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care is delivered where and when people need it most. A strong healthcare system relies on robust primary care and community care. Hospitals play a vital role but they cannot be a default option. We must continue to invest in GPs, primary care centres and home-based care … every person, no matter where he or she lives, has access to timely, high-quality care. By investing in community services, embracing technology and prioritising prevention, we can build a system that truly supports longer, healthier lives

cross-Border initiative to tackle bovine TB, which takes a heavy toll on rural communities on this island. These are some of the practical steps that the Government is taking to build a truly shared island. That is what we mean when we say we are committed … shared island forum a new dimension to the shared island initiative to commence later this year, that is, the shared home place programme. This participative community initiative will be open to people across every town on the island. It will develop new connections and consensus through engagement with

golden opportunity. We can deliver climate solutions that not only cut emissions but also enhance people's lives, by creating better jobs, warmer homes, cleaner air and a more resilient society. We cannot wait until after communities or sectors are impacted to talk about fairness. Engagement and planning … need for a national just transition strategy, a clear actionable plan that shows how climate will benefit every community and every worker, especially those at risk. If we can build a consensus and bring communities with us on this climate journey now and for generations to come

attack on her home, an IPAS centre in Drogheda. In total, 28 people lived in that IPAS centre, the majority of them women and children. Four children, including a two-week-old baby, had to be rescued from the top floor of the building. Little children who came … emergency meeting about increasing levels of violent hate in our communities? Where is the emergency meeting to discuss how to counter the dangerous lies being peddled by far-right agitators online? This Government has failed miserably to deliver on its own commitments on housing and critical public services

fight their corner. The people of Ireland have worked hard and the State now has unprecedented wealth and resources: everything needed to build a fair and equal society. The State has never been richer but so many of our people - working people - are left behind. I grew … people in communities but our communities and people have been let down for generations by bad government for whom the achievement and maintenance of power has been the first priority. The Government normalised the division between the haves and have-nots. You have delivered for the insiders

times over by the policies of this Government. The efforts that people make by recycling, reducing their energy and upgrading their homes disappear into a puff of vapour when compared with sweetheart deals that are being provided for data centres. We have the absolutely glacial pace of delivery … happening with renewables is incredibly frustrating. We could have had the same debate ten years ago and we would be saying every community building and school across the State should have solar panels and they should be supported to do so. A comparatively very small number of them

zero future. It includes record funding of over €500 million for home energy upgrades and solar PV. This will help make homes warmer, healthier, more comfortable and less expensive to heat. It is the most pressing change in our society. We have seen in the Future Forty report … population growth and we are still managing to reduce our emissions profile overall. What the Government is focused on is delivering a just transition for communities, enabling opportunities through the action we are taking in terms of climate change and focusing on the huge opportunity that renewable energy

housing and creating sustainable communities. Infrastructure delivery, as well as having affordable housing realistically in nice, good and sustainable communities, will be key for the people who will live in our areas. In Kildare North, we have a huge number of houses being delivered. I see my colleague … houses being built. Everywhere you turn, including Naas and Sallins, there are houses being built. However, we need to deliver those houses properly and put them in good community space, ensuring that people can move around and that we have the bridges, the schools, the crèches

vacant homes tax. There are probably two or three times more than that in Cork city alone. This is a shockingly low figure. Why is more not being done to tackle vacancy and dereliction? These empty buildings are ripping the heart out of communities in our cities, towns … rent or buy. It is not just here. A massive building in County Kerry is vacant and derelict. I have an image of another in Buncrana, County Donegal. I also have an image of a vacant building in Sligo. In every town and every village, we have boarded

Storm Éowyn devastated entire communities. Households, businesses and farmers suddenly had their access to essential power, heat and water cut off. Many were waiting weeks for it to be restored. People could not wash, turn on the lights or heat their homes. For some, the lack of water … most vulnerable would not be left behind. These reassurances proved to be demonstrably untrue. It seemed that the Government was not interested in delivering the type of supports people needed. If the intention was to leave no one behind, will the Minister justify why a staggering two thirds

hard shoulder, where people are commuting. Obviously, they perhaps now have the flexibility to work from home. In response to Deputy Dolan's point, it has benefited rural communities in particular. We see that in the footfall in coffee shops, pharmacies and all of the little shops … satisfied with the service, and 45% believe the bus service in their area has improved. We remain fully committed to building on these positive changes and delivering a public transport system that is responsive to passenger needs. Already, we can see the impact that the increased funding under

second, third, fourth and fifth floors of buildings that are ripe city-centre locations providing passive surveillance. There could be targeting for different professionals, be they gardaí, student nurses or older people at ground-floor level, where sustainable communities close to services can be developed. Pilot projects were … matter of strengthening that community environment and providing targeted housing opportunities for different age groups and different career groups. I welcome a matter that is of particular interest to me, having been a small business owner. Whether we are running the family home or a small business, accountability

Ireland real progress is being made. Fianna Fáil in government is delivering practical results. I recently met a man in Kildalkey in my constituency of Meath West who restored a vacant property into a beautiful family home, which was made possible by the vacant property refurbishment grant. That … secured their first home without the help-to-buy scheme and the first home scheme. These programmes are working. We are expanding them to include second-hand homes and adjusting value bands to match market realities, as needed. We must reject the notion that home ownership

outpatient appointments since 2025 through to 2026. Building on this progress, better scheduling and co-ordination of staffing, outpatient clinics, theatre sessions and diagnostics can help more patients receive timely care and ensure that investment delivers the greatest outcome. The Department of Health and the HSE will continue … keep workforce and resourcing requirements under review. The objective is to ensure that investment at Naas supports staff in delivering safe, timely and high-quality care to the communities and the hospital itself

lives now. It is a huge opportunity for many to find a better work-life balance, for businesses to innovate and for local communities to benefit from development and commerce happening in a more geographically balanced way. The Social Democrats have always championed the rights of workers … that the concept of online meetings, hybrid working and working from home in general were very foreign concepts to many people. For many, it was impossible because they did not have the Internet at home or the required technology to have virtual meetings or because those they worked

Mungret framework area. The framework aims to unlock substantial lands in public and private ownership and allow construction of residential development supported by community and employment use. The LDA has also acquired a significant land bank throughout the city, particularly on Carey's Road. I know … water and wastewater capacity to enable housing and growth. That is €1.7 billion plus €300 million. If we are serious about delivering housing and building up the country's capacity in terms of infrastructure, it is essential we take these measures. I agree with much of what

reasons I am working hard to build up our research system and take it to a higher level. This is a critical step to allow us to compete for the future. Basic research is where the building blocks of a modern economy are forged. Those developments in turn … products of those industries worldwide, namely, pharmaceuticals and medicines, semiconductors and medical devices. We are home to many leading multinationals, such as Microsoft, Intel, Pfizer, Google and Apple. In fact, we are home to nine of the top ten global software companies, nine of the top ten technology

weekly social protection payments, targeted investments in areas such as health and transformational investment in infrastructure to unlock growth, enhance competitiveness and support communities all over the country under the revised national development plan. Our social protection system seeks to provide an effective social safety … Housing has seen a strong ramp-up in delivery on both the social and affordable programmes. In 2024, 10,500 new social homes were delivered and there is a continued delivery pipeline for 2025 and future years. A total of €9.7 billion in funding is being provided this

guarantee that no family is left indefinitely in unsafe and deteriorating homes; — immediately bring forward proposals to reform the enhanced Defective Concrete Blocks Grant Scheme so that affected homeowners are not taxed for rebuilding their homes; to remove or offset VAT and levy costs arising from remediation works … peril. Engineers' original determinations have been unlawfully downgraded. Appeals are taking years with families stuck in unsafe homes. Essential works are excluded. The families with homes kept together with plasters are being told they do not meet the damage threshold, all while the Ministers say the Government will

Budget 2027 builds on the sustained investment provided by the Government over recent years to support household living standards. It focuses on providing a package of permanent tax and expenditure measures, including broad-based and targeted changes. This will deliver sustained improvements in living standards, greater certainty … efficiency, with more than €750 million being provided to address specific housing needs including the retrofitting of social homes and €655 million in capital funding for SEAI residential and community energy upgrade schemes

acutely conscious of the feelings of vulnerability and isolation that an event like this can cause among our own small Jewish community. I take this opportunity to send a very clear message from the Dáil, and as Head of Government, that our Jewish neighbours are an important … grid, is essential and will copper-fasten and benefit every job and every potential future job in the country and will underpin the building of 300,000 houses and their connection to the grid and the electrification of the public transport system. It is a major decision

total number of children with additional needs without an appropriate school place, as they do not include: — children with additional needs being home-schooled while awaiting an appropriate place; — children undertaking excessively long and burdensome daily journeys to access education; and — children placed in inappropriate settings … offer of a school place but are prevented from taking it up due to delays in building works, broken down by county and educational setting; — establish a time-bound School Building Delivery Task Force with the mandate to ensure the expeditious and priority delivery of special schools

their families. That ability to plan matters affects children, schooling, employment, carer and whether people can truly build a life in a new community and set down strong roots. The Bill introduces a simpler and fairer rent control framework nationally. I never quite got my head around some … contributions to the debate and about housing generally since his appointment, I wish to be direct about supply. Supply of new builds is the only durable way to bring down pressures on the rental sector. Protecting tenants is essential. I have outlined that in the first part

falls short and will continue to fall short. What the Government should be telling us today is what it has decided not to deliver. Is it the elective hospital in Galway that will not make the cut this decade? While we are blessed with fantastic staff, they … make it far easier and more attractive for young people, our young medical professionals who are abroad, to come home, work in our health service and build a life here. To be honest, what I was expecting today was to see a clear commitment to women with endometriosis

said that it leaves the world in a more precarious place than ever and that there is a chance to build something better from the ashes of a partnership with an economic bully that is being led by a tyrant. Prime Minister Carney maybe captured a moment … viewing all of these as opportunities for profit or natural resource extraction rather than opportunities to sow peace and to deliver true security for individuals and communities. It is an indictment of the rot that has set in in Washington. We cannot be complacent to think that Donald