Written Answers Nos. 297-316
297. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Finance the obligations insurance companies have when requesting medical reports for the purpose of issuing mortgage protection policies, particularly in cases involving individuals with medical conditions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32491/25]
View answerIt is important to note that neither I as Minister for Finance, nor the Central Bank of Ireland, can intervene in the provision or pricing of insurance products. This position is reinforced by the EU framework for insurance (the Solvency II Directive).
Officials in my Department engage regularly with Insurance Ireland – the official industry body – on a range of insurance related issues. Insurance Ireland have advised that insurers are obliged to assess the specific risk involved as part of any individual’s application for insurance, including mortgage protection policies. For individuals with medical conditions, if a higher risk is identified as a result of this assessment, the policy will be adjusted accordingly, and that cover may be declined if the applicant poses a risk beyond the insurer’s threshold.
Separately, as the Deputy may be aware, under existing legislation (Section 126 of the Consumer Credit Act 1995), lenders are permitted to provide a mortgage in situations where a borrower may be unable to obtain mortgage protection insurance, or where such insurance is unduly costly compared to that payable by borrowers generally. For individuals, including those living with certain medical conditions, and who may experience difficulties acquiring mortgage protection insurance when securing a home loan, this is an important provision to be aware of.
Nevertheless, it may also be the case that, in circumstances where there is no specific statutory obligation on a mortgage lender to arrange for mortgage protection insurance in association with a housing loan, an individual mortgage lender may, as a matter of its own commercial policy, still require a mortgage borrower to put in place such an insurance policy as a condition for obtaining mortgage credit. In such circumstances, that is a commercial decision as opposed to a statutory requirement for an individual mortgage lender and it is not possible for me to instruct lenders on their commercial lending policies or their commercial decisions on any individual mortgage application, including the insurance and other security they require either in respect of the borrower or the secured property in relation to a mortgage loan.
If an individual is not satisfied with how a regulated firm is dealing with them in relation to the provision of insurance or they believe that the regulated firm is not following the requirements of the Central Bank’s codes and regulations or other financial services law, they should make a complaint directly to the regulated firm. If the consumer is still not satisfied with the response from the regulated firm, he or she can refer the complaint to the statutory Financial Services and Pensions Ombudsman (FSPO) by emailing info@fspo.ie. The FSPO acts as an independent arbiter of disputes that consumers may have with their insurance company or other financial service provider.
It may also interest the Deputy to know that in order to assist clients who have had difficulty acquiring mortgage protection insurance due to a pre-existing illness, Brokers Ireland has published a register containing contact details of insurance brokers who have experience in advising on life cover in this area. This is available at: https://brokersireland.ie/life-cover-pre-existing-illnesses/
Additionally, Insurance Ireland operates a free information service for those customers who have queries, complaints or difficulties in relation to obtaining insurance cover, which can be contacted at feedack@insuranceireland.eu.
298. Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Minister for Finance if his Department’s website employs analytics tools (details supplied) that track website traffic using UTM parameters (for example, utm_source); if so, whether any visits have been recorded with a specific parameter or similar identifiers indicating traffic from ChatGPT; and to provide the monthly number of such visits, if recorded, for each of the past 12 months, in tabular form. [32499/25]
View answerThe Department's web presence on Gov.ie is managed by the Office of Government Chief Information Officer (OGCIO). OGCIO employs analytic tools for Gov.ie centrally and can provide breakdowns to individual Departments on request.
OGCIO have advised that visits to the Department of Finance web presence on Gov.ie recorded with a specific parameter or similar identifiers indicating traffic from ChatGPT, are as follows:
|
Date |
11-30 June 2024 |
Jul-24 |
Aug-24 |
Sep-24 |
Oct-24 |
Nov-24 |
Dec-24 |
|
Total hits |
0 |
1 |
12 |
63 |
227 |
53 |
121 |
|
Date |
Jan-25 |
Feb-25 |
Mar-25 |
Apr-25 |
May-25 |
1-11 June 2025 |
|
Total hits |
148 |
164 |
132 |
133 |
188 |
113 |
OGCIO have advised that in late 2024 the government analytics provider changed for operational reasons. Therefore the data for the period 11 June 2024 to 30 November 2024 is from Google Analytics 4 (GA4). The data supplied for the period from 1 December 2024 to 11 June 2025, is from the current analytics provider, Matomo.
299. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Finance the costs incurred by his Department and bodies under its aegis from contracts awarded to communications and PR firms in 2024; the name of the contractor and a description of the work undertaken in each case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32639/25]
View answerThere were no contracts awarded to communications and PR firms by the Department of Finance in 2024.
Regarding the bodies under the aegis of my Department, the Central Bank of Ireland and the Office of the Revenue Commissioners have provided the requested information in the below tables.
Central Bank of Ireland
|
Name of the contractor |
Description of the work undertaken |
Cost incurred (inclu. VAT) |
|
Carr Communications |
Writing Skill Courses and Report Writing Training |
€2,753.50 |
|
The Communications Clinic |
Communications Training Programmes, Interview Skills Training, Interview Moderation Training. The Central Bank of Ireland has an existing contract with the Communications Clinic who provide ad hoc support |
€11,595 |
Office of the Revenue Commissioners
|
Name of the contractor |
Description of the work undertaken |
Cost incurred (inclu. VAT) |
|
Spark Foundry/Media Vest |
Media placement for annual information campaigns (LPT, Pay and File and PAYE) |
€435,226.05 |
|
Spark Foundry/Media Vest |
Media placement of statutory/legal notices |
€76,727.18 |
|
The Communications Clinic |
Media training |
€9,000.00 |
300. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Finance the estimated full-year cost of abolishing the local property tax and introducing a tax on non-principal private residences (NPPR) as follows: single NPPR– €1,000, ten or less NPPRs–€1,500 per property, and 11 or more NPPRs– €2,500 per property, excluding properties owned by local authorities and approved housing bodies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32669/25]
View answerI am advised by Revenue that as the NPPR is a historic charge, Revenue does not currently hold adequate information to prepare NPPR costings. As a result, the costing has been based on properties liable to Local Property Tax, excluding the first property for each liable person and excluding all other properties owned by Local Authorities and Approved Housing Bodies.
The table below outlines the estimated cost of introducing a tax on 2 or more properties as follows.
|
Properties Owned by Owners with |
Number of properties |
Rate of Tax (€) |
Total (€) M |
|
2 Properties |
171,099 |
1000 |
171 |
|
3 or more but less than 10 Properties |
89,804 |
1500 |
135 |
|
11 or more Properties |
95,176 |
2500 |
238 |
The estimated full year cost of abolishing LPT is €551m, this is based on the 2025 LPT liability.
301. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Finance the estimated annual cost of jet fuel VAT and excise exemptions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32670/25]
View answerIreland’s excise duty treatment of aviation fuel is governed by European Union law as set out in Directive 2003/96/EC, commonly known as the Energy Tax Directive (ETD). ETD provisions on liquid fuels are transposed into national law in Chapter 1 of Part 2 of Finance Act 1999 (as amended). This legislation provides for the application of excise duty in the form of Mineral Oil Tax (MOT) on liquid fuels, including those used for aviation. Current and historic MOT rates are published on Revenue’s website at www.revenue.ie/en/tax-professionals/tdm/excise/excise-duty-rates/energy-excise-duty-rates.pdf.Heavy oil, or aviation kerosene/jet fuel, is the most commonly used fuel for commercial aviation. As required by the ETD, Ireland applies a full MOT exemption to jet fuel used for commercial aviation, including domestic, intra-community and international flights. I am advised by Revenue that based on volumes declared as exempt on MOT returns, the total MOT relieved on jet fuel used for commercial air navigation in 2024 is estimated at €944.1m. Light oil, or aviation gasoline, is much less commonly used in commercial aviation. Aviation gasoline used in commercial aviation, including domestic, intra-community and international flights, is partially relieved from MOT, with the relief operating by way of repayment. I am advised by Revenue that based on repayment claims, the total MOT relieved on aviation gasoline in 2024 was €0.1m. In relation to Value Added Tax (VAT), the VAT rating of goods and services is subject to the requirements of the EU VAT Directive with which Irish VAT law is obliged to comply. In general, the EU VAT Directive provides that all goods and services are liable to VAT at the standard rate unless they fall within certain categories to which Member States may apply a lower rate or an exemption. Furthermore, the EU VAT Directive allows a Member State to maintain historic arrangements subject to certain strict conditions.The supply of aviation fuels is not included in the categories of goods and services on which the EU VAT Directive allows a lower rate of VAT. Instead, the EU VAT Directive allows an exemption from VAT on the supply of goods for the fuelling of aircraft used by airlines operating chiefly on international routes (e.g. an international airline). Ireland also maintains an existing historic arrangement for aviation kerosene/jet fuel.
On this basis, Ireland applies the zero rate of VAT to aviation fuels, where they are supplied for fuelling an aircraft used by airlines operating for reward chiefly on international routes (e.g. an international airline). However, different rates apply if these fuels are supplied for other purposes or customers (e.g. private planes). In these cases, the standard rate of VAT (currently 23%) applies to supplies of aviation fuels, other than aviation kerosene/jet fuel where the reduced rate of VAT (currently 13.5%) applies as provided for under the historic arrangement.
I am further advised by Revenue that traders are not required to identify the VAT generated from the supply of specific goods and services on their VAT returns. Therefore, it is not possible to provide an estimate of VAT forgone on the supply of aviation fuels.
302. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Finance the estimated additional revenue from cutting pension relief threshold from €115,000 to €60,000; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32671/25]
View answerI am informed by Revenue that the estimated full year yield from decreases in the earnings limit for Occupational Pension Schemes, Retirement Annuity Contracts and Personal Retirement Savings Accounts can be found by consulting page 9 of Revenue’s Revenue Ready Reckoner, available on their website at https://www.revenue.ie/en/corporate/information-about-revenue/statistics/ready-reckoner/index.aspx
The Ready Reckoner will be reviewed later in the summer , in advance of Budget 2026, when updated data is available.
303. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Finance the cost of the special assignment relief programme in 2023 and 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32672/25]
View answerUnder section 825C to the Taxes Consolidation Act 1997, the Special Assignee Relief Programme (SARP) provides Income Tax relief for certain individuals assigned to work in the State.
The relief aims to support employers in relocating individuals with key skills from foreign-based operations to positions in Irish-based operations, thereby facilitating the creation of jobs and the development and expansion of businesses in Ireland.
Currently, the latest year for which Revenue data is available is 2022. The estimated total cost of SARP in 2022 was €48 million.
Revenue publishes annual statistics on SARP which can be accessed via the following link:
www.revenue.ie/en/corporate/information-about-revenue/statistics/tax-expenditures/sarp/index.aspx.
Annual statistics for 2023 will be available and published in the coming months.
304. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Finance the cost of historic losses forwarded by companies that earned over €750 million per year as corporate tax deductions in 2022, 2023 and 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32673/25]
View answerI am advised by Revenue that fully verified figures for Turnover from Company iXBRL files are not yet available for the periods in question, due to the complexities of these files. However, in order to provide some information for the Deputy, the approach was adopted to use Gross Trade Profit figures, as these provide reliable data on which to quantify the losses forward used by this cohort of companies. Gross Trade Profit is the tax adjusted profit, after a deduction for the various costs of sales and other expenses, with an add back for items that are not deductible for tax purposes, but before a deduction for capital allowances.
The cost of historical losses forward for companies with Gross Trade Profit of over €750 million for the years 2022 and 2023 is in the region of €1.9 billion and € 2.4 billion respectively, based on Corporation Tax (CT) returns for those years.
Information for 2024 is not yet available as CT returns in respect of accounting periods ending in 2024, that is returns for the liability year 2024, will not all be filed until late 2025.
It is also worth noting that the Pillar Two rules apply to Multi National Enterprises groups or large-scale domestic groups where the revenue of the entire group exceeds €750 million in two of the previous four fiscal years. In line with the Deputy's question, the above data is based on the companies with a Gross Trade Profits above €750 million.
305. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Finance the estimated full-year cost of abolishing USC for all earners and replacing it with a higher income social charge of 10% on all earnings over €100,000 per year; the revenue that would be generated by the introduction of this new higher income social charge; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32674/25]
View answerThe Department of Finance has estimated that the yield from the Universal Social Charge (USC) in 2025 is c. €5.5 billion.
I am advised by Revenue that the estimated yield in 2025 of restructuring the USC rates and bands so that only individual income in excess of €100,000 would be subject to a charge, at a rate of 10%, is an estimated €2.34 billion on a full year basis. This figure is based on Revenue’s micro-simulation tool Tax Modeller, based on actual returns for the latest year currently available for analysis, 2022, and adjusted for income and population changes in the interim.
Therefore, extrapolating from these sources of information, it is the estimated net cost of the proposals outlined by the Deputy is c. €3.1 billion on a full year basis.
306. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Finance if he will examine the potential to expand the remit of Ireland State savings to introduce new investment products for Irish savers, in line with the ambition of the EU Savings and Investment Union; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32756/25]
View answerAs you are aware, at EU level, the European Commission recently launched the SIU Strategy, which includes measures to advance the Capital Markets Union (CMU) project. The SIU (Savings and Investments Union) seeks to increase investment in the economy and promote EU companies’ competitiveness through various measures, such as supporting the development of national capital markets, revitalising the securitisation market, increasing retail investor participation in capital markets, and promoting SME investment.
Ireland is a strong supporter of the SIU initiative and is actively involved in its development, including measures specifically designed to promote more retail investment.
Ireland possesses a high savings deposit rate which reflects the success of our economy for our citizens in recent years. The central thrust of the Savings and Investments Union (SIU) project aims to help citizens to invest more in order to increase the amount of money they have in their retirement and to use the invested money to grow businesses bringing more growth to the economy.
At the national level, on 22 October 2024 ‘Funds Sector 2030: A Framework for Open, Resilient & Developing Markets’, also known as the Funds Review, was published. It is a wide-ranging review of the funds and asset management sector. The report made eight recommendations on the topic of retail investment, including recommendations to better align the tax on investment funds and life assurance products with that of direct equities by removing deemed disposal and aligning the rate of tax to 33%.
The report also noted that there may be merit in exploring an incentivised savings and investment account in due course and developments at EU level in the context of the SIU will have relevance in this regard. However, the report concluded that measures proposed for amending the existing taxation of investment funds and life assurance products should be prioritised as these address the most substantive issues raised as part of the review.
My officials are reviewing the Funds Review’s recommendations from the but the 2025 Programme for Government has a commitment to progressing and publishing an implementation plan, taking into consideration the recommendations to unlock retail investment and opportunities to grow this sector in Ireland.
In relation to State Savings, at present, there are no plans to expand their remit and I would refer the Deputy to my response to Dail Question No 307 (Ref: 32757/25) also for answer today for background on their current offering.
307. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Finance if he has examined the potential of schemes to allow Irish savers to invest more of Ireland’s substantial household deposit savings into products which directly fund the delivery of major Irish public infrastructure projects; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32757/25]
View answerWith regard to your suggestion of establishing a savings scheme to allow citizens to invest their money for use by the State, I would refer the Deputy to Ireland State Savings products, which are managed by a body under my aegis as Minister for Finance, the National Treasury Management Agency (NTMA).
Through Ireland State Savings products, including Savings Certificates, Savings Bonds and National Solidarity Bonds, personal savers are enabled to invest their money in competitive, flexible products which are free from taxes and fees and afforded full State protection.
Both short term and long-term fixed rate products are offered with maturities from 3 to 10 years. The return for the saver rewards those who hold products to maturity, however early redemption is also possible.
Crucially all savings invested in this way are available to the Exchequer to fund Government expenditure, including the delivery of major Irish public infrastructure projects. They form part of the National Debt of Ireland and repayment of all Ireland State Savings money is a direct, unconditional obligation of the Irish Government.
Ireland State Savings products can be purchased online, through Post Offices, by Post or by Phone, with further information available at www.statesavings.ie.
308. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Finance the number of judicial review cases his Department has defended in each of the past ten years; the number in relation to which proceedings are pending or continuing; the number of cases which were lost and won, respectively, in the same period; the number of cases that settled in the past ten years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32841/25]
View answerIt is not possible to provide the information requested.
There is an erroneous assumption in some legal circles that the Minister for Finance should be named as a defendant whenever damages or costs are being sought from the State. Damages or costs are sought in almost all judicial review cases. The Chief State Solicitor, under the direction of the Attorney General, has carriage of judicial reviews to which I am named as a party and my officials provide instructions to that office as required and requested.
The Minister for Finance is named as a party on a large number of proceedings which seek damages from the State, without being directly involved in the running of the litigation in circumstances where another Minister may take the leading role in respect of providing instructions on the issue. My Department does not have records of all cases naming the Minister for Finance and does not collate the information sought. In some cases my officials are not even consulted despite the Minister for Finance being named as a party, where another Minister is the lead defendant and provides instructions.
309. Deputy Malcolm Byrne asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation whether his Department or An Garda Síochána or the Office of Public Works or which agency has responsibility for the maintenance, the building, and the upgrading of Garda stations; to outline the process by which building or upgrading works on Garda stations is planned and actioned; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32752/25]
View answerThe OPW will respond directly to the deputy.
310. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation the current status of works on the weir at Ballincollig Regional Park; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31818/25]
View answerThe Office of Public Works (OPW) is currently considering the matter of Ballincollig Weir in the context of the Lower Lee Flood Relief Scheme.
The Lower Lee Flood Relief Scheme is the largest flood relief scheme in the state, which is being progressed directly by the OPW. It encompasses an area from Inniscarra Hydroelectric plant to the Port of Cork, some 16 kilometres away. The Lower Lee Flood Relief Scheme is expected to provide protection against the 100-year fluvial flooding event from the River Lee and the 200-year tidal flooding event for 2,100 properties, including 900 residential and 1,200 commercial, at an estimated cost of over €200 million.
Ballincollig Weir on the River Lee has been in disrepair for many years before a breach occurred in December 2014, that left the weir in poor condition. While there are no hydraulic benefits to the Lower Lee Flood Relief Scheme from the Ballincollig Weir, the OPW has committed to assessing the feasibility of repairing Ballincollig Weir and incorporating the repair works into the construction contract and budget for the Lower Lee Flood Relief Scheme, if appropriate.
The OPW commissioned the consultants for the Lower Lee Flood Relief Scheme to undertake a preliminary feasibility assessment and constraints study for any viable reinstatement of the Ballincollig Weir and a draft report was produced in May 2024. To facilitate finalisation of the report, the OPW is engaging with Cork City Council (“the Council”) as owners of Ballincollig Weir. The OPW is currently reviewing the feedback received from the Council to inform a decision on how to proceed with works on the Ballincollig Weir.
311. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation further to Parliamentary Question No. 311 of 29 May 2025, the breakdown of the funding allocated to maintaining vacant properties owned by the OPW, broken down by property since they were originally vacated; the breakdown of the funding allocated to maintaining vacant properties owned by the OPW broken down by property since in each of the years 2020-2025; the breakdown of the overall cost to maintain empty properties owned by the OPW in each of the years 2020 to 2025; the breakdown of the average cost to bring a vacant property owned by the OPW into use for social housing in each of the years 2020 to 2025; the breakdown of the overall cost to bring vacant properties owned by the OPW back into use for social housing in each of the years 2020 to 2025; the breakdown of the overall cost to maintain former Garda stations owned by the OPW that are now vacant in each of the years 2020 to 2025; and the breakdown of the overall cost to maintain decentralisation sites owned by the OPW that are now vacant in each of the years 2020 to 2025, in tabular form. [31876/25]
View answerFurther to Parliamentary Question No. 311 of 29 May 2025, the enclosed table shows the expenditure incurred by the Office of Public Works (OPW) on the maintenance of properties that are currently vacant for the years 2020 – 2025. Each property is assessed on a case by case basis, with a general approach to endeavour to maintain the property in its current condition pending decisions on its future use.
The OPW has not directly repurposed vacant buildings for residential use. Rather, the OPW, like other property holding State bodies, has engaged with the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage and with the relevant Local Authorities to identify vacant properties that may be suitable for housing. It should be noted however that many of the properties managed by the OPW are commercial buildings, such as Garda stations, warehouses or office buildings that in most cases are not suitable for residential use.
Notwithstanding this, the OPW has in the past five years transferred over 50 properties to Local Authorities for housing and alternative State use. This includes the following:
• Eight residential units in Dublin City Centre that were leased to a housing agency.
• A building in Crumlin, Dublin licensed to Dublin City Council for use as a Family Hub.
• Seven former Garda residences in Templemore transferred to Tipperary County Council for social housing.
• Two former Garda station properties at Goleen and Adrigole transferred to Cork County Council for social housing.
• Three former Garda station properties at Galbally, Shanagolden and Mayorstone transferred to Limerick City and County Council for social housing.
• The former Garda station properties at Buncrana and Malin transferred to Donegal County Council for social housing.
• The former Garda station at Inagh transferred to Clare County Council for the use of Inagh Housing Association.
• A site at the rear of Ballinasloe Garda station, which transferred to Galway County Council for the provision of social housing.
• The former Garda station at Kill O’The Grange, Dublin transferred to Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council for a social housing scheme.
In addition, there are a number of properties that are in the process of being transferred to Local Authorities and the Land Development Agency, such as:
• The former Central Mental Hospital, Dundrum to be transferred to the Land Development Agency for housing.
• Seven former coastguard cottages and a site at Crosshaven in the process of being transferred to Cork County Council for the refurbishment of the seven cottages and the construction of 24 new residential social houses.
• A property at Carrigrohane, Cork City is in the process of being leased to Cork City Council for housing purposes and the Commissioners are also in the process of entering into a Lease Agreement with Donegal County Council for the former Garda station at Cloghan, Co. Donegal.
Furthermore, the OPW is also engaged with the Land Development Agency and the Department of Housing Local Government & Heritage about the possibility of the additional transfer of lands at the Digital Hub and Inchicore in Dublin 8, and in Waterford City.
312. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation to provide an update on the temporary traffic measures at Ashtown Gate Junction beside Phoenix Park; if he will provide a timeline on the implementation of the temporary measures; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31970/25]
View answerDublin City Council have drafted a layout for an interim scheme to control traffic at the junction which involves tightening the junction with bollards and markings. These plans include installing dropped kerbs with tactile paving to facilitate pedestrians walking from Blackhorse Avenue to cross the road outside Ashtown Gate and then enter in through the pedestrian gate on the western side of the vehicular gate.The OPW has reviewed the proposals for the implementation of a temporary traffic scheme at Ashtown Gate and provided observations to Fingal County Council and Dublin City Council. The Office of Public Works has no plans to alter the protected structures at Ashtown Gate.
The timeline for the works at Ashtown Gate will be a matter for the local authorities carrying out the works.
313. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation if the OPW will consider improving pedestrian access at the Ashtown Gate entrance to Phoenix Park, including for buggy users; whether the OPW has already considered such measures; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31971/25]
View answerDublin City Council has developed a draft layout for an interim scheme to control traffic at the Ashtown Gate junction which involves installation of bollards and markings. These plans include installing dropped kerbs with tactile paving to facilitate pedestrians walking from Blackhorse Avenue to cross the road outside Ashtown Gate and then enter in through the pedestrian gate on the western side of the vehicular gate.
The OPW has reviewed the proposals for the implementation of a temporary traffic scheme at Ashtown Gate and provided observations to Fingal County Council and Dublin City Council. The Office of Public Works has no plans to alter the protected structures at Ashtown Gate.
314. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation if the OPW will consider facilitating a home move for a person (details supplied) who resides in a replacement house; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31972/25]
View answerI am advised that the person referred to was immediately accommodated with a replacement property similar to and within proximity of the property he previously resided in. Another move is not under consideration.
315. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation to outline the process for a business tendering for State or OPW contracts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31977/25]
View answerPublic procurement is governed by EU legislation and national regulations with the aim of promoting an open, competitive and non-discriminatory public procurement regime that delivers the best value for money for the State. All Irish public bodies are obliged to spend or invest public funds with care, and to obtain optimal value for money in accordance with the Public Spending Code. The public procurement rules vary depending on the type of goods, services or works being procured and on their estimated value.
In general terms, there a number of key steps suppliers should consider, to help them be aware of, and tender for opportunities for public procurement contracts.
It is essential that suppliers interested in supplying goods, services or works to the public sector should register on eTenders.gov.ie (eTenders), the national tendering website. eTenders is the central online facility for all public sector contracting authorities to advertise procurement opportunities and award notices. It also facilitates the electronic submission of supplier bids and communications between bidders and contracting authorities with regards to tenders published on the site.
As part of a number of Government policy measures aimed at assisting SMEs accessing public procurement, Circular 05/2023 sets the threshold at which contracting authorities are required to advertise all contracts for goods and services on eTenders at €50,000 (exclusive of VAT). Contracts with a value between €5,000 (exclusive of VAT) and the national advertising threshold of €50,000 (exclusive of VAT) may be awarded on the basis of responses to written specifications (for example, by email) issued to at least three suppliers or service providers. Contracting authorities also have the option to use the eTenders website to advertise tenders for low value purchases.
The Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV) is a detailed EU standard system of codes for describing goods, services and works to be advertised in the Official Journal of the European Union (OJEU) and is also supported on eTenders. Suppliers should ensure that they are registered on eTenders with the CPV Codes relevant to their sectors in order to be notified of relevant business opportunities. Suppliers can also search eTenders for new and recent tenders and view related documentation and contract award notice information.
Suppliers should utilise the wide range of training, guidance and reference information and resources that my Department has developed and made available online, to help understand and navigate the eTenders website and the procedures and policies that govern public procurement in Ireland.
Suppliers are encouraged to read the tender documents carefully. Ensure that they meet the criteria to participate in the competition. Note the selection criteria and the mandatory/discretionary exclusion grounds (further information on these are in the Public Procurement Guidelines for Goods and Services published on the OGP’s website). Ensure to fully read and understand the procurement requirements, specifications and award criteria.
Interested suppliers can then respond to the tenders that are of interest to them in the manner specified in the tender documentation.
Following the outcome of a tender, suppliers are advised to review and reflect on the result. Feedback can be requested if none is provided. Suppliers should take time to reflect on and explore the feedback received and use it to review and evaluate their tender process and approach.
If a supplier has a concern around a live tender, they can raise this through the Tender Advisory Service (TAS). TAS was established by the OGP in consultation with SME stakeholders to address concerns in relation to perceived barriers for SMEs in competing for tender opportunities.
The Government recognises the importance of assisting businesses, and in particular SMEs, to access public procurement opportunities. To that end my Department, through the OGP, has developed a wide range of supports, in terms of eTenders usage training resources, public procurement guidelines, tendering tips for suppliers and videos of real world case studies of success stories featuring Irish SME businesses. For further information I would encourage suppliers to visit the OGP website at OGP.GOV.IE.
316. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation if he will provide a timeline for when works to Garda stations (details supplied) will be completed by the Office of Public Works; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31996/25]
View answerI can confirm that the Office of Public Works (OPW) has scheduled refurbishment works to both Greystones and Baltinglass Garda Stations.
Recently completed works at Baltinglass Garda Station include refurbishment of the men’s shower and upstairs bathrooms, and external drainage. Universal Access works are proposed for late 2025.
In relation to Greystones Garda Station refurbishment, Mechanical & Electrical, and Universal Access works are due to commence in 2026.
The commencement dates for works are subject to statutory obligations, final sign-off on design, funding, and operational requirements of An Garda Síochána and the internal approval process of An Garda Síochána and OPW.
