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post-primary school building and accommodation, including classrooms for children with special educational needs at a greenfield site in Douglas in Cork. The project has planning permission, as the Deputy has said. The Department officials and external project management consultants are currently reviewing the works and site-specific

increase in capital funding for school building projects is absolutely vital and is reflected in the NDP. In Galway East and across the country it is also vital that we remember smaller secondary schools that play a crucial role in rural areas. I talk specifically about Coláiste … application at the moment for an extension for two extra classrooms. I met with the GRETB, and this is a project it is keen to see progress. I ask that this Government will continue to support smaller secondary schools in rural locations that play a huge role

actions on the specific issue of compensation and the rate increase. This has continued to increase every year. The cost of the TB programme in 2024 totalled €101 million, which was 34% up on 2023, and 2025 will be higher again. That is because of increased disease levels … additional cost on the programme. I will talk to the Minister in respect of the specific issue of the ceiling cap for compensation but the bulk of resources have gone towards managing the disease and trying to resource the management of the disease

olds reported using vapes either daily or occasionally. This compared with just 11% two years previously, in 2022. While a European school survey project for 15- and 16-year-olds in Ireland found that 32% had tried vapes, 16% were current users and 7% reported daily … market as a smoking cessation tool. I support Deputy Sherlock's call that more be done in terms of provision of vaping cessation programmes. The move towards stricter regulation of the vaping market is not about penalising those who use vaping to stop smoking. It is about ensuring

whole of north Clondalkin. This week, we have heard that the FAI is cutting its measly contribution of €10,000 per player development programme with the education and training board, ETB. That funding is being cut, which will have an impact right across disadvantaged areas. A little known … Collinstown school in Dublin, believe it or not, even through he is from Cork. Other players who went through that programme include Abbie Larkin from Ringsend and Pico Lopes, who is going over to represent his country

when it comes to applying for funding. I am on a couple of boards in my area, including the Clondalkin addiction support programme and the Clondalkin Equine Club. The Clondalkin Equine Club is one example of a group that keeps young people off the streets … urban horse programme. It has one part-time manager and there is a voluntary board of which I am a member. For that organisation to even apply for CAB funding takes a hell of a lot of manpower. If I can get one commitment from the Minister today

planning. There are a load of variables before we get to the drawdown of substantial capital in relation to a number of projects. The enabling works are happening in terms of the second site. There is an acknowledgement that there are capacity limits to the existing site … moving to a model 3 in the wider mid-west region. If we took the view at the start of every capital programme that we just do not have enough capital, very little would have been built in the country

specifically on the commercial properties and the €140,000 plus a €5,000 grant for assistance to support the owner to design a project. The Deputy is right in saying that we need to make sure that the local authorities prioritise this - in other words, that they … project manager or whatever in charge of this operation in the towns and the cities to make this a reality. It needs to be driven with someone who is accountable and who is doing this every single day, in my view. I will talk to the Minister about

respect of sustainability, the future of the planet and the impact of climate change. I will look at the matter of rail project prioritisation. I take on board what the Deputy said. We have a lot of projects that are needed. We do not have commensurate capital

servants, keep services going and provide for the carryover, within reason, of capital, accepting the complex and multi-annual nature of important capital projects. It will also ensure core social welfare payments are made seamlessly at the beginning of the new year. On the capital side, we ought … courts on important matters of justice and rights. Such is the dire situation with the delivery of housing, offshore energy, transport projects and so on, which are key to our economic performance and the success of our society, that any plan that envisages a new mission-orientated approach

want to talk in the few minutes I have about some capital projects in Kerry, which badly need to be progressed. In a county like Kerry, with 13 blue flag beaches, mountains, lakes and coastline that are the envy of many, unfortunately we have a major structural deficit … county. It is a village that has been repeatedly overlooked for investment. I am asking the Minister to inject more money into the programme for wastewater treatment plant systems in Kerry and to include Castlegregory in that. There are ecological and health imperatives to this. I received some

euro. This long-delayed and vital infrastructure is costing billions more than when it was first proposed. This brings me to another project that has been proposed for many years in my constituency and neighbouring constituencies. I refer to the metro west project, which was cancelled during

Government wants it to go into something that is not based on training. We have a lot of very good projects that could be built. We talked about UHL today. I thank the Minister for saying that she is looking at options … back, and it will cost a euro. If they do not have the funding to deliver it now, they will deliver the project within two years to help people save lives. How many more people's lives will it take before the Government listens to businesspeople and lets

Lackagh, County Kildare. Deputy Barry Ward - To discuss qualification for carer's leave for teachers. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú - To discuss the CFRAM project at Blackrock, County Louth. Deputy Liam Quaide - To discuss assistance for healthcare workers currently on special Covid leave. Deputy Malcolm Byrne - To discuss ongoing … Deputy Eamon Scanlon - To discuss the dispute involving Caredoc staff. Deputy Aidan Farrelly - To discuss 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 Playgroup

roads. The road drainage is unable to discharge to the river during flood events. The 2014 Lee catchment flood risk assessment and management programme studied the flood risk at Crookstown and did not identify a viable major scheme to manage that risk. It recommended localised flood mitigation measures … extend to mitigating flooding to the road network. Cork County Council, with OPW funding for nine staff to support the delivery of its programme of flood relief schemes, is leading the Crookstown flood relief scheme. The minor flood mitigation works and coastal protection scheme applies where a solution

county-level delivery reporting, so communities in Tullamore, Edenderry, Birr, Clara and Banagher can track progress and gain confidence that these projects will be delivered in one integrated programme, unlocking real regional development for Offaly

were locked into having to accept those places was unsatisfactory. All that said, we want to now focus on the delivery of the project. I ask that the Minister of State's office keep an eye on this at a micro level, as I know it does … many other projects, because we want to make sure there is no further slippage for this school and that these part-time places can be converted very quickly into regular full-time provision

allocated to strengthen youth service infrastructure. Over the period from 2021 to 2025, the level of current Exchequer funding for youth services and programmes will have increased by more than 34%. The 2026 allocation will further strengthen the foundation for inclusive, high-quality provision by ensuring continuity, expanding … hÓige, a pilot initiative of the Department of Education and Youth, took place on Friday, 21 November 2025 and saw youth clubs and projects around the country open their doors to the wider community. Participants used the opportunity to showcase their diverse youth services and facilities

should form part of future policy, hopefully in the near future because, as the Minister of State said, it is included in the programme for Government. One concluding remark was that no one project can overcome the challenges faced by small schools in rural areas but this scheme

project is a step in the right direction. The previous Minister in the Department, the Minister, Deputy Norma Foley, moved the initiative on. It is a clear indication of the importance of small schools in communities. We have visited a number of schools over the past eight … benefit from co-operation, not just in regard to teaching but also in understanding the challenges. We are very committed to evaluating the project and understanding how we can best support schools in the future. For principals who have multiple classes in small schools, having administrative days

Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Minister for Education and Youth when construction is expected to commence on approved school building projects (details supplied) in Galway East; if she will provide an update timeline for delivery of these projects; and if she will make a statement on the matter

always manifest. This is something I have asked SOLAS to look at and take on. It is worth noting that apprenticeships are national programmes. As with every other post-secondary education route, it is not possible that every programme will be provided in every educational institution. An apprenticeship

clarity, I am not aware of any impact on this particular project as a result of any kind of funding withdrawal or shortfall. It is news to me if that is the case. It has not been raised with me by any of the college authorities or anybody … develop a very high-end business school in the ambit of UCC. However, a wise reassessment is taking place of the overall project specifications, scope and cost envelope as part of the capital review plan. I am heartened that the college authorities are doing that

welcome that there is still ambition for this project. However, ambition is not reality or actual work on the ground. Is the Minister aware of any timeframe for how long the review will take? What happens if we are left with an unfinished site? That site could accommodate … progress it is still there. This should not be happening. Hard-working taxpayers have a right to know what has happened. Can the project be taken over by the Department to ensure the site is developed to house students if what is planned does not go ahead

from the base figure I inherited at the start of this year. These are all positive steps. The technological sector student accommodation programme is a particular accommodation package within the technological universities. Feasibility studies were performed over the past two years and the technological universities were invited … submit proposals, which they have done. The preliminary business cases will be examined in the new year to consider those projects and where they go next. I will come back in the next round

Deputy Louis O'Hara asked the Minister for Education and Youth to provide an update on a school building project (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40155/26

Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Education and Youth the funding provided to date in 2026 for independent youth projects in Dublin; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40663/26

Youth the consideration that has been given to including additional schools to the list of 105 prioritised large-scale and additional school accommodation projects on the National Development Plan school building rollout; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40742/26

Minister for Education and Youth for an update on the rollout of inclusive special classes and the progress of the Towards Inclusion Programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40751/26

Deputy Louis O'Hara asked the Minister for Education and Youth to provide an update on the County Galway school building projects prioritised in the NDP Sectoral Investment Plan published by her Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40154/26

Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she will progress a large-scale school project (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39176/26

Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Education and Youth if her Department is aware of financial constraints currently being experienced by independent youth projects in Dublin in 2026; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40664/26

aware that schools such as a school (details supplied) in north Dublin have received late notice regarding the future of the Summer Programme; whether she will ensure that schools receive Departmental communications earlier in the future; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40715/26

Deputy Eoghan Kenny asked the Minister for Education and Youth for an update on the Programme for Government commitment of bringing pupils teacher ratio levels down to European norms of 19:1; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39847/26

Deputy John Clendennen asked the Minister for Education and Youth for an update on the progress of the accommodation project for a school (details supplied), especially in light of the sustainability report carried out on the school building in January 2026; and if she will make a statement

families are not placed in the same position in future years (details supplied); if her Department has considered reopening or extending the Summer Programme application portal for schools which were unable to apply due to the narrow application window; and if she will make a statement

Deputy John Clendennen asked the Minister for Education and Youth for an update on the progress of the additional school accommodation project for a school (details supplied), specifically in terms of consideration of the green field site proposed by the LOETB; and if she will make a statement

Deputy Brian Brennan asked the Minister for Education and Youth for an update on progress of school building projects (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40682/26

Deputy Shane Moynihan asked the Minister for Education and Youth for an update on a number of school building projects in Dublin mid-west (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40518/26

school (details supplied) will commence; and any direct support from her Department to ensure there are no further delays in progressing this project; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40815/26

Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if she will provide a report on the progress made implementing the Programme for Government commitments within her remit and on the achievements since the formation of the Government; and if she will make a statement

steps being taken to ensure that the expansion of the electricity grid keeps pace with increased demand from housing development and renewable energy projects in rural Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40856/26

Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment if he will provide a report on the progress made implementing the Programme for Government commitments within his remit and on the achievements since the formation of the Government; and if he will make a statement

Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Defence if she will provide a report on the progress made implementing the Programme for Government commitments within her remit and on the achievements since the formation of the Government; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41382/26

Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Transport the position regarding the progression of approval gate two for the Luas Finglas project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40819/26

Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Transport the position regarding the pre-qualification questionnaire for the Luas Finglas project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40820/26

asked the Minister for Transport the steps he will take to provide funding to the National Transport Authority for the Dart+ south-west project; and if it his intention to do so earlier than the 2030 date indicated by him last November. [40838/26

Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Transport to provide an update on the five arm junction project in Finglas village, including a timeline. [40960/26

asked the Minister for Transport if he will provide a clear funding commitment and delivery pathway for Limerick BusConnects, ensuring that the project can move forward without unnecessary delay prior to 2028; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41344/26

Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Transport if he will provide a report on the progress made implementing the Programme for Government commitments within his remit and on the achievements since the formation of the Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41395/26