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contact with the justice system. We are continuing vital work to implement our youth justice strategy. We have made a commitment in the programme for Government to develop a successor at the end of our current strategy’s lifespan. A key initiative in our current strategy … continued development and enhancement of our youth diversion projects. These community-based initiatives seek to direct young people who have become involved in crime and antisocial behaviour. They also support wider preventative work within their communities, particularly with at-risk families. We all know that there

were the two areas that were left. In fairness, in February of this year there was an announcement that Foróige would run the programme in both areas. North Tipperary and east Clare come under the one policing jurisdiction. That is a problem at times but at least … different locations. There are major issues in areas with higher levels of crime and social deprivation. Statistically, it has been shown that the programmes cannot cope. We genuinely have a problem with the number of community gardaí. The figures and facts show they are down. I have engaged

House would agree with. I will touch on three matters. The first is youth prevention. I am not talking about the diversion programme, when somebody is entered into that programme and a JLO is appointed. I am talking about avoiding young people engaging in criminality in the first … could be done to update it. The final matter I will touch on is the age of criminal responsibility. There are some superb projects, outside of the diversion programme, that act in this area. The Minister, Deputy O'Callaghan, will be very familiar with the St. Andrew

delete all words after "Dáil Éireann" and substitute the following: "acknowledges that: — Housing for All sets out an ambitious multi-annual programme that seeks to deliver more than 300,000 new homes between 2022 and 2030; — more than 133,000 new build homes were delivered between … homes over the next six years, are an ambitious and credible pathway to achieving these objectives; — the measures committed to in the Programme for Government - Securing Ireland's Future, including a new housing plan building on the successes of Housing for All, will help us meet the enormous

central to improving citizens' quality of life and achieving our decarbonisation goals. The achievement of these goals has been set out in the programme for Government. I agree with Deputy Geoghegan's sentiments: this is about planning for the future and about that joined-up thinking approach … planning in the greater Dublin area. The development of a Luas red line extension to serve Poolbeg is one of the longer term projects in the NTA Greater Dublin Area Transport Strategy 2022-2042, as approved by the Minister for Transport, for development and delivery within

propose to take Questions Nos. 1 to 16, inclusive, together. We are retaining the child poverty and well-being programme office in the Department of the Taoiseach because we know we need to continue to build on the work to break down silos between Departments and drive delivery … make a decisive impact on child poverty without a whole-of-government and whole-of-society response. From Poverty to Potential: A Programme Plan for Child Poverty and Well-being 2023 to 2025 was published in August 2023 and is the initial programme plan for the child poverty

primary means of providing Government support to sport and community organisations at local, regional and national level across the country. The programme aims to foster an integrated and planned approach to the development of sports and physical recreation facilities and assists the purchase of non-personal sports equipment … Topical Issue. When making applications under each round of the CSFF, all organisations must agree to the terms and conditions of the programme and include a statement that all information provided as part of an application is truthful. All grants under the CSFF are initially allocated

ensuring that each child with a Special Educational Need (SEN) has an appropriate school place, in line with their constitutional right and Programme for Government commitments; further notes: — the continued significant State investment of €2.9 billion in supporting the provision of special education, a 48 per cent increase … Taskforce to support forward planning for special education provision in the area, and similar initiatives in other areas; — the commitment in the Programme for Government to introduce a common application system; — the recent publication of a circular letter by the Department of Education setting out new guidelines

infrastructure is central to improving citizens' quality of life and achieving our decarbonisation goals. Achieving these goals has been set out in the programme for Government. The National Transport Authority, NTA, has statutory responsibility for transport planning in the greater Dublin area, including in Fingal West … levels of Exchequer funding, which is supporting the roll-out of initiatives such as MetroLink, BusConnects Dublin and DART+. The delivery of these projects had been delayed due to delays in the planning approval process. However, there have been some positive developments recently, with An Bord Pleanála approving

operation and control of water services from 31 local authorities to direct Uisce Éireann responsibility represents one of the largest public sector reform programmes in recent years, and certainly the largest affecting the local government sector. The impact of the structural changes has presented challenges and will continue … reflected in strategic investment planning by Uisce Éireann. For the period of the policy statement, this will involve the prioritisation of multifaceted programmes around leak detection and repair, network improvements, public awareness campaigns and funding to fix customer-side leaks. Every day, we lose approximately

will talk about two vital Irish Water projects for the Dublin region. The first is the Shannon to Dublin water supply project. In the greater Dublin region, just one source, namely, the River Liffey, supplies 85% of our water. The dependence on the River Liffey … combination of a growing water supply gap and lack of supply resilience is not sustainable. We need to fix this. The water supply project from Shannon is vital for sustaining economic growth not just for Dublin but for many other counties between here and the River Shannon. Dublin

Government opposes this Bill. I highlight the fact that the previous programme for Government included a commitment to introduce water conservation charges. Despite the commitment in that programme, Sinn Féin did not table any legislation to prohibit water conservation charges. Water conservation charges do not form part … programme for Government, yet we now see Sinn Féin tabling this legislation, wasting time and inventing a phantom to fight against rather than engaging in good faith. It is important to remember that the legislation to implement water charges was contained in the Water Services

Minister, Deputy Browne, has stated, we are opposing this Bill because the introduction of the household water conservation charge is not in the programme for Government. It will not be introduced. That is categorical. By way of background, the legislation to implement water charges was contained … management as an important element of water services policy. For the period of the policy statement, this will involve the prioritisation of multifaceted programmes around leakage detection and repair, network improvements, public awareness campaigns and funding to fix customers' side leaks. Every day we currently lose about

make sure it has the resources it needs and that it then supports and works with principals and design teams to ensure projects can be progressed in a timely manner. We have a strong track record of delivery. Since 2020, more than €5.8 billion has been invested … schools throughout the country, which has involved the completion of more than 1,300 school building projects in a record investment. In Dublin alone, €1.3 billion has been spent in that time. In order to ensure a timely roll-out of these projects, a number of things have

look forward to working with the Deputy on this project and many others. As she knows, the Department approved the additional school accommodation project for St. Brigids School Cabinteely. The project is devolved for delivery to the school authority and a design team has been appointed to progress … project through the necessary architectural stages of design, statutory approvals, procurement and construction. The project was initially approved to provide ten mainstream classrooms and three special education tuition rooms along with ancillary accommodation. In October 2024, my Department increased the brief of the project to include the provision

money is a central priority for this Government and is at the heart of all decision making at every stage of a policy, project or programme's life cycle, and it should be. Delivering value for money is about securing the efficient and effective use of public resources … offices are accountable to the Comptroller and Auditor General and their respective Oireachtas committees for that spending. Accounting Officers must ensure that capital projects for which they have statutory responsibility are managed and delivered effectively. The Accounting Officers must decide whether the processes in place in their Departments

take it on his behalf. The Minister has responsibility for overall policy and Exchequer funding in respect of the national roads programme. Once funding arrangements have been put in place with Transport Infrastructure Ireland, TII, under the Road Acts and in line with the national development plan … matter for TII in conjunction with the local authorities concerned, in this case Laois County Council. TII ultimately delivers the national roads programme in line with Project Ireland 2040, the national planning framework and, most importantly, the NDP. The Government has earmarked €5.1 billion for capital spending

going through the Houses of the Oireachtas be enacted. There was then a debate between different parties about the formation of Government. A programme for Government was agreed between the two parties. I am a Minister in that Government. I am bound, because of the principles of compromise … collective responsibility, to give effect to what was agreed in the programme for Government. It was agreed in the programme for Government that there was to be enactment of the defamation Bill as it went through Second Stage. Deputy Connolly can say that lacks moral courage, but that

Page 41 of the programme for Government says the Government will “support Uisce Éireann in the delivery of key strategic projects in our cities and regions.” It also says we will: Invest additional capital in Uisce Éireann to support reaching our new housing targets. We will prioritise water … infrastructure to deliver the capacity to facilitate housing development in our towns and villages. I have one more very important quote from the programme for Government, which I want to read into the record. It reads: "Ensure Uisce Éireann prioritises the delivery of the Small Towns and Villages

environmental assessments. One of the key drivers of the revision process related to the real need to reflect updated population and housing projections further to census 2022 and subsequent demographic changes. It is essential that we pull in the real numbers to inform this work. The revised national … planning framework strategy sets out the need to plan for a projected population of 6.1 million people in Ireland by 2040 under the baseline scenario provided by the ESRI, and a possible requirement to plan for a high migration scenario of 6.3 million people by 2040. Taking pent

scale, will be important in ensuring effective regional development and in supporting competitiveness, economic prosperity and environmental sustainability. A number of specific projects to support better balanced regional development for the regions are referred to in the revised NPF, with such projects required to be advanced to delivery … passenger and freight transport networks in continental Europe, in addition to examining recommendations in the All-Island Strategic Rail Review and key road projects that are essential for improving regional and interurban connectivity. The compact growth policy approach of the revised NPF specifically addresses the need

infrastructure. However, investment alone is not enough because demand is outpacing delivery. Let us take housing, for instance. We have an ambitious Government programme targeted at increasing housing supply. All too often, however, developments are delayed, not just by planning objections but also by infrastructural constraints. We must … introduced, which is very welcome. We need to go further, however, ensuring pre-planning co-ordination between developers, planners and Uisce Éireann on projects of 100 units or more. The small towns and villages growth programme must be expanded, particularly to unlock infill housing and social development

being originally from Goresbridge. I acknowledge Willie Mullins, Patrick Mullins and the whole team for everything they have done. It is magnificent. The programme for Government commits to investing additional capital in Uisce Éireann to support reaching our new housing targets. In addition, it states that the Government … town schemes, in particular, are completed as soon as possible. We need to support Uisce Éireann in the delivery of its key strategic projects in our cities and regions. Security of water supply is critical to delivering our national housing and economic priorities. We need to introduce statutory

constructive criticism for the utility to address. On the issue of capacity, again Jerry Grant made a very important distinction that the capital programme, which Uisce Éireann is currently finishing, was dealing with compliance and with getting our water system up to the standard it should have been … wastewater treatment plants if the Government has not provided money for them and has not ensured that they are in the capital programme. Everything cannot be funded, which I accept, but we need honesty in respect of all of these issues. On planning, work still needs

current developments, the National Transport Authority has instructed Transport Infrastructure Ireland to undertake a pre-feasibility analysis of the Luas to Poolbeg project. This analysis will determine the initial feasibility of the project from a passenger demand viewpoint, as stated in the national development plan … project sponsoring agency, and the NTA, as the day-to-day approving authority, will continue with the appraisal and planning of the Luas to Poolbeg project, while the development of the red line Luas extension to serve Poolbeg is currently one of the long-term proposals

Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Health if she is aware of the business transformation project being undertaken by an organisation (details supplied) which, according to the published council minutes, appears to be stalled in year four of what was meant to be a three year … project; will she make a statement on the cost overrun, if any, in this instance; if her Department provides any support to bodies under its aegis who undertake such projects, or conduct monitoring of the success or otherwise of such projects; and the manner in which she intends

Ciarán Ahern asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will grant a contract extension of three months to those projects funded by his Department under the community climate action programme from the end of September 2025 to the end of December 2025, in order … enhance the impact of the projects without altering the financial framework established in the original agreements after delays were experienced in commencing the projects as a result of the impact of Covid-19; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21186/25

Aidan Farrelly asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform if he will provide a schedule of all capital projects being delivered or which have been completed by the OPW since 1 January 2020; the total project cost of projects in excess … other capital projects below this that have come to his Department's attention for reasons of overspend or due to the fact that they failed to be delivered within time and or original budget allocation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19697/25

Deputy Johnny Guirke asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the status of each individual project approved under measures 1, 2 and 3 of the outdoor recreation infrastructure scheme in Meath in 2024; the grant approved for each project; the current status of each project; the completion … date for each project, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19113/25

Deputy Charles Ward asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the status of each individual project approved under measures 1, 2 and 3 of the outdoor recreation infrastructure scheme in Donegal in 2024; the grant approved for each project; the current status of each project; the completion … date for each project, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17704/25

Deputy Aidan Farrelly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will provide a schedule of all capital projects being delivered or which have been completed by his Department and organisations under the aegis of his Department since 1 January 2020; the total project … cost of projects in excess of €500,000, or of any other capital projects below this that have come to his Department's attention for reasons of overspend or due to the fact that they failed to be delivered; and if he will make a statement

Deputy Aidan Farrelly asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will provide a schedule of all capital projects being delivered or which have been completed by his Department and organisations under the aegis of his Department since 1 January 2020; the total project cost … projects in excess of €500,000, or of any other capital projects below this that have come to his Department's attention for reasons of overspend or due to the fact they failed to be delivered; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16682/25

Deputy Aidan Farrelly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence if he will provide a schedule of all capital projects being delivered or which have been completed by his Department and organisations under the aegis of his Department since 1 January 2020; the total project cost of projects … excess of €1,000,000, or of any other capital projects below this that have come to his Department's attention for reasons of overspend or due to the fact that they failed to be delivered; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16679/25

Deputy Aidan Farrelly asked the Minister for Transport if he will provide a schedule of all capital projects being delivered or which have been completed by his Department and organisations under the aegis of his Department since 1 January 2020; the total project cost of projects in excess … other capital projects below this that have come to his Department's attention for reasons of overspend or due to the fact that they failed to be delivered; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16693/25

Deputy Aidan Farrelly asked the Minister for Finance if he will provide a schedule of all capital projects being delivered or which have been completed by his Department and organisations under the aegis of his Department since 1 January 2020; the total project cost of projects in excess … other capital projects below this that have come to his Department's attention for reasons of overspend or due to the fact that they failed to be delivered; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16683/25

Aidan Farrelly asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform if he will provide a schedule of all capital projects being delivered or which have been completed by his Department and organisations under the aegis of his Department since 1 January 2020; the total … project cost of projects in excess of €500,000, or of any other capital projects below this that have come to his Department's attention for reasons of overspend or due to the fact that they failed to be delivered; and if he will make a statement

Deputy Aidan Farrelly asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will provide a schedule of all capital projects being delivered or which have been completed by his Department and organisations under the aegis of his Department since 1 January 2020; the total project cost … projects in excess of €500,000, or of any other capital projects below this that have come to his Department's attention for reasons of overspend or due to the fact that they failed to be delivered; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16681/25

Deputy Aidan Farrelly asked the Minister for Education if she will provide a schedule of all capital projects being delivered or which have been completed by her Department and organisations under the aegis of her Department since 1 January 2020; and the total project cost of projects … excess of €500,000, or of any other capital projects below this that have come to her Department's attention for reasons of overspend or due to the fact that they failed to be delivered; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16680/25

Deputy Ryan O'Meara asked the Minister for Education with regard to the Gaeltacht learning period grant for primary ITE programmes, to consider the implementation of a similar grant model for post-primary ITE programmes, as the majority of Gaeilge post-primary student teachers have two compulsory cúrsaí … Gaeltachta, each two weeks in duration, as part of their programme, and this is identical to the required placements included in primary ITE programmes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14382/25

Deputy Aidan Farrelly asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if he will provide a schedule of all capital projects being delivered or which have been completed by his Department and organisations under the aegis of his Department since 1 January 2020; the total … project cost of projects in excess of €500,000, or of any other capital projects below this that have come to his Department's attention for reasons of overspend or due to the fact that they failed to be delivered; and if he will make a statement

Deputy Aidan Farrelly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will provide a schedule of all capital projects being delivered or which have been completed by his Department and organisations under the aegis of his Department since 1 January 2020; the total project cost … projects in excess of €500,000, or of any other capital projects below this that have come to his Department's attention for reasons of overspend or due to the fact that they failed to be delivered; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16687/25

Deputy Aidan Farrelly asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will provide a schedule of all capital projects being delivered or which have been completed by his Department and organisations under the aegis of his Department since 1 January 2020; the total project cost of projects … excess of €500,000, or of any other capital projects below this that have come to his Department's attention for reasons of overspend or due to the fact that they failed to be delivered; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16691/25

Deputy Aidan Farrelly asked the Minister for Justice if he will provide a schedule of all capital projects being delivered or which have been completed by his Department and organisations under the aegis of his Department since 1 January 2020; the total project cost of projects in excess … other capital projects below this that have come to his Department's attention for reasons of overspend or due to the fact that they failed to be delivered; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16688/25

Deputy Aidan Farrelly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide a schedule of all capital projects being delivered or which have been completed by his Department and organisations under the aegis of his Department since 1 January 2020; the total project cost … projects in excess of €500,000, or of any other capital projects below this that have come to his Department's attention for reasons of overspend or due to the fact that they failed to be delivered; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16677/25

Deputy Aidan Farrelly asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if she will provide a schedule of all capital projects being delivered or which have been completed by her Department and organisations under the aegis of her Department since 1 January 2020; and the total … project cost of projects in excess of €500,000, or of any other capital projects below this that have come to her Department's attention for reasons of overspend or due to the fact that they failed to be delivered; and if she will make a statement

Deputy Aidan Farrelly asked the Minister for Health if she will provide a schedule of all capital projects being delivered or which have been completed by her Department and organisations under the aegis of her Department since 1 January 2020; and the total project cost of projects … excess of €500,000, or of any other capital projects below this that have come to her Department's attention for reasons of overspend or due to the fact that they failed to be delivered; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16686/25

Aidan Farrelly asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will provide a schedule of all capital projects being delivered or which have been completed by his Department and organisations under the aegis of his Department since 1 January … total project cost of projects in excess of €500,000, or of any other capital projects below this that have come to his Department's attention for reasons of overspend or due to the fact that they failed to be delivered; and if he will make a statement

Deputy Aidan Farrelly asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if he will provide a schedule of all capital projects being delivered or which have been completed by his Department and organisations under the aegis of his Department since 1 January 2020; and the total project cost … projects in excess of €500,000, or of any other capital projects below this that have come to his Department's attention for reasons of overspend or due to the fact that they failed to be delivered; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16690/25

Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Justice the breakdown of the €53 million capital allocation for 2025 by project and prison; the projected number of additional bed spaces each project will deliver; and on what timeline. [21486/25

Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Education to provide an update on the building project for a school (details supplied); at what stage the project is at; when it is likely that the project will move forward to design and construction; an estimated timeframe for same