Written Answers Nos. 87-106
87. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance to request that the ombudsman use his power under section 25 (3) of the Financial Services and Pensions Ombudsman Act 2017, to prepare a report showing the annual total number of mediation cases for all banks compared with the total number of mediation cases for all Digital Banks (neobanks); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15576/26]
View answerThe Financial Services and Pensions Ombudsman (FSPO) publishes an annual Overview of Complaints, which includes a detailed breakdown of complaints and trends.
The FSPO also reports on named financial service providers, if, in the preceding financial year, three or more complaints made to the FSPO relating to the financial service provider have been found to be upheld, substantially upheld or partially upheld.
In addition, the FSPO can publish a report in relation to an investigation, where the complainant and financial service provider or pension provider are not identifiable by name or address.
I am advised by the FSPO that they do not comment on individual complaints, identify the provider involved in individual complaints by name or address, or publish information on the complaints received by individual providers other than as set out in the 2017 legislation.
The 2017 legislation provides me, as Minister, with certain powers including to request reports in relation to the performance of the functions of the FSPO.
While a request has not been made, to be helpful to the Deputy, I have made the FSPO aware of the Deputy's suggestion for additional mediation-related information and I expect they will consider the merits of providing such information in future.
88. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance to set out the policy in his Department regarding the use of artificial intelligence; whether AI is used or permitted in drawing up policy documents, speeches, answers to parliamentary questions, press releases or for other official documents; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15617/26]
View answerI can confirm for the Deputy that my department recently developed an Interim Strategy on the Adoption and Use of AI within the Department. This has been circulated to all staff, and access to Microsoft Copilot Chat was provided to all staff in December 2025. The Interim Strategy sets out an initial approach to support the department in its use of AI and provides guidance to ensure adherence to appropriate security, governance, risk management and data controls. The strategy is aligned with the Guidelines for the Responsible use of Artificial Intelligence in the Irish Public Service, which were launched in May 2025. The strategy provides that artificial intelligence should not be used to generate official content, such as Memos for Government, responses to Parliamentary Questions, Ministerial Representations, Ministerial speeches, and should only be used as an aid. Users should validate and verify AI-generated content and disclose where AI-generated content is used.
Furthermore, my department follows guidance from the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) including “Cyber Security Guidance on Generative AI for Public Sector Bodies” released in June 2023. The NCSC guidance recommended that new technology should only be adopted based on a clearly defined business needs following an appropriate risk assessment.
89. Deputy Ciarán Ahern asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation to provide details of all occasions in which he or his predecessors exercised the power conferred on them under Section 15(3) of the Climate Action & Low Carbon Development Act (2015). , which states that ‘the relevant Minister may, from time to time, give a direction to a relevant body requiring it to adopt such measures as are specified in the direction for the purposes of compliance by the relevant body with subsection (1)’; to provide the details of the direction given in all cases; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15248/26]
View answerSection 15(3) of the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Act 2015 provides that “the relevant Minister may, from time to time, give a direction to a relevant body requiring it to adopt such measures as are specified in the direction for the purposes of compliance by the relevant body with subsection (1).” Section 15(1) states that a public body should be mindful of (a) the most recent approved national mitigation plan, (b) the most recent approved national adaptation framework / approved sectoral adaptation plan, (c) the furtherance of the national transition objective and (d) the objective of mitigating greenhouse gas emissions and adapting to the effects of climate change in the State.
My Department and the bodies under its aegis are obligated to provide annual returns to the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) on greenhouse gas usage and each body has a named Climate Champion. Information is provided directly to each relevant body by the SEAI and/or the Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment. I have not, nor have my predecessors, exercised the power conferred under Section 15(3) of the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Act 2015.
90. Deputy Paul Nicholas Gogarty asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation the further work being done to cut the long delays in the higher executive officer recruitment panel, notwithstanding the extension of the expiration until 30 June 2026; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15306/26]
View answer91. Deputy Paul Nicholas Gogarty asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation if he is aware that the current HBO recruitment panel appears to be moving at an average rate of just over one person per week, leaving a significant number of qualified candidates in limbo; if he is aware some people have been engaged in a recruitment process for nearly two years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15307/26]
View answer92. Deputy Paul Nicholas Gogarty asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation if he will consider extending the duration of the HEO panel, as is permitted with union agreement, to ensure those who have successfully interviewed are not penalised by administrative delays; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15308/26]
View answer93. Deputy Paul Nicholas Gogarty asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation the measures being taken to accelerate the rate of appointments from the HEO panel, given the slow movement currently being observed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15309/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 90, 91, 92 and 93 together.
The current Higher Executive Officer (HEO) competition was launched by the Public Appointments Service (publicjobs) on 9 May 2024, with the first panel established in mid-October 2024. 488 assignments have been made to date and further requests from Departments currently being processed.
Appointments are made strictly in order of merit and only as vacancies arise in the locations chosen by candidates. In some regions, all candidates on the panel have now been exhausted. Where candidates remain available, there are no operational delays in allocating them to vacancies. At present there is 46 candidates across 14 regional panels and 59 candidates on the Dublin panel, with a further five candidates in pre-employment checking.
Publicjobs operates a demand-led recruitment model, and the rate of movement on the panel reflects the volume of requests received from civil service employers. Publicjobs informs applicants from the outset that placement on a panel does not guarantee appointment, as vacancies may not arise in their preferred location.
The HEO competition and its associated panels have already been extended by more than seven months, to 30 June 2026. This will allow the competition to remain active for over two years, and no further extension is anticipated. Candidates who have been allocated to a request and have entered pre-employment checks before 30 June 2026 will be appointed once they successfully complete that stage.
94. Deputy Shónagh Ní Raghallaigh asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation the flood relief projects currently under construction and funded by OPW; when each of those projects will be completed, in tabular form. [15335/26]
View answerTo establish those communities that are at risk from significant flood events, the OPW completed the largest study of flood risk ever undertaken by the State in 2018. The OPW Catchment-based Flood Risk Assessment and Management (CFRAM) Programme was undertaken by engineering consultants on behalf of the OPW, working in partnership with the local authorities. The CFRAM Programme studied 80% of Ireland’s primary flood risk and identified solutions that can protect over 95% of that risk.
A series of 29 Flood Risk Management Plans were launched in May 2018 by the Minister of State with responsibility for the Office of Public Works and An Taoiseach, providing the evidence base for some 150 new and additional flood relief schemes. These plans are available on www.floodinfo.ie.
The Government has committed €1.3 billion to the delivery of flood relief schemes over the lifetime of the National Development Plan to protect approximately 23,000 properties in communities that are under threat from river and coastal flood risk. Since 2018, as part of a phased approach to scheme delivery, this funding has allowed the OPW, in partnership with local authorities throughout the country, to treble the number of schemes at design, planning or construction to some 100 schemes at this time.
Nationally, 56 schemes have been completed to date, which are providing protection to some 13,580 properties and an economic benefit to the State in damages and losses avoided estimated to be in the region of €2 billion. Consequently, work to protect 80% of all at-risk properties nationally is completed or underway.
There are currently ten major flood relief projects at Stage IV: Implementation / Construction. The below table provides the approximate timelines for each project reaching substantial completion.
|
Scheme |
County |
Status |
Substantial Completion |
|
Athlone Flood Alleviation Scheme |
Westmeath |
Stage IV: Implementation/Construction |
Q3 2026 |
|
Crossmolina Flood Relief Scheme |
Mayo |
Stage IV: Implementation/Construction |
Q4 2028 |
|
Dublin City (River Wad - Phase 1B) Flood Relief Scheme |
Dublin |
Stage IV: Implementation/Construction |
Q1 2026 |
|
Glashaboy (Glanmire / Sallybrook) Flood Relief Scheme |
Cork |
Stage IV: Implementation/Construction |
Q2 2026 |
|
King's Island Flood Relief Scheme |
Limerick |
Stage IV: Implementation/Construction |
Q4 2026 |
|
Morell River Flood Management Scheme |
Kildare |
Stage IV: Implementation/Construction |
Q3 2026 |
|
Morrison’s Island Public Realm and Flood Defence Project, Cork |
Cork |
Stage IV: Implementation/Construction |
Q4 2026 |
|
Poddle River Flood Alleviation Scheme |
Dublin |
Stage IV: Implementation/Construction |
Q2 2027 |
|
River Mall (Templemore) Flood Relief Scheme |
Tipperary |
Stage IV: Implementation/Construction |
Q1 2026 |
|
Whitechurch Stream Flood Alleviation Scheme |
Dublin |
Stage IV: Implementation/Construction |
Q4 2026 |
95. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation his view on what is termed ‘The 1% Clause’ in public sector contracts, namely that a company, if found to be just 1% liable, can be held 100% liable for the financial fallout of a defect in a project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15382/26]
View answerThere are no “last man standing” clauses and “1%” clauses in public contracts.
It is not public contracts that allow for a ‘last man standing’ approach but rather the absence of a provision in a contract to prevent the application of the Civil Liability Act
A Net Contribution Clause (NCC) is a clause agreed in a contract between parties which, in the case of wrongdoing, limits the liability to that share of any total liability for the same damage for which the party itself is responsible.
Multi-party disputes are common in the construction industry given the number of different parties engaged on a project. The Civil Liability Act 1961 provides that where two or more defendants are concurrent wrongdoers, they are fully liable for the damage suffered by the plaintiff.
This means that in the event that one or more of the defendants are found liable by the court and one or more of the defendants is unable to meet the judgment against it for its portion of the damages caused, the other defendants, i.e. those that are joined in any action, will be liable for the full amount and not just their own respective portion.
NCCs are commonly requested by designers in their professional appointments and collateral warranties with clients in order to overcome the provisions of the Civil Liability Act 1961, set out above.
My Department has taken a number of measures to address the concerns of the industry with respect to excessive liability being placed on them through public contracts. These include:
• The introduction of liability caps into consultancy and works contracts which gives certainty as the extent of liability a party engaged by the state on a consultancy or construction contract is expected to bear.
• Guidance has been published for contracting authorities on what are appropriate levels of liability to apply in contracts and proportionate levels of insurance to seek.
• Provisions have also been included to address situations where a consultant or contractor (operating under an existing contract) can only obtain a level of insurance cover that is lower than is contractually obliged.
The measures focussed on ensuring that otherwise capable and competent consultants and contractors are not excluded from procurement competitions as a result of the reduced level of professional indemnity insurance cover that is available in the market.
As part of the consultation under by my Department industry stakeholders and insurers were advised that it would not be recommending the introduction of net contribution clauses into the consultancy and public works contracts for the following reasons:
• It was felt that the measures introduced in 2022 and in particular the introduction of limits on liability went a significant distance towards improving the risk position in public consultancy and construction contracts.
• It would not be appropriate for one arm of the state to seek to counter the prevailing public policy under the Civil Liability Act by including provisions in standard form template contracts to limit its impact.
• All of the members of the project team engaged by the public sector undergo a pre-qualification process where their financial capacity is considered under a range of different sub-criteria which include their capacity to obtain insurance at specified levels. The technical capability criteria also investigate the prospective project member’s track record in delivery. As a result there is a reasonably high level of confidence in the capacity of the tendering field to deliver a project.
• The conditions of contract governing the engagement of consultants and contractors published under the Capital Works Management Framework all include obligations on the executing parties to maintain insurance at the specified levels for the duration of the contract.
• Where correctly implemented, a robust inspection regime for project team members and assigned certifiers engaged on public works projects, combined with the provisions set out in Clause 8 Quality, Testing and Defects of the public works contracts should ensure that the risk of claims on insurance is mitigated to the greatest degree possible.
• Where issues of negligence do arise, taxpayers would expect that the state should be in a position to recover losses where there is insurance available.
There are many reasons as to why firms choose to participate (or not) in a public contract, it may depend on the specialist area, the size, scope and timing of the service requirement or indeed the level of work and liabilities that they have already on their books.
My department has taken significant steps in striking a fair risk balance in public contracts as outlined above. Further procurement reforms have been identified in the Accelerating Infrastructure Report and Action Plan which are due to be implemented this year which are aimed at facilitating greater participation in public works projects and instil greater confidence in the pipeline of projects that will be tendered in the coming years.
96. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation if his Department has conducted research on the impact of joint and several liability on public sector infrastructure projects; its effects on legal costs and professional indemnity insurance costs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15383/26]
View answerJoint and several liability is normally only imposed through a public contract where the tenderer is reliant on another entity in order to meet the economic and financial capacity requirements of the tender. It may also be applied through the contract in the context of a tenderer who is a joint venture or partnership.
Every effort is made to ensure that legal costs borne by those tenderers who choose to submit a tender where they are reliant on the financial capacity of another entity are kept to a proportionate level. However, safeguards must be applied to ensure that the party who is relied upon can be called upon to perform the contract in the event that the tenderer (or a member of the tenderer in the case of joint venture) does not.
The implications for tenderers who choose to rely on the capacity of others in order to meet the contract award requirements are set out clearly in the pre-qualification documents and template forms of guarantee are also published, along with standard forms of agreement for joint venture applicants so that they are aware in advance of submitting their tender of their obligations if they are successful in winning the contract.
97. Deputy Aidan Farrelly asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation the number of persons that attended each heritage site under the remit of OPW in the years 2024 and 2025, in tabular form. [15441/26]
View answerThe Office of Public Works (OPW) is responsible for conserving, maintaining and managing Ireland's most important heritage sites. The mission of the OPW Heritage Services is to conserve and protect the built and natural heritage in our care whilst providing public access, interpretation and encouraging the public to visit and engage with our national heritage.
My officials are currently evaluating and auditing 2025 Visitor Data. Once the information has been collated, I will respond directly to the Deputy. The 2025 data will be published in the coming weeks on gov.ie.
The visitor data for 2024 is available online at the following link, and is set out in tabular form on the attached document.
www.gov.ie/en/office-of-public-works/press-releases/the-office-of-public-works-announces-2024-visitor-data-for-heritage-sites/.
98. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation his response to Border counties losing out on levels of EU funding available to similar European regions as a result of the northern and western region being reclassified in the next EU funding period; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15521/26]
View answer100. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation if he believes that the regional disparity in per capita GDP levels means that the Border counties should be classified separately from other counties in the northern and western region with regard to EU funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15523/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 98 and 100 together.
The achievement of balanced regional development is a key priority of this Government and is at the heart of Project Ireland 2040, which includes the National Planning Framework (NPF) setting out the overarching spatial strategy for the next twenty years, along with the National Development Plan. In addition, EU Cohesion Policy Funds and other Government expenditure also contribute to the goal of delivering economic, social and territorial development.
With regard to the size and composition of regions, EU Cohesion Policy Funds are calculated and allocated on the basis NUTS 2 regions which are intermediate-level territorial units defined by Eurostat for EU regional statistics and policy application, with populations ranging from a minimum of 800,000 to a maximum 3 million people. The NUTS 2 regional composition for the purposes of the current post 2027 negotiations are based on the existing structures and are not subject to change.
The proposals relating to post 2027 classification of the regions and any associated financial allocations are currently based on draft legislative proposals prepared and issued by the Commission as part of the overall 2028 – 2034 Multiannual Financial Framework – the 7-year budget for the European Union which were issued in mid-2025 and are currently being negotiated. The proposed change in the classification of the Northern & Western Region for the purposes of EU Cohesion Policy funds from a region in “transition” to a “more developed” region arises because the average GDP per head or the region has risen above 100 % (104%) of the average GDP per capita of the EU-27. While this is still behind other regions in Ireland, it is critical that this momentum is maintained. I believe that the ongoing delivery of Project Ireland 2040 alongside EU support will help to ensure this.
Since Project Ireland 2040 was first launched in 2018, the Government has overseen the delivery of many impactful NDP projects across the country, including in the Northern and Western Region. For example, the Dungloe to Glenties road and the Burtonport to Letterkenny Greenway in Donegal, the Collooney to Castlebaldwin road and the Eastern Garavogue Bridge in Sligo, the Northern Counties Railway Greenway from Sligo Town through to Blacklion in Cavan and then onto Enniskillen in County Fermanagh. Libraries and Courthouses were expanded on in Cavan and Donegal, mental health services were delivered in Sligo and residential care centres developed in Leitrim and Monaghan and investment in town centres and urban regeneration projects were completed across the region.
With regard to further details of investments in the region Government Departments have published sectoral investment plans setting out the capital projects to be prioritised from 2026 to 2030. These plans provide visibility of the delivery pipeline, giving construction firms the certainty they need to invest in hiring, training, and scaling their operations. In developing these sectoral plans, departments were required to demonstrate how their proposed investments align with the objectives of the National Planning Framework (NPF). This ensures that increased capital spending supports balanced regional development.
These sectoral plans are available on each Departmental webpage on the gov.ie website and will provide the Deputy with further detail on a sectoral basis. These can be assessed for projects across the country – and include for example the Ballyjamesduff Wastewater treatment plant upgrade and the Further Education and Training programme at Cavan Institute in Cavan, investment in the Ten T roads project and Atlantic Technological University in Donegal, the Ardee to Castleblaney South road in Monaghan and investment in the Mayo Sligo Leitrim Further Education and Training Centre at Mohill.
It is important to note that for the existing 2021/27 programming period there will be absolutely no change to the classification of the Northern and Western Region which will remain a region in transition. In line with balanced regional development, any change in designation by the European Commission for the post 2027 period would not affect project selection or implementation. In addition, the Northern and Western Region will continue to benefit from both EU Cohesion policy funds, direct CAP payments, LEADER, Horizon Europe and the cross-border PEACEPLUS programme.
99. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation if he will ensure that NDP funding for the Border region takes account of a reduction in EU co-funding for major infrastructural projects; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15522/26]
View answerAs part of the budgetary process each year, my Department sets overall expenditure ceilings for each Ministerial Vote Group. These are laid out at Vote level in the Budget Day Expenditure Report published in October with further detail provided in the Revised Estimates for Public Services published in December.
Following the allocation of each Ministerial Expenditure Ceiling, it is a matter for each Minister to assign funding as appropriate at programme and subhead level for their Departments and the agencies under their remit, accounting for the demands for services in different areas and regions and having regard to demographics and other relevant factors. Within this process, both current and capital expenditure are allocated on a Departmental basis and not a geographic basis.
More broadly, the achievement of balanced regional development is a key priority of this Government and is at the heart of Project Ireland 2040, which includes the National Planning Framework (NPF).
In line with balanced regional development, the change in designation by the European Commission will mean only that there is a lower contribution by the Commission to certain EU funded projects – 40-50% of the total cost instead of 60-70%. It will not affect project selection or implementation. In addition, the Border Counties will continue to benefit from EU funds where the co-financing rate is not affected by the change in designation, including the European Social Fund and the cross-border PEACEPLUS programme.
Since Project Ireland 2040 was first launched in 2018, the Government has overseen the delivery of many impactful NDP projects across the country, including in the Border Counties. For example, the Dungloe to Glenties road and the Burtonport to Letterkenny Greenway in Donegal, the Collooney to Castlebaldwin road and the Eastern Garavogue Bridge in Sligo, the Northern Counties Railway Greenway from Sligo Town through to Blacklion in Cavan and then onto Enniskillen in County Fermanagh. Libraries and Courthouses were expanded on in Cavan and Donegal, mental health services were delivered in Sligo and residential care centres developed in Leitrim and Monaghan. And investment in town centres and urban regeneration projects were completed across all five of these border counties.
The National Development Plan (NDP) review published in July last year, required the publication of sectoral investment plans. These plans have now been published and set out the capital projects to be prioritised from 2026 to 2030, so as to be in line with the objectives of the National Planning Framework (NPF), including in terms of balanced regional development.
The sectoral plans are available on each Departmental webpage on the gov.ie website and will provide the Deputy with further detail on a sectoral basis. These can be assessed for projects across the country – and include for example the Ballyjamesduff Wastewater treatment plant upgrade and the Further Education and Training programme at Cavan Institute in Cavan, investment in the Ten T roads project, the N2 Ardee to Castleblaney South road and the N2 Clontibret to the border in Monaghan. Other investments including the development of the Atlantic Technological University in Donegal and the construction and fit out of Carndonagh Garda Station and a new District Headquarters at Bailieborough Co. Cavan.
Furthermore, progress in achieving balanced regional development and in the delivery of the NDP is monitored through regular updates of the Project Ireland 2040 capital investment tracker and MyProjectIreland interactive map viewer. The capital investment tracker provides a composite update on the progress of all major investments with an estimated cost of greater than €20 million. Accompanying the tracker, the myProjectIreland interactive map details projects across the country and provides details on specific projects by county, and contains smaller investments such as schools, healthcare facilities and social housing projects. Search facilities allow users to view projects in their regional area, by city, by county or by Eircode.
101. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation the number and grade of ongoing general civil service hiring competitions currently ongoing; the number of applications received; the number of applications which have progressed through the competition stages; the number of people currently on live panels; the number of people hired as part of ongoing competitions, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15569/26]
View answerI am informed by the Public Appointments Service (publicjobs), the centralised recruiter for the Civil Service, that they can provide completed data only up to the end of January 2026. It is not possible to provide accurate February figures at this point, as a number of the competitions referred to are still active and operational work within recruitment teams is ongoing. In addition, the proportion of candidates who are successful at each stage of a competition cannot be finalised until the relevant competition has formally closed.
1. Ongoing General Civil Service Competitions
There are currently 10 general Civil Service competitions underway, as set out below:
|
Campaign ID |
Campaign Name |
|
2522800 |
Principal Officer 2025 |
|
2526501 |
Graduate Opportunities 2025 Administrative Officer (AO) |
|
22364406 |
Principal Officer Higher 2022 |
|
23378706 |
Assistant Principal Higher 2023 |
|
24231106 |
Higher Executive Officer 2024 |
|
24231201 |
Clerical Officer in the Civil Service Nationwide 2024 |
|
24307105 |
Executive Officer in the Civil Service 2024 |
|
24456408 |
Assistant Principal Officer 2024 |
|
276 |
Graduate Opportunities (AO General) 2025 |
|
325 |
Temporary Clerical Officer 2026 Nationwide |
2. Applications Received
A total of 54,447 applications have been received across these 10 competitions.
3. Applications Progressing Through Competition Stages
To date, 6,627 candidates have completed the final stage of their respective competition (i.e. interview), each having progressed through at least one prior assessment stage.
(Stages vary in type and number across competitions.)
4. Candidates on Live Panels
There are currently 5,018 candidates placed on live panels, reflecting those who have successfully completed the final stage of the recruitment process.
5. Candidates Assigned from Ongoing Competitions
A total of 3,337 candidates have been assigned to date.
102. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation to clarify the stage of public sector hiring competitions for general civil service grades submitted applications are reviewed; how PublicJobs take into account applicants relevant job experience; how this is weighted against progression in other stages such as aptitude tests or interviews; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15570/26]
View answerI am informed by the Public Appointments Service (publicjobs), a body under the aegis of my Department and the centralised recruiter for the Civil Service, that each recruitment competition is designed to reflect the specific requirements of the role, the anticipated volume of applications, and the expected level of demand from an associated panel. As a result, competitions for general Civil Service grades may comprise several assessment stages, which can include an initial online assessment, shortlisting, presentations or other exercises, and interview.
While, in certain high-volume competitions, such as Clerical Officer (CO) and Temporary Clerical Officer (TCO), the information provided in the application form forms part of the initial assessment process, for most general competitions candidate applications are not reviewed until after Stage 1 assessments have been completed. The Stage 1 assessments for general grade competitions are typically online tests which, depending on the level, assess capabilities such as verbal reasoning, numerical reasoning and situational judgement. The tests are used where there is an expectation of large volumes of applications as a means to create an order of merit using a method that has proven predictive validity (i.e. research has shown they are good predictors of performance). Where competitions attract many thousands of applications for roles, it would be impossible to examine these applications and assess experience in a fair and consistent manner at the first stage assessment. The application and experience of candidates is always considered and assessed at subsequent stages.
For CO and TCO, I am informed that PublicJobs apply a different approach to other grades, where questions on experience are asked as part of Stage 1 and the information, along with other capabilities, are assessed and used to create an order of merit.
Where shortlisting is used, candidate applications are reviewed and assessed against criteria informed by the essential requirements and key capabilities for the role in question. Applicants who do not demonstrate the required experience or fail to meet the essential criteria do not progress beyond this stage.
At interview, the candidate’s application form is available to the interview board. Assessments at this stage are conducted using the Civil Service Capability Framework, which takes a holistic approach to determining suitability for the role. This framework considers a broad range of factors, including a candidate’s past experience and behaviours, skills, strengths, knowledge, values, motivation, and interests. Interview boards seek to engage candidates in a natural dialogue that provides insight into their experience, readiness, and overall suitability for the position.
103. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation the number of applications that have been received for the general civil service administrative officer competition; the number of stages there are; the number of applicants that have passed through the stages to date; how long the competition will run for; approximately how many people will be hired through this competition; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15571/26]
View answerThe most recent general Civil Service Administrative Officer (AO) competition, conducted by the Public Appointments Service (publicjobs), received a total of 4,130 applications.
This competition consists of two assessment stages:
- Stage 1 – Online Assessment/Testing, and
- Stage 2 – Interview and Presentation.
Progress through the competition to date is set out below:
- Applications received: 4,130
- Invited to Stage 1 Testing: 4,130
- Completed Stage 1 Testing: 2,987
- Successful at Stage 1: 2,588
- Invited to Stage 2 Interview: 60 candidates (including 28 scheduled for early March)
- Successful at Interview: 21 candidates (from 32 interviews completed to date)
Panels formed from this competition may remain in place for up to twelve months. It is currently expected that the panels established will remain valid until February 2027, subject to demand.
It is not possible at this stage to determine how many individuals will ultimately be appointed from this competition. Appointments will depend on workforce requirements across Departments and Offices throughout the lifetime of the panels.
104. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation will he provide additional funding or assistance to a group (details supplied) for them to be able to source and purchase a suitable replacement for the Celtic Mist research vessel; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15596/26]
View answerAs the Deputy may be aware, the Irish Environmental Network (IEN) is an umbrella group of non-government Irish environmental organisations, representing a broad range of environmental issues. The IEN supports the work of the organisations under its umbrella through the distribution of core funding and support.
The IEN has historically been supported through the provision of grant funding from the Department of Climate, Energy, and the Environment (DCEE). The members are all national environment non-governmental organisations that work to promote environmental sustainability, and I am informed that the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment makes a determination of the totality of this funding for the purpose of organisational support.
Any queries on funding matters should be directed towards DCEE in the first instance.
105. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation to set out the policy in his Department regarding the use of artificial intelligence; whether AI is used or permitted in drawing up policy documents, speeches, answers to parliamentary questions, press releases or for other official documents; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15623/26]
View answerAs part of the roll-out of my Department’s Internal AI Strategy in June 2025, access to Microsoft Co-pilot Chat was made available to all employees in the Department. The strategy is fully aligned with the ‘Guidelines for the Responsible use of Artificial Intelligence in the Public Service’ published by my Department last May.
Comprehensive training and guidance have been provided in tandem with the Internal AI Strategy, including online awareness sessions. These sessions covered a range of areas including guidance on AI use in the Department and governance and compliance requirements.
The Internal Strategy and accompanying guidelines set out that AI can be used for the purpose of initial background research in respect of relevant tasks but should not be used to generate material that will be included in Government activities including Memoranda for Government, responses to Parliamentary Questions, Ministerial Representations, Ministerial speeches, etc. In summary, all content produced by the Department is created by skilled staff, who may make responsible use of modern AI tools to support their work and where there is robust human oversight.
106. Deputy Ciarán Ahern asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment to provide details of all occasions in which he or his predecessors exercised the power conferred on them under Section 15(3) of the Climate Action & Low Carbon Development Act (2015), which states that ‘the relevant Minister may, from time to time, give a direction to a relevant body requiring it to adopt such measures as are specified in the direction for the purposes of compliance by the relevant body with subsection (1)’; to provide the details of the direction given in all cases; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15241/26]
View answerNeither I or my predecessors as Minister in the Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment have used the power under section 15(3) of the Climate Action & Low Carbon Development Act (2015).
Oversight and Performance Delivery Agreements are in place between my Department and each of the agencies under the aegis of the Department. These agreements contain an undertaking for the Agency to deliver on the Climate Action and decarbonisation commitments consistent with the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development (Amendment) Act 2021 of net-Zero emissions no later than 2050. The Agencies also deliver a Climate Action Roadmap in accordance with requirements of the Public Sector Climate Action Mandate and, with regard to the enterprise development agencies, a note on obligations under the National Biodiversity Action Plan.
