Results 1,481-1,500 of 18,301 for speaker:Brendan Smith

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Drug Dealing (20 Oct 2022)

Brendan Smith: 7. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the additional measures that will be introduced to reduce access to illegal drugs which are causing serious problems in communities throughout the country; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52114/22]

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Drug Dealing (20 Oct 2022)

Brendan Smith: As we are all aware, drug dealing is causing untold damage to individuals, families and communities throughout every part of our island. At one time we thought those activities were confined to major urban areas but nowadays, unfortunately, no area is exempt from such problems. The response to the drugs issue must be multifaceted. Reducing access to illegal drugs has to be a critical...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Drug Dealing (20 Oct 2022)

Brendan Smith: I thank the Minister of State for his reply. I also commend An Garda Síochána and the other statutory agencies on their work in trying to cut off the supply of illegal drugs. We know they are dealing with dangerous criminals and drug traffickers who are part of an international industry. This is not only a national issue. These international gangs are wreaking havoc on...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Drug Dealing (20 Oct 2022)

Brendan Smith: I fully agree with the Minister of State and I very much welcome the introduction of the armed support unit in Cavan in 2020. It was a measure that I and other public representatives in the Cavan-Monaghan area had called for. The unit is doing extremely good work. As I said, I fully appreciate it is not just criminal sanction and enforcement measures that will rid our society of the...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Nursing Homes (20 Oct 2022)

Brendan Smith: 126. To ask the Minister for Health when additional supports will be provided to small-scale nursing home providers in view of the substantial pressures on such providers due to increased costs at present; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52111/22]

Written Answers — Department of Health: Nursing Homes (20 Oct 2022)

Brendan Smith: 178. To ask the Minister for Health the measures that will be introduced to eliminate the differential in payments to nursing homes across different geographical areas under the Nursing Homes Support Scheme Act 2009; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52112/22]

Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement: Architects of the Good Friday Agreement (Resumed): Mr. Bertie Ahern (20 Oct 2022)

Brendan Smith: As the Cathaoirleach and other speakers have said, Mr. Ahern is very welcome. It is great to listen to him, as one of the principal architects of the Good Friday Agreement, and to listen to the great preparatory work that was done leading up to the negotiations. He was very generous in his compliments to other people who participated and who played a very active and positive role in the...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (19 Oct 2022)

Brendan Smith: A welcome provision in the budget was the introduction of a €1,000 State financial support towards student fees. It is a once-off payment. Unfortunately, it is not applicable to students studying in Northern Ireland, Britain or outside our State. That is wrong. We have to encourage students to travel to study on a cross-Border basis. That should be revisited. There is also a...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Dental Services (19 Oct 2022)

Brendan Smith: 245. To ask the Minister for Health if he will ensure that additional resources are provided, without delay, to enhance an inadequate health service at present (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52306/22]

Ceisteanna - Questions: Cabinet Committees (18 Oct 2022)

Brendan Smith: 21. To ask the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee on Brexit and Northern Ireland will next meet. [49952/22]

Ceisteanna - Questions: Cabinet Committees (18 Oct 2022)

Brendan Smith: I welcome the Taoiseach's visit and meetings with the political party representatives in Stormont yesterday. It is irresponsible that we do not have a fully functional assembly and Executive in Northern Ireland. Other Members have referred to the cost of living and the huge pressures on families and businesses in practically all sectors of society. The last thing we need is ongoing...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Economic Policy (18 Oct 2022)

Brendan Smith: As the Taoiseach is well aware, the economy of Cavan-Monaghan and the wider Border region is heavily dependent on SMEs. These enterprises are concerned about the increasing costs facing businesses. When such enterprises commence, their first export markets are Northern Ireland and Britain, but there are additional costs due to Brexit. There have also been supply chain difficulties in...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Economic Policy (18 Oct 2022)

Brendan Smith: 11. To ask the Taoiseach if he will report on the work of the economic policy unit of his Department. [51688/22]

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Transport (18 Oct 2022)

Brendan Smith: 408. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if experienced bus drivers aged 70 years and over, and meeting all health criteria, will be eligible for employment by Bus Éireann or by private contractors carrying out public contracts; if she will ensure that this issue is given further consideration in view of the shortage of such drivers at present; and if she will make a statement...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Third Level Costs (18 Oct 2022)

Brendan Smith: 630. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills further to Parliamentary Question No. 511 of 4 October 2022, if he will give further consideration to the need to provide the once-off €1,000 State financial support towards fees for students attending college outside the State, taking into account the substantial increase in costs for such students studying in Northern Ireland and...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Social Welfare Benefits (13 Oct 2022)

Brendan Smith: 21. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if she will improve the criteria for the free fuel allowance in circumstances where a family member returns to live on a temporary basis with a parent or a sibling who are in receipt of the free fuel allowance and ensure the continuation of this payment where the changed household composition is of a temporary nature; and if...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Social Welfare Benefits (13 Oct 2022)

Brendan Smith: 25. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the proposals to improve the criteria for the free fuel allowance in cases in which a family member, due to housing or domestic difficulties, may return to live with a parent on a temporary basis and that parent normally resides on their own and had been in receipt of free fuel allowance; if she will ensure that such a...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Early Childhood Care and Education (13 Oct 2022)

Brendan Smith: 164. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he has had discussions recently with representative organisations concerning the impact of recent changes in relation to the core funding model given that concerns have been experienced by some ECCE childcare providers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50623/22]

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Education Policy (13 Oct 2022)

Brendan Smith: 248. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the timeline for the roll-out of accessibility statements in schools for school websites to be achieved; and the work that her Department is conducting on this; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50784/22]

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Education Policy (13 Oct 2022)

Brendan Smith: 249. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills her Department's plans, if any, to review its policy in relation to the use and provision of online electronic devices, such as notebooks, used in schools with regard to ensuring that all students have access to such, that costs are not disproportionately placed on parents where such devices are compulsory in schools, to ensure standard...