolving rapidly, and it is too early to predict with accuracy the full impact that AI will have on the labour market, but what is clear is that the...

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Artificial Intelligence (17 Jul 2025)

Niamh Smyth: Artificial Intelligence (AI) is clearly a transformative force that holds immense potential for our economy and society. Harnessing the benefits of AI is essential for Ireland to future-proof our industries and remain globally competitive. Equally, AI is a disruptive technology and I am acutely aware of the concerns regarding the impact of AI on the labour market and the recent media...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Departmental Reviews (17 Jul 2025)

Niamh Smyth: 399. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if he will review an application (details supplied); if the decision will be expedited; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40571/25]

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Special Educational Needs (16 Jul 2025)

Niamh Smyth: Deputy Ardagh has made the case well for Scoil Eoin. It is important that we, as public representatives, who have the opportunity to listen to the real-life stories of parents and teachers, such as in Scoil Eoin relay that to Department officials as well as the Deputy's sense that to make any change will dismantle something that works, that is good and that is providing the care and the...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Trade Relations (16 Jul 2025)

Niamh Smyth: The Tánaiste and other Ministers have been vocal and constructive voices at the table to ensure the EU's approach remains measured and appropriate. The Government's constant and consistent position has been, and remains, that we need substantive, calm, measured and comprehensive dialogue with the United States. This is also the position of the EU. Our objective remains to reach...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Special Educational Needs (16 Jul 2025)

Niamh Smyth: I thank the Deputy for her emotional presentation. I know she is acutely aware of the requirements that should be in place. She has the experience of a school that is doing the job really well. As she asked, why fix something that is not broken? Her experience of this school has obviously been a positive one. The Government is committed to the provision of additional special school...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Middle East (16 Jul 2025)

Niamh Smyth: I concur with the Deputy’s sentiments. His parting thoughts leaving at the weekend were of the young people and the mentality of the young people having suffered what they had suffered. Yesterday, during Leaders’ Questions, we discussed the occupied territories Bill. The Taoiseach talked how if it were not for media and social media, we would be blind to much of what was...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Trade Relations (16 Jul 2025)

Niamh Smyth: I thank the Deputy for his presentation. I concur, particularly with his opening piece on the vulnerabilities within Ireland. I disagree with him in the sense that he talked about the vulnerability. I sit on the trade forum established by the Tánaiste since the trade war, or the utterance of trade wars, began. All the Government agencies and State bodies, such as Fáilte Ireland...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Middle East (16 Jul 2025)

Niamh Smyth: I thank Deputy Brennan very much for his very eloquent, heartfelt and almost emotional contribution. He is speaking from experience in the aftermath of his visit out there. I know he has been very active and vocal on the occupied territories Bill at the committee, which is what he is seeking a response on today. I concur with the Deputy's comments about Senator Frances Black. She has...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Medical Cards (16 Jul 2025)

Niamh Smyth: I thank the Deputy for her heartfelt request and for raising this important issue. I welcome the opportunity to update the House on this matter on behalf of the Department of Health. Under the Health Act 1970, eligibility for a medical card is based primarily on means. The Act obliges the HSE to assess whether a person is unable, without undue hardship, to arrange medical services for...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Medical Cards (16 Jul 2025)

Niamh Smyth: As I outlined, eligibility for the medical card is primarily based on means and a financial assessment conducted by the HSE in accordance with the Health Act 1970. The HSE has put in place a range of measures to assist people in applying for the medical card, which includes the availability of medical cards online. All of this the Deputy knows. I concur with the sentiment of her...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Driver Test (16 Jul 2025)

Niamh Smyth: 49. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will review correspondence (details supplied); if he will expedite a driving test for the person given particular circumstances outlined; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40135/25]

Written Answers — Department of Health: Mental Health Services (16 Jul 2025)

Niamh Smyth: 243. To ask the Minister for Health the plans in place for the roll out of a service (details supplied) in County Cavan; the discussions had in relation to this; the agreements that have been made regarding the prevision of this service; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39834/25]

Written Answers — Department of Health: Disability Services (16 Jul 2025)

Niamh Smyth: 301. To ask the Minister for Health if the case of a person (details supplied) will be reviewed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40121/25]

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Departmental Staff (15 Jul 2025)

Niamh Smyth: My Department is committed to ensuring that the Corporate Enforcement Authority (CEA) is appropriately resourced, both in terms of the human resources and financial supports required. Budget 2025 included a budget increase for the CEA which included an increase to its pay allocation for the hiring of additional specialist staff identified in the CEA’s assessment of its requirements...

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Departmental Staff (15 Jul 2025)

Niamh Smyth: Please see table below: Year Number of WTE Digital Investigation Specialists at HEO Level 2023 1 2024 1 2025 (to date) 1 Note: One Higher Executive Officer (HEO) has been carrying out the role of digital investigation specialist which they call digital forensic investigator within the...

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Artificial Intelligence (15 Jul 2025)

Niamh Smyth: The AI Advisory Council submitted a report entitled Ireland’s AI Advisory Council Recommendations – Helping to Shape Ireland’s AI Future to the Government in February of this year. The report outlines the Council’s position on key opportunities and strategic policy recommendations to accelerate AI adoption in Ireland while safeguarding our economy,...

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Artificial Intelligence (15 Jul 2025)

Niamh Smyth: As per the Government decision Ireland has adopted a distributed model for the implementation of the EU Artificial Intelligence Act. As part of the implementation it will be necessary to establish a central and coordinating authority to ensure the effective and coherence governance of the AI Act in Ireland. My Department, in consultation with officials across the wider government...

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Departmental Meetings (15 Jul 2025)

Niamh Smyth: There is now a significant body of legislation providing the foundation for Ireland’s online safety framework, including the regulation of social media. Coimisiún na Meán, as Ireland’s new online safety and media regulator, is at the heart of that framework. It was established under the Online Safety and Media Regulation (OSMR) Act, which transposed the EU Audio...