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Deputy has made a strong case for this project. I set out, in broad terms, the criteria that apply to all schools and building projects. I set out, in a clear way, the commitment of the Government, from an overall financial envelope available over the next number … years, to complete these projects and how they get assessed. Of course, there are more projects than there is money to address them over the next five years. That is why the prioritisation is part of it, but just because I have set out the prioritisation, it does

investment to make sure more people come to see it. I ask that it be prioritised and we see significant investment in that project. The Royal Canal project started in Longford, with the length from Cloondara out to the main line, and back into Longford town. It cost … conjunction with Longford County Council, a group of seven of us on the committee secured LEADER funding and started that project with an 18 km section. We worked with other local authorities in counties Westmeath, Meath, Kildare and Dublin and shortly that project will now come

capital spend and that we bring forward as much of it as possible. This is being progressed under the military radar programme. There are three elements to it, namely, the land-based, long-range radar primary radar; ground-based air defence systems to include the counter-unmanned aerial … systems, that is, the counter-drone technology and our maritime radar. This programme of work is ongoing but good progress has been made. Towards the end of last year, the preliminary business case for the military radar programme was approved. This concluded that a Government-level approach with

Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitisation, I am responsible for setting the overall expenditure allocations and monitoring it at Departmental level. In the programme for Government, there is a clear prioritisation of the NDP review to ensure that investment for strategic infrastructure can be maximised in the coming … reduced the average time relating to the granting of new consents and licences by more than 30%. Changes that have been made to project delivery have seen an estimated average saving of 26 weeks on projects, such as the Waterford wastewater treatment plant, which is now at detailed

taken some of these processes against the cost of delay. That example of the wastewater treatment plant should be replicated across other projects Irish Water will be progressing through its project development lifecycle. Similarly, the greater Dublin drainage project, is a multimillion megaproject being done by Irish Water … months, which will give greater confidence in the context of construction and housing supply in the medium term. This is a critical project for the delivery of housing supply along the east coast. However, we also have multiple other areas across transport and energy. We have work ongoing

targeted at the Irish-speaking community or that relates to an Irish-speaking product, but now it is wholesale. Irrespective of what Government programme it is or what a particular Government agency is doing, we will now hear that advertising to the tune of at least … something that I think is a burden on presenters on Raidió na Gaeltachta. If you are presenting on most mainstream media programmes, there is an ad break where you get to put yourself together for the next segment. If you are presenting a programme on RTÉ Raidió

concerns about the tenant in situ scheme to the Minister. Tenancy sustainment, also known as tenancy in situ, is not a stand-alone programme or scheme. It is a priority category under the Department of housing's social housing second-hand acquisitions programme, which helps to prevent social … pursue individual priority acquisitions without recourse to the Department, once they satisfy the broad parameters and criteria of the second-hand acquisitions programme. Some €373 million is available to be drawn down by local authorities and approved housing bodies under this year's programme. With more than

National Training Fund ran a surplus of €283 million. Levy income reached €1.297 billion while spending was just €1.014 billion. Projections show surpluses of €172 million in 2026 rising to €365 million annually by 2030 while actual training expenditure flatlines. Employers pay the full 1% levy in good … practical, sector-specific training is particularly stark. For example, look at Farm Business Skillnet, the exact type of close to the labour market programme IBEC called for. Funding has crawled from €152,124 in 2023 to just €160,000 in 2025. I ask for this to be addressed

being a modern, European city. I know that sometimes there is an allergy in Irish public policy terms to these massive public infrastructure projects. We have had our fingers burned on some projects, although we also fail to recognise those projects that go ahead, are finished on time … initial budget. It happens but that does not get coverage in the newspapers. In reality, there is a fear around large infrastructure projects but the building of a metro does not have to be a massive infrastructure project. Again, look at the example of Paris. I lived

transport across the country. The development of BusConnects in Cork, which has been long promised, will be aided by the delivery of this project. The introduction of BusConnects in Dublin was fairly rocky. Many Deputies campaigned against what the NTA proposed because, in many cases, it went against … concerned about extending its power and remit, but I want to see it deliver the Finglas Luas and metro projects. I also want the new designated activity company, DAC, to be established in order that those projects can proceed. I want to see work begin

speed up delivery of infrastructure in this country. We have been held back for too long by our apparent inability to get important projects over the line in a timely and cost-effective way. However, the remedies contained in the Bill are not only misguided; they are deeply … authorities and courts and a lack of strategic development across our national infrastructure. As I pointed to last week, even if offshore wind projects make it through the planning process in the next couple of years, we are still way off actually building them because our ports

positive development. The Industrial Development Act 1986 does not provide a dedicated mechanism for environmental grants, forcing agencies to shoehorn decarbonisation projects into categories designed for employment creation or output expansion. This is clearly outdated. However, several questions arise. First, what safeguards will ensure that environmental grants deliver … genuine emissions reductions? We have seen in other jurisdictions and in some EU programmes that environmental funding can be captured by projects that are marginal or already commercially viable without State support. The Bill allows the IDA and Enterprise Ireland to assess applications solely on environmental criteria

country. We need transparency at all stages. Another aspect of this legislation involves environmental protection and carbon abatement. The Bill allows projects to be assessed solely on environmental criteria; given my Green background, I fully support that. We have to accelerate the decarbonisation process. The Environmental Protection Agency … reduce emissions by 51% by 2030 in the context of the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development (Amendment) Act 2021. Unfortunately, we are projected to fall short by a wide margin in that regard. That is on the basis of an EPA report from 2024. I have consistently

conversion or refurbishment to provide for additional single living-in accommodation for Defence Forces personnel. That consultancy reported its recommendations on refurbishment projects last year. My officials have since engaged with the Defence Forces to have those projects included in the existing infrastructure development programme. I am advised … under way to prepare the necessary tender documentation, with a view to commencing a procurement process this year. There is currently an extensive programme of investment in accommodation for serving Defence Forces personnel across all military installations. Since the launch of the infrastructure development plan in January

happy with progress, and I will come back on that further in the supplementary. The national train control centre, NTCC, project aims to deliver a modern, safe and efficient rail traffic management system that can effectively meet the needs of a growing railway service in the coming decades … significant disruption to the construction caused by Covid during its development. Bringing the centre into full operation has been delayed by slower-than-projected progress in developing and rolling out the new traffic management system, which is the software that integrates a range of complex railway systems, such

part of the wider DART+ programme, DART+ South West will provide an extension of electrified DART services from the city centre to Hazelhatch and Celbridge. I know this is a project the Deputy has supported from its genesis and he continues to do so. A major milestone … cleared in November 2024 when the project secured full planning approval from An Coimisiún Pleanála. Preparation for procurement for DART+ West and DART+ South West is progressing together. I want to be clear about that. Design and build pre-qualification questionnaires were issued in May 2025. Funding allocated

provisions. Expanding upon the In Camera report, officials in my Department are conducting an in-depth international comparative review, including on the transparency project on the use of transparency orders in England and Wales. This will form part of my Department’s ongoing examination of the report … attending to and reporting on cases, supporting transparency and raising awareness of these important issues. The establishment of the private family law reporting project earlier this year will further promote transparency in family law proceedings. This project will contribute to greater confidence and trust in the family justice

accept there is no mystery about these projects. They are all good projects. I cannot see why anyone would want to bring a motion to the Dáil to annul prioritisation of any of the projects under consideration. That is not really the issue. The issue … worthwhile is prioritised. Decisions have to be made. I accept that but we will be in the dark as to why one good project was prioritised and another was not. If there is no transparency around this, it will lead to a situation where people will question

have a framework set out in the legislation detailing the factors the Minister in my position will consider when designating particular projects. Obviously, I will be accountable to the House as to why a particular project is picked and prioritised. I always respect my duties to the House … regard. I can already see the political risk in how this will be managed in the House where Deputies will question why certain projects are not being prioritised over other projects. If this is how the Bill is used, it will undermine infrastructure delivery. The key element

programme for Government commits to promoting the SRESS to simplify market access for communities, SMEs and farmer-owned solar and wind projects. The SRESS export tariff is designed for community, SME and farmer export-only projects above 50 kW to 6 MW. SRESS offers a simpler route … market for those groups, with fixed tariffs for solar and wind. All export projects up to 1 MW can also apply to SRESS, and need not be community, SME or farmer-owned projects. To further support communities, the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland, SEAI, provides a range

flood defences in particular in so many constituencies across Ireland. My colleague, Councillor Clodagh Ní Mhuirí, has highlighted the need for climate adaptation projects at local authority level to be classified as critical infrastructure projects so that they just get done. Storm Chandra inflicted huge damage on communities … tide. We will not always be that lucky when it comes to flooding. Looking at the numbers, of 54 large flood defence projects deemed critical in 2018, 31 remain at preliminary design stage. How is that acceptable? Forget about climate, how is it acceptable that of 54 large

Department's mission is to promote rural and community development and support vibrant, inclusive and sustainable communities throughout Ireland. A number of programmes provide funding for staff resources to engage with and support communities, including building their capacity to access Government funding schemes. The social inclusion and community … activation programme, SICAP, is the State’s primary social inclusion programme. It provides supports to disadvantaged communities and individuals to improve their life chances. The SICAP initiative supports collective community engagement, providing direct supports to local community groups, LCGs, and networks. This includes developing their capacity to better

receives, as he said, financial support from a wide variety of Government agencies, including our Department. The Deputy has highlighted a growth population projection of Midleton and Carrigtohill, and it is important that from a whole-of-government perspective; while working with local authorities, we get it right … communities in Ireland and provides a strategic framework across government for engaging with the sector, as well as support for a range of programmes and initiatives. It included a commitment to promote multi-annual funding for community and voluntary organisations. Our Government is currently developing a successor strategy

Deputy is a super sub today. Under my Department’s rural development investment programme, a range of schemes provide capital funding with a focus on the economic and social development of our rural areas. The schemes do not, however, include a specific focus on the provision of hotel … accommodation. A limited number of projects have been supported by the rural regeneration and development fund, RRDF, and the town and village renewal scheme, which have seen short-stay accommodation facilities included, as part of a wider, multifunctional project. Similarly, while LEADER does not generally support hotel-based

thank the Deputy for that overview. I acknowledge that Cork County Council and the team that deals with our Department's delivery of projects, is one of the stronger performing local authorities. The delivery by our partners on the ground can be a frustration generally in relation … Cork. To that effect, we are engaging with local authorities and delivery bodies around the country on delivery of RRDF projects. As we have an open call, the advice needs to go out. It is all very well preparing an application. We have been having the discussion this

Gaeltacht if a wheelchair accessible car rental company will be considered and funded in the Munster area (details supplied); if such a project can be supported by his Department and Pobal through the Community Services Programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [70457/26

Deputy Marie Sherlock asked the Minister for Health the current status of the Rotunda Maternity Hospital capital project; and the timeline for progressing this project. [70045/26

health centres, mental health hubs and other dedicated mental health facilities in each year from 2020 to date, by facility and county; the projected expenditure for projects currently in planning, design or construction, in tabular form. [70431/26

light of a report (details supplied), her Department will establish or expand a funding mechanism through which schools can access evidence-informed, preventative programmes that develop students' emotional literacy, critical reflection, belonging and confidence; and whether she will consider supporting the evaluation and wider roll-out of programmes

Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the status of Irish Water’s current investment programme as it relates to unlocking housing supply; and the priority projects identified to address wastewater constraints in high growth areas. [69186/26

Deputy Louis O'Hara asked the Minister for Transport Whether any funding has been allocated to establishing the new "Road Safety Ambassadors Programme" as announced by his Department (Details Supplied); and when the programme is expected to be launched. [68332/26

Lochlainn asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation if he will designate the TEN-T Priority Improvement Project Donegal as a critical infrastructure project, as requested by Donegal County Council. [68034/26

Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation for a detailed and definitive update on the long-delayed Turoe Stone project in Bullaun, Loughrea, Co. Galway; the current status of the Office of Public Works review of the detailed design; whether that review has now been … completed; if ministerial consent has been sought; and, if not, the reasons for the delay; the specific outstanding actions preventing the project from proceeding to tender; the target dates for obtaining all necessary approvals, commencing the tender process and beginning construction; and if he will make a statement

Minister for Education and Youth to review the status of the proposed building extension at a school (details supplied); the reason this project was omitted from the Department's recently approved list of school building projects, despite having reached the end of Stage 2(b), secured planning permission

Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Health her plans to roll out a statewide hearing screening programme for over-50s similar to other health screening programmes. [68470/26

Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health if the Midland Regional Hospital, Mullingar, is currently providing adaption-placement programmes for qualified paediatric nurses to return to service following a gap in HSE employment; and when this programme will be open for applicants. [68487/26

Health the status of the proposed stem cell tissue establishment and advanced cellular therapies unit at a hospital (details supplied); whether a project team has been established; whether funding has been identified; the reason the project is not included in the HSE Capital Plan

Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the capital works projects that are currently ongoing at the Mater Hospital; and when each of those capital works projects will be completed, in tabular form. [68053/26

location on the hospital campus; the date by which a final location and design will be agreed; the capital funding provided for the project; and the current projected date. [68961/26

Flynn asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason organisations (details supplied) remain in operation following the cessation of referrals to the JobPath programme in June 2022 and the closure of the JobPath service in June 2024, given that the programme had cost the State €344.6 million

Minister for Social Protection whether his Department is currently making payments to organisations (details supplied), or to companies associated with the former JobPath programme, given that €344.6 million of public money had been spent on the programme; if so, the total amount paid to these companies to date

Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Transport for an update on Dart+ South West; when the project will be delivered; and if there will be an increase in capacity in the existing lines in advance of the project progressing. [67322/26

Shea asked the Minister for Transport to outline the current status of the M20 Cork–Limerick motorway; the anticipated timeline for the project to go to planning, CPO of lands associated with the project and ultimate construction. [67000/26

Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Transport for the latest update and timeline of construction for the Finglas Roundabout projects at St Margaret's Road and McKee Avenue, given there are reported delays to the projects. [67519/26

Deputy Eoghan Kenny asked the Minister for Transport for an update as of September 2026 on the Mallow relief road project, including if the timeline of the project progression is being met; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [67660/26

Deputy Shónagh Ní Raghallaigh asked the Minister for Transport the transport infrastructure projects, service enhancements and capital investments planned, funded or under consideration for Newbridge and the wider South Kildare area over the next five years; the way in which these proposals are aligned with projected housing

Deputy Ged Nash asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance the projected cost of reducing the VAT rate on home heating oil to 9%, from the current 13.5% rate for 2027; and the additional projected cost of introducing it from 6 October 2026. [67877/26

Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Education and Youth the status of the Additional School Accommodation (ASA) project at a school (details supplied); and if she will address the fact that this vital project has successfully cleared Stage 2b (Detailed Design & Planning) and attained full planning

Flynn asked the Minister for Social Protection to provide a full account of the outcomes and success rate of the JobPath programme operated by organisations (details supplied), including the number of people referred, the number who secured employment and the number who remained in employment for a sustained … period, given that 351,319 people were referred between 2015 and 2022 and the programme cost the State €344.6 million; and the total cost to the State to date. [67192/26

Daly asked the Minister for Transport further to PQ64566/26 of 16 September 2026, to provide the report (details supplied) including timelines for projected delivery and cost; the proportion which are new services and the proportion that are enhancements; the number he expects will actually be delivered given … tabular form; if the Government will commit to providing the resources to deliver these 140 new services and enhancements; if there specific projects that will be prioritised; and if he will make a statement on the matter [67281/26