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want to raise a local school project, namely, the Owenabue Educate Together National School in Carrigaline. I know it is a project that the Taoiseach is familiar with. It is currently operating in temporary accommodation across two buildings in Heron's Wood estate. Fourteen months ago, the stage … Taoiseach follow up with the Department to try to ensure that stage 1 is closed out so that we can progress this project and give some certainty to the parents, teachers and all others involved in this school

memory of the English family. One commitment I ask the Taoiseach to make today is to ensure adequate funding for the DRIVE project - the drug related intimidation and violence engagement programme, which is a national interagency programme. The funding increase announced last month is well short of what

fully agree with Deputy Moynihan in respect of the centrality of infrastructure. The DART+ South West project is key enabler in the overall programme that would quadruple peak-hour capacity on the line from 5,000 passengers to 20,000 passengers. It would be a significant game changer … planning and design and procurement between 2026 and 2030. I hope the Minister will be in a position to confirm realising the project. Deputy Moynihan is right in terms of the bus services. Hopefully the Minister will be in a position to expand public transport services in particular

propose to take Questions Nos. 26 to 45, inclusive, together. The Cabinet committee on children and education oversees the implementation of programme for Government commitments in the area of children and education. It receives detailed reports on identified policy areas such as child poverty and well-being … Cabinet committee on children and education includes the Taoiseach and the Tánaiste. I will not go through the full list. The programme for Government contains many important commitments intended to improve the lives of all children, and especially those children who need our help most. We are making

these criminal gangs have over people's lives. I thank the Minister for coming to Dublin Bay North in relation to the action programmes earlier in the year. I know he sees what the youth diversion programme can do and the change it can make if it gets … exercise such power over our communities. I firmly believe part of that is answered in strengthening community policing, roles and gardaí and diversion programmes. I really welcome the allocation of the 18 newly attested gardaí but my one question is over just one garda having been sent

remit were based on the total available funding in the context of the competing demands across the Department. For the broadcasting and media programme area, a key priority was to consolidate the gains made in recent years. More than €356 million is being allocated to this area next … this amount, €240 million was secured for RTÉ. This included an additional €11 million in Exchequer funding to make up for a projected fall of this amount in licence fee receipts in 2027. To be clear, the Minister sought €260 million for RTÉ, which would have required

welcome the Minister of State's positive response. It is quite a difficult scenario. On the one hand, there are projects that may be delayed and it is not the fault of the clubs. There could be issues with contractors, procurement and the price that was given … price now. On the other hand, there are really worthy projects still waiting for funding. Some projects are being held up while others are stalled. The Minister of State's answer gives clarity on the situation. I will relay that to our colleague, Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan

fore in terms of his drive to see this come to fruition and become a reality. This year has seen a significant programme of events as part of America 250 and the national commemoration marking the 250th anniversary of the US Declaration of Independence. That has been supported … within the Department by €200,000 in funding to guarantee a programme that is both meaningful and appropriate. The American Presidents Trail, which the Deputy has been a phenomenal advocate of, is one of the principal initiatives that supports America 250. My Department is collaborating closely with

coaching supports and facilities. While the provision of public swimming pools is a matter for local authorities, my Department administers two capital funding programmes for sport, namely the community sports facilities fund and, as the Deputy pointed out, the large-scale sport infrastructure fund, that can be accessed … strategy will be prioritised within that. The LSSIF so far has allocated just under €43 million for 12 swimming pool and aquatic infrastructure projects. I was delighted earlier today to officially open the newly completed Lucan leisure campus in County Dublin where the project received an allocation

will be important for every project, including Loughrea, to be able to come forward, in terms of any application, with a site and a design proposal. The onus is on the local authority to develop those proposals. The Deputy mentioned Buncrana in my constituency in Donegal, for example … local authority with its own funding. That is also the case with the Lucan swimming pool, which I opened today. That project cost just under €20 million to deliver. It is an exceptional facility. Funding from the Government was just under €4 million, while the other €16 million

confirm it is a programme for Government commitment to "examine the introduction of a Culture Card for 16 and 17-year-olds to enable them to access theatre, music and arts events". I can also confirm the budget introduced at the start of this month was the second … five this Government will introduce. As with any large programme of commitments laid out over a five-year period, you cannot do everything in year 1 or year 2. There are three more budgets left. As the Minister has clearly outlined, work is ongoing in the Department

give them the opportunity to work on that. Since 2020, we have invested more than €1 billion under the rural development investment programme in many high-scale infrastructure projects in rural areas, making them safer and better places to work in. The success of previous decentralisation programmes

clear that this budget was about providing certainty for SICAP, which we have secured. Second, we will work with those who implement the programme to plan the services they deliver. We have given stability and that core funding guarantee. Third, I assure the Deputy that the Minister … remain 100% committed to working to secure incremental and sustainable funding increases for SICAP in the future in keeping with our programme for Government commitments. The Deputy made it clear in his remarks that it is a godsend, and he is right. In a complex world, the Department

Similar to areas I have asked about in the past, some of these individual programmes and groups have costs, like insurance. If there was a co-ordinated approach, those types of overheads could be better shared and reduced. If all the SICAP projects could avail of a centralised … required purchasing was centralised, more would be bought for the whole country. These may be some of the efficiencies, without affecting the projects themselves. We can and should continue to support it. I welcome the long-term funding approach because security is required in these instances

Minister used the word "ambitious" and this is certainly an ambitious project. This parish hall has remained derelict for a long number of years. A local community group came together and met with me and the local authority with a plan to transform this hall into a community … proposed that the property will be professionally managed to facilitate the proper running of the hub. As I said, to make this project a reality, the hub committee conducted research in the local community and provided supporting documentation. It identified the groups, including new groups, such as youth

this. Returning to the building and land acquisition measure, we have confirmed funding of €7.2 million for this year. That will fund 38 projects around the country and will assist in opening up properties. As I said, the town and village renewal scheme is open for applications through … main scheme and through the project development avenue. I appeal to local authorities to think outside the box. We get a lot of fancy public realm applications. It is lovely to have town and civic spaces but there is no point in having those lovely, accessible public spaces

CLÁR transport programme to which the Deputy referred, which the Minister of State, Deputy Buttimer, and I announced a few weeks ago, makes such an enormous difference through meals on wheels programmes across the country, not just in terms of the delivery of food but because, for some … around SÍOL in the coming weeks. The Deputy has been a passionate advocate for Ballinasloe and its regeneration since before being elected. The projects for the Ballinasloe area being provided by Galway County Council will make a difference. That said, the Minister of State, Deputy Buttimer

autism-friendly town. CLÁR is making an enormous difference right around the country. It is a great pleasure to be able to visit projects and see the impact the programme is having. What I see with CLÁR projects is that they are community owned. Ultimately, I want SÍOL

have all seen where these projects have made a genuine difference. We all welcome the fact that the living city initiative has been introduced to major towns in County Louth. We have all seen the flight of shops and other things from our towns. It is about putting … sort of commentary probably would not do the Minister much good in Dundalk. It is just about ensuring, particularly for some of the projects that involve significant sums that could possibly go above the amount allowed for grant aid, we consider scenarios whereby there would be a facility

focused way over two years. The plan will focus on a number of clear priorities: tackling waiting lists in the school dental programme and for orthodontics; improvement and expansion of the access programme to oral healthcare for people who have additional needs including those with disabilities; commencing … budget 2027 to implement this two-year oral health action plan. The immediate focus will be to address backlogs in the school screening programme for all areas, including Kildare

aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews. This has been an issue of concern for some relatives who wish to participate in the programme, some of whom I have worked with closely. As time passes, the opportunities to identify those buried at the site becomes more challenging … some families, those who will have been eligible to provide DNA may no longer be alive. Extending the programme to include first cousins is therefore a very important and practical step. It gives more families an opportunity to participate in the identification process and, hopefully, get answers

referred to in section 159F(2) shall be interpreted to include but not be limited to feature films, animation, drama, and documentary programmes;”. This amendment is based on a number of proposals put forward by Screen Producers Ireland, SPI, that we feel did not get sufficient discussion … member companies across the independent productive production sector, is concerned that there is a substantial change in language regarding what sort of programmes are to be funded under this legislation. While the previous Sound and Vision fund of the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland, BAI, was established in line

Amendment No. 9 proposed by Deputy Boyd Barrett would remove all of the proposed changes to the RTÉ independent programmes account set out in the Bill. In addition, it would remove the proposed requirement on TG4 to publish an annual report on its commissioning of productions from … aware, section 116 of the Broadcasting Act 2009 currently provides that RTÉ shall pay a fixed index-linked sum into the independent programmes account. For 2026, this sum was €49.1 million. The independent programmes account was first introduced through the Broadcasting Authority (Amendment

conclude my earlier input, in supporting research initiatives, €121,000 was paid under the national apiculture programme 2025 to support beekeeping through an approved applied research project being conducted by UCD. Our Department also provides funding under the conservation of plant and animal genetic resources scheme. The Native … Irish Honey Bee Society received funding in 2021 and 2024 under that scheme for projects related to the conservation of the Irish honey bee. I understand the Deputy's frustration in relation to this and the frustration among beekeepers and their associations over the time it has taken

Minister can be sure that Galway County Council will end up coming back and saying it needs more money to complete the project. That is going to be the big frustration with projects like this across the country. Two years to go through detailed design is unacceptable … welcome that the enterprise hub has gone to tender but the detailed design is ongoing for the larger project of €4 million. It is unacceptable for it to take two years and not even be put to tender. That is something we need to see pushed and impressed

Deputy Eoghan Kenny asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht for an update on the Programme for Government commitment to carry out a comprehensive review of the eligibility criteria of CLÁR within six months with a view to expanding the programme to rural areas

Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht the capital allocations for the Gaeltacht programme area in 2024 and 2025; to provide a list of the projects funded in each year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39166/25

Deputy Eamon Scanlon asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht when he will announce successful projects under the CLÁR 2025 programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38270/25

asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht to outline the funding his Department contributes to the right to read programme to local authorities; the amount provided under the programme to each local authority; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38312/25

Deputy Mark Wall asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht to outline the expenditure allocated to each project under the libraries capital programme 2023 to 2027; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38315/25

Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Transport if he has sought or received any further information on N24 or N25 upgrade projects; when he will sanction funding to advance these projects to phase 3; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38127/25

Deputy Eoghan Kenny asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport for an update on the Programme for Government commitment to expand support for para-sports and special needs programmes by providing grants to clubs that demonstrate inclusive policies and facilities as of July

Deputy John Connolly asked the Minister for Health when a start date for the new 40-bed community nursing unit project for Clifden will be announced; the reason for the delay in announcing this project given the fact that funding and planning for this unit have been

Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Transport if he will request the National Transport Authority to provide a detailed overview of the project plan for the Next Generation Ticketing programme, including key deliverables, milestone dates, and associated costs; and if he will make a statement

Deputy Joanna Byrne asked the Minister for Transport to provide a breakdown of funding allocated to TII under the winter maintenance fleet upgrade programme for new spreaders and brine harvesters since 2023; the amount of same that has been spent; the projected spend in this area

Deputy Conor D. McGuinness asked the Minister for Education and Youth the details of each capital project funded by her Department in each year since 2020, by county, including name of school, nature of the project, square metre, final costs excluding land acquisition, final cost including land acquisition

Deputy Shane Moynihan asked the Minister for Education and Youth the status of a school building project (details supplied); the reason for any delays; the projected timeframe for the issuance of the letter of acceptance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37159/25

Deputy Malcolm Byrne asked the Minister for Health for an update on the medical evacuation programme from Gaza; how she envisions the programme continuing; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37594/25

Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will immediately review the cuts to the local training Initiative programmes in south Tipperary as a result of funding cuts by Tipperary ETB; if he will work with Tipperary ETB to ensure it has sufficient funding … these vital programmes catering to early school leavers; if he will comment on the importance of the local training initiatives and their importance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37426/25

Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the action his Department is taking to ensure the TB eradication programme is fully resourced, in view of staff shortages in regional offices which in turn leaves staff unable to carry out thorough investigations … cause of breakdowns and to implement a wildlife programme around all TB breakdowns; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36358/25

Deputy Aidan Farrelly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will provide a schedule of all blueway projects currently being funded; and the funds released to date and status of each project to include completion date. [36834/25

Department’s intention to allow further funding applications under measure A8 of the existing the Multi-Annual Rural Water Programme 2024-2026; if not, if his Department will next progress such funding applications under a further iteration of the plan; if any update can be provided … development of an updated Multi-Annual Rural Water Programme by his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36871/25

Minister for Social Protection if his Department has conducted any assessment of the levels of food waste generated under the Hot School Meals Programme; whether any formal cost-benefit or value-for-money analysis has been carried out; and if he will indicate whether infrastructural investment or centralised … food preparation models are being considered to improve sustainability and efficiency ahead of the programme’s national expansion. [36857/25

asked the Minister for Social Protection to outline the scope, methodology, and reporting timeline of the current review of the Hot School Meals Programme; to confirm whether nutritionists, school management bodies, and parent organisations will be consulted as part of the process; and to indicate whether his Department … satisfied that sufficient quality control and supplier capacity exist to meet the standards expected in the forthcoming expansion of the programme to all primary schools. [36858/25

Deputy Malcolm Byrne asked the Minister for Health to provide an update on the Programme for Government commitment to expand access to the orthodontic scheme for children and strengthen the School Dental Programme. [36859/25

Foreign Affairs and Trade further to Parliamentary Question No. 988 of 24 June 2025, his views on the success of the Mitchell Scholarship Programme; his plans to ensure the long-term viability of this programme going forward; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36298/25

Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Education and Youth further to the pilot programme for counselling services in seven schools, whether the programme has been formally evaluated; and if so, when the outcomes will be published; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36496/25

Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport when the next opportunity for artists to be included in a universal basic income for artists project will be; if the project will be expanded to include all those eligible; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36369/25

Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the up-to-date position regarding a project (details supplied); the likely timeline for this project to proceed to the next stage; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36322/25

Deputy Charles Ward asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the current status of the Corncrake LIFE programme; if the programme will be extended beyond December 2025; in what capacity the conservation measure will continue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36447/25