Results 2,181-2,200 of 18,301 for speaker:Brendan Smith

Financial Resolutions 2021 - Financial Resolution No. 1: Tobacco Products Tax (12 Oct 2021)

Brendan Smith: I too wish to address the issue raised by Deputy Fitzpatrick, that is, the illegal tobacco products that, unfortunately, are prevalent in so many communities. I have heard of people going door to door in housing estates, selling these illicit products. Members can imagine the damage that is doing to human beings. In the Border area, there was enough damage done to vehicles and legitimate...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Employment Schemes (7 Oct 2021)

Brendan Smith: 40. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if the rural social scheme will be amended to enable participants who wish to remain on the scheme until pension age; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48452/21]

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Rural Schemes (7 Oct 2021)

Brendan Smith: 91. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if she will remove the six-year cap on participation on the rural social scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48451/21]

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Early Childhood Care and Education (7 Oct 2021)

Brendan Smith: 127. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if it is proposed to expand the capital grant scheme for the provision of upgraded and or additional childcare accommodation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48632/21]

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Departmental Data (7 Oct 2021)

Brendan Smith: 166. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the total allocation in 2021 for the childcare capital grant scheme; the projected drawdown of this funding by year end; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48633/21]

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Departmental Correspondence (7 Oct 2021)

Brendan Smith: 181. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if concerns outlined in correspondence (details supplied) will be given urgent consideration; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48840/21]

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Domestic Violence (7 Oct 2021)

Brendan Smith: 321. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if a refuge centre for victims of domestic abuse will be established in counties Cavan and Monaghan in 2022; the progress to date in reviewing emergency accommodation nationwide; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49035/21]

Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement: Engagement with the Community Foundation for Ireland (7 Oct 2021)

Brendan Smith: I welcome our guests and thank them for their presentations on a very important area. The foundation, both nationally and through its member organisations, does very important work on behalf of so many areas where there is disadvantage. Over the course of the pandemic, we have become more and more aware of the increasing incidence of domestic violence and so on. There are many areas that...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement: Engagement with the Community Foundation for Ireland (7 Oct 2021)

Brendan Smith: I thank our guests for their responses. I asked earlier about the figures quoted in regard to the allocation of funding and the support of various very worthy causes. I presume they do not in any way encompass the high level of philanthropy and sponsorship, at both local and national level, in which our country and communities are involved. I do not know how that could be quantified or...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement: Engagement with Coiste na nIarchimí (7 Oct 2021)

Brendan Smith: I welcome the witnesses. It is disappointing that since we last met this representative group there has not been progress on those key issues. At the outset, Mr. Quigley referred to Annex B of the Good Friday Agreement of 1998. He mentioned in particular the extract, "The Governments continue to recognise the importance of measures to facilitate the reintegration of prisoners into the...

Written Answers — Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Tourism Industry (6 Oct 2021)

Brendan Smith: 29. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if detailed consideration will be given to the issues outlined in a submission (details supplied) with a view to ensuring that this sector gets adequate Government financial support; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48606/21]

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Defence Forces (30 Sep 2021)

Brendan Smith: I have one regret with regard to the composition of the membership of the commission. Before the commission was established, I argued in this House that it should include a person who had extensive experience in the Border region during that awful era when our Permanent Defence Force, gardaí and other emergency services had to deal with thugs, criminals, paramilitaries and murderers as...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Defence Forces (30 Sep 2021)

Brendan Smith: 106. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence when the Commission on the Defence Forces will report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47119/21]

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Defence Forces (30 Sep 2021)

Brendan Smith: I welcome that following the commitment made in the programme for Government, the Minister has established within a short timeframe the Commission on the Defence Forces. When does he expect the commission to report? Hopefully, he will be able to give us a commitment that the recommendations put forward in the commission's report will be implemented by Government within a set timeframe.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Defence Forces (30 Sep 2021)

Brendan Smith: I am glad the capacity of the RDF was included in the commission's remit because often over the years the very good work of that force has not been given the recognition that it should have. I raised this issue in the House on many occasions. During the previous Dáil, on many occasions in plenary session and at committees, we discussed the issues and the problems of retaining personnel...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (30 Sep 2021)

Brendan Smith: 134. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the current strength of the Reserve Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47120/21]

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Telecommunications Services (30 Sep 2021)

Brendan Smith: 150. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if detailed consideration will be given to issues raised in correspondence by a local authority (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47266/21]

Written Answers — Department of Finance: An Garda Síochána (30 Sep 2021)

Brendan Smith: 176. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform when work will commence on a project (details supplied); the expected timeframe for these refurbishment works; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47397/21]

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Employment Support Services (30 Sep 2021)

Brendan Smith: 272. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if she will give further consideration to issues raised in correspondence by a local authority (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47268/21]

Housing for All: Statements (Resumed) (29 Sep 2021)

Brendan Smith: I welcome the Housing for All strategy and compliment the Minister, Deputy Darragh O'Brien, and his colleagues for bringing this programme forward. It is one that has the potential to tackle the major housing crisis that affects this country at present significantly and very well. It is the largest State-led building programme in Irish history. I welcome the fact that there is an emphasis...