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rightly be down at the public accounts committee castigating the Government. The Government is committed to working with all stakeholders to progress this project when the business case is received and reviewed. We recognise we are an island nation. We have a dispersed population and an open economy … need all this, but the infrastructure guidelines set out the value-for-money guidelines for the evaluation, planning and management of public investment projects. This applies to all public bodies. This is not just a Waterford thing. All public bodies and everybody in receipt of Exchequer capital funding

will deal with the questions he actually raises. I have an answer there for him. I am going straight to the capital programme. As part of this capital programme, older persons' services in north Tipperary are being enhanced by the opening of a new state

role to play in funding and supporting research initiatives related to rare diseases through the provision of grant schemes, co-funding of research projects and programmes and partnerships that prioritise rare diseases. Research in Ireland is further supported by the involvement of patient advocacy groups such

thank the Tánaiste. The programme for Government was mentioned earlier. It rightly highlights the need to strengthen national security to protect Irish citizens, maintain public order and ensure the safety of communities in Ireland. We all hear about and are aware of reports of foreign actors probing underseas … risk that is neither acceptable nor appropriate for the Government to take. We must follow through on commitments outlined in the programme for Government, building the capacity to respond swiftly and effectively to emerging threats to our daily lives in co-operation with our European partners

safe and secure environment. I am really pleased to inform the Deputy that we have a number of really significant capital projects at various stages of the procurement pipeline, including the significant investment we will make in sonar and radar capabilities, which I believe will be transformational … know the Deputy may be particularly interested in some of the projects in his own county of Cork, so let me take the opportunity to highlight two of them. They involve the upgrade of two buildings, namely, block 4 accommodation and block 9 office accommodation at the naval

wrong, but it is a balance to do with what is a sensible investment. Are we better off spending money on new accommodation projects and getting on with that and driving forward on that? We see the 775 beds that have been completed since 2020. Nearly €50 million … spent on that. There are 12 other accommodation projects under way, providing in excess of 500 additional beds. That is 775 plus 500. We need to make a call, and we will in 2026 with this procurement plan, about what might be salvageable with the level of investment

constituents about their concerns, I am happy to meet with them. This was a call-led approach, so it was dependent on projects being brought forward to seek funding. It was not as if the Government identified specific locations and sought to create a demand around that … programme was in place and the calls went out for applications for funding, which were assessed against the criteria during the process. If the Deputy has concerns about specific areas, we will be happy to meet with him and attempt to work through them

that is not the case then we should pause the process, take it easy and make sure that the money goes to good projects. In particular, I want to highlight that, according to the reply to the parliamentary question, only €3.6 million has gone to specific projects

wind programmes are currently in planning. Will the Minister of State indicate what the capacity would be if all of those planning permissions were to come good and deliver those wind projects? What would be the capacity at that stage

Electricity Regulation Act 1999. It is also of note that no action on nuclear power was included as part of the programme for Government in 2025, Securing Ireland's Future. The programme for Government does not, however, set out the commitment of this Government to achieving

demand. There were almost 70,000 applications in 2024. There have been over 40,000 so far this year. Through the national retrofit programme, we are seeing further capital funding under the national development plan. We will see an additional €264 million through the European regional development fund … Local authorities will also have an opportunity through their energy efficiency retrofit programme, which will be funded through the Department of housing. In total, a huge amount of work is being done to support this. We are driving forward to try to reach our national targets. That

trying to respond to in real time. The Data Protection Commission has advised that it is taking the assertions made in the programme very seriously and that it is investigating the operators concerned. Key issues will be whether these operators are complying with data protection law and whether … material people have to read. Based on the initial reports that I have read, although I reserve the right to see the full programme and have all the facts established, I am also concerned when I hear of particular references to this place and other institutions

with Garda vetted bodies such as Tidy Towns Groups or other organisations as may be appropriate; — increased Closed-Circuit Television (CCTV) investment programme for playgrounds and high-value, high-amenity areas targeted regularly by anti-social behaviour; — a clearer legal definition of what constitutes reasonable self-defence when … Deputy Gogarty several months ago; — better school attendance monitoring; — a penalty points system for stronger action with repeat offenders; — enrolment in education programmes where abuse is found to be motivated by the race, gender, sexual orientation or religious/cultural background; — a faster, ticket-based reporting system for victims

been operating for over 50 years delivering community-based services and youth services across Waterford and south Tipperary. These services include community projects, Garda youth diversion projects, community-based drugs initiatives, LGBT services, drug outreach services, information services and local training initiatives. In Clonmel, the service has three

Members of the Dáil on the status of planning guidance with regard to wind and solar energy development. From a planning perspective, the programme for Government contains commitments to prioritise the publication of the wind energy development guidelines and to introduce new planning guidelines for solar energy development … national planning framework, reinforces the need to ensure that the finalised guidelines, once issued, are fit for purpose. Also included in the programme for Government is a commitment to introduce planning guidelines for solar energy developments. The Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage has begun an initial

than they used to have because of the silting up of the harbour. Dredging is due to be carried out. There is a programme to build a public park on one side of the harbour and use the dredging materials to build up the soil levels … essential that we have food security, and our fishermen contribute greatly to that reliable source of food. This is an important project. Dredging will greatly benefit all who use the harbour and assist in the continuance of the tradition of Howth as a fishing village

options, and I have asked the Attorney General and the Minister to look at the option of bespoke legislation to drive that project through because the common good is overwhelming here. It is shocking and unacceptable that such a key water project for so many families is being

population. We are, quite rightly, phasing out fossil fuels and across the country people need certainty on supply and cost. In our programme for Government, we correctly identified the need to scale up investment in critical infrastructure in our electricity grid so as to make it advantageous … Taoiseach confirm what steps the Government will prioritise in the coming months and in the budget to ensure that the commitments in the programme for Government on energy security, renewable integration and grid modernisation are delivered

knows, many renters find themselves earning too much to qualify for social housing and are not able to afford the market rents. This project and funding, therefore, is very welcome and I would love to see far more of these projects and certainly more affordable housing as well

performance; — commit to a significant investment in the recruitment and retention of SNAs and Special Education Teachers (SETs) to meet current and projected demand; — review and reform the SNA and SET allocation model to ensure it is needs-based, transparent, and timely, and to ensure the voice … delays, disaggregated by county and setting. We demand immediate delivery and the establishment of a time-bound task force to fast-track building projects. We demand systemic reform and an independent review of the NCSE and SENOs to restore trust and efficiency. We demand investment and a commitment

made a series of recommendations. A roadmap for delivery of the task force report was published in June 2025. These actions reflect the programme for Government commitment to implementing the recommendations of the Dublin city task force. As part of this, the Government has also undertaken to apply … wealth of heritage assets and cultural amenities, which need to be invested in and protected. Other priorities for investment include large-scale regeneration projects in the Cork docklands and in Tivoli, and the development of a much-enhanced, citywide public transport system. I can assure the Deputy that

recommendations is to develop an arts capital and equipment programme for investment in local and community arts of a similar scale and structure as its sports capital and equipment programme. As part of that, we will look at the feasibility of a minor capital works scheme under

future. The Government places significant value on culture and the arts sector. That is why it is distinctly called out in the programme for Government. We recognised in the programme for Government that they are essential to a well-rounded society, providing opportunities for education, expression and community

four key strategic objectives of its 2025-29 strategy, Adapt Intelligently. This ambitious strategy aims to secure 550 foreign direct investment, FDI, projects outside Dublin, accounting for 55% of all planned investments. The overarching goal is to create 75,000 new jobs nationwide and generate a projected

also the issue of capacity concerns in the public and private sectors, as well as the lack of realistic and specific State project pipelines. Additionally, there is some insufficient public acceptance of critical infrastructure to grow our economy. On the direct point made by the Deputy concerning north … advance. It is then a matter for each Department to prioritise the social infrastructure in respect of different communities. We have significant programmes across the State, whether in sports capital, the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht or, indeed, other parts of the Government that

prison at Thornton Hall, including the timeline for delivery, in light of ongoing prison overcrowding and the long-standing delays associated with the project. [35688/26

Deputy Ryan O'Meara asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the total amount of money paid from CAP programmes in each of the years 2023, 2024 and 2025 to Teagasc, Bord Bia and ICBF; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35534/26

been carried out comparing the cost of High Court proceedings in contested nursing-home placement or deprivation-of-liberty cases with the projected cost of establishing a statutory protection of liberty safeguards framework; and if she will publish that analysis. [35364/26

impact of the discontinuation of the Peer Payment Register in 2019 on the involvement of service users and family facilitators in recovery-focused programmes such as EOLAS; when her Department's review of alternative models to remunerate sessional peer facilitators will be published; and if she will make

Deputy Peter Roche asked the Minister for Health if she will provide a list of all capital projects, including hospital, primary care centre and other health infrastructure works delivered by her Department or the HSE, which have been completed on time and within budget in Galway in each

Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Health if she will consider the retention of the free RSV vaccination programme for newborns, in view of the demonstrated benefits of the scheme for infant health and hospital admission prevention; and if she will make a statement on the matter

Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Health for an update on the new portal system regarding the summer education programme for children with additional needs; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35755/26

McGrath asked the Minister for Health if she will ringfence some of the anticipated 2021 cost savings from the recent HSE Medicines Management Programme (MMP) Preferred Blood Glucose Strips for adults with Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes evaluation to fund the provision of the Freestyle Libre Flash

asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht with regard to the awarding of the management of the Seniors Alert programme to the Age Friendly Ireland Shared Service if he can confirm whether all procurement procedures relating to the award of the contract were conducted

Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the way his Department is aligning higher education courses with current and projected skills shortages in Ireland; if he will provide details of any new initiatives in this area; and if he will make a statement

Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he is satisfied that there are sufficient higher education places in STEM disciplines in Cork to meet projected regional demand over the next five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34332/26

Science if he will review the application of SUSI's "equivalent or lower qualification" rule in cases where a Level 9 psychology conversion programme serves as an alternative to an undergraduate psychology degree, resulting in students being ineligible for support for the next required stage of training

Malcolm Byrne asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science to outline future plans for aiready.ie and for upskilling programmes in artificial intelligence. [34391/26

Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the current number of registered apprentices by apprenticeship programme in north Dublin; the measures being taken by his Department, SOLAS and the education and training boards to expand apprenticeship opportunities and employer participation

provide an update on the current status of the proposed Swords College of the Future; the progress that has been made since the project received Government approval to proceed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34691/26

Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science when the proposed major building project at Cavan Institute will proceed to the next stage; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34848/26

Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science for an update on his plans for a new funding scheme for students on graduate entry medicine programmes. [34390/26

asked the Minister for Defence the number of personnel currently in the Air Corps pilot training pipeline; the annual intake capacity; and the projected annual output over the next three years. [34130/26

Minister for Transport the current up-to-date position regarding the Clongriffin to city centre core bus corridor scheme; and when will this project progress to the next stage of works [33979/26

Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Transport to roll out a major programme of 'new bus stops' across county Kerry at locations that have been highlighted by County Councillors; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34251/26

strategically based at Garda stations and operated remotely from a central hub to support emergency response times; if any feasibility studies, pilot projects or inter-agency discussions (including with An Garda Síochána, the RNLI, the Coast Guard or local authorities) have taken place in this regard

engagement with the National Transport Authority in respect of same; the works underway in his Department to ensure funding and capacity for the project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34323/26

update on the funding for and progress of the Dart+SW; and the timeframe for when work on this much needed public transport project will commence. [34414/26

Deputy Johnny Guirke asked the Minister for Transport to provide an update on the status of the Navan rail line project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34455/26

commitments to allow flexible pickups on Local Link and other bus routes in rural communities, as appropriate, enhancing service accessibility, as per the Programme for Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35217/26