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public nursing home that currently provides 56 long-stay beds and one short-stay bed. Phase 1 of the current capital project for St. Vincent's consists of a new two-storey development containing 50 single en suite rooms adjacent and linked to the existing facility. The project … Vincent’s is currently being reviewed by the HSE, and once completed, the specific scope for phase 2 of the capital project will be determined. Specifically on the matter raised, as I said, the HSE is currently reviewing plans in respect of future use of the existing facility

various tax changes and the likes. I have been watching Paschal do this for a few years. I am committed to the programme for Government, of course, as is the Government. The sequencing and advancement of various initiatives in the programme will be a matter for individual budgets … Deputy is entirely right: this was put into the programme for Government because of his view and the view of others on the importance of helping keep our population fit and healthy, particularly as we age. Future Forty is a great gift to all of us as policymakers

will outline some of the infrastructure and plans for expansion of rail services. In Wexford, the N11 or N25 Oilgate to Rosslare Harbour project, which has received an allocation of €4 million for 2025 is currently in the design and environmental evaluation phase. This would deliver safety improvements … improved safety and bus priority measures on a section of the N11 in the Bray-Kilmacanogue area. Work is continuing on the DART+ programme which will double the peak-hour capacity and triple the length of the existing DART network. As part of this programme, DART+ coastal south

Following the mandate we secured in last year's general election, the parties and Deputies that support the Government resoundingly endorsed a comprehensive programme for Government to be implemented across five years. While we unfortunately have many in the House who cannot bring themselves to respect the mandate … others, we will continue to fulfil ours. We have already prepared and put in place the largest programme of investment and development in our country's history through the national development plan. Comprehensive action on speeding up the delivery of housing has been prepared and is being implemented

continued cohesion. This is made possible because we live in a country with a stable Government that has a collective commitment to a programme for Government and a clear mission to build and secure a prosperous future for the people of Ireland. My friend and colleague, Paschal Donohoe … national education therapy service, increase the number of special places and SNAs, increase teacher supply overall and drive forward our new school building programme, which is needed for our growing population. Deputy Emer Higgins will take on the role of Minister of State with responsibility for disability

towns and villages resilient and vibrant places to live, work, invest in and visit. To this end, the Department’s rural development investment programme operates a range of capital schemes that are targeted at rural areas outside of more urban metropolitan locations. These schemes include, for example … Deputy's list. A key element of the development of a town plan is the community's own identification of priority projects in that town, something the Deputy mentioned. The capital funding schemes available, such as the town and village renewal scheme, can then assist those communities

commitment to work with Fáilte Ireland to develop a balanced regional spread of tourism throughout the country, further advancing the experience brands, the programme for Government also includes a commitment to support Tourism Ireland to further integrate tourism offerings on an all-island basis. The Government is also … policy priorities, to the development and implementation of all-island initiatives. The aim of the group is aligned with the measure in the programme for Government to support Tourism Ireland to further integrate tourism offerings on an all-island basis. Tourism is also a central pillar

taking part in hands-on STEM workshops, university and research-led events by all universities and higher education institutes across the country. Youth projects throughout the country use Science Week materials to encourage coding, robotics and environmental science in ways that are accessible and fun. That is real … research and development tax credit for multinationals even though our publicly-funded research system remains stretched, reactive and overly dependent on short-term project grants. That imbalance tells a story. We are quick to subsidise big business but slow to invest in people, in public research

acceptable. This is just a pattern of under-delivery for Cork city. Time and again, we see these announcements of big capital projects that fail to be delivered on. We can talk about the events centre and the dental school in that regard. Again and again, projects … Park, which is very welcome, but that leaves approximately €43 million to be spent. There is a huge lack of transparency about this project and the money. It is utterly unacceptable. It is not for the lack of asking questions. I have met council officials and the librarian

existing personnel's training needs will be the priority. Training needs will be determined and delivered as part of the delivery of the programme and will encompass equipment level training, including maintenance, as well operational and tactical level training. Training and upskilling our current personnel as opposed … transparent and helpful but also respect, as we all do, the security-sensitive deliberations in relation to the rollout of any programme being rolled out to increase our own national security. Planning and preparations for our Presidency of the European Union are well under way and the phased

thank the Deputy for his question on this school. It is my objective as Minister for Education and Youth to progress as many projects as possible. At the moment there are about 300 between large-scale, additional accommodation and special education projects that are moving but a significant … cohort will come down the line in years to come These projects are at either stage 2a or 2b, moving to tender and moving to construction. The funding that has been secured for the next NDP is €7.55 billion. What I am working on at the moment

leaning into right-wing law-and-order populism by Fine Gael. There was backsliding in the general election that is reflected in the programme for Government, which makes no mention of decriminalisation and uses similar language to the Fine Gael manifesto saying it will commit to a health … addiction problems in prison. Imagine what a massive expansion that would be if we instead put that money into prevention, treatment and rehabilitation programmes and tackled the inequality, trauma and adverse childhood experiences that draw people into addiction in the first place. Instead, we have a situation where

thank the Deputy. He is correct that some of the delivery of projects has been too slow. That is why projects like Carrignavar and others need to be accelerated over the coming years. We have prioritised putting €12 billion into water and wastewater infrastructure over the next five … Minister, Deputy Browne, is finalising the capital investment plan and the sectoral plan for water and wastewater infrastructure so that many of the projects on lists can be delivered. They are the foundation for building more homes in the villages and towns right across our country. That plan

have been reading a lot about this since the revised national development plan was published. We will see updates on specific projects shortly. Will there be timelines for those projects? Looking beyond the abstract, what will it mean for people? For example, will the package of proposals that … Minister wants implemented shorten the timeframe for the delivery of the MetroLink or the northern line DART project to Drogheda? How many new homes will it deliver? At the moment this is all in the abstract about task forces and so on reporting but there is very little

families; — is committed to ensuring that schools will adopt measures to reduce the cost of school uniforms and other costs in line with Programme for Government Commitments; and — has commenced work to review Circular 32/2017 which sets out the measures to be adopted by schools to reduce … work to promote uniform swap shops in all primary schools, thereby making uniforms more affordable and supporting sustainability, as committed to in the Programme for Government; recognises that while decisions on school uniforms are a matter for individual schools and Boards of Management, Circular 32/2017 already sets

capacity of the existing school estate as much as possible in the first instance and provide necessary additional capacity through targeted and prioritised project roll-out over the course of 2026 to 2030 period to meet the most urgent and prioritised needs. A strong focus will … maximising existing school capacity, progressing priority projects where local capacity across schools in the area is insufficient, and ensuring delivery that is affordable, offers value for money and meets functional needs. The provision of required school places, including for children with additional educational needs, is a priority

enjoy a healthier quality of life and increase their chances of a healthier future. I have long advocated for a prostate screening cancer programme. Programmes like BreastCheck and BowelScreen have saved thousands of women's lives, but there is no similar programme for men. I appeal that such … programme be put in place. There is an expense to cancer. That impacts negatively on people who do not have money. One thing we could do is speak to the big shopping outlets that sell the likes of incontinence pads for men. They can be seen stuck

sheds in Dalkey, Dún Laoghaire, Blackrock and Loughlinstown are doing quiet, life-saving work, building friendships and developing life skills. There is a project on a bench, and the conversation that follows. You do not have to call it therapy for it to be therapeutic. Government backing through … Irish Men’s Sheds Association, the Sheds for Life programme and Healthy Ireland funding is money well spent, because connection is often the first and most important intervention. Sometimes the best early intervention tool is the cup of tea someone else makes for you. We are also targeting

developments and for the conversion of non-residential buildings into apartments to improve the viability of such developments. It will be available for projects where a first commencement notice is submitted on or after 8 October 2025 and on or before 31 December 2030. To support more people … support renters, I am extending the rent tax credit for a further three years, until 31 December 2028. In line with the programme for Government, I am reducing the rate of VAT that applies to hairdressing services and the sale of food and certain drinks in the hospitality

read to the Minister from his own manifesto the promises he made during the campaign or indeed the commitment in the programme for Government. Fine Gael's manifesto clearly states that income tax would be adjusted each and every year. The Tánaiste, Deputy Simon Harris, said that people … into the pockets of those developers. The Minister has claimed and claimed again that this is all about viability to get stalled projects under construction but he made sure that it kicked in on budget night. This has nothing to do with viability. If you look

development, or so we thought, of a centre of excellence in Glanmire in co-operation with the FAI. It was sold as a project which we were very excited about, to be honest, particularly due to its relationship with Cork City FC. We thought it would … That allocation of €86.4 million was made in January 2020, of course, in good faith. I think that funding was spread across 33 projects, of which an initial €2 million was dedicated to Glanmire. We fast-forward then to 2023 when the FAI wrote to the Department stating

Deputy is right there is a need to revisit some of the operational parameters of the LTIs. LTIs are community-based training programmes designed to support individuals who face economic, social or educational disadvantage. This is incredibly important work. The training programmes offered are tailored to meet specific … need to update those guidelines has been identified. Education and Training Boards Ireland, ETBI, is currently work on such a project leading the development of new operational guidelines to manage the relationship between ETBs and grant-funded organisations that provide education and training. I have recently written

underpinning the workforce development and lifelong learning agenda as part of the wider tertiary system. Provision in the FET sector includes accredited programmes at levels 1 to 6 on the national framework of qualifications, NFQ, as well as unaccredited options. This ranges from foundational skills such as literacy … numeracy, entry-level type courses, through to bridging programmes such as Youthreach, an incredibly important programme, at levels 3 and 4 going on to levels 5 and 6, including post-leaving certificate courses which involve progression to employment or higher education. The tertiary degrees are a wonderful initiative

want to make sure they have an input into this. We want to keep what was good about the previous RAPID programme and keep the direction, focus and delivery. It may have been diluted over the years, spread too thinly and lost effectiveness. We want to get back … effective results-driven programme with boots on the ground who live in, participate in and have businesses in an area. People who have a stake in the area should lead this programme. The Minister of State and I are very focused on delivering that kind of programme

CLÁR has been an exemplary programme. It is focused, and we want to keep that focus. We have a programme for Government commitment to look at the expansion of CLÁR areas, and we are finalising that at the moment. Maynooth University has prepared a report for us, which … this morning's announcement for Cavan, as will the Minister of State, Deputy Buttimer, who has responsibility for PEACEPLUS. It is a fantastic project. It is linked to the town and is an enormous game-changer for that town. I thank the Deputy for his work and advocacy

Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Transport to provide an update on planned greenway projects, broken down by county; their current status; when he expects each project to be completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [73799/25

Deputy Cathy Bennett asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance the total Irish receipts or projected receipts from the EU Multiannual Financial Framework; the total Irish contribution or projected contribution to the EUMFF in each of the years 2019 to 2027, in tabular form. [69684/25

Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation further to Parliamentary Question No. 171 of 10 of December 2025, when the first meeting of the ‘project steering group’ took place; the number of meetings of this steering group since its inception; the provenance of the cost range estimate referred … engaged with; when it is envisaged the work streams referred will be agreed and established; and when the next meeting of the ‘project steering group’ is scheduled to take place. [73773/25

Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration to outline the progress of each of the four existing projects under the Youth–Joint Agency Response to Crime (Y-JARC); the number of individuals who have benefited from each project, by year, since

Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Health when planning and design will commence for a project and the estimated time for completion of this project (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [73408/25

Daly asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the number of homes retrofitted as part of his Department’s retrofitting programme to a BER standard of B2 or higher in each of the years 2020 to date in 2025, tabular form; the number of homes retrofitted … part of his Department’s retrofitting programme to a BER standard of B2 or higher to date in 2025; the proportion this that is over the 2030 target; and the proportion of these that were retrofitted under the warmer homes scheme. [73025/25

Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the number of homes retrofitted with a heat pump as of his Government’s retrofitting programme to a BER standard of B2 or higher in each of the years 2020 to date in 2025, broken down by scheme, in tabular form … number of homes retrofitted as part of his Department’s retrofitting programme to a BER standard of B2 or higher to date in 2025; the proportion and the total number of those retrofitted to a standard of B2 or higher is of the overall 2030 target

Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the progress to date on the commitment in the Programme For Government to “Build on the pilot schemes and develop a mechanism to allow private homes in social housing estates to opt into retrofitting projects

Daly asked the Minister for Transport for an update on progress in implementing the recommendations of the strategic rail review; if any projects have been selected for prioritised delivery; to provide update on any possible pipeline of projects as part of this review; and if he will make

Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment the current status of a project (details supplied); when this project will proceed to the next stage; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [73207/25

Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Education and Youth the number of new school building or major extension projects in Longford and Westmeath included in the 2026 capital programme. [72636/25

concerned that the youth unemployment rate of 13.4% is almost treble the national unemployment rate of 4.9%; if he will consider introducing new programmes or amending existing programmes to assist young people into work; if he is satisfied with uptake of the work placement experience scheme in light

Cearúil asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the number of heat pumps installed since 2020 under the National Retrofitting Programme; the projected installation rate to 2030; and whether his Department has assessed alternative solutions for the 300,000+ rural homes unlikely to be retrofitted. [71512/25

Deputy Ciarán Ahern asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the projected additional power needs for data centres in 2026; if any recent analysis or report has been prepared for him, or within his Department, on the energy needs of data centres in Ireland … projected for the next five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [72342/25

Minister for Defence the nature of refurbishment works that were carried out at Curragh Camp in 2025; if each of those capital work projects are completed or still ongoing at present; the new capital works projects that are scheduled to commence at Curragh Camp during the first half

Report and Action Plan, if he or his Department will be allocated additional resources to expediate the delivery of large scale transport infrastructure projects, such as the MetroLink, the Dart +Programme and the Finglas Luas extension; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [72386/25

Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education and Youth the number of new school building projects and extensions currently underway in Limerick, by stage, and date the project entered that stage including the number of pupils currently in that school, in tabular form. [71679/25

Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education and Youth the number of new school development projects in County Cavan currently in stage 3 of the development process; and the date each project entered stage 3, in tabular form. [71680/25

delivering the addition 14,000 special-education places under the National Development Plan 2026–2030; the plan to complete 300 school-building projects; where those capital school projects will be; and the number which will be ready by the start of the 2026/27 school year; in tabular form

Donnelly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when local authorities will be notified of successful applications for funding for capital projects under the 2026-2030 Fire Services Capital Programme. [71770/25

Shea asked the Minister for Social Protection the steps his Department is taking to address food waste under the hot school meals programme; his views on whether this is a widespread issue with the programme; the specific changes that have been introduced to address this issue

attention has been drawn to any recent closures of any institutions which provide the courses listed on the Interim List of Eligible Programmes , or eligible programmes offered by providers with authorisation to use the new TrustEd Education mark awarded by the Quality and Qualifications Ireland ; if there

Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the complete budget breakdown of the 2026 mental health allocation, including funding by programme area; funding by CHO; funding for community versus inpatient care; funding for each National Clinical Programme; and to publish this in a single accessible document. [72453/25

Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation the priority capital projects in Dublin Bay North that fall under his Department’s oversight, including planned investment to expand community infrastructure such as primary care capacity, school buildings, and targeted disability facilities … meet projected population growth; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [70843/25

John Paul O'Shea asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation the funding in place for flood relief projects in Cork from 2026-2020, including areas of Cork north-west which are prioritised under the CFRAMS programme; and if he will make