I raise again the urgent need to improve services in Cavan and Monaghan for persons with disabilities. The present totally inadequate day activation unit at Rathcorrick, Cavan town, needs to be replaced with a modern facility that caters properly for the needs of service users. A new day activation unit must have the capacity to provide for increased numbers of attendees. The young adults in need of the service have …
TDs / Brendan Smith
Brendan Smith
Portrait: © Houses of the Oireachtas (Oireachtas (Open Data) PSI Licence) · source file
919
questions asked
Oral and written, to government departments
21,766
words spoken in the chamber
Across 158 contributions
407
votes recorded
Each Yes, No or Abstained in a recorded vote
211
topics asked about
Across 20 departments
From the Dáil chamber only: committee meetings are not in this archive.
What they ask about
The subject headings the Oireachtas filed their questions under.
Who they ask
The departments their questions were addressed to.
Month by month
Low months are usually recesses, when the Dáil does not sit. The archive runs to 22 October 2026.
Questions asked 919 in all
Dec 2024Oct 2026
Contributions to debates 158 in all
Dec 2024Oct 2026
Show as a table
| Month | Questions | Contributions |
|---|---|---|
| December 2024 | 0 | 0 |
| January 2025 | 17 | 0 |
| February 2025 | 45 | 8 |
| March 2025 | 73 | 6 |
| April 2025 | 26 | 4 |
| May 2025 | 63 | 20 |
| June 2025 | 52 | 6 |
| July 2025 | 88 | 5 |
| August 2025 | 0 | 0 |
| September 2025 | 48 | 0 |
| October 2025 | 39 | 14 |
| November 2025 | 57 | 10 |
| December 2025 | 62 | 8 |
| January 2026 | 58 | 6 |
| February 2026 | 52 | 27 |
| March 2026 | 33 | 3 |
| April 2026 | 23 | 4 |
| May 2026 | 39 | 12 |
| June 2026 | 36 | 10 |
| July 2026 | 74 | 8 |
| August 2026 | 0 | 0 |
| September 2026 | 25 | 2 |
| October 2026 | 9 | 5 |
Debates they spoke in most
Plus 154 contributions in the regular slots, such as Leaders' Questions and Priority Questions. Speech from the chair is not counted.
Asked about similar topics
Worked out by computer from the subject headings of each TD's questions, giving more weight to headings few TDs use. It shows shared subjects, not shared views.
Party, constituency and offices
- constituency Cavan-Monaghan 29 November 2024 to now
- party Fianna Fáil 29 November 2024 to now
119. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment if a new north-east regional enterprise plan is forthcoming; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1731/26]
I join with others in extending every good wish for Christmas and the new year to all staff and Members of the Oireachtas. In the context of the proposed Mercosur deal, I again raise the detailed report from the IFA and the Irish Farmers' Journal on their recent fact-finding mission to Brazil. That report again outlined very clearly how much inferior food production is in Brazil and elsewhere in South America in comp…
204. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the way in which his Department is positioning Ireland’s education, research and skills system as the “economic Ministry” he often refers to and to that end driving national competitiveness, productivity and long-term prosperity. [67812/25]
As the title of the Minister's Department demonstrates, it has a very broad remit. Of course, education, research and innovation are the key elements in the bedrock of any economy. Importantly, I welcome the fact that the Minister is supporting further and higher education throughout the regions. When the late President Patrick Hillery, as a member of the Fianna Fáil Government in the 1960s, laid out the vision and s…
I was very glad that the Minister was able to accept my invitation to attend Cavan Institute and see it first hand, meeting the students, staff and board of management. There is a vibrancy to Cavan Institute and also Cavan Youthreach. Oftentimes, Youthreach does not get the attention it deserves. In Cavan and Monaghan, I see it as a pathway to further education and on to higher education as well.
I was delighted tha…
I was delighted at the Oireachtas Committee on Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science a number of weeks ago when the Minister was able to tell us about the progress made in developing the strategic partnership between Dundalk Institute of Technology and Queen's University. The Minister was able to say the words, "We will have an all-Ireland university". Those of us, particularly from the Borde…
My constituent Mr. Maurice Brady, who is highly regarded for his knowledge of the agrifood sector and who was recently elected regional vice president of the Irish Farmers Association, IFA, has brought to my attention the detailed report from a recent fact-finding mission to Brazil by the IFA and Irish Farmers Journal, which has to be a further cause for real concern for the European Union in relation to the Mercosur…
1. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Taoiseach for a report on his recent meeting with Prime Minister Keir Starmer. [49999/25]
I have had numerous opportunities in this House to welcome in general terms the legacy framework that was agreed between the British and Irish Governments and published in early September. There is an urgent need to enact legislation to give effect to the provisions outlined in the framework. Did the Taoiseach detect an urgency or a very strong commitment from the UK Prime Minister on the need to get this issue dealt…
164. Deputy Brendan Smith 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. [66609/25]
I thank the Minister for his reply. It goes without saying that in the negotiations on the multi-annual financial framework, we must ensure that there is robust and ring-fenced CAP funding. As we all know, this is essential for farm incomes. It is essential for investment in rural Ireland and it is also essential for food security. Far too often, we do not talk about protecting food production in western Europe. As t…
1. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee on Northern Ireland will next meet. [48517/25]
I thank the Taoiseach for his reply. As he is aware, there was a general welcome for the legacy framework that was published jointly by the Irish and British Governments in early September. Could he let us know what progress is being made in bringing forward the necessary legislation to enact that framework and to ensure that all of these issues are dealt with through putting the victims first and at the centre of th…
44. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport when details of the next community sports facilities fund will be announced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [64199/25]
As the Cathaoirleach Gníomhach knows, the sports capital programme has been extremely beneficial across our two counties of Cavan and Monaghan. Voluntary groups and sporting organisations have worked hard to provide new and upgraded facilities. No matter what parish I go to, it is great to see the top-quality facilities available. Unfortunately, the Cathaoirleach Gníomhach and I do not have county councils with large…
I welcome the Minister of State's announcement on the next round. It is a joy to visit any of our sporting clubs on a Saturday morning and see the huge numbers of people participating. Clubs who have relatively good facilities and even county boards with good facilities are always talking to us about the pressure on their grounds and their need for additional facilities.
It is welcome to see more and more participat…
I welcome the Minister of State's commitment in this regard.
8. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet Committee on water quality will next meet. [58231/25]
17. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Taoiseach for a report on the work of the shared island unit. [48516/25]
I welcome the much-needed additional investment in special education and the establishment of more special classes for children with additional needs, as well as the commitment of the Minister of State, Deputy Michael Moynihan, and the Minister, Deputy McEntee, to this very important area of education.
I previously raised with the Taoiseach the inequity existing in the disadvantages suffered by smaller schools due t…
82. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht the total funding available for the CLÁR programme in 2026, the funding available for each measure under the programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55960/25]
As the Minister is aware, because he represents a rural county, like the two rural counties I have the privilege to represent, the CLÁR programme has been particularly important since it was first initiated by our former Oireachtas colleague, Éamon Ó Cuív. It has been particularly important for ensuring the provision of community facilities and for enhancing public facilities such as schools. I hope the Minister has …
I thank the Minister for his response. I know of his commitment to this programme, both from serving in opposition as a spokesperson and government, where he has continued his good work. I also recognise the work of my former constituency colleague, Heather Humphreys, in enhancing the CLÁR programme. I am sure the Minister will continue to enhance that programme. We all know that the provision of facilities nowadays …
With regard to Storm Éowyn, many of the services that were put in place, such as meals on wheels and the provision of vehicles, as well as a community facility and some of the hubs that were used during the storm, would not have been there were it not for CLÁR grant assistance. The Minister will often have heard me speak in this House and within the party about the importance of cross-Border funding, the former INTER…