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here, so I have always been focused on solutions. One of the most frustrating things to me is that since negotiating the programme for Government, I have learned how the systems in the Dáil need to be changed. If we take Dublin, for example, it is the economic … needed in some cases, I would like a clear answer on how much is being given out. The delays in Dublin City Council projects, the conditions of some of the public places in the area I represent and the lack of basic amenities are not good enough. Yesterday

Obviously, the airport plays a huge role in that and that we open it up to as many people as possible. The programme for Government includes a commitment to work with stakeholders with the objective of lifting the passenger cap at Dublin Airport. This means working with local … course, a huge amount of property tax is taken in but a huge amount is also being reinvested, whether through the national programmes or directly by Dublin City Council. Of course, we want to work with the Deputy to make sure all our priorities and all these important

care and education, ECCE, spaces for children to which every child has access. About 96% or 97% of children are accessing the ECCE programme, which is available to parents. Beyond that, we have set out a very clear commitment in the programme for Government not just to make … places as well. That has become a much more significant challenge in areas with a growing population. We have a five-year programme for Government. We have made very clear commitments that we will provide the places and reduce the costs for parents. The plan and intention

first of five budgets to be delivered by the Government; — this Government has committed to, and will stand by, its Programme for Government commitment to make progressive changes to personal income tax, if the economy remains strong; — preparation for Budget 2027 is already underway, and decisions regarding policy … Plan, includes the once-off receipts arising from the Court of Justice of the European Union ruling of 2024, to advance key capital projects; — the Irish economy is facing its second fossil fuel shock in less than half a decade; — fossil fuel dependence, especially imported fossil fuels

fault of the Government. That is a very simplistic approach. lf the economy remains strong, we will stand by the programme for Government commitment to make progressive changes to personal income tax rates. We have full employment. I suppose that is jammy and good luck too. From … working and there are significant tax measures to support them. I remind the Opposition, the Labour Party in particular, that the programme for Government is a five-year programme. We have delivered one budget in that timeframe, yet the Deputies seem somewhat disappointed that every measure

Plan, includes the once-off receipts arising from the Court of Justice of the European Union ruling of 2024, to advance key capital projects; — the Irish economy is facing its second fossil fuel shock in less than half a decade; — fossil fuel dependence, especially imported fossil fuels … next years' Budget for Government intervention; and — the State is forecast to run a surplus of €9.2 billion, €4.1 billion higher than previously projected; and calls on the Government to immediately introduce a Cost of Living Emergency Budget that will: — cut the Universal Social Charge

under the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine but, as the Deputy will be aware, it was a key commitment in the programme for Government to have a joined-up approach to dog control issues, something I fought for and advocated for during the negotiations … programme for Government. This was to ensure that we would have that joined-up approach to dog control issues, legislative and policy responsibility for the Control of Dogs Act and the Dog Breeding Establishments Act and have that transferred from the Department of Rural and Community Development

homes in line with contemporary standards; — this plan is based on successful estate retrofit and regeneration, such as Killarney Court and the pilot project in Ballybough Court; — the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, is refusing to fund the initial proposals for the retrofit and regeneration … with a dedicated team of staff, headed by a senior assistant director of service, with a comprehensive budget, to drive an accelerated programme of flat complex retrofit and regeneration. The flat communities of Dublin's inner city are not a problem to be managed. They are communities

fully justified. Furthermore, over €230 million per annum of Exchequer funding is being provided to local authorities under the planned maintenance and voids programmes, the energy retrofit programme and the regeneration and refurbishment programme, all of which are proving vital in the refurbishment and maintenance of local authority

Department, Dublin City Council is delivering significant regeneration in Dublin city and we are supporting the council's ambitious pipeline of regeneration projects. Significant work is ongoing within the council's portfolio of regeneration projects as a direct result of extensive supports the Government is providing. Large-scale … mixed-tenure redevelopments are beginning to bear fruit, transforming their respective communities and delivering housing at scale. The Donore project at the former St. Teresa's Gardens flat complex, as well as the Montpelier development at the former O'Devaney Gardens

part of Dolphin House phase 1, and 32 homes for older persons at Glin Court in Coolock. The Department is funding eight projects currently on-site, delivering almost 1,000 homes at a total investment cost of €490 million. Additionally, Dublin City Council has a strong pipeline … regeneration projects that are currently at implementation phase, with building contractors on-site and construction progressing rapidly. These include 163 homes at Dorset Street, St. Mary's, Dublin 1, 102 homes at St. Anne's Court, Dublin 5 and 46 homes at Constitution Hill, phase 1, Dublin

those people to all the social and health costs that with it. We know from research conducted by the Robert Emmet Community Development Project and Trinity College that children in the Oliver Bond Street flats are 2.4 times more likely to have asthma relative to the general population … authorities across this country, we have seen a hollowing-out of staffing over many years. Some local authorities have tried to start apprenticeship programmes in their maintenance departments, but we have far too few. If we are to seriously have a planned maintenance programme across all local authorities

hÉireann, the Irish Constitution, provides for such an emergency action in Article 43.2.2°. The new law must provide for a massive construction programme for social and affordable houses on public land by local authorities. Local authorities must be funded to carry out this programme, which includes building houses … social housing stock of 5,210 units, but works on just 71 of those houses were completed under the energy retrofit programme in 2024. This is a snail's pace and is totally unacceptable but it is the best that could be done with the funds available

left on their own, either by death or separation, with large expenses. The Deputy is absolutely right. We have the retrofit programmes and various support programmes, but for many older people it is a very big project to take on. I am going to be doing

engaged. The payments under the contract are directly linked to the costs incurred by the contractor and are based on standard international engineering projects. The Deputy presents it as black and white. To be fair, it is not, and I respectfully challenge him. This is a complex matter … would like and we recognise that, but we must get it right and we must be prudent in the management of the project to be delivered. I take the point that it will make a great headline on the news tomorrow that we are running behind time

child who is at the centre of court proceedings. It is really concerning. Judge Simms, who appeared on the "RTÉ Investigates" programme last week, was in here last month with GALs. I hosted them in the audiovisual room, so they could outline these issues. It is hard … take anything positive from the "RTÉ Investigates" programme last week but one tiny positive was seeing the powerful advocates that the GALs were on that programme. When they were in here last month, one GAL set out a case that I want to read into the record

understanding is that the Department of education is awaiting the submission of stage 2b material from Cork ETB in respect of this project. When that is received, it will be looked at from a technical and cost perspective. Obviously, as the Deputy said, there is an issue about … overall prioritisation of the project in terms of the school capital programme. The issue relating to Irish Water is also a factor. The note I have states that it is expected that the stage 2b material will be submitted in quarter 3. That needs to happen as quickly

This is the first time that the systemic issues that the industry might have are being dealt with. We put this into the programme for Government and have implemented it. Industry representatives meet with the Departments and the regulators, but not on specific projects. That is not allowed … more systemic. Are there general issues that are impeding projects? How can we speed up permissions and make sure on that front, while also challenging the private sector as well in terms of making sure it will have its work done in respect of this? I have attended

significant investment of taxpayer's money we are allocating to Uisce Éireann as a utility company to be able to deliver those generational projects, and also to deliver those smaller projects right across the country, is critical to ensuring we are able to develop the quantum of housing … build that resilience into the network, as in the wider Dungarvan area, not only for the existing population but for what will be projected going forward. In the context of the €12 billion we are allocating to water in the national development plan, every cent of that will

services and another for extensions to existing premises for private services. Community services can avail of investment of up to €530,000 for projects up to a total value of €650,000. Private services can avail of investment of up to €265,000 for projects … funding to come from the operator. Thresholds from the scheme have been updated since the previous scheme to reflect construction price inflation. All projects will be required to accept a charge on the premises to protect the State's interest in the property and ensure that the capital

Teachta for all the work he is doing in relation to it. It is now one of the 105 large-scale school building projects that will go to tender and-or construction during 2026 and 2027. In other words, the project is definitely moving forward. The 600-pupil … post-primary school project was authorised to proceed to tender on 12 November 2025. The invitation to tender issued on 28 November 2025 through the eTender portal. A request for an extension to the tender return period was granted. The school has also been granted a two-classroom

provided either otherwise than for profit or subject to Core Funding and caps on all provision at Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE Programme) rates, and property consisting wholly or partly of a building, which is used partly as a dwelling to a significant extent and occupied … right for children. The first five years of a child's life shapes 90% of their development. Our preschool education programme, taken up by 96% of eligible children throughout the country, improves child outcomes, reduces poverty and enhances lifelong employment prospects. Something that is not right

produce homes at scale all around the country, but particularly in the urban areas where they are badly needed. There are two projects in my area, Clongriffin Central and, just this week, Richmond Village. Some projects the Minister of State will be familiar with in his own area … generally in his neighbourhood are Shanganagh and Dundrum. These are big projects. The planners are saying that apartments are what are required now in terms of the use of land, the intensification of land use, transport-oriented planning, etc., and that is welcome. When I look

priority for Government and we are committed to delivering on the targets across all pillars of the plan. The strategy delivers on the programme for Government commitment to increase housing supply and tackle homelessness with an ambitious target to deliver 15,000 starter homes annually … with taking over State lands in addition to unlocking stalled private planning consented developments in the shorter term through its market engagement initiative, Project Tosaigh, to facilitate additional starter home delivery. We will continue to work closely with local authorities, approved housing bodies, the LDA and other

school staff. Children's Health Ireland also provides an education day specifically for SNAs on clean intermittent catheterisation, CIC. The SNA national training programme, which is fully funded by the Department of Education and Youth for serving SNAs, provides practical training and a module on supporting students with … primary care needs, including medical and complex needs. To date, approximately 3,774 SNAs have completed the national training programme. Where specific targeted training is required, the board of management can also liaise with the HSE in order to ensure that the HSE provides guidance and training that

Deputy Martin Kenny asked the Minister for Justice if he is satisfied that the committee appointed to monitor the effectiveness of the diversion programme is fulfilling its statutory obligations under section 44 of the Children’s Act 2001 by reviewing all aspects of the Garda Youth Diversion Programme

Deputy Mark Wall asked the Minister for Health to consider permanent funding to support the drug related intimidation and violence engagement programme; her plans with this programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14732/25

Paul O'Shea asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if he would outline what funding has been allocated to Cork county projects as part of the town and village renewal scheme from 2020 to 2024; the projects approved, in tabular form, and if the monies

Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage how many capital assistance scheme (CAS) projects have been sanctioned by his Department since he became Minister; the number of homes likely to be delivered under CAS in 2025; and the number of CAS projects

asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the details of staff resources in Naas regional veterinary office dedicated to the wildlife programme in each of the years from 2015 to date (details supplied); and the complement of farm relief service operatives available for the badger programme

Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs for a list of civilian infrastructure projects supported by Irish Aid in Palestine; and an update on how each project has fared under Israeli bombardment. [13639/25

date for the roll out of the digital wallet; when persons will have access to the digital wallet; the status of the project; if Departments are involved in the project, and if so, their respective roles; if changes to the Social Welfare Act 2022 are needed for public

Deputy Ryan O'Meara asked the Minister for Education with regard to the Gaeltacht learning period grant for primary ITE programmes, if he will consider the implementation of a similar grant model for post-primary ITE programmes (details supplied); and if she will make a statement

Deputy Tom Brabazon asked the Minister for Justice the names of projects within the Dublin north Garda division that received funding under the Community Safety Innovation Fund in 2023 and 2024, and the amount received per project, in tabular form. [13999/25

Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Health if HSE funding provided to the Community Access Support Tea pilot project comes from existing resources or from additional funding specific to the project; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13588/25

Deputy John Clendennen asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science for an update on a project (details supplied), its location, tendering and timeline for commencement of the project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13475/25

Community Development further to Parliamentary Question No. 1750 of 22 January 2025, to provide an update on structural and demolition works on a project (details supplied); the amount expended to date on works at the site; the next envisaged phase in the development of the project; when

Rural and Community Development for an update on the future of the dormant accounts fund; the plans in place to support those projects and programmes currently funded by the dormant accounts fund when the funding finishes; the discussions he has had on this; and if he will make

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to comment on the ongoing delay in his Department's approvals for social and affordable housing projects funded via SHIP, CAS, CALF, CREL and AHF; to confirm the total number of projects submitted to his Department under each funding stream since

Urban Regeneration and Development Fund are fully allocated; when funding will be available again since the fund is part of the Project Ireland 2040 programme; if an alternative funding stream will be provided to replace the fund; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12130/25

Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth when she intends to evaluate the eligibility of the ECCE programme, as outlined in the Programme for Government; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13028/25

Deputy Mark Wall asked the Minister for Transport the up-to-date position on a piece of infrastructure project in County Kildare (details supplied); if he will outline the meetings and correspondence he has had with the relevant local authority on the project; and if he will make

Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Transport when the new regional airport programme will be released given the current programme expires in 2025; the steps his Department is taking to ensure that regional airports remain viable and are able to attract international routes; and if he will

Deputy Aidan Farrelly asked the Minister for Transport the total cost to date of the development and implementation of the BusConnects project; the amount expended on the advertising of the project online, broadcast and print to date; the amount expended on public consultations; the totality expended on external

Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform if his Department has had engagement with relevant stakeholders, including those who benefit from cohesion policy programmes, or EU counterparts, regarding proposals within the ReArm Europe package to allow cohesion policy programmes and funding to be used for defence purposes

Deputy Marie Sherlock asked the Minister for Education the level of funding for school completion programmes (details supplied) from the years 2020 to 2025, per programme, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10784/25

Deputy Marie Sherlock asked the Minister for Education the number of staff working for school completion programmes (details supplied) from the years 2020 to 2025, per programme, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10785/25

Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Education if she is aware of US-based Catholic missionary organisations (details supplied) running pilot programmes in State-funded primary schools for pre-confirmation classes; if the content of these programmes has been examined by her Department; and if she will

Department has issued advice to primary schools on specific requirements or criteria for outside organisations brought into primary schools to run educational programmes; and if the learning outcomes of said programmes are overseen in any way by her Department. [11714/25

Deputy Paula Butterly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage in light of the very welcome news that the Westgate Vision Project has been approved for Drogheda town, if he will commit to additional urban regeneration and development funding to ensure that the project is commenced