Results 261-280 of 10,502 for speaker:Niamh Smyth

Written Answers — Department of Health: Health Services (26 Feb 2025)

Niamh Smyth: 294. To ask the Minister for Health if she will review a case (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8406/25]

Written Answers — Department of Health: Health Services (26 Feb 2025)

Niamh Smyth: 338. To ask the Minister for Health to review the case or a person (details supplied); to outline the options for this patient; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8564/25]

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Taxi Licences (25 Feb 2025)

Niamh Smyth: 270. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport for a step-by-step guide on how to apply and renew SPSV licences for local taxi drivers (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7932/25]

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Departmental Funding (25 Feb 2025)

Niamh Smyth: 590. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if a debt repayment plan will be accepted for an overpayment in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7490/25]

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Artificial Intelligence (20 Feb 2025)

Niamh Smyth: I thank Deputy Moynihan for the question and for his very kind comments. A refresh of Ireland's national AI strategy was published in November 2024. It takes account of the significant developments in AI technology and regulation that have happened since the 2021 strategy. The national AI strategy sets out a whole-of-government approach to putting the necessary enablers in place to...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Artificial Intelligence (20 Feb 2025)

Niamh Smyth: I again thank the Deputy for his interest in this area. We had a very good and robust debate last night on AI and its positives. We must always be cautious about the introduction of something like this technology. It is like the revolution of the Internet. We got that first and we were able to do it. This new technology, though, is going to be completely different because I think it is...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Artificial Intelligence (20 Feb 2025)

Niamh Smyth: I thank the Deputies for the broad range of those questions. The number of supplementary questions just goes to demonstrate the interest there is in AI and how it is going to revolutionise everything we do. The advisory council was raised by colleagues. It was established in January 2024. I had the pleasure of meeting its members and their leader, Dr. Patricia Scanlon, last week. All...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Business Supports (20 Feb 2025)

Niamh Smyth: I thank the Deputy very much for his kind wishes and also for his important question. There is a range of supports to help businesses in digitalisation available under the digital transition fund through Enterprise Ireland, IDA Ireland and Údarás na Gaeltachta. In addition, the LEOs offer digitalisation supports for eligible businesses, including the digital for business...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Business Supports (20 Feb 2025)

Niamh Smyth: I thank Deputy Brennan for his remarks. I take on board everything he said. As he pointed out, we had a very robust discussion yesterday on AI and how that is impacting businesses globally, not just nationally. I take his point on board. As the Minister, Deputy Burke, stated, there is a drive to bring all businesses into the digitalisation era and a commitment to have 90% of SMEs there by...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Military Exports (20 Feb 2025)

Niamh Smyth: I assure the Deputy, even though I am only in the Department for a couple of weeks, that, working with the Minister, Deputy Burke, we are sure and we have very strong controls in place. As part of their assessment, my officials seek the views of the Department of Foreign Affairs in respect of all applications for export licences, including those with the end destination of Israel. Both my...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Military Exports (20 Feb 2025)

Niamh Smyth: I thank the Deputies for their questions. They are very legitimate questions to ask. I am assured by the Departments - our own Department and the Department of Foreign Affairs - that they do a really robust risk assessment around those applications. If the officials are not confident or have any question marks over them, they refuse those licences.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Military Exports (20 Feb 2025)

Niamh Smyth: I do not but I will get that for the Deputy. I will get a detailed written reply on the issues the Deputies have raised. In fact, I might ask the Department to have a conversation with the Deputies on the legitimate questions they have raised today.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Business Supports (20 Feb 2025)

Niamh Smyth: My Department established the digital transition fund as part of Ireland's national recovery and resilience plan with the objective of driving the digital transformation of enterprise in Ireland. The Minister, Deputy Burke, spoke earlier about the drive that is being made by the Department to ensure all businesses across Ireland reach those targets. The fund was specifically designed to aid...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Military Exports (20 Feb 2025)

Niamh Smyth: I congratulate Deputy Bennett. It is lovely to say "Deputy Bennett", having worked with her and known her well in Monaghan County Council. I am sure they are all incredibly proud of her down there. Well done. My Department is the national competent authority with responsibility for export controls, including controls on defence-related exports and export of dual-use goods. Controls on...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Regional Development (20 Feb 2025)

Niamh Smyth: I thank Deputy Collins for his question. There are now 26,026 people employed in Enterprise Ireland-supported companies in County Cork, a net increase of 846 jobs during 2024. There was also positive job creation recorded across the three LEOs based in County Cork, with 3,076 jobs supported by 618 LEO clients. This represents a net gain in 2024 of 119 jobs. The FDI performance in the...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Regional Development (20 Feb 2025)

Niamh Smyth: I take the Deputy's point. Balanced regional development is a key priority for the Government and all TDs who are from more rural parts of the country. I will raise the Deputy's specific questions with the Department following this. The number of jobs in Enterprise Ireland-supported companies in County Cork has increased by 846 since 2023, with 26,026 now employed in the county by those...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Regional Development (20 Feb 2025)

Niamh Smyth: I thank the Deputy. I will take a note of the specific areas he asked about. We all want to create the balanced regional development the Deputy has spoken about. The introduction of AI may allow companies to do that and allow people to work in more rural parts. We will focus on that with Enterprise Ireland, the IDA and the LEOs to see how we can support them in achieving that.

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Export Controls (20 Feb 2025)

Niamh Smyth: My Department is the National Competent Authority with responsibility for Export Controls, including Controls on defence-related exports and exports of dual-Use goods. Controls on the export of dual-use items are administered by my Department, in accordance with Regulation (EU) 2021/821 of the European Parliament and of the Council setting up a Union regime for the control of exports,...

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Departmental Policies (20 Feb 2025)

Niamh Smyth: We now have a number of targeted supports in place to drive increased adoption of technology among businesses. Our approach this year will be to drive awareness through our Enterprise Agencies, the LEO network, and the business representative bodies. While Tech companies are rapidly adopting new technologies, much of my Department’s focus is on driving increased usage of AI among...

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Artificial Intelligence (20 Feb 2025)

Niamh Smyth: The Government recognises the transformative potential of AI and other advanced technologies, and the importance, in particular for competitiveness and productivity, of ensuring that enterprises are supported to adapt to and adopt new technologies. As outlined in the Government response to the Competitiveness Challenge report, the Government welcomes this recommendation by the National...