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thank the Deputy for his comprehensive list of school projects. I know that a significant amount of work is taking place. I compliment the Deputy on the work he does in engaging with schools because I believe public representatives should be constantly engaging with school communities. I thank … engagement with us over the past number of months. Since 2020, the Department has invested over €6 billion in school building projects under the national development plan involving the completion of over 1,300 school building projects. Over €227 million has been invested in schools across County Galway

Dáil the current position regarding the proposed amalgamation of Ringaskiddy Lower National School and Shanbally National School in County Cork. This project is planned to be delivered as part of phase 2 of the Department’s Adapt 4 programme. That programme uses a professional external programme manager … ordinate and drive the integrated project team to achieve the best possible timeframe for the project through the stages of architectural planning, to tender and construction. This programme is being led by integrated project teams consisting of highly skilled and experienced design professionals, architects, engineers, project managers, quantity

behalf of the Minister for Education and Youth, Deputy Naughton, to outline to the Dáil the current position in relation to the school project for St. Eunan’s College in Letterkenny. This project is included in the Department of Education and Youth’s construction programme, which will … delivered under the national development plan as part of the Project Ireland 2040 framework. St. Eunan’s College is a single-sex, Catholic secondary school for boys under the patronage of the Bishop of Raphoe. This school building project will deliver a new extension and refurbishment of some

Department does not have a scheme specifically for community or homecoming festivals, there may be an avenue of support under the LEADER programme or potentially the local enhancement programme. In respect of the LEADER programme, in line with the programme for Government, LEADER has a strong focus … rural tourism and funding has been made available under the programme for festivals and local tourism initiatives. For example, I am sure the Deputy will be well aware of the Old Fort Quarter festival, which has been run very successfully in Portlaoise in recent years. That has received

across the State. Screen Ireland supports these sectors by providing investment loans for the development, production and distribution of film, television and animation projects. The allocation to Screen Ireland will be €42.96 million in 2026. This is an increase of €2.1 million, or 5.1%, on the amount allocated … funding supports across development, production, distribution, promotion and skills development, since 2018, Screen Ireland has assisted in the production of 115 feature film projects, 44 television dramas, 80 documentaries, 41 animation projects and 69 short films. Screen Ireland has also supported projects for distribution and has seen

respect of addressing the continued high cost of energy and, indeed, we have implemented some measures already. This is evident in the programme for Government which acknowledges the increased energy cost pressures on households and businesses and commits to bringing forward measures to help contain energy costs. Today … energy crisis and found no evidence of market failure, the findings of the IEA renewables report underline the importance of progressing the programme for Government commitment to "commission an independent review into the speed and level of passthrough from wholesale prices to retail prices, with an additional assessment

December. Following the allocation of each ministerial expenditure ceiling, it is a matter for each Minister to assign funding as appropriate at programme and subhead level for their Departments and the agencies under their remit, accounting for the demands for services in different areas and regions, having regard … departmental rather than geographic basis. More broadly, the achievement of balanced regional development is a key priority of this Government in Project Ireland 2040, which includes the national planning framework and the national development plan. Since Project Ireland 2040 was launched in 2018, the Government has overseen

absolutely committed to ensuring high-quality regional connectivity in the west. We have demonstrated that by the progression of a number of projects, including the project on the N5 in recent years. The recently published sectoral investment plan for transport reaffirms the NDP commitment to deliver many … plan shows that. Even electric vehicles need roads to go on as do buses. There are road safety issues. The mothballing of road projects is ending and the building of new road projects is commencing alongside a very significant and important investment in public transport which also matters

around three times the initial estimated cost. While the Government today looks at the capital carryover, the country remains awash with underfunded infrastructure projects in desperate need of Government support. Nowhere is this more so than in the case of the north-west and Border regions … constituency of Cavan-Monaghan, there are a number of such projects with the potential to have a profound impact on communities. Two are the N2 Clontibret to the Border and the N2 Ardee to Castleblayney road projects. I reiterate my welcoming of the shared island funding for works

social welfare system for people on a range of income supports, as well as providing additional support for families and people on illness programmes, disability programmes and carers' programmes. For example, 2035 funding enabled a €12 increase in core weekly social welfare rates, an increase in the weekly … social homes were delivered, including 7,857 new-build homes, 1,501 acquisitions and 1,223 homes delivered through the leasing programmes. In the first six months of 2025, 3,918 affordable housing options were delivered, which represents 61% of 2025's delivery target. This

Since 2020, the Department of education has invested over €6 billion in school projects throughout the country under the national development plan, involving the completion of over 1,300 school building projects. Over €159 million has been invested in schools across County Westmeath and €234 million in schools … across County Wicklow in that period. Project Dargle, the project bundle referred to by the Deputy, comprises seven post-primary schools in Westmeath and Wicklow devolved for delivery to the National Development Finance Agency, NDFA. These school building projects are flagship projects and will provide new, modernised, high

taking on behalf of the Minister for Education and Youth, Deputy Hildegard Naughton. As he said, the brief for this major school building project is to provide an eight-classroom school with an additional four classroom special educational needs, SEN, base included. The project has been devolved … Louth County Council for delivery. The project is currently at stage 4, that is, construction, of the delivery process. It is envisaged that, pending no unforeseen delays or issues, the estimated completion date will be within the first quarter of 2026. It is great to hear that

discuss the Government’s new housing plan, Delivering Homes, Building Communities. The development of this new housing plan was a commitment under the programme for Government. It reaffirms that housing is the number one priority for all arms of government, including local government, and expects that all people … particularly significant. Of the €12.2 billion funding provided, 95% of it will be used to support the delivery of a wide range of projects in cities and regions to ensure the delivery of the additional water services capacity required for new housing. Investment in transport will also

behalf of the Minister for Education and Youth, Deputy Naughton, to outline to the Dáil the current position of the joint school project for St. John Bosco Junior Boys School, St. John Bosco Senior Boys School and Mary, Help of Christians Girls National School in Dublin … joint school building project the Deputy outlined the background of will deliver two new 16-classroom primary schools, with additional classrooms for children with special educational needs for the senior boys school and the girls school and a new 11-classroom primary school with additional classrooms for children

certainly will bring that back to the Department and to the Minister and the Deputy’s emphasis on the urgency of moving this project on. I know that whenever three schools are brought together for one project like this, it is a big commitment on behalf … three schools. It is not easy to keep everybody on the one page and it is important the project keeps moving. I will reflect back to the Department and the Minister the full content of what the Deputy has been saying. As I said in my previous response

have the Waterford figures but the Cavan LEADER programme for 2023 to 2027 has an allocation of €6.37 million. There is €5.985 million for Monaghan. To date, under the 2023 to 2027 programme, 45 projects have been approved, 25 in Cavan and 20 in Monaghan to the value … million in Cavan and €1.29 million in Monaghan. That funding continues but it is also in partnership with the other projects I mentioned. We have seen some of those projects in RSS, CCIF and RRDF. I will continue to work the Deputy and the Chair on delivering projects

fully support what the Deputy is saying. The projects he referred to are projects that have been there. They are referred to as the phase 1 projects. They were in existence prior to the State intervening to resolve the issue by having a plan-led approach and setting … clearer pathway for companies to progress their ambitions. Of course, we are working with those companies also to ensure that those projects, which, as I said, are phase 1 and somewhat legacy to the system that is there now, are progressed and progressed quickly. There is work under

Browne, Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage. Acquisitions with tenants in situ are a category of purchase under the second-hand acquisitions programme which help prevent social housing supported households in the private rental sector, such as HAP, from becoming homeless. In this regard, tenant in situ … Along with the clear focus of Government on increasing the supply of new build social and affordable homes, a targeted social housing acquisition programme has been, and will continue to be, an important policy response to priority needs. The Minister for housing has this year secured funding

number of Deputies in his constituency, including Deputies Ryan O'Meara and Michael Murphy, have also been focused on this. This is a project we have been endeavouring to progress. I know the last Minister for Transport was probably not as enthusiastic about road construction as others … case. There is a lot of congestion on that road. We will see what we can do. There is a huge investment programme. Only a number of weeks ago, the Minister announced a sectoral plan for transport under the national development plan. The list of projects is enormous

better place. I was in the drugs committee lately. The experts know what to do and have always known the supports and projects that work and the pilots that failed to be expanded, but we have not done that. A massive increase in those elements of support could … about early intervention and putting in those supports. At the children's committee recently, we had the area-based childhood, ABC, programme, Archways, The House in Cox's Demesne from my own constituency, Northside Partnership and even the ISPCC. They all spoke about the number of referrals seeking

very important for the delivery of housing and I raised this before with the Minister at the infrastructure committee. Since then, that project has been at a standstill. In recent weeks, Government TDs welcomed an increase of several million euro in the allocation of funding for this project … However, the only reason this is needed is because the project has stood still and costs have increased in the meantime. The greatest barrier to delivery of this project is the 15% co-funding allocation expected of local authorities for such projects. That means Galway County Council would

programme for Government provides for a number of measures to support small schools, including the introduction of new national small school projects and training in new administrative supports. The Government is very aware that small schools are an important part of local communities and glue a community together … schools action plan research, established in 2021, is due to conclude at the end of the next school year. The current small schools project is being implemented on a pilot basis to support collaboration and sharing of resources among small schools in rural areas. It also enables them

school campus referred to by the Deputy comprises a junior school and a senior school. The junior school has a major project with the Department for a new school building on the existing site, which is currently at construction stage. This project will provide modern facilities … school community, including provision for children with special educational needs. As part of this project substantial external play facilities such as three ball courts, two junior play areas, one secure hard and soft play area and one sensory garden are being provided. My Department understands that there

Tánaiste does not need me to tell him about the importance of the DART+ South West project. We have seen now is that the project has been shelved for a minimum of four years before any works will take place. We have heard at length about the impact … judicial reviews have on delaying significant infrastructure projects. This project has no judicial reviews. It has full planning permission. An Coimisiún Pleanála approved the railway order back in 2024. Under questioning this week, the Taoiseach said he will speak to the Minister. Will the Tánaiste join

this stage. Unfortunately, despite this long time it is at the earliest possible stage, namely pre-stage 1 of the school building programme. There are emergency needs in these schools. I have had the good fortune of being able to visit these schools in my time. I most … school so that the students can get out of these older and dilapidated buildings. As I said, despite the time involved, the project is at the earliest stage of the school building programme. There is deep frustration locally about the slowness of the process. This has been

Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage whether his Department has prepared any projections or forecasts relating to future construction and delivery costs, per social and affordable housing unit under Housing for All or any successor programme; and if so, to outline … those projections and the assumptions on which they are based. [73647/25

Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the efforts to date to “support group retrofitting projects” as outlined in the Programme For Government; the number of homes that have been retrofitted as part of “group retrofitting projects” to date in 2025; the motivation

Deputy John Paul O'Shea asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht the number of category one RRDF projects which have been announced to date; the number of these projects which have been fully completed; the steps the Minister is taking to expedite delivery … large capital projects in his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [73099/25

Lawless asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if any breeder or breed society wishing to operate their own recognised breeding programme in accordance with Regulation (EU) 2016/1012 is required, in practice, to enrol in an organisations - national breeding programme (details supplied) and to comply with … operational rules set by the organisation which are not contained in, nor approved as part of the stated rules of procedure and breeding programme of that breeder or breed society; and if so, whether this requirement is compatible with the autonomy of breeders and breed societies guaranteed under

Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Education and Youth the number of schools that have applied for retrofitting under the REPowerEU pathfinder programme to date; the number of these applications from Dublin; the current stage of these schools in the process; when the next round of announcements … retrofitting projects under the programme will be made; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [69214/25

Deputy John Connolly asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality for an update on the implementation of a programme of acquisition and fit-out of State-led early learning and childcare services, as proposed in the programme for Government and budget 2026; and if she will make

Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Transport to provide an update on planned greenway projects, broken down by county; their current status; when he expects each project to be completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [73799/25

Deputy Cathy Bennett asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance the total Irish receipts or projected receipts from the EU Multiannual Financial Framework; the total Irish contribution or projected contribution to the EUMFF in each of the years 2019 to 2027, in tabular form. [69684/25

Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation further to Parliamentary Question No. 171 of 10 of December 2025, when the first meeting of the ‘project steering group’ took place; the number of meetings of this steering group since its inception; the provenance of the cost range estimate referred … engaged with; when it is envisaged the work streams referred will be agreed and established; and when the next meeting of the ‘project steering group’ is scheduled to take place. [73773/25

Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration to outline the progress of each of the four existing projects under the Youth–Joint Agency Response to Crime (Y-JARC); the number of individuals who have benefited from each project, by year, since

Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Health when planning and design will commence for a project and the estimated time for completion of this project (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [73408/25

Daly asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the number of homes retrofitted as part of his Department’s retrofitting programme to a BER standard of B2 or higher in each of the years 2020 to date in 2025, tabular form; the number of homes retrofitted … part of his Department’s retrofitting programme to a BER standard of B2 or higher to date in 2025; the proportion this that is over the 2030 target; and the proportion of these that were retrofitted under the warmer homes scheme. [73025/25

Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the number of homes retrofitted with a heat pump as of his Government’s retrofitting programme to a BER standard of B2 or higher in each of the years 2020 to date in 2025, broken down by scheme, in tabular form … number of homes retrofitted as part of his Department’s retrofitting programme to a BER standard of B2 or higher to date in 2025; the proportion and the total number of those retrofitted to a standard of B2 or higher is of the overall 2030 target

Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the progress to date on the commitment in the Programme For Government to “Build on the pilot schemes and develop a mechanism to allow private homes in social housing estates to opt into retrofitting projects

Daly asked the Minister for Transport for an update on progress in implementing the recommendations of the strategic rail review; if any projects have been selected for prioritised delivery; to provide update on any possible pipeline of projects as part of this review; and if he will make

Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment the current status of a project (details supplied); when this project will proceed to the next stage; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [73207/25

Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Education and Youth the number of new school building or major extension projects in Longford and Westmeath included in the 2026 capital programme. [72636/25

concerned that the youth unemployment rate of 13.4% is almost treble the national unemployment rate of 4.9%; if he will consider introducing new programmes or amending existing programmes to assist young people into work; if he is satisfied with uptake of the work placement experience scheme in light

Cearúil asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the number of heat pumps installed since 2020 under the National Retrofitting Programme; the projected installation rate to 2030; and whether his Department has assessed alternative solutions for the 300,000+ rural homes unlikely to be retrofitted. [71512/25

Deputy Ciarán Ahern asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the projected additional power needs for data centres in 2026; if any recent analysis or report has been prepared for him, or within his Department, on the energy needs of data centres in Ireland … projected for the next five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [72342/25

Minister for Defence the nature of refurbishment works that were carried out at Curragh Camp in 2025; if each of those capital work projects are completed or still ongoing at present; the new capital works projects that are scheduled to commence at Curragh Camp during the first half

Report and Action Plan, if he or his Department will be allocated additional resources to expediate the delivery of large scale transport infrastructure projects, such as the MetroLink, the Dart +Programme and the Finglas Luas extension; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [72386/25

Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education and Youth the number of new school building projects and extensions currently underway in Limerick, by stage, and date the project entered that stage including the number of pupils currently in that school, in tabular form. [71679/25

Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education and Youth the number of new school development projects in County Cavan currently in stage 3 of the development process; and the date each project entered stage 3, in tabular form. [71680/25

delivering the addition 14,000 special-education places under the National Development Plan 2026–2030; the plan to complete 300 school-building projects; where those capital school projects will be; and the number which will be ready by the start of the 2026/27 school year; in tabular form