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alone. The second issue is the recent announcement of a €27 million investment under the fishery harbour and coastal infrastructure development programme. Both these issues are deeply connected. Representatives from the Irish fishing industry, in the audiovisual room at the end of January, outlined how severely reduced fishing … capital funds, and their regulatory and licensing costs are centrally funded. Local authorities receive a fraction of the allocation. They must co-fund projects at a rate of 25%, and they must front-load survey and MARA licensing costs before eligibility is even considered. That is not parity

provided for €157 million to support fisheries and the marine sector. We have to continue to implement the €258 million seafood development programme under the European maritime, fisheries and aquaculture fund. It has to be said that this funding is not just abstract. It supports vessel modernisation, safety … harbour infrastructure, processing competitiveness, environmental sustainability and young entrants into the industry. It is vital. Some €27 million has been allocated for capital projects in publicly owned harbours in 2026, and I welcome this investment. The Food Vision seafood sector group has been established to develop a structured

year on year. I predict that this year will be a record year for the delivery of renewables with regard to both new projects and consents for new projects

also have the support scheme for energy audits. That can give businesses up to €2,000 per site visit. We have other programmes, such as the EXEED programme, which funds on capital investment. Together, working with the local enterprise offices, Enterprise Ireland, IDA Ireland and the cost

immediate focus is to get these projects into construction. That is why we have established the accelerating renewable energy task force, alongside the Taoiseach's clearing house. That will provide inter-agency oversight to remove any barriers to grid planning or ports. We have very ambitious targets … previous and future auctions. We are also significantly ramping up investment in the CRU and EirGrid. They have agreed a new five-year programme with up to €18.9 billion being provided to support their plan in terms of building capacity within our grid

attended a public meeting in Abbeyknockmoy in my constituency last week. Power Capital is proposing to develop a very large solar project there. It is already developing one nearby in Grange. There are proposals to install a battery energy storage system as part of these projects. This

find the Minister’s response encouraging. It seems he understands the benefits of the project and I hope he will look at it favourably when the more fleshed-out proposal comes to him. I appreciate him saying €4,000 is significant in the sense that it represents … reasonably satisfied that within the envelope that is there over the coming two or three years, there is scope to support a project like this in the next couple of years from within the allocation provided

time recognising the cost to employers in terms of time invested and productivity forgone. Apprentices are employees and all of the 78 apprenticeship programmes are undertaken under a contract of employment. For the majority of apprenticeships, the rate of pay is agreed between the apprentice and the employer … with the employer paying the apprentice during both on-the-job and off-the-job training elements. For the 25 craft apprenticeship programmes, the minimum rates of pay applying under the employment contract are either agreed within the relevant sector or are set out in legally binding sectoral

Government is taking important steps with regard to supporting the apprenticeship programme. We have seen huge investment in recent years. In budget 2026, we allocated over €78 million to the apprenticeship programme. This investment is delivering significant results. We have seen annual apprenticeship registrations increase from

named all of the initiatives he is doing but why are Irish business leaders growing even more pessimistic about the future? Confidence in projected revenue growth dropped dramatically at the end of last year, from 79% to 59% in just three months. When businesses were asked about increasing … backbone of our economy. They sustain communities, provide employment in rural and urban Ireland and drive innovation and local enterprise. The programme for Government recognised the need for a comprehensive review of SME cost structures. Businesses are now urgently waiting for that to make a real difference

recent increases in youth employment affect those without post-secondary qualifications. That is why we have, as a Government, invested in programmes such as Springboard+ and MicroCreds and expanded the apprenticeship network. As I said earlier, we have an ambitious programme to continue to invest in apprenticeships

different from that of the Minister of State. When you look at our own county, you see that Youthreach is a really good programme in regard to addressing disadvantage and social exclusion. We have waiting lists to get onto those programmes in Ballina and Kiltimagh

country when that is not necessary. We are not being fair to these people and giving them the opportunity to succeed. Having these programmes is great but I do not see their impact or their targets. How are these programmes increasing the participation rate, particularly as Ireland ranks

best interests of the child. Some €3.2 million has been made available to support the work of this well-being check project. I have been receiving regular updates on the work of the steering group from the chair. The Deputy will be aware also of the press release … Deputy as well because it is very important that here within the House there is an understanding of what is happening with the project. It was important that something would issue to the general public as well because the general public are interested too. We will continue

There is a commitment in the programme for Government. What is really helpful to us as well is the public consultation we are having. It is a great framework for us to engage with the Department of Social Protection regarding this issue because it is an issue that … while Tusla funding of €152 million will be used to maintain and grow foster care capacity and expand the foster care peer support programme and foster care recruitment teams

thank the Deputy. I say very respectfully that he will understand that I am not familiar with the details of the specific project, roundabouts or safety concerns. However, it is important that he has raised the broader issue of the need for consultation and engagement with communities, which … fair one. It is a serious point. I hear, more than from time to time across the country, that there are many projects that the majority of residents support in the main but that have certain elements that residents have concerns about and in respect of which they

certainly would not want to contradict or disagree with the Taoiseach on views he has given on this project in Cork but what I will do is speak to him directly about the issue. I hope this is a matter of common sense prevailing in terms of engagement … proper engagement. That is based purely on what the Deputy has told me here today. I do not have the details of the project. I will talk to the Taoiseach about it and we will engage with the Minister for Transport. I know the Deputy will send

There is indeed a commitment in the programme for Government to look at this. In that context, we will look at it, and I thank the Deputy for raising it with me. It is a fine balance and we have to consider all these things in the round … pleased that we have confirmed that it will continue for the lifetime of this Government, and there is a commitment in the programme for Government to review that scheme. We will undertake that review and I will revert to the Deputy then

drainage is spread across multiple agencies, including the OPW and local authorities. Despite the good work being done under the existing capital programme, the system remains fragmented. Rivers do not respect county boundaries. Actions taken or not taken upstream can have serious consequences downstream. Issues such as siltation … broader strategic framework. I urge the Minister of State to commit to developing a national river management strategy that integrates existing flood relief programmes, accelerates delivery, strengthens governance and funding mechanisms, and uses modern tools for river basin management. Communities like Portarlington, Clonaslee, Rosenallis, Mountmellick and others across

That project has been completed. As for the other two projects, one is moving through. Both of the applications were made in the autumn of last year. I will ask the Department to ensure there is a timely discussion with them. The Deputy made a point regarding school

health issues. I can assure him that the Government is committed to increasing elective-only day case capacity through the elective ambulatory care programme. This is being delivered in two phases, a national network of surgical hubs in the first instance to meet medium-term demand and capacity … elective treatment centres, also known as elective hospitals, we remain committed to developing these in Cork, Galway and Dublin. As the programme has developed and evolved, the HSE has determined the most appropriate design for the new facilities. The introduction of the surgical hubs was not originally envisaged

know too many billionaires personally, all work hard. They are working on their businesses and they are going from project to project. I do not think they are going around on superyachts as our friend in the socialist party believes. I have concerns about the Bill because

country; building the infrastructure to support and sustain those targets; using the National Training Fund to build a pipeline of talent through programmes that develop remote work skills for workers, managers and leaders; expanding supports for existing companies that make remote and hybrid stick; and scaling community programmes

understand that funding to get the ball rolling was allocated to that project by the Minister today. It was announced at 12.45 p.m., subject to being checked. The Deputy can check that. I do not race ahead of the announcement of the news like some people … will leave it at that, but I acknowledge that it is an important project

welcome the announcement today of the national regional roads funding and over €40 million for my constituency of Carlow-Kilkenny. Some of these projects have been ongoing for quite some time. In particular, I want to pay tribute to the N25 committee in south Kilkenny, a voluntary organisation … stage is hugely beneficial for that community, and there is €600,000 for the N24 around the Mooncoin direction, again a hugely worthwhile project. The Callan bypass is to receive over €2.2 million, which is going to be fantastic for that community. In terms of the climate action

Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality to provide an update on the 'Living my Life' pilot housing project for people with intellectual disabilities; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45017/26

criteria for the early childhood care and education scheme since 2020; the number of children who have missed eligibility for an ECCE programme year by less than seven days, 14 days and 30 days respectively, in each year since 2020; whether consideration has been given to introducing

Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality to provide an update on the Programme for Government commitment to expand the provision for newborns and their parents of a Baby Bundle; to confirm if a cost review has been carried out; and if there

date to support the establishment of a local community neurorehabilitation team in line with the nationwide rollout committed to within the current Programme for Government (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45286/26

rules around entry to ECCE schemes to permit greater flexibility around age of entry, on foot of the Independent Review of the ECCE programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45394/26

within her Department or the HSE to evaluate the consistency of the Small Hospitals Framework 2013 with current clinical guidance, including national clinical programmes and Sláintecare-aligned models of care; if a review of the framework is planned and the reasons for that decision; and if she will

current waitlist for respite services; the number of individuals identified as having a 'required' but 'unmet' need for respite care; and the projected timeline for clearing this backlog, by HSE health region; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45069/26

Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health the number of HSE staff who accessed the Employee Assistance Programme in each of the past three years; if this data can be broken down by reason for engagement, including burnout, workplace stress, critical incident support and workplace violence

Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health whether modelling has been undertaken on the projected increase in significant functional impairment among older people and the associated demand for home support, rehabilitation, respite care, community care and long-term residential care; and if she will make

mental health and wellbeing supports, including funding provided through mental health services, social inclusion, sexual health, addiction services, suicide prevention and community-based programmes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45487/26

undertaken to examine the feasibility of expanding access to the shingles vaccine to over 65s; the timeline for the rollout of such a programme; if a phased rollout has been considered; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45807/26

Deputy Malcolm Byrne asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science to outline any programmes to encourage young people into careers in construction. [45146/26

Carrigy asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht to provide a start date on the Knights and Conquest heritage project in Granard; the progress to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45593/26

Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment for an update offshore wind projects; the amount of offshore wind that is expected to be connected by 2030, 2032 and 2035, respectively; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43821/26

asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment to confirm whether eligibility for grants for insulation will be expanded under the SEAI programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44541/26

Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment to provide an update on progress in developing district heating here; if there are any live projects under consideration; his expectations for the future of this sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44563/26

support grassroots sports clubs in north Dublin that are experiencing increased demand due to population growth; whether he is satisfied that existing funding programmes are sufficient to meet infrastructure needs, including in respect of pitches, clubhouses, changing facilities, lighting and accessibility improvements; and if he will make

Department will work alongside Kildare County Council to deliver a swimming pool for north Kildare now that the next stage of the project is underway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44555/26

Deputy Tony McCormack asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport when the next round of the Sports Capital and Equipment Programme will open for applications; the level of funding that will be made available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44286/26

Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport whether he is aware of changes to a summer sports programmes coach revenue assessments (details supplied); and the impact this is having on camps in Cork. [43415/26

Deputy Ciarán Ahern asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the assessment his Department has made on the impact of projected growth in data centre electricity demand on Ireland’s climate targets and security of supply; and if he will make a statement on the matter

Environment the progress that has been made in addressing the planning, grid and delivery bottlenecks identified in the Offshore Wind Energy Programme Report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44689/26

cost of the anticipated emerging preferred route that will be that will be identified in Q3 of 2026; the total cost of this project to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44880/26

Youth whether her Department assesses the impact of large scale residential developments on future demand for school places and childcare provision; the projected requirement for additional primary and post primary school places in the Donaghmede, Clongriffin and Belmayne areas over the next ten years; the plans in place

subsequent enrolments; if she is concerned that the resulting classes will be of 29 and 30 students and in direct contradiction of the Programme for Government commitment to reduce class sizes to 19:1; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44762/26