Written Answers Nos. 425-444
426. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation to provide a breakdown of the expected spending cuts for each Government Department as a result of recent overspends in the Department of Education and Youth, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36722/26]
View answerThe Government agreed a Medium Term Fiscal Structural Plan (MTFP) in December last year. This set out expenditure ceilings for the period to 2030. It provides for significant uplifts in expenditure over the coming years, with gross voted spending to reach €147.3 billion in 2030. As set out in the MTFP the ceiling for 2027 will increase to €125.5 billion. This is an uplift of €7 billion over the 2026 expenditure ceiling of €118.5 billion. Delivery of the MTFP over the medium-term horizon will require enhanced expenditure control, avoidance of in-year decisions with carryover costs for subsequent years and robust oversight mechanisms.
In April, Government agreed that additional funding of €646 million will be provided to the Department of Education and Youth in 2026. To accommodate this reprioritisation and deliver on the 2027 ceiling agreed under the MTFP, other Departments have been asked to deliver a levy focusing on efficiencies and reforms which will total €446 million from 2027. This should be considered through the lens of an overall uplift of €7 billion for expenditure in 2027. It will not impact the 2026 allocations.
The delivery of reforms and efficiencies supports adherence to the fixed expenditure ceilings set out in the MTFP. It reflects the need to moderate the rate of expenditure growth across other Departments to facilitate Government’s decision to reprioritise and provide additional investment to the Education sector within the agreed overall fiscal framework out to 2030. The scale of the efficiencies to be found ranges from 0.02 per cent to 1.4 per cent on the 2026 current expenditure funding across all other Vote Groups.
The distribution of the levy across Departments has been designed to protect certain areas including:
• Social Protection Vote Group non-pay allocation;
• Department of Health pay allocation;
• Specialist Disability Services subhead in the Department of Children, Disability and Equality;
• Justice, Home Affairs and Migration Group pay;
• Housing, Local Government and Heritage Group non-pay and
• Pension funding across Votes.
My Department wrote to Secretaries General of other Departments, following the Government decision, informing them of the need to identify efficiencies and reforms and that this would form a key element of the Estimates engagement for Budget 2027. It is a matter for each Department to determine how the levy will be applied across the Vote Group and identify the efficiencies and reforms required to ensure this. My own Department will also be undertaking this process in accordance with the requirements. The table below sets out the level of levy that will apply to each Vote Group.
|
Vote Group |
% |
|
Agriculture, Food and the Marine |
1.3% |
|
Children, Disability and Equality Group |
0.6% |
|
Climate, Energy and the Environment |
1.3% |
|
Culture, Communications and Sport |
1.4% |
|
Defence Group |
1.0% |
|
Enterprise, Tourism and Employment |
1.2% |
|
Finance Group |
1.4% |
|
Foreign Affairs and Trade Group |
1.4% |
|
Further & Higher Education, Research, Innovation & Science |
1.3% |
|
Health Group |
0.7% |
|
Housing, Local Government & Heritage Group |
0.1% |
|
Justice, Home Affairs and Migration Group |
0.7% |
|
Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation Group |
0.6% |
|
Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht |
1.3% |
|
Social Protection |
0.02% |
|
Taoiseach's Group |
1.4% |
|
Transport |
1.4% |
427. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation the amount the Department of Education and Youth estimated as its required budget for 2026; if it was more than was allocated by his Department in Budget 2026; if so, the amount by which; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36723/26]
View answerThe Budget 2026 bids submitted by the Department of Education and Youth is a matter for the Department of Education and Youth.
Budget 2026 allocated €13.1 billion for the Department of Education and Youth, representing an uplift of €843m or 6.9% compared to the REV 2025 allocation of €12.2 billion. This did not include contingency items which were funded in the Revised Estimate Volume (REV).
REV 2026 allocated €13.5 billion for the Department of Education and Youth. Compared to the 2025 REV allocation, the increased funding in 2026 represents a €1.2 billion or 10% uplift.
In April, the Government agreed that additional funding of €646 million will be provided to the Department of Education and Youth in 2026. This estimate is subject to Dáil Éireann approval and will increase the Department of Education and Youth’s allocation to €14.1 billion. Compared to the 2025 REV allocation, this increased funding represents a €1.9 billion or 15.3% uplift, representing Government's commitment to supporting the continued delivery of high-quality education and youth services.
428. Deputy Aidan Farrelly asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation the number of persons that are currently on a panel from the most recent civil service principal officer with fluency in Irish recruitment campaign. [36893/26]
View answerI am informed by publicjobs that during the application stage of the Principal Officer (PO) 2025 competition, candidates were advised that vacancies requiring the provision of a full range of services through the Irish language (Functional Bilingual roles) could be filled from this campaign. Candidates were invited to indicate on the application form their interest in such roles and to self-assess their Irish language proficiency.
A total of 3,188 applications were received for the PO 2025 competition, of which 145 candidates (4.5%) self-assessed their Irish language skills at B2 (upper-intermediate) level of competence or above.
At present, there are three candidates on the active panel awaiting assignment who have self-assessed their Irish language proficiency at B2 level or above. It should be noted that none of these candidates have undergone a formal assessment of their Irish language skills.
429. Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation for a further update on the progress being made in relation to the proposed relocation of the Turoe Stone; the current status of the project; the expected timeline for the commencement and completion of the works; when a substantive response will issue from the Office of Public Works, given that in reply to a previous Parliamentary Question it was stated that the OPW would respond directly but no such response has been received to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37082/26]
View answerThe Turoe Stone had been located on a site adjacent to the Turoe Pet Farm enterprise and, though the artefact was not itself owned by the proprietors, it was placed on their lands and they exercised, in cooperation with the Office of Public Works, a significant positive role in its care and custodianship. It was located unprotected on a tiny piece of ground not much bigger than the stone itself.
Following discussions with the National Museum and the then Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, the stone was removed and placed in storage by the Office of Public Works for its protection. At that time, a commitment was given, following conservation treatment, that the stone would be returned to a bigger site, and a new enclosure constructed for the stone.
As part of the process it was necessary to ensure that the land upon which the Stone will sit was transferred to the State, this transfer is now concluded and the land in now in the ownership of the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage.
The OPW is currently reviewing the detailed design for the display and protection of the Stone to ensure that it is in-keeping with the parameters set out in the original scope for the project. Once this review is complete it is planned to seek Ministerial Consent for the works. Thereafter, the project can proceed to tender.
It is not possible to give an exact timeline for this process but this project is a priority for the OPW in 2026 and a team is actively working on it.
430. Deputy Malcolm Byrne asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation if his Department has any usage policy on or if it sanctions for official purposes the use of messaging apps (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37207/26]
View answerMy department adheres to the Department’s Civil Service circular 09/2019 ‘Policy on the Use of Private Email and Other Private Messaging Services’ in addition to our Acceptable Use of ICT policy and Social Media policy.
These policies require that official communications are conducted through approved Government systems and prohibit any practices that would circumvent security controls, data protection requirements, or statutory obligations, including under Freedom of Information and National Archives legislation.
In exceptional circumstances (e.g. extended loss of ICT systems, national emergency or where a civil servant has no access to his/her organisation issued email account or service), it may be necessary to use a private email account or other private messaging service to conduct official government business. Resulting correspondence must be forwarded to the civil servant’s organisation issued email account and be deleted from the private account.
Accordingly, messaging applications are not sanctioned for substantive official business or decision-making. Where such applications are used on an exceptional basis, any official record arising must be appropriately captured and retained within approved systems in line with the appropriate policies.
431. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation to engage as a matter of urgency with coastal erosion experts to investigate the severe erosion to the spit at Rossbeigh Beach, County Kerry; to outline how best to slow down the pace of erosion there; how best to reinstate the dunes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37244/26]
View answerLocal coastal erosion and flooding issues are a matter, in the first instance, for each local authority to investigate and address. The OPW continues to work with Kerry County Council (KCC) to implement a number of initiatives to tackle coastal erosion and flooding in the county.
Minor Works Scheme
The Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection Scheme was introduced by the Office of Public Works (OPW) in 2009. The purpose of the scheme is to provide 90% funding to local authorities to undertake minor flood mitigation works or studies to address localised flooding or coastal erosion problems. The scheme generally applies where a solution can be readily identified and achieved in a short time frame. The funding available for each scheme has recently been increased from €750,000 to €2 million.
Since 2009, OPW has approved some 40 projects and €4.2m to KCC under the Minor Works Schemes. Some €2.9m of this approved funding relates to coastal erosion works and studies.
KCC has identified areas of soft coastline such as Rossbeigh as being particularly vulnerable to coastal erosion. No Minor Works application has been received from KCC in relation to Rossbeigh. The OPW will consider any application for Minor Works received.
Coastal Change Management and Coastal Monitoring
The Government recognises the risks associated with climate change and that increases in sea levels and storm surges will result in increased frequency of coastal erosion. In response to these challenges, the recommendations outlined in the Report of the Interdepartmental Group on National Coastal Change Management Strategy are being implemented. Amongst the key recommendations of the Report is the assignment of the lead coordination role to the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, which is responsible for chairing an Interdepartmental Steering Group on Coastal Change Management.
The OPW has been designated by Government as the national lead coordinating body for the assessment of coastal change hazards and risks and the assessment of technical options and constraints. These assessments will build upon indicative assessment work previously undertaken by the OPW under the Irish Coastal Protection Strategy Study, and comprise a substantial, multi-annual programme of work to assess coastal risk nationally, and then in detail at higher risk locations as a basis for then determining potential viable works to manage this risk. This work will contribute to the work of the Interdepartmental Steering Group on Coastal Change Management.
The OPW are currently working on the development of National Coastal Erosion Hazard Mapping and a Coastal Erosion Database to assist in identifying areas at potentially significant risk of coastal change.
The OPW is also currently developing a national coastal change monitoring programme. In the interim, aerial photography and LiDAR surveys will continue to be conducted in the monitoring areas identified for annual surveys in the Pilot CMSP. The OPW has also completed an aerial imagery and LiDAR survey of the full Kerry coastline in 2021.
432. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation if he met formally with a person (details supplied) during his recent visit to San Francisco. [37277/26]
View answerI recently travelled to San Francisco for a number of engagement and meetings focused on AI, digitalisation, infrastructure and trade. As part of the visit, I met with several US-Ireland trading partners. The company referenced in the Details Supplied was one of the organisations I met. I did not meet with the person specified in the Details Supplied.
433. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation the reason no response was provided to concerns raised by the Comptroller and Auditor General that a significant proportion of Brexit-related works at Dublin Port were priced outside the contract schedule of rates; whether a review of this matter has been undertaken or is planned; and whether any updated guidance has issued to the Office of Public Works to ensure adherence to procurement controls in future urgent capital projects. [37389/26]
View answer434. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation if he will commit to publishing in full the strategic review being conducted by the Office of Public Works into the consolidation of State agency facilities at Dublin Port, in the interests of transparency and value-for-money oversight. [37390/26]
View answer435. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation to detail the extent of infrastructure at Dublin Port developed for Brexit purposes that is currently vacant, underutilised or has been decommissioned, including terminal 7 and any plans relating to terminal 9. [37391/26]
View answer436. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation the total cost of Brexit-related infrastructure works delivered at Dublin Port; the proportion delivered under schedule-of-rates pricing versus market-tendered works; and the estimated value of assets currently not in active use. [37392/26]
View answer437. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation whether it remains Government policy that the approximately 14 hectares of land acquired for Brexit-related infrastructure at Dublin Port will be released for alternative use once no longer required; and if not, the revised policy position that is under consideration. [37393/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 433, 434, 435, 436 and 437 together.
The Office of Public Works is carrying out a Strategic Review on behalf of the Brexit Infrastructure Group (the project Steering Group). The Department of Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation chairs this Group, with membership being comprised of all relevant Government Departments. The Strategic Review will be subject to the approval of the Brexit Infrastructure Group, with publication of this review a matter for that group.
The Office of Public Works responded to queries raised by the Comptroller and Auditor General during the preparation of their Special Report. To meet the construction and overall project deadlines, the Office of Public Works, as the project Contracting Authority, used an existing contract that included pre-tendered rates. Using this contract allowed the Office of Public Works to fix prices where possible, to better ensure value for public money. The remaining specialised works were tendered at market rates. The Department of Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation sanctioned this approach at the time.
The Office of Public Works has reviewed in full the Special Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General. No specific updated guidance has issued to the Office of Public Works.
The majority of Terminal 7 at Dublin Port has been released to the Dublin Port Company. Collaboration is ongoing with all stakeholders in relation to the potential rationalisation of further sites, including Terminal 9 at Dublin Port.
In addition to the construction costs of approximately €71.2 million for the Brexit-related infrastructure works at Dublin Port, the Office of Public Works incurred fees, site costs, fit-out costs and VAT. The Total Project Cost in respect of all 27 projects was approximately €108 million. The proportion of Brexit-related infrastructure works delivered under schedule-of-rates pricing was approximately 27%. Any assets currently occupied by Government are in active use.
The Strategic Review of Dublin Port underway at present will be subject to the approval of the Brexit Infrastructure Group.
438. Deputy Malcolm Byrne asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation the number of additional staff employed or that will be employed by his Department directly or under contract for the purposes of Ireland’s presidency of the Council of the European Union in 2026 [37458/26]
View answerMy Department has directly employed one additional staff member, who is based in Ireland's Permanent Representation in Brussels, to support Ireland's Presidency of the Council of the European Union. In addition, the Department is also funding four additional temporary staff that have been recruited to the Permanent Representation by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade to work on matters related to this Department.
The other additional work associated with the EU Presidency is being undertaken by existing staff within the relevant Divisions of my Department here in Dublin.
439. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation for an update on efforts to increase parking provision for elderly and disabled people along Chesterfield Avenue in the Phoenix Park; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37583/26]
View answerIn the past number of years the Office of Public Works has been examining and implementing options and approaches to the management of parking in the Phoenix Park overall. There are 2,000 car parking spaces available across the Phoenix Park generally. I can confirm that the OPW recently designated in the region of 5% of all car parking spaces as age friendly and accessible parking for older people and those with disabilities. These spaces have been clearly designated with line marking and signage in all car parks in the Phoenix Park.
There are a number of parking areas located immediately adjacent to Chesterfield Avenue at the Furze Road, the Phoenix Park Visitor Centre Car Park, the Lords' Walk Car Park, the Papal Cross Car Park and the sporting grounds car park at the city end of Chesterfield Avenue, all of which include the age friendly and accessible parking spaces as described above.
440. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation further to commitments contained within the Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Strategy 2024 of the Houses of the Oireachtas that a review of toilets to ensure sufficient provision of gender-neutral toilets would take place; to provide details of any costs incurred to date by the Office of Public Works on delivering on this commitment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37749/26]
View answerThe Office of Public Works (OPW) is responsible for the conservation, maintenance and care of a range of high-profile historic buildings across Dublin including Leinster House and Government Buildings.
In 2024, the Houses of the Oireachtas published their first Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Strategy for the Houses of the Oireachtas Commission. The purpose of the Strategy is to transform the Irish Parliament into a modern, accessible, and representative workspace that reflects the diversity of contemporary Ireland.
I can confirm that the OPW has not been requested to undertake a specific review of the provision of gender-neutral toilets.
The OPW continues to work closely with the Houses of the Oireachtas to improve accessibility for all users. This includes the provision of accessible toilets, which are, by definition, gender-neutral. In 2024, the OPW carried out accessible works to the restroom facility in the bar corridor at a cost of €2,050.52 (excl. VAT).
441. Deputy Liam Quaide asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation the steps taken in 2023, 2024 and 2025 to source international engineering, project-management or flood-relief delivery expertise for tranche two flood relief schemes; the date of each step of this process, the organisation or market approached, the expertise sought, the procurement or recruitment process used and whether any international expert, firm or adviser was ultimately engaged, in tabular form. [37925/26]
View answerThrough the Catchment-based Flood Risk Assessment and Management Programme (CFRAM), the largest study of flood risk was completed by the Office of Public Works (OPW) in 2018. This studied the flood risk for two thirds of the population against the risk of flooding from rivers and the sea. The Government’s Flood Risk Management Plans, an output of CFRAM, provided the evidence for a proactive approach to designing and constructing flood relief schemes for the most at-risk communities. Investment of €1.3 billion through the National Development Plan has allowed the OPW, since 2018, to treble the number of flood relief schemes at design, planning, or construction to some 100 schemes.
As it is not feasible to deliver all flood relief schemes concurrently (due to constraints on the specialised engineering skills in the OPW, local authorities, and the consultancy market), the flood-relief delivery programme was sub-divided into two tranches, focusing initially on Tranche 1 schemes and those already in the delivery pipeline. The prioritisation of the first tranche of schemes was based on three criteria including: scale of projects, capacity to deliver a national programme, and maximising return on investment by reference to property numbers.
Under the national programme, work has yet to commence on the design of some 50 Tranche 2 flood relief schemes. A number of initiatives are underway, including the OPW piloting a new delivery model for flood relief schemes through four Tranche 2 schemes in counties Kilkenny and Donegal, which is referred to as the Tranche 2 Pilot. The Tranche 2 Pilot is transferring the management of data gathering, as a first step in designing a scheme, from consultant engineers for a single scheme to the local authorities for all schemes in the Pilot. The Pilot means that data gathering, where feasible, may be scaled up from individual communities to all schemes in a county.
The Pilot will better inform the prioritisation of future schemes nationally and the scope of services required from consultants to design and facilitate construction of flood relief schemes. While it is anticipated that work to progress Tranche 2 schemes will commence within the lifetime of the National Development Plan, the implementation of these schemes will continue post-2030.
The Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection Scheme (Minor Works Scheme) was introduced by the OPW in 2009. The purpose of the scheme is to provide funding to local authorities to undertake minor flood mitigation works or studies to address localised flooding or coastal erosion problems within their administrative areas. The scheme generally applies where a solution can be readily identified and achieved in a short time frame. It is also available to introduce interim measures that can mitigate the flood risk to those communities pending completion of a major flood relief scheme. Under the Minor Works Scheme, it is the responsibility of the local authority to advance the works, once approved by the OPW. This includes all environmental assessments, planning consents, health and safety requirements and landowner agreements.
I recently announced revisions to the Minor Works Scheme, including increasing the maximum funding under the scheme to €2m. My Office is finalising the details of these revisions, and I expect to announce these details shortly.
442. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment to confirm whether an article is accurate (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36940/26]
View answerI am aware of the article to which the Deputy refers and my Department is currently investigating the matters raised within it. The Deputy can be assured that I take the matters raised in this media report very seriously and will appreciate that I am not in a position to comment while an investigation is ongoing.
443. Deputy Conor Sheehan asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment if there is a list of approved mentors for the new Startup Ireland National Accelerator Programme; how a person can be added to a list of approved mentors; if there is an application process to become an approved mentor; if mentors are required to be living on the island of Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36711/26]
View answerThe National Accelerator programme, which is currently in development, is a key priority under the Government’s Action Plan for Competitiveness and Productivity.
The programme will deliver best-in-class accelerator and training supports to startups and early stage founders, and will provide broader regional coverage and fast-tracked access to international markets.
At this stage, no mentor panel or related application process has been established for the programme. Further details on programme delivery and supports will be determined in due course, including through a forthcoming procurement process that will be managed by Enterprise Ireland.
444. Deputy Charles Ward asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment when the revised standard I.S. 465 will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36732/26]
View answerMy Department has been advised by the NSAI that although it had hoped to have finalised the review into I.S. 465 by the end of Q1, a short unavoidable delay occurred on foot of new observations having been received in respect of the key topic of remediation. The Technical Committee determined that these recent inputs were of importance and that further consideration was necessary to ensure the most robust and effective outcome, informed by the best available data and scientific evidence, in the interests of all stakeholders.
The NSAI has informed my Department that it expects the revised standard to be published in the coming weeks.
