Written Answers Nos. 575-594
575. Deputy Micheál Carrigy asked the Minister for Health the number of civil and public servants employed by her Department in each of the past ten years, in tabular form.; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33954/26]
View answerFor clarity, the Department of Health does not employ public servants. The number of civil servants employed by the Department in each of the past ten years is set out in the table below.
|
Year |
2016 |
2017 |
2018 |
2019 |
2020 |
2021 |
2022 |
2023 |
2024 |
2025 |
|
Total FTE* |
393.4 |
418.6 |
452.7 |
521.0 |
585.4 |
659.8 |
623.6 |
645.8 |
670.3 |
687.5 |
*Data as of 31st December each year
576. Deputy Catherine Callaghan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will provide a list of all capital projects, including further and higher education campus, ETB and research infrastructure projects, delivered under the remit of his Department which have been completed on time and within budget in Carlow in each of the past five years, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33513/26]
View answer577. Deputy Catherine Callaghan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will provide a list of all capital projects, including further and higher education campus, ETB and research infrastructure projects, delivered under the remit of his Department which have been completed on time and within budget in Kilkenny in each of the past five years, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33514/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 576 and 577 together.
Responsibility for capital project delivery is devolved to individual Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) and Education and Training Boards (ETBs). In that context, responsibility for the planning and procurement processes, as well as project delivery timelines and cost management, all fall within the remit of the HEIs/ETBs and not DFHERIS.
HEIs and ETBs are autonomous institutions with responsibility for the oversight, planning and management of their capital development plans.
My Department does not hold information on a constituency basis. However, for the Deputies convenience, I have attached a list of the major capital projects completed by higher and further education institutions since 2020 which serve the area(s) referred to.
578. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the way in which ongoing compliance of the English language sector will be monitored under Trust Ed Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33593/26]
View answer579. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the way in which his Department will ensure that escrow accounts are being used by all education providers that are awarded the Trust Ed Ireland quality mark; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33594/26]
View answer580. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the way in which his Department will receive complaints relating to breaches of Trust Ed Ireland by education providers, who will investigate these complaints; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33595/26]
View answer581. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if consideration is being given to establishing a Government led complaints mechanism for the English language sector as part of Trust Ed Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33596/26]
View answer582. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science whether he is satisfied that international students are, in practice, receiving refunds of course fees within expected timeframes under the ILEP following a visa refusal, in light of reported delays in such refunds; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33597/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 578, 579, 580, 581 and 582 together.
I propose to take PQs 33593/26, 33594/26, 33595/26, 33596/26 and 33597/26 together.
English language providers can only recruit non-EEA students if their courses are on the Interim List of Eligible Programmes (ILEP), which is administered by the Department of Justice, Home Affairs and Migration. To qualify, providers must have clear refund policies for visa refusals and a student complaints procedure.
Providers must hold advance fees in a separate client visa account regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland until a visa decision is made. If refused, fees (minus any stated charge) must be refunded within 20 working days. These requirements do not apply where payments are made through third-party agents, many of which operate outside of the State.
Following recent complaints about delayed refunds, the Department of Justice, Home Affairs and Migration has written to providers to remind them of their obligations.
A new international education quality mark, TrustEd Ireland, is being introduced by Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI), an agency under the remit of my Department.
The TrustEd Ireland mark will be awarded to higher education and English language education providers who have demonstrated that they meet new national standards to ensure a quality experience for international learners.
The new TrustEd Ireland scheme establishes, for the first time, a formal statutory quality assurance process for the English language education sector in Ireland.
To obtain the mark, English language providers must undergo a due diligence assessment process which examines the capacity and capability of private education providers to deliver quality assured education programmes. English language providers must also participate in the new statutory Learner Protection Fund.
In addition, providers must also demonstrate compliance with an associated Code of Practice. The Code includes key criteria surrounding information provision, student welfare, and academic support provisions. English language providers are required to undergo a site inspection as part of their assessment of Code compliance.
All English language providers holding the mark are subject to a statutorily required formal review at least once every three years. Providers must also submit a monitoring report every 18 months. QQI may withdraw a provider’s authorisation to use the mark where it considers that the provider no longer complies with the Code.
An announcement of the first group of 28 higher education institutions to be awarded the TrustEd Ireland statutory quality mark was made on 4th February 2026. Assessment is ongoing of the first window of TrustEd applications from English language providers, which is expected to be completed in the coming months.
The Department of Justice, Home Affairs and Migration will continue to monitor learner compliance with immigration law. Monitoring activities can include inspections of providers at any time, including monitoring attendance requirements. Further details on requirements are set out in the Policy Statement on the TrustEd Ireland Scheme and Immigration requirements at: Policy-Statement-TrustEd-Ireland-and-Immigration-Requirements.pdf.
583. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will provide a list of all capital projects, including further and higher education campus, ETB and research infrastructure projects, delivered under the remit of his Department which have been completed on time and within budget in Dublin West in each of the past five years, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33684/26]
View answerResponsibility for capital project delivery is devolved to individual Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) and Education and Training Boards (ETBs). In that context, responsibility for the planning and procurement processes, as well as project delivery timelines and cost management, all fall within the remit of the HEIs/ETBs and not DFHERIS.
HEIs and ETBs are autonomous institutions with responsibility for the oversight, planning and management of their capital development plans.
My Department does not hold information on a constituency basis. However, for the Deputies convenience, I have attached a list of the major capital projects completed by higher and further education institutions since 2020 which serve the area(s) referred to.Dublin Project
584. Deputy Aidan Farrelly asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if his Department or any bodies and agencies under his aegis use software and or products from a company (details supplied); and the duration and cost of the contract; and the services they avail of from the company. [33722/26]
View answerThe Department of Education and Youth (DEY) provides digital and ICT services as a shared service to my Department (DFHERIS). DEY advise that they do not use products or software from the company in question.
The information in respect of aegis bodies, within the scope of the Deputy’s question, is not held by my Department. Contact details for these bodies are set out in the attached document, should the Deputy wish to contact the aegis bodies directly with their query
585. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will provide a list of all capital projects, including further and higher education campus, ETB and research infrastructure projects, delivered under the remit of his Department which have been completed on time and within budget in Dublin in each of the past five years, in tabular form [33832/26]
View answerResponsibility for capital project delivery is devolved to individual Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) and Education and Training Boards (ETBs). In that context, responsibility for the planning and procurement processes, as well as project delivery timelines and cost management, all fall within the remit of the HEIs/ETBs and not DFHERIS.
HEIs and ETBs are autonomous institutions with responsibility for the oversight, planning and management of their capital development plans.
Please find attached a list of the major capital projects completed by higher and further education institutions since 2020 in Dublin.
586. Deputy Shane Moynihan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science for a list of all further and higher education services available in the Clondalkin area; whether there are plans to increase the number of such services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33856/26]
View answerThank you, Deputy, for this question.
There is a strong and expanding Further Education and Training (FET) provision in Clondalkin, delivered across three principal Colleges of Further Education - Coláiste Chilliain (Clondalkin), Kishoge Community College (Clondalkin/Kishoge area), and Green Isle Campus (Clondalkin).
Across these locations, a total of 334 FET courses are available in 2026, representing a significant increase from 203 courses in 2025. This marks substantial growth in local provision, reflecting targeted investment in FET to support access, skills development, and lifelong learning within the community. The courses span a wide range of disciplines and levels on the National Framework of Qualifications, supporting learners both in progressing directly into employment and in accessing pathways to higher education.
Clondalkin also benefits from its proximity to the established Technological University Dublin (TU Dublin) Tallaght campus, which provides a broad range of undergraduate and postgraduate programmes across multiple disciplines. This campus is easily accessible to residents of Clondalkin and forms an important part of the higher education provision in the wider South Dublin region.
The Department continues to work closely with SOLAS, Education and Training Boards, and higher education institutions to ensure that provision is aligned with local and regional needs. The continued expansion of local FET provision, alongside access to the nearby TU Dublin Tallaght campus and a broad range of higher education institutions across the Dublin area, ensures that learners from Clondalkin have access to a wide and evolving range of educational opportunities.
587. Deputy Micheál Carrigy asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of civil and public servants employed by his Department in each of the past ten years, in tabular form. [33953/26]
View answerThe Deputy will be aware the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science (DFHERIS) was established in July 2020.
Please note that our department does not hold complete records of staff numbers for the period 2020–2023, as the HR function was shared with the Department of Education during that time.
The table below outlines the total headcount of civil servants employed by my department end of year 2024, end of year 2025 and as of the 28 March 2026.
|
|
End of 2024 |
End of 2025 |
End of March 2026 |
|
Headcount |
294 |
325 |
328 |
|
FTE |
285.03 |
316.13 |
311.90 |
588. Deputy James O'Connor asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht the status of a project (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33468/26]
View answerThe Rural Regeneration and Development Fund (RRDF) is a major capital investment programme which seeks to support large-scale, ambitious projects that can achieve sustainable economic and social development in rural areas. RRDF provides funding for the development and construction of capital projects in towns and villages in rural areas across Ireland. Funding is allocated to local authorities and other State-funded bodies, who take the lead role in individual projects.
Since the RRDF was established, funding of over €612 million has been approved for 272 projects nationwide, including funding of over €43 million approved for 27 projects located across County Cork.
Cork County Council is the designated Lead Body for the Youghal Public Library project. As the Lead Body, which was awarded over €4 million in RRDF funding to delivery the library, the Council is fully responsible for the management and delivery of the project including planning permission, design, contractor procurement and delivery of the construction works.
In developing its plans, the Council has confirmed it is seeking to carry out the renovation and extension of a collection of derelict buildings on Youghal's North Main Street to provide a new library and revitalised streetscape.
In its latest project update to my department, Cork County Council has confirmed it will be publishing a Part 8 planning notice on the proposed development for public consultation in the next four to six weeks. This follows on a redesign requirement identified by the Council.
On completion of this work, the Council will be required to re-engage with my Department officials as part of the ongoing engagement in place between my department and lead bodies to support the delivery of projects.
589. Deputy Catherine Callaghan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht if he will provide a list of all capital projects including those delivered under LEADER, the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund, CLÁR, the town and village renewal scheme, the outdoor recreation infrastructure scheme and Údarás na Gaeltachta programmes which have been completed on time and within budget in Carlow in each of the past five years, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33506/26]
View answerMy Department implements a wide range of schemes that have supported thousands of individual capital projects throughout the country in recent years.
Details in relation to supported projects are available on my department’s website.
Across these schemes, projects are delivered by a range of lead bodies who have responsibility for the day-to-day management and delivery of projects. My department is in ongoing engagement with lead bodies to support efficient and effective delivery of projects. These lead bodies include local authorities, local development companies, and LEADER Groups.
For CLÁR, the Town & Village Renewal Scheme, and the Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme, the scheme terms and conditions generally set out indicative completion dates of some 18-24 months. However, the Department works with lead bodies, to monitor delivery and shows flexibility where it is needed to ensure projects are delivered for communities.
For these schemes, funding approvals are generally granted in the form of maximum agreed grant amounts, with any cost overruns beyond the final agreed amount either met by the applicant or through agreed changes to the project that reduce costs to remain within the agreed amount without significantly impacting the project.
Under the LEADER programme, Local Action Groups (LAGs) receive a multi-annual funding allocation to support projects in their own LEADER area. Grant contributions towards individual projects are approved and monitored by LAGs in each area, and no additional funding is provided by the Department above the approved project allocations.
The Rural Regeneration and Development Fund (RRDF) supports large scale and ambitious capital projects.it is typically expected that approved projects would have a lifecycle of up to 5 years from funding application, through the design and planning process and to construction completion.
The details requested by the Deputy in relation to the schemes referenced are listed in the attached tables. The tables cover the years 2021-2025 and any project completions submitted to my department to date in 20226.
Please note, there were no projects delivered by Údarás na Gaeltachta in Carlow.
590. Deputy Paula Butterly asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht if he will provide a list of all capital projects including those delivered under LEADER, the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund, CLÁR, the town and village renewal scheme, the outdoor recreation infrastructure scheme and Údarás na Gaeltachta programmes which have been completed on time and within budget in Louth in each of the past five years, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33654/26]
View answerMy Department implements a wide range of schemes that have supported thousands of individual capital projects throughout the country in recent years.
Details in relation to supported projects are available on my department’s website.
Across these schemes, projects are delivered by a range of lead bodies who have responsibility for the day-to-day management and delivery of projects. My department is in ongoing engagement with lead bodies to support efficient and effective delivery of projects. These lead bodies include local authorities, local development companies, and LEADER Groups.
For CLÁR, the Town & Village Renewal Scheme, and the Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme, the scheme terms and conditions generally set out indicative completion dates of around 18-24 months. However, the Department works with lead bodies, to monitor delivery and shows flexibility where it is needed to ensure projects are delivered for communities.
For these schemes, funding approvals are generally granted in the form of maximum agreed grant amounts, with any cost overruns beyond the final agreed amount either met by the applicant or through agreed changes to the project that reduce costs to remain within the agreed amount without significantly impacting the project.
Under the LEADER programme, Local Action Groups (LAGs) receive a multi-annual funding allocation to support projects in their own LEADER area. Grant contributions towards individual projects are approved and monitored by LAGs in each area, and no additional funding is provided by the Department above the approved project allocations.
The Rural Regeneration and Development Fund (RRDF) supports large scale and ambitious capital projects.it is typically expected that approved projects would have a lifecycle of up to 5 years from funding application, through the design and planning process and to construction completion.
The details requested by the Deputy in relation to the schemes referenced are listed in the attached tables. The tables cover the years 2021-2025 and any project completions submitted to my department to date in 20226.
Please note, there were no projects delivered by Údarás na Gaeltachta in Louth.
591. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht if he will provide a list of all capital projects, including those delivered under LEADER, the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund, CLÁR, the Town and Village Renewal Scheme, the Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme and Údarás na Gaeltachta programmes which have been completed on time and within budget in Dublin West in each of the past five years, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33678/26]
View answer593. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht if he will provide a list of all capital projects including those delivered under LEADER, the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund, CLÁR, the town and village renewal scheme, the outdoor recreation infrastructure scheme and Údarás na Gaeltachta programmes which have been completed on time and within budget in Dublin in each of the past five years, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33827/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 591 and 593 together.
My Department implements a wide range of schemes that have supported thousands of individual capital projects throughout the country in recent years.
Details in relation to supported projects are available on my department’s website.
Across these schemes, projects are delivered by a range of lead bodies who have responsibility for the day-to-day management and delivery of projects. My department is in ongoing engagement with lead bodies to support efficient and effective delivery of projects. These lead bodies include local authorities, local development companies, and LEADER Groups.
For CLÁR, the Town & Village Renewal Scheme, and the Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme, the scheme terms and conditions generally set out indicative completion dates of around 18-24 months. However, the Department works with lead bodies, to monitor delivery and shows flexibility where it is needed to ensure projects are delivered for communities.
For these schemes, funding approvals are generally granted in the form of maximum agreed grant amounts, with any cost overruns beyond the final agreed amount either met by the applicant or through agreed changes to the project that reduce costs to remain within the agreed amount without significantly impacting the project.
Under the LEADER programme, Local Action Groups (LAGs) receive a multi-annual funding allocation to support projects in their own LEADER area. Grant contributions towards individual projects are approved and monitored by LAGs in each area, and no additional funding is provided by the Department above the approved project allocations.
The Rural Regeneration and Development Fund (RRDF) supports large scale and ambitious capital projects.it is typically expected that approved projects would have a lifecycle of up to 5 years from funding application, through the design and planning process and to construction completion.
While the focus of many of my department's schemes is on rural areas, projects have been supported in areas of Dublin in a number of cases. Individual schemes generally set out eligibility requirements in relation to what areas may qualify for funding. For example, the LEADER programme includes a 'Dublin rural' LAG, while the RRDF is open to all settlements and rural areas with a population of less than 10,000 people which are located outside city boundaries and the Dublin metropolitan area (based on the 2022 census).
The details requested by the Deputy in relation to the schemes referenced are listed in the attached tables. The tables cover the years 2021-2025 and any project completions submitted to my department to date in 20226.
Please note, there were no projects delivered by Údarás na Gaeltachta in Dublin.
592. Deputy Aidan Farrelly asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht if his Department or any bodies and agencies under his aegis use software and or products from a company (details supplied); and the duration and cost of the contract; and the services they avail of from the company. [33727/26]
View answerI can confirm that no products or software from the company referred to are utilised within my Department.
With regard to the agencies of my Department, there are currently eight agencies under the remit of the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht: Pobal, Western Development Commission, Charities Regulatory Authority, Water Safety Ireland, Oifig an Choimisinéara Teanga, Údarás na Gaeltachta, Foras na Gaeilge, and the Ulster-Scots Agency. These are independent entities, responsible for managing their own corporate arrangements, including ICT services provision. However, I am informed by the agencies that none have utilised the company referred to.
594. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht the funding streams that are currently available through his Department to support registered charities delivering essential community services, including counselling, mental health and wellbeing supports; and if he will outline the eligibility criteria which apply. [33865/26]
View answer595. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht whether his Department provides match-funding, bridging supports or emergency sustainability funding to registered charities providing essential community-based services; and if he will provide details of any such schemes currently in place. [33866/26]
View answer596. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht to provide a list of all current funding programmes and grant schemes administered by his Department, or through agencies funded by his Department, which may be accessed by registered charities providing community-based counselling and wellbeing supports; and to confirm which schemes are expected to open for applications in 2026. [33867/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 594, 595 and 596 together.
My Department’s Community Services Programme supports community organisations, including registered charities to provide local social, economic and environmental services through a social enterprise model. A further nine organisations, which were waitlisted from the 2023 Open Call, are approved to join the CSP Programme in 2026 bringing the total number of funded organisations to 435 in 2026.
An allocation of €59.4m was made in Budget 2026 to support the CSP Programme for 2025, an increase of €4m from 2025, which currently provides funding towards 1,717 full-time equivalents and 350 manager positions.
The Community Services Programme provides a contribution towards the employment costs of approved positions only and does not provide match-funding, bridging supports or emergency sustainability funding to organisations providing community-based services. The CSP contribution is not aligned to the minimum wage and is not intended to meet the full salary cost of supported posts. Each organisation, as an employer, is required to generate income to fully meet wage costs and cover all other operating costs involved in running the organisation. This approach is central to operating on a social enterprise mode and is a key feature of the CSP Programme.
On Monday 30th of March 2026, I announced an Open Call for Applications under the CSP Programme in line with a commitment made in the Programme for Government. Details of this Open Call, including eligible community services and organisations, application forms and guidelines are now available on Pobal’s website www.pobal.ie/programmes/community-services-programme-csp/.
together with information in relation to the existing Community Services Programme 2023 to 2027. The application window closes at 5pm on Friday 8th May.
Counselling and professional medical services are not eligible for support under the current Open Call for new organisations to join the Community Services Programme. However, where an organisation’s primary activity is not eligible for funding under this open call, the organisation nevertheless may apply in respect of a separate and distinct service e.g. provision of respite services for elderly people in their local community, provided that the service is owned, managed and delivered by the applicant organisation, and the service is clearly distinct and meets the programmes strategic objectives, horizontal principles and is sufficiently developed i.e. operationally ready from 1 January 2027.
Charities providing counselling and professional medical services should contact the HSE in relation to funding streams that may be available for these services.
