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with St. Patrick's Primary School Celbridge in relation to the emergency works scheme and to provide an update on its capital project. As the Deputies will be aware, the purpose of the emergency works scheme is to provide funding specifically for unforeseen emergencies or to provide funding … basis, the school was advised to submit a revised scope of works with an accompanying itemised cost breakdown. In January, the Department engaged project engineers and contractors to address the immediate issues. This facilitated the completion of initial remedial works by 5 February, which allowed for classrooms that

ageing and growing. In recent years, we have expanded free GP care and introduced new services, such as the chronic disease management programme. All this increases demand on general practice and we need to increase our GP workforce to ensure we can meet the need for GP care … there are challenges. Trained GPs are also being recruited from abroad under a joint HSE and Irish College of General Practitioners international recruitment programme. The recruited GPs are placed in practices in rural areas and work in general practice while completing the programme, providing an immediate increase

burdens with little to no benefit in terms of outcomes. The Government is seeking to reduce those barriers and streamline procurement processes so projects can be delivered effectively in this country. With the current set of rules in place, according to the European scorecard 2025, Ireland … reasons behind the Government's concerns relating to what the Bill seeks to do. The Government is undertaking an ambitious programme of reform and accelerating infrastructure with a committed spend of €275 billion on the national development plan, NDP. The associated projects in the NDP already factor quality

thank the Minister of State for his kind words relating to this project. It is a very detailed project and there is a lot of money involved, but I welcome the fact that in his response, he said the scheme preliminary business case is expected to be submitted … Government approval, which I am sure will come as is required under the infrastructure guidelines, the submission of the statutory documents for the project will be forwarded to An Coimisiún Pleanála. I thank the Minister of State very sincerely for his response. As two Cork TDs in this

just the first tranche. There is lots of capital to spend in this country, thankfully, and we will deploy that capital as projects occur and get ready. Over the course of 2026 and 2027, there will actually be construction work at approximately 10% of the overall school estate … that to give people some context. On the specific projects the Deputy mentioned, the first related to Skerries Community College. I understand the building project for this school has been devolved for delivery to the Dublin and Dún Laoghaire Education and Training Board, ETB, under a service level

been delayed due to supply issues with new battery trains, with a knock-on impact on other planned network improvements; — public transport projects with planning permission are not progressing due to a lack of political will to provide funds, including DART+ South West, now paused at least four … cent in both 2024 and 2025 to meet the sectoral emission ceiling in the first carbon budget, which will not be achieved, with projected reductions of only 1.3 per cent and 2 per cent respectively in those years; recognises that the lack of a right to flexible

over 70,000 sq. km, with 4,842 water bodies. The Environmental Protection Agency, EPA, oversees and implements the national water quality monitoring programme, which is designed to assess the overall condition of our rivers, lakes, canals, estuaries, coastal waters and groundwaters. The latest EPA report on water … phosphorus concentrations. In accordance with the water framework directive, Ireland has implemented a series of river basin management plans, which are specific programmes of environmental measures to protect and restore water quality. To protect natural waters from the negative impact of human activities, many such activities are controlled

acknowledge the significant work being delivered by the Minister, Deputy Browne, the Minister of State and the accelerated infrastructure programme brought forward by the Minister, Deputy Chambers. That programme is about unlocking funding, removing bottlenecks and clearing whatever is holding up progress on critical infrastructure projects. This work … simple: stop managing the problem - get it fixed and get the work done now. I want to address the Shannon water supply project. This is a vital national project, currently projected to begin in 2028 and conclude in 2032, all going to plan. If our country

operation and control of public water services from local authorities to direct Uisce Éireann responsibility represents one of the largest public sector reform programmes in recent years. It involves numerous facilities around the country and over 3,000 local authority workers, both full- and part-time workers … uplift in housing delivery our country requires. Under the national development plan, Uisce Éireann has allocated €1.7 billion for a new additional growth programme that will support accelerated housing delivery. Uisce Éireann has identified 71 settlements across Ireland for additional investment where the existing capacity of treatment plants

committed to ensuring that there is appropriate accommodation available for all pupils in the wider context and to ensure that each school project on the schools building programme is subject to due diligence required under the Government's infrastructure guidelines. It is a challenging construction environment … right across the education, transport and housing sectors so the Department also has to manage the timing, scope and cost of individual projects to ensure they remain within budgetary parameters for the overall programme. That involves constant reviewing throughout a project's life cycle. As I said

absolutely committed to ensuring high-quality regional connectivity in the west. We have demonstrated that by the progression of a number of projects, including the project on the N5 in recent years. The recently published sectoral investment plan for transport reaffirms the NDP commitment to deliver many … plan shows that. Even electric vehicles need roads to go on as do buses. There are road safety issues. The mothballing of road projects is ending and the building of new road projects is commencing alongside a very significant and important investment in public transport which also matters

around three times the initial estimated cost. While the Government today looks at the capital carryover, the country remains awash with underfunded infrastructure projects in desperate need of Government support. Nowhere is this more so than in the case of the north-west and Border regions … constituency of Cavan-Monaghan, there are a number of such projects with the potential to have a profound impact on communities. Two are the N2 Clontibret to the Border and the N2 Ardee to Castleblayney road projects. I reiterate my welcoming of the shared island funding for works

social welfare system for people on a range of income supports, as well as providing additional support for families and people on illness programmes, disability programmes and carers' programmes. For example, 2035 funding enabled a €12 increase in core weekly social welfare rates, an increase in the weekly … social homes were delivered, including 7,857 new-build homes, 1,501 acquisitions and 1,223 homes delivered through the leasing programmes. In the first six months of 2025, 3,918 affordable housing options were delivered, which represents 61% of 2025's delivery target. This

Since 2020, the Department of education has invested over €6 billion in school projects throughout the country under the national development plan, involving the completion of over 1,300 school building projects. Over €159 million has been invested in schools across County Westmeath and €234 million in schools … across County Wicklow in that period. Project Dargle, the project bundle referred to by the Deputy, comprises seven post-primary schools in Westmeath and Wicklow devolved for delivery to the National Development Finance Agency, NDFA. These school building projects are flagship projects and will provide new, modernised, high

taking on behalf of the Minister for Education and Youth, Deputy Hildegard Naughton. As he said, the brief for this major school building project is to provide an eight-classroom school with an additional four classroom special educational needs, SEN, base included. The project has been devolved … Louth County Council for delivery. The project is currently at stage 4, that is, construction, of the delivery process. It is envisaged that, pending no unforeseen delays or issues, the estimated completion date will be within the first quarter of 2026. It is great to hear that

discuss the Government’s new housing plan, Delivering Homes, Building Communities. The development of this new housing plan was a commitment under the programme for Government. It reaffirms that housing is the number one priority for all arms of government, including local government, and expects that all people … particularly significant. Of the €12.2 billion funding provided, 95% of it will be used to support the delivery of a wide range of projects in cities and regions to ensure the delivery of the additional water services capacity required for new housing. Investment in transport will also

cycles to fully resolve. The upgrade of the Carrignavar wastewater treatment plant will come under Uisce Éireann’s small towns and villages growth programme, which is a national programme to cater for growth in smaller towns and villages within existing Uisce Éireann infrastructure. This programme is delivered … local authorities and is aligned with the county development plans. Each local authority is responsible for prioritising candidate settlements for investment under the programme. Carrignavar was not included in Cork County Council’s list of prioritised sites for upgrade under the scheme for the 2020 to 2024 capital

propose to take Questions Nos. 17 to 31, inclusive, together. Our programme for Government sets out an ambitious agenda for building our shared island. Yesterday, the Government made a major funding commitment of over €50 million through our shared island fund to ten new programmes. We are investing … Ireland . We are moving forward with €14 million for a major new shared island media initiative by Coimisiún na Meán, delivering on our programme for Government commitment to resource schemes to encourage cross-Border journalism on an ongoing basis; A sum of €5.9 million is being allocated

science through a broad range of opportunities and events. I am delighted that my Department has continued its support for this year's programme, with over €847,000 in funding provided for 36 projects through Research Ireland. During the week, almost 400 events, involving 200,000 participants, will … Dream Space. This kind of pioneering advancement can only happen when backed by significant Government support, as reflected and called out in the programme for Government which I am now implementing. This makes significant commitments in support of research and innovation. I am pleased to tell the House

about slogans; it is about all of us working together to ensure our island is reunified. At the heart of the programme for Government is the enhancement of co-operation, connections and engagements with all communities and traditions to build that shared future. That is what … South. It is about investing in areas where it makes sense to work together. It is about investing in people and communities. Major projects such as the iconic Narrow Water Bridge and the renovation of the Ulster Canal are well under way. Everyone who travels regularly from Dublin

Minister of State and I were delighted to have secured funding of €5 million in budget 2026 for the introduction of a new programme for urban areas in line with the programme for Government commitment. RAPID stands for revitalising areas by planning, investment and development. Established … based approach to disadvantage representing a focused initiative to target the 25 most concentrated areas of disadvantage in the country. The original RAPID programme closed to new applications in 2011, although it should be noted that my Department has continued to honour legacy commitments. These included my Department

including over 5,200 in Dublin. Affordable housing schemes are now operating at scale in Dublin and the affordable housing delivery programme continues to be expanded and developed year on year, supported by unprecedented levels of State investment. Across the four Dublin local authorities, affordable housing fund approval … place to support delivery of 35 projects, delivering more than 3,500 affordable purchase and cost-rental homes. Large-scale mixed tenure schemes such as Church Fields, Montpelier and Oscar Traynor Woods are delivering affordable purchase homes and 133 cost-rental homes were recently launched at Innovation Square

physical and mental well-being is substantial. The allocation for next year in this budget will reinforce this. The allocation for the sports programme in budget 2026 is more than €290 million, marking an increase of just under €60 million, or 26%. We have clearly exceeded the national … increase in capital funding to enable the development of the national velodrome and badminton centre on the Sport Ireland campus in Blanchardstown. This project will bring many benefits, not least to our track cyclists, who currently have to travel abroad to access such a facility for training

Positive Future It is more pressing than ever that this Government presents a budget that protects jobs and supports growth. My Department is projecting modified domestic demand - the best measurement for our domestic economy - to grow by 3.3% this year and by 2.3% next year. Domestic activity … structural challenges that may await and the challenges we may not yet be aware of. By the end of next year, my Department projects these funds will have built up to around €24 billion - an investment to protect future generations. By the end of this Government’s term

autumn. This plan will optimise outputs from the national development plan allocation, with a strong focus on maximising school capacity, progressing priority projects where local capacity across schools in the area is deemed insufficient, and ensuring that what is provided is affordable, provides value for money and meets … Athenry, Celbridge, Clonakilty, Greystones, Tullamore and Killina will be able to apply online using a single application form as part of a pilot project to streamline the admissions process. This pilot is a first step towards a national common application system. It will be a game-changer

Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Defence the projects, programmes, or policy initiatives to which external contractor expenditure related to in each of the years 2022 to 2025; the cost attributable to each project; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26792/26

Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation to outline the current capital investment programme for Garda station refurbishment and replacement, including the total funding allocated in each of the years 2023, 2024, 2025 and 2026, the number of projects … approved, commenced and completed in each of those years, and the projected pipeline of works planned for the period 2026 to 2029. [26442/26

Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Education and Youth to provide a full account of the way in which school building projects, particularly those related to SEN provision, are assigned directly to the planning and building unit for management/delivery or to "devolved delivery" pathways with projects … managed by schools or by external project managers. [23573/26

Farrelly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will provide an update in respect of the Fire Services Capital Programme 2026 - 2030; if he will provide a schedule of sites located to participate in the programme; and the budget allocation for the Fire Services … Capital Programme 2026 - 2030 [25483/26

Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of non-coursing greyhounds that were prepared for homing under the Irish Retired Greyhound Trust homing programme (details supplied) for each of the years 2023, 2024 and 2025; the number of the dogs prepared under this programme in each … years 2023, 2024 and 2025 that were subsequently homed; the amount spent on this programme for each of the years 2023, 2024 and 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24585/26

Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Education and Youth if staff (coordinators and project workers) for School Completion Programme clusters are allocated according to specific criteria; if so, the criteria that determines the number of staff that each School Completion Programme have assigned

Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Education and Youth when sign off for previously agreed phases and refurbishments regarding a school building project will be forthcoming (details supplied); the current timeline for the commencement and completion of the project; if commitments are available regarding timelines, given … desperate need for further capacity and upgraded facilities and the lengthy wait of the school community for the project; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22615/26

Deputy Martin Daly asked the Minister for Transport the current status and projected timelines for key road projects affecting the Roscommon–Galway constituency, including the N5 and N63, and the funding allocated to those projects. [22332/26

length of lease and any other associated documentation from the landowner that is required for application to his Department's Sports Capital Programme; if there are any instances where an application for the Sports Capital Programme would be considered for assessment without such a lease arrangement in place … application; if not, if there any plans by his Department to include such a provision in the next round of the Sports Capital Programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22251/26

Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide an update on oyster reef restoration initiatives supported by his Department, including the restoration project off Dún Laoghaire; the objectives of that project in terms of marine biodiversity and fisheries habitat enhancement; and whether consideration is being given … supporting further oyster restoration projects in other areas of Dublin Bay, including along the north Dublin coastline; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20862/26

Deputy George Lawlor asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the names of wastewater management projects in County Galway for which funding has been made available since 2020; the level of funding made available by Government to each project; the funding shortfall expected to be covered … local authorities in each case; the current status of each project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21125/26

asked the Minister for Health the total number of practising general practitioners in the State who have completed HSE-funded suicide prevention training programmes, including SafeTALK, ASIST, STORM, the Self-Harm Assessment and Management Programme for General Practitioners in Ireland (SAMAGH), or equivalent programmes, in each

Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Defence the number of procurement projects currently underway within the Defence Forces; the stage each project has reached within the capability development lifecycle; and the estimated value of each project. [20412/26

Minister for Education and Youth the current status of the proposed new school building for a school (details supplied); the stage the project has reached within the Department's school building programme; the expected timeline for the project to proceed to tender and construction; and when she expects

Deputy Mark Wall asked the Minister for Education and Youth the position regarding the extension project at a school (details supplied) which is currently at Stage 2B; the cause of the continuing delay in progressing this project; if the project will be included in the next round

Deputy John Connolly asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the position regarding the Galway Courthouse refurbishment project under the remit of the Courts Service; the progress made to date; the forthcoming stages of the project lifecycle; the expected timelines for those stages; the estimated cost … range for the project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20751/26

John Paul O'Shea asked the Minister for Health to provide an update on the operation and rollout of the Medical Cannabis Access Programme (MCAP) in 2026; the number of patients currently approved; the number of consultants prescribing under the programme; the plans to review and expand … programme, including the list of qualifying conditions, to improve safe and regulated access for patients who require medical cannabis treatment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18977/26

Health Service Executive, or any public hospital within the State, has funded or paid tuition fees for students enrolled on a graduate programme in clinical measurement physiology at a university (details supplied); if so, the number of students whose tuition fees have been funded … funding; whether any such students were offered or guaranteed employment within the Health Service Executive or a public hospital following completion of the programme; whether any agreements, arrangements or understandings, whether formal or informal, exist between the HSE, public hospitals and the University in relation to the funding

Deputy John Connolly asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht the position regarding the Inis Oírr Pier Redevelopment project; the progress made to date; the forthcoming stages of the project lifecycle and the expected timelines for their completion; and the estimated cost range … project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20673/26

Deputy John Connolly asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht the position regarding the Islands Minor Capital Works Programme in Galway West constituency; the progress made under the programme; the forthcoming phases and expected timelines for delivery; and the estimated cost range associated with … programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20675/26

Deputy Tony McCormack asked the Minister for Health the capital projects currently approved for health facilities in County Offaly; the funding allocated in 2026; the projected completion dates for these projects; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17613/26

Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Taoiseach to list all schemes, funding programmes, capital funds, grant streams or other expenditure headings administered by his Department in 2025 and 2026 which result in allocations, awards, or spending that can be identified with a specific geographical location including county, district, town … project site, to group these by funding stream or programme heading; to indicate, for each scheme, whether details of allocations or awards are published online; and if so, where such information may be accessed. [16559/26

Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade to list all schemes, funding programmes, capital funds, grant streams or other expenditure headings administered by her Department in 2025 and 2026 which result in allocations, awards, or spending that can be identified with a specific geographical … location including county, district, town, or project site, to group these by funding stream or programme heading; to indicate, for each scheme, whether details of allocations or awards are published online; and if so, where such information may be accessed. [16551/26

Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment to list all schemes, funding programmes, capital funds, grant streams or other expenditure headings administered by his Department in 2025 and 2026 which result in allocations, awards, or spending that can be identified with a specific … geographical location including county, district, town, or project site, to group these by funding stream or programme heading; to indicate, for each scheme, whether details of allocations or awards are published online; and if so, where such information may be accessed. [16545/26

Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Minister for Defence to list all schemes, funding programmes, capital funds, grant streams or other expenditure headings administered by her Department in 2025 and 2026 which result in allocations, awards, or spending that can be identified with a specific geographical location including county … district, town, or project site, to group these by funding stream or programme heading; to indicate, for each scheme, whether details of allocations or awards are published online; and if so, where such information may be accessed. [16547/26