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their labour. It is where I have picked up many bits and pieces over the years for my own family home. Beyond the projects, there is one constant, and that is the role of the kitchen, the hub where men gather to have a chat … beyond its core purpose. The Castlecomer men's shed and so many other men’s sheds across Carlow and Kilkenny take on project after project where the support goes beyond supporting one another and ripples out into the wider community. These men's sheds have become a crucial

welcome the opportunity to speak on men's health, which is a priority in the programme for Government. I thank all Deputies from their contributions to this important debate. They showed a genuine interest in this hugely important topic and the Government will very much take that … board. I will refer to the commitments set out in the programme for Government in relation to mental health, which is a priority. It includes the implementation of the men's health action plan to increase health literacy and raise public awareness of boys' and men's physical

wish to talk about the CAST pilot project in Limerick, which is ten months operational. Much credit goes to the Minister of State, Deputy Butler, for this. To date, this project has recorded 80 diversions from Mental Health Act detentions as well as incidents of criminal diversion … working together on a periodic basis to help frequent users of unscheduled emergency services. When will the internal and external evaluation of this project be conducted? Will the Minister of State confirm, subject to the evaluation confirming what we have been told on the ground by An Garda

from across Europe who share a commitment to the achievement of a social Europe and who recognise the vital importance of the European project and the EU to the future of this island. The Minister of State, Deputy Richmond, spoke previously about his participation in Ireland's Future … more republican sentiment than that. Hume was inherently critical of Irish nationalism’s failure to address unionist opposition to its unity project, in both its constitutional and republican guises, from Home Rule to the War of Independence. We need to be careful that there is no slippage back

strong supporter of this project as I think and hope the Deputy and other Wexford stakeholder know. I share ambition of the region and Wexford town, in particular, to develop a customised significant third level campus in Wexford town. The educational needs, level of educational attainment, industrial base … very much on board with that. The proposal to develop that Wexford campus is being progressed under the technological sector strategic projects fund. It is a particular within the Department to assist the technological universities with putting together these types of proposals. On the engagement I have

short-term activation programme, the Minister, Deputy Chambers, did indeed reference it, as have I several times. We have 116 new beds delivered in Maynooth, which are now open at Teach Ui Buachalla or Buckley House. I approved funding of €67 million just last month and turned … accommodation project, which will deliver 493 new beds. As I already mentioned, I also significantly increased all four bands of the maintenance grant for non-adjacent students to reflect the extra pressures. We have also extended the rent tax credit for a further three years and that will

determining the number of students studying Irish at third level can be challenging because Irish is offered as an optional component on many programmes. It is therefore not necessarily a full programme through the Irish medium; it could be Irish as a component of another programme or elective

Deputy's question because this is an issue that has come to my attention, especially in more rural counties. Apprenticeships are national programmes. As much as possible, SOLAS schedules craft apprentices to an available training location near to the home of the apprentice. If a placement … will endeavour to schedule him or her to attend the nearest available location. As with every other post-secondary education route, not all programmes are available in every location. During their induction, apprentices are advised that they may be required to travel to other counties for training. Apprentices

thank the Minister for his response. I know of his commitment to this programme, both from serving in opposition as a spokesperson and government, where he has continued his good work. I also recognise the work of my former constituency colleague, Heather Humphreys, in enhancing the CLÁR programme … sure the Minister will continue to enhance that programme. We all know that the provision of facilities nowadays for communities or small schools is costly, be they playgrounds or other much-needed facilities. The CLÁR grant scheme is essential for enabling the smaller populated communities

emphasis has to be on the delivery of projects because there is not much point in having very good applications but not seeing the outworkings. The Minister visited a number of the play parks and pieces of work that have been done, which were well enough steered … facilities. However, we need to ensure there will be funding streams, for example, with regard to the community gardens at Muirhevnamore and other projects. They need to have the facility to apply and they need to have a good chance of getting the necessary funding. These are very

budget for the CRF for 2026 is €10 million. We want the local authorities to draw down and complete projects, and that is going to be the focus for 2026. We also have other projects, such as community centre investment. As we have just discussed with Deputy Brendan … Smith, there is also the CLÁR programme. The Minister of State, Deputy Buttimer, worked hard to secure funding for SICAP, particularly the positions in SICAP that are working with new communities across the country to put boots on the ground and identify the kind of facilities that

agree with the Deputy more on outdoor recreation. The focus of the ORIS scheme is to support outdoor recreation infrastructure. It funds projects such as walkways, cycleways, blueways, water and cycle trails, mountain-access routes and open water amenities of bogs, rivers, lakes and beaches, including tidal pools … Projects are generally located in the countryside under the scheme. However, we will examine projects that might link a town or a village to an existing outdoor recreational facility in the countryside. We try to align some of the principles of ORIS with the national outdoor recreational strategy

have a right to do that and I respect that, it is somewhat of an irony that when we are trying to deliver projects that would assist with the climate, people take judicial reviews or planning objections on climate or environmental grounds. The frustration the Taoiseach was voicing … blocking essential infrastructure. We see it in relation to water. We often see it in relation to renewable energy and major transport projects, including public transport. That is the point that I thought the Taoiseach was making in his budget speech. He was also making the point

intends to act on that recommendation. It is important the recommendation is taken seriously. Currently, there are two separate programmes, the legislative medical cannabis access programme, MCAP, and the administrative ministerial licence programme. I will come back to the Deputy directly on the matter

with me and in its stated positions and it is being addressed in this Bill and other measures such as the research infrastructure programme I intend to introduce in the coming weeks. In this Bill alone, we are supporting 3,000 PhD students with additional stipends and research … will not go into that too much. The Minister of State has dealt with many of the issues. Deputy Conway-Walsh raised decarbonisation projects. "Decarbonisation" can sometimes be an umbrella term. What we are really is modernisation, refurbishment, rendering things fit for purpose, taking brownfield sites, some

This scheme is available to all non-public sector employers, including charities and voluntary organisations. In December 2023, the Department launched the WorkAbility programme to support people with disabilities into employment through 57 local, regional and national projects. The programme aims to support over 13,000 disabled people

like. Since entering government, the Independent group of Ministers of State and I have worked closely with our partners to deliver on the programme for Government. It is built on respect, dialogue and a shared focus on outcomes. From the outset, the Government set out a vision … gesture but the first step in a multi-year plan to address real issues for those who need support. It delivers on our programme for Government commitments, tackling cost-of-living pressures, supporting families, investing in public services and building a fairer society. Now more than ever, Ireland

children in services and communications. I also echo the Taoiseach's earlier remarks about the determination of the Government to deliver a transformative programme of work in this area in partnership with the Tánaiste. As someone who's own sister has spina bifida and hydrocephalus, I am aware … true and fair experience of the Tánaiste that he works exceptionally hard with his Government colleagues with a focus on implementing the programme for Government to make our country a better place for all. The programme for Government itself is an ambitious plan and contains significant commitments

parents want the best for their children and every opportunity for their future and rightly so. As one of the negotiators for the programme for Government, I can say it contains a specific commitment to deliver improvements in paediatric orthopaedic services to ensure children with scoliosis and spina … shared across government. Therefore, we must drive on to deliver the improvements that are needed as quickly as possible. The Government has a programme of work to complete. It is a programme of work that seeks to serve the country and its people across a myriad of areas

Grain Growers has said clearly that this Government does not fully appreciate the consequences of failing to properly support tillage, whether through direct programmes or through fair taxation measures. It is right. As a result of this Government's short-sighted approach, the tillage area is likely … million but farmers cannot pay bills with promises. Farmers want action and certainty. They want respect for the commitments already made in the programme for Government - commitments to grow the tillage sector, to strengthen our domestic grain sector and to build genuine food security. We have already seen

Agency's flow of borrowing applications increased, with the majority of applications coming from the approved housing body sector. Based on its recent projections, the Housing Finance Agency has advised that its €12 billion statutory borrowing limit will be reached at its 6 November credit committee meeting … higher education institutes and uses its collective financial expertise and resourcing to support customers in the development and implementation of effective housing programmes. There are thousands of people who, because of the financing made available by the HFA, will have a safe and secure roof over their heads

million in funding to approved housing bodies to support cost rental delivery, with over 3,000 cost-rental units approved through 41 projects for delivery out to 2029. This ongoing and continuing resourcing underpins the Government's commitment to the sector. The programme for Government commits to introducing … national housing plan to follow Housing for All. This will be published in the coming weeks. As noted in the programme for Government, this plan will be underpinned by the required funding in the national development plan, NDP. The Housing Finance Agency plays an important role in meeting

response to a question at the Revised Estimates committee meeting two weeks ago that there had been no delays in the delivery of projects funded in part by the HFA. Only a couple of days earlier, at the Construction Industry Federation conference, both the AHB sector … units to meet sectoral demand. There should also be far greater integration of those units into general-needs affordable and social housing projects. More flexible use of funding, including HFA funding, would be useful in this regard. There is a fundamental question to be asked about

homes across all types of tenure. To truly meet the scale of housing demand, we must deliver more homes across all tenures. The programme for Government commits to introducing a new national housing plan to follow Housing for All, and this will be published in the coming weeks … Government’s commitment to boosting housing supply. The total Exchequer funding being made available in the budget for the delivery of housing programmes is €7.21 billion, comprising capital funding of €5.19 billion and current funding of €2.02 billion. An increased capital allocation of €2.9 billion has been provided

affected by a bovine TB outbreak in 2024, and herd incidence at 6.04%. The primary driver of the cost of the bovine TB programme is disease levels. In 2024, the bovine TB programme cost €100m, which was an increase of 35% on 2023. For this year … September, just under €80 million has been spent on the TB programme. I secured an increased allocation of €85 million for bovine TB in budget 2026, providing a total budget of €157 million. This additional funding is vital in addressing the disease and I am confident that

surrounding area; which public bodies or local authorities were involved in such an assessment; and whether his Department has provided current or projected Citywest occupancy figures to those bodies for planning purposes. [71475/26

factor in assessing his or her visa application; the reason sector figures indicate that 12 of 13 Government of Ireland/Ireland-Palestine Scholarship Programme scholars from Gaza were granted study visas while all 58 applicants holding full institutional or full mixed funding were refused; the criteria applied

Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of Garda members at the end of 2025 and at the latest date in 2026; the projected number at the end of 2026 and the end of 2027; and the number of trainees who entered the Garda College to date

given that the Budget 2027 expenditure report refers both to €946 million in contingency funding and to €1,106 million for accommodation under Programme C; a reconciliation of the two figures. [71835/26

included in the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences, Domestic Violence and International Instruments) Bill 2025 as planned, which is on Government's legislative programme for Autumn 2026. [71848/26

Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if Kerry applications are still being considered under the immigrant investor programme; and, if so, to provide details of the applications being considered. [72459/26

Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the total allocation for the bovine TB eradication programme in 2027 compared with 2026, given that the Budget 2026 expenditure report provided over €157 million and the Budget 2027 expenditure report lists €142.4 million

Deputy Keira Keogh asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine whether engine replacement or re-engineering projects are currently eligible for grant aid under any BIM-administered EMFAF scheme; if not, the reason they are not eligible; whether consideration is being given to introducing a dedicated

Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the specific therapy, intervention and support programmes currently available through the South Kildare West Wicklow Children's Disability Network Team for autistic children aged eight years and older; and the number of children currently receiving direct

details supplied) will be ready to take children for preschool care, being rolled out as part of the early learning and childcare capital projects. [71784/26

Health if private recruitment firms have been contracted by Cork University Hospital or the south west region to hire nurses for the adaptation programme; the spend by firm in 2025 and to date in 2026; if a procurement fee is paid to the firm for each new hire

Deputy Conor D. McGuinness asked the Minister for Health if a project manager for the dedicated Working Group to review and update the Long-Covid Model of Care has been appointed; and if not, the reason no appointment has be made. [71421/26

Minister for Health for an update on the National Children's Hospital, the scheduled opening date, the expenditure to date and the projected expenditure. [71702/26

Minister for Health for an update on the new National Maternity Hospital, the scheduled opening date, the expenditure to date and the projected expenditure. [71703/26

Nicholas Gogarty asked the Minister for Health the steps being taken to recruit and retain public health nurses to support the school vaccination programme; and whether a workforce assessment has been undertaken to determine the number of additional nurses required to ensure the timely delivery of school-based

Gogarty asked the Minister for Health the extent to which shortages of public health nurses have affected the delivery of the school vaccination programme, including the HPV, Tdap, MenACWY and other routine school-based vaccinations, in each of the past three school years; and the number of schools

health nurse posts that are currently vacant, by CHO7 health region; the number of vacancies specifically affecting the delivery of the school immunisation programme; and the measures being taken to address staffing shortages. [71763/26

Health if she will provide a breakdown, by HSE CHO7 region, of the number of public health nurses assigned to the school vaccination programme; the recommended staffing levels for each region; and the current staffing deficit. [71762/26

reason HSE funding to the sexual health centre Cork increased from €480,000 in 2023 to €1.338 million in 2024; the specific programmes and services funded by this increase; whether funding was transferred for newly commissioned services; and if she will provide a breakdown of the total funding

training places that are available under the HSE’s postgraduate schemes; and whether Budget 2027 provides for an expansion of these to meet projected service demand. [72016/26

Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the amount of funding that is allocated in 2027 to the National Clinical Programme for Eating Disorders; and whether this includes new service development sites or expansion of existing teams. [72004/26

health allocations align with Sláintecare’s objective of having mental health represent 10 per cent of the health budget by 2030; and the projected path to reach that benchmark under current plans. [71986/26

Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health to list all capital projects related to CAMHS and eating disorder services due for completion, commencement, or design in 2027, including new units, refurbishments, or community-based hubs. [71991/26

current amount of unspent or uncommitted capital funding earmarked for mental health infrastructure (from current and previous years); and to list the projects that these funds are intended for. [71981/26

Deputy Martin Kenny asked the Minister for Health when the community lactation consultant post serving the Sligo/Leitrim area was advertised; the projected timeline for it being filled; and the interim measures being taken to ensure community based lactation support in the region does not suffer in the meantime