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others have mentioned, the "RTÉ Investigates" programme highlighted the scandalous lack of proper care standards in two nursing homes. However, if people think such incidents in the modern age are confined to The Residence Portlaoise and Beneavin Manor in Glasnevin, they have another thing coming. We have … Department of Children, Disability and Equality, is finalising an adult safeguarding policy for the health and social care sector, hopefully before the summer recess. This will provide a framework for strengthening adult safeguarding structures, processes and supports. The introduction of safeguarding legislation, if it is done properly, will

Government has made commitments in the programme for Government in respect of VAT and costs that small- to medium-sized businesses are incurring. We want to consult business because it not just hospitality; the retail sector is feeling the pressures as well. We want to consult and come … involves very considerable current and capital expenditure increases. We will have a budget in September. Our plans will be very clear in early summer

priorities for the OPW and that the OPW officials were giving the project every priority possible at the time. In the summer of 2023, the Minister, Deputy Chambers, met Wexford County Council and the Coast Guard in Courtown so there would be no issue with any potential site … quite a significant period. He said that new accommodation for the Courtown Coast Guard unit was included in the Coast Guard building programme. He said it was worth repeating that it was one of the key priorities of the delivery programme. He said a preferred site had been

recently met representatives of the Save our Shannon Organisation who represent more than 600 farming families whose livelihoods are severely impacted by summer and winter flooding in the Shannon Callows. Flooding is also causing the destruction of the bird population, biodiversity and wildlife in this area. Over many … manage the River Shannon; the removal of the pinch points in the Shannon River between Athlone and Portumna; and an ongoing river maintenance programme. The Minister of State will be aware that Sinn Féin has introduced the River Shannon Management Agency Bill, the purpose of which

short-term and secure a sustainable level of supply that will help us meet demand; — the measures committed to in the Programme for Government, including a new housing plan building on the successes of Housing for All, will help us meet the enormous challenge of delivering more than … help to reduce the delays that may be constraining housing supply; — the Planning and Development (Amendment) Bill 2025, to be enacted before this summer recess, will ensure sufficient time is given to activate planning permissions for much needed housing; — under the Planning and Development

committed to the implementation of the recommendations. Obviously, so is the Tánaiste, particularly as he initiated the report. It forms part of the programme for Government. At this stage, will the Taoiseach tell the House whether it is the case that the recommendations, and how they will … Taoiseach indicate to the House whether the recommendations and how they will be implemented will be made clear to the public before the summer recess

five actions the Government can take. The first is to enact the occupied territories Bill. This must be done urgently and before the summer recess in July. The legislation must cover goods and services. There is no time to be wasted here. The Bill was first introduced … neutrality is meaningless while we facilitate military operations. Fourth, the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance, IHRA, definition of antisemitism must be removed from the programme for Government. We have to be clear that criticism of Israel is not antisemitism. Finally, which is the business of today's debate

frustration at times but at all times I see in their professionalism and steadfastness a desire to work through the current crisis. The programme for Government commits to publishing a five-year fishery sector strategy that will include an examination of the processing sector and to continue … finalising that work in the coming months. I thank the office of the Secretary General which has engaged with Mr. Mulvey over the summer months and more recently in an effort to put in place capacity to facilitate, understand and to try to bring forward a comprehensive strategy

There is an argument that it actually restricts the ability of a Government to target resources where the need is greatest. However, the programme for Government makes some commitments in this area. It commits to “implement progressive changes in taxation if the economy remains strong, including indexing credits … request goes broader than my direct ministerial remit for the purpose of this debate in terms of what would be included in the summer economic statement. Some of the items he referenced, as he said himself, are the responsibility of other members of the Government, but I understand

first national agreement with community pharmacists since the original contract was established in the early 2000s. It follows intense negotiations throughout the summer, between the Department of Health, HSE and IPU. I thank all of the parties that were involved and that engaged so intensively to enable … 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

taxation and cost of indexation 4.The Minister and the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation shall include in their Summer Economic Statement in each year a report setting out the estimated cost to the Exchequer of adjusting— (a) tax rate bands and tax credits … commitments were made by the Tánaiste in the context of the general election campaign 12 months ago. Indeed, there are references in the programme for Government to the ambition to introduce indexation for working people over the next few years. The reality is that because there

three leaders, we came up with a compromise that allowed the road to progress. I am delighted the N17 is in the programme for Government. It is important. There are other road projects. For example, we need progress on the N15 to Sligo and Donegal. I understand … repair. It needs surface dressing. I also wish to raise the Carrick-on-Shannon bypass. We must ensure it progresses. During the summer or on a Friday or Saturday, one could be waiting up to 40 or 45 minutes. The good news is that the N5 - the Ballaghaderreen

programme for Government commits to a policy framework for drones to guide high-level strategic planning and development, supporting innovation and addressing other concerns. While that is necessary, it omits a fundamental issue: the impact of commercial drone operations on local communities. Some say there are no regulations … local community, and there will be more. On 21 May I asked the Oireachtas transport committee to meet with stakeholders before the summer recess. That will happen. I am asking that the framework is also published before the summer recess to look at drone traffic management with limits

life. We will make decisions as a Government on the overall package, but there will be a personal income tax package. The summer economic statement next week will set out the parameters in terms of how much the tax package and spending package will be. That will give … below where other countries are, so I am sympathetic to that argument. On the issue of childcare, we have to fulfil the programme for Government commitment of getting to €200 per month per child over the next four years

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

Ireland's wider multinational economy has supported this and continues to do so, but not every single project is justified. Looking at the programme for Government, one of the things I was very happy to have helped negotiate was that data centres should be encouraged to use renewable … nearby demand, not only for data centres but also for energy sharing for a school that has solar panels and in the summer needs to share that energy that it is not using with a nearby nursing home or GAA club. We have one DSO. We need multiple

counties where bluetongue has been detected. Are these antibodies that were a consequence of previous infections going back to last autumn or summer, or is any of this potentially a new spread of the disease? That is something we really need to get a handle on. With regard … like to get an update on that. If farmers are going to have to vaccinate animals, what is the cost of the vaccination programme to which the Minister referred going to be? How quickly can it be rolled out? Is that in itself going to have an impact

sure we are involved in that as we go along. Most importantly, we need to involve the community. We need to encourage community programmes that focus on children's health such as nutritional workshops and health education initiatives in schools, but in particular sport leagues. I want … camogie ahead of soccer. At the moment, the two coexist beautifully. They are able to play their soccer and their sport in the summer and in the winter and it is fantastic. We need to protect our younger people and give them the opportunity of not putting

looking at this. We in Sinn Féin have been raising this issue for years. Helvick pier falls under the local authority harbours programme. The problem is that it does not get enough funding and is not able to do the engineering or environmental studies. That creates problems … shining example of what can be done regarding marine tourism and water sports activity. There is lots going on there during the summer. There is an adventure playground where young children can go out and swim in the harbour. There are fishing boats. Sometimes, we have cruise ships

commitment to "Consider measures, in conjunction with the Department of Finance, to encourage gym membership and active participation in sport and exercise". The programme for Government also acknowledges that "sport holds a special place in Irish life and society ... promoting health and well-being, encouraging community participation … with the expectation that an update of the examination will be provided as part of the annual tax strategy group process during the summer. That normally comes out around July. In line with best practice and as with all proposals for the introduction of new tax measures

research. CERN provides world-class training in physics, engineering, computing and data science, fields that are critical to Ireland’s future economy. The summer schools, the fellowships and the technical programs will help us retain our brightest minds and grow our STEM sector. These are not abstract ideas … investment in Irish industry. For an annual contribution of €1.9 million over the next five years, Ireland gains access to CERN’s scientific programmes. Our researchers will become eligible for fellowships and staff positions. Our businesses can enter competitive procurement processes. That is excellent value, but we still

proactively engage with businesses to make them aware of these supports and to ensure they are accessed at scale. An expansive trade mission programme plan is in place. The ever-evolving situation will be closely monitored. The Government will not be found wanting when it comes to resourcing … government. There are a number of areas where we can take action and I want to see real movement on these before the summer. This will send a very strong signal to the enterprise sector here and abroad that we are very serious about bolstering our global competitiveness

quickly, for more people to build on the increases we see in the quarter 1 delivery figures so far this year. The new programme for Government aims to ramp up supply further and deliver 300,000 new homes between now and the end of 2030. The Government continues … planning permissions have expired due to delays caused by the judicial review process. This legislation, which we expect to have passed by the summer recess, could protect permissions for upwards of 20,000 housing units from expiry. The Government wants to see shovels in the ground and homes

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

local services and no capacity in local towns. There is no capacity even across the county line. Parents who work, particularly over the summer, are beside themselves trying to find alternatives. Westmeath County Council is only too aware that demand outweighs supply, not only in Kinnegad but across … Will she address the issues in Kinnegad? Towns like Kinnegad cannot wait on the never-never for a vague promise contained in the programme for Government with absolutely no reference to a timeline and no detail on a term of reference while parents remain on the phone night