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line with the commitments made in the programme for Government, a new infrastructure division has been established within my Department. Led by a deputy secretary general, this division is focused on how the delivery of critical infrastructure across the State can be accelerated. It comprises a blend … sector. The new division has recently undertaken a major exercise to systematically identify the most important barriers impeding the timely delivery of capital projects. As part of this work plan, officials met with over 50 key stakeholders involved in the development of infrastructure in our country and received

Department recently and he told me that back in the recessionary years, gateways were introduced. It was a way of slowing down projects without killing them off. Let us take out the gateways for all the public projects. There should be only three or four stages from conception

here is that public procurement and planning work better and in a more streamlined way so we can see the delivery of more projects. I accept that checks and balances can sometimes slow things. We have heard what was said by Mr. Collison and others and we need … matter of streamlining and ensuring everything happens fast, because we know the issues that exist, particularly regarding electricity, water and other major infrastructural projects that need to be completed

appraisal since the end of 2023. These set the value for money requirements and guidance for evaluating, planning and managing Exchequer-funded capital projects. Management and delivery of investment projects and public services within allocation and within the national frameworks is a key responsibility of every Department, Accounting

migration. Today's debate is on the international protection system and the policy implications thereof. Core to this debate, as stated in the programme for Government, is the move towards State-owned and State-managed accommodation for those seeking international protection. The point I have made previously … people in the Rathcoole, Saggart and Newcastle areas, an increase of 32% since 2016. We are three years ahead of the projections set in 2022. We are at the 2028 level of population in Newcastle, Rathcoole and Saggart and that does not take account of the additional residents

Houses of the Oireachtas a report detailing: (a) the purposes for which the payment was applied [so necessary oversight] including a breakdown of project type; (b) the purposes for which the pay will be applied in the next year including a breakdown of project type; (c) the impact

Dublin rail line was built in three years with picks and shovels. Despite all the technology we have now, the wait for the project is now heading towards 42 years. It is incredibly glacial in its delivery. The economic cost of congestion in the greater Dublin area … that we have the slowest planning, permits, judicial reviews and tendering in the whole of the European Union in terms of such projects? When will the Navan to Dublin rail line be built? What will the Government do to change the glacial pace of infrastructure in this country

national development plan. The Deputy is correct that we do need to radically reduce the timelines it takes to deliver critical projects and housing across our economy. There are too many layers and too many barriers to the delivery of that, and I acknowledge that in many … long commute to work. Part of the transformation of our transport system in the next five years will be to ensure the project pipeline gets delivered more quickly because we have put a record level of allocation beside transport when it comes to the prioritisation we have given

transport is to give better funding certainty to TII. As we know in recent years there was a difficulty in funding certain roads projects and maintenance, which the Deputy has referenced. The overall distribution of the €22 billion is being developed as part of the sectoral investment plan … broader trajectory of funding for transport infrastructure, and indeed better funding certainty for TII when it comes to responding to the needs of projects the Deputy has referenced in east Galway. I will ask the Minister to reflect on what the Deputy has said today in the context

only devoid of detail on the infrastructure the investment will deliver, but there is also no guidance on what projects should be prioritised. That is important and I will get to it. There is no mechanism for Oireachtas oversight, accountability or independent audit. As a result, this important … cost, and to maintain and upgrade the grid. Data centres consume 22% of Ireland's energy demand, up from 5% in 2015. EirGrid projects will rise to one third by 2034. A single data centre can use as much electricity as Kilkenny city. However, under the current model

Ireland's electricity grid is not fit for purpose. It is holding back housing delivery across the State. It is stalling renewable energy projects and limiting development in towns, villages and rural areas. It did not just happen by accident and it did not happen overnight … also need to think about this moment in a broader and historical sense. In the 1950s, the State undertook the rural electrification project, which was a national effort that transformed every parish and townland in Ireland. It was driven by determination, ambition and a simple principle, namely, that

power lines adjacent to trees are a priority for tree-felling works for energy reasons. Based on this information, Coillte has developed a programme of works to incorporate these prioritised power line clearance works into its own harvesting programme. Work is well under way in that regard. Both

equity investment for ESB Networks. I also welcome the fact the increase to the ESB's borrowing limit will unlock over 500 capital projects, including 181 km of new overhead lines, 319 km of underground cables, 70 new and upgraded substations and 50,000 pole replacements. Reading … wanted to see strategic management of data centres because it was clear, even back then, that this was not happening. We were seeing projections that were forecasting that by 2030, 30% of our electricity demand would be coming from the data centre industry. When we look at what

with the legal mechanism to make an additional €1.5 billion equity investment in the ESB to part finance the PR6 energy grid investment programme. However, I am more interested in the larger scale investment required. Obviously, we note the proposal to raise the statutory borrowing limit from … billion to €17 billion to help to finance proposed future capital projects, including the new lines, the underground cables, the upgraded substations and the 50,000-plus electricity poles. It is a massive investment that is needed but we need to see the detail of what is coming

building of a new one. We are changing, like the entire world is. This scale of investment, with the hundreds of projects and the substations, has been needed for years. I welcome the funding and the fact the ESB is getting reduced rates. It is helping to secure … Irish solar farms to then import, as the previous Deputy mentioned, electricity from the UK that is from nuclear plants and other projects that they have, and buying off them when we have our own solar farms. It does not make sense to the public

schools, principals, teachers and, particularly, the children who will benefit from this. I point to the huge success so far of the DEIS programme. We have seen in recent years a reduced gap in the retention rates between DEIS and non-DEIS schools. It has halved, which … reduced significantly. Where we need to do much better is around the overall attainment rate in those schools. The DEIS plus programme should be able to help us understand what is at the crux of some of the issues young people face. Complementing this - and it is very

Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education and Youth for an update on a new school building project (details supplied); if she is aware that planning permission was granted for these schools in November 2020; the reason for the delays in bringing this project to construction

want to ask the Minister for an update on a new school building project for Coláiste Ríoga and Dunshaughlin Community National School in Dunshaughlin, County Meath. Is she is aware that planning permission was granted for these schools in November 2020? It is now November 2025. What … reason for the delays in bringing this project to construction and the indicative timeline for construction, commencement and completion

letter of acceptance? Is it the case that the project has been divided up and there are subcontractors? The Minister mentioned specialist work. Is that related to the struggle to get contractors to commit to this project? Is there a new approach in that regard? Obviously, there

amalgamation of the two schools. It appears there is a one-size-fits-all, arbitrary metric when it comes to the capital infrastructure project. Will the Minister consider meeting me and the school principals to hear some of the issues that the schools are experiencing outlined … Claremorris and, indeed, in the Minister’s Department spent so many hours on. Will she meet me and the schools to discuss this project

school, was completed at the end of May 2025. That is the clear understanding of the Department. The Department is working through the projects at the moment. I take the point that it is the coeducational primary school in Dungarvan which has the medium of Irish. Some … pupils were enrolled last year. The Department will be working through all the applications in the next while. This project has been ongoing for some time, going back to an initial application in 2018. However, the additional land has been bought. We will work with the Deputy. When

will continue to advance digital education policy and embed technology in teaching and learning. We invest €15 million annually in the schools broadband programme, which has been absolutely essential for our schools, thereby providing high-speed connectivity to all recognised schools. Through Webwise, which is funded … under way. This includes the introduction of computer science as a leaving certificate subject, the introduction of coding as a short junior cycle programme and the implementation of computational thinking as part of the new primary school curriculum

understand the particular system referred to by the Deputy, and, as he alluded to, by Senator Dee Ryan, was established under the regeneration programme in Limerick approximately ten years ago as part of a much broader initiative to improve the quality of life of local communities in Limerick … majority of funding for this CCTV scheme has come from the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage as part of the regeneration projects in Limerick, with a significant contribution also being made by Limerick City and County Council. I also understand the CCTV system concerned consists

when storms occur on the Continent. I will again check with the Minister and with the ESB. I would favour more mutual aid programmes, particularly with Europe, people who are near. That is the key in any major weather catastrophe, event or whatever. The most effective mutual … programmes are those in close proximity

provision of over 15,000 free counselling sessions for men every year, backed up by €2 million in dedicated annual funding. The programme started on 1 September last and will be delivered in partnership with trusted providers such as Connect Counselling and MyMind, an organisation that offers supports … part of a broader journey. Over the coming years, we will continue to expand community-based mental health supports, including peer-led programmes and men's sheds initiatives. We will continue to tackle health inequalities, ensuring that marginalised groups are not left behind. We will invest in digital

McGuinness asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht if he intends to seek increased funding for rural development programmes in Budget 2027, in light of concerns expressed by rural communities and organisations regarding reductions in rural development funding in recent budgets. [38388/26

Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht if he plans to increase funding for community projects such as community centres, parks and sports pitches; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38228/26

Cathy Bennett asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht if he will report on his engagements regarding the LEADER programme under the next EU budgetary cycle. [38369/26

Deputy Paula Butterly asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht if he will expand the My Open Library programme; if he will support the development of libraries as inclusive third spaces; if he will provide funding to enhance sensory-friendly facilities in public libraries

Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht in relation to the LEADER programme, the measures that have been funded for climate change mitigation and adaptation; the funding allocated to LEADER in budget 2025; and if he will make a statement

towns and villages across Galway East, including the expansion of the town and village renewal scheme and support for community-led regeneration projects; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38279/26

Malcolm Byrne asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht the supports available for capital development of men’s sheds projects around the country. [37830/26

views on the merits of providing multi-annual funding for men’s and women’s sheds to allow them to plan longer-term projects; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37225/26

Transport the position regarding discussions between his Department and the National Transport Authority in relation to funding of the PSO, public service obligation, programme; when these discussions will be concluded; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38460/26

residents and commuters about the proposed reduction in direct DART connectivity between Howth and Dublin city centre under the DART+ Coastal North project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38685/26

Reform and Digitalisation the extent to which employee objectives and performance review systems across the public service are linked to organisational business plans, project delivery targets, customer service standards, procurement outcomes, productivity measures and value for money objectives; and if he will make a statement on the matter

Deputy Jen Cummins asked the Minister for Education and Youth her plans to further fund the WALK PEER programme funding beyond 2026; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38466/26

Minister for Education and Youth her plans to provide the further support requested by a school (details supplied) to roll out the summer programme. [38464/26

asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the amount of State funding allocated to domestic abuse support services, refuges and outreach programmes in each of the past five years and to date in 2026, in tabular form. [38585/26

details of his Department's justification for the renewal of the contract for IPAS accommodation at a facility (details supplied); the current and projected demand for IPAS accommodation in the Drogheda and wider region; the performance of the accommodation provider under the existing contract; the provider's compliance

Currie asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the progress made to introduce legislation banning conversion therapy as committed to in the programme for Government; when she last discussed the matter with the Attorney General; if she had discussed the matter with any European counterparts who have

Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health if she will consider running a pilot orphan drug early-access programme in order that children with Duchenne muscular dystrophy can access givinostat; if a pricing and reimbursement application is being progressed by the HSE for givinostat

will provide details of any changes made to ICT operational accommodation and staffing models during the redesign and development phases of the project, including any transition towards outsourced ICT operational support arrangements. [38530/26

expenditure associated with ICT integration, commissioning, infrastructure, electronic health record systems and operational ICT services connected with the National Children's Hospital project, including all contracts awarded to a company (details supplied) or associated entities. [38531/26

asked the Minister for Health the total number of parking spaces to be provided at the new National Children's Hospital campus; the projected staffing levels for the campus; the number of parking spaces that are reserved or allocated for senior management, consultants, or administrative personnel; whether

determine whether operational infrastructure, including ICT facilities, staff welfare accommodation, restaurant facilities or parking provision, was reduced during later redesign phases of the project. [38536/26

Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health the total expenditure to date and projected final cost associated with ICT systems at the National Children's Hospital, including contracts awarded for infrastructure, integration, commissioning and electronic health records; the details of any contracts awarded to a company (details

National Children's Hospital for staff, patients and visitors; the basis on which this level of provision was determined; whether it aligns with projected staffing levels and patient volumes; and the plans to address identified shortfalls, particularly for shift workers, on-call staff and families travelling long distances

Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Health if the review of the Medical Cannabis Access Programme will consider emerging international real-world evidence relating to medicinal cannabis therapies (detail supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38550/26

Minister for Health if her Department has assessed the adequacy and continuity of medicinal cannabis product availability under the Medical Cannabis Access Programme; if consideration is being given to expanding the range of approved products available to patients; and if she will make a statement on the matter