Written Answers Nos. 921-942
921. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation the estimated cost to his Department and to each agency for which it is 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. [75255/25]
View answerThe line items or events for which a cost is expected to arise for my Department in respect of Ireland’s presidency of the European Council, and the estimated cost in each case, are included in the table below:
|
Name of Line Item / event |
Estimated Cost to Department |
|
Informal General Affairs Council (Cohesion) |
€0 (costs will be met by the Department of Foreign Affairs) |
|
Meeting of Directors of Cohesion Policy |
€15,000 |
|
Informal Meeting of the Working Party on Structural Measures and Outermost Regions |
€14,000 |
|
Chief Information Officers Network Meeting |
€14,000 |
|
SEMIC Interoperability Community Europe |
€10,000 |
|
EUPAN - EU Public Administration Network Meeting (at Director General Level) |
€26,000 |
|
EUPAN - EU Public Administration Network Meeting (at Working Group Level) |
€25,000 |
|
Building Information Modelling (BIM) Public Officers Group |
€30,000 |
|
European Personnel Selection Office (EPSO) Network Meeting |
€0 (costs will be met by Public Jobs) |
|
Employee costs and expenses |
€545,000 |
|
Total |
€679,000 |
With regard to bodies under the aegis of my Department, the Office of Public Works will be the provider of conference services to Ireland’s Presidency of the EU. This includes the provision of suitable venues, both state and private, with conference rooms and ancillary spaces, media centre facilities, fit-out and operation of conference facilities, venues for dining/hospitality and the provision of technical support to all events. The estimated costs associated with this work is €66 million to be expended 2025-2027.
|
Name of Line Item/event |
Estimated Cost |
|
Commercial Event Venue Hire |
€12.2m |
|
IT Technical Support Costs |
€1.4m |
|
Operational Costs - Staff |
€3.8m |
|
Operational Costs – Conference Delivery Costs |
€23.7m |
|
State Owned Venues Upgrade Works |
€22.4m |
|
Audio Visual Installations |
€2.6m |
|
Total |
€66.0m |
The response for the other bodies under the aegis of my Department is set out in the table below:
|
Public Body |
Name of Line Item/event |
Estimated Cost |
|
Office of the Ombudsman |
N/A |
N/A |
|
State Laboratory |
N/A |
N/A |
|
Office of the Regulator of the National Lottery |
N/A |
N/A |
|
Public Jobs (PAS) |
European Personnel Selection Office (EPSO) Network Meeting |
€2,000 |
|
National Shared Services Office |
N/A |
N/A |
922. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation the priorities of his Department and each agency for which it is responsible in respect of Ireland’s Presidency of the European Council; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [75273/25]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, Ireland 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. In this context, I wish to advise the Deputy that the key priorities of my Department in respect of Ireland’s Presidency include the following:
• Working Party on Structural Measures and the Outermost Regions - The Irish Presidency will promote a Cohesion policy that helps develop diversified and resilient regional economies, supports EU competitiveness, enables continued development of European Territorial Cooperation with particular regard to the needs of border areas and those affected by conflict and ensures that all citizens have an opportunity to participate in the economic and social life of the Union to the greatest possible extent.
• Working Party on Staff Regulations - Manage development of the regulations that govern terms and conditions, including pay, pensions and HR policies, for staff in EU institutions while promoting geographic balance in recruitment to those institutions.
• Working Party on Public Procurement - The Irish Presidency will progress the revision of the public procurement directives, with a focus on simplification, sustainability, SME participation, and digitalisation.
My Department is also preparing for the following key events in the course of the Presidency:
• Informal General Affairs Council (Cohesion)
• Meeting of Directors of Cohesion Policy
• Informal Meeting of the Working Party on Structural Measures and Outermost Regions
• Chief Information Officers Network Meeting
• SEMIC Interoperability Community Europe
• EUPAN - EU Public Administration Network Meeting - Director General Level
• EUPAN - EU Public Administration Network Meeting - Working Group Level
• Building Information Modelling (BIM) Public Officers Group
• European Personnel Selection Office (EPSO) Network Meeting
Due to the nature of their roles, the bodies under the aegis of my Department do not have a major role in respect of the Presidency, with the exception of Publicjobs, which will host the above referenced ESPO network meeting.
Separately, the Office of Public Works will be the provider of conference services to Ireland’s Presidency of the EU. This includes the provision of suitable venues, both state and private, with conference rooms and ancillary spaces, media centre facilities, fit-out and operation of conference facilities, venues for dining / hospitality and the provision of technical support to all events.
923. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation to expedite the Tralee flood relief scheme in County Kerry; when works will commence; the estimated timeframe for the proposed works to be completed; the estimated cost of the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1021/26]
View answer924. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation to expedite the Kenmare flood relief scheme in County Kerry; when works will commence; the estimated timeframe for the proposed works to be completed; the estimated cost of the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1022/26]
View answer925. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation to expedite the Clieveragh flood relief scheme in County Kerry; when works will commence; the estimated timeframe for the proposed works to be completed; the estimated cost of the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1023/26]
View answer926. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation to expedite the Abbeydorney flood relief scheme in County Kerry; when works will commence; the estimated timeframe for the proposed works to be completed; the estimated cost of the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1024/26]
View answer927. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation to prepare a coastal protection scheme for Banna in County Kerry; when this proposal will be in place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1025/26]
View answer929. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation to expedite the Cromane flood relief scheme in County Kerry; if the proposed works will commence prior to the summer season; the estimated timeframe for the proposed works to be completed; the estimated cost; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1027/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 923 to 927, inclusive, and 929 together.
Flood Relief Schemes
The Government through implementing the Flood Risk Management Plans is protecting those properties at significant flood risk from rivers and the sea. The Government has committed to investing some €81m for the design and implementation of flood relief schemes for Co. Kerry to protect 980 properties in Tralee, Kenmare, Abbeydorney and Banna. These are in the first tranche of schemes being progressed.
The OPW is funding three staff in Kerry County Council who are working solely on the delivery of the capital programme in flood risk management.
A Public Consultation Day will be held in the coming months, for the Tralee Flood Relief Scheme, to bring all options appraised to the public for their feedback. It is programmed to submit the scheme to planning at the end of 2026. The scheme is being designed to protect 717 properties from significant flood risk.
The consultants for the Kenmare Flood Relief Scheme have carried out options assessment and identified six fluvial options and three coastal options. It is programmed to submit the scheme to planning early in 2027. The scheme is being designed to protect 235 properties from significant flood risk.
Kerry County Council is completing a wider flood risk assessment in Banna to inform how the design for a scheme for this area can be best managed. This assessment includes the channels to the north and general drainage from the Ballyheigue area. The OPW is completing a feasibility report on the Abbeydorney Flood Relief Scheme.
While the proposed scheme in Listowel is not in the first tranche of projects to be progressed, the OPW, through Kerry County Council, is investing €2 million for advance measures in the Clieveragh area of Listowel to protect some 50 properties. These works were completed by the OPW’s own direct labour team and I was delighted to officially open the completion of these works in November 2025.
Following a flood event in Listowel in November 2024, Kerry County Council engaged consultants to provide a report on the flood event. The findings were presented to Kerry Municipal District on 30th April, 2025 and are now available to the public. Kerry County Council discussed the findings of this report with the OPW and interim measures were identified.
I recently visited Listowel and was delighted to be in a position to announce some €0.5m funding by the OPW for flood mitigation measures in Listowel Town Park and Killocrim. These works are now completed.
Minor Works
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, coastal erosion or minor flood 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, and the costs do not exceed €750,000.
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.
Since 2009, the OPW has approved some €4.2 million funding to Kerry County Council for some 40 projects. Some €2.9m of this approved funding relates to coastal erosion works and studies, including funding of €100,000 for embankment strengthening works at Cromane in 2012.
Under the Minor Works Scheme, it is the responsibility of the local authority to advance the works, once approved by the OPW. This includes all environmental assessments, planning consents, health and safety requirements and landowner agreements.
I recently announced revisions to this Minor Works Scheme, including increasing the maximum funding under the scheme to €2m. My Office is finalising the details of these revisions and I expect to announce these details shortly.
928. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation when the urgent coastal protection works at Rossbeigh Beach in County Kerry will be carried out; they will be carried out prior to the summer season; the cost of these measures; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1026/26]
View answer930. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation to expedite a coastal protection scheme in the vicinity of the car park in Ballyheigue, County Kerry which was damaged during storm Bram; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1028/26]
View answer931. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation to expedite a coastal protection scheme in the vicinity of the toilets at White Strand, Cahersiveen, County Kerry before they are washed away; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1029/26]
View answer932. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation to expedite a coastal protection scheme for Waterville in County Kerry that is subjected to continuous coastal erosion; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1030/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 928 and 930 to 932, inclusive, together.
Local coastal erosion and flooding issues are a matter, in the first instance, for each local authority to investigate and address. The OPW is working closely with Kerry County Council (KCC) to implement a number of initiatives to deal with the issues of coastal protection in the county. The OPW is currently funding three local authority staff in Kerry County Council to manage the delivery of flood relief schemes, a Senior Executive Engineer, Executive Engineer and a Senior Staff member.
Minor Works Scheme
The Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection Scheme was introduced by the Office of Public Works (OPW) in 2009. The purpose of the scheme is to provide 90% funding to local authorities to undertake minor flood mitigation works or studies to address localised flooding or coastal erosion problems. The scheme generally applies where a solution can be readily identified and achieved in a short time frame. The funding available for each scheme has recently been increased from €750,000 to €2 million.
The Minor Works Scheme is a demand orientated scheme. Funding is based on the estimated costs of the works submitted by the Local Authority.
Since 2009, OPW has approved some 40 projects and €4.2m to KCC under the Minor Works Schemes. Some €2.9m of this approved funding relates to coastal erosion works or studies.
KCC has identified areas of soft coastline such as Rossbeigh/Inch, Banna/Ballyheigue and along the Maharees peninsula as being particularly vulnerable to coastal erosion. A Minor Works application for Maherabeg has been reviewed by the OPW and a request for further information from Kerry Co. Council will be reviewed once submitted.
The below funding has been made available to KCC for works or studies at Ballyheigue, Waterville and Rossbeigh through the Minor Works Scheme. To date no coastal protection application has been received from KCC for Cahersiveen.
|
Schemes |
Approved |
Project Details |
Funding € |
|
Ballyheigue |
28/06/2024, 28/09/2022, 29/03/2022, 01/07/2020. |
To stabilise a 50m length of the Ballyheigue coastline. Use of rock armour to stabilise the cliff |
837,166 |
|
Waterville |
02/06/2023 |
Refurbishment and strengthening of rock revetment |
35,492 |
|
Ballyheigue-Banna-Carrahane & Brandon Bay Maharees (Tralee Bay) |
26/03/2018 |
Coastal Erosion & Flood Risk Management Study |
150,000 |
|
Rossbeigh |
26/03/2018 |
Construction of a rock revetment |
450,000 |
|
Total |
|
|
1,472,658 |
Coastal Monitoring
The OPW are currently working on the development of National Coastal Erosion Hazard Mapping and a Coastal Erosion Database to assist in identifying areas at potentially significant risk of coastal change.
The former will provide spatial mapping to identify coastal areas that may be exposed to coastal erosion in the future, the latter is a web-based platform which will allow members of the public to report coastal erosion observed in their locality.
Ballyheigue was included in the OPW Pilot Coastal Monitoring Survey Programme (CMSP) which was a five year pilot project which ran from 2020 to 2024. The OPW has also completed an aerial imagery and LiDAR survey of the full Kerry coastline in 2021.
The OPW is currently developing a national coastal change monitoring programme. In the interim, aerial photography and LiDAR surveys will continue to be conducted in the monitoring areas identified for annual surveys in the Pilot CMSP, including for Ballyheigue.
This work follows the recommendations outlined in the Report of the Interdepartmental Group on National Coastal Change Management Strategy, where the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage chair an Interdepartmental Steering Group on Coastal Change Management and the OPW has been designated by the Government as the national lead coordinating body for the assessment of coastal change hazards and risks.
933. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation the origin of the statistics on hours lost due to congestion on page 21 of the ‘Accelerating Infrastructure Report and Action Plan’; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1041/26]
View answerThe statistics to which the Deputy refers were taken from the INRIX 2024 Global Traffic Scorecard (Global Traffic Scorecard | INRIX Global Traffic Rankings)
(inrix.com/scorecard/)
INRIX is an established analytics firm that provides real-time and historical estimates of hours lost to congestion based on observed trips and travel speeds. The statistics to which the Deputy refers found that in 2024, commuters in Dublin, Galway and Cork lost 81, 67 and 51 hours respectively due to congestion.
INRIX data has been used to inform analysis of congestion in the State including the Department of Transport's research on the economic cost of congestion in Dublin (assets.gov.ie/static/documents/the-economic-cost-of-congestion-in-the-greater-dublin-area-2022-2040.pdf)
934. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation when the study of major capital projects reviewed by the Major Protects Advisory Group as of mid-2025, undertaken by DPERs National Investment Office (and referenced on p30 of the ‘Accelerating Infrastructure Report and Action Plan’), will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1042/26]
View answer935. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation the average period of weeks for a major capital project to go through the entire Approval Gate 1 process, as determined by the study of major capital projects reviewed by the Major Protects Advisory Group as of mid-2025, undertaken by DPERs National Investment Office; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1043/26]
View answer936. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation the average period of weeks for a major capital project to go through the entire Approval Gate 2 process, as determined by the study of major capital projects reviewed by the Major Protects Advisory Group as of mid-2025, undertaken by DPERs National Investment Office; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1044/26]
View answer937. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation the average period of weeks for a major capital project to go through the entire Approval Gate 3 process, as determined by the study of major capital projects reviewed by the Major Protects Advisory Group as of mid-2025, undertaken by DPERs National Investment Office; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1045/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 934 to 937, inclusive, together.
My Department is responsible for the Infrastructure Guidelines, which replaced the Public Spending Code for capital appraisal since end 2023. These set the value for money requirements and guidance for evaluating, planning and managing Exchequer-funded capital projects. Management and delivery of investment projects and public services within allocation and the national frameworks, including the Infrastructure Guidelines, is a key responsibility of every Department, Accounting Officer and Minister.
The introduction of the Infrastructure Guidelines in 2023 focused on reducing the administrative burden in delivering major capital projects which came as part of the Government’s six priority action to maximise delivery of projects. This was implemented through reducing the number of approval stages and streamlining the requirements for major projects, while retaining the international best practice governance and oversight arrangements already in place. This ensures that vital infrastructure projects will be delivered on time and in a manner that ensures value for money through detailed evaluation, appraisal and planning.
To further ensure value for money, where a project's potential costs are likely to exceed €200 million, the Infrastructure Guidelines currently requires that this project must also be reviewed through the External Assurance Process (EAP) and Major Projects Advisory Group (MPAG) at Approval Gate 1, overseen by my Department, to allow for greater scrutiny and clarity regarding such projects. As part of my Department's role in overseeing these processes, my officials in the National Investment Office (NIO) undertook a desk based study of the associated timelines of these processes and progressing a project to Approval Gate 1, conducted only on major projects which have been reviewed by MPAG as of mid 2025. As the MPAG review is solely a required step at Approval Gate 1, the analysis by officials in my Department focused solely on this stage of the project lifecycle.
This study found that, for major projects, it takes approx. 63 weeks on average between a Preliminary Business Case being submitted to the funding Department and the project being submitted by the funding Department to Government to seek consent to approve at Approval Gate (AG) 1. Though timelines can vary significantly from project to project, on average, projects took 20 weeks to move through the EAP stage and 6 weeks through the MPAG stage.
These findings have been published as part of the Accelerating Infrastructure Report and Action Plan, available on gov.ie. The actions arising from this report, including any potential reforms to the Infrastructure Guidelines, will be considered collectively. As with previous updates to the appraisal framework, any changes made will reflect international best practice with the aim to ensure value for money for the tax payer in delivering on the infrastructural requirements of the State.
938. Deputy Conor D. McGuinness asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation the percentage of the 2025 Capital Budget allocation for the OPW that was spent; and if any underspent allocation will be automatically transferred onto the 2026 Capital Budget allocation for the OPW. [1158/26]
View answerThe 2025 capital allocation under the Revised Estimate Volume (REV) for the OPW was €330.0m. During 2025, the OPW received approval for an additional €29.1m in capital funding as part of the Supplementary Estimate process, bringing its total 2025 capital allocation to €359.1m. The OPW utilised €353.1m or 98.3% of this capital budget allocation during 2025.
As the OPW received a Supplementary Estimate during 2025, and in accordance with Government Accounting Rules, the OPW cannot carry forward any unspent capital allocation from 2025 into 2026.
939. Deputy Louis O'Hara asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation to list all the OPW-owned sites in Galway, in tabular form. [1265/26]
View answerThe Office of Public Works (OPW) has responsibility on behalf of the State for managing and maintaining a substantial and complex estate of approximately 2,500 properties.
This extensive and diverse portfolio of State properties includes office accommodation for all Government Departments, the property estate for An Garda Síochána and numerous properties for many State Agencies. The portfolio also encompasses specialised spaces such as public offices, laboratories, and cultural institutions, in addition to warehouses, heritage properties, visitor centres, and sites.
There are a number of these types of properties in Galway one of which is classified as a site at the rear of the Garda Station in Mountbellew. This site is being prepared for disposal as it is surplus to State requirements.
940. Deputy Michael Murphy asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation if, in light of increasing visitor numbers to Athassel Abbey, County Tipperary, he will direct the Office of Public Works to assess current public access arrangements at the site; whether options such as a kissing gate or similar controlled access solution, successfully implemented at Hoare Abbey will be examined to improve safety for visitors; and the anticipated timeframe for such an assessment. [1569/26]
View answerAthassel Priory, National Monument 120, is a 12th century ruinous Augustinian Priory in State Ownership. It is the largest of the medieval priories in Ireland and is surrounded by farmland.
The lands surrounding the Priory are in private ownership and it is at the discretion of the property owner to allow the public to traverse their property. As there is no public right of way through the adjoining property, the Office of Public Works does not actively encourage visitors to the site. There are no options at this time to provide a new public access route, kissing gate or controlled access to the Priory.
It is intended that this issue will be examined again, in consultation with the relevant stakeholders, to make it possible to have public access provided at this important ecclesiastical site.
941. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation for an update on the progress and current timeline for the development of the Children's Court building on Hammond Lane; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1765/26]
View answerThe Dublin Family Courts project is a key project of the Department of Justice, Home Affairs and Migrations (D/JHAM) and the Courts Service of Ireland (Courts Service), as identified in the National Development Plan. The project is being delivered as a Public Private Partnership.
It will deliver a purpose-built 19 courtroom facility where family law cases can be held in a dignified, secure and non-threatening environment with a range of support services at hand.
Court facilities will be delivered in an integrated complex alongside mediation, family support and related services.
On completion it will replace the existing family law facilities in central Dublin at Dolphin House, Phoenix House, Chancery St and at the Four Courts.
Significant progress is being made in delivering this much needed project. Key milestones and achievements to date include:
- Approval in principle to proceed with the project was granted by the D/JHAM in July 2023 following submission of a business case developed by the Courts Service, as the project Sponsoring Agency.
- Detailed plans and layouts for the building were developed by the Office of Public Works (OPW) and approved by the Courts Service; they provide for a 5-storey over basement building that will provide approximately 18,250m2 of purpose-built accommodation.
- Planning permission was granted by the Commissioners of Public Works in April 2024 under Part 9 of the Planning and Development Regulations 2001.
- Technical and legal advisors were appointed by the National Development Finance Agency (NDFA) on behalf of the Courts Service in 2024.
- The project is being procured by the NDFA on behalf of the Courts Service in conjunction with the OPW using the Competitive Dialogue procurement procedure pursuant to EU and national procurement law.
- Following a pre-qualification process three candidates were shortlisted to participate in the tender stage of the process in November 2024.
- In August 2025, the project was formally handed over to the NDFA for procurement in accordance with the project governance arrangements and tender documents issued to the three short listed candidates.
The procurement process is live/ on-going at this time.
942. Deputy Michael Murphy asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation if the Office of Public Works has received or is considering proposals for the use of a vacant OPW-owned building physically adjoining a primary school (details supplied); if the OPW has assessed the suitability of this building for educational use in light of the school's overcrowded conditions and lack of special education and sensory space; and the steps being taken to ensure that State-owned property assets are deployed in a manner consistent with child safeguarding, efficient daytime use, and local educational need. [1772/26]
View answerThe future use of available accommodation in the building referred to is under consideration by the Office of Public Works to meet the requirements of one of its core clients. While the OPW has been contacted directly by the school in question, a request for additional accommodation for the school has not been received from the Department of Education and Youth under whose remit the provision of school infrastructure falls.
