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target, in setting this rate, the Government was clear that no level of child poverty is acceptable, and this is reflected in the programme for Government. The Department of the Taoiseach's child poverty and well-being programme office continues to lead and drive this important work … broader access to the fuel allowance and the back-to-school clothing and footwear allowance, and an expansion of the hot school meals programme. These build on important programmes already under way that work to reduce child poverty, such as free schoolbooks, free GP visit cards and early

needed. What is also critically needed is investment in our grid. For argument's sake, I will use the example of a capital project that should have been completed already and that needs to be completed without delay, namely, the North-South interconnector. There have been four reviews … agreement on this as well. This one piece of infrastructure will do more for the resilience of our electricity grid than any other project, and that needs to start. I expect cross-party support, from both the Government and Opposition, to commence work on this and to deliver

Strong support for this project has also come from the shared island unit in the Department of the Taoiseach in respect of developing the two-year programme. That is important. It is also important that we are undertaking this project on an all-island basis, because … served their country. I will certainly continue to ensure that the Department engages with the Deputy on his ideas to make sure the project and the presidents’ trail are as impactful as possible and that any ideas in this regard are used and brought to reality. I recognise

drawing down the money. I assure him that those conversations are happening. We want to, and we have delivered the message that, these projects need to progress. The Government allocated the projects funding with the objective of seeing them come to fruition. Between the two rounds … applicants across the country have received funding. The projects probably would never have been able to get off the ground or be in a position to be viable without this State investment. We do need to see them move forward, however. This is not something that is going

that illustrates a broader problem. I will refer to one school but I am referring to a broader issue with the school summer programme. There was a delay, and the Minister of State is aware of this, in releasing the programme. Only in the past few weeks have … make. Nobody wants to make lists when everyone on the list has a need and should have an entitlement to access the programme. The school now has to cut students from the programme, which is really awful. What did the school do? It certainly did not sit around

That would be very welcome. The Minister of State said, and we agree on this, that the programme has a positive impact on the many children and young people who have taken part, and that parents, staff and the children themselves report improvements in confidence, attitude and readiness … have a place? They may not, though, have a place, when the Minister of State himself acknowledged that this is a programme that works. It is a decent programme that the kids and the school community benefit from. It should not be this hard for the teachers

includes a range of measures to support local authorities in meeting this ambition. These include a streamlined approval process for social housing projects, greater use of standardised designs and modern methods of construction, enhanced land acquisition supports, dedicated housing delivery teams in every local authority and financial incentives … these social housing measures, the plan reinforces and expands the range of affordable housing supports already being delivered, including the new starter homes programme, which aims to provide an average of 15,000 starter home supports annually to 2030. To underpin this ambition, the Government is investing

Education and Youth. The introduction of DEIS plus represents the most significant expansion of targeted education support since the establishment of the DEIS programme. The scheme is designed to provide enhanced supports to a small cohort of schools with the highest concentration of children and young people experiencing … school community in supporting pupils and families. It is important to stress that although the school was not identified under the DEIS plus programme, it does not mean that disadvantage is not present within the school community. St. Dominic's National School remains a DEIS urban band

ensure it is built. The Critical Infrastructure Bill is in the Seanad. We will stand up a process, following its enactment, on what projects are designated and when. Speaking generally, obviously if a project is in the early phase of design or development, it may not be ready … want to ensure that across the transport, water, and energy sectors and in certain instances, in health infrastructure, we designate and fast track projects. Part of that will be through the provisions of the Critical Infrastructure Bill and part of it through the wider reforms we are introducing

thank the Minister. Again, this question is not about Uisce Éireann’s capital programme. It is about whether the Minister will look at the current status of wastewater treatment as a national scandal, one that has huge negative consequences for the environment and all our communities, whether rural … coastal or urban. The Minister accepts that wastewater is critical infrastructure. All that remains is for him to determine whether a large project in a city has more virtue than a smaller one in rural communities. I hope he will also give that consideration. It is about

Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire Stáit. The same school has an issue with the summer programme as well. On the school's notification of the summer programme, the quantum has arrived three months later than last year and the school still does not know how many places … came up during the general election campaign. I remember talking to teachers who were really struggling to make their plans for the summer programme because they were hearing about their resources quite late in the cycle. Will the Minister of State give us any assurance or information? What

summer programme is hugely valued within school communities and families. That just goes to show the huge number of families and students who have applied for the programme across the system. It came up again at the Oireachtas committee on education yesterday when the Minister and I were … reflecting very carefully on the concerns that were raised about the summer programme into 2026 and the challenges there were for a number of schools and students. We are reflecting very carefully on that but of course we have to be very mindful also that we have

Department. Local authorities may also draw on their respective internal capital receipts, and the Department of housing's planned maintenance and voids programme, energy efficiency retrofit programme, and disabled persons grants scheme, to support non-essential works that can be carried out in the long term. In this … regard, Clare County Council projected that some €600,000 or so would be on hand via its internal capital receipts at the end of 2025, while a further €3.4 million is available to the council this year through the Department's stock improvement programmes. Ultimately, the delivery

will be aware, for the past several years, the Department of Defence has been collaborating with Kildare County Council on the Curragh consultancy project, seeking to develop a suitable future management method and to highlight the importance and significance of the heritage associated with the Curragh Plains … project came to completion in December 2024 when the Curragh Plains conservation management plan and the associated branding, interpretation and wayfinding strategy were published. The consultation process identified the need for a review of the Curragh by-laws and the Curragh of Kildare Act, with potential amendments

decreasing. One of the successful things we have been able to do is decouple economic growth from emissions. The EPA's latest projections predict we are likely to either achieve our first carbon budget or marginally exceed it, as well as showing significant emissions reductions across major sectors … dismissed. Emissions from electricity generation are estimated to reduce by between 53% and 60% by 2030. With additional measures, we are projected to meet our overall Carbon Budget 1 programme target, with only three sectors set to miss their 2025 sectoral emissions ceilings: transport, industry and public

data centres need a constant stream of energy, we need to reduce curtailment and the dispatch down. This code index can help renewable projects. The Irish public is currently paying fossil fuel prices for energy when we have tens if not hundreds of renewable projects waiting for grid … things take time, but it is done and has the Office of Parliamentary Legal Advisers, OPLA, stamp. It will help SMEs, community energy projects and battery storage. It contains a line that would make any project being used by a private company give a proportionate amount

elected by the people, vote money in respect of Uisce Éireann and need a more simplified and straightforward avenue of communication on various projects and issues, and also on the acceleration of projects. The Minister, Deputy Chambers, has spoken to the Deputy. There has been … progress made on some of the big projects, but we need to get more on the towns-based ones in terms of wastewater treatment solutions, and even more than that. In response to Deputy Shane Moynihan, I am fully behind DART+ South West. I have spoken

Taoiseach in 2020 - increased by €1 billion in the last budget, which is very welcome. It has supported a wide range of projects, cultural and community groups and infrastructural projects, which the Taoiseach outlined his reply. As Chair of the Good Friday Agreement committee, I have seen first … made and, indeed, the popularity of the funding itself. Some €100 million of the shared island fund is for a new multi-annual programmes that deepen co-operation and connections across the island. The Taoiseach mentioned sustainable tourism, nature restoration, the important Dublin-Derry airlink service

oversight. Just last week, we learned that Irish Rail effectively had to write off €50 million on a failed IT project, a traffic management system that was meant to modernise the rail network. That is €50 million down the drain. It was not a minor project … described as central to how the railway network would be managed but it failed. This is an Irish Rail project but the NTA is the approving and overseeing authority for Irish Rail, so we need some oversight. Why was there no intervention in this instance? Before we extend

likelihood of antisocial behaviour. The visual and intrusive impact were also raised, as was spending millions of euro of public money on the project that could instead be spent on much-needed community projects. The irony is that the transport authorities are proposing – I have raised it with … have as well. I want to mention an issue that is not in my constituency but that does relate to accountability and transport projects. I did not know about this until I came across it today. It concerns the proposal for the Navan rail line. Obviously, Navan

priority publication list for the spring session. Then it was moved to the priority publication list for the summer legislative programme and it was only published in mid May. I am confused as to why this was the case, particularly because at the joint Oireachtas committee … fact the Bill has finally been published, that question about why so much time has been lost is really important. The Government's Project Ireland 2040 strategy was published in 2018, and it set out that the Cork BusConnects project would be completed by 2027. The phased implementation

they might not hear this articulated, the national development plan and the sectoral investment plan for transport has €24 billion in funding of projects nationwide. I reiterate that I accept the frustrations articulated and spoken about in the Chamber tonight. We have a four-year plan for transport … investment. It is an ambitious programme of investment in infrastructure and services that reflects Government's determination to build a transport system which is efficient and low-carbon but also responsive to the evolving needs of the travelling public, and also based on our economic needs. In listening

County Kildare received significant capital funding for sports infrastructure over the past number of years. Specifically on Sallins Park community sports centre, this project is currently being assessed at approval gate 1. Required documentation has been examined by the Department, which sought updated information on some aspects … Department expects the project will pass approval gate 1 in the coming weeks. The Department and Kildare County Council are in regular contact regarding the project. It is clear the Government is committed to the success of Irish sport with record investment in our sport facilities, supporting

Cabinet subcommittee meeting, with a view to those companies presenting to us the full map of Ireland with all the various upgrades and projects. We are talking about a couple of hundred projects here and that will need political support. What will happen is that in different localities … There is a fantastic greenway there now but I hear what the Deputy is saying. There is huge investment in the commuter rail project in Cork. It is fantastic. All the stations are being built and that development is, and will be, phenomenal. The Midleton rail line

thank the Minister of State, Deputy O'Sullivan, who I appreciate had to step out, for his continued commitment to biodiversity projects, nature restoration and engagement with rural communities. I say this to acknowledge a visit he made with me to Cloughjordan in my constituency last November. This … visit involved a number of stops, one of which was Scohaboy Bog, which is a rewetting project in north Tipperary. It is extremely successful and it is Tipperary's leading peatland restoration project. It involves a lot of community work and engagement with the Cloughjordan Community Development Association

Deputy Marie Sherlock asked the Minister for Defence to provide a list of all State agencies within her Department that allocate programme and project funding to section 39, section 56 and section 10 organisations; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14387/26

Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Defence is she will publish the Capability Development Programme 2028 to 2032, and also the programme to 2040; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14944/26

Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Defence if the NDP 2030 allocation for the armoured fleet replacement programme will be used to replace the Mowag Piranha; if it is envisioned that the Mowags will be replaced in the next NDP allocation; when she envisages the programme will

Deputy Marie Sherlock asked the Minister for Transport to provide a list of all State agencies within his Department that allocate programme and project funding to section 39, section 56 and section 10 organisations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14400/26

Deputy Marie Sherlock asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance to provide a list of all State agencies within his Department that allocate programme and project funding to section 39, section 56 and section 10 organisations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14390/26

Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation to provide a list of all State agencies within his Department that allocate programme and project funding to section 39, section 56 and section 10 organisations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14396/26

Street and Kildare Street entrances to Leinster House and at the Merrion Street entrance to Government Buildings; to provide an update on the projected timeframe for reinstatement in each case; to provide detailed costings on all associated works and related costs to date, and any further projected costs

Marie Sherlock asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment to provide a list of all State agencies within his Department that allocate programme and project funding to section 39, section 56 and section 10 organisations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14389/26

Deputy Marie Sherlock asked the Minister for Education and Youth to provide a list of all State agencies within her Department that allocate programme and project funding to section 39, section 56 and section 10 organisations; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14388/26

development of the Kilkenny Schools Campus site; if the funding of €5 million announced by the previous Minister will be confirmed; if the project will be approved for the next phase of the development given that at the end of 2025, the enabling works were substantially completed with … tender report for pre-qualification of construction contractors has been submitted to her Department for sanction; her Department are awaiting adjudication of the project by the NTMA; the KCETB are now the legal owner of the Kilkenny Schools Campus site and €3.5 million has already been spent

Marie Sherlock asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport to provide a list of all State agencies within his Department that allocate programme and project funding to section 39, section 56 and section 10 organisations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14386/26

Sherlock asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to provide a list of all State agencies within his Department that allocate programme and project funding to section 39, section 56 and section 10 organisations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14394/26

Deputy Marie Sherlock asked the Minister for Social Protection to provide a list of all State agencies within his Department that allocate programme and project funding to section 39, section 56 and section 10 organisations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14398/26

Sherlock asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration to provide a list of all State agencies within his Department that allocate programme and project funding to section 39, section 56 and section 10 organisations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14395/26

Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the current status of the HAP25 Afghan Community Sponsorship Programme; whether the 50 places approved for Afghans in need of protection in 2026 have now been opened for applications; the reason for the delay; when … programme will formally open for 2026; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14838/26

Sherlock asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to provide a list of all State agencies within his Department that allocate programme and project funding to section 39, section 56 and section 10 organisations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14383/26

Marie Sherlock asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality to provide a list of all State agencies within her Department that allocate programme and project funding to section 39, section 56 and section 10 organisations; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14384/26

Deputy Marie Sherlock asked the Minister for Health to provide a list of all State agencies within her Department that allocate programme and project funding to section 39, section 56 and section 10 organisations; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14393/26

Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health the State funded or HSE-funded training programmes which are currently available to general practitioners in the assessment and management of suicidal ideation and self-harm in children and adolescents; whether her Department or the HSE maintains data … participation in such training; the number of general practitioners who have completed suicide prevention training, including organisations (details supplied) or equivalent programmes in the past five years; whether the adequacy of GP training supports in managing child and adolescent suicidal presentations has been formally reviewed in view

Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science to provide a list of all State agencies within his Department that allocate programme and project funding to section 39, section 56 and section 10 organisations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14392/26

Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht to provide a list of all State agencies within his Department that allocate programme and project funding to section 39, section 56 and section 10 organisations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14397/26

Trade the total amount of funding provided in each of the years 2022, 2023 and 2024 through core contributions to multilateral organisations; the programme support cost percentage applied by each such organisation to Ireland’s contribution; and the resulting estimated monetary value of programme support costs deducted from

Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment if consideration will be given to the funding by his Department of the EU LIFE Programme should funding be cut to projects in Ireland at an EU level; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13962/26

Defence whether service-specific retention targets have been set for the Naval Service and Air Corps in light of previous staffing pressures; the projected staffing levels required to meet full operational capacity in each service; and whether current recruitment and retention trends are sufficient to meet those projected

Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Education and Youth to provide an update on the new school building project for a school (details supplied); to outline when the second tranche of new school building projects will be announced; if the school will be prioritised