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proposals on justice and home affairs financial instruments, namely, the asylum, migration and integration fund, the internal security fund and the justice programme fund. These funding streams are already in existence and the proposed regulations will extend them for the period 2028 to 2034. Protocol 21 applies … legal bases and an opt-in under Article 3 is recommended so Ireland can continue to utilise funding made available under the programmes. On the proposals themselves, the asylum, migration and integration fund proposal will establish a new asylum, migration and integration fund for 2028-2034. It provides

doing what he wishes. The Minister for Transport has responsibility for overall policy and Exchequer funding in relation to the national roads programme. Once funding arrangements have been put in place with TII under the Roads Acts 1993 to 2015, and in line with the national development plan … individual national roads is a matter for TII, in conjunction with the local roads authorities concerned. This will ultimately deliver the national roads programme in line with Project Ireland 2040, the national planning framework and the NDP. Funding allocated for new national roads projects under

thank the Deputy for raising this very important issue. I compliment him on his passion and advocacy for key infrastructure projects in his constituency and for raising the requirement for investment in infrastructure, and its delivery, to become key priorities for the Government. He earlier raised the issues … with large-scale renewable energy projects so this very much follows from that. As highlighted in the programme for Government, delivery of essential infrastructure is a key driver in ensuring our economy’s competitiveness and resilience. In the past five years more than €65 billion has been invested

Naughton, I am taking this debate. The Department of Education and Youth has a strong record of delivering the Government's school building programme. Since 2020, more than €6 billion has been invented in schools across the country under the national development plan, NDP, involving the completion … first instance, to maximise the capacity of existing school estates as much as possible. Additional capacity will be provided through targeted and prioritised projects, which will be delivered over the course of 2026 to 2030, to meet the most urgent and prioritised needs. There are over 300 school

Government investment in sport is essential to increase participation levels in all sports across all sectors of society. The allocation for the sports programme in budget 2026 is over €290 million, an increase of just under €60 million or 26% compared to the 2025 allocation. When the national … operation of swimming pools is a matter for the respective local authority in the first instance. The Department operates two capital funding programmes for sport, namely the community sports facilities fund, CSFF, and the large-scale sport infrastructure fund, LSSIF. Over €250 million was allocated

support right across the board. In fairness, the decision was made in October 2025, when the sanction was given for the project. It is a bit early to say that we are delaying anything. I genuinely feel that there is an urgency about delivering this. Improving public transport … 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. The Luas Finglas project

well as the Office of Public Works, OPW. It is at the heart of all decision-making at every stage of a policy, project or programme's lifecycle, as it should be. Securing value for money is both a priority as well as our duty … forefront of decision-making on all projects in the OPW, at all stages. The OPW is obliged to adhere to the robust guidance in place to treat public funds with due care and always ensure we pursue optimal value for money. I assure the Deputy that we take

transport, all Departments are now tasked with developing sectoral plans for the upcoming five years out to 2030. These plans will detail priority projects to be progressed, and Departments must ensure these are affordable within the overall capital expenditure ceilings, as agreed by the Government. These plans will … Department of Children, Disability and Equality and €9.25 billion to the Department of Health for the 2026 to 2030 period. A range of projects have already been delivered under this since 2021, including, for example, a €6.9 billion investment in capital infrastructure for primary and post-primary schools

area. The building blocks extension grant scheme was launched in late 2024, and successful applicants are working with the Department in delivering their projects. An application for funding under the scheme was received from Deansrath Family Centre and subsequently that application was deemed ineligible on the basis that … proposed project did not fall within the scope of the building blocks construction strand, due to the value of the project being significantly in excess of the allowed maximum. As announced in the context of budget 2026, €36 million will be available next year for early learning

thank the Deputy for welcoming the fact that the work on the Crawford Art Gallery is going ahead. The national cultural institution investment programme is a key investment programme for the Department under the national development plan. All of the projects, including the redevelopment of the Crawford … Gallery, are progressed in line with the infrastructure guidelines. The purpose of the infrastructure guidelines process is to develop and refine the project, including the cost estimates. The redevelopment of the Crawford Art Gallery is a challenging and complex project that requires a combination of conservation

Finglas extension railway order was granted by An Coimisiún Pleanála in October 2025. This marks a major milestone in the progress of a project long in the making and long overdue. The project involves extending the existing Broombridge Luas green line to Charlestown, which will add four … good reason to believe that areas like Finglas were being neglected, marginalised and left behind when it came to such large-scale projects. It is long past the time that Finglas had a project of such stature, which would vastly improve the quality of life for many residents

thank the Deputy very much for raising this matter. I join him in expressing my sympathies. This project is included in the Department of Education and Youth’s construction programme, which will be delivered under the national development plan as part of the Project Ireland 2040 framework … Divine Mercy Senior National School are co-educational, Catholic schools under the patronage of the Archbishop of Dublin. This joint school building project will deliver a new extension and refurbishment of some of the existing accommodation to provide two 24-classroom primary schools with classrooms for children with

where the number of horses seized was 45. This Government is fully committed to supporting sustainable initiatives in line with the programme for Government and Working Together for Animal Welfare: Ireland's Animal Welfare Strategy 2021-2025. As part of this commitment, the Department of agriculture has continued … support urban horse projects nationwide, working with local authorities, charities and community stakeholders. These projects have proven very successful and are aimed specifically at equine welfare and marginalised communities. These projects can foster community leadership and education in responsible horse ownership for young people. An exemplar project

giving ESB Networks the financial capacity to invest at scale. Grid constraints are now one of the biggest barriers to renewable energy projects. Developers of wind and solar farms across the country are waiting years for connections because of bottlenecks. Without new investment, Ireland will simply not meet … include annual reporting to the Oireachtas, for example, not necessarily just vague assurances from press releases. We need independent audit mechanisms that track project performance, delivery timelines and cost efficiency. There are over 500 capital projects planned under the investment programme. Which will be prioritised? On what basis

Deputy for raising this matter. The urban regeneration and development fund, URDF, was launched in 2018 as one of the flagship elements of Project Ireland 2040. URDF is the responsibility of my colleague, the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Deputy Browne. It provides … funding for applicant-led projects to support a programme of significant transformational capital projects that will contribute to the regeneration and rejuvenation of Ireland’s cities and other large towns, in line with the objectives of the national planning framework and the national development plan. As applicant

will be happy to share that information once that review has been concluded. Within price review 6, we will have 29 very significant projects for onshore network development planned by ESB Networks, ESBN, and EirGrid within the period of the investment programme. The vast majority of these will … share subscription agreement that will require ESB Networks to provide significant detail on how it is financing, and the financing of its programme of investment, including its debt raising. As part of this agreement, ESB Networks will be required to deliver a quarterly report to me in relation

year forecast investment plans to the Commission for Regulation of Utilities, CRU, which then approves the revenues allowable for their operating and investment programmes. These revenues are charges to electricity customers known as network tariffs. This process is known as a price review. The next price review … published its draft determination for PR6 in July of this year. As part of the draft determination, an overall network expenditure programme of between €14.1 billion and €18.1 billion is being considered for the period 2026-2030. A final determination will be made by the CRU later this

schools throughout the country under the national development plan. As I mentioned earlier, this involves the completion of over 1,300 school building projects. Given the fact that there are 4,000 schools across the country, the delivery of 1,300 school projects over the last number … accommodation, we need to ensure we are able to deliver new schools for those communities as quickly as possible. Over 300 school building projects, including 38 new schools, are currently in construction to deliver more than 30,000 school places. Most of these projects are expected

cycles to fully resolve. The upgrade of the Carrignavar wastewater treatment plant will come under Uisce Éireann’s small towns and villages growth programme, which is a national programme to cater for growth in smaller towns and villages within existing Uisce Éireann infrastructure. This programme is delivered … local authorities and is aligned with the county development plans. Each local authority is responsible for prioritising candidate settlements for investment under the programme. Carrignavar was not included in Cork County Council’s list of prioritised sites for upgrade under the scheme for the 2020 to 2024 capital

propose to take Questions Nos. 17 to 31, inclusive, together. Our programme for Government sets out an ambitious agenda for building our shared island. Yesterday, the Government made a major funding commitment of over €50 million through our shared island fund to ten new programmes. We are investing … Ireland . We are moving forward with €14 million for a major new shared island media initiative by Coimisiún na Meán, delivering on our programme for Government commitment to resource schemes to encourage cross-Border journalism on an ongoing basis; A sum of €5.9 million is being allocated

science through a broad range of opportunities and events. I am delighted that my Department has continued its support for this year's programme, with over €847,000 in funding provided for 36 projects through Research Ireland. During the week, almost 400 events, involving 200,000 participants, will … Dream Space. This kind of pioneering advancement can only happen when backed by significant Government support, as reflected and called out in the programme for Government which I am now implementing. This makes significant commitments in support of research and innovation. I am pleased to tell the House

which are extremely strong. The Deputies' efforts on their behalf, with the heart of Government, is most welcome. A number of new road projects, which are included in the current NDP, have already been delivered. These include the N22 Ballyvourney to Macroom project, the Dunkettle interchange upgrade … funding for national roads becomes available in the second half of the decade, this meant there was a constraint on funding available for projects in 2025. However, approximately €502 million of Exchequer capital funds have been provided to TII for national roads in 2025. In line with

thank the Deputy. As she may be aware, the family resource centre programme is expanding from 121 to 126 members this year. Funding for the expansion was secured by the Department in budget 2025 and I want to acknowledge in the Chamber the former Minister, Deputy Roderic … Gorman, in that respect. Regarding the expansion of the family resource centre programme, a comprehensive national application and assessment process was undertaken earlier this year, which was led by Tusla and independently chaired by a representative of the University of Limerick. All applications were reviewed and scored against

target of 5 GW of offshore wind capacity by 2030. That is not going to happen but we need to ensure those projects are in construction and that is down to planning. This target will be met in the early 2030s through a combination of projects from phase … from within the south coast DMAP. The five phase 1 projects with a combined capacity of 3.8 GW are in development off our east coast. Applications for planning consent for all five projects are with An Coimisiún Pleanála and are subject to planning consent. I anticipate that these

statements and strategies; how consents, licences and permissions for development are obtained; the timelines for these processes, engagement between the regulatory bodies and project developers; and consistency across regulatory bodies. The second heading is the planning and legal systems, including the increasing role that the courts play … infrastructure projects; the cascading consequences from these decisions through development cycles; and the impact that the uncertainty in planning and legal decisions are having on projects. The third heading is internal systems, such as how the Government allocates funding and develops a credible project pipeline; the rules applied

Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health for an update on her plans to introduce a systematic LDL cholesterol screening programme in line with recommendation 20 of the National Review of Cardiac Services; if she intends to introduce such a programme in 2026; if she will consider … launching a national 'know your numbers' public awareness campaign on key cardiovascular risk factors (e.g. cholesterol, blood pressure, BMI) to support this screening programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [66872/25

Deputy Michael Murphy asked the Minister for Transport if he will provide a detailed explanation of the factors driving the projected per-kilometre cost of the MetroLink project; if he will publish the international benchmarking used to assess value for money, including comparisons with major European metro projects

rights under Articles 13 and 14 of Regulation (EU) 2016/1012, including the breeder's right to participate in and contribute to the breeding programme of their breeding society; and whether such conditions undermine the breeding society's autonomous control over its own breeding programme as provided for under … Article 27, by imposing external requirements that restrict the society's ability to determine its own programme design, membership criteria or data-governance rules. [65508/25

Kenny asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he can provide further details on the cross-Border pilot Regional Cooperation Programme on tackling bovine TB announced as part of the Shared Island Programme; and if the €6.4 million allocated to it will come … Department’s TB eradication programme budget. [65748/25

Deputy John Connolly asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of youth diversion projects operating in County Galway; the staffing cohort associated with each project; the number of participants at each project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [65009/25

Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport the details of the capital funding programmes and grants from his Department, and any other body for which he has responsibility for, which sporting organisations in County Laois are eligible to apply; the details of funding programmes … and/or grants currently open or the date when a subsequent funding programme and/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. [63436/25

Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht when he expects the Community Services Programme to next open for funding, or when a decision on this might be announced; if there will be an annual call for funding going forward given … Programme for Government’s commitment to open the Community Services Programme for new applications annually in order that more organisations can join the initiative; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63836/25

Education and Youth the date in which her Department received the design team's report in respect of the new school building project for a school (details supplied); when the Departmental review of this report will conclude; the timeline for when this project will proceed to tender … then to construction; if the project remains on schedule to commence construction in Q1/Q2 of 2026; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [61715/25

Deputy Peter 'Chap' Cleere asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence for an update on the capital works projects currently under way at Stephens Barracks, Kilkenny; the estimated cost of each of these projects; when each project will be completed; and if he will make a statement

McGuinness asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment if he has considered the use of aquaculture or seaweed farms within ORE projects, as has been done successfully alongside other ORE projects and may prove to be a commercially successful ancillary-use project. [59825/25

Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Transport regarding the ongoing Cork Area Commuter Rail Programme, for a detailed update on the station upgrade works at Mallow, including tendering status, contract award date, projected start and completion dates; the total budget allocated and the amounts spent … between Mallow and Cork Kent Station that have been required in the current calendar year; and the measures being taken to ensure the project proceeds without further delays thereby delivering improved rail capacity and accessibility for Cork North-Central constituents. [60823/25

Deputy James O'Connor asked the Minister for Transport if a business case has been created for a project (details supplied) as per infrastructure guidelines; the projected cost of the project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60450/25

Deputy Marie Sherlock asked the Minister for Education and Youth the name of all construction project management companies contracted by her Department to project manage construction, renovation or retrofitting projects between 2019 and 2025. [58122/25

building for a school (details supplied) in County Offaly; if her Department has acquired or intends to acquire the identified site for the project; the stage the project is currently at within the School Building Programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [58710/25

Housing, Local Government and Heritage further to Parliamentary Question No. 479 of 21 October 2025, the way in which the funding for housing programmes is made to local authorities as programmes and projects advance and relevant claims fall due for payment. [58573/25

Deputy Michael Murphy asked the Minister for Transport if he will introduce a specific multi-annual catch-up programme to address the backlog in maintenance and rehabilitation of local and regional roads; the estimated cost of such a programme; and if he will make a statement

Barry Ward asked the Minister for Education and Youth if her attention has been drawn to concerns related to the leaving certificate applied programme for deaf and hard of hearing students (details supplied); and the actions she will take to address these concerns to ensure equity and fairness … students taking this programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [66918/25

Deputy John Connolly asked the Minister for Education and Youth the number of new school development projects in County Galway currently in Stage 2B of the development process; the date each project entered stage 2B, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter

Deputy John Connolly asked the Minister for Education and Youth the number of new school development projects in County Galway currently in stage 3 of the development process; the date each project entered stage 3, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter

Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the position regarding the Humanitarian Admissions Programme; if his attention has been drawn to the application under this programme (details supplied); the best course of action the family can take to support their family members

Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health for an update on the EuroHeart Data registry pilot programme active in the south-west; the methods that have been used in this programme to date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [66869/25

within the policy remit of his Department under the Climate Action Plan 2025, National Planning Framework, National Marine Planning Framework and renewable energy programmes, including grid development, offshore renewable energy, electricity system reinforcement and energy security projects; and to outline which Department holds statutory responsibility for the delivery

Deputy Ryan O'Meara asked the Minister for Health the chronic diseases and diagnoses that are included under the Chronic Disease Management Programme; if routine blood tests are covered under the Chronic Disease Management Programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [66542/25

Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport if full funding will be provided to complete a project (details supplied) which was applied for in 2024; when the project will move to tender stage; and the timeline for construction and completion. [65679/25

Neville asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if his Department will provide an update on the Maynooth ring road project; the amount of funding his Department has given so far to the project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60207/25