Written Answers Nos. 315-334
316. Deputy Brian Brennan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance if future changes to the help-to-buy scheme are being considered to increase the completed price limit, taking into account huge increases in building costs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [69791/25]
View answerThe Help to Buy (HTB) incentive, is a scheme to assist first-time purchasers with the deposit they need to buy or build a new house or apartment. It also aims to encourage additional supply of new houses by supporting demand.
HTB provides a refund of Income Tax and Deposit Interest Retention Tax (DIRT) paid in Ireland over the previous four years, subject to limits outlined in the legislation.
The level of support available to first time buyers under the HTB scheme, is whichever is the lesser of:
• €30,000; or
• 10 per cent of the purchase price of the new property; or,
• the amount of Income Tax and DIRT paid in the four years before application for the relief.
Based on the latest available data (30 November 2025), the scheme has supported over 61,000 individuals or couples to buy or build their own home.
A comprehensive independent review of the scheme was carried out by external consultants in 2022. While this review included a number of recommended amendments to the scheme, it did not recommend an increase to the €500,000 house price limit.
The Programme for Government commits to the retention and revision of the HTB scheme. As the Deputy will appreciate, any revisions to the scheme would have to take into account the effective operation of the scheme and the impact any proposed changes would have on the broader housing market, as such these matters will remain under review.
317. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance the fiscal rationale used to justify removing electricity credits in Budget 2026; the estimated Exchequer saving; and if the Department evaluated the risk of renewed inflationary pressure from rising energy bills. [69904/25]
View answerSignificant support has been provided to households and businesses over the last four years to help absorb the worst impacts of inflationary pressures. Among Government’s response were electricity credits to households – Budget 2025 included two credits of €125 each as part of the temporary package of once-off measures: at the time it was estimated that this would cost the Exchequer in the region of €0.5 billion.
Budget 2026 was calibrated to protect jobs, maintain our competitiveness and keep our public finances safe while allowing for increased capital investment. It moved away from once-off measures to more sustainable and permanent supports which are targeted at those most in need.
Budget 2026 also extended the 9% VAT rate on gas and electricity for households and businesses.
My Department’s forecast, prepared at the time of Budget 2026, is for inflation of around 2 per cent in 2026. These forecasts are prepared in line with Eurostat guidance on the treatment of energy price compensation measures in the Harmonised Index of Consumer Prices (HICP), which states that electricity credits should not be accounted for in the calculation of the CPI/HICP.
318. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance his views on the NTMA’s investments in a company (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [69912/25]
View answerThe National Treasury Management Agency (NTMA) has informed me that the Ireland Strategic Investment Fund (ISIF) publishes details of individual investments in their Annual Report each year. The most recent annual report is for the year ended December 2024 and reported that ISIF had a holding valued at €950,000 in Palantir Technologies.
The Ireland Strategic Investment Fund portfolio is constructed within the legislative framework set for it by the Oireachtas. The National Treasury Management Agency (Amendment) Act 2014, sets out ISIF’s mandate with regard to the investment of the assets of the Fund other than directed investments.
Under the Act the Agency has responsibility for determining, monitoring and keeping under review an investment strategy for the Fund (other than directed investments) in accordance with the investment policy for the Fund.
Under the Act, the NTMA, as controller and manager of the ISIF, is also required to consult with the Ministers for Finance and the Minister for Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform in determining and reviewing ISIF’s investment strategy.
Following the development of its draft investment strategy and after consultation with Ministers, the NTMA adopted a Sustainability & Responsible Investment Strategy (S&RIS) in 2020 which was updated in 2023 and reflects a commitment to be a responsible investor as steward of public assets by protecting and enhancing both the long-term value of the ISIF.
In this context ISIF operates an exclusion policy which is consistent with its statutory mandate, as amended from time to time. Exclusion is used on a limited basis, reflecting exclusions mandated by legislation (such as the Fossil Fuel Divestment Act 2018 or the Cluster Munitions and Anti-Personnel Mines Act 2008) and, inter alia, exclusions on a non-statutory basis on sustainable investment grounds including Tobacco and Nuclear Weapons.
319. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance if he will respond to correspondence (details supplied) regarding EFTs through the deemed disposal rule; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [69948/25]
View answerThe Deputy has asked about deemed disposal and ETFs.
Deemed disposal is an anti-avoidance measure that applies to investments in Irish domiciled investment funds and life assurance products, as well as equivalent offshore funds and certain foreign life assurance products. Under the deemed disposal rule, tax is levied eight years after an investment is made, and every subsequent eight years, regardless of whether or not a disposal has in fact occurred. The tax is levied on any gain in the value of the investment from the date of acquisition to the date of the deemed disposal. On the ultimate disposal of the investment, any tax paid is allowed as a credit against the final tax liability. The purpose of deemed disposal is to prevent the indefinite roll-up of income and gains and the associated loss of tax to the Exchequer.
I am aware of the position of a number of stakeholders in relation to the taxation of retail investment and the application of deemed disposal in particular.
I am committed to taking the necessary action to support retail investment in Ireland. As an important and positive first step in encouraging and supporting retail investment, in line with goals of the EU Savings and Investment Union, Budget 2026 included a reduction in the taxation rate that applies to Irish and equivalent offshore funds, and Irish and certain foreign life assurance products, from 41% to 38%.
However, I am very conscious of the continued concern of retail investors. Work will continue on the roadmap announced in Budget 2026. The roadmap is to be published early next year and will set out an approach to simplify and adapt the tax framework, to further support retail investment while retaining necessary and important anti-avoidance protections in a proportionate manner. This roadmap will facilitate due consideration of the Funds Sector 2030 Report and take into account the European Commission’s recommendation on Savings and Investment Accounts. I hope further progress can be made across coming budgets to address some of the existing obstacles to greater retail investment.
320. Deputy Edward Timmins asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance if a person is still liable for the residential zoned land tax in cases in which an application for planning permission is refused; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [69950/25]
View answerFinance Act 2021 introduced Part 22A Residential Zoned Land Tax (RZLT) into the Taxes Consolidation Act 1997. RZLT is designed to prompt residential development by owners of land that satisfies the relevant criteria for the tax, that being that the land is zoned for residential or mixed-use (including residential) purposes and is serviced.
RZLT is an annual tax, calculated at a rate of 3% of the market value of the land within its scope. Where land is zoned or serviced after 1 January 2022, the tax is first due in the third year after the year in which it comes within scope. The tax was first charged on 1 February 2025 in respect of land which satisfied the relevant criteria on or before 31 December 2022 and was payable in May 2025, subject to certain exemptions and deferrals. The 2026 liability will arise on 1 February 2026 in respect of land which satisfied the relevant criteria on or before 31 December 2023 and will be payable by 23 May 2026.
The objective of RZLT is to activate land for residential development. Where an application for planning permission in respect of a site that is subject to RZLT is refused, development cannot commence and the land remains within the charge to RZLT. However, should a subsequent application for planning permission be successful, RZLT arising in the 12 months after the grant of planning permission may be deferred. Where residential development commences within that 12-month period, the RZLT so deferred will, on the making of a claim, not be payable where development is completed within the timeframe set out in the planning permission and a certificate of compliance on completion is in place to evidence same.
321. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance whether contributions from the State or from employers towards the My Future Fund pension scheme will be reckonable as income for the purposes of assessing the eligibility of an individual or household for any means-tested services or schemes operated by his Department. [70021/25]
View answerI wish to advise that while the Disabled Drivers and Disabled Passengers Scheme Fuel Grant is under the remit of my Department, my Department is not the direct administrator of any means-tested services or schemes.
322. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance his views on the proposal that aviation fuel for use in private aviation would be subject to value added tax and other taxes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [70104/25]
View answer325. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance his views regarding the implication of setting VAT and other taxes on aviation fuel; if he considers it will have an inflationary impact; the consequences of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [70240/25]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 322 and 325 together.
Aviation fuels are subject to Value Added Tax (VAT), and to excise duty in the form of Mineral Oil Tax (MOT). The VAT rating of goods and services is subject to the requirements of EU VAT law, with which Irish VAT law must 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 EU VAT Directive allows the zero rate of VAT to be applied to 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 which is the predominant fuel used in aviation.
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). Different rates apply to aviation fuels supplied for other purposes or customers (e.g. private planes); for such supplies, the standard rate of VAT (currently 23%) applies, except in the case of aviation kerosene/jet fuel where the reduced rate of VAT (currently 13.5%) applies as provided for under the permitted historic arrangement.
323. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance the effects of the imposition of tax on aviation fuel for private aviation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [70109/25]
View answerIreland’s excise duty treatment of aviation fuel is governed by the EU’s Energy Tax Directive (ETD). The ETD mandates that fuel used for non-commercial air navigation, or private pleasure flying, is taxed. Private pleasure flying includes the use of an aircraft by its owner, or the natural or legal person who enjoys its use either through hire or other means, for non-commercial purposes.
When used for private pleasure flying, aviation kerosene/jet fuel is currently subject to an MOT rate of €615.76 per 1,000 litres. The private pleasure flying rate on aviation gasoline, which is much less commonly used than aviation kerosene/jet fuel, is currently €706.14 per 1,000 litres. I am advised by Revenue that the estimated MOT collected from aviation fuels used in private pleasure flying for each year since 2016 is shown in the following table.
|
Year |
2016 |
2017 |
2018 |
2019 |
2020 |
2021 |
2022 |
2023 |
2024 |
2025* |
|
MOT €m |
0.31 |
0.37 |
0.29 |
0.19 |
0.21 |
0.14 |
0.11 |
0.21 |
0.12 |
0.34 |
* 2025 figure is for the period to end October only.
I am further advised by Revenue that an estimate for 2024 of €0.16m, which was provided in response to Question No. 293 on 8 May 2025, has been reduced to €0.12m due to a revision in the proportion of aviation gasoline used for commercial purposes in 2024.
Commercial use of an aircraft includes the carriage of passengers or goods, the supply of services for consideration, and for the purposes of public authorities. In line with the ETD, commercial use of aviation kerosene/jet fuel is fully relieved from MOT. Aviation gasoline is partially relieved for commercial aviation and currently attracts an effective rate of €473.87 per 1,000 litres. Both reliefs for commercial use apply to fuel used for domestic, intra-community and international flights.
I am advised by Revenue that information on MOT on aviation fuels is published on its website at https://www.revenue.ie/en/companies-and-charities/excise-and-licences/mineral-oil-tax/aviation-fuels/index.aspx.
324. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance if contributions to the World Bank count towards Ireland’s official development assistance target; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [70159/25]
View answerThe Government remains committed to the target agreed at the UN to provide 0.7% of Gross National Income in Official Development Assistance (ODA). The commitment was reaffirmed in 2019 in “A Better World”, Ireland's International Development Policy, and again in the Programme for Government 2025 -Securing Ireland's Future.
The primary channel through which the Department of Finance contributes at the World Bank is via regular replenishments of the World Banks International Development Association (IDA). Ireland is currently contributing to four IDA replenishments, all of which are reckonable as ODA. This includes:
• IDA 18 – $75 billion package to which Ireland contributed €90 million over 9 years,
• IDA 19 – $82 billion package to which Ireland contributed €90 million over 9 years,
• IDA 20 – $93 billion package to which Ireland contributed €106 million over 9 years,
• IDA 21 – $100 billion package to which Ireland contributed €141 million over 9 years.
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade also has a range of direct partnerships with the World Bank Group in specific policy areas, including food systems, social protection, health systems and gender equality.
In 2024, ODA reckonable contributions by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade to World Bank Trust Funds totalled €36,290,000. In addition, during 2024 the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade made a further ODA reckonable contribution of €6,000,000 to the IDA Crisis Facility, for its Crisis Response Window Plus and to the Special Program for Ukraine and Moldova Recovery.
A further €54,000,000 during 2024 was contributed by Ireland (Department of Finance, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Department of Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government) to a number of Financial Intermediary Funds (FIFs) hosted by the World Bank in areas such as climate, loss and damage and education. Financial Intermediary Funds are independently governed, with the World Bank generally serving as a trustee and providing administrative and financial services. Ireland’s contributions to the FIFs hosted by the World Bank also count as ODA.
326. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance his views on the proposal for an Irish aviation passenger tax along the lines of the UK’s air passenger duty; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [70241/25]
View answerIn considering the introduction of any new tax measure such an aviation tax, it is important to assess all strands of relevant information including potential Exchequer impacts, emissions reductions, wider macro economic impacts, socio economic impacts and relevant parts of EU law.
With regard to potential revenue from an Irish air passenger tax, the Revenue Commissioners do not hold any data in relation to airline ticket sales or flight data. There is no requirement for Revenue to collect this type of information for tax or compliance purposes and therefore they have no basis on which to estimate the revenue that would be raised by the introduction of a new levy on the sale of airline tickets into and out of Ireland.
While tax policy with regard to behavioural change across a range of areas, including transport emissions, is kept under review as part of the Tax Strategy Group (TSG) and budgetary cycle, there are currently no plans to introduce an air passenger tax.
327. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance the average time over the past six years it has taken to produce a stamped final bill in his Department from the time when his Department has received government approval for the general scheme and the heads of a bill; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [70272/25]
View answerIt was not possible for my Department to provide the information sought in the time available. I will, however, make arrangements to provide the information to the Deputy in line with Standing Orders.
328. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance the number of employees currently employed by Revenue; the number of staff per year since 2015, by grade, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [70292/25]
View answerRevenue have advised me of the number of employees currently employed there by grade, for the years 2015 to date. This information is set out in the table below:
|
|
2015 |
2016 |
2017 |
2018 |
2019 |
2020 |
2021 |
2022 |
2023 |
2024 |
2025 (to date) |
|
CO |
2,168.0 |
2,157.1 |
2,091.4 |
2,138.7 |
2,429.2 |
2,529.0 |
2,392.0 |
2,292.5 |
2,395.9 |
2,260.9 |
2,397.1 |
|
EO |
1,716.2 |
1,857.7 |
2,103.5 |
2,143.1 |
2,280.0 |
2,228.6 |
2,083.3 |
2,189.0 |
2,196.3 |
2,154.8 |
2,282.5 |
|
HEO/AO |
1,053.7 |
1,094.3 |
1,124.5 |
1,127.5 |
1,176.1 |
1,175.9 |
1,290.9 |
1,341.1 |
1,417.8 |
1,362.3 |
1,434.8 |
|
AP |
422.8 |
433.6 |
463.1 |
477.4 |
515.6 |
529.2 |
543.0 |
594.0 |
619.6 |
640.3 |
668.8 |
|
PO |
115.0 |
118.0 |
116.0 |
117.0 |
115.0 |
115.8 |
125.6 |
138.0 |
136.5 |
132.6 |
133.3 |
|
A/Sec |
15.0 |
15.0 |
15.0 |
15.0 |
15.0 |
14.0 |
16.0 |
15.0 |
15.0 |
16.0 |
16.0 |
|
Sec. Gen. |
3.0 |
3.0 |
3.0 |
3.0 |
3.0 |
3.0 |
3.0 |
3.0 |
3.0 |
3.0 |
3.0 |
|
Other* |
286.1 |
289.0 |
90.2 |
88.5 |
85.5 |
83.4 |
75.8 |
63.8 |
59.4 |
54.8 |
46.4 |
|
Total |
5,779.8 |
5,967.7 |
6,006.7 |
6,110.2 |
6,619.4 |
6,678.9 |
6,529.6 |
6,636.4 |
6,843.5 |
6,624.7 |
6,981.9 |
* The "Other" category includes SO, Service Officer/Attendant and Cleaner Grades
329. Deputy Conor Sheehan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation for an update on the site identification process for a site for a Garda station (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [69060/25]
View answerThe Department of Justice, Home Affairs and Migration (Department) published their 'Sectoral Investment Plan: Justice Sector' (plan) on the 4th of December 2025. The plan includes capital projects for An Garda Síochána over the period of 2026 to 2030.
The second half of the plan published by the Department aims to bring several capital projects to construction for An Garda Síochána in 2029; including a new Garda Station for Castletroy, Co. Limerick.
On the basis of the priorities now published within the Department's plan, the Office of Public Works will be engaging with An Garda Síochána and the Department to identify and acquire a suitable site to support the Department's objectives.
330. Deputy Eamon Scanlon asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation the efforts being made to improve TETRA system coverage; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [69007/25]
View answerThe Tetra communications network was designed to provide a reliable and robust emergency network for the State's emergency personnel with the widest possible coverage and is delivered by Tetra Ireland. The coverage of Tetra is far in excess of the sum of the commercial mobile networks in Ireland.
The network offers push to talk voice services for emergency personnel throughout the state. This allows organisations such as An Garda Síochána and the National Ambulance Service to operate in remote areas with reliable communications. During extreme weather events many organisations make extensive use of the network as part of their co-ordinated response; this includes the Local Authority sector and ESB networks.
My Department acts as the Contracting Authority for the contract with Tetra Ireland and established a single supplier framework for the drawdown of services in December 2020. Any organisation that provides emergency services to the State may drawdown services from the framework.
In order to provide maximum coverage and resilience all areas in the country are covered by overlapping service from at least two base stations with battery backup in place for key sites. This level of coverage has allowed service to be provided during previous severe weather events.
As a result of the extended power outage seen in the West and Northwest of the country following Storm Éowyn there was some disruption to the Tetra network in those areas. A number of steps have been taken to increase resilience and reduce the chances of any further disruption.
A preventative maintenance inspection programme has been completed at all Tetra base station sites which included verification that battery backup units are performing as designed. Tetra Ireland has obtained additional generator units that can be deployed in the event of another sustained power outage to maintain service. A number of base station sites in the West and Northwest have also been upgraded to allow for both additional battery and generator capacity.
Tetra Ireland has established a new storm response protocol with ESB Networks that is designed to allow for rapid power restoration when outages occur. This protocol was used successfully during and after Storm Amy in October of this year.
331. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation whether any records are held by his Department relating to anti-malaria medication taken by serving or former Government Ministers while travelling abroad on official State business; and the record keeping requirements that apply to such travel for all Ministers and officials. [69124/25]
View answerLocal coastal erosion and flooding issues are a matter, in the first instance, for each local authority to investigate and address.
The Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection Scheme was introduced by the Office of Public Works (OPW) in 2009. The purpose of the scheme is to provide 90% funding to local authorities to undertake minor flood mitigation works or studies to address localised flooding or coastal erosion problems within their administrative areas. The scheme generally applies where a solution can be readily identified and achieved in a short time frame. The criteria for the Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection Scheme are currently under review, and any new application under the scheme will be considered against revised criteria. The OPW expect to advise Local Authorities of the revised criteria for the Scheme in the coming weeks.
Since 2009, OPW has approved some 7 projects and €663,000 to Dun Laoghaire/Rathdown County Council, some 9 projects and €2m to Fingal County Council, and some 21 projects and €1.8m to Wicklow County Council. It is the responsibility of each Local Authority to advance projects after funding has been approved by the OPW. Details of the Minor Works approved and ongoing projects for each of these Councils are provided in the attached document.
332. Deputy Cathy Bennett asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation when works on tranche 2 of CFRAM will commence; when they are expected to conclude; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [69318/25]
View answerThe Catchment-based Flood Risk Assessment and Management (CFRAM) Programme, the largest study of flood risk ever undertaken by the State, was completed by the Office of Public Works (OPW) in 2018. The CFRAM programme studied 80% of Ireland's primary flood risk and identified measures to protect over 95% of that risk. The 29 Flood Risk Management Plans were a key output of CFRAM, identifying proposed flood relief measures nationwide. The Government is committed to funding these projects through the €1.3bn available under the National Development Plan.
As it is not feasible to deliver all flood relief schemes concurrently (due to constraints on the specialised engineering skills in the OPW, local authorities, and the consultancy market), the flood-relief delivery programme was sub-divided into two tranches, focusing initially on Tranche 1 schemes and those already in the delivery pipeline. The prioritisation of the first tranche of schemes was based on three criteria including: scale of projects, capacity to deliver a national programme, and maximising return on investment by reference to property numbers. Under the national programme, work has yet to commence on the design of some 50 Tranche 2 flood relief schemes.
The OPW is piloting a new delivery model for flood relief schemes through four Tranche 2 schemes in counties Kilkenny and Donegal, which is referred to as the Tranche 2 Pilot. There are two Tranche 2 Pilot schemes in County Kilkenny (Freshford and Piltown) and two schemes in County Donegal (Donegal Town and Letterkenny). The Tranche 2 Pilot will transfer the management of data gathering, as a first step in designing a scheme, from consultant engineers for a single scheme to the local authorities for all schemes in the Pilot and, where feasible, within their areas of responsibility. The Pilot means that data gathering may be scaled up from individual communities to all schemes in a county. The Pilot will better inform the prioritisation of future schemes nationally and the scope of services required from consultants to design and facilitate construction of flood relief schemes.
Nationally, 56 schemes have been completed to date, which are providing protection to some 13,580 properties and an economic benefit to the State in damages and losses avoided estimated to be in the region of €2 billion. Consequently, work to protect 80% of all at-risk properties nationally is completed or underway.
The Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection Scheme (Minor Works Scheme) was introduced by the Office of Public Works (OPW) in 2009. The purpose of the scheme is to provide funding to local authorities to undertake minor flood mitigation works or studies to address localised flooding or coastal erosion problems within their administrative areas. The scheme generally applies where a solution can be readily identified and achieved in a short time frame. Applications for funding from local authorities are assessed by the OPW having regard to the specific economic, technical, social and environmental criteria of the scheme, including a cost-benefit ratio. I recently announced that an increase in funding supports are to be made available to local authorities under the Minor Works Scheme, including an increase in the upper Minor Works threshold from €750,000 to €2,000,000, subject to qualifying criteria.
333. Deputy Pat the Cope Gallagher asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation if he can arrange for the OPW to carry out a detailed assessment of the River Catheen, Derrybeg, County Donegal to identify the necessary measures to address the problem; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [69494/25]
View answerThe National Preliminary Flood Risk Assessment (PFRA), a requirement of the EU ‘Floods’ Directive (2007/60/EC), sets out to identify areas where the risk associated with flooding might be significant. These areas, referred to as Areas of Potentially Significant Flood Risk (APSFRs), are where detailed flood maps must then be prepared and measures developed to manage and reduce this risk where possible. Under the first cycle of implementation of the EU ‘Floods’ Directive, the PFRA was completed in 2012 following public consultation.
In 2018, to establish those communities that are at risk from significant flood events, the Office of Public Works (OPW) completed the largest study of flood risk ever undertaken by the State: the Catchment-based Flood Risk Assessment and Management (CFRAM) Programme. The CFRAM Programme studied 80% of Ireland’s primary flood risk and identified solutions that can protect over 95% of that risk. Some 150 new and additional flood relief schemes were identified through this Programme.
The 29 Flood Risk Management Plans (FRMPs) were a key output of CFRAM, identifying proposed flood relief measures nationwide. The Government has committed funding to support the delivery of flood relief schemes under the National Development Plan to 2030 to protect approximately 23,000 properties in communities that are under threat from river and coastal flood risk.
Options to manage the flood risk in the communities designated as APSFRs, and for which the risk was confirmed as being significant through more detailed analysis, were examined under the CFRAM Programme. For some communities, a technically viable flood relief scheme would have been identified, but the economic appraisal of that scheme indicated that the potential scheme was not economically viable (i.e., it had a benefit to cost ratio below one). As the CFRAM Programme was a strategic programme, it was recognised that the estimates of costs and benefits of a scheme were only indicative, and it was considered appropriate to examine such schemes in further detail to review whether a viable scheme could be identified. Derrybeg was one such community for which a Scheme Viability Review was undertaken but that review has not identified a viable flood relief scheme.
The Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection Scheme (Minor Works Scheme) was introduced by the Office of Public Works (OPW) in 2009. The purpose of the scheme is to provide funding to local authorities to undertake minor flood mitigation works or studies to address localised flooding or coastal erosion problems within their administrative areas. The scheme generally applies where a solution can be readily identified and achieved in a short time frame. Applications for funding from local authorities are assessed by the OPW having regard to the specific economic, technical, social and environmental criteria of the scheme, including a cost-benefit ratio. I recently announced that an increase in funding supports are to be made available to local authorities under the Minor Works Scheme, including an increase in the upper Minor Works threshold from €750,000 to €2,000,000, subject to qualifying criteria.
334. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation if additional funding will be made available for urgent infrastructure projects in County Laois that have been overlooked; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [69554/25]
View answerAs part of the budgetary process each year, my Department sets overall expenditure ceilings for each Ministerial Vote Group. These are laid out at Vote level in the Budget Day Expenditure Report published in October with further detail to be provided in the Revised Estimates for Public Services.
Following the allocation of each Ministerial Expenditure Ceiling, it is a matter for each Minister to assign funding as appropriate at programme and subhead level for their Departments and the agencies under their remit, accounting for the demands for services in different areas and regions and having regard to demographics and other relevant factors. Within this process, both current and capital expenditure are allocated on a Departmental basis and not a geographic basis.
More broadly, the achievement of balanced regional development is a key priority of this Government and is at the heart of Project Ireland 2040, which includes the National Planning Framework (NPF), which sets out the overarching spatial strategy for the next twenty years, along with the National Development Plan (NDP).
Since Project Ireland 2040 was first launched in 2018, the Government has overseen the delivery of many impactful NDP projects across the country, including transport infrastructure in Laois and in 2025 alone supported capital works in 11 schools across the county and in acute care services in Portlaoise.
The NDP Review 2025 was published on Tuesday, 22 July 2025, in line with the Programme for Government commitment. The Plan committed €275.4 billion in public capital investment to 2035 – the largest and most significant capital injection in our economy in the history of the State.
Arising from this, €19.1 billion in Exchequer capital investment will be provided in 2026. On Budget day, Ministers set out the capital projects and programmes that they will prioritise within their allocation in 2026.
In recent weeks, individual Ministers have developed sectoral level plans, for priority investment programmes and projects within their additional capital allocations for delivery across the country. Considering sectoral needs and Ministerial decisions, these plans reflect Government priorities, including the National Planning Framework commitment to balanced regional development.
The plans published to date include planned investment and projects across the country, including a range of projects Laois for example: redevelopments and investments by the Department of Justice in supports and security, and investments in Portarlington Leisure Centre.
These sectoral plans are available on each Departmental website and will provide the Deputy with further detail on a sectoral basis.
Progress in achieving balanced regional development and detailing the delivery of the NDP is monitored through regular updates of the Project Ireland 2040 capital investment tracker and MyProjectIreland interactive map viewer. The capital investment tracker provides a composite update on the progress of all major investments with an estimated cost of greater than €20 million. Accompanying the tracker, the myProjectIreland interactive map details projects across the country and provides details on specific projects by county, and contains smaller investments such as schools, healthcare facilities and social housing projects. Search facilities allow users to view projects in their regional area, by city, by county or by eircode.
In addition, my Department also publishes the Project Ireland 2040 Annual Report and Regional Reports highlighting achievements and giving a detailed overview of the public investments that have been made throughout the country, including in Laois. These will provide the Deputy with even further detail on delivery under the NDP to date. These and other Project Ireland 2040 related documents can be found at www.gov.ie/2040
