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people, they do so behind the scenes and they work generously. We set our frame forward when we entered government with a programme for Government that set out clearly that we were against the Mercosur agreement as it was constituted. The Government worked tirelessly with like-minded member … communities had not been sufficiently mitigated. That is why Ireland voted against the signature of the EU-Mercosur agreement in line with the programme for Government commitment. I am setting out for the House the journey that was taken by the Government and the conclusion. I heard

jobs and a place to live, they would be staying at home. The Government’s enterprise support structure and investment and skills programmes remain disproportionately concentrated in already prosperous areas, while towns and rural regions struggle to attract sustainable employment. We need concrete action from the Government … need to ensure the IDA Ireland and Enterprise Ireland strategies have a genuine regional impact. We need to align education and training programmes with the local labour market needs and to support SMEs, which are the backbone of regional economies. Warm words and strategies are no longer enough

thank the Deputy very much for her important question. The programme for Government sets out a strong enterprise and fiscal framework that prioritises economic and employment growth and competitiveness. I am pleased to report that the Irish labour market saw sustained employment growth, rising labour force participation … Department of Social Protection. In fact, the Department has concluded public consultation on this as we look to develop a new strategy. The programme for Government was clear on our ambition here, which is to create 300,000 additional jobs

happy to work with Deputies Heneghan and Ó Muirí in their constituency, particularly as this is a very important project. We will be working on a number of projects in the context of our destination and experience development plan, which will chart the development of the area, over

thank Deputy Cahill for his very important question. In line with the programme for Government, I was pleased to launch the Government's new national - I have the wrong one there. My apologies. I think I have the wrong question, if you could just give me a second … here. Anyway, I will manage. In relation to our short-term lets, there is obviously a commitment in the programme for Government about managing our short-term lets. We know the sector has grown by about 10% per annum over the last number of years. Critically, my responsibility

thank Deputy Murphy for his important question. IDA's strategy to drive balanced regional development is a priority, as set out in the programme for Government, and is a key focus of the work of my Department and its agencies. IDA Ireland is continuing its strong commitment … four key strategic objectives in the 2025-29 strategy, Adapt Intelligently. This ambitious strategy aims to secure 550 foreign direct investment, FDI, projects outside of Dublin, accounting for 55% of the total investment target. There has been consistent FDI performance in the mid-west region, comprising counties Limerick

need this. The community needs this. I accept Deputies throughout the House will be saying the exact same thing to her about various projects in their community but we are ten years on with St. Farnan's and this project will have a monumental impact on the communities

million in total, co-funded by the Department of Health and UCC. We have established, as the Deputy said, new dentistry programmes, including one in the RCSI, which commenced in 2025 that will provide at least 20 new dentistry places. I re-affirm my Department's commitment … grounded in evidence, responds to national needs and is delivered in a sustainable manner. However, I can assure the Deputy that his project is progressing

Liberty Street House are not being curtailed. This is the information that has been given to me. Tusla is undertaking a reform programme that will continue to meet the needs of service users of Liberty Street House. The integration of services will mean that the services provided within … with the newly aligned networks in 2026. Liberty Street House services provide a domestic violence and abuse support service. Under the reform programme the focus will move towards the impact of domestic violence, particularly on children, bringing in expertise developed in Liberty Street House to the front door

about the improvements being made to disability services in Kerry, which falls within the HSE South West RHA. As part of a broader programme of work, the HSE, with the support of the Department, has progressed a range of service improvements in the Kerry area. As previously stated … programme for Government includes a commitment to the continued expansion of all types of respite services, building on additional investment and progress over the past few years. The HSE South West disability service operates separate children and adult regional respite forums. Each forum manages the referral and respite

market failure or windfall profits in the retail sector in its market monitoring role, the IEA findings underline the importance of progressing the programme for Government commitment to "commission an independent review into the speed and level of passthrough from wholesale prices to retail prices". The Minister, Deputy … pricing practices, and providing comparative price analysis with other EU member states. That body of work was identified as part of the programme for Government and the CRU has now been tasked by the Minister to carry out the work. From an Irish perspective, that will give some

critical part of the Government's strategic plan for our maritime area. This is reflected by the commitment stated in the programme for Government to fast-track offshore wind development by prioritising the publication of the DMAPs. There is a plan in place, which I am shepherding through … capacity to generate enormous amounts of electricity that might potentially be used for export, through interconnection or with some of the imaginative projects which the ESB and others are involved in, looking at converting to hydrogen or ammonia as a methodology of storing the energy

find ourselves in great difficulty going into the future. For example, the Minister, Deputy Burke, launched in May 2025 the Silicon Island project. This is a very ambitious project. This is something that will take us into the realms of new jobs and new prospects for our economy

published PR6 this week, which is one of the largest investments in the history of the State. More than 500 capital projects will be delivered as part of the programme and, as I said earlier, we are placing resilience at the centre of this policy to ensure

unprecedented and akin to rural electrification. Over €18.6 billion is being invested to reinforce our grid through a number of capital projects. Over 500 capital projects will be delivered right across the country. We are very much focused on ensuring we can connect the over

budgetary cycle. The autumn forecasts published in September alongside the budget were endorsed by IFAC. The inflation rate for this year was projected to average 1.8% in the autumn forecasting round. In the year to date, namely January to November, inflation has averaged 2%. This forecast was calibrated … than in August. As a result, annual inflation is likely to moderate somewhat over the coming months. For next year, my Department is projecting an average inflation rate of 1.9% and the range of other forecasts extend from 1.4% in the case of the Central bank

seen inflation outpacing wages. Inflation is going up higher than wages. This year, the Government brought forward a budget based on certain inflation projections. It appears those projections are no longer credible. The Government delivered a budget in 2025 where it thought inflation was going

pressures are real for people. This House regularly debates what the different policy proposals to address that should be. In my Department's projections, which are obviously provided independent of the political system, inflation was estimated to average 1.8% in the autumn forecasting round. Between January and November … outer end of the forecasts of a number of other agencies and organisations. The Central Bank was predicting 1.4%. The European Commission was projecting 1.9%. I read the ESRI report, but I also listened carefully to the ESRI's commentary on the radio this morning. Wages are outpacing

three months, inflation has been outpacing wages. There are warning bells going off all around the place. Inflation stands at 3.2%. It was projected to be 1.8%. The Government delivered a budget. The Tánaiste is the guy who signed off on that and who brought the Finance Bill … billion budget goes beyond me. That budget was based on inflation rates but they are higher in reality than was projected on budget day. I am probably hitting my head against a brick wall here, but the Government really needs to revise this because there are people

said he is not responsible but somebody has to be accountable for what went on here. It was an awful vista. We had Project Eagle in Belfast and Project Jackdaw in Clonmel, on the Clonmel Arms site. We have the cases of Mr. John Fraher and Nolan Transport

lives. It is worthy of a full debate in the House. Given the statistics we are looking at, by 2041, on current projections, there will be 1.4 million people aged 65 and older, and by 2065, there will be 2 million people aged 65 and older, triple … representatives around that. I have asked the Tánaiste before about keeping people healthier as they get older, and the commitments within the programme for Government for tax relief for gym membership, which is critical

ensure that there is no conflict with EU law. I will now outline the stated aims of this Government as outlined in the programme for Government because this legislation is being brought forward in the context of commitments therein. The programme for Government states that the Government intends

Louise O'Reilly - To discuss the backlog in assessment of need applications in Fingal west. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú - To discuss the CFRAM project at Blackrock, County Louth. Deputy Malcolm Byrne - To discuss ongoing human rights abuses against the Uyghurs. Deputy Rory Hearne - To discuss ongoing issues with … Eamon Scanlon - To discuss the dispute involving Caredoc staff. Deputy Aidan Farrelly - To discuss the deferral of commencement of the Dart+ South West project to 2030. Deputy Jen Cummins - To discuss community spaces in Dublin 8. Deputy Albert Dolan - To discuss a proposal by Caltra Community Group

exceed their associated costs. To date, nationally, the OPW has approved over €70 million for over 900 unique local flood relief and coastal projects that are providing benefits to some 8,000 properties. Since 2009, the OPW has approved some €4.2 million in funding to Kerry County Council … some 40 projects. Some €2.9 million of this approved funding relates to coastal erosion works and studies. Under the minor works scheme, it is the responsibility of the local authority to advance the works, once approved by the OPW. This includes all environmental assessments, planning consents, health

work along with the Minister of State's colleagues in the OPW. I want to emphasise that because I have seen their projects first hand and how good the completed project is. The businesses in Killorglin town along the River Laune are subject to tidal flooding and they

funding allocated to towns and villages in Longford-Westmeath under the town and village renewal scheme over the past five years; and the projects currently awaiting approval. [42319/26

Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht the current status of outdoor recreation and greenway projects planned for Longford and Westmeath; and the timelines for delivery. [42322/26

Development and the Gaeltacht if he will review the eligibility criteria and terminology used in Departmental funding schemes, such as the Local Enhancement Programme and the Community Recognition Fund; if he is aware of concerns raised by long-established grassroots organisations, such as an organisation (details supplied) regarding

Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation the way in which the projected overspends of his Department will impact the budgets of other Government Departments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40817/26

respect of his responsibility for infrastructure delivery, his plans to ensure that all other Government Departments will receive enough funding for essential infrastructure projects and services in the next budget and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40612/26

Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation if he or his Department are providing guidance to any additional State agencies for projects that are potentially being written down, given the recent reporting of the €50 million write off of the IT system at Irish Rail

Deputy Joe Neville asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation for an update on infrastructure projects currently be undertaken in Kildare north; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40797/26

identified within the Critical Infrastructure Bill 2026 as infrastructure enabling essential State functions, whether the Government will apply that designation to outstanding wastewater projects in County Clare where communities have faced years of delays; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40522/26

Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation the steps being taken to ensure long-term capital commitments for specific infrastructure projects such as rail; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40590/26

Hara asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation to provide an update on the South Galway Flood Relief Project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40152/26

Service Reform and Digitalisation whether his Department is considering any reforms or updates to the Public Spending Code, Infrastructure Guidelines or associated public project appraisal and governance frameworks; the specific reforms under consideration; the timelines for implementation of any such reforms; and if he will make a statement

investment targets to be achieved under the fourth payment of the Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF), including those relating to renewable energy projects; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40718/26

protection work in County Louth; the progress being made to administer funding for short-term flood mitigations in Louth; the progress of CFRAM projects in the county; the engagement there has been with his Department and Louth County Council in relation to Uisce Éireann; and if he will

Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation the work the Government has undertaken to improve the speed of delivery of vitally needed infrastructure projects; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40746/26

Daly asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation for an update on the Ballinasloe flood relief scheme; the projected timelines for progression beyond stage 1 scheme development and design; and when residents in affected areas including Station Road and Sarsfield Road can expect

Public Service Reform and Digitalisation in respect of his responsibility for infrastructure delivery, his plans to ensure that planned investments in necessary infrastructure projects and services by other Departments will not be reversed or cancelled due to newly proposed overspending rules by his Department and if he will

Deputy John Connolly asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation which projects within County Galway have been discussed by the Accelerating Infrastructure Taskforce under the Sectoral Delivery item on the agenda of the Accelerating Infrastructure Taskforce Meetings; and if he will make

Development Plan is being considered to support critical infrastructure needs in north Dublin, including rail capacity improvements, coastal flood protection and climate resilience projects in areas vulnerable to coastal overtopping and severe weather events; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40812/26

Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation if additional funding will be provided for small scale and large drainage scheme projects in 2026; his proposals for 2027, taking into account the value of smaller scale flood mitigation works; and if he will make a statement

Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Education and Youth her plans to provide the funding to allow all school building projects in Carlow and Kilkenny to move to the next phase of the process; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40603/26

asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she will ensure that approval issues at an early date in respect of a building project for a school (details supplied) taking into account the accommodation needs of this school which have been outlined clearly to the Department and that

Minister for Education and Youth the expected timeline for the evaluation of tenders and commencement of construction for the permanent school building project at a location (details supplied); whether her Department anticipates any risks to the currently envisaged late Quarter 3 2026 construction commencement date

Deputy Peter Roche asked the Minister for Education and Youth if flexibility will be afforded to schools that missed the Summer Programme application deadline due to the extremely limited timeframe provided (details supplied); the rationale for this timeframe; when schools can expect definitive clarification in order that they

Burke asked the Minister for Education and Youth to set out in detail the total number of schools now participating in the pilot project under the reform of the school transport scheme since its implementation in the 2024-2025 school year; if there is a timeline

Youth the progress of plans to deliver a new school building for a school (details supplied); the timeline for the advancement of the project; and the expected delivery date. [40543/26