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investment. The Government is investing an unprecedented level of funding to support housing supply, which will underpin, inter alia, the new starter homes programme, delivering an average of 15,000 affordable housing supports annually to 2030. We are making homes accessible and affordable, increasing social and affordable housing … help to buy schemes to 2030, an increase in affordable cost-rental tenancies, an expanded local authority delivered starter homes for purchase programme that will see an increase in affordable homes for purchase nationwide and a new support for those creating living over the shop homes. The Government

social and affordable homes built during the lifetime of the plan; support for the use of three-dimensional modular units through pathfinder projects in Limerick and Wexford; optimising the NSAI agrément certification process; promotion of ISIF funding opportunities for manufacturers to support new and existing factories; the delivery … least 1,500 MMC dwellings through the local authority accelerated delivery programme; renewing the action plan to promote careers in construction and launching a new five-year action plan for apprenticeships; and doubling the overall investment of Enterprise Ireland’s build to innovate programme to drive adoption

will support a number of 3D volumetric pathfinder projects to further explore the potential for these innovative systems. Using MMC, Limerick City and County Council and the mayor’s office will be supported to advance the initial phase of their SMART modular housing project. In addition, Wexford County … Council is being supported to commence a project to develop 22 permanent social homes utilising 3D volumetric systems. We will continue to maximise the use of 2D right across our systems due to its importance

list devised by Irish Water in agreement with Cork County Council. The council previously received funding for the first five or six projects on that list. Unfortunately, Carrignavar, as I said, is No. 11. My issue is funding was received for those first five projects about two years … this stage. To my knowledge, none of those projects has actually turned a sod, had a new building opened, a new pump house installed or whatever the issues pertaining to those wastewater treatment plants are. At this stage, I am pleading with the State and Irish Water

expenditure include funding for stadium costs, safety and security, including Garda costs, transport, fan zones, Dublin City Council costs, sustainability investment and legacy programmes. The funding will be delivered through my Department, other Departments, Dublin City Council and relevant agencies. Furthermore, €6.2 million of our overall investment … million for other costs; €6.3 million for Dublin City Council costs; €37 million for safety and security; €6 million for the legacy programme; and €7.5 million for a general programme-level contingency. I can provide the Deputy with a breakdown of other, smaller items of expenditure

outlined in the programme for Government, the Government believes that culture and the arts are essential to a well-rounded society providing opportunities for education, expression and community engagement. My Department is taking a number of steps to improve, increase and widen access to the arts. A network … position to submit it. Finally, as announced in budget 2026, my Department has been allocated €6 million for a new arts capital programme for arts and culture organisations across the country in line with the commitment in the programme for Government. My Department is in the process

sports capital programme has been incredibly successful at providing support for sport within our communities. I welcome the Government's continued commitment but we have not placed the same level of investment in arts and cultural facilities in our organisations. I appreciate the point about stream … Minister pointed out, the maximum grant available is €50,000. In a capital programme, that is not a huge sum. I am thinking of a number of places in my constituency, including Gorey Little Theatre, KMH in Kilmuckridge, St. Brigid's Hall in Carnew and Tinahely's Courthouse

leading cause of cancer-related death in Ireland yet unlike for breast, bowel and cervical cancers, there is no national screening programme in place. The Marie Keating Foundation recently launched the Breathless Collection campaign to highlight key symptoms of lung cancer, including shortness of breath, chest tightness, shoulder … promise in detecting lung cancer at its very earliest stage. My question today is this: when does the Department intend to progress this programme to a full national lung cancer screening programme

hear that the Minister is well disposed to putting more research into it and trying to assess whether it is an appropriate screening programme. We know from international evidence, including from the UK, the US and across the EU, that low-dose screening reduces mortality, particularly among high … stigma around lung cancer and that awareness of the symptoms of lung cancer is quite low, particularly among former smokers. The Beaumont pilot programme has been very successful, especially in identifying lung cancer at a very early stage. We know that drugs exist to treat lung cancer

thinking of the Fastway workers and others, and their families, at what is a difficult time. On the EU Just Transition Fund programme, I take the point that we can always look at how we can make things better and cut bureaucracy. I am a fan of that … have seen 15 calls from that fund between October 2023 and December 2025, with over €93 million in funding now committed to projects. That funding is now being distributed to grantees. It is expected further project announcements will be made in the coming weeks

regard to the Luas. It bugged me when I saw a reference to potential completion by 2031. It does not sound like the project will be completed by 2031. I wish it was done earlier. I am afraid things will slip and the project will be dragged … cannot sit back, which has happened before, while timeline after timeline disappears. I urge the Minister of State to push for the project because it is badly needed

propose to take Questions Nos. 1 to 16, inclusive, together. The Cabinet Committee on water quality oversees implementation of the programme for Government commitments in relation to the range of issues affecting Ireland’s water system. The committee last met on 30 October and the date … with lower reported levels of nutrients in water bodies where targeted actions have been taken. The Cabinet committee has also examined the investment programme of Uisce Éireann to improve wastewater treatment capacity and meet best practice in managing its existing infrastructure. Last week, the Minister for Housing, Local

humanitarian and stabilisation assistance and an additional €100 million in non-lethal military support for Ukraine, which was announced last March. Among the projects that Ireland is currently supporting are the construction of underground clinics to safely provide services at two Kharkiv maternity hospitals, the building of civic … people and communities affected by food insecurity. I am pleased to announce that Ireland will provide €2 million to the food from Ukraine programme, which will be launched at a food security summit in Kyiv tomorrow, and which will contribute to tackling global hunger and improving child nutrition

transport accessibility: ensuring a universal design approach in all new infrastructure, addressing legacy infrastructure deficits and enabling independent travel. We have an ambitious programme of investment planned for the next five years, all of which will adhere to the principles of universal design and, therefore, help deliver … legacy infrastructure. To give an example, the major accessibility upgrade which opened at Athy station on 4 November was funded from this programme. The Minister has increased funding under the accessibility retrofit programme by 67% this year when compared to last year. We will maintain that increased level

says on the tin and we want to see afterwards if we got the necessary outputs. That is the same for every infrastructure project we carry out. There is an assessment carried out before projects are started to see what benefits they will bring. I will go back … facts and figures. It is important we see the outcomes that are delivered from the investment of taxpayers' money in these projects. I welcome the Deputy's question on this matter

complexity of the current system, ensuring that the process responds effectively and quickly to meet skills and labour needs into the future. A programme implementation team, co-chaired by my Department and the Department of Justice, Home Affairs and Migration, has been established. The initial focus of this … technological, legislative and data-sharing solutions; and agreeing and laying the groundwork for subsequent implementation. The expected delivery date for this complex project is 2027. I and my colleague, the Minister of State, Deputy Brophy, recently met with officials from both Departments and we remain actively engaged with

policy statement outlines how the LEOs work to foster a strong entrepreneurial culture and promote enterprise nationally, through a mix of programmes, supports and campaigns. Foreign direct investment has a significant impact in realising balanced regional growth and IDA Ireland has continued its strong commitment to regional development … strategic objectives of its 2025 to 2029 strategy, Adapt Intelligently. Published in February this year, this ambitious strategy aims to secure 550 FDI projects outside Dublin, amounting to 55% of all planned investments. The overarching goal is to create 75,000 new jobs nationwide and generate a projected

with local authorities with sites of either 1,000 acres or 500 to 600 acres for tier 2 proposals, in line with the programme for Government and our semiconductor strategy commitment. The IDA will engage with relevant local authorities throughout the process. The sectors targeted by next generation … need more ambition and to get that next wave of investment. The next generation initiative will sit alongside the IDA's regional property programme, which, during the 2025 to 2029 lifetime of its current strategy, will deliver 23 projects across 21 locations in eight regions, primarily focusing

crucial role in supporting small businesses to build financial capability, including a practical understanding of profit, loss and cash flow management. Training programmes are scheduled based on local demand and delivered on a tailored basis to meet the specific needs of small businesses. LEOs are consistently encouraged … cash flow, fundamentals in business finance and bookkeeping and accountancy for small businesses. The LEOs also offer a start your own business training programme aimed at those who have a business idea or have recently set up a small business. This programme includes a dedicated finance module

thank Deputies O'Sullivan and O'Connor for the question. The programme for Government contains the commitment to abolish the means test for carers over the life of the Government. Budget 2026 increases the earnings disregard for carer's allowance by €375 to €1,000 per week … largest ever increases in the carer's income disregards. They are evidence of my commitment and determination to deliver on the programme for Government commitment. Since 2022 the disregards will have increased cumulatively by €667.50 per week for a single person and €1,335 per week

priority in the sectoral plan and for the Government will be to make sure that gets channelled into investment in energy efficiency programmes. In fact, the largest single programme in the plan, up to €3.7 billion of the €5.6 billion, will be invested in residential energy efficiency programmes

year marks its 30th anniversary. It is good to see that in 2025, the Government has allocated almost €850,000 to support 36 projects in 14 regional festivals, engaging communities across the country. The theme of Science Week - "Then. Today. Tomorrow" - invites everyone to reflect on past achievements … toxicology. Of course, we have also been successful in securing EU funding, such as the €1 billion from the EU's Horizon 2020 programme. Like others, I welcomed the news earlier this year that Ireland had officially joined the European Organization for Nuclear Research, CERN, as an associate

informed testimony. I look at the work of Seán O'Sullivan who won the Young Scientist and Technology Exhibition in 2024 with his project on detecting the use of large language models in student essays, which was not necessarily popular with all his classmates. He is entirely … Bill would be read on 1 July 2024 to allow for further consideration of the Bill. At the time, in the last programme for Government, which the Minister of State will remember, there was a commitment to examine the Scottish experience. In July 2023, the then Minister, Deputy

over €6 billion in our schools throughout the country under the national development plan, involving the completion of over 1,300 school building projects. In addition, over 200 SEN repurposing projects have been delivered, maximising the use of existing accommodation while creating opportunities for inclusion and integration. Government … Department's plan will optimise those outputs from the NDA allocations with a strong focus on maximising existing school capacity, progressing priority projects where local capacity across schools in the area is insufficient, and ensuring delivery that is affordable, offers value for money and meets functional needs

take questions Nos. 18 to 36, inclusive, together. The Cabinet committee on disability has been established to oversee the implementation of the programme for Government commitments in the area of disability, with specific focus on children's disability services as well as disability more generally under the Government … National Human Rights Strategy for Disabled People 2025-2030. Under the programme for Government, we are committed to delivering a step change in disability services and to advancing the rights and improving the lives of people with disabilities. To deliver on this, I established the stand-alone Cabinet

Multi-Unit Developments Act 2011 to the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage will be completed, as committed to in the Programme for Government; the reason for the continued delay despite the enactment of enabling legislation; and whether a definitive timeline has been agreed for the transfer

offset or mitigate the additional energy use and emissions arising from the AIReady.ie target of upskilling one million people; and how the programme is consistent with the Government’s legally binding climate targets. [74065/26

emissions associated with AI services, and the guidance, if any, given to learners; and whether any assessment of the environmental impact of the programme was carried out or considered. [74063/26

asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht if he will review the eligibility criteria across rural and community funding programmes to ensure that rapidly growing communities in north County Dublin are not excluded from funding solely because of population thresholds or their proximity

Community Development and the Gaeltacht his Department’s view towards funding the refurbishment of Mayfield library in Cork under the Libraries Capital Programme 2023-2027, for which an unsuccessful application for Stage 3 funding was made in 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter

Deputy John Clendennen asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht when the successful projects under the dormant accounts funded sustaining social enterprise scheme 2026/2027 will be announced. [74116/26

timeline can be provided for the announcement and release of funding under the current round; and whether consideration will be given to projects such as Newtownforbes Community Hub in County Longford, a building of significant historical and community importance, to ensure that vital community services can be delivered

Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht the assurances he can give rural communities regarding the future of the LEADER programme, including its funding levels, allocation timelines and long-term security. [72921/26

Louth County Council under the 2026 town and village renewal scheme; the criteria used to assess applications; the expected date for announcing successful projects; and whether additional funding will be considered where the value of eligible applications exceeds the funding available. [72813/26

Brabazon asked the Minister for Health for an update on the proposed new emergency department at Beaumont Hospital; the current status of the project; the funding allocated to date; and the anticipated timeline for the commencement and completion of construction. [72629/26

repair and improvement of non-public roads in County Galway; and whether consideration will be given to a multi-annual funding programme to provide greater certainty to local authorities and communities. [72315/26

Deputy Malcolm Byrne asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht to outline the programmes in place that support capacity building among community organisations that have limited experience in grant applications (details supplied). [72407/26

Health if she will report on the independent evaluation report by the University of Limerick on the Community Access Support Team (CAST) pilot project in Limerick. [72884/26

Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Health her plans to reduce waiting lists in the school dental programme and to improve access to more complex dental treatment. [72334/26

Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health to provide an update on the proposed elective hospital for Cork; and whether the project can proceed to planning. [72718/26

Deputy Peter 'Chap' Cleere asked the Minister for Health her plans on the rollout of a national shingles vaccination programme. [72430/26

Deputy Shay Brennan asked the Minister for Health the way in which Budget 2027 will support a new programme to move clinically appropriate cancer monitoring and follow-up from acute hospitals into community settings. [72360/26

Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the projected supplementary estimate which will be needed for the health budget in 2026; the steps she has taken to achieve savings targets; the extent to which savings targets were missed; the reasons; and if she will make a statement

Paul O'Shea asked the Minister for Health for an update on the opening of the next phase of the refurbishment and extension project at Kanturk Community Hospital. [71614/26

thresholds that will trigger Ministerial intervention; and the mechanisms that will be used to prevent cost overruns and protect public funds throughout the project lifecycle. [71643/26

thresholds that will trigger Ministerial intervention; and the mechanisms that will be used to prevent cost overruns and protect public funds throughout the project lifecycle. [71644/26

Hara asked the Minister for Transport following the publication of Budget 2027, to provide the rationale for the €26 million cut within Programme E: Maritime Transport and Safety section of his Department's budget when compared to 2026; and the initiatives or schemes which had funding

Road bus corridor in Galway city; if funding will be allocated in his Department's and TII Budgets for 2027 to progress the project following the granting of planning permission; and the Government's plans in relation to the Dublin Road bus corridor, the Cross City Link

Department is aware of any design variations that have been requested by Iarnród Éireann as part of its DART fleet replacement project with the rail fleet manufacturer (details supplied); and if his Department is aware of any settlement payments made by Iarnród Éireann as part of any requested

including the portion of the cost which consists of the enhancement of the scheme in 2026; and the projected cost of the same for 2027. [71769/26