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Almost a decade later, with the same parties in government, it remains undelivered. A commitment to multi-annual funding appears in the new programme for Government but delivery must be accelerated. Without this important change to the budgetary process, this Bill just tinkers at the edges. The existing … deliver safe laboratory services. There is no reference to the botched medical laboratory information system or how the HSE intends to get the project back on track. My understanding is this new IT project was to be delivered to more than 40 public laboratories but to date

improving women's health outcomes, including the expansion of specialist services in endometriosis. Our commitment is spelled out very clearly in the programme for Government. I accept some people wish for the five-year programme to be implemented in five or six months but that is not possible … national women and infants health programme has led on the development of the national endometriosis framework and on the expansion of existing endometriosis services. The HSE has advised that it shared an agreed framework with the Irish Medical Organisation, IMO, on 7 July. Alongside the development of specialist

look forward to visiting the library with Deputy Wall. Just to assure him, the project has received funding of €3 million under the capital programme to support what is a very ambitious and exciting plan for the county library in Newbridge, including archives and a cultural centre … project will be superb in terms of its size and scale. It will be 2,378 sq. m. It will be four times larger than the existing library in Newbridge and will provide an opportunity to showcase the library service in the county. As the Deputy knows

across television and radio. A total of €7 million has been awarded under the scheme so far this year for television and radio projects, with media literacy initiatives featuring amongst the funded projects. These range from documentaries about misinformation to local programming Irish-language programmes that … under the Sound and Vision 4 scheme will be announced by Coimisiún na Meán in August 2025. I look forward to seeing those projects that are to be awarded coming to fruition. In addition, the programme for Government commits the Government to funding the strategy. The Department

would be integrated, giving commuters a greater option rather than simply relying on the car all the time. Regrettably, very few of the projects mentioned in this strategy have been completed. There have been some, such as a new pedestrian bridge across the River Corrib at Salmon Weir … stage 1 and stage 2 of the Galway cycle network have been progressed and Ceannt station is under development. Some of the projects are going through the planning process at the moment. The N6 project, the Galway city ring road, is going through the planning process

funding and setting of policy in relation to transport issues, including active travel. The NTA has responsibility for the allocation of funding to projects at local authority level and works with local authorities to ensure delivery of same. I thank Deputy Connolly for his very insightful … side. As the Deputy knows, a significant increase in funding has been allocated by the Department of Transport to walking and cycling infrastructure projects in recent years, following a commitment of approximately €360 million per annum in the previous programme for Government across that Government’s lifetime

propose to take Questions Nos. 1 to 13, inclusive, together. The Cabinet committee on children and education oversees the implementation of programme for Government commitments in the area of children and education. It receives detailed reports on identified policy areas such as child poverty and well-being … Health, the Minister for Social Protection, the Minister for Education and Youth and the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage. The programme for Government contains many important commitments intended to improve the lives of all children, and especially those children who need our help most

come from an area where I was involved in a youth project where young people would have dropped out of school. That is where the problems start arising. We worked very closely with the Garda where we had the young people on a training programme. The people … these cases there is no family support. This is what I am saying to the Minister of State about the youth diversion programme. When someone finishes with the programme, that family support may still not be there. I wonder about the checks and balances that are there

counterproductive to the efficient work of the Government. Duplication arises in a number of areas, for example, the State litigation principles, the programme for Government commitment to update the ethics in public office legislation and the delegation of functions by the Attorney General to a deputy or assistant … public interest. The statutory regime governing ethical behaviour in public office at national level is provided under the ethics Acts. The 2025 programme for Government contains a commitment to update the ethics in public office legislation and work is ongoing in my Department to meet this programme

counties. The reality is that we have gone backwards in recent decades. Plans are one thing but we need implementation to progress new projects in a timely manner and to address the imbalance in regional infrastructure. The western rail corridor is critical to the region. It has been … talked about and put on the long finger for years. If the Government is serious about regional development, this project must be progressed. We must get a move on. The project is shovel-ready and can be delivered in the lifetime of this Government. We cannot have

possible. To come to the issue raised by the Deputies, ETBs, as they know, support community-based groups by providing funding for intervention projects that provide a range of learner-centred training and related services. These initiatives aim to assist individuals or groups experiencing exclusion and labour market … further education and training sector, SOLAS allocates funding to 16 ETBs and other agencies to deliver further education and training, FET, programmes. Each ETB must prioritise and manage delivery of further education and training programmes strictly within its allocated budget. SOLAS has provided an allocation of €35.5 million

role in our health service but we need more GPs to improve access to services in some areas. To meet that need, the programme for Government has committed to increasing the number of practising GPs through a combination of increased training places and international recruitment. In part … agreements provide for increased fees for GPs, increased and new practice supports, and new services for patients, including the GP chronic disease management programme we spoke about. The number of doctors entering GP training increased by 80% from 2019 to 2024. As a result, the number

Island Fund to contribute to construction of a redeveloped Casement Park in Belfast. This is both a North-South and an east-west project. It is the Government's wish that the ground will be made available to a wide range of sporting and cultural events. Consistent with … Government's on funding for large scale sports infrastructure, principles for funding of the project will be agreed such that it is accessible to and will benefit a range of sports, and is operated to facilitate equality, diversity and inclusion in sport, including supporting cross-community relationships

medicines application tracker to try to increase the transparency because we want this country to do even better in these matters. The programme for Government commits to an early access scheme. It will be for the Minister to outline how she intends to take that forward, with Government … parallel process with the same likely outcome. Let us take that away and make sure that is a factor. Another commitment in the programme for Government that is worth commenting on is the commitment around the heel prick test. We have two population-based newborn screening programmes

health last met on 4 June 2025 and is due to meet again on 17 July 2025. It oversees the implementation of programme for Government commitments in relation to health, receives detailed reports on identified policy areas and considers health reforms, including Sláintecare and the reform of public … health and health system preparedness for future health threats. It also receives reports on programme for Government commitments in the areas of mental health and drugs policy. Path to Universal Healthcare: Sláintecare & Programme for Government 2025+, our latest Sláintecare strategy published last month, aims to forge

retention. Some come back to work in Ireland later on and there are huge specialties available to nurses in Ireland. There are huge programmes, including postgraduate programmes and specialist programmes. We have developed the likes of intensive care nursing and cardiac nursing very well with native talent. There … been phenomenal change in nursing in Ireland over the last 20 years, from the degree programmes to the postgraduate programmes. However, there is an issue of retention and retraining people and we have to be more innovative in terms of how we do that into the future

have been many times in the Deputy's constituency and in Finglas. I want to see this project move forward to construction and delivery. We have a couple of hurdles but not big ones. We have to get through planning. Should that be granted, there is then … procurement strategy for Luas Finglas under the infrastructure guidelines. Ministerial approval will follow that and the project can then enter the procurement stage. As is the case with all projects, this will go through Government consent and must receive approval at gate 3. The project

That point is a very good one. TII has built up excellent expertise and knowledge in delivery of those projects. Expansion of the Luas network needs to be looked at in the round and that is being done. Deputy McAuliffe mentioned MetroLink and we expect that to come … planning with a final decision - not a draft decision - in the month of July. That would be a transformational project for the north Dublin area from the airport right into the city through Ballymun, and indeed beyond. The challenge and opportunity for the Government and everyone

review. That includes funding to renew pavement on the new network. In addition, €5.1 billion was earmarked for investment in new national roads projects. While the greater portion of the funding becomes available in the second half of the decade, I can confirm that approximately €600 million … road between Cork and Kerry has seen significant development in recent years, not least with the completion of the Baile Bhuirne to Macroom project. In conjunction with the N22 Farranfore to Killarney project, which is being developed, this will deliver greatly improved connectivity between Cork and Kerry

accessible early learning and childcare system. I will take her recommendation for a cross-party committee to the Minister, Deputy Foley. The programme for Government commits, for the first time ever, to provide capital investment to build or purchase State-owned early learning and childcare facilities. This will … offers the potential for much greater scope to influence the nature and volume of provision and to ensure better alignment with estimated demand, projected demand and current demand. The programme for Government also commits to planning the development of State-led facilities in tandem with the school building

have managed to make progress together. This is a similar issue. Genuinely across the House, there is support for what is requested. The programme for Government commits to working with all stakeholders to quickly progress the Waterford Airport project to lengthen and widen the runway, building … commitment decision of 2019. That I believe, is the wording in the programme for Government. In line with that commitment, I have spoken to the Minister for Transport, Deputy O’Brien, and I am aware that he is engaging with local representatives, including Deputy Cullinane, on the next

structure of the local property tax so that they can take effect from this date, in line with the commitment given in the programme for Government. This tax was introduced in 2012. The design of it was considered by an interdepartmental group chaired by Dr. Don Thornhill … western regions, with average inflation of 33% recorded. Average property price growth in Dublin, for all types of residential properties, was 18%. The programme for Government commitment in relation to LPT was to "ensure fairness and stability in Local Property Tax payments and continue to retain revenue collected

outset, I recognise this project has been ongoing for some time. The major building project for the school referred to by Deputy Connolly will provide a new 16-classroom primary school with additional classrooms for pupils with special education needs. Following planning conditions imposed in 2018, a redesign … necessary. At that point, additional capacity was added to the school and subsequent planning was achieved in September 2023. The project is 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

looking for an update on the progress of the N20-M20 Cork-Limerick motorway project. I emphasise the critical importance of its swift delivery to the people of Munster and the broader Irish economy. The case for immediate action on the N20-M20 project could not be clearer … risk on a route that has well-documented safety deficiencies. The national development plan clearly identifies that the N20-M20 project is an essential piece of infrastructure. I hope that when the review of the national development plan is published, it will set out in black and white

There is no doubt that everyone has come into the Chamber to talk about the RTÉ programme. As a daughter who had a father in residential care, and as a sister who has a 55-year-old brother in residential care with Lewy body syndrome, I actually could … watch the programme. Like many people who have a parent or a member of the family in residential care, we are often overridden by guilt. Even when it is the best option for our loved ones, we often wonder whether it is the best solution or whether

Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the audit and oversight mechanisms in place to ensure that funds allocated to sexual and reproductive health programmes are used in accordance with stated policy; whether programme-level audits are conducted; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32360/26

Deputy Catherine Callaghan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if she will provide a list of all capital projects, including Defence Forces infrastructure projects, delivered under the remit of her Department which have been completed on time and within budget in Carlow in each

Deputy Catherine Callaghan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if she will provide a list of all capital projects, including Defence Forces infrastructure projects, delivered under the remit of her Department which have been completed on time and within budget in Kilkenny in each

Deputy Catherine Callaghan asked the Minister for Defence if she will provide a list of all capital projects, including Defence Forces infrastructure projects, delivered under the remit of her Department which have been completed on time and within budget in Carlow in each of the past five years

Deputy Catherine Callaghan asked the Minister for Defence if she will provide a list of all capital projects, including Defence Forces infrastructure projects, delivered under the remit of her Department which have been completed on time and within budget in Kilkenny in each of the past five years

Transport the steps his Department is taking to support the NTA to increase efficiency throughout the life span of each individual Active Travel Project, to ensure that projects are delivered in a timely manner and without delay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31979/26

Deputy Jen Cummins asked the Minister for Transport the percentage of schools that have the School Street Programme funding delivered through the Safe Routes to School (SRTS) initiative ; the number of schools that are in the pipeline for it; and in what timeframe could he expect all schools … have the programme [33281/26

Deputy Catherine Callaghan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance if he will provide a list of all capital projects and programmes funded or overseen under the remit of his Department, and bodies under its aegis, which have been completed on time and within budget in Carlow

Deputy Catherine Callaghan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance if he will provide a list of all capital projects and programmes funded or overseen under the remit of his Department, and bodies under its aegis, which have been completed on time and within budget in Kilkenny

Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation to provide, full name, job title, and employing organisation of each member of the Major Projects Approval Group (MPAG) that reviewed the business case for the HSE's national electronic health record programme in or around September 2025, in tabular

Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Education and Youth the current status of the modular accommodation project for the second special class in a school (details supplied) in Durrow; the reason the design was not approved until 21 April 2026 despite the project commencing

Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Education and Youth the average time taken from project commencement to on-site delivery under the new Modular Framework compared with the previous system; the number of special class modular projects currently delayed by more than six months; and the steps

Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she will confirm that the modular special class project for a school (details supplied) has been designated as urgent and prioritised; the criteria used to prioritise projects under the new Modular Framework; and if she will make

Education and Youth the role of the Tusla Education Welfare Service in the referral, approval and allocation of places on the iScoil programme; whether Tusla acts as the primary gateway for access or can other agencies directly initiate referrals; the criteria applied by Tusla when determining eligibility … iScoil; whether Tusla maintains a waiting list or prioritisation system for access to the programme; and to provide the number of referrals made to iScoil through the Tusla Education Welfare Service in 2023, 2024, 2025 and to date in 2026, including the number accepted and refused in each

Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Education and Youth her Department’s role in the proposed cross-departmental National Assistive Technology Programme, recommended in the WHO report; the way such a programme will improve equity, consistency and timeliness of assistive technology delivery in schools

Deputy Marie Sherlock asked the Minister for Education and Youth the status of a school building project (details supplied) to bring the school which is spread over two sites onto one site; when the building project will commence; the reason for any delays; and if she will make

Deputy Cathy Bennett asked the Minister for Social Protection the measures he will put in place to ensure that the Hot School Meals Programme supports local employment, delivers freshly prepared meals on a daily basis and ensures the programme supports sustainability and local economic development across all eligible

Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration whether the projected savings of over €83 million from the IPAS rate card model are cash savings already realised, annualised projected savings, or avoided future expenditure; and if he will make a statement

Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the projected number of additional public residential placements required to eliminate or substantially reduce reliance on private placements; and whether this projection forms part of Tusla's current capacity planning. [32702/26

asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the status of the implementation of the current residential care strategy; the number of the projected units under the strategy that have been provided; the cost for same; and the projected cost of fully implementing this strategy. [33435/26

Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health the number of clinical audits or programme reviews have been conducted in respect of the National Clinical Programme for Self-harm and Suicide-related Ideation in the years 2023, 2024 and to date in 2026; and if she will

Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health whether her Department has produced projections for obesity prevalence in Ireland to 2030 and 2040; and if so, to provide those projections in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32340/26

Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health whether there is a national policy or capital project guidance within the HSE requiring the separate identification and tracking of fire safety compliance costs in capital projects; and if not, whether she will introduce such a requirement. [32661/26

Flynn asked the Minister for Health to outline the approval process for the capital funding allocated to the Heather House Community Nursing Unit project, including the stages of approval, the approving authority at each stage, and whether any revised cost approvals have been required since project commencement. [32662/26

Flynn asked the Minister for Health the original planned commencement and completion dates for the Heather House Community Nursing Unit refurbishment project; the current projected completion date; and the reasons for any delays arising. [32665/26