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nation. Its rapid development and progression serve as a tangible demonstration of the Government’s commitment to meaningfully accelerate those strategically important projects that are essential to the State’s economic and social development. The events of recent days have reinforced and underscored the central importance of critical … next phase of work, and in December last year, I published the Accelerating Infrastructure Report and Action Plan. This sets out a comprehensive programme of actions designed to speed up the delivery of critical infrastructure across the State. The plan sets out 30 targeted, time-bound actions grouped

encouraging and creating more opportunities for young people to participate in football through coaching and games development supports. The youth field sports programme is based on an ethos of developing the grassroots of the game, growing participation numbers, embracing communities outside of the traditional base of the sport … system for governance, safeguarding, club administration, volunteer services and structures, and long-term player development. The FAI league mark is the complementary accreditation programme designed to raise governance and football operations standards at league level. The FAI has significantly expanded its governance support infrastructure across both programmes. Sport

Bill places obligations on the Government. It requires us to take hard decisions about prioritisation and to identify a small number of those projects or programmes that are fundamental to everything else we wish to achieve. Others have said that and Deputy Fitzmaurice mentioned it. Water, energy … housing or other areas. By doing this we send a clear and unambiguous signal to the entire system that the projects and programmes are of strategic importance and in the public interest. It allows public bodies to reallocate the resources necessary to prioritise the consideration of these projects

support the narrative surrounding rural areas as centres of opportunity, growth and potential. We have continued to prioritise rural investment in the new programme for Government, and in the specific pledge to build on the momentum achieved under Our Rural Future by publishing and implementing the next iteration … government continue to back up our policies with sustained and targeted investment. Within my own Department, for example, the rural development investment programme, which includes schemes such as the rural regeneration and development fund, the town and village renewal scheme, the outdoor recreation investment scheme, CLÁR, and LEADER

Allowing the Government to designate certain projects or programmes as critical infrastructure is the core of the Critical Infrastructure Bill. In response to a designation, all public bodies involved at any stage in the authorisation process must prioritise and accelerate the authorisation process applied to the maximum extent … possible. By establishing a clear legal basis for prioritisation, the legislation will reduce ambiguity and ensure that critical projects and programmes receive focused and co-ordinated attention across Departments, regulators and agencies. It will address the unacceptable delays in our infrastructure-approval processes by mandating whole-of-State

Development (Strategic Infrastructure) Act was passed in 2006 and how that was a step forward in terms of bringing those strategic infrastructure projects into An Bord Pleanála, as it then was, rather than having them always going through local authorities and being delayed that way. In many ways … hand, I recognise the potential progress that comes from this Bill and its necessity in terms of moving these critical infrastructure projects along. On the other hand, I have listened to what people have said about their concerns regarding what the impact of this legislation might be, specifically

this year, my Department published a comprehensive national development plan implementation plan for the education and youth sector. That included 105 school building projects to proceed to construction and tender in 2026 and 2027. That list included 80 large-scale and additional school accommodation projects along with … modular projects. The number of modular projects has now increased to 31. The first tranche of projects was selected with a view to facilitating projects already at stage 3, that is, at tender stage, to progress to construction as smoothly as possible. The prioritisation of projects at stage

unprecedented Government funding across the National Development Plan (NDP), which will fund major upgrades to deliver carbon emission reductions, including major public transport projects, more efficient public buildings, and supports an €18.9 billion investment into the Irish electricity grid; — this Government is committed to the delivery of major … public transport projects, the NDP Sectoral Investment Plan for Transport, published in November, provided €10.1 billion for public transport, as well as an additional €2 billion from the Infrastructure, Climate and Nature Fund to progress MetroLink, giving a total of €12.1 billion for public transport, this compares

People Before Profit, Sinn Féin and, crucially, Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael. Now, five years later, this Critical Infrastructure Bill means that any project that is designated as critical infrastructure will no longer have its climate impact examined. Today, the Government is seeking to repeal, by the back … Department of public expenditure. It places that duty on all public bodies. Under section 7 of this Bill, when the Minister designates a project or programme as critical infrastructure, that climate duty no longer applies. To put this in context, over Christmas, the Minister for climate, Deputy Darragh

thank the Deputy for her question. My Department’s process for delivering a school building project under the large-scale programme or additional school accommodation programme involves five core stages. These stages are reflective of the capital works, management framework and infrastructure guidelines. The stages range from preliminary … website. At a high level, the work progressed at each of the key stages is as follows: stage 1 includes reviewing the project brief information and analysing all the site factors which may impact on the project’s viability; stage 2(a) includes the development of the design

very positive to see such cross-party support on an issue. The school was approved to enter the Department's pipeline for a project under the additional school accommodation scheme, ASA. The project will provide 15 general classrooms, five special education tuition rooms, a two-classroom special educational … needs base, one music room, one multimedia room, one art room, one construction studies room, one technology prep room, two project stores, two science labs, one prep area, one design-computer graphics room, and ancillary services. The project was devolved to the school authority for delivery. This project

Gort Community School's foundation. As the Deputy will be aware, the school was approved to enter the Department's pipeline for a project under the additional school accommodation scheme. The project will provide 19 general classrooms, seven SET rooms, two meeting rooms, one deputy principal's office … room, three science laboratories with two prep areas, one construction studies room with a prep area, one engineering room and prep area, three project stores, one staff room, one general purpose or dining area and other ancillary accommodation. The project was devolved to the school authority for delivery

behalf of the Minister for Education and Youth, to outline to the Dáil the current position in relation to the school building project for St. Mary's Oldtown, County Dublin. This project was approved to enter the Department of Education and Youth’s pipeline under the additional school … accommodation scheme and is devolved for delivery to the school authority. The project will provide three mainstream classrooms, one special education tuition room and a two-classroom special educational needs base. The project is currently at stage 2a, detailed design, of the architectural design process. The stage

infrastructure. Under this new legislation, every public body will be required to do everything within its power to accelerate approval of any designated project to the maximum extent possible. Public bodies will also be required to co-operate with each other. That is going … sequence their duties with other public bodies and allocate any administrative, technical or decision-making resources necessary for a rapid approval of a project or programme. The Bill specifically identifies critical infrastructure in the energy, transport and water sectors as a priority. This infrastructure is necessary to underpin

their children, will be appropriately maintained; — there has been significant progress in family law reform, including: — the establishment of a Family Law Reporting Project, which aims to enhance transparency for the public about private family law proceedings, and build confidence in the judicial determination of private family … recommendations from the Report on the Operation of the In Camera Rule in Family Law Proceedings, including a comparative review of the Transparency Project and the use of Transparency Orders in England and Wales; — the publication of the Judicial Guidelines on the Commissioning, Preparation, Content and Usage

result of consultation I had with the Minister, Deputy Foley. An essential pillar of the child-focused approach is the Garda youth diversion programme, and that is effective. It provides a statutory basis for the Garda youth diversion programme. The intention of this programme is to divert children … system and towards more positive, pro-social behaviour and life choices. Children who commit criminal offences are considered for admission to the diversion programme. Each such case is assessed and the director of the Garda diversion programme, the Garda superintendent, decides if the case is suitable for inclusion

know that the explanatory note for this Bill says that its purpose is to allow Government to designate specific infrastructure projects or programmes that it considers to be critical. The Bill does not reference specific projects or programmes. It provides Government with the power to designate projects … programmes as critical infrastructure. Section 3 provides the Government the statutory powers to designate a project as a critical infrastructure project or programme, done in this case by Deputy Chambers as the Minister for public expenditure. In practice, it represents a major shift towards speed and centralised

central pillar of the Government’s broader infrastructure acceleration agenda. The need for a Bill to fast-track a number of strategically important projects through approval processes was identified in the action published last December. The Bill has been drafted and introduced on a priority basis to respond … this need. Its primary aim is to allow the Government to designate certain projects or programmes as critical. This then requires all public bodies that may have an authorisation function to prioritise them within their approval processes. This will avoid delays, reduce timelines, parallel processes, and introduce

capacity as library authorities under the Local Government Act 2001. Accordingly, the funding and delivery of the Frank O’Connor Library in Mayfield project is primarily a matter for Cork City Council. In April 2023, the Department invited proposals for funding under the current Libraries Capital Programme … total of 33 proposals were received for library capital projects and 15 for next generation mobile library vehicles. Each proposal received was evaluated thoroughly using a scoring matrix published with the initial call for proposals document. Cork City Council's application in respect of Mayfield library unfortunately

College. The Department of Education and Youth is progressing the delivery of a large timber frame modular extension to Lucan Community College. The project will deliver nine additional classrooms, a science laboratory and preparation area and a design and technical graphics room. Construction has already commenced on site … Laoghaire Education and Training Board, and the school authorities in relation to progressing this accommodation. They remain available to provide support on this project, including the scope for repurposing some of the existing classrooms for special education provision. The National Council for Special Education is engaging with

capital investment has grown from €300 million to €1.4 billion under budget 2026. This sustained investment will support the delivery of key strategic programmes and projects in our cities and regions to deliver the additional water service capacity required for new housing targets, while prioritising public health … resource, Uisce Éireann has invested €2 billion to upgrade the underground water network across the country through the delivery of a leakage reduction programme. It is continuing this work with over €1 billion in further investment up to the end of 2029 to fix leaks and replace pipes

school building projects for Dunboyne junior and senior national schools will deliver a new 24-classroom primary school for the senior school and an eight-classroom extension and refurbishment project for the junior school. Both school projects will also include classrooms for children with additional needs … aware that there have previously been procurement difficulties with this project and that an opportunity was taken to request the design team to do an element of redesign to include in the scope of works decarbonisation measures for both schools, and a fabric upgrade for the primary school

peatland habitats, as well as undermining our vital carbon sinks. The committee has investigated the EU's proposal to eliminate the LIFE programme, the only dedicated fund in Europe for nature restoration and a scheme that has major positive impacts on biodiversity and nature restoration projects across Ireland … this Government. Let us take the removal of the 2:1 spending ratio on public transport to new roads in the programme for Government, for example. Clearly, this is a very regressive move, particularly given the positive steps that had been taken by the previous Government

pillar of the Government’s broader infrastructure acceleration agenda. The need for a Bill to fast track a limited number of strategically important projects through approval processes was identified in a report and action plan published last December. The Bill has been drafted and introduced on a priority … basis. Its primary aim is to allow the Government to designate certain projects or programmes as critical. This then requires all public bodies that may have an authorisation function for these projects or programmes to prioritise consideration of them within their approval processes. In practical terms, this means

section 15 of the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Act 2015 in specific cases. Simply put, this means now that large infrastructure projects carried out in transport, energy, water and wastewater will no longer have to comply with section 15 of the climate Act. This … prioritise climate concerns while carrying out their functions, so the Critical Infrastructure Bill will exempt transport infrastructure, energy systems and water and wastewater projects from climate obligations. It will disapply climate law from some of the biggest potential sources of long-term emissions and the most emission-intensive

Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment if he will provide a list of the community renewable energy projects that have been energised and are exporting electricity to the grid; the volume of electricity these projects have exported; the number of community renewable … energy projects that have begun construction, by projects that are 100% community-owned versus those that are not 100% community-owned; the number of community renewable energy projects that have received funding from the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland; the breakdown of each project and the amount

Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Transport to provide a detailed update on all major transport infrastructure projects currently in development or construction that have experienced cost overruns or delays; the original projected cost and timeline versus current estimates for each project; the reasons for any variances … steps being taken to improve project delivery, cost control, and transparency in future transport capital programmes. [31300/26

Community Sports Facilities Fund to open and the scheme details to be published; the minimum contribution required by applicants towards total project costs; the projected theme for this funding round; if two separate capital projects for the same club can be accommodated in the one application … costs of the projected works fall below the maximum local project threshold of €200,000; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31603/26

Minister for Education and Youth if her attention has been brought to the long and complex planning history of a new school building project (details supplied); that ten-year planning permission for the new school building project will expire in August 2026; the measures she will take … ensure this project is advanced before planning expires, or the steps that will need to be taken to advance the project as quickly as possible thereafter; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29468/26

Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the number of projects in receipt of funding from the LIFE Programme in Dublin; if any Life Programme funding is being used to support coastal protection works in Dublin; and if he will make

asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht for an update on the status of the Athenry Public Realm Enhancement Project; the level of engagement his Department has had with Galway County Council in relation to the progression of the project to delivery stage … funding streams available to support its advancement; and the actions he will take to ensure that the project is progressed and prioritised at the earliest possible opportunity. [29984/26

Education and Youth the current status of the revised stage 2A submission for additional accommodation at a school (details supplied); the reason the project has not progressed beyond stage 2A despite being in development for over a year; when a decision will issue on the revised submission lodged … March 2026; whether the project is being considered for inclusion in the next tranche of prioritised school building projects under the National Development Plan; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25630/26

Deputy Michael Murphy asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport further to the turning of the sod on the National Velodrome Project at the Sport Ireland Campus, Blanchardstown in November 2025, to provide an update on the progress of construction; the expected completion date; the current estimated … total cost of the project and whether this has changed since approval; the funding profile for the project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28013/26

Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation the project management or project governance framework that is currently required or recommended by Government for the delivery of publicly funded capital projects under the Public Spending Code and the Infrastructure Guidelines; whether

Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the progress made to date in advancing offshore renewable energy projects off the Irish coast, including the number of projects that have received Maritime Area Consents; the status of grid connection arrangements for those projects

Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Defence the projects, programmes, or policy initiatives to which external contractor expenditure related to in each of the years 2022 to 2025; the cost attributable to each project; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26792/26

Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation to outline the current capital investment programme for Garda station refurbishment and replacement, including the total funding allocated in each of the years 2023, 2024, 2025 and 2026, the number of projects … approved, commenced and completed in each of those years, and the projected pipeline of works planned for the period 2026 to 2029. [26442/26

Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Education and Youth to provide a full account of the way in which school building projects, particularly those related to SEN provision, are assigned directly to the planning and building unit for management/delivery or to "devolved delivery" pathways with projects … managed by schools or by external project managers. [23573/26

Farrelly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will provide an update in respect of the Fire Services Capital Programme 2026 - 2030; if he will provide a schedule of sites located to participate in the programme; and the budget allocation for the Fire Services … Capital Programme 2026 - 2030 [25483/26

Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of non-coursing greyhounds that were prepared for homing under the Irish Retired Greyhound Trust homing programme (details supplied) for each of the years 2023, 2024 and 2025; the number of the dogs prepared under this programme in each … years 2023, 2024 and 2025 that were subsequently homed; the amount spent on this programme for each of the years 2023, 2024 and 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24585/26

Deputy Shane Moynihan asked the Minister for Transport for an update on the DART+ South West project; the progress to date; the way in which the project may be expedited; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31714/26

Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Transport to provide an update on the progress of the N53 road project in County Louth; to detail the timelines for the completion of the phases and the overall completion of the project; and if he will make a statement

Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Transport to provide the latest update on the implementation of the A spine of the BusConnects programme in Dublin; if he will ensure there is adequate resources for service delivery to prevent similar staffing and scheduling issues that arose with … introduction of the F spine of the BusConnects Programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31270/26

Reform and Digitalisation further to Parliamentary Question No. 219 of 27 May 2025, the amount expended to date on the Midleton Flood Relief Project; the currently projected overall cost of the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31591/26

asked the Minister for Education and Youth the name, location, roll number, and current stage of all additional school accommodation scheme school building projects in County Offaly that are currently at the ‘Approved’ or ‘Tender Stage’ and could commence works if additional capital funding was brought forward … estimated capital required for each such project to proceed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31693/26

Deputy John Clendennen asked the Minister for Education and Youth the name, location, roll number, current stage of development for each school building project in County Offaly under the additional school accommodation scheme that is not yet on site; the date it reached that stage; the estimated capital … required for its progression to the next stage; the specific reasons for any delays in projects at the ‘Approved’ or ‘Tender Stage’; the potential impact of increased capital allocation on their commencement; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31694/26

Education and Youth if she can confirm that the addendum has been added to the invitation to tender for the new school building project for (details supplied); to confirm a date for when tenders have to be returned by; to confirm that the project remains on schedule

Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment following on from his announcement of a €250 million allocation to a seed and venture capital programme helping Irish enterprise, the way in which this money will be allocated to SMEs; his views on the growth projections possible within companies who obtain

Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the progress made to date on the commitment in the Programme for Government to support group retrofitting projects, enabling neighbours to upgrade their homes together with guided support to make the process easier and more

Deputy Ged Nash asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance the projected yield from a windfall tax on energy profits, modelled on the same basis as the temporary solidarity contribution in 2022 and 2023, if applied to profits in 2025 and projected profits