Fianna Fáil TD for Cavan and Monaghan, Brendan Smith has called for the urgent inclusion of hedgerows and scrubland in the inventory of what can be classified as forest cover to count towards the country’s carbon credit count.

Following a question to the Minister for Agriculture in the Dáil last week, Deputy Brendan Smith commented, “I believe that all small-scale planting and all small blocks of scrub should be measured and included in the inventory of forest cover. This would aid the country in its credit carbon count.

“Not only do our hedgerows contribute to the sequestration of carbon from the atmosphere but they are also vital as a habitat for wildlife, a resource for biodiversity and a unique heritage feature that must be managed and protected. Another important aspect of hedgerows is their sustainability.”

The Cavan and Monaghan TD added: “According to the Minister, Teagasc are undertaking a research project called “Farm-Carbon – Farm Hedgerows and Non-forest Woodland Carbon”. The overall objective of this project is to ‘advance the understanding of the contribution of hedgerows and non-forest woodland to carbon stocks in agricultural landscapes, and to identify approaches to maintain and enhance this contribution’. It is hoped that the final results will provide the necessary data required for the inclusion of hedgerows in the national inventory calculations.”

At present, hedgerows are not considered forest and they are not currently included as part of the land use sector for national greenhouse gas reporting purposes.

ENDS

15/11/2021

Fianna Fáil TD for Cavan and Monaghan, Brendan Smith has welcomed a proposed review of the banking sector in Ireland, but has urged the Minister for Finance to make its remit as wide as possible to include stakeholder views from right across both business and community.

In a series of Dáil questions to the Minister for Finance, Deputy Brendan Smith commented, “I hope that along with the banks, customers, staff, management, trade unions, business, employers and employers’ groups, that community interests can also be represented on that forum. It is important that the views of communities throughout the country are represented, as we reflect them in this forum daily. It is important that communities have a mechanism to deliver their views on the banking sector and how we go forward.”

The Cavan and Monaghan TD called on the Minister to ensure that those in the community who might not have good literacy or IT skills are not left behind with little or no access to vital banking services, especially in light of the slow retreat of high street retail bank branches in many towns and villages across the country in recent times.

He stated: “Those people find it difficult to transact business today, especially when they cannot call into a local branch. It behoves all of us to ensure that there is an opportunity for people to transact their business in a practical way, especially people who may not have had the opportunity to acquire IT skills or who may not have access to broadband etc. It is important that those views are represented.”

Deputy Smith added: “We often think of ATMs as a mechanism to withdraw cash, but they are an important lodgement facility as well. In public banking meetings throughout the country, local communities expressed concern about hospitality and other retail businesses having to carry large amounts of cash and not having the opportunity to lodge that cash in a timely manner locally. We need to address the issue of access to cash.”

Deputy Brendan Smith added that the banking sector review also needs to look into the area of increased competition within the marketplace.

“There is now a real need for competition within the market to give customers the best possible options available to them and make informed choices on the best banking options to fit their financial needs,” concluded the Cavan and Monaghan TD.

ENDS 10/11/2021

Cavan/Monaghan Fianna Fáil TD Brendan Smith welcomes the initial project approval by his colleague, Norma Foley TD, Minister for Education for the provision of additional permanent accommodation at Breifne College, Cavan Town. 

“This project will enhance considerably the level of permanent accommodation at the school and is needed due to increased enrolments at Breifne over the past number of years.

I compliment the  Cavan/Monaghan ETB and Breifne College on submitting this successful application.  The growth in population in the Cavan Town area has led to a substantial increase in enrolments” stated Brendan Smith TD.

ENDS

NOVEMBER 4 2021

Fianna Fáil TD for Cavan and Monaghan, Brendan Smith has welcomed support for businesses impacted by Brexit in the form of the new Brexit Impact Loan Scheme.

Deputy Brendan Smith commented, “I very much welcome the creation of the The Brexit Impact Loan Scheme, which makes up to €330m in lending available to eligible SMEs and small mid-caps seeking access to appropriate financing as they respond to the dual impacts of the pandemic and the UK’s withdrawal from the EU.

“There are many businesses facing up to the current challenges of Brexit and this scheme should provide financing and support to ensure they can not only survive, but thrive in due course.”

The Cavan and Monaghan TD added: According to the Minister, the new scheme does not require businesses to meet innovation criteria, which was a key issue raised for the former scheme. The new scheme is also open to businesses in the farming and fishing sectors and the maximum loan term has been extended from three to six years. The loan purpose has been broadened to include lending for investment purposes as well as for working capital and liquidity. This scheme also provides for some elements of refinancing.

“Loans under the scheme will range from €25,000 to €1.5m and loans of up to €500,000 will continue to be available unsecured and offered at competitive interest rates, with the exact rate dependent on the participating lender.”

ENDS

Fianna Fáil TD for Cavan and Monaghan, Brendan Smith has welcomed increased support for businesses to respond to the increased complexity of cross-Border trade post-Brexit.

Deputy Brendan Smith commented, “There is no doubt that Brexit has made cross-border trade a more intricate and complex task. I very much welcome the supports being provided to InterTradeIreland (ITI) in this regard.

“Since the signing of the Good Friday agreement in 1998 there has been a welcome development of business on an all-island basis and substantial increase in trade North South and South North which is critically important for employment in the border region.”

The Cavan and Monaghan TD continued: “InterTradeIreland is playing an important role as part of the Government’s wider Brexit response. ITI’s Brexit Advisory Service, which provides a range of advice and supports to eligible businesses, has this year alone engaged with almost 1,400 SMEs, out of a total of 15,000 businesses since its establishment.”

Deputy Brendan Smith added: “ITI’s Brexit Planning Voucher scheme is a particularly important form of assistance for Irish SMEs. These vouchers enable businesses to get professional advice on the new trading environment following the UK’s withdrawal from the EU. The Planning Vouchers are worth up to €2,250 (inclusive of VAT) each. This funding supports firms to access professional advice in relation to Brexit matters. To date, there has been over 3,300 approvals for Vouchers to a total value of over €7.5m.”

In 2022 an additional €1.225m will be allocated to ITI, bringing its total funding from Ireland to €11.586m. This will allow ITI to continue its existing programmes and expand its services.

The funding will further enhance ITI’s capacity and expand its Brexit Advisory Service into a new, technology-enabled cross-border Trade Information Service. This dedicated service aims to address the range of queries that are anticipated to arise in the cross-border trade of goods and services under the new trading environment for both the thousands of businesses that are already trading on a cross-border basis and those considering it for the first time.

It is envisaged that the proposed service will also consider supply chain issues that might be encountered by firms with supply chains, increase SMEs’ knowledge in multiple trade areas and update and digitalise ITI’s guides to cross border trade. The service will provide information and advice in many areas including customs, VAT, regulatory change, data, procurement, employment etc.  

ENDS

Cavan/Monaghan Fianna Fáil TD Brendan Smith welcomes the approval by the Minister for Health, Stephen Donnelly TD of major health developments for Cavan/Monaghan with approval of a Specialist Palliative Care Inpatient Hospice and also two new homes and a new respite house for people with physical and sensory disabilities.

“The provision of these modern and state-of-the-art facilities will enhance considerably health facilities in this area. This significant funding will enable the provision of the new facility at St Christopher’s providing sixteen palliative care beds and co-located community services.
The Minister’s approval also provides for the development of community-based residential accommodation for eight people with a physical and sensory disability and will also ensure an enhanced respite service. There is an urgent need to improve and expand these services.

I compliment the Members of the St. Christopher’s Committee, past and present, who have done excellent work over the years in developing St Christopher’s and their major fundraising efforts. The good work of this committee has always gained widespread community support. I wish them well in their continued support for these developments”, stated Deputy Brendan Smith.

Fianna Fáil TD for Cavan and Monaghan, Brendan Smith has welcomed an allocation of €180 million to the LEADER programme for the period 2023-2027. 

The indicative allocation, agreed as part of the new CAP Strategic Plan (CSP), will form the basis of public consultation ahead of its formal submission to the European Commission next year.

Deputy Brendan Smith commented, “Since its inception, the LEADER programme, through its ‘bottom up’ approach, has supported the delivery of locally-led projects across Cavan and Monaghan. The Leader Programme has been important to our rural areas since it was first launched in 1991.

“This new allocation of €180 million will provide an overall investment for LEADER of €250 million until 2027.

“I would like to recognise the work of my party colleague and Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Charlie McConalogue, who has played a leading role in developing the new CAP Strategic Plan.”

Over the past year, a number of stakeholder engagements have taken place on the design of the next LEADER programme and the new CAP Strategic Plan as a whole.

The indicative allocation announced will now form part of the next stage of the stakeholder consultation that will commence shortly.

ENDS

26/10/2021

Fianna Fáil TD for Cavan and Monaghan, Brendan Smith has welcomed additional funding of €7.3m for dementia services, adding that he recognises the growing need for improved services across the country.

Deputy Brendan Smith commented, “In response to a query, my party colleague and Minister for Health, Stephen Donnelly, has informed me of a further €7.3m in additional funding for dementia services as part of Budget 2022.

“This investment will continue to improve access to diagnostic services and post-diagnostic supports for people with dementia across the country. The details are set to be finalised over the coming weeks with the HSE through the National Service Plan process.” 

The Cavan and Monaghan TD added: “In addition, Budget 2022 will increase the ringfencing of new home support hours for people with dementia from 5% in 2021 to 11% in 2022. Taken together, this will represent €15 million of investment dedicated to dementia in 2022, to supplement the €12.9 million of additional funding in 2021. I would like to thank Minister Donnelly and Minister of State with Responsibility for Mental Health and Older People, Mary Butler, for their work in this regard.”

ENDS 

29/10/2021

Fianna Fáil TD for Cavan and Monaghan Brendan Smith has renewed his call on the Minister of State for Heritage and the Minister for Agriculture to address, as a matter of urgency, issues affecting the harvesting and supply of peat for the horticulture sector.

Deputy Brendan Smith commented, “It is long past time that measures should have been implemented to ensure that the horticulture and mushroom sectors have adequate stocks of peat.  At present there is no viable alternative to peat for the commercial horticulture sector.  A major part of the Irish horticulture industry depends on peat and peat availability is now a major challenge.

“The Minister of State for Heritage, in reply to my Dáil Question, states that a draft interim report has been prepared by a working group which he established sometime ago to examine the current issues and the group continues its deliberations.” 

The Cavan and Monaghan TD continued: “Minister Noonan must insist that the final Report of the group is complete by the 20^th October and follow up action dealing with issues in a practical manner must happen without further delay.

“In Dáil Éireann the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine informed me that his Department is actively looking at alternatives to peat and has funded two research projects to date.  He states that he continues to engage directly with the sector including a recent meeting with the Mushroom Industry.

Producers in the mushroom sector, which is a very substantial enterprise in the Cavan/Monaghan area, face serious challenges for their businesses and relying on the importation of peat will bring additional heavy costs and cause difficulties for the sector,” added Brendan Smith.

ENDS – 18th October 2021

Note to Editors

See Parliamentary Questions attached

Cavan/Monaghan Fianna Fáil TD Brendan Smith has received confirmation from the Minister for Health, Stephen Donnelly, T.D., that the Northern Ireland Planned Healthcare Scheme, which replaced the EU Cross-border Health Directive following Britain’s exit from the European Union, will continue on an administrative basis beyond the end of this year pending enactment of legislation.

“Through Questions in Dáil Éireann on Promised Legislation I had asked An Tánaiste if he would confirm that this Scheme would continue beyond the end of 2021 on an administrative basis if the necessary legislation was not in place by that time.

An Tánaiste replied –

“I confirm that is the intention of Government but we need primary legislation to put a new scheme on a statutory footing. If we cannot get that done in time we intend to continue the existing arrangements on an administrative basis if possible.  I will ask the Minister, Deputy Stephen Donnelly, to confirm that but that is my understanding of the position”, stated An Tánaiste.

In his comments in Dáil Éireann Deputy Brendan Smith stated that the present Scheme and its predecessors enabled large numbers of patients to access treatment and surgery, or both, in Northern Ireland paid for by this State.  He added that these were typically patients on long hospital waiting lists and that access to spare hospital capacity in Northern Ireland is an important part of our healthcare delivery, particularly in orthopaedics and cataracts.

I welcome confirmation from the Office of the Minister for Health that this Scheme will continue on an administrative basis pending enactment of the necessary legislation, concluded Deputy Brendan Smith.

Extracts from Dáil Debate below –

debate Thursday, 14 Oct 2021

Vol. 1012 No. 6

Dáil Éireann debate –
Thursday, 14 Oct 2021

Vol. 1012 No. 6

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh – Questions on Promised Legislation

Deputy Brendan Smith

The Northern Ireland planned healthcare scheme was put in place earlier this year to replace the EU cross-Border directive following Britain’s exit from the European Union. The scheme and its predecessors enable large numbers of patients to access treatment and surgery, or both, in Northern Ireland, paid for by this State. These were typically patients on long hospital waiting lists. I understand the scheme is due to finish at the end of this year. Could an Tánaiste give me a categorical assurance that this scheme will continue beyond the end of 2021 on an administrative basis if the necessary legislation is not in place by that time? Access to spare hospital capacity in Northern Ireland is an important part of our healthcare delivery, particularly in orthopaedics and cataracts.

The Tánaiste

I confirm that is the intention of Government but we need primary legislation to put a new scheme on a statutory footing. If we cannot get that done in time we intend to continue the existing arrangements on an administrative basis if possible. I will ask the Minister, Deputy Stephen Donnelly, to confirm that but that is my understanding of the position.

ENDS 19th October 2021