Written Answers Nos. 2638-2658
2638. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht if he is aware of an organisation (details supplied) that is on the brink of closure; if he will seek emergency funding within his Department to keep the organisation open given the supports it provides in the community; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [74362/25]
View answerMy Department's Community Services Programme (CSP) supports 446 services nationally via 427 community organisations to provide local social, economic, and environmental services through a social enterprise model. My Department secured an additional funding allocation of €4m for the Community Services Programme (CSP) in Budget 2026, bringing the total funding allocation to €59.4m in 2026.
I am pleased to advise you that, on 17 December, my Department announced the following changes to the funding of organisations under the CSP Programme in 2026:
• Increased funding rates to be applied from 1 January 2026, as follows:
• an increase of €1,260 in the annual contribution per post to organisations categorised as having a high funding need; and
• an increase of €1,160 in the annual contribution per post for CSP organisations categorised as having a medium funding need; and,
• an increase of €400 per annum to all 351 CSP-supported manager positions across all funding categories.
• Some 55 CSP-supported organisations are set to move to a higher funding category following on from a funding rate review recently carried out. This is a targeted measure to focus additional support on organisations with evident financial need.
• A further nine organisations, who had been waitlisted from the 2023 Open Call, are now set to join the CSP programme commencing early 2026. This will support employment for eleven full-time posts and six managers and will bring the total number of organisations supported to 435 in 2026.
• In addition, eleven organisations with an original contract end date of 31 December 2025 have had their contracts extended for a further 2 years.
• Further to this, there will be an open call for new organisations to join the CSP Programme in early 2026 in line with the Programme for Government Commitment to hold an annual open call.
Pobal, which administers the Programme on behalf of my Department, will be in contact directly with all CSP-funded organisations, including the organisation referred to by the Deputy, to notify them of the updated position for 2026.
I am hopeful that the changes I've announced in December will address the concerns raised, however, I would encourage the organisation to liaise directly with my Department if further clarification is needed.
2639. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht the office rental costs per annum for staff in his Department and for each agency or organisation under his remit, in each of the years between 2015 and 2025 inclusive, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [74455/25]
View answerThe Department of Rural and Community Development was established in July 2017. In June 2025, following the expansion of the Department's remit to include the Gaeltacht, the Department was renamed the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht.
I can confirm my Department does not own or lease any office buildings and that all properties occupied by my Department are owned or leased by the Office of Public Works (OPW).
There are eight agencies under the remit of my Department: Pobal, Western Development Commission, Charities Regulatory Authority, Water Safety Ireland, Oifig an Choimisinéara Teanga, Údarás na Gaeltachta, Foras na Gaeilge, and the Ulster-Scots Agency. These agencies are independent legal entities responsible for managing their own corporate and financial affairs, including provision of appropriate office accommodation.
I have set out applicable annual office rental costs incurred by agencies of the Department, including costs prior to the recent transfer of functions, in the following table. I am informed that Údarás na Gaeltachta does not rent any office space and that no such costs arise for them as a result.
2640. Deputy Naoise Ó Muirí asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht 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. [74633/25]
View answerThe Department of Rural and Community Development was established in 2017, with the Gaeltacht function being added to the remit on 1 June 2025. Prior to this the Gaeltacht function and its agencies were part of the payroll of the now Department of Culture, Communications and Sport.
There are currently eight agencies under the remit of the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht: Pobal, Western Development Commission, Charities Regulatory Authority, Water Safety Ireland, Oifig an Choimisinéara Teanga, Údarás na Gaeltachta, Foras na Gaeilge, and the Ulster-Scots Agency. These agencies are independent legal entities responsible for managing their own corporate affairs and staffing in compliance with their statutory obligations.
The attached table provides the payroll costs for the Department, and its agencies, from each year from its establishment in 2017, to the end of 2025. While the Gaeltacht remit transferred to the Department on 1 June 2025, the figures included in the table for that year represent the full year costs for 2025.
The Pobal payroll costs outlined relate to the costs for the entire organisation. As the Deputy will be aware, Pobal provides services to a large number of Government and European programmes, schemes and services across a number of Government Departments.
The 2025 figures remain provisional until the completion of audited accounts for the Department and its agencies.
2641. Deputy Shónagh Ní Raghallaigh asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht if, following the publication of the feasibility study on a hotel (details supplied) the Government plans to proceed with the purchase of the property; if so, the proposed timeline for acquisition; the proposals under consideration for its future use, including whether it will be developed as a community hotel or otherwise to support tourism and local economic activity in Roscrea; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [74736/25]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, the property referred to in Roscrea is a privately owned property and as such any decision in relation to its sale, the timing of any such sale or the future use of the property remains a matter for the owner.
Town centre regeneration is a key focus of my Department and the range funding schemes available to local authorities from within the Department are guided by the national Town Centre First policy which seeks to tackle vacancy and ensure our rural towns are vibrant and lived-in places.
With a view to supporting Tipperary County Council and informing any options, my Department approved funding for the Council to carry out a feasibility study as to any potential sustainable future use of the property. The Council has confirmed that this this study has now been completed and that it is now publicly available on the Council’s website.
2642. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Conor D. McGuinness den Aire Forbartha Tuaithe agus Pobail, agus Gaeltachta an bhfáiltíonn sé roimh an litir atá faighte ag a Roinn ó Iontaobhas na Gaelscolaíochta (litir i gceangal leis seo), agus an féidir le hionadaithe óna Roinn bualadh le InaG a luaithe is féidir, chun oibriú ar an deis iontach atá ann anois gaelscoileanna nua a fhorbairt sna sé chontae i dTuaisceart na hÉireann. [74834/25]
View answerNíl aon ról reachtúil ag mo Roinn maidir le forbairt scoileanna ar an taobh ó thuaidh nó ar an taobh ó dheas den teorainn. Tuigim go bhfuil comhfhreagras maidir leis an ábhar atá luaite ag an Teachta faighte ag feidhmeannaigh na Roinne ó Iontaobhas na Gaelscolaíochta agus go raibh cruinniú acu leo an tseachtain seo chun an t-ábhar a phlé. Tuigim gur aontaíodh go bhfiosrófaí moladh an Iontaobhais le páirtithe cuí féachaint an féidir bealach a aimsiú chun é a fhorbairt.
2643. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht the number of data breaches recorded by his Department in 2025; and the number that were reported to the Data Protection Commissioner. [74902/25]
View answer2644. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht the amount of capital spent from the islands allocation of his Department and predecessor Departments, by areas (details supplied) in each of the years 2023 to 2024 and to date in 2025, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [75059/25]
View answerMy Department's dedicated funding allocation for the islands relates primarily to connectivity through subsidised transport services and supporting infrastructure development for islands. The Department is also responsible for overall policy co-ordination to support and sustain communities on our islands. The information requested by the Deputy regarding capital spending from the islands allocation is set out in the table below. My Department has also introduced island-specific measures under a range of other funding schemes under various subheads within the Department, such as CLÁR, Town and Village Renewal and the Local Improvements Scheme. Furthermore, projects on islands have received funding from other schemes and allocations such as the Community Centre Investment Fund and the Outdoor Recreational Infrastructure Scheme.
2645. Deputy James O'Connor asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht 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; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [75115/25]
View answerThe Infrastructure Guidelines set out the value for money guidelines for the evaluation, planning and management of public investment projects, including purchase or acquisition of assets or land. I can confirm that, in 2023 and 2024, there were no projects in my Department that were delayed due to the change of document from the Public Spending Code to the Infrastructure Guidelines.
2646. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht 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; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [75202/25]
View answerI have outlined the information requested for my Department and for the agencies under my Department's aegis in the table below. These scales applied to these posts have not changed in the past two years and there are no proposals to change them in the coming period. I would note that the agreed pay adjustments within these scales are set out in the Public Service Agreement 2024-2026. Future pay adjustments will be provided on 1st February 2026 (1% of salary or €500, whichever is greater) and 1st June 2026 (1%). There is likely to be a new pay agreement negotiated between the government and trade unions which may apply from 2027 onwards.
2647. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht 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; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [75220/25]
View answerThe majority of advertising campaigns undertaken by my Department relate to public consultation processes and notifications to the public. These usually involve public information notices in print media. These are required to ensure awareness and engagement on the issues in question, and required expenditure is kept to a minimum. My Department ensures all such expenditure represents value for money and closely monitors the impact of such campaigns which relate to important public policy issues.The table below details relevant expenditure for 2022, 2023 and 2024 - and that budgeted for 2026.There was a significant increase in advertising expenditure in my Department in 2024. This was due to extensive national public awareness campaigns covering issues such as Responsible Dog Ownership and the XL Bully Regulations. The responsibility for the area of Dog Control has since been transferred to the Department of Agriculture Food and Marine.The figure for 2026 relates mainly to plans to run a campaign to support ‘Deiseanna Fostaíochta trí Ghaeilge san Earnáil Phoiblí’ (Employment Opportunities through Irish in the Public Sector).
|
2022 |
2023 |
2024 |
Budgeted for 2026 |
|
€53,332 |
€34,572 |
€566,905 |
€333,296 |
In relation to advertising expenditure for agencies under the aegis of my Department, I would note that each of the agencies are independent legal entities and are responsible for operational matters, including expenditure on advertising. The table below details the information requested by the Deputy for those agencies.
2648. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht 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; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [75238/25]
View answerThe table below provides the information requested by the Deputy for my Department. It details the number of staff working in the broad communications function within the Department, and the pay grade at which these staff are paid.As a Department which operates funding schemes aimed at supporting communities across the country, communicating our work is a central part of the success of the Department. The recent addition of the Gaeltacht function has also increased the focus on effective communication for Irish language speakers and communities. While it is not proposed to increase staff within this area, the Department constantly reviews how it deploys its staff to ensure the most effective delivery across functions.
|
|
Number of Communications Staff in 2025 |
Pay Grade / Scale |
Proposal to increase staff? (Yes/No) |
|
The Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht |
8 |
• 1 X Principal Officer (duties also include corporate strategy and coordination) • 1 X Assistant Principal • 2 x Higher Executive Officer • 2 x Executive Officer • 2 x Clerical Officer |
No |
The information requested by the Deputy in relation to the agencies under the aegis of my Department is set out in the table below. I would note that each of the agencies are independent legal entities and are responsible for operational matters, including the effective deployment of staffing resources.
|
Agency Name |
Number of Communications Staff in 2025 |
Pay Grade / Scale |
Proposal to increase staff? (Yes/No) |
|
Foras na Gaeilge |
2 |
• 1 x Assistant Principal • 1 x Clerical Officer(The duties of these staff include marketing and Irish language awareness along with communications).
|
Yes (In December 2025 the North South Ministerial Council gave approval in principle for 1 new role in this agency at HEO level.) |
|
An Coimisinéir Teanga |
1 |
• 1 x AP (duties also include Corporate Strategy)
|
No |
|
Charities Regulator |
6 |
• 1 X Assistant Principal • 3 X Higher Executive Officer • 2 X Executive Officer
|
No |
|
Pobal |
5 |
• 1 X Grade 4 Corporate Communications Manager • 3 X Grade 3 Communications Coordinator • 1 X Grade 1 Communications Support Officer |
No |
|
Ulster-Scots Agency |
3 |
• 2 x Staff Officer • 1x Deputy Principal |
No |
|
Western Development Commission |
5 |
• 1 Assistant Principal • 1 x Higher Executive Officer • 3 x Executive Officer |
No |
|
Údarás na Gaeilge |
5 |
• 1 X Principal Officer (duties also include corporate strategy and coordination) • 1 x Higher Executive Officer • 2 x Executive Officer • 1 x Clerical Officers |
Yes 1 X Assistant Principal Officer (Digital Marketing specialist) |
2649. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht 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; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [75256/25]
View answerIreland’s Presidency of the Council of the European Union in the second half of 2026 will be an important opportunity for Ireland to shape Europe’s policy direction, lead important aspects of the EU’s work, and showcase Ireland’s engagement, expertise and values at the heart of the European Union. The Government committed in the Programme for Government to resourcing and delivering a successful EU Presidency. Significant planning has taken place to date to ensure that costs are managed across all expenditure headings and prudent financial planning will continue throughout to ensure value for money.I can confirm that my Department intends to host a range of events with an EU focus during the Presidency, encompassing various themes including rural and regional development, social inclusion and minority languages. Costs for these events will be met from within existing Departmental resources, and will be carefully managed as the events are delivered. My Department has secured €117,000 in additional funding to ensure the Irish language is used, promoted and celebrated in formal EU engagements as part of the Presidency. Ireland's 2026 Presidency of the European Council will be the first Irish EU Presidency since Irish has become a fully operational official and working language of the EU. This funding will be contribute to reaffirming Ireland’s commitment to bilingualism and the full integration of the Irish language in European affairs. It will also highlight the importance of Irish as the national and first official language of Ireland, and as a core part of Irish culture, heritage and identity. Existing staff and departmental resources will also supplement this important work. Eight agencies operate under the remit of my Department: Pobal, Western Development Commission, Charities Regulatory Authority, Water Safety Ireland, Oifig an Choimisinéara Teanga, Údarás na Gaeltachta, Foras na Gaeilge, and the Ulster-Scots Agency. While it is expected that a number of these agencies will play an active part in the EU Presidency calendar, I can confirm that all costs will be met from within existing allocations.
2650. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht the priorities of his Department and each agency for which they are responsible for, in respect of Ireland’s presidency of the European Council; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [75274/25]
View answerIreland will hold the Presidency of the Council of the European Union for the eighth time from 1 July to 31 December 2026. This will be an important opportunity for Ireland to lead and shape the European agenda. Preparations for the Presidency are well underway, led by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, with the active participation of all Departments across Government.The mission of my Department is to support the development of sustainable, inclusive and resilient communities throughout Ireland, including in rural, island and Gaeltacht areas, embracing their unique cultural, linguistic and environmental features. I am committed to ensuring that this mission is reflected in Ireland’s Presidency priorities and policy programme. I recognise the Presidency as an opportunity to showcase the best our country has to offer in terms of thriving communities, unique rural, island and Gaeltacht communities and the vibrancy of the Irish language. My Department will work across Government to deliver on these messages during the Presidency. My Department is also working with stakeholders to identify and shape Presidency policy priorities across a range of themes. I am committed to encouraging the widespread use of the Irish language during the Presidency. Ireland's 2026 Presidency of the European Council will be the first Irish EU Presidency since Irish has become a fully operational official and working language of the EU. My Department is involved in the development of guidance on how the Irish language should be used, promoted and celebrated throughout the term of the Presidency through a range of measures. These measures include the publication of all official documents and communications in both Irish and English, and supporting the use of Irish at formal and informal Council meetings during the Irish Presidency. Further, my Department will work closely with the institutions of the European Union to support the status of the Irish language as an Official and Working language of the EU. Eight agencies operate under the remit of my Department: Pobal, Western Development Commission, Charities Regulatory Authority, Water Safety Ireland, Oifig an Choimisinéara Teanga, Údarás na Gaeltachta, Foras na Gaeilge, and the Ulster-Scots Agency. My Department works in close collaboration with its agencies to deliver on its mission and policy priorities for these agencies align with those of my Department.More generally, the formulation of Ireland’s Presidency priorities and policy programme is progressing, guided by the EU’s Strategic Agenda for 2024–2029, the legislative programme proposed by the European Commission, and the Government's priorities in relation to the EU. The final programme will be published in June 2026, shortly before the Presidency begins.
2651. Deputy Conor D. McGuinness asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht the projects that were funded under the outdoor recreation infrastructure scheme in Waterford, in 2025, in tabular form. [1161/26]
View answerThe Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme (ORIS) provides funding for the development and enhancement of outdoor recreational infrastructure such as walking trails, cycleways, blue ways and mountain trails. Since the launch of the scheme in 2016 , funding of over €5.4 million has supported over 70 projects in Waterford. Successful projects in Waterford announced in 2025 under the scheme can be found in the attached table.
2652. Deputy John Paul O'Shea asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht the number of social enterprises/community organisations currently involved in the community services programme; if he will provide the list of all organisations, per county; if he can briefly outline the work involved with each organisation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1424/26]
View answerMy Department's Community Services Programme (CSP) supports community-based organisations to provide local services through a social enterprise model. In 2026, the Programme will support the delivery of 454 local services via 435 organisations, with a total allocation of €59.4m. This includes nine organisations that were previously waitlisted following the 2023 Open Call who were approved entry to the CSP Programme from 1 January this year. The Programme for Government contains a commitment to hold an open call for organisations to join the CSP Programme. On Wednesday 17 December last, together with my colleague, Minister Dara Calleary, I announced our intention to hold an open call in early 2026 for new organisations to join the CSP Programme. The design of this open call is underway and details, including eligible community services and organisations, will be announced in due course.The list of organisations requested is attached below.
2653. Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht the date on which a supplementary estimate or supplementary estimates was sought in respect of his Department’s Vote for each of the past ten years, and to the date in 2026; the gross and net amount involved in each case; and the Vote subheads to which each supplementary estimate related. [1801/26]
View answerAs the Deputy may be aware, the Department of Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation publish the high level information with regard to substantive supplementary estimates at the following address: www.gov.ie/en/department-of-public-expenditure-infrastructure-public-service-reform-and-digitalisation/collections/the-revised-estimates-volumes-for-the-public-service/#2025 My Department proactively manages its allocated resources each year, and all substantive supplementary estimates received related to additional delivery approved by Government during the year in question. The technical supplementary estimates relate to movement of funds between sub-heads to reflect changes in demand across different areas during the year. These technical supplementary estimates represent a very small proportion of the Department's overall budget and are required to ensure that the Department puts its allocated resource to best use each year. The Department was established in 2017, with the Gaeltacht function being added to the remit on 1 June 2025. Information on supplementary estimates sought for each year since the Department’s establishment is outlined below.No supplementary estimates were sought in the years 2017, 2018, 2019. In November 2020 the Department sought a technical supplementary estimate totalling €10.77 million, primarily for the allocation of additional funding of €10 million for the Covid-19 Stability Fund. The €10 million was reimbursed to the Exchequer from the Dormant Accounts Fund. The supplementary estimate also facilitated the establishment of a Community Resilience Fund, under the B.11 Community Enhancement Programme sub-head, to assist community groups to continue to operate and provide services in a Covid-19 environment. The funding for the Community Resilience Fund was provided through identified current savings of €770,000 within the Department’s Vote, with €570,000 from A.4 Rural Supports and €200,000 from B.5 Local Community Development Committees. No supplementary estimates were sought in 2021.In November 2022 the Department sought a supplementary estimate totalling €16.05 million, comprised of substantive supplementary of €10.15 million and technical supplementary of €5.9 million. The main purpose of the request was a substantive supplementary estimate of €10 million in current funding to facilitate the Community and Voluntary Sector Energy Support Scheme. This funding was additional non-core funding for the Department in 2022. The substantive supplementary estimate also provided €150,000 in additional payroll funding due to the Building Momentum agreement.The 2022 supplementary estimate also provided for two technical supplementary estimates. The first moved €4 million in capital funding to A.5 LEADER from A.7 Rural Regeneration and Development to meet additional demand under the LEADER programme from savings in A.7. The second moved €1.9 million from current to capital under the Dublin North East Inner City Initiative to account for the types of projects approved under that scheme in 2022. In November 2023 the Department sought a supplementary estimate totalling €40.156 million, comprised of substantive supplementary of €11 million, and technical supplementary of €29.156 million. The substantive supplementary estimates provided for an additional €11 million in current funding for Ukraine Supports, with €10 million for B.4 SICAP and Other Local Supports and €1 million under B.3 C&V Supports for Volunteer Centres.The 2023 technical supplementary estimates provided for the movement of €16 million capital funding into the A.4 Rural Supports subhead to meet demand under the Local Improvement Scheme, comprised of €14.3 million from A.7 Rural Regeneration & Development, €0.5 million capital from A.8 Islands, and €1.2 million capital from B.10 Libraries Development. In addition movement of €6.175 million capital funding from the A.7 Rural Regeneration & Development subhead to B.11 Community Enhancement Programme to meet demand under the Community Centre Investment Fund was sought. And movement of €2 million capital from the A.7 Rural Regeneration & Development subhead to meet demand under the A.5 LEADER subhead. Movement of €2 million capital from the A.7 Rural Regeneration & Development subhead to B.4 for once-off funding of dog control infrastructure was also sought. For 2023, there were also a number of movements within the technical supplementary between capital and current within subheads, with €1.258 million moving from current to capital within the B.6 Support for Disadvantaged Communities subhead which funds the Dublin North East Inner City Initiative, and €1.723 million moving from current to capital within the B.8 PEACE subhead. In November 2024 the Department sought a supplementary estimate totalling €27.09 million, comprising substantive supplementary of €12.218 million and technical supplementary of €14.87 million. The substantive supplementary provided for an additional €10 million capital funding to the A.4 Rural Supports subhead for the Local Improvement Scheme, as agreed during Revised National Development Plan discussions in January 2024. The supplementary estimate also provided for an additional €2 million in current funding for social inclusion supports through the Community Connection project, under the B.11 SICAP and Other Local Supports subhead. There was also an additional €218,000 for payroll within the Department and its agencies to reflect increased costs due to the public pay agreement.The 2024 technical supplementary estimates provided for movement of €6 million to fund demand under the B.11 Community Centre Investment Fund, with this funding moving from B.14 Community Recognition Fund. And for movement of €3 million into the A.5 LEADER programme to meet demand, with €2.1 million from B.10 Libraries Capital and €0.9 million from the B.14 Community Recognition Fund. In addition €2 million in capital funding was moved to B.4 SICAP and Other Local Supports for dog control measures, with that funding coming from A.6 Rural Regeneration and Development. There were also a number of movements between capital and current within subheads, with €1 million in Islands funding moving from capital to current, €1.45 million under PEACE from capital to current, and €1.42 million under the Dublin North East Inner City initiative moving from current to capital.In November 2025 the Department sought a technical supplementary estimate, totalling €15.7 million. The technical supplementary consisted of movement of €15 million in capital funding from the A.5 LEADER programme subhead to the A.4 Rural Supports subhead for the Local Improvement Scheme which operates from this subhead. The additional funding for the Local Improvement Scheme was utilised to meet high demand for the scheme at local level across most of the local authorities across the country. The technical supplementary also sought movement of €700,000 in current funding from the D.4 Irish Language Support Schemes subhead to the D.10 Irish Language Planning Processes subhead, to facilitate funding for additional supports for the language planning processes in 2025.With regard to 2026, my Department’s Budget allocation in the published REV amounts to €613.35 million in gross funding, comprising €273.45 million in capital funding and €339.9 million in current funding. At this point in the year no supplementary estimates have been sought by my Department. Any required funding movements will be considered as they emerge over the course of 2026 and any supplementary estimates sought as required to ensure that my Department puts its budgetary resources to best use to meet demands across schemes and programme areas.
2654. Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht the value of expenditure originally allocated in the Estimates to specific programmes or staffing measures that could not be spent as planned within the year for each of the past five years; and whether such underspends were surrendered, carried forward, or reallocated to other areas within the Vote. [1824/26]
View answerThe information requested by the Deputy is presented in the Appropriation Accounts of my Department which are published in September of each year by the Office of the Comptroller and Auditor General, and are available here. www.audit.gov.ie/en/publications/appropriation%20accounts/ My Department proactively manages its allocated resources and seeks to maximise spend, including through re-allocation of funds where necessary and the use of capital carry forward. Such variances are detailed and explained in the Appropriation Account each year. This approach has ensure very effective use of allocated resources by the Department. The table below summarises the gross allocation and expenditure position for each year, the capital carried forward to the following year, and the resultant funds unspent. These unspent funds, along with Appropriations-in-Aid above estimated levels, are surrendered to the exchequer. I would note that the 2025 figures are provisional and remain so until the 2025 Appropriation Account is published in September, as detailed above. I would also note that the majority of unspent funds in 2025 relate to savings on payroll and administration following the transfer of functions and resultant recruitment needs.
|
€'000 |
Gross Allocation |
Carry forward from previous year |
Total gross funding available |
Gross Expenditure |
Carry forward to following year |
Gross Expenditure plus carry forward |
Gross Surplus/ Funds unspent |
|
2021 |
351,027 |
13,180 |
364,207 |
344,450 |
16,860 |
361,310 |
2,897 |
|
2022 |
388,698 |
16,860 |
405,558 |
389,242 |
14,500 |
403,742 |
1,816 |
|
2023 |
439,981 |
14,500 |
454,481 |
431,893 |
20,000 |
451,893 |
2,588 |
|
2024 |
443,577 |
20,000 |
463,577 |
458,925 |
2,200 |
461,125 |
2,452 |
|
2025 |
575,054 |
2,200 |
577,254 |
547,480 |
21,800 |
569,280 |
7,974 |
2655. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht the position regarding any product or service purchased from Israel or the Occupied Territories by his Department in 2025, broken down by description and amount paid; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1987/26]
View answerI can confirm to the Deputy that my Department did not purchase or acquire any products or services from Israel or the Occupied Territories in 2025.
2656. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht whether his Department, or any body under its aegis, has funded, or is funding, other than where legal costs were awarded against the employer by a court or tribunal, the legal costs of any current or concluded litigation taken by an employee or former employee against that Department or body, in each of the past five years; if so, to provide details of the number of such cases, the bodies involved, and the total costs incurred in each year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2027/26]
View answer2657. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht the basis on which his Department, or a body under its aegis, may fund the legal costs of an employee or former employee in litigation where that employee is in dispute with, or taking proceedings against, the same body; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2045/26]
View answer2658. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht whether the funding of employee legal costs in disputes against his Department, or a body under its aegis, is standard practice; if not, the circumstances in which such funding may be permitted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2063/26]
View answer2659. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht to outline the guidance, codes, circulars or directions that govern the payment of legal costs by his Department, and bodies under its aegis, in employment-related disputes, including any requirements under the Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies or Departmental sanction arrangements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2081/26]
View answer2660. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht whether the funding of employee legal costs in litigation against the employing body could give rise to governance, accountability, or value for money concerns; whether his Department has issued any guidance in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2099/26]
View answer2661. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht whether his Department has reviewed, or intends to review, the practice of Departments, and bodies under their aegis, funding legal costs in employment disputes involving those same bodies; and if so, the outcome or timeline for such a review; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2117/26]
View answer2662. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht whether arrangements to fund legal costs in employment disputes involving his Department, or bodies under its aegis, require the prior approval of his Department or the Department of Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2135/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 2656, 2657, 2658, 2659, 2660, 2661 and 2662 together.
My Department follows all centrally issued guidance in relation to legal cases and legal costs. In such cases the Department seeks to minimise legal costs and, in general, it avails of the services of the Chief State Solicitor's Office, the Attorney General's Office and the State Claims Agency. The main relevant central guidance is assets.gov.ie/static/documents/052013-ddfb70ec-e99a-4217-8a0f-45f11e570056.pdf Procurement of Legal Services and Managing Legal Costs, along with the Public Spending Code and the Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies.With regard to the agencies of my Department, there are currently eight agencies under the remit of the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht: Pobal, Western Development Commission, Charities Regulatory Authority, Water Safety Ireland, Oifig an Choimisinéara Teanga, Údarás na Gaeltachta, Foras na Gaeilge, and the Ulster-Scots Agency. These agencies are independent legal entities responsible for managing their own corporate affairs and employment matters in compliance with their statutory obligations and the obligations of the Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies (with the exception of Foras na Gaeilge and the Ulster Scots Agency which have dual North/South governance arrangements). All agencies must also comply with relevant centrally issues guidance on legal cases and legal costs. Each agency under the aegis of my Department has an Oversight and Assurance Agreement in place with the Department. These agreements outline the responsibilities and obligations of the state agency as a public body and also define the relationship between the agency and the Department, as the parent Department. They also set out the governance arrangement responsibilities of the board of the agency and those of the parent Department. In addition, as part of the oversight and governance arrangements currently in place, officials from my Department meet with agencies on a regular basis.In some limited circumstances, it is possible for a Department or agency to agree to pay a contribution towards an employee’s legal costs as part of a settlement or severance agreement. This is done on a case-by-case basis and in line with https://circulars.gov.ie/pdf/circular/per/2017/17.pdfUse of Mediation as an Alternative Dispute Resolution mechanism in the resolution of workplace, contract and other disputes or Circular 09/2018: Consolidation of arrangements for the offer of severance terms in the civil and public service. In line with the relevant circulars, my Department always seeks prior approval for any such payment, by seeking formal sanction for the financial settlement from the relevant Vote Section of the Department of Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation. Agencies of the Department first seek approval from the Department itself, before the approval of the Department of Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation is sought. The table below provides the information requested by the Deputy, for my Department and relevant bodies, relating to legal cases where contributions were made towards employee’s legal fees in employment disputes in the last 5 years. I would note that responsibility for Údarás na Gaeltachta transferred to this Department in June 2025 following the transfer of the Gaeltacht function to my Department. This option is utilised in limited circumstances and in line with central guidance. I am confident that the current systems in place are achieving their objectives of minimising overall costs within my Department. The system of sanctioning such payments also ensure effective governance and oversight of these settlements.
|
Organisation |
Year |
Number of Cases |
Total Costs incurred in this year |
|
Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht |
2023 |
1 |
€9,840 |
|
Pobal |
2022 |
1 |
€7,500 |
|
Údarás na Gaeltachta |
A yearly breakdown cannot be given due to the potential identification of staff involved and a breach of mediated agreements. |
4 |
€55,000 in total across the 5 years |
