Written Answers Nos. 340-355
340. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation if the infrastructure, climate and nature fund operated by his Department will have its indicative allocations announced as part of the NDP review; the engagement his Department has had with other Departments regarding this allocation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37642/25]
View answer347. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation whether the indicative allocation of the Government's infrastructure, climate and nature fund will be made and announced as part of the NDP review; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37640/25]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 340 and 347 together.
The Future Ireland Fund and Infrastructure, Climate and Nature Fund Act 2024 established the Infrastructure, Climate and Nature Fund (ICN Fund). The purpose of ICN Fund is to support the economy in times of exceptional need and to support Ireland’s transition to a low carbon economy through the funding of designated environmental projects. A total of €2 billion will be invested in the Fund each year from 2024 to 2030 building up to an overall fund of €14 billion.
The Fund will support expenditure by the State:
• In any year from 2026, where there has been, or is likely to be in the subsequent year, a significant deterioration in the economic or fiscal position of the State. 25% of the ICN Fund can be used in the given year for this purpose; and
• In the years 2026 to 2030, on designated environmental projects to address climate change issues and nature and water quality degradation. 22.5% of the Fund may be drawn down to support designated environmental projects in any given year from 2026 to 2030, up to a cumulative maximum of €3.15 billion.
Designated environmental projects will be those that contribute, either directly or indirectly, or are likely to contribute to:
• the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions,
• an improvement in water quality,
• an improvement in nature and biodiversity objectives.
More detailed criteria are outlined in Section 20 of the Act.
As outlined in the Programme for Government 2025, the review of the National Development Plan will encompass all public capital investment, including the Apple Escrow Fund, other share sales, and broader State funds including the Infrastructure, Climate and Nature Fund.
As such, the allocation of funding from the ICN Fund is subject to engagement between myself and other relevant Ministers in line with the NDP review process which is currently underway, and which is due to be completed this summer. It is intended that projects will be designated by Ministers after the allocation process has concluded.
341. Deputy Conor D. McGuinness asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation his expenditure on advertising, detailing the objective, duration, media platforms, advertising agency or agencies, and cost of each advertising campaign in each of the years 2015 to 2025. [37037/25]
View answerThe information requested by the Deputy in respect of my Department is set out in the table below.
|
2015 |
||||
|
Description/Objective |
Duration |
Media platforms |
Advertising Agency |
Cost |
|
Expressions of interest for appointments to a panel of appeal officers to review certain decisions made by the Standards in Public Office Commission in relation to the Regulation of Lobbying Act 2015. |
July, November and December |
Newspaper |
Mediavest |
€4,663 |
|
Public consultation process for Corporate Governance Code |
01 June - 30 June |
Newspaper |
Mediavest |
€5,037 |
|
Public Consultation on Commissioning in Human Social and Community Services |
01 December - 31 December |
Newspaper |
Mediavest |
€6,855 |
|
Open competition for an Actuary post in the Department |
Once off publication |
Newspaper |
Public Appointments Service |
€2,460 |
|
2016 |
||||
|
National Action Plan |
01 August - 31 August |
Newspaper |
Mediavest |
€5,512 |
|
First Review of Regulation of Lobbying Act, Appeal Officers Competition |
01 September - 30 September |
Newspaper |
Mediavest |
€3,548 |
|
2017 |
||||
|
Our Public Service 2020 Consultation Advertising Campaign |
01 July - 30 July |
Newspaper |
Mediavest |
€3,762 |
|
Senior HR Manager campaign |
Once off publication |
Newspaper |
Irish Times |
€523 |
|
Public Consultation on Protected Disclosures |
1 August - 31 August |
Newspaper |
Mediavest |
€3,641 |
|
Appointment of Disclosures Recipient under the Protected Disclosures Act |
1 August - 31 August |
Newspaper |
Mediavest |
€2,438 |
|
Recruitment Competition |
Once off publication |
Digital |
Public Appointments Service |
€3,451 |
|
Recruitment Competition |
Once off publication |
Digital |
Public Appointments Service |
€123 |
|
MyGovID Information Campaign* |
January - December |
Digital |
Mindshare Media |
€145,442 |
|
MyGovID Information Campaign* |
January - December |
Digital |
Kick Advertising and Design |
€59,998 |
|
2018 |
||||
|
Flood Risk |
1 May - 31 May |
Newspaper |
Mediavest |
€5,842 |
|
Tullamore River |
1 December - 31 December |
Newspaper |
Mediavest |
€1,489 |
|
MyGovID Information Campaign* |
January - December |
Digital |
Kick Advertising and Design |
€22,721 |
|
MyGovID Information Campaign* |
January - December |
Digital |
Mindshare Media |
€76,949 |
|
eInvoicing Ireland Programme |
December |
Magazine |
Eolas Magazine |
€2,706 |
|
2019 |
||||
|
RFT Catering Services |
1 August - 31 August |
Newspaper |
Mediavest |
€1,649 |
|
eInvoicing Ireland Programme |
June |
Magazine |
Eolas Magazine |
€2,706 |
|
2020 |
||||
|
Drainage Scheme |
1 January - 31 January |
Newspaper |
Mediavest |
€9,124 |
|
Drainage Scheme |
1 January - 31 January |
Newspaper |
Mediavest |
€9,669 |
|
Protected Disclosures |
1 June - 30 June |
Newspaper |
Mediavest |
€1,817 |
|
River Slaney |
1 July - 31 July |
Newspaper |
Mediavest |
€8,470 |
|
River Deel |
1 December - 31 December |
Newspaper |
Mediavest |
€78,370 |
|
eInvoicing Ireland Programme |
May |
Magazine |
Eolas Magazine |
€2,706 |
|
2021 |
||||
|
Glashaboy River |
1 January - 31 January |
Newspaper |
Mediavest |
€878 |
|
River Bride |
1 March - 31 March |
Newspaper |
Mediavest |
€892 |
|
Administrative Officer recruitment |
Once off advertisement |
Digital |
Public Appointments Service |
€600 |
|
2022 |
||||
|
Enniscorthy Flood Relief |
1 March - 30 March |
Newspaper |
Mediavest |
€1,074 |
|
Crossmolina Flood Relief |
1 May - 30 May |
Newspaper |
Mediavest |
€6,894 |
|
eInvoicing |
Once off advertisement |
Magazine |
Eolas Magazine |
€5,412 |
|
2023 |
||||
|
eTenders Campaign New Platform |
June |
Radio |
Mediavest |
€3,026 |
|
eTenders Campaign New Platform |
1 April - 30 April |
Digital |
Mediavest |
€3,752 |
|
eTenders Campaign New Platform |
1 May - 30 May |
Newspaper |
Mediavest |
€20,762 |
|
eTenders Campaign New Platform |
1 April - 30 April |
Radio |
Mediavest |
€24,131 |
|
eTenders Campaign New Platform |
1 April - 30 April |
Newspaper |
Mediavest |
€553 |
|
LinkedIn Boost Comms |
Once off advertisement |
Digital |
|
€615 |
|
LinkedIn Boost eTenders |
1 April - 30 April |
Digital |
|
€1,230 |
|
LinkedIn Boost HR |
Once off advertisement |
Digital |
|
€615 |
|
eInvoicing |
1 June - 31 june |
Magazine |
Eolas Magazine |
€5,412 |
|
2024 |
||||
|
eTenders campaign New platform |
1 April - 30 April |
Newspaper |
Mediavest |
€24,098 |
|
eTenders campaign New platform |
1 May - 30 May |
Digital |
Mediavest |
€6,777 |
|
eTenders campaign New platform |
1 April - 30 April |
Digital |
Mediavest |
€1,550 |
|
eTenders campaign New platform |
1 April - 30 April |
Digital |
Mediavest |
€273 |
|
Eolas Magazine eTenders |
1 May - 30 May |
Magazine |
Eolas Magazine |
€2,460 |
|
Europe Day |
1 May - 30 May |
Newspaper |
Mediavest |
€41,543 |
|
River Deel flood relief |
1 September - 30 September |
Newspaper |
Mediavest |
€444 |
|
River Deel flood relief |
1 September - 30 September |
Newspaper |
Mediavest |
€1,033 |
|
2025 |
||||
|
River Fergus Lower flood relief |
1 April - 30 April |
Newspaper |
Mediavest |
€1,215 |
|
River Fergus Lower flood relief |
1 April - 30 April |
Newspaper |
Mediavest |
€412 |
* With regard to this expenditure on advertising in 2017 and 2018, this primarily related to online communications to support MyGovID and the services it enables, promoting the whereyourmoneygoes.gov.ie website which provided a significant amount of data on Irish government expenditure, and more generally promoting the Public Services Card and MyGovID through a series of awareness campaigns. Expenses included design work and an online media campaign.
342. Deputy Conor D. McGuinness asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation his Department's expenditure on media consultancy in each of the years 2015 to 2025; the consultancy firms involved; and the nature of each contract, in tabular form. [37072/25]
View answerI wish to advise the Deputy that my Department did not use any media consultancy services during the period in question.
343. Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation further to the migration from the former eTenders platform (details supplied) to the current national eTenders system, to clarify whether full historical tender and award data from the previous platform has been preserved and made publicly accessible; where and how members of the public, researchers, and suppliers can access historical procurement records; and if access is no longer available centrally, to outline the steps being taken to ensure transparency and continuity of public procurement data, particularly for awards that were never mirrored on TED (tenders electronic daily). [37221/25]
View answerHistorical Contract Notices and Contract Award Notices published on the previous eTenders platform remain available and accessible by interested parties (via irl.eu-supply.com/ctm/supplier/publictenders). The Tender documents and submissions remain the responsibility of the publishing Contracting Authority. The Deputy should note, the eTenders system is the national electronic tendering platform and should not be used by Contracting Authorities as their primary storage area for electronic documents. This is explicitly stated in the terms and conditions for both the current and previous eTenders platforms.
The contract for the previous eTenders platform has been extended until 2027 and my Department is considering available options to ensure transparency and continuity of public procurement data following this expiry.
344. Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation the number of purchase orders processed by his Department in 2023 not included in the published reports of purchase orders over €20,000; the number of purchase orders excluded due to their value falling below the €20,000 threshold, and the total combined value of those purchase orders; and the number of purchase orders excluded because they related to transactions other than goods or services, for example, grants-in-aid or reimbursements, in line with reporting conventions. [37237/25]
View answerThe information requested by the Deputy is summarised in the table below.
|
Department of Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation (Vote 11, Vote 39 and Vote 43) 2023 |
Total No. POs |
Total Combined Value € |
|
Purchase Orders not included in publication due to value falling below the €20,000 threshold |
3,152 |
€9,058,987 |
|
Purchase Orders not included in publication as relating to transactions other than goods or services |
34* |
€7,361,567 |
|
Total |
3,186 |
€16,420,554 |
*All of the 34 excluded POs relate to grants.
345. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation the estimated cost of increasing the Garda training allowance to €579.15 per week for 2026; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37368/25]
View answerEstimates of the overall cost of any increase to the current rate of the Garda Trainee allowance are a matter for the Department of Justice.
The Garda Trainee Allowance is currently €354 per week. In 2023, the Department of Justice sought to increase the allowance, and an increase from €184 to €305 was agreed with my Department. Following further engagement last year, the weekly allowance was increased to €354 from October 2024. That is an overall increase of €170 per week when compared with 2023.
346. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Mairéad Farrell den Aire Caiteachais Phoiblí, Bonneagair, Athchóiriúcháin Seirbhíse Poiblí agus Digitiúcháin an bhféadfadh sé trácht a dhéanamh ar an athbhreithniú ar an bPlean Forbartha Náisiúnta atá ar bun faoi láthair; agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina thaobh. [37621/25]
View answerD’aontaigh an Rialtas tús a chur le hathbhreithniú an Phlean Forbartha Náisiúnta go luath i mí Aibreáin, atá i gceannas ar mo Roinn.
Is é fócas an an Léirmheas tosaíocht a thabhairt d'infheistíocht in earnálacha den gheilleagar a thacóidh lenár spriocanna tithíochta agus iomaíochais. Seo iad: tithíocht, fuinneamh, uisce, iompar agus digitiúcháin sláinte.
Le míosa anuas, tá gnóthaíocht déthaobhach tarlaithe idir mo Roinn agus na Rinn eile ag an leibhéal oifigich agus aireachta maidir leis an méíd infheistíochta caipitiúil i ngach uile earnáil thar thréimhse an athbhreithnithe. Tá an próiseas sin ag leanúint ar aghaidh i gcomhthéacs an ghá atá ann tosaíocht a thabhairt don mhaoiniú atá ar fáil chun aidhmeanna an athbhreithnithe maidir le tithíocht agus iomaíochas a bhaint amach.
Beidh an athbhreithniú foilsithe i mí Iúil le uasteorainneacha caiteachais chaipitil go dtí 2035.
348. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation whether an indicative allocation of the final tranche of money raised from AIB share sales will be made and announced as part of the NDP Review; the amount this will be; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37641/25]
View answerRecognising that delivery of essential infrastructure is a key driver in attracting and retaining investment in Ireland, growing our economy, fostering regional development, delivering on our housing targets and achieving our ambitious climate goals, Government has prioritised an early review of the National Development Plan, to be published in July.
The NDP Review will update capital expenditure ceilings to 2035 and will draw on Exchequer and non-Exchequer sources of funding: including the proceeds of bank share sales, the funds arising from the decision of the Court of Justice of the European Union regarding the Apple escrow account, as well as funds from the Infrastructure, Climate and Nature Fund.
The proceeds of bank share sales will therefore form part of the total funding available as part of the Review along with the remaining non-Exchequer and Exchequer funding. This funding will be used to support the aim of the Review to update capital expenditure ceilings to 2035 and in doing so, to improve our infrastructure, particularly, water, energy, and transport in support of our housing and competitiveness objectives. The Minister for Finance will be able to provide further information on the total amount of funding raised from bank share sales that will be made available for infrastructure investment.
349. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation the OPW's view on whether the Phoenix Park was returned to an 'as found' condition following recent concerts, as was promised to residents, following recent concerts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37643/25]
View answerA concert series was held in the Phoenix Park on Friday, 20 June, to Sunday, 22 June 2025. These events were attended by approximately 180,000 people from across Ireland.
The organiser of the event was 'Aikens Promotions' who commenced building the concert site on Wednesday 11 June and returned the site to the Office of Public Works on Saturday 28 June, subject to identified remedial works. Remedial works to the grass areas commenced on 1 July and it is envisaged that these works will be complete in the coming week. These works include grass seeding and it will take some weeks for the grass to germinate and grow. All costs for these works will be covered by the concert organiser.
The organiser engaged a litter collection company to collect all litter generated on site by the concert. This company was on site during the build period, concert show days and for a number of days post-concert. Regular inspections took place across the Phoenix Park by OPW staff to ensure that all concert litter was fully removed from the Park by the concert organiser.
350. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation if the OPW will review the traffic arrangements put in place to facilitate the Bloom event in the Phoenix Park in June, with a particular view on their impact on surrounding estates in Dublin 7 and Dublin 15; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37644/25]
View answer'Bord Bia Bloom' is an annual event organised by An Bord Bia which takes place over the June Bank holiday weekend each year.
To ensure that the traffic arrangements do not have an excessive impact on surrounding estates, a traffic management plan was put in place that included input from all of the statutory agencies, Bord Bia and the Office of Public Works. This included encouraging public transport and active travel. In 2025, approximately 20,000 people attended using free public or private coach transport with 1,800 people travelling by cycle.
While the OPW has not received any direct correspondence in relation to traffic arrangements, we are committed to ensuring that this event is enjoyed by visitors without undue impacts on the surrounding areas and would welcome any specific issues to be addressed. A full review is scheduled to take place this summer which will ensure that any issues are remedied before the event in 2026.
351. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation if he has considered a casual trading licence for selling ice cream in the Phoenix Park during the summer months in areas of high footfall; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37747/25]
View answerThere is no consideration being given to a casual trading licence for selling ice cream in the Phoenix Park as this service is already provided via concession at the Phoenix Park Visitor Centre and the tea rooms beside Dublin Zoo.
These are high footfall areas within the Phoenix Park, and no additional locations are currently under consideration.
352. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation whether he has been approached by the Minister for Transport to give Ministerial consent to the sale of the retail units in the General Post Office Arcade to the rear of the General Post Office in Dublin City Centre; if so, when and if he will ensure that they are made available for letting; that the fine period features of the Arcade are carefully renovated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37919/25]
View answer353. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation the parts of the whole GPO site that are currently under the ownership of the OPW; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37921/25]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 352 and 353 together.
I am advised that the GPO site, including the retail unit area of the GPO Arcade, will be transferred from its current owners, the Department of Culture, Communications & Sport to the Office of Public Works.
The OPW is in the process of assessing the redevelopment potential for the entire GPO complex in a manner that will respect its character, enhance its relationship with the surrounding streets, and improve its functionality.
As part of this process, the OPW is developing outline proposals for a public consultation process appropriate to the significance, nature and scale of this nationally important redevelopment project. Subject to engagement through a public consultation process, it is anticipated that the future GPO will be incorporating at least some, or all of the following:
• Retention of a post office function.
• A significant cultural use/ uses.
• Public Realm enhancements at street level to encourage public use of the complex.
• High-quality offices on the upper floors to provide critical accommodation to meet ongoing/ additional Government requirements.
• Reimagined retail components along Henry Street and in the GPO Arcade.
The project will be carried out in compliance with the guidance and requirements of the Infrastructure Guidelines.
354. Deputy Tom Brabazon asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment to provide an update on the timeline for the implementation of the Employment (Contractual Retirement Ages) Bill 2025; if the Minister will confirm when this legislation will be enacted; and if he will confirm that the necessary measures are being taken to ensure there are no delays to the Bill's enactment. [37853/25]
View answerThe Employment (Contractual Retirement Ages) Bill 2025 was published on 1 April 2025.
The Bill will deliver a new employment right by providing that, in general, an employer may not enforce a contractual retirement age which is below the State Pension Age (age 66) if the employee does not consent to retire.
The Bill completed Committee Stage on 2 July 2025.
The timeline for the enactment of the Bill is a matter for the Oireachtas.
Once enacted, there will be an appropriate lead-in time in advance of commencement of the legislation during which there will be a communications campaign to ensure employers and employees fully understand the implications of this new employment right.
There are existing guidelines available to both employees and employers to assist them in following best practices when dealing with retirement. The WRC’s Code of Practice on Longer Working sets out guidance for employers, employees and their representatives to follow during the engagement between employers and employees in the run up to retirement, including responding to requests to work beyond what would have been regarded as the normal retirement age.
355. Deputy Malcolm Byrne asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment the status of legislation for a referendum on Ireland’s membership of the European Unified Patent Court system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36981/25]
View answerThe Forty-first Amendment of the Constitution (Agreement on a Unified Patent Court) Bill was initiated before Dáil Éireann on 29th February 2024, completing its passage through all stages on the 6th March 2024. Following dissolution of the 33rd Dáil and the formation of a new Government in December 2024 the Bill was reinstated to the Order Paper on motion before Seanad Éireann on 19th February 2025 where it is currently at Committee Stage.
Ratification of the Agreement on a Unified Patent Court in Ireland requires a constitutional amendment to be passed by the people. While a referendum was initially scheduled to be held alongside Local and European Elections in June 2024, a decision was made to defer the referendum to facilitate greater public discourse and to encourage informed debate on Ireland’s joining of the Unitary Patent system. The timing of any future referendum on Ireland's membership of the European Unified patent Court system is yet to be decided by the Government.
