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more but there is a lot of activity being covered by individual Ministries. That is just on reflection. The committee will oversee programme for Government commitments in relation to infrastructure delivery and reflects the importance this Government is placing on the delivery of infrastructure as the key enabler … under way and will be completed by the summer. The review will focus on major projects to meet our overall priorities, namely housing provision, energy, water, transport and health digitalisation, ensuing we are investing in programmes which will truly support economic and social development. The committee will also

given in the programme is to transform infrastructure development. These include structural changes within my Department, with the establishment of a new infrastructure division to co-ordinate delivery across government. It also encompasses a commitment to completely reviewing the national development plan by the summer … fiscal plan, which I and the Minister, Deputy Donohoe, will lead on and which will be published at the same time as the summer economic statement. We know we face potentially significant headwinds from changes in international trade and moves towards a more deglobalised economic approach. This poses

Here at home, work is continuing on the commitment in the programme for Government to progress legislation prohibiting the importation of goods from occupied Palestinian territories following the ICJ advisory opinion. In June 2025, last summer, the Government approved the general scheme of the Israeli Settlements

Ukraine. Since we elected our new MEP for Labour last summer, Aodhán Ó Riordáin, the Labour Party has been working ever more closely through the Party of European Socialists with our European allies on a programme for change across Europe, and in particular on issues around housing, climate

priority of ours and it is in the programme for Government to do an evaluation. It was in the manifestoes that we would proceed with it. Obviously we will have budgetary discussions from the summer onwards, in which I will engage with the Ministers, Deputies Chambers and Donohoe

proposals and strategies to remedy any issues impacting the programme, realigning the full project team roles, and agreeing the project delivery timelines and goals. Good progress was initially made following the project manager's intervention in the summer of 2024 up to year end with significant visible progress

proposals and strategies to remedy any issues impacting the programme, realigning the full project team roles and agreeing the project delivery timelines and goals. Good progress was initially made following the project manager’s intervention in the summer of 2024 to the end of the year, with significant

capital element of the Defence Forces built infrastructure programme. Currently, one capital project is under way in Stephens Barracks, which is the development of a new barracks accountant facility. This project is expected to be completed this summer and the total cost including VAT is just over

sector is set out in A New Era for Irish Tourism, launched in December 2025 as a key commitment under the programme for Government. The policy sets a clear, forward-looking framework for the development of the sector to 2031. It reflects tourism’s role … with ferry capacity growing significantly. Looking ahead to summer 2026, capacity is expected to remain positive, with overall air access projected to increase by approximately 3%. Tourism Ireland continues to promote the island intensively in overseas markets. Its 2026 programme spans over 15 key markets and focuses

roll-out to support the delivery and modernisation of school buildings across the large scale, additional accommodation, modular, and annual September accommodation needs programmes. Over the course of this year and next year, there will be construction work at around 10% of the school estate. These projects will … projects under the climate action summer works scheme. This includes 16 projects in County Mayo. The Department will continue to engage with patrons and schools in County Mayo and across the country to inform the progression of projects across the capital programme. I know there are schools

people to improve comfort in both winter and summer, and prioritise older residents living in inefficient homes, especially in social housing. However, we also need that vision extended beyond a single budget cycle. We need a serious national investment programme focused on offshore wind, grid expansion, interconnectors, battery

over the summer. I met with the previous executives of student unions. I understand new executives will be coming in around this time. I look forward to meeting them over the coming weeks. I reiterate my absolute commitment to all of the commitments of the programme for Government … honour every single commitment insofar as I can. However, it is also important to realise that it is not feasible to deliver every programme for Government commitment in full in year one. That is important to realise. There are commitments that are spread over the lifetime

People who were portrayed in that programme are on the minimum wage. Essentially, people who have an invaluable role in our society - caring for our elderly or other vulnerable citizens - are earning the same wage as a teenager on a summer job in a meat factory. There

will be 9% but the programme for Government is vague on the percentage. Can the Minister confirm the Government’s position? Will the rate be 9%? When will it come into effect? Will it be in effect before the summer, on budget day or 1 January

objective difference. That has been the central mandate of the task force. That is why there will be a report by the summer. The outworking of it, and the core remit of the task force, is to oversee, with me chairing it, the implementation of this across government … report means that the specific actions are lost. That is why we are taking a focused approach to how we develop the work programme of both the infrastructure task force and the infrastructure division. The task force is also tasked with examining international best practice in the context

from Fermoy and their teachers. The summer holidays are ag teacht. Go n-éirí leo. I thank Deputy McCarthy for this very important question. The Minister, Deputy Calleary, and I are working together in the context of the community services programme, which supports 453 services nationally through

international telecommunications connectivity. In terms of our airports, a range of investments are planned and under way. Dublin Airport has announced a major programme of improvements, which include enhanced operational capacity to manage more than 120,000 passengers per day. The Shannon Airport Group continues to implement … infrastructure such as new research and development engineering and manufacturing units. Waterford Airport is undergoing a transformative investment to be completed by the summer of 2027. In relation to ports, the Port of Cork's Ringaskiddy development, container terminal, CCT, 2 project, is under way, which will

some €1.4 billion in funds available, reflecting the urgent and accelerated pace that we are funding and approving delivery schemes across many programmes and today, budget 2026 has an additional €1.94 billion. In terms of current funding, between 2025 and 2026, there will be an increase … from the Vote will grow by over €1.3 billion from the existing level as was agreed under the national development plan during the summer. These increases in provision are coming at a time when they are acutely needed, and I am very clear about this. My Department

inclusion in the programme for Government. The private wires Bill for which the Minister has received sanction from the Government is priority legislation. The intention is to publish a draft Bill in the coming months - I think prior to the summer recess - with a target that the Bill

Department, for the school meals programme. She is under the clinical supervision of the Department of Health and is undertaking an in-depth review of school meals supplier menus and their compliance to nutritional standards. We also last year launched the summer holiday hunger initiative, which supported

flood relief programmes, but I imagine that some of the delays and concerns have to do with the fact that we are dealing with a special area of conservation on the Boyne Estuary, a very important habitat for protected species, some of which spend their summers here, such … what the position is regarding OPW's relationship with that new division in the Department and with the task force? Will flood relief programmes and the expedited flood relief programmes form a part of that? The Minister of State will be aware that there are similar schemes under

Institutional Burials Act identification programme to first cousins. This is particularly crucial for the ongoing work in Tuam. I acknowledge the sensitive, professional and compassionate work being led by Daniel MacSweeney and his team, which I witnessed at first-hand this summer during my visit to Tuam. Many

automatically included in the programme. What are the views of the Minister on how schools will be notified so that they can start planning for 2026-27? That educational year will come upon us very soon and schools will be closed will summer. Management will work on these

This is a new programme that is jointly funded by the Irish and Canadian Governments. I visited Toronto in September. The Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Deputy McEntee, is aware of the good work done by the Thomas D'Arcy McGee summer school. As I mentioned

national leakage reduction programme. The works also involve laying new water service connections from the public water main in the road to customers’ property boundaries and connecting it to the customers’ water supply. The works are expected to be completed by Summer 2025. In Leixlip, phase