Search the record

Five phase 1 offshore projects are currently in planning, as the Deputy will be aware, off our east coast, with planned capacity of 3.8 GW. All five have submitted planning applications and first determinations from An Coimisiún Pleanála are anticipated on at least two of these … that is they received detailed requests for further information, particularly around bird surveys. Subject to planning approval, I anticipate that some of these projects will be in construction by 2030. I do not see any of them being electrified, although there is the possibility of one, with

that is acknowledge by what was then An Bord Pleanála and is now An Coimisiún Pleanála. Certainly, those were the first type of projects that they ever had to deal with. I agree there are learnings and they have learnt from them. Second, the planning environment is different … work they are doing. The decisions are coming out quicker and more efficiently. The Deputy made a very fair point. Tthese were large projects that had not been seen in the planning system previously. The learnings from them have been acknowledged. With the new planning Act, I expect

sports bodies that have applied on behalf of clubs, mainly national clubs but what irks me is that, as he said, nine projects from 2018 have still not commenced. We just need to take the bull by the horns at some stage and have a realistic conversation with … those organisations to say that, if they are not drawing down the money, it is going to be reallocated for another worthy project. I say this not out of a desire to take the money from any applicant. The reality is that some organisations have been sitting

deep, wide-reaching concerns among numerous human rights groups and other related charities and organisations, as it could restrict critical access to many programmes, such as emergency homelessness services and highly sought-after social housing for society's most vulnerable and at-risk groups. We must not ignore … Along with that, which I did not notice at the time as I was too young, investment and resources went in, with diversion programmes, drug addiction resources and health resources. That all went in at the time. Gayle will tell you - she has told anyone who has visited

value for money". We have all been in this House long enough to know that the longer we wait to do these projects, they more inflated the price becomes given the way the current market is. If we leave this another year, it could easily add another … within the budget but, at the same time, this is not a problem that just emerged. While it is fair enough that the project only got planning last year, as I said, the prefabs have been there for 25 or 30 years. This build is largely to replace

from us legislating for it, one of the big issues is that we have to hold the companies that have the platforms and programmes to account, those who hold the purse strings because, at the end of the day, this is all to do with money. They have … should be suspended while the company adjudicates. I have no problem with that. As regards the incident we are dealing with, the programme most people were discussing at the time was Grok but it is not just one programme. It did not stop there, because that kind

time period, which is the guideline. Paragraph 22 of the National Cancer Strategy 2017-2026 set out that a rolling replacement programme would be put in place. This has not occurred. In relation to radiation therapy, we have a whole team of people. We have radiation oncologists, radiation … quite clearly that the lifetime of these machines is ten years. Some of these machines are 18 years old. There is a programme, to start in 2027, which talks about replacing two machines per year but that is not enough. We now need to set out a clear

that timely delivery is so important. He spoke about the machines that have broken down. As I have previously set out, a replacement programme for radiation therapy equipment is under way across St. Luke’s Radiation Oncology Network in Dublin, funded under the HSE's capital plan … replacement programme will conclude in 2030. To address future radiotherapy equipment replacement, the Department of Health and the HSE are developing a strategic infrastructure programme to plan for the replacement and expansion of radiotherapy equipment at public radiation oncology facilities. Engagement between the Department and relevant stakeholders will

continued investment in healthcare infrastructure which supports the highest quality care for our older people. This investment includes the community nursing unit capital programme, which was launched to ensure up to 90 of our public community nursing units and community hospitals would be refurbished or replaced to ensure … best-quality environments for our older people. The public private partnership, PPP, aspect of the CNU programme continues to progress and will deliver 528 beds in seven facilities across the country. The new CNU in Killarney is part of the PPP project and will have 130 beds, with

funding. I raised this recently at a joint committee meeting on rural development policy where I highlighted the need to prioritise viable greenway projects that are not yet funded. This is the frustration on the ground. Ready-made projects are waiting while others progress. I have also raised … there; what is missing is delivery. We need better joined-up thinking involving agencies like Bord na Móna. We cannot afford to lose projects that already have roots and strong backing

into the country through those new routes. That will be critical. Later this year, Fáilte Ireland will bring forward a number of capital programmes that will look at how we are developing the 46,000 businesses in our country to capture the opportunity for tourism. People coming into … utility bills, which are challenging. Much work will be going on with businesses over the course of this year, with our new capital programmes and looking at our attractions. As Deputy Kelly pointed out, the spine of the country is critical. Much work has been done with

address the waiting lists and resume the provision of a memory clinic service in south Tipperary. As the Deputy quite rightly said, the programme for Government includes a commitment to roll out more memory assessment and support services. I had the honour of being able to write that … into the programme for Government. I feel strongly about dementia supports, regardless of where people live. I am disappointed to see that this is the current situation. I have been told that referrals can be made to the south Tipperary integrated care programme for older persons, ICPOP, team

storage and batteries. In addition, we are increasing battery capacity to buffer the grid during peak production. The fourth is the national hydrogen programme. Our new national hydrogen programme task force is overseeing a work programme to develop green hydrogen as a long-term storage solution for surplus

programme for Government commits to updating the ethics in public office legislation. I assure the Deputy that this remains a priority. I have updated Government colleagues this week with a memorandum for information on the progress that is being made. However, as the Deputy is aware, this … complex area and careful consideration is required across a range of issues before detailed proposals are progressed. I want to advance the programme for Government commitment, which represents an opportunity to make real and meaningful long-term change and reform to our current system. I am determined that

around quickly. In what we set out in the infrastructure reforms, part of the improvement to accelerate infrastructure may involve designation for any project. The other elements are about ensuring that we have better performance across the lifecycle of a project from the point at which someone … order that we save more time before the planning application is made. We must also standardise the overall construction aspect of particular projects in order that they will be built quicker. I share with the Deputy the objective of improved bed capacity for the west of Ireland

billion is even additional headroom for housing supply. We want to ensure that Irish Water builds and advances many of these projects. I do not have a specific breakdown with respect to its wastewater treatment plants or some of its water supply plans at a local level with … been raised with the Taoiseach and the Tánaiste in other questions about the public engagement piece and the clarity of project delivery in certain towns and villages. I will engage directly with Irish Water on that because there should be clarity with respect to capital plans also across

Cooney asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation if the Critical Infrastructure Bill 2026 will apply to wastewater projects irrespective of their scale or geographic location; if he will consider a programme-level designation for wastewater treatment infrastructure across the country rather than … limiting fast-track status to individual large-scale projects; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40521/26

capacity in the construction sector. The significant investment made by Government to deliver housing and fundamental infrastructure has been complemented by a considered programme of reform to address challenges within the infrastructure delivery ecosystem. The Government has already made significant efforts to orient itself towards infrastructure co-ordination … delivery. The NDP review and sectoral investment plans are providing multi-annual funding certainty and a strong pipeline of projects. My Department has been tasked with identifying and addressing the most significant barriers to delivery. The infrastructure division in my Department has taken a stronger oversight and monitoring

child and young person can reach their full potential is a key priority for me as Minister and for my Department. The DEIS programme and the new DEIS plus scheme, which will begin this year as part of the DEIS strategy to 2035, are key initiatives … Department’s approach to addressing educational disadvantage. Schools were identified for inclusion in the DEIS and DEIS plus programmes using refined, rules-based approaches built on nationally available pupil-level administrative data that was applied consistently across all schools in the country. The DEIS identification process is based

need that clarity. My understanding is that, while the schools will be contacted today, the portal will open next week. This is a programme that is growing very significantly in terms of the numbers of children. We all know in our own constituencies and in our own communities … children benefited from that scheme. Like I said, last year it was over 70,000. That is a sign of a programme that is working, and I thank all those around the country who provide this programme. It is also a sign, though, of the need, the fact

this country well outside the Dublin area thriving. I spent a lot of time in Galway recently where there are key infrastructural projects we need to deliver, like the ring road and the BusConnects project. Down in Cork, there is the Luas project as well

thank Deputy Clendennen for raising this important issue and listing a number of the important school projects across Offaly that are in need of progression. Being blunt, quite a lot of schools are at stage 2B. We, collectively as a House, want to see as many of them … schools in Offaly. The Minister for education has published what we can call the first tranche of a significant number of school building projects. I want to be very clear that this is not the final word on the matter and the Government will be making further allocations

That is where we are at currently. Recommendation 13 from the scrutiny came on the back of a discussion that we had about programmes like “Bluey”, “Dora the Explorer” and so on. These are programmes that kids enjoy in this jurisdiction, perhaps during the summer months in Donegal … When they return home, they have no access to the RTÉ Player and these programmes that they have grown to love, and the characters who are speaking as Gaeilge to them. Those are not the only issues. We have already mentioned Olympic coverage, all-Ireland finals and other

deal with the issue of geoblocking, in respect of which Sinn Féin had proposed a measure, and how wrong it is that RTÉ programmes and particular events, including sporting events, are not available to those in the North. We hear the Taoiseach talk about the shared island unit … self-employed. We have seen the issue around producers who pull down State money and who create designated activity companies, DACs, for running projects such as film production. Then when somebody wants to use the industrial relations framework to ensure they have their rights, it is not available

important we acknowledge the work that is being done and the amount of money the Government is putting behind the DEIS plus programme and understand the disadvantage in communities across the country and in the ones the Deputy outlined. The challenge is ensuring we have proper governance … authorities and that is completely independent of the Department and of the Minister. The appeals submitted have been looked at. The DEIS plus programme has been put out there to ensure disadvantaged schools and communities are supported in a meaningful way and that we are targeting scarce resources

James O'Connor asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she will outline the schools that were included in the 14 pilot projects for the school transport scheme in the 2024-2025 school year; if she will confirm the timeline when the findings of these projects will

Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media when NewERA was informed of the problems with the IT project at RTÉ; if he was informed of the issues around the IT project at RTÉ; and if he will make a statement

Deputy Liam Quaide asked the Minister for Education and Youth the projected provision of special school placements nationally at primary and secondary level for September 2025, in particular, the name and location of the school, the number of projected class places and the population size served. [22437/25

Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 229 of 19 February 2025, if the Gender Healthcare Programme considers that there may be a conflict of interest given previous advice given by its staff outside the context of programme

Deputy Martin Daly asked the Minister for Health the status of the Laura Brennan HPV vaccine catch-up programme for students who missed out on the school vaccination programme. [22639/25

subcontractors engaged in resolving the failures in the Companies Registration Office IT system have previously been involved in other public sector ICT projects in Ireland where significant project delays, failures, or cost overruns occurred; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21292/25

Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of island schools receiving the school meals programme; if he is satisfied with the way in which the programme is operating on island schools; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17120/25

McGreehan asked the Minister for Social Protection to address concerns regarding the nutritional value of the meals provided under the hot school meals programme; if he is aware that certain dietary requirements are not catered for under the programme; and if he will make a statement

Deputy Conor D. McGuinness asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the proportion of LEADER funding allocated specifically to projects within Gaeltacht areas over the past five years; and if he will assess the impact of the programme on sustaining linguistic and economic development in these communities

Deputy Conor D. McGuinness asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if any independent evaluations of the LEADER programme’s value for money have been commissioned since 2020; if so, to provide the main findings; and if further reviews are planned in the current programme cycle. [21886/25

Deputy Conor D. McGuinness asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the number of LIS projects completed annually since 2020; and if he will provide details of the average funding awarded per project. [21894/25

Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Social Protection the current projects under the remit of his Department that received EU funding in 2024 and to date in 2025; and the percentage of the funding that was actually funded by the EU in each of those projects

Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Justice the projected recruitment pipeline for prison officers in 2025 to 2027; the projected attrition rate; and the expected net staffing change. [21490/25

Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the projects in County Meath that received funding under the CLAR Programme; and the amount of funding received for the years 2023, 2024 and to-date in 2025, in tabular form. [21328/25

total funding allocated to Galway City Council and Galway County Council over the past five years for district heating initiatives, including both project development and feasibility studies, by project and year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19639/25

funding provided over the past five years to Galway City Council and Galway County Council for the purpose of advancing district heating projects or carrying out feasibility assessments; the breakdown, by project and local authority; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19641/25

Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if his Department will publish the current projected EU climate targets for Ireland; and the actions being taken to reduce Ireland’s projected emissions in order to meet those targets. [19679/25

Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to provide an update on the spring legislative programme; to report on progress of Bills listed in the spring legislative programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20763/25

completion of the Mallow relief road in County Cork has been established; to provide an update on the current stage of the project’s development; and the amount spent to date on the project. [20231/25

submitted by Clare County Council, whether successful or not, for the years 2022, 2023 and 2024, in tabular form; the details of the projects that received funding; the details of the prioritisation assessment policy for determining which projects were successful; and if he will make a statement

Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Transport if he can provide an update on the Dart Plus Coastal North project; the estimated date for the roll out of this project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20723/25

Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform the status of the National Catchment-based Flood Risk Assessment and Management Programme for the Dublin City Council administrative area; the current timelines for the delivery of the projects; and if he will make a statement

Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Education her views on the length of initial teacher training programme; if there are plans to make changes to the programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19556/25

Cummins asked the Minister for Education the current status of the ratification process by the Teaching Council for new initial teacher education programmes developed within technological universities; if she is aware of any delays or barriers affecting programme validation; the steps being taken to ensure timely recognition

Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Education to provide an update on a school building project (details supplied); to confirm when the project will move to construction stage; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19975/25