Written Answers Nos. 111-133
111. Deputy John Clendennen asked the Minister for Education and Youth the steps she is taking to support private bus and coach operators in the provision of school transport in rural regions in light of the cost of fuel crisis; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29119/26]
View answerThe School Transport Scheme is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department of Education and Youth.
My Department fully appreciates the concerns of recent global events and the impacts already being seen in fuel prices in Ireland. It is important that these impacts continue to be monitored.
The Department fully appreciates the concerns given the recent global events and the impacts already being seen in fuel prices in Ireland. Critically, in light of these developments, a support package of measures, aimed at easing the rising cost of fuel across relevant sectors, was approved by Cabinet recently, in order to provide targeted relief to transport operators including school transport operators. The Department of Education and Youth is actively engaging with relevant department colleagues to ensure that appropriate and flexible supports are provided, that can be implemented quickly given the impact of fuel price increases across the transport sector.
The details of these supports are currently being finalised, and further information will be available shortly.
112. Deputy John Clendennen asked the Minister for Education and Youth the number of students in primary and secondary education, by county, in each of the past five years, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29120/26]
View answerPlease find attached requested information. Data supplied is for academic years 2020/2021 to 2024/2025 with 2024/2025 being the latest year we have final enrolment data. We expect to publish final data for academic year 2025/2026 in June 2026.
Data was collated from the final enrolments lists for the requested years which can be found at the links below.
www.gov.ie/en/department-of-education/collections/data-on-individual-schools/.
113. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education and Youth her plans for reconstituting the National Youth Work Advisory Committee, a statutory body under section 17 of the Youth Work Act 2001; if the restoration of this statutory committee is envisaged within the implementation actions for Opportunities for Youth 2024-2028; how the representative body prescribed under the Act will be engaged in the implementation of Opportunities for Youth as part of engagement structures ensuring the full breadth of the sector is represented; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29199/26]
View answerOpportunities for Youth: National Strategy for Youth Work and Related Services is the strategic framework for the youth work sector, published in September 2024. The strategy aims to build awareness of and strengthen youth services, and ensure that youth services remain accessible and of value to young people across Ireland. Department officials have drafted an operational action plan to support implementation of the strategy, and consultation with stakeholders involved in the delivery actions is taking place in advance of the finalisation and publication of the plan. The department has received significant input already from the sector, which is reflected in the plan.
The implementation of Opportunities for Youth, and the cooperation of all relevant stakeholders, will be supported through a new National Youth Sector Reference Group (NYSRG), as well as a group comprising representatives from departments and agencies that provide funding to or interact with the youth sector.
The establishment of the NYSRG is being informed by a process of stakeholder mapping and will focus on the design of a consultative forum, that will concentrate on the identification of policy priorities, outputs, and outcomes. The Group will include representatives from across the youth sector, including academics and youth representatives. This will support a balanced and transparent input from across the wider youth sector into national decision-making. A key pillar of this will be the representation of the views of young people, including young people of diverse backgrounds, so that they can influence decision-making in respect of youth work services.
The aim of the Interdepartmental and Interagency Group on State-funded Youth Work Services will be to develop a renewed and whole-of-government vision for the role of state-funded youth work services, including the role of youth work within the wider landscape of provision for children and young people. In turn this will improve coherence and complementarity across schemes and ensure a joined-up approach to supporting young people. This group will comprise relevant departments and state agencies that provide support or funding to youth services, to achieve greater cooperation, coherence and, where appropriate, integration of services.
This will be an important enabler for the further development of a shared understanding of the State’s vision for youth work services in the context of the evolving needs of young people. This includes the role of cross-government funders within a delivery and policy landscape that has altered significantly since the enactment of the Youth Work Act, 2001.
It is intended that, informed by progress to date, further actions for delivery in 2027 and 2028 will be identified after the first phase of delivery. It is anticipated that actions during the second phase will include a review of the Youth Work Act, 2001.
114. Deputy Naoise Ó Muirí asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she will provide an update on a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29214/26]
View answerThe large scale capital project for the school referred to by the Deputy is the provision of a new 600 pupil school building including all associated ancillary accommodation.
I am pleased to confirm that the project was authorised to proceed to tender on 12 November 2025. The invitation to tender issued on 28 November 2025 through the e-tenders portal. A request for extension to the tender return period was granted.
The school have been granted a 2 classroom SEN unit to be configured within the existing layout. An Addendum was added to the invitation to tender, and the shortlisted parties have been issued a clarification. It is now expected tenders will be returned in the next two weeks. The Addendum relates to the SEN unit.
In July the Government announced a capital allocation of €7.55 billion for the Department of Education and Youth for the period 2026-2030 under the National Development Plan. As part of this NDP allocation my department will place a strong emphasis on provision for children with special educational needs, with a particular focus on meeting annual school place needs. In relation to project rollout for Large-Scale projects and Additional School Accommodation scheme projects, the approach will be to continue to maximise the capacity of the existing school estate as much as possible in the first instance and provide necessary additional capacity through targeted and prioritised project rollout over the course of 2026 to 2030 period to meet the most urgent and prioritised needs.
Since 2020, the Department of Education has provided €1843.91 million in capital funding for Dublin schools. Over this period, a total of 253 schools have been upgraded either through provision of a new school building, a large-scale extension or provision of modular accommodation. There are currently 56 school projects in Dublin under construction. Another 20 school projects will go to tender or construction in 2026 and 2027, and this summer, 53 schools are approved to undergo works as part of the Climate Action Summer Works Scheme.
In addition, since 2020 a total of 503 special classes have been opened in Dublin, of which 102 were sanctioned for September 2026.
The NDP Implementation Plan for the Education and Youth sector along with the first tranche of projects to progress to tender and/or construction during 2026 and 2027 was published in January 2026. This NDP Implementation Plan will optimise outputs from the NDP allocations, with a strong focus on maximising existing school capacity, progressing priority projects where local capacity across schools in the area is insufficient, and ensuring delivery that is affordable, offers value for money, and meets functional needs.
115. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Culture; Communications and Sport to provide details of the number of legal actions against his Department that have been resolved without going to court in line with the 2023 State Litigation Principles; if his Department is fully applying the State Litigation Principles in seeking to resolve any current or outstanding legal actions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28830/26]
View answerMy Department was re-configured as the Department of Culture, Communications and Sport at the beginning of June 2025.
Regarding the functions currently under the remit of my Department, I am advised that no legal actions against my Department have been resolved without going to court in the period since the establishment of the former Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media in September 2020.
In 2025, Comcast exited legal proceedings against the State and my Department. However, these proceedings were before the Courts.
Officials of my Department have been made aware of the State Litigation Principles issued by the Office of the Attorney General and they are taken into account by the CSSO and AGO in the management of litigation.
116. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Culture; Communications and Sport whether any funding is available for low-cost full-scale productions of Leaving Certificate plays to ensure that all students have the opportunity to see these scripts as they were originally intended. [28865/26]
View answerUnder the Arts Act 2003, the Arts Council has primary responsibility for the development of the arts in Ireland and Budget 2026 has maintained record funding of €140 million for the Arts Council. The Arts Council is committed to increasing public engagement in the arts in Ireland and it provides financial support to a number of initiatives aimed at increasing public access, participation and engagement in the arts.
The Arts Council recognises the many and varied ways theatre artists work and supports artists to engage with audiences across Ireland and beyond in the creation, development, production and dissemination of theatre.
I have asked the Arts Council to make direct contact and provide the Deputy with any relevant information requested in relation to funding and grant opportunities available for theatre productions. Please contact my private office if you do not hear from the Council within the next ten working days.
117. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport the position regarding the flexible working and remote working policies in place for civil servants in his Department; if there is any discrepancy in these policies based on seniority; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28914/26]
View answer119. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport if any review is ongoing in relation to his Department’s policy on flexible working and remote working for civil servants in his Department, particularly in the context of increased fuel prices; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28951/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 117 and 119 together.
My Department is fully supportive of blended working practices and adopts a flexible and sustainable approach to remote working. This allows staff to balance both personal and work commitments and to build a more dynamic, agile and responsive Civil Service, while sustaining strong standards of performance and high levels of productivity.
The Department's Blended Working Policy was developed in line with the Blended Working Policy Framework for Civil Service Organisations. While a small number of roles are unsuitable for blended working due to requirements for duties having to be carried out exclusively at the Department’s work premises, the majority of staff can avail of blended working arrangements. The minimum number of days for staff to attend the office is two days per week.
There are no planned changes to current blended working arrangements applying to staff in my Department. However, this policy is kept under review to ensure that it continues to meet the business needs of the Department.
118. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport the position regarding the flexible working and remote working policies in place for staff that work for any agencies under the remit of his Department; if there is any discrepancy in these policies based on seniority; if this policy is under the control of the agency itself or if it is directed by the Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28933/26]
View answerThe administration of flexible working and remote working policies in bodies under the aegis of my Department are operational matters for those bodies and not something for which I have direct day-to-day responsibility.
120. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage further to Parliamentary Question No. 1828 of 14 April 2026, concerning Moanveanlagh bog, if there are ongoing investigations into finding alternative sites; if the compensation scheme will end in 2026; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28819/26]
View answerThe Cessation of Turf Cutting Compensation Scheme was established following engagement with stakeholders in 2011 for active domestic turf cutters arising from the restrictions on turf cutting on 53 raised bog special areas of conservation (SAC) and was extended in 2014 to include 36 raised bog natural heritage areas (NHA).
This scheme has compensated those impacted by restrictions on turf-cutting on protected sites, and over its 15-year term has helped to ensure the conservation of important peatland sites of unique ecological value.
Eligible applicants on raised bog SACs where turf cutting ceased in 2011 received their final payment under the 15-year scheme in 2025. Applicants on SACs where turf cutting ceased in 2012 will receive their final payment in 2026. Where turf cutting ceased on the raised bog NHAs at different stages between 2014 and 2017; payments will continue to be made annually with final payments being made from 2028 to 2031.
A total of 69 Cessation of Turf Cutting Compensation Scheme applications from Moanveanlagh Bog SAC (Site Code: 002351) in County Kerry were received by my Department. Of these, less than 10 applicants expressed an interest in relocation to non-designated bogs.
To-date two relocation sites for Moanveanlagh Bog SAC have been investigated as an alternative but did not proceed due to limited interest by the applicants in the identified sites, and relocation was not considered to be feasible. Currently this position remains unchanged, and the Department has no plans to investigate any further sites for Moanveanlagh Bog SAC.
The National Parks and Wildlife Service offers other schemes to support the conservation of these sites and local community groups, including:
• The Protected Raised Bog Restoration Incentive Scheme, which is a once off, area based financial incentive and voluntary land purchase scheme which enables the conservation of protected peatlands. The scheme is open to applications from eligible property right holders who wish to have their lands included as part of a restoration scheme or where access is required for restoration measures within protected raised bogs.
• The Peatlands and Natura Community Engagement Scheme aims to encourage local communities, organisations, educational institutions, and other stakeholders to actively contribute to the conservation and restoration of Natura 2000 sites and peatland areas and funds a diverse range of initiatives with community benefit.
Other supports, such as those operated by the Sustainable Energy Authority Ireland and the Department of Social Protection, are available to those with older homes, inefficient heating systems and those most at risk of fuel poverty.[]
121. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Housing; Local Government and Heritage his views on whether it is reasonable to expect a person whose income is below the social housing eligibility threshold to pay for accommodation in a hotel or hostel while they are homeless; if there is a legislative basis for a local authority to refuse homeless services to a person based on their employment status if they qualify for social housing support; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28823/26]
View answerMy Department’s role in relation to homelessness involves the provision of a national framework of policy, legislation and funding to underpin the role of local authorities in addressing homelessness at a local level.
Statutory responsibility in relation to the provision of accommodation and related services for homeless persons rests with individual local authorities. Decisions on the assessment of households for homeless services, the most appropriate form of such support, and the allocation of that support are a matter for the local authority concerned.
Under the Housing Act 1988 it is a matter for each local authority to determine whether a person is regarded as homeless; section 2 of the Act sets out the requirements in this regard. This allows local authorities to provide an immediate response to ensure households are provided with the accommodation and supports required while the ultimate aim is to work with households to exit homelessness in the shortest timeframe possible. When a household has been assessed as homeless, section 10 of the Housing Act 1988 provides that a local authority may provide accommodation and related services to that household.
Households need not be eligible for social housing to access homeless supports and homeless households can be provided with temporary emergency accommodation without undergoing a social housing assessment. This ensures local authorities can respond quickly and effectively to the various needs of cases that may arise.
Local authorities may charge for the provision of emergency accommodation under the Housing Act 1988; section 10(5) provides that, where accommodation or lodgings are made available to a person under section 10, a housing authority may require that person to pay a charge as they see fit, having regard to the means of the person, the cost of such accommodation or lodgings and other matters the authority considers appropriate. Requiring a person to pay a charge for emergency accommodation is a matter for individual local authorities.
Operational issues in the day to day delivery of services, including provision of emergency accommodation provided through a local authority, are a matter for the relevant local authority. The Minister is prevented from intervening in relation to the procedures followed, or decisions made, by local authorities in the provision of housing support in relation to any individual.
122. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to provide details of the number of legal actions against his Department that have been resolved without going to court in line with the 2023 State Litigation Principles; if his Department is fully applying the State Litigation Principles in seeking to resolve any current or outstanding legal actions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28838/26]
View answerThe information requested is being compiled and will be forwarded to the Deputy in accordance with Standing Orders.
123. Deputy Aidan Farrelly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage further to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 1691 and 1695 of 14 April 2026, the number of new staff sanctioned for hire in Kildare County Council, Kerry County Council, Fingal County Council and Meath County Council in 2026, and of new hires realised in 2026 to date. [28844/26]
View answerMy Department oversees workforce planning for the local government sector, including the monitoring of local government sector employment levels. To this end, my Department gathers aggregate quarterly data on staff numbers in each local authority on a whole time equivalent basis. However, granular data, in terms of the number of posts sanctioned but not yet filled is not collected. The relevant information would be available from the local authorities concerned.
The table below details the number of staffing sanction requests for new staff approved by my Department in 2026 (up to 20 April) in Fingal, Kerry, Kildare and Meath County Councils.
|
Local Authority |
No. of sanctions granted for new staff 01/01/2026 to 20/04/2026 |
|
Kildare County Council |
18 |
|
Kerry County Council |
31 |
|
Fingal County Council |
16 |
|
Meath County Council |
6 |
Following the approval of a staffing sanction request by my Department where such is required it is then a matter for the Chief Executive, who is responsible under Section 159 of the Local Government Act 2001 for the staffing and organisational arrangements necessary for carrying out the functions of the local authority for which he or she is responsible, to progress the appointment as appropriate.
124. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the body or bodies responsible for compiling and publishing the monthly homelessness figures; the methodology and data sources used in their preparation, including the role of local authorities and the Pathway Accommodation and Support System; the definition of homelessness applied in these reports; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28850/26]
View answerMy Department’s role in relation to homelessness involves the provision of a national framework of policy, legislation and funding to underpin the role of local authorities in addressing homelessness at local level. Statutory responsibility in relation to the provision of accommodation and related services for homeless persons rests with individual local authorities.
Under the Housing Act 1988 it is a matter for each local authority to determine whether a person is regarded as homeless; section 2 of the Act sets out the requirements in this regard. When a household has been assessed as homeless, section 10 of the Housing Act 1988 provides that a local authority may provide accommodation and related services to that household. Decisions on the assessment of households for homeless services, the most appropriate form of such support, and the allocation of that support are a matter for the local authority concerned.
My Department currently gathers and publishes data on a monthly basis on the number of homeless persons accommodated in emergency accommodation funded and overseen by local authorities. These reports are based on data provided by local authorities, produced through the Pathway Accommodation & Support System (PASS), the single integrated national data information system on State-funded homeless emergency accommodation arrangements overseen by local authorities. PASS is an active case and bed management and client support system and is administrated by the Dublin Region Homeless Executive (DRHE).
The monthly homelessness report includes details of individuals, families and the dependants of these families who accessed emergency accommodation during the relevant count week of the month in question. The most recently published data is in respect of February 2026. The reports are collated on a regional basis and are available on my Department's website at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/department-of-housing-local-government-and-heritage/collections/homelessness-data/ and are also published to the Department of Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation's open data portal https://data.gov.ie/.
125. Deputy Seamus Healy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when he will confirm the eligibility of small local, family-owned businesses for the vacant above-the-shop grant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28881/26]
View answerThe Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant, funded under the Croí Cónaithe Towns Fund, has been a key measure in addressing vacancy and dereliction across the country. At end 2025 over 16,067 applications had been made to local authorities, with almost 12,100 of those applications approved and almost €250 million of grant funding paid out across the county.
The Grant provides up to €50,000 for the refurbishment of vacant properties for occupation as a principal private residence and for properties which will be made available for rent. A top-up grant of up to €20,000 is available where the property is derelict, bringing the total grant available for a derelict property up to a maximum of €70,000.
Under the new Housing Plan, Delivering Homes, Building Communities, a commitment was given to provide additional support for the refurbishment and conversion of above the shop vacant space for use as homes. The Government approved the introduction of a Vacant Above the Shop Grant with a package of up to €140,000 to be made available in cases where vacant above the shop space is being converted/refurbished for residential use and the commercial element is remaining. The additional grant amount for above these properties recognises the complexities involved in bringing this space into use. The package includes an Expert Advice Grant of up to €5,000. The new Vacant Above the Shop Grant and Expert Advice Grant were launched on 1 April 2026, with applications and information on the Grants available from each local authority and at the following link www.gov.ie/vacancy.
In the Housing Plan a commitment was also given to exploring an extension of the Vacant Above the Shop Grant for such properties that are owned by small (micro) companies. This work will be undertaken in the second half of this year.
126. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage whether the existing derelict sites levy can be applied as a charge on the site. [28903/26]
View answer127. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage whether it is possible to pro-rata charge the derelict sites levy from the date of valuation. [28904/26]
View answer129. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage whether he is aware that local authorities are applying derelict site levy waivers on the grounds of goodwill gestures; and whether this is allowed. [28906/26]
View answer130. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage whether provision exists for the negotiation of payment of a derelict sites levy to reduce the amount paid and waive the remainder. [28907/26]
View answerThe Derelict Sites Act 1990 (or the ‘Act’) imposes a general duty on every owner and occupier of land to take all reasonable steps to ensure that land does not become, or continue to be, a derelict site as defined in the Act. The Act also imposes a duty on Local Authorities to take all reasonable steps, including the exercise of appropriate statutory powers, to ensure that any land within their functional area does not become, or continue to be, a derelict site.
Each Local Authority maintains a Derelict Sites Register under section 8 of the Act for sites which they consider are derelict under the Act. Sites entered on the Derelict Sites Register are subject to an annual Derelict Sites Levy of 7% of the market value of the property which will continue to apply until the site is rendered non-derelict.
The placing of sites on the Derelict Sites Register and the collecting of levies on those sites is part of the overall process that Local Authorities undertake with the owners of derelict sites they identify. Local Authorities will engage directly with site owners in the early stages of the use of the Derelict Sites Act before the site is formally listed on the Register. This direct engagement can often lead to resolution of the dereliction issues by agreement between the Local Authority and the landowner involved, which can lead to significant variation in the number of sites being formally placed on the Register across local authorities.
Part III of the Act covers the Derelict Sites Levy and authorises Local Authorities to determine the market value of a site and apply a charge, currently fixed at 7% of said market value. Pursuant to the Act, where urban land ceases to be derelict during a local financial year, the levy prescribed in subsection (3) shall be reduced by an amount determined by the formula set out in Section 23. The payment of the levy is annually demanded based on property being on the register on 1st January in a given year.
Furthermore Section 23(6) of the Act facilitates payment of levies in instalments.
Under Section 24 of the Act any outstanding amount levied shall remain until payment, a charge on the relevant urban land.
Section 25 of the Act facilitates entry by the landowner into a bond agreement of up to five years with the local authority in lieu of payment of the levy, where the land is necessary for the purpose of carrying out a planning permission. This action in effect defers and abates the levy for each year of the development of the land. It does not facilitate transfer of levies owed into the bond process.
Under Section 26 of the Act if, in the opinion of a local authority, payment of the derelict sites levy would cause undue hardship to the person, the local authority may suspend action or further action to secure payment of the whole or part of the amount of the levy for a defined period to be set out in a notice to the landowner.
128. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage whether the new derelict sites tax whether he has considered compulsory sale orders. [28905/26]
View answerWorking to end dereliction and vacancy is a key priority in the Government's Housing Action Plan, Delivering Homes, Building Communities. The Plan aims to ensure that the activities and resources used to address vacancy and dereliction are co-ordinated and effective and that legislative powers are used proactively to work to bring dereliction and vacancy to an end.
The concept of a compulsory sales order relates to a legislative power whereby a public authority may force the sale of a vacant or derelict property, to get the property back into use.
My Department is not aware of any jurisdiction where compulsory sales orders are in existence or in operation to tackle vacancy and dereliction, therefore information about their use and effectiveness is not available.
The introduction of any such new measure would require a strong policy basis, consideration given to its constitutionality, and a legislative basis. It would also require fair procedures for property owners, similar to those already existing under compulsory purchase legislation. It is noted that compulsory purchase powers are already available under the Derelict Sites Act and the Housing Act. As such, there are currently no plans to introduce any such measures relating to compulsory sales orders.
I am committed to ensuring that the existing legislative powers, which are effective when used, are used proactively and consistently across local authorities to work to bring dereliction and vacancy to an end.
To that end, my Department launched a CPO Activation Programme in 2023. This Programme requires local authorities to take a proactive, systematic approach to identifying and activating vacant and derelict properties. It includes use of their compulsory purchase powers under the Derelict Sites Act and the Housing Act, when engagement with the owners of these properties is not successful in bringing them back into use.
In April 2026, my Department published data for 2025 on the CPO Activation Programme on its website, which can be accessed at the following link: Compulsory Purchase Orders (CPO) Activation Programme.
Call 3 of the Urban Regeneration and Development Fund (URDF) is able to provide the finance required to compulsorily acquire properties in support of the local authority’s wider CPO Activation Programme targets. To date, over 1,370 properties have now been approved for local authority's URDF Call 3 programmes, with an estimated residential yield of over 5,600 homes.
Under the Derelict sites Act 1990, local authorities have been provided with a range of powers and measures to deal with the issue of derelict properties. Local authority powers include requiring owners or occupiers to take appropriate measures on derelict sites, acquiring derelict sites by agreement, or compulsorily, and applying a derelict sites levy on derelict sites.
Delivering Homes, Building Communities reinforces and expands the range of measures being implemented by Government to work to end dereliction and long term vacancy. Under the Plan, a new Derelict Property Tax will be introduced, to be administered and collected by the Revenue Commissioners, to bring derelict properties back into use.
I firmly believe the commitment Government has made to addressing vacancy and dereliction and the actions under Delivering Homes, Building Communities will play a vital role in delivering homes across the country, and tackling issues that affect our towns and villages
131. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the position regarding the flexible working and remote working policies in place for civil servants in his Department; if there is any discrepancy in these policies based on seniority; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28923/26]
View answer132. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the position regarding the flexible working and remote working policies in place for staff that work for any agencies under the remit of his Department; if there is any discrepancy in these policies based on seniority; if this policy is under the control of the agency itself or if it is directed by the Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28941/26]
View answer133. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if any review is ongoing in relation his Department’s policy on flexible working and remote working for civil servants in his Department, particularly in the context of increased fuel prices; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28959/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 131, 132 and 133 together.
My Department operates a Blended Working Policy, introduced in June 2022, which was developed based on the centrally agreed Framework for Blended Working in Civil Service Organisations.
Under the policy, blended working is available to staff with suitable roles, satisfactory performance, and appropriate remote workstations. The blended working model used in my Department specifies three days per week working in the office and two days per week working from home, with a flexible option of two days per week in the office and three days per week working from home. This flexibility is at the discretion of the Head of Business Unit and takes account of business needs to ensure service delivery and support organisational cohesion.
In my Department, 81.3% of staff are approved for blended working. The blended working policy applies across all grades, and there is no differentiation based on seniority.
No review is ongoing in relation to my Department’s policy on flexible or remote working, including in the context of increased fuel prices.
In 2025, the Department completed an evaluation of the operation of blended working arrangements under the policy in place since 2022, to assess how the policy was working in practice and to inform improvements in its implementation.
In line with the policy, blended working arrangements operate subject to business needs, which are of paramount importance.
Flexible and remote working policies in place for staff of bodies under the aegis of my Department are a matter for the individual bodies concerned. Arrangements have been put in place by each agency to facilitate the provision of information by State bodies directly to members of the Oireachtas. This provides a speedy, efficient and cost effective system to address queries directly to the relevant bodies. The relevant contact email addresses for each agency, to which members may address queries, are set out in the following table:
|
Bodies under the Aegis of DHLGH |
Oireachtas email |
|
An Coimisiún Pleanála |
oireachtasqueries@pleanala.ie |
|
An Fóram Uisce |
oireachtas@nationalwaterforum.ie |
|
Approved Housing Bodies Regulatory Authority |
oireachtasqueries@ahbregulator.ie |
|
Construction Industry Register Ireland |
info@ciri.ie |
|
Docklands Oversight and Consultative Forum |
infodocklands@dublincity.ie |
|
Gas Networks Ireland |
oireachtas@gasnetworks.ie |
|
Heritage Council |
oireachtas@heritagecouncil.ie |
|
Housing and Sustainable Communities Agency |
Oireachtas@housingagency.ie |
|
Housing Finance Agency |
oireachtas.enquiries@hfa.ie |
|
Land Development Agency |
oireachtas@lda.ie |
|
Local Government Management Agency |
oireachtasmemberqueries@lgma.ie |
|
National Oversight and Audit Commission |
oireachtas@noac.ie |
|
National Traveller Accommodation Consultative Committee |
ntacc@housing.gov.ie |
|
Office of the Planning Regulator |
oireachtas@opr.ie |
|
Property Services Appeal Board |
psabsecretary@psab.ie |
|
Property Services Regulatory Authority |
pq@psr.ie |
|
Pyrite Resolution Board |
oireachtasinfo@pyriteboard.ie |
|
Residential Tenancies Board |
OireachtasMembersQueries@rtb.ie |
|
Tailte Éireann |
Oireachtas@tailte.ie |
|
Uisce Éireann |
oireachtasmembers@water.ie |
|
Valuation Tribunal |
|
|
Waterways Ireland |
