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harmful effects of alcohol. Since the enactment of our Public Health (Alcohol) Act 2018, the trends in alcohol consumption show that we are having success with these aims. Alcohol consumption in Ireland in 2025 was an estimated 9.24 litres per capita. This reduced from 10.8 litres … larger decline in recent years. That said, we cannot be complacent because we have not yet reached the goal of the Public Health (Alcohol) Act, which is to reduce consumption to 9.1 litres per person, based on the OECD average. We must also note that the Healthy Ireland

question. The application of the €18 million expenditure levy is currently forming part of the 2027 Estimates negotiations process under way with our colleagues in the Department of Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation. It is fair to say that it will be challenging to absorb

addition to environmental benefits, the economic impact of active travel across the five metropolitan areas is estimated at over €3 billion annually, alongside major and important improvements in public health and air quality. The Deputy refers specifically to commuters in County Dublin and I am delighted

private sector investment. I have said we need private sector investment in addition to public sector investment. Public sector investment this year will certainly go to €7 billion. Others estimate we will need approximately €20 billion. The State cannot do it all. We need private sector investment. Deputy

Department undertook several pieces of analysis to support resource allocation. The public service performance report was published in June and it detailed how Departments performed against targets set in the Revised Estimates process. We published the national development plan review in July. We spoke about that previously. Importantly

also forms a key part of the Department's engagement. In the budget process, I will be seeking additional funding to further expand public transport services. The NTA continuously monitors punctuality, reliability and demand. The Deputies opposite are right to raise specific issues on certain routes … part of it, and through public service obligations. When I became Minister for Transport, I said I wanted to put the PSO process on a sustainable footing such that we do not have to go back every single year looking for Supplementary Estimates. A bus or rail network

Taoiseach when the Taoiseach is a missing person in this debate. These Estimates always come before the committee that oversees and holds the Department of An Taoiseach accountable, which is the committee on finance, public expenditure and the Taoiseach. The Taoiseach only presents himself before the committee … said she offered to attend in his stead, but the committee made it clear that it wanted the Taoiseach in to discuss the Estimates of his Department, for which he is accountable. On numerous occasions, the committee offered to be flexible in relation to the Taoiseach's diary

cannot measure. We are snowed under with data sets. Yet in Meath East, parents are alternating between commuting to work and campaigning alongside public representatives for childcare and school places. Students switch from study to work to keeping social connections trying to navigate disconnected, under resourced modes … being prepared for County Meath, which is in the programme for Government, to "ensure accurate estimates of the demand for essential services", including but not limited to school places, public transport, water supply and social infrastructure? What is the current status of the unit for future planning

apply a scattergun approach to last-minute negotiations, deal-making and appeasing its friends? The Government has the cheek to tell the public sector unions, which represent hundreds of thousands of workers, to come to the negotiation table yet it collectively misspends a staggering amount in last-minute … budget announced today will be revised in no time at all, propped up with Supplementary Estimates. Just look at the HSE and the Department of Education and Youth. The Department of public expenditure and reform is levying every other Department this year because of an overspend in education

absolutely essential to our way of life. Air pollution has a serious impact on public health and the environment. Indeed, it is the biggest environmental risk to our health. The European Environment Agency estimates that over 1,600 premature deaths occur annually in Ireland due to air pollution … times the number of people who died on our roads last year. It really is a huge figure. It is a public health emergency and I really welcome this Bill because those numbers are staggering. These deaths are also impacting on our healthcare services which cannot afford

programme is connecting the missing pieces. It will take time. We will be in the Estimates process seeking further support from the Department of Finance and the Department of public expenditure. I hope that will come because the Deputy is correct that it is the regular rural service

commitment to engage honestly and transparently should extend to Government Ministers and the Departments being required to come back to the Minister for public expenditure and reform well before 17 July with their very clear plans as to how these levies will impact services in their respective Departments … held to account by this House for their own budgets for 2027 and their own Estimates in advance of budget 2027. This is a very significant development from the Minister for public expenditure. There are alternatives to the introduction of levies across Departments. We could look

These obligations come from decisions taken by independent bodies that operate beyond the direct control or influence of the Government. Specifically, the Supplementary Estimate for Vote 2 amounts to just shy of €3.4 million and is required to reimburse the National Treasury Management Agency for third party costs … these costs would undermine our system of inquiries. I believe supporting these Supplementary Estimates is essential to uphold the integrity of our investigative process, ensure the State meets its legal commitments and to maintaining public confidence and the administration of justice

capital injections in our economy in the history of the State. It sets out total public capital investment of €275.4 billion out to 2035. Total capital infrastructure investment in 2026 is estimated at close to €19.1 billion by year end, with €20.3 billion allocated for 2027. This represents … Office of Ireland has been established. This office will play an important strategic role as it works with regulators, businesses and the public to not only promote the safe, responsible adoption of AI but also to support innovation and wider competitiveness. Last week the Government hosted the International

fitness centres on site for their employees. Furthermore, the private gym sector already receives tax-based public support through the reduced rate of 9% VAT on its membership fees. It is estimated that this reduced rate saves private gym operators and gym members around €32 million per year

This is quite extraordinary. A tribunal was set up in 1997 and millions of euro of public money is going in to paying expenses related to that tribunal in this Revised Estimate this year. The person responsible for answering questions to the Oireachtas about this, the Taoiseach, refused

spent an estimated €1.2 billion on IPAS for the past year. That is an estimation for 2025. It means a large portion of that money - that €1.2 billion of the public's hard-earned money - is going to speculator cowboys throughout this country. If it puts

experience sexual violence as an adult reported it to Gardaí, of these it is estimated that just 14 per cent make it to trial; — victims/survivors of sexual violence have spoken publicly about how harrowing their experience of the legal system is, many characterise it as a second attack

amendment. It will have nothing to fear from an amendment that aims to protect the public purse from any waste that may occur by the creation of these unprecedented posts. Labour estimates the cost of each new Minister of State is approximately €500,000 per year, while

place. There is greater operational and financial transparency in the use of public funding. Importantly, two consecutive rounds of employment regulation orders have resulted in improved pay for an estimated 70% of those affected, and for 50% of those working in the sector. New negotiations involving the joint … data point to an expanding sector. For example, data from the early years sector profile survey show that between 2022 and 2024, the estimated number of enrolments in services rose by 19%. Core funding application data shows that between year 1 and year 3 of the scheme, capacity

thank Deputy Quaide. I am aware the HSE has commissioned a national disability services needs analysis and the publication of this report is a matter for the HSE. The focus on my Department to identify the scale of unmet need is the work that is currently under … size and age structure of the future disability population out to 2032 and estimates of the scale of unmet need. The updated review will extend the horizon to 2040 and work is ongoing. The publication of that report will follow once it is completed. Using updated methodology

provided the Government with a clear evidence base upon which to make the decision. More than 17,000 submissions were received to the public consultation I held in August. This is a record for our Department and shows how much interest there is in this scheme. I also … social protection payments of €6.5 million. For every €1 of public money invested in the pilot, society received €1.39 in return. The cost-benefit analysis shows that audience engagement with the arts generated an estimated €16.9 million in social value over the three-year pilot and improvements

expenditure of public money, which I categorise in very large instances as wastage of public money. The truth is that the Department is spending more taxpayers' money every year - last year it was estimated at €1.2 billion - at a time when many of the people in IPAS accommodation … billion is €3.2 million or thereabouts every single day if my maths are right. This is spent on an aspect of public expenditure for which the public has no oversight whatsoever in real terms. The only information provided is how much certain companies get in totality but there

important to note that the Minister does not approve or agree the actual estimates or the annual budget. The Minister’s sole role is in conjunction with the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation to give an coimisiún consent for the publication

scheme design includes conveyance improvements, flood defence embankments, walls and pumping stations and has an estimated budget of €20.5 million. In 2018, the scheme design was submitted to the former Minister for public expenditure for statutory confirmation under the Arterial Drainage Act 1945, as amended, and ministerial confirmation

Emer Currie asked the Minister for Transport the total cost to the Exchequer of PSO subventions to public transport providers in each of the past five years; and the estimated cost for 2025 and 2026. [52135/25

Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health to provide a current estimate of the number of patients in receipt of oxygen through the public system; if costs related to the provision of oxygen for that population have been accounted for in full in Budget

this potential for bankruptcy was discussed between the Director General and his Department prior to these public statements; if his Department is aware of how many workers are estimated to have been incorrectly classified and the amount in euros of compensation that would be involved; if the need

value nationwide associated with rezoning, public infrastructure delivery, and other initiatives of public bodies, therefore the total revenue that could be raised by a 50% windfall tax on all such value uplift; and the estimated total revenue that could be raised with the same tax applied only

Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the estimated cost to the State of enforcing and prosecuting breaches of Covid-19 public health regulations, including legal and administrative costs. [45303/26

Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health the estimated cost to the State of enforcing and prosecuting breaches of Covid-19 public health regulations, including legal and administrative costs. [41940/26

Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the estimated cost of bringing early years graduates Level 8 and 9 under public-sector pay and conditions; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37990/26

Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation the amount the Department of Education and Youth estimated as its required budget for 2026; if it was more than was allocated by his Department in Budget 2026; if so, the amount

water taxis from Dublin Port along the River Liffey to Chapelizod as a means of public transport, similar to TFL operated river boats in London; if so, the estimated cost of establishing such a service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5909/26

Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation the value of expenditure originally allocated in the Estimates to specific programmes or staffing measures that could not be spent as planned within the year for each of the past five years

Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation whether any legal engagements have exceeded their initial estimated or approved cost in the past three years; if so, the number of such cases and total overrun; and if he will make

Deputy Cathy Bennett asked the Minister for Transport the estimated timeframe to progress the recommendations within the Strategic Rail Review which will see public rail transport resumed in County Monaghan. [58005/26

Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Transport to provide the Department’s estimate of the current national shortfall in buses required to meet contractual and public-service obligations, including Local Link expansion and rural-service demand. [69687/25

Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Education and Youth to provide the Department’s estimate of the current national shortfall in buses required to meet contractual and public-service obligations for school transport. [69688/25

will universalise paid family leave supports (stipend continuation and no-cost extensions) across all publicly funded PhD candidates, regardless of funding channel (agency, HEI, or departmental/PI grants); the estimated number of candidates currently outside coverage; if ring-fenced funding will be provided in budget 2026 to close this

asked the Minister for Finance if he will consider tax relief on school voluntary contributions; the estimated total sum in monetary terms made in terms of such contributions by the public on an annual basis; and what the possible implications of such a relief are. [49698/25

Deputy Joanna Byrne asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport the estimated first- and full-year cost of abolishing the television licence and funding public service media from the central Exchequer, in line with the Report of the Future of Media Commission published

Minister for Transport the annual cost of maintaining wheelchair access in train stations and other public transport infrastructure, in particular with respect to elevators; and to comment on the estimated cost of ensuring that all out of order lifts are fully repaired on the day that they

Deputy Mark Wall asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the estimated average capital cost and current expenditure operating cost respectively, of providing each new publicly provided residential care place for children in the care of Tusla; for a breakdown of staffing costs; and if she will

Deputy Donna McGettigan asked the Minister for Health the estimated cost of a local authority-led graduate entry medicine scholarship pilot project (public service commitment to work as a local GP); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28506/25

Deputy Mark Wall asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the estimated average capital cost and current expenditure operating cost respectively of providing each new publicly provided residential care place for children; to provide a breakdown of staffing costs; and if she will make a statement

Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation to provide an update on which departments will require supplementary estimates to cover any expenditure above their allocation in Budget 2026. [74676/26

Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Education and Youth the estimated cost of insurance for personal injury and third-party property damage for all public primary and post-primary schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [67304/25

Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education and Youth the estimated number of additional NEPS educational psychologists needed for 2025-2026 to keep pace with public need. [40755/25

total number of clinical placement hours provided by student nurses and student midwives within the public health service in each of the past ten years; the number of students involved; the estimated replacement cost had those hours been provided by paid healthcare assistants, staff nurses or agency staff