Written Answers Nos. 41-60
41. Deputy Johnny Guirke asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment the supports being put in place to attract new employers to County Meath and the surrounding region; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50676/25]
View answer47. Deputy Johnny Guirke asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment if there are specific zones or industrial parks planned for County Meath to accommodate growing demand from businesses and enterprises looking to relocate outside of Dublin into feeder and satellite towns in bordering counties; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50685/25]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 41 and 47 together.
Regional development is a key element of our national enterprise policy, as set out in the Programme for Government and the White Paper on Enterprise, and is a key focus of the work of my Department and its agencies. In this regard, IDA Ireland has reaffirmed its strong commitment to regional development as a core pillar of its 2025–2029 strategy, 'Adapt Intelligently: A Strategy for Sustainable Growth and Innovation'. This ambitious strategy aims to secure 550 investments outside Dublin, accounting for 55% of all planned investments to 2029. Likewise, Enterprise Ireland remains firmly committed to driving balanced regional development as a cornerstone of its 2025–2029 strategy 'Delivering for Ireland, Leading Globally'. Enterprise Ireland aims to grow employment in client companies to 275,000, with a strong emphasis on regional job creation and scaling indigenous businesses across all counties.
IDA’s strategy focuses on partnering with the existing FDI base to retain and renew their Irish operations alongside an ongoing focus on identifying new opportunities associated with FDI growth drivers including AI & digital, semiconductors, sustainability and health. In practical terms this means supporting clients to increase the competitiveness of their Irish operations through investment in RD&I, digitalisation, talent development and sustainability. Grant support totalling c€4.8m was provided to IDA clients, and c €5.9m to EI clients in Meath in 2024.
The IDA Mid-East Region, Meath, Kildare and Wicklow, is home to 82 IDA client companies employing 16,700 people, 16 of which are in Meath, employing 3,047 people. Enterprise Ireland has 207 plants employing 9,034 people. IDA Ireland continues to deliver a competitive property offering to attract FDI and support the growth and expansion of domestic clients within the Enterprise Ireland portfolio and Local Enterprise Offices (LEO) clients. In that regard, I am advised that there are approximately 97.22 hectares of available lands across IDA Business Parks in the Mid-East region, with c. 17.9 hectares of lands available in IDA’s Navan Business and Technology Park.
IDA continues to work with regional stakeholders and the private sector on opportunities to add to the supply of competitive property solutions in the Mid-East Region. Under its current strategy IDA has committed to deliver an Advance Planning Permit for an Advance Building Solution in Meath in partnership with Meath County Council and continues to engage with Meath County Council in respect of the proposed design and site location.
Innovative, ambitious start-ups are the bedrock of the Irish economy and will form the foundations of future enterprise success. Enterprise Ireland, in partnership with the 31 LEOs including Meath LEO and the wider enterprise and innovation ecosystem, aims to stimulate and foster the next generation of Irish enterprise successes by supporting ambitious start-ups to access finance, build capacity, and grow domestically and internationally. Enterprise Ireland is an active member of the Mid-East Regional Enterprise Plan process which has brought together stakeholders in the Mid-East to develop initiatives focused on driving enterprise growth in the region and continues to invest in supporting infrastructure, innovation hubs, and collaborative projects that strengthen regional enterprise ecosystems. The Boyne Valley Food Hub in Meath which opened mid 2023 is one such example.
The 2025 New Frontiers programme for the Midlands & Mid-East Region, funded by Enterprise Ireland to support local start-ups and managed on behalf of Enterprise Ireland by TUS in partnership with Maynooth University, attracted 103 participants this year, 14 of which have been selected to progress to Phase 2, from October. The programme supports high potential start-ups from the Midlands & Mid-East counties with mentoring, hot-desk space and a €15,000 stipend to allow exploration of their new business idea.
The Mid-East region has a mature FDI ecosystem within Technology, Life Sciences, International Financial Services, and Engineering & Industrial Technologies sectors and the IDA is actively engaged with client companies in the county, focusing on supporting their existing operation as well as attracting new investment opportunities. IDA continues to market Meath as a location for further investment utilising its global network of overseas offices. There is also a strong focus on the food sector and food businesses in Meath, and the Boyne Valley Food Innovation District, Meath Enterprise Centre and the local County Council are strong promoters and supporters of this eco-system within the county.
Remote working and local job creation are a key focus with respect to the high amount of county residents commuting to Dublin each day. Conversely, Meath also captures some business from Dublin companies looking for more space and lower rents close by.
Based on all of the above, I have every confidence that Meath will remain an attractive location for both foreign and domestic investment and continue to be a thriving entrepreneurial hotspot well into the future.
42. Deputy Johnny Guirke asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment the plans in place to create more opportunities in order that persons can work closer to home in County Meath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50677/25]
View answerBalanced regional enterprise development is a key focus for my Department and for the Government. I appreciate the important role of enterprise centres and remote working hubs throughout the country. They enable people to live and work in their local communities and provide a range of services to support companies and entrepreneurs to establish and grow their businesses. The Government has invested significantly in the development of these facilities, and we remain committed to further support for the sector.
Through programmes such as Connected Hubs and the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund, and working in partnership with local authorities and communities, substantial funding has been provided through the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht to support remote working hubs. A significant number of the funded projects are making use of buildings that had previously been vacant or derelict.
Our Rural Future committed to the establishment of a network of 400 remote working hubs across the country over the lifetime of the policy. ConnectedHubs.ie, the online booking and payments platform for remote working spaces, was launched in mid-2021. As of 1 September 2025 there are 393 remote and co-working facilities across the country on-boarded to the platform, including seven in County Meath. Details of all the onboarded hubs are available on ConnectedHubs.ie.
In close cooperation with my Department, the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht is leading on development of the first Strategy for the National Hub Network. The Strategy, to be published this year, will present a coherent and whole-of-government approach to the future development of remote working and enterprise hubs through the National Hub Network.
As the Deputy will be aware, my Department has focused specifically on supporting enterprise hubs and centres, as distinct from co-working hubs. These provide enterprise development activities rather than a remote working focus. Since 2017, my Department has allocated more than €150 million to support regional enterprise development initiatives, including many enterprise centres and hubs, across the country through Enterprise Ireland schemes, such as the Regional and the Border Enterprise Development Funds. The Smart Regions Enterprise Innovation Scheme, co-funded under the European Regional Development Fund and administered by Enterprise Ireland, is currently open for applications.
While they are independent, the Government also will continue to work with the local authorities to deliver projects that support regional development. The local authorities have supported many of the enterprise hubs delivered to date, as project partners or through direct funding contributions.
Investment in Ireland’s hub infrastructure reflects the Government's broader commitment to creating more opportunities for people to work closer home. My Department oversaw development and successful implementation of all 15 actions outlined in the 2021 National Remote Work Strategy, and legislated for the right of all workers to request the right to work remotely through the Work Life Balance Act and Miscellaneous Provisions Act 2023. The Programme for Government 2025, Securing Ireland’s Future, re-affirms this commitment to promoting flexible and remote working arrangements that benefit both workers and employers, bringing access to good quality jobs close to home for people in communities throughout Ireland, including in County Meath.
43. Deputy Johnny Guirke asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment the steps being taken to ensure that rural enterprises and businesses in County Meath remain funded; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50678/25]
View answerDeveloping Ireland’s enterprise base remains a key focus for Government and my Department is committed to backing small businesses and start-ups, to help them to scale up and grow into exporting entities in every county across the country.
The Programme for Government commits to ensuring Local Enterprise Offices are fully resourced to support local businesses. The importance of continuing to fund the LEOs is reflected in the steady increase in the annual budget allocation over the 11 years since their establishment, with a Capital allocation of over €50 million provided in 2025.
As part of the annual budget process, my Department works closely with Enterprise Ireland LEO Centre of Excellence and the Local Authorities to ensure that each of the enterprise development bodies are resourced appropriately to deliver on their mandates. This includes ensuring that each LEOs is adequately resourced to provide the full range of LEO grants, consultancies and training supports.
The Local Enterprise Office (LEO) in Meath continues to play an extremely important role, as part of this supportive ecosystem, providing their services direct to small businesses and promoting entrepreneurship within towns and communities across the county.
The LEO contributes to the development of economic strategies such as the Local Economic and Community Plans and ensures that an enterprise perspective is brought to bear on various Local Authority and regional plans and frameworks.
The LEO offers direct grant assistance to small businesses, specifically designed for growth or exporting, aimed at small businesses in the manufacturing and internationally traded services sectors. The LEO provide training and advice on entrepreneurship and helping businesses to start, grow and deal with the challenges of running a business.
To assist small and medium enterprises to tackle the rising cost of doing business the LEOs provide consultancy and grants, in the areas of Lean, Green, and Digital, to small businesses in all sectors. These supports focus on enhancing productivity and improving competitiveness in all small businesses.
44. Deputy Johnny Guirke asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment the procedures in place to encourage foreign direct investment into County Meath given its proximity to Dublin and transport links to cities like Belfast; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50679/25]
View answerForeign Direct Investment is a key element of our economic strategy, with investments by IDA Ireland client companies consistently generating highly skilled jobs nationwide and very considerable exchequer returns. My Department works closely with IDA Ireland and other stakeholders to ensure a strong pipeline of foreign direct investment into Ireland.
Regional development is a key element of the Government's enterprise policy, as set out in the White Paper on Enterprise, and is a key focus of the work of my Department and IDA Ireland. In 2024, IDA Ireland recorded record employment levels with 1,830 client companies employing 302,355 individuals directly, including 165,484 roles based in regional locations. Investment continues to be strong in 2025, as reflected in the announcement of 179 new projects by IDA Ireland during the first half of 2025, which are expected to create more than 10,000 jobs—over half of which will be situated in regional areas.
In February this year, IDA Ireland launched its new strategy, Adapt Intelligently: A Strategy for Sustainable Growth and Innovation 2025-29. Under this strategy, IDA Ireland will target 1,000 investments, with 550 in regional locations outside Dublin. This ambitious target reflects IDA Ireland’s ongoing commitment to support transformation and growth in the regions.
Balanced regional development is also a government priority for Meath, along with the counties of Kildare and Wicklow which comprise the Mid East Regional Enterprise Plan. This Plan was developed and led by regional stakeholders, and focuses on collaborative initiatives to strengthen the enterprise ecosystem in the region.
There has been a 61% increase in employment in FDI clients in County Meath over the last 5 years, resulting from a strong investment performance including expansions in Research, Development & Innovation (RD&I) investments. There are 16 IDA supported companies in Meath which employ 3,047 in total. Key IDA clients in the county include MSD, PCI Pharma, Utmost Paneurope, Unilin, ArcRoyal, Meta, Alltech Biotechnology Centre, Coca Cola and Amazon Data Centre.
The availability of property and infrastructure solutions can be the key differentiator in winning Foreign Direct Investment projects as well as investment by Irish owned companies. IDA has Business and Technology Parks with available lands in Navan (65 acres) and Drogheda (8 acres) and the strong FDI performance in the county will be leveraged as IDA continues to market Meath as a location for further FDI investment utilising its global network of overseas offices.
Recent investments in the county include PCI’s announcement in June last year to construct a new pharmaceutical packaging facility in Stamullen and MSD’s opening of its first biologics facility in Dunboyne in September 2023. IDA is actively engaged with client companies in County Meath, focusing on supporting existing operations as well as new investment opportunities.
The Government is fully aware of the competitiveness challenge the country faces as it competes for foreign direct investment. We are taking the necessary steps to position Ireland for the future, and we will continue to place costs, planning, energy and R&D at the centre of our forward-looking policy making – all reflected in policy commitments in the new Programme for Government and the Action Plan on Competitiveness and Productivity.
45. Deputy Johnny Guirke asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment the way in which the Government is supporting food producers and agricultural businesses in County Meath to expand into export markets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50680/25]
View answerThis Government is actively supporting food and drink manufacturers in County Meath to expand into export markets through a combination of funding, innovation support, infrastructure development, and ecosystem collaboration.
My Department, through our agency Enterprise Ireland (EI), provides tailored supports for food and beverage companies, including export development funding, market research and access programmes, innovation and R&D grants, and digital transformation and sustainability supports. In 2024, EI paid over €5.8 million to client companies in county Meath, including clients in the food and beverage manufacturing sector. These financial supports are designed to help companies scale, innovate, and compete globally.
The importance of R&D and innovation cannot be underestimated in such a globally competitive sector and, although a world leader in food and beverage production, Ireland must continue to lead from the front. In 2024, Enterprise Ireland-supported food and drink companies invested €166 million in R&D, with over 100 companies investing more than €100,000 each. This investment helps:
• Develop new products for international markets
• Improve production efficiency
• Adopt technologies like AI, biotechnology, and smart manufacturing
EI supported Food and Beverage manufacturers in County Meath continue to access these supports to assist them on their journeys.
The Boyne Valley Food Hub, located in Navan, is a key regional initiative. Developed at the Meath Enterprise Centre, it supports scalable, sustainable, and profitable food businesses. The hub offers access to shared facilities, mentoring, and export readiness programmes and targets companies in the Mid-East and North-East regions, including Meath. Investments in entrepreneurial infrastructure ensure that Meath, and Ireland more broadly, can foster a new pipeline of internationally competitive food companies for the future.
To enable successful outcomes, Enterprise Ireland works closely with Bord Bia (market development), Teagasc (agri-food research), the Food Technology Gateways (innovation support), and the Third-level institutions (skills and R&D partnerships). This ecosystem helps Meath-based companies build global competitiveness and access international networks.
46. Deputy Johnny Guirke asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment if consideration has been given to developing County Meath’s tourism trade as a stronger employment field given the county’s cultural and historical importance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50681/25]
View answerThe Programme for Government provides that this Government will work with Fáilte Ireland to develop a balanced regional spread of tourism throughout the country, promoting and enhancing the Hidden Heartlands, Ireland's Ancient East, the Wild Atlantic Way and Dublin. County Meath is included in Fáilte Ireland’s Ancient East regional tourism development strategy 2023-27. Ireland's Ancient East is not only internationally renowned for its rich heritage but also for the variety of tracks and trails by which the region can be explored and discovered.
Fáilte Ireland has established localised five-year Destination Experience Development Plans (DEDPs). These local development plans are highly collaborative in nature, involving local stakeholders and this is reflected in the agreed action plans where ownership is assigned among the various parties. Under the strategy, the “Ancient” DEDP which includes Meath, provides a destination-wide tourism development focus which harnesses existing plans and examines new projects to create a world-class destination with "ancient" as the core development theme.
One of the key tourism achievements in County Meath to date includes the continued growth of the world-class Púca festival, which has contributed greatly to an emerging tourism destination. The Púca festival, developed by Fáilte Ireland in partnership with Meath County Council, plays a key role in attracting visitors who support revenue generation and job creation in local communities. Furthermore, the “Home of Halloween Destination Development Scheme” which is operated by Fáilte Ireland was an open call issued to all Local Authorities in 2025. Destination selection was via a competitive application process, with Meath County Council and Louth County Council being successful with a joint project. A total of €2.1 million will be invested in 7 locations across the country over the next three years (2025–2028) under the “Home of Halloween Destination Development Scheme”. Each destination will receive up to €100,000 annually over a three-year period (2025–2028). Over the course of three years the seven supported projects are projected to attract approximately337,000 additional visitors, generating an estimated€28 million in economic impactfor local communities.
In relation to employment, Fáilte Ireland, continues to support the tourism industry to build the talent and skills it needs to remain profitable, competitive and resilient. A key priority, in this regard, is to support tourism businesses to adopt quality employment practices, to ensure that the sector is recognised as a desirable and rewarding career choice, and that individuals working in it can continue to develop their own expertise, knowledge and skills, to build a long-term and successful career. Fáilte Ireland plays a pivotal role in supporting tourism jobs across the country through a multifaceted approach that includes training, funding, regional development, and inclusive employment initiatives. Key initiatives include Fáilte Ireland’s Employer Excellence Programme which supports businesses to improve employee engagement, satisfaction, and the online learning platform, LearniFI, facilitating tourism staff to upskill in areas critical to business performance.
Fáilte Ireland currently aligns business supports for tourism experiences under four strategic pillars; Climate Action, Commercial Resilience, People and Performance, and Digitisation. For example, Fáilte Ireland is continuing to enhance the digital presence of tourism businesses through their Digital that Delivers programme. The funding awarded to businesses in County Meath from 2021 to 15 August 2025 was €257,238.63. The Deputy may also be aware that there is simplified access to grants and support programmes through the National Enterprise Hub (NEH) which can be accessed online at neh.gov.ie. The NEH has listed over 250 different supports for businesses from 30 Departments and agencies
48. Deputy George Lawlor asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment the actions that have been undertaken to implement the Adequate Minimum Wages Directive and to publish a National Action Plan on the Promotion of Collective Bargaining with respect to increasing collective bargaining coverage, facilitating trade union access to workplaces, and enhancing protection for union activists facing victimisation from their employer; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50734/25]
View answerThe Directive on Adequate Minimum Wages in the European Union was published on 19th October 2022 and was transposed in Ireland by 15th November 2024. No new legislation was required for transposition of the collective bargaining elements of the Directive in Ireland due to the existing legal framework in place which provides for collective bargaining.
Under Article 4, the Directive aims to promote collective bargaining on wages in all Member States. Each Member State in which the collective bargaining coverage rate is less than a threshold of 80 % (as in the majority of member states, including Ireland) shall provide for a ‘framework of enabling conditions’ for collective bargaining and shall also establish an Action Plan to promote Collective Bargaining by end of 2025. The Action Plan shall be reviewed at least every five years. The Programme for Government contains the commitment to finalise an action plan on the promotion of collective bargaining by the end of 2025, in line with the Directive. Work on developing the action plan in conjunction with the social partners, through a technical group, is currently ongoing.
The Code of Practice on Duties and Responsibilities of Employee Representatives sets out guidance for employers, employees, and trade unions which should be afforded to shop stewards in order to enable them to carry out their duties in an effective and constructive manner. The Code clearly states that employee representatives should be granted reasonable access to all workplaces where they represent trade union members and where such access is necessary to enable them to carry out their representative functions.
On protection against victimisation, Section 8 of the Industrial Relations Act 2004 outlines that victimising an employee for being or not being a member of a trade union or an excepted body or the employee engaging or not engaging in any activities on behalf of a trade union or an excepted body is illegal. Under Section 9 of the Act, the WRC may direct that the conduct which is the subject of the complaint should cease and make an award of compensation not exceeding 2 years remuneration. The Workplace Relations Commission’s Code of Practice on Victimisation refers to victimisation arising from an employee’s membership or non-membership, activity or non-activity for a trade union or a manager discharging their managerial functions or any other employees. It applies to situations where there are no negotiating arrangements and where collective bargaining has not taken place. A complaint under the Code may be made to the Workplace Relations Commission.
The work of the technical working group, consisting of Department officials and the social partners, will be essential in developing the content of the action plan. The capacity to engage effectively in collective bargaining is also key element of the Directive and the Government hopes to further support the social partners in this area.
49. Deputy George Lawlor asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment given the ongoing geopolitical instability, if consideration will be given to significantly increasing funding for tourism agencies to enhance their efforts in promoting Ireland as a safe, secure, and stable travel destination on the global stage; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50736/25]
View answerThe Programme for Government recognises the rapidly changing geopolitical landscape across the world and the threats and challenges this entails.
The recently published Government Action Plan on Market Diversification represents one strand of a coherent Government response to global economic uncertainty, including the measures being taken to drive competitiveness and productivity and the investment in national infrastructure outlined in the new National Development Plan.
My role and that of my Department in relation to tourism lies primarily in the area of national tourism policy development and implementation of that policy is a matter for the tourism agencies, Fáilte Ireland and Tourism Ireland.
By continuing to support the tourism agencies, the Government seeks to strengthen Ireland’s reputation as a high-quality, accessible destination for both domestic and international visitors. In comparative international terms, Ireland is perceived as a safe, secure and stable travel destination and the warmth of the welcome remains a key strength in the Ireland visitor experience.
Throughout 2025, Tourism Ireland as the agency with responsibility for the overseas marketing of the island of Ireland, is investing in an extensive and targeted programme of activity across 14+ overseas source markets. Its overseas missions will deliver campaigns with a reach of over 1billion, publicity opportunities with a reach of over 1.6billion, and 30,000+ business-to-business meetings for tourism partners overseas in 2025 with a renewed focus on Business Events, luxury travel and adventure travel.
In line with the Action Plan for Market Diversification, Tourism Ireland is focused on supporting new opportunities to support the businesses and communities that depend on overseas tourism. The agency is conscious of the need to diversify from a potential over-reliance on certain markets and in terms of diversification, Tourism Ireland is proposing a number of key focus areas building on the robust current strategy that has driven proven results and grown inbound tourism to the island to €6.9 billion in 2024.
Requests for additional funding for the tourism sector by my Department will take place as part of the normal procedural aspects in the Government Estimates process.
50. Deputy George Lawlor asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment to outline the Government's long-term strategy to diversify trade partnerships and reduce reliance on any single market in view of the new tariffs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50738/25]
View answerOur long-established trade partnerships, forged over many decades, are evolving. At the same time, new markets are emerging, digital technologies are transforming industries and the global demand for sustainable solutions is accelerating.
I recently launched the Government Action Plan on Market Diversification. This Action Plan was the result of extensive collaboration across government and with the relevant State agencies and this collaborative approach proved essential for aligning strategies and leveraging expertise. It is a ‘whole of government’ reassessment of opportunities and what is needed to enable access to new markets.
The Government Action Plan on Market Diversification sets out a path support Ireland’s businesses – large and small – to adapt to the global trading environment by striking out into new and diverse markets while deepening their engagement in existing markets, and expanding where possible and opportunities exist. As a global and open trading economy deeply connected into international supply chains, the Action Plan also serves to mitigate the current risks and bolster our economic resilience.
The Action Plan is a stock-take of the current supports available domestically and internationally for exporting Irish-based companies, while also directing concerted action across Government Departments and State agencies with the shared objective of enhancing Ireland’s trading relationships.
With Enterprise Ireland having announced the Enterprise Ireland Market Research Grant which offers funding of up to €35,000 for companies to assess the full impact of tariffs, gain market insights and develop mitigation strategies.?? They have also announced a New Markets Validation Grant offering funding of up to €150,000 for companies to develop market entry strategies for new markets or new products.
These supports for businesses are very welcome and are part of the efforts to support businesses in diversifying their markets.
51. Deputy Sinéad Gibney asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment the number and value of successful dual-use export licence applications; and the number of refused applications, by quarter since January 2021, in tabular form. [50767/25]
View answerAs the National Competent authority for export controls, my responsibilities centre around the control of exports of dual-use and military items under EU and national legislation. These controls are administered by my Department, in accordance with Regulation (EU) 2021/821 of the European Parliament and of the Council setting up a Union regime for the control of exports, brokering, technical assistance, transit and transfer of dual-use items.
The bulk of dual-use exports from Ireland are mainstream business ICT products, both hardware and software (networking, data storage, cybersecurity etc). They are categorised as dual-use items as a consequence of fact that they incorporate strong encryption for ICT security purposes.
All export licence applications are considered by my officials in accordance with criteria set out within the relevant dual-use and military EU and National Regulations and with Ireland’s international obligations and responsibilities as members of non-proliferation regimes and export control arrangements.
There is extensive engagement between my officials and exporters should any questions or concerns arise with any application for any destination. If there are any outstanding concerns over the stated end use, that the goods being exported will not be used for the end use or by the specified end user as detailed in the application or if the exporter does not provide enough information on the intended end-use for my officials to make an informed decision, the application for a licence is denied.
In applying export controls in a robust and transparent way, my Department ensures that legitimate business transactions by reputable Irish traders are not damaged in any way while also ensuring that exports of controlled goods are thoroughly risk assessed in the context of ongoing conflicts, diversion of goods and humanitarian considerations.
The attached table shows the number and value of individual dual-use export licence applications approved by my Department, by quarter, since 2021 and the number of refused applications by quarter over the same period.
52. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment the number of work permit applications for the homecare sector received since the scheme opened in January 2023; the number of work permits issued; the number of work permits in processing; the number of work permit applications rejected; the number of work permits renewed and the number surrendered to his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50823/25]
View answerThe employment permit scheme for the homecare sector was launched in January 2023, with an initial allocation of 1,000 General Employment Permits for care workers and home carers.
In March 2025, in response to ongoing labour shortages, my department approved an additional 1,000 permits, bringing the total quota available to 2,000.
Since the opening of the quota for the Homecare Sector in January 2023, the following data applies to applications referencing Standard Occupational Classification code 6145 (homecare worker):
New Employment Permits Issued: 1,627
Renewals Issued: 131
Applications Currently Awaiting Processing: 126
Applications Rejected: 252
Applications Cancelled by the Applicant or Employer: 88
My department remains committed to supporting the Homecare Sector through the employment permit system and continues to facilitate access for skilled workers to be employed in sectors experiencing recruitment challenges.
53. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Education and Youth to confirm that further investments will be made and strategies developed in the area of school counselling, particularly in the areas of prevention and early intervention; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50515/25]
View answerThe Department of Education and Youth is committed to supporting the emotional wellbeing of our children. In 2023, the department established a €5 million pilot programme of Counselling and Mental Health supports for primary schools. In Budget 2025, the pilot received additional funding. The Counselling in Primary Schools Pilot consists of 2 strands.
Strand 1 is the provision of one-to-one counselling to support small numbers of children in schools in counties Cavan, Laois, Leitrim, Longford, Mayo, Monaghan and Tipperary. The Department of Education and Youth have created panels of pre-approved private counsellors to provide counselling under the pilot and there are currently 45 counsellors available to work in these areas. In the 2023/2024 school year, more than 2,800 counselling sessions took place and I am pleased to inform you that 371 children availed of counselling. In the 2024/2025 school year, more than 6,200 counselling sessions took place and at least 731 children have availed of counselling supports.
In October 2024, my department announced the extension of Strand 1 of the Counselling in Primary Schools Pilot to 61 urban DEIS primary schools. These schools, in Dublin North City and Dublin South-West, have been identified by the department as supporting children from areas with some of the highest levels of disadvantage in the State. In the 2024/2025 school year, over 400 counselling sessions have taken place and at least 56 children have availed of counselling provision in these areas.
Children are prioritised for counselling in line with the Department of Education and Youth’s Continuum of Support, following a period of school-based intervention with evidence that, following intervention, the child requires further support. NEPS psychologists work with schools to identify and support the prioritisation of those most in need of access to this counselling support. This is part of the current role of the NEPS psychologist when working with schools which includes identifying need for and signposting to appropriate services.
Strand 2 of the pilot is the establishment of Education Wellbeing Teams to support 78 schools in cluster areas in Cork, Carlow, Dublin 7 and Dublin 16. To date, 20 Education Wellbeing Practitioners have been recruited. The focus of the support provided is on strengthening whole-school preventative approaches. This includes the provision of psycho-educational support for parents and teachers and the provision of early intervention on an individual and group basis to children with mild to emerging need using low-level therapeutically informed approaches.
The pilot is currently being externally evaluated by the Centre for Effective Services. It is anticipated that an evaluation report will be completed by Q4 2025. Through this evaluation the department are confident that valuable learning will be gathered that will inform future policy and provision in this area.
In addition to the Counselling and Mental Health supports for primary schools, the Department of Education and Youth in partnership with Jigsaw have launched Neart, a national programme of mental health and wellbeing resources and training for post-primary schools. The programme complements the supports in schools such as the provision of guidance counselling and the work of NEPS, as well as other wellbeing programmes and initiatives including Student Support Team training. A full outline of all Neart supports and resources on offer for the 2025/26 academic year is available here: https://d2nklej7l2bs3q.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Neart-Programme-Areas-2025-2026-1.pdf.
NEPS has also engaged in extensive national training of school staff in the area of trauma-informed practice and have developed an eLearning course for school staff - ‘Introducing a Trauma Informed Approach: The Stress Factor - Getting the Balance Right’ which looks at the sources and impact of stress on children and young people including trauma and adverse experiences. It demonstrates how to create environments to reduce stress and focuses on developing skills that all children and young people need to better manage in school. NEPS psychologists are available to support schools implement trauma informed approaches in school following participation in the training. As a follow up to the eLearning, NEPS will deliver a new live training called Understanding Trauma- Using a Trauma Informed Approach in Schools.
54. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Education and Youth for an update on the building of a new school at a location (details supplied); when it will go to tender in view of the fact it was granted planning permission on 8 May 2023; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50523/25]
View answerThe major building project referred to by the Deputy is being delivered as part of my Department’s ADAPT Programme.
The ADAPT Programme uses a professional external Project Manager to achieve the best possible timeframe for the project through the stages of Architectural Planning to Tender and Construction.
The brief for this major project is to provide a New 16 Classroom School & 2 classrooms for children with special educational needs, at the existing site in Moycullen. The Board of Management have acquired additional land to accommodate a new build.
The project is at completion of Stage 2(b) of the architectural design process. Stage 2(b) involves detailed design, securing all statutory approvals and the preparation of tender documentation. Planning Permission was secured in May 2023.
In July the Government announced a capital allocation of €7.55 billion for the Department of Education and Youth for the period 2026-2030 under the National Development Plan. As part of this NDP allocation my department will place a strong emphasis on provision for children with special educational needs, with a particular focus on meeting annual school place needs. In relation to project rollout for Large-Scale projects and Additional School Accommodation scheme projects, the approach will be to continue to maximise the capacity of the existing school estate as much as possible in the first instance and provide necessary additional capacity through targeted and prioritised project rollout over the course of 2026 to 2030 period to meet the most urgent and prioritised needs.
My department is now preparing an NDP implementation plan which is due for publication later in the Autumn. This plan will optimise outputs from the NDP allocations, with a strong focus on maximising existing school capacity, progressing priority projects where local capacity across schools in the area is insufficient, and ensuring delivery that is affordable, offers value for money, and meets functional needs.
55. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Education and Youth her plan and the consideration that has been given to deliver a secondary school in Moycullen County Galway given its increase in population; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50524/25]
View answer56. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Education and Youth the plans being considered to deliver a secondary school at a location (details supplied) in view of the increase in population; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50525/25]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 55 and 56 together.
I wish to advise the Deputy that requirement for school places is kept under on-going review in the context of available information on population, enrolments and residential development activity.
In order to plan for school provision and analyse the relevant demographic data, my department divides the country into 314 school planning areas and uses a geographical information system, using data from a range of sources, including CSO census data, child benefit and school enrolment data, to identify where the pressure for school places across the country will arise and where additional school accommodation is needed at primary and post-primary level.
Major new residential developments have the potential to alter the demand for school places at a local level. In that regard, as part of the demographic demand analysis, my department monitors planning and construction activity in the residential sector. This involves the analysis of data sources from local authorities and the CSO along with the engagement with local authorities and the construction sector. In this way, up-to-date information on significant new residential developments is obtained and factored into the demographic analysis exercise. This is necessary to ensure that schools infrastructure planning is keeping pace with demographic changes, at a local level, where there is a constantly evolving picture with planned new residential development.
Where demographic data indicates that additional provision is required, the delivery of such additional provision is dependent on the circumstances of each case and may, be provided through:
• Utilising existing unused capacity within a school or schools,
• Extending the capacity of a school or schools,
• Provision of a new school or schools.
If additional accommodation is required, the aim to try and facilitate this, as much as possible, by way of expansion of existing schools rather than establishing new schools. The expansion of existing schools is consistent with wider Government objectives under Project Ireland 2040 for an increased emphasis on compact growth. In respect of post primary schools, new post primary schools must have a student enrolment capacity of 600-1,000 students and must be co-educational. A lower threshold of 400 students may apply to gaelcholáistí, having regard to the alternative of establishing an Irish-medium unit (aonad) in an English-medium school.
New schools are only established in areas of demographic growth as the resources available for school infrastructure have to be prioritised to meet the needs of areas of significant population increase so as to ensure that every child has a school place.
Moycullen is located in the Spiddal_Inverin school planning area. Based on analysis undertaken, it is deemed that there is not a sufficient unmet demand in the Spiddal_Inverin school planning area to establish a new post primary school entity.
The department will continue to liaise with Galway County Council in respect of their county development plan and any associated local area plans with a view to identifying any potential long-term school accommodation requirements across school planning areas.
57. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she will reinstate the special education diploma allowance that was passed at congress (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50545/25]
View answerMy Department, along with other Departments across the public service, implemented the outcome of the public service-wide review of allowances and premium payments (September 2012) by the Department of Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform (DPENDPDR). This meant that many allowances were no longer payable to “new entrants” including teachers. Among the allowances that had sanction for payment to new beneficiaries removed was the Diploma in Special Education allowance.
In terms of the possible reintroduction of any allowance, under the local bargaining provision for Public Service Agreement (PSA) 2024-2026, employers and trade unions/associations may negotiate additional changes in rates of pay and/or conditions of employment. Over the course of recent collective agreements, amendments have been agreed which have seen the value of certain allowances previously withdrawn being integrated into “new entrant” teacher pay. Examples are the equivalent of an honour’s primary degree allowance and the PME allowance.
Additional amendments to teacher terms and conditions, including pay and allowances, can only be achieved through engagement and collective bargaining agreements between the Government and the Public Service unions.
This is one of the matters that may come under consideration under the local bargaining provision of the PSA 2024-2026 and as such matters under industrial relations processes are confidential to the parties it would not be appropriate for me to comment any further at this time.
58. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she will provide an update on the additional accommodation application submitted by a school (details supplied); the reason for the delay in granting approval despite the application being with her Department for over two years; and if she will prioritise the matter given the lack of adequate facilities is preventing local children, including those with additional needs, from attending their community school alongside their siblings and peers. [50546/25]
View answerI can confirm that my department is in receipt of an application for funding under the Additional Schools Accommodation (ASA) scheme from the school in question.
The purpose of the ASA Scheme is to ensure that essential mainstream and special education classroom accommodation is available to cater for pupils enrolled each year and where the need cannot be met by the school’s existing accommodation or by available accommodation at other schools in the area.
In general, demographics have been falling at primary level and are due to continue to decrease. Therefore my department considers it prudent to maximise the use of existing spare accommodation capacity at primary level in the first instance, before considering any applications for further accommodation needs. This is in line with public spending requirements.
I can advise the Deputy that a site visit to the school was undertaken and the resulting technical report confirmed that the school site is over capacity. Any provision of additional accommodation to the school in question will therefore require purchase of an adjacent site.
The Government has now concluded the review of the National Development plan which sets out the capital allocations for each Government Department for the 2026 to 2030 period. The NDP outcome involves an allocation of €7.55bn for the Department of Education & Youth for the 2026 to 2030 period.
Each Department is now tasked to develop implementation plans based on their NDP allocations. The Department’s target will be to have this done and published in the Autumn. This will involve the Department’s Planning & Building Unit undertaking a review and analysis to determine the optimum outputs to be achieved from the €7.55bn allocation with a strong emphasis on maximising existing capacity and in relation to project delivery ensuring a continued focus on affordability, value for money and functionality.
The application from the school in question will be considered in this context and the school authorities will be contacted with a decision as soon as possible.
59. Deputy Ann Graves asked the Minister for Education and Youth if it is possible to create a single enrolment policy for the schools in Fingal, based on either catchment area or feeder school system as in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50564/25]
View answerMy department’s main responsibility is to ensure that schools in an area can, between them, cater for all pupils seeking school places in the area. Parents have the right to choose which school to apply to and where the school has places available for the relevant year, the student should be admitted.
However, in schools where there are more applicants than places available, a selection process will be necessary. School admissions policies, including the selection criterion to be used where the school is oversubscribed, must comply with the 2018 Act, be non-discriminatory and be applied fairly in respect of all applicants. All schools must clearly set out their selection criteria in their admission policies. Schools have discretion in relation to their admission criteria and how they are applied. The criteria to be applied by schools and the order of priority are a matter for the schools themselves. The department does not seek to intervene in the selection criterion that is applied by schools.
Under Section 29 of the Education Act 1998, the parent of the student, or in the case of a student who has reached the age of 18 years, the student, may appeal a decision of this school to refuse admission. An appeal may be made under Section 29 (1)(c)(i) of the Education Act 1998 where the refusal to admit was due to the school being oversubscribed. An appeal may be made under Section 29 (1)(c)(ii) of the Education Act 1998 where the refusal to admit was due a reason other than the school being oversubscribed.
TUSLA’s Education Support Service (TESS) which is the statutory agency that can assist parents who are experiencing difficulty in securing a school place for their child. TESS can be contacted at 01-7718500. For ease of reference, I have provided you with a link to the relevant phone numbers for the Education Welfare Officers who are part of TESS assigned to various areas around the country: www.tusla.ie/get-in-touch/local-area-offices.
60. Deputy Brian Brennan asked the Minister for Education and Youth the options available to a school to apply for funding for an outdoor play area and equipment for children with specific, complex additional needs, separate to the start-up grant for a new SEN room; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50566/25]
View answerAs outlined in Circular 39/2025, where there is a new Special Education Needs (SEN) classroom sanctioned by the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) to open through the repurposing of existing accommodation, a SEN Start Up grant is payable. Additional funding for small scale repurposing works is also available to schools on an application basis to enhance the teaching space and learning experience of the pupil. Items such as SEN friendly outdoor area, fitted furniture, security, acoustics, internal finishes and lighting can be items for consideration as part of small scale repurposing works. Schools can also apply for more extensive works under the Department's Additional School Accommodation scheme. Details of all these options and application procedures are available on gov.ie.
