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This is being supported with resourcing for the local authorities, with more than 140 additional staff assigned to work on their affordable housing programmes, ensuring we will see delivery ramped up. My Department publishes programme-level statistics on affordable and social housing delivery activity by local authorities

particular, he has been one of the key voices in ramping up the delivery of different affordable housing solutions. There is a project to deliver 60 cost-rental homes in Kilnagleary, Carrigaline, which is very close to the Deputy's home area and is something he advocated … commitment today is that such projects will be ramped up at speed and we will deliver them as quickly as we can. Since the publication of Housing for All, 10,000 affordable housing solutions have been delivered. We need to do more; we need to accelerate that delivery

will not be starting until late this year, with a completion date in 2028. As the Minister explained, this is a fantastic project of 578 mixed-tenure units plus 52 social housing units by Circle Voluntary Housing Association. It will be a fantastic development, but is there anything … that the Minister can do to expedite the funding for the project or to provide direct financial support to the council in order that there will not be any further delays with the funding

This is an exceptionally large amount of money that is needed. Such a large amount deserves to be granted in respect of a project of this type. I will certainly do everything I can to ensure that we get shovels in the ground this year and get this … much-needed project off the ground

allocation of an additional €265 million. My Department has been engaging with local authorities on the operational details for the second-hand acquisitions programme. A circular setting out the arrangements will issue shortly. That may be an answer to the Deputy's specific question in respect of Dublin … assess the circumstances of each case and decide the appropriate action. The arrangements for 2025 will ensure a more targeted and focused acquisitions programme

conservation charge. It reflects the recommendations made in 2017 by the Joint Committee on Future Funding of Domestic Water Services and the previous programme for Government commitment to implementing these recommendations. The rationale behind the household water conservation charge was to encourage water conservation. It was not intended … revenue measure. No further work is being done on this issue. This measure is not in the current programme for Government. as the Deputy rightly pointed out, and there are no plans to introduce

that deals with families who are suffering because of the issues caused by addiction. We could not have enough resources for youth diversion projects such as those being operated at The House in Cox's Demesne Youth and Community Project, Muirhevnamore and beyond at this time. We need

areas policed effectively. That is why the top line job of Government is, which is set out within the programme for Government, that we want to drive recruitment. We are doing everything we can to do that. I have outlined to the Deputy what we are doing … programme for Government sets out very ambitious plans to get more men and women into An Garda Síochána, to have them attested and policing our front lines and to get them out into our streets in our towns and cities and across our rural communities

region which will also include community-facing ancillary support services. Cuan has worked with Safe Ireland to fund and resource a project manager post and a change manager post in addition to supporting the organisation to form the local partnership that is needed to drive the project. Last

General of the United Nations in expressing our deep sadness and shock to learn of the death of a United Nations Office for Project Services staff member when two UN guesthouses were hit in Israeli air strikes. Five other UN personnel were seriously injured and, of course, hundreds … interest, which is probably no surprise to anyone, such is the level of need. Following the evaluation process, the HSE confirmed that projects with a cost of around €8 million have met the criteria for the fund. This now needs to be provided. It is no fault

tariffs, but on the occupied territories Bill, about which I have spoken to the Taoiseach, he absolutely reiterated the commitment in the programme for Government with regard to legislating in this area. Whatever others wish to say - I do not mean Deputy Bacik - the Government's commitment remains … outlined in the programme for Government in that regard. On the issue of tariffs and trade, the Deputy is right to suggest that this country has a lot of foreign direct investment and that brings exposure and challenge. That is true. We are also approaching it from

investment decisions in infrastructure must be ramped up to improve our competitiveness and to ensure that jobs are protected. Funding for export development programmes must be escalated. The situation in Ireland is further complicated by the British jurisdiction over part of our island. In the event of counter … draft of the general scheme for the national cybersecurity Bill has been published and it has been listed in the Government's legislative programme for spring 2025. I welcome this but it is taking too long. We need to work together to address all of these issues

world and the Europe we are creating for her and all the children, living and those to come. It is incredible that the project of the European Union, which was supposed to be about peace and improving quality of life for the people living there, now appears … about to become a project of war. This will not make Europe safer or improve the quality of life of its people. It is incredible when we think back to the austerity cuts that devastated Europe but that the European Union said were required to meet the fiscal

nothing short of shameful that neither the Department of Education nor the Department of children, disability and equality have a dedicated programme that recognises the specific needs of young carers and young adult carers. The programme for Government does not even acknowledge their existence, let alone offer proposals

years ago I saw young carers being supported. In one of the schools I worked in as part of the school completion programme, there was a group for young carers which was absolutely lovely. Those young people were cared for and that gave them the ability to care … support children and young people who are carers and attending our schools. I was struck as well that there is no dedicated Government programme to support young carers and no recognition by the Department of Social Protection. The means test for carer's allowance which has been brought

time now the Government decided it is going to do something or it is not. It is recognised under the programme for Government that something will be done, but how long is a piece of string? The programme for Government is five years. Is it going

answer I want but God loves a trier. The reconfiguration process has been very slow to date. The previous programme for Government had it that, I think, 400 schools would be transferred. Unfortunately, that number has not been reached … programme for Government this time. The survey has been promised for quite a long time and I am anxious to know when exactly it will happen. The reply said there was no unmet need in Dublin 8. Will the Minister of State clarify if that is because there

people can drive through, like they have in other stations in County Laois. These can be put in. It is a shovel-ready project. We do not need to draw up new plans. There are existing plans that have been used in similar towns. As I said … plans a bit of extra money for the royalties and get on with the plans we already have. This is a shovel-ready project. The Minister of State knows the importance of the fire service. Pay and conditions have been improved, which we all welcome

discuss those issues with them. On the housing issue, if I could comment for a moment, there were several projections throughout 2024 in respect of completions. We have exceeded targets, particularly in 2022 and 2023. We exceeded Central Bank targets and other targets that suggested we would come … variation of that which we require per annum over the next five years. We have a clear programme in terms of Government investment, which is the largest historically. We built more houses in the past three years than since the early 2000s. We built more social housing

inclusive, together. Last month the Government established the Cabinet committee on climate action, environment and energy to oversee implementation of programme for Government commitments in relation to the environment, climate action, energy and emergency planning. The programme for Government sets out a strong framework for climate action

IHRA definition, which it knows is controversial and which says, for example, that it is antisemitic to describe the Israeli state project as a racist state project. It says that in the guidelines. Many Jewish Holocaust survivors have condemned that definition because it is loaded in favour

today is the time it takes and the lack of urgency by Irish Water and its lack of desire to deliver on these projects. That is the number one barrier to the building of houses in my area. It is the reason I cannot build a house … want Irish Water and those State agencies to feel that exact same level of urgency. I welcome that we secured in the programme for Government the above-the-shop property grant from the Fianna Fáil manifesto. We said we would introduce a grant of €100,000 to bring

deliver housing. I am thrilled and honoured to have been elected to the Dáil, but I want to continue to work on the projects on which I worked as a councillor. As part of the local area plan in Celbridge, we put in a submission for a second … initiated. We know the deficit will continue if we do not succeed in driving increased housing provision every year. It is in the programme for Government and is the key focus. While the Minister is here, I ask him to keep a focus on the requirement

this issue. The Housing Commission argued that there has to be a radical step change in approach. I commend the Government on the programme for Government which sets out ambitious measures and targets for housing. Every single one needs to be implemented as quickly as possible. Touching … there is no penalty from the local authority or the State. That must be looked at. The over-the-shop proposal in the programme for Government is welcome. I echo other Deputies that it needs to be progressed as quickly as possible. We must seriously look at downsizing

each case: Deputy Paula Butterly - To discuss the proposed 17% increase in personal injury awards. Deputy Michael Cahill - To discuss the national roads programme for County Kerry. Deputy Barry Ward - To discuss the need to reintroduce the security clearance certificate. Deputy Brian Stanley - To discuss planning … discuss the need to replace the Duleek to Staleen water mains. Deputy Seamus Healy - To discuss the need to amend the local enhancement programme 2025 to ensure the sustainability of men's sheds. Deputy John Lahart - To discuss the crisis funding situation at Sacred Heart

Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation whether his Department tracks the variance between initial tender price and final outturn cost on public capital projects; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23638/26

Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation for a detailed breakdown of the ‘more detailed analysis’ of unlocated works promised for the 2026 work programme, including the deadline for its completion. [24320/26

Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation for the completion of the Whitechurch Stream project, now in its third year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24931/26

Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation the progress on the commitments on digitalisation of State services contained in the Programme for Government. [24941/26

Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation the position regarding the work he is doing to ensure that flood defence projects are fast-tracked, particularly in areas known to be at high risk of flooding; and if he will make a statement on the matter

level agreement or governance framework is in place between his Department, the Office of Public Works and An Garda Síochána; and how capital project prioritisation decisions are determined within this framework. [26443/26

identified deficiencies; the role of the Office of Public Works in maintaining Garda stations; and the timeline for delivery of any capital investment programme for Garda infrastructure. [26450/26

Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment to provide details on the eligibility criteria for green capital grant programmes; including whether multinational-owned manufacturing facilities operating in Ireland qualify for support; the sectors prioritised for grant funding; and if he will make a statement

Employment whether his Department is considering the development of recommended KPIs or evaluation frameworks to help organisations measure the impact of AI projects in a consistent and meaningful way; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24656/26

been carried out on the current level of AI readiness among Irish businesses, and whether the findings will inform future policy or support programmes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24659/26

Deputy Tony McCormack asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment the current status and projected timeline for the development and infrastructure build-out of the new IDA Business Park, particularly in light of the fact that all available space in the existing park is now fully occupied

Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Education and Youth the number of school building projects that have involved a private contractor (details supplied) over the past 18 months; and to provide detail of same. [23574/26

Youth the status of a climate action summer works (CASW) application submitted by a school (details supplied); when the next tranche of CASW projects will be announced; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23948/26

Brady asked the Minister for Education and Youth the plans that exist to expand special class and special school capacity in line with projected demographic growth; the way in which future demand is being forecasted at regional level; and if she will make a statement on the matter

Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Education and Youth for an update on a school building project for a school (details supplied); to clarify the details of the proposed special needs unit; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24137/26

Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Education and Youth for an update on a school building project (details supplied); when the roof of the existing school building will be replaced; the other facilities to be included in the development; and if she will make a statement

Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Education and Youth for an update on a school building project (details supplied); to provide details of the new sports hall; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24139/26

Minister for Education and Youth the reason no schools in Drogheda, County Louth have been selected for inclusion in the DEIS Plus programme; the precise criteria that was used to identify the schools that have been successfully included in the scheme; if an appeal can be made

Deputy Jen Cummins asked the Minister for Education and Youth the list of schools that are being designated under the new DEIS plus programme. [24227/26

Deputy Louis O'Hara asked the Minister for Education and Youth to provide an update on a school building project (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24872/26

Deputy Ryan O'Meara asked the Minister for Education and Youth the status of an application for a school building project (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24899/26

Deputy Naoise Ó Muirí asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she will outline the results of the City Connects Programme; if an evaluation report has been completed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24911/26

Deputy Eoin Hayes asked the Minister for Education and Youth to provide a completion date for the school building projects located at the Roslyn Park site in Sandymount; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24919/26

Youth to list all formally arranged meetings that she has had with representatives of individual schools that included discussions on school building projects since her appointment. [24938/26

Education and Youth the reason a school (details supplied) was not granted DEIS Plus status; when further schools will be included in the programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24989/26