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physical recreation facilities and assists the purchase of non-personal sports equipment. The fund was previously known as the sports capital and equipment programme, which operated on an annual basis from 1998 to 2008. It resumed in 2012 with rounds … programme has evolved, increasing amounts have been made available to support new or improved facilities. Over 19,000 projects have benefited from sports capital funding since 1998, bringing the total allocations in that time to over €1.4 billion. These grants have directly improved sports facilities in every village

support investment of €25 million in 2025 for fee adjustments and service establishment; €50 million in 2026 for full-year implementation, training optimisation programmes and new services; and €20 million in repurposed existing community pharmacy funding. This agreement marks a new chapter for community pharmacy in Ireland … will mean that we are better utilising our existing network and freeing up capacity in other pressured areas of our healthcare services. The programme for Government set out our commitments and ambitions for community pharmacy. It recognises the significant potential for the enhancement of the role of community

resources that are available to us. We are doing this to secure the long-term sustainability of our public finances. BUDGET 2026 The programme for Government is clear in its ambition to secure our country’s future, and today’s budget is an important milestone on this journey … billion increase on this year’s allocation. An additional €6.1 billion will be allocated for current expenditure, with the budget for capital projects increasing by €2 billion. The current expenditure package will provide: €2 billion for social protection, to provide for our growing population, expand existing schemes

thank Deputy Smith for the question and for his leadership and advocacy. The Deputy is right. The projects, facilities and amenities in his area in particular are bringing huge, profound and important change. I thank the Deputy for being cochair of the British-Irish Parliamentary Assembly. The PEACEPLUS … programme, which runs until 2029, has a total value of €1.1 billion and funds projects across Northern Ireland and the Border counties of Ireland. PEACEPLUS is cofunded by the Irish Government, the European Commission, the UK Government and the Northern Ireland Executive. The project is managed

every number of weeks, and more frequently when required. The Minister and her Department are committed to continuing to support the school. The project is included in the Department’s construction programme and is being delivered under the national development plan as part of the Project Ireland … this led to a delay. While all parties actively engaged to discuss and resolve the issues and to reduce any risk to the programme, these unforeseen matters did lead to a delay. In response to issues on the site, the Department sanctioned the appointment of a project manager

Department supports serves as a guiding light when the world seems to be in shadow. Budget 2026 provides for increased funding across all programme areas. Additional current funding of €49.8 million has been provided along with a further €81 million in capital uplift. This represents a total increase … over 2025. The provision of €384 million for the arts and culture programme will serve to promote and develop Ireland's world-class artistic and creative strengths at home and abroad, maximising their societal, economic and reputational value for the country. An allocation of €18.27 million will

economic and social necessity. The delivery of homes is at the centre of the revised NDP, which includes €28 billion for housing programmes. It will create the building blocks we need to deliver thousands of new homes through upgrading our water and energy infrastructure, delivering roads and providing … period. While we are making real progress in the areas of energy, transport and agriculture, I have to acknowledge that the latest EPA projections make clear one thing, namely, that we have to go further to tackle climate change faster and at scale, particularly over the next five

start by supporting Deputy Kenny's call for clarity for that project in Mallow. To be fair, the funding announcement was made. I do not think the funding is in jeopardy at all. I do not want this to turn into a negative story because the funding … update from the Minister of State. To be fair, Councillors Pat Hayes and Gearóid Murphy have been in contact with me about this project as well. I will say something positive initially. I know it might be said that is surprising, but anyway. Sports capital funding is probably

Deputy knows, my Department is responsible for the existing LEADER programme which is part of Ireland’s CAP strategic plan covering 2023 to 2027. It is co-funded by the EU and the Exchequer. The LEADER programme is administered by local action groups on behalf of my Department … been at the heart of rural development in Ireland for over 30 years. It plays a vital role in supporting local projects to bring renewed life, jobs and services to our rural communities, including those in County Galway. As Deputy O'Hara is aware, €180 million of funding

strong emphasis on provision for children with special educational needs, with a particular focus on meeting annual school place requirements. In relation to project roll-out for large-scale projects and additional school accommodation scheme projects, the approach will be to continue to maximise the capacity … existing school estate as much as possible in the first instance and to provide necessary additional capacity through targeted and prioritised project roll-out over the course of the period from 2026 to 2030 to meet the most urgent and prioritised needs. The capital allocation will also facilitate

increase in the first-year payment threshold from €75,000 to €87,500 to support smaller research and development projects. Building on the action plans on competitiveness and productivity and market diversification, this budget will also deliver on tax simplification for businesses. We will see an expansion … action plan on childcare in the context of how we mesh together and move forward with the 21 commitments on childcare in our programme for Government. This will enable us to build on progress around affordability, accessibility and quality of the early childhood, education and care system

these measures provide a firm foundation to advance the Government’s commitment to establishing a sustainable funding model for the public service obligation programme as set out in the programme for Government. I will turn to disability measures. As we committed in the national human rights strategy … disabled persons, we are providing record levels of funding toward accessibility retrofit programmes to fund upgrades on older stations. Last week, I convened the ministerial accessible transport forum to meet disability groups to discuss the priority transport actions. We are also progressing transformative infrastructure projects, each designed

range of schemes, which are so important for communities right across our country. The community development budget is an accentuation of the programme for Government commitments and will show that we in government, and in Fine Gael in particular, are delivering on our programme for Government commitments … Minister, Deputy Calleary, in bringing this budget through. A total of €74 million will be spent on the social inclusion and community activation programme, SICAP, and other social inclusion supports. SICAP is critical for supporting social inclusion and addressing disadvantage in many communities. Members of the House

level in society. Achieving this vision requires a whole-of- government and a whole-of-society approach. My Department supports a range of programmes and partnerships to improve men's health. The HSE has recently appointed a national programme manager to implement the men's health action plan … Alongside the voluntary sector, the HSE has led out on the development of a number of tailored programmes and campaigns on men's health. Engage, the national men's health training programme, provides health and community professionals with insights and skills on how to effectively engage men. This

Deputy knows, the LEADER programme is a multi-annual funding programme. It is cofinanced by the European Commission under the Common Agricultural Policy, CAP. The current LEADER programme is operational across the country as we speak, with total funding of €180 million allocated across local action groups … matter of significant importance to my Department. Ireland has advocated and will continue to advocate for a well-funded and ringfenced EU funding programme that supports farm resilience, environmental ambition and rural development measures such as the LEADER programme. Since its inception in 1991, the programme has empowered

public expenditure and key State agencies to highlight and resolve these. Today I want to continue to highlight the need for key infrastructure project delivery in Kildare North, in light of the significant focus on infrastructure in the budget. Since the establishment of the Government we have seen … focus put on infrastructure and delivery and I welcome this. Projects such as MetroLink, the DART+ programme and the national broadband plan, along with many others, will have huge positive impacts on our country in years to come. Five towns were added to the living city initiative

know that there is no safe level of asbestos. I have to ask him that direct question. The Minister of State said the project was completed in 2022. He mentioned the good money, €6 billion, being spent on schools. Some of it has been well spent. Some … frankly, has been appallingly spent. A project manager was taken on to oversee this project. It is a project manager who, I am aware, is also involved in other school projects at this time. If that project manager has reported back to the Department of education that

year. In addition to this, I am allocating €84.9 million for arts and culture in 2026 to provide for increased funding for major projects, such as the Crawford Art Gallery. I am also allocating €433 million to support the completion of the national broadband plan, while €5 million … resources by a further €1 billion out to 2035. In 2026, this will see: the major Narrow Water Bridge and Ulster Canal restoration projects forging ahead; a new Dublin-Derry air link commencing, enabling regular air travel between the two cities; and programmes to develop the bioeconomy, support

about slogans; it is about all of us working together to ensure our island is reunified. At the heart of the programme for Government is the enhancement of co-operation, connections and engagements with all communities and traditions to build that shared future. That is what … South. It is about investing in areas where it makes sense to work together. It is about investing in people and communities. Major projects such as the iconic Narrow Water Bridge and the renovation of the Ulster Canal are well under way. Everyone who travels regularly from Dublin

Minister of State and I were delighted to have secured funding of €5 million in budget 2026 for the introduction of a new programme for urban areas in line with the programme for Government commitment. RAPID stands for revitalising areas by planning, investment and development. Established … based approach to disadvantage representing a focused initiative to target the 25 most concentrated areas of disadvantage in the country. The original RAPID programme closed to new applications in 2011, although it should be noted that my Department has continued to honour legacy commitments. These included my Department

including over 5,200 in Dublin. Affordable housing schemes are now operating at scale in Dublin and the affordable housing delivery programme continues to be expanded and developed year on year, supported by unprecedented levels of State investment. Across the four Dublin local authorities, affordable housing fund approval … place to support delivery of 35 projects, delivering more than 3,500 affordable purchase and cost-rental homes. Large-scale mixed tenure schemes such as Church Fields, Montpelier and Oscar Traynor Woods are delivering affordable purchase homes and 133 cost-rental homes were recently launched at Innovation Square

physical and mental well-being is substantial. The allocation for next year in this budget will reinforce this. The allocation for the sports programme in budget 2026 is more than €290 million, marking an increase of just under €60 million, or 26%. We have clearly exceeded the national … increase in capital funding to enable the development of the national velodrome and badminton centre on the Sport Ireland campus in Blanchardstown. This project will bring many benefits, not least to our track cyclists, who currently have to travel abroad to access such a facility for training

Positive Future It is more pressing than ever that this Government presents a budget that protects jobs and supports growth. My Department is projecting modified domestic demand - the best measurement for our domestic economy - to grow by 3.3% this year and by 2.3% next year. Domestic activity … structural challenges that may await and the challenges we may not yet be aware of. By the end of next year, my Department projects these funds will have built up to around €24 billion - an investment to protect future generations. By the end of this Government’s term

welcome this opportunity to speak on men's health, which is a priority in the programme for Government. In 2009, Ireland was the first country in the world to develop a national men's health policy. The men's health policy sets out a comprehensive and, I hope … followed by two action plans. One was published in 2017, with a more recent one published in 2024. A clear commitment in the programme for Government, which I was proud to be involved in negotiating, is to increase literacy and raise awareness among men and boys about

common interest to the European Union. There are tools under Regulation (EU) No. 1026/2012 to impose trade restrictions on countries undermining stocks. The programme for Government recognises the valuable role of fisheries in this country and the communities that rely on this activity for their livelihoods. Furthermore … recognise the importance of maintaining a vibrant fishing sector, both for the communities that rely on them and for the wider economy. The programme for Government, Securing Ireland's Future, reflects this approach by committing to securing a sustainable future for the fisheries sector while supporting coastal communities

Deputy Malcolm Byrne asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of projects seeking funding through the International Investor Programme when the programme was discontinued; the approach of his Department to these projects; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55192/25

Public Service Reform and Digitalisation if he accepts that it is critical the State moves to multi-annual budget envelopes for key infrastructure projects and delivery bodies given that a growing number of major infrastructure projects under the current NDP have been delayed in recent times for lack … relatively small amounts of funding to move through the approvals process; if he supports the idea that State Bodies delivering those projects must be given multi-annual funding envelopes, so that projects are not reliant on new approvals each fiscal year; and if he will make a statement

Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of applications received to the 2025 Humanitarian Admission Programme; the number of applications that have been approved; the number refused; the number of persons who have arrived in Ireland to date in 2025 under … programme; his plans to increase the number of spaces on the programme beyond the promised 50, given the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan, and in particular the deepening women's rights crisis (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56976/25

Deputy Ryan O'Meara asked the Minister for Health if the BowelScreen programme has given consideration to extending the screening programme to those aged 50 to 54; if further investments will be made in the BowelScreen programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [56567/25

activation supports will decline in 2026 to €25.99 million from €26.545 million in this year according the estimates published for Budget 2026; the programmes under subhead A.29 his Department expects to make savings; to confirm the number of people that will be supported under each programme … projected increase or decrease on 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55733/25

Deputy John Paul O'Shea asked the Minister for Transport for an update on the Mallow relief road project; the current status of the project; the progress made to date; when it is expected to proceed to the planning stage; to address the ongoing issue regarding … pipeline in the proposed route corridor, and whether this matter has caused any delay to the advancement of the project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55294/25

Deputy Noel McCarthy asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of applicants who entered the Garda Síochána Foundation Training Programme in Templemore for each of the past ten programmes; the respective number who completed each of these training programmes; the number of these

Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport the details of the capital funding programmes or grants which his Department or any body for which he has responsibility, for which sporting organisations are eligible to apply for; the details of any funding programme or grant … that is currently open or the date when a subsequent prospective funding programme or grant is scheduled to be opened for which a sporting organisation is eligible to apply for, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53472/25

Deputy Joe Cooney asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport the details of the capital funding programmes or grants from his Department or any body for which he has responsibility for which sporting organisations are eligible to apply; the details of funding programmes or grants currently open … date when a subsequent prospective funding programme or grant is scheduled to be opened for which a sporting organisation is eligible to apply, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52211/25

Deputy Liam Quaide asked the Minister for Transport the amounts allocated to the Kilkenny Northern Transport Project in each of the years 2024, 2025 and projected for 2026; the specific deliverables attached to the €200,000 provided in 2025; whether multi-annual funding will be committed to bring … project through options selection, environmental surveys and statutory planning; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52897/25

Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation the steps he is taking to ensure that projects identified in the National Development Plan or those that can demonstrate their contribution to meeting national strategic objectives under the National Planning Framework must … Bord Pleanála/An Coimisiún Pleanála to prioritise underpinning infrastructure such as critical utilities infrastructure where delays in the delivery of those projects risk undermining other project delivery; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52661/25

further to Parliamentary Question No. 312 of 9 October 2025, if her attention has been drawn to Coimisiún na Meán’s published Work Programme 2025 (details supplied) which is in contradiction to the previous response, there is no reference to including the regulation of infant and follow … formula advertising in the work programme; if she will review same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [57539/25

Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Transport if he will confirm the revised delivery timeline for the DART+ coastal north project; if he will clarify whether the project has been further delayed to Q2 2027; the reasons for any such delay; and if he will make

financial allocation in Budget 2026 for the advancement of the N2 Ardee to Castleblayney road scheme; when the next phase of this project will commence; the estimated final completion date for this project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57264/25

Brian Brennan asked the Minister for Education and Youth whether there is any restriction on a school seeking external funding for a building project; whether a school is permitted to seek private/corporate funding or sponsorship to progress a building project that has not been funded by the Department

Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Education and Youth for an update on a local school building project (details supplied); the reason for the ongoing delays in realising this project; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [56983/25

Parliamentary Question No. 482 of 14 October 2025, if she will provide a breakdown of the capital funding for youth affairs under Project Ireland 2040, where €7.55 billion will be invested in the education and youth sector over the period 2026 to 2030; if she will provide … annual breakdown of funding going to youth affairs under Project Ireland 2040; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [57193/25

Deputy Rory Hearne asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage for an update on the progress of the new voids programme, as promised in the Programme for Government 2025, to improve the turnaround of vacant social housing units and if AHBs are now being provided with

Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of approvals issued under the Afghan Admissions Programme; the number of persons that have arrived in Ireland to-date in 2025 under the programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter

Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Health if she is aware of a rehabilitation programme based at DCU involving the use of exoskeleton technology to support individuals with mobility impairments; and if she will engage with the programme lead (details supplied) to explore potential funding options

Connell asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if his Department is considering extending the Human Capital Initiative Programme; if not, if replacement programmes are being developed in lieu of an extension; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55835/25

Deputy Mark Wall asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht if he will outline the new RAPID programme announced in budget 2026; and when he expects the programme to be operational by. [55400/25

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

will apply; the measures in place, to ensure a fair distribution of funds; the date on which applications will open and close; if projects which were previously unsuccessful will be allowed re-submit, such as the Dunshaughlin courthouse and town centre project in County Meath

Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration pursuant to the commitment in the Programme for Government and answers he gave in Dail Éireann the formal confirmation that has been given to the European Commission that Ireland intends … respect to membership of the EPPO; when was such an intention communicated to the EU in line with the commitment contained in the Programme for Government. [56382/25