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Like many in the House, my heart was breaking when I watched the programme last Monday. The Beneavin nursing home is literally five minutes from where I live. There are neighbours and friends who have relatives in Beneavin nursing home. However difficult … watch the programme, I cannot imagine how difficult it was for them. I know many people could not bring themselves to watch the programme. Having watched the programme, there is one area we have to call out very clearly, namely, those with direct responsibility for the neglect

ready to construct in the town. We also need more student accommodation in Carlow town to help sustain our thriving university. The programme for Government commits to bringing Uisce Éireann, local authority planners and developers together at the start of a project to ensure the smooth running … sites for home building. Snoddy's Road in Carlow town, for example, has been partially completed. All that is required to complete the project and unlock the land that has potential for housing is a further 800 m stretch. There are already footpaths and street lighting. Another example

fair wind. However, a lot of the people involved in the infrastructure division and task force will themselves have considerable experience with delayed projects. I am not apportioning blame here, but they may have been responsible in their own positions for projects we would associate with significant delays … Will the Minister put on the record of the House an example of a project that has been delayed in recent years, and that has frustrated all of us, which he thinks would not have been delayed in the way it was if a division like this

There are countless projects in the national development plan that are caught in endless delays. This is not about the work I am doing at the centre of Government. It is not about one particular project or pet project that the Deputy or anyone else might have … about how we change the life cycle of projects universally, so we accelerate for priorities set out in the national development plan. We are taking the international experience as a key evidence base for how we bring about the reforms that need to be stood up. Whether

centrally support ICT as a shared service rather than have common technical solutions in each public sector body. The Government data centre project will deliver high-quality, energy efficient data centre facilities which are fit for purpose and are capable of efficiently meeting the Government's technology … preferred bidder was chosen and a contract signed for the construction of the Government data centre in late 2022. The data centre construction project, which is co-funded by the EU's National Resilience and Recovery Programme, started in quarter 1 of 2023 and was successfully completed

have established the accelerating infrastructure task force to support the immediate work programme of the new infrastructure division in my Department, which is to identify and propose measures to address barriers to the delivery of strategic infrastructure across Ireland. This issue is key priority … Government. The work programme for the task force and the new division will focus on many critical infrastructure areas in terms of the electricity and energy, transport and water sectors, as these three key elements are required to underpin the development of all other economic and social infrastructure

propose to take Questions Nos. 89, 112, 147, 153 and 156 together. The programme for Government sets out the clear ambition to prioritise the delivery of transformative, critical and growth-enhancing infrastructure over the next five years. To support these goals, Government has prioritised an early review … their funding submissions and this has been followed by bilateral engagement between my Department and individual spending Departments to assess investment plans and programmes. This series of bilateral engagements commenced at official level and is currently continuing and has commenced fully at ministerial level. Alongside the review process

statements, which are very welcome. I also recognise that there has been a significant increase in funding for the OPW's flood defence programme in recent years. I understand that from a financial perspective and acknowledge that more has been done with regard to flooding. As the Minister … long it takes to develop flood defences, as the Minister of State outlined just now. Flood relief schemes are complex, multi-annual projects in respect of which detailed analysis of the sources and causes of flooding is required. Of course, there is a need for detailed stakeholder engagement

year. Following the publication of the review, the Department will test the feasibility of a number of approaches through a series of pilot programmes. These pilot programmes will be held in conjunction with the Department and Bus Éireann. A total of 14 pilot projects are under … implementation needed for a national roll-out of a revised school transport system. Work is under way to identify where further pilot programmes can be conducted. A number of approaches are being examined, including the use of a geographic information system, GIS, to identify how many additional children

Greystones Media Campus was hailed as a transformative €300 million project for Wicklow, set to deliver 1,500 jobs in a major boost to Ireland's creative sector. The Ireland Strategic Investment Fund committed €24 million to the project, and while some site work did commence … project has since ground to a complete halt. This is not just a delay; it is a serious risk to one of the most important media infrastructure projects within the State. Now, with President Trump threatening 100% tariffs on non-US film and television productions, investor confidence

price and availability of services. Last year, a supply management unit was established in the Department of Children, Disability and Equality, and the programme for Government articulates an intention that it be resourced and transformed into a forward planning and delivery unit to identify areas of need, forecast … development in the unit and will be central to the Minister’s plans to achieve the policy goals set out in the programme for Government to build an affordable, high-quality and accessible early learning and childcare system, with State-led facilities adding capacity. The Government continues

impactful lives as possible, and with as much support from the State as possible. This fundamental goal is writ large in the programme for Government and the entire Government is committed to delivering on it. Indeed, the Taoiseach has convened a Cabinet subcommittee, which is meeting regularly … Last week I announced a new pharmacy course in the University of Galway, which will start this September. There is a new dentistry programme in the Royal College of Surgeons that is also available for this September. Further expansion across medicine, pharmacy and veterinary will come on stream

this issue is also addressed by the sustainable, inclusive and empowered communities strategy. Both strategies are underpinned by funding through the rural investment programme and community development programme, the latter of which supports projects and schemes across both rural and urban communities. My Department provides financial and other … address rural and urban isolation, including through the seniors alert scheme, which provides monitored personal alarms for elderly people; the community services programme, which supports a range of services, including meals on wheels; the local enhancement programme, which supports a huge variety of community groups, including social clubs

funding under CLÁR for each county between 2020 and 2024. The 2025 scheme is currently open for applications, and I will announce successful projects later this year. Between 2020 and 2024, more than €51 million was approved for almost 1,300 projects nationwide under the CLÁR programme … level of funding has increased from just under €6 million in 2020 to almost €14 million, covering more than 320 projects, in 2024. County Mayo has the highest level of CLÁR funding, with €4.1 million being provided. The level of funding must be considered in the context

opportunity to raise this important subject matter this morning. In November 2021, the then Minister for Education, Deputy Norma Foley, gave the initial project approval for the provision of additional permanent accommodation at Breifne College in Cavan town. This major building project, which will enhance considerably the level … substantial and consistent increase in enrolments. In November 2021, I warmly welcomed the decision by the Minister, Deputy Foley, to issue the initial project approval, as I had supported Breifne College and Cavan-Monaghan ETB in submitting the application. The project is a major

receiving a full- or half-rate carer's allowance or benefit. Funding has been approved under the women's health fund for a project to support mid-life and older women family carers. Respite continues to be a vital support for carers. The Government is committed to progressively … Alongside this is the timely legislation being advanced to establish a licensing framework for professional home support services. Several supplementary work programmes are ongoing. This work seeks to address a variety of areas. The future financing of home support will be an essential area of consideration

Ireland would be a good idea if we followed through. I welcome the €2.9 million funding announcement to local authorities for biodiversity projects under the National Parks and Wildlife Service local biodiversity action fund 2025. There has been great work done in my own local authority area … communicate internally - bureaucratic ineptitude at its finest. Someone needs to be called out. On the whole there have been some good projects, including other pocket forests and the Dublin Urban Rivers LIFE project. When all these are taken together on a national level, if colleagues will pardon

other services including payments under cash-limited schemes administered by that Office, and payment of certain grants. As Deputies will be aware, the programme for Government commits to the transfer of certain functions between Departments. On 1 May, following approval by the Government, a number of functions were … persons seeking international protection. The co-ordination of Government policy relating to anti-racism and migrant integration, the operation and implementation of integration programmes for migrants, and the provision of access to suitable accommodation for persons enjoying temporary protection were also transferred. Those are the individuals who emanate

good. Yesterday we also saw that there is a greater impact on disadvantaged communities in regard to the challenge of school attendance. The programme for Government commits us to launching an urban communities initiative to revitalise disadvantaged city areas. I believe there has been a deficiency in this … area since the end of the revitalising areas by planning, investment and development, RAPID, programme which used to fund programmes and infrastructure in disadvantaged urban areas. It funded such programmes as childcare facilities, back-to-work employment schemes and also infrastructure such as libraries and sports facilities

rural communities, and support for rural Ireland is a priority across government. The Department of Rural and Community Development’s rural development investment programme is providing unprecedented funding for rural Ireland. In budget 2025, the Government committed a total of €472 million to the Department of Rural … continuing commitment to supporting and developing our rural towns, villages and communities right across the country. The range of schemes available support projects in communities all across rural Ireland in areas such as town regeneration, the development of community facilities and the enhancement of our outdoor recreation facilities

improvements when it comes to supporting children with needs. For children in a preschool setting, there is an access and inclusion model, AIM, programme. It supports staff to identify need and then be supported by that AIM programme in order to ensure that, where a need is identified … been identified? I refer to the initiative of the Minister, Deputy Helen McEntee, of prioritising therapeutic services with a direct delivery in schools. Programmes the NCSE already delivers in schools are making a big difference. One of the big differences that delivering direct therapeutic services in schools

justice strategy. A top priority of the strategy is the expansion and deepening of the services offered to young people by youth diversion projects. These projects are community-based, multi-agency crime prevention initiatives which seek to divert young people who have become involved in crime or antisocial … families at risk. They are funded by our Department under the youth justice strategy and run by community-based organisations. On average, the projects engage with about 4,000 young people across the State in any one year. Funding for youth diversion projects and other youth justice measures

viewed as a soft touch by successive European Commissions when they wish to divert funds elsewhere. This is not to say any given projects are unworthy but they have been funded by taking money out of the pockets of farmers. In real terms, Irish farmers received less under … this CAP than its predecessor. I always find it frustrating when Ministers laud the budget of programmes such as CAP as the largest ever, as if inflation or other pressures on input prices are irrelevant. In real terms, Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael negotiate and sign

would like to think that will change now. As a Government TD, I am determined to bring a renewed focus to this project, not just because it is politically convenient but because it is strategically necessary for people in Dublin mid-west. Communities such as Lucan are expected … that transforms how people travel and how they plan their lives around transport. Luas has been one of the most cost-effective infrastructure projects in Irish history. It removes the need for millions of car journeys and has the lowest CO2 emissions per passenger kilometre among motorised modes

training, ranging from apprenticeships, which many Deputies have spoken about, to microcredentials, from earn as you learn, which is part of the apprenticeship programme, to full-time postdoctorate qualifications, from programmes such as Springboard+ to tertiary programmes. We are investing in high-quality research and innovation, which … work with Deputies. As a former secondary school teacher, I wish to mention one point about the operation of the CAO. The programme for Government has committed to CAO reform. We know that the lead-up to the leaving certificate is hugely stressful for students, parents and school

Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health to provide a detailed breakdown of the €10.69 million projected cost of the fire safety and refurbishment works at Heather House Community Nursing Unit, including the original approved budget, the current projected outturn cost, the value of all additional

Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health the original approved project budget for the fire safety works at Daisy Unit, Heather House Community Nursing Unit; the current projected final cost; the value of any additional works identified; and whether contingency funding has been utilised. [32710/26

Burke asked the Minister for Health whether her Department has submitted Ireland's health priorities for inclusion in the eighteen-month Trio Presidency programme being developed with Lithuania and Greece; if so, whether she will outline those priorities; whether the programme will address the regulation of tobacco

whether minors in the international protection process, including unaccompanied minors, aged 15+ need a labour market access permit to access ETB Youth Reach programmes and CTC Youth Reach programmes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32256/26

Deputy Shane Moynihan asked the Minister for Transport for an update on the DART+ South West project; the progress to date; the way in which the project may be expedited; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31714/26

Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Transport to provide an update on the progress of the N53 road project in County Louth; to detail the timelines for the completion of the phases and the overall completion of the project; and if he will make a statement

Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Transport to provide the latest update on the implementation of the A spine of the BusConnects programme in Dublin; if he will ensure there is adequate resources for service delivery to prevent similar staffing and scheduling issues that arose with … introduction of the F spine of the BusConnects Programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31270/26

Reform and Digitalisation further to Parliamentary Question No. 219 of 27 May 2025, the amount expended to date on the Midleton Flood Relief Project; the currently projected overall cost of the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31591/26

asked the Minister for Education and Youth the name, location, roll number, and current stage of all additional school accommodation scheme school building projects in County Offaly that are currently at the ‘Approved’ or ‘Tender Stage’ and could commence works if additional capital funding was brought forward … estimated capital required for each such project to proceed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31693/26

Deputy John Clendennen asked the Minister for Education and Youth the name, location, roll number, current stage of development for each school building project in County Offaly under the additional school accommodation scheme that is not yet on site; the date it reached that stage; the estimated capital … required for its progression to the next stage; the specific reasons for any delays in projects at the ‘Approved’ or ‘Tender Stage’; the potential impact of increased capital allocation on their commencement; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31694/26

Education and Youth if she can confirm that the addendum has been added to the invitation to tender for the new school building project for (details supplied); to confirm a date for when tenders have to be returned by; to confirm that the project remains on schedule

Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment following on from his announcement of a €250 million allocation to a seed and venture capital programme helping Irish enterprise, the way in which this money will be allocated to SMEs; his views on the growth projections possible within companies who obtain

Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the progress made to date on the commitment in the Programme for Government to support group retrofitting projects, enabling neighbours to upgrade their homes together with guided support to make the process easier and more

Deputy Ged Nash asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance the projected yield from a windfall tax on energy profits, modelled on the same basis as the temporary solidarity contribution in 2022 and 2023, if applied to profits in 2025 and projected profits

Deputy Michael Murphy asked the Minister for Education and Youth when she intends to publish full details of the 2026 July Summer Programme for children with special educational needs; the reason for the delay in issuing this information to schools and families; the steps being taken to ensure … that schools have sufficient time to recruit the necessary staff to deliver the programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30008/26

further to Parliamentary Question No. 2493 of 14 April 2026, to outline the appraisal tools that have been developed in order to select projects that align with programme objectives; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29673/26

further to Parliamentary Question No. 2493 of 14 April 2026, the quarter of 2026 in which decisions will be made on the specific projects agreed upon under the early learning and childcare capital programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29674/26

February 2026 of Government approval of a national electronic health record (EHR) system, the governance model that will apply to the national EHR programme; whether it will be subject to enhanced oversight arrangements through her Department's Major Projects Advisory Group; the way accountability will be maintained across

Deputy Ciarán Ahern asked the Minister for Health the total expenditure to date on the Community Care Record Programme; the projected final cost, and any anticipated additional costs arising from alignment or integration with the One Health Record; and if she will make a statement on the matter

Deputy Ciarán Ahern asked the Minister for Health the risks identified regarding the financial or clinical viability of continuing the Community Care Record Programme in parallel with the development of the One Health Record; whether consideration has been given to pausing or subsuming the programme within the broader

Deputy Aisling Dempsey asked the Minister for Education and Youth to explain the process around School Building Projects; the project process and if there are currently delays in the process. [29148/26

date in advancing reforms to the school transport scheme, and specifically, in the removal of the nearest school criteria; whether additional pilot programmes will be undertaken in 2026/2027; how routes will be selected for any additional pilot programmes; and if she will make a statement on the matter

Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Education and Youth to clarify how routes are selected for inclusion in the pilot programmes being implemented under the reforms to the school transport scheme; the role Bus Éireann plays in this process; and whether County Cork routes … included in the next phase of the pilot programmes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29096/26

Shane Moynihan asked the Minister for Education and Youth the breakdown of the time spent at each stage of the delivery process for projects under the school building programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28460/26

Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality to consider Dublin 15 in the first round of projects under the State-led childcare programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29075/26