Results 241-260 of 17,665 for speaker:Brendan Smith

Ceisteanna - Questions: National Economic and Social Council (6 Dec 2023)

Brendan Smith: Thankfully, the all-Ireland economy has developed very strongly since the signing of the Good Friday Agreement in April 1998. Businesses have developed on a cross-Border basis; trade has strengthened North-South and east-west; and enterprises have developed on an all-Ireland basis as well. It is very important that in planning for further expansion of the all-Ireland economy, we are mindful...

Ceisteanna - Questions: National Economic and Social Council (6 Dec 2023)

Brendan Smith: -----the central Border region. This is a region that does not have major urban centres or a third level institute so it is particularly important we plan for the areas that are not as developed as the major urban areas.

Ceisteanna - Questions: National Economic and Social Council (6 Dec 2023)

Brendan Smith: 16. To ask the Taoiseach if he will report on the work of the National Economic and Social Council, a statutory agency operating under the aegis of his Department. [53189/23]

Estimates for Public Services 2023: Programme for Government (5 Dec 2023)

Brendan Smith: 6. To ask the Taoiseach if he will provide an update on the programme for Government. [52547/23]

Estimates for Public Services 2023: Programme for Government (5 Dec 2023)

Brendan Smith: The Taoiseach may recall that there was a commitment in the programme for Government in 2020 to provide additional supports for SMEs and also to scale up Microfinance Ireland so it could support greater numbers of small businesses and start-ups in accessing finance. We all know that energy costs are killing some businesses. Small enterprises in hospitality and small retail businesses are...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Schools Amalgamation (30 Nov 2023)

Brendan Smith: 73. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills when a school application will be approved (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52741/23]

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Schools Amalgamation (30 Nov 2023)

Brendan Smith: The boards of management of St. Mary's Boys' National School and the Convent of Mercy National School in Belturbet, County Cavan, submitted a well-researched and detailed proposal to the Minister's Department seeking approval to amalgamate the schools and have a new school provided on an identified suitable site owned by the parish within the town. Both aspects of this proposal need to be...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Schools Amalgamation (30 Nov 2023)

Brendan Smith: I am glad the Minister has confirmed the Department is assessing the application. I do not want an amalgamation proposal to be approved for the schools to operate from the existing sites. That would defeat the purpose of the exercise. I compliment the Minister on the excellent school building programme she has had in place for the past three and a half years. My constituency,...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Schools Amalgamation (30 Nov 2023)

Brendan Smith: I thank the Minister. As she will know from having visited Cavan and being familiar with the area, unfortunately Belturbet has suffered terribly over decades. There were bombs there and people were killed. The town suffered immeasurably. Thankfully, we are now in a new era in areas like Cavan and Monaghan. I welcome that the population of Belturbet showed a substantial increase in the...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Bus Services (30 Nov 2023)

Brendan Smith: 44. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport in view of the concerns of commuters about delays occurring at peak times in accessing buses, if additional capacity will be provided on a route where a public service contract is operated under the National Transport Authority (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52772/23]

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Network (30 Nov 2023)

Brendan Smith: 54. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the total funding provided in 2023 for the non-national road network; if he will ensure that increased funding will be provided for this road network in 2024 due to the need for an increased investment in these roads in areas such as counties Cavan and Monaghan, and also taking into account the substantial increase in costs of road...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Northern Ireland (30 Nov 2023)

Brendan Smith: 171. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade for an update on any recent discussions he has had in relation to the restoration of the executive in Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50269/23]

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Funding (30 Nov 2023)

Brendan Smith: 207. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade for a report on his Department’s Shared Island Civic Society Fund; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50270/23]

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (29 Nov 2023)

Brendan Smith: I wish to raise again the unacceptable delays in children with additional needs getting appropriate follow-up treatment following an assessment of need. There are very long delays in children obtaining therapies such as occupational therapy, speech and language therapy and physiotherapy. We all know of the absolute importance of having early interventions to support a person with a...

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Official Engagements (29 Nov 2023)

Brendan Smith: 68. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she will report on her recent meeting with the British Secretary of State for Education Gillian Keegan; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52763/23]

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: School Textbooks (29 Nov 2023)

Brendan Smith: 69. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the number of students in Connacht and Ulster who will benefit from the free schoolbooks scheme in both primary and secondary schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52764/23]

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Crime Prevention (29 Nov 2023)

Brendan Smith: 106. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if additional legislative measures are needed to deal effectively with violence, criminality and thuggery as experienced in Dublin city centre on 23 November 2023; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52783/23]

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Flood Risk Management (28 Nov 2023)

Brendan Smith: 63. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform The proposals to intensify co-operation with the relevant departments and agencies in Northern Ireland to deal with flooding problems that affect Border communities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52356/23]

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Flood Risk Management (28 Nov 2023)

Brendan Smith: 65. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the proposals there are to review and amend the Arterial Drainage Act 1945; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52355/23]

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Bus Services (28 Nov 2023)

Brendan Smith: 163. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if provision will be made to enable persons aged 70 years and over, subject to appropriate medical checks, to drive public service vehicles and vehicles employed on State contracts on behalf of companies under the remit of his Department as difficulties have arisen in many areas with a shortage of qualified drivers; and if he will make...