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Minister's commitment to greater transparency and accountability. Turning to Tuam, I particularly welcome the provision to extend participation in the DNA identification programme to first cousins of children believed to be buried at the former institution. As a representative for Tuam, I know how important this … kept informed and supported through whatever lies ahead. Every opportunity to provide the families with the answers they require matters and extending this programme to first cousins is a very welcome and meaningful step

here. We agree and share the view on the issue and the desire to try to improve it and change the situation whereby programmes can be accessible all across the island. As I said in my contribution at the start, there is already provision in legislation under … that there is no geoblocking, which is the objective we would like to see, the net effect would be that certain types of programmes would simply not be possible to broadcast on RTÉ or TG4 because the rights had already been sold by international providers to, for example

lines 21 to 24 and substitute the following: “(iii) by the insertion of the following paragraphs after paragraph (b): “(c) the broadcast in programmes broadcast on sound broadcasting services of a diversity of music composed or performed by persons with a connection with the island of Ireland … broadcast in programmes broadcast on sound broadcasting services of music in the Irish language.”.”. This is a fairly straightforward and short amendment to recognise and ensure the promotion of Irish composed and Irish performed music, as well as music in the Irish language, to make sure

provision set out in section 4 will only have temporary application for first cousins who have already made an application to the identification programme currently under way in Tuam. This section does not rely on any term defined in the 2022 Act, except the definition of "Identification Programme

existing schemes, but also looking at new opportunities as well. The intention of the additional fund is to expand the current seafood development programme schemes and establish future support schemes for the seafood sector, taking into consideration some of the models that were successfully implemented under the Brexit … adjustment reserve, BAR, programme and adapting them as appropriate to the policy objective ultimately agreed by the Government - those of us who are the policymakers, to take up the point made by the Deputy. The scheme was developed by the Department under the BAR regulation and includes direct

thank Deputy Fitzmaurice. I cannot give him the future projected figures because I do not know where we will be on that. However, my Department received €173 million in carbon tax funding in 2026, €170 million of which is to be used to support the agri-climate rural … indigenously produced biomethane by 2030, as outlined in the national biomethane strategy. In recent years, alongside the funding of ACRES, examples of some projects my Department has supported through carbon tax funding include the Global Methane Hub, anaerobic digestion and the AgNav sustainability platform, which is really delivering

agricultural buildings and structures. Farm safety, health and well-being training is included in a range of schemes, including the suckler carbon efficiency programme, SCEP, the training scheme under the agri-climate rural environment scheme, ACRES, and the knowledge transfer programme

Department's responsibilities include seafood policy and management and the regulation and sustainable development of the fisheries and aquaculture sectors. While projects combining coastal flood protection measures with the enhancement of marine habitats and biodiversity do not fall directly within the remit of my Department, I recognise … value of such projects. In respect of coastal flood protection measures specifically, my Department published its second statutory sectoral adaptation plan, SAP, for the agriculture, forestry and seafood sectors last year to cover the period from 2026 to 2030, inclusive. Coastal erosion and flooding have been included

about. I was a Minister of State in the Department of agriculture previously. I was a member of the negotiating team for the programme for Government. I actively looked to get it into the programme for Government so we could transfer the Control of Dogs

yield has reduced in terms of the number of licences paid for. It was about 768,000 back in 2025 and is projected to go under 660,000 this year, which is big challenge. The Government is stepping up to the mark subventing that with Exchequer funds. That … taxpayers' money. We need to ensure that we have the national broadcaster on a sustainable footing and that it continues the programme of reform on which it has embarked. I support the work done by the chief executive officer, Kevin Bakhurst; the chairperson of the board, Terence

democracy like we have in our State. I am very clear that all moneys going to agencies are based on them having a programme of reform. RTÉ came forward with its programme of reform. We must ensure it is implemented in order to get budgetary sanction

important question in relation to St. Kieran's College in Kilkenny, and also the work that has been carried out in getting the project to stage 2B. I hear the frustration in relation to moving it further. The next tranche of projects to proceed to tender under

savings and practical support. I understand there may be different reasons. Space is be mentioned, along with the right facilities, management of the programme or parental preference, but we really need to understand the specific information as to why this is. Parents want to know as well … part of the reform of the programme, will the Minister gather more information from non-participating schools with the aim of overcoming those barriers? We have achieved universality of eligibility; our next ambition should be universality of participation

want to talk about the role of GPs. It is extraordinary in some ways that we have a fantastic chronic disease management programme now in place but mental health is not part of that. It needs to be because, by and large, mental health therapy is only accessed … rather than later - I call on the Minister of State to ensure that mental health management is part of the chronic disease management programme. The second key factor relates to hospitals. The major development, which we certainly welcome, is that of advanced nurse practitioners, ANPs, being on-site

bridge the gap between maternity care and the support available to families at home. In 2024, an updated national infant feeding education programme for healthcare providers was launched. This training ensures consistent, up-to-date and evidence-based advice is given to parents by healthcare professionals. Since … programme's launch, it has been completed by more than 800 healthcare professionals, demonstrating a strong commitment to improving infant feeding knowledge and support. I have also secured funding to allow for an increase in lactation consultants. The HSE is actively working to recruit people for these positions

respect of it. It is important to point out that, yesterday, an additional €11.5 million in funding was allocated for youth diversion projects. Those projects are available throughout the whole country, including in the Deputy’s constituency. I am sure they will be availed of for the purpose

Okay. That was to ensure that we would have a complete detailed design for the project. Donegal County Council estimates that it will have that in quarter 1 of 2027. Some €3.9 million had originally been allocated, I think, to the project, which would bring that to about

Deputy knows that this project has now gone to the design stage. The county council hopes to be back in quarter 1 with a completed detailed design. That is a very significant step forward. We will be reopening a new large-scale sport infrastructure fund. The Minister … State, Deputy McConalogue, has special responsibility for sport. We are committed to this project, but the framework that applies to all local authorities will apply equally to Donegal

possible. In addition, and in conjunction with the Tánaiste, we have announced €1 billion for the ISIF start-up and scaling investment programme that is being developed in co-operation with Enterprise Ireland. This will be transformational and will provide ambitious Irish companies with the capital they need … economy. Budget 2027 provides an additional €3 million to Enterprise Ireland for the establishment of Start-up Ireland, a key priority under the programme for Government and the action plan for competitiveness and productivity. I am delighted to officially launch the commencement of Start-up Ireland next week

disease and extremism, stem from global insecurity. The way we address that global insecurity at source is through a proper international development programme. I am proud that last year, Ireland was one of just two EU member states to increase its development budget. We are the first … favour of ODA. As the Minister, Deputy McEntee outlined, we have also budgeted a €2 million increase to the emigrant support programme. This goes to organisations and groups who work with the most vulnerable Irish people, including those who were unfortunately forced to leave these shores for economic

regions have done that this year and four have not. We will get there. We will strategically expand access through a two-year programme that we will announce in two or three weeks' time to try to address dental problems in children in schools and on orthodontic lists … will extend free contraception at a cost of €2 million. We will commence the introduction of the national shingles vaccination programme, which is an exceptionally expensive vaccination. We would like to get that to those who are immunocompromised and over-80s in the first instance and then roll

overspent as part of the overall health budget, would be penalised for good, prudent management. From the roll-out of the clinical programmes across the country and from the staff that have been recruited around the country to support people with mental health, we can see the important … suicide crisis assessment nurses, SCANs, to complete the roll-out to the eight remaining counties. This will make the SCAN a truly nationwide programme. We are significantly strengthening early intervention for children through four new Jigsaw youth mental health services, with one each in Kildare, Dún Laoghaire, Cavan

does not want to talk about pay with the unions, which the unions are quite rightly demanding. Then we look at the forward projections for inflation and the cost of living. What did the Government say on pay? It said it had put aside €1.2 billion. It does … they have endured under the last pay agreements and as a result of the cost-of-living crisis over recent years and the projected rates of inflation and cost of living over the coming period. So get out your placards and get your pickets organised, because the Government

providers in core funding, with a further 35% increase of €175 million. This will bring the State's funding investment for the next programme year to €658 million. In terms of achieving high-quality service and supporting early years educators, I have ring-fenced more than €50 million … sector. The budget extends the access and inclusion model, which currently supports children with additional needs in the early years and education programme, to those aged under three. The number of services supporting children at risk of educational disadvantage under the equal start scheme will also increase. Moving

challenge, when over 10,000 additional homes in the immediate vicinity are already in the pipeline. We need DART+ South West, yet that project has been effectively pushed back by five years. The entire situation is frustrating for my constituents because all of this was foreseeable. Over … homes, especially in social housing. However, we also need that vision extended beyond a single budget cycle. We need a serious national investment programme focused on offshore wind, grid expansion, interconnectors, battery storage, green hydrogen and wave and tidal energy. This is not going to be cheap. Grid

Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Transport whether his Department has assessed the impact that a phased opening of MetroLink would have on project delivery, passenger services and the expected completion date for the full route; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54323/26

Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Education and Youth when a proposed building project for a school (details supplied) will progress to the next stage; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [54669/26

Deputy Donna McGettigan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will introduce a programme for the installation of water harvesting devices in as many homes in the State as possible to offset the effects of droughts and floods caused by climate change

Heritage the way in which chief executives and directors of services are accountable to him in the event of budget over spending, projects deviating from original scope and the common good not being upheld; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54650/26

Carthy asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the funding needs identified by the Irish Prison Service to meet current and projected service demands, including prisoner numbers, staffing and infrastructure requirements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54671/26

Equality whether any sites in Fingal have been identified, approved in principle or progressed under the State-led Early Learning and Childcare Capital Programme; if she will provide details of each site; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [54367/26

Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality whether services delivered under the State-led Early Learning and Childcare Capital Programme will be operated exclusively by not-for-profit providers; and whether any private for-profit providers will be eligible to operate State-owned facilities

asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality whether expressions of interest have been sought from prospective operators for any State-led childcare projects in Fingal; if so, the number of expressions of interest that were received; the number of these that were assessed; and if she will

measures in place to ensure transparency in the selection of both sites and operators under the State-led Early Learning and Childcare Capital Programme; whether the scoring and evaluation of applications will be published; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [54375/26

Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Health if her Department has modelled a phased rollout of a publicly funded shingles vaccination programme, beginning with those aged 75 years and older or those most at risk of serious complications; if she will provide details of any such

Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Health the present governance structure for the management of projects, construction works and changes to building infrastructure within the management structure of Connolly Hospital, Blanchardstown; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [54388/26

Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Health if she will provide the written, documented policy governing the management of projects, construction works and building alterations at Connolly Hospital, Blanchardstown, including an organogram, setting out clearly defined roles and responsibilities for each post identified; and if she will

Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Health the post within Connolly Hospital, Blanchardstown, other than the hospital manager, which holds lead responsibility for projects, construction works and building alterations; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [54390/26

Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Health the basis on which the current governance structure for the management of projects, construction works and building alterations at Connolly Hospital, Blanchardstown, is considered fit for purpose; if this structure was informed by any external review, audit or report benchmarked

Minister for Health if she will provide the job descriptions of any post at Connolly Hospital, Blanchardstown, identified as holding responsibility for projects, construction works or building alterations, as evidence of an embedded governance structure and clear lines of accountability; and if she will make a statement

Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Health the progress report in regard to the new Cahersiveen primary care centre; when this project will be delivered for the people of Cahersiveen, Iveragh and south Kerry; when work will commence and when it will be completed

Minister for Health to provide a detailed progress report with regard to the new minor injuries unit in Killarney; when this long-awaited project will be delivered for the people of Killarney and mid-, east and south Kerry; when work will commence and when it will be completed

Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Health when the Government intends to deliver on its Programme for Government commitment to introduce an equitable funding model or the nursing homes support scheme (fair deal); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [54579/26

Health whether a successful tenderer was notified in quarter two of 2026 for a care centre (details supplied); whether a timeline for the project is now available; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [54583/26

expansion of the Broadband Connection Points initiative; the number of Broadband Connection Points currently operational in each county; the supports and thematic programmes being provided through these locations to improve digital skills, education, remote working and community connectivity; and if he will make a statement on the matter

measures being taken to support the continued regeneration of rural towns and villages through the Town and Village Renewal Scheme; the number of projects approved in the current funding cycle; the criteria used to assess applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54559/26

Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Transport the measures that have been taken by his Department to prevent cost escalation of the Metrolink project, due to inflationary measures effects or otherwise, since the original submission of the Business Case in 2021; and if he will make a statement

Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Transport to confirm the updated capital cost range for the Metrolink project submitted by Transport Infrastructure Ireland given the impact of inflation and new commitments made under the new railway order; and if he will make a statement on the matter

commitment in the policy statement on developing a new public procurement strategy for Ireland (details supplied) including the status of the OGP-OECD project referenced as providing a roadmap for that strategy; whether the roadmap has now been completed; the expected timeline for publication of the national digitalisation

Public Service Reform and Digitalisation if his Department will consider the approval of extra funding under the revised minor works scheme for a project (details supplied); the timeline on when this Deputy can expect a decision will be made; and if he will make a statement