Written Answers Nos. 180-202
180. Deputy Christopher O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Education and Youth if her Department plans to review the policy around students who experience a family bereavement during the Leaving Certificate as the current policy only allows for a three day deferral; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50164/26]
View answerThe State Examinations Commission (SEC) has responsibility for the delivery of the State examinations, including the Scheme of Deferred Examinations which is provided within the policy context of the Scheme of Reasonable Accommodations at the Certificate Examinations (RACE Scheme).
In view of this, I have asked the SEC to respond directly to the Deputy.
181. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Education and Youth the transport provisions provided to ensure that children who have been offered July provision can avail of the places offered. [50186/26]
View answerThe School Transport Scheme is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department of Education and Youth.
School transport services for the Summer Programme 2026 may be available to pupils who normally avail of transport under School Transport Scheme for Children with Special Educational Needs (SEN) during the school year.
All schools who registered for the Summer Programme 2026 and who required SEN transport were asked to submit their details to the School Transport Section. These details are forwarded to Bus Éireann who will endeavour to arrange transport for those pupils. If a school transport service cannot be provided, the Department can offer families a Special Transport Grant (STG) for the days that their child attended school.
If a school has any queries in this regard, they can contact School Transport Section directly via the Customer Contact Form at https://cs.education.gov.ie/
182. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Education and Youth if her attention has been drawn to transport issues impacting July provision at a Cork school (details supplied); and if a plan has been put in place to allow children attend in July. [50187/26]
View answerThe School Transport Scheme is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department of Education and Youth.
The school referred to by the Deputy has approached the department in relation to supplementary funding required for the employment of additional school bus escorts. Department officials have recently met with the school principal, Board of Management and Patron in this regard and continues to engage with the school directly on the matter.
School transport services for the Summer Programme 2026 may be available to pupils who normally avail of transport under School Transport Scheme for Children with Special Educational Needs (SEN) during the school year.
All schools that registered for the Summer Programme 2026 were required to submit the details of pupils who required SEN transport to School Transport Section in the Department. These details were then forwarded to Bus Éireann who endeavour to arrange transport for those pupils.
Bus Éireann has advised that drivers and vehicles are ready to operate these SEN services for the Summer Programme 2026.
There is a facility within the SEN scheme for the appointment of a School Transport Escort where a child’s care and safety needs while on school transport are such as to require the support of one.
The Board of Management/ETB are responsible for the employment of the School Transport Escort. The Department provides grant funding directly to the school for the employment of the School Transport Escort and sets the rate of pay.
As the escort is employed by the Board of Management/ETB, they are therefore responsible for all employment related matters relating to the escort.
If a school transport service cannot be provided due to no service or escort being available, the Department can offer families a Special Transport Grant (STG) for the days that their child attended school.
183. Deputy Malcolm Byrne asked the Minister for Education and Youth the number of teachers providing summer provision for each year 2022,2023,2024,2025 and 2026. [50225/26]
View answer184. Deputy Malcolm Byrne asked the Minister for Education and Youth the number of students availing of summer provision for each year 2022,2023,2024,2025 and 2026. [50226/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 183 and 184 together.
Details of the 2026 Summer Programme were communicated by email to all schools on the 6th May 2026. All schools were given the opportunity to run a school-based programme for children with the most complex special educational needs and those at risk of educational disadvantage.
Where a school does not intend to run a school-based programme or there is no place on the programme for an eligible child, schools were invited to make an application for the home-based programme.
The following table outlines the number of students who participated in each of the years 2022 - 2025 in the primary, special, post-primary and home-based programmes:
|
|
2022 |
2022 |
2023 |
2023 |
2024 |
2024 |
2025 |
2025 |
|
Scheme Type |
Schools |
Children |
Schools |
Children |
Schools |
Children |
Schools |
Children |
|
Primary School Scheme (Previously Primary Inclusion Scheme) |
494 |
8,372 |
886 |
17,695 |
1,095 |
22,906 |
1,322 |
32,239 |
|
Special School Scheme (previously Special Class & Special Schools Scheme) |
39 |
1,408 |
59 |
2,437 |
72 |
3,267 |
81 |
3,846 |
|
DEIS Literacy & Numeracy (Primary) |
260 |
11,211 |
336 |
14,498 |
365 |
15,791 |
372 |
16,151 |
|
Post Primary School Scheme |
117 |
2,787 |
160 |
3,830 |
203 |
5,274 |
224 |
6,119 |
|
Home-based Summer Programme |
- |
13,883 |
- |
12,772 |
- |
12,100 |
- |
12,426 |
|
Total |
910 |
37,661 |
1,441 |
51,232 |
1,735 |
59,338 |
1,999 |
70,781 |
The following table outlines the number of teachers who participated in each of the years 2022 - 2025 in the school-based and home-based summer programmes:
|
Year |
2022 |
2022 |
2023 |
2023 |
2024 |
2024 |
2025 |
2025 |
|
Scheme |
SBSP |
HBSP |
SBSP |
HBSP |
SBSP |
HBSP |
SBSP |
HBSP |
|
Teachers |
4,178 |
6,733 |
5,436 |
6,296 |
7,178 |
5,951 |
8,668 |
6,009 |
Figures for the 2026 Summer Programme will not be known until all claims have been submitted and processed.
185. Deputy Malcolm Byrne asked the Minister for Education and Youth the number of primary school classrooms, by school comprising of 30 of more children. [50227/26]
View answerFor academic year 2025-2026 there were 1,251 mainstream classes with 30 or more pupils.
Data is collated from the 2025-2026 class size tables which can be found at the link below.
www.gov.ie/en/department-of-education/collections/class-size-information-at-individual-primary-school-level/
186. Deputy Malcolm Byrne asked the Minister for Education and Youth to provide an update on plans to provide for sporting facilities or a general purpose room for a school (details supplied). [50228/26]
View answerI can confirm to the Deputy that my department is not in receipt of an application from the school in question under the department’s Additional School Accommodation (ASA) Scheme for sporting facilities or a GP room.
Investment and expenditure on PE Halls/GP rooms is an element of the overall School Building Programme. The provision of GP rooms, PE Halls and sporting facilities form part of the accommodation brief for all new school buildings. This is also the case where a major building or refurbishment project is being delivered for an existing school as part of the departments large-scale building programme.
However, the main focus of the department's capital funding over the last decade and for the coming period is on provision of critical additional capacity to cater for increasing demographics and children with special education needs.
My department has received an application seeking repurposing of existing space to open a new Special education needs classroom. Officials in the department are currently in communication with the school authority in this regard.
187. Deputy Malcolm Byrne asked the Minister for Education and Youth the number of students enrolled in all special schools in Ireland; and if any projections have been carried out as to enrolments over the next five years. [50229/26]
View answerThe National Council for Special Education (NCSE) is the statutory body responsible for the provision of special education and allocating supports for students with special educational needs.
The enrolment figures for special schools are available on the department’s website at Primary Schools Enrolment Figures.
There continues to be an increasing need to provide additional special school places to support students with complex needs. The new special schools established over recent years have focused on providing additional places in our largest urban areas – Dublin and Cork.
When looking to provide additional capacity the department’s preferred option is to increase provision in existing special schools if possible. Where this is not possible in a region, the department and NCSE will consider the need to establish a new special school.
In planning for increased special school places, my department and the NCSE review all of the available data on the growing need for special school places across the country. This involves a detailed analysis of enrolment trends and the potential for existing special schools in a region to expand.
Part of the forward planning process as to where new classes, schools or expansion is required looks at how far students are travelling to access an education that meets their needs. This is an important factor which has been incorporated into the decision-making process. Consideration is also given to the information the NCSE hold at local level on the number of children and young people seeking a special school place in a region.
Four new special schools were recently announced by Ministers Naughton and Moynihan to be established in Balbriggan, CityWest, Bray and Monasterevin. Dedicated working groups including the Department, the NCSE and relevant patron body continue to meet to support the establishment of the new special schools. The NCSE will continue to advise parents at local level on developments. This brings to twenty the number of new special schools established in recent years, and capacity has been expanded in a number of others.
The NCSE remains available to provide advice and support to all families seeking specialist placement.
My department and the NCSE are committed to ensuring that sufficient special education placements remain available for students with special educational needs and will continue to review and monitor the situation nationwide as to where new special schools are required.
188. Deputy Michael Murphy asked the Minister for Education and Youth the status of the climate action summer works scheme 2026 application (details supplied) submitted by in June 2025 under the climate action and roof works category; whether the application has now been assessed; the stage it has reached in the evaluation process; the timeframe for a decision; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50291/26]
View answerThe purpose of the Climate Action Summer Works Scheme (CASWS) is to enable individual school authorities to undertake small-scale building works on a devolved basis that, ideally, can be carried out during the summer months or at other times that avoid disrupting the operation of the school. The CASWS operates on a multi-annual basis across a number of categories of works.
It is envisaged that approvals in any given year will involve a spread of categories rather than the traditional single category at a time. This is aimed at managing market capacity and maximising value for money opportunities for school authorities.
In November 2025, my department announced the first tranche of approvals under the new Climate Action Summer Works Scheme. 297 projects were approved to proceed and involve primary, post primary and special schools, along with projects in all counties and across all categories of works.
My department have confirmed an application was received from the school in question however the school was not on the list of approvals in the first tranche. A preliminary assessment was undertaken on all 1,430 applications received under the Climate Action Summer works scheme however, given that funding is limited in any particular year it is necessary to prioritise applications.
Under the new climate action summer works scheme which operates on a multi annual basis, like previous summer works schemes, applications from schools that are not reached for funding or market prioritisation reasons in 2026 will qualify to be assessed for purposes of the funding available for climate action summer works in subsequent years.
It is anticipated that the next tranche of approvals will be in the latter half of 2026.
Full details of the of the announcement and the list of schools approved in the first tranche, the Circular (0029/2025) for the scheme and guidance documents for schools can be found at the below link:
www.gov.ie/en/department-of-education/services/summer-works-scheme/
189. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport the status of an application (details supplied) under the community sport facilities fund; when a decision is expected on this application; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49931/26]
View answerThe club referred to by the Deputy was awarded a provisional allocation of €5,455 for equipment under the 2020 round of the Community Sport Facilities Fund. Following receipt of required documentation from the club earlier this month, formal approval issued from my Department on 26 June 2026.
190. Deputy Eoghan Kenny asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport the supports and grants available to a boxing club (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50289/26]
View answerThe Community Sport Facilities Fund (CSFF) is the primary means of providing Government funding to sport and community organisations at local, regional and national level throughout the country.
Over a quarter of a billion euro was allocated to 3,048 community sports clubs and facilities from the 2023 round of the CSFF, representing the largest-ever investment in sports facilities in communities across Ireland.
Among the objectives of the CSFF is to develop high quality, accessible, safe, well-designed, sustainable facilities in appropriate locations and to provide appropriate equipment to help maximise participation in sport and physical recreation and to prioritise the needs of disadvantaged areas and group.
In line with previous rounds of the CSFF, I have asked my Department to prepare for a further round of the CSFF in 2026 which I expect to open soon. It is anticipated that the next CSFF round will particularly target areas and sports that have been under-invested in over the years, including boxing.
The Department is currently collating feedback from sporting clubs and organisations and this provides valuable input to our ongoing preparations for the next round. New guidelines will be published in advance of the opening of the next round which will include eligibility and likely assessment criteria for the next round. My aim is to encourage a broad range of applicants and to assist in this regard by simplifying the application process and guide and carrying out a wide-reaching communications and engagement campaign.
191. Deputy Louis O'Hara asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the position regarding an application made by Galway County Council to the housing activation office in respect of the next section of the Athenry Ring Road; the progress from his Department to Galway County Council in respect of the Athenry Ring Road; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49963/26]
View answerIn 21 January 2026, the Government launched the €1 billion Housing Infrastructure Investment Fund (HIIF) to support investment in housing enabling public infrastructure.
The Fund is managed by the Housing Activation Office in the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage.
A total of 138 applications were received in response to the first call for applications under this new fund from 30 Local Authorities and the Land Development Agency.
Following a detailed assessment process, 82 projects have now been approved for inclusion in the HIIF programme under Call 1.
A full list of projects accepted to the HIIF programme can be accessed at the following link: https://assets.gov.ie/static/documents/9d47d273/Housing_Infrastructure_Investment_Fund_Call_1_-_List_of_Projects.pdf
The Athenry Northern Relief Road is included in the list of projects accepted onto the HIIF programme. This project relates to Section 3 of the Athenry Northern Relief Road and comprises approximately 1 kilometre of road and a rail overbridge to directly service 800 housing units in Ballydavid.
Galway County Council have already secured planning permission for the project and the Housing Activation Office will work with Galway County Council and other relevant stakeholders to support the timely progression of this important housing enabling infrastructure project.
192. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to confirm whether he has issued guidance or instruction to local authorities regarding the operation of their social housing transfer lists in recent times; and if so, to outline the guidance or instruction and to publish a copy of the correspondence. [49969/26]
View answerThe allocation and subsequent transfer of a tenancy is a matter for the relevant local authority in accordance with the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009 and associated regulations. Section 22 of the 2009 Act requires all local authorities, as a reserved function, to make an allocation scheme determining the order of priority to be accorded in the allocation of dwellings to households qualified for social housing support and to households approved for a transfer, the allocation of which would, in the opinion of the authority, meet the accommodation needs and requirements of the households.
In relation to determining the accommodation needs of a household seeking a transfer, and the priority to be awarded to such households, these are a matters for each local authority concerned, having regard to their allocation scheme.
My Department has not issued any additional guidance or instruction to local authorities in relation to the operation of transfer lists as the oversight and practical management of housing lists is a matter for the relevant local authority in accordance with the 2009 Housing Act and associated regulations.
193. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if his attention has been drawn to changes to the proposed apartment mix for an LDA site (details supplied); if he is satisfied that the housing need of the area is being met through this new apartment mix; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49996/26]
View answer194. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if his attention has been drawn to changes to the proposed apartment mix for an LDA site (details supplied) that was not included in the public consultation on the proposed development; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49997/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 193 and 194 together.
In line with Section 12(4) of the Land Development Agency Act 2021, the Land Development Agency (LDA) is independent in the performance of its functions.
In terms of the proposed apartment mix, the tenure mix of a particular area will be informed by the Local Authority in that area through the Housing Delivery Action Plan (HDAP) process. Under the new Housing Plan, Delivering Homes Building Communities, local authorities will shortly commence the updating of their HDAPs, for review by my Department, setting out how the Starter Homes Programme will be implemented within their area.
Each local authority HDAP will be informed by identifiable affordable housing need within their area and will include collaboration with their delivery partners, including the LDA. These plans will be completed and published by local authorities later in the year and help determine what is needed and help drive delivery.
With regards to this site, the Stapolin Square site was purchased by the LDA through its Private Land Acquisition initiative with the potential to deliver 2,000 homes, along with providing creche facilities, retail units, and other amenities to the Baldoyle area. When combined with the adjacent Clongriffin Central site, these developments have a collective potential to deliver over 4,000 homes.
Further information on this development at Stapolin, and other upcoming developments can be found on the LDA's website at the following link: https://lda.ie/projects.
It may be helpful to note that arrangements have been put in place by my Department to ensure that public bodies under its aegis have a dedicated email address in place to facilitate the provision of information directly to members of the Oireachtas. This provides a speedy, efficient and cost effective system to address queries directly to the relevant bodies. In this regard, the LDA can be contacted by emailing oireachtas@lda.ie.
195. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to provide an update on the five year review of the approved housing body regulatory authority. [50053/26]
View answerThe Housing (Regulation of Approved Housing Bodies) Act 2019 (the Act) was enacted to provide for the regulation of Approved Housing Bodies (AHBs) for the purposes of protecting certain housing assets provided or managed by such bodies and to establish the Approved Housing Bodies Regulatory Authority (AHBRA).
As provided for in Section 4 of the Act, a review of the effectiveness and operation of the Act shall take place not later than 6 months after a period of 5 years from the establishment of the Approved Housing Bodies Regulatory Authority (which was established in 2021).
A comprehensive legislative review has been undertaken. As part of the review, a comparative analysis of selected regulators (both Irish and international) across peer jurisdictions was completed, with the support of AHBRA, identifying areas that could be considered to enhance regulation in Ireland.
A comprehensive stakeholder engagement has also taken place across the AHB Sector, Local Authorities and relevant State Bodies, while a forensic analysis of the existing legislation was undertaken, both of which identified further reforms and technical amendments to be considered as part of the review.
I understand the review is being finalised and will be submitted to me in the coming weeks for consideration.
196. Deputy Eamon Scanlon asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to review the fresh start principle within the local authority purchase and renovation loan scheme, in light of cases where families had to sell a previous home due to the disability-related needs of a child; if he will consider extending eligibility so that such families are not excluded from accessing finance needed to renovate derelict or vacant properties; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50055/26]
View answerThe Local Authority Purchase and Renovation Loan is a Government backed first time buyer mortgage and loan for the purchase and renovation of derelict and non-habitable homes. The property must be eligible for the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant, whether derelict, non-habitable or simply vacant.
The loan is available to creditworthy first time buyers or persons who become eligible to be treated as first time buyers under the Fresh Start principle. Eligible applicants for Local Authority mortgages are required to demonstrate their creditworthiness and repayment capacity as part of the application process.
The Fresh Start principle applies to both the Local Authority Home Loan and Local Authority Purchase and Renovation Loan; this means that the persons who have previously owned a property but have been divested of their interest in their former property as a result of a relationship termination or insolvency are eligible to be treated as first time buyers for the purpose of these schemes.
There are no plans to extend the Fresh Start principle to include persons who have previously owned a property but disposed of it for any reason other than outlined above.
197. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the published assessment criteria for the community heritage grant scheme; the process by which applications are assessed and refused; the review or appeal mechanism available to unsuccessful applicants; and whether, as the Department funding the scheme, he will seek a report from the Heritage Council on how the criteria were applied in the case of an application (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50167/26]
View answerThe Heritage Council is a statutory body established by the Heritage Act 1995. The Council is an agency under the auspices of this Department but is independent in the performance of its functions. As such, details of its grant schemes including documentation and assessment criteria should be sought from the Council in the first instance, with Community Heritage Grant Scheme information available on its website at https://www.heritagecouncil.ie/funding/heritage-funding-opportunities/community-heritage-grant-scheme
In addition, arrangements have been put in place by all bodies under the aegis of my Department to facilitate the provision of information directly to members of the Oireachtas. This provides a speedy, efficient and cost effective system to address queries directly to the relevant bodies. The contact email address for the Heritage Council is oireachtas@heritagecouncil.ie
As such, given the independence of the Heritage Council in respect of its functions and the arrangements already in place to facilitate contact with the Council, I do not intend to seek a report in respect of any individual scheme applications at this time.
198. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to take into consideration the importance of Killarney town as an international tourist destination, the importance of the town to County Kerry's economy by re-establishing Killarney Town Council as a matter of priority; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50280/26]
View answerThe Local Government Reform Act 2014 dissolved the 80 town councils which represented just 14% of the population, including Killarney town council. The previous town council system also led to duplication both in administrative and electoral terms. Instead, the Act saw the introduction of 95 municipal districts, representing 100% of the population in 25 of the 31 local authorities at sub-county level, while area committees would operate in the 3 city authorities of Cork, Dublin and Galway, and the 3 Dublin county authorities.
Each municipal district can include several towns and villages and their hinterlands, with local matters dealt with at municipal district level and wider strategic issues decided at county level. The result is an integrated administrative structure in each county, which maximises operational efficiency while ensuring devolved decision-making throughout the county.
The Local Democracy Taskforce, a key commitment in the Programme for Government, was established in July 2025 with the purpose of bringing forward a suite of reforms across the Local Government Sector. The Taskforce was to build on the considerable body of work previously undertaken by the Association of Irish Local Government (AILG), CLARE (Congress of Local and Regional Authorities) and Seanad Éireann. The Local Democracy Taskforce presented its final report to me on 4 March 2026. A key consideration by the Taskforce when considering its Terms of Reference was that the recommendations made would be made in a manner that would allow for the successful implementation of the recommendations. An implementation plan is currently being drafted with a view to bringing the report and implementation to plan to Government for consideration shortly. Following this, the report and implementation plan will be published and the process of implementing the reform policy ultimately agreed by Government will commence.
199. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to acknowledge the importance of the tourism industry by ensuring that planning applications in respect of all those involved in short-term lets are given favourable consideration in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50282/26]
View answerThe Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment (DETE) has drafted the Short Term Letting and Tourism (STLT) Bill General Scheme in full alignment with the EU Short Term Rental Regulation. The introduction of the STLT Bill will provide a more effective legal and administrative basis to regulate short term lettings. This Bill when enacted will provide the statutory basis for the introduction of a register for all Short Term Lettings in Ireland, which will be implemented and managed by Fáilte Ireland.
In line with the proposed introduction of DETE’s STLT Bill, all short-term letting accommodation providers will be required to register with Fáilte Ireland. As part of the registration process, accommodation providers will need to confirm that they are planning compliant.
The Planning Acts provide that the short-term letting of a residential property is a material change of use of the property concerned, thereby requiring planning permission, unless otherwise specifically exempted. A threshold-based approach to consenting by planning authorities is proposed to generally preclude new planning permissions for short-term lets in larger towns and cities with a population in excess of 20,000, amounting to twenty five towns at the most recent Census of Population. It is intended that accommodation providers in all other locations, i.e. outside the largest towns and cities, will be able to avail of an extended period to meet planning compliance requirements.
To ensure that there is a clear view, both at national level and local authority level, as to the overall policy approach to determining planning applications for short-term lets, my Department is currently finalising a National Planning Statement (NPS) on Short-Term Letting to supplement and support the introduction of the STLT Bill.
On 16 June, Government noted the draft NPS on Short-Term Letting. This draft will now be subject to a Strategic Environmental Assessment process and the EU Services Directive notification process. A finalised version of the NPS, having regard to the outcomes of the environmental assessment and EU notification, will require further Government approval.
200. Deputy John Clendennen asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to provide a breakdown of all artefacts, historical objects, archival materials and heritage items acquired by the National Monuments Service in each of the years 2023 to 2025 and to-date in 2026, including the nature of the item, the acquisition date and the acquisition cost in each case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50305/26]
View answer201. Deputy John Clendennen asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the total monetary value of all artefacts, historical objects, archival materials and heritage items acquired by the National Monuments Service in each of the years 2023 to 2025 and to-date in 2026; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50306/26]
View answer202. Deputy John Clendennen asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the policies, procedures, governance arrangements and approval processes that apply to the acquisition of artefacts, historical objects, archival materials and heritage items by the National Monuments Service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50307/26]
View answer203. Deputy John Clendennen asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to detail all acquisitions of artefacts, historical objects, archival materials and heritage items by the National Monuments Service with a value in excess of €10,000 in each of the years 2023 to 2025 and to-date in 2026, including the item acquired, the acquisition value and the source of funding used; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50308/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 200, 201, 202 and 203 together.
The National Monuments Service does not ordinarily acquire artefacts, historical objects, archival materials and heritage items and does not have any such items from 2023 to 2026.
The State does on occasion acquire heritage structures and monuments, which are either of national or strategic importance, as resources and opportunities permit. Usually this is in the interests of the preservation, conservation and management of monuments or sites. Such acquisitions are considered within the context of available resources, which includes public expenditure management considerations.
In all cases, the Department assesses potential acquisitions carefully, taking into consideration similar existing properties within the State portfolio, gaps in the State portfolio, any conservation works required, and the cost of acquisition and maintenance over the short and longer term to the Exchequer.
Accordingly, the Department is only ever in a position to make a very limited number of acquisitions as all related expenditure must be met from within existing voted allocations.
