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There is a lot of good in the programme for Government. It says that the Government will review these guidelines. It also commits to reviewing core funding and to the provision of public supply. I am here today to say that there are opportunities to combine those … core and so may not be affordable for childcare providers. We need to do what we said we would do in the programme for Government and pull on every lever to actually make delivery happen. We have to review and overhaul the guidelines but we also have

coming months. Primarily, the role of the task force is to provide its members' expertise and guidance to assist my Department's work programme of identifying and addressing barriers to the delivery of infrastructure in order to accelerate the development of critical infrastructure. This work programme focuses

seeking to accelerate delivery of the basic infrastructure that is lacking in parts of our country. It is looking at impediments, at why projects are taking too long in terms of the design and concept phases and at how project lifecycles can be shortened in order to drive

sense. In that action plan and the national development plan, will he commit to ensuring there are deadlines and milestones around key projects? That will be the way in which he and his Government colleagues will be held to account on actual delivery. Will he also confirm what … countries he has looked at for best practice on delivering key infrastructure projects when considering setting up this Department? Are there examples we can look to for inspiration

Deputy and the other Deputies who have also raised this matter. As Deputy O'Callaghan will be aware, we are committed in the programme for Government to updating the ethics in public office legislation. This follows a wide-ranging review of the legislative framework for ethics in public … those I have outlined, and I am engaging with officials to determine the most appropriate way forward to meet the commitment in the programme for Government. My ultimate goal is to create a fit-for-purpose and easy to understand ethical framework that contributes to the quality, efficacy

Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire Stáit. I have a couple of comments. I welcome the fact that the project seems to have worked well. We hear a lot about public sector projects and about the ones that do not work well but this one seems to have come

first time, the programme for Government commits to a public model of childcare. The Taoiseach has confirmed that work is needed to map out how we will do that in a public building programme and how that will harmonise with existing provision. He also confirmed that

accelerating infrastructure task force is a welcome move to tackle delivery delays and cost overruns in major public projects such as the national children's hospital, MetroLink and thousands of social and affordable homes that are delayed or over budget. The Irish Fiscal Advisory Council has noted that … infrastructure delivery is 25% below European norms. How will the task force overcome these systemic challenges and deliver projects on time and within budget

clearly, the outworking of the reforms we are advancing is to ensure delivery but also to empower agents to accelerate their respective projects where the pipeline has been too elongated and complex over the last number of years. What we are trying to do is have a cross … cutting reform to support the delivery of many of the projects that the Deputy referenced

Social Housing and the State's largest approved housing body, AHB, Clúid, confirmed that thousands of much-needed social and affordable housing projects have been delayed because of Government red tape and bureaucracy. They say this means that 3,000 fewer social and affordable homes will be delivered … households in Dublin face water shortages in the next five years. This is due to significant delays in delivering major water supply projects in the capital and the Government's failure to invest properly in our creaking water network. The inability to guarantee a water connection is jeopardising

judgment calls the Minister will no doubt get right in the time ahead, with Government colleagues, we also need to recognise that projects announced today obviously have a lead-in time. This Government wants to deliver 300,000 new homes by 2030. In order to fulfil that … going to have to press "go" on crucial water and energy projects and provide extra support and funding for the Land Development Agency. The Deputy is right that if we do not do that early on, we will not see the benefit of it for the people

manage the River Shannon; the removal of the pinch points in the Shannon River between Athlone and Portumna; and an ongoing river maintenance programme. The Minister of State will be aware that Sinn Féin has introduced the River Shannon Management Agency Bill, the purpose of which … progress on the south Galway flood relief scheme. It has been more than eight years since engineering consultants were first appointed to this project. Yet, family homes, farms and businesses still remain at risk of flooding and there has not been any work carried out yet on that

Submission of planning was to be September 2023, then July 2025 and then it went forward to July 2027, subject to the revised programme being agreed. Then, construction was to begin in October 2025, then 2029. Now it is March 2031. The planning was set for September … then 2025 and then 2027. The Minister of State can see the frustration, all because the size of the project was never anticipated. They were working from the wrong figures and data. The following was the reply to my most recent question on the matter in February this

result of years of planning and engineering studies. The Minister of State and the OPW have shown real leadership in progressing this project. I acknowledge all the technical work done by all the engineers involved and the consistent engagement of Dublin City Council. Make no mistake, the work … That has now changed. This is cross-party, constructive work. I welcome the involvement of everyone who has contributed positively to moving this project forward. We also must say clearly that the sandbags must go. We cannot accept a situation where parts of Dublin Bay North are reliant

risk of an EU legal challenge. These considerations remain central to the Government’s approach. In this regard, the new Government, in the programme for Government, sets out a clear commitment to progress legislation prohibiting goods from the occupied Palestinian territory. The Government is also clear that … between the State of Israel and Israeli settlements, which are clearly illegal under international law. I am advancing with the commitment in the programme for Government and have engaged with the sponsor of the current Bill, which the Deputy has correctly named. I have made it clear

farmers’ livelihoods must not be undermined through weak or ineffective environmental standards in other countries. Our position is clearly outlined in the programme for Government, which states that the Government will work with like-minded EU countries to stand up for Irish farmers and defend our interests … counterparts in other EU member states are continuing, Ireland’s position on the EU-Mercosur agreement remains as clearly outlined in the programme for Government

issue will arise time and again as we seek to make other free trade agreements. Our position on Mercosur is outlined in the programme for Government. I am not changing it or deviating from it. I ask the Deputy, please, not to think I am. However … make it work for farmers. That sequencing is completely wrong. We will continue to engage on Mercosur with like-minded countries. Our programme for Government commitment still stands. The IFA is on the Government trade forum, which gives it a seat at the table in terms of trade

aspects of water services planning, delivery and operation at national, regional and local level. The scope, prioritisation and progression of individual projects are matters for Uisce Éireann and approved through its own board and internal governance structures. Under section 7 of the Water Services … site and carrying out the repairs. Uisce Éireann is reviewing the burst history in the Knocklyon area and will develop appropriate works programmes. Uisce Éireann understands how disruptive unplanned outages are and it has informed the Minister that it regrets the inconvenience caused to customers and residents

been adhered to in the assessment process, which is regrettable, despite it approving the planning for the road. The Galway road project office has since furnished An Bord Pleanála with thorough further information as part of the current assessment process. I hope An Bord Pleanála will undertake … transport strategy for Galway. Since that the NTA has provided me with updated information that it is still progressing many of the projects included in the Galway transport strategy from 2016. Again, this report highlights that those interventions will not be sufficient to alleviate the traffic congestion that

existing measures, which also optimistically assumes they will be fully implemented, is for a reduction of less than 9% by 2030. It is projected that emissions in agriculture, our biggest emitting sector, will increase. The EPA's report is damning of the policy of the Government. It states … Projected gaps ... are larger than last year due to more conservative delivery of measures", and, "there are no significant additional measures in CAP 2025". The Government is going to break our own climate laws and cost us up to €26 billion in fines

criteria and decides to invest on the basis of that, and that is a good thing. It has obviously worked with this particular project. I am not familiar with the background reasons as to why the project has not proceeded at this stage or is not proceeding. Perhaps

have been a supporter of the move of youth back into the Department of education and was involved in that in the programme for Government talks. When I was Minister for Education and Science, youth affairs was part of the Department. The VECs, in particular, did very good … ETBs continue that sort of work. There is a continuum between education and youth and an area between the two. Youthreach programmes have been developed. We get a better kind of holistic approach to the development of young people, so I think it is a good thing

State. The Minister has a responsibility to pursue the religious orders in respect of these funds. Anybody who watched the "Prime Time Investigates" programme on the Christian Brothers in recent weeks can see exactly what is happening in terms of land hoarding and orders using systems to their … advantage to generate very significant private wealth. At the end of the programme, I was struck by the need for the State to intervene in the public good. That is something we sought in our amendment, which was ruled out of order yet again. It is something

There is a commitment in the programme for Government in relation to municipal authorities in towns over a certain population threshold. I had good time for Brendan Howlin, formerly of this House, on many issues, but he led the charge on this matter and subsequently sort … obviously, I will talk to the Minister in terms of the timelines for legislation to give effect to the commitments in the programme for Government

propose to take Questions Nos. 1 to 10, inclusive, together. As part of my St. Patrick’s Day programme in the United States, I visited Austin and Washington DC. My programme in Washington included political, community and economic events. I was hosted at breakfast by the vice president

provide an update on funding that was previously allocated for a swimming pool in Loughrea, County Galway under the local authority swimming pool programme; if that funding is still available for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31633/26

account for the dramatic increase in spending by his Department despite the huge fall in unemployment; if his Department has carried out any projections or risk assessments on the likely increases in social welfare spending which would be needed in the event of an economic downturn

Deputy Aidan Farrelly asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration 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, crisis management; and/or were coordinated by his Department

Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the sum spent on youth diversion programmes in Dublin from 2019 to 2025 and to date in 2026; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31773/26

Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the level of participation in youth diversion programmes in Dublin from 2019 to 2025 and to date in 2026; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31774/26

horticultural growers operating heated glasshouses in light of escalating costs, particularly energy and fertiliser; whether he is aware that some growers are facing projected increases in annual gas bills if current prices persist; whether he considers the current situation to be financially sustainable for the sector

Deputy Aidan Farrelly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine 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 food security; and/or were coordinated

total level of public expenditure allocated to disability services under the HSE National Service Plan 2026; the breakdown of this expenditure, by programme area, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31766/26

Minister for Education and Youth the amount spent on emergency works and ASA works in a school (details supplied), broken down per project, from 2014 to date, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31055/26

Minister for Education and Youth the amount spent on emergency works and ASA works in a school (details supplied), broken down per project, from 2014 to date, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31056/26

Minister for Education and Youth the amount spent on emergency works and ASA works in a school (details supplied), broken down per project, from 2014 to date, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31057/26

Deputy Malcolm Byrne asked the Minister for Education and Youth given that Wexford County Council are now projecting at least 2,200 new homes are to be built in town of Gorey, County Wexford in the period 2026 to 2034, the measures being put in place to ensure

increase funding for summer provision for children with additional needs given that many schools are unable to recruit sufficient teachers to run the programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31279/26

Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Minister for Education and Youth for an update on the major building project at a school (details supplied); when progress to the next stage can be expected; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31469/26

scheme and the historic structure fund in the years of 2025 and 2026, in tabular form; and the amount drawn down by approved project in 2024 and 2025 and 2026. [31036/26

Shea asked the Minister for Social Protection the total expenditure on social welfare in each of the years 2005 to 2025; the projected total expenditure on social welfare in 2026, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31183/26

Deputy John Paul O'Shea asked the Minister for Social Protection the projected surplus or deficit in the social insurance fund for each year 2025 to 2030; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31184/26

Deputy John Paul O'Shea asked the Minister for Social Protection if his Department has carried out any forecasting on the projected increase in expenditure required to meet pension payments over the coming years due our aging population; the estimated additional funding required each year between

Deputy Naoise Ó Muirí asked the Minister for Social Protection if he has considered expanding the school meals programme to all post primary schools; the estimated cost of this measure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29183/26

Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the progress to date on the Programme for Government commitment to introduce paid surrogacy leave; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31159/26

Children, Disability and Equality the latest engagements she had with the Minister for Social Protection and the Minster for Health on the Programme for Government commitment to introduce paid surrogacy leave; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31160/26

Deputy Mark Wall asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the projected annual cost of delivering the National LGBTIQ+ Inclusion Strategy II up to 2028; the estimated cross-departmental funding required year on year, in tabular form. [31458/26

Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment further to the Programme for Government commitment to establish a Small Business Unit within his Department, and a Cost of Business Advisory Forum, if he will provide an update on the work of both bodies to date

asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment if he will outline the importance of developing next generation sites, in line with the Programme for Government commitment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30439/26

Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment to provide an update on the Programme for Government commitment to implement, fund and expand Enterprise Ireland's Action Plan for Women in Business; the progress made to date; and if he will make a statement