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forgetting that the more we invest in schools now, the less they will need later on. New summer works and a climate programme have been announced and will be rolled out. It is important to make sure we are investing in changes to the buildings themselves that will … conducive to that and this is why I am committed to securing more money in the budget so that we can develop more projects. I take the Deputy's point on timely engagement with principals. This might be something I could speak directly to her about

them to go, so it ends up in a lottery. I am concerned about those students who are on the HEAR and DARE programmes. If grades are being inflated and these students are not reaching the level they could reach - not because of their ability … difficult for everybody to get there. For students from educationally disadvantaged backgrounds and those with educational needs, for example, dyslexia and dyscalculia, those programmes are vital to them reaching their points. Unfortunately, our education system only really allows for people to learn in a particular way when

this issue. I am more recent to the story but I agree fully with Deputy Connolly's relaying of the history of the project and the previous efforts of public representatives to raise and progress it. There are two ambulances in Clifden, which would be the nearest town … there seems to be some delay. It is symptomatic of how long it takes and how arduous it is to progress a capital project

previous year, which is what actually transpired. The Central Bank is pouring cold water on and disputing the Government's housing projections for the next three years. It believes that the Government will deliver 13,000 fewer homes than projected over the next three years. The Government

Will the Minister provide with an update on the Government's plans, as contained in the programme for Government, for updated ethics legislation. He will be well aware that we have been waiting a number of years to see the enactment of legislation that was committed … programme for Government. In fact, it first took draft legislative form in Brendan Howlin's public sector standards Bill

thank the Deputy for raising this important issue. As he is aware, in the recently agreed programme for Government, we agreed to update the ethics in public office legislation. This is on foot of a wide-ranging review of the legislative framework for ethics in public life that … detail at the outstanding policy issues, including those I have outlined, and to try to find an appropriate way forward to fulfil the programme for Government commitment. My ultimate goal is to create a fit-for-purpose, easy-to-understand and user-friendly ethical framework that contributes

thank Deputy Farrell. The programme for Government includes a commitment to review the public procurement process to make it more transparent and to encourage greater participation by SMEs and other entities the Deputy has just spoken about. Working towards this aim and in the interests of setting … dialogue was the publication of a roadmap towards the new national public procurement strategy. In parallel with this, the EU Commission launched a programme of review of its procurement regime. That has now commenced, and my Department has been active in engaging and collaborating with counterparts in other

consideration; it categorically is. That is why we have put in place many of the governance frameworks around the major projects' advisory group. This has significant external evaluation and assurance processes and addresses the need for value for money in all elements of the infrastructure guidelines, which … Deputy recognised. A large number of visitors use it. I acknowledge that there is public concern about value for money on certain projects. I do not reject that as an issue. I will bring forward a memorandum to the Government in the coming weeks on value for money

making a mistake over and over again that costs the State. I very clearly asked what the total overruns in public infrastructure projects were. The accountability to the Dáil has not achieved an answer on that here and now. I also asked what overruns were happening in public … projects at present that the public did not yet know about. It is important that we put this question in shining neon lights because the Department knows about cost overruns that it will not tell people about yet. That is a real problem for transparency and accountability

State expected to have the environmental impact study back. When will we have a public consultation? When can we move on with this project? It is 12 years on and we have not made one single step forward on this project. I am frustrated. The fact

there with the planning system and infrastructural obstacles and the workforce piece, and then if there is a timeline and even projections. While I accept that some of this will involve public works and we will also have works that happen in the private sector, it is what … know what the actual constraints are, some of which we have heard ourselves, and then those solutions and whether there are timelines and projections

question relates to the urgent need for flood defences in Galway and specifically an update on the Corrib na gCósta project. Have the design options been developed? I understand from a previous question that they are now out, but the Minister of State might just clarify that … status of the project given the appalling delays that have taken place

catchment flood risk assessment and management, CFRAM, programme was the largest study of flood risk in the country, studying the flood risk for some two thirds of the population. Following and based on the CFRAM study outputs, Galway City Council appointed consultant engineers in November 2020 to design … increase in the fees to facilitate the revised scope, and this was subsequently approved in June 2024. The revised programme was published on the scheme website in January 2025, with the scheme currently progressing with development of the design options. There will be an opportunity for the public

delays", but rather the absolutely unacceptable delay. I sat on the council. Like many people here, I was very familiar with the CFRAM programme and the necessity then following that to have flood defences. I think I am on my fourth Minister; it could be the fifth. Everyone … year. With regard to the figure of 312 properties, the city council knows that as well the engineers from back in 2021. The project has gone from €9 million to €50 million

members to maximise flood risk mitigation. The group meets biannually and is due to meet this month. The group produces an annual work programme which demonstrates the extensive work and co-ordination by all State bodies to jointly help address flood risk on the Shannon under the following … activity: physical works, maintenance, water management, regulatory, policy and planning. The group has structured progress in several collaborative initiatives, including a planned programme of maintenance works. The interdepartmental flood policy co-ordination group chaired by the OPW is a whole-of-government cross-sectoral group which co-ordinates

Deputy is aware, we committed to updating the ethics in public office legislation in the recent programme for Government. This is on foot of a wide-ranging review the Deputy referred to on the legislative framework for ethics in public office my Department undertook during the last Government … policy issues, including those I have outlined, and to have wider engagement with my officials on the most appropriate way to ensure the programme for Government commitment is fulfilled. My ultimate goal in this is to create a fit-for-purpose, easy to understand and user-friendly legislative

which have been made, and to have a policy consideration around those. Following that, what is set out in the context of the programme for Government is to give legislative underpinning to that. Once the policy matters have been bottomed out within my Department, which I am engaging … particular date. What I will say is that it is an important priority for me as Minister. I want to fulfil the programme for Government commitments and ensure that we update the ethics in public office legislation and utilise the various external and internal reports that are there

That is why it has been set out as a priority in the programme for Government and why, in the first instance, we need to make sure that the policy framework that is developed can be reflected in a general scheme. At that point, we will have … measures were published previously. These were not advanced. As a result, I want to make sure that we fulfil the intention of the programme for Government and that legislation can be enacted. I am prioritising the particular policy inputs that we have. There are many of these

Investment in infrastructure is a key part of the programme for Government. Housing and water infrastructure are key in that but public transport is too. Dublin Port is carrying out an expansion plan and is going to build a new bridge alongside the toll bridge that would facilitate … extension of the Luas to Poolbeg. I ask that in the lifetime of this Dáil we get that project at least to a stage where there would at least be planning permission sought for a Luas extension to Poolbeg via Ringsend and Irishtown, and we could build

recent meetings in the Department of Justice on following penal reform recommendations. The Irish Penal Reform Trust report in 2014 stated youth diversion projects should be extended to the age of 24 and I hope this will be progressed by the Department. Ireland has the third highest recidivism … some sort of restorative approach that can be of great benefit in turning lives around. There is currently a pilot in-court accompanying project in conjunction with the University of Limerick. Some 33% of people who attend the Kerry community youth diversion service in the Kerry diocese

getting involved in crime. Recently I asked the Minister for Justice about the number of young people referred to the Garda youth diversion programme. In 2022, there were 8,434. However, in 2023 that number dropped by 7%. That is fewer children being prevented from falling into … structure that they are not getting. If they are not getting it at home, they need to get it through the youth diversion programme, youth clubs and sports clubs. Social media are warping developing minds and with adolescents, tá sé i mbéal an phobail faoi láthair

upgrade to the Macroom wastewater treatment plant to protect the environment and support the long-term sustainable growth and development of Macroom. This project has reached a major milestone with more than 50% of the works now complete. Throughout 2025, Macroom residents will begin benefitting from the upgrade … river. This year, the old wastewater treatment plant will be decommissioned, allowing the new infrastructure to become fully operational next year. These two projects represent major investment by Uisce Éireann to support the long-term sustainable growth and development of Macroom

Irish Water identify who that will be and how quickly they will be expected to be on the ground? We know this project has been on the capital programme for some time. If there is information that they are willing to share, we would be keen

alignment of school place provision with new housing developments, such as Oscar Traynor, and climate action objectives, including deep energy retrofit. The programme for Government recognises the importance of strong capital investment in the school building programme and supporting this with enhanced allocations through the national development plan

better route has been selected. It needs to happen. There was an announcement a couple of weeks ago of €663 million for roads projects and I was delighted to see it. When I checked down along the list, it had everywhere from Ballaghaderreen to Midleton and Youghal … just a fact of life. It is too dangerous. We need to get people using cycle lanes and bicycles. It is an important project. Mountmellick is a substantial town with a large population. It is lacking in industry and infrastructure. This would benefit Mountmellick as well as travellers

Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation the cost to date for the Government Digital Wallet project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27466/26

Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation for an update on the delivery to-date of National Development Plan 2021-2030 projects for Galway City and County; for an update on his Department's work on developing and publishing the NDP Priority Investment and Sectoral Plans

Public Service Reform and Digitalisation whether he is considering proposals for a State construction company in his plans to ensure that public infrastructure projects are completed within agreed timelines and budgets without overruns; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27662/26

Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation for an update on the infrastructure projects currently being undertaken in Dublin mid-west; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27572/26

Deputy Catherine Ardagh asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment for an update on current interconnection projects. [27252/26

Deputy John Paul O'Shea asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment if he will provide details of projects approved from the €500 million allocated to his Department to support climate mitigation and renewable energy development as part of the €3.15 billion of the Infrastructure, Climate

Deputy Séamus McGrath asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment for an update on his work on the Programme for Government commitment to explore if legislation could be enacted to divert surplus renewable energy that would otherwise be wasted to homes in fuel poverty

Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment for an update on development of offshore wind capacity; the status of the offshore wind energy programme; progress on developments on the Wicklow and Wexford coastlines; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27633/26

Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the progress made to date in relation to the national biomethane strategy, in particular the Programme for Government commitment to offer key financial supports and incentives for the strategy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27659/26

Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment if his Department has conducted research to determine the projected costs which the State could incur in fines from the EU if it misses climate targets; and if he will make a statement on the matter

Climate, Energy and the Environment if he has had discussions with his Spanish counterpart in relation to the possibility of an interconnection project between our two countries; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27348/26

meet EU greenhouse gas emissions targets under the Effort Sharing Regulation; if he will specify from which existing departmental budgets or capital projects these multi-billion euro compliance costs will be drawn; his views on the immorality of potentially diverting billions of euros away from frontline services like

Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Defence the original and revised delivery timelines for replacement aircraft programmes, including the C295 maritime patrol aircraft and H145 helicopters; the reasons for any delays; and the oversight structures in place to ensure delivery within agreed timelines. [27816/26

Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Defence the total capital expenditure committed to Air Corps fleet replacement and upgrade programmes since 2019; whether any cost overruns have occurred; and the value-for-money assessment frameworks applied by her Department. [27817/26

during the payment process, would be used as a template; his views on whether the absence alone of this proposed reform from the Programme for Government does not constitute a reason not to incorporate it in forthcoming reforms; and if he will make a statement on the matter

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; whether all carbon tax revenues are being fully ringfenced as committed under Government policy, if not, the reasons

used to recognise teaching experience gained abroad for the purposes of salary scale placement; whether experience gained in accredited private international schools delivering programmes such as the International Baccalaureate is considered; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27806/26

Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if projects can apply for funding under both the Historic Structures Fund and under the built heritage investment scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27712/26

nutrient storage scheme applications, given the urgent need for expanded nutrient storage to meet increasing regulatory requirements under the sixth Nitrates Action Programme (NAP), to protect water quality, and to support a future nitrates derogation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27749/26

reduction in the animal welfare and nutrient storage scheme funding threshold on farmers’ ability to comply with the sixth Nitrates Action Programme, particularly in view of the co-benefits of expanded nutrient storage such as improved nutrient efficiency, maintained grass production and reduced reliance on costly fertilisers amid

proximity to work centres given this will give an indication of the potential to sustainably grow out parishes, villages and towns, future employment projects and so on and will give an overview of the impact of depopulation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27800/26

Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht if match funding has been secured in respect of a project in County Kerry (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27802/26

view of the fact that, as of December 2025, only approximately 4.6MW has been installed, largely from a single project operational since 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27420/26

Climate, Energy and the Environment his views on whether requiring communities to await a consultancy process undermines the viability of many current projects; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27422/26

Whitmore asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the engagement that has taken place with ESB Networks regarding flexibility for community projects facing grant-related delays; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27425/26