John Paul O'Shea
Question:198. Deputy John Paul O'Shea asked the Minister for Transport when the National Vehicle and Driver File Bill 2025 will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27771/26]
View answerLegislative Programme
Questions (198)
Written answers
The General Scheme of the National Vehicle and Driver File Bill 2025 has been approved by Government and is with the Office of Parliamentary Counsel for drafting. The Bill is expected to be published in the coming weeks.
The provisions included in this General Scheme improve the legislative basis underpinning the National Vehicle and Driver File, remove the requirement to display a paper motor tax disc, allow for open-ended declarations of non-use of a motor vehicle, amend the Road Traffic Act 2004 to allow for a speed limit of 60 km/h on local roads within built-up areas, and amend the Roads Act 1993 to provide a basis for the direct sharing of road traffic collision data with local authorities.
On 16 December 2025, Cabinet approved the inclusion of additional Heads for drafting. Two of the additional provisions were agreed with the Minister for Justice at the time of approving the General Scheme in April and will allow a jury to consider a charge of careless driving when a driver is acquitted of dangerous driving and allow safety camera van operators to provide certificate evidence in court.
Two additional provisions relate to the Road Traffic Act 2024. One is a technical amendment to local authority speed limit bye-law setting powers on national secondary roads and the other provides additional legislative clarity around how multiple penalty points from a single incident are to be applied to serve as a stronger deterrent to dangerous driving.
A further provision relates to the new CheckMyVehicle website, which will facilitate parties who might need to be assured of compliance, such as driver testers, driving instructors or car buyers, once the requirement to display a motor tax disc is removed.
The additional provisions were intended to be introduced at Committee Stage but, having now received Government approval, the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel will draft the provisions alongside the existing General Scheme in order to expedite its enactment.
EU Agreements
Questions (199)
John Paul O'Shea
Question:199. Deputy John Paul O'Shea asked the Minister for Transport if he will pursue a formal exemption for short-term car rental operators in EU negotiations on the clean corporate vehicles proposal published on 16 December 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27772/26]
View answerWritten answers
My Department is aware of the concerns from this sector in relation to the Clean Corporate Vehicles proposal. Officials from Zero Emission Vehicles Ireland have engaged with the Car Rental Council of Ireland on this proposal. For context, many Member States, including Ireland, are relying heavily on a rapid transition to deliver on their decarbonisation plans. Ireland’s Climate Action Plan target is to have 30% of the national vehicle fleet be electric by 2030. This is Ireland’s single biggest transport mitigation action up to 2030.
The proposal on Clean Corporate Vehicles forms part of the European Commission’s Automotive Package, published on 16 December 2025. It is designed to accelerate the transition to zero and low emission corporate fleets, reduce fossil fuel expenditure in road transport and accelerate the availability of zero emission vehicles on the second-hand market.
Member States retain flexibility for the implementation pathway of the national targets. The corporate fleet sector is diverse, consisting large and small companies, ranging from traditional company car executive fleets to large shipping and freight companies, last-mile delivery fleets, leasing companies and short-term rental companies. Each of these sub-sectors have unique conditions that would make a one-size-fits-all approach ineffective.
We are considering the proposal in detail in terms of how it aligns with the overall objective of incentivising demand for EVs and any wider impacts. This includes an analysis of the number and profile of companies in scope, fleet characteristics and market conditions.
It should be noted that the measure remains at proposal stage, with negotiations underway at EU level. The Regulation will not be finalised until agreement is reached between the Council and the European Parliament, a process that is expected to run through 2026. As Ireland prepares to assume the EU Presidency in July 2026, it is committed to playing a neutral and constructive role in facilitating dialogue among member states.
EU Agreements
Questions (200)
John Paul O'Shea
Question:200. Deputy John Paul O'Shea asked the Minister for Transport if he intends to support the position of the Belgian Government in EU negotiations on the clean corporate vehicles proposal published on 16 December 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27773/26]
View answerWritten answers
The proposal on Clean Corporate Vehicles forms part of the European Commission’s Automotive Package, published on 16 December 2025. It is designed to accelerate the transition to zero and low emission corporate fleets, reduce fossil fuel expenditure in road transport and accelerate the availability of zero emission vehicles on the second-hand market.
Many Member States, including Ireland, are relying heavily on a rapid transition to deliver on their decarbonisation plans. Ireland’s Climate Action Plan target is to have 30% of the national vehicle fleet be electric by 2030. This is Ireland’s single biggest transport mitigation action up to 2030.
Ireland supports the objectives of the Clean Corporate Vehicles proposal, recognising the significant role that corporate vehicles play in accelerating the uptake of zero emission vehicles and in driving wider market transformation.
As Ireland prepares to assume the EU Presidency in July 2026, it is committed to playing a neutral and constructive role in facilitating dialogue among member states.
Road Safety
Questions (201)
Réada Cronin
Question:201. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Transport the steps being taken to stop illegal horse racing on the N7 and other national roads that threaten public safety; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27869/26]
View answerWritten answers
All road users, including drivers of horse-drawn vehicles, are subject to road traffic legislation which is enforced by An Garda Síochána.
Under section 74 of the Roads Act 1993, it is possible to prescribe classes of road races for which relevant local authority approval, as the road authority, must be sought in advance, and for which there can then be road closures. A race which falls within prescribed classes and is not licensed is illegal, with penalties for the organiser. I understand that no classes of race have ever been prescribed under this section. I am aware, though, that the offence applies only to the organiser, and I understand that in many cases of horse races on public roads, such as sulky races, there is no identifiable organiser.
In a situation where there is an illegal race, with no notice given, it is a matter for An Garda Síochána to enforce under section 74(4) of the Roads Act 1993.
Participants in sulky racing are liable for any road traffic offences they may commit during the races. In many cases of sulky racing there is also considerable danger caused by vehicles following the race and in some cases driving alongside on the other side of the road. In these cases too the drivers can be held liable under the Road Traffic Acts.
Animal welfare issues in relation to sulky racing are a matter for my colleague the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine.
Fuel Prices
Questions (202)
Peadar Tóibín
Question:202. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance the total tax revenue collected by the State from mineral oil tax, carbon tax and VAT on petrol and diesel in the first quarter of 2026; if his Department has calculated the weekly windfall to the Exchequer resulting from the recent surge in fuel prices to €2 per litre; if, in view of the ongoing fuel protests and the severe financial strain on rural commuters, hauliers, and farmers, if he will immediately suspend the planned carbon tax increases and introduce a temporary reduction in excise duty to provide genuine relief to those who cannot afford to go to work; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27723/26]
View answerWritten answers
I am advised by Revenue that the estimated tax revenue collected from Mineral Oil Tax (MOT) on petrol and diesel in the first quarter of 2026 is shown in the table below.
The Deputy should note that MOT receipts collected in Q1 of 2026 predominantly relate to consumption in December 2025, January 2026 and February 2026. Consumption data for March 2026 will not be fully available until traders have filed their MOT returns in the second half of April 2026.
In relation to VAT, I am advised by Revenue that traders are not required to identify the VAT yield generated from the supply of specific goods and services on their VAT returns. Therefore, it is not possible to provide the VAT yield on all fuel related products and services using taxpayer information alone. However, using Revenue and third-party data sources, a tentative estimate of the VAT generated on petrol and diesel for January and February 2026 is provided in the table below. An estimate of March VAT receipts on petrol and diesel will not be available until consumption estimates become available in late April. It is important to highlight that the figures below represent the estimated total VAT yields rather than additional or "windfall" yields.
|
Fuel Type |
MOT Non-Carbon Component €m |
MOT Carbon Component €m |
VAT * €m |
Total €m |
|
Petrol |
147.0 |
40.2 |
57.0 |
244.2 |
|
Diesel |
332.1 |
136.1 |
55.0 |
523.2 |
*Data is only available to February 2026 with which to estimate VAT receipts.
As the Deputy will be aware, schemes such as the VAT deduction scheme, the double income tax relief scheme and the Diesel Rebate Scheme mean that a significant portion of revenue raised from taxation of fuels is repaid to economic operators who are availing of these schemes.
Excise duty is calculated on a volumetric basis meaning that the cash value of the tax collected remains the same regardless of the price at the pump. What that means, in the context of the excise reductions, is that the State will collect significantly less excise for every litre of fuel sold.
While VAT operates as an ad valorem tax and therefore VAT receipts do increase if the price of a commodity increases, data is only available to February 2026.
It must be noted, however, that an increase in the price of fuel can lead to a decrease in the demand.
On 14 April, in recognition of the significant increases in energy costs owing to the conflict in the Middle East, the Government announced additional measures that will benefit both households and businesses.
This has been done in consultation and positive engagement with recognised stakeholder groups over the past number of weeks.
In addition to measures announced on 24 March, the Government announced further measures on 14 April which include:
• as part of ongoing engagement with the European Commission, Government has reduced excise on diesel by a further 10 cent (VAT inclusive), bringing the total reduction on diesel to 32 cent (VAT inclusive);
• Government has reduced the excise on petrol by a further 10 cent (VAT inclusive), bringing the total reduction on petrol to 27 cent (VAT inclusive);
• Government has reduced the excise on marked gas oil (green diesel) by a further 2.4 cent (VAT inclusive), bringing the total reduction on green diesel to 7.4 cent (VAT inclusive).
All of these reductions took effect from 15 April. These reductions and the reduction in the NORA levy will run until 31 July 2026.
In addition, Government will defer the planned increase in carbon tax, scheduled for 1 May, until 14 October. This will impact green diesel and non-propellant fuels such as kerosene heating oil, natural gas and solid fuels.
In addition a further subsidy worth up to 20c/l announced by Minister Heydon through a €100 million Fuel Subsidy Support Scheme.
These supports, totalling 27.5c/l, exceed the entirety of excise (carbon and non-carbon) charged on green diesel prior to the conflict in the Middle East (21.95c excl. VAT).
It is not possible to offset all of the recent increases, which are driven by market factors, using the tax system. However, these measures will provide significant mitigation, supporting households, businesses and farmers who are experiencing the most acute impacts of the increases in fuel prices.
Tax Yield
Questions (203)
Peadar Tóibín
Question:203. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance the total amount of revenue generated by carbon tax since its introduction in 2010 on an annual basis; the way this revenue has been allocated and spent in each year since its introduction; the amounts directed towards social protection measures, retrofitting programmes, agri-environment schemes, and any other expenditure headings; whether all carbon tax revenues are being fully ringfenced as committed under Government policy, if not, the reasons for any shortfall; and where the remaining funds have been allocated in view of allegations that only 61% went to the targeted areas in 2025 as set out by Government policy. [27722/26]
View answerWritten answers
I am advised by Revenue that the carbon tax receipts collected in respect of Fuel Taxes in each of the past ten years up to 2024 are published on the Revenue website at: www.revenue.ie/en/corporate/information-about-revenue/statistics/excise/receipts-volume-and-price/excise-receipts-commodity.aspx.
The provisional Carbon tax receipts for 2025 are €1,176.1m and the year to date as of the 31 March 2026 are €340.6m.
The Deputy will appreciate that details on the allocation of these resources is a matter for the Department of Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform.
Fuel Prices
Questions (204, 206)
Ruth Coppinger
Question:204. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance if he will consider the implementation of an emergency cost-of-living payment in response to the increase in fuel prices; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27768/26]
View answer
Michael Cahill
Question:206. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance to urgently deal with the cost-of-living crisis (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27803/26]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 204 and 206 together.
Over the last number of weeks Government has introduced two packages of supports to help mitigate the impact of rising energy prices. The latest package of measures, worth some €500 million, will provide additional support on top of last month’s package worth some €250 million.
Last month’s package of measures reduced the excise duty on fuel, increased the maximum repayment allowable under the Diesel Rebate Scheme and extended the fuel allowance by an additional four weeks.
The second package of measures introduced over the weekend has provided a further reduction in excise duty, bringing the total reduced amount to 32 cent per litre of diesel, 27 cent per litre of petrol and 7.4 cent per litre of green diesel. These reduced amounts include the reduction in the NORA levy which was announced as part of the first package of measures.
Government has also agreed to delay the increase in carbon tax to later in the year, while support schemes for the transportation and agricultural sectors will be introduced.
Government has introduced these measures in order to limit the negative impact on households and businesses. The measures are time-bound.
Government will continue to monitor the economic fall-out from the conflict in the Middle East.
Artists' Remuneration
Questions (205)
Ged Nash
Question:205. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance if he will consider reviewing the VAT registration threshold for self-employed musicians whose core business is live performances at weddings and other such events and occasions either individually or as part of ensembles; if he will consider introducing a lower rate of VAT for such undertakings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27774/26]
View answerWritten answers
As the Deputy will be aware, Irish VAT legislation which includes the obligation to register and the setting of registration thresholds is determined by the EU VAT Directive and must be complied with.
Under the Directive there is an upper limit of €85,000 on registration thresholds that Member States may apply.
Ireland’s VAT registration thresholds are set at €85,000 for supplies of goods and €42,500 for supplies of services. Even if the turnover is less than a threshold limit, a business may elect to register for VAT.
Ireland’s current registration thresholds are some of the most generous thresholds in the EU with some Member States not operating any threshold meaning all businesses are required to register for VAT.
The thresholds are kept at an appropriate level to support small businesses by reducing administrative burden but also to not cause competitive distortions or undermine tax compliance.
The VAT Directive provides that Member States may fix varying thresholds for different business sectors based on objective criteria. A separate threshold cannot be set for self-employed people or for SMEs or for family run businesses. Thresholds must be sectoral based and not based on the type of business structure.
As the Deputy will be aware, any changes to VAT registration thresholds must be done as part of the normal Budget process.
Question No. 206 answered with Question No. 204.
Emergency Planning
Questions (207)
John Connolly
Question:207. Deputy John Connolly asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation the efforts undertaken since Storm Éowyn to increase the resilience of the State's emergency communications infrastructure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17180/26]
View answerWritten answers
The Tetra communications network was designed to provide a reliable and robust emergency network for the State's emergency personnel with the widest possible coverage and is delivered by Tetra Ireland. The coverage of Tetra is far in excess of the sum of the commercial mobile networks in Ireland.
The network offers push to talk voice services for emergency personnel throughout the state. This allows organisations such as An Garda Síochána and the National Ambulance Service to operate in remote areas with reliable communications. During extreme weather events many organisations make extensive use of the network as part of their co-ordinated response; this includes the Local Authority sector and ESB networks.
My Department acts as the Contracting Authority for the contract with Tetra Ireland and established a single supplier framework for the drawdown of services in December 2020. Any organisation that provides emergency services to the State may drawdown services from the framework.
In order to provide maximum coverage and resilience all areas in the country are covered by overlapping service from at least two base stations with battery backup in place for key sites. This level of coverage has allowed service to be provided during previous severe weather events.
As a result of the extended power outage seen in the West and Northwest of the country following Storm Éowyn there was some disruption to the Tetra network in those areas. A number of steps have been taken to increase resilience and reduce the chances of any further disruption.
A preventative maintenance inspection programme has been completed at all Tetra base station sites which included verification that battery backup units are performing as designed. Tetra Ireland has obtained additional generator units that can be deployed in the event of another sustained power outage to maintain service. A number of base station sites in the West and Northwest have also been upgraded to allow for both additional battery and generator capacity.
Tetra Ireland has established a new storm response protocol with ESB Networks that is designed to allow for rapid power restoration when outages occur. This protocol was used successfully during and after the storm events seen so far during the 2025/2026 storm season.
Enterprise Policy
Questions (208)
Ruairí Ó Murchú
Question:208. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation the steps that are being taken to ensure that robust social enterprise measures are included in the forthcoming national public procurement strategy, including consideration of social value legislation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22994/26]
View answerWritten answers
The forthcoming National Public Procurement Strategy has been subject to an extensive consultation process, which has been critical to understanding the primary challenges and opportunities for both public bodies and suppliers, including social enterprises. My Department undertook the following as part of the consultation for this strategy:
• A public consultation to ensure that all those with an interest in the future direction of public procurement had an opportunity to inform the new strategy.
• Regional workshops in Dublin, Cork and Athlone, which included public buyers and policy makers from across the public sector, representation from across the broad spectrum of Irish business, including social enterprises, representatives from civil society and members of the public.
• A dedicated webinar for suppliers so they could feed into the development of the strategy.
• Bilateral meetings with government departments - including the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, which has responsibility for social enterprise policy - as well as with other key stakeholders, to agree desired outcomes and actions for inclusion in the strategy.
• Direct engagement with SME and social enterprise representative bodies during the application of the SME Test.
As the strategy has not yet been approved by Government, it would not be appropriate for me to comment on the individual measures that will be included. That said, informed by this engagement, a range of actions are under consideration for inclusion in the strategy to help make it easier for SMEs - particularly start-ups, microenterprises and social enterprises - to compete for public contracts. In addition, further actions to support the wider implementation of socially responsible public procurement practices, including those aimed at increasing opportunities for social enterprises to participate in public procurement, are also under consideration.
The strategy is currently being finalised. I expect to bring the strategy to Government in the coming weeks.
Coastal Protection
Questions (209)
Cian O'Callaghan
Question:209. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation the way in which the European Union Cohesion Fund is being used to support coastal protection works in Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27715/26]
View answerWritten answers
Ireland does not receive money from the EU Cohesion Fund because its gross national income (GNI) per capita exceeds 90% of the EU average, classifying it as a more developed economy.
However, Ireland is allocated over €1.4 billion in other EU Cohesion Policy funding (including the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), the European Social Fund+ (ESF+) and the EU Just Transition Fund (EUJTF)) for the 2021-2027 programming period.
In Ireland, coastal protection is primarily a matter for the local authority concerned in the first instance. Local authorities (county and city councils) are responsible for the management of issues associated with coastal change and erosion within their administrative areas. While local authorities lead on works, the Office of Public Works (OPW) holds responsibility for technical assessments, coordinating monitoring, and mapping areas at risk. The OPW also administers the Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection Scheme.
For the 2021 - 2027 period, while not allocated to coastal protection, Ireland's cohesion funding is allocated to support a range of environmental and climate objectives including Energy Efficiency and Retrofitting, Just Transition in the Midlands, Sustainable Urban and Regional Development, Marine Environment and Blue Economy, and Research and Innovation for Green Technology.
Legislative Process
Questions (210)
Peadar Tóibín
Question:210. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation the way in which he justifies the decision to exempt the Critical Infrastructure Bill 2026 from pre-legislative scrutiny; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27726/26]
View answerWritten answers
I sought and was granted an exemption from Pre-Legislative Scrutiny for the Critical Infrastructure Bill 2026 from the Select Committee on Infrastructure and National Development Plan Delivery. The decision to seek this exemption was not taken lightly.
The need for a Bill of this nature was identified in the Accelerating Infrastructure Report and Action Plan. Its genesis is thoroughly grounded in the extensive research conducted for that report, including an in-depth public consultation with stakeholders on how infrastructure can be accelerated and views from infrastructure experts such as the Accelerating Infrastructure Taskforce.
The Accelerating Infrastructure Report and Action Plan set a ambitions timeline of Quarter 1 this year to draft and publish this legislation. This timeline was set because it is of overriding public interest that we find a means of accelerating certain critical projects and programmes that are fundamental to our provision of social and economic infrastructure, including housing. To achieve this, it was necessary to proceed to drafting and publishing this Bill at the earliest possible opportunity.
The Select Committee’s decision to waive pre-legislative scrutiny has facilitated this process. It is my belief that we will be able to have a thorough and robust discussion on this legislation at Committee Stage.
Visa Applications
Questions (211)
Cian O'Callaghan
Question:211. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment to examine the case of a person (details supplied) who has been unable to renew their General Employment Permit due to the 50:50 non-EEA employee quota rule; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27716/26]
View answerWritten answers
The Employment Permits System is administered in accordance with the Employment Permits Act 2024, which provides the statutory framework for the granting, renewal and refusal of employment permits, and requires that applications be assessed against defined legislative criteria and labour market needs.
A central feature of the system is the 50:50 rule, set out in sections 22 and 39 of the Act. This rule requires that, at the time of application, at least 50% of an employer’s workforce must be nationals of the EEA (including Ireland), the United Kingdom or Switzerland. The rule is a key safeguard designed to protect the domestic and EEA labour market and reflects Ireland’s obligations under the EU principle of Union Preference.
Since 2025, the Government has provided limited and temporary flexibility in respect of the 50:50 rule for companies operating in the older persons residential care sector. This flexibility, agreed with the Department of Health, applies only to renewal applications and does not extend to the issuing of new employment permits where the 50:50 requirement is not met. This measure applies only to renewal applications assessed on or after its introduction and cannot be applied retrospectively to applications that had already been lawfully determined.
In the case referred to by the Deputy, a renewal application was made in advance of the expiry of the individual’s General Employment Permit on 30 June 2024. That renewal application was refused on the basis that the employer did not meet the statutory 50:50 requirement. At the time the application was assessed, there was no provision allowing for flexibility in the application of the 50:50 rule in respect of that sector.
As the permit in question has since expired and the renewal application was refused in accordance with the legislation and policy in force at the time, it is not possible to reconsider that decision. Any future application in respect of the individual would need to be made as a new employment permit application and assessed in full against the statutory criteria applicable to new permits, including compliance with the 50:50 rule.
Labour Market
Questions (212)
Naoise Ó Muirí
Question:212. Deputy Naoise Ó Muirí asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment to report on his Departments consultation on transposing the platform work directive; when his Department will complete the drafting process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27759/26]
View answerWritten answers
The Improving Working Conditions in Platform Work Directive entered into force on 1 December 2024. EU Member States have until 2 December 2026 to transpose the Directive into national law.
The Directive is significantly technically complex and wide-ranging, legislating for numerous areas. It seeks to ensure that people working though digital labour platforms have the correct legal employment status that corresponds to their actual working arrangements, enabling them to benefit from the employment rights they are entitled to.
The Directive also aims to regulate the use of algorithms by digital labour platforms. It will make the use of algorithms in human resources management in platform work more transparent, ensuring that automated systems are monitored by qualified staff, and that workers have the right to contest automated decisions. The Directive also imposes substantial limitations on the processing of personal data by these systems.
Effective transposition requires significant coordination between the Department and other relevant Departments and agencies to ensure that all elements of the Directive are fully and accurately addressed.
As such, the Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment has completed consultations with Government Departments, and the public consultation process has also concluded. This consultation was open for a four-week period, and received submissions from a wide range of stakeholders, including digital labour platform operators, trade unions, employer bodies, and civil society organisations. Department officials are maintaining ongoing dialogue with relevant stakeholders throughout 2026.
A results of the public consultation are currently being considered. The Department proposes to publish the submissions received from stakeholders on its website in due course.
In the context of transposition, Ireland was represented by officials of the Department at the European Commission’s Expert Working Group on the transposition of the Directive. The Group concluded its work and published its final report on 12 January 2026, which is being used as a key source of guidance for Member States. Engagement with the European Commission will continue throughout 2026.
Department officials are currently obtaining legal advice in respect of drafting of the requisite legislation to faithfully transpose the Directive. Drafting will commence once the necessary legal advice has been received. Work on the transposition of the Platform Work Directive remains ongoing, and the Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment is committed to progressing it without delay and is on track to complete the transposition by the transposition deadline.
School Transport
Questions (213, 221)
Louis O'Hara
Question:213. Deputy Louis O'Hara asked the Minister for Education and Youth further to Parliamentary Question No. 148 of 22 February 2024, if her Department will provide the precise information that was requested, namely the euro amounts of net surplus cash derived from school transport by Bus Éireann that auditors and directors categorised as profit in the profit and loss account and cash flow statement for each of the years 2005 to 2015, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27763/26]
View answerLouis O'Hara
Question:221. Deputy Louis O'Hara asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she will publish the total annual revenue received by Bus Éireann for school transport; the amounts paid by her Department to Bus Éireann and by the customers for the years 2010 to date, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27762/26]
View answerWritten answers
The 1975 Summary of Accounting Arrangements form the basis of the payment to Bus Éireann for the operation of the School Transport Scheme. In this regard, the Department reimburses Bus Éireann for a range of costs incurred in the operation and administration of the scheme. Re-imbursement to Bus Éireann is on a cost recovery basis.
The Comptroller and Auditor General (C&AG) carried out an examination of the provision of school transport and completed its report in August 2017 – the C&AG Special Report 98. The C&AG report referenced a surplus in the Transport Management Charge element of the costs. This amount was held by way of an uncommitted reserve by Bus Éireann to be used solely for the purposes of the School Transport Scheme. The balance on the uncommitted reserve was €8.1m at the end of December 2011 and reduced to €6.7m at the end of December 2018 when it was repaid fully to the Department.
The school transport scheme is a demand-led service based on the number of eligible children who apply to avail of transport. My Department works with Bus Éireann to analyse costs to the scheme on an on-going basis while each year the company produces an audited statement of account. This ensures that the financial information provided by Bus Éireann is in accordance with the relevant summary of accounting arrangements.
Bus Éireann provide the Department with an annual projected cost of school transport services together with a provisional spread of payments. These figures are incorporated into the Department’s annual profile of expenditure and are monitored on a monthly basis both in terms of the Department’s monthly profile of expenditure and Bus Éireann information based on actual costs versus projected costs. Expenditure headings and profiles are discussed at monthly meetings held between the Department and Bus Éireann. Where changes in projected expenditure occur, a new year-end forecast is submitted by Bus Éireann and reflected in a revised spread of payments.
Actual expenditure is finalised in the Bus Éireann annual statement of account which is independently audited by the Bus Éireann auditors in accordance with the 1975 Summary of Accounting Arrangements. Balances, where they occur, are accounted for in the following year’s projected cost.
Residential Institutions
Questions (214)
Michael Cahill
Question:214. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Education and Youth when agreements will be reached with the survivors of abuse in industrial institutions (details supplied) be introduced. [27797/26]
View answerWritten answers
As the Deputy will be aware, Government has approved the delivery of a package of ongoing supports to survivors of abuse in residential institutions such as industrial schools and reformatories. This package of supports builds upon the already significant response to this issue to date, which included the Residential Institutions Redress Scheme, the funding supports disbursed by Caranua and other initiatives.
The package of supports, which were initially approved by Government in June 2023, is comprised of a number of elements, including health, education and advocacy supports.
My Department entered into a grant-funding arrangement with Sage Advocacy in November 2023 to ensure the delivery of advocacy supports to survivors. Sage has appointed regional advocates around the country to support survivors in their engagement with relevant service providers.
The legislation required to deliver the health and education supports, the Supports for Survivors of Residential Institutional Abuse Act 2025, was passed by the Oireachtas last June. In January of this year, following the conclusion of a mediation process, Government approved the strengthening of these supports, as well as a number of other initiatives.
My Department published information on the supports to be provided, and opened to applications for the health and education supports, on Friday 6 March. Relevant information is being shared with the HSE to enable the provision of specific medical cards to eligible survivors who have applied for those supports. In addition, applications for education support payments and health supports payments under the Act are also being processed and those payments will begin issuing very shortly.
Separately, arising from the mediation process, the Minister for Housing has written to local authorities and requested that they give priority to survivors of abuse in residential institutions.
Similarly, on funeral costs, Community Welfare Officers have been requested to give particular consideration to survivors.
School Staff
Questions (215)
Jen Cummins
Question:215. Deputy Jen Cummins asked the Minister for Education and Youth for an update on the ongoing negotiations with school caretakers and secretaries; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27856/26]
View answerWritten answers
School secretaries and caretakers are at the heart of the school and are the key interface between students, parents, school leaders and other staff. Without them, our schools would be unsustainable. In supporting these vital school staff members, we also support the school community as a whole.
My Department has been engaging with Fórsa and the Department of Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation over the past number of months under the auspices of the Workplace Relations Commission in relation to a number of claims including a claim for a comparable pension entitlement.
The matter was referred to the Labour Court and a hearing took place on 12th January 2026. All parties remain in process, and my department remains committed and ready to engage with Fórsa to reach a resolution on this important matter.
As with any industrial relations process, where engagement is sensitive and complex, the matters under discussion are confidential until this process concludes.
School Staff
Questions (216, 217)
Emer Currie
Question:216. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Education and Youth whether she is considering any measures to support the recruitment and retention of maths teachers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27700/26]
View answerEmer Currie
Question:217. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Education and Youth whether she is considering a measure (details supplied) to support the recruitment and retention of maths teachers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27701/26]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 216 and 217 together.
This Government is committed to ensuring that every child has a positive school experience, with access to qualified and engaged teachers who are dedicated to supporting their learning.
There are more qualified teachers than ever working in schools; an analysis of payroll data as of November 2025 found that just 0.7% of allocations (247 posts) in post-primary were unused.? Few teachers leave a teaching post, with less than 3% of the teaching workforce resigning or retiring annually from contracted teaching posts.
A recent report by my officials found that there were 52.77 vacant maths teacher posts in the 2023/24 school year. It should be noted that there were over 30,000 post-primary teachers employed during that period. These data on vacancies by subject for the 2023/2024 school year are available at this link assets.gov.ie/static/documents/f30264cc/Survey_of_Unmet_Demand_School_year_2023_24.pdf>
A number of measures have been implemented to support the availability of maths teachers. Budget 2025 introduced a €2,000 annual bursary for student teachers in STEM fields, including maths, chemistry, physics, biology, computer science and engineering, during the final two years of their undergraduate teacher education. Beneficiaries will be required to complete at least two years of post-qualification teaching in a recognised post-primary school. In January 2026, my Department issued Circular No. 0019/2026 Concurrent Initial Teacher Education Bursary Scheme (STEM Bursary) setting out the eligibility criteria and application process for this scheme. The aim of the scheme is to encourage more students to train as STEM teachers to help increase the number available to post-primary schools.
In addition, upskilling programmes for teachers have been increased in high-demand subjects such as maths, Irish, French, politics & society, and computer science, physics and Spanish. These flexible programmes, free to registered teachers, boost teachers’ employment opportunities while addressing subject-specific teacher shortages; 482 teachers have completed the maths upskilling programme.
The education requirements necessary to enter onto the register of teachers, a legal requirement to hold a teaching post funded by the Oireachtas, are determined by the Teaching Council. Changes to initial teacher education (ITE) programs were initially made in response to recommendations in the National Strategy to Improve Literacy and Numeracy among Children and Young People 2011-2020, and these changes were incorporated into the Teaching Council's accreditation standards. My Department has no plans to reduce the current duration of postgraduate ITE programmes, or to create exemptions from the need to have an accredited teaching qualification.
Additionally, this Government has implemented several measures to address teacher supply issues more generally that have led to:
- an increase of 20% in initial teacher education graduates (student teachers) between 2018 and 2023,
- and an over 30% increase in the number of teachers registered with the Teaching Council since 2017.
In 2025, a measure was announced to enable teachers gain permanent roles more quickly; teachers taking up their first contract in a viable post will be eligible for a permanent position after one year, subject to successful re-appointment through a competitive process.
Recently regulations were approved to allow?teachers who qualified overseas?to undertake their?induction in the State and incremental credit is also available to teachers returning from abroad, depending on the teaching experience gained.
A comprehensive workforce plan for the education sector, a commitment under the Programme for Government, is in development. Additionally,?a?project focused on strategic workforce planning for teachers in Ireland, led by UNESCO and supported by the EU Commission, is developing recommendations for addressing the main factors affecting teacher supply in Ireland. The recommendations put forward in the context of the project will form the basis for the development by my Department of a strategic workforce plan for the teaching workforce in Ireland.
Question No. 217 answered with Question No. 216.
Schools Building Projects
Questions (218)
Jen Cummins
Question:218. Deputy Jen Cummins asked the Minister for Education and Youth her plans for a new secondary school in Meakstown, County Dublin; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27720/26]
View answerWritten answers
I wish to advise the Deputy that requirement for school places is kept under on-going review in the context of available information on population, enrolments and residential development activity.
In order to plan for school provision and analyse the relevant demographic data, my department divides the country into 314 school planning areas (SPA) and uses a geographical information system, using data from a range of sources, including CSO Census data, child benefit and school enrolment data, to identify where the pressure for school places across the country will arise and where additional school accommodation is needed at primary and post-primary level.
Major new residential developments have the potential to alter the demand for school places at a local level. In that regard, as part of the demographic demand analysis, my department monitors planning and construction activity in the residential sector. This involves the analysis of data sources from local authorities and the CSO along with the engagement with local authorities and the construction sector. In this way, up-to-date information on significant new residential developments is obtained and factored into the demographic analysis exercise. This is necessary to ensure that schools infrastructure planning is keeping pace with demographic changes, at a local level, where there is a constantly evolving picture with planned new residential development.
Where demographic data indicates that additional provision is required, the delivery of such additional provision is dependent on the circumstances of each case and may be provided through:
• Utilising existing unused capacity within a school or schools,
• Extending the capacity of a school or schools,
• Provision of a new school or schools.
If additional accommodation is required, the aim to try and facilitate this, as much as possible, by way of expansion of existing schools rather than establishing new schools. The expansion of existing schools is consistent with wider Government objectives under Project Ireland 2040 for an increased emphasis on compact growth. In respect of post primary schools, new post primary schools must have a student enrolment capacity of 600-1,000 students and must be co-educational. A lower threshold of 400 students may apply to gaelcholáistí, having regard to the alternative of establishing an Irish-medium unit (aonad) in an English-medium school.
New schools are only established in areas of demographic growth as the resources available for school infrastructure must be prioritised to meet the needs of areas of significant population increase to ensure that every child has a school place.
Meakstown is located in the FinglasEast_BallymunD11 school planning area. While the Department’s school planning areas are very useful for planning purposes at a national level, in dense urban areas such as Dublin City it is necessary for the department to take a broader perspective in the assessment of school accommodation requirements, particularly at post primary level. In city areas there can be a high degree of inward and outward mobility of children between school planning areas, often linked with public transport and active travel routes, and parents are free to apply to enrol their children in any school, whether that is in the school planning area in which they reside or not.
Pupils living in the FinglasEast_BallymunD11 school planning area also attend schools in the surrounding school planning areas where capacity has been provided to accommodate them.
Details of large-scale projects being delivered under the school building programme may be viewed on my department's website at www.gov.ie and this information is updated regularly. In addition, a list of large-scale projects completed from 2010 to date may also be viewed on the website.
The department has engaged with Dublin City Council in regards to the Jamestown Masterplan. The Jamestown Industrial Estate Lands close to the Meakstown area were identified in the Dublin City County Development Plan as having significant potential for re-generation. The Jamestown land bank has the potential to deliver a significant number of residential units. A site has been zoned within the Jamestown lands for a future primary school should the projected population materialise as a result of the development of the potential residential units within this land bank.
My department will continue to liaise with Fingal County Council in respect of their County Development Plan and any associated Local Area Plans with a view to identifying any potential long-term school accommodation requirements across school planning areas.