Results 4,281-4,300 of 18,449 for speaker:Brendan Smith

Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement: North-South Implementation Bodies: Waterways Ireland and Loughs Agency (8 Nov 2018)

Brendan Smith: That leadership would be needed for blueways where Waterways Ireland does not have its own remit.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Leader Programmes Administration (8 Nov 2018)

Brendan Smith: 12. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development his plans to streamline the administration of the LEADER programme nationally; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46122/18]

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Leader Programmes Administration (8 Nov 2018)

Brendan Smith: We have been discussing the need to minimise bureaucracy. I understand that in the past, the relevant LEADER company and the Department were the only two agencies involved in the processing and approval of LEADER projects, whereas local action groups, local community development committees, Pobal and the Department are involved at the moment. Rather than involving more agencies, we should...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Leader Programmes Administration (8 Nov 2018)

Brendan Smith: I thank the Minister for his response. I remember listening to public commentary from some of the people involved in administering the programmes. They spoke about the lack of consistency nationally. There are variations in the administration of schemes throughout the country. I recently heard that Article 48 checks are being taken from Pobal and given to the local authorities. The...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Leader Programmes Administration (8 Nov 2018)

Brendan Smith: All of us share the Minister's view that public money has to be put to proper use to maximise the benefit for the people on behalf of whom we work. I know that some communities which were thinking of submitting applications under this programme, and had done some preparatory work to that end, were discouraged by the required level of what they regarded as bureaucracy. The Minister and the...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Leader Programmes Administration (8 Nov 2018)

Brendan Smith: I welcome the Minister's commitment that he is willing to introduce further improvements if they are necessary.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Leader Programmes Expenditure (8 Nov 2018)

Brendan Smith: 9. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development the level of expenditure committed to date under the 2014 to 2020 LEADER programme for each individual programme; the drawdown of such grant aid to date by individual programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46123/18]

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Leader Programmes Expenditure (8 Nov 2018)

Brendan Smith: I represent two counties, Cavan and Monaghan, that have had the benefit of a LEADER programme since 1991. We were one of the pilot projects that were selected by the then Fianna Fáil Government following the introduction of the LEADER programme at European level by the former Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, Ray MacSharry. I have seen the benefits of that investment...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Leader Programmes Expenditure (8 Nov 2018)

Brendan Smith: I thank the Minister for his reply. It is most disappointing to learn that only €31 million out of €250 million has been drawn down. We are at the end of the fourth year of the 2014-20 programme, which I accept was late getting off the ground. I have another question in respect of how we deal with it. Speaking to groups on the ground and people who have been involved in...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Leader Programmes Expenditure (8 Nov 2018)

Brendan Smith: I thank the Minister. Is he satisfied that funding in various parts of the country has been proportionate to activity levels to date? Does he envisage that there will have to be a reallocation of funding between the different companies as time goes on? I am very glad we have two good companies in my constituency actively promoting the LEADER programme. As the Minister is well aware, areas...

Written Answers — Department of Health: National Treatment Purchase Fund (8 Nov 2018)

Brendan Smith: 176. To ask the Minister for Health if orthopaedic procedures will be funded under the National Treatment Purchase Fund in 2019 in view of the delays for patients in areas such as counties Cavan and Monaghan (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46335/18]

Written Answers — Department of Health: Health Services Provision (8 Nov 2018)

Brendan Smith: 180. To ask the Minister for Health the number of children, young persons and adults in counties Cavan and Monaghan waiting for appointments in primary care (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46361/18]

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Brexit Issues (8 Nov 2018)

Brendan Smith: 244. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the discussions held to date with the British authorities and at EU level in relation to the adverse impact Brexit may have on cross-Border bus services; the outcome of such discussions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46362/18]

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Brexit Issues (8 Nov 2018)

Brendan Smith: 245. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will ensure that there will be no disruption to cross-Border bus services following Brexit; if he and Bus Éireann have had discussions with their counterparts in Northern Ireland and Britain; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46363/18]

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Domestic Violence Services Funding (8 Nov 2018)

Brendan Smith: 246. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if funding will be provided in her Department’s Estimates for 2019 towards the improvement and the provision of facilities in counties Cavan and Monaghan for victims of domestic abuse; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46355/18]

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Childcare Services Data (7 Nov 2018)

Brendan Smith: 28. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number of new and or upgraded childcare places that will be provided through her Department’s capital programme in 2019; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45877/18]

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Departmental Funding (7 Nov 2018)

Brendan Smith: 34. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the capital funding available to her Department for 2019; the level of expenditure per scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45876/18]

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: British-Irish Intergovernmental Conference (7 Nov 2018)

Brendan Smith: 46. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the issues discussed at the recent British-Irish Intergovernmental Conference; the outcome of such discussions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46120/18]

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Northern Ireland (7 Nov 2018)

Brendan Smith: 47. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the outcome of the most recent discussions with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland and with the political parties in Northern Ireland on the need to have the Assembly and Executive restored; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46121/18]

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Projects Status (6 Nov 2018)

Brendan Smith: 77. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if funding will be provided in 2019 towards the advancement of planning and design of a road project (details supplied) in view of the importance of this route for the Border region; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45649/18]