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context of the whole network, involving approximately 60 km. It requires significant funding to move this on. There will be many competing projects within this year's programme. Within the past few days, I received a draft submission, which I intend to review in detail. I expect

have many plans and strategies. We have seen improvements in our road network but the focus has got to be on delivering on projects. The point the Deputy made on multi-annual funding for roads is one I agree with. It is not within my gift alone … this Government. We are determined to achieve this. I have already discussed with officials the need to examine the next phase of road projects with a view to funding on a multi-annual basis

thank the Deputy. He has strongly and passionately argued for this project. We will engage with TII around the feasibility of fast-tracking elements of the project, particularly the Tipperary town bypass. Other elements will require planning permission and to go through the process. We are committed

discuss unsafe working conditions in the ambulance station in Drogheda. Deputy Aidan Farrelly - To discuss the lack of school places and school building projects in Kildare. Deputy Mark Wall - To discuss the need to reopen the Allenwood Day Care Centre in County Kildare. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú … difficulties in mental health services in the Louth-Meath area. Deputy Brian Brennan - To discuss the speed of progress of current capital projects in schools. Deputy Malcolm Byrne - To discuss the introduction of a youth culture card. Deputy Mattie McGrath - To discuss the establishment of a task force

Family Resource Centre National Forum, has lobbied for a minimum of €250,000 in core funding for each family resource centre in the programme. This is a more realistic figure than has been costed. When family resource centres are properly funded, they can create lasting positive changes … accessibility of the services. The Minister has also allocated an additional €800,000 to allow for the expansion of family resource centre programmes in budget 2025. While the funding and additional five family resource centres are welcome, the reality is we will have five additional underfunded family resource

huge value, as do I, on family resource centres. The Minister is very pleased that 2025 will see the family resource centre programme expanding, with the provision of five new centres. That expansion is an imminent and very welcome development for the programme, its member organisations

also clear and what we all agree on is that we need to support our teachers and schools in rolling out that programme. I am absolutely committed to continuing the programme of reform of senior cycle to ensure that students benefit from up-to-date curriculums, more diverse

trained and equipped because they want to ensure they are giving their best and students get the best outcomes. A number of training programmes have been developed and delivered already and my intention is to try to intensify that and provide even more supports and resources for teachers … uplift, I am looking to see if we can provide more to ensure our schools have the equipment they need. We have other programmes, in particular drama, film and theatre studies, where schools have to get cameras, lighting and audio, computer and staging equipment. All of these elements

raibh maith agat, a Theachta, as an gceist sin a chur. As the Deputy rightly mentioned, there is a commitment in the programme for Government to expand opportunities for pupils and students to attend Gaelscoileanna and Gaelcholáistí. I intend to prioritise the publication of a new policy … stakeholder engagement has happened to date and that will feed into the policy. That will be important to our ability to plan and project

school authority for its approval. My Department considers that this accommodation could be delivered for the school with the support of the project managers under the Department’s timber frame modular framework. As this is a very significant project that will add capacity and transform facilities

educational disadvantage and supporting those with special educational needs to achieve their full potential. It has enabled huge investment in the school buildings programme, curriculum reform, school leadership and continuous professional development. As the Deputy said, the programme for Government commits to aim to reduce the general pupil

commitment in the programme for Government to establish a new DEIS plus scheme for schools is very welcome. What steps will be taken within the Department to develop that scheme? The existing scheme has been reflected on very positively by both schools and teachers who participate in what … initiatives in the initial scheme have been extended to all schools, such as the free books and the free hot school meals programmes. What is envisaged in the new scheme

Deputy John Connolly asked the Minister for Education what steps will be taken to operationalise the commitment in the programme for Government to introduce a new national small schools project for all 1,300 small primary schools to protect these school communities and develop new administrative supports. [8505/25

very focused on the work they do and the burden they face on a daily basis. There is a commitment in the programme for Government that we will phase out the means test over the lifetime of the Government. I do not know where we will be this … time next year or this time two years in relation to budgetary allocations. It is my intention to deliver on the programme for Government commitment in relation to carers that we will, over the course of five years, phase out the income disregard. On the Deputy’s other

launched the work and access to replace former schemes. We published a review of the wage subsidy scheme. Through the WorkAbility programme, which is a fantastic programme nationwide, we are bringing much more awareness of supports available for people with disabilities in work spaces but also supports that

understand the importance of the school meals programme but it is equally important that when kids are availing of this programme, the food is decent, of good quality, healthy and nutritious. I know from talking to teachers in my constituency that, for some kids, these meals may represent

point of a planning application, a change in direction for the site was recommended. In autumn 2023, a Galway university hospital capital programme oversight board was established to develop a masterplan for major capital projects on the Galway university hospital site. We found out earlier this week that

point of Part 8 planning. The Department claims the length of time for local authorities to draw up the designs for social housing projects and secure Government approval is 59 weeks. I often found it took longer than that. In fact, particularly for affordable housing, it seemed … longer than that, which was frustrating. My recollection is that there was a four-step approval process. It was mentioned earlier that the programme for Government commits to establishing a single-step approval process. If we are calling it a single-step process, we should provide a timeline

issues with him. The first is the issue of rural housing and the second is the port access northern cross route, PANCR, project in Ballymakenny, Drogheda. I live in an area that is viewed in the Louth county development plan as an area of outstanding beauty … remember that rural living is the fabric of our essence. I turn my attention, and the Minister's, to the PANCR project in Ballymakenny, which, as he knows, is proposed in four phases. When completed it will deliver approximately 7,000 homes. Phase 1 has now been completed

other incentives for gym membership as a health promotion measure.Deputy Aidan Farrelly - To discuss the lack of school places and school building projects in Kildare.Deputy Colm Burke - To discuss an enhanced mains rehabilitation and replacement scheme for Cork city.Deputy Darren O'Rourke - To discuss the need for extra … Barry Ward - To discuss the criteria for the selection of school patronage.Deputy Brian Brennan - To discuss the speed of progress of current capital projects in schools.Deputy Naoise Ó Muirí - To discuss the need to expand Irish-medium secondary school options for families in north Dublin.Deputy Joanna Byrne

such a tax relief measure would operate. It was, as the Minister of State will be aware, also contained in the programme for Government. There has been an active campaign by the Irish Physical Activity Alliance, led by Darina Dunne, to ensure that gyms would be responsive … Prince Edward Island, Saskatchewan, Nova Scotia, Manitoba and Yukon. In Singapore, retirees receive free gym membership as part of the Age Well SG programme. The impact of that is seen in the fact the number of older Singaporeans who require hospital or nursing home care has been reduced

Deputy for raising this matter. I am taking it on behalf of the Minister for Finance. As Deputy Byrne will be aware, the programme for Government, Securing Ireland's Future, includes a commitment to "Consider measures, in conjunction with the Department of Finance, to encourage gym membership … active participation in sport and exercise". The programme for Government also acknowledges that "sport holds a special place in Irish life and society ... promoting health and well-being, encouraging community participation and instilling a sense of pride in our people". It also commits to supporting our sporting ecosystem

department, built in 1947, lacks a disabled toilet and adequate wheelchair access, which is astonishing. Given the current emphasis on disability in the programme for Government, one would expect all outpatient departments to be disability-proofed infrastructure. I urge the Minister of State to expedite this long overdue … project and ensure this regional rehabilitation infrastructure is delivered as planned in Roscommon University Hospital. The reasons for choosing Roscommon University Hospital in 2015 could not have changed substantially in the intervening years. The people of Roscommon-Galway deserve a transparent explanation as to why this piece

From 2015 to date, the Department has spent more than €2 million on urban horse projects. Last year, €6 million in funding went to 101 animal welfare charities throughout the country under the animal welfare grant programme. Of that figure, just over €3.4 million was awarded to charities

comes from persons with whom they are in a relationship within the family. The Courts Service is progressing an ambitious ten year modernisation programme to deliver an operating model that is digitally enabled and designed around the user. That is something that will improve it. The Deputy also … examine the conduct of a judge in cases where judicial misconduct is alleged. The Deputy also called in the motion for education programmes to challenge misogyny and gender-based violence. A substantial body of work is under way with Cuan at the core of its efforts. Educational

Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport for an update on his Department's efforts to fulfil the Programme for Government commitment to provide the nationwide network of post offices with funding to ensure their sustainability and enhance the value they bring to local

Deputy Charles Ward asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to clarify the current and projected funding arrangements for the establishment of the Building Standards Regulatory Authority; the reason for the absence of dedicated budget line items since 2024 to support its development and implementation

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the amount of funding which has been allocated to the Dublin City Council Home Building Programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23925/26

Deputy Rory Hearne asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the tools, schemes, programmes, and policies funded by his Department to support preventions and exits from emergency accommodation for families; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24591/26

asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to provide details of the delivery achieved to date under the 2025 Planned Maintenance/Voids Programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24979/26

Heritage 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

Housing, Local Government and Heritage the total expenditure by his Department and the LDA on homes delivered via croí cónaithe cities and project tosaigh; and the breakdown of this information by year, scheme and annual cost for each year since each scheme has been in operation

time firefighters and retained (reserve) firefighters in County Mayo who are due to retire in 2026 and 2027, by station where possible; the projected impact this will have on fire service capacity and emergency response in the county; and the contingency or workforce-planning measures currently in place

Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the position regarding a project in County Laois (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26085/26

John Brady asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the status of capital funding streams, including CAS funding, for disability housing projects in County Wicklow; whether additional supports will be made available to approved housing bodies supporting people with disabilities; and if he will make

Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage for an update made on the Programme for Government commitment to earmark certain cost rental units for key local workers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26324/26

asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the detailed spending breakdown for 2024 and 2025 on the Supported Housing for Youth programme; the breakdown of cost for each element of crisis intervention, aftercare, and Housing First for Youth, in tabular form; and if he will make

Social Protection if his Department has identified any trends in uptake of parent’s leave and paternity leave in recent years; the projections that have been made for future demand and associated costs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23978/26

Social Protection 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

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

sexual abuse; the frequency with which he is seeking updates on measures to address culture in An Garda Síochána; his views on the Programme for Government commitments to ensure transparency and exchange of accurate information designed to improve culture across the security and policing services generally

Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration for an update on the Programme for Government commitment to consider allowing Garda trainees to undergo part of their training course in regionally based universities or technological universities; and if he will make a statement

Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration for an update on the Programme for Government commitment to increase the CCTV fund to enable local authorities to install new CCTV schemes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26333/26

Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration for an update on the Programme for Government commitment to examine with An Garda Síochána the establishment of a safe public places unit which will advise local authorities and planning authorities; and if he will make

will outline any plans to increase the TAMS 3 budget allocation to support farmers in meeting nutrient storage requirements under the Nitrates Action Programme. [24118/26

Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans for the future of TAMS beyond the current programme in light of the overwhelming demand being experienced by farmers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25003/26

Deputy Donna McGettigan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine whether students enrolled in full-time programmes delivered by Teagasc are eligible to access supports under the Fund for Students with Disabilities (FSD) or a similar fund; whether Teagasc may apply for FSD funding on behalf

Marine 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; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25361/26