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existing school estate as much as possible in the first instance while, of course, providing the necessary additional capacity through targeted and prioritised project roll-out over the course of the period 2026 to 2030 to meet the most urgent and prioritised needs. The major building project … schools referred to by the Deputy, Coláiste Ríoga and Dunshaughlin Community National School, are part of my Department's employer-led design programme and will be delivered as a campus project, providing additional school places to meet the needs of the growing population. This campus will deliver

that the Minister of State has stated the FAI told him at its next board meeting it will bring forward details on the project. That is welcome progress because this is something that the community of Glanmire and all the public representatives involved, including local authority members, have … pushed for some time. This project dates back six or seven years since its inception. My fundamental frustration is around the drawdown of funds. This is not the only project across the country that has not been drawn down from the LSSIF or, indeed, from other sports capital

CLÁR programme is an important funding stream for many of our most rural areas. In recent years, it has funded a vast array of community amenities, including community centres, sporting facilities, playgrounds, sensory gardens and walking trails. It has also provided funding for vehicles used to transport people … with disabilities to access vital cancer services among others. Since 2020, over €53 million has been approved for almost 1,300 projects nationwide under the programme. I launched the 2025 programme in April inviting applications under three measures. Measure 1 of the programme supports the development of community

will often have heard me speak in this House and within the party about the importance of cross-Border funding, the former INTERREG programme and the current PEACEPLUS programme. I want to record my sincere appreciation of the Minister's work, along with that of the chief executive … Special EU Programmes Body, Gina McIntyre, in advancing an application by Cavan County Council, the county board of the Cavan GAA and the Royal School Cavan to develop a major regional sports campus in Cavan town. I am delighted that formal approval of €15 million has come through

Minister knows, the PEACEPLUS programme is a successor programme to INTERREG and the various PEACE programmes. As we have discussed often in this House, they have been particularly important in bringing new facilities and amenities to and stimulating economic development in areas like my own along the Border … which suffered so much due to the Troubles over a protracted period of time. The PEACE programme goes back to the mid-1990s and I am glad that the Irish and British Governments, the European Union and the Northern Ireland Executive put together a major funding programme

also opportunities regarding the human capital initiative which, for the past five years, has been funded through the National Training as a pilot programme. This initiative was a target towards increasing the capacity for a skill-focused programme in higher education, designed to fulfil Ireland's priority skill … needs. The pilot period has concluded. We need to know details of any follow-up programme, what the Department findings were following the conclusion of the pilot across the three phases and whether any extensions to the programme will be funded through the NFT. The enterprise centres

This comes issue under the Department of Health. My question on whether consideration will be given to putting in place a shingles vaccination programme to be made available to people over 65 or to immunocompromised patients in view of the fact that shingles vaccination is recommended by NIAC … those who are immunocompromised and aged between 18 and 65. Shingles vaccination is currently not available on the national immunisation programme. While the drug for shingles is approved, it is not available under the medical card scheme or under the present health programme. We must remember that when

damages and losses avoided estimated to be in the region of €2 billion. Through the national catchment flood risk assessment and management, CFRAM, programme, the largest study of flood risk was completed by the Office of Public Works in 2018. This studied the flood risk from rivers … nine schemes planned in the second tranche. The OPW is funding nine staff in Cork County Council to support the delivery of its programme of schemes. The €60 million Bantry flood relief scheme is to protect up to 200 homes. The scheme consultants have identified an emerging preferred

Improving the position of disabled people and ensuring their full participation in society is a priority for this Government. That is why the programme for Government includes a range of commitments in this area that we will advance over the lifetime of this Government. In his opening remarks … introducing an annual cost of disability support payment. This is incredibly important but it is just one piece of the jigsaw. Both the programme for Government and the human rights strategy for disabled people include a whole range of commitments for disabled people. We have also committed

development. I very much look forward to this simplifying regulation and reducing the administrative burden and red tape involved in progressing crucial infrastructure projects in all of our constituencies throughout the country. I will mention a few projects in Galway in particular that I hope will benefit from … should alert the local authorities again that the Government has announced efforts to reduce the bureaucracy around gaining approval for public housing projects. We are advised the Government has reduced the approval process for social and affordable housing projects from a four-stage process to a single-stage

reject the premise that there have been delays. For example, 54 CREL projects have been approved since the beginning of July last year and the average number of working days was 48 for this period. The processing times for individual applications can vary for the reasons I have … outlined. That said, the trend is that projects are taking less and less time to assess. For example, projects submitted from July to December 2024 took 93 working days on average, whereas projects submitted from January to July 2025 - in my time - took 15 days on average. However

Development and the Gaeltacht. We have a total allocation of €611 million for 2026. This will provide €192 million for the rural development programme, €260 million for the community development programme and €159 million for the Gaeltacht, Irish language and islands programme area. This builds on the strong … investment of recent years. The €192 million allocation for the rural development programme will ensure a combination of sustained investment by the Government in the social and economic development of rural areas. Our community development programme supports a wide range of schemes and projects that help promote social

discussed earlier, the objective of the school meals programme is to provide regular nutritious food to children to support them in taking full advantage of the education provided to them. The programme is an important component of policies to encourage school attendance and extra educational achievement. In budget … this year, approximately 3,700 schools and 682,000 children will be eligible for the school meals programme. Under the school meals programme, the primary relationship is between the school and the supplier. The Department provides the funding for the meals directly to each school

does support Waterford Airport. I assure the Deputies that the Government is committed to working with all stakeholders to see the Waterford Airport project to lengthen and widen the runway progress. In line with this commitment and the requirements under the Government’s infrastructure guidelines, Waterford Airport … Deputies will be aware, the infrastructure guidelines set out the value-for-money guidelines for the evaluation, planning and management of public investment projects. These arrangements apply to all public bodies and all bodies in receipt of Exchequer capital funding of this nature. In relation to the timeline

have to do more in terms of our national security and defence. The Defence Forces infrastructure development plan, IDP, sets out a programme of project delivery for the years 2023 to 2027. The programme reflects the complex environment in which the Defence Forces operate and the need … commitment to ensuring the development of our military infrastructure. I am pleased to say that over the past five years, 43 capital infrastructure projects were completed across Defence Forces installations and barracks. Some of the most notable projects include the upgrade and refurbishment of blocks within the historic

recent weeks, I have attended a number of different community meetings in my constituency relating to proposed energy projects. These are causing a lot of concern and are very divisive. They are all being led by private investors. To give a few examples, in Athenry, Bord Gáis Energy … high emission stack. In Portumna, a reserve gas-fired generator is awaiting a decision from An Coimisiún Pleanála. This project alone would represent more than 1 GW of generation capacity, with three chimney stacks in excess of 100 ft. These two developments would be among the largest individual

Minister of State will be aware, the programme for Government sets out quite clearly that a task force will be set up to deal with the challenges that exist in Cork city centre. There is a need for major redevelopment and for an overall plan to deal with … community groups must also work together to develop and grow the city centre. For instance, I offer the simple example of one project I was working on when I was Minister of State, namely having a day centre for people who are homeless. We have more than

schools photovoltaic, PV, programme provides eligible schools with up to 6 kW peak of roof-mounted solar PV installations on their roofs, which equates to approximately 14 solar panels. The schools PV programme is funded by the Government’s climate action fund in line with the Government … carbon footprint as part of the response to meeting the 2030 and 2050 climate action plan targets for the schools’ sector. The overall programme will see up to 24 MW of installed renewable energy provision on schools, with associated savings in the region of €5.5 million per year

worked. The European Forum for Justice showed that there was an 85% satisfaction rate among victims who engaged in restorative justice programmes. In many cases restorative justice can lead to positive outcomes. This Bill seeks that the option of the restorative justice approach be explicitly encouraged and promoted … school of law, found significant gaps in restorative justice provision. Less than 1% of cases in the State are referred to restorative justice programmes. While there was an expansion of the restorative justice programme in Munster extending these services to Cork and Kerry, the legislative framework needs

schools and that its remit should be broadened to include all schools. It recommended that the commission should include a survivor engagement programme and that it should take a survivor-centred and trauma-informed approach. The report of the scoping inquiry was published on 3 September … investigation is subject to ongoing legal proceedings. It is important to say that the commission will also have a survivor engagement programme which runs in parallel with its formal investigations. All survivors who wish to provide an account of their experiences to the commission will have the opportunity

specific issue. As the Deputy is aware, the Minister is responsible for overall policy and Exchequer funding with regard to the national roads programme. Once funding arrangements have been put in place with Transport Infrastructure Ireland under the Roads Acts 1993 to 2015 and in line with … management of individual national roads is a matter for TII in conjunction with the local authorities concerned. TII ultimately delivers the national roads programme in line with Project Ireland 2040, the national planning framework and the NDP. The Government has earmarked €5.1 billion for capital spending

establishment of the traditional aid organisations? Will UNRWA be allowed to do its work again? Will the World Food Programme and other UN agencies and NGOs be able to go in and deliver aid and services as they have done for decades in Gaza? It would seem … those countries and Israel may have felt that. Perhaps this is what caused Israel to become concerned again about the Iranian nuclear programme as a way of trying to convince its traditional allies that Israel is somehow on the side of good, democracy and righteousness in the Middle

schools. The Department has begun on the first SNA workforce development plan with a scheduled completion date of September 2025. Work on this project is nearing completion and will be a welcome step forward with regard to the role of the SNA in our education system. Inclusive Education … Ireland is engaging with Technical Support Instruments, a European Commission programme that will provide a pathway towards inclusive education. In its response, the NCSE's policy advice, the Department has recognised that the advice is consistent with Ireland's obligation under the UNCRPD. The Department has also identified

propose to take Questions Nos. 134, 138 and 141 together. As the Deputies will be aware, the programme for Government commits to assessing the basic income for the arts pilot research scheme to maximise its impact. The scheme has now been operating for almost three years … underpinned by a robust research programme collecting data about all aspects of the lives of the artists and creative arts workers who are participating in the scheme. There is clearly broad support for the scheme, as is evident from the numerous representations from colleagues to me on behalf

forth. A lot of it has been introduced without legislation in accordance with agreements. The Minister will continue to resource the cervical cancer programme and other cancer screening programmes. It is important to say screening programmes are the first stage. They are population screening programmes designed to intervene … symptoms, they may need more detailed diagnostic assessment. We have to get the balance right. The public needs very clear information on screening programmes and what they can achieve and on the importance of always consulting a GP or consultant. That is extremely important because there are limits

Youth to provide an update on the delivery of the permanent school building for a school (details supplied); the current stage of the project within the School Building Programme; the projected timeline for progressing the school to construction; and if she will make a statement on the matter

Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if he will consider expanding the Programme for Government’s commitment to invest in key regional tourism projects under the rural regeneration and development fund to also include projects located within the Dublin metropolitan area

Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Education and Youth the position regarding the permanent school building project for a school (details supplied); when the project will go to tender; the timeline for the completion of the project; the length of time the school will remain

Deputy Noel McCarthy asked the Minister for Education and Youth the details of school retrofit programmes currently in place; the criteria for inclusion in these programmes; the number of schools that have benefited from such programmes previously; the number of schools that have been approved for a retrofit

modular housing for Ukrainians at Heywood Road, Clonmel, County Tipperary; the reason for the excessive costs; if the full costs of the project are not yet available, if he will provide the costs to date of the project given the project is almost finalised; and if he will

Deputy Conor D. McGuinness asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to the current Programme for Government's promised action to "Ensure the promotion of marine education courses and degree programmes with a view to increasing enrolments", the plans in place to increase enrolments … marine education courses and degree programmes since formation of the Government. [23749/25

Murchú asked the Minister for Transport if he will provide an update on the progress being made to complete the N53 road project in Louth; the timeline for completion of this project; the funding allocation for this project for 2025; and if he will make a statement

Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Justice the breakdown of the €53 million capital allocation for 2025 by project and prison; the projected number of additional bed spaces each project will deliver; and on what timeline. [21486/25

Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Education to provide an update on the building project for a school (details supplied); at what stage the project is at; when it is likely that the project will move forward to design and construction; an estimated timeframe for same

Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will provide a list of the countries which are the primary beneficiaries of Irelands Development Aid Programme, in tabular form; if he is aware of any projects funded by Irish Aid that have been co-funded by US aid; if there … strategies in place to sustain these projects; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17942/25

study for Metro SouthWest has been initiated, and if not, whether terms of reference have been agreed; if the planning application for the project has been finalised; the projected cost of the project; and if a potential costing has been made for an extension from Charlemont

Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the total funding allocated under each of the programmes funded by his Department for addressing vacancy and dereliction in 2024; the total amount spent under each of these programmes in 2024; and the total number … vacant or derelict units brought back into use through each of these programmes in 2024, in tabular form. [16911/25

Reform the analysis that has been carried out by his Department on the expenditure of public bodies across all of Government on IT projects; the percentage of projects which have been successfully completed in budget and on time; the percentage which failed to be delivered; the number … public bodies that have engaged in, or are in the process of, seeking legal redress for the failure of contractors to deliver IT projects in line with contracts; the cost of legal fees incurred as a result; and if he plans to conduct an audit across public bodies

total cost of the HSE’s National Safeguarding Office computerised system for recording and analysing reports of abuse of vulnerable adults, from project definition to final testing and implementation; the members of the project board that oversaw the project; the number of times

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development whether his Department will accept any applications from councils for new library projects for capital expenditure, other than what is already committed to projects; and to outline which projects have committed funding. [14167/25

Deputy Ciarán Ahern asked the Minister for Health if the commitments made in the 2020 Programme for Government regarding the implementation of an informed consent model of care for hormone replacement therapy, simplifying the process for 16 and 17 year old trans people to acquire a gender recognition … Government has watered down its commitments towards trans and non-binary people given the lack of attention they are paid in the 2025 Programme for Government when compared with the 2020 Programme for Government; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12966/25

Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the criteria for a community horse project to be included in Pobal funding; the programmes that Pobal can offer for a community horse project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13246/25

provide an update on the distribution of the Dormant Account Fund in her Department; the plans in place to support those projects and programmes currently funded by the dormant accounts when the funding finishes; if the funding does cease, whether Departmental existing levels of service funding will cover … projects; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12400/25

Deputy John Connolly asked the Minister for Transport if he will confirm that the Galway Roads Project Office, consisting of Transport Infrastructure Ireland, Galway County Council and Galway City Council, will lodge the updated information to An Bord Pleanála for the reassessment of the Galway city ring road … project prior to the April 2025 deadline; if the project continues to enjoy the support of the Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8164/25

Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform what representation his Department had on the project steering group overseeing the Arts Council’s IT project which received sign-off from his Department; what knowledge or personal sign … Department conducted a review in early 2024; and what specific conditions were attached to the sign-off provided to the Arts Council IT project in 2019. [8744/25

Deputy Maeve O'Connell asked the Minister for Education the total number of school infrastructure projects ongoing within Dublin Rathdown, or that have been devolved for completion to an alternative body; to report on the current phase of each project; the function of each project, be they

Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Health the reason the decision to close down the HSE’s heartwatch programme was taken; if she is aware that the programme’s closure is having a significant impact on those who depended on the programme to monitor their heart health

Deputy Peter 'Chap' Cleere asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the capital works projects currently under way at Stephens Barracks, Kilkenny; the estimated cost of each of these projects; when each project will be completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6091/25

Geoghegan asked the Minister for Education the schools in Dublin 2, 4 and 6 that form part of her Department’s school building programme; the precise nature of the building project in each school; the status of each project, in tabular form; and if she will make

Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if he will identify each entity which received funding from the Sports Capital and Equipment Programme, the Local Authority Swimming Pool Programme, the Large Scale Sport Infrastructure Fund, by name, address, description of project, funding stream, application status, and total grant