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advocacy groups, such as the likes of Dyslexia Ireland and the Crack the Code group, which I met with Deputy Moynihan before the summer. As he knows, the majority of students with literacy difficulties currently receive additional teaching supports from a specialised education teacher in mainstream classrooms … They will also have an average or above average level of intelligence. In addition, the National Educational Psychological Service, NEPS, offers a national programme of support, which includes national webinars that have been consistently highly attended. All of these supports are important and do support children with dyslexia

some prospect of the budget being safe and consistent with the framework we published earlier in the year. Bringing it forward in the summer tries to get the balance right. On the other hand, I heard some Deputies say we should exclude businesses of a certain size … have in larger employers and create more. That is the final reason I am making changes with regard to the special assignee relief programme, SARP. I was interested to hear a number of Deputies raise issues regarding deemed disposal and ETFs. It is welcome to hear an issue

difficult to do so. We have been campaigning for the past six months, prompted by health workers who explained to us last summer that the Government is not trying to recruit people, and we have raised this repeatedly. It is not that it is difficult. The Government … that they would pass the occupied territories Bill and that they cared about the genocide, but then they inserted a definition into the programme for Government that effectively is designed to censor anybody who says the Israeli state project is an apartheid, racist project

allocation of €27 million for capital projects in Ireland's publicly owned harbours through the 2026 fishery harbour and coastal infrastructure development programme. Dunmore East has been allocated nearly €2 million for projects including cliff protection works, which have recently been granted planning permission, and preparation … centre, a coastguard unit and a Shannon-class Royal National Lifeboat Institution, RNLI, lifeboat station. Waterford Harbour Sailing Club runs a busy spring-summer schedule, using an open-access slipway. In summer, Dunmore East acts as a Port of Waterford cruise ship tender port, with an average

securing new groundwater sources has moved at a snail's pace. While water exploration is under way, it will not conclude until summer. After that, we face further delays, land acquisitions, planning permission and the construction of vital infrastructures. How much time will be lost in the planning … reduce these ridiculous waiting times? It is crystal clear to me that the public deserve a comprehensive review of Uisce Éireann's capital programme to see where it is prioritising its resources. Communities like Castlecomer, which lack even a basic reliable water supply, must be treated

That is good news for young people and their parents watching these proceedings today. Of course, we have published a new programme for Government. It commits to publishing a new fully funded, radical and realistic housing plan to get more homes built. We are going to ramp … role in that work or he can come in and throw brickbats. That is up to him. The Minister wrote to me last summer in good faith outlining what a number of projections available to him, including from Deutsche Bank, said would happen. Of course, that

State agencies also attended. This was the 12th meeting we have had. In particular, we reflected on the recent St. Patrick's Day programme, which was the largest in the history of the State. It was welcomed by all of those at the meeting. When we look … meeting. I am pleased this week that the EU has agreed the pathway forward for our side of the Turnberry agreement. Before the summer and before we take over the EU Presidency, I hope that we can see significant progress on more areas and the priorities that

central to improving citizens' quality of life and achieving our decarbonisation goals. The achievement of these goals has been set out in the programme for Government. I agree with Deputy Geoghegan's sentiments: this is about planning for the future and about that joined-up thinking approach … objective on the Luas Poolbeg project outlined in the greater Dublin area transport strategy. This analysis is expected to be completed in the summer. I wish to highlight that there are four proposed extensions to the Luas network highlighted in the current greater Dublin area transport strategy

costing. Think of the items the Government told us were a priority for it in the general election and the programme for Government that it has not delivered. For example, there is no second tier of child benefit. In our budget submission, we costed this measure … lifetime. This budget demonstrates no commitment to change in the area of nature. The Government raided the climate and nature fund earlier this summer. All of that €3.15 billion, a significant proportion of which was to be used to support farmers and organisations implementing the nature restoration

children in Gaza. What a collective failure of the European project of peace and solidarity. Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael committed in their programme for Government 160 days ago to progress legislation on the occupied Palestinian territories. That is 160 opportunities they have had to implement the Bill … there and this is a critical juncture in our international humanity's history. The Government needs to pass the Bill before the summer recess. The latest United Nations report names hundreds of corporations, banks, technology firms, universities, pension funds and charities that are profiting from the Israeli occupation

Ahmed Abuhassan, a 22-year-old student from Gaza who has been accepted onto UCD's bachelor of science in computer science programme with a full scholarship but has been unable to commence his course because his student visa was refused. Mr. Abuhassan was due to commence … brought down over our heads in October 2023. I spent two years displaced in the south, in tents that held off neither the summer heat nor the winter cold, chasing every charging point for a borrowed Laptop with a cracked screen and any signal steady enough to reach

raised the issue of bus drivers aged over 70. As I said at the outset, a report was compiled in August 2024. The programme for Government contains a commitment to having an interdepartmental review of this. That is being done by the Department of Transport. A report … they have the necessary knowledge themselves. I pay tribute to the work they have done. They set up the call centres during the summer to try to make sure that adequate information is given to parents. I take on board the concerns and criticisms as well

important source of advice. It is the reason two of the schools took part in an analysis of cash flow last summer and again in October. Some recommendations and changes were made. The schools are anxious not to cause concern among parents and the community and wish … responsibility of the schools, they are doing their best to try to live up to the issues. We know that in the programme for Government, the Minister has identified DEIS plus, which is really exciting and would be a real support. While there are all these other supports

minor glitches; they have a huge impact on families. I thank the Minister of State for working on all our requests over the summer and in the past few weeks on school transport. It has made a difference but not every problem is fixed … buses and, number two, it is unsafe to allow a child to walk to the school. The safe routes to school programme works to a certain degree but for many families the car is the only option. It is the only option I have to send my children

development, €8 million will support local job creation, social inclusion and environmental projects through the LEADER programme, €5 million for the community services programme will provide more local services and employment opportunities, €2 million will help small community and voluntary groups, particularly those serving disadvantaged communities, cuirfear … they felt in those final seconds as the clock ticked down on Mayo's 75 year wait for All-Ireland glory this summer. We are a country that understands the immeasurable contribution sport makes to our shared sense of belonging. That is why in 2027, the Department

people have been hospitalised, and two people have already died from the heat. They will not, unfortunately, be the last to die this summer across Europe. We urgently need to stop pumping more greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. Fossil fuels must be completely phased out as fast … find semi-affordable housing. It is greenlighting and subsidising new domestic flights to Derry rather than building the railways we need. The programme for Government promises to act on the recommendations from the all-island strategic rail review. Which of the recommendations will actually be implemented within

thank Deputy Neville for the question. The programme for Government contains commitments on personal income tax. We have been clear that if we saw a significant economic deterioration, we would not be able to proceed with personal income tax measures, but I am pleased to inform the House … will decide as a Government the tax package in the round. The next step will be the publication of the summer economic statement next month. That will outline roughly how much we intend to spend on public services and public expenditure and how much of a tax package

very aggressive marketing we have seen. Others have spoken about the flavours and colours. At a number of the music festivals this summer, including Electric Picnic and All Together Now, nicotine companies were out in full force handing out nicotine pouches. The aggressive marketing tactics by these companies … wish to wean themselves off vaping, we learned that there are no resources. While we have a very well-resourced smoking cessation programme, the HSE effectively told us that it has not been directed or funded by the Department of Health to develop a "stop vaping" service. There

fitness activities and continuing to support to those already participating in sport across all age groups. This acknowledgement is underpinned through the programme for Government commitment, as the Deputy stated. This includes supporting our sporting ecosystem so more people can participate, reap the benefits of sport and fill … Finance will continue to consider the issue with a view to providing an update as part of the annual tax strategy group this summer

capable of making the most of every euro, but spending a couple of years in college is very expensive, even if supplemented with summer or part-time work. We have to ensure that such work is supplemental. Our students are poorly served by a Government if they have … years, but those in their early years are also asking how exactly we will honour the commitments that we made in the programme for Government - our commitment to reducing the student contribution fee and expanding the SUSI maintenance grant. Now is the time to give students and families

Minister of State for his response. I welcome that we will see details when the annual tax strategy group process develops over the summer. I ask the Minister of State to input into this process given he has responsibility for older people. That was a little … Activity Alliance and gyms around the country to talk about how this would work. I would love to see the commitment in the programme for Government being met in time for budget

done. How can Councillor Daniel Sexton tell the people of Rosscarbery it will be fine and that when they are swimming again next summer they could be drinking a bit of raw sewage? That is what they were doing. That is an astonishing situation to find ourselves … town to another. I should not be using west Cork but it is a prime example for Ireland. We have seen one television programme after another explaining that to us. We have seen fines for Uisce Éireann for €20 million because it cannot meet its leak targets

Katie Taylor is a legend of Irish sport. At 39 she has confirmed her final professional fight will take place in Dublin this summer, likely in July or August. Croke Park is still her dream venue and it should be the venue. After 20 years … stay connected socially. Through no fault of their own many women feel embarrassed and isolated. Specialist lymphoedema clinics provide compression garments, exercise programmes, skincare guidance and manual lymphatic drainage. These supports are essential for recovery yet in Cork University Hospital women are waiting 12 to 18 months just

Before answering, I would like to welcome the young people in the Gallery from the Youth Advocate Programme, Foróige and Springboard Family Support Project, all of whom appeared in front of the Joint Committee on Children and Equality. Deputy Keogh, the Chair of the committee, asked … point - because I really believe it - that an energy crisis in the winter is very different to an energy crisis in the summer. We are not ruling out further interventions that may be required. At this stage, however, we are not quite sure where the energy situation

give them real help. Of course, we are going to deliver other measures as well, and we commit to all of our programme for Government commitments. However, I believe in targeted measures. I believe that those who need more help should get more help. That is a fundamental … carefully to the debate tonight, I listened to the debates on radio in recent weeks and I will listen to people over the summer when I continue that consultation. I will publish an options paper that sets out the choices. There are choices and they are not easy