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position of the Government. If it is, it is certainly inconsistent, given that the only trade deal referenced in the programme for Government is a trade deal that the Government opposes, which is the Mercosur trade deal. The programme commits to opposing the Mercosur trade deal

children with disabilities. I recall the Taoiseach defining what we needed as a step change in how we provide these services. The programme for Government is explicit in its objective to: Ensure children and their families who need early intervention and therapy input can access that support … make sure we could enhance it to try to bring about that change. Today marks a step in meeting the objective of the programme for Government. I share the sentiment of some of our colleagues, in that it is a cautious welcome I give this. In doing that

Beginning next year, the Department will be undertaking a wider review of the Disability Act, and in line with the programme for Government commitment, the review will be carried out in consultation with impacted stakeholders. While my Department will progress these legislative reforms as a matter of priority … implementing this reform. This Government remains intent on pursuing significant investment and reform at pace in the coming months as part of a programme of sustained transformation across disability services. One of the key vehicles for this radical reform is the recently published National Human Rights Strategy

Will the Minister outline the level of inflation that was projected when his party decided on the budget of this year? It was a budget that made a decision to pull the cost-of-living supports, such as energy credits and others, and not give any tax break … workers other than a handful of highly paid executives. How does the inflation rate that was projected when the budget was prepared compare to what we are seeing now in real terms? How will this impact on household wages

people out there who are finding it really difficult to make ends meet? Many of them are not making ends meet. The Government projected a budget based on a projected rate of inflation that is way lower than what is actually happening in the real, lived experience

take a number of measures to assist small and medium businesses in light of the action plan on competitiveness and productivity, and the programme for Government commitments. The programme for Government commits to implementing a pro-enterprise tax policy over the course of the term. This includes commitments

unique problems for people with an eating disorder and how they may feel more isolated than ever before. We have a national clinical programme on eating disorders, which has progressed well, with 16 teams funded, 14 teams up and running and the national roll-out having substantially advanced … teams. Dedicated investment in eating disorders continues and the HSE has spent over €9 million annually on eating disorder services under the clinical programme. It is an area I have prioritised since I came into the role in June 2020. That was a time we had one eating

teams will make direct arrangements and communicate. That is very positive. I appreciate that significant progress has been made through the national clinical programme. If these specialist services and structures are built, it is important they be available to people at those periods of heightened vulnerability like Christmas … under-resourced. It is great to see resources going in. We must learn from those lessons coming through the national clinical programme and deliver evidence-based, dependable and well-co-ordinated services that support recovery from eating disorders at every stage in the life cycle. I thank

just dragged on and on. For me, I find it so frustrating how long it takes to deliver public building projects in this country. I have visited the college a number of times over the years. It is desperately slow to deliver the amenities. This is a fantastic … Government has recently launched this infrastructure plan. It has to get a grip on the length of time it takes to deliver these projects. People are learning in absolutely unacceptable conditions. This a superb school that gives a superb standard of education

need to ensure a clearer understanding of AD technology and consistency of approach by our planning authorities when they are assessing AD projects to improve our planning and permitting processes. AD and other integrated assets are required to undergo a full planning process to ensure proper consideration … zoning plans and ecology. Guidelines and requirements for these are currently set out through several Acts, policy documents, spatial strategies, and development plans. Projects above a certain threshold are also required to complete an environmental impact assessment. Priority deliverables under the strategy include action 5g on guidance

those and we will incorporate the views of Oireachtas Members into the document. It is the scaffolding document on which we will build projects and funding programmes over the next five years

been done also. It is important to get the allocations out early in the year so we can ask the local authorities about projects. The roads staff do all our public roads and are involved with the community involvement scheme and roads programme right across Cork county

Gabhaim buíochas leis an Teachta as ucht an cheist seo a ardú inniu. As the Deputy knows, the programme for Government commits to ensuring that Our Living Islands, which the national islands policy, is fully implemented to support sustainable development for island residents. Our Living Islands … just some examples of practical supports my Department is providing or supporting. The Minister of State, Deputy Buttimer, is working on these programmes in terms of my Department and the Department of Transport

Deputy Eamon Scanlon asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht the projects under way in Counties Sligo and Leitrim that are receiving funding under different schemes with financial support from his Department; the other projects that his Department has committed funding

works are planned for Sligo Garda station in the immediate term. These works will support a scene of crime task force relocation. The project is at the tender evaluation stage. In accordance with the requirements of the infrastructure guidelines, a preliminary business case for a new Garda divisional … Following approval of that preliminary business case, An Garda Síochána will then advise the Office of Public Works regarding the prioritisation of the programme. We will convey the Deputy's invitation to visit the region to the Garda Commissioner, and the Deputy will be duly informed

this week to launch a transport plan that returns to old vices like building roads and bypasses while delaying much-needed public transport projects. The Government is giving out about judicial reviews delaying critical infrastructure projects but DART south west has planning permission and is shovel-ready

frequently. I have made it this week in relation to one State agency. If an elected representative is trying to engage in a project, they are doing so because it matters to the people they are elected to represent. It is very important that mechanisms … place in this regard. Unelected officials will often find that if they engage with elected officials, they can actually roll out a project like BusConnects, as the Deputy suggested, in a much smoother fashion. I will raise that broader issue with the Minister for Transport, Deputy Darragh

balances, that should be possible. If mistakes are made or issues are seen, they could be addressed in a timely manner. The project could proceed through the process and the problem would still persist and would need to be dealt with in six months. There … There are very simple issues. The process was probably simpler once upon a time when the school was given responsibility to deliver projects. I am sure there were problems and mistakes in that system, but at least schools did not have to go through three layers. Louth County

turned for a new building for St. Catherine’s Special School in the Deputy’s constituency earlier this week. These projects are happening around the country. The information is needed to be able to inform the strategy of the areas where those projects are needed the most

public transport, while ensuring the system remains well funded and responsive to passenger needs, is a core priority of the Government under the programme for Government. The 2026 PSO funding allocation of €940 million represents a significant 43% uplift from last year. It further supports subsidised … children under the age of five. This measure was announced as part of the budget 2025 package. It delivers on a key programme for Government commitment to make public transport more affordable and accessible for families. Uptake of this initiative has been really strong. Approximately 25,000 child

done right. Today I am glad to get the opportunity to focus on solar energy developments, including battery energy storage, in two projects, in particular, that have brought to my attention by my constituents. In Monivea and Abbeyknockmoy, the proposed Belleville solar project, led by Power Capital Renewable

with impacted citizens and communities. The overarching nature of the framework is reflected in the existing Just Transition Commission's mandate and work programme. The Just Transition Commission will examine the workforce implications of the transition but also has the remit to evaluate sectoral climate policy, proactively engage … Government feels that moving to establish the commission on a legislative basis at this point could distract the commission from its current work programme and hamper the momentum it is building as a new body. Finally, I reiterate that the Government is committed to a just transition

expansion of existing schools rather than establishing new schools. The expansion of existing schools is consistent with wider Government objectives under Project Ireland 2040 for an increased emphasis on compact growth. In respect of post-primary schools, new post primary schools must have a student enrolment capacity … schools in the Kilternan school planning area, including, as the Deputy mentioned, Our Lady of the Wayside National School, which has a capital project to extend from 12 to 16 mainstream classrooms and SEN facilities. Therefore, there are no plans at present to establish new primary or post

urgent need to establish more appropriate and comprehensive services. It is in that context that the HSE has established a new national clinical programme for gender healthcare to develop an updated clinical model of care. The Minister of State, Deputy Butler, and I take a very direct interest … options while the model of care is being developed. In terms of the proposals on conversion practices, I want to emphasise that the programme for Government contains a commitment to advance legislation to ban conversion practices. Very clearly, it is for the Department of Children, Equality and Disability

Moynihan who has been hotfoot onto me in respect of the timelines for this. DART+ South West is part of the broader DART programme. I will speak to the Minister. Permission was granted in November of last year. All of the benefits are there in terms of increasing … capacity. We will work with the Minister to see whether there is flexibility in terms of how projects are delivered. There is huge investment in public transport as a result of the national development plan and the sectoral plan published by the Minister. The issue is whether

Minister for Health further to the recent comments of the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance (details supplied), for details of the strategic infrastructure programme to plan for replacement and expansion at public radiation oncology services currently under development. [40968/26

Minister for Health whether the HSE expects to remain within the €720 million agency expenditure target for 2026; and if not, the revised projected outturn for the year. [41003/26

centralised register or database identifying all non-statutory bodies receiving public funding either directly from the HSE or through intermediary grant, service arrangement, programme administration, regional allocation, or pass-through funding mechanisms; and if they will provide details of such a register. [41004/26

whether the HSE can provide the number of non-statutory bodies receiving funding through Section 38, Section 39, grant aid, commissioned service arrangements, programme administration arrangements, or regional allocation mechanisms in each year since 2020. [41008/26

Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health whether the treatment abroad scheme is subject to a formal written governance framework, programme charter, oversight protocol or internal control framework; if so, when it was approved and last reviewed. [41235/26

Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health to provide the projected operational commencement date for SCAN services associated with each of the additional posts funded under Budget 2026. [41264/26

Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health the progress of Project Home since its launch in December 2025; the number of Irish graduates overseas who have been contacted, expressed interest, and subsequently taken up positions in the HSE or HSE-funded services as a result

Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health the total budget allocated to Project Home; the specific strategies being employed to promote careers in the HSE to Irish graduates overseas; the countries being targeted; whether any partnerships have been established with Irish diaspora organisations or overseas professional

Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Health 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. [41388/26

Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science whether any proposed National AI Workforce Transition Programme or related AI retraining initiative would apply equally to Irish citizens, EU citizens, and non-EU employment permit holders; and if he will make

Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will examine the establishment of a National AI Workplace Transition Programme to proactively support workers whose roles may be significantly altered or displaced by artificial intelligence and automation technologies over the coming years, through measures including

Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science whether his Department is engaged with Project Home or similar initiatives to encourage Irish graduates in healthcare and other critical sectors to return to Ireland; if so, the nature of that engagement

Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science 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 Charles Ward asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht if he will provide a list of capital projects funded under the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund or outdoor recreation infrastructure scheme within Donegal in 2024, 2025 and to date in 2026, in tabular

asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht 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

Flynn asked the Minister for Defence whether any third-party systems integrators, subcontractors, or original equipment manufacturers involved in Defence Forces procurement programmes utilise Israeli-developed software, firmware, avionics architecture, cybersecurity tools, sensor technology, or communications systems as part of integrated defence platforms supplied to the State. [40585/26

contractual provisions exist permitting the State to restrict, remove, replace, or refuse embedded defence technologies originating from specific jurisdictions within Defence Forces procurement programmes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40588/26

Digitalisation the position regarding the Natural History Museum; the date on which it is now expected to reopen; the cost expended on the project to date; and if he will clarify whether works are progressing on schedule. [40398/26

Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation if there are any circumstances where consideration will be given to the addition of a new project in the National Development Plan 2030; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40707/26

Minister for Education and Youth further to Parliamentary Question No. 91 of 25 March 2026, the position regarding the status of this project (details supplied) that has been extensively delayed; the timeline for commencement and completion; confirmation that phases following phase one will be delivered as initially agreed

Deputy Liam Quaide asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport the events in development as part of the presidency cultural programme associated with Ireland's presidency of the Council of the European Union; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40393/26

Coimisiún na Meán will have the power, subject to Ministerial approval, to increase the mandatory percentage that RTÉ must pay into the independent programmes account above 25% of its public funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40558/26

Children, Disability and Equality the current number of residential respite beds available for adults with disabilities in the HSE South-West region; the projected number of additional beds expected to come on stream through current developments (details supplied); the forecasted demand for residential respite placements in the region

Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health whether the Department funds or supports any Irish research projects relating to lyme disease, tick-borne illnesses, or long-term post-infectious complications; the funding allocated annually since 2020; and if she will make a statement on the matter

Raghallaigh asked the Minister for Health if her Department has conducted a cost benefit analysis of continued rollout of the RSV immunisation programme for young children; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40481/26