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communities and in the lives of the people who get to benefit from it. When we debate the impact of the sports capital programme, the large-scale sport infrastructure fund and the major sporting events programme, it is important that we talk honestly about how we measure success … State to take an interest. That also reaps rewards, just in very different ways. A lot of good work comes from this programme and I believe we can expand on that. I ask the Government to look at where we can make an impact, which would bring

rest of his family and friends. Luke's funeral mass takes place tomorrow. May he rest in peace. The sports capital programme, in particular, has been beneficial to sports clubs up and down the country. I can verify that it has been of great benefit to sporting clubs … meet the required standards. They have outlined what they need, namely, 81 new full-time academy jobs, a women's under-15s programme for all clubs, athletic development testing equipment for all clubs, a centralised playing platform to track all League of Ireland academy players and a quality

national maternity hospital. I do want it built. A lot of messing went on here for a couple of years about getting that project off the ground, and delay cost us far more than any bike shed will cost us in respect of that maternity hospital. There … inordinate delay in getting that project off the ground, but some Members preferred to spend time talking about theocracy and the Vatican and everything else rather than the project getting the green light much earlier and getting it through. They will never have any public accounts committee assessment

completing the required wastewater discharge authorisation reviews. Two local legacy developer-provided infrastructure wastewater treatment plants will also be included in this project. Projects of this nature take a number of years to deliver. Funding has been allocated to develop the designs for this project and progress through

propose to take Questions Nos. 11 to 20, inclusive, together. Ireland has accepted challenging emissions reduction targets at EU and national levels. Our programme for Government has reaffirmed the Government's determination that Ireland will play its full part in tackling what is a global issue … heart of all our policies and sectors. We are seeing real progress in the areas of energy, transport, and agriculture; however, EPA projections make clear one thing: we must move faster and do more if we are to meet our targets for emissions reduction. The Cabinet committee

done on flood protection and flood mitigation. I acknowledge the €1.3 billion that has been set aside under the flood risk investment programme. Flooding in Ireland can have a significant impact on homes, businesses, people and communities. While I accept the problem of flooding cannot be eliminated … managed or mitigated to reduce its likelihood, severity or impact. Flood relief schemes are complex projects. They require detailed engineering analysis and public engagement to make sure schemes will work and have the support of the whole community. Six such schemes have been approved in County Kilkenny

Next generation ticketing is something we absolutely need not just in Dublin but all of Ireland. This project was first mooted in 2012, yet here we are in 2025 and we still are waiting. Can the Minister please give us an update as to where we are with … this project, the oversight mechanisms and how we can ensure this project is delivered to the new timelines? Can he give us confidence as to when we will

deliver a very complex IT deployment across Bus Éireann, Dublin Bus, Irish Rail, and Luas. It is a very complex IT project. We see Indra already is €40 million over budget on the national train control centre project, as well as two years delayed. We do not have … amazing track record at delivering complex IT projects across the public service. I appreciate that a lot of money is being invested in this and that the Minister will keep strong oversight of it, but it needs very strong oversight to make sure we do not have

Department of Transport, working with An Taoiseach and other members of Government, will do our damnedest to expedite the project delivery for this road. I fully concur with Deputy Burke. I travel that road regularly. The road was fine 50 years ago, but it is not any more … such as safety, connectivity and the congestion in the towns, as I mentioned earlier. I will certainly work with everyone to decrease the project's time. Equally, Deputy Burke raised another point we need to address, the land that is locked up. That is about the economic prosperity

grants: grow digital and the energy-efficiency grant. Enterprise Ireland is also driving this process through major initiatives. The service delivery transformation programme will introduce a new operating model, along with advanced technology and data capabilities, to deliver service excellence. The start-up Ireland programme is focused … creating a better journey for start-ups and entrepreneurs, strengthening ecosystem co-ordination and enhancing both national and international connectivity. Together, these programmes will help to deliver greater impact and support for Irish enterprise. Work is also under way with the National Enterprise Hub to examine

thank Deputy Fleming for his question on the midlands region. Regional development is a key focus in the programme for Government and is central to the work of my Department and its agencies. In that regard, IDA Ireland has reaffirmed its strong commitment to regional development … strategy, which we launched a number of months ago. This ambitious strategy aims to secure 550 foreign direct investment projects in rural and regional areas, accounting for 55% of all planned investments. The overarching goal is to create 75,000 new jobs nationwide and generate a projected

thank the Deputy. As she knows, the hot school meals programme was established to ensure that children across Ireland have access to safe, nutritious meals during the school day. It is a core Government commitment to support children’s health, well-being, and educational outcomes. The programme … procured alternative suppliers, while others are in process. The Department is engaging with the schools that have not responded, to provide support. The programme is designed so that meals are provided by contracted food business operators. This ensures responsibility for food safety and legislative compliance is placed

thank the Deputy. The programme for Government includes a range of commitments in relation to support for people with disabilities. This includes a commitment to introduce a permanent annual cost of disability support payment with a view to incrementally increasing this payment. As we know, addressing the cost … address the issue in a comprehensive manner. This is why the Taoiseach has established the Cabinet committee on disability with its own dedicated programme office in the Department of the Taoiseach. In addition, the recently published National Human Rights Strategy for Disabled People 2025-2030 takes a whole

service for employers and provides the business community with access to a pool of potential employees. In 2023, we also established the WorkAbility programme. This is cofinanced with the EU employment, inclusion, skills and training, EIST, programme to support people with disabilities into employment through 57 local, regional … national organisations. In 2024, more than 1,400 people with disabilities engaged with these projects

community cafés that employ people with addiction issues or those disabilities, the recycling hubs that tackle both waste and unemployment and the youth programmes that give hope to those who have been told they have none. They are the organisations that see a problem and build a solution … operates a top-class social enterprise in the heart of Wexford town. It is essential that we continue to invest, not just in projects, but in people. Social entrepreneurs are among the most passionate and resilient leaders in our country, but passion alone cannot pay the rent

country because he believes in what he is doing. He believes in the importance of social enterprises and in this Trading for Impact project. I met him in Clane and he will be coming to Lullymore soon in the context of working with social enterprises. I have been … there and moved on to career paths. That is what is enabled in community centres around the country. Specific groups like the Clane Project Centre have delivered something way beyond their initial capability through fundraising initially, followed by good investment decisions. They have been able to give

years. While Foras na Gaeilge has not been able to benefit directly from this, the Department has initiated a variety of schemes and programmes to ensure the funding reaches the organisations working on the ground with Irish language and Gaeltacht communities across the country. A significant amount … million in additional funding for Foras na Gaeilge to specifically support the Irish language publishing sector under Clár na Leabhar Gaeilge, a programme that is not subject to co-funding arrangements and is entirely funded by the Irish Government. The Government has also approved significant funding

from the essential relocation of breast cancer services from Sligo to Galway. These services were relocated as part of a wider centralisation programme for cancer services. The centralisation of services is a key part of successive national cancer strategies, ensuring that expertise and resources are concentrated to provide … committed to ongoing engagement with the HSE and partners to find a solution that works for patients. In addition, the national cancer control programme collaborates and supports the "Travel2Care" initiative administered by the Irish Cancer Society. This transport programme is available to patients attending a designated cancer centre

chronic. I have never seen it as bad. A teacher has told me of a situation, and I support the hot school meals programme, where a student stuffed their bag with a couple of extra meals because they said "Mammy likes those meals." It is great that they … actually have those meals. Where are we going as a country when a child is eyeing up excess meals from the school-based programme to bring them home because their parents need to eat? That is where we are at. I accept the school meals programme, the back

simple asks: to increase the capitation fee for primary school principals; to reduce the teacher-pupil ratio; to roll out the small-school projects that we all agree have been a huge success in small schools nationally, such as Glynn National School in County Carlow; and to make … ordinator a role in its own right. They are all asks that are included in the programme for Government. Can the Minister please ensure that sufficient funding is provided in budget 2026 to the Minister for education to ensure she can implement these measures in line with

that when the Istanbul Convention says Ireland needs at least 500 units? We are also talking about just 307 men completing behaviour change programmes. Does the Minister really believe that 307 men in programmes is an adequate response in a country of 5 million people? Perpetrator accountability … comes to prisons, however, overcrowding has very clearly become a policy. The Department has set a target of 3,000 prisoners in programmes at a time when more than 5,000 people are actually in prison. That is simply cooking the books. Why is the Department hiding behind

families in these areas but we have to do better and we have to do more. It is a specific measure in the programme for Government to include an additional 100,000 students by 2030. I welcome this vision. While it would be fantastic to see, in order … swimming or a GAA match without any problem at all. It beggars belief. While I know there is a specific measure in the programme for Government to carry out an independent assessment on the feasibility of removing the exclusion of drivers aged over 70 from the school transport

past few weeks on school transport. It has made a difference but not every problem is fixed. In 2025-26, the scheme is projected to provide transport for more than 180,000 students. This is about 19% of all enrolments. Costs have doubled since 2019 from €219 million … buses and, number two, it is unsafe to allow a child to walk to the school. The safe routes to school programme works to a certain degree but for many families the car is the only option. It is the only option I have to send my children

thank the Deputy for her continued engagement on these matters. As she is aware, the programme for Government commits to "undertake a broad consultation and publish a detailed Action Plan to build an affordable, high-quality, accessible early childhood education and care system". Given the need to make … between 40 and 50 hours per week is €295 per week before Department subsidies under the national childcare scheme and the ECCE programme are deducted. For those on the minimum level of subsidy, this will bring their out-of-pocket costs down to less than €200 per week

most common full-day care service, is €295 per week before State subsidies under the national childcare scheme and the ECCE programme are deducted. For those on the minimum level of subsidy, this will bring their out-of-pocket costs down to less than €200 per week with … reality is many families pay less than this figure. This latest measure builds on a range of supports already in place. The ECCE programme provides two years of preschool without charge and has participation rates of 96% to 97%. More than 70% of families say that

Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Education and Youth further to Parliamentary Question No. 65715/26, the estimated timeline for when the integrated project team will be selected and commence their work. [70106/26

Deputy Séamus McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Youth the position regarding the commitment in the programme for Government to reduce the pupil-teacher ratio. [70180/26

drug feuds and drug intimidation were not considered when assessing schools in the Rathmullan area of Drogheda for inclusion in the DEIS plus programme; if not, the reason; and if she will commit to ensuring these factors are considered, possibly by way of narrative/qualitative submissions from school leaders

Hearne asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to provide a breakdown of the capital spend on housing by scheme and project type in 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024 and 2025 respectively, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [69826/26

Deputy Pat Buckley asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration to allocate multi annual funding to a programme (details supplied), as it is currently in jeopardy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [70361/26

Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if additional youth diversion projects will be funded in the upcoming budget; the youth diversion supports that are available in an area (details supplied); and if his Department believes further resources are needed in this

asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to detail the methodology used in calculating grants and premiums for the current forestry programme. [70310/26

Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the projected allocation to Ireland under the Common Agricultural Policy in the European Commission's proposal for the Multiannual Financial Framework 2028 to 2034, compared with the allocation for 2021 to 2027, in tabular form

ingredients from scratch in one kitchen, and away from the current predominant ‘assembly and reheat’ model used in the Irish school meal programme. [69735/26

Cummins asked the Minister for Social Protection if there are plans to address issues of packaging waste in the hot school meal programme and to adjust procurement guidance, or carry out trials, to support models which reduce both packaging and food waste, support sourcing of quality local ingredients

Food and the Marine to list the number of engagements between his Department and the European Commission in relation to the next forestry programme. [70313/26

currently designated or leased for onshore wind energy developments in County Kilkenny; the criteria used by Coillte when selecting sites for renewable energy projects; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [70345/26

availing of more than 20-hours-per-week of publicly subsidised childcare under the national childcare scheme or any other State-supported childcare programme; and the corresponding figure in each year from 2020 to date. [70429/26

Deputy Jen Cummins asked the Minister for Health the number of capital projects that are under way to ensure that every sample in Ireland is not sent abroad, including the amount of equipment and machinery needed; and the stages of current procurement. [69841/26

update on the work of the National Clinical Lead for Eating disorders, Dr Art Malone, and Professor Rosie Gowran, Clinical Lead National Clinical Programme for People with Disability (details supplied), to establish a national ARFID pathway for children and young people. [70341/26

Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health for an update on the school immunisation programme; the number of vacancies in the Dublin area for the school immunisation team; to comment on the cancellation of junior infant vaccines MMR and Tdap boosters scheduled for the school (details supplied

Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Education and Youth the status of the standalone extension project at a school (details supplied). [70506/26

Department on the development of day-surgery centres and elective hospitals in each year from 2020 to date, by site; the estimated final project cost for each completed, active and planned facility; and the expected opening date of each facility. [70432/26

Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if she will report on the support she has provided the Department of Transport regarding the programme for Government commitment to work to facilitate the easier return to Ireland for emigrants including reciprocal driving licence arrangements with the USA, Australia and Canada

Deputy Jen Cummins asked the Minister for Education and Youth will there be an increase in the budget to school completion programme to address the increase demand on their services. [69114/26

Deputy Jen Cummins asked the Minister for Education and Youth for an update on the employment and governance structures of the school completion programme. [69112/26

Deputy Jen Cummins asked the Minister for Education and Youth the role of the School Completion Programme in the new DEIS plus schools. [69115/26

Department will take to reduce this pressure while strengthening students' confidence and coping skills; and whether these measures will include universal, preventative programmes in schools rather than opt-in supports. [69169/26

approximately €217,000 from 2027 onwards; his views on the potential impact this may have on the delivery of local infrastructure and community projects; and if he will intervene to reverse this decision. [69013/26

Food and the Marine the gross profit margin before interest and tax used in calculating the forest road grant rate for the forestry programme 2023 to 2027. [68984/26