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thank the Deputy for raising last night's programme. It is a programme which has been extraordinarily difficult for people across the country to watch. First and foremost, I thank the young people who came forward and shared their experience of the care system. It takes

deputation meeting as quickly as possible and ensure it gives as clear a timeline as is possible, recognising that any new school project or, more likely, school expansion project will be evaluated. I take on board the two factors the Deputy raised, namely, growing demand, first and foremost

carried out on Mayfield library and community centre in view of the fact the council has submitted an application for funding for this project? Will the Minister of State make a statement? Mayfield has a large population on the north-east side of Cork city. It has many … provide for the population of the area. Will funding be provided to Cork City Council by the Department in order that this project can progress

this week for the AGM of the community association. There is an active community association there. They are trying to assist in various projects in the immediate area, but they also need to have the infrastructure in place. For instance, one of the projects within the community facility

common-sense approach to this would be valued not just by the locals and patrons in Mayfield but more broadly by all those projects and potential projects that will be seeking funding under the next scheme. I fully believe Mayfield will be in a very strong position

Minister of State said himself, even the affordable purchase element of the Shanganagh scheme is about 15% of the overall project. We hear about the challenges with cost rental and concerns around mounting maintenance costs. Uncertain costs like that will, of course, upset mandarins in all the various … plugged in some way for the LDA. Residential developments are fantastic, but the community facilities have to be provided as well while these projects are being built. I encourage the Minister of State to consider this issue from a Government perspective. I thank

households and businesses. It is now more important than ever that we reduce Ireland’s exposure to imported fossil fuel price shocks. The programme for Government has reaffirmed Ireland’s targets of 80% of electricity demand to be met by renewables in the near term with plans … expected that over €11 million will be returned to Irish electricity consumers via the PSO levy as a result of operational scheme projects. It is worth noting that all renewable electricity developments are subject to careful independent scrutiny at the planning application stage by the relevant planning authority

Quality and Qualifications Ireland, QQI on this end, and the Department of the Economy in the North. They have carried out a programme of consultation with key stakeholders, which is going well. A regulatory impact assessment is also being performed which will inform the legislative programme

further needs to stay in the educational sector and in further education. That is an absolute requirement. In relation to the disability project, a proposal is in front of them. It is not a 52-week contract, which is the big thing. The Minister knows that issue … applying for social protection is a huge issue. He might comment on the disability project, the outworking of that and how it may facilitate both those who need the help and those who are working in a scenario that is far from perfect

within it, partly arising from the merger of the Irish Research Council to Research Ireland, and there was some duplication of schemes and programmes within that. There has been a consolidation. A new strategy has been adopted by Research Ireland, which is one I applaud and share … change in title of some of the schemes and a movement from one scheme to another, the overall contents of those programmes are being continued. The funding is also being continued. Those researchers should not have to fear the changes they are hearing about

Government seriously needs to reassess and reconfirm its commitment to imminently provide the full extension and refurbishment project promised to Lucan Community College going back to 2010. We are talking about dedicated classrooms for children with special educational needs, physical education space and refurbishment. The current piecemeal solution … State, Deputy Naughton, that due to the length of time between planning and construction, there was going to be a review of the project. Everyone thought this was going to involve tweaking and shaving stuff off because we know the costs have increased but no, the plan

environment for all students. Every student, no matter what their ability, must have a positive experience within the school. Phase 1 of the project is on-site and for delivery. The quality of the building going in is top class, as I understand it. That is moving … pace. The Deputy is looking for clarity in relation to how we are going to do the next phases of the project. I will liaise with the planning and building unit in the Department and with the Minister, Deputy Naughton, to ensure we get clarity for the school

programme for Government commits to intensifying the transition to lower cost renewables and electricity generation and to transitioning away from imported fossil fuels. We can see just how expensive fossil fuels can be since the illegal US war on Iran, just how dependent we are on them … authority houses must also be put in place. It is currently moving at a snail's pace and is almost non-existent. The projected budget surplus of an additional €4 billion must be used to do that

simply disregard the scientific evidence of extensive climate damage and overrule it. Guess what? It will facilitate private investors along with public projects. It is clear what we are doing. We are dancing to the tune of the American Chamber of Commerce. We are being told our economic … broken so we will just keep going with it; we will just keep jumping in. That is what the Government is doing here. Projects will be given the green light and planners at local authority level and scientists will just have to look on in horror. Data centres

energy supplied a record 50% of the State’s electricity in February 2026. The Government is prioritising offshore wind, with five phase 1 projects progressing through the planning system alongside an unprecedented €18.9 billion investment into the electricity grid. Significant progress is also being made on biodiversity … place on a statutory footing and promotes a whole-of-government approach. The €25 million Marine Protected Areas LIFE Ireland project supports the delivery of marine protected areas through public participation and codesign. There have been claims that funding for farmers to implement the national biodiversity action plan

European bloc that they fear the conflict in real terms. They have had huge budgetary shifts whereby they have moved spending programmes from certain fields to a military spend. It is alarming how militarised the eastern flank of the European Union has had to become. Last month, President … with his opposite numbers across the European bloc and here in Government channels to devise a positive programme from an Irish perspective. I conclude by reiterating my point on the parameters of taxation and what we can do with mother ship Europe. We need interventions on the home

European country's constitution can be eroded by an authoritarian regime. We have to be very careful of that within the European project. In this regard, Michael McGrath is doing significant work on the rule of law in the EU. This morning, I was canvassing in Beaumont. While … less tax but the reality is tax allows us as a country do certain things. Whether that is investing in the retrofitting programme or supporting farmers, the carbon tax funds that transition and we have to make that transition in the longer term. Europe needs to help

fact that my colleague, Deputy Whitmore, has been raising this with Government for years. In 2024, two years ago, a European School Survey Project found that 4% of 15- to 16-year-olds in Ireland were using nicotine pouches with 8% having used them at some point … year-olds are currently vapers having vaped in the previous 30 days. Another study conducted by the European School Survey Project on alcohol and other drugs found that 16% of 15- to 16-year-olds in Ireland currently vape. When young adults, many of whom started vaping

failures. On housing, the metro and infrastructure, it is fail, fail, fail on his part. Now, as we learn that the projected surplus will grow from €5.1 billion to more than €9 billion, the Taoiseach has the poor mouth for struggling families. That is all he is offering … Government to listen, to hear and to intervene. Why will it not do that, with all of these additional billions that are now projected

Fund, ISIF, manages that and it is being invested in a whole range of areas including renewables, such as offshore and onshore wind projects, solar farm financing, grid expansion and interconnectors, battery storage systems for renewables, investment platforms for energy developers and funds combining wind and grid-scale … storage. Then there is the building of the energy retrofit programmes. There is a whole range of investments out of those funds going into that renewables space and protecting us in terms of developing a low-carbon public infrastructure for the future and electric vehicle, EV-charging, clean

They opposed the project in Ballymastone as well. People are now living in those houses. The Social Democrats cannot just keep opposing everything and claim they are serious about housing. That is the point I am making. Choices have to be made. As regards the planning in terms … housing provision. This will speed up delivery of additional units and maximise existing housing stock. It frees local authority resources for large-scale projects, introduces clear national standards, allows subdivision of homes to create just one additional unit, simplifies attic conversions and supports rental supply. The rent

force special purpose vehicle. The CEO designate is Robert Watt. It is putting in staff with the required technical skills for an interim programme management unit. Essentially, all the building blocks are being put in place now to get moving on what is a ten-year integrated area … Government, we are very committed to doing it. We believe the GPO will be a major flagship project at the core of Dublin city. Various funding streams will facilitate the objectives both of the task force and the special purpose vehicle itself. Getting the special purpose vehicle together

city that have suffered from dereliction and decline. Some €60 million of URDF funding has been allocated to the Parnell Square cultural quarter project and a €44 million project to refurbish the fruit and vegetable market is currently on site. That is outside the core inner city area

minor works scheme is for lesser works. I am not going to get into that but I think it is a project in itself. I do not know where the project is in terms of the various stages with the Department but I will talk to the Minister

take Questions Nos. 1 to 16, inclusive, together. Reducing child poverty is a key priority for this Government, as set out in the programme for Government. In September 2025, the Government agreed a new and ambitious child poverty target to reduce the child consistent poverty rate … While consistent poverty is a very important metric, it is not the only way we have of measuring how children are doing. The programme office on child poverty and well-being has compiled a dashboard of indicators that will be used alongside the new child poverty target. This

Minister for Health the total number of opticians operating in each county at present and compared with five years ago; and the future projected number, in tabular form. [48746/26

Development and the Gaeltacht the steps taken to review the eligibility criteria for the town and village renewal scheme, in line with the Programme for Government commitment to allow towns with populations over 10,000 to apply; whether revised criteria will be in place for the next call

asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment if alternative funding has been arranged for the STEM engagement officer and the STEM programme, in County Laois; if he recognises the positive contribution made by this role; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48039/26

Minister for Finance his Department’s position on the current EU allocation under the proposed Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) for the AgoraEU programme considering the key role that civil society, independent journalism and culture play in safeguarding a Europe where democracy can thrive; and whether Ireland will

Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Education and Youth the position regarding the summer programme 2026 for an individual (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47900/26

Deputy Shónagh Ní Raghallaigh asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she is aware that teachers and SNAs working the summer programme will be sent home without pay if attendance targets are not met on the first day, despite staff committing part of their summer holidays

Deputy Louis O'Hara asked the Minister for Education and Youth the position regarding a school building project (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48252/26

Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Education and Youth the steps she will take to resolve delays with the schools summer programme, including in a particular school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48255/26

Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Education and Youth for an update on the Programme for Government commitment regarding a reduction of the pupil teacher ratio at primary school level to 19:1 over the term; if timeframes are available as to when this will

Heritage to provide a detailed breakdown of the funding allocated to improving Ireland’s water quality by his Department broken down by programme allocation, CapEx and OpEx in each of the years 2020 to date in 2026, in tabular form. [47917/26

Heritage the number of affordable purchase and affordable cost rental homes delivered in each local authority area in the past five years; the projected number of affordable purchase and cost rental homes to be delivered in each local authority area over the next five years, in tabular form

Síochána Centenary Medal marking the period 1922-2022 was funded in whole or in part from public funds; the total cost of the programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48141/26

Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if the Garda Síochána Centenary Medal and associated commemorative programme required Government approval; the date on which such approval was granted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48143/26

Children, Disability and Equality her Department’s position on the current EU allocation under the proposed Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) for the AgoraEU programme considering the key role that civil society, independent journalism and culture play in safeguarding a Europe where democracy can thrive; and whether Ireland will

Daly asked the Minister for Health the amount of funding allocated to implementation of Smile agus Sláinte in each year since 2019; the projects funded under those allocations; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48071/26

Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Health to outline the HSE's policy on the integration of qualified engineering expertise into capital project planning at acute hospitals; the way in which compliance with that policy is monitored; and if she will make a statement on the matter

Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Health if the HSE has a national governance framework for the management of capital projects at acute hospitals, including defined roles and responsibilities for the acceptance and sign-off of infrastructure against national standards; and if she will make a statement

data showing that 40% of workplace fatalities involve the self-employed, will expand the existing foundational ETB modules funded under the EIST programme to include specific, machine-certified safety modules (such as commercial woodchipper and advanced chainsaw tickets) to meet the real-world safety needs of Ireland

Deputy Malcolm Byrne asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht any funding options are available for capital projects by Men's and Women's Sheds. [47986/26

Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht if he will introduce a proportionate financial reporting option under Circular 13/2014, allowing Community Services Programme-funded social enterprises with an annual income below €250,000 to submit non-audited financial statements in place of audited accounts, consistent with the audit

timeframe, including milestones and key performance indicators, for the provision of €200-per-month childcare, as set out in the commitments in the programme for Government. [47642/26

Deputy James Geoghegan asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the steps she intends to take to implement the Programme for Government commitment to extend the national childcare scheme to childminders working in the family home with sensible regulations that fit home-based care

core funding in each of the years 2023, 2024, 2025 and to date in 2026, the number that have since re-entered the programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46782/26

number of respite hours provided to children and adults with disabilities and their families in Dublin during 2025 by CHO area; the projected level of respite capacity and hours expected to be available in 2026 and 2027; the additional investment being considered as part of Budget

Deputy Shay Brennan asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality for an update on the Programme for Government commitments on affordable, accessible, and high-quality childcare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47435/26