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rights and the pursuit of peace and democracy. If we lose sight of the objectives that make up the bedrock of the European project, everything that the Community has worked for since the Second World War will have been in vain. Supporting global initiatives aimed at addressing climate … justice, the EU can address the root causes of social unrest, inequality and exclusion, which are the breeding grounds of conflict and division. Programmes that reduce poverty, increase access to education and ensure fair working conditions create more resilient societies. These are the foundations upon which a lasting

European Union. We have seen some real benefits to rural areas from our membership of the EU over the decades, including programmes such as LEADER. Unfortunately under its latest iteration, the LEADER programme, an EU-funded rural diversification programme, has resulted in money being cut to rural communities

Union has brought to our island. I see every day, first hand, how Ireland has benefited from membership of the EU through infrastructure projects. That is not to say that we should not have critical analysis. We would not be doing our job properly if we benignly accepted … territories Bill as it had promised to do - another broken election promise. We wrote before to stop Israel's access to the Horizon project from happening. It is not right that Israel can access the EU Horizon project to do what it is doing: genocide

mind saying I support the European project and have done so since the beginning, but I also do not mind saying we should, whenever necessary, be critical of the direction Europe might be taking on any aspect of the role it plays. I also believe we should never … bring up the arms race, purchase arms and so on, Europe and Ireland have a lot to offer in respect of a peace project. We have always been the ones who were recognised as playing a huge role in relation to peace and we should continue

risky at the time but it has been successful. Ireland has been a grateful and significant beneficiary of its involvement in the European project. However, like any good project, whether family, business, school, community or island group, everything should be subject to review, re-evaluation and consultation with … integration or otherwise. We must retain our Irishness. Equally, we respect the heritage and culture of other people we encounter throughout the European project

Minister has tabled to the motion. The motion seeks nothing more than for the Government to implement what the Minister outlined in the programme for Government and seeks further information and detail on the Government's commitment to our early years sector in the programme for Government … parents and stakeholders on their views. Why does the Government not launch the consultation it has laid out and committed to in the programme for Government rather than posting online videos and surveys? I am afraid, having read the amendment the Government has put forward, that

awaiting reimbursement, cannot access those drugs and that is not a health system we should be standing over. That is why, in the programme for Government, we were happy to see the inclusion of early access programmes for certain drugs for certain cancer sufferers … Minister of State to take away to the Minister, Deputy Carroll MacNeill, tonight is to ensure that the commitments in the programme for Government are initiated now, and we are not having this conversation in two years' time again, trying to instigate them at that point

certainly will take the Deputy's request to the Minister. At present, the Department supports a number of national extracurricular programmes through core funding, including €400,000 for the Young Scientist and Technology Exhibition, €200,000 for SciFest, €250,000 for ESB Science Blast … Engineers Ireland STEPS Programme. That gives a total of €893,000. These programmes have broad national reach and strong alignment with curricular and strategic goals. However, I fully recognise the demand for broader support, particularly for schools wishing to participate in a growing number of local, national

filing of returns. Due to difficulties with the enforcement module of the CRO’s IT system, the CRO suspended its involuntary strike-off programme early in 2024. Involuntary strike-off has since recommenced on a curtailed basis, as the underlying IT issues have still not been fully resolved … operating as normal and the CRO received a total of €9.7 million in late filing fees during 2024. The current involuntary strike-off programme is focusing on companies that have no registered directors, which is a breach of the Companies Act. When the programme has been completed

matter three times in the Chamber. I continue to get the same response. The most recent update from the Department indicates that the project is at stage 3 and that a new grant of planning was received in December 2023 and is still being examined by the design … team. The update ends by stating that the project remains a priority. With full respect, it does not seem to me or to those of my constituents who are trying to send their children to be educated through the medium of Irish that this project is a priority

needs. If deemed necessary, Tusla will provide financial support to eligible care leavers who are engaged in a qualifying educational course or training programme. That aftercare allowance amounts to €300 per week. It is dependent on the eligible young adult attending an accredited education course, a third level … course or a training programme as outlined in their own aftercare plan. The allowance is provided to cover a young adult's day-to-day costs, including accommodation, as they progress in their chosen course or training programme. I will come back in the next round

thank the Minister. Reference has been made to the work programme for the social protection committee. I am sure, along with others in the House, that this is something that we would love to have included in the work programme. It is very important for many people when … social protection committee on this topic. It is important that it forms an early part of our discussions on the work programme. Too many people are suffering from a lack of supports, particularly now, when we have heard the kite flying from Ministers that there will

thank the Deputy for his question. The programme for Government contains a commitment to introduce a new working-age payment to simplify and address those inconsistencies in payment arrangements, which face people who return to work from a jobseeker's payment. An outline of the proposed approach … incentivise and encourage people in receipt of the jobseeker's allowance scheme to take up work or to engage in training and development programmes to prepare for work. First, a person in receipt of jobseeker's allowance is allowed to work for up to three days per week

been made through the early engagement process for further education or employment supports. We have also, as referred to earlier, launched the WorkAbility programme, which is co-financed with the EU employment, inclusion, skills and training programme. In 2024, more than 1,400 people engaged in projects supported

Perhaps the Minister will elaborate on this but from my understanding is that of the 2,220 schools participating in the programme, only 14 will be assessed this year. That is fewer than one in five schools. The review has been announced but we need to know … looking for and that is what we all support. The one thing we can say about the free hot school meals programme is it is a really good initiative for a lot of children. It ensures that we know every child has at least one hot meal

several social inclusion services operate from Balbriggan PCC, including a social inclusion liaison officer, a Roma clinic and the north Fingal community development project. A central objective of the programme for Government is to deliver increased levels of integrated health and social care with service delivery re-oriented … youngest town in Ireland with a diverse population. The Minister is committed to building capacity in primary care, as outlined in the programme for Government, by recruiting additional staff numbers, promoting advanced practice roles in the community for health and social care professionals and increasing the number

seen are payslips, tangible employment and tangible momentum on the ground. Yet, we remain determined. There are positive signs with State-funded projects such as the EU LIFE Peatlands and People initiative, the Clonmacnoise visitor centre redevelopment, the refurbishment of Fiesta Hall renewables centre in Kilcormac, the enhancement … Lough Oulra trails and cultural initiatives like Film Offaly, to name but a few. However, let us be clear: these projects must match the scale of disruption Offaly has endured. So far, they simply do not. Even so, Offaly has pushed ahead. While the just transition has faltered

power the economy of the midlands into the future. The National Just Transition Fund has disbursed about €16 million. The EU just transition programme is providing up to €169 million. The programme has announced a selection of 91 operations totalling about €91 million so far. The Deputy mentioned … economy in the midlands area. About €12 million is being provided under the National Parks and Wildlife Service and the Tóchar wetland restoration project towards survey and restoration planning. There is also a network of electric vehicle charging funding of €18 million. That is across the country

very worthwhile. Fantastic work is going on at Kildalton college. As the Deputy knows, Kildalton college will split the delivery of the programme with the Waterford campus of South East Technological University. Its engagement with the Veterinary Council of Ireland is currently ongoing in regard to the professional … accreditation of these new programmes. This is a very significant programme for the south east region and nationally. There is a demand for veterinary places and many students are travelling abroad to study these courses. We want to get this up and running. There are issues around regulatory

objective from a number of frameworks. You would imagine that one of the frameworks could be from the Exchequer and the development of projects included in the national development plan. Similarly, the Irish Planning Institute stated that the framework had a laudable emphasis on limiting the dominance … other regions but, unfortunately, since 2018, we have seen a business as usual approach that has allowed for the Exchequer to prioritise projects in Dublin and the east as opposed to the rest of the country. That is the great challenge for us. It is to be hoped

abstract worry; it is a real, pressing issue. More land must be zoned. Builders should not be forced to sit on stalled projects with no alternatives. If they can work on multiple sites simultaneously, their skills and resources will be fully utilised instead of being wasted by bureaucratic … such as funding delays, rising interest rates and logistical hurdles. Banks will not release funding unless developers have sufficient time to complete their projects, for instance. If we do nothing, we risk losing between 50,000 to 100,000 approved homes, I am told, simply because time runs

combination of good practices, education and community support. Healthy eating is really important. I welcome the roll-out of the school meals programme and the schools that have been added, many in my constituency of Carlow-Kilkenny. I particularly look forward to seeing the improving nutritional composition … playing sports, dancing and biking to develop a love for movement. It is all about participation. There is a specific item in the programme for Government to increase participation among our young people in sport. I spoke recently about the importance of participation in sport. Yes, we need

unprecedented level with public funding exceeding €1.37 billion in 2025, clearly demonstrating the Government’s commitment to this area. The programme for Government provides the impetus to go much further and to deliver much more high-quality early learning and childcare places at a cost that is affordable … Government. This work will build on the significant measures taken to date to improve affordability. The early childhood care and education programme provides two years of preschool without charge and enjoys a participation rate of 96% each year. The national childcare scheme is now worth a minimum

evaluation of the first year of core funding and the development of an evaluation framework for core funding is currently under way. This project will examine the early implementation of core funding and will make recommendations for further evaluations of the grant. Findings from the project are expected … after quarter 4 2025. This project is being undertaken by the Irish Government Economic and Evaluation Service, IGEES, policy analysts working in the research and evaluation unit of my Department

this area. As well as addressing affordability, this investment has served to improve accessibility, availability and the quality of provision. The new programme for Government provides the impetus to go further and to deliver more high-quality early learning and childcare places at a cost that is affordable … families. It will build on the considerable work done to date, including the early childhood care and education programme, which provides two years of pre-school without charge and enjoys participation rates of 96% each year, and the national childcare scheme, which provides subsidies, both universal and targeted

Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Transport the total expenditure to date on the National Train Control Centre programme; the current estimated final outturn cost; and the additional expenditure now estimated to be required to procure and implement a replacement traffic management system, by the figures

Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Transport when the independent review of the National Train Control Centre and Traffic Management System Project commissioned by the National Transport Authority will be completed; whether the report will be published in full; and the expected publication date. [65422/26

McAuliffe asked the Minister for Transport to provide an update on the introduction of a Transport Security Force, as committed to in the Programme for Government; and when he expects it to be implemented. [65459/26

level crossings at Knockaphunta (XM250) and Kilnageer (XM240) in County Mayo, where planning permission for bridge infrastructure was previously granted but the projects did not proceed. [65579/26

Minister for Transport when he expects all local authorities to have completed the implementation of revised urban speed limits under the national programme; and whether a target date has been set for nationwide implementation [65708/26

McAuliffe asked the Minister for Transport to provide an update on the introduction of a Transport Security Force, as committed to in the Programme for Government; to outline any coordinated efforts he or his Department has undertaken on the matter; and to outline when he expects

Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Transport the current status of the national urban speed limit review and implementation programme. [65702/26

Department collects data on the number of special needs assistants and other school-based support staff who subsequently enter initial teacher education programmes; and if she will provide such data for the past five years. [64148/26

whether she has considered directing the Teaching Council and higher education institutions to examine flexible, part-time or employment-based initial teacher education programmes for individuals already employed within schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [64147/26

that young carers are identified and supported through DEIS school improvement planning, school self-evaluation, student support teams and HSCL or school completion programme referrals. [64227/26

Shónagh Ní Raghallaigh asked the Minister for Education and Youth whether consideration is being given to placing the counselling in Primary Schools Pilot Programme on a permanent footing and expanding it nationally; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [64478/26

Deputy Shónagh Ní Raghallaigh asked the Minister for Education and Youth the current status of the Counselling in Primary Schools Pilot Programme; the number of schools participating and pupils supported to date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [64477/26

Deputy Tom Brabazon asked the Minister for Education and Youth for an update on the new school building project (details supplied). [64563/26

Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Education and Youth the position regarding any assessment of the pilot programme for mental health supports in primary schools (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [64949/26

Education and Youth the position regarding any proposal to roll out mental health supports in primary schools following the findings of a pilot programme (details supplied). [64950/26

Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Education and Youth for an update on a project (details supplied). [65498/26

Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Education and Youth for an update on the commencement of a project (details supplied). [65496/26

Youth to confirm when special schools will receive formal approval to appoint the additional Senior Cycle Level 1 and Level 2 Learning Programmes Co-ordinator post of responsibility provided for under Circular 0038/2026; to outline the reason for the delay in providing this confirmation to special schools, particularly

asked the Minister for Education and Youth the policy basis for allocating school transport scheme seats to temporary foreign exchange students on private programmes in Mayo; if they are prioritised ahead of local concessionary applicants; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [65869/26

electricity generation (SRESS), to report on the tariff review; when it will be complete; if he is satisfied with the rate of community projects that are becoming energised; the measures he is taking to address the roadblocks they face; and if he will make a statement

asked the Minister for Transport if any modelling or assessment was carried out by his Department or the National Transport Authority of the projected impact of the January 2027 fare increase on passenger numbers and on progress toward national public transport journey targets; if so, if that modelling

Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Transport the additional fare revenue projected to be raised in a full year by the average 15% increase in Public Service Obligation fares taking effect in January 2027; the current annual Public Service Obligation subvention; the proportion of the operating

Deputy Erin McGreehan asked the Minister for Education and Youth to provide the current enrolment, permanent building capacity, temporary accommodation capacity and projected enrolment for each primary and post-primary school serving County Louth; and to identify whether any schools are currently operating at or above their permanent

Deputy Erin McGreehan asked the Minister for Education and Youth to provide the current and projected primary and post-primary school enrolment figures for Dundalk south and Dundalk Carlingford local electoral areas, LEAs, school planning area for each of the next ten years; the number of available school

post-primary school in the Dundalk south local electoral area, particularly to serve Blackrock, Haggardstown and surrounding communities, given the significant recent and projected increase in population and residential development; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [65088/26