From 1st June HRT products and medicines will be completely free of charge at participating pharmacies, once prescribed by a healthcare provider.

To access this support, you just need to be registered with the Drugs Payment Scheme.

This initiative represents real progress in recognising and responding to the healthcare needs of women, a key priority for Fianna Fáil in Government. It’s not just about access to medication – it’s about dignity, wellbeing, empowerment and ensuring that cost is not a barrier to essential healthcare.

Brendan Smith, Fianna Fáil TD for Cavan Monaghan, has welcomed the announcement of new funding for local agri-food tourism projects under the 2025 Rural Innovation and Development Fund operated by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine. 

“I was very pleased to receive confirmation from the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine that both Cavan Food Network, operated by Cavan County Council, and Monaghan County Council’s Food Destination Promotion project have been allocated €10,000 each following the Agri-Food Tourism tender process for 2025.

The agri-food tourism sector has great potential in our region.  It allows local food companies to showcase their produce, as well as their heritage and innovation.

There is a natural synergy between agri-food and local tourism and this funding provides opportunities for rural businesses, including farmers, producers and artisans to develop their products and services, diversify their businesses, connect with the local community, welcome visitors and improve skills and best practice.

I wish all of those involved the best of luck with their projects and I am sure that they will continue to strongly promote the fantastic, quality food that is being produced locally,” said Deputy Brendan Smith.

______________________________________________

For Written Answer on : 29/05/2025
Question Number(s): 264 Question Reference(s): 28880/25
Department: Foreign Affairs and Trade
Asked by: Brendan Smith T.D.
______________________________________________


QUESTION

To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the outcome of his most recent discussions at EU and UN level in regard to the ongoing urgent requirement to get essential and food and medical supplies to people in Gaza; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

REPLY

 
The humanitarian situation in Gaza is worsening daily. The entire population is facing high levels of food insecurity. More than 20% face starvation after 18 months of fighting, and almost 80 days of the Israeli blockade on vital, life-saving, humanitarian aid.
The Government has consistently condemned any arrangement for humanitarian assistance that does not ensure access for the entire population. Israel’s decision to take control of the distribution of humanitarian aid through private contractors has been described by the UN as unacceptable and designed to further control and restrict supplies. Recent days have seen a small amount of aid being permitted to enter Gaza. However, this represents just a trickle given the scale of humanitarian need.
In response to concerns regarding the situation in Gaza, on 20 May the EU Foreign Affairs Council agreed to a review of Article 2 of the EU-Israel Association Agreement. As this House is aware, Ireland and Spain had already called for this step in February 2024. This is a position that I reiterated very clearly, alongside my counterparts from Spain, Slovenia and Luxembourg, in a joint letter to the High Representative in advance of the Foreign Affairs Council.
A shared priority with both our European and regional partners at this time is the forthcoming UN High-Level International Conference for the Peaceful Settlement of the Question of Palestine and the Implementation of the two-State Solution. This will take place in New York in June of this year and will be co-chaired by France and Saudi Arabia.
This Conference will provide an important opportunity to advance discussions on concrete initiatives towards implementing the two-State solution such as implementation of the Arab Recovery and Reconstruction Plan for Gaza.
We have used every lever at Ireland’s disposal and we will continue to do so.

______________________________________________

For Written Answer on : 29/05/2025
Question Number(s): 265 Question Reference(s): 28883/25
Department: Foreign Affairs and Trade
Asked by: Brendan Smith T.D.
______________________________________________


QUESTION

To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the outcome of discussions he has had with countries outside the EU in relation to the provision of essential food and medical supplies to people in Gaza; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

REPLY

Ireland’s position on the current situation was made very clear in the Tánaiste’s joint statement with the Foreign Ministers of Iceland, Luxembourg, Norway, Slovenia and Spain earlier this month. It called on Israel to to take all necessary and effective measures to ensure, without delay, in full cooperation with the United Nations and humanitarian organizations, the unhindered provision at scale of urgently needed basic services and humanitarian assistance.
The Government has consistently condemned any arrangement for humanitarian assistance that does not ensure access for the entire population. Israel’s decision to take control of the distribution of humanitarian aid through private contractors has been described by the UN as unacceptable and designed to further control and restrict supplies. Recent days have seen a small amount of aid being permitted to enter Gaza. However, this represents just a trickle given the scale of humanitarian need.

A shared priority with both our European and regional partners at this time is the forthcoming UN High-Level International Conference for the Peaceful Settlement of the Question of Palestine and the Implementation of the two-State Solution. This will take place in New York in June of this year and will be co-chaired by France and Saudi Arabia.

This Conference will provide an important opportunity to advance discussions on concrete initiatives towards implementing the two-State solution such as implementation of the Arab Recovery and Reconstruction Plan for Gaza.

Ireland has been centrally involved in the Global Alliance for the Implementation of the Two-State Solution which was founded at UN High Level Week last year and has met several times since then. It most recently met this month in Morocco. Before that, it met in Egypt in February where the focus was on the role of UNRWA and the services it provides.

On 28 February of this year, Ireland also filed a detailed written submission with the ICJ in advisory proceedings concerning the obligations of Israel in relation to the UN and other international organisations, as well as states, in the occupied Palestinian territory.

The immediate focus of the international community must be on efforts to ensure an immediate ceasefire, the release of all remaining hostages, and a surge in vital humanitarian aid into and throughout Gaza.

“I welcome €0.6 Million in Minor Works grant payments to primary schools in Cavan
and €0.5 Million to Monaghan schools and also the allocation of €1.2 Million in ICT
grants for primary and post-primary schools in Cavan/Monaghan.
The minor building works payments are vital in supporting primary and special
schools with regard to maintenance needs. Maintaining school buildings to a proper
standard is essential.
The ICT funding will enable schools to avail of the opportunities that technology
presents.
These grants are very important in supporting schools to meet the ongoing
challenges that have arisen due to increased costs over recent years. I have
repeatedly raised with the Department of Education the need to increase the level of
grant aid for our smaller schools,” stated Brendan Smith TD.

Delighted that Department of Education,following my recent Dáil debate, has now issued approval to ETB to seek planning permission for major building project at Breifne College including specialist classroom accommodation for ‘practical subjects’ and Special Education Teaching Rooms.

Valuable engagement with Irish Postmasters Union on need for continued government investment in Post Office Network which plays a hugely important role in local communities throughout the country.

Fianna Fáil TD for Cavan/Monaghan, Deputy Brendan Smith, has welcomed funding to the tune of €1 million to support the work of Men’s Sheds across the country.

The funding will help Men’s Shed’s with the costs of running their Shed’s such as insurance, electricity, and utility bills.

The funding will enable the Irish Men’s Sheds Association to distribute up to €1 million in supports to their members with grants of up to €3,000 available, something Deputy Smith encourages.

“Men’s Sheds do invaluable work within communities across the country. They offer a safe space for men in communities, through social interaction, upskilling through projects, and volunteering in the community.

“Mens Sheds have had very positive developments throughout communities around the country, particular across Cavan and Monaghan. They create an environment that is comfortable for expression, inclusive for all ages and background and good for mental health.

Deputy Brendan Smith has encouraged Men’s Shed’s to avail of the grants, by reaching out to the Irish Men’s Sheds Association.

“I’d encourage all Sheds to avail of the support that is there. The grant of up to €3,000 will be essential for their running costs,” he said.

He concluded: “Sheds can reach out to the Irish Men’s Sheds Association if they wish to avail of the grant and they will assess each application.

“Fianna Fáil in government are committed to supporting Men’s Sheds in the valuable work they do in communities across the country.

Fianna Fáil TD for Cavan Monaghan, Deputy Brendan Smith, has welcomed today’s announcement of a €4 million nationwide investment in social enterprises, with over €89,800 committed for community-driven projects across Monaghan.

Announced by Minister for Rural and Community Development Dara Calleary T.D. the funding aims to help social enterprises grow their impact by supporting capital works, essential equipment, and energy upgrades. In Monaghan, three innovative local projects will benefit directly — each improving lives, strengthening communities, and boosting sustainability.

Projects to receive funding in Monaghan include Castleblayney Community Enterprise CLG (€15,000); Truagh Development Association CLG (€10,462) and Mullaghmatt Cortolvin Communty Development (€64.338.16).

Deputy Smith commented, “This investment is essential for Monaghan’s social fabric. These projects might seem small in scale, but they’re big in impact, cutting costs, supporting sustainability, and strengthening the spaces and services that keep our communities connected. This is social enterprise in action: practical, local, and deeply meaningful.”

The funding is part of the DAF Growing Social Enterprise Fund, which supports enterprises that deliver social, environmental, or economic benefits across Ireland. It aligns with the goals of the government’s Trading for Impact policy, designed to sustain and scale impactful social enterprises nationwide.

Deputy Smith concluded, “This funding is recognition of the vital role social enterprises play across Monaghan and beyond. They deliver real, lasting value, and today’s announcement helps them do even more.”

” I welcome the allocation of funding by Minister James Browne and by Heritage Minister Christopher O’Sullivan for a number of biodiversity projects throughout Cavan and Monaghan. I compliment Cavan County Council and Monaghan County Council on submitting the successful applications.

There is a diverse range of projects which will contribute to the protection of and indeed enhancement of our local heritage and environment. 

Projects include work and research across a range of areas including barn owl surveys, grassland management, wetland surveys, invasive species management and general biodiversity awareness projects” stated Brendan Smith TD

The successful projects to receive funding for biodiversity projects under the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) Local Biodiversity Action Fund (LBAF) 2025: 

“I warmly welcome the approval by the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality, Norma Foley, of substantial funding for additional childcare places at a number of facilities throughout Cavan/Monaghan.  The successful applications include:

✅ Community Extension Strand:
Ballymachugh Childcare Group, Kilnaleck (Cavan) – 27 places – €500,000
Shercock Child Resource Centre, Shercock (Cavan) – 34 places – €500,000
Ballyjamesduff Community Crèche (Cavan) – 30 places – €500,000
Clones Community Childcare (Monaghan) – 20 places – €366,382
Newbliss Childcare Services €500,000

✅Private Extension:
Inis Óg Childcare, Inniskeane (Monaghan) – 15 places – €70,576

✅ Community Construction:
Knockatallon Community Childcare CLG (Monaghan) – 45 places – €750,000
Ardaghey Community Childcare (Monaghan) – 38 places – €750,000
Carrickroe Community Childcare (Monaghan) – 41 places – €647,251

✅ Community Purchasing:
Krafty Kidz Ballyconnell (Cavan) – 40 places – €750,000

💰 Total Grant aid approved: €5,334,000

This funding has been approved under the Building Blocks Extension Scheme and it will greatly assist both private and community childcare providers in delivering additional capacity both through the provision of extensions to existing facilities and the purchase of new accommodation.

I have been highlighting the need for this grant aid to be increased and I am very glad that Minister Foley has provided such funding to enable the expansion of childcare services.

In most areas there is increasing demand for childcare places and it is essential that both private and community childcare services are supported to develop and expand.

Providing additional places entails substantial expenditure, and government financial support for providers is essential in increasing childcare capacity.

I compliment the successful applicants and wish them well with their projects. I will be glad to continue to support the childcare sector throughout Cavan and Monaghan. I will work with other service providers who wish to submit applications under future capital grant schemes.