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that the €18,000 threshold for legal aid remains far too low. Additionally, while the Irish courts refer convicted domestic abusers to rehabilitation programmes, there is no obligation on them to complete them. Only 10% did so in 2023. Completion of these schemes should be a condition … sentencing and we should also discuss whether all such convictions should be referred to the rehabilitation programmes and a Jennie's law register. I thank the brave women and men in the Gallery who spoke out and in doing so call attention to the plight of other victims

just about running to stand still, particularly as the population has increased by more than 805,000 in the intervening period. The programme for Government contains commitments, which we welcome, but so did previous programmes. Those commitments were not met. The promises now are way off what

Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael took a political decision not to publish it until the new Government was formed. The section in the programme for Government dealing with the climate action plan gives us a sense of the Government's ambition on climate. It actually talks about placing … actually cutting a few chunks out of it so there is a smaller number of actions, as per the Government's own programme for Government? When will the Taoiseach publish the climate action plan

continue these expenditure increases. The Commission on the Future of the Defence Forces was established on foot of a commitment in the programme for Government of 2020. The commission's report, as the Deputy knows, was published on 9 February 2022. There were 69 main recommendations and, with … billion, in 2022 prices, by 2028, as part of the annual Estimates processes. We need to go beyond LOA2 and the programme for Government is clear on that. I have been clear since taking up this role that we need to get to LOA2

Finance, Jack Chambers, in budget 2025 that this would be considered by the Department of Finance. It is a commitment in the programme for Government. As part of a healthy living strategy, it should be promoted. In many Canadian provinces, there are a number of examples of measures … shortage of GPs. While I appreciate that there has been a significant additional investment in places in medicine and on GP training programmes, we still have a problem, not just in rural areas, but in areas of high growth. I represent a constituency that has had significant population

support health and well-being for people of all ages. The active ageing initiative, led by Kerry County Council, is one example. This programme encourages older people to stay active and engaged whether through walking groups, fitness classes, or social activities. It is about making sure that people … need to make sure that there are more opportunities for people to engage in physical activity no matter their age or ability. Programmes like the active ageing initiative should be expanded, and we should continue to provide support for local sports clubs, fitness classes and wellness initiatives that

that briefing not to raise it here. I note an issue mentioned by my colleague across the floor, namely, the objective in the programme for Government to introduce tax credits for those who join gyms. We should not be so narrowly focused in that … welcome the Minister's initiative and her determination to see them through. It can be very frustrating following the processes and bringing these projects to fruition. I saw an example in my constituency when the Government decided to develop an elective hospital in Galway. There is a site

oldest commensurate with their abilities. The second is the value of the wisdom of older persons councils and the Age Friendly Ireland programmes. We must listen to the wisdom and cost-effective suggestions of our older citizens, especially in the area of falls, which are high-cost from … hospitalisation point of view. We should increase resourcing of the healthy age friendly homes programme. Third, from the pharmacy task force, the common condition service should be funded and resourced as soon as possible. That would help with older people managing their medicines and with the proper disposal

Government and Heritage an important when it comes to the redevelopment and regeneration of town centres. Tipperary County Council has a town centre project for Clonmel ready to go. A successful application under call 4 of the programme is vital for the future of the town. When will

others, I have been a champion of an elective site being built on this site. I am also supportive of the project relating to an elective hospital for Galway. The HSE tends to have rather lengthy processes, particularly in terms of getting to the stage of tendering … project of this scale. My understanding is that it is close at hand, but I will check for the Deputy to get an accurate timeline for the progression of this particular elective hospital

propose to take Questions No. 1 to 11, inclusive, together. The Programme for Government 2025, Securing Ireland’s Future, recognises the importance of Cabinet committees to the policy development and oversight work of Government and commits to the establishment of a reformed structure of Cabinet committees. The Government … nitrates and a focus on compliance and enforcement. The community water development fund for 2025 will also provide financial supports to local projects and initiatives. In addition to the Water Action Plan 2024, last year the Government published Water and Agriculture - a collaborative approach, a plan which sets

propose to take Questions Nos. 30 to 40, inclusive, together. The Programme for Government 2025: Securing Ireland's Future, recognises the importance of Cabinet committees to the policy development and oversight work of Government. The Cabinet committee on EU and international affairs was established by the Government … February 2025. Its role is to oversee implementation of programme for Government commitments in relation to the European Union, including preparations for Ireland's Presidency in the second half of 2026, and international issues. Its membership comprises the Taoiseach, Tánaiste, Minister for Finance and Minister for public expenditure

commitments in the programme for Government relates to the delivery of a step change in disability services. This is a very welcome and ambitious objective. Should it come to fruition in five years' time, we would be able to reflect positively on it. This Government would leave … have the greatest impact on a child with special needs. I have seen that time and again. I welcome very much in the programme for Government commitment to continue to extend and increase the number of special needs assistants within our schools, both mainstream and special schools

others remain hidden from view. Each person's journey is distinct and deserves to be understood on its own terms. I welcome the programme for Government's renewed focus on disability committing to the UNCRPD and prioritising a national disability strategy with a vision for 2030. I also … right to education, adequate healthcare, employment and the right to participate in daily life. I welcome the recognition of carers in the programme for Government. In the context of an existing €6.5 billion spend, we must ensure funding is directed to the most vulnerable. If reform is required

living independently in their own homes. Our capital spending must increase and, crucially, we must provide more therapists and access to services. The programme for Government commits to doubling the number of college places for speech and language therapists, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, dieticians, psychologists and social workers … understanding the needs of people with disabilities that we can deliver the step change in disability services as per the commitment in the programme for Government that this sector needs

instructors; — conduct an urgent review of the capacity of the RSA to address the backlog in driving tests, including its mandate, resourcing, and programme of work; — address the shortfall in driving test centres across the country, and to instruct the OPW and the RSA to urgently identify suitable … support the Government in exchange for their new positions and salary bonuses, but they forgot to include this important issue in the programme for Government. I hope they still retain the courage of their convictions when they are sitting on the Government benches. One particular issue I want

question. The Government is committed to providing early intervention services to children with disabilities and their families as referenced in the programme for Government. A total of €3.2 billion has been allocated for disability services in budget 2025. This is an 11.6% increase on 2024 and represents … senior therapist posts, 20 staff grade posts, 20 health and social care assistant posts and 15 clinical trainee posts. Under the new programme for Government, we will work to increase staff, train more therapists and enable targeted supports for CDNTs. Through these concerted efforts, we will be able

thank the Deputy, who has raised valid issues. We are supporting practice education in CDNTs. There is a student sponsorship programme. There is also an initiative whereby four years of salary are paid to new graduates over five years to support a gap year in the fifth year … also have the development of apprenticeship programmes. At national level in response to the challenges, we have rolling recruitment campaigns with employers. There is talent searching in the Irish and international markets for staff. We also have workforce issues in CDNTs. These are being tackled through the progressing

good relationship with her predecessor, Deputy O'Reilly. The Ministers of State, Deputies Smyth and Dillon, and I look forward to delivering the programme for Government in the years ahead. I am acutely aware of the significant challenges the impacts of Storm Éowyn have caused for business owners … these schemes is that the businesses must not have been able to secure flood insurance through no fault of their own. The programme for Government includes a commitment to an extreme weather event assistance scheme, which we are working on establishing

responsibilities. The development requires focus and commitment. I welcome the appointment of Dominick Healy in August last year. He is a very competent project manager. The roadmap will build on the consensus of the steering committee stakeholders which comprise a number of State agencies and key local authorities … years has been set by the SDZ development roadmap. We have a timeline of August 2026, two years after the appointment of the project manager. We want to see, following that, a number of initiatives to ensure that there is investment in that strategic land bank to ensure

Ireland. IDA, therefore, maintains a focus on land banks to future-proof the ability of its property portfolio to support the project pipeline, most notably large-scale, capital-intensive projects which have significant regional and national economic impact. IDA Ireland continually engages with key stakeholders and service providers

outlined in the programme for Government, the Government is committed to taking decisive action to radically reduce our reliance on fossil fuels and achieve a 51% reduction in emissions from 2018 to 2030, and to achieving net-zero emissions no later than 2050. In the programme for Government

down - we have a Cabinet committee in relation to our response to the storm and what we can do to bring our winter programme forward. I mentioned to other Deputies investment in PR6, from 2026 to 2030, as a measure we can bring forward to this year. More … night along with officials from the Department of agriculture, my Department and ESB Networks around tree corridors and how we can advance a programme in that regard. I assure Deputies that we will continue to advance these works. There will be major investment in our grid from

establishment of a new convention on education, inclusive of young people, teachers, parents and stakeholders. Where is it? With the introduction of projects, 40% of every subject is being left open to manipulation. Can the Minister guarantee us today that the honours leaving certificate of 2027 will have … training day. Put yourself in the shoes of a chemistry teacher who will be teaching the new syllabus, including a whopping 40% individual project, with basically a few hours of in-service. This is totally unfair on teachers and is definitely unfair on students. Full training must

service that got people from Greystones into town in good time. It was run by Dublin Bus and was reliable. Under the BusConnects programme this is now being covered by the X1 and X2. There are a couple of problems with this. It now takes perhaps half … service should have been expanded rather than being reduced and being made take longer. It is incredible that under the “transformative” BusConnects programme, as the Minister of State called it in his reply, transformation means Xpress services are taking 20 to 30 minutes longer than they did. That

Minister for Children, Disability and Equality when a fee assessment process for early years providers in receipt of core funding for the current programme year, as committed to in Budget 2026, will commence; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24378/26

Disability and Equality when the fee increase assessment process is expected to be finalised and communicated to providers participating in the core funding programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24785/26

earlier commitment to undertake a call for proposals as part of the European Social Fund Plus: Employment, Inclusion, Skills and Training (EIST) Programme 2021-2027 under the Gender Equality objective in 2026; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25152/26

with intellectual disabilities currently awaiting supported living placements; the number of such placements delivered in each of the past five years; and the projected delivery for 2026 per county, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25207/26

Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if she will consider acquiring a property (details supplied) under the early learning and childcare capital programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25330/26

Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if she has considered a location for the State-led childcare programme (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25759/26

Tusla has ended with family resource centres and similar organisations; the number of redundancies arising from these decisions as part of its reform programme; and the plans in place in each case to either continue the services previously provided (such as therapy) in an alternative form

asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if a multi-agency approach involving Tusla, a school and the Garda Youth Diversion Programme could assist a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25887/26

application for assistive technology under AIM will be considered for a person (details supplied) in advance of their being enrolled in an ECCE programme given the technology will assist the individual in their current childcare setting and will already be in place for their entry to ECCE

Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the position regarding withdrawal of ECCE, NCS or other Pobal programmes from early years providers who left or did not join core funding. [26987/26

Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Health if she is considering a catch up programme for the meningitis vaccine; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23549/26

asked the Minister for Health to provide an update on the number of specialists currently in place in the Mater Hospital's lymphoedema programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23665/26

Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Health to provide details of funding provided to the Mater Hospital's lymphoedema programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23666/26

update on the proposed new primary care centre in Baldoyle/ Clongriffin Dublin 13 area; the current stage of planning or development of this project; the reasons it was not included in the HSE Capital Plan 2026; the alternative timelines or funding arrangements now being considered

Department required to approve such expenditure; and to confirm whether any formal escalation or secondary approval process applies in cases where projected costs exceed defined thresholds. [23899/26

expenditure under the treatment abroad scheme, including the frequency of internal audit, any involvement of the Comptroller and Auditor General, and whether any programme-level evaluations have been conducted since 2020; and to outline how value for money is assessed in circumstances where treatment is procured from external

framework that applies to expenditure under the treatment abroad scheme, including whether the Public Spending Code formally applies to individual funding decisions and programme-level oversight; and to set out how her Department satisfies itself that expenditure under the Scheme meets the standards of regularity, propriety, and value

Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Health the breakdown of the PEACEPLUS funding across the five CAWT projects, including annual allocations and administrative costs; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24471/26

Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Health the number of staff employed under CAWT PEACEPLUS projects; and whether these roles are expected to transition into permanent posts; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24480/26

Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Health the plans in place to embed successful CAWT programmes into mainstream HSE services following the conclusion of PEACEPLUS funding; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24481/26

Minister for Health to give a detailed progress report in regard to the new Killarney primary care centre; when the long awaited project will be delivered for the people of Killarney, East, Mid and South Kerry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24530/26

Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Health the progress report in regard to the new Killarney minor injuries Unit; when this long awaited project will be delivered for the people of Killarney, East, Mid and South Kerry and throughout the region; and if she will make a statement

Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Health the progress report in regard to the new Killarney community nursing unit; when this long awaited project will be opened for the people of Killarney, East, Mid and South Kerry and throughout the county; and if she will make a statement

asked the Minister for Health to give a progress report in regard to the new Cahersiveen primary care centre; when this long awaited project will be delivered for the people of Cahersiveen, Iveragh and South Kerry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24535/26

will provide an estimated date for when the design team will be assembled; and when they expect to start to design the project. [24588/26