Search the record

affected from an immigration perspective. The Department is also continuing to work with the Department of Health on the Gaza medevac programme. We have responded to humanitarian crises before by establishing programmes to allow people in the State to bring relatives here if they can prove that they … independently support them. The Afghan admissions programme was the most recent of these. There is no special arrangement in place for Palestinian students. No one is proposing the establishment of such a scheme, but we continue to support the Palestinian people in many ways

thank the Minister for the response and for the excellent news that this project will go to tender in the coming weeks. I take it, therefore, that the Minister has engaged with the Minister, Deputy Jack Chambers, and that this project has been or is ready … also on the list. Therefore, three schools that were on that list have seen substantial progress. It is great news that this project will go to tender in the coming weeks. If the Minister could be more specific on the date, it would be great. I know

also acknowledge the hard work that the board of management and all the school team have put into this project. As I said, it is expected to proceed to tender shortly. In relation to engagement with the Department of public expenditure and reform, all school building projects that … submitted to the Department of public expenditure and reform for its approval before proceeding to tender. This is one of a number of projects currently under review by the Department of public expenditure and reform. Our engagement has been positive and, as I said, I would expect this

back to her Department and get absolute clarity about how that money has been spent this year to date. What capital projects have been delivered in disability this year? Where has the money been consumed that was ring-fenced for capital budgets? Has it all been consumed … detailed design and tender stages and planning, or have we actually delivered tangible disability projects? I work closely with Corlann, formerly Brothers of Charity, and also Ability West in Galway. They are legacy organisations. They have sites and they have space. Does the Minister of State know what

expansion of, not just County Galway, but the west as a whole. That includes the western rail corridor and many other significant strategic projects. Galway has a strong ecosystem, like Mayo, in medical technology and pharmaceuticals and in working with the likes of the enterprise agencies, including … LEOs, we can continue to harness new start-ups. There has been a huge uptake in participants in the new frontiers programme and that has been of huge benefit in collaboration with the University of Galway and ATU. We need to continue to support that pipeline

will bring forward measures to support SMEs and businesses to access finance and capital. Enterprise Ireland is now ramping up the startup Ireland programme. We have invested significantly in recent times in the new frontiers programme, especially in the likes of the south east. We have funded Enterprise … Ireland to support local startups and the accelerate programme, which is managed on behalf of Enterprise Ireland in the south east. It is important that we can continue to support new startups and enterprise hubs as indigenous Irish companies are critically important not just because they support foreign

thank the senior Minister for being here at this hour to take this. This issue is both topical and important. The school meals programme is one of the most important investments the State makes in children. At €300 million per year, it touches nearly every primary school … guaranteed. Children can order chicken goujons every single day of the week or plain pasta every day. This is not a school meals programme. It is a race to the bottom. However, there is a better way, and we do not have to look far to find

demand that is there. Ireland's demand will grow and will double between now and 2050. That is why the grid investment programme is so important, and that we improve the resilience, distribution and capacity of our grid. To get to the kernel of the Deputy's question … housing development has not been connected because of a data centre. PR6, which is our investment programme, outlines all the various things we need to do across the economy and society, that is, the 300,000 new homes we need to build, industrial growth, economic growth and infrastructural

been for 36 years. Emissions per capita are now at the lowest level since 1990. On foot of these record reductions, we are projected to achieve the first carbon budget and the sectoral emissions ceiling in the residential and public and commercial building sectors. Looking forward, existing measures … additional measures are projected to improve. They will not get us to 50% by 2030 but the EPA projections to 2030 have improved across most sectors. This is a clear sign that we are making progress. Very importantly, for four years we have been able to decouple economic

projects that are outlined, from the detail I get as to where they are, a lot of them have already commenced and that is good. There is not major slippage within it. We will get the Deputy some details on that. Not every milestone in every project will … Meath over the summer. They were the three local authorities. That needs to start. Above all else, if I were to pick one project that needs to happen it is the Noth-South one. We will look at the Deputy's Bill, which was only published yesterday

thank the Minister but I want to raise the concern among providers about the fee arrangements under the core funding programme and the disparity between long-established childcare providers and numerous service providers entering the scheme. I welcome what the Minister has outlined - the continuous improvement in funding … from €259 million when the programme started in 2022 to an increase of over €480 million from September 2026 - but the current fee arrangements have created unintended inequality between service providers. Service providers that have been involved in the core funding programme since its introduction have had their

Programme for Government - Securing Ireland's Future commits to examining the extension of parent's leave and benefit and additional flexibilities. The first action plan under the new national strategy for women and girls, published in August, includes measures to support working families in balancing work and family … including extending parent's leave. The Department is taking forward work to implement that measure and to look at and examine it. The programme for Government also commits to introducing pay-related parent's benefit and exploring other payments where a similar model could be applied

chur leis an ngealltanas sin a chomhlíonadh i mbuiséad 2027. I wish to discuss one of the key educational commitments of the programme for Government, specifically the one to reduce the general pupil-teacher ratio in primary schools to 19:1. The opportunity afforded to Government to contribute … introduce new subjects. This is an issue that is pressing and pending. Schools are inundated with people selling online tools, schemes and programmes to try to help with the issues that pupils encounter. However, without a shadow of a doubt, all of those fall into insignificance when compared

programme for Government commits to improving cancer care and access to treatment in the regions. Cork University Hospital stopped carrying out stem cell treatments in 2009. Since then, blood cancer patients from Cork and the south west have had to travel to St. James's or Galway … have had to travel to Galway and recuperate there after their treatment. A €27 million stem cell unit at CUH has had a project team in place since 2024. The HSE's own tender notice admits that CUH is not providing optimal treatment for stem cell

concern across Galway about the scale and location of proposed solar farm developments. Many constituents have raised concerns about solar proposals, including the projects being pursued on productive, top-tier agricultural farmland and in close proximity to rural homes and communities. The closest panels in the case … proximity of the proposal and the future expansion of Lackagh village, which I attended. In line with the commitment contained in the programme for Government, will the Minister provide an update on when the solar energy guidelines will be published and commenced? Will we see guidelines this year

need to be evidence based and must have that in mind. Over the summer, I launched the idea of a driver theory test programme that would really look at that evidence and robustly engage with the next generation of road users, whether drivers, cyclists, e-scooter users … development officers could be hired in the RSA and sent out to schools to give a universal driver and road user training programme that would culminate in a fully funded driver theory test. We all know in this Chamber that to take control of a vehicle

before the liveability of the town as well as the livelihoods and well-being of its residents. The scale of the proposed project in Jigginstown is terrifying. If built, the Herbata complex would span an area seven times the size of Croke Park, reportedly consume three times … million tonnes of CO2 per year. That is equivalent to the emissions of half a million cars. If allowed to go ahead, this project will spell disaster, worsening the already dire cost of living, housing and climate crisis. The hyperscale facility would create further problems in terms

represent a significant economic activity. Ireland's wider multinational economy has supported this and continues to do so, but not every single project is justified. Looking at the programme for Government, one of the things I was very happy to have helped negotiate was that data centres should … energy. I favour and will continue to favour the use of renewable energy. I do not think a blanket ban can distinguish between projects on that basis. Likewise, as regards the 20% levy, while a levy should be examined, this one should not immediately be examined without

exercise of these powers. On the advice of the Attorney General, the Government decided to expedite those elements of the wider codification project where there was an urgent need for greater legal certainty. This Bill, therefore, focuses in particular on search, stop and search, access to electronic devices … practice. All amendments are subject to further drafting consideration. This Bill represents a targeted and expedited phase of the broader Garda powers reform project, focusing on areas where urgent constitutional and legal clarity is required, particularly search, stop and search, access to electronic devices and custody safeguards. Other

into the Bill, and trust me I am not going to go on about this for long, obviously, we all know about the programme tonight. It is absolutely impossible for the Minister not to come in here next week to answer questions on this on behalf … been told because I have raised many of the issues, although not all because not all will be covered by this programme, directly with the Minister, separate from anything to do with protective disclosures, and I have tabled hundreds of parliamentary questions. Finally on this issue, I believe

DEIS strategy and the DEIS plus scheme. That provides more teaching positions and more staffing and supports for schools as well. That DEIS programme will benefit approximately 30,000 children and young people attending DEIS plus schools as well as one in four children across schools … programme. Under the programme for Government, there is a commitment to reduce the general primary pupil-teacher ratio to 19:1 over the lifetime of the Government and to introduce targeted measures for schools with very large class sizes. This builds on substantial progress already made. The primary

educational disadvantage and supporting those with special educational needs to achieve their full potential. It has enabled huge investment in the school buildings programme, in curriculum reform, in school leadership and in continuous professional development for teachers. Under the programme for Government, there is a commitment … make further progress as part of the annual budgetary process in reducing the primary pupil-teacher ratio in the context of that programme for Government implementation

permanent extension under the ASA scheme in 2021 for a two-classroom special education needs unit and one mainstream classroom. The project is devolved to the school for delivery and my Department is currently awaiting a submission of the stage 1 design report from the school. The school … subsequently applied in 2024 for reconfiguration of an existing classroom to cater for a second special class pending completion of the permanent extension project. The Department approved this application and it has already been delivered. The NDP implementation plan for the education and youth sector

also conversations that need to happen at home, with parents. It is important that we situate the area of learning within the SPHE programme, rather than in a separate programme. SPHE aims to equip young people and students with the knowledge and understanding of how to navigate … SPHE classes. That is why Oide, which deals with professional learning for teachers across the country, has rolled out an extensive programme of teacher professional learning over the past three years to support the introduction of the new SPHE specifications. There have been more than 10,000 teacher

progress, while remaining steadfast in fully implementing the Good Friday Agreement and its potential. To date, the Government has advanced the largest ever programme of all-island investment to build a more connected island through the shared island initiative, backed by a €2 billion fund. In April … launched a new phase of a joint research programme with the ESRI focusing on strategic policy and co-operation possibilities for the island. In December 2025, I launched the first report on what will now be a new annual ESRI series to analyse economic trends across the island

Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Education and Youth the infrastructure projects being built or commissioned by her Department that are currently late in their delivery; and the infrastructure projects currently over budget; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34089/25

Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she will provide an urgent update on the extension project at a school (details supplied); the cause of delays in her Department’s review and approval of the fire safety certificate and disability access certificate; when … approval will be granted to allow construction to begin, given that the tender process is complete, a builder has been appointed, and the project is ready to commence pending Department sign-off; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34215/25

Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Education and Youth for an update on a school project (details supplied); if this project can be expedited; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34364/25

Education and Youth when schools that underwent a REPowerEU Energy Inventory Profile Survey as part of the second phase of the REPowerEU Pathfinder Programme will be notified as to whether they will be included in the programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34501/25

Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport the infrastructure projects being built or commissioned by his Department that are currently late in their delivery; and the infrastructure projects currently over budget; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34087/25

Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the infrastructure projects being built or commissioned by his Department that are currently late in their delivery; and the infrastructure projects currently over budget; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34095/25

Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Social Protection the infrastructure projects being built or commissioned by his Department that are currently late in their delivery; and the infrastructure projects currently over budget; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34099/25

Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration in the case of youth diversion programmes for those aged 8 to 11 years old, who will be responsible for referring young people to the programme as they do not meet the minimum age of criminal

Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the infrastructure projects being built or commissioned by his Department that are currently late in their delivery; and the infrastructure projects currently over budget; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34096/25

Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the infrastructure projects being built or commissioned by his Department that are currently late in their delivery; and the infrastructure projects currently over budget; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34084/25

Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the infrastructure projects being built or commissioned by her Department that are currently late in their delivery; and the infrastructure projects currently over budget; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34085/25

Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health the infrastructure projects being built or commissioned by her Department that are currently late in their delivery; and the infrastructure projects currently over budget; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34094/25

Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the infrastructure projects being built or commissioned by his Department that are currently late in their delivery; and the infrastructure projects currently over budget; and if he will make a statement

Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht the infrastructure projects being built or commissioned by his Department that are currently late in their delivery; and the infrastructure projects currently over budget; and if he will make a statement on the matter

regarding the Naval Reserve’s plan to launch four new vessels for harbour protection; the reasons for the delays; and the revised total projected cost for the completion of the full project. [33267/25

asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the current capital works that are ongoing at present at Curragh Camp; when each of those projects will be completed; and the estimated cost of each project, in tabular form. [31967/25

Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Transport to detail which transport infrastructure projects are currently late in their delivery and which transport infrastructure projects are currently over budget. [32687/25

Deputy James O'Connor asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she will provide an update on a school building project for a school (details supplied); to outline the timeline for this project; when the school can expect to move through the next stage

Deputy Conor Sheehan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the amount of the projected €450 million allocated for the croí cónaithe (cities) scheme that has been spent to date; to provide a breakdown, by year, since 2022, and the projected spend in 2025; the number

international protection applicants and beneficiaries of temporary protection, particularly those fleeing the war in Ukraine, he will outline in full any current or projected plans for the establishment, expansion or repurposing of accommodation centres within Cork north central over the next twelve months; if his Department has identified … will provide a list of all such locations currently under consideration, negotiation, or formal agreement, including timelines for activation and capacity projections for each. [32133/25

Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the projected service demand and planned capacity increases in the provision of disability services for the period 2025 to 2029 (details supplied); and if he will provide any published forecasts, modelling data, or strategic planning documentation that … underpin these projections, including relevant content from the Action Plan for Disability Services or other national strategies. [32157/25

Children, Disability and Equality if she will allocate funding to an organisation (details supplied) from the 2026 National Service Plan for a programme to directly employ nine senior physiotherapists nationally to enable 1,458 people living with multiple sclerosis and other neurological conditions to receive group physiotherapy programmes

Donna McGettigan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science for detailed information on the six further education building projects marked as output targets for 2025; the reason there were no building projects planned for the years 2023 and 2024; and if he will

allocated to Defence Forces infrastructure for the years 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024 and to 31 May 2025, in tabular form; the number of projects completed, the number of projects under way; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31221/25

will provide an update on her Department’s plan to publish a timeline for these pilot projects; if her Department has instructed Bus Éireann to change concessionary tickets to eligible tickets following pilot projects being completed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31313/25