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scheme. I am concerned, however, about whether it will continue. On Monday last, I met with Barnardos in Knocknaheeny in Cork where a programme is based. As the Minister will know, Barnardos' total budget for the year is approximately €15 million. It gets €12 million through Tusla … there is a shortfall of approximately €3 million, which it is challenging. Barnardos does similar projects and explained it is meeting a number of people in relation to supporting children who are going to school and parents. I very much welcome this programme is in place and hope

community and for the young person involved in crime. It leads to positive change. The Minister of State mentioned youth diversion projects. That is really welcome. We had a debate earlier and the Minister, Deputy O'Callaghan, talked about having youth justice projects right across the State … hope the Government sticks to that commitment because it is really needed. We need targeted youth diversion projects in our areas. In my own area, we have recently had upheaval as the result of a feud. We could have done with a properly resourced youth diversion project

move: That Dáil Éireann: notes that: — the School dental programme for children is not providing adequate and timely treatment for primary and secondary school students; — children are not seen for their first screening examination in second, or even fourth or sixth class in primary schools and in many … places in University College Cork and Trinity College Dublin, and provide additional funding for this; — facilitate the re-introduction of a structured mentorship programme to allow new graduates to gain work experience; — authorise the HSE to step up recruitment for dentists to work in the School dental programme

stakeholders, considerable feedback from a number of consultations with front-line workers, including dentists and auxiliary dental workers, and a comprehensive qualitative research project. This policy constitutes a body of very wide-ranging and transformative reforms. The implementation plan for the 2025 to 2027 phase is being finalised … role in oral healthcare provision. The changes envisaged will increase the capacity of the HSE service to reorient and develop oral health promotion programmes. There will also be greater capacity to provide care to those more vulnerable groups in our community, including adults and children with additional needs

Equality has launched an updated national LGBTI inclusion strategy. Together with Belong To, we are introducing inclusive youth supports, including the “Rainbow Award" programme in schools and youth services. On mental health specifically, we have made historic advancements. Just last month, a new guidance and training resource supporting … stand here today to acknowledge the need to do more in one area where action is lagging, namely, gender-affirming healthcare. Our programme for Government six months ago set out the commitment to develop a transgender healthcare service that was based on clinical evidence, respect, inclusiveness and compassion

single most urgent and important social and economic issue facing our country and one we are determined to get to grips with. The programme for Government sets out our ambition to build on the success of Housing for All to accelerate the delivery of homes. Since entering office … established the housing activation office in the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage. It will address barriers to the delivery of infrastructure projects needed to enable housing development. Additionally, the new infrastructure division in the Department of public expenditure will improve efficiency in delivering strategic infrastructure projects

Minister, Deputy Calleary, and me does not have a dedicated community wealth building fund as such, our wide range of policies and funding programmes provide support for local economic development and community-led local development in line with many of the principles of community wealth building. The creation … Government's social enterprise policy and a new policy, Trading for Impact, was launched last year. In addition, the community services programme currently supports 427 community-based organisations to provide local services through a social enterprise model. The national rural development policy, Our Rural Future, has, over

funding of €30 million was approved under CCIF for the construction of 12 new facilities covering nine counties. I can confirm that a project in Cork was successful under this fund, with Rylane community centre being awarded over €1.5 million for the construction of a new facility … fund for a community centre there. I am committed to delivering further iterations of the fund in line with the commitment in the programme for Government. We are currently negotiating that in the context of the national development plan. This will provide an opportunity for any proposed project

know what it says? The groups need to reapply for short-listing. The Tánaiste's Ministers turned up to Donegal and announced the project. One project got €3 million over a three-year period. It was well deserved for the massive work they are doing. The letter says … just not good enough. I am asking the Tánaiste for a commitment he gave here in the Dáil. He said every eligible project, 54 of them, should get the €8 million funding. I am asking him to ensure every single project, including the four announced in Donegal

that was promised, planned and funded now lies idle behind hoardings. What is worse is the silence. This is not a new school project. The project is a result of a 23-year struggle by parents, educators and children who fought year after year for a proper building … made not just to the board of management of Gaelscoil Choláiste Mhuire, but also to 170 pupils and their families. Right now, the project has been paused. The site is silent. The cranes are still. The community has been left in the dark while a conciliation process plays

recap, the project brief was for a large-scale capital project, namely the construction of a 16-classroom primary school consisting of a four-storey, 13-classroom block with ancillary rooms facing Dominick Street, a five-storey block with administration, services, library and resource rooms on the corner … site is an area of archaeological interest and abuts a protected structure owned and occupied by Youth Work Ireland. That was the project brief, as the Deputy knows. It sounds like a very complex build. As I said, a number of issues arose on site at the outset

also welcome our wonderful visitors from Tipperary. The decision by the ETB to cut vital local training initiative programmes across Tipperary should be urgently reversed given the critical role played by these programmes in our communities. I refer in particular to those delivered at the Spafield Family Resource … Centre in Cashel, the Knockanrawley Resource Centre in Tipperary Town, the Littleton community programme and the Cahir Development Association. These programmes are not just training schemes, they represent essential educational pathways for early school leavers and those that have been long-term unemployed. They offer a second chance

housing supply. We all recognise it is important that developers use their permissions. Whether it is for housing or, for example, energy projects, to encourage developers to act quickly on their consents the Acts of 2024 provide that the duration can only be extended if the project … permissions for housing are due to expire shortly that have not yet been commenced. While planning permission is an essential step in any project, there are other factors that may impact on the commencement of the project, such as the availability of development finance, market viability, infrastructure constraints

substitute the following: "recognises that: — the Government is committed to easing the burden for students and their families; — the Government will progress its Programme for Government commitments to improve supports for students by increasing maintenance grants, reducing the student contribution fee throughout its term, and developing a multi … group, Ireland exceeds the EU average by more than 20 percentage points; — the step change in research funding since 1997, through the Programme for Research in Third-Level Institutions and Research Ireland building the foundations of our economic success with major research institutes across our higher education network

State in damages and losses avoided estimated to be in the region of €2 billion. The catchment flood risk assessment and management, CFRAM, programme, the largest study of flood risk, was completed by the OPW in 2018. The output from this study was the flood risk management plans … local authorities, and by the OPW increasing the capacity of the local authority sector. Today, the OPW funds some 50 project management and engineering staff across the local authority sector. They are leading the delivery of flood relief schemes within their administrative areas. While funding under the national

public funding; and — the Law Reform Commission published a comprehensive report on A Regulatory Framework for Adult Safeguarding in April 2024, and the Programme for Government commits to a new national policy in the health and social sector; recognises that: — the nursing home sector has become dominated … existing nursing homes to transition to an agreed appropriate size with HIQA; — ensure the revised National Development Plan includes a funded programme to develop new public long term residential care, through community nursing homes, to meet the needs of our aging population; — implement the Law Reform Commission report

commend my colleagues, Deputies Sherlock and Wall, for tabling the motion. All of us in the House were outraged by the "RTÉ Investigates" programme, which showed the appalling levels of abuse and malpractice in older people's care settings. These are some of the most vulnerable people … during Covid. The proliferation of private providers is at the heart of this issue. For me, the key takeaway from the "RTÉ Investigates" programme was that the State's failure to provide sufficient care for older people through home care and residential care has enabled the ever-increasing

missed opportunity if pursued. It is vital, therefore, that we go back to the Law Reform Commission's report. The recent "RTÉ Investigates" programme, which brought adult safeguarding back into sharp focus, documented appalling standards of care at two nursing homes that form part … most vulnerable citizens do not go hand in hand. A major overhaul of our care system is needed. The "RTÉ Investigates" programme documented abject failures to respect the basic care needs and dignity of nursing home residents as an everyday occurrence. These are yet more examples

delivering the social housing that the bundle was being designed to provide for. The Department of housing is now working with its programme leaders, the National Development Finance Agency and the four local authorities, to urgently advance these projects through an alternative procurement and delivery strategy. The Department … optimal procurement and delivery strategy for the Exchequer. I acknowledge the need in the Deputy’s community and the fact that these projects have received planning permission. However, when the cost per unit escalates to €1 million per home it will have knock-on consequences for other social

time. I wish to speak on this issue because Cork East is receiving the largest single investment in an active rail project anywhere in the country now, with a €1.6 billion investment into the Cork area metropolitan transport strategy. I note Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan from Cork North … Central is in the Chair. Both our constituencies are beneficiaries of this investment. The project is advancing at a rapid pace. I was lucky enough to be down on the site more recently with the appointed contractor and Irish Rail's project manager, A.J. Cronin. Phenomenal work

Fianna Fáil and its coalition partners, Fine Gael, promised to phase out student fees. That is what they promised in their manifesto. The programme for Government promised to reduce student fees. The Government is now breaking the promises it made and is saying the reason it is doing … above water. Families and students are already struggling and cannot deal with any additional costs. The Government gave a firm commitment in the programme for Government. It promised to continue to reduce student fees. It did not say it would jack up student fees

with a potential of 244 social housing homes in Dublin City Council area ready for tendering though a design and build construction programme and my Department are working closely with DCC and the NDFA to advance these tenders immediately. I want our largest local authority, Dublin City Council … bring forward new social housing projects on its own land using the various new-build funding schemes including design and build construction projects using the social housing investment programme. In recent years, DCC has had very low delivery rates on its own land, with 177 units delivered

work done as quickly as possible. Regarding the interim scheme, four pathfinder projects covering almost 600 residential units have been identified. These projects are progressing and will allow the mapping of the application of the remediation process into simple steps to identify the pinch points and their solutions … provide consistency across the submissions by competent professions and related local authority fire services. The pathfinder projects identified some issues in terms of it. That was the whole idea of the pathfinder projects, as they progressed, to see where there was going to be pinch points where there

public housing and by providing real opportunities to deliver homes using MMC. For example, my Department has an accelerated delivery programme which will deliver more than 1,500 social homes through local authorities, all being built using modern methods of construction. In terms of modular projects, Wexford County … Council is progressing a pilot social housing project for 22 modular homes at a site in New Ross, with funding support from my Department, and that will present an opportunity to examine the potential of this type of MMC through this and other modular projects. I am keen

have pushed more and more services into the community and that is where we want services, such as the chronic disease management programme we discussed, to be delivered. It is the case that the number of GPs is increasing, albeit at different rates in different regions … have a particular challenge in rural Ireland. That is one of the reasons there is now a dedicated programme in the University of Galway. It is a specific rural GP programme to address some of the different slightly specialised issues. That is why I met the Medical Council

Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport the number of sports capital grants and LSSIF projects that have been drawn down to date; the number of projects still waiting to drawdown the funding; if his Department has a tracking system in place

will address the recent reduction in funding for an organisation (details supplied); if she is aware that discontinuing the twelve-week introductory programme for new members has significantly reduced accessibility; if she will consider restoring funding to ensure affordability for older participants, given that current costs are prohibitive … many; if private health insurance typically covers the organisations programmes, given many members report they are not reimbursed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [64353/25

Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health the estimated savings projected in the original business case for the Integrated Financial Management System; the year in which those savings are expected to be realised; and whether these projections have been revised. [64872/25

Deputy Conor D. McGuinness asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when each of the capital works projects, funded under the 2025 fisheries harbour centre and coastal infrastructure development programme, will commence at Dunmore East fisheries centre. [64302/25

Deputy Mark Wall asked the Minister for Health the current position with the roll out of a national diabetes prevention programme; the number of and locations of where this programme is located; the expected delivery time for all locations; and if she will make a statement

views on the recent reduction in funding for a company (details supplied); if she is aware that discontinuing the twelve-week introductory programme for new members has significantly reduced accessibility; if she will give consideration to restoring funding to ensure affordability for older participants, given that current costs … prohibitive; if private health insurance typically covers the programmes, given members report they are not reimbursed; and her views that the company provides an important social outlet for participants, helping to combat isolation among those living with chronic illness; and if she will make a statement

Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Transport the action his Department is taking to progress the Mallow relief road project; the current status of this project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63270/25

Deputy Tony McCormack asked the Minister for Transport the current status of the proposed N52 Link Road project in County Offaly; the stage the project is at within the Transport Infrastructure Ireland delivery pipeline; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63386/25

Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Transport to provide an update on the current phase of the Luas Finglas extension project; the projected funding amounts for 2026, 2027 and 2028; the indicative timeline on the commencement of construction given the recent planning approval by An Coimisiún Pleanála

Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Transport for an update on the current phase of the Metrolink project; the expected timeline for the establishment of the designated activity company or body responsible for the delivery of the project; and if he will make a statement

Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Transport the active travel projects in Cork; the plans to expand the number of projects in Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63682/25

Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Transport the expected public transport capacity gain for Cork arising from all projects scheduled for 2026; and how this will support projected housing growth. [63865/25

Deputy Jen Cummins asked the Minister for Education and Youth the projected timeframe of stage 2 construction of new classrooms in a school (details supplied); and the date for completion of this project. [62826/25

Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she will provide an update on a proposed school building project (details supplied), which was initially granted approval in February 2020 under the additional school accommodation scheme, and for which a revised Stage 2(a) submission … completed and submitted in June 2025; the current status of the project, the expected next steps, and an indicative timeline for progression to tender and construction; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [62990/25

Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she will provide an update in relation to a school construction project (details supplied); when this school will proceed to tender and construction; which project this school is part of; the other schools which are in this

Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the projected cost per unit across social, affordable, and market delivery streams under Delivering Homes, Building Communities; the measures in place to ensure value-for-money; and the steps being taken to prevent cost inflation … seen in previous programmes. [63881/25

Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the projected homelessness figures for each year to 2030; the measures planned to stabilise and reduce homelessness; and how these projections informed the design of Delivering Homes, Building Communities. [63899/25

Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the projected number of homes expected to return to use as a result of the vacant homes tax; the number of properties currently subject to the tax; and how these projections informed Government housing targets

Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the total projected cost of delivering the 303,000 homes targeted in Delivering Homes, Building Communities; the projected annual expenditure to 2030; and the sources of Exchequer and non-Exchequer funding that will be used

Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the projected cost of climate-adaptation measures required to protect new housing developments in urban areas, including Cork city and surrounding flood-prone zones; and how these costs were factored into the strategy's delivery … projections. [63959/25

cost–benefit analysis before awarding €3.6 million under the 2025 Integration Fund; and if so to publish the findings, including the projected benefits, estimated costs and the methodology used to determine that the funded projects represented value-for-money for the taxpayer. [63847/25

Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Transport the plans to extend the LUAS to Bray; the planning completed on the project to date; the cost of the project to date; for a timeframe for delivery; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62546/25

Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration to continue to expand or extend the Humanitarian Admissions Programme; his views in relation to the history of the operation of the programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62415/25

provide a detailed breakdown of the ways in which Ireland’s humanitarian aid to Afghanistan is being allocated, particularly in relation to projects aimed at protecting women’s rights and promoting gender equality; the specific programmes which are being supported to counteract the Taliban’s systematic restrictions

Deputy Naoise Ó Cearúil asked the Minister for Education and Youth the status of the building project for a school; when the project is expected to go to tender; when construction is scheduled to commence; when the building is expected to be ready for occupancy (details supplied