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they can learn from and work with us on that. Ours is one of the few countries that has an emigrant support programme, where we provide relatively small sums of money to diaspora programmes abroad. It makes a real impact on them. I am very proud

absolute privilege to be in New York at a time when the whole city was celebrating Ireland's diaspora and culture. My programme, as the Deputy can imagine, had a particular focus on engaging with strategic economic actors with global influence. This was motivated not only … young Irish innovators from the digital Irish network and discussed how the Government can support innovation and entrepreneurship. I also had an intensive programme of meetings with senior corporate decision-makers. These meetings focused on transatlantic trade, the impact of tariffs and the importance of maintaining Ireland

Minister will have to excuse my scepticism. He is bamboozling me with figures on this. The programme for Government commits to continuing to reduce the student contribution fee over the lifetime of the Government. What the Minister is saying here falls far short of the commitment to reduce … parts of the economy also require newly skilled graduates. There is increasing use of modern methods of construction and housing delivery and the programme for Government commits the Minister to promoting these. Graduates add value to our economy and society and must be assisted if they

based on our saying we will have universal abolition. I do not know whether Deputy Boyd Barrett agrees with me. The programme for Government refers to a sustained reduction in a financially sustainable way, not about abolition. Deputy McGettigan referred to a reduction to zero. That would … abolition. That is not mentioned in the programme for Government. I want to support students and their families and make education accessible. That is why we are paying the fees for 143,000 students and supporting 66,600 students in part or in full with the student contribution

institutions to increase staffing and capacity, enable a greater alignment of provision with priority skills needs and facilitate the further development of tertiary programmes. With Government colleagues and elsewhere, I will continue to advocate for continued Exchequer investment in future Estimates processes to deliver on priority commitments, including … priorities such as healthcare places, therapy places and tertiary programmes

practice is its own area, of course, but we need people out on the farm and in large animal practice. As regards these programmes, with Kildalton SETU and Mountbellew in ATU, the Minister of State, Deputy Harkin, is a very strong supporter of the programme as well

position to study full time. My Department is committed to examining diverse and flexible pathways. Some include non-traditional options such as Springboard+ programmes, microcredits where you can take mini courses and stack them together to achieve particular qualifications, and tertiary programmes where you can commence study

both urban and rural Ireland. What we do not know is how the Government is going to address it. I understand the SICAP programme and the other programme, and they are working away, but is there anything specific in terms of deliverables for 2025 that the Minister

users. As the Deputy said, supporting rural Ireland is a priority for Government. Over the last number of years, we have seen 30 projects in the rural development fund for 2024, with €164 million. There was €20 million for 82 town and village renewal scheme projects in April

five year duration has provided vital investment and support, strengthened local economies and improved the lives of many people across rural Ireland. The programme for Government includes a commitment to publish and implement a new rural future policy from 2026. In order to ensure that the development … designed to ensure that the experience of people living in our rural communities is absolutely central to the development of a successor policy programme

common purpose for their community. My councillor colleague, Ann Bambury, was central to such an initiative in Bandon for a very ambitious project there, but it should not be left to families to become social entrepreneurs and project managers, essentially spending vast amounts of time trying to stitch

been identified. Earlier this week, Galway County Council submitted the final business case to my Department, seeking approval to proceed with the project. This represents decision gate 3 as set out in the Government's infrastructure guidelines. The final case, which was received on Monday of this week … risks associated with it. I know the Deputy has worked very hard on this and she will appreciate that this is a significant project, ní hamháin le haghaidh mhuintir Inis Oírr ach le haghaidh mo Roinne freisin. Caithfimid a bheith láidir sa tuiscint go bhfuil gach rud ceart

that got involved was great for everybody. In my native County Laois, the community recognition fund had a positive impact through several key projects in Portlaoise, Ballylinan and Rathdowney. The Minister will know of all the people who benefited in his county, Mayo. The successful projects in Laois

understanding, is it the position that the consultants have been appointed and are doing a preliminary business case all over again regarding this project? When will that preliminary project be ready? You cannot imagine how many times I and colleagues from Galway West have stood

gheall ar an Roinn. My Department provides guidance to the local community development committees on the eligibility criteria. The guidelines require projects to be in keeping with the ethos of the programme. The Government is very much aware of the challenges facing community and voluntary groups

gains tax” at exactly the time when we want our entrepreneurs to do more. It referred to phasing out the special assignee relief programme which many of the decision-makers who lead the companies based here are on. That is the political commitment of the Social Democrats. That … parties that make up this Government said, we were clear during debates and in our manifestos and crystal clear in the programme for Government that Fine Gael, Fianna Fáil and Independent politicians negotiated. It is laid out in black and white. We outlined what we would

almost 9% on the 2024 budget. Over the period from 2021 to 2025, the level of current Exchequer funding for youth services and programmes will have increased by more than 34%. In September 2024, the then Minister, Deputy O’Gorman, launched Opportunities for Youth: the National Strategy … South Education and Training Standards committee for youth work, NSETS, is responsible for the professional endorsement of undergraduate and postgraduate youth work education programmes in higher education institutions on the island of Ireland. NSETS is funded and supported by the Minister, Deputy Foley’s Department

will alter the ability of the Dáil and the people to debate any deployment of troops overseas. At a time where peace projects are being put on the backburner globally, in Europe, America and beyond, the UN remains the international body which is foundationally committed to peace … rule of law. It is worrying to see such bitterness to oversight of a body whose mission is to project future generations from the scourge of war. When I think of our place in the world, I think of multilateralism. We have garnered an international reputation for peacekeeping

also heard the Minister of State, or perhaps that was his colleague, the Minister of State, Deputy Byrne, speaking about the peace project that is the European Union. It is very clear that those origins of the European Union as a peace project are drifting further and further

gone through the various planning stages. There will be a further review of the national development plan and I expect the project will be included in that. As the Deputy knows, the project has gone through route selection and so forth. It is something that people eagerly await

rearmament and militarisation, Ursula von der Leyen is opening the coffers. The Taoiseach said this very much aligns with the ambitious investment programme that is in place for our own Defence Forces to implement the recommendations of the Commission on the Defence Forces and it aligns with … programme for Government. He says that we will be able to do what we need to do to improve our own security. A couple of hours ago I spoke about the need for us to invest in our own security. That is fine. What the Taoiseach is saying

programme for Government commits to delivering more than 300,000 houses between 2025 and the end of 2030, an average of over 50,000 per annum. Delivery over the period will need to rise incrementally to 60,000 homes per year by 2030. This target of reaching … context of review of the national development plan, the multi-annual funding requirements for the new housing plan committed to in the programme for Government and as part of normal annual Estimates discussions. My Department does not forecast new housing completions in any given year, however

Department never makes projections of what housing delivery will be. We have heard in the past number of weeks everything from 30,000 to 40,000 through different sectors in terms of various projections for completions. The outcome will be what will be. My intention will

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to comment on the ongoing delay in his Department's approvals for social and affordable housing projects funded via SHIP, CAS, CALF, CREL and AHF; to confirm the total number of projects submitted to his Department under each funding stream since

scale-up delivery in the immediate term, pending completion of a new all-of-government national housing plan committed to in the programme for Government. To this end, we are actioning priority commitments in the programme for Government with the potential to make an immediate impact, such

part of his legislation to ensure that private wires do not result in even more inefficient utilisation of grid connections as private wires projects will maintain access to the public grid; the way in which he will address the opportunity costs that this places on the wider system

Daly asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment regarding private wires if he will consider introducing additional safeguards for private wires projects associated with data centres such as robust, transparent and assessment from the regulator, including a requirement to demonstrate that they do not lead

Doherty asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment if he will commit to continue funding for the Community-based Climate Action Programme, CCAP, particularly the Climate Action Fund; if he is aware of the disproportionate impact failure to continue the funding will have on EU-recognised

capacity currently operational in each category; the capacity currently consented but not yet constructed; the capacity currently in the planning system; and the projected timelines for delivery of additional capacity between now and 2030; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27113/26

Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Defence the estimated whole-life cost of the Falcon 6X aircraft over its projected service life, including maintenance, crew, fuel, training, insurance, infrastructure, support contracts, and depreciation; and whether such life-cycle costing formed part of the appraisal process. [24709/26

assessment, or value-for-money assessment was undertaken in respect of the Falcon 6X procurement; and if so, whether account was taken of projected operating costs over a period of at least ten years. [24710/26

Deputy Michael Collins asked the Minister for Defence the projected hourly running cost of the H145 helicopter scheduled for delivery in 2027/2028; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24829/26

Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Defence to outline a list of capital projects within her Department that received EU funding in the years of 2024, 2025 and to-date in 2026, in tabular form. [26687/26

Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Defence the value-for-money or post-project evaluation mechanisms applied to expenditure on external contractors in the years 2022 to 2025; whether any formal evaluations were completed; and if he will provide details. [26795/26

Minister for Transport if he will provide an updated assessment of the impact of recent increases in global fuel prices on the projected cost of operating public transport services in 2026; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23626/26

Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Transport the proportion of public transport operating costs attributable to fuel in 2024, 2025 and projected for 2026; and the extent to which this proportion has changed due to recent price increases; and if he will make a statement

Rourke asked the Minister for Transport the funding options provided by his Department or its agencies that may be used to support a project in the County Meath Gaeltacht (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21844/26

Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Transport the amount of funding allocated from his Department for specific active travel projects in Cork (details supplied); the amount of the allocated monies that has been spent; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24554/26

Tóibín asked the Minister for Transport if his Department has carried out a cost analysis on the additional cost of delays to a project (details supplied); if so, to outline these costs, if any; [24761/26

Transport 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

test service through the Road Safety Authority itself rather than through use of a private contractor (details supplied); if there has been any projection and analysis of the cost of doing so; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25430/26

Gorman asked the Minister for Transport the actions he has taken since January 2025 to expedite the development of the DART+ and BusConnects programme, particularly in recent weeks given the growing fuel/transport crisis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25621/26

Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Transport the engagement his Department has had with Mayo County Council since 2024 regarding road projects (details supplied); the dates and nature of any correspondence, meetings or directives issued; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25940/26

Minister for Transport whether any national-level policy, funding or capacity constraints within his Department have contributed to delays in progressing road projects (details supplied); the nature of any such constraints; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25941/26

between Clondulane and Fermoy with regard to pedestrian and cyclist safety; whether this route is being considered for inclusion in the active travel programme administered by the National Transport Authority; if he will outline plans or funding allocations to improve safety for non-motorised road users on this

Deputy Johnny Guirke asked the Minister for Transport the most up-to-date plans on the Navan rail project in County Meath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26346/26

reforming the schemes to allow employees to claim the relevant tax reliefs directly from Revenue Commissioners without employer involvement in view of the Programme for Government commitment to review and expand the bike-to-work scheme to increase uptake among all workers, and ongoing concerns that both

Deputy Naoise Ó Muirí asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance the progress made since ISIF’s funding programme was extended in December; the conditions to this financing; the number of housebuilders this has and is expected to support; and if he will make a statement

Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance for an update on the Programme for Government’s commitment to review the bike to work scheme; if he is considering increasing the tax relief limit for e-bikes under the cycle-to-work scheme