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common interest to the European Union. There are tools under Regulation (EU) No. 1026/2012 to impose trade restrictions on countries undermining stocks. The programme for Government recognises the valuable role of fisheries in this country and the communities that rely on this activity for their livelihoods. Furthermore … recognise the importance of maintaining a vibrant fishing sector, both for the communities that rely on them and for the wider economy. The programme for Government, Securing Ireland's Future, reflects this approach by committing to securing a sustainable future for the fisheries sector while supporting coastal communities

problem. The issue of European directives and European frameworks on the environmental side is proving very problematic in terms of flood relief programmes and so on, and there is no point in saying otherwise. I will pursue those. Deputy Shane Moynihan reflected the idea that … accelerate, we could lose international experience, which we are certainly seeking in respect of the metro and some of the more complex transport projects, such as light rail and so on. We have seen how that has worked in the past in terms of the Luas and other

Government investment in sport is essential to increasing participation levels in all sports, across all sectors of society. The allocation for the sports programme in budget 2026 is over €290 million, an increase of just under €60 million or 26%, compared to last year's allocation. When … than €220 million by 2027, so I am pleased that we have well exceeded that commitment already. My Department operates two capital funding programmes for sport, namely the community sports facilities fund and the large-scale sport infrastructure fund, which we are discussing in relation to one particular

delivery across my Department, schemes such as the outdoor recreation infrastructure scheme, ORIS, involve a well-established process of issuing calls for applications, project evaluation and project selection. In general, my Department's schemes are administered on a competitive basis, which underpins the delivery of value for money … selection of high quality projects. Applications for ORIS are administered, prioritised and submitted by each local authority and by local development companies to my Department for assessment. The process, while reviewed and refined ahead of each funding iteration, is well-embedded across the local authorities and local development

setting of policy in relation to active travel, while the National Transport Authority, NTA, has responsibility for the allocation of this funding to projects at local authority level and overseeing their delivery. The significant increase in funding for walking and cycling infrastructure projects in recent years is welcome … Approximately €290 million was provided to the NTA's active and sustainable transport programme this year alone, supporting projects in every local authority. A continuation of this high level of investment was confirmed in the recent budget. The Sutton to Sandycove cycleway, also commonly referred

current enrolment of 165 pupils and a staffing level of a principal, nine mainstream class teachers and three special class teachers. The project approved by the Department of Education and Youth in 2022 provided accommodation for three special classes and associated ancillary accommodation for students with special educational … needs. In addition, repurposing works were completed to provide a general-purpose area and a rooftop play area. This project was delivered under the Department's devolved special educational needs reconfiguration and modular accommodation programme. This programme involves the use of project management supports that are designed

least 220 beds and the expansion of diagnostic services; at least 280 community beds, continued investment in the community nursing units refurbishment programme and reductions in community waiting lists; an additional 1.7 million home support hours; 500 more nursing home places; increased staffing and expansion of mental health … establish a more multi-annual structure of funding our health system. Accordingly, this year's significant funding allocation will be accompanied by a programme of progressive reform in our health system. These reforms include: the ongoing decentralisation of service provision through the new regional health areas; rostering reform

gCill Dara. We have seen a lot of positive progress around the country, particularly in Kildare. Some examples of successful sports capital programme projects in Kildare are: Clough GAA, which secured a €150,000 grant to install LED floodlights and improve security; Celbridge GAA club, which secured just … because it looks after so many people, children and adults, in the community. We have also seen some amazing large-scale sporting infrastructure projects in Kildare. Some €3 million was allocated in respect of Sallins Park in Naas for the development of new pitches

exceed 3 hours and 32 minutes) - Statements on the Positive Effect on the Sporting Landscape through the Use of the Sports Capital Programme, Large Scale Sporting Infrastructure Fund and the Major Events Programme (not to exceed 2 hours and 25 minutes) - Motion re Ratification of the UNESCO Convention … extent: (a) in the event that the Statements on the Positive Effect on the Sporting Landscape through the Use of the Sports Capital Programme, Large Scale Sporting Infrastructure Fund and the Major Events Programme conclude before 7 p.m., the sitting shall stand suspended until

urgent need to have this road completed. I wish he and I were not in the House again discussing this. It is a project of gargantuan importance. As Members will know, it involves 80 km of refurbishment and, at its core, the project will address many … road safety concerns on the existing N20. I also commend Councillor Liam Madden on his work on this project. In addition, the project is aimed at improving connectivity between Cork and Limerick, increasing journey time reliability for passenger and freight traffic and improving the economic heartbeat

these pressures remains a top priority. Extensive work has and will continue to be undertaken right across government to address these challenges. The programme for Government acknowledges these pressures and commits to bringing forward measures to help contain these costs. Ireland faces particular challenges in relation to energy … most vulnerable households and communities. These revenues provide vital funding to support those at risk of energy poverty, as well as retrofitting programmes and agri-environmental supports for farmers. In budget 2025, an allocation of €951 million in carbon tax revenue was provided to a range of programmes

that each child and young person with a special educational need has an appropriate school place, in line with their Constitutional right and Programme for Government commitments; notes that the Government will: — progress work on the development of a more inclusive education system for children with special education … special education to ensure that every child can reach their full potential; — support additional schools and students to benefit from the Summer Programme 2025; — ensure that the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) will continue to engage intensively with parents and all educational partners to continue to increase

thank the Minister sincerely for his reply and the particular interest he always has in cross-Border projects. It is heartening that the shared island initiative has been warmly welcomed by people of all political traditions. Different projects I have been involved in, if they have been cross … Border projects, have been funded by the shared island fund, such as the UNESCO Cuilcagh Lakelands Geopark. I had the opportunity recently to meet the Minister, Deputy Calleary, and Ms Gina McIntyre, the CEO responsible for the PEACEPLUS programme. The programme is being rolled out successfully and there

report utilises the Hippocrates model to update baseline estimates of demand in 2022 for residential care, both long term and short term, and projects demand and capacity for these services out to 2040. The ESRI report projects that the number of residential beds, both long term and short … continued investment in healthcare infrastructure that supports the highest quality care for our older population. This investment includes the community nursing unit programme, which was launched to ensure that up to 90 of our public community nursing units and community hospitals would be refurbished or replaced to ensure

thank the Deputy. Our Department's social inclusion and community activation programme is our country’s primary social inclusion programme. SICAP is a national programme delivered locally in both rural and urban areas by local development companies. It supports those in the greatest need to address high … persistent levels of deprivation through targeted, locally-led initiatives and approaches. The programme encourages partnerships between people, community organisations, and public sector agencies to address diverse community needs. The current SICAP programme commenced in 2024 and will run until 2028. I thank the Deputy for the work

dedication to the people of Donegal and to the issue. I will first address the issue of locations for the surgical hubs. The programme for Government commits to establishing six new hubs, in south Dublin, north Dublin, Galway, Cork, Limerick and Waterford, and exploring the provision … additional surgical hub for the north west. The programme for Government also committed to developing new elective treatment centres in Cork, Galway and Dublin, significantly increasing our capacity to deliver elective care and driving down waiting times for everyone. Developments at the named surgical hub sites are well

over €45 million was committed for improvement and refurbishment works on over 860 existing community centres across Ireland. This includes 78 projects in County Dublin with funding of over €4.6 million. I have been informed by the Minister, Deputy Calleary, that the majority of these projects … supported the enhancement and refurbishment of community centres. Through that round of funding, over €33 million has been approved for more than 770 projects nationwide. This includes funding of up to €100,000 each for category 2 projects that my colleague, the Minister, Deputy Calleary, announced

recognise the importance of maintaining a vibrant fishing sector, both for the communities that rely on it and, indeed, the wider economy. The Programme for Government 2025: Securing Ireland's Future reflects this approach by committing to securing a sustainable future for the fisheries sector while supporting coastal … changing environment. This progress would not be possible without strategic and well-targeted investment, both public and private, and through the seafood development programme, the Government is delivering essential support to strengthen competitiveness, sustainability and employment across the sector. In addition, targeted supports, funded through the Brexit adjustment

Members said, since we saw the distressing footage of conditions at Leas Cross nursing home. Unfortunately, what we saw on the "RTÉ Investigates" programme replicated those horrific and dark days. I thank Aoife Hegarty, the "RTÉ Investigates" programme and, of course, Clare Doyle, the whistleblower, for exposing these … abuses. What we saw on the programme aired was simply elder abuse. Older people were manhandled, pushed around and, heartbreakingly, forgotten. It was tough watching for me to listen to a loved one calling out for help and nobody answering. I cannot but imagine how the families

North-South interconnector is an essential transmission infrastructure project that will link the electricity transmission network between South and North on the island of Ireland, leading to a much more secure, affordable and sustainable supply of electricity across the island, operating in a single electricity market. The project … will facilitate the connection of 900 MW of renewable generation, which is enough to power 600,000 homes. It is an incredibly significant project that is of critical importance to all citizens on the whole island. In March 2023, the Government noted and published an independent report

have witnessed unprecedented levels of capital investment in public infrastructure - roads, public transport, schools, hospitals, housing and more. The national development plan, Project Ireland 2040 and various sectoral strategies have set ambitious targets. The sums involved are substantial, reflecting the scale of the challenge and the opportunity before … concern in this House and among the wider public about the efficiency and effectiveness of this spending. We have all seen high-profile projects beset by cost overruns, delays and significant changes in scope. The national children's hospital, MetroLink and various school building projects have attracted criticism

seeking to increase choice for parents by ensuring that families can access both multi/non-denominational and faith-based education, in line with the Programme for Government commitment; further notes that: — enrolments in mainstream multi-denominational and inter-denominational primary schools rose by 87.5 per cent (from … process; — 51 of the 52 new primary schools established to cater for increased demographic demand since 2011 have a multi-denominational ethos; — the Programme for Government, includes a commitment to 'increase choice for parents by ensuring that families can access both multi/non-denominational and faith-based education'; — as part

environmental assessments. One of the key drivers of the revision process related to the real need to reflect updated population and housing projections further to census 2022 and subsequent demographic changes. It is essential that we pull in the real numbers to inform this work. The revised national … planning framework strategy sets out the need to plan for a projected population of 6.1 million people in Ireland by 2040 under the baseline scenario provided by the ESRI, and a possible requirement to plan for a high migration scenario of 6.3 million people by 2040. Taking pent

scale, will be important in ensuring effective regional development and in supporting competitiveness, economic prosperity and environmental sustainability. A number of specific projects to support better balanced regional development for the regions are referred to in the revised NPF, with such projects required to be advanced to delivery … passenger and freight transport networks in continental Europe, in addition to examining recommendations in the All-Island Strategic Rail Review and key road projects that are essential for improving regional and interurban connectivity. The compact growth policy approach of the revised NPF specifically addresses the need

infrastructure. However, investment alone is not enough because demand is outpacing delivery. Let us take housing, for instance. We have an ambitious Government programme targeted at increasing housing supply. All too often, however, developments are delayed, not just by planning objections but also by infrastructural constraints. We must … introduced, which is very welcome. We need to go further, however, ensuring pre-planning co-ordination between developers, planners and Uisce Éireann on projects of 100 units or more. The small towns and villages growth programme must be expanded, particularly to unlock infill housing and social development

Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Education and Youth the number of schools that have applied for retrofitting under the REPowerEU pathfinder programme to date; the number of these applications from Dublin; the current stage of these schools in the process; when the next round of announcements … retrofitting projects under the programme will be made; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [69214/25

Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health for an update on her plans to introduce a systematic LDL cholesterol screening programme in line with recommendation 20 of the National Review of Cardiac Services; if she intends to introduce such a programme in 2026; if she will consider … launching a national 'know your numbers' public awareness campaign on key cardiovascular risk factors (e.g. cholesterol, blood pressure, BMI) to support this screening programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [66872/25

Deputy Michael Murphy asked the Minister for Transport if he will provide a detailed explanation of the factors driving the projected per-kilometre cost of the MetroLink project; if he will publish the international benchmarking used to assess value for money, including comparisons with major European metro projects

rights under Articles 13 and 14 of Regulation (EU) 2016/1012, including the breeder's right to participate in and contribute to the breeding programme of their breeding society; and whether such conditions undermine the breeding society's autonomous control over its own breeding programme as provided for under … Article 27, by imposing external requirements that restrict the society's ability to determine its own programme design, membership criteria or data-governance rules. [65508/25

Kenny asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he can provide further details on the cross-Border pilot Regional Cooperation Programme on tackling bovine TB announced as part of the Shared Island Programme; and if the €6.4 million allocated to it will come … Department’s TB eradication programme budget. [65748/25

Deputy John Connolly asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of youth diversion projects operating in County Galway; the staffing cohort associated with each project; the number of participants at each project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [65009/25

Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport the details of the capital funding programmes and grants from his Department, and any other body for which he has responsibility for, which sporting organisations in County Laois are eligible to apply; the details of funding programmes … and/or grants currently open or the date when a subsequent funding programme and/or grant is scheduled to be opened for which a sporting organisation is eligible to apply, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63436/25

Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht when he expects the Community Services Programme to next open for funding, or when a decision on this might be announced; if there will be an annual call for funding going forward given … Programme for Government’s commitment to open the Community Services Programme for new applications annually in order that more organisations can join the initiative; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63836/25

Education and Youth the date in which her Department received the design team's report in respect of the new school building project for a school (details supplied); when the Departmental review of this report will conclude; the timeline for when this project will proceed to tender … then to construction; if the project remains on schedule to commence construction in Q1/Q2 of 2026; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [61715/25

Deputy Peter 'Chap' Cleere asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence for an update on the capital works projects currently under way at Stephens Barracks, Kilkenny; the estimated cost of each of these projects; when each project will be completed; and if he will make a statement

McGuinness asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment if he has considered the use of aquaculture or seaweed farms within ORE projects, as has been done successfully alongside other ORE projects and may prove to be a commercially successful ancillary-use project. [59825/25

Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Transport regarding the ongoing Cork Area Commuter Rail Programme, for a detailed update on the station upgrade works at Mallow, including tendering status, contract award date, projected start and completion dates; the total budget allocated and the amounts spent … between Mallow and Cork Kent Station that have been required in the current calendar year; and the measures being taken to ensure the project proceeds without further delays thereby delivering improved rail capacity and accessibility for Cork North-Central constituents. [60823/25

Deputy James O'Connor asked the Minister for Transport if a business case has been created for a project (details supplied) as per infrastructure guidelines; the projected cost of the project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60450/25

Deputy Marie Sherlock asked the Minister for Education and Youth the name of all construction project management companies contracted by her Department to project manage construction, renovation or retrofitting projects between 2019 and 2025. [58122/25

building for a school (details supplied) in County Offaly; if her Department has acquired or intends to acquire the identified site for the project; the stage the project is currently at within the School Building Programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [58710/25

Housing, Local Government and Heritage further to Parliamentary Question No. 479 of 21 October 2025, the way in which the funding for housing programmes is made to local authorities as programmes and projects advance and relevant claims fall due for payment. [58573/25

Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of applications received to the 2025 Humanitarian Admission Programme; the number of applications that have been approved; the number refused; the number of persons who have arrived in Ireland to date in 2025 under … programme; his plans to increase the number of spaces on the programme beyond the promised 50, given the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan, and in particular the deepening women's rights crisis (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56976/25

Deputy Ryan O'Meara asked the Minister for Health if the BowelScreen programme has given consideration to extending the screening programme to those aged 50 to 54; if further investments will be made in the BowelScreen programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [56567/25

activation supports will decline in 2026 to €25.99 million from €26.545 million in this year according the estimates published for Budget 2026; the programmes under subhead A.29 his Department expects to make savings; to confirm the number of people that will be supported under each programme … projected increase or decrease on 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55733/25

Deputy John Paul O'Shea asked the Minister for Transport for an update on the Mallow relief road project; the current status of the project; the progress made to date; when it is expected to proceed to the planning stage; to address the ongoing issue regarding … pipeline in the proposed route corridor, and whether this matter has caused any delay to the advancement of the project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55294/25

Deputy Noel McCarthy asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of applicants who entered the Garda Síochána Foundation Training Programme in Templemore for each of the past ten programmes; the respective number who completed each of these training programmes; the number of these

Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport the details of the capital funding programmes or grants which his Department or any body for which he has responsibility, for which sporting organisations are eligible to apply for; the details of any funding programme or grant … that is currently open or the date when a subsequent prospective funding programme or grant is scheduled to be opened for which a sporting organisation is eligible to apply for, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53472/25

Deputy Joe Cooney asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport the details of the capital funding programmes or grants from his Department or any body for which he has responsibility for which sporting organisations are eligible to apply; the details of funding programmes or grants currently open … date when a subsequent prospective funding programme or grant is scheduled to be opened for which a sporting organisation is eligible to apply, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52211/25

Deputy Liam Quaide asked the Minister for Transport the amounts allocated to the Kilkenny Northern Transport Project in each of the years 2024, 2025 and projected for 2026; the specific deliverables attached to the €200,000 provided in 2025; whether multi-annual funding will be committed to bring … project through options selection, environmental surveys and statutory planning; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52897/25

Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation the steps he is taking to ensure that projects identified in the National Development Plan or those that can demonstrate their contribution to meeting national strategic objectives under the National Planning Framework must … Bord Pleanála/An Coimisiún Pleanála to prioritise underpinning infrastructure such as critical utilities infrastructure where delays in the delivery of those projects risk undermining other project delivery; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52661/25