Mary Lou McDonald
Question:27. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Taoiseach for an update on the Programme for Government. [74325/25]
View answerProgramme for Government
Questions (27, 28, 30, 31)
Cian O'Callaghan
Question:28. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Taoiseach for an update on the Programme for Government. [74418/25]
View answerCian O'Callaghan
Question:30. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Taoiseach for an update regarding the Programme for Government. [72586/25]
View answer
Barry Heneghan
Question:31. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Taoiseach for an update on the Programme for Government. [1733/26]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 27, 28, 30 and 31 together.
The Programme for Government, Our Shared Future, sets out a series of commitments across social, economic and environmental policy.
The Cabinet Committee structure plays a central role in overseeing the whole-of-government approach to implementing the Programme for Government.
In the twelve months since its publication, significant progress has been made across many of the areas set out in the Programme for Government. Some important examples include:
In the area of Housing:
• Government has published the new housing plan, “Delivering Homes, Building Communities”, which includes proposals for regulatory reforms, tax incentives, and the investment of €275 billion over ten years, the largest infrastructure investment in the history of the State.
• We have agreed reforms to rent pressure zones, strengthening the rights of tenants and stimulating increased investment and development activity.
• We are addressing challenges with the viability of apartment development, and have reduced the VAT rate on the sale of completed apartments from 13.5% to 9% to improve the scope for market delivery.
In the area of Infrastructure:
• We have updated the National Development Plan, providing unprecedented investment targeted at building more housing, upgrading water and energy infrastructure, delivering more roads and better public transport.
• We have established the Accelerating Infrastructure Taskforce and published its report, which will drive the efficient delivery of infrastructure across Ireland, streamlining development processes and significantly reducing delivery timelines.
• We have established a new Infrastructure Division within the Department of Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation, which is driving wide-ranging reforms that will remove barriers to the delivery of strategic infrastructure.
We have published Ireland’s Sixth Nitrates Action Programme, underscoring Ireland’s success in retaining the Nitrates Derogation.
In the area of Economy, Trade and Competitiveness, the Government has published several key strategies and launched a number of important initiatives to support businesses. These include:
• The Action Plan on Competitiveness and Productivity.
• The Action Plan on Insurance Reform.
• The Action Plan on Market Diversification.
• The Cost of Business Advisory Forum.
• Ireland’s Action Plan to Promote Collective Bargaining 2026–2030.
• The Large Energy User Action Plan, which will enable Ireland to attract the next generation of investment in energy intensive sectors over the coming decades.
In the area of Disability:
• We have approved a record investment of €3.8 billion in disability services in Budget 2026, an increase of 20%.
• We have published a new National Disability Strategy, the National Human Rights Strategy for Disabled People (2025-2030).
• We have established the new Education Therapy Service, which will see therapists working in special schools.
In the area of migration:
• We have moved responsibility for International Protection back to the Department of Justice, Home Affairs and Migration.
• We have published the new International Protection Bill to provide a more streamlined, firm, fair and effective international protection system that aligns with the EU Migration and Asylum Pact.
• We have established the Strategic Migration Policy Group, which is working to develop the Migration and Integration Strategy.
In the area of Ireland-UK relations:
• We have established the new UK-Ireland 2030 programme of strategic co-operation, which puts in place new arrangements to support and strengthen interaction between Ireland and the UK.
• We had the first annual summit between Ireland and the UK Heads of Government last year in Liverpool. (Ireland will host the 2026 Summit.)
• We doubled the resources available to the Shared Island Fund, with a further €1 billion available out to 2035 to foster reconciliation, mutual respect and growth.
In the areas of Justice, Defence and National Security:
• We established a new Ministerial Council on National Security, which I chair.
• We approved an allocation of €1.49 billion in Defence funding in Budget 2026, an increase of €145 million (11%) compared to 2025.
• We approved an allocation of €6.17 billion for the Department of Justice, Home Affairs and Migration, which will fund additional recruitment of gardaí and garda staff, additional overtime, and increased funding for the Prison Service, the Probation Service and the Courts Service, as well as €11.5 million of additional funding for Domestic and Gender Based Violence initiatives.
Question No. 28 answered with Question No. 27.
Question No. 29 resubmitted.
Question No. 30 answered with Question No. 27.
Question No. 31 answered with Question No. 27.
Questions Nos. 32 to 60, inclusive, resubmitted.
Cabinet Committees
Questions (61, 62, 64)
Mary Lou McDonald
Question:61. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet Committee on Children and Education will next meet. [74326/25]
View answerCian O'Callaghan
Question:62. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet Committee on Children and Education will next meet. [74417/25]
View answerCian O'Callaghan
Question:64. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet Committee on Children and Education will next meet. [72587/25]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 61, 62 and 64 together.
The Cabinet Committee on Children and Education oversees the implementation of Programme for Government commitments in the area of children and education. It receives detailed reports on identified policy areas such as child poverty and well-being and education.
The membership of the Cabinet Committee on Children and Education comprises the:
• Taoiseach,
• Tánaiste and Minister for Finance,
• Minister for Health,
• Minister for Social Protection,
• Minister for Education and Youth,
• Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage,
• Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation,
• Minister for Children, Disability, and Equality.
The Programme for Government contains many important commitments intended to improve the lives of all children, and especially those children who need our help most. These commitments include:
• Setting an ambitious child poverty target,
• Progressively increasing the Child Support Payment,
• Expanding eligibility for the Fuel Allowance to families in receipt of the Working Family Payment,
• Exploring a targeted Child Benefit payment.
The Government’s vision for education is to deliver a world class education system which breaks down barriers and ensures every child can achieve their full potential. That is why we remain committed to building on the work of the DEIS programme which since 2006 has been operating to tackle educational disadvantage.
Budget 2026 moved towards permanent targeted payments to support those most vulnerable. A €320 million social welfare package for children includes the largest increase ever in the Child Support Payment, increased income thresholds for the Working Family Payment, and the extension of Fuel Allowance to those on the Working Family Payment.
Increases in prices and wages have widened the gap between people reliant on social welfare and the average income in society. So, in recent years, the Government has invested to protect low-income families with children; since 2020, the weekly Child Support Payment has increased by 95% for children aged 12 and over, and by 61% for children under 12. This exceeds the growth in average wages (28%) and exceeds the rate of increase of many other permanent social welfare payments.
Other new or enhanced allocations in Budget 2026 to address child poverty through provision of services include:
• An additional €5.14 million for Equal Start - a 30% increase from the 2025 allocation;
• An additional €16.5m (€48 million full year cost) to the Department of Education and Youth to implement a new DEIS Strategy and the new DEIS Plus scheme;
• A 22% increase of €7.3m for Youth Justice supports;
• €3.2m of additional funding to expand and strengthen the national network of Family Resource Centres, with the addition of ten new centres, bringing the national total to 136; and
• Expansion of the income thresholds for the National Childcare Scheme, which will reduce the costs of childcare for lower-income families
Given the growing demand for many children’s services, and challenges with training, recruitment and retention, this year the report also highlights new and additional spending on the children’s services workforce.
Analysis from the ESRI shows that the permanent measures taken in Budget 2026 are progressive and prioritise protecting the incomes of the poorest families. This targeted approach taken in Budget 2026 is a strategic decision by Government to close the gap for children and families most at risk in our society.
The Cabinet Committee meets quarterly and met for the 3rd time in December. It will next meet in the first part of 2026.
Question No. 62 answered with Question No. 61.
Question No. 63 resubmitted.
Question No. 64 answered with Question No. 61.
Questions Nos. 65 to 87, inclusive, resubmitted.
Cabinet Committees
Questions (88, 89)
Peadar Tóibín
Question:88. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet Committee on Health will next meet. [1411/26]
View answer
David Cullinane
Question:89. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet Committee on Health will next meet. [4025/26]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 88 and 89 together.
The Cabinet Committee on Health last met on the 15th of December 2025.
The Cabinet Committee oversees implementation of Programme for Government commitments in relation to health, receives detailed reports on identified policy areas and considers health reforms including Sláintecare, the reform of Public Health and health system preparedness for future health threats.
It also receives reports in relation to Programme for Government commitments in the areas of mental health and drugs policy.
The membership of the Cabinet Committee on Health includes the Taoiseach, as Chair, the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance, the Minister for Health and the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation.
The Cabinet Committee on Health will meet again in due course.
Question No. 89 answered with Question No. 88.
Questions Nos. 90 to 105, inclusive, resubmitted.
National Security Committee
Questions (106)
Colm Burke
Question:106. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Taoiseach the position regarding the Programme for Government commitment to establish a new national security committee to examine existing national security structures; and the progress made to date by the committee in relation to this review. [72010/25]
View answerWritten answers
The Programme for Government 2025, Securing Ireland's Future, set out a number of commitments relating to national security and defence, and work to give effect to these is well underway.
A key commitment in the Programme for Government was the introduction of a new Ministerial Council on National Security. I established the Ministerial Council on National Security last year, which comprises me as Chair, the Tánaiste, the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade and for Defence, and the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration.
Since then, the Council’s meetings have received detailed, up to date briefings on the current national security situation and events, including relevant international developments and current cyber threats. The Council also receives detailed reports from the National Security Committee covering the full range of national security-related issues. The National Security Committee is currently finalising a review of national security structures.
The Council continues to review the range of commitments relating to national security and defence set out in the Programme for Government and the delivery of these commitments.
In light of the worsened security situation in Europe and significant changes in the nature of the security challenges we face, it is clear that we must accelerate and increase investment in the State’s security and defence services in the coming period, and we will also need to enhance and develop our international partnerships.
Questions Nos. 107 to 119, inclusive, resubmitted.
Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements
Questions (120)
Ruth Coppinger
Question:120. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Taoiseach to report on his meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping [1709/26]
View answerWritten answers
I travelled to China from 4 to 8 January for an official visit to Beijing and Shanghai.
While in Beijing, I met President Xi Jinping.
We discussed Ireland’s bilateral relationship with China, including our important economic and trading relationship; EU-China relations, including Ireland’s upcoming Presidency of the EU in the second half of 2026; and shared global challenges, including conflict in Ukraine, the Middle East and elsewhere.
I stressed the importance of an effective international rules-based order, and the need to strengthen human rights and international law. I also raised the question of access for Irish beef to the Chinese market.
Question No. 121 resubmitted.
Cabinet Committees
Questions (122)
Matt Carthy
Question:122. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet Committee on Justice, Migration and Social Affairs will next meet. [1249/26]
View answerWritten answers
The Cabinet Committee on Justice, Migration and Social Affairs oversees the implementation of Programme for Government commitments that are in relation to matters under those areas.
It was established in February 2025 following the appointment of the new Government in January. Its first meeting was on 10th April 2025 and met most recently on November 3rd 2025. The next meeting will be scheduled in due course.
The Cabinet Committee covers a range of policy areas, including Domestic, Sexual and Gender Based Violence, policing and justice reform, migration and initiatives tackling local area disadvantage.
Amongst other items, it also oversees the development and delivery of the whole of Government response to migration and integration, including through a National Migration and Integration Strategy.
In addition to meetings of the Cabinet Committee, I have regular engagements with Ministers at Cabinet and individually to discuss issues relating to their Departments.
Questions Nos. 123 to 126, inclusive, resubmitted.
Child Poverty
Questions (127)
Naoise Ó Muirí
Question:127. Deputy Naoise Ó Muirí asked the Taoiseach if he will report on the progress his Department is making in tackling child poverty. [1755/26]
View answerWritten answers
The Child Poverty and Well-being Programme Office was established in the Department of the Taoiseach in 2023 to prioritise action across government in areas that will have the greatest impact for children and families experiencing poverty. The Programme Office was retained in the Programme for Government to continue the work to break down silos between departments and drive delivery.
Published in 2023, the Programme Office’s initial Programme Plan, From Poverty to Potential: A Programme Plan for Child Poverty and Well-being 2023-2025, builds on six focus areas which have the potential to bring about significant change for families and children.
These focus areas are:
• Income assistance and joblessness;
• Early learning and childcare;
• Reducing the cost of education;
• Family homelessness;
• Consolidating and integrating family and parental assistance, health and well-being;
• Enhancing participation in culture, arts and sport for children and young people affected by poverty.
The Programme Office’s first Progress Report, Child Poverty and Well-being in Transition: Learning and Adapting to Accelerate Change in Children’s Lives published in early 2025, provided updates for the focus areas, acknowledged challenges and highlighted emerging lessons and priorities. The report also highlighted that the Programme Office has strengthened the cross-government focus on addressing child poverty. A copy of the report can be found on gov.ie: www.gov.ie/en/department-of-the-taoiseach/publications/progress-report/.
The next multi-annual Child Poverty and Well-being Programme Plan and the second Progress Report are currently under development and will be published in the coming months.
Annual Summit and Cross Government Network
Last September, I hosted the Programme Office’s second annual summit on child poverty and well-being in the Aviva Stadium. The Summit brought together leaders, policymakers, practitioners, and change-makers from across sectors to explore how we can drive systemic change that delivers results for children. It highlighted collaborative approaches, examined what is working, and surfaced bold ideas that are needed to address the structural barriers that keep children and families in poverty. Children’s participation was an integral part of the day and included an art exhibition, a specially written musical performance from Jimmy Maguire of Music Generation, and engagement with our Youth Advisory Group on Child Poverty and Well-being.
The discussions and outcomes from the Summit will feed directly into the development of the Office’s second Programme Plan. A report on the Second Annual Child Poverty and Well-being Summit was published in December and is available on gov.ie: www.gov.ie/en/department-of-the-taoiseach/publications/summit-2025/#summit-report.
To deepen cross government coordination, the Office established a Cross-Government Network on Child Poverty and Well-being. To date, there have been six meetings of the Cross Government Network. At the sixth meeting of the Cross-Government Network (CGN), space was created for practical exploration of how a more creative, ambitious, and responsive public sector can better support children and families through Action Learning Sets. The results of this session will be explored at the next Cross-Government Network which will take place in Q1 2026.
Child Poverty Target
In September 2025, in line with commitments in the Programme for Government, the Government agreed a new Child Poverty Target - to reduce the child consistent poverty rate to 3% or less by the end of 2030. This Target is ambitious, representing a reduction of 5.5 percentage points, or nearly 60%, from the current rate of 8.5%.
While consistent poverty is a very important metric, it is not the only way we have of measuring how children are doing. Given the multifaceted nature of child poverty, both targeted income measures, and non-income measures, such as housing, education, childcare and health services, are key in reducing child poverty, as well as high quality and sustainable employment.
To support a multidimensional view of child poverty, the Programme Office is compiling a Dashboard of Indicators that will be used alongside the new Child Poverty Target.
Budget 2026
An important strategic initiative of the Programme Office is the cross-government focus on child poverty and well-being in the annual Budget.
On 30 December, I published Breaking the Cycle: New Measures in Budget 2026 to Address Child Poverty and Promote Well-being. This is the third cross-government report on child poverty spending in the annual Budget – and the first Budget of this Government’s term.
Budget 2026 moves away from cost-of-living payments towards permanent targeted payments to support those most vulnerable. A €320 million social welfare package for children includes the largest increase ever in the Child Support Payment, increased income thresholds for the Working Family Payment, and the extension of Fuel Allowance to those on the Working Family Payment. Other new or enhanced allocations in Budget 2026 to address child poverty through provision of services include:
• An additional €5.14 million for Equal Start - a 30% increase from the 2025 allocation,
• An additional €16.5m (€48 million full year cost) to the Department of Education and Youth to implement a new DEIS Strategy and the new DEIS Plus scheme,
• A 22% increase of €7.3m for Youth Justice supports,
• €3.2m of additional funding to expand and strengthen the national network of Family Resource Centres, with the addition of ten new centres, bringing the national total to 136, and
• Expansion of the income thresholds for the National Childcare Scheme, which will reduce the costs of childcare for lower-income families.
Analysis from the Economic and Social Research Institute shows that the permanent measures taken in Budget 2026 are progressive and prioritise protecting the incomes of the poorest families. This targeted approach is a strategic decision by Government to close the gap for children and families most at risk in our society. The 2026 Budget report is available on gov.ie: www.gov.ie/en/department-of-the-taoiseach/publications/annual-budget/#budget-2026-report.
Child and Family Homelessness Action Plan
The Government’s new housing plan Delivering Homes, Building Communities recognises that homelessness is the single most pressing social issue that we face and introduces a number of key measures to address homelessness. One such measure relates to the development of a dedicated cross-Departmental and agency led Child and Family Homelessness Action Plan. Given the importance of this issue for child poverty and child well-being, the Department of the Taoiseach and the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage are working together on this Plan, supported by relevant Government departments and State bodies.
Questions Nos. 128 to 140, inclusive, resubmitted.