Written Answers Nos. 291-310
291. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment the number of WTE inspectors by grade working within Workplace Relations Commission as of 29 April 2026; if he will provide the same figures as of 30 June 2022, in tabular form. [32825/26]
View answerThe Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) is an independent, statutory body under the aegis of my Department, established on 1st October 2015 under the Workplace Relations Act 2015. The WRC’s primary functions include the inspection of employment law compliance, the provision of information on employment law, mediation, adjudication, conciliation, facilitation, and advisory services. WRC inspectors carry out inspections of employer records with a view to determining compliance with employment rights legislation.
The table below sets out the number of WTE inspectors, by grade, working in the WRC as at 29/04/2026 and 30/06/2022.
|
|
As at 29/04/2026 |
As at 30/06/2022 |
|
Labour Inspector (Executive Officer) |
61 |
50 |
|
Inspector Team Manager (Higher Executive Officer) |
6 |
7 |
292. Deputy John Paul O'Shea asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment further to the reported expenditure of approximately €30 million under the smart regions enterprise innovation scheme, the status of the remaining €115.3 million in allocated funding; whether the scheme is being continued, restructured, or discontinued; the reasons for the significant delays and administrative challenges reported; and the intended use and timeline for any unspent or reallocated funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33030/26]
View answerBalanced regional enterprise development is a priority for Government and my Department, as set out in the Programme for Government and the White Paper on Enterprise 2022-2030. My Department has allocated more than €150 million since 2017 to support regional enterprise development initiatives, including enterprise centres and hubs, via Enterprise Ireland schemes such as the Regional Enterprise Development Fund (REDF) and the Border Enterprise Development Fund (BEDF).
The Smart Regions Enterprise Innovation Scheme, co-funded through the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and administered by Enterprise Ireland, is currently open for applications. The scheme consists of four streams, supporting the development of key local enterprise infrastructure, such as enterprise hubs, clusters and consortia, programmes that help SMEs foster innovation, and feasibility and priming grants.
Funding allocated to the Smart Regions Enterprise Innovation Scheme, is a matter for the Managing Authorities who have responsibility for ERDF funds in their respective regions, including the Smart Regions Enterprise Innovation Scheme.
It is important to note, however, that where the Managing Authorities adjust allocations to specific schemes, this does not reduce the overall funding available. Where the Managing Authorities consider this to be of overall benefit to their regions, funding may be allocated to other ERDF schemes. This process allows the Managing Authorities to be agile in their approach and to maximise the benefit derived from their funding allocations. The Smart Regions funding allocation changes are reflective of this process.
It is intended that Smart Regions will continue until the funding currently allocated under the scheme has been awarded in full, amounting to approximately €30.6m, during the lifetime of the scheme.
Smart Regions is a medium-term scheme, and the fund is currently on track within the scheme’s timeline, which is governed under ERDF rules. The ability of Enterprise Ireland to award funding to projects under the scheme depends on sufficient levels of applications being generated by regional actors, and Enterprise Ireland are confident they will allocate the remaining balance of the fund.
Potential applicants have been working with EI to respond to the conditions contained within the scheme, which are necessarily dictated by ERDF and State Aid rules, to ensure that Ireland maintains full compliance with EU regulations.
293. Deputy John Paul O'Shea asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment whether the Community Enterprise Association of Ireland was consulted in the design or implementation of the smart regions enterprise innovation scheme; if so, the nature and timing of this engagement and any input received; if not, the reason for the absence of such consultation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33031/26]
View answerBalanced regional enterprise development is a priority for my Department and for Government, as set out in the White Paper on Enterprise 2022-2030. Reflective of this, since 2017, my Department has allocated more than €150 million to support regional enterprise development initiatives. These initiatives include the funding of enterprise centres and hubs, with 61 pieces of key infrastructure funded to date under the Regional Enterprise Development Fund, Border Enterprise Development Fund and Smart Regions schemes.
The Smart Regions Enterprise Innovation Scheme, co-funded through the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and administered by Enterprise Ireland, is currently open for applications. The scheme consists of four streams, supporting the development of key local enterprise resources, such as enterprise hubs, clusters and consortia, programmes that help SMEs foster innovation, and feasibility and priming grants.
The Smart Regions Scheme was designed by Enterprise Ireland on behalf of my Department to act as a follow-on scheme to the Regional Enterprise Development Fund (REDF). Enterprise Ireland took direction from DETE and a wide range of other stakeholders and built on learnings from the REDF in order to design the Smart Regions scheme.
As well as accommodating the requirements of the regional enterprise ecosystem, it was necessary to incorporate and comply with strict regulatory requirements including ERDF rules and State Aid rules when setting up Smart Regions, as well as ensuring that the scheme was aligned to the objectives of the regional Managing Authorities.
Due to the passage of time and changes in personnel in the intervening time, there is no immediate access to records of who was and was not consulted during the design process. However, Enterprise Ireland had interacted with CEAI (and its predecessor organisation NASEC) in the course of operating the predecessor REDF scheme and therefore the Agency was aware of CEAI’s position as well as the positions of numerous other stakeholders in the relevant ecosystem.
Throughout the design and operation of Smart Regions, Enterprise Ireland has been open to feedback from all stakeholders and has endeavoured to utilise this feedback to improve the scheme, where possible, within the boundaries of regulatory requirements.
294. Deputy Pat Buckley asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment his views on a matter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33132/26]
View answerAt the outset, I want to stress the importance of safe and fair working practices and would highlight that any concerns regarding occupational safety and health practices and procedures can be pursued directly with the Health & Safety Authority at any time.
The Government fully supports the right of any worker to join and be active in their trade union. Employees have the right under the Constitution to form associations and trade unions. Under Irish legislation, an employee cannot be discriminated against or dismissed because they are a member of a trade union. However, under Irish law, there is no requirement for an employer to recognise trade unions for the purposes of collective bargaining.
Ireland’s industrial relations system has traditionally been based on a voluntarist model, where collective bargaining is encouraged but not generally compelled by law. In practice, this means the State does not direct a private employer to recognise a particular union. However, there are well-established dispute-resolution mechanisms, provided by the state, available through the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) and the Labour Court, to aid the settlement of industrial relations disputes, including processes designed to address pay and conditions disputes. In this regard, I can assure you that the State’s institutions are available to support a meaningful and effective resolution of issues between workers and employers.
In parallel, Governments adhering to the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises on Responsible Business Conduct - and Ireland is an adherent - are required to set up a National Contact Point (NCP) to promote the Guidelines and to address complaints made under the Guidelines (these are referred to as “specific instances”). The Ireland NCP is a standalone Unit in my Department and I understand that the NCP concluded this case in 2025 and recommended that the parties continue to engage outside the NCP process to address the unresolved issues. Complaints handled by the NCP are addressed through a non-judicial grievance mechanism which offers parties a means to resolve issues typically through mediation. Information on complaints received by the Ireland NCP are available on its webpage: https://enterprise.gov.ie/en/what-we-do/trade-investment/oecd-guidelines-ncp/specific-instances/
Alongside existing mechanisms, my Department published Ireland's Action Plan to Promote Collective Bargaining in November 2025. Implementation is well underway and is overseen by a technical sub-group of LEEF, the Labour Employer Economic Forum. The publication of Ireland's Action Plan marks a significant step in promoting good collective bargaining practices and expanding coverage, in line with the EU Directive on Adequate Minimum Wages.
The foregoing are the mechanisms by which outstanding industrial relations issues can be addressed.
295. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment Ireland’s position on the planned EU Digital Fairness Act, including in the context of a non-paper by Poland on the need for full and effective use of existing tools to strengthen consumer protect in the digital economy. [33348/26]
View answerThe Digital Fairness Act is being developed under the responsibility of Commissioner Michael McGrath in his role as Commissioner for Justice and Consumers. The Commissioner announced at the Consumer Summit in May 2025 that the European Commission would undertake a public consultation on the initiative, which ran from July to October 2025. It is expected that the Commission will take approximately 12 months to prepare a legislative proposal, with the initiative likely to come forward during Ireland’s forthcoming Presidency of the Council of the European Union, subject to the Commission’s timelines.
The Commission has been clear that the objective of the Digital Fairness Act is not to create an entirely new set of obligations for businesses, but rather to address gaps that have become apparent as the EU’s digital rulebook has been implemented in practice. The focus is on improving clarity, strengthening enforcement and ensuring a more consistent approach to consumer protection across the Single Market.
Ireland welcomes this approach. We support initiatives that promote fairness and transparency in digital markets and that help to ensure consumers are treated fairly online. A key principle for Ireland is that consumers should benefit from a level of protection online that is broadly equivalent to that available offline. Measures that enhance consumer choice, transparency and trust in the digital environment are therefore important.
Ireland also recognises that certain digital practices can cause real consumer detriment. Issues such as subscription traps, where consumers may move from free trials to paid services without clear information and face difficulties in cancelling, highlight the importance of effective consumer protection rules that function well in a digital context.
The objective of the Digital Fairness Act is to support a more consistent and effective approach to consumer protection across the EU. In Ireland, our consumer protection framework is operating well, and regulatory fragmentation is not currently considered a significant issue. However, it is recognised that experiences differ across Member States. Ireland therefore supports a balanced, proportionate approach that strengthens consumer protection where needed, while allowing existing frameworks to operate effectively and avoiding unnecessary complexity.
As is common practice in EU policy development, Member States periodically submit non-papers to inform and stimulate discussion on emerging initiatives such as the Digital Fairness Act.
Finally, while Ireland acknowledges and welcomes the significant body of EU digital legislation adopted in recent years, there is also a strong view that this framework now needs time to bed in. Allowing regulators, businesses and consumers to gain practical experience of implementation is important. Ireland will continue to engage constructively at EU level to ensure that any future proposals are proportionate, evidence-based and supportive of both strong consumer protection and a well-functioning digital economy.
296. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment to provide a detailed breakdown of all gifts received in his capacity as Minister; the nature of these gifts and potential monetary value; the procedures followed in accepting gifts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33379/26]
View answerI can confirm that I have not received any gifts exceeding the statutory threshold of €650 in my capacity as Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment.
From time to time, I have received customary protocol or token gifts, particularly in the context of official engagements and visits abroad. These have consisted of small cultural items or presentation tokens, estimated value of such items was below €650.
In accepting any gift, I act fully in accordance with the provisions of the Ethics in Public Office Act 1995. Under Section 15 of the Act, any gift given to an office holder by virtue of their office and valued in excess of €650 is deemed to be a gift to the State and must be surrendered and dealt with in accordance with directions of the Secretary General to the Government, following valuation where necessary.
I remain fully committed to the highest standards of ethics and transparency in the performance of my official duties.
297. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Education and Youth to set out in full and itemised detail the specific entitlements available under each of the five pillars of the Government support package for survivors of Residential Institutional Abuse (Health, Education, Advocacy, Housing and Funeral Costs); including the supports that are currently accessible in practice and what remains pending implementation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32397/26]
View answer298. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Education and Youth to confirm which single Department or State agency has final administrative authority for the interpretation and delivery of the five-pillar support package; and which body is responsible for issuing binding guidance to other Departments and agencies involved in its implementation. [32398/26]
View answer299. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Education and Youth to confirm the exact process by which a survivor of residential institutional abuse can access supports under the five-pillar package from first application to final approval, including the single point of contact responsible for progression of the application; and whether applicants are required to engage separately with multiple Departments or agencies. [32399/26]
View answer300. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Education and Youth to distinguish clearly between elements of the five-pillar support package that are fully operational and currently available to applicants, and those that remain pending implementation, including the timeline for full operational delivery of all elements. [32400/26]
View answer301. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Education and Youth whether a single consolidated written guidance document, operational manual, or publicly available framework exists setting out the full entitlements and access pathways under the five-pillar support package; and if so, to confirm whether it is provided to applicants and frontline agencies as the definitive reference document [32401/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 297, 298, 299, 300 and 301 together.
As the Deputy will be aware, Government has approved the delivery of a package of ongoing supports to survivors of abuse in residential institutions such as industrial schools and reformatories. This package of supports builds upon the already significant response to this issue to date, which included the Residential Institutions Redress Scheme, the funding supports disbursed by Caranua and other initiatives.
The package of supports, which were initially approved by Government in June 2023, is comprised of a number of elements, including health, education and advocacy supports.
My Department entered into a grant-funding arrangement with Sage Advocacy in November 2023 to ensure the delivery of advocacy supports to survivors. Sage has appointed regional advocates around the country to support survivors in their engagement with relevant service providers. Survivors can contact Sage Advocacy via its website, www.sageadvocacy.ie, or by phone at 01 536 7330.
The legislation required to deliver the health and education supports, the Supports for Survivors of Residential Institutional Abuse Act 2025, was passed by the Oireachtas last July. In January of this year, following the conclusion of a mediation process, Government approved the strengthening of these supports, as well as a number of other initiatives.
My Department published information on the supports to be provided and opened to applications for the health and education supports, on Friday 6 March. This information can be found at www.gov.ie/survivorsupports.
With regard to the health supports, my Department is sharing relevant information with the HSE to enable the provision of specific medical cards to eligible survivors who have applied for those supports. It is expected that the HSE will begin issuing the cards in the coming weeks.
In addition to providing an entitlement to the same services as a standard medical card, the medical card for survivors is a life-long, non-means tested card. Holders of the card will not be required to pay prescription charges, and they will have improved access to counselling and physiotherapy services. The HSE will also appoint dedicated health liaison officers for survivors.
Applications for the education support payments and health supports payments under the Act are processed by my Department and those payments are being issued to applicants.
Separately, arising from the mediation process, the Minister for Housing has written to local authorities and requested that they give priority to survivors of abuse in residential institutions. Relevant survivors should engage with their local authorities as appropriate.
Similarly, on funeral costs, Community Welfare Officers have been requested to give particular consideration to survivors and related applications should be made to relevant Community Welfare Offices.
302. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Youth if parents can be criminally prosecuted where their child does not attend secondary school; and the specific failures or omissions on the part of a parent that must occur before a conviction can be secured under the Education (Welfare) Act 2000. [32442/26]
View answerSince January 2021 Tusla Education Support Service (TESS) is under the remit of my department. TESS has three strands namely the statutory Educational Welfare Service (EWS) and the two school support services, the Home School Community Liaison Scheme and the School Completion Programme. The three TESS strands work together collaboratively with schools, families and other relevant services to achieve the best educational outcomes for children and young people.
The EWS is the statutory strand of TESS operating under the Education (Welfare) Act, 2000. The EWS supports parents and schools to ensure that all children and young people aged from 6 years to 16 years, and who have not completed 3 years of post-primary education, either attend school regularly or otherwise receive a certain minimum education, to ensure and secure every child’s entitlement to education.
The EWS takes a welfare-based approach in its interventions. The work of the EWS is underpinned by the principle that the children and young people and their families are best placed to resolve issues of school attendance with the support of those around them. The main priority of the work is around the welfare of children and young people and to ensure that concerns around attendance are addressed before attendance becomes a crisis issue.
Where the EWS forms the opinion that the parent/s are failing or neglecting in their duty to cause their child to attend school regularly, the EWS has the power to take legal action against the parent/s under Section 25 of the Education (Welfare) Act, 2000.
Often the involvement of other services with the family is sufficient to bring about change. In exceptional cases, the EWS will consider taking a prosecution. A School Attendance Notice is the first step in enforcing the law. When a School Attendance Notice issues, the situation is monitored by the EWS and the parent or guardian is given every opportunity to address the underlying issues.
303. Deputy Jen Cummins asked the Minister for Education and Youth the reason new schools being built without the Safe Routes to School (SRTS) initiative as standard; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33283/26]
View answerThe Safe Routes to School (SRTS) Programme was launched in March 2021, with all primary and post-primary schools in Ireland invited to apply. The programme is an initiative of the Department of Transport, supported by my department, and is delivered by An Taisce in partnership with the National Transport Authority (NTA) and local authorities.
The programme aims to increase the number of pupils and students who walk, cycle or wheel to school.
One of the programme’s three aims is to increase the provision of cycle and scooter parking at schools. This aim is addressed through the design of new school buildings, in line with planning requirements.
The remaining aims relate to road, pedestrian and cycle infrastructure outside school grounds, including works in the immediate vicinity of schools and along routes linking residential areas. Responsibility for these works rests with local authorities and is guided by their local area plans and transport and mobility strategies.
Most new schools are now delivered in urban areas on sites identified by local authorities through their local area planning processes. My department works closely with local authorities in identifying and securing these sites. However, individual school sites form only one element of the wider development of sustainable communities. The delivery and funding of transport infrastructure within new and expanding communities does not fall within my department’s remit.
304. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Education and Youth the steps she is taking to ensure the survival of an organisation (details supplied) and the vital services, funded by her Department. [31835/26]
View answerThe Department is aware of the developments in relation to STAG, and has been working with its intermediary for youth services funding, Dublin and Dun Laoghaire ETB, in relation to the situation.
STAG is an independent entity, responsible for its own affairs. The Board of the Southside Travellers Action Group informed the public funders of the Group on 17 February 2026 that, following an emergency meeting of the Board and Members, a resolution had been passed to place the company into voluntary liquidation on the grounds of insolvency.
This is a deeply regrettable development. For over 40 years, Southside Travellers Action Group has played an important role in supporting members of the Traveller community and advocating for equality, inclusion and improved outcomes in areas such as accommodation support, education, training and employment, and Traveller healthcare and youth services to Traveller families in the Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown area.
DDLETB and the Department have been assessing the implications of the Board’s decision and are conscious of the need to ensure services are delivered to the community. DDLETB is currently working towards alternative methods of providing relevant services to the community.
305. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Education and Youth the number of new school building developments delivered by a company (details supplied) that have required remediation work after the initial project was completed; and the total cost to her Department of these remediation works. [31837/26]
View answerI wish to advise the Deputy that there were 40 schools delivered by Western Building Systems between 2003 and 2018 which were found to have serious defects.
All 40 schools have had the highest priority fire safety issues addressed and have had the structural issues with the external walls addressed on a permanent or interim basis. My Department’s approach is to deal with remaining building code compliance issues etc. as part of a wider and planned remediation/refurbishment/retrofit programme. It is envisioned that these works will be dealt with as “summer works” type projects.
My Department continues to liaise with the Chief State Solicitor’s Office and the Attorney General’s Office on the on-going legal process related to all 40 schools built by the contractor involved. Given that these matters are currently before the Courts, it is not appropriate to comment on costs.
306. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Education and Youth the full policy rationale and published evidence base for the revised English as an additional language allocation model at primary level, including the introduction of a two year eligibility limit; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31852/26]
View answer307. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Education and Youth the assessment process that will be used by schools to identify pupils with ongoing English language needs under the revised model and the specific supports available where such needs persist beyond the eligibility period; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31853/26]
View answer308. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Education and Youth whether an equality screening or impact assessment was undertaken prior to the introduction of the revised English as an additional language criteria and to provide the findings of any such assessment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31854/26]
View answer309. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Education and Youth the number of pupils currently in receipt of English as an additional language supports at primary level and the estimated number who will cease to qualify under the revised criteria, and to outline any associated cost savings, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31855/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 306, 307, 308 and 309 together.
The Department has adapted to the dynamic landscape of student enrolment and has prioritised enhancing English as an Additional Language (EAL) support, recognising the critical role of language.
All schools are advised in the first instance to review whether the needs of newly enrolled pupils can be met from within existing allocations. Language supports are also included through the Special Education Teaching (SET) which encompasses an element of language support allocation. Under this SET model, schools are frontloaded with resources to provide support immediately to those pupils who need it without delay.
The Department's policies enable flexible resource allocation to ensure that the resources follow pupils in the event of them changing schools. These supports to schools, based on an application process, are provided for new-entrant pupils (i.e., pupils arrived in the country in the last 2 years with an EAL requirement). Similar to previous years, supports may also be provided for schools with a high concentration of pupils that are not classified as new-entrant pupils but who have an EAL need i.e., those pupils with less than 3 years EAL support and register less than B1 in an English proficiency test.
In addition further additional temporary EAL support is also provided through the Primary Staffing Appeals Board. The criteria by which schools can apply for EAL support has not been revised.
The Department’s Inspectorate report available on the Department website “Meeting Additional Language Needs: Whole-school and Classroom Approaches for Inclusive Language Learning” outlines the best practice approaches in the teaching and learning of EAL involving mainstream teachers. The report underscores the importance of English language provision for educational equity and wellbeing and applauds schools for promoting diversity and belonging. The Department will use its recommendations to enhance learning experiences across all schools.
As part of the continuum of assessment practices, teachers of children and young people for whom English is an additional language (EAL) are advised to assess pupils’ language proficiency development using an assessment tool that is aligned to the Common European Framework of Reference for languages (CEFR). Assessments aligned with the CEFR place children and young people on a scale ranging from A1 (most basic) to C3 (native speaker fluency) across the skills of reading, writing, speaking, and listening.
Since the Department processes EAL applications based on individual school requests for additional supports, supplementing existing allocations, a complete overview of the total number of children needing EAL support across all schools is not available.
310. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Education and Youth further to Parliamentary Question No. 57 of 23 April 2026, if the numbers for primary and secondary level will be provided (details supplied) and the projected shortfall; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31858/26]
View answerI can assure the Deputy that the provision of school places to meet the needs of children and young people at primary and post primary level, including children and young people with special educational needs is an absolute priority of mine.
The annual enrolment process for new Junior Infants at primary and new First Years at post-primary is a very large-scale operation that is transacted at close to 4,000 schools across the country, involving some 140,000 pupils.
As previously referred, my Department has a robust, evidence based, forward planning process for monitoring the current and projected future demographic demand for school places. This forward planning process analyses the demand for school places at School Planning Area level and also at a more granular settlement level to allow the department to respond to local demands.
The data used to inform the demographic demand analysis includes enrolment data, child benefit data, census & CSO data and information of planned new residential developments. Enrolment and child benefit data is updated annually and geocoded to the 19 thousand small areas across the Country. This allows the department to analyse the population of school going children and the schools they attend at a granular level.
My Department liaised with stakeholders in the area and increased provision in Portlaoise Educate Together National School to facilitate this demand. The demand for primary school places in Portlaoise reduced in recent years, however it is increasing again due to the very significant level of residential development in the town. My Department will keep this under review and ensure that every child requiring a school place in the Portlaoise SPA will be provided with one.
I wish to advise the Deputy, the provision of primary and post-primary school places and the operation of admissions processes are matters for individual school authorities, in line with their published admissions policies and relevant legislation. Schools determine their own intake numbers and maintain their own enrolment and waiting list information.
Information on Junior Infant and First-Year intake numbers for individual schools is published in each school’s Admissions Notice on their respective websites. National enrolment data is available on gov.ie.
