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wider urban regeneration developments, which includes the purchase of sites in Limerick and Dublin that are now seeing large-scale redevelopment projects; take advantage of strategic real estate purchases in the commercial office sector, which has included the purchase of a number of office buildings; and protect … Department of foreign affairs are concluding work collaborating on the delivery of new office accommodation for the passport service in Cork. This project will see the passport office relocate from a poor-quality and outdated premises to a new, modern and energy-efficient location, in keeping with infrastructure

communities. There is a continued threat of flooding from the Lee and the Bunsheelin. There is a need to advance a long-term project. There are plans in place that would give protection from flooding. Will the Minister of State outline the timeline for advancing the second tranche … this project

that has been made so far, and I commend the staff of Clare County Council and the OPW on their approach to this project. The community engagement has been fantastic and is a best practice example. The scheme has taken more than seven years to get to this … been at risk of flooding from streams and rivers. This is stressful for all those impacted and we really should be delivering these projects much faster. What is the average length of time to deliver these schemes and how does that compare to other countries? Has any work

recent budget. The new courses to support the development of reading and writing skills are brilliant. I also welcome the pilot programme being developed, which the Minister of State mentioned. It is a fantastic idea and it is great to see that sort of innovation. While I note … these difficulties at county level. Without that information, how will the decision be made on which schools will be supported? Before the pilot programme is rolled out, will the Department consider collecting county level data on pupils receiving these supports to better assist the decision making about where

also met many families and communities who have grouped together to look for better resources and skills in this area. On the pilot programme we put in the budget, we wanted to get a better understanding of the challenges and how to address them because … across the country, I know it is a huge issue. Before we make any decisions, we want to make sure that the pilot programme is targeted such that we are accommodating the highest number of students to give them the best possible opportunities. Going back over many years

This is why the Department has taken significant steps in recent years to increase psychologist supply through new professional doctorates in educational psychology programmes in Maynooth University and Dublin City University. The first graduates from the Maynooth programme will be available to work in NEPS from summer

Minister was in Estonia recently looking at their approach to developing AI literacy and the early implementation of its national AI Leap programme. The visit reinforced the importance of ensuring that pedagogy leads and technology follows, and that teachers and students are supported to develop an age-appropriate … coherent national approach to the safe, responsible and effective use of AI in schools, which will consider AI literacy as part of its programme. It should be noted, however, that existing curricula at all levels already provide multiple opportunities to develop digital skills and digital literacy, including

staffing schedule to implement smaller classes at the junior class level. In recognition of the anticipated growth, the school successfully applied under the projected enrolment process and was granted provisional sanction for an additional temporary mainstream teacher for the 2026-27 school year. The school is aware that … enrolment of at least 272 pupils is required to retain the projected enrolment post on a permanent basis

case for all schools approved under the projected enrolment process, the additional post is allocated on a provisional temporary basis pending confirmation that the required enrolment threshold has been met. In the 2025-26 school year, the enrolment decreased from 281 pupils to 249, a reduction … waiting for the enrolment data to come in, if memory serves me correctly. Unfortunately, that falls short of the figure to retain the projected enrolment post provisionally sanctioned. However, St. Patrick's Junior National School has submitted an appeal to the primary staffing appeals board to retain this

important in terms of catchment in Galway city where there are pressures on capacity. It is important that we progress the Bish school project. They were very disappointed that it was not on the original list of schools. I will continue to work with the Minister, Deputy Naughton … ensure that it is delivered, and that the project is progressed to the tender and construction stage from 2027 onwards

discuss some of the detail of that. With regard to critical infrastructure designations, there is more work to be done by the project team and hospital, but it is exactly the kind of project we would like to see included in critical infrastructure processes. The hospital

have children in childcare centres that are not part of the core funding model. Deputy Joe Neville - To discuss the three school campus project in Celbridge. Deputy Malcolm Byrne - To discuss measures to tackle the rate of youth unemployment. Deputy Seán Kyne - To discuss funding for increased capacity … Galway commuter bus routes. Deputy Tom Brabazon - To discuss the ongoing delays with the new school building project at Gaelcholáiste Reachrann. Deputy Conor D. McGuinness - To discuss primary care in Waterford. Deputy Louise O'Reilly - To discuss the need for EV charging infrastructure to be located in developments

three-school campus for Celbridge, which has been sitting at stage 2a for far too long. This is a vital project needed for the community and, in particular, for those three school communities, which are on a daily basis looking after and educating some of our must vulnerable … young people locally. As I outlined, St. Patrick's National School is one of the schools involved in this project. This is a school I have raised in this Chamber repeatedly since being elected, and previously as a councillor in Leixlip-Celbridge. It is incomprehensible to me that

Government is fully committed to providing opportunities for children to attend multidenominational schools and Gaelscoileanna where parents and school communities want this. Programme for Government 2025: Securing Ireland's Future includes a commitment to seek to increase choice for parents by ensuring that families can access multidenominational … denominational and faith-based education. The programme for Government also includes a commitment to establish Gaelscoileanna and Gaelcholáistí where there is demand and support for parents choosing Irish-medium education for their children. The Government recognises the importance of parental choice and is committed to delivering an education

nationally representative legal needs survey was conducted in 2025 as part of the OECD-led enhancing access to justice through people-centred justice project. The evidence of this survey is crucial to identifying unmet needs, informing future reforms and monitoring progress towards a more people-centred justice system … with officials in my Department working closely with the OECD on final outputs. I look forward to exploring how the learning from this project can inform and enhance reforms under way, including those civil legal aid reforms. I thank the Deputies for tabling this motion and highlighting this

given under Standing Order 39 and the name of the Member in each case: Deputy Erin McGreehan - To discuss the national cancer control programme's proposed national radioligand therapy plan. Deputy Duncan Smith - To discuss the current roadworks and traffic congestion issues in Swords. Deputy Cathal Crowe … Éireann. Deputies Tom Brabazon, Barry Heneghan, Cian O'Callaghan and Naoise Ó Muirí - To discuss the ongoing delays with the new school building project at Gaelcholáiste Reachrann. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman - To discuss the case of a student from Gaza who has had his visa for study

Department of education looking at the applications from schools that want to change from English-medium to Irish-medium education. In the programme for Government and the policy announced in November 2025, we committed to ensuring that we have Gaelscoileanna and Gaelcholáistí across the country. We have seen … forward. I will take back what the Deputy has said. Expanding Gaelscoileanna and Gaelcholáistí across the country is an important part of the programme for Government and the policy in the Department. We will continue to liaise with the school in O'Callaghan's Mills

have to be honest about where the system is falling short. The radioligand therapy advisory group of the national cancer control programme, NCCP, recommended the development of a national plan, yet I understand that this group has not met since March 2025. The responses to my parliamentary questions … office of the chief clinical officer of HIQA during 2025 and 2026. Why has that expert recommendation not been translated into a funded programme of work? I ask this question with real concern. How can we prepare for and deliver the next generation of cancer treatments

which Europe is moving. Across the European Union, defence spending is increasing at an unprecedented rate. EU member state defence expenditure is projected to rise from approximately €259 billion in 2021 to €454 billion in 2026, while the European Commission defence initiative seeks to mobilise more than … defence firms have significantly expanded their lobbying operations in Brussels and as EU defence policy and procurement become increasingly central to the European project. To be absolutely clear, raising those concerns is not anti-European, it is not anti-defence and it is certainly not anti-military. Ireland

obligations under international law. Reform of the triple lock meets our manifesto commitment from Fianna Fáil's point of view and our programme for Government commitments. The question before us is a straightforward one, namely, do we believe decisions about where Irish peacekeepers serve should be made … mandate we received at that election, I am proud to serve as a Minister of State at the Department of Defence with a programme for Government that includes reform of the triple lock. By reforming the triple lock Ireland ensures we can continue to stand with other nations

critical to the State’s future development and economic performance. These are enormous organisations now, with huge budgets, huge turnover and very significant projects under their remit. Over the next five to six years, in particular, Uisce Éireann and ESB - you name them - will be overseeing very substantial … investment, delivering very significant projects and managing the funding and financing of those. That is the issue. The easier, populist political position would be to do nothing, but that in itself would not serve the State either, if the truth be told. We could enter into

where Ministers were briefed by the National Competitiveness and Productive Council, IDA Ireland and Enterprise Ireland. The committee oversees the implementation of the programme for Government commitments relating to sustainable economic and employment growth, trade, competitiveness and productivity, innovation, the national digital strategy and pensions. As with … domestic sphere of control. Through budget 2027, we are supporting Irish SMEs to grow and scale successfully through a €1 billion investment programme by the Ireland Strategic Investment Fund, ISIF. Enterprise Ireland will establish startup Ireland as a national entrepreneurship initiative and single-entry point for founders, while

investment in the first place, along with our investment in public universities, which is substantial under the INSPIRE programme and the earlier programme for research in third level institutions, PRTLI, of the late 1990s that I introduced. We created, with Science Foundation Ireland, a research ecosystem in this

costs will come down substantially from September onwards. We are on track to bring it down to €200 a month, as per the programme for Government commitment. Deputies O'Callaghan and Heneghan raised the issue of Gaelcholáiste Reachrann. Tá a fhios agam go bhfuil brú faoi leith … example, in terms of school completion. I am mindful that they are reaching the age of majority but we intervene with various programmes, including the leaving certificate applied, further education modules, Youthreach and other mechanisms. The idea of an advisory service for young people to say we note

refused, the Department made it clear that it was not because the applications did not have merit and were not valid and the projects did not need funding but it was due to the levy that was levied on the Department and budgetary constraints. This is a direct … efficiency. The Minister cannot call it that. It is not a reform. It is taking money out of a community and projects that desperately needs them, and that would have been funded in the past up until this levy was imposed. Let us look at what is missing

Tourism and Employment the number of businesses in Cork county that have availed of the grow digital voucher scheme and digital for business programme since established; the total funding approved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57015/26

Enterprise Ireland and other agencies under the remit of his Department for food processing businesses in Cork County since 2023; the companies or projects supported; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57020/26

Deputy Peter Roche asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment to clarify the regional distribution of enterprise and employment funding under programmes announced by his Department and to prioritise providing equal funding to all areas, including Galway east; and if he will make a statement

Minister for Education and Youth the number of teaching posts allocated to County Clare schools under DEIS, special education and language support programmes. [55151/26

Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Education and Youth for an update on the Programme for Government commitment of bringing pupil teacher ratio levels down to European norms of 19:1; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [55352/26

Deputy Johnny Mythen asked the Minister for Education and Youth for an update on existing school building projects in Dublin and Wexford which are not yet approved; the current stage of each; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [55978/26

Education and Youth for an update on planned investment in additional school buildings in Louth for schools (details supplied); and the stage each project is currently at. [56350/26

Coppinger asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she will support in Budget 2027 the expansion of a school-based experiential learning programme, delivered by an independent, not-for-profit organisation (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [56781/26

prices with private and voluntary nursing homes under the nursing homes support scheme will be published; the reason for the delay beyond the programme for Government commitment to publish it in early 2025; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [55714/26

Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Health the number and proportion of staff who have completed AI-related training programmes since January 2024; the levels of training, introductory or advanced use; to confirm the associated expenditure on each level of training provided, by her Department and public

each of the years 2021 to date in 2026, in tabular form; the steps being taken to expand the living donor programme; and the supports available under the living donor expenses reimbursement scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [57401/26

Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 290 of 27 May 2026, to provide an update on the development of a sandboxed early access programme for rare diseases; if there has been any progress or developments since May; the timeline she is working towards; and if she will make

design stage of the new emergency department at Beaumont Hospital; when the construction tender is expected to commence; whether any risks to the project timeline have been identified; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [58565/26

department and the proposed 95-bed ward block at Beaumont Hospital remain prioritised within the HSE Capital Plan; the funding allocated to each project to date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [58566/26

Deputy John Clendennen asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht when the CLÁR Measure 1 2026 funding for successful projects will be announced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57742/26

Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht the total funding provided through the Community Services Programme in Dublin city, Dublin 9 and Dublin 11 for each of the years 2023 to 2025 and to date in 2026, in tabular form. [58020/26

Deputy Cathy Bennett asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht the allocation to the LEADER programme for each of the years 2007 to 2025 and to date in 2026, by year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58026/26

Education and Youth to outline her plans to reduce the teacher-pupil ratio in primary schools to 19:1, as per the programme for Government commitment, and if she will make a statement on the matter. [54419/26

will be given by her Department to a refused additional school accommodation scheme application for a school in light of the school’s projected increase in enrolment numbers and if she will make a statement on the matter. [51363/26

Deputy Shane Moynihan asked the Minister for Education and Youth for an update on existing school building projects in Dublin Mid-West which are not yet approved; the current stage of each; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [54070/26

Deputy Paula Butterly asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she will consider the introduction of a national programme for post-primary schools aimed at educating students about domestic violence and gender-based violence; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52669/26

accommodation for special education classes in schools, her Department assesses the wider curricular, accommodation and long-term development needs of the school, including projected enrolment growth, specialist teaching spaces and future permanent accommodation requirements; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [54251/26

Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Education and Youth the current status of an additional accommodation project application by a school (details supplied); when the school can proceed to the next phase given it is a DEIS 1 school and is in urgent need of upgrade

Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she is satisfied with the level of provision under the Summer Programme and the way in which it operates; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [54195/26

Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Education and Youth the status of the school building project for a school (details supplied); when the school will be approved to proceed to the next stage; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53311/26