Search the record

Oireachtas and the library will be transformative for our city. The chief executive outlined at his briefing with us that the project in the library is one element of the overall Grand Parade project. The funding has been allocated and is ring-fenced

would make the point to Deputy Ward that we already have a range of programmes on the ground that provide support and offer dedicated staff access and a pathway for applications, whether this is for SICAP, ECP or LEADER. They are assisting communities and working to engage with … must be about how we can help and assist community groups, as an example, to navigate and be aware of the different programmes. I think the local community development groups and the LAGs provide that kind of signposting and a roadmap. We will discuss further the question

Minister, Deputy Calleary and I are very committed to. We have met with a variety of organisations in terms of demographics and projecting future needs and is critically important that we as a Department and as a Government continue to invest. That is why we have programmes such

Deputy John Clendennen asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht the total investment in Offaly projects since the introduction of the LEADER programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22906/26

thank the Minister for taking this question. I ask him to provide an update on Offaly projects since the introduction of the LEADER programme

alone we invested €1 million under the LIS, €1.2 million under the town and village renewal scheme, €1.4 million under the community service programme, €420,000 under CLÁR and €440,000 under ORIS. We are investing €12 million under the RRDF to redevelop a site in Edenderry … community centre investment fund investment of €1.8 million. It shows the impact of LEADER, which was the forerunner of many of these funding programmes. The important thing is it has community involvement. It is a bottom-up approach and it is important we protect that ethos. I reiterate

initial intention of the CCIF. Some €30 million was then approved for 12 new community centres in nine counties. Eight of those projects have construction workers on site and the remaining projects are going through tender and design. I hope that, subject to budget, we will

magnet for activity. It is really the heart of activities. That is why we want to support the programme to ensure facilities are improved in existing centres as well as new ones. Some 190 CCIF projects have been approved in Cork since 2022. The Cathaoirleach Gníomhach, the Minister

Bill is to prohibit the importation of goods into the State from Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian territory, in line with the programme for Government commitment. Legally, the regulation of external trade in services is considerably more complex than is the case with goods at EU level … Attorney General to the Government but what I can say is that the advice reflects the very significant difficulties that going beyond our programme for Government commitments and adding a prohibition on services to the legislation would entail. Following detailed consideration by my Department, clarification has been sought

partner with American institutions for investment and research. At the heart of our sports diplomacy policy is, of course, the global games development programme, which we support with a direct grant, parallel to the emigrant support programme, of about €7 million per annum to the GAA. That money

Where is the money going? The Parliamentary Budget Office has answered that question clearly. Dublin received €26.50 per person under the sports capital programme. The national average is €54. County Leitrim received over €100 per head. This is not about urban versus rural; it is about fairness … concentration of disadvantaged communities gets less than half the national average per head and we know exactly why. To access the sports capital programme for capital work, communities need to own their land outright or hold a lease of at least 21 years' duration. The communities that already

taking a very hands-on approach in relation to this issue. She has the full support of the entire Government in getting this project over the line. It is a project that will transform children's health in this country. The Minister is continuing to work hard

very straightforward legislation that is urgently required to give the Minister and the Government of the day the ability to prioritise certain projects. It is enabling legislation and it is extraordinarily straightforward. There is urgency around building homes and water and wastewater facilities. Energy is an issue … clip, but there is no link whatsoever with a Bill that will enable the Minister to say that a flood relief project or a wastewater treatment plant in a particular town is urgent and to ask people to get on with assessing it. There is no link

complex treatment needs. The Minister for Health is aware that there are currently backlogs in the HSE's child oral health examination programme, which have meant that the sixth-class groups are being prioritised. In relation to orthodontic services, targeted investment is delivering meaningful improvement … initiatives for contracted orthodontic care, resulting in more than 5,200 removals from waiting lists since 2020. This includes a dedicated orthodontic surgery programme that has delivered treatment for an additional 266 patients to date. This funding will continue in 2026 with a further €2.8 million being provided

does it meet the needs of the children who have to sit in that school every day. This is not a luxury project by any stretch. This is not a wish list. This is a basic requirement for a safe, dry and modern school building. Cloontagh National School … child anywhere else in the State. Will the Department recognise that this case is urgent? Will it be prioritised? When will the project move to construction and, in the interim, will a full health and safety audit be carried out on the exiting facilities? This current situation cannot

ACRES scheme. That is a programme that has a direct impact on rural communities across the country. It is the Sinn Féin model to spend fast, wide and worry later. How would we replace the revenue streams that support these vital programmes

measures other than legislating for paid leave. I have spoken about the current targets that are being met across many of the current programmes. On the evidence presented by the Labour Party, I am not sure how paid leave will actually increase achievement of the current targets, even … employment. This measure is specifically for those who are in employment. The national screening service equity framework is designed to ensure that the programmes are inclusive and accessible and that everyone is eligible regardless of their background or even their employment status. The data shows that those initiatives

people. I know that many urban horse owners do not mistreat their animals and care for them. There are some fantastic urban horse projects, as the Minister mentioned, across the State where those with an affinity for animals can learn how to care for them … need a solution. We need to bring together all the stakeholders, such as horse owners, An Garda Síochána, Limerick council, animal welfare organisations, projects such as My Lovely Horse and the Department of agriculture, to work to set a timeframe - I would suggest six months - after which horses

enough and this is not what they deserve. We cannot ask the school to just continue with these amazing achievements and fantastic projects. We know they are doing great stuff. It is great that they have been recognised with DEIS plus status, but what they really need … absolutely thrive is basic infrastructure. I ask the Minister of State to please go back to the Department and look at this project and see what can be done to ensure the school is first on the list for a new building when the time comes around next

eyes said they would be included. All are ETB schools. The correspondence is very detailed, they had been advancing these four projects for many years and to say the volume of school projects announced in the likes of Galway when compared with north Tipperary looks skew-ways would

this fall in numbers means that there are now 10 per cent fewer Gardaí per capita than there were five years ago; — the Programme for Government committed to recruiting at least 5,000 new Garda recruits and additional Garda staff by 2030; — trainee intakes remain … rata comparison between where we are as a population now and where we were a number of years ago. The programme for Government commits to recruiting 5,000 new gardaí. I do not believe there is a hope in hell of that happening. Equally, the Minister keeps quoting

really important things, as detailed in its 2024 annual report. In that year, it gave €8 million to a community climate action programme for local authorities, €10 million to the school photovoltaic programme to fund solar panels for schools, €17 million to the Bórd na Móna bog rehabilitation

offshore wind, we held the onshore RESS 5 and the offshore Tonn Nua auctions, which have delivered wind energy projects at competitive prices for consumers. The Department expects the five projects that bid into the offshore one auction to be in construction by 2030, marking a new phase

pressures on the industry are still very significant. More generally, the Deputy is correct about the need to drive forward with the retrofitting programme and energy efficiency programmes. Through front-loading solar energy and insulation, we will continue to do everything we can to support businesses and households

Bill 2026. I strongly support this Bill, which is an essential step in honouring our commitment as the Fianna Fáil Party in the programme for Government to fully facilitate and support the Omagh bombing inquiry. It is also an important signal of our commitment to the victims, families … this island. This Bill is a significant, carefully constructed and necessary step towards achieving that goal, honouring a commitment made in the programme for Government and honouring our commitment as a State under the joint framework on addressing Troubles legacy issues. Most importantly, it honours the memory

Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the estimated cost to fully implement the National Clinical Programme for ADHD; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47702/26

Clarke asked the Minister for Health the estimated full-year staffing and operational cost of each planned perinatal mother and baby unit; the projected staffing complement, by grade; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47729/26

Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science for an update on the status of the review of specialist training programmes; when will this review be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47158/26

wish to avail of funding in the discipline of humanities, who may have previously availed of the Government of Ireland Postgraduate Scholarship Programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47550/26

Deputy John Paul O'Shea asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht whether he will review the community services programme in view of concerns that it functions as a partial co-funding model in practice, requiring social enterprises to subsidise core service delivery from

Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht the total allocation provided by his Department under the Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme, SICAP, in each year from 2015 to date, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47781/26

Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht the amount allocated under SICAP to each local community development committee and each SICAP programme implementer or contract area in each year from 2015 to 2026, in tabular form, with the information provided separately for each SICAP

Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht the amount of funding drawn down under SICAP by each LCDC and each SICAP programme implementer or contract area in each year from 2015 to 2026, in tabular form, with the information provided separately for each SICAP

McGuinness asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht the total funding allocated and expended under the SICAP new arrivals programme in each year from 2022 to date; the budget subhead under which such expenditure is recorded, in tabular form. [47785/26

Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht the amount of SICAP new arrivals funding allocated to each LCDC area and each SICAP programme implementer, in each year from 2022 to date, in tabular form. [47786/26

number of full-time equivalent staff funded through SICAP new arrivals funding in each year from 2022 to date, broken down by SICAP programme implementer. [47787/26

Conor D. McGuinness asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht whether any funding provided under the SICAP new arrivals programme originates from, or is transferred from, another Department; if so, the Departments concerned; the amount transferred in each year since 2022; and the budget

Community Development and the Gaeltacht the amount of funding approved and drawn down under the rural regeneration and development fund for each project since the establishment of the fund (details supplied), in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47834/26

Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht the total funding allocated and the total funding drawn down under the CLÁR programme in each year since 2015; the corresponding amount allocated and drawn down in each local authority area in each year, in tabular form

Deputy Naoise Ó Muirí asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will provide an update on the programme for Government commitment to examine pension provisions for foster carers; when he expects this to be introduced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46325/26

such as the fuel allowance, household benefits package and living alone allowance to support older and vulnerable groups has occurred as per the programme for Government; if not, when this examination will occur; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46276/26

Department is making in relation to the phasing out of the means test for carer's allowance as committed to in the Programme for Government. [46036/26

Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Social Protection for an update on a pilot of the Hot School Meals Programme to be administered by Meals on Wheels; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46282/26

Deputy Aisling Dempsey asked the Minister for Social Protection for an update on the implementation of the Programme for Government commitments in relation to carers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46024/26

asked the Minister for Transport to provide an update on the rail traffic management system; to provide and updated timeline for delivery; the projected costs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45509/26

Deputy Ciarán Ahern asked the Minister for Transport for an update on the programme for Government commitment to commission a new independent feasibility study on continuing MetroLink to Dublin South-West; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46573/26

Gorman asked the Minister for Transport for an update on the planned roll-out of the N8 orbital bus route under the BusConnects programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46563/26

reason he is delaying funding for DART+ South West; and when he intends to release the funding for this vital public transport project. [46305/26

Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Transport to outline the latest timeline of construction for the Finglas Luas extension project following the resolution to legal action earlier this year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46345/26

Transport the number of electric buses currently in storage; the total cost of their storage and maintenance over the past three years; the projected cost of continued storage and maintenance until deployment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46183/26