“I welcome the very substantial government funding for the significant projects at St Michael’s Hall, Cootehill, Kingscourt Town Centre, Clones Regeneration and Castleblayney Market Square. 

These projects will enhance very considerably the facilities and amenities in these towns and is part of the government’s overall policy of rural development and regeneration.

I also compliment Cavan County Council and Monaghan County Council on their leadership in preparing these successful applications.  I am sure that the government investment will benefit local communities and also visitors to these areas.

Eliminating dereliction and providing good amenities and facilities in town centres is a good and progressive policy and will many benefits to those areas” stated Brendan Smith TD.

ENDS.

MAY 13 2024

Local Fianna Fáil TD Brendan Smith has welcomed the allocation of €645,211 in grant funding to support sports clubs across Cavan and Monaghan.

A total of €303,463 has been awarded to Cavan clubs, while €341,748 has been allocated for Monaghan clubs. 

The funding was announced today by Minister of State for Sport, Physical Education and the Gaeltacht, Thomas Byrne TD, as part of a record total overall allocation of €26 million in equipment grants nationwide under the latest round of the Sports Capital and Equipment Programme (‘SCEP’).

Deputy Smith said: “It is fantastic to see the time and effort put in every week by club members and volunteers in Cavan and Monaghan be rewarded with this grant funding.

“The grants will go towards funding critical equipment and upgrades for clubs, such as pitch redevelopments and the purchase of gym equipment.

“I want to thank the volunteers and club members in our county for the invaluable work they do at the very heart of our communities.

“The grants announced today reflect the priority Fianna Fáil in Government places on encouraging and facilitating sporting participation and excellence across the country.”

-ENDS-  

ENDS 9/05/2024

Fianna Fáil TD Brendan Smith has called for in-person day services to be reinstated at the Irish Wheelchair Association in Cavan

The Cavan-Monaghan TD said additional funding is needed from the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth for the organisation to enable it to operate more efficiently.

Deputy Smith said: “There is a very urgent need to have in-person day services restored at the Irish Wheelchair Association’s, IWA, centre in Cavan town. Recently and, unfortunately, the day services ceased due to staffing shortages. This has caused understandable annoyance and concern to service users, their families, and the IWA personnel at local level. These services are of critical importance to users. The service has been reduced to an outreach-only model with Zoom meetings, online activities and visits to homes. Lack of pay parity for section 38 and 39 organisations is an issue.

“On becoming aware of the imminent cancellation of day services, I made a strong request to the Minister of State with responsibility for disabilities and the HSE to give additional support to the IWA to deal with the current difficulties. I know from the Minister of State, Deputy Rabbitte, that in the meantime, there has been engagement between the HSE and the IWA. The bottom line is that we need in-person services restored as quickly as possible with appropriate State support.

Minister Roderic O’Gorman, in response to a parliamentary question, said the Irish Wheelchair Association (IWA) submitted a funding application to the HSE on Saturday 13th of April.

“The validation process is at an advanced stage and the HSE will begin issuing funds to IWA this week. These funds are in addition to the Interim payment already issued to IWA earlier this year, as part of this process,” he said.

“I have also been informed that the IWA has recently undertaken a recruitment campaign to fill its vacant positions, in Cavan especially.

“In addition to this, under the leadership of Minister Anne Rabbitte, an Interdepartmental Workforce Steering Group has been established focused on identifying solutions and directing efforts to address workforce supply needs in all sectors of Disability Services.”  

 ENDS 

3/05/2024

Below for your information are replies by An Taoiseach and the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to further Questions I tabled in Dáil Éireann regarding the need to address the issues concerning in person Day Services in the IWA Centre. Cavan. 

Dáil Éireann debate –
Tuesday, 30 Apr 2024

An tOrd Gnó – Order of Business

Deputy Brendan Smith

There is a very urgent need to have in-person day services restored at the Irish Wheelchair Association’s, IWA, centre in Cavan town. Recently and, unfortunately, the day services ceased due to staffing shortages. This has caused understandable annoyance and concern to service users, their families, and the IWA personnel at local level. These services are of critical importance to users. The service has been reduced to an outreach-only model with Zoom meetings, online activities and visits to homes. Lack of pay parity for section 38 and 39 organisations is an issue. On becoming aware of the imminent cancellation of day services, I made a strong request to the Minister of State with responsibility for disabilities and the HSE to give additional support to the IWA to deal with the current difficulties. I know from the Minister of State, Deputy Rabbitte, that in the meantime, there has been engagement between the HSE and the IWA. The bottom line is that we need in-person services restored as quickly as possible with appropriate State support.

The Taoiseach

I thank Deputy Brendan Smith for raising this important issue. I value the work done by the Irish Wheelchair Association. I see the benefit of it across the country and I will certainly take an interest in the issue he highlights in the service in Cavan town. I welcome the fact that the Minister of State, Deputy Rabbitte, is working very hard on this matter. I will talk to the Minister about it also.

______________________________________________
For Oral Answer on : 30/04/2024
Question Number(s): 111 Question Reference(s): 19213/24
Department: Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth
Asked by: Brendan Smith T.D.
______________________________________________


QUESTION

To ask the Minister for Children; Equality; Disability; Integration and Youth if additional funding will be provided to an association delivering services to persons with a disability (details supplied) to enable it to increase remuneration for employees to assist with recruitment and retention issues; and if he will make a statement on the matter. (Details Supplied) Irish Wheelchair Association

REPLY

I am aware of the staffing issues the IWA is facing. These issues are reflective of challenges affecting the wider health and social care sector, and impacting on the ability of the HSE and other providers like the IWA to deliver services.

To support the ability of organisations like the IWA to recruit and retain staff, the Department and its agencies proactively engaged with a Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) process with unions representing staff in Section 39 disability organisations, as well as other providers.

The agreement reached last October, delivered a significant increase in funding to these services, amounting to a phased 8% increase in funding for pay for staff in these voluntary organisations.    An additional €41m has been made available to the HSE in 2024 to meet the full year cost of this increase for disability service providers.

The HSE has already made significant payments to qualifying organisations, and has deployed dedicated resources to work with employer organisations to expedite payments, so that their staff can be paid the increases funded under the WRC agreement.

The Irish Wheelchair Association (IWA) submitted a funding application to the HSE on Saturday 13th of April. The validation process is at an advanced stage and the HSE will begin issuing funds to IWA this week. These funds are in addition to the Interim payment already issued to IWA earlier this year, as part of this process.

I have also been informed that the IWA has recently undertaken a recruitment campaign to fill its vacant positions, in Cavan especially.

In addition to this, under the leadership of Minister Anne Rabbitte, an Interdepartmental Workforce Steering Group has been established focused on identifying solutions and directing efforts to address workforce supply needs in all sectors of Disability Services. 

______________________________________________
For Oral Answer on : 30/04/2024
Question Number(s): 126 Question Reference(s): 19212/24
Department: Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth
Asked by: Brendan Smith T.D.
______________________________________________


QUESTION

To ask the Minister for Children; Equality; Disability; Integration and Youth the measures being implemented by his Department to ensure pay parity for Section 38 and Section 39 organisations’ employees that are providing services on behalf of agencies under the remit of his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

REPLY

The Government recognises that the ability of organisations to recruit and retain staff is crucial to the delivery of quality services and the overall sustainability of the sector.
To support the sustainability of services, including the ability of voluntary organisations to recruit and retain staff, the Department and its agencies proactively engaged with a Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) process with unions representing staff in Section 39 disability organisations.

The agreement reached last October delivered a significant increase in funding to these services, amounting to a phased 8% increase in funding for pay for staff in these voluntary organisations. An additional €41m has been made available to the HSE in 2024 to meet the full year cost of this increase for disability service providers. 

As part of the agreement, Departments also committed to further talks after future public sector agreements. The recently ratified public sector deal opens the door to such further engagement and the WRC has written to relevant parties with a view to reconvening talks. 

The administrative arrangements developed by the HSE to meet the terms of the agreement, are designed to make additional funding available as efficiently as possible to the employer organisations, while also providing for appropriate accountability for expenditure of public monies.

The HSE has contracted dedicated resources to work with employer organisations and set up a portal to expedite payments, so that their staff can be paid the increases funded under the WRC agreement. 

Significant interim payments have already been made to qualifying organisations.

As of 29th April the HSE has indicated that, 422 submissions have been received, 30 Section 39 organisations are currently within the payment process, 8 of which have already been paid with the remainder due payment over coming weeks.

Fianna Fáil TD for Cavan-Monaghan, Brendan Smith, has said additional funding must be provided for the non-national road network, particularly for roads in Cavan and Monaghan.

Speaking in the Dáil, Deputy Smith said he has been raising the issue of funding for almost three years with the highest level of government.

He said: “While I accept that each year the Government has increased funding for the non-national road network, it is not adequate to meet the additional costs that have been incurred due to the war inflicted by Mr. Putin on Ukraine and the resultant increase in energy costs.

“In addition to these increased energy costs, incessant rain over the past year has exacerbated the problems on roads, on those in good condition as well as those that had already deteriorated.

“I am calling for increased funding as a matter of the utmost importance. The funding allocated this year, particularly in Cavan and Monaghan, is not nearly sufficient to carry out a proper road works programme for 2024.

“It is important that the Minister for Transport allocates additional funding to counties including Cavan and Monaghan so that we can bring roads up to a standard that the people deserve and are entitled to. These people are working day in and day out paying their taxes and just because they live in a rural area does not mean they should not be entitled to a proper road network. I implore the Tánaiste to make progress on this matter without further delay.”

In response to Deputy Smith, the Tánaiste committed to have further consultations with the Minister for Transport to explore what can be done for what he acknowledged is “a very pressing problem.”

-ENDS-

“I welcome the allocation of further additional government funding under the Town and Village Renewal Scheme.

Funding of €1.5 million is being provided to benefit 3 projects in Cavan and 3 in Monaghan.  These Schemes will enhance local amenities and facilities and will benefit  local communities and visitors to both counties.

This investment along with schemes funded under other government initiatives is helping to combat dereliction and putting to good use old buildings that need upgrading. Many of these buildings are in prime locations and will add considerably to local infrastructure and amenities. I compliment local voluntary organisations and both Cavan and Monaghan County Councils in preparing successful applications to enable the drawdown of this funding which will be put to good use in the public interest”, stated Brendan Smith TD

“I welcome the allocation of further additional government funding under the Town and Village Renewal Scheme.

Funding of €1.5 million is being provided to benefit 3 projects in Cavan and 3 in Monaghan.  These Schemes will enhance local amenities and facilities and will benefit  local communities and visitors to both counties.

This investment along with schemes funded under other government initiatives is helping to combat dereliction and putting to good use old buildings that need upgrading. Many of these buildings are in prime locations and will add considerably to local infrastructure and amenities.

I compliment local voluntary organisations and both Cavan and Monaghan County Councils in preparing successful applications to enable the drawdown of this funding which will be put to good use in the public interest”, stated Brendan Smith TD.

Cavan/Monaghan Fianna Fáil TD Brendan Smith has welcomed confirmation from the HSE that the recruitment campaign for a full time permanent GP in Swanlinbar is in progress. 

The HSE in their correspondence to Deputy Brendan Smith stated that the successful candidate will be required to provide 10 x 4 hour sessions per week from Monday to Friday each week.  The closing date for applications is this Friday, 25^th April.

“Since Dr Deering retired in October 2020 I have continuously pursued with the HSE and with the Minister for Health the need for a locum GP pending the appointment of a permanent GP.  This is the 6^th time that this vacant position has been advertised by the HSE and I sincerely hope that there will be a successful outcome to this campaign.  I know that the patients of the Swanlinbar practice and the wider community in Glangevlin, Corlough, Bawnboy and Swanlinbar are anxious to have this position filled on a permanent basis”, stated Brendan Smith TD.

23/04/2024

Cavan/Monaghan Fianna Fáil TD Brendan Smith has welcomed the allocation of €1,209,560 to Cavan County Council and €938,444 to Monaghan County Council  under the Local Improvement Scheme for this year.

“This government funding enables the necessary repair of laneways and is very important for many households and farmers throughout all rural parishes.  Unfortunately long delays have occurred for many households in having their lanes repaired as the dedicated funding from the Department of Transport for this particular Scheme ceased in 2012.  There needs to be a continuous and substantial increase in funding for this Scheme to ensure that all eligible roads are brought up to a proper standard of repair”, stated Brendan Smith TD.

ENDS 23/04/2024

Fianna Fáil TD for Cavan Monaghan Brendan Smith has received confirmation from Cuan of its commitment to develop a much-needed domestic refuge centre to accommodate victims of domestic abuse in the Cavan Monaghan area.

The CEO of Cuan, the Domestic Sexual and Gender-Based Violence Agency, Dr Stephanie O’Keeffe, in response to a parliamentary question from Deputy Smith, said the Cavan/Monaghan region has been “identified as a priority area for refuge development”.

Dr O’Keeffe said Cuan has a dedicated team that has been engaging with the local service provider in the Cavan/Monaghan area and that provider will work with Safe Ireland, “who will now lead out on the development of refuge accommodation in the Cavan/Monaghan area”.

“Cuan is engaging with Safe Ireland in this regard and will provide the supports to progress this development in 2024,” she stated. “Cuan has also been engaging both Cavan and Monaghan County Councils to discuss potential refuge development. Cuan is working to progress refuge development in this area as a priority in 2024.”

Deputy Smith said: “I’m pleased to receive confirmation from Cuan that progress is being made on the development of a refuge centre for those suffering domestic, sexual and gender-based violence for the Cavan/Monaghan region and that it will be prioritised this year.    

“This facility is much-needed for the Cavan/Monaghan area. At present there is no dedicated centre for victims of domestic abuse in either county. They have been waiting too long for this centre.”

ENDS