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introduction of a needs-based model for access to supports in mainstream schools in 2017 and similarly for access to SNA supports and summer programmes in more recent years. While these developments have strengthened access to supports, I recognise that diagnosis continues to play an important role

occupational therapists into mainstream schools. I am also pleased to say that we have secured continuing funding of €92 million for the summer programme, more than double what it was just four years ago. As Members all know, October is Dyslexia Awareness Month and this year the theme

increase of €42 to €446 at post-primary level, an increase of 10%. An additional €2 million will support the DEIS plus programme and €3 million of funding is being provided for an additional 100 home school community liaison co-ordinators to improve outcomes for children at risk … projects across the school estate, including additional accommodation and modernisation for special education. A second tranche of projects under a climate action summer works programme will also be advanced. Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science The frontier of technological innovation is moving at an unprecedented pace

years of operation in the delivery of tangible benefits to rural communities. Funding of €43 million will be made available for the LEADER programme in 2027. The community centre investment fund is a relatively new fund to support the development and refurbishment of high-quality community facilities … routes and facilities at river and lakes, such as those I visited with Deputy Daly in Ballymoe during the summer. This year, we have announced the 2026 CLÁR programme with a record budget. We have already approved €2.5 million for 44 vehicles and we will be making further

professional doctorates in educational psychology programmes in Maynooth University and Dublin City University. The first graduates from the Maynooth programme will be available to work in NEPS from summer 2028, while the first student intake in Dublin City University commenced this month. To join the SCPA panel, private

next year to just over €7,700 in child support payments. I am delighted the holiday hunger programme, which we ran as a pilot for the past two summers, will now be run on a permanent basis, benefiting more than 40,000 children. I have done … Buttimer, I have secured an outcome of €628 million for the Department in 2027, which will provide €208 million for the rural development programme, €260 million for the community development programme and €160 milliún le haghaidh na Gaeltachta, na n-oileán agus na teanga. Cuidíonn an t-airgead

people to improve comfort in both winter and summer, and prioritise older residents living in inefficient homes, especially in social housing. However, we also need that vision extended beyond a single budget cycle. We need a serious national investment programme focused on offshore wind, grid expansion, interconnectors, battery

Institutional Burials Act identification programme to first cousins. This is particularly crucial for the ongoing work in Tuam. I acknowledge the sensitive, professional and compassionate work being led by Daniel MacSweeney and his team, which I witnessed at first-hand this summer during my visit to Tuam. Many

apprenticeship budget is now up to €446 million, which is a new high. We are seeing apprenticeship registrations continue to climb towards the programme for Government target of 12,500. Those are the fundamental and critical skills that Ireland needs to build out our future infrastructure … first time ever - this has been awaited for 15 years but we are doing it this year - we are putting in a new summer training model from 2027 onwards to allow aircraft mechanics to be trained in the summer, which is their quiet time. While the planes

more targeted resources for our children and young people. The increased budget reflects the priority this Government affords to our education system. The programme for Government is ambitious in this regard and among my priorities to be progressed in the coming months is to deliver on our commitment … help to reduce costs for our schools. In this regard, I will be announcing the next tranche of projects under the climate action summer works scheme shortly. Education has the power to break cycles of disadvantage and to create opportunities for future generations. That is why an additional

will continue to lower inflation, reduce the cost of doing business and keep more money in people’s pockets. In line with the programme for Government commitment, my Department is also engaging with the European Commission to establish an even more favourable tax treatment for hydrotreated vegetable … often have no control. This simply cannot continue. The energy transition is most often seen from the perspective of climate change. Recent summers and winters, both here in Ireland and across Europe, have shown how urgent this is. It is not just about that. The energy transition

LEADER has been a game-changer for rural communities since it was introduced. I visited a number of LEADER companies this summer who marked 35 years. The approach was championed by former Commissioner Ray MacSharry and has driven a bottom-up and locally led approach. I reiterate what … forward. The Minister of State, Deputy Byrne, and I met the local development network in late spring to discuss the importance of the programme. We will host a major Presidency rural development conference in Galway in early November and I will use that to platform and showcase

acutely aware of this issue. Last spring and early summer, I met with the principals of all of the special schools in five locations across the country to hear at first hand what the challenges are. I am acutely aware of the challenges being faced. This year alone … SNAs on the one side and, on the other side, in the education therapy service, a new initiative that was in the programme for Government. People were reluctant but we have embraced it and are rolling

Ahmed Abuhassan, a 22-year-old student from Gaza who has been accepted onto UCD's bachelor of science in computer science programme with a full scholarship but has been unable to commence his course because his student visa was refused. Mr. Abuhassan was due to commence … brought down over our heads in October 2023. I spent two years displaced in the south, in tents that held off neither the summer heat nor the winter cold, chasing every charging point for a borrowed Laptop with a cracked screen and any signal steady enough to reach

development, €8 million will support local job creation, social inclusion and environmental projects through the LEADER programme, €5 million for the community services programme will provide more local services and employment opportunities, €2 million will help small community and voluntary groups, particularly those serving disadvantaged communities, cuirfear … they felt in those final seconds as the clock ticked down on Mayo's 75 year wait for All-Ireland glory this summer. We are a country that understands the immeasurable contribution sport makes to our shared sense of belonging. That is why in 2027, the Department

trains are now overcrowded. People are huddled together at every point in the day and, at some stages, particularly in the summer when it was hot, people with conditions like asthma were struggling to breathe. It is not just on the carriages, but also on the platforms. Drogheda … funding for a feasibility study. On my second point regarding safety on our trains and platforms, one of the key commitments in the programme for Government is to introduce a transport security force. While the numbers seem quite low, there were 50 incidents of sexual offences on trains

million increase on last year and much of that will go towards the farming for water European innovation partnership, EIP. Under this programme the river basin management service within the Department, along with farmers the length and breadth of Ireland, will put in place key measures on farms … established and had not been caught, would have led to ecological devastation across Ireland. I am really proud of that fact. During the summer we saw their bravery in the likes of Killarney and Wicklow where they were battling fires on the ground and once again showing