Search the record

tracked. Speaking of climate and energy, we have seen flooding across the country. Last week, I raised the north city arterial main, NCAM, project. After I raised the project with the Taoiseach, somehow I got a meeting with Uisce Éireann. In that meeting, I asked for meaningful consultation

what they need to do. That has not always been the case when it comes to biosecurity. When we look at the TB programme, for which farmers pay levies and contribute labour, the total value of their contribution is in the tens of millions per year, alongside more … rather than having something to show for it, incidence rates continue to rise. The European Union has pulled funding from the eradication programme, having lost faith in the Government's ability to achieve reduced rates of TB. While the EU can lose faith in the Irish Government, take

fair to this motion, and to the proposers, it effectively calls on the Government to do something that is already in the programme for Government because it calls on the Government keep the stamp duty surcharges under review to ensure they prohibit bulk purchases but it is clear … situation as it currently stands in relation to bulk buying is less than perfect when it has nearly said that in the programme for Government. The Minister is playing politics with the countermotion and is trying to convince us that this problem has been solved

which is needed now. The successful relocation of the Rotunda will require a strategic reassessment of prevailing conditions and factors that impact the project at the time of the planned relocation. This would also need to be viewed in the wider context of all hospitals in the region … final year. It has been driving national reforms across our services to better meet these needs. We have committed in the programme for Government to developing a successor to the national maternity strategy. It will consider a broad evidence base and will involve policy considerations that may have

road transport, of which approximately 7% was FAME biodiesel and 3% was HVO. It is expected that further increases in the RTFO rate projected to 2030 under the policy will see a physical blend in the region of 13% HVO in diesel supplied in the State … approved voluntary schemes. NORA provides ongoing assurance on the sustainability of the current supply of biofuel to Ireland under the RTFO. Noting the projected future cross-sectoral demand for HVO, under the current renewable transport fuel policy, the Department of Transport has commissioned a study on the hierarchy

transport supports; €1.2 billion for the cost of the public sector pay agreement; €1.4 billion reflecting ongoing scheme costs, additional staff recruitment and programme-specific funding across a number of areas; €2.1 billion; and €300 million unallocated, to be assigned later as required, consistent with previous years … range of sources of information relating to the budget are published throughout the year. The expenditure report on budget day summarises the programmes. The Revised Estimates Volume follows the budget and provides additional details and information on spending plans. The fiscal monitor each month provides year-to-date

have always engaged with local authorities to do the best thing for communities. While we all talk about the delivery of long-term projects, which is the overall large scheme, a lot can be done in the interim. That is something on which I have put a huge … made the changes to delivery. I want to continue that work, but I need help from everybody in the House to drive those projects forward. That is very important

Migration published its sectoral investment plan on 4 December last. The second phase of the plan is to focus on bringing the projects for Dublin metropolitan region, DMR, north, to construction in 2028. Following the publication of these priorities, the OPW will engage with An Garda Síochána … Department of justice. This engagement will support the identification and appraisal of the most suitable site for this project

parallel with another part of the process or forward ordering of key components for critical infrastructure so we can start a project much quicker while waiting for something else to conclude. Putting a lot of steps in parallel involves greater risk appetite if something does not happen … risk appetite statement is about us backing the public service to do this, which could have an adverse effect in a minority of projects but ultimately will yield better delivery and cut through the risk aversion which is well documented

with the Minister's final point. Potentially mistakes will be made and we must ensure that people will be backed through the various projects. I am a member of the public accounts committee and we look retrospectively at decisions. We need to ensure that people are backed … ultimately the people in this room will be held accountable in 2029 on the doorsteps. I want to ensure that we deliver these projects so that we will get the response we need from people

Digitalisation if the infrastructure guidelines have been amended as per action 23 of the Accelerating Infrastructure Report and Action Plan, including for increased project expenditure thresholds; the removal of the external assurance process and enhanced timelines for the preparation of the preliminary business case; when infrastructure projects

welcome the Minister's confirmation that we are not removing political approval for these projects. There was some concern about the elimination of ministerial approval at stage 2 of the project timeline but the Minister has clarified that ministerial approval will still be required at stages

middle step which was adding time. The critical points are approval of the preliminary business case, which sets the political direction for a project to be advanced with prospective capital spend, and final approval for a contract award, which involves the respective Minister. Again, it removes a middle … step which did not provide value and just added time. This is what is being changed. In terms of transport and water projects, we will have a regulatory simplification unit to look at the wider regulatory landscape where we have duplication of approvals, whether through

effectively, there is some parish-pump parochialism going on in terms of the inclusion of certain schools in these tranches? There are ten projects in Galway, which has 5% of the population of the country, compared with 22 in Dublin - approximately 21% of the projects - where

regular contact with her through representations and parliamentary questions on the need to advance as quickly as possible a number of building projects throughout Cavan and Monaghan. This particular parliamentary question refers to the proposed building project at Milltown National School, Cavan, that needs to be advanced

plans to the Department for the third time. The Department has requested that the design team cuts down on the cost of the project. In order to reduce the cost of the revised project, the architect is proposing that the new extension be elevated by 1.2 m. This

DEIS plus will, I hope, help them greatly and cannot come soon enough. Those schools need to know they will be in the programme. Principals need to start planning for 2026-27. What will they get when the rubber hits the road? When will they get it? What … hope it will include the level of detail those schools will need. I appreciate the ongoing support from the Department for the programme. I look forward to a further commitment of resources in the years ahead to support

advisory group was established to inform the Department of the DEIS plus schemes. That group includes principals, home school liaison officers, school completion programme co-ordinators and professionals who work directly with these children. The Department has engaged with other Departments, agencies, education partners and stakeholders across … homelessness are most acute. These challenges are also reflected in schools in those areas where the outcomes for urban schools in the DEIS programme are lower than for DEIS schools in rural areas

terms of counties but even parts of counties as well. The Deputy will know the Minister has announced tranche one of the capital programme. What I would say to the Deputy's constituents and to those schools she has referenced is that it is not the final word … tranche one. We do intend to fund many more education projects and I am happy to liaise with the Deputy directly on that matter

housing list. I first raised this issue back in 2019 when I got elected in a by-election. It was in the 2020 programme for Government, but it was not included in the 2025 programme for Government. I am going to put my Dublin hat on because this

delighted to see it made the priority list. I understand, however, that this school has been added to the Department's list. The projects to which I refer long overdue and the schools involved have been impacted. One principal told me that there are many issues with … single application system pilot project. The schools involved have had a meeting with the Department of education and expressed their concerns about the scheme's operation. I hope these concerns will be listened to and acted upon for next year in order that some of the issues that

simple as that. In October 2025, when this road to nowhere appeared on national television, TII came back to say that the project was built to the required standards and had passed the required safety audits. That is all well and good. As we all know, that … incidents, and now we have a detailed safety audit that states there are so many problems. This has to go. This project has cost €1.9 million to date. I hope the Minister of State will bring some solutions for the cycle path today

billion. This would cancel out the €10 billion equity funding to which the Government has committed, with major energy, water and transport projects. As mentioned, the proportion of price-only awards in Ireland halved from 2020 to 2022, falling from … also be addressed in selection criteria and technical specifications. Work that will impact reporting requirements, e-forms and the public procurement data project is already under way in the European Commission, as is the revision of public procurement directives. Therefore, the Bill may also introduce conflicts with

Post. Deputy Albert Dolan - To discuss the allocation of SET and SNA hours for primary schools. Deputy Eoghan Kenny - To discuss school building projects in County Cork. Deputy Alan Kelly - To discuss the need for increased resources for An Garda Síochána in the mid-west. Deputy Ruairí … Louth village. Deputy Pa Daly - To discuss special needs classes at Ballyduff national school. Deputy Darren O'Rourke - To discuss the additional accommodation project at a Coláiste De Lacy, Ashbourne, County Meath. Deputy Thomas Gould - To discuss the housing aid for older people grant and the provision

morning. Working to end dereliction and vacancy is a key priority in the Government's new housing plan, Delivering Homes, Building Communities. The programme for Government and the housing plan contain a range of measures to address dereliction. However, the reality is that some unfinished units cannot … will play a vital role in delivering homes across the country. Notwithstanding that, effective use of Exchequer funding is essential and only viable projects should proceed. It is unfortunate, as the Deputy has raised, that some incomplete developments need to be demolished but, in this case, demolition

Deputy Micheál Carrigy asked the Minister for Education and Youth for an update on an application regarding a project at a school (details supplied) under the additional school accommodation scheme, given the school shows a consistent increase in enrolments and a consistent number in their after school facility

Deputy Micheál Carrigy asked the Minister for Education and Youth for an update regarding the appeal application for the DEIS+ programme at a school (details supplied). [44865/26

Deputy Micheál Carrigy asked the Minister for Education and Youth for an update regarding an appeal application for the DEIS+ programme at a school (details supplied). [44866/26

Ward asked the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding the increase in income disregards carer’s allowance as committed to in the Programme for Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44675/26

Minister for Social Protection the position regarding the removal of the mean’s test for carer’s allowance as committed to in the Programme for Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44678/26

lists for crèche, preschool and early years services in each county; the number of childcare places currently available; the number of additional places projected to be delivered over the next five years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44680/26

whether an assessment has been carried out of childcare capacity in rapidly growing communities such as Donaghmede, Clongriffin and Belmayne; the current and projected demand for childcare places in these areas; the measures being taken to increase capacity where shortages have been identified; and if she will make

publicly funded research outputs (details supplied); if he has considered the draft legislation proposed under the National Open Research Forum (NORF) SCOIR project; if he will provide a timeline for any proposed legislative action in this area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44749/26

provision of a library in Mahon, Cork city; the stage it is currently at; and the funding avenues that are open for such projects. [44706/26

Emer Currie asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the number of applications that were submitted to the Community Climate Action Programme versus the number awarded; whether the entire budget was used; and if there will be additional allocations or phases for the applicants that were

Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Transport if he will establish a funded national programme to redesign and remediate the 50 highest-risk road sections identified through collision data; if he will publish timelines for delivery; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44586/26

number of properties in County Kildare identified as being at significant risk of flooding under the Catchment Flood Risk Assessment and Management (CFRAM) Programme; and the measures proposed to reduce flood risk in those communities. [44240/26

funding allocated for flood prevention, drainage maintenance and flood mitigation works in County Kildare in each of the past five years; the projects supported; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44241/26

Raghallaigh asked the Minister for Education and Youth the number of schools that have applied for funding under the Solar for Schools Programme; the number approved to date; and the total generating capacity expected to be installed under the scheme. [44220/26

Shónagh Ní Raghallaigh asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she is aware of delayed payments for teachers on the Home Tuition Programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44298/26

Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Education and Youth the position regarding the permanent school building project for a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44358/26

Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Education and Youth the position regarding a timeline for the completion of the permanent school project (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44359/26

Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Education and Youth to advance a school building project (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44497/26

Department has identified any broadband coverage blackspots in south Kildare where residents and businesses continue to experience inadequate connectivity despite existing rollout programmes; and if he will outline any measures being taken to address those deficiencies. [44247/26

Communications and Sport the number of Irish athletes sanctioned by an international federation or integrity body, rather than through the domestic Sport Ireland programme, in each year since 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44395/26

Deputy Rory Hearne asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the initial projected cost at the time of approval of the DION IT system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44410/26

Social Protection whether her Department has conducted any analysis of the potential implications of artificial intelligence-related job displacement for income supports, activation programmes and labour market participation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44279/26

Asylum Pact on housing demand, accommodation requirements and public services in Ireland versus pre-existing law; if the Government has published any projections regarding the likely financial cost of implementing the pact over the next five-to-ten years; and if he will make a statement

Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the position regarding the project undertaken by Galway City Council to repair the slipway in Salthill that allows wheelchair access to the beach; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44500/26

Deputy Shónagh Ní Raghallaigh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of courses, training programmes or apprenticeships that specifically address artificial intelligence skills currently supported by his Department; the number of participants enrolled; and if he will make a statement