Results 121-140 of 18,437 for speaker:Brendan Smith

Ceisteanna - Questions: National Economic and Social Council (13 May 2025)

Brendan Smith: I thank the Taoiseach for his reply. NESC is doing comprehensive studies in very important areas. I want to again mention an issue that I flagged with the Taoiseach's predecessor, and with the Taoiseach when he held the office previously. Will NESC carry out an assessment of the all-Ireland economy, particularly in the context of cross-Border trade, where there has been development and...

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Legislative Programme (13 May 2025)

Brendan Smith: 542. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment for an update on the Employment (Contractual Retirement Ages) Bill 2025 and when this Bill will be enacted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24200/25]

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Defence Forces (8 May 2025)

Brendan Smith: I thank the Tánaiste for his reply. I will ask just one further supplementary question, given that other Members are waiting to ask questions also. The Tánaiste will be aware of another issue of interest to Defence Forces' organisations, which is the finding of the defence sector arbitration board on 18 November. It upheld a ruling that the terms and conditions the director of...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Defence Forces (8 May 2025)

Brendan Smith: I ask this question on behalf of Deputy O'Meara. As the Tánaiste will know, Uachtarán na hÉireann today paid tribute to members of the Civil Defence. Ireland's Civil Defence has been in existence for 75 years. I am sure we all compliment them on the great work they do in our local communities. I welcome the Tánaiste's announcement during the week regarding...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Defence Forces (8 May 2025)

Brendan Smith: I understand that at the end of February there were in excess of 7,500 personnel enlisted in the Permanent Defence Forces. This is just over 4,000 short of the ambition outlined in the programme for Government. We need to increase enlistment by 50%, which is a substantial target to achieve. Would the Tánaiste have any indication at this stage when he would hope to at least get the...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Defence Forces (8 May 2025)

Brendan Smith: It is good to know there is stabilisation. Hopefully, stabilisation and an increase in enlistment would give more momentum to recruitment and obviously to the important retention aspect as well. The programme for Government has a welcome commitment to build on improvements in the recruitment process, including a nationwide programme for transition year and third level students and better...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Defence Forces (8 May 2025)

Brendan Smith: I thank the Tánaiste for his further response. I genuinely believe that if we had a stronger Reserve Defence Forces, it would be a great conduit for enlistment in the Permanent Defence Forces. I represented two Border constituencies during many bad years on this island. I saw the importance of the Reserve Defence Forces along the Border working in the communities that I have the...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (8 May 2025)

Brendan Smith: 205. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if he is examining the feasibility of developing new accommodation for military personnel; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18021/25]

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (8 May 2025)

Brendan Smith: 209. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence for an update on plans to audit the existing military estate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18020/25]

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Northern Ireland (8 May 2025)

Brendan Smith: 221. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the outcome of his most recent discussions with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland regarding the need to repeal the legacy legislation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23106/25]

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Business Supports (8 May 2025)

Brendan Smith: 311. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment further to Parliamentary Question No. 111 of 2 April 2025, when outstanding payments will issue in respect of applications under the 2024 scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23100/25]

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Departmental Funding (8 May 2025)

Brendan Smith: 312. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the level of funding available in 2025 for the increased cost of business scheme; if a new round of this scheme will be announced shortly; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23101/25]

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Building Projects (8 May 2025)

Brendan Smith: 332. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills when a school building project in Cavan will proceed to the next stage (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23235/25]

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Building Projects (8 May 2025)

Brendan Smith: 333. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills when the proposed building project in Leitrim (details supplied) will proceed to the next stage; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23236/25]

Written Answers — Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Housing Policy (8 May 2025)

Brendan Smith: 347. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the progress to date in reviewing the income eligibility limits for social housing, with particular reference to the need to increase income levels for applicants for council housing in areas such as Cavan and Monaghan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23116/25]

Written Answers — Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Housing Policy (8 May 2025)

Brendan Smith: 348. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government to outline the proposals there are to increase the number of affordable housing schemes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23117/25]

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Departmental Inquiries (8 May 2025)

Brendan Smith: 379. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will give detailed consideration to issues of concern of the IFA (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23105/25]

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Further and Higher Education (7 May 2025)

Brendan Smith: 580. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if provision can be made for the dependent children of critical skill permit holders who are living in Ireland with their parents, and with stamp 3 status, will be enabled to attend further or higher-level education; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22023/25]

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Enterprise Support Services (1 May 2025)

Brendan Smith: 213. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if additional financial support will be made available to local authorities and community groups to develop enterprise centres or work spaces, taking in to account the importance of such facilities in assisting job creation, particularly in smaller towns and villages; if he is aware of the substantial costs on local authorities and...

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Enterprise Support Services (1 May 2025)

Brendan Smith: 214. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if, in view of the importance of developing enterprise centres and work spaces, a new scheme of grant-aid will be introduced to assist local authorities and community groups with such developments, taking into account the importance of such work spaces for the economy in all regions; and if he will make a statement on the matter....