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charged and when they were involved in criminality probably many years beforehand. What we need to see with regard to youth diversion are projects that are a means and way we can absolutely divert people away from what will be very costly to them to their victims … society as a whole. I have seen the huge work done by the High Voltage Project, which now has an early intervention piece, that operates out of a house in Cox's Demesne, Dundalk and also the teen youth diversion project operating out of the Muirhevnamor Community Youth

increasingly difficult to undo the damage of being involved in certain criminality once it has happened. We are much better off investing in programmes that save people from ever going down that road or finding themselves in that situation. The value of diversion cannot be overstated … young people who were in the Garda youth diversion programme in 2022 benefited from it. It is impossible to say how effective that programme has been. We do not know how many other young people did not get into that programme and benefit from it. It yields dividends

acknowledge the great work done by the youth services in my area in Fingal east, including Crosscare, Youthreach, the north Fingal youth diversion programme and all the local clubs that work with our young people. Diverting young people from criminal activity must be based on international best practice … line with the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, ensuring young people’s legal rights and safeguards are fully respected. Projects must be community-based, multi-agency initiatives that seek to divert young people who have been involved in antisocial or criminal behaviour or those identified

work of our Department. The Department’s budget for 2025 is €472 million. Of this, €212 million is allocated to the rural development programme, supporting our rural areas to thrive socially and economically. The funding supports a wide range of schemes that can help the rural economy … promote social inclusion. These schemes include the rural regeneration and development fund, the LEADER programme, town and village renewal agus an coiste CLÁR. The remaining €260 million is allocated to the community development area, supporting the economic and social development of communities in both rural and urban areas

proceed. However, the council has not lost any money as a consequence. It is important that it has been asked to submit alternative projects or further details on the proposed projects. The next project the Deputy mentioned, the community garden, is being assessed, and I will keep … progress. It is very important to note that no money is being lost by Louth County Council as a consequence of the two projects not proceeding. We have engaged with the council on why there is concern in the Department about the projects

with additional social and affordable homes. However, I want the Minister's assurance today that the Government is fully committed to funding these projects and regeneration programmes, because I have been informed that Dublin City Council is effectively pausing these projects, namely, Cherry Orchard, Bluebell, Dolphin House … least three years due to a lack of funding from central Government. Will the Government act to restore people's confidence in these projects and to grab the proper funding to accelerate these projects for existing and future tenants and renters

Sorry, the bottom line is the deal was the formation of Government in terms of the programme for Government. The now Minister of State, Deputy Marian Harkin, went through the programme for Government line by line. Deputy Seán Canney, now Minister of State – all the independent group – went … through the programme for Government. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae – Minister of State - went through the programme for Government. Deputy Danny Healy-Rae went through the programme for Government. That was the issue

also incentivises member states to co-operate more on capability development and inter-operability. This very much aligns with the ambitious investment programme for our Defence Forces that is in place to implement the recommendations of the Commission on the Defence Forces and aligns fully with the programme … work on Ireland’s national defence spending and on how we can complement this by working with other member states on common projects to the benefit of us all, including the areas of cyber and maritime security, which are priority areas for Ireland. The European Council met against

security and defence. It does not mean building up military capacity and that that necessarily has to be at the expense of other programmes for Government. If you develop an expertise in helping to withstand and fend off cyberattacks, then that kind of expertise can be spread across … have seen that if we cannot defend against a cyberattack then, to refer to what a previous speaker was saying, every social protection programme or every HSE programme that depends on some kind of digital platform is jeopardised and threatened as a consequence of that. Therefore, when

vital that laws and regulations in Ireland are both fit for purpose and regularly reviewed and updated. The statute law revision programme is Ireland’s national programme to identify obsolete and spent primary and secondary legislation and remove it from Ireland’s Statute Book. The purpose … programme is to repeal legislation which has ceased to be in force due to change of circumstances or the passage of time and legislation which, while technically in force, is no longer of relevance in practice. There has been a particular need for such revision in Ireland because

places extraordinary value on the work done by carers and is committed to continuing to develop these supports, as clearly reflected in the programme for Government. We are acutely aware that carers, particularly young carers, have a complex variety of needs, including social and educational requirements, that must … important we take the time to listen to the voices of carers and hear their stories, experiences and hopes for the sector. The programme for Government has made great strides in responding to many of the concerns that have been raised. This will continue to guide the Government

people to come together, socialise and build friendships. They also many provide many valuable services and crafts in the community. The current programme for Government contains a commitment to “support local groups like Men’s Sheds, Women’s Sheds and Active Retirement communities” and to “Continue to fund … Women’s Sheds”. The local enhancement programme referred to by the Deputy provides small grants to community groups to enhance their facilities. In general, support under the LEP is available to, for example, parish halls, community centres, local development associations and men’s sheds. Under the LEP community

also a question as to whether the Arts Council itself, or any such State organisation, should be responsible for such an IT project or whether the projects should be centralised. This is another question. When will the review be completed? The Minister made the point that not much … this project can be retrieved. What can be retrieved? Is there any indication at this early stage of how much money can be retrieved? What are the consequences? Will this colossal waste of taxpayers' money, which could have been well spent on other projects or even properly spent

Ireland as a career more attractive, I hope. The agreements also provide for new services for patients, including the GP chronic disease management programme, which is having a transformative effect on patient care. In addition, recruitment of GPs from abroad is ongoing under the international medical graduate … rural GP programme, with 114 IMG GPs in practice as of October last. Placement of GPs under that programme is targeted at underserved and, in particular, rural areas. Most important for the future, the number of GP training places available has been increased from

Cabinet committee. It will do important work and no doubt its work will complement that of the child poverty and well-being programme in the Department of the Taoiseach. There has never been a greater awareness of the importance of well-being and wellness in enabling learning … well-being and welfare of children. I would ask the Cabinet committee to prioritise the reduction in the pupil-teacher ratio. The programme for Government sets out to reduce the ratio from the current 21:1 to 19:1. That would have a significant impact on school life

very significant. Will it do every regional and local road across the country? Of course it will not. You must have a works programme as well and the capacity to deliver those programmes. That is what I and the Ministers of State, Deputies Canney and Buttimer, in this … those schemes. We are focused on delivery. People will see significant improvements over the term of this Government. In any annual works programme there is no question that every road within it will be addressed but we will have a significant announcement very shortly in relation

Ireland food-based dietary recommendations for healthy eating. These were developed by a technical working group led by the health and well-being programme of the Department of Health, Safefood and the HSE's healthy eating and active living programme. The Department of Social Protection has an oversight … role in relation to the school meals programme. It conducts regular inspections of schools. Under the existing audit process, 400 schools are inspected annually. Every school must submit a sample menu with its application for the school meals programme. Funding will not be provided for food that does

Government's legislation programme, which was published on 18 February 2025, sets out the Government's legislative priorities for the current parliamentary session. We all understand that it is a shorter session than usual, but we will have a new programme again just after Easter. This … first legislative programme of the new Government, which includes 50 Bills for priority publication and drafting during this Dáil session. There are 14 Bills at various Stages across both Houses of the Oireachtas. These include legislation that will amend the Mental Health Acts, amend the law on defamation

record allocation of €1.35 billion for our defence sector, which is an increase of €100 million on the previous year. A number of projects are currently being progressed under the Air Corps aircraft renewal and replacement programme. The delivery of a third Airbus C-295 aircraft, in military … addition to these procurements, further rotary wing capability will be the subject of a future procurement process beginning in the near term. Projects under the Naval Service vessel renewal and replacement programmes are also being progressed. Two inshore patrol vessels purchased on a government-to-government basis from

accept that the wording she has read out and which her officials have supplied to her directly conflicts with the commitment in the programme for Government to extend the national childcare scheme to childminders who work in the family home? We all understand the current legal position … current status quo. The Minister was part of the negotiation of the programme for Government. It is contained in the programme for Government and is a new policy. Unless she can point me to language in the programme for Government that somehow I am misinterpreting

training and support. That means for children from disadvantaged backgrounds that we build on and expand the positive and fantastic work of DEIS programmes and make sure, working with our youth partners, every young person has the supports needed to fulfil their potential. Bringing all of that together … above all, students. This year we are building on the work that has been done. We have the level 1 and 2 programme statements, which means that for the first time a senior cycle programme has been designed for students with specific educational needs. We have

deliver the services and have responsibility for day-to-day operational matters. That said, I reassure the Deputy that, as outlined in the programme for Government, Securing Ireland’s Future, the Government is strongly committed to enhancing transportation networks and infrastructure development and public transport plays … include those aged five to eight years old and to support the roll-out of new and enhanced bus and rail services under programmes such as BusConnects and Connecting Ireland. The Deputy is right when she says that we can have all those wonderful measures

committed to ensuring that each child with a special educational need has an appropriate school place, in line with their Constitutional right and Programme for Government commitments; further notes: - the continued significant State investment of €2.9 billion in supporting the provision of special education, a 48 per cent … system for special classes; - the introduction of a new pilot to reinstate therapy services onsite in special schools, and the commitment in the Programme for Government to provide for an education led therapy service for special schools; - the funding provided for the training and upskilling of teachers

with the chair of the OPW, along with the Minister of State, Deputy Moran, as regards the specific concerns relating to particular projects. In certain instances, members of the public have been extremely concerned, as indeed I think anyone in the political system is, about particular cost overruns … oversight to ensure value for money and ensure that there is proper standardisation, that the design protocols are in place and that projects can be delivered at a lower cost and in an effective timeframe. That is why, as part of the appraisal for projects under the infrastructure

Right across counties Monaghan and Cavan, for example, many local roads are in an atrocious condition, but there are also major road projects that are included in development plans and in key strategic policies of the Government that were essentially put on hold for the past five years … North to improve connectivity to the north west. Despite the fact the Government has committed, quite rightly, to financially supporting the A5 project, it has essentially cost taxpayers substantial amounts of money by stalling the N2 road project, which is comprised of the Clontibret to the Border road

Deputy Sinéad Gibney asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment 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. [25790/26

Deputy Sinéad Gibney asked the Minister for Defence 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. [25792/26

Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Transport the cost of the Virginia Bypass project to date; and the amount of funding allocated to the project in each of the past ten years, in tabular form. [24760/26

Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Transport for an update on the Lucan Luas project; when this will be delivered; the funding commitments that have been made for the project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25657/26

Deputy Sinéad Gibney asked the Minister for Transport 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. [25805/26

Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Transport the current status of a proposed road project (details supplied); the stage the project is at within his Department’s appraisal, approval, and funding processes; whether any allocations, approvals, or directions have been issued to Mayo County Council since

Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Transport whether road projects (details supplied) have been included, or are under consideration for inclusion, in current or forthcoming national transport investment programmes; the criteria being applied to determine their prioritisation; and if he will make a statement on the matter

Minister for Transport if his Department is considering a second call for funding for new applicants under the Safe Routes to School Programme; when he expects forthcoming rounds under the existing programme to be announced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27321/26

Deputy Sinéad Gibney asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance 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. [25795/26

Deputy Sinéad Gibney asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation 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

Deputy Sinéad Gibney asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment 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. [25794/26

Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Education and Youth to provide an update on the build project for a school (details supplied); if the new 2(a) plans have been received by her Department; when a response is likely to issue and the timeline for the project

Deputy Conor Sheehan asked the Minister for Education and Youth to provide an up-to-date list of school building major projects applications; the current status of each; the length of time it is currently taking to approve each project, in tabular form; and if she will make

Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Education and Youth if the Physical Activity in Teaching and Learning Grant, a pilot programme offering schools up to €10,000 to integrate physical activity into the curriculum, will be available for the 2026-2027 school year; to provide details … planned continuation or expansion of the programme; whether her Department has evaluated the pilot's outcomes to date, including feedback from participating schools, to inform future funding decisions; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25489/26

Deputy Tom Brabazon asked the Minister for Education and Youth for an update on a new school building project (details supplied); the number of tenders received for this project; and the timeline for the commencement of construction. [25629/26

Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Education and Youth for an update regarding an additional accommodation project under the school capital programme (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25752/26

Deputy Sinéad Gibney asked the Minister for Education and Youth 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. [25793/26

aware of the need for additional SEN places in County Meath; her plans to progress the two SEN and one mainstream class building project at a school (details supplied) in order to help meet existing and projected demand; and if she will make a statement on the matter

Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Education and Youth the number of School Completion Programme (SCP) whole time equivalent staff per School Completion Programme (SCP) cluster from 2016 to 2026. [26580/26

Sport whether the Government has engaged with major social media platforms (details supplied) regarding the availability of creator monetisation or creator fund programmes for Irish-based users, noting that certain schemes operate in neighbouring jurisdictions such as the United Kingdom, but are not available here; if no such … intends to raise the matter with these companies; and whether the potential economic and tax implications of Irish creators being excluded from such programmes have been examined; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23747/26

Deputy Sinéad Gibney asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport 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. [25791/26

Deputy Sinéad Gibney asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage 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. [25799/26

Deputy Sinéad Gibney asked the Minister for Social Protection 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. [25803/26

Deputy Sinéad Gibney asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration 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. [25800/26

Deputy Sinéad Gibney asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine 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. [25788/26