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across secondary schools. The back-to-school clothing and footwear allowance will be available before the summer. We have rolled out a summer school meals programme. Action has been taken to reduce the PSO obligation in respect of renewable energy. Eligibility for the fuel allowance has been expanded

Monday by the Minister, Deputy McEntee, which detailed the 28 schools that will undergo major energy and decarbonisation retrofit works this summer under the pathfinder programme. It is welcome news for those schools and I have no doubt they are delighted to be selected. I understand the pilot

Remediation of Dwellings Damaged by the Use of Defective Concrete Blocks (Amendment) Bill, which has been included in the summer 2025 Government legislative programme for priority drafting. A number of other matters have come to light during the first 18 months of the operation of the scheme

defective concrete blocks (amendment) Bill. As Deputy Mac Lochlainn will know as Whip, that is in the summer 2025 Government legislative programme for priority drafting

minor works, emergency works and summer works schemes, as well as being able to benefit from the larger capital programme. More will apply for the summer works scheme than will get funding, so it is a matter of determining where the need is most acute

what will happen is that, in collaboration with RTÉ, opportunities are being created for artists at all levels. Details of all these programmes are available on the Arts Council's website. I encourage everyone to enjoy Culture Night this Friday. In its most recently published music policy, Advancing … purchase of musical instruments; the small-scale local festivals and summer schools scheme designed to support local cultural festivals and summer schools; and Creative Ireland programme funding to support a wide range of creative projects nationally. Notwithstanding the existing supports, I am sure the Deputy is aware

part of national development plan, NDP, roll-out. There are also a further 12 projects being progressed under the modular programme and the climate action summer works scheme. It is important to note that only projects already at tender stage, or close to being tender-ready, were considered

importance of not forgetting that the more we invest in schools now, the less they will need later on. New summer works and a climate programme have been announced and will be rolled out. It is important to make sure we are investing in changes to the buildings

Research Ireland's programmes and attracting international research through the Global Talent Ireland initiative that I launched last summer along with a new and expanded scholarship programme, called Global Gaels. I am also very keen to strengthen the links between PhD provision and industry so that PhD graduates

make other targeted investments in research infrastructure, such as the higher education research equipment grant and the recent €17.7 million research infrastructure programme investment to supplement and provide the environment and tools that our researchers need for global competition. Since my appointment I have been engaging directly with … University, DCU, has a proposal for 405 beds which will go to its governing authority for review and decision this summer also. The technological sector student accommodation programme is another factor, as is the national standardised design study, which is developing cost-effective, scalable models for future State

particularly focused on what used to be known as the July provision and those who take part in that programme. I agree on that issue of the summer provision and that is something we will look at. As of now, we are focused on this programme. On where

discussion that we had about programmes like “Bluey”, “Dora the Explorer” and so on. These are programmes that kids enjoy in this jurisdiction, perhaps during the summer months in Donegal. When they return home, they have no access to the RTÉ Player and these programmes that they have

will address the part of the programme for Government that references zero tolerance of domestic, sexual and gender-based violence. We all know the devastating effect on victims when their personal counselling notes are used in court as evidence in rape and sexual assault cases. This has been … completed by the end of 2024. Simon Harris spoke about outlawing it entirely. That commitment, given so firmly last summer, has been rowed back on in the programme for Government. What has changed for the survivors? What has changed for those who have to stand in a court

Cabinet is duly minded, I would hope that we would be able to introduce the legislation before the summer recess, recognising a commitment in the programme for Government. We would not have been able to move it at the pace we have moved it were

level of additional capital funding for infrastructural investment. We believe that review will be completed in line with the summer 2025 timeline set out in the programme for Government

behalf of dozens of local schools. In every case, it was about insufficient funding and money that was intended for programme A, whether that be educational disadvantage, summer works or hot school meals, being used instead for day-to-day running costs: wages, insurance, energy, electricity and heat

high in saturated fat, sugar, and salt from September 2025. My Department has seconded a CORU-registered dietician for the school meals programme who is under the clinical supervision of the Department of Health. One of her first tasks was an in-depth review of school meal supplier … nutritional standards. That review is ongoing, and I hope to have s full report before the beginning of the summer. I am very focused on the school meals programme, that it offers the best nutrition. I absolutely agree with the Deputy on its importance. I reiterate that

Budget 2026; — the Government has prioritised the reduction of child poverty through the establishment of the dedicated Child Poverty and Well-Being Programme Office, ensuring cross-departmental coordination to address the root causes of poverty affecting children and families; — the increases in child poverty rates, as reported … Government to address child food poverty in particular. Those glitches cannot be allowed to hide a very important programme. We delivered a holiday meals pilot project this summer, which provided meals to 68,000 children in 914 schools over the summer holidays. Free schoolbooks have also been rolled

post-primary schools and from September all primary schools are eligible for the free hot school meals programme. A school meals holiday pilot project has started this summer. Free public transport for children aged five to eight will be introduced later this year. Far from the Deputy

years of operation in the delivery of tangible benefits to rural communities. Funding of €43 million will be made available for the LEADER programme in 2027. The community centre investment fund is a relatively new fund to support the development and refurbishment of high-quality community facilities … routes and facilities at river and lakes, such as those I visited with Deputy Daly in Ballymoe during the summer. This year, we have announced the 2026 CLÁR programme with a record budget. We have already approved €2.5 million for 44 vehicles and we will be making further

about. We need to have a serious conversation about it. The Glen Resource Centre has a good programme for the families of those in prison. It has held a summer camp in the past few weeks. I am happy to sit down and discuss this with the Deputy

professional doctorates in educational psychology programmes in Maynooth University and Dublin City University. The first graduates from the Maynooth programme will be available to work in NEPS from summer 2028, while the first student intake in Dublin City University commenced this month. To join the SCPA panel, private

expected that there will be clarity on these allocations over the course of the summer, allowing the Department to plan its capital investment programme for the 2026 to 2030 period in line with prioritised needs and reflecting, as appropriate, wider Government priorities

what that scheme may look like, and hope to be able to launch it ahead of the summer. Considerations that are informing our work in the development of the programme include the changed demographic and socioeconomic landscape in Ireland. According to the revised Pobal HP deprivation index, post

training response and legislative response need to be evidence based and must have that in mind. Over the summer, I launched the idea of a driver theory test programme that would really look at that evidence and robustly engage with the next generation of road users, whether drivers … officials to consider that as part of budget 2027. It already happens ad hoc. I accept the RSA has a training programme but we are relying on teachers and gardaí in the community who are already overburdened with work and cannot do it robustly and universally across

McGuinness asked the Minister for Education and Youth the number of schools in Waterford that applied for funding under the 2025 Summer Works Programme. [65607/25

Youth for an update on the application submitted by a school (details supplied) to have their roof replaced under the Climate Action Summer Works Programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [56575/25

Seán Fleming asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport when funding will be approved for a small-scale local festival and summer schools programme 2025 (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42361/25

Deputy Tom Brabazon asked the Minister for Education and Youth the names of schools that are providing the summer education programme in the Dublin 5, 13 and 17 postcode areas, in tabular form. [36509/25

Deputy Jen Cummins asked the Minister for Education and Youth the number of schools providing summer education programme in the post code of Dublin 12. [32565/25

Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Education and Youth to confirm the allocated budget in her Department for a climate-focused summer works programme for 2025; if significant roof replacement works can be considered in terms of applications from schools that also have strategic plans developed

Deputy Jen Cummins asked the Minister for Education and Youth to list the schools that are providing summer education programmes in Dublin south central, in tabular form. [29136/25

Deputy Jen Cummins asked the Minister for Education and Youth the number of schools providing summer education programme in the post codes of Dublin 2, 4, 6, 8 and 10, in tabular form. [27209/25

Youth if the wrapping of old school buildings that do not have cavities to pump will be included in the climate action summer works programme (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26480/25

Deputy Jen Cummins asked the Minister for Education and Youth her plans the 2025 summer education programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25339/25

Deputy Jen Cummins asked the Minister for Education and Youth the funding allocated to the summer education programme over the past ten years, including 2025; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25340/25

Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Education and Youth the latest update on the rollout of the home-based programme for summer 2025; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24620/25

Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Education for an update on the reopening of the Summer Works Programme for schools. [7415/25

Byrne asked the Minister for Education if she will ensure that a school (details supplied) will be upgraded under the Pathfinder Retrofit Programme this summer, as agreed, even though there are delays in the development of the special education needs classrooms, also overseen by her Department. [3951/25

Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Education the timeline for 2025 for seeking funding through the summer works programme for school maintenance; and the relevant dates for application and decision. [46663/24

contraception scheme, given that the Heads of this Bill were approved in March 2026 and identified as priority legislation in the Government Summer 2026 Legislative Programme; what consultations have taken place with community pharmacists regarding the design of this service; and if she will make a statement

Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if rather than enforcing the full programme during the summer months, he would consider if this time could be used more strategically to allocate resources where they have the greatest impact, such

Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if rather than enforcing the full programme during the summer months, he would consider if this time could be used more strategically to allocate resources where they have the greatest impact, such

that school leaders and boards of management are not required to undertake significant administrative responsibilities, such as the establishment of school meal programmes during the summer break; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33841/25

Deputy Liam Quaide asked the Minister for Health if the HSE will continue its safer nightlife programme ahead of summer 2025; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15678/25

Deputy John Paul O'Shea asked the Minister for Health the summer respite activities and programmes planned for service users of St. Joseph's Foundation in Cork in 2026; the number of persons expected to benefit from these activities; the funding allocated for same; and if she will

Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Education and Youth the amount spent on emergency works, summer works, additional accommodation scheme, and any other capital works programme on schools (details supplied) in the past six years, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement

Climate, Energy and the Environment whether consideration is being given, within current and future publicly funded residential retrofit programmes, to the increasing risk of overheating in homes during warmer summer conditions; and whether guidance issued for retrofits and heat pump installations includes assessment of future cooling requirements over

Kenny asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht for an update on the Programme for Government commitment to enhance support for Mná Tí at Gaeltacht summer colleges, as of July 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38904/25

Deputy Martin Daly asked the Minister for Education and Youth the steps being taken to ensure that summer provision is available to students with additional needs in schools where the programme has not operated in recent years; and the obligations that apply to schools in this regard. [39488/26