Results 4,281-4,300 of 18,319 for speaker:Brendan Smith

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Pension Provisions (26 Sep 2018)

Brendan Smith: It was introduced by former Deputy Michael Woods.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Pension Provisions (26 Sep 2018)

Brendan Smith: I thank the Minister for her reply. She referred to the fact that farm assist was introduced in 1999. At that time Deputies O'Dea, Durkan and I, as well as most Members of this House representing rural constituencies, were very strong in our advocacy for replacing the smallholder's allowance with farm assist unemployment assistance. The Minister's predecessor at that time, Dr. Michael...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Pension Provisions (26 Sep 2018)

Brendan Smith: My own constituency work suggests this affects a relatively small number of people.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Pension Provisions (26 Sep 2018)

Brendan Smith: I thank the Minister and would be very glad to take up her offer of a meeting. In many instances there was a dramatic change in farm income due to issues like depopulation of a herd or adverse weather conditions. Many of the people involved were filling out their own forms because they were not in a position to engage an accountant to do their paperwork. They often did not read the forms...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Pension Provisions (26 Sep 2018)

Brendan Smith: 61. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection her plans to amend legislation regarding the contributory State pension with particular reference to persons whose insurance contribution records were interrupted due to periods in receipt of farm assist; if the periods that persons were on farm assist can be credited for insurance purposes; if this issue will be considered...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Pension Provisions (26 Sep 2018)

Brendan Smith: The Minister is aware that there is a cohort of people who have reached, or who are about to reach, pension age who were paying the insurance contribution towards a contributory pension. Their insurance record was broken when they availed of the farm assist scheme. Will the Minister assure me that the plight of those people will be considered in the consultation process that is under way,...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Carer's Allowance Delays (26 Sep 2018)

Brendan Smith: 87. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection her plans to allocate additional resources and personnel to reduce the delays in processing carer's allowance applications; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38784/18]

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Brexit Negotiations (26 Sep 2018)

Brendan Smith: 112. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the status of the backstop proposal for to Brexit following the recent European Council meeting; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39103/18]

Written Answers — Department of Health: Nursing Staff Provision (26 Sep 2018)

Brendan Smith: 204. To ask the Minister for Health when the commitment made in early 2016 to provide additional personnel for a health facility (details supplied) will be honoured; if recruitment has been undertaken; when these positions will be filled; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39068/18]

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Staff Recruitment (26 Sep 2018)

Brendan Smith: 205. To ask the Minister for Health when additional resources and personnel will be provided for a department in a health facility (details supplied) in view of delays in providing essential services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39069/18]

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Cross-Border Projects (25 Sep 2018)

Brendan Smith: 96. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development if he or his Department have had recent discussions with the authorities in Northern Ireland on cross-Border projects which maybe affected by Brexit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38599/18]

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Closed-Circuit Television Systems (25 Sep 2018)

Brendan Smith: 227. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if consideration will be given to the issues raised by a local authority (details supplied) in relation to CCTV schemes; the measures he plans to implement to improve the criteria pertaining to this scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38782/18]

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Brexit Issues (25 Sep 2018)

Brendan Smith: 412. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the specific details of the request from the European Commission on the commissioning of a study into the implications of a hard Brexit for the single electricity market; when the Commission made this request; when the study was commissioned; the terms of reference of the study; the person or body that undertook the...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Childcare Services Funding (20 Sep 2018)

Brendan Smith: I thank the Minister of State for her response. The last day we discussed this issue during Oral Questions the Minister of State used a phrase indicating it was her absolute priority to get enough moneys for capital provision to increase childcare infrastructure. I support fully that strong commitment. I appeal to the Minister of State to ensure there is a strand within the capital budget...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Childcare Services Funding (20 Sep 2018)

Brendan Smith: We can meet and discuss it.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Childcare Services Funding (20 Sep 2018)

Brendan Smith: 7. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the progress to date in progressing a new childcare capital grant scheme to assist in the provision of new childcare facilities in cases in which there is an identified need for additional places and in which the maximum level of grant aid under the present scheme would be inadequate to help a community childcare organisation to provide...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Childcare Services Funding (20 Sep 2018)

Brendan Smith: 21. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs her plans to introduce a new childcare capital grant scheme to assist childcare providers to extend or provide new childcare facilities in cases in which there is an identified need for additional places; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38000/18]

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Childcare Services Funding (20 Sep 2018)

Brendan Smith: The Minister will recall that I raised with her on a number of occasions the need for a substantial increase in the grant aid to assist with the provision of additional childcare places. This is particularly important for the community childcare sector. The Minister mentioned to me in July, when we discussed this matter, that she would be discussing it with stakeholders, and she hoped to...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Childcare Services Funding (20 Sep 2018)

Brendan Smith: I thank the Minister for her detailed response. We all support the provision of additional childcare places. It is great that there is demand for such places and the refurbishment and upgrading of some facilities that have been in use for some time. The Minister mentioned the €1 million grants. I spoke to her privately about a certain project. I had the privilege of approving...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Business of Joint Committee (20 Sep 2018)

Brendan Smith: Apologies have been received from Senator Billy Lawless. Is it agreed that we go into private session to deal with a number of matters? Agreed.