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believe that is the biggest challenge at all. It is a challenge, of course, to get projects ready and obviously they have to go through planning processes and there are other processes as well. I met with senior officials in the Department before the last general election. What … When you add all of that up, it is well over €13 billion. It does not add up. Then the question is: what projects are not going to be delivered

that - which does not challenge the private sector in the same way. It is very frustrating but we both want to see the projects delivered. I now have a capital envelope the size of which we have not had in health. There was an underspend on capital investment … fine and necessary but there has been an underspend. I have secured a large capital portion of the NDP and the additional programme that is there. I have the assurance that where I get something to shovel-ready, I will get the funding for that and I would

very much like to see that. If anybody is going to run that well, I am confident that Waterford will do it. Those projects are being delivered and I look forward to seeing the physical transformation of that hospital as much as every other hospital with the ongoing … capital investment that has happened and continues to happen, and the major projects, such as the one in the Deputy's own constituency, which is being delivered in front of his constituents' eyes

were the CEO of the HSE, the chief medical officer, the chief nursing officer, the head of the national women and infants health programme, NWIHP, and all of the senior clinical team. We were not there to participate but simply to listen to the women. We were there … funding to get effective surgeries internationally. I have a little more work to do in that regard to look at the different international programmes that can be supported. I will update the House as soon as I can. The HSE has created a different email address specifically

While there is not a specific date for the Bill, because obviously that is not how our legislative programme works, it is on the legislative programme for now. I am eager to move it forward as quickly as possible. I will meet with the sponsor of the original

clinical role, which is a really positive move. Community pharmacists will be able to contribute more actively to contraception services, immunisation programmes and that bowl screening initiative I spoke about. They will also help with the safe return and disposal of unused medicine. I agree with the previous … there is nowhere to bring them back to safely dispose of them. I also welcome that pharmacies will integrate with the National ePrescribing Project. Anything that joins the dots and maximises the use of data is very welcome, as is the national electronic health record. It makes

chronic disease management, a Sláintecare initiative, many of my colleagues in County Meath were involved in a Healthy Meath chronic disease management programme, which produced fantastic results. There were calls for cardiovascular screening and other initiatives. The sky is the limit, starting from this agreement, assessing patients' needs … factoring that into future projects. On the management of common diseases, this will be a game changer in reducing delays in access to general practice and accident and emergency departments. That is to be welcomed. There is one query that I have which is relevant to medicines availability

begin the phasing in of all DEIS plus with identified clusters, which would cost €3 million. We want to expand the City Connects programme to all DEIS band 1 schools, beginning with schools in DEIS plus clusters. The first year costs would be €7.2 million. We want … extend the summer school meals pilot to all DEIS schools, which would be €3.2 million. We want a 10% increase in school completion programme funding, which would be €3.7 million. We want to appoint 20 additional home school community liaison positions, which would be €1.7 million. We have

course, palliative care. The work that this hospice does is phenomenal. When I met the CEO, she acknowledged the recent changes in the programme for Government, where there is a commitment to deliver a new national policy for palliative care for children and to increase funding for children … hospice care. The hospice is asking for these programme for Government commitments to be prioritised urgently in the upcoming budget. Time is precious for these children and their families, as the Minister of State knows. To ensure children have timely access to hospice care, the LauraLynn Foundation urgently

thank the Deputy. First, when a child is in preschool and is availing of the AIM programme, something I noticed when I got this role was that in the Department of children and the Department of Social Protection the information that was across the system was not being … shared. Children who are in preschool and availing of the programme should be very much taken into account when they start off in primary school as well. The Deputy mentioned the dates. I have the dates. The one thing I was not sure of when I went back

over 800 towns in the State and we are only doing 26 every three years. That is crazy. The Government has a project that is good in principle but it is not funding it and not rolling it out at the level needed to target vacancy and dereliction … home city of Cork, where I will walk him around and show him the dereliction and vacancy. He can list out all the projects but the facts are that houses and buildings are being left to rot in the middle of communities, when we have people who cannot

room. Some 400 players are without a dressing room. It is simply not good enough. South Dublin County Council is prioritising two other projects in the next while, but they have been delayed. Collinstown Football Club will not be provided with a dressing room until the other projects

work of national governing bodies, for everything from equipment to facilities, is crucial. The delivery of this, through the sports capital programme and the large-scale sport infrastructure fund, has benefited over the past number of years our clubs, our councils and the NGBs that govern them. There … community, sheds difference and celebrates the best qualities. Sport is a public good. It is through this lens that we must view these programmes and funds, and continue to push for better delivery for our clubs and centres

heartbeat of rural Ireland. The communities I represent in Galway East that have benefited so greatly from sports capital funding are delivering incredible projects right across our constituency. One thing that is really important is the growth in women's sports, which has been absolutely phenomenal over … playing fields. A side should not have to raise the funds for that, however. It should be funded under the sports capital programme. In an ideal world, if the fields can be purchased adjacent to the existing pitches, that would be brilliant, but everyone deserves equal access

help towards that with contributions from Kildare County Council. Ultimately, local authorities need to take a lead role on larger scale local infrastructure projects. I do not see why, with the help of the Government and in light of development levies that are coming in, we cannot ensure … different nights. There is a facility like that in Kerdiffstown in County Kildare. I also want to speak about the major events programme. We have been very successful as a Government. The NFL was here over the weekend. It has had a huge impact globally, especially

funding. I have met with several groups about it. The Minister of State might come to the constituency to visit some of the projects that have been funded and to meet with the groups that will be putting in applications. I was particularly pleased with the regional funding … value Gaelic players provide to the economy is very clear. People who box or play hockey can qualify for the elite athletes programme and avail of a stipend or podium funding of up to €30,000 or €40,000. Gaelic players are amateurs and they accept that. However

been very supportive of and it is important that we keep the support going. If I may, I want to mention one local project. I warn the Minister of State that there will be an application coming in at some point through Cork County Council for a sports … complex in Carrigaline, which is my area. It is an extremely important project. Carrigaline is a town with more than 20,000 people and a hinterland of more than 35,000 but does not have a good sports complex. I know the county council and the local community

Taoiseach may be aware that there are four capital projects currently under way in Beaumont Hospital which are at different stages. They include a new emergency department, a new 95-bed ward block, a 64-bed critical care unit and an extension to radiation and oncology departments. Will … Taoiseach give an assurance to the House that these projects will be funded and will be done in a timely way? Despite the complexity of it being a live campus site with services being continued, can we be assured that sufficient supports will be put in place

will ever reach it, in light of the way it is happening at the moment. We need offshore and onshore wind turbine projects started if we are going to reach these targets. I suggest that is not going to happen because of the Government's ineptitude and failure … Bill are very vague, such as partial licensing and emergency licensing, which could be open to abuse in order to fast-track projects without proper environmental scrutiny. The country needs to do these things faster at the same time as the planning process needs to be sped

building all my life. Does the Minister of State think that if I went out tomorrow morning to take on a project and I came in at a loss, I would be in business today? The Government can come in at a loss on every project

those people on my visit to Donegal during the summer. It is important to recognise that the Department is reviewing the key programmes and projects in the transport envelope in the context of the national development plan. That capital funding envelope will include investment in the rail network

State? What is he doing to address the fact the national development plan includes concrete measures only for the Dublin MetroLink, a project that has been in the pipeline for decades? The feeling is that he is leaving rural Ireland behind. What efforts will he make to ensure … there is balanced regional development rather than referencing only one project in the NDP, which is the MetroLink in Dublin

town of Mallow continue to flourish and develop. As he is aware, the National Transport Authority's Local Link and rural transport programme is, in the case of Cork, managed and administered in Cork by the Local Link offices in Bantry and Fermoy. Cork has seen considerable investment … expected in April 2026. I will conclude on this point. The Government and I believe that the impact of the Mallow relief road project on traffic in Mallow town centre will be significant

provide an update on the work his Department is undertaking following the review of the national development plan? Could he specifically outline how projects are being assessed at the moment by his Department for inclusion in the plan, the criteria he is using to assess projects

weeks, the Department of Transport and all Departments effectively will be publishing their own NDP. That will be a sectoral analysis, detailing the projects that will be included as we do in the roads programme. We see roads progressing, and we are seeing roads being built

group awarded funding under the Shared Island Civic Society Fund (details supplied), specifically in relation to finding a suitable place to locate their project; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35949/26

Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the projected decline in NORA levy income over the next five-ten years as fossil fuel consumption falls in line with net-zero targets; and if he will outline the contingency plans to maintain Ireland

Future of the Defence Forces; whether a procurement process has commenced or is planned; the estimated timeline for any such acquisition programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36007/26

Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Defence whether the lifecycle operating costs, maintenance costs, and projected service-life costs associated with the Airbus H145 helicopters were independently assessed prior to procurement approval; whether comparative modelling was undertaken against alternative rotary-wing platforms; and if she will

million on a temporary train station for the 2027 tournament (details supplied); where the funds are drawn from; if funds ringfenced for other projects are being diverted to pay for a temporary train station; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35810/26

Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Transport whether funding under the National Development Plan or other capital programmes could be used to upgrade infrastructure to allow the Ballina and Westport rail lines to be used once again for freight services, as was the case historically. [36458/26

Youth the plans to expand CPD opportunities for primary school teachers in the area of literacy difficulties, including dyslexia; and whether additional accredited programmes will be supported or recognised by her Department in order to address current gaps in provision. [36418/26

study and meals provision; additional supports for extracurricular and out-of-school activities; expanded access to National Educational Psychological Service; strengthened School Completion Programme supports; enhanced staff well-being and counselling supports; and additional supports for school leadership teams managing these challenges. [36501/26

Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Education and Youth to provide an update on the major extension project at a school (details supplied); and her Department’s response to the proposal from Donegal ETB to construct a new school building on an adjacent site. [36502/26

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the final turnout for Vote 34, including capital and current expenditure and all subheads and programme level outturns, for each year from 2020 to 2025, in tabular form. [35946/26

asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage whether the National Homeless Action Committee has received any formal presentations, briefing papers or projections relating to migration-related homelessness pressures since 2022; and if so, to provide details. [36250/26

Housing, Local Government and Heritage whether any formal risk assessment has been carried out regarding the sustainability of emergency accommodation capacity under projected population growth trends. [36254/26

whether the Schools Procurement Unit has issued any guidance, circular, advisory note, or compliance communication to schools participating in the Hot School Meals Programme concerning the offering or acceptance of gifts, promotional items, complimentary services, or other inducements by suppliers during live procurement processes; and if he will

reports have been received by the Schools Procurement Unit regarding procurement integrity, inducements, gifts, or undeclared supplier incentives within the Hot School Meals Programme since 2023; and if he will provide the number of complaints received and the manner in which they were addressed. [36297/26

Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Social Protection whether schools participating in the Hot School Meals Programme are permitted to consider or accept supplier-provided items, services, or promotional materials outside the formally scored tender submission; and if he will make a statement on the matter

whether the Schools Procurement Unit maintains any audit or compliance process regarding tender evaluation procedures used by schools under the Hot School Meals Programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36299/26

whether external administration, consultancy, or accountancy companies are permitted to administer, manage, score, or participate in tender evaluations under the Hot School Meals Programme; and whether guidance exists governing such arrangements. [36300/26

review has been undertaken into the governance and procurement integrity controls operating within the Hot School Meals Scheme since the expansion of the programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36304/26

provided any guidance, observations, or recommendations to the Department or the Schools Procurement Unit concerning procurement compliance within the Hot School Meals Programme. [36305/26

national workload-modelling framework for Children’s Disability Network Teams is currently being developed following the NDA literature review; and if so, the projected implementation timeline. [36376/26

Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the number of recipients of the national childcare scheme and the early childhood care and education programme, broken down by electoral division of recipients, not Local Electoral Area, for the most recent year for which data is available; and if she will

asked the Minister for Health if a decision has been reached regarding the inclusion of the RSV vaccination in the long-term national programme; if she will outline the expected timeframe for when this decision will be completed; and if she will make a statement on the matter

Minister for Health if she will consider requiring the Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland to phase its fee increases in line with CPI projections rather than implementing a 42% increase over three years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35843/26

number of CHO areas in which the Suicide Crisis Assessment Nurse service is fully operational; the number where rollout remains incomplete; and the projected completion timeline for national implementation. [36058/26

Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health whether compliance with the key performance indicators set out in the National Clinical Programme for Self-Harm and Suicide-Related Ideation is monitored nationally; the escalation process in place where services fail to meet those targets