Written Answers Nos. 61-80
61. Deputy Peter 'Chap' Cleere asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation for an overview of the progress made to date under National Strategic Outcome (NSO) 7 of the National Development Plan 2021-2030; the additional funding allocated under this NSO following the review of the NDP; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [70627/25]
View answerAs Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitisation I am responsible for setting the overall capital allocations across Departments and for monitoring monthly expenditure at Departmental level.
In the 2021 NDP review, the Government originally committed €165 billion in capital investment for the period 2021-30, and subsequently agreed to additional funding of €2.25 billion in March 2024 for 2024-2026.
The revised National Development Plan, published in July, set out €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. Following the agreement of the revised NDP in July 2025, gross capital expenditure ceilings for all sectors have now been set out to 2030.
National Strategic Outcome (NSO) 7 covers the delivery of Enhanced Amenity and Heritage. Ireland’s heritage is of fundamental importance to our society, identity, well-being and economy. Investment in our heritage has the dual benefit of protecting our natural and historic built environment while also enhancing public health and well-being, as well as supporting economic development through tourism and recreation.
Key progress has been made under NSO 7, including:
• Development of a national Velodrome and Badminton Centre which will deliver Ireland’s first-ever indoor cycling track to be developed at the National Sports Campus and a 12-court state of the art badminton centre.
• Fáilte Ireland announced six new capital projects in 2025, including: Dún Aonghasa Visitor Centre in Galway which will include redevelopment with climate change exhibits and interpretation hubs, and the Bray Head Signature Discovery Point in Kerry with a transformed Signal Tower providing a viewing point of the Skelligs.
• Investment of €37 million in our National Archive which will encompass the provision of secure environmentally controlled Archival Repository. The project will convert the existing single-storey warehouse to a two-storey Archival Repository. This will accommodate not only our current volume of records but will also provide opportunities to develop additional archival storage as required into the future.
• The recently published Office of Public Works NDP Sectoral Investment Plan (2026–2030) allocates over €1.8 billion, and includes investment in heritage conservation and visitor experience enhancements to support tourism and cultural assets.
The Government is committed to reporting regularly on the delivery of the NDP. Details of more projects and programmes being delivered under NSO 7 can be found in the latest Capital Investment Tracker, which I published in May 2025. This 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 provides detailed information on projects across the country, including smaller investments such as schools and cultural and sporting amenities. The map allows users to search by city, county, or eircode to view projects in their local area.
I also would like to advise the Deputy that the Project Ireland 2040 Annual and Regional Reports highlight achievements and give a detailed overview of the public investments that have been made throughout the country, including detail from across Government on the national strategic objectives. The forthcoming Project Ireland 2024 Annual and Regional Reports will provide full and up to date detail on delivery of the National Strategic Outcomes.
62. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation if his attention has been drawn to the €35 million penalty paid by an organisation (details supplied); and if any of this penalty will be invested into local communities in Connemara; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [70766/25]
View answerSceirde Rocks was a 450 MW offshore wind project that was one of the successful bidders in the first offshore wind (ORESS 1) auction in 2023. The Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment advise that the project submitted a planning application in January 2025. On 25 April, the project developers, Corio, formally notified the Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment that the project would not proceed.
This notification terminated the support contract for the project, which meant that Corio’s €35.5m performance security paid under the terms of the contract was also forfeit. It was transferred to the Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment in June 2025 and subsequently to the Exchequer, as required under the Public Financial Procedures.
The Public Financial Procedures sets out the main principles of government accounting and their application in the day-to-day operation of government departments and offices, including the treatment of Departmental receipts.
The performance security is considered an Exchequer Extra Receipt (EER). Exchequer Extra Receipts are receipts which have no direct connection with voted expenditure and therefore cannot be retained by departments for their own use. These receipts must be credited to the Central Fund. The Central Fund, also referred to the Exchequer, is the main bank account held by the Government in the Central Bank.
As an Exchequer Extra Receipt the funds received will be used to finance all Government expenditures, including projects in the Connemara region.
63. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation the actions planned under Pillar 1 of the new Accelerating Infrastructure Plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [70477/25]
View answerLast week Government published the Accelerating Infrastructure Report and Action Plan. This sets out 30 high-impact reforms targeted at the most significant barriers to the delivery of critical infrastructure. The actions contained in the report are grouped into four pillars.
Pillar 1 focuses on Legal Reform. While Ireland’s legal system is widely considered to be effective and fair, current regulatory and legal processes are acting as significant barriers to the timely delivery of infrastructure. In particular, the number of judicial reviews continues to rise, increasing by 43% in 2024 compared to 2023. Judicial review is a vital tool for transparency and accountability, but growing administrative complexity means these challenges increasingly delay critical infrastructure projects, imposing real costs on taxpayers and society.
Reforms to the legal system will support better balance towards the common good by addressing the incentives that drive a disproportionate reliance on the courts. These reforms will reduce incentives for excessive litigation, clarify rules on standing and remedies, and introduce fast-track pathways for nationally significant projects that are in the common good through the development of new legislation.
These changes will ensure that the legal system continues to safeguard rights but does so without becoming a bottleneck for progress, enabling critical infrastructure to proceed with greater certainty and pace. Legislation will be progressed to reduce the extent that nationally significant projects can be subject to undue procedural delay
The specific actions under Pillar 1 are:
• Reforming Judicial Review
• Enacting Legislation to Accelerate Critical Infrastructure and Provide for Emergency Powers
• Implementing Other Targeted Legislative Reforms
• Progressing Domestic Reforms to Environmental Assessment in parallel with EU Simplification Agenda
• Increasing Exemption Thresholds for Critical Infrastructure
• Responding Rapidly to Precedent
• Enacting a Civil Reform Bill to Legislate for Judicial Reviews
Full detail on each of these actions, the timelines for implementation, and the responsible body is available in the Accelerating Infrastructure Report and Action Plan.
64. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation the progress made to date under National Strategic Outcome (NSO) 1 of the National Development Plan 2021-2030; the additional funding allocated under this NSO following the review of the NDP;; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [70488/25]
View answerAs Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitisation I am responsible for setting the overall capital allocations across Departments and for monitoring monthly expenditure at Departmental level.
In the 2021 NDP review, the Government originally committed €165 billion in capital investment for the period 2021-30, and subsequently agreed to additional funding of €2.25 billion in March 2024 for 2024-2026.
The revised National Development Plan, published in July, set out €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. Following the agreement of the revised NDP in July 2025, annual sectoral capital allocations have been agreed for departments for 2026 to 2030. Each Minister is responsible for deciding on the priority programmes and projects that will be delivered under their remit within the NDP and for setting out the timelines for delivery.
Following the agreement of annual sectoral capital allocations in the NDP Review, Departments have been publishing their sectoral plans of the capital projects and programmes to be prioritised within their NDP allocation. In setting out their plans, Departments are required to outline how their investment plans support the National Planning Framework (NPF) objectives they are responsible for. Compact Growth is national strategic outcome 1 in the NPF and is supported by strategic investment priorities, primarily Housing and Sustainable Urban Development.
Delivering Homes, Building Communities is the Government's Action Plan on housing supply and targeting homelessness and is aligned with the NPF. The plan notes that zoning sufficient land is a key enabler for the NPF's objective of ensuring sustainable compact growth for future development in Ireland. The NPF enables a plan-led and joined up approach to compact growth with investment in housing and transport links to unlock delivery at scale.
As part of the NDP Review, over €28 billion in exchequer funding was allocated to the Department of Housing for investment (excluding investment in Water), which is the largest Housing budget in the history of the state. In addition, the prioritisation of housing-enabling infrastructure sectors of water, energy and transport supports the objective of the Review and of the Housing Plan, to enable the delivery of 300,000 additional homes by 2030. The combination of record levels of funding and central coordination of the delivery of infrastructure in these critical sectors will support a joined up and plan-led approach to unlock compact growth and delivery at scale.
65. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation the position regarding the proposed new Garda station for Northern Cross in Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [70770/25]
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 the Dublin Metropolitan Region North
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.
67. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation the costs of maintaining scaffolding that has been positioned around the dome of the Four Courts for the past number of years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [70373/25]
View answerThe repair of the Four Courts Dome is a complex conservation project which has been undertaken in two phases. The repair works to the Dome became and urgent requirement after a section of one of the stone capitals, which support the Dome, fell onto the roof below. The OPW immediately undertook a first phase of very detailed investigations and surveys of the entire Dome of the Four Courts and urgent repairs. For this first phase of works, from 2015 to 2021, the Office of Public Works entered into a specific contract for the design, erection, maintenance and regular redesign and alteration of the scaffolding structure as inspection, assessment and urgent repair requirements developed and progressed. The total direct cost of the scaffolding was €1,444,379.67 ex VAT.
Based on these investigations, and the external professional assessments undertaken, it was deemed essential that most of the stone capitals be replaced or repaired, as deemed necessary and that the perimeter steel support band be replaced. A second phase of major conservation and repairs was developed.
The Four Courts Dome Final Phase of Repairs - Main Contract was awarded in June 2023. This contract incorporated the provision of custom-designed scaffold access and structural propping to the entire Dome drum. The stone capitals have either been repaired or replaced, depending upon their structural condition. 18 top stone capitals and 16 bottom stone capitals have been replaced and 3 top stone capitals and 5 bottom stone capitals have been repaired. The perimeter steel support band has also been replaced. The tender award sum of the stone capitals carving contract was €626,800.00 (ex VAT). The tender award sum of the main works contract was €4,498,781.21 (ex VAT). The scaffolding works requirements are included in the overall works requirements and are not contracted, charged nor paid for separately. Contractor pricing of individual elements of a tender is commercially sensitive information and cannot be released.
It is anticipated that the works will be substantially completed by end of January 2026.
68. Deputy Noel McCarthy asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation to provide an update on the progression of the proposed repair of Fermoy Weir; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [70425/25]
View answerCork County Council is the owner of, and has responsibility for, the maintenance and repair of the weir in Fermoy.
This weir does not form part of the Fermoy Flood Relief Scheme works, which were implemented to protect the community of Fermoy from a 1-in-100 year fluvial flood event. The in-river works that were completed as part of the Scheme maintained a clearance between the works area and the weir, thus preventing Scheme works from impacting on the weir. Accordingly, the OPW has no statutory responsibility specifically in relation to the weir in Fermoy, its repair or its maintenance.
In February 2024, An Bord Pleanála approved Cork County Council’s application for the proposed Fermoy Weir Remedial Works and Fish Bypass project. In the intervening period, the Council has received the necessary consent from the OPW to undertake ground-investigation works to progress this project. The Council are currently sourcing funding to commence these works and to initiate the main project.
I understand that, in 2018, the then Minister of State at the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications confirmed that his Department and Inland Fisheries Ireland would support an application by Cork County Council for central funding in the context of fisheries and habitat issues related to the weir remedial works and fish bypass project.
Once funding is in place and the ground investigations are complete, the OPW will continue to work with Cork County Council towards their progression of this project.
69. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation his plans to reform ethics legislation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [70848/25]
View answer71. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation the position regarding the reform of the ethics in public office legislation, given that the review of the statutory framework was completed in December 2022; the reason for the delay in publishing the heads of a Bill; if he expects this Bill to be introduced this year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [70769/25]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 69 and 71 together.
I wish to assure the Deputy that reform of the statutory framework for ethics in public life is a priority for this Government, and we have committed in our Programme for Government 2025, 'Securing Ireland’s Future', to update the legislation that underpins it. However, this policy area remains a complex one, and careful consideration is required before I can bring forward detailed proposals for legislative reform.
As the Deputy mentions in his question, my Department has already prepared the ground with a comprehensive review of the ethics legislative framework. This was undertaken during the life of the last Government and the Report and findings were published in February 2023. The Report's recommendations include that the legislative framework for ethics should be underpinned by a set of integrity principles; that disclosure requirements should be strengthened to improve transparency; and that consideration should be given to whether the regime should encompass more office holders. The Report also recommends a strengthening of the Standards in Public Office Commission (SIPO). Certain, more recent, recommendations in relation to ethics will also need to be considered in the context of the reform agenda.
A variety of operational and policy considerations flow from this. I am conscious that this represents an opportunity to make real and meaningful, long-term change to our current regime and I wish to ensure that this happens in a way that is both coherent from a policy perspective and user-friendly from an operational perspective.
Given their significance, I will examine the outstanding policy issues with care and engage with my officials to determine the most appropriate way to deliver on our Programme for Government commitment in this area.
70. Deputy Edward Timmins asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation the measures to support long term funding guarantees on capital infrastructure projects; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [70824/25]
View answerAs part of the NDP Review 2025, Government set out annual sectoral allocations for 2026 to 2030, and overall Government capital expenditure ceilings to 2035. This leads to a total public capital investment of €275.4 billion over the period to 2035. This comprises €202.4 billion in Exchequer Voted capital expenditure from 2026 to 2035.
Of this, €102.4 billion is being allocated for the next five years – an additional €23.9 billion on what was previously allocated in the NDP. A further €10 billion in equity and fund releases is being provided for mega-projects in water, energy and transport. This brings the total additional capital investment to €33.9 billion for the period to 2030.
The agreement of five-year annual sectoral allocations provides multiyear certainty to departments as to their level of capital funding over the next five years. This multiyear certainty has enabled departments to plan for the delivery of their capital investment priorities through to 2030. It also provides visibility on the investment pipeline to enable construction firms to scale capacity and prepare commercial bids to deliver on the planned investment.
In addition, the provision of €10 billion in equity and fund releases to fund strategic megaprojects in the water, energy and transport sectors provides certainty regarding the pipeline of investment in these critical sectors through a ring-fenced funding mechanism outside of the core exchequer gross voted capital allocations.
Responsibility for the prioritisation, management and delivery of individual investment projects within the agreed NDP allocations, rests with the individual sponsoring Department in each case. Information on the individual capital projects to be prioritised in each sector is available in the sectoral investment plans, which are being published by each department through November and December. These plans set out the capital projects being prioritised for delivery by department across 2026 to 2030.
Question No. 71 answered with Question No. 69.
72. Deputy Louis O'Hara asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation if consideration will be given to extending the opening season for Athenry Castle alongside a properly resourced marketing campaign to attract visitors; if this could be considered on a trial basis with reduced opening hours initially; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [69833/25]
View answerI thank the Deputy for raising this matter. Athenry Castle is operated by the Office of Public Works, and opens on a seasonal basis, typically from March to November each year. This approach is consistent with the operating model applied across a number of comparable heritage sites in the OPW portfolio, where opening schedules are aligned to periods of visitor demand, longer daylight hours and the capacity to maintain safe and high-quality visitor services.
The OPW has examined the feasibility of extending the opening season at Athenry Castle beyond its current timeframe. A limited winter schedule, whether on selected weekdays or with reduced hours, would lead to a number of practical constraints and these must be carefully weighed against the benefits.
Visitor numbers at Athenry Castle have remained stable over the past three seasons, averaging between 14,000 and 15,000 per year. This contrasts with nearby OPW sites such as Portumna Castle which had 38,000 visitors in 2024 and Aughnanure Castle, which had 44,000 visitors in 2024. Both nearby sites had significantly higher visitor numbers than Athenry Castle. Based on existing patterns, the projected visitor demand during winter months at Athenry Castle would be expected to be very low. It is the OPW's position that from a policy perspective, where winter openings are provided, they must be supported by sufficient demand to justify the associated operational cost.
In addition, the physical infrastructure at Athenry Castle presents challenges for winter operation. The guide facilities are not adequately heated or insulated for prolonged use during colder months, and reduced daylight limits safe access around the site, particularly in exterior areas. Any winter extension would require additional heating, lighting and an increase in staff to maintain appropriate safety, security and visitor service standards. The cost of doing so would not be proportionate to the likely level of visitor numbers.
For these reasons, the OPW is of the view that a meaningful extension of the opening season is not operationally or financially justified at this time. The OPW continues to promote the Castle through both national and regional marketing initiatives and will remain open to reviewing seasonal arrangements if visitor demand were to increase or change significantly.
The OPW is committed to supporting heritage tourism in Athenry and to ensuring that visitors continue to enjoy access to this important medieval site under safe, appropriate conditions during the March-November season.
73. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation the position regarding the report on overpayments in the Civil Service and amongst office holders; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [70764/25]
View answerThe matters that the Deputy is referring to are in the main a delay in addressing taxes due on retirement and anomalies in deductions of various pension contribution.
The NSSO has been working intensively to rectify all errors. The issues that have arisen are individually complex in nature and relate to three distinct cohorts:
Some retired civil servants who previously work-shared and whose pensions were calculated incorrectly.
Current and former Ministers and Office Holders; and
Some retired Senior Civil and Public Servants.
NSSO has put in place number actions to prioritise the resolution of these issues. This included organisational restructuring and reassignment of operational staff to create dedicated remediation teams to work through each issue while relevant processes have also been thoroughly reviewed.
Shorter Working Year / Pensionable Allowances
Significant progress has been made with the review of work-sharing civil service retirees. The review has found that some staff who availed of a Work Share Pattern and/or Shorter Working Year in the 10 years prior to their retirement should have had their pensionable allowances calculated differently.
Of the active civil service pensioners identified on the NSSO system in receipt of pension payments based on allowances earned pre-retirement established that less than 20% of these people may be impacted. The process of refunding underpayments owed to these retired civil servants commenced in September and is nearing completion.
Ministerial Allowances:
Incorrect Pension schemes and ASC rates were applied to a number of current Ministers, some former ministers and office holders leading to incorrect pensions deductions. The amounts range from hundreds of euros to the low €30,000's in terms of monies to be recouped. Some Ministers are unaffected. All Ministers of the existing Government are now on the correct deduction rates since June 2025.
I understand that this process is nearing completion with the majority of current Ministers having now entered recoupment plans. The NSSO is actively engaging with those not yet in recoupment.
In relation to the former Ministers the NSSO continues to engage with these individuals to finalise recoupment plans.
CET / WHT:
NSSO identified errors with Chargeable Excess Tax (CET) and Withholding Tax (WHT) liabilities.
• CET is a tax on pension funds at retirement which exceed the Standard Fund Threshold, which is currently €2 million.
• Withholding tax is deducted from retirement lump sums over €200,000.
The NSSO carried out a full review of all retirees across Secretary General, Principal Officers, and Assistant Principals grades to identify affected retirees. The majority of those impacted have now entered recoupment plans or are engaging with the NSSO to finalise their recoupment plans.
The liabilities owed for this cohort range from a few hundred euros to €211,000.
EXTERNAL AUDIT UNDER WAY
The NSSO identified these issues earlier this year and brought them to the attention of my department. My Department and the NSSO have subsequently put in place new measures and controls to ensure these matters do not reoccur.
An external audit of the NSSO is currently being overseen by Mr Derek Moran, the chair of the NSSO Advisory Board. The audit is examining the NSSO’s salaries and pensions processes. Independent auditors RSM Ireland commenced their review in September, and good progress has been made to date. It is expected to take up to six months and it is envisioned that once the audit is complete, and where data privacy allows, that the findings and recommendations of the audit will be published.
75. Deputy Catherine Ardagh asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation the actions planned under Pillar 3 of the new Accelerating Infrastructure Plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [70481/25]
View answerLast week Government published the Accelerating Infrastructure Report and Action Plan. This sets out 30 high-impact reforms targeted at the most significant barriers to the delivery of critical infrastructure. The actions contained in the report are grouped into four pillars.
Pillar 3 focuses on Co-ordination and Delivery Reform. Effective leadership and a whole-of-government focus on delivery is the cornerstone of the transformation required to build critical infrastructure in a timely way. It will shorten consenting timelines, reduce legal vulnerability, and create predictable pipelines that attract competition and innovation.
To achieve this, the Government is deploying a suite of actions designed to drive the system to improve governance, planning, funding, and programme integration, in order to give a proactive response to a complex challenge. The objective is to create a single, coordinated framework by combining statutory authority, predictable pipelines, and integrated planning to move from a fragmented, compliance-driven system to one focused on timely, cost-effective delivery of critical infrastructure.
The specific actions under Pillar 3 include:
• Targeting Investment at Priority Sectors through an NDP Review
• Publishing Sectoral Investment Plans to Provide Project Pipelines
• Enhancing the Infrastructure Coordination Function within DPER
• Introducing Risk Appetite Statements
• Improving Utility Coordination at National and Local Level
• Increasing Construction Sector Capacity and Productivity
• Accelerating Projects through Consenting Processes
• Providing Expert Assistance for Key Infrastructure Projects
• Reforming Procurement Processes
• Applying AI and Digital Tools to Support Infrastructure Rollout
Specific details on each of these actions, including timelines for implementation, and the responsible body is available in the Accelerating Infrastructure Report and Action Plan.
76. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation the action which will be taken to address the impact coastal erosion is having on the historic St Naul’s Monastery and Graveyard in the Inver area of County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [70827/25]
View answerCoastal erosion and localised flooding issues are a matter, in the first instance, for each local authority to investigate and address.
In 2009, the Office of Public Works introduced the Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection Scheme. The purpose of the scheme is to provide 90% funding to local authorities to undertake studies, minor flood or coastal erosion mitigation works within their administrative areas.
This Minor Works Scheme generally applies where a solution can be readily identified and achieved in a short time frame. Applications under the scheme are assessed by the OPW having regard to the specific economic, technical, social and environmental criteria set for this scheme. To be approved for funding under this scheme, the benefits from the works must exceed their associated costs.
To date, nationally, the OPW has approved over €70m for over 900 unique local flood relief and coastal projects that are providing benefits to some 8,000 properties.
Since 2009, the OPW has approved some €2.4 million funding to Donegal County Council (DCC) for some 45 projects. As part of these, €112,500 has been approved for coastal erosion works in Inver through four separate applications by Donegal County Council. Most recently €45,000 was approved in April to construct rock amour along a line of existing gabions.
In October 2016 the OPW approved €13,500 to DCC for the Installation of 60m rock armour along the Eany Water River bank to protect the old graveyard and ecclesiastical remains. On receipt of a further application in October 2018 the OPW advised DCC in April 2019 that as the application was for works that exceeded a length of 75 metres then a coastal application requesting funding for an appropriate Coastal Erosion and Risk Management Study could be submitted. No further application was submitted for works at St Nauls Monastery and Graveyard.
The Council has also been advised that as the graveyard and ecclesiastical remains are listed as a National Monument they may also consider contacting the National Monuments Service in relation to this matter.
77. Deputy Catherine Ardagh asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation the actions planned under Pillar 4 of the new Accelerating Infrastructure Plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [70482/25]
View answerLast week Government published the Accelerating Infrastructure Report and Action Plan. This set out 30 high-impact reforms targeted at the most significant barriers to the delivery of critical infrastructure. The actions contained in the report are grouped into four pillars.
Pillar 4 focuses on Public Acceptance. Public acceptance is at the centre of timely infrastructure delivery. While the benefits of infrastructure are often widely dispersed to society as a whole, the negative impacts, perceived or otherwise can be more concentrated at local levels. This can drive opposition to critical infrastructure, lengthening development timelines and increasing costs.
Greater public awareness and understanding of the need for critical infrastructure and measures that improve transparency and build trust with key stakeholders, such as landowners and local communities, are required to address these issues.
Pillar 4 sets out actions to strengthen public acceptance as a key enabler of accelerated delivery through promoting the positive impacts and social value of infrastructure, while also introducing reforms to improve land access and acquisition. These actions seek to harness the collaborative support of multiple key stakeholders to ensure the accelerated delivery of infrastructure.
The specific actions under Pillar 4 include:
• Creating a Duty for State Bodies to Cooperate in Making Land Available and Accessible for Critical Infrastructure
• Building Leadership Support for Critical Infrastructure Projects at National and Local Levels
• Enhancing Government Communication to Promote the Importance of Infrastructure Delivery
• Establishing a Benefits Realisation Framework for Infrastructure Projects
Full detail on each of these actions, the timelines for their implementation, and the responsible body is available in the Accelerating Infrastructure Report and Action Plan.
