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technologies. Some key areas, such as critical care, the emergency department and the new 95-bed unit, are still within the capital programme. We would welcome that investment and its progress through the capital programme system

tools are increasing in sophistication all the time and that was continuing to be a challenge for us. I welcome, therefore, that the programme for Government includes a plan to develop a policy for dealing with artificial intelligence in the area of education. That is very welcome … that the lights change automatically when a pedestrian pushes them, that is not the case. It is one of those frustrations. A pilot programme was conducted in the UK to try to use artificial intelligence specifically to improve traffic light sequencing. That is an area where AI could

presiding over a Government that seems to see crime as something to be responded to only after the fact. I read the programme for Government once again earlier, I heard the Taoiseach's statements and I listened to the Minister for Justice on the radio over the weekend … confront that. There are examples. There is best practice and evidence-based policies. I see none of that in the Government's programmes

better informed. I have met initially in respect of this significant issue. There are a number of different new training programmes, especially the specific training programme the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland is opening at Connolly Hospital Blanchardstown which will be used to both train and treat

achieve. I ask the Taoiseach to consider that the shared island unit should look towards schools North and South and create a project almost along the lines of the BT Young Scientist and Technology Exhibition to discover what future young people on this island - North and South - want … brains of our young people are engaged on projects and innovation on how this island can work in future, we will be onto a winner

welcome the programme for Government's commitment to implementing the Good Friday Agreement in all its parts. Obviously that includes provision for a referendum on Irish unity. I welcome the enhancement of the shared island unit and wish to say how important it is, in light … geopolitical turbulence we have seen, that the investment in the initiatives and projects must be to secure or increase our competitiveness and productivity. I welcome the departmental targets. How will those targets pan out and be measured? Will they feed back to the Taoiseach? Will

councils on this and we developed a pipeline initiative some time back. Approximately 25 councils engaged, so there is a good pipeline of projects coming through at local authority level, through shared island funding. There is also funding of approximately €2.5 million to €3 million through the Department … shared island unit, for civic groups. This funding is for civic initiatives on a smaller scale than some of the big projects. Deputy McGreehan raised the issue of the Narrow Water Bridge

teams for adult services and four hubs for young adults and adolescents. I have been working with researchers for the Claire Byrne programme on RTÉ. The Minister of State might have heard some of the programmes they have done on this issue. They have been working with

mental health is one of the most fatal health disorders we have. It is not getting the care it needs. I read the programme for Government. As was stated, there is less mention of mental health in this programme for Government than in the previous one. The Government

happens when their children turn 18 and are no longer able to access the services in CAMHS. The goals of the national clinical programme for eating disorders for 2025 are to develop transition pathways between CAMHS and adult eating disorder teams. Creating those linkages is absolutely vital … order to provide surgical treatment and mental health treatments as well. I very much welcome them. I also welcome the commitment in the programme for Government to enhance provision for adult and youth inpatient beds for eating disorders, as has been addressed by several speakers today. We need

type of infrastructure envisaged under the national mental health policy, Sharing the Vision. The new mental health ten-year capital development programme will focus on upgrading existing facilities, replacing inappropriate community facilities and continuing to expand services. In the context of capital infrastructure development, the Minister of State … tool, the Navigator app, for young people between the ages of 16 to 34 to support their mental health. The aim of the project, which has been developed thanks to funding secured by the Minister of State, Deputy Butler, is to facilitate help-seeking behaviours and enhance access

Deputy Pat Buckley - To discuss the ongoing health and safety crisis at Shandon Bells in Cork city. Deputy Paul McAuliffe - To discuss the programme for Government commitment to extend the use of 2015 taxis. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore - To discuss the roll-out of BusConnects for Wicklow. Deputy Donna … north east region. Deputy Thomas Gould - To discuss long-term voids in Cork city and the need to reform the voids return programme. Deputies David Cullinane and Conor D. McGuinness - To discuss the publication date for the report on the review of specialist cardiac services. Deputy Matt Carthy

Department, in written replies to parliamentary questions to myself and other Deputies, found that the cost would be excessive and that the project proposed would not progress on that basis. This is going to and fro over some years. The school authorities commissioned an engineer’s report … have to be done anyway to provide for the ASD class so they should basically bite the bullet and get on with the project. The Minister of State knows me a long time. I was a teacher 15 years. I have often been in the House excoriating schools

forward the challenges that are there, not only at primary school but post-primary as well and, indeed, in preschool and the AIM programme. In one of the long debates that we had in the Joint Committee on Disability Matters, the Deputy raised the correlating of information from … programme onward to ensure that the education system was better prepared. We are doing that in the Department. I thank the Deputy for her commitment to special education and for the work she did on that committee and in Seanad Éireann, as well as the work that

long-term leasing in the period 2022 to 2026. Our clear focus is to increase the stock of social housing through new build projects delivered by local authorities and AHBs. Under Housing for All, there is provision for 200 social housing acquisitions each year. In 2023, however, following … scheme - in order to mitigate the risks of homelessness arising for tenants being supported by HAP or RAS. A key objective of the programme is to prevent potential homelessness where other solutions cannot be found for the affected tenants. It is a matter for local authorities to assess

Central Bank of Ireland can intervene in insurance pricing or provision under the EU's Solvency II directive. Notwithstanding this, the programme for Government, Securing Ireland's Future, commits to a range of insurance sector reforms. The publication of a new action plan on insurance reform … programme for Government commitment. Work is already under way to develop an action plan that will enhance affordability, transparency and competition. This will build on the progress made under the 2020 action plan, which delivered key reforms such as rebalancing the duty of care, reforming the Injuries Resolution

Minister campaigned for a rate of 11%, and Fianna Fáil wished to keep the higher rate. There is a commitment in the programme for Government to reduce the rate. It has been reported that it will be 9% but the programme for Government is vague on the percentage

clear now whether it will be 9%. Is there a reason the Minister is not saying what everybody else said after the programme for Government was agreed? The number is not in the programme for Government. That is why I am asking the Minister the question

largest banks in Israel. For decades, this bank has facilitated the expansion of illegal settlements. It granted a loan for a construction project in the Palestinian village of Azzun and bankrolled five illegal settlements. I note from the programme for Government that the Government has committed to progressing

forefront of Government and for the Taoiseach. Accountability and value for money were very much across all of our negotiations during the programme for Government. It was the same for my colleague, the Minister, Deputy Chambers, last week. I believe in that and I believe … believe in the work it does. I believe in the vast majority of projects that come in on budget and on time. I am happy to say that we will see changes going forward due to the guidance I will put in place during the next four

greater oversight of, delivery to underpin the outputs and outcomes. The Deputy is correct; there are a number of examples of projects. In many instances and in certain areas, these are being driven on and are being delivered on budget and on time. In other instances, there … ongoing delays and members of the public are frustrated that they are not seeing the projects set out in the national development plan. We want to accelerate and boost delivery within the infrastructure division. We have overall responsibility for capital spending in the economy. That

repeat whenever the area is subject to prolonged rainfall. I acknowledge that Rathcormac is included in tranche 2 of the CFRAM programme, but is there a possibility of it being prioritised for works and included under tranche 1 of the programme

would like it if the Minister detailed the steps that are going to be taken to ensure that planned expenditure on projects under the national development plan are properly costed and that the projects have realistic start and completion dates. Many have been frustrated in that we have

Doherty. The long and the short answer is yes, we will be engaging with the ESB. We will also, in line with our programme for Government commitment, be engaging on the issue of energy costs overall. I can point to a number of measures the previous Government took … that these were welcomed by his constituents, by mine and by people right across the country. The Deputy will know that in the programme for Government we have also made commitments to keep the lower rate of VAT on energy bills and providing people with certainty

sense to do that. I have already been to Belfast and met the First Minister, Deputy First Minister and other political leaders. The programme for Government specifically commits very substantial additional funding to grow shared island projects in the years ahead. I am pleased the Deputy referred

place for the development of the proposed self-harm and suicide prevention training package for trainee general practitioners; to specify whether this programme will be subject to Departmental approval; and whether it is intended to form part of a nationally mandated standard. [24668/26

Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health the total projected cost, procurement process, and key timeline milestones associated with the fire safety works at Heather House Community Nursing Unit; and whether any delays have arisen since the works commenced. [24695/26

Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health the projected quarter-by-quarter timeline for recruitment and deployment of the 12 additional SCAN posts funded under Budget 2026. [24720/26

Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the budget allocated to early detection programmes for lung cancer. [25010/26

Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Health to take the necessary steps to ensure that the national immunisation programme, NIP, includes a vaccination for shingles, free-of-charge for citizens of the Republic of Ireland on their list, especially for those aged 65 years and over

State-operated community nursing homes currently in operation, by county; the total number of long-term residential beds provided, by county; the projected demand for such beds nationally over the next ten, 20 and 30 years in light of demographic trends; the strategy in place to plan

cancers are missed on mammograms in women with dense breasts; her plans to include breast density information disclosure under the BreastCheck programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25328/26

Deputy Erin McGreehan asked the Minister for Health the way in which community based drug and family support projects are expected to contribute to the delivery of the National Drugs Strategy; if guidance will be provided on their role in local and regional structures; and if she will

Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health her Department's position on oral immunotherapy as a food allergy treatment; whether the pilot programme in Cork will be expanded; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25541/26

Housing, Planning, and Local Government regarding funding for the Integrated Homeless Services Hub in Cork city (details supplied); the way in which this project is being funded; the timeline for submission of the proposal seeking section 10 funding by Cork City Council and HSE South-West

Deputy Liam Quaide asked the Minister for Health her plans to ban artificial intelligence 'therapy' or programmes mimicking therapy; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25873/26

Minister for Health if she will review correspondence (details supplied) regarding access to the Rotunda Hospital's NEST at Home neonatal support programme for families outside the Dublin catchment area; if she will address the concerns raised; if she will consider extending eligibility based on clinical need rather

Minister for Health the number of student radiographers undertaking clinical placements in HSE hospitals in 2025 and to date in 2026; the projected number of placements for the remainder of 2026 and 2027, in tabular form. [26655/26

Health the national stock levels, expressed in doses held and weeks of supply, of MenB, MenC and MenACWY vaccines under the national immunisation programme; the policy framework governing minimum stockholding levels; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26765/26

Deputy Noel McCarthy asked the Minister for Health the measures being taken by her Department to expand community first responder programmes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27008/26

Deputy Malcolm Byrne asked the Minister for Health the current proportion of the population with osteoporosis and future projections for this condition based on demographic trends; the steps she is taking to combat this; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27069/26

Nayagam review, by cost category including on legal fees and ancillary costs across the preparation, investigation, drafting, and completion of the work programme to date. [27278/26

south Kerry CAMHS, by cost category including on legal fees and ancillary costs across the preparation, investigation, drafting, and completion of the work programme to date. [27279/26

location of maternity hospitals with certain acute hospitals, by year, by spend type with specifics for each maternity hospital project in isolation; the current timelines for delivery; the dates which have been set for next stages; and the office or officers responsible in each case, in tabular form

Deputy Jen Cummins asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science whether any emergency or accelerated programmes funded through the National Training Fund are planned to address current labour shortages; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23945/26

Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if his Department has engaged with other EU countries with a view to establishing a standard programme of training which would be acceptable in each of the jurisdictions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24331/26

Innovation and Science whether he is aware that Research Ireland are currently planning to cease their Government of Ireland postgraduate and postdoctoral fellowship programmes, and will thus no longer be directly funding PhD candidates and postdoctoral fellows under this system, which will have knock-on effects

Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he is aware of eligibility requirements for blended learning veterinary nursing programmes, including those provided by Technological University of the Shannon, which require applicants to be employed in practices with a registered veterinary nurse; if consideration will

asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the way in which his Department is aligning skills and training programmes with the Central Bank's recent findings on AI related labour market risks, particularly for workers in roles identified as highly automatable

Community Development and the Gaeltacht 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. [23587/26