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thank the Deputy for the question and for his remarks at the start of his contribution. The programme for Government commits to assessing the basic income for the arts pilot research scheme to maximise its impact. I appreciate the importance of the basic income support for artists, which … pilot is and has been continuous, with participants completing a detailed survey every six months. The Department has been undertaking a comprehensive research programme based on this data. I am aware that there is broad-based support for the scheme, and I recently met with the National Campaign

That is welcome news. I also welcome the Minister's recent announcement that the pilot programme regarding the basic income for arts has been extended. What artists need now is his commitment to make it permanent. The programme should be inclusive, support more artists and address barriers faced … Irish identity, community well-being and global reputation. The national development plan rightly places emphasis on balanced regional development. Create Ireland's programme has made great strides in enhancing the success of and engagement with our country's culture and creativity. However, there is still a significant urban

first time the roll-out of the summer version of the hot school meals, what we are calling a summer meals programme. Women going into the pharmacy to access HRT see that it has been made free in the last number of weeks. Student grant payments will increase … cost-of-living "package". There will be measures to help people in the budget with the cost of living, absolutely. Read our programme for Government and read what we want to do on childcare and for small businesses. Read what we intend to do for carers

with the job. I must give her credit for that. Specifically in respect of early access schemes as a focus in the programme for Government, I need to emphasise how important it is that any early access scheme needs to be decoupled from the existing reimbursement process … rare drug. As I said, any system that provides for early access will have to radically overhaul that. The second point in the programme for Government is a commitment to a review of the reimbursement system as a whole. Again, that is something I have sought

equally, irrespective of location. It is an important feature of the staffing schedule that all schools are treated equally and fairly. Under the programme for Government, there is a commitment to aim to reduce the general pupil-teacher ratio at primary level to 19:1 over the term … criteria. The staffing appeals criteria, which are set out in Circular 11/25, include specific appeals for small schools, enrolments in the previous October, projected enrolments, accommodation difficulties, infant class sizes and language support. Belgrove infants girls' school submitted a staffing appeal to the March meeting of the primary

current parameters. Work is already under way by the EU Commission that will impact on reporting requirements, eForms and the public procurement data project and it may also introduce conflicts with the current EU legislative framework. It is imperative that any domestic legislative proposals do not conflict with … legal challenge, particularly if these reports are to be used in relation to access to future competitions. The Government is already progressing programme for Government commitments to increase transparency and embed sustainable - including green and, as the Deputy specifically called out, social considerations - in public procurement. The programme

that this was a flawed model and poor value for money. Instead of pursuing another funding mechanism at the time for these housing projects, it drove on until the eleventh hour until a contractor was essentially appointed and then pulled it. We now have a situation where there … have a PPP under way under bundle 7 in Toppins Field, which is a mix of social and affordable housing. Will this project continue? Will this continue as a PPP? What is going to happen to the PPP model going forward? I know my own local authority

really crucial to Ireland's climate ambitions and something I have really championed, that is, private wire legislation. It is stated in the programme for Government that such legislation will be expedited. We all support that programme for Government but this is not being done fast enough. Countries … OPLA in which I proposed two modest interim measures. These involved changing section 37 of the 1999 Act. We need to allow renewable projects to use private wires to connect to the grid. It is not fair. According to EirGrid's transmission development plan of 2012, there

were all shocked by the recent “RTÉ Investigates” programme but it is important to put on record that this is not the case for the entire nursing home sector. Across the country, many nursing homes provide excellent service to our family members. We need to increase the support … invest in our older generation. We need to introduce the statutory homes scheme, which we have promised. We put it into the programme for Government and it is something we need to deliver on. It is important to put on record the help and support of all those

Perth and the GAA are working tirelessly with those who find themselves in need of support abroad. The Government, through the emigrant support programme, has invested in the likes of the Claddagh Association since 2009. As a result, we have organisations that work in partnership with our embassy … support the scale-up of Irish businesses in strategically important locations and sectors. For our part, we will ensure the emigrant support programme continues to invest in projects that foster a sense of community, nurture our identity and culture overseas and that deepen our trade, business and educational

Department of Transport and the Department of infrastructure are progressing with this report's recommendations in the year ahead. As part of this project's prioritisation strategy, we will consider how best to optimise the sequencing and implementation of the review recommendations, including both short-term interventions … longer-term projects. It is important to state a project like a second platform will be one of the interim interventions that could be put in place, but we will wait to see what comes out of the EIB analysis

than €1.1 million this year for protection and renewal of the county's road network. With regard to the N80 road safety improvement project in Portlaoise town, including the Mountmellick Road and James Fintan Lalor Avenue, a technical adviser has been appointed, and a feasibility and options report … seeking funding for the project is underway. TII is awaiting a submissions report and anticipates that Laois County Council will submit a report seeking funding by the end of this year. On the Stradbally N80 pavement project, tenders are being assessed and it is expected that works will

These two projects must be included in the revised national development plan to address fair regional development, align with national goals, reduce emissions, promote balanced regional development and support active travel and safer roads. The Portlaoise northern orbital route and the Mountmellick bypass projects would complement existing investment … that envelope was opened up. I assure the Minister of State that now that I am a TD, I will make sure these projects are in it. When the Minister, Deputy O'Brien, came off at junction 17 recently, he saw the road that goes down through

want to raise an issue that is identified in the national development programme, which is the Finglas Luas project. It is a fantastic project that makes a lot of sense, with 4 km and four stops connecting it to an existing line that will give access to thousands

around them present a danger too. Did the council make a specific application for funding for this work this year? Across the country, projects come under pressure during the year. There may well also be other projects that are not able to proceed to construction. Is there … opportunity to reallocate funding towards a priority project like

introduction of the power up grant and introduced changes which reduced costs by means of the increased employer PRSI threshold. The programme for Government set out a commitment to establish a cost of business advisory forum. The first meeting of the forum took place on 11 June where … concern to businesses, including business costs, infrastructure and regulation. In response to international economic developments and in line with other commitments in the programme for Government, we have also accelerated the timeframe for the development of the action plan for competitiveness and productivity. The action plan is currently

regarding targeted supports for children and families. I look forward to the Deputy's support for those. In the context of the programme for Government, we will continue to retain the child poverty and well-being office in the Department of the Taoiseach. The Taoiseach made it very … child support payment as one of the targeted measures and looking at various pay-related benefits for parents, which we discussed earlier. The programme for Government has a commitment to expand the fuel allowance to the working family payment, which will address the energy issues to which

also being recruited from abroad. That commenced in 2023 under a joint HSE and ICGP international medical graduate rural GP programme. There are currently 118 of those GPs in practice, and a further 18 have completed the two-year course. Funding has been provided to bring the number … million under the 2019 GP agreement, with a further €130 million under the 2023 piece. There are approximately ten commitments in the programme for Government that relate to supporting general practice, including structured chronic disease management programme expansion and the full national coverage for GP on call

schools throughout the country under the national development plan. This has involved the completion of more than 1,375 school building projects. Government support for that investment has delivered real benefits. A recent Government decision has approved €210 million in supplementary capital funding for the Department. This brings … provision of outdoor play areas forms part of the accommodation brief for all new school buildings or where a major building or refurbishment project is being delivered for an existing school. The current design guidance for new primary and post-primary schools includes hard-surfaced play areas

behaviour have simply strayed onto the wrong path. That is why prevention and early intervention are essential to our approach. The youth diversion projects that are funded by the Department of Justice are vital in this work. These community-based multi-agency initiatives aim to divert young people … from criminal or antisocial behaviour at source. There are now 93 youth diversion projects nationwide, with two new projects, in east Clare and north Tipperary, to be operational by the end of this year, ensuring full national cover. I want to highlight the availability of funding for community

pace. We see this in the context of the time it is taking to complete the roll-out of BusConnects, a relatively simple project. We have been talking about MetroLink for the better part of 25 years, and a sod still has not been turned in respect … system and to meet our climate targets in the transport area. It is in that context that I was extremely disappointed with the programme for Government. At a time when we need to see a modal shift to the greatest extent possible away from private

three leaders, we came up with a compromise that allowed the road to progress. I am delighted the N17 is in the programme for Government. It is important. There are other road projects. For example, we need progress on the N15 to Sligo and Donegal. I understand … make sure the bypass and N17 get approval. I thank the Minister for listening to his Government TDs and delivering on these projects

previous budget. As the Deputy knows, the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht has no role in deciding on specific projects. That is done by the Tipperary LAG, which has the capacity to seek flexibility within the programme. Relating to the specific projects in Cloughjordan

meters to collect money from people for the usage of water. It is now a runaway train. There is no accountability and no project is on time or in budget. What do we do to fix it? We go to people who can deliver infrastructure. When they deliver … budget and that is why we are not getting delivery. I want to help the Government. Send me into any of the projects for which it has given the Government the figures and I will offer solutions. The existing plants could be modified to keep going until

State pension and have very little disposable cash to use to pay the tax. In County Laois last year, it was projected that there could be a possibility of raising €11.6 million via LPT. However, the total amount realised was €3.1 million. Residents must be told more clearly … Minister about local government funding. In the past five or six years, a great deal of money has gone directly to projects chosen by the management teams of councils. I want to flag this issue for the Minister. It is a real problem. I have asked local councillors

Transport for the latest update and timeline of construction for the Finglas village renewal scheme, given there are reported delays to the project which is being jointly overseen by Dublin City Council and the National Transport Authority. [67515/26

required to deliver the planned increase in service levels and the number recruited to date; and the current estimated capital cost of the programme. [67466/26

asked the Minister for Transport the number of schools that will be included in round 5 funding under the Safe Routes to School programme. [66977/26

asked the Minister for Transport the current status of the N2 Ardee to Castleblayney road scheme; and when it is envisaged that this project will be completed. [66617/26

asked the Minister for Transport the position regarding greenways; to provide an update on the Listowel to Tralee delivery; to report on a projected timeline for delivery; and whether this will be delivered in the next 12 months. [67306/26

Deputy Louis O'Hara asked the Minister for Transport to provide an update on the Athenry relief road project. [67226/26

Deputy Edward Timmins asked the Minister for Transport for an update on the public service obligation, PSO, programme discussions in relation increasing the 132 bus service and improving the reliability of the service. [67656/26

Deputy Shónagh Ní Raghallaigh asked the Minister for Transport the current and projected passenger demand being used by the National Transport Authority and Iarnród Éireann for transport planning in Newbridge and the wider South Kildare area; and whether existing rail services are considered sufficient to meet that demand

Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance the projected full year yield of the carbon tax increase to €78.50 per tonne scheduled for 2027; the estimated cost to the Exchequer of deferring that increase for a further year; the estimated per litre effect

Revenue Commissioners assessed a tax-stamp and track-and-trace model as an alternative to the self-declaration first-supply model; the projected tax leakage under each option considered; and the reasons a self-declaration model was chosen. [67917/26

suppliers registered with the Revenue Commissioners under the first-supply model; and the way the yield to date compares with the yield projected by the Department when the measure was designed. [67913/26

Deputy John Clendennen asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation the number of visitors projected to visit an OPW Heritage site (details supplied) in the next calendar year, 2027. [67676/26

Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation the amount that has been spent on the Financial Management Shared Service Project to date; the Departments or Votes that have indicated they will not use the system; and if he will make a statement on the matter

next application of the DEIS identification model to all schools will take place for the purposes of determining inclusion in the DEIS programme and the classification of existing schools as DEIS Urban Band 1 or Urban Band 2; and whether consideration has been given to undertaking

Deputy John Paul O'Shea asked the Minister for Education and Youth for an update on a capital project for a school (details supplied). [67848/26

Deputy Naoise Ó Muirí asked the Minister for Education and Youth for an update on a school building project (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [67804/26

Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of reports made under the Drug Related Intimidation Reporting Programme in each of the years 2021 to 2025 and to date in 2026, by Garda division, with a specific breakdown for the Cork City and Cork/Kerry

asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of nominated Garda Inspectors currently assigned to the Drug Related Intimidation Reporting Programme in the Cork City and Cork/Kerry divisions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [67942/26

will provide new funding to Diabetes Ireland to employ two psychologists to further support delivery of its Mental Health and Wellbeing Programmes to people living with diabetes and their parents/carers. [67685/26

Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Transport if he will provide details of the funding allocated to the Rural Transport Programme and TFI Local Link for 2026; the proposed allocation for 2027; whether additional funding will be provided in Budget 2027 to expand rural public transport services

LPSV (Large Public Service Vehicles) Reform Bill has not been accorded priority status for drafting or publication in the Autumn 2026 Legislative Programme; the progress made on the Bill (details supplied); the current status of the policy review and preparation of the Heads of Bill; and the outstanding

Deputy Emer Currie asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance the reason the Autumn Legislative Programme does not list the planned legislation to support the tokenisation of the fund sector as committed to in the new Ireland for Finance strategy; and to outline when this legislation is expected

Minister for Education and Youth to provide an update on the new campus for schools (details supplied); and if she will provide a projected date for completion of the construction. [67351/26

Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Education and Youth for the latest update on the delivery of a project (details supplied). [67400/26

Education and Youth to confirm when a decision will be made on the submission from WALK to extend and expand the WALK Peer Programme over the next four years. [67482/26