Tuesday, 13 Jan 2026

Protected Disclosures

Questions (193)

Ged Nash

Question:

193. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Taoiseach the number of successful prosecutions secured under section 24 of the Protected Disclosures (Amendment), Act 2022 (the provisions of the Act that relate to making the penalisation of an individual who makes a protected disclosure a criminal offence); the number of cases referred to the DPP for their consideration under the terms of the Act since the enactment and commencement of the relevant Section of the Act. [74743/25]

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Written answers

The Taoiseach

Section 2 of the Prosecution of Offences Act 1974 explicitly provides that the Director of Public Prosecutions shall be independent in the performance of their functions. One of the ways effect is given to this independence is that funding for the Director’s Office is provided through a separate Vote; Vote 5 – Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions. While I have a role in presenting Estimates for Vote 5 to the Oireachtas annually, neither I nor officials in the Department of the Taoiseach exercise any control in relation to how the Director discharges her functions.

Having reviewed the relevant data fields in their case management system, the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions has confirmed that there have been no prosecutions brought under section 24 of the Protected Disclosures (Amendment) Act 2022 since its enactment and commencement. Furthermore, no cases have been referred to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions for consideration under the terms of section 24 of the Act.

Economic Data

Questions (194)

John Clendennen

Question:

194. Deputy John Clendennen asked the Taoiseach the number of businesses with a turnover of less than €250,000 per annum; the breakdown of the sectors they operate in. [2481/26]

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Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of the Taoiseach

Referred to CSO for answer

The CSO produces annual information on economic activity, and performances of businesses in Ireland. Information on productivity in the Enterprise sector, in total, is provided in these statistical releases (see below link). Please see the number of businesses with a turnover of less than €250,000 per annum. This report utilises 2022 data, the most recent information currently available for publication.

CSO will continue to produce annual releases for businesses in Ireland and it is envisaged that data for 2023 will be available in the coming months.

Y2022 Companies < 250K Turnover
Number	Sector
319	MINING AND QUARRYING
13,800	MANUFACTURING
485	ELECTRICITY, GAS, STEAM AND AIR CONDITIONING SUPPLY
734	WATER SUPPLY; SEWERAGE, WASTE MANAGEMENT AND REMEDIATION ACTIVITIES
60,828	CONSTRUCTION
14,405	WHOLESALE AND RETAIL TRADE; REPAIR OF MOTOR VEHICLES AND MOTORCYCLES
20,715	TRANSPORTATION AND STORAGE
12,500	ACCOMMODATION AND FOOD SERVICE ACTIVITIES
13,524	INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION
13,993	FINANCIAL AND INSURANCE ACTIVITIES
14,695	REAL ESTATE ACTIVITIES
35,621	PROFESSIONAL, SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNICAL ACTIVITIES
12,530	ADMINISTRATIVE AND SUPPORT SERVICE ACTIVITIES
11,610	EDUCATION
16,968	HUMAN HEALTH AND SOCIAL WORK ACTIVITIES
11,982	ARTS, ENTERTAINMENT AND RECREATION
15,527	OTHER SERVICE ACTIVITIES

See: www.cso.ie/en/statistics/enterprisestatistics/businessinireland/

Economic Data

Questions (195)

John Clendennen

Question:

195. Deputy John Clendennen asked the Taoiseach the details of the number of businesses with a turnover of between €250,001 and €500,000 per annum; the breakdown of the sectors they operate in. [2482/26]

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Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of the Taoiseach

Referred to CSO for answer

The Central Statistics Office (CSO) produces data on the structure of the business economy as part of its annual publication series – Business in Ireland. These statistical releases may be accessed on the CSO’s website (www.cso.ie/en/statistics/enterprisestatistics/businessinireland-summaryresults/). The following table, presents the number of enterprises with turnover of between €250,001 and €500,000 per annum, broken down by sector, for the year 2022. 2022 is the latest year for which these data are available. It is envisaged that data for 2023 will be available in the coming months.

Y2022 turnover of between €250,001 and €500,000
Number	Sector
45	MINING AND QUARRYING
1,550	MANUFACTURING
55	ELECTRICITY, GAS, STEAM AND AIR CONDITIONING SUPPLY
114	WATER SUPPLY; SEWERAGE, WASTE MANAGEMENT AND REMEDIATION ACTIVITIES
7,100	CONSTRUCTION
12,272	WHOLESALE AND RETAIL TRADE; REPAIR OF MOTOR VEHICLES AND MOTORCYCLES
1,794	TRANSPORTATION AND STORAGE
2,874	ACCOMMODATION AND FOOD SERVICE ACTIVITIES
2,638	INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION
714	FINANCIAL AND INSURANCE ACTIVITIES
1,757	REAL ESTATE ACTIVITIES
8,573	PROFESSIONAL, SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNICAL ACTIVITIES
2,204	ADMINISTRATIVE AND SUPPORT SERVICE ACTIVITIES
656	EDUCATION
2,720	HUMAN HEALTH AND SOCIAL WORK ACTIVITIES
645	ARTS, ENTERTAINMENT AND RECREATION
1,522	OTHER SERVICE ACTIVITIES

Economic Data

Questions (196)

John Clendennen

Question:

196. Deputy John Clendennen asked the Taoiseach the details of the number of businesses with a turnover between €500,001 and €750,000 per annum; the breakdown of the sectors they operate in. [2483/26]

View answer

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of the Taoiseach

Referred to CSO for answer

The Central Statistics Office (CSO) produces data on the structure of the business economy as part of its annual publication series – Business in Ireland. These statistical releases may be accessed on the CSO’s website (www.cso.ie/en/statistics/enterprisestatistics/businessinireland-summaryresults/). The following table, presents the number of enterprises with turnover of between €500,001 and €750,000 per annum, broken down by sector, for the year 2022. 2022 is the latest year for which these data are available. It is envisaged that data for 2023 will be available in the coming months.

Y2022 turnover of between €500,001 and €750,000
Number	Sector
28	MINING AND QUARRYING
686	MANUFACTURING
33	ELECTRICITY, GAS, STEAM AND AIR CONDITIONING SUPPLY
58	WATER SUPPLY; SEWERAGE, WASTE MANAGEMENT AND REMEDIATION ACTIVITIES
2,855	CONSTRUCTION
5,684	WHOLESALE AND RETAIL TRADE; REPAIR OF MOTOR VEHICLES AND MOTORCYCLES
582	TRANSPORTATION AND STORAGE
1,378	ACCOMMODATION AND FOOD SERVICE ACTIVITIES
776	INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION
392	FINANCIAL AND INSURANCE ACTIVITIES
577	REAL ESTATE ACTIVITIES
2,261	PROFESSIONAL, SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNICAL ACTIVITIES
683	ADMINISTRATIVE AND SUPPORT SERVICE ACTIVITIES
260	EDUCATION
1,376	HUMAN HEALTH AND SOCIAL WORK ACTIVITIES
286	ARTS, ENTERTAINMENT AND RECREATION
533	OTHER SERVICE ACTIVITIES

Economic Data

Questions (197)

John Clendennen

Question:

197. Deputy John Clendennen asked the Taoiseach the details of the number of businesses with a turnover between €750,001 and €1,000,000 per annum; the breakdown of the sectors they operate in. [2484/26]

View answer

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of the Taoiseach

Referred to CSO for answer

The Central Statistics Office (CSO) produces data on the structure of the business economy as part of its annual publication series – Business in Ireland. These statistical releases may be accessed on the CSO’s website (www.cso.ie/en/statistics/enterprisestatistics/businessinireland-summaryresults/). The following table, presents the number of enterprises with turnover of between €750,001 and €1,000,000 per annum, broken down by sector, for the year 2022. 2022 is the latest year for which these data are available. It is envisaged that data for 2023 will be available in the coming months.

Y2022 turnover of between €750,001 and €1,000,000
Number	Sector
11	MINING AND QUARRYING
275	MANUFACTURING
25	ELECTRICITY, GAS, STEAM AND AIR CONDITIONING SUPPLY
24	WATER SUPPLY; SEWERAGE, WASTE MANAGEMENT AND REMEDIATION ACTIVITIES
1,641	CONSTRUCTION
2,949	WHOLESALE AND RETAIL TRADE; REPAIR OF MOTOR VEHICLES AND MOTORCYCLES
353	TRANSPORTATION AND STORAGE
780	ACCOMMODATION AND FOOD SERVICE ACTIVITIES
374	INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION
250	FINANCIAL AND INSURANCE ACTIVITIES
296	REAL ESTATE ACTIVITIES
1,143	PROFESSIONAL, SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNICAL ACTIVITIES
408	ADMINISTRATIVE AND SUPPORT SERVICE ACTIVITIES
157	EDUCATION
734	HUMAN HEALTH AND SOCIAL WORK ACTIVITIES
183	ARTS, ENTERTAINMENT AND RECREATION
263	OTHER SERVICE ACTIVITIES

Artificial Intelligence

Questions (198, 220, 221)

Sinéad Gibney

Question:

198. Deputy Sinéad Gibney asked the Taoiseach to provide a list of AI pilot projects which have taken place in his Department within the past 12 months; the expenditure associated with those projects; and whether they are still ongoing, in tabular form. [74142/25]

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Richard Boyd Barrett

Question:

220. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Taoiseach if his Department is using artificial intelligence tools for any graphic design or similar work in place of artists, designers or videographers; and if so, to outline which projects or units of the Department are affected. [2255/26]

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Richard Boyd Barrett

Question:

221. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Taoiseach whether any agencies or other bodies under his remit are using artificial intelligence tools for any graphic design or similar work in place of artists, designers or videographers; and if so, to outline which projects or units of the organisation are affected. [2273/26]

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Written answers

The Taoiseach

I propose to take Questions Nos. 198, 220 and 221 together.

In its Statement of Strategy 2025 - 2028, the Department of the Taoiseach commits to the judicious deployment of Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology with a view to enhancing its capacity to deliver. The Department is in the process of developing a strategy and governance structure on the use of AI, informed by the Guidelines for the Responsible Use of AI in the Public Service and by the National Cyber Security Centre guidance on Generative AI for Public Sector Bodies. Part of this process will also involve identifying AI pilot projects with the potential to increase the efficiency and effectiveness of the Department.

The Department of the Taoiseach does not use AI tools for any graphic design or similar work in place of artists, designers or videographers. The Department employs specialist communications staff with design and videography skills. While some of the design and video editing software programmes used by the Department include generative AI tools, the Department does not use these features.

The National Economic and Social Development Office (NESDO) is the only body under the aegis of the Department of the Taoiseach. NESDO does not use any AI tools for any graphic design or similar work in place of artists, designers or videographers.

Departmental Expenditure

Questions (199)

Grace Boland

Question:

199. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Taoiseach the office rental costs per annum for staff in his Department and for each agency or organisation under his remit, in tabular form, in each of the years between 2015 and 2025 inclusive. [74457/25]

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Written answers

The Taoiseach

Accommodation occupied by the Department of the Taoiseach and the National Economic and Social Development Office (NESDO) - the only agency under the remit of the Department - is provided and managed by the Office of Public Works (OPW).

The Department of the Taoiseach did not incur any rental costs in the period in question.

In each of the years 2015 to 2025, NESDO paid the OPW an annual contribution of €322,329 for its office space.

Departmental Expenditure

Questions (200)

Naoise Ó Muirí

Question:

200. Deputy Naoise Ó Muirí asked the Taoiseach the payroll cost of his Department and of each organisation or agency under its remit individually, in 2015 to 2025, by year, in tabular form. [74635/25]

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Written answers

The Taoiseach

The payroll costs for the Department of the Taoiseach are published in the annual Appropriation Account for Vote 2 – Department of the Taoiseach at Note 5 Staffing and Remuneration. The Department’s Appropriation Accounts for the period 2015 to 2024 are available to view on the website of the Comptroller and Auditor General: www.audit.gov.ie/en/publications/appropriation%20accounts/

The final outturn position for payroll for 2025 will not be confirmed until the Department's 2025 Appropriation Account has been finalised.

The National Economic and Social Development Office (NESDO) is the only body under the aegis of the Department. Payroll costs for NESDO are outlined in its published Annual Report which is available here for the years 2015 - 2024: www.nesc.ie/publications/?keyword=annual+report&bytopic=&bytype=&fromdate=&todate=

Details of payroll costs for 2025 will be available on finalisation of NESDO's 2025 Accounts.

Data Protection

Questions (201)

Cathal Crowe

Question:

201. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Taoiseach the number of data breaches recorded by his Department in 2025; and the number that were reported to the Data Protection Commissioner. [74904/25]

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Written answers

The Taoiseach

No data breaches were recorded by the Department of the Taoiseach in 2025.

Public Spending Code

Questions (202)

James O'Connor

Question:

202. Deputy James O'Connor asked the Taoiseach the number of projects in his Department that were delayed in 2023 and 2024 due to the change of document from the Public Spending Code to the Infrastructure Guidelines, in tabular form [75117/25]

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Written answers

The Taoiseach

No projects in the Department of the Taoiseach were delayed in 2023 and 2024 due to the change of document from the Public Spending Code to the Infrastructure Guidelines. The Department did not oversee any capital projects in 2023 and 2024 and had no capital allocation in either year.

Public Sector Pay

Questions (203)

Matt Carthy

Question:

203. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Taoiseach the salary scale that applies to the Secretary General in his Department and to the head of each agency for which they are responsible; whether this scale has changed in the past two years or whether there are proposals to change this scale in the coming period. [75204/25]

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Written answers

The Taoiseach

The salary scale that applies to the post of Secretary General of the Department of the Taoiseach and Secretary General to the Government (a single post) is Secretary General Level 1.

The salary scale for the post of Chief Officer of the National Economic and Social Development Office - the only body under the aegis of the Department - is the Assistant Secretary salary scale.

The only changes that have been made to these salary scales in the past two years (and planned to be made in the coming period) are in line with the Public Service Agreement 2024-2026.

Departmental Advertising

Questions (204)

Matt Carthy

Question:

204. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Taoiseach the amount expended on advertising and promotion in his Department, and within each agency for which he is responsible, for 2022 to 2024, by year and budgeted for 2026. [75222/25]

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Written answers

The Taoiseach

The table below details expenditure by the Department of the Taoiseach on advertising from 2022 to 2024.

-	Expenditure by Department of the Taoiseach on Advertising
Year	Amount
2022	€1,798,829
2023	€4,808
2024	€14,138

The Department routinely places advertisements in national print publications regarding judicial appointments and Commemoration Events such as the Commemoration of the 1916 Easter Rising and the National Day of Commemoration.

The majority of the Department's expenditure on advertising in 2022 related to COVID-19 public information campaigns. These campaigns played a vital role during the pandemic, including raising awareness of supports made available by Government.

The Department is not planning any non-routine advertising in 2026, and advertising costs incurred in 2026 will be met from the Department's administrative budget, under Subhead A(IV) Operational Services, Supplies and Sundry Equipment.

The National Economic and Social Development Office (NESDO) is the only body under the aegis of the Department. NESDO incurred no advertising expenditure between 2022 and 2024 and has not budgeted for any advertising expenditure in 2026.

Departmental Staff

Questions (205)

Matt Carthy

Question:

205. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Taoiseach the number of press, media or communications staff currently employed in his Department and within each agency for which he is responsible; the cost of these staff for 2025 and the expected cost for 2026; whether there are proposals to increase the number of such staff. [75240/25]

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Written answers

The Taoiseach

While there are elements of communications to most policy roles in the Department of the Taoiseach, the Unit in the Department whose function directly relates to communications is the Government Information Service (GIS).

GIS includes the Government Press Office and works on a cross-functional and collaborative basis to:

• Provide the Taoiseach, Government and Department with communications and press office support, promoting cross-government collaboration;

• Provide digital communications, photography, videography and strategic design support, including in relation to the Government of Ireland identity;

• Coordinate cross-government and strategic communications programmes; and

• Develop communications knowledge, capability and capacity across government.

The staff assigned to GIS come under the management of the Assistant Secretary, Corporate Services Division, while respecting the role of the Government Press Secretary, Deputy Government Press Secretary and Special Advisers with a role in day-to-day management of press and communications.

There are currently 20.6 posts in GIS, the composition of which is outlined in the table below. The current salary rates for general service grades in the Department are set out in Department of Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation Circular 16/2025.

Salary Scale	Whole time equivalent
Principal Officer	1
Assistant Principal	4.6
Higher Executive Officer / Administrative Officer	9
Executive Officer	4
Clerical Officer	1
Digital Marketing Apprentice	1

The number of staff working in GIS fluctuates due to normal staff turnover but the staffing complement in any given year has generally been aligned to the levels above. In 2026, an additional temporary resource at Administrative Officer level is being assigned to support the work of the EU Presidency.

There are currently no dedicated press, media or communications roles in the National Economic and Social Development Office, the only body under the aegis of the Department.

EU Presidency

Questions (206)

Matt Carthy

Question:

206. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Taoiseach the estimated cost to his Department and to each agency for which they are responsible arising from Ireland’s presidency of the European Council; the line items or events for which a cost is expected to arise and the estimated cost for each. [75258/25]

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Written answers

The Taoiseach

Ireland will hold the Presidency of the Council of the European Union for the eighth time from 1 July to 31 December 2026. Preparations for the Presidency are well underway and are led by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, in close coordination with the Department of the Taoiseach, and with the active participation of all Departments across Government.

The Department of the Taoiseach's 2026 Revised Estimate includes a funding allocation of €627,000 under Subhead A2(VIII) to meet costs arising from Ireland's Presidency of the Council of the European Union.

This funding includes a provision of €295,000 for increased operational costs relating specifically to the Presidency and €220,000 in respect of temporary staff assignments to assist with the work in the lead up to, and during, Ireland's Presidency of the Council of the European Union.

The National Economic and Social Development Office (NESDO) is the only agency under the remit of the Department. The funding allocation under Subhead A2(VIII) includes a provision of €112,000 for NESDO for costs related to their hosting of the annual meeting of European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) Presidents and Secretaries General and Conference on Social Cohesion in Europe during Ireland's Presidency of the Council of the European Union.

Capital Expenditure Programme

Questions (207)

Roderic O'Gorman

Question:

207. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Taoiseach the total proposed capital spend under the Shared Island Fund between 2026 and 2030; the amount of this is to be allocated to transport projects; and could these transport projects be itemised along with the proposed spend. [1046/26]

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Written answers

The Taoiseach

The National Development Plan (NDP) Review published on 22 July 2025 included a doubling of the Shared Island Fund to a total €2 billion commitment out to 2035, implementing a commitment in our Programme for Government.

The NDP Review set out overall capital ceilings for the Shared Island Fund for 2026-2030 of:

2026	2027	2028	2029	2030	Total
€190m	€200m	€200m	€200m	€200m	€990m

On 18 November, I published, as part of the NDP Review, the Government’s Sectoral Investment Plan on our Shared Island investment priorities. This sets out how the Shared Island Fund will be deployed, working through all-island co-funding partnerships, to deliver on our objectives for Building a Shared Island.

The Government’s Shared Island investment objectives are taken forward by line Ministers and their Departments, working with Northern Ireland and British Government counterparts, and consistent with NDP Sectoral Plans.

Shared Island Fund allocations are made by Government to agreed projects and programmes on a co-funding basis, alongside funding from other public sources, and on a collaborative cross-border basis, working with the Northern Ireland Executive and / or UK Government.

On Transport, the NDP Sectoral Investment Plan on Shared Island investment sets out:

Projects progressing to delivery in 2026:

• New airlink between Dublin and Derry to enable regular air travel between the two cities to commence in 2026.

• Continuing the Dublin-Belfast hourly frequency train service, which has seen a 40% increase in passenger numbers since October 2024.

• Installation of publicly-accessible EV charging points at sports clubs across the island through the Shared Island Sports Club EV Charging Scheme.

Further priorities 2026-2030:

• Enhance rail connectivity acting on prioritised recommendations from the All-Island Strategic Rail Review and Rail Project Prioritisation Strategy.

• Improve connectivity with the North-West working with the Executive to deliver the A5 road upgrade through the Government’s €600m commitment.

• Continue development of an island-wide greenway network to link the Atlantic coast with the Eastern seaboard across the border region.

• Work to introduce a pilot hydrogen HDV refuelling corridor on the Dublin to Belfast route.

• Invest to support all-island supply chains and networks, including at ports and airports.

• Support delivery under the PEACEPLUS programme including fleet replacement for the Enterprise train service.

Shared Island Fund allocations made by Government to Transport projects to date are set out in tabular form below.

-

Shared Island Fund allocations as of 13 January 2026

Transport project

Shared Island Fund allocation

Dublin-Derry PSO air service