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convince young farmers that there is an ability for generational renewal and for them to make a livelihood out of farming. The LEADER programme is important. There are challenges in north Tipperary at the moment because streams are either drying up or have already run dry. That … major difficulty because we need funding for many projects that have been waiting years to proceed. We might need to look at a stopgap measure until the new CAP comes into being in order that those community groups or organisations that have waited for years for LEADER funding

that all three strands be addressed in the CAP post 2027 and that we maintain the momentum that is building in the current programme. At the AGRIFISH Council, Ireland has supported calls for a robustly funded CAP and, in particular, a strong first pillar, as direct payments underpin … partnerships delivering existing new products from award-winning operational groups like the Galway Wool Co-op, linking producers with artists, and the BRIGHT project using a results-based approach to manage, protect and restore biodiversity on intensive dairy farms. EIP-AGRI operational groups follow a co-operative model

intent. Notwithstanding the other aspects I identified, once the Government has committed money in the first instance, the natural expectation is that the project will be built. The Deputy has, in a very direct and open way based on his intimate knowledge and understanding of the project … disability services and ensuring that individuals with disabilities and their families receive the necessary supports. The Government made it very clear in the programme for Government that disability would be a priority. By implementing strategic policies, increasing financial investment and fostering a cross-departmental approach the Government

told me six possible sites had been identified by the OPW and that it was part of the OPW’s building priority programme. Such a priority was it, and nothing having happened by November 2022, the Minister, Deputy Simon Harris, who is obviously quite familiar with south Wicklow … that the Courtown Coast Guard building was one of the key priorities for the OPW and that “OPW officials are giving this project every priority possible at this time”. It gave it an awful lot of priority and nothing had happened by the summer

this regard to move things on. At a time when we have all read about, and been aghast by, some of the projects that the OPW has sanctioned, and the funding it has spent on some projects, it is important that it carries out due diligence to ensure … value for money on what is a very important project for Courtown and the wider area. No one will thank the organisation if something is deemed considerably excessive

research is completed in order to assess and maximise the impact of the basic income for the arts in line with the programme for Government commitment. While the research pilot is due to end in August, the basic income for the arts is fully funded … obtain a more complete assessment of the impacts of the scheme. As the Deputy will be aware, there is a commitment in the programme for Government to assess the basic income for artists pilot research scheme to maximise its impact. While the research phase of the pilot scheme

Luas stop would provide that person with greater independence and access to essential services. I welcome the fact that the Luas Lucan project has been highlighted for possible accelerated delivery under the NDP. I will be working with the Minister for Transport to advocate for that … brainer to ensure that we accelerate the delivery of this project. I am of the view that we complete the process of designing the emerging preferred route as fast as we can. As soon as the detailed multicriteria analysis that the Minister of State referenced is done

hope that the Government can further support the social partners in this area. Government supports for collective bargaining is reflected in the programme for Government which contains a commitment to finalise an action plan on the promotion of collective bargaining by the end of this year … chairperson and members of the ELRG. Since then, the inaugural meeting of the group took place in March and the group's work programme has been agreed and published on the Department's website. The work programme contains three items: the determination of employment status; review

years ago, she would not have believed we would do it but we did. We have also significantly expanded the hot school meal programme. These are universal, long-lasting programmes that are now embedded in the public expenditure programme. I recall the Deputy in high dudgeon when

raise concerns that the new Government was not serious about climate action. That view was grounded in my reading of the programme for Government and the Taoiseach's ministerial appointments. He was quick to tell me then how wrong I was but I will give him an example … developer cited challenging market conditions in the offshore wind sector as a reason not to proceed. Who is to say that other projects such as this will not collapse? What is the Government doing about it? LNG is not a cost-effective energy source, apart from the environmental

understanding is, while the Minister for Transport has responsibility for overall policy and Exchequer funding in relation to the national roads programme, it is TII that is responsible for the delivery of the national roads programme. It has informed the Department that Wicklow County Council has just completed … option selection phase for the N11-M11 bus priority scheme. The project team made presentations to elected members of Bray municipal district, Wicklow County Council and Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council. The options selection report details the proposed extensive enhancement at junction 7, which will make the operation

takes time for a national competition of this scale. Once new recruits are employed, they also must undergo an intensive training programme to ensure they are equipped to carry out a very important role relating to the safety of our citizens. I will go into it in more … service was 2024, with the RSA receiving just under 275,000 new driving test applications, which was 10% above the RSA's projections. These applications also add to the backlog that arose following the pandemic and has persisted as a result of incoming demand outstripping

increased significantly to almost 15,000 vehicles per day. Kilkenny County Council has progressed the necessary upgrade to stage 2 of the project approval process at an already significant cost, but we need to show the people of Kilkenny and the south east our commitment to making … ones on the road. The only way to do that is to commit to the completion of stages 3 and 4 of the project approval process. The project is listed in the NDP and we cannot justify its pause any longer. We need an investment of €2.4 million

need the Government to build the Mallow relief road. Over the past three years, just over €1 million has been sanctioned for that project, despite Cork County Council requesting far more. In response to the number of parliamentary questions I have asked regarding this project since my election … developments taking place in a number of areas, including Castle Park, St. Joseph's Road, Spa Glen and Kennel Hill. All of those projects need the Mallow relief road to be delivered. I agree with those in this House who say that sustainable means of transport must

thank the Deputy. In 2016 a capital programme for older persons residential centres was developed in response to the introduction of HIQA's national residential care standards for older people and the requirement that all facilities providing long-stay beds be registered with HIQA. This is a programme … refurbish community nursing units as appropriate at 89 locations. The new 50-bed community nursing unit in Midleton is part of the programme. At the end of 2024, 51 community nursing units were completed. Seventeen are currently under construction; seven of those, including the unit at Midleton

thank the Deputies. I feel and hear their frustration. The programme for Government commits to working with all stakeholders to quickly progress the Waterford Airport project to lengthen and widen the runway, building on the previous Government. The Government recognises the huge value of the aviation sector … will be aware that the infrastructure guidelines set out the value-for-money guidelines for the evaluation, planning and management of public investment projects. The arrangements apply to all public bodies and all bodies in receipt of Exchequer capital funding. Some may argue that given the level

thank the Deputy for his question. I am pleased that the Government has earmarked €5.1 billion for capital spending on new national roads projects from 2021 to 2030 as part of the national development plan, NDP. For the information of the House, we have commenced our review … upgrade the N86 between Tralee and Dingle, and, as the Deputy knows, to continue the development of the N22 Farranfore to Killarney project. A number of new national roads projects, which are included in the current NDP have been delivered, including a bypass of Listowel. With regard

have commenced the preparatory work for the review. There will also be an updating and there is a clear commitment in the programme for Government on updating the regional airports programme. There will be a new programme for 2026 to 2030. This means we would need most

Department - even though he was not the head of it - was provided with a large volume of correspondence over the lifespan of the project in the Arts Council. It is so large in fact that the Minister has so far not agreed to publish it. That project … tracking red as early as 2021. I know the Minister has looked for other projects that are costing the taxpayer millions of euro. What other agencies are affected at this stage, other than RTÉ and the Arts Council

that this €4 million write-off had been discussed repeatedly by the RTÉ board in 2023, and that there were issues in that project in 2019. Can the Minister in any way assure us in the reviews she is doing that she will not miss other flaws … ensure that when all of this is finalised, we are assured that the accounts are fully acceptable, but also that any project floundering - as were both IT projects in both organisations from early on - will be scrapped before the expenditure of huge amounts of taxpayers' money

Local Development Company. The Slieve Bloom mountain biking trail was officially opened in April 2023 and is part of the international mountain biking project, which received an investment of approximately €13 million through the rural regeneration and development fund. The trail is the most extensive one built … Ireland, with more than 80 km of trail riding. It positions Ireland as one of the best international destinations for trail riding. A project is also under way to replace and upgrade pedestrian-cycle signs for Slieve Bloom trailheads in towns. This project has now moved to installation

funding provided to the Defence Forces in the last budget. I particularly welcome the Commission on the Defence Forces' recommendation of an accelerated programme of naval vessel replacement. In reference to this, how many of the current fleet have completed a mid-life extension programme to date … many are proposed to undergo such a programme in the future

primary schools are still under religious patronage. Just 5% are multidenominational. There are just 170 multidenominational primary schools in the country despite a programme for Government commitment in 2020 to deliver 400 by 2030. That target has since quietly disappeared. Let us be honest with ourselves … education for every student in every school regardless of its ethos. That Bill came in response to, among other things, the disgraceful Flourish programme developed by the Irish Catholic Bishops' Conference. The programme suggested, among other things, that the church's view of marriage between

commited to developing a strategy to support existing and emerging demands for increased diversification of patronage in schools. The Government's 2020 programme for Government committed to having 400 non-denominational and multidenominational schools by the end of the decade but this commitment is curiously missing from … programme. The Government is out of step with our communities in this respect. I am disappointed by the proposed amendment, which dilutes everything. Yesterday, Deputy Jen Cummins presented a session with Educate Together, which has opened 50 multidenominational schools since 2013. No new Educate Together schools are planned

Fianna Fáil governments to be continued with regard to a target. We are not asking for anything that has not been in previous programmes for government. With that in mind, the motion gives assurances to communities that we can seek consistency in our policy, in our planning … There is a culture here whereby, irrespective of the Private Members' business, it is changed and amended and we go with what the programme for Government says. This motion actually just seeks to reiterate what the previous programme for Government had committed to. With that in mind

Deputy Conor Sheehan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if any private investment for the Water Supply Project Eastern and Midlands Region has been sought, negotiated, or secured from Chinese or other international private investors. [66281/26

eligibility to recipients of the working family payment; the total value of these fuel allowance payments made to date in 2026; and the projected full-year value of these payments in County Offaly, in tabular form. [66282/26

additional ancillary services building and the construction of 21 lower-security units at The Grove, including all associated planning, construction and related project expenses, in tabular form. [66291/26

Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health whether she has plans to introduce a population-wide cardiovascular health check programme in Ireland, in line with the ambitions of the EU Safe Hearts Plan. [66231/26

Deputy Marie Sherlock asked the Minister for Health the projected growth in demand and associated cost, across all existing primary care services for 2027. [66197/26

Deputy Marie Sherlock asked the Minister for Health to list the pilot cancer screening programmes in operation; the start date and end date for each, in each of the years between 2019 and 2026. [66192/26

Deputy Marie Sherlock asked the Minister for Health the projected growth in demand and associated cost, across all existing acute health services for 2027. [66202/26

Foreign Affairs and Trade the position regarding the total level of funding that has been provided to the Education Cannot Wait (ECW) programme, broken down by year, in tabular form. [65554/26

Foreign Affairs and Trade the position regarding the total level of funding that has been provided to the Global Partnership for Education (GPE) programme, broken down by year, in tabular form. [65553/26

Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade her views on the importance of Ireland’s continued support for the Education Cannot Wait (ECW) programme. [65552/26

Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade her views on the importance of Ireland’s continued support for the Global Partnership for Education (GPE) programme. [65551/26

Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the position regarding any plans to continue Ireland’s support for the Education Cannot Wait (ECW) programme. [65556/26

Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the position regarding any plans to continue Ireland’s support for the Global Partnership for Education (GPE) programme. [65555/26

Sullivan asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment whether any assessment has been undertaken of the potential for geothermal energy projects in County Cork; and if any Cork locations are being considered for future geothermal district heating schemes. [64553/26

planned to address Ireland’s emissions (details supplied); to provide a detailed breakdown of these measures; the timeline for delivery; the projected emissions savings; and the impact on overall sectoral ceilings, in tabular form. [65805/26

Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Transport the current status of the Luas Lucan project; whether the emerging preferred route has now been identified as anticipated in 2026; when the non-statutory public consultation is expected to commence; and whether the target delivery timeframe

Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Transport the specific skills and capability gaps currently identified within the National Transport Authority, including in project management, engineering, procurement, information technology, digital systems, contract management and major infrastructure delivery; the number of additional personnel required in each identified area

actions being taken by his Department and the National Transport Authority to address skills and capacity constraints affecting delivery of the transport capital programme; whether an implementation or workforce plan has been agreed; and the actions, targets, responsible bodies and timelines contained therein. [64274/26

date in 2026; the expenditure on outsourced placements to be further broken down between business as usual and project based roles; and the current average annual cost of a permanent employee and an outsourced placement respectively, in tabular form. [64268/26

permanent employees employed by the National Transport Authority and the number of outsourced placements engaged, broken down between business as usual and project based roles, at year end in each of the years 2019 to 2025 and currently in 2026, in tabular form. [64267/26

Transport Infrastructure Ireland has assessed the compatibility of the Ballinacurra to Midleton Pedestrian and Cycle Route with the N25 Midleton to Youghal Transport Project, given TII's concerns regarding the N25 Lakeview Roundabout and future national-road plans during the 2021 Part 8 process; if so, when

result of the NTA Fares Determination 2026, broken down by operator and service type and the assumptions underpinning these estimates, including projected passenger numbers and any anticipated impact of the fare increases on passenger demand, in tabular form. [65108/26

timing of their purchase to more closely align delivery of the buses with completion of that infrastructure, including the methodology, assumptions and projected inflation or indexation costs used in that assessment. [65204/26

Deputy Eoghan Kenny asked the Minister for Transport the current status of the N72/N73 Mallow Relief Road Project; whether Cork County Council has submitted the Preliminary Business Case to Transport Infrastructure Ireland as part of Approval Gate 1; if so, the date on which it was submitted; when

approximately 2.6 kilometre walking and cycling link and proposed connection to Mallow Train Station; whether there have been any material changes to the project design since the Environmental Impact Assessment Scoping Report published in June 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [65441/26