Emer Currie
Question:48. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet Committee on Justice, Migration and Social Affairs will next meet. [11969/26]
View answerCabinet Committees
Questions (48, 49)
Mark Ward
Question:49. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet Committee on Justice, Migration and Social Affairs will next meet. [12523/26]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 48 and 49 together.
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 February 9th 2026. The next meeting is scheduled to take place 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.
Question Nor. 49 answered with Question No. 48
Questions Nos. 50 to 55, inclusive, resubmitted.
Child Poverty
Questions (56, 60)
Mark Wall
Question:56. Deputy Mark Wall asked the Taoiseach if he will report on the progress his Department is making in tackling child poverty. [4035/26]
View answerMark Ward
Question:60. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Taoiseach if he will report on the progress his Department is making in tackling child poverty. [12524/26]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 56 and 60 together.
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.
The new 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 multi-faceted 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 multi-dimensional view of child poverty, the Programme Office on Child Poverty and Well-Being 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 on Child Poverty and Well-being 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. 57 to 59, inclusive resubmitted.
Question No. 60 answered with Question No. 56.
Question No. 61 resubmitted
Departmental Reports
Questions (62)
Cian O'Callaghan
Question:62. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Taoiseach for an overview of the ‘Budget 2026: Spotlight on Disability’ report recently published by his Department. [12355/26]
View answerWritten answers
The Budget 2026: Spotlight on Disability report was published by my Department in December 2025. This is the first Budget spotlight report prepared by the Disability Unit in the Department of the Taoiseach, established to bring a renewed focus, urgency and weight to disability issues.
Drawing on inputs received from Government Departments, the report outlines new or enhanced disability-related measures introduced in Budget 2026 that will support the implementation of the Government’s overarching strategy for disability, the National Human Rights Strategy for Disabled People 2025-2030.
The report finds that Budget 2026 had a particularly strong focus on investment in both disability and mainstream services. A record €3.8 billion allocation to the Department of Children, Disability and Equality for specialist disability services represents a 20% increase in funding for disability services, which will improve both sustainability of the sector and delivery of disability services for children and adults.
The increased investment will, amongst other outcomes, expand access to respite services for families, provide new places in day services, and enhance therapy services and other specialised supports through local Children’s Disability Network Teams.
Special education also saw record investment under Budget 2026, totalling €3 billion, which will see an additional 860 special education teachers appointed along with over 1,700 Special Needs Assistants.
Other initiatives outlined in the report include increased investment in housing adaptation grants and in the public transport retrofit programme, along with enhanced supports for employers for the employment of disabled people.
In addition, Budget 2026 also contained targeted and mainstream social protection measures which will support households with disabilities, including increases in weekly rates, expansion of eligibility to schemes, and amendments to income disregards for carers.
Budget 2026 is a first step in the Government’s ambition to deliver the National Human Rights Strategy for Disabled People 2025-2030. I believe we have made a strong start in year 1 of our programme of work and investment. Future budgets are expected to build on this progress to ensure disabled people are supported, empowered, and enabled to fully participate in their communities and society.
Questions Nos. 63 to 74, inclusive, resubmitted.
Cabinet Committees
Questions (75, 80)
Emer Currie
Question:75. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet Committee on the Economy, Trade and Competitiveness will next meet. [11970/26]
View answer
Naoise Ó Muirí
Question:80. Deputy Naoise Ó Muirí asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet Committee on Economy, Trade and Competitiveness will next meet. [10084/26]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 75 and 80 together.
The Cabinet Committee on the Economy, Trade and Competitiveness last met on Monday 2 March 2026 and is scheduled to next meet on Monday 25 May 2026.
Questions Nos. 76 to 79, inclusive, resubmitted.
Question No. 80 answered with Question No. 75
Questions Nos. 81 to 95, inclusive, resubmitted.
Cabinet Committees
Questions (96)
Naoise Ó Muirí
Question:96. Deputy Naoise Ó Muirí asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet Committee on Climate Action, Environment and Energy will next meet. [10083/26]
View answerWritten answers
The Cabinet Committee on Climate Action, Environment, and Energy oversees implementation of Programme for Government commitments in relation to the environment, climate action, energy, and emergency planning.
The Cabinet Committee last met on 26 February and is scheduled to meet again in May.
Questions Nos. 97 to 100, inclusive, resubmitted.
Cabinet Committees
Questions (101)
James Geoghegan
Question:101. Deputy James Geoghegan asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet Committee on Infrastructure will next meet. [13981/26]
View answerWritten answers
The Cabinet Committee on Infrastructure works to drive infrastructure delivery, accountability and value-for-money, including the preparation and now the implementation of the revised National Development Plan.
Membership of the Cabinet Committee comprises the Taoiseach, Tánaiste and Minister for Finance, Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation, Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment and for Transport, Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment, and Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport.
As set out in the Programme for Government, Government is prioritising the delivery of critical, growth enhancing infrastructure. We have a responsibility to invest in the future, and delivery of modern, sustainable infrastructure is vital for our national competitiveness, fostering regional development, delivering housing and meeting social needs.
The revised National Development Plan committed over €275 billion to investment in infrastructure over the coming decade.
In Budget 2026 we announced €19.1 billion in exchequer capital investment, an increase of €2 billion on 2025. This represents the highest annual spend in the history of the state.
On 3rd December 2025 the Government published the “Accelerating Infrastructure Report and Action Plan”, setting out an ambitious, but achievable, agenda which will overcome the barriers to delivery. The plan will see wide ranging reforms, enabling us to bridge our infrastructure deficit and continue to build our resilience as a modern and thriving society.
There will be robust oversight of the Government’s performance in achieving these actions – with regular reports on progress to the Cabinet Committee on Infrastructure.
In the period ahead the Cabinet Committee will therefore oversee both the investments and the reforms required to ensure that infrastructure is delivered as efficiently and quickly as possible.
The last meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Infrastructure took place on 23rd February 2026. The Committee is due to meet again on 20th April 2026.
Questions Nos. 102 and 103 resubmitted.
Departmental Expenditure
Questions (104)
Cathy Bennett
Question:104. Deputy Cathy Bennett asked the Taoiseach if there is a Shared Island committee that approves Shared Island funding; the members of the committee; and if all parties are represented on the committee. [12187/26]
View answerWritten answers
Our Programme for Government sets out an ambitious agenda for Building our Shared Island, backed by the Shared Island Fund which is now a total €2 billion commitment out to 2035.
Shared Island Fund allocations are made by the Government to enable progress with priority projects and programmes that deliver on our Shared Island investment commitments and objectives under the Programme for Government and National Development Plan.
Shared Island Fund allocations are decided by Government and are managed directly by the relevant Government Department in line with Public Financial Procedures and Infrastructure Guidelines.
Shared Island Fund allocations are typically made to projects and programmes on a co-funding basis, alongside funding from other Exchequer sources and on a collaborative cross-border basis with contributions by the Northern Ireland Executive and / or UK Government.
Government Ministers and their Departments operate a number of programmes, supported through the Shared Island Fund, which offer grant and funding opportunities to community, civil society and cultural organisations to support the broadening of cooperation and connections across all communities on the island. Information on Shared Island funded programmes, including application dates and requirements, is published by the responsible line Department or Agency and an overview of all programmes is at www.gov.ie/sharedisland.
Questions Nos. 105 to 114, inclusive, resubmitted.
Cabinet Committees
Questions (115)
James Geoghegan
Question:115. Deputy James Geoghegan asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet Committee on Disability will next meet. [12502/26]
View answerWritten answers
The Cabinet Committee on Disability has met seven times to date. It met most recently on 23 February, and it is due to meet again on 13 April.
Questions Nos. 116 to 122, inclusive, resubmitted.
Departmental Strategies
Questions (123)
James Geoghegan
Question:123. Deputy James Geoghegan asked the Taoiseach if he will provide an update on the revised National Digital and AI Strategy. [13324/26]
View answerWritten answers
As committed to in the Programme for Government, the Government published our updated National Digital & AI Strategy last month.
Digital Ireland – Connecting our People, Securing our Future sets out the Government’s ambition to 2030 to strengthen our position as a digital leader and a global hub for applied AI innovation.
Through Digital Ireland, we will build on our strengths - a well-established reputation as a digital hub, an exceptional talent base and a vibrant innovation ecosystem – to ensure our economy reaps the benefits of digital and AI for growth and competitiveness, to enhance our public services, and to empower our people to thrive in a digital society.
The Strategy contains 20 high-level objectives and 90 specific deliverables, reflecting the breadth of ambition right across government on Public Services, Enterprise, Infrastructure, Cyber Security, Digital Regulation, Online Safety, and Skills and Talent.
It outlines five strategic, mutually reinforcing ambitions - Apply, Grow, Invest, Lead, and Empower – reflecting the agile approach needed to succeed in a fast-evolving digital world:
• Applying digital and AI technologies to enhance how we deliver our public services and driving responsible AI adoption across the public sector;
• Growing our digital economy and competitiveness, and strengthening our profile as a location for investment and a global hub for Applied AI;
• Investing in secure, resilient, future-proofed digital infrastructure, including building our cyber security capacity;
• Leading as a trusted, agile and forward-looking digital regulatory hub and centre of excellence;
• Empowering our people, workers and businesses to thrive in a digital economy and society, through responsive, inclusive digital and AI skills and literacy opportunities; and
• Enhancing our Online Safety Framework at both national and EU level to protect vulnerable cohorts, in particular children and young people
Ireland will continue to be a strong voice in Europe for a digital economy which supports competitiveness and innovation, while protecting data privacy and fundamental rights; this includes continuing to advocate for an ambitious and dynamic approach to digital simplification.
Digital Ireland reiterates the Government’s commitment to strengthening Ireland’s position as an EU Centre of Excellence and digital regulatory hub and to ensuring a modern, cohesive and well-resourced regulatory framework that is responsive to the evolving digital age.
We will ensure that everyone in our society is empowered to succeed in a digital era, by fostering the skills, literacy and societal trust necessary for a confident digital future, so that no one is left behind.
Online safety for minors is a key priority for the Government, and an area of focus in Digital Ireland. We will work actively at EU level to explore options for age restrictions on the use of social media in particular for those under 16. Ireland will advocate for a decision on the “digital age of majority” to be taken at EU level, but we will take action domestically if necessary.
As new challenges will arise with the continuing evolution of technologies, the Government will ensure they are addressed in a timely, robust and comprehensive manner.
Digital Ireland was developed through extensive cross-government and stakeholder engagement and as we accelerate our digital transition across the economy and society, we will ensure a coordinated and outcome-focused approach to implementation across the whole of Government, working in partnership with industry and key stakeholders.
Questions Nos. 124 to 130, inclusive, resubmitted.