Written Answers Nos. 31-60
31. Deputy Brian Brennan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation for an update on the progress of the Accelerating Infrastructure Report and Action Plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27582/26]
View answerAs Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitisation I am responsible for setting the overall capital allocations across Departments and for monitoring monthly expenditure at Departmental level.
The Programme for Government set out the clear prioritisation for the NDP Review to ensure that investment can be maximised in the coming five years for strategic infrastructure. This includes the key energy, water and transport networks on which all future development relies. This is critical to allow Government to meet the additional 300,000 homes target and to support competitiveness. These sectors, electricity, water and transport, were further defined as critical infrastructure in the Accelerating Infrastructure Actions Report and Action Plan published last December.
The Plan sets out 30 targeted actions grouped under four pillars, each addressing a key area of reform, with legal reform noted as a core element for accelerating critical infrastructure projects across the country. This work will, among other measures, include increasing exemption thresholds for critical infrastructure, reform processes with agencies and regulators, advocating for a new approach to legislation at EU level and creating a duty for state bodies to co-operate in making land available and accessible for critical infrastructure.
A Senior Officials Group supports the work on delivery of the Plan. In addition, the Cabinet Committee on Infrastructure is updated regularly on progress of Plan delivery.
The Accelerating Infrastructure Taskforce (AIT) meet monthly to support the work on the Plan.
In the wake of the 2025 Plan, Departments 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. This multi-year approach is designed to support industry planning and ensure that regional capacity can grow in line with demand.
32. Deputy Shay Brennan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation for an overview of the progress made to date under National Strategic Outcome (NSO) 1 of the National Development Plan 2021-2030; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27476/26]
View answerAs Minister for Public Expenditure Infrastructure Public Service NDP Reform and Digitalisation, I am responsible for setting the overall capital allocations across Departments and for monitoring monthly expenditure at Departmental level. The responsibility for the management and delivery of individual investment projects or sectoral policy strategies, within the allocations agreed under the National Development Plan (NDP), rests with the individual sponsoring Department in each case. Each Minister is responsible for deciding on the priority programmes and projects that will be delivered under their remit within the NDP and for setting out the timelines for delivery.
NSO 1 – Compact Growth aims to secure the sustainable growth of more compact urban and rural settlements supported by jobs, housing, community services and amenities, rather than sprawl and unplanned, uneconomic growth.
The careful management of sustainable growth for compact cities, towns and villages will add value and create more attractive places in which people can live and work. This is a fundamental principle of the National Planning Framework which the NDP is seeking to deliver and will require streamlined and coordinated investment in urban, rural and regional infrastructure by public authorities to realise the potential of infill development areas within our cities, towns and villages.
Some recently completed projects under NSO1 include:
In Housing -
93 new social housing units at Nangor Road, Clondalkin
93 new social units at Mount Avenue, Dundalk, Louth.
62 new social housing units at Maugheraboy in Sligo
310 new social housing units at Kilcarbery Grange in Clondalkin.
In Education -
A 1000 pupil post-primary school and SEN at Belmayne ETSS and
a 575 post-primary school and SEN at O'Carolan College in Nobber, Co Meath
In Health - two new surgical hubs at Mount Carmel in Dublin South and Swords, Co Dublin.
Details of projects and programmes being delivered under NSO 1 can be found in the latest capital investment tracker, which 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 and social housing projects. Search facilities also allow citizens to view projects in their regional area, by city, by county or by eircode. The Project Ireland 2040 capital investment tracker and myProjectIreland interactive map are all available on gov.ie/2040.
In December, Departments 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. This multi-year approach is designed to support industry planning and ensure that regional capacity can grow in line with demand.
The plans include planned investment and projects across the country, including a range of projects and critical infrastructure works. These sectoral plans are available on each Departmental website and will provide the Deputy with further detail on a sectoral basis.
33. Deputy Conor Sheehan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation for an update, including a timeline for the delivery of a new Garda station in Castletroy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26032/26]
View answerThe Department of Justice, Home Affairs and Migration published their Sectoral Investment Plan on the 4th of December 2025.
The plan includes capital projects for An Garda Síochána over the period of 2026 to 2030. Some of the capital projects included within the plan are under construction at present, and it is anticipated that they will be complete over the period between 2026 and 2027.
The second half of the plan aims to bring several other capital projects to construction for An Garda Síochána over the period of 2028 to 2029. A new Garda Station for Castletroy Co Limerick is one of those key projects to be progressed.
On the basis of these priorities now published, the Office of Public Works will be engaging with An Garda Síochána and the Department of Justice, Home Affairs and Migration to support them in identifying and appraising the most suitable site to support their objectives.
This will inform a more in-depth site identification process and the Office of Public Works and An Garda Síochána will then carry out an Options Appraisal process in accordance with the Infrastructure Guidelines. Subject to a successful and approved outcome from the Options Appraisal process a preferred site will be identified. The Office of Public Works will then engage directly with the market to acquire the preferred option.
34. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation the plans his Department has to provide additional inland flood defences and coastal erosion defences in County Clare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27394/26]
View answerI am very familiar with and committed to addressing the coastal erosion and flooding issues in county Clare having met with the Council over recent months.
To date, there have been 6 completed flood relief schemes in Co. Clare – Ennis Lower, Ennis Upper, Ennis South, Sixmilebridge, Quin and Springfield. The OPW is working closely with Clare County Council to implement a number of initiatives to tackle coastal erosion and flooding in the county. We are currently funding two local authority staff in Clare County Council to manage the delivery of flood relief schemes, a Senior Executive Engineer and Executive Engineer.
Clare County Council is currently leading the delivery of four flood relief schemes in County Clare, in the townlands of Kilkee, Shannon, Bunratty and Kilrush. These schemes are funded by the OPW from the Government's €1.3bn investment in flood measures under the National Development Plan to 2030.
The €8.5m Kilkee Flood Relief Scheme to protect 134 properties was submitted for planning during 2024 and was approved by An Coimisiún Pleanála in August 2025. The detailed design for the construction of the scheme is now being progressed. The original Project Brief for the Kilkee Flood Relief Scheme also included a 1 in 200 year standard of protection for coastal flooding. The design solution for addressing coastal flooding risk (Phase 2 – Coastal) in Kilkee will be progressed at a later stage.
Work to finalise the design of the Shannon Flood Relief scheme to protect 1,400 properties is continuing and the scheme option is scheduled to be submitted for planning approval in Q2 2027. The Scheme is close to a Special Area of Conservation and there is significant engagement with stakeholders including with the National Parks and Wildlife Services.
The OPW, is working with Clare County Council on potential flow path in Bunratty that may increase the knowledge of the flood risk in this area and inform a feasibility study for the scheme.
Clare County Council is finalising tender documents for technical consultancy services for the Kilrush Flood Relief Scheme which it plans to issue later this year.
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. Further details of this increased scope are due to be announced shortly.
Since 2009, OPW has approved 44 projects and some €3.9m to Clare County Council under this Minor Works Schemes. 14 of these are in relation to Coastal Erosion with approved funding of some €0.86m for these schemes.
The Government recognises the risks associated with climate change and that increases in sea levels and storm surges will result in increased frequency of coastal erosion. In response to these challenges, the recommendations outlined in the Report of the Interdepartmental Group on National Coastal Change Management Strategy are being implemented.
Amongst the key recommendations of the Report is the assignment of the lead coordination role to the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, which is responsible for chairing an Interdepartmental Steering Group on Coastal Change Management.
The OPW has been designated by Government as the national lead coordinating body for the assessment of coastal change hazards and risks and the assessment of technical options and constraints. These assessments will build upon indicative assessment work previously undertaken by the OPW under the Irish Coastal Protection Strategy Study. These assessments will also help to develop a multi-annual programme of work to assess coastal risk nationally.
35. Deputy Edward Timmins asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation for an update on the work of the infrastructure division of his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27676/26]
View answerThe Programme for Government set out the clear prioritisation for the NDP Review to ensure that investment can be maximised in the coming five years for strategic infrastructure.
This includes the key energy, water and transport networks on which all future development relies. This is critical to allow Government to meet the additional 300,000 homes target and to support competitiveness. I established a new Infrastructure Division last year to lead on the National Development Plan (NDP) review and the Accelerating Infrastructure work, targeted at meeting the objectives above.
In 2025, this Division supported the Government and I to reach agreement on the NDP Review in July and in publishing the Accelerating Infrastructure Actions Report and Action Plan last December. Ensuring the Action Plan actions get delivered is the key work priority for 2026, in addition to ensuring critical NDP projects get progressed.
The Action Plan sets out 30 targeted actions grouped under four pillars, each addressing a key area of reform, with legal reform noted as a core element for accelerating critical infrastructure projects across the country. This work will, among other measures, include increasing exemption thresholds for critical infrastructure, reform processes with agencies and regulators, advocating for a new approach to legislation at EU level and creating a duty for state bodies to co-operate in making land available and accessible for critical infrastructure.
The delivery of these 30 actions under the four pillars is on track at the end of Q1 2026. A Senior Officials Group supports the work on delivery of the Plan. In addition, the Cabinet Committee on Infrastructure is updated regularly on progress of Plan delivery.
The Accelerating Infrastructure Taskforce (AIT) meet regularly to support the work on the Plan.
In the wake of the 2025 Plan, Departments 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. This multi-year approach is designed to support industry planning and ensure that regional capacity can grow in line with demand.
The plans include planned investment and projects across the country, including a range of projects and critical infrastructure works. These sectoral plans are available on each Departmental website and will provide the Deputy with further detail on a sectoral basis.
Progress in achieving balanced regional development and detailing 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.
36. Deputy Joe Neville asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation the timeline for the introduction of the Critical Infrastructure Bill 2026; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26148/26]
View answer43. Deputy Joe Neville asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation the measures that will be implemented to ensure that local bodies alongside Government agencies follow the measure under the Critical Infrastructure Bill 2026; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26149/26]
View answer56. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation the way in which the Critical Infrastructure Bill 2026 will align with the Government’s targets to cut polluting gases emissions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27568/26]
View answer59. Deputy Michael Collins asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation the way in which is it envisaged that the Critical Infrastructure Bill 2026 will interact with the current National Development Plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26708/26]
View answer67. Deputy Michael Collins asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation when the Critical Infrastructure Bill 2026 and accompanying explanatory memorandum will be presented; and when is it proposed for the Bill to be taken at second stage in Dáil Éireann; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26706/26]
View answer73. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation if his Department took into account Ireland’s obligations under the European Climate Law and Paris Agreement when drafting the Critical Infrastructure Bill 2026; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27627/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 36, 43, 56, 59, 67 and 73 together.
The Critical Infrastructure Bill is a central pillar of the Government’s broader infrastructure acceleration agenda. The need for a Bill to fast track a limited number of strategically important projects through approval processes was identified in the Accelerating Infrastructure Report and Action published last December.
This Bill has been drafted and introduced on a priority basis to respond to this need. It's primary aim is to allow Government to designate certain projects or programmes as critical. This then requires all public bodies who may have an authorisation function for these projects or programmes to prioritise consideration of them within their approval processes.
In practical terms, this means that relevant bodies will be required to prioritise, avoid delay, reduce timelines, parallel processes and cooperate with each other to fast-track designated infrastructure but other than modifying the application of section 15 of the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Act 2015, the legislation does not change any existing statutory processes or rights.
The Bill and associated Explanatory Memorandum were published on 8 April 2026. Second Stage will be taken in the Dáil on 14 April 2026. It is my intention to bring the Bill through both Houses before the summer recess.
The National Development Plan (NDP) Review in 2025 sets out planned total public investment of €275.4 billion over the next decade. This is the largest ever capital investment plan in the history of the State. In particular, the NDP aims at transformational investment in water, energy and transport infrastructure to enable the delivery of 300,000 additional homes by 2030. Section 3 of the Critical Infrastructure Bill specifically notes that the NDP is one of the factors that I may have regard to in making a recommendation to Government on what projects and programmes should be designated as critical infrastructure.
Section 4 of the Critical Infrastructure Bill states that the requirements of the Bill will apply to all public bodies who perform functions in relation to a critical infrastructure project or programme. Put plainly, if any public body, local or national, has a role in the authorisation of critical infrastructure then they will be bound by this Bill.
Ireland will still be bound by climate and renewable energy targets set at both EU and national level, including the requirement to make the transition to a climate resilient, biodiversity rich, environmentally sustainable and climate neutral economy no later than 2050.
37. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation to give an update on overpayments made by the NSSO to former Government ministers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27567/26]
View answerThe payment of monies owed continues to be a priority for the NSSO. To date the NSSO has reached agreement with all current Ministers and Ministers of State, and the majority of former Ministers impacted by this review. Engagement is ongoing with those not yet in a payment plan to regularise pension/ASC contributions as required. The NSSO has issued further correspondence to those individuals this month. The NSSO is fully committed to ensuring that all monies owed to the State are fully recouped and will continue to follow-up with impacted individuals to finalise payment plans.
38. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation his plans to ensure that a greater number of public/civil servants can work outside Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27670/26]
View answerThe Civil Service Mobility Scheme, introduced in 2018, is the primary mechanism for facilitating the permanent lateral movement of staff members across Civil Service organisations and geographical locations in Ireland. Mobility opportunities are available for all general service staff grades (Clerical Officer, Executive Officer, Higher Executive Officer, Administrative Officer, Assistant Principal Officer, Principal Officer) and the Scheme supports skills development, career progression and increased workforce flexibility to strengthen and sustain Civil Service capacity nationwide.
The Civil Service Secondment Scheme
The Civil Service Secondment Scheme operates alongside the Mobility Scheme. A secondment is a temporary arrangement which facilitates the release and movement of staff for a specified period of time without affecting their employment status. Secondments provide staff members with opportunities to broaden their skills and continue their professional and personal development, while retaining the right to return to their substantive or equivalent position. The secondment scheme allows civil servants to avail of secondment placements in posts located nationwide, including outside the Dublin area.
40. Deputy Tony McCormack asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation to detail the level of funding allocated to regional infrastructure projects under current capital expenditure programmes and the criteria used to determine allocations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25719/26]
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 taking into account the demands for services in different areas and regions, 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), which sets out the overarching spatial strategy for the next twenty years, along with the National Development Plan.
Progress in achieving balanced regional development and detailing 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.
In addition my Department also publishes the Project Ireland 2040 Annual Report and Regional Reports giving a detailed overview of the public investments that have been made throughout the country, including on a regional basis. These and other Project Ireland 2040 related documents can be found at www.gov.ie/2040.
41. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation the action he is taking to reduce delays in critical infrastructure projects from planning to completion; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27343/26]
View answerMy 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 Accelerating Infrastructure report, published in December 2025, sets out 30 time-bound actions to speed up the pace of infrastructure delivery. Action 23 in the Accelerating Infrastructure report commits the Government to streamline and speed up the project approvals process by amending the Infrastructure Guidelines. These changes, which were implemented in Q1 2026 via circular 08/2026, include:
• In relation to Major Projects, the threshold will increase from €200m to €500m for sectors with a well established track record of delivery (Transport, Energy and Water).
• For all sectors, the External Assurance Process (EAP) will be replaced with a streamlined and time-bound internal review by the relevant Vote section in DPER; and
• Major projects at Approval Gate 2 will no longer need Ministerial approval and may now be approved solely by the Accounting Officer of the Government Department that is funding the proposed project.
In addition, under Action 25 of the report, there are a series of reforms to our capital procurement processes that are due for Q2 this year which also target streamlining and simplifying the Capital Works Management Framework (CWMF).
These reforms to the Infrastructure Guidelines are being progressed in parallel with other actions in the Accelerating Infrastructure Action Plan to support coordination, align planning and funding, and create a more predictable pathway for delivering critical infrastructure are being implemented. This will result in a reduction in timelines for project approval and delivery, while retaining sufficient protections to ensure value for public money.
My Department, led by the Infrastructure Division, is managing the monitoring and reporting on delivery of the actions in the Accelerating Infrastructure Report and Action Plan.
42. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation the way in which the new infrastructure plan and his proposed infrastructure reforms will accelerate the delivery of critical infrastructure in County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27079/26]
View answerAs Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitisation I am responsible for setting the overall capital allocations across Departments and for monitoring monthly expenditure at Departmental level.
The Programme for Government set out the clear prioritisation for the NDP Review to ensure that investment can be maximised in the coming five years for strategic infrastructure. This includes the key energy, water and transport networks on which all future development relies. This is critical to allow Government to meet the additional 300,000 homes target and to support competitiveness. These sectors, electricity, water and transport, were further defined as critical infrastructure in the Accelerating Infrastructure Actions Report published last December.
The Plan sets out 30 targeted actions grouped under four pillars, each addressing a key area of reform, with legal reform noted as a core element for accelerating critical infrastructure projects across the country. This work will, among other measures, include increasing exemption thresholds for critical infrastructure, reform processes with agencies and regulators, advocating for a new approach to legislation at EU level and creating a duty for state bodies to co-operate in making land available and accessible for critical infrastructure.
Since Project Ireland 2040 was first launched in 2018, the Government has overseen the delivery of many impactful NDP projects across the country, including for example in Cork such as the Dunkettle Interchange upgrade and new platform at Kent train station, Library improvements in Kinsale and Macroom, new wards at Mallow General Hospital, water projects in Bandon, Cork City, Cork Lower Harbour and Skibbereen and in 2025 alone, delivering capital works for 24 schools across the county.
In the wake of the 2025 National Development Plan Review, Departments 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. This multi-year approach is designed to support industry planning and ensure that regional capacity can grow in line with demand.
The plans include planned investment and projects across the country, including a range of projects and critical infrastructure works in Cork for example:
• Midleton Waste Water Treatment Plant Project
• N72/Mallow Relief Road
• M28 Cork to Ringaskiddy
• Bus Connects Cork and the Cork Area Commuter Rail
• And social and affordable housing at Horgans Quay and Mahon delivering over 390 housing units.
These sectoral plans are available on each Departmental website and will provide the Deputy with further detail on a sectoral basis.
Progress in achieving balanced regional development and detailing 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.
In addition my Department also publishes the Project Ireland 2040 Annual Report and Regional Reports highlighting achievements and giving a detailed overview of the public investments that have been made throughout the country, including in Cork. These will provide the Deputy with even further detail on delivery under the NPD to date. These and other Project Ireland 2040 related documents can be found at www.gov.ie/2040.
44. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation to provide an update following engagement with an organisation (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26356/26]
View answerThe Office of Public Works has responsibility for the conservation, maintenance, management and presentation of 780 National Monuments in State ownership or guardianship. The OPW conserves and protects the monuments in ownership and guardianship at Rathcroghan working in partnership with colleagues in the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage.
The Rathcroghan site is a collection of 240 identified archaeological sites, contained within an area of 6.5km², in which approximately 60 are in the ownership or guardianship of the State. There are 79 acres in state ownership. Monuments include Stone Age tombs, royal burial mounds, ringforts and places of ceremonial inauguration with the largest site south of N5 at Rathcroghan Mound, 4 km north of Tulsk. A general regular programme of maintenance including stone wall repairs, tree maintenance, general landscaping and fencing is undertaken at the sites in the ownership or guardianship of the State.
I visited Rathcroghan last year and met with representatives of the local community who are doing a tremendous job managing the visitor centre in Tulsk. It is important to say that officials from the OPW continue to engage with the community in Rathcroghan and attend meetings of the Farming Community Group on a regular basis.
On that note and further to recent engagements between the Farming Rathcroghan Group and the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, I understand that financial support for relevant activities relating to protection of and access to the archaeological heritage site there have been recently agreed between that Department and the Rathcroghan Group. These supports of approximately €100,000 cover the period 2026-2027 and I am sure are a welcome development for the Group.
The Office of Public Works will continue to work with our colleagues in the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage and continue to engage as appropriate with the Rathcroghan community and Roscommon County Council as we are all custodians of this very significant archaeological landscape.
45. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation the progress to-date under the National Strategic Outcome (NSO) 3 of the National Development Plan 2021 – 2030; the additional funding allocated under this NSO following the review of the NDP; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27078/26]
View answer51. Deputy Michael Collins asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation the progress to date under national strategic outcome 10 of the National Development Plan 2021-2030; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26707/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 45 and 51 together.
As Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitisation I am responsible for setting the overall capital allocations across Departments and for monitoring monthly expenditure at Departmental level.
In the 2021 NDP review, the Government originally committed €165 billion in capital investment for the period 2021-30, and subsequently agreed to additional funding of €2.25 billion in March 2024 for 2024-2026.
The revised National Development Plan, published in July, set out €275.4 billion in public capital investment to 2035 – the largest and most significant capital injection in our economy in the history of the State. Following the agreement of the revised NDP in July 2025, gross capital expenditure ceilings for all sectors have now been set out to 2030.
While Government has prioritised investment towards the critical growth-enabling sectors of housing, energy, water and transport, all Departments are now tasked with developing sectoral plans for the upcoming 5 years out to 2030.
NSO 10 refers to access to quality childcare, education and health services.
Under the 2025 NDP review, the Government allocated €7.55 billion to Education projects, €795 million to the Department of Children, Disability and Equality and a total of €9,250 million to the Department of Health for the 2026-2030 period.
A range of projects and projects have already been delivered under NSO 10 since the 2021 NDP review, including for example:
• €6.9 billion invested in capital infrastructure primary and post primary level schools resulting in over 1,200 projects completed
• And under the Healthy Ireland Framework, 18 Sláintecare Healthy Communities have been established in disadvantaged areas, 4,500 people benefit from the Sláintecare Age-Friendly Healthy Homes Scheme and over 500 GAA clubs provide the holistic Healthy Clubs model to members and communities.
• Over 200 Education projects have been delivered since the formation of the Government including -New School Buildings at Tyrellstown ETNS Dublin, St Mary's Special School in Westmeath, Gaelscoil Eois Monaghan and the extension and refurbishment of Waterpark College in Waterford.
NSO 3 relates to strengthening rural economies and communities
Under the 2025 NDP review, the Government allocated €1.329 billion to the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht.
A range of programmes and projects have already been delivered under NSO 3 since the 2021 NDP review, including for example:
• Delivery of the National Broadband Plan which includes over 564,000 premises and over 1.1million people. The NBP is set to be on track for completion by the end of 2026.
• Approval of over 800 projects under the Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme
• Providing for the maintenance of over 9,500kilometres and the strengthening of over 5,500 kilometres of local roads
A full list of projects and programmes for each of the ten National Strategic Outcomes can be found in the regular publications by my Department on the gov.ie site;
• The capital investment tracker provides a composite update on the progress of all major investments with an estimated cost of greater than €20 million.
• The myProjectIreland interactive map details projects across the country and provides details on specific projects by county and contains smaller investments such as schools and health facilities.
• The Project Ireland 2040 Annual and Regional Reports highlight achievements and give a detailed overview of the public investments that have been made throughout the country, including detail from across Government on the national strategic objectives.
• In addition, the sectoral plans which were published by Departments at the end of 2025 include planned investment and projects across the country, including a range of projects and critical infrastructure works. These sectoral plans are available on each Departmental website and will provide the Deputy with further detail on a sectoral basis.
46. Deputy Aisling Dempsey asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation for an overview of the progress made to date under National Strategic Outcome (NSO) 2 of the National Development Plan 2021-2030; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27668/26]
View answerAs Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitisation I am responsible for setting the overall capital allocations across Departments and for monitoring monthly expenditure at Departmental level.
In the 2021 NDP review, the Government originally committed €165 billion in capital investment for the period 2021-30, and subsequently agreed to additional funding of €2.25billion in March 2024 for 2024-2026.
The revised National Development Plan, published in July 2025, set out €275.4 billion in public capital investment to 2035 – the largest and most significant capital injection in our economy in the history of the State. Following the agreement of the revised NDP in July 2025, gross capital expenditure ceilings for all sectors have now been set out to 2030.
While Government has prioritised investment towards the critical growth-enabling sectors of housing, energy, water and transport all Departments are now tasked with developing sectoral plans for the upcoming 5 years out to 2030, which will detail priority projects to be progressed. Departments must ensure that the plans are affordable within the gross capital expenditure ceilings as agreed by Government. These plans will be published in the coming weeks.
NSO 2 relates to enhanced regional accessibility.
Given the nature of this strategic priority, many projects take a number of years to fully deliver, and transport has been highlighted as a critical growth-enabling sector in the NDP Review.
A total of €22,330million was allocated to the Department of Transport for the 2026-2030 period.
A range of projects have been delivered under NSO 2 since the 2021 NDP review, including for example:
• Cabinet approval of the N21/N69 Limerick to Adare to Foynes in time for the 2027 Ryder Cup
• N5 Westport to Turlough, Mayo officially opened in June 2023
• The M8/N25 Dunkettle Interchange upgrade was officially opened in February 2024
• The N22 Ballyvourney to Macroom road was opened in November 2023
Further works on the construction of the National Train Control Centre are ongoing with full commissioning expected in 2026 and ongoing investment in Inter-City Railcars orders and entry into service.
While Government has prioritised investment towards the critical growth-enabling sectors of housing, energy, water and transport, all Departments were then tasked with developing sectoral plans for the upcoming 5 years out to 2030. These plans are currently being published and detail priority projects to be progressed, and Departments must ensure that the plans are affordable within the gross capital expenditure ceilings as agreed by Government.
The Department of Transport Sectoral Investment plan was published on 26 November and is available to download from gov.ie. The plan sets out in detail the commitments to delivery for the sector.
A full list of projects and programmes for each of the ten National Strategic Outcomes can be found in the regular publications by my Department on the gov.ie site;
• The capital investment tracker provides a composite update on the progress of all major investments with an estimated cost of greater than €20 million.
• The myProjectIreland interactive map details projects across the country and provides details on specific projects by county and contains smaller investments such as schools and health facilities.
• And, the Project Ireland 2040 Annual and Regional Reports highlight achievements and give a detailed overview of the public investments that have been made throughout the country, including detail from across Government on the national strategic objectives. The Project Ireland 2024 Annual and Regional Reports published in December last year provide full and up to date detail on delivery of the National Strategic Outcomes.
47. Deputy Louis O'Hara asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation to provide an update on the South Galway Flood Relief Project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27084/26]
View answerThe Office of Public Works (OPW) and Galway County Council are working together on the development of the South Galway (Gort Lowlands) Flood Relief Scheme with Galway County Council acting as the lead authority.
The combinations of river water, groundwater, swallow holes and turloughs in the karst Gort Lowlands catchment makes this area unique, at an international level from an ecological perspective. Due to the intricate nature of the Gort Lowlands area, Trinity College Dublin and Geological Survey Ireland have been contributing to the development of the Scheme's design alongside the engineering and environmental consultants who were procured to develop a viable scheme design.
There has been a significant amount of public and stakeholder consultation with a number of public consultations taking place, including Galway County Council and the OPW presenting the emerging preferred option. The scheme is expected to provide protection to 115 properties; 50 residential and 65 commercial.
Environmental assessments are currently being undertaken for the preferred option, which involves an integrated mechanism to effectively move water through overflow channels across the turloughs in this area. The nature of these assessments are very specific. These assessments are being informed by discussions with the National Parks and Wildlife Service.
The timeline for the planning consent submission is dependent on ongoing environmental survey results and the outcome of the NPWS engagement. Should planning for the scheme be granted Galway County Council and Transport Infrastructure Ireland will re-engage on the matter of culvert capacity which came to light while the M18 was under construction.
Since 2009, OPW has approved funding under the Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection Scheme of circa €314,000 to Galway County Council for some 9 projects in the scheme's area.
48. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh den Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation cad iad na céimeanna atá á nglacadh aige chun a chinntiú go bhfuil comhordú á dhéanamh idir Ranna agus comhlachtaí Stáit agus a Roinn chun a chinntiú go bhfuil na cinntí is fearr i dtéarmaí luach ar airgead poiblí á nglacadh maidir le cláir ríomhaireachta etc. atá á gceannach, agus an minic a bhíonn cláir ríomhaireachta ann cheana lenar féidir an beart a dhéanamh seachas córas iomlán nua saincheaptha ríomhaireachta a dhearadh, a cheannach nó a fháil ar cíos; agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina thaobh. [27095/26]
View answerCircular 14/2021, Arrangements for Oversight of Digital and ICT-related Initiatives in the Civil and Public Service, sets out the steps that each Department must take before embarking on a new digital and ICT-related initiative. This circular is operated by the Office of the Government Chief Information Officer (OGCIO), a division of my Department.
Under these arrangements, Public Service Bodies are required to seek approval from my Department for all new digital and ICT initiatives before any Government decision is taken, before procurement documentation is published, or before any commitment is entered into, including expenditure. This ensures early and structured engagement, supports whole-of-government coordination, and helps to avoid unnecessary duplication or fragmented investments.
Where a project subsequently varies significantly in scope, schedule, cost, deliverables or quality, renewed approval from the OGCIO is required.
For digital and ICT initiatives of significant scale, risk and/or strategic importance—including all projects with an estimated lifetime cost exceeding €5 million—the OGCIO operates a formal peer review process. This process assesses governance, delivery approach, costs, risks and alignment with wider Public Service strategies, and provides independent challenge to ensure robust decision-making and value for money.
In addition to its oversight role, the OGCIO delivers a portfolio of shared ICT/digital services available to Public Service Bodies including Government Networks, National Low Latency Platform, Managed Desktop, Government Private Cloud, Government Data Centre, the Enterprise Project Portfolio Management framework, Build to Share Applications suite and the gov.ie family of websites. Public service bodies are encouraged to avail of these services where these will meet their needs, thus maximising the impact of the investment in these services. The Deputy will find more details on the range of services available from the OGCIO in my Department’s annual reports which are published on gov.ie
The Deputy should note that Public Service Bodies continue to be directly responsible for the success of all digital and ICT initiatives, including associated expenditures. Furthermore, this Circular does not alter other compliance or reporting obligations required of Public Service Bodies including under the Public Spending Code/ Infrastructure Guidelines.
The Approving Authority, which in most cases is the funding Department, have ultimate responsibility for all projects and it is the responsibility of the relevant Accounting Officer to ensure compliance with the relevant requirements of the Infrastructure Guidelines. This is part of the overall Accounting Officer role in terms of accountability, delivery, regularity, propriety and ensuring value for money.
Tá réimse céimeanna á nglacadh ag an Roinn Caiteachais Phoiblí, Bonneagair, Athchóiriúcháin Seirbhíse Poiblí agus Digitiúcháin, trí Oifig Phríomhoifigeach Faisnéise an Rialtais (OGCIO), chun tacú le comhlíonadh Acht na dTeangacha Oifigiúla (Leasú) 2021 maidir le seirbhísí poiblí digiteacha a bheith ar fáil go dátheangach ar líne.
Soláthraíonn agus déanann OGCIO na hardáin theicniúla a chumasaíonn seirbhísí poiblí digiteacha dátheangacha a sheachadadh ar fud phríomhshuíomhanna gréasáin an Rialtais a oibriú cheana féin, lena n-áirítear gov.ie, ireland.ie agus citizensinformation.ie. Tá na hardáin seo deartha chun tacú le hábhair i nGaeilge agus i mBéarla a fhoilsiú.
I gcás gov.ie, is úinéirí ábhair iad Ranna aonair agus comhlachtaí poiblí dá n-ábhar. Bíodh is go gcinntíonn OGCIO go bhfuil an timpeallacht theicniúil i bhfeidhm chun tacú le foilsiú dátheangach, luíonn an fhreagracht as leaganacha Gaeilge d'ábhar a sholáthar agus a chothabháil leis na Ranna agus comhlachtaí poiblí ábhartha, de réir a ndualgas reachtúil faoi Acht na dTeangacha Oifigiúla (Leasú) 2021.
Chomh maith leis sin, tá OGCIO ag obair go dlúth leis an Roinn Forbartha Tuaithe agus Pobail mar chuid den Mheitheal Theicniúil faoin bPlean Náisiúnta um Sheirbhísí Poiblí Gaeilge 2024-2030. Tá an obair sin dírithe ar thacaíocht Ghaeilge a chumasú agus a leathnú thar raon níos leithne seirbhísí poiblí digiteacha.
Tá an Roinn ag tacú freisin le hÚdarás na Gaeltachta ina cuid oibre chun forbairt seirbhísí Gaeilge IS-chumasaithe a chur chun cinn, seirbhísí a bhfuil sé de chumas acu rochtain ar sheirbhísí poiblí trí Ghaeilge a fheabhsú tuilleadh.
Ag féachaint chun cinn, leanfar d'ardáin dhigiteacha, córais agus seirbhísí comhroinnte OGCIO amach anseo a dhearadh agus a fhorbairt chun tacú le Gaeilge a bheith ar fáil chomh maith leis an mBéarla, ag cabhrú lena chinntiú gur féidir le gach úsáideoir rochtain a fháil ar sheirbhísí poiblí digiteacha ina rogha teanga oifigiúla agus ag tacú le comhlíonadh leanúnach Acht na dTeangacha Oifigiúla (Leasú) 2021.
Leagtar amach i gCiorclán 14/2021, Socruithe um Mhaoirseacht ar Thionscnaimh Dhigiteacha agus Thionscnaimh a bhaineann le TFC sa Státseirbhís agus sa tSeirbhís Phoiblí, na céimeanna nach mór do gach Roinn a ghlacadh sula dtabharfaidh sí faoi thionscnamh nua a bhaineann le cúrsaí digiteacha agus TFC. Tá an ciorclán seo á oibriú ag Oifig Phríomhoifigeach Faisnéise an Rialtais (OGCIO), rannán de chuid mo Roinne.
Faoi na socruithe seo, ceanglaítear ar Chomhlachtaí Seirbhíse Poiblí faomhadh a lorg ó mo Roinn do gach tionscnamh nua digiteach agus TFC sula ndéantar aon chinneadh Rialtais, sula bhfoilsítear cáipéisíocht soláthair, nó sula ndéantar aon ghealltanas, caiteachas san áireamh. Cinntíonn sé sin rannpháirtíocht luath agus struchtúrtha, tacaíonn sé le comhordú uile-rialtais, agus cabhraíonn sé le dúbailt neamhriachtanach nó infheistíochtaí ilroinnte a sheachaint.
Sa chás ina n-athraíonn tionscadal go suntasach ina dhiaidh sin maidir le raon feidhme, sceideal, costas, táirgí insoláthartha nó cáilíocht, tá gá le formheas athnuaite ó OGCIO .
Maidir le tionscnaimh digiteacha agus TFC a bhfuil tábhacht shuntasach scála, riosca agus/nó straitéiseach ag baint leo - lena n-áirítear gach tionscadal a bhfuil costas saoil measta acu ar mó é ná €5 mhilliún - feidhmíonn OGCIO próiseas foirmiúil piarmheasúnaithe. Déanann an próiseas sin measúnú ar rialachas, ar chur chuige seachadta, ar chostais, ar rioscaí agus ar ailíniú le straitéisí Seirbhíse Poiblí níos leithne, agus soláthraíonn sé dúshlán neamhspleách chun cinnteoireacht láidir agus luach ar airgead a chinntiú.
Chomh maith lena ról maoirseachta, seachadann an OGCIO punann de sheirbhísí TFC/digiteacha comhroinnte atá ar fáil do Chomhlachtaí Seirbhíse Poiblí, lena n-áirítear Líonraí Rialtais, Ardán Náisiúnta Íseal-Aga Folaigh, Deasc Bhainistithe, Néal Príobháideach an Rialtais, Ionad Sonraí an Rialtais, an creat Bainistíochta don Phunainn Tionscadail Fiontair, sraith Feidhmchláir ‘Tógáil le Roinnt’ agus teaghlach suíomhanna gréasáin gov.ie. Moltar do chomhlachtaí seirbhíse poiblí leas a bhaint as na seirbhísí seo ina bhfreastalóidh siad sin ar a gcuid riachtanas, agus ar an gcaoi sin tionchar na hinfheistíochta sna seirbhísí sin a uasmhéadú. Gheobhaidh an Teachta tuilleadh sonraí faoin réimse seirbhísí atá ar fáil ón OGCIO i dtuarascálacha bliantúla mo Roinne atá foilsithe ar gov.ie
Ba chóir don Teachta a thabhairt faoi deara go bhfuil Comhlachtaí Seirbhíse Poiblí fós freagrach go díreach as a rathúil is a bhíonn na tionscnaimh digiteacha agus TFC ar fad, lena n-áirítear caiteachais ghaolmhara, chomh maith le teagmháil le Rannóga Bainistíochta Caiteachais na Roinne seo maidir le maoiniú. Chomh maith leis sin, ní athraíonn an Ciorclán seo oibleagáidí comhlíonta nó tuairiscithe eile a theastaíonn ó Chomhlachtaí Seirbhíse Poiblí, lena n-áirítear faoin gCód Caiteachais Phoiblí/Treoirlínte Bonneagair.
Tá freagracht deiridh ar an Údarás Formheasa, arb í an Roinn maoinithe í i bhformhór na gcásanna, as gach tionscadal agus tá sé de fhreagracht ar an Oifigeach Cuntasaíochta ábhartha a chinntiú go gcomhlíontar ceanglais ábhartha na dTreoirlínte Bonneagair. Tá sé sin mar chuid de ról foriomlán an Oifigigh Chuntasaíochta i dtéarmaí cuntasachta, seachadta, rialtachta, cuibhiúlachta agus luach ar airgead a chinntiú.
49. Deputy Catherine Ardagh asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation for an overview of the progress made to date under National Strategic Outcome (NSO) 6 of the National Development Plan 2021-2030; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27667/26]
View answerAs Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation, I am responsible for setting the overall capital allocations across Departments and for monitoring monthly expenditure at Departmental level. The responsibility for the management and delivery of individual investment projects, within the allocations agreed under the National Development Plan (NDP), rests with the individual sponsoring Department in each case. National Strategic Outcome (NSO) 6 deals with the delivery of high quality international connectivity.
The relevant sectoral strategies under NSO 6 include the National Aviation Policy, the National Ports Policy, and the Telecommunications chapter of the National Marine Planning Framework, which relates to international telecommunications connectivity. These strategies play a critical role in identifying the goals and priorities for the sector and are therefore critical in informing the investment projects set out in the NDP.
In terms of our airports, a range of investments are planned and underway:
• Dublin Airport has announced a major programme of improvements ahead of its busiest summer ever in 2025, which includes enhanced operational capacity to manage over 120,000 passengers per day.
• The Shannon Airport Group continues to implement its investment plan, including upgrades to airport infrastructure including new R&D engineering/manufacturing units.
In relation to ports:
• The Port of Cork’s Ringaskiddy Redevelopment CCT 2 project is underway which will see redevelopment and the extension of existing CCT 1 facility to accommodate larger seas vessels and increase port capacity.
• The Shannon Foynes Port Company is progressing with capacity extensions at Shannon Foynes Port, further strengthening freight and trade connectivity.
• Dublin Port is actively implementing its Masterplan 2040, ensuring sustainable growth and long-term capacity planning.
Further details of projects and programmes being delivered under NSO 6 can be found in the latest capital investment tracker, which 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 provides details on specific projects by county and contains smaller investments. Search facilities also allow citizens to view projects in their regional area, by city, by county or by eircode.
The Project Ireland 2040 Capital Investment Tracker and myProjectIreland interactive map are available at gov.ie/2040.
In addition to the tracker, the sectoral plans which were published by Departments at the end of 2025 include planned investment and projects across the country, including a range of projects and critical infrastructure works. These sectoral plans are available on each Departmental website and will provide the Deputy with further detail on a sectoral basis.
50. Deputy Noel McCarthy asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation to outline the progress made to date with respect to proposed flood prevention measures in Castlemartyr, Midleton, Mogeely, Killeagh, Rathcormac and Whitegate in Cork east; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27098/26]
View answer70. Deputy Noel McCarthy asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation to provide an update on the rollout of the individual property protection scheme across east Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27097/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 50 and 70 together.
Through the Catchment-based Flood Risk Assessment and Management Programme (CFRAM), the largest study of flood risk was completed by the Office of Public Works (OPW) in 2018. This studied the flood risk for two-thirds of the population against the risk of flooding from rivers and the sea. The Government’s Flood Risk Management Plans, an output of CFRAM, provided the evidence for a proactive approach to designing and constructing flood relief schemes for the most at-risk communities. Investment of €1.3 billion through the National Development Plan has allowed the OPW, since 2018, to treble the number of flood relief schemes at design, planning, or construction to some 100 schemes.
Across Cork City and County, nine flood relief schemes have been completed to date.
Under the National Development Plan, the OPW is currently providing funding to Cork County Council for nine staff to deliver all 15 additional flood relief schemes across their area of remit. Six of these are Tranche 1 schemes, which are underway at this time, including the scheme for Midleton.
The Midleton Flood Relief Scheme, which will protect up to 750 properties, is currently estimated to be submitted to An Coimisiún Pleanála in Q3 2026, with an approximate date for substantial completion in 2031. The programme is subject to continuous, ongoing review by Cork County Council and the OPW.
A planning application for advance works at Tír Cluain, to protect 135 of these properties, was granted in January 2026 and construction works are planned to commence later this year.
In October 2024, the OPW approved €5.8m in funding for Cork County Council to make Individual Property Protection (IPP) available free of charge to home and business owners in Midleton and across East Cork who were impacted by Storm Babet in October 2023. This included retrospective payment to property owners who had purchased suitable IPP measures between 18th October 2023 and 7th October 2024.
The scheme requires some 2,000 flood barriers, and a significant number of these need civil works to have them installed. As of 7th April 2026, Cork County Council has advised that 36% of the properties are now fully protected and 64% of the total number of flood gates required have been delivered. The Council is continuing to procure flood gates and civil works contractors to deliver the scale of this programme as quickly as possible. Cork County Council and the OPW are keeping the delivery of this IPP scheme under review.
A quarterly update by Cork County Council on the Midleton Flood Relief Scheme and the Individual Property Protection scheme was presented at the Midleton Flood Committee meeting on 12th February 2026, and the next update is scheduled for 23rd April 2026.
Under the national programme, work has yet to commence on three Tranche 2 flood relief schemes in East Cork, including Castlemartyr, Rathcormac, and Youghal. The Castlemartyr Area of Potentially Significant Flood Risk has been extended to include the village of Mogeely. The OPW is piloting a new delivery model in Counties Donegal and Kilkenny, which will inform the delivery of future Tranche 2 schemes nationally, including those in County Cork.
A detailed review of the flood mapping and risk for Killeagh will be undertaken to fully understand the flooding mechanisms in this community and the degree of risk present. Upon completion of the detailed review, this will allow for an assessment of future actions.
Since 2009, under the Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection Scheme, the OPW has approved some €7.4 million funding to Cork County Council for some 57 projects. Under the 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. Projects approved to date are available to view through www.floodinfo.ie/minor-works/.
The Council has completed a number of interim flood defence works in Midleton since Storm Babet in October 2023, along with interim flood mitigation measures for Rathcormac, Castlemartyr and Killeagh. Cork County Council are directly progressing interim flood mitigation measures in respect of Mogeely and Castlemartyr through public procurement.
In January 2026, the OPW approved funding of €107,708 for the procurement of an engineering consultant to conduct surveys and a study and to recommend measures to mitigate the risk of flooding to properties in Whitegate Village, Co. Cork.
52. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation to provide an update on the impact that the intervention of the Defence Forces in the current fuel protests will have on public expenditure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27571/26]
View answerIn relation to overall public expenditure, my Department regularly provides detailed information on how public money is allocated, spent and the associated outputs. Some examples of the publications where this information can be found are summarised below.
• The Expenditure Report is published in October every year as part of the Budget day documentation. This report sets out the expenditure allocations for each vote. Further detail in respect of each of the Vote Groups is contained in the relevant chapter in Part II of the Expenditure Report.
• The Revised Estimates for Public Services (REV) is published in December each year. This document sets out details of the annual expenditure allocation for each Vote at subhead level. It contains performance budgeting information linked to these subhead lines and describes how public resources will be utilised to provide public services and the impact of public policies on people’s lives.
• Information on levels of spending across the year are published each month in the Fiscal Monitor, which compares spending for each Department against the previous year and the profiled spending plan set out for each month by Departments. This fiscal monitor can be found at www.gov.ie/en/department-of-finance/publications/fiscal-monitor-march-2026/.
• My Department actively monitors spending developments throughout the year and is in ongoing engagement with all other Departments as part of this to identify any spending risks and mitigations.
The intervention of the Defence Forces and the associated expenditure is a matter for my colleague the Minister for Defence. In the context of the Deputy's question, the Department of Defence has provided the following update.
The Defence Forces, pursuant to their role of rendering ‘aid to the civil power’, may assist an Garda Síochána, as required, in a range of duties. As Defence funding is managed through a single programme with all operational outputs delivered from a single set of forces encompassing the Army, Air Corps and Naval Service, any operational costs arising from the Defence Forces role in providing assistance to An Garda Síochána last week, will be fully met from within the overarching 2026 financial envelope provided. The detail relating to these specific operational costs is currently not available.
53. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation for an overview of the progress made to date under National Strategic Outcome (NSO) 9 of the National Development Plan 2021-2030; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27478/26]
View answerAs Minister for Public Expenditure Infrastructure Public Service Reform and Digitisation, I am responsible for setting the overall capital allocations across Departments and for monitoring monthly expenditure at Departmental level. The responsibility for the management and delivery of individual investment projects or sectoral policy strategies, within the allocations agreed under the National Development Plan (NDP), rests with the individual sponsoring Department in each case. Each Minister is responsible for deciding on the priority programmes and projects that will be delivered under their remit within the NDP and for setting out the timelines for delivery.
The NDP contains expenditure commitments for a range of strategic investment priorities which will contribute towards the achievement of the National Strategic Outcomes (NSOs), including NSO 9 which relates to the Sustainable Management of Water, Waste and other Environmental Resources. This NSO highlights the importance of sustainable water resources to the implementation of the National Planning Framework in order to underpin our environmental and economic well-being into the future. Investment in the water and wastewater network will support environmental and economic wellbeing, and deal with population growth and the effects of a changing climate.
The relevant sectoral strategies under this NSO are the Water Services Policy Statement 2018-2025, Uisce Éireann’s National Water Resources Plan and the Government’s Waste Action Plan for a Circular Economy. These strategies play a critical role in identifying the goals and priorities for this area and are therefore critical in informing the investment projects set out in the NDP.
In terms of water management a range of investments are planned and underway under the NDP. Some recently completed projects include:
• The new water treatment plant at Arklow
• The new trunk watermain from Ballycoolin to Swords
• The Ringsend Water treatment plant
• The Old Connaught Woodbrook water supply scheme and
• The upgrade to the Liscanton Water treatment plant in Navan
Under NSO 9, Uisce Éireann is investing €12.2 billion of combined investment supports into the network from 2025-2029.
Further details of projects and programmes being delivered under NSO 9 can be found in 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 and social housing projects. Search facilities also allow citizens to view projects in their regional area, by city, by county or by eircode.
The Project Ireland 2040 capital investment tracker and myProjectIreland interactive map are all available on gov.ie/2040.
In addition to the tracker, the sectoral plans which were published by Departments at the end of 2025 include planned investment and projects across the country, including a range of projects and critical infrastructure works. These sectoral plans are available on each Departmental website and will provide the Deputy with further detail on a sectoral basis.
54. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation to outline his Department’s awareness of the way in which companies offering home insurance are using CFRAM maps and other flood-related data generated by his Department to refuse flood insurance; his plans to mitigate this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27341/26]
View answerThe Department of Finance has overall responsibility for policy matters in relation to insurance, including flood insurance. The Department of Finance engages with the insurance industry on all aspects of insurance reform, including flood cover issues. These matters are a priority for the Government and efforts continue to be made to encourage a responsive approach to the provision of flood insurance from the insurance industry.
The OPW's Flood Maps are available to the public at www.floodinfo.ie. However, it is important to note that they are community based maps. The maps were not designed to designate individual properties at risk. The maps show the probable extent of flooding based on current and future projections.
The Disclaimer and Conditions for Use of the OPW Flood Maps on www.floodinfo.ie includes a provision that users of the website must not use the Flood Maps, or any other content of the website for commercial purposes. As such, the Disclaimer prevents insurance companies from using the flood maps generated by the OPW.
The insurance industry has its own flood modelling tools for assessing the level of risk that it is willing to underwrite in relation to individual properties. Insurance Ireland, the representative body of the insurance industry, has highlighted to the OPW that it does not use the OPW flood maps to inform its flood modelling. The decision on whether to offer insurance, the level of premiums charged and the policy terms applied are matters for individual insurers. Insurance companies make commercial decisions on the provision of insurance cover based on their assessment of the risks they would be accepting on a case-by-case basis. In accordance with the EU framework for insurance (Solvency II Directive), the Government cannot direct the provision or pricing of insurance products.
The OPW has a role to assist insurance companies to take into account the protection provided by completed flood defence schemes. In this regard, the OPW has a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Insurance Ireland, the representative body of the insurance industry. The MoU sets out principles of how the two organisations work together to ensure that appropriate and relevant information on these completed schemes is provided to insurers to facilitate, to the greatest extent possible, the availability to the public of insurance against the risk of flooding. While the MoU does not guarantee the availability of insurance, Insurance Ireland members have committed to take into account all information provided by the OPW when assessing exposure to flood risk within these protected areas.
Insurance Ireland operates an Insurance Information Service for those who have queries, complaints or difficulties in relation to obtaining insurance, which can be contacted at 01 676 1820 or feedback@insuranceireland.eu. Similarly, Brokers Ireland, the representative body for insurance brokers in Ireland, has access to a wide range of providers and products, and can offer advice for customers when sourcing cover. Brokers Ireland can be reached at 01 661 3067. Furthermore, where an individual considers that they have been treated unfairly, they have the option of making a complaint to the Financial Services and Pensions Ombudsman (FSPO). The FSPO can be contacted either by email at info@fspo.ie or by telephone at 01 567 7000.
55. Deputy Joe Cooney asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation the plans his Department has to introduce a ‘tell-us-once’ approach to public service delivery whereby citizens will not be required to submit the same personal information multiple times to different State bodies; the way in which any such approach will be fully compliant with recent findings from the Data Protection Commission regarding the public services card; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26604/26]
View answerThe overarching approach to implementing a ‘tell-us-once’ approach to public service delivery can be found across the Better Public Services - Public Service Transformation 2030 Strategy, the Digital Public Services Plan 2030 and the Action Plan for Designing Better Public Services - A roadmap for embedding design in the Public Service.
A core principle across each of these plans is the design of better public services centred around the different life events during which a person may need to interact with a public service body, in a way that promotes co-creation of seamless services by relevant departments involved in providing services for that life event, in a way that obviates the need for service users to continually provide the same information to different providers.
A key component of this is the development of a Digital Wallet pursuant to the EU eIDAS Regulations that will provide any person seeking to use a public service with a way to securely share their own personal data to access public services. This provides the means for storing relevant personal data digitally on a ‘once off’, basis which the person who voluntarily downloads the Wallet can use multiple times on different occasions as required when engaging with public sector bodies for their particular service. It reduces the requirement for multiple form filing and verification, as the person’s, personal details are coming from a trusted source with the fully informed consent of the individual involved. Work is ongoing to implement this regulation, led by the Department of Culture. Communications and Sport.
Finally, we are ready to establish an integrated data ecosystem where high-quality FAIR (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable and Reusable) data is routinely used to inform policy, service design, and delivery. Over the five-year period of the Data Strategy, measures will be introduced to address issues around the quality of data, how data is found, curated and accessed as well as the platforms and processes used to share data.
57. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation the additional measures he is considering to attract more workers to the public sector, particularly in sectors experiencing staff shortages; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27664/26]
View answerA broad range of factors influences the ability of employers to attract, recruit and retain workers. In a labour market with low unemployment and skills shortages in a number of sectors, public service staffing has continued to grow, increasing by almost one-third between 2015 and December 2025, from 301,589 to 417,464 full-time equivalents. Numbers increased by 2.6 per cent in 2025 alone.
Further growth is planned in 2026, with public service employment forecast to exceed 438,700 staff, including local authorities and the Oireachtas. Budget 2026 provides for additional capacity in priority services, including over 3,300 health staff.
The public service remains an attractive employer, offering competitive pay, secure employment, pension provision and flexible working arrangements. Pay is governed by collective agreements, with the current Public Service Agreement 2024–2026 provides for cumulative pay increases of 9.25 per cent and a local bargaining provision over its lifetime.
As the Deputy will be aware, under the Public Service Management (Recruitment and Appointments) Act 2004, my role relates to staffing of the Civil Service. Responsibility for staffing arrangements in other parts of the wider public service rests with the relevant sectoral Ministers.
Within the Civil Service, a wide range of attraction-focused measures are being progressed to broaden and diversify the talent pipeline and to strengthen the employee value proposition. These include large-scale open recruitment campaigns across all grades, supported by ongoing improvements to recruitment processes and candidate experience, and the expansion of eligibility requirements to include Stamp 4 and 5 permission holders.
The Public Appointments Service is the centralised recruiter for the Civil and Public service. It has worked to strengthen the visibility and appeal of public service careers, informed by research showing gaps in public awareness and perceptions.
Targeted attraction and recruitment approaches are also being used in specialist and hard-to-fill areas such as ICT, digital, data, finance, legal and policy roles, supported by tailored competitions and approved specialist arrangements. Flexible working, including remote and blended options, is now well embedded and remains a key attraction factor.
Within the Civil Service, my Department has developed an internship framework and a Transition Year (TY) Guide to support Departments in using internships and TY placements as structured early-engagement routes and to support potential future recruitment. In addition, the Public Appointments Service uses a TY schools engagement kit in its outreach to secondary schools to raise early awareness of Civil Service careers.
Further attraction measures include enhanced graduate, apprentice, returnship and internship programmes, targeted outreach to under-represented groups, clear career mobility and development pathways, and a continued emphasis on wellbeing and inclusive workplace practices.
58. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation the project management or project governance framework that is currently required or recommended by Government for the delivery of publicly funded capital projects under the Public Spending Code and the Infrastructure Guidelines; whether a specific methodology or standard such as PRINCE2, PMBOK or other recognised framework is mandated or recommended; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25777/26]
View answerMy 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.
Under the Infrastructure Guidelines, no specific project management or project governance framework methodology is mandated. However, as part of the appraisal process for projects under the Infrastructure Guidelines, Sponsoring Agents for the projects are asked to critically consider various aspects of a project, including appropriate governance arrangements, which are further developed as a project progresses through the approval gates and more information becomes available as it moves from the preliminary to final business case before the awarding of the contract.
To further ensure value for money, where a project is considered a major project, this project must also be reviewed by the Major Projects Advisory Group (MPAG) at Approval Gate 1, overseen by my Department, to allow for greater scrutiny of the various elements of the project, including governance arrangements, and ensure clarity regarding such projects.
Adherence to the Infrastructure Guidelines themselves is ultimately the responsibility of the Accounting Officer of the relevant funding department. It is a matter for each Accounting Officer to decide whether processes in place in his/her department/ office/body and associated agencies are appropriate to ensure compliance with the Infrastructural Guidelines, manage capital budgets overall and manage budgets at an individual project level.
60. Deputy John Connolly asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation for an update on the Clifden flood relief scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27489/26]
View answerThrough the Catchment Flood Risk Assessment and Management Programme, (CFRAM), the largest study of flood risk was completed by the Office of Public Works (OPW), in 2018. Since 2018, and working with local authorities, the OPW has trebled, to some 100, the number of flood relief schemes at design and construction.
As part of CFRAM a potential flood relief scheme was recommended for Clifden, Co. Galway. The OPW engaged with Galway County Council and confirmed that the OPW would fund the costs of developing and implementing a scheme to alleviate flooding in Clifden, through the Government’s investment in flood measures under the National Development Plan.
Galway County Council, is the lead authority for the Clifden Flood Relief Scheme, with funding from the OPW, for one full time Engineer. Engineering and environmental consultants were appointed to the scheme in 2021.
The final Options Report for a flood relief scheme to manage the flood risk for some 24 properties has been delivered by the consultant. The OPW and Galway County Council have met twice this year to review the report and will meet with the scheme's consultants shortly to inform next steps, including on progressing a viable option for the Clifden Flood Relief Scheme to planning. This is being informed by engineering, environmental, social and economic criteria, that includes a calculation of the scheme's benefit cost ratio. A programme for the delivery of the scheme to planning will be available from the consultants following this meeting.
In the interim it is open to Galway County Council to make an application for funding under the OPW’s Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection Scheme to undertake minor flood mitigation works or studies to address localised fluvial flooding.
Since 2009, OPW has approved funding under the Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection Scheme of circa €12 million to County Galway for some 244 projects.
