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through further education to degree qualification in areas like software development, hospitality services and healthcare. We recently announced the launch of a new programme for September 2025, which includes programmes in critical areas such as occupational therapy, social care and nursing. This is another example where … less reliant on temporary subventions and more focused on equitable and permanent solutions. That is why it fully intends to deliver on the programme for Government commitment to reduce the student contribution over the lifetime of this Government. That promise was made and will be delivered

allocation. There are no cuts and there is no reduction. As the Deputy knows, SOLAS allocates funding to ETBs to deliver their programmes within a certain budget. I visited Tipperary ETB just last week and was highly impressed with the work it is doing. I can tell … Deputy that more than 9,600 learner enrolments across various programmes, including PLC, Youthreach, apprenticeships, upskilling and adult education, are occurring there. One of the initiatives the Deputy spoke about was the local training initiative, LTI, which is funded annually. It is tailored to meet specific community needs

that, but neither my Department nor SOLAS is involved in the setting of apprenticeship wages. There are two types of apprentices. Under apprenticeship programmes developed before 2016, which are referred to as craft apprenticeships and are largely but not exclusively traditional construction-type apprenticeships, there are long-standing … apprentice directly. A contract is entered into and terms and conditions are set out, including pay, in the employment contract. On those programmes, the apprentice is paid by the employer throughout the programme. Wages for apprentices are covered under the Industrial Training Act, which differentiates between an employee

time. I look forward to meeting them over the coming weeks. I reiterate my absolute commitment to all of the commitments of the programme for Government and not just one. We have had a lot of focus on one in recent days but the programme for Government includes … honour every single commitment insofar as I can. However, it is also important to realise that it is not feasible to deliver every programme for Government commitment in full in year one. That is important to realise. There are commitments that are spread over the lifetime

that we already have for September multiple new schemes, benefits and thresholds. I have stated my absolute commitment to see through the programme for Government in full. There may be challenges about how we do that, but the job is to rise to challenges and meet them … That is the bit that gets least attention, but the parties were every bit as adamant that it be inserted into the programme for Government. I will see the programme for Government through to the letter

Beidh 1,500 áit nua an bhliain seo chugainn faoin building blocks extension scheme, lena n-airítear seirbhísí i gContae Phort Láirge. The programme for Government outlines a wider ambition to deliver an affordable, high-quality, accessible early childhood education and care system with State-led facilities adding … capacity. This will include additional resources for forward planning, the development of a capital programme of investment for State-owned early learning and childcare facilities, co-ordination with the school building programme, supports for services within schools and developing planning guidelines to ensure that early learning and childcare

taking on board new and positive suggestions as regards updating or amending our strategy in this regard. I commented on our youth diversion projects but I want to comment on our plans to extend youth diversion programmes to people once they pass the age of 18. Our strategy … young adults aged 18 to 24. It should be noted that we are not seeking to replicate the statutory Garda youth diversion programme for the 18-to-24-year-old cohort because different considerations apply in the case of young adults, as the Deputy will be aware. Research

sett and the bovines, it does need to be removed, but otherwise it can be vaccinated. I also want to do a programme of vaccination of badgers that do not have the disease ahead of big projects. Badgers by their nature, if they are disrupted, tend to move … When we know a forest is going to be felled, a new road is going to be built or a big infrastructure project is going to happen that will upset them, we need to be vaccinating them proactively beforehand. Then when they move, they will not be bringing

Arklow to Shillelagh greenway project, which is of great importance for tourism on the east coast and in south Wicklow and north Wexford, is still stuck at phase 2. There has been no update since 2023 so two years have passed without visible progress. It will … Arklow. As the Minister knows, the Wicklow Mountains are a great attraction. This is a unique opportunity to develop a flagship tourism project in the region. The constituents of south Wicklow and north Wexford are very frustrated that it has not yet moved to phase 3. We still

promised a new 7,700 sq. m library with capacity for 1 million visitors per year, but like so many other key capital projects for Cork, the Government has failed to deliver. The promised new library is nowhere to be seen. In the four years since, inflation … soared and the project is now short. The current library is not fit for purpose. The roof leaks and parts of the building have been closed to the public. Cork deserves a world-class library - a cultural and community space in the heart of the city. A 21st

essential role they play. I believe libraries are cradles of decency and learning. We have shown that in our investment in our library programme in recent years. On the particular library referenced by the Deputy in Cork, we need local authorities to make decisions on the allocation … funding and the projects that they wish to prioritise. As the Deputy says, I can imagine that the cost has gone up because of construction inflation. All public and private construction projects have had to confront that. I will make sure the Minister for housing and local government

allocations over the course of the summer period and this will allow the Department of Education and Youth to plan its capital investment programme for the 2026-2030 period, in line with prioritised needs and reflecting, as appropriate, wider Government priorities. Maximising existing capacity in schools to meet … State has access to a school place. With regard to the Wicklow school planning area, there are a number of active projects at primary level which increase that capacity. These include extension projects for Pádraig Naofa National School, Scoil na Coróine Mhuire and Wicklow Educate Together National School

immediately becomes, and I hope this is one the Minister of State will take away, whether the funding will be there for this project, if it is a good project and if it is well designed, and how quickly we can make that happen. From our perspective, from … that. However, the question for the Department, TII and the Minister of State is whether there is scope to deliver this type of project, specifically whether there is scope to deliver it in Carlanstown

roundabout to be taken away is on the N22, the national primary road into Killarney and the rest of Kerry. Before this project goes ahead, I ask that temporary traffic lights be placed at every point where it is suggested there will be traffic lights … will work and we will not have a complete disaster. We are bad enough with traffic in Killarney as it is. A similar project has been carried out in Fossa, where they narrowed the road. Two large vehicles when they meet there cannot pass each other without stopping

What was shown on the "RTÉ Investigates" programme - well done to those who made it - was disgraceful. We have many fine private nursing homes, but when we allow the development of a for-profit model for investors - there are large-scale investors in a large proportion of these … powers in respect of this sector that it should have, as the Minister of State has acknowledged, to be fair. The "RTÉ Investigates" programme happened because we let it happen. HIQA was in nursing homes not long before the programme was made and it took a significant period

emphasise that we have lost humanity when profit comes before our elder citizens. Like my colleagues, I found the "Prime Time Investigates" programme extremely difficult to watch. In the documentary, we saw older people not being treated like humans. The documentary demonstrated consistent patterns of neglect and lack … after the horse has bolted. We find ourselves in a ridiculous situation. We are revisiting this 30 years after previous investigations and TV programmes. No lessons have been learned and profit is allowed to be the driver. The average age of the population is now higher than

Island funding is crucial for many of our islands but its distribution needs closer scrutiny. The Bere Island Projects Group, which covers Bere Island, Whiddy Island and Dursey Island, has three full-time staff and must manage office, utilities and running costs from a budget that saw only … islands. Without adequate investment, Bere Island, Dursey Island and Whiddy Island face further depopulation and loss of culture and sustainable business and tourism projects. Will the Government reconsider the funding allocation to better support the Bere Island Projects Group and ensure parity with other islands

schools that have embraced the measure. This year, the scheme has become more amenable to schools. There is a great emphasis in the programme on well-being, wellness and connection. I hope that all the children who are participating in the summer programme are enjoying … that we have come a long way in terms of the provision for children with additional educational needs. I hope to see this programme grow and that more schools will become involved in the scheme in the coming years. I welcome the publication of the review

site supports for pupils with special additional and complex needs. University College Cork offers a four-year undergraduate bachelor of science honours programme in occupational therapy. A core part of the four-year programme is 1,000 hours of supervised occupational therapy practice education for placement hours … support for the staff and students of the school to benefit from an innovative school-based model. However, in order to establish this project, the school will require funding for the practice tutor role. This costs approximately €20,000 per annum, which is minimal when considering the huge

first quarter of this year. This has not happened. Last week, the Taoiseach said it would be a historical project with first-class retail and office space. Now we are told that the clear intentions were set out in 2021, the detailed proposal will come in time … that when we have a discussion about what the GPO should become, we need to set in context that funding for this project is not likely any time soon. As a Dublin Central TD, I know there is already a long list of commitments by the Government that

biggest blockages in the delivery of Government housing targets. In 2022, the Minister announced €50 million under the rural water programme to deliver treatment systems in towns and villages that are not serviced. Three years on, none of these projects have begun. Will the Minister distribute these funds … local authority that has sites ready to move to design and delivery and which has committed in writing to match funding for the projects? Will he ensure that any shortfall in the overall funding from the scheme will be forthcoming from the Department in future

agree with Deputy McGrath. This decision by the ETB to cut vital local training initiative programmes across Tipperary should be urgently reversed. I acknowledge the critical role played by these programmes in our communities, particularly those delivered at the Spafield Family Resource Centre in Cashel, the Knockanrawley Resource … Centre in Tipperary town, the Littleton community programme and the Cahir Development Association. These are not just training schemes; they represent essential pathways for the most vulnerable in society. I am deeply concerned about the impact of these cuts on the most vulnerable in society. I am, therefore

health spend goes to providing medicines. That is appropriate but it is a major budgetary consideration as well. With the early access programmes, we have to get the balance right between being able to get access to the drugs and also being able to work out how that … programme intersects with the State's ability to negotiate the right price for the drugs. Regarding Duchenne muscular dystrophy, which the Deputy mentioned, I do not see how the State could be more proactive in trying to support this. On approval from the European Medicines Agency, I asked

well. As populations age - which ours is doing - the prevalence of chronic conditions, including multimorbidity, rises. Early protection through the chronic disease management programme prevents the need for more intensive hospital-based treatments. Since 2020, 51% of the new chronic disease diagnoses have been made through elements … this programme. It is not just treating more effectively; it is diagnosing more effectively and being able to divert attention to prevention and early intervention. As regards expansion of the scheme, a further expansion of the programme to include chronic kidney disease is planned

along with the £50 million from the UK Government, the £62 million from Stormont and the £15 million from the GAA. Although the project is still some way short of the £260 million price tag and we expect that to rise due to inflation, the progress in recent … Taoiseach and the Tánaiste last Friday following the North-South Ministerial Council meeting reiterating the Irish Government's commitment to this project and that they stand ready to assist it. I urge the Government to do all it can to support this project through to completion

Deputy Naoise Ó Muirí asked the Minister for Health her plans to expand the medical cannabis access programme to include chronic pain conditions, including endometriosis; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [68856/26

Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Health if she supports expanding the medical cannabis access programme, MCAP, to ensure that more people affected by severe chronic illnesses can access cannabis in circumstances where other treatments have failed to relieve symptoms; and if she supports expanding MCAP

asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the protections in place for students undertaking higher or further education programmes delivered by private or overseas education and training providers where a provider ceases trading or enters liquidation; whether students are protected against losing substantial

including clinical placements, supervision and assessments; and whether he is satisfied that all affected Irish students have a viable pathway to complete the programmes for which they enrolled. [68205/26

related commitments in respect of demographic growth, pension liabilities, pay and industrial relations cost pressures; the methodology for ascertaining same; and the projected timeline for addressing the remaining funding shortfall in full. [68379/26

Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the annual tuition fees charged to non-EU students in medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, physiotherapy and veterinary medicine programmes in each higher education institution for each of the years from 2021-2022 to 2026-2027; whether this information has been sought from

approved intake capacity and number of available first-year places, as distinct from actual enrolments, for medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, physiotherapy and veterinary medicine programmes in each higher education institution in each academic year from 2021-2022 to 2026-2027; and if he will make a statement

number of Irish citizens, excluding other EU, UK and Northern Ireland students, enrolled in first year medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, physiotherapy and veterinary medicine programmes in each higher education institution in each academic year from 2021-2022 to 2025-2026; and if he will make a statement

Department or by HEI's on procurement or consultancy on student accommodation that has not proceeded; and the reason the projects have not proceeded. [68482/26

clinical placements; and if he will outline what role his Department can play in assisting students who have invested significant sums in these programmes and are now facing circumstances outside of their control. [68208/26

Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht if he will consider including an area of Clare (details supplied) in the next CLÁR programme expansion; if it was assessed for inclusion during the recent review; what criteria would need to be met for the area to be considered

date in 2026, which were omitted from the table provided; the amount of the €1 million made available under the 2025 Local Enhancement Programme that was paid to Men's Sheds as distinct from other community groups; whether a dedicated running costs grant for Men's Sheds will

place when parents or students have problems with the quality, options or nutritional value of the food provided under the Hot School Meals Programme. [66651/26

Minister for Social Protection the position regarding the removal of the mean’s test for Carer’s Allowance as committed to in the Programme for Government. [66650/26

Deputy Tom Brabazon asked the Minister for Social Protection for an update on the implementation of the Programme for Government commitments to support pensioners. [67416/26

Minister for Social Protection his views in relation to the phasing out of the carers allowance means test as committed to in the Programme for Government; and the timeline for this commitment to be met. [66892/26

next steps in terms of progressively increasing the weekly rates of Carer's allowance and Carer's Benefit as committed to in the Programme for Government. [67618/26

Minister for Social Protection the measures are being taken to ensure that social welfare recipients can transition into further education, apprenticeships and training programmes without suffering a loss of income that would discourage participation. [66712/26

increases in the income disregards for the carer’s allowance means test, the next steps his Department intends to take towards the Programme for Government commitment to phase out the means test; the further changes to the income disregards or qualifying criteria that are being considered

budget 2026; if the Government will commit to providing the resources to deliver these 140 new services and enhancements; if there are specific projects that will be prioritised; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [67302/26

firsthand about the serious traffic management crisis in Letterkenny impacting the people of and visitors to Donegal; and the proposed local roads infrastructure projects that can address this crisis. [67363/26

Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Transport when a project will proceed to the next stage (details supplied). [67617/26

Deputy Louis O'Hara asked the Minister for Transport to provide an update on the western rail corridor project. [67225/26

Minister for Transport for a progress update on the N-M20 Cork to Limerick, N72-N73 Mallow Relief Road, Cork City Northern Transport Project, N25 Carrigtwohill to Midleton, and M28 Cork to Ringaskiddy schemes; their phase under the Infrastructure Guidelines, the allocations and drawdowns in 2026, and planning

Deputy Micheál Carrigy asked the Minister for Transport the timelines on the N4 project to extend the N4 beyond Mullingar to connect to the Rooskey bypass; and the progress to date. [66934/26