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Government must therefore remain on increasing the supply of new build social and affordable homes; — notwithstanding, a targeted second-hand social housing acquisition programme has been and will continue to be an important policy response to priority needs such as tenancy sustainment, exits from homelessness, support for elderly … sell the property, and this was down 20.7 per cent in 2023; further notes that: — the social housing Second Hand Acquisitions (SHA) programme or tenant in-situ acquisitions were not suspended, and the Programme for Government – Securing Ireland's Future commits to continuing Social Housing Tenant in-Situ

with the opportunity, on behalf of the Minister for Education, to outline to the Dáil the current position in relation to the multiple projects specified in the Deputy’s request, namely, Coláiste Bhríde in Carnew, Gorey Community School, St. John's senior primary school in Arklow and Bunclody … Department has invested more than €5.7 billion in our schools throughout the country, involving the completion of over 1,150 school building projects. Between projects currently under construction and projects moving to construction in the coming months, investments by the Department of Education are adding more than

homelessness. This being said, I would like to assert the Government's commitment to the continuation of the second-hand social housing acquisitions programme and, in particular, more focus in targeting tenant in situ acquisitions. It is important to note that tenant in situ acquisitions are part … wider acquisitions programme for social housing, including acquisitions for older persons and persons with a disability, exits from homelessness services and buying or renewing acquisitions which tackle vacancy. I am acutely aware of the potential situation being faced by households in receipt of social housing supports under

Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage supports the fire authorities through setting general policy, providing a central training programme, issuing guidance on operational and other related matters and providing capital funding for equipment and priority infrastructural projects. Project consideration stages from a Department perspective include submission … prioritised on the basis of the area risk categorisation of the fire station, established health and safety needs, state of development of the project, value for money offered by the proposal, and the totality of requests from all authorities. At that time, Laois County Council had indicated

needs facing the Irish nation, through continued investment, leadership, and value for money in the delivery of public services and important infrastructure projects with this investment making significant positive impacts, including: — since 2021, completion of almost 53,000 new local authority scheme dwellings and delivery of hundreds … projects under the Rural and Urban Regeneration and Development Funds; — significant reductions in outpatient waiting lists and improved health facilities, such as the National Forensic Mental Hospital in Portrane, hospital extensions and new primary care centres and community nursing units across the country; — a reduction of approximately

food at home; further notes that: - the Department of Education, and the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth have no dedicated programmes to support the specific needs of young carers; - there is no recognition of the unpaid work of young carers in the social protection system … national strategy is now needed that specifically recognises the needs of young carers and young adult carers; recognises that: - the Programme for Government – Securing Ireland's Future commits to a range of measures to support carers, including the phasing out of the means test for Carer's Allowance

There is no doubting the importance of playground facilities in communities. That is the reason my Department supports such facilities through the CLÁR programme, the local enhancement programme, the LEADER programme, the community recognition fund and the town and village renewal scheme. The CLÁR programme provides funding … small-scale projects in rural areas that have experienced significant levels of depopulation. The programme provides funding for community recreation facilities and amenities, including playgrounds. We are announcing the 2025 programme in the coming weeks. The LEADER programme provides support to rural communities under a range of themes

Arts Council business transformation project has cost almost €7 million and resulted in a significant loss to the Exchequer. This loss has highlighted governance issues in the Arts Council and significant lapses in oversight by the Department, which was informed from early 2021 of challenges in progressing … business transformation project and which received periodic updates at further stages of the project. I assure Deputy Ó Snodaigh and the House that I am not satisfied - quite the contrary - with the decisions of officials not to inform the then Minister or the Secretary General and am determined

matter of concern to him and the people of Tipperary, particularly the residents of Tipperary town and those who use the N24. This project forms part of a 35 km improvement scheme for the N24 between Cahir in County Tipperary and Limerick Junction. The proposed project would include … town in Tipperary. This would have a positive social benefit for residents and encourage walking and cycling in the area. The project is currently progressing through the design and environmental evaluation phase, during which detailed design of the project is undertaken, along with the preparation of land acquisition

fully committed, as is the Department, to strengthening the bonds with all Irish communities overseas. Central to this work is the emigrant support programme, managed by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. Since its inception in 2004, the programme has provided funding of over €250 million … organisations in 51 countries. Supporting the most vulnerable and marginalised Irish emigrants across the world is at the heart of this programme. In 2025, almost €16,500,000 will be granted in support of strengthening ties with the diaspora and our communities overseas. Britain is our close neighbour

Other Deputies have outlined the level of waste of public money on various projects, such as the national children's hospital, the Dáil printer that did not fit into a room, the art scanner that was bought for €125,000 without anyone thinking about where … bike shelter, the security hut and so on. The list of these projects goes on. What drives people mad is that there are local projects desperately looking for funding to stay open or enhance their services. Last week I raised the issue of the Blanchardstown Centre for Independent

intervention hierarchies to achieve transport objectives. One of the four priorities is decarbonisation and as such, the sponsoring agency of any road project must consider any potential positive or negative impacts of a given project in relation to decarbonisation. The sponsor must also demonstrate that a given option … NIFTI framework we have also developed and published the transport appraisal framework, TAF, which sets out the detailed framework for how all transport projects must be assessed. Under the TAF, climate change impacts are one of the seven appraisal criteria for intervention. As part of the development

thank the Deputy very much. I am aware that the progression of this project is of great interest to him and the local community. Indeed, I visited the area with him not so long ago and met community groups. The Government has earmarked €5.1 billion for capital spending … national roads projects from 2021 to 2030 as part of the NDP. While the greater portion of this funding is to become available from 2026 to 2030, many road projects continue to be progressed. Projects already delivered in County Cork include the N22 from Baile Bhuirne to Macroom

expansion of veterinary medicine education, having regard to competition, balanced regional provision and diversity of approaches in delivery. The HEA recommended the proposed programmes in Atlantic Technological University, ATU, and South East Technological University, SETU, be advanced. It is expected these programmes will have an annual intake … championships last year. Until that point, UCD was the sole provider of veterinary education in the State. The delivery of a veterinary medicine programme is complex. It involves specialist academic staff, appropriate facilities, laboratory equipment, curriculum development and accreditation is key as well. We can train vets

Roscommon ETB is being supported by SOLAS in developing its preliminary business case proposal under the FET college of the future major projects fund. The proposal put forward by Galway and Roscommon ETB relates to the development of a new state-of-the-art FET campus … place in early April. Following evaluation, business cases that meet the evaluation criteria will advance to the next stage of development: pre-tender, project design, planning and procurement strategy. The funding envelope referred to by the Deputy relates to part of my Department's overall capital NDP allocation

congratulate Deputy Clendennen on his election. The local enhancement programme is targeted towards enhancing facilities in disadvantaged communities identified in local economic and community plans. The programme seeks to provide small grants to a wide and diverse range of local community groups, to assist with the purchase … chair of the LCDC in his county, and being centrally leading in the administration of the LEP in Offaly, will recognise that 113 projects and 13 women's organisation to the tune of €186,553 were approved last year in Offaly. I thank Deputy Clendennen for his work

transparently; acknowledges that there have been numerous ongoing failures by Governments past and present to properly manage cost control on Government funded projects, such as: — the €808,000 Dáil printer scandal, where a printer was purchased but could not fit into the print room, leading to over … accountants, actuaries, tasked to address procurement and tendering processes to streamline and improve efficiency with implementation of timelines and goals for delivery of projects, with powers codified in legislation and authority similar to HIQA's inspection framework; — to conduct unannounced audits and inspections of public bodies, Non-Governmental

communities in welcoming and supporting people coming to Ireland. Through the 2023 allocation €50 million in funding was approved for some 900 projects. To further support communities a further €50 million in funding was announced under community recognition last March. The additional funding is specifically targeted at projects … villages that are hosting beneficiaries of temporary protection or international protection applicants. In August 2024, €16.4 million was approved to deliver 185 community projects across the country. On 24 February, together with the Minister of State, Deputy Buttimer, I approved over €14 million to deliver 164 projects across

town and village renewal scheme, which was introduced in 2016, has to date allocated over €177 million to almost 1,800 projects nationally. The scheme, which sees our local authorities work with community actors, primarily targets funding at rural towns and villages with populations of less than … work by focusing on stimulating town centre economic and social regeneration, along with the regeneration of villages. This will be achieved through projects that support sustainable employment, town centre resilience and regeneration, the enhancement of streetscapes, and the bringing of vacant and derelict buildings or lands back into

welcome this Bill. The statute law revision project is hugely valuable which has been going on for more than 20 years. When I worked as legal adviser to Enda Kenny TD, as he was then, when he was leader of Fine Gael in opposition, the first of these … time to peruse the 18th century and older legislation that were being deleted or expunged by that legislation. It is a hugely important project. To say it is an arduous task which those involved face is an understatement. I understand that for this Bill 40,000 secondary instruments

vessels and exchange operational maritime information with EU and international partners regularly. Ireland is a member of the PESCO critical seabed infrastructure protection project and our individually tailored partnership programme with NATO has a focus on resilience, including the resilience of critical undersea infrastructure. These projects help … collective preparedness and our capability across all areas of security and defence. The white paper provides a framework to achieve this through common projects with groups of member states joining together to procure equipment in order to meet particular needs. However, let me be clear. Projects will

solution is the immediate prioritisation or fast-tracking of the Staleen water treatment plant to Windmill Hill reservoir project. I want to put a couple of points on the record. A public meeting is scheduled on this issue for tomorrow week, Thursday, at 8.30 p.m. in the Duleek … cross-party representation, with all of our local representatives there and working with the local community to speak with one voice on this project. I would repeat the substantial point. While I acknowledge the points the Minister of State has made, the Staleen water treatment plant to Windmill

thank him for the question. I know there is a similar question about Carrickmacross from Deputy Carthy. My Department operates two capital funding programmes for sport, the community sports facilities fund, formerly known as the sports capital and equipment fund, and the large-scale sport infrastructure fund, LSSIF … Capital support for new swimming pools is now provided through the LSSIF. Projects for new swimming pools and the refurbishment of existing swimming pools are eligible to apply for grant funding under the LSSIF subject to the published guidelines and conditions of the scheme. While the scheme

welfare. Since the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013 came into operation in March 2014, 182 individuals have been successfully prosecuted. The programme for Government provides a commitment to prioritise equine welfare and to build on existing inspectorate supports across the country, ensuring a consistent approach to dealing … submissions were received and will feed into the legislative process. The Department is fully committed to supporting sustainable initiatives in line with the programme for Government and the Working Together for Animal Welfare: Ireland's Animal Welfare Strategy 2021-2025. As part of this commitment the Department will

waste of public funds by the Irish Government bodies and agencies. There was a seven-year inquiry into NAMA’s €1.6 billion Project Eagle which resulted in €14.4 million being spent primarily on legal fees and administrative costs. The new X-ray scanner at the National Gallery cost … agency which is costing the taxpayer money. There is also mismanagement in the HSE. The HSE has faced multiple instances where projects were delayed or went over budget which impacted service delivery. Obviously, there have to be agency nurses but we have seen an over-reliance on agency

Deputy Ciarán Ahern asked the Minister for Social Protection if he is satisfied that providers under the Hot School Meals Programme are not required to provide his Department with details of their preparation methods for meals provided under the programme; his views on whether the Food Safety Authority … Ireland guidelines and regulations (details supplied) are robust enough to ensure that all meals provided to schools under the programme are of good quality and meet a strong nutritional standard; if he is aware of reports or ultra-processed foods being provided under the programme; if he plans

Deputy Aidan Farrelly asked the Minister for Transport the total cost to date of the development and implementation of all dart+ projects to date; the amount expended on the advertising of the project online, broadcast and print to date; the amount expended on public consultations to date … expended on external consultants to include a breakdown by amount and consultancy name in respect of the development and implementation of all dart+ projects to date; the amount expended on legal fees relating to the development and implementation of all dart+ projects to date. [12519/25

Deputy Ciarán Ahern asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science to list the academic scholarship programmes available to Palestinian students in each of Ireland’s higher education institutions; the funding available for each programme; the amount of spaces available and occupied in each … programme; and the qualifying criteria for each programme, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10748/25

total cost of the HSE’s National Safeguarding Office computerised system for recording and analysing reports of abuse of vulnerable adults, from project definition to final testing and implementation; the members of the project board that oversaw the project; the number of times

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development whether his Department will accept any applications from councils for new library projects for capital expenditure, other than what is already committed to projects; and to outline which projects have committed funding. [14167/25

Deputy Ciarán Ahern asked the Minister for Health if the commitments made in the 2020 Programme for Government regarding the implementation of an informed consent model of care for hormone replacement therapy, simplifying the process for 16 and 17 year old trans people to acquire a gender recognition … Government has watered down its commitments towards trans and non-binary people given the lack of attention they are paid in the 2025 Programme for Government when compared with the 2020 Programme for Government; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12966/25

Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the criteria for a community horse project to be included in Pobal funding; the programmes that Pobal can offer for a community horse project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13246/25

provide an update on the distribution of the Dormant Account Fund in her Department; the plans in place to support those projects and programmes currently funded by the dormant accounts when the funding finishes; if the funding does cease, whether Departmental existing levels of service funding will cover … projects; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12400/25

Deputy John Connolly asked the Minister for Transport if he will confirm that the Galway Roads Project Office, consisting of Transport Infrastructure Ireland, Galway County Council and Galway City Council, will lodge the updated information to An Bord Pleanála for the reassessment of the Galway city ring road … project prior to the April 2025 deadline; if the project continues to enjoy the support of the Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8164/25

Minister for Rural and Community Development when another round of funding for the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund will be announced; if projects which were previously unsuccessful will be allowed re-submit, such as the Dunshaughlin courthouse and town centre project in County Meath; and if he will

Minister for Rural and Community Development what forward planning and communication occurs intra- and inter-departmentally for balanced integration of renewable energy projects within rural areas, such projects having wide ranging effects on rural and community life and development. [14525/25

Rural Regeneration and Development Fund are fully allocated; when funding will be available again since the fund is part of the Project Ireland 2040 programme; if an alternative funding stream will be provided to replace the fund; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12130/25

Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the up-to-date position on advancing a project (details supplied); to detail the funding drawn down to date on this project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14616/25

Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Education when the new transition year programme statement comes into effect; if it references and provides guidance around refusal of applications for the programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14896/25

Deputy Martin Kenny asked the Minister for Justice if he is aware that the committee appointed to monitor the effectiveness of the diversion programme ceased publishing anonymised national data on referrals made to the Garda Youth Diversion Programme for specific offence categories in its annual reports

Deputy Martin Kenny asked the Minister for Justice if he is satisfied that the committee appointed to monitor the effectiveness of the diversion programme is fulfilling its statutory obligations under section 44 of the Children’s Act 2001 by reviewing all aspects of the Garda Youth Diversion Programme

Deputy Mark Wall asked the Minister for Health to consider permanent funding to support the drug related intimidation and violence engagement programme; her plans with this programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14732/25

Paul O'Shea asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if he would outline what funding has been allocated to Cork county projects as part of the town and village renewal scheme from 2020 to 2024; the projects approved, in tabular form, and if the monies

Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage how many capital assistance scheme (CAS) projects have been sanctioned by his Department since he became Minister; the number of homes likely to be delivered under CAS in 2025; and the number of CAS projects

asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the details of staff resources in Naas regional veterinary office dedicated to the wildlife programme in each of the years from 2015 to date (details supplied); and the complement of farm relief service operatives available for the badger programme

Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs for a list of civilian infrastructure projects supported by Irish Aid in Palestine; and an update on how each project has fared under Israeli bombardment. [13639/25

date for the roll out of the digital wallet; when persons will have access to the digital wallet; the status of the project; if Departments are involved in the project, and if so, their respective roles; if changes to the Social Welfare Act 2022 are needed for public

Deputy Ryan O'Meara asked the Minister for Education with regard to the Gaeltacht learning period grant for primary ITE programmes, if he will consider the implementation of a similar grant model for post-primary ITE programmes (details supplied); and if she will make a statement

Deputy Tom Brabazon asked the Minister for Justice the names of projects within the Dublin north Garda division that received funding under the Community Safety Innovation Fund in 2023 and 2024, and the amount received per project, in tabular form. [13999/25

Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Health if HSE funding provided to the Community Access Support Tea pilot project comes from existing resources or from additional funding specific to the project; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13588/25