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hello to you and wish you well as they are thinking of you. I want to discuss a couple of infrastructural projects. The Government has put of lot of money into such projects, but there are a couple of key ones in my constituency, Kilkenny. Funding was made … Kilkenny ring road and the N24 Waterford to Cahir road, which covers 20 km through south Kilkenny. We want to make sure these projects are fast tracked. They have been held up by Transport Infrastructure Ireland, TII. We need an update from TII on the ring road

evening. They are missing work, school and vital medical appointments because our transport system simply is not fit for purpose. In the programme for Government, the Government states it will invest in all road projects on the current national development plan. The N11 upgrade is in the plan … Government must immediately reinstate the funding to allow the upgrade for the N11-M11. When will the funding allow for that critical infrastructural project to proceed

deaths by suicide and 80% of them were men. We have been looking at this very closely. We encourage people like the Headsup programme. We also encourage men to attend men's sheds and to be able to speak openly about their mental health challenges. One thing … programme for Government is that I allocated €2 million specifically for counselling supports for men under the CIPC programme. Anybody with a doctor only card is not eligible to receive these counselling supports free of charge. What it means is that we are starting off with men specifically

that we are like Farage. We are not, actually. We are far from it. We believe in a peace project and one that does not prioritise military spend over basic humanitarian decency, a peace project that means people can be free to be whoever they … scream at the top of our lungs, we neglect what the Minister of State tells us we are against, namely, a European Union project based on peace. That is all we are asking for. We want an Irish State that believes in neutrality, that does not want

measures that have been enacted to modernise and improve public accessibility to the Statute Book and secondary legislation. The statute law revision programme is the State's programme to identify and remove obsolete and spent primary and secondary legislation from the Statute Book. The aim and purpose … programme is to repeal legislation that has ceased to be enforced due to changes in circumstances or the passing of time, and legislation that, while technically in force, is no longer of relevance in practice today. Given that we are talking about legislation that predates

understand the frustration among local authorities and approved housing bodies but there was a general election, which caused a certain delay in projects. Those projects are being worked through now as quickly as possible, though. A final check always has to be done on every project before

budget 2025, €36 million has been allocated to youth justice services. This investment will facilitate an increase in the capacity of youth diversion projects for the young people who need them the most, as well as increased supports for families and early interventions for children … increased risk of becoming engaged in criminal activity. This approach is strongly supported by evidence from the University of Limerick. The projects are community-based, multiagency youth crime prevention initiatives that primarily seek to divert young people at risk of involvement in antisocial or criminal behaviour, or both

education and cause problems in the workforce as well when it comes to training and promotion. Young carers are not recognised in the programme for Government and if it is to be reviewed at any time they should be included in it. More importantly, the Government should … cross-departmental group on young carers and designate a Department that will have lead responsibility and commit it to developing the dedicated programme of supports called for here. Identifying carers is also important. Sometimes they are hidden. Some people keep these things very private, but it may affect

different to the way they are doing it. We really need to deal with this. As this is not mentioned in the programme for Government, I would really like the Minister of State to take out of this the following points. As for what we are going … tens of thousands of people are affected here. We need a detailed programme of supports across Government. We need, primarily at the very beginning, to identify who these people are because they are not categorised. Whether it is young carers under the age of 18 or young adult

ready to go. The site is there, it is a brilliant site, and it needs to be prioritised. There is a new programme for 2026 to 2030. If we have to wait for that, I ask that this project be front-loaded into it. There is a huge … Minister of State knows that quick responses with fire are very important. I am, therefore, asking him to front-load and push this project. I know Ministers will always have shopping lists but it did not get in the last time. I am telling the Minister of State

quickly they could deliver them. They devised a scheme of one to 37. Funding was announced for the first of those six projects two years ago. Many of them were in west Cork, which is not in my constituency of Cork North-Central. I use them to illustrate … quickly or slowly things move. Of the six projects that were identified, not one has commenced despite funding being allocated. I have been around long enough to understand that it might have to go through environmental impact assessments, tendering, planning and all those processes

frustration expressed by several Deputies with the planning system and the timelines for delivering housing-related infrastructure. We have embarked on a significant programme of reform in this area in recent years. A cornerstone of these reforms, the Planning and Development Act 2024, will be commenced … housing and addressing supply shortages in the private rental sector are all ultimately concerned with reducing and eliminating the risk of homelessness. The programme for Government reaffirms our commitment to the Lisbon declaration on working towards ending homelessness by 2030. We have set out a range of specific

State will probably refer to. My concern is that it is at a very early stage. It is a large 18 km project and a major commitment to it is needed. The Government, the Department and Uisce Éireann need to look at the phasing of that … frustrating for businesses, households, residents and everybody concerned. My specific ask on behalf of the community is that this project be identified as a priority, funded and fast-tracked for delivery. I am suggesting that this would involve phasing of it whereby this is not one single project

thank Deputy Byrne and congratulate her on her election and her spokespersonship. In response to the question, the programme for Government, as the Deputy knows, includes a commitment to explore new mechanisms for the creation of football academies with the FAI and the League of Ireland. My Department … academy development plan. This funding will also enable the FAI to appoint an academies administrator, to support the development of new academy programmes and to track their impact. The funding will be channelled through Sport Ireland. I very much look forward to receiving the report from Sport Ireland

about it. It is important to engage with the local authority in its capacity to work with the local community to develop the project, and with Swim Ireland too, and to see the capacity of the local authority to help to step it out. A trend I have … take steps on local authority rates and the property tax, for example, which would give them the capacity to bring forward projects in the local area. That needs to be considered locally to give the capacity to bring projects forward. The Government will look to step out further

anybody can go through. As Minister of State, I am firmly committed to improving services for eating disorders in Ireland. The national clinical programme was set up in 2018, and when it was set up it was envisaged there would be approximately 60 people who would require … supports of clinical eating disorder teams. The figure now stands at approximately 600 in the space of seven years. The programme has progressed very well. Some 90% of all people with an eating disorder are treated in the community. Quite rightly, therefore, a decision was made to focus

disappointed to hear that the person referred to by the Deputy left after a week. This is part of the clinical programmes under CAMHS. There are several clinical programmes. CAMHS received approximately €160 million in dedicated funding in 2024, an increase on €137 million in 2023. We also … information database" - the prepared answer is not sufficient for what the Deputy is actually asking about. There is investment across all clinical programmes this year, including eating disorders and mental health with intellectual disability. Is the Deputy's question about when that position will be filled again

larger flooding events we are trying to avoid. I confirm that funding is available to the OPW to move forward on these projects, as the Deputy acknowledged in his question. We are aiming to change and have changed our planning system so that key projects like this … Deputy and ask him whether anything more can be done about it. I will pass on the Deputy's support for the project

progress can and will be made to improve our country for women and girls. When I took part in negotiations to agree the programme for Government, I was very clear about my priorities and the need to improve and enhance our work on gender equality. The actions proposed … home can access domestic violence leave to allow them the opportunity to reach a safe space. Again, this is an important initiative. The programme for Government commits to a number of actions that support women and their families, including the introduction of surrogacy leave for intending parents. Commitments

Gallagher and I was pushed and pushed by my fabulous campaign manager, Joan Jennings. I want to thank Fine Gael for its mentor programme for first-time candidates. We had the amazing Deirdre Campbell and Lavinia Duggan, who encouraged and supported us, along with fantastic speakers and mentors … That really contributed to me sitting here today and I know that Deputy Catherine Callaghan also went through that amazing programme. These are the kinds of steps that are needed to help women like myself to get here. When I look at my own constituency

highest quality care for our older population. On the specific point raised by Deputy Kelly, this investment includes the community nursing unit capital programme, which was launched in 2016 to ensure that up to 90 of our public community nursing units and community hospitals would be refurbished … replaced to ensure the best quality for our older people. As part of this capital programme, older person services in the north Tipperary area are being enhanced by the opening of a new state-of-the-art 50-bed community nursing unit in Nenagh, replacing the St. Conlon

only do it if they want to and if they are financially incentivised to do it. It is voluntary. It is in the programme for Government, and it is a commitment which Deputy Aird voted for and I will uphold. He has my word on that. I want … That meeting was about was the experience of practitioners who had worked directly with farmers on the likes of EIPs and locally led projects. It is absolutely appropriate that those meetings happen. There are 4,000 people working in the Department of agriculture. Meetings happen every

soils, it is important we consider how this might be achieved. Those at the workshop referenced by Deputy Aird included people involved in projects with expertise of working with farmers in this area, including the European Innovation Partnership programmes, ACRES co-operation and the LIFE projects. There

pubs, clubs, restaurants and bars and on the streets of Cork: the "office of public waste". Let us remember the Hill of Tara project, with €124,160 spent on that since 2014 yielding no results. Yet again, nobody is to blame. The Arts Council spent a staggering … more houses for the people that badly need them. Yet, nobody is to blame. The additional insult is the national children's hospital project, the cost of which is now €2.2 billion to €2.5 billion and counting. This was meant to be developed for €800 million. This project

State. MetroLink is an example of that, with €300 million spent before we have even broken ground. On this project, when it comes to outsourcing, of course private contractors are going to take our money, but the State has to step up and deliver that infrastructure … massive public spending going to private contractors on projects that are not fit for purpose while people in the public sector are under immense pressure, having funding released to them and being told to use it or lose it within unreasonable timeframes. One of the most concerning aspects

motorway junctions and slip roads; the locations identified for deployment; the timeline for implementation; the estimated cost of the programme; the role this technology is expected to play in reducing incidents of reckless and dangerous driving on the national road network; and if he will make a statement

Deputy Jen Cummins asked the Minister for Transport the funding available to the National Transport Authority to complete building projects. [62000/26

Boland asked the Minister for Transport to set out the original and current timelines for each key phase of the Next Generation Ticketing programme; whether any milestones or delivery dates have been missed, deferred or revised since the contract was awarded; the reasons for each such change

Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Transport for an update on the current status of the Next Generation Ticketing programme, including the delivery of contactless bank card and mobile device payments across public transport; the key outstanding milestones; the expected date for commencement of contactless payments

Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Transport whether the current delivery timetable for the Next Generation Ticketing programme remains achievable; the principal risks to delivery of contactless payments within that timetable; the oversight and reporting arrangements that are in place to monitor cost, milestones and contractor performance

Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Transport the original contracted cost and current forecast total cost of the Next Generation Ticketing programme; whether any additional payments, contract variations, change requests or other additional costs have arisen or are anticipated; the value and reason for each such additional

Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Transport for a detailed update in relation to actions taken on the Rail Project Prioritisation Strategy 'Early Intervention' Actions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62514/26

Emer Currie asked the Minister for Transport for an update on the next review of the Greater Dublin Area Transport Strategy; whether a project can be considered for priority to support a major residential development (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62636/26

locations or criteria by which locations will be selected; the bodies responsible for procurement, installation and operation; the funding allocated to the programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62578/26

Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Transport if he will engage with local authorities 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

Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Minister for Transport for an update on the implementation of the Programme for Government commitment to establish a hub at Shannon Airport for the testing of new aviation technologies and the development of a National Sustainable Aviation Fuel Policy Roadmap

Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Transport if he will provide an update on the proposed Ballinrobe Bypass project in County Mayo, the current status of the scheme; the timeline for progressing planning and development; and if he is aware of concerns that the prolonged uncertainty surrounding

Deputy Joe Neville asked the Minister for Transport 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; and if he will make a statement

Clontibret to Border road scheme; the current stage of the design, Environmental Impact Assessment Report and business case; the expenditure on the project to date; the funding allocated for 2026 and proposed for 2027; the anticipated date for completion of the business case and EIAR; the next formal

completion of Phase 3 design; the funding required to complete that phase; whether he will sanction the necessary funding to allow the project to progress; the timeframe for a decision; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63750/26

Tullyvaragh Junction improvement scheme; the date on which it was received; the further approvals required before construction can proceed; the projected cost and funding provision for the scheme; the expected timeline for progression to construction; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63747/26

date the report was received; the outstanding matters, if any, preventing approval; when approval is expected to issue; the funding allocated for the project in 2026 and 2027; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63746/26

Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Transport the compensation arrangements that will apply to property owners whose land is acquired for the FourNorth project; if compensation may include impacts on the value or amenity of the retained property; if reasonable costs associated with obtaining independent professional valuation advice

Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Transport the compensation arrangements that will apply to property owners whose land is acquired for the FourNorth project; if compensation may include impacts on the value or amenity of the retained property; if reasonable costs associated with obtaining independent professional valuation advice

Heneghan asked the Minister for Transport the statutory process that will apply where private land is required by compulsory acquisition for the FourNorth project; the rights available to affected property owners to make submissions or objections; the body responsible for determining such objections; and if he will make

Heneghan asked the Minister for Transport when residents adjoining the Connolly to Malahide rail corridor who may be directly affected by the FourNorth project will be notified; the arrangements for direct engagement with those residents before the emerging preferred option is finalised; and if he will make

Minister for Transport if alternatives to the acquisition of residential properties or private gardens are being examined in the development of the FourNorth project, including the use of non-residential land where feasible; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63811/26

Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Transport the additional land currently expected to be required for the FourNorth project; the locations along the corridor where land acquisition may be necessary; if residential properties or private gardens may be affected; and if he will make a statement

Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Transport if the design of the FourNorth project is intended to facilitate future rail infrastructure or expansion; if any additional land is being safeguarded or considered for acquisition for this purpose; and if he will make a statement on the matter

Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Transport the locations affected by the reported pause in the shared mobility hubs pilot programme; whether the approved pilots in five locations nationwide remain Government policy; the status of each pilot; and the revised timelines for implementation. [63851/26