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sense Bill because the State is giving significant funding to private builders, private developers and private investors, and when the State is using public money - taxpayers' money - we need to ensure there is absolute value for money achieved with that investment. The context of this, of course … viability gap is because we have not seen the evidence even from those who are putting forward the claims. We have seen estimates depending on certain projects, but we have seen no real independent analysis of what this viability gap is. We can deconstruct the argument around viability

been invested in capital infrastructure projects across the country to improve people’s lives, including through the national development plan. It is estimated that total capital investment in 2025 will be close to €17 billion by the end of the year. This represents the highest annual spend … this level of investment is going to increase even further. The revised NDP published in July sets out over €275 billion in public capital investment out to 2035. It is the largest and most significant capital injection in our economy in the history of the State. The Government

Climate action plans 2024 and 2025 provide the basis for this progress. Work is under way on the next climate action plan, with public consultation launched this week. The plan will continue to focus on the most impactful measures. For example, Ireland is at the forefront of transitioning … have achieved record breaking levels of renewable electricity generation, reducing our reliance on imported fossil fuels. Most notably, emissions from electricity generation are estimated to reduce by between 53% and 60% by 2030. Significant investment has taken place in increasing the technical flexibility of Ireland’s power system

Equality, for certain services administered by that Office and for the payment of grants. I welcome the opportunity to present the Revised Estimates for the children, disability and equality Vote group for 2025. The Vote group encompasses Vote 40, the Department of Children, Disability and Equality, which … Roma and disability policy. The Vote group also includes Vote 25, the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission, IHREC. IHREC is an independent public body that accounts to the Oireachtas with a mandate established under the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission Act 2014, for which

Cork County Council. We are in the latter stages of that. Ultimately, the council's proposal that it will go out to a public consultation and consider alternative proposals for the remainder of the site, one of which is a multisport community centre proposal is being prepared … Minister, Deputy O'Donovan's, comments in reply to me two weeks ago at a sports committee meeting on the departmental Estimates. At that time, he stressed for all existing grant programmes, be they sports capital funding or the LSSIF, the urgency of drawing down those existing funds

passport service forecasts that more than 940,000 passport applications will be submitted in 2025. Based on these figures, the Passport Office estimates there will be approximately 26,000 applications from residents of County Meath in 2025. The passport service continues to be in an excellent position … with 855 staff officers currently assigned to it. Customers who need to have their passports renewed urgently can book an appointment at the public counter in Mount Street or in Cork. The passport service offers a one-day or four-day renewal service in Dublin and a four

Target Reduction in Ireland and the Role of Work and Social Welfare", will be given due consideration when progressing this work; and — a public consultation process on how a cost of disability can best be delivered will also be launched shortly; notes that: — there is already a broad … approximately 231,000 recipients of disability income support payments and 170,000 recipients of caring payments, including the Domiciliary Care Allowance (DCA), with estimated expenditure of €6.5 billion across illness, disability and carer's schemes combined in 2026; and — Budget 2026 provided for a €1.15 billion package

welcome the opportunity to speak today. An estimated 300,000 people in Ireland live with a rare disease. Too often, they are faced with years of uncertainty, navigating a fragmented system. This must change. The national rare disease strategy is welcome and provides a framework but it must … would benefit from that drug has access to it. We must also ensure the drugs reimbursement system is fair, transparent, accountable and commands public confidence. That is why I am proud Sinn Féin Healthcare (Transparent Payments) Bill 2022 which I cosponsored with colleagues will go to Second Stage

when required to try to assist more homeowners. The statutory obligation placed on Government by the 2022 Act, arising from the publication of the new IS 465:2026 standard, will now be actioned as soon as possible and a review of the Act will get under way shortly … along with an increase in the associated grant rates. The Government is committed to funding all eligible expenditure under the scheme. Originally, the estimated cost was more than €2.2 billion, excluding inflation, with an estimated 7,500 households impacted. I note the comments from Deputies here

move people and goods around our island. Bold ideas, though, have to be backed by bold action and guaranteed capital investment. The public deserve clear answers. When will the Government publish a detailed, phased implementation plan for the all-island strategic rail review so we can track progress … what they said they will do? What projects are first in line? When will construction begin? Given the scale of investment, which is estimated at €35 billion up to 2050, how much will be committed via the review of the national development plan due to be published this

applications in County Wexford was 5,643. The volume per centre is as follows: Gorey, 2,723 and Wexford, 2,920. The estimated waiting times for an invitation date in each centre is 20 weeks and 25 weeks, respectively. We can add another three to five weeks onto … people waiting on the driving test depend completely on family and friends to bring them to their place of employment or education, as public transport is not an option or, in most cases, not available. I will give two examples from my constituency of the burden this incompetence

June of this year, over 147,000 carers perceived the grant. The grant is not means-tested and is non-taxable. The estimated investment in the grant in 2026 was over €364 million. We are continuing to accept applications for the grant so anyone who may have … local office or through mywelfare.ie. In the context of budget 2027, we are continuing to negotiate our budget with the Department of public expenditure. We will have a package for carers within that programme but we have not finalised our discussions yet. They will be announced on budget

Minister for Transport. Having said that, in this year's budget we were able to secure €1.6 billion to run our public transport network. We have about €960 million in PSO, up 42% on the previous year, which gives us a much higher base. I want to deliver … said that before. I do not have an exact date. As is the case with everything, it is subject to funding. In the Estimates process this year, I want to take another step up so that we can provide more new services across the country. This year

range of viewpoints expressed, whether it over-focuses on sensationalism rather than facts, whether it gives one owner too much influence over public debate and whether editorial independence could be compromised, although not necessarily directly. We have heard this about other types of legislation but also … social media, the chilling effect on fact-checking. We already see this on social media, where just two entities, Meta and Alphabet, are estimated to control over 80% of Irish digital advertising revenues as of 2024. We have seen how hard it is to get these and other

sold each year in Ireland. Most are not recycled. Many enter our general waste streams. Others end up in our streets and public spaces. Our litter monitoring already reflects this trend. As well as being eyesores, discarded vapes have a hugely damaging impact on our environment and wildlife … nature to completely break down. Instead, they break into tiny pieces of microplastics, which can enter our food chains. Last year, Material Focus estimated that almost five million single-use vapes were either littered or thrown away in general waste every week in the UK. That

reforms. At the core of health funding issues appears to be a different view between the Department of Health and the Department of public expenditure. This is despite the fact that the entire Government has a collective responsibility to ensure there is an adequate level of patient care … further upstream. What is more urgently required and should take precedence is the move to multi-annual funding. We raised this during the Estimates process in the health committee. That would provide a more sustainable and coherent model of service planning, especially with respect to staffing and major

communities from a public health perspective. National strategic outcome 4 relates to sustainable mobility and a commitment to a more environmentally sustainable public transport system. Given the nature of this strategic priority, many projects take a number of years to fully deliver. Transport has been highlighted and focused … outcomes are regularly published by my Department. The capital investment tracker provides a composite update on all major investments where there is an estimated project cost of over €20 million. There is a detailed map of each of the projects relating to each of the specific and strategic

protect people in this country. In those two areas, the Government has been a disaster. Two years ago, I asked the Minister for public expenditure the timeframes for the delivery of flood defence schemes in the country. He did not give an answer. Government Ministers are allergic … look at a couple of those. In Midleton in 2023, during Storm Babet, 600 homes and 300 businesses were flooded. The damage was estimated at €200 million, which is incredible. People came within a hair's breadth of losing their lives in Midleton. The damage was unprecedented

THAT this Resolution shall have effect on and from 26 November 2025. (3) IT is hereby declared that it is expedient in the public interest that this Resolution shall have statutory effect under the provisions of the Provisional Collection of Taxes … applied to the supply of new apartments to 9% from 26 November 2025. This measure will apply until 31 December 2030, at an estimated cost of €250 million in 2026, with increasing costs in the following year as more apartments are built. As Deputies will recall, the temporary

very important centre. Deputy Bacik raised the issue of access to and coverage of GP services. In terms of the budget, Estimates discussions are going on. I recall her colleague Senator McDowell saying the Government is being fiscally reckless. He thinks we are spending too much … that we should spend more on health services. Expansion of eligibility and so on will have a cost attached to it. Public expenditure will grow significantly again this year but we have to watch the rate of growth, without question. That will limit what is possible within

House. The Bill completed its passage through the Seanad with some constructive engagement. At its heart, this Bill is about safeguarding public health, protecting our environment and ensuring that Ireland's air quality remains among the best in Europe. However, notwithstanding our compliance with all existing … each year. The personal cost to families is immeasurable. The economic costs are also stark. The Economic and Social Research Institute, ESRI, has estimated that between 2016 and 2019 treating just five air pollution-related conditions cost the State over €56 million. Furthermore, research now shows that long

Deferred Surrender to the Central Fund) Order 2026 (without debate and any division claimed to be taken immediately) - Motion re Consideration of Estimates by Committees (without debate) - Ráitis maidir leis an Ghaeilge chun Seachtain na Gaeilge a chomóradh (not to exceed 2 hours and 25 minutes) - Assisted Decision … Amendment) Bill 2026 (Second Stage, resumed) (to conclude at the end of the first round, not to exceed 2 hours and 34 minutes) - Public Health (Single-Use Vapes) Bill 2025 (Committee and remaining Stages) (to commence no earlier than 8.30 p.m. and to conclude within 1 hour

aged 65 and older was likely to reduce the burden of flu. However, whether such a switch would represent a good use of public money would depend on the price of enhanced vaccines when compared with the standard flu vaccine. The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control … older people met the criteria set out in the HTA for net monetary benefit compared with the standard flu vaccine. The HIQA HTA estimates that procurement of the enhanced influenza vaccines would cost between €4 million and €19 million per year. However, the actual costs remain commercially confidential

neatly abide by county boundaries. There is a legitimate conversation to have about what more information we can put into the public domain, listening to the experts, scientists and local authorities. That is what we intend to do. More broadly, a lot of progress has been made … development plan to deliver major flood relief schemes. The OPW has already completed 56 flood relief schemes, protecting 13,000 properties and avoiding estimated damage of around €2 billion. We have seen 900 projects already funded and approved through the OPW's so-called minor works schemes

with energy, even if they are only metres apart, without going through the ESB or Eir. That need to change. I welcome the publication by the Minister, Deputy O'Brien, of the heads of the private wires Bill. That legislation really needs to progress. It will reduce congestion … costs down for ordinary people, we must be honest about what is required. Germany has 1.5 million balcony solar systems installed, with some estimates putting the number even higher. The model is simply: allow plug-in systems, finance them through savings in affordable housing and privatise them

Flynn asked the Minister for Health the estimated number of persons living with lipoedema in the State; the projected demand for services under the proposed national care pathway; and the current and planned service capacity within the public health system to meet this demand. [32621/26

Transport whether the introduction of a temporary free public transport scheme, for a defined period such as two months, has been considered as a measure to alleviate the impact of rising petrol and diesel costs on households; the estimated cost of implementing such a scheme

Transport whether the introduction of a temporary free public transport scheme for a defined period such as two months, has been considered as a measure to alleviate the impact of rising petrol and diesel costs on households; the estimated cost of implementing such a scheme

Minister for Health the number of hospital admissions in public hospitals between 2020 to date, where obesity was recorded as a primary or secondary diagnosis; the average length of stay for patients with obesity-related conditions; and the estimated cost to the HSE of these admissions, in tabular

Murchú asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation the way in which the incorrectly spelled new sign outside his Department came to be put in place; the total cost of the sign; the estimated cost for the removal and a replacement sign

Nash asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation if his Department has compiled the projected cost of maintaining existing levels of service in 2026 as part of the budgetary process; the breakdown of estimated costs by Government Department, in tabular form

Murphy asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation the number of art works managed by the OPW of which the location is currently unknown; and to provide a list of these works; and their estimated value. [30889/26

Health Service Executive and those receiving public funding, provide free parking to holders of a disabled person’s parking permit (blue badge); the current arrangements across the hospital network regarding parking charges for such permit holders; the estimated annual cost of standardising free parking for all holders

number of new homes his Department estimates will now be completed in 2025; the additional measures he plans to take to increase housing construction; the engagement he has had with the Department of Finance and Department of Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform, respectively

examined the regulatory impact analysis of the Public Health (Tobacco and Nicotine Inhaling Products) Bill 2024, which warns of the potential for smokers to relapse if vape flavours are banned; if her Department has conducted any research into the estimated number of smokers that may relapse

asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation the current levels of staffing in the Office of the Commissioner for Environmental Information; the current number of vacant positions; the total target workforce; and details of any estimate as to required staffing level

asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation whether his Department conducted any analysis of cost escalation occurring between Approval Gate 2 and Approval Gate 3 under the previous approval framework; the average percentage increase in estimated project costs at that stage over

Tóibín asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation the total cost of Brexit-related infrastructure works delivered at Dublin Port; the proportion delivered under schedule-of-rates pricing versus market-tendered works; and the estimated value of assets currently not in active

provided in funding increases since its publication in 2021; the additional expenditure which would be required to provide TG4 with the outstanding portion of additional annual funding it sought in its 2026 pre-budget submission and did not receive; the estimated cost of increasing TG4 funding

that the Morrison's Island public realm improvement and flood protection scheme in Cork city was due to be substantially complete by the summer of 2026, the reason completion has now been deferred to 2027; the revised completion date and current estimated cost of the scheme

Digitalisation in respect of any public offices identified as relocating due to the prohibitive cost of retrofitting to meet climate and energy efficiency targets, the name and location of each building; the most recent BER rating available for each building, the estimated cost of retrofitting each building

asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform to provide a full update on the proposed main flood scheme at Ballinhassig, County Cork; the current stage of the project; and to provide clarification on the remaining stages and estimated timelines. [27808/25

Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation if he will consider establishing a real-time National Infrastructure Delivery Dashboard, published quarterly, tracking all major State capital projects over €10 million, including projected completion dates, current delays, revised costs and the estimated financial cost to the State

basis for recent public comments reported in the media (details supplied) that the data centre sector employs approximately 29,000 people in the State; whether the figure of 29,000 jobs associated with data centres is derived from Departmental analysis or from estimates supplied by industry representatives

Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation whether any assessment has been conducted of the presence of hazardous materials, including asbestos, in Garda stations; the number of stations identified as containing such materials; the risk mitigation measures currently in place; the estimated cost of remediation works

total estimated cost to the Exchequer associated with the recent renaming and rebranding of his Department including but not limited to cost categories (details supplied); the breakdown of the incurred or projected costs; and if a cost-benefit analysis or any assessment of public value was carried

total estimated cost to the Exchequer associated with the recent renaming and rebranding of his Department including but not limited to cost categories (details supplied); the breakdown of the incurred or projected costs; and if a cost-benefit analysis or any assessment of public value was carried

total estimated cost to the Exchequer associated with the recent renaming and rebranding of his Department including but not limited to cost categories (details supplied); the breakdown of the incurred or projected costs; and if a cost-benefit analysis or any assessment of public value was carried

total estimated cost to the Exchequer associated with the recent renaming and rebranding of his Department including but not limited to cost categories (details supplied); the breakdown of the incurred or projected costs; and if a cost-benefit analysis or any assessment of public value was carried

total estimated cost to the Exchequer associated with the recent renaming and rebranding of his Department including but not limited to cost categories (details supplied); the breakdown of the incurred or projected costs; and if a cost-benefit analysis or any assessment of public value was carried