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will progress to construction across 2026 and 2027 as part of a two-year rolling programme. Last week, the Minister's Department announced the investment of €90 million in the climate action summer works scheme, which involves the delivery of 297 projects, to support the ongoing investment

next year to just over €7,700 in child support payments. I am delighted the holiday hunger programme, which we ran as a pilot for the past two summers, will now be run on a permanent basis, benefiting more than 40,000 children. I have done … Buttimer, I have secured an outcome of €628 million for the Department in 2027, which will provide €208 million for the rural development programme, €260 million for the community development programme and €160 milliún le haghaidh na Gaeltachta, na n-oileán agus na teanga. Cuidíonn an t-airgead

innately map onto the universities'. In some cases, the legacy job titles, conditions and work programmes did not map either. For example, they did not necessarily work over the summer. In a traditional university, a research professor would have a body of work over the summer months … That is a significant difference. It is not just about giving them a new title, but about looking at their work output, the programmes they take on, enterprise engagement and the leadership role they play in the academic sector and that they are more than capable of playing

housing crisis by implementing Housing for All and the suite of measures outlined in the programme for Government, which will form the basis of the updated plan later this summer. We do not underestimate the scale of the challenge, which is why we are considering every possible lever … critical infrastructure needed to support that housing delivery. In this regard, Housing for All sets out a comprehensive and ambitious multi-annual programme to accelerate and significantly increase the delivery of new homes. This ambition is reflected in the record level of investment that has been provided

come into the Dáil. I thank them for being here and hope they enjoy their summer holidays, which are coming shortly. As the Deputy will be aware, the programme for Government commits to maintaining the Cabinet committee subgroup on insurance reform to ensure insurance issues continue to receive … Éireann. It is my intention, with the co-operation of everyone, that this be passed through the Oireachtas and signed into law this summer. This will be very important. As the Deputy will be aware, this legislation builds on the voluntary code of practice that is currently

this year for projects in those areas. Over the course of the summer recess, we hope to be in a position to announce this year's mobility grants, but it is a really important programme. CLÁR used to be a transformative programme. It is transformative in a different

have to travel. I met some of those people on my visit to Donegal during the summer. It is important to recognise that the Department is reviewing the key programmes and projects in the transport envelope in the context of the national development plan. That capital funding envelope

expected that there will be clarity on these allocations over the course of the summer period, and this will allow 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. Maximising existing

further. It is expected that there will be clarity on these allocations over the course of the summer period, and this will allow my Department to plan its capital investment programme for next year right up to 2030 in line with prioritised needs and reflecting, as appropriate, wider

expect the issue will be brought to the Cabinet before the summer recess. Following that, we will be looking for approval to progress a health and adult safeguarding Bill, which is in the current legislative programme. It is a matter of absolute priority. I am on record

particularly for families on low incomes. In addition, the hot school meals programme is now in virtually all schools. Again, it is a structural change provided for in the base budget. We have a summer meals scheme for children as well. I could add more. There is free … footwear allowance will be paid over the summer months. Childcare costs have reduced this year and for September, and fee caps will be in place. Some 96% of children aged between three and five are now in the early years programme. That demonstrates significant investment in childcare over

allocation will also facilitate the roll-out of projects under the Department’s multi-annual climate action summer works scheme, the completion of the roll-out of the solar PV programme and the EU's REPowerEU retrofit programmes, which will be important elements in supporting the climate agenda

years upwards and operates from January to December annually. The most widely identifiable learners, those we all know of, are those who attend summer college courses from June to August, which cater for young people aged ten - or from third to fifth class - to those aged … adult learners, including public sector workers. In keeping with the spirit of the current programme for Government, which includes a commitment to "Maintain and where possible enhance support for Mná Tí at Gaeltacht summer colleges", I announced an increase to the daily subsidy rate payable to recognised households

carbon tax. Let me deal with that directly. I support the carbon tax, as does the programme for Government. I know that many Opposition parties support the carbon tax. Over the summer months, my Department published tax strategy papers giving consideration to issues and options around carbon

reduce costs. That is something my Department is working on and I will publish it this summer. The intention is to have a standard design akin to the second level school programme. The second tool is the use of enhanced supply and demand data to inform planning

pupils in Coláiste Bhríde and will in the wider context outlined ensure that this project, as for all projects on the school building programme, is subject to the due diligence required under the public infrastructure guidelines. Since 2020, the Department of education has invested more than €6 billion … expected that there will be clarity on these allocations over the summer period and this will allow the Department of Education and Youth to plan its capital investment programme for the 2026 to 2030 period in line with prioritised needs and reflecting, as appropriate, wider Government priorities. Maximising

Department of agriculture to reward farmers who are improving their biodiversity and funded reintroduction programmes for corncrakes, the natterjack toad and curlews. These policies are having a major difference. Last summer I had the opportunity to visit Eamon Sheehan’s derogation dairy farm in Kilkenny. That farm

begin the phasing in of all DEIS plus with identified clusters, which would cost €3 million. We want to expand the City Connects programme to all DEIS band 1 schools, beginning with schools in DEIS plus clusters. The first year costs would be €7.2 million. We want … energy and operational costs would be €18.2 million. We want to extend the summer school meals pilot to all DEIS schools, which would be €3.2 million. We want a 10% increase in school completion programme funding, which would be €3.7 million. We want to appoint 20 additional home

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

patients get the treatment and care within the national cancer control programme timeframes. That is a serious concern. I have one constituent who got a heightened PSA result in summer 2024. It took until November to get an MRI. It was April by the time

public transport network and increasing service levels, as outlined in policies like Connecting Ireland and BusConnects, and as committed to in the programme for Government, the Government will aim to achieve with the providers more balanced regional development and greater connectivity for all public transport users … public transport network. In the latest progress report, published in the summer, comparisons were made between network redesign phases 1 to 5a before launch, from quarter 4 of 2019, and after launch, from 2023. The programme has led to a substantial increase in service levels. Customer satisfaction research

areas. The control of dogs legislation came back in under my Department since last summer with some significant work. I am really happy about that. As part of the negotiating team on the programme for Government I was very keen on this. There had been a fragmented nature

passing a driving test. We are also progressing a significant legislative programme. The national vehicle and driver file Bill is a priority for the current legislative term. I aim to see it enacted before the summer recess. The Bill contains a range of provisions to modernise road safety … single incident receive multiple sets of penalty points. My officials are also progressing the next road traffic Bill to take forward key programme for Government commitments. A general scheme will be presented to the Government in the coming months. Among other things, the Bill will provide

under the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration. This is another important programme for Government commitment, which better aligns the Department's national security responsibilities. The ministerial council will meet again after the summer

said earlier, and I say sincerely, once we get through the summer we should have broader engagement on how we can learn lessons. The Minister and the Government are very committed to the programme. We have seen a huge increase in the number of people using

children under 6 years-of-age, permitting children who have completed their ECCE programme to move in to SAC services for the eight weeks of the summer holidays; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13397/25

Enterprise, Tourism and Employment when the Marine Tourism Strategy, as committed to in the Programme for Government, will be published; and if he will commit to publishing same before the 2026 summer season to allow the sector to plan accordingly. [49493/25

Companies (OMCs) from the Department of Justice to his Department, as committed to in the Programme for Government; and if he will confirm that this transfer will be completed before the Oireachtas summer recess. [30309/25

Education and Youth if there is any reduction of funding for the July provision programme in national schools; if she will commit to restoring and safeguarding this funding to ensure adequate provision for summer 2026 and beyond; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41358/26

asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she will increase funding for summer provision for children with additional needs given that many schools are unable to recruit sufficient teachers to run the programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31279/26

visas for all the applicants for the joint undergraduate accounting programme established between colleges (details supplied), which has been in preparation since 2O21, with this first group of students set to complete two semesters, commencing in the summer of 2025. [38574/25

Education and Youth to consider expanding the summer works scheme to include astro turf surfaces, rather than restricting the funding to play areas, tarmac, and concrete surfaces, as per the proposed development of sporting facilities in education in the Programme for Government; and if she will make

Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport if he will consider initiating a programme akin to Talent Search, operated by the Australian government, whereby children and adolescents are tested for their sporting prowess and given an introduction to sports they may never have experienced … before with a view to making the country more competitive across a wider field of sports at the Summer Olympic Games. [34738/25