I thank Deputies McGrath and Murphy for raising this very important issue. Deputy McGrath is correct, in that I travelled the road recently. I know Deputy Murphy has important issues for me to see. I will be going to meet him in the near future because of issues he is raising on behalf of his constituents. I confirm that I will be doing what he wishes. The Minister for Transport has responsibility for overall policy and Exchequer funding in relation to the national roads programme. Once funding arrangements have been put in place with TII under the Roads Acts 1993 to 2015, and in line with the national development plan, NDP, the operation and management of individual national roads is a matter for TII, in conjunction with the local roads authorities concerned. This will ultimately deliver the national roads programme in line with Project Ireland 2040, the national planning framework and the NDP. Funding allocated for new national roads projects under the NDP is intended to enable improved regional accessibility across the country as well as compact growth, which are key national strategic outcomes. The funding will provide for the development of numerous national road projects, including the completion of projects that are already at construction stage and those close to it, as well as the development of a number of others. With regard to the N24 Cahir to Waterford project, this project aims to enhance regional accessibility and improve connectivity between Limerick and Waterford. The project would bypass towns such as Clonmel and Carrick-on-Suir, as well as deliver significant road safety improvements. In addition, the project would provide improved access to international markets, as the N24 connects to the N29, which links directly to the port of Waterford. The N24 also connects to Rosslare Europort via the N25. The project would improve the quality of life of commuters and local residents through improved journey times and the provision of new cycling and walking facilities. It is envisaged that the N24 will enable connection to the Waterford Greenway, which will in turn connect to the South East Greenway which will run from Waterford city to New Ross. The project is currently nearing the end of the route options selection phase. Kilkenny County Council, as the lead authority for the project, is making final preparations for the publication of the route selection report. The report will be available from the project website once published. While it was not possible to allocate funding to progress the project to the design and environmental evaluation phase in 2025, it is important to point out that the project remains part of the NDP. As with all national roads projects in the NDP, the delivery programme for the N24 Waterford to Cahir project will be kept under review for 2025 and in future years and will be considered in terms of the overall funding envelope available to TII. It is expected that allocations for 2026 will be announced very shortly in the coming weeks. In the programme for Government, we have committed to investing in all road projects in the current national development plan and to increasing funding for the new roads as part of the NDP review. With the NDP review having been completed, the Department of Transport’s sectoral plan, which is based upon this review, will guide transport investment decisions in the coming years. At its outset, this Government gave a commitment to the people of Ireland that it wants tar and that is what it will deliver, namely, tar for projects such as what the two Deputies outlined and others that are going to be announced very soon. This Government is committed to providing tar to the people in the interests of road connectivity, road safety and ensuring people will have proper, safe sources and route selections to go from A to B.
Sentiment score: 0.26
I thank the Deputies for their diligence and commitment to their constituents, which are extremely strong. The Deputies' efforts on their behalf, with the heart of Government, is most welcome. A number of new road projects, which are included in the current NDP, have already been delivered. These include the N22 Ballyvourney to Macroom project, the Dunkettle interchange upgrade, the N5 Westport to Turlough route, and the bypasses of Moycullen and Listowel. As the greater portion of the NDP funding for national roads becomes available in the second half of the decade, this meant there was a constraint on funding available for projects in 2025. However, approximately €502 million of Exchequer capital funds have been provided to TII for national roads in 2025. In line with the NDP and Government policy, TII has sought to allocate national roads funding to local authorities in a manner that seeks to achieve the following key outcomes: protection and renewal of the existing national road network; progressing major projects in or near construction; and progressing major projects that are at an earlier stage of the development pipeline. A number of new projects have already been delivered. They include the N22 Ballyvourney to Macroom project, which is of great interest and has been of great interest to Deputy Danny Healy-Rae, the Dunkettle interchange upgrade, the N5 Westport to Turlough, and bypasses of Moycullen and Listowel. The programme for Government commits to increased funding for new roads as part of the NDP review and the maintenance of existing roads.
Sentiment score: 0.31
I thank the Deputies. At the outset, I acknowledge their work and commitment. I acknowledge their support and the support of their party for the N24 on behalf of the Government and recognise their contribution to that debate previously. On behalf of the Minister of State, Deputy Seán Canney, who has responsibility for international and road transport, logistics, rail and ports, I thank them both for raising this very important matter on behalf of their constituents. The Irish Coast Guard search and rescue, SAR, aviation services are provided under a contract that is currently transitioning to Bristow Ireland Limited. The previous contractor, CHCI, has operated the service since 2012. On 30 May 2023, the Government approved the decision to award a contract for provision of the next national SAR aviation service to Bristow Helicopters. The decision to award the next contract for the delivery of an enhanced contract specification followed a comprehensive and robust public procurement process, which was undertaken fully in accordance with all national and EU procurement rules. Bristow Ireland is a subsidiary of Bristow Group Incorporated, a US-based multinational company. Bristow Group Incorporated currently operates similar contracts for SAR services in other jurisdictions, including the UK and the Netherlands. They also have extensive experience in supporting the offshore oil and gas business internationally. The total cost of the new contract, as signed on 11 August 2023, for the standard ten-year contract term for rotary wing element, plus the five-year minimum term for the fixed-wing elements, amounts to €816 million, including VAT. The Minister has the discretion to extend both the rotary and fixed-wing elements to a maximum of 13 years. The new enhanced contract specification provides for the operation of six AW189 helicopters, five of which are newly built and have already been accepted into service by Bristow, with the sixth helicopter scheduled to arrive in Ireland later this year. These helicopters utilise latest-generation search and rescue technology, including modern night vision flying equipment. In addition, for the first time, the new contract includes a fixed-wing element, which is being delivered by 2Excel Ireland, subcontractors to Bristow Ireland Limited, BIL, using two King Air aircraft. The fixed-wing service is a notable addition to the State, enhancing the Coast Guard’s SAR capabilities, including inland and maritime provision of top cover communications for longer range helicopter missions; a life raft drop capability; maritime environmental protection measures, including investigation of pollution and ship casualty reports; and capacity to transport up to three ambulatory patients for emergency national or international transfers. The new integrated aviation service will enhance the Coast Guard’s ability to deliver on its core services, including maritime and inland search and rescue; maritime environmental monitoring, including pollution checks; providing aeromedical supports to the HSE and the National Ambulance Service, including helicopter emergency supports and interhospital transfers; the provision of day and night-time aeromedical support to the offshore island communities; and provision of aviation supports to other State organisations. The new contract also provides improved crew accommodation facilities and enhanced mission management technology. As with existing arrangements, the new contract provides for the operation of four search and rescue helicopter bases located at Sligo, Shannon, Waterford and Dublin at Weston, and for a fixed-wing service also located in Shannon.
Sentiment score: 0.32
The operation of four helicopter bases provides an inherent resilience that enables continued delivery of nationwide services-----
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I have to finish this.
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No, I cannot. I have to finish this.
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I am sorry, but I have to say this.
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When bases go off-line for reasons such as technical outages-----
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-----helicopter maintenance, short-term staff unavailability etc., these interruptions are to be expected in the normal course.
Sentiment score: -0.40
The resilience of the four-base strategy has been well proven over the years.
Sentiment score: 0.27
The base location also provides-----
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-----for a geographic distribution of skilled local employment.
Sentiment score: 0.00
I apologise to both Deputies for not having time to give them an oral response in full, which they also now have. I recognise their concerns. Following on from what I said, I will be bringing this to the attention of the Minister. I also understand the Cathaoirleach Gníomhach's time constraints. The Department of Transport is prioritising the safe and effective transition of the aviation contract, without the interruption of services, and is ensuring that the two contracted operators, CHCI and BIL, are providing sufficient capacity, expertise and resources to maintain safe search and rescue operations on a 24-7 basis across all areas of the country throughout this process. The Department engaged with both contractors to facilitate revised transition timelines. The transition timeframe, following engagement and agreement between the two operators, was extended by just over six months. The transition will be completed in February 2026 at no additional cost to the Exchequer and without interruption to the four-base strategy. The operation of four bases continues to provide the resilience for service delivery so that when individual bases become temporarily unavailable for whatever reason, the workload is shared amongst the other bases and the specific requirements for each mission are assessed as they arise. In the case of both contracts, availability of any base can range from full availability to partial availability to temporary unavailability. The new contract operated by Bristow Ireland will increase the capacity and the capability of the Coast Guard to provide a range of essential services that are of strategic importance to the State, including maritime and inland search and rescue; aeromedical support; maritime environmental monitoring; and aviation support to the other State entities. The Minister particularly recognises the critical importance of this service to our offshore island communities who rely on the Irish Coast Guard to provide day and night aeromedical support.
Sentiment score: 0.34
I thank both Deputies. I acknowledge their commitment and support for the previous debate with regard to the N24 and N25. On behalf of the Minister for Education and Youth, Deputy Naughton, I am taking this debate. The Department of Education and Youth has a strong record of delivering the Government's school building programme. Since 2020, more than €6 billion has been invented in schools across the country under the national development plan, NDP, involving the completion of over 1,300 school buildings. In July, the Government announced a capital allocation of €7.55 billion for the Department of Education and Youth for the period 2026 to 2030 under the NDP. As part of this NDP allocation, the Department will place a strong emphasis on provision for children with special educational needs, with a particular focus on meeting the demand for school places. A focus of this plan will be, in the first instance, to maximise the capacity of existing school estates as much as possible. Additional capacity will be provided through targeted and prioritised projects, which will be delivered over the course of 2026 to 2030, to meet the most urgent and prioritised needs. There are over 300 school building projects under construction to deliver over 30,000 school places. Most of these projects are expected to be completed over the course of 2026 and 2027. It is planned that approximately 80 further school building projects will progress to construction across 2026 and 2027 as part of a two-year rolling programme. Last week, the Minister's Department announced the investment of €90 million in the climate action summer works scheme, which involves the delivery of 297 projects, to support the ongoing investment in the maintenance and upgrade of the school estate. There is a strong modular programme to deliver the most urgent September needs, with a particular focus on educational needs. We will deliver on key climate initiatives, such as the solar PV programme, the EU retrofit programme and the pathfinder programmes, in participation with the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland, SEAI. Project delivery is managed as part of an overall capital programme in line with the Government's infrastructure guidelines and taking account of budgetary parameters. Delays can occur in large capital programmes for many reasons, including factors beyond the control of the Minister and the Department, such as the time taken to secure a site or the relevant statutory permissions, including planning consent. These are managed as effectively as possible, prioritising the most urgent projects where capacity is fully utilised and deploying modular accommodation where additional space is needed in the short term. I take on board the Deputy's concern over that type of accommodation. The current status of all projects is set out on the Government's website, which is updated on a regular basis to reflect project progress through various stages of capital appraisal, site acquisition, design, tender and construction. I strongly acknowledge, on behalf of the Minister, the commitment of both Deputies to this issue. It is important to teachers, parents, grandparents and, most important, the students. I appreciate the Deputies diligently going to the schools in their localities. They are meeting the concerns of those people and, most important, the students head-on. The Deputies have put that message on the record of the Dáil. On behalf of the Minister, I acknowledge their work and commitment on this important issue. It will be relayed to the Minister. I have read the Minister's response. I hope the Deputies will be successful in their endeavours on behalf of their constituents.
Sentiment score: 0.30
I again thank the Deputies for raising this important issue. The Department of Education and Youth capital investment programme helps to ensure that close to 1 million primary and post-primary students in schools across the country learn in fit-for-purpose buildings. This includes many thousands of children with additional needs who are supported in special schools and classes across the country. Funding under the NDP for 2026 to 2030 will allow the Government to continue to prioritise the effective use of the existing school estate, special educational needs provision and the delivery of additional accommodation, where required. This will be supported by targeted and prioritised project roll-outs to provide required additional capacity where there is no sufficient existing capacity across the schools in an area. The Department of Education and Youth's NDP implementation plan will be published shortly. It will set out in more detail the planned capital investment programme across the school building programme. I again acknowledge the Deputies' commitment to this issue. I appreciate Deputy Byrne's analogy. It is almost like the Bermuda triangle. It can be very frustrating but at the end of the day, both Deputies are doing their best on this very important issue. I express my appreciation to Deputy 'Chap' Cleere for his commitment recently with regard to forestry issues. I am straying but I thank him for his concern on behalf of his constituents. I thank both of the Deputies very much.
Sentiment score: 0.43
I sincerely thank Deputy Danny Healy-Rae for raising this very important issue for farmers in Kerry and throughout the country. I have the exact same concerns with regard to badgers and deer and their role in spreading this disease. In recent years, there has been a significant increase in bovine TB, with levels nationally causing an economic and emotional burden for farmers, their families and rural communities. Bovine TB is a difficult disease to control and eradicate but it can and has been done in other countries. If we do not do something now, it will continue to affect more farmers and their families throughout rural Ireland. In 2024, more than 6,000 farming families were affected by a TB outbreak and the herd incidence was over 6%. As of 23 November 2025, on a 12-month basis, herd incidence has fallen below 6% nationally and is 5.9% in Kerry, which, of course, is still too much. One of the key priorities of the Minister, Deputy Heydon, has been to address and review the bovine TB programme to tackle disease levels. Over time, our understanding of TB has increased and evolved, and research has shown our current approach to addressing disease levels on its own is not enough to control and ultimately eradicate TB. The Deputy is correct. Earlier this year, the Minister had extensive engagement with stakeholders and farming organisations to agree measures to tackle the current disease levels. In June, he received the support of the Government to introduce additional measures to the bovine TB programme. On 9 September, the Minister launched the bovine TB action plan, addressing bovine TB in Ireland. There are five measures and 30 actions underpinned by scientific research, evidence and veterinary expertise in this action plan. These are to support herds free of bovine TB to remain free; reduce the impact of wildlife on the spread of bovine TB, which is what the Deputy spoke about; detect and eliminate bovine TB infection as early as possible in herds with bovine TB breakdown and avoid future breakdowns; help farmers to improve all areas of on-farm biosecurity; and reduce the impact of known high-risk animals in spreading bovine TB, including badgers and deer. Bovine TB is not a new challenge for farmers, their families and rural communities but engagement with farmers and all stakeholders tells me there is an appetite for change to address the current disease levels. However, these changes will need to be supported and implemented by everyone to have an effect on the current disease levels throughout the country. This action plan is one of the single largest resets of the TB programme since its inception. The Minister and I believe these changes are vital to protect farming families throughout the country from TB. The Minister is committed to ongoing constructive engagement with all farmers and stakeholders as it is vital that all involved in the programme continue to work together to protect farmers from TB. The Minister and I believe that by continuing to build our TB policies on a foundation of science and veterinary-based advice, which farmers can act on to reduce risks, we can together focus our efforts to protect cattle from infection and farmers from the stress of uncertainty and costs of a breakdown. I acknowledge that the Deputy's statement that the way people are compensated is unsustainable is correct. I have grave concerns about this myself. Based on current prices, the compensation does not reflect what cattle make at the mart. If we take cases like that of our neighbour Mikey Joe, this puts people at an awful and unfair financial disadvantage when they have an outbreak. That is a matter of grave concern to the Deputy. I thank him again on behalf of the Department for raising it on behalf of farmers in Kerry and throughout the country.
Sentiment score: 0.12
I thank the Deputy very much. On the names of cows, the Deputy may recall that our late father had a cow, and he called her Thatcher for some reason only known to himself.
Sentiment score: 0.18
Current TB levels are leading to stress for farmers who have had a bovine TB outbreak. For those who are living in fear of having TB outbreaks and are worried about the impact it would have on their livelihoods, we need to ensure that all necessary measures are taken to reduce disease levels and ultimately take the stress associated with bovine TB out of farmers' lives. The aim of the action plan is to reset the bTB programme in the context of putting in place measures necessary to tackle the current disease situation throughout the country. These measures are targeted at both transmission between wildlife and cattle and transmission between cattle. Some of the measures will be introduced immediately in terms of communication and engagement with farmers. Some will be introduced over the coming months into 2026. Some of these measures require work on IT systems, which is being prioritised, and will be rolled out in the coming months. Farmers and all stakeholders will be notified in advance of any changes to the TB programme through communication campaigns. The bovine TB eradication programme has secured an increased budget allocation in 2026, providing a total of €157 million. This additional funding is vital in addressing the disease. I am confident it will help drive down the instances of bovine TB levels in future years. Through the implementation of the new measures in the action plan, the Minister and I believe that it is vital that the cost of this disease is reduced for the coming years. This budget allocation will support and enable farm families, who are currently dealing with the stress of a bTB outbreak, to navigate a way out of the bTB restrictions and protect those herds currently free from bTB from the stress of a TB outbreak.
Sentiment score: 0.14
I once again strongly reiterate the Minister, Deputy Heydon's personal commitment to making sure that during his tenure as Minister for agriculture that he, the Department and all of us will work together in reducing the TB outbreaks. I thank the Deputy for raising this most important matter on behalf of the people of County Kerry.
Sentiment score: 0.66
I am taking this Topical Issue on behalf of my colleague, the Minister for Health. At the outset, I sincerely thank the Deputy and his party for their commitment to the radiology services in County Louth and giving me the opportunity to speak on this important issue. Louth County Hospital is part of the HSE Dublin and North-East health region. In conjunction with Our Lady of Lourdes, Drogheda, these hospitals operate with an integrated managerial and clinical governance system, care pathways and support functions. In relation to diagnostic waiting lists generally, the National Treatment Purchase Fund, NTPF, and the HSE are currently carrying out an exercise to progress the collection of national radiology waiting list data. The purpose of this data is to provide a national level overview of the number of patients waiting for modalities of CT, MRI and ultrasound. These reports are heavily caveated, including, for example, that in addition to data in respect of urgent and routine activity, the reports also include surveillance of planned activity. As such, the current reports make it difficult to draw conclusions about the number of patients actually waiting for access to a scan. The quarter 2 report indicates that at the end of June 2025, less than ten patients in the county hospital in Louth and 6,414 patients at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital Drogheda were waiting for an ultrasound. What is important for patients is the implementation of the NTPF's national radiology diagnostic waiting list management protocol by all hospitals published in October 24. This will ensure that patients are administratively managed in a safe, timely, fair and equitable manner while waiting, as well as facilitating the improved data collection and reporting. Publication of the validated radiology diagnostic waiting list information will enable full analysis of diagnostic waiting times and provide a more completed understanding of how many patients are waiting, how long they are waiting and the specific services for which they are waiting. This is scheduled for quarter 3 of 2026. As the Deputy is aware, a clinical specialist radiographer vacancy has arisen in Louth County Hospital. A recruitment process to fill this vacancy is under way and I am advised that the position is currently being advertised. The closing date for receiving applications is 30 November 2025. Subject to suitable applications being received, interviews will be scheduled in due course. The Minister has been assured by the HSE that while this recruitment process is ongoing, there will be no disruption to patient care or service delivery. All clinical services continue to operate as normal, ensuring that patients and service users experience no change in access, quality or continuity of care. I also understand that enhanced governance arrangements are being implemented for this position. These are designed to strengthen oversight, improve co-ordination and ensure clear lines of accountability across LCH and Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital Drogheda. The Minister has also been advised by the HSE that the clinical specialist radiographer will be primarily based at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital Drogheda, with integrated managerial and clinical governance responsibilities across Louth County Hospital, demonstrating this integrated approach. I am informed that many of the outpatient CT and ultrasound appointments from Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital Drogheda are performed in the radiology department in Louth County Hospital, Dundalk.
Sentiment score: 0.23
I want to once again recognise Deputy Ó Murchú's work and commitment to this very important issue. I thank him again for raising it on behalf of his constituents. It is important to recognise that significant investment has been allocated to both LCH and Drogheda hospital in recent years, which has uplifted capacity, staffing and bed numbers in each of the hospital sites. These two hospitals operate conjointly and provide a comprehensive suite of services for the people of Louth. The Minister for Health acknowledges that many patients are still waiting too long for hospital appointments and treatments. The delay in treatments is of concern, and it is putting a burden on patients and their families. The waiting list action plan 2025 was published in February, representing this Government's continued commitment to reducing waiting times for patients and improving access to hospital care. With the multi-annual action plan approach, we are progressing towards the ultimate vision of a public healthcare service in which everyone has timely access to high-quality scheduled care where and when they need it. The Department of Health is engaging with the HSE and the National Treatment Purchase Fund to develop the action plan for 2026, building on this progress delivered to date, renewing the focus on improving waiting times for patients and considering the learnings from the challenges that arose in 2025. In relation to the post of clinical specialist radiographer, we all know recruitment processes can take time, but I wish to assure the Deputy that progress is being made in this regard. I acknowledge again his commitment to this. Most importantly, the Minister for Health is keen to emphasise that the HSE has confirmed there will be no disruption to patient care or service delivery. All clinical services will continue to operate as normal, ensuring that patients and service users experience no change in access, quality or continuity of care.
Sentiment score: 0.43
I can assure the Deputy that I will bring that to the Minister.
Sentiment score: 0.34