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continue to answer Deputy Whitmore, I am aware that applicants and projects are anxious to receive a decision on their applications. I assure her that the IIP unit in the Department is committed to ensuring that all applications are examined on their own merits and endeavours to conclude … decisions in a timely manner. The IIP unit continues to communicate with projects seeking to benefit from investments made in connection with IIP applications, and more specifically with regard to how the terms of the programme apply to their particular projects, while also monitoring all of the projects

infrastructure is central to improving citizens' quality of life and achieving our decarbonisation goals. Achieving these goals has been set out in the programme for Government. Progress is being made on a number of proposed light rail projects. There are four proposed expansions to the Luas network outlined … current greater Dublin area transport strategy. The most advanced of these schemes is the Luas Finglas project. Transport Infrastructure Ireland, TII, submitted a planning application to An Bord Pleanála in November 2024 for this project and we await a decision on this matter. In addition, a public consultation

together. I thank the Deputy. Following my appointment as Minister, issues were brought to my attention regarding a failed ICT project in the Arts Council and an unused X-ray machine in the National Gallery. Both projects were funded directly from my Department. Given the serious nature … State bodies under our aegis in the culture, sport and media sectors seeking information with regard to expenditure on capital projects since 2020 to provide assurance to me and, more importantly, the public, regarding the management of the capital expenditure. Bodies were asked to provide budgetary information

primary means of providing Government support to sport and community organisations at local, regional and national level across the country. The programme aims to foster an integrated and planned approach to the development of sports and physical recreation facilities and assists the purchase of non-personal sports equipment … Topical Issue. When making applications under each round of the CSFF, all organisations must agree to the terms and conditions of the programme and include a statement that all information provided as part of an application is truthful. All grants under the CSFF are initially allocated

needs facing the Irish nation, through continued investment, leadership, and value for money in the delivery of public services and important infrastructure projects with this investment making significant positive impacts, including: — since 2021, completion of almost 53,000 new local authority scheme dwellings and delivery of hundreds … projects under the Rural and Urban Regeneration and Development Funds; — significant reductions in outpatient waiting lists and improved health facilities, such as the National Forensic Mental Hospital in Portrane, hospital extensions and new primary care centres and community nursing units across the country; — a reduction of approximately

infrastructure is central to improving citizens' quality of life and achieving our decarbonisation goals. Achieving these goals has been set out in the programme for Government. The National Transport Authority, NTA, has statutory responsibility for transport planning in the greater Dublin area, including County Kildare … clear statement of transport planning policy for counties including Kildare. I clarify the planned proposals related to the DART+ West and South West projects and the current position of the proposals in the planning and development stage. The DART+ West project aims to increase passenger capacity

outline to the Dáil the current position on the new school building for Gaelcholáiste Reachrann, Donaghmede, Howth, Dublin 13. The school building project will cater for a long-term projected enrolment of 600 students, with additional classrooms for children with special educational needs. Primary design stage 1 focused … site and services investigation to assess the impact on the existing Grange Community College school. This process confirmed the viability of the project on the Grange Community College site and enabled the Department to approve the progression of the project to stage 2A of the design process

investment is set to continue. While community infrastructure is supported through funds such as the Town and Village Renewal Scheme and the CLÁR programme, we now have a scheme dedicated solely for supporting community centres. The Community Centre Investment Fund, or CCIF, was introduced to support the provision … been allocated for both the enhancement and refurbishment of existing community centres and the construction of new centres. Nearly all of the 861 projects approved under the first round of CCIF in 2022 for the refurbishment and enhancement of existing community centres have now been completed

thank the Deputy for the question. The programme for Government includes a number of commitments relevant to students attending special schools. These include the development and strengthening of bridges from special schools into employment. This is a priority commitment for the Government, as seen in the National Human … Association for People with an Intellectual Disability, or WALK, has been testing two different approaches to a transitions support model. A teacher-led programme has been operating in 41 special schools as part of the Department's response to the comprehensive employment strategy for disabled people. The WALK

amalgamation of two schools in the lower harbour area of Cork. These are Ringaskiddy national school and Shanbally National School. This is a project that has been in the pipeline for many years but, unfortunately, remains effectively stalled and has been so for the past number of years … buildings. The teaching staff are outstanding and the school communities, atmospheres and learning environments are second to none. As I have outlined, the project seems to be stalled. It is to be delivered under phase 2 of the Department's accelerated delivery of architectural planning and tendering, ADAPT

confirm that €135 million is being made available between 2026 and 2030 for the State-led early learning and childcare capital programme to facilitate the provision high-quality and accessible early learning and childcare. The process begins this year, with investment in buildings in what is a groundbreaking … forward planning model, a suite of appraisal criteria and tools is being developed in order to assess potential adjustment and alignment of projects with Department goals of promoting equality, inclusion, accessibility and affordability. The Department is assessing project options in order to identify which are best placed

thank Deputy McAuliffe for tabling this important question. I am sure he will agree that Luas Finglas is an exciting project that has the potential to transform Finglas and the wider area around it. There are about 58,000 households in that area. The project will also provide … Deputy McAuliffe and I visited, will allow anyone using those services to connect with the wider public transport network. This is a fantastic project. Importantly, the project will reduce journey times, get people out of cars, help with decarbonisation, provide a more efficient transport system and support

LSSIF, as the Deputy knows, was established under the national sports policy to provide Exchequer support for larger sports facility projects to be able to progress. Previously, there was a gap in that there was no such fund to enable larger projects to proceed. While it is aimed … prioritised by a local authority in the process. The cumulative investment under the LSSIF since 2020 has been €297 million across 68 projects. To date, €60 million has been drawn down by grantees, and the following projects have been completed: the linear walkway and playing fields project

original intention and the continued emphasis of the summer programme is to mitigate the impact of learning loss on those children while schools are closed. An increase in special educational needs prevalence rates, particularly of autism, and the presentation of children with more complex needs has meant that … summer programme is more important than ever. Details of the summer programme were communicated to schools and stakeholders in early May. While it is acknowledged that the details of the programme are typically announced earlier, the Department continually kept in touch with stakeholders querying when the summer programme

propose to take Questions Nos. 25 to 37, inclusive, together. Our programme for Government sets out an ambitious agenda for building our shared island backed by our €2 billion commitment to the shared island fund out to 2035. We are forging ahead with the investment and co-operation … November, the Government made a funding commitment of over €50 million from the shared island fund to resource ten new island-wide programmes over the next five years, including on media, heritage, emergency management, greenways and air transport. In December, the Minister for enterprise and employment

move: To delete all words after "Dáil Éireann" and substitute the following: "notes that: — the Programme for Government commits to continue and accelerate Social Housing regeneration schemes in Dublin, and the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage continues and commits to support regeneration projects submitted by Dublin … billion for housing, which includes support for Dublin City regeneration; — a number of funding channels are available to local authorities to support regeneration projects, including the Social Housing Investment Programme, the Affordable Housing Fund, the Capital Advance Leasing Facility, the Cost Rental Equity Loan, and through the Regeneration

capacity as library authorities under the Local Government Act 2001. Accordingly, the funding and delivery of the Frank O’Connor Library in Mayfield project is primarily a matter for Cork City Council. In April 2023, the Department invited proposals for funding under the current Libraries Capital Programme … total of 33 proposals were received for library capital projects and 15 for next generation mobile library vehicles. Each proposal received was evaluated thoroughly using a scoring matrix published with the initial call for proposals document. Cork City Council's application in respect of Mayfield library unfortunately

College. The Department of Education and Youth is progressing the delivery of a large timber frame modular extension to Lucan Community College. The project will deliver nine additional classrooms, a science laboratory and preparation area and a design and technical graphics room. Construction has already commenced on site … Laoghaire Education and Training Board, and the school authorities in relation to progressing this accommodation. They remain available to provide support on this project, including the scope for repurposing some of the existing classrooms for special education provision. The National Council for Special Education is engaging with

rural regeneration and development fund is the major capital investment programme to support large-scale ambitious projects to achieve sustainable economic and social development in rural areas. To date, the fund has allocated over €614 million to 273 projects across the country, which includes over €43 million since … allocated to 27 projects located throughout County Cork. These projects are being delivered by the local authority and other publicly funded bodies including our local development companies and Údarás na Gaeltachta. Ten of the 27 projects have been completed in County Cork to date. Examples include the first

reflecting the national decline in primary demographics. At a national level, primary enrolments are projected to decline by 100,000 over a ten-year period. In 2022, on foot of an application, accommodation was approved for this school under the additional school accommodation scheme. This project will provide … Department officials in quarter 3 of 2025. This report is currently under review from both a technical and cost perspective. All projects, including this one, will undergo the necessary due diligence outlined in the infrastructure guidelines. Given the detailed nature of the evaluation process, the need to ensure

treatment, survivorship and palliative care; — the current strategy contains 52 recommendations, with 43 of these having been implemented, and the National Cancer Control Programme is continuing to progress implementation of the remaining nine; — the National Cancer Control Programme plays a key role in the planning and oversight … January 2026, an increase of 21 per cent; — the HSE continues to focus on service expansion and improvement, and the National Cancer Control Programme has developed a number of programmes to improve capacity at specialist cancer centres, and to support patients in avoiding Emergency Departments; — the Government

want to address the proposed water supply pipeline from the River Shannon to Dublin. In what would be the largest water project in the history of the State, more than 300 million litres of water a day will be taken from the River Shannon and transported through approximately … billion. Although the Government has described the work to be carried out as an imperative, there are genuine concerns about this project across communities in north Tipperary and the midlands. It will have an impact on one of Ireland's most treasured natural wonders. Local anglers have highlighted

Department manages its funding allocations across three programme areas: rural development, community development, agus an Gaeltacht agus na n-oileáin. For 2026, my Department's overall budget allocation is €613 million, with around €273 million in capital funding and €340 million in current funding. This represents … increase on the 2025 allocation and builds on strong investment in the past number of years. The funding provision for the rural development programme has increased significantly in recent years. When the Department was established in 2017, the programme allocation for rural development was €80 million

City of Dublin Education and Training Board, ETB, made reference in its annual accounts to a legacy IT project for SUSI that started in 2015 – before either of us were in this House - but experienced a number of problems and delays. Ultimately, it did not result … successful delivery of a completed system. Although unacceptable, IT projects, unfortunately, can encounter difficulties both in the public and private sectors. It is often the case, having worked in IT many years ago, that IT projects fail. Sometimes, they can be rebuilt or remodelled and other times they

list and a significant ramp-up of capital investment. What we saw yesterday was an effort to move forward a further 105 projects. That list consisted of 80 large-scale additional school accommodation projects and 25 further projects to be delivered under the modular accommodation programme. A total … projects were already at tender stage and 35 are projects that have planning permission or are at pre-tender stage. The criteria for identifying projects included projects that were ready to go to construction or to tender in 2026 or 2027; the condition of the school; projects

Deputy Aidan Farrelly asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if she will provide a schedule of all capital projects being delivered or which have been completed by her Department and organisations under the aegis of her Department since 1 January 2020; and the total … project cost of projects in excess of €500,000, or of any other capital projects below this that have come to her Department's attention for reasons of overspend or due to the fact that they failed to be delivered; and if she will make a statement

Deputy Aidan Farrelly asked the Minister for Health if she will provide a schedule of all capital projects being delivered or which have been completed by her Department and organisations under the aegis of her Department since 1 January 2020; and the total project cost of projects … excess of €500,000, or of any other capital projects below this that have come to her Department's attention for reasons of overspend or due to the fact that they failed to be delivered; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16686/25

Aidan Farrelly asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will provide a schedule of all capital projects being delivered or which have been completed by his Department and organisations under the aegis of his Department since 1 January … total project cost of projects in excess of €500,000, or of any other capital projects below this that have come to his Department's attention for reasons of overspend or due to the fact that they failed to be delivered; and if he will make a statement

Deputy Aidan Farrelly asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if he will provide a schedule of all capital projects being delivered or which have been completed by his Department and organisations under the aegis of his Department since 1 January 2020; and the total project cost … projects in excess of €500,000, or of any other capital projects below this that have come to his Department's attention for reasons of overspend or due to the fact that they failed to be delivered; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16690/25

Deputy Ciarán Ahern asked the Minister for Social Protection if he is satisfied that providers under the Hot School Meals Programme are not required to provide his Department with details of their preparation methods for meals provided under the programme; his views on whether the Food Safety Authority … Ireland guidelines and regulations (details supplied) are robust enough to ensure that all meals provided to schools under the programme are of good quality and meet a strong nutritional standard; if he is aware of reports or ultra-processed foods being provided under the programme; if he plans

Deputy Aidan Farrelly asked the Minister for Transport the total cost to date of the development and implementation of all dart+ projects to date; the amount expended on the advertising of the project online, broadcast and print to date; the amount expended on public consultations to date … expended on external consultants to include a breakdown by amount and consultancy name in respect of the development and implementation of all dart+ projects to date; the amount expended on legal fees relating to the development and implementation of all dart+ projects to date. [12519/25

Deputy Ciarán Ahern asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science to list the academic scholarship programmes available to Palestinian students in each of Ireland’s higher education institutions; the funding available for each programme; the amount of spaces available and occupied in each … programme; and the qualifying criteria for each programme, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10748/25

Deputy Charles Ward asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the status of each project approved under measures 1, 2 and 3 of the outdoor recreation infrastructure scheme in Donegal, in 2024; the grant approved for each project; the current status of each project; the completion date … each project, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8193/25

Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for Health regarding a building project (details supplied) the initial projected cost of this centres new entrance; the reason some construction work that was completed, relating to a wall that was built at the centre, was subsequently demolished; if there has been … further request for additional funding for this project; if so, the amount of additional money requested; when he expects this project to be completed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5522/25

Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Education and Youth to provide a breakdown, by programme subhead, of the additional €646 million allocated to her Department in 2026, distinguishing between pay and non-pay; the projected end of 2026 outrun for each subhead; and whether her Department currently … projects any further expenditure beyond its revised 2026 allocation. [74462/26

Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation the number of staff that are allocated specifically to the PEACEPLUS Change Maker Funding Programme, including assessment, administration and decision-making; whether they are dedicated staff or shared with other programmes; and the additional capacity is planned for staffing this … programme. [75195/26

Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Minister for Transport the current status of the BusConnects programme for Galway; the projects planned or proposed under the programme; the timeline for their delivery; and the level of funding allocated to date. [74007/26

Deputy John Connolly asked the Minister for Transport the progress made to date on the Oranmore Station Redevelopment and Passing Loop project; the forthcoming stages of the project; the expected timelines for those stages; the estimated completion date and cost range attributable to the project

Deputy John Connolly asked the Minister for Transport the progress made to date on the Galway–Athenry railway line double tracking project; the forthcoming stages of the project lifecycle; the expected timelines for those stages; the estimated cost range attributable to the project; and if he will make

Deputy John Connolly asked the Minister for Transport the progress made to date on the N6 Galway City Ring Road project; the forthcoming stages of the project lifecycle; the expected timelines for those stages; the estimated cost range of the project; and if he will make a statement

progress made to date on the proposed park and ride facility on the N59 corridor under the Park and Ride Strategy Galway programme; the forthcoming stages of the project lifecycle; the expected timelines for those stages; the estimated completion date for the facility; the estimated cost range attributable … project; the number of parking spaces envisaged as part of the facility; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [74214/26

progress made to date on the proposed park and ride facility on the N84 corridor under the Park and Ride Strategy Galway programme; the forthcoming stages of the project lifecycle; the expected timelines for those stages; the estimated completion date for the facility; the estimated cost range attributable … project; the number of parking spaces envisaged as part of the facility; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [74213/26

progress made to date on the proposed park and ride facility at Oranmore Train Station under the Park and Ride Strategy Galway programme; the forthcoming stages of the project lifecycle; the expected timelines for those stages; the estimated completion date for the facility; the estimated cost range attributable … project; the number of parking spaces envisaged as part of the facility; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [74212/26

progress made to date on the proposed park and ride facility on the N83 corridor under the Park and Ride Strategy Galway programme; the forthcoming stages of the project lifecycle; the expected timelines for those stages; the estimated completion date for the facility; the estimated cost range attributable … project; the number of parking spaces envisaged as part of the facility; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [74211/26

proposed park and ride facility on the N6 corridor (Junction 19 of the N6) under the Park and Ride Strategy Galway programme; the forthcoming stages of the project lifecycle; the expected timelines for those stages; the estimated completion date for the facility; the estimated cost range attributable … project; the number of parking spaces envisaged as part of the facility; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [74210/26

progress made to date on the proposed park and ride facility on the R336 corridor under the Park and Ride Strategy Galway programme; the forthcoming stages of the project lifecycle; the expected timelines for those stages; the estimated completion date for the facility; the estimated cost range attributable … project; the number of parking spaces envisaged as part of the facility; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [74209/26

Deputy John Connolly asked the Minister for Transport the progress made to date on the BusConnects Galway programme; the forthcoming stages of the programme; the expected timelines for those stages; the estimated cost range of the Programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [74208/26

Transport the progress made to date on the implementation of the redesigned bus network and associated timetable changes under the BusConnects Galway programme; the forthcoming stages of the programme; the expected timelines for those stages; the estimated completion date for implementation; the estimated cost range attributable to this … element of the programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [74220/26

Connolly asked the Minister for Transport the progress made to date on the implementation of the new ticketing system under the BusConnects Galway programme; the forthcoming stages of the programme; the expected timelines for those stages; the estimated completion date for implementation; the estimated cost range attributable … this element of the programme; what exactly will be included in the new state-of-the-art ticketing system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [74223/26

Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Minister for Education and Youth the status of the proposed capital development project at [details supplied] whether the Stage 2B Report submitted in respect of the project more than six months ago has now been assessed by her Department; if a decision … reasons for any delay; and when the school can expect to receive a determination and progress to the next stage of the project. [73423/26