Search the record

united in this House on the importance of this project going forward. That is very much represented by the Government's financial commitment to the project as well. When the redevelopment of Casement Park was first mooted in 2013, a budget of £77.5 million was envisaged to complete … project, made up of £62.5 million from the Northern Irish Executive and UK Government at that time and £15 million from the GAA. Of course, as the Deputy said, costs have increased significantly and the overall cost projection in that intervening 12-year period. In recognition of this

homes by 2030, targeting at least 60,000 homes annually by the end of that period. To this end, the programme for Government commits to a new national housing plan to build on the success of Housing for All. The plan will incorporate pragmatic actions to boost housing … planning reform and our plans to scale up the supply of housing. The simple fact is that the largest social and affordable housing programme in the history of the State has been rolled out under Housing for All. This is demonstrated by our record level of investment being

question relates to Gaelscoil Choláiste Mhuire in Parnell Square. I ask the Taoiseach to make a personal intervention to get this building project done. This school is into its 23rd year of what was supposed to be temporary emergency accommodation. It spent a decade and a half trying … long-promised school project off the ground. Almost two years on from the sod being turned and two thirds into the construction works, the Department of Education and Youth has stopped those works. We are all left wondering what is going on. I will give the Taoiseach some

place to assist our diaspora no matter what stage someone is at on their journey. Essential to this work is the emigrant support programme. Since it began in 2004, the programme has granted over €250 million to over 900 organisations in 51 countries and the budget for this … brief reference to the changes in US immigration policy and the impact those are having on Irish communities there. Through the emigrant support programme and our missions in the US, we work with communities and the Coalition of Irish Immigration Centers to provide advice and assistance to those

vaccine and who died from cervical cancer. The scheme was regarded as a success and it was expanded in 2023. The programme for Government, published in January, pledges to extend the Laura Brennan HPV catch-up vaccination programme to anyone under 25 years who missed the original vaccine … have been trying to find out when this new programme is going to be rolled out but nobody will tell me. I have been on to the Department of Health with parliamentary questions and I have had replies from the HSE. Each time, I am being told about

aware, the Government is strongly committed to providing all of our citizens with reliable, realistic and sustainable mobility options, as outlined in the programme for Government. Public transport is key in the delivery of this goal and in enabling us to make continued progress with regard … fares, the Government is committed to delivering an accessible, reliable and affordable public transport system for all citizens, including children. In the programme for Government, our commitments include the roll-out of contactless payments and keeping fares affordable. We saw the announcement of fairer fares, their implementation

that is subject to approval by the council and TII and funding is an issue. They then moved onto the bigger TII project and the delivery of that motorway as fit for purpose. They were told this was also subject to finance. In 2021 and 2022, when … finance should have been delivered to that community to get the project under way, in terms of TII, the Government failed to deliver the money because it was dancing to a greener tune at that time. This has now passed and we are into a new regime

support to achieve their full potential is a priority for me, for the Minister of State and for this Government. The DEIS programme is a key policy of the Government to tackle concentrated educational disadvantage at school level. It provides a targeted range of supports and is additional … free hot school meals. My Department invests over €180 million annually to provide additional supports to almost 1,200 schools in the DEIS programme and this supports approximately 260,000 students. One in four students is currently attending a DEIS school and getting those additional supports

announced the new phase of the Government’s shared island initiative in a keynote address to the fourth shared island forum. Our programme for Government sets out an ambitious agenda for building a shared island, backed by a further €1 billion commitment to the shared island fund … Already on 25 February, the Government announced over €50 million from the shared island fund for new programmes to run from 2025 to 2030 on sustainable tourism, arts and cultural heritage, civic society co-operation and community-led nature restoration. Government Departments have been tasked to bring forward

dropped on local authorities, with the Minister and the Government deciding to halt bundle 3 of the Dublin City Council-led PPP project, which has ramifications well beyond just Dublin. My Labour Party colleagues from right across the country have raised the very real possibility of hundreds … introduced? The Government was warned about this. Local authorities and the Opposition warned the Government. Given that a lot of these projects are so close to having builders on site, it is unfathomable that with the stroke of a pen, the plug has been pulled. What is going

housing sector. I will highlight the steps being taken by the Government to minimise vacancy and to ensure strategic and informed programmes of planned maintenance work for local authority housing are implemented and support by stock condition data and the appropriate ICT asset management solution. The completion … past few weeks and is an important step. Furthermore, since 2014, Exchequer funding has been provided through my Department's voids programme to support local authorities in preparing vacant units for re-letting. This funding was initially introduced to tackle long-term vacant units

national broadband plan, 330 premises with an available connection and a new city campus for TU Dublin in Grangegorman. Approximately 800 school building projects have been completed since 2020 with a further 300 under construction along with the first phase of the new national rehabilitation hospital … delivery. We do it from a relatively strong foundation because of the scaling up we have been able to do in delivering capital projects in recent years. We are about to enter a new phase because the Minister, Deputy Chambers, will shortly carry out the review

thank the Deputy for his continuing interest in the Cavan project as well as others. More generally, on the Department's capital ceiling over the last period there is a dedicated capital envelope, which the Deputy referred to, that amounted to €300 million for the further education … That is a very significant multiplier of the available funding for the FET colleges and the FET system. Funding for the FET capital projects is distributed through SOLAS under a number of different funding streams. There are 70 small- to medium-scale projects being progressed at the moment

Department of Education and Youth, to outline to the Dáil its current position on Scoil Chroí Naofa in Ballinasloe, County Galway. This project is included in the Department of Education and Youth’s construction programme which will be delivered under the national development plan, NDP, as part … Project Ireland 2040 framework. The major building project for the school referred to by the Deputy is currently at an advanced stage of architectural planning — stage 2(b) detailed design - where the design team has secured all statutory applications and is preparing the suite of tender documents

necessitated a new planning application, as I am sure the Deputy is well aware. The final grant of that planning permission for the project, as currently designed, was received from the local authority in September 2023. Under Project 2040, the Department of Education and Youth is investing well … capacity and develop and upgrade school facilities. The Department of Education and Youth has a strong track record of delivery of school building projects and this was again seen in 2023, notwithstanding the wider construction sector environment. Since 2020, the Department has invested in the region

lose sight of that. As Minister for housing, I am in conversations every hour of the day about significant building and infrastructure projects but our environmental duties are never far from those discussions at every level. It should be embedded in how we think and how we approach … want to commend the Irish Environmental Network and the National Parks and Wildlife Service on their exceptional co-ordination of this year's programme. The growing engagement speaks for itself. With more than 350 events taking place nationwide, up significantly from 293 in 2024, this reflects our rising

changes to the minimum hourly subsidy rate, from €1.40 to €2.14. It also reflects an increase in core funding for the 2025-26 programme year from September 2025 and an increased capital allocation of €26.4 million. This 2025 allocation provides for the continuation of the early childhood care … education, ECCE, programme, the free universal two-year pre-school programme which will benefit more than 100,000 children this year. It provides additional funding for an increasing cohort of children with a disability availing of targeted access and inclusion model supports, numbering more than

thank the Deputy. The programme for Government commits to the introduction of a new voids programme and work is under way in my Department to develop and roll out that programme. As Minister, my focus is on building on the strong progress made over recent years in tackling … years and in particular since 2020. In total, more than €360 million has been recouped to local authorities since 2014 under the voids programme, which has supported the refurbishment and re-letting of 25,672 dwellings. Given the very positive impact of that investment it is expected local

interest in this important issue. Regarding current developments, as mentioned, I understand that the route selection and concept development phase of the project is now taking place, with a number of end-to-end options going through a detailed multicriteria analysis. As stated in the National Development Plan … Transport Infrastructure Ireland, as the project’s sponsoring agency, and the NTA, as the day-to-day approving authority, will continue with the appraisal and planning of the Luas to Lucan project. As the sponsoring agency, TII plans to finalise the emerging preferred route in the first quarter

most comprehensive review of planning since 2000 and will reform and streamline the planning process, reducing delays in housing and strategic infrastructure projects. Furthermore, the implementation of the ministerial action plan on planning resources will strengthen the planning system and support the timely delivery of critical infrastructure … housing activation office in my Department. The office will identify and seek to address barriers to the delivery of vital public infrastructure projects needed to enable housing development through the alignment of funding and co-ordination of infrastructure providers. The office will seek to co-ordinate investment

refurbishment is typically funded directly by the responsible local authorities and port companies and through the fishery harbour and coastal infrastructure development programme managed by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine. As outlined in the programme for Government, the Government is fully committed to the protection … Over the last three years, these conservation schemes have allocated more than €50 million for works to historic buildings, public realm, and monuments. Projects awarded funding under the schemes include conservation of the metal man beacon in Rosses Point, County Sligo and the Knight’s Pier in Belmullet

propose to take Questions Nos. 100, 105, 108 and 137 together. I thank the Deputies for their questions. The programme for Government commits to supporting the sporting community across the country to ensure more people participate, reap the benefits of sport and fulfil their potential from grassroots right … funding under that. Under the large-scale sport infrastructure fund, significant funding of €173 million was announced in November last year, supporting 35 projects. Cork is the particular focus of Deputy Burke's question. We saw €7.3 million paid to 130 sporting organisations, and allocations of €32.5 million

made to move to level of ambition 2, as defined by the Commission on the Defence Forces, by 2028. The commitment in the programme for Government states that when we have arrived at LAO 2, we will move to level of ambition 3. The commission recommended the development … maintenance of co-operative relations with neighbouring states, which are also impacted by this capability gap. On foot of this, a project team comprising senior civil and military personnel was established to progress a military radar programme. This programme of work is ongoing and I am pleased that

prior engagement this evening. I will pass on the Deputy's sentiment to her. I am pleased the family resource centre programme is expanding. We see that throughout the country. I think everyone will agree it is a very welcome development in the programme for Government … beginning to move. That was to establish details of the application process related to the planned expansion of the family resource centre, FRC, programme. As part of a range of measures aimed at reducing childhood poverty, the current programme for Government commits to work to increase funding

that do not exist yet. I recently attended Banagher College to celebrate the Laois-Offaly ETB STEAM showcase event that recognises more inspiring projects in robotics, coding and virtual reality; initiatives that are truly reshaping Offaly's future, bridging the gap left behind by the end of peat … local authorities of Laois, Longford, Offaly and Westmeath, this collaboration is driving a forward-thinking agenda. The LOETB STEAM programme is now a cornerstone of that vision at secondary level, creating spaces for curiosity, sparking innovation and enabling students to build skills that mirror the modern workplace

Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 1830 of 9 June 2026, which states that "demand continues to outstrip supply," whether the HSE projects reliance on international recruitment to rise or fall over the next five years; and to set out the modelling on which that projection is based

Health if a fixed-price contract awarded to a company under contract HSE 24608 relates solely to consultancy, advisory, business case, procurement, programme management and client-side support for the National Electronic Health Record programme; if any part of this contract relates to the purchase, licensing, build, configuration

formal knowledge-transfer and capability-building plan as part of a strategic partner contract (details supplied) for the National Electronic Health Record Programme; the parts of the work under the contract that are intended to build permanent expertise within the HSE; whether the personnel are required to work … exclusively on this programme during contracted days; the steps being taken to avoid long-term dependence on external consultancy firms for the delivery of the National Electronic Health Record; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [51861/26

Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of apprentices registered in County Clare in each of the past three years; the trades and programmes most represented among Clare apprentices; the trades and programmes most under-represented among Clare apprentices; the future plans for investment in the education

million expansion of the Tyndall National Institute at University College Cork, approved by Government on 13 January 2026 as first major project under the INSPIRE Research Infrastructure Programme, including the current status, timeline and drawdown to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50292/26

Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science whether consideration is being given to expanding the Programme for Access to Higher Education (PATH 4) to ensure that every region has at least one higher education institution offering a dedicated programme

grants granted in each of the years since the schemes inception; the number of retrofits completed as part of the Government’s retrofitting programme in each of the years since the schemes inception; the number of window and door replacements completed as part of the Government’s retrofitting … programme in each of the years since the schemes inception, by county, in tabular form. [50351/26

Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Education and Youth when the evaluation of tenders for the new building project at school (details supplied) is expected to conclude; the anticipated date for the award of the construction contract; whether her Department remains on schedule for commencement of construction … late Quarter 3 of 2026; the projected completion and handover dates for the school building; the measures being taken to minimise the risk of delays during construction; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50342/26

Abbey Open Centre, with the costs broken down on a site-by-site basis and including all associated planning, construction, consultancy, and related project costs; the total cost of the construction and renovation works for the Governors House at Loughan House Open Centre including all associated planning, construction … consultancy, and related project costs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50523/26

Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the measures being taken to expand participation in Garda Youth Diversion Projects in north Dublin; whether additional funding or resources are being considered to support early intervention programmes aimed at preventing young people from becoming involved

Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Health to provide an update on the new emergency department for Beaumont Hospital; when the project will proceed to tender; when construction will begin on this vital project; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49919/26

Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number and value of projects funded under the Discover Programme since its inception that included citizen science, citizen generated data, environmental monitoring, software, data infrastructure or open source research infrastructure

Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment to provide a breakdown of all district heating projects that have been awarded funding through the Governments Climate Action Fund; the funding provided to each project in each of the years

Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment to provide a breakdown of all district heating projects that have been awarded funding through the EU grant funding; and the funding provided to each project in each of the years

Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment to provide a breakdown of all district heating projects that have been awarded funding from a local authority; and the funding provided to each project in each of the years 2020 to 2025 and to date

Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Education and Youth the criteria used in selecting projects for inclusion in the first tranche of projects approved under the National Development Plan in January 2026. [48760/26

Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Education and Youth whether the criteria for selecting projects for the next tranche of projects in 2026-2027 under the National Development Plan, have been determined; if so to outline the details. [48761/26

asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she is aware that a school (details supplied) has been forced to withdraw its summer programme due to her Department’s failure to sanction the necessary staffing levels, leaving children with special educational needs without vital supports over the summer … whether she intends on rectifying this so that the school’s summer programme can proceed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49613/26

Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Housing; Local Government and Heritage the number of wind energy projects currently within the planning system in the State; the total generating capacity in MW associated with these projects; to provide a breakdown by county, stage in the planning process including

Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Housing; Local Government and Heritage the number of solar energy projects currently within the planning system in the State; the total generating capacity in MW associated with these projects; to provide a breakdown by county, stage in the planning process including

Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the public funding that has been provided since 2020 to programmes aimed at increasing participation by underrepresented groups in political and public life, including women, minority ethnic groups, disabled people and young people, broken down … programme and annual expenditure. [49409/26

Farrelly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will provide an update in respect of the Bray harbour URDF project; if funding for additional local authority staff has been approved and allocated; if he will detail the scope of the works to be carried … initially; and if the local authority has advanced planning for the project and the amount of funding drawn down to date. [49825/26

Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the public funding that has been provided since 2020 to programmes aimed at increasing participation by underrepresented groups in political and public life, including women, minority ethnic groups, disabled people and young people, broken down … programme and annual expenditure. [49408/26

funding provided to the solar PV scheme in each of the years 2020 to date, by programme; and the breakdown of the number of solar PV installations this supported in each of the years 2020 to date, by programme, in tabular form. [48736/26

Deputy Joanna Byrne asked the Minister for Education and Youth the position regarding a school's (details supplied) Summer Programme funding; if they will receive adequate funding to ensure their allocation of staff fully meets the needs of all those children participating; when will they be approved … Summer Programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48400/26