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services they talked about from 2011 onwards were decimated. Some 20%, 30%, 40% and 50% of funding was cut. One project had 100% of its funding was cut. That is the low-hanging fruit when it comes to recession. The communities that most need it are the ones … areas to which other speakers have referred. Things were working and were extremely successful. I worked in school completion. It is an amazing programme that works really well. Our project in Coolock suffered a 37% cut. Who can sustain that? Yet, we were asked to do the same

Office, CSO, information from 2022 suggests that only 2.3% of young people aged 12 to 17 were referred to the Garda youth diversion programme. Obviously, there were activities that did not get to that level and that were undetected and so on, but it shows that the vast … That is a sad reflection on our society. It is, therefore, good to see that we have this roll-out of the diversion programmes. I note the Minister's announcement recently as well. Years ago, though, people used to be able to bring their friends along

positive outcomes for young people. Unfortunately, a lopsided system has been allowed to emerge. As well as investment in justice-driven youth investment projects, we need wholesale investment in universal youth services, including capital works. As to why, let us look at the numbers. Figures for the years … show funding for our 23 Dublin Garda youth diversion projects increased by a massive 143%, but the number of participants only increased by 11%. Funding stood at €5.18 million in 2019 and increased to €12.6 million in 2023, but the number of participants increased from

óige agus tiocfaidh sí. Is fíor an seanfhocal sin. I commend and thank the youth diversion project teams, particularly in County Meath, and juvenile liaison officers Garda Barbara Kelly and Garda Aisling Connor in Meath north and Meath south, who are doing fantastic work. I also commend … Garda resources and the wraparound services. As has been said, this is about the mental health supports, the youth workers themselves, drug awareness programmes and the Comhairle na n-Óg programme through the local authorities as well. I learned today at an excellent briefing in the audiovisual room

with demand generation and partnership activities. In the longer term, the review of the Dublin Airport cap is an important commitment in the programme for Government alongside our support for regional airports. We can ensure the air capacity is there to enable real tourism revenue growth … colleague, Deputy Peter Burke, to whom ministerial responsibility for tourism is transferring, has asked officials to consider how commitments in the new programme for Government align with the policy framework, and to prioritise the finalisation of a new tourism policy which reflects the programme for Government and other

very annoyed. MetroLink does not serve my constituency. Neither do DART+ west and DART+ south west. The only DART+ project that will serve my constituents is DART+ coastal north, which has been a very long tale. I do not have the time to tell it all, but suffice … city commuter zone and will now have to pay more to get in. The Department has not even included the DART+ coastal north project in the reply. That will drive my constituents up the wall, as I am sure the Minister of State will appreciate. While

know, housing production is the number one priority for the Government as is reflected in the programme for Government. Ireland's housing need is real and we need to consider all methods of construction to deliver the targets we set out in the programme for Government. We have … crucial time because it is clear that the traditional methods of construction will not meet the ambitious targets set out in the programme for Government so we need to involve all aspects and foster all areas of construction in Ireland, not just on-site, but off-site construction

targets, it is necessary to use many different ways of delivery. Modern methods of construction are a key pillar in this housing delivery programme. This year, the accelerated social housing delivery programme and the Government initiatives described will continue to support the delivery of housing using modern methods … construction. Additionally, under the programme for Government, further initiatives will also be implemented to support the key pillar that accelerates the delivery of quality housing. I take on board all the comments the Deputy made about modular housing

long-term strategy rather than this ad hoc response as one might describe it. There are plans, relating to the water supply project in the eastern and midlands region, to take water from Parteen and Tipperary. That might be a while away, but we need to see that … Ministers and Ministers of State we have no say directly in terms of the operation of Uisce Éireann and the prioritisation of projects, etc., but we provide the budget. It is a significant budget of €2.2 billion with more to come through Apple funding, etc. The message needs

amháin toisc go bhfuil roinnt de m’am imithe. If the Government regarded this as a housing emergency, it would be funding regeneration projects to the hilt to make sure that those public sites would have public, social and affordable housing. We now have a situation where … Dublin City Council CEO has said he is putting a three-year pause on regeneration projects in this city because of a lack of central government funding. I cannot figure out where the housing emergency is, or where it sits in the Minister's brain, if the Government

eleventh hour. A second possible suggestion is vis-à-vis the live-over-the-shop scheme, which is part of the programme for Government. Similar to section 23 in the past, it would have very targeted conditions, possibly age friendly or possibly housing appropriate for ages … typical contribution is 35% of net household income. Closer to home is the example of the low-impact living affordable community, LILAC, project in Leeds. Bizarrely, I was given this information seven or eight years ago at a briefing that former Minister, Eoghan Murphy held here for councillors

from the sale of shares in AIB. We are under no illusion that it will need substantially more capital investment. The water supply project was approved in principle by Government in June of last year. That is a generational project, as the Deputy referenced, in terms of dealing … could have very serious consequences for the eastern and midland region. The spent on that is extraordinarily high. Regarding the greater Dublin drainage project that the Deputy spoke about, the current planning application is, it is my understanding, under review. Again, the Deputy mentioned judicial reviews

some AstroTurf facilities. So impressed with the whole development was a local businessperson that he volunteered €500,000 as a donation towards the project. Wexford FC then came on board, and each week people come together under the stewardship of Mark Ross and his team. In this area … almost a perfect storm of community development. People come together, anchored and centred by the centre. It is there that the ideas, facilities, projects and courses spring from. It brings together all elements of the community, be they the men's shed, knitting groups or choirs. The local

mental health problems, addiction to both alcohol and drugs, as well as domestic violence. I want to refer to the Le Chéile mentoring programme in particular, which is hugely successful and beneficial. It caters for young people between the ages of 12 and 24 who are usually referred … through the Garda youth diversion programme. These are young people who have either committed an offence or are at risk of committing an offence. The programme provides a one-to-one mentoring service on a weekly basis for approximately three hours per week. The idea is that

artificial intelligence presents incredible opportunities in healthcare and the provision of public services. I am proud of the fact that, right throughout the programme for Government, there are clear commitments to using AI for the betterment of the wider public and for the digitalisation of public services. However … more widely within society. It is therefore critical that, as well as legislation in this area to protect consumers, there is a programme of education so that people are aware of the challenges of deepfakes and they understand the harm these can cause. It is also essential within

have a tradition of that in our political system. We must consider the nature of modern threats. It is not project fear, as Deputy Boyd Barrett said. Russia did invade Ukraine, by the way; that is just a fact. It is not project fear; it happened. That … expression, and where, if people speak out, they are put into a jail straight away. They do not want that. It is not project fear. That is a bit too simplistic in terms of what is going on. In some respects, we are seeing a growth in autocracy

stage of the HAS, can seek a review, and this will be dealt with promptly; and — in terms of future planning, the Programme for Government - Securing Ireland's Future includes a commitment to develop an 'Extreme Weather Event Assistance Scheme for homes, community organisations, farmers and businesses … deal with applications in the early thousands. As I said, we are now approaching 70,000 applications. That is why there is a programme for Government commitment, which predates Storm Éowyn. An extreme weather event assistance scheme to support homeowners, homes, community organisations, farmers and businesses will

those in these figures are actually finishing? There are 3,376 who failed to finish because they are not getting paid enough. The programme for Government states that the Government would "Ensure a skilled labour force by providing practical support for on-the-job training and apprenticeship schemes … funding for apprenticeship training institutions. Will the Minister tell us how much funding is being allocated and when it will be available? The programme for Government further commits to target 12,500 new apprenticeships annually by 2030 and to introduce a new five-year apprenticeship action programme

programme for Government will be honoured. The programme for Government commits to a reduction in the student contribution fee in a financially sustainable way, which I will do, of course. I am not going to renege on a programme for Government commitment. I am going to follow

approximately €51 million, which supported 2,500 community groups and 27,000 individuals in 2024. I have already spoken about the community services programme. As LEADER relaunches this year, 46,000 people have completed LEADER-funded training, which allowed 16,000 jobs to be sustained in rural areas … provided €7.5 million to the Dublin north-east inner city, NEIC, programme, with a particular focus on it being led from within the community. We have also provided €3 million in the empowering communities programme. I want to ensure that they continue to work, and working with

that role in such developments given their skills and knowledge of what is needed in each area. Under CLÁR alone, we funded 17 projects in Cork in 2023. In 2024 we funded 23 projects. The two tranches amount to almost €2 million between them. We have the funding … best mechanism. They have the on-the-ground expertise. I gave the Deputy a good example of a development yesterday using both programmes. The funding is there under different streams. Good local authorities engage with us and draw down the funding which delivers for parents and families

between officials, which was held on Wednesday, 12 March, that the independent consultant engineer has been appointed and has started work on the project. The assessment will examine all options that are available for improving the marine infrastructure on Inis Meáin, including piers for use by passenger … come in to discuss concerns or preferences for future infrastructure development. I understand the consultant engineers are due to complete their programme of work later this year. We will continue to engage with Galway County Council. I want this project to be completed and to progress as quickly

welcome the programme for Government proposals that we ensure Irish Water prioritises the delivery of the small towns and villages programme. What I am concerned about is that this is not being fed down to Irish Water. Take Aughrim in County Wicklow, for example. No housing developments have … more than a decade due to the water plant being at full capacity. Recent correspondence with Irish Water stated clearly that the project is currently not forecasted to progress to construction until 2029. If this is the case, it will have a detrimental effect on the social fabric

increase in funding for youth work is very welcome. The role I had immediately after youth work was working in the school completion programme. While there have been increases in funding for both of those sectors, during the austerity era youth work and the school completion programme were … pressure on youth services to appropriately fund the services they provide. Looking at my area, Dublin 8, the centre burned down and the projects could no longer be housed there. There is a lack of space in Dublin 8 for youth services to be housed. That means young

Taoiseach for an update on the M20 Cork to Limerick project. Limerick City and County Council published a transport solution for the project in March 2022 and subsequently published updates in February and November 2023 and June 2024. The dual carriageway will comprise over 100 km of safe … Buttevant and villages like Ballyhea and New Twopothouse. There will be transport hubs, EV charging points and freight hubs along the way. The project will facilitate essential public transport options, including the opportunity for quicker intercity express bus services and improved efficiencies on existing bus services serving communities

Department to address the funding shortfall facing higher education institutions; the impact this shortfall is having on continuing and adult education programmes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [65479/26

Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if his attention has been drawn to the suspension of the Diploma in Apiculture programme at the University of Galway; whether any engagement has taken place between his Department and the university regarding the future provision of apiculture education

Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht if there is any avenue available for community groups who had broadband supplied through the WIFI4EU programme to have the service expanded to cover additional parts of their facilities. [65372/26

Deputy Tom Brabazon asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht the total funding provided through the Community Services Programme in Dublin 5, 13 and 17 areas in each of the years 2024, 2025 and to date in 2026, in tabular form. [65569/26

Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if she has raised the case of four Gaza students accepted into the Irish University Sanctuary Programme and who are due to study at the University of Limerick, with Israeli authorities, following their rejection at the Kerem Shalom crossing; the work

expenditure incurred by her Government Department on external consultancy services in each of the past five years, broken down by consultancy firm, project and amount paid; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [61347/26

Deputy Joe Neville asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade to provide a list of each capital project over €1m in total expenditure funded or part funded by her Department on an annual and county basis since 2020, in tabular form, and if she will make

Deputy Joe Neville asked the Taoiseach to provide a list of each capital project over €1m in total expenditure funded or part funded by his Department on an annual and county basis since 2020, in tabular form. [63469/26

when the white paper outlining strategic choices and a delivery framework for Ireland’s electricity sector to 2050 will be published; the projected timeline for delivery; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60053/26

expenditure incurred by his Government Department on external consultancy services in each of the past five years, broken down by consultancy firm, project and amount paid; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [61348/26

Environment if the Climate Action Plan for 2026, will set out sector specific actions that are required to address any failure, or projected failure, to comply with the carbon budget and sectoral emissions ceiling for the period to which the plan relates

Deputy Joe Neville asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment to provide a list of each capital project over €1 million in total expenditure funded or part-funded by his Department on an annual and county basis since 2020, in tabular form; and if he will

Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment if there is a co-ordinated programme across Government at local and national level to ensure the use of public buildings for the installation of solar panels. [64066/26

Butterly asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment whether consideration is being given, within current and future publicly funded residential retrofit programmes, to the increasing risk of overheating in homes during warmer summer conditions; and whether guidance issued for retrofits and heat pump installations includes assessment

Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Defence the status of the Naval Fleet Replacement Programme; whether any limitation on the size or displacement of future Naval Service vessels has been introduced or is under consideration; whether any such limitation would preclude the acquisition of multi-role

Deputy Joe Neville asked the Minister for Defence to provide a list of each capital project over €1m in total expenditure funded or part funded by her Department on an annual and county basis since 2020, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement

Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Transport if he will provide an update on the N53 project in County Louth and any possible interim plans to ensure safety at the Crossmaglen turnoff on the road; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59720/26

Deputy Aidan Farrelly asked the Minister for Transport if funding for the FourNorth rail project is included in the NDP Transport budget under Coastal North; if not, when it will receive its own budget, and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59787/26

will report on his efforts to simplify the process for returning emigrants to exchange US driver licences and on the commitment in the programme for Government to facilitate the easier return to Ireland for emigrants (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60136/26

Question No. 607 of 28 July 2026, whether it is the Government’s intention that physical construction of the N/M20 Cork to Limerick Project will commence by 2030; the current indicative timeline for the commencement of construction, subject to the necessary planning and approval processes (details supplied

Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Transport if he will engage with the NTA with a view to pausing projects that involve public funding for e-scooter infrastructure, given the shift in national policy on e-scooters; and if he will make a statement on the matter

expenditure incurred by his Government Department on external consultancy services in each of the past five years, broken down by consultancy firm, project and amount paid; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [61345/26

need for a signalised junction at a roundabout (details supplied); if his Department will engage with the National Transport Authority to progress this project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [61423/26

Callaghan asked the Minister for Transport to outline the work undertaken by Iarnród Eireann in developing the preferred route for the Four North project; whether the emerging preferred option should now be available for public viewing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [61420/26

Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Transport if he has engaged with the calls to support a funded national programme, with published timelines, to redesign the 50 highest-risk road sections identified by crash data; if he is considering this measure as part of Budget