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opening of an additional train station in County Louth. Deputy Michael Murphy - To discuss local government reform as set out in the programme for Government. Deputy Donna McGettigan - To discuss the need to establish Jigsaw services in County Clare. Deputy Pat Buckley - To discuss funding to be provided … recent post office closures across County Cork. Deputy Joanna Byrne - To discuss the inclusion of a Drogheda school (details supplied) in the Pathfinder programme. Deputy Pa Daly - To discuss the student accommodation crisis in UL. Deputy Louise O'Reilly - To discuss the need for disability services for people

time and again and goes on and on. However, multiply that one hundredfold in terms of all the little, or not so little, projects around the country that have either run up huge costs, not been delivered properly, or not been delivered on time. When we are looking … been a long time coming. One of the Minister of State's predecessors had issues with putting conditions on projects where more than 50% would be criteria other than price. For too long, we have been looking at either the lowest price or the quickest job without looking

there are a lot of loopholes in the rules. I was inspired to raise this issue tonight because of the Lucan swimming pool project. It was approved by councillors in 2018 and got delayed a little bit through Covid, but the council took its eye off the ball … contract, as there was a clause allowing for that, it would probably take longer to retender and it would cost more. The project has already gone up by between €4 million and €5 million from the original estimate. The Minister of State referred to discretion. Companies have

committed to building an affordable, high-quality and accessible early learning and childcare system. Although the Deputy said it is not enough, the programme for Government commits for the first time to provide capital investment to build or purchase State-owned early learning and childcare facilities to create … development and design in order to progress to implementation stage, having regard to the wider emerging policy context as set out in the programme for Government. The Department funds 30 city or county childcare committees, which provide support and assist families and early learning and childcare providers

lead full lives with the experiences and opportunities they deserve. We need a pipeline of therapists for the future based on shared projections across health, disability and education. The programme for Government commits to doubling the number of college places in this area and delivering a workforce plan

opportunities that exist to develop the further education sector on an all-island basis, and particularly that there be a substantial capital programme. One of the projects of particular interest to me is the proposed development of a state-of-the-art campus in Cavan to provide additional

very warmly welcome the Minister's confirmation that progress is being made with this very important project for our constituency, as the Cathaoirleach Gníomhach, Deputy David Maxwell, will know. I hope the Minister will be in a position to visit Cavan Institute at an early date … such a range of classroom and other ancillary accommodation, plus sports facilities. I hope SOLAS will be able to drive this capital programme forward as urgently as possible. I am delighted the Minister has secured from the Department of public expenditure additional funding to bolster the capital budget

people to operate it, learn from it and use it, it is futile. I have, along the lines of the previous programme for research in third level institutions, PRTLI, a new undertaking that perhaps has not taken place for a decade prior to now. It was a very … successful programme in the early part of the century. That is something on which I am engaging with the national development plan in terms of securing significant funding for it. The sector has warmly welcomed my indications in this regard. I am engaging with it intensively, and that

excellent organisation and it is worthwhile to have it in the room for these discussions. The other thing I will say about the programme as I currently envisage it and through my work with the expert group is that it is intended to be a competitive funding call … automatic or immediate. Funding is the first step. The next step is the framework around the funds, such as what type of projects, equipment and research is being supported. I intend to cast a wide net because we should not be excluding any particular areas, although naturally there

local authority they can define the ask and what the new building will look like. It is very important that in developing a project such as this there is a relatively good business plan in place, or, for want of a better word, a development plan, so people … there and that the building will be sustainable. There are dereliction officers in every local authority who are able to assist with the programme. Through the RRDF and the town and village renewal scheme we have funded old Garda stations, old FCA buildings, old schools and old railway

would point out that, as the Deputy is aware, there is substantial current investment by my Department in Ballyhaunis through RRDF projects, the regeneration of a number of properties and the town centre management. I am very aware of the issues raised by the Deputy … excludes towns and cities. As mentioned earlier, we also have to focus on urban poverty and urban areas. We previously had the RAPID programme, which was the big brother of CLÁR, and we are looking at reintroducing that to give the level of support to our towns

completely hear the Deputy. Many of the projects we have involve older buildings that people are seeking to repurpose. The process is designed to protect those buildings but also to protect the investment and to ensure that the investment we make at this stage will unlock potential future … that we may not be able to reach, particularly for older buildings. I will engage with the Deputy and his office on the project and the timelines under the current assessment phase. We have our own demands and standards within the Department. We have to ensure they

even at this late stage. The committee heard that all the levers were being pushed to make the contractor deliver on this project, but what levers are there? What mechanisms are in the contract the Tánaiste signed off on to force the contractor to deliver these projects within

other areas. Immigration, therefore, must be a fair and just system, taking account of a community's capacity to cope. The programme for Government states clearly that the Government will address these areas and will consult with communities, which is to be welcomed. We have that old Irish … record. I put the question that I submitted in advance. What plans are being compiled, have been worked out, in accordance with the programme for Government to improve the intra-departmental communication, inter-departmental communication, collaboration, cost-benefit analysis and planning of all Departments for the benefit

urgent positioning on the agenda. We can take County Meath, for example and crosscheck what has been happening versus what is in the programme for Government. That programme commits to "Give greater lead-in time to the opening of new facilities, allowing for enhanced and effective local communication

network in Galway. All of this seems to be pending the outcome of the assessment of An Bord Pleanála of the N6 project, for which we have no timeline and do not know when a decision will be made. In 2022, the NTA tendered for a company … that its remit was to develop a strategy that would cater for either outcome, that is, with or without the new N6 project. It is, therefore, deeply disappointing that it has made this decision. The strategy for Galway should be multifaceted and consider the all-island rail review

thank Deputy Neville for raising this matter. He is right that it is a major priority for us in government. In the programme for Government we have outlined 21 specific commitments on childcare. My constituency in Wicklow it is not too dissimilar to Deputy Neville's constituency … childcare facility but many childcare providers find the upfront costs they need to pay far too high. We are very clear in the programme for Government that there are parts of the country where we need to have State-backed public provision. The Minister, Deputy Foley, is working

thank the Minister very much for the statement she has just read, which is very comprehensive and sets out an ambitious programme of work. I deeply appreciated her coming to visit my constituency of Galway East. She did a great honour to the teaching staff, parents and organisers … pupils. The school is an amalgamation of three campuses with the promise that a new school would be developed in the future. The project is being advanced but it can be deeply frustrating financially for the principal and staff to try to manage the three campuses from

circular on leave of absence following assault. This must happen as a matter of priority. On the issue of educational disadvantage, the DEIS programme has been a lifeline for schools in disadvantaged areas but it needs expansion, not stagnation. A 2024 OECD report on DEIS schools highlights … must provide decent funding and resources. Funding for DEIS schools must urgently be increased to ensure schools have staff, proper resources and the programmes needed to close the inequality gap. We will see the new DEIS plan soon and, hopefully, it will be welcome. We have heard welcome

centre, an administrative and training unit and four respite homes. This will increase the valuable services it provides. It applied for immigrant investor programme, IIP, funding in April 2022 and, three years later, still has not received it. As the Minister of State can imagine, that is causing … sign of the money. The association is becoming very worried at this point. Can the Minister of State provide any clarity on the project or the entire scheme? The scheme was closed but my understanding is that the process would happen as normal for all applications submitted prior

school would be going to construction that year, almost a decade ago. There has been false dawn after false dawn for this project and we are no further on. I met with the principal of the school earlier this year and at that point, the stage … totally unacceptable. I want to see movement on this as a local representative for the area. I want to see this project moved to tender and into construction. Almost 30 years after the commitment and promise was first made, the Government should look to move on the stage

ChillOUT, which are based at the Manor Youth Café in Waterford city every Sunday from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. The programme for Government commits to ensuring a transgender healthcare service that is based on clinical evidence, respect, inclusiveness and compassion. I was happy to write that into … programme. I know the trans community very well. I am very proud to be the mother of a young trans man. I hope and pray that all Deputies can support this. I do not think it is too much to ask. Foróige also has to be commended

echo the supports for BusConnects. It is a very important project for Dublin in particular. It cannot come soon enough. I wish to speak about the urgent need for security personnel on public transport services in north Dublin, in particular during evening hours. I thank my local colleague … called for the deployment of An Garda Síochána or security personnel on DART and bus services as part of the community safety programme. It is an issue of growing concern, particularly in areas such as Raheny, Donaghmede, Belmayne and Clongriffin, but the progress on the issue seems

aspects of water services planning, delivery and operation at national, regional and local levels. 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 … Deputy Browne, have function regarding Uisce Éireann’s specific operations at Ellen's Court. In other words, Ministers cannot get involved in individual projects; that is a matter for Uisce Éireann. However, I have made inquiries for the Deputy, and my understanding from information provided

elevated office of Minister of State. I will make a few comments as part of this debate. I am glad that the programme for Government includes as a priority the abolition of the means test for carers. It is only right. It is shameful that it has taken … allow more people to qualify for the payment. It will cost the Exchequer an estimated €3 billion per annum. I note that the programme for Government states that the means test will be incrementally wound back across the five years of the Government's term. It should

Michael Collins asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment whether the Government has considered proposals whereby revenues from domestic transition-fuel projects (details supplied) could contribute to funding renewable energy infrastructure. [29587/26

often not readily available as a standalone upgrade from SEAI-registered contractors and is instead delivered primarily as part of larger, bundled retrofit projects; the steps, if any, being taken to ensure that this requirement does not act as a barrier to homeowners seeking to access these grants

Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the progress made on the commitment in the Programme for Government to establish national renewable energy clusters to be co-located with training and education centres; and if he will make a statement

relation to the potential role of domestic transition fuels as a temporary support to Ireland's renewable energy rollout, including proposals linking such projects to the delivery of offshore wind and solar capacity; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29612/26

decouple the renewable electricity price from fossil fuel prices; the way he will ensure that this will not disincentivise further renewable energy projects; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29620/26

nature of refurbishment works that are scheduled to be carried out at Aiken Barracks, Dundalk, this year; the estimated cost of each project, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29637/26

Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Defence the estimated amount the armoured vehicle programme will cost the Irish taxpayer over its full lifetime, including infrastructure, personnel, maintenance and training, not just the purchase price of armoured vehicles. [30233/26

Shea asked the Minister for Transport for an update on the status of proposed bus routes 234 and 238 under the Connecting Ireland Programme, including the expected timeline for its introduction; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29675/26

Deputy Johnny Guirke asked the Minister for Transport if he will consider working with Meath County Council to create a national programme to address the highest-risk road sections across County Meath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29690/26

Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Transport if he has plans to introduce a mandatory black spot redesign programme. [30116/26

Deputy Ged Nash asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance the projected yield from a windfall tax on energy profits for 2024, 2025 and 2026, respectively, if the corporation tax rate were increased to either 25% or 50%; the estimated yield, if a 25% levy were placed

this revenue has been allocated and spent in each year since its introduction; the amounts directed towards social protection measures, retrofitting programmes, agri-environment schemes and any other expenditure headings; to clarify whether all carbon tax revenues are being fully ring-fenced, as committed to under Government policy

that data is stored, his Department has assessed the potential jurisdictional implications of engaging non-EU headquartered suppliers for critical national digital infrastructure projects; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30327/26

Government approval of a national electronic health record (EHR) system, whether his Department has undertaken a formal review of comparable large-scale programmes in other jurisdictions, including Northern Ireland, Denmark, Switzerland and Norway where significant cost increases and timeline extensions have been reported; the specific value for money

Employment the steps his Department is taking to address labour displacement from Artificial Intelligence within and beyond what is set out in the Programme for Government, in the context of increasing concerns around the reach of such displacement to multiple sectors within the Irish economy

Deputy John Paul O'Shea asked the Minister for Education and Youth for an update on a capital project for a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29834/26

current status of the proposed classroom extension at a school (details supplied); the reasons for the delays in the progression of this project; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30029/26

Deputy James Geoghegan asked the Minister for Education and Youth the total spending on programmes targeting educationally disadvantaged schools in 1997, 2002, 2007, 2012, 2017, 2023 and 2025; the amount of this which is the provision of extra teachers as distinct from other supports; and if she will

Deputy James Geoghegan asked the Minister for Education and Youth the total spending on programmes targeting children with special education needs in 1997, 2002, 2007, 2012, 2017, 2023 and 2025; the amount of this which is the provision of extra teachers as distinct from other supports

Minister for Education and Youth the number of schools receiving supports because of their disadvantaged status before the introduction of the DEIS programme; the number included in DEIS when first introduced; the expansions which have occurred since in the coverage of schools at primary and post primary schools

Deputy James Geoghegan asked the Minister for Education and Youth the number of children supported by SEN programmes before the NCSE was established; the way that number has grown since the NCSE was put in place; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30092/26

criteria for selecting schools for inclusion in the DEIS urban and rural schemes have changed since its introduction and differ from the programmes which preceded them; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30093/26

Minister for Education and Youth the measures of outcome and impact her Department tracks to measure the achievements of the special education needs programmes; the way in which they have evolved since its establishment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30098/26

Education and Youth whether her Department collects evidence to shed light on the comparative effectiveness of different interventions within disadvantage or special needs programmes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30102/26

Deputy Denise Mitchell asked the Minister for Education and Youth the status of the new school building project for a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30879/26