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terms of infrastructure. Of course, we need to provide people with alternatives to our road network, such as better and improved public transport and of course continued investment in our active travel routes across the country. We also need to invest in our road network. We need … will be transformative and make huge difference but we need to speed up the delivery of this project. It has been estimated it could take up to ten years for this to be constructed and become operational, which is far too long. A final preferred route

plant is currently at preliminary business case stage 2. Uisce Éireann will develop a shortlist of solutions identifying preferred options and will calculate estimated costs. A significant amount of data gathering, surveys and assessments are required to support various consenting processes. A licence is required to carry … applied in December. We pressed the importance of progressing this project. Certainly the residents of Newport will be kept updated, as will the public representatives, as to any further updates we get from Uisce Éireann on this project. I suggest the Deputy keep in contact with the Minister

also provide infrastructure with the capacity for future offtakes to serve communities along the route in Tipperary, Offaly and Westmeath. The current cost estimate is €4.6 billion to €6 billion and construction of the project is scheduled to commence in 2028, with Uisce Éireann aiming to complete … statutory planning process and will ultimately form part of the determination to be made by An Coimisiún Pleanála. This includes an extensive public consultation. As part of the planning application for the project submitted last December, a 30,000-page environmental impact assessment report, EIAR, was submitted

February and enables me to bring proposals for a successor scheme to the Government, taking account of the quantitative and qualitative research data, public and stakeholder consultation feedback and the findings of the cost-benefit analysis carried out on the scheme. Once I have secured the agreement … impactful way for international presenters to be introduced to emerging Irish artists. A further significant allocation will be made in the Revised Estimate to enable Culture Ireland to present a major cultural programme next year as part of the EU Presidency. I have made an additional allocation

childminders are fair, and are aimed at growing the number of childminders, not reducing them, while acknowledging that less than 200 of an estimated 16,000 childminders have registered with Tusla; — there are between 40,000 and 50,000 children on waiting lists for childcare places, many which … begin work on examining the State taking over wages and associated costs in the sector, as a first step to a public model; — extend Parent's Leave and Benefit, to ensure a baby can spend their first year with at least one parent; — ensure the widest possible consultation

estimated 27,108 units had been constructed on sites sold. This level of delivery represents just 26% of the estimated overall capacity of the residential development sites sold by NAMA debtors/receivers to end 2024. Anybody who sat the junior certificate or leaving certificate last week … cosied up to the bankers and developers and bust not only the banking situation but also the construction situation and had our public finances in such a weak position that so much damage was done. As we wind up NAMA in this legislation, it is important that

authority, the office of the director of criminal justice international co-operation will receive only a subset of those orders for review. Current estimates suggest that the office could receive around 24,000 notifications each year and as the e-evidence package represents a new legal framework … which is nearing completion. The process of recruitment of staff of the office is under way and my officials are engaging with the Public Appointments Service on that matter. It is expected that 20 staff will be recruited to the office by the end of the year

main contractor is mobilising crews to commence site investigations that are necessary for the design stage of the project. The construction phase is estimated to commence in quarter 3 of 2025. The Deputy raised a couple of other points. There is clearly a need for a structured protocol … points. As the Deputy is probably aware, Uisce Éireann has established a dedicated team to deal with queries from public representatives. It can be contacted via email at oireachtasmembers@water.ie or via the dedicated telephone number 0818 578 578. The Deputy makes a valid point that comes up repeatedly

cost of MGO by 7.4 cent; — postpone the increase in carbon tax scheduled for 1st May, until the Budget in October, at an estimated cost of €22 million; — enhance the Transport Support Schemes for all haulage operators, local link and school transport providers, and some commercial operators … Many other Members have also referenced those hardworking people. Certainly, I have listened carefully and respectfully to those who have expressed deep frustration publicly and privately. They are asking simple and legitimate questions, such as why the costs are rising so sharply and what the Government is doing

ground running. The Minister of State will be aware that a public meeting was hosted by the secretariat of the Leitrim public participation network, PPN, in Ballinamore, County Leitrim, on Thursday last, 23 January. This was a significant date as it was the night before Storm Éowyn … Minister of State can do to reduce the impact of multiple power outages in rural parts of the north west. It is estimated that one third of the available land in Leitrim is covered by forestry. I do not intend to go into that debate but will focus

need to look to exploit, in a sustainable way, what is available on our doorstep, for example, our seas and rivers. It is estimated that between 8 million and ten million people participate in sea angling across Europe every year, generating an economic impact of between €8 billion … optional extra; it is the cornerstone of our prosperity. Local authorities are expected to promote tourism, develop local strategies, support festivals, maintain public amenities and market their region, but they are expected to do all this with budgets that are wholly inadequate for the scale of the task

challenge we saw is because a lot of workers, particularly in my constituency, commute. The Tánaiste will know many of them. An estimated 6,500 people commute from my constituency to work and college every day. Not alone did they not see sufficient benefits - there were some … State if they can see their money is being spent well, but I worry that we are seeing a situation where public expenditure is getting out of control in many cases and people are not seeing sufficient return on their investment. We are fortunate the economy

young people who will have to live in these homes are not being considered or thought of. It is, in my estimation, purely about two things. Those are increasing the profitability for investors and developers and pushing up the Government's figures for the housing statistics. That … architects and represents their views. As the organisation describes, it works across the full breadth of construction, playing a vital role in the public and private sectors. It is at the forefront of designing and delivering the homes, schools, workplaces and civic spaces that shape our communities

publication of the internal audit report by the OPW, following the review of projects costing €500,000 and under is welcome. It follows a commitment to learn from the bike shelter project and presents the internal audit findings, control recommendations and management response. The OPW has accepted … manner and meet the needs of the Government and our clients across the system. In addition, guidance on capital works projects with an estimated value of less than €500,000 has been developed. This new guidance covers approval and oversight for smaller capital works projects and will further

along political lines will now interact with other structural challenges that are more long-term in nature, including ageing populations, high levels of public debt and other changes involving climate change and the roll-out of artificial intelligence. Against this backdrop, it is essential that we continue … with our fundamental values intact and our economies in a strong position. Regarding the effects on the Irish economy, the Government published recent estimates to allow us to better understand the potential impact of tariffs under a range of different scenarios. Depending on the scenario, as well

light in respect of the Uisce Éireann infrastructure deficits in Carlow town. I implore the Department of housing and the Minister for public expenditure, Deputy Chambers, and his Department to hold Uisce Éireann to account as it is dragging its feet on the development and expansion of water … development, an upgrade of Carlow wastewater treatment plant was required. It said the upgrade project was at a detailed design stage and the estimated completion date for the upgrade was quarter 1 of 2031, although that is subject to change. The developer, himself a quantity surveyor, QS, said

SCHEDULE 2 RATES OF MINERAL OIL TAX ",". (2) IT is hereby declared that it is expedient in the public interest that this Resolution shall have statutory effect under the provisions of the Provisional Collection of Taxes Act 1927 (No. 7 of 1927). I want to begin today … businesses, and it ensures that, rather than facing a cliff edge, any restoration of these measures can be managed carefully and responsibly. The estimated cost to the Exchequer from 1 September 2026 until the final restoration on 28 February 2027 is approximately €407 million. This

public consultation on the draft design guide for long-term residential care settings for older people was launched, and a report on the public consultation reflecting the feedback received was published in January 2025. This is a matter I am working with my Department officials to progress … groups, with the most significant growth seen in the older age groups. The number of people aged 65 years and over is estimated to have risen by more than 40% between 2013 and 2023 and is expected to double again to 1.6 million

whose earning capacity is substantially reduced. There are currently 98,311 people in receipt of carer's allowance and expenditure in 2025 is estimated to be more than €1.24 billion. A number of significant improvements have made to the means test in recent years. As part of budget … that, as I have discussed this morning, over the five budgets that will be presented by the Ministers for Finance and Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform during the lifetime of the Government. This is a key commitment in the programme for Government

under huge pressure? It is shameful. If this Government was really interested in reducing the cost of living, it would prioritise investment in public services like education, high-quality housing, healthcare and childcare. Can the Minister of State imagine how a parent feels … Disability Federation of Ireland has described this budget as a betrayal of disabled people, stripping away vital supports and deepening poverty. It has estimated that disabled people stand to lose up to €1,400 because of the actions of this Government taken today. It is now nearly four

Eurostat shows that large energy users pay lower network charges; — research by Friends of the Earth Ireland, shows that Irish households paid an estimated €715 million more in electricity bills from 2015 to 2023 due to data centres, equivalent to €360 per household, and face an additional … Government will further increase carbon emissions by lifting the Dublin Airport cap, promoting unsustainable housing and economic development, and by no longer prioritising public transport and active travel investment over roads construction; condemns the decision of the Government to use the Critical Infrastructure Bill 2026, to disapply Section

March 2024, it agreed to an additional €2.25 billion out to 2026. The revised development plan sets out over €275 billion of public capital investment out to 2035, the largest and most significant capital injection into the economy in the history of the State. Following the agreement … reflected in the capital investment tracker, which provides a comprehensive update of the progress of all major investments with an estimated cost of greater than €20 million. It sets out the county-specific basis, specifically for investments in schools and health facilities relating

area in the Slieve Bloom mountains, such as Camross, Clonaslee and places like that. It is important that we fix this. Public transport will never cover all townlands, and I accept that. We are trying to link up the villages and great progress has been made on this … worse. The figures for those waiting for a test, and the length of time they are waiting, are absolutely shocking. The average estimated wait time is 27 weeks, as the Minister of State confirmed. For an invitation, which does not guarantee a test, the wait time

infrastructure. Our housing system is in crisis. We do not have a motorway between the second and third largest cities in the State. Public transport is inadequate and our electric grid is so inadequate that we are losing potential investment. Trade wars are bad for everyone but nothing … situation facing deprivation and hunger. There was potentially one of the largest slaughters we have seen in this century in El Fasher. Some estimates are suggesting that maybe as many as 100,000 were killed. It is certainly in the tens of thousands. This is a kind

electricity credit for households with people in receipt of Illness Benefit, Disability Allowance, Invalidity Pension or carer’s payments would cost an estimated €250 million per year; — data centres pay approximately €0.20 per KWh for electricity, half the €0.40 average price paid by households; and — an electricity consumption … many aspects to the cost-of-living crisis. There is the cost of accommodation and housing, the cost of childcare, the cost of public transport and the cost of groceries and food but a critical issue for hundreds of thousands of people, and for everybody really