Brendan Smith TD

Fianna Fáil · Cavan-Monaghan constituency

15Dáil contributions

62parliamentary questions

May 28, 2026most recent activity

All recent activity captured from oireachtas.ie's public open-data feeds — debate contributions and parliamentary questions. Links open the official record on the Oireachtas website.

Parliamentary questions

May 28, 2026PQ to Minister for Public Expenditure
EU Programmes
Asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation the progress to date in advancing the proposal to establish a successor programme to the Peace Plus Programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
May 28, 2026PQ to Minister for Public Expenditure
Flood Risk Management
Asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation if additional funding will be provided for small scale and large drainage scheme projects in 2026; his proposals for 2027, taking into account the value of smaller scale flood mitigation works; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
May 28, 2026PQ to Minister for Education
Schools Building Projects
Asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she will ensure that approval issues at an early date in respect of a building project for a school (details supplied) taking into account the accommodation needs of this school which have been outlined clearly to the Department and that the school is seeking basic accommodation and replacement of a much outdated prefab which was, in effect, a multi-purpose room; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
May 28, 2026PQ to Minister for Education
Education Policy
Asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she plans to introduce additional measures and incentives to facilitate the establishment of Gaelscoileanna and Gaelcholáistí; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
May 27, 2026PQ to Minister for Agriculture
Tree Remediation
Asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will give urgent consideration to the introduction of grant aid for landowners to remove roadside trees that have ash dieback disease and pose a danger to public safety taking into account the substantial costs in removing such trees; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
May 26, 2026PQ to Minister for Taoiseach
Northern Ireland
Asked the Taoiseach if he will report on the work of the shared island unit in his Department.
May 26, 2026PQ to Minister for Enterprise
Employment Rights
Asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment if an employee working as a live-in carer may have a deduction made from their wages in respect of bed and board; and if so, what constitutes a reasonable deduction; if there is a prescribed limit or cap; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
May 26, 2026PQ to Minister for Enterprise
Work Permits
Asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment if a non-EEA national, specifically a carer from India, may be granted an employment permit where the employer is a private individual; the criteria for such applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
May 26, 2026PQ to Minister for Housing
National Planning Framework
Asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will give detailed consideration to the issues raised in correspondence from a local authority (details supplied).
May 26, 2026PQ to Minister for Housing
Waterways Issues
Asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the works that will be undertaken this year and planned for 2026 on a restoration project (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter.
May 26, 2026PQ to Minister for Housing
National Parks and Wildlife Service
Asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the current status of the review of the memorandum of understanding between the NARCG and NPWS; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
May 26, 2026PQ to Minister for Housing
Wildlife Regulations
Asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when it is proposed to reinstate the Sustainable Hunting of Wild Birds Forum; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
May 21, 2026PQ to Minister for Foreign
North-South Ministerial Council
Asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade for a report on her attendance at the thirty-first plenary meeting of the North-South Ministerial Council on 8 May 2026; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
May 21, 2026PQ to Minister for Foreign
British-Irish Co-operation
Asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the way in which she is engaging with the UK Government to ensure that the measures announced in The Legacy of the Troubles: A Joint Framework are faithfully implemented in both jurisdictions; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
May 21, 2026PQ to Minister for Rural
Rural Schemes
Asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht the level of funding provided for the local improvement scheme in 2026; if further consideration will be given to the provision of additional funding in 2026 for this scheme (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter.
May 21, 2026PQ to Minister for Rural
Rural Recreation Policy
Asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht when details of the next outdoor recreation investment scheme will be announced; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
May 20, 2026PQ to Minister for Rural
Rural Schemes
Asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht the expected timeline for the publication of the new "Our Rural Future" Strategy to be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
May 19, 2026PQ to Minister for Taoiseach
Cabinet Committees
Asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee on Northern Ireland will meet next.
May 19, 2026PQ to Minister for Foreign
Trade Relations
Asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the level of bi-lateral Ireland/Taiwan trade on an annual basis 2020-2025; the measures that will be introduced to support an increase in such trade; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
May 19, 2026PQ to Minister for Social
Social Welfare Eligibility
Asked the Minister for Social Protection if a person on disability allowance and in receipt of a free travel pass, on taking up employment will have no restrictions on retaining this travel pass as they have a long-term disability; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
May 19, 2026PQ to Minister for Agriculture
Wildlife Protection
Asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when he proposes to introduce legislative measures as requested by beekeeping organisations (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter.
May 14, 2026PQ to Minister for Justice
Cross-Border Co-operation
Asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if he will outline the issues discussed at the most recent cross-Border police conference on organised and serious crime; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
May 14, 2026PQ to Minister for Justice
Cross-Border Co-operation
Asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the outcome of the most recent discussions he has had with the Minister for Justice in the Northern Ireland Executive in relation to effectively tackling cross-Border crime; if it is proposed to introduce new initiatives to strengthen existing collaboration; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
May 14, 2026PQ to Minister for Agriculture
EU Presidency
Asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if simplification of schemes and a reduction in paper work for farmers will be a key priority policy issue during Ireland’s Presidency of the EU; the discussions he has had to date with the Commission and with other Member States; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
May 14, 2026PQ to Minister for Agriculture
Common Agricultural Policy
Asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the progress to date at EU Council discussions in relation to the need to ensure that adequate funding is provided for CAP in the next Multiannual Financial Framework; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
May 14, 2026PQ to Minister for Children
Care Services
Asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the criteria applicable for access to respite services (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter.
May 14, 2026PQ to Minister for Health
Ambulance Service
Asked the Minister for Health the measures she will implement to ensure there are no disruptions to the National Ambulance Service throughout the country; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
May 12, 2026PQ to Minister for Further and Higher Education
Education and Training Provision
Asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science when the proposed major building project at Cavan Institute will proceed to the next stage; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
May 12, 2026PQ to Minister for Further and Higher Education
Further and Higher Education
Asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will outline the projects in the Further and Higher Education Sector that will progress under his Department's Capital Programme in 2026; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
May 12, 2026PQ to Minister for Climate
Electricity Generation
Asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the timeline to enact the Electricity (Supply) (Amendment) Bill 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
May 12, 2026PQ to Minister for Health
Hospital Services
Asked the Minister for Health if she will ensure that the views outlined by an association (details supplied) will be adequately provided for in the next National Drugs Strategy; taking into account that similar views and requests have been expressed by other organisations; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
May 12, 2026PQ to Minister for Further and Higher Education
Further and Higher Education
Asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will outline the roll that the Grangegorman Development Agency will undertake in developing capital projects in the Further Education Sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
May 07, 2026PQ to Minister for Culture
Sports Funding
Asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport if there will be increased levels of grant aid in the next community sports facilities fund scheme, taking into account the substantial increase in construction costs since the last round of grants were approved; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
May 07, 2026PQ to Minister for Culture
Sports Funding
Asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport when details of the next community sport facilities fund will be announced; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
May 07, 2026PQ to Minister for Defence
Defence Forces
Asked the Minister for Defence in view of the deterioration in the geopolitical environment, if consideration will be given to the establishment of forward operating bases in areas which are distant from Army barracks and also considering the long land border we have with a neighbouring jurisdiction; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
May 07, 2026PQ to Minister for Defence
Defence Forces
Asked the Minister for Defence the progress made to date on reviewing the structure of the Army, taking into account the recommendation of the Commission on the Defence Forces; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
May 07, 2026PQ to Minister for Education
Departmental Correspondence
Asked the Minister for Education and Youth to give urgent consideration to correspondence received from a school (details supplied), particularly in view of the long delay of this application; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
May 07, 2026PQ to Minister for Education
Departmental Correspondence
Asked the Minister for Education and Youth to give urgent consideration to correspondence received from a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter.
May 07, 2026PQ to Minister for Education
Departmental Correspondence
Asked the Minister for Education and Youth to give urgent consideration to correspondence received from a school (details supplied), particularly in light of the long delay of the application; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
April 30, 2026PQ to Minister for Social
Social Welfare Schemes
Asked the Minister for Social Protection if assistance is available under the additional needs payments scheme to assist persons to meet essential household costs (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter.
April 30, 2026PQ to Minister for Social
Social Welfare Payments
Asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of additional needs payments issued to date in 2026 nationally, and in Cavan and Monaghan; the number for the equivalent period in 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
April 30, 2026PQ to Minister for Transport
Departmental Schemes
Asked the Minister for Transport the progress to date in rolling out a local area hackney scheme; if further consideration will be given to the provision of hackney services in rural communities where it is not feasible to have a bus service; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
April 30, 2026PQ to Minister for Transport
Departmental Schemes
Asked the Minister for Transport the supports that will be provided towards the provision of hackney services in rural communities where it is not feasible to have a bus service; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
April 30, 2026PQ to Minister for Justice
Domestic Violence
Asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the progress to date in providing new services (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter.
April 30, 2026PQ to Minister for Agriculture
Agriculture Supports
Asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the measures that will be introduced to support farmers due to the substantial increase in costs over recent months resulting in financial pressures on the farming community; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
April 29, 2026PQ to Minister for Children
Disability Services
Asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the criteria for access to respite services (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter.
April 28, 2026PQ to Minister for Climate
Energy Prices
Asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment in view of recent increase in energy costs if it is proposed to make amendments to the recent home energy upgrade grant schemes announced by the SEAI in January 2026; if so, the timeframe for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
April 28, 2026PQ to Minister for Health
Departmental Funding
Asked the Minister for Health if she is aware of concerns raised by an organisation (details supplied) in relation to the limited consultant neurology outreach available in Cavan General Hospital; and if she will commit funding to increase this in line with the 2016 Model of Care for Neurology Services in Ireland and the current Programme for Government.
April 28, 2026PQ to Minister for Health
Health Strategies
Asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 1677 of 18 March 2026, the progress to date in finalising a strategy; when same will be published; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
April 23, 2026PQ to Minister for Education
Education Policy
Asked the Minister for Education and Youth if further progress has been made to date in developing a model for smaller schools that, due to their size, do not meet the threshold of six pupils with special needs in order to have a special class sanctioned; and if she will make a statement on the matter.

Dáil contributions

May 28, 2026Question
Schools Building Projects
May 27, 2026Questions
Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation
May 26, 2026Question
Northern Ireland
May 21, 2026Debate
Accessibility and Assistive Technology: Discussion
May 21, 2026Debate
Accessibility and Assistive Technology: Discussion
May 19, 2026Question
Cabinet Committees
May 19, 2026Debate
Decisions on Public Petitions Received
May 13, 2026Questions
Ceisteanna ó na Comhaltaí Eile - Other Members’ Questions
April 29, 2026Debate
Engagement with the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science
April 28, 2026Debate
Petition on Mandatory Mental Health Breaks in Schools: Mr. Jonathan Howe
April 23, 2026Debate
Local Training Initiatives: Discussion
April 22, 2026Questions
Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation
April 16, 2026Question
National Development Plan
April 15, 2026Debate
Student Accommodation: Discussion
April 14, 2026Debate
Petition on Insurance Reform for Thatched Heritage Properties: Discussion