Search the record

asking for a complex process but there are no provisions or safeguards in the Bill, for example, to stop a Minister prioritising projects that would benefit their own constituency over other projects that serve the national interest. It is critically important that legislation holds water no matter … government or what sort of a Minister we have. We have had decades of Ministers favouring projects in their constituencies - not all Ministers but we have had decades of it. This Bill does not give any safeguards and there is no real transparency around designation. Laying it before

transport. It utterly failed and we then had a decade of austerity, during which the Government failed again and cut back capital projects. In this new Bill there is no step change away from this outsourcing and the overreliance on the private model of delivery of infrastructure … being able to do so. Where is the increase in funding for crèches in this? The Luas to Finglas is a transport project in my constituency. It is delayed and not due to be delivered by 2030. This is not because of a lack of prioritisation by public

Maynooth line to a DART service in line with the national priority to double frequency and triple capacity by 2027. Both highlighted Project Ireland 2040 and the national development plan of 2018 and how the funding had been secured and they were major infrastructural wins at the time … been reviewed and work is to begin in late 2026-2027. Seven years on from my first political leaflet, therefore, our major transport projects have not been delivered. I am frustrated, commuters are frustrated and communities are frustrated. I know the Minister, too, is frustrated. The only acceptable

bodies. Section 7 is the eye-opener where it disapplies section 15 of the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Act to designated projects. When we had previous infrastructure legislation back in the 2000s, it was declared that it was only for public projects, but it turned … private projects so it looks like data centres and everything else are included. That is no way to put public infrastructure in place. We need to do everything efficiently, but not at the cost of everything else and of rubbing out local democracy and riding roughshod over good

tormenting some community will be able to avail of that in some part of the country or is it just for Government projects, be they roads or hospitals? It would be great to get clarification on that from the Minister and his officials if that could be explained … light on our electricity situation at the time. The legislation was put through here one night. For a Government seeking to build housing projects, and for the likes of Irish Water if it needs sewers and water, if we do not have sewers, water and roads

current disjointed system, families are having to spend years campaigning for basic amenities. They are being forced to become fundraisers, social entrepreneurs and project managers trying to patch together one disconnected grant after another while their town or village expands around them, and their children often outgrow … project before it is finally delivered, as in the case of playgrounds. That is not a serious way to provide basic amenities. Like so much about public service delivery, it is not fair, strategic or timely. These amenities need to be planned as part of the development

with commitments in Our Rural Future, my Department supports a wide range of strategic capital investment schemes, ringfenced under the rural development investment programme, to transform rural towns and villages, making them thriving places to live, work, raise families and build enterprises. These schemes include the rural regeneration … rural towns and villages throughout Ireland. Since the launch of the scheme, more than €210 million has been allocated to over 1,900 projects. While applications for towns with populations of up to 15,000 people are accepted in certain circumstances, the scheme specifically targets funding at rural

ensuring that the welfare of the Irish abroad remains at the heart of our diaspora engagement. In line with the commitment in the programme for Government, the next diaspora strategy is at an advanced stage of drafting and will be published in late April, to coincide with … experiences and perspectives of the Irish abroad, and supporting those who wish to return to Ireland. I can confirm that the emigrant support programme, ESP, will remain the primary vehicle to manage the Government’s commitments to our diaspora in the next strategy. As this House will

Niemczycki, in Warsaw on 13 March. This was the first of many engagements I had during my three-day St. Patrick's Day programme in Poland, which was followed with a visit to Ukraine and then to Moldova. The Secretary of State, Mr. Niemczycki, and I discussed … both welcomed the work on the European Democracy Shield, which has been brought forward by Commissioner Michael McGrath. I highlighted the Blue Star programme to the Secretary of State, which is a programme we have here in Ireland to help increase awareness of the European Union among young

better prevention. The current national cancer strategy identifies the need for genomic testing and hereditary cancer care management. The national cancer control programme hereditary cancer model of care highlights the need to further improve access to genetic testing for patients with cancer and their relatives. We are committed … members also. It is important to note the HSE does this in line with best international practice rather than through broader population screening programmes. A genomic test directory for cancer is constantly being developed in the health service as well, and the national cancer control programme

health committee that the 18th completion deadline will be missed, it was not a surprise. I am beginning to wonder why we get project deadlines from BAM at all. We would be better off asking Mystic Meg at this point. BAM is giving the run-around … Health was told at a meeting earlier this month that more construction workers would be put on site to get this essential project finished, but this has not happened. The Minister now tells us that she is going to write to BAM again. I am sure

secured over €2 billion for a justice sectoral investment plan out to 2030. Some €911 million of that money is allocated to Garda projects. That is a significant level of investment. It includes the completion of new Garda stations and a new headquarters for the Dublin north region … pleased that there is now a timeline against this commitment, and the project will go to construction by 2028. The OPW is now actively working with the Garda and the Department to identify and appraise the most suitable site. The funding is now there. It is ring-fenced

into effect so no congregation could sell any site where there were potentially graves. This is an outrage. The Clann Project has pointed out the Government is legally bound by the European Court of Human Rights to find any bodies that exist and bring them back … site of systemic oppression, and the Government has made sure that that has not actually happened. In the letter the Clann Project pointed out that planning permission was refused a number of times, so the Government knew this was going to happen eventually. I would say the Government

certain niche market for contractors and tradespeople to do this. It is a challenge to bring them into these types of programmes. Along with the derelict property tax, however, it will certainly create an enhanced pipeline for a lot of these types of projects and will inevitably support … coming weeks. Measures such as the buy and renew scheme, the vacant refurbishment grant and the urban regeneration and development fund are all programmes we speak about, but action and delivery are now paramount for many town centres that need this refurbishment and need to have new life

Government has stepped up with additional funding for 2026, with the provision of an extra €60 million for the planned maintenance and voids programme. It is really important that we have access to good quality homes that provide the required comfort levels for the occupants. These homes must … steps to improve the system but the local authorities themselves have the reserved function to allocate their own resources to these types of programmes and to enhance the housing stock within their areas. I am sure that Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council has a lot more resources than

accommodation available for all school pupils and will, in the wider context, continue to engage with Cloontagh National School and ensure the building project for the school is subject to the required diligence under the Government's infrastructure guidelines. We all understand that the construction environment is challenging … sectors, not just in education but also in housing. The Department is required to manage the timing, scope and cost of individual projects within its budgetary requirements. As I said, further engagement is required and I am sure the Deputy and many of her Oireachtas colleagues

science and technology. It is one of only 25 schools in the State with that award. The school is involved in local history projects, and clean air and pollinator projects. It also has a tremendous new drama club, with over 80 people involved. However, the condition … tranche of funding, or even the existing one, are equal. I make a specific case for Dunboyne junior and senior national schools. This project has been in the offing since 1995 and in planning, in some shape or form, since 2008. Its ten-year planning permission for works

bringing this important matter to the floor of the Dáil. I certainly agree with him regarding the time dependency relating to this project. I will take the points he has raised back to the Minister, Deputy Naughton, in the context of her consideration of the needs of Dunboyne … Notwithstanding that, any interim accommodation requirements will continue to be assessed and considered by the Department on a case-by-case basis. This project certainly deserves merit in that regard, particularly if it is at stage 2b and planning permission is already in place. The level of need

bills. When the Government withdrew the energy credit supports as part of budget 2026, it justified its action on the basis of a projected inflation rate. That rate has proven to be 50% lower than projected. The decision it made was based on fundamentally wrong information … result, I contend that the Government made a clearly and undeniably the fundamentally wrong decision. Does the Minister of State dispute that inflation projections were wrong and that the Government’s decision to withdraw energy credits was fundamentally flawed? If so, what is the Government going

acknowledged the need for an improvement in this regard. Everyone is supportive of that across the House in terms of access to these programmes. We define within this legislation that it is the HSE national screening programmes. There are four of them. They are tightly defined … would ensure workers know their entitlements in terms of being able to take a few hours off to take part in these screening programmes. I am aghast that the Government is opposing this Bill on Second Stage and not allowing it to go through for further discussion. There

education of young people. We have spent a huge amount in north Tipperary over the past number of years, in terms of the projects that have been delivered. There is also a huge number of other projects we are doing. We are upgrading, over the course … because we believe every penny invested in education is the right thing to do. We have ongoing work in the Department on school projects. The commitment I will give is to go back and try to get direct answers on the four schools the Deputy raised

what has happened here. In his reply, will the Minister of State also confirm whether any supplemental funding will be available for capital projects or will the school projects I mentioned be pushed out until after 2027? On Coláiste Phobal Ros Cré, I believe there is discrimination going … students. Let us look at the population index for that area and wonder where the students are going to go if this project does not proceed. Finally, I am going to say it straight out. There are young students in Nenagh who have no classroom facing into September

Callaghan, secured €2.18 billion for a justice sectoral investment plan out to 2030. There is €911 million of this allocated to Garda projects, including the completion of new Garda stations. This investment will see the completion of new Garda stations in Portlaoise, Newcastle West and Bailieborough … Templemore will also receive a significant investment, as the Minister mentioned earlier. Importantly, €35 million in funding is also provided for a rolling programme of minor refurbishment works at Garda stations around the country. I will have to mention my local station in Clonakilty, which will avail

billion to do what the Deputy wants us to do. That means taking money from farmers. It means taking money from the retrofitting programme because we would not be able to do the retrofitting programme without it. The retrofitting programme helps people to reduce their costs over time

working in our health services. As was rightly pointed out, the issues that are faced in the cancer control and the cancer care programme are not caused by the men and women working hard in it. They are not the ones who should be held accountable. The delays … access it, that is deeply concerning. I encourage the Minister of State to examine making the PSA test part of the national screening programme. It is a very simple test and it saves lives. I have close-hand and personal experience of the fact that it saves lives

Deputy Malcolm Byrne asked the Minister for Justice the number of projects, currently under construction or stalled in construction, which are part or wholly funded through the international investor programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9351/25

Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of persons at the various stages of the Individualised Personal Budget Pilot Programme; the total amount of funding provided in each of the years since the commencement of the pilot; the breakdown of the costs to date … running the programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9281/25

Deputy James Geoghegan asked the Minister for Health the actions to be undertaken regarding the Programme for Government commitment to “work towards a more coordinated approach at European level, akin to the Benelux agreement, to leverage benefits similar to those achieved during the Covid-19 vaccination programme

Deputy John Connolly asked the Minister for Education what steps will be taken to operationalise the commitment in the programme for Government to introduce a new national small schools project for all 1,300 small primary schools to protect these school communities and develop new administrative supports. [8505/25

Deputy Shane Moynihan asked the Minister for Education to provide an update on the progress on school building projects and the projected completion dates for schools in Dublin mid-west (details supplied). [8473/25

Minister for Education when a new school building will be provided for a school (details supplied); what stage of the development process the project is at; when construction will commence and be completed; if she will visit the school to allay the concerns of staff, students and parents … relation to delays in the delivery of the project; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8587/25

Deputy Maeve O'Connell asked the Minister for Education her views on the programme of work to be undertaken to implement the Programme for Government’s commitment to ‘Increase the number of schools offering PE as a Leaving Certificate exam subject’; and whether an equal focus will

Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if he will outline the composition of the project steering group overseeing the Arts Council’s IT project throughout its existence; and the representation his Department had on the group. [8743/25

reply which sentence or set of sentences replied to the specific question asked; if she agrees that the commitment contained in the programme for Government as set out in the parliamentary question is a brand new policy which is without prejudice to all of the previous policies … reply to the parliamentary question; if she is committed to implementing the commitment made in the programme for Government to extend the national childcare scheme to childminders working in the family home, with sensible regulations that fit home-based care; how that specific commitment will be fulfilled

Deputy Peter 'Chap' Cleere asked the Minister for Health the number of capital projects her Department is engaged in with the HSE; the status of each project, by county, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8860/25

Cahill asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will support and expedite the long-awaited liquefied natural gas (LNG) project at the Tarbert/Ballylongford landbank as this LNG project has the potential to be the spring board that will deliver thousands of jobs

Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Transport when a project (details supplied) will progress to the next stage; the proposed preparatory work to be carried out on this project in 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8614/25

Development Plan Delivery and Reform the safeguards and oversight procedures, if any, that are put in place by his Department to monitor the projects of State agencies following sign-off on expenditure by the Department, and if his Department's officials followed up with the Arts Council following … sign-off provided to its digital transformation programme in 2019. [8422/25

Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Social Protection the assistance he is giving to schools under the school meals programme who are unable to secure a catering provider to roll out this programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8367/25

Deputy Mark Wall asked the Minister for Justice the update on a proposed new prison (details supplied); the current status of the project; the timelines involved; whether there has been consultation with local agencies on the project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8373/25

Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide details of staff resources in Naas regional veterinary offices dedicated to the wildlife programme from 2015 to date annually, detailing veterinary inspectors, technical officers, administration staff and the complement of farm relief service operatives available for the badger programme

Deputy Charles Ward asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the status of each individual project approved under the town and village renewal scheme in Donegal, in 2024; the grant approved for each project, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter

Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to detail, on an annual basis, the specific projects and associated funding allocated through the Climate Action Fund; whether the project is categorised as a climate or biodiversity one; and if he will make a statement

Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform the cost of the EY Capital Project and Programme Delivery Capability Review commissioned in 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7269/25

Deputy Shane Moynihan asked the Minister for Education for an update on the school building programme with respect to two schools (details supplied); to provide a projected date for completion; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7780/25

developing plans to build a multi-use hall, following on from the inclusion of plans to deliver a PE build and modernisation programme in the Programme for Government; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8023/25

outline every update provided to the Department of Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform in relation to the Arts Council IT project since the project was first approved in 2019, specifying whether the update included information on costs and the date of the update

outline every update provided to the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media in relation to the Arts Council IT project since the project was first approved in 2019, specifying whether the update included information on costs and the date of the update

funding for a facility (details supplied); when his Department will advise Cork County Council of the exact information needed to progress with the project; the timeframe on progression of the project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7473/25

Deputy Conor Sheehan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the reason for the delay in the completion of projects under the local authority mortgages and that local infrastructure housing activation fund as evidenced by only 15 of 24 projects being completed since