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thank the Minister. The accelerating infrastructure report and action plan outlines significant reforms aimed at improving delivery of major projects, including streamlining approval processes, a single decision pathway for water investment and stronger co-ordination across agencies. These reforms are welcome. For Offaly, infrastructure is key for future … economic development, enterprise growth and balanced regional progress. The water supply project for the eastern and midlands region is central to this and will cross Offaly, with Dunkerrin and Tullamore identified for future outtakes. However, the spur connections and local system upgrades required to utilise that supply

respond first to Deputy McCormack, again, the whole focus is on driving delivery. I take his point on the role of that particular project in the east and midlands. We will engage with Irish Water on it. Obviously, we do not want to delay the current design, which … could possibly hold back the project by a number of years. There is a need to accelerate its delivery because it is a critical project for the State. To respond to Deputy Brennan, we have tried to complement the prioritisation we have given in the national development plan

thank the Deputy for his ongoing interest in these projects across Wicklow. Wicklow is one of the major challenges we have in terms of school capacity each year. At post-primary level, there is always a challenge. The projects are at stage 2b, with full planning permission granted … have had a number of conversations with Deputies this morning about projects where planning permission is awaited but in these cases it has been granted. I take the points the Deputy made about capacity issues in Dunlavin, Rathdrum and across Wicklow. It is great to see there will

líon na scoileanna atá sa scéim faoi láthair agus chun stádas buan a thabhairt don tionscadal? This question relates to the small schools project. The Minister will be aware that her predecessor, the Minister, Deputy Foley, started a pilot project for clustering small schools in support … easing the administrative burden on the principals of those schools. She deserves great credit for that initiative. I would like to see the project put on a firm footing into the future

importance of this project is that it will inform policy into the future in regard to small schools. In the first instance, I acknowledge the huge work that small schools do in every county in Ireland and in some city locations as well, due to having different demographics … looking to get into the pilot scheme as fast as possible because they see the benefits of it. The evaluation of the pilot project will inform policy into the future in relation to schools. It is important that we understand them. Over the years, I have seen that

submitted a question seeking an update on many building projects in Galway East such as Coláiste an Eachréidh, which is a fantastic Gael campus project; Kilcoona National School; St. Brigid's in Loughrea; Carrabane National School; Gort National School; and Gort Community School. If the Minister of State … could provide me with an update on any of these projects, I would be grateful

Minister of State, Deputy Canney, are working with regard to rail. DART+ South West, which forms part of the broader DART+ programme, involves an extension of the DART from the city centre to Hazelhatch and Celbridge. The programme will increase train capacity from 12 to 23 trains … from 2026 to 2030, with an additional of €2 billion from the Infrastructure, Climate and Nature Fund to support the Metrolink and other projects. I understand the Deputy's comments, and I am sure Deputies from that part of Dublin will agree with him. I know

addressing student accommodation in the response to a later question, so I will not duplicate that now. The framework on which the INSPIRE programme is built was developed in collaboration with the sector. In March of this year, I put together an expert working group made … people from the Irish Universities Association, people with experience of the PRTLI programme and expert academics. We very much looked to the sector to see what it needed and to seek its inputs, suggestions and guidance as to what was missing and what needed to be taken into

thank the Deputy. It is something I am focused on and it is in the programme for Government. It is something I have been working on since I took on the position. I am committed to continuing the progress of the technological universities as key drivers of regional … week, I announced a new targeted investment of €65.8 million for the technological university sector. That is the targeted enhancement fund, TEF. The projects will run over a 36-month period up to December 2028. That fund includes provision for the technological university professorships. The professor grades will

scales, grades, bands and job titles did not innately map onto the universities'. In some cases, the legacy job titles, conditions and work programmes did not map either. For example, they did not necessarily work over the summer. In a traditional university, a research professor would have … That is a significant difference. It is not just about giving them a new title, but about looking at their work output, the programmes they take on, enterprise engagement and the leadership role they play in the academic sector and that they are more than capable of playing

being able to nurture that. Just last week, I launched the Infreastruchtúr don nuálaíocht, staidéir, páirtíocht, imscrúdú, rath eacnamaíochta agus eolaíocht, INSPIRE, programme, a €750 million commitment to research and innovation funding in the State. It is unprecedented in recent years. It is a successor programme … position as well. I want to acknowledge that Deputy Smith was a member of the Government in 2010 that committed to the PRTLI programme at a time when economic conditions were difficult, to say the least, and the wolf was at the door. That Government had the foresight

continue to expand educational provision there on site at the Cavan Institute. That would be encompassed by the college of the future programme, which I am working out through the national development plan. I am examining progress on that at the moment but I would be confident that … will be one of the projects that will do well from the fund. On the all-island dimension, I was pleased to be able to announce the collaboration between Queen's University Belfast and Dundalk Institute of Technology very recently. I spoke to both colleges a number

does not work out. They are real, meaningful pathways and opportunities to employment. The Department is very actively involved in a number of programmes to highlight and showcase the attractiveness of apprenticeships. For example, one programme, Facts, Faces, Futures, uses female role models, specifically, to highlight the benefit … dispel some of the myths surrounding apprenticeships. I have met many of the young people involved in this. It is a really positive programme to show that apprenticeships are for everybody

communicate and exchange with one another, and have shared experiences, including the pan-European experience Erasmus can afford. The shape of the new programme proposes to merge Erasmus with the European Solidarity Corps, which will create a new single integrated programme that will go beyond the university experience … alliances and other European initiatives that bring universities together at European level. This is a positive development, which will deepen and strengthen the programme. I am very much committed to supporting

successful in its planning application, it will enhance the port’s ability to start advance conversations with investors around the financing of the project. The scale of the proposed development of infrastructure at Belview is significant. The project will consist of a 250 m quay wall extension with … Ireland's offshore renewable energy ambitions. Subsequent auctions are due to take place in the coming years, providing a sufficient pipeline of projects for ports to service. This is expected to bolster the case for investment in ports infrastructure and enhance the viability of ORE port facilities such

relevant experience. In summary, HIQA’s analysis found the inpatient bed capacity in the region needed to be increased to meet current and projected demand for patients requiring more complex or specialist healthcare. I acknowledge UHL is still the busiest hospital, with a 10% increase in attendance this … detailed reports and advice provided by HIQA and will report back to Government before the end of the year. The ESRI has projected the number of inpatient beds to meet the projected 2040 demand will need to increase from between 299 and 593 beds compared with 2023 capacity

wish to raise the long delays in a rebuild project that three schools in my constituency are facing. They are St. John Bosco Junior Boys School, St. John Bosco Senior Boys School and Mary, Help of Christians Girls National School. These schools are just off the Navan Road … vision for an education campus on the site. The Minister of State will be aware that bringing three separate schools together under one project is a challenge, but such is the commitment of the school management teams that they have done it. They have a definitive plan

Government the essence of that plan. The reform of the delivery of critical, growth-enhancing infrastructure is a key commitment in the programme for Government. Last week marked a major milestone on this agenda with the publication of the accelerating infrastructure report and action plan. This plan sets … with broader housing, climate and competitiveness goals. These will be achieved by streamlining approvals to allow concurrent processing, introducing statutory timelines for major project decisions, rationalising delivery guidance to reduce duplication and complexity, enhancing procurement practices through clearer project pipelines, and fostering a delivery-focused culture that balances

maybe a bit more, and they may have family who are in the building game and they can project manage it. They have the energy to do it. It works for a minority of people who are willing and will say they will … here is complaining about that scheme. It is 100% redress and it is delivered by the State. The State takes responsibility for the project management, tendering and all of those engagements. Why on earth has the Minister been so cruel? Why have the officials in his Department been

existing HSE accommodation in St. Mary's at Naas General Hospital to provide short-term accommodation for enhanced community care, the integrated care programme for older people, ICPOP, and chronic disease management services. Naas General Hospital is currently at design feasibility stage for multiple projects, including the conversion … existing operating theatre and ancillary rooms into two endoscopy procedure rooms, increasing the total number of rooms from one to three. Another project involves a 15-cubicle transition unit for patient admissions and discharges to alleviate emergency department admission pressure. In 2020, Naas General Hospital received

invested over €6 billion in schools throughout the country under the national development plan, involving the completion of 1,300 school building projects. In addition, repurposing and optimising existing accommodation capacity across the school estate has been a key enabler of timely local provision of special class capacity … national development implementation plans. The sectoral plan for the education and youth sector will be published next week and the first tranche of projects to progress to construction will be published in January. The NDP implementation plan will optimise input from the NDP allocations with a strong focus

range of schemes in place for supporting local festivals and local community events, as do the local authorities. As I said, the LEADER programme supports festivals. There is one in Portlaoise and others in Ballinakill, Cullahill and Spink, across the Deputy's county. The LEADER programme … provide current funding for festivals in local areas as well. We are more than happy to assist with capital funding through the LEADER programme, but given the existing level of support through Fáilte Ireland and other organisations, I have no plans to look at this proposal further

that supports farm resilience, environmental ambition and, crucially, rural development measures such as LEADER. Within the draft regulations, the inclusion of the LEADER programme as a CAP intervention is to be welcomed. As part of the ongoing negotiation process, my Department continues to emphasise the importance … ring-fenced allocation for the LEADER Programme. Detailed discussions on the shape and operation of the new regulations are ongoing at both national and EU levels. To facilitate the current negotiation process for the post-2027 period, the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine has established

huirlisí seo a chur ar fáil. Luaigh an tAire dúchas.ie, logainm.ie, corpas.ie agus canúint.ie. They are some of the big projects that are being expanded. They are great tools for students of all levels, for researchers and for the Irish-language community across the country … abroad. They are a great reference and can really bring people in. There is significant potential for these projects for the next generation of Irish-language speakers. A renewal is happening which is huge and is great to see. I ask the Minister to continue on the investment

Deputy’s cacophony of assistance here is great. What was implied is obviously not reflective of how a programme for Government works. To the people at home, I say we have a programme for Government that commits to what we are going to do over five years … help people with the cost of living, starting with those most in need. The Deputy can be assured we will fulfil the remaining programme for Government commitments over the next four budgets

Department has had with Galway County Council regarding the proposed swimming pool for Loughrea, County Galway; the funding streams under which the project may be considered; the current stage of assessment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [73767/26

Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport for an update on the relevant projects under the Sport Ireland campus master plan vision; and the way in which the campus development will coincide with Dunsink City Quarter. [73915/26

objectives under the Sports Action Plan 2024–2027 in relation to equality, inclusion and participation in sport; the steps being taken to encourage projects that specifically support girls' and women's sport and improve access for people with disabilities. [74074/26

Cleere asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport his Departments plans to introduce a Youth Culture Card, as committed to in the Programme for Government; and whether funding will be provided in 2027 for the same. [73791/26

fast-track a targeted planning amendment to allow developers to add co-located BESS units as a "minor modification procedure" rather than forcing projects back through multi-year, full planning loops (details supplied). [73436/26

installation of a heat pump without other fabric upgrades; and the minimum building energy rating or energy improvement that applies to such a project. [73909/26

asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment the plans for enhanced AI and digital vouchers proposed as part of the Intelligence:Applied Programme; and the way in which this initiative relates to the review of the grow digital voucher scheme and any proposals for enhancements to that

Enterprise, Tourism and Employment the terms of reference and membership of the new National AI Literacy Taskforce established under the Intelligence:Applied Programme. [74380/26

Deputy Aidan Farrelly asked the Minister for Education and Youth whether schools can still apply for funding under the minor works scheme for projects, such as re-surfacing or re-marking the school yard. [73402/26

there is a timeline available for the commencement of a new school build (details supplied); and the reasons for a delay in this project commencing. [73443/26

Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Education and Youth the projected implementation dates for each outstanding measure contained in the agreement reached with survivors of Industrial and Reformatory Schools; and if she will provide a detailed schedule for delivery. [74453/26

them being down a teacher; to explain the way in which a new student-teacher ratio of 35:1 meets the Programme for Government's stated objective of 19:1; and if she will engage with the school to ensure that their existing school teacher allocation will remain

Minister for Education and Youth if she will engage with a school (details supplied) that has been refused admittance under the DEIS plus programme; and the assistance she can offer to assist the school in attaining that status. [74511/26

Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Education and Youth to advise regarding a school project (details supplied). [73973/26

Education and Youth the current status of the proposed new extension building for a national school (details supplied); the current stage of the project; to advise of any delays or issues impacting delivery; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [74180/26

Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport to provide details of the Sports Capital Programme payments made in each year since 2023 including the best estimate for 2026 in County Laois. [73566/26

guidelines will contain a clear and consistent national framework on the development, location and scale of large scale solar and BESS projects. [73793/26

Waterways Ireland's Tullamore premises to a new purpose-built depot; the original and current cost estimates for the Ulster Canal restoration project; and the completion timeline for each. [73998/26

Government and Heritage whether the Government maintains a model estimating the impact of net migration on annual housing demand; and if so, the projected figures used by his Department in policy planning. [74297/26

drug-related violence and intimidation" in the Budget 2027 Factsheet National Drugs Strategy and Inclusion Health will include funding for the DRIVE project. [73496/26

Farrell asked the Minister for Health to provide an update on the ambulance base in Recess, County Galway; the status of the building project; when the base is due to be operational; and the reason for the delay in delivery. [73700/26

Deputy Marie Sherlock asked the Minister for Health if funding has been withdrawn for a programme (details supplied); and, if so, to explain the reason. [73789/26

agency expenditure in the HSE's mental health division in 2026 to date, by health region, local health office and staff category; the projected outturn for 2026; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [73877/26

Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Health whether the national cancer control programme has examined the introduction of a dedicated support pathway for patients diagnosed with brain tumours, including information resources, rehabilitation supports, family supports and signposting to relevant patient organisations; and if she will make

Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Health how the HSE and national cancer control programme monitor compliance with recommended annual post-cancer surveillance mammograms, given confirmation that data is not available on the number of patients awaiting post-cancer surveillance appointments or average waiting times; and whether