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access to dental services. This was what Deputy O'Gorman spoke about just some minutes ago. The new RCSI bachelor of dental surgery programme will provide for between 25 and 26 students, 20 of whom will be EU students from 2025 onwards. The RCSI will provide these … reform oral healthcare services, supported by accompanying reforms to legislation, strategic workforce planning and education and training. Implementation of this policy is a programme for Government commitment. To support a focused and structured implementation process, the Department of Health and the HSE are currently finalising, following the targeted

recurring basis to the HSE to expand drug services for people with problematic cocaine use across the country. A number of projects have been funded in the Dublin region, including projects that work specifically with women who use cocaine and crack cocaine. The HSE is running a Reduce

forestry programme is the biggest and best-funded forestry programme to date in Ireland, at €1.3 billion. A huge allocation has been made

timely and necessary step to strengthen governance, transparency and accountability in our health service. This Bill delivers on a core commitment in the programme for Government to embed productivity and ensure full transparency in how healthcare services are delivered. It recognises that strong, accountable structures are essential … also all have ambitious plans. Of course, while the big ticket plans grab attention, it is equally important that we support smaller capital projects in communities, for example, delivering on housing and respite facilities for people living with disabilities. I know the Minister will continue that focus

should be proud of the excellent service they provide despite the challenges they face every day in our hospitals, healthcare centres and community programmes. The health service is challenged by growing waiting lists, longer waiting times, an undersupply of key workers and low morale. Almost every part … staff are currently moving into the premises, which is great news. It is now essential that the Department of Health delivers the project on time. I will be working tirelessly and contacting the Minister regularly to ensure the health centre is fit for purpose, fitted out and open

colleague, Deputy Wall, referred to how we were bottom of the list in Europe with regard to transgender healthcare. In the 2020 programme for Government, the Government's commitment was to: Create and implement a general health policy for Trans people, based on a best-practice model … Clinics and Multidisciplinary Teams for children and adults. That was good and was going in the right direction. The current Government, in its programme for Government, has a commitment to ensure "a transgender healthcare service that is based on clinical evidence, respect, inclusiveness and compassion." This commitment

private sectors. It is at the forefront of designing and delivering the homes, schools, workplaces and civic spaces that shape our communities and projects that prioritise sustainability, safety and quality of life. These architects, it could be argued, might benefit from the redesign of these guidelines because … values and needs a quality of life. The RIAI also states: "The new proposals ... risk causing further delays to delivery of new housing projects as options are reassessed and new designs commissioned, which will take time to work through." Other Deputies on this side made that point

extended to all students in post-primary schools and from September all primary schools are eligible for the free hot school meals programme. A school meals holiday pilot project has started this summer. Free public transport for children aged five to eight will be introduced later this year

propose to take Questions Nos. 1 to 11, inclusive, together. The Programme for Government 2025: Securing Ireland’s Future, recognises the importance of Cabinet committees to the policy development and oversight work of Government. The Cabinet committee on the European Union and international affairs was established … Government on 18 February 2025. Its role is to oversee implementation of programme for Government commitments in respect of the European Union, including preparation for Ireland's Presidency in the second half of 2026 and international issues. A date for the next meeting of the Cabinet committee

same time, we have learned from the past that things have not been as they should have been. The "RTÉ Investigates" programme on the Christian Brothers showed that that entity held, transferred and sold over 800 properties over the course of three decades since the scandal of clerical … first highlighted by RTÉ in 2023 yet today the Christian Brothers continue to exercise this legal tactic in courts. The “RTÉ Investigates” programme also highlighted the problem for the public in trying to get to the bottom of exactly what assets religious institutions and charities have. The Christian

deliver better care, but are hindered by a lack of critical resources, including access to theatre time, specialist surgical tools and specialised training programmes in the identification and excision of endometriosis; — for decades, endometriosis care in Ireland has failed thousands of women; — the management of suspected cases … with, the Enzian score combined with the Oxford University Innovation Endometriosis Health Profile 30 questionnaire; — develop and fund a dedicated training and incentive programme to upskill Irish surgeons in identifying the disease during surgery, and in the specialist excision techniques required to remove it; and — launch a nationwide

many years of underinvestment in and under-recognition of women's health, is that we have a dedicated women and infants health programme. That has made some difference to how maternity services are conceived. We have more work to do there. It has made some difference with regard … people, or 18 people and a part-time person, with the funding provided this year. We are more than halfway through that recruitment programme and there is no question about that. That is for some of the specialist services. For most endometriosis cases, particularly at the less severe

what the Department interprets as the trend in VAT collection so far this year? Specifically, does the Minister anticipate receipts will realign with projections or could the gap widen as the year progresses? The programme for Government acknowledges the impact of rising energy costs on businesses and households

acknowledge there is a commitment in the programme for Government and the Tánaiste's commitment to international development aid. The difficulty, as he has outlined, is the global aid landscape has completely changed. The US has made massive cuts to USAID. Over $60 billion has been slashed … Earlier we heard of the devastating impacts in Sudan and how we as a collective need to speak more openly about Sudan. These programmes run by Irish NGOs are vital in ensuring there are supports for people in the hardest-hit areas of the world

trying to get a passport was a real challenge for many of our citizens. We often quite rightly criticise some of the reform programmes, which can be quite challenging. The passport reform programme has gone very well. I was in the Balbriggan office and met Deputy O'Reilly

example, €48.9 million in funding was invested in SICAP this year. I remind Members of the House that the place-based leadership programme under SICAP leads to improved building capacity. To be helpful, and I make this point in a non-confrontational manner, the issue of work … operatives does not come under our Department but a different remit. Both the Minister and I, along with our Department and under the programme for Government, are committed to improving many aspects of the lives of people through community involvement and community-led initiatives. Last week

latest information I have is that it is hoped the project will proceed in quarter 1 of 2026, which would be very welcome. I mentioned in this House before that Newbridge now has a population of almost 26,000 people, so it is very important we have … history as well through the Newbridge county library. I thank the Minister of State for his reply and I look forward to that project for the people of Newbridge and of County Kildare

Kildare every success over the weekend. It is important we in the Department work with the county council to ensure our libraries capital programme is delivered. I have travelled to a number of libraries across the country. I visited Ennis last weekend and it is fantastic … State with responsibility for libraries, I look forward to working with all Members of the House to ensure the library service's capital programme, the book fund, the mobile library service and ICT is enhanced during the term of our office in the Department

Last year, we funded over €30 million for 12 new community centres. My priority, at the moment, is to get those 12 projects up and running to get that money drawn down. We have over 770 projects completed and they are already delivering very real benefits, not just

economic growth. I look forward to the development of the new round of regional enterprise plans next year. Within my Department, the LEADER programme also focuses on supporting local economic development, helping to diversify the rural economy and create employment opportunities. Similarly, the delivery of the network … significant enhancements to our digital infrastructure, as the Deputy mentioned in his opening remarks, are helping to support rural enterprises and employment. The programme for Government includes a commitment to publish and implement a new Our Rural Future policy, which will take effect from 2026. Public and stakeholder

publicly announced by the Minister, organisations have been asked to reapply for short-listing with no guarantee that funding will be provided for projects or be granted. The grant was announced in 2023 as an emergency fund to fill a gaping hole left by the HSE which … when two Ministers from the previous Government's Cabinet went to Donegal and announced specific multi-annual money for these projects, the HSE is now telling them there is no guarantee they will even get funding and that there is no multi-annual funding available any more? What

again. I had conversations on it this week, coincidentally, where I was told there were some final compliance and governance issue with some projects. Again, I do not say that as a slur but just before the final governance issues in terms of the drawdown of public money … That is what I was told was the situation this week. It would be useful, if we take the Donegal projects as an example, to convene a meeting next week of Oireachtas Members with the relevant HSE and departmental officials. I undertake to get that in place

water outages this year alone. The broader picture is our climate preparedness and climate action, or the lack thereof. Ever since the programme for Government was published, the Labour Party has had serious concerns about this Government’s commitment to addressing the climate crisis. Last week … public transport but the services are not there or are already at capacity. We need more rail services and, in the short term, projects like BusConnects need to be prioritised. How in God's name has it taken eight years and counting

stop using dirty fuels and start being able to produce clean renewable energy. There are a number of commitments in the programme for Government on climate. They include strengthening governance structures around the climate action plan, achieving energy independence by harnessing renewable energy resources, ramping up home retrofits … improving grants, on which we have given a commitment, enabling communities to secure grid access for local renewable projects and supporting the just transition commission to ensure no community is left behind. One of the big decisions the previous Government made was the establishment of the Infrastructure, Climate

budget for Government-approved schemes, including expenditure on increased apprenticeship provision and the roll-out of new initiatives such as the national tertiary programme. There is also a failure to provide for the costs of the new apprenticeship centre in Carrick-on-Suir. Despite continued engagement with SOLAS … legitimate funding for the board. LTIs have provided transformative support for countless vulnerable young people and adults. The progression of students through these programmes speaks volumes. Many of them have faced significant barriers, ranging from family disadvantage to low confidence and profound health struggles. They found a safe

Government's planned annual intake under the Union Resettlement and Humanitarian Admission Framework as provided for in the International Protection Act 2026; the projected cost per resettled person including family members; the mechanism to ensure that such admissions do not undermine the integrity of the domestic asylum system

Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the staffing levels, budget and first-year work programme of the newly established Office of the Chief Inspector of Asylum Border Procedures under the International Protection Act 2026; the number of inspections or investigations carried

Deputy John Paul O'Shea asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if he will provide a list of all capital projects including Garda stations, courthouses, prison and immigration-related infrastructure delivered under the remit of his Department, and bodies under its aegis, which have been

review into existing training needs for those working within family justice; the timeframe in which he intends effective and relevant training programmes will be developed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34870/26

Deputy Joe Neville asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if he will provide a list of all capital projects including Garda stations, courthouses, prison and immigration-related infrastructure delivered under the remit of his Department, and bodies under its aegis, which have been completed

details supplied) were not successful; if the outcome can be reversed as the applicant has invested heavily in the preparatory works for the project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34755/26

will outline when local county childcare committees will receive funding for applications submitted under the early learning and childcare capital programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34472/26

Children, Disability and Equality to consider the purchase of a building in Kilcock, County Kildare (details supplied) under the new €135 million programme of State-led early learning and childcare services; if she will provide a schedule of sites that she has already purchased and/or leased under

Deputy John Clendennen asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality whether there are plans to expand the family resource centre programme during 2026 and 2027; the number of additional centres envisaged nationally; if towns such as Birr may be considered under any future expansion process

Deputy Keira Keogh asked the Minister for Health for an update on RSV Immunisation Programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33963/26

Deputy Brian Brennan 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 the Wicklow Wexford

Deputy Grace Boland 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 Fingal each

Deputy Micheál Carrigy 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 Longford in each

Deputy Marian Harkin asked the Minister for Health for an update regarding the status of and funding for, the RSV immunisation programme for newborns for 2026. [34165/26

Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Health if she will confirm if the infant RSV immunisation programme will continue for the coming year following a HIQA assessment on cost effectiveness; the additional factors, including indirect health system costs, winter capacity pressures, and equity of access, being considered

Deputy Naoise Ó Muirí asked the Minister for Health when she expects to make a determination on the future of the RSV immunisation programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34503/26

Heneghan asked the Minister for Health if she is aware of concerns regarding the reported withdrawal or scaling back of the RSV immunisation programme for infants; whether any decision has been taken in this regard; the basis for any such decision, including any assessment undertaken by the Health

clinical, public health and hospital capacity impacts of RSV infection in infants have been fully considered in any review of the RSV immunisation programme; the measures that are currently in place or planned to protect vulnerable infants from RSV; and if she will make a statement

Flynn asked the Minister for Health whether bodies funded under service level agreements, Section 38 arrangements, Section 39 arrangements, or grant-based programme allocations are classified as non-statutory bodies for governance and reporting purposes. [34651/26

Deputy John Paul O'Shea 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 Cork

commitment to explore the establishment of a national safeguarding body to ensure the health, safety and welfare of vulnerable adults, as per the Programme for Government; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34885/26

Deputy Charles Ward asked the Minister for Health whether a tender for the Buncrana Community Hospital project was ever issued; if so, when; whether a contractor was appointed; if not, the reason public representatives were informed that works would commence in Q1 2026; and if she will make

Deputy Charles Ward asked the Minister for Health the specific issues that led to the Buncrana Community Hospital project reverting to pre-tender stage; the reason these issues were not identified earlier, prior to residents being relocated; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34947/26

Ward asked the Minister for Health the basis on which residents from Buncrana Community Hospital were moved out in May 2025 if the project was not ready to proceed; the assessment that was carried out regarding the impact of relocation on residents and families; and if she will

Deputy Charles Ward asked the Minister for Health the current status of the Buncrana Community Hospital project in terms of approvals and procurement; whether a clear and guaranteed timeline now be provided for tender issue, contractor appointment and construction commencement and completion; and if she will make