Results 1,461-1,480 of 18,442 for speaker:Brendan Smith

Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement: The Economic and Social Benefits of the Belfast-Good Friday Agreement: IBEC (9 Feb 2023)

Brendan Smith: Unfortunately, nobody is online. Ms Claire Hannon, MP and Mr. Stephen Farry, MP have been detained at meetings in Westminster but they had wanted to participate. I sincerely thank everyone for their contributions. In particular, Ms Gallagher mentioned further engagement, as did Deputy Wynne. That would be useful both at the committee and in other fora. Hopefully, we will be able to...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement: The Economic and Social Benefits of the Belfast-Good Friday Agreement: IBEC (9 Feb 2023)

Brendan Smith: I think so. The National Economic and Social Council, NESC, is doing research and some of the universities are doing research so it would be useful to have all of those together. Again, I offer a sincere thanks to IBEC and we look forward to further engagement.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement: The Economic and Social Benefits of the Belfast-Good Friday Agreement: IBEC (9 Feb 2023)

Brendan Smith: I will have to stop Mr. D'Arcy there as we have exceeded the time considerably. We will come back to him on those issues.

Ceisteanna - Questions: National Economic and Social Council (8 Feb 2023)

Brendan Smith: I asked about the central Border area.

Ceisteanna - Questions: National Economic and Social Council (8 Feb 2023)

Brendan Smith: Some months ago during Taoiseach's questions, I welcomed the initiative of the shared island unit in the Department of the Taoiseach in having NESC undertake work on its behalf, in the context of the economy and regional development. I hope the Taoiseach can take on board what I suggested at the time, in the context of discussions he said would be taking place in March between the shared...

Ceisteanna - Questions: National Economic and Social Council (8 Feb 2023)

Brendan Smith: 22. To ask the Taoiseach if he will report on the work of the National Economic and Social Council. [5799/23]

Written Answers — Department of Health: Covid-19 Pandemic Supports (8 Feb 2023)

Brendan Smith: 343. To ask the Minister for Health when front-line healthcare staff employed by agencies will receive their Covid bonus payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5612/23]

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Educational Disadvantage (2 Feb 2023)

Brendan Smith: 83. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if there are proposals to extend the current Delivering Equality of Opportunity in Schools, DEIS, programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4950/23]

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Educational Disadvantage (2 Feb 2023)

Brendan Smith: It is almost a year since the Minister made the welcome announcement that the DEIS programme was to be extended. The provision of those targeted supports to more schools will benefit a great many students. More than 240,000 students are now able to avail of DEIS supports. More than 1,200 schools are involved in the scheme. As the Minister will know, every Deputy has schools in his or her...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Educational Disadvantage (2 Feb 2023)

Brendan Smith: I thank the Minister for her reply. I very much welcome her provision of additional funding for services to be provided universally to all students regardless of the particular school they attend. I previously discussed with the Minister two particular schools in Cavan that were excluded this time. I have detailed notes prepared and may talk to the Minister about those particular schools...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Educational Disadvantage (2 Feb 2023)

Brendan Smith: The Minister may recall that, a year or more ago, I raised with her and the then Taoiseach, Deputy Micheál Martin, the whole area of special education provision. I compliment the Minister and the Minister of State, Deputy Madigan, on the progress that has been made in ensuring a substantial expansion in the provision of special education. At that time, I questioned whether the input of...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Defence Forces (2 Feb 2023)

Brendan Smith: The Tánaiste mentioned that the newly appointed independent chair is Ms Julie Sinnamon. She has been an exceptional public servant and I have no doubt that she will do a very good job again on behalf of the State and all its citizens. I wish to talk about structures in the Army, with particular reference to accommodation. Unfortunately, 11 years ago the most modern army barracks in...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Defence Forces (2 Feb 2023)

Brendan Smith: I thank the Tánaiste for his reply. As he is aware, Cavan had a proud Army tradition over the years. Generations of families joined and were proud to serve our country at home and abroad. I am sure Deputy Berry and others in the House would agree with me that there was always greater recruitment in areas where there were substantial Army barracks, such as in Cavan, Kildare and other...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Defence Forces (2 Feb 2023)

Brendan Smith: 27. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the status of the review by his Department and the Defence Forces of the recommendations in the Report of the Commission on the Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5145/23]

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (2 Feb 2023)

Brendan Smith: 56. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if he will review the structures and organisation of the Defence Forces with particular reference to the security needs of the Border region; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5146/23]

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Special Educational Needs (2 Feb 2023)

Brendan Smith: 119. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she will report on the level of funding and plans for the 2023 July Provision; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4949/23]

Ceisteanna - Questions: Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements (1 Feb 2023)

Brendan Smith: I thank an Taoiseach for his reply and I welcome the fact that he has had engagement with the political parties in Northern Ireland and the British Government. I also welcome that an Tánaiste and other members of the Government attended the British-Irish Intergovernmental Conference in mid-January. All those meetings are important, particularly in the absence of the North-South...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements (1 Feb 2023)

Brendan Smith: 1. To ask the Taoiseach if he will report on his recent visit to Northern Ireland for discussions with the political parties there. [4220/23]

Ceisteanna - Questions: Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements (1 Feb 2023)

Brendan Smith: 2. To ask the Taoiseach if he will report on his recent telephone conversation with the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom. [4221/23]

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Energy Policy (1 Feb 2023)

Brendan Smith: 66. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he will ensure that persons who live over their business premises where the same electricity connection covers the entire premises, both residential and business, will have their accounts credited through the electricity costs emergency benefit schemes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5140/23]