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facing. The motion from Sinn Féin identifies real constraints but it does not really offer real reform. As an Independent Deputy supporting the programme for Government I will vote in favour of the Government's amendment, not because everything is perfect but because I am committed … programme for Government, which lays foundations for real structural change. One of these structural changes, which was a key priority for me in negotiations, was the progression of private wires legislation. If we are serious about accelerating housing delivery and building the infrastructure of the future, then

would expect Deputy O'Hara and all interested Members to have an input into that. We have also committed in the programme for government to a new regional airports policy, the regional airports programme 2026-2030, and the preparatory work on that is being done. That does … want to see continued growth in aviation and I have already referenced some of the numbers across all of our airports. We are projecting some 40.39 million passengers for 2025 across all airports, although that is a projection and it comes with a bit of a health warning

policy and overall funding for public transport. The NTA has responsibility for the development of public transport infrastructure including ticketing and technology projects. The next generation ticketing project is very significant and will provide a transformative upgrade to the ticketing system for public transport passengers in Ireland … project will facilitate a variety of payment methods on public transport services. This will involve a new-generation account-based ticketing scheme that incorporates both mobile and card-based payments for passengers. As the Deputy outlined in his original contribution, a competitive procurement process was concluded in April

route for the Cork Luas, but major questions remain. We do not know how much the Government intends to invest in this crucial project. We do not know if a second north-south route is planned. Crucially, we do not know when the Cork Luas will open. This … project cannot be left like the Dublin metro, which has been delayed now by 25 years. There is a history of announcements of key infrastructure projects in Cork that are never delivered. These include the events centre, the new city library and the motorway to Limerick

responsibility of primary schools, while more than two fifths believe that faith formation should not take place at all during school hours; — the Programme for Government: Our Shared Future of the 33rd Dáil, contained a target of at least 400 multi-denominational primary schools by 2030, "to improve … with only 20 changing from a religious to a multi-denominational ethos over the past decade; and — "Securing Ireland's Future", the current Programme for Government, contains no target at all on multi-denominational schools; further notes that: — the previous Government had committed to holding a Citizens' Assembly

unsuitable temporary facilities and need a new school building. In the wider area, there are three primary schools, the North Dublin National School Project in my own constituency and Grace Park and Glasnevin Educate Together national schools. Parents from all over Dublin North-West send their children … which I mentioned. The barriers to accessing multidenominational education are numerous and real. This motion is about changing that. It highlights that the programme for Government in the last Dáil contained a target of at least 400 multidenominational primary schools by 2030 to improve parental choice

over nine weeks since food, medicines and other essential supplies have been allowed to enter Gaza. We have reports from the World Food Programme that food supplies are running out, with famine now a real risk for many in Gaza. Ireland and its EU partners have repeatedly urged … established a new accession assistance fund to help candidate countries reach EU standards. These are tangible signs of our belief in the European project and our commitment to shaping its future. As we look ahead to Ireland’s EU Presidency in 2026, we intend to keep enlargement high

groups, academics, trade unions, anti-poverty groups, equality and human rights groups, led by the National Women's Council of Ireland; acknowledges: — the Programme for Government commitment for the first time to public provision and to capital investment to build or purchase State-owned childcare facilities … inclusion in the Programme for Government to commit to "undertake a broad consultation and publish a detailed action plan to build an affordable, high-quality, accessible early childhood education and care system with State-led facilities adding capacity"; calls on Government to: — publish the terms of reference

policy statement is to "[p]rovide opportunities for all learners to take part in STEM through informal, co-curricular, and extra-curricular programmes". In line with this, the Department is proud to support national extracurricular programmes that encourage innovation, inquiry and participation. This includes funding for the Young … Scientist and Technology Exhibition, SciFest, ESB Science Blast and the Engineers Ireland STEPS Programme. These initiatives inspire thousands of learners every year and help to promote creativity, problem-solving and teamwork in fun and engaging ways. The Department greatly values the voice and contributions of young people

Court play a crucial role in maintaining harmonious industrial relations by providing guidance and resolving disputes. In line with the commitment in the programme for Government, we will continue to support the central role of the WRC and the Labour Court in industrial relations and employment rights. Recent … also established a new employment law review group, which will advise me on matters of employment law in accordance with its work programme. I was pleased to appoint the members of the group earlier this year, and to welcome the group officially at its inaugural plenary meeting

years of age since it began with free education. The Deputy raised the issue of Kilcredan National School. A number of pilot projects were initiated over the past year or so. It is one of the pilot projects. We have to allow the full year to go through … Department and Bus Éireann are evaluating all the pilot projects where they provide a valuable insight into the impact of increasing demand for the schemes and the potential for integrating public transport with the school transport system where it is possible, which is not always possible in rural

roll-out of the free HRT programme on 1 June. I commend the work of the Government on trying to progress this. However, I must represent the significant concerns raised with me about the feasibility of the implementation of the programme as it currently stands. Independent pharmacies … seeking to profit from implementing this programme, but the Taoiseach must admit that they should be able to break even when doing so. The Irish Pharmacy Union has published independent research that suggests that €6.50 is the appropriate service fee that should be available to pharmacists when implementing

seen as an instrument of delivery when it comes to adequate roads infrastructure for places such as Rathcoole, Saggart and Newcastle. Infrastructure projects listed in the South Dublin county development plan, such as that relating to the western Dublin orbital route, need to be advanced. Those projects need … already happened. It must be remembered that we are playing catch-up in this regard. There needs to be urgency in respect of projects such as the Luas for Lucan, which is listed in the greater Dublin transport strategy, in order to ensure that further development will happen

supported more than 24,000 children with additional needs to access and meaningfully participate in the early childhood care and education, ECCE, programme since 2020. In September 2024, AIM was expanded beyond time spent in the ECCE programme for ECCE-aged children. These children can now access … Data show that approximately 96% of AIM level 7 applications result in a recommendation for either a single or shared support. For this programme year to date, more than 9,000 children have been approved for targeted supports under AIM. A table showing a breakdown of targeted supports

used for any purpose other than that intended, nor is there any evidence of non-compliance with the terms and conditions of the programme in respect of the grant or on the part of the grantee. I will respond to the Deputy directly with more detail … process that covers departmental capital grants and departmental capital expenditure. The unit is working to design and implement a risk-based capital inspection programme to cover an appropriate percentage and volume of capital grants and expenditure, including both the community sport facilities fund and the large-scale sport

Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth. The National Gallery of Ireland targets young people, aged 16 to 25, as a key audience with dedicated programmes supported by the Apollo Foundation. The gallery's youth panel curates events and festivals engaging thousands of young people annually. Creative Ireland's youth … Cruinniú na nÓg annual day of creativity involves over 1,000 events across Ireland. The creative youth nurture fund supports various projects, enhancing access to arts and culture. Post-primary schools and Youthreach centres participate in creative youth programmes, such as creative schools and creative clusters, promoting arts

December 2024, Uisce Éireann took over 50 areas where raw sewage was discharging untreated into the environment. Many of these areas required complex projects to plan and to deliver, and three of them were Killala, Belmullet and Newport in County Mayo. Given the scale of the challenge … locations under construction across the country. This means 41 out of the 50 locations either have brand new infrastructure in place or have projects under construction. There are plans for the rest, prioritising the areas where it can make the biggest impacts first. Two projects have been completed

meet the future needs of public transport in that area. As the Minister of State will be aware, one of the largest housing projects in Dublin city is under construction in Poolbeg, on the famous glass bottle site, with already 500 homes built there and 3,500 homes … people have the public transport infrastructure they need. There is a lot of criticism in this country about how we deliver major infrastructural projects, but one project that was delivered on budget and on time was the last major extension of the Luas, the Luas cross city

infrastructure based in south Kilkenny. It will not realise its full potential without improved east-west connectivity. There is a commitment in the programme for Government to invest in all road projects in the current national development plan, with multi-annual funding clarity for road budgets so that … agencies can plan accordingly. The N24 Waterford to Cahir project is listed in the NDP and, therefore, will be funded under the programme for Government. I require an assurance from the Government as to when the project will be funded and how quickly we can get it over

preschool from special educational needs, SEN, support. Deputy Malcolm Byrne - To discuss the introduction of a youth culture card as promised in the programme for Government. Deputy Edward Timmins - To discuss individual county council house building targets from 2025 until 2030 and actuals from 2020 to 2024. Deputy … additional steps needed to interrupt drug gang activity. Deputy Catherine Callaghan - To discuss the impact of Uisce Éireann infrastructural deficits on housing projects in Carlow-Kilkenny. Deputy Joanna Byrne - To discuss dangerous and unsafe working conditions in the ambulance station in Drogheda and the removal of rapid response

there were approximately 417,000 ticket visitors to Kilkenny Castle and 780,000 to the parkland. The OPW delivers an annual programme of maintenance and conservation at the castle. Planned maintenance works, including mechanical and electric works and window maintenance, continue to be undertaken. Painting and decorating, cabling … approach for conducting the forthcoming development works, including courtyard resurfacing that will take place as part as of the major development of the project. The OPW has secured planning permission for major conservation work to improve accessibility to the castle. These proposed works will facilitate universal access

issue of infrastructure. We are too slow at delivering infrastructure. This is why when we came together to form this Government, the programme for Government was very clear on expanding the mandate of the Department of public expenditure to also include a new division on infrastructure delivery … issue of infrastructure so we can remove bottlenecks, if Deputy Byrne will pardon the pun, and try to drive forward these projects. The Government is not anti-roads. Let me be very clear, in that there is a new Government and the Government made up of Fine Gael

bring plants that are not compliant at the moment into compliance. Another €3 billion of it is for the Shannon project. What the Government is saying, then, is that the Government has €2 billion over five years to produce an additional 30,000 houses every year … bull's clue of what is going on in this country in terms of trying to supply water and sewerage plants for the projects in question. Last year, the budget for subcontractors working for Irish Water on repairs, leaks and maintenance was gone by August and 500 subcontractors

farmer markets and organic food markets. In 2023 the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine awarded €1.1 million to 12 projects to promote and develop the organic sector over 2023 and 2024. One of the successful applications was to hold an organic food fair in Merrion Square … markets in all towns, showcasing local food produce from local farmers, growers and food producers". There were over 90 applications, and 16 successful projects were announced in January this year. Many of these will be supporting local food markets, but none is Dublin based, unfortunately. A total

socialise outside of school, they have a particular focus on that. As a result of this, Galway City Partnership established Ballinfoile youth activities project, which aims to provide free activities for children from the ages of five to 16. Since its launch in January 2024, it has engaged … with 80 children every week which is fantastic. It also has 40 children on its waitlist. It is looking to expand what the project can offer and make sure they can put it on a sustainable footing in terms of a funding model. That is why I wanted

Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the projected number of additional training places planned between 2026 and 2027 and 2027 and 2028 for speech and language therapy, occupational therapy and physiotherapy programmes; and if he will make a statement

Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Defence the annual intake and completion numbers for Air Corps pilot and technical training programmes for each of the past five years; and whether current training capacity aligns with projected staffing requirements under the Equipment Development Plan. [29317/26

Pearse Doherty asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance to outline his Department's view of the Central Bank's substantially higher surplus projections; and how he can, in light of these projections, justify not reducing fuels to affordable levels; and if he will make a statement

asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation for an update on progress made under the Statute Law Revision Programme following the enactment of the Statute Law Revision Act 2024; the primary and secondary legislation identified and repealed to date under the programme

Deputy David Maxwell asked the Minister for Education and Youth the current status of the additional school accommodation project for a school (details supplied); the timeline for the next stages of delivery; when further correspondence will issue to the school community, in light of the fact that funding … been formally approved by her Department and planning permission has been granted by Monaghan County Council, and given that the project has been ongoing since 2023. [17297/26

Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the expected impact of the recently announced €1 million in funding for nine digital and assistive technology projects under the HSE CREATE III initiative; the way in which these projects will enhance participation and supports for people with sensory, cognitive, physical

Innovation and Science for an update on the National eMobility Capability Centre (NeMCC) announced for Mullingar in 2023; the current status of the project; the amount of funding allocated and drawn down to date; the reasons for any delay; the expected date on which the centre will become … operational; the projected annual training capacity; the permanent premises identified for the centre; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29551/26

date; the Department's estimate of the EV technician workforce required to service the national EV fleet over the next five years; the projected shortfall, if any, between current training output and projected demand; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29546/26

Garda stations across County Offaly in 2025; the nature and scope of works carried out at each station; the total expenditure per project; and whether each project was completed on time and within budget; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29128/26

upgrade, refurbishment or capital works in 2026; the nature and scope of works planned for each station; the budget allocated to each project; the current status of each project, including design, procurement or construction stage; and the expected timelines for delivery; and if he will make a statement

Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation the number of public private partnership contracts the State awarded for national infrastructure projects from 2022-2025; to provide a breakdown of the costs to the Exchequer for each of these projects, in tabular form

Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation the number of infrastructure projects completed by public State bodies from 2022 to 2025; to provide a breakdown of the costs to the Exchequer for each of these projects, in tabular form

provide a new daycare centre at Abbeyleix Hospital, otherwise known as Abbeyleix nursing unit; the progress that has been made; the stage the project is at; the next steps for the project; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28406/26

Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health the Department’s projections for future obesity prevalence in Ireland; the projected healthcare expenditure associated with obesity to 2030 and 2040; the expected impact on health service capacity, workforce demand and public expenditure; and if she will make

Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science to confirm that adequate funding is in place for Research Irelands Postgraduate Scholarship Programme and Postdoctoral Fellowship Programme following reports from an organisation (details supplied) that staff have been informed of a cut to funding

Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will confirm whether a decision has been taken to terminate the Postgraduate Scholarship Programme and the Postdoctoral Fellowship Programme administered by Research Ireland; the timeline for this decision; and if he will make a statement on the matter

Deputy Johnny Guirke asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht the total investment in Offaly projects since the introduction of the LEADER programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28080/26

Development and the Gaeltacht further to Parliamentary Question No. 3497 of 14 April 2026, if he will provide a breakdown of the specific projects in Country Louth that have been approved through the outdoor recreation scheme in the Drogheda area; and the associated funding allocated to each project

Development and the Gaeltacht further to Parliamentary Question No. 3497 of 14 April 2026, if he will provide a breakdown of the specific projects that have been approved under the community centre investment fund (CCIF ) in the Drogheda area; and the associated funding allocated to each project

McCormack asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation to detail the level of funding allocated to regional infrastructure projects under current capital expenditure programmes and the criteria used to determine allocations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25719/26

Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Education and Youth for an update on a building project for a school (details supplied); the phases of the project; the pieces of the plan delivered in each phase; the date for completion and opening; and if she will make

Deputy Eoin Hayes asked the Minister for Social Protection to list all academic or independent research projects on unemployment, jobseeker activation or welfare conditionality that his Department has commissioned, funded or co-funded, formally collaborated on or granted access to administrative data for, in each of the past … three years; and to provide the titles of such projects; the institutions involved; the nature of his Department’s engagement in each case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27375/26

Deputy Sinéad Gibney asked the Taoiseach to provide a list of AI pilot projects which have taken place in his Department within the past three months; the expenditure associated with those projects; and whether they are still ongoing, in tabular form. [25804/26

Deputy Sinéad Gibney asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade to provide a list of AI pilot projects which have taken place in her Department within the past three months; the expenditure associated with those projects; and whether they are still ongoing, in tabular form. [25796/26

Climate, Energy and the Environment if he will address the need for urgent additional funding for Bord na Móna bog rewetting and walkway projects to protect employment under the PCAS Programme (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25196/26