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provided since October 2023; and — this includes €58 million for UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees since 2023, to support its programmes in Gaza and the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, as well as in Jordan, Syria and Lebanon; and acknowledges that: — the Central Bank … indeed the processes of the ICC does not constitute grounds for the CBI to refuse the prospectus of the Israel Bond Programme; and — the Government has received advice from the Attorney General that recently proposed legislation to introduce 'restrictive measures' was not compatible with our obligations as Members

using famine as a weapon of war. It is also trying to humiliate the people of Gaza by providing very restricted food programmes and then killing people who seek to feed their families from those programmes. I have never seen such gruesome violations of human rights unfold

have provided more than €88 million in support to the people of Palestine, including €58 million for UNRWA since 2023 to support programmes in Gaza. The Government is also pushing ahead with legislation to prohibit imports from illegal settlements in the Occupied Territories in accordance with the commitment … programme for Government. What is needed now more than ever is urgency on the international stage and a unified approach with a single goal of ending disproportionate suffering. While we hold Israel to account in this House, we must also voice our unreserved condemnation of the role

attacked. I want to talk about consequences. There were 15,813 referrals of 12- to 17-year-olds to the Garda youth diversion programme in 2023 and 15,790 in 2022, representing 10,000 and 8,400 offenders, respectively. They are the ones who reach the threshold … antisocial behaviour warning or an antisocial behaviour order, ASBO, and to be put onto a Garda programme

moneys to rural towns in particular. Cahersiveen was awarded €2 million from the fund in 2022 for a strategic approach to proposed regeneration projects in the town. It was awarded €6.4 million in category 2 funding in May last year, which is very significant, to regenerate the town … looking forward to going down there this year to speak in honour of the Great Liberator. Regarding the various road projects the Deputy alluded to in Killorglin and throughout Kerry, we accept the bona fides of the position that is being presented. There is a need for more

including €1.8 million to the N70 Creamery Cross to Kenneigh phase 2 paving scheme that is under way, the Blackwater Bridge to Sneem project, the Waterville to Ballybrack project and improvements to the N72 between Tralee and Dingle. A total of €13 million-odd has been allocated

headquartered in Geneva and currently comprises 24 member states and ten associate member states. Associate membership of CERN is a commitment in the programme for Government and a long-standing national ambition. It is also a personal ambition of mine, having advocated for Ireland’s membership of CERN … rights and obligations as an associate member of CERN. This includes: the right to participate in CERN’s scientific, training, and education programmes; the right to representation on CERN’s governing bodies; the eligibility of Irish nationals for positions at CERN; and eligibility for Irish businesses to compete

Mental Health Bill have been a long-standing priority of the Department of Health and of mine and feature in the current programme for Government, as well as in previous programmes for government. The Mental Health Act 2001, which was fully commenced in 2006, is the key legislation

detained and are sent back out into the community where the gardaí will encounter them at a later time. I welcome the pilot project in Limerick, which witnesses before the health committee spoke about earlier today. It is a good initiative that can curb some of the problems … always made available. I remember the first time I had gardaí taking part in the applied suicide intervention skills training, ASIST, programme I was delivering, which helps people to identify the signs of suicidal feelings. Gardaí do that training on a voluntary basis to get an insight into

homes in Cork docklands in the Taoiseach's constituency. The area has seen substantial investment, including commitments exceeding €600 million for the regeneration project. Would the Taoiseach agree that An Bord Pleanála's refusal to outline case 313142 undermines these efforts and hampers Cork's potential to deliver … urgently needed houses? Does the Taoiseach accept that this planning rejection not only stalls the housing project but also sends conflicting messages to investors and the community itself

this area. Her successor, Deputy Jim O'Callaghan, is following up on that. Under the shared island initiative, we have a joint programme on gender-based violence with Northern Ireland to try to develop a programme to educate and get awareness of the issue

housing market. I wish to quickly talk about three things. First, it is a specific measure and a commitment in the programme for Government to increase the level of capital to Irish Water over the next while. This is absolutely imperative. It has to be tied … done. In 2013, there were only 5,000 homes delivered. We are now in a situation - and it is a commitment in the programme for Government - to deliver 300,000 homes between 2025 and 2030, targeting at least 60,000 homes annually by the end of the period

speaking to local authority director of housing managers and AHBs and they are telling us that across all of the delivery programmes for social and affordable housing - SHIP, CAF, CAS, CREL and the affordable housing fund - there is a growing backlog, the delays have gone from weeks … saying the Government got it wrong and I agree with him. Then there are the cuts to the social housing acquisition programmes. It is becoming increasingly apparent that the decisions made by the Minister at the end of March and early April are devastating the ability of local

State. We need urgent action to tackle dereliction and bring vacant homes back into use. I know that as part of the programme for Government, consideration is being given to the introduction of a new voids programme with a view to improving turnaround times for vacant social homes

must consider a broader truth. Ireland is ten years ahead of the population plan. We have already passed 5.3 million. This milestone was projected for 2035, not 2025. This growth is not a surprise. It comes with inward economic migrants and a sharp rise in refugee and asylum … applications. According to the Department of justice there was a 290% jump between 2019 and 2024. The CSO projected 5.6 million by 2030. We are already nearly at that point. This type of demographic pressure demands clarity, a tough boldness and action. Instead we are getting delay, drift

addition, and where turnaround times are not impacted, local authorities can also complete the suite of works applicable to the energy efficiency retrofit programme on a vacant dwelling with additional funding up to a maximum of €48,850. There is evidence to suggest, however, that while re-letting … Additional funding was made available in 2020, which provided uncapped funding levels. This was supported again in 2021 with the non-standard voids programme. Further uncapped additional funding was made available to the sector in 2023 to finally tackle any remaining legacy vacant support for the transition

Government has in the past given them the money to do so. The funding available from my Department under the planned maintenance voids programme is available to support minimal turnaround times, with all local authorities moving to a position of aligning works with the criteria of the relevant … impact of funding shortfalls, which must be absorbed from the local authorities' own resources. Given the significant Exchequer investment into the stock improvement programmes over recent years, particularly for voids, I now envisage that local authorities should be in a strong position to continue the transition

last week. It is a stark warning. Ireland seems to have gone backwards in its climate ambition because the latest greenhouse gas emissions projections form the EPA said emissions would fall by up to 23% if every climate policy currently planned is implemented on time, down from … projection of 29% during the previous year. The gap is widening between what is achievable and what are legally binding emissions reductions

programme for Government outlines the policy position regarding energy policy, housing policy, foreign direct investment growth and the many other goals and objectives of this Government. It reflects the balance between the many opportunities and challenges facing the country and the actions that will be taken over … growing population and economy. The exact level of this will be part of the CRU's final determination later this year. The programme for Government seeks to address the challenges of balancing energy needs by committing to scaling up investment in critical infrastructure and our electricity grid, which

firmly of the opinion that this project will never be delivered at the current rate and if the current approach is maintained. I do not say this with any degree of satisfaction. I accept the points made by the Minister in terms of the strategic importance … because at the root of it is belligerence on the part of EirGrid. I do not believe EirGrid is fit to deliver this project because it is being so belligerent and is ignoring the concerns of communities. The third report contained real criticisms of EirGrid and its approach

difficulty. I am being straight with the Minister. It is my firm belief, as an elected Member who knows these communities, that this project is not going to proceed as currently planned. The only way I see it being delivered is underground. The 2021 review said that … stated that EirGrid failed to adequately conduct an international standard cost-benefit analysis of overground versus underground over the full life of the project. The local communities can see that. At every hand's turn, their concerns have not been adequately addressed by EirGrid and they are fundamentally

thank the Minister for his honesty about the risk of some of those projects not delivering within the 2030 timeline. Would it be the Minister's belief then that if those renewable projects are not going to deliver in that timeline, we must look at the timeline within

recommendation to provide financial support for district heating, the Department and Ministers are seeking a multi-annual financial allocation for effective district heating projects over the period 2026 to 2030. Investing now in the early phase infrastructure will deliver key backbone elements for district heating networks that will … centre of excellence, is preparing a business case seeking to establish future State funding from 2026 to 2030 to support efficient district heating projects in suitable locations, usually urban areas with high heat density

Malcolm Byrne - To discuss the planned extension of a secondary school in Carnew, County Wicklow, and to provide an update and timeframe on project completion. Deputy James Geoghegan - To discuss the need to expand the access and inclusion model to support children below the current age of eligibility … establishment of a new secondary school in Cork for students with complex needs. Deputy Aidan Farrelly - To discuss current and planned school building projects and related matters in Kildare. Deputy Pádraig Rice - To discuss providing extra time to students with dyslexia when sitting State examinations. Deputy Mattie McGrath

There is a commitment in the programme for Government to bring forward an adult safeguarding policy for the health and social care sector. I expect the issue will be brought to the Cabinet before the summer recess. Following that, we will be looking for approval to progress … health and adult safeguarding Bill, which is in the current legislative programme. It is a matter of absolute priority. I am on record as saying that I would like to see inspections taking place more quickly and timeframes for protected disclosures. The Deputy will appreciate that I want

Noel McCarthy asked the Minister for Social Protection further to Parliamentary Question No.150 of 13 November 2025, to provide an update on the Programme for Government commitment to extend from 6 to 12 weeks the period of a social welfare payment following the death of a dependent

Deputy Mark Wall asked the Minister for Social Protection to outline the progress his Department has made in implementing the Programme for Government commitments to increasing social protection payments and supports for family carers. [31338/26

Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Social Protection for an update on the provision of the hot school meals programme by not-for-profit suppliers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31209/26

Minister for Transport for an update on the roll-out of the planned inner orbital O route as part of the BusConnects project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31313/26

asked the Minister for Transport to provide an update on the progress to date in relation to the N/M20 Limerick to Cork motorway project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31291/26

rural areas where services remain limited; whether there are plans to expand bus routes or increase service frequency under the Connecting Ireland programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31116/26

Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Transport the latest update on the progression of the Dart+ West Project and associated infrastructure (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31247/26

firsthand about the serious traffic management crisis in Letterkenny impacting the people of and visitors to Donegal; and the proposed local roads infrastructure projects that can address this crisis. [29784/26

Transport the money spent to date, and the updated cost estimates for the MetroLink; if these have risen from the previous cost projections in 2022; when he anticipates a new director will be appointed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31134/26

Barry Ward asked the Minister for Transport the position regarding the establishment of a dedicated transport security service as set out in the Programme for Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29986/26

Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Transport to provide an update on the timeline of construction for the Finglas Luas extension project, given the recent legal action has now been resolved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31269/26

Deputy John Paul O'Shea asked the Minister for Transport if he will provide details of projects approved from the €2 billion allocated to his Department to support low-carbon transportation as part of the €3.15 billion of the Infrastructure, Climate and Nature Fund; and if he will

Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Transport for an update on the progress of the Luas light rail project since the publication of the feasibility study in 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31312/26

Department review the requirements regarding the width of new cycle lanes and new footpaths that are being installed under the Active Travel Fund Programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31213/26

Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Transport whether his Department has assessed delivery capability and performance on the Train Management System project; the outcome of any such assessment; the contingency or alternative delivery options under consideration; the measures being taken to mitigate further cost escalation and delivery

Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Transport the current status of the National Train Control Centre and Train Management System project; the revised timeline for commissioning phase 1 and overall completion; the total cost to date and estimated final cost; the actions being taken to ensure delivery

will provide an update on the N25 Midleton to Youghal scheme following the recent appointment of the design consultant for the project; if the Lakeview roundabout will be taken into consideration following the recent upgrades of the R630; if his Department have considered signalising the roundabout to help

Deputy Joe Neville asked the Minister for Transport if his Department could provide an update in relation to the Dart+ South West project, which was pushed back in terms of delivery; the solutions that are in place to ensure the original timeline is reinstated; and if he will

Deputy Aidan Farrelly asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment if he will provide a schedule of EU-funded projects undertaken by his Department from 2020 to date in 2026 in the areas of risk, emergency planning and or climate change; and/or were coordinated

Gardaí now have full access to the same data contained in the driver file database as those Gardaí recently involved in a pilot project in Kildare/Carlow in December 2025 (details supplied); if so, the way in which this system works with regard to the many drivers convicted

flight paths’; whether he considers that position consistent with Council Directive 2011/92/EU on the assessment of the effects of certain public and private projects on the environment (details supplied); if he does not agree with DAA's position, to state on the basis his Department has continued

Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation the number of engineers currently working on the Middleton flood relief scheme project; the amount allocated to date by his Department to ensure the appointment of additional engineers to the scheme; if all proposed engineering positions proposed under

Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Education and Youth the current status of an additional accommodation project application by a school (details supplied); when they can proceed to the next phase; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31570/26

school, first announced in 2022; if her Department will meet directly with the school management and their agent(s) to discuss the project; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31616/26

Deputy John Clendennen asked the Minister for Education and Youth for an update on the additional school accommodation scheme project for a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31695/26