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thank the Minister. It is great to see that more than €43 million has been invested in 27 projects across County Cork to date since 2018 when the RRDF came into existence. There have been many in my area, as the Minister of State outlined. The first … huge difference to the mart, which is located on that road. Likewise, in Ballydesmond in north Cork there is a fantastic public realm project and a pocket park being opened for the community. It was great to see former Deputy, Heather Humphreys there when she was Minister

need has been identified. This is an unprecedented level of investment but there continues to be a need for further investment. The programme for Government makes a commitment to do this. I am delighted to say that this morning, my Department launched the 2026 CCIF, which will support … will provide funding of up to €100,000. The scheme will open for online applications at the end of May and all successful projects will be announced before the end of the year. I encourage any community group interested in enhancing its community centre to use the coming

Dáil. The Minister and I share the Deputy's view on tackling social disadvantage. The social inclusion and community activation programme, SICAP, is our country's primary social inclusion intervention programme, overseen by our Department. It is a national programme delivered in rural and urban areas by local … local, social economic and environmental services through a social enterprise model. We will have further news on the CSP in light of the programme for Government commitments later in the month

thank the three Deputies for their supplementaries and I will try to rattle through them as quickly as possible. Regarding the emigrant support programme, as I laid out, this year the budget will be €17.5 million. That is the biggest it has ever been. Part of that … where about 36 million people claim Irish ancestry, be Irish, Ulster-Scots, or Scots-Irish. That is why the Government launched a strong programme marking the 250th anniversary of the US Declaration of Independence, which was signed by many Irish people and has a strong connection to Ireland

first time. I mentioned some of the changes which are going to take place this year. We are looking at some complex transformational projects which are trying to future-proof the service overall to provide a better customer experience, business continuity and safeguarding of the integrity … Irish passport, which has resulted in some of the increase in numbers as well. We are looking to deliver customer relations solutions projects and facial recognition technology as part as our overall service. We have a passport redesign project and a passport online project as well. These will

been told. The Department is working through a mica strategy for schools, which it will develop this year. This will involve adopting a programme approach to the issue but will provide a pathway for schools currently waiting on remediation of mica issues and any schools affected into … future. I am told it is doing this in partnership with Donegal Education and Training Board. As part of this programme approach, an assessment will be done on overall accommodation requirements in each of the relevant areas to determine what scale of accommodation is required over the medium

school campuses. On foot of this debate, we need to make sure that the practical steps are being taken as regards the project team and planning permission, and on to other work. We need to make sure that we have sight of this and that there is meaningful … always huge excitement with amalgamations but we must follow that up with actions. There are particular building blocks to make sure a project is completed or started so we need to make sure that those blocks are in place and that there is real, tangible movement. I give

five years, which represents a 38 per cent increase on the allocation for the previous five years; further recognises that: — in line with Programme for Government commitments, the Garda Training Review Group is working to identify delivery options to increase the scale and capacity of high-quality education … overall Garda workforce has increased from 15,980 in 2016 to 18,276 in 2026; — the Government has committed in the Programme for Government to funding the recruitment of 5,000 Gardaí and additional Garda staff by 2030; — interest in a career in An Garda Síochána is high

development plan, NDP, review's sectoral investment plan for transport was a damp squib that pushed back the start dates of vital transport projects. The reality is that too many people in Ireland remain dependent on their cars because they have no viable alternative. Public transport is simply … active travel expansion, improved bus services in our rural communities, light rail for cities such as Cork and Galway and the DART+ projects. I am delighted to see that the MetroLink for Dublin's north side is progressing, but we want to see its expansion out to Dublin

period from 2025 to 2028. The Department's mission is to support the Taoiseach and the Government, including in the implementation of the programme for Government, through principled leadership and joined-up governance; by co-ordinating Government activity to ensure effective, inclusive and timely decision-making; by providing … commemorations; public communications and information, emergency management and civic engagement; and Civil Service and public service leadership and renewal. Supporting implementation of the programme for Government is at the core of the Department's mission. The policy priorities outlined in the statement of strategy, which align with

before the health committee last October, it was very clear about the need for multi-annual ring-fenced funding for the strategy. The programme for Government commits to developing a multi-annual funding approach for the entire health service. However, multi-annual health service funding has been promised … time to mitigate frequent breakdowns. This means it is losing a quarter of its capacity on any given day. I accept a replacement programme is finally under way in the St. Luke’s network but why do machines have to reach breaking point before action is taken

patients. I previously received confirmation that it was at stage 1 - design. Could the Minister of State say where exactly this vital capital project for University Hospital Kerry is at now? Sadly, when we look at RIP notices, the number of references to palliative care in respect … lips is what is causing it. Is it the food we eat, the air we breathe or the water we drink? This project is extremely important to us in Kerry, and I am anxious that it proceed as soon as possible. Delays only mean an escalation in cost

moment, while Gaelscoil Chluain Dolcáin is full and needs the new space and needs the space that is part of the school building project. The reason I am here today is because a decision has been taken by the Department in the past few months that will adversely … will mean for both schools. It was agreed that both these schools would be 16-classroom buildings and that was the initial project that was agreed on. However, at planning stage, following a request from the Department, both schools agreed to include extensions for two additional classrooms that

understand the Government does not have any say over what ESB Networks does but, at the same time, it has influence. Both projects have effectively been told that ESB Networks needs two months simply to complete a capacity review and only after that will it be known whether … last September seeking a reconnection, could remain idle with workers waiting to return to employment. At the same time, a major State infrastructure project could remain delayed, leaving taxpayers to continue to bear the cost while construction timelines slip further and further. Businesses and public bodies understand that

Dublin City Council was allocated €179.7 million in URDF funding for two proposals across the north and south inner city, comprising 27 different projects. In 2023, almost €9.5 million of funding from the URDF was made available to Dublin City Counil for the Iveagh Markets project when … substituted for another project from the south inner-city proposal. The proposal brought forward by Dublin City Council was to secure the fabric of the structure through a programme of essential works to be carried out to prevent this protected structure from further deterioration. Following the completion

Minister for Transport what progress will be made towards the much-needed northern distributor road and Cork city northern transport project in 2026, given that only €400,000 was provided in funding under national road funding allocation in 2026, and whether this will be prioritised given that there … north of the city. Yet, we are putting in €400,000 in 2026. I am gobsmacked that what is regarded as a priority project is being put on the back burner again. This request was put in over 20 years ago, and 20 years later we still have

places across the country will arise and where additional school accommodation is needed at primary and post-primary levels. The Department produces demographic projections based primarily on the child benefit data, which is made available from the Department of Social Protection. It addresses details for all children aged … from birth to five years living in the State and in receipt of child benefit. This is used as a basis for projection of future junior infant intake at primary level. The data provides the overview for future school place demand. The child benefit data is then adjusted

Government. However, let me be clear that the current Government also recognises the need to support Ireland’s post office network. Under the programme for Government, we will continue to provide the nationwide network of post offices with funding to ensure their sustainability and enhance the value they … This approval provided a clear mandate for this enhanced funding, and my officials are progressing the next steps required. In line with the programme for Government, the funding will support the stability and sustainability of the network, protecting and nurturing a commercially focused post office network. It will

thank the Deputy. As she knows, my Department operates two sports capital funding programmes, namely, the community sports facilities fund, CSFF, and the large-scale sport infrastructure fund, LSSIF. Both programmes are administered via an online customer portal, the online sports capital register, or OSCAR as it will … existing OSCAR system. The Department approved Pobal, a State-sponsored agency, as the preferred provider to design and develop the new system. The project to replace OSCAR with a new, contemporary offering is tracking well with delivery and budgetary milestones and is due for delivery in the course

membership of the LGBTI+ community, the Traveller community or other ethnic minorities, and also regardless of gender. My Department operates two capital funding programmes for sport, namely, the community sports facilities fund, CSFF, and the large-scale sport infrastructure fund, LSSIF. Sporting organisations can apply directly … LSSIF must be made through a national governing body or a local authority. There is no gender-specific funding stream within these programmes and the vast majority of projects funded serve both females and males. Capital grant limits for the community sports facilities fund are based

thank Deputy O'Rourke. I propose to take Questions Nos. 141, 150, 157, 160, 163, 166, 167, 171, 188 and 198 together. The programme for Government commits to continuing the community sports facilities fund and to directing its funding to disadvantaged areas and groups that are currently under … facilities and assist the purchase of non-personal sports equipment. The community sports facilities fund, previously known as the sports capital and equipment programme, operated from 1998 with annual rounds and, in more recent years, biennial rounds. More than 19,000 projects have benefited from the fund with

rural Ireland and solar planning guidelines. Deputy Keira Keogh - To discuss the various stages Mayo schools are at under the additional school accommodation programme. Deputy Pat the Cope Gallagher - To discuss an application for port listing of Killybegs in line with new EU regulations for the listing … remaining sections of the Athenry relief road. Deputy Séamus McGrath - To discuss establishing a transport office based in Cork city to oversee key projects. Deputy Barry Ward - To discuss the significant waiting lists at the Deansgrange driving test centre. Deputy Barry Heneghan - To discuss north city arterial main

welcome the opportunity to raise this matter. I finally got it accepted. It relates to the north city arterial main, NCAM, project and issues along the Howth Road and James Larkin Road and in surrounding areas. Hundreds of my constituents have been contacting my office every … Dublin understand that this is necessary work, but what they do not understand is why communication has been so lacking and how the project is being managed. The Minister of State knows how hard it is to get elected to the council and to the Dáil. He also

local authority. I have projected and we reckon the drawdown next year will be about €15.5 million, because we can see the pipeline that is coming through. In fairness, the Deputy has recognised this is a new programme. So far, under the bus stop enhancement programme … shelters. A significant number that have been ordered are in transit right now. I do not want to talk only about the enhancement programme. In 2025, BusConnects Dublin had 750 new stops installed. Portlaoise town services had 73 stops. In the Deputy's area of Cork and Kerry

Government and the Department of Transport allocated €59 million to TII this year, to support the greenways and active travel and national roads programme. One scheme being supported is the Arklow to Shillelagh greenway, as Deputy Brennan has articulated and outlined. Last year, this scheme completed phase … which was the open selection of TII’s project management guidelines. This is a significant milestone for the delivery of the greenway as it involves identifying a preferred route corridor for the scheme. Wicklow County Council is currently procuring a technical adviser to help advance this preferred route

Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the projected timeline and fiscal pathway by which his Department intends to meet the Programme for Government commitment to reduce the student contribution fee over the lifetime of the Government; whether further

Carthy asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht if he will outline the average yearly allocation to the Leader Programme since 2007, by programme. [8633/26

Doherty asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance the way in which fees applied by the data protection commission are incorporated within revenue projections; if the large volume of outstanding fees are currently contained within revenue projection; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9114/26

Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Education and Youth if any school projects in Donabate are included in the recently announced prioritised school projects that will progress to tender or construction in 2026/2027, given the Donabate area is one of the fastest growing areas in the country

January 2026, if his attention has been drawn to the pleas of community groups that are supporting people under the Humanitarian Admissions Programme in relation to their capacity to support additional people and the potential to expand the numbers accepted on this programme; and if he will make

active travel funding reallocated or withdrawn from each local authority; the recipient local authority or authorities of such reallocated funding; the stage of project development at which the original allocation was withdrawn for each year from the commencement of the Active Travel Programme

Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment the number of jobs projected to be created in County Offaly as a result of foreign direct investment in data centres co-located with renewable energy projects; if local communities bear disproportionate infrastructure burdens from such developments

across the various headings such as youth service grant, UBU, and youth information centres; if she will prioritise improving the support for existing projects and work over new projects, bearing in mind the significantly increased costs for this work indicated by the voluntary youth work sector

Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Education and Youth the commencement date for a capital works project (details supplied); the estimated time to complete the project; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7611/26

Youth following the publication of the NDP Sectoral Investment Plan for 2026-2030, to provide a breakdown and location of the 25 projects prioritised under the Modular Accommodation Programme to meet urgent additional capacity requirements; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8382/26

Deputy Eoghan Kenny asked the Minister for Education and Youth to provide a list of all school capital building projects that are at Stage 2B of the development process, and were not included on the priority list of projects in the Sectoral Investment Plan, by the school roll

Deputy Eoghan Kenny asked the Minister for Education and Youth to provide a list of all school capital building projects that have achieved Stage 2A approval, and were not included on the priority list of projects in the Sectoral Investment Plan, by the school roll number

Deputy Eoghan Kenny asked the Minister for Education and Youth if all school capital building projects that are currently at Stage 3, are included on the priority list of projects in the Sectoral Investment Plan; the list of those schools at Stage 3 that are not included

Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of CAS-funded projects in Dublin that have been delayed, redesigned, or deemed unviable in each of the past five years due to construction cost inflation; the average cost overruns identified in such … cases; the measures in place to address viability gaps for approved housing bodies delivering CAS projects in high-cost urban areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7454/26

Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of podcasts, audio series, or broadcasting projects funded in whole or in part by the Irish Prison Service since 2020; the duration and format of each project; and the total number of episodes

Home Affairs and Migration the policy basis under which funding is provided by the Irish Prison Service for podcasts, broadcasting, or audio media projects; the objectives such projects are intended to achieve; and how these initiatives align with current Irish Prison Service strategy and rehabilitation policy. [7672/26

Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration what controls, guidance, or criteria are now in place governing the funding of podcasts, media projects, or external communications initiatives by the Irish Prison Service; and whether changes have been introduced following the conclusion of a project (details supplied). [7827/26

Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if she will ensure that the recently implemented Tusla structural reform will not alter the national programme status, ring-fenced programme budget, local governance and autonomy, and cradle to grave community development approach by family resource centres; and if she will make

Disability and Equality to give an assurance that the recently implemented Tusla Child and Family Agency structural reform will not alter the national programme status; the ring-fenced national programme budget; the local governance and autonomy; the cradle to grave community development approach of family resource centres

Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Health the details of early intervention programmes for eating disorders currently available; if such programmes are accessible to residents of County Offaly; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7573/26

Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Health the current status of the AMRIC antimicrobial resistance programme; the additional supports or resources allocated to sustain this work in 2026; if she will provide assurances that the programme will remain a priority given its patient safety importance

Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the current position regarding the proposed major building project for a college (details supplied); the timeline for this project to proceed to the next stage; and if he will make a statement

Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht the funding allocated through the Rural Regeneration & Development Fund per local authority; the projects funded to date; the amount of funding drawn down per project; the amount of funding remaining to be drawn down; and if he will

Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht the funding allocated through the town and village renewal scheme per local authority; the projects funded to date; the amount of funding draw down per project; the amount of funding remaining to be drawn down; and if he will

Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Transport further to recent Cabinet approval to establish a new statutory body to deliver the MetroLink project in addition to the existing roles of Transport Infrastructure Ireland and the National Transport Authority; the rationale for establishing a separate delivery agency rather … which the creation of an additional agency will impact residents and communities in Dublin central who are directly affected by the project and who have already engaged extensively with TII and the NTA; the measures that will be put in place to ensure continuity of community engagement, avoid