Written Answers Nos. 342-351
342. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform when the Skellig boat licences for the next five seasons, including the 2025 season will be issued; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14980/25]
View answerSkellig Michael is a UNESCO World Heritage Site in State Ownership. The conservation and presentation of the island is the responsibility of the Office of Public Works (OPW).
The OPW manages access to the Island by way of a license or permit system whereby a specific number of boat operators are granted permits to carry visitors to the Island in a given season.
The OPW is currently engaged in an open competition via the e-Tenders system to award permits to fifteen successful candidates. Successful tenderers, subject to compliance with necessary Terms and Conditions, will be awarded a permit for a maximum of five consecutive seasons.
The original invitation issued on e-tenders on the 12th December 2024 and the evaluation has been completed in recent weeks. The Office of Public Works issued notifications to all applicants on Thursday 27th March last. As the competition is ongoing, the OPW is not in a position to comment further at this time.
343. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform for an update on the Poddle and Whitechurch stream flood alleviation schemes, including expenditure and timeline for completion. [15013/25]
View answerThe Whitechurch Stream Flood Alleviation Scheme is being led by South Dublin County Council and the River Poddle Flood Alleviation Scheme is jointly led by South Dublin County Council and Dublin City Council. Funding for both schemes is provided by the Office of Public Works (OPW) and is part of the Government’s commitment of €1.3 billion for the delivery of flood relief measures over the lifetime of the National Development Plan to 2030.
Both schemes are currently at construction, which is being undertaken by the OPW's direct labour force.
The Whitechurch Steam Flood Alleviation Scheme commenced construction in Q1 2023. Landowner agreements are informing the works programme and to date, approximately 37% of the planned works have been completed. It is estimated that the construction works will be substantially complete by the end of Q2 2026. When complete, this scheme will provide flood protection against 1 in 100 year flood events to 52 residential and commercial properties; and will be adaptable to the increased risk from climate change. The Total Project Budget for this scheme is estimated to be some €8.6m, with total expenditure to the end of 2024 of €4.8m. Updates on the progression of the scheme are available on the project's website www.whitechurchfas.ie/.
The River Poddle Flood Alleviation Scheme commenced construction in Q1 2024 and approximately 37% of the works have been completed to date. It is estimated that the construction works will be substantially complete by the end of Q2 2027. When complete, the scheme will provide flood protection against 1 in 100 year flood events to 921 residential and commercial properties; and will be adaptable to the increased risk from climate change. The Total Project Budget for this scheme is estimated at some €21.7m, with total expenditure to the end of 2024 of €4.9m. Updates on the progression of the scheme are available on the scheme's website www.poddlefas.ie/.
344. Deputy Liam Quaide asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform if he or Ministers of State from his Department raised recent breaches of international law by Israel such as cutting off food, water, and electricity to civilian populations in Gaza during recent visits to EU Member States over the St. Patrick’s Day celebrations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15259/25]
View answerDuring my recent visit to Chile and Argentina as part of the St Patrick’s Day celebrations I had a series of engagements with political, business and cultural stakeholders. On many occasions, I reiterated Ireland’s longstanding commitment to a just, sustainable and lasting peace in the Middle East. Ireland’s focus is on the implementation of the ceasefire and the hostage release deal in all its phases, as well as the urgent need for a massive scaling up of humanitarian aid into Gaza including food, water and electricity. I also explained that Ireland’s position remains that implementation of the Two State solution is the only way to establish lasting peace and security for all people in the region.
345. Deputy Shónagh Ní Raghallaigh asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform the full running costs of Farmleigh House, from 2018 to date in 2025, in tabular form. [15480/25]
View answerFarmleigh Estate was acquired by the State in 1999 and it encompasses Farmleigh House, seventy eight acres of gardens, a lake and parklands with two gallery/exhibition areas, outdoor buildings and a farmyard.
The primary use for Farmleigh is as a secure State guest house. Farmleigh has accommodated high profile visitors such as US presidents, the late Queen of the England and other members of the British royal family and many heads of State and other VIPs. Farmleigh also hosts international diplomatic meetings and conferences in a secure environment as well as Irish government business on a regular basis.
Farmleigh is also a high profile heritage site with approximately 63,000 paying visitors and 227,000 visitors to the parklands.
Farmleigh hosts and extensive cultural programme and regular schedule of events such as India Day, Japan Day and Nepal Day. The galleries accommodate a full schedule of exhibitions all year round and the Farmleigh markets are extremely popular. The Christmas , Easter and Halloween programmes at Farmleigh have grown in both scale and popularity in recent years. There is also a very popular café, the Boathouse Restaurant, in the parklands.
The attached expenditure sets out the annual running costs for the estate encompassing both staffing costs and operational expenditure on goods, services and utilities. The figure for expenditure on pay includes all costs relating to security constables and the operation of twenty four hour security of the site. It also includes the pay for general operatives, gardeners, administrative staff and guides who deliver guided tours of the house.
The non-pay operational costs include all maintenance costs for the house and wider estate (including Stewards Lodge) as well as utilities, supplies and all goods and services. The costs for maintenance and operation of the wider estate are also paid from this budget.
346. Deputy Shónagh Ní Raghallaigh asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform the dates that the Stewards lodge was occupied between 2018 to date in 2025; and also the total running costs of the residence from 2018 to date in 2025. [15481/25]
View answerThe dates of occupation of Stewards Lodge for the period sought are attached.
Stewards Lodge is cared for and maintained as part of the wider Farmleigh Estate. Utilities are not metered separately. As such, it is not possible to extrapolate specific running costs for Stewards Lodge from overall expenditure at Farmleigh.
The expenditure for Farmleigh House comprises the annual running costs for the House which encompass both staff costs and operational expenditure on goods, services and utilities. The figure for expenditure on pay includes all costs for the constables which provides security for the House on a twenty four hours per day basis. The pay figure also includes general operatives, gardeners, administrative staff and the guide service which delivers guided tours of the house. The non-pay figure includes all maintenance costs for the house as well as utilities and supplies.
347. Deputy Shónagh Ní Raghallaigh asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform if discussions have been had between his Department and the Office of the President in Áras an Uachtaráin regarding the redevelopment, redesign and restoration of the State and public rooms in the Áras an Uachtaráin building and the grounds. [15482/25]
View answerThe Office of Public Works (OPW) is tasked with the conservation, maintenance and presentation of the buildings and grounds at the Áras an Uachtaráin. There is a continuous process of identifying and undertaking essential repair and maintenance at the site to ensure that buildings are protected and presented to the highest standards.
At this time, there are no immediate plans for the redevelopment, redesign and restoration of the State and public rooms at Áras an Uachtaráin other than routine maintenance work and conservation.
348. Deputy Joe Cooney asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform if he will provide an overview of minor works, drainage maintenance and large capital projects being carried out under the OPW drainage and flood relief programme for County Clare in 2025. [15610/25]
View answerThe OPW has an extensive programme of flood risk management works across Clare during 2025.
Clare County Council are currently leading the delivery of five flood relief schemes in County Clare, in the townlands of Springfield, Kilkee and Shannon, Bunratty and Kilrush. These schemes are funded by the OPW from the Government's €1.3bn investment in flood measures under the National Development Plan to 2030.
Construction of the Springfield scheme is nearing completion and the completion of this scheme is being informed by a groundwater report, which is due to be completed in Q2 2025.
The Kilkee Flood Relief Scheme was submitted for planning during 2024 and detailed design for the construction of the scheme will be progressed in 2025.
The Shannon Flood Relief scheme is currently at Stage 1 preliminary design, and it is envisaged that the scheme option will be finalised prior to the end of Q2 2025 and will be submitted by Clare County Council to An Bord Pleanála for planning approval at the end of 2025.
The OPW, as part of their update to the Preliminary Flood Risk Assessment maps identified a potential flow path in Bunratty that has the possibility to increase the number of risk receptors originally identified under the 2018 CFRAM programme. Further clarification on this potential flow path is to be progressed during 2025 prior to advancing a feasibility study for the scheme.
Clare County Council is planning to issue tender documents during 2025 for procurement of technical consultancy services for the Kilrush Flood Relief Scheme.
Separate to the main flood relief schemes, Clare County Council is managing localised flood and coastal risks through the OPW's Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection Scheme. Since 2009, the OPW has approved funding under the Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection Scheme of circa €3.8 million to County Clare for some 41 projects. The Minor Works currently planned to be undertaken by Clare County Council for 2025 include works in Gullets Cross Cratloe, Mountcashel, Ballycalla, Thomond Villas Clarecastle and Aughinish Island.
Regarding the matter of river drainage works, the OPW is responsible for the maintenance of arterial drainage schemes completed under the Arterial Drainage Acts, 1945 and 1995, as amended. The OPW Annual Maintenance Programme for 2025 includes maintenance in county Clare at Creegh and the Northern Shannon embankments at Coonagh, Owenagarney, Fergus and Bunratty-Rineanna.
349. Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform when the Turoe stone will be returned to its original location in Turoe, County Galway; when the associated site works at this location are expected to take place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15667/25]
View answerPlanning Permission for a new enclosure for the Turoe Stone, National Monument number 327, was granted by Galway County Council (Reference Number 22/580), on the 28th June 2022 which included the proposed development of the new pavilion structure to house the conserved Turoe Stone at Bullaun, Loughrea.
In the coming weeks, the OPW will apply for Ministerial Consent for the proposed scheme and will seek permission from the National Museum of Ireland to return the Turoe stone to its original setting. Pending these approvals, it is intended to go to tender in the summer of this year to engage a suitably qualified company to build the new enclosure.
The OPW envisages that works will commence in Quarter 4, 2025, dependant on all statutory and legal obligations being met, including consents.
350. Deputy Natasha Newsome Drennan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform to provide an update on the works at the national monument of Ballymoon Castle, Carlow; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15744/25]
View answerBallymoon Castle, Co Carlow, National Monument 486 is in State Ownership and the OPW has responsibility for its conservation and maintenance.
The OPW employs a direct-labour workforce of specialist stone masons, craft joiners, plasterers, painters and general operatives who are responsible for the maintenance of the monuments portfolio.
Ballymoon Castle is under the remit of the Kilkenny National Monuments Depot who carry out inspections, standard maintenance such as grass cutting and weed control there during the year. The OPW has no plans for any larger scale works at Ballymoon Castle this year.
351. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform his views on issues raised in correspondence (details supplied) which references an agreement arranged by his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15807/25]
View answerIn the event of an individual school having questions about billing, the first course of action is to contact the energy supplier directly. If the school is dissatisfied after engaging with the energy supplier, the next step can be to contact the OGP help desk. In relation to the issue raised by the school in the detailed correspondence, my officials in the OGP, will contact the school directly and assist them with their query.
All procurement competitions. conducted by the OGP go through a competitive process, in accordance with the EU directives, Irish law and Government Policy. As a result of the conflict in Ukraine energy prices rose to unprecedented levels, prices are no longer at that level but are still around 100% higher than before the conflict.
A three-year contract for the provision of electricity to schools, awarded under the OGP Dynamic Purchasing System (DPS), commenced May 2024 and currently has over 2,000 schools participating. This contract was awarded on foot of a competitive process within the OGPs DPS. The aim of the school’s electricity contract is to achieve value for money through aggregation of spend. When compared with pricing in the wider market, the OGP electricity contract offers good value for money for schools.
