Written Answers Nos. 743-760
743. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health if she will clarify the future of a service (details supplied); if she will ensure that this service is adequately resourced and funded; and her views on recent reports regarding the potential closure of this service in the coming weeks due to funding shortfalls. [41356/26]
View answerI acknowledge the valuable work undertaken by community based counselling services across the country, such as Helplink.
Funding to voluntary and community organisations is arranged through the section 39 process via local HSE Mental Health Services, once necessary criteria are met and where a need has been identified. All such organisations must make an application for Section 39 funding, which is then assessed by local HSE Mental Health Services and will be advanced or not depending on a variety of conditions, such as the organisation supplying the required information, local operational and clinical considerations, and HSE budgetary constraints.
In any negotiations between HSE and any charity or organisation, information such as audited accounts, governance arrangements and independent board of directors details are required, so that HSE can undertake necessary due diligence. Local HSE are always available to provide guidance to any organisation on the necessary work to comply with the requirements ahead of consideration of HSE funding of their organisation.
Prior to any funding arrangement, the HSE need full and complete details on the corporate governance of an organisation, such as information on the board responsible for independent oversight of the management of an organisation, along with an organisation's annual financial statements which comply with the most recent statutory deadlines, as well as details of what clinical governance structures are in place.
These are essential and appropriate steps on the road to providing funding to any organisation. The HSE is not in a position to provide funding in the absence of information necessary to provide assurance on corporate and clinical governance. These are the same requirements of all bodies to whom the State provides public funding.
On 19th May I met with Helplink, along with Minister Grealish and my officials, to discuss the situation and various options to support them will be explored. Any HSE funding support could only occur subject to the requirements outlined above.
744. Deputy Seamus Healy asked the Minister for Health when the recruitment freeze on home support staff in the south Tipperary area will be lifted, as a significant number of approved applicants, including a 92-year-old man, are without home support due to the lack of staff; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41372/26]
View answerAs this is an operational matter, I have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy.
745. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Health if she will provide a report on the progress made implementing the Programme for Government commitments within her remit and on the achievements since the formation of the Government; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41388/26]
View answerThe information requested is currently being collated and will be issued to the Deputy as soon as possible.
746. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Health the measures being taken by the Food Safety Authority of Ireland to prevent the misuse of Irish food labelling, including the labelling of imported products as Irish-origin; the number of investigations or enforcement actions taken in respect of misleading food labelling in 2025 and to date in 2026; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41402/26]
View answerThe Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) has overall responsibility for the enforcement of food law in Ireland; therefore, as this is an operational matter, I have asked the FSAI to reply directly to the Deputy.
747. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Health whether the Food Safety Authority of Ireland has identified specific categories of food products where mislabelling or misleading origin claims are most prevalent; the enforcement mechanisms available to the FSAI in such cases; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41403/26]
View answerThe Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) has overall responsibility for the enforcement of food law in Ireland; therefore, as this is an operational matter, I have asked the FSAI to reply directly to the Deputy.
748. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Health the current status of work to establish the Advance Healthcare Directive Register provided for under Part 8 of the Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) Act 2015; the body which will have responsibility for maintaining the register; the expected date for its commencement; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41418/26]
View answerPart 8 of the Assisted Decision Making (Capacity) Act 2015 provides the legislative framework for Advance Healthcare Directives (AHDs). An AHD is a statement made by a person with capacity setting out their will and preference in relation to healthcare and medical treatment decisions that may arise in the future, when they no longer have capacity.
To support those who wish to make an AHD, an approved template form which may be used or adapted is available on the websites of the Decision Support Service, the HSE and from Citizens Information sources. Guidance and further information on the making of a valid directive is also available
The Act provides that a Register of Advance Healthcare Directives may be established, and this will provide an additional means by which a person’s AHD is available to healthcare professionals where the circumstances arise. When established, the Register will be maintained by the Decision Support Service.
Further consideration and discussion is required in relation to the technical infrastructure required for such a Register. Work is still ongoing in this regard and the Department will continue to engage with stakeholders.
The registration of an AHD however is not linked to its validity. It was not considered legally necessary for such a Register to be established prior to commencement of Part 8 of the Act.
In order for an AHD to be valid, the Act establishes a number of minimum requirements. An AHD made by any person in any form is considered valid if it is in writing, and has been appropriately signed and witnessed, thus ensuring its accessibility in a wide range of circumstances.
Directive-makers are advised to provide a copy of their AHD to their GP and any other healthcare professional who may provide them with treatment. Additionally a person may appoint a trusted individual as their designated healthcare representative and nominate an alternate designated healthcare representative to assist in ensuring their AHD is followed.
The Code of Practice on Advance Healthcare Directives for Healthcare Professionals outlines how healthcare professionals should take all reasonably practicable steps to ascertain if a person has an AHD where a person lacks the capacity to make a healthcare treatment decision.
749. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Health the engagement her Department, the HSE, and the Health Protection Surveillance Centre have had with the World Health Organization and with the EU Health Security Committee in respect of the ongoing outbreak of Ebola disease caused by the Bundibugyo virus in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda, declared a Public Health Emergency of International Concern by the WHO on 17 May 2026; the steps being taken at national level to give effect to the opinion adopted by the EU Health Security Committee on 22 May 2026; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41421/26]
View answer750. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Health the measures in place to detect, isolate, and manage any suspected case of Ebola disease arriving into the State in the context of the ongoing Bundibugyo virus outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda; the current assessment of risk to the population here; the protocols in place for monitoring Irish humanitarian aid workers and other returning travellers from affected area; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41422/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 749 and 750 together.
The outbreak of Ebola Bundibugyo Virus disease in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Uganda has been declared a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) by the World Health Organization (WHO), but it has not been classified as a pandemic. The WHO defines a PHEIC as an extraordinary event which is determined to constitute a public health risk to other countries through the international spread of disease and to potentially require a coordinated international response.
The WHO’s risk assessment indicates that while the national and regional risk is high, the global risk remains low due to limited international transmission. Similarly, the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) has assessed the risk to Europe as very low.
My Department, together with the HSE’s National Health Protection Office (NHPO), is working closely with the European Commission, EU Member States, the ECDC, and the WHO, as well as other international and national partners with regard to this outbreak. This collaboration ensures that emerging information is continuously incorporated into Ireland’s national risk assessment and informs any necessary public health response.
At EU level, DG SANTE is coordinating preparedness measures and aligning Member State response through the Health Security Committee, with a focus on ensuring rapid laboratory diagnosis and heightened hospital vigilance while emphasising WHO advice on instating of exit screening procedures in affected countries and coordinated risk communication.
Ad-hoc senior level meetings of the Health Security Committee, chaired by DG Sandra Gallina, took place on 20th and 24th May and a HSC Opinion on current recommendations for a common EU approach in response to the Ebola Bundibugyo virus outbreak was finalised on 20th May, following consultation with Member States. In parallel, DG HERA is monitoring the availability of medical countermeasures and engaging with regulatory partners to assess potential experimental therapeutics relevant to the Bundibugyo strain.
While this event is not a pandemic, HSE has in place operational plans to respond to emergent threats with pandemic potential or which threaten Ireland’s health security.
The HSE national operational pandemic plan, which provides a comprehensive framework for responding to major infectious disease events at both national and regional levels, including scenarios where a vaccine may not be available. This plan was tested during Exercise Pandora in March 2025 and subsequently reviewed in July 2025.
Regional pandemic plans are currently being finalised. The framework reflects lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as experience gained in managing a range of public health events, including previous Ebola outbreaks, mpox, and seasonal respiratory virus surges.
The HSE has sufficient stock of PPE to meet the needs of providing care for any person(s) with Ebola virus infection or other high-consequence infectious diseases (HCIDs) in line with national guidance. Although there are vaccines which are active against the Zaire Ebola virus strain, they are not expected to provide effective protection against the Bundibugyo strain. There are currently no other approved treatments or vaccines for Bundibugyo virus disease.
Ireland also has an established national framework for the management of High Consequence Infectious Diseases (HCIDs), including designated clinical care pathways and infection prevention and control guidance. Comprehensive advice on viral haemorrhagic fevers, including Ebola, is available on the Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC) website and was most recently updated in October 2025.
During the 2014 Ebola outbreak—the largest recorded—Ireland did not introduce airport screening measures such as temperature checks or entry screening, in line with EU and WHO guidance. Instead, emphasis was placed on exit screening in affected countries. Domestically, measures focused on the provision of information and public health advice at points of entry.
Public health guidance for both the general public and healthcare professionals has been developed by the NHPO and is available on the HPSC website, including information on the WHO declaration, affected regions and associated risks. The NHPO is also developing targeted communications and FAQs for the public and returning travellers.
Specific guidance has been issued for humanitarian aid workers (HAWs) travelling to affected areas, who face an increased risk of exposure. The HPSC operates a voluntary reporting system for HAWs deployed by Irish NGOs, Irish Aid, or the WHO Global Outbreak Alert and Response Network (GOARN). This system supports risk assessment on return and facilitates appropriate follow-up, including 21-day monitoring where high-risk exposure has occurred. HAWs travelling to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) or Uganda are strongly encouraged to register their deployment details with the HPSC. Irish NGOs are also encouraged to engage with the HPSC to receive alerts and updates on emerging infectious disease threats.
Travellers are advised to consult country-specific guidance on the Department of Foreign Affairs website. A registration system is available for Irish citizens travelling abroad, and all individuals travelling to or residing in affected regions are strongly encouraged to register their details. The Department has updated its travel advice for the DRC to reflect the current outbreak, with a “Do Not Travel” advisory in place, representing the highest level of warning.
In accordance with the International Health Regulations (2005), the WHO Director-General has activated the relevant emergency framework. The Emergency Committee has concurred with the PHEIC designation and has characterised the outbreak as a high-risk regional threat rather than a global pandemic. The Committee has issued targeted temporary recommendations to guide the international response, while advising against unnecessary travel or trade restrictions, noting that such measures may disrupt aid delivery, harm economies, and lead to unmonitored cross-border movement. Instead, the WHO recommends robust exit screening and targeted 21-day monitoring and movement restrictions for confirmed cases and exposed contacts.
Finally, officials in my Department are progressing the development of a National Health Threats Prevention, Preparedness and Response Plan. This work will be informed by a WHO Health Threats Workshop hosted by my Department in March this year and the forthcoming Public Health Emergency Preparedness Assessment (PHEPA) mission by the ECDC to Ireland in June 2026 and its subsequent recommendations. The PHEPA process aims to strengthen prevention, preparedness and response capabilities across EU Member States through evidence-based guidance.
751. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science whether any proposed National AI Workforce Transition Programme or related AI retraining initiative would apply equally to Irish citizens, EU citizens, and non-EU employment permit holders; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40994/26]
View answerThe Government is mindful that technological advancements will inevitably bring labour market disruption. Recent analysis published by the Department of Finance and the ESRI confirms this, although the exact impact of AI on future work remains uncertain.
The Government will support workers to navigate and mitigate the impacts of potential job displacement, including through responsive and accessible skilling and upskilling opportunities.
To provide reliable data, I am establishing a National Skills Observatory. This will provide data and insights on labour market trends and skills needs, including AI. The objective is to ensure that the skills ecosystem aligns with labour market demands.
Programmes offered by the HEA, Skillnet and SOLAS offer a range of re-skilling and upskilling opportunities to those most exposed to technological change.
For instance, the Springboard+ 2026 programme I launched in March offers more than 7,200 places across 244 courses. The full-time and part-time courses are fully funded for unemployed participants (or those returning to the workforce) while those in employment typically pay just 10% of the course fee.
Unemployed applicants qualifying for Department of Social Protection payments, including job seekers payments, will take priority over others. They are not expected to demonstrate that they meet nationality or residency requirements. In other circumstances, enrolment on the programme is subject to eligibility criteria, including in terms of Irish Residency Permit if they are non-EU applicants. The full list of eligibility criteria is available from the Springboard+ website.
Finally, I must note that the acquisition of AI literacy by learners in education and learners in the workplace is one of my priorities. To this effect, I have launched an upskilling platform, AIready.ie, and a set of AI micro-qualifications which are available for free through the country’s 16 ETBs.
752. Deputy Naoise Ó Cearúil asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will examine the establishment of a National AI Workplace Transition Programme to proactively support workers whose roles may be significantly altered or displaced by artificial intelligence and automation technologies over the coming years, through measures including retraining supports, employer partnership schemes and targeted upskilling initiatives; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40673/26]
View answerI am very aware that the adoption of AI is one of the largest structural forces that is shaping our country. We need to ensure that no-one is left behind.? This belief underpins Digital Ireland – Connecting our People, Securing our Future, the national digital and AI strategy. It echoes the recommendations of the National Skills Council and what I heard at the first of a series of Skills Roundtable discussions – a national programme of high-level engagements focused on ensuring that Ireland has the right skills for a rapidly changing economy.
The acquisition of AI literacy by learners in education and learners in the workplace is one of my priorities. To this effect, I have launched an upskilling platform, AIready.ie, and a set of AI micro-qualifications which are available for free through the country’s 16 ETBs.
Programmes offered by the HEA, Skillnet and SOLAS provide a range of re-skilling and upskilling opportunities to those most exposed to technological change. There are also supports for learners to access the courses. For example, the Springboard+ 2026 programme I launched in March provides full-time and part-time courses which are fully or part funded depending on the employment status of the participant.
To provide reliable data and insights on labour market trends and skills needs, I am establishing a National Skills Observatory. My objective is to ensure that the skills ecosystem aligns with labour market demands and continues to support workers who need to navigate and mitigate the impacts of potential job displacement.
753. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he is aware that the number of students taking courses taught through the medium of Irish stands at less than 1%; to provide an update on the work his Department is doing to reach the 20% public service recruitment target under the National Plan for Irish Language Public Services; to provide an update on the establishment of a cross-sector working group to address this issue; if he will ensure that there are student representatives on this working group; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41098/26]
View answerDetermining the number of students studying Irish at third level is not straightforward, as Irish is offered as an optional component of many programmes, including most B.A. joint honours programmes. However, I am aware of the most recent HEA enrolment figures, which indicate that there were an estimated 505 students studying courses through Irish in the 2024/2025 academic year, with a further 2,525 studying courses partially through Irish.
My Department recognises the important role of the tertiary education sector in supporting the Government’s target that 20% of recruits to the public sector be competent in Irish by 2030, as set out in the Official Languages (Amendment) Act 2021 and reflected in theNational Plan for Irish Language Public Services.
My Department supports higher education institutions, via the HEA, through both core funding and specific funding streams for Irish language initiatives. This includes the HEA block grant, an annual allocation of €900,000 to support the use of Irish among students and staff, and an earmarked allocation of €1.766 million annually to the University of Galway to support the activities of Acadamh na hOllscolaíochta Gaeilge.
My department has committed to working with the Department of Education and Youth to look at the needs of students transitioning from Irish-language post-primary to tertiary level. I have also approved funding for the HEA to commission research to better understand existing and future demand for Irish-medium education at tertiary level. This is being done by researchers in the University of Galway and is due to report in 2027. Irish-medium courses will be prioritised in the assessment of expressions of interest processes for areas of skills need. The forthcoming national tertiary strategy will also have regard to the sustainability and use of the Irish language.
Finally, work is well underway to establish a sectoral working group with the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht under Action 4.3.3 of the Action Plan for Irish Language Public Services 2026–2028. The purpose of the group is to consider how the full range of tertiary education provision across higher education, further education and training, apprenticeship, upskilling, reskilling and lifelong learning can support the delivery of the National Plan for Irish Language Public Services, and in particular targets relating to increasing public sector competence in Irish.
Membership of the group will include senior officials from relevant Departments, agencies and sectoral stakeholders across Government and the tertiary sector. Student engagement is an important part of the higher education framework, and my officials will consider appropriate arrangements for engagement with student representatives as the work of the group progresses.
Any further policy interventions from my Department will be based upon the outcomes of this work.
754. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science whether his Department is engaged with Project Home or similar initiatives to encourage Irish graduates in healthcare and other critical sectors to return to Ireland; if so, the nature of that engagement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41301/26]
View answerI am aware of Project Home, which is an initiative led by the HSE and referenced in wider engagement across the health system. It is designed as a targeted attraction and engagement strategy to encourage Irish healthcare professionals working overseas to return to Ireland
Responsibility for workforce recruitment and retention in the health sector, including initiatives such as Project Home, rests with the Minister for Health and the Department of Health, in conjunction with the HSE.
My Department’s primary role is to support the supply of graduates through the higher and further education system. In this context, my officials work closely with colleagues in the Department of Health and the HSE to ensure that education and training provision is aligned with workforce needs, including through expansion of places across priority healthcare disciplines and ongoing engagement on workforce planning.
While my Department is not directly responsible for, nor does it lead, initiatives aimed at attracting graduates back to Ireland, we remain engaged at a system level with the Department of Health to support a coordinated approach to addressing skills and workforce needs in the health sector.
To support this work, the Government is delivering a significant, system-wide expansion of healthcare education capacity to strengthen the domestic pipeline of graduates. Since 2022, this has included the addition of substantial new places across medicine, nursing and the health and social care professions. This includes 200 additional undergraduate medicine places agreed in 2022, alongside growth in disciplines such as physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech and language therapy, radiography and other priority areas. Within the health and social care professions specifically, this has amounted to an increase of in the region of 450 additional places since 2023, representing a very significant expansion in training capacity, including targeted additionality for Irish and EU students.
Notwithstanding this progress, workforce modelling indicates that demand for healthcare professionals continues to exceed supply in a number of areas. Accordingly, further expansion is planned through the Higher Education Authority’s current Expression of Interest process, which is expected to support additional places from the 2026/27 academic year, subject to approval. This next phase of expansion is focused on ensuring that growth is aligned with verified workforce need and clinical placement capacity, with the objective of delivering a sustainable pipeline of graduates to meet the evolving needs of the healthcare system.
755. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if his Department has considered making a policy regarding sick pay arrangements for apprentices who suffer significant illness during the duration of the apprenticeship; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41325/26]
View answerAll apprentices in Ireland are employees and remain so for the duration of their apprenticeship. As such, apprentices and their employers are subject to the applicable employment laws regarding sick pay. While my Department does not have a role in getting employment law in this regard, which falls under the remit of the Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment, the impact of periods of illness on apprenticeship progression is addressed within the apprenticeship framework.
The SOLAS Apprenticeship Code of Practice for Employers and Apprentices highlights that all apprentice employers must comply with their statutory obligations, including all relevant current employment legislation.
It also provides that any period of time spent on sick leave in excess of six weeks in any 12-month period will not count towards completion of the apprenticeship programme. During such an absence, the apprenticeship will be temporarily suspended. SOLAS retains discretion in relation to the suspension of apprenticeships.
Upon registration, all apprentices are assigned a Training Advisor to act as their primary point of contact for any issues or queries concerning their apprenticeships. If an apprentice is experiencing difficulties or has concerns about how something may impact their apprenticeship, including illness, they should speak with their Training Advisor, who can provide advice and support.
756. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will provide a report on the progress made implementing the Programme for Government commitments within his remit and on the achievements since the formation of the Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41387/26]
View answerThere are over 60 commitments outlined in the Programme for Government that fall within the remit of my Department. The attached table provides an update on each of these commitments.
I am pleased to inform the Deputy that substantial progress has been made in advancing these commitments. In particular, I would like to highlight the following developments:
• The National Training Fund (Amendment) Act 2025 was signed into law on 23 December 2025 and commenced on 19 January 2026. This legislation enables the unlocking of the €1.485 billion National Training Fund package announced in Budget 2025 and supports sustained investment in higher education, skills and workforce development over the period to 2030. Budget 2025 also secured an additional €50 million in core funding for higher education from the National Training Fund, with plans to invest a further €100 million in core funding by the end of the decade.
• The Department has secured €4.55 billion in capital funding under the National Development Plan Review process. The Tertiary Sectoral Capital Investment Plan 2026–2030 has now been published, setting out an ambitious vision for Ireland’s tertiary education, research and innovation system. This is being complemented by the launch of INSPIRE, a landmark €750 million research infrastructure programme, alongside wider investment of €2.1 billion in higher and further education infrastructure. This will support research capacity, including High-Performance Computing and the Tyndall National Institute, while also delivering new and upgraded facilities, modernised campuses, modern equipment and additional capacity to meet growing regional and national demand.
• On 16 December 2025, Government approved the introduction of a Professorship grade in Ireland’s Technological Universities for the first time, supported by €65.8 million under the Targeted Enhancement Fund. This is a landmark reform for the technological university sector and will strengthen academic leadership, research capacity and international competitiveness.
• Progression of the Higher Education Public Private Partnership programme saw the first six buildings under Bundle 1 completed, handed over to the higher education institutions and operational by the end of Q2 2025. Contracts for the remaining five buildings under Bundle 2 were signed in June 2025 and construction commenced immediately thereafter. When all 11 buildings are completed, they will comprise approximately 72,800 m² of additional space and support around 8,500 additional student places.
• The National Student Accommodation Strategy 2026–2035 was published on 24 March 2026. The Strategy sets out the Government’s framework for increasing supply and improving affordability. It supports new delivery through the Higher Education Institutions Student Accommodation Programme and includes measures relating to Technological Universities, Rent-a-Room supports and better alignment of student accommodation leases with the academic year. The Design Guide for State Sponsored Student Accommodation was published in June 2025 and supports the delivery of high-quality, sustainable accommodation.
• Budget 2026 delivered significant additional supports for students and learners. These included a €500 reduction in the student contribution for the 2025/26 academic year, increases in non-adjacent maintenance grants, funding of over €19.3 million for the Student Assistance Fund, an additional €3 million for the Fund for Students with Disabilities in further and higher education, and an additional €1 million for student mental health and wellbeing supports.
• I increased all non-adjacent maintenance grant rates under the Student Grant Scheme administered by SUSI by at least €200 from September 2026, with a pro-rata benefit applying in the current academic year. This measure is expected to benefit approximately 30,000 PLC, undergraduate and postgraduate students whose normal residence is 30 kilometres or more from their institution and who may face rent or higher transport costs. I also increased the income threshold for the €500 student contribution support from €115,000 to €120,000 from September 2026. Combined with the permanent fee reduction, this means that eligible undergraduate students from households with incomes below €120,000 will pay no more than €2,000 towards the student contribution charge in the 2026/27 academic year.
• During 2025, two further proposals under the FET College Major Capital Programme progressed to the pre-tender stage, bringing to eight the number of projects that have now reached this point. Significant progress has also been made on the advancement of preferred site options for the remaining four proposals, with acquisition, due diligence and preliminary business case development continuing.
• There are 78 tertiary degree programmes available for the 2026/27 academic year across 24 counties - this is a 70% increase on last year, giving more people than ever the opportunity to access higher education. Work is continuing to expand these pathways through new partnerships between ETBs and higher education institutions.
• Significant progress has also been made in expanding high-demand healthcare provision. New programmes in Nursing (Maynooth), Dentistry (RCSI), Physiotherapy (ATU) and Pharmacy (University of Galway) commenced in September 2025. New programmes in Pharmacy (ATU), Medicine (University of Limerick) and Rural and Remote Medicine (University of Galway) are due to come on stream in 2026. Two new veterinary schools will also commence taking students in 2026 in SETU and ATU, meaning that for the first time there will be three institutions offering veterinary programmes across the island.
• Additional places were also created in a range of high-demand healthcare disciplines. 320 places commenced in 2025 in areas such as Occupational Therapy, Speech and Language Therapy and Dietetics, with a further 141 places due to come on stream from next year. A further 20 medicine places were created in September 2025. CAO offers in 2025 saw 80% of Level 8 Round One offers going to candidates who received their first, second or third preference, with points decreasing in a number of high-demand areas including physiotherapy, pharmacy, occupational therapy and speech and language therapy.
• Supports for students with disabilities have continued to expand. Funding for the Fund for Students with Disabilities has increased to over €10.5 million in 2026, supporting more than 22,000 students. In addition, 193 students are enrolled on PATH 4 courses for people with intellectual disabilities, and funding for this provision has been extended through to 2028 pending the outcome of the evaluation.
• The Student Part-Time Fee Scheme was launched in August 2024 to provide fee support to eligible part-time students attending specified undergraduate courses leading to a major award. This scheme has continually expanded since its launched with the number of participating HEI’s increased from 7 to 9 for the 2026/27 academic year, with the welcome addition of Maynooth University and National College of Art and Design (NCAD).
• Apprenticeship numbers increased from 29,772 at the end of 2024 to 31,165 at the end of 2025, representing growth of approximately 5%. An additional €79 million was secured in Budget 2026 to support apprenticeship commitments in the Programme for Government. In October 2025, the first all-island apprenticeship, Accounting Technologist, was launched as a Level 8, two-year programme. Work is also progressing on the new Apprenticeship Action Plan 2026–2030, with public consultation concluded in Q1 2026.
• Ireland also continues to make strong progress in research and international collaboration. Ireland became an associate member of CERN in October 2025, has signed the European Quantum Pact, secured €5 million from the European Commission for the AI Factory Antenna, and will leverage EuroHPC co-funding to procure the next national high-performance computing infrastructure. The Government Science Advisor has also established the National Science Advice Forum, which held its inaugural meeting in April 2026.
•
757. Deputy Joe Cooney asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht the amount of RRDF funding allocated that remains unspent and the year that those funds were allocated, by local authority, in tabular form. [40930/26]
View answerThe Rural Regeneration and Development Fund (RRDF) is a major capital investment programme which seeks to support large-scale, ambitious projects that can achieve sustainable economic and social development in rural areas. RRDF provides funding for the development and construction of capital projects in towns and villages in rural areas across Ireland.
Funding is allocated to local authorities and other State-funded bodies, who take the lead role in individual projects. As a general rule, the RRDF will typically provide up to 80% of the total project costs, or up to 90% in the Nort West region, with the remainder being provided in matching contributions by the applicants.
The lifecycle of large-scale infrastructure projects such as RRDF typically ranges between 3 and 5 years. The Department’s procedures are specifically designed to support local authorities and to accommodate unforeseen changes which can inevitably arise during this construction cycle. This sees projects receiving initial funding ‘Approval in Principle’ after a successful application. Thereafter, when the detailed design and planning processes are completed, and following the receipt of tenders from prospective contractors detailing the cost of construction, procedures require that local authorities revert to the Department detailing the projected final all in construction cost for the project. This process allows the Department to consider and approve a final RRDF funding allocation to be made available.
The table below details the amount of RRDF funding which has been allocated to the local authority sector which has not yet been drawn down. These details are provided with reference to the respective year the projects in question initially received funding ‘Approval in Principle’.
It should be noted that funding may not be fully drawn down due to a variety of reasons which are standard to the project cycle. This includes, for example, that many projects are ongoing and are either at pre-construction stage or in construction,a project may have been delivered under budget though have not yet been formally closed off, the scope of the project may have changed compared to that originally envisaged etc.
|
Local Authority |
Year RRDF Project Initially Approved |
Unspent |
|
Carlow |
2024 |
€2,186,868 |
|
|
2025 |
€157,900 |
|
Cavan |
2019 |
€25,068 |
|
|
2021 |
€524 |
|
|
2022 |
€6,774,785 |
|
|
2024 |
€16,868,969 |
|
|
2025 |
€792,000 |
|
Clare |
2019 |
€99,784 |
|
|
2022 |
€4,526,878 |
|
|
2024 |
€6,588,018 |
|
|
2025 |
€1,000,000 |
|
Cork |
2020 |
€123,320 |
|
|
2021 |
€3,798,451 |
|
|
2022 |
€16,936,504 |
|
|
2024 |
€1,354,738 |
|
|
2025 |
€1,112,000 |
|
Donegal |
2019 |
€653,662 |
|
|
2020 |
€68,644 |
|
|
2021 |
€16,967,451 |
|
|
2022 |
€6,294,806 |
|
|
2024 |
€11,907,699 |
|
Galway |
2019 |
€2,509,458 |
|
|
2020 |
€646,749 |
|
|
2021 |
€218,487 |
|
|
2022 |
€435,313 |
|
|
2024 |
€9,299,363 |
|
|
2025 |
€1,000,000 |
|
Kerry |
2018 |
€1,009,936 |
|
|
2020 |
€220,086 |
|
|
2022 |
€762,487 |
|
|
2024 |
€7,210,781 |
|
|
2025 |
€933,000 |
|
Kildare |
2019 |
€28,939 |
|
|
2020 |
€1,577,993 |
|
|
2022 |
€216,526 |
|
|
2024 |
€111,807 |
|
|
2025 |
€163,910 |
|
Kilkenny |
2021 |
€294,890 |
|
|
2022 |
€515,088 |
|
|
2022 |
€1,686,893 |
|
|
2024 |
€1,803,232 |
|
|
2025 |
€781,600 |
|
Laois |
2021 |
€3,475 |
|
|
2022 |
€1,361,989 |
|
|
2024 |
€3,588,256 |
|
Leitrim |
2019 |
€459,393 |
|
|
2021 |
€109,324 |
|
|
2022 |
€5,353,377 |
|
|
2024 |
€6,334,093 |
|
|
2025 |
€572,334 |
|
Limerick |
2022 |
€163,331 |
|
|
2024 |
€12,230,420 |
|
|
2025 |
€1,232,656 |
|
Longford |
2019 |
€2,697,052 |
|
|
2020 |
€412,313 |
|
|
2021 |
€5,918,887 |
|
|
2022 |
€1,009,066 |
|
Louth |
2019 |
€2,786,132 |
|
|
2020 |
€169,390 |
|
|
2025 |
€607,800 |
|
Mayo |
2019 |
€2,220,960 |
|
|
2020 |
€175,899 |
|
|
2021 |
€11,981,635 |
|
|
2022 |
€6,391,962 |
|
|
2024 |
€11,213,905 |
|
|
2025 |
€1,532,937 |
|
Meath |
2019 |
€476,629 |
|
|
2020 |
€263,490 |
|
|
2022 |
€966,834 |
|
|
2025 |
€620,300 |
|
Monaghan |
2019 |
€441,291 |
|
|
2021 |
€102,259 |
|
|
2022 |
€2,550,608 |
|
|
2024 |
€16,685,677 |
|
|
2025 |
€664,668 |
|
Offaly |
2020 |
€137,605 |
|
|
2022 |
€14,853 |
|
|
2024 |
€11,995,379 |
|
|
2025 |
€425,334 |
|
Roscommon |
2019 |
€59,496 |
|
|
2022 |
€5,354,506 |
|
|
2024 |
€5,614,396 |
|
|
2025 |
€976,450 |
|
Sligo |
2019 |
€3,707 |
|
|
2020 |
€51,764 |
|
|
2022 |
€344,739 |
|
|
2024 |
€8,428,316 |
|
|
2025 |
€558,500 |
|
Tipperary |
2019 |
€350,401 |
|
|
2021 |
€587,386 |
|
|
2022 |
€25,810,800 |
|
|
2024 |
€7,946,337 |
|
|
2025 |
€1,984,832 |
|
Waterford |
2020 |
€19,605 |
|
|
2022 |
€3,151,577 |
|
|
2024 |
€3,067,048 |
|
|
2025 |
€1,000,000 |
|
Westmeath |
2021 |
€57,392 |
|
|
2022 |
€3,192,315 |
|
|
2025 |
€1,780,804 |
|
Wexford |
2019 |
€1,542,121 |
|
|
2024 |
€2,331,826 |
|
|
2025 |
€1,000,000 |
|
Wicklow |
2019 |
€2,052,889 |
|
|
2020 |
€102,344 |
|
|
2022 |
€1,034,704
|
758. Deputy Charles Ward asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht if he will provide a list of capital projects funded under the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund or outdoor recreation infrastructure scheme within Donegal in 2024, 2025 and to date in 2026, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41337/26]
View answerMy Department implements a wide range of schemes that have supported thousands of individual capital projects throughout the country in recent years.
In 2024 and 2025, €2.4 million was awarded to 32 projects in Co Donegal under the Outdoor Recreation & Infrastructure Scheme (ORIS) and over €12.1 million was awarded under Rural Regeneration and Development Fund (RRDF) in 2024.
RRDF Category 1 is currently open for applications. The launch of the ORIS 2026/2027 scheme will be announced in the coming weeks.
The details requested by the Deputy in relation to the capital projects funded under the RRDF and ORIS are listed in the attached table.
759. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht if he will provide a report on the progress made implementing the Programme for Government commitments within his remit and on the achievements since the formation of the Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41392/26]
View answerThe Programme for Government, Securing Ireland’s Future, is a programme of investment and reform, backed by ambitious actions, which will support significant progress in addressing critical challenges.
Since this Government was formed, my Department has achieved significant progress across all commitments for which it is responsible across the areas of rural development, community development, and Gaeltacht and the Islands. Through the implementation of these commitments the work of my Department continues to make positive impacts across our economy and society. Comprehensive updates are set out in the attached table, and these updates demonstrate the extent of delivery across both policy and schemes since the formation of Government.
760. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht if his Department has considered providing for an enhanced PSO to service the island of Arranmore off the coast of Donegal that would allow for a later sailing to accommodate the island community and those visiting the island; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41414/26]
View answerMy Department provides a range of dedicated supports specifically to our inhabited offshore islands, with significant annual investment in subsidised transport services to ensure our island communities can avail of regular, reliable and affordable year-round transport services.
My Department procures these transport services on the open market, adhering to procurement regulations, and successful suppliers are paid a subsidy to provide services where it may not otherwise be viable for them to do so.
My Department engages with island communities as part of the contract renewal process, to seek their views on the existing services and identify any additional matters to be taken into consideration for the next contract.
The tender documents set down the minimum level of service required, which seeks to strike a balance between the acceptable minimum frequency to ensure mainland connectivity for the island community without distorting the market for private operators that are not in receipt of a subsidy.
However, the tender process does not limit or restrict the number of sailings that operators can provide. Where there is a demand for extra sailings operators may, and often do, provide additional sailings.
Prior to the commencement of a service, successful operators must engage with the island communities to agree a schedule that best suits the islanders requirements while adhering to the minimum service as set out in the tender document.
The current subsidised contract for Árainn Mhór came into effect on 1 September 2025. During the summer season, a minimum of 8 daily return sailings are provided Monday to Thursday with an additional sailing on a Friday giving a total of 9 return sailings. During the winter schedule, a minimum of 6 return sailings are provided Monday to Thursday with an additional sailing on a Friday giving a total of 7 return sailings. A slightly reduced service is provided for Saturdays and Sundays.
I am satisfied that the current agreed frequency of service for Oileán Árainn Mhór delivers good mainland connectivity without oversaturating the market for private operators.
