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that through our new semiconductor strategy, which clearly calls out the role Enterprise Ireland will have in advice and financing access to these projects. One thing I will say is one of the big projects we have had is from Analog Devices which has approximately a €630 million … investment through the projects of common European interest. I was looking at one of these semiconductor companies quite recently, which had 814 SMEs on its books that it was working on. This was a large-scale company with services from Banagher to Longford. It was incredible

hear and understand the Deputy's frustration but as he knows, this school is going to be a very large-scale capital project. The aim is to include the provision of a new 600-pupil school building, including all the associated ancillary accommodation. My understanding is that … project was originally authorised to proceed to tender upon completion of the pre-qualification shortlisting in September 2022. The planning permission on that was due to expire in December 2022, and it was anticipated that an application to extend the duration could be submitted but then there were

both domestic and international businesses investing in Ireland, making us a competitive and attractive place in which to work and invest. The programme for Government sets out a strong commitment to economic and employment growth and competitiveness. The Government is committed to supporting workers by recognising the work … employment rights that the Government continues to make. My Department has already started a body of work to fulfil our commitments under the programme for Government. The Minister, Deputy Burke, and I are advancing legislation to protect older workers who have a contractual retirement age below the State

Government is as committed as the Minister is to the development of primary care and community healthcare services, as committed to in the programme for Government. To expand and develop community care services, recurring annual funding of €195 million has been provided to the enhanced community care … programme. This suite of strategic reform initiatives seeks to reduce dependency on the hospital system by delivering increased levels of healthcare provision in the community setting, with service delivery reorientated towards healthcare general practice, primary care and community based services, which is what the Deputy has articulated

resources they need to achieve all they can in school. I recently attended the research launch of the sky is the limit project at Corpus Christi school, Moyross. I commend Lindsey Liston, the chairperson of Corpus Christi Family Centre, and all those involved in this brilliant project … limit programme has been an initiative since 2015 and is co-ordinated by an assistant psychologist based at the school. The primary aim of the programme is to provide psychological support to Corpus Christi primary school students and members of the surrounding community. It works really well

benefits of protecting and enhancing our built heritage. The town centre first heritage revival scheme is utilising Ireland's ERDF EU-regional programmes to rehabilitate publicly owned vacant or derelict heritage buildings through renovation, renewal and adaptive reuse. This scheme is allocating over €117 million to transformative capital … regional development are promoted by the strategy, in addition to the need to deliver essential infrastructure such as transport, water, wastewater and electricity projects that are needed to support additional population and employment growth in all our regions. The funding of infrastructure projects, with specific public investment projects

same three months of 2024. While these figures are welcome, the Government is committed of course to scaling up delivery further. The programme for Government sets out our ambition to accelerate housing supply, building on progress to date and recognising housing as a major social and economic challenge … office in the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage to identify and seek to address barriers to the delivery of public infrastructure projects required to enable housing development. This office will engage and align stakeholders, including local authorities, infrastructure providers, industry and others to tackle barriers

very much, Deputy. I am aware the childcare search on the Hive website does not currently contain fees listed for services for the programme year 2021 to 2022. The portal was originally designed to contain information for the current programme year only. In addition to service fee lists … services' operating hours per week and the number of weeks operating per year; whether the service offers the early childhood care and education programme or the national childcare scheme; and whether it is taking part in the core funding scheme. The portal was recently upgraded to provide

additional capital schemes this year. However, the approach to capital investment in future years is being considered within the context of the programme for Government commitments, and they are considerable when it comes to this area. For the first time, the programme for Government also contains a commitment … introduce a segment of public provision. This will require significantly detailed policy development and design in order to progress and implement this programme. The programme for Government commitments will inform the Department's contribution to the upcoming review of the national development plan, which will set out capital

energy future. However, data centres, like all large energy users, have to exist within the boundaries of our climate legislation and targets. The programme for Government addresses the challenges regarding the sustainability of data centres by committing to allowing data centres that contribute to both economic growth … compliance with the sectoral emission ceiling for the carbon budget 1 period, and 2.9% for the buildings sector. In its greenhouse gas emissions projections report, published in May 2024, the buildings sector was projected to overachieve on its target of a 45% reduction in emissions between

Council has established a community one-stop shop in its decarbonising zone to provide guidance to households on retrofitting and a training accelerator programme for the construction industry. Galway County Council is already involved in several climate action projects on the Aran Islands, including Athchúrsáil Árann Teoranta … award-winning waste collection, recycling and reuse project. Detail on the progress of the local authority climate action plans and the DZs will be made available later this year in line with the statutory annual reporting requirements. Decarbonising zones offer a significant opportunity for every local authority

programme for Government clearly states that the Government will build 300,000 houses over a five-year period. The truth is that Uisce Éireann cannot produce 50,000 connections in a year. If we consider the funding allocation, Uisce Éireann has €10 billion for the next ten years … connections. In a housing crisis, I am concerned about the funding allocation. This should be prioritised. The targets for housing in the programme for Government should be built in conjunction with what the State utilities can actually provide. The other point I wish to make relates

Members on the development of solar farms on agricultural lands in Cork and across the country. I highlight first that the recently published Programme for Government 2025: Securing Ireland's Future reaffirms Ireland's ambitious target of having 8 GW of solar capacity connected to the grid … installed. Further solar capacity will be required and that will involve a combination of the micro generation the Deputy spoke of and larger projects. The programme for Government has committed to a land use review to ensure that optimal land use options inform all relevant Government decisions

must remember that this is not about economics, nor is it necessarily about business and trade for President Trump. This is a political project. That is what it is about. It is an ultra-nationalist political project first and foremost. It may well look like, at some point … scale up housing provision and transport investment. I listened to the Taoiseach last week on “Morning Ireland” after I was on that programme myself. He talked about how we all need to do these things. When did this suddenly dawn on the Taoiseach that these are problems

Ballymun. The former Taoiseach, Leo Varadkar, established the child poverty unit. As we head into the second part of the programme, there is the possibility to try to bring some of those programmes together and embed them into each of the Departments. While leadership from the Taoiseach … office is really important in a programme like that, we also need sustainability in those programmes. In particular, I ask that the child poverty unit looks at those areas covered by the north-east inner city roll-out model, for want of a better word, and that

have the capacity there for any of these types of new application systems to work. My Department has a very significant capital programme, which is providing additional capacity around the country. Since 2020, €5.8 billion has been invested in our schools, involving the completion of over … school building projects. Additionally, we are working very closely with schools and patrons to ensure that there are sufficient places available each year. What is key to this, the new online system and the new application system is good data-sharing between schools and my Department is working

February, I submitted a parliamentary question regarding resources for students with mild to moderate learning difficulties accessing level 2 learning programmes, L2LPs, and level 1 learning programmes, L1LPs, in mainstream classes. I received a reply but the real issue was deflected. The key question here is whether … school with eight hours per week of one-to-one learning phonics and alternative words. The reality is that L2LP and L1LP programmes need allocation of hours similar to the LCA programme, which is where schools receive half a teacher. The number of students

Deputies want to send on individual projects, I can follow up to see at what stages they are. It is important to stress that there is record investment going into school buildings. We have 3,000 primary schools and 700 post-primary schools. The priority and focus always … steady pipeline is being worked through and it is being done as quickly as possible. This year alone, we have more than 300 projects, which are costing €1.5 billion, so these are not small projects. These are new schools, extensions and refurbishments. Much of the funding is being

There are often different reasons projects are delayed. It is not always the fault of the Department but there are often design, planning or funding issues. It is important to make sure that funding is managed throughout the year. There are only so many projects that … where school buildings had fallen into disrepair. That is the priority and must be the focus but, in addition, there are always other projects being developed, such as schools moving out from an existing school building into a new build. We acknowledge ,that over decades, there

long-term leasing in the period 2022 to 2026. Our clear focus is to increase the stock of social housing through new-build projects delivered by local authorities and approved housing bodies, AHBs. The number of new-build social homes in the pipeline continues to remain strong year … year, with new construction projects getting under way regularly. The strongest national delivery of social housing since 1975 was recorded in 2023, when 11,939 new social homes were delivered by local authorities and AHBs, including 8,110 new-build homes, 1,829 acquisitions and 1,999 homes

context of the engagement with the Government Chief Whip and the Attorney General on the legislative programme, that is obviously legislation my Department has responsibility for. We have said we are going to engage in a review. Deputy Howlin was an excellent Member of this House … former Minister, Deputy McGrath, advanced. What we are doing is trying to draft that legislative framework in the context of the legislative programme. We will then fulfil the programme for Government commitment. When I have further information about what is possible in terms of a timeline, I will

have to balance that against many public servants working in our transport system who want to ensure we advance a major capital project. There are issues with the systems around timelines, sequencing and the delays that happen in public projects, especially those relating to the planning system … that. In the infrastructure division we are establishing, we are providing much greater oversight so that we drive the acceleration and delivery of projects that have been outlined in plans for many years. People want to see the outworking and the completion of those projects. I want

industry on how best to achieve and maintain a sustainable and innovative construction sector positioned to deliver on the national development plan and Project Ireland 2040. It is made up of representatives of key industry bodies, as well as senior representatives of relevant Departments and agencies with responsibilities … sector group innovation and digital adoption subgroup, procurement reforms, the Planning and Development Act 2024, construction skills and apprentices and an update on Project Ireland 2040 provided by the National Investment Office. A work programme for the construction sector group in 2025 has been developed by my officials

colleagues. I live in the Claddagh. I know the area; I have a vested interest. Besides that, however, it is a very important project. From day one there was a misunderstanding with regard to a once in 100 years event. That is what they were planning for when … plans and then down the road there will be a further consultation for the options. That will be really important. The project cost has gone from €9 million to €50 million. Finally it has dawned on the establishment that this is a very serious and complicated project

fairness to the NTA, the policy direction of recent years in terms of roads was regrettable. It delayed the delivery of the projects needed as regards the N11. There needs to be absolute policy clarity on this now, and I believe there is. All of us, regardless … belt area that I am proud to represent in the Dáil. On a positive note, I should say that the allocations for road projects for 2025 include the N11 Oilgate to Rosslare Harbour project, which has received an allocation of €4 million. This project, which is at design

Local Government and Heritage the number of local authority homes retrofitted to a B2 BER standard to date under the Energy Efficiency Retrofitting Programme; the projected number for 2025; and the progress made towards the national target of 36,500 local authority retrofits

Deputy Liam Quaide asked the Minister for Health the rationale behind the proposed project to test wastewater to measure the levels of illicit drugs and their metabolites excreted in urine; the means by which she expects this project will inform policy and local responses; and if she will

Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Health to consider increasing the new development funding provided to the National Ambulance Service, given the projected 11% increase in emergency calls projected in the HSE national service plan; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [54182/25

Rourke asked the Minister for Transport when the sectoral investment plan will be ready for his Department with respect to public transport projects and the National Development Plan review; the funding which will be provided for the Navan Rail project; and if he will make a statement

will provide the figures confirming the cost to date of the installation of solar panels under the solar for schools programme (schools PV programme) since the scheme was introduced in 2023; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53366/25

Deputy Marie Sherlock asked the Minister for Education and Youth the number of schools a project management company (details supplied) has been appointed by her Department to project manage or provide other construction consultancy services between 2019 and 2025. [53376/25

outline the applications for the additional accommodation scheme for both primary and post-primary schools in Cork county; the monetary value of each project; the stage each project is currently at and the timeline before completion; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53710/25

Deputy James O'Connor asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she will reconsider her Department's policy for the UBU project applications submitted for each county; if she will reconsider that Cork should be allowed more than one project, as per her Department's guidelines

Government and Heritage for an update on the compilation of a central database within his Department of all social and affordable housing capital projects delivered or being delivered under its housing programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53798/25

severe combined immunodeficiency; if her Department intends the full addition of testing for both conditions as part of the Newborn Bloodspot Screening Programme; the reason testing for spinal muscular atrophy in particular is not yet carried out consistently in heel-prick tests for all newborns under the programme

Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Health to outline the progress to date on the Programme for Government commitment to make eye care services more accessible to everyone; and to review the National Clinical Programme for Ophthalmology; and if she will make a statement on the matter

Deputy John Connolly asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport when the schools selected to participate in the 2025 Creative Schools programme will be announced; whether there will be a similar programme for the 2026-27 academic year; and if he will make a statement

Deputy Liam Quaide asked the Minister for Transport the reason a project is now titled the 'Kilkenny Northern Transport Project'; whether its scope extends beyond a ring road link (such as active travel or public transport components); if any change in scope has contributed to the restart

align our underpinning infrastructure with national targets for housing and industry and to deliver critical national infrastructure such as the Water Supply Project Eastern & Midlands Region and the Greater Dublin Drainage Project; if this will need to be in the region of a capital funding addition

delivery agencies; if the National Development Finance Agency has provided Departments with additional expert assistance and support on major public capital investment projects through dedicated support teams for specific projects referred to it; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52663/25

Deputy James O'Connor asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she will provide an update on a project in a school (details supplied); if her Department will review the emergency works scheme applications in relation to the project; and if she will make a statement

Deputy Donna McGettigan asked the Minister for Social Protection if all special schools are part of the schools meals programme; if not, the names of special schools that are not part of the programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52799/25

Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the number of children registered for early years and school age childcare for the 2025-2026 programme year; the number which were registered for the previous three programme years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52627/25

asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the number of children who are registered for ECCE year two for the 2025-2026 programme; the percentage of the total number of children registered for early years and school age childcare for the 2025-2026 programme year

Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Transport for an update on the Lucan Luas project; when the project is expected to be completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52455/25

Deputy James O'Connor asked the Minister for Transport the current status on the BusConnects project in Cork County; the status of the CMATS project in Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51607/25

Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Transport the expected timeline for completion of the N/M20 Cork-Limerick motorway project; the projected total cost; and the extent of EU funding secured to date. [51153/25

Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation if he will publish post-completion audit reports on the rapid build modular housing programme, including the Clonmel development, showing final actual costs against projected costs; and the expected timeline for publication of those reports. [51323/25

Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Education and Youth the reason a school building project (details supplied) for four classrooms and an SEN base is stalled at Stage 2B since January 2025 and awaiting approval to put the project out to tender. [51137/25

Deputy Donna McGettigan asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she will introduce a new national small schools project as outlined in the Programme for Government in Budget 2026; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [51268/25