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public services. These are positive developments but they place pressure on our transport, utilities and regional infrastructure. Therefore, we must ensure essential projects are delivered efficiently. I welcome the infrastructure plan introduced by the Minister, which will strengthen the planning process, improve procurement and support better co-ordination … agencies. The most important part is to have all the agencies working together. We want to reduce delays, increase certainty and allow vital projects to progress in a more streamlined way. Balanced regional development is essential. In my area, Carlow–Kilkenny, towns and villages must have adequate wastewater

elections and our elections. We finally asked the deputy mayor of Helsinki - we had drifted way off topic - if there were any public projects in his city delayed or overspent on in the past five or six years. He turned to his advisers on the left and right … test of how quickly this can all happen. I note the GPO and the National Concert Hall have been picked as two test projects to see how quickly things can be delivered and that is fine. They are both fabulous projects and both mean a lot as they

very committed and excellent teaching staff and some amazing students. I met the student council there. The school had a very successful project at the Stripe Young Scientist and Technology Exhibition around misinformation and disinformation only two weeks ago. This is a really dedicated team of people working … DEIS-designated school, a champion school of sanctuary and also a pilot school in the supporting Traveller and Roma, STAR, pilot project of the Department to increase participation among those from the Travelling community. This is a really good school as well, when we look at the whole

consultation but I will ask officials to liaise with Deputy Farrelly on it. I will recap the developments in the DART+ South West project. It will provide an extension of DART train services from the city centre to Hazelhatch and Celbridge. Procurement for DART+ South West and DART … transport, which was published by the Department of Transport in November last year, will enable advancement of various elements of the DART+ programme in the coming years, including DART+ West. This funding will also allow for compulsory purchase orders to progress for DART+ South West this year

provided for a further expansion in eligibility and an increase in the subsidy rates. In December 2023, my Department established the WorkAbility programme. WorkAbility is co-financed with the EU employment, inclusion, skills and training programme. This programme aims to support 13,000 disabled people progress their training … employment ambitions through 57 local, regional and national projects over its five-year lifetime. Recipients of disability allowance and blind pension can take up employment and may continue to receive their income support. They can currently earn up to €165 per week and keep their payment in full

thank her for raising this very important issue. Educational disadvantage is a key priority for the Minister and the wider Government. The DEIS programme is a key policy initiative for addressing concentrated disadvantage at school level. Where I disagree with the Deputy is that I think … schools did not attain DEIS status, they were completely discommoded. There was a disconnect. That was a mistake. Supplementing universal supports, the DEIS programme provides a fair and targeted way to address concentrated educational disadvantage that promotes equity and meets the needs of children and young people

changing retail trends and the resulting closure of businesses, including long-standing family businesses. Tipperary County Council has a significant town centre upgrading project ready for call 4 of the urban regeneration development fund. Approval for that project is vitally important for the consolidation and future development … town, particularly as we missed out on the last round of funding. The Clonmel public realm regeneration project is a €21 million project. It is shovel-ready. The part 8 consultation has been completed and the town has an excellent record in the completion of similar-type projects

fully support what the Deputy is saying. The projects he referred to are projects that have been there. They are referred to as the phase 1 projects. They were in existence prior to the State intervening to resolve the issue by having a plan-led approach and setting … clearer pathway for companies to progress their ambitions. Of course, we are working with those companies also to ensure that those projects, which, as I said, are phase 1 and somewhat legacy to the system that is there now, are progressed and progressed quickly. There is work under

Browne, Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage. Acquisitions with tenants in situ are a category of purchase under the second-hand acquisitions programme which help prevent social housing supported households in the private rental sector, such as HAP, from becoming homeless. In this regard, tenant in situ … Along with the clear focus of Government on increasing the supply of new build social and affordable homes, a targeted social housing acquisition programme has been, and will continue to be, an important policy response to priority needs. The Minister for housing has this year secured funding

number of Deputies in his constituency, including Deputies Ryan O'Meara and Michael Murphy, have also been focused on this. This is a project we have been endeavouring to progress. I know the last Minister for Transport was probably not as enthusiastic about road construction as others … case. There is a lot of congestion on that road. We will see what we can do. There is a huge investment programme. Only a number of weeks ago, the Minister announced a sectoral plan for transport under the national development plan. The list of projects is enormous

better place. I was in the drugs committee lately. The experts know what to do and have always known the supports and projects that work and the pilots that failed to be expanded, but we have not done that. A massive increase in those elements of support could … about early intervention and putting in those supports. At the children's committee recently, we had the area-based childhood, ABC, programme, Archways, The House in Cox's Demesne from my own constituency, Northside Partnership and even the ISPCC. They all spoke about the number of referrals seeking

very important for the delivery of housing and I raised this before with the Minister at the infrastructure committee. Since then, that project has been at a standstill. In recent weeks, Government TDs welcomed an increase of several million euro in the allocation of funding for this project … However, the only reason this is needed is because the project has stood still and costs have increased in the meantime. The greatest barrier to delivery of this project is the 15% co-funding allocation expected of local authorities for such projects. That means Galway County Council would

programme for Government provides for a number of measures to support small schools, including the introduction of new national small school projects and training in new administrative supports. The Government is very aware that small schools are an important part of local communities and glue a community together … schools action plan research, established in 2021, is due to conclude at the end of the next school year. The current small schools project is being implemented on a pilot basis to support collaboration and sharing of resources among small schools in rural areas. It also enables them

school campus referred to by the Deputy comprises a junior school and a senior school. The junior school has a major project with the Department for a new school building on the existing site, which is currently at construction stage. This project will provide modern facilities … school community, including provision for children with special educational needs. As part of this project substantial external play facilities such as three ball courts, two junior play areas, one secure hard and soft play area and one sensory garden are being provided. My Department understands that there

Tánaiste does not need me to tell him about the importance of the DART+ South West project. We have seen now is that the project has been shelved for a minimum of four years before any works will take place. We have heard at length about the impact … judicial reviews have on delaying significant infrastructure projects. This project has no judicial reviews. It has full planning permission. An Coimisiún Pleanála approved the railway order back in 2024. Under questioning this week, the Taoiseach said he will speak to the Minister. Will the Tánaiste join

this stage. Unfortunately, despite this long time it is at the earliest possible stage, namely pre-stage 1 of the school building programme. There are emergency needs in these schools. I have had the good fortune of being able to visit these schools in my time. I most … school so that the students can get out of these older and dilapidated buildings. As I said, despite the time involved, the project is at the earliest stage of the school building programme. There is deep frustration locally about the slowness of the process. This has been

Ireland's flawed healthcare system is not working, with invasive and insensitive scrutiny from the current National Gender Service; and — the previous Programme for Government committed to a stronger model for trans healthcare in line with the World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH) international best practice guidelines … current Programme for Government has watered down those commitments to the point where they are meaningless; recognises that: — there is a need to change the current approach to transgender healthcare in Ireland; and — the Health Service Executive has initiated a new clinical programme for gender healthcare, is developing

Community School in Birr is facing ongoing uncertainty around long-promised works, including an ASD wing and a major school extension. This project was first approved in 2018. Since then, the school has moved through various stages but the works have not begun. Most recently, the school … told the project could not proceed until the national development plan implementation programme was published. For a school that has already waited seven years, this is yet another frustrating delay. Parents, children and the people of Birr and the surrounding areas have waited long enough. They deserve more

allocated funding to Iarnród Éireann for the establishment of a design team to commence work on the Navan rail line project. This work involves route option selection, and planning and design phases of the project. Iarnród Éireann commenced the procurement process for the pre-construction phase … project and issued a tender to pre-qualified consultants at the end of May of last year. In November of last year, about a year ago, multidisciplinary consultants RPS were appointed by Iarnród Éireann for the duration of the project to work with the rail company

name of the Member in each case: Deputy Mattie McGrath - To discuss the delivery of the N24 Cahir to Waterford upgrade project. Deputies Conor D. McGuinness, David Cullinane - To discuss the Irish Coast Guard SAR aviation service. Deputy Joe Cooney - To discuss flood mitigation measures at Ballycar, County … Clare. Deputy Peter 'Chap' Cleere - To discuss delays in the school building programme. Deputy Conor Sheehan - To discuss punctuality issues on the 304A bus service in Limerick city. Deputy Séamus McGrath - To discuss the new school building project proposed for the amalgamation of Ringaskiddy and Shanbally national schools

built on budget and on time. Our children's hospital has gone €1.2 billion over budget. Why is it that every project a Department takes on goes over budget even though Departments do not need to make a profit? They go over budget … country, including those who are self-employed, that is accountable for its own funding, its employees, its profits and its taxes can deliver projects on budget and on time. A company has come to me and to other Deputies in the House to say it will build

Willie O'Dea. Since the beginning of 2022, Government has supported the delivery of 35,163 new social homes across thousands of individual projects funded through build, acquisition and leasing programmes. Building on progress made to date, delivering homes, building communities includes a wide range of measures … average of 12,000 new-build social homes a year between 2025 and 2030. To incentivise local authorities to deliver more own-build projects, a new performance fund will be established. Where a local authority exceeds its own-build target, it will receive additional discretionary funding

management and maintenance of local authority social homes, including pre-letting repairs to vacant properties, implementing a planned maintenance programme and carrying out responsive repairs are matters for each individual local authority under section 58 of the Housing Act 1966. Local authorities are also statutorily required to ensure … with the Housing (Standards for Rented Houses) Regulations 2019. Notwithstanding these obligations, my Department provides annual funding under the planned maintenance and voids programme to support local authority management and maintenance programmes. Since 2014 to the end of 2024, over 25,600 vacant social homes were brought back

Minister, Deputy O'Brien, we have a Minister who has highlighted the project as being one he considers as meriting acceleration. My reply states that it is one of the projects highlighted by the Minister for Transport for possible acceleration as part of the review … recently. It has clearly been identified as something that can be brought forward, possibly ahead of the usual timelines for the delivery of projects such as this. As I said, something like a Luas extension is far less controversial and easier for communities to buy into than other

issue of compliance with sanitary and phytosanitary requirements. This is why my Independent colleagues and I, when we signed up to the programme for Government, insisted that the Government oppose the current deal. In this regard, I want to quote exactly what the programme for Government states … that examination and the completion of the ongoing engagement, Ireland's position on the EU Mercosur agreement remains as clearly outlined in the programme for Government, which is, I reiterate, to work "with like-minded countries to stand up for Irish farmers and defend our interests in opposing

asked the Minister for Education and Youth if professional master of education pathways are currently available to graduates of the BA home economics programme at St Angela's College; and if she will provide details of the number of available places on such programmes. [64929/26

Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Education and Youth the status of the planned new school building project for a school in County Clare (details supplied); the timeline for the progression of this project; when it is expected to advance to the formal planning and design stages

Health whether the HSE has assessed whether the annual number of graduates from Irish physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech and language therapy and dietetics programmes is sufficient to replace staff leaving the HSE and also meet planned service expansion; the projected additional workforce requirement in each discipline

Health whether the HSE has assessed whether the annual number of graduates from Irish physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech and language therapy and dietetics programmes is sufficient to replace staff leaving the HSE and also meet planned service expansion; the projected additional workforce requirement in each discipline

Research, Innovation and Science if he is aware of concerns regarding the removal or alteration of progression pathways from the BA home economics programme at St. Angela's College to professional master of education programmes. [64928/26

Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science whether education and training boards, micro-credential programmes, lifelong learning initiatives or other further education and training funding streams may be utilised to support the delivery of specialist programmes in areas such

Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the funding mechanisms that exist or are planned to support specialist educational programmes which contribute to national biodiversity, pollinator protection and environmental sustainability objectives, including programmes in apiculture; and if he will make a statement on the matter

Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Defence the capital works projects currently ongoing at Curragh Camp; when will each of those projects be completed, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [63408/26

Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Transport if he is aware of a project (details supplied); if he will request the NTA to pause the project given the national policy change in relation to e-scooters, and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59910/26

Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Transport his plans to address the funding shortfall for the rollout of BusConnects; the individual projects under the programme that are now due to be delayed, the length of time of the delay; and if he will make a statement

Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Transport the total expenditure on the Next Generation Ticketing programme to date; the total amount paid to the principal contractor to date; the total amount paid to all other contractors, consultants, advisers and third parties; to provide a breakdown of expenditure … category, including technology and systems, hardware and equipment, professional and consultancy services, project management, staffing and other costs; and will he make a statement on the matter. [62083/26

Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Transport if he will outline all funding allocated by his Department for projects, programmes and initiatives in the Cavan-Monaghan constituency from 1 January 2025 to date in 2026; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62180/26

recent appearance at the Public Accounts Committee, to provide greater details on the breakdown of payments of the failed €50m IT project write down; the amount paid to a company (details supplied) in each quarter since commencement; if there was ongoing performance reviews or assessments; the amount that … measures in place to ensure accountability and the prudent use of taxpayer funds in this matter; the payments made to consultants supporting the project and the basis on which these payments were made; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62529/26

Gorman asked the Minister for Transport further to the NTA recent appearance at the Public Accounts Committee, to detail which rail service expansion projects will be "rephased or reprioritised" as a result of the failed €50m IT project write down; and if he will make a statement

Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Transport if he is aware of a project (details supplied); if he will request to pause the use of public funding on the project given the national policy change in relation to e-scooters; and if he will make a statement

proposed Kylemore Station, Dart SW route; if planning and other statutory approvals have been secured; the estimated cost of progressing the project to tender and construction; the funding allocated to date; the reasons it has not proceeded to tender; whether an updated business case or funding request … been submitted; and the steps and timescale required to secure funding and advance the project, particularly in light of the planned City Edge (40,000 new homes) development and the transport needs of Kylemore, Ballyfermot and Bluebell. [63638/26

expected to be provided to Monaghan County Council to proceed to the Part 8 planning process; the funding allocated and expended on the project to date; the estimated funding required to complete the project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63748/26

Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Transport the extent of the reported pause in the shared mobility hubs pilot programme; whether the review applies to the wider pilot scheme rather than solely to public e-scooter elements; if so, the rationale for pausing or reviewing the broader … programme where the concerns cited by Government relate specifically to public e-scooters; whether consideration has been given to allowing the bike-sharing, e-bike, cargo-bike and electric vehicle elements of the pilot to proceed independently of any e-scooter component; and if he will make

Transport the status of the planned upgrade of Clonmel Railway Station, following the granting of planning permission; the current status of the project, including funding and procurement; when construction is expected to commence and be completed; and if he will ensure that this important accessibility and transport interchange … project is progressed without further delay. [63897/26

Deputy Eoghan Kenny asked the Minister for Transport to identify each Iarnród Éireann capital project, service expansion or other investment which has been or is expected to be rephased, postponed or reprioritised arising from expenditure associated with the failed Traffic Management System project and/or increased costs associated with

Deputy Eoghan Kenny asked the Minister for Transport the total expenditure by Iarnród Éireann on information technology and digital transformation projects which have been abandoned, terminated, substantially written down or replaced prior to full implementation in each of the years 2015 to 2026; to identify the projects concerned

Transport the current status of proposals to provide improved bus stopping facilities and shelters serving Mallow General Hospital on the N20; whether the project is included on a National Transport Authority priority programme; the anticipated delivery date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [64119/26

Kenny asked the Minister for Transport the current estimated total cost of delivering the N72-N73 Mallow Relief Road; the expenditure on the project to date; the expenditure projected for 2027; how the current estimated cost compares with previous estimates; and if he will make a statement

Tánaiste and Minister for Finance the total amount lent and the share of lending, by value from the HBFI that went to projects over €20 million and €50 million, respectively, of completed projects. [61009/26

Deputy Ann Graves asked the Minister for Transport the number of WTE staff by job title of the external project team working on behalf of Iarnród Éireann in respect of DART North Project. [55480/26