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impacted by defective concrete blocks, DCB, and allowing these essential works to begin in the near future. I am anxious to move this programme forward and to see works commence on these homes at the earliest opportunity. I encourage each designated local authority to make full … remediation of social homes. In particular, I urge them to adopt a co-ordinated approach with the Department's energy efficiency retrofit programme for social homes. This approach will help to deliver not only safe and sustainable homes but also long-term benefits for tenants through improved comfort

easier to switch to solar power, heat pumps, electric vehicles, bicycles and affordable public transport. We need a massive street-by-street retrofitting programme, as the Labour Party has called for, and the roll-out of a new urban and rural re-electrification programme, based on renewables, across

capital investment in transport is due to significantly increase in the next number of years. If one takes the Cork area commuter rail programme, which the Deputy did not mention, for example, there will be significant progress in the wider Cork area over the next number of months … doing with the Minister, Deputy O'Brien, is to ensure the bus service complements the significant enhancement of the commuter rail programme. We are absolutely clear that, through our fiscal plan, we want to prioritise infrastructure investment in public transport and our wider transport system to ensure

office and a number of technical amendments to keep the Social Welfare Consolidation Act 2005 up do date as part of an ongoing programme of legislative modernisation. On the civil registration side, there are two main types of provisions included in the Bill. One set will make improvements … closed to new applicants since 2007. There are no customers in receipt of this payment. Section 5 is part of the legislation modernisation programme. It provides for an update of references to tax regulations in the principal Act. Section 6 provides for the abolition of the provision whereby

specific €320 million child poverty package for budget 2026. We are working on budget 2027. We worked yesterday on the school meals programme, which is a major initiative on the child poverty side. The Department of Social Protection is involved in the school meals programme in order

Independents. I will keep using my influence as an Independent for solutions. I really welcome the work of the regional Independents on the programme for Government commitments and on the programme for Government we negotiated. I look forward to seeing it deliver for the Irish people

renewable energy. That is going to drive forward our renewable energy transition. If we are going to breathe life into the five projects on the east coast, which will produce a total of 5 GW, we are going to need large energy users. Critically, to finance the projects

That is not an admission; it is a statement of fact, and I am on record as saying that. It is in the programme for Government. There is a comprehensive piece on the economic value of data centres. That is what the research and the report were about … advocating for our offshore renewables are not answering. How are we going to finance them? Are we going to say, for the five projects I mentioned, that we are not going to use that demand here? What about the 9 GW of onshore energy we are looking

thank the Deputy for his question. The Action Plan on Competitiveness and Productivity, an item in the programme for Government, was published on 10 September 2025. The action plan reflects a whole-of-government approach to the domestic drivers of competitiveness and focuses on areas that are firmly … delivery in 2026. The remaining actions were delivered in 2025 or are scheduled for delivery between 2027 and 2030. The project team is in the process of drafting an update report, which should be published before the end of the year. Broadly speaking, of the total

exporters by 2030. To help to achieve this objective, Enterprise Ireland established Get Exporting, a new national export accelerator programme, to build ambition, capability and market-entry readiness among potential first-time exporters. Get Exporting provides expert-led workshops, digital resources and one-to-one guidance to develop … some 3,000 are small businesses with fewer than 50 employees. These companies can benefit from EI's international trade missions, trade event programmes and buyer visits, which are instrumental when growing and scaling internationally

debate is often presented as a choice between commercial and not-for-profit community providers. Community involvement is possible within the existing programme and we can work with not-for-profit community organisations, charities, social enterprises and Meals on Wheels. I would also include community-based for-profit … companies as well. They are providing a very important service. Flexibility is the strength of the current programme. Schools can choose from a variety of delivery arrangements that best suit the particular school circumstances, including contracting or commercial suppliers, not-for-profits and social enterprises. Local catering providers

Parochial National School. To be fair, given that planning permission was granted on 26 March 2026, the fact that the Department and the project manager have been doing everything to complete all of the works, and that they will be delivered as quickly as possible, is reasonable progress … least. I cannot give Deputy Hearne a date as I do not have one but it does state the project will be completed soon. "Soon" has a meaning and I hope this is the case. In regard to the overall perspective, by the end of 2026-2027 there

want to remain in that place. That said, we have to manage demand and supply. That is why the grid investment programme is critical. We have to get ahead of demand projections, and we will do that through renewables. The LEAP and the large energy user decision published

constituency. Apart from the impact on the grid, there was also flooding in the Listowel area. The Minister mentioned some of the projects that are under way, such as the 29 projects and ten under construction. What are the delivery timelines for them and when does the Minister

have two questions arising from what the Minister said. How far behind are some of the projects or what projects concern the Minister? What steps are being taken to get them up to speed? Second, on grid prioritisation, what is the Minister's view on that and will

increased by 15 in the past year and a half to 136 family resource centres - services provided by the 12 area based childhood programmes, ABC programmes, which see parents, as the first and most important carers and educators in their children's lives, can be supported. There

introduced in year 2 of the scheme. These were enhanced in year 4. The Department also ran a fee increase assessment process during programme year 3 of core funding, whereby partner services charging fees below the county average were eligible to apply to be assessed … increase. I have made the decision to launch a revised version of this process for the upcoming programme year, the sustainability review process. That is exactly what the Deputy has asked, in terms of those who are having challenges around sustainability. I have made the decision to launch

nine weeks, it is important to reiterate that up to 46 weeks of paid leave is available to two-parent families. The programme for Government contains a commitment to examining the extension of parent's leave and benefit and other flexibilities, as does the national strategy for women … consultation on that. The pay-related model is also important. That is to be undertaken by the Department of Social Protection. Between the programme for Government commitment and the national strategy, there is a commitment for this to be looked

annual early years sector profile for 2024-25 shows that the estimated number of enrolments increased by approximately 25% from the 2021-22 programme year. A 25% increase in those three years is significant. However, it appears, and I absolutely accept, that demand for early learning and childcare … scheme was first introduced, and this will continue to be the case in 2027. Core funding, which is presently in its fifth programme year, funds services based on the number of places available. This provides stability to services and reduces the risk associated with opening a new service

early learning and childcare. Specifically, in terms of the building blocks and the scheme that is there, a large proportion of the projects supported through building blocks have been in rural areas. It is important to make that point. The State-led process was announced in January … speed and I acknowledge the work of everybody involved. In the coming weeks, we are hoping to make announcements around the State-led projects

written about this for years. So has Mick Clifford. They deserve great credit. There are so many layers to this programme and so many issues that have not been covered but the Minister should not worry; we will cover them in this Chamber over the weeks, months … holding now, and how the Minister handled protected disclosures would haunt this Government, the Minister herself and the previous Government. Last night's programme absolutely confirmed that to be the case

Sligo University Hospital will shortly submit its options appraisal for formal capital approval for the replacements of its orthopaedic theatres. This project will provide two new replacement orthopaedic theatres, essential storage facilities and additional beds. I appeal to the Minister for Health and the Department to move swiftly … perform scheduled procedures while patients face unacceptable delays and prolonged suffering. I urge the Minister and the Department to please prioritise this capital project as a matter of urgency

Deputy is right. One of the biggest barriers or things that slows down projects is a lack of engagement and at the earliest stage possible. I fully agree with the Deputy and support the need for the NTA and TII to engage directly. I know the Deputy will … investment in the Deputy’s community and in our communities in Dublin, in particular. It is really important that we can move this project along as quickly as possible. It is really important that we bring people with us and that they are aware of everything that

failure in road safety is seen at a national level. In my constituency, many towns and villages across Galway have seen road safety projects delayed and this is having a significant impact on the people who live in these areas. One example I would like to raise … Bridge Street in Dunmore. This is also a national road where there has been a failure to progress the regeneration and road widening project. Residents have again been left waiting years for that to happen. These are the basics that we need to get right to prevent tragic

third level institutions and a lot of work is going on in this regard. I have come across children who have done these programmes and I have asked them what they have learned, especially with regard to bicycles. The first thing they told me was that they learned … agreement with Australia and with seven of the ten Canadian provinces. We have another proposed agreement under way with Nova Scotia. In the programme for Government, the RSA is dealing with New York state, Massachusetts and New Jersey to exchange technical details with regard to how they

Housing, Local Government and Heritage if his Department has details on the proportion of the allocated €39.44 million spent on each individual project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53445/26

asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of participants in ACRES that applied for afforestation approval under the forestry programme since ACRES was launched; the percentage of total ACRES participants this is; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52929/26

Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of participants in ACRES planted land under the forestry programme since ACRES was launched; the percentage of total ACRES participants this is; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52930/26

asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide an update on the progress on PeatFor; if this research project has any initial findings to detail; if there will be any interim report available; the estimated completion date for the research, given the significant

provide these details; and if "shortly" refers to a timeframe of weeks, months, or longer, given that the Care Experiences Programme was launched in 2022. [52831/26

Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Health her plans to roll out the Safer Nightlife Harm Reduction Programme to nightclubs; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52631/26

which each company (details supplied) was engaged; whether either engagement was subject to public tender; the cost of each contract to date; the projected total cost of each contract; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52804/26

appropriate intervals for repeat lipid profile testing, and that an advice note on lipid profile testing is planned by the Laboratory Services Reform Programme, the timeline for publication of this advice note; whether any interim guidance is being issued to GPs and primary care practitioners in the intervening

which confirmed MedLIS duplicate detection is currently deployed only in Beaumont Hospital and Cavan General Hospital, the projected timeline and sequencing for national rollout of MedLIS to all other hospital sites; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52936/26

which referenced a Minimal Retesting Interval Guidance Document currently in development by the Laboratory Services Reform Programme, the expected publication date of this document; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52937/26

Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health the projected full-year cost of the GMS medicines optimisation support service, including the €0.35 fee payable per GMS item dispensed and the €32.50 monthly enhanced medicines optimisation support fee, as agreed under the Community Pharmacy Agreement

Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the way in which the UK rejoining the Erasmus Programme will affect Irish students presently studying or wishing to study abroad; whether it will be of benefit to Masters students wishing to study

will address the concerns raised in correspondence (details supplied) regarding access to financial supports for a student seeking to undertake a higher diploma programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52887/26

Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the funding provided to participating local authorities under the Local Authority Public Lighting Energy Efficiency Project (details supplied) to date, in tabular form; to clarify the grounds on which each payment was calculated; and if he will make a statement

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine in view of the Comptroller and Auditor General’s 2025 review of the bovine TB eradication programme, which identified wildlife as a source of infection and noted evidence implicating wild deer in Wicklow, his views that there is a material implementation

Deputy Peter Roche asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine for an update on programmes to highlight and promote female farmers and the vital role they play in the industry; to provide an update on EU funding drawdown for female farmers; and if he will make

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will consider providing more funding to farmers to allow an expansion of rewilding projects; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52313/26

potential role of vertical farming and aquaponic food production systems in supporting sustainable agriculture and food security; whether grant supports or pilot programmes are under consideration, including for urban areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52293/26

Deputy Catherine Callaghan asked the Taoiseach for an update on the revised National Security Strategy as was committed to in the Programme for Government; and to provide a timeline for its publication. [52080/26

Deputy Catherine Callaghan asked the Taoiseach to report on his review of the existing national security structures as was committed to in the Programme for Government; and his plans for the further strengthening of these structures. [52081/26

asked the Minister for Transport when the independent feasibility study on extending MetroLink to southwest Dublin will commence, as committed to in the Programme for Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51955/26

Minister for Transport if the National Transport Authority conducts post-implementation traffic monitoring of junction layouts delivered under the BusConnects Core Bus Corridor Programme; the mechanism by which a junction layout approved by An Coimisiún Pleanála can be modified where observed congestion materially exceeds the traffic modelling forecasts

Deputy Eoin Hayes asked the Minister for Transport when the independent feasibility study for Metro Southwest in line with the Programme for Government will be commissioned; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52126/26

single major flood relief scheme, as reported in the Public Service Performance Report 2025; to provide details of the two target projects that did not commence construction in 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52052/26

target of four major flood relief schemes as reported in the Public Service Performance Report 2025; to provide details of the three target projects that were not substantially completed in 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52053/26