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Minister of State knows that. It will be signed off on by the senior Minister and the rest of the Cabinet. This project is ready to go. The Minister of State mentioned that projects were being funded that had started or were almost ready to go, but this

have seen that with the Drogheda implementation board, which received investment of €16 million. It has brought about changes, investment in youth diversion programmes, extra policing and also key, crucial programmes for community groups. The establishment of the new local community safety partnerships, LCSPs, is not only crucial

Whitehall, Dublin 9. Deputy Gary Gannon - To discuss the lack of affordable childcare facilities in Dublin Central. Deputy Colm Burke - To discuss the programme of works for the water supply system on the north side of Cork city. Deputy Barry Ward - To discuss … affordable housing. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan - To discuss organised crime in Limerick city. Deputy Jen Cummins - To discuss the importance of the school completion programme. Deputy Brian Brennan - To discuss the Government's reaction plan to major international incidents such as the recent earthquake in Myanmar. Deputy Donna McGettigan

defective concrete products, and apartment and duplex defects, and ensure the Government follows the scientific data in this area; and — a massive construction programme of social and affordable housing on public land. A housing emergency exists in this State and every TD in this Dáil, whether in government … huge personal savings available. There is approximately €160 billion in household savings and that would allow huge funds to commence a massive programme of construction of social, affordable and cost-rental homes. Emergency action would also mean no further rent increases for the duration of the emergency

billion. He was being deliberately disingenuous. That is not capital spending for social and affordable housing, as the Minister knows from his programme heads. It is the totality of capital spending in his Department for social, affordable and private housing as well as for grants, upgrades and improvements … want to know the total additional spend for social and affordable housing by programme subhead for this year. Will the Minister publish that information and put the issue to bed once and for all? I strongly support the inclusion of measures relating to defective blocks in this motion

doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result. However, the definition of madness has to be this programme for Government and this Housing for All scheme that the Minister has his faith in. Today, 15,378 people are homeless … been told by the local authority to come back in two or three years and it may be able to help him. The programme is not working and the Minister must fix this. I am surprised when I look at the empty benches and all these people screaming

working, and we will continue to do so. Supporting households experiencing homelessness remains a priority of the Government, and the programme for Government reaffirms Ireland's commitment to working to eradicate homelessness by 2030. Budget 2025 allocated more than €300 million to this end, up €61 million … address the issue. This was continued in 2024 and is being extended into 2025. Since the introduction of the tenant in situ programme in March 2023, more than 3,100 second-hand homes have been purchased with approximately 2,000 of those being tenant in situ acquisitions

news that special schools in Laois and Offaly had yet again been excluded from participation in the then Government's pilot programme for enhanced school therapy supports. Offaly School of Special Education in Tullamore, St. Francis School in Portlaoise and Kolbe Special School in Portlaoise were also denied … entry to the pilot programme in August, when phase 1 of the initiative was announced. Today, I wish to highlight specifically the challenges faced by Offaly School of Special Education. I visited the school some months ago and it is a fantastic school. I commend the principal

convened a meeting of the Cabinet subcommittee on disability and a decision has been taken to set up a national therapy education programme. We will be recruiting and employing, through the NCSE, therapists to work in the 124 special schools across the country. We have to do that … clear during the general election that I wanted this to happen. I made it clear that it had to go into the programme for Government. I have made it clear to all officials in all departments in the HSE that this is going to happen

thank the Minister and it is great to hear that. It is important to reiterate the importance of the funding for projects right across the country, including ones that will take place in my own constituency in Merrion Square. Ultimately, if we want to have a successful, thriving … attending those parks to sell their goods are selling organic produce and perhaps there is more the Department could do to fund smaller projects like that

constituency of Carlow-Kilkenny in the likes of Glynn, Ballymurphy, Kilmaganny, Bennettsbridge, Drummin, Ballyragget, Stonyford and Hugginstown. Last year DCU's farm health project and Teagasc exposed worrying trends in farmers' mental health. In a survey of 351 farmers, 71% said they would seek professional help if they … mental health supports that are available are often unsuitable for farmers. As the Minister will know, it is a specific measure in the programme for Government to put a specific focus on farmers' mental health and well-being. I look forward to working with the Minister on implementing

businesses. It may also be of interest to producers to make contact with their local action groups in respect of the LEADER programme. These groups contain local representatives from the community, public and private sector and award funding to projects within their geographical area in accordance with their

want to work with the Minister on this. We will support positive initiatives but in the austerity years, funding for youth clubs, youth projects and education were all slashed, whether these were for diverse communities, the Travelling community or working-class areas. We need that funding restored. That … kids who need the most help will not get it because we have just two or three volunteers helping out. Youth diversion projects should be working with this. There was a superintendent in Cork, Mick O'Loughlin, who was a former Cork player, a great

past. In raising the matter with the Garda Síochána, I encourage the Minister of State to ask that there be an active programme of engaging with young people in schools and in the context of youth services. One of the challenges of young people getting involved in crime … person in the wrong place at the wrong time, or they have had poor peer influence. In those circumstances, the key is that programmes are put in place to ensure that we prevent them from reoffending, that supports are in place to ensure they will not reoffend

divert young people from crime. The truth of the matter is that we have yet to redress impacts and cuts to community projects and to youth projects from the time of the Fine Gael austerity years. Not only is this the case, in some crucial areas the situation

offending and steer them away from that path. That works but it takes resources. I commend the work of the Garda youth diversion programme and urge the Minister to ensure that this programme is expanded and resourced. We all know, from all walks of life, that early intervention

continued bombardment of Ukraine by Russia. At this time, it is particularly concerning to see the rowing back across the world of aid programmes, with UNRWA under attack and, of course, with Donald Trump's cuts to USAID, which are triggering a global public health crisis. Even … budgets. How is the Government going to act to stem this growing trend? Can the Taoiseach provide a commitment that Irish Aid programmes will continue to be funded in an effective manner? We are all conscious that job losses are imminent in Irish Aid organisations as result

Absolutely. We have a very strong aid programme that is conducted by Irish Aid and a number of well-established non-governmental organisations in this field. We will have to provide aid to the people of Myanmar following the earthquake. The slaughter in Gaza continues. We have been … Palestine since 2023 is over €71 million. By any yardstick, and in comparison with anything that went before, it is a substantial aid programme for the people of Gaza and the West Bank. We are not forgetting Sudan. There is appalling violence in Sudan, and huge displacement

need to engage with Coillte, private farm owners, private forestry owners, the ESB and EirGrid. Once and for all, we need a comprehensive programme to protect the grid from falling trees. It seems elementary. The issue is the lack of a single focus. Different people … clubs, soccer clubs, rugby clubs and so on need to be provided with generators. This needs to be done by way of a programme, as they cannot be provided to everybody but they can be provided where there are identifiable focal points in a given community. Some

propose to take Questions Nos. 14 to 24, inclusive, together. The programme for Government, Securing Ireland's Future, sets out a number of commitments relating to our national security and defence. The programme acknowledges that we live in a time of geopolitical upheaval and challenges to democracy

parties had was that Independent Ireland had policies and solutions to problems. We were willing to sit down, marry our policies into the programme for Government and deliver for the people. The Taoiseach, in his only acknowledgement of our honest negotiations, said he could not meet our demands … have stood by our principles and not caved in like the Regional Independents. We wanted a Government driven by policy and a proper programme for Government, not new ministerial positions, with perks and Mercs alone costing the country more than €5 million. Independent Ireland was willing

Ballyphehane GAA Club, had goalpost nets, dugouts and buildings damaged by the storm. The response we keep getting is that there is a programme for Government commitment to look at a scheme. That frustrates me for a number of reasons. First, a scheme was opened for sports clubs … understand the delays now unless there is just a desire not to act. It seems hard to imagine the commitment in the programme for Government being implemented. I could be wrong about this, and perhaps the Minister will tell me I am wrong, but it is hard

latest and emerging trade and investment developments. In line with the transfer in responsibilities for trade policy to my Department in the programme for Government, I chair that forum. My intention is for the forum to meet regularly. We have already had two meetings. The first meeting took … advance Ireland’s economic interests with our largest bilateral trading partners. I have directed officials in my Department to develop a comprehensive work programme to be elaborated on in close consultation with the forum members and this work is under way. Membership of the forum includes Ministers, senior

also the drinks industry concern. On foot of what the Deputy said, I will make sure that in the work programme for the Government trade forum that specific issue around agriculture, agrifood and supply chains is addressed, including the issue of the tillage sector. As I said … very clearly to the Irish Farmers Association, IFA, and farmers in advance of the election and they are very clearly expressed in the programme for Government

Enterprise Ireland, the ambassador and the embassy - under one roof really does make a difference. We have set out our commitment in the programme for Government to further developing this Ireland House model. The programme for Government commits the Government to further strengthening Ireland’s place in Europe

William Aird asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment for an update on the Government’s commitment, as outlined in the Programme for Government, to utilise surplus renewable energy that would otherwise be wasted to support households experiencing fuel poverty; and the timeframe for full implementation

Climate, Energy and the Environment if he will provide details of the proposed national pilot repair voucher scheme, including eligibility criteria, estimated cost, projected uptake and the timeframe for rollout by 2027; the way the scheme will be funded through the Circular Economy Fund; and if he will

station box on the site of the Mater Hospital; and if plans are under consideration to bring it into use for a Metrolink project. [27449/26

that will be put in place to ensure accountability across Departments, agencies and semi-State bodies for the timely delivery of critical infrastructure projects; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27531/26

available to barbers to access continuous professional development and upskilling; and whether incentives will be introduced to encourage participation in accredited training programmes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27391/26

asked the Minister for Education and Youth to provide information specifically in relation to the PE facilities being provided in a school build project (details supplied); to include information on outdoor and indoor PE settings in the plan. [27390/26

Deputy John Clendennen asked the Minister for Education and Youth for an update on a school building project (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27612/26

Deputy John Clendennen asked the Minister for Education and Youth for an update on a school building project (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27614/26

Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Education and Youth for an update on the rollout of the Schools Photovoltaic Programme; the number of schools at primary and secondary level that have taken it up; if any schools indicated they will not take it up; the reasons

rollout of the €20 million allocated in Budget 2026 for the assessment of needs, targeted at a waiting list initiative; the specific programmes or services funded to date; the regional distribution of the funding; the expected outcomes and timelines for completion; and if she will make a statement

Education, Research, Innovation and Science the steps being taken to develop formal apprenticeship and certification pathways for barbers; the way in which such programmes will ensure consistent quality and safety standards nationwide; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27396/26

training boards, including GRETB; the extent to which these reductions have resulted in the cancellation of adult literacy, disability support and ESOL programmes (details supplied); the assessment that has been made of the impact of these cuts on learners and staff, particularly in rural communities

Deputy John Lahart asked the Taoiseach in the context of the Shared Island Unit, to outline details of the education projects that have been funded in the North by the Shared Island Unit. [25871/26

Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment for an update on the development of offshore wind energy projects including, Codling Wind Park, Dublin Array and Arklow Bank; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23606/26

work ongoing to ensure that there is a sufficient number of SEAI registered builders operating to minimise any backlogs in completing retrofitting projects supported by SEAI grants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23689/26

Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment if he will report on the National Hydrogen programme taskforce; the breakdown of all of the times the taskforce met since its inception; the dates these meetings took place in tabular form; who was in attendance

Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the progress that has been made on the commitment in the Programme for Government to 'Explore ways to use surplus renewable energy to help reduce energy poverty, ensuring that renewable energy benefits all communities

number of successful applicants have been energised and availed of the SRESS tariff; to provide a breakdown of the dates on which each project started to avail of an SRESS tariff; to ask if the latest round of successful application to the SRESS have availed of the SRESS

Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the number of renewable energy projects which have received a SRESS export tariff to date, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24214/26

Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the position regarding the commitment in the Programme for Government on surplus renewable energy; the options that have been explored; if the roll out energy clouds has been explored; the reasons this has not yet been

Climate, Energy and the Environment his plans to divert surplus renewable energy to households living in energy poverty as was outlined in the Programme for Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24520/26

Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the projected reduction in renewable energy curtailment as a result of the Private Wires Bill 2025 and the corresponding estimated savings to electricity consumers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25122/26

Energy and the Environment the amount of drinking water used by data centres in Ireland annually; whether his Department has conducted research to project the water usage of data centres into the future; and if his Department has conducted, or is conducting, research on the sustainability of data

Environment the initial estimated allocation compared to the actual outturn for the period of carbon tax to his Department, disaggregated by the programme or measure funded, for each of the years 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024 and 2025, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement

surrender; and whether amounts carried over were retained for the specific programme/measure originally allocated or transferred to other named programmes/measures, disaggregated by the programme or measure originally funded, for each of the years 2020 to 2025, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement