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matter of filling in the money that has been lost. Ireland has a structured ODA system. We support particular countries and types of projects. I am not proposing we interfere with that in any way. However, the scale of the impact of the cuts mandated on USAID … with the European Union, look to start a fund to try to bridge some of that gap. We need to look at those projects that are most essential. We must look at the diseases that are going to spiral out of control because the teams that are currently

achieving 0.7% of gross national income. That commitment remaining at the heart of where we are and our approach to our development aid programme is welcome and important. I know that involves an ongoing determination on our part to ensure we maximise our relationships with our European … NGOs to ensure we can get the best benefit from spending our money. We commit to increasing our support for our own programme and working towards that 0.7% target

competitiveness, the Union's research budget should be sufficiently well funded. On the opportunities that are available to people and the DiscoverEU programme, which is currently only available to 35,000 18-year-olds, we should set a goal of ensuring that every 18-year-old has access … programme and there is much more opportunity to experience other cultures in Europe

show that. It has never been solely about economics, although they are very important. We saw in the EU a political and moral project, one that places peace, reconciliation and human dignity at its core. For us Catholics, it is no coincidence that Robert Schuman … time to reflect on these achievements and the values that underpin them. Here in Ireland, we mark the day through public events, school programmes and of course through this annual debate in the Oireachtas. We did it in the Seanad last week. It is more than a formality

Government, we have seen little to no movement on this key priority that was mentioned so many times by the Tánaiste. The programme for Government commits to the publication of an action plan. That is welcome but we need a date for when the plan will be published … childhood education and care. We need the terms of reference and a timeframe for the implementation of the action plan promised in the programme for Government. Parents and early years staff cannot wait any longer

Minister's speech, particularly what was said on the issue of the public model. I was critical of what is included in the programme for Government on this issue. It lacked any degree of ambition. When I asked the Taoiseach directly about the commitment on the public model … that is, to a public model. The Minister, Deputy Foley, referred to the action plan and linked it to State provision. While the programme for Government commitment is weak, right now it is all we have. We need more specifics from the Government tonight. When is the action

What steps does the Department intend to take regarding participation of SMEs in EU important projects of common European interest, IPCEI? Ireland has some fantastic, world-leading companies, but we also have a vibrant SME sector that often does not have the participation it should have, both … context of domestic public tendering process and also, in this instance, in projects of common interest. I would appreciate if the Minister would update the House on the matter

Minister mentioned Enterprise Ireland. It is a fantastic organisation that is particularly focused on SMEs and Irish businesses which export abroad. These projects of common European interest are known. They are ready-made targets for our industries. I hope, and would have every expectation, that Enterprise Ireland will … that with additional support from organisations like Enterprise Ireland, they are able to access new markets. Given the scale of some of these projects - and they are vast - this is one area Enterprise Ireland in particular, really needs to focus on. The Minister might bring this back

area of huge opportunity. As a country, in the past we have not done enough in this area and having only one project speaks volumes. That is why we are reframing the narrative in connection with this and working with Enterprise Ireland … ensure companies have the capacity to access these very significant projects. We know renewables and semiconductors are going to be important for the future of Ireland. As I said in my earlier contribution, when you see chips turning up in fridges, phones, electric vehicles, Ireland

concept. There is common sense in collecting revenue through a carbon tax and in specifically doing what we have committed to in our programme for Government. In a very honest and an upfront way, the programme for Government states that we are going to continue to use carbon

been waiting a long time as I have heard this raised in the Dáil for a quite a time, that this is a project that is genuinely getting a lot of attention. The planning permission is now in place. They are working through this with the design team … this project moving forward. I think the Minister has made it clear that she does look forward to visiting

programme for Government recognises the need to work in partnership with private childcare providers to make core funding work as well as taking the critical step into State-led childcare. The three main issues the Government needs to tackle are staffing, accessibility and affordability. The truth … also need to adequately recognise the role of our childcare workers. Does the Tánaiste have an update on the action plan in the programme for Government to build an affordable and accessible early childhood education and care system that includes State-led facilities, must be based on partnership

business. I am talking to the Minister as he is wearing both of his hats. He looks after part of the school meals programme but also has responsibility for community employment, Tús, the rural social scheme and other schemes. That would be very beneficial. Will he consider … already and we need to pull it back. The best way to do that is to remove the profit motive from that programme

will consider this as part of the work programme if I have anything to do with it. The Minister rightly highlighted that it is confusing when different methods of assessment are used. While he said there are sometimes valid reasons for this, there are actually no valid reasons … hope this is something on which we can work together. I will most definitely have it on the agenda for the work programme for the incoming social protection committee

Government recognises the additional costs associated with having a disability and is committed to improving outcomes for disabled people. In the programme for Government, we are committed to introducing a permanent annual cost of disability support payment. These commitments will build on progress made in recent years where … spreading resources thinly. An Taoiseach is chairing a Cabinet committee on disability with a view to driving and monitoring progress on implementing all programme for Government commitments in this area. As part of this work, my Department is examining the best way of delivering an annual cost

language in his answer from what is contained in the written replies to parliamentary questions. In written replies the Minister states that the programme for Government has set out a timeline that commits to significantly further increasing the income disregards. He left out, quite understandably, the point about … having a timeline because, presumably, he knows that the programme for Government does not contain such a timeline. All it sets out is a general commitment to a view to phasing out the means test. I presume the Minister is not in a position to give

views on that. We will engage with the Minister for public expenditure on this issue. He is aware of the commitment in the programme for Government. If we look at the changes that have been made in recent years to the income disregard, they show a direction … travel that we intend to continue. The commitment is there in the programme for Government. It is based on me having the resources to do that and I am determined to fight for those resources on an annual basis during the term of this Government

range of supports on offer, including further education, training and upskilling options, financial support such as the training and support grant and programmes like the work placement experience programme, community employment and Tús. The Department works closely with employers to help them fill vacancies and to place unemployed

that will have a focus on improving access to services and bringing down the extra costs I referred to. Alongside this, in the programme for Government, we have committed to introducing a permanent annual cost of disability support payment. That annual cost of disability support payment will build … that, progress my Department will now lead on the introduction of an annual cost-of-disability payment, as committed to in the programme for Government. We are currently examining the best way of delivering on this commitment within the overall budgetary context. The Deputy can be assured that

thank the Deputy for his question. As he knows and referred to, the programme for Government has committed to protect core welfare rates while ensuring that available resources are targeted at vulnerable groups. The programme for Government includes a commitment to examine key ancillary benefits such

That is not an ingredient so we need to work on that to ensure proper ingredients are supplied. Last, I have concerns the programme is all being subcontracted out. I would like, where possible, for these workers to work in our schools and be part of our education … That has always been the Government's agenda. I do not want to argue with it but I would like to bring the programme back into the schools and see people employed full time

Since the second-hand acquisition programme was established, Cork City Council has delivered a significant programme, complementing its strong record of new build output in the city. Over the past three years, Cork City Council has acquired 285 second-hand properties, scaling up significantly in 2024, with

However, I question the disparity in investment between local authorities and this needs to be addressed. I welcome the compulsory purchase orders activation programme from April 2023, which provides a planned, systematic and proactive approach by local authorities to bringing vacant and derelict properties into use when there … every street corner. This is a missed opportunity and while we are in the middle of this housing crisis, we must act. The programme for Government states, "We will continue to tackle vacancy and dereliction with enhanced compulsory purchase order (CPO) powers and an ambitious grant system

needed to make them more attractive for reuse or sale. On completion of the most recent review of this element of the URDF programme, a total of 1,297 residential and commercial properties were approved by my Department for inclusion on the approved programmes list

social housing waiting list. We also have the THRIVE scheme, through the town centre first scheme, which is utilising ERDF EU regional development programmes to rehabilitate publicly-owned, vacant and derelict heritage buildings. That scheme has allocated more than €117 million to transformative capital projects in buildings

Children, Disability and Equality when she intends to publish details of the DCDE mapping of existing early learning and care services against projected need, to show the gaps in each county; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29085/26

asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality for an update on the implementation of the State-led Early Learning and Childcare Capital Programme announced in January 2026, and specifically its implementation as it applies to rural areas and particularly Offaly; and if she will make a statement

Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health the annual funding allocated to obesity prevention and weight-management programmes; the number of patients accessing HSE weight-management or obesity services each year; the estimated cost savings to the health service from prevention interventions; and if she will make

Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Health whether Ireland has sufficient ophthalmology capacity to meet projected demand from an ageing population; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28795/26

Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health whether any interim access schemes, compassionate use programmes, or early access pathways are currently available in the State for patients with Friedreich’s ataxia; and whether consideration is being given to enabling access to skyclarys pending a full reimbursement

Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the model that the Sláintecare programme board will operate on following the appointment of a new HSE CEO and a new Secretary General at her Department; the reason her Sláintecare implementation plan for 2025-plus does not have year

Minister for Health the steps her Department is taking to urgently regulate the administration of dermal fillers as committed to in the programme for Government; when such regulation or legislation will be introduced; if she and her Department will engage with stakeholders regarding the best way to protect

Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health her plans for expanding the adult vaccination programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28498/26

measures being taken to address the increasing prevalence of myopia, and particularly its presentation among teenagers following completion of school vision screening programmes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28448/26

Minister for Health if her Department has engaged with the Department of Education and Youth regarding the development or delivery of education programmes in schools aimed at raising awareness of eating disorders; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28509/26

Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health the steps taken to date to meet the Programme for Government commitment that an early access scheme for drugs will be implemented by this Government; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28273/26

department at Beaumont Hospital, including the current status of the design and planning stages; the expected timeline for tendering and construction; whether the project remains a priority within the HSE Capital Plan; the anticipated opening date for the new emergency department; the anticipated opening date for the proposed

Deputy Peter 'Chap' Cleere asked the Minister for Health for an update on capital projects at St. Luke's Hospital, Kilkenny; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28344/26

design team have been appointed to design the two new blocks to be developed at University Hospital Galway as part of the masterplan project for the site of the hospital; the content and capacity of the new blocks; and if she will make a statement on the matter

progress of the proposed primary health care centre for Gorey, County Wexford; if she will confirm that funding is available to progress this project; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28456/26

March 2026, if a contractor has been appointed to deliver Phase 1 works for the Finglas primary care centre; and if the project remains on track for works to commence in Q2 2026. [28228/26

Deputy Grace Boland asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance further to the commitment in the programme for Government to progress the recommendations of the Funds Sector 2030 review to support greater retail participation in capital markets, whether his Department has assessed the recommendation to remove the eight

asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance the amount raised through the carbon tax in each year 2019 to 2025; and the amount projected to be raised in each of the years 2026 to 2030. [26715/26

Deputy John Paul O'Shea asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the progress made on each of the individual Programme for Government commitments assigned to her Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28658/26

Deputy John Paul O'Shea asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the progress made on each of the individual Programme for Government commitments assigned to his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28652/26

incurred by the Defence Forces on all outsourced services listed in her reply in each of the years 2023, 2024 and 2025; the projected expenditure for 2026; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28407/26

optimised maintenance contract for ships' main engines and propulsion systems in the Naval Service for each of the past three years and the projected cost for 2026; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28409/26

Nolan asked the Minister for Defence further to Parliamentary Question No. 270 of 24 February 2026, the total cost to date and the projected full-year cost of the contractual agreement with a company (details supplied) to provide flight information service officer services at the Air Corps aerodrome

Deputy John Paul O'Shea asked the Minister for Defence the progress made on each of the individual Programme for Government commitments assigned to her Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28654/26

Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Transport if he will consider creating a national programme to address the highest-risk road sections across the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28327/26